Zig’s Place Chat and News Thursday AM 5-13-21
Zig’s Place Chat and News Thursday AM 5-13-21
Zig: Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here
Butterfly UN: Freedom of Expression Increasingly Curtailed in KRI.......13th May 2021 ...............Freedom of expression in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has been increasingly curtailed over the past year, according to a UN report issued on Wednesday.
Critics of public authorities have risked not only intimidation, restrictions on their movements and arbitrary arrests, but some were also charged with defamation, while others, more recently, were prosecuted under national security laws.
The report, by the UN Human Rights Office and the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), documents a concerning pattern, observed from March 2020 to April 2021, of people being targeted for exercising their legitimate right to report on or criticize the actions of the public authorities.
"The pattern of repression documented in this report is deeply worrying, highlighting not only the threats and intimidation of critics, but also the chilling effect such actions can have on others seeking transparency and to hold public authorities to account," said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.
While recognizing that the Kurdistan Regional authorities are facing uniquely challenging domestic, regional and international circumstances, the key findings of this report are of serious concern, particularly the behaviour of the security apparatus, the selective application of laws and the lack of compliance with relevant legal procedures and international human rights standards.
"Recent years have seen progress towards a democratic Kurdistan Region where freedom of expression and the rule of law are valued. But democratic societies need media, activists and critics to be able to report on public issues without censorship or fear, and citizens also have a right to be informed," Bachelet stressed.
butterfly "Transparency, accountability and openness to questioning is vital for any healthy democracy," the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq and head of UNAMI, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, added.
The High Commissioner and the UN Iraq Special Representative both said that they are encouraged by the continuing cooperation of the Kurdistan Regional authorities with their offices, noting that report and its recommendations are part of an ongoing dialogue with the Kurdistan Regional Government to promote human rights and foster accountability for human rights violations and redress for victims.
Among its recommendations, the report urges the Kurdistan Regional authorities to take immediate steps to fully protect the right to freedom of expression and to end harassment, intimidation and reprisals against journalists, human rights defenders and activists. It also calls on the authorities to ensure that criminal law is not used as a tool to limit freedom of expression, including by refraining from arresting and/or detaining individuals lawfully expressing dissent and/or discontent.
In addition, existing laws should be amended to provide clear definitions of prohibited speech and all restrictions on freedom of expression set out in domestic legislation should be consistent with relevant international human rights standards.
The report was shared in advance with the Federal Government of Iraq and Kurdistan Regional Government and includes the response from the Kurdistan Government as an annex.
Butterfly New efforts to Improve Agricultural Methods in Iraq.........13th May 2021..........Iraq's Minister of Agriculture, H.E Muhammad Karim Al-Khafaji, has received the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Iraq (FAO), Dr. Salah Hajj Hassan, and his accompanying delegation, in the presence of the Ministry's Technical Undersecretary Dr. Mithaq Abdul-Hussein, the Ministry's advisor, Dr. Mahdi Damad Al-Qaisi, and Adviser Raed Haddad
During the meeting, H.E Al-Khafaji stressed the ministry's endeavor to achieve a qualitative leap in the methods of raising buffaloes, providing fodder and producing milk, and rehabilitating the infrastructure for agricultural projects in various Governorates, including Nineveh, Maysan, Basra and Dhi Qar.
While referring to the rehabilitation of the agricultural infrastructures in the governorates, the Minister underlined the need to establish Milk collection centers and to adopt advanced marketing methods.
He explained that there are large numbers of livestock in Iraq, and in various provinces, including Nineveh. From his side, Dr. Salah Hajj Hassan confirmed that the FAO has carried out many activities in Nineveh Governorate in the field of upgrading technical skills of producers providing them with advice and support of inputs to grow large areas of fodder crops, to benefit with feeding their while achieve appropriate economic viability for livestock producers.
FAO delegation also expressed full readiness to cooperate with the Ministry in providing support to the agricultural sector in Iraq, through research work, capacity building, agri-food businesses and agricultural value chains development.
The meeting ended with a strong emphasis on coordination and cooperation in light of the agricultural renaissance and the promotion of the local agricultural product. (Source: UN)
butterfly KRG amends Oil Payment Terms; Share Prices Fall.........13th May 2021.......Shares in oil companies operating in Iraqi Kurdistan have been hit by a change in payment terms imposed by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
Genel Energy, Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) and DNO this morning reported to the markets that they have received letters from the KRG proposing an amendment to payment terms due to the ongoing challenges in Iraq with the COVID-19 pandemic, starting with the March 2021 production invoice.
