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A nine year old girl is treated for injuries resulting from a cluster bomb explosion in Lebanon. Photo by: Dina Debbas/UNICEF

111 states agree to ban cluster bombs

Cluster bomb survivors and campaigners are celebrating after more than 100 nations adopted a landmark treaty to ban cluster bombs on 30 May.

The treaty will see the majority of the world’s stockpilers, producers and past users of cluster bombs enforce a categorical ban on the weapons. No transition period and no exceptions will be permitted. Stockpiles of existing weapons must be destroyed within eight years.

Bullet hole in a house neighbouring the shooting scene, Calamba (Philippines)

EIght dead in Philippines mass shooting

Eight people, five of them children, have been shot dead by a lone gunman during the early hours of 19 May 2008 in the town of Calamba in the Philippines. The children, reportedly between 4-12 years old, were sleeping inside their homes when the shooting began. A further six people were wounded, among them a 5 year old and an 8 year old.

Police salute their dead colleagues gunned down last week.

Six police chiefs shot dead in a week

Six senior police officials have been shot dead in Mexico in less than seven days. Police chief Juan Antonio Roman was the latest victim to be murdered on 10 May, in a wave of armed violence against Mexican security forces.

The Chinese ship is reported to be carrying 77 tonnes of small arms, including AK47s and 3 million rounds of ammunition

China/Zimbabwe case shows the need for an ATT

The case of the Chinese ship carrying arms destined for Zimbabwe is a classic case of why the world needs a tough Arms Trade Treaty. A group of government experts (GGE) is meeting in New York from 12 May for a second round of discussions on the scope and parameters of such a treaty. Civil society is calling for an ATT based on International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law that recognises the effect of arms transfers on development. The treaty must also cover all types of weapons (including ammunition) and all types of transfers, including import, transit, loans and gifts.