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 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.

A German Rhodesian Ridgeback bitch which bore 17 puppies in one litter is to be neutered for its own good, the owner 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.

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

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