Zig’s Place Chat and News Early Tuesday AM 5-4-21

Zig’s Place Chat and News Early Tuesday AM 5-4-21

Zig:  Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here

butterfly  2021-05-04 01:44  Shafaq News / OPEC’s share of India’s oil imports fell to the lowest in at least two decades in the year to the end of March as overall purchases by Asia’s third largest economy fell to a six-year low, data obtained from industry and trade sources showed, Reuters reported.  Total crude imports by the world's third-biggest oil importer fell to 3.97 million barrels per day (bpd) in the 2021 fiscal year to March 31, down 11.8% from a year earlier, the data showed.

India bought more U.S. and Canadian oil at the expense of that from Africa and the Middle East, reducing purchases from members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to around 2.86 million barrels per day and squeezing the group's share of imports to 72% from around 80% previously.

That is the lowest share since at least the 2001/02 fiscal year, before which crude import data is not available.

India's refiners are diversifying purchases to boost margins, having upgraded plants to process cheaper tougher crude grades, but refinery runs were hit as the pandemic curbed fuel consumption.

The country's annual fuel demand in 2020/21 fell for the for the first time in at least 23 years, according to government data released last month, hitting its lowest since 2016/2017.

The share of Middle East producers rose to about 62% in the 2020/21 year from 60% in the previous year as refiners took committed volumes under annual oil contracts, the data showed.

U.S. and Canadian oil accounted for about 7% and 1.3% respectively of India's imports compared to 4.5% and 0.60% a year earlier.

butterfly  The United States emerged as the fifth biggest supplier to India, up two places from the 2019/20 year.

Iraq remained India's top oil supplier followed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Nigeria replaced Venezuela as the fourth biggest supplier.

In March, India imported 4.39 million bpd, 12% more than in February as refineries ramped up output, the data showed. However that was still a drop of around 0.5% from March 2020.

Iraq was the top supplier for the month, followed by Saudi Arabia, which pushed the U.S into fourth place behind the United Arab Emirates.

butterfly  2021-05-04 06:55 Shafaq News/ The Rapporteur of the Parliamentary Committee for Agriculture and Water warned of the deterioration of the Tigris and Euphrates river stages in the upcoming period.

Committee Rapporteur, Salam al-Shammari, said in a press statement today, Tuesday, "Turkey tries to use the water card, especially the Euphrates, to pass its plans."

"An official of North and East Syria announced that the Euphrates level dropped by more than five meters for the first time in history. This is a serious matter. It is an omen to Iraq."

Al-Shammari called on the government to conclude an agreement with Turkey to secure its share of Euphrates and Tigris and prevent Turkey from water manipulation for political purposes.

One hundred twenty-five civil organizations in the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria condemned earlier today limiting the water flow of the Euphrates river, demanding it to adhere to the water-sharing rules with Syria.

In 1987, Ankara and Damascus concluded an agreement over the water shares of each country from the Euphrates. According to the agreement, Syria has 5000 meter cube per second, equivalent to 250 barrels.

Since 2020's summer, Turkey has reduced Syria's share to 200 meter cube per second, which ravaged the Agriculture and electricity sector in northern and eastern Syria.

butterfly  2021-05-04 07:04  Shafaq News/ The Prime Minister of Iraq, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, appointed a former governor of Erbil as his aide for reconstruction and Investment affairs.

A source told Shafaq News Agency that Erbil's former governor, Nawzad Hadi, will handle the duties of the Prime Minister's Advisor for Reconciliation and Investments.

Hadi confirmed the reports to Shafaq News Agency, adding that his appointment decree will be issued later today, Tuesday.

Hadi held the position of Erbil's governor for 15 years, during which the city witnessed a reconstruction and industrial revolution.

butterfly  2021-05-04 Shafaq News/ UK stealth fighter jets are to be dispatched from the £3 billion ($4.16bn) warship HMS Queen Elizabeth to “pack a potent punch” against the remnants of ISIS in Syria and Iraq, "Express and Star" said.

The Ministry of Defence said the F-35B Lightning jets would support operations in the countries from the Carrier Strike Group, a flotilla of British warships on a six-month global mission.

Leading the fleet is aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, which left its base in Portsmouth in southern England on Sunday. The ship is accompanied by a US destroyer and Dutch frigate to provide extra protection.

Eight Royal Air Force and 10 US Marine Corps F-35B stealth fighter jets will operate on board the vessel.

Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said the jets would help to weed out terrorists in Iraq and Syria.

He said he had no doubt violent extremism was still rooted in the region despite the weakening of the ISIS foothold.

The F-35Bs are equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology allowing them to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance tasks in remote areas.

He told PA that ISIS was “no longer the ground-holding force, the occupying force that it was in 2015 and 2016”.

“For the last two years, we have been identifying pockets where they have dug into strongholds in the mountains in remote areas, and have been helping the government of Iraq to clear out those remnants.”

Mr Wigston said Iraqi security forces were becoming “stronger day by day” and a time would come when UK and US support in the region was no longer needed.

butterfly  “I wouldn’t like to put a date on it, but I have great faith in the progress the Iraqi forces are making,” he said.

Britain’s Armed Forces Minister James Heappey said deployment of the stealth fighter jets from the aircraft carrier was central to the government’s foreign affairs goals.

“The F-35B Lightning jets will pack a potent punch against Daesh and help prevent them from regaining a foothold in Iraq,” he said.

“This is a prime example of the UK armed forces stepping forward with our allies to confront persistent threats around the world. It is global Britain in action.”

Billed as the largest concentration of UK maritime and air power in a generation, the aircraft carrier will be accompanied by six Royal Navy ships, a submarine armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles, 14 naval helicopters and a company of Royal Marines.

India, Japan, South Korea and Singapore are among the 40 destinations on the tour, demonstrating Britain's strategic tilt to the Indo-Pacific region to counter the increasing military strength of China.

Air and maritime forces from the UAE will operate alongside the group for part of the trip, the Ministry of Defence said.

butterfly  2021-05-04 05:29  Shafaq News/ A leader of al-Fatah Alliance said that the Federal Supreme Court will be decisive in the issue of the provincial councils' issue.

Ghadhanfar al-Batikh, a leader of the Alliance led by Hadi al-Amiri, said, "The Federal Court issued an order on the provincial councils in the lawsuit, filed by Basem Khashan in 2018, on the authority of the Parliamentary to legislate an article that allows the provincial councils to resume its work."

"an appeal was lodged to annul the law 27 that dissolved the provincial councils. The Federal Court set 25 of the current month to settle this issue. The anticipated ruling of the court will be decisive."

On Sunday, the Federal Supreme Court ruled against the constitutionality of Article 14/first of the first amendment of the law for governorates not affiliated with regions.

The aforementioned article is related to the work of councils of governorates (provinces) and districts.

butterfly   Nothing has changed same old same old. see ya all later.

Sheila  Don't know if this has been posted yet: Iraq to Participate in Buna Payment Platform -- https://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2021/01/05/iraq-to-participate-in-buna-payment-platform/

Sheila   -- The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) has reportedly announced its participation in the Arab Monetary Fund's Buna payment platform.

The AMF describes Buna as a multi-currency payment platform, providing clearing and settlement services, in Arab and international currencies.

Sheila   Posted January 5, 2021: Sources Shafaq News: Iraq to Participate in Buna Payment Platform -- https://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2021/01/05/iraq-to-participate-in-buna-payment-platform/

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Zig’s Place Chat and News Monday PM 5-3-21

Zig’s Place Chat and News Monday PM 5-3-21

Zig:  Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here

Butterfly   A slight rise in dollar prices in Baghdad and stability in the Kurdistan Region

2021-05-03 08:32  A slight rise in dollar prices in Baghdad and stability in the Kurdistan RegionShafaq News / The exchange rate of the dollar increased, on Monday, on the main stock exchange in Baghdad slightly, and stabilized in the Kurdistan Region.

The Shafaq News Agency correspondent said that the Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya Central Stock Exchange in Baghdad registered 148,100 Iraqi dinars for 100 US dollars.

The Central Al-Kifah Stock Exchange had recorded 147950 Iraqi dinars during its opening yesterday morning.

Our correspondent indicated that the selling and buying prices have stabilized in the exchange shops in the local markets in Baghdad, where the selling price reached 148,500 Iraqi dinars, while the purchase prices reached 147,500 dinars per 100 US dollars.

In Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, dollar prices have witnessed stability, as the selling price reached 148,200 dinars per hundred dollars, and the purchase at 148,000 dinars per hundred dollars.    shafaq.com

butterfly  Electricity is good news for the Iraqis   2021-05-03 04:03  Electricity is good news for the IraqisShafaq News / The Ministry of Electricity revealed on Monday, that energy will reach 22 thousand megawatts at the beginning of next June, in conjunction with the entry of new obstetric units.

Ministry spokesman Ahmed Moussa said in an interview with Shafaq News that “the improvement that occurred during the two days in the processing hours is due to the entry of new obstetric units in the stations of Wasit, Al-Harith, and Rumaila, which gave additional impetus and additional energies to the system, as well as resolving some bottlenecks, which part of it has been implemented and the rest will end.” With the beginning of next June. ”

Musa added, “We will reach 22 thousand megawatts within the first of next June,” pointing out that “the current available energy ranges from 15 to 16 thousand megawatts.”

Moussa pointed out that “the Minister of Electricity held talks in Iran yesterday and today to persuade the Iranian side to resume pumping gas at the previously agreed rates.”

Most of Iraq witnessed a major power outage during the past month, despite the mild weather, which prompted citizens to rely on private generators to compensate for the shortage, who in turn raised the prices of “amps” as a result.

It is worth noting that 80 percent of Iraqi power plants operate on gas.

butterfly    Last June, Iraq announced the payment of $ 400 million to Iran as debts owed by the price of gas and electric power.

Iran says that the amount of debt owed by Iraq amounts to 5 billion dollars.

Iraq produces 19 thousand megawatts of electric power, while the actual need exceeds 30 thousand megawatts, according to officials in the electricity sector.

Baghdad is holding talks with Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia, to import electricity from them by linking Iraq with the Gulf system.   For years, Iraq has relied on Iran to import 1,200 megawatts of electricity, in addition to gas, to feed local electric power plants.   shafaq.com

Butterfly   Faw Port awaits {Giant Hammer}  05/03/2021 03:44:50  Faw Port awaits Giant HammerThe General Company for Ports of Iraq stated that the {Giant Hammer} will arrive within the next few days to the port of Faw in order to establish the structures.

Relations and Information Officer at the Port Bahaa Ismail said in a press statement that “after signing contracts and laid the foundation stone in the port of Faw by the Prime Minister, the Korean company began its work despite doing some work prior to the signing of contracts, including survey sites from the remnants of war.”

He added, That, “in the next few days, the gigantic hammer of the port of Al-Faw will reach the conglomerate roads, which will be used in the construction of the port’s structures.”

He pointed out that “the company is following up the issue of foreign experts whose names were submitted by the Korean company in order to facilitate their entry, noting that these experts are of different nationalities and specialties.”

The Prime Minister, Mustafa Al-Kazemi, visited Basra Governorate on April 11th and laid the foundation stone for the large Faw port project {the five contracts}, which includes {the five container berths, filling a storage yard and container handling, digging the internal navigation channel, digging and furnishing the external navigation channel, a tunnel. Khor Al-Zubair Canal, the highway linking the port of Al-Faw and Umm Qasr. ”   alforatnews.com

butterfly Al-Fateh MP Naim Al-Aboudi: Al-Fateh seats will exceed 50 seats, and the mistake of assigning Al-Kazemi will not be repeated

2021-05-03   Al-Fateh MP Naim Al-Aboudi - Al-Fateh seats will exceed 50 seats and the mistake of assigning Al-Kazemi will not be repeatedOn Monday, the deputy of the Al-Fateh Alliance, Naim Al-Aboudi, expected his coalition’s seats to exceed 50 seats during the upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for last October, while he considered that the mistake of assigning Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi will not be repeated.

Al-Aboudi said in a press interview, “The Al-Fateh Alliance is rooted in society and we will compete for the first place comfortably,” noting that “Al-Fateh’s seats may exceed 50 during the upcoming elections.

He added that “the mistake that accompanied Al-Kazemi’s assignment will not be repeated,” noting that “the choice between forming a government or the opposition will be imposed by the elections.”

Al-Aboudi pointed out that “future alliances are dependent on the results of the elections,” stressing that “the transfer of power to the next government will be peaceful.”   burathanews.com

butterfly  United Nations: The share of e-commerce jumped to 19% of retail sales .A study published by the United Nations today, Monday, showed that online sales represented about a fifth of total retail trade last year, as isolation measures to combat the outbreak of the Corona virus led to an e-commerce boom.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development estimates, based on data from national statistical offices in major economies, that online sales accounted for 19 percent of total retail sales in 2020, up from 16 percent a year ago.

South Korea had the largest share, at 25.9 percent, up from 20.8 percent a year ago. China accounted for 24.9 percent, Britain 23.3 percent and the United States 14 percent.

The conference said global e-commerce sales rose 4 percent to $ 26.7 trillion in 2019, according to the latest available estimate. This includes sales between companies and sales from companies to consumers, equivalent to 30 percent of global economic output.

The report states that the pandemic has caused a disparity in the fortunes of major e-commerce companies that serve consumers directly in 2020.

Data from the 13 largest e-commerce companies, including 11 in the United States and China, showed a marked decline in the fortunes of platform companies providing services such as applications for ordering taxis. And travel, which saw a sharp decline in total sales.

"For example, Expedia plunged from fifth in 2019 to 11th in 2020, Booking Holdings fell from sixth to twelfth, and Airbnb, which launched an initial public offering in 2020, slipped from first place," he said. Ten to thirteenth place. "

The Chinese company Alibaba maintained the top spot in terms of total value of goods sold, followed by Amazon in the United States.

butterfly   Despite the decline in service companies, the total sales value of the 13 largest e-commerce companies directed directly to consumers increased 20.5 percent to $ 2.9 trillion in 2020, compared to an increase of 17.9 percent in 2019.

butterfly  The business announces the release of the full-time employee salary for former recipients and newcomers

Monday 03, May 2021 17:28 .The Authority for Persons with Disabilities and Special Needs at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs announced the launch of the salary of a full-time recruiter for recipients previously for the month of April, the fourth batch of 2021, and the salary of a full-time recruiter for new entrants for the year 2019 for the first four months of this year, starting from Monday evening.

The head of the Disability Care Authority, Essam Abdul Latif Al-Tamimi, said, "The payment of the full-time employee salary to former recipients in Baghdad and the governorates for the month of April, the fourth batch of 2021, in addition to the salaries of the first four months of this year, includes the new arrivals for the year 2019 of the holders of the smart master card and the various banks that have been Earlier resettlement. "

He added, in a press release, that "the authority has completed all the procedures related to the release of the full-time employee’s salary to previous recipients, the fourth batch of 20221, and for the new inclusion for 2019, according to the salary for the first four months of this year at an amount of 680 thousand dinars for each beneficiary, starting from Monday evening , Calling on them to go to the exchange outlets to receive their financial dues.

Al-Tamimi explained, "The electronic exchange notices for bank Master Card holders (Ashur, Al-Rasheed and Al-Rafidain) will reach the beneficiaries sequentially this evening after completing the electronic payment procedures according to the times specified for each bank."

butterfly  Representative Energy: The Minister of Oil uses public money for early electoral propaganda and breaks his promises to Maysan oil engineers

Monday 03, May 2021 17:38 .The Parliamentary Oil and Energy Committee accused Minister of Oil Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar of exploiting public funds and influence in early electoral propaganda, and criticized his arrogant dealings with oil engineers in Maysan governorate and his disavowal of previous promises to them to appoint them to the cadres of the ministry.

A member of the committee, MP Amjad Al-Oqabi, said in a press statement, "The Minister of Oil had previously promised the oil engineers in Maysan Governorate to appoint them to the cadres of the ministry after the approval of the federal budget," indicating that "today he started talking with them arrogantly and come and tell them clearly that Maysan oil is without The benefit, which is heavy oil, and the priority in work will be for the engineers of Basra Governorate. "

Al-Aqabi added, "We are not against appointing Basra's engineers and all its citizens on the grounds that it is a province that has made many sacrifices and 80% of the budget revenues come from it, but at the same time we reject the condescending approach with Maysan engineers and abuse them and disavow promises made to them," indicating that " The oil minister nominated himself for the upcoming elections for Basra Governorate, which would make him start his election campaign early by presenting promises to the governorate’s engineers to appoint him at the expense of the rest of the provinces, in addition to using public money and the position to serve his election campaign.

A member of the Parliamentary Energy Committee affirmed that he is about to submit a request to host the minister as soon as possible to clarify from him about these actions and the reasons for his disavowal of his promises to Maysan engineers and to focus the work on his electoral district only .

butterfly  Parliament Speaker meets Masrour Barzani   Monday 03, May 2021 18:43.......................Parliament Speaker Muhammad al-Halbousi met with the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, Masrour Barzani.

The media office of the Speaker of Parliament stated: "During the meeting, the latest developments in the situation and its developments in Iraq and the region were discussed, preparations for the upcoming early elections and finding ways to hold free and fair elections that guarantee the rights and aspirations of the various Iraqi components were discussed."

He pointed out that it was stressed the need to solve the outstanding problems between the federal government and the Kurdistan region, in accordance with the constitution.

He explained that the meeting also dealt with the dangers posed by terrorism in general, especially the threats of ISIS in many areas of Iraq, and the real threat they represent to the lives of people, in addition to stressing the importance of security coordination between the army and the Peshmerga forces, and unifying efforts and capabilities to combat terrorism.

butterfly    The Kirkuk Crisis Cell confirms its commitment to the decisions of the Supreme Committee for National Safety

Monday 03, May 2021 18:09....................The Kirkuk Crisis Cell affirmed its commitment to the decisions of the Supreme Committee for National Safety, its support for the Kirkuk Health Department and the start of completing the requirements of the Shifa Center in Taza and launching a campaign to urge citizens to take vaccinations.

This came during the Governor of Kirkuk, Rakan Al-Jubouri, held a meeting of the Crisis Cell in Kirkuk Governorate, in the presence of the Commander of the Advancing Headquarters for Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Ali Al-Faraiji.

During the emergency meeting, it was decided to complete the road to the Shifa Center in the Taza district, which was built by the Military Kindergarten and to complete the extension of the electricity and water line. North Oil has fully prepared the isolation center in the North Oil Company to allocate it also to those coming from abroad, which was previously used.

The Crisis Cell decided to authorize the Kirkuk Health Department to close public and crowded places and prevent gatherings in accordance with the decisions of the Supreme Committee for National Safety, and to lead the forward headquarters its facilities and support the health teams in night inspection tours with the imposition of fines against violators and according to the powers of the Director General of Kirkuk Health ((which includes the closure of 90 days and a fine) Five million dinars.

butterfly   The recent ISIS attacks in Diyala are ineffective and do not amount to the security threat

Monday 03, May 2021 18:25 .....................confirmed a local official in Diyala said recent Daesh attacks in the province is trying to prove its existence and is ineffective and do not live up to the threat or intimidation of security. "

Said Uday Alkhaddran Khalis Mayor correspondent of the Iraqi National News Agency / Nina / day that night Daesh attacks are predatory They are hit-and-run operations and miserable attempts to prove their presence, and they are attacks that have no military value and do not rise to the level of a security threat.

" Indicating that ISIS is unable to confront or even seize a limited area of ​​land, with the exception of its strongholds in the Hamrin hills, the outskirts of Hawi al-Azim, the remote areas northeast of Diyala and the Diyala border with Salah al-Din.

He added that the growing Daesh attacks due to the lack of operational proactive actors and decline in intelligence work in the areas and cutouts hot for long periods. "Ruling out the ability of the organization Daesh to threaten the security of Khalis after two targeting points of security on the outskirts of my part HIBHIB new coast northwest of Baquba.

For his part, the director of Jadidah Al-Shat, Haider Al-Arnaouti, confirmed that "ISIS operatives move and launch attacks according to letters and telegrams you receive from other regions and governorates to prove their presence through ineffective and miserable attacks." Except for messages from ISIS members to their leaders that we are still working, and perhaps a request for continued financial support. " /is over

Butterfly  Personally I feel it is far out. My person I relate that to has a hard time giving me the information that is related to them, but damn it all, none of it has come true, so "how connected" are you really, is always my question.

butterfly   My VN friend says he "hasn't heard a * thing".

Sheila butterfly VN friend in country? If so, isn't the media govt controlled?

butterfly  sheila No he doesn't deal with the media, it is his friends that have info, etc.

butterfly   Just like my other (cough cough) informat has nothing to do with the media, it is from those that are suppose to know. That is who I was speaking of....scroll up.....I wish they would say what my friend told me........"not a * thing".

Sheila   butterfly very nice. we continue to wait, hope, pray for freedoms restored, abundance galore!!!

butterfly  sheila Question..........restore what freedoms?

Butterfly  The two co-presidents of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan are discussing with the President of the Republic the holding of early elections

Monday 03, May 2021 19:48 ...The co-presidents of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Pavel Talabani and Lahore Sheikh Genki discussed with President Barham Salih the issue of holding early elections.

The Patriotic Union of Kurdistan website stated that Talabani and Sheikh Genki received the President of the Republic on Monday in Sulaymaniyah, and the latest developments and political changes in Iraq and the Kurdistan region were discussed. Real participation and representation of all components. ”The two

co-presidents thanked the President of the Republic, Barham Salih, for the role in which he succeeded in overcoming past obstacles and solving problems intelligently, in a manner that includes the good and the interest of the people with all its components.

The two presidents discussed by the joint with the President , the issue of early elections to the House of Representatives, where the two presidents - chairs stressed that the upcoming elections an important step towards radical change and lay the foundations of a strong future of Iraq and the Kurdistan region. "

The new presidents - Chairs confirmation on Thaah ground Mlaamh to hold fair and transparent elections should be subject to the acceptance of all The formation of the alliance between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan and the Change Movement was discussed to participate in the upcoming elections, and considered it an important step to unify the Kurdish house.

butterfly  A foreign minister discusses with the Pope of the Vatican issues related to the Iraqi situation and the region

Monday 03, May 2021 20:32 .......Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein discussed with Pope Francis issues related to the Iraqi situation and the region.

According to a Foreign Ministry statement said, Pope Francis received on Monday , Foreign Minister in the building of the capital of the State of the Vatican and was during the interview , which lasted an hour, examine the output of the Pope 's visit historic to Iraq and what it carries implications big Mqasidih and meanings. "

The statement added:" The aspect of the interview allocated Issues related to the Iraqi situation and the region. "

During the interview, the Pope expressed his happiness at the visit he made to Iraq, praising the exceptional efforts made by the Iraqi government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to make the visit a success in all the religious and historical sites he visited, recalling his meetings with various Iraqi leaders, especially the historical meeting he had with His Eminence, the religious authority, Mr. Ali Al-Sistani and Mintwi He received letters, renewing his prayers for the Iraqis to enjoy security and stability in the light of coexistence. ”

The Pope indicated that the visit had a great impact on his soul, and it was the most distinguished among the visits he made to many countries.

For his part, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein thanked the government and people of Iraq to the Pope after his visit, stressing the government's interest in the outcomes of the visit and building on its opportunities to revive historical and archaeological sites, and its reflection on the Iraqis and the attributes of coexistence, dialogue and civilized openness among them.

Dave   Ramadan ends May12th...then starts EID....another week of holidays........

