Delta and KTFA Members "Rate is Changing" Monday 3-9-2020

KTFA:

Samson:  Trade Bank of Iraq

9th March, 2020

Our dear customers:

We would like to inform you that the promotion of personal loan transactions has been stopped until further notice.. So it is necessary to note.  LINK

DELTA:  WOW .............SAMSON YOU ARE AMAZING I'M DROPPING THE MIC AND DROPPING EVERYTHING .

Youngsc: Im sorry Delta but what does this mean? How does this benefit us?

DELTA:  RATE IS CHANGING..........(wink)

DELTA:  INTERNAL BANK TRANSFERS

ERBIL BANK FOR INVESTMENT AND FINANCE PROVIDES ITS CLIENTS WITH THE SERVICE OF INTERNAL TRANSFERS IN THE CURRENCY OF THE US DOLLAR, THE IRAQI DINAR, AND THE EURO

 MONEY TRANSFERS ONLY RTGS (Real time gross settlements)

ACH MONEY TRANSFER INSTRUMENTS

FOREIGN BANK TRANSFERS

ERBIL BANK FOR INVESTMENT AND FINANCE PROVIDES THE SERVICE OF MONEY TRANSFERS AND TRANSACTIONS WITH EXTERNAL BANKS, WHICH ARE DONE THROUGH THE METHOD OF THE SWIFT SYSTEM

ISSUING FOREIGN TRANSFERS TO ANY BANK IN THE WORLD IN AN HONEST AND FAST MANNER

ACCEPTING FOREIGN TRANSFERS RECEIVED FROM THE BANK FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD

Get1later:  Don't Think This Service Would Be Available ....... With a Program Rate!!!!  IMO .......

 ***************

DELTA:  Banking services provided by Al-Mansour Investment Bank to its clients

 - Buying and selling foreign currencies and buying sukuk and transfers.

  -Sending and receiving remittances around the world via his correspondents.

  -Issuing internal and external letters of guarantee in Iraqi dinars, US dollars, euros, and any other currencies.

 -Integrated services for all internal and external banking operations for merchants, companies and individuals.

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

ChrisC:  (Late Sunday night) Mnuchin has the capability to slow the drop, but I am smelling some real blood in the air tonight.  We may see something historic tomorrow.  If it is really bad tomorrow, it won't stop with just one day.  This may be like when you start throwing up when you are sick.  It won't stop until there isn't anything left to get rid of.  Hopefully we RV soon after and then there will be a recovery like nobody has ever witnessed before.  Let's see what happens.  

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

Samson:  Significant losses on the US Wall Street, and the suspension of trading for 15 minutes

9th March, 2020

Trading on the US Wall Street stopped temporarily for 15 minutes after trading indicators fell to more than 7%.

Global stock prices and bond yields fell after an agreement between OPEC and Russia to cut oil production failed, causing crude oil prices to fall to their historic lowest.

S&P 500 futures fell as much as 5% on Sunday evening, while the Dow futures fell more than 1,200 points, or about 4.7%, and Nasdaq composite futures fell 4.8%.

Sales in the Asia Pacific region also fell, with the Australian S & P / ASX 200 index closing 7.3% lower on Monday, the biggest drop for the index since October 2008. The Japanese Nikkei 225 Index fell 5.1% to the lowest level Close to him more than a year ago. South Korea's Kospi fell 4.2%, in the biggest loss since October 2018.

Hong Kong's Hang Seng lost 3.5% in the afternoon trade, leading to the biggest drop for the index in more than a year, and although the Shanghai Composite Index was the best performer among major indices in Asia, it also fell by 2.9%.

US 10-year Treasury yields fell to less than 0.5%, hitting its lowest level.

Financial markets in the Gulf countries also fell on Monday, as the Kuwaiti market index decreased by 10.29%, prompting the first market to stop trading.

While the main index in the Saudi "Tadawul" market fell by 8.14%, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange index decreased by 8.7%, the Dubai Financial Market Index by 8.41%, and the Qatar Stock Exchange index by 9.38%.

The impact of global markets comes after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia hit oil markets with a price war against Russia, following the latter's refusal to keep pace with OPEC efforts to reduce oil production and save the troubled market of the Corona virus.   LINK

Samson:  Al-Jawahiri: Oil prices will drop below 20 dollars for a long time 

12:17 - 09/03/2020

Oil expert Hamza Al-Jawahiri said on Monday that the world oil prices continued to fall below 20 dollars after the big drop recorded at dawn today, as the price of a barrel reached 32 dollars, indicating that the decline may continue for a long time.

Al-Jawahiri said in a statement to "Al-Maalouma", that "Iraq the only oil producing country that will be affected economically and financially largely because of its dependence only on selling oil for several reasons, including its neglect of the industrial and agricultural sectors, services and oil industries, as well as its extravagance by granting large amounts of salary and the government's lack of seriousness To fight and hold corrupt people accountable.”

He added that "oil prices will continue to decline to 20 dollars, and this will cause a major economic catastrophe," calling on the government to "put quick and urgent plans, including raising the ceiling of production and full control of resources and bringing them to the treasury away from the corrupt."

He continued, "Reconsidering the salaries of senior officials, and their articles of special job grades and the salaries of high bodies, army and interior officers in the state," stressing that "the price collapse crisis is not a temporary crisis as it will continue for a long time."  LINK

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

Samson:  Free fall in oil prices due to failure of the OPEC + and Texas crude contract more than 31%
9th March, 2020

Oil prices fell by more than 30% in the two transactions after OPEC failed to conclude an agreement with its allies regarding production cuts, which prompted Saudi Arabia to reduce its prices, as it is reported that it is preparing to increase production, which led to fears of a comprehensive price war

Brent crude futures fell 28.7% to $ 32.27 a barrel, its lowest level since February 2016, and U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude fell 31.03% to $ 28.50 a barrel, its lowest level since February 2016. West Texas Intermediate. At its worst level since January 1991 during the Gulf War, and the second worst day ever

On Friday, Russia rejected OPEC's proposal to make deep production cuts in order to stabilize prices hit by the economic consequences of the Corona virus. OPEC responded by removing restrictions on its oil production

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced on Saturday huge reductions in official selling prices for April, and the country is said to be preparing to increase production to over 10 million barrels per day, according to a Reuters report

The kingdom currently pumps 9.7 million barrels per day, but it has the capacity to raise up to 12.5 million barrels per day

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

Samson:  10 Iraqi parliamentarians infected with the Corona virus

9th March, 2020
Reported a medical source, on Monday, that ten deputies were infected with the new Corona virus.

The source said, according to the agency "Sputnik", that "the results of laboratory tests conducted at the Central Health Laboratory in the capital, Baghdad, for ten of the deputies confirmed their infection with the Corona virus."

A prominent human rights source, for his part, alluded to information about MPs contracting the Corona virus, but there was no official confirmation or announcement.

Iraq recorded new infections with the new Corona virus, bringing the number to 60 cases so far. 

LINK

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

Samson: The central bank begins a sterilization campaign for its building in the Mosul branch

9th March, 2020

The Central Bank of Iraq / the Mosul branch, in cooperation with the Directorate of Civil
Defense in the province, and in the presence of the radioactive chemical chemical team 
(CBRN), initiated cleansing and sterilization operations in the Central Bank that covered
all building facilities, to guard against the spread of infections with the emerging "Corona Virus ".

https://cbi.iq/news/view/1454

Samson:  Because of Corona .. stop the presence of investors in the hall of the Iraq Stock Exchange

9th March, 2020

The Iraq Stock Exchange issued a decision Monday to stop the presence of investors in the market hall.
A statement of the market received / Mawazine News / a copy of it, that "the Iraq Stock Exchange decided to stop the presence of investors in the market hall."

The statement added, "This came in compliance with the decision of the Health Crisis Cell and the prevention of gathering in public places," adding that "the decision will continue until March 21, 2020 or any other day decided by the Crisis Cell."

He pointed out, "The market receives the auditors, provided they adhere to the requirements of public health."   LINK

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

Don961:  Oil prices collapse and economic reforms falter; Iraq is set to go bankrupt in the next two months

- 4 Hours Ago Researcher Shatha Khalil *

The collapse of oil prices in global markets brings the economic and societal catastrophe to Iraq, due to this expected collapse during the next two months; the salaries of Iraqi employees will stop, since the insurance of their salaries depends on revenue from the sale of crude by more than 90 percent, this is what was left behind by poor state administration and the absence of planning and use Indiscriminate resources and wealth, organization, coordination, guidance, follow-up, and oversight, resulting in chaos and floundering decisions by the Prime Minister, Parliament, officials, gangs, corruption, and ignorant people that will destroy the Iraqi state.

The absence of investments and the report of the World Bank, economic investments of any country that works on growth and development and makes it strong, especially internal investments such as the establishment and development of various industries and infrastructures in addition to stimulating foreign investments at home that directly affect economic growth, and most studies confirmed that the relationship between foreign investment and growth Economic in the short and long term.
But Iraq remains with all the huge potentials of oil wealth, minerals, agriculture and unique human energies, it cannot build a strong base of investments to boost the economy from sudden fluctuations and crises and attributes the reason to mismanagement and corruption in this stage in the country.
Investment is one of the issues on which many views were raised, and long-term capital flows were considered the most important tools that supported their development programs, through the mechanisms of surplus of the external gap that almost all countries depend on which they find that they have competitive advantages in their trade or services within a balance of payments

The World Bank issued the annual Doing Business report for 2020 to rank countries and which is the best environment for practicing and attracting investment and economic work, and shows the ability of the Iraqi economy to attract foreign capital that works in the field of influence in the joints of the real economy, and places Iraq within the approach with the world in this regard, as well That necessity was based on an interest in the overlap between foreign direct investment and monetary policy.

Attention must be paid to the presence of power factors between economic activities and reducing the rentier implications, which would enhance the opportunity to benefit from foreign investment and reduce dependence on local resources.
And shows the Iraqi economy; by not achieving the required level in economic growth.
The report indicates the improvement in the ranking of the countries of the world, as well as the Arab and Gulf countries, and countries that are stumbling in reform, such as Iraq.
New Zealand came in first place as it provides the best business environment, followed by Singapore and Hong Kong, Denmark came fourth in this year, and then South Korea came in fifth place, while America and Britain came in sixth and eighth in a row, while appended Existing Somalia is preceded by Eritrea and the Republic of Venezuela.

As for the share of the Arab countries in this report, it was, as follows

in the report, Iraq ranks 172 out of 190 countries in the World Bank Index for ease of doing business, which indicates that Iraq is a repulsive environment for investments, while Saudi Arabia has achieved a qualitative achievement, and has advanced 30 ranks, to become so The most advanced and reformed country among 190 countries around the world has managed to enhance the country's competitiveness and raised its ranking in global reports, and the World Bank experts mentioned in the report that Saudi reforms included establishing a one-stop shop system for registering companies, introducing a law for secured transactions, a bankruptcy declaration, and improving protection My fruit minority and measures to bring more women into the labor force, and explained that two years ago or three years ago when these countries began to work on some of those reforms , oil prices were unstable.

The UAE strengthened its lead in the MENA region in the Ease of Business Index and advanced five places globally compared to the previous classification to occupy the 16th position.

Arab countries rank

The report concluded that most of the Arab countries that witnessed an improvement in the business climate were Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, and Kuwait. What is noteworthy in this year's report is Egypt's absence from the Arab top ten ranks despite the economic harvest, which it recorded throughout the last fiscal year thanks to a harsh reform package.

Bahrain ranked second in the Arab world and 43 globally, with Bahrain implementing the largest number of reforms globally, as it made improvements to 9 out of 10 areas measured in the report, while Morocco came third in the Arab world and 53 globally. As for the Sultanate of Oman, it ranked fifth in the Arab world and 68 globally.

Qatar ranked seventh in the Arab world, and ranked 77th in the world. And it ranked eighth in the Arab world, followed by Tunisia, with a global ranking of 78, followed by Kuwait with a global ranking of 83, while Djibouti ranked 10th in the Arab world and 112 globally.
As for Iraq, it occupied the 172nd position from 190. This is against logic and rationality because of a country like Iraq with its enormous potential. Among the most important reasons that led the country to this dangerous slope is corruption, quotas, religious parties and gangs, not to mention mismanagement, and Iraq lives by following the rentier state and its disastrous prospects, while the powers The political, armed groups, and centers of influence, which constructed their great presence in the body of the Iraqi state and worked to weaken and destroy them.

Where Iraq is inevitably heading towards an economic catastrophe unless it begins with radical reform, as there are 75 percent of its population dependent in their lives and their livelihood on the salaries provided to them by the state and consume about 80 percent of the unilateral oil budget within an economy that suffers a permanent imbalance, as this is a fact that all officials realize The Iraqis, whose effects are aware of all the influencing forces in the investment decision, and fully understand the partisan and armed groups that wage war relentlessly on foreign investment.

