Latest World News

UN Secretary-General António Guterres - AFP

Guterres: War in Gaza is an Open Wound

UN Secretary-General António Guterres repeated his longstanding call for a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all hostages held in the enclave, and…

Asharq Al Awsat since 21 minutes

A march to demand the release of imprisoned journalists, activists and opposition figures and to set a date for holding fair presidential elections in Tunisia (Reuters)

Saied Blasts Foreign 'Interference' in Tunisian Affairs

Tunisian President Kais Saied on Thursday denounced foreign "interference" following international criticism of a recent arrests of political commentators,…

Asharq Al Awsat since 29 minutes

Palestinians who fled Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip arrive with their belongings to Khan Yunis on May 15, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Israel Vows to 'Intensify' Operations in Gaza’s Rafah

Israel vowed Thursday to "intensify" its ground offensive in Rafah, in defiance of global warnings over the fate of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian…

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 18:56

Saudi Crown Prince: Kingdom Supports Establishment of Internationally Recognized Palestinian State

Gulf

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince arrived on Thursday in Bahrain to attend the Arab League Summit

Saudi Crown Prince: Kingdom Supports Establishment of Internationally Recognized Palestinian State

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called for the establishment of an internationally recognized Palestinian state. This came during his speech at…

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 15:21

Bahraini King Stresses Importance of Establishing Just Peace in Middle East Thursday 16/05 - 16:29
Saudi Crown Prince Meets with UN Sec-Gen, Arab Leaders on Sidelines of Bahrain Arab Summit Thursday 16/05 - 16:41

Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit speaks during a press conference after the 33rd Arab Summit, in Manama, Bahrain, May 16, 2024. REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Aboul Gheit Emphasizes Arab, Int’l Rejection of Forced Displacement of Palestinians

The Secretary General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, stressed on Thursday Arab and international rejection of the forced displacement of the…

Asharq Al Awsat (Manama) Thursday 16/05 - 17:31

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, - File Photo by DPA

Sisi Says Israel Evades Gaza Ceasefire Efforts

Israel continues to evade efforts to reach a ceasefire in its war with Hamas in Gaza, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose country has mediated in…

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 14:31

Palestinian President Calls on Arab Countries for Financial Support

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas reads a statement as he meets French President Emmanuel Macron, in Ramallah, West Bank, October 24, 2023. Christophe Ena/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

2 Dead in Strike on Car in South Lebanon

This picture taken from a position near the northern Israeli border with Lebanon shows smoke billowing during Israeli bombardment in south Lebanon, on May 16, 2024. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP)

Jordan King: Gaza War Will Not Bring Stability to the World, but More Violence

Jordan's King Abdullah during the Arab League Summit in Manama - Asharq Al-Awsat

Police Dismantle Pro-Palestinian Encampment at DePaul University in Chicago

Crews disassemble the pro-Palestinian protest encampment in the quad at DePaul University's Lincoln Park campus in Chicago, Thursday, May 16, 2024. (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)

Xi Lauds China-Russia Ties as Putin Arrives in Beijing

Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting in Beijing, China May 16, 2024. Sputnik/Sergei Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS

Editors choice

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Aboul Gheit to Asharq Al-Awsat: Gaza Overshadows Arab Summit, but Other Crises Discussed

Bahraini Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Ahmed Al Khalifa

Sheikh Abdullah Al Khalifa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Bahrain Summit Faces Historic Moment

The ship can accommodate more than 3,362 passengers. SPA

Cruise Saudi Announces Commercial Launch of ‘AROYA Cruises’

15 May 2024, Australia, Canberra: Protesters hold flags at a pro-Palestine rally outside Parliament House in Canberra. (dpa)

Ireland to Recognize Palestinian Statehood ‘This Month’, Says Minister

Children playing in a shelter center for displaced people in the town of Marwaniyah in South Lebanon (AP)

South Lebanon War Leaves 11,000 Students Out of School

Saudi Arabia Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan. (Reuters/File Photo)

