North Korea's plans for a new nuclear test, like most things that happen inside the reclusive state, are shrouded in mystery. But that's not stopping analysts and officials from making some informed guesses about what's going on.

• February 5, 2013

Iran has announced it will hold talks with world powers over its nuclear programme, in the first sign of diplomatic movement since last year to try to settle the international impasse

• February 4, 2013

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held his first direct talks with Syria's opposition leader in Germany on Saturday, amid a renewed global push to iron out sharp differences over how to end the conflict in Syria.

• February 2, 2013

The controversy over Iran’s nuclear program seems unending as Tehran remains adamant to go ahead with the program. In the latest development, the UN nuclear agency, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has told member nations that Iran is planning to upgrade and speed up its nuclear program.

• February 1, 2013

President Dalia Grybauskaite and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen discussed the overall implementation of NATO's plans to defend the Baltic States, reported BC the presidential press service.

• February 1, 2013

Moscow and Astana have signed a deal to establish a regional defense system, which will also include missile defense.
The document was signed on Wednesday during a meeting between Kazakh Defense Minister Adilbek Dzhaksybekov and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is paying an official visit to Astana, the Kazakh capital.

• January 30, 2013

Cyprus' president said Wednesday that Russia is ready to join the European Union in putting together a rescue package for the heavily indebted country.

Dimitris Christofias said that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin assured him of Moscow's readiness to "extend a helping hand" to Cyprus in a telephone conversation the previous day.

• January 30, 2013

Iran has imported 4 billion bcm of gas from Turkmenistan since March 19, 2012, Deputy Oil Minister Javad Owji said, Mehr reported.

• January 30, 2013