A war that begins with pushing these continuous groups towards increasing the flabby functional block in the state to obtain the loyalty of electoral votes, passing through the attempt to be partisan companies, not the state, a partner for every investor coming to Iraq in exchange for its protection, and not an end linking investment with political evidence, and the inability of the political center to make decisions Cruel but necessary for the future, such as the start of administrative decentralization systems, the empowerment of the private sector, and the improvement of Iraq's reputation on the international map.

On that last point, Iraqi officials deal lightly with international reports of the World Bank, which can be asserted that they lack statistical accuracy today and are based on data from previous years. Neither Baghdad is the worst city to live in the world, nor Iraq is the most corrupt country, nor is Iraqi security at its worst It can be said that this official underestimation is part of the war on investment. Otherwise, countries that plan for their future after they develop plans for the advancement, set annual budgets to invite researchers, specialized centers and various media to encourage writing fair, balanced and realistic reports that place investors across the A world in front of facts in this or that country, and not just impressions, the greatest danger is the oil budget, which may find itself in years before an expected collapse in oil prices

The first step begins from telling the harsh facts, and among these facts is that Iraq, with its current economic situation, is exposed during the coming years to great setbacks that strike the last remaining of its security, unity and existence, and the threat will not necessarily be a terrorist like "ISIS" or any subsequent development of it, but rather the danger The biggest is the oil budget, which may find itself within years of an expected natural collapse in oil prices, before which the Iraqi rentier economy stands before it, unable to find alternatives and completely surrender to the powers before the state.

Economic Studies Unit

Links Center for Research and Strategic Studies   LIN

KTFA Members "Sunday News" 3-8-2020

KTFA:

Samson:  Iraqi Private Banking Association holds a course on "Banking Sensitivity"

8th March, 2020

The Association of Iraqi Private Banks, in cooperation with the Center for Banking Studies at the Central Bank, held, on Sunday, the "Banking Accounting" course, with the participation of a number of governmental and private banks, at the headquarters of the association

The course aims to inform the participants of the latest systems used in bank accounting by global banking institutions and the use of international accounting programs

The course targets financial managers, account managers, accounting department officials in bank branches and credit and financing officials in commercial and Islamic banks  LINK

Samson:  Researcher: Iran will deploy "Corona" among the demonstrators to extend its influence in Iraq

8th March, 2020

The Iraqi researcher affirmed the meeting in Mecca on Sunday that the Islamic Republic of Iran will try to spread the Corona virus among the demonstrators in order to restore influence in Iraq.

"Iran's influence in Iraq was cracked after the killing of General Qassem Soleimani," Makki said in a tweet on his personal page on Twitter, followed by "Al-Akhbariya," stressing that "today Iran wants to restore its influence from the gate of the new Corona epidemic."

He added, "I have absolutely no doubt that Iran will spread the epidemic, especially among the protesters, to have the opportunity to return its influence under the pretext of helping to confront it," stressing that it "wants to turn the crisis into an opportunity, just as ISIS has happened before." LINK

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

Samson:  The Iraqi Government Announced The Closure Of Five Ports With Iran Because Of Corona

8th March, 2020
The Border Ports Authority announced, on Sunday, the closure of five ports with Iran, while indicating that the entry of Iraqis traveling through the ports will be prevented.

The authority said in a statement that the Independent received a copy of it that "the land outlets (Shalamcheh, Al-Shayb, Zurbatiya, Al-Mundhiriyah and Mandali) were closed to the trade exchange movement with Iran.

She added, "This closure came from the beginning of this day, corresponding to the eighth of March, and will continue until the fifteenth of this month, in implementation of the order of the Committee No. (64) headed by the Secretary-General of the Council of Ministers."

And continued, "With regard to Iraqi travelers, they will be prevented from entering through the aforementioned ports after the fifteenth of March," noting that "they will be entered exclusively through the Baghdad and Basra airport operators exclusively."  LINK

***********

Don961;  Iraq stops border crossings with Iran until mid-March

 March 07, 2020 11:05 PM

Mubasher: The Border Ports Authority in Iraq announced today, Saturday, that the border crossings with Iran had been suspended until Sunday, March 15th, in order to protect the Iraqis from the risks of the spread of the Corona virus .

The head of the Iraqi Border Ports Authority, Omar Al-Waeli, told Iraqi News Agency today that closing the borders during the mentioned period means that the commercial exchange will be temporarily suspended, while Iraqi travelers in Iran are allowed to return to their country no later than the fifteenth of this month .

He indicated that the trade exchange will be through airports and ports, and the Trebil port with Jordan will remain open    LINK

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

Samson:  Nineveh closes all entrances to avoid Corona

12:40 - 08/03/2020

On Sunday, Nineveh Governor Najm al-Jubouri instructed that all entry points into the city of Mosul be closed within 24 hours to avoid the spread of the Corona virus.

Al-Jubouri said in a statement that he received (the information / a copy of it) that "he directed the closure of all entry points to the city of Mosul within 24 hours to avoid the spread of the Corona virus."

Al-Jabri added, “The decision excluded the wheels of transporting foodstuffs, fuel and goods in addition to a number of decisions agreed upon by the crisis cell.”

For its part, the Nineveh Health Department announced "the safety of the suspect who was infected with the Corona virus after suffering from a health problem near the governorate building."  LINK

Samson:  Kurdistan Education is preparing to broadcast lessons on television

8th March, 2020

The Ministry of Education in the Kurdistan Regional Government announced, on Saturday, that it is preparing to broadcast the lessons of the ninth and twelfth grades (middle and sixth intermediate) through educational television

A statement by the Ministry received to Shafak News indicated that in addition to displaying the lessons of middle and middle studies on educational television, you will display it on the TV page mentioned in the social networking site Facebook" directly

The statement came that these steps come within the framework of the policy to prevent corona virus among students, and in response to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health in the region’s government in order to preserve students by disrupting school attendance as a first section, indicating that the second section falls on students themselves by exercising caution and caution outside the circles Tuition

The statement asked the students to stay away from visits and exit and to stay away from crowded places. The statement pointed out that the students of the basic stage, in its first and second circles, that is, from the first to the sixth grade, need more observational care and encouragement to adhere to the conditions of hygiene more

Regarding the students of intermediate and intermediate studies with their completed classes, the statement affirmed that the educational television affiliated with the Ministry is preparing to present all its lessons in the Syrian and Bahadian dialects, adding that those lessons are also shown directly on the educational television page on the social networking site Facebook

He called on everyone to encourage students to take advantage of these lessons by following them, indicating that this matter will continue for ten days. The statement noted that in the previous stage, the Ministry’s page and its special application for students from the first to the twelfth preparatory grade was through videos of all the lessons that can be learned from this address: http://www.hrt.one

LINK

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

Samson:  Al-Amri" undertakes an urgent inventory at the Prime Minister's Office in search of Corona ... and surprisingly with four names

8th March, 2020
An informed source revealed, on Sunday, that the office of the Prime Minister of Iraq had made special procedures for employees of the office regarding the Corona virus.

The source told Shafak News, that the director of the Prime Minister’s Office, Qais Al-Amri, asked the Director General of the National Information Office to take stock of the names of officials working for the office who visited Iran and returned to Iraq three weeks ago from February 20 to March 7.

He added, that Colonel Ali Al-Tamimi, director of passports at Baghdad Airport, confirmed that he did not indicate the return of any of those who work in the Prime Minister’s Office during this period except for:

1-h / al-Tashrif
2- hs-k -al-media
-3-p / pagat
4-a-n Private Office

According to available information, "these names were not subject to examination or quarantine." The number of deaths due to infection with the virus was 4 throughout Iraq, two in Baghdad and one in both Sulaimaniya and Karbala, while the number of infections across the country reached 57, distributed as follows: 26 Baghdad, 8 Sulaimaniya, 7 Kirkuk, 5 Najaf, 3 Wasit, 2 Diyala, 2 Karbala, 1 Maysan, 1 Babel, 2 Erbil.   LINK

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

Samson:  What Does Lebanon Mean To Default On The Payment Of Debts?

8th March, 2020
The Lebanese state’s decision to default on the debts owed to it raised several questions about the consequences of the decision on the exhausted country’s economy.

On Saturday, Lebanon announced that it could not pay its outstanding debts on time, and suspended the payment of $ 1.2 billion due on March 9th, which puts the heavily indebted country on the path of defaulting on sovereign debt, at a time when it faces a major financial crisis.

Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a televised address to the Lebanese, said that the country's foreign currency reserves reached "critical and dangerous" levels with the need to meet the basic needs of the Lebanese. He called for "fair" negotiations with lenders to restructure debt.

The failure of Lebanon to pay its debts in foreign currencies represents a new stage of a financial crisis that has ravaged its economy since October. The lira has lost about 40 percent of its value, and prompted banks to impose rules that restricted depositors ’dealings in their deposits and fueled the turmoil.

The following is a picture of the Lebanese economic crisis and its direct and deferred repercussions in numbers.

Lebanon's debt ..

The decision means going to restructure public debt, which in Lebanon amounts to more than $ 86 billion, and to renegotiate with creditors.

Merit, March   LINK

Frank, Delta, MilitiaMan and more Saturday Night 3-7-2020

KTFA:

DELTA:  A new product through the system for the window selling foreign currency to the Central Bank of Iraq.

MARCH 4 ,2020 

Al Mansour Software Solutions Co.

Mansour Express Exchange and Remittance System

It is an electronic computer system that supports the exchange and money transfer companies that have been developed to suit all exchange operations and transfer funds by experts and specialists in this area, in addition to the legal accounting of evidence Calculations and the status of accounting values within international accounting

The system consists of the department of the system management, the accounting section, the exchange section, the incoming and incoming remittances section, as well as their treatment from the department of the system, the accounting section, the department of the banking department, the incoming remittances section and the department of the accounting system. Accounting, public budget and reports for regulatory services.

MilitiaMan:  Thank you for the find Delta.. I see this is a few days old now. Is that what the RED ALERT was about 3-4 days ago? lol.

They clearly have now set things up to be electronic and in a big way. And in an International way. They are telling us they have the legal accounting, evidence of "Calculations", of Accounting Values, with International Standards.

That last sentences suggests they have the international rate to go with it too.

Keep in mind Experts and Specialists will be using the software, as it is a full management system of incoming and out going remittances. They would not be going cashless with a system like this at a program rate and at a time like this. But at an international rate imo, yes they would.

 The accounting of Public Budgets and the ability to report to the Regulators and in a transparent way with speed and efficiency will make this move to a market economy smooth, safe and secure. imo CASH LESS... 

Having the cash register X'd out shows they need to cease the use of cash. As we spoke about Delta, with the CBI telling banks to stop using cash because of the Corona  Virus, they'll (the CBI) need to cease using cash as well. All types of currencies, too.

Thus, they will need to stop the  Currency Auctions. (KO punch to Iran?) They now have a valid excuse outside the parameters of the GOI to RI, as it is vital to the Monetary system to keep money moving.

They stop money movement they will have problems with the IMF, UST, WB,  inflation rearing it's ugly head, no liquidity, etc.. So this suggests they are ready to raise the rate soon, as they have the calculations and values necessary to do so.  The have the excuse of the virus as an ace in the hole to get it done. imo

The above mention of calculations and value is important, imo. We knew that the CBI told the money ex changers weeks ago they need to have the 2019 numbers to the CBI by 02/29/2020 or be fined daily for lack of reporting. The above supports that to have been done now.

What also supports that, is we have had articles telling us thy have 9 key banks all geared and ready to help facilitate electronic payments, ACH money transfers, etc.. Then the show us they have a MOU with 70 more banks and hundreds of money ex changers to facilitate money movement.

We already witnessed the CBI telling us in a 55 page report they have accepted article 8 obligations that includes lifting exchange restrictions. By lifting exchange restrictions they can not stop the movement of capital!! 

With stopping cash sales at the auctions without announcing article 8, as in announcing they lifted the 000s from the exchange rate and give an international calculation to it they would be in violation of that.  imo. Therefore problems arise. So with all we know, that will not be the case.

They will soon announce they are Art 8 and at what rate they have calculated for the value of the future IQD exchange rate that all the Iraqis await and we too.. imo 

Delta! Agreed, the Perfect Storm is Upon us.. ioo... lol ~ MM

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

Youngsc:  But we need a seated PM with seated cabinet before the rate comes out as Frank stated?

Iobey777:  IMO.... WALKINGSTICK has already told us that they DO have a seated Pm and Cabinet with Mahdi, although it is a "caretaker" Gov't it can hand off the RI!! IMO!  This is looking VERY EXCITING!

