Shafaq News- Ilam

Judicialauthorities in Iran’s Ilam province convicted a traveler for attempting tosmuggle large amounts of foreign currency, an Iranian official said, describingthe ruling as one of the largest in economic crime cases in the province.

Seyed Mehdi Mohammadi, head of the Governmental Discretionary PunishmentsOrganization in Ilam, said authorities seized 96.5 million Iraqi dinars (about$63,000) and $55.7 million from the suspect. The court ordered the confiscationof all funds and imposed a fine of 361.17 billion Iranian rials (about$275,000) payable to the state treasury. He added that the ruling is part of abroader campaign to curb currency smuggling and illegal speculation affectingthe regional economy.

The Mehrancrossing, opposite Iraq’s Zurbatiyah crossing in Wasit province, is one of themain land routes for trade and travel between the two countries, withauthorities on both sides frequently reporting similar smuggling attempts.

On May 4, Iranianborder guards confiscated over 50 billion rials (around $28,000) at the Mehrancrossing after discovering the cash hidden in the luggage of foreign travelersattempting to leave the country.

The Iranian rial has dropped in unofficial markets, driven by inflation,sanctions, and growing demand for US dollars, leading to tighter liquidity andlimited cash availability, while reports indicate that smuggling may bedeepening shortages and disrupting everyday transactions.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

The farmers who were assaulted during a protest in centralBaghdad on Sunday are demanding an official apology from the Prime Minister andthe Interior Minister, as well as accountability for the officers involved,Ibtisam Al-Hilali, a lawmaker from the State of Law Coalition, said on Monday.

Speaking at a press conference at the parliament building,Al-Hilali accused security forces of attacking the protesting farmers near theGreen Zone, adding that she personally provided evidence, including photos andvideos, to the parliamentary Security and Defense Committee.

The farmers had protested to demand the implementation of theirrights approved by the Council of Representatives under Decision No. 28 of2026. Al-Hilali noted that the Cabinet’s Economic Council held a session onMonday but did not address the farmers’ demands.

Parliament Speaker Haibet Al-Halbousi on Monday ordered theSecurity and Defense Committee to summon the commanders responsible forhandling recent events, giving 48 hours to deliver a security briefing to thefull chamber.

Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said hedirected authorities to receive all submitted requests, and ordered aninvestigation into the conduct of the security forces involved in dispersingthe gathering.

Shafaq News- Babil

BabylonUniversity's College of Materials Engineering announced two scientificadvances: a nanocoating technology designed to improve electric motorperformance, and a smart cane developed to assist visually impaired users.

Researcher MinaMohannad Mahdi developed nanoparticle-reinforced epoxy coatings using hybridcompounds that combine zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, and montmorillonite clay.Laboratory tests showed improved mechanical and thermal performance, includinggreater impact and tensile resistance and enhanced insulation properties. Thecompounds are designed to dissipate heat and resist ultraviolet radiation,extending motor lifespan and reducing overheating risks.

In a separateproject, a student team from the Department of Occupational Safety Engineeringdeveloped a smart white cane equipped with a sensing system that detectsobstacles and alerts users in real time. The device also features an automaticfall-detection alert, a lithium battery supporting up to one week of continuousoperation with fast charging, and an adjustable, weather-resistant frame with anon-slip base.

Shafaq News- Basra

Dozens of former workers of theFluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) project —a key oil refining unit at the SouthRefineries Company— blocked the facility’s gates in Basra on Monday for asecond consecutive day, preventing staff from entering as they demanded formalemployment within Iraq’s Ministry of Oil.

The protest representative, AhmedShaker, told Shafaq News that around 350 workers had spent years on the projectbefore being dismissed after its completion without clear guarantees orentitlements. He accused recent recruitment drives by local authorities ofrelying on favoritism, claiming they included relatives and associates ofofficials.

“We have been protesting for morethan a year and a half, yet our chances have been overlooked,” he said. “Thedemonstrations will continue until our demands are met and thesemarginalization policies are ended.”

The protest comes amid a broaderwave of demonstrations across Iraq on Monday, with medical graduates andcontract workers rallying in Baghdad, Basra, and the Kurdistan Region to demandjobs and official appointment orders.

Public-sector hiring has beenlargely frozen since October 2025, when Iraq’s Federal Service Council orderedall ministries, state institutions, and provincial authorities to haltrecruitment across centrally funded and self-financed entities.