Dave   Hope Iraq's parliament gets the RV alert....

butterfly  Hammam Hammoudi congratulates Iraqi journalists on World Press Freedom Day and invites them to exercise their role as the first authority

Monday 03, May 2021 21:48 .....President of the Supreme Islamic Council of Iraq, Hammam Hammoudi, congratulated Iraqi journalists on the International Press Freedom Day.

He said in the congratulatory telegram: From the bottom of our hearts we congratulate all Iraqi journalists on the International Press Freedom Day, and appreciate their mobilizing and enlightening roles, and the courage of those who stood up to corruption and imbalances, and who were true partners in making victories against terrorist gangs.

He stressed that the press in a time of freedom should be the first, not the fourth, authority that imposes the will of the people with the power of the honest and bold word, establishes the performance of the state, confronts injustice and deviation, and develops the spirit of national loyalty and a culture of peace and tolerance.

Hammoudi called for ensuring the right of access to information, strengthening the protection of journalists, and deterring violations, expressing his hope that the press platforms will adopt a responsible role in performing their mission professionally that serves the supreme interests of the country, far from anything that provokes discord or breaks down the unity of the people, and harms social peace.

butterfly  Step by step they are making changes and hope that they continue making those steps.........

Dave   butterfly yeah thought they started construction at the port of Faw over 1 yr ago....baby steps......

butterfly OH boy this is not good news..............................

The arrival of the first flight to evacuate the Iraqis stranded in India

Monday 03, May 2021 22:06........................ The first flight to evacuate Iraqis stranded in India arrived at Baghdad International Airport this evening.

butterfly   Kuwait prevents its citizens who are not immunized with the Corona vaccine from traveling

Monday 03, May 2021 20:48...........................Today, Monday, Kuwait issued new decisions regarding the travel of its citizens outside its borders, amid the spread of the emerging "Corona" virus.

According to Al-Qabas newspaper, the Kuwaiti Cabinet decided not to allow the citizens of the country and their companions, first-degree relatives and domestic workers, to travel outside the country, unless they were vaccinated with the Corona virus vaccine, starting on Saturday, May 22, while continuing to prevent entry to the country For non-Kuwaitis.

The Council of Ministers excluded age groups not subject to vaccination from the decision. The decision indicated that the excluded groups are diplomatic missions and diplomats, government medical personnel, civil medical personnel (according to the statements approved by the Ministry of Health), first-degree relatives of these groups and their companions from domestic workers. / End 3

The General Administration of Civil Aviation in Kuwait announced, in last February, that non-Kuwaiti travelers were prevented from entering the country as part of the state’s efforts to combat the outbreak of the "Covid 19" disease.

 Zig   If you access this chat via https://my.cbox.ws/ZIGPLACE   You can make the box much bigger by clicking this link  ZIGPLACE - Cbox

Zig’s Place Chat and News Monday AM 5-3-21

Zig’s Place Chat and News Monday AM 5-3-21

Zig:  Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here

Butterfly  Corona and US Treasury bonds give gold a boost 05/03/2021

{Economic: The Euphrates News} Gold prices rose today, Monday, as they support the demand for the metal thanks to the decline in US Treasury bond yields and concerns about the increasing cases of Covid-19 in some countries.

Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe click here

By 04:18 GMT, spot gold gained 0.3 percent, to record $ 1773.90 an ounce. Trading volume in Asia was low due to a holiday in China and Japan. US gold futures rose 0.4 percent to $ 1773.90 an ounce.

"The pandemic situation in Japan and India remains a major concern among participants in market operations, and thus this is leading to an increase in demand for safe haven assets such as gold," said Margaret Yang, analyst at DailyFX, adding that the decline in US Treasury yields has advanced. More support.

The yield on the US benchmark 10-year bonds fell, after hitting their highest levels in nearly two weeks last week. Lower bond yields reduce the opportunity cost of holding no-return gold.

As for other precious metals, palladium rose 0.6 percent to $ 2,953.19 an ounce after hitting an all-time high of $ 3,007.73 an ounce on Friday due to supply concerns.

Silver increased 0.3 percent to $ 25.97 an ounce. Platinum rose 0.5 percent to $ 1,204.63.

butterfly   Minister of Planning: Using international companies to address the problems of implementing mega projects

05/03/2021   {Economical: Al Furat News} The Minister of Planning, Khaled Battal Al-Najm, discussed today, Monday, with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Iraq, Salem Al-Zaabi, bilateral relations between the two countries in various fields and ways to develop them.

Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here

The Minister of Planning confirmed during the meeting, according to a statement of the ministry, which the Al-Furat News Agency received a copy of, that "the ministry is moving towards seeking the help of specialized international consulting companies to take advantage of them in developing the appropriate mechanisms for contracting and addressing all the problems facing the implementation of mega projects, whose cost amounts to 500 million dollars or more. ".

He stated that "the United Arab Emirates has good experience in this field, as evidenced by the developmental renaissance and great scientific development this country is witnessing," noting at the same time that "the possibility of benefiting from the UAE's experience in achieving electronic government."

butterfly  Sallyport wins $240m Iraq Contract 3rd May 2021 US-based Sallyport Global Holdings, part of the Caliburn International group, has been awarded a not-to-exceed $240,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitized contract action to provide base operations support, base life support, and security services in the support of the Iraq F-16 program.

Work will be performed on Balad Air Base, Iraq, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 30, 2022.

This contract is the result of a sole-source acquisition and involves Foreign Military Sales to Iraq.

Foreign Military Sales funds and foreign military funds in the amount of $117,600,000 are being obligated at the time of the award.

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8630-21-C-6005).   (Source: US Dept of Defense)

butterfly  Market Review: "On the Economics of Coiled springs, Crouching Tigers, and Chicken Lickens" 3rd May 2021 The market, as measured by the Rabee Securities RSISX USD Index, continued its string of gains for the third month in a row, ending up 6.6% in April, and 24.4% for the year.

The same positive trends - i.e., increased daily turnover, foreign and local buying ­- that drove the rally year-to-date continued into early April in which the market was up about 10.5% from the end of the prior month.

However, the market couldn't sustain these gains and profit taking eroded them as prices declined somewhat on lower turnover suggesting that the market is in the process of consolidating the recent gains (chart below).

butterfly   Supporting the market's consolidation thesis are recent economic data which suggest that conditions are in place for a solid rebound in the Iraqi economy from the depressed levels in 2020 along the lines articulated by Andy Haldane, the Bank of England's chief economist, as "the economics of coiled springs, and crouching tigers, and 'Chicken Lickens" in expecting a "rapid-fire recovery" for the UK economy as it emerges from last year's depressed levels.

Iraq's extreme leverage to oil prices created the conditions for a perfect storm in 2020 as the double whammy of the crash in oil prices and the COVID-19 lockdowns crushed its economy with the IMF forecasting, as recently as December, that Iraq's real GDP would shrink by 11% year-over-year in 2020. With the reversal of these same forces in 2021, the same extreme leverage to oil prices would create the conditions for a strong economic rebound from these extreme low levels.

The "coiled spring" that would kickstart the economic rebound is the meaningful increase in government spending in 2021, following the delayed passage of the 2021 budget at the end of March. The oversized role of the government's expenditures in the economy with the government as the largest formal employer and driver of non-oil economy, results in an efficient and direct transmission mechanism of oil revenues into the real economy.

The government's projected spending on the public sector wage bill (salaries and pensions) is projected to grow by about 18% in 2021 over 2020's bill and would represent a 7% stimulus to 2020's IMF estimated non-oil GDP.

This increased spending would provide a boost to consumer confidence following a difficult year in which this spending was in doubt as the government struggled to pay the public sector wage bill on time given the fiscal crisis that strained its finances. Government spending on goods and services is likely to rebound significantly in 2021 and could add about another 7% stimulus to the non-oil economy.

butterfly  The government's investment spending will see a much larger rebound, from an extremely low base, representing an additional 11% stimulus to the non-oil economy. Given the government's historically very low execution rates in investment spending and its capacity constraints, it will be its current spending, in the form of the public sector payroll and spending on goods and services, that will kickstart the country's economic rebound which could be much higher than the IMF's projected 5.0% real growth in non-oil GDP in 2021.

This increased spending is likely to magnify the effect of the current "coiled spring" in the form of the expanded monetary base, or M0, which has accelerated in the first three months of 2021, aided by a rebound in oil revenues (charts below). This comes on top of sizeable liquidity injections in 2020:

The first was the adoption of an accommodative monetary policy by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) to counter the effects of the pandemic-induced disruptions to the economy; while the second was a result of the indirect monetary financing provided by the CBI to the government to cover its revenue shortfalls.

This expansion in the monetary base, is especially relevant to economic activity given the dominance of cash in the economy in which over 90% of the currency in circulation is outside of the banking system.

butterfly   (Source: Central Bank of Iraq, Ministry of Oil, Asia Frontier Capital Research, data as of March 30th)

Latent consumer spending could be like a "crouching tiger" given the increased pickup in economic activity that has returned to levels meaningfully above those that prevailed just before the nationwide lockdown in March of last year, as seen from Google's mobility data (below chart). In particular, activity in the crucial sectors of retail and grocery has recovered up to 40-100% above the levels that prevailed pre-lockdown. The onset of the fasting month of Ramdan in mid-April, has somewhat curtailed activity but has not altered the trajectory of recovery

butterfly   Source: Google, data as of April 25th)  While Google's mobility data provides a picture of economic activity and not transactions, yet some clues on economic transactions can be glimpsed from the volumes for USD-Iraqi Dinar (IQD) transactions (chart below) as conducted by the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) in its weekly USD sales (transfers to facilitate foreign trade transactions as indicated by green bars and to satisfy the need for physical USD for Iraqi's travelling abroad as indicated by the red bars. USD transaction volumes converted to IQD to put the local demand for USD post-devaluation in context).

butterfly  Demand for USD in the CBI's transactions is a reasonable proxy for consumer demand given the country's high dependence on imports to satisfy domestic consumption of goods and services. This demand dropped significantly following the 23% devaluation of the IQD versus the USD in late December.

Though, after a prolonged period of adjustment demand has picked up significantly in the weeks following the passage of the budget in late March. However, a verdict on a resumption of consumer spending is somewhat complicated in this instance given the usual increase in demand associated with Ramadan.

 Moreover, a few weeks of USD demand data are not enough to reach any conclusions on whether domestic consumption, and hence demand for exports, have fully recovered or not. Nevertheless, this increased demand for the USD in combination with the mobility data makes for a compelling picture of potential consumer spending as a "crouching tiger".

Finally, completing the "the economics of coiled springs, and crouching tigers, and Chicken Lickens" is the "worst-case" prognosis made for Iraq in the wake of the carnage brought about by COVID-19 in early 2020, which just like the chicken in the folktale "Chicken Lickens", feared that the sky was falling.

As argued here in "Not as Bad as Feared, but Still Pricing It" that: "As May drew to a close the "worst-case" prognosis for Iraq in the wake of the carnage brought about by COVID-19 turned out to not be as bad as originally feared - not by a wide margin. But its equity market is still discounting the worst of possible outcomes, notwithstanding a strong close for the month with the market, as measured Rabee Securities RSISX USD Index (RSISUSD), up 10.7%."

butterfly   While the market, as measured by the Rabee Securities RSISX USD Index, up 24.4% for the year as of the end of April is no longer discounting the worst of possible outcomes, but with the index still down over 60% from its 2014 high, it's clear that the market is yet to discount any meaningful economic recovery.

The positives of the current indicators pointing to a significant economic rebound notwithstanding, the outlook for Iraq is still fraught with uncertainties. For starters, the improved outlook for the world economy is highly dependent on the sustained pace of current vaccinations and the evolution of the pandemic, yet this rebound will only take the world economy back to its pre-COVID-19 trendline.

Moreover, even if the world economic rebound is not derailed, the current firm oil prices and the supply-demand balance for oil, are highly dependent on the continued adherence of OPEC+ to the significant oil production cuts agreed in April 2020.

butterfly  Mr Tabaqchali (@AMTabaqchali) is the CIO of the AFC Iraq Fund, and is an experienced capital markets professional with over 25 years' experience in US and MENA markets. He is a non-resident Fellow at the Institute of Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani (AUIS), and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at AUIS. He is a board member of the Credit Bank of Iraq.

His comments, opinions and analyses are personal views and are intended to be for informational purposes and general interest only and should not be construed as individual investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any fund or security or to adopt any investment strategy.

It does not constitute legal or tax or investment advice. The information provided in this material is compiled from sources that are believed to be reliable, but no guarantee is made of its correctness, is rendered as at publication date and may change without notice and it is not intended as a complete analysis of every material fact regarding Iraq, the region, market or investment.

Butterfly   Here is the full report: https://www.iraq-businessnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Market-review-IBN-2021-05.pdf

butterfly  2021-05-03 04:58  Shafaq News / the Central Bank of Iraq on Monday, announced an increase in the foreign currency exchange.

Shafaq News Agency correspondent said that the foreign currency auction of the Central Bank of Iraq recorded a 9.88 % increase to 178,947,783 dollars which the bank covered at an exchange rate of 1460 dinars per dollar.

He added that the sales operations were in the form of wire transfer (149,447,783 $) and credits (91,500,000$).

Last December, Iraq’s central bank increased the sale price of U.S. dollars to banks and currency exchanges to 1,460 dinars, from 1,182 dinars, seeking to compensate for a decline in oil revenue due to low crude prices.

The central bank of Iraq said the key reason behind the dinar’s devaluation was to close the gap of widened 2021 budget inflation after a collapse in global oil prices, a major source of Iraq’s financial resources.

butterfly  2021-05-03 03:30  Shafaq News / The dollar exchange rates climbed slightly in the Iraqi market today, Monday (May 3, 2021).

• The Kifah Stock Exchange recorded 148,100 dinars, for $ 100.

• The Al-Harthiya Stock Exchange recorded 148,100 dinars for 100 dollars.

In Baghdad   Selling prices in the banking stores in the local markets

•Sale price: 148,500 dinars for $ 100  • Purchase price: 147,500 dinars for $ 100

In Erbil   Selling prices in the banking stores in the local markets

•Sale price: 148,200 dinars for $ 100   • Purchase price: 148,000 dinars for $ 100

butterfly  2021-05-03 02:31   Gold prices rose on Monday as a retreat in U.S. Treasury yields and worries over surging COVID-19 cases in some countries boosted the metal's appeal, while palladium held firm after surpassing the $3,000-per-ounce level in the previous session.

Spot gold XAU= was up 0.3% at $1,773.03 per ounce by 0602 GMT. Trading in Asian hours was low due to public holidays in China and Japan. U.S. gold futures GCv1 rose 0.3% to $1,773.30 per ounce.

"The pandemic situation in Japan and India remains a key concern among market participants, so that's driving up the demand for safe-haven assets, including gold," said Margaret Yang, a strategist at DailyFX, adding that retreating U.S. Treasury yields lent further support.

Benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yields US10YT=RR retreated after hitting their highest in nearly two weeks last week. Lower bond yields reduce the opportunity cost of holding non-interest bearing gold.

India on Monday reported more than 300,000 new coronavirus cases for a twelfth straight day, taking its overall caseload to just shy of 20 million. dollar index .DXY , meanwhile, hovered close to its highest level in nearly two weeks hit earlier in the day against its rivals. USD/

Investors now look forward to a raft of U.S. economic data this week, including the ISM manufacturing survey and April payroll numbers, for further clues about recovery in the world's largest economy.

On the technical front, "gold has resistance at $1,790 an ounce, followed by a double top and the 100-day moving average in the $1,800 an ounce area. Support is nearby between $1,755 and $1,760 an ounce," OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley said in a note.

Elsewhere, auto-catalyst metal palladium XPD= rose 0.7% to $2,953.43 per ounce, after hitting an all-time high of $3,007.73 per ounce on Friday over supply concerns.

Silver XAG= was steady at $25.90 per ounce. Platinum XPT= rose 0.1% to $1,199.63.  Source: Reuters

butterfly   2021-05-03 00:53  Shafaq News/ Oil prices fell on Monday as a catastrophic second wave of a coronavirus epidemic in India cut short a recovery in oil demand there, offsetting optimism about a strong rebound in demand in developed countries and China in the second half of the year.

Brent crude futures for July fell 0.26%, to $66.50 a barrel by 0524 GMT while U.S. West Texas Intermediate for June was at $63.30 a barrel, down 0.28%.

State-level restrictions aimed at stemming infections in India have caused fuel sales in the world's third largest consumer to drop in April, preliminary data shows.

"Overall fuel demand is down by about 7% from pre-COVID level of April 2019," A.K. Singh, head of marketing at refiner Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL.NS) said, adding that India's demand was close to pre-COVID levels in March.

Analysts are expecting India's demand for transportation fuels to witness a sharper slump in May due to more restrictions.

"Given that it still appears as though COVID-19 in India has not peaked, we expect to see further downside to fuel demand over May," ING analysts said in a note.

On Sunday, a leading Indian industry body urged authorities to curtail economic activity, as healthcare system has been overwhelmed by the spiralling infections.

Globally, however, the roll out of vaccination campaigns is expected to lift oil demand, especially during peak travel season in the third quarter, prompting analysts to increase their forecasts for Brent prices for a fifth straight month, a Reuters poll showed.

The survey of 49 participants forecast that Brent would average $64.17 a barrel in 2021, up from last month's consensus of $63.12 and the $62.30 average for the benchmark so far this year.

butterfly  On the supply side, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries pumped 25.17 million bpd in April, up 100,000 barrels from March, as Iran and other producers increased output. OPEC's production has risen every month since June 2020 with the exception of February.

Iran and the United States are in talks to revive a nuclear deal which could lead to a lifting of U.S. sanctions that would allow Iran to ramp up oil exports.

Washington on Sunday denied a report by Iran's state television that the arch-foes had reached a prisoner swap deal in exchange for the release of $7 billion of Iranian oil earnings frozen by U.S. sanctions in other countries.

In the United States, energy firms added oil and natural gas rigs last week, leading to a ninth straight monthly rig count increase, as a recovery in prices lured some drillers back to the wellpad, according to Baker Hughes.

However, U.S. crude oil production dropped by over a million barrels per day in February, to the lowest levels since October, 2017, according to a monthly government report on Friday.

Source: Reuters, Oil prices updated by Shafaq News Agency

butterfly  2021-05-03 07:48   Shafaq News/ A source in the Independent High Electoral Commission office in al-Muthanna said that candidates running to the forthcoming legislative elections in the governorate amounted to 82, 15 percent below the previous electoral cycle.

The source told Shafaq News Agency that 82 candidates, only 19 of whom are women, are contesting for seven seats in the governorate.

"However, this slate is intentative since the committee in Baghdad did not ratify it until the moment," the source added.

"The candidates' count in the governorate in the previous elections ranged between 100 and 150. Compared to the upcoming elections' estimates, the candidature percentage dropped by 15 percent."

Yesterday Sunday, a press statement of the Independent High Electoral Commission said that the total count of candidates contesting for the 329 seats in the Iraqi Parliament amounted to 3500.

The candidates will share the votes of 25,139,375 citizens eligible for voting by October 10.

butterfly   2021-05-03 06:12   Shafaq News / Iraqi Airways evacuated on Monday more than 400 Iraqis stuck in India due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hussein Jalil, a spokesman for Iraqi Airways said in an interview that the Boeing 747 was examined, and sterilized before the flight, and will follow the same procedure upon its arrival at Baghdad International Airport.

According to Jalil, The arrivals will be tested for Covid-9 and be quarantined for 14 days.

Other evacuation trips will be taken place to evacuate the rest, He added.

Earlier, Iraq’s ambassador to India, Falah Abdul-Hassan Al-Saadi confirmed that the Iraqi side is making any needed arrangements to secure the return of Iraqis from India.

"So far, 550 Iraqis want to return, six Iraqis have died due to the new Coronavirus complications, but the Indian authorities refuse to transfer their bodies."

Al-Saadi pointed out that "the health situation in India is very bad and difficult, which prompted the Indian authorities to call all other countries to provide assistance…some countries have begun to respond, including the United States, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and Kuwait."

The Iraqi diplomat sent a message via Shafaq News Agency to the Iraqi community in India, “We are standing by you…, within 48 hours, you will be in Iraq, and all we need for now is to be patient to complete the preparations to be received.”

He pointed out that "there are five personnel among the Iraqi Mission team in India, one of them is in a very critical condition, his blood oxygen levels is between 66 and 70%, and the Mission was unable to find a bed in hospitals.

Iraq has so far confirmed 1,074,930 virus infections, including 15,536 deaths.

butterfly   2021-05-03 04:43  Shafaq News / The British ambassador to Iraq, Stephen Hickey, confirmed on Monday that firing rockets at Baghdad airport threatens the lives of Iraqis.

Hickey said on Twitter in Arabic, “launching rockets at Baghdad civil airport threatens the lives of Iraqis, increases their (Iraqis) poverty by obstructing foreign investment and tourism, harms Iraq's international prestige, and makes it more difficult for Iraqis to travel abroad.”

“The Iraqis deserve better than that." He concluded.

a rocket attack has been thwarted on Sunday at the military headquarters of the US forces at the Baghdad Airport, which has been a frequent target of multiple strikes since 2019.

Yesterday evening, a source told Shafaq News Agency that multiple Katyusha rockets landed in the vicinity of the US base in Baghdad Airport.

He added that the US forces activated the C-RAM defense system, which repelled one of the rockets heading towards the base.

Butterfly   2021-05-03 07:57  Shafaq News/ The President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani, hosted on Monday the Speaker of the Iraqi Parliament, Muhammad al-Halboosi, in his headquarters in the capital of the Kurdistan Region, Erbil.

Barzani tweeted, "Productive meeting today at the Barzani HQ with the Speaker of the Council of Representatives, Muhammad al-Halboosi."

"We discussed the latest developments in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, including the upcoming elections," he added.

The Iraqi Parliament Speaker embarked today, Monday, on an official visit to the capital of Kurdistan.

A source revealed that al-Halboosi will hold meetings with the President and the Prime Minister of the Region.

butterfly  2021-05-03 07:06  Shafaq News / the Metro Center for the Protection of Journalists' Rights, on Monday revealed violence against journalists and media workers in Kurdistan in the year of 2021.

The statistics were announced in a press conference in Erbil by the director of the Center Diyari Muhammad.

The center’ report on press and media freedom in Kurdistan for the first four months of year 2021 recorded 47 cases of violations against 36 journalists.

Among these cases are banning press coverage, arresting without a warrant and threating and insulting.

In a previous report, Metro said that failing to implement laws that protect journalists has led to the increasing in violations against them, in addition to the economic crisis, the Corona virus pandemic, and the problems among political forces.

Sheila @butterfly great postings... taking some time to read thru... it will show up on dinarrecaps.com very soon. lol

Butterfly  sheila more to come. Yes recaps only posts the articles and not the other stuff not relating to the dinar. I found it very easy to read over there also.

butterfly   2021-05-03 01:45  Shafaq News/ Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi di Maio, today received the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Iraq, Fuad Hussein, at the Farnesina.

A statement by the Italian Foreign Ministry said the “Minister Di Maio, first of all, renewed his condolences for the tragic fire at the Ibn Al-Khatib hospital in Baghdad. The head of the Farnesina then renewed the ongoing Italian commitment to support the institutions and the Iraqi people in view of a full stabilization of the country, which is crucial for the entire region.”

Di Maio praised Italy's contribution, within the framework of the anti-ISIS Coalition and the NATO mission, and condemned the recent rocket launch at Erbil airport.

