Middle-East
US starts withdrawing supplies, but not troops, from Syria
Washington, Jan 12 (AP/UNB) — The U.S. military said Friday it has started pulling equipment, but not troops, out of Syria as a first step in meeting President Donald Trump's demand for a complete military withdrawal. The announcement fueled concern about how quickly the U.S. will abandon its Kurdish allies, amid contradictory statements recently by administration officials on an exit timetable.
Iran says it will send 2 satellites to orbit amid US concern
Tehran, Jan 10 (AP/UNB) — Iran's president said Thursday the Islamic Republic soon will send two new satellites into orbit using Iran-made rockets, despite U.S. concern the launch could help further develop its ballistic missiles.
Rebel drone bombs Yemen military parade, kills at least 6
Sanaa, Jan 10 (AP/UNB) — A bomb-laden drone flown by Yemen's Houthi rebels flew into a military parade on Thursday outside of the southern port city of Aden, killing at least six troops from a Saudi-led coalition and their allies in a brazen attack threatening U.N.-brokered peace efforts to end the yearslong war tearing at the Arab world's poorest nation.
Iran supreme leader calls US officials 'first-class idiots'
Tehran, Jan 9 (AP/UNB)— Iran's supreme leader on Wednesday called U.S. officials "first-class idiots," mocking American leaders as U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo toured the Mideast to promote the White House's tough stance on Iran.
Saudi Arabia says 5 face death penalty in Khashoggi killing
Dubai, Jan 3 (AP/UNB) — Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday it will seek the death penalty against five suspects in the slaying of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, a killing that has seen members of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's entourage implicated in the writer's assassination.
Boy whose Yemeni mom fought US travel ban to see him dies
Lodi, Dec 30 (AP/UNB) — The father of a 2-year-old boy who was separated from his Yemeni mother until she successfully fought the Trump administration's travel ban to see him in the United States laid his body to rest Saturday, a day after the child was taken off life support at a hospital.
Kurds seek help from Syrians as US prepares to withdraw
Beirut, Dec 29 (AP/UNB) — Syria's military said Friday it had entered the key Kurdish-held town of Manbij in an apparent deal with the Kurds, who are looking for new allies and protection against a threatened Turkish offensive as U.S. troops prepare to leave Syria.
Israeli PM visits Brazil ahead of Bolsonaro inauguration
Rio De Janeiro, Dec 29 (AP/UNB) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opened the first visit to Brazil by a leader of Israel on Friday, saying he hopes for a strong partnership between the two countries.
Saudi king orders Cabinet shakeup after Khashoggi's killing
Dubai, Dec 28 (AP/UNB) — Saudi Arabia's King Salman issued a wide-ranging overhaul of top government posts on Thursday, including naming a new foreign minister, following international fallout from the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi nearly three months ago.
Israeli attack near Syrian capital wounds 3 soldiers
Beirut, Dec 26 (AP/UNB) — Israeli warplanes flying over Lebanon fired missiles toward areas near the Syrian capital of Damascus late Tuesday, hitting an arms depot and wounding three soldiers, Syrian state media reported, saying that most of the missiles were shot down by air defense units.