KTFA Members "Friday News" 3-27-2020

KTFA:

Samson:  Brent is below $ 26 a barrel

27th March, 2020

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

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

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

LINK

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

27th March, 2020

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

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

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

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

27th March, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

March 26, 2020 5:52 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

KTFA Members "News and Views" Tuesday PM 3-24-2020

KTFA:

DELTA: Parliamentary Finance: The global crisis, low oil prices are temporary, and employee salaries are insured for a full year

Baghdad / Obelisk: Member of Parliamentary Finance Committee, Ahmed Al-Saffar, said on Monday, 23 March 2020, that the global crisis represented by low oil prices is temporary, confirming that the salaries of employees are insured for a full year because there is a financial surplus capable of securing them.

Al-Saffar said in a statement pursued by the "obelisk", that the global crisis represented by low oil prices is temporary and may not last more than a month or two at the most, noting that its causes are known and it is an outbreak of the Corona virus, in the world and its impact on large production plants in Japan and China. And Europe, which led to lower oil demand, and producers entering a price war and flooding the market with crude oil, which led to lower prices.

He indicated that the oil exporting countries do not bear more losses and could end the crisis during the next month or the next.

He continued that keeping oil prices at their current level will not harm Iraq, as it can pay the salaries of its employees for a whole year, from the surpluses of the 2019 budget for investments and many exchange doors in other ministries, in addition to that Iraq is a country that has a cash reserve in the central bank and may be resorted to internal reserves or External, in addition to methods related to monetary policy, open market operations, the interest rate, or the legal reserve of banks.

Al-Saffar hinted that Iraq could also resort to external borrowing in the event of an emergency and crisis after it banned it in last year's budget.

https://almasalah.com/ar/news/ 

Monday Night KTFA CC with Frank26: 3-23-2020

https://fccdl.in/iPpurwvWIy

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DELTA:  Resumption of trading activity in securities in the Iraqi market for securities as of Sunday, 29 March 2020

According to the decisions of the Health Crisis Cell in Iraq

http://www.isx-iq.net/isxporta.....038;type=2

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Samson:  A terrible challenge these countries will face, including Iraq

24th March, 2020

The International Monetary Fund announced today, Tuesday, that dozens of countries in the Middle East and Central Asia have contacted the fund, requesting financial support to face the impact of the Corona virus on the economy

Jihad Azour, director of the Middle East and Central Asia Department, said, "The challenge will be especially daunting for fragile and torn countries like Iraq, Sudan and Yemen
 
The International Monetary Fund had previously expected that the Corona "Covid-19" epidemic would have a severe impact on the global economy
 
The head of the International Monetary Fund's Policy and Strategic Review division, Martin Muelweisen, said last week that the main goal of governments should be to limit the spread of the virus in a manner that creates confidence that the economic shock will be temporary  LINK

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Samson:  The World Bank informs Iraq of its unwillingness to discuss any new loan for Baghdad with the status quo

24th March, 2020

Revealed a senior Iraqi official in Baghdad, on Tuesday, that the World Bank informed Iraq of its unwillingness to discuss any new loan to Baghdad, the current status of the country.

The official said, "The option of external borrowing, as one of the government's means to alleviate the financial crisis, is not raised due to assurances received from the World Bank that it is not ready to discuss any new loan to Baghdad in the current state of the country," noting that "recent government decisions were unsuccessful and contributed to increasing Financial deficit."

He added, "These decisions are represented in the employment packages launched by the government, and they were all courtesy motives at the expense of the actual need, and so far have reached more than a quarter of a million jobs."   LINK

DELTA:  GREAT POST SUPER SAMSON..........IT'S ABOUT TIME.... THANK U WORLD BANK...MUSIC TO MY EARS....BOOOOOOOOM 

Samson:  Legal: Parliament is able to give families an emergency grant of 250,000 dinars

18:03 - 24/03/2020

Legal expert Ali al-Tamimi confirmed, Tuesday, that the parliament has the right to vote on allocating 250,000 dinars to each family as an emergency grant in accordance with Article 59 of the Constitution.

Al-Tamimi said in a statement to "Information", that "Parliament can, under these circumstances, hold an extraordinary session to discuss the situation of workers with daily wages to take appropriate decisions regarding their wages." From the constitution. ”

He added that "that grant is distributed according to the ration card for a period of one or two months, until salvation from the Corona epidemic that has disrupted all workers," noting that "the money is allocated from the emergency budget and the initiative comes from the parliament or the President of the Republic."  LINK

Suzie:  Seems like a lot of dinars if there's a strong possibility they could RI/RV in the next few weeks....even at .50.... and if parliament can do this  why not just RI/RV???  Begs a lot of questions, just my opinion!

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Samson:  The Central Bank of Iraq announces the collection of 44 billion dinars to combat the Corona virus and thanks the Iraqi banks

24th March, 2020

The Central Bank of Iraq has announced the collection of 44  billion dinars for the purposes of bridging the shortage of artificial respirators for the purposes of measures to prevent the spread of the Corona virus, expressing its thanks to all donors

The Central Bank of Iraq said in a press statement, which was received by "Al-Iqtisad News", that "as part of efforts aimed at staving off the imminent danger that the outbreak of the Corna virus can cause to the health of citizens, the Central Bank of Iraq announces the collection of 44 billion dinars as of Tuesday, which is used for dam purposes." Shortage of ventilator, which is the cause of high death rates

He added, "The Governor of the Central Bank and its Board of Directors seize this opportunity to extend many thanks to the Iraqi banking system and all the parties that responded to the appeal and contributed by making a donation to the fund called by the Iraqi Ministry of Finance to confront the dangerous epidemic  LINK

Don961:  SOME PR ...  IMO  ... SHOWING THE CITIZENS THAT PERHAPS THESE PEOPLE RUNNING THE BANKS MAY NOT BE SO BAD AFTER ALL .. AND CAN BE TRUSTED TO HOLD SOME OF THAT HOARDED CASH IN THEIR HOMES ... IN EXCHANGE FOR NEWER , MORE SANITARY BANKNOTES ... OR EVEN ELECTRONIC CURRENCY ... 

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Samson:  The Ministry of Interior announces that 19,000 cars have been seized and fined since the curfew was imposed

10:50 - 24/3/2020

The Ministry of the Interior announced, on Tuesday, that it had been fined and booked 19,000 wheels throughout the country since the start of the curfew decision, noting that the imposed measures came to prevent Iraq from sliding into a catastrophe with severe consequences.

"The health authorities in Iraq imposed a curfew to prevent the country from slipping into a health catastrophe, and the consequences are severe in the event of the spread of the Corona virus in the country," said ministry spokesman Major General Khaled al-Muhanna in a statement to "Information".

Al-Muhanna added, "The security forces are serious in law enforcement, and they have arrested many citizens and imposed and seized 19,000 wheels across the country."

He continued, "Adherence to the law and not violating it at the time of the crisis indicates the size of responsibility," stressing that "in case of breaking the law, security forces will be dealt with firmly and the violator be held accountable, whatever his characteristic."  LINK

Samson:  The American Treasury: We suffer from a terrible shortage of cash

23rd March, 2020
US Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin confirmed on Monday that Congress is close to approving the fiscal stimulus package to combat the "Corona" virus, noting that Washington will put 30-year bonds for sale.

"Democrats and Republicans are close to agreeing on a fiscal stimulus package to combat the economic damage caused by the virus," Menuchin said in an interview with CNBC.

He explained, "The US Treasury and the Federal Reserve are working to provide liquidity of four trillion dollars in the markets."   LINK

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Samson:  (thank you Sunkissed for this article headsup)

Expect a coronavirus stimulus agreement in Senate, Schumer says

24th March, 2020  (thank you Sunkissed for this article headsup)

Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., told reporters early Tuesday that he expects Republicans and Democrats in the Senate to come together and reach an agreement on the $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package that set off a fierce debate on the Senate floor and allegations from both sides that the other was politicizing the emergency.

Despite the logjam, Schumer, the Senate minority leader, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told reporters that there was progress made in late-night negotiations. Schumer said he expects a vote sometime on Tuesday.

One of the key issues in the package is the $500 billion "Exchange Stabilization Fund." Democrats call it a "slush fund," and claim Mnuchin would have far too much influence over which industries would have access to the fund.

Mnuchin denied the claim on Fox Business, saying, "It's not a slush fund; it's a mechanism that we can use working with the Federal Reserve that will provide another $4 trillion of potential liquidity into the market. That’s on top of the Fed’s balance sheet."

A Politico reporter, citing three sources, tweeted that Mnuchin agreed to "significant oversight" for the fund in part of the negotiations.

President Trump claimed Monday that the Senate Democrats were “playing partisan politics” and should make the deal. “I think we've made a lot of progress," Mnuchin told reporters. "Both sides have been working around the clock." He said there are a few documents that need to be reviewed and turned around, but he is hopeful they will be resolved Tuesday.

Schumer also struck an optimistic tone. “We expect to have an agreement tomorrow morning. There’s still a few little differences. Neither of us think they’re in any way going to get in the way of a final agreement,” he said.

At around the time Schumer and Mnuchin were leaving the Capitol, Trump re-tweeted a National Review article about last-minute "ideological demands" from Democrats that were added to the relief package. The report said these demands included the expansion of wind and solar tax credits and increased fuel emissions standards for airlines.     Trump tweeted, “This will never be approved by me or any other Republican!”

** There are two videos on this link  LINK

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Don961:  Trump ignores warnings: We will not leave the US economy with "doctors"!

13:19 Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Baghdad - people

US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he is studying how to reopen the US economy after a 15-day closure period ends next week, even if the Corona virus spreads.

