Latest news with #ShafaqNewsAgency
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Shafaq News
Baghdad's Green Zone secure after projectile discovery
Shafaq News/ On Monday, an Iraqi security source confirmed that no attack targeted Baghdad's fortified Green Zone. The source told Shafaq News Agency that security forces discovered a damaged Katyusha-type projectile placed beneath the Al-Jumhuriya Bridge. The device was safely handled and defused by explosives experts without any incident. He also affirmed that the security situation in the area remains stable and that there are no direct threats at this time.
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Engineers, police trade accusations after Basra protest turns violent
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, clashes erupted between protesting engineering graduates demanding employment and Iraqi security forces outside the Basra Oil Company headquarters. In a statement to Shafaq News Agency, the Basra Engineers Syndicate described the incident as 'unjustified assaults' by security personnel on peaceful protesters, reporting cases of physical and verbal abuse. The syndicate urged authorities to hold those responsible accountable and take measures to prevent similar incidents. It also demanded the release of any detainees, warning that legal action would be pursued over what it described as a blatant violation of human rights and legally guaranteed freedoms. 'Addressing the protesters' demands—rather than silencing them—is the proper path to justice and stability.' Meanwhile, Basra Police announced in a statement that one of its officers sustained a serious eye injury and a broken nose while performing his duties to protect demonstrators, adding that the situation was handled under legal protocols to restore order and maintain public safety. It also confirmed that legal measures were taken against officers who responded with unauthorized use of force, 'in line with professional discipline and official guidelines.'
Shafaq News
7 days ago
- Shafaq News
Lions in houses: exotic pet trend grows in Iraq
Shafaq News/ Once icons of the wild, lions and tigers are increasingly appearing in Iraqi homes and farms, as a rising number of individuals turn to exotic animals as symbols of prestige and power. The practice is growing despite serious safety concerns and legal restrictions. Abbas al-Khalidi, a Baghdad-based exotic animal dealer, told Shafaq News Agency that demand for lion and tiger cubs has sharply increased. 'Most buyers are landowners or people seeking to project dominance,' he explained. 'We deliver young cubs with handling instructions through discreet channels.' Prices for these animals typically range from $2,000 to $4,000, depending on age and species. Many are smuggled from neighboring countries like Iran and Syria via poorly monitored border crossings, al-Khalidi noted. Though some view owning a big cat as a status symbol, recent attacks have underscored the inherent risks. In a recent incident in Najaf, a lion killed its owner inside his home in Kufa. A neighbor, alerted by the commotion, intervened and fatally shot the animal. Dr. Yasser Mahmoud, a veterinarian in Kirkuk, noted that such outcomes are to be expected. 'Lions and tigers may appear tame as cubs, but their instincts remain. Hunger or agitation can quickly trigger deadly behavior.' Environmental expert Salem al-Amiri warned that private ownership of wild predators without a license violates Iraqi law. 'These animals are often acquired illegally, beyond regulatory oversight. When incidents occur, authorities are often unable to track or contain them.' Although Iraq has clear environmental regulations, lax enforcement and an active black market continue to drive the exotic animal trade. Cubs are trafficked and sold at high prices with little legal accountability. Jikniz Yassin, a wildlife protection activist, argued that the issue stems not only from weak enforcement but also from a lack of public awareness. 'Many see lions or tigers as luxury possessions rather than threats,' he cautioned. 'This trend could lead to catastrophic outcomes if left unaddressed.' Yassin called for education campaigns and tougher penalties for illegal trade and unlicensed ownership. 'Keeping wild animals in inappropriate conditions puts both people and the animals at serious risk.' Hassan Hadi, who owns several lions, described caring for them as far more demanding than many realize. He outlined a rigorous care routine involving special milk formulas, gradual dietary transitions from poultry to red meat, and a strict regimen of supplements and vitamins. 'These animals require spacious, sanitary, and temperature-controlled environments, plus routine veterinary checks—conditions most owners can't provide.' Many exotic pets, he warned, suffer from malnutrition, illness, or develop aggressive behavior due to improper care. 'Daily attention and expert handling are essential. Keeping them in homes, especially in urban settings, is neither safe nor sustainable.' 'Even cubs that seem tame are still predators,' he recalled. 'One nearly killed me during feeding—I only survived with a friend's help.'
Shafaq News
21-05-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Basra's poverty crisis: 40% of residents lack basic rights
Shafaq News/ The Human Rights Commission Office in Basra warned on Wednesday of alarming poverty rates and deteriorating living conditions in the oil-rich Iraqi province, revealing that over one million residents lack access to adequate housing and basic services. Office Head Mahdi al-Tamimi told Shafaq News Agency that the worsening situation reflects a deep socioeconomic crisis that demands urgent intervention. He urged political actors in the province to shift their focus from short-term electoral gains to ensuring the delivery of fundamental rights. 'More than 40% of Basra's citizens do not have dignified housing or access to essential services,' al-Tamimi said, adding that poverty levels could surpass 40% if measured according to international standards based on annual income. 'These figures reveal an economic emergency that cannot be ignored.' He also pointed to critical environmental threats, noting that pollution levels in the province's water, soil, and air exceed 50% in some areas, posing a direct danger to public health. He also warned of rising rates of social illness, ideological extremism, and an uptick in hybrid crimes. The official criticized what he described as widespread neglect of human development, saying that both the educational and healthcare systems in Basra are deteriorating. 'This is unacceptable in a province as wealthy and historically significant as Basra, which should be a model for stability and development.' According to government data, Basra's population stands at 3.5 million, growing at a rate of 2.9%—above the national average of 2.4%. The province accounts for 9% of Iraq's total population and ranks fourth in unemployment, following Nineveh, al-Muthanna, and Dhi Qar, with a jobless rate of 21.8%, despite its massive oil reserves, international trade hubs, and ports. While Iraq's national poverty rate has reportedly dropped from 21.5% in 2022 to 17.6% in 2024, according to the Ministry of Planning, the situation remains dire. Experts attribute the country's broader economic strain to the cumulative effects of war against ISIS, the COVID-19 pandemic, environmental degradation, and entrenched corruption.
Shafaq News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan to host Cultural Festival of Nations
Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Al-Sulaymaniyah province has completed all preparations for the inaugural edition of the Cultural Festival of Nations, set to take place at the Roman Theatre in Hawarishar Park, from May 21 to 25, organizers said. Ibrahim Ahmed, a member of the festival's organizing committee, told Shafaq News Agency that the event, organized by Media Serokojen Company in cooperation with the Kurdish Ministry of Culture and Youth, 'aims to highlight cultural diversity among nations and to spotlight Kurdish culture as an essential and influential component of the regional cultural landscape.' Ahmed noted that the festival will not be limited to artistic performances. 'It will also feature a dedicated market showcasing local and folkloric Kurdish products, offering visitors an opportunity to explore the richness of Kurdish heritage while promoting cultural and economic exchange.' Participants from several countries and ethnic groups with historical and social ties to the Kurdish people — including Iran, Turkiye, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan — will take part in the festival. The event will feature a range of traditional and folkloric performances representing the diverse heritage of the participating nations. Organizers describe the festival as a pioneering initiative to foster cultural openness in the Kurdistan Region and a platform to build bridges between nations through shared traditions, arts, and customs.
