Syrian intelligence agencies are running torture centres across the country where detainees are beaten with batons and cables, burned with acid, sexually assaulted, and their fingernails torn out and later forced fed to them, Human Rights Watch said in a report.

A resolution expanding the number of UN observers in Syria from 30 to 300 and demanding an immediate halt to violence has been approved by the UN Security Council today.

The previously divided UN Security Council has sent a united message to the Syrian government and opposition calling on them to immediately implement proposals by international envoy Kofi Annan to end the bloodshed.

Russia and China have vetoed a European-backed UN Security Council resolution that threatened sanctions against Syria if it did not halt its military crackdown against civilians.

Rebel forces supporting the internationally recognised leader of Ivory Coast have seized the strategic cocoa-exporting port of San Pedro, residents said.

The United Nations Security Council has demanded an immediate end to the escalating violence in Ivory Coast and imposed sanctions on Laurent Gbagbo, who has refused to relinquish the presidency, and his inner circle.

Leaders from the Arab world, Africa, the United States and other Western powers are holding urgent talks in Paris today over possible military action against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces.

Turkey’s prime minister has urged the United Nations not to impose sanctions on Libya, warning today that the Libyan people would suffer most, not Muammar Gaddafi’s regime.

The US, Britain and France expressed growing concern today that Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapons programme and developing ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons.

A resolution to impose new sanctions on Iran is ready for a vote by the United Nations Security Council, according to a text circulated.

An adviser to Mahmoud Abbas said today that the Palestinian president sees no need to quit indirect Middle East peace talks over Israel’s assault on a Gaza-bound humanitarian aid ship.

The United Nations will hold an urgent vote today to send 2,000 more troops and 1,500 extra police to protect Haiti’s aid convoys from lawless gangs roaming the quake-hit streets.