Iraq's climate migrants flee parched land for crowded cities

Iraq's severe drought has forced many farmers, including Haydar Mohamed, to migrate from rural areas to cities like Karbala, where they face difficult living conditions and limited job opportunities. The United Nations ranks Iraq among the top five countries most affected by climate change, with water scarcity exacerbated by upstream dams in Turkey and Iran. The International Organization for Migration reports significant displacement due to drought, with many rural areas being deserted. The influx of climate migrants is straining urban infrastructure and public services, raising concerns about potential social unrest.

Thousands Families broken because of international pandemic

The article, investigated by Hayder Abdulkarim, delves into the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on families in Sudan. It highlights the struggles of individuals like Saida Arbab, who risked her health to work during the curfew, and Abu Huraira Al-Nur, an electrical engineer who became unemployed due to pandemic-related job cuts. The piece also discusses the closure of Al-Mejhar newspaper, which resulted in the loss of jobs for journalists. Malak Al-Zaki, a hairdresser, speaks about the pandemic's disruption of life and work, leading to economic and social challenges, including increased domestic violence. The article touches on the inflation crisis in Sudan, with statistics showing a dramatic rise in inflation rates, exacerbating the economic struggles of citizens. The pandemic is portrayed not only as a health crisis but also as a catalyst for poverty and instability, with the government unable to provide adequate support to its citizens.

Commodification of Free Visas at the Gates of the Egyptian Consulate in Khartoum

An investigation documented the struggles of Hudhaifa Abdelraouf and others in obtaining a 'free visa' from the Egyptian Consulate in Khartoum, which often faces unjustified procedural delays. The issue is resolved through third parties outside official hours, with security personnel controlling queues for the benefit of networks selling visas around the consulate, violating the 2004 Four Freedoms Agreement between Egypt and Sudan. The consulate issues 700 visas daily, with only about 300 free, as observed over two weeks in May 2021. Abdelraouf, unable to get a free visa, paid a broker outside the consulate, Fathi Yaqoub, who facilitated the process for a fee. Lawyers Muaz Hadra and Abdelsalam Saboun stated that such brokerage is illegal under Sudanese law, and the government's failure to enforce the law has led to the spread of this practice.