Shafaq News- Nineveh

Authorities in Nineveh, in northernIraq, have moved to relaunch the reconstruction of the five-star MosulOberoi Hotel after a final court ruling cleared the project for a newinvestment contract.

Harith Bakhou, Deputy Head of theNineveh Investment Commission, told Shafaq News on Monday that the Court ofCassation ruled in favor of the commission, revoking the previous investor’scontract and ending a prolonged legal dispute.

The decision enables the project tobe awarded to a Baghdad-based company specializing in tourism projects, withprocedures now underway to finalize the contract. Bakhou indicated thatimplementation depends on the firm’s readiness, but work is expected to beginwithin two to three months.

The project had stalled afterBaghdad’s Commercial Court annulled a prior investment agreement in September2024 over confirmed financial and administrative violations. Ownership wassubsequently returned to the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities,which has reaffirmed plans to rehabilitate the site as part of broader effortsto revive Mosul’s tourism sector.

About the Hotel

The Nineveh Oberoi Hotel, one ofMosul’s most prominent landmarks, was built in the 1980s and includes more thanten floors and around 360 rooms. It was once among Iraq’s most luxurious hotelsbefore sustaining heavy damage during ISIS control of the city.

Following 2003, the site was used byUS forces as a base before being taken over by ISIS and repurposed during itsrule. After Mosul’s liberation, it was briefly used as a military facility,then left abandoned in a damaged state pending legal resolution andreinvestment.

Read more: On ISIS defeat anniversary, Iraq confronts a reawakening insurgency

Shafaq News- Shafaq News

More than5,000 international students from roughly 60 countries have enrolled in Iraqiuniversities through the "Study in Iraq" program since its launch,Iraq's acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Halloal-Askari, said Monday, with the ministry opening applications for theprogram's fourth edition, covering the 2026–2027 academic year.

Speaking ata press conference, al-Askari said the platform is now accepting undergraduateapplications through the end of July 2026, with separate deadlines for graduateprograms. Seventy-eight public and private universities are participating,offering programs across scientific and humanities disciplines.

The programprovides full and partial scholarships, covering tuition and accommodation, atthe bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels. Al-Askari said the fourthedition aims to go beyond sustaining previous enrollment numbers, with anexplicit focus on broadening academic and cultural diversity among applicants.

"Studyin Iraq" is an official initiative of the Ministry of Higher Education andScientific Research, designed to attract Arab and non-Arab students alikethrough a centralized online platform. Al-Askari described it as a practicalexpression of Iraq's internationalization policy and “a strategic channel fordrawing international talent into the country's academic system.”

Applicationsare open at the program's official platform from May 4.

Read more: Iraq's education crisis: millions of children denied access to education

Shafaq News-Baghdad/ Basra/ Al-Sulaymaniyah

Protests overstalled public-sector hiring spread across Iraq Monday, with medical graduatesand contract workers demonstrating in Baghdad, Basra, and the Kurdistan Region,demanding jobs and formal appointment orders.

In Baghdad,graduates from medical, health, and nursing programs, classes of 2023, 2024,and 2025, gathered in front of the Ministry of Health building, calling onauthorities to issue their long-delayed appointment orders.

The southerncity of Basra saw a parallel protest at the gates of the South RefineriesCompany, where workers affiliated with the FCC project blocked all access roadssince early morning. The closure prevented employees from entering thefacility, stranded outgoing shift workers, caused a vehicle backlog, andprompted a heavy security deployment.

In theKurdistan Region, unappointed doctors warned Monday of escalating civil actionafter a ten-day deadline they issued to the regional government expired withouta response. The ultimatum had been in effect since April 19.

"Theconcerned authorities provided no response within the specified ten-daydeadline, despite graduates' demands for a clear appointment plan," DastanBisharat, a representative of the doctors, told Shafaq News. He said more thanten months had passed since graduation with no progress on appointments,leaving the group no option but to act.

The doctors'core demand is the immediate appointment of new graduates at the Kurdish government’s expense —on equal terms with the 2024 cohort— pending a permanentsolution, alongside a clear timetable and defined mechanisms for resolving thehealth sector's employment crisis.

Read more: Iraq’s protests after Tishreen: A system that learned how to contain the street

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq recorded 36 earthquakes in April, including 16 in the country and 20 near its borders, according to the monthly seismic report issued Sunday by the Iraqi Meteorological Authority.

