Latest World News

Arab World President Joseph Aoun meets with Lebanese chief negotiator Ambassador Simon Karam (File photo: Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanon, Israel to Hold First Direct Talks Next Week

Lebanon and Israel are set to hold their first round of direct talks in Washington next week aimed at establishing a framework for bilateral negotiations,…

Nazeer Rida (Beirut)
World A site of a Russian air strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine May 5, 2026. Press service of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine in Zaporizhzhia region/Handout via REUTERS

Russia, Ukraine Trade Major Attacks Ahead of Kremlin's WWII Celebrations

Russia and Ukraine launched major attacks on each other on Friday, with a two-day unilateral ceasefire that Moscow had declared around its World War II…

Asharq Al Awsat
Gulf FILE - An Iranian Shahed exploding drone. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)

UAE Reports Drone and Missile Attack as Iran War Ceasefire is Challenged

The Iran war’s shaky ceasefire came under further strain on Friday as the United Arab Emirates' responded to a missile and drone attack hours after the US said…

Asharq Al Awsat
World Test tubes labelled "Hantavirus positive" in this illustration taken May 7, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

WHO Warns of More Hantavirus Cases in 'Limited' Outbreak

The World Health Organization said Thursday that more hantavirus cases could emerge after the disease killed three passengers from a cruise ship, but it…

Asharq Al Awsat

Iran Reviewing US Proposal as Trump Pressures Tehran for Agreement on Deal to End War

World US and Iran flags are seen in this illustration taken June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Iran Reviewing US Proposal as Trump Pressures Tehran for Agreement on Deal to End War

Iran said it was reviewing the latest American proposals to end the war after US President Donald Trump threatened the country with a new wave of bombing…

Asharq Al Awsat

Varieties The twins were separated after a 16-and-a-half-hour procedure conducted across 10 stages. SPA

Tanzanian Twins Separated After 16-Hour Surgery in Riyadh

The specialized medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program (SCTP) achieved a new medical milestone by successfully separating Tanzanian…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Arab World Massad Boulos during his participation in the Munich Security Conference in mid-February, from his account on X

Trump Senior Adviser to Asharq Al-Awsat: No Military Solution in Sudan

Despite the complexity of the situation on the ground in Sudan, Washington still believes the de-escalation effort has a chance of succeeding. Massad…

Asharq Al Awsat (Cairo)

Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz Library to Launch 26th Free Reading Festival

Culture The King Abdulaziz Public Library. SPA

Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz Library to Launch 26th Free Reading Festival

The King Abdulaziz Public Library, in cooperation with the Riyadh Education Department, will launch its 26th annual Free Reading Festival for public school…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)

Culture The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa. (SPA)

Qassim's Monday Market Retains Heritage Role as Economic and Cultural Hub

The Monday market in the governorate of Uyun Al-Jiwa, north of Qassim Region, stands as one of the oldest traditional weekly markets, enduring through changing…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The district’s significance lies in its unique architectural composition - SPA

Heritage Commission Revives Al-Nasb Heritage District as Abha Cultural Tourism Destination

Al-Nasb Heritage District in Abha is one of the most prominent living examples of traditional architecture in Aseer Region, preserving its long history and…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The fines varied according to the nature and circumstances of each violation

Saudi Heritage Commission Enforces Strict Penalties Against Antiquities Violators

The Saudi Heritage Commission announced financial fines against 11 violators for dealing in portable antiquities without obtaining the required regulatory…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture Among the museum’s distinctive exhibits is a copy of the Quran engraved on brass plates dating back to the 12th century AH - SPA

Holy Quran Museum Showcases Rare 18th-Century Brass-Engraved Copy of the Quran

The Holy Quran Museum in the Hira Cultural District in Makkah offers a rich cultural and knowledge experience, enabling visitors to explore the history of the…