"America will open again and quickly to commercial activity ... We will not allow that to turn into a long-term financial problem," Trump said at a White House press conference, which was followed by "People" today (March 24, 2020).

Trump added that economic activity could resume in states, which have what he described as relatively slow rates of coronavirus infection, citing Nebraska and Idaho as examples, while work continues on hotspots in other states such as New York.

He continued, "If it is left to the doctors, they will say let us close the whole world."

A week ago, Trump issued instructions that he said were aimed at slowing the spread of the disease within 15 days, including limiting unnecessary travel and stopping economic activity in some states.

LINK

Frank26 Video "Dinars Swapped......WHY?" and more 3-23-2020

KTFA:

Frank26:  DINARS SWAPPED.......WHY?

Streamed live 33 minutes ago

This video is in Frank’s opinion

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

KTFA CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION: 7PM EST

605.313.5164 PIN: 156996#

Can't join us live? PLAYBACK : 605.313.5163 PIN: 156996#

TONIGHT’S LIVESTREAM LINK https://livestream.com/accounts/78544

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Samson: Pompeo arrives in Afghanistan on an unannounced visit

03/23/2020 12:34:44

The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, arrived today, Monday, in an unannounced visit, to help save a historic agreement that Washington signed with the Taliban at the end of February.

Political differences in Afghanistan and the ongoing violence hinder the implementation of the agreement between Washington and the Taliban, which was reached last month.

The plane carrying Pompeo landed in Kabul to meet Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, who also says he is the country's president and rejects the results of the recent presidential elections in which his opponent, Ghani, was officially declared the winner again.

This was confirmed by a spokesman for the American forces in Afghanistan, Sony Leadgate, earlier that the United States began withdrawing its forces from this country, based on the agreement reached by Washington with the "Taliban" movement.  LINK

Frank26 and KTFA Members "News and Views" Sunday 3-22-2020

KTFA:

Samson:  The Central Bank of Iraq decides to postpone the payment of loan installments for a period of three months

21st March, 2020 

The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Ali Al-Alaq, announced that the loan installments were postponed for a period of three months due to the crisis that Iraq is currently going through

Al-Alaq said in a press statement received by "Al-Iqtisad News", that "in light of the circumstances the country is going through, and for the purpose of relieving the financial burdens on clients with the banking system, the Central Bank decided to postpone the payment of the premiums from the beneficiaries of its initiatives to support small and medium-sized projects (two initiatives And five trillion dinars) for a period of three months, including real estate bank and housing fund loans funded by the central bank, and that the postponement does not result in any increase in interest

He added that the Central Bank is continuing its consultations with the various bank departments for the purpose of taking appropriate measures from them regarding other types of loans LINK

Samson:  An economist explains the possibility of Iraq to maintain the dollar exchange rate

09:05 - 22/03/2020
On Sunday, economist Dr. Safwan Qusai said that the central bank has reserves that enable it to maintain the dollar exchange rate for a certain period, pointing out that the demand will be greater on the dollar if the world cannot control the Corona virus in the second quarter of this year.
Qusai said in a statement to the "information", that "the monetary policy controls the exchange rate of the dollar and the banks were not affected by the operations of pumping Iraqi cash or foreign currency."

He added that "Iraq's revenues decreased due to the low price of oil, and it was possible to witness the inability of the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank to finance the amount of dollars required in the local environment, but not for the current period."

And that "Iraq, in the event that there is no decline in the Corona virus in the second quarter of this year, it is possible that there will be an increase in the level of demand for the dollar in Iraq and the world."

He explained that "the dollar may be a safe haven for the world, especially with the drop in the price of shares due to the decline in the level of production, causing the decline in the level of profits and all things are declining except for gold, which is the least loss."

He stressed that "the central bank has reserves that enable it to maintain stability at dollar prices, but for a certain period." LINK

DELTA:  GREAT POST SUPER SAMSON........

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Samson:  Iraq announces the extension of the curfew and the suspension of working hours until next Saturday

22nd March, 2020

The government crisis cell in Iraq decided to extend the curfew and suspend working hours until 11:00 pm next Saturday, 28 March.

And the statement issued by the crisis cell issued on Sunday, to continue the suspension of flights until the evening of next Saturday and to re-evaluate the situation according to the epidemiological situation.

The statement also stated that continuing to disable the permanence of educational and educational institutions until next Saturday evening, provided that the security, health, service, diplomats and media cadres are excluded from the curfew, and that the employees of the Ministry of Finance and the accounting and budget departments and government banks are excluded from the curfew.

The cell asked the Ministry of Finance to transfer $ 50 million in allocations from the Ministry of Health for use in purchasing prevention and treatment kits.   The Municipality of Baghdad and the municipal departments in the provinces also demanded that the levies be stopped, and that the time of the Corona crisis be considered a force majeure for all projects and contracts, starting from February 20. LINK

Samson:  BROUGHT FORWARD FROM THE 18TH MARCH THREAD - POST 90 - THIS TIES INTO WHAT FRANK SHARED ON LAST NIGHT”S YOUTUBE...

Fed Aims to Keep Dollars Flowing Globally in Nine New Agreements

19th March, 2020
The Federal Reserve opened currency swap lines, which help foreign central banks to keep dollar funding flowing, with nine nations.

19th March, 2020

The Federal Reserve said it would extend currency swap lines to nine additional countries, an attempt to keep dollars flowing to banks around the world as the coronavirus disrupts every aspect of business, creating a cash crunch in many nations.

The Fed opened currency swaps with central banks in Singapore, South Korea, Brazil, Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Norway and Denmark, the Fed said in a Thursday morning release.

The Fed has a history of using so-called “swap lines” to help foreign central banks deliver U.S. dollar funding to financial institutions in their regions amid market stress. Such agreements were used extensively during the financial crisis. Indeed, the newly extended swap lines are with the same countries the Fed struck such agreements with during the 2008 financial crisis.

The Fed has standing swap lines with partners including the Bank of Canada, the Bank of England, the European Central Bank, the Bank of Japan, and the Swiss National Bank, and it sweetened the terms on those programs on March 15 to encourage their use.

Because of the importance of the U.S. dollar in the global economy, strains in the markets for borrowing and lending dollars overseas can disrupt financial conditions here in the United States,” Jerome H. Powell, the Fed chair, said in a news conference after that decision.

Swaps work through two transactions: A foreign central bank first sells its currency to the Fed in exchange for dollars. The foreign central bank is then obligated to buy back its currency on a specified date at the same exchange rate, with interest.

The dollar is in many ways the world’s currency. Banks overseas have some $13 trillion in dollar-denominated assets. Because banks abroad operate so heavily in dollars, they may need access to dollar-based credit to weather a shock.

“These facilities, like those already established between the Federal Reserve and other central banks, are designed to help lessen strains in global U.S. dollar funding markets,” the Fed’s Thursday release said of its new agreements.  LINK

Clare:  PLEASE ......DO NOT MISS LAST NIGHT'S YOUTUBE! THERE IS SO MUCH VALUABLE INFO IN IT...IMO.  MAKE SURE YOU WATCH FROM BEGINNING TO END... WALKINGSTICK CALLED FRANK AT THE END, AND AFTER WS, FRANK RECEIVED MORE INFO FROM ANOTHER TEAM SOURCE...AND OF COURSE, THERE IS MORE COMING!   BLESSINGS & PROTECTION TO ALL.... BE PREPARED...BE SAFE...BE WISE!

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Frank26:  3-21-20. Q&A

"SOMETHING'S COMING"

This video is in Frank’s opinion

1. Security and Stability 2. Stop using the dollar 3. Stop the auctions..... SUDDENLY.

1: Security and Stability…..We got it

2: Stop using the US dollar…..They did it

3:  Stop the Auctions…..  They did it

EXCITING WEEK AHEAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vNKG0dHRUw&feature=youtu.be

MilitiaMan:  Today there is an ongoing meeting about more in depth facilities to provide stimulus. It sounds like an additional 2 trillion is on the table. With the already 1.5 trillion, the 550 billion, 880 billion USD, 750 billion Euros backed by an additional 2 trillion USD in facilities for varying levels of liquidity being on the table is indeed a sweetened pot! I would say so.. 

The CBI showed us they modified the money moved to outside banks on their statistics site that support there was a currency swap alright and at the same time as the UST told us about the first tranches for bank liquidity. imo  

There is no coincidences any more.! There is significant data that the sweetened pot per the FED has the implications of a very well placed and timed currency swaps.. They are just not pointedly saying it aloud the way we want to hear it.. They can’t yet.. It appears the UST and Congress by what we are seeing is them hammering things out before the final shoe is thrown!! 

Did you all notice how the drops in markets share pricing around the world percentage wise is fairly consistent in amounts across many fronts? Not a normal behavior.. Unless this was a demonstrable event cloaked under a guise or circumstance that arose to be a front for something far larger in the over all scheme of things. Don’t get me wrong a crisis is a crisis sadly, however, there is a view to some that one shouldn’t let a good crises go to waist!!

The amounts of money being thrown around are staggering if you think about it. But, interestingly enough the amounts are doable. For example the 1.5 trillion USD for liquidity sake to banks by the Fed alongside the CBI moving 1.047 trillion IQD have a ratio of about 1.43.. Keep in mind currency swaps have time, exchange rate and interest rate to consider. Iraq buys dollars with IQD and over time buys back this same Dinar at the same exchange rate as today but with interest.. So if Iraq during the time of the swap period re in states an international rate that is double or triple the ratio above for instance, they still by back at the original ratio with interest only added.. 

