“Tidbits From TNT” Sunday Morning 4-20-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  Al-Sudani chairs a meeting with major foreign oil companies operating in Iraq.

 Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani chaired a meeting today, Sunday (April 20, 2025), with the major foreign oil companies operating in Iraq.

The Prime Minister's media office stated in a brief statement received by Baghdad Today that "Al-Sudani chaired a meeting with the major foreign oil companies operating in Iraq."  link

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Tishwash:  President of the Republic: Iraq possesses enormous wealth that must be invested in supporting its economy in the best possible way.

President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, stressed, on Sunday, that Iraq possesses enormous and diverse wealth that must be invested in supporting its economy in the best possible way.

A presidential statement said that "President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, received at the Baghdad Palace, Minister of Industry and Minerals, Khaled Battal Al-Najm."

The President pointed out during the meeting that "Iraq possesses enormous and diverse wealth that must be invested in supporting the Iraqi economy in the best possible way."

The President of the Republic stressed "the importance of this in developing local industry and strengthening the economic situation," noting "the necessity of encouraging and supporting the private sector to contribute alongside the public sector in achieving sustainable development in the country."

For his part, Minister Al-Najm reviewed "the work of the ministry and the projects currently being implemented, in addition to its plans to strengthen the industrial sector in Iraq," expressing "his appreciation for the President's interest and valuable directives."

The statement explained that "the meeting discussed strategic plans aimed at encouraging the work of factories and plants to meet the needs of the local market." link

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Tishwash:  Bafel Talabani: ‘My Account’ is an Important Project, Misunderstood by the Public

PUK leader Bafel Talabani emphasized on Saturday that the "My Account” project is a vital initiative that is often misunderstood by the public.

Speaking to party media on April 19, Talabani said, "The My Account project is very important and the process is not what people understand. We met with the team and were impressed. We had some comments and we hope they will be implemented.”

He added, "This project is so advanced that it has the support of the Americans and other parties. It is a banking system that serves people’s lives, regardless of what it is called.”

Talabani also confirmed that positive progress has been made in recent negotiations between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), saying both sides have agreed on core principles and strategies.  link

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Tishwash:  The "My Account" project threatens to spark massive demonstrations in Kurdistan. 

Dilshad Mirani, head of the Popular Protests Committee in Sulaymaniyah, confirmed on Saturday that preparations are underway for demonstrations and protests by employees of the region in all of Kurdistan's governorates in the coming days.

Mirani said, "The reasons we are holding demonstrations in the region are our rejection of the 'My Account' project and to implement the Federal Court's decision to localize employees' salaries to federal banks."

He added that "demonstrations will take place in a new form in all cities and towns if the issue of localizing employees' salaries is not resolved."  link

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Mot:  Yeppers!! -- the ole easter bunny logic

Mot: . Waddya Mean!!!???? Jesus in the cave

More News, Rumors and Opinions Saturday PM 4-19-2025

KTFA:

Frank26:  "BILLIONS FOR THIS PORT... BUT NOT FOR 1310!!!"......F26

 Omani Minister: Faw Grand Port is the region's gateway to development

4/18/2025

Omani Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, described it on Friday as "the region's gateway to development."

A Shafaq News Agency correspondent said that a high-level Omani delegation headed by the Omani Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Saeed bin Hamoud Al-Maawali, accompanied by the Iraqi Minister of Transport, Razzaq Muhaibis Al-Saadawi.

The Iraqi Minister of Transport said in a joint press conference, "The Omani delegation expressed great admiration for the Faw Port and the advanced progress achieved in a number of its affiliated projects. They considered this a major achievement for Iraq and the region and a qualitative leap forward in trade and the economy."

For his part, the Omani minister said, "This massive project represents the region's gateway to development. We have similar experiences that we are working to develop jointly with Iraq. We have closely examined the components of the Grand Faw Port project, and we affirm our desire for an ambitious start and a significant partnership."  LINK

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Frank26:  "SECURITY & STABILITY STANDS STRONG!!!"........F26

The Security and Defense Exhibition kicks off in Baghdad with the participation of 150 Arab and foreign companies  

4/19/2025

 The 13th edition of the Security, Defense, Military Industries, and Cybersecurity Exhibition kicked off on Saturday at the Baghdad International Fairgrounds, with broad international participation, led by the United States, China, and Iran.

The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Sabah al-Numan, told Shafaq News Agency that this year's exhibition will host 150 companies representing 20 Arab and foreign countries, in addition to 65 Iraqi companies. 

He explained that the government is clearly moving towards encouraging local military production, while attracting international expertise to support the country's military manufacturing process.

Al-Naaman pointed out that the Military Industrialization Authority has witnessed a "qualitative leap" over the past few years, as it now equips most security agencies with weapons and ammunition of various calibers, in addition to other military equipment. 

He considered the exhibition to be "an opportunity to exchange expertise and learn about the latest technologies from foreign companies" in the fields of weapons, ammunition, and surveillance and control systems.

The military spokesman noted that the Iraqi security apparatus "has begun to capitalize on developments in cybersecurity technologies," emphasizing that attention is no longer limited to conventional armament, but rather includes the technological dimension, which is taking "an ever-increasing place" in the national defense structure.  LINK

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Courtesy of Dinar Guru:  https://www.dinarguru.com/

Mnt Goat ...Just listening to personal boots-on-the-ground (my CBI contact), I learned that we are very close as my CBI contract was told last week that she would be coming back to work on the committee for the Project to Delete the Zeros very soon... There is something brewing and its not beer…lol...

Militia Man  I think Iraq is far more ready than many people believe.  But because of the nature of this I still believe there is that inter-connectivity issue and it's something that's beyond our pay grade.  We just don't know exactly when they're going to do it and we're not supposed to know.  It's pretty obvious we're not supposed to know...

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Precious Metals Bull Market Is Here | Rick Rule

Liberty and Finance: 4-19-2025

Rick Rule, CEO of RuleInvestmentMedia.com, asserts that gold and silver are in a confirmed bull market, with gold currently leading due to rising concerns over inflation, debt, and currency debasement.

 He explains that silver tends to lag initially but historically outperforms gold later in the cycle as mainstream investors enter the market.

Rule highlights that precious metals markets are highly volatile, and investors should be prepared for sharp pullbacks—even up to 50%—during an overall upward trend. He believes silver's lower price and greater volatility give it more explosive upside potential once momentum shifts in its favor.

Rule also warns that large short positions in silver could face severe consequences when the market turns.

