Zimbabwe’s president lashed out at Western powers in a speech to the UN General Assembly, accusing them of genocide and calling for the removal of US sanctions.

The six world powers studying Iran’s response to their offer of nuclear negotiations are likely to reject Tehran’s terms for talks because they do not refer to the possibility of freezing uranium enrichment, diplomats said today.

Western powers stepped up negotiations with Russia and China today on confronting Iran’s nuclear programme, in a last push to reach a deal before their foreign ministers meet to discuss the issue in less than 24 hours.