The spokesperson for Iraqi PM Adil Abdul Mahdi revealed on Wednesday that the blockage of the major Umm Qasr port by the protesters has so far costed the country over $6 billion. Abdul Kareem Khalaf pointed out that hundreds of trucks were still parked which had directly affected Iraq’s economy.
At least three more protesters were reportedly killed on Wednesday during clashes with the security forces in the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad. According to Iraq’s High Commission for Human Rights, another 17 more people were also injured during the demonstrations near the Tahrir Square. The casualties come while the Iraqi security forces have already been ordered not to open fire at the protesters. Thought the forces have seen opening fire to disperse protesters at Shuhada bridge in Baghdad.
The federal Commission of Integrity has issued a travel ban for the former head of the powerful Shia Endowment Alla al-Mousawi and several other officials as part of its corruption investigations.
In an effort to placate angry protesters, Iraqi Prime Minister Adil Abdul Mahdi said that all oil institute graduates who earned their degrees this past spring will be given employment. Abdul Mahdi said in a statement on his official Facebook page on Wednesday (November 6) that he had given absolute power to Oil Minister to employ the graduates of 2018-2019 academic year. He also announced that the government planned to hire large numbers of people in several other fields.
Iraq has been notified by the FIFA to find neutral venues for this month’s home qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asia Cup that were planned to take place in Basra city. The notification comes in the wake of the ongoing violent protests in Baghdad, Basra, and several other provinces of Iraq. Iraq had been due to play a game against Iran on November 14 and another against Bahrain on November 19, in Basra. Iraq has chosen Jordan the alternative country to have the matches played in.
Brazilian forward Rodrygo announced himself on club football’s biggest stage with a ‘perfect’ hat-trick in Real Madrid’s 6-0 defeat of Galatasaray on Wednesday night match. The 18-year-old became the second youngest player to score a Champions League treble, behind only Real legend Raul.