Saudi voters have elected 20 women for local government seats, according to early results, a day after women voted and ran in elections for the first time in the country’s history.

Up to 20 Saudi women have won seats on local municipal councils a day after women voted and ran in elections for the first time in the country’s history, according to initial results released to the Associated Press last night.

SAUDI ARABIAN security forces stormed a hospital housing complex on Tuesday night, shooting their way through doors and killing three Islamic militants.

Saudi security forces raided a farm today, setting off a running gun battle that ended with a hospital siege and at least five dead, officials said.

Nineteen people died and 17 others were in hospital after drinking cologne containing methanol, according to reports today.