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Trump NATO allies to begin key talks at Turkey summit

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Ankara – After a pomp-filled welcome in Ankara where his NATO allies were at pains to keep him onside, US President Donald Trump was to get down to the hard business of the summit on Wednesday. As he landed in the Turkish capital, Trump was effusive in his praise for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, highlighting their “chemistry” in remarks that contrasted sharply with his lingering bitterness with European allies over the war on Iran.  “I was very disappointed with NATO,” Trump repeated, setting the tone for the summit’s main gathering where the alliance’s 31 other leaders will come face-to-face with the mercurial US leader when the main session opens at 0815 GMT. The summit comes at a fraught time for the 77-year-old transatlantic alliance, with Trump demanding members make good on a pledge to ramp up defence spending as Washington takes a step back from Europe. On the eve of the key session, the alliance published figures showing core defence spending by Europe had risen by 11 percent in 2026 and would hit $634 billion, up from $571 billion a year earlier. Keen to avoid a new confrontation with Trump, NATO allies unveiled tens of billions in new arms contracts on Tuesday in a bid to prove they were making good on a pledge to hike defence spending. European allies were “delivering” by bolstering military budgets and moving to take more responsibility for the defence of their continent in the face of Russia, insisted NATO chief Mark Rutte. – Russia, Ukraine ‘want deal’ – With NATO keen to focus the US leader’s attention on its surging defence budgets, stalled efforts to halt the war in Ukraine were also back on the agenda, with Trump saying he believed both sides wanted to end the fighting.  “I think they both want to make a deal,” said Trump, ahead of talks on Wednesday with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the summit. With negotiations at an impasse, Trump spoke with Russia’s Vladimir Putin before flying to Turkey and was to “follow up” with him after meeting Zelensky, a US official said. Europe and Canada are set to pledge to keep military support flowing to Ukraine to the tune of 70 billion euros ($80 billion) a year in both 2026 and 2027.  But Zelensky urged a NATO defence forum on Tuesday to step up help for Ukraine’s air defences as it struggles with shortages of crucial interceptors, and made a new pitch for Kyiv joining the alliance. Trump will also hold talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as he seeks to rebuild the country’s international image as it emerges from years of civil war. The meeting comes a day after the Syrian leader hosted French President Emmanuel Macron for a landmark state visit that was overshadowed by twin bomb attacks that wounded 18 in the capital Damascus. – ‘No sanctions for friends’ – Although Trump still appears rankled over restrictions some allies put on US forces using bases at the start of the Iran conflict, he brought welcome news for Erdogan, saying he would consider selling Turkey F-35 fighter jets and would roll back sanctions. Ankara was booted out of the F-35 programme in 2019 after buying a Russian defence system, and has long sought a way to regain admittance and to secure the lifting of US sanctions that have soured ties and hampered Turkish defence projects. “We’re going to be taking the sanctions off,” Trump said at Erdogan’s opulent marble-clad presidential palace. “We don’t want to sanction friends.” Sitting next to him, Erdogan said he was confident Trump would end the dispute. The post Trump, NATO allies to begin key talks at Turkey summit appeared first on Iraqi News.

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World Cup: Eight teams remain in the hunt for glory

