The UN human rights office has condemned local bans in France on burkini swimwear as "a grave and illegal breach of fundamental freedoms" and a "stupid reaction" to recent extremist attacks.

Sri Lankan state forces and Tamil Tiger rebels “most likely” committed war crimes including mass killings of civilians during their conflict that should be prosecuted by a special court with international judges, the United Nations said.

Saudi-led coalition airstrikes hit a residential area in a Red Sea town in Yemen, killing at least 120 people in the deadliest strike against civilians since the March offensive began.

More than 6,000 people have died in eastern Ukraine since the start of the conflict almost a year ago, the UN human rights office says.

Girls in at least 70 countries have faced threats, violent attacks and other abuse for trying to go to school over the past five years, the UN human rights office has revealed. A report by the Geneva-based body noted that, despite some progress, girls still face difficulty getting an education in many countries around the world.

Islamic State insurgents in Iraq have carried out mass executions, abducted women and girls as sex slaves, and used child soldiers in what may amount to systematic war crimes, the UN said.

THE UN has accused Syria of a series of crimes against humanity in its crackdown on anti-government protests.

The UN has accused Syria of a series of crimes against humanity in its crackdown on anti-government protests.

Syrian security troops have stormed a protest sit-in near the capital Damascus, arresting about 200 people in the midnight raid, according to activists.

Troops have opened fire on protesters in cities across Syria and pro and anti-government crowds clashed in the capital’s historic old city as one of the Middle East’s most repressive regimes sought to put down demonstrations that exploded nationwide demanding reform.