Shafaq News- Baghdad

The Iraqi government reviewed electricity supply challenges and approved measures aimed at securing fuel for generators and public institutions during the summer season, the prime minister’s office stated on Saturday.

The Council also renewed the Basra Gas Company's development agreement, allowing the settlement of the firm’s dues through an in-kind payment mechanism, and amended Resolution No. 119 of 2026 to enable the Ministry of Oil to continue supplying fuel, lubricants, and diesel to ministries and government entities, particularly service entities, on a deferred-payment basis.

According to the PM’s office, the cabinet endorsed measures regulating wheat imports and authorized the Finance Ministry to complete procedures for Iraq's accession to the Arab Coalition for Reform and Governance of State-Owned Enterprises in coordination with the World Bank.

Shafaq News- New Jersey

Hundreds of Brazil and Morocco fans gathered in New York and near New York/New Jersey Stadium on Saturday before the two teams kicked off one of the biggest early matches of World Cup 2026.

Shafaq News captured crowds from both sides waving flags, chanting, and filling the streets with the colors of Brazil and Morocco before the Group C opener. Brazil supporters brought the familiar yellow and green of the five-time world champions, while Moroccans raised red flags and shirts in support of the Atlas Lions, who arrived at the tournament with the confidence of their historic 2022 semifinal run.

The game started at 1:00 a.m. Baghdad time (GMT+3) on Sunday at New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, a venue with a listed World Cup capacity of 82,500. The fixture is Match 7 of the event and one of the strongest games of the opening round, bringing together the most successful team in World Cup history and the first African side to reach a semifinal.

Brazil begin another attempt to win a sixth World Cup title and a first since 2002. Carlo Ancelotti’s side enter the competition with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Casemiro, and a squad carrying familiar pressure from a football nation that measures success by trophies.

Morocco arrive with a different profile from past editions. The Atlas Lions stunned Spain and Portugal on their way to the 2022 semifinals, and their supporters in New York and New Jersey treated the Brazil match as another chance to show that run was not a one-tournament moment.

Before the ball was kicked, the atmosphere had already turned the New York-New Jersey area into one of the loudest early stops of the tournament.

For Brazil fans, it was the kick-off of another title dream.

For Morocco followers, it was another night to carry the noise of the Atlas Lions onto the world stage.

Shafaq News- Santa Clara

Qatar earned the first World Cup point in its history on Saturday after Boualem Khoukhi scored a stoppage-time header to secure a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Group B.

Switzerland had led for most of the match at Levi’s Stadium after Breel Embolo converted a 17th-minute penalty, but Qatar stayed alive before Khoukhi rose in the box in the 95th minute to meet a Homam Ahmed cross and head in the equalizer.

The goal completed a dramatic late comeback for the Asian champions, who lost all three matches as hosts in 2022 and entered the 2026 tournament still searching for their first World Cup point.

Qatar, coached by Julen Lopetegui, had left all-time top scorer Almoez Ali on the bench at kickoff, with Akram Afif, Edmilson Junior, Yusuf Abdurisag, and Khoukhi among the starters.

Switzerland controlled long stretches of the match and created the better chances, but failed to turn pressure into a second goal.

The result leaves Qatar and Switzerland on one point each, matching Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who also drew 1-1 in their opening match. Qatar next face co-hosts Canada on June 18, while Switzerland meet Bosnia and Herzegovina on the same day.

Shafaq News- Erbil

The French Consulate General in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, organized a cultural celebration on Saturday to mark World Music Day, observed annually on June 21.

The event attracted prominent artists and cultural figures and featured a variety of musical performances presented by a selection of artists.

The global event was launched in France in 1982 at the initiative of then-French Culture Minister Jacques Lang and Maurice Fleuret with the aim of promoting music and breaks down social barriers.

Shafaq News

The 2026 World Cup continues Sunday, June 14, with five matches across four groups, led by Brazil’s opener against Morocco and the first appearances of Germany and the Netherlands.

The day begins with Brazil against Morocco at 1:00 a.m. Baghdad Time, followed by Haiti against Scotland at 4:00 a.m. Australia then face Turkiye at 7:00 a.m., before Germany meet Curacao at 8:00 p.m. and the Netherlands play Japan at 11:00 p.m.

The schedule covers Groups C, D, E, and F, bringing title contenders, returning teams, a historic debutant, and two Asian sides into focus.

Brazil vs Morocco

Brazil open Group C against Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium, in one of the strongest early fixtures of the tournament. The five-time champions begin another attempt to win a first World Cup title since 2002, with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Casemiro, and a squad now led by Carlo Ancelotti carrying Brazil’s main hopes.

Vinicius said before the match that his focus is on helping Brazil win the title rather than chasing individual awards, as the Selecao try to recover from recent World Cup disappointments.

Morocco enter with a different status from previous tournaments. After becoming the first African team to reach a World Cup semifinal in 2022, coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his side no longer see themselves as underdogs. The Atlas Lions will be without Nayef Aguerd and Abde Ezzalzouli through injury, but Achraf Hakimi has recovered from a thigh problem and is expected to lead Morocco’s right side.

Morocco had beat Brazil in a 2023 friendly, and Ouahbi said there is “no clear favorite” for the Group C opener.

