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Israeli Escalation Raises Tensions as Lebanon Prepares to Hold Municipal Elections in South

Lebanon fears that Israeli military escalation could undermine municipal elections scheduled for Saturday in the southern provinces of Nabatieh and South…

Nazeer Rida (Beirut) since 1 hour

World

Pope Leo XIV blesses the crowd at the end of his first weekly general audience at St. Peter's Square in The Vatican on May 21, 2025. (AFP)

World

Pope Leo Appeals for Israel to Allow Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday appealed for Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, calling the situation in the Palestinian enclave "yet more worrying and…

since 1 hour

Arab World

Israeli Merkava tanks maneuver towards the southern Gaza Strip border near Khan Younis, seen from southern Israel, 20 May 2025. (EPA)

Arab World

Two of the Last Functioning Hospitals in Northern Gaza Are Encircled by Israeli Forces, Staff Say

Two of northern Gaza’s last functioning hospitals have been encircled by Israeli troops, preventing anyone from leaving or entering the facilities, hospital…

since 2 hours

Arab World

Lebanese army soldiers inspect a crater following an Israeli drone strike that targeted a car in Abu al-Aswad in southern Lebanon on May 17, 2025. (Photo by Mahmoud ZAYYAT / AFP)

Arab World

Israeli Strike Kills Man in South Lebanon

The Lebanese health ministry said an Israeli strike killed a man in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, the latest attack despite a ceasefire between Israel and…

Asharq Al Awsat (Beirut) since 3 hours

At Least 45 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Gaza

Arab World

Mourners react during the funeral of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes, at Nasser hospital, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, May 21, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled

At Least 45 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Gaza

Hospitals in Gaza say Israeli strikes overnight and into Wednesday killed at least 45 people, including several women and a week-old infant. Israel called…

Asharq Al Awsat since 2 hours

MSF Says Israel Allowing 'Ridiculously Inadequate' Amount of Aid into Gaza since 3 hours
UAE Agrees with Israel to Allow Delivery of Urgent Aid to Gaza since 2 hours

World

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attend a documents signing ceremony in Moscow, Russia January 17, 2025. (Reuters)

World

Iran Parliament Approves Strategic Pact with Russia

Iran's parliament approved a 20-year strategic partnership on Wednesday between Moscow and Tehran, state media reported. The agreement represents a deepening…

since 3 hours

World

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, firefighters extinguish a fire following Russia's air raid in the village of Bilopillya in the Sumy region, Ukraine, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

World

Russian Missile Attack Kills Ukrainian Servicemen in Training

A Russian missile attack on a Ukrainian military shooting range killed six servicemen and wounded at least 10 more during training on Tuesday, Ukraine's…

since 3 hours

Rubio Warns Syria May Be Weeks Away from Full-Scale Civil War, Urges Senate to Repeal Caesar Act

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani shakes hands with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, at NEST International Convention Center, in Antalya, Türkiye, May 15, 2025. (Reuters)

Putin Visits Kursk Region for First Time Since Ejecting Ukrainian Forces

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Talent and Success Foundation as he visits the Sirius educational center near Sochi in the Krasnodar region, Russia, May 19, 2025. (Sputnik/Vyacheslav Prokofyev/Pool via Reuters)

US Intel Suggests Israel Preparing Strike on Iran's Nuclear Facilities

This satellite photo from Planet Labs Inc. shows Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility on Wednesday, April 7, 2021. (Planet Labs Inc. via AP)

Trump Selects $175-Billion Golden Dome Defense Shield Design, Appoints Leader

US President Donald Trump makes an announcement about the Golden Dome missile defense shield in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, May 20, 2025. (AFP)

Pakistan, China Agree to Deepen Trade, Maintain Close Communication

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during a press conference for the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum, at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on May 13, 2025. (AFP)

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Saudi Arabia Ranks Second in G20 for ICT Regulatory Progress

King Salman Launching Etidal in the presence of world leaders. SPA

Etidal Marks 8 Years of Battling Extremist Ideology

Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip May 21, 2025. (Reuters)

‘Our Children Are Dying Slowly’ Says Father Searching for Food in Gaza

Saudi Minister of Economy and Planning Faisal Alibrahim speaks at the Qatar Economic Forum. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Alibrahim: Saudi Arabia Adopting New Spending Approach that Balances Discipline, Boldness

A firefighter sets the forest ablaze as part of a controlled plan to prevent wildfires in the Cerrado region, at a national park in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Report: Amazon Fires Drive Unprecedented Global Forest Loss in 2024

PIF Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan delivers his speech at the second edition of the Directors’ Gathering (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi PIF Gathers 1,000 Global Executives for Board Forum