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Kansas City – The World Cup is down to just eight teams, with a heavyweight line-up set to do battle in the quarter-finals from Thursday. AFP Sport looks at the match-ups, all of which are taking place in the United States. France v Morocco Imperious France have lived up to their billing as World Cup favourites, sweeping through the group stage and swatting aside Sweden before edging past Paraguay in the last 16. It is difficult to see any team keeping Didier Deschamps’ men quiet, given their embarrassment of riches in attack, including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola and the wonderfully creative Michael Olise. But unbeaten Morocco will not be fazed by facing the two-time world champions after seeing off the Netherlands on penalties and crushing co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the last 16. The North African team will have revenge on their minds in Boston after they lost to France in the semi-finals four years ago in Qatar. The Atlas Lions created history by becoming the first African team to progress to the last four in 2022 and will be keen to match that feat. Spain v Belgium In beating Portugal 1-0 on Monday, Spain became the first team in tournament history to record six consecutive World Cup clean sheets. Luis de la Fuente’s European champions do not always set pulses racing but they are strikingly efficient and comfortable on the ball. Barcelona star Lamine Yamal has netted just once in five games but Mikel Oyarzabal has scored four times, including twice in a 3-0 win against Austria in the last 32. Belgium go into the match in Los Angeles on the back of a 4-1 thumping of co-hosts the United States. That came after they rallied from two goals down in the last 32 to beat Senegal 3-2 in extra-time. The World Cup is likely the last hurrah for the remainder of the nation’s so-called Golden Generation, including Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, who will be desperate to leave the stage on a high. Norway v England England’s defenders are used to facing Norway hotshot Erling Haaland in the Premier League — but whether they can handle him is another story. Thomas Tuchel’s men arrived in the United States among the favourites to win the tournament for just the second time in their history. Captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham have been the standout players so far, scoring 10 of the team’s 11 goals, including all three in a gripping 3-2 win against Mexico. England, reduced to 10 men, had to dig deep to see off the co-hosts in a result that will infuse them with confidence ahead of their meeting with Norway. But they will come up against a team in Miami led by the irrepressible Haaland, who has scored seven goals so far as he chases the Golden Boot. The Manchester City man has netted in each of his past 14 competitive outings for Norway — 27 goals in total — and is bound to create problems for England’s shaky defence. Argentina v Switzerland Lionel Messi’s Argentina have come through two almighty scares to set up a quarter-final against Switzerland. The defending champions were taken to extra-time by World Cup debutants Cape Verde before prevailing 3-2. Then in the last 16 they looked down and out when trailing 2-0 against Egypt before an astonishing comeback, with Messi at the centre of the action. Head coach Lionel Scaloni will know his team cannot keep testing fate as they chase a fourth World Cup crown, but they have shown they can never be counted out. Now they face Switzerland in Kansas City, who beat Colombia on penalties in Vancouver after a goalless draw. The Swiss, who are into the last eight for the first time since they hosted the tournament in 1954, are an organised outfit and will likely be tough to break down.  The post World Cup: Eight teams remain in the hunt for glory appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Wimbledon day 9: Who said what

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) London – Key quotes from the ninth day of Wimbledon at the All England Club on Tuesday: “These are the kind of moments that I still play tennis for, for sure. I wish it was the final so I don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow, but yeah, I’m happy.” — Novak Djokovic after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in a five-hour epic. “That’s great but it’s just another semi-final for me. I’m going to look at all the numbers and everything when I finish my career.” — Djokovic on reaching a record-extending 15th Wimbledon semi-final, and 55th Grand Slam semi-final, where he will face world number one and reigning champion Jannik Sinner on Friday. “No, I’m not in charge. The only colour I don’t like is a white hat for a certain reason. We have a not good win percentage when they have white cap, so… But the rest they choose.” — Sinner on his coaching team wearing matching colours during his games. “I have pills, a lot of pills. Pills, sprays, eyedrops.” — Karolina Muchova on how she deals with her grass allergy, after beating Naomi Osaka in the quarter-finals. “Probably not a very entertaining match, to be honest, because we both serve 140mph, so not many rallies I don’t think.” — Alexander Zverev on what to expect from his quarter-final meeting with Taylor Fritz on Wednesday. “I think there are moments where I play, it’s like no matter what happens, today I’m going to win. But do I feel like Wimbledon is part of my destiny? If you asked me seven days ago, the answer would have been no. Honestly, I was writing it off a little bit. But I hope it is part of my destiny, whether it’s this year or in the future.” — Coco Gauff on her bid for a first Wimbledon title. “It kind of just felt like my legs were completely gone. Then I felt like I couldn’t really push off anymore. It was a really weird feeling, like my legs were disconnected from the upper half of my body.” — Osaka on why her serve faltered late in her loss to Muchova. “With her serve, she can serve really well, and then obviously sometimes she can throw in some double-faults. I think that’s what makes it so hard to play against, is you’re not really sure what’s coming.” — Jessica Pegula on Gauff’s serve after losing to her fellow American. The post Wimbledon day 9: Who said what appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Messi didnt want to go home as Argentina comeback stuns Egypt

