As the US and its European allies are trying to increase unilateral sanctions against Iran, other major states show bold resistance to the punitive measures. Read the full story

The European Union formally adopted new energy sanctions against Iran Monday which target the country’s energy, banking, and foreign trade sectors. Read the full story

Israel must go beyond easing its blockade of Gaza and throw open its long-closed border, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has said. Lady Ashton urged the international community to pressure Israel to end the blockade. Read the full story

Europe’s disappointment with Persident Barack Obama’s presidency was laid bare Thursday as the EU’s most senior figure called for a dramatic effort to revive transatlantic relations. Read the full story

The CEO of French energy giant Total, Christophe de Margerie, says imposing sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program was a “serious mistake.” Read the full story

Signs of deep rifts at the G8 and G20 summits in Toronto over how quickly governments should cut deficits added to financial market jitters today, with the Americans warning of the dangers of a double dip recession if all countries started to rein back spending at once. Read the full story

A network of national funds should be introduced so the cost of bank failures are not met by the taxpayer, the EU internal market commissioner has said. Read the full story

Russia has been accused of blocking support for its many victims of sex trafficking by closing foreign help-centres. This is despite calls for the country to ratify an EU convention on the problem. Read the full story

China welcomes a nuclear fuel declaration Iran issued after talks with Brazil and Turkey, signaling that it may oppose a US-led drive to impose sanctions on Tehran. Read the full story

Thailand’s government has warned against any foreign interference in its internal affairs following a Red Shirt opposition leader’s plea for assistance from the EU. Read the full story

EU finance ministers today discussed standby plans drawn up by countries using the euro to provide Greece with financial help if it becomes the first state in 11 years of monetary union to seek such aid. Read the full story

The European Union’s top diplomat, Catherine Ashton, has criticized Israel for endangering the fragile Middle East peace process by announcing plans to expand “illegal settlements.” Read the full story

The European Court of Justice has ruled that Israeli goods made in Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank cannot be considered Israeli. Read the full story

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman is expected to face a barrage of criticism from EU foreign ministers for the alleged use of forged EU passports in the killing of Hamas official Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, on the sidelines of the monthly EU foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Monday. Read the full story

The official explained to Bibi Netanyahu that if there was a peace settlement, extra investment would push Israel’s long-term growth rate from 5% a year to 7%. The Israeli prime minister responded that if the country had 5% growth, it did not need peace. Read the full story

FINANCE ministers and officials from the G7 countries, meeting in Canada yesterday, insisted there would be a “European” solution to the problems affecting Greece, Portugal and Spain and no need for an IMF rescue. Read the full story

The delay in the signing of economic partnership agreements by East African Community member states has aroused the ire of the European Union. Read the full story

In a humiliating blow to the European Union’s new leadership, US President Barack Obama has backed out of an EU summit, drawing attention to a messy power struggle on the Continent. Read the full story