Iraq’s Antiquities Crackdown: Iraq’s National Security Service recovered hundreds of rare artifacts across Baghdad and five other provinces, including statues, pottery, cylinder seals, coins, and manuscripts, while arresting suspected dealers and smugglers and even flagging a government employee accused of selling plots of archaeological land in Nineveh. Oil Reform Fallout: North Gas said Iraq’s oil-sector changes are part of a time-limited trial and should not harm workers’ rights or maintenance funding, after protests in Baghdad and other provinces over new crude pricing rules that workers fear could squeeze refinery operations and pay. Press Access Pressure: Iraqi journalists say official information is getting harder to obtain as ministries lack spokespersons and some officials refuse comments, while a draft Right of Access to Information Law still awaits parliamentary action. Sadrist Political Outreach: Iraq’s Coordination Framework launched a new push to persuade Muqtada al-Sadr to rejoin politics, but insiders say the Sadrist movement is still demanding reforms and an end to weapons outside state control before any return. Local Governance Symbolism: Babil renamed Jurf Al-Nasr as “Madinat Al-Nasr” (“City of Victory”) to mark the area’s role in the fight against ISIS, despite the continued displacement of more than 100,000 people. Healthcare Funding Strain: Nasiriyah Heart Hospital appealed for donations amid shortages of medicines and supplies and a wider liquidity crisis threatening Iraq’s health services. Regional Pressure on Iran: The U.S. unveiled “Operation Economic Outcast,” expanding secondary sanctions aimed at Iran’s financial lifelines—an approach analysts warn could directly pressure countries including Iraq that rely on Iranian energy and trade.