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France Criticizes ‘Demagogic’ Move by Israel to Ban Hard-Left Leader Melenchon

World  09 November 2026, France, Paris: France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, speaks during a G7 foreign ministers' meeting in Paris. (dpa)

France Criticizes ‘Demagogic’ Move by Israel to Ban Hard-Left Leader Melenchon

France has ‌criticized as "demagogic" a decision by Israel to ban French hard-left presidential candidate Jean-Luc Melenchonand another leading figure in…

World Congolese workers wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) walk outside the Ebola Treatment Center at the Bunia General Referral Hospital following a resurgence of Ebola involving the Bundibugyo strain, in Bunia, Ituri province, the Democratic Republic of Congo, November 2, 2026. (Reuters)

UN Hails Progress in Ebola Response, Cites Insecurity as Biggest Challenge

UN health officials on Friday hailed progress in the Ebola response six months after the outbreak first prompted global concerns, but cautioned that the…

World Workers install signage for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) China 2026 summit on the wall of a building in Shenzhen, China's Guangdong province on November 12, 2026. (AFP)

Five Facts About APEC with Trump, Putin and Xi Set to Attend

Attention will focus next week ‌on a summit of US, Chinese and Russian leaders set for the 21-member gathering of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation …

World Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi attends a ceremony for the exchange of signed documents at the Akasaka State Guest House in Tokyo, Japan, 09 November 2026. (EPA)

Takaichi to Attend APEC in First China Trip as PM

Japan said Friday that Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi would visit China next week for the first time since she took office last year, attending an Asia-Pacific…

World  A police officer inspects the site of a residential house damaged by a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine November 13, 2026. (Reuters)

Europe Pushes for Seat at Ukraine Peace Talks ‌but Lacks Unified Voice

European nations are seeking an envoy to represent them in talks on ending the Russia-Ukraine war, concerned that a US-backed process will leave them sidelined…


World Polish Air Force F-16 performs during Wings Over Baltics Airshow 2019, in Tukums, Latvia, July 21, 2019. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo

Türkiye Probing Reason for Deadly F-16 Crash on Border Mission 

NATO member Türkiye is investigating the still unknown cause of an F-16 fighter jet crash that killed its pilot shortly after takeoff on a mission toward the…

Asharq Al Awsat
World  Iranian students chanted anti-government slogans at rallies for people killed during a recent wave of demonstrations, local and diaspora media reported February 21, 2026, as groups protesting the clerical leadership faced off with others voicing support for the government. (Photo by UGC / AFP)

Crimes Against Humanity Complaint Filed in Switzerland against Iran Deputy Minister

A complaint has been filed in Switzerland accusing Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi of crimes against humanity linked to anti-government…

Asharq Al Awsat
World An aerial view shows Vladimir Arsenyev tanker at the crude oil terminal Kozmino on the shore of Nakhodka Bay near the port city of Nakhodka, Russia August 12, 2022. REUTERS/Tatiana Meel

Russia Says EU Plan to Permanently Ban its Oil is Mad

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that only a "madman" could propose a permanent ban on oil imports from Russia, as…

Asharq Al Awsat
World Municipal workers remove debris next to damaged cars outside an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike on Thursday, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine February 26, 2026. REUTERS/Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy

Russia Pounds Ukraine with Missiles and Drones, Injuring at Least 26

Russia fired a barrage of drones and missiles at Ukraine's energy sector and railway infrastructure overnight on Thursday, injuring dozens of people, damaging…

Asharq Al Awsat
World An Iranian man walks near a huge anti-US billboard in a street in Tehran, Iran, 26 February 2026. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

Iran University Suspends 3 Students for Burning Flag

A major Iranian university has suspended three students for burning the national flag during recent anti-government protests, local media reported Thursday. …

Asharq Al Awsat
World FILE PHOTO: People gather at a site where burnt grass is seen in Jabo village, after US forces had launched a strike against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, as US President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on December 25, in Sokoto state, Nigeria, December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

At Least 25 Killed in Extremist Attacks in Northeast Nigeria

At least 25 people were killed in two separate extremist attacks in northeastern Nigeria's Adamawa state, local sources told AFP on Thursday. The attacks in…

Asharq Al Awsat
World 24 February 2026, US, Washington: Robert de Niro, speaks at the 'State of the Swamp' event in Washington. Photo: Riley Harty/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Trump Calls Robert De Niro 'Sick, Demented'

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday called screen legend Robert De Niro "sick and demented" after the actor urged Americans to "resist" his administration. …

Asharq Al Awsat
World Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks during a meeting in Tehran, Iran, February 21, 2026. Iran's Presidential website/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS

Iran's President Says Khamenei Doesn't Want Nukes

President Masoud Pezeshkian said Thursday that Iran will not have nuclear weapons because Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has stressed the country does not plan to…

Asharq Al Awsat (Tehran)
World Oman's Foreign Affairs Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi gives a thumbs up as he leaves his hotel to reach Oman's ambassador residency for new round of talks between the United States and Iran to address Iran's nuclear program, in Geneva on February 26, 2026. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

US and Iran Hold 3rd Round of Nuclear Talks

Iran and the United States met on Thursday in Geneva for nuclear negotiations viewed as a last chance for diplomacy. US President Donald Trump wants a…

Asharq Al Awsat
World The Indian Prime Minister listens to the Israeli Prime Minister during an exceptional session of the Knesset on Wednesday (EPA)

