Middle East

Saint George's Day: A Celebration of a Thousand Frontiers
ChronicleSaint George's Day: A Celebration of a Thousand Frontiers

Traditionally celebrated on April 23, St. George’s Day holds a special place in the English calendar. In 2025, however, the Church of England decided to postpone its liturgical celebration to Monday, April 28. This postponement follows an ancient liturgical rule: when a saint’s feast day falls during the Easter Octave, it is moved so as not to ...

The World Leaders Set to Attend Pope Francis's Funeral
The World Leaders Set to Attend Pope Francis's Funeral

Many world leaders have announced they will travel to Rome for Pope Francis's funeral on Saturday, which is expected to draw a huge crowd in the square in front of St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Here is a list of the expected VIP guests. Americas ARGENTINA: President Javier Milei. The pope, who was born in Argentina in 1936, had a ...

Violence in Kashmir: A New Test of Strength for the Indian Government?
SpotlightViolence in Kashmir: A New Test of Strength for the Indian Government?

A rare and brutal attack struck the Indian region of Kashmir on Tuesday, when gunmen opened fire on a group of travelers near the popular tourist area of Pahalgam, killing at least 26 people. It marks one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in years, in a region gripped by a separatist insurgency since 1989. According to initial information ...

Tens of Thousands Bid Farewell to Pope Francis Lying in State
Tens of Thousands Bid Farewell to Pope Francis Lying in State

Tens of thousands of mourners began saying their last goodbyes to Pope Francis at St Peter's Basilica on Wednesday, as the body of the late Argentine pontiff began three days of lying in state. By mid-afternoon, the wait to enter St Peter's Basilica was about three hours, as the long line of pilgrims and tourists wishing to pass by the pontiff's ...

Huda al-Khamis-Kanoo: Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Heartbeat (2/2)
InterviewsHuda al-Khamis-Kanoo: Abu Dhabi’s Cultural Heartbeat (2/2)

At the heart of an ever-evolving emirate, the Abu Dhabi Festival has, year after year, established itself as a space for intercultural dialogue and ambitious artistic creation. Guided by the vision of its founder, Huda al-Khamis-Kanoo, it brings together continents, aesthetics, and generations in unprecedented ways. For its 22nd ...

Powerful 6.2-Magnitude Quake Hits off Istanbul Coast
Powerful 6.2-Magnitude Quake Hits off Istanbul Coast

More than 50 aftershocks rocked the Istanbul region after a powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Sea of Marmara just to the south of Turkey's biggest city on Wednesday, the interior minister said. "By 3:12 pm (1512 GMT), 51 aftershocks -- the largest of which was 5.9 magnitude -- had been recorded," Interior Minister Ali ...

Iran President to Visit Azerbaijan in Sign of Warming Ties
Iran President to Visit Azerbaijan in Sign of Warming Ties

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is set to pay a rare visit to Azerbaijan next week, state media reported Wednesday, in the latest sign of warming relations between the neighboring countries. Pezeshkian will be traveling to Baku on Monday "at the invitation" of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, state television reported. On ...

Jordan Bans Activities of Muslim Brotherhood, Closes Offices
Jordan Bans Activities of Muslim Brotherhood, Closes Offices

Jordan has banned all activities of the Muslim Brotherhood and closed its offices in the kingdom, the interior minister announced on Wednesday. "It has been decided to ban all activities of the so-called Muslim Brotherhood and to consider any activity (carried out by it) a violation of the provisions of the law," said Interior ...

Abbas Urges Hamas to Free Gaza Hostages as Israeli Strikes Kill 18
Abbas Urges Hamas to Free Gaza Hostages as Israeli Strikes Kill 18

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas on Wednesday urged Hamas to free all hostages in Gaza, saying their captivity provided Israel with "excuses" to attack the territory, as rescuers recovered charred bodies from an Israeli strike. At least 18 people were killed across the Gaza Strip by Israeli strikes, while Germany, France and Britain urged ...

Landmark Nepal Survey Estimates Nearly 400 Elusive Snow Leopards
Landmark Nepal Survey Estimates Nearly 400 Elusive Snow Leopards

Nepal's first nationwide survey of the threatened snow leopard estimated nearly 400 of the elusive big cats in the Himalayan nation, wildlife officials said Tuesday. Habitat loss, climate change, and poaching have greatly impacted snow leopard populations across Asia, listed as a "vulnerable" species by the International Union for ...

EU Slaps Fines on Apple and Meta, Risking Trump Fury
EU Slaps Fines on Apple and Meta, Risking Trump Fury

The EU on Wednesday slapped Apple and Meta with 700 million euros in fines for breaking digital competition rules, risking the wrath of US President Donald Trump. The penalties threaten to cause more tension in the already fraught relationship between the bloc and Trump, as the two sides discuss a deal to avoid his sweeping tariffs on the ...