RARE PHOTOS: 31 - The Real Truth

Yemen-bound Plane Carrying Houthi Prisoners Leaves Saudi Arabia

A flight carrying Houthi prisoners left Saudi Arabia on Saturday bound for Yemen's capital Sanaa, after which another flight will arrive to the Kingdom carrying Saudi prisoners, on the second day of the prisoner exchange operation. The flight from the southern Saudi city of Abha took off before 9 am…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 15, 2023

Decision to Exempt Ultra-Orthodox from Military Service Threatens Netanyahu’s Coalition

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intends to implement the terms stipulated by his extremist allies relating to expanding the Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories and exempting ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service. Following the developments, protest leaders against the government issued statements calling for the expansion of demonstrations, and officers…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 15, 2023

Saudi Support Rehabilitates 600 Housing Units in Aden

The second phase of the Adequate Housing Project in Yemen’s Aden Governorate has started upon which a total of 170 houses will be renovated in partnership between the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY), the United Nations Human Settlements Program, UN-Habitat, and Alwaleed Philanthropies (AP). The second phase…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 15, 2023

SDF Commander Killed in Turkish Drone Attack

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) was killed, and his escort was injured in an attack by a Turkish drone near Nusaybeen crossing on the border with Türkiye in al-Qamishli. The Observatory pointed out that the attack came a week…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 15, 2023

Japanese PM Unhurt after Blast during Campaign Event

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida was evacuated unharmed Saturday after someone threw an explosive device at a campaign event in a western port city, officials said. Police wrestled a suspect to the ground as screaming bystanders scrambled to get away and smoke filled the air. Although no one was hurt,…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 15, 2023

Gulf-Arab Agreement on Political Solution to Syrian Crisis

Gulf Arab foreign ministers and their counterparts from Egypt, Iraq and Jordan confirmed that “a political solution is the only solution to the Syrian crisis.” The ministers emphasized the importance of having “an Arab leadership role in efforts to end the crisis in Syria.” They also discussed “the necessary mechanisms…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 15, 2023

1.65 Mn Older People at Risk of Starvation in Yemen

Umm Yusuf, 60, chose to sell homemade bread in Sanaa to make some money, and people in the south of Sanaa used to buy bread from her at the commercial center. However, a few days ago, she suddenly disappeared. Ahmed, in his 30s, asked about her and found out that…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 15, 2023

Syrian Foreign Minister to Visit Algeria

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad will arrive in Algeria on Saturday, Algerian state radio reported late on Friday, a visit that reinforces Damascus' openness to the Arab world after it was isolated for more than a decade. The Algerian foreign minister, Ahmed Ataf, will receive the visiting minister, state radio…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 15, 2023

Beijing Strikes Cautionary Tone on Protests in Hong Kong

China's senior official overseeing Hong Kong's affairs said Saturday that protests are not the only way for people to express their views, weeks after the city’s strict protest rules sparked controversy while signaling Beijing’s vision for the financial hub. Xia Baolong, director of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office,…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 15, 2023

Large Crowds for Ramadan Prayers at Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa

Muslim worshippers packed Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa compound for noon prayers on the fourth Friday of the holy month of Ramadan under heightened Israeli police presence. The prayers ended peacefully amid a year-long escalation of Israeli-Palestinian violence. Israeli police raids at the sacred compound last week triggered rocket attacks from Gaza, southern…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Apr 15, 2023