Iraq–US Security: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says Iraq’s new prime minister must take concrete steps to curb Iran-linked militias, stressing state authority and arms control as top priorities for Washington–Baghdad ties. Regional Nuclear Risk: The UN nuclear watchdog warned that a May drone attack on the UAE’s Barakah plant was “carefully targeted,” raising fears of a nuclear accident; the UAE blamed Iraqi armed groups. Iraq Politics & Militias: Muqtada al-Sadr again dismantles and then reconstitutes armed activity, with analysts saying the moves are about recalibrating militia power to match political moments. Public Tech & Data: A citywide AI safety and traffic initiative in Montréal is deploying “Derq” across intersections, showing how smart-city sensing is moving from pilots to real operations. Science & Heritage: Researchers report the real-world origin of the Euphrates, linking geology to the Bible’s Garden of Eden story and to Mesopotamia’s early civilization. Digital Assets Sanctions: The US Treasury blacklisted Nobitex, Iran’s largest digital asset exchange, targeting sanctions evasion and terror-finance pathways. Aviation/Infrastructure: Iraq is set to open Nasiriyah International Airport in coming months, a boost for connectivity and logistics.