middle-east
Saudi changes allow women to travel without male consent
Dubai, Aug 2 (AP/UNB) — Saudi Arabia published new laws early Friday that loosen restrictions on women by allowing any citizen to apply for a passport and travel freely, ending a long-standing guardianship policy that gave men control over women.
Iran president: US sanctions on foreign minister 'childish'
Tehran, Aug 1 (AP/UNB) — Iran's president lambasted new U.S. sanctions by the Trump administration targeting the country's foreign minister, describing the move on Thursday as "childish" and a barrier to diplomacy.
Israel approves Palestinian construction in West Bank
Jerusalem, Jul 31(AP/UNB) — The Israeli Cabinet unanimously approved a proposal to build over 700 housing units for Palestinians in addition to 6,000 Israeli settlement housing units in the West Bank.
UAE, Iran hold rare talks in Tehran on maritime security
Tehran, Jul 31 (AP/UNB) — Officials from the United Arab Emirates and Iran met to discuss maritime security for the first time in six years amid a spike in tensions in the Persian Gulf, both countries confirmed on Wednesday.
Conflicts kill and hurt a record 12,000 children
United Nations, Jul 30 (AP/UNB) — More than 12,000 children were killed and injured in armed conflicts last year — a record number — with Afghanistan, the Palestinians, Syria and Yemen topping the casualty list, according to a new U.N. report.
Death toll in attack at Afghan political office rises to 20
Afghanistan, July 29 (AP/UNB) — The death toll from an attack against the Kabul office of the Afghan president's running mate and former chief of the intelligence service climbed to at least 20 people on Monday, an official said.
Saudi King Salman's elder brother, Prince Bandar, dies at 96
Riyadh, Jul 29 (AP/UNB) — King Salman's elder half brother, who was the 10th son of Saudi Arabia's founding monarch, has died at age 96, the Saudi royal court said late Sunday.
Iran's Rouhani seeks closer UK ties with Johnson
Vienna, Jul 29 (AP/UNB) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has penned an open letter to Britain's new prime minister, saying he hopes the countries' diplomatic ties will be stronger under Boris Johnson's leadership.
Diplomats recommit to saving Iran deal, oppose US sanctions
Vienna, Jul 29 (AP/UNB) — Diplomats from Iran and five world powers recommitted Sunday to salvaging a major nuclear deal amid mounting tensions between the West and Tehran since the U.S. withdrew from the accord and reimposed sanctions.
World powers meet Iran in Vienna to salvage nuclear deal
Vienna, Jul 28 (AP/UNB) — Representatives from Europe, China and Russia, nations that are still committed to the Iran nuclear deal, plan to meet with Iran's representative in Vienna on Sunday to discuss how to salvage the unraveling accord.