The Seismic Monitoring Department indicated that external tremors included 10 quakes in Iran near the Iraqi border, nine in Turkiye, and one in Syria’s Hasakah province. Magnitude levels ranged between one and five, with focal depths between five and 39 kilometers.

Within Iraq, seismic activity was concentrated in al-Sulaymaniyah province, where eight tremors were recorded across the city center, Dukan, and Penjwen. Nineveh recorded three quakes in Tal Afar, Sheikhan, and Mosul, while two tremors were registered in Duhok’s Zakho and Akre, and two in Erbil’s Soran and the city center. Diyala saw one quake in Khanaqin district.

No seismic activity was recorded in Iraq’s western and southwestern regions during the month, and no casualties were reported.

Shafaq News- Diyala

Al-Azim Dam in Diyala province has reached full capacity—estimated at 1.6 billion cubic meters— following recent heavy rainfall andfloods, a local official told Shafaq News on Sunday.

Nabil Al-Obeidi, director of Al-Azim subdistrict, urgedauthorities to preserve the dam’s water reserves and reduce discharge levels tosecure supply during peak summer drought. He warned that continued releases,currently at 15 cubic meters per second into the Al-Azim River, could lead tounnecessary losses, especially as the area lacks a significant agriculturalplan beyond limited sprinkler irrigation.

Last September, the dam completely dried up, leaving only 9meters of polluted, unusable water.

Iraq has faced a worsening drought in recent years, drivenby climate change, declining rainfall, and reduced water flows from upstreamcountries, including Turkiye and Iran, cutting farmland, acceleratingdesertification, and undermining food security, particularly in rural areas. Atthe same time, water levels in dams and reservoirs have fallen below safethresholds, prompting the Ministry of Water Resources to prioritize suppliesfor drinking and limited horticulture amid the absence of a comprehensive summeragricultural plan.

Read more: Iraq’s water crisis: A structural rewrite of agricultural governance

Shafaq News- Baghdad

On Sunday, Iraq’s President Nizar Amedi and ParliamentSpeaker Haibet Al-Halbousi called to address farmers’ demands, followingprotests that erupted in Baghdad over unpaid dues injuring at least 17 people.

Amedi stressed the importance of backing farmers as a keypillar of economic development, citing their role in boosting domesticproduction and strengthening the national economy.

pic.twitter.com/qmQjO61s2r

— رئاسة جمهورية العراق (@IraqiPresidency) May 3, 2026

Al-Halbousi noted that parliament had issued Decision No.28, which includes recommendations to the Council of Ministers aimed ataddressing farmers’ needs and ensuring their rights, urging the government totake necessary steps to resolve the issue.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudanidirected authorities to receive all farmers’ requests and open an investigationinto the conduct of security forces during the protests.

Shafaq News- Basra

Kuwaiti authorities on Sunday opened fire, injuring twoIraqi fishermen operating within Iraqi territorial waters near buoy No. 11 inthe Khor Abdullah area, the head of the Iraqi Fishermen Association in Basratold Shafaq News.

Badran Al-Tamimi said both men were later transported byIraqi maritime authorities to the nearest health center.

The Popular Movement Against the Khor Abdullah Agreementcondemned the shooting, calling the use of force against civilians unjustified.The group urged the Iraqi government to take a firm and urgent position,including summoning the Kuwaiti ambassador to investigate the incident and holdthose responsible accountable.

The Khor Abdullah agreement, signed in 2012 between Iraq andKuwait, regulates navigation and security in the shared waterway that serves asIraq’s only maritime access to the Gulf, linking key ports such as Umm Qasr andthe Grand Al-Faw Port to international shipping routes. Rooted in UN SecurityCouncil Resolution 833 (1993), which defined post-Gulf War borders, theagreement remains controversial in Iraq, especially after the Federal SupremeCourt ruled its ratification unconstitutional in 2023, reigniting debate oversovereignty, economic interests, and maritime rights.

Read more: Iraq’s UN maritime move reopens Arab fault lines over Khor Abdullah

Shafaq News-Al-Anbar

Iraq’s Agriculture Ministry released more than nine millionnewly hatched carp fish into Lake Habbaniyah in Al-Anbar province, westernIraq, in an effort to boost fish stocks and support food security, the ministrysaid on Saturday.

