Asia Iraq The country imposed a ban on eight local commercial banks preventing them from participating in dollar transactions, with the aim of reducing fraud, money laundering and more illicit uses of the US currency
Asia Iraq Over 600 pilgrims were briefly hospitalised with respiratory problems after inhaling chlorine resulting of a leak at a water treatment station on the route between the two Shia holy cities of Najaf and Karbala
Asia Iraq The Baghdad Municipality will launch its largest-ever afforestation campaign in the upcoming autumn season, planting a million trees in a major urban transformation project and the ongoing Green Belt Project has reached over 95% completion
Asia Iraq Several citizens are still missing after a fire at a hypermarket in Kut in eastern Iraq left at least 61 dead, while were rescued among the ones in the building at the time the fire started; the venue was brand new, inaugurated a few days before
Asia Iraq The oil sector, vital for Iraq's economy, is facing both a potential export crisis, with difficult negotiations with the Kurdistan Regional Government and possible US sanctions, and an expansion of production in southern oil fields