Iran's most sensitive uranium stockpile falls after nuclear deal

(Reuters) - The size of Iran's most contested uranium stockpile has declined significantly for the first time in four years following a landmark nuclear deal with world powers in November, the U.N. atomic watchdog reported on Thursday.

U.N. Could Agree on Syria Chemicals Resolution by Friday

American officials expressed great optimism Thursday night following a high-level meeting at the United Nations headquarters to begin the process of disarming the Bashar Assad regime of its chemical weapons stockpiles.

Iran: New EU sanctions 'inhuman' and ineffective

TEHRAN: Iran on Tuesday denounced the new European Union sanctions as ``inhuman,'' vowing they will not force any retreat on the country's suspect nuclear program.

Israel's slowing economy may pose trouble for Netanyahu

JERUSALEM — Israel's once-envied economy, which dodged the recent credit crunch and grew even amid the international recession, is heading toward choppier waters.

U.S. exempts India, not China, from Iran sanctions

(Reuters) - The United States extended exemptions from its tough, new sanctions on Iran's oil trade to seven more economies on Monday, leaving China the last remaining major importer exposed to possible penalties at the end of the month.

Security connection between Israel, China warming up

JERUSALEM (AP) -- After a prolonged chill, security ties between Israel and China are warming up.

Japan urges Israel 'patience' on Iran sanctions

JERUSALEM: Japan's Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba has urged Israel to exercise "patience" on Iran's nuclear programme and give sanctions a chance to work, his spokesman said on Wednesday.

Russia warns EU Iran oil embargo will be costly

(Reuters) - Russia pressed its case against new sanctions over Iran's nuclear program on Friday, saying an European Union ban on purchasing Iranian oil would end up hurting the bloc's member countries.

North Korea rocket plan upstages summit on keeping nuclear material away from terrorists

SEOUL, South Korea - The security summit opening Monday was supposed to be an opportunity for President Barack Obama and other leaders to find ways to keep nuclear material away from terrorists. So far, North Korea has upstaged that agenda.

High fuel prices threaten airline sector, IATA warns

GENEVA: The airline industry group IATA cut back its 2012 profit forecast for the airline sector to $3.0 billion (2.3 billion euros) from $3.5 billion on Tuesday, as tensions in the Gulf push fuel prices up.

Nuclear Iran would 'choke' world economy: Israel PM

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday warned that a nuclear-armed Iran would control the major Gulf oil producers, send energy prices soaring, and "choke" the global economy.

US, Britain urge Israel not to attack Iran

JERUSALEM: The US and Britain have urged Israel not to attack Iran's nuclear program and the White House's national security adviser arrived in the region, reflecting growing international jitters that the Israelis are poised to strike.

Global "great power politics" returns to Mideast

LONDON (Reuters) - With Russia sending warships to discourage foreign intervention in Syria, and China drawn more deeply into Iran's confrontation with the West, "great power" politics is swiftly returning to the Middle East.