KTFA:

Samson:  The Iraqi government reduces the official working hours during the month of Ramadan

31st March, 2022

The General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers decided today, Thursday, to reduce the official working hours by one hour during the month of Ramadan in all government departments and institutions.

This came according to an official letter appended to the signature of the Secretary-General of the Council, Hamid Naim Al-Ghazi, on March 31.

The decision was left to government institutions and departments to determine the reduction, whether at the beginning or end of official working hours.  LINK

Clare:  IN PRINT..THEY STILL WORK DURING RAMADAN. imo

Samson:  After Parliament failed to hold the second session of 'choosing the president'... the framework prepares an initiative to bypass the 'node'

31st March, 2022

Al-Hamami, indicated that the coordination framework is in the process of completing and putting forward an initiative in order to proceed with negotiation, dialogue and understanding in order to end the state of political blockage.

"It has become clear to the political forces the general situation and that there is no way but to sit at the table of understanding and end the political blockage for which the Iraqi citizen pays,  LINK

DeepWoodz:  imo   Sadr said NO

 Article 70     Second

If none of the candidates receive the required majority vote then the two candidates who received the highest number of votes shall compete and the one who receives the majority of votes in the second election shall be declared President.

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Samson:  Trade Bank of Iraq

31st March, 2022

Dear customers, for the purpose of achieving the highest level of security improvements followed in ATM and the application of the bank, a security check will be carried out, so we would like to ask your attention in case of a service discontinuation on Friday 1/4/2020 for 12 hours and starting at 1 o'clock in the morning for the purpose of updating.  LINK

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Samson:  Erbil announces Ramadan plan and warns merchants: We will not allow you to raise prices

31st March, 2022

The mayor of Erbil Governorate announced on Thursday that it is monitoring the markets in anticipation of a rise in food prices with the approach of the month of Ramadan.

Nabz Abdul Hamid, the mayor of the district of Erbil, toured the markets to see the prices of foodstuffs and urged merchants not to raise prices.

Abdul Hamid said in a press conference held on this occasion and attended by Shafak News Agency, that this visit came with the specialized committees in Erbil governorate to monitor market conditions, especially as we are approaching the month of Ramadan, and perhaps some traders are raising prices, adding, "We are constantly monitoring market conditions from Through the specialized committees, the demand for food, especially sweets, should not be a motive for traders to raise prices.

He added, "These committees will be in constant monitoring of markets and prices, and we want to assure citizens that we will not allow traders to take advantage of the situation to raise prices.  LINK

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Samson:  Oil prices fall $ 6 as America seeks to liberate 180 million barrels

31st March, 2022

Oil prices fell more than $6 a barrel on Thursday, as the United States considered freeing up to 180 million barrels of its Strategic Petroleum Reserve over several months to calm surging crude prices

Brent crude futures fell $5.15, or 4.54 percent, to $108.30 a barrel at 04:30 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate futures fell $6.17, or 5.67%, to $101.71 a barrel, after falling earlier to $100.85

Three sources said that US President Biden will make statements later on Thursday announcing the plan aimed at reducing gasoline prices, which rose to record levels in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is to free 180 million barrels of oil

News of the possible release of US oil overshadowed a meeting scheduled for later on Thursday between the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, including Russia

The group known as OPEC+ is expected to stick to its current agreement to gradually increase oil production

Oil prices rose about 3% on Wednesday, driven by supply concerns as peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, which describe their actions as a "special operation", stalled

Russia is the world's second largest oil exporter, and sanctions imposed as a punishment for the invasion have disrupted flows from the country, driving up prices

In November, the United States announced a plan to release 50 million barrels of Strategic Petroleum Reserve, mostly through exchanges where the buyer agrees to exchange oil at a later date

The study of liberating the quantities of US oil comes at a time when US commercial oil stocks fell by 3.4 million barrels in the week ending on March 25  LINK