INTERVIEW TIMELINE:

0:00 Intro

1:30 Gold & silver markets

22:48 Uranium & copper

25:54 Battle Bank

27:50 Rule Symposium

 33:54 Battle Bank & Rule's ranking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucby-5txYfg

Dr. Scott Young: The End of the Fed, Part One

Dr. Scott Young: The End of the Fed, Part One

4-19-2025

The future of the Federal Reserve, the central bank of the United States, has become a topic of increasing debate, fueled by concerns about inflation, debt, and the Fed’s role in the economy.

This conversation has been amplified by voices like economist Dr. Scott Young and political commentator Tucker Carlson, leading some to speculate about the potential end of the Fed as we know it. But what are they saying, and what are the implications for America if these predictions come to pass?

While it’s difficult to definitively say Dr. Scott Young “predicted” the end of the Fed, his economic analyses have consistently questioned the institution’s long-term sustainability. His work often focuses on the dangers of excessive debt, monetary manipulation, and the potential for inflation to erode the value of currency.

 He often highlights the historical failures of central banking and advocates for alternative systems rooted in sound money principles.

While specifics are difficult to pin down without access to his comprehensive body of work, it’s likely his analyses point towards a scenario where the Fed’s policies eventually become unsustainable, leading to a crisis and potentially a significant restructuring of the monetary system.

This wouldn’t necessarily mean a complete “end” of the Fed, but rather a transformation in its power and operation.

Tucker Carlson, known for his often controversial commentary, has also raised concerns about the Fed’s influence and its potential negative impacts on the American economy. He frequently criticizes the Fed’s policies, particularly its quantitative easing programs, arguing that they benefit Wall Street at the expense of Main Street America.

While Carlson might not explicitly predict the “end” of the Fed, his rhetoric undoubtedly contributes to a growing skepticism towards the institution and its role in shaping the economic landscape.

He uses his platform to amplify concerns about inflation, the national debt, and the perceived unfairness of the financial system, which resonates with a significant segment of the population.

The consequences of a struggling or restructured Federal Reserve are complex and far-reaching. It’s important to note that a complete “bankruptcy” of the Fed is unlikely in the traditional sense, as it possesses the power to create money. However, a loss of confidence in the Fed, a failure to control inflation, or a significant crisis in the banking system could effectively cripple its influence and necessitate dramatic changes.

While the potential consequences of a struggling Fed are serious, it’s essential to consider that a restructuring could also present opportunities for a more transparent and accountable financial system. A shift towards sound money principles, reduced government debt, and greater economic freedom could ultimately benefit the American people.

Whether Dr. Scott Young and Tucker Carlson are correct in their implicit predictions about the Fed’s future remains to be seen.

However, their voices reflect a growing unease about the institution’s power and its impact on the American economy. It’s crucial for citizens to educate themselves about these issues, engage in informed discussions, and demand greater transparency and accountability from those who manage our financial system. The future of the Fed, and the American economy, depends on it.

https://youtu.be/yJ7tz7-meDA

https://dinarchronicles.com/2025/04/18/dr-scott-young-the-end-of-the-fed-part-one/

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Saturday Afternoon 4-19-25

Good Afternoon Dinar Recaps,

XRP NEWS: ETF APPROVAL COULD SUCK UP SUPPLY LIKE A “VACUUM” & PUMP PRICE HIGHER

▪️XRP ETFs could remove coins from market, creating less supply and higher prices.

▪️Analyst predicts XRP price could reach $27 if ETF approval goes through.

▪️BlackRock’s potential ETF involvement could trigger massive XRP demand with its $11 trillion assets.

A popular crypto analyst from the Good Morning Crypto podcast has made a strong prediction about XRP. He believes that the approval of XRP-based ETFs could trigger massive buying pressure, pushing prices higher. According to him, once proper regulations are in place, both investors and daily users of XRP could find themselves racing to grab what’s left of the supply.

So what’s driving this bullish outlook? Let’s break it down.

XRP ETFs Could Act Like “Vacuum Cleaners”

The analyst explained that Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) could play a major role in XRP’s price movement. When someone bu4ys an XRP ETF, the actual XRP gets stored with a qualified custodian, meaning it’s no longer available for trading in the open market. He compared this to giant vacuum cleaners sucking XRP out of circulation.

With already 18 XRP ETF applications on the table, and there’s a speculation that BlackRock, with a AUM of $11 trillion in assets, may enter the space, the potential demand could be massive.

If that happens, a lot of XRP will be taken off the market, which could push the price higher.

Clear Regulation Might Unlock XRP’s Daily Use

At the same time, the analyst believes that under Donald Trump, crypto rules in the U.S. could become clearer & easier. If this happens by August, more businesses might start using XRP for daily payments.

Meanwhile, market makers, the ones who use XRP for regular transactions, would need it every single day. But while they’re using it, they’d also see the price going up because ETFs are buying up the supply.

If this scenario unfolds, XRP may no longer be as cheap or available as it is today.

On the other hand, the Ripple and SEC lawsuits have been paused for the next 60 days. Many believe it could finally come to an end by July or August. This could be a big moment for XRP, possibly pushing its price higher.

How High Can XRP Go, If ETF Approved?

Recently, Coinpedia News reported that Crypto analyst EGRAG Crypto believes XRP has the potential to soar as high as $27 if an XRP ETF gets approved.

As of now, XRP is trading at a much lower price, around $2.08, with a market cap of $121.5 billion.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Coinpedia

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BRICS: HAS CHINESE YUAN MADE INROADS INTO THE WORLD’S RESERVES?

China has aggressively pushed the Chinese yuan as a major payment option for trade settlements between BRICS members since 2022. After the White House pressed sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, the Xi Jinping administration made use of the turmoil by placing its local currency ahead for cross-border transactions.

Its BRICS counterpart Russia was the top user of the Chinese yuan as it settled major trade deals in the currency. Even countries such as Iran, India, the UAE, Nigeria, and Belarus settled several trade payments in the Chinese yuan. So has the Communist country’s currency grown by leaps and bounds in the world’s reserves? The answer is no.

China has aggressively pushed the Chinese yuan as a major payment option for trade settlements between BRICS members since 2022. After the White House pressed sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, the Xi Jinping administration made use of the turmoil by placing its local currency ahead for cross-border transactions.

Its BRICS counterpart Russia was the top user of the Chinese yuan as it settled major trade deals in the currency. Even countries such as Iran, India, the UAE, Nigeria, and Belarus settled several trade payments in the Chinese yuan. So has the Communist country’s currency grown by leaps and bounds in the world’s reserves? The answer is no.