It is fairly simple and does loads of good imo!! All geared for shoring up markets and Iraq as a whole during the crises of virus and low oil, etc.. aimo!! - MM

Clare:  Mnuchin confident that stimulus package will keep economy afloat until coronavirus passes

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin expressed confidence in the future of the U.S. economy Sunday, and was optimistic about lawmakers’ ability to move forward with a stimulus plan to help Americans deal with the coronavirus outbreak.

Mnuchin is set to meet Sunday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Minority Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy, D-Calif., Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., to discuss a relief package expected to top $1 trillion.

“I think we have a fundamental understanding and we look forward to wrapping it up today,” Mnuchin told “Fox News Sunday.”

Mnuchin explained various aspects of the legislation that lawmakers are currently working on. The first is what he called “small business retention loans,” which he said would give small businesses two weeks of cash flow to pay employees.

“You need to retain them. You’ll also get some overhead. And if you do that, those loans will be forgiven,” Mnuchin said. “That will allow small businesses to keep people, and make sure when we open up the economy, they’re up and running.”

He also said that the government will provide direct deposits, with an average family of four receiving approximately $3,000, as well as “enhanced unemployment insurance” for those laid off due to the outbreak.

The fourth part, Mnuchin said, is “a significant package working with the federal reserve, which will provide “up to $4 trillion of liquidity that we can use to support the economy.”

Mnuchin said the plan is meant to deal with “a 10-to-12-week scenario,” but that they are prepared to do more if it lasts longer.

For the long term, Mnuchin maintained confidence, saying he expects a full economic recovery from the outbreak once it has passed.

“The U.S. economy is strong. We’ve stopped major parts of it, but when we get through this virus, as I’ve said, I think you’re gonna see the U.S. economy come back to the strength, we have great companies, we have great workers," he said. "What we need to do is have a bridge to get through this. And this isn’t the financial crisis that’s gonna go on for years.”

McConnell announced late Saturday all sides were “very close” to a bipartisan resolution, and the Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote on a bill Sunday afternoon.

A spokesman for Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Saturday there was “not yet an agreement,” but spokesman Justin Goodman said Democrats look forward to reading the draft and further negotiations.

The House and Senate already passed a bipartisan $8.3 billion package to prop up the health care system to prepare for the influx of sick Americans. The second response bill that was signed into law Wednesday aims to bring relief to workers who lost their jobs and families at home for illnesses, quarantines or caring for kids whose schools have shuttered.

“Everybody's working hard and they want to get to a solution that's the right solution; I think we're very close,"  President Trump said at a Saturday press briefing, striking a confident tone about the nation's ability to defeat the pandemic soon.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mnuchin-confident-that-stimulus-package-will-keep-economy-afloat-until-coronavirus-passes

Frank26 Video "Something's Coming" and more....Saturday Night 3-21-2020

KTFA:

Frank26:  3-21-20. Q&A

"SOMETHING'S COMING"

This video is in Frank’s opinion

1. Security and Stability 2. Stop using the dollar 3. Stop the auctions..... SUDDENLY.

1: Security and Stability…..We got it

2: Stop using the US dollar…..They did it

3:  Stop the Auctions…..  They did it

EXCITING WEEK AHEAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vNKG0dHRUw&feature=youtu.be

Don961:  A covert plan for the US military to halt possible civil unrest over the Coved 19-pandemic

- 6 Hours Ago

The US National Guard is now active in 20 states, with expectations of other state governors announcing more stringent emergency measures daily, and according to Newsweek, the US military is preparing to take a greater role in responding to the Corona virus, including the controversial mission Of suppressing “civil unrest” and law enforcement, a task that the army has not participated in for nearly 30 years.
Opinion is divided within the military, on whether federal forces should make their way to do so, as state governors have special units for the National Guard.

"Newsweek" magazine stated that the federal government and the forces are not responsible for dealing with local emergencies: this is the law and it is very logical.
The report stated that the task of responding to civil unrest requires special ingenuity that military personnel may not possess, noting that the plans of the Ministry of Defense did not expect to deal with a scenario similar to the Corona virus.

The head of the National Guard office warned against federalizing protection at home, which could steal from the National Guard unique legal authorities for law enforcement tasks.

As for the leadership in the Pentagon, there is recognition that the National Guard is the best if there is no general collapse, but they said that the National Guard cannot be relied on, not because of the scope of need, but because its personnel are more vulnerable to the virus like the rest of the population.

According to a senior military planner working on the coronavirus, a plan has been prepared to deploy federal forces in support roles, and the Pentagon this week assigned two naval ships to fight the virus, one in New York and the other in California, and other logistical and engineering missions have been allocated.

An army manual published last July revealed that the martial law includes the use of the army to exercise police powers, restore and maintain order, ensure basic mechanisms for distribution, transport and communications, and take necessary relief measures.

The guide stated that “Only the president can order the military forces to impose martial law, and the guide included saying that the military may not assume any civilian job unless it is necessary in light of severe emergency conditions.

The North American Command, headquartered in Colorado, revealed a contingency plan of its own called "civil unrest operations" or "Operation Planlan 3502", a plan that is hundreds of pages long, and talks about a set of military missions to help civilian authorities respond to civil unrest, including these Riots, violence, insurgency, illegal gatherings, and mass violence.   link

ChrisC:  Civil unrest? More like high level arrests.  As scared as many people have been, I have not seen ONE example of unrest, and as I stated earlier, even as tight as toilet paper is, that woman who lost her phone still had all her groceries sitting in the bags when she went back for them.  Let's hope we finally are going to see high level arrests.  If it is a certain few, I might even manage a champagne bottle or more likely a nice whiskey.

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Don961:  Sunday's major headlines: Details of the plan to evacuate citizens abroad ... deferment of loan installments and solutions for business owners ... "trade" for food companies: We will buy your stock counting and cash ... Iranian preparedness in anticipation of a US coup in Iraq

right Now  March 21, 2020, 11:26 PM

Newspaper

Iranian prepared for an American coup in Iraq

 A source in the Iranian "Al-Quds Corps" revealed the announcement of the Revolutionary Guards and the factions loyal to it in Iraq, especially the Popular Mobilization Organization, the state of alert with all forces, in anticipation of a military coup plotted by the Americans to control power in Baghdad.

The source assured, to Al-Jarida, that the Iranian security services obtained intelligence information that the Americans had informed their allies in Baghdad that relying on civil society organizations was no longer effective, and would not succeed, without a parallel move by the armed forces loyal to Washington to finish off Tehran and its allies in Iraq.

He pointed out that the political structure in Iraq does not allow the Americans to have a pro-government prime minister come to power, except in the event of a pro-Washington military coup to control power.

The source said that the Iranians have opened extensive communication channels with Sunni and Kurdish Iraqi parties to form a coalition facing the new "American plans", especially in light of Washington's attempt to exploit Tehran's preoccupation with facing the spread of the Corona virus, to pass it.

He explained that the Iranians are trying to convince all Iraqi political parties that everyone’s interest requires that a civilian prime minister be able to control power in any way, and that any “military coup”, if it occurs, will mean everyone losing all of their gains, and possibly returning Iraq to what was The matter is under the rule of dictator Saddam Hussein.

The source pointed out that Washington’s liquidation of the commander of the “Quds Force” Qassem Soleimani and Vice President of the “Hashd” Abu Mahdi Al-Muhandis represented the beginning of the American move to seize power in Iraq, because the Americans were aware that Soleimani had close contacts with many Iraqi politicians, and he could turn the table over them. At any point.

The source acknowledged that Tehran had suffered a great blow by losing Soleimani, and had not been able, until now, to fill the void that left him with a character who possesses the "charisma" necessary to influence all of Iran's allies in the region.

The commission of President Barham Saleh to Adnan Al-Zarfi to form the new government to succeed Adel Abdul Mahdi was rejected by a wide range of Shiite parties, especially the "Al-Fateh" coalition, which includes factions closely related to Iran, as it confirmed that the mandate is contrary to constitutional rules.

On the other hand, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stipulated that the Prime Minister-designate "support the sovereignty of Iraq, distance himself from corruption, and protect human rights", in order to gain the support of Washington.  LINK

MilitiaMan Saturday Night "Game Over" 2-21-2020

KTFA:

Trump congratulates Saleh on the occasion of Nowruz holidays  

21st March, 2020

Today, Saturday, US President Donald Trump congratulated President Barham Saleh on the occasion of Nowruz holidays.

The media office of the Presidency of the Republic said in a statement received by "Al-Ghad Press" a copy of it, that Saleh received "a congratulatory telegram sent by US President Donald Trump, on the occasion of Nowruz holidays, wishing the Iraqi people stability and peace."

"On behalf of the American people, I wish you and the people of Iraq Happy Nowruz it is a special holiday for peace and a renaissance for all. This year, the holiday is gaining more importance as our two countries work to bring peace and stability to Iraq," Trump said, according to the statement.

"We have made great progress in facing ISIS, and I look forward to new opportunities to build our economic and security ties with your government," he added.   LINK

MilitiaMan:  This is data from early this week.. ~ MM

“I spoke to Delta. He found interesting movement noted on the CBI site today,03/15/2020. On the CBI statistics site it shows modifications. The "Currency Issued" section at the Value portion of the site when viewed after scrolling down shows in the Jan - Feb #s.

There is a difference from Jan to Feb. It is a decrease in currency by 1.47 trillion dinars. Then a reflection of the same amount on the "Currency Outside Banks" is for the same amount to the penny. This may reflect the LDs in digital new currency. for banks outside of Iraq..

Why? The US FED said they were to issue 1.5 Trillion to support banks...