Haiti vs Scotland

Haiti and Scotland meet later in Group C at Boston Stadium. Haiti are back for the first time since 1974, while Scotland are appearing at the tournament for the first time since 1998.

The match carries heavy group-stage importance because Brazil and Morocco await both sides. Neither Haiti nor Scotland have ever reached the World Cup knockout stage, but the expanded 48-team format and new Round of 32 give both teams a more realistic route if they start well.

Scotland arrive with confidence after scoring eight goals in two warm-up matches against Curacao and Bolivia. Lawrence Shankland scored three times in those games, while Che Adams also impressed; Scott McTominay is available after an upset stomach, but defender Scott McKenna is out with a calf injury.

Haiti are also encouraged by their preparations. They beat New Zealand 4-0 before a narrow 2-1 loss to Peru, and their squad includes Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Wilson Isidor, who have Premier League experience.

The atmosphere in Boston could be one of the day’s strongest. Scotland’s Tartan Army have travelled in large numbers, while Haiti are expected to draw support from Boston’s large Haitian community.

Australia vs Turkiye

Group D continues at BC Place, Vancouver, where Australia face Turkiye after the United States opened the group with a 4-1 win over Paraguay.

Turkiye enter as favorites, with Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz among the young players expected to attract attention in North America. Vincenzo Montella’s side are back at the World Cup for the first time since 2002, when Turkiye finished third.

Australia, however, bring tournament experience; the Socceroos have qualified for six straight World Cups and reached the last 16 in 2022, where they lost to eventual champions Argentina. Coach Tony Popovic emphasized that Australia are used to being underestimated and want to show what Australian football can do on the World Cup stage. He also confirmed that striker Mohamed Toure is fit after missing training with a minor illness.

The match already carries pressure because Group D has begun moving. The US have three points, Paraguay are under early pressure, and both Australia and Turkiye need a clean start before facing the rest of the group.

Germany vs Curacao

Germany start Group E against Curacao at Houston Stadium, with the four-time champions expected to win and expected to do it clearly.

Germany are trying to rebuild their World Cup image after first-round exits in 2018 and 2022. Julian Nagelsmann’s side enter the tournament on a nine-match winning run, including recent victories over Finland and the United States.

The squad includes major names such as Manuel Neuer, Kai Havertz, Florian Wirtz, and Deniz Undav, who is set for a World Cup debut after a strong season with VfB Stuttgart.

Curacao enter the match as one of the tournament’s biggest stories –the Caribbean side are making their World Cup debut and are the smallest nation to qualify for the finals.

Their coach, Dick Advocaat, is 78 and will become the oldest coach in World Cup history. He has acknowledged Germany’s status as group favorites, while saying the opener will show Curacao where they stand.

Germany’s Group E also includes Ecuador and the Ivory Coast, making a strong opening win important before the tougher calculations begin.

Netherlands vs Japan

The day closes at Dallas Stadium, where the Netherlands face Japan in Group F.

The Dutch begin another World Cup with a squad built around Virgil van Dijk, Frenkie de Jong, Cody Gakpo, Tijjani Reijnders, and Memphis Depay. Coach Ronald Koeman has stated that Depay remains important to the team, despite the forward working back toward full fitness after limited recent playing time.

Goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has also been recovering from a knock, giving the Netherlands a fitness question before kickoff.

Japan, meanwhile, enter with a major midfield change. Captain Wataru Endo withdrew from the squad because of a persistent foot injury and announced his international retirement, forcing coach Hajime Moriyasu to adjust before the opener.

Ao Tanaka could be paired with Kaishu Sano or Daichi Kamada, while Takefusa Kubo remains one of Japan’s main creative players. Japan also carry recent World Cup credibility after beating Spain and Germany in the 2022 group stage.

The Netherlands won the only previous World Cup meeting between the two teams, 1-0 in South Africa in 2010. Their last meeting was a 2-2 friendly draw in 2013.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

US envoy Tom Barrack is set to visit Baghdad and Erbil in the coming hours to discuss political and security issues, a government source told Shafaq News on Saturday.

The visit will address government positions linked to groups that expressed willingness to dismantle their military wings and integrate into the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), Iraq's state-sanctioned security umbrella. According to the source, the groups insist that their parliamentary representation entitles them to cabinet posts, including the position of deputy prime minister and a sovereign ministry, demands that continue to face opposition from Washington.

Read more: How the US pushed Iraq's armed factions toward disarmament, and who is still pushing back

Barrack will also review unresolved issues between Baghdad and Erbil, as well as a number of security-related files.

The US envoy’s visit will also help prepare for an upcoming trip by Prime Minister Al-Zaidi to the United States, “after discussions on proposals aimed at resolving complex outstanding disputes while preserving power-sharing arrangements,” the source added.

On May 31, US President Donald Trump announced the appointment of Barrack, Washington's ambassador to Ankara, as special presidential envoy to Iraq and Syria.

Read more: Trump's new Iraq-Syria envoy faces an Iran test Syria never posed

Shafaq News- Wasit

Wasit in eastern Iraq has wrapped up its wheat harvest season after delivering about 363,000 metric tons to state silos, an agricultural official told Shafaq News on Saturday, describing the outcome as a “relatively successful season.”