BRICS: Chinese Yuan Made Inroads In International Reserves?

The latest data from The Atlantic Council shows that the Chinese yuan has not made any major inroads in international reserves. Though its usage has slightly increased, it does not create any impact or threaten the dominance of the US dollar. Even BRICS countries are now hesitant to use the Chinese yuan for trade as they believe the Communist nation is using the alliance as a stepping stone for world domination.

BRICS member India stepped back from using the Chinese yuan after settling many trade deals in the currency. The Modi government does not want to promote or use the currency as it can make China much stronger. India and China have been at loggerheads for several decades due to border and trade disputes. Therefore, using their local currency will only empower the opposition and make India look weaker.

The Chinese yuan has a long way to go to even challenge the dominance of the US dollar. Other leading currencies like the euro and pound are yet to dent the USD’s prospects despite being second and third in line. BRICS has little to no chance of making the Chinese yuan reign supreme in the coming decades.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Watcher Guru

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Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Q & A Classroom Link  

Follow the Roadmap

Follow the Timeline 

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps

News, Rumors and Opinions Saturday 4-19-2025

KTFA:

Clare:  The Security and Defense Exhibition kicks off in Baghdad with the participation of 150 Arab and foreign companies

4/19/2025

The 13th edition of the Security, Defense, Military Industries, and Cybersecurity Exhibition kicked off on Saturday at the Baghdad International Fairgrounds, with broad international participation, led by the United States, China, and Iran.

The spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Sabah al-Numan, told Shafaq News Agency that this year's exhibition will host 150 companies representing 20 Arab and foreign countries, in addition to 65 Iraqi companies. 

He explained that the government is clearly moving towards encouraging local military production, while attracting international expertise to support the country's military manufacturing process.

Al-Naaman pointed out that the Military Industrialization Authority has witnessed a "qualitative leap" over the past few years, as it now equips most security agencies with weapons and ammunition of various calibers, in addition to other military equipment. 

He considered the exhibition to be "an opportunity to exchange expertise and learn about the latest technologies from foreign companies" in the fields of weapons, ammunition, and surveillance and control systems.

The military spokesman noted that the Iraqi security apparatus "has begun to capitalize on developments in cybersecurity technologies," emphasizing that attention is no longer limited to conventional armament, but rather includes the technological dimension, which is taking "an ever-increasing place" in the national defense structure.  LINK

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Clare:  Al-Nusairi confirms that the Central Bank's approach to banking reform and development contributes to accelerating Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization. 

4/19/2025  - Baghdad

During his participation in the specialized workshop held by the Ministry of Trade to discuss Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization, Samir Al-Nusairi, Economic and Banking Advisor, emphasized the role of the banking sector in contributing to accelerating Iraq's accession to the organization and the important role of the financial and banking sector in it.

He pointed to the measures achieved in 2023 and 2024 by the Central Bank in cooperation with the government, mainly regarding the regulation of foreign trade financing, the electronic platform, and direct work between banks and international correspondent banks, based on the approved reform and development methodology, official data, and monetary policy indicators for 2024 and the plan for 2025 and 2026, in cooperation with international consulting companies specialized in this field, and compliance with financial globalization and international standards adopted by WTO member states.

Al-Nusairi explained the main points of the banking reform project launched by the Central Bank this month in the presence and participation of the Prime Minister.

He pointed out the customs war launched by the US administration and its effects in the medium and long term on the principles of unifying customs duties. 

Customs duties of the member states of the organization, and what are the means of confrontation that will be adopted by the World Trade Organization and the CAT organization concerned with regulating customs duties at the international level.

 The workshop was attended by members of the National Governmental Committee for Joining the Organization, in which Iraq currently holds observer status along with 21 other countries, out of 166 countries with full membership. Representatives of relevant ministries, the private sector, and unions were also present.   LINK

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Courtesy of Dinar Guru:  https://www.dinarguru.com/

Militia Man  Article: "Upcoming meeting between Baghdad and Erbil to remove the Kurdistan oil export file"  We all know they haven't started pumping oil.  They've charged the pipeline...It's in print that they've done that.  It's been tested.  It's been really since 2023 and they haven't started flowing the money yet.  Why?  ...Because they don't have the real effective exchange rate to do so at this stage.

Frank26   [Iraq boots-on-the-ground report]   FRANK:  ATMs are now in position.  They're bringing them forth.  Not all are out I know but just curious, do you think they have the lower notes in them right now?  FIREFLY:  Mr Sammy wants you to know IHO no lower notes in them yet.  But soon.   FRANK:  Smile!!!

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Peter Schiff: Gold’s Rise Warns of Dollar’s Demise

Peter Schiff:  4-17-2025

Gold is glittering, reaching record highs and staging impressive one-day rallies. But according to renowned economist and gold advocate Peter Schiff, the mainstream financial media is too busy chasing the Bitcoin bandwagon to notice the significance of this precious metal’s surge.

 In a recent episode of “The Peter Schiff Show,” Schiff argues that this neglect is not just a media oversight, but a symptom of a deeper problem: a willful ignorance of critical economic realities that could lead to a devastating financial crisis.

Schiff doesn’t mince words, drawing parallels between the current economic landscape and the 2008 housing bubble. Just as many downplayed the warning signs then, he believes the media is now failing to recognize the warning flares being emitted by gold’s dramatic rise.

In essence, Peter Schiff’s message is a stark one: Gold’s surge isn’t just about profits for investors; it’s a warning sign of a fundamental shift in the global economic landscape. He urges listeners to pay attention to the message the market is sending, and to prepare for a future where the dollar’s dominance may be significantly challenged.

https://youtu.be/-JvFdiAR8LE

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Saturday Morning 4-19-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

RIPPLE ENTERS BROKER-DEALER ARENA AS HIDDEN ROAD GAINS FINRA AUTHORIZATION

Ripple just unlocked a game-changing foothold in traditional finance as its $1.25 billion acquisition scores FINRA approval, supercharging institutional access to fixed income markets.

Ripple’s Hidden Road Gets FINRA Go-Ahead to Expand Prime Brokerage Services

Hidden Road, a global prime brokerage firm recently acquired by Ripple for $1.25 billion, announced a regulatory milestone Thursday. Its subsidiary, Hidden Road Partners CIV US LLC, received authorization from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) to operate as a broker-dealer.

