Major world powers moved closer to agreement last night on a modest package of new sanctions against Iran.

John Bolton today said he still hopes the US Senate will vote this year to confirm him as US ambassador to the United Nations and he predicted he would win despite unwavering opposition from Democrats.

South Korean and Japan monitored reports today of North Korea’s possible preparations for a second nuclear test, a day after the US confirmed that communist country had, as it claimed, detonated its first nuclear device.

The UN Security Council unanimously approved tough sanctions against North Korea for its claimed nuclear test, but today divisions over how to enforce them signalled that implementation may not be easy.

A global crackdown on North Korea's nuclear weapons programme began today, with countries divided over how to enforce UN sanctions in a foreboding sign that imposing the punitive measures may not be easy.

The US, Britain and France overcame last-minute differences with Russia and China on a UN resolution imposing punishing sanctions on North Korea, and the Security Council was expected to approve it unanimously tonight.

Russia and China have raised new objections that could delay a vote today on a UN Security Council resolution imposing severe sanctions on North Korea for its claimed nuclear test.

The US has circulated a new draft UN resolution on North Korea that adds a travel ban but softens language on cargo inspections and financial sanctions to try to get Russian and Chinese support.

South Korea’s military was reportedly preparing for nuclear conflict today as rival North Korea warned that an international push for tighter sanctions on Pyongyang over its atomic weapons test would be an act of war.

Reports of a possible second North Korean nuclear test jolted Asia today while key powers considered punitive action against the communist nation for its first atomic blast.

North Korea must face “some punitive actions” for testing a nuclear device, China’s UN ambassador said today, a sign that Beijing may be willing to impose Security Council sanctions against Pyongyang.

Japan pressed a divided UN Security Council to adopt a statement urging North Korea to cancel its planned nuclear test and return immediately to six-party talks aimed at persuading Pyongyang to scrap its nuclear weapons programme.

South Korea’s foreign minister cemented his position as favourite to succeed UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan when he became the only candidate to escape a veto during an informal Security Council ballot.

China and Russia have introduced a rival resolution to the United Nations on North Korea’s missile tests today that drops language in a US and Japanese-backed measure which could lead to possible future military action against Pyongyang.

China’s UN ambassador said today that Security Council members have agreed to continue discussions on a Beijing-opposed resolution that would impose limited sanctions on North Korea for its recent missile tests.

North Korea fired a flurry of missiles into the sea today in what was widely seen as a bid to pressure Washington into addressing demands for economic aid and other concessions amid a long-running nuclear stand-off.

Iran has dismissed as propaganda a US offer to join face-to-face talks over its disputed nuclear programme if Tehran suspends its atomic activities.

China expressed concern that a proposed UN resolution to curb Iran’s nuclear programme could lead to a new war and called on Britain and France to eliminate any reference to possible future sanctions or military action against Tehran.

Russia and China remained at odds with the US, Britain and France today over a resolution on Iran, demanding that the measure focus on diplomacy and overseeing Tehran’s nuclear programme instead of threats of possible sanctions.

Iran’s top UN diplomat has criticised a resolution demanding that Tehran halt uranium enrichment or face the threat of further action, charging that it is aimed at provoking confrontation rather than resolving the dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Over Chinese and Russian opposition, western nations have circulated a UN Security Council resolution that would demand Iran abandon uranium enrichment or face the threat of unspecified further measures, a possible reference to sanctions.

Iran will not comply with any Security Council resolution aimed at halting its nuclear enrichment programme because its activities are legal, peaceful, and pose no threat to international security, said Iran’s UN ambassador.

The United Nations Security Council tonight condemned the terrorist bombings at the Egyptian resort of Dahab “in the strongest terms” and urged all countries to cooperate in bringing the perpetrators, organisers and financiers to justice.

Iran came under increasing international condemnation yesterday – including from allies Russia and China – after announcing it enriched uranium for the first time, but it insisted it will push ahead to dramatically expand the program that the United Nations had demanded it scrap.

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.

The US and its European allies remained at odds with Russia and China over Iran’s suspected nuclear programme today, as Britain proposed new talks and sanctions backed by force if necessary.

THE US ambassador opened Security Council discussions on the next UN secretary-general calling the choice of a replacement for Kofi Annan probably the most important decision the world body will make this year.

THE US ambassador opened Security Council discussions on the next UN secretary-general calling the choice of a replacement for Kofi Annan probably the most important decision the world body will make this year.

The US ambassador has opened Security Council discussions in New York on the next UN secretary-general, calling the choice of a replacement for Kofi Annan probably the most important decision the world body will make this year.

In a diplomatic breakthrough, the Bush administration said it had wooed North Korea back to negotiations on the Koreans’ nuclear weapons program, though a date had not been set for reopening the long-stalled talks.

QUESTIONS raised by a probe of the UN oil-for-food programme for Iraq may have given critics more ammunition against the world body, even though Secretary-General Kofi Annan was cleared of corrupt practices.

The new Anglo-American resolution on Iraq still does not properly spell out the new government’s sovereignty, UN Security Council diplomats said today.

The United States and Britain have released a revised resolution on post-occupation Iraq that would give the new interim government control over the Iraqi army and police and end the mandate for the multi-national force by January 2006 at the latest.

Four key nations have proposed major changes to the US-British draft resolution on Iraq that would give the country’s new government control over the Iraqi army and police and require the multinational force to consult on military actions except for self-defence.

The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously today to send a military force immediately to restore order in Haiti, hours after the country’s embattled president fled into exile.

US SECRETARY OF STATE Colin Powell downplayed the significance of a North Korean missile test yesterday, describing it as “fairly innocuous” and “not surprising.”

A British envoy met Chinese officials in Beijing today hoping to build international support for a new UN resolution compelling Iraq to disarm or face military action.