Why? They cut interest rates twice now by .5 points and again by another ,25 points today? The last .25 was today the same day they modified the CBI data.

Why, would the US FED do that. Why or how would US banks have the ability to borrow $1.5 Trillion and be able to pay it back?

Well they would need money - liquidity to exchange us, would they not? Imo.. They are set to make a fortune.. Just as we will do well, too.

The math if correct is $1, 500 / 1,047 + $1.43 to the banks... I haven't got my head around it all just yet.. But, shoot my friends this looks good!

The timing or the Fed news and the timing of Alak telling us they are not going to devalue aligns so well. There are no coincidences at this stage.. imo..

Wow.. Let us see how this all fits.. I and others do like this.. Oh ya.. We shall see.. Imo ~ MM “

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MilitiaMan:  Then some thoughts today . Keep in mind Alak reiterated they were not going to devalue!!

Where are we now?  

Well that in short is a very good question! I believe from quite a few things that we could point to that supports this is #gameover lol 

We haven’t seen any auctions of late. The interesting thing we see today is an emergency meeting with Mnuchin and politicians working on a package in the trillions of dollars to defend the dollar rise which is killing folks in the lack thereof.. So the Fed and Congress is working to get Dollars to those that need liquidity and in a big way!!  

So, possibly the auctions have stopped now as we have not seen any for days and not because of the curfew.. IMO  But, possibly because they are no longer going to be fed dollars to afford to be able to do them, as Iraq is to cease MCPs per Article 8 requirements of the IMF.

It appears that Congress and the Fed may think dollars are now needed to be placed where the most important areas are needing to be met or placed and that is not going to be to corrupt politicians bleeding out through Iraq into Iran..

I am sure there are many other nations around the globe have more weight, than that to let the dollars go to terrorism, corruption, etc.. They are now needed to keep the globe from a pandemic induced disaster. 

Trump had a telegram message to Saleh today. The emergency meeting on the dollar? I could easily see Trump pulling Salehs ear!!! Making sure he knows what is at stake. We implode you implode!! That simple!!? 

 Now take that bit Samson brought us about the Basra banks (gov and private) being excluded from the imposed curfew that is country wide til Tuesday. The banks want the employees in on Sunday.. Tomorrow.. The financial adjustments are to be done by Tuesday as well.  

So with Alak saying they are not going to devalue, oil having tanked and the dollar being scarce and has to cease being used in the auctions, the rate will have to increase!

In doing so IMO it will support the local economy by having a strong currency will support local productivity and with that, then comes the boost  to the global economy!! IMO  

My conversation today with Delta, aside from the turmoil from the cv19, the time frame we are in now is the best I have ever seen to date. I am not alone on that. Lol 

Nothing suggests the adjustments for the ISX haven’t been completed for share pricing or have been delayed to date.

The ISX is said to come on line Tuesday. They have had time to change the rate and adjust share pricing, they have had almost a week now to do so and will need the rate ahead of open.. IMO  That would be hush hush mind you!! Just as is the meeting with Mnuchin and Congress is today.. The timing of this is huge imo!!  

There are no coincidences here.. This is all coming together in sequence.. Sure there has been bumps in the road, but, the perfect storm is here and yet the sun is shining bright!

God bless us all and let’s see what this next 24-72 hours brings us!!~ MM

"Saturday News" Posted by Samson 3-21-2020

KTFA:

Samson:  The IMF expects a severe impact of the pandemic on the global economy, but only temporarily

21st March, 2020

A senior official at the International Monetary Fund said that the impact of the global pandemic of the Corona virus will be "severe", but it came after a long period of growth and high employment rates, which would allow the global economy to absorb the current shock

Martin Muilizen, who heads the Fund's Policy Review and Strategy division, said in an audio post that the main goal of governments should be to limit the spread of the virus in a way that creates confidence that the economic shock will be temporary

He said that banks and governments have already taken unprecedented steps to provide liquidity to markets and facilitate their continued work, "perhaps with more than we needed", but such steps should be coordinated globally to maximize their impact

"The better organized and more coordinated health responses to the crisis, the faster the possibility of restoring confidence," he added

The leaders of the Group of Seven countries said last week that they would do "everything necessary" to deal with the outbreak, but they did not give details, which caused discontent among the markets

G20 leaders will hold a summit meeting by default next week, but divisions within the group cast a shadow over hopes for strong and coordinated action, experts say   LINK

Samson:  Oil prices collapsed to their lowest level in 18 years

21st March, 2020

Crude oil prices have fallen to their lowest level in nearly 18 years, as growing concerns about an impending economic recession due to the Corona virus outbreak have raised concerns about global energy demand And Brent prices closed Saturday, a new low of $ 1.09, or 3.83%, to $ 27.38, while US crude fell to $ 23.66, a decrease of $ 2.25

Compounding the problems of the crude oil market, the price war between Russia and Saudi Arabia started after the dispute over production cuts at the recently concluded OPEC + meeting without an agreement

Analysts expect Goldman Sachs group to continue to drop oil prices in the coming months, so some expect that some regional prices may be negative in light of the market's attempts to send signals to stop supplies

Analysts in "City Group" believe that the main issue is the possibility of the average price of a barrel of Brent crude reaching 17 dollars or less in the second quarter, with the possibility of average prices reaching 5 dollars and the possibility of prices falling to the negative area in some areas due to the lack of storage and logistics services

The sudden and dramatic fall in oil prices has boosted large-scale market sales, and threatens economies in Latin America, the Middle East and the United States where the energy industry represents large portions of both GDP and debt  LINK

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Samson:  Diwaniya Governor: A fine of 100,000 dinars for those who break the curfew

21st March, 2020

On Saturday, the governor of Diwaniyah, Zuhair Al-Shaalan, imposed a fine of 100 thousand dinars for breaking the curfew in the governorate.

The media office of Al-Diwaniyah Governor stated, through a post on his wallet on a Facebook platform that "Al-Masala" followed, in order to protect the lives of citizens, their families and their children, from the risk of virus infection and to compel them to instruct curfews. A thousand propulsion vessels and closing 50% of the vehicle's fuel stations.

The director of the Diwaniyah Health Department, Lamia Al-Husseini, announced on Thursday that he had registered a new infection with Corona virus in the governorate, bringing the number to three people.

LINK

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Samson:  Jordan launches sirens to start a curfew nationwide

03/21/2020 09:07:49

Jordan today launched sirens to start a curfew nationwide in a precautionary measure that restricts the movement of 10 million people to prevent the spread of the Corona virus.

On Friday, the Jordanian government announced the issuance of Defense Resolution No. 2 of 2020.

The decision requires a curfew in all parts of the country from today, Saturday, until further notice, and the closure of all shops of all forms, with Tuesday announcing specific times for Jordanians to fulfill their necessary needs in accordance with a specific mechanism.

The Jordanian Ministry of Health announced on Thursday that the number of infections in the Corona emerging country has risen to 69. LINK

Samson:  China announces new measures to stimulate private sector investment

21st March, 2020

Chinese government officials said China would cut fees widely to stimulate private sector investment and accelerate the development of "new infrastructure" to help stimulate the economy

 China will continue to develop 5G, build more data centers and build smart cities as part of the new infrastructure push, said Zhang Jian, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission

 Another official at the committee said that 89% of major infrastructure and natural resource projects had resumed work until March 20, with the exception of Hubei Province, the country's epidemic outbreak center for Corona virus

 The total bonds used by local governments in 2020 to finance infrastructure development amounted to 1.9 trillion yuan, equivalent to 261 billion dollars   LINK

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Samson:  Certain recession questions ... How will the global economy suffer from Corona?

21st March, 2020

With the answer to the question of whether the world economy is approaching a recession or not, is conclusive with proof, it is time to ask about the quantity

With the closure of entire cities and the disruption of the study as well as business and activities to enter the world in a state of near complete paralysis quickly, it is now expected that the world will soon experience a state of recession with a painful degree as a result of sudden stops in economic activity

In the end, every case of economic expansion is followed by economic stagnation and vice versa, but the important questions now lie: When will we witness the global recession? And how long will it last ?, and how severe is it?

Will the "Corona" epidemic crisis push the world into a recession? The answer comes as evidence by economists in all international institutions as well as research

The research institute "Oxford Economics" expects the recession to hit the United States and the euro area due to corona, with expectations of shrinking global GDP by more than a trillion dollars

Economies such as Japan, Germany, France, and Italy had already experienced an economic downturn or failed to grow before the outbreak of the virus, but the situation is likely to be worse by the end of the current quarter, amid expectations that China will record the largest quarterly decline in GDP in decades

So, what is the difference between the recession domestically and globally ?, The International Monetary Fund indicates that it is relatively easy to describe the recession at the local level, as it is technically defined as a contraction in a country's gross domestic product for two consecutive terms

As for the global economic stagnation, it must be a slowdown in growth of less than 2.5 percent, accompanied by a widespread and simultaneous decline in various other indicators of global economic activity including global industrial production, trade, capital and labor flows

What about famous cases? The Monetary Fund states that there have been four cases of global economic stagnation since 1960 until now, which were those that occurred in the years 1975, in 1982, in 1991 and in 2009 with the indication that the recession accompanying the global financial crisis was the most destructive

To what extent will the severity of the potential global recession be ?, which is the most important question today, with most international institutions reducing GDP growth estimates to the lowest pace of increase since the global financial crisis

Standard & Poor's credit rating agency expects global GDP to grow by 1 to 1.5 percent in 2020, as a result of measures to contain the Corona, which means the world will fall into a recession

Morgan Stanley economists believe that the global recession is a basic hypothesis, as global GDP is expected to grow by 0.9 percent this year

