Israel moved ahead with plans to build 3 000 settler homes in one of the most sensitive areas of the West Bank.

Syria has begun pre-emptively withdrawing ambassadors from Europe because it fears EU members will expel them.

The EU has agreed in principle to sanction some Iranian companies, adding to measures on suspicions that Iran is developing nuclear weapons.

Nato commanders face a tough balancing act during the bloody battle for Muammar Gaddafi’s last strongholds, Sirte and Bani Walid.

Britain urged the world to exert pressure on Libyan leader Moammar Gadaffi and the EU said it was considering sending a intervention force.

Heavy snow stranded thousands of Christmas travellers in parts of Europe on Friday, with Belgium’s main airport closed for most of the day.

The European Parliament awarded its top human rights prize on Thursday to Cuban dissident Guillermo Farinas.