UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – The U.N. Security Council voted on Thursday to keep the United Nations mission in Iraq for another year, as Baghdad urged the world body to do more to help it transform into a functioning democracy.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran is willing to share nuclear technology for peaceful purposes with Sri Lanka, Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Philippine air panel has sealed the country’s first ever air services agreement with Iran in anticipation of an increase in demand for Mideast-bound flights.

TEHRAN (FNA)- The UN atomic watchdog’s deputy director general, Olli Heinonen, arrived in Tehran on Thursday for two days of talks on Iran’s nuclear program, a source in the Iranian atomic energy organization said.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Russia yesterday denied having agreed with the US, UK and other countries to push for another round of economic sanctions against Iran at the United Nations.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran has made an unprecedented request for Cairo’s Al-Azhar University, Sunni Islam’s highest seat of learning, to open a branch in Tehran.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Geopolitical concerns continue to affect the UAE market with Dubai and Abu Dhabi declining, though volumes picked up in both.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Cyprus has not asked for Iran’s mediation towards Turkey regarding efforts to reach a solution to the Cyprus issue, a Cypriot Foreign Ministry’s source said.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Tehran’s nuclear issue is not on the UN agenda, Russia said rejecting claims by Britain and US that 5+1 powers hold the same view for intensifying sanctions on Iran.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Wednesday emphasized Iran takes pride in its scientists, inventors and world champions.