While, "Goldman Sachs" indicates the growth of the global economy this year will reach 1.25 percent, which confirms that it is in recession

On the other hand, "Deutsche Bank" sees that the US economy suffered a contraction of 13 percent during the second quarter of this year on an annual basis due to the turmoil caused by the Corona virus, which would be the worst contraction in the country's history

Goldman Sachs predicted that China's economy would shrink by about 9 percent in the first quarter of 2020 on an annual basis, while reducing economic growth forecasts for the whole of this year to 3 percent

Now, what about the duration of a possible recession ?, given the history, the recent economic recession that occurred between 2007 and 2009 lasted for about 18 months to be the longest economic recession since the Great Depression in the seventies of the last century, but on the contrary, the economic recession in a period The eighties lasted for only about 6 months

With regard to the current time, the duration of the recession is subject to a large state of uncertainty amid the ambiguity of matters related to the health crisis "Corona", which killed 8 thousand people globally and infected more than 200 thousand others

Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley indicate that the potential economic recession will be more severe than the one that occurred in 2001, but it will not be as severe as what happened during the financial crisis

The investment banks expect that the world will witness a state of economic recovery during the second half of the year, but they warn that the risks remain with a greater degree of economic pain

But can anything be done to ease the coming economic recession? The major central banks around the world are racing to prevent them from entering into a recession either by lowering interest rates or interfering with markets and buying assets or helping banks to provide loans to companies

Also, the governments of the countries announce day after day strong incentive plans to support their exhausted economies not only due to the outbreak of corona and its health repercussions, but also because of the measures that are taken to confront the deadly virus as they lead to the cessation of economic activity on the global level and lead to the isolation of countries and the stopping of services and consumption  LINK

Samson:  Corona has another beautiful face: the normality returns to Venice

21st March, 2020

With the disappearance of boats and cruise ships and the closing of souvenir kiosks, the closure caused by the outbreak of the Corona virus in the northern city of Venice has transformed the La Serenissima water channels, which means that the virus has brought a positive environmental and natural transformation in the famous city.

Whoever looks at the waters of the canals of Venice today, will be surprised, not just because of the clear view of the bottom of the water channels, but the possibility of watching small fish, crabs and multicolored plant life, in an indication of the return of life to the canals.

"The water is blue and clear, it is calm like a pond, because there are no longer waves caused by motor boats that carry roving tourists through the city's canals," said Gloria Pegiatto, who owns the famous "Metropole Hotel" a few steps from St. Mark's Square and has a view of Lake Venice. Waterway, and of course the giant cruise ships have disappeared. "

Under the strict rules of the city of Venice or "Venice" of self-isolation to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus, all trips are banned except for going out for dogs or for food. Transport boats and tourist boats disappeared from hundreds of canals in the city, while river buses now operate on a reduced schedule, while most boats are seen moored on the banks of water channels.

After a few days of closure, a significant improvement in the degree of clarity and purity of water was observed, and swans and waterfowl returned to diving in search of fish that they could see now, according to the British Guardian newspaper.

At the station "Pisali Roma" in the city, ducks made a nest for her, an event that was not expected for many years, as Pegiatto said, "Someone put up a sign saying (Do not step on duck eggs) .. This matter was unthinkable some time ago. ".

The environmental researcher at the Institute of Oceanography, David Tagliabtra, told a local TV station that the clear cleanliness of the water is not in fact due to a lack of pollution, but rather the lack of automatic transportation, which usually leads to moving the floor of the muddy channel.

Matteo Pisol, on his part, runs the “Venice” restaurant on the small and shallow beach island of Mazzurbo, and has recently campaigned for a more sustainable and environmentally responsible tourism model in Venice.

"For the good of all, it is not surprising that fish exist in the channels of Venice ... rather surprisingly, it is not, and then we must be concerned because the shallow lake here is a fragile ecosystem. People need to realize that if we can control the movement The boats in Venice and its lake are lowered, so we can all discover a unique biological and environmental environment. "

And in Venice, not only are the cruise ships that have disappeared, but souvenir stalls, bars and restaurants are all closed, which is a severe blow to an economy dependent on tourism, but in the meantime it seems that the locals are rediscovering their city, in a new way, as Pegiatto said "We, the Venetians, feel that nature has returned and regained control of the city ... if you ask me today about sunny blue skies and clear channels, then, yes, we would all like the Venetian to remain that way for a while."

"But we need, and we look forward to the return of tourists, but perhaps not 20 million tourists annually ... I sincerely think that we should take the opportunity of this closure to reverse and see how we can be more organized in the future to find a balance between the city and tourism."

It is noteworthy that due to the closure in northern Italy due to the outbreak of the new Corona virus, there has been a great improvement in the environment and pollution has decreased significantly, due to the interruption of the movement of cars and factories.

The same is recent in China, where the rates and proportions of carbon dioxide and nitrogen have declined significantly due to the closure witnessed in most of China’s regions and regions. LINK

Okie, KTFA and More Friday PM 3-20-2020

Okie Update:

OKIE:  GOOD FRIDAY AFTERNOON AMERICA, SHIPS AT SEA AND ALL OUR WORLD WIDE FRIENDS AND ALSO ALL OUR TELEGRAM FRIENDS.

 WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING OUR NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE TODAY TO TRY FOR SOME TRUE INTEL INSTEAD OF RUMORS.  

AS I HAVE STATED PREVIOUSLY THIS WEEKEND SHOULD SPELL OUT A LOT OF INFO AND RESULTS FOR US.  

I PERSONALY FOUND OUT TODAY THAT YES—MY BANK IS CLOSED THRU MONDAY WITH ONLY THE DRIVE THRU BEING OPEN.  THIS HAD BEEN RUMORED IN THE PAST BUT THE PROOF CAME TODAY.  

THAT BEING SAID—SOME RUMORS SEEM TO HAVE LEGS WHILE OTHERS ARE JUST LEGLESS RUNNERS.

 I AM STILL BEING TOLD ABOUT THE IMMENENT LANDING PERMISSION I THOUGHT WAS THIS WEEKEND BUT IT MAY BE THE FIRST PART OF NEXT WEEK.  

WHILE I HAVE HEARD OF SEVERAL EXCHANGES I PERSONALLY KNOW NONE OF THEM THAT HAS EXCHANGED.

I FEEL THE BANK CLOSURE I AM AWARE OF BEING TRUE LENDS CREDENCE TO THE INEVITABLE INFORMATION BEING CIRCULATED.  

I AM HOWEVER STAYING GROUNDED WITH AN OPINION UNTIL AND WHEN I SEE THE HARD EVIDENCE OF THE EXCHANGE,  I AM ALSO CONFIDENT THIS IS REAL AND NOT MEMOREX AND AWAIT MY TURN AT THE BLESSING GATE BEING OPENED.——SHALOAM

Courtesy f Dinar Guru

Jeff  ...I'm strongly of the opinion that the main event is going to be happening this weekend.  That's my opinion from my studies..

Pimpy   Article "Association of Private Banks:  The recent decisions of the Central Bank contribute to increasing  electronic commerce"  This guy is talking about how they're trying to get away from dealing in cash because they're trying to stop the spread of the coronavirus... Quote "the central bank of Iraq had taken serious measures to encourage citizens to use electronic payments including making commission zero for their merchants when using points of sale for a period of six months starting today...explained that Iraq's citizens can buy with his or hers bank card from inside or outside Iraq without any commissions in addition to using the official exchange rate approved by the central bank and not the exchange rate in the market."  Whoa! What the heck does that mean?  ...something is happening...

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KTFA:

Samson:  Officially ... China announces a treatment for Corona and amazing results

03/20/2020 00:08:03

China announced Thursday that the drug approved Favipiravir approved in 2014 in Japan for influenza treatment, is an effective drug in eliminating the Corona virus.

And China explained that "clinical tests were conducted in the southern city of Shenzhen on 80 patients, the drug was tested on 35 people infected with the virus, and 45 others were put in custody and noticed without the drug."

She explained that "and by follow-up it was found that the group of patients who were treated with the drug was cured."    LINK

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Samson:  Paper money ... Does it transmit corona infection?

03/20/2020 11:36:36

An increasing number of companies and individuals around the world have stopped using banknotes, fearing that the currency could be a carrier of the emerging Corona virus.

Public officials and health experts said that the risk of transmitting the virus from one person to another through the use of banknotes is minimal, but that did not prevent companies from refusing to accept currencies and some countries from urging their citizens to stop using the banknotes completely. OpenBox, a nonprofit library in Chicago, sent an email to customers last week asking individuals not to use cash, and a chain of restaurants in Washington state stopped accepting cash. Delivery services such as "Grabahb" and "Dor Dash" and others established "offline" deliveries and stopped offering cash as an option to pay.

Experts believe that cash payment carries the risk of coronavirus transmission, but the risk from cash funds so far is minimal compared to other transmission methods. Scientific research published early in the outbreak of the disease concluded that the virus can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours and up to three days on plastic and stainless steel, however, the researchers have not tested whether it can live on banknotes.

Public health experts said that the presence of live particles of the virus on banknotes does not mean that they pose a health hazard, and it is unlikely that the virus particles will return to the air or turn into a spray once on the surface. "It is not impossible that there will be traces of the virus on dollar bills, but if you wash your hands, this will provide adequate protection, and you should not need anything else," said Julie Fisher, professor at the Center for Global Community and Society Science at Georgetown University.

