The U.N. human rights chief is calling on Sudan's government to investigate possible atrocities committed in the war-torn Darfur region.

The top U.S. envoy for final status talks on the Serbian province of Kosovo says he fully supports the U.N.-administered region's independence, under supervision of the international community. VOA's Stephanie Ho has more on the story.

An African Union helicopter was fired upon by unidentified assailants while flying over Darfur, a statement by the AU ceasefire commission said Sunday.

The State Department> says it is seeking clarification of reports Sudan has softened its opposition to new international peacekeepers for Darfur. The reported change of position by Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir came as the Bush administration prepared new sanctions against the Khartoum government.

The U.N. Human Rights Council has unanimously adopted a resolution Friday expressing concern over the situation in Darfur, but it fails to condemn Sudan for its actions. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from U.N. European headquarters in Geneva.

The UN Human Rights Council has adopted a nonbinding resolution urging a global prohibition on the public defamation of religion.

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica says that his nation's foremost goal is to block the United Nations-mediated plan on the future status of the country's breakaway Kosovo province.

The emergence of an independent Kosovo appears to be only a matter of time. UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari has drawn up a clear road map for "supervised independence," including guarantees for minorities, as his plan for ensuring lasting peace and political and economic stability in the region.

A special UN envoy Martti Ahtisaari has recommended independence for Serbia's breakaway province of Kosovo, supervised by the international community.

UN special envoy Martti Ahtisaari is expected to present his final proposal for the future status of Kosovo to the UN Security Council today.

The United Nations Security Council intends to vote on March 24 on a draft resolution that would tighten sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, diplomats say.

The UN's health body says that almost one-third of the world's population will not have access to enough safe water by 2025.