Iraq Power Crisis & Protests: In Maysan, clashes erupted after protesters protested poor electricity supply; three security personnel were injured as demonstrators threw stones, amid a wider generation gap blamed on illegal grid connections, gas shortages, and Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Iraq Anti-Corruption Push: Iraq’s Integrity Commission seized nearly $7m in cash and seven gold bars from a detained electricity ministry undersecretary in Baghdad, as the government ramps up enforcement. Iraq Energy Exports: Lebanon and an Iraqi delegation in Beirut discussed reviving the historic Kirkuk–Tripoli oil pipeline, with Lebanon preparing to act as a storage and re-export hub to diversify Iraq’s routes to the Mediterranean. Iraq–Japan Investment & Security: Iraq’s National Security Advisor met Japan’s ambassador to urge more Japanese direct investment, focusing on security frameworks for foreign firms and tech transfer in energy and infrastructure. Iraq–Italy Industrial Cooperation: Prime Minister Al-Zaidi urged Italian companies to expand in energy, industry, and agriculture, highlighting technology transfer and EU-linked reconstruction partnerships. Tech & Consumer Signals: Smartphone shipments across the Middle East (excluding Turkey) fell 19% YoY in Q2 2026; Iraq saw a 36% drop, while mid-range devices with AI features gained share. Regional Tech/Science Note: NASA is using a modified U-2 (ER-2) to study wildfire-generated storms, aiming to improve forecasting of pyrocumulonimbus events.