Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Friday Morning 10-3-25

Qi Card Company Tightens Control In Iraq In Cooperation With The US: We Closed 3,000 Accounts

 Shafaq News – Translation   Bahaa Abdul Hadi, Chairman and Co-Founder of the International Smart Card Company, owner of the QI electronic card, revealed that the company is implementing a strict policy to monitor and prohibit suspicious activity in cooperation with Iraqi and US authorities, confirming that approximately 3,000 accounts have already been closed. 

In an interview with the English-language newspaper The National in Abu Dhabi, translated by Shafaq News Agency, Abdul Hadi said that the transition to a cashless economy in Iraq is gaining momentum, but there is still much to be done. 

According to the report, the Iraqi government has introduced financial and economic reforms since early 2023, including the use of electronic payment systems by the government and private sector, and reforms to regulations requiring electronic payment service providers to tighten anti-money laundering and cybersecurity rules.

The report quoted Abdul Hadi as saying that many Iraqis are now using cards and phones instead of withdrawing large amounts of cash from their pockets, indicating a change in payment habits. However, digital awareness remains the biggest challenge, he explained, adding that better incentives are needed to encourage more Iraqis to trust and adopt digital payments and transition away from paper cash.

However, he noted the importance of digital solutions as a turning point in bridging the cash gap in urban areas over the next five years, indicating that it will take 10 years to reach rural areas. 

The report also explained that the global smart card company launched the Qi card in 2007, initially as an electronic payment service for public sector salaries and pensions. The company now claims to have more than 11 million users and a network of 23,000 points of sale covering all Iraqi governorates, including remote villages.

He continued: "For the government and the Central Bank, the risks are significant, but the transition of millions of Iraqis from cash to cards and electronic wallets could limit corruption, expand financial inclusion, and enhance the stability of the dinar. However, the abuse of these same systems is also possible."

 The National recalled what the American Wall Street Journal reported last May, stating that QI cards were being exploited in dollar arbitrage schemes for Iranian-backed groups, allowing local salaries to be converted into hard currencies abroad to help Iran circumvent US sanctions. Financial transactions using the cards increased from $50 million to $1.5 billion per month between early 2023 and April 2023, generating profits estimated at $450 million in 2023 alone. 

 However, the report said that Abdul Hadi strongly denied these allegations, stressing that Qi adheres to a "zero tolerance" policy for any misuse.

He also stated that "when our system detects any warning sign, we immediately close the suspicious account," adding that more than 3,000 accounts have been banned.

According to Abdul Hadi, in cases where external parties attempted to exploit the broader card system for arbitrage purposes, we actively cooperated with the Central Bank of Iraq and Visa and Mastercard, taking measures such as freezing accounts, limiting the volume of cross-border transactions, and blocking thousands of suspicious cards.

He added that the company uses biometric authentication and real-time monitoring to detect any misuse, noting that in June, the company signed a three-year partnership with the American consulting firm K2 Integrity to enhance oversight.

Abdul Hadi indicated that no US agencies have contacted QI to date regarding these allegations, explaining, "We have not received any warnings... and the company is fully committed to cooperating with both US authorities and Iraqi regulatory bodies should they request information through legal channels." 

Abdul Hadi noted, as quoted in the report, that "the company has suspended the payment of salaries to the Popular Mobilization Forces," explaining that this decision "was made in consultation with our risk and compliance advisors to ensure full compliance with international regulations and avoid US pressure."      LINK

No-Gas Burning Technology

Walid Khaled Al-Zaidi   Since the discovery of oil in Iraqi lands in (1927), from the Baba Gurgur field in Kirkuk, through the Iraq Petroleum Company, at a depth of (1521) feet, this discovery was a major turning point in the country’s economic history, as it was followed by other explorations in other regions of the center, south, north and east, but signs of maximum benefit from the gas associated with the extraction of crude oil from the earth’s interior did not appear.

Over a period of nearly (100) years, our specialized engineering cadres were not able to seriously comprehend the great importance of the gas associated with the extraction of petroleum raw materials produced from all fields, despite the fact that they are considered enormous resources that can establish a national energy industry and great economic wealth in the country.

Gas in our various fields is a wasted natural energy source that appears burned and accompanies crude oil extraction operations. It is a large part of the country’s wealth that suffers from the burning of large quantities of it despite the efforts made to invest it.

The reason for this is the destruction of infrastructure in previous periods due to wars and corruption, in addition to neglect and short-sightedness in previous eras regarding the future of energy in the world. However, as soon as last year came, the federal government included in its programs the implementation of work plans to stop the burning of associated gas until the year (2027), in order to use it to operate power plants and reduce dependence on imported gas from various foreign sources, which burdens the Iraqi treasury with huge sums to purchase it.

Not only that, but this strategy also included the process of improving the environment, which is in line with the will of the international community and UN resolutions to reduce thermal emissions that pollute the environment.

The current national trends in this vital field were not random, but rather were based on a clear and well-thought-out scientific and professional vision when it extended communication channels with the State of Qatar, as it is the most important gas producer in the region, and one of the most prominent sources of its production in the world.

The plans showed that 70% of the gas would be invested instead of burning it by the end of this year, in preparation for the emergence of Iraq as a producer of this promising energy, through the signing of the joint operating agreement between the French energy company Total, Basra Oil Company, Qatar Gas Company and the Federal Ministry of Oil, under the auspices of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and in the presence of the Minister of Energy of the State of Qatar, in addition to important international figures in the field of implementing oil and gas projects from Korea, China and Turkey.

Governmental measures in the field of gas investment, in cooperation with the relevant authorities in this vital field, embody Iraq’s desire to increase the scope of investments with Qatar Energy and the French company Total, as the main operator of the Artawi oil field south of Basra, to implement the integrated gas development project,

 in addition to signing the contract for the central oil and gas processing plant between the French company Total Energy and the Turkish company Enka, which included, among other things, the production of (163) million standard cubic feet of gas per day,

in addition to the technology of not flaring gas, which indicates in a striking way the confidence of international parties specialized in this field in the strength of the Iraqi economy and inspires hope in seeing an advanced investment environment on our land, and an eloquent message that the Iraqi market is open at all levels to solid international economic contributions.https://alsabaah.iq/121404-.html 

Rentier No More? Baghdad’s $17B Gamble On The Development Road
  
Economy & Business  Iraq  breaking  Turkiye Development Road    Rentier    2025-09-30 08:40  Shafaq News – Baghdad / Abu Dhabi   Iraq’s $17 billion Development Road Project will be the backbone of a new, non-oil economy,   linking the Gulf   to Europe and     reshaping regional trade,   Transport Minister Razzaq Muhaibis al-Saadawi said on Tuesday.
 
During the Global Rail 2025 exhibition in Abu Dhabi, al-Saadawi called the rail-and-highway corridor “    a lifeline that carries      jobs and      investment,     not just freight.”

He said  international experience shows that   modern rail networks  slash transport costs, strengthen supply chains, and      drive competitiveness —    outcomes Iraq aims to replicate   by making rail the centerpiece of the project.
 
The Development Road   will span 1,200 kilometers   from Iraq’s southern ports  to Turkiye,  combining  an electrified railway      with a high-speed highway.
 
Construction is planned in three phases through 2050, with the   first stage expected to create more than 100,000 jobs.
 
For decades, Iraq has functioned as a rentier economy,   deriving over 90% of state revenues from oil exports.  This dependence has left public finances   highly vulnerable to      price swings,      limited private-sector growth, and      entrenched unemployment among a young population.
 
Economists warn that without diversification,  Iraq’s fiscal system risks  recurring crises and an inability to sustain basic services  when oil markets weaken.    
  
https://www.shafaq.com/en/Economy/Rentier-no-more-Baghdad-s-17B-gamble-on-the-Development-Road 

For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Friday Morning 10-3-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

Taiwan Considers High-Tech Strategic Partnership with United States

As Taipei and Washington negotiate tech, tariffs, and investment, the choices made could signal a shift from the old trade balance toward new models of alignment and control.

What’s on the Table

  ● Taiwan is in talks with the U.S. to form a high-tech strategic partnership aimed at reducing the 20% tariff on Taiwanese exports and expanding semiconductor cooperation. 
  ● Vice Premier Cheng Li-chiun leads the discussion. The “Taiwan model” would expand U.S. production capacity through Taiwanese investment without relocating the bulk of Taiwan’s supply chains.
  ● The U.S. reportedly floated a 50-50 chip production split, which Taiwan has firmly rejected. 
  ● Taiwan is pushing for industrial credit guarantees, joint clusters, and tariff reform to give the partnership structure and financial backing. 
  ● Meanwhile, Taiwan chipmaker TSMC is investing ~$165 billion in U.S. capacity (Arizona) but maintains that core production stays in Taiwan. 

Why It Matters

• This agreement could redefine supply chain power — instead of offshoring, Taiwan would anchor U.S. capacity via investment, shifting influence outward.

• Taiwan preserves its core sovereignty and technological edge, resisting demands to move production.

• The U.S. gains a more secure, partially onshore semiconductor base to reduce exposure to geopolitical risk.

Out With the Old, In With the New — Financial & Strategic Implications

🔹 Reinventing Tech Leverage
Rather than trade wars or tariffs as blunt tools, this partnership shapes new interdependence models: investment, cluster development, credit guarantees.

🔹 Capital Flows & Credit Structures
To support new industrial clusters, funding must move — loans, guarantees, venture funds, investment banks — possibly outside traditional Western channels.

🔹 Currency & Settlement Impact
If payment and settlement for this partnership can be conducted using non-USD mechanisms (e.g. local currency credits or regional systems), it would chip away at dollar dominance in technology trade corridors.

