Argentina is quietly reaching out to Iran, worrying key Western powers and Israel as they try to tighten Tehran's isolation over its nuclear program.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said that he was worried that a Sudanese rebel group active in Darfur region appeared to be using child soldiers.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon launched a new campaign on World Malaria Day on Friday, calling on the world to ensure that all of Africa has access to basic malaria control measures by the end of 2010. Ban said the African countries hardest hit by malaria have fallen behind in the fight against the disease.

The United Nations Security Council is expected to adopt a third round of sanctions against Iran for its nuclear programme on Monday, but diplomats said this might be the first round that is not approved unanimously. Tehran denies Western charges it seeks nuclear weapons and has ignored three previous Security Council resolutions.

The United Nations is investigating suspected arms transfers from Zimbabwe to Côte d'Ivoire's incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo.

Armed forces in Côte d'Ivoire who back incumbent leader Laurent Gbagbo have conducted a campaign of violence that includes torture and rape.

The United States on Friday vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution condemning Israeli settlements on Palestinian land.

Argentina is quietly reaching out to Iran, worrying key Western powers and Israel as they try to tighten Tehran's isolation over its nuclear program.