Latest World News

World This handout image taken by the European Space Agency (ESA) captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite shows a view of Iran's Kharg Island, which hosts the country's main crude export terminal and is responsible for the overwhelming majority of its oil shipments to the world, about 30 kilometers south of the mainland in the north of the Gulf, on March 17, 2026. (Photo by EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY / AFP)

Trump Mulls Kharg Island Takeover to Force Iran to Open Hormuz Strait, Axios Reports

The Trump administration is considering plans to ‌occupy ‌or blockade ‌Iran's ⁠Kharg Island to pressure ⁠Iran to reopen ⁠the ‌Strait &zwnj…

Asharq Al Awsat
World Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands say they are ready "to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz" post-ceasefire. Giuseppe CACACE / AFP/File

Italy, Germany and France Offer Help with Hormuz Only after Ceasefire

Six major international powers said Thursday they were ready "to contribute to" ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, though three stressed that…

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Arab World The US Embassy compound in Iraq inside the Green Zone in Baghdad (AFP) 

Talks in Baghdad Aim to Halt Attacks on US Embassy

A series of meetings held over the past two days inside Baghdad’s fortified Green Zone have produced a preliminary framework aimed at halting attacks on the US…

Hamza Mustafa (Baghdad)
World US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping are expected to meet to discuss formalizing a truce on tariffs they shook hands on at a meeting in South Korea in October. ADEK BERRY, ANNABELLE GORDON / AFP

Trump's Mideast Muddle Could Play into Xi's Hands at Planned Summit

China will be in a stronger position to extract concessions from Donald Trump when the US president finally visits Beijing after becoming entangled in his…

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Israel Strikes 'Decimated' Iran as War Roils Markets

World Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being "decimated" in the war. Ronen Zvulun / POOL/AFP

Israel Strikes 'Decimated' Iran as War Roils Markets

Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Friday after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran was being "decimated." The Iranian capital,…

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Arab World Demonstrators carry a Syrian flag during a rally commemorating the15th anniversary of the Syrian uprising against the Bashar Assad regime in Daraa, southern Syria, Wednesday, March 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Omar Sanadiki)

Israel Says it Struck Syrian Military Post after Attacks on Druze

Israel’s military said Friday it struck sites in Syria in response to attacks against the Druze. The army said it struck infrastructure belonging to Syria…

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World A photo released by the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (2-L) and his daughter Kim Ju Ae (L) visiting the Pyongyang Training Base No. 60 of the Capital City Defense Corps of the North Korean Army in North Korea, 19 March 2026 (issued 20 March 2026). EPA/KCNA

North Korean Leader, Daughter Try Out New Tank

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and daughter Ju Ae tried out the country's new battle tank in large-scale military drills, state media reported on Friday, in…

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Türkiye in Cultural Diplomacy Push to Bring History Home

Culture Türkiye's is waging an increasingly assertive campaign to recover antiquities illegally taken abroad. Ozan KOSE / AFP

Türkiye in Cultural Diplomacy Push to Bring History Home

When an ancient bronze statue of Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius landed back on Turkish soil after decades abroad, it was more than a symbolic homecoming. It…

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Culture An aerial view of the of the Monte Verde archaeological site in southern Peru, in this 2023 photograph released on March 18, 2026. Todd Surovell/via REUTERS

Study Suggests Younger Age for Chile's Important Monte Verde Archaeological Site

The Monte Verde archaeological site in Chile, discovered in the 1970s, revolutionized the thinking about when humans entered the Americas, with scientists…

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Culture The renovation uses traditional Al-Jouf mud-brick techniques and natural materials - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project Restores Historical Al-Saidan Mosque in Al-Jouf Region

The Prince Mohammed bin Salman Project for the Development of Historical Mosques has commenced the restoration of Al-Saidan Mosque in Dumat Al-Jandal, Al-Jouf…

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Culture The inauguration of the new layout and archaeological area of the southern ambulacra of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy, 17 March 2026. (EPA)

Rome’s Colosseum Gets a Fresh Look That Recreates the Footprints of Long-Gone Columns

The Colosseum has a bright new look following a restoration using the same travertine marble of ancient Rome to recreate parts of columns from 2,000 years ago…

