Latest World News

Arab World Palestinian Hamas fighters escort(L-R) Ohad Ben Ami, Or Levy and Eli Sharabi on a stage before handing them over to a Red Cross team in Deir el-Balah, central Gaza, on February 8, 2025, as part of the fifth hostage-prisoner exchange of a fragile ceasefire. (AFP)

Hamas Frees Three Hostages, Israel Begins Releasing Palestinians

Palestinian group Hamas on Saturday handed over three Israeli hostages whose gaunt appearance shocked Israelis, and Israel began freeing dozens of Palestinians…

Arab World  A large Palestinian flag hangs on a damaged building ahead of the handover of hostages, held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Jabalia, in the northern Gaza Strip, January 30, 2025. (Reuters)

Morocco, Iraq Say Relocating Palestinians Would Be ‘Contrary to International Law’

Morocco has denounced US President Donald Trump’s plan to displace and relocate Palestinians from Gaza. Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita held talks…

Arab World  Snow covers a vineyard near Kibbutz El-Rom in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights, on February 6, 2025. (AFP)

Israel Targets Alleged Hamas Weapons Depot in Southern Syria

Israel's military said Saturday that it struck a Hamas weapons storage facility in southern Syria, claiming the weapons were intended to be used in attacks on…

World In this photo taken from a video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, a Russian self-propelled multiple rocket launcher Uragan (Hurricane) is fired toward Ukrainian position at an undisclosed location in the Kursk region border area. (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Zelenskyy Confirms New Ukrainian Offensive in Russia’s Kursk Region

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed a new Ukrainian offensive in Russia’s Kursk region and said that North Korean troops were fighting alongside…

Lebanon PM Forms New Government, Pledging Reforms

Arab World A handout photo made available by the Lebanese Presidency’s press office shows Lebanese President Joseph Aoun (L) meeting with Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam (R) at the Presidential Palace in Baabda, outside Beirut, Lebanon, 08 February 2025. (EPA/Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanon PM Forms New Government, Pledging Reforms

Lebanon formed a new government on Saturday, following unusually direct US intervention in the process and in a step intended to bring the country closer to…


World Former Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, Portugal's far-right political party Chega leader Andre Ventura, Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders , Spain's far-right party Vox leader Santiago Abascal and French far-right leader and member of parliament Marine Le Pen, President of the French far-right National Rally (Rassemblement National - RN) party parliamentary group, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini and Greek leader of "Voice of Reason" party Afroditi Latinopoulou and co-leader of Polish far-right political alliance Confederation Krzysztof Bosak stand on stage at Spanish far-right party VOX rally with other European far-right leaders, in Madrid, Spain, February 8, 2025. (Reuters)

Europe’s Far-Right Leaders Applaud Trump, Downplay Threat of Possible US Tariffs

Europe's far-right leaders applauded US President Donald Trump's agenda and spoke of the turning point it presented Europe at an event Saturday organized by…

World M23 soldiers are seen at the Stade de l'Unite' (Unity Stadium in French) in Goma on February 6, 2025 for a public gathering called by the armed group. (AFP)

African Leaders Call for Direct Talks with Rebels to Resolve Congo Conflict

Leaders at an unprecedented joint summit of Eastern and Southern African blocs aimed at defusing the crisis in Eastern Congo urged all parties to hold direct…

Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 Showcases Holy Kaaba Kiswah

Culture The display of the Kaaba cladding is part of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation's initiative to showcase Islamic arts and deepen understanding of its rich history and cultural legacy. (SPA)

Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 Showcases Holy Kaaba Kiswah

The second edition of the Islamic Arts Biennale 2025 in AlBidaya (the beginning) section of the Western Hajj Terminal at King Abdulaziz International Airport…


Culture Saudi Ministry of Culture to Participate in LEAP 2025 Conference

Saudi Ministry of Culture to Participate in LEAP 2025 Conference

The Ministry of Culture will participate as a strategic partner in the LEAP 2025 conference, which will be held from February 9 to 12 at the Riyadh Exhibition…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Saudi Visual Arts Commission Launches ‘Zawaya Wa Afkar’ Initiative in Paris

Saudi Visual Arts Commission Launches ‘Zawaya Wa Afkar’ Initiative in Paris

The Visual Arts Commission (VAC) has announced the launch of the first international edition of the Dialogues in Contemporary Art “Zawaya Wa Afkar” initiative,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The agreement aims to foster knowledge exchange, support cultural tourism, and enhance collaboration in various cultural fields. SPA