🔹 Institutional Significance
Strategic alignments like this carve new spheres of influence. Taiwan engaging deeply with the U.S. through tech, not just diplomacy, signals where future global alignments may lie.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

Taiwan and the U.S. are not just discussing trade; they’re scripting a new template for industrial alliance in the tech era. By balancing sovereignty with integration, Taiwan is crafting a model that might outlast the old trade frameworks. This negotiation isn’t incremental — it's part of the tectonic shifts of power and finance unfolding today.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources & Further Reading

• Reuters – Taiwan considers high-tech strategic partnership with U.S. Reuters

• Reuters – Taiwan rejects U.S. 50-50 chip production split Reuters

• Taipei Times – Vice Premier moots high-tech deal with the U.S. Taipei Times

• Moderndiplomacy – Taiwan considers high-tech strategic partnership with U.S. Modern Diplomacy

• Digitimes – Industrial clusters are key to Taiwan-US partnership DIGITIMES Asia

• FastBull – Taiwan explores high-tech strategic partnership with U.S. FastBull

• Wikipedia – TSMC global expansion & Arizona facility Wikipedia

  
~~~~~~~~~

Humanity Over Hostility: Seoul Seeks Family Reunions With the North

Seoul’s push to reconnect divided families may appear humanitarian — but it also signals deeper undercurrents of shift: out with old antagonisms, in with new diplomatic and financial realignments.

What’s Happening Now

  ● South Korean President Lee Jae-myung called on North Korea to resume family reunions for those separated by the Korean War, especially ahead of the Chuseok holiday. 
  ● Approximately 36,000 South Koreans have requested reunion chances via the Unification Ministry — many aging and hoping to see long-lost relatives. 
  ● The last such reunions were held in 2018, after which inter-Korean talks deteriorated and the physical facility used for reunions in North Korea was dismantled. 
  ● Lee framed reunions as a “humanitarian responsibility” transcending politics, urging that even amid hostility, basic human connection must persist. 

Why It Matters

• Soft power in action — Unlike military posturing, this move appeals to public sentiment, bridging distance emotionally before policy.

• Signaling intent — By raising this agenda early in his term, Lee indicates that he seeks a new posture in inter-Korea engagement.

• Diplomatic leverage — Reunions could become a bargaining chip in broader diplomacy: nuclear talks, sanctions relief, or development aid.

• Undercurrents of change — When societies break from entrenched hostility toward engagement, it can precede systemic shifts in alliances, trade, and financing.

Out With Old, In With New — In the Financial Sphere

🔹 Economic channels follow emotional ones
Restoration of people-to-people ties often leads, over time, to resumption of trade, infrastructure cooperation, and cross-border investment. The reunions are a soft opening to new flows.

🔹 Alternative financing & partnership opportunities
If reconciliation deepens, South Korea (and possibly third-party states) might structure financial or development deals outside Western-led institutions — for example, partnerships with China, Russia, or even via BRICS mechanisms.

🔹 Reframing legitimacy and authority
By taking the moral high ground, Seoul can assert narratives that don’t depend solely on U.S. backing or UN sanctions regimes. It’s about rebuilding legitimacy through empathy as much as power.

🔹 Institutional gray zones
Reunions blur the line between humanitarian and political. Entities like the Red Cross, UN, and NGOs may play larger roles, bypassing rigid state-to-state diplomacy. That opens space for institutions beyond the old bilateral models.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

Reviving family reunions isn’t just about kindness — it’s a step toward reweaving ties that ideology severed. In doing so, Korea edges toward new diplomatic and economic architectures, challenging old hostility and opening doors to reshaped alliances and financial paths.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources & Further Reading

• Reuters / Associated Press – South Korea urges North to resume family reunions Reuters

• Modern Diplomacy – Humanity Over Hostility: Seoul Seeks Family Reunions With the North Modern Diplomacy

• NK News – Lee calls on North Korea to allow contact between separated families NK News - North Korea News

• Yeni Safak – South Korea urges North to resume family contact, citing responsibility of political circles Yeni Safak

• AP News – North Korea demolishes reunion facility at Diamond Mountain AP News

• NK News / Seoul observatory sources

• Wikipedia – Seoul–Pyongyang hotline and inter-Korean lines Wikipedia

~~~~~~~~~
Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website
Thank you Dinar Recaps

“Tidbits From TNT” Friday Morning 10-3-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  Al-Sudani, congratulating on the National Day: We were keen to protect Iraq and preserve its sovereignty.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, today, Friday, on the National Day, while stressing the keenness to preserve Iraq and maintain its sovereignty.

Al-Sudani said in a statement, "Our most sincere congratulations and best wishes are extended to all Iraqis on the occasion of "Iraqi National Day", which falls on October 3 of each year, on the 93rd anniversary of our country's membership in the highest international body recognized by all countries and peoples of the world."

He added, "This day embodies the entity of the modern Iraqi state, and all that its contemporary existence carries in terms of historical, civilizational and cultural meanings, for our beloved Iraq, and for our noble people with all their fraternal spectra, and with all their deep historical reach and what they have offered to humanity in its journey towards civilization, that journey that began in the land between the two rivers."

He continued, "Throughout their modern history, Iraqis have faced many challenges and struggles, whether during the early days of the founding of the present Iraqi state or during their fight against dictatorship. Along the way, they have offered hundreds of thousands of martyrs so that Iraq may gain its independence and achieve its full sovereignty."

He   explained, "Since we assumed our executive duties as head of the government, we have been keen to safeguard Iraq and its constitution, preserve its sovereignty, protect its wealth, and achieve prosperity and economic strength for our people.

 We have also worked diligently and sincerely to ensure that Iraq comes first in our endeavors and efforts, and that it takes the place it deserves regionally and internationally."  link

************

Tishwash:  Mastercard: Technical glitch suspends money transfers for citizens in Iraq

An Iraqi banking source reported on Thursday that a technical glitch in the MasterCard network has caused the suspension of financial transfers to citizens using the network's cards, affecting millions of dinars in transfers.

The source explained to Shafaq News Agency that the glitch occurred suddenly, leading to the suspension of financial transactions and the suspension of all funds transferred at the time of the problem. He confirmed that the relevant authorities are working to fix the system.

The source assured citizens that the funds would be returned to their owners or transferred to the holding entity within 24 hours of the technical glitch being fixed. link

*************

Tishwash:  Washington supports the Baghdad-Erbil oil agreement to curb oil smuggling and enhance investment stability.

 Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi said on Friday that Washington's support for the Baghdad-Erbil oil agreement contributes to reducing oil smuggling and enhancing investment stability in Iraq. 

Al-Marsoumi explained in a Facebook post monitored by (IQ): “Why does Washington support the oil agreement between Baghdad and Erbil? With the Turkish pipeline closed since March 2023, some oil has been transported to Iran and Turkey via trucks while they search for alternative markets. Resuming exports from Kurdistan also helps offset a potential decline in Iranian oil exports, which Washington has said it will reduce to zero as part of President Trump’s maximum pressure policy against Iran.” 

He added, "Limiting the smuggling of Iraqi oil to Türkiye and Iran serves the economic interests of American oil companies investing in Kurdistan." 

Al-Marsoumi continued: "The agreement will contribute to creating a more stable investment environment across Iraq for American companies, and will maintain low oil prices, which will help control inflation levels in the United States  link

*************

Tishwash:  US investments accelerate in Iraq... Akkas field a strategic opportunity to boost energy

 Us Iraq seeks to contain the economic repercussions of European sanctions on Iran, the investment in the Akkas gas field in Anbar province is emerging as a strategic opportunity to reshape the energy landscape in the west of the country. 

A full year after signing an investment contract with a Ukrainian company that had not yet begun any field work, the Ministry of Oil decided to open the door to international companies, signing a new contract with the American company Schlumberger to develop the field, whose reserves are estimated at approximately 5.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. 

This move comes at a time when American companies are rushing to strengthen their presence in the Iraqi market, reflecting significant shifts in energy investment trends and shaping international competition over the country's strategic resources.

In an interview with Al-Alam Al-Jadeed, parliamentary Electricity and Energy Committee member Dahel Al-Hamidi said, "The American moves to invest in Anbar's oil and gas fields represent a significant turning point in Iraq's energy policy."

He added, "This step is not limited to being an oil project alone, but rather a message that the investment environment in Iraq has become more stable," noting that "the challenges resulting from sanctions on Iran and the recent snapback mechanism require Iraq to move quickly to invest its national resources to reduce dependence on foreign imports and ensure sovereign balance in the energy sector."

The company has already begun drilling and preparation work, with a production plan targeting a capacity increase to 100 million cubic feet per day by adding 60 million cubic feet allocated to feed the Anbar Combined Cycle Power Plant, with future plans to reach 400 million cubic feet per day in subsequent phases. Meanwhile, the Iraq Investment Forum, held in Baghdad on September 27-28, confirmed that other American companies have begun practical steps towards investing in oil and gas fields.

The Akkas field is the second-largest gas field in the Middle East, and if properly developed, it could provide more than 10,000 job opportunities in its first phase, in addition to generating revenue for Anbar Province and the country.

This comes at a critical moment for Baghdad with the implementation of new international sanctions on Iran. These measures present it with a difficult balance between its obligations to the international community and its urgent need for the Iranian market. Experts have warned of disruptions to supply chains, rising prices, and worsening currency smuggling, noting that the greatest challenge facing Iraq will be maintaining a delicate balance in its relations with Iran without slipping into a confrontation with the international community.

In April 2024, Iraq signed an investment contract for the Akkas gas field with a Ukrainian company. The contract stipulates that the field will produce 100 MMcf/day in the first year, increasing production to 400 MMcf/day within four years, which is sufficient to cover 35% of the Iranian gas Iraq imports.   link

*************

Mot: .. -- oooh Yes!!! -- the ole ""October Joys""

Mot:  Yeppers!!!!!! 

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Evening 10-2-25

The Oil Agreement: Sovereignty For Baghdad And Financial Relief For The Region After An 18-Year Dispute.

Time: 2025/10/02 09:51:20 Reading: 120 times    {Economic: Al Furat News} After a hiatus of more than two years, Iraqi Kurdistan's oil resumed flowing through the Turkish Ceyhan pipeline last Saturday, in a move described as historic and reshaping the interests of Baghdad, Erbil, and Ankara. 

