Central African Republic poses 'serious threat': UN
The UN Security Council warned Wednesday that turmoil in the Central African Republic poses a "serious threat" to the country and the region, and urged new measures to restore stability.
UN recommends targeted sanctions in Central Africa
UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon recommended to the Security Council Friday that sanctions be taken against elements of the Seleka coalition responsible for reprisal attacks in the Central African Republic.
Iran's Rowhani urges 'serious' nuclear talks without delay
President Hassan Rowhani said Tuesday Iran was ready for "serious" talks on its nuclear programme without delay and that US calls for tougher sanctions showed a lack of understanding.
US House backs new sanctions before Iran inauguration
The US House of Representatives approved new sanctions aimed at preventing Iran gaining nuclear weapons capability.
UN experts to inspect N. Korean weapons ship
UN sanctions experts will go to Panama soon to investigate a North Korean ship that was intercepted carrying weapons.
N. Korea says Cuba arms seized on ship part of legitimate deal
North Korea said Wednesday that Cuban arms seized from a Pyongyang-flagged ship near the Panama Canal were part of a legitimate deal.
Rowhani firm on Iran nuclear policy but vows more openness
Iran's newly-elected president Hassan Rowhani ruled out any halt to the nuclear activity that has drawn UN sanctions but said he hoped an early deal could be reached to allay the concerns of major powers.
Vote shows Iranian people want 'different direction': Obama
US President Barack Obama said that Iran's election result showed the country's people wanted to back away from confrontation with the outside world but ruled out for the moment lifting economic sanctions on Tehran.
US eases trade restrictions on Syrian opposition
The United States eased restrictions on trade with Syria's opposition Wednesday, in a move aimed at helping supply the critical needs of Syrians in "liberated areas."
US moves help Iranians get on line but hit economy
The US is making it easier for information-hungry Iranians to get on the Internet and use social media, but has also slapped new sanctions on the economy that could make their lives more painful.
US to boycott UN disarmament body over Iran role
The United States will boycott meetings of the UN Conference on Disarmament when Iran takes over the body this month.
North Korea lays out tough pre-conditions for talks
North Korea laid down rigid pre-conditions Thursday for any talks with Seoul or Washington, including the withdrawal of UN sanctions and a guaranteed end to South Korea-US joint military drills.
Iran opens new uranium production facility: TV
Iran, under global sanctions for its nuclear enrichment programme, on Tuesday launched a new uranium production facility and began operations in two extraction mines.
US slaps sanctions on key N. Korea bank, officials
The United States on Monday slapped sanctions on North Korea's primary foreign exchange bank and four senior officials, upping the pressure on Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear program.
North Korea places South island in crosshairs
North Korea leader Kim Jong-Un threatened to "wipe out" a South Korean island as Pyongyang came under new economic and diplomatic fire Tuesday from US sanctions and UN charges of gross rights abuses.
N. Korea scraps peace pacts as sanctions toughened
An enraged North Korea responded to new UN sanctions with fresh threats of nuclear war on Friday, vowing to scrap peace pacts with South Korea as it upped the ante yet again after its recent atomic test.
Sanctions against N. Korea not 'fundamental': China
Sanctions against North Korea over its nuclear programme are not "the fundamental way" to resolve the crisis, China's foreign minister said Saturday, days after the UN tightened measures against Pyongyang.
US, China to increase nuclear sanctions on N. Korea
The United States and China will on Thursday seek to tighten the UN sanctions screws on North Korea after its widely condemned nuclear bomb test last month.
Sudan attacks in Darfur breach sanctions: UN
Sudan breached UN sanctions by using warplanes and rockets bought from Belarus and Russia in the Darfur conflict, according to UN experts who have called for a tightened embargo.
Iran, world powers respond to counter-offers
World powers and Iran were due Wednesday to respond to offers presented by both sides in a final day of talks aimed at breaking a decade of deadlock over Tehran's nuclear drive.