The Directorate of Animal Resources carried out the releasein coordination with local authorities and under the supervision of aspecialized technical team.

On April 23, the ministry also released more than 11 millionfish into Lake Ana in Al-Anbar, including over 10 million common carp and morethan one million gattan fish.

Iraq’s fisheries sector entered in November 2025 a policy transition citingsevere water shortages, after the Ministry of WaterResources ordered the closure of all licensed earthen fish farms. The moveforms part of a broader shift toward closed-system aquaculture, which usessignificantly less water.

Read more: "Killer" fish invades Iraq’s rivers: What to know about Tilapia

Shafaq News- Cairo

Egypt has resumed the export of purebred Arabian horses to Iraq via overland transport through Jordan, ending an 18-year suspension in the trade, the Egyptian General Cooperative Association for Horse Development and Breeding announced Sunday.

The first shipment comprised seven purebred Arabian horses transferred under approved veterinary and commercial procedures.

Iraq represents a strong market for Egyptian breeders, according to the association's chairman, Said Sharbash, citing sustained Iraqi demand for Arabian bloodlines and the international reputation Egyptian horses carry for genetic purity and pedigree.

He said a program is in place to export approximately 100 horses in the coming weeks, with purchase inquiries already received from Iraqi, Jordanian, and Gulf markets.

The exports are being conducted under the Agreement on Facilitation and Promotion of Trade Exchange Among Arab States, with certificates of origin issued by the Arab League. This arrangement grants customs exemptions and improves the price competitiveness of Egyptian horses in Arab markets.

Read more: Equestrianism: A rising passion among Baghdad’s women

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraqi security forces dispersed a protest by farmersin Baghdad’s Tahrir Square on Sunday using water hoses and electric stundevices, leaving at least 17 people injured, according to the GeneralFederation of Agricultural Cooperative Associations.

Farmers from central and southern provinces marchedtoward the Green Zone demanding payment of overdue entitlements andcompensation for previous agricultural seasons, Shafaq News correspondentreported. The federation backed the demands, describing them as “legitimate andpursued through legal channels,” and called on the government to issue a formalapology.

It also noted that security forces removed traditional agal headpieces—cords worn over the headscarf— from some tribal figures among the protesters.

In response, caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed ShiaAl-Sudani said he is following the farmers’ demands and the dispersal of theirpeaceful gathering, directing authorities to receive all requests and open aninvestigation into the conduct of security forces. He reaffirmed thegovernment’s commitment to supporting the agricultural sector and addressingits needs.

The protest comes amid mounting pressure on Iraq’sagricultural sector, with calls for concrete measures to support farmers,stabilize incomes, and strengthen domestic production.

Read more: Rooted in soil: An Iraqi farmer holds on as the land changes

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Chess remains underplayed in Iraq despite efforts to promotethe game among young players, with social games like dominoes still dominatingpublic spaces.

The Iraqi Chess Federation has been working to expand thesport by organizing local tournaments and increasing internationalparticipation, while universities across the country host student competitions.Uruk University in Baghdad recently held a “Mind Challenge” event, emphasizingsportsmanship and adherence to International Chess Federation rules.

Dhameer Jabbar Mousa, a member of the Iraqi ChessFederation, told Shafaq News that social media helped introduce chess to widersegments of society. He stated that the federation has seen strongparticipation in training programs and competitions, with around 10,000 playersacross different age groups, in addition to referees and coaches.

Chess requires specific qualities, including patience,mental clarity, and a strong understanding of the rules. It is a strategic gamethat cannot be easily compared to others, Mousa noted.

On key challenges facing the sport, he pointed to the lackof dedicated infrastructure and training facilities, limited geographiccoverage of federation centers, and insufficient funding. According to Mousa,“the federation’s budget, provided by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, coversonly about three months of activities, making it difficult to sustainprograms.”

He also highlighted the importance of media coverage insupporting the development of the game, stressing that attention should matchthe level of competitions and events.

Coach Salman Haider attributed chess’ limited popularity tocultural preferences, noting that Iraqi cafes tend to favor interactive andsocial games like dominoes, while chess requires silence and concentration.Additionally, many people perceive chess as complex or reserved for highlyintelligent individuals, which further limits its appeal.

Last October, Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region,hosted the Asian Senior Chess Championship, bringing together 44 players from14 countries, including Russia, Iran, Pakistan, and India.

