Latest World News

Arab World A Palestinian child pulls containers filled with water at the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip (AFP)

Hamas Disarmament, Reconstruction Plan Hinge on Gaza Truce Understandings

Attention is once again turning to the stalled second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, as momentum builds toward its long-delayed implementation and…

Mohamed Mahmoud (Cairo)
Features US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (AFP)

US Buildup Balances Iran Deterrence, Day-After Risks

As the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, several destroyers, and fighter aircraft, are expected to arrive in the Middle East in the coming days, a familiar…

Mohamed Mahmoud (Cairo)
Features Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack in Baghdad, January 22, 2026 (Reuters)

ISIS Detainees at the Crossroads of Security Pressures and Politics in Iraq

The issue of ISIS detainees transferred from prisons in northeastern Syria to Iraq has moved to the forefront of Baghdad’s security and political agenda,…

Hamza Mustafa
World Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends a press conference with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (not pictured) on the sidelines of an intergovernmental summit between Italy and Germany at Villa Doria Pamphilj in Rome, Italy, 23 January 2026. (EPA)

Italy’s Meloni Hopes to Nominate Trump for Peace Prize

Italian leader Giorgia Meloni said Friday she hoped US President Donald Trump would end the conflict in Ukraine so she could nominate him for the Nobel Peace…

Trump Board of Peace Excludes Canada as Carney Pushes Back on America First

World US President Donald Trump gestures after a signing ceremony for the Board of Peace in Davos, Switzerland (AP)

Trump Board of Peace Excludes Canada as Carney Pushes Back on America First

US President Donald Trump withdrew an invitation to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to join a newly established Board of Peace, originally set up to…

Asharq Al Awsat (Washington )

Arab World Iraqi border security force personnel patrol in their armored vehicles along the border with Syria, in Sinjar district, northern Iraq on January 22, 2026. (AFP)

Report: US Pressures Iraq to ‘Rapidly’ Disarm Iran-Backed Factions

US officials have been pressuring Iraq to disarm Iran-backed armed factions, reported the Financial Times on Friday. “In tense meetings with senior Iraqi…

Asharq Al Awsat (Baghdad)
World This photograph taken during a tour for foreign media shows media representatives walking past the parked buses that were burned at a depot during recent public protests, in Tehran on January 21, 2026. (AFP)

UN Urges Iran to End ‘Brutal Repression’

The United Nations called Friday on Iranian authorities to immediately end their "brutal repression", after a crackdown on nationwide protests left thousands…

Saudi Cultural Development Fund Debuts at Davos to Showcase Culture as Economic Engine

Culture Saudi Cultural Development Fund Debuts at Davos to Showcase Culture as Economic Engine

Saudi Cultural Development Fund Debuts at Davos to Showcase Culture as Economic Engine

The Cultural Development Fund (CDF) successfully concluded its participation at the 2026 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, held from January 19 to 23…

Asharq Al Awsat

Culture The shortlisted artists are Aseel AlYaqoub (Kuwait), Bady Dalloul (Syria), Heba Y. Amin (Egypt), Ala Younis (Jordan), and Jawad Al Malhi (Palestine) - SPA

Five Artists Shortlisted for the Seventh Edition of Ithra Art Prize

The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) announced the five shortlisted artists for the seventh edition of the Ithra Art Prize, which celebrates…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture The Arabic Language Month features specialized training courses, scientific and outreach activities - SPA

King Salman Arabic Language Academy Launches Arabic Language Month in Mexico

The King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language launched the Arabic Language Month in Mexico as part of its international efforts to support Arabic language…

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture Participants emphasized the importance of cultural dialogue among youth from Islamic countries - SPA

Holy Sites Journey Program Fosters Cultural Dialogue Among Youth

The Holy Sites Journey Program for Arab and Islamic Youth, organized by the Ministry of Sport in collaboration with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation …

Asharq Al Awsat
Culture These events are organized under the supervision of the Saudi Camel Sports - SPA

Janadriyah Village Opens Friday with Culture, Camels, and Family Entertainment

The Janadriyah village, part of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Camel Festival, will open to visitors this Friday, offering a rich cultural and…

Asharq Al Awsat

Arteta Wary of Revitalized Man United Against ‘Far from Perfect’ Arsenal

Sports Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta applauds at the end of the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 7, football match between Inter Milan and Arsenal at San Siro stadium in Milan, northern Italy, on January 20, 2026. (AFP)

Arteta Wary of Revitalized Man United Against ‘Far from Perfect’ Arsenal

Arsenal welcomed the return of Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie to training ahead of Sunday's match against Manchester United, but manager Mikel Arteta…


Sports Jun 12, 2025; Oakmont, Pennsylvania, USA; Patrick Reed plays his shot from the first tee during the first round of the US Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Reed Leads in Dubai and McIlroy Needs a Big Weekend to Challenge for the Title

Patrick Reed moved into the lead at the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday and has a familiar foe trying to chase him down over the weekend. Rory McIlroy sounds…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Group C - Tunisia v Uganda - Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco - December 23, 2025 Tunisia's Mohamed Elias Achouri celebrates scoring their third goal Yan Valery REUTERS/Stringer

Belgium to Play Tunisia in Final World Cup Warm-up

Belgium will play Tunisia in Brussels as a final ​warm-up fixture ahead of the World Cup finals in North America in June, the Belgian football association said…

Asharq Al Awsat
Sports Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates his side's fifth goal during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Real Madrid and Monaco in Madrid on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP)

Vinicius Revival Can Help Arbeloa’s Real Madrid Lift off

Real Madrid roared back to life this week, led by a superb Vinicius Junior, who is looking to confirm his own resuscitation and that of his team at Villarreal…

Sports A torchbearer holds an Olympic torch flame on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, its journey will conclude in Milan on February 6 for the Winter Olympics opening ceremony. (AP)

Olympic Flame Glides on Traditional Venetian Boats Down the Grand Canal

The Olympic flame on Thursday crossed through the romantic, lagoon city of Venice, where torchbearers glided on traditional Venetian boats down the Grand Canal…


Children's Art Supplies Enter into Gaza for First Time in Two Years

Varieties A painting drawn by artists is seen at a house destroyed by Israel, in recent Israeli-Gaza fighting, in Deir Al-Balah, central Gaza Strip June 13, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem

Children's Art Supplies Enter into Gaza for First Time in Two Years

The UN children's agency (UNICEF) told AFP on Friday that it was able to bring recreational supplies including notebooks, crayons and art materials into the…

Asharq Al Awsat

Varieties A Nashville Department of Transportation truck applies salt brine to a roadway Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. ahead of a winter storm expected to hit the state over the weekend. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Massive Winter Storm Threatens Heavy Snow, Freezing Rain, to More than 170 million People Across US

Texas and Oklahoma braced for heavy snow and ice that could make roadways treacherous Friday in what is expected to be some of the initial effects of a huge,…

Asharq Al Awsat
Varieties An Afghan man rides a bicycle along a road during snowfall in the green zone area of Kabul on January 22, 2026. (AFP)

Long-Awaited First Snowfall Brings Relief to Water-Scarce Kabul

Children sliding around on plastic bags, boys engaging in lively snowball fights, and families taking selfies on white-covered streets: residents of Kabul…

Varieties A Sparkling Violetear hummingbird hovers at the Yanacocha Reserve in Nono, Ecuador, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP)

Ancient Forest in Ecuador Is Last Stand for Tiny Hummingbird Facing Extinction

Deep in the Ecuadorian Andes, an ancient forest stands as a final sanctuary against the encroachment of human activity. This is the Yanacocha Reserve, the last…