Myanmar Myanmar referendum goes ahead in cyclone-hit areas The military junta in Myanmar pushed ahead with a referendum on a constitution on Saturday in cyclone-devastated areas. Ahead of the vote in Yangon 24/05/2008
France Cannes judges begin deliberations As the countdown begins for the prize-giving ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival, jury president Sean Penn said his panel should “do the opposite of 24/05/2008
South Africa Thousands protest against Xenophobic attacks in South Africa Thousands of people have marched in Johannesburg, South Africa, denouncing the killing of more than 40 African immigrants and the displacement of 24/05/2008
Italy Police and protesters battle over rubbish in Naples Police and demonstrators have clashed in Naples after the Italian government promised to open new rubbish dumps against the wishes of local 24/05/2008
Colombia Unconfirmed reports that FARC commander has died The Colombian government says it is checking reports that the FARC rebel commander Manuel Marulanda has died. The country’s defence minister says the 24/05/2008
Lebanon Suleiman calls for national unity in Lebanon “I can’t save the country alone. This mission requires the efforts of all.” Those are the words of General Michel Suleiman, Lebanon’s army chief, who 24/05/2008
USA Clinton says sorry for Kennedy remarks Hillary Clinton faced a barrage of criticism following remarks she made about the 1968 assassination of Robert Kennedy as she defended her decision 24/05/2008
China UN chief in China as quake toll continues to rise UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has visited the epicentre of China’s devastating earthquake. His visit coincides with Premier Wen Jiabao’s 24/05/2008
Italy Police and protesters clash in Naples over rubbish Police and demonstrators have clashed in Naples after the Italian government promised to force rubbish dumps to open against the wishes of local 24/05/2008
world news A union for South America fails to hide divisions The leaders of 12 South American countries have signed a treaty to create a regional bloc modelled on the European Union. The agreement to establish 24/05/2008
Italy The Italian police arrests Giuseppe Nirta, one of Italy's most-wanted mafia fugitives Police in the south west of Italy say they’ve arrested the head of a group in the Calabrian mafia, alleged to be connected with six murders in 24/05/2008
France Striking French fishermen have escalated their protest at soaring fuel costs They took their dispute into the busiest shipping lane in the world. Line astern, they sailed out of Boulogne harbour at a crawl, disrupting traffic 24/05/2008
Myanmar Aid groups cautious as Myanmar opens borders International aid groups and world leaders have welcomed Myanmar’s decision to accept help for the survivors of cyclone Nargis. Hundreds of thousands 24/05/2008