He reiterated the importance of bilateral cooperation, recalling the presence of Italian companies in the country and the Italian commitment to cultural matters and through development cooperation, of which Iraq is a priority country.

Finally, the two ministers reviewed some of the main themes of regional interest, starting with Iran.

For his part, Hussein handed the Italian Prime Minister an official invitation to visit Iraq.

Sheila   butterfly you are sweet to do all these postings

butterfly   sheila a lot of reading lol

Sheila  butterfly enjoy reading. and read for comprehension and conception.

Zig   https://dinarrecaps.com/our-blog/zigs-place-chat-and-news-sunday-pm-5-2-21

butterfly   2021-05-03 00:35  Shafaq News/ On the World Press Freedom Day, the United States seeks accountability for all crimes against journalists and media workers.

"Tomorrow, the United States joins the international community in celebrating World Press Freedom Day. Information and knowledge are powerful tools, and a free and independent press is the core institution connecting publics to the information they need to advocate for themselves, make informed decisions, and hold governmental officials accountable." US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Stressing that the US advocates for press freedom online and offline and for the safety of journalists and media workers worldwide, Blinken also mentioned the implementation of the 'Khashoggi Ban' - in wake of the murder of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi - to help deter threatening behavior against media.

Citing the Committee to Protect Journalists report in 2020, the top US diplomat further said that Mexico and Afghanistan had seen the largest number of journalists killed in retaliation for their reporting, while China, Turkey and Egypt imprisoned the most reporters last year.

"Unfortunately, the pandemic has provided a pretext for repressive governments to intensify pressure on independent media. It is exactly in that kind of hostile environment that the exercise of freedom of expression, especially by members of the press, becomes even more crucial in alerting the public to abuses and corruption and in countering dangerous misinformation and disinformation. We call on all governments to ensure media safety and protect journalists' ability to do their jobs without fear of violence, threats, or unjust detention," he said.

butterfly  Blinken further expressed concern with the governments' increased efforts to deprive the the public of information and knowledge by controlling Internet access and censoring content, including through the widespread use of network restrictions - some as long as 18 months - that make it impossible for journalists to conduct independent reporting.

He noted that the governments must not shut down, block, throttle, censor, or filter services, as these actions undermine and unduly restrict the rights of peaceful assembly and freedoms of association and expression, disrupt access to essential services, and negatively impact the economy.

"The United States condemns the use of partial or complete government-imposed Internet shutdowns, among other tactics, to prevent the exercise of freedom of expression online and restrict the ability of independent journalists to serve the public. We urge governments to investigate and seek accountability for all crimes against journalists and media workers," he remarked.

"The United States is committed to working in partnership with members of the media, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and other concerned governments to support access to information and defend freedom of expression and the brave journalists who face intimidation, harassment, arrest, and violence in exercising their rights," Blinken added.

butterfly   2021-05-02 10:23   Shafaq News / Iran will free prisoners with Western ties in Iran in exchange for billions of dollars from the United States and the United Kingdom, state television reported Sunday. The U.S. immediately denied the report, while the U.K. did not respond, the Washington Post reported.

The state TV report quoted an anonymous official just as Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei began giving what authorities earlier described as an “important” speech. However, Khamenei did not immediately discuss any proposed swap amid negotiations in Vienna over Tehran’s tattered nuclear deal with world powers.

The official quoted by Iranian state TV said a deal made between the U.S. and Tehran involved a prisoner swap in exchange for the release of $7 billion in frozen Iranian funds.

“The Americans accepted to pay $7 billion and swap four Iranians who were active in bypassing sanctions for four American spies who have served part of their sentences,” state TV said, quoting the official in an on-screen crawl.

U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price immediately denied the Iranian state TV report.

“Reports that a prisoner swap deal has been reached are not true,” Price said. “As we have said, we always raise the cases of Americans detained or missing in Iran. We will not stop until we are able to reunite them with their families.”

Price did not elaborate.

Tehran holds four known Americans now in prison. They include Baquer and Siamak Namazi, environmentalist Morad Tahbaz and Iranian-American businessman Emad Shargi. The state TV report did not immediately name the Iranians that Tehran hoped to get the in swap.

State TV also quoted the official as saying a deal had been reached for the United Kingdom to pay 400 million pounds to see the release of British-Iranian woman Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. The office of Prime Minister Boris Johnson referred calls to the Foreign Office, which could not be immediately reached.

 Zig   If you access this chat via https://my.cbox.ws/ZIGPLACE   You can make the box much bigger by clicking this link  ZIGPLACE - Cbox

Zig’s Place Chat and News Sunday PM 5-2-21

Zig’s Place Chat and News Sunday PM 5-2-21

Zig:  Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here

butterfly Iraqi Dinar/US Dollar auction results 5-2-2021

United States DollarThe results of the foreign currency sale window on Sunday 5/2/2021, and executed today

Sale date – Sunday 5/2/2021 and executed today  the details  Amount

Total sale for purposes of enhancing funds abroad (transfers, credits)  140,693,297

Total cash sale  21,600,000  Total sales  162,293,297

Note that:

The sale price of the sums transferred to bank accounts abroad is ( 1460 ) dinars per dollar.

The cash sale price is ( 1460 ) dinars per dollar.   cbi.iq/currency_auction/view/1020

butterfly After the attack in Kirkuk, the region calls on the international coalition to stay in Iraq

05/01/2021 11:02:06  After the attack in Kirkuk the region calls on the international coalition to stay in IraqThe President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, called on Saturday the international coalition to stay in Iraq, against the backdrop of the attack by ISIS elements in Kirkuk last night, which killed seven Peshmerga associates.

Barzani said in a statement that the Euphrates News Agency received a copy of today, “It is with great regret that a group of heroes of the Peshmerga forces were martyred last night and others were wounded after ISIS terrorists launched terrorist attacks on the heroes’ Peshmerga sites in the Bardi-Altun Bridge. Ourselves first and the families of the martyrs, we ask God Almighty to bless our wounded with a speedy recovery.

He explained, “We have always emphasized that ISIS continues to pose a real threat and danger in many areas of Iraq, especially in the Kurdish regions outside the administration of the regional government, taking advantage of the security vacuum in the administrative borders of these areas, and therefore we reiterate the importance of activating joint security cooperation between The Iraqi army and Peshmerga forces are there. ”

He stressed, “Here we see that it is important for the international coalition to continue training and assisting the Peshmerga forces and the Iraqi army. We also stress the need for it to remain in Iraq to confront ISIS and end the continuing terrorist threats to the Kurdistan region and Iraq in general.”

Last night, during the dawn period, ISIS members launched an attack on the bridge axis in Al-Debs district in Kirkuk governorate.

Peshmerga forces clashed with the terrorist elements in an attempt to repel the attack, “noting that” the attack resulted in the death of 7 Peshmerga members, and the wounding of two others. ”  alforatnews.com

butterfly   The Iraqi Drilling Company signs a contract for oil support services with an international company

Sunday 02, May 2021 18:10 The Iraqi Drilling Company signed today, Sunday, a contract for oil support services with Halliburton International Oil Company, within the project of drilling 43 oil wells in the Majnoon oil field.

The company’s media said in a statement, "The main contract has been concluded with the Basra Oil Company in a turnkey manner. The contract will be executed by three devices from the fleet of the Iraqi Drilling Company."

butterfly   The Basra government is discussing with the Dutch ambassador investment, agriculture and gas

Sunday 02, May 2021 18:45 The First Deputy Governor of Basra, Muhammad Taher Al-Tamimi, discussed with the new Dutch ambassador to Iraq, Michael Rentinar, a number of files related to oil and gas, agriculture and investment in the province.

Al-Tamimi stressed during the meeting, according to a statement by his media office, the importance of expanding joint cooperation between the two sides in the economic, investment and agricultural fields, and benefiting from Dutch experiences in developing the agricultural sector through the exploitation of groundwater in Safwan, Umm Qasr and Zubair, given that the Netherlands is the second largest source of products. Agricultural world.

The deputy governor of Basra stated that "the local government will support all Dutch companies wishing to invest in the field of gas, and will be the first to support them in terms of security and logistics." / is over

butterfly   Oil issues an explanation of its activities and a roadmap for energy investment in Iraq

Sunday 02, May 2021 20:29 The Ministry of Oil issued, on Sunday, a clarification on its activities and a roadmap for energy investment in Iraq.

"The Ministry of Oil is surprised by the random and imprecise statements made by some individuals or those affiliated with the parties or the political class about issues, events and activities that concern the oil sector, which lack the simplest technical information related to this sector, and it reveals a lack of serious follow-up," the ministry's media said in a statement.

For these people because of the information and news published by the Ministry of Oil, the media, the press, websites and satellite channels, which can be viewed and reviewed on the websites of various media outlets or the website of the Ministry of Oil.

He added, "While the ministry respects freedom of opinion and sober statements, it calls on all concerned parties and the media interested in the oil issue to show responsibility and professionalism and to exercise accuracy and caution before making statements or publishing them, without having the necessary information, because otherwise, it would be damaging." Intentionally in the public interest. "

He continued, "The Ministry of Oil does not bear the responsibility for publishing inaccurate news or information by some" affiliated "journalists or media outlets.

He pointed to some features of the road map for energy investment in Iraq, which includes, according to the text of the statement:

butterfly   - The success of the Ministry of Oil in achieving an investment of 1,500 miters of national gas production.

- The Ministry of Oil has begun implementing promising projects to raise the production capacity of gas to (4000) Moqmuq per day.

- The ministry is implementing three promising projects to invest associated gas in the governorates of Basra, Maysan and Dhi Qar, adding more than (1000) Moqmqs per day to national production.

- Despite the circumstances and challenges ... the Ministry of Oil succeeded in referring the Al-Mansuriyah gas contract in Diyala governorate to the global Chinese "Sinopec" for the investment of free gas, with a capacity of (300) submitters per day.

- Iraq has started implementing solar energy investment projects to supplement the national production of electric energy by implementing contracts with international companies to generate (10,000) megawatts before 2025.

butterfly   - Initiate solar energy investment contracts by awarding a power generation contract (750) megawatt of electricity by investing solar energy, and adding it To produce the national system.

- Work to stop the burning of the electric power generation system of 250 thousand barrels of black and crude oil per day, and to replace dry gas fuel in its place.

- The Ministry of Oil is making exceptional efforts to accelerate the conversion of fuel for operating electric power stations to the use of local or imported dry gas fuel, with the aim of increasing production efficiency, increasing the generating capacity of electric power stations, and reducing environmental impacts.

- Enhancing the use of dry gas fuels instead of burning crude and black oil in generating electric power, in order to achieve financial returns that support the budget and strengthen the national economy

butterfly   A deputy accuses the Investment Authority of granting lands to people for free

Sunday 02, May 2021 21:03 | Member of the Parliamentary Economic and Investment Committee, Representative Riad Al-Tamimi, accused, on Sunday, the Investment Commission of granting "lands" to people for free.

Al-Tamimi said in a statement that: The previous and current administrations of the National Investment Commission granted lands worth more than (100 billion dollars) to people free of charge in violation of all laws and the constitution, in the name of investment stipulated in Article 9 / Six / 1 of the Investment Law No. (13) for the year 2006 amending work to facilitate the acquisition of real estate for the establishment of projects in the form determined by the Commission in coordination with the relevant authorities. ”

He indicated that“ this matter was done with an allowance for housing projects that fall within the basic design, and these deals are a dangerous indication of the looting and the domination of assets The state

Al-Tamimi called on the prime minister to "implement the provisions of the law in retrieving these lands granted in contravention of the text of the law, or to apply the text to receive the full replacement of the land and to stop any new grant."

He continued, "We will proceed with our parliamentary and judicial procedures and pursue, carry out and guarantee all the sums that were wasted from the date of the amendment and up to now on all employees and officials who had previously been alerted and did not comply."

Butterfly  Parliamentary Integrity calls for the inclusion of the questioning of the Minister of Finance in the next session

Sunday 02, May 2021 16:50 The Parliamentary Integrity Committee demanded the Presidency of the House of Representatives to include the questioning of the Minister of Finance in the next session.

Butterfly   Asaad Al-Eidani announces a new alliance in Basra in the name of / design /

Sunday 02, May 2021 21:11 Governor of Basra, Asaad Al-Eidani, announced a new alliance under the name of "Tasmeem". Al-Eidani said, "A new alliance will take place for the first time in Basra in the name of" determination "

under our leadership, and in alliance with MP Amer Al-Fayez," which includes youth figures in all regions, including in Baghdad and other governorates, with visual leadership.

He indicated that there are understandings with some personalities, including Dr. Ali Al-Shukry, and others in the provinces that may be joined to the coalition, which will announce its electoral program soon.

Butterfly   Security media confirms that a missile fell near Baghdad International Airport and another was destroyed in the air

Sunday 02, May 2The Security Media Cell confirmed that a Katyusha missile had landed near Baghdad International Airport.  He added in a statement that the competent security forces managed to destroy another missile in the air before it also landed near the airport, without any losses.021 22:03

PeteV    info fm other chat: 🚨BREAKING - At least 2 rockets (Confirmed) hit the Baghdad international airport, Camp Victory, part of the airport hosts US troops.

PeteV   more info: Vietnam is warning everyone to stop buying their currency today thats means RV close

Sheila  PeteV that's encouraging

Sheila   Use your own discernment: Nicks Intel Update & Podbean #2, May 2, 2021: https://nicksintel.wordpress.com/2021/05/02/05-02-2021-update-2/  -- and -- https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-bguqn-102603f

All our military intel contact has said today Sun 2 May is that there was a release at 2:09 pm EST for the RV teams to start locking down rates and procedures for the shotgun start & T4B start some time in the next 24+ hours after reviews & audits in the RV team meetings tomorrow Mon 3 May; he recommended prayers keep going up that nothing slows it down as his info is that This blessing is about to ERUPT in 209 countries and all are excited behind the scenes.

Sheila   A little music while we wait: Tonight's the Night by Rod Stewart -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZr6AE-u2UM

Zig If you access this chat via https://my.cbox.ws/ZIGPLACE You can make the box much bigger by clicking this link ZIGPLACE - Cbox

Zig’s Place Chat and News Sunday AM 5-2-21

Zig’s Place Chat and News Sunday AM 5-2-21

Zig:  Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here

butterfly  Iraq is giving SS to their citizens, well now ain't that something....sovereign.....

Representative Work: We are committed to approving the workers' retirement and social security law

Saturday 01, May 2021 15:32 The Parliamentary Committee on Labor, Social Affairs, Immigration and Immigration affirmed its commitment to complete the approval of the retirement and social security law for workers in order to guarantee their legal rights.

In a press release, the committee urged the government to take into account the living conditions of workers and support them, and to put in mind the segment of workers in its decisions because they are an important segment in society and by their efforts the country is built, and it also called on all trade unions and trade union organizations to exercise their work seriously to protect workers' rights and defend them.

butterfly  During his visit to the Karbala refinery .. Minister of Oil: The project represents a significant addition and a higher value to the refining sector

Sunday 02, May 2021 09:24 Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar Ismail stressed the importance of expediting the completion of the Karbala oil refinery project, despite the health conditions and challenges facing Iraq and the countries of the world.

He said during his visit to the Karbala oil refinery, according to a statement by the ministry: “The refinery represents a supreme value and an important addition to the refining sector in Iraq in terms of quality and quality, because it will contribute to covering more than 90% of the local need for oil derivatives after the completion and operation of a number of other projects. In the liquidation sector that the ministry is carrying out in this context, in addition to this project. "

The Minister of Oil indicated that he had instructed the refinery administration to speed up the completion of the technical measures required to supply the electrical power system to the province with a generative capacity of 200 megawatts this summer.

Ismail revealed the completion of the production units of the refinery, which include (35) operational and service units, including four gasoline production units.

butterfly  Iraqi-Iranian talks in Tehran regarding the gas exports agreement

Sunday 02, May 2021 09:39 Discussions took place in Tehran between Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangana and Iraqi Electricity Minister Majid Mahdi Hantoush to discuss ways for Iraq to pay off the debts owed on it by Iranian gas exports to it.

According to the "IRNA" agency, during the meeting, the Iranian Oil Minister referred to two important agreements to export Iranian gas to Iraq, which were concluded during the past years with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity, and said: "So far, 27 billion cubic meters of Iranian gas have been exported to Iraq."

He stressed that the relations are very strong between the people and the governments of Iran and Iraq, expressing his hope that the visit of the Iraqi Minister of Electricity to Tehran will lead to the development of relations between the two sides and the Iranian oil and Iraqi ministries of electricity, for which good pillars have been established in the past.

butterfly   Zangana said, "Of course, the payment of debts (owed by Iraq) regarding (Iranian) gas exports is facing problems, but we hope that we will be able to reach a solution in this area."

For his part, the Minister of Electricity said during the meeting: "The relations between Iran and Iraq are excellent, and we are striving to develop them day by day."

Hantoush referred to the agreement on gas exports between the two countries to operate the Iraqi power stations, and said: "We seek to find a way to solve the problem of paying the dues and pay the price for gas to Iran. "

Butterfly  Al-Rafidain Bank announces the distribution of salaries for members of the Popular Mobilization Forces

Sunday 02, May 2021 Al-Rafidain Bank announced the distribution of salaries for the employees of the Popular Mobilization Authority after including the increase in it.

The bank said in a statement that the Iraqi National News Agency / NINA / received a copy of it: “The salaries of the Popular Mobilization Forces have been raised, and affiliates can receive their salaries from our network of branches spread in Baghdad and the provinces or private exchange outlets, after sending text messages informing them of the payment of the salary.”

Butterfly  I have always been interested in Iraq since my lifer Marine spent so many years over there. Two more years and he will have put in his 20 yrs.

butterfly  More than five and a half billion dollars in Iraq’s oil revenues in a month

2021-05-02 03:50  More than five and a half billion dollars in Iraqs oil revenues in a monthShafaq News / The Ministry of Oil announced on Sunday the total exports and revenues achieved for the month of April.

According to the preliminary statistics issued by the Iraqi Oil Marketing Company “SOMO”, where the volume of exports of crude oil reached (88) million and (398) thousand and (319) barrels, with revenues of (5) billion and (525) million and (330) one thousand dollars .

The statistics indicated that the total exported quantities of crude oil for the month of April from the oil fields in central and southern Iraq amounted to (85) million and (534) thousand and (916) barrels. As for the Kirkuk fields through the port of Ceyhan, the exported quantities reached two million and ( 863) a thousand and (403) barrels.

The average daily exports reached two million, and (947) thousand barrels, while the average price per barrel was (62,505) dollars.    shafaq.com

Butterfly  Iraq is the seventh richest country in the Arab world and the 105th in the world

2021-05-02 05:43   Iraq is the seventh richest country in the Arab world and the 105th in the worldShafaq News / Iraq ranked seventh in the Arab world, and ranked 105 globally out of 140 countries listed in the list of the richest countries in the world for the year 2021 in terms of per capita share of GDP, according to the American CEO World magazine.

The magazine said in a report seen by Shafaq News: The State of Qatar ranked first as the richest Arab country, while it ranked 10 in the world, as the per capita share of Qatari GDP reached 59,143 thousand dollars, followed by the UAE 26 globally with a share of 35,171 thousand dollars, Kuwait 39 globally with a share of 25,290 thousand dollars and Bahrain 41 in the world, where the per capita share reached Of the GDP, 24,294 thousand dollars,

then Saudi Arabia 43 globally, with a share of 22.7 thousand dollars, and Oman 51 globally, with a share of 16,212 thousand dollars, and Iraq came in seventh and ranked 105 globally, with a share of 4,632 thousand dollars.

Globally, Luxembourg was the richest country in the world in 2021, with a per capita GDP of 131,782 thousand, followed by Switzerland with a share of 94,696 thousand dollars, then Ireland with a share of 94,556 thousand dollars, then Norway with a share of 81,995 thousand, and the United States of America came in fifth place with a per capita share.

With a gross domestic product of 68.309 thousand dollars, while the Ivory Coast state tops the list with 2567 thousand dollars, preceded by the state of Honduras, 2586 thousand dollars.

What is meant by the gross domestic product is the market value of all final goods and services locally in a country, that is, what is produced within the country during a specific period of time, and helps in measuring the standard of living of the individual. Thus, the total income increases, and ultimately the per capita income increases.  shafaq.

butterfly Dollar exchange rate in Iraq for today

05/02/2021 10:10:43  Dollar exchange rate in Iraq for todayThe exchange rates of the dollar against the dinar in Iraq witnessed, today, Sunday, relatively stable, with their price in the previous days.

The exchange rate on the Al-Kifah Stock Exchange in Baghdad was 147,950 dinars against a hundred dollars, while its approximate price in the rest of the exchange was 147,500, and Erbil’s exchange was recorded at 148,200 and Basra recorded 148,000 against 100 dollars.   alforatnews.com

Dave 105th bummer!

butterfly  Iraq Pays another $380m Reparations to Kuwait The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) made available $380 million to the Government of the State of Kuwait towards the Commission's remaining claim with an outstanding award balance.

The United Nations Compensation Commission is a subsidiary organ of the United Nations Security Council. It was established in 1991 in accordance with Security Council resolutions 687 (1991) and 692 (1991) to process claims and pay compensation for losses and damages incurred by individuals, corporations, Governments and international organizations as a direct result of Iraq's invasion and occupation of Kuwait (2 August 1990 to 2 March 1991).

The Commission received approximately 2.7 million claims and concluded its review of all claims in 2005. Approximately$52.4 billion was awarded to over 100 Governments and international organizations for distribution to the successful 1.5 million claims in all claim categories.

Successful claims are paid from the United Nations Compensation Fund which receives a percentage of the proceeds generated by the export sales of Iraqi petroleum and petroleum products. This rate was set at five per cent under Security Council resolution 1483 (2003) and reaffirmed in subsequent resolutions. Pursuant to Governing Council decision 276 adopted in November 2017, the percentage was set at 0.5 per cent for 2018, 1.5 per cent for 2019 and 3 per cent for 2020.

The rate will remain at 3 per cent until such time as the outstanding compensation has been paid in full. Payments are made on a quarterly basis utilizing all available funds in the Compensation Fund under Governing Council decision 267 (2009).

butterfly  With today's payment, the Commission has paid $50.7 billion, leaving approximately $1.7 billion to be paid towards the outstanding claim. This category E claim was submitted by the Government of the State of Kuwait on behalf of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation and awarded $14.7 billion in 2000 for oil production and sales losses as a result of damages to Kuwait's oil field assets. It represents the largest award by the Commission.  (Source: UNCC)

Dave butterfly ...and 5billion/month in oil alone

butterfly Invest in Iraq's Potential -- or Pay for Its Neglect By Sajad Jiyad, for The Century Foundation (TCF). Any opinions expressed here are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Invest in Iraq's Potential -- or Pay for Its Neglect

Iraq is currently teetering on the edge of collapse.

Its economy is struggling, the country is reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Islamic State and paramilitary groups continue to pose security challenges.

Tensions between Iran and the United States play out on Iraqi territory unabated.

Click here to read the full article. https://tcf.org/content/report/invest-iraqs-potential-pay-neglect/?session=1

Dave  could pay the balance off in a couple weeks

butterfly  Iraq's Elections "Unlikely to be Game-Changers" Iraq is due to hold elections in the next 12 months, whether early ones - as protestors have demanded and politicians have agreed to - or regular ones at the end of parliament's term.

Public pressure has led to a reform of the elections law by breaking up Iraq's 18 provinces into 83 electoral districts and bringing in firstpast-the-post voting.

