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Israel-Gaza war Weekend

Road to Net Zero

Music & On-stage

Fashion & Beauty

Road to Net Zero

Music & On-stage

Fashion & Beauty

Hezbollah fighters at the funeral of their military commander Ibrahim Aqil in Beirut's southern suburbs last September. AFP

CommentWhy Aoun is treading cautiously on the issue of disarming Hezbollah

Esha Elghorour

Libya’s first female coach dreams of women’s football return

Previously classified documents shed new light on Sirhan Sirhan, who was convicted of killing Democratic presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy in 1968. Photo: FBI

Documents show RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan acted alone, expert says

Iraqi Kurds have offered help to their cousins in Syria and welcomed the move by Turkey's Kurdistan Workers' Party to embark on a peace process. AFP

The future of the Kurds: From dreams of independence to settling for peace

Farida Osman was delighted to hear that her preferred 50m fly event will be included at the LA Olympics. Getty Images

Egyptian swimmers handed Olympics boost after 50m butterfly inclusion

A Ramadan parade on Fifth Avenue in Brooklyn, New York City. AFP

CommentThe profiling of Arabs in America did not start with Trump

An image of Pope Francis is placed in the Chapel of Saint Lucia in Barcelona's cathedral. The Pope died on April 21, aged 88, a day after making an appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday, the Vatican said. AFP

TrendingPope Francis dies and US strikes on Yemen intensify

The opening day of AI Week in a the Museum of The Future, in Dubai, on April 21. Antonie Robertson / The National

CommentWe urgently need AI that thinks in Arabic

World leaders confirm attendance at Pope's tradition-breaking funeral

Tourists arrive at St Peter's Square, with the Basilica in the background, a day after the death of Pope Francis. AFP

World leaders confirm attendance at Pope's tradition-breaking funeral

Obituary: Modernising leader who sought to bring the Catholic church closer to its followers
The day Pope Francis won hearts and minds in Abu Dhabi

From top, left to right, the leading candidates to succeed Pope Francis: Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of France; Cardinal Peter Erdo of Hungary; Cardinal Mario Grech of Malta; Cardinal Juan Jose Omella of Spain; Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy; Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle of the Philippines; Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson of Ghana and Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi of Italy

Who will succeed Pope Francis? Death marks start of centuries-old ritual

Leading candidates hail from Europe, East Asia and Africa

Iraq backs head of its Catholic church to succeed Pope Francis

Mahmoud Khalil denied release to be with wife as she gives birth

US President Donald Trump's trip to the Middle East will take place from May 13-16, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. AFP

White House confirms Trump's Middle East trip to UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia

Dozens killed as gunmen attack tourists in Indian Kashmir

Gold edges past $3,500 as Trump piles pressure on Fed boss Powell

A shark swims in Mediterranean Sea as Israeli police are looking the area for a swimmer who they fear was attacked by a shark on Monday, near the Israeli city of Hadera, Tuesday, April 22, 2025. (AP Photo / Ariel Schalit)

Swimmer missing after Israel shark attack

Pope Francis dies

Editor-in-Chief Mina Al-Oraibi meets Pope Francis in Abu Dhabi. Photo: @AlOraibi / X

The lasting legacy of Pope Francis in the Middle East

A handout photo made available by Vatican Media shows Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell next to Pope Francis' body during the Rite of the Confirmation of the Pontiff's Death at the Chapel of Santa Marta in Vatican City, 21 April 2025. Pope Francis died on 21 April 2025 at the age of 88, according to the Holy See. Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina. On 17 December 1936, he was appointed leader of the Catholic Church on 13 March 2013, succeeding Pontiff Emeritus Benedict XVI. EPA / VATICAN MEDIA HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY / NO SALES

LatestPope Francis's funeral ceremony to be held on Saturday

Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid flanked by Pope Francis and President Sheikh Mohamed, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in Abu Dhabi in February 2019. Photo: Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Egyptian aide who served as Pope Francis's 'Arabic voice' pays homage

Prayers are said at St Mary's Church in Dubai after Pope Francis who has died aged 88. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Tears in UAE as parishioners mourn death of Pope Francis

Pope Francis served as pontiff for 12 years. He has died at the age of 88. EPA

EditorialPope Francis connected with the Middle East

Tourists arrive at St Peter's Square, with the Basilica in the background, a day after the death of Pope Francis. AFP

World leaders confirm attendance at Pope's tradition-breaking funeral

Pope Francis at Hosh Al Bieaa Church Square in Mosul in 2021. He prayed amid the rubble of a city devastated during its occupation by ISIS. AP

Iraqis reflect on Pope Francis's historic visit to Mosul

Pope Francis meets with Palestinians whose relatives were stranded in Gaza at the Vatican in November 2023. Photo: Vatican Media / Reuters

Pope Francis was unwavering in calls for Gaza ceasefire

Video

Pope's nightly calls to Gaza church kept hope alive

Pope Francis made this call every evening to Holy Family Catholic Parish in Gaza City. The video has been widely reshared in the hours since his death

