Cluster-bomb treaty to be adopted in Dublin today

An international treaty aimed at ending the use of cluster bombs is due to be formally adopted in Dublin today.

More than 100 countries have agreed not to use or manufacture such munitions and to destroy stockpiles within eight years.

Cluster bombs open in mid-air and scatter hundreds of "bomblets" over a wide area, causing severe injury and death long after conflicts are over.

The US, Russia and China are all opposed to an international ban and have not signed up to the new treaty.