Frank26:  3-7-20 Q& A

This video is in Frank’s opinion only

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME... SPRING FORWARD TONITE FAMILY!!! SMILE...MORE DAY LIGHT!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JarjNMAEn5U

KTFA Members "Saturday News" 3-7-2020

KTFA:

Sanson:  America imposes a quarantine on the dollars returning from Asia

7th March, 2020
Washington decided to impose a stone on US currency notes returning to the country, after being used in the countries of Asia, in an attempt to prevent the spread of the "Corona" virus.

A spokeswoman for the US Central Bank said that the banknotes (dollars) remain withheld 60 days. She added: "As a precautionary measure, the procedures for dealing with banknotes sent from Asia have been changed."

This procedure started on February 21st, and it may expand to other regions if the US health authorities deem it appropriate.

Earlier, the South Korean Central Bank announced that it would put the securities in a two-week quarry, and the Chinese central bank had announced similar measures in mid-February.  LINK

Samson:  24 Iraqi officers head to America

5th March, 2020

The American embassy in Baghdad announced, on Thursday, the departure of 24 Iraqi officers to the United States.

"The permanent support and partnership between the United States of America and Iraq is partly embodied in the work of the Security Cooperation Bureau in Iraq (OSC-I) and the Iraqi National Defense College hand in hand to enhance understanding of the new officers and the elderly," the embassy said in a statement received by Mawazine News. Of the civilians how to work within the strategic level of the government, twenty-four students from the Iraqi National Defense College travel with the teaching staff to the capital, Washington, for a week to attend seminars on strategic and policy affairs."

It added, "These seminars include presentations by current and former senior leaders of the United States government, as well as surrounding attendees with a better understanding of US planning and decision-making." She noted, "The Office for Security Cooperation in Iraq (OSC-I) and the plans of the mall financed this trip, but its implementation fell to the Near East and South Asia Center for Strategic Studies."   LINK

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

Don961:  An invitation to deal with electronic payment tools instead of cash

Friday 06 March 2020

Baghdad / Al-Sabah

The new Corona virus showed the importance of using and applying the electronic payment service during periods of disease and epidemics, as it contributes in one way or another to reducing opportunities for friction with the means that transmit the virus, such as paper currencies.

In this regard, the Central Bank of Iraq called on merchants and citizens to deal with electronic payment tools (cards, points of sale, mobile phone wallets) and avoid dealing in cash in order to preserve public health.

Virus Transfer

A statement of the Central Authority, which Al-Sabah received a copy of, stated that this comes "in conjunction with what our dear country is going through, and as a result of the Bank's follow-up to international reports that warn of the ability of banknotes to be a carrier medium for viruses."

It is noteworthy that the bank’s Basra branch, in cooperation with the civil defense directorate in the province, and in the presence of the CBRN team, initiated cleansing and sterilization operations in the building that included all building facilities, to guard against the spread of infections with the “Corona virus”.

Quick solutions

The "electronic payment" methods, which have spread widely in recent years, come to provide a quick solution for those who live in areas where the virus is spreading.

Electronic payment would contribute to limiting the spread of corona, because citizens will not have to deal with each other with banknotes, which may be "infected."

The fears of the spread of infected banknotes caused some banks to begin sterilizing them, by using ultraviolet rays or high temperatures and then storing them for a certain period before circulating to ensure that they do not contain any residue of the virus.

And Internet users rely on electronic payment services on smartphones to complete their financial transactions without the need for banknotes.   LINK

Samson:  The Iraqi Ministry of Interior stopped working by issuing documentary documents for a week

7th March, 2020
The Iraqi Ministry of Interior announced the suspension of work on issuing documentary documents for a week after the outbreak of the Corona virus in the country.

General Director of Civil Status, Passports and Residence, Major General Nashat Ibrahim Al-Khafaji said in a statement received by “Shafaq News”, that “according to the directives of the Diwaniya Command Committee 55 for the year 2020, and the momentum witnessed by the Civil Status, Passports and Residence circles by the auditors and in order to prevent them from corona’s disease” ) It was decided to issue the documentary documents in all departments of the Civil Status, Passports and Residence Department as of Sunday, 3/8/2020, for a period of one week.

He added that "the decision was made to preserve the safety of citizens from contracting the disease," noting that "humanitarian and critical cases are excluded from the decision."   LINK

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

Deputy: The government will extend the suspension of official working hours after increasing injuries in Corona

09:06 - 07/03/2020

MP Nada Shaker Jawdat, on Saturday, suggested that the government crisis cell extend the suspension of official working hours in universities and schools for a longer period after the detection of new infections with the Corona virus, indicating that the infrastructure and health are unable to absorb the outbreak of the disease within educational institutions.

Shaker said in a statement to "The Information", that "disrupting the official working hours and stopping all occasions and popular gatherings needs government activation to confront the outbreak of the Corona virus."

She added that "the spread of the disease in educational institutions will lead to catastrophic consequences, especially as schools lack the most basic elements of public health."

Shaker pointed out that "the increase in the incidence of corona injuries will force the state to extend the suspension of official working hours and find solutions to compensate for that period."  LINK

**

Samson:  France: Iraq exempted diplomats and official delegations from the entry ban

10:36 - 07/03/2020

The French Embassy in Iraq announced today, Saturday, that the Iraqi authorities are preventing the entry of the French, except for diplomats and official delegations.

"As part of its action plan to combat the Corona virus, Iraqi authorities now prohibit French nationals from entering Iraqi territory, with the exception of diplomats and official delegations," the embassy said in a statement via Twitter.

And revealed the Iraqi Diwaniya Command Committee No. (55) for the year 2020, a set of decisions in addition to its previous procedures issued to prevent the outbreak of the Corona virus in Iraq.

The government media cell decided to prevent Iraq from entering France, Spain, Turkey and Nigeria, to prevent the spread of the Corona virus.    LINK

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

Samson:  A Hollywood operation .. New details about the biggest theft of a gold store in Erbil Governorate

7th March, 2020
In a process similar to the Hollywood movie scenarios, a large gold shop in the Soran District Center in Erbil Governorate exposed a unique theft operation in relation to the Kurdistan Region.

An official security source and witnesses recounted the details of the robbery incident, saying it happened late last night without anyone feeling it and in a professional manner that indicates planning in advance.

And the stolen "Dirkleh" shop is considered one of the largest shops for buying and selling gold jewelery and jewelry at the level of the judiciary, which is witnessing a calm calm like the rest of the region. The source and witnesses specifically describe the location of the shop, as it is located in the two-street street in the Judicial Center, which is visited by many of the remaining shopping areas.

As for the size of the loss incurred by the shop owner, a member of his family said to Shafak News that at least 38 kg of gold in addition to 300,000 US dollars were stolen from the store's secret treasury. Going back to the source’s account and witnesses, they said that the thieves took advantage of a sewage line to transport the sewage on the other side of the street to dig a tunnel spanning dozens of meters in a process that seemed to have taken not long.

The source and the witnesses added that the thieves succeeded yesterday from completing the excavation process and reaching the secret safehouse in which the money and contents of the shop are preserved so that they can be opened from below with special machines and take what is in them. The source and witnesses continue by saying that the thieves, after carrying out their operation, destroyed the tunnel in an attempt to hide the effects of the crime and obstruct the conduct of investigations. LINK

KTFA Members "Corona Virus World News" Friday 3-6-2020

KTFA: 

Samson:  The Death Of 6 Employees Of The Iranian Central Bank Of Corona

6th March, 2020

Governor of the Central Bank of Iran, Abdel Nasser Hamti, stated today, Friday, that 6 of the bank's employees have died recently due to infection with Corona virus.

According to the information received so far, 6 of my dear colleagues in the banking system have died of the Coronavirus while serving people," he said in a tweet posted on his Instagram page.

On the death of these soldiers, I extend my deepest condolences to their dear families, managers and colleagues for serving the people in the branches of the country's banks," Abdel Nasser Hamiti added.

He continued: “Despite the risks of working in the bank’s branches, we are witnessing the efforts made by our colleagues in the banking system to serve people, especially in the bank’s branches.”

The Iranian government had reduced working hours by half in banks and government departments last week to curb the spread of the Corona virus, but the National Committee to Combat Corona during its meeting on Thursday canceled the decision to return official hours as before and recommended that leave be given alternately to employees.   LINK

Samson:  Corona closes the Sulaymaniyah Stock Exchange and hit the game "Domino"

6th March, 2020

The Sulaymaniyah Health Directorate decided on Thursday to close the "stock exchange" market in the city, as well as ban some games such as dominoes in cafes and public places to limit the outbreak of the new Corona virus

A spokesman for Sulaimaniyah Health, Yad Naqshbandand, told Shafaq News, that Sulaimaniya Health decided to "close the old stock markets in Sulaymaniyah", which are markets where currency exchange takes place

He added that health also decided to "prevent some games, such as the domino game in cafes and public places, and reduce crowding in markets and public places in Sulaymaniyah

On Thursday, Iraq recorded three new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number to 41, of whom 3 died in Baghdad and one in Sulaimaniya

The injuries are distributed as follows: 14 Baghdad, 8 Sulaymaniyah, 7 Kirkuk, 4 Najaf, 3 Wasit, 2 Diyala, 1 Maysan, 1 Karbala and 1 Babel  LINK

Iobey777:  Hmmm... wondering if this is really all about the “virus”.... IMO!

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

Samson:  Corona threatens to postpone the parliamentary sessions that will resume next Monday

06/3/2020 18:13:38

 A deputy from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan bloc said today, Friday, that the date for the first session of the next legislative term has not been decided.

Representative Hassan Ali said in a press statement that "the council has not yet decided the date for the first session of the new legislative term, noting that the extraordinary session that was held to vote on the government of Tawfiq Allawi was within the current legislative recess." Alli added that "the legislative holiday will end next Monday 9-3-2020, noting that the new Corona Virus may postpone the holding of parliament sessions if its spread is not controlled." The civil defense teams had implemented a campaign to disinfect and sterilize the parliament building to prevent the spread of the Corona virus inside it.

It is noteworthy that the government crisis cell revealed today that "the number of cases infected with 38 Corona virus and two died after examining more than 400 suspected cases." It is noteworthy that the Reuters news agency reported that the number of people infected with the Corona virus globally exceeded 100,000.   LINK

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

Samson:  Calls in Basra not to close all banks to avoid gatherings

5th March, 2020

The Public Health Promotion Division in Basra Governorate called for not closing all banks except for one of them, and consequently the latter is witnessing crowdedness in the number of auditors in the presence of fear of corona infection.

The Director of the Division, Raya Habib, through Al-Murbed, called on the concerned authorities to organize the work of employees of all banks by 50%, and thus the auditors' entry of the banks in a way that does not lead to overcrowding in one place, in order to ensure that no human gatherings, especially in a closed place, occur.   LINK

Samson:  Sistani cancels Friday prayers for the first time in 17 years

6th March, 2020

The supreme religious authority in Iraq did not perform Friday prayers today, for the first time since the fall of the former President Saddam Hussein in 2003, for fear of spreading the new Corona virus, according to the Shiite authorities.

Fearing the outbreak of Covid-19 disease in Iraq, which resulted in the death of three people and the injury of 38 others, the religious authorities in the holy city of Karbala among the Shiites announced the closure of the mosque of the shrine of Imam Hussein, where the Friday prayer is usually held. But despite that, the plate that connects the shrine of Imam Al-Hussein and his brother Al-Abbas remained open to visitors who came in large numbers today, Friday, according to eyewitnesses. For France Press previously prevented, from Friday, the entry of non-residents of Karbala to the province.

An official at the Husseiniya threshold indicated that “stopping the performance of Friday prayers, today, is occurring for the first time since 2003”, which was also confirmed by sources close to Ayatollah Sayyid Ali al-Sistani. Sistani, who does not appear in public, has previously allocated part of the Friday sermons prior to the health situation in Iraq, where about 40 million people live, amid a chronic shortage of medicine, medicine and hospitals.

In Najaf, the shrine of Imam Ali was opened to visitors, after severe pressure from the Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who gathered thousands of his supporters to hold Friday prayers in the Kufa mosque, according to eyewitnesses, but that al-Sadr did not attend the prayer, and he merely sent a representative.

In Samarra, where the two military imams are located north of Baghdad, the religious authorities canceled a second visit, scheduled for this week, in a decision they had taken last February. 

 Iraq is particularly afraid of the spread of the epidemic in places of Shiite shrines and shrines that millions of visitors visit, especially from Iran. Trips to Iran, one of the countries worst hit by the epidemic, were also banned, and Tehran announced Friday, 4,747 cases of HIV and 124 deaths.  LINK

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

Samson:  The suspension of official working hours in all Iraqi government institutions until the 15th of this month

Localities 03/2020 2020 18:54 3653 Editor: ht   
Baghdad today - Baghdad

The Crisis Cell announced, Friday (06 March 2020), the suspension of official working hours in all government institutions until the 15th of this month.