This new designation allows the firm to enhance its capabilities in fixed income prime brokerage. “This approval enables Hidden Road to expand its recently launched fixed income prime brokerage platform, which currently includes Fixed Income Repo & Global Funding services,” the company stated, adding:

"As a broker-dealer, Hidden Road will now be able to provide new and existing institutional clients with a full suite of regulatory-compliant prime brokerage, clearing, and financing services in fixed income assets."

Noel Kimmel, president of Hidden Road, framed the milestone as pivotal to the firm’s trajectory in capital markets. Kimmel stated: “Our broker-dealer registration is a significant step in the development of Hidden Road’s fixed income prime brokerage platform and bolsters our capabilities in traditional financial markets.” 

The executive continued: “As a FINRA member, we will be able to bring our best-in-class, technology-driven fixed income service offering to an expanded universe of institutional clients. Our business has tremendous momentum, and we look forward to continuing to provide superior execution and support to our clients amidst today’s exceptionally dynamic market environment.”

Ripple recently announced its acquisition of Hidden Road, a deal valued at $1.25 billion and pending regulatory approval. If completed, it would make Ripple the first digital asset firm to own a global, multi-asset prime broker.

The acquisition aims to expand Ripple’s cross-border payment and custody services. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse commented: “We are at an inflection point for the next phase of digital asset adoption – the U.S. market is effectively open for the first time due to the regulatory overhang of the former SEC coming to an end, and the market is maturing to address the needs of traditional finance.”

Ripple CTO David Schwartz described the deal as transformative, stating that XRP could support part of Hidden Road’s daily $10 billion clearing volume and 50 million transactions. “Ripple’s acquisition of Hidden Road is a defining moment for the XRP Ledger and XRP,” he said. 

The partnership will integrate blockchain-based settlement, use XRP and RLUSD for collateral and cross-asset trades, and aim to establish Hidden Road as the largest non-bank prime broker globally.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Bitcoin News

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BRICS: ONLY 50% OF GLOBAL INVOICES ARE WRITTEN IN THE US DOLLAR

The superiority of the US dollar is declining every year as BRICS and other developing countries are working towards uprooting it from the world’s reserve currency status. The latest data had shown that the US dollar’s reserves around the world had already fallen below the 60% mark. The Atlantic Council reported that the US dollar’s global reserves fell to 59% last year.

That’s a gradual decline since 2002 when the global reserves in central banks stood at 72%. The last 23 years saw the USD reserves falling by 13% and the decline could continue further. The decrease falls in line with the BRICS agenda of de-dollarization where the US dollar’s dominancy is getting punctured.

BRICS: Global Invoices in the US Dollar Falls to 50%

Jane Foley, Rabobank’s FX Strategy head said in a recent interview with Bloomberg that the global invoices in the US dollar are now just 50%. The recent data from the SWIFT payment messaging system also shows that global invoices in the US dollar have topped 50.2%. BRICS members are now rewriting trade deals where local currencies are used and not the US dollar for cross-border transactions.

“There’s a lose correlation between the amount of invoices done in or written in the US dollars round. About 50% of the world’s invoices are written in the US dollars. So fundamentally central banks need dollar reserves,” said Foley. However, she stressed that the development could change soon. “And I think that will change,” she said. 

“Over the last 40-50 years, the share of the world’s trade from the US dollar has shrunk really because China’s growth in the emerging markets are great, but that is still nearly 60% of reserves,” she said. If BRICS continues the de-dollarization agenda, the US dollar could lose more value in the coming decades.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Watcher Guru

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Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Q & A Classroom Link  

Follow the Roadmap

Follow the Timeline 

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website

Thank you Dinar Recaps V

“Tidbits From TNT” Saturday Morning 4-19-2025

TNT:

Tishwash: Al-Nusairi confirms that the Central Bank's approach to banking reform and development contributes to accelerating Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization. 

During his participation in the specialized workshop held by the Ministry of Trade to discuss Iraq's accession to the World Trade Organization, Samir Al-Nusairi, Economic and Banking Advisor, emphasized the role of the banking sector in contributing to accelerating Iraq's accession to the organization and the important role of the financial and banking sector in it.

He pointed to the measures achieved in 2023 and 2024 by the Central Bank in cooperation with the government, mainly regarding the regulation of foreign trade financing, the electronic platform, and direct work between banks and international correspondent banks

Based on the approved reform and development methodology, official data, and monetary policy indicators for 2024 and the plan for 2025 and 2026, in cooperation with international consulting companies specialized in this field, and compliance with financial globalization and international standards adopted by WTO member states.

Al-Nusairi explained the main points of the banking reform project launched by the Central Bank this month in the presence and participation of the Prime Minister.

He pointed out the customs war launched by the US administration and its effects in the medium and long term on the principles of unifying customs duties. 

Customs duties of the member states of the organization, and what are the means of confrontation that will be adopted by the World Trade Organization and the CAT organization concerned with regulating customs duties at the international level.

The workshop was attended by members of the National Governmental Committee for Joining the Organization, in which Iraq currently holds observer status along with 21 other countries, out of 166 countries with full membership.

Representatives of relevant ministries, the private sector, and unions were also present.  link

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Tishwash:  Al-Karawi: Failure to send budget tables is a constitutional violation.

Member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, MP Mustafa Al-Karawi, confirmed on Friday that the government's delay in sending the budget tables constitutes a clear violation of the provisions of Article (77/Second) of the Budget Law, calling on the House of Representatives to take its role in holding the government accountable for this legal violation.

Al-Karawi told Al-Maalouma, “The government was legally obligated to submit budget schedules before the end of the previous fiscal year, but four months have passed without it complying with this, which constitutes a clear violation of the law and a failure to fulfill its constitutional duties.”

He added, “The delay in the 2024 and 2025 budget schedules is a serious indicator of administrative and oversight shortcomings within the relevant projects government institutions, which negatively impacts and implementation plans.”

Al-Karawi pointed out that “90% of the budget depends on oil revenues, at a time when the global market is experiencing sharp fluctuations, which makes basing a three-year budget on an unstable resource an ill-considered move.”

He pointed out that "the 2024 budget arrived late, was sealed by prior political agreement, and was not subject to a genuine review within Parliament. Despite containing fundamental problems, the results of which have begun to become apparent through the suspension of projects and the delay in referral and implementation."

Al-Karawi stressed that “Parliament is required to exercise its oversight role and hold the government accountable for this negligence, which could cause significant harm to the national economy and development plans.”  link

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Tishwash:  The most prominent of which are "thorium and uranium"... Iraq: Our natural resources are estimated at (16) trillion dollars.

