Cluster bomb treaty signing begins Representatives from more than 100 countries began signing a treaty to ban the use, creation and storage of cluster bombs Wednesday. Some of the world's largest military players, including the U.S., Russia, China and India have refused to support of the effort.

UN envoy to press Nepal on child soldiers Efforts to convince Nepalese authorities to free and help rehabilitate thousands of former child soldiers still living in camps is at the top of the agenda for Radhika Coomaraswamy's visit. The United Nations special representative of the secretary-general for children and armed conflict arrived in Nepal on Monday for a week-long stay.

Bangladesh makes concerted drive against polio
As part of efforts to drive polio from the country by 2011, Bangladesh has immunized 22 million children. More than 600,000 volunteers went door-to-door across the country, ensuring no child was missed.

UN body meets to pass harsh laws against sex tourism
UN participants at the Third World Congress Against Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents agreed to harsh penalties for those who travel seeking to sexually exploit children in nations where penalties or enforcement are lax — including prosecution in the home country of the accused. Those participants must travel to their home countries and lobby their legislatures to ratify the proposed legislation.