Latest World News

World In this photograph released on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, by the official website of the Iranian Army, Iran's army chief Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami speaks to military academy students, in Tehran, Iran. (Masoud Nazari Mehrabi/Iranian Army via AP)

Iran Army Chief Threatens Preemptive Attack Over ‘Rhetoric’ Targeting Country After Trump’s Comments

Iran's army chief threatened preemptive military action Wednesday over the “rhetoric” targeting the country, likely referring to US President Donald Trump's…

Arab World Palestinians walk through the ruins of destroyed buildings in Gaza City, Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026. (AP)

Cairo to Host Hamas Delegation Next Week to Advance Gaza Ceasefire Deal

A Palestinian source told Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday that Cairo will host a delegation from Hamas next week for talks aimed at advancing a ceasefire agreement…

Mohamed Mahmoud (Cairo)
World Government supporters participate in a women's march toward the office of interim President Delcy Rodriguez, days after the US launched a strike on Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores, in Caracas, Venezuela, January 6, 2026. (Reuters)

New Venezuela Leader Says ‘No Foreign Power’ Running Country

Venezuela's interim leader Delcy Rodriguez insisted Tuesday no foreign power was governing her country, even as US President Donald Trump announced Caracas…

Arab World 16 March 2018, Austria, Vienna: Abbas Araqchi, then Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran, gives an interview in Vienna. (dpa)

Report: Iran’s Foreign Minister to Visit Lebanon on Thursday

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi told the Mehr news ​agency he will visit Lebanon on Thursday with an economic delegation. A US-backed ceasefire agreed…

Yemen's PLC Holds Emergency Meeting, Approves Measures to Protect Civilians, Facilities in Aden

Arab World This photo taken on January 4, 2026 shows Yemeni forces deployed in the city of Mukalla. (AFP)

Yemen's PLC Holds Emergency Meeting, Approves Measures to Protect Civilians, Facilities in Aden

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, chaired by President Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, held an emergency meeting on Wednesday to review the latest security and…


Arab World Rescue workers search for possible victims in a building destroyed by an Israeli strike in the southern port city of Sidon, Lebanon, early Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. (AP)

Latest Israeli Escalation in Lebanon Raises Questions about All-out War

The Israeli airstrike that struck a three-storey building on Tuesday in the industrial zone of Sainiq, in the Sidon district in southern Lebanon, was part of a…

Asharq Al Awsat (Beirut)
Arab World Syrian soldiers make their way through the snow in the country's mountainous Qalamoun region, near the border with Lebanon, during a patrol to secure the frontier and prevent smuggling operations on January 1, 2026. (AFP)

Syria, Israel to Set Up Joint Cell Under US on De-Escalation

Syria's new government and Israel will set up a joint group under US supervision to share intelligence and seek military de-escalation on the ground, they…

Contemporary Art Museum in AlUla and Centre Pompidou Announce ‘Arduna’ Exhibition This February

Culture The exhibition will feature more than 80 significant artworks by artists from Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa, and around the world. (SPA)

Contemporary Art Museum in AlUla and Centre Pompidou Announce ‘Arduna’ Exhibition This February

The exhibition Arduna will welcome visitors to the fifth edition of the AlUla Arts Festival from February 1 to April 15. Presented by Arts AlUla and…


Culture This photograph shows a general view of the Louvre Museum, with the Louvre pyramid (L) designed by Chinese-US architect Ieoh Ming Pei, after the first snowfall of the year in Paris on January 3, 2026. (Photo by Blanca CRUZ / AFP)

Louvre Staff Vote for Strike Again

Staff at the Louvre voted for another day of strike action on Monday, union representatives told AFP in Paris, threatening fresh disruption at the world's most…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture "This is Jazan” zone, part of Jazan Festival 2026, has opened to visitors offering an engaging tourism experience. (SPA)

Jazan Festival Takes Visitors on a Journey Through Culture and Heritage

The “This is Jazan” zone, part of Jazan Festival 2026, has opened to visitors, offering an engaging tourism experience that highlights the region’s history,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The palace offers visitors an authentic culinary and cultural experience - SPA

