Latest World News

Arab World Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stands outside the entrance to his office at Parliament House in Canberra on February 11, 2026. (AFP)

Australia Won’t Repatriate 34 Women and Children from Syria 

The Australian government will not repatriate from Syria a group of 34 women and children with alleged ties to the ISIS group, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese…

Arab World The Neve Yaakov settlement north of East Jerusalem, with the Israeli wall visible separating the Palestinian neighborhood of al-Ram in the West Bank (AFP). 

‘Jerusalem After the West Bank’: Israel Effectively Erases the Land of a Palestinian State

A day after an unprecedented Israeli decision allowing the seizure of land in the occupied West Bank, Hebrew-language reports revealed a settlement plan that…

Kifah Zboun
World This photo posted on the X account of the US Department of Defense on February 15, 2026 shows what the Department of Defense says are US military forces preparing to interdict and board an oil tanker, the Veronica III, in the Indian Ocean. (Photo by Handout / US Department of Defense / AFP)

India Seizes Three Iran-linked US-sanctioned Tankers

India has seized three US-sanctioned oil tankers linked to Iran this month and stepped up surveillance in its maritime zone to curb illicit trade, a source…

Asharq Al Awsat
World FILE PHOTO: Soldiers hold a Russian flag in Pokrovsk, Donetsk Region, Ukraine, in this screengrab from video released December 1, 2025. Russian Defense Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

Moscow, Kyiv Set for Geneva Peace Talks amid Russian Attacks

Russian and Ukrainian delegations are set for another round of talks on Tuesday in Geneva as part of the latest fraught push by the United States to end the…

Asharq Al Awsat

Iran Says US ‘More Realistic’ on Nuclear Issue, as Guards Begin Drills in Hormuz Strait

World Iranians walk past an anti-US billboard at Enqelab Square in Tehran, Iran, 16 February 2026. (EPA)

Iran Says US ‘More Realistic’ on Nuclear Issue, as Guards Begin Drills in Hormuz Strait

Iran said on Monday that the United States' position on Iran's nuclear program "has moved towards a more realistic one", a day ahead of a second round of US…

Asharq Al Awsat (Geneva)

Arab World Italy's Minister for Foreign Affairs Antonio Tajani speaks to the press during the EPP Leaders’ meeting, in Zagreb, Croatia, 30 January 2026. (EPA)

Italy Says It Stands Ready to Train Police in Gaza

Italy stands ready to help train police forces in Gaza and elsewhere in the Palestinian territories, its foreign minister said on Monday, as ‌Rome aims to…

Asharq Al Awsat
World US and Iranian flags are seen in this illustration taken, September 8, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

US and Iran to Hold a Second Round of Nuclear Talks in Geneva

The US and Iran are expected to hold their second round of talks about Iran’s nuclear program Tuesday in Geneva as the United States ramps up its military…

Asharq Al Awsat

Once a National Obsession, Traditional Korean Wrestling Fights for Survival 

Culture An elderly spectator watches a ssireum match during a Lunar New Year Ssireum championship at the Taean Complex Indoor Gymnasium in Taean, South Korea, February 14, 2026. (Reuters)

Once a National Obsession, Traditional Korean Wrestling Fights for Survival 

As South Korea's global cultural influence expands in areas such as music, film and television, one form of entertainment struggling to attract attention even…


Culture The Kingdom’s pavilion, led by the commission, attracted strong attendance and active engagement through its cultural activities - SPA

Saudi Arabia Concludes Guest of Honor Role at Damascus International Book Fair 2026

The Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission concluded the Kingdom’s Guest of Honor participation at the Damascus International Book Fair 2026, held…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The Qiddiya Performing Arts Center supports the city’s positioning as a destination for creativity and cultural expression - SPA

Qiddiya City Begins Construction of Landmark Performing Arts Center

Qiddiya Investment Company has announced the commencement of construction works for the Performing Arts Center in Qiddiya City, marking an important milestone…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture This seminar is part of the commission's efforts to promote Saudi culture in regional and international forums. SPA

Saudi Arts Commission Engages in Cultural Dialogue at Damascus Book Fair

The Theater and Performing Arts Commission hosted a panel discussion on symbolism and heritage in traditional Saudi performing arts at the Kingdom's pavilion…

Asharq Al Awsat (Damascus)
Culture Kim Morgan and Guillermo del Toro attend a premiere for the film "Frankenstein", at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles, California, US, October 6, 2025. (Reuters)