The semi-official Al-Iraqiya channel reported that "the crisis crisis cell recently formed to face the Corona virus threat meant to extend the disruption of official working hours in all government institutions to the 15th of this month, with the exception of security and health institutions."

Earlier, the Ministry of Higher Education decided, on Friday, to extend the suspension of private universities and colleges until next Thursday. The ministry said in a statement, "As a result of the circumstances the country is going through and for preventive and precautionary reasons from the Corona Virus, the opinion committee at the Ministry of Higher Education instructed to extend the postponement of working hours for students of primary and higher studies until Thursday, March 12, and to all government and private universities and colleges in all Iraqi governorates." "

. The Ministry of Health had confirmed, on Thursday (5 March 2020), that 35 cases of Corona virus had been recorded in Iraq so far, two of whom had died, while it had indicated that the risk of the virus would be greater for certain groups.

The ministry’s spokesman, Saif Al-Badr, said in a visual video, that “Corona virus infections that were diagnosed inside Iraq amounted to 35 cases so far. Two deaths occurred due to the virus infection, the first for a patient with immune problems in advanced stages and the other for a 65-year-old man. He has health and breathing problems. "

He explained that "these groups are among the high levels of risk that we always focus on, and they are the elderly, children and those with chronic diseases such as cancerous diseases, kidney failure or immunological disorders, as the probability of their injury and reaching the stage of complications and deaths among them is higher than other categories."

Al-Badr pointed out that "the percentage of deaths recorded globally by the Coronavirus, about 3% of the total infections, that is, every 100 patients die, only 3 of them die, and this follows the patient's health condition, diet, level of immunity and whether he has chronic diseases or not."

He pointed out, "The most important recommendation that should reach every Iraqi citizen to prevent corona virus is to wash hands frequently with soap and water and whenever the opportunity arises. If soap is not available, any sterile substance containing alcohol can be used in its composition, in addition to using tissue paper that is used The one and get rid of it in a correct way. "

A spokesman for the Ministry of Health stressed the need to "avoid crowded places and public events such as weddings and condolences, and any human gathering including demonstrations," noting that the virus "is transmitted through droplets or droplets flying from the infected mouth or nose, and this is the main means of transmission from a person etc".

He stressed the importance of "adherence to public hygiene and the wearing of high-risk groups (the elderly, children, cancer patients, immunology and kidney failure) for muzzles as well as those with regular flu," explaining that "wearing a muzzle is not a duty for everyone, but it is also for the specific groups mentioned."

Al-Badr continued, "The signs of corona disease are similar to the symptoms of the flu, but they are more severe, such as high temperatures, pain, headache, shortness of breath and cough that can lead to complications leading to death." He called on the media, pages of communication sites, artists, bloggers and public figures to convey these recommendations And instructions to their fans.   LINK

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

Samson:  Trump admits: Corona will hit the US economy ... but we will find a solution

6th March, 2020
US President Donald Trump said that the US economy may be affected negatively by the outbreak of the Corona virus, but he expected to eventually bypass it and defend its handling of the crisis.

Asked if the Corona virus had hurt the economy, Trump replied: "There is no doubt that it may affect, and at the same time, I must say that people now stay in the United States and spend their money in it, and I like it." He added, “The matter will find its way to a solution, everyone should calm down .. We have plans for every possibility and I think this is our duty, we hope that it will not last long.”

Trump reiterated that the travel restrictions imposed by China at the beginning of the crisis have helped to reduce The outbreak in the United States. Trump appeared on an event organized by "Fox News", as part of his campaign for the 2020 elections, in front of an audience from Scranton, Pennsylvania, one of the undisputed states that helped the Republican president win the White House race in 2016.

The spread of the Corona virus has led to sharp falls in the stock market, and fueled fears of an economic downturn, as Trump calls on Americans to elect him for a second term. The death toll from the Corona virus in the United States rose to 12 on Thursday, while it discovered 53 new cases across the country.   LINK

Don961:  Ban entry of nationals of four additional countries to Iraq

3 hours ago  |  4,330 views   Shunem Abdullah Khoshnaw

Rudaw - Erbil 

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today, Friday, that four additional countries are not allowed to enter it, raising the number of countries whose citizens are prohibited from entering 13 countries.

A foreign ministry spokesman, Ahmed al-Sahaf, said in a statement that "the entry of foreign arrivals from Turkey, France, Spain and Nigeria has been stopped."

He explained by this, "The number of countries whose nationals are prohibited from entering Iraq becomes 13," noting that it "excludes from the ban the diplomatic and official delegations."

The Crisis Cell announced today, Friday, that the number of cases infected with the Corona virus has so far reached 38, after examining more than 400 cases, while two deaths were recorded.
 
On February 28, Iraq decided to prevent citizens from traveling to 9 countries: China, Iran, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Italy, Kuwait, and Bahrain, with the exception of official and foreign delegations and diplomatic agencies, as well as a ban on entry to foreigners from countries that recorded HIV infections.

The mysterious virus appeared in China for the first time on December 12, 2019 in Wuhan, but Beijing officially revealed it in mid-January.   LINK

Walkingstick and KTFA Members Friday Afternoon 3-6-2020

KTFA:

Grimmbone1: I was just wondering, why go to the expense of printing and minting the new small denominations if the aim is to be ‘cashless’? Or, would the electronic payments be an intermediary while the new notes and coins are introduced and become popular with the citizens?  

Walkingstick:  Fwiw( for what its worth)   Cashless, does not necessarily  indicate what the term implies...  Today, it merely indicates cash is not generally accepted.. As with Sweden ( often referred to as cashless) known as the world's leader in becoming the first completely cashless country... Yet, roughly 15% in form of payments or purchases are still on a cash bases... Still, unknown... if they will be successfull in becoming completely cashless... It is a process that must be widely accepted by the people, many do not...

In comparison, with Iraq... A country where people hoard cash in their homes, reluctant to open bank accounts, prefer cash as a form of payment, slow at regaining trust in banks, and is a central hub for trade in the region.. the list, goes on... Highly unlikely,  Iraq will ever become a true cashless society ....

Regards......

Suzie:  Has anyone ACTUALLY seen the coins and NSCN yet?  I don't think they're in use yet, and I think it will be a LONG time before Iraq would/could ever go cashless, just my opinion.  

Hammy14:  suzie, we've been told the nscn's are now at the banks and also now are loaded into the ATM's ready for distribution to the general public.  So yes, someone has seen them, if only the bankers themselves.  Now, as we also know for a fact, these new notes cannot be issued for use until they change their exchange rate and increase the value of their currency.  Therefore, it stands to reason that the coming launch date for the new notes and the new exchange rate must be close, otherwise why would these new notes already be out into the banks and ATM's?  IMO

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

Samson:  The central bank is fully insured by Corona virus

6th March, 2020

Today, Friday, the Civil Defense Directorate implemented a campaign to sterilize the entrances and exits of the Central Bank of Iraq in Baghdad, to prevent the spread of the Corona virus.

A source in the civil defense media / Al-Rusafa confirmed to Alsumaria News that the central bank is now fully insured from Corona Virus.

The Civil Defense Directorate is working in cooperation with health authorities and security services to fumigate and sterilize departments and institutions of countries to prevent the outbreak of the new Corona virus.  LINK

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

Samson:  The Asian Development Bank talks about the effects of corona on the global economy

6th March, 2020

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said today, Friday, that the spread of the Coruna virus will reduce economic growth in Asia and around the world this year.

The respiratory disease (Corona virus), which can develop into pneumonia, has killed more than 3,200 people worldwide and affected global markets and economies.

The Manila-based bank said that the spread of the virus could reduce global gross output by between 0.1% and 0.4%, and cost the global economy between 77 and 347 billion dollars.

The bank indicated that the spread of the Corona virus could lead to sharp declines in domestic demand, tourism, business and trade trips, and production links, as well as disrupting supplies, which would hurt growth in Asia.

The global spread of the new coronavirus has dashed hopes for stronger growth this year, and global output growth in 2020 will shrink to the lowest pace since the financial crisis in 2008 and 2009, IMF Director Kristalina Georgieva said Wednesday.

The World Bank has announced that it will provide $ 12 billion in urgent financing to help developing countries improve health services, monitor disease, and provide medical supplies and working capital for companies.  LINK

Samson:  Egypt plans to print an environmentally friendly currency

6th March, 2020

The Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt, Gamal Negm, announced today, Friday, that the bank will start printing a 10-pound plastic coin of "polymer".

He pointed out that the new currency will appear during the coming period, confirming that the plastic money is distinguished by that it lasts 3 times the shelf life of its paper counterpart.

According to experts, plastic money is characterized by flexibility, durability and less fish, and allows for a longer life span of about 5 times the life of the paper category made of cotton, as well as it is water resistant, less affected by dust, is environmentally friendly, and has much less susceptibility to pollution compared to categories Paper money in circulation, in addition to the difficulty of counterfeiting and forgery.   LINK

Tommy 17:  Interesting timing

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

Don961:  An invitation to deal with electronic payment tools instead of cash

Friday 06 March 2020 Baghdad / Al-Sabah

 The new Corona virus showed the importance of using and applying the electronic payment service during periods of disease and epidemics, as it contributes in one way or another to reducing opportunities for friction with the means that transmit the virus, such as paper currencies.

In this regard, the Central Bank of Iraq called on merchants and citizens to deal with electronic payment tools (cards, points of sale, mobile phone wallets) and avoid dealing in cash in order to preserve public health.

Virus Transfer

A statement of the Central Authority, which Al-Sabah received a copy of, stated that this comes "in conjunction with what our dear country is going through, and as a result of the Bank's follow-up to international reports that warn of the ability of banknotes to be a carrier medium for viruses."

It is noteworthy that the bank’s Basra branch, in cooperation with the civil defense directorate in the province, and in the presence of the CBRN team, initiated cleansing and sterilization operations in the building that included all building facilities, to guard against the spread of infections with the “Corona virus”.

 Quick solutions

The "electronic payment" methods, which have spread widely in recent years, come to provide a quick solution for those who live in areas where the virus is spreading.

Electronic payment would contribute to limiting the spread of corona, because citizens will not have to deal with each other with banknotes, which may be "infected."

The fears of the spread of infected banknotes caused some banks to begin sterilizing them, by using ultraviolet rays or high temperatures and then storing them for a certain period before circulating to ensure that they do not contain any residue of the virus.

And Internet users rely on electronic payment services on smartphones to complete their financial transactions without the need for banknotes.    LINK

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

Don961: Disclosure of the size of the external debt that Iraq paid during 2019

Economy 03/205 19:55 876 Editor: as   
Baghdad today - Baghdad

Member of Parliamentary Finance Committee Adnan Al-Zarfi revealed, on Thursday (5 March 2020), the size of the external debt that Iraq paid during the past year 2019.

"There is a tendency to squeeze public spending in all ministries and other sectors," the official news agency quoted Al-Zorfi as saying, "The Finance Committee managed to contribute to stopping foreign borrowing by about $ 6 billion, and repaying about $ 4 billion in foreign debt during the year 2019." .

He added that "the parliamentary finance continues to pressure the ministries to reduce spending," stressing "the need to reconsider the numbers prepared by the Ministry of Finance in the budget, and to find other means to squeeze the spending and convert it from consumer spending to productive."

The member of the Finance Committee in the House of Representatives Haitham al-Jabouri announced, on (17 - 12 - 2019), the payment of more than $ 20 billion of the size of the external debt owed by Iraq.  

Al-Jubouri said in a press statement, "The external debt that remains on Iraq is 27 billion dollars and 41 billion dollars for Saudi Arabia is not recognized, because it was debts given to the former regime leader during the Iran-Iraq war."

He pointed out that "the debt on Iraq was more than 50 billion dollars, more than 20 billion dollars was paid during the last period."

A member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Ahmed Mazhar al-Jubouri, said on Monday (September 22, 2019) that Iraq's foreign debt exceeded 125 billion dollars.

Al-Jubouri said in a press statement: "The committee has previously suspended the debts, especially the foreign budget, in the 2019 budget, at a time when there is an obligation to continue debt as it was present during the war against ISIS gangs in the governorates of Nineveh, Anbar and Salah al-Din."

He explained, "Debt, especially foreign affairs, amounted to 125 billion dollars," noting that "its survival portends a danger to the economic future of Iraq."

Al-Jubouri hinted that "there are 20 paragraphs of debt that will be in the 2020 budget, after the committee held with the Ministry of Finance 5 meetings during the past month, as part of these debts were loans imposed on Iraq by the World Bank."   LINK

MilitiaMan "The Need For The CBI to Now Finish is Greater Than Ever" 3-5-2020

KTFA:

Ryan1216:  I'm lost on what needs to be done for the rate to be released if the CBI is ready. Just praying we're all looking back on this investment laughing that it's over very soon.  