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Atlanta – Lionel Messi said his tears after Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt to reach the World Cup quarter-finals were “a release” in what could have been his final international appearance. The 39-year-old broke down in a rare show of emotion at the end of an incredible last 16 tie in Atlanta that took the defending champions to the brink of a shock elimination. “I think it was a release, a relief for everyone. It was an ugly moment at 2-0,” Messi told reporters. The Argentina captain saw a first-half penalty saved as Egypt stormed into a 2-0 lead. But Messi also led the late fightback.  His cross teed up Cristian Romero to halve the arrears 11 minutes from time before the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner smashed in the equaliser. Enzo Fernandez completed the comeback in stoppage time to set up a quarter-final clash against Colombia or Switzerland. “Turning a match around like that — coming back from 2-0 down — it wasn’t easy, especially given how this World Cup is playing out and the fact that no one is just rolling over,” added Messi. “It was a moment of pure happiness and relief; we wanted to stay in the tournament. We didn’t want today to be the end, we didn’t want to go home.” Messi was thrown into the air by his team-mates in celebration after netting his 21st World Cup goal and eighth of this tournament to edge back in front of the battle for the Golden Boot. However, he highlighted Romero’s goal as the key moment the dynamic of the match changed. “Today was yet another display of character, coming back from a goal down isn’t easy. That was a really tough blow for everyone. “Fortunately, we managed to get that goal. That was the moment, I think, when everyone inside felt it and believed it was possible, that we were going to do it. “We were lucky enough to equalise and then win it in 90 minutes. We went all the way, it was just incredible what this group achieved.” The post Messi ‘didn’t want to go home’ as Argentina comeback stuns Egypt appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Netflix strikes deals in short-form video push

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) San Francisco – Netflix is pushing deeper into the short-form video territory dominated by TikTok and YouTube, striking licensing deals with a slate of major US media publishers to carry bite-sized content on its platform. The streaming giant has signed agreements with publishers including Penske Media, BuzzFeed Studios, Conde Nast, Hearst Magazines and People Inc. to feature a range of news, lifestyle, celebrity and how-to video programming. The deal was reported on Tuesday in entertainment news outlet Variety, which is owned by Penske Media and will provide content in the arrangement. Hearst confirmed the deal with Netflix to AFP, but didn’t provide more details. The content — spanning episodes from around two minutes to 20 minutes or more — is set to begin rolling out on August 3 for subscribers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The deals bring recognizable digital and print media brands onto Netflix’s platform, including Vanity Fair, Vogue, Rolling Stone, Bon Appetit, People and Variety. Popular series covered by the agreements include Vanity Fair’s “Lie Detector,” BuzzFeed’s “30 Questions” and Variety’s “Know Their Lines?” “Members don’t just want to watch a show or film and move on — they want to keep exploring the stories and personalities they love long after the final credits roll,” said John Derderian, Netflix’s vice president of animation series and kids and family TV. The publisher push comes as Netflix faces mounting pressure from platforms that have reshaped how audiences consume video.  YouTube surpassed Netflix in average daily viewing time in 2025, according to research firm Digital i cited in TechCrunch. TikTok began closing the gap back in 2024, when US adults were spending nearly as much time on the app as on Netflix, according to eMarketer data. Netflix acknowledged the competitive threat recently with a product redesign that added a TikTok-style vertical video feed, and has expanded into video games, podcasts and live events.  Internal data reported by Bloomberg showed viewers increasingly abandoning popular shows before a second season — a sign that the streaming giant’s signature binge model may be losing ground to the content habits cultivated by short-form rivals. The post Netflix strikes deals in short-form video push appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Egypt cheated in controversial World Cup

