Al-Zarkoushi: A movement to change the election law and increase voter turnout
8-27-2026
Information/Baghdad…
On Thursday, Abdul Samad al-Zarkoushi, a member of the Coordination Framework, acknowledged a strong movement to amend the election law along paths aimed at improving the electoral process and increasing voter turnout from various groups and segments of society.
Speaking to Al-Maalouma, al-Zarkoushi explained that “there is a movement within the Coordination Framework to support amending the election law in four or five key areas, focusing on addressing the negative indicators observed Read more…
Agreement reached or permanent disagreement? All eyes are on September to resolve the issue of the Al-Zidi cabinet.
8-27-2026
Information/Report…
The issue of the government cabinet is being discussed in the political arena, amidst numerous efforts to finalize the candidates for the remaining ministerial portfolios in Ali al-Zaidi’s government. Despite some assertions that no agreement has been reached on the remaining ministries, some parties believe that efforts are ongoing to ensure a vote on the remaining ministerial positions at the beginning of September. However, there is no real guarantee of consensus among all political parties to approve the candidates, as resolving the matter requires political agreement and perhaps even external approval. Read more…
Azm: We will not relinquish the Ministries of Planning and Culture under any political pressure.
8-27-2026
The Azm Alliance affirmed on Thursday its full commitment to its electoral and political entitlement to the Ministries of Planning and Culture, emphasizing that these entitlements reflect the will of its supporters and the voters who supported it in the recent parliamentary elections.
Alliance leader Mohammed al-Fahdawi stated that “obtaining the Ministry of Culture represents a political and moral obligation on the part of other political blocs towards the Azm Alliance,” explaining that “mutual trust is the foundation upon which current political action in the country rests.” Read more…
Voting on 9 ministries next week… Will the deadlock over the security ministries be resolved?
8-27-2026
The Information Agency/Baghdad…
MP Mohammed Hadi revealed on Thursday that the Parliament is expected to vote on nine ministerial posts next week, noting that some minor disagreements remain regarding several ministries, particularly the security ministries.
Hadi told the Information Agency, “The Parliament will vote next week on nine ministries as part of the process of completing the cabinet,” adding that “political negotiations are ongoing Read more…
Political complications delay the appointment of ministers… and the candidates have not yet reached Al-Zaydi.
8-27-2026
Information/Baghdad…
A parliamentary source revealed on Thursday the depth of the disagreements among political blocs regarding the selection of candidates for the vacant ministerial posts in the cabinet, confirming that the Prime Minister has not yet received the official lists of nominees.
The source told Al-Maalomah that “the disagreements and discussions among the political forces regarding the vacant ministerial portfolios remain complex Read more…
Trillions hoarded in homes… Iraqi banks “starving” in the face of liquidity shortages!
8-27-2026
Information / Baghdad
Several factors are intertwined in Iraq that are behind the liquidity crisis, the repercussions of which have begun to appear in the delay in the disbursement of salaries and financial obligations, at a time when data from the Central Bank of Iraq indicates that there are more than 101 trillion dinars circulating outside banks until the end of June 2026.
While experts believe that keeping these funds outside the banking system Read more…
Iraq signs $500 million in contracts in July, with oil and gas projects leading the way.
2026-08-27
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Iraq recorded contracts worth a total of $500 million in the oil and gas sector during July, according to data reported by the specialized magazine MEED, making it one of the most prominent countries in the region that witnessed the awarding of new projects, at a time when the value of contracts awarded in the Middle East and North Africa region declined to $20.4 billion, compared to $26.2 billion in June. Read more…
SOMO launches tender to sell Iraqi oil outside the Strait of Hormuz
2026-08-27
Shafaq News – Follow-up
Iraq’s State Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) issued a tender on Thursday to sell shipments of Basra crude for loading in September from outside the Strait of Hormuz, in the company’s second tender this week, against the backdrop of regional events and the closure of the strait to maritime navigation.
According to a document from SOMO and trade sources who spoke to Reuters, the tender includes shipments that can be loaded via tanker-to-tanker transfers near the Omani coast, with the tender closing on August 28. Read more…
Baghdad: Weapons will be integrated into the legitimate security forces in conjunction with the end of the international coalition’s mission.
2026-08-27
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Sabah al-Nu’man, confirmed on Thursday the strict adherence to the timetable set for ending the mission of the international coalition in Iraq by September 30, noting that the withdrawal of forces is proceeding “at an accelerated pace” in parallel with intensive plans to restrict weapons to the state.
Al-Nu’man said in a press conference attended by a correspondent Read more…
The Popular Mobilization Forces call for celebrations to mark the withdrawal of US forces at the end of next month.
2026-08-27
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The media director of the Popular Mobilization Forces, Muhannad al-Aqabi, called on Thursday for celebrations of the withdrawal of US forces at the end of the month, considering it a “great achievement” for the government, while noting the continuation of disengagement procedures, especially with Asaib Ahl al-Haq and Saraya al-Sham.
Al-Aqabi said during a press conference, which was attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency, that “the government has accomplished a great feat in achieving Iraqi Sovereignty Day on September 30,” adding, Read more…
Iraqi security forces announce the recovery of more than 93 billion dinars for the state treasury in six months.