Al-Eishan Palace Welcomes Visitors in Saudi Arabia's Sakaka

Visitors to Al-Jouf Region can explore a wealth of historical landmarks and distinctive architectural heritage, with mud-brick palaces offering immersive…

Asharq Al Awsat
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…

Liverpool’s Ekitike in Doubt for Arsenal Clash

Sports Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Leeds United - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - January 1, 2026 Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)

Liverpool’s Ekitike in Doubt for Arsenal Clash

Liverpool boss Arne Slot sounded doubtful he will have striker Hugo Ekitike for Thursday's Premier League trip to leaders Arsenal, with the Frenchman yet ​to…


Sports Wolverhampton Wanderers' head coach Gary O'Neil during the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, at The London Stadium in London, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP)

Former Wolves Boss O'Neil Replaces Rosenior at Strasbourg

Racing Strasbourg have named former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O'Neil as new manager to replace Liam Rosenior, who left to take over at Chelsea, the…

Sports Coco Gauff of the USA celebrates after winning in the quarter-final mixed doubles match against Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece at the United Cup tennis tournament at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia, 07 January 2026. (EPA)

Gauff Leads US Past Greece into United Cup Semis

The US reached the semi-finals of the United Cup mixed team tournament after beating Greece 2-1 in Perth on Wednesday, as Coco Gauff defeated ​Maria Sakkari…

Sports Rallying - Dakar Rally - Stage 2 - Yanbu to AlUla - Yanbu, Saudi Arabia - January 5, 2026 General view of Ford Racing's Mitch Guthrie and Kellon Walch in action during stage 2. (Reuters)

US Driver Guthrie Leads Dakar in Saudi Arabia After Stage Three Sweep for Ford

Ford Raptors filled the top five places in the Dakar Rally as American Mitch Guthrie Jr won the third 421km stage in Saudi Arabia, his first victory in the top…

Sports Strasbourg's British head coach Liam Rosenior reacts during the French L1 football match between Stade Rennais FC and RC Strasbourg Alsace at the Roazhon Park stadium in Rennes, western France, on November 2, 2025. (AFP)

Liam Rosenior Leaves Strasbourg and Confirms He Has an Agreement to Manage Chelsea

Liam Rosenior confirmed his exit from French club Strasbourg on Tuesday and strongly hinted he will be the next Chelsea coach. Rosenior has been praised for…


Nostalgia and New Fans as Tamagotchi Turns 30

Varieties More than 100 million of the pocket-sized plastic eggs have been sold worldwide since their debut three decades ago. (AFP)

Nostalgia and New Fans as Tamagotchi Turns 30

Japan's Tamagotchi toys were a 1990s playground craze and the virtual pets that demand food and attention are still a hit among retro-loving Gen Z and…


Varieties The butterfly pea grows wild across India. (Shutterstock)  

'Magical' Blue Flower Changing Farmers' Fortunes in India

“Until a few years ago, the butterfly pea flower was just another climbing plant in my village,” said Nilam Brahma who lives in Anthaigwlao, a village in the…

Asharq Al Awsat (New Delhi)
Varieties Healthy teeth are key to a longer life. (Shutterstock)

Scientists Find Link between Healthy Teeth and Longer Life

Poor oral health may significantly reduce life expectancy, according to a new Japanese study that called for better dental maintenance among older adults. …

Asharq Al Awsat (London)
Varieties A man shelters from falling snow under an umbrella past as he walks on the snow-covered Esplanade des Invalides in Paris as winter weather with snow and cold temperatures hits a part of the country, France, January 7, 2026. (Reuters)

Western Europe Braces for Another Wave of Snow and Ice

Western Europe braced for more snow and ice on Wednesday, with the first named storm of the year hitting the continent's Atlantic coast. More flights were…

Varieties The nation's weather bureau issued severe or extreme heat warnings for the states of New South Wales, Victoria, ‌South Australia and ‌Tasmania. (AFP file)

Intense Heatwave Grips Australia’s Southern States, Fans Bushfires

Australia’s south sweltered through a brutal heatwave on Wednesday that delivered temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some cities…