Doug Mellgren

Forty-six nations adopted a declaration on Friday calling for a 2008 treaty banning cluster bombs, saying the weapons, which kill and maim long after conflicts end, inflict "unacceptable harm" on civilians. Some key arms makers — including the United States, Russia, Israel and China — snubbed the conference of 49 nations.

Kenyan ecologist Wangari Maathai on Friday received the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize at a ceremony in Oslo, becoming the first African woman and first environmentalist to receive the prestigious award. Maathai accepted the traditional gold medal and diploma that accompanies the $1,1-million prize from the chairperson of the Nobel Committee.