Latest World News

World Pope Francis looks on as he arrives for an audience to the Padre Pio Prayer Groups, on February 6, 2016 in Vatican. (AFP)

Pope Francis, in Critical Condition, Had Quiet Night in Hospital, Vatican Says 

Pope Francis, in critical condition battling double pneumonia, had a quiet night in hospital and is resting, the Vatican said on Wednesday. The 88-year-old…

Arab World Smoke billows from a strike in Damascus in May 2018. (Reuters file)

Israeli Warplanes Strike South of Damascus 

Israeli warplanes hit a town south of Syria's capital as well as the southern province of Daraa late on Tuesday, residents, security sources and local…

Gulf Participants attend Syria's national dialogue conference at the People's Palace in Damascus, Syria, Tuesday Feb. 25, 2025. (AP)

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Convening of Syrian National Dialogue Conference 

Saudi Arabia welcomed on Tuesday the convening of the Syrian National Dialogue Conference, hoping it will help fulfill the aspirations of the Syrian people and…

World A Taiwanese Air Force Mirage 2000 fighter jet prepares to land at an Air Force base in Hsinchu on December 10, 2024. (AFP)

China Holds ‘Shooting’ Drills off Taiwan’s Coast, Vows ‘Reunification’ Push 

China's military held "shooting training" on Wednesday off Taiwan's southwest coast in a move Taipei described as provocative and dangerous, while a senior…

Hamas to Turn over Bodies of Four Israeli Hostages in Exchange for Release of Hundreds of Prisoners 

Arab World Armed fighters from Hamas' Qassam Brigades stand guard during the handover of three Israeli hostages to Red Cross representatives in Al Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza Strip, 22 February 2025. (EPA)

Hamas to Turn over Bodies of Four Israeli Hostages in Exchange for Release of Hundreds of Prisoners 

Hamas will return the bodies of four dead Israeli hostages on Thursday in exchange for Israel's release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the group said,…


Arab World A truck drives past a Sudanese army tank at the entrance of Wad Madani in Sudan's al-Jazira state on February 20, 2025, after the regular army forces reclaimed the area from its rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last month. (AFP)

Death Toll in Sudan Military Plane Crash Rises to 46

The death toll from a Sudanese military plane crash in the city of Omdurman increased to at least 46 people, officials said Wednesday. The Khartoum Media…

Gulf US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz in the Treaty Room of the US State Department in Washington, DC, on February 25, 2025. (AFP)

Saudi Defense Minister, US Secretary of State Discuss Challenges Facing Int’l Peace, Security

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held talks in Washington on Tuesday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The officials…

Nigeria’s Museum Agrees with Royal Ruler on Custody of Benin Bronzes 

Culture Examples of Benin bronzes which, together with collections such as the Parthenon sculptures, are the subject of talks of their return to countries of origin, are displayed at the British Museum in London, Britain, January 25, 2023. (Reuters) 

Nigeria’s Museum Agrees with Royal Ruler on Custody of Benin Bronzes 

Nigeria's national museum commission will be responsible for retrieving and keeping priceless Benin Bronzes, taking on the task with the assent of the royal…


Culture AlUla Ramadan preparations - Photo by SPA

AlUla Prepares to Welcome Visitors in Ramadan with Unique Experiences

AlUla Governorate is set to welcome visitors during Ramadan with unique experiences that blend the spiritual essence of the month with the captivating beauty…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The events provided an opportunity to explore three centuries of Saudi history and culture. (SPA)

More than 80,000 Visitors Attend Founding Day Events at Ithra

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) in Dhahran concluded its Founding Day celebrations, attracting more than 80,000 visitors over three days,…

Culture Forty photographers participated in the exhibition. SPA

Jeddah Culture, Arts Society Hosts 'Our Kingdom' Photo Exhibition

The Saudi Arabian Society of Culture and Arts in Jeddah hosted the "Our Kingdom" photography exhibition displaying 40 artworks that embody the history of the…