The new agreement gives the federal government control over the region's exports, while providing Erbil with a financial reprieve, at a time when the global market is monitoring the potential impact on crude prices amid fears of a supply glut.

In the following lines, we review the beginning of the crisis, its developments so far, and its potential impact on the market.

Why did Kurdistan's oil exports stop in the first place?
The crisis surrounding the region's oil exports via the Iraq-Turkey pipeline dates back to March 2023, when Turkey halted oil pumping following an arbitration court ruling ordering it to pay $1.5 billion to Iraq in compensation for unauthorized oil exports from the region between 2014 and 2018.

Iraq filed an arbitration request in 2014 with the Paris-based International Chamber of Commerce regarding Turkey's role in facilitating exports from the region without the approval of the federal government in Baghdad. According to Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein, this halt cost the country more than $22 billion in revenue losses.

The original agreement between Iraq and Turkey was signed on August 27, 1973, and the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline became operational in 1977. Its goal was to enable Iraq to export its oil to world markets via the Mediterranean, bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

Initially, the Iraqi central government owned and operated the entire pipeline. However, after the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, the Kurdistan Region began developing its own oil infrastructure, connecting some fields to the Ceyhan pipeline via new pipelines constructed by the region, enabling it to export oil almost independently of Baghdad.

This approach sparked legal and political disputes between the central government and the regional government, and led to legal tensions with Baghdad, which rejected the move as a violation of national sovereignty.

What is the significance of this agreement?

Iraq describes the agreement as historic, under which the federal Ministry of Oil will receive crude oil produced from fields located in the Kurdistan Region and export it via the Iraqi-Turkish pipeline, according to Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani. He added in a post on Twitter:

"This ensures the equitable distribution of wealth, diversifies export outlets, and encourages investment. It is an achievement we have waited 18 years for."

The agreement includes "establishing clear technical and regulatory mechanisms to ensure smooth export flows and transparency in oil revenues, thus contributing to increased federal budget revenues," according to a statement from the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. The discussions that led to this agreement stemmed from "a shared national vision aimed at strengthening Iraq's role as a major player in the global energy market."

The agreement was also welcomed by the US administration. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement: "We welcome the announcement that the Government of Iraq has reached an agreement with the Kurdistan Regional Government and international companies to reopen the Iraq-Turkey pipeline. This agreement was facilitated by the United States and will deliver tangible benefits to both Americans and Iraqis."

He added, "This agreement will contribute to strengthening the mutually beneficial economic partnership between the United States and Iraq, fostering a more stable investment environment across Iraq for American companies, enhancing regional energy security, and consolidating Iraqi sovereignty."

The main beneficiaries of the Kurdistan oil export agreement are:

- The federal government in Baghdad  is regaining control over the region's oil exports through SOMO, and thus controlling all oil imports, according to Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani, noting that "pumping operations are proceeding regularly and will increase in the coming days."

For its part, SOMO confirmed that Iraq will be able to export larger quantities of oil after the return of the Ceyhan pipeline, while indicating that it has surplus oil quantities that will be compensated for. Iraq currently exports approximately 3.4 million barrels per day, out of a total production of approximately 4 million barrels per day.

The Kurdistan Region's resumption of oil exports through the pipeline linking Iraq and Turkey will help ease economic pressures that have recently led to delays in paying public sector salaries and reduced spending on essential services.

Iraq and the region agreed in July to supply SOMO with the region's entire production of approximately 230,000 barrels per day (bpd) in exchange for an advance payment of $16 per barrel (in cash or in kind) in accordance with the budget amendment law. The amount should not be less than 230,000 bpd, with any additional production to be added through the Joint Measurement and Calibration Committee, according to Bloomberg. Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister Masrour Barzani stated that the oil export agreement represents a "major achievement" for the Iraqi people, expressing his hope that "this agreement will improve the economic infrastructure to serve all citizens."

Oil producing companies:

Eight international companies, which together account for more than 90% of the Kurdistan Region's production, had previously agreed to the export agreement. However, the Norwegian company DNO ASA, which operates the Tawke license, expressed reservations, demanding "agreements that guarantee payment of past arrears and future exports."

For its part, Baghdad invited the regional government and representatives of foreign oil companies to a new meeting to discuss the details of resuming exports and ensuring the payment of financial arrears.

The eight foreign companies operating in the Kurdistan Region are: DNO, Genel Energy, British Gulf Keystone Petroleum, Shamaran Petroleum, HKN Energy, Western Zagros, MOL, and Hunt Oil Company.

Turkey
benefits from transportation and import duties through the port of Ceyhan via the Kirkuk-Ceyhan pipeline, and also strengthens its position as an energy transportation hub in the region, resulting in strategic and economic benefits.

How does the agreement affect the global oil market?

The additional volumes coming from the north add to concerns about a supply glut in a market already widely believed to be significantly oversupplied. Before the resumption of pumping, the International Energy Agency predicted a record surplus over the next year as the OPEC+ alliance continues to increase production.

Iraq is OPEC's second-largest producer, with average production this year averaging about 4.2 million barrels per day, most of which is destined for Asian markets via the southern port of Basra. However, on the price front, the price of Brent crude, the global benchmark, has fallen by about 11% since the beginning of the year.

However, so far, the market has been indifferent to the prospect of restarting the Iraqi Kurdistan pipeline this week, with oil traders anticipating that the pipeline will carry supplies initially used domestically, rather than releasing a significant flow of new oil.

Future obstacles and challenges

The agreement faces obstacles related to how the outstanding debts will be repaid. DNO, the largest international oil producer in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, did not sign the agreement because it wanted more clarity on how the outstanding debts would be repaid, according to Reuters.

"We have chosen not to start direct exports at this time and will continue to sell our oil on a monthly basis on a pay-as-you-go basis to buyers," CEO Bijan Mossavar-Rahmani said in a statement.

The company explained in a statement that it will hand over the government's share of production from its fields to the state for export, while continuing to sell its own share to local Kurdish buyers "at a price close to $30," according to Bloomberg.   LINK

Oil Announces Activation Of The Contract To Develop Kirkuk Fields And Gas Facilities With British BP.

Energy  Economy News – Baghdad  The Iraqi Ministry of Oil announced in a statement on Thursday the signing of the activation of the contract to develop the four Kirkuk fields and rehabilitate gas facilities, between the North Oil Company, the North Gas Company, and the British company BP.

In a speech delivered during the signing ceremony to activate the contract, Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil Hayan Abdul-Ghani affirmed the ministry's commitment to increasing crude oil and gas production in Kirkuk to support the national economy and secure fuel needs.

Abdul Ghani said, "Today we celebrate the activation of the contract to develop the four Kirkuk fields, which is one of the promising contracts that aims to develop the Kirkuk fields (with its two domes "Baba and Avana", Jambur, Bai Hassan, and Khabbaz) in addition to rehabilitating the facilities of the North Gas Company, to increase gas production to supply the power generation stations with their fuel needs."

He pointed out that "stabilizing the initial production rate at 328,000 barrels per day is the start of the contract, and what's more is development operations. Through this contract, we hope to increase crude oil production and, consequently, increase associated gas investment rates."

Abdul Ghani added that the contract will attract labor to Kirkuk and nearby provinces, in addition to providing fuel for electricity generation and other local industries.

In this regard, BP's Country Manager in Iraq, Zaid Al-Yasiri, said in a speech during the contract signing that the activation of the contract is a major step towards strengthening genuine cooperation and partnership with the North Oil and North Gas companies to develop the oil fields in Kirkuk.

For his part, the Director General of the North Oil Company, Amer Khalil, said that the activation of the contract to develop the company's four oil fields and the determination of initial production marks the beginning of work on field development operations to increase oil production, which will have significant benefits for the governorate.

In a speech during the ceremony, North Gas Company General Manager Ahmed Abdul Majeed said that the contract signed with British company BP will increase gas production after the company's production facilities are rehabilitated and developed.

This will result in an increase in fuel supply to power plants, in addition to providing gas to local industries in the country.  https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60631

For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Afternoon 10-2-25

Al-Sudani Affirms The Government's Commitment To Supporting The Gold Industry And Developing The Business Environment

Money and Business    Economy News - Baghdad   Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received a number of goldsmiths representing gold and jewelry traders in Iraq on Thursday. He noted the government's continued monitoring of this important economic sector and its ongoing development, expansion, and growth, both domestically and internationally.

Al-Sudani outlined the most significant challenges facing the private sector, both investors and manufacturers, in this field. He noted that the significant growth in the volume of gold trade prompted the government to issue a package of decisions regulating gold import activities, developing market mechanisms, and protecting consumers. This, he said, will help bolster national gold reserves, which have become a key pillar of financial stability and confidence in the Iraqi economy.

The Prime Minister noted that the approval of the "Global Gold City" project, with its headquarters in Baghdad, represents a strategic step toward localizing the industry, regulating the gold and jewelry trade in accordance with international standards, and creating a modern environment that supports manufacturing industries, provides job opportunities, and supports diversification of sources of income.

He explained that the government understands the challenges facing those working in this sector, whether related to administrative procedures, oversight and quality, or the need for more flexible legislation. He emphasized the need to address these challenges and adopt practical proposals from within the market itself, ensuring a balance between protecting the national economy and supporting the vitality of the private sector.

Al-Sudani stressed the importance of adhering to official standards, combating fraud and counterfeiting, and enhancing confidence in Iraqi products. He also emphasized the government's commitment to providing support through legislation, banking facilities, and protecting the rights of traders and investors. He added that the government, along with its private sector partners, will continue to do so.
https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60656

Al-Sudani Stresses The Importance Of Adhering To Official Standards In The Gold Industry And Enhancing Confidence In Iraqi Products.

Thursday, October 2, 2025, | Economics Number of readings: 114  Baghdad / NINA / Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani stressed the importance of adhering to official standards in the gold industry, combating fraud and counterfeiting, and enhancing confidence in the Iraqi product.

 He indicated the government's commitment to providing support through legislation, banking facilities, and protecting the rights of traders and investors.