Militiaman:  Man that is a hope I share too. Laughing that is this over and wowing it, while shaking our heads in amazement and on our knees thanking God for the blessing of having been able to be a part of the ride!!

That said! Where are we? I'll try and see if I can give my view up to now. The CBI has been very vocal of late even while the GOI/CBI handcart pumps back and forth down the track heading for the economic reform destination we are looking to be the station at the end of it.

The CBI has been so vocal that they have Nassiri  and Salih are speaking of the Independence of the CBI from the GOI. What the CBI has accomplished all the while the GOI has been in turmoil and filled with Iranian backed corruption. The CBI has pumped along by making sure they kept inflation low during economic and security shocks that were abound.

My view from the below is that they CBI having been successful during crisis, is now prepared to finish the reforms, give the demonstrators purchase power and in doing so they will create jobs with the re construction efforts.

The need for the CBI to now finish is greater than ever.

The stone that the reforms will throw will be squarely at those that were against them. If the CBI does what I think they are doing (intervening), they will effectively expose those that were not for the reforms, but, were for the Iranian backed influenced politic, who imo will be looking at bulldozers in the near future. The street knows who is who..

Wonder why Mahdi is still in the public eye? His failure at getting things done in the past may very well end up on his plate with one more bite left on it.. Mahdi may very well need to finish that bite before he can leave the table. His photo below speaks volumes to me..

Regardless the CBI news paints the picture now that the the CBI has to finish and will in doing so kill more than one bird with the throw, possible in all totality a very good thing for Iraq, her citizens and us.. imo

As Frank, WS, Delta, me and others agree on is that the PM is not the issue as the legal issue to re instate is taken care of and has been for some time.

The thing we didn't know was the information about the 9 Key Banks that are in place to facilitate point of sale, electronic banking, money transfers, ACH payments, etc.. Then there are the 70 additional banks that signed MOUs along with 100s of money exchanger's yesterday real close.

Don't forget that on 02/29/2020 the exchanger's had to have their 2019 end of year accounting done or be fined daily!!! They i'll bet have that done and on time imo

So, in the end my view is the focus is on the CBI and in short order. ~ MM

-----------------------------------------------------------

The available data confirm that the critical situation of the Iraqi economy needs the intervention of the central bank to face the new conditions and this requires the new government to believe in the independence of the central bank and not to interfere in the appointment of its leadership and technical and professional cadres during its interim period and until early elections and the coming of a new parliament and government come because the current administration It proved successful in the most difficult of circumstances and saved the national economy from collapse when the Minister of Finance announced in 2015 that the government would not be able to secure the salaries of employees and retirees. Because the focus is on the independence of the central bank and its distance from tensions and Political interests are the solution to overcoming 

LINK
http://economy-news.net/conten.....p?id=19224

The economic expert nominated for the post of Minister of Planning in the new government , Mazhar Muhammad Salih , said: "The political blocs respect my independence as a technocrat and a candidate for the ministerial post."

He added in a press statement: "All my life, you have not belonged to any political party, and my feeling indicates that the various political fronts respect my independence and my profession as a technocrat."

And Saleh continued: "The matter, whether it was done or not, will not affect my status as an independent and economist working for the country and reforming its economic reality."

The House of Representatives is scheduled to meet today with an extraordinary session to vote on the new cabinet.

link

LINK

The President of the Private Banking Association participates
in the second Ninewa Emaar exhibition

LINK

Deputy to Abdul-Mahdi: {voluntary absence} was not mentioned in the constitution or in any legal precedent

Legal expert: Abdul-Mahdi's "voluntary absence" violates the constitution

3rd March, 2020
Legal expert Ali Al-Tamimi said that the "voluntary absence" of the resigned Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, which he announced yesterday, is against the articles of the Iraqi constitution.

Commenting on Abdul-Mahdi’s decision to resort to “voluntary absence” after Prime Minister-designate Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi’s apology for forming the government, Al-Tamimi said, “This absence violates the Iraqi constitution in Articles (81 and 13), as it cannot be superior to the internal system over the constitution. According to a rule, the lowest-highest law does not violate."

He added that "this absence violates articles 2 (and 42) of the internal system of the Council of Ministers for the year 2019, which obligated the cabinet to continue to work until the formation of a new government such as caretaker business and the resigned prime minister cannot cost someone who chairs the council because it is not his authority according to the concept of caretaker." He explained, "This situation is permissible only in limited cases such as illness and travel."

Al-Tamimi continued, "Abdul-Mahdi is resigned and it is not his authority to assign a representative to him, because that is outside the concept of conducting business." With regard to the constitutional void which Abdul Mahdi warned about, Al-Timy said, "There is no unification in the constitution called a constitutional void, because this is in the absence of other institutions," adding that "the matter needs a referendum of the Federal Court."

It is noteworthy that the resigned Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi informed yesterday the President of the Republic, the Speaker of Parliament, his two deputies and members of the House of Representatives, of his resort to voluntary absence from his position, and called for the dissolution of Parliament 60 days before the date of the early elections, which was proposed to be scheduled on the fourth of next December.   LINK

MilitiaMan:  Brought Forward:

Registration is now open for Tenth Iraq Day at the Mansion House on 30 March 2020

Tenth Iraq Day at The Mansion House

IBBC Spring Conference 2020

‘Iraq – Open for Business’ 

30 March, The Mansion House, London

This could be the year Iraq gets serious about reform and investment.

For too long, Iraqi Governments have tinkered with reform, but with the protests, a growing population and a new government forming, there is a head of steam demanding change and jobs for young people.

At this time in response, The IBBC Spring Conference, at the Mansion house, is convening the heavyweight players and institutions of Finance, Energy and Governance to articulate what is required for change. All the more important as a high turnout of Iraqi Minsters and Deputies, and UK officials and politicians are expected to attend and contribute to the debate throughout the morning sessions.

During the afternoon, an interactive series of roundtables addressing University, Tech in Iraq, Women’s Group and a special Kurdistan Investment Forum are convening ahead of a reception at Eversheds Sutherland headquarters. For Iraqi businesses an additional day of hosting by the DIT, BEIS and British Chambers of commerce to engage and showcase British services and products for export.

For companies operating in Iraq or considering the opportunities it offers, then this conference is bringing together many of the key decision makers and drivers of finance and the opportunity to talk directly with the key players including:

BP, Shell, World Bank, Kurdistan Investment Authority, Arab bankers association, Ambassador of Iraq, UK Ambassador, Chevron, JP Morgan, National Bank of Iraq, PwC, Jordan Bank, EY, GSMA, and more confirming soon.

https://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2020/02/20/registration-now-open-for-ibbc-spring-conference/

KTFA Members "News and Views" Thursday Afternoon 3-5-2020

KTFA:

Don961:  An American court accuses a translator in Iraq of spying for the Lebanese Hezbollah

She admitted to leaking information that included the names of informants working for the US military

Thursday - 10 Rajab 1441 AH - 05 March 2020 AD

Archives of the US Department of Justice Headquarters (AP)

Washington: «Middle East Online

A federal court in Washington on Wednesday accused a US military translator in Iraq of passing information that includes the names of informants working for the American army to people linked to the Lebanese Hezbollah.

The indictment stated that Maryam Taha Thompson, 61, contracted to work as a translator with the American Special Forces in Arbil, Iraq in mid-December, and her security statement was "extremely confidential."

The decision added that, one day after American fighters launched on December 29, raids on centers of an Iraqi militia allied to Iran, Maryam began entering computer files on the US military that contained identities of US military sources in addition to the information they provided.

After Maryam's arrest on February 27, she confessed to investigators that she had leaked to a Lebanese citizen who was “emotionally interested in him” information related to informants, as well as a warning about a US intelligence target linked to Hezbollah, according to the indictment.

The US Justice Department said in a statement that the Lebanese citizen is linked to a Lebanese government official and has "clear links to Hezbollah."

The statement added, Maryam Taha Thompson "has browsed dozens of files related to human sources of intelligence, including real names, personal identity data, information about clients' backgrounds and pictures of them, as well as secret correspondence detailing information provided by clients to the United States government."   link

Dan:  I am pretty sure it's a Guinness world record for the longest game of kick the can down the road ever. The positive take away is the can is almost disintegrated. TRUMP 2020  RI 2020? Hopefully.

All governments around the world have a budget & corona virus. Iraq get your head out of your glutious maximums.   THIS IS TAKING TOOOOO LOOOOOONG

GodLover:  Just my random thoughts/opinions...…….

Family members had asked me in the past why I believe Iraq's currency will have value again. I had stated that in 2003 the currency value was above $3...….. then war & sanctions happened which devalued their currency. Iraq has vast riches & it has always made sense that some day their currency will have value again imo. I still believe this. 

WS the other day had stated the CBI is & has been ready for quite some time imo. He also seemed to be implying a "seated government" is not needed, because they have always had a functioning caretaker government...imo. Although I value WS & his intel & by no means am I doubting him...… I still find it impossible not to question why the MR has yet to release. 

As far as the Iranian threat is concerned.....one would think that releasing the MR would cut off the Iranian thugs funding through the auctions & also give Iraq the monetary resources to further eliminate Iranian influence etc imo. 

I admit I was hopeful Allawi & his cabinet were voted & seated & was disappointed when that did not happen.....to me it would have eliminated a variable in this Iraqi puzzle that I cannot shake imo. After all, if the CBI has been ready & a new GOI is not needed....what piece is missing? This is one of many reasons I still think a new PM & government is needed prior to the MR release.... imo. Time will tell imo.

Walkingstick:  I, was not... I have stated numerous times over the years, exactly.. what requirements were needed to successfully launch the RD... My response was to some who were under the assumption no form of government was in place.. I was alluding to the fact, although a caretaker government... It is, in fact.. a seated and government...  An executive branch, PM and Cabinet...Although, unable to propose bills to parliament... They can and continue to issue directives ..... Regards....

Youngsc:  You have to remember that MTA was not there to be pm to begin with he was only there as bait. We were hoping for something that was never going to happen in the first place. Frank had stated over a dozen times there wasnt going to be any vote of any kind. It was up to us students to pay attention to what he says. At this point we already know the GOI will never get anything done because of influence Iran has on them so the CBI will do what they have to do. Example, the article that came out yesterday and citizens getting their cards quoted in FF's report. Frank also had already stated in his opinion that there is a set date to stop the auctions and whether or not a new pm is there makes no difference at this point. That is why Frank and walkingstick had already stated this numerous times to us students not to focus on the GOI only the CBI right now. 

Samson:  To prevent corona ... the central bank calls for avoiding dealing in cash

5th March, 2020

The Central Bank of Iraq, Thursday, called on citizens to deal with electronic payment tools.

The bank said in a statement received by / Mawazine News / a copy of it, that it "invites merchants and citizens to deal with electronic payment tools (cards, points of sale, mobile phone wallets) and to avoid dealing with cash in order to preserve public health."

He added, "This comes to coincide with what our dear country is going through, and as a result of the Central Bank of Iraq following up on international reports that warn of the ability of banknotes to be a carrier medium for viruses."   LINK

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

Samson:  The central bank issues a decision to change its financial dealings to avoid Corona

05/3/2020 17:48:42

The Central Bank issued a decision today, Thursday, to change its financial dealings to avoid the spread of the Corona virus through securities.

The bank said in a statement, received by {Al Furat News} a copy of it, that it was "in line with what our dear country is going through, and as a result of the Central Bank of Iraq’s follow-up to international reports that warn of the ability of banknotes to be a carrier medium for viruses."

He added: "The bank invites merchants and citizens to deal with electronic payment tools (cards, points of sale, mobile wallets) and avoid dealing with cash in order to preserve public health."   LINK

MilitiaMan:  This was my thinking the other day.. ~ MM

"One thing comes to mind is the process was said to be highly complex. Those working on the total aspect of the project as a whole is a lot of work and having to be done privately with few people in the scheme of it all. Delta gave us his view of the video he translated and it spoke of the matters at large. The key points were the infrastructure is in place and there is an agreement that the process will be completed. Therefore, why it is not done?

That may be because they are not done, yet. The article about the recent large amount of bank accounts may have something to do with it. The more chunky money they started bringing in from the "Sterilization of Currency" scare may have been an additional tool that was unexpected and opportunity reared up and may have been cleverly used to do such thing, by reducing the note count.

The CBI has not adjusted the money supply since November 2019.. imo The more they get off the street the cheaper it may be in the end for them.. May support value to go along with it.

