Motorists and pedestrians make their way home or run errands as darkness falls in Mogadishu – once referred to as 'the most dangerous city in the world'. The once deserted streets of the Somali capital are now a hive of activity, with shops and restaurants doing brisk business in various parts of the city well [...]
Haunted by violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, children relieve their pain through art. UNICEF
Haitian artist Prince Luc is training a group of children on the technique of mosaic. Before, they could hardly draw a straight line. Now the kids’ drawing is gradually transforming the wall of St Jean Bosco church in Petion-Ville. MINUSTAH
With art, sports and various other forms of entertainment forbidden by the extremist al-Shabaab, many Somali artists had until recently given up their craft or were painting in secret. Times have clearly changed as a measure of peace returns to the country. AU UN-IST
The UN Security Council opened its doors last weekend for French director Bertrand Tavernier to shoot a scene on the diplomatic wrangling preceding the Iraq war for his upcoming feature film “Quai D’Orsay”, starring Thierry Lermitte as former French foreign minister Dominique de Villepin. UNTV
A three-day gathering of regional celebrities, including singer and newly appointed Goodwill Ambassador Farhad Darya, on the problem of illicit drugs concluded today in Kabul, Afghanistan. UNAMA
Famed sitar player Ravi Shankar passed away Tuesday (11 December). Forty-five years ago nearly to the day, Shankar performed alongside violinist Yehudi Menuhin at a Human Rights Day celebration at the United Nations General Assembly. FILE
Ahead of a special event at UN headquarters on the role of leadership in the fight against homophobia – featuring Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and singers Ricky Martin and Yvonne Chaka Chaka – the South African singer said “hiding behind culture” was not a valid excuse for discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. [...]
Portrait of Haitian poet and singer Barbara Guillaume, who uses her voice to advocate for women’s rights in Haiti. Monday (10 December) is Human Rights Day. MINUSTAH
UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie travelled to the Jordan-Syria border overnight to meet frightened and exhausted Syrian refugees who had just completed the perilous crossing to safety in Jordan. UNHCR