Al-Sudani said, during his meeting on Thursday with a number of goldsmiths representing gold and jewelry traders in Iraq: "The government is following this important economic sector and the development, expansion, and growth it is witnessing locally and internationally."

The Prime Minister indicated, according to a statement by his media office, that the approval of the "Global Gold City" project, with its headquarters in Baghdad, represents a strategic step to localize the industry and regulate the gold and jewelry trade in accordance with international standards, create a modern environment that supports manufacturing industries, provides job opportunities, and supports the diversification of sources of income.

He explained: "The government understands the challenges facing workers in this sector, whether related to administrative procedures, oversight and quality, or the need for more flexible legislation," stressing the need to work to address these challenges and adopt practical proposals from within the market itself, ensuring a balance between protecting the national economy and supporting the vitality of the private sector.

He stressed the importance of adhering to official standards, combating fraud and counterfeiting, and enhancing confidence in the Iraqi product, with the government committed to providing support through legislation, banking facilities, and protecting the rights of traders and investors, and that the government is moving forward with its partners from the private sector.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister was briefed on the most prominent challenges facing the private sector, investors, and manufacturers in this field.

He pointed out: "The significant growth in the volume of gold trade prompted the government to issue a package of decisions regulating gold import activities, developing market mechanisms, and protecting consumers, in a way that works to strengthen national gold reserves, which have become an important pillar of financial stability and confidence in the Iraqi economy." /End
https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1254973

 Russia's $20 Billion Oil Investment In Iraq

energy  Economy News – Baghdad   Russian Ambassador to Iraq, Elbrus Kotrashev, confirmed on Thursday that his country's oil investments in Iraq have exceeded $20 billion and are open to expansion. He also indicated that his country is considering opening a Russian cultural center in Iraq.

"Relations with Iraq are advanced in all areas, and there are no restrictions imposed on them by any party. Rather, there is a mutual desire to develop and advance them towards new horizons," Kotrashev said, noting that "there is an ongoing and strong political dialogue, in addition to advanced economic cooperation despite the sanctions imposed on Russia," according to the official agency.

He added, "Cooperation with Iraq in the military, technical, and security fields is historic, and we face common challenges." He noted that "there has been ongoing cultural cooperation with Iraq for decades, and channels for further cultural cooperation will be opened." He noted that "Moscow is considering opening a Russian cultural center in Iraq."

He explained, "Our investments exceed $20 billion and are significantly expandable, with the cooperation and willingness of our Iraqi partners." https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60641

For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Thursday Afternoon 10-2-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

Token2049 Trends: Quantum, Stablecoins, DeAI & RWA
At Token2049, the industry mapped the trajectory from innovation to infrastructure — and those pathways intersect straight with global financial restructuring.

What Emerged from Token2049 2025

  ● The conference spotlighted quantum resistance, with panels exploring how quantum computing could disrupt crypto security and what post-quantum ledger designs must look like.
  ● Stablecoins remain a core theme — predictions of $1 trillion+ market caps were echoed, and supply, regulation, and cross-border use were debated. 
  ● DeAI / decentralized AI gained traction as a concept: AI agents embedded in blockchains, DAO governance powered by machine learning, and data markets were among the hot topics.
  ● Real-world assets (RWA) tokenization got serious attention: tokenization of real estate, bonds, private credit, art — bringing TradFi onto chain. 

Key Forces Driving These Trends

Quantum Threat & Opportunity
Blockchain protocols are increasingly expected to resist quantum attacks. New cryptographic standards (e.g. lattice, zk-SNARKs with post-quantum tweaks) were discussed.

Stablecoins as Payment Rails
Stablecoins were framed not just as collateral tools but as foundational rails for payments, remittances, and programmatic finance. The push is for institutional adoption.

DeAI / On-chain Intelligence
By blending AI with decentralized infrastructure, architects propose systems that optimize logic, compliance, and resource allocation autonomously — cutting latency, trust frictions, and central points of failure.

RWA Tokenization & Liquidity
Turning physical or traditional assets into tokens promises fractional ownership, access, and tradability. But liquidity, regulation, and standardization are recognized obstacles. Recent academic work notes many RWA tokens have low secondary market volume and structural barriers in custody, valuation, and regulatory gating. 

How These Trends Fit Into Global Restructuring

🔹 Reinventing Money & Settlement
Stablecoins + RWA = programmable money backed by real assets. As this model scales, dollar-based systems may lose primacy as settlement hubs.

🔹 Sovereignty in Tech Infrastructure
Every protocol that embeds AI, quantum resistance, or tokenized assets becomes a domain of control. Nations or blocs that can host or mandate these rails gain strategic influence.

🔹 Fragmentation vs Convergence
The future likely holds multiple token systems — regional or national rails coexisting with open protocols. That splinters power and reduces dominance of any single global financial center.

🔹 The Legitimacy & Trust Pivot
Trust is moving from political institutions to cryptographic institutions. Systems that remain stable, auditable, and resilient will attract capital, influence, and legitimacy.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

Token2049 wasn’t a festival — it was a marker of how the next phase of money, value, and governance is being built. These architectures aren’t speculative: they are foundational layers of future finance. As stablecoins, quantum resistance, AI, and real-world asset integration converge, the battleground shifts to who writes the rules, who operates the rails, and who captures the trust.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources:

• Newsweek — Ziplines, DJs and Trump: Singapore’s crypto conference has attendees roaring Reuters

• Token2049 official reports / event pages TOKEN2049 Dubai+1

• RWA definition & market context (Wikipedia) Wikipedia

• TOKEN2049 Dubai insights, key takeaways Bitget

• Academic: Tokenize Everything, But Can You Sell It? RWA Liquidity Challenges arXiv

• Academic: Hybrid Monetary Ecosystems: Integrating Stablecoins & Fiat arXi

  
  ~~~~~~~~~

At Historic Conference, Serbia Weighs BRICS as Alternative to EU Path
Belgrade’s flirtation with BRICS reveals cracks in the European model—and signals realignment pressures in global politics and finance.

Serbia Opens Debate: East or West?

  ● Serbia held its first parliamentary conference evaluating BRICS membership as a possible alternative to full EU integration. 
  ● Organizers included the Parliamentary Group for Cooperation with BRICS and the Socialist Movement led by former intelligence chief Aleksandar Vulin. Vulin criticized EU demands such as recognizing Kosovo’s independence, abandoning traditional ties with Russia/China, and giving up support for Republika Srpska.
  ● The Russian ambassador to Serbia affirmed support for Belgrade’s BRICS ambitions, stating the bloc represents “multipolarity” and cooperation without undue dominance. 

Backing Data & Shifting Public Sentiment

  ● Public support for EU membership in Serbia has dropped sharply—only ~33 % now endorse joining, the lowest in the Western Balkans. 
  ● Yet, around 60 % reportedly support the idea of Serbia entering BRICS, reflecting growing openness to non-Western alternatives. 
  ● Serbia has formally been an EU candidate since 2012, but progress is slow: of 35 negotiation chapters, only 22 opened and just 2 provisionally closed as of 2025. 
  ● Deputy PM Vulin has repeatedly stated BRICS is a viable alternative to EU accession, because it carries fewer political conditions (no requirement to recognize Kosovo’s independence, no forced alignment with sanction regimes). 

Strategic Drivers Behind the Shift

🔹 Sovereignty & Conditionality
Serbian leaders argue BRICS demands less political adherence than the EU—it doesn’t force changes in foreign policy or judicial structure to the same degree. This gives Belgrade more maneuvering room.

🔹 Multipolar Appeal & Identity
By associating with BRICS, Serbia taps into a narrative of resisting Western dominance—projecting alignment with Beijing, Moscow, and Global South states. It positions itself as a player in multipolar diplomacy.

🔹 Financial & Trade Leverage
Joining BRICS could open access to alternative finance, trade in national currencies, and reduced dependence on EU structural funds and conditional lending. Serbia seeks avenues beyond EU grants and subsidies.

🔹 Institutional & Structural Shift
If a country like Serbia abandons or slows EU integration in favor of BRICS, it signals weakening of the EU’s pull—and encourages others in its orbit to reconsider their alignment.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

Serbia’s public and institutional debate over BRICS membership is more than a regional curiosity—it epitomizes how countries are rethinking the old paradigms. In choosing between conditional European integration and a looser multipolar alliance, Serbia is testing the strength of global structures. Its pivot could ripple across the Balkans and beyond, reshaping trade, diplomacy, and financial order.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources:

• Watcher.Guru – At Historic Conference, Serbia Weighs BRICS as Alternative to EU Path 

• Gazeta Express – Serbia wants to join BRICS, not the EU: First International Conference 

• Intellinews – Serbia records lowest support for EU in Western Balkans 

• International Affairs / Australian Outlook – Serbia between Brussels, Beijing, and Moscow

• Novinite – Serbia Eyes BRICS as Alternative to EU, Citing Political Sovereignty 

• TASS – Serbia views BRICS membership as alternative to EU — Deputy PM 

• TASS – BRICS gives Serbia real alternative to EU without blackmail or humiliation
  

  ~~~~~~~~~

Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website
Thank you Dinar Recaps

The Government Shutdown, What’s the Big Deal?

The Government Shutdown, What’s the Big Deal?

Heresy Financial:   10-2-2025

The phrase “government shutdown” is back in the news, often accompanied by panic and dire predictions. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the political noise, but the truth is, not all shutdowns are created equal.

In fact, distinguishing the current turmoil from potentially catastrophic economic events is crucial for anyone trying to understand the actual risk level.

Drawing insights from detailed financial analysis, we can cut through the complexity. A government shutdown is essentially the cessation of some or all non-essential government services because Congress has failed to authorize funds to pay employees.

But to truly grasp the stakes, we must recognize that there are three fundamentally different types of shutdowns—each carrying a vastly different economic consequence.

This is the type of shutdown the U.S. currently faces most frequently. It stems from Congress’s failure to pass the necessary appropriations bills to fund the government’s operations for the upcoming fiscal year.