Therefore, again I will say this, " The longer it takes, the more money we make." imo. So, that is my take on what may be the case. ~ (Post #220 March 3rd, 2020." ~ MM"

--------------------------------

MilitiaMan:  So it now seems they have focus on getting the citizens to use digital even more!! Going cashless  is a focus and for more than one reason, health and wellness the citizens and then for the CBI, getting more notes off the streets!! We may even possibly start to see the next play? The newer polymer's may start to show up in our view, too? We shall see, but, be sure, this is an opportunity that is not going to waist.. imo ~ MM

Samson:  Including Iraq .. America is pumping money to 25 countries to confront Corona

4th March, 2020

The US embassy in Baghdad announced on Wednesday that Iraq and 25 other countries will receive $ 37 million in funding from the Emergency Reserve Fund for Infectious Diseases to help the affected countries of Corona

"This money is the first payment of $ 100 million pledged by the US government to help high-priority countries tackle the Corona virus," the embassy said in a statement to Shafak News

She noted that "the US government will provide these funds to the World Health Organization or programs led by implementing partners of the United States Agency for International Development

In addition to Iraq, the grant will include Afghanistan, Angola, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, South Africa, Tajikistan, the Philippines, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Lao, Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand and Vietnam, according to the statement

On Wednesday, Iraq recorded three new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number to 35 since the first case was recorded on February 24, distributed in the governorates of Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, Kirkuk, Najaf, Wasit, Diyala, Maysan, Karbala and Babel   LINK

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

Samson:  Trump offers Iran help in tackling Corona's spread

09:52 - 05/03/2020

US President Donald Trump has announced that the United States is ready to help Iran cope with the spread of the "corona" virus, if Tehran accepts this.

Trump said in a statement to "Fox News": "We are doing a great job, we have a wonderful group (to fight "Corona" virus), (Vice President) Michael Pence is doing his job best, I appointed him to the head of this group, and we have the best doctors in the world.”

Trump added that the United States "is helping a number of other countries to confront the Corona virus, and we will help Iran if it wants to," stressing that it has been severely affected.

Earlier, the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, stated that Washington offered the Iranian authorities assistance to counter the spread of the Corona virus, and Washington made this offer through the Swiss embassy in Tehran.

In turn, the Iranian Foreign Ministry commented on this offer, calling it "funny", and said that this offer is a "political game." It is worth noting that the number of corona virus deaths in Iran reached 92, while about 3000 cases were recorded.   LINK

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

Samson:  "No less dangerous than Corona" ... Desert locust swarms invade Iran

5th March, 2020
At a time when Iran is suffering from a major outbreak of the Corona virus, large swarms of desert locusts have invaded the south of the country, according to the Iranian Radio Verda website.

Reza Mir, a spokesperson for the Iranian Plant Protection Organization, said that locust swarms are coming from East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and could only be dealt with using pesticides. He pointed out that the density of locusts is very high. After spraying pesticides, a layer of dead locusts are formed on the ground, which is between 10 and 15 centimeters thick. Mir added that biological methods of dealing with swarms are ineffective due to the size of swarms and lack of time. "Allowing pests to reproduce is much more harmful than the side effects of using chemical pesticides," he added.

Keykhosrow Changalvai, director of the Agricultural Jihad Organization in Khuzestan Province, for his part, confirmed that locust swarms this year are seven times larger than last year, adding that the length of the swarm was not more than one kilometer in the past, but this year ranges between 7-10 km meter. He pointed out that the danger of these swarms is no less than the risk of the Corona virus, as it eats everything in its path.

It is noteworthy that the Corona virus hit all Iranian cities, and resulted in the injury of 2922 people, as the number of deaths reached 92 cases, according to statements by the Iranian authorities, while Iranian media reports confirm that the number of infections in thousands, while the number of deaths reaches 456.  LINK

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

Samson:  Corona hits world exports .. $ 47 billion, loss in 30 days

05/3/2020 15:54:32

The United Nations Trade Council estimated that the lack of industrial components and parts from China due to the outbreak of the Corona virus had a "multiplier effect" that caused exports of other countries around the world to drop by $ 47 billion last month.

The United Nations Trade and Development Council indicated that the statistics of Chinese companies indicate an annual decline of 2 percent in China's production, which led to a contraction in the supply of auto, chemical, communications and other industries in a number of countries, which in turn reduced their export capabilities.

The council added, on Wednesday, that preliminary statistics show that industries outside China that rely on Chinese components, parts and other inputs are unable to export products as they used to before the outbreak of the virus.

The outbreak began late last year in the Chinese city of Wuhan, shutting down factories and isolating workers in their homes. The decline in Chinese output has had "a multiplier effect on the global economy, amounting to a nearly $50 billion decline in exports around the world," said Pamela Cook-Hamilton, director of the International Trade and Commodities Division of the United Nations Trade and Development Board.

European Union exports alone account for about a third of that, or about $ 15.6 billion. American exports came in second place with about 5.8 billion dollars, and in third place came Japan with about 5.2 billion dollars.   LINK

KTFA Members "Corona Virus World News" Wednesday 3-4-2020

KTFA:

Don961:  The Ministry of Health announces the first death from the Corona virus in Baghdad

Localities 4/20/2020 21:35 745     Baghdad today -

Baghdad On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health announced the first death from the Corona virus in Baghdad.

"The Ministry of Health and Environment announces the death of a person diagnosed with the emerging coronavirus in Baghdad, which was suffering from immune ailments at a late stage and after providing all possible medical services to them," ministry spokesman Saif Badr said in a statement.

Continued ..   LINK

Samson:  The central bank begins a sterilization campaign for its building in the Basra branch

4th March, 2020

The Central Bank of Iraq / Basra branch, in cooperation with the Directorate of Civil Defense in the province, and in the presence of the radioactive chemical team (CBRN), initiated cleansing and sterilization operations in the Central Bank covering all building facilities, to guard against the spread of infections by "Corona Virus ".

https://cbi.iq/news/view/1449

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

Samson:  World Health warns of the "Corona" transmission of healthy people by touching paper currencies

15:27 - 04/03/2020

A new danger looms about the possibility of the transmission of the new "Corona" from its sufferers to the healthy ones, through a bridge of dealing in paper currencies. Foliar, so it recommends that you wash your hands immediately after touching any paper currency, because "Corona" may be transmitted through it from one person to another, and suggested using different methods of financial handling because the emerging "Coronian" virus may remain for several days on the surface of the fiat currency.

Last month, banks in China and South Korea started clearing and isolating the securities used to prevent the deadly virus from staying in them. Values ​​of the Chinese Central Bank stated at a press conference that the bank uses UV rays or high temperatures to purify and sterilize the securities, then Isolate it in quarry for 14 days before recycling it.

The measures of the Central Bank come in parallel with the increasing hesitation of the Chinese to use the currency for fear of catching the infection, although most securities dealers have used their smartphones to pay their dues and the price of their daily purchases for years, but the Chinese Central Bank has put up sterile 4 billion yuan in securities. (53 million euros) in the province of Hubei, where the epicenter is the epicenter.

Yesterday, a WHO spokesman told the British Daily Telegraph: “The money moves between our hands frequently and can pick up all kinds of bacteria and viruses (..) so we advise people to wash their hands after dealing with them, and avoid touching their faces when possible, to reduce From the risk of transmission, ”he says.

It is not yet known, and definitively, how long a new corona can live outside the human body, with an almost certain possibility that it can remain contagious for contaminated objects for up to 9 days at room temperature, according to what was indicated by the analysis of 22 previous studies of viruses Similar. However, antiseptics can be removed quickly, and they may also be destroyed by high temperatures.

Also, a warning was issued by experts of the "Russian Federal Authority for Consumer Protection" summarizing that securities "are the most common way to transmit a pathogenic infection, including influenza, as its virus can stay on the paper currency for two weeks, and it can be infected upon receiving the salary, whether through the treasury or Via ATMs "and advised that it is necessary to completely move away from" antibiotics "because they are not useful in combating viral infections. As for protection from "Corona", the hands are washed well after contacting the paper currency.  LINK

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

Samson:  The World Bank allocates up to $ 12 billion to tackle the Corona virus

4th March, 2020

The World Bank announced on Wednesday that it will allocate 12 billion dollars initially to help countries suffering from the health and economic effects of the spread of the Corona virus, which spread rapidly from China to about 80 countries

David Mallbas, World Bank President, said many things remain unknown about the virus, which is spreading quickly, and that "a lot more aid" may be required but he declined to explain

The announcement highlights the growing concern about the economic and humanitarian impact of the virus

On Tuesday, the World Health Organization warned of a global shortage of preventive tools to fight the disease, as well as price manipulation, with a high number of deaths from the respiratory disease

Also, the US Federal Reserve lowered interest rates on Tuesday in an urgent move to try to avert a global recession and financial officials from the Group of Seven said they were ready to take fiscal and monetary measures if necessary

Malbas called on countries to coordinate their actions at the regional and international levels, saying that the speed and scope of the response would play a critical role in saving lives

"Today, we announce an initial package of direct support that will allow up to $ 12 billion to respond to countries' requests to finance their urgent needs at the time of the crisis as well as to reduce the tragic effects of the crisis," he said   LINK

Samson:  Fears of Corona moving to Trump and the Pentagon

09:45 - 04/03/2020

American media revealed the fears of the transmission of the Corona virus to Mike Pence, US Vice President Donald Trump, and members of the Pentagon, after visiting a military academy in Florida, among whose students, he was infected with the virus.

The Sarasota Military Academy in Florida, southeastern United States, announced in a statement on Monday that one of her students and his mother had been placed under quarantine, starting today, against the background of having contracted Corona, according to the American weekly magazine Newsweek. She added that the diagnosis of Corona's student injury came days after he had contact with members of the Pentagon who were accompanied by the Vice President, on a visit he made a few days ago to school.

She also indicated that the student “did not show any symptoms after he was infected with Corona,” and he was present at school during Pence’s visit, but he did not shake hands with him, like other colleagues.

He changed that Christina Baumann, the school's executive director, demanded that a quarantine be imposed on "everyone who communicated with the two injured, as a precaution," according to the same source.   LINK

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

Samson:  Infection of the Iranian Minister of Industry with Corona virus

4th March, 2020

Iran News website reported, on Wednesday, in urgent news that the Iranian Minister of Industry, Reza Rahmani, was infected with the Corona virus, which was also confirmed by the "Iran era" website, which he stated is currently under intensive care.

On Tuesday, the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament, Abdul Ridha Masri, announced that the number of deputies infected with the new Corona virus had risen to 23.

Last Saturday, the winner of the parliamentary elections that took place on February 21, from the northern Iranian province of Gilan, Muhammad Ali Ramdani Destak, died of infection with the Corona virus.

Last week, the identity of a number of MPs infected with the virus was revealed, among them the Chairman of the Foreign National and Political Security Committee, Mojtaba Dhul-Nuri, MP Mahmoud Sadiqi, and MP Fatima Rahbar.  LINK

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

Don961:  Rouhani admits: Corona virus has infected all provinces of Iran

- 51 Minutes Ago

Tehran - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has acknowledged that the new Corona virus has infected all regions of Tehran, in the first official recognition by the Iranian regime of the seriousness of the situation in the country and the rapid spread of the disease.

Also Wednesday, the Iranian Minister of Industry, Reza Rahmani, was infected with the new virus and was initially transferred to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, but was later transferred to another hospital, according to local news websites. This is the first Iranian government minister to be diagnosed with the virus.

Yesterday, 23 Iranian parliamentarians were injured, bringing the death toll to 2336, with the number of deaths increasing to 77.

A US report indicated that the Corona crisis is ravaging the Tehran regime amid a sharp decline in the level of trust between the leadership and the people, as the regime is keen to restrict information about the disease more than its keenness to contain it, and that the injuries range between 4 to 18 thousand based on foreign statistics.

The report pointed out that approximately 34 Iranian government officials and members of parliament were infected with the virus, while a senior adviser close to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei died.

The Iranian Ministry of Health has announced that the number of people with corona has risen to over the 2,000 mark, in addition to 77 deaths so far.

The Iranian Minister of Health, Saeed Nimki, said in statements broadcast on state television, that his country will form nearly 300,000 teams, to conduct an examination to monitor the newly infected people of Coronavirus from home to home.

A leader of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards said facilities had been set up across the country to help eradicate Coruna virus.

The spread of the disease in Iran has raised growing concern among the Iranians, as well as the concerns of some countries regarding the ability of the authorities in Tehran to cope with the disease, especially since the recorded injuries in neighboring countries are related to Iran.

Iraq recorded the first death of the newborn Corona virus, an old man in his seventy years, while the Iraqi authorities continue to take measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

The authorities are taking strict health measures in order to prevent the spread of the epidemic, especially in the Shiite holy sites, which are especially intended for Iranian visitors.

And the governor of Sulaimaniyah, Haval Abu Bakr, issued an order banning any gatherings and holding football matches on the governorate's stadiums without an audience.

Also, the Ifta House in the Sulaymaniyah Province announced that it will stop performing the congregational prayer and Friday prayer until further notice.

These measures come after the authorities recorded more than 30 cases of Covid-19, including 30 Iraqis returning from Iran, according to a spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Doctor Saif Al-Badr.