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Atlanta – Egypt coach Hossam Hassan claimed his side had been “cheated” out of a place in the World Cup quarter-finals after Argentina staged a stunning late comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2 on Tuesday. “I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice,” Hassan said in an explosive press conference. The Pharaohs had a Mostafa Zico goal ruled out when they were leading 1-0, VAR intervened to spot a foul on Lisandro Martinez much earlier in the move. Zico did then put Egyptian on the brink of a place in the last eight for the first time by doubling their lead. However, the defending champions hit back as Cristian Romero reduced the arrears before Lionel Messi, who had a first-half penalty saved, smashed in the equaliser with his eighth goal of the tournament. The controversy did not end there, though, as in the build-up to Argentina’s winner scored by Enzo Fernandez, Egypt believe they should have instead been awarded a penalty for a pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy. “We haven’t seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play,” Hassan said. “A penalty was ruled out, was not even checked by VAR. A second goal was remarkably disallowed. There has not even been a VAR check when we have all seen the image of the (shirt) being pulled back.” Hassan said he would not watch any more matches of the tournament, such was the injustice he felt. “I am not going to continue following the matches of this World Cup, watching the matches of this World Cup,” he added. “This is my own way of speaking up.” – ‘They wanted Messi’ – After Yasser Ibrahim’s header put Egypt in front, Argentina were awarded a penalty for a trip on Nicolas Tagliafico. Messi’s problems with World Cup penalties continued as his effort was saved by Mostafa Shobeir. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has now failed to score four of his eight non-shootout spot-kicks at the World Cup, including two misses at this tournament. Hassan speculated that the officials had been put under pressure to keep one of the biggest names in the competition. “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running,” he told BeIn Sports. “In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champions received support at every level.” Hassan also complained about the scheduling of the match for a noon kick-off (1600GMT), just four days after both sides had won their round of 32 matches. “Whoever schedules those matches has never played football. You never schedule a game for 12pm. At noon you go for a walk or to eat brunch, you do not go to play football. “When are the players supposed to eat? At 7.30am? “There have been a lot of things to be questioned on and off the pitch.” The post Egypt cheated in controversial World Cup appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Khameneis coffin arrives in Najaf ahead of funeral processions

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Najaf — The body of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei arrived at Najaf International Airport in Iraq on Tuesday night, Iraqi state media reported, ahead of funeral processions in the country’s holy cities which are home to the shrines most revered by Shia Muslims. Iraqi state TV broadcast the arrival of the Mahan Air flight that brought Khamenei’s coffin to Najaf airport, where Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and senior Iraqi officials, including Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi, were there to receive the remains of the late supreme leader who was killed on the first day of the Middle East war. The post Khamenei’s coffin arrives in Najaf ahead of funeral processions appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Iranian President arrives in Iraqs Najaf

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in Iraq on Tuesday night to join Iraqi authorities in the holy city of Najaf for the funeral procession of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who will be buried in Iran. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi welcomed Pezeshkian to Najaf, and the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and regional developments on the sidelines of the burial services. Al-Zaidi expressed Iraq’s sympathies to the Iranian government and people, confirming the strong connections between the two nations and emphasizing Baghdad’s commitment to developing cooperation in various fields. He also emphasized the necessity of maintaining regional peace and avoiding additional violence via prudent diplomatic involvement. Pezeshkian commended the Iraqi government and people for hosting a portion of the funeral procession, as well as the preparations made in Najaf and Karbala, and praised the two countries’ long-standing connection. Pezeshkian also asked Al-Zaidi to make an official visit to Iran to boost collaboration and partnership. Khamenei’s remains are being transported via Iraq’s holy towns of Najaf and Karbala before returning to Iran, where he will be buried on July 9 at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace. The post Iranian President arrives in Iraq’s Najaf appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Iraq condemns Damascus bombings