English Museum Shines Light on Mary Shelley and Her Gothic Classic ‘Frankenstein’ 

On a window of a Bath townhouse, one of the southwestern English city’s most famous residents looks out at passersby. Inside is Mary Shelley’s House of…

Mourinho Says It Won’t Take ‘Miracle’ to Take Down ‘Wounded King’ Real Madrid in Champions League

Sports Benfica's coach Jose Mourinho reacts during a press conference on the eve of their UEFA Champions League knockout round play-off first leg football match against Real Madrid at Benfica Campus in Seixal, outskirts of Lisbon, on February 16, 2026. (AFP)

Mourinho Says It Won’t Take ‘Miracle’ to Take Down ‘Wounded King’ Real Madrid in Champions League

José Mourinho believes Real Madrid is "wounded" after the shock loss to Benfica and doesn't think it will take a miracle to stun the Spanish giant again in the…


Sports Soccer Football - FA Cup - Fourth Round - Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 14, 2026 Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring their third goal. (Reuters)

African Players in Europe: Salah Hailed after Liverpool FA Cup Win 

Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised Egypt captain Mohamed Salah after his penalty sealed a 3-0 FA Cup victory over Brighton at the weekend. "It is very nice…

Sports Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Rayo Vallecano - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - February 1, 2026 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their second goal with Vinicius Junior. (Reuters)

Crunch Time for Real Madrid’s Mbappe-Vinicius Partnership 

French superstar Kylian Mbappe is poised to return for Real Madrid's Champions League play-off clash at Benfica on Tuesday after resting at the weekend. The…

Sports FILE PHOTO: File Photo: Formula One F1 - Pre Season Testing - Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain - February 12, 2026 Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during the pre season testing REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed/File Photo/File Photo

Alcaraz Says he Still Has 'Weaknesses' Ahead of Return in Doha

World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz ‌said he is still ironing out weaknesses in his game even after capturing all four Grand Slam titles by the age of 22, as he…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports FRISCO, TEXAS - FEBRUARY 15: Ben Shelton of the United States holds the winner's trophy after defeating Taylor Fritz of the United States to win the Men's Singles competition at the 2026 Dallas Open at The Ford Center at The Star on February 15, 2026 in Frisco, Texas. Sam Hodde/Getty Images/AFP

Shelton Beats Fritz to Win Dallas Open

Ben Shelton saved three match points before finishing another rally at the Dallas Open, beating top-seeded Taylor Fritz in three sets for the title Sunday in a…

Asharq Al Awsat

Sydney Man Jailed for Mailing Reptiles in Popcorn Bags 

Varieties Investigators recovered 101 Australian reptiles from parcels destined for Hong Kong, South Korea, Sri Lanka and Romania. (AFP file)

Sydney Man Jailed for Mailing Reptiles in Popcorn Bags 

A Sydney man who tried to post native lizards, dragons and other reptiles out of Australia in bags of popcorn and biscuit tins has been sentenced to eight…


Varieties A member of the CRS Alpes Grenoble mountain rescue team operates as he searches for potential buried victims during an avalanche emergency response rescue mission in an off-piste area of the Ecrins massif, French Alps on January 29, 2026. (Photo by JEFF PACHOUD / AFP)

Two Snowboarders Dead after Austrian Avalanche

Two snowboarders have been confirmed dead after their bodies were recovered following an avalanche in western Austria over the weekend, police said Monday. …

Varieties Trees lie amid the floodwaters after heavy rain and wild winds in Puketotara, Waikato region, New Zealand, February 14, 2026, in this picture obtained from social media. Wayne Feisst/via REUTERS

Wild New Zealand Storm Disrupts Transport, Leaves Thousands Without Power

Heavy rain and strong winds disrupted flights, trains and ferries, forcing the closure of roads across large parts of New Zealand's North Island on Monday,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Varieties A couple dances next to a street musician in Central Park on Valentine's day in New York, on February 14, 2026. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

New York Creatives Squeezed Out by High Cost of Living

After 20 years as a makeup artist for TV and cinema, Noel Jacoboni sees few other options than to leave New York City, where she has been "priced out" by the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Varieties Ksiaz Castle is one of Poland’s most popular attractions (Shutterstock)

Ksiaz Castle: A Dark Nazi Secret and Buried Gold Mystery

The road to Ksiaz Castle feels almost too peaceful. Forested hills roll off into the distance, yew trees as far as the eye can see. And then a colossal…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)