Kurdish Pilgrim Dies Returning from Umrah
An 88-year-old Kurdish pilgrim from Kalar died while returning from Umrah through the Arar border. She is the tenth Kurdish pilgrim to pass away in Saudi Arabia in 2025.
New Generation Movement candidate Rebwar Awrahman announced that Prime Minister Sudani approved the return of 100,000 dinars deducted from pensioners’ salaries. He accused the PUK and KDP of ongoing corruption and deception.
The IMF reports that Iraq’s economic growth has risen to 3.6 percent, surpassing earlier expectations. The organization also maintained its global growth forecasts at 3 percent for 2025 and 3.1 percent for 2026.
A UNAMI delegation visited the New Generation Movement office to discuss the imprisonment of its leader, Shaswar Abdulwahid Qadir, and alleged violations by the two ruling parties. The meeting, led by UNAMI Political Affairs Officer Mutsi Murnyaradzi, focused on election-related issues and campaign challenges facing the movement.
The outgoing Kurdistan Regional Government, led by Masrour Barzani and Qubad Talabani, held a meeting to review the region’s financial situation and discuss salary payments. The government has yet to deliver the 120 billion dinars for August and September, leaving four months of salaries unpaid.
Dana Gas and Crescent Petroleum have expanded production at the Khor Mor 250 gas field by 50%, reaching 750 million cubic feet per day. The $1.1 billion project will enhance Iraq’s energy output and support nationwide electricity generation.
The Central Bank of Iraq has raised its gold reserves to 170 tons and plans to remove zeros from the dinar to reduce cash volume and strengthen the national currency.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Sudani’s adviser on industry says local pharmaceutical production has risen from 10 to 40 percent since the cabinet began its work. Two additional factories have opened, and Iraq plans to start producing cancer drugs domestically within five years.
Iraq’s Commerce Ministry has drafted a new plan to regulate vehicle imports, covering new and used cars, and will submit it to the Council of Ministers for approval.
Iraq’s Water Resources Ministry announced an agreement with Turkey to increase river discharge, ensuring sufficient drinking water supply this year amid expectations of heavy rainfall.
A man was found dead in a Kalar hotel after being deceased for several days. Authorities have sent the body for forensic examination.
Rebwar Awrahman of the Oil and Gas Committee said the outgoing government plans to raise oil and fuel prices, despite Prime Minister Sudani’s offer to supply subsidized fuel to the Kurdistan Region.
Iraq has banned the import of chickens and poultry from 39 countries, including Turkey and Iran, due to bird flu outbreaks. The ban will remain until the disease is officially declared eradicated.
The Iraqi Electoral Commission has distributed over 1.3 million biometric cards across 1,079 centers and started coordinating with observers and media for the upcoming elections.
OPEC-plus increased oil production by 630,000 barrels per day in September, with Iraq contributing a rise of 65,000 barrels, while Saudi Arabia and others plan to restore 2.2 million barrels to the market by November.
Iraq’s oil exports to the U.S. increased by 8,000 barrels last week, reaching 135,000 barrels per day. U.S. crude imports from the top 10 suppliers totaled 5.53 million barrels per day, led by Canada and Mexico.
The Iraqi Election Commission has begun training 230,000 employees for the November 11 parliamentary elections. The training will continue through October, as the New Generation Movement contests with List 288 under the slogan "They are lying again"
The Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education has banned smoking in all public and private universities and colleges for the 2025–2026 academic year. Violators, including teachers, staff, and students, will face fines ranging from 10,000 to 25,000 Iraqi dinars.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has traveled to Egypt to attend the Gaza ceasefire agreement ceremony and the Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit, with world leaders including the U.S. and Egyptian presidents in attendance.
Two people were killed and two others injured in a fuel tank explosion at a factory in Duhok’s Semel district while unloading fuel from a tanker into a truck.
The KRG Natural Resources Minister says 50,000 barrels from Baghdad are insufficient for regional needs, yet citizens still struggle to access subsidized fuel prices.
A 24-year-old Kirkuk policeman was killed and another injured in a random shooting. Police arrested three suspects and have launched an investigation.
Thirteen years after launch, only 10% of Duhok airport project completed. Despite $60 million allocated and repeated promises from KRG leaders, the airport remains largely unfinished.
Gasoline shortage returns to Erbil as prices rise. Drivers wait in long lines for cheaper fuel, blaming the government for mismanaging oil supplies.
A car accident in Mount Azmar leaves one injured. The driver was taken to hospital and is in stable condition, according to Sulaimani emergency officials.
SOMO calls Exxon Mobil agreement a strategic boost for Iraq’s oil exports. Iraq says the deal will strengthen its global market presence and improve export capacity rather than expand production.
Twelve more migrants from the Kurdistan Region have been found in Libya. The Iraqi Embassy in Libya says preparations are underway for their voluntary return to Iraq.
The Iraqi Election Commission has distributed over 1.25 million new biometric cards ahead of the November 11 elections and will continue the process through next month.
The PUK’s Minister of Planning said the Kurdistan Region may not be able to pay all public sector salaries this year, citing ongoing financial issues with Baghdad despite progress on oil deliveries.
The outgoing KRG has started selling kerosene to citizens at 103,500 dinars per barrel, despite receiving subsidized oil from Baghdad meant for affordable distribution.