A US official admits to rigging the tax system and stealing citizens’ money.
1-19-2026
Information/Follow-up…
US Deputy Secretary of Health Jim O’Neill sparked widespread controversy after describing the US tax system as “rigged,” asserting that taxpayers’ money is not being spent in the channels intended for it.
“You pay taxes and health insurance premiums, but where does that money go? The vast majority of it is spent on scams, political campaigns, illegal immigrants, Read more…
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Antoine: The next government will face difficulty in ending the rentier economy, and the fiscal deficit exacerbates the challenges.
1-19-2026
Information/Baghdad..
Economist Bassem Antoine explained on Monday that the next government will face a continuing challenge due to its reliance on a rentier economy based primarily on oil, stressing that this dependence cannot be easily eliminated.
Antoine told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “any incoming government, whoever it may be, will face Read more…
Al-Mayahi: Parliament has not yet determined a candidate for prime minister… Consultations are ongoing.
1-19-2026
Information / Baghdad…
MP Mohammed Al-Mayahi confirmed on Monday that Parliament has not yet discussed any official candidate for the position of Prime Minister, noting that consultations are still ongoing within the political blocs.
Al-Mayahi told Al-Maalouma News Agency that “Parliament has not officially Read more…
Trump’s envoy: Pursuing militias and strengthening Iraq’s security is a US priority
2026-01-19
Shafaq News – Washington
Mark Savaya, President Donald Trump’s envoy to Iraq, affirmed on Monday his commitment to pursuing “militias” and enhancing Iraq’s security and stability.
Savaya said in a statement Read more…
Trump hints at possible visit to “Free Iran” before the end of his term
2026-01-19 01:07
Shafaq News – Washington
On Monday, US President Donald Trump hinted at his intention to visit the Iranian capital, Tehran, before the end of his term, despite his previous threats to take military action against it.
President Trump’s hint came amid ongoing Read more…
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Central Bank of Iraq: Currency in circulation rises to more than 93 trillion dinars
2026-01-19 02:15
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Central Bank of Iraq revealed on Monday that the volume of currency in circulation rose to more than 93 trillion dinars during October of 2025.
The bank stated, in statistics Read more…
Sudani’s ministerial “gains” revealed; politician: Maliki to head government
2026-01-19 05:41
Shafaq News – Baghdad
A source within the coordinating framework that brings together the ruling Shiite political forces in Iraq revealed on Monday that the Reconstruction and Development Coalition, led by caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, was given the largest share of ministries. Meanwhile, a politician close to Read more…
The Securities Authority announces the launch of its 2026-2028 strategy to develop and enhance investment.
2026-01-19
The Securities Commission announced on Monday the launch of a strategy for the years 2026-2028 to develop the capital market and enhance investment. The head of the Securities Commission, Faisal Al-Haimas, stated in a statement that “the Securities Commission’s strategy for the years 2026-2028 has been launched, which aims to develop the Iraqi capital market Read more…
The Minister of Finance discusses the restructuring of Rafidain and Rasheed banks and the insurance sector.
2026-01-19
Finance Minister Taif Sami discussed on Sunday (January 18, 2026) the restructuring of the Rafidain and Rasheed banks in accordance with the recommendations of the advisory body, and discussed procedures for establishing the “First Rafidain Bank” and updating the financial Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 1-18-2026
1-18-2026 Intel Guru Frank26 I don’t believe Maliki is going to be the next prime minister…To be honest with you, every time we talk about Maliki is a a waste of time… Read more…
“Suspending all foreign delegations”: Finance Ministry meets to discuss reducing spending
2026-01-18
The Ministry of Finance held a meeting today, Sunday, to discuss maximizing revenues and reducing spending, including halting all foreign delegations.
The Ministry of Finance said in a statement that it “held an expanded meeting Read more…
Al-Samarmad: For the first time, Ain al-Asad base is without American forces.
1-18-2026
Al-Maalomah/Anbar
Security expert Qatari al-Samarmad confirmed on Sunday that Ain al-Assad Air Base in western Anbar is now without US combat forces for the first time in over 22 years.
Al-Samarmad told Al-Maalomah News Agency that “US forces have evacuated all Read more…
Al-Nasiri speaks about the date of the announcement of the prime minister’s name: “It will be announced soon.”
1-18-2026
Al-Maalomah/Baghdad –
Bilal al-Nasiri, a member of the State of Law Coalition, confirmed on Sunday that the name of the next prime minister will be announced soon. He also indicated that Nouri al-Maliki, head of the State of Law Coalition, has received prior approval Read more…
Abdul Hadi: The withdrawal of US forces from Ain al-Assad carries three positive points.
1-18-2026
The Information/Baghdad…
Member of the Coordination Framework, Uday Abdul-Hadi, affirmed on Sunday that the withdrawal of US forces from Ain al-Asad Air Base in western Iraq carries three significant positive points on the national and security levels.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, Abdul-Hadi said, “The withdrawal of US forces Read more…
Al-Janabi: The framework has not yet decided on a candidate for prime minister, and Al-Maliki is the most likely.
1-18-2026
Information/Baghdad..
Hassan Fad’am Al-Janabi, a leader in the Hikma Movement, confirmed on Sunday that the coordination framework has not yet decided on nominating any name for the premiership, and that the options are still on the table pending political consensus. Read more…
The race is not over yet… Growing political support strengthens Maliki’s chances of becoming prime minister
1-18-2026
Information/Report…
Although the Coordination Framework has not yet officially announced a decision on its prime ministerial candidate, the overall political data and accumulating indicators point to a clear lead for Nouri al-Maliki, leader of the State of Law Coalition, as the most prominent and acceptable option Read more…
Officially, Iraq declares its military bases free of the international coalition.
2026-01-18 04:58
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Supreme Military Committee for Ending the Mission of the International Coalition in Iraq announced on Sunday the completion of the evacuation of all military bases and command headquarters in Iraq from advisors of the International Coalition Read more…
US officials: Withdrawal from Ain al-Asad strengthens the position on disarming militias in Iraq
2026-01-18 03:49
Shafaq News – Special Translation
American sources and media outlets said on Sunday that the withdrawal of US forces from Ain al-Asad air base reflects the continued repositioning and concentration of forces regionally and within the framework of progress in the battle against ISIS, but the withdrawal from the large military base would strengthen Read more…
Al-Maliki’s nomination derails the coordination framework meeting… Source reveals details
2026-01-18 04:29
Shafaq News – Baghdad
An informed source revealed on Sunday the reasons for the cancellation of yesterday’s coordination framework meeting, including the refusal of some forces to pass a “controversial” candidate and their insistence on “consensus”.
The source told Shafaq News Agency that “there are several reasons Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 1-17-2026
1-17-2026 Newshound Guru Clare Mark_Savaya – “I met with the U.S. Department of the Treasury and OFAC to address key challenges and reform opportunities across both state owned and private banks, with a clear emphasis on strengthening financial governance, compliance, and institutional accountability…We also discussed next steps related to forthcoming sanctions targeting malign actors and networks that undermine financial integrity and state authority. The relationship between Iraq and the United States has never been stronger than it is today under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump.” Read more…