The Arabs   LINK

Samson:  Friday prayers canceled in all Iranian cities for fear of spreading Corona virus

15:38 - 04/03/2020

The National Committee to Combat Corona Virus in Iran has announced the cancellation of Friday prayers in all Iranian cities this week for fear of spreading Corona virus among worshipers.

According to the latest statistic released today, Wednesday, the Iranian Ministry of Health recorded 586 new infections and 15 deaths from the Corona virus during the past 24 hours.

This brings the number of people infected with the virus in Iran to 2922, the number of deceased to 92, and the number of those who have recovered to 552 confirmed cases.

The Iranian Ministry of Health called on the citizens to cancel the councils of joy, consolation and family meetings, noting that the Corona virus does not have wings to fly and infect people, but people transfer it between one another. LINK

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

Don961:  The Group of Seven and the Federal Reserve are moving to help the global economy in light of the Corona virus

- One Minute Ago

Rich countries announce mobilization to protect the global economy from the emerging coronavirus, with the epidemic recording more spread in the world, while the World Health Organization warns of a shortage of protective equipment.

The number of Covid-19 cases exceeds 93,000 worldwide, while the number of deaths exceeds 3,200.

In an effort to reduce the economic consequences of the virus, which disrupts the daily life of citizens of an increasing number of countries, the US Federal Reserve, the most powerful central bank in the world, made a major step on Tuesday, reducing its interest rates urgently.

Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell emphasized that this sudden and unprecedented cut since the 2008 financial crisis will give "a major boost to the economy."

And remained the first economy in the world until now relatively untouched by the effects of the epidemic, but forecasts warn that the crisis will directly affect the United States, which may enter a period of deflation, which will reflect the contraction in the global economy, which suffered a number of shocks.

To date, more than 100 injuries have been recorded in all of America, including nine deaths, all in Washington state, northwest.

Shortly before the Federal Reserve announced, the G-7 countries, the world's major economic powers, sent a positive signal of their "willingness to act, including by taking financial measures" in support of the economy.

The impact of this announcement was mixed on the Asian financial markets on Wednesday, so the Chinese stock exchanges opened a decrease of 0.16% on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and 0.12% on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, while indecision prevailed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

- Injury subsides in China

On Wednesday, China announced 38 new deaths from the virus.

This brings the total national toll in the country where the epidemic occurred in late December, to 2,981 deaths and more than 80,200 injuries, of which about fifty thousand have been cured, according to figures from the National Health Committee.

In an encouraging sign, the number of new daily infections decreased for the third day in a row, announcing 115 new cases in Hubei Province, the epicenter of the epidemic in the center of the country, where 56 million people were quarantined, in addition to only four injuries in the rest of the country.

Stringent quarantine measures seemed to have worked, but China feared new infections could be reported among people returning from abroad.

China is imposing a 14-day health quarantine on travelers arriving in Beijing from countries with the largest epidemic, such as South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan. Other cities such as Shanghai are also considering taking similar measures.

In recent days, at least 13 injuries have been counted among Chinese people returning from abroad, including eight who returned from Italy, whose injuries were monitored Tuesday in the eastern province of Xinjiang. Italy has the largest number of casualties among European countries.

Confiscation of masks

In the rest of the world, the virus continues to spread.

On Wednesday, South Korea recorded 142 new infections and four deaths, bringing the total national toll to 5328 injuries and 32 deaths, marking the country with the largest outbreak of the epidemic after China.

And joined Ukraine, Morocco, Argentina, Chile and Lithuania on Tuesday to the list of countries infected with the new Corona virus, and Poland announced on Wednesday the first infection, while Iraq and Spain announced the first death.

In Iran, where the epidemic has resulted in 77 deaths and injured more than 2,300 people, the World Health Organization has warned of a lack of individual protective equipment for medical personnel, which threatens efforts to contain the epidemic.

The director of the organization, Tedros Adhanum Gebresos, pointed out that the stock of individual protection equipment to prevent disease "is running out quickly" in the world, adding that "the ability of countries to respond is threatened by the serious and growing chaos of individual protection equipment supply lines at the global level."

The French government plans to seize the stock of medical masks by decree issued on Wednesday. France, which has recorded four deaths so far and more than 200 confirmed cases, is one of the main epidemics in Europe, after Italy and before.

Arab Jerusalem  LINK

Delta, Walkingstick and KTFA Members Wednesday PM 3-4-2020

KTFA:

Walkingstick:  Thanks Samson...Some, of the mentioned topics, and... those relevant to, but not mentioned in the article... Including their respective media campaign/s  are already in motion.... Regards...

DELTA:  VERY HUUUUUUUUUUUUGE DROP THE MIC IF YOU HAVE ONE.... MISSING ONLY THE ANNOUNCEMENT ...(wink)

Samson:  An agreement between the Communications Commission and the Central Bank to activate the electronic banking system

4th March, 2020

The Media and Communications Commission discussed with the Central Bank of Iraq, on Wednesday, a memorandum of understanding on the basis of which the system will develop the electronic bank and provide technical consultations within the projects of the Dom 2025 strategic initiative. 

The authority stated in a statement received by Mawazine News, a copy of it, that "the authority, in the presence of the head of the executive branch Ali Nasser Al-Khuwaildi, member of the Board of Trustees Salem Mashkour, technical assistant, directors of the video and audio regulation department, the comprehensive service department and the communications regulation department, discussed with the governor of the Central Bank Ali Al-Alaq and members From the Board of Directors, the Dom 2025 strategic initiative has set among its priorities the development of the financial and banking sector and the contribution to the transition towards digital financial trading, as well as training and development programs for technical cadres with the assistance of the International Telecommunication Union.

Al-Khuwaildi said, "The commission is keen to communicate with all institutions and the central bank, foremost of which is the basic pillar of the state." Al-Khuwaildi suggested "forming a joint team that takes it upon itself to develop a memorandum of understanding between the authority and the central bank to implement strategic technological programs that could benefit the rest of the sectors, such as agriculture, the economy, health, education, and education."

For his part, Al-Alaq stressed that "the economic and financial aspect is the most challenging in Iraq, and the electronic banking transformation will contribute to its growth, especially with the presence of 70 private banks and hundreds of exchange companies," expressing "welcome to the initiative of the commission to hold a memorandum of understanding for joint cooperation in implementing vital programs On the level of Iraq."

In turn, the Board member of the Board of Trustees, Salem Mashkour, referred to "the importance of the media in disseminating electronic banking awareness and dealing with the media in a transparent manner to establish a solid banking culture in a clear way away from ambiguity", calling the central bank to "sponsoring media campaigns aimed at spreading economic awareness and the importance of technology in developing".

The statement pointed out that "the first items of the memorandum of understanding were also discussed, which included developing programs and applications for the banking and financial transfer system and training cadres to manage them, in addition to technological projects to support other sectors and state institutions in general. The agreement also included the establishment of projects in rural and remote areas represented in the delivery Communications services, building schools, hospitals and other service projects.   LINK

Samson:   "Money" completes the project of transferring electronic financial data to banks

3rd March, 2020

Al-Malwal Company for electronic payment services announced, on Tuesday, that it has completed the project of transferring data and electronic financial movements of banks contracting with it  to the live work environment in the company’s data center inside Iraq

The company said in a statement received by "Al-Iqtisad News", that it "with the beginnings of the month of March of this year and in compliance with the instructions of the Central Bank of Iraq, completed a project to transfer all data and electronic financial movements to Iraqi banks contracting with them, dealers and all of its customers to the live work environment in the company data center inside Iraq

The statement added that the company’s data center is “equipped with the latest technologies and software to meet the aspirations of beneficiaries to obtain the best payment services and all operations are now being followed up to ensure the highest quality

He continued, "The money company was established for the electronic payment industry inside Iraq, and it is the first company that enabled its banks to issue internationally accepted electronic cards, and the company today is part of a network that includes Iraq, Jordan and Palestine

It is reported that the money company is a company licensed by the Central Bank of Iraq with a license (collector, processor, source) and it serves nine Iraqi banks and a large number of merchants  LINK

DELTA:  SUPER SAMSON GREAT ARTICLE ........THEY ARE DONE AND LIVE..

MilitiaMan:  The CBI has nine key banks that are now live to facilitate trade, money transfers, live cards for payment devices, electronic financial movements of banks in Iraq.. They clearly show that they are now effectively live with the nine banks. Key banks first!  They are able to facilitate the roll out? We shall see if that is the case! It says they have completed the project and it is live?? Did they not say in the month of March they completed it all? They use words like enabled? As in past tense.. Fairly sure this looks good.. more to come? Imo .. Yep.. – MM

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

Don961:  Mazin Al-Eshaiker, as well as Adel Abulmahdi, is among a shortlist of candidates rumored to be nominees for Iraqi PM.
By Ismaeel Naarand Hassan al-Saeedi, Al Arabiya EnglishSaturday, 22 September 2018

 Sources with close knowledge of internal political consultations have asserted that among the names being floated by political groups for Iraq’s premiership include that of Mazen al-Eshaiker.

Several observers have said that al-Eshaiker might have better chances in case Adel Abulmahdi is not able to grab the opportunity of becoming Iraq’s next prime minister.

Sources said that the political powers had reached a shortlist of candidates for the prime minister position on two conditons: One who would not belong to any party and two, did not hold any position in the previous governments.

Al-Eshaiker meets both conditions.

Speaking to Al Arabiya English, al-Eshaiker said that rampant corruption in Iraq due to the poor choices of ministers who represent the interests of various political parties led political parties in preferring an independent.

“By selecting an Independent technocrat PM who picks his or her own ministers who will be responsible and accountable for the actions of all ministries instead of being accountable to the parties that nominated them,” al-Eshaiker told Al Arabiya English.

Iraqi lawmakers are seen during the first session of the new Iraqi parliament in Baghdad. (Reuters)

Sources also said that the political groups had agreed that the next prime minister would have the freedom to choose the ministerial structure of his government.

Al-Eshaiker confirmed that he was among the nominees for prime minister and thanked all those who trusted him as an independent technocrat candidate.

Al-Eshaiker, an electronic engineering graduate from the University of California in 1985, expressed via Facebook his appreciation for the people’s trust and support for his candidacy. He highlighted that the incoming government has many challenges to improve the political, economic and security situation.

“Ministers needs to be chosen according to integrity, experience and competence standards,” he wrote.

Al-Eshaiker pointed out that Iraq is on the edge economically. “There is no way to continue with the quota system. Dividing the ministries according to the nationalities and sects was the reason for the reluctance of most voters not participating in the last parliamentary elections,” he wrote.

Al-Eshaiker, an economic and political expert, was born in Karbala governorate. He was previously one of the Bairaq al-Khair al mondawi in the Victory Alliance headed by Haider al-Abadi. So far, al-Fath, Saairun, al-Qarar, al-Wataniya and al-Hekma had approved accepted him to be one of the candidates, while he awaits for other blocs to approve.

Al-Eshaiker had established many electronic labs in the US, Mexico, China, Thailand, Taiwan and Singapore, he was the General Manager of Motorola Iraq from 2003 to 2007.

Then he became an economic expert in the premiership before being CEO of Asia cell Telecom in Sulaymaniyah and then he managed the Nalco Oil Company in Basra.

The main factors of al-Eshaiker’s program mainly depends on a strong developmental economic program, aside from the policy of piling employees in the governmental departments and allowing the free economy to take its natural place in construction, industry, agriculture, trade and tourism to absorb the Iraqi competencies and the unemployed labor force, to raise the living standards and service for all the Iraqi people.

Last Update: Monday, 24 September 2018 KSA 01:42 - GMT 22:42  LINK

Walkingstick:  Thanks, Don....Ftti: He, has been ...on the short list, for the PM position.....a number of times... Well known technocrat,  businessman, economic technocrat  (economist).. wrote of, and voiced ...strong support of the monetary reform .... On, a number of ocasions... quoted, being anti Iranian and opposed their interference and influence in Iraq...  Regards....

MoeApollo:  Since yesterday I've seen his name pop up on Twitter. He actually had a Q&A session with the protestors. They were very amenable to him. Lots of "good luck sir" all around. His answers were impressive in that they were straightforward & thoughtful. I know politics & THAT was a huge boon. He showed himself accessible.

Samson:  The homeland first: Iraq may be exposed to a package of international resolutions that will return it to sanctions 

4th March, 2020

Head of the First Parliamentary Bloc, Muhammad Iqbal Al-pharmacist, confirmed today, Wednesday, that the UN report was a person of many of the failures witnessed by the Iraqi government recently.

Iqbal added in a statement, "Al-Ikhbaria" received a copy of it, "The report presented by the head of the UNAMI mission in Iraq, Helen Blashardt, confirmed the absence of the state amid power and power struggles." The pharmacist also pointed out that "the decline of the state's influence between the militia arms and the influence of the tribe and the warlords' exodus and treasury Political money and Arab godfathers wasted Iraq and brought it to the bottom."