It is also possible that other devices used for payment are disease carriers, as credit and debit cards are made of plastic and metal. And the ATM touches hundreds of human hands a day. On the other hand, the US central bank is making "the Federal Reserve" efforts to ensure that the cash supply is not contaminated. A quarantine is being imposed on banknotes traded in Europe and Asia for seven to ten days as a "precautionary measure," according to a spokesman for the Federal Reserve. While companies are discouraging the use of cash, there have been reports of customers withdrawing large ATM withdrawals in several parts of America.

Some banks have been forced to request additional funds from the Federal Reserve or to keep ATMs stored at higher levels to allow larger withdrawals of clients. And avoiding banknotes does not happen in the United States only, in South Korea, which was more successful in stopping the spread of the disease, the country's central bank withdrew all banknotes from circulation for two weeks, and in some cases burned paper money. 

And in Iran, which suffers the worst outbreak of the virus in the Middle East. The use of cash is common, but in recent weeks many people have avoided it, and banks have announced that they will not accept cash from customers. LINK

Samson:  China announces recovery of 87.9% of all people infected with the Coronavirus

20th March, 2020

The latest Chinese official figures and statistics revealed that 87.9% of all people infected with Coronavirus have recovered in various parts of the country.

The government health affairs agency said today, Friday, that the number of people infected with coronavirus who are receiving treatment in hospitals outside Hubei Province has decreased to 282. The authority said that during the past 24 hours, no local cases were recorded, except for 39 cases, all of them coming from outside the country, 3 deaths were recorded, and 730 people were infected with the virus.

According to the World Health Organization, Europe has become classified as a focus for the spread of the Corona virus, as the number of people infected with this virus exceeded 100,000, and the number of deaths in Italy exceeded 3400 deaths, making it the first in terms of deaths, ahead of China. The total number of people infected with the virus worldwide has reached 244,000, 80,000 of them in China. LINK

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Emailed To Recaps

Sam Gamgee:  The Tales That Really Mattered...

Could relate to the 2020 Reset, Covid 19, and arrests?

There is some good in this world- and its worth fighting for.

https://youtu.be/A_u9Hc0Yg1o?t=6

KTFA Members "News and Views" Friday Afternoon 3-20-2020

KTFA:

Don961:  Most of the countries and banks refuse to lend to Iraq .. Sayssem reveals the reasons by video

VIDEO LINK - DELTA PLEASE  LINK

DELTA:  MY BROTHER DON I LOVE IT ......

Dan:  PERFECT. MY wife was interpreting this for me. This is very good news for us. No one is willing to lend Iraq ANY money.....only way is to RI RV your currency Iraq...booya

Samson:  Officials: The Iraqi financial crisis may make us borrow from the International Monetary Fund again  LINK

MilitiaMan:  Alak seems to want to say that there are pressures now on many fronts, yet, they may (pressures) not be to severe. I'll bet because he knows that there is a fix for the concerns that people are having: i.e., low oil prices and the virus, etc . 

The citizens on the street may get far more volatile if they don't get their demands met. I think Alak knows that all to well and is suggesting that the pressure on the GOI is forefront according to his words.

Just imagine the "Street" now saying to themselves, "hey, you all are not for us getting our monetary reforms and are holding up our money, our purchasing power? "You politicians can fix this and your not"? Um... That sort of thinking is not going to go over very well.

In fact, Alak probably said what he said for a purpose and to get an end result. The citizens know from the media out lets, as to who is who and who is against them and or for them now.. That could be or could get very dangerous for those against them.. 

Alak tells us that they are wanting to meet with the IMF, yet, the out look there looks bleak and may not bear fruit.

The IMF (USA) knows that Iraq has value, can pay it's external debts and with imo the long awaited financial reforms; i.e., a "new exchange rate", not the program rate it is presently at!!

So getting the IMF to loan them money when they can Re - Instate the IQD to avert the crisis glaring at them.

Those against them know that the neighbor is going to feel the pain, hence, the sand bagging has gone on for so long.

 Now it looks like the proper pressures are in place and with oil being the last straw.. The relief value needs to be opened! imo ~ MM

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2Cents:  IMO.....watch the Shiite factions....if two-three agree on Z and two-three say no, we are home free ..... i believe the Sunni's and Kurds will agree so, along with two-three Shiites, Z can get confidence.....If all the Shiites say "No" to Z, Saleh will be picking another.....

Additionally, note the articles stating the Revolutionary Guard (Popular Crowd) is not a factor......We saw that most have finally submitted to the Iraq military Authority and we know others were taken out by the US bombings.  Mahdi(IMO fearful probably due to threats and intimidation) started this but never completed.  I believe the last round of bombing from the US was VERY persuasive.....Go ESPER/TRUMP

Just as MS13 has been severely weakened in the US through mass arrests this week taking away a large ability of the DS to carry out disruptive actions (create fear and intimidation), seeing the Popular crowd taken out by the US and many of the others succumb, the DS(Iran) has been limited.  Hopefully the "good" politicians now feel more confident to move against DS (Iranian) influence....the sooner the better.

Pattycakes77:   this weekend going into next week looks good. When things are at its worst then will the dinar arise. Fingers crossed.  

2Cents:  But we may not see it.....10 days of darkness

Godlover:  With states now starting to implement stay at home orders..... are you thinking there may be an internet black-out as well?   I will say one thing myself & others have noticed since this virus scare..... many website already seem to be unmanned so to speak imo.  

2Cents:  Perhaps.........IMO, ultimately "total National shutdown"....no TV, No Radio.......probably no Internet......

IMO....We appear to be headed to a period of only limited essential employees allowed to leave home...Look at California today, Pennsylvania today, reportedly Ohio as early as tomorrow evening....(Note Israel, Ecuador, Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, Canada).....I don't think the media can be considered essential if we really have a Federal order to stay at home.......Reports are 10ish days.......Will it be 3/20 -3/30 or 3/30-4/10???  I believe it will be one or the other.....Certainly all this resolved by Easter......during that time, IMO, all will be much safer at home and I am not talking about the "virus"....

The question is whether the Internet requires "employees" to maintain or if it will be the already hypothesized "undue stress" from everyone at home as opposed to many work places that allegedly causes it to "go down"........

No-one knows yet for sure but it is obvious that there is more going on here than a virus....

Enjoy the Show!!!!

I am just trying to guess as to the "why" we are told the Internet is down.......There are many "experts" coming out this week stating everyone at home on the Internet is likely to overload the system.....I believe these reports are perhaps setting the stage.........

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ChrisC:  I am a huge smart A and kidder most of the time, but I will say with some seriousness that the stockmarket is holding around 20,000 way longer than I anticipated and longer than really makes sense. 

Maybe Kim Clement is going to pick it right.  I, personally, have always liked Friday afternoon, although any minute of any day works for me. 

I really believe the signals are being dropped that an all clear is about to be rung and the panic is about to be reversed. 

With the supposed success of the Malaria drug (not sure how this is happening) and the everybody is back to work call from China, this is about to be over, interestingly, right on cue for Trump's timing. 

Still may be one more "let's all hunker down for another two weeks until this takes effect" statement during which we hopefully have an RV. 

 I really did see the market being trimmed to 15,000 but this works for me too, my main thing is that we are safe when we go to the banks and I don't know how that is going to happen unless they are nationalized and their massive debt is no longer a guillotine over OUR head. 

World govts, especially ours, move the sidelines and the goal posts and anything else they want, so they may have figured out a way around all that debt.  I don't know. 

As a whole, the rules only apply to plebeians and not patricians.  Although, pretty soon we will be patricians.

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Clare:  Tax Day moving to July 15 amid coronavirus crisis, Mnuchin announces

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced Friday that the deadline for filing federal taxes will move from April 15 to July 15 -- a move to ease the burden the coronavirus outbreak has put on individuals and the economy.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tax-day-moving-to-july-15-amid-coronavirus-crisis-mnuchin-announces

KTFA Members Thursday Afternoon -Strictly a "What If" 3-19-2020

KTFA:

Scollie:  I was laying in bed last night and my mind was wandering.   Just a crazy thought.  Something isn’t sitting with me right about the whole Corona Virus and basically shutting down our whole Economy.

This is strictly a What if.....

 I was comparing this to an Open Heart Surgery.   What if our Financial System is like the heart and needs to be overhauled and tuned up?  In order to do that the Surgeon would need to stop the heart in order to do any repair work on it. 

Just like our “Financial System”.  Seems to me they are trying to stop all “CASH” flow for a week or 2.... then once the repair and/or upgrade is completed the Surgeon would need to kick start the heart again with a Jolt of Energy to reboot the heart. 

And I am thinking that maybe once the repairs and upgrades are completed or the Fed Reserve is Destroyed, then Trump will re-kickstart the financial system (Economy) with the Stimulus Package to reboot the Economy....

But what if....that kickstart is us “The Citizens” receiving our Stimulus Money is a “NEW GOLD BACK DIGITAL CURRENCY”? 

Something just isn’t adding up with all the dates.  It sure seems it’s all very well timed.  What a better way to introduce a new “ASSET BACK CURRENCY” then sending everyone Free Money in a time of need??  Where No One, would have an issue in using it....of course Iraq would RI at the same time....

Just thinking, if our banks and Iraq’s bank have been mirrored.... maybe we have and are also changing our Fiscal Year to match Iraq as well as coming out with a New Asset Currency to match?  Just seems we are trying and have been trying to get to a Cashless Society.

Just a crazy Dinar thought while trying to sleep!!! Maybe I’m just crazy after studying all these years?

 Any thoughts?    this is all IMO

Iggy:  I think you may be on to something...imo

ChrisC:  This is exactly what I have been anticipating.  I see hidden meanings in every word of a conversation or facial expression where there may not be any (maybe somebody just felt gassy), but there have been TOO many times where Trump seems to barely be holding back that he knows something that everyone else doesn't. 

