International sanctions

BNP Paribas pleaded guilty Monday to US criminal charges of violating sanctions on Iran and Sudan for eight years and was fined a record $8.9 billion.
      

Hungary opposed to sanctions against Russia

BUDAPEST -- Hungary opposes a new series of economic sanctions that the EU would impose on Russia because of its intervention in Ukraine, said Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

Merkel hopes sanctions against Russia will be "avoided"

BERLIN -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel says the crisis over Ukraine should be solved by political means, without imposing economic sanctions on Russia.