Latest World News

World A general view shows the Gemelli hospital where Pope Francis is hospitalized in Rome, on February 22, 2025. (AFP)

Vatican Says Pope Francis Is in Critical Condition

Pope Francis was in critical condition Saturday after he suffered a long asthmatic respiratory crisis that required high flows of oxygen, the Vatican said. …

Business The Iraqi oil minister's announcement comes after the Iraqi parliament approved on February 2 a budget amendment that set a rate of $16 per barrel for oil transport and production costs in Kurdistan. (AFP)

Iraq’s Oil Ministry Says Procedures for Oil Exports through Turkish Pipeline Complete

Iraq's oil ministry said in a statement on Saturday that all procedures had been completed to allow the resumption of exports through the Iraq-Türkiye pipeline…

Gulf Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz. (SPA)

King Salman: Saudi Arabia Built on Three Centuries of Security, Justice

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz stressed on Saturday his pride in Saudi Arabia on the Kingdom’s Founding Day. The occasion…

World A police investigator of French forensic police works to collect evidence at the site of a bladed weapon attack where a man is suspected of killing one person and wounding two municipal police officers in Mulhouse, eastern France on February 22, 2025. (AFP)

Macron Says Knife Attack in East France Was 'Terrorism'

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday a knife attack that killed one and injured three in eastern France on Saturday was "Islamist terrorism",…

Hamas Frees 6 Hostages but Questions Cloud Gaza Ceasefire’s Future

Arab World Israeli hostages Averu Mengistu (4th-R) and Tal Shoham (4th-L) are flanked by Hamas fighters as they stand on a stage during their release in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on February 22, 2025. (AFP)

Hamas Frees 6 Hostages but Questions Cloud Gaza Ceasefire’s Future

Hamas on Saturday released the last six living hostages expected under the first phase of its ceasefire with Israel with a week remaining, as growing questions…


World Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council via video link in Moscow, Russia February 22, 2025. (Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via Reuters)

Trump-Putin Summit Preparations Are Underway, Russia Says

Preparations are underway for a face-to-face meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia's deputy foreign minister…

Arab World An oil well in al Qahtaniyah, Syria (AFP)

Syria’s Northeast Begins Supplying Oil to Damascus, Oil Ministry Says

Kurdish-led authorities in northeast Syria have begun providing oil from local fields they manage to the central government in Damascus, Syrian oil ministry…

Saudi Ministry of Interior Launches Special Stamp on 'Founding Day'

Culture The Founding Day stamp is seen on a passport. (SPA)

Saudi Ministry of Interior Launches Special Stamp on 'Founding Day'

The Saudi Ministry of Interior, represented by the General Directorate of Passports and in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, launched on Saturday a…


Culture  French-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh has been chosen to redesign part of the British Museum, in a major renovation. (AFP)

French-Lebanese Architect to Redesign British Museum Galleries

The British Museum said Friday it had chosen French-Lebanese architect Lina Ghotmeh to redesign a third of the venue's gallery space -- including a section…

Culture The artwork was gifted to the United Nations on the occasion of International Mother Language Day at its headquarters in Geneva. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia Gifts Artwork to UN on International Mother Language Day

Saudi Arabia unveiled on Friday artwork it gifted to the United Nations on the occasion of International Mother Language Day at its headquarters in Geneva. …

Culture A conservator restores a cultural relic at the cultural protection and restoration department of the Palace Museum at the Forbidden City, during an organized media tour, in Beijing, China February 21, 2025. (Reuters)

Hidden for Centuries, Chinese Treasures Finally See the Light of Day 

Depicting Taoist figures in a misty landscape, a Qing dynasty lacquer panel inlaid with jade and agate is among thousands of artifacts pulled out of museum…

Culture Coffee farming in Rijal Almaa is a long-standing tradition passed down through generations, with some coffee trees in the governorate exceeding 200 years of age. - SPA