The pharmacist stressed "the need for the ruling class in Iraq to be aware that the file of Iraq today is at the table of the international community, expressing concern about what will happen to things in the case of stormy decisions that follow the silence of the international community."   LINK

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

Don961:  :  Parliamentary warning of an international decision to hit the Iraqi economy

Politics 03/2020 20:26 769 Editor: as      Baghdad today - Baghdad, 

Representative Intisar al-Jubouri, on Wednesday (4 March 2020), described the report of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, Jenin Blashardt, before the UN Security Council as a "warning bell" for the country's political elite.

Al-Jubouri said in an interview with (Baghdad Today), that "Blashart touched before the UN Security Council a number of important issues in the current scene and talked about serious concerns threatening the stability of Iraq, which represents an alarm bell for the political elite in Iraq."

Al-Jubouri added, "There are serious fears that Iraq will return to the seventh item and will have a major impact on the country's economy, especially after the drop in oil prices, which represents the greater part of Iraq’s budget due to the consequences of corona disease."

She noted that "Iraq needs to form a strong government capable of solving its many crises according to a national vision and contribute to addressing a major threat represented by the budget deficit, which will have negative effects in different directions." He stressed that "Blaskhart's report summarized the Iraqi problem, which must be paid attention to and sought to transfer The country is to safety by means of a vision that pushes all parties to build a country that has the capacity to build, build and provide services to all regions of the country without exception. "

Jenin Blackshart, representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq, said during a session of the UN Security Council to discuss developments in Iraq, Tuesday, 3 March 2020, that "the Iraqi demonstrations did not take place overnight and will not be resolved in a moment", indicating that "the Iraqi state must protect the demonstrators Perpetrators of violations must be tried.

She added, "Iraq is not a poor country and reforming the system and fighting corruption are the ones that achieve success in it," noting that "Iraq needs agricultural reform that achieves jobs and secures its need for food."

"The rule of law and opportunities for a solution in Iraq must be strengthened more and more," Blackshart continued, explaining that "there are armed groups outside the Iraqi state that prevent them from operating normally."

Regarding Muhammad Allawi’s apology for his appointment as prime minister, Blashart indicated that “Allawi did not succeed in obtaining the confidence of the majority of the Parliament’s powers,” noting that “we believe that a period of 15 days to name an alternative to Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi is not sufficient to bring about a political consensus.”    LINK

KTFA CC Replay and "News and Views" Tuesday Afternoon 3-3-2020

KTFA:

Monday Night CC 3-2-2020 with Frank26

https://fccdl.in/eKqwGVUSfy

Clare:  FROM ANGEL-1:  This is AG's text to FRANK at the end of the CC, which FRANK read to us...

It’s perfect timing... This should bring greater confidence to the family... this is what you and I talked about today... see below. THE BAGHDAD POST TWITTER: It is reportedly that #Muqtada Al-Sadr will be designated on terrorism list for his direct role in mass murder  in #Iraq. He also will face tough #US sanctions This is HUGE! Thank you MTA!!!

MoeApollo:  Just a few minutes ago, one of the Twitter accounts that posts about the protestors posted about a young woman that was kidnapped after she criticized Sadr. I retweeted the post on this & they're sharing it everywhere now. A LOT of people have been waiting for this. Kudos to Frank, Angel-1 and the team for bringing it up!! Hope...is what they need. They need to know they are being heard...

Zeeman:  great news that sadr is a terrorist now. there is hope Malaki will join him soon….may they both get what they deserve

Samson:  "Money" completes the project of transferring electronic financial data to banks

3rd March, 2020

Al-Malwal Company for electronic payment services announced, on Tuesday, that it has completed the project of transferring data and electronic financial movements of banks contracting with it to the live work environment in the company’s data center inside Iraq

The company said in a statement received by "Al-Iqtisad News", that it "with the beginnings of the month of March of this year and in compliance with the instructions of the Central Bank of Iraq, completed a project to transfer all data and electronic financial movements to Iraqi banks contracting with them, dealers and all of its customers to the live work environment in the company data center inside Iraq

The statement added that the company’s data center is “equipped with the latest technologies and software to meet the aspirations of beneficiaries to obtain the best payment services and all operations are now being followed up to ensure the highest quality

He continued, "The money company was established for the electronic payment industry inside Iraq, and it is the first company that enabled its banks to issue internationally accepted electronic cards, and the company today is part of a network that includes Iraq, Jordan and Palestine

It is reported that the money company is a company licensed by the Central Bank of Iraq with a license (collector, processor, source) and it serves nine Iraqi banks and a large number of merchants  LINK

DELTA:  SUPER SAMSON GREAT ARTICLE ........THEY ARE DONE AND LIVE...

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

2Cents:  Why did Mahdi resign????  

Why did he go to such elaborate lengths yesterday to make sure he is not involved in any day to day decisions???

Based on WS postings yesterday, Mahdi failed to implement the CBI RD/RV plan twice already this year....

Perhaps, Mahdi has been threatened and/or compromised by Iran and he is now operating out of Fear......We know Iran does not want a change in the currency sales as it would cut off the flow of USD into Iran and Hezbollah.......  Based on WS posts, it appears that the GOI, by and through the PM, must have to do something to allow the RD/RV and or RI.......WE always believed the change in currency must be authorized by the government......Based on WS posts, it may appear that is the case.....

Note that the UN report states:

"there are armed groups outside the Iraqi state that prevent him from operating normally

Is this the possible reason of Mahdi's failure to implement?????

The question is now whether the Deputy PM's now have the authority and courage to implement or do we have to wait for a PM to be seated to have the authority....

Just some thoughts....

The ultimate question I have  had since the WS posts yesterday is whether implementation of the CBI plan to RD/RV------->RI requires some action of the PM to implement......??????

Walkingstick’s Posts 3-2-2020  

Hammy14:  2cents, I asked that very question to some folks with knowledge of the situation, and I was told the CBI can certainly RI the currency on their own, but would be taking a risk in doing so, since they need the support of the citizens to make it all work.  Therefore, they (CBI) would much prefer the cooperation of the GOI and the economic reforms to support the value of the monetary reform put forth by the CBI.  So apparently, Mahdi, under Iranian influence, refused to move forward with the economic reforms needed to support the CBI's intended goal.  Simply put, it all goes back to the need to remove Iranian influence and Iranian puppets within the GOI.  Time will tell, but they may have to completely dissolve Parliament to get that accomplished.  We shall see.  All IMO

Mr Harfax:  I don't know if it requires an action of the PM but every day I ask myself what good would a rate change today do for Iraq?  IMO until there is a mechanism to put Dinars in the hands of Iraqis citizens (i.e. a budget with programs and projects to create jobs) I don't see why the CBI would pull the trigger.  These dance partners need to get on the same page.  

BlaqueBeauty:  Hello, imo per delta yesterday live, it was stated cbi is it's own entity and can not wait any long for goi to get there act together,  therefore cbi train still moves forward, but would look good if they could both be presented together  Also imo per the count down has been started from the 24th if feb and 15days and possible   Election Sunday and march 30th iraq open for business event,  something is going on behind close doors

Popeye7:  As has been spoken on this site, by giving Iraq a true rate would cut off Iran's money supply, and thus their influence within Iraq's governmental affairs... This all seems to be coming to a head, and there is certainly more going on in a more positive way, than what the media is portraying... IMO...

The CBI continues status quo, and one true indication of success personally is the rate of the Iraqi dinar remains consistent... Has not lost any significant value, and if the powers that be knew they were not succeeding in bringing to fruition the ultimate goal of RI'ing Iraq's currency, IMO, the rate would become even more worthless in order to apply even more pressure...

But that has not been the case, and as we know the rate is relatively stable... Despite all of the drama, and at times chaos that has transpired within Iraq in recent years... With that in mind, IMO, those who control all of this ultimately, have a specific date in mind... And Reinstating on this particular date must be of utmost importance for more reasons than one IMO... Otherwise, why the wait?... 

2Cents:  If CBI can just implement the RD/RV------>RI, why would WS say it was Mahdi that failed to implement twice.....????  What does Mahdi have to do with it??????  

Mr. Harfax:  And would the CBI want the current contingent to have access to this tool in this current environment?  I'm certainly excited with the progress they have made removing/limiting the corruption but given that we are seeing new names added to the list on the regular it would appear there is still work to be done.  I suspect some of the incumbents would welcome the opportunity to attempt to take advantage of the current environment (i.e. GOI sub-optimal).  There is still work to be done but they are getting there...

Samson:  Deputy: 400 corruption files affecting ministers and governors that will be opened in the new legislative term

17:52 - 03/03/2020

Member of Parliamentary Services Committee MP Abbas Yaber Al-Atafi confirmed that the new legislative term will witness the opening of about 400 corruption files affecting ministers and governors in the country.

Al-Atafi told / Information / that “about 400 corruption files will be put in the parliament with the start of the new legislative term,” noting that “these files are the most dangerous in terms of theft and waste of public money since 2003 until now.”

He added, "The files, some of them, affect senior officials in the Iraqi state, including ministers, governors, and directors," noting that "the committee will begin to sort the files on the members with the start of the new legislative term for verification."    LINK

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

Samson:  The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank pledge to help countries tackle Corona

3rd March, 2020

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have announced their willingness to help countries deal with the financial and health impacts of the Coronavirus as it spreads to 60 countries around the world

"We are ready to help members face the human tragedy and economic challenge posed by the Covid 19 virus," the two largest international institutions said in a joint statement

The statement continued: "We are actively cooperating with international institutions and local authorities, with special attention paid to poor countries for the weak health systems there

"We will use our available tools to the fullest extent possible, including emergency financing, policy advice and technical assistance, and we have rapid financing facilities that together can help countries respond to a wide range of needs," the statement added

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank emphasized that strengthening health surveillance and response systems in the country is essential to contain the spread of this disease and any future outbreaks   LINK

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

Samson:  New Iranian official infected with Corona virus

3rd March, 2020
Iranian media said that the adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, “Hussein Sheikh Al-Islam,” was infected with the new Corona virus after testing for this virus. “I have been informed that Hussein Sheikh Islam, Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Muhammad Jawad Zarif), has also been affected by the emerging corona virus, and he joined the convoy of officials with this The virus.”

In the same context, the World Health Organization announced, on Monday, that an employee of its office in the Iranian capital, Tehran, was infected with the new Corona virus, according to a tweet through its official account on the Twitter platform. "It has now been established that a WHO staff member in our country office in Iran is infected with the emerging coronavirus and has a mild illness," the organization wrote.

Meanwhile, the CEO of the National Bank of Iran (Melli) and President of the Association of Banks, Mohammad Reza Hussein Zadeh, announced on Monday, the death of four Iranian bank employees as a result of infection of the new Corona virus.

Hussein Zadeh wrote in his official account on “Instagram” that “four Iranian bank employees died due to the Corona virus,” adding that the deceased persons work in the bank “commercial, welfare, housing and national”.  LINK

Samson:  An unprecedented rise in corona deaths and injuries in Iran

03/3/2020 14:06:41

 The Iranian Ministry of Health announced that it registered 835 new cases of coronavirus within 24 hours.

It also announced that the number of deadly virus deaths in the country had risen to 77.

As the deputy speaker of the Iranian parliament, Abdulreda Masri, announced that the number of deputies infected with the new Corona virus had risen to 23 deputies. LINK

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

Samson :The suspension of UN sessions and seminars due to the Corona virus

3rd March, 2020

Sky News, in Arabic, reported on Monday evening, in an urgent news, that the new Corona virus caused the suspension of the United Nations sessions and seminars in the 43rd session.

The Commissioner for Health Affairs announced that food safety by the Commission of the European Stella Kyriakides , recording 2100 confirmed cases of virus Corona emerging and 38 deaths in 18 member countries of the Commission.

The Chinese authorities announced, earlier in the day, the death toll from the Corona virus in the country to 2912, and confirmed infections to more than 80 thousand.

The number of people infected with the virus worldwide reached more than 88,000, of whom nearly 3,000 died, while 42,670 people have recovered so far, according to the World Health Organization , on Sunday.   LINK

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

Samson:  The United States begins withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan

3rd March, 2020

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper has announced that he has given the go-ahead to the chief commander of US forces in Afghanistan to begin an initial troop withdrawal from there.

At a news conference at the Pentagon, Monday, Esper said he was not sure whether the withdrawal had begun, but he said it would need to begin within 10 days of signing a peace agreement with the Taliban on Saturday.

The US official also indicated that General Scott Miller, the commander of US forces in Kabul, has the authority to start withdrawing troops to the limit of 8,600 soldiers from the current total of 13,000.

He continued, "We will show goodwill and begin withdrawing our forces."   LINK