Arkan Maryoush, director of the Agriculture Directorate in Wasit, indicated that this season covered all 300,000 dunams (74,000 hectares) included in the province's agricultural plan —50% lower than last year's level— a decline attributed to limited water supplies and a delayed rainy season.

“Water scarcity pushed back planting schedules, while rainfall did not arrive until December, reducing the amount of land farmers were able to cultivate,” he explained, stressing that despite lower production, the province recorded one of its smoothest grain collection seasons in recent years.

He also praised the close coordination between the State Company for Grain Trade and the Agriculture Directorate, noting that farmers delivered their crops daily without the long waiting lines that often accompanied previous harvest seasons. The extended marketing period eased pressure on

collection centers and helped maintain a steady flow of grain.

“Wasit consumes between 170,000 and 180,000 tons of wheat annually to meet local demand and supply Iraq's food ration program,” he remarked, pointing out that surplus quantities are transferred to the Ministry of Trade for distribution to other provinces.

Looking ahead, he urged authorities to increase water releases to support larger planting areas next year, while calling on Baghdad to accelerate payments owed to farmers in Wasit and across Iraq.

Read more: Iraq’s wheat fields no longer guarantee bread

Shafaq News- Erbil/ Baghdad

The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the Region’s largest party, on Saturday reaffirmed support for federal Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi’s efforts to implement the constitution, send salaries on time, and pursue anti-corruption measures.

The KDP won 39 seats and the PUK 23 in the 100-seat parliament, leaving the two main parties locked in negotiations over power-sharing, senior posts, relations with Baghdad, oil revenues, and administrative authority.

The KDP maintained that disputes with Baghdad should continue to be resolved under Iraq’s permanent constitution, especially those linked to the federal budget, financial entitlements, and salaries of Kurdistan Region public employees. Still, it backed the formation of Al-Zaidi’s federal government and pledged continued cooperation with him, expressing hope that agreements reached with the Shiite Coordination Framework, parliament’s largest bloc, would lead to constitutional implementation and timely salary transfers to the Region, both issues Al-Zaidi vowed to address in his government program.

The party also endorsed Al-Zaidi’s early anti-corruption measures, including efforts to recover public wealth, return funds to the state treasury, and prevent waste of national resources.

Baghdad and Erbil entered 2026 with disputes centered on salary funding, oil exports, financial auditing, non-oil revenues, and customs procedures. On June 11, KRG Council of Ministers Secretary Amanj Raheem revealed that oil exports, financial auditing, and non-oil revenues were close to resolution, with an Erbil delegation expected in Baghdad the following week to finalize understandings and seek a permanent settlement to the salary crisis.

Earlier, on May 24, Omed Sabah, head of the Diwan of the Kurdistan Region Council of Ministers, disclosed that Al-Zaidi had instructed the federal Finance Ministry to release Kurdistan Region payroll funding regularly and without discrimination, although, two days later, the KRG Finance Ministry accused Baghdad of transferring about $674.6 million of the more than $735.4 million required for May salaries and pensions, forcing Erbil to borrow ahead of Eid Al-Adha.

Read more: Erbil-Baghdad disputes: A cycle of missed opportunities

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Electrical faults, weak safety systems, and the lack of basic firefighting equipment in homes are making fires more common in Iraq than in many other countries, an economic expert told Shafaq News on Saturday.

Karim Al-Hilu stated that electricity and the poor quality of materials used in buildings and homes are the main causes in Iraq. "A single improperly insulated electrical cable can burn down an entire building," he explained.

The problem is cumulative, complex, and difficult to resolve quickly, as some agricultural fires may occur naturally because of extreme heat or dust storms, while others could be deliberate, either to obtain compensation or for acts of sabotage.

On measures to prevent such incidents, the Director of Relations and Media at Iraq's General Directorate of Civil Defense, Nuas Sabah Shaker, told Shafaq News that the authority has implemented a comprehensive plan for the harvest based on years of experience in dealing with fires and has completed all measures aimed at protecting Iraq's food supply and strategic crops, particularly wheat and barley, through a multi-stage strategy ranging from public awareness campaigns to field deployment.

According to Shaker, the directorate follows a "mutual support plan" under which firefighting teams are redeployed from northern provinces to southern and central areas according to the harvest schedule. The season begins in Basra, Maysan, and Dhi Qar before moving to Nineveh, Kirkuk, and Al-Anbar.

Economic expert Mustafa Al-Faraj argued that fires are no longer isolated emergencies but a "continuous economic burden," warning that blazes affecting infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector and private power generators, increase production costs, undermine the investment environment, and place repeated pressure on public finances.

Crop fires reduce domestic agricultural output, increase reliance on imports, strain foreign currency reserves, and widen the trade deficit, Al-Faraj pointed out.

He argued that addressing the issue requires more than security measures, calling for investment in early warning systems and the modernization of civil defense capabilities with advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Fire incidents remain a regular feature of daily news coverage in Iraq, affecting farmlands, popular markets, hospitals, and private electricity generators. The recurring blazes continue to cause casualties and material losses.

Shafaq News- Middle East

American forces have diverted 141 commercial vessels and disabled nine ships since imposing its blockade on Iranian ports on April 8, US Central Command said on Saturday.

An MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter lifts off from the flight deck of USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119) as the ship transits the Arabian Sea in support of the blockade against Iran. As of June 13, CENTCOM forces have redirected 141 commercial vessels and disabled 9 to ensure compliance. pic.twitter.com/BBHvZW6Z62

— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) June 13, 2026

CENTCOM had stated on June 11 that the Strait of Hormuz remained open to commercial vessels and tankers after Iran’s Khatam Al-Anbiya headquarters announced the waterway was closed to all ships and threatened to target traffic in response to US strikes on southern Iran.

Iran’s Fars News Agency, meanwhile, reported that hundreds of ships were still waiting for Iranian permits to cross Hormuz under emergency procedures imposed on the strategic waterway.

Washington and Tehran are preparing to electronically sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU), although uncertainty remains over the timing. US President Donald Trump said the agreement would be signed on June 14, while Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif suggested the process could take an additional 24 hours. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei denied that a signing would take place on Sunday.

The agreement would extend the ceasefire for 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and launch talks on Iran’s nuclear program. Trump described the deal as “a wall to no [Iranian] nuclear weapon.”

Shafaq News- Washington

US President Donald Trump announced Saturday that a nuclear and peace agreement with Iran will be signed Sunday, pledging that the Strait of Hormuz will reopen immediately upon signing, a timeline Iran's foreign ministry disputed hours earlier.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump declared the agreement his administration's deal to be "the exact opposite" of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the nuclear accord negotiated under former President Barack Obama, which Trump described as "an easy, beautiful, smooth road to a Nuclear Weapon." He asserted the new agreement constitutes "A WALL TO NO NUCLEAR WEAPON," adding that Iran "no longer want a Nuclear Weapon, nor will they have one, either through purchase, development, or any other form of procurement."

Trump stated that no financial transfers would accompany the deal, contrasting it with the Obama-era payments to Tehran, which he put at "hundreds of billions of dollars, including 1.7 billion dollars in green, cold cash." He added that "immediately after it is signed, the Hormuz Strait is open to all."

The US president also addressed the disposition of Iran's remaining nuclear material, stating that Washington will "go in and get the nuclear dust, buried deep under the powerful sunken granite mountains" —a reference to underground facilities struck by US B-2 bombers— and "downblend and destroy it, whether in Iran, or the United States," at an unspecified future point when "all is calm."

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei directly contradicted the Sunday timeline, stating Saturday that the precise date for signing the memorandum of understanding between the two sides "has not yet been determined" and that it "will not be tomorrow, Sunday." Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif separately said Islamabad was preparing to electronically sign the US-Iran peace agreement within 24 hours, without specifying a date.

Trump also warned that the United States retains "the ultimate alternative, hopefully never to be used again," if the diplomatic process fails.

Shafaq News- Erbil

Gasoline prices have risen across the Iraqi Kurdistan Region, fueling public frustration and long queues at government-run fuel stations, where fuel remains cheaper than at private outlets.

In Erbil, regular gasoline has climbed to around 1,150 dinars (≈ $0.88 ) per liter, while improved gasoline reached 1,550 dinars (≈ $1.18), with prices varying slightly between stations.

Fuel station owner Hoger Abdullah attributed the increase to lower oil production in Iraq, the fallout from the ongoing regional conflict, and concerns over potential disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. He told Shafaq News that the higher prices have reduced demand and placed additional pressure on taxi drivers and delivery workers.

In Duhok, higher fuel prices led to heavy congestion at government stations, where motorists have queued for hours to buy subsidized gasoline. Drivers reported that the price of regular commercial gasoline has risen from about 850 dinars (≈ $0.65) per liter to more than 1,100 dinars (≈ $0.84) in recent months.

Many motorists have shifted away from commercial stations, increasing pressure on government outlets. Drivers also pointed to the growing number of vehicles in the province and a shortage of government fuel stations relative to demand.

In Al-Sulaymaniyah, gasoline prices increased by 50 dinars (≈ $0.04) per liter across all grades. Regular gasoline now sells for 1,000 dinars (≈ $0.76) per liter, improved gasoline for 1,200 dinars (≈$0.92), and super gasoline for 1,350 dinars (≈ $1.03).

Bahman Qadir, spokesman for fuel station owners in Al-Sulaymaniyah, linked the increase to higher fuel prices in Iran, reduced fuel shipments into the Kurdistan Region, and lower supplies allocated to the province as demand in Erbil grows. He also cited stronger summer demand driven by tourism, commercial activity, and increased travel.

Speaking to Shafaq News, Taxi drivers Sarbast Ahmed and Dilshad Mohammed warned that the increase would hit the transport sector particularly hard during the summer months, when fuel consumption rises because of heavier travel and prolonged air-conditioning use. They said transport fares have failed to keep pace with rising costs and cautioned that higher fuel prices would eventually affect consumers through increased costs for transportation and other services.

Separately, Kurdistan lawmaker Jwanro Mohammed questioned, in a statement, the continued rise in fuel prices despite the allocation of 50,000 barrels of crude oil per day to the Region, calling for those supplies to be used to reduce fuel costs and ease pressure on households.