As most know, I have been following the bank situation for some time now MAINLY through Bix Wier.  Bix was a banker for twenty years and really knows what he is looking at.  It isn't his opinion, he shows the data that is actually put out by the Fed.  Bix has been dead on the money so far with his predictions of what is coming.  He has 100% accurately foretold what has happened so far.  His position is that the banks are imminently going to collapse. 

Two weeks ago now, all the banking heads met at the White House.  What was that for?  To show off their coin collections?  I doubt it.  I believe Trump is set to nationalize them when they fall just like China did.  If he moves smoothly, we may not even feel the collapse.  

Bix doesn't believe in dinar or any RV and he is digging a bunker and putting his helmet on.  I don't listen to him for any of that gloomy outlook, but I do believe the virus (planned or not) has gotten us to prepare for some down time if that is what happens. 

We know that money velocity is what resolves a financial issue, but in the past the money was passed out to the criminal elite and, for some reason, never made it down to us. 

If it STARTS at the bottom, it is GUARANTEED to reach everyone.  If THOUSANDS of millionaires pour their funds into the economy, there will be NO recession or depression, and that IS what is going to happen. 

There won't be one new Cadillac or Corvette left on the lots, new home sales will explode, and restaurants will be packed. 

This virus is engineered (that is an admitted fact) and if it is engineered, they have a vaccine. 

As a home builder I can tell you that the building of one house employees hundreds of workers so America is going back to work. 

All we need now is to have Trump deal with the banks and the CBI to RI.

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Will:  Would be amazing if it shakes out like this.

ChrisC:    Yes Will I know, wouldn't it?  It could turn out completely different, but a lot of things make sense for this scenario.  The mobilization of the Marine Reserves nationwide is something that still is unanswered to me unless it is for something like this. 

Also, I was alerted by a good friend on the forum here that Ohio's National Guard has been put on a two hour alert.  The banks have intended on being bailed out and I don't think have any way out of it if the govt doesn't do it. 

JP Morgan has over 500  Million actual ounces of silver in their vaults and they may use this, but they are at severe danger of actually being found guilty in a current lawsuit of RICO violations and could lose their ability to even be a bank. 

If even ONE of the big banks fail this time, they ALL will probably go down.  How hard do you think they were hit with the drop in oil prices? 

I imagine that triggered derivatives like you can't imagine.  Bix made a comment the other day and he said whether it was meant to do it or not, the oil hit was the perfect thing to make the banks collapse.

Cornhusker:  A little news i heard from a DR. friend this Am our State National Guard will be Activated starting Monday AM.

JamieO:  CHRIS - VERY INTERESTING READ.  Trump himself has referenced more than once a huge capital infusion into the economy FROM THE BOTTOM UP.  Folks.....THAT IS US following the RI/RV.  If we can't fix this economy after this happens - NOTHING will fix it...IMO.

QUESTION - If banks are "nationalized" as you and Bix seem to suggest....Does that mean they are all government run & no (or very few) private banks left?  That scares the hell out of me!  We have all seen the result of the government run businesses. The US Postal Service comes to mind.  I believe the right privately run operation could make the Postal Service profitable in a heartbeat. 
Why would we think the gov would do any better running the banks???.....IMO

ChrisC:  Thanks.  Bix doesn't think they will be nationalized, he only sees a disaster almost Mad Max like.  There is no way in hell Trump and the patriots are going to let this happen.  I mean in a nuclear apocalypse maybe, but that is not this case. 

Honestly, if Trump set it up, that is the only bank I would feel comfortable putting a lot of money in.  All of our banks are Rothschild run and headed by criminals that could care less if you are being run over by a herd of buffalo. 

It is privately run banks that crashed in '08 and privately run that are now in around 350 TRILLION dollars of derivative debt.  You trust these idiots?  No way.  You have to remember who has been running the govt for the last hundred years, and that is the same bunch that started the Fed Reserve and IRS and they have intentionally robbed us blind and left us holding the bag. 

The dollar has about two cents worth of the value it did in 1913!  Can you believe we have had that much stolen from us? 

When Trump gave his inaugural address, I knew the game was changing in Washington.  I imagine a lump was in the throat and pants of most of DC.  I hope by the second term he has enacted safeguards that will not let anybody rob from the Social Security, Postal Service, etc. again.  We'll see.

*********888

GFulcher66:  I generally agree with you. IMO this is a sad thing but allot of great things will come out of it and is the black swan needed to transition from a fiat rothchild system who charges us interest to print our money, to a treasury note thats imo partially asset backed but not 100% and backed by things other than gold bc 100% gold backed can be a problem to.

That said this is what’s needed to make the current elite to relinquish their hold on the current system as we move to the new, faster, blockchain based sound money system or QFS. IMO the reason this is impt to the IQD is b/c we would not let the benefit of the IQD into the failing rothchild system but rather use it to jump start the new system of the future!!!

 Interesting times we will see, but i find it exciting how much power Trump now has especially over the banking and trade system bc of the current state of emergency affairs. Plus this ends globalist centralized trade and we go back to de-centralized trade b/w nations

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Coco:  Senate Republicans are planning to include larger first-round stimulus checks to U.S. households than the Trump administration initially floated, but there might not be a second round if economic conditions improve.

The emerging Senate GOP package would increase direct payments to individuals to about $1,200 per person or $2,400 for married couples filing jointly.

The plan continues to include additional payments of $500 per child.

KTFA Members "News and Views" Tuesday PM 3-17-2020

KTFA:

DELTA:  GREAT JOB SUPER SAMSON..........CAME DIRECTLY FROM ALAQ.........

Samson:  The central bank exempts merchants and citizens from the commission of using POS for a period of 6 months

17th March, 2020

The Central Bank of Iraq announced, on Tuesday, that it will exempt merchants, business owners and citizens from the commission of using POS for a period of 6 months.

The bank said in a statement, Alsumaria News received a copy of it that "on the call to use electronic payment tools in financial dealings and avoid dealing in cash in order to preserve public health, the commissions on the citizen and the merchant when using POS devices will be zero and for a period of 6 months starting from 17 March." 

The bank called "all banks the need to contribute effectively to support the current stage by providing financial and banking products and services to encourage different groups of society to use electronic payment tools."

 It is noteworthy that the Central Bank is seeking during the coming period to use the card and business card for the process of trading, buying, selling and gradually dispensing with the transactions in banknotes directly.

Samson:  The President of the Republic assigns Adnan Al-Zarfi to officially head the government

17th March, 2020
President Barham Salih, on Tuesday, assigned Adnan Al-Zarfi to officially head the government.

A brief presidential statement, which Mawazine News received, said, "The President of the Republic, Barham Salih, commissioned today, Adnan Al-Zarfi to form the government."

The commission came after a meeting held by President Saleh with al-Zarfi in the presence of the President of the Federal Court, Judge Faeq Zaidan.    LINK

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Samson:  Demonstrators burn the governor’s house in Nasiriyah to protest the continued marginalization of protesters ’demands in the country
16th March, 2020

Sources reported from eyewitnesses in Dhi Qar, Monday 16 March 2020, that angry demonstrators burned the building of Dhi Qar Governorate and the governor’s house.

The sources said that the demonstrators set fire to the Dhi Qar Governorate building by burning tires and cut off the intersection of the lobby

She indicated that the demonstrators also cut off the civilizational bridge and the iron bridge in the governorate, noting that the demonstrators burned the house of the governor of his post, Adel Al-Dakhili, in the Ur neighborhood

The operations of burning the headquarters of political parties return to the forefront from time to time, as a result of the continued marginalization of the protesters' demands in the country, and their failure to meet them, while the protesters accused these parties of securing their personal interests and grants, at the expense of the interests of the people  LINK

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Don961:  Watch the historical moment: the first person to undergo a Corona vaccine

2020-03-16

Follow Iraq:

Today, Monday, American doctors and scientists injected the first American woman named Jennifer Haller as the first person to be injected with the new vaccine for the new Corona virus.
VIDEO LINK     LINK

Molson88: I have been following a lot of President Trump's speeches lately surrounding the CoronaVirus.

 It could be that I just have "dinar colored" glasses on or that I consider my self to be "awake" (some would call it being conspiratorial) and see everything with my eyes wide open...but i have noticed with a lot of the President's speeches, he keeps making comments like, "this will blow over and the economy will come back stronger than ever". 

He has been making several of those types of statements.  I can't help but wonder if he has some "inside information" about one or more world currencies resetting and/or increasing in value very soon?? All this imo.

On one hand I know everything that President Trump says is very calculated.  On the other hand, I also know that he has a (respectfully saying this) a huge ego, AND also delivers big results at the same time. 

Family, which do you feel it is? Or maybe a little of both, or something different?  Have you been noticing the same things as me??

Popeye7:  Your perception of President Trump's speeches is accurate Imo... He definitely is hinting without flat out declaring it in plain language... Time will tell..

Ryan1216:  It seems the Dinar RI/RV is following the coronavirus timeline as Frank said in his opinion on last night's cc. I believe that although Trump has been speaking of a stimulus package that everyone in the US will receive a yet to be announced amount from. There's no better time for the CBI to pull the trigger than in the midst of all this. Time will tell. Praying any day now this investment is over

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Clare:  Trump wants to send Americans checks ‘immediately’ in response to coronavirus, Mnuchin says

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that the Trump administration wants to send checks to Americans “in the next two weeks” in an effort to help people cope with the economic fallout due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re looking at sending checks to Americans immediately,” Mnuchin said during a press briefing from the White House. “Americans need cash now, the president wants to get cash now. I mean now—in the next few weeks.”

