Iraq
Iraq plans ten new dams as "El Niño" worsens water crisis
Iraq's water resources Minister Awn Dhiab Abdullah said that “El Niño's negative impact” on Iraq is increasing, with 12 provinces now relying exclusively on groundwater.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: Make no mistake. What we have here is an Erdogan, PKK coalition
As usual, Turkey’s wily leader is running circles around the media monkeys.
Baghdad residents protest electricity shortages as temperatures exceed 50°C
Protesters burnt tyres and clashed with security forces as Iraq's chronic electricity crisis intensified during the summer heat wave.
Kurdistan Workers' Party begins historic weapon destruction in Iraq
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has begun destroying its weapons in an unprecedented move to end armed struggle and transition to peaceful political resistance.
Iraq bans Labubu dolls citing child behaviour concerns and “demonic spirits”
Kurdish authorities in Erbil have confiscated 4,000 Labubu dolls and banned their sale in shops due to alleged negative effects on children's behaviour.
Macron and Starmer pledge to fight English Channel Kurdish migration gangs
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to intensify cooperation against illegal migration gangs during a summit at Downing Street.
COMMENT: Iraq's fiscal crisis exposes the perils of petro-state profligacy
Iraq's budget deficit will more than double from 4.2% of GDP this year to 9.2% by 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Air pollution hits hazardous levels as officials advise citizens to get used to dust
Tehran's air quality has plunged to a critical "very unhealthy" and "hazardous" state on July 7, with the city's Air Pollution Index (API) soaring past 300 in the last 24 hours.
Smog chokes Middle East as Iraq faces “hazardous” conditions
Dust storms originating from Iraq are forecast to impact air quality across multiple Middle Eastern countries including Iran, Syria and Kuwait over the next five days, with Iran's Meteorological Organisation warning of severe conditions.
UPDATE: Kurdish PKK announces plans to surrender fighters' weapons in northern Iraq
The Kurdistan Workers' Party announced on July 3 that its fighters in northern Iraq will begin surrendering weapons in the first concrete step toward disarmament as part of peace efforts
US denies closing Baghdad embassy amid evacuation videos
US Embassy in Baghdad denied closing its compound on June 20, reaffirming its commitment to advancing American policy priorities in Iraq.
Gas flowing from Iran to Turkey without interruption, says minister
Fifth of Turkey's oil imports pass Strait of Hormuz. Ankara confident it could replace these shipments if passage was disrupted amid conflict.
BEYOND THE BOSPORUS: US told Turkey war was imminent. There’s more to Ankara’s stance on conflict than meets the eye
Israeli jets entered Turkish airspace. Erdogan hardly blinked.
Pakistan evacuation speaks volumes as diplomats’ families, non-essential staff depart Iran
Pakistan has begun evacuating the families of its diplomatic personnel and some non-essential staff from Iran, a senior official from the Foreign Ministry confirmed on June 17.
Airlines scrap week’s worth of Turkey flights to Iran, Iraq and Jordan as Israel keeps up its bombing of Iranians
To avoid danger zone, aircraft diverted to airports in locations including Istanbul, Baku and Cyprus.
Airlines clear Middle East airspace following Israeli strikes on Iran
Commercial aircraft evacuated from airspace above Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan on June 13 after Israeli forces launched attacks targeting Iranian facilities.
How Turkey freed Islamic State suspects after G7 terrorist money watchdog took country off grey list
Fact that trial of 19 alleged terror finance individuals was being pursued was factor in FATF’s decision to end listing.
Iraq and Kuwait launch joint project to combat dust storms
Iraq's Ministry of Agriculture has announced a joint project with Kuwait aimed at reducing dust and sand storms that have increased in frequency and intensity over the past two years.
CITIES IN PERIL: Cities confront the rising tide of climate change
Fast and chaotic urban population growth combined with climate challenges on multiple fronts are putting cities at risk around the world.
Iraq secures return of three rare ancient artefacts from New York
The Embassy of Iraq in Washington announced the recovery of three rare artefacts from New York, marking another step in the country's efforts to protect its cultural heritage.