DELEGATES at an international conference being held in Dublin have been urged to use the next fortnight to change the laws on the use of deadly cluster bombs.

The World Bank's board expressed fresh concerns today regarding bank president Paul Wolfowitz's handling of a hefty pay package for his girlfriend.

World Bank president Paul Wolfowitz condemned what he called a “smear campaign” against him and told a special bank panel he acted in good faith in securing a promotion and pay rise for his former girlfriend.

The Dutch elections will go ahead on May 15 as scheduled, despite the assassination of right-wing leader Pim Fortuyn, the government announced today.