The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is 'ringing the alarm at the apparent international indifference' towards the rising death toll of Syrians in a series of airstrikes.

Christine Lagarde and Jim Yong Kim tell of the IMF and World Bank Group’s efforts to encourage member nations to adopt climate-friendly levies and policies

No matter how exciting their lives overseas, Christmas is a time when most emigrants dream of home. Arlene Harris talks to emigrants in Ireland and overseas

Authorities lifted tsunami warnings for Chile’s long coastline early on Wednesday after a magnitude 8.2 earthquake struck the South American nation’s northern coast.

Egypt’s ruling Muslim Brotherhood warned that a UN declaration on women’s rights could destroy society, by allowing a woman to travel, work, and use contraception without her husband’s approval and letting her control family spending.

WOMEN around the world enjoy more rights than ever before but still face discrimination in the workplace and far too often fall victim to violence at home, a UN report said.

Hundreds of thousands of women are taking part in rallies around the globe to mark International Women's Day.

Iran, where a woman convicted of adultery has been sentenced to death by stoning, is poised to become a board member of the new United Nations agency to promote equality for women.

AN AFTERSHOCK measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale and four other tremors rocked disaster-hit Chile yesterday, triggering a tsunami alert just minutes before billionaire Sebastian Pinera was sworn in as the new president.

More horrific stories of the devastation caused by Chile’s earthquake emerged today as beach communities counted the cost of a double tragedy.

A devastating magnitude-8.8 earthquake struck Chile early today, shattering buildings and bridges, killing at least 122 people and setting off a tsunami that threatened every nation around the Pacific Ocean – roughly a quarter of the globe.

Dozens of people were killed in a massive earthquake which hit Chile today.

Right-wing billionaire Sebastian Pinera set himself up for an election run-off against a veteran of the coalition that has ruled Chile for two decades of democracy.

Muammar Gaddafi and Hugo Chavez urged nearly 30 leaders from throughout Africa and South America to form a strong intercontinental alliance to make the two regions a new global power.

Chile’s police chief and 10 others were killed when the ageing Panamanian government helicopter in which they were travelling crashed into a three-storey building in Panama City.

Many national leaders condemned the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, but few ventured any public advice to Pakistan's leaders on how to deal with potentially explosive passions unleashed by the terrorist strike.

Cristina Fernandez was being sworn in as Argentina’s first elected female president today, completing a rare husband-wife transfer of power that the nation hopes will ensure continued recovery from an economic meltdown.

The death of Gen Augusto Pinochet sparked champagne-soaked celebrations, skirmishes with police and displays of lasting devotion as Chileans took an anguished look back at the dictator's 17-year rule.

France’s Socialists formally launched Segolene Royal’s candidacy today to compete in a fierce presidential race with high stakes for her and her party.

Chile’s former dictator Gen. Augusto Pinochet has been placed under house arrest and indicted for the first time on torture charges for abuses at a secret detention centre where president Michelle Bachelet and her mother were once held, the judge handling the case reported today.

Former Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet may have stashed millions of dollars in gold in a Hong Kong bank.

CHILE’S President Michelle Bachelet has paid an emotional visit to a torture centre where she and her mother were abused three decades ago.

PERUVIANS were voting in a tight presidential contest yesterday that could put their Andean nation on a leftist track akin to Venezuela and Bolivia, giving them their first female leader or offer a former president a second chance.

Other countries need to match Europe’s concessions for World Trade Organisation negotiations aimed at a global trade treaty to move forward, the Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said yesterday.

Socialist paediatrician Michelle Bachelet, who suffered prison, torture and exile under Chile’s military dictatorship, was sworn in as the nation’s first female president today.

Irish rock legends U2 tonight added another award to their collection as they were named Amnesty International Ambassadors of Conscience for 2005.

Ireland is leading the way in electing female presidents, Tánaiste Mary Harney told the Dáil today.

Britain had Margaret Thatcher, Germany has Angela Merkel. Could France get Segolene Royal?

Socialist Michelle Bachelet placed first in Chilean presidential elections yesterday but will face a runoff against a right-wing businessman who is one of Chile’s richest men.