LYON, France, Jan. 16 (UPI) — Top officials from the United Nations and Interpol met Thursday in France to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation on countering transnational criminal groups.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Jan. 16 (UPI) — U.N. officials facilitating peace talks between the Democratic Republic of the Congo government and rebel leaders say progress is being made.

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Jan. 16 (UPI) — The United Nations is calling for an end to hostilities in the Darfur region of Sudan after the government launched airstrikes Thursday.

LUBBOCK, Texas, Jan. 16 (UPI) — The Transportation Security Administration announced the appointment of a new director of security for the West Texas region.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 (UPI) — An upgraded biometric information collection infrastructure has now been integrated into all U.S. ports of entry, according to the Homeland Security Department.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Jan. 14 (UPI) — A British and Canadian raid on a Taliban stronghold in southern Afghanistan resulted in the uncovering of a weapons cache and bomb-making factory.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 14 (UPI) — A new study has identified the state of biometric security capabilities for the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation to support counter-terrorism operations.

VIENNA, Jan. 14 (UPI) — The United Nations has released a security handbook detailing ways to reduce crime and other threats in the southern African and Caribbean regions.

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of Congo, Jan. 14 (UPI) — Rebel groups deploying child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have prompted the United Nations to demand all children be released immediately.

MANILA, Philippines, Jan. 14 (UPI) — The president of the Philippines has called for the resumption of peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front separatist group.