A budget shutdown is essentially a disagreement over how to allocate the remaining, smaller pot of discretionary funds. When this spending authority lapses, non-essential services tied to those funds cease.

As seen in the 2018-2019 shutdown, while frustrating and disruptive, these shutdowns are generally minimal in long-term economic impact. They cause temporary disruptions, short-term market volatility, and delays in government services (like processing permits or reporting economic data), but they do not lead to a default.

While often confused with budget fights, a debt ceiling crisis is fundamentally different and potentially far more dangerous.

The debt ceiling is the statutory limit on how much money the U.S. Treasury can borrow to fulfill existing legal obligations—bills that Congress has already authorized. Think of the debt ceiling as the limit on your credit card, whereas the budget is the argument over how much you spend this month.

When the government hits the debt ceiling, it can no longer borrow money to pay its bills (including payments to bondholders). While Congress almost always raises or suspends this limit to avoid catastrophe, the risks associated with a true debt ceiling shutdown (a technical default) are immense.

In short, a budget shutdown is a skirmish over future spending; a debt ceiling shutdown is a massive crisis concerning the government’s ability to pay past debts.

The third type of shutdown is thankfully rare, historical, and catastrophic: the currency failure shutdown.

This occurs when a government becomes unable to pay its bills because its currency is no longer accepted. This goes far beyond budget gridlock; it signifies a fundamental loss of confidence in the nation’s monetary system, often triggered by hyperinflation or severe political instability.

This scenario typically leads to regime change, a complete monetary reset, or the adoption of a different currency structure.

While fascinating to consider in a historical context, it bears no resemblance to the current political disagreements.

It is undeniably frustrating to watch Congress repeatedly stumble toward these fiscal deadlines. However, the video analysis offers a crucial philosophical takeaway: the gridlock is intentional.

The U.S. system of checks and balances was specifically designed to make decision-making difficult. By dividing power and requiring broad consensus, the founders sought to prevent the concentration of authority and safeguard against tyranny or rapid, unwise government action.

While this structure often results in inefficiencies and frustrating delays, it is a feature designed to prevent catastrophic outcomes. We may lament the temporary closure of national parks, but the difficulty in passing legislation acts as a permanent brake on runaway power.

When you hear warnings about an impending government shutdown, remember to ask which type is being discussed.

Currently, we endure budget shutdowns—a painful but temporary disruption resulting from necessary political negotiations over discretionary funds. The high-stakes drama involves temporary salary freezes and service halts, but it is a relatively stable part of the American political process.

The true fiscal calamity remains the debt ceiling shutdown, an event that carries the potential for global economic devastation, but which has historically been averted at the last minute.

For further detailed analysis on government shutdowns and financial markets, we recommend checking out the insights provided by Heresy Financial.

https://youtu.be/E3IOr4jgCCs

https://dinarchronicles.com/2025/10/02/heresy-financial-the-government-shutdown-whats-the-big-deal/

Seeds of Wisdom RV and Economics Updates Thursday Morning 10-2-25

Good Morning Dinar Recaps,

US Shutdown Day 2: What’s Happening, Who’s Affected & Why It Matters

Services falter, economic losses mount, and continuity of governance looms as a central test of American institutional strength.

What Operations Continue — and What Doesn’t

• Essential services such as Social Security payments, Medicare, Medicaid, and the U.S. Postal Service (which is funded outside annual appropriations) remain operational. 
• The federal courts announced they can sustain operations through October 17, 2025 under existing resources. 
• Public health & research agencies face deep cuts: ~41% of Health & Human Services staff will be furloughed, and institutions like NIH and CDC are heavily affected.
• Cybersecurity functions are compromised — CISA has furloughed most of its workforce, weakening defense of critical infrastructure. 
• Hospitals, particularly in rural or underserved areas, risk losing federal funding via Medicaid and other support programs. 
• Air traffic and aviation impacts include the halting of new air traffic controller training, potential delays in safety inspections, and strain on travel infrastructure. 

Economic Fallout & Ripple Effects

• A White House memo projects up to $15 billion in GDP lost per week during the shutdown, with potential unemployment rises. 
• The CBO previously estimated that extended shutdowns suppress private-sector demand, as furloughed workers lose income and cut spending. 
• Historic precedent: The 2018–19 shutdown cost the economy ~$11 billion and shaved growth. 

Could Continuity of Government Be Tested?

Government continuity mechanisms are designed to maintain essential functions despite funding gaps. But the 2025 shutdown is testing those lines:

• Federal law (the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019) ensures retroactive pay for furloughed employees once funding is restored. 
• But many federal contractors do not get back pay and may suffer permanent layoffs. 
• The ability of agencies to suspend non-essential operations, redirect funds, or invoke emergency powers will strain interagency cooperation—and may empower the executive branch.

Tie-In With Deeper Structural Shifts

• The shutdown undermines the United States’ reputation for institutional stability. As the world watches, it bolsters arguments for alternative power centers—nations and blocs that claim they can deliver governance without such breakdowns.
• In times of uncertainty, capital and trust migrate. Investors may question dollar-based assets and U.S. debt, accelerating interest in non-USD reserves, alternative financial systems, or gold-anchored institutions.
• As agencies pause, new opportunities emerge for states, private actors, and foreign powers to fill gaps—shaping parallel systems of influence, trade, and financial alignment.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

On Day 2, the U.S. shutdown is no longer just a political showdown. It is a stress test of governance, credibility, and global authority. The resulting economic scars, institutional paralysis, and capital uncertainty create openings for shifts in financial order—just the kind of restructuring many talk about, but few expect to see so clearly.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources:

• The Guardian – What does the US government shutdown mean for everyday people The Guardian

• Modern Diplomacy (via your link)

• Reuters – Courts can sustain operations through October 17 Reuters

• Reuters – Health agency furloughs Reuters

• Washington Post – CISA and cybersecurity furloughs The Washington Post

• Axios – Hospital funding in jeopardy Axios

• Reuters – Air traffic controller training halted Reuters

• Politico – White House memo on GDP loss Politico

• CBO – Potential effects of a federal government shutdown Congressional Budget Office

• The Guardian / historic shutdown cost The Guardian+1

• Wikipedia – 2025 U.S. federal government shutdown Wikipedia

• Wikipedia – Government Employee Fair Treatment Act Wikipedia

• House.gov / impact summary tonko.house.gov

~~~~~~~~~

US Upgrades Air Power on Korean Peninsula
Strategic modernization in East Asia exposes deeper shifts in power, alliances, and global defense finances.

Modernization Amid Rising Tensions
• The U.S. is retiring aging A-10 aircraft in South Korea and upgrading F-16 jets with new avionics to improve survivability and mission precision. 
• Drone operations are expanding: a drone squadron in South Korea has been established, and U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine drones are now deployed in Japan for intelligence and deterrence roles. 
• The move occurs in tandem with rebalancing in Japan, where F-35A and F-15EX jets are being phased into Japan’s combat fleet. 

Why It Matters
• The U.S. is signaling its continuing commitment to deterrence in Northeast Asia, reinforcing alliances as North Korea advances missile and nuclear capabilities. 
• Upgrading capabilities in an allied theater extends U.S. logistical, strategic, and financial burden—yet it also projects influence and anchors security partnerships in a contested region.
• The modernization supports U.S. goals of maintaining forward-deployed dominance, which has downstream effects on trade routes, supply chains, and regional stability.

Global & Financial Implications in a Restructuring Era

🔹 Military Spending & Fiscal Strain
• Funding modernization is expensive. As defense budgets swell, opportunity cost appears in social programs, infrastructure, and domestic priorities.
• In the context of government shutdowns, volatile debt, and financial stress, the willingness to sustain heavy defense outlays may be tested.

🔹 Realignment of Defense Influence
• Nations in Southeast and Northeast Asia witness these upgrades as both reassurance and pressure. Some may shift procurement or alignments (Russia, China, India) in response.
• Competitors may respond: China could accelerate naval or air development in disputed areas (South China Sea, Taiwan Strait) to counterbalance U.S. presence.

🔹 Infrastructure, Bases & Local Economies
• Bases in South Korea, Japan, and allied outposts see upgrades, spurring contracts, defense manufacturing, and local economic activity tied to U.S. defense industrial complex.
• Those infrastructure investments carry long-term financial commitments and create dependencies.

Key Takeaway
U.S. upgrades in air power aren’t just about military deterrence. They are nodes in a larger architecture of global influence, financial marking, and infrastructure dependence. As the world edges toward a multipolar order, control of the skies becomes central to who controls the future.

This is not just politics — global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive
Source: Newsweek – US Upgrades Air Power on Korean Peninsula Newsweek

~~~~~~~~~

China Uses UN to Advance Biggest Territorial Claim
China leverages the United Nations to bolster its sovereignty narrative over Taiwan — a move with deep geopolitical and financial implications.

China’s Legal Play at the U.N.

  ● The Chinese government issued a white paper at the U.N. General Assembly, asserting that UN Resolution 2758 “once and for all” settled China’s representation, and implicitly extended its sovereignty claim over Taiwan.
  ● Beijing claims that the resolution, passed in 1971, supports the idea that Taiwan is a province of China, and that “two Chinas” or “one China, one Taiwan” are illegitimate. 
  ● Taiwan’s government and its de facto diplomatic representatives (AIT) reject that interpretation, emphasizing that 2758 did not expressly address Taiwan’s political status. 

Responses & Regional Ripple Effects

  ● Taiwan condemned the white paper, accusing China of deliberate distortion of treaties and documents to justify coercive claims.
  ● Recent reporting indicates Taiwan views China’s reinterpretation of 2758 as an attempt to manufacture a legal basis for future aggression. 
  ● Observers note that the U.N. General Assembly’s decision did not adjudicate the status of Taiwan as a state; it resolved which government represents “China” at the U.N. 
  ● In parallel, China continues to apply pressure via grey-zone tools — military drills, diplomatic isolation, media influence, and legal arguments — to shift the status quo.

