KTFA:

Samson:  Brent is below $ 26 a barrel

27th March, 2020

The price of a barrel of "Brent" fell during trading on Friday, to below the level of $ 26, unlike the US crude, which rose slightly

By 10:25 Moscow time, the Brent mix was trading at $ 25.98 a barrel, a decrease of 1.4% from the previous session’s close

But the global mix compensated for some losses five minutes later, as it was traded at $ 26.13 a barrel

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Samson: Washington orders its employees in Baghdad and Erbil to leave Iraq

27th March, 2020

The US embassy in Baghdad issued a statement on the presence of American citizens in Iraq on Friday, while it indicated that the US State Department had instructed its employees in Baghdad and Erbil to leave Iraq.

The embassy stated in a statement received by / Mawazine News / a copy of it, that "due to a set of security conditions and travel procedures restricted as a result of the Corona epidemic COVID-19, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered the departure of US government employees appointed to the US embassy in Baghdad, the Baghdad Center for Diplomatic Support, and the US Consulate General In Erbil."

She added, "Visa services in Baghdad and Erbil are still suspended," noting that "the US government has a limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Iraq." She pointed out, "The United States Embassy in Baghdad is still closed to serve the auditors, so that US citizens in the Kurdistan region of Iraq who need emergency services can communicate via email ErbilACS@state.gov , and US citizens in different regions of Iraq can also communicate By email to BaghdadACS@state.gov to obtain emergency assistance," stating that "one of the measures that must be taken is to leave Iraq through commercial flights as quickly as possible."  LINK

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Samson:  Chinese President to his US counterpart: ready to help you control Corona

27th March, 2020

Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a phone call with his American counterpart, expressed readiness to help America control Corona, expressing his hope that Washington will take steps to improve relations between the two countries.

And Chinese state television said that during the phone call held Friday, the president stressed that Sino-US relations are at an important juncture.

The president added: We hope the United States will take objective measures to improve Sino-US relations, stressing that cooperation between the two countries is the best and only option. Xi Jinping also expressed his hope that the United States will take practical and effective measures to protect the lives of Chinese citizens inside the United States.

The Chinese president pointed out that his country is ready to work with all parties, including the United States, in the framework of eliminating the "Corona" epidemic.  LINK

Don961:  G20 leaders: pumping $ 5 trillion into the global economy to tackle Corona

March 26, 2020 5:52 PM

RIYADH - Mubasher: The leaders of the Group of Twenty agreed, in an exceptional meeting by virtual means, on Thursday, headed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, to pump $ 5 trillion into the global economy, as part of financial policies, economic measures and targeted security plans to counter the social, economic and financial impacts of a pandemic Sk.

In a closing statement, the leaders emphasized commitment to protecting lives, preserving individual jobs and incomes, restoring confidence, maintaining financial stability, reviving growth and supporting a strong pace of recovery, and reducing disturbances to trade and global supply chains.

The leaders said: "We are currently taking strong and immediate measures to support our economies, protect workers and companies, in particular the micro, small and medium enterprises - and the sectors most affected, in addition to protecting vulnerable groups by providing appropriate social protection."

The leaders affirmed a commitment to provide assistance to all countries in need of support, to coordinate actions related to public health and financial measures, as well as a commitment to maintain the protection of lives, jobs and income, and a commitment to restore confidence in the global economy and achieve growth .

They said that the scale and scope of this response will restore the global economy to its threshold, while laying strong foundations for job protection and recovery.

The leaders asked the finance ministers and central bankers to coordinate with them periodically to develop an action plan to respond to the Corona virus (Covid-19), in addition to working closely with international organizations to provide appropriate international financial assistance and urgently.

They stressed the support for the exceptional measures taken by the central banks in line with their tasks. As these banks worked to support the flow of credit to families and companies, enhance financial stability, and raise the level of liquidity in global markets. We also welcome the extension of the currency swap arrangements made by our central banks.

The leaders supported the regulatory and supervisory measures taken to ensure the financial system continues to support the economy, and we welcome the coordination announced by the Financial Stability Board regarding these measures.

They welcomed the steps taken by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group to support countries in need of assistance by using all tools to the maximum extent as part of a coordinated global response, and asked them to inform the Group of 20 periodically about the effects of this pandemic, and their response and recommendations to them.

The leaders said: "Addressing the health, economic and social impacts of the Corona pandemic is a priority for us ."

They emphasized taking the necessary measures to reduce the economic losses from the pandemic, calling on international organizations to clarify the impact of the pandemic on jobs.

They affirmed the continuation of providing broad and bold financial support, stressing that the collective measures of the Group of Twenty will work to amplify the impact of this support, and ensure its coherence, and benefit from the synergies between them.

“We task our senior officials to coordinate closely to support global efforts to counter the effects of the pandemic, including taking appropriate measures to manage borders in accordance with national regulations, and to provide assistance when needed to return citizens to their countries,” the leaders said.

They expressed deep concern about the grave risks facing all countries, especially developing and least developed countries, particularly in Africa and small island states, whose health systems and economies may be less able to adapt to this challenge, as well as about the risks faced by refugees and displaced persons.    LINK