Shafaq News- Babil

A severe water shortage has dried up most of the Al-Jarbouiya canal, a key Euphrates tributary in southern Babil, cutting water supply to more than 12 villages in Al-Qasim district.

Footage captured by Shafaq News on Tuesday shows the canal reduced to cracked earth, with children grazing livestock along its dry bed. Residents told our agency that poor water distribution and encroachment on water shares by influential actors have significantly reduced flow into the canal.

“We urgently call on the authorities and all concerned parties to intervene,” said Nasser Ghafel, a local, adding that the shutdown of the local water treatment plant has intensified the drinking water crisis and forced families to leave their homes and farmland as conditions deteriorate.

Water flows into Iraq from the Tigris and Euphrates have declined sharply in recent years. Official data shows that river inflows have dropped by around 70% in some areas, pushing authorities to rely on emergency reserves and scale back agricultural activity.

In Babil, sections of the Euphrates shrunk to narrow streams, farmland deteriorated, and families abandoned villages as water supplies continued to decline. 95% of unauthorized fish farms in the province have been dismantled to divert water toward drinking and farming needs.

Shafaq News- Islamabad

Pakistan called on the United States and Iran, on Tuesday, to consider extending their ceasefire, as the two-week truce is set to expire on Wednesday.

According to a statement from the Pakistani Foreign Ministry, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar discussed “recent regional developments” with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker in Islamabad. He stressed consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy “as the only viable means to address challenges and achieve lasting regional peace and stability,” highlighting “the need for engagement between the United States and Iran.”

For her part, Baker conveyed Washington’s “appreciation for Pakistan’s constructive and positive role in promoting regional peace and facilitating dialogue.”

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker called on Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar @MIshaqDar50 today. Discussions covered recent regional developments.DPM/FM underscored Pakistan’s consistent emphasis on dialogue and diplomacy as the only… pic.twitter.com/1Roqj3R1gE

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) April 21, 2026

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Information Minister said his country is making intensive efforts to persuade Iran’s leadership to participate in a second round of talks, stressing that Iran’s decision to take part before the ceasefire expires is “highly important.”

The US President Donald Trump said he thinks the US is “going to end up with a great deal” with Iran, adding that he does not expect to extend the ceasefire.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, who also heads the Reconstruction and Development (Al Ima’ar wal Tanmiya) Coalition, discussed with State of Law Coalition leader Nouri al-Maliki mechanisms to break the deadlock over selecting a new prime minister, a source told Shafaq News on Tuesday.

The talks examined two options within the Shiite Coordination Framework (CF), the largest bloc in parliament with about 162 of 329 seats. One proposal involves an internal vote requiring the nominee to secure an absolute majority of members, while another approach links selection to the parliamentary weight of factions backing each contender.

Under the second option, the source said, the outcome would depend on the combined strength of allied blocs supporting either al-Maliki, whose bloc holds 29 seats, or al-Sudani, whose coalition holds 46, with the candidate needing to surpass a two-thirds threshold, equivalent to roughly 10 votes, within the Framework’s leadership structure.

Read more: Iraq’s premiership battle has already begun

If divisions persist, discussions may shift toward a compromise figure with political and administrative experience capable of addressing security, economic, and governance challenges while maintaining international acceptance, the source noted, adding that both leaders align on these approaches, which are expected to be presented at the next CF meeting.

The Framework again failed on Monday to agree on a nominee, with Bassem al-Badri emerging as a leading compromise candidate, amid disagreements over cabinet portfolios and independent bodies, including the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a source told Shafaq News.

Under Iraq’s post-2003 power-sharing system, the presidency is held by a Kurd, the premiership by a Shiite, and the speakership by a Sunni Arab. Parliament elected Nizar Amedi as president on April 11, initiating the process to nominate a prime minister. The CF has 15 days to present its candidate, after which the nominee has 30 days to form a government and secure parliamentary confidence under Article 76 of the constitution.

Read more: Government Formation: The Constitution that cannot enforce deadlines

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Al-Anbar

There is no evidence of severe pollution in the Tigris River or drinking water sourced from the Euphrates in Al-Anbar, Iraqi authorities affirmed on Tuesday, rejecting reports circulating online.

In a statement, Environmental Protection and Improvement Directorate Director-General Sinan Jaafar explained that claims of “serious contamination” in the Tigris are not based on official technical reports, adding that continuous laboratory testing in Baghdad and Diyala has not detected pollution at the levels being reported.

In Al-Anbar, Water Directorate head Mahmoud Salem told Shafaq News that water projects undergo continuous treatment and testing, including chlorination, with no significant issues recorded.

Both officials urged the public to rely on official sources and avoid unverified information.

Still, Iraq’s river systems face long-standing environmental pressure. According to the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, pollution levels in parts of the country’s rivers exceed safe limits by up to 70–80%, driven largely by untreated wastewater and industrial discharge.

Read more: The cost of filth: Iraq among the world’s most polluted nations 

Shafaq News- Baghdad

The Iraqi Center for Documenting Crimes of Extremism has compiled thousands of Baath-era records detailing the systematic persecution of Feyli Kurds, its head Abbas al-Quraishi revealed on Tuesday.

Speaking to Shafaq News, al-Quraishi said that the initiative covers violations across the country —from Zakho in the north to al-Faw in the south— including crimes against Feyli Kurds, the Yazidi community, and mass killings such as the Camp Speicher massacre*. The project also documents abuses linked to ISIS and the former Baath regime, with a particular focus on Kurdish populations.

“The center aims to transform Iraq’s suffering into a verified legal and historical record, preserving evidence of violations against the Iraqi population,” he clarified and described Feyli Kurds as victims of one of the most systematic campaigns under the Baath regime, citing mass arrests, executions, forced displacement, revocation of citizenship, and property confiscation. Around 100,000 young Feyli Kurds, he estimated, were affected, with some reportedly used in minefields during the Iran-Iraq war, while thousands of families were deported to Iran after losing identity documents and assets.

Read more: Feyli Kurds: A “blood-stained” wound still awaiting justice after 46 years

According to al-Quraishi, the center has gathered materials from Baath Party and intelligence archives, transitional justice bodies, the Martyrs Foundation, and the Accountability and Justice Commission, alongside testimonies from survivors and victims’ families. Field teams have also surveyed mass grave sites across several provinces, uncovering evidence he characterized as deeply disturbing, including indications that some victims may have been buried alive.

The center operates a documentation museum displaying photographs, records, and personal belongings linked to victims, aimed at educating future generations, al-Quraishi added, stressing that building a comprehensive national archive is essential to support transitional justice, compensate victims, and preserve the memory of these crimes.

Read more: Stateless at Home — The forgotten fate of Iraq’s Feyli Kurds

* The massacre took place in June 2014, when ISIS executed around 2,000 military cadets and security personnel at Speicher Air Base in Saladin province after seizing control of the area. The extremist group released footage showing its fighters rounding up and shooting the captives at close range.

Shafaq News- Washington

The US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he thinks the US is “going to end up with a great deal” with Iran, adding that he does not expect to extend the ceasefire, which expires on Wednesday.

In an interview with CNBC, Trump affirmed readiness to go on resuming strikes if prospects for a signed deal failed to materialize, noting that the Iranian-flagged cargo ship TOUSKA, seized Sunday by US forces after refusing to comply with blockade directions, was carrying a "gift from China."

He revealed that Washington used the ceasefire period with Iran to replenish its weapons stockpiles, claiming Tehran had likely done the same and was attempting to move missiles.

Regarding a possible currency arrangement with the United Arab Emirates, Trump said a swap is "under consideration," calling the Gulf state "a good country."

Earlier, Trump accused Iran of breaching the two-week ceasefire "numerous times." US Vice President JD Vance, alongside envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, is expected to travel to Islamabad for a new round of talks. Iran has not officially confirmed its participation, having demanded the lifting of the US naval blockade as a precondition.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

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

According to a Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 154,700 dinars per 100 dollars, up from the morning session’s 154,100 dinars.

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 154,700 dinars and buying prices at 154,550 dinars.

Shafaq News- Al-Sulaymaniyah

Kurdistan Socialist Democratic Party (KSDP) Secretary-General Mohammed Haji Mahmoud on Tuesday called on Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani to resolve the case of Lahur Sheikh Jangi, describing it as a “family-related issue” requiring a solution.

In a statement, Haji Mahmoud, known as Kaka Hama, clarified that the issue had been raised in a previous meeting with Talabani and his delegation, stressing the need for practical steps while preserving the party’s political standing.

Referring to recent remarks by Sheikh Jangi’s sister regarding his ongoing hunger strike, he urged Sheikh Jangi, leader of the Kurdistan People’s Front Party (PFP), to prioritize his health while pursuing a calm resolution.

Sheikh Jangi and his brother Polad began a hunger strike on Sunday, calling for enforcement of the rule of law. They indicated they have been detained for eight months and accused authorities of preventing the case from reaching the Court of Cassation.

The issue stems from clashes late on August 31, 2025, in central Al-Sulaymaniyah between security forces and guards assigned to Sheikh Jangi following the issuance of an arrest warrant. The confrontation ended with the arrest of Sheikh Jangi and his brothers, Polad and Aso, after security forces stormed their residence at the Lalezar Hotel in the Sarjnar neighborhood.

Read more: Arresting Lahur Jangi in Al-Sulaymaniyah: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

Shafaq News- Washington/ Tehran

US forces on Tuesday boarded the sanctioned oil tanker M/T Tifani in the Indo-Pacific, as part of Washington’s expanding maritime sanctions enforcement targeting Iran’s oil exports, the US Department of Defense said on Monday.

The department claimed that the operation involved a “right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding” of the stateless tanker without incident.

Overnight, U.S. forces conducted a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding of the stateless sanctioned M/T Tifani without incident in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.⁰⁰As we have made clear, we will pursue global maritime enforcement efforts to disrupt illicit… pic.twitter.com/EGwDe3dBI3

— Department of War 🇺🇸 (@DeptofWar) April 21, 2026

Tifani has been sanctioned for transporting Iranian oil and is part of a network of so-called “shadow fleet” vessels used to evade restrictions through practices such as flag changes and covert ship-to-ship transfers, including activity reported near Singapore. Shipping data last placed the tanker in the Indian Ocean between Sri Lanka and Malaysia.

Since Washington imposed a naval blockade on Iran on April 13, US forces have “intercepted” more than 20 vessels suspected of violating sanctions, according to US statements, including the seizure of the container ship Touska near the Gulf of Oman.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s Shiite Coordination Framework (CF) should adopt a secret ballot among its parliamentary members to select the next prime minister and break the political deadlock, an Iraqi lawmaker proposed on Tuesday.

MP Qusay Mahbouba of the Reconstruction and Development (Al Ima’ar wal Tanmiya) Coalition, led by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, argued that the bloc —the largest in parliament with about 162 of 329 seats— has reached a “dead end” due to the absence of a clear decision-making mechanism and a unified vision.

#العراق_أولاً #الاعمار_و_التنمية #امارجي #الأمة_العراقية pic.twitter.com/jw6aH4UryB

— حزب امارجي الليبرالي (@amarjiparty) April 21, 2026

A secret vote on the nominee, he suggested, could help resolve internal divisions and restore the role of lawmakers, “ensuring a binding outcome that reflects parliamentary will rather than leadership-level agreements.”

Read more: Iraq’s premiership battle has already begun

The Framework again failed on Monday to agree on a candidate, with Bassem Al-Badri emerging as a leading compromise contender, amid disagreements over cabinet portfolios and independent bodies, including the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a source told Shafaq News.

Under Iraq’s post-2003 power-sharing system, the presidency is held by a Kurd, the premiership by a Shiite, and the speakership by a Sunni Arab. Parliament elected Nizar Amedi as president on April 11, initiating the process to nominate a prime minister. The CF has 15 days to present its candidate, after which the nominee has 30 days to form a government and secure parliamentary confidence under Article 76 of the constitution.

Read more: Government Formation: The Constitution that cannot enforce deadlines

Shafaq News- Ankara/ Baghdad

Turkiye on Tuesday welcomed the appointment of a Turkmen governor in Iraq’s Kirkuk as a “historic” step toward inclusivity and power-sharing in one of the country’s most contested provinces.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the election of Mohammed Samaan, Chairman of the Iraqi Turkmen Front, as governor reflects “fair representation and consolidation of social peace” in Kirkuk’s multi-ethnic society. The development, the ministry added, represents a “long-overdue acknowledgement” of the Turkmen community’s role in Iraq and supports a rotational system of governance among the province’s main components.

Samaan officially assumed office after receiving his certificate of appointment from the President of Iraq, following his election by the Kirkuk Provincial Council on April 16. He then sought to reassure residents over concerns surrounding the power-rotation mechanism, saying his administration would serve all communities without discrimination.

Kirkuk remains a disputed territory between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, with its status unresolved under Iraq’s constitution, and its governance is based on a rotational power-sharing system among Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen, aimed at balancing representation in the oil-rich and ethnically mixed province.

Samaan is the first Turkmen to assume the governorship since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, under an arrangement intended to break years of political deadlock. However, the transition remains contested, with some Kurdish parties criticizing the process and questioning the political agreements that led to the handover.

Read more: Kirkuk installs its first Turkmen Governor in two decades, but not everyone accepts it

Shafaq News-Kirkuk

Kirkuk's newly appointed governor, Mohammed Samaan, reassured residents over concerns about the power-rotation mechanism among its main components, expressing confidence that the arrangement would succeed.

"The people of Kirkuk may feel anxious about this new experience, but we affirm that we will work to serve everyone without discrimination," Samaan told reporters. "This experience will proceed successfully, whether it receives support or faces attempts at obstruction."

On service projects and infrastructure rehabilitation approved under his predecessor, Rebwar Taha, Samaan stressed his commitment to seeing them through. "We complement one another, and these projects will cover all areas without exception."

Samaan is the first Turkmen to govern Kirkuk since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, taking office under a power-rotation framework that distributes the governorship among the province's main communities —Kurds, Arabs, and Turkmen. Kirkuk remains one of Iraq's most contested territories, constitutionally designated a disputed zone between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region.

Read more: Kirkuk installs its first Turkmen Governor in two decades, but not everyone accepts it

Shafaq News- Tehran

The oil tanker Sili City had entered Iranian territorial waters after crossing the Arabian Sea under operational support from the Iranian navy, despite repeated warnings and threats from US naval forces along the route.

The Iranian army said the tanker "continued its course in complete security" before docking at one of Iran's southern ports under the navy’s protection.

NBC News, citing Marine Traffic data, reported that in the past 24 hours, only 12 vessels had transited the Strait of Hormuz —the world's most critical oil chokepoint, through which roughly a fifth of global petroleum supplies pass daily. The US Central Command revealed Monday that 27 commercial vessels were directed to turn around or return to an Iranian port since the US naval blockade of Iranian ports began on April 13.

The EU's transport commissioner warned that without restored freedom of navigation through Hormuz, the consequences “would be catastrophic” for Europe and the world, while noting that Europe holds emergency reserves of aviation fuel that can only be drawn upon when strictly necessary.

Iran's Deputy Parliament Speaker pushed back against any notion of concession, saying Iran does not yield and that its management of the Strait of Hormuz is a point of national strength.

Meanwhile, details remain unclear over whether a new round of US-Iran negotiations will convene in Islamabad. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tuesday that no Iranian delegation had yet departed for talks with the United States in Pakistan.

Shafaq News

In today’s Iraq, having a child is no longer a matter of tradition or personal desire alone; it has become a calculation shaped by survival. Families once proud of their size now face an unforgiving reality: rising rents, unstable jobs, and the relentless cost of living have turned marriage and childbirth into high-risk decisions. What was once guided by custom is now weighed against uncertainty, forcing Iraqis to reconsider what family life means.

According to the 2024 national census, Iraq’s population stands at about 46.1 million, with a median age of 20.8 years, one of the youngest in the region. Yet behind the headline number, a quieter shift is underway: the Iraqi family size is shrinking.

The change shows up in the fertility numbers. Iraq’s fertility rate has fallen to roughly 3.3 children per woman, down from historical levels that exceeded seven. While still high by global standards, the decline reflects a broader transformation in how Iraqi families plan their futures, especially in urban areas where housing, healthcare, and education are more expensive and where the informal economy leaves incomes uncertain.

A Noticeable Slowdown

Official figures and expert assessments increasingly treat the trend as structural rather than anecdotal. Earlier, the Ministry of Planning spokesman Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi described a clear drop in the annual population growth rate: it stood at over 3% in 2012, but has since eased to about 2.5%.

Speaking to our agency, Al-Hindawi linked the decline to rising education levels and economic pressure, particularly among women. He argued that education reshapes family size by increasing awareness of family planning and tying childbirth decisions more closely to income stability and living conditions.

As more women pursue higher education and seek employment, childbirth is no longer assumed to follow marriage automatically. Couples, especially in urban areas, now space pregnancies and invest more heavily in healthcare, education, and housing for fewer children. The shift reflects not only changing values but also a narrowing room for economic error.

The 2024 census also reinforced the scale of urbanization: about 70.17% of Iraq’s population lives in urban areas, compared with 29.83% in rural settings. Urban life compresses budgets into fixed monthly costs that leave little space for large families to absorb shocks, particularly when incomes are irregular.

Read more: Population explosion risks loom in Iraq with more than a million births annually

Price of Life

Economists argued that Iraq’s fertility decline cannot be separated from its economic struggles. Economic expert Ahmad Abdul Rabbo pointed out how population trends increasingly mirror financial pressure across households: housing, education, and healthcare costs have risen steadily, turning each additional child into a long-term economic commitment many families feel unable to bear.

A key driver is the labor market, not only whether jobs exist, but whether those jobs offer stability. Available indicators from the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs showed that Iraq’s overall unemployment is around 15.5% in 2024, reflecting persistent pressure even after years of oil-driven public spending cycles.

The strain is sharper among the young, the very cohort that typically drives marriage and childbirth. Youth unemployment (ages 15–24) has recently approached 32%, a level that delays family formation and extends financial dependence. When earnings are uncertain, couples postpone marriage and childbirth, structuring family life around economic survival.

Quality over Quota

For many Iraqi families, fertility decisions now reflect a steady reckoning with vulnerability. Income poverty adds a decisive layer to this calculation. A World Bank poverty brief placed Iraq’s national poverty rate at 17.5% in 2024 —a modest decline from earlier estimates, but still a reflection of millions of households living close to the edge.

Even where indicators show incremental improvement, the lived reality remains fragile. In that environment, family size becomes one of the few levers couples feel they can still control.

Speaking to Shafaq News, Enas Saleh remembered that she and her husband once planned to have a second child soon after their first. Rising expenses quickly forced a rethink. “A child now needs a salary of their own,” she explained, pointing to the physical exhaustion and emotional strain of balancing childcare with work.

Hassan Khaled, a father of two, challenges an older belief that “a newborn brings their own sustenance.” Family life today, he argued, requires planning rather than reliance on fate.

These personal calculations reflect a deeper transformation in the meaning of parenthood itself. Manahil Al-Saleh, a psychology researcher, observed that parents today shoulder far heavier emotional and educational responsibilities than previous generations. Children grow up surrounded by screens, rapid social change, and rising expectations —conditions that demand constant attention, supervision, and guidance.

Parenting now demands far more than previous generations could imagine, in money, time, and emotional labor. When economic pressure limits parents’ ability to provide that care, the consequences extend beyond individual households, risking generations less equipped to navigate social and economic stress.

This strain is further shaped by Iraq’s unequal labor landscape. Female labor force participation stands at around 10.6%, compared with about 68% for men, according to an International Labour Organization (ILO) report based on Iraq’s labor force survey. Low participation constrains household income potential at a moment of rising costs, while social and structural barriers often place the bulk of caregiving on women.

Families thus face a persistent trade-off: when women work, childcare becomes difficult without reliable support; when women do not, households are more exposed to income shocks. Within this squeeze, many parents increasingly opt for “quality over quantity,” directing limited resources toward fewer children in hopes of securing better education, healthcare, housing, and emotional stability.

Fertility decline, in this sense, is less a rejection of family than an expression of care —a cautious attempt to shield children from a future that feels increasingly uncertain.

Read more: Census shock: Can Iraq’s system absorb its population explosion?

Policy without Protection

Vulnerabilities do not look the same everywhere, and geography continues to shape how Iraqi families experience economic pressure and how they respond to it.

Previous Shafaq News coverage of demographic trends showed that southern provinces such as Karbala, Najaf, and Dhi Qar tend to record slightly higher fertility patterns than other parts of the country. These variations reflected familiar dynamics: local job markets, differing costs of living, and uneven access to public services influence household choices in different ways.

Yet across the world, one constant persists. In many countries facing fertility decline, including Japan, South Korea, and Italy, governments attempt to cushion families through childcare subsidies, housing assistance, and maternity or parental benefits. In Iraq, however, comparable support remains limited, fragmented, or difficult to access. Family formation, therefore, continues to operate largely as a private economic calculation rather than a shared social project.

The state may speak in broad terms about population planning, but households confront the cost of raising children long before encountering any tangible state response. This gap helps explain the depth of today’s parental anxiety: the pressure families feel is not only personal; it is systemic.

Future Unbound

Iraq’s slowing population growth does not, by itself, amount to a crisis. It is better understood as a signal, one that points to economic pressures quietly reshaping how Iraqis approach marriage, childbirth, and family life.

Over time, these shifts are likely to leave lasting marks on the country’s social fabric. Later marriage and delayed childbirth may gradually become the norm, particularly in urban areas where housing shortages, high rents, and unstable incomes make early family formation increasingly difficult.

Smaller families could alter traditional systems of intergenerational support. In a country where extended families have long served as informal safety nets, fewer children mean fewer hands to share care for the elderly, absorb financial shocks, or support relatives during periods of hardship.

At the same time, expectations surrounding children continue to rise. Parents increasingly measure success not simply by having children, but by whether they can secure quality education, stable employment, and real prospects for upward mobility. When the labor market fails to absorb growing numbers of young people, those expectations risk turning into frustration, for both parents and youth.

Read more: Love under strain: Iraq’s young struggle to tie the knot

For the state, the latest census provides more than a statistical snapshot. It offers a rare opportunity to plan, but also poses a direct test: can Iraq translate demographic clarity into policies that reduce household risk? Without reforms that expand job creation, ease access to housing, strengthen social protection, and lower the hidden costs of raising children, current trends are likely to deepen.

More Iraqis will delay marriage, limit family size, and structure their lives around economic survival rather than inherited tradition. In today’s Iraq, family life is no longer shaped primarily by custom —it is being slowly, and decisively, rewritten by the economy.

Written and edited by Shafaq News staff.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

On Tuesday, gold prices hovered around 1.05 million IQD per mithqal in Baghdad and Erbil markets, according to a survey by Shafaq News Agency.

Gold prices on Baghdad's Al-Nahr Street recorded a selling price of 1.047 million IQD per mithqal (equivalent to five grams) for 21-carat gold, including Gulf, Turkish, and European varieties, with a buying price of 1.043 million IQD.

The selling price for 21-carat Iraqi gold stood at 1.017 IQD, while the buying price reached 1.013 IQD.

In jewelry stores, the selling price per mithqal of 21-carat Gulf gold ranged between 1.050 million and 1.060 million IQD, while Iraqi gold sold for between 1.020 and 1.030 million IQD.

In Erbil, 22-carat gold was sold at 1.078 million IQD per mithqal, 21-carat gold at 1.030 million IQD, and 18-carat gold at 883,000 IQD.

Shafaq News- Middle East

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Tuesday that Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem would "pay with his head," vowing to dismantle the group, as a second round of Lebanon-Israel negotiations is set to open in Washington.

Speaking at a state memorial ceremony in Jerusalem, Katz said Israeli forces are currently deployed in Lebanon in a security zone extending up to 10 kilometers from the Lebanese border, from the Mediterranean coast to the foothills of Mount Hermon, and are working to prevent cross-border raids, anti-tank fire, and “terrorist infrastructure.” He added that the area up to the Litani River must be fully demilitarized.

"The overarching goal of the campaign in Lebanon is to disarm Hezbollah and remove the threat to northern communities, through a combination of military and diplomatic measures," Katz said, adding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had instructed the military to continue operating "with full force, on land and in the air," including during the ceasefire.

Read more: Ceasefire without sovereignty: how Lebanon's fragmented power blocks a peace with Israel

The United States prepares to host a second round of ambassador-level talks between Lebanon and Israel on April 23. Washington described the initial engagement, held on April 14, as "productive" —the first such contact between the two sides since 1993.

Lebanon has appointed a delegation led by former ambassador to the United States Simon Karam, tasked with pursuing an end to hostilities, addressing Israeli occupation, and enabling deployment of the Lebanese army along the southern border.

The negotiations are taking place under a US-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on April 17 for an initial 10-day period, with the option of extension by mutual agreement. Under its terms, Beirut is required to prevent attacks against Israel and ensure that official security forces are the sole authority responsible for security, while Israel retains the right to act in self-defense.

Despite the ceasefire, Lebanese media reported continued Israeli activity in southern Lebanon, including detonations in al-Qussair, Deir Seryan, al-Taybeh, and Shamaa, as well as a drone strike near the Litani River close to Qaquaiyet al-Jisr.

Since hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2, Israeli strikes have killed 2,294 people and injured 7,544 others, including 177 children and 274 women among the dead, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.

Shafaq News- Baghdad/ Erbil

The US dollar opened Tuesday’s trading higher in Iraq, hovering around 154,000 dinars per 100 dollars.

According to Shafaq News market survey, the dollar traded in Baghdad's Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya exchanges at 154,100 dinars per 100 dollars, up from the previous session’s 153,100 dinars.

In the Iraqi capital, exchange shops sold the dollar at 154,500 dinars and bought it at 153,500 dinars, while in Erbil, selling prices stood at 154,050 dinars and buying prices at 153,950 dinars.

Shafaq News- Babil

Babil's police command launched an urgent investigation and formed inquiry committees following the shooting of civil activist Dhargham Majid.

The incident took place in the Al-Hussein neighborhood of Al-Hamza Al-Gharbi district, where gunmen opened fire on a grocery store, wounding both the shop owner and Majid, who was shot in his left leg. It remains unclear whether Majid was the intended target of the attack or whether he was caught in indiscriminate gunfire; however, Majid told investigators that two unidentified men entered the shop and fired directly at him before fleeing the scene. He was transferred to the hospital for treatment, where his condition has since stabilized.

Police confirmed the investigation is proceeding under judicial oversight, stressing that security forces are handling the case firmly and that all efforts are focused on uncovering the full circumstances of the attack and bringing those responsible to justice as swiftly as possible.

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraqi crude prices fell more than 2% on Tuesday, tracking a broader decline in global energy markets as expectations of renewed US-Iran peace talks weighed on oil sentiment.

Market data showed Basrah Heavy crude losing $2.96 to settle at $113.63 per barrel, while Basrah Medium fell 2.49% to $115.73 per barrel.

Prices retreated from gains recorded in the previous session after reports emerged that US-Iran negotiations could take place this week, a development that raised the prospect of additional Iranian crude entering global supply from one of the Middle East's key production zones.

Iraq prices its crude differently by destination —benchmarked against Dubai/Oman for Asia, Brent for Europe, and WTI for the United States.

Shafaq News- Babil

Civil activist Dhargham Majid survived a fresh assassination attempt in Iraq's Babil province on Tuesday, sustaining a gunshot wound to one of his feet, eyewitnesses told Shafaq News.

Majid was struck in the foot during the attack and was immediately transferred to the hospital for treatment. A video circulating on social media showed him receiving emergency care, with visible bloodstains on his left foot.

The attack is the second of its kind against Majid in roughly two years. In July 2024, he announced he had survived a failed assassination attempt, which he attributed to unnamed "influential parties."

Majid is widely known for his vocal opposition to Iraq's ruling political class. Over recent years, he has led popular protests against corruption, unemployment, and deteriorating public services across several provinces.

In 2022, security forces arrested him on a warrant issued by the relevant authorities. Then in April 2025, an appeals court in Babil ordered his release alongside several other protesters, hours after a lower court sentenced them to four months in prison for their role in anti-government demonstrations —a reversal that followed the withdrawal of a complaint by Iraqi lawmaker Dunia al-Shammari.

Amnesty International, in a 2025 submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review, flagged widespread arbitrary arrests, excessive use of force, and a lack of accountability in detention centers in Iraq. Freedom House rated the country "Not Free" in its Freedom in the World 2025 report, citing severe restrictions on free speech, assembly, and civic activity.

This was followed by a developed story.

Read more: Silenced voices: The treacherous reality for journalists in Iraq

Shafaq News- Washington/ Tehran (Updated at 9:49)

A second round of diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Iran is planned for Wednesday in Islamabad, even as both governments publicly signal hardening positions that could collapse the talks before they begin.

US Vice President JD Vance and senior American officials —including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner— are expected to depart for Pakistan to take part in the negotiations. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said there were no plans yet to attend the talks, while stopping short of ruling out participation.

Reuters, citing a Pakistani source, reported that US President Donald Trump may participate in person or virtually should an agreement be reached during the ongoing talks. The source said the atmosphere was positive and that discussions were proceeding on schedule, with signs of progress in the negotiations. Trump said Monday he is "highly unlikely" to renew the ceasefire, which is set to expire on Wednesday. Trump told Bloomberg News that the naval blockade on Iranian ports would remain in place until Tehran agrees to a deal, while projecting confidence that Iranian officials would nonetheless return to the negotiating table.

Mohammed Bagher Qalibaf, Iran's chief negotiator and speaker of the Iranian parliament, wrote early Tuesday that his government would not negotiate under the "shadow of threats," adding that the Islamic Republic had been preparing what he described as new battlefield options.

The war, which began on February 28, has killed at least 3,375 people in Iran, according to the US-based HRANA.

ترامپ با اعمال محاصره و نقض آتش‌بس می‌خواهد تا به خیال خود این میز مذاکره را به میز تسلیم تبدیل کند یا جنگ‌افروزی مجدد را موجّه سازد. مذاکره زیر سایهٔ تهدید را نمی‌پذیریم و در دو هفتهٔ اخیر برای رو کردن کارت‌های جدید در میدان نبرد آماده شده‌ایم.

— محمدباقر قالیباف | MB Ghalibaf (@mb_ghalibaf) April 20, 2026

Shafaq News- Diyala

More than 10,000 dropout and absentee students returned to classrooms this academic year, Diyala's Education Directorate revealed Monday.

Ammar al-Ubaidi, the directorate spokesperson, told Shafaq News that the returning students were distributed across primary, intermediate, and secondary schools throughout the province's various districts, pointing out that the reintegration was carried out through field campaigns involving local community leaders (mukhtars) and educational staff within residential areas, alongside direct outreach meetings with students' families. Awareness campaigns were also conducted in public spaces and through mosques.

Haytham Raed, a human rights activist, said that while the figures reflect a visible government effort, they represent only students who were successfully reached, adding that thousands more may remain outside the monitoring system.

“The dropout problem persists, and what has been achieved constitutes only a partial solution; some students' continued enrollment may be linked to improvements in their social, economic, or security conditions.”

Shafaq News

Oil prices fell on Tuesday, reversing gains in the previous session, on ‌expectations peace talks between the U.S. and Iran will take place this week and allow more supply to flow from the key Middle East producing region.

Brent crude futures declined 54 cents, or 0.6%, at $94.94 a barrel at 0300 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for May fell $1.11, or 1.2%, to $88.50. The May contract expires on Tuesday and the more-active June ​contract was down 76 cents, or 0.9%, at $86.66.

Both benchmarks surged on Monday, with Brent up 5.6% and WTI up 6.9%, after Iran again ​shut the Strait of Hormuz, closing the key oil transport artery, and the U.S. seized an Iranian cargo ship as part of its blockade of the country's ports.

Still, investors are focusing on the likelihood talks this week ​will result in the extension of the existing ceasefire or a final agreement, though the chance of further conflict and disruptions to ​oil flows remains.

"While energy markets popped higher yesterday following Iran's decision to reverse its opening of the Strait of Hormuz, they're still trading in a manner which suggests optimism over U.S.-Iran talks," said ING analysts in a note.

"But we believe markets are underpricing the ongoing supply disruption. Optimism appears ​to be clouding the reality of the supply shock."

Iran is weighing participation in peace talks in Pakistan, a senior Iranian official told ​Reuters on Monday, following Islamabad's efforts to end the U.S. blockade.

The blockade has posed a major hurdle to Tehran rejoining peace efforts, with the current two-week ceasefire set to expire this week.

"We continue to lean toward an MOU being signed and/or the ceasefire being extended this week, potentially evolving into a broader agreement," Citi analysts said in a note. "That said, we remain prepared to pivot toward a more protracted disruption scenario should negotiations falter this week."

Underscoring the uncertainty around the talks, the Iranian official stressed that no decision has been ​made to attend, as Iranian ​Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said "continued ⁠violations of the ceasefire" by the U.S. is a hindrance to further negotiations.

Separately, Iran's top negotiator and Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf reiterated that Tehran would not negotiate under threats.

Shipping activity through ​the Strait of Hormuz, a corridor for about one-fifth of the world's oil supply, remained limited on ​Monday.

If disruptions to ⁠the strait persist for another month, total losses could rise to about 1.3 billion barrels, with prices likely near $110 a barrel in the second quarter of 2026, Citi said.

Kuwait declared force majeure on oil shipments due to the strait's blockade, Bloomberg News reported.

The higher prices caused ⁠by the ​closure of the strait have cut oil demand by about 3% so far, ​analysts at Societe Generale said in a client note.

The risk is "skewed toward larger losses the longer normalisation is delayed," it said, adding it expects "full normalisation" to ​supply only by late 2026.

(Reuters)

Only the headline is edited by Shafaq News Agency.

Shafaq News- Middle East

Global oil companies are redirecting investments toward Africa and South America as repeated instability in the Middle East, most recently the war involving US, Israel, and Iran, raises risks to profitability, according to CNBC Arabia.

US firms ExxonMobil and Chevron, along with Britain’s BP and France’s TotalEnergies, are investing billions of dollars in new exploration projects outside the region to reduce exposure to conflict and capitalize on higher oil prices.

ExxonMobil is considering a $24 billion investment in deepwater oil fields in Nigeria, while Chevron has expanded its presence in Venezuela through asset swap deals. BP has acquired stakes in offshore fields in Namibia, and TotalEnergies has signed an exploration agreement with Turkiye. Consultancy Wood Mackenzie estimates these projects could generate up to $120 billion in value in the coming years.

Recent attacks on energy infrastructure and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have led to billions of dollars in losses for Western companies. ExxonMobil said its global production fell 6% in the first quarter, with potential annual losses of up to $5 billion linked to damage to gas facilities in Qatar.

Companies are increasingly targeting Africa, South America, and the eastern Mediterranean to offset risks, as the industry seeks to add around 300 billion barrels to global reserves by 2050 to meet demand.

Chevron is also preparing exploration projects in Egypt, Greece, and Libya, while strengthening its position in the Gulf of Mexico and securing additional stakes in heavy oil projects in Venezuela.

Shafaq News- Middle East

The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, said on Monday that any agreement between the United States and Iran without the agency’s involvement would be “an illusion.”

In an interview with The Telegraph, Grossi said a deal lacking a comprehensive verification mechanism would be “worthless,” adding that only the agency can confirm whether commitments are being implemented.

He said a potential agreement could include Iran reducing its stockpile of enriched uranium and transferring the remainder to a third country, similar to the 2015 deal. Grossi also warned of safety risks linked to uranium-related activities, citing possible structural damage at nuclear facilities that have been targeted in strikes.

Earlier today, US President Donald Trump claimed that a new agreement with Iran is close and would be “far better” than the 2015 nuclear deal, guaranteeing “peace and security” worldwide.