The U.S. military says soldiers helped rescue 24 abused and severely malnourished boys this month from a Baghdad orphanage, where they were found in conditions of appalling squalor.

About 700,000 children worldwide are being infected with HIV every year, the majority of who live in developing countries. But there are many challenges in finding, testing, and treating these children, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Cathy Majtenyi is attending an international AIDS conference in the Rwandan capital of Kigali and files this report for VOA.

Golf champion Tiger Woods and his wife Elin Woods welcomed their first daughter, Sam Alexis, on Monday. Sam made her big debut just a few hours after her dad Tiger Woods finished second in the US Open.

United Nations and international aid agencies are calling for a stop to the trafficking of children in Africa. As the world marks the Day of the African Child, the agencies condemn a practice that exploits and enslaves children in Africa and elsewhere.

Sajani Shakya is a very special 9 year old girl. She is a living goddess.

And strengthens marketing practices to children

On the threshold of schoo-lchildren's summer holidays a performance of the "Tomosha" Children's Folklore Theater "Hello, Summer Holidays!" took place in the summer hall of the "Turkiston" palace. A bright theatrical show and songs performed by young artists made indelible impressions of audience. Aside with participants of the theater, graduates of the "Tomosha" Theater were on the stage.

A United Nations expert body urged 11 countries to take steps to improve the situation of children and young people, noting continued discrimination and violation of their rights.

Kelsey Smith of Overland Park, KS disappeared on Saturday, June 2 around 7:00 PM. She was last seen in the parking lot at the Target store at 97th and Quivira, behind the Oak Park Mall in Overland Park. Help find Kelsey Smith or any other child that is missing, if you know information. New site findkelsey.com is created for that purpose.

In the Confucian tradition, parents are only behind the heaven, the earth and the emperor in the pecking order. But things are changing and Chinese children are getting to know their rights - and how to defend them.

Joining forces with the Afghan Government, two United Nations agencies are conducting their final round of house calls to vaccinate newborns and their mothers against tetanus in the capital, Kabul.

The Variety Club is encouraging disabled children, their families and organisations to apply for its Easy Riders Wheelchairs for Kids programme.