Bassem Mohammed, Iraqi Deputy Oil Minister, disclosed that the imminent meeting aims to address key aspects of the oil export resumption. He emphasized the expectation of reaching a consensus during the discussions, leading to a formal agreement for the recommencement of oil exports. Additionally, Mohammed underscored the companies' expressed interest in maintaining their operations within the Kurdistan Region.

He articulated, "The contracts under consideration must align with the framework established in the agreements signed with the UAE Crescent Company during the fifth phase of licensing." This statement emphasizes the importance of consistency and adherence to established precedents in fostering successful collaboration between the involved parties.

The anticipated meeting signals a pivotal moment in the ongoing negotiations between the KRG and oil companies, marking a proactive step toward revitalizing oil export activities in the Kurdistan Region. As the discussions unfold, stakeholders remain optimistic about the potential for a mutually beneficial agreement that will not only resume oil exports but also pave the way for sustained collaboration in the region.

Thirteen Peshmerga received immediate treatment and were discharged from hospital.

According to a statement by the Peshmerga Media and Awareness Cell, only six Peshmergas remain in hospital and are currently in good health and will be discharged as soon as possible.

At first, rumors circulated on social media that the number of the poisoned Peshmerga was 82, but the ministry denied it.

The French Defense Ministry said in a statement that a French soldier, Nicolas Latourt, was injured while on duty to train Iraqi security forces. He was taken to hospital in Erbil by helicopter and died.

The French Defense Ministry did not say where the incident occurred on Sunday.

The soldier, who belonged to the Sixth Battalion of Engineers, had participated in training with Iraqi security forces since May this year, on improvised explosive devices and defusing, the statement said.

On November 18, another French soldier was killed and another injured in a traffic accident in Erbil.

France is the second largest military partner with Iraq and has the largest number of troops in the international coalition against ISIS.

 

 

Biryar Rashid, a member of the PUK faction in the House of Representatives said in a statement that regarding the problems of Sulaimani province for the second time this week he met with the Governor of the Central Bank Ali Alaq. He said they have convinced the governor that Sulaimani has more trade ties than any other province in Iraq. 

He said the governor promised to open a central bank office in Sulaimani as soon as possible and provide a significant amount of dollars to Sulaimani according to the guidelines.

We support the opening of branches of both Rashid and Rafideen Banks in Sulaimani, but the Kurdistan Regional Government has not yet agreed.

The governor of the central bank supported the request to license the currency exchange offices and stressed the position of Qubad Talabani who supported the central bank to bring its activities to Sulaimani and provide services to citizens.

has called on the court to review the punishment of Sherwan Sherwani and give a positive decision.

The Organization for Independent Journalists and Writers (FJWW) said in a statement addressed to the Kurdistan Regional Court of Appeal, representatives of foreign states and the public that after four years in prison, in July, the Erbil court sentenced journalist Sherwan Sherwani to another four years in prison.

The group added that in the near future, the Erbil Court of Appeal will make its final decision, therefore, before this process is carried out, through joint efforts and collective pressure, the court must review the case and make a positive decision.

Sherwan Sherwani was sentenced to four years in July for forging his signature while in prison, after serving four years and he was to be released before his new sentence.

The Iraqi Security Media Cell said in a statement that based on intelligence provided to the Airforce, F-16 fighter jets bombed an ISIL position in Kirkuk province, killing several terrorists.

The hideout was destroyed and the militants were killed, the cell added.

ISIS terrorists have been active around the province of Kirkuk since their military defeat in Iraq in 2016.

A member of the Iraqi Council of Representatives Bryar Rashid said that efforts to stabilize the exchange rate of the dinar against the dollar continue and the efforts of the central bank will have their effect.

He added that in a meeting with the governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, they are working to stabilize the value of the dinar in two ways, first is to facilitate businesses having access to liquid assets and tighten border points and eliminate dollar smuggling.

The Iraqi parliament today met to discuss the volatility of the dinar against the dollar, and they welcomed the Governor of the Central Bank and explained the reasons for the volatility of the dinar and their efforts to stabilize it.

The governor of the central bank revealed that the work of the central bank to stabilize the value of the dinar continues.

He said that the government has established coordination with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to facilitate the access to the currency exchange offices, tighten the border checkpoints and prevent the smuggling of dollars.

They also discussed a new measure to provide dollars for tourism, health and education to Sulaimani province at a fixed rate.

The potatoes were shipped through two local companies and an UAE company and another 500 tons are expected to be shipped next week.

On Monday August 7, in an event attended by investors and traders of potatoes in the Kurdistan Region and the UAE, the contract for the export of 5,000 tons of industrial potatoes was signed in Erbil.

The 120 tons of potatoes exported today will first arrive in the UAE and then be shipped to other Gulf countries.