They said that since the dated Brent price has remained consistently well above $50 per barrel, the monthly repayment of outstanding arrears will now be calculated as 20 percent (compared to 50 percent previously) of the difference between the average monthly dated Brent price and $50 per barrel.
The KRG added that payment terms will be 60 days after the submission of invoices, and that the KRG will re-evaluate this payment model should markets see substantial volatility.
The oil companies have not agreed to these terms, and are seeking discussions with the KRG.
Shares in Genel Energy were down more than 12 percent before recovering slightly, while Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) fell more than 6 percent before recovering slightly. The Oslo Stock Exchange, on which DNO is traded, is closed for the Ascension Day holiday. (Sources: GKP, Genel Energy, DNO)
butterfly 2021-05-13 05:37 Shafaq News / Bitcoin popped back above $50,000 in Asian trade on Thursday, clawing back some of the 17% plunge that followed Elon Musk’s tweet that Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) would stop accepting the digital tokens as payment for its cars, Reuters reported.
The price of the world's largest cryptocurrency dropped from around $54,819 to $45,700, its lowest since March 1, in just under two hours following the tweet shortly after 2200 GMT. It recovered about half of that drop early in the Asian session, and last traded about $51,099.
Ether , the world's second-largest cryptocurrency, followed a similar pattern, dropping 14% to touch a low of $3,550, before bouncing back above $4,000.
“We are concerned about rapidly increasing use of fossil fuels for Bitcoin mining and transactions, especially coal, which has the worst emissions of any fuel,” Musk wrote.
Tesla’s announcement on Feb. 8 that it had bought $1.5 billion of bitcoin and that it would accept it as payment for cars has been one factor behind the digital token’s surging price this year.
As a result, Musk's comments roiled markets even though he said Tesla would not sell any bitcoin and would resume accepting the cryptocurrency as soon as mining transitioned to more sustainable energy.
butterfly 2021-05-13 04:36 Shafaq News / The dollar held gains on Thursday, supported by higher Treasury yields after a surprisingly strong rise in U.S. consumer prices fanned fears about an increase in inflationary pressure, Reuters reported.
Traders will now turn attention to U.S. weekly jobless claims due later on Thursday and retail sales numbers on Friday for guidance on whether upward pressure on prices will persist.
The greenback is likely to extend its gains as some investors unwind bearish bets, and re-position in anticipation of sustained inflation pressures as more economies emerge from the coronavirus pandemic, analysts said.
The dollar traded at 109.69 yen , close to its strongest level in five weeks.
Against the euro , the dollar stood at $1.2077, holding onto a 0.6% gain from the previous session.
The British pound bought $1.4064.
The dollar also traded at 0.9085 Swiss franc , close to a one-week high.
U.S. consumer prices increased by the most in nearly 12 years in April as booming demand amid a reopening economy pushed against supply constraints, data on Wednesday showed.
Benchmark 10-year U.S. Treasury yields rose to a five-week high of 1.7040%, increasing the appeal of dollar-denominated assets.
Signs of a stronger labour market and increased consumer spending would offer more evidence that inflationary pressure will pick up, which could push yields and the dollar even higher, traders said.
The New Zealand dollar briefly rose after Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she is exploring quarantine-free travel with other countries, but the kiwi gradually gave up those gains amid reluctance to sell the greenback.
The Australian dollar also held steady against its U.S. counterpart.
The onshore yuan traded at 6.4545 per dollar, extending a pullback from an almost three-year high reached on Monday as overseas-listed Chinese firms bought dollars for dividend payments.
butterfly The start of the third special trip to evacuate Iraqis from India Thursday 13, May 2021 10:32..............The third special flight of Iraqi Airways launched this morning, to evacuate Iraqi citizens stranded in India.
"The flight was carried out after completing the official approvals from the Iraqi and Indian authorities, by adopting the highest health and preventive standards before and after the flight was carried out, in line with the recommendations of the Supreme Committee for National Health and Safety," said the Director General of the airline, Kifah Hassan, in a statement.
butterfly Counselor: Investigations into the protests include the media and social media and their role in inciting violence and hatred
Thursday 13, May 2021 17:09........The Counselor of the Truth Commission confirmed that the investigations into the protests include the media and social media and their role in inciting violence, hatred, betrayal and defamation to refer the perpetrators to justice.
butterfly The Turkish lira falls to its lowest level this year 05/13/2021 12:43:46..........{Economic: Al Furat News} The Turkish lira fell about 0.8 percent against the dollar, reaching its lowest levels this year on Thursday, which is a holiday for markets in Turkey, after pressure on it due to inflation figures in the United States.