More videos

Pope Francis’ body lies in Vatican chapel

Pope Francis’ body lies in Vatican chapel

Pope Francis: His key moments in the Middle East

Pope Francis: His key moments in the Middle East

Gold edges past $3,500 as Trump piles pressure on Fed chairman Powell

Gold edges past $3,500 as Trump piles pressure on Fed chairman Powell

Libya’s first female coach Rasha Elghorour dreams of return of women's football

Libya’s first female coach Rasha Elghorour dreams of return of women's football

Headlines

Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and his Lebanese counterpart Youssef Rajji hold a press conference in Cairo on Tuesday. AFP

Egypt and Lebanon call for Israel to end hostilities across region

Foreign ministers stress importance of UN Resolution 1701, reconstruction in Lebanon and renewed talks on Gaza ceasefire

LatestHunger used as a 'weapon of war' by Israel, UNRWA says

The killing of Palestine Red Crescent workers and other rescuers by Israeli troops on March 23 caused international outrage. AFP

Gaza medic's father condemns Israel's account of 'cruel, cold-blooded' killings

Rubio reveals plan to overhaul 'bloated' US State Department

A 'smiley face' alignment seen from Beijing, China, in 2023. Getty Images

Rare 'smiley face' planetary alignment to form in night sky this week

Lebanon could seek $1bn in damages in foreign courts over country’s largest financial scandal

Impossible to know when PKK will disarm, Kurdish politician says

Israeli strike on Lebanon kills Islamic Group official

Syria arrests two senior Palestinian militants

In focus

A jewellery shop in the Grand Bazaar in Tehran. With Iranians facing economic hardship, many hope a deal can reached with the US that paves the way to lifting sanctions. EPA

Iran’s 'potential' under new nuclear deal touted for foreign investors

Downtown Design Riyadh will feature cutting-edge works by designers from across the world. Pictured are works from Roman atelier Wanderart. Photo: Downtown Design Riyadh

What to expect at the inaugural Downtown Design Riyadh

Metallica will play their third concert in the UAE in December. AP

Metallica to perform at 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

View of Harrow International School Dubai. Photo: Taaleem

Harrow's UAE schools to charge up to Dh100,000 for primary years

Bouquiniste El Azizi is a one man cultural landmark in the heart of Rabat. Getty Images

Eight spots in Rabat for book lovers to visit, from bookshops to libraries

Rishabh Pant is now the highest-paid Indian cricketer. AFP

Top salaries of Indian cricketers in 2025 after latest central contracts

US actress Colleen O'Shaughnessey, the voice of Tails in the Sonic franchise, says that voicing the character has evolved with the films. AFP

Voice actor Colleen O’Shaughnessey doubts AI will replace art

Nadiya Albishchenko says her short-term goal is to scale her food trading business and investment assets. Antonie Robertson / The National

My Dubai Salary: ‘I earn about Dh35,000 a month running a food trading company’

Business

Culture

IMF chief economist Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas. AFP

IMF projects 'significant' global slowdown due to historic tariffs

Trump renews attacks on Powell as US markets decline further

WEF begins search for new chairman after founder Schwab steps down

Culture

New documentary chronicles the rise of Jordan's hip-hop scene

Music & On-stage

Review: Usher turns back the clock at Abu Dhabi's Club Social

Music & On-stage

Bouquiniste El Azizi is a one man cultural landmark in the heart of Rabat. Getty Images

Eight spots in Rabat for book lovers to visit, from bookshops to libraries

Beyond the Headlines

Beyond the Headlines

Delve deeper into the biggest stories from the Middle East and around the world

Culture Bites

Culture Bites

Your guide to the arts and culture scene in the UAE

Business Extra

Business Extra

The stories, companies, trends, tech, Innovation and leaders shaping your world

Trending Middle East

Trending Middle East

The top news stories, field reports and insights from the Middle East and beyond

Chart of the Week

Catholicism grew in Global South under Pope Francis

Africa is now home to 20 per cent of world's Catholic population, as church leadership shifted away from Europe

Chart of the week: Under Pope Francis, Catholicism grew in Global South as number of priests dropped

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Documents show RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan acted alone, expert says

My Dubai Salary: ‘I earn about Dh35,000 a month running a food trading company’

Harrow's UAE schools to charge up to Dh100,000 for primary years

What Ibn Battuta found in Sharjah: From Kalba’s rivers to Dibba’s humid nights

Cartoon for April 22, 2025

Iraq backs head of Baghdad-based Chaldean Catholic Church to succeed Pope Francis

Swimmer missing in Israel after rare shark attack off Hadera beach

Swimmer missing in Israel after rare shark attack off Hadera beach

UAE residents visit Dubai church to pay tributes to Pope Francis

UAE residents visit Dubai church to pay tributes to Pope Francis