Second Saudi Coffee Festival to Kick off in Rijal Almaa

Under the patronage of Aseer Region Governor and Chairman of the Aseer Development Authority Prince Turki bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, the second edition of the…

Asharq Al Awsat

Rublev Credits His Mental Approach after Beating Draper to Win Qatar Open

Sports Andrey Rublev of Russia poses with the trophy after winning the final against Jack Draper of Britain at the Qatar Open tennis tournament in Doha, Qatar, 22 February 2025. (EPA)

Rublev Credits His Mental Approach after Beating Draper to Win Qatar Open

Andrey Rublev credited his mental approach after beating Jack Draper 7-5, 5-7, 6-1 to win the Qatar Open for the second time Saturday. It was Rublev’s third…


Sports Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta watches from the touchline during the English Premier League match between Arsenal FC and West Ham United, in London, Britain, 22 February 2025. (EPA)

Arsenal Loses to West Ham to Dent Premier League Title Challenge and Has Another Player Sent Off

Arsenal's Premier League title challenge was dented by an unexpected 1-0 home loss to West Ham on Saturday that featured a fifth red card of the season for…

Sports Football - Premier League - Crystal Palace v Everton - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - February 15, 2025 Everton manager David Moyes celebrates after the match. (Reuters)

Moyes Is Doing a Better Job than Me, Says United Boss Amorim

The reason newly appointed manager David Moyes has had instant impact on Everton's form while Manchester United's fortunes are yet to turn around under Ruben…

Sports Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Newcastle United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 15, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Action Images via Reuters)

Man City’s Title Defense on Life Support Ahead of Liverpool Match

Reigning Premier League champions Manchester City will host league leaders Liverpool on Sunday searching for victory that could resurrect their season, but…

Sports  Tennis - Rio Open - Jockey Club Brasileiro, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil - February 21, 2025 Argentina's Francisco Comesana celebrates winning his quarter-final match against Germany's Alexander Zverev. (Reuters)

Comesana Stuns World Number Two Zverev in Rio Open

Argentinian Francisco Comesana stunned Australian Open finalist and world number two Alexander Zverev on Friday with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win in the quarter-finals of…


Report: California Governor Requests $40 Billion for Fire Aid

Varieties An aerial view shows the devastation from the Palisades Fire on beachfront homes Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. (AP)

Report: California Governor Requests $40 Billion for Fire Aid

California Governor Gavin Newsom is asking Congress for nearly $40 billion in disaster funding to help Los Angeles recover and rebuild areas scorched by last…


Varieties The fourth Saudi Media Forum concluded on Friday with an awards ceremony attended by Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary and other dignitaries. (SPA)

Saudi Media Forum Concludes, Announces Award Winners

The fourth Saudi Media Forum concluded on Friday with an awards ceremony attended by Minister of Media Salman Al-Dossary and other dignitaries. The forum was…

Varieties SJA Chairman of the Board of Directors Adhwan Al-Ahmari described the association as a cornerstone of promoting the national media identity and developing journalism in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Journalists Association Unveils New Brand Identity

The Saudi Journalists Association (SJA) launched on Friday its new brand identity at the Saudi Media Forum, with local and international media professionals…

Varieties Participants are seen at a panel discussion at the Saudi Media Forum. (Saudi Media Forum)

Riyadh’s Diplomacy Takes Center Stage at Saudi Media Forum

The second day of the Saudi Media Forum in its fourth edition, held in Riyadh, featured discussions and workshops with the participation of local and…

Omar al-Badwi (Riyadh)
Varieties This photo taken on February 18, 2025 shows pedestrians crossing the street in the snow in central Sapporo, Hokkaido prefecture. (Photo by Richard A. Brooks / AFP)

Japan Cabinet Approves 'Emergency' Urban Bear Shootings

Japan's cabinet approved a bill Friday allowing hunters to shoot bears in populated areas at their own discretion after human encounters with the wild animals…

Asharq Al Awsat