The changes are meant to make elections more competitive and make MPs more representative and accountable. Doubts exist as to whether the existing parties in power will actually see their seat share reduced by the entrance of new parties.

Barriers to entry and competition will make it difficult for new parties to challenge incumbents. Some protestors, disappointed with the pace of reforms, have called for a boycott of elections. Turnout is likely to be low again, supporting the status-quo power distribution.

Questions continue as to when the vote will happen, whether the electoral commission will be ready and can hold proper elections, and the degree of legitimacy they will have. This paper predicts that the upcoming elections will not be game-changers and merely support the extension of the current domination of politics by the established elite.

butterfly   Could only hope Dave 

butterfly 2021-05-02 05:09  Shafaq News/ The Central Bank of Iraq sales of hard currency declined to $162 million today, Sunday.

Shafaq News Agency correspondent reported that CBI sales at the Foreign Exchange Auctions registered a 8.47% decline in its sales to settle at 162,293,297 dollars, compared to 177,231,378 dollars yesterday. The weighed average rate of the dinar to the U.S. dollar amounted to 1460.

Our correspondent explained that 16 banks and 11 exchange companies cashed $21.6 million, while $140,693,297 went to boost funds abroad in the form of transfers and credits, with 30 banks meeting those requests.

butterfly  2021-05-02 02:58  Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Ministry of Oil said that construction of the Karbala oil refinery has reached its final stages, indicating that it will add 200 Megawatts to the governorate's power grid this summer.

The Minister of Oil, Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar, said in a press release today, Sunday, "the refinery represents an additive value to the refining sector in terms of quality and standards. It will cover more than 90 percent of the domestic demand on oil derivatives after operating some other projects the Ministry is implementing within the same framework of this project."

The Minister instructed the administration of the refinery to expedite the required technical procedures to "supplement the power grid of the governorate with a power supply to 200 Megawatts by summer."

Abdul-Jabbar said that the refinery contains 35 production and operation units, including an FCC unit and a Naphtha Polycarbonate unit (90 and 95 Octa), and 44 depots.

The Ministry's undersecretary of Refineries, Hamed Younes, said, "the Minister asserted the need to establish a schedule to train the domestic human power that will operate the technical and producing units," indicating, "more than 90% of the project has been completed."

"The operations will begin in the first quarter of the next year according to the schedule," Younes said.

Sheila  No. 1 Source for Oil & Energy News: https://oilprice.com/

Dave  butterfly The operations will begin in the first quarter of the next year according to the schedule," Younes said.

Dave  no power yet

butterfly  Dave Call me crazy, but I have been looking at 2024 and the IMF somewhat agrees.

butterfly  They need to be stable and they are learning, they are inviting other countries instead of isolating themselves.

Dave  butterfly 2024.....sounds reasonable.......takes 1-2 yrs to seat a Govt after elections if maybe?

butterfly  They are trying to find that other shoe that got lost in the closet.

Dave  the only good thing now is they now have an official Federal Court.....

Dave  how that will play out amoung the Kurds Shia and Sunni?

butterfly  Interesting!

Dave  my take ...call me a negative Nellie

butterfly  Interesting, sound familiar: .......................2021-05-02 09:30

Shafaq News / Press freedom in Iraq has deteriorated yet further with a fierce backlash against media efforts to cover the wave of anti-government protests that began in October 2019, Institute of War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) said.

The report added, "Directors of IWPR partner radio stations have warned that freedoms hard-won after the Islamic State (IS) era are at risk if they attempt to hold politicians and officials to account", pointing out, "The Iraqi Press Freedom Advocacy Association (PFAAI) documented 305 violations across the country in 2020, ranging from assassination and arrests to the confiscation of equipment and closure of media institutions. Most of these incidents were associated with the popular protests."

In al-Anbar, Daoud Suleiman, the director of Voice of Youth Radio, one of the stations supported by IWPR between 2018-2020 to build editorial skills and commercial viability, recalled how hard it had been to operate at the height of Islamic State (IS) activity. He personally had received numerous threats over the stations’ outspoken opposition to the militant group, as by the report.

It noted, "instead, the station now had to deal with anger from politicians and the government officials when it covered issues such as corruption and poor state provision."

"When it comes to talking about lack of government services, there is a limited freedom,” Suleiman said. “We receive warnings."

The report quoted Suleiman saying, "When we reported about some corrupt doctors at the government maternity hospital who sent patients to a private hospital so as to charge them money, we got harassed and lawsuits were filed against us.”

Saddam Al-Sakmani, director of Al-Ghad Radio in Tikrit, Saladin province, also said, as by the report, that addressing issues of corruption and government failure was a risky business.

butterfly  "Saladin is a tribal governorate,” he said. “If you talk about corruption, the government will sue you twice - through the tribes and through the courts. Of course, as an independent media with limited income and without political support, it is difficult to face the government," the report quoted Al-Sakmani.

Al-Sakmani said that freedom of the press steadily growing locally, with the army in particular becoming more willing to cooperate with journalists.

Nonetheless, he said that the sector still suffered from a lack of access to information.

"How I can get information when many government officials refuse to talk as they say that they don't have permission from their ministries to speak to the media," he asked.

nevertheless, In Nineveh, Radio Voice of Peace faces, as by the report, an extra challenge as a Christian outlet that focuses on building a sense of unity among the area’s diverse religious and ethnic communities.

Saeb Daoud, its director, said that trust had been severely damaged after the ISIS occupation in which heinous crimes were committed against minority groups.

Freedom of the press had also improved in Nineveh, he said, although progress remained uncertain.

Dave  https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=doors+people+are+strange&view=detail&mid=83F7F224DAD6A5EDC42B83F7F224DAD6A5EDC42B&FORM=VIRE0&ru=%2fsearch%3fpc%3dCBHS%26ptag%3dN4151D082318A9DFA1A1FF2%26form%3dCONBDF%26conlogo%3dCT3210127%26q%3ddoors%2bpeople%2bare%2bstrange

Sheila Latest Nicks Intel post & podbean:  https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-4euzx-102537a

Our military intel contact said his info is T4B is still going to redemption centers, he has similar rate info he said; sign offs for the start were completed as of 9:30 pm PST tonight Sat 1, of May, accd to his info.(edited)May 2, 2021 by nvfleming May 2, 2021    https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-4euzx-102537a

Zig   sheila : Do you believe the stuff that Nick puts out?

Sheila   Zig Find his postings interesting. With Nicks military background, I am loath to completely dismiss his words.

Sheila   mind is like a parachute. does not go you any good if it's closed.

Dave   mine opened on impact

Sparky... my brother shared a 'chute , and survived  ... 82nd ...

Sparky  ... two pulls nothing ... hah to skate to another brother to take him home ..... pulled him by the elbows in mid air ..... but anywho, he's running Boston come October ...nice to know real ... and my bro tops out at real ...

Sparky  ... he is scuba diving today ...... he doesn't know I hold IQD ...

sheila @Sparky Yes, most of my family were told about this speculation over decade ago. One of them purchased and they got two of their kids to buy and hold. No one else was interested. Thought it another crazy idea from their weird sister. lolol

Sparky  sheila ... I do appreciate your optimism ...

Sparky ... another crazy idea. that's how we progress ..

Sparky  ... funny thing ... we all have this crazy idea ... else we wouldn't be here ...

Sparky  ... seems logical ... 'cept for the corruption ...

 Zig   If you access this chat via https://my.cbox.ws/ZIGPLACE   You can make the box much bigger by clicking this link  ZIGPLACE - Cbox

Zig’s Place Chat and News Thursday PM 4-29-21

Zig’s Place Chat and News Thursday PM 4-29-21

Zig:  Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here

Butterfly    2021-04-29 07:32   Shafaq News/ The Prime Minister of Kurdistan, Masrour Barzani, hosted the President of the Republic of Iraq, Barham Salih, earlier today, Thursday.

A readout of the meeting issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said PM Barzani and President Salih discussed the latest developments and updates on the situation in Iraq and Kurdistan, stressing the importance of addressing the unresolved issues between the Federal and Regional governments.

The meeting deemed the consensus over the 2021 Federal Budget law as a "positive step" that shall benefit all the components and territories in Iraq, laying emphasis upon delivering the allocations of the Kurdistan Region as soon as possible, according to the readout.

The meeting appraised the reforms commenced by the Region’s government and highlighted the support the ninth cabinet needs to achieve its quest, serve the public interest, and protect the constitutional entity of the Kurdistan Region.

In another aspect of the meeting, Salih and Barzani touched upon the upcountry legislative elections in Iraq and the importance of holding just and fair elections to guarantee the rights and the aspirations of all the Iraqi components.

butterfly   2021-04-29 07:59 Shafaq News/ The alliance of Kurdish forces in Kirkuk, a.k.a the Kurdistan Alliance, broke up today, and the Kurdish parties will run for the upcoming legislative elections with separate electoral rosters.

The official of the Kurdistan Democratic Socialist Party, Rasool Raouf, said in a statement to Shafaq News Agency, "the Kurdistan Alliance does not exist anymore."

"Kurdish parties will run for the elections with separate lists," Rasool added, "four Kurdish parties have completed their rosters."

Raouf attributed the dissolution of the alliance to the absence of any previous meetings to agree upon the list, "the former alliance was established to run for the provincial council's elections."

"Those [upcoming] elections are different. Anybody can run for a post independently from parties since the votes are counted for the candidate, not the party."

butterfly   2021-04-29 06:43  Shafaq News/ Members of the Iraqi Parliament will be approaching the Federal Supreme Court to put forward an appeal to amend the electoral law, a head of a parliamentary bloc revealed, hinting at a similar move from al-Kadhimi's government.

The head of the "Bayareq al-Khair" bloc, MP Muhammad al-Khalidi, said in a statement to Shafaq News Agency, "some articles of the electoral law must be amended, particularly the article related the biometric ID," stressing, "it is impossible to hold the elections as scheduled if the law remains as it is."

"There is an approach to the Federal Supreme Court to challenge the electoral law. We addressed the Prime Ministry and the Presidency of the Republic to appeal some of the law's articles."

"The government will also challenge the law to impose restrictions on the use of the biometric IDs in the forthcoming elections."

Butterfly   Iraq is fifth in the Arab world and 38th in the world in gold reserves

Time: 04/29/2021 15:35   {Economic: Al Furat News} The Central Bank of Iraq announced, on Thursday, that the volume of gold reserves at the bank ranks 38 in the world and fifth in the Arab world.

A statement by the Central Bank's Media Office received by {Al Furat News} stated that "the governor of the bank, Mustafa Ghaleb, is terrifying. He held a meeting with the World Gold Council (upon their request) and discussed a number of issues, the most prominent of which were technical support and training files."

Adding that "the increase in the foreign reserves of the Central Bank, which was achieved after implementing the recent reforms in the work of this bank and the banking sector, was also discussed. The World Gold Council provided full support to the Central Bank in case it wished to increase the gold quota for Iraq."

butterfly   France declares its standing and respect for the sovereign decisions of Iraq

Time: 04/29/2021 19:01:17   {Politics: The Euphrates News} The National Security Adviser, Qassem Al-Araji, discussed in his office today, Thursday, with the French Chargé d'Affairs in Baghdad, Jean-Noel Bonyo, the strategic dialogue between Baghdad and Washington and the scheduling of the withdrawal of foreign forces from Iraq.

Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here

A statement by Al-Araji's office said, "Al-Furat News" received a copy, "The two sides also discussed the work of the NATO advisory mission in Iraq."

The French Chargé d'Affairs pointed out that "his country stands with Iraq in its sovereign decisions," stressing "France's respect for Iraqi sovereignty and always standing with the aspirations of the Iraqis."

The statement continued, "The projects that France is undertaking in the city of Sinjar were also discussed, within the framework of the reconstruction of the liberated cities, as the construction of a hospital will begin after the rehabilitation of the health center in the district."

The two sides stressed "the importance of strengthening and strengthening the growing relations between Baghdad and Paris, and at all levels."

Butterfly    A parliamentary question to the head of the Sunni Endowment about financial and administrative irregularities

Time: 04/29/2021 18:14:03   {Politics: Al-Furat News} The head of the Parliamentary Endowments and Religious Affairs Committee, Hussein Al-Yasari, revealed that a parliamentary question had been prepared to direct it to the head of the Sunni Endowment Bureau, Saad Kampash, during the upcoming sessions of the House of Representatives.

The left-wing MP said in a statement that the Euphrates News Agency received a copy of it, “We are preparing a representative question to direct it to the head of the Sunni Endowment Office in accordance with the internal regulations and Law No. 13 of 2018 of the House of Representatives, pointing out that this comes after receiving confirmed information about the occurrence of financial and administrative violations by officials. In the Sunni Endowment. "

As the leftist revealed, "the committee is in the process of evaluating the work of the Sunni endowment administration and other endowments during the past period, since 2018 until today," warning that "we are heading to terminate the work of the proxy within a maximum period of June 2021 in accordance with what is stated in the budget law voted by the House of Representatives." And ratified by the President of the Republic. "

He stressed, "The committee will not allow any financial or administrative breaches in the endowment offices and work continuously to address legal and financial violations and prevent any financial waste or the occurrence of any financial or administrative corruption."

Butterfly   Deputy: The return of the dollar exchange rate to what it was in the past

17:19 – 04/29/2021   Deputy - The return of the dollar exchange rate to what it was in the pastThe Secretary-General of the Islamic Union for Iraqi Turkmen , Jasim Muhammad al-Bayati, on Thursday ruled out the return of the dollar’s ​​exchange rate and its return to what it was previously.

Al-Bayati said in a statement to the agency / Al-Maaloumah /, “The issue of the return of the dollar’s ​​exchange rate to what it used to be has become a thing of the past, and there are no indications regarding it.”

He pointed out, “The current time does not allow it to return to what it was due to the existing health conditions, but there is a rumor and some say that the exchange rate of the dollar will return to its previous price before the elections.”

It is noteworthy that , on December 20, Iraq decided to reduce the value of the dinar against the dollar to 1450 instead of 1184, to contain the financial crisis, but the decision caused stagnation in economic movement and an increase in commodity prices in the local markets.   almaalomah.org

butterfly   Iraq opens US and Russian companies to build a nuclear reactor and determines its completion period

04/29/2021 12:31:27   Iraq opens US and Russian companies to build a nuclear reactor and determines its completion periodThe head of the Iraqi Authority for Controlling Radioactive Materials, Kamal Hussein Latif, revealed the possibility of building nuclear reactors in Iraq within 5-6 years in the event that the political will to do so is available.

Latif said in a statement that the Euphrates News Agency received a copy of it, that “the period of construction of these reactors includes the number of scientific cadres working in it,” indicating that “the availability of political will in the country and awareness of the extent to which Iraq needs these reactors by the politician and the citizen alike is very important. About the possibility of speeding up procedures for Iraq to obtain these reactors. ”

He added, “Iraq will need to produce more energy during the next ten years, which cannot be achieved with oil or gas fuels for many important considerations.”

Latif assured, “The fear of building these reactors to be used for military purposes is completely untrue, and that their construction will be limited to producing electric energy, as the fuel cannot be extracted from the metal envelope that contains it. Origin, “noting that” there is no way to use it on the military side, as this type of fuel is intended for energy production only and cannot be exploited in any way. ”

Latif assured, “Many American and Russian countries and companies approached the possibility of building these reactors in Iraq,” explaining that “these two countries are fully aware of the types of these reactors and there is no objection around them because they are safe, sound and dedicated to producing electricity only.”  alforatnews.com

butterfly   THIS IS GOOD NEWS:  Iraq pays a new compensation payment to Kuwait: 1.7 billion out of 52.4 billion dollars remain

Posted, 2021-04-29    Iraq pays a new compensation payment to Kuwait - 1.7 billion out of 52.4 billion dollars remain The United Nations Committee on Settlement of Claims of Those Affected by the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait in 1990 said Wednesday (April 28, 2021) that it paid an additional $ 380 million, bringing the total amount it paid to compensation claimants to $ 50.7 billion.

The committee clarified that accordingly, the Kuwaiti government has an amount of $ 1.7 billion, to meet a pending demand made by the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation for its lost oil production and sales as a result of damage to the oil fields.   The payments come from Iraqi oil revenues and are delivered every 3 months   burathanews.com

Butterfly  World Gold Council: We are ready to support Iraq Economie- 04-29-2021 03:05 The Governor of the Central Bank, Mustafa Ghaleb, discussed, on Thursday, with the World Gold Council, the increase in foreign reserves in Iraq.

In a statement received by the Tigris, the Central Bank said, “The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mustafa Ghaleb Mukhaif, held a meeting today with the World Gold Council (upon their request). The meeting dealt with a number of issues, the most prominent of which were technical support and training files."

"The meeting also discussed the increase in the foreign reserves of the Central Bank, which were achieved after the implementation of recent reforms in the work of this bank and the banking sector," the statement said.

And the World Gold Council, according to the statement, "provided full support to the central bank in case it wished to increase the gold quota for Iraq."

Butterfly   Al Rasheed Bank raises the salaries of employees of the Ministry of Defense after completing their salary resettlement

Thursday 29, April 2021 21:02 Al-Rasheed Bank announced that it had raised the salaries of employees of the Ministry of Defense who hold the Nakheel card.

The media office said in a statement: "The committees in charge of resettlement of salaries continue to visit military units and sectors in order to issue the cards without any review of the bank. "

butterfly     The Minister of Agriculture discusses with the representative of the World Bank in Iraq the mechanism for implementing support for the agricultural sector

Thursday 29, April 2021 20:37 The Minister of Agriculture, Muhammad Karim Al-Khafaji, discussed today, Thursday, with Ramzi Numan, Special Representative of the World Bank Mission in Iraq, the mechanism for implementing support to the agricultural sector.

Al-Khafaji explained during the meeting that: The Ministry is continuing to develop the agricultural sector according to the scientific basis as well as cooperation and coordination with international organizations, including the FAO, the World Bank and the European Union, and there is cooperation that has occurred regarding the rehabilitation of three governorates in the south of the country, namely Basra, Maysan and Dhi Qar, pointing out that the ministry has achieved a breakthrough.

Quality despite the Corona pandemic, by achieving self-sufficiency in strategic crops, and operating 6000 poultry projects that were previously suspended from work, and the need now arises to establish veterinary clinics, grain storage silos, and advanced irrigation technologies, while the course file and raising the level of capacity can be achieved through the specialized departments. Affiliated with the Ministry of Health. "

butterfly   For his part, the representative of the World Bank expressed his readiness to discuss any support regarding agricultural projects, especially those that lead to improving the standard of living, improving investment opportunities and supporting the Iraqi local private sector, as well as projects supporting agricultural work, as well as working to rehabilitate provinces liberated from terrorism.

While it was agreed to hold other dialogue meetings or a discussion seminar, in the presence of representatives from both sides, to lay down practical foundations for implementing joint cooperation steps, as well as discussing the works of the White Paper through the Ministry of Finance.

Dave   discussing the works of the White Paper.........still discussing....... :Bla bla: bla

butterfly   He discussed with them strengthening the role of the European Union mission in monitoring elections ... Chairman of the Board of Commissioners meets the ambassadors of Sweden and Finland and the Norwegian Chargé d'Affairs.

Thursday 29, April 2021 21:41 The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Independent High Electoral Commission, Judge Jalil Adnan Khalaf, discussed today, Thursday, with the Swedish Ambassador Lars Ronnas, Finnish Ambassador Visa Hakkinen and the Norwegian Chargé d'Affairs Rör Höksdal, to strengthen the role of the European Union mission in monitoring elections.

The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners explained to the three ambassadors the steps and preparations that the commission is making to hold the elections on October 10, 2021, which is a fixed date in which the staff of the commission intensifies their efforts to make this event more expressive of the aspirations of the Iraqis for change.

Judge Jalil Adnan Khalaf affirmed that the Commission’s invitation to a number of countries in the world to send international observers comes as a matter of restoring confidence in the Commission and its new council and in order to reassure countries of the measures taken.

The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners indicated that "the commission is now working on sending honest messages addressed to all Iraqis in order to have confidence in everything related to the details of the electoral process; so that those who did not participate in the previous year 2018 would participate in the upcoming elections."

butterfly   The ambassadors of Sweden and Finland and the Norwegian Chargé d'Affaires praised the role of the Commission in its council of judges who are working to achieve fair and fair elections that satisfy the electorate.

Judge Jalil Adnan Khalaf answered a number of questions from his ambassadors, including what Iraq is looking forward to in terms of a greater role for the European Union mission in monitoring all stages of the electoral process and not being limited to election day only, because international and international monitoring contributes to informing the world of the level of sobriety. The elections and the nature of the procedures in which the preparatory steps were taken.

butterfly   Dave did you see where they paid Kuwait?

Dave   last heard about 2 billion.....  outstanding about 1 week ago

butterfly   Iraq pays a new compensation payment to Kuwait - 1.7 billion out of 52.4 billion dollars remain The United Nations Committee on Settlement of Claims of Those Affected by the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait in 1990 said Wednesday (April 28, 2021) that it paid an additional $ 380 million, bringing the total amount it paid to compensation claimants to $ 50.7 billion.

Dave  butterfly been stuck there for at least 1 yr

butterfly  a little over 2B now. If all of these investments from other countries, perhaps.........it will get paid off real soon. BUT as IMF said, Iraq-stable by 20224.....grrrrrr

Dave   butterfly IRAQ gets support from UN.........through UNAMI

Dave   paying that off could end support...?     still requires UN to monitor e3lections??????   makes one wonder...2billion...only......too remove sanctions.....and join the rest of the world......

Dave   could do that in a heart beat.......

Dave   figure that in doing so could force their hand in doing something they know that they are not ready for?

Dave  White Paper remains exactly that......BLANK!

Butterfly     The popular crowd is chasing ISIS west of Kirkuk

Thursday 29, April 2021 23:39 The order of the 56th Brigade of the Popular Mobilization Forces in the Hawija district announced the implementation of an expanded operation now in search of ISIS terrorist elements after they attacked a common point between the village of Umm Kseir near the Al-Khuraijah district, which led to the martyrdom of a member of the crowd and the wounding of an officer and affiliate of the federal near Hawija district, west of Kirkuk 55 km

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Zig’s Place Chat and News Thursday AM 4-29-21

Zig’s Place Chat and News Thursday AM 4-29-21

Zig:  Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here

Butterfly   Saudi Arabia offers condolences to the victims of the Ibn Al-Khatib hospital fire

Wednesday 28, April 2021 23:47 Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar Ismail received a phone call from Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

According to a ministry statement, the Saudi minister conveyed his condolences and the condolences of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government over the fire incident at Ibn Al-Khatib Hospital.

He expressed the Kingdom's solidarity with the families of the victims and the wounded, expressing the Kingdom's readiness to provide support and assistance to Iraq.

For his part, the Minister of Oil expressed his appreciation for the stance of the Kingdom, the government and the people, and for their brotherly feelings towards the Iraqi people.

butterfly  The port falls Arbil, and the border snatches a point of central oil

Thursday 29, April 2021 00:12 Al-Minaa team achieved a big victory over Erbil by 3 goals in the match that was held at Al-Faiha Stadium in Basra, for the 29th round of the Premier League.

El Mina led the star of the team, Hossam Malek, in the 18th minute of the match, and Erbil rushed to adjust the cuff, but missed more than one opportunity through Sherko Karim and Hashem, to end the first half with El Mina advancing with an unanswered goal.

