The Latest Breaking News from Asharq Al-Awsat

Iraq, Iran Sign Deal to Tighten Border Security

Iraq and Iran signed a border security agreement on Sunday, a move Iraqi officials said aimed primarily at tightening the frontier with Iraq's Kurdish region, where Tehran says armed Kurdish dissidents pose a threat to its security. The joint security agreement includes coordination in "protecting the common borders between the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 19, 2023

‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods’ Stumbles with $30.5 Million Debut

“Shazam! Fury of the Gods” felt the fury of the marketplace in its theatrical debut this weekend. The New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. superhero movie opened to a disappointing $30.5 million from over 4,071 theaters. The “Shazam!” sequel fell short of its modest expectations ($35 million) as well as…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 19, 2023

West Bank Attack Casts Shadow over Israel-Palestinian Talks

A Palestinian gunman opened fire at an Israeli vehicle in the occupied West Bank on Sunday, wounding two people, Israeli officials said. The attack cast a shadow over Egyptian-mediated efforts to lower tensions ahead of a sensitive holiday period beginning this week. The shooting came as Israeli and Palestinian officials…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 19, 2023

Al-Quds Brigades Says Commander Killed in Syria, Accuses Israel

A commander in the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad was killed in Syria on Sunday in what it described as an assassination by Israeli agents. The Al-Quds Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Jihad group, said in a statement that Ali Ramzi al-Aswad, 31, was killed Sunday morning in…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 19, 2023

Kuwait Constitutional Court Reinstates Previous Parliament

Kuwait's Constitutional Court on Sunday ruled that last September's parliamentary election was void and that the previous assembly must be reinstated. Justice Mohammad bin Naji said the court had annulled the early elections held in September. "The constitutional authority of the dissolved parliament shall be restored as of the date…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 19, 2023

Barzani to Asharq Al-Awsat: At Secret Meeting, Americans Informed us of Decision to Oust Saddam

Saddam Hussein’s shadow often looms large over my meetings with Masoud Barzani. My career has allowed me to follow the thrilling and painful tales of both these officials. Both have an iron will and lived on a hot tin plate called Iraq. Saddam believed that the spirit of the nation…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 19, 2023

Qatar's Ex-finance Minister to Face Trial

Qatar's public prosecutor will launch a criminal trial of former finance minister Ali Sherif al-Emadi, the state news agency said Sunday. Emadi and an unidentified number of others are charged with bribery, abuse of position and power, damage to public funds and money laundering, Qatar News Agency said.

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 19, 2023

Rating Agencies Raise Saudi Economy Rating with Positive Outlook

Rating agencies have upgraded the Saudi economy to a “positive” and stable outlook. They affirmed that the structural reforms have been reflected in the tangible progress in economic development and the support of diversification policies, especially in the non-oil sector. S&P Global Ratings upgraded its credit report for Saudi Arabia,…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 19, 2023

Libya: Reports Emerge About Security Cooperation between Haftar, Dbeibeh

The Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and the head of the interim unity government, Abdulhamid Dbeibeh, are having "undisclosed" understandings to coordinate security and military cooperation ahead of the postponed presidential and parliamentary elections, according to informed sources. The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 19, 2023

Egypt Signs 30-year Concession Agreement with AD Ports to Operate Safaga Port

Egypt's transport ministry signed on Saturday several agreements in maritime transport with AD Ports Group to manage, operate, and maintain the port of Safaga, and to allow for expanded access to multipurpose terminals and cruise routes in Hurghada and Sharm El Sheikh. AD Ports Group signed a 30-year concession agreement…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 19, 2023