The US denounces North Korea's threats to wage a "sacred war" on the South over Seoul's military drills being carried out near the border.

Cuba says it will translate and publish a website 2,000 US diplomatic cables released by Wikileaks, to highlight US "imperialist" policy.

The UN General Assembly unanimously recognises Alassane Ouattara as the winner of Ivory Coast's election, as West African leaders prepare to meet to urge Laurent Gbagbo to step aside.

US President Barack Obama and Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev hail the New Start nuclear arms treaty as a "historic event", the White House says.

The Central Bank of West African States blocks Laurent Gbagbo's access to Ivory Coast's funds and recognises Alassane Ouattara as president.

President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil hails his eight years in power, days before he steps down with approval ratings of more than 80%.

A court in Nigeria grants bail to an Iranian man charged with arms trafficking, after an illegal shipment of weapons was intercepted in October.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange says it would be "politically impossible" for Britain to extradite him to the United States for espionage.