Shafaq News- Nineveh

Mosul’s historic Al-Tatanchi House hosted a musical eveningorganized by Bytna Institution for Art, Culture and Heritage, featuring oudmusician Khaled Mohammed Ali and attended by cultural and artistic figures.

The event, titled Maqamat Al-Tajalli, included a selectionof oud pieces blending original compositions with classical works, accompaniedby poetry recited by Iraqi poet Walid Al-Sarraf.

Ali is among the prominent musicians in the Middle East anda globally recognized oud player who has participated in numerous internationalconcerts and festivals, maintaining a strong presence in the Arab music scene.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq resumed transporting grain harvests by rail from Saladin to Baghdad, moving 10,000 tonnes of wheat in an initial shipment as the agricultural season peaks.

In a statement, the Transport Ministry indicated that trains operated by the state railway company began carrying bulk grain using specialized wagons from al-Shirqat silo in Saladin to al-Taji silo in the capital, under a contract with the Trade Ministry’s Grain Board.

Local crop collection in Basra, Dhi Qar, Najaf, and Muthanna launched as part of the 2026 marketing plan, with expectations of higher output to support national food security.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

A group of individuals stormed a student-organized event atthe University of Technology in Baghdad and assaulted participants, securitysources told Shafaq News on Friday, noting the incident occurred lastWednesday.

One source said the attackers forced their way into a TEDxevent on campus, carrying out physical and verbal assaults against studentorganizers. The incident also involved property damage and chants accusingstudents of being “agents of foreign agendas and Jeffrey Epstein.”

A second source said threats had persisted in the daysleading up to the event and remain ongoing, posing a risk to students’ safetyboth inside and outside the university.

The event was officially licensed and held under universitysupervision. The TEDx program is a global initiative organized withinrecognized academic frameworks and is not affiliated with any externalentities, contrary to circulating claims.

Event organizers called on security authorities to interveneurgently to ensure their protection and to open an immediate investigation toidentify those responsible and hold them accountable. They warned that continued threats and incitement campaignspose a serious risk to their safety and undermine the academic environment andfreedom of cultural activities within universities.

Shafaq News- Erbil

Air travel disruptions triggered by the recent regional war have driven up ticket prices and pushed Iraq’s tourism and travel sector into a broad slowdown, echoing the impact seen during COVID-19-era airspace closures.

A field report by Shafaq News found significant losses affecting both companies and passengers, amid concerns the economic fallout may persist.

Raya Mohammed, manager of an Erbil-based Iraqi travel and tourism company, described the sector as heavily damaged, calling the crisis a second major blow after the pandemic. She indicated that air traffic halted completely during the conflict, bringing business activity to a standstill, while the recent resumption of flights has been accompanied by ticket price increases of up to 90% compared to pre-war levels.

Companies are now attempting to attract customers by restructuring bookings and delaying some travel plans in anticipation of lower prices, Mohammed indicated, noting that activity is gradually returning alongside hopes that current stability will hold and support recovery.

Zhiyan, a traveler, pointed to the financial strain on individuals with business and professional commitments, saying many passengers are abandoning air travel for nearby destinations in favor of land routes, while others are postponing long-distance trips due to high and unpredictable costs.

The surge in ticket prices has affected global travel demand beyond Iraq, with lower seat occupancy rates —including in economy class— cutting into airline revenues, according to industry data.

Fuel typically accounts for about one-third of airline operating costs, and the sharp rise in prices since the outbreak of war in late February has increasingly outpaced hedging strategies, prompting European carriers such as easyJet and TUI to revise their outlooks.

Cathay Pacific reported a 59% drop in net profit for the first half of the year, citing higher fuel costs and weaker demand for economy-class seats, according to Agence France-Presse. The Hong Kong-based airline posted earnings of 2.8 billion Hong Kong dollars ($359 million), down from 6.84 billion a year earlier, despite a 13.2% increase in revenue.

Taiwan’s China Airlines also reported a sharp decline in first-half net profit and lowered its forecasts after record oil prices weighed on its financial performance. The airline said net profit for the six months ending in June fell to $694.83 million from $1.23 billion a year earlier, while sales rose from $43.79 billion to $49.81 billion.

Shafaq News- BabilDozens of protesters gathered outside the Babil provincial headquarters in central Hilla on Friday, condemning the attempted assassination of civil activist Dirgham Majid.

