Latest World News

Business As 2025 draws to a close, Saudi Arabia records a year defined not merely by statistical growth, but by structural transformation across every major sector. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia Closes 2025 with Historic Industrial Reform, Global Digital Leadership, Record-Breaking Economic Activity

The second half of December marked a transformative conclusion to the year for Saudi Arabia, defined by a major policy shift to empower the industrial sector,…

Arab World Palestinians walk along streets past tent camps for displaced people in Gaza City, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. (AP)

EU Warns Israel Suspending Gaza NGOs Would Block 'Life-Saving Aid'

The EU warned Wednesday that Israel's threat to suspend several aid groups in Gaza under new registration rules would block "life-saving" assistance from…

World Iranians walks past shops in Vali-Asr Square in the Iranian capital Tehran, on the last day of the year on December 31, 2025. (AFP)

Iran Prosecutor Pledges ‘Decisive’ Response if Protests Destabilize Country

Iran's prosecutor general said on Wednesday that economic protests that had gripped the country were legitimate, but any attempt to create insecurity would be…

World A Russian service member stands next to the remains of a drone, which, according to the Russian Defense Ministry, was downed during the repelling of an alleged Ukrainian attack on the Russian presidential residence in the Novgorod Region, in an unknown location in Russia, in this still image from a video released December 31, 2025. (Russian Defense Ministry/Handout via Reuters)

Russia Shows Video of Drone It Says Ukraine Fired at Putin Residence

Russia's defense ministry published a video Wednesday of a downed drone that it said Ukraine launched at President Vladimir Putin's residence in northwest…

Hadhramaut Governor to Asharq Al-Awsat: UAE Has Started Withdrawing its Forces, Door Still Open to STC

Arab World Hadhramaut Governor Salem Ahmed al-Khanbashi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Hadhramaut Governor to Asharq Al-Awsat: UAE Has Started Withdrawing its Forces, Door Still Open to STC

Hadhramaut Governor Salem Ahmed al-Khanbashi called on Wednesday inhabitants of the governorate who are involved with the Southern Transitional Council to …

Abdulhadi Habtor (Riyadh)

World Residents secure spots for their boats near the Sydney Opera House ahead of the New Year's Eve fireworks display in Sydney on December 31, 2025. (AFP)

World Bids Farewell to 2025, a Year of Trump, Truces and Turmoil

New Year's Eve revelers celebrated the end of 2025 on Wednesday, waving goodbye to 12 months packed with Trump tariffs, a Gaza truce and vain hopes for peace…

World A person walks past a sign at a currency exchange, as the value of the Iranian rial drops, in Tehran, Iran, December 30, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

Iran Appoints New Central Bank Governor After Record Currency Fall and Mass Protests

Iran on Wednesday appointed a new governor to the central bank after the former one resigned following a record currency fall against the US dollar that…

Libyans Savor Shared Heritage at Reopened National Museum

Culture Libyans visit the National Museum after its reopening, following a closure of more than a decade in the Libyan capital Tripoli on December 23, 2025. (AFP)

Libyans Savor Shared Heritage at Reopened National Museum

In a historic building in central Tripoli, Libyans wander past ancient statues and artifacts, rediscovering a heritage that transcends political divides at…


Culture The camp celebrates authentic Saudi heritage and reinforces culture as a cornerstone of national identity - SPA

Cultural Camp at King Abdulaziz Camel Festival Showcases Saudi Heritage

The cultural camp is a key feature of the 10th King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, held in Al-Sayahid desert. The camp celebrates authentic Saudi heritage and…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The 2026 edition features a month-long live sculpting phase alongside a community engagement program - SPA

Tuwaiq Sculpture 2026 Announces 25 Participating Artists for Seventh Edition

Under the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and Riyadh Art, Tuwaiq Sculpture has announced the selection of 25 artists for the seventh edition of the annual…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Arabic calligraphy adorns wrcades, Walls of the Grand Mosque of Makkah - SPA

ALECSO Celebrates Opening of Arabic Calligraphy Center in Saudi Arabia

The Arab League of Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO) congratulated Saudi Arabia on the opening of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The "Hegra After Dark" cultural event in AlUla. (SPA)

