Iran expanding nuclear activities: IAEA Iran is making significant progress in expanding its nuclear programme, including in opening up a potential second route to developing the bomb.
N. Korea fires fifth missile in three days North Korea fired another short-range missile into the Sea of Japan on Monday, the latest in a series of missile drills that have been condemned by South Korea and UN chief Ban Ki-moon.
20 May 2013
S. Korea says ready for more North missile tests South Korea on Monday predicted further missile tests by North Korea which fired four short-range missiles into the Sea of Japan at the weekend, drawing criticism from Seoul and UN chief Ban Ki-moon.
UN assembly slams Assad 'escalation' in Syria war The UN General Assembly condemned President Bashar al-Assad's "escalation" of the Syrian war on Wednesday as rebels battled to free inmates from a prison in the key city of Aleppo.
16 May 2013
IAEA, Iran talks fail again as US hikes pressure Nuclear talks between Iran and the UN atomic agency failed yet again Wednesday, as the top US diplomat in separate six-party negotiations warned Washington's patience was wearing thin.
Iran in parallel nuclear talks in Vienna, Istanbul Two sets of talks on Wednesday aimed at easing tensions over Iran's nuclear programme are not expected to produce any major breakthrough ahead of next month's elections in the Islamic republic.
Israel warplanes strike near Syria capital Israeli raids early Sunday hit three military sites outside Damascus, the second such reported attack in 48 hours, prompting Syria's government to warn that the regional situation was now "more dangerous."
IAEA top official in Iran talks stands down IAEA deputy director Rafael Grossi, one of the top officials in negotiations over Iran's nuclear drive, has announced his resignation.
Organised crime worth $90 bn a year in East Asia Organised crime groups dealing in fake goods, drugs, human trafficking and illicit wildlife trade earn nearly $90 billion annually in East Asia and the Pacific.