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq has strongly denounced the bomb blasts that hit Syria’s capital, Damascus, on Tuesday, reinforcing its rejection of terrorism. Iraq’s Foreign Ministry condemned the assaults on people with improvised explosive devices, calling them criminal crimes aimed at undermining Syria’s security and stability. Baghdad underlined its staunch opposition to terrorism, extremism, and all kinds of violence, emphasizing that assaults on civilians are never justifiable. Syrian officials said that two improvised explosive devices burst in downtown Damascus during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to the nation, injuring 18 persons, including four police officers. One device was put inside a parked car, while another was stashed in a trash can near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron had spent the night. No group has claimed credit for the violent incident. The latest incident comes just days after another attack at a Damascus café killed at least ten people and wounded more than twenty others, prompting new fears about security in Syria’s capital. Iraq’s censure comes as relations with Syria have grown recently, with the inauguration of Prime Minister Ali Falih Al-Zaidi. The two countries have increased diplomatic contact, including a recent visit to Damascus by Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, during which officials discussed bilateral collaboration, regional security, and economic links. Baghdad has often said that stability in neighboring Syria is a key pillar of Iraq’s security, and both nations continue to collaborate on counterterrorism measures and larger regional challenges. The post Iraq condemns Damascus bombings appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Iraqs Prime Minister travels to Najaf for Khameneis funeral procession

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi arrived in Najaf to take part in the formal ceremony receiving the corpse of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, as his funeral procession proceeds through Iraq before being buried in Iran. Khamenei’s remains were transported to Najaf before proceeding to Karbala, highlighting the religious importance of Iraq’s two holiest cities. Following the ceremonies, the procession will travel to Iran, where Khamenei is set to be buried on July 9 at the Imam Reza Shrine in Mashhad, his birthplace. The journey across Iraq followed funeral rites in Tehran, which were attended by prominent leaders from around the region. Iraqi President Nizar Amedi, Parliament Speaker Hebat al-Halbousi, and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani were among Iraqi politicians who visited Iran to express their condolences. Delegates from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Armenia, Turkey, and a number of other nations attended the ceremony. On February 28, the United States and Israel killed Khamenei in attacks that marked the start of the Middle East war. The post Iraq’s Prime Minister travels to Najaf for Khamenei’s funeral procession appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Canada province preparing lawsuit against OpenAI over school shooting

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Montreal – British Columbia said Tuesday it was preparing a lawsuit against OpenAI over the company’s failure to report violent ChatGPT activity by the person who committed a mass school shooting in the western Canadian province. OpenAI had banned an account linked to Jesse Van Rootselaar in June 2025, eight months before the 18-year-old transgender woman killed eight people at her home and a school in the tiny mining town of Tumbler Ridge. Canadian families impacted by the February shooting have already filed lawsuits against the US tech giant in a California court. British Columbia said Tuesday it was preparing a separate case, in coordination with the families, and had retained lawyers both in Canada and California. Provincial Attorney General Niki Sharma told reporters that the province wanted to hold OpenAI and its decision-makers “accountable for their failure to notify law enforcement of the violent prompts made on its ChatGPT platform by the perpetrator prior to the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge.” “British Columbia has never shied away from taking on powerful corporations when their actions cause harm to people and communities,” she added. In April, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman apologized to residents of Tumbler Ridge, saying in a public letter that he was “deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement to the account that was banned in June.” “While I know words can never be enough, I believe an apology is necessary to recognize the harm and irreversible loss your community has suffered,” Altman wrote. Van Rootselaar killed her mother and brother at the family’s home before heading to the local secondary school, where she shot dead five children and a teacher. She died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after police entered the building. The post Canada province preparing lawsuit against OpenAI over school shooting appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Cavs agree on Mitchell deal as LeBron watches: report