The Prime Minister's financial advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, confirmed on Friday that Iraq ranks ninth globally among countries rich in natural resources, while pointing to a move to invest in strategic minerals whose revenues rival those of oil .

According to the official agency, the Prime Minister's financial advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, "Iraq ranks ninth among the world's ten richest countries in terms of natural resources, with its wealth in precious metals, minerals, and other resources estimated at at least $16 trillion, according to preliminary global estimates ."

He pointed out that "Iraq ranks first in the world in terms of the concentration of natural resources per square kilometer of its vast and diverse geography, particularly in the Mesopotamia Basin region, which is rich in underground resources ."

He explained that "investing in strategic minerals such as thorium and uranium could generate returns comparable to those of oil, as thorium is a cleaner and more important alternative for energy generation compared to uranium." He noted that "linking the value of the national currency to investment in these minerals depends on Iraq's ability to enter value-added chains, which contributes to raising the gross domestic product ."

He added that "the discovery of large quantities of thorium and uranium in southern Iraq represents 'strategic news' that will have a significant impact on diversifying the national economy if exploited optimally, especially if linked to the investment policies associated with the Development Road Project ."

Saleh emphasized that "advancing the exploration and manufacturing processes for these two resources will pave the way for the development of non-oil resources, enhancing Iraq's global geo-economic position. Furthermore, this development will chart the outlines of a new industrial map linked to the path of development, establish a sustainable future, attract major global mining companies with advanced technological capabilities, and provide quality job opportunities within the Iraqi market ."

He pointed out that "this boom in mineral investment will have a positive impact on fiscal and monetary policy, by enhancing monetary stability and increasing national income, which will contribute to improving citizens' well-being ."

He continued, "The importance of thorium and uranium minerals in the global energy market, and the presence of major economic partners such as India, China, and the United States, make Iraq a pivotal player in the field of unconventional fuel resources and an influential center in facilitating international security and energy paths  link

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Mot:  Where there is a Will - there is a Way!  

Mot: blue ones --- Now Wait a Moment!!! 

New Gold-Backed Sound Money Plan Revealed | Judy Shelton

Trump vs Powell - New Gold-Backed Sound Money Plan Revealed | Judy Shelton

Soar Financially:  4-18-2025

In this explosive episode of Soar Financially, Dr. Judy Shelton—former economic advisor to President Trump and Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute—joins us to deliver a sharp critique of the Federal Reserve and propose bold reforms that could reshape the global financial system.

We unpack the true role of the Fed, gold-backed bonds, currency manipulation, Bretton Woods 2.0, and how to restore monetary integrity in America. -Why is the Fed too powerful?

Could gold-backed 50-year bonds anchor the dollar?

And is the U.S. actually “cheating” in global markets?

00:00 - The Fed Is Too Powerful

00:43 - Meet Judy Shelton: Credentials & Mission

01:30 - What’s Wrong with the U.S. Economy Today?

 03:20 - Ending Dependence on Government Overspending

 05:00 - Trump’s Agenda: Rebuilding Manufacturing & Fair Trade

07:00 - Currencies vs. Tariffs: What Really Impacts Trade?

 09:30 - Bretton Woods, Gold & Stable Exchange Rates

11:00 - Currency Manipulation = Cheating

13:00 - Can We Create a New Global Monetary System?

15:00 - Free Markets vs. Currency Rigging 17:00 - Friedman, Hayek & Gold: Which Path Forward?

20:00 - Is the U.S. Rigging the Dollar?

21:00 - Gold-Backed Bonds: Mechanics & Meaning

25:00 - The $1 Trillion Windfall from U.S. Gold Reserves

 28:00 - Fixing the Fed’s Role in a Free Market

30:00 - Who Really Benefits from Fed Policy?

32:00 - Rescind Interest on Reserves?

33:30 - Should the U.S. Lead the World With Gold-Backed Bonds?

36:00 - Why Gold Is Surging — And What It Signals

 40:00 - Final Question: What Should We Really Be Asking?

43:00 - Would Judy Become Fed Chair?

 46:00 - Follow Judy Shelton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1By_XSde6Qk

Gold’s “Day” On Its Way

Gold’s “Day” On Its Way

The Final Wake Up Call By Pete B Meyer Friday 4-18-25

No time left

The global monetary manipulators at the Fed, the central banks, the IMF and the World Bank are playing for time. They need time to achieve long-term fiscal reform. They need time to create the global currency SDRs to be accepted by the market.

They also need time to facilitate the purchase of gold. The problem is that there is no time. A run on gold has already begun before everything is in place and everyone has what they need.

The collapse of confidence in the dollar has begun before the SDR is ready to take its place. The insolvency of the Fed and the central banks is just around the corner. The dollar’s momentum is running out and the red light is flashing.

• The potential destabilising factor is that the amount of gold subject to paper contracts is over a thousand times the amount of physical gold backing those contracts.

If large numbers of holders demand physical delivery, the paper market will crash. And as other holders realise that they are running out of physical gold and cannot redeem their contract for bullion, the slide will escalate into an avalanche, a de facto bank run on the gold warehouses that support the exchanges and ETFs.

A similar dynamic began in October 2012, when the spot price of gold peaked at around $1,900/ounce. From there, gold fell to $1,200/ounce over the next six months.

Far from scaring off buyers, the gold crash made gold look cheap to millions of individual buyers around the world. They queued up at the banks, which quickly ran out of supply.

Buyers of standard 400 ounce and 1 kilo bars found there were no sellers; they had to wait almost thirty days for new bars to be produced by the refineries that were working around the clock to keep up with gold demand.

Massive conversions took place in the gold FTFs, not because all investors were bearish on gold, but because some wanted to get billions out of storage before running out of gold.

Backwardation

Gold futures went into backwardation, a highly unusual condition in which gold for spot delivery is more expensive than gold for forward delivery; the reverse is usually true because the forward seller has to pay for storage and insurance. This was another sign of acute physical scarcity and high demand for immediate access to physical gold.

When a gold buying panic breaks out, there is no single gold window to close. Instead, a multitude of contractual clauses, in fine print rarely read by gold buyers, would kick in.

• Gold futures exchanges have the ability to convert contracts to cash settlement only and close physical delivery channels. Bullion banks can also settle gold futures for cash and deny buyers the ability to convert to allocated gold.

As a result of the force majeure clauses in the contracts, to be used by banks that have sold more gold than they have in stock, investors will receive a cash settlement up to the contract termination date, but no more. Investors would get some cash, but no gold bars, and would miss out on the price spike that was sure to follow.

