News & Announcements

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Shell, Mitsubishi Will Start Iraq Plant on April 15

Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA) and Mitsubishi Corp. (8058) will start capturing gas from Iraq’s oil fields next week in a $17 billion project known as Basra Gas Co.

“Basra Gas Co. will start operations officially on April 15,” said Ali Hussain Khudayir, director general of South Gas Co., which represents the Iraqi government’s controlling stake in the Basra Gas Co. venture.

BloombergThu, Apr 11, 2013 Thu, Apr 11, 2013

Nouri al-Maliki: The U.S. has a foreign-policy partner in Iraq

On the 10th anniversary of the overthrow of Saddam Hussien, Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki penned an opinion piece in the Washington Post discussing the importance of the U.S.-Iraqi partnership.

The Washington PostMon, Apr 8, 2013 Sun, Apr 14, 2013

Azzam Alwash of Iraq Receives 2013 Goldman Environmental Prize

"...the Mesopotamian marshes are starting to flourish again as a result of Alwash’s advocacy. Almost half of the original area is now flooded again, and the Sumerians have begun to reestablish their lives. In what is perhaps the most telling evidence of his success elevating the importance of the environment in Iraq, the restored marshes are slated to be established as the country’s first national park in the spring of 2013."

The Goldman Environmental PrizeMon, Apr 15, 2013 Mon, Apr 15, 2013

Iraq: the world's next big eco-tourism destination?

Iraq's southern marshes could become a centre for eco-tourism, based around floating hotels and guided wildlife tours, according to the winner of one of the world's most prestigious environmental prizes.

The marshlands between the Euphrates and Tigris rivers are frequently described as the Garden of Eden or the Cradle of Civilisation.

The TelegraphWed, Apr 17, 2013 Wed, Apr 17, 2013

Iraq Holds First Provincial Elections Since U.S. Troop Withdrawal

On Saturday, April 20, 2013, Iraq held its first elections since the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The voting process went smoothly without any major security incidents reported.

Tue, Apr 23, 2013

One of 7 wonders of the world finally tracked down

There has long been a slight problem with the declaration of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world -- there was no proof it actually existed. Now, an Oxford University researcher says...

USA TodayMon, May 6, 2013 Tue, May 7, 2013

Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from U.S. Secretary of State

On May 3, 2013, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry discussed Iraqi-U.S. relations and the importance of the bilateral ministerial coordination committees. Kerry officially invited the Minister to visit Washington next month...

Iraq Ministry of Foreign AffairsSun, May 5, 2013 Tue, May 7, 2013

Iraq to rebuild rail system as reconstruction gathers pace

Iraq is laying plans to rebuild its historic railways and become a transit hub for goods that would be shipped from Asia to Iraq's neighbours and beyond.

ReutersWed, May 8, 2013 Fri, May 10, 2013

Iraqi women journalists win essay contest

Three Iraqi women journalists have won a United Nations contest which seeks to highlight the everyday challenges faced by women living in the Middle Eastern country.

United Nations RadioThu, May 9, 2013 Tue, May 14, 2013

President Jalal Talabani's doctors report that his health is improving

President Jalal Talabani meets with his medical team in Berlin: Doctors confirm that the President's health is improving.

Iraqi Presidency (Office of the President of Iraq)Iraqi Presidency logoFri, May 17, 2013 Mon, May 20, 2013

Shell to Start Iraq Oil Output Amid Plans for Saudi Investments

Royal Dutch Shell Plc (RDSA) will start producing crude at Iraq’s Majnoon oil field as early as next month and plans to increase energy investments in Saudi Arabia, its regional vice president said.

BloombergThu, May 16, 2013 Wed, May 22, 2013

Standard Chartered to open branch in Iraq seeing loan growth

Standard Chartered plans to open branches this year in Baghdad and the city of Erbil, followed by a third next year in the oil hub of Basra.

Times of OmanTue, May 14, 2013 Wed, May 22, 2013

Iraq says captures al Qaeda chemical gas team

(Reuters) - Iraq has captured a suspected al Qaeda cell that planned to produce chemical poisons such as mustard gas to attack Iraqi forces and to ship overseas for attacks on Europe and the United States, the government said on Saturday.

The announcement was made as investigators look into allegations over the use of sarin nerve gas in next-door Syria where rebels and President Bashar al-Assad's forces have blamed each other for using chemical weapons.

ReutersSat, Jun 1, 2013 Mon, Jun 3, 2013

Marsh flooding brings new life to Iraq's 'Garden of Eden'

The lush marshes of Iraq are regarded by some as the original Garden of Eden, but they were drained and decimated by Saddam Hussein. Now a major restoration programme has seen people and wildlife return to one of the world's most famous wetlands.

BBC News MagazineSat, Jun 1, 2013 Wed, Jun 5, 2013

Iraq to restore ancient arch to woo back tourists

Iraqi authorities have contracted a Czech firm to carry out a 10-month restoration of the ancient Arch of Ctesiphon as part of a plan to boost tourism to the once-popular site.

Agence France-PresseMon, Jun 3, 2013 Wed, Jun 5, 2013

Qatar Airways launches fourth destination in Republic of Iraq

The launch marks the rapid expansion by Qatar Airways in Iraq since the middle of 2012 when it began flights to Erbil, followed by the capital Baghdad and, earlier this year, Najaf.

TravelDailyNews InternationalWed, Jun 5, 2013 Wed, Jun 5, 2013

American University Graduates Students From Across Iraq

The American University of Iraq in Sulaimaniyah brings together Iraq’s various religious and ethnic groups, providing education away from the country's sectarian divide.

Al-MonitorTue, Jun 4, 2013 Thu, Jun 6, 2013

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki meets with Kuwaiti Prime Minister

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki met with Kuwait’s prime minister on June 12, 2013. The meeting signaled improving relations between the neighboring countries. The leaders hailed the recent talks as the start of a new chapter in their relationship and signed a series of agreements aimed at improving bilateral ties.

The Washington PostWed, Jun 12, 2013 Thu, Jun 13, 2013

Foreign Minister Meets U.S. State Department Advisor

Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari met with his U.S. counterpart on June 11, 2013. Brett McGurk conveyed President Obama's approval on extending the protection of Iraqi assets in the United States for another year -- a decision which symbolizes the distinctive partnership between Iraq and the U.S.

Iraq Ministry of Foreign AffairsWed, Jun 12, 2013 Thu, Jun 13, 2013

Iraq to get $6 trillion from energy in new strategy

Iraq recently unveiled an ambitious Integrated National Energy Strategy, which aims to raise $6 trillion from oil and gas sales by 2030 and massively increase local power generation. Iraq anticipates it will increase employment levels and living standards through this strategy.

The Economic TimesWed, Jun 12, 2013 Thu, Jun 13, 2013