WASHINGTON, April 23 (UPI) — A program to streamline air travel for authorized travelers who pass an extensive security check was launched Thursday in the United States and the Netherlands.

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 23 (UPI) — An International Committee of the Red Cross worker and former hostage in the Philippines called on his captors to release their remaining hostage.

MANAMA, Bahrain, April 23 (UPI) — A naval deployment from Singapore joined the multinational Combined Task Force 151 on Thursday off the Somali coast to support counter-piracy operations.

KHARTOUM, Sudan, April 23 (UPI) — The head of the United Nations warned that a fragile peace deal could collapse in Sudan without focused support from the international community.

MOGADISHU, Somalia, April 23 (UPI) — In order to avoid exacerbating the instability in Somalia, the head of the United Nations called for an incremental U.N. presence in the country.

PODGORICA, Montenegro, April 22 (UPI) — The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe began a conference Wednesday in Montenegro on methods for implementing torture-prevention protocols.

UNITED NATIONS, April 22 (UPI) — The head of the United Nations called on the international community to support the peacekeeping effort in Chad and the Central African Republic.

GUATEMALA CITY, April 22 (UPI) — In response to a request from the Guatemalan government, the United Nations has extended an investigation mandate into illegal armed groups in the country.

GENEVA, Switzerland, April 22 (UPI) — The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling on the Sri Lankan army and rebel forces in the northeast to prevent mass civilian casualties.

LONDON, April 22 (UPI) — Claims that international maritime laws have been violated during counter-piracy operations off the Somali coast are incorrect, a new Chatham House report said.