Larger Stakes: Power, Influence & Financial Leverage

🔹 Weaponizing International Institutions
China’s use of the UN as a venue for sovereignty claims illustrates how great powers can co-opt multilateral institutions to validate expansionist agendas. This undermines the credibility of neutrality in global systems.

🔹 Erosion of Norms & Precedents
If states succeed in stretching legal interpretations to justify territorial claims, international law becomes malleable. That could embolden other powers to challenge borders under nominal legal cover.

🔹 Financial & Strategic Impacts
Countries aligned with China may begin to mirror its use of legal and institutional pressure. Capital flows, trade agreements, and investment patterns may increasingly favor states that accept such interpretations or stay silent.

🔹 Questioning U.S. Authority & Rule Enforcement
As China asserts dominance in key institutions, American leverage through institutions like the U.N. wanes. Its ability to uphold rules, impose sanctions, or shape UN bodies may diminish over time.

Why This Matters / Key Takeaway

China’s push to reframe Taiwan’s status at the U.N. is more than a legal argument — it is a structural move in the reshaping of global power. By bending institutions to its will, Beijing challenges the mechanisms through which rules, norms, and legitimacy are maintained. In doing so, it accelerates shifts in financial, diplomatic, and institutional architecture — exactly the kind of transformation that signals we are witnessing global finance restructuring.

This is not just politics — it’s global finance restructuring before our eyes.

@ Newshounds News™ Exclusive

Sources & Further Reading:

• Newsweek – China Uses UN to Advance Biggest Territorial Claim Newsweek

• Reuters – Taiwan says China trying to create legal basis for attack via misinterpretation of UN Resolution 2758 Reuters

• U.S.–Asia Law Institute – Analysis: UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 Does Not Establish Beijing’s “One China” as Fact U.S.-Asia Law Institute

• Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Rebuttal to PRC claims on Taiwan Taiwan MOFA