In the second half, Erbil rushed in search of the equalizer and missed two attacks through the professional Shifu and the other with a shot from Ivan Khaled. To come out with a big victory of three goals, Dorn Red.

Al-Mina raised its balance to point 35 in the eleventh place, while Erbil's balance stagnated at point 32 in the thirteenth place.

A goalless draw and Al-Hodoud team managed to return to the capital, Baghdad, with a point from a goalless draw against Naft Al-Wasat in the match that was held at Karbala International Stadium.

butterfly  Naft Al-Wasat team missed a number of chances in the match through Ivory Dider, Moroccan Omar Al-Mansouri and Sajjad Jassem, and Al-Hodoud defended his own goal, ending the first half with a goalless draw.

In the second half, the scenario was repeated, and Naft Al Wasat did not invest its advantage, so the match ended with the result of the first half, with a goalless draw.

Naft Al Wasat raised its score to point 49 in the fifth place, while Al-Hudood raised its score to point 22 in the last place.

sandyf   @butterfly sandyf I would love to find the "trigger" person so we all can move on with our lives. AND how are you? - I think everyone would like to know if there is a "trigger". Last summer the government had a domestic travel scheme where you got 40% off hotels, food & drink and flights so we did quite a bit of travelling in the latter half of the year. Gone down hill a bit since Christmas so just stay at home and work in the garden, rainy season now so lot to do. Thanks for asking and hope all is well with you.

Butterfly   Doug_W hey there is something that should really be concerning for most. I will make it the next post.

butterfly   Parliamentary Finance by / NINA /: There is no change in the exchange rate of the dollar without the decision of the Central Bank exclusively

Thursday 29, April 2021 11:54 The Parliamentary Finance Committee confirmed that it is not possible to introduce new job grades for the current year 2021 with the change in global oil prices, and this will continue until the new fiscal year arrives.

A member of the committee, MP Naji Al-Saeedi, stated, in a statement to the Iraqi National News Agency / NINA /, that "the general budget, which is a binding law for all ministries, did not include the creation of job grades for the year 2021, regardless of the rise or fall in global oil prices, and therefore no addition can be made." Job degrees until the new fiscal year. "

He added, "The rise in oil prices will enable the covering of the budget deficit ceiling, which is estimated at 32 trillion dinars, the petrodollar allocations and the obligations of the Ministry of Finance," noting that "there is no supplementary budget for the current year, in light of the time that the 2021 budget law legislation has gone through."

butterfly  Regarding the possibility of reducing the currency exchange rate, Al-Saeedi explained that "changing the exchange rate is a special issue in the monetary policy of the Central Bank, and it cannot be interfered with or changed except through the bank itself," noting that "the adoption of the current exchange rate in the budget is 1450 dinars per dollar," It is an arithmetic equation that was made based on the decision of the Central Bank.

butterfly  A rise in the exchange rate of the dollar on the local stock exchange

Thursday 29, April 2021 11:16 The exchange rates of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar increased today, Thursday, on the local stock market.

The Al-Kifah Stock Exchange recorded 147,950 dinars per hundred dollars, and in the exchange offices the purchase price was recorded at 147,500 dinars and the sale price was 148,500 dinars, compared to one hundred dollars.

In Erbil, the exchange rate was recorded at 148,000 dinars, and in Basra 147,900 dinars, per $ 100

butterfly Oil Minister: An agreement is expected to import gas from Syria

Thursday 29, April 2021 13:42 Oil Minister Ihsan Abdul-Jabbar announced an expected agreement to import Syrian gas, while the Syrian Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources confirmed the existence of future visions for cooperation between the two countries.

The Minister of Oil said in a joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart Bassam Tohme, "The gas file is the topic of discussions of the joint meeting with the Syrian delegation headed by the Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Bassam Tohme."

He added, "There is an imminent agreement to supply Syrian gas to Iraq."

For his part, Syrian Minister of Oil and Mineral Resources Bassam Tohme stressed during the conference that "there are future visions of cooperation between Iraq and Syria. "

butterfly  Al-Baiji: There is no excuse for delaying the salaries of employees after the budget is approved

Thursday 29, April 2021 10:22 Representative Mansour Al-Baiji affirmed: "Delaying the salaries of state employees is unacceptable after the approval of the federal budget."

Al-Baiji expressed, in a press statement, his surprise at the delay in launching the salaries of state employees to date, especially since the federal budget was approved and entered into force, and there is no reason to suspend the launch of salaries.

He said, "Most state employees are not sufficient for their salaries, which are very low, and they are living in a deteriorating economic reality, after the exchange rate of the dollar was increased by the government, which led to a deterioration of the standard of living in the country." The country has been affected a lot and so far they have not received their salaries in most of the state ministries. "

butterfly  He added, "The Ministry of Finance should fund all state ministries and release the funding for salaries and not delay them further, because there is no justifiable reason to delay the salaries of employees until now, and we live during the holy month of the blessed month of Ramadan, in which the salaries of state employees were supposed to not be suspended, and taking into account the privacy of this." Holy month by the government. "

And he stressed the need for the government to do its duty fully, especially on the economic side of the country, which is now suffering a major recession due to the increase in the dollar exchange rate and the high prices in the local markets for all goods, and to make matters worse, the delay in launching the salaries of state employees.

butterfly  Postponing the appeal against the provincial councils law to next month

Thursday 29, April 2021 12:50 The Federal Supreme Court decided to postpone the appeal against the provincial councils law until next month.

The Federal Court stated that it "examined a case concerning the request for a ruling on the unconstitutionality of several articles of the Amendment Law No. (21) for the year (2008) Governorates Not Organized in a Region (Amendment No. 21) for the year (2008)." ".

She added, "After reviewing the case, I decided to postpone it to the second of next month for the purpose of auditing."

butterfly  Saleh and Barzani are discussing solving the problems between Baghdad and Erbil and the need to expedite sending the budget to the region

Time: 04/29/2021 14:40:11  {Local: Al Furat News} The President of the Republic, Barham Salih, discussed, on Thursday, with the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani, to solve the outstanding problems between Baghdad and Erbil and the need to expedite the transfer of the budget to the region.

"President Saleh received today, Thursday, the President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Masrour Barzani," according to a statement by the media office of the President of the Republic.

And, "the meeting during which the latest developments and developments in the situation in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region were discussed, and the necessity of resolving the outstanding problems between the federal government and the Kurdistan Region was emphasized according to the constitution," he said. Pointing out that the meeting considered the approval of the Federal Budget Law for the year 2021 as a positive step that should serve fairly all components of Iraq and its various regions and ensure that financial dues are sent to the Kurdistan Region as soon as possible.

He added, "The reforms initiated by the Kurdistan Regional Government have also been commended, which requires support from all parties for the success of the work program of the ninth ministerial formation, in order to serve the public interest and protect the constitutional entity of the Kurdistan region."

The statement noted, "The meeting discussed the upcoming Iraqi elections, with an emphasis that they be free and fair, in a manner that guarantees the rights and aspirations of all Iraqi components."

butterfly   2021-04-29 05:52  Shafaq News/ The Central Bank of Iraq sales of hard currency dipped today, Thursday, after yesterday's hike.

Shafaq News Agency correspondent reported that CBI sales at the Foreign Exchange Auctions settled at $177,231,378 compared to $204,267,368 on Wednesday. The weighted average rate of the dinar to the U.S. dollar amounted to 1460.

Our correspondent explained that 11 banks and seven banking companies shared a cash load of $14.65 million, while $162,581,378 went to boost funds abroad in the form of transfers and credits, with 32 banks meeting those requests.

butterfly  2021-04-29 05:04  Shafaq News / gold prices in the Iraqi wholesale and retail markets for today, Thursday (April 29, 2021)   The prices in Al-Nahr Street wholesale markets in Baghdad (in Dinars)

Sale

Purchase

one Mithqal (5 grams) of 21k of Gulf, Turkish and European gold  365,000   360,000

one Mithqal (5 grams) of 21k of Iraqi Gold 335,000   320,000

The prices in Baghdad goldsmiths’ shops (retail) (in Dinars)

Sale

one Mithqal (5 grams) of 21k of Gulf gold   365,000 – 370,000

one Mithqal (5 grams) of 21k of Iraqi Gold   335,000-340,000

butterfly  2021-04-29 02:44  Shafaq News / The dollar exchange rates raised slightly in the Iraqi market today, Thursday (April 29, 2021).

• The Kifah Stock Exchange recorded 147,800 dinars, for $ 100.

• The Al-Harthiya Stock Exchange recorded 147,800 dinars for 100 dollars.

In Baghdad   Selling prices in the banking stores in the local markets

•Sale price: 148,250 dinars for $ 100  • Purchase price: 147,250 dinars for $ 100

In Erbil  Selling prices in the banking stores in the local markets

•Sale price: 147,900 dinars for $ 100   • Purchase price: 147,500 dinars for $ 100

Butterfly  2021-04-29 07:32  Shafaq News/ The Prime Minister of Kurdistan, Masrour Barzani, hosted the President of the Republic of Iraq, Barham Salih, earlier today, Thursday.

A readout of the meeting issued by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) said PM Barzani and President Salih discussed the latest developments and updates on the situation in Iraq and Kurdistan, stressing the importance of addressing the unresolved issues between the Federal and Regional governments.

The meeting deemed the consensus over the 2021 Federal Budget law as a "positive step" that shall benefit all the components and territories in Iraq, laying emphasis upon delivering the allocations of the Kurdistan Region as soon as possible, according to the readout.

The meeting appraised the reforms commenced by the Region’s government and highlighted the support the ninth cabinet needs to achieve its quest, serve the public interest, and protect the constitutional entity of the Kurdistan Region.

In another aspect of the meeting, Salih and Barzani touched upon the upcountry legislative elections in Iraq and the importance of holding just and fair elections to guarantee the rights and the aspirations of all the Iraqi components.

butterfly   2021-04-29 07:59

Shafaq News/ The alliance of Kurdish forces in Kirkuk, a.k.a the Kurdistan Alliance, broke up today, and the Kurdish parties will run for the upcoming legislative elections with separate electoral rosters.

The official of the Kurdistan Democratic Socialist Party, Rasool Raouf, said in a statement to Shafaq News Agency, "the Kurdistan Alliance does not exist anymore."

"Kurdish parties will run for the elections with separate lists," Rasool added, "four Kurdish parties have completed their rosters."

Raouf attributed the dissolution of the alliance to the absence of any previous meetings to agree upon the list, "the former alliance was established to run for the provincial council's elections."

"Those [upcoming] elections are different. Anybody can run for a post independently from parties since the votes are counted for the candidate, not the party."

butterfly  2021-04-29 06:43  Shafaq News/ Members of the Iraqi Parliament will be approaching the Federal Supreme Court to put forward an appeal to amend the electoral law, a head of a parliamentary bloc revealed, hinting at a similar move from al-Kadhimi's government.

The head of the "Bayareq al-Khair" bloc, MP Muhammad al-Khalidi, said in a statement to Shafaq News Agency, "some articles of the electoral law must be amended, particularly the article related the biometric ID," stressing, "it is impossible to hold the elections as scheduled if the law remains as it is."

"There is an approach to the Federal Supreme Court to challenge the electoral law. We addressed the Prime Ministry and the Presidency of the Republic to appeal some of the law's articles."

"The government will also challenge the law to impose restrictions on the use of the biometric IDs in the forthcoming elections."

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Zig’s Place Chat and News Wednesday Afternoon 4-28-21

Zig’s Place Chat and News Wednesday Afternoon 4-28-21

Zig:  Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here

butterfly   The President of the Republic, Barham Salih, arrived in Erbil, and was received at the airport by Nechirvan Barzani, President of the Kurdistan Region, and a number of party and government officials.

butterfly  Toller confirms to Al-Araji that the United States is seeking to include its relations with Iraq in all fields

Wednesday 28, April 2021 16:22 The US ambassador in Baghdad, Matthew Tueller, affirmed his country's readiness to assist Iraq and provide the necessary support in the crisis of the Corona pandemic.

Tueller said during his meeting with National Security Adviser Qassem Al-Araji: "The United States of America seeks to include its relations with Iraq in all fields, especially cultural and health, as well as political relations," indicating that his country is ready to help Iraq and provide the necessary support in the pandemic crisis. Corona.

The two sides discussed, according to a statement by the National Security Adviser, the political and security situations at the regional and international levels, and confirmed what was agreed upon in the strategic dialogue, in addition to discussing the Al-Hol border camp file and its danger to the region, as it includes large numbers of events, which may pose a great danger. On the area. / It's over

butterfly  The Kurdistan Regional Health Ministry announces the registration of 1031 new infections and 16 deaths from the Corona virus

Wednesday 28, April 2021 16:45 The Ministry of Health in the Kurdistan Region announced the registration of 1031 new infections and 16 deaths from Corona virus in the region during the past twenty-four hours.

The ministry explained: "The new infections were distributed in Erbil, 163, Sulaymaniyah 322, Dohuk 476, Halabja 8, Garmiyan 62, and 973 of those infected with Corona Al-Shifa have gained, distributed in each of Erbil 117, Sulaymaniyah 313, Dohuk 458, Garmian 66. Raprin 10 ".

This brings the number of people infected with Coronavirus in the Kurdistan region to 149,140, ​​of whom 125,601 have recovered, and 4005 died .

butterfly   The overthrow of a drug dealer in Baghdad

Time: 04/28/2021 16:47:58   {Umniah: Al-Furat News} On Wednesday, anti-drug detachments arrested a suspect in drug trafficking in the capital, Baghdad.

Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here

The Ministry of the Interior stated in a statement that Al-Furat News received a copy of it, that "the detachments of the General Directorate for Combating Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Department of Narcotics Control in Baghdad / Al-Karkh were able to arrest a person accused of dealing narcotic substances with the flagrante delicto and in possession of the narcotic crystal substance, in addition to the tools of abuse." ".

It indicated "taking the necessary legal measures against him in accordance with the provisions of Article (28) of the Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances Law."

butterfly   His office reveals: Saleh is in Erbil to resolve the outstanding issues between the region and the center

Time: 04/28/2021 16:54:48   {Politics: Al Furat News} The office of the President of the Republic announced, on Wednesday, the arrival of Barham Salih to Erbil on a political mission.

Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here

His office said in a statement, a copy of which was received by Al-Furat News, of "Saleh's arrival in Erbil to discuss the political situation in the country."

The office revealed that "Saleh will also discuss the importance of strengthening cooperation between the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government in order to resolve outstanding issues in accordance with the constitution."

An informed source confirmed that the President of the Republic had arrived in Erbil and was received by the President of the Kurdistan region, Nechirvan Barzani.

It is scheduled, according to the source, that the President of the Republic will meet with the President of the Region and senior officials to discuss the internal conditions in Kurdistan in particular and Iraq in general, in addition to discussing the ongoing preparations for the legislative elections in October of this year.

According to the information, Saleh will also discuss unifying the discourse of the Kurdish political forces in addition to discussing the attack that targeted Erbil International Airport recently, as well as the latest developments in the region.

Salih's visit to Erbil comes at a time when Iranian Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif visited Erbil from the capital Baghdad and met with the President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Massoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, and the Prime Minister, Masrour Barzani.

Butterfly   Kurdish parliamentarian: Erbil government does not intend to implement the budget agreement with Baghdad

2021-04-28   Kurdish parliamentarian - Erbil government does not intend to implement the budget agreement with BaghdadMuslim Abdullah, a member of the Kurdistan Regional Parliament for the Kurdistan Justice Movement, confirmed, on Wednesday, that there is no direction by the Kurdistan Regional Government to implement the budget agreement with the federal government.

Abdullah said in a press statement that “despite the passage of the budget law and became effective, but the regional government is procrastinating for not implementing its provisions, because it cannot deliver the quantities of oil agreed upon with the law.”

He added, “Until now, there is no intention to implement the agreement and deliver the oil and the proceeds of the border crossings, because the outlets are under the control of the ruling parties that will not hand over the money due to the proximity of the elections, and they will be used in the electoral competition.”   burathanews.com

butterfly  Foreign Engineers Detained "in Solitary Confinement" in Iraq 28th April 2021 An Australian engineer and his Egyptian manager have reportedly been held without charge, and in solitary confinement, in Iraq for the past three weeks.

Robert Pether, who lives in Ireland, is said to have been called to Iraq to discuss a dispute between his employer, UAE-based EKO Engineering Arabia, and the company's client, the Central Bank of Iraq (CBI).

The company is involved in the construction of the new, Zaha Hadid-designed, Central Bank headquarters in Iraq.

Mr Pether's wife told Daily Mail Australia that when the two men arrived for the meeting, they were immediately taken into custody.

The issue was raised in the Irish Senate on Monday, with Senator Eugene Murphy saying, "as far as I can establish, he [Mr Pether] has been caught in the middle of a dispute between the authorities and the company"

butterfly   IBBC launches New Paper on Corruption in Iraq 28th April 2021 Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC) seminar to launch Professor Frank Gunter's publication on Corruption in Iraq:

Corruption Worse Than ISIS: Causes and Cures for Iraqi Corruption

In a well-attended online seminar, with leading International and Iraqi businesses, Embassy officials and media, Professor Frank Gunter outlined some of the key points in his paper on Corruption in Iraq.

Hard estimates of at least 22% of people having to pay a bribe annually, and the systemic and petty corruption that has become endemic, his solutions focus on the economic supply side of corruption and the cost in jobs and opportunities that Iraqi is missing as a result of work and investment not being made.

In particular the requirement for Iraq to create at least 350,000 jobs a year just to halt unemployment from rising from its estimated 80% impact on unemployed or underemployed youth. Where jobs and opportunities are in short supply, the entry cost of getting one encourages bribes at all levels of public activity.

State bureaucracy and the awarding of political contracts could account for lost business in the region of at least $80bn since 2003 .

The application of state subsidies for large swathes of the economy that fail to provide sufficient capacity for demand, also encourage bribes for areas such as power, education, health and business facilitations. Ending subsidies and expansion in the private sector would help align demand with supply and reduce the requirement for bribery, whilst affording the poorest higher benefit payments, as would reducing the regulatory burden of starting, closing and running a company, particularly for SMEs.

28 Apr 21, 10:27 AM butterfly   Beyond the market supply of business regulation and capacity in the country Dr Renad Mansour, Fellow at Chatham house, made the devastating points that corruption starts with the whole political ecosystem of patronage and payments that ensure elected ministers and politicians have to repay their debts to their investors, while tribal loyalties and the role of a corrupt civil service weaken the power of politicians to change the system.

The key question is, 'Where do you begin to dismantle corruption in the system?' Ms Maya Gebeily , journalist, made the points that The judiciary is subject to payments, and if there is no trust in the law, the system fails. The role of writers, journalists can be significant in influencing attitudes to cultural corruption, and those that people listen to include both protestors and religious leaders, who can take a lead in influencing behaviours and attitudes.

Mr Shwan Aziz, chair, fielded many questions and points were made by the audience, including the request for more evidential data to back up aspertions - to which the panel made the point that its many of the things that don't happen, that should, must be factored into the impact of corruption, that it may be easier for large companies with resources than sme's who find regulations and corruption a stranglehold on growth.

butterfly   Why is the Biden administration Optimistic about Iraq?

28th April 2021 By Diyari Salih, for Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News.

Why is the Biden administration Optimistic about Iraq?

Earlier this month, the United States and Iraq engaged in a third round of their "strategic dialogue." Topics of discussion included energy, economy, culture, education-and most importantly, security.

The Apr. 7 discussions were the first of their kind under the new US administration led by President Joe Biden. In his inaugural address back in January, Biden vowed to forge a new path in foreign policy based on diplomacy rather than forcefulness.

As such, Washington has struck an optimistic tone on Iraq thus far. But given the wide range of intractable issues the country is facing, what is the basis of this optimism?

Butterfly   well this is new to me, I did not know that sugar could spoil........

Industry: These are the circumstances of the spoiled sugar in the Maysan factory

Wednesday 28, April 2021 18:16 The Ministry of Industry and Minerals has reportedly commented about the presence of (2,400) tons of spoiled sugar in the warehouses of the sugarcane factory and farm in Maysan affiliated to the General Company for Food Products.

The ministry said, in a statement, that “the General Authority for Customs affiliated to the Ministry of Finance informed the General Company for Food Products of the existence of an estimated quantity of (6000) tons of spoiled sugar in the port of Umm Qasr - North, according to its letter No. (5041) on 1/16 / The aforementioned company answered its need for the aforementioned quantity according to its letter No. (4076) on 3/23/2017, "

adding that at that time a committee of all specializations was formed to examine sugar, according to the book of the Southern District Commodity No. (11/29833) 22 / 11/2017 and it was found that the available quantity amounted to (2,400) tons and not (6,000) tons, and accordingly the company paid an amount of (60) million and (125) thousand dinars under a check for the Southern District Commodore’s account. By the Integrity Commission / Basra Investigation Office, with the case numbered (300 / Q3 / 2018). ''

butterfly   The ministry stated, “The damaged sugar was presented to the Ministry of Health / Public Health Department / Nutrition Research Institute, which in turn presented the issue to the Food Safety Advisory Board, as the Authority agreed to deliver sugar to the General Company for Food Products for use in the manufacture of industrial alcohol in accordance with its numbered decision ( 228) and accompanied by the approval of the Minister of Health and Environment.

She explained that "the Integrity Cases Court in Basra issued its decision dated 5/27/2019 to lift the seizure of sugar and hand it over to the General Company for Food Products. The decision was approved in the Basra Criminal Court in its discriminatory capacity by its decision No. (424 / C1 / 2019) on 2/7. / 2019 ", indicating that" the aforementioned company received the spoiled sugar according to the support of the General Company for Iraq Ports / Umm Qasr Port Directorate - North No. (1/6/23/2535) on 3/9/2019 after weighing the quantities received in the balance of the port in the governorate Basra and the balance of the Maysan Sugar Factory and it was originally entered into the factory’s warehouses and is still in place.

Revealing that a team of investigators of the Integrity Commission / Directorate of Investigation in Maysan, accompanied by employees of the Health Inspection Division and staff of Maysan Inspection, on 4/22/2021, came to the Maysan Sugar Factory and Farm and were provided with all the aforementioned priorities to present them to the attention of the Integrity Investigation Judge in Maysan according to the minutes. Transfer and Control No. 159 Q5/2021 on 4/22/2021.

butterfly   Al-Kazemi advisor to / Nina /: There are no financial allocations for members of provincial councils in the general budget

Wednesday 28, April 2021 17:14 The advisor to the Prime Minister for Provincial Affairs, Kazem Al-Sahlani, revealed that there are no financial allocations for members of provincial councils in the federal budget 2021.

Al-Sahlani said in a statement to the Iraqi National News Agency ( NINA ) that "the House of Representatives 'decision to stop the provincial councils' work came under popular pressure, and originally it exceeded the mandate of the four calendar years," noting that "the dissolution of the local councils left a clear void because most of the legislations that regulate The work of the provinces was done by relying on the existence of these councils.