Modi Breaks Netanyahu’s Isolation with 16 Cooperation Agreements

In a move seen as breaking Israel’s relative international isolation amid its ongoing war in Gaza, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed 16 agreements…

Nazir Magally (Tel Aviv)
World Cuban coast guard ships docked at the port of Havana. (AFP) 

Cuba Says It Killed Four Gunmen on Speedboat Trying to Infiltrate from US

Cuba said it thwarted the attempt of gunmen trying to infiltrate from the United States as its coastguard opened fire on Wednesday at a Florida-registered…

Asharq Al Awsat
World Former Air Force pilot Gerald Brown (photo circulated on social media)

US Arrests Ex-Air Force Pilot for Training Chinese Military

The US Justice Department announced the arrest on Wednesday of a former Air Force fighter pilot who allegedly trained Chinese military personnel without…

Asharq Al Awsat (Washington)
World (L/R) US Representatives Ilhan Omar, Democrat from Minnesota, and Rashida Tlaib, Democrat from Michigan, look on as President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the House Chamber of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 24, 2026. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)

Trump Says Lawmakers Omar, Tlaib Should be Removed from US

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that two Muslim Democratic US Representatives, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, should be …

Asharq Al Awsat (Washington)
World FILE PHOTO: The seal of the Central Intelligence Agency is shown at the entrance of the CIA headquarters in McLean, Virginia, US, September 24, 2022. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo

CIA Launches Fresh Social Media Push to Recruit Iranians

The US Central Intelligence Agency ‌has posted on social media new Farsi-language instructions for Iranians wishing to securely contact the spy service. …

Asharq Al Awsat (Washington)
World 25 February 2026, North Korea, Pyongyang: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R), alongside his daughter, Ju-ae, attend a military parade at Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang, to mark the ninth congress of the ruling Workers' Party, in this photo released by Korean Central News Agency the next day. Photo: -/YNA/dpa

NKorea Warns it Could Destroy South if Threatened, Leaves Door Open for US Dialogue

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claimed his nuclear-armed country could “completely destroy” South Korea if its security were threatened, reiterating his…

Asharq Al Awsat
World Cranes are seen on the grounds of the White House as construction work continues for US President Donald Trump's new ballroom in Washington, DC, on February 25, 2026. (Photo by Oliver Contreras / AFP)

White House Officials Reportedly Prefer if Israel Strikes Iran First

Senior advisers to President Donald Trump would prefer Israel strike Iran before the United States launches an assault on the country, according to two people…

Asharq Al Awsat (Washington)
World Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (L) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (C) greet children at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, in Jerusalem, 25 February 2026. (EPA)

India’s Modi Visits Israel as US-Iran Tensions Mount

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit that both countries have cast as a chance to deepen relations, as…

World A woman walks past a wall painting in the colors of the Iranian flag in Tehran on February 25, 2026. (AFP)

US Unveils New Iran Sanctions in ‘Maximum Pressure’ Effort

The United States on Wednesday announced fresh sanctions targeting Iran, pressing on with what Washington calls its "maximum pressure" campaign ahead of talks…

World Col. Jang Do-young, left, public affairs director of South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Army Col. Ryan Donald, public affairs director of the United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, and United States Forces Korea, pose for a photo during a media briefing on the 2026 ROK-US Freedom Shield Military Exercise at the Defense Ministry in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Jung Yeon-je/Pool Photo via AP)

US and South Korean Militaries will Have Joint Drills in March as Tensions with North Korea Escalate

The US and South Korean militaries said on Wednesday they will conduct their annual springtime exercises next month to bolster their countries’ combined…

Asharq Al Awsat
World A person votes during the general elections at a polling station in Bangkok, Thailand, February 8, 2026. REUTERS/Patipat Janthong/File Photo

Thailand Election Body Confirms Win by PM's Party

Thailand's Election Commission confirmed the victory of caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's conservative party on Wednesday, ratifying most of the…

Asharq Al Awsat
World USTrade Representative Jamieson Greer on the day he attends a working lunch with EU ministers responsible for trade, in Brussels, Belgium, November 24, 2025. REUTERS/Piroschka van de Wouw

US, Canada to Meet in Coming Weeks on Trade, Greer Says

US and Canadian trade officials spoke on Wednesday and plan to meet in coming weeks, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said, adding that the Trump…

Asharq Al Awsat
World Valeriy Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine's Ambassador to the United Kingdom, speaks on stage as people gather in Trafalgar Square to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, in London, Britain, February 24, 2026. (Reuters) 

First Ukrainian Military Plant Starts Operations in Britain, Ukraine’s Ambassador Says 

The first Ukrainian drone production plant has started its operations in Britain, Ukraine's ambassador Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said on Wednesday. "Ukraine is &zwnj…

World Local residents walk past heated tents during a power outage in Odesa on February 18, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (AFP)

Ukrainian Attack on Russian Fertilizer Plant Kills Seven 

A Ukrainian drone attack on a fertilizer plant in Russia's western Smolensk region killed seven people and wounded 10 others, Russian officials said Wednesday…

World Pope Leo XIV waves to the crowd during the weekly general audience at St Peter's Square in The Vatican on February 18, 2026. (AFP)

Pope Leo to Tour Four African Countries in First Major Overseas Trip of 2026 

Pope Leo will visit four countries across Africa from April 13-23, the Vatican announced on Wednesday, with the pontiff making his first major overseas trip in…