• RUSI / policy papers – Taiwan’s response to China’s grey zone tactics RUSI

• Academia (arXiv) – Cross-strait information influence networks arXiv

~~~~~~~~~
Seeds of Wisdom Team RV Currency Facts Youtube and Rumble

Newshound's News Telegram Room Link

Follow the Gold/Silver Rate COMEX

Follow Fast Facts

Seeds of Wisdom Team™ Website
Thank you Dinar Recaps

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Thursday Morning 10-2-25

Financial Stability Dilemma

Catastrophic Figures: Iraq Is Drowning In Debt. Dangerous Indicators Portend A Bleak Future For The Economy.

Baghdad Today – Baghdad  Iraq's public finances are experiencing a critical phase, with government policies intersecting with accumulating obligations and increasing economic pressures.

This situation is no longer simply a matter of numbers; it has become a test of economic governance and the state's ability to balance operational spending with sustainable financing.

Official data indicates that domestic debt reached approximately 87 trillion dinars by mid-2025, while a proposal to issue new bonds worth 5 trillion dinars to pay contractors' dues is looming, potentially raising the figure to approximately 97 trillion dinars.

According to legal readings, any unforeseen expansion of domestic debt requires strict controls and legislation to prevent it from becoming a long-term burden.

Economist Nabil Al-Marsoumi warned in a statement on his Facebook page, followed by Baghdad Today, of the alarming rise in domestic debt. He noted that "the Ministerial Council for the Economy recommended issuing bonds worth 5 trillion dinars to pay contractors' dues, which some sources indicate amount to 7 trillion dinars.

If the government approves this recommendation, it will raise the domestic debt to more than 97 trillion dinars." This warning reflects genuine concern about excessive reliance on domestic debt instruments to finance operational obligations rather than productive projects.

In-depth legal analyses confirm that the continuation of this financing pattern will weaken the monetary authority, raise inflation, reduce private sector financing, and increase the burden of debt service, which reached 9.3 trillion dinars in 2024.

In parallel, economist Manar Al-Obaidi previously offered a critical assessment of other economic policies, which he believes have contributed to deepening the deficit despite massive oil revenues of nearly $300 billion between 2022 and 2024.

 Al-Obaidi notes that "the decision to devalue the dinar from 1,450 to 1,310 to the dollar increased state expenditures by about 40 trillion dinars and exacerbated the fiscal deficit," in addition to the jump in current expenditures from 104 to 125 trillion dinars and the increase in the wage bill from 43 to 60 trillion dinars over two years.

According to him, the domestic debt rose from 69 to more than 85 trillion dinars by mid-2025, relying primarily on the liquidity of public and private banks, which depleted their resources and impacted economic activity. Comparative legal research shows that such policies in similar countries lead to inflated debt without achieving real growth.

The Prime Minister's financial advisor, Mazhar Mohammed Salih, offers a more reassuring official reading in previous press statements.

Salih asserts that "the ratio of external and domestic public debt does not exceed 33% of GDP, an indicator that places Iraq within a comfortable and low-risk global credit rating.

" He adds that "domestic debt amounts to 85 trillion dinars, half of which is invested in the Central Bank of Iraq's investment portfolio, and the remainder is held by government banks and the public in bonds and transfers."

He explains that "external debt does not exceed 8% of GDP, most of which are long-term loans for the reconstruction of liberated areas." He also points out that Iraq has written off approximately $100 billion of its external debt under the Paris Club agreement, and that the remainder will be paid off by 2028 with the final foreign private sector debt of $2.7 billion.

 According to independent research estimates, this ratio makes Iraq less vulnerable to risks compared to similar countries, but it does not mean that uncontrolled domestic borrowing will be safe.

The result is that Iraq faces three clear paths:

the first is represented by Al-Marsoumi's warnings of domestic debt ballooning to approximately 97 trillion dinars if new bonds are issued;

 the second is expressed by Al-Obaidi through a critical assessment of fiscal policies that have undermined stability despite the oil abundance; and

the third is Saleh's official reading, which confirms that overall debt ratios remain within globally safe standards. Comparative analyses suggest that the challenge lies not in the size of the debt alone, but in how to manage it and link it to sustainable development plans that ensure that borrowing funds are transformed into productive investments rather than a renewable burden.

Ultimately, issuing new bonds to pay contractors' dues is not a simple financial choice, but rather a decision that requires a balance between meeting urgent obligations and maintaining long-term financial stability.

The logical conclusion is that the government needs a clear public debt strategy that combines fiscal discipline with development planning, to prevent financing tools from becoming shackles that shackle a fragile economy rather than saving it.

Source: Baghdad Today Monitoring and Follow-up Department  https://baghdadtoday.news/284215-.html  

An Oil Expert Explains The Importance Of The Baghdad-Kurdistan Agreement And Its Impact On The Global Market.

Economic: Al Furat News} Oil expert Furat al-Moussawi considered the oil agreement between Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region a strategic and important agreement that paves the way for future legislation of a new oil and gas law. He noted that the next three months will be a litmus test of the extent of all parties' commitment to its provisions.

The useful summary... You can find important news on the Euphrates News channel on Telegram

During his appearance on the "Free Talk" program on Al Furat TV, Al-Moussawi said, "Iraq has suffered for more than twenty years from financial and economic problems that have affected the salaries of the region's employees," noting that "there are clear clauses in the agreement and others that remain ambiguous." 

He pointed out that "Iraq has been restricted in expanding industrial and development projects due to a production quota described as unfair, as its production ceiling has been set at 4.6 million barrels per day since 2018."

Al-Moussawi explained that "Iraq attempted to negotiate with OPEC to increase its oil quota, but the negotiations did not achieve the desired results due to the quantities produced in the region outside SOMO's quota.

These quantities were deducted from Iraq's OPEC quota and set at 1.4 million barrels from October 2024 until the end of October 2025, which harmed Iraq's financial revenues and reputation within the organization."

The expert discussed the demands of oil companies operating in the region, stating that "one of these demands was addressed by setting $16 as an approximate average figure, with an international company to determine the transportation and cost costs to pay those companies' dues, amounting to approximately $1 billion, which was transferred to the federal government." 

He added, "The previous contract between the region and foreign companies was based on production-sharing, but a compromise formula was reached that allowed for the writing of a new law.

Eight companies also requested to sign new contracts with the Baghdad government to guarantee their rights, with the federal government paying the companies $16 in kind through deducting oil quantities, not in cash. This was considered an achievement for those companies, with the agreement to postpone payment of the $1 billion."

Despite the agreement's importance, Al-Moussawi described it as "cautious due to its potential financial and legal risks," noting that "Turkey seeks to cancel the Ceyhan pipeline and conclude a new agreement by the end of 2026, while Iraq has rushed to pump the region's oil through the existing pipeline to increase its negotiating leverage with Ankara."

He added, "The region's oil companies are looking to sign formal international agreements with the federal government," stressing that "Iraq will participate in the upcoming OPEC meeting on October 5, where it was agreed to raise its quota to 4 million and 220 thousand barrels per day, including between 800 and 900 thousand barrels for domestic consumption, with full commitment to the quota to strengthen its position in subsequent negotiations to increase it."

Al-Moussawi explained that "Iraq views the Ceyhan pipeline as a strategic option for diversifying export outlets and preventing any smuggling attempts," noting that "the region's oil quantities will be counted toward Iraq's OPEC quota," noting that "oil derivative prices in the region are very high due to the reliance on private refineries."

He concluded his remarks by stressing that "setting the 50% share for the region is not the end of the road, as Baghdad will work to raise it to 70% and also supply the region with kerosene and gasoline to ease the burden on citizens."  LINK

For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com

Who Do We Hold Accountable?

Who Do We Hold Accountable?

The loss and squandering of non-oil revenues in numbers: Billions And Abundant Resources Are Being Swallowed Up By Corruption Networks.

Baghdad Today – Baghdad  The issue of non-oil revenues in Iraq is one of the most important issues, revealing the depth of the structural dependence on oil.

The state treasury remains almost entirely tied to oil revenues, while other resources are supposed to be the primary tributary to ensuring financial stability.

Constitutional deliberations indicate that excessive reliance on a single resource weakens the principle of economic justice and disrupts the mechanisms for equitable wealth distribution.

According to Ministry of Finance data, the percentage of non-oil revenues rose from 7 percent in 2023 to 9 percent in 2024, and then to 10 percent by July 2025.

These are official figures, which economist Nabil al-Marsoumi asserts on his Facebook page, monitored by Baghdad Today, are the most accurate and reliable. However, they remain modest when compared to the potential in sectors such as tourism, ports, and border crossings.

Monitoring data indicates that this gap does not reflect a shortage of resources, but rather a crisis in collection mechanisms.

In the religious tourism sector, one of the most prominent potential sources of income, millions of visitors enter Iraq annually, with the Arbaeen pilgrimage exceeding four million foreign visitors. According to preliminary research data, average spending ranges between one and two billion dollars annually, while reports indicate direct and indirect revenues exceeding nine billion dollars in 2023.

However, the treasury's share of these funds is extremely limited due to the vast informal economy and weak tax collection. Constitutional law experts argue that the absence of strict tax legislation on tourism services deprives the state of legitimate entitlements and leaves it hostage to the informal market.

 This limits direct revenues to a few tens of millions of dollars, while possible collection through smart mechanisms could reach hundreds of millions.

 Field studies indicate that this shortcoming is not related to weak demand, but rather to the absence of institutional tools capable of fair collection.

Border crossings and customs represent a stark example of the discrepancy between reality and potential.

According to various legal estimates, border crossings should constitute the state's second-largest source of revenue after oil, but corruption and fraud consume a significant portion of the revenue.

 Official customs revenues in 2025 amounted to approximately 2.7 trillion dinars, with expectations of reaching 3 trillion by the end of the year, equivalent to approximately $2.3 billion.

However, international oversight reports indicate that customs losses could reach as much as 30 percent of revenues. If this loss were eliminated through comprehensive automation and the integration of collection with electronic payment, the proceeds could easily rise to $2.9 billion annually.

Comparative analyses indicate that Iraq is the only regional exception, losing a third of its customs revenues despite its extensive network of border crossings.

Iraqi ports, in turn, present a similar picture. According to critical readings of constitutional jurisprudence, port revenues fall within sovereign resources that are supposed to be centrally managed in accordance with the principle of transparency.

In the first quarter of 2025, ports generated revenues exceeding 314 billion dinars, equivalent to approximately $240 million over three months, meaning annual revenues approach $1 billion.

However, this figure remains below actual potential, as improving handling management, increasing operational efficiency, and linking electronic invoicing with customs could increase revenues to $1.15 billion annually.

 Institutional estimates indicate that Iraq is losing a portion of its resources due to the lack of a unified port collection system, which further widens the gap between reality and potential.

When compared to the Gulf states, the magnitude of the difference becomes clear. Research studies indicate that Saudi Arabia, through Vision 2030, has succeeded in increasing the contribution of non-oil revenues to more than 40 percent of the budget by developing tourism, imposing a value-added tax, and developing non-oil industries.

The UAE has transformed its economy into a global hub for aviation, tourism, real estate, and financial services, until the oil contribution declined to less than 30 percent of GDP.

Qatar, on the other hand, has harnessed liquefied natural gas revenues while simultaneously building service and investment sectors that have boosted sustainable revenues.

According to contemporary intellectual approaches, these experiences would not have been possible without stable institutions and accumulated experience in managing public resources.

Iraq, by contrast, has remained stagnant despite possessing similar, and perhaps even broader, assets, such as massive religious tourism, extensive border crossings, and strategic seaports. In-depth legal analyses confirm that structural obstacles have prevented the exploitation of these resources, most notably administrative and financial corruption, which causes significant revenue leakage; the absence of a long-term strategic vision, which renders short-term policies hostage to political consensus; weak infrastructure, a widespread informal economy; and political and security instability, which undermines investor confidence and prevents stable economic policies.

Comparative experience demonstrates that these obstacles are not inevitable, as other countries in the region have overcome them through gradual and cumulative reforms.

********************************

In conclusion, Iraq does not lack resources, but rather the institutional will to transform them into actual revenues for the state treasury. While the official share of non-oil revenues has risen to 10 percent, it remains modest compared to the 40 percent achieved by Saudi Arabia or the 30 percent achieved by the UAE.

If Iraq succeeds in overcoming the obstacles of corruption and red tape and adopts a genuine strategic plan, it could double its non-oil resources to nearly $5 billion annually in the short term, and raise their share to more than 20 percent of total revenues within a few years.

According to intersecting political-economic estimates, this path is contingent on radical reforms that redefine the relationship between the state and the economy and free public finances from the grip of oil rents.

Source: Baghdad Today Monitoring and Follow-up Department  https://baghdadtoday.news/284288-.html 

For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com

“Tidbits From TNT” Thursday Morning 10-2-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  $6.1B boost: Iraq signs 64 partnership contracts for industry

Iraq’s Industrial Week kicked off Wednesday at Baghdad International Fair, bringing together local and foreign companies from both the public and private sectors.

At the opening ceremony, Industry and Minerals Minister Khaled Battal highlighted that the government has completed more than 86% of its industrial program, and laid the groundwork for 27 new factories.

He also pointed out that the ministry signed 64 partnership contracts worth 9 trillion dinars ($6.1 billion) with local and foreign investors in strategic industries, including fertilizers, phosphates, iron, and steel. Talks are ongoing for an additional 33 contracts.

Noting that the week-long fair will continue through October 7, Battal described it as an economic and social platform that connects industrialists with policymakers, ''helping obstacles removal to industrial projects.”

“Key challenges facing national industry include shortages of electricity and gas, border crossing issues, and aging factories,” the minister underlined, adding that Iraq has achieved self-sufficiency in cement, producing over 37 million tons in 2024.

Production has also increased for chlorine used in water treatment, electrical transformers, and other industrial goods.

Meanwhile, the General Company for Iron and Steel displayed its products at the fair. Marketing Director Mohammad Subih emphasized that Iraqi rebar production matches European standards, highlighting that the ISO-certified plant produces up to 600,000 tons annually, with plans to export to neighboring countries.    link

************

Tishwash:  Iraqi banks between the "dollar transfers complex" and the "dream of a regional financial center": A new vision for the changing Middle East economy