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Washington – Donovan Mitchell has agreed to a maximum four-year NBA contract extension worth $273 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers, his agent said Tuesday, a move that could help bring back LeBron James. Austin Brown told ESPN that Mitchell could have waited until next year and added another year and $80 million to his deal but wanted to commit to a long-term deal as soon as possible. Mitchell’s contract includes a player option for the 2030-31 campaign, according to the report. Mitchell, who joined the Cavs in a 2022 off-season trade from Utah, said after being eliminated from the playoffs in May by the eventual champion New York Knicks that he had “unfinished business” trying to bring another NBA crown to Cleveland. James led the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA title after winning two titles with Miami after leaving the Cavaliers in 2010. He left again for the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 and won a title with them in 2020. The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, however, is a free agent and has said he will not return to the Lakers, with his hometown Cavaliers, Philadelphia, Miami and Golden State among those listed as favorites as landing spots for the 41-year-old forward. Mitchell, a 29-year-old guard preparing for his 10th NBA season, averaged 27.9 points, 5.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals a game last season, when the Cavs reached the Eastern Conference finals before being swept 4-0 by New York. The Cavaliers have reached the playoffs each of the past four seasons with Mitchell on the club after missing the post-season the four prior campaigns. With Mitchell around for the long term and center Evan Mobley a solid pillar, the Cavs have what it takes to potentially lure James back to his hometown for another run at a title. – Lowry retires – Kyle Lowry, a 40-year-old point guard who played 20 NBA seasons, signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Raptors and announced his retirement as a member of the team he helped to an NBA crown in 2019. Lowry said farewell on the seventh day of the seventh month of the year, a nod to his jersey number seven. “Thank you to my family, my friends, my teammates, my coaches, my opponents, the staff, the media and especially the fans,” Lowry said. “It’s all about you. I appreciate you. Thank you. “It’s officially happening. I’m retiring as a Toronto Raptor — 20 years and one day. Seven forever.” The six-time NBA All-Star helped the United States win Olympic gold at Rio in 2016. Over his 1,187 career games with Memphis, Houston, Toronto, Miami and Philadelphia, Lowry averaged 13.8 points, 6.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per contest. The post Cavs agree on Mitchell deal as LeBron watches: report appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Iraq strengthens preparations for COP31 Climate Summit

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – Iraq is intensifying its preparations for the COP31 United Nations Climate Change Conference following a strategy meeting of its Permanent Climate Change Negotiating Delegation to enhance the country’s preparedness for this year’s global climate negotiations in Turkey. The group decided on a strategy focusing on the preservation of institutional knowledge, enhancement of climate diplomacy, improvement of coordination among negotiation teams, and boosting technical and logistical readiness ahead of the summit, which will be held in Antalya from Nov. 9-20. The approach is intended to present a united Iraqi front in negotiations, boost collaboration with global partners, and protect the country’s interests in the world’s climate talks, officials added. The preparations come as Iraq continues to grapple with escalating environmental concerns, including water shortages, desertification, and rising temperatures, while seeking more international collaboration to bolster climate resilience and sustainable development. The post Iraq strengthens preparations for COP31 Climate Summit appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Iraq Saudi tech leaders meet at Geneva AI Summit

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) — Iraqi Communications Minister Mustafa Jabbar Sanad met with Deemah AlYahya, Secretary-General of the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) on the sidelines of the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in relation to digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, digital investment, and skills development. AlYahya pointed out that Iraq is a nation that helped create the first chapters of human civilization and is now creating a new chapter via digital innovation, complimenting the country’s rising momentum in digital transformation. With Iraq accelerating its efforts to modernize its technology sector, the talks focused on enhancing collaboration between Iraq and the DCO in areas such as digital foreign direct investment (FDI), digital infrastructure, digital skills, and inclusive digital development. According to the DCO’s latest statistics, Iraq had 48.1 million active mobile connections in early 2025, corresponding to 103% of the population, and 38 million online users, with an internet penetration rate of 81.7%. The organization’s Digital Economy Navigator also rated Iraq at 73.4% for digital adoption and social inclusion, an indication of growing access to digital services. The gathering comes as Sanad continues to pursue an ambitious digital transformation agenda. Iraq’s Ministry of Communications’ is moving forward with plans to set up 5G networks in cooperation with Huawei and is also in talks to bring Starlink satellite internet services to Iraq. Sanad has also emerged as a key voice in international tech policy, representing Iraq in global forums on artificial intelligence and digital governance, including this week’s AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva. The Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO) is an intergovernmental organization established in 2020 to build inclusive digital economies and promote global digital cooperation. In 2021, AlYahya became the first Saudi woman to head an international institution, appointed as inaugural Secretary-General. The post Iraq, Saudi tech leaders meet at Geneva AI Summit appeared first on Iraqi News.

