Middle-East
Top Pentagon official in Iraq to discuss US troop presence
Baghdad, Feb 12 (AP/UNB)— The top Pentagon official has arrived in Baghdad to consult with American military commanders and Iraqi government leaders on the future U.S. troop presence.
Fierce battles near final IS foothold in eastern Syria
Beirut, Feb 12 (AP/UNB) — Islamic State group militants cornered in their last foothold in eastern Syria fought back with suicide car bombs, snipers and booby traps Monday, slowing Kurdish fighters advancing under the cover of U.S.-led coalition airstrikes, Kurdish news agencies and a Syrian war monitor said.
Images suggest Iran launched satellite despite US criticism
Dubai, , Feb 7 (AP/UNB)— Iran appears to have attempted a second satellite launch despite U.S. criticism that its space program helps it develop ballistic missiles, satellite images released Thursday suggest. Iran has not acknowledged conducting such a launch.
Torture still scars Iranians 40 years after revolution
Tehran, Feb 6 (AP/UNB) — The halls of the former prison in the heart of Iran's capital now are hushed, befitting the sounds of the museum that it has become. Wax mannequins silently portray the horrific acts of torture that once were carried out within its walls.
Pope Francis celebrates historic Mass on Arabian Peninsula
Abu Dhabi, Feb 5 (AP/UNB) — Pope Francis ministered on Tuesday to the thriving Catholic community in the United Arab Emirates as he concluded his historic visit to the Arabian Peninsula with the first-ever papal Mass here.
Iraqi president hits back at Trump over US army presence
Baghdad, Feb 5 (AP/UNB) — Iraq's president hit back at Donald Trump Monday for saying U.S. troops should stay in Iraq to keep an eye on neighboring Iran, saying the U.S. leader did not ask for Iraq's permission to do so.
Hezbollah leader dismisses US concerns over Lebanon Cabinet
Beirut, Feb 5 (AP/UNB) — The head of Lebanon's Hezbollah is brushing off U.S. concerns about the health minister his group named to the new government, calling the official a "trusted brother" who will serve all Lebanese.
UN humanitarian chief urges aid delivery to Syrians
United Nations, Jan 31 (AP/UNB) — The U.N. humanitarian chief urged Syria's warring parties on Wednesday to ensure the delivery of desperately needed aid to Syrians stranded near the border with Jordan and warned again that a major military operation in extremist-controlled Idlib would be a humanitarian catastrophe.
Saudi prince's anti-corruption sweep ends with $106B netted
Riyadh, Jan 31 (AP/UNB) — Saudi Arabia's unprecedented anti-corruption sweep that saw top princes, businessmen, military officers and officials detained at the Ritz-Carlton hotel has concluded after netting the government around $106.6 billion, the Royal Court said Wednesday.
Al-Qaida's advance in northern Syria threatens fragile truce
Beirut, Jan 30 (AP/UNB) — It only took a few days for al-Qaida-linked militants to seize more than two dozen towns and villages in northern Syria from rival insurgents earlier this month, expanding and cementing their control over an area the size of neighboring Lebanon.