Demonstrators called for the identification of those responsible, insisting they would not back down under any circumstances until the findings of the investigative committee are made public.

Majid was shot on April 21 in al-Hamza al-Gharbi district, south of the province, while inside a grocery store. Witnesses reported that two masked assailants on a motorcycle opened fire, striking him in the leg before fleeing to an unknown location. The activist has accused Asaib Ahl al-Haq of carrying out the attack, urging Governor Ali Turki, who is affiliated with the group, to reveal those responsible.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq marked International Workers' Day on May 1 with a contradiction: unemployment fell from 16 percent to 13 percent, according to the Planning Ministry, but workers say cheaper foreign labor is pushing them out of jobs.

Workers began the day with demonstrations in Baghdad, where marches moved from Firdos Square to Nasr Square, with participants calling for enforceable contracts, a fair wage scale, activation of the civil service law, and a functioning social security and health insurance system.

In Al-Sulaymaniyah, like in all provinces, workers face longer hours, lower wages, and fewer protections as employers favor imported labor that is cheaper and easier to control. Construction worker Sardar Ahmed told Shafaq News the cost of workplace injuries falls entirely on the worker. "When you get injured on the job, no one covers your treatment. You pay out of your own pocket and hope you can still work the next day."

Read more: Iraq's workers rise: New union challenges old guard

Factory worker Hewa Karim described conditions that leave little room for stability or legal recourse. "The wage does not cover basic needs. There is no future guarantee, and when you ask for the leave the law gives you, they make it nearly impossible to take."

Employers prefer foreign workers because they are cheaper and easier to control, pushing local workers into insecure jobs without health, social, or economic guarantees, Bakhtiyar Mohammed, a member of an independent labor committee, told Shafaq News. "Employers prefer foreign workers because they cost less and they are easier to control. That pushes local workers into jobs with no health coverage, no social protection, and no economic security. And women workers and children are paying an even heavier price."

Labor Ministry data show that 47,000 foreign workers are officially registered, while 55,000 were deported as illegal over the past two years, including 20,000 in 2024 and 35,000 in 2025. A 2024 cabinet decision caps foreign labor at 20 percent of any workforce and includes restrictions on several nationalities, but enforcement remains weak. Aram Hassan, a labor researcher, said this, along with limited oversight and the privatization of essential services, has raised living costs while eroding worker protections.

Read more: Youth in despair, no jobs to share: Iraq's workforce hanging in the air

Labor groups are now pushing for enforceable contracts, fair wages, and legislation aligned with International Labor Organization Convention No. 87, which Iraq has yet to ratify. Walid Naama, head of the Iraqi General Federation of Trade Unions, told Shafaq News the demands go beyond legislation. "We need enforceable contracts, fair wages, and legislation that meets ILO standards. Workers must also have a real voice in parliament, not just promises made on Labor Day."

Prime Minister-designate Ali Al-Zaidi, named on April 27, has 30 days to form a government. He said in a statement that his administration would work to ensure a "decent" work environment. Three labor files remain unresolved: implementing the 2023 law, enforcing limits on foreign labor, and establishing a stable mechanism for Erbil-Baghdad salary transfers.

Shafaq News-Kirkuk

Iraq's KirkukInternational Airport resumed international flights on Friday after asuspension lasting more than two months, the airport administration announced.

The facilityreceived its first incoming aircraft, as the administration moves to expandroutes and return the flight schedule to normal in the coming period.

Domesticflights had resumed on April 10 after being halted due to aviation risks tiedto the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Read more: Iraq airspace closure costs $43 million duringUS-Israel war on Iran

Shafaq News- Karbala

Wheat harvesting and marketingoperations have begun in Iraq’s Karbala province, with production expected toreach around 300,000 tons this season, Governor Nassif al-Khattabi said onThursday.

The official attributed theanticipated increase to the adoption of modern agricultural techniques andprecise laboratory testing of soil and crops, describing them as key toimproving quality, enhancing efficiency in resource use, and supporting food security.

In Kirkuk, wheat production isexpected to reach about 600,000 tons this season, with average yields estimatedat 1,250 kilograms per dunam (0.25 hectares). Harvesting has also begun inBasra with preliminary yields around 750 kilograms per dunam.

