New law allows protests in Burma

Several reforms have been undertaken by Burma’s nominally civilian government which got to power earlier this year.

The latest reform was signed by president Thein Sein (photo with US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, from bbcimg.co.uk) and allows peaceful demonstrations for the first time, state media report.

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UN rejects US-backed regulation plan on cluster bombs

A US-backed proposition for new regulations on cluster bombs has been rejected on Friday by UN member states.

The plan aimed at destroying all cluster munitions (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk) made before 1980.

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US cuts Unesco funding after Palestine gets full membership

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) voted to admit Palestine as a full member on Monday during a meeting in Paris (photo, from 20minutes.fr). After the vote the US government announced it cancelled its part in annual funding.

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Western countries angry at Israel over settlement plans

Israeli interior ministry announced on Tuesday that it had approved plans to build 1,100 new homes in Gilo (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk), a settler enclave in southeast Jerusalem, a move condemned by the European Union and the United States.

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Abbas makes UN recognition bid

On Friday Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has submitted a written request to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (photo, frombbcimg.co.uk) for recognition of the Palestinian territories as a full member.

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Turkey lowers ties with Israel over Gaza flotilla row

A day before the release of the anticipated official release of a UN report into last year’s raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla (photo, from bbcimg.co.uk), Turkey has expelled Israel’s ambassador and suspended military agreements between the countries, announced Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish foreign minister on Friday during a news conference.

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UN court orders Thai-Cambodian troops withdrawal from border

A few months ago Cambodia asked the International Court of Justice, the UN’s highest judicial organ, to rule over the disputed border with Thailand. (map, from bbcimg.co.uk)

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Cambodia brings temple dispute to UN court

Thailand and Cambodia (map, from bbcimg.co.uk) have been fighting for months over 11th Century Preah Vihear temple, and now the dispute arrives before the UN’s highest court.

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New study says 48 women raped every hour in DR Congo

According to a study by US scientists published in the American Journal of Public Health, an average of 48 females aged 15-49 are raped every hour in Democratic Republic of Congo. (photo, from aljazeera.net)

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Lebanon : new indictment in Hariri’s probe

In the investigation of the killing of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri (photo, from nydailynews.com), the prosecutor of the UN-backed tribunal filed a new indictment which includes “substantiative new elements”.

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