Physical gold was already in short supply and high demand in early 2014, and there was no price spike as a result of the manipulation.

Looming disaster

Central banks were still able to suppress the price of gold. But the alarm has been sounded. The ability of central banks to suppress the price of gold has been challenged, while a new demand for gold from paper buyers has emerged.

The entire international monetary system is stumbling on a rope of physical demand for gold. As the price of gold oscillates between the forces of physical demand and central bank manipulation, another greater catastrophe is looming: the Federal Reserve is on the brink of insolvency, if not already over the brink.

This is the conclusion of expert Fed critic Frederic S. Mishkin, one of the world’s most eminent monetary economists and mentor to Ben Bernanke and other Fed governors and economists.

As such, the central bank will have little choice and will be forced to buy up government debt and monetise it, ultimately leading to a rise in inflation.

Mishkin points to another collapse in the making, separate from debt monetisation and inflation. When the Fed buys longer-term debt with newly printed money, its balance sheet suffers large mark-to-market losses as interest rates rise.

The Fed does not disclose these losses until it actually sells the bonds as part of an exit strategy, although independent analysts can estimate the size of these losses based on publicly available information.

Debt monetisation leaves central bankers with a bad choice.

• If the country slips into deflation, the debt-to-GDP ratio will deteriorate because there is insufficient nominal growth.

• If the country slips into inflation, the debt-to-GDP ratio will deteriorate because of higher interest rates on the country’s debt.

• If the central bank fights inflation by selling assets, it will incur losses on bond sales and its insolvency will be exposed.

This insolvency could undermine confidence and in itself lead to higher interest rates.

The central bank’s losses will also worsen the debt-to-GDP ratio, as the Fed will no longer be able to transfer its profits to the Treasury, increasing the deficit.

There seems to be no way out of this sovereign debt crisis for the US or any other country; all roads are blocked.

The Fed avoided some pain in 2009 with its monetary stimulus and market manipulation, but the real pain was saved for another day.

That day has now arrived.

The proof is in: a monetary system based on credit rather than bullion isn’t as good an idea as it may have looked in the first place.

A credit system cannot last in the modern world because as the volume of credit increases, the creditworthiness of the issuers decreases. The more they borrow, the less able they are to repay.

The price of gold is rising. The only scenario that could stop it rising would be if the world achieved real economic growth and stability.

Which is not on the cards for the foreseeable future!

And with only 1% of people owning any kind of bullion, there will be plenty of customers for gold and silver.

Any major black swan event could cause gold prices to rise much sooner.

• The truth is that another Lehman-type crisis could be just around the corner, while a change of course won’t be in the cards until it’s too late.

In other words, a rally in precious metals could come sooner rather than later.

https://finalwakeupcall.info/en/2025/04/18/golds-day-on-its-way-2/

Economist’s “News and Views” 4-18-2025

Trump’s Plan to Fire Powell & Launch a New Global Economy

Daniela Cambone:  4-18-2025

"The bond market will start to get really, really concerned... credit market just seized up overnight," says Peter Grandich, publisher of PeterGrandich.com.

Ahead of Easter Day, he sits down with Daniela Cambone to unpack growing risks in the financial system—and why even the Fed may be powerless to stop what’s coming.

 Grandich points to a recent moment of overnight panic that shook the bond market and triggered a sudden credit market seizure. "We saw one day the stock market cave, the dollar cave, the bond cave, and gold go up a lot," he says.

Typically, when stocks fall, investors flock to bonds or the U.S. dollar as safe havens. But in this rare and alarming scenario, Grandich explains, everything fell—except for gold, underscoring a deep loss of confidence in the entire financial system.

Watch the full interview to learn why there's no better time than now to invest in gold.

Key Topics:

-Peter Grandich stresses the Fed’s shifting dynamic with Trump.

 -Gold is surging on unprecedented physical demand

. -Markets now move more on algorithms than individual investors.

-Deep U.S. political and social divides are clouding the economic outlook.

-Talk of a global reset grows as nations eye alternatives to the dollar.

 -Equity markets face rising correction risks.

-The Fed’s influence is fading compared to years past.

 -Easter symbolizes renewal and hope.

Chapters:

00:00 Trump against Powell

4:28 BRICS

 5:39 Fed saving the market

8:00 Who will replace Powell?

10:56 Gold price

 14:26 Equity market

 18:40 Financial system reset

20:41 Troublesome time

 23:34 Peter’s message

 27:35 Sense of hope

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OXpqydylTA

Watch for the Fed to Bail Out the Bond Market Soon

Heresy Financial:  4-18-2025

TIMECODES

 00:00 It’s Not About Stocks Anymore

00:21 Jamie Dimon Warns of a Meltdown

00:45 What “Kerfuffle” Really Means

01:13 Signs of a Coming Liquidity Crisis

 01:59 Treasury Yields Are Spiking Fast

02:15 Repo Market Flashbacks to 2019

 02:55 Hidden Risks Are Building Again

 03:36 Banks Want Rule Changes Now

 04:05 The Fed Might Have to Bail Them Out

 05:07 We’ve Seen This Playbook Before

 05:59 Trump, Powell, and the 10-Year Yield

07:17 Why the Bond Market Matters More

08:00 The Bear Market Clock Is Ticking

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QR8HkuRoog

8 Banks Just Leveraged Paper Against 4 Billion Ounces of Silver—It’s A Suicide Pact | Andy Schectman

Two Dollars investing:  4-18-2025

8 Banks Just Leveraged Paper Against 4 Billion Ounces of Silver—It’s A Suicide Pact | Andy Schectman

The silver market is on the edge of catastrophe — and it’s not by accident. Just 8 Western banks have quietly built a paper position shorting over 4 billion ounces of silver — a volume so extreme it equals nearly 4 years of global mine supply.

Andy Schectman exposes how this dangerous leverage is not only unsustainable… it’s a suicide pact waiting to detonate.

Meanwhile, nations like China, Russia, and India are draining physical supply directly from miners — bypassing the manipulated markets entirely.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVql4ynfK5I

News, Rumors and Opinions Friday 4-18-2025

Gold Telegraph: The Countdown is on

4-17-2025

BREAKING NEWS: EUROPE’S FINANCIAL WATCHDOGS QUESTION US TREASURIES SAFE HAVEN STATUS

You don’t say?

“The striking assessment at a closed-door meeting hints at some of the nervousness about Treasuries…”

Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-04-17/europe-s-financial-watchdogs-question-treasuries-haven-status

India is considering gold and silver imports from the United States to bridge the trade deficit. India has brought HOME 214 tonnes of gold since September 2022, which was stored in other countries. India is bringing its gold home and is now eyeing America’s gold.

