A group of Western tourists, who spent 10 days as hostages in the Sahara Desert, have returned home.

The Iraqi government says it will allow doctors to carry guns for self-defence. The decision follows complaints by medical workers and other professionals that they have been repeatedly targeted by criminals and militants.

TEHRAN (FNA)- Foreign assets held by Iran’s banking system surged to $129bln on the back of high oil prices according to the Central Bank of Iran.