DHAKA, Bangladesh, May 1 (UPI) -- Bangladesh's government has elected the first female Speaker for Parliament, a move that could trigger a religious backlash.
BAGHDAD, April 30 (UPI) -- Iraq is closer to a security meltdown as disputes between the Shiite-dominated government and Kurds along with sectarian violence between Shiites and Sunnis.
PARIS, April 30 (UPI) -- Pakistani authorities are called on to ensure all members of society can take part in parliamentary elections safely, human rights organizations said.
SEOUL, April 30 (UPI) -- It's difficult to determine whether North Korean military activity is meant as a direct threat or for manipulation, a South Korean defense official said.
GENEVA, Switzerland, April 30 (UPI) -- Leaders from the Middle East need to take the initiative in advancing dialogue on a weapons-free zone, a U.S. diplomat said from Geneva
WASHINGTON, April 30 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel reviewed the military readiness of the Syrian opposition with U.N. peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi, the Pentagon said.
SANAA, Yemen, April 30 (UPI) -- Yemeni authorities should leave "no stone unturned" in their investigation into the administration of the former president, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.
GENEVA, Switzerland, April 30 (UPI) -- Accounts of torture and the recruitment of child soldiers have surfaced in the Central African Republic since a rebel takeover, a U.N. rights official said.
MOSCOW, April 30 (UPI) -- Characterizing an organization as a foreign agent because it provides legal assistance to government critics is outrageous, a Russian human rights group said.
TEHRAN, April 30 (UPI) -- Iran is capable of producing enough nuclear fuel to meet domestic demand with the potential for some left over for export, a nuclear energy official said.
TRIPOLI, Libya, April 30 (UPI) -- The Libyan people are called on to rally around their government in the face of internal acts of sabotage, Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said Tuesday.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, April 30 (UPI) -- Sri Lanka's external affair minister hit back at stiff criticism over the country being chosen to host the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in November.
BRUSSELS, April 30 (UPI) -- The Belgian army sold military equipment to a company with suspected links to illegal arms trafficking and money laundering, a newspaper probe has revealed.
ISLAMABAD, April 29 (UPI) -- Pakistani leaders should consider deploying military force to ensure May 11 elections take place in a secure atmosphere, Human Rights Watch said.
NAYPYITAW, Myanmar, April 29 (UPI) -- The political system in Myanmar suffers from weaknesses in voter registration and voter awareness issues, a top elections official said.
BAGHDAD, April 29 (UPI) -- Iraqi leaders can get past a "critical juncture" by settling outstanding issues between the Kurdish and central governments, U.N. envoy Martin Kobler said.
MOSCOW, April 29 (UPI) -- Allegations regarding to the use of chemical weapons in Syria are far too serious to leave to speculation, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Monday.
TEHRAN, April 29 (UPI) -- The final outcome of the so-called Arab Spring is the creation of a "brilliant Islamic civilization," Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said.
SEOUL, April 29 (UPI) -- South Korean lawmakers are urged to embrace the spirit of solidarity by passing a human rights measure regarding North Korea, a party leader said Monday.
BEIRUT, Lebanon, April 29 (UPI) -- Security sources in Lebanon reported that a Syrian set himself on fire in Beirut as Lebanese nationals marked a revolutionary anniversary.
ANKARA, Turkey, April 29 (UPI) -- There are no plans to withdraw military forces from southeastern Turkey ahead of a planned PKK withdrawal, the Turkish General Staff said.
BRUSSELS, April 29 (UPI) -- The assassination of the Somali deputy chief prosecutor shouldn't stand in the way of national progress, EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said.
WASHINGTON, April 29 (UPI) -- The U.S. military has ramped up logistical support for French combat forces fighting al-Qaida-backed insurgents in Mali, the U.S. Defense Department said.
ISLAMABAD, April 29 (UPI) -- The leaders of two of Pakistan's secular liberal political parties condemned recent Taliban-orchestrated bombings that left 17 people dead ahead of next month's national elections.
Sarah Jessica Parker arrives on the red carpet at the Costume Institute Benefit for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013. UPI/John Angelillo
