UNICEF concerned about southern Madagascar, fears political crisis distracts from humanitarian

October 12th, 2009 Orlando Bloom named UNICEF's goodwill ambassadorNEW YORK — UNICEF has named Orlando Bloom its goodwill ambassador in recognition of his commitment to children's rights around the world. Bloom, best known for his roles in the "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "Lord of the Rings" films, has supported UNICEF's work since 2007, when he first visited schools in impoverished districts of Nepal.

October 6th, 2009 Madagascar police use tear gas on protestersANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Police have dispersed protesters with tear gas outside a meeting of mediators who hope to smooth over Madagascar's post-coup political turmoil. African Union commissioner Jean Ping says the third meeting of African Union and southern African mediators on Tuesday hopes to reach a peaceful political solution after a coup in March.

September 9th, 2009 Toppled Madagascar leader rejects new governmentANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Madagascar's ousted president and another former head of the Indian Ocean island have rejected the formation of a new government. Andry Rajoelina, the military-backed politician who seized control of the country in March, unilaterally named a new Cabinet Tuesday.

September 8th, 2009 UNICEF upset at Sri Lanka's expulsion of officialCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka — The United Nations children's agency expressed concern Tuesday about Sri Lanka's decision to expel its spokesman and rejected allegations that it was biased against the government during the recently ended 25-year civil war. The government announced Sunday it had revoked the residency visa of UNICEF spokesman James Elder.

September 7th, 2009 COLOMBO - The United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) said it was extremely "concerned and disappointed" with the Sri Lankan government's decision to expel the organisation's chief of communications in Sri Lanka, James Elder. The Sri Lankan government cancelled Elder's visa without giving reasons, but it was widely believed that he was being expelled for recent remarks about the plight of refugees living in government-controlled camps in the north of the country.

August 31st, 2009 UNICEF: Global recession will kill African kidsJOHANNESBURG — The global recession will increase infant and child deaths and cause more students to drop out of school in Africa, the U.N. children's agency predicted Monday, as the financial crisis delivers a delayed blow to the continent and is expected to linger longer.

August 28th, 2009 Madagascar talks fail to decide on interim leadersMAPUTO, Mozambique — Talks aimed at determining who should lead Madagascar in a new interim government ended Friday with the ousted president and the man who replaced him in a military coup failing to agree on who should take the top posts. Parties set a deadline of Sept.

August 9th, 2009 Madagascar rivals agree on transition dealMAPUTO, Mozambique —Madagascar's bitter political rivals signed a power-sharing deal Sunday, agreeing to create an interim government to end months of violence. The Indian Ocean island has become increasingly isolated since Andry Rajoelina claimed the presidency last March in a widely denounced coup that sent Marc Ravalomanana into exile.

August 4th, 2009 Madagascar political rivals to meet in MozambiqueMAPUTO, Mozambique — Two Madagascar politicians who have waged a deadly power struggle are meeting in an attempt to end the Indian Ocean island's political crisis. Ousted President Marc Ravalomanana and his rival Andry Rajoelina are to hold talks Wednesday in the Mozambican capital Maputo.

June 16th, 2009 International mediators suspend Madagascar talksANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — International mediators say they are indefinitely suspending negotiations in Madagascar because the Indian Ocean island's politicians are blocking progress. The talks are aimed at restoring constitutional order and involve representatives of military-backed leader Andry Rajoelina as well as the president he ousted in March.

June 2nd, 2009 Zimbabwe crisis a problem for South AfricaJOHANNESBURG — An international medical aid group says Zimbabwe's collapse has created a humanitarian crisis in neighboring South Africa. Medecins Sans Frontieres on Tuesday called on the South African government and the international community to do more to make sure that Zimbabweans fleeing to South Africa were safe and had shelter and health care.

June 1st, 2009 UN launches $718 million Zimbabwe aid appealHARARE, Zimbabwe — Zimbabwe's humanitarian situation has deteriorated sharply since the end of last year, U.N. agencies said Monday as they called for more aid for the troubled southern African country.

May 14th, 2009 NEW YORK - "Thousands of children remain trapped by the ongoing conflict in Sri Lanka, putting their lives at serious risk. It is unacceptable that children continue to be the innocent victims of this ongoing conflict," claimed Ann M.

April 24th, 2009 2 killed, 6 injured in Madagascar unrestANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Madagascar police and supporters of the African country's ousted president clashed in running street battles Friday, leaving two people dead and six injured, officials said. One of the dead — a woman — was hit by a stray bullet fired as police tried to break up a demonstration by supporters of Marc Ravalomanana, hospital officials said.

April 23rd, 2009 Rioting as Madagascar armed forces dispel protestsANTANANARIVO, Madagascar — Armed forces in Madagascar fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators loyal to the island nation's ousted president on Thursday, as looters rampaged through the streets of the capital. Radio Madagascar said numerous casualties were being taken to the Antananarivo's main hospital.