Iraq

Preliminary designs for its flagship Development Road Project and railway corridor have been completed, marking a major milestone as the government prepares to advance one of its largest infrastructure initiatives into the implementation phase

Iraq's cinema industry, flourishing in the '50s, is seeing a comeback, bolstered by recent international recognition for the film “The President’s Cake”; relative stable situation in the country is helping a new generation of filmmakers drive a comeback

145 cases, 9 deaths from hemorrhagic fever have been confirmed in 2026, Dhi Qar most impacted provincecvwith 74 cases and six deaths; WHO says it is transmitted by tick bites or exposure to sick animals’ blood during or immediately after slaughter

Foreign Minister and Turkish Ambassador to Iraq discussed the activation of an oil pipeline from Kirkuk to the Turkish port of Ceyhan stressing that enhancing cooperation on oil exports serves the interests of both countries

The 7,5 km Hamrin concrete bridge in Diyala province, which will be the longest in Iraq, has been temporarily opened with 90% of construction completed after roads were damaged and traffic disrupted by rising water levels in the neighboring lake

Umm Qasr port, Iraq's sole deep-water port will receive $120 million from International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private-sector arm; through Aloreen Company for Investments new equipment for port services will be funded

New national planning strategy focuses on relocating government institutions and major investment projects from large cities to districts to ease population density and service pressure in major urban centers, especially Baghdad

For the Baghdad Metro project and for the development of a new Iraq's investment portfolio international institutions such as the IFC and the European Investment Bank will be involved in collaboration with relevant Iraqi institutions