Recent stories

Activists: Protesters beaten in Baghdad

 

CNN reports (July 8^th): At least seven anti-government protesters were arrested and beaten by Iraqi security forces as hundreds of angry demonstrators gathered in al-Tahrir Square in central Baghdad, human rights activists told CNN.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in the square, carrying their banners like every Friday, Some were heard shouting "Friday after Friday until we get rid of al-Maliki" referring to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

Others protesters shouted, "We haven't seen oil, but only poverty" and "They're all thieves," referring to the government. Activists said the protest was peaceful. But after an hour al-Maliki thugs started to "sexually harass some of us," said Yannar Mohammed, an activist and founder of the Organization of Women's Freedom in Iraq.

The protesters began to leave the square and move toward a minibus, but men in civilian clothing started beating a male activist, Mohammed said.

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/07/08/iraq.protest/index.html

Deal to sell Iraqi land to Kuwaiti oil company - Parliament Sources

Aswat al-Iraq reports (july 8^th): A "deal" is expected to sell 280 thousand donums of land in Seeba, Basra province, to a Kuwaiti company, a Parliamentary Oil and Gas Commission member disclosed today.
 

Udai Awad added that "we discovered a deal to sell Iraqi land, within an investment contract in  Seeba area with Kuwaiti Energy company".

http://en.aswataliraq.info/Default1.aspx?page=article_page&id=143643&l=1

Shell, Iraq to sign initial $12 bn gas deal

 

Market Watch reports (July 8^th): Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Iraq have settled pending legal issues that have delayed a $12 billion gas deal for more than two years and an initial pact could be signed in the middle of next week, a senior Iraqi oil official said.

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/shell-iraq-to-sign-initial-12-bln-gas-deal-2011-07-08

Iraq oil minister says no need for national oil co

Lebanon Daily Star reports (July 3^rd): The creation of a new Iraqi National Oil Company to run the OPEC member's energy sector is not essential and might confuse the work of the oil ministry, Iraq's oil minister said.       
Iraq's cabinet approved a draft law setting up a new national oil company in 2009, but the legislation has languished amid political turmoil and a change of government in the war-battered nation.   

http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Business/Middle-East/2011/Jul-03/Iraq-oil-minister-says-no-need-for-national-oil-co.ashx#axzz1Rhh0DTND