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VOA – Influential Iraqi Shi’ite leader Moqtada al-Sadr has given his supporters the green light to resume anti-government protests, after the movement was interrupted following a deadly crackdown. Protests shook Iraq for six days from October 1, with young Iraqis denouncing corruption and demanding jobs and services before calling for the downfall of the government. The protests — notable for …

Reuters – Nothing will come of a case against Turkey’s state-owned lender Halkbank “if the law in the United States works”, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Sunday, adding that the case was politically motivated. U.S. prosecutors on Tuesday charged Halkbank with taking part in a multi-billion-dollar scheme to evade U.S. sanctions on Iran. Halkbank said the U.S. charges …

Radiofarda – The Iranian government is continuing to cut off cash subsidies as the economic crunch resulting from U.S. sanctions become increasingly daunting. Based on estimates published by Mehr news agency and Eghtesad Online news website, some 24 million Iranians will no longer receive cash subsidies by the end of the current Iranian year on 20 March 2020. Officials have …

AP – Millions of pilgrims made their way on foot to the Iraqi city of Karbala on Saturday for the Shiite pilgrimage of Arbaeen, regarded as the largest annual public gathering in the world. The commemoration marks the 40th day following the death of a Shiite saint in the 7th century and included more than 2 million Iranians and other …

Radiofarda – Former British Ambassador to Tehran Richard Dalton says “the path of legal trade with Iran is open despite the U.S. sanctions on Iran.” Dalton, a well-known advocate of ties with Tehran who is the vice president of the British-Iranian Chamber of Commerce, made the comment while addressing a meeting in London on October 18. Speaking at a meeting …