2026-08-27
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The official spokesman for the National Security Service, Arshad al-Hakim, announced on Thursday the return of more than 93 billion dinars to the state treasury, and the seizure of $14 million and 12 billion dinars, which were deposited with the Central Bank of Iraq during the first half of 2026.
The governor stated in a press conference attended by a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency that 40 accused members and leaders of one of the fronts of the banned Baath Party had been Read more…
Baghdad and Erbil agree to tighten the noose on corrupt individuals and facilitate the execution of arrest warrants without geographical restrictions.
2026-08-27
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The Federal Integrity Commission and the Integrity Commission in the Kurdistan Region announced on Thursday an agreement between the two bodies to tighten the noose on corrupt individuals and facilitate the execution of arrest warrants without geographical restrictions.
In a joint statement received by Shafaq News Agency, the two bodies affirmed their determination to “raise the level of cooperation and coordination between them, in accordance with Read more…
Those who expose corruption face more persecution than the corrupt themselves.
2026-08-27 02:51
Dr. Duha Al-Sadkhan
In societies plagued by corruption, the battle is not always between the corrupt and the law; sometimes it becomes a battle between those who expose wrongdoing and those who want to keep it hidden. Even more dangerous is when the voice of accountability becomes the accused, while questioning public funds, stalled projects, and environmental pollution is treated as a crime.
Corruption doesn’t begin with stealing money alone.
Corruption is not just about embezzlement or bribery. It can be Read more…
Bank deposits in Iraq declined by 5.6% during the first half of 2026
2026-08-27
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Economic data issued by the Central Bank of Iraq showed a decline in total deposits in the banking system during the first half of 2026, coinciding with a decrease in cash credit, indicating a continued contraction in banking activity compared to the levels recorded in previous years.
According to data seen by Shafaq News Agency, total deposits at the end of June 2026 amounted to about 104.875 trillion dinars, down from Read more…
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief: We have not seen any rejection from the factions regarding the restriction of weapons.
2026-08-27
Shafaq News – Baghdad
The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces confirmed on Thursday that there was no “rejection” by the factions to implement the decision to restrict weapons to the state, noting that the dialogues on this issue had “come a long way”.
Major General Sabah al-Nu’man told Shafaq News Agency that talks regarding restricting weapons to the state are ongoing, stressing that “we have not seen any rejection from the factions” regarding the issue. Read more…
A federal parliamentary committee hosts the Minister of Natural Resources in Kurdistan to discuss the oil file.
2026-08-27
Shafaq News – Baghdad
On Thursday, the Oil, Gas and Natural Resources Committee of the Iraqi Parliament held a meeting during which it hosted the Minister of Natural Resources in the Kurdistan Region to discuss a number of issues related to the oil sector in the region.
Committee member Mohammed Ali Al-Nuaimi told Shafaq News Agency that “the meeting discussed the reality and mechanisms of managing and marketing oil products in the Kurdistan Region, as well as reviewing the most prominent challenges facing this file, and exploring ways to organize it in a way that achieves the public interest.”
He added that “those gathered also discussed the draft oil and gas law, Read more…
With the participation of 450 companies from 20 countries, the Erbil International Building and Construction Exhibition kicks off.
2026-08-27
Shafaq News – Erbil
The Erbil International Building and Construction Exhibition kicked off in Erbil on Thursday, with broad and comprehensive participation including more than 450 specialized companies representing 20 Arab and foreign countries.
The opening ceremony was attended by a large official delegation, including a number of government officials in the Kurdistan Region, along with heads of chambers of commerce and Read more…
Iraqi Dinar Guru opinions 8-26-2026
8-26-2026 Newshound Guru Jeff The troops talked about maybe being out prior to September 30th, maybe around September 15th. Could that speed up the rate change? …No…Here’s why…Banks planned, prepared, drafted the rate change. They schedule everything. If the agreed upon date was September 30th, if the troops get out sooner than that…it’s not going to speed up the rate change. I’m not telling you the rate change is taking place on September 30th. Nobody knows that date, but I’m telling you removing the troops before September 30th will not speed up the timing of the rate change because that’s hard scheduled by bankers. That’s what they do. They schedule everything. Read more…
Among them are the Popular Mobilization Forces and the Development Fund… Al-Zaydi calls for a “revolution” of laws and legislation
2026-08-26
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi affirmed on Wednesday that Iraq needs a “revolution” of laws and legislation, including those pertaining to the Popular Mobilization Forces and the Development Fund, while calling for enhanced cooperation between the executive and legislative branches.
The media office of Al-Zaydi stated in a statement received by Shafaq News Agency that the latter received the head of the Parliamentary Legal Committee, Ribwar Hadi Abdul Rahman, and its Read more…
Kurdish MP: No need for a new government, Barzani controls everything
8-26-2026
Information / Special..
Kurdish MP Ghalib Muhammad confirmed on Wednesday that the continued absence of the formation of the new government in the Kurdistan Region is due to the way the two ruling parties, the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Patriotic Union, deal with the parliament, the judicial institutions and all other state institutions, and their control over their joints according to partisan and personal interests. Read more…
