Latest World News

Gulf King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman (X)

From Founding to Vision: Saudi State and Oral Memory

Arabs, in their foundational makeup, cultural identity and inherited traditions, are an “oral” rather than a “written” nation. They are captivated by poetry,…

Bandar bin Abdul-Rahman bin Muammar (Riyadh)
World US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff listens as President Donald Trump (not pictured) speaks at the inaugural Board of Peace meeting at the US Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C., US, February 19, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Witkoff Says Trump Questioning why Iran Has Not 'Capitulated'

US envoy Steve Witkoff said on Saturday that President Donald Trump is questioning why Iran has not "capitulated" in the face of Washington's military build-up…

Asharq Al Awsat (Washington)
World Pakistani soldiers patrol the scene where a police officer was killed in the line of duty during an attack on a polio vaccination campaign team, in Chaman, Balochistan province, Pakistan, 06 February 2026. EPA/AKHTER GULFAM

Pakistan Launches Deadly Strikes in Afghanistan

Pakistan said Sunday it launched multiple air strikes targeting militants in neighboring Afghanistan, where the government reported children were among dozens…

Asharq Al Awsat
Interviews Ukrainian soldiers at an undisclosed location in Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia region on January 30, 2026 (AFP)

Ukrainian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Russia’s Demands to Annex Territory are a Red Line

A senior Ukrainian official said Kyiv is concentrating its negotiating efforts with Russia on achieving an unconditional ceasefire, while stressing the need…

Fatehelrahman Yousif (Riyadh)

Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Condemn Statements by the US Ambassador to Israel

Gulf Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Condemn Statements by the US Ambassador to Israel

Saudi Arabia, Arab and Islamic Countries Condemn Statements by the US Ambassador to Israel

The Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, Türkiye, Syria,…

Asharq Al Awsat

Features The Saudi riyal serves as a living record of three centuries of progress, representing not merely a unit of value but a document of the nation’s journey and renaissance. (SPA)

The Saudi Riyal: Tracing Three Centuries from Diriyah’s Markets to Global Financial Icon

The history of the Saudi riyal is deeply intertwined with the evolution of the Saudi state, evolving from its early days as a fluctuating medium of exchange to…

Business US President Donald Trump speaks during a press briefing at the White House, following the Supreme Court's ruling that Trump had exceeded his authority when he imposed tariffs, in Washington, DC, US, February 20, 2026. (Reuters)

Trump Says He Will Raise US Global Tariff Rate from 10% to 15%

President Donald Trump said on Saturday he will raise temporary tariffs on almost all US imports from 10% to 15%, the maximum level allowed under the law,…

Qassim Region Principality Illuminated in Green in Celebration of Founding Day

Culture The Qassim Region Principality illuminated in green marking Founding Day - SPA

Qassim Region Principality Illuminated in Green in Celebration of Founding Day

The Qassim Region Principality building was illuminated in green in celebration of Founding Day. The scene reflected pride in the historical roots of the…

Asharq Al Awsat

Culture The renovation utilized traditional mud, stone, and wood to preserve the mosque's authentic Najdi architectural style. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Century-Old Uqlat Al-Suqur Mosque in Qassim

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has completed the restoration of the Uqlat Al-Suqur Mosque in Qassim Region,…

Culture This handout picture released by Panama’s Ministry of Culture shows an archaeologist working inside a pre-Hispanic tomb approximately 1,200 years old, discovered at the El Cano Archaeological Park in Cocle, Panama, on February 20, 2026. (Handout / Panama’s Ministry of Culture / AFP)

Tomb More Than 1,000 Years Old Found in Panama

Archaeologists have discovered a tomb more than a thousand years old in Panama containing human remains alongside gold and ceramic artifacts, the lead…

Culture László Bárdossy, head chef of the Neverland Pizzeria adds topping on the restaurant's Roman-era pizza in Budapest, Hungary, on Feb. 11, 2026. (AP)

When in Rome: Budapest Pizzeria Offers Time-Travel Twist with Ancient Rome-Inspired Pie

In Hungary’s capital, a city best known for its goulash, a pizzeria is inviting diners to travel back two millennia to a time before tomatoes, mozzarella or…

Culture The Red Sea Museum. (Red Sea Museum)