Follow the trail.

The United States President has reportedly privately discussed firing Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell for months. The battle rages on.

The countdown is on: Jerome Powell’s next professional pivot is to Wall Street. Ask Richard Clarida, Janet Yellen or Ben Bernanke. Nothing ever changes.

BREAKING NEWS: U.S. BOND GIANT PIMCO WARNS U.S. DOLLAR’S RESERVE CURRENCY STATUS IS NOT GUARANTEED

The world is starting to become awake.

“If global capital flows into U.S. assets dwindle, it could point toward a more multipolar world with a diminished reliance on a singular reserve currency…”

Source: https://www.reuters.com/markets/rates-bonds/pimco-bearish-dollar-treasuries-us-safe-haven-status-wavers-2025-04-17/

Source(s):
https://x.com/GoldTelegraph_/status/1912866684051902531

https://dinarchronicles.com/2025/04/17/gold-telegraph-the-countdown-is-on/

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Courtesy of Dinar Guru:  https://www.dinarguru.com/

Frank26   [Iraq boots-on-the-ground report]   FIREFLY: Sammy wants to talk to you.  The reason you don't see the budget is the same reason you don't see the back pay paid out or the oil not restarted because it's all related to the budget tables and a rate.  FRANk:  I agree 100%...I agree with you Mr. Sammy because if you sit back and look at the whole picture of the monetary reform there's only one thing missing - a new exchange rate that makes everything work.  That makes everything make sense because nothing is logical at 1310.  

Militia Man  If you guys see the theme of coordination, cooperation, you see mechanisms...transparency...If you follow through that you can see the stepping stones.  If you want to get down to the ocean front and you're up on the cliff you got to go go down all those stepping stones.  To get off that cliff, Iraq has been doing that.  They're down to, I think, the last stepping stone to put their feet in the sand and get a cool swim in the water.  I think it's going to be a big swim. 

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Iraq "Breaking News" CBI Three Announcements

Edu Matrix:  4-17-2025

The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) is making bold moves to modernize its financial system! In this video, we break down the latest updates, including the CBI’s successful transition to using international correspondent banks for foreign transfers and adding new currencies like the Jordanian Dinar and Saudi Riyal for trade.

 Iraqi banks can now use the Euro to fund trade with Turkey — a significant shift from previous restrictions. But that’s not all — Iraq has also introduced direct debit card-to-card transfers, with monthly limits up to 2 million dinars.

These changes are designed to boost international trade, strengthen the role of Iraqi banks in global markets, and make digital payments easier and more secure for citizens.

Discover how these developments could impact Iraq’s economy, investment potential, and the future of the Iraqi Dinar (IQD).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWWdOIRDSpk

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economic Updates Friday Morning 4-18-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

ARIZONA LEADS CRYPTO RESERVE LEGISLATION RACE AS SB 1373 PASSES HOUSE COMMITTEE

▪️The Arizona Strategic Digital Assets Reserve Bill passed the House committee on Thursday.

▪️The bill, which calls for the creation of a strategic reserve, now awaits a final reading and full floor vote before reaching the governor’s desk for approval.

Arizona's Strategic Digital Assets Reserve Bill, or "SB 1373," passed the House committee on Thursday. It now awaits a third reading and a full floor vote before reaching the governor's desk for final approval.

The SB 1373 bill proposes the creation of a digital assets strategic reserve fund, which would consist of funds appropriated by the legislature and crypto assets seized by authorities.

The bill notes that the state treasurer would be allowed to deposit seized crypto into the fund via a qualified custody solution or a state-registered exchange-traded product, and that the treasurer may loan digital assets from the fund for additional returns.

"The state treasurer may not invest more than ten percent of the total amount of monies deposited in the fund in any given fiscal year," the bill says.

According to SB 1373, the term "digital assets" include virtual currency, virtual coin, and cryptocurrencies, which encompass bitcoin, stablecoins, non-fungible tokens, and other blockchain-based assets that carry economic or access rights.

A separate bill — the Arizona Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act (SB 1025) — also passed the House on April 1. If enacted, SB 1025 would allow state funds to invest up to 10% in "virtual currency holdings."

However, Arizona's crypto reserve bills may face a significant roadblock in the legislative progress as Governor Katie Hobbs vowed to veto all bills until the legislature passes a disability funding measure.

Several other U.S. states are currently advancing crypto-related legislation. According to data from bitcoin legislation researcher Bitcoin Laws, Arizona has made the furthest progress in passing the digital asset reserve legislation, followed by Texas and New Hampshire.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  The Block

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RUSSIA MULLS LOCAL STABLECOIN ISSUANCE TO CIRCUMVENT SANCTIONS

A Deputy Director at the Russian Finance Ministry, Osman Kabaloev, has floated the idea of Russia launching a stablecoin to help with import and export payments. Over the last three years, Russia has tried numerous routes to circumvent sanctions given its access to Swift for cross border payments is blocked.

 A current popular route is the use of stablecoins, and Tether in particular. However, in early March, Tether froze $28.5 million in funds belonging to sanctioned Russian crypto exchange Garantex, causing it to suspend services.

“That blocking that recently happened… makes us think that we need to look at creating internal instruments like USDT, possibly tied to other currencies, like they do in the Emirates – a stablecoin for the dirham – and in many other countries,” Kabaloev said at a conference of the Association of Russian Banks, according to Reuters. He was referring to the recent launch of the AE Coin, a dirham stablecoin authorized by the Central Bank of the UAE. Notably, the dirham is pegged to the dollar.

This isn’t the first report about Russian stablecoins. Last August there were reports of plans to issue a stablecoin in the Chinese yuan as well as a BRICS basket. It’s unclear whether China’s government would support a yuan stablecoin or would prefer the use of its CBDC.

The yuan is relevant because a significant proportion of Russia’s cross border payments have now shifted to the Chinese currency.

Tokenization & crypto for cross border payments

Russia already has two experimental programs that can be used for cross border payments. It has digital financial asset (DFA) issuance, its regulated tokenization regime that was launched before the Ukraine invasion. This supports assets such as tokenized gold or oil, and Iran said it was working with Russia on using tokenized assets for payments.

DFAs were originally intended for domestic investments, but a year ago Russia passed a law allowing DFAs to be used for cross border payments. Around the same time, local ratings agency ACRA highlighted frictions for foreign DFA holders because they’d have to onboard with Russian banks.

