Leading article: Veils and votes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As the tumultuous Arab Spring upset all around it, the vast Kingdom of Saudi Arabia seemed to sit calm and largely untroubled at the centre. That impression, it emerged yesterday, was misleading. Opening the new term of the Shura Council, King Abdullah announced that, as of next year, women will have the right to vote in municipal elections and stand for office. This falls well short of full equality, and there was no news on whether the ban on the totemic issue of women drivers would be lifted. But it represents startling, and welcome, progress in the very land where it seemed least likely.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments