Al-Hakim urges the Kurds to decide on a presidential candidate to facilitate the formation of the Iraqi government.
2026-04-09
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The head of the National State Forces Alliance, Ammar al-Hakim, called on the Kurdish forces on Thursday to agree on a candidate for the position of President of the Republic, stressing that this consensus would “facilitate the task” for the rest of the political forces in completing Read more…
23 years since the fall of Saddam’s regime… What has changed in Iraq?
2026-04-09
Shafaq News – Baghdad
After 2003, Iraq witnessed unprecedented security, political, economic and media transformations following the fall of the Baath Party regime led by Saddam Hussein.
On April 9, 23 years ago, the entry of American Read more…
US Embassy in Baghdad: Help us stop the attacks
2026-04-09
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The US Embassy in Iraq called on Thursday for any information about those targeting it in Baghdad and other locations.
The embassy said in a brief statement received Read more…
Iran announces two alternative routes to the Strait of Hormuz due to the possibility of “mines”
2026-04-09
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Navy announced on Thursday that ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz must take two alternative routes near the Iranian coast, citing the possibility of “mines” on the usual route. The Mehr News Agency quoted a military statement accompanied by a nautical Read more…
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Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 4-8-2026
4-8-2026 Intel Guru Frank26 [Iraq boots-on-the-ground report] FIREFLY:
Speaker of Parliament is on the television saying the election process with the president will take place on April 11th. They say there will be no postponement of any kind. It looks like they’re trying to reassure the United States…The television says anyone that does not show up for the vote on the 11th with have their names revealed on the television so some of the pressure is on them to show up…and cost them 1 million dinars if they are not there. FRANK: With the vote on the 11th, this is wonderful…Once you have your government set you have a very good chance of opening the budget and exposing a new rate for the HCL and for that whole budget of ’26 which is impossible at 1300. Read more…
Iran completely closes the Strait of Hormuz and refuses to attend Friday’s negotiations.
THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED AS FALSE
4-8-2026
The Iranian news agency Tasnim quoted an Iranian military source confirming the complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while also indicating Iran’s refusal to participate in the anticipated Friday negotiations with Washington. The source
added that Read more…
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Iraqi Customs announces Kurdistan Region’s joining the “ASYCUDA” project
2026-04-08
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Director of the Iraqi Customs Authority, Thamer Qasim Dawood, announced on Wednesday that the Kurdistan Region team has joined the national team for the project to implement the Customs Automation System (ASYCUDA), in a move he considered to reflect the seriousness of the move Read more…
He moved to approve an emergency budget of $40 billion.
2026/04/08
In light of the economic and financial challenges and the significant decline in oil revenues as a result of the war and regional conflicts, the Prime Minister’s financial advisor, Dr. Mazhar Muhammad Salih, announced that the government is adopting a series of measures Read more…
Al-Bayati: The meetings of the next 72 hours will determine the direction of the session to elect the President of the Republic.
4-8-2026
Information / Baghdad
MP Mohammed Al-Bayati confirmed on Wednesday that the meetings of the next 72 hours will be crucial in determining the direction of the April 11 session dedicated to electing the President of the Republic.
Al-Bayati told Al-Maalomah that “important meetings Read more…
Al-Muslawi: The framework movement is “positive” for deciding on the government candidate, and the presidential deadlock awaits Kurdish consensus.
4-8-2026
Information / Baghdad..
The spokesman for the Reconstruction and Building parliamentary bloc, Firas Al-Muslawi, confirmed on Wednesday that there is a “positive” atmosphere and advanced understandings within the coordination framework to resolve the issue of naming a candidate for prime minister, indicating that Read more…
Among them is the Oil and Gas Committee… The House of Representatives votes on a number of parliamentary committees
4-8-2026
The Iraqi Parliament voted today, Wednesday, on several parliamentary committees, including the Oil, Gas, and Natural Resources Committee.
The Parliament’s Media Office stated in a press release Read more…
After a 40-day suspension, Iraq resumes air traffic and reopens its airspace starting today.
2026-04-08
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority announced on Wednesday the reopening of Iraqi airspace and all airports to air traffic.
Bankin Rikani, the acting head of the Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority, said Read more…
Optimistic estimates: Iraqi oil production to recover to 4 million barrels in 6 months
2026-04-08
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Economic expert Mohammed Al-Hassani confirmed on Wednesday that Iraq possesses the technical and logistical capabilities to restore its previous oil production levels within a record time, based on the limited damage inflicted Read more…
Iranian currency rises in Kurdistan markets after easing tensions with the US
2026-04-08
Shafaq News – Erbil/Sulaimaniyah
The Iranian rial rose against the dollar as the Erbil Stock Exchange opened in the Kurdistan Region, amid economic expectations of further improvement in the Iranian currency following the easing of tensions between Iran and the United States.
The US dollar fell against the Iraqi dinar, while the Read more…
Presidential election session: Al-Hikma expects a change in the landscape, while the Kurdistan Alliance links participation to consensus.
2026-04-08
Shafaq News – Baghdad
MP Zaidoun Al-Nabhani, from the Al-Hikma Movement, stressed on Wednesday the importance of the House of Representatives session scheduled for Saturday, April 11, considering that it may change the political landscape by Read more…
In numbers… The US Chief of Staff reveals “for the first time” the extent of the “destruction” of Iranian capabilities
2026-04-08
Shafaq News – Washington/ Mustafa Hashim
In a detailed military statement, the first of its kind, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Keane, revealed the final tally of the 38-day “Epic Fury” operation, confirming that the joint forces Read more…
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The Minister of Finance chairs a meeting to implement the ASYCUDA system in Kurdistan and unify customs procedures.
2026-04-08
Finance Minister Taif Sami chaired a meeting on Wednesday (April 8, 2026) to implement the ASYCUDA system in Kurdistan and unify customs procedures.
The ministry said in a statement that “Finance Minister Taif Sami today Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 4-7-2026
4-7-2026 Newshound Guru Steve Right now there is a gap of roughly 20% between the actual exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar and what the people are paying for it on the street. The official exchange rate according to the CBI is about 1310 dinars to $1. On the secondary market the dinar is trading about 1545 dinars to the US dollar…The last time that happened…the central bank was forced to intervenes and change the rate. I’m not saying this signals a revaluation tomorrow or this month or anytime soon. But what this is telling us is Iraq is being forced to make some monetary changes in the near future. Read more…
A draft resolution on the Strait of Hormuz failed after a Russian and Chinese veto in the Security Council.
4-7-2026
The UN Security Council failed on Tuesday to pass a draft resolution to secure navigation in the Strait of Hormuz after Russia and China vetoed it.
Bahrain, an elected member of the Council, along with the Gulf states and Jordan, initiated Read more…
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American journalist kidnapped in Baghdad released
2026-04-07
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Kataib Hezbollah announced on Tuesday the release of American journalist Shelley Kittleson, who was kidnapped in the Iraqi capital Baghdad a week ago, and instructed her to Read more…