Asharq Al Awsat (Jeddah)
Culture The event continues until next Thursday -SPA

Hira Cultural District Launches 'Glory Makers' Event on Founding Day Celebrations

The "Glory Makers" event, held as part of the Founding Day's celebrations at Hira Cultural District, has garnered significant attention and a high turnout from…

Asharq Al Awsat

Japanese Forward ‘King Kazu’ Turns 58 and Prepares for His 40th Season in Professional Football 

Sports Japanese forward Kazuyoshi Miura speaks to reporters in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, on Jan. 11, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP) 

Japanese Forward ‘King Kazu’ Turns 58 and Prepares for His 40th Season in Professional Football 

Japanese forward Kazuyoshi Miura turned 58 on Wednesday. Happy Birthday to the player known as "King Kazu." But there's more to celebrate. He's also set…


Sports A Chelsea supporter from Korea holds a banner picturing Chelsea's English midfielder #20 Cole Palmer as he waits for the start of the English Premier League football match between Chelsea and Southampton at Stamford Bridge in London on February 25, 2025. (AFP)

Chelsea Routs Southampton 4-0 on Frustrating Night for Cole Palmer. Brighton and Palace Win 

Chelsea wasn't so reliant on Cole Palmer this time. On a frustrating evening for the England star, his Chelsea teammates stepped up — as demanded by their…

Sports Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah - EPA file photo

Liverpool Glory Would Boost Salah's Ballon D'Or Chances, Says Slot

Arne Slot says Mohamed Salah will have a "far better chance" of winning the Ballon d'Or if runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool win silverware this season…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Petra Kvitova. (AFP)

Kvitova Not Setting Goals in Comeback from Maternity Break 

Twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova said she has been encouraged by the success of several new mothers on their return to the WTA Tour, but the Czech is…

Sports Winner 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)

 Fiery Rublev Keeping a Cool Head with Help from Safin 

World number nine Andrey Rublev said conversations with twice Grand Slam champion Marat Safin had helped him deal with his mental struggles and that he was now…


South Korea Birthrate Rises for First Time in 9 Years, Marriages Surge 

Varieties People walk through a train station in Seoul on February 26, 2025. (AFP)

South Korea Birthrate Rises for First Time in 9 Years, Marriages Surge 

South Korea's fertility rate rose in 2024 for the first time in nine years, supported by an increase in marriages, preliminary data showed on Wednesday, in a…


Varieties This handout image released by The European Southern Observatory (ESO) on February 25, 2025, shows an image of the asteroid "2024 YR4" taken by ESO’s Very Large Telescope (VLT), showing a frame of the asteroid’s path through the night sky in January 2025, observed at infrared wavelengths with the HAWK-I instrument. (Handout / European Southern Observatory / AFP)

Asteroid 2024 YR4 Is No Longer a Threat to Earth, Scientists Say

Scientists have finally given the all-clear to Earth from a newly discovered asteroid. After two months of observations, scientists have almost fully ruled…

Varieties Pakistan’s Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Islamabad Seeks Partnerships with Riyadh to Boost Digital Media Production, Content Quality

Pakistan’s Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar emphasized his country’s commitment to forming partnerships with Saudi Arabia to enhance digital media…

Fatehelrahman Yousif (Riyadh)
Varieties The Svalbard Global Seed Vault offers a safety net in case of natural catastrophe, war, climate change, disease or manmade disasters. (AFP)

Arctic Doomsday Seed Vault Gets More Than 14,000 New Samples 

A "doomsday" vault storing food crop seeds from around the world in man-made caves on a remote Norwegian Arctic island will receive more than 14,000 new…

Varieties A drone view of the village of Oia, as the seismic activity continues, on the island of Santorini, Greece, February 20, 2025. (Reuters)

Santorini’s Earthquake Swarm Is Declining Gradually as Thousands Return to the Greek Island 

An earthquake swarm near the island of Santorini is gradually declining a month after it began, Greek scientists monitoring the phenomenon said Monday. The…