Jeddah's Red Sea Museum Announces Ramadan Program 

Jeddah's Red Sea Museum announced on Thursday a curated program of creative and cultural activities for the holy month of Ramadan, running from February 22 to…

Bayern Confirm Davies Suffered Muscle Injury Against Frankfurt

Sports 21 February 2026, Bavaria, Munich: Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies (R) sits injured on the ground during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayern Munich and Eintracht Frankfurt at Allianz Arena. Photo: Harry Langer/dpa

Bayern Confirm Davies Suffered Muscle Injury Against Frankfurt

Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies suffered a muscle injury during Saturday's 3-2 win over Eintracht Frankfurt at Allianz Arena, the German club said. …

Asharq Al Awsat

Sports Soccer Football - Premier League - Chelsea v Burnley - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - February 21, 2026 Chelsea's Wesley Fofana fouls Burnley's James Ward-Prowse before being sent off by referee Lewis Smith Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Chelsea, Burnley Condemn Racist Abuse of Fofana, Mejbri

Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana and Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri said they were racially abused on social media following their sides’ 1-1 Premier League…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Manchester City players celebrate the second goal (EPA)

Man City Keeps Pressure on Premier League Leader Arsenal with Win over Newcastle

The pressure is on Arsenal after Manchester City cut its lead at the top of the Premier League to two points on Saturday. Second-place City beat Newcastle…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)
Sports Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton drives on the second day of the Formula One pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on February 19, 2026. (AFP)

Hamilton Says He Forgot Who He Was but Has Re-Set for New Season

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton has ‌admitted he "forgot who I was" but is now excited for the new Formula One season and ready to go racing again. In a…

Sports Juventus' players leave the pitch at the end of the Italian Serie A football match between Juventus and Como at the Allianz stadium in Turin on February 21, 2026. (AFP)

Juventus End Bad Week with 2-0 Loss Against Como

Juventus blew their chance of climbing into the Champions League places in Serie A as they slumped to a 2-0 defeat at home to Como on Saturday. A win would…


Scottish Antiques Auction Selling Neck Shackles Accused of ‘Profiting from Slavery’

Varieties “I think it’s important not to upset and offend, but shock people into learning the whole truth,” the auctioneer, Marcus Salter, said. (Cheeky Auctions Tain)

Scottish Antiques Auction Selling Neck Shackles Accused of ‘Profiting from Slavery’

An antiques auction selling chains linked to the enslavement of African people in Zanzibar has been accused of “profiting from slavery,” according to The…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)

Varieties A California Highway Patrol helicopter lifts off from Truckee Tahoe Airport while taking part in recovery efforts for the skiers that died in an avalanche in the Sierra Nevada mountains, in Truckee, California, US February 21, 2026.  REUTERS/Fred Greaves

Crews Recover Bodies of 9 Backcountry Skiers Days after California Avalanche

Crews recovered the bodies of nine backcountry skiers who were killed by an avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada, authorities said Saturday, concluding a…

Asharq Al Awsat
Varieties The capital's streets have transformed into vibrant displays of national pride, embodying 299 years of continuous development and progress - SPA

Riyadh Municipality Decorates Capital with Over 5,000 Lights for Founding Day

The Riyadh Municipality has illuminated the capital's main streets, vital thoroughfares, and public squares with over 5,000 decorative lights in celebration of…

Asharq Al Awsat
Varieties This undated handout image received on December 26, 2024 from the State Control Center of the Victoria Emergency Services shows officials on a road near a bushfire in the Grampians National Park in Australia's Victoria state. (Handout / State Control Center of the Victoria Emergency Services / AFP)

Residents in Australia’s Victoria State Urged to Evacuate as Bushfire Rages

An ‌out-of-control bushfire in Australia's Victoria state prompted an evacuation alert for residents near a remote mining settlement, authorities said on…

Varieties  Juvenile giant tortoises are loaded onto a boat on Santa Cruz Island for transport to Floreana Island for release as part of a project to reintroduce the Floreana giant tortoise to its native island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

Galapagos Park Releases 158 Juvenile Hybrid Tortoises on Floreana to Restore the Ecosystem

Nearly 150 years after the last giant tortoises were removed from Floreana Island in Ecuador’s Galapagos archipelago, the species made a comeback Friday, when…