PKK announces it held congress, results to be released soon

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) have culminated a congress that considered its founder Abdullah Ocalan's call for the militants to lay down arms and end the campaign against the Turkish state, with the group saying the results "will be shared with the public soon."

Iranian FM to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar ahead of Trump trip

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to visit the Gulf states before US President Donald Trump's scheduled visit to the region next week, with both sides vying for influence among Middle Eastern states amid ongoing tensions after postponed nuclear talks.

Palestinian president urges new pope to continue Vatican’s ‘peace efforts’ in Gaza

President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine called on the new pontiff Leo XIV to continue the late Pope Francis’s extensive efforts in promoting peace in Palestine amid Israel’s ongoing onslaught in Gaza.

Iran says seeking diplomatic solution to nuclear issue but ‘ready for war’

The IRGC chief also clapped back at the Israeli threats, warning Iran’s enemies that “if you make a mistake, the gates of hell will be opened for you.”

Pope Leo XIV: American cardinal elected as new leader of Catholics

Pope Leo XIV becomes the first American head of the Catholic Church in history

Sudani visits Ankara, discusses security with Erdogan

During a joint presser with Sudani, Erdogan stressed his country’s commitment to Iraq’s peace and stability

Lack of rainfall threatens to slash wheat production in Erbil, Duhok by half

Agricultural officials in Erbil and Duhok have expressed concerns that low precipitation will drastically reduce wheat production, creating issues for food security in the Kurdistan Region. Meanwhile, Sulaimani and Halabja have expressed optimism that their harvest will be stable and that the drought will only have "minor impacts."

Features

Iraq's housing crisis deepens amid rising rents, failed promises

As Iraq faces a severe housing shortage, families are grappling with soaring rents, stalled government projects, and a lack of affordable options, leaving many young people viewing home ownership as an elusive dream always tantalizingly out of reach.

Iraq taps dormant tax funds to pay salaries amid oil price woes, budget deficit

Facing a deepening liquidity crisis and fluctuating oil revenues, the Iraqi government has authorized the withdrawal of over 3 trillion dinars from long-idle tax trust funds to cover public employee salaries.

Reviving Baghdad’s Jewish past: Isaac Gaon shrine restoration sparks both hopes and tensions

After decades of neglect, the shrine of Rabbi Isaac Gaon in Baghdad's historic Qanbar Ali neighborhood is undergoing restoration, reigniting conversations about Iraq’s Jewish heritage, interfaith coexistence, and national identity.

Blame game atop apocalyptic ruins: How Iran is reeling from its port inferno

A port in flames, a nation in mourning—and a ruling elite in denial. Behind Iran's recent port explosion lies a web of secrecy, military links, and a government increasingly estranged from its own people.

‘Duty to compensate’: echoes of tragedy spur Halabja on after accession to provincial status

In a tale of great sorrow and resilience, the people of Halabja have celebrated its recent accession to provincial status almost 40 years after the former Baath regime unleashed a brutal chemical attack on its residents. Despite the enduring scars of the past, families of the victims hope that the firm Kurdish political solidarity in pushing for the provincial accession bill will lead to the realization of long-awaited compensation from the Baghdad government.

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