Baghdad: Today’s newspapers focused on Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s directive to simplify banking procedures and his upcoming visit to Turkey.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Sabah newspaper reported Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani’s emphasis on reforming the banking sector and managing water resources amid ongoing economic and environmental challenges. During a meeting with Iraqi bank officials, al-Sudani highlighted the need for a modern, flexible banking system and outlined comprehensive reform plans, including partnerships with private financial auditing firms. He announced the upcoming relaunch of Rafidain Bank with new strategies and called for a roadmap to bolster the private banking sector’s role in national development. Al-Sudani urged banks to simplify procedures, engage in investment opportunities, forge foreign partnerships, and build public trust.

The Prime Minister also chaired a meeting of the Supreme Water Committee, resulting in decisions to focus on strategi
c projects, such as irrigation and pollution control measures.

Al-Zawraa newspaper, affiliated with the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate, reported on the Prime Minister’s forthcoming visit to Turkey. An Iraqi delegation, led by Mohammed Redha al-Husseini from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, arrived in Ankara to prepare for the visit. The delegation includes representatives from various Iraqi ministries and aims to finalize memoranda of understanding with Turkey, covering sectors like security, transportation, and industry.

Al-Zaman newspaper covered a dust storm impacting central and northern Iraq, causing hospitalizations due to suffocation in Diyala and Kirkuk. The General Authority for Meteorology and Seismic Monitoring anticipated continued dust and possible rain, with active winds exacerbating visibility issues. A tragic traffic accident in Salah al-Din, attributed to poor visibility, resulted in the death of a family of five. The General Traffic Directorate issued guidelines for drivers to reduce speed an
d use hazard lights during the storm.

Satellite images showed active westerly winds contributing to the dust storm, which may extend to central and southern Iraq by evening. The public is urged to exercise caution.