China is taking a "distinctly Chinese approach" to national security with a raft of new laws, including one on counterterrorism, the third-ranked leader said on Wednesday, offering a strong rebuttal to Western criticism.

• March 9, 2016

U.S. Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton on Wednesday called for sanctions against Iran after the Islamic Republic brushed off U.S. concerns and test-fired two ballistic missiles that it said were designed to be able to hit Israel.

• March 9, 2016

The main Syrian opposition council said on Wednesday the agenda proposed by the United Nations for peace talks was positive and it had noted fewer government violations of a cessation of hostilities agreement in the past day.

• March 9, 2016

Russia's embassy in Kiev sent a note of protest to Ukraine's foreign ministry on Sunday about attacks on the embassy's cars, the RIA news agency quoted embassy spokesman Oleg Grishin as saying.

• March 8, 2016

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) test-fired several ballistic missiles on Tuesday, state television said, challenging a United Nations resolution and drawing a threat of a diplomatic response from the United States.

• March 8, 2016

China sees little reason for optimism that relations with Japan will improve, China's Foreign Minister said on Tuesday, accusing "two-faced" Tokyo of constantly seeking to make trouble.

• March 8, 2016

Russia's Defense Ministry has said it was ready to give access to its military bases in Syria for humanitarian aid deliveries.

• March 7, 2016

The head of the UN's nuclear agency has suggested that Iran's initial compliance with a nuclear deal is only a first step, saying Tehran must continue to honor its commitments in the years ahead.

• March 7, 2016