WHITE HOUSE EYES MASSIVE $850B STIMULUS PACKAGE NEXT, AS SENATE MOVES ON LATEST CORONAVIRUS BILL

As the White House held its press conference Tuesday -- with President Trump, Vice President Pence, Mnuchin and the coronavirus task force present -- the Dow rallied nearly 1,000 points, after sustaining historic losses on Monday.

“The president has instructed me we have to do this now,” Mnuchin added, though did not give specifics, except to say that the amount would be significant and that millionaires would not receive it.

Fox News has learned, however, that Mnuchin is pressing GOP senators for a package that would send $200 billion-plus of payments to Americans by early April.

Mnuchin’s comments came as the White House is in negotiations with lawmakers on Capitol Hill for Congress to approve a sweeping economic stimulus package to help U.S. businesses and taxpayers deal with the economic fallout from the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus.

CLICK FOR THE CORONAVIRUS GUIDELINES RELEASED BY THE WHITE HOUSE

Mnuchin, on Tuesday, also announced that the Treasury Department would not extend the deadline to file taxes by the April 15 deadline, as much of the tax filing can be done online.

“We encourage Americans who can file taxes to continue to file taxes on April 15 because for many Americans, you will get tax refunds and we don’t want you to lose out on those tax refunds,” Mnuchin said.

Mnuchin added that if individuals or corporations owe money to the Internal Revenue Service after filing their taxes, those payments now are able to be deferred for up to 90 days interest-free.

“If you owe a payment to the IRS, you can defer up to $1 million as an individual, and $10 million to corporations, interest-free and penalty-free for 90 days,” Mnuchin continued. “File your taxes, you’ll automatically not get charged interests or penalties.”

Mnuchin was planning to outline a nearly $850 billion package during a lunch with Senate Republicans Tuesday, which Trump administration officials hope to have approved by the end of this week.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, opening the Senate on Tuesday morning, promised swift action.

"The Senate will not adjourn until we have passed significant and bold new steps above and beyond what the House has passed to help our strong nation and our strong underlying economy weather this storm," McConnell said.

The Trump administration’s stimulus package is bigger than the 2008 bank bailout, and the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was passed and signed under former President Barack Obama, and totaled $787 billion to help stabilize the economy about 14 months after the last recession began.

Trump, during the press briefing Tuesday, said there was “great spirit” among lawmakers with regard to the plan. “I can say that for Republicans and Democrats.”

Meanwhile, the president and the coronavirus task force, which is led by Vice President Pence, touted the administration’s progress on testing for COVID-19, and announced that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced new policies to increase testing.

“We have tremendous testing capacity,” Trump said.

Pence said that testing is now available in all 50 states, and announced that “state health authorities can now authorize labs in their state and expand existing testing capabilities.”

Pence also said the administration has continued to expand its “public-private partnership” with “vast commercial labs around the country,” which he said is “increasing access to coronavirus testing.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“This is greatly expanding access, even as we speak,” Pence said Tuesday.

“It is important that the American people understand that testing is happening all around the country,” Pence said, adding that experts “want me to tell the American people that you don’t need the testing to know what you should do.”

“Experts say that if every American acts on the coronavirus guidelines, we can see a substantial reduction in the spread, but as the president said, it will take all of us to do it,” Pence said, noting those guidelines rolled out by the White House and CDC Monday which included social distancing, limiting social gatherings to groups of less than 10 individuals, and staying at home.

“For the American people, as a whole, the risk of serious illness remains low,” Pence said.

The president weighed in on the guidelines, adding that he “would recommend that people enjoy their living rooms,” and urged young people to do their part.

One guideline, specifically, states that: “If you are an older person, stay home and away from other people.”

Another states: “If you are a person with a serious underlying health condition that can put you at increased risk (for example, a condition that impairs your lungs or heart function or weakens your immune system), stay home and away from other people.”

“We have to fight that invisible enemy, I guess unknown, but we’re getting to know it much better,” Trump said of the virus. “We are looking to save a maximum number of lives.”

The president also announced that he has been having open conversations with governors across the nation, leaders in the fast-food, pharmaceutical and grocery industries; and will meet with leaders of the tourism industry on Tuesday.

The president was also asked about his tweets, referring to the coronavirus as the "Chinese Virus," and whether he thought his rhetoric could create a stigma. Trump denied that notion, calling it a "very accurate phrase," and said it was his response to China spreading disinformation about the U.S. military spreading COVID-19.

"Rather than having an argument, I said, I have to call it where it came from," Trump said. "It did come from China."

The outbreak is believed to have originated at an animal and seafood market in the city of Wuhan, China.

“We’re taking aggressive action now as one nation and one family so that America can rebound stronger frankly, stronger than ever,” he said.

The World Health Organization designated COVID-19 a global pandemic last week.

Trump announced a national emergency on Friday. The president also announced a temporary halt on air travel to the United States from Europe, now including flights from the United Kingdom, but excluding those carrying cargo.

When asked Tuesday whether he would limit domestic travel, the president replied: “It’s possible.”

The coronavirus task force also predicted Tuesday that the number of cases in the U.S. could peak in approximately 45-days.

As of Tuesday morning, there were more than 4,660 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the United States, in 49 states, including Washington, D.C. The U.S., so far, has seen 85 coronavirus-related deaths.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-wants-to-send-money-to-americans-in-next-two-weeks-amid-coronavirus-outbreak

Samson:  Pentagon’s top civilians 'separated' from each other as coronavirus cases in DOD reach 37

16th March, 2020
The Pentagon on Monday said at least 37 members of the Defense Department community worldwide have tested positive for the coronavirus as the department takes step to mitigate the impact of the fast-spreading illness, including keeping its top two officials separated from each other.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper and Deputy Defense Secretary David Norquist on Monday began limiting the number of people with access to their offices, screening people who enter them, and communicating with each other exclusively via teleconference, according to Jonathan Hoffman, the Pentagon’s chief spokesman. “We are attempting to put, for lack of a better term, a bubble around the two of them,” Hoffman told reporters at the Pentagon.

As of Monday, no person who works in the Pentagon has tested positive for the virus, he said. But officials determined they needed to take serious measures to protect Esper, Norquist and others considered essential to national security. The Pentagon has halted most visitors from entering the building including foreign officials on business. Officials have also stressed that people who can work from home are encouraged to do so.

Members of the military community who tested positive for coronavirus as of Monday morning included 18 service members, 13 military dependents, three Defense Department civilians and three defense contractors, Hoffman said. U.S. military cases have been reported in South Korea, Germany, Italy and in several U.S. states including Washington, California, Georgia and Virginia.

Military cases have increased since last week. Pentagon officials on March 12 reported 13 confirmed cases of coronavirus within its communities – six service members and seven dependents.

The pandemic has cause the military, like other institutions worldwide, to take extraordinary measures in an effort to slow the spread of the virus, including placing restrictions on travel within the United States for military personnel. Late Friday, Pentagon officials announced service members were not to travel far away from their local areas unless approved for trips deemed “mission essential, for humanitarian reasons or warranted due to extreme hardship."

Hoffman said Monday that service members should speak to their supervisors or commanders to determine whether planned travel met any of those criteria. He said the guidance was intentionally vague to give commanders “a lot of flexibility.”

The Defense Department has tested nearly 500 people across its installations and posts worldwide, including service members in Iraq and Afghanistan, where no troops have tested positive for the coronavirus, more formally known as COVID-19, said Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Friedrichs, the Joint Staff’s surgeon.

Others have been tested by other entities, including a sailor stationed at Naval Support Activity Naples in Italy who was confirmed to have contracted coronavirus, the Navy said Monday. The individual, the second sailor at the base to test positive, was tested by local Italian health officials, a Navy official said. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is developing plans for responding if states or other federal departments request help in mitigating the crisis.

More than 1,500 National Guard members in at least 15 states had been activated to aid in the response to the coronavirus as of Monday, officials said. Those troops were largely expected to aid with logistics and to help clean and sanitize public spaces. Active-duty troops have been largely kept out of the coronavirus response thus far. Hoffman said the department had not received official requests from states or other federal agencies for active-duty troops or to build temporary health facilities as of Monday.

Pentagon officials also downplayed the impact their medical facilities would have on dealing with the virus. The military has the capability to build field hospitals with several hundred beds rapidly, but those facilities are designed to respond to traumatic injuries following emergencies but not contagions, Friedrichs said. “The challenge is, if we build a 200 bed or a 25 bed trauma hospital to take care of people with the coronavirus that’s not really a great solution to the coronavirus challenge,” the general said. “We don’t have any 500 bed hospitals designed for infectious disease outbreaks.”

Nonetheless, Hoffman said the Pentagon is developing plans if it is asked to establish hospital facilities. “DOD is ready, willing and able to support civilian authorities to the greatest extend possible at the direction of [President Donald Trump],” he said. “We just want to make sure that the conversation we have is informed by the facts of what is possible and what is not, and what the trade-offs are.”   LINK

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Samson:  Reuters: Iran temporarily releases 85,000 prisoners, including politicians, over Corona
17th March, 2020

Iranian judiciary spokesman, Ghulam Hussain Ismaili, said on Tuesday that Tehran has temporarily released around 85,000 prisoners, including political prisoners, in the framework of preventing the spread of the Corona virus.

"About 50% of those released are prisoners for security reasons," Ismaili said, quoting to Reuters. "We have also taken precautionary measures in prisons to cope with the spread of the disease."

The UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran said on March 10 that he had asked Tehran to temporarily release all political prisoners from its overcrowded and disease-prisons to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.  LINK