In a region experiencing major transformations, from economic corridor projects to reconstruction plans, from geopolitical shifts to the so-called "New Middle East" plans, Iraq finds itself facing both a historic opportunity and fateful challenges.

A bold banking and economic vision is needed here, seeking to transform Iraqi banks from marginal players to key players in economic decision-making and building an attractive investment environment.

A rapidly changing Middle East

Economic expert Saif al-Halfi told Iraq Observer that the Middle East is currently undergoing profound transformations, including mega-projects and new economic corridors. Baghdad stands at a historic gateway that requires a fundamental shift in the way the financial sector is managed. What is required is not just an injection of capital or the introduction of modern payment systems, but rather the establishment of an integrated legal and institutional vision that protects financing and opens the way for development initiatives.

 Only then can Iraq capitalize on its strategic geographic location, the Faw Port, the Development Road project, and its oil, gas, and human resources to become a financial and commercial hub at the heart of the region.

The first challenge: Capital and institutional reform.

The first step Al-Halfi refers to is raising the capital of Iraqi banks and strengthening their resilience to risks. This is a plan the government has implemented in cooperation with the Central Bank and with the assistance of the global consulting firm Oliver Wyman. The decision was made to raise the capital of banks to 400 billion dinars. Although this decision appears to be an accounting measure, it lays a new foundation for building a stronger banking sector that is more integrated with the regional and international economies.

He adds that institutional reform, the dismantling of large shareholdings, and the introduction of automation and modern systems are not sufficient on their own, but they are an indispensable condition for transitioning from the stage of survival to the stage of competition and expansion.

The Second Challenge: From Dollar Captivity to Diversified Financing

Al-Halfi acknowledges that banking activity in Iraq still relies almost entirely on foreign remittances in dollars. This reality makes banks more like large exchange houses than true financial institutions. International experience confirms that banks only flourish when they transform into "real financiers" of the national economy through lending and adopting diverse strategies.

The economic expert suggests that expansion should be based on five main paths: "The first is personal and housing loans to meet citizens' needs. The second is financing small and medium-sized enterprises, as they are the largest engine of employment and growth.

 This is in addition to loans to large companies, especially those listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange or seeking to be listed. Syndicated loans to finance oil, electricity, refinery, and residential projects, provided the Central Bank is flexible in granting licenses.

Fifth, financing international trade, including letters of credit and participation in foreign projects such as oil refining in more active markets." These mechanisms, if implemented boldly, will open the door to a qualitative transformation in the Iraqi economy, away from the "dollar complex." 

Challenge 3: The Electronic Payment Revolution

In parallel with financing and lending, electronic payment is emerging as a fundamental pillar of the new financial world. Al-Halfi believes that Iraqi banks must accelerate the provision of modern and diverse banking products, such as credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, charge cards, and even secured credit cards. Diversifying these products will not only contribute to enhancing financial inclusion and reducing reliance on cash, but will also enhance the financial system's ability to combat money laundering and boost investor and customer confidence alike.

What is required of the Iraqi government

however, is that banks alone cannot fight this battle. What is required, according to the economic expert, is to expedite the enactment of modern laws to protect loans and electronic transactions, in addition to establishing specialized banking courts to quickly resolve disputes, and establishing an expedited judiciary to ensure the stability of transactions.

He stresses the importance of establishing a credit guarantee scheme for small and medium-sized loans, in which the state participates in guaranteeing loans to reduce financing risks, thus encouraging banks to lend instead of relying on external transfers.

The historic opportunity

presents a mix of challenges and opportunities. On the one hand, Iraqi banks face the accumulation of overreliance on the dollar, weak capital, and delayed legislation. On the other hand, Iraq possesses a unique geographical location and massive strategic projects, as well as natural and human resources that could transform it into a regional financial center if exploited wisely.

Al-Halfi poses a pivotal question: Will Iraqi banks remain captive to remittances, or will they transform into genuine financial institutions that contribute to building a diversified and robust economy?

The answer, it seems, cannot be delayed. Today's Middle East does not wait for the hesitant, and if Iraq does not race against time to reform its banking sector, it may find itself excluded from the map of the new Middle East.  link

************

Tishwash:  Jordan-Iraq Bank branch opened in Erbil

Jordan-Iraq Bank is expanding its branch network with the opening of a new branch in Erbil.

In a strategic move that reflects Jordan Bank Group's vision to strengthen its regional presence and consolidate its position as a leading financial institution, the bank announced the opening of its new branch in Erbil, the capital of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.

Saleh Hamad said the opening is part of a well-designed expansion plan aimed at establishing the bank's presence in the Iraqi market and expanding its banking services to meet customer needs according to the highest international standards.

The Erbil branch provides a qualitative addition to the Bank of Jordan's regional corridor as it provides a comprehensive financial system that supports economic activity and opens up new opportunities for sustainable growth.

The Group is also committed to contributing to the development of the banking environment in Iraq and financial development through advanced digital solutions that improve the quality of service and support the development of the business environment in Iraq.

Erbil is gaining strategic importance as an active economic center and a major gateway for trade and investment, making it a key stage in the bank's plans to expand its presence in Iraq.

This expansion will allow for wider coverage of key markets and provide comprehensive banking services, strengthening Jordan Bank's position as a leading banking institution in the region that can empower various economic sectors to access advanced financial solutions, increase investment opportunities and revitalize the business environment.

Jordan Bank's expansion plans are based on a rich banking heritage and strong experience spanning more than 65 years, which has contributed to and will continue to build a comprehensive financial group with an extensive network of branches in Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Bahrain and Iraq.

The Bank continues to invest in the development of advanced digital systems, positioning itself as a leading regional financial institution capable of managing banking transformation, strengthening economic integration and establishing itself as a driver of development and stimulation of growth locally and regionally  link

*************

Mot:  I Used to Worry bout it!!! --- Now ~~~

Mot:  Yeppers - My Peoples!!!!  

Iraq Economic News and Points To Ponder Wednesday Evening 10-1-25

The Exchange Rate Declined In Local Markets In Baghdad.

Economy | 11:42 - 01/10/2025  Mawazine News – Baghdad  The exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar decreased this Wednesday morning in Baghdad markets.

The dollar price witnessed a decrease with the opening of the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya stock exchanges to 141,500 dinars for every $100, while yesterday morning it recorded 141,600 dinars for every $100.

In exchange shops in local markets in Baghdad, the selling price of the dollar decreased to 142,500 dinars for every $100, and the buying price to 140,500 dinars for every $100. https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=267659

Gold Hits New Record High

Stock Exchange  Gold prices rose to a record high on Wednesday, supported by a weaker dollar and safe-haven demand following the U.S. government shutdown, while weak jobs data reinforced expectations of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve this month.

As of 10:55 GMT, spot gold was up 0.2% at $3,866 per ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $3,895 earlier in the session.   U.S. gold futures for December delivery rose 0.5% to $3,893.

The dollar weakened, opening up new opportunities for a basket of other major currencies, making dollar-denominated gold more accessible to foreign buyers. https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60607

Oil Prices Rise Slightly After Sharp Declines Over The Past Two Days.

Time: 2025/10/01 Reading: 90 times   {Economic: Al Furat News} Oil prices stabilized in early trading on Wednesday, following two consecutive days of losses, as investors assessed potential OPEC+ plans to increase production next month amid expectations of shrinking US crude oil inventories.

Brent crude futures for December delivery rose 12 cents to $66.15 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude rose 12 cents to $62.49 a barrel. 
Oil prices fell more than 3% on Monday, the largest daily drop since August 1, and fell at least 1.5% on Tuesday.  LINK

Opening Of A New Branch Of The Bank Of Jordan In Basra

Wednesday, October 1, 2025, | Economics Number of reads: 284  Basra / NINA / A new branch of the Bank of Jordan was opened in Basra Governorate, in the presence of the Chairman of the Financial and Administrative Committee, Dr. Shukr Mahmoud Al-Amri, and the General Manager of the Bank Group, Saleh Rajab Hammad, at the Grand Millennium Hotel - Al-Farahidi Hall.

Al-Amri stressed: "The opening of the branch represents a qualitative addition to the infrastructure in the field of modern banking services, and opens broad horizons to attract investments and support the private sector, which contributes to the development of the local economy.

He added: "Basra, with its economic potential and attractive environment, is a promising destination for investors at the local, regional and international levels, indicating that this step comes in support of the banking sector and the enhancement of economic activity in the governorate. / End https://ninanews.com/Website/News/Details?key=1254669

The Prime Minister's Advisor Sets Six Criteria For Selecting Iraq Development Fund Projects.

Money and Business  Economy News – Baghdad  Mohammed Al-Najjar, Advisor to the Prime Minister for Investment Affairs and Executive Director of the Iraq Development Fund, explained on Wednesday the criteria for selecting Iraq Development Fund projects, stressing that education, water, and the environment are priorities among the Fund's projects.

Al-Najjar said, in an interview with the Iraqi News Agency, followed by "Al-Iqtisad News," that "there are a set of criteria for selecting projects. The first is the amount of human capital that will be created through the project, including operators, engineers, and experts.

The second criterion is to engage in solving any of the crises that Iraq is going through, so that it can be resolved. We do not enter projects simply because they are profitable."

He added, "Another criterion is the possibility of involving the private sector in the project, as it must contribute no less than 80%, in order to optimally utilize capital, spread it across a large number of projects, and create investment outlets, as the private sector has significant funds outside the banking system and the economy."

He continued, "The fourth criterion is environmental impact, the fifth is economic impact, and the sixth is the ability of the company we partner with to finance and obtain international funding."

He explained that "most projects, if they are from a foreign party, we try to pair them with an Iraqi investor, to give the Iraqi investor the opportunity to learn the administrative capabilities possessed by the foreign investor."

He pointed out that "the Fund is not a legal entity that grants exemptions or incentives. Iraqi law does not grant these powers to the Fund; rather, they fall under the Parliament's purview.

With the approaching elections and the legislative process stalled pending the formation of a new government, we will seek in the next session to grant incentive powers to relevant institutions, such as the Investment Authority, to develop the Iraqi economy."

He explained, "The Fund sees the project and its importance, as there are no divisions similar to those of the state. However, our priority programs are education, water, and the environment, and the projects we excel at are those that require state support but can generate profits."

He pointed out that "a large part of the fund's purpose is to establish a social stratum whose goal is to find ways to engage young people, who constitute the largest percentage. However, so far, implementation will be slow, despite the presence of major initiatives from the current government. Therefore, we need to launch projects that include young people as a key component."
https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=60595

For current and reliable Iraqi news please visit:  https://www.bondladyscorner.com

Countries are Canceling Treasuries for Gold as US Revaluation Panic Grows

Countries are Canceling Treasuries for Gold as US Revaluation Panic Grows

Sean Foo:   9-20-2025

For decades, the US dollar has stood as the undisputed monarch of global finance, its status as the world’s primary reserve currency underpinning stability and shaping international trade. But what if this reign is quietly approaching its twilight?

A compelling video from Sean Foo offers a deep dive into the accelerating “de-dollarization” trend, painting a picture of a world on the cusp of a profound economic shift.

Sean Foo highlights that the erosion of the dollar’s dominance isn’t a sudden event, but rather the cumulative effect of several powerful forces. Geopolitical tensions, particularly the rising friction between major powers, have incentivized nations to seek alternatives to the dollar-centric system.

Add to this the disruptive force of trade wars – vividly exemplified by the Trump Administration’s tariffs – which have fractured established supply chains and cooled international demand for the dollar.

Simultaneously, persistent fiscal mismanagement within the US, leading to ballooning deficits, has further undermined confidence. When a nation’s financial house isn’t in order, the stability of its currency comes under scrutiny on the global stage.

This isn’t just theoretical; it’s playing out in real-time. China, for instance, is actively spearheading the shift by increasingly conducting its trade and financial transactions in its own currency, the renminbi (RMB), rather than the US dollar.

This move, accelerated by the very trade wars intended to pressure China, demonstrates a strategic pivot away from dollar dependency.

The impact is palpable. The US economy itself is showing signs of instability – think payroll declines, delayed economic data, and increasingly erratic government behavior – all of which erode investor confidence.

 The numbers don’t lie: the dollar index plummeted nearly 11% in the first half of 2025, marking its worst performance since the historic collapse of the Bretton Woods system in 1973. This is not merely a dip; it’s a tremor.

Amidst this weakening dollar and a landscape of rising tariffs and projected $2 trillion fiscal deficits in 2025, central banks worldwide are doing something significant. They are actively reducing their holdings of US Treasuries – long considered the world’s safest asset – and conspicuously increasing their gold reserves.

Gold, the ancient store of value, is re-emerging as the preferred safe haven, signaling a historic shift in global financial strategy.

Interestingly, Sean Foo also explores a drastic measure the US government could take: a gold revaluation. Given the vast disparity between the book value and market value of US gold reserves, such a move could unlock nearly $1 trillion in liquidity. This “easy money” could provide short-term relief for US fiscal and monetary policy, fueling inflation-driven GDP growth.

However, this path is fraught with peril. A gold revaluation would be an implicit admission of the dollar’s fragile condition, potentially accelerating its decline.

Furthermore, it could unintentionally strengthen China’s financial position, as China is rumored to hold vast, potentially underreported, gold reserves. The US faces a challenging dilemma: embrace this short-term liquidity and risk undermining the dollar’s long-term status, or avoid it and battle escalating fiscal crises head-on.

The implications of these shifts are profound. We are witnessing a historic recalibration of global reserves, a re-evaluation of dollar holdings, and a resurgence of gold’s role in the new economic landscape. For investors, policymakers, and anyone concerned about the future of money, understanding these dynamics is crucial.

The world is moving on from a singular reliance on the US dollar. The question is no longer if things are changing, but how fast, and what the ultimate destination will be.

https://youtu.be/_M_H7fE7gFc