Saudi Arabia: King Abdulaziz Public Library, RCU to Enhance Cultural Cooperation

King Abdulaziz Public Library and the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen cultural and…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Culture Builders work on the final stages of the reconstruction of the historic Great Mosque of al-Nuri, whose "Al-Hadba" leaning minaret which dates back to the 12th century was destroyed by ISIS group fighters, in Mosul's old city in northern Iraq on February 3, 2025. (AFP)

Iraq’s Famed ‘Hunchback’ of Mosul Rebuilt Brick by Brick 

The leaning minaret of Mosul in northern Iraq has been restored using its original brickwork, years after it was reduced to rubble under ISIS rule. The Al…

De Bruyne Spares Man City Blushes at Leyton Orient

Sports Manchester City's Belgian midfielder #17 Kevin De Bruyne applauds fan after the English FA Cup fourth round football match between Leyton Orient and Manchester City at Gaughan Group Stadium, Brisbane Road in east London on February 8, 2025. (AFP)

De Bruyne Spares Man City Blushes at Leyton Orient

Manchester City needed a late winner from substitute Kevin De Bruyne to beat Leyton Orient 2-1 and reach the FA Cup fifth round on Saturday after the third…


Sports The photograph shows Olympic Rings during a ceremony to mark one year until the start of Milano Cortina Olympics in Strehler Theatre, in Milan, on February 6, 2025, ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. (AFP)

AOC Chief Says Brisbane 2032 Venues Decision Needed by July

Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Matt Carroll has warned that a final decision on the main venues for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics needs to be made…

Sports The Netflix logo is shown on one of their Hollywood buildings in Los Angeles, California, US, July 12, 2023. (Reuters)

Report: Netflix Exploring Bid for F1 Media Rights

Netflix is deliberating making a play for the US broadcast rights of Formula One, The Athletic reported Friday. Netflix already has a background in the…

Sports Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia - January 12, 2025 Reilly Opelka of the US in action during his first round match against Belgium's Gauthier Onclin. (Reuters)

Opelka Takes Aim at Umpire after Point Penalty for Confronting Heckler

Reilly Opelka has called for chair umpire Greg Allensworth to be suspended by the ATP after he received a code violation at the Dallas Open for confronting a…

Sports (From L to R) PSG's Spanish head coach Luis Enrique, Moroccan defender #02 Achraf Hakimi, Portuguese midfielder #17 Vitinha and Portuguese defender #25 Nuno Mendes stand during a ceremony announcing their contract extension's with the French club, ahead of the French L1 football match between PSG and AS Monaco at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on February 7, 2025. (AFP)

PSG Boss Luis Enrique Hoping to Make History after Signing Contract Extension

Luis Enrique was delighted to have been given a two-year extension with Paris St Germain as he wants to make history with the French champions. The Spaniard…


Schools on 4 Greek Islands Will Stay Shut Next Week as Earthquakes Continue

Varieties  A cat walks in the village of Oia, as the increased seismic activity continues on the island of Santorini, Greece, February 8, 2025. (Reuters)

Schools on 4 Greek Islands Will Stay Shut Next Week as Earthquakes Continue

Schools on four Greek islands will remain closed through next week as earthquakes continue to rattle the region, authorities said Saturday. More than 800…


Varieties Sweden's Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia arrive for a gala dinner hosted by Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia at the Royal Palace in Stockholm, Sweden, Monday, May 6, 2024. (Ida Marie Odgaard/Ritzau Scanpix via AP, File)

Swedish Royals Announce Birth of Daughter

It's a girl! Sweden’s Prince Carl Philip and Princess Sofia announced the birth of their fourth child, a daughter. The young princess, whose name and…

Varieties A file photo taken on August 12, 2018 shows plastic straws, in a studio, in Paris. (AFP)

Trump Slams Paper Straws, Vows 'Back to Plastic'

President Donald Trump on Friday raged against eco-friendly paper straws promoted by his predecessor Joe Biden, and pledged that the United States would return…

Varieties  The "Sarandi" stream, dyed red due to unknown contaminants allege residents, flows into the Río de la Plata on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Feb. 6, 2025. (AP)

River Near Buenos Aires Turns Red, Sparking Fears of Toxic Leak

A stream winding through a populous area on the outskirts of Buenos Aires has turned crimson red in recent hours, sparking fears of industrial chemical dumping…

Varieties People examine their property in the almost evacuated village of Oia on Santorini island, Greece, 05 February 2025. EPA/ORESTIS PANAGIOTOU

Greek PM Says State on Alert over Santorini Quakes, Urges Calm

Greek authorities are monitoring increased seismic activity on the island of Santorini, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday, urging the public to…

Asharq Al Awsat