He added, "When these councils are dissolved, the specialists did not enact alternatives or solutions to the issues that are supposed to be returned to the provincial councils, which creates confusion in the governorate administration so far," indicating that ""

Sahlani, who is the supervisor of the Supreme Coordination Committee between the provinces, explained that "the decisions of the Federal Court are binding and final and not subject to discrimination and appeal. If it decides to take the appeal, it will be binding on the implementation of the government and parliament." It did not include any salaries, privileges or entitlements for members of the provincial councils, and it will be very difficult in practice for them to return to the implementation of their duties. "

butterfly   The House of Representatives decided, in its session held on October 28, 2019, to dissolve the provincial councils, and to grant parliament and governors the powers to manage financial and administrative matters in the governorates, and then voted on November 26, 2019, on the second amendment to the provincial council elections law No. 12 of 2018, with the aim of dissolving Provincial councils with a new law.

butterfly   Al-Maliki: The upcoming elections are pivotal and voters must be given the opportunity to choose their representatives away from fraud

Wednesday 28, April 2021 17:34 The head of the State of Law coalition, Nouri al-Maliki, affirmed that the upcoming elections will be important and articulate and must be characterized by integrity and transparency, stressing the need to provide a stable security environment and give voters the opportunity to choose their representatives away from fraud, manipulation and pressure.

Al-Maliki indicated, during his meeting today with Canadian Ambassador to Iraq, Aurelik Shannon, to the importance of developing relations between Iraq and Canada and the importance of attending Canadian expertise in Baghdad and investing in promising opportunities in various fields. During the meeting, developments in the political situation in the region and the world were discussed, in addition to discussing the ongoing preparations for a procedure. Early elections.

For his part, Ambassador Shannon expressed his country's continuing interest in strengthening the relationship with Iraq and continuing its support in all fields.

butterfly   Parliamentary integrity: official ready interrogations of three officials

Wednesday 28, April 2021 17:51 The Parliamentary Integrity Committee announced that the House of Representatives has three legally ready and completed inquiries, for each of the Central Bank Governor, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Trade.

A member of the committee, MP Sabah Al-Saadi, said in a statement to the Iraqi National News Agency ( NINA ): "The upcoming interrogations are related to the economic and financial crises that the country is witnessing, the manipulation of currency exchange rates and the deterioration of the ration card items."

He added, "The Presidency of Parliament is obligated to set dates for interrogation sessions, respectively, at the earliest possible session."

butterfly    Parliamentary integrity to / NINA /: ready interrogation requests in the House of Representatives and the Presidency are the ones that block them

Wednesday 28, April 2021 18:16 The Parliamentary Integrity Committee disclosed the interrogation requests that have fulfilled all the conditions and legal procedures related to them pending the appointment of the interrogation sessions, while the Presidency of the Parliament was accused of suspending these interrogations, in violation of the constitution and the law.

A member of the committee, Deputy Sabah Al-Saadi, said in a statement to the Iraqi National News Agency ( NINA ): "There is an anticipated interrogation of Finance Minister Ali Allawi by one of the members of the Parliamentary Integrity Committee," indicating that "the Speaker of Parliament is the one who has delayed the interrogation since the previous period as he stated so." Publicly, as well as from other interrogations. "

He added: "The House of Representatives has three interrogations legally ready and completed for presentation in the coming sessions, for each of the Central Bank Governor, the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Trade, about the economic and financial crises in the country, the manipulation of currency exchange rates and the deterioration of the ration card items." By setting the dates for the interrogation sessions, respectively, as soon as possible, and enough procrastination and courtesy to these ministers and officials. "

Al-Saadi pointed out: "The House of Representatives deals positively with the demands of the masses according to the constitution, the law, and the internal system, but the presidency is the one who disrupts the interrogations and it cannot do that, neither legally nor constitutionally."

butterfly   Fayyad and Turan stress the importance of concerted governmental and political efforts to lay the foundations for peaceful coexistence between the components

Wednesday 28, April 2021 18:38 The head of the Popular Mobilization Authority, Faleh al-Fayyad, met today, Wednesday, with the head of the Turkmen Front, Hassan Turan, and discussed with him security developments.

The two sides stressed the importance of concerted governmental and political efforts in order to establish the rules for peaceful coexistence among the components of the Iraqi people.

Turan praised the relentless efforts made by the Mobilization Authority in combating terrorism and pursuing ISIS cells.

butterfly   Iraq and the United Arab Emirates discuss bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance it

Wednesday 28, April 2021 21:12 Iraq and the United Arab Emirates discussed bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance it.

A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Iraqi ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Muzaffar Mustafa Al-Jubouri, held a meeting via remote visual communication technology with the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan. ”

During the meeting, files related to bilateral cooperation between Iraq were discussed . And the sisterly Arab Emirates and ways to enhance this cooperation, in addition to a number of regional and international files of mutual interest, and they also discussed investment opportunities and fields.

The ambassador praised the depth of relations between the two countries, expressing Iraq's desire to develop and develop them in all fields, especially economic and trade, pointing to the importance of activating agreements and memoranda of understanding between the two sides by activating the work of the joint Iraqi-Emirati committee.

butterfly   For his part, Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan extended his congratulations on the success of the visit of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi to the UAE, indicating that the UAE-Iraqi relations are developing further and deepening under the support and patronage of the leaderships of the two brotherly countries, stressing keenness to activate them, in a way that achieves the common interests of the two countries.

butterfly   The Ministers of Finance and Electricity discuss the electricity sector strategy within the 2022-2024 budget preparation session

Wednesday 28, April 2021 21:01 Minister of Finance Dr. Ali Abdul Amir Allawi chaired the seventh session of the Committee for preparing the budget strategy for the years 2022-2024, in the presence of Minister of Electricity Majed Mahdi, the advisers of the prime minister and electricity, the deputy ministers of the Minister of Finance, Planning and Oil, directors of the ministry and other ministries.

During the session, according to a statement of the Ministry of Finance, the electricity sector strategy presented by the Ministry of Electricity for the coming years was discussed. The strategy included all the comprehensive development projects that will be implemented during the coming years by the ministry, in addition to its total need for financial allocations that will lead to meeting the citizen’s needs. Of electrical energy in the coming seasons.

He added that: The Ministry of Finance will work to study the strategy of the Ministry of Electricity and ensure the necessary financial allocations for the coming years for the purpose of improving the reality of electricity in Iraq in meeting the needs of the citizen and raising the capacity of producing electric power, in addition to investing and implementing the reform paper "white paper" integrated programs for the development of the electricity sector that will contribute To meet the citizen's need .

butterfly   I love how they are extending their hands to all the other countries. It shows they are trying to rise above the past ways..................

butterfly   Andy Borowitz: BREAKING......Feds raid Rudy’s apartment but find no evidence of law degree......

Doug_W   butterfly when U can "spend it" let me know

butterfly  Doug_W What? Spend?

Doug_W   do my currency exchange

butterfly   * we will ALL know at the same time. As usual what I/we have heard is just an opinion. as I've stated, give me the proof and then I "might" believe you.

Zig   I found a $10 Canadian bill...I have never exchanged anything at a bank....so I went into my bank and asked if they would exchange it....remember this is only one $10 bill....said yes but it would take 15 minutes as they had to check it through the computer, etc....and they needed a picture ID from me as well...I had no time so said I would do it later....Jeez all that is required for one little bill....I had no idea......

Doug_W   how far are U from Canadian border Ziggy?

butterfly   Zig I believe, just guessing, that they need to look up the rate for exchange.

Zig   Doug_W : Hundreds of miles....only went to the bank out of curiosity for the process. butterfly they also mentioned checking to make sure it is not counterfeit...as they would enter the serial number, etc...so the process takes time....

butterfly  Zig Yup and as in here, all stores have that ink pen they scratch across a bill to see if it is counerfeit.

butterfly  Canadian Defense Minister confirms support for Iraqi forces to combat terrorism

Wednesday 28, April 2021 22:00 Minister of Defense Jumah Inad Saadoun received a phone call from Canadian Defense Minister Harjit Sagan.

A statement by the Ministry stated: During the call, a number of issues of common interest were discussed.

He added that: The Canadian minister offered condolences for the tragic accident that Ibn Al-Khatib Hospital witnessed in the capital, Baghdad.

The Canadian minister affirmed his country's stand with Iraq and continued support for Iraqi forces, through NATO, to combat terrorism.

I J B  $6 Trillion spending in 100 days

Zig    I J B : Yeah...the debt keeps skyrocketing....

Dave   OVER 30 TRILLION.......much owed to China

I J B   One day they will be out of money, then all * breaks lose!

Zig   We just keep printing more and more I guess....

Dave   30 Trillion.....chump change

I J B    Dollar worth less and less till it's worth nothing. Then bullets are the currency of choice

Dave  National Debt Stacked in Dollar Bills Would Stretch from Earth to Moon Five Times

Dave https://www.cnsnews.com/mrctv-blog/gregory-gwyn-williams-jr/national-debt-stacked-dollar-bills-would-stretch-earth-moon-five

butterfly   The Kurdistan Regional Government approves the Specialized Criminal Court for ISIS Crimes Law

Wednesday 28, April 2021 23:00 The Kurdistan Regional Government voted on the draft law of the criminal court specialized in ISIS crimes in the region.

This came according to the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan website during the weekly meeting of the Kurdistan Regional Government under the supervision of the regional government head, Masrour Barzani and his deputy, Qubad Talabani, today, Wednesday. ”

In the first part of the meeting, Minister of Finance and Economy Awat Sheikh Janab and Planning Dara Rashid presented a special report on the latest figures Related to the region’s budget bill for the year 2021.

The region’s government decided to form a committee to include its observations and proposals in the draft law in preparation for voting on it before referring it to the region’s parliament.

In the second part of the agenda of the meeting, reviewed the Vice - President of the provincial government special meeting results on the face of drought, and included plans and proposals and priorities of the relevant ministries and provinces and independent departments, and decides that the drought plan is prepared next week to discuss and vote on them in order to implement at the earliest opportunity. "

In At the conclusion of the meeting, the regional government approved five draft laws: the draft law on the criminal court specializing in ISIS crimes in the Kurdistan region, the draft law for implementation and amendment of the law on industrial investment in the private and mixed sectors No. (20) of 1998 amended in the region and the draft law amending the laws of the Union of Chambers. Commercial and Industrial Law, Ministry of Commerce and Industry Law, Commercial Law, and it was decided to refer these draft laws to the Parliament of the region for enactment .

butterfly Al-Kazemi’s advisor identifies 3 reasons that impeded the implementation of the ‘Chinese agreement’

2021.04.28 – 18:15  Al-Kazemis advisor identifies 3 reasons that impeded the implementation of the Chinese agreementThe financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, spoke on Wednesday about the possibility of raising the ceiling of exported oil under the agreement with China to 300 thousand barrels per day, while he identified 3 reasons that ‘hindered’ the implementation of the agreement in the past.

In a statement to the official agency affiliated with “People”, (April 28, 2021), Saleh said, “The agreement with China referred to the framework agreement for cooperation signed between the Iraqi Ministry of Finance and the Chinese Export Credit Guarantee Authority (Cynosure) in 2018, and completed it by signing its accounting and oil annexes in 23-9-2019.

He added, “The agreement indicated that Iraq allocates a value equivalent to 100 thousand barrels of oil per day from its exports to the Republic of China, and at the prices of current oil contracts, to deposit the amounts of its revenues into an account for the benefit of the Republic of Iraq, and the incoming is allocated to finance projects contracted to implement with China related to infrastructure and important projects. Generating income. ”

butterfly  He stated, “The annual value of one hundred thousand barrels, and according to current prices, is estimated at $ 2.2 billion according to international oil prices,” stressing that “the important thing in the matter is to create an accumulation of important reserves allocated for the purposes of construction projects contracted to implement between the two countries.”

He explained, “China is the first importer of Iraqi oil, which amounts to approximately 850,000 barrels of crude oil per day, and it is mostly the main buyer for more than 40% to 45% of Iraq’s oil, and it competes with India in the purchase quotas for Iraqi oil in the eastern and southern Asian markets,” he said. The Chinese oil companies operating in Iraq are the main contractor in the development and development of oil fields in the middle and south of the country based on the licensing rounds and approved service contracts, and these Chinese companies receive part of their dues in the form of crude oil as well.

The advisor to the prime minister stated that “the framework agreement for cooperation between Iraq and China extends for twenty years, and has been in effect since October 18, 2019, but has faltered in 2020 for 3 reasons, the first: China’s withdrawal from the global economy temporarily and the closure of its foreign activities.”

Because of the Corona pandemic, being the first country in the world to be exposed to this epidemic, and the other reason is: the decline in oil prices and their deterioration in the year 2020, as well as a third reason is the failure to approve the budget that included construction projects at the expense of the Iraqi-Chinese agreement.

butterfly  And he added, “Despite this, China is still the first strategic partner in the fields of oil, reconstruction and trade. The current account of the Iraqi balance of payments with China annually exceeds $ 30 billion (import and export).”

On the possibility of raising the ceiling of the agreement from 100 thousand barrels of oil per day to 300 thousand barrels, the advisor to the Prime Minister emphasized that this is possible for two reasons. First: There are plans to develop Iraqi oil production and export development so that Iraq may be the first oil producer in the Middle East region, and the second: that China Its growth is remarkably booming, and its refineries will depend on the northern Arabian Gulf oil, meaning Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia. ”

He pointed out, “China’s need for Iraqi oil will continue until the year 2060, and Iraq’s need for development and development will take an escalating path that requires more international cooperation and befitting the renaissance of Iraq and its promising and prosperous strategic future as a building, reconstruction and growth power.” nasnews.com

butterfly  Kurdish parliamentarian: Erbil government does not intend to implement the budget agreement with Baghdad

2021-04-28 Kurdish parliamentarian - Erbil government does not intend to implement the budget agreement with BaghdadMuslim Abdullah, a member of the Kurdistan Regional Parliament for the Kurdistan Justice Movement, confirmed, on Wednesday, that there is no direction by the Kurdistan Regional Government to implement the budget agreement with the federal government.

Abdullah said in a press statement that “despite the passage of the budget law and became effective, but the regional government is procrastinating for not implementing its provisions, because it cannot deliver the quantities of oil agreed upon with the law.”

He added, “Until now, there is no intention to implement the agreement and deliver the oil and the proceeds of the border crossings, because the outlets are under the control of the ruling parties that will not hand over the money due to the proximity of the elections, and they will be used in the electoral competition.”   burathanews.com

butterfly   Iraqi Dinar/US Dollar auction results 4-28-2021

United States DollarThe results of the foreign currency sale window on Wednesday 4/28/2021, and executed today

Sale date – Wednesday 4/28/2021 and executed today  the details

Amount

Total sale for purposes of enhancing funds abroad (transfers, credits)  177,067,368

Total cash sale  27,200,000

Total total sales  204,267,368

Note that: The sale price of the sums transferred to bank accounts abroad is ( 1460 ) dinars per dollar.

The cash sale price is ( 1460 ) dinars per dollar.   cbi.iq/currency_auction/view/1018

 Zig   If you access this chat via https://my.cbox.ws/ZIGPLACE   You can make the box much bigger by clicking this link  ZIGPLACE - Cbox

Zig’s Place Chat and News Wednesday AM 4-28-21

Zig’s Place Chat and News Wednesday AM 4-28-21

Zig:  Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here

sandyf   @NORV "Sandy needs to read the IMF documents where they specifically talk about Iraq floating the currency." The IMF will always talk about floating the currency, particularly with emerging economies that have financial issues. Flotation is the only way to establish a realistic rate of exchange, it was the IMF that coerced Egypt into a flotation that resulted in a 50% devaluation. I would agree with most of what you say but you are wrong to make out a float would lead to some benefit, it is not a given.

butterfly   sandyf I would love to find the "trigger" person so we all can move on with our lives. AND how are you?

PeteV  @sheila hey there is a new update at ur secret source  Nicks Intel Update @sheila

Sheila  PeteV will go check it out

Sheila  PeteV Nicks not secret source... banker friend is my secret source... lol  PeteV banker friend gone to big meeting. maybe Thursday or Friday for all of us peons out here in dinarland... lolol lolol

PeteV  that is good sheila if it is true - there are a lot of folks at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUpcFV71wDg

butterfly Stability of global oil prices

Wednesday 28, April 2021 08:57 Oil prices stabilized today, Wednesday, after OPEC + confirmed that it will go ahead with plans to add more barrels to the market, despite the resurgence of the virus in some regions, including India, which led to ambiguity in demand forecasts.

The OPEC + committee agreed that the alliance should move forward with the road map to increase supplies over the next three months, as the alliance raised its estimate for demand growth this year.

West Texas Intermediate for June delivery settled at $ 62.91 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Brent crude for June fell 3 cents at $ 65.82 on the ICE Futures Exchange, after adding 1.2% in the previous session of OPEC.

Meanwhile, the American Petroleum Institute reported that US crude inventories increased by 4.32 million barrels last week, and gasoline inventories decreased.

butterfly  Al-Rafidain calls on those who are reluctant to pay their money, and threatens legal measures

Wednesday 28, April 2021 08:59 Al-Rafidain Bank called on citizens to pay their debts in late monthly installments, with the aim of generating interest on other segments.

The media office of the bank said in a statement, that "some citizens are lagging in paying their monthly installments on loans and other banking facilities, stressing that the bank will take legal measures and activate the law of collecting state funds in addition to the delay fines imposed on those who are reluctant."

He pointed out that "refraining from paying what they owe harms citizens and accumulates debts on them and exposes them to dire legal consequences. It is the duty of advice to expedite payment in order to preserve public money, in addition to giving the rest of the citizens the opportunity to benefit from the services provided by the bank from the returns of installments and the money stalling. 

The statement stated that "the bank continues to provide various types of services and facilities, including those wishing to obtain apartments in the Basmajah residential complex, in addition to small projects loans, construction and restoration loans, car loans in addition to investment loans and other services that can be viewed by visiting our bank branches or by looking at the communication sites." The bank’s official social network. ”

Butterfly   The prices of Basra Light and Heavy crude are rising again

Wednesday 28, April 2021 09:48 Today, Wednesday, the prices of Basra Light and Heavy crude oil increased again, affected by other oil materials, after expectations of a recovery in global economic growth.

Basra light oil exported to Asia rose to $ 65.43 a barrel, by $ 0.91, or 1.41%, from Tuesday, while Basra heavy crude oil prices recorded $ 61.49 per barrel, an increase of 0.85%.

The price of Basra Light oil was the highest among the members of OPEC, as Arab Light crude reached $ 64.99 per barrel, and the Emirati Murban mixture scored $ 63.90 per barrel, while the Algerian Blend of Sahran scored $ 64.28 per barrel, and the price of Nigerian Light Bony Light reached $ 64.20, and Angola's Gerasol 64.67. Dollars.

International oil prices rose today, reaching Brent crude at $ 66.11, and US West Texas crude at $ 63.19.

butterfly  A slight increase in the exchange rate of the dollar against the dinar

Wednesday 28, April 2021 10:42 The exchange rates of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar increased today, Wednesday, against the dinar on the local stock exchange.

And the Kifah Stock Exchange recorded: 147,750 dinars, the price in exchange (approximate), the purchase price of 147,250 dinars, and the sale price of 148,250 dinars.   As for Erbil, it was recorded at 147,950 dinars per 100 dollars.

Basra 147,950 dinars per 100 dollars.   Mosul: 147,900 dinars per $ 100.

butterfly   the value of the dinar is going up..............hope that is a sign

butterfly   Parliamentary law by / NINA /: No amendment to the provincial councils election law prior to the Federal Court’s decision

Wednesday 28, April 2021 14:39 The Parliamentary Legal Committee confirmed that moving forward with amending the provincial councils election law is still early, until the appeal case is settled by members of local councils and dissolved districts before the Federal Court.

The deputy head of the committee, Muhammad Al-Ghazi, said in a statement to the Iraqi National News Agency / NINA / that "the Parliamentary Provincial and Regional Affairs Committee has prepared a proposal to amend the provincial councils election law, which will be presented for discussion in the next sessions," referring to a joint meeting that will be held later for the Presidency and members of the Legal Committee And a regional committee with the heads of the blocks to look into the matter.

, adding that "the decision of the House of Representatives to suspend the work of the provincial councils is subject to appeal to the Federal Court, which will decide the case to determine the extent of the constitutionality or unconstitutionality of the decision of the Council of Representatives," indicating that "the ruling The claim of appeal by members of the provincial councils and the dissolved districts will pave the way for modifying the provincial councils election law or not. "

The House of Representatives decided, in its session held on October 28, 2019, to dissolve the provincial councils, and to grant parliament and governors the powers to manage financial and administrative matters in the provinces, and then voted on November 26, 2019, on the second amendment to the provincial council elections law No. 12 of 2018, with the aim of dissolving Provincial councils with a new law.

butterfly   2021-04-28 02:14 Shafaq News/ the Dinar/Dollar exchange rates retracted Today, Wednesday.

Shafaq News Agency correspondent said that Al-Kifah and al-Harithiya Central Exchanges are trading the 100 US dollar at 147750 Iraqi Dinars, compared to 147800 dinars yesterday.

Our correspondent added that today's selling and buying prices in the local markets dropped to 148250 and 147250 dinars per 100 dollars.

In Erbil, the US dollar buying and selling prices stabilized at 147800 and 147500 respectively, for every 100 dollars.

butterfly   2021-04-28 03:57  Shafaq News / U.S. bank Goldman Sachs expects commodities to rally another 13.5% over the next six months on a worldwide reversal of coronavirus curbs, lower interest rates and a weaker dollar, its commodities research team said on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

The bank now sees Brent prices rising to $80 a barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) prices to $77 a barrel over the six month period.

“We expect the biggest jump in oil demand ever, a 5.2 million barrels per day (bpd) rise over the next six months,” Goldman said, citing acceleration of vaccinations in Europe and an unleashing of pent-up travel demand.

The easing of international travel restrictions in May will lead global jet demand to recover by 1.5 million bpd, it said.

The bank sees gold prices at $2,000 an ounce over the next six months and said it is too early for Bitcoin to compete with gold for safe haven demand, adding that the two can co-exist.

“While Bitcoin benefits from greater liquidity, it suffers from lack of real use and weak environmental, social, governance (ESG) scoring, due to its high energy consumption,” it said.

Such extensive energy use made the cryptocurrency vulnerable to losing its “store of value” demand to another, better-designed contender, it added.

Goldman also upgraded its copper price forecast, setting a 12-month target of $11,000 per tonne, citing an under-invested supply side.

“The only way this record-sized and fast approaching supply crunch can be solved is via a surge in price to new record highs,” the bank said.

While China will maintain its major role in commodity demand, the bank added, it is not expected to be the only major source of growth in the coming decade.

butterfly   2021-04-28 03:26   Shafaq News / The Iraqi President, Barham Salih, is scheduled to visit Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, today.

According to information obtained by Shafaq News Agency, Salih will visit Erbil this evening to meet the President of the region, Nechirvan Barzani, and senior officials to discuss the situation in Kurdistan in particular and Iraq in general, in addition to the ongoing preparations for the upcoming legislative elections.

Salih will discuss unifying the Kurdish parties' position and the attack that targeted Erbil International Airport recently.

The Iraqi President's visit to Erbil comes in conjunction with Iranian Foreign Minister Muhammad Javad Zarif to the region's capital, where he met with the Kurdish leader, Masoud Barzani, the President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.

butterfly   2021-04-28 06:25   Shafaq News/ The Iraqi Minister of Interior, Othman al-Ghanmi, ordered holding three senior officials from in custody against the backdrop of ISIS operatives' attack on a security site at the borders between Iraq and Saudi Arabia.

A security source revealed to Shafaq News Agency that al-Ghanmi's order included three Brigadiers: the Commander of the fifth territory border guards, the Commander of the fifth territory border guards brigade, and the Commander of the third regiment of the fifth territory border guards brigade.

