TV personalities, businesspeople and politicians are gathered in Cork today in a bid to highlight the work being done in Haiti by Irish charity Haven.

Rob Lowe has helped kick off a celeb auction to raise money for relief efforts in Haiti.

Families carrying photos of lost loved ones streamed into a plaza near “ground zero” in New York today to observe the eighth anniversary of the World Trade Centre attack, wiping tears and raindrops from their faces under dreary skies.

Jon Bon Jovi has lashed out of critics of his charity work in Louisiana and Pennsylvania, insisting he performs good deeds to "give me peace", not for good publicity.

Folk singer Arlo Guthrie rolled into town on “the train they call the City of New Orleans,” to perform a pair of shows to benefit musicians left without instruments and gigs after their city was battered by Hurricane Katrina.

Singapore is panning its prudish image to highlight the plight of 42% of the world’s population who live without proper toilets and sanitation.

Sharon Stone has co-written a song to raise funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The Aviator star Alec Baldwin is making a trip to New Orleans, Louisiana, to help with the relief efforts in the hurricane ravaged city.

British rocker Robert Plant has joined the line up for Pearl Jam's Hurricane Katrina benefit concert, to take place in Chicago on 5 October.

DIANE KELLY is ticking off the days until she moves into her new home, which is being built with the help of an American humanitarian group.

Habitat for Humanity Ireland launched its Asian Tsunami Relief Appeal today, with plans to provide relief and build shelter for those left homeless in the regions affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

Cher has signed on as honorary chairperson for Habitat For Humanity's Raise The Roof program, designed to build homes for the needy.

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive is to work on two pilot projects for integrated housing, it confirmed today.

A NEW international, non-profit, Christian housing organisation has promised to build affordable housing for up to 50 families in Ireland each year from 2006.