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US trade gap in May widens to biggest in over a year

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) Washington – The US trade deficit widened sharply in May to its largest in over a year as imports rose, government data showed Tuesday, with analysts noting that businesses could be gearing up for further tariffs. The shift came as the world’s biggest economy grappled with fallout from war in the Middle East, while imports of tech goods linked to the country’s data center buildout remained strong. The overall trade gap surged from the month prior by 42.2 percent to $77.6 billion, according to data from the Commerce Department. This was slightly less than a consensus forecast by Briefing.com. In May, imports climbed by 3.3 percent to $395.3 billion, while exports dipped by 3.2 percent to $317.7 billion. While imports of capital goods like computer accessories and semiconductors showed just a modest increase, “they are up 42 percent year-over year, thanks to ongoing demand for AI hardware,” said economist Grace Zwemmer of Oxford Economics. She added that the latest imports uptick was broad-based and led by consumer goods, with “about half the strength attributed to pharmaceutical preparations.” “This could be a sign that businesses are beginning to frontload pharmaceutical imports ahead of the 100 percent tariffs that are set to go into effect on July 31, although there are many exemptions embedded in the policy,” Zwemmer noted. US trade data has been fluctuating widely over the past year as President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on various trading partners, sending businesses scrambling to avoid them. “Imports convey solid US domestic demand,” said Nationwide financial market economist Oren Klachkin in a note. But he added that companies’ attempts to get ahead of planned tariff hikes “likely lent a hand.” Meanwhile, US exports of crude oil and petroleum products advanced after US-Israeli strikes on Iran from late February, which triggered Tehran’s retaliation in virtually blocking the Strait of Hormuz. The strait is a key waterway for energy transit, sending prices soaring at the time. While crude exports were still up in May, the partial reopening of the strait after the United States and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding helped push petroleum exports towards pre-war levels, Zwemmer said. For now, the temporary deal saw a pause in hostilities while officials seek a longer term solution, and energy costs have cooled. The post US trade gap in May widens to biggest in over a year appeared first on Iraqi News.

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Serena wants to play again before US Open says coach

📢Your social media posts deserve more reach 📈 Auto-share them to all social networks, schedule your uploads, and let AI handle recycling. 👇 (visit my Tumblr profile first post for tool link) London – Serena Williams wants to play singles tournaments before the US Open, unlike her preparation for Wimbledon, the American legend’s coach Rennae Stubbs said Tuesday. Williams, 44, played two doubles matches in preparation for her comeback to singles tennis at the All England Club, but lost in the first round last week. The 23-time Grand Slam champion then had to withdraw from the doubles with sister Venus due to a knee injury suffered in the defeat by Australian Maya Joint. “I’ll leave it to her to discuss her medical stuff and how she’s feeling but I know that for her trying to play, certainly something before the US Open will be something she would like to do,” Stubbs told reporters at Wimbledon. “She doesn’t want to go and do what she did here, which was just play singles, at the US Open, but at the same time it’s going to depend on physically how she’s doing.” There are WTA 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati ahead of the US Open, which starts on August 30. Serena, who returned after almost four years away from professional tennis, has not confirmed her next steps. “She’s got a lot of things to consider, her family, her businesses. But her goal is to keep going,” insisted Stubbs, who expected her to find life easier on hard courts, the surface on which Williams has won 13 major singles titles. “Getting on the hard court will be a lot more stable for her. And we all know how well she plays on hard court,” Stubbs said. “So it’s just a matter of getting her body back into the shape she wants. And then we’ll see. The post Serena wants to play again before US Open, says coach appeared first on Iraqi News.