Yesterday, Tuesday, a group of ISIS operatives attacked a site of the Iraqi border guards in the Arar area, at the Iraqi-Saudi borders. The terrorists burnt the site and managed to loot weapons, Communication equipment, and a vehicle. The attack resulted in no casualties, as the troops fled as soon as the attack began.

butterfly   https://insidearabia.com/could-a-saudi-iranian-rapprochement-be-in-the-works/ Could a Saudi-Iranian Rapprochement Be in the Works?

by Sami Hamdi | Apr 28, 2021 Reports have emerged that Iraq is now mediating discussions between the heads of intelligence of both Saudi Arabia and Iran, as the countries explore rapprochement and possible reconciliation. The reports come just weeks after Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi visited Riyadh where he was received warmly and signed a series of agreements and memorandums of understanding with the kingdom.

The news of talks between the two largest rivals in the region – Iran and Saudi Arabia – come as negotiations over a new nuclear deal between Iran and the US show signs of gaining traction following EU-brokered talks in Vienna. While the Iranian and US delegations refused to meet face-to-face, both are beginning to offer compromises. Iran has suggested it is willing to accept the release of frozen funds as a gesture of good will, while Biden has signaled that he is prepared to lift sanctions on critical sectors of Iran’s economy in order to move the talks forward.

Why now?

butterfly   There is little doubt that Saudi Arabia had gambled on a Trump victory in the US elections. The Trump administration afforded significant advantages to Riyadh. Among the most prominent of these were support in avoiding accountability over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, apathy towards the blockade on Qatar, and more importantly, the annulment of the Iran nuclear deal that Saudi and other US allies had been adamantly against.

The Trump administration went on to apply maximum pressure on Iran and its economy and hinder its ability to effectively support its numerous militias in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen. Trump also had Iran’s most prized and effective general, Qassem Suleimani, killed in a US air raid in Iraq in January 2020.

butterfly   Biden victory created a very different set of circumstances. Biden had asserted in his campaign that he would hold the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed Bin Salman, to account over Khashoggi, and that he would end US support for the war in Yemen, revive the Iran nuclear deal, and “recalibrate” the US relationship with Saudi Arabia. The message was clear: disciplining Bin Salman would take precedence over Iran.

In a panic, Riyadh dragged a dismayed UAE and baffled Egypt into a reconciliation process with Qatar, released the women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul from prison, braced for unfavorable negotiations on Yemen by brokering a new government for President Hadi, and publicly praised Biden despite his anti-Saudi rhetoric.

In other words, the perceived threat to Bin Salman specifically (not Saudi Arabia) resulted in a series of U-turns on state foreign policy. This indicated that the Crown Prince was rushing to demonstrate his utility to the new Biden administration and his willingness to toe the line in securing US interests in order to protect his position and future.

butterfly   More importantly, the scramble on the part of the Crown Prince revealed the extent to which Saudi Arabia (or more specifically Bin Salman) believes that the kingdom no longer possesses the power, influence, and capabilities to leverage Washington as it used to. Where King Faisal had once raged at Washington’s support for Israel and unilaterally imposed an oil embargo, and King Abdullah had threatened to rupture relations with the US over the same issue and thereby extract concessions, Bin Salman’s Saudi Arabia lacks any confidence of asserting itself against US policies that clearly run counter to its interests.

butterfly   It is in this context that Saudi Arabia has been willing to engage in talks with Tehran. Biden is relentless in his pursuit of a nuclear deal with Iran and has publicly dismissed the concerns of even the US’ most prized ally in the region, Israel. The war in Yemen is being driven towards negotiations in which Saudi Arabia and the internationally recognized government will be the weakest parties. The result is likely to see either a quota Yemeni government with significant stakes given to the Houthis and Separatists, or a partition which will entrench the Houthis on Saudi Arabia’s southern border.

butterfly  The US has not restored the two Patriot missile systems that were withdrawn in 2020, which has forced Riyadh to purchase them from Greece instead. Although Biden ruled out sanctions on Bin Salman over Khashoggi’s murder, Congress continues to remain hostile as they scrutinize bilateral ties and arms sales to the kingdom.

butterfly  Bin Salman is now seeking to adapt to what has become a difficult environment for him. In the same manner with which he rushed to reconcile with Qatar despite Doha not fulfilling any of the 13 conditions of the blockading countries, Bin Salman is now displaying the same pragmatism with Iran. The view of Saudi officials is that the nuclear deal is not about Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Rather it is the establishing of a framework of cooperation between Iranian and US interests in the region.

For Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states, the nuclear deal is the public platform where Iran and the US will come to an agreement to respect each other’s gains and influence in the region and avoid undermining one another. For Biden, this makes sense as China now becomes the prime global antagonist, and the President is keen to de-prioritize the region. For Iran, the US has never been the intended target. Instead, it has been about regional hegemony and leadership over its neighbors.

butterfly   The inability of the Arabs to influence these negotiations was made clear in the embarrassing manner in which Arab delegations turned up at the Vienna negotiations without invitation to privately lobby the US and EU to take their considerations and concerns over Iran into account. Since the US is hell-bent on coming to an arrangement with Iran and since there is little that the Arab allies can do about it, Bin Salman believes it makes sense to begin adapting to this harsh reality by engaging with Tehran.

However, Bin Salman is not entirely in a disadvantageous position. After all, he is the undisputed power in the kingdom. A “bad” deal will not harm his position domestically. While he is now constrained on foreign policy, his rivals are equally restricted. For all the public display of power, Turkish President Recep Erdogan’s woes have been laid bare as he has U-turned and embarked on a bid to reconcile with Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and has even gone to the extent of silencing the Turkey-based Egyptian opposition.

Furthermore, Qatar no longer poses the political threat it once did as the region moves away from the battlelines drawn by the Arab Spring, and the UAE’s lobbying network increasingly appears to be the most effective and influential in Washington.

butterfly  In terms of public opinion, prominent Gulf commentators have openly justified Bin Salman’s willingness to talk to Iran. Dr Abdullah Al-Nafisi has argued on Twitter that: “Given Saudi Arabia is being hurt by the Houthis, and given the key to the on/off switch on the Houthis is with Tehran, then it is normal and beneficial for Saudi Arabia to engage in talks with Tehran to stop the bloodshed. This is politics, and we should cast aside the excessive sensitivity of some.”

Moreover, Bin Salman is less concerned about foreign policy than he is about domestic policy. The Crown Prince believes his legacy will be defined by Vision 2030 and the sweeping social and economic reforms in the kingdom, rather than deciding the ideological foreign policy feuds that have lasted decades and, in Iran’s case, centuries.

If he can secure a guarantee that Iran will not target the kingdom (whether by agitating the Shia population in the East or firing missiles via militias in Iraq and Yemen), then he is likely to settle. In other words, it is the very unscrupulous pragmatism that Bin Salman is notorious for that ironically makes the possibility of a reconciliation or “truce” possible.

The Potential for Reconciliation

butterfly   It is worth noting that this is not the first time that Saudi Arabia and Iran have engaged in rapprochement talks. Tehran has never rejected any round of discussions that have been offered by Riyadh, irrespective of how bad bilateral relations have been. It therefore follows that the act of engaging in talks does not in itself provide any indication that reconciliation or rapprochement is on the horizon.

butterfly  Iran believes that it is on the ascendancy and has the advantage. It has survived Trump’s “maximum pressure,” delivered the Houthis to a strong negotiating position in Yemen, incorporated its loyal militias into Iraq’s state institutions, rescued Assad, and helped to facilitate Hezbollah’s enduring presence in Lebanon despite the country’s ongoing upheaval. Indeed, the UAE, Qatar, and other Gulf states are making increasing overtures to Tehran in recognition of the changing tide brought about by Biden.

On the other hand, with the offer of lifting sanctions from Biden, and therefore an opportunity to tend to its battered economy, Iranian policymakers may well settle for a long-term truce with Saudi Arabia with an eye to shore up their allies who remain engaged in difficult environments, to resume their expansion later. In other words, a reconciliation is possible not because the two parties want it, but because neither has the power at the moment to ruin the other.

butterfly   Iraqi bank officials laid 'trap' for now detained Australian businessman......................................An Australian businessman has been arrested in Iraq over his involvement in a bank construction deal, and his family is urging the international community to aid in his release.

Mechanical engineer Robert Pether was arrested in Baghdad after he travelled there from Dubai to meet with bank representatives to discuss the construction of a new Central Bank of Iraq headquarters.

According to his family, Pether had been invited to attend a meeting with the bank, following four years of back and forth, and disputes around the construction.

However his wife says the bank had laid a "trap".

"He and his colleague had their suits on and got arrested immediately," Desree Pether told the Guardian.

"There never was any resolution and there was never any meeting scheduled. It was a trap."

He has not been informed of his charges, and his wife said she was not told which prison he is being kept in during his 20 days in detention.

Cairo intervened on behalf of an Egyptian colleague who had been arrested with him and provided him with a phone to contact his wife. She said Pether has been kept in isolation without access to a phone or computer.

butterfly   "When I spoke to him, he just kept saying 'I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry'," Desree said. "I keep saying 'It's not your fault, you've done nothing wrong. This is not your fault."

"He's so upset. He's terrified."

Desree criticised the Australian government for refusing to share information about her husband's case, citing privacy laws.  The Department of Foreign Affairs told the Mail Online Australia they are providing consular assistance to an Australian detained in Iraq, but did not name Pether specifically.

The pair are based in Ireland, and Irish Senator Eugene Murphy spoke in Parliament earlier this week about Pether’s incarceration.  Pether had "unfortunately been caught in the middle…[of] some sort of contractual dispute", Murphy said.

Pether, who had been involved with the bank project for four years, tweeted in 2017 about the project in Iraq and how much he was enjoying the country.

butterfly  "I know I always says this – but just coming home after a 2 week stint in Baghdad. Do not believe what the media says – Baghdad is safe. It is a city full of hope, resilience, and potential. Every trip is an experience and shows me something new. I have so much respect for the Iraqi people and genuinely enjoy working with them."

butterfly   Assigning a new director of intelligence and counterterrorism to Diyala

Wednesday 28, April 2021 14:56 A security source announced that a new director of intelligence and combating terrorism has been appointed in Diyala to replace its former director.

The source said to the correspondent of the Iraqi National News Agency ( NINA ): "Major General Ali Khawam has been assigned as Director of Intelligence and Combating Terrorism in Diyala instead of Brigadier Ali Al-Sudani, due to the recent security breaches in the Waqf Basin, northeast of Baqubah."

He added, "Al-Sudani was returned to the Intelligence Directorate at the Ministry of Interior."

butterfly   Looks like they are taking on their own responsibility, which is a good sign they might me on the road to recovery.............finally!!!! Enough for now be back later.

 Zig   If you access this chat via https://my.cbox.ws/ZIGPLACE   You can make the box much bigger by clicking this link  ZIGPLACE - Cbox

Zig’s Place Chat and News Tuesday PM 4-27-21

Zig’s Place Chat and News Tuesday PM 4-27-21

Zig:  Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here

Sheila   Did anyone notice that Royal Bank of Canada went belly up? Nothing much in news about that. Wonder if anyone can shed light on that event?

Dave   sheila OH OH Canada's largest bank Royal Bank of Canada goes belly up? We ALL living here have seemed to have missed that boat.......

Sheila   Dave Checking to see if that's true or not.

Dave   NOT!      would be great though,.....would be mortgage free .......?

butterfly  Al-Muhammadawi addresses a parliamentary question to the governor of the Central Bank regarding banks and private companies for selling foreign currency (document)

Tuesday 27 April 2021 | 03:43 pm   Al-Muhammadawi addresses a parliamentary question to the governor of the Central Bank regarding banks and private companies for selling foreign currencyMember of Parliament, Representative Jamal Al-Muhammadawi, addressed a parliamentary question to the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq regarding monitoring banks, banking companies and brokerage offices for buying and selling foreign currencies.

According to a document issued by his office, Muhammadawi said, “Through the audit of the Federal Office of Financial Supervision, the data on the capital of private banks, it was observed that there were a number of banks that did not increase their capital to (250) billion dinars, in contrast to the uncles of the General Directorate of Banking and Credit Monitoring in the year 2013, and we mention some of these banks.

For example, Dar Al Salam Bank (150) billion dinars, Babylon Bank (178.859) billion dinars, Tigris and Euphrates Bank (100) billion dinars, and Islamic Cooperation Bank (144.481) billion dinars. ” He added that ” Follow-up to the Office of Financial Supervision showed that the Central Bank’s instructions related to the sale and purchase of currency did not include anything indicating the follow-up of the commercial lists provided by private banks in exchange for imported goods that were covered by the funds, thus the central bank loses the element of control over remittances.

The existence of deterrent measures by the General Directorate for Banking Supervision regarding banks that refrain from paying the issuance of letters of guarantee for a specified period of time. ”Al-Muhammadawi continued,“

butterfly   Some companies have been observed to engage in intermediary activities in the sale of currency in Baghdad, but they are not installed in the database of the Banking Supervision Directorate. ”

He stressed that the companies mediating in the sale of currency benefited from the issuance of the Banking Control Directorate to stop requests for granting branches to banks, which led to companies and offices taking advantage of the legal loophole. Al-Muhammadawi was astonished.   aynaliraqnews.com

butterfly  Low dollar prices in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region, and specialists provide a reading of the market

Tuesday 27 April 2021 | 10:29 a.m.   Low dollar prices in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region and specialists provide a reading of the marketThe exchange rates of the dollar decreased, on Tuesday, on the main stock exchange in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region .

A source said that the central Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya Stock Exchange in Baghdad registered 147,800 Iraqi dinars for 100 US dollars .

While the Central Kifah Stock Exchange registered 148,000 Iraqi dinars, during its opening on Monday morning .

He pointed out that the selling and buying prices decreased in the exchange shops in the local markets in Baghdad, as the selling price reached 148,250 Iraqi dinars, while the purchase prices amounted to 147,250 dinars per 100 US dollars .

As for Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, the price of the dollar also witnessed a decline, as the selling price reached 147800 dinars per hundred dollars, and the purchase at 147,500 dinars per hundred dollars .

Some exchange office owners attributed the fluctuation in dollar prices to the amount of supply and demand in the markets, which does not exceed one dollar, indicating that the markets will witness stability in dollars during the coming period.    aynaliraqnews.com

Butterfly   Toller: We do not support anyone in the elections. We support the electoral process in Iraq

Tuesday 27, April 2021 23:38 US Ambassador Matthew Tueller affirmed: "The Iraqi government is committed and capable of protecting diplomatic missions."

He explained in a televised statement: "The strategic dialogue is taking place between Iraq and the United States, and the ability of the Iraqi security forces to fight ISIS alone is being discussed, and we evaluate that."

He added, "We do not support anyone in the elections. Rather, we support the electoral process in Iraq and contribute money only to that. We offer advice and support to ensure free and fair elections and to ensure that weapons are not used in them. "

butterfly   US Ambassador: We support a strong and independent Iraq

Tuesday 27, April 2021 23:32 "said US ambassador in Baghdad , Matthew Tauler US support for Iraq, strong and independent.

He said Tauler in a televised statement:" There is no talk about withdrawing US embassy from Iraq, and we have strategic with Iraq , a dialogue which is a positive. "

He added:" The Many of the weapons used in bombing the Iraqi bases are Iranian. ”/

Butterfly   Foreign Minister: These are the foundations of our foreign policy

Tuesday 27, April 2021 23:56 Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein identified the foundations of Iraqi foreign policy regionally and internationally.

Hussein said in a televised statement: "The first basis of our foreign policy is to be active in the regional environment and take the initiative, and secondly to create a state of balance with the regional environment, and thirdly to rely on common interests and exclude others from interfering in internal affairs, and to launch our relations with the outside as actors away from Hubs. "

He added, "Iraq is frank in raising issues in the region, and we offer economic cooperation with countries during officials' visits to Iraq."

He continued, "We have internal files that have problems and need to be addressed, and this can be achieved with neighboring countries. "/

Butterfly   The US ambassador: The strategic goal in Iraq is to be strong and able to defeat ISIS alone

Tuesday 27, April 2021 23:46 The US ambassador to Baghdad, Matthew Toller, affirmed, "The threat of ISIS still exists in Iraq and Syria."

Tueller said in a televised statement: "The United States provides air support to Iraqi forces to bomb ISIS cells and provides intelligence information to Iraqi forces where they are located."

He added, "The strategic goal in Iraq is to be strong and able to defeat ISIS alone, without assistance."

He praised the steps taken by the Iraqi government to draw close to Arab countries and respect Iraqi sovereignty by the Iranians, indicating: “The relationship between the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan region is good, and that any targeting of the region affects a federal Iraq, so the rule of law must be over everyone.”

Butterfly   Iraq is fourth in the world in the production of dates and a statistic for the number of its date palm

Time: 04/27/2021 18:50:58   {Economist: Al Furat News} Iraq is the fourth country in the production of dates.

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According to the data of the Central Bureau of Statistics of the Ministry of Planning, last year the volume of production amounted to about 735 thousand tons from about 17 million palm trees, placing the country fourth in the list of major producers of dates.

These data also indicate that the rate of Iraqi dates exported abroad last year amounted to nearly 600 thousand tons to Turkey, India, Egypt, Syria, Jordan and the Emirates, in addition to other countries such as China, Bangladesh and some European and American markets.

The volume of local consumption in all Iraqi provinces ranges between 150 and 200 thousand tons annually of dates, as Iraqis prepare dates as one of the basic food meals for them.

Among the types of Iraqi dates that still appeal to citizens until now and give a special flavor to the Ramadan table and at all times: Al-Kestawi, Al-Khadrawi, Al-Asrasi, Al-Jamali, Al-Halawi, Al-Sayer and Al-Maktoum.

And the derivatives of Iraqi dates: liquid sugar, molasses, bread yeast, citric acid (citric acid) and vinegar.

Iraq is considered one of the first countries to produce dates because it contains a large number of palm trees, and this is what Hatem Karim, Director General of the Department of Horticulture and Forestry at the Ministry of Agriculture sees it as a good indication of large quantities of dates produced annually to cover the local need while exporting the surplus to foreign markets.

butterfly   During the years 2020 and 2021, the Iraqi Ministry of Agriculture paid great attention to the field of dates by providing the private sector with all facilities, such as granting investment licenses and fogging dates according to -the cream- in order to sustain the process of exporting dates abroad.

The agricultural official emphasized that the Iraqi market is promising, pointing out that there is widespread interest by the government in supporting the dates sector by allocating funds in the federal budget to support the private sector.

The Director of the Department of Horticulture and Forestry diagnoses the challenges facing the dates sector by being rudimentary in the packaging process, and the lack of interest in the activity of the production, processing and exportation of dates abroad, in addition to the presence of competitors.

Butterfly   Zarif Barzani: The stability of the region is of special importance to us

Time: 04/27/2021 23:31:41  (Baghdad: Al Furat News) The Iranian Foreign Minister, Muhammad Javad Zarif, affirmed that the stability of the Kurdistan region is of special importance to his country.

Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here

A statement issued by Masoud Barzani's office stated that "Barzani received in Salah al-Din, Muhammad Javad Zarif, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran and his accompanying delegation, which included Iraj Masjedi, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Iraq, Nasrallah Rashnudi, Consul of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Erbil, and Mahdi Shushtari as Consul. "The Islamic Republic of Iran in Sulaymaniyah, and a number of officials and advisors in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

butterfly  During the meeting, they discussed developments within the political process in Iraq and the challenges facing Iraq, as well as the political situation in the region. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran declared that the stability of the Kurdistan region is of special importance to his country.

At the same meeting, views and views were exchanged on ways to reach stability in Iraq and the region and confront terrorism and extremism.

The need to strengthen the historical relations between the Kurdistan region and the Islamic Republic of Iran was also emphasized.

In another axis of the meeting, the two sides discussed the agreement signed between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government regarding the normalization of the situation in Shingal, and the upcoming Iraqi elections.

It is noteworthy that the Iranian Foreign Minister, Muhammad Javad Zarif, arrived today, Tuesday, to Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan region, from Baghdad, where he arrived yesterday.

Zarif was received at Erbil International Airport by the Vice President of the Kurdistan Regional Government, Qubad Talabani, the Minister of the Interior of the Kurdistan Region, Reaper Ahmed, the official of external relations, Sven Dzi, and the head of the Office of the Presidency of the Kurdistan Region, Fawzi Hariri.

butterfly   In the context, the representative of the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iran, Nazem al-Dabbagh, indicated to Rudaw Media Network that the meetings that Zarif holds with senior officials in the Kurdistan region will discuss several files, including seeking to resolve differences between Tehran and Washington, adding that the relations between the Kurdistan region and Iran Continuous improvement. "

Regarding the objectives of Zarif's visit to Baghdad and Erbil, Al-Dabbagh explained that "the opening of the Silk Road and efforts to resolve differences between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States of America are the focus of the talks."

Earlier, the Iranian ambassador to Iraq, Iraj Masjedi, described the relations between Erbil and Tehran as "deep and historical," indicating that "the volume of trade exchange between Iran and Iraq amounts to $ 13 billion, most of which takes place through the Kurdistan region."

The Kurdistan region has a long border with Iran, and it has three border ports with it: Hajj Omran, Parweizkhan and Bashmakh, in addition to four unofficial ports.

During the past years, the Iranian Foreign Minister, Muhammad Javad Zarif, visited the Kurdistan region several times, and emphasized the strengthening of bilateral relations, the last of which was in July 2020.

butterfly   Hussein confirms that an Iranian-Saudi meeting will be held in Baghdad and that reveals secret negotiations

Time: 04/27/2021 23:17:18   {Politics: Al Furat News} The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fouad Hussein, confirmed that an Iranian-Saudi meeting would be held in Baghdad, while secret negotiations between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran had been revealed for a year and a half.

Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here

Hussein said in a televised interview, "The reciprocal visits from Iraq and the countries of the world and the neighborhood are not for courtesy and not protocol, but rather with practical programs, most of which are related to coordination on political issues, exchange of views on issues in the region and pushing tensions on them in addition to economic issues."

"We have many problems in the economic and financial reality, oil, the private sector, gas, electricity, the energy file, agriculture and other issues, and these are all issues that must be raised and discussed and cooperation with other countries on them," he added.

Hussein pointed out, "We are not neutral in the sense that we are with right against falsehood, not in this concept, but are neutral with the interests of Iraq, and regional and international interventions are reflected on the Iraqi reality, and we deal with everyone and do not enter into the axes of one country against another."

butterfly   He added, "Iraq has collected contradictions in the relations between the countries of the region, and it is the only alternative that communicates with everyone regardless of the relations of other countries with each other. Iraq is frank in raising issues in the region, and we also have internal files that have problems and need to be addressed, and this can be achieved with neighboring countries."

And Hussein said, "Iraq played a role in the rapprochement of relations between Egypt and Turkey, and I read in the press that there was a diplomatic meeting between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and he is happy with this meeting, and Iraq is playing a role in this aspect, and Iraq was a victim of the Iranian-American conflict in the region, and that contact with former US President Donald Trump It was difficult and they diagnosed the issues. "

He added, "Our relations are good with Washington and Iran, and when I spoke with the officials of the two countries, they said that we are free to talk with the other, and the course of the US-Iranian negotiations will continue and there may be turning points in it. Some negotiations between the two countries have been unannounced and a secret negotiation for a year and a half x but some neighboring countries had a position." Of regime change in Iraq after 2003. "

butterfly   The foreign minister affirmed, "We have passed the stage of discontinuity between Iraq and Saudi Arabia and entered the issue of understandings and cooperation in various fields and the joint ministerial council between them and some neighboring countries and the region. Saudi companies are ready to come to Iraq, but some security events make them await but do not back down from their decision to invest."

