Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Tuesday Morning 1-6-26
FX Treat: OPEC Producers Maintain Current Production Plans Until Next March
Today 16:15 The Information Agency/Translation: A report by the economic news website FixTreat, published Tuesday, confirmed that OPEC+ producers have reaffirmed their plans to maintain current oil production levels until March, with minor deviations from Kazakhstan, Iraq, and Russia.
The report, translated by the Information Agency, quoted Commerzbank commodities analyst Barbara Lambrecht, who noted that "Saudi Arabia has cut its official selling prices for the third consecutive month, indicating limited room for production increases and keeping premiums at their lowest levels in five years."
The report added that "after brief discussions over the weekend, the eight OPEC+ producers who voluntarily reduced their output confirmed their intention to keep production steady until the end of March. This is not surprising, and this course is likely to be reaffirmed at the next meeting in early February."
He added, "There have been individual deviations from the plans. Kazakhstan and Iraq produced excess quantities in November, while Russia, in particular, is experiencing a production shortfall. However, overall, the deviation was limited to 140,000 barrels per day, according to figures from the International Energy Agency."
The further decline in Saudi Arabia's official selling prices for February confirms that there is no room for increased production. These prices have fallen for the third consecutive month, and the premium for Arab Light crude compared to the Oman/Dubai benchmark reached only 30 US cents in Asia, down from 60 US cents in January – its lowest level in five years. [End/25] LINK https://almaalomah.me/news/
The President Of The Republic Affirms The Importance Of Strengthening The Iraqi-British Partnership In A Way That Serves The Higher Interests.
{Politics: Al-Furat News} The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, stressed the importance of strengthening the partnership relations between Iraq and the United Kingdom in a way that serves the higher interests of the two countries.
The Media Department of the Presidency of the Republic stated in a statement, a copy of which was received by Al-Furat News, that: “This came during the reception of the President of the Republic, the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Iraq, Irfan Siddiq, and the Chief Executive of the Commonwealth and Development Office - British Foreign Office, Helena Vecca Lazano, in the presence of the former, Shanaz Ibrahim Ahmed.”
He added that "during the meeting, bilateral relations between the two countries were discussed and ways to develop them in various fields, as well as an exchange of views on a number of regional and international issues of common interest."
Rashid stressed "the importance of strengthening partnership relations between Iraq and the United Kingdom in a way that serves the higher interests of the two friendly countries."
For his part, Irfan Siddiq expressed the United Kingdom’s appreciation for the existing level of bilateral cooperation, praising the role played by political forces in supporting stability and promoting dialogue and understanding. LINK https://alforatnews.iq/news/
The US Embassy On Army Day: Committed To Working With And Supporting Iraqi Forces
Time: 2026/01/06 09:28:55 Reading: 15 times {Political: Al-Furat News} The US Embassy in Baghdad praised the service and sacrifices of the Iraqi security forces on Tuesday, on the occasion of the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Iraqi army.
The embassy stated in a statement, a copy of which was received by Al-Furat News, that it praised "the service and sacrifices of the Iraqi security forces, including the Peshmerga forces, in defending Iraq and protecting its sovereignty."
She added that "the United States recognizes the vital role of those forces in achieving the hard-won battlefield victory over ISIS, and in supporting a stable Iraq," stressing "the commitment to working with Iraqi security forces as Iraq continues to build a safer and more prosperous future for its people."
Today, January 6th, Iraq celebrates the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Iraqi Army, which is an official holiday in the country. LINK https://alforatnews.iq/news/
Iraq Is Among The Arab Countries With The Lowest Cost Of Living
Information/Follow-up...
The 2026 Cost of Living Index for Arab Countries showed that Iraq was among the countries with a low cost of living, according to data issued by Numbeo, a website specializing in comparing price levels between countries.
The UAE topped the list of countries with the highest cost of living in the Arab world, recording 55.2 points, followed by Yemen with an index of 53.1 points, then Qatar with 50.4 points, Palestine with 48.1 points, and Bahrain with 47.6 points, amid high price levels compared to the rest of the region.
Saudi Arabia came in next with an index of 43.9 points, Oman with 43.6 points, Kuwait with 42.5 points, Lebanon with 41.7 points, then Jordan with 39.4 points, while Morocco recorded 31.4 points, and Tunisia 29.1 points.
At the bottom of the list, Iraq ranked among the least expensive Arab countries to live in, scoring 28.4 points, ahead of Algeria (28.0 points), Syria (25.0 points), and Egypt (21.6 points). Libya came in last with an index of 18.3 points.
It's important to note that the index measures price levels only in comparison to New York City and does not reflect income levels or quality of life. LINK https://almaalomah.me/news/
Saddam Hussein Is Among Them, And Maduro In Venezuela Is The Most Recent... Prominent Presidents And Leaders Arrested By America Throughout History
January Washington/Iraq Observer Historically, US forces have arrested numerous heads of state and government leaders, both during direct military operations and after the end of major conflicts. These arrests are part of US strategies to effect regime change or to prosecute officials involved in acts of hostility or war crimes.
Among the most prominent leaders captured were:
Emilio Aguinaldo (Philippines): The first president of the Philippines, captured by the Americans during the Philippine-American War following an infiltration operation by General Frederick Funston's forces.
Hideki Tojo (Japan): Prime Minister of Japan for most of World War II. He attempted suicide when American military police arrived to arrest him for war crimes, but survived, was tried, and executed.
Manuel Noriega (Panama): The de facto ruler of Panama, captured by the Americans after the 1989 invasion of Panama (Operation Just Cause), surrendering after a ten-day siege.
Saddam Hussein (Iraq): The former Iraqi president, captured during Operation Red Dawn in December 2003 following the invasion of Iraq.
Hudson Austin (Grenada): The head of the military junta that seized power in Grenada, captured by the U.S. military during Operation Urgent Fury in 1983.
Nicolás Maduro (Venezuela): According to recent media reports, he was arrested by US Delta Force on January 3, 2026, following military strikes on Venezuela. LINK