The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has reported that it is assisting farmers in Iraq and Syria to battle a devastating alien weed that sucks nutrients from the soil and starves crops of much-needed water. The berries of the weed, known as silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium), can also poison livestock if ingested, according […]
Businessweek reports that an influential Bahraini business group has decided to freeze ties with Iran, Iraq and Lebanon in response to what it claims is foreign meddling during Shiite-led protests in the Gulf kingdom. According to the report, the move by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry is likely to ratchet up tensions between […]
Under the auspices of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), a meeting was held yesterday, 25 May 2011, by the Standing Consultation Mechanism to advance the resolution of the Disputed Internal Boundaries issues. Attention was given to the security arrangements in the respective areas. Furthermore the participants discussed ways for expediting the holding […]
Basra University has entered into a joint agreement with the American University of Oregon, for the development of English language competence in the areas of petroleum engineering and geology at the University. An official source at the university said the agreement aimed at developing the English language capability of the teaching staff and students of […]
MAG (pronounced “Mag”) – Mines Advisory Group – is a neutral and impartial humanitarian organisation that clears the remnants of conflict for the benefit of communities worldwide. Since beginning work in Iraq in 1992, MAG’s programme has grown significantly, improving life for hundreds more communities throughout the north of the country. Assessments conducted by Community […]
The UK's Foreign Office Minister, Lord Howell, addressed the Iraq-British Business Council (IBBC) on 24 May: It is a pleasure to address you today here at the IBBC’s Iraq Day Summit Conference. The IBBC’s commitment to Iraq is much welcomed by this Government. The UK Government continues to develop a strong and supportive bilateral relationship […]
Statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary General, Ad Melkert, at the National Conference of Economic, Social and Government Stakeholders: Your Excellency the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Usama al-Najaifi; Ministers, Ambassadors, Distinguished Visitors. It is my honour to have the opportunity to address such a diverse cross-section of Iraqi citizens: from government, […]
The Iraqi National Investment Commission (NIC) signed a $7.25 billion deal to build one hundred thousand housing units as a complete neighborhood East of Baghdad. The signing ceremony with Hanwha Engineering & Construction, one of the largest engineering and construction companies in South Korea, took place at the Iraqi Prime Minister's Office Nouri Al-Maliki this […]
Gulf Keystone has announced that the Shaikan-4 Deep Appraisal Well has spudded on the Shaikan block in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq on Friday 27th May 2011. Shaikan-4 is the second deep appraisal well to be drilled on the company's significant oil discovery with gross oil-in-place volumes of between 4.9 billion barrels to 10.8 billion […]
Iraq's main port of Umm Qasr in Basra will lose 60% of its business if Kuwait goes ahead with a neighbouring port of its own, reports AKnews. In addition to thousands of dock workers losing their jobs, it is also believed that the livelihoods of local fishermen will be affected. A dispute over the territory […]
The Iraqi government is increasing spending by about 25% next year to USD98.45bn, but higher oil prices will still allow it to balance its books for the first time, reports Reuters. Next year's budget will be based on an oil price of $85, due to consistently high oil prices at $100 or more. Even after […]
Basra council decided this week to renovate and upgrade Basra International Airport as part of preparation to host the Gulf Cup in 2013, reports AKnews. The airport is Iraq's second biggest. Jabbar Amin Jaber, Basra Council chairman, said: “More than $100 million (116.5 billion Dinars) were allocated to begin the construction within the next couple of […]