The lira fell as much as 8.4910 against the dollar, the lowest level since last November.
As of 7:15 a.m. GMT, the Turkish lira was at $ 8,473.
Data on Wednesday showed that consumer prices in the United States jumped in April at the fastest pace in nearly 12 years. What raised the dollar against emerging market currencies.
butterfly Saudi companies prepare to launch giant investments soon in Iraq
05/13/2021 12:03:38.........{Economist: Al Furat News} Saudi businessmen revealed that Saudi companies are close to launching giant investments soon in Iraq in the fields of manufacturing industries, noting that there are promising opportunities for Saudi products of building materials and food in the Iraqi market.
Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here
The businessmen explained in a press statement that "some Saudi companies specialized in raising livestock and cows have presented to the Iraqi government the idea of investing 4 million dunums in the Western Desert located between Anbar Governorate, passing through the cities of Karbala and Najaf, to the Samawah desert, with a contract extending for more than 50 years to cultivate." agricultural and cattle breeding crops.
for his part, Mohammed predicted leader Vice Chamber of Commerce and industry Chairman of Riyadh, to witness the Saudi - Iraqi relations prospects welcome , especially in the field of economic, commercial and investment cooperation, pointing out that the visit of Prince Khalid bin Salman , deputy Minister of Defense, Iraq, come under Integration, communication and permanent coordination between the two countries, pointing out that it is a visit that supports closer relations at all levels, including the economy.
butterfly Al-Murshid added that “the opportunities for integration between the Kingdom and Iraq are great,” adding, “If we take the economic part from it, I think that we have taken important steps, whether at the level of raising the level of trade exchange with the opening of a new port in Arar, or at the level of joint investment opportunities in the fields of industry, energy and many more Other areas that we will soon see their fruits ... The Iraqi market is large and Saudi products are well received in it. "
For his part, Abdullah Al-Melehi, President of {Tamayouz} said: "There are promising opportunities for Saudi products in the Iraqi market, as the Iraqi market is one of the great opportunities for Saudi products. In sharing borders with Saudi Arabia, an opportunity to export the Saudi product with the facilities provided by the Kingdom through The Saudi exports program to open new markets for manufacturers in the Kingdom, in addition to supporting the Kingdom’s government and the leadership’s keenness to build relationships in various fields.
Al-Melehi added: "The Iraqi market is promising and there are many export opportunities that national companies can benefit from," adding that "the volume of Saudi non-oil exports to the Republic of Iraq amounted to 2.6 billion riyals ($ 693.3 million) during the past year 2020, while topping the list of the most prominent sectors. The exported building materials activity amounted to 859 million riyals (229 million dollars), and the foodstuff activity with a value of 790 million riyals (210.6 million dollars). "
butterfly Al-Melehi pointed out that "there is a tendency to offer investments in the oil and gas field to Saudi companies, indicating that discussions are underway with the concerned authorities to clarify investment opportunities, as investors are always looking for specific opportunities or privileges to bring them to the market, especially after the Saudi Export Bank announced granting investors financing for this field." Exports are a factor that attracts investors, "noting that" both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have allocated more than 6 billion dollars to invest in Iraqi lands, strengthen economic relations and create new opportunities for cooperation and partnership. "
Al-Melehi explained that "there are Saudi investment projects currently in the Iraqi cities of (Anah) and (Al-Qaim)," indicating that "there are investments that Saudi companies will soon launch in Iraq in the fields of manufacturing, agriculture and various projects, while Saudi investment companies have offered specializing in livestock breeding and cows on the Iraqi government 's idea to invest 4 million acres in located between the Anbar province , passing through the cities of Karbala , Western Sahara and Najaf access to the desert of Samawah, a contract extends to more than 50 years for the cultivation of agricultural crops and cattle breeding.