Culture The study documented human settlement at the site dating back about 13,500 years. (Saudi Ministry of Culture)

Northern Arabia Archaeological Site Reveals 13,500-Year-Old Human Settlement

The Saudi Heritage Commission, one of 11 sector-specific commissions under the Ministry of Culture, announced findings documenting archaeological evidence of…

Injured Salah Out of Liverpool's Brighton Trip and Egypt's Game with Spain

Sports Liverpool's Egyptian forward #11 Mohamed Salah applauds as he leaves the pitch after being substituted during the UEFA Champions League, round of 16 second leg football match between Liverpool and Galatasaray at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on March 18, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)

Injured Salah Out of Liverpool's Brighton Trip and Egypt's Game with Spain

Injured Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah will miss Saturday's trip to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League and Egypt's friendly with Spain on March 31,…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)

Sports FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Everton v Manchester United - Hill Dickinson Stadium, Liverpool, Britain - February 23, 2026 Manchester United's Harry Maguire applauds fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

Maguire and Mainoo Back in England Squad, First Call-ups for Steele and Garner

Harry Maguire, Kobbie Mainoo and Dominic Calvert-Lewin earned recalls on Friday while James Garner and Jason Steele received first call-ups to England's next…

Asharq Al Awsat (London)
Sports Pedestrians pass the FIFA World Cup 2026 countdown clock in Boston, Massachusetts, US, March 18, 2026. REUTERS/Brian Snyder

FIFA Fines Israeli FA for Anti-discrimination Rules Breaches

FIFA fined the Israeli Football Association (IFA) 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,700) on Thursday for "multiple breaches" of its anti-discrimination obligations. …

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Sports Asian Football Confederation (AFC) general‑secretary Windsor John speaks during a press conference at the Football Association of Malaysia headquarters in Petaling Jaya, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 16 March 2026. EPA/FAZRY ISMAIL 112526

AFC Halts Bidding Process for 2031, 2035 Asian Cup Finals

The bidding process for the 2031 and 2035 Asian Cup tournaments has been halted due to pending changes in the global football calendar, the Asian Football…

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Sports A man holds a Moroccan newspapers following CAF’s decision to strip Senegal of its Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title in Rabat on March 18, 2026. (AFP)

Morocco Fans Celebrate ‘Justice’ After AFCON Title Decision, but Appeal Worries Linger

Moroccan fans have welcomed their team's ‌controversial coronation as Africa Cup of Nations champions, though some urged caution as Senegal prepare to…


Early Southwest Heat is Latest in Parade of Weather Extremes as Earth Warms

Varieties A helicopter battles a forest fire in the Biobio region, where multiple wildfires have prompted emergency evacuations, in Florida, Chile, January 21, 2026. (Reuters)

Early Southwest Heat is Latest in Parade of Weather Extremes as Earth Warms

The dangerous heat wave shattering March records all over the US Southwest is more than just another extreme weather blip. It’s the latest next-level weather…

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Varieties A phone displaying the commemorative gold coin featuring Trump to mark America's 250th anniversary. Chris DELMAS / AFP

Trump Gets Approval for Gold Coin in His Likeness

An advisory commission hand-picked by President Donald Trump has approved the design of a commemorative gold coin featuring his image, officials said Thursday,…

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Varieties The women gather weekly at a playground in Jinja district. Luis TATO / AFP

From Bats to Bonds: Uganda's 'Cricket Grannies'

Giggles and songs ripple across a field in rural eastern Uganda where elderly women swing cricket bats as a way to reshape what ageing, health and sports can…

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Varieties The scenic ski resorts in Kutchan, Hokkaido have become a flashpoint for immigration after an influx of foreign workers. Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP

Japan Ski Paradise Faces Strains of Global Acclaim

Beneath the powder snow at internationally popular Japanese ski resort Niseko, anxiety is mounting among residents over soaring prices and a massive influx of…

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Varieties This picture taken on December 9, 2025, shows buildings engulfed in dense smog due to severe air pollution in Islamabad. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)

Air Pollution to Rise over Europe in Coming Days

Air quality is expected to deteriorate across parts of Europe in the coming days, driven by an increase in microscopic polluting particles, the EU's earth…

Asharq Al Awsat