When President Barack Obama announced the rebalancing of U.S. forces toward Asia in 2011, it was often called “the pivot to the Pacific”. Now it’s Russia’s turn to refocus. Russians, like Americans, are turning their attention to a region that’s home to half the global population, several of the largest and fastest-growing economies and some of the world’s busiest ports and shipping lanes. “The... 

Italian Five Star Movement opposition leader Beppe Grillo Italian opposition leader has used harsh language against lawmakers, saying they have “sold their soul to the German devil” and the only way out of the recession is to exit the euro or face a default. “Italian politicians have sold their soul to the German devil in return for their survival, at the expense of the people, who have to suffer... 

Europe plunged into financial crisis in early 2008. Official data show the collective debt in the eurozone has hit a new record high of 92.2 percent in first quarter of 2013, as the 17-nation bloc continues to grapple with a worsening financial crisis. The data released by Eurostat, the EU’s statistics office, on Monday showed that government debt as a share of the total annual GDP of the eurozone... 

The Greek people, did not have to wait for the European Commission to tell them what we already know. Real unemployment is higher than what is recorded on paper, just like in the United States. The report says that 20% of households, are living off of 60% of the average median income in the country. The reality is in fact much worse, it is certain that more than 1/5 are below the poverty line. Young... 

Belgium’s King Albert II (R) and Crown Prince Philippe pose before a reception on July 8, 2013 at Laeken royal castle in Brussels. Europe’s ongoing financial crisis has forced European monarchies to reconsider their spending including Belgium’s new King Philippe who must reform the royal expenses. The 79-year-old King Albert II stepped down from the throne in favor of his son Crown Prince... 

By early 2013 a long-term strategic goal of the U.S. foreign policy became clear. The goal is to create two economic unions to confront the growing power of the BRICS member countries and form two large markets under the control of the United States in the Atlantic and Pacific areas without the participation of China and Russia. The Trans-Atlantic and Trans-Pacific Partnership aim at creating an “economic”... 

The city of Detroit has filed for federal bankruptcy, or Chapter 9 protection, which could mean municipal employees are laid off, assets sold and services like trash collection, which have already been cut to the bone, further scaled back. Detroit has become the largest city in American history to file for bankruptcy. Kevin Orr, a bankruptcy expert hired by the state of Michigan in March to try and... 

Italians receive a free meal at a soup kitchen in Rome. The number of Italians living in absolute and relative poverty soared in 2012 with families in southern Italy hit the hardest, Italy’s national statistics office says in a report. The Wednesday report, citing a study conducted by ISTAT, revealed that about 4.8 million people, or 8 percent of the population, are grappling with absolute poverty,... 

Chinese held US federal debt has reached a record $1.3 trillion. In May 2013 China bought $25.2 billion in US Treasury notes and bonds, according to Xinhua News Agency. “US bonds remain one of the most attractive financial instruments in terms of safety. Recovery of the US economy strengthens the dollar, which is also a positive factor,” Chinese experts are quoted by the Chinese News Agency. China’s... 

A report has found that a third of low-to middle-income British families are unable to afford paying private rents for homes since the rise in rent costs. The think-tank Resolution Foundation said the British government’s plans to kick-start the housing market would do little to help low income families who are being forced to rent privately. This comes as in the recent years; competition for renting... 

Just a week ago (4th of July), the Google-owned company Motorola released its first ad announcing the hotly rumored Motorola X smartphone flagship which is said to revolutionize the smartphone industry, in Apple iPhone-style. Not only that, but Google decided to build the highly expected Motorola X in the US, Texas, a former Nokia factory which was acquired by Google’s Motorola. This will be... 

Protesters attend a demonstration in Athens, Greece, July 8, 2013. Tens of thousands of Greek municipal workers have staged a strike to protest against the massive public sector layoffs enacted by the government in order to secure promised loans. Greek civil servants including policemen and schoolteachers took to the streets outside the Administrative Reform Ministry in Athens on Monday, as the government... 

Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis Greek staff unionists have physically assaulted Athens Mayor Giorgos Kaminis amid protests against job cuts tied to Greece’s bailout, officials say. The mayor’s office said Kaminis was “physically attacked” on Sunday while he was leaving a Confederation of Greek Municipalities (KEDE) meeting, where he held discussions about the austerity measures and their affects... 

The Italian mafia is ramping up investment in wind farms to launder money and benefit from EU subsidies. Europol reports winds farms, and renewable energy in general, are the most popular target for laundering money, after analysing the financial activities of Italy’s four mafia groups. “The Italian mafia is investing more and more in renewable energy, especially in wind farms, to profit... 

The unemployed make up nearly 6 in 10 young people under 25 years of age – unemployment continues to climb. The nightmare of unemployment does not end, especially among young people. For another month, Greece is … “the champion” in unemployment, with 26.8% of the working population without a job. 26.8% is an increase from the month before, February was 26.7% according to figures released...