30 varieties of potatoes are produced in the Kurdistan Region. The potatoes exported to the UAE are industrial potatoes.

According to the data released by the Ministry of Agriculture, this year's potato production in the Kurdistan Region is 650,000 tons, which saw an increase of more than 200,000 tons compared to the previous four years, while the annual need for potatoes is less than 130 tons.

Today, President of Jalal Talabani Foundation Mohammad Sabir send his condolence for the passing of UK politician Ann Clwyd, and said “it is with huge sadness that I write to you to express my sincere condolences on behalf of President Jalal Talabani Foundation for the passing away of Ann Clwyd, former Labor Party MP, Ms. Ann was a courageous, fearless, principled political campaigner, she was the best friend of the Kurdish People who advocated most of her life standing up against the brutal repression of the Kurdish people in Iraq during the tough times, she supported and campaigned the removal of Saddam Hussein.”

“Her work over so many years for women's rights, international justice and peace will be remembered.” Ambassador Sabir added.

The ambassador mentioned that her passing, the Kurds have lost a sincere and important friend and her efforts to the Kurdish people will be remembered.

Clwyd passed away on July 22 at the age of 86. She was one of the few UK MPs that helped to introduce the Kurdish cause to the UK and the rest of the world and fought to protect their rights.

 

The Committee to Protect Journalists has investigated the case of Sherwan Sherwani, a prominent activist, and spoken to the lawyers and relatives of Sherwan Sherwani and Gohdar Zebari, who are part of the case and the group has published a report on their case

The committee said that the Erbil Criminal Court had not not listen to Zebari's statements when he had said he gave permission to Sherwan Sherwani to sign a petition on his behalf. Faking a signature was one of the main charges against Sherwani.

The CPJ has sent a message to the Ministry of Justice, but has not received any response, the group said in the report.

On Thursday, the Erbil Criminal Court on a complaint filed by the Kurdistan Regional Adult Corrections Directorate on charges of forgery of documents sentenced Sherwan Sherwani to another four years in prison.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Tourism Board said in a statement today that tourism industry companies shall charge no fees on tourists for entering the riverbanks, resorts and tourist destinations.

The Tourism Board also warned that if any company fails to follow the new directive they would be fined.

The Kurdistan region is a famous tourist destination for many tourists from southern Iraq and parts of the Middle East.

The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has announced that Saturdays will be a public holiday in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRG).

Minister of Education Alan Hama Saeed said in a press conference that the new academic year 2023-2024 will begin on September 13, and classes will resume on September 13.

The Minister added that the KRG council of the Ministry of Education has decided to make Saturdays a holiday in all schools. Previously, Friday was the only holiday of the week for the public schools.  

A high-level delegation of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan will visit the Gorran Movement and the Kurdistan Social Democratic Party (KSDP) tomorrow, according sources within the PUK that old KurdSat.

The visits come before the scheduled Kurdastan parliamentary elections.

Kakarash Sadiq, head of the Kirkuk office of the Article 140 implementation committee, told Kurdsat that as a result of their continued efforts to oblige the relevant parties of the Iraqi government to implement Article 140 of the constitution the Kirkuk Court of Appeal and the Iraqi army have been instructed to comply with the constitution.

Kakarash Sadiq added the Iraqi president has submitted a litter Article 140 Committee to meet to implement Article 140 and the president closely follows the situation.

Hadi Amiri, leader of the Badir Organization has promised to visit the prime minister to follow up the implementation of Article 140, Sadiq noted.

Regarding the compensation under Article 140 for people damaged, Sadiq said 300 billion dinars have been allocated for this purpose and 7,000 Kurdish refugees from Kirkuk and 8,000 imported Arabs are on the compensation list.

Imported Arabs, referring to Saddam Hussein-relocated Arabs from southern Iraq  in 1980s, would no longer have their agricultural land leases extended by the Kirkuk authorities, according to the Kirkuk official.

 

Omid Ahmad, spokesman for the Ministry of Electricity told KurdSat that electricity supply has been reduced to 14 hours due to high temperatures and 92% of the work of smart meters has been completed. Referring to meters that are aimed at reducing power waste in the region.

Ahmad noted that the demand for electricity has reached 5,500 MW while the production capacity is 3,800 to 4,000 MW and in some places where it is very hot, electricity is supplied for less than 14 hours.

The spokesperson added that over 1.35 million have been install and the rest needs budget and approval.

In a letter dated Monday July 10, 2023, a copy of which was seen by KurdSat is signed by the head of the office of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) sent to the Iraqi Independent High Election Commission (IHEC), and the letter reads that the KRG has asked the commission to show its readiness to supervise the Kurdistan parliamentary elections.

The document also states that the Kurdistan Parliamentary Elections will be held on November 18, 2023 which has been delayed for many years.