He revealed, "After Eid al-Fitr, the tripartite summit will be held between Iraq, Egypt and Jordan," adding, "There is no cancellation of memoranda of understanding with China, and there is no idea to establish a fund between Iraq and Egypt. Rather there are ideas about exchanging oil for electricity or construction, and we are discussing many things with Jordan starting with From political cooperation to the cultural level. "

Hussein noted, "The government of Adel Abdul Mahdi has added 200,000 jobs in state institutions, which has put pressure on the state budget. The current government has had to pay the salaries of employees from the Chinese fund, but we were able to recover their sums with the rise in oil prices."

The foreign minister concluded his dialogue by saying, "It is not correct to talk about Jordan's benefit more than Iraq in the memorandums of understanding between the two countries, and there is a restorative vision beyond that."

butterfly  2021-04-27 13:05  Shafaq News / Al-Faruq Minaret in the far west of Iraq is a pre-Islamic creation and is one of Iraq's most important monuments. It was previously used for military purposes, such as monitoring enemy armies attacking the city. Despite being ancient and neglected by the concerned authorities, this historical landmark continues to hold out.

Al-Faruq Minaret is located in the archaeological district of Hit, west of Al-Anbar, and was named after Caliph Omar Bin Al-Khattab, who rebuilt and rehabilitated it.

"The minaret was also used to light the road for convoys from the desert, as well as ships crossing the river at the time", Hit District Antiquities Superintendent, Nabil Moussa told Shafaq News agency.

He continued, "The minaret was greatly affected because of the neglect of successive governments, the lack of maintenance work, the construction of many streets nearby, and the opening of Cornish Hit Street".

"The minaret is 100 meters high and can be seen from anywhere inside Hit. Its diameter is three meters, and it looks like a cylinder", Moussa added.

Speaking on behalf of Hit's residents and Al-Anbar in general, Moussa stressed, "Al-Faruq Minaret and other heritage and archaeological sites in Al-Anbar should receive government support, and a specialized team should start working to maintain the minaret and other heritage sites in the district".

"There are three Al-Minaret Minarets in Al-Anbar, the first in the village of Jabba in Al-Baghdadi district, the second is the Al-Faruq Mosque in Haditha district, and the latter is the Al-Faruq minaret in Hit, all of which archaeological and heritage sites", said Mohammed Jassim, director of al-Anbar antiquities.

butterfly  Jassim pointed out that there was a problem hindering the maintenance of Al-Faruq Minaret in Hit, "The minaret belongs to the Sunni Endowment, and maintenance work was proposed on the endowment, under the supervision of the General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage, but the endowment responded that maintaining the minaret needed huge amounts of money".

"Discussions with the Sunni Endowment regarding the maintenance of the minaret have been going on since 2011, but with little result. The General Authority for Antiquities and Heritage does not have any financial allocations for maintenance anywhere in Iraq", he added.

Historian Seifeddine Islam called on the Sunni Endowment to "contribute to the maintenance of archaeological sites instead of wasting money by building a mosque at the cost of more than 80 billion Iraqi dinars in Al-Fallujah, which contains more than 150 mosques".

"Hit district is famous for its heritage, whether Al-Faruq Minaret, Al-Nawa'eer, or Hit Castle, all of these landmarks are neglected and have not been maintained for many years", Islam told Shafaq News agency.

"The majority of slogans in state institutions carry this minaret, but being a slogan without maintenance and attention is just desperate", he added.

For his part, Hassan Nadhim, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Antiquities, commented, "All archaeological sites are subject to plans within the Ministry of Culture and the Antiquities and Heritage Authority for maintenance and rehabilitation".

He also added, "What hinders the start of maintenance work is the association with international organizations that sponsor heritage properties and antiquities".

butterfly   "The ministry has urgent plans regarding Taq Kasra. There is controversy about some archaeological sites in Iraq. Still, they have not been initiated yet because there are neither financial allocations nor agreements with international organizations in this regard so far", Nadhim concluded.

butterfly   2021-04-27 11:31  Shafaq News/ Infographics of the United Nations Refugees Agency (UNRA) said that Iraq houses more than 245 thousand Syrian nationals of seven million who sought refuge abroad from the ongoing war in their country.

The official website of UNRA published an infographic elaborating the headcount of Syrian nationals in displacement in Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon.

UNRA expected a slight drop in the officially registered displaced people from 5,593,304 in March 2021 to 5,459,724 in December 2021.

According to the UNRA estimates, Turkey houses the highest headcount of Syrian refugees, with more than 3.665 million. Lebanon comes in second place with 885 thousand registered refugees, noting that the Syrian community in Syria is more than one and a half that.

The Infographics demonstrated that there are more than 7.181 million Syrian refugees in diaspora, 95% of whom are blended in the host community, and only 5% reside in displacement camps.

Of the people in need, 66.3% were women and children. 35% of the children are outside the educational system.

"In 2020, over 60% of the households reported loss of job and entire income due to the pandemic in some countries," the infographic showed.

The "daily voluntary return average" until March 31 in 2021 is 92, with 8,307 voluntarily repatriated Syrian nationals this year.

butterfly   2021-04-27 11:28  Shafaq news / In a leaked audiotape that offers a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes power struggles of Iranian leaders, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said the Revolutionary Guards Corps call the shots, overruling many government decisions and ignoring advice, The New York Times reported.

In one extraordinary moment on the tape that surfaced Sunday, Mr. Zarif departed from the reverential official line on Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani, the commander of the Guards’ elite Quds Force, the foreign-facing arm of Iran’s security apparatus, who was killed by the United States in January 2020.

The general, Mr. Zarif said, undermined him at many steps, working with Russia to sabotage the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers and adopting policies toward Syria’s long war that damaged Iran’s interests.

“In the Islamic Republic the military field rules,” Mr. Zarif said in a three-hour taped conversation that was a part of an oral history project documenting the work of the current administration. “I have sacrificed diplomacy for the military field rather than the field servicing diplomacy.”

The audio was leaked at a critical moment for Iran, as the country is discussing the framework for a possible return to a nuclear deal with the United States and other Western powers. Talks through intermediaries have been taking place in Vienna.

It is unclear what effect, if any, the revelations will have on those talks, or on Mr. Zarif’s position.

The recording, of a conversation in March between Mr. Zarif and an economist named Saeed Leylaz, an ally, was not meant for publication, as the foreign minister can repeatedly be heard saying on the audio. A copy was leaked to the London-based Persian news channel Iran International, which first reported on the recording and shared it with The New York Times.

butterfly   On it, Mr. Zarif confirms what many have long suspected: that his role as the representative of the Islamic Republic on the world stage is severely constricted. Decisions, he said, are dictated by the supreme leader or, frequently, the Revolutionary Guards Corps.

Iran’s foreign ministry did not dispute the authenticity of the recording but questioned the motive for the leak. Saeed Khatibzadeh, a spokesman for the ministry, called it “unethical politics” and said the portion of the audio released did not represent the full scope of Mr. Zarif’s comments about his respect and love for General Suleimani.

In the portions that were leaked, Mr. Zarif does praise the general and says they worked productively together in the prelude to the U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. He also says that by assassinating him in Iraq, the United States delivered a major blow to Iran, more damaging than if it had wiped out an entire city in an attack.

But he said some of Mr. Suleimani’s actions also damaged the country, citing, as one example, his moves against the nuclear deal Iran reached in 2015 with Western nations, the United States among them (the Trump administration later renounced it).

Mr. Zarif said Russia did not want the agreement to succeed and “put all its weight” behind creating obstacles because it was not in Moscow’s interests for Iran to normalize relations with the West. To that end, Mr. Zarif said, General Suleimani traveled to Russia to “demolish our achievement,” meaning the nuclear deal.

Mr. Zarif took issue with General Suleimani on other fronts, criticizing him for allowing Russian warplanes to fly over Iran to bomb Syria and for moving military equipment and personnel to Syria on the state-owned Iran Air airline without the knowledge of the government and deploying Iranian ground forces to Syria.

butterfly   By Sunday night, Mr. Zarif’s critics were calling for his resignation, saying he had threatened Iran’s national security by revealing to the world the country’s inner politics. Even his supporters expressed concern that the comments could influence the presidential elections in late June and harm candidates from the reform faction, which Mr. Zarif is associated with, by reinforcing voter apathy and the idea that elected officials are not really in charge.

The leak follows a series of security breaches within Iran’s intelligence and government circles that have been implicated in two assassinations and two explosions at the Natanz nuclear site. A former vice president, Mohammad Ali Abtahi, said that the publication of Mr. Zarif’s audio was “tantamount to Israel stealing the nuclear documents” from Iran.

Mr. Zarif acknowledged on the tape that when it comes to negotiations, he is bound not just by the directions of the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but by the demands of the Guards. He said Mr. Khamenei had recently “forcefully rebuked” him for straying from the official line when he said Iran was willing to work with the United States to choreograph steps toward returning to a deal.

“The structure of our foreign ministry is mostly security oriented,” Mr. Zarif said.

Mr. Zarif said he was kept in the dark on government actions — sometimes to his embarrassment.

On the night that Iran decided to retaliate against the United States for the killing of General Suleimani, two Quds Force commanders went to see the Iraqi prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, to inform him that in about 45 minutes Iran would be firing missiles at a military base where U.S. troops were stationed, Mr. Zarif said. The Americans knew about the strike before he did.

butterfly   Former Secretary of State John Kerry informed him that Israel had attacked Iranian interests in Syria at least 200 times, to his astonishment, Mr. Zarif said.

He also pointed to the cover-up of the Guards’ downing of a Ukrainian jetliner in Iran that killed 176 on board on the morning after Iran attacked the air base.

The Guards knew immediately that their missiles had hit the plane, but only admitted to it three days later.

Soon after the plane was brought down, Mr. Zarif attended a small meeting of the national security council with two top military commanders, and said the world was demanding an explanation. The commanders, he said, attacked him and told him to send out a tweet saying the news was not true.

“I said, ‘If it was hit by a missile, tell us so we can see how we can resolve it,’” Mr. Zarif recalled. “God is my witness, the way they reacted to me is as if I had denied the existence of God.”

Butterfly   I will say that Iraq looks much much better than when I use to post articles. Still corruption, but not as much. Wanting to be with the best of the best, so it is taking time.

PeteV  heck yeah they've come a long way

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Zig’s Place Chat and News Tuesday AM 4-27-21

Zig’s Place Chat and News Tuesday AM 4-27-21

Zig:  Welcome to zig's place, a chat room for dinar speculators and others....discuss any topic that you wish here

butterfly  2021-04-27 04:28  Shafaq News / the Central Bank of Iraq on Tuesday, announced decrease in the foreign currency exchange.

Shafaq News Agency correspondent said that the foreign currency auction of the Central Bank of Iraq recorded a 3.85% decrease to 200,454,012 dollars which the bank covered at an exchange rate of 1460 dinars per dollar.

He added that the sales operations were in the form of wire transfer (165,054,012 $) and credits (35,034,000$).

Last December, Iraq’s central bank increased the sale price of U.S. dollars to banks and currency exchanges to 1,460 dinars, from 1,182 dinars, seeking to compensate for a decline in oil revenue due to low crude prices.

The central bank of Iraq said the key reason behind the dinar’s devaluation was to close the gap of widened 2021 budget inflation after a collapse in global oil prices, a major source of Iraq’s financial resources.

butterfly  2021-04-27 04:04 Shafaq News/ Gold held steady on Tuesday as market awaits a U.S. Federal Reserve meeting for cues on its monetary policy outlook, while a firmer dollar weighed on the metal's appeal.

Spot gold XAU= was flat at $1,780.86 per ounce by 0724 GMT. U.S. gold futures GCv1 were little changed at $1,780.70 per ounce.

"We're starting to see a bit of a perking up of the U.S. dollar and bond yields as well," DailyFX currency strategist Ilya Spivak said.

The dollar .DXY edged up, making gold less alluring for other currency holders, while benchmark U.S. 10-year Treasury yield US10YT=RR held close to the 1.570% level.

While no major policy changes are expected from the Fed's two-day policy meeting ending on Wednesday, investors will pay close attention to Chairman Jerome Powell's outlook on the economy.

Fed slashed its benchmark overnight interest rate to near zero last March after the pandemic hit the United States, and has promised to leave borrowing costs unchanged until the economy reaches full employment and inflation hits 2%. most likely scenario that markets are looking for is a status quo result," Spivak said, adding that, "the Fed is going to have a hard time sounding any more dovish than they already have been."

The Bank of Japan maintained its massive stimulus on Tuesday and projected inflation missing its 2% target for years to come, while new restrictions to counter a surge in COVID-19 cases clouded prospects of a fragile economic recovery. XPD= edged 0.1% lower to $2,924.67 per ounce, after scaling an all-time high of $2,941 on Monday.

"Pent-up demand in the auto sector is likely to fuel strong demand for PGM (Platinum Group Metals)-rich catalytic converters amid rising restrictions on emissions," ANZ analysts wrote in a note.

Silver XAG= fell 0.2% to $26.17 per ounce. Platinum XPT= was down 0.3% at $1,240.01.

butterfly   2021-04-27 03:02  Shafaq News / The dollar exchange rates dropped in the Iraqi market today, Tuesday (April 27, 2021).

• The Kifah Stock Exchange recorded 147,800 dinars, for $ 100.

• The Al-Harthiya Stock Exchange recorded 147,800 dinars for 100 dollars.

In Baghdad  Selling prices in the banking stores in the local markets

•Sale price: 148,250 dinars for $ 100   • Purchase price: 147,250 dinars for $ 100

In Erbil   Selling prices in the banking stores in the local markets

•Sale price: 147,800 dinars for $ 100   • Purchase price: 147,500 dinars for $ 100

Some currency exchange business owners said the prices are stable due to the weak demand of dollar, indicating that in the coming period the currency exchange rate will remain stable.

butterfly  After a billion defense .. 300 million error in Baghdad operations

Time: 04/27/2021 13:59:58   {Locality: Al-Furat News} Baghdad Operations Command announced the return of 300 million dinars, which was accidentally spent on its salaries.

Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here

A statement of operations, the Euphrates News Agency received a copy of, stated that "an amount of 300 million dinars was returned by the Treasury Committee of the 3rd Commando Regiment in the Baghdad Operations Command's Commando Brigade to the bank, after an accounting error was discovered in the (Al-Boudro)" .

An officer had returned salaries at the first army aviation base, in the amount of one billion dinars to the Bank of the Ministry of Defense.

A statement by the ministry yesterday stated, "Al Furat News" received a copy of it that "due to the loyalty, loyalty and love of the Iraqi army heroes for the homeland, the salary officer at the First Army Air Force Base, Lieutenant Colonel Saddam Adi Muhammad Fahd, returned an amount (one billion dinars) to the Ministry of Defense bank," And who was admitted with the salaries inadvertently by the bank. "

butterfly   Iraq in Talks to build Nuclear Reactors 27th April 2021 Iraq is reportedly in talks with Russia, France and the United States regarding the construction of three civil nuclear reactors.

According to The New Arab, the Head of the Iraqi Radioactive Sources Regulatory Authority (IRSRA) said that several preliminary meetings had been held to study the feasibility of setting up the reactors.

butterfly   KAPITA launches New Co-Working Space in Baghdad 27th April 2021 KAPITA, in partnership with Iraqi Angel Investor Jafar Musawi (CEO of Atlas Plast), have opened up a new co-working space in Baghdad that aims to support the growing entrepreneurship and small business sector in Iraq.

The newly opened space 'CoWork', is a dedicated co-working space for companies, freelancers, startups and creatives who need a flexible and professional workspace in Baghdad.

CoWork is designed to be a convenient and affordable option for youth and freelancers to work from. It is a membership-based coworking space that has the capacity to serve up to 250 youth. This new space by KAPITA aims to create a network of productive Iraqi youth, linking freelancers with small business owners and startups, that enhances and develops the Iraqi ecosystem.

On the 22nd of April 2020, KAPITA held an opening ceremony for CoWork where a number of official figures and representatives from the Baghdad Chamber of Commerce attended along with respective figures from Banks, large corporations, prominent businessmen and Iraqi youth.

Mujahed Al Waisi, Executive Director of KAPITA stated:

"CoWork is a new addition to Baghdad, providing an important platform and space for companies, emerging projects and entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurship sector is expanding and growing rapidly in Iraq and there is greater need and urgency to keep up with these changes that are happening and a greater need to support the Iraqi youth in this sector."

butterfly   Jaafar Musawi, the Angel investor of CoWork added:

"As businessmen, we know every well the challenges that any project in Iraq faces. We must contribute in opening up new opportunities for the Iraqi market and encourage foreign and local companies to expand into Iraq and relieve any pressures and challenges they may face by providing creative spaces, services and solutions. I am very happy to partner up with KAPITA and to be able to provide a new space for entrepreneurs in Iraq."

In addition, Bahaaddin Salim, CEO of Nass Al Iraq added:

''We are happy to support this space by providing the entrepreneurs with essential services that they require such as high-speed internet."

butterfly   Dana Gas Resumes $600m Expansion in Iraq 27th April 2021 Dana Gas and its partner Crescent Petroleum have announced the full resumption of the expansion project at the Khor Mor field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), which the companies jointly operate on behalf of the Pearl Petroleum consortium.

The KM250 expansion involves further investment of US$600 million to add 250 million cubic feet per day of much-needed additional gas production to supply the local power stations. The project construction work had been put on hold due to the COVID pandemic but is now on track for a new target start date of April 2023, after agreement to lift the force majeure with both the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the contractor [Exterran].

Under a Gas Sales agreement signed in March 2019 with the KRG Ministry of Natural Resources, Pearl Petroleum will sell the additional quantities of gas to supply the power stations with affordable and environmentally cleaner fuel, and further enhance electricity supplies. Today over 80% of the KRI's electricity generation is enabled by the gas produced by the companies.

Current production at the Khor Mor field is 440 million cubic feet per day of natural gas as well as 15,700 barrels per day of condensate and 1,020 tonnes of liquified petroleum gas (LPG), or a total of 110,400 barrels of oil equivalent (boe) per day, making it the largest overall producer in the KRI and the largest private sector upstream gas operation in Iraq. After the KM250 train, there are plans to add a further KM500 train which would take production to almost 1 billion cubic feet per day by 2024.

butterfly   Total investment to date exceeds US$2 billion with total cumulative production of over 332 million barrels of oil equivalent (boe), which has resulted in significant fuel cost savings and economic benefits for the Kurdistan Region and Iraq as a whole. In addition 43 million tonnes of CO2 emissions have been eliminated by displacing liquid fuels, which in turn has made a positive contribution to tackling global climate change as well as reducing local air pollution.

Mr. Majid Jafar, CEO of Crescent Petroleum and Board Managing Director of Dana Gas, commented:

"After a year of delay due to the COVID pandemic, we are pleased to fully resume the KM250 expansion project to invest US$600 million and grow the gas production almost 60% within 2 years from now, supporting the local electricity provision even further. Despite the challenges the whole world has faced over the past year we have kept our operations safe and managed to grow production and we are grateful to all our staff and to the KRG for its support."

Dr. Patrick Allman-Ward, CEO of Dana Gas, added:

"With our partners in Pearl Petroleum we are proud to be investing further in the gas sector of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, delivering a reliable source of cleaner energy, and supporting local economic development. The continuing receipt of payments in a timely manner gives confidence for our continued investment commitment as we enter the next exciting phase of growth with the Khor Mor expansion, which will be carried out under strict health protocols to ensure the safety of our staff and service providers."    (Source: Dana Gas)

butterfly   The Council of Ministers holds its regular session headed by Al-Kazemi

Tuesday 27, April 2021 15:04 The Council of Ministers held its regular session today, Tuesday, headed by Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kazemi.

butterfly  Parliamentary law by / NINA /: The decision to cancel elections abroad is unconstitutional and subject to appeal before the Federal Court

Tuesday 27, April 2021 15:02 The Parliamentary Legal Committee disclosed the constitutional course for the Election Commission’s decision to cancel the voting of Iraqi voters residing abroad.

A member of the committee, MP Saeb Khadr, said in a statement to the Iraqi National News Agency ( NINA ) that "the decision to cancel foreign elections includes two sides, the first of which is a legal aspect that is subject to administrative technical accounts by the commission, and the other side is political, related to holding early elections and ensuring their integrity."

He added, "Practically and constitutionally, it is not permissible to cancel the voting of outside voters, because elections are a right guaranteed to all Iraqi citizens inside and outside the country," noting that "depriving citizens outside Iraq of this right is an illegal and unconstitutional measure, but the Commission's vision technically prevents the elections from taking their course." Constitutional according to law. "

He explained that "appealing the lawsuits is a legitimate right for everyone with an interest, based on the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Law, and the final decision remains with the Federal Court."

On March 23, the elections commission in Iraq decided to cancel the voting of voters residing abroad during the elections scheduled to take place on the tenth of next October, and returned the decision to technical, legal, financial and health reasons.

butterfly   I see nothing.    Again we wait.

Butterfly   Baghdad hospital fire death toll rises to around 130 people: commission

17 hours ago ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The death toll of a massive fire that ripped through Baghdad’s Ibn al-Khatib Hospital Saturday night has risen to around 130, according to Iraq’s human rights commission.

A report released following a fact-finding mission by the government-funded Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights reports a higher number of casualties than the government’s previous toll, on Sunday, of 82 deaths. It notes that many of the bodies have yet to be identified due to being burned beyond recognition.

The commission has found that the fire started after an oxygen cylinder exploded in a patient wing crowded with visitors. They say the number of people allowed in the space is evidence of the hospital’s failure to abide by the instructions of the ministry of health.

Fire extinguishing equipment present in the hospital was not used due to people not being aware of where it was stored, it says, also noting that many patients were rescued by companions and family members, rather than civil defense teams.

“The civil defense team arrived at the scene of the fire within an hour,” the statement reads, while the spokesman for the ministry of the interior, Major General Khaled al-Muhanna, claimed on Sunday that the team had arrived within 3 minutes.

butterfly   The report has also found that the hospital had an insufficient number of specialized, trained night staff to monitor emergency cases in the hospital and that civil defense personnel did not fulfill their duties.

"All of the above indicates a clear deficiency in the level of providing health services to citizens and a flagrant violation of human rights, especially the right of healthcare, by government agencies represented by the Ministry of Health and the hospital administration," the statement reads.

Iraqi parliament’s health committee published a report on the incident on Monday noting “negligence and the lack of a central fire extinguishing system in the hospital.” The report also noted that some visitors used electrical devices to cook food inside the recovery halls.

Iraq’s top court announced Sunday evening that an arrest warrant has been issued for the director and other employees of Ibn al-Khatib Hospital.

Amnesty International has called on the Iraqi Government to “bring justice to the victims, hold those responsible accountable and take steps to ensure this never happens again. A hospital must be a safe space for people battling for their lives.”

butterfly   Documents .. A parliamentary question to the Governor of the Central Bank regarding banks and currency outlets

Time: 04/27/2021 15:40:34   {Politics: Al-Furat News} Member of Parliament Jamal al-Muhammadawi addressed a parliamentary question to the Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq [Mustafa Ghaleb is scary] regarding monitoring banks, banking companies and brokerage offices for the sale and purchase of foreign currencies.

Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here

According to a document issued by his office, Al-Furat News Agency received a copy of it, Al-Muhammadawi said, "Through the audit of the Federal Office of Financial Supervision, the data on the capital