He Malihi: "among the investments The Emirati and Saudi companies will implement them by producing some internal industries in Iraq, as joint factories between Iraq and these two countries will be implemented ... Also, one of the most important investment projects is the interest in electric power projects from Saudi Arabia and the United States. "
butterfly ...The last two paragraphs should be very interesting for all........
Supreme leader dinard Finding it very fishy that an oil pipeline shutdown caused a gas shortage the same day. I get maybe a week down the line but not the same or very next day
sheila Supreme leader dinard exactly
butterfly Supreme leader dinard think back that whenever there is an oil field explosion, the whole world has a shortage. Just the same old same old to increase the price. Doesn't matter what/which/who has it.
Supreme leader dinard butterfly I get the price increase but not the shortage the same day
butterfly My same feelings when it has happened in the past years/decades. Same old Same old.
Supreme leader dinard Youd think thered be at least 3 days worth of gasoline from refineries. Those tanks are huge
butterfly Bread was .19cents way back now it is 3.99....cheap is $1.00........because of flour shortage.
butterfly It is a game play.
Sheila Supreme leader dinard thought oil reserves was more like 3 months?
Supreme leader dinard butterfly I'd argue it's because of inflation. And reckless printing of money
butterfly I remember going to the pump and paying 19 to 25 for a gallon of gas.
Sheila butterfly me too
Supreme leader dinard sheila youd hope so. Theres gotta be another deal going on. And the biden admin said they aren't helping colonial at all since it's a "private sector issue"
butterfly The games people play with all of us. At my age I've seen so much of this that goes on and on and on and on...........you get my point.
butterfly My father OMG the children and their children will have to pay for the debt the government has put us in............I laugh now because people are saying the same thing decades later.
Supreme leader dinard butterfly inflation is no laughing matter
Supreme leader dinard Reckless money printing is why gas went from 25 cents to 4 dollars
butterfly Supreme leader dinard you are missing my point entirely.
Supreme leader dinard butterfly well dumb it down for me then lol
butterfly This is nothing new..........it doesn't matter who is in the BIG SEAT........this has gone on for decades and it will continue to go on for decades........doesn't matter who is in the big seat.
butterfly As a young girl I ask my "daddy" why. Decades later I have to laugh at my innocent question back then. Nothing has changed.
Supreme leader dinard butterfly yea I know that.
butterfly It will continue after I am gone and you are still here......nothing will change. A Million/Billion dollars lordy that is a lot of money, how can that be so much money...............now we are in the TRILLIONS........Lordy Lordy.
Supreme leader dinard Nothings changed because people just kept allowing govt to print dollars like they're going out of style and buying power goes down faster than wages increase to adjust and people suffer dividing the middle class
butterfly Supreme leader dinard I totally agree with you.......Totally Agree.
Supreme leader dinard Well I plan on at least pointing it out to people and not just say oh well and do nothing
Supreme leader dinard You get what you vote for
Supreme leader dinard Democrats will turn us into Venezuela at some point down the road
butterfly Supreme leader dinard Good luck. I sincerely mean that.
Supreme leader dinard butterfly people could give me a fighting chance if they stop voting democrat lol
butterfly Supreme leader dinard That is the problem. People are voting "their party", not what needs to actually be done for themselves.
Supreme leader dinard butterfly reckless govt spending needs to stop and that's what I vote against. I hate both parties but one does it a lot more than the other and I think that's the most important issue for me so i vote the party that spends less every election
butterfly Rouhani identifies an important project with Iraq that "will cause a great change in the region."
05/13/2021 11:26:47 ................{Economist: Al Furat News} Iranian President Hassan Rouhani considered the railway network linking the Iranian cities of Shalamjah and Basra as "an important project."
Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here
"The cities of Abadan, Shalmajah and Khorramshahr are located in a strategic area of great importance," Rouhani said in a speech during a ceremony held today, Thursday, via video technology, via video conference in the 67th week of the opening of national projects in Iran, expressing his hope that "we will witness a great change in the region through The agreement signed with Iraq regarding the connection of the railway network between the cities of Shalamjah and Basra.
He stressed that "linking the railway network between Iran, Iraq and Syria will provide the ground for linking Iran to the Mediterranean Sea, which is of great importance," noting that "the government is following up this project on the political and operational levels, provided that it will be completed in the coming years."
Rouhani sponsored the inauguration of a number of projects in the free industrial economic zones in the south, east and northwest of Iran through video conference technology.
butterfly Amazing how Iraq has opened their eyes to what is out there.
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