Dukan and Darbandikhan Dams Store Over 100 Million Cubic Meters of Water
Recent heavy rains in the Kurdistan Region have significantly increased water storage in major dams. Dukan and Darbandikhan alone have received over 100 million cubic meters of water.
The first session of the sixth term of the Iraqi parliament has officially begun with the swearing-in of newly elected members. Disagreements among Sunni political forces over the speaker’s post continue ahead of the election of parliament’s presidency.
The Kurdistan Regional Meteorological Agency has warned that a new wave of snow, rain and severe cold will affect the Kurdistan Region, with temperatures dropping sharply. Heavy snowfall is expected in mountainous areas before the weather gradually stabilizes by tomorrow night.
Massoud Barzani has called for changing the mechanism for electing the Iraqi president, stressing that no party should treat the post as its exclusive right. He emphasized that the presidency should be filled through Kurdish consensus and may be held by any qualified Kurdish figure, regardless of party affiliation.
Eight people have gone missing in the mountainous areas of Sedakan following heavy snowfall. Meanwhile, a seven member mountaineering team has been trapped and is calling for help.
A lawmaker says teachers and public employees have received only nine monthly salaries despite being obligated to pay full annual expenses. He criticizes the government over financial pressures on salaried workers.
The Kurdistan Regional Meteorological Agency has released official rainfall data recorded across all provinces of the Kurdistan Region over the past 24 hours. The highest rainfall was recorded in Yakhsamar township in Sulaimanyah province.
Iraq’s Ministry of Agriculture has imposed a ban on importing 11 agricultural products as part of measures to regulate local markets. The decision aims to protect domestic production, ensure availability, and prevent price increases.
A Kurdish pilgrim from Sulaimanyah has died in Medina after spending 11 days in hospital following a stroke. She will be buried in the holy city, according to Hajj and Umrah officials.
A new wave of unstable weather is expected to affect the Kurdistan Region, bringing rain, snow and a noticeable drop in temperatures. Mountainous and border areas will see snowfall, while strong winds are forecast in several locations.
Heavy snowfall has forced the closure of the Zine Warte road to small vehicles, with authorities warning of dangerous conditions. Snow clearing teams have begun operations on nearby routes, including Haji Omeran.
A military agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is expected before the end of the year under US mediation. Talks focus on security integration, command structures, and future administration in northern and eastern Syria.
Iranian gas supplies to Iraq remain suspended due to an emergency situation, causing a significant power shortage. Officials expect exports to resume within a week, though no fixed date has been announced.
A senior adviser says the Shiite Coordination Framework still has time to decide on a prime ministerial candidate, while Sunni parties have failed to reach consensus. According to the adviser, Sunnis are expected to enter parliament with two competing candidates.
The Iraqi Council of Ministers has approved a decision to raise taxes on internet and mobile phone top-up cards. The increase also applies to electronic devices and will affect consumers nationwide.
A senior Kurdistan Democratic Party delegation met with Mohammed Shia Sudani to discuss constitutional entitlements and the formation of the next Iraqi government. The talks stressed partnership, balance, and the speedy implementation of constitutional rights.
The Iraqi Council of Ministers has instructed the Ministry of Finance to send October salaries to the Kurdistan Region. More than 950 billion dinars are expected to be transferred once financial procedures are completed.
More than 1,200 households affected by the floods in Chamchamal have received financial assistance so far. Over 1.7 billion dinars have been distributed, while compensation for businesses and vehicles has yet to begin.
Heavy rains in Babylon province have led to the discovery of gold coins and historical artifacts from multiple historical periods. The findings include items dating back to the Hammurabi era, the Abbasid period, and as early as 331 BC.
The Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture has decided to ban the import of chicken and poultry products from 39 countries due to bird flu concerns. The ban will take effect in mid-January 2026 as a precautionary measure to protect public health and local poultry production.
The Sunni National Political Council is set to hold another meeting to choose a candidate for the post of speaker of parliament. Previous talks ended without agreement, with Thabit Abbas and Musana Samarai emerging as leading contenders.
The KDP delegation held separate meetings with Nuri al-Maliki and Musana Samarai to discuss the formation of Iraq’s next government. Further meetings with Shiite and Sunni parties are scheduled to continue consultations.
A driver was killed in Erbil last night following an argument that escalated into gunfire. The shooter fled the scene after clashing with security forces.
Shiite leaders meeting within the Coordination Framework failed to reach an agreement on a prime ministerial candidate. The meeting also addressed the issue of arms control, stressing the need for clear legal procedures.
The Kurdistan Regional Government has announced a public holiday on December 25 to mark the birthday of Jesus Christ. The holiday will apply to both the public and private sectors across the Kurdistan Region.
Aid distribution to flood victims in Chamchamal has begun after nearly two weeks of flooding, funded entirely by donors. More than 13 billion dinars have been collected, with compensation reaching hundreds of affected households.
A wave of rain and cold weather is expected to affect the Kurdistan Region in the coming days, with snowfall in high mountainous areas. Weather experts say rainfall will intensify toward the end of the month, followed by severe cold in January and February.
The Sunni National Political Council has failed to reach an agreement on a candidate for the speaker of parliament and decided to continue its meetings. The council stressed adherence to constitutional deadlines ahead of the first parliamentary session on November 29.
The Kurdistan Regional Government has transferred 120 billion dinars in non-oil revenue to the federal government for October. The amount was deposited into the Ministry of Finance’s bank account at the Central Bank of Iraq in Erbil.
Trump’s special envoy to Iraq says no political party or organization has the right to maintain armed groups outside state authority. He stresses that disarmament must be comprehensive and carried out within a national legal framework.