Iran will allow 3,500 female football fans in the stands for a 2022 World Cup qualifier next week. Iran has faced increasing pressure to lift the ban on women attending men’s matches. Now, according to a state-run news agency, the Islamic Republic has “guaranteed” that 3,500 female football fans will be allowed in the stands […]

WASHINGTON (AFP) – The US Defence Department said on Thursday (Oct 24) it planned to beef up its presence in the north-east corner of Syria to protect oil fields from being retaken by a potentially resurgent Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group. “One of the most significant gains by the US and our […]

RIYADH (AFP) – Saudi Arabia has appointed a new foreign minister with experience in Western capitals and loyalty to the powerful crown prince, in what observers say is a generational shift being driven by the young ruler. Prince Faisal bin Farhan – a one-time adviser to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and currently ambassador to […]

Policy of appeasement will not work with Iran, says Saudi minister of state, dismissing option of US lifting sanctions. A policy of appeasement will not work with Iran and the only way to get Tehran to the negotiating table is to apply maximum pressure, a senior Saudi official said. Saudi Arabia’s Minister of State Adel al-Jubeir […]

Standoffs with troops and concerns over top brass’ link to gov’t prompt demonstrators to debate army’s part in protests. Jal el-Dib, Lebanon – Since the outset of the week-old protest movement in Lebanon, demonstrators’ calls have abounded for the country’s armed forces to side with them, arrest politicians accused of corruption – and even steward […]

Appointment comes fewer than 10 months after outgoing Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Assaf took office. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman has named Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud as the kingdom’s new foreign minister, fewer than 10 months after his predecessor took office. The appointment on Wednesday was reported by the official Saudi Press Agency, which cited a royal decree. […]

LONDON — In Chile, the spark was an increase in subway fares. In Lebanon, it was a tax on WhatsApp calls. The government of Saudi Arabia moved against hookah pipes. In India, it was about onions. Small pocketbook items became the focus of popular fury across the globe in recent weeks, as frustrated citizens filled […]

BAGHDAD (REUTERS) – Iraq’s prime minister on Wednesday (Oct 23) said Baghdad is taking “all international legal measures” over the entry of US troops from neighbouring Syria, in an apparent attempt to assert his government’s opposition to the arrival of the American forces. In a statement, Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi reiterated his government’s position […]

Russian forces have begun to deploy towards the Turkey-Syria border, as part of deal to remove Kurdish troops. Units were seen crossing the Euphrates heading towards the city of Kobane. Under the deal agreed by Russia and Turkey, Russian and Syrian forces will remove Kurdish fighters from a large stretch of the border. Turkish troops […]

Observers say loopholes allow relatives to curtail women’s movements, in some cases leaving them in jail-like shelters. Saudi Arabia has eased travel restrictions on women but observers say loopholes still allow male relatives to curtail their movements and, in the worst cases, leave them marooned in prison-like shelters. In August, the kingdom allowed women over […]