Saudi Arabia Diversifies Revenue Successfully, Al-Jadaan Confirms

Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince Meets with UN Sec-Gen, Arab Leaders on Sidelines of Bahrain Arab Summit

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 16:41

Bahraini King Stresses Importance of Establishing Just Peace in Middle East

Saudi Crown Prince: Kingdom Supports Establishment of Internationally Recognized Palestinian State

Crown Prince Leads Saudi Delegation to Arab Summit in Bahrain

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud

Sheikh Abdullah Al Khalifa to Asharq Al-Awsat: Bahrain Summit Faces Historic Moment

Arab Summit Draft: UN Protection Forces Pending Two-State Solution

Banner displaying flags of participating countries in the Arab Summit in Bahrain (Reuters)

Arab World

Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert - AFP

UNAMI: We are Witnessing an Iraq on Rise, Some Challenges Remain

Asharq Al Awsat since 4 minutes

Guterres: War in Gaza is an Open Wound

Saied Blasts Foreign 'Interference' in Tunisian Affairs

US State Dept: Gaza Humanitarian Situation Still Deteriorating

People look on from a viewpoint overlooking the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Sderot, Israel, May 16, 2024. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

Israel Vows to 'Intensify' Operations in Gaza’s Rafah

2 Dead in Strike on Car in South Lebanon

World

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy attends a meeting with top military officials as he visits Kharkiv region, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine May 16, 2024 in this handout image. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS

Zelenskiy Visits Kharkiv Region as Russian Pressure Mounts in East

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 16:38

Police Dismantle Pro-Palestinian Encampment at DePaul University in Chicago

42 Rescued, 3 Still Missing after Migrant Boat Sends Distress Signal South of Greece

FILE - Migrants disembark from a Greek coast vessel after a rescue operation, at the port of Mytilene, on the northeastern Aegean Sea island of Lesbos, Greece, Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Panagiotis Balaskas, File)

Xi Lauds China-Russia Ties as Putin Arrives in Beijing

Slovakian Leader in Stable but Serious Condition after Assassination Attempt

Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak speaks to members of the media outside F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was taken after a shooting incident in Handlova, in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, May 16, 2024. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger

3 Dead after Small Plane Crashes in Tennessee

A helicopter takes flight near the site of a plane crash where three people were killed Wednesday, May 15, 2024, in Leipers Fork, Tenn. (Nicole Hester/The Tennessean via AP)

Business

The Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning has met with Slovenian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs. SPA

Saudi Arabia, Slovenia Discuss Economic Cooperation

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh) Thursday 16/05 - 11:12

UAE’s ADNOC to Begin Production at Ras Al Sadr Gas Field

The field has production capacity of up to 100 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. WAM

British Deputy PM Says UK to Cooperate with Saudi Arabia on Green Hydrogen, Renewable Energy

British Deputy Prime Minister Mr. Oliver Dowden speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat

Abu Dhabi's Lunate Launches ETF Tracking Japan Equities

Lunate Capital is launching an exchange-traded fund tracking Japanese equities that will be listed on the Abu Dhabi securities exchange (ADX). WAM

China LNG Imports Could Hit Record Levels in 2024

Model of LNG tanker is seen in front of China's flag in this illustration taken May 19, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

EU Projects Higher Growth in Eurozone

The euro sign is photographed in front of the former headquarters of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Germany, April 9, 2019. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo

Culture

Maldives President Visits Hira Cultural District

President of the Maldives and his accompanying delegation paid a visit to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah. SPA

Maldives President Visits Hira Cultural District

President of the Maldives Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and his accompanying delegation paid a visit to the Hira Cultural District in Makkah on Wednesday and toured the…

Asharq Al Awsat (Makkah) Wednesday 15/05 - 09:06

The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is pictured at the Louvre museum in Paris, France June 7, 2023. (Reuters)

Mona Lisa’s Mysterious Background Decrypted by Art-Loving Geologist

Over 500 years after Leonardo da Vinci painted the Mona Lisa, an academic believes she has unraveled the mystery about the backdrop to one of the world's most…