Russia’s central bank is not a big fan of cryptocurrencies, and initially resisted their use for cross border payments. However, late last year a new experimental program was launched to support the use of cryptocurrencies for imports and exports.

Mr Kabav also mentioned proposals the Central Bank subloemitted for crypto trading.

On the payments front he said, “Pilot transactions were conducted at the end of December, and now the mechanism is gaining momentum. Therefore, we hope that we will only strengthen and expand this area.”

At the same time Russia is working on a digital ruble central bank digital currency (CBDC), and there’s been much talk of a BRICS Bridge. That’s a planned cross border CBDC payment system for local currency payments amongst the ten BRICS member states.

@ Newshounds News™
Source:  Ledger Insights

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RUSSIAN SENATOR ANTICIPATES CREATION OF BRICS+, DOZENS OF NATIONS POTENTIALLY INVOLVED

Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev revealed that several countries are set to join the BRICS+ initiative, aiming to include the maximum number of participants. The Russian senator emphasized that this geopolitical group would facilitate direct interaction with dozens of countries outside the bloc.

Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Konstantin Kosachev revealed that several countries are set to join the BRICS+ initiative, aiming to include the maximum number of participants. The Russian senator emphasized that this geopolitical group would facilitate direct interaction with dozens of countries outside the bloc.

Russian Senator Reveals Future Creation of BRICS+ Geopolitical Group

The BRICS alternative bloc, composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates, is now seeking to expand its reach and influence to other countries through BRICS+.

Konstantin Kosachev, a Russian Senator of the Federation Council, said the bloc will deploy this new initiative to put dozens of allied countries in direct contact with the organization.

Kosachev stated:

This will not be a closed association for BRICS countries and partners, but rather a broader platform aimed at including the maximum number of participants.

The Russian Senator noted that several nations, including China, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Brazil, the current president of BRICS, had expressed their support for the BRICS+ initiative. “Several other countries are still considering their positions, but in this case, as within the entire association, we do not impose our will or attempt to enforce a single discipline,” he clarified.

The idea would be discussed during the next Parliamentary Forum in June, where representatives of the member states and allied nations will be present. “We hope to reach some decisions to formalize this initiative on the platform of the Inter-Parliamentary Union during the autumn assembly,” Kosachev concluded.

The news hints at a new level of cooperation between the BRICS bloc and its allies centered in the BRICS+ initiative, which could be used to coordinate binding economic and governance policies seeking to strengthen the group’s position in the face of the current financial turmoil and market uncertainty.

Per Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s statements, these measures could include adopting a common payment system, which will also be available for countries outside the group.

@ Newshounds News™
Source: Bitcoin News

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Thank you Dinar Recaps

“Tidbits From TNT” Friday Morning 4-18-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  In a meeting with Al-Sudani, Oman offers a digital partnership to Iraq.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received today, Thursday, the Omani Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, Saeed bin Hamoud al-Maawali.

 According to a statement from his office, a copy of which was received by {Euphrates News}, Al-Sudani welcomed the Omani minister and sent his greetings to the Sultan of Oman.

Al-Sudani pointed out that "the level of development, employment, and investment in Iraq, including the telecommunications sector, has advanced and improved, thanks to the political, security, and social stability the country is witnessing, as well as the economic renaissance," stressing that "the many commonalities between Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman provide an opportunity to develop economic and investment cooperation between the two countries."

For his part, Al-Maawali praised Iraq's achievements on various fronts, reviewing "the results of his discussions in Baghdad," and affirming "the readiness of his country's public and private sectors to cooperate with Iraq in the field of the digital economy and digital government."

 Al-Maawali also expressed his country's "readiness to cooperate in the ports and airports sectors by investing in projects related to various Iraqi airports."  link

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Tishwash:  What are the consequences of basing the budget on an oil price of $55?

 Economic analyst Abdul Rahman al-Mashhadani warned on Thursday of the repercussions of basing the oil price at $55 per barrel on the general budget law. He noted that this measure will lead to a financial deficit exceeding 80 trillion dinars, threatening a stifling economic crisis in the country.

Al-Mashhadani told Al-Maalouma, “Adopting a price of $55 per barrel in the budget is unrealistic in light of the ongoing fluctuations in global markets, and could result in a huge financial deficit that would exacerbate Iraq’s economic and financial crises.”

He added, “Some experts believe that reducing the price of oil to $55 per barrel could increase the fiscal deficit, reflecting the inaccuracy of this budgeting mechanism.” He emphasized that "continuing this approach could lead Iraq to a real economic catastrophe."

Al-Mashhadani pointed out that "the only solution lies in the government's deliberate reduction of operating and investment expenditures and its efforts to diversify sources of income instead of relying entirely on oil revenues." He called for "the development of a comprehensive economic reform plan that relies on the private sector, agriculture, industry, and tourism as alternative and sustainable sources."

A number of experts suggested that calculating the price of a barrel of oil at $55 is the most appropriate option to address the current financial crisis, given the realism it provides in the estimates and the avoidance of falling into a larger budget deficit.   link

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Tishwash:  A budget hanging on an oil thread.. The cost per barrel reveals the depth of the rift between Baghdad and Erbil.

 Member of the Oil and Gas Committee, MP Ali Shaddad, confirmed today, Friday (April 18, 2025), that Article (12) of the Triennial Budget Law represents one of the most prominent reasons for the delay in sending the 2025 budget tables to the House of Representatives, explaining that it sparked a sharp dispute between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government.

Shaddad's media office said in a statement received by "Baghdad Today", that "the budget schedules for the year 2025, which the government is supposed to send to the House of Representatives for approval, may be delayed due to the lack of agreement on Article (12) of the Triennial Budget Law, in addition to the decline in oil prices." 

He added that "the decline in oil prices will contribute to the exacerbation of the financial deficit in the budget," indicating that "the latter was built on the basis of an estimated price per barrel of (70) dollars, which is no longer realistic in light of the decline in prices, in addition to the accumulated deficit from the past two years." 

Shaddad continued, "The government is concerned about the financial obligations that may be imposed by the budget schedules," noting that "the latter has announced on more than one occasion that it is suffering from a severe shortage of financial liquidity." 

He stressed that "this shortage will not affect the salaries of employees and retirees, but it may lead to delays in the disbursement of certain financial dues, such as bonuses and promotions, as well as delays in the release of governorate budgets."  link

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Mot: Started the Day off with ~~~~~

Mot: . and Ur Bunny Name is ~~~~~~