According to the Ministry ofAgriculture, Iraq has achieved self-sufficiency in wheat —locally known as“hinta”— with production reaching 5.3 million tons in 2023, exceeding 6 milliontons in 2024, and remaining above 5 million tons in 2025.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq collected 161.9 billion dinars (about $124.5 million) in trafficfines in 2025, the Ministry of Interior reported on Thursday, reviving debateover the 2019 Traffic Law and its financial burden on drivers.

A total of 3.88 million traffic violations were recorded during theyear, including 1.1 million detected through electronic surveillance camerasdeployed across major roads and cities.

Lawmakers have raised concerns over the scale of penalties. MP JawadAl-Saadi pointed to fines reaching up to 200,000 dinars ($154), describing themas difficult for many drivers to afford, particularly taxi operators whoseaccumulated penalties in some cases exceed the value of their vehicles.

Within parliamentary discussions, MP Ali Khalis, a member of the KurdistanDemocratic Party (KDP) and the Transport and Communications Committee, stressedongoing efforts to review the penalty structure. Proposed amendments underconsideration include recalibrating fines based on road conditions and speedlimits, removing the automatic doubling of unpaid penalties, as well asintroducing installment payment options for accumulated debts.

The draft amendment, however, has remained under review for more than 18months without a parliamentary vote.

Drivers have also voiced concern over the financial pressure created byrepeated violations. Speaking to Shafaq News, private driver Abu Ali noted thatfrequent fines linked to parking and traffic infractions are difficult tomanage, as they accumulate quickly. He also pointed to delays in thenotifications system, which in some cases lead to higher charges beforemotorists become aware of the violations.

“Penalties are increasingly competing with basic monthly expenses suchas fuel and maintenance,” he complained.

Traffic authorities, however, maintain that the system is a legalenforcement mechanism aimed at improving road discipline. Haider Shaker, headof the Media Division at the General Traffic Directorate, explained that theTraffic Law introduced electronic monitoring to reduce direct interactionbetween officers and drivers. It also set fines at 50,000 dinars ($38.50),100,000 dinars ($76.90), and 200,000 dinars ($153.80), depending on theseverity of violations, including offenses such as driving against traffic.

''Fines are reduced by 50% if paid within 72 hours, while unpaidpenalties double after 30 days,'' he added, describing the system as designedto deter violations rather than generate revenue.

Despite a reported 10% decline in traffic fatalities in 2024, Iraq stillranks 32nd globally in road deaths, according to the Ministry of Planning. InDiyala province, more than 6,000 traffic accidents have been recorded since thestart of 2025, many along the Baghdad–Kurdistan highway. In Dhi Qar, more than5,500 traffic-related injuries were also registered at Nasiriyah TeachingHospital over the same period.

Read more: $1.2B traffic fix fails: Iraq seeks radical solution

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq fell to 162nd out of 180 countries in the 2025 WorldPress Freedom Index released by Reporters without Borders (RSF) on Thursday, asthe watchdog pointed to persistent conflicts and deteriorating conditions forjournalists in several parts of the world.

The ranking places Iraq seven spots lower than last year,with RSF linking the decline to rising risks faced by Iraqi journalists bothonline and in the field, alongside growing pressure surrounding coverage ofsensitive issues, including wars in the Middle East.

In the Middle East and North Africa, Mauritania placedhighest at 61st, followed by Qatar at 75th and Morocco at 105th. Lebanon camein at 115th. Syria recorded the most notable improvement, climbing from 177thto 141st following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Israel slipped four places to 116th, with RSF attributingthe shift to the impact of the ongoing war in Gaza. The Palestinian territoriesposted a slight improvement, reaching 156th.

South Sudan placed 118th, Oman stood at 127th, Kuwait at136th, Tunisia at 137th, and Libya at 138th. Jordan came in at 142nd, Algeriaat 145th, and the United Arab Emirates at 158th. Sudan stood at 161st, Iraq162nd, Yemen 164th, Egypt 169th, and Bahrain 170th.

Saudi Arabia entered the bottom ten for the first time,placing 176th, a move partly linked to the execution of journalist Turkial-Jasser, RSF noted. Iran followed at 177th.

The organization classifies countries into four categories:good, satisfactory, problematic, and very serious. For the first time in theindex’s 25-year history, more than half of the countries assessed fell into thetwo lowest categories. The report also estimated that only one in 100 peopleworldwide now lives in a country with a diverse and healthy media landscape.

Read more: The New era of control: Can Iraq's free press survive its politically-tainted rulers?