Wednesday 15/05 - 08:04

Emiratis Invited to Apply for 2nd National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity

The Ministry of Culture has announced that it was accepting applications for the second cycle of the National Grant Program for Culture and Creativity (NGPCC)…

Asharq Al Awsat (Abu Dhabi) Wednesday 15/05 - 09:25

Youth perform a street dance style known as passinho for their social media accounts, in the Rocinha favela of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, April 11, 2024. (AP)

Brazilian Dance Craze Created by Young People in Rio’s Favelas Is Declared Cultural Heritage

It all started with nifty leg movements, strong steps backwards and forwards, paced to Brazilian funk music. Then it adopted moves from break dancing, samba,…

Wednesday 15/05 - 06:28

Officials are seen at the 121st session of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) in Jeddah. (SPA)

ALECSO Executive Council Meets in Jeddah with Participation of 22 Arab Countries

The 121st session of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) kicked off in Jeddah on Tuesday. The two-day event is chaired…

Tuesday 14/05 - 19:02

Sports

Adidas Chairman Thomas Rabe Re-elected Until 2025

Sports

Adidas Chairman Thomas Rabe Re-elected Until 2025

A majority of Adidas shareholders backed the re-election of chairman Thomas Rabe at the company's annual general meeting on Thursday, securing his role for a…

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 15:32

Sports

FIFA Urges Soccer Bodies to Mandate Racism as an Offense

FIFA wants all 211 national federations to mandate racist abuse in soccer as a disciplinary offense, and designate a crossed hands gesture by victims to signal…

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 15:25

Sports

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann (rights) speaks to media. - The AP

Sports

Germany Coach Watches as Others Announce His Euro 2024 Squad With No Surprises

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann watched as his initial European Championship squad was announced for him by a variety of people reflecting the mix in German…

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 15:22

Sports

FILE PHOTO: A general view shows Monaco Principality during the Monaco Yacht Show, one of the most prestigious pleasure boat shows in the world, highlighting hundreds of yachts for the luxury yachting industry in port of Monaco, September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Sports

Monaco to Host the Start of the 2026 Spanish Vuelta

The 2026 Spanish Vuelta will start in Monaco, organizers announced on Thursday. The grand tour’s first stage will take place entirely in the tiny principality…

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 13:35

Sports

Ahly's Egyptian defender #24 Mohamed Abdelmonem celebrates with the fans after scoring his team's first goal during the second leg of the CAF Champions League football match between Egypt's Al-Ahly and Congo's TP Mazembe at at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on April 26, 2024. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)

Sports

Esperance, Ahly Resume Great African Club Rivalry in Final

Episode 23 of a great African club rivalry unfolds in Tunisia on Saturday when Esperance host Egyptian visitors Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League final first…

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 08:56

Varieties

WHO: 10,000 Daily Deaths in Europe from Excessive Salt Consumption

WHO: 10,000 Daily Deaths in Europe from Excessive Salt Consumption

WHO Europe warned in a recent report of lethal levels of salt consumption and uncontrolled high blood pressure. It said most people in European region…

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 16:15

Gina Rinehart (right) and a portrait of her by Archibald prize-winning artist Vincent Namatjira. - AAP/Getty Images

Richest Woman in Australia Demands National Gallery Remove Her Portrait

The mining billionaire Gina Rinehart has demanded the National Gallery of Australia remove her portrait from an exhibition by the award-winning artist Vincent…

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 15:58

Former Inmates' Garden Showcases at RHS Chelsea Flower Show

A garden designed and built by women who are in prison or have recently been released will be exhibited at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The indoor garden will…

Asharq Al Awsat Thursday 16/05 - 15:52

Cruise Saudi Announces Commercial Launch of ‘AROYA Cruises’

Cruise Saudi, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) specializing in developing the cruise sector in the Kingdom, has announced the…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh) Thursday 16/05 - 11:18

A handout photo made available by Indonesian's Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation shows thick grey ash and dark clouds spewed from Mount Ibu in North Maluku province, Indonesia, 15 May 2024. EPA/PVMBG