Shafaq News- Beirut

Israel on Saturday claimed the killing of seven Hezbollah members, while striking more than 70 sites linked to the group in southern Lebanon, as fighting intensified despite reported progress in a US-Iran agreement that could potentially halt the cross-border escalation.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee noted that the seven men were operating from an underground facility used to store ammunition, mortar shells, and supplies intended for attacks against Israeli forces.

#فيديو القضاء على سبعة عناصر من حزب الله في جنوب لبنان🔸لقد رصدت قوات جيش الدفاع العناصر الارهابية خلال الأسبوع الماضي خليتين ارهابيتين مكونتين من سبعة عناصر يعملون من داخل مسار تحت الأرض في جنوب لبنان. وقد استُخدم هذا المسار لتخزين الذخائر وقذائف الهاون والإمدادات الغذائية… pic.twitter.com/4qZNjdqJhx

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) June 13, 2026

Israeli warplanes also conducted a series of strikes across southern villages. Lebanese media reported strikes on Kfartebnit, Kfarhouneh, al-Rayhan, and Sajd. No casualties were recorded, though extensive damage was documented. Attacks are ongoing at the time of writing.

📌 علي الطاهر- النبطية pic.twitter.com/Had8YC8FTe

— Al Jadeed News (@ALJADEEDNEWS) June 13, 2026

The Lebanese Health Ministry put the cumulative toll from the Israeli war since March 2 at over 3,711 dead and 11,483 wounded, including women, children, and more than 23 Lebanese army personnel.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, responded to “repeated Israeli ceasefire violations,” by launching a swarm drone assault on Israeli forces near Kfartebnit, confirming a “direct hits.” In other statements, the group described shelling an Israeli troop gathering in Rashaf and carried out a drone strike against an Israeli military position in the border town of Maroun al-Ras.

Shafaq News

Recent deadly traffic accidents on Iraqi highways have pushed road safety back to the forefront of public concern. Major roads continue to witness recurring human tragedies despite government efforts to modernize traffic enforcement and reduce accident rates.

Despite authorities expanding the use of speed cameras, radar systems, and smart monitoring technologies, the accidents continue to rise. The latest incident was the devastating bus fire on the international highway linking Basra and Dhi Qar, which killed 21 people and injured 19 others as religious pilgrims were returning from Karbala. The accident occurred less than 24 hours after another crash on the same route.

Alarming Numbers, Several Indicators

Official data show that Iraq records around 2,700 traffic-related deaths and more than 11,000 injuries annually. At the same time, the number of registered vehicles has surpassed seven million, a growth rate that increasingly exceeds the capacity of the country’s transport infrastructure.

According to Miqdad Miri, Director of Relations and Media at the Interior Ministry, the deployment of modern radar systems and surveillance cameras has helped reduce traffic accidents by 50% on several key routes, particularly the Baghdad–Karbala, Babil–Karbala, and Najaf–Karbala highways.

The General Traffic Directorate has also reported more than 45,000 traffic violations detected through electronic monitoring systems, with over 41,000 confirmed after review. Yet the recurrence of mass-casualty accidents suggests that the problem extends beyond enforcement alone. Experts argue that Iraq’s road safety crisis is rooted in a combination of human behavior, infrastructure shortcomings, and administrative weaknesses.

Human Error Remains the Dominant Factor

Former Iraqi Transport Minister Salam al-Maliki believes drivers remain the single most significant contributor to road accidents.

Speaking to Shafaq News, al-Maliki said motorists are responsible for more than three-quarters of traffic accidents, with excessive speed remaining the leading cause of fatal crashes, particularly on highways and intercity roads.

He pointed to a range of risky behaviors that continue to endanger road users, including failure to comply with traffic regulations, unsafe overtaking, disregard for right-of-way rules, and the widespread use of mobile phones while driving.

“Driver fatigue is another major concern, especially among bus and taxi operators who travel long distances between provinces,” he stressed, noting that the problem becomes more pronounced during religious pilgrimage seasons, when transport activity intensifies, and drivers often spend extended hours behind the wheel.

Recent Interior Ministry data recorded 157 cases of driving under the influence of alcohol during the first half of 2026, while campaigns targeting mobile phone use behind the wheel remain ongoing.

Roads Fall Short of Safety Standards

While human behavior plays a central role, al-Maliki cautioned against reducing the crisis solely to driver conduct.

He argued that Iraq’s infrastructure problems are equally significant, observing that many roads suffer from potholes, subsidence, and surface distortions caused by inadequate maintenance, conditions that can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles without warning.

A lack of adequate lighting, road markings, and traffic signs on numerous highways further increases risks, particularly at night. “Poorly engineered diversions and road closures on some highways have become a constant source of unexpected hazards and accidents,” he said.

According to Transportation specialists who spoke to Shafaq News, Iraq’s road network has expanded considerably in recent years, but maintenance and modernization programs have not kept pace. The result is a widening gap between actual traffic demand and the technical readiness of the infrastructure designed to support it.

This imbalance becomes particularly visible during peak travel periods, when roads carry volumes of traffic beyond what they were originally designed to accommodate.

Safety Challenges

Al-Maliki also highlighted concerns over licensing procedures, arguing that lax standards in issuing driving licenses contribute to unsafe road conditions. He further pointed to the importation of vehicles that fail to meet essential safety requirements and to weak oversight of vehicle safety specifications.

These issues suggest that road safety cannot be improved simply by increasing fines or installing additional cameras. Rather, experts indicate that “Iraq requires a comprehensive review of its transportation and traffic management systems.”

Technology Delivers Limited Results

Despite the continuing fatalities, traffic authorities maintain that recent technological measures have produced measurable improvements.

Haider Shaker, head of the Media Division at the General Traffic Directorate, said accident rates have declined noticeably due to the use of modern technologies, stressing that accident trends ultimately depend on the extent to which citizens comply with traffic laws and regulations.

Authorities continue to expand the use of technological tools with the goal of reducing accidents to the lowest possible level. However, most advanced monitoring systems remain concentrated in Baghdad and provincial urban centers.

Large sections of Iraq’s external highways still lack continuous electronic surveillance, limiting the deterrent effect of enforcement measures on roads that frequently record the highest number of fatal crashes.

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

This disparity helps explain why accident reductions in some monitored corridors have not translated into a broader nationwide decline in deadly incidents.

The Root Causes

For lawmakers, the scale of recent losses underscores the need for a deeper reassessment of Iraq’s traffic management policies. Ali Sheikh Khalis al-Barzanji, a member of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, Communications, and Governance, told Shafaq News that “the first step toward solving the problem is accurately identifying its causes.”

Al-Barzanji said the committee is examining accidents from multiple angles, including road engineering standards, speeding, traffic organization, and the effectiveness of traffic signals and control systems.

“Reaching an accurate diagnosis of the problem will enable the legislative authority to exercise its oversight role”, he stressed, adding that it will also direct the government toward addressing “the real weaknesses behind the repeated accidents.”

Written and edited by Shafaq News staff.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

Iraq remained outside the world's top 100 startup ecosystems in the 2026 Global Startup Ecosystem Index published by StartupBlink, despite being identified as an emerging market with growth potential.

The report showed that Baghdad and Erbil ranked among the world's top 1,000 cities for startups, reflecting growing entrepreneurial activity in both cities despite challenges facing Iraq's business and innovation environment.

StartupBlink noted that the Middle East and North Africa recorded strong growth in startup activity during 2026, while Iraq was highlighted as one of the region's emerging markets with potential to further develop its innovation ecosystem.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Hundreds of newly built mosques in Abu Ghraib and areas surrounding Baghdad are being used to promote the Madkhali movement and spread extremist ideas, Hussein Moanis, leader of the Shiite Huqooq (Rights) bloc, the political wing of Kataib Hezbollah, said on Saturday.

He called for urgent security and intelligence measures to investigate the sources of funding and support behind the project, warning that its continued expansion could pose broader societal risks.

pic.twitter.com/idSbaTC9Gu

— حسين مؤنس (@HussainMouanes) June 12, 2026

The Madkhali Salafi movement has drawn increased public and political attention in Iraq in recent years, particularly following the death of cleric Abdul Sattar Al-Qaraghouli, imam of Karim Al-Nasser Mosque in southern Baghdad, amid accusations linking the movement to the incident and concerns over its growing presence in mosques.

Read more: Salafi’s Madkhali Movement in Iraq: Stability or division?

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi has received authorization from the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), the country's largest parliamentary bloc, to advance efforts to fill the remaining vacant cabinet posts.

CF member Amer al-Fayez told Shafaq News on Saturday that al-Zaidi is working with political parties participating in the government to identify candidates for the unfilled ministries. Once consensus is reached, the nominees will be submitted to the Framework for approval.

Al-Fayez noted that parliament is currently in legislative recess, meaning completion of the cabinet lineup would require an extraordinary session convened by Speaker Haibet al-Halbousi. Otherwise, lawmakers are expected to take up the matter after the recess ends in early July.

Parliament approved al-Zaidi's government and ministerial program on May 14, granting confidence to 14 ministers, while voting on the remaining nine cabinet posts was postponed amid disputes over their allocation.

Read more: Al-Zaidi named Iraq's prime minister: Easy nomination, harder road ahead

Shafaq News- Foxborough

The stage is set for Iraq’s first World Cup match in 40 years after FIFA on Saturday appointed Gabonese referee Pierre Atcho to officiate the Lions of Mesopotamia’s Group I opener against Norway.

FIFA also named Gabonese officials Boris Ditsoga and Amos Abeigne Ndong serving as assistant referees. Egyptian referee Amin Mohamed was appointed as the fourth official.

The match officials for @FIFAWorldCup matches 17, 18, 19 and 20 have been appointed. 🤝

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 13, 2026

The match will be played at Boston Stadium, FIFA's tournament name for Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, at 1:00 AM Baghdad time on Wednesday. The venue has a capacity of about 65, 000 and will host seven tournament matches, including a quarterfinal.

The referee appointment adds one of the final official details before Iraq return to football’s biggest stage, where Graham Arnold’s side will seek the country’s first World Cup point. Their 2026 return came after a long qualifying campaign and a playoff victory over Bolivia, sealing the final place in the expanded 48-team tournament.

The expanded format gives Iraq more than one route to the knockout stage, with the top two sides from each group advancing along with the eight best third-placed teams.

Norway also arrive after a long absence, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1998. Their comeback is led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, giving Iraq an immediate test against two of Europe’s most recognizable players.

Shafaq News- Tehran

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday that a memorandum of understanding with the United States would not be signed tomorrow, while leaving open the possibility of an agreement in the coming days.

The ministry’s spokesman, Esmaeil Baqaei, told reporters that the exact timing of the signing had not yet been determined and urged caution in assessing the negotiations due to “fluctuating positions” from the other side.

Baqaei added that the Islamabad Memorandum currently focuses on ending the war and that Iran's nuclear file is not being addressed at this stage.

Earlier today, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Islamabad was preparing for the signing of a US-Iran peace agreement within 24 hours. Officials in Washington and Tehran have recently signaled progress in the talks, although both sides have offered differing accounts of the memorandum's content and timeline.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

The future of Iraq's armed factions will largely depend on the outcome of any potential agreement between Iran and the United States, Iraqi lawmaker Mukhtar al-Moussawi remarked on Saturday, as Baghdad intensifies efforts to bring weapons under state control.

Speaking to Shafaq News, al-Moussawi, a member of parliament's Foreign Relations Committee from the Shiite Badr bloc, led by Hadi Al-Amiri, indicated that Iraq does not have full control over the matter, pointing to divisions within the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) —a predominantly Shiite umbrella force incorporated into the Iraqi state in 2016.

"Some are prepared to hand over weapons or sever organizational ties, while others remain firmly opposed," he explained, describing the current developments as temporary political arrangements.

The issue, he added, could reemerge in a different form once the trajectory of US-Iran relations becomes clearer. "If an agreement is reached and signed between both countries, the approach to Iraq's weapons file will change entirely.”

Earlier this month, Baghdad outlined the first practical steps toward integrating armed factions into the state's security framework, beginning with the transfer of facilities and weapons belonging to Saraya al-Salam of Iraq's Patriotic Shiite Movement (PSM).

The move is part of a broader government effort to place weapons under state authority, backed by the ruling Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), which recently endorsed Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi's plans to restructure relations between armed groups and the state.

Iran-backed armed groups Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Kataib Imam Ali have previously introduced measures aimed at reorganizing their forces and aligning them with the government's weapons-control initiative. Kataib Hezbollah and Ashab al-Kahf, however, have rejected calls for disengagement.

Read more: How the US pushed Iraq's armed factions toward disarmament, and who is still pushing back

Shafaq News- Kansas City

England’s World Cup preparations suffered a setback after training equipment was stolen while being transported to the team’s base in Kansas City, days before their Group L opener against Croatia.

Kansas City Police said they were investigating a possible theft from a team vehicle that arrived with items missing after equipment was transported from England’s pre-tournament camp in Florida to Swope Soccer Village in Missouri. Two “persons of interest” were taken into custody.

The incident occurred before Thomas Tuchel’s squad arrived at their World Cup training base, where England are set to prepare for matches against Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.

The Guardian reported that boots, official tournament balls, and training equipment were among the missing items, while The Times said England’s essential custom-made boots and elite performance gear were not taken, and missing items mainly included spare footwear and training balls, with some later recovered.

England’s players, including captain Harry Kane, were reportedly reassured that their personalized equipment remained safe ahead of the squad’s first training session in Kansas City.

England open their World Cup campaign against Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17 before facing Ghana and Panama. Tuchel’s squad arrived in North America carrying high expectations, with Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Declan Rice, and Cole Palmer among the players expected to lead England’s bid for a first major men's title since 1966.

The England camp had already completed a warm-weather preparation period in Florida before moving to Kansas City, where the team’s training base was selected as part of a wider plan to manage travel, recovery, and match preparation during the expanded 48-team tournament.

Separately, a decomposed body was found inside the trunk of a car parked near Estadio Caliente, where Iran’s national team have been training in Tijuana. Mexican authorities have not linked the case to Iran’s squad.

Shafaq News- Halabja

Civil Defense teams in Halabja province entered their fifth consecutive day Saturday searching for the body of an 11-year-old girl who fell into the Zalm waterfall at the Ahmad Awa resort in Halabja of Iraqi Kurdistan.

Shafaq News correspondent reported that rescue teams deployed all available equipment to search the waterfall and surrounding waterways. Sweeping and combing operations are continuing across the area under the monitoring of the relevant authorities and residents.

The child was from one of Iraq's central provinces.

Ahmad Awa is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in Halabja province, drawing thousands of visitors annually from across Iraq, particularly during the summer season.

Read more: Halabja- Where land, memory, and resilience intertwine

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollar closed Saturday’s trading mixed in Iraq, hovering around 155,000 dinars per 100 dollars.

According to Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 154,750 dinars per 100 dollars, unchanged from the morning session.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shops sold the dollar at 155,250 dinars and bought it at 154,250 dinars, while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 154,600 dinars and buying prices at 154,500 dinars.

Shafaq News- Islamabad

The prospective US–Iran peace agreement will be electronically signed within the next 24 hours, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif noted on Saturday, asserting that the accord is “closer than ever.”

Sharif indicated that Washington and Tehran have agreed on a framework that would end the three-month conflict in the Middle East, adding that technical-level discussions are expected to follow next week after the electronic signing.

We are closer to a peace deal than ever before. With finalisation likely expected in the next 24 hours, Pakistan is preparing for the electronic signing of the peace deal immediately after, followed by technical level talks next week. We would like to thank United States of…

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 13, 2026

The remarks came hours after Sharif disclosed that the United States and Iran had reached a final text for a peace agreement, describing its implementation as closer than at any point since negotiations began.

Despite these signals of progress, differing accounts continue to emerge over the substance of the arrangement and the extent of completion. A senior US administration official previously told Shafaq News that the understanding would require Iran to remove its existing stockpile of nuclear material and dismantle infrastructure linked to its nuclear program.

Neither Washington nor Tehran has publicly released the text of the proposed accord.

Shafaq News- Beirut

Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling hit four districts in southern Lebanon on Saturday, leaving at least four people dead, while Hezbollah responded with drones and rockets, citing Israeli "ceasefire violations" and attacks on civilians in the south.

Local media said an airstrike on the town of Maarakeh in Tyre district claimed one life, while another person was killed in Kfarreman in Nabatieh district. A separate strike killed the mayor of al-Rayhan in Jezzine district, while a drone attack in the same town wounded an employee of Lebanon's electricity company as he watered crops near his home. The escalation also included demolitions in Khiam and the destruction of homes and government buildings in the border city of Bint Jbeil.

A Lebanese soldier was seriously wounded in an Israeli drone strike on the Kfarreman-Nabatieh road, the army said, after the aircraft had earlier targeted him near Al-Najda Hospital in Nabatieh without causing injuries.

استهدفت مسيّرة إسرائيلية معادية عسكريًّا في الجيش أثناء انتقاله قرب مستشفى النجدة - النبطية دون إصابته، ثم استهدفته مجددًا على طريق كفررمان - النبطية، ما أدى إلى إصابته بجروح بليغة.#الجيش_اللبناني #LebaneseArmy pic.twitter.com/rjt6iIgqyZ

— الجيش اللبناني (@LebarmyOfficial) June 13, 2026

The Lebanese Health Ministry put the cumulative toll from the Israeli war since March 2 at over 3,711 dead and 11,483 wounded, including women, children, and more than 23 Lebanese army personnel.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army warned residents of dozens of towns across southern Lebanon to move north of the Zahrani River*. It alleged that Hezbollah activity in the area had necessitated military action and cautioned civilians against remaining near the group's personnel, facilities, or equipment.

#عاجل ‼️انذار عاجل الى سكان لبنان المتواجدين في البلدات والقرى التالية: غسانية, الزرارية, مزرعة كوثرية الرز, صير الغربية🔸في ضوء قيام حزب الله الارهابي بخرق اتفاق وقف اطلاق النار يضطر جيش الدفاع للعمل ضده بقوة. جيش الدفاع لا ينوي المساس بكم.🔸حرصًا على سلامتكم عليكم إخلاء… pic.twitter.com/p9QhUrIFvq

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) June 13, 2026

#عاجل ‼️انذار عاجل الى سكان لبنان المتواجدين في البلدات والقرى التالية: دير الزهراني, النميرية, الشرقية, الدوير, حاروف, حبوش, کفر جوز, زبدين (النبطية), النبطية التحتا, النبطية الفوقا, کفر رمان, المحمودية, سجد (جزين), ریحان, عرمتى, كفرحونة, مليخ, اللويزة (جزين), جرجوع, عربصاليم… pic.twitter.com/JKFVsyZRGp

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) June 13, 2026

In a series of statements, Hezbollah claimed strikes on Israeli military vehicles, equipment, and troop concentrations in Qantara, Zawtar al-Sharqiya, Majdal Zoun, and other areas using explosive drones and rockets. The group had carried out more than 15 attacks on Israeli positions and military assets a day earlier.

Israeli authorities, in turn, reported two border incidents involving "hostile aircraft." One aerial target reportedly fell near Margaliot, while another that crossed from Lebanon was intercepted near Metula. No injuries were recorded.

בהמשך להתרעות שהופעלו לפני זמן קצר על חדירת כלי טיס עוין במרגליות, זוהתה נפילה של מטרה אווירית חשודה במרחב בו פועלים כוחות צה"ל בדרום לבנון. אין נפגעים.התרעות הופעלו על פי מדיניות

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 13, 2026

בהמשך להתרעות שהופעלו לפני זמן קצר על חדירת כלי טיס עוין במטולה ובמשגב עם, חיל האוויר יירט מטרה אווירית חשודה שחצתה משטח לבנון לשטח הארץ. התרעות על ירי רקטות וטילים הופעלו בעקבות ניסיונות היירוט

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) June 13, 2026

Israeli figures show that 30 officers and soldiers have died and 1,302 others have been wounded since fighting resumed in early March.

*The Zahrani River is a waterway in southern Lebanon that flows into the Mediterranean near Saida, roughly 40 kilometers south of Beirut and 15 kilometers north of the Litani River. It carried no military significance before 2026, when Israeli forces designated it as an evacuation boundary, ordering all civilians south of the line to leave —a threshold that extends beyond the limit set by UN Security Council Resolution 1701.