Asharq Al Awsat

Copa Libertadores Game in Colombia Abandoned Due to Crowd Trouble

Sports Carlos Bacca (R) of Junior reacts during a Copa Libertadores group stage soccer match between Junior and Cerro Porteno at Romelio Martinez Stadium in Cartagena, Colombia, 07 May 2026.  EPA/Ricardo Maldonado Rozo

Copa Libertadores Game in Colombia Abandoned Due to Crowd Trouble

A Copa Libertadores match between Colombia's Independiente Medellin and Brazilian side Flamengo in Medellin was abandoned on Thursday after home fans lit…

Asharq Al Awsat

Sports Barcelona are on the brink of the title and can claim it with a point in the Clasico on Sunday at Camp Nou. ANDER GILLENEA / AFP/File

History-chasing Barca Eye Title Party in Liga Clasico

With the sting of Champions League disappointment fading but not forgotten, Barcelona are aiming to clinch back-to-back La Liga titles on Sunday when they host…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports The International Olympic Committee on Thursday lifted restrictions imposed on Belarusian athletes (Reuters)

International Olympic Committee Lifts Restrictions on Belarusian Athletes

The International Olympic Committee on Thursday lifted all restrictions on Belarusian athletes, clearing the way for their return to international competitions…

Asharq Al Awsat (Lausanne)
Sports (FILES) Italy's Jasmine Paolini (L) and Angelo Binaghi, President of the Italian Tennis Federation, celebrate after victory in her women's singles final match against US's Coco Gauff during the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

Italy's Tennis Chief Wants to Break Grand Slam 'Monopoly' with New Major

Angelo Binaghi has dragged Italian tennis from the doldrums to a golden age since taking charge of the country's federation (FITP) a quarter of a century ago,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry speaks during the opening of the executive board meeting of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), at the Olympic House, in Lausanne, Switzerland, 06 May 2026. EPA/ANDREAS BECKER

IOC: No Summer Sports at the 2030 Winter Olympics

There will be no summer sports at the 2030 Winter Olympics in the French Alps, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday, with any potential…

Asharq Al Awsat

Study Shows How Potato-based Diet Changed Genetics of Andean People

Varieties FILE PHOTO: A woman sells potatoes at La Parada market in La Victoria district of Lima, Peru, June 14, 2017. REUTERS/Mariana Bazo/File Photo

Study Shows How Potato-based Diet Changed Genetics of Andean People

Indigenous people in the Andes domesticated the potato - a great source of starch, vitamins, minerals and fiber - 6,000 to 10,000 years ago, making this tuber…

Asharq Al Awsat

Varieties A pool with sunbeds at a luxury resort (Shutterstock)

Court Rules in ‘Sunbed War,’ Towels Lose

A German tourist has won a payout of more than €900 (£850) after he was unable to secure a sun lounger due to other guests reserving them with towels,…

Asharq Al Awsat (Berlin)
Varieties A bear, who was rescued from captivity, is seen in an enclosure at the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) - in Armenia's highlands near the village of Urtsadzor, 68km from Yerevan, on April 21, 2026. (Photo by KAREN MINASYAN / AFP)

Japan Confirms Year's First Fatal Bear Attack, 2 Others Suspected

Japanese authorities confirmed Friday the first fatal bear attack of 2026, with media reports saying police were also investigating two other possible cases. …

Asharq Al Awsat
Varieties A farmer carries rice seedlings to plant in a paddy in Sekinchan, Malaysia's Selangor state. Mohd RASFAN / AFP/File

Malaysia Plans Cloud Seeding for Drought-hit 'Rice Bowl'

Malaysia is resorting to cloud seeding to bring much-needed rain to the country's "rice bowl" north, where a drought has delayed planting of the staple crop…

Asharq Al Awsat
Varieties The twins were separated after a 16-and-a-half-hour procedure conducted across 10 stages. SPA

Tanzanian Twins Separated After 16-Hour Surgery in Riyadh

The specialized medical and surgical team of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Program (SCTP) achieved a new medical milestone by successfully separating Tanzanian…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)