‘Hegra After Dark’ Event Showcases AlUla's History through the Ages

The "Hegra After Dark" cultural event in AlUla provides an interactive evening featuring live performances, storytelling, and diverse flavors. It highlights…

Asharq Al Awsat

Caballero Defends Maresca After Palmer Substitution Sparks Jeers

Sports Football - Premier League - Chelsea v AFC Bournemouth - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - December 30, 2025 Chelsea's Cole Palmer shakes hands with manager Enzo Maresca after being substituted. (Action Images via Reuters)

Caballero Defends Maresca After Palmer Substitution Sparks Jeers

Chelsea assistant coach Willy Caballero defended Enzo Maresca's decision to replace Cole Palmer after the controversial substitution sparked jeered from angry…


Sports Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim walks on the pitch after the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Wolverhampton Wanderers in Manchester, England, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. (AP)

Depleted Man Utd ‘Lack Quality’, Says Amorim

Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim said his side "lacked quality" to break down a Wolves team without a Premier League win all season in the latest blow to…

Sports Aston Villa's Spanish manager Unai Emery gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on December 30, 2025. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)

Villa's Emery Downplays Missed Handshake with Arteta

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery played down the absence of the traditional post-match handshake with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta on Tuesday after his side’s 4-1…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Japanese forward Kazuyoshi Miura of Suzuka plays in a JFL soccer match against Oita in Suzuka, central Japan, July 14, 2024. (Kyodo News via AP, File)

Life Begins at 59 for the Globe's Oldest Professional Soccer Player

He turns 59 in February, and the globe's oldest professional soccer player has a new club as he gets set for his 41st season. This is of course Kazuyoshi…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports  Sudan's players pose for the team picture before the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP)

Sudan Dream of AFCON Glory as Conflict Rages at Home

When war broke out in Sudan in April 2023, Ammar Taifour was in a training camp with his club Al Merrikh in Khartoum. "I just remember the surprise, the…


Heavy Snow in Poland Leaves Drivers Stranded in Tailbacks of up to 20 Km

Varieties Cars drive on a road during heavy snowfall in central Warsaw, Poland, 30 December 2025. (EPA)

Heavy Snow in Poland Leaves Drivers Stranded in Tailbacks of up to 20 Km

Heavy snowfall in Poland caused tailbacks stretching as far as 20 km (12.43 miles) on a motorway between ​the capital Warsaw and the Baltic port city of Gdansk…


Varieties The study concluded that children exposed to high levels of screen time before age two are exposed to endure adolescent mental health. (The University of Queensland)

Infant Screen Exposure Shapes Long-Term Brain Changes and Teen Anxiety, Study Finds  

Children exposed to high levels of screen time before age two showed changes in brain development that were linked to slower decision-making and increased…

Asharq Al Awsat (Cairo)
Varieties Explosive activity concentrates at the north-east crater of the Mount Etna, as an eruption started on Dec. 24 continues, in Sicily, Italy, Monday Dec. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Salvatore Allegra)

Indonesia Raises Alert for Mount Bur Ni Telong Volcano after Spike of Activity

Indonesian authorities have raised the alert level for the Mount Bur Ni Telong volcano in the country’s westernmost province of Aceh to its second highest…

Asharq Al Awsat
Varieties A general view of the melting Lewis Glacier in Mount Kenya National Park on March 7, 2025. (Photo by Luis TATO / AFP)

Regional Temperature Records Broken Across the World in 2025

Central Asia, the Sahel region and northern Europe experienced their hottest year on record in 2025, according to AFP analysis based on data from the European…

Asharq Al Awsat
Varieties AlUla’s participation in Gulf Wildlife Day reflects its ongoing commitment to protecting its natural resources. SPA

Saudi Arabia: AlUla Showcase its Environmental Diversity on Gulf Wildlife Day

Saudi Arabia’s AlUla Governorate showcased its environmental wealth and natural diversity during its participation in Gulf Wildlife Day, highlighting its…

Asharq Al Awsat (AlUla)