Treaty regulating global arms trade takes effect today

Last Updated: Wednesday, December 24, 2014, 02:11

A landmark treaty regulating the multibillion-dollar global arms trade comes into force tomorrow, a milestone hailed by the United Nations and campaigners seeking to stop weapons sales to dictators, terrorists and human rights abusers.

Syria bloodshed: Army pummels Aleppo with barrel bombs, over 100 killed

Last Updated: Monday, February 3, 2014, 07:06

At least 121 people died in bombardments using barrels of explosives dropped from helicopters on the weekend by the Syrian army over various sites in northern Aleppo province.

36 dead in air strikes on Syria`s Aleppo: Monitor

Last Updated: Monday, February 3, 2014, 03:29

At least 36 people have been killed in regime air strikes and aerial attacks with explosive-packed barrels on the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.

Kerry urges Lavrov to put pressure on Syrian regime

Last Updated: Saturday, February 1, 2014, 14:03

US Secretary of State John Kerry has met his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and asked him to put pressure on the Syrian government to accelerate the removal of its chemical weapons stockpile.

Kerry warns Syria of consequences on chemical weapons

Last Updated: Friday, January 31, 2014, 22:45

US Secretary of State John Kerry on Friday warned Syrian President Bashar al-Assad he could face consequences for failing to live up to international agreements on removing his chemical weapons stockpile.

US says Syria `dragging its feet` on chemical weapons

Last Updated: Friday, January 31, 2014, 03:29

The United States has accused the Syrian regime of dragging its feet over its chemical weapons stockpile and urged Damascus to immediately hand over the cache as promised for destruction.

Syria`s sides both talk `terrorism` but spar over blame

Last Updated: Thursday, January 30, 2014, 18:03

Syria`s warring sides discussed the issue of terrorism at a sixth day of UN-brokered peace talks Thursday, sources said, but the gulf over who is to blame remained deep.

Syria has shipped less than 5% of chemical arms: Sources

Last Updated: Thursday, January 30, 2014, 02:19

Less than five percent of the most dangerous chemicals in Syria`s arsenal have left the country and Damascus will be pressured to move faster, sources close to the world`s chemical watchdog said.

UN urges Syria to speed up chemical weapons` elimination

Last Updated: Wednesday, January 29, 2014, 07:24

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that he has expressed concern to the Syrian government of its "now behind schedule" elimination of chemical weapon and said it was "imperative" Damascus "intensify its efforts".

Congress secretly approves US weapons flow to ``moderate`` Syrian rebels

Last Updated: Tuesday, January 28, 2014, 05:51

Light arms supplied by the United States are flowing to "moderate" Syrian rebel factions in the south of the country and US funding for months of further deliveries has been approved by Congress, according US and European security officials.

Second chemical shipment removed from Syria: UN

Last Updated: Monday, January 27, 2014, 21:44

A second shipment of chemical weapons materials has been removed from Syria under a deal to eliminate its arsenal, the joint UN mission overseeing the disarmament said Monday.

Iran woos global investors; says no desire for nuclear weapons

Last Updated: Thursday, January 23, 2014, 20:58

Energy-rich Iran on Thursday sought to allay fears over its controversial nuclear programme and invited global investors to visit the nation to explore opportunities in its bid to normalise relations with the West.