Gulf

Etidal Marks 8 Years of Battling Extremist Ideology

Omar al-Badwi (Riyadh) since 1 hour

UAE Agrees with Israel to Allow Delivery of Urgent Aid to Gaza

Israeli army vehicles deploy at a position by Israel's border with the Gaza Strip on May 21, 2025, amid the ongoing war with the Palestinian movement Hamas. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia Stresses Determination to Expand Investments in US in the Next 4 Years

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

Newly Appointed Princes Are Sworn in before Saudi King Salman

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud at the swearing in ceremony at the Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s KSrelief Signs $5 Million Agreement to Rehabilitate Damaged Bakeries in Syria

The agreement was formalized on the sidelines of the European Humanitarian Forum 2025 in Brussels. (SPA)

AI-Powered Devices Help Streamline Arrival of Hajj Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia

Passport officers welcome pilgrims at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah. (SPA)

Arab World

Lebanese soldiers stand next to a vehicle hit by an Israeli strike in Abu al-Aswad, southern Lebanon. (AFP)

Israeli Escalation Raises Tensions as Lebanon Prepares to Hold Municipal Elections in South

Nazeer Rida (Beirut) since 1 hour

At Least 45 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Gaza

Two of the Last Functioning Hospitals in Northern Gaza Are Encircled by Israeli Forces, Staff Say

MSF Says Israel Allowing 'Ridiculously Inadequate' Amount of Aid into Gaza

Smoke rises from northern Gaza, as seen from the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border, May 21, 2025. (Reuters)

Israeli Strike Kills Man in South Lebanon

Rubio Warns Syria May Be Weeks Away from Full-Scale Civil War, Urges Senate to Repeal Caesar Act

World

Pope Leo Appeals for Israel to Allow Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

since 1 hour

Iran Parliament Approves Strategic Pact with Russia

Ukrainian Becomes 3rd Man to be Charged with Fires Linked to UK PM

FILE PHOTO: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer looks on during a reception, following the UK-EU summit, in London, Britain, May 19, 2025. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/Pool/File Photo

Russian Missile Attack Kills Ukrainian Servicemen in Training

Putin Visits Kursk Region for First Time Since Ejecting Ukrainian Forces

Philippines, US Hold Joint Maritime Drills in South China Sea

The exercises involved the Philippine Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, alongside the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton and a US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. (EPA file)

Business

Saudi Arabia Ranks Second in G20 for ICT Regulatory Progress

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh) since 1 hour

QEF Explores Gulf States’ Impact in Coming Decade

Qatar’s Prime Minister speaks at the opening of the Qatar Economic Forum. (AFP)

Alibrahim: Saudi Arabia Adopting New Spending Approach that Balances Discipline, Boldness

UK Inflation Hits 15-month High as Utility Bills Soar

A shopper looks for items at the dairy section as she shops at a Checkers outlet in Johannesburg, South Africa, May 20, 2025. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

Saudi Shura Council Calls for Metro Projects in Major Cities

The 31st regular session of the first year of the Shura Council’s ninth term (Asharq Al-Awsat)

US Energy Firms’ Deals with Iraqi Kurdistan ‘Null and Void’, Baghdad Says

This file photo taken on October 17, 2017 shows excess flammable gasses burning from gas flares at the Havana oil field, west of the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk. (AFP)

Culture

Indian Author Banu Mushtaq Wins International Booker Prize with Short Story Collection

Culture

Banu Mushtaq, author of shortlisted novel 'Heart Lamp' poses for photographers after her novel was announced as winner of the 2025 International Booker Prize at the Tate Modern, in London, Britain, 20 May 2025. EPA/TOLGA AKMEN

Indian Author Banu Mushtaq Wins International Booker Prize with Short Story Collection

Indian author Banu Mushtaq and translator Deepa Bhasthi won the International Booker Prize for fiction Tuesday for “Heart Lamp,” a collection of 12 short…

Asharq Al Awsat (London) since 4 hours

Culture

The agreement aligns with Saudi Arabia’s cultural ambitions under Vision 2030. SPA

Culture

Saudi Museums Commission, Philharmonie de Paris Seek to Deepen Cooperation in Music, Museums

The Saudi Museums Commission has signed an executive program with the Cité de la Musique – Philharmonie de Paris to boost cooperation in the fields of museums…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh) Tuesday 20/05 - 05:40

Culture

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speaks during a press conference at the Spanish Embassy in Beijing, China April 11, 2025. (Reuters)

Culture

Spain's PM Wants Israel Out of International Cultural Events over Gaza War

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called on Monday for Israel's exclusion from international cultural events such as the Eurovision song contest over its…

Monday 19/05 - 16:57

Culture

The initiative supports passing down knowledge to future generations and is in line with The Year of Handicrafts 2025 - SPA

Culture

Artisans House Boosts Jazan's Heritage Crafts

The Artisans House in Jazan Region has revitalized traditional handicrafts nearing obsolescence due to modern technological advancements, preserving the region…

Asharq Al Awsat Monday 19/05 - 13:57

Culture

Saudi National Museum Concludes International Museum Day Events

The National Museum of Saudi Arabia concluded its International Museum Day 2025 events yesterday, with wide participation from cultural enthusiasts. The…

Asharq Al Awsat Monday 19/05 - 13:56

Sports

Swiatek’s Clay Empire on Shaky Ground Ahead of Paris

Sports

Poland's Iga Swiatek holds the trophy after winning the women's final of the French Open tennis tournament against Italy's Jasmine Paolini at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 8, 2024. (AP)

Swiatek’s Clay Empire on Shaky Ground Ahead of Paris

Iga Swiatek arrives at Roland Garros this month under a cloud of uncertainty, with the Pole enduring one of the toughest stretches of her career just before…

since 2 hours

Sports

Novak Djokovic of Serbia signs autographs at the Geneva Open tennis tournament, in Geneva, Switzerland, 20 May 2025. (EPA)

Sports

Djokovic to Carry on Without a Coach After Parting Ways with Murray

Novak Djokovic said he would carry on without a coach for now after parting ways with Andy Murray last week, as the Serbian prepares for his latest bid to win…

since 4 hours

Sports

Football - LaLiga - FC Barcelona v Real Madrid - Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain - May 11, 2025 Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior during the warmup before the match. (Reuters)

Sports

Vinícius Won't Get Involved as Valencia Makes Legal Threats Over Racism Claim in Netflix Documentary

Vinícius Júnior isn't expected to get involved as Valencia threatens legal action over what it described as "falsehoods" in a Netflix documentary about the…

since 4 hours

Sports

Sports

Teenager Rodrigo Mora Called up for Portugal’s Nations League Semifinal Against Germany

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez has called up 18-year-old Rodrigo Mora for the semifinals of the Nations League. The 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo was also…

since 4 hours

Sports

Soccer Football - Premier League - Manchester City v AFC Bournemouth - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - May 20, 2025 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

Sports

Man City's Guardiola Demands Slimmer Squad for Next Season

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has told the club he wants to work with a tighter squad next season as it troubles his "soul" to leave so many players in…

Asharq Al Awsat (London) since 4 hours

Cartoon

Wednesday 21/05 - 05:31

Tuesday 20/05 - 05:30

Monday 19/05 - 05:29

Varieties

Saudi Arabia, China to Cooperate on Parks, Reforestation and Anti-Desertification

Varieties

A view of the Saudi-Chinese Forum for Product Exports and Agricultural Sustainability. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia, China to Cooperate on Parks, Reforestation and Anti-Desertification

A recent Saudi delegation’s visit to China marked a significant step toward deepening environmental cooperation between the two countries, with a focus on…

Ghazi al-Harthi (Riyadh) since 44 minutes

Varieties

This still image from video provided by the Durango Police Department shows Irwin the pet kangaroo is seen on the loose Monday, March 19, 2025, in Durango, Colo. (Durango Police Department via AP)

Varieties

Loose Pet Kangaroo Keeps Police Hopping — Again — in Colorado

Chasing a loose kangaroo is getting to be part of the job for police in a southwestern Colorado city. Irwin, the pet kangaroo, wasn't difficult to nab when…

since 4 hours

Varieties

This photograph taken on May 16, 2025 shows Ali Baloch, a mahout, feeding a medicated meal to Malika, an elephant who is diagnosed with tuberculosis, at the Safari Park in Karachi. (Photo by Rizwan TABASSUM / AFP)

Varieties

Jumbo Task: 400 Pills a Day for Elephants with TB in Pakistan

A team of doctors and vets in Pakistan has developed a novel treatment for a pair of elephants suffering from tuberculosis that involves feeding them at least…

Asharq Al Awsat Wednesday 21/05 - 06:58

Varieties

This image obtained December 2, 2015 from NASA shows the Sun’s light reflected off a body of water as the International Space Station orbits Earth. (NASA/AFP)

Varieties

Mystery Space Object Sends ‘Inexplicable’ Signal to Earth

A mysterious object in space has been sending an “unexpected” pulsing signal to Earth that is “unlike anything ever seen before.” The object, which is…

Asharq Al Awsat (London) Wednesday 21/05 - 06:54

Varieties

Knife Crime Awareness Week runs from 19 to 25 May and is an annual campaign by the Ben Kinsella Trust. (University of Bristol)

Varieties

School Shirts Art Exhibition Highlights Problem of Knife Crime in Bristol

An art exhibition showcasing school shirts emblazoned with anti-knife crime messages will go on display as part of Knife Crime Awareness Week, a BBC report…

Asharq Al Awsat (London) Wednesday 21/05 - 06:32

Cartoons

Wednesday 21/05 - 05:31

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