Latest news with #AlSudani
CBS News
3 days ago
- CBS News
Fire tears through Iraq mall, kills at least 61, most from suffocation, officials say
Baghdad — A fire at a newly opened mall in eastern Iraq's Wasit province killed more than 60 people, including women and children, Iraqi officials said Thursday. The nation's Interior Ministry said in a statement that 61 people died, most of them from suffocation, in the blaze that broke out late Wednesday in the city of Kut. Among the dead were 14 charred bodies that remain unidentified, the ministry said. French news agency AFP reports the ministry said most of the dead were found in bathrooms. Civil defense teams were able to rescue more than 45 people who were trapped inside the building, the statement said. The mall, which opened only a week ago, was in a five-story building that also contained a restaurant and supermarket. The state-run Iraqi News Agency reported that people remained missing. Photographs and videos on local media showed the building fully engulfed in flames. Provincial Gov. Mohammed al-Mayyeh in a statement declared three days of mourning. He said the cause of the fire is under investigation but that legal cases were filed against the building owner and mall owner. He didn't specify what the charges were. "We assure the families of the innocent victims that we will not be lenient with those who were directly or indirectly responsible for this incident," al-Mayyeh said. The results of the preliminary investigation will be released within 48 hours, he said. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani said in a statement that he had directed the interior minister to go to the site of the fire to investigate and take measures to prevent a recurrence. Poor building standards have often contributed to tragic fires in Iraq. A blaze in July 2021 at a hospital in the city of Nasiriyah that killed between 60 to 92 people was determined to have been fueled by a highly flammable, low-cost type of "sandwich panel" cladding that is illegal in Iraq. In 2023, more than 100 people died in a fire at a wedding hall in the predominantly Christian area of Hamdaniya in Nineveh province after the ceiling panels above a pyrotechnic machine burst into flames. Poor building standards have often contributed to tragic fires in Iraq. In July 2021, a blaze at a hospital in the city of Nasiriyah that killed as many as 92 people was determined to have been fueled by a highly flammable, low-cost type of "sandwich panel" cladding that is illegal in Iraq. In 2023, more than 100 people died in a fire at a wedding hall in the predominantly Christian area of Hamdaniya in Nineveh province after the ceiling panels above a pyrotechnic machine burst into flames.
Iraqi News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Iraqi News
PM Al Sudani affirms agriculture as a top priority for Iraq's economy
Baghdad ( – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani affirmed that the agriculture sector is a top priority for his government and a fundamental pillar of the economy, during a meeting with a group of professors from the University of Baghdad's College of Agriculture on Monday (July 14, 2025). The Prime Minister listened to a briefing on the role of agricultural colleges and the importance of scientific research in developing Iraq's agricultural reality. According to a statement from his office, the discussion focused on the crucial role of academics in societal development. Al Sudani stressed the importance of university professors contributing their expertise and ideas to advance the sector. He also encouraged the use of modern technology and innovations in agriculture to boost productivity and sustainability. The Prime Minister concluded by stating that his government has taken several measures to support the educational process and remove obstacles for teaching staff, enabling them to contribute effectively to the development of Iraq's vital sectors.
Zawya
18-06-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Iraq reviews Tsingshan's investment proposals in gas, sulphur and iron ore projects
Iraq's Industrial Coordination Council, chaired by Prime Minister Mohammed S. Al-Sudani, has reviewed investment proposals submitted by China's Tsingshan Holding Group covering gas, sulphur, and iron ore projects, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office. It said the Council discussed the privately-owned Chinese company's interest in operating the dry gas sector as part of the Basra Industrial City project. Additional proposals included investing in sulphur extraction at the Al-Lazka-2 field and the development of iron ore resources. Following the review, the Council directed the Ministry of Oil to coordinate and evaluate the proposals. (Writing by Majda Muhsen; Editing by Anoop Menon) ( Subscribe to our Projects' PULSE newsletter that brings you trustworthy news, updates and insights on project activities, developments, and partnerships across sectors in the Middle East and Africa.
Iraqi News
01-06-2025
- Business
- Iraqi News
PM Al Sudani inaugurates new food factories, touts private sector support & export incentives
Baghdad ( – Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani inaugurated new factories for the United Arab Food Industries Company Ltd. in Mahmoudiya, south of Baghdad, on Saturday (May 31, 2025), underscoring the government's commitment to bolstering the national industrial sector. The Prime Minister toured the modern facilities, which in their first phase include pastry and pasta/noodle production lines, representing a 128 billion IQD investment and currently employing 800 workers, with plans to expand to over 1,000. Al Sudani praised the project as a successful private sector initiative, terming such entities 'true partners' in advancing the national economy. He confirmed the government's readiness to facilitate further expansion and reiterated efforts to remove obstacles for private businesses. Crucially, Al Sudani highlighted a government commitment to support Iraqi-made goods for export with an 18% subsidy of the product's value. 'Domestic production will save significant foreign currency and create jobs,' Al Sudani stated, noting the private sector's role in reducing unemployment to 13%. He affirmed the government's role is to organize, support, and prepare the ground for the private sector to lead production.
Iraq Business
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraq Business
Iraq PM announces "Reconstruction and Development Coalition"
By Sinan Mahmoud for The National. Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. Iraq PM Al Sudani to run in elections with new alliance His sight set on a second term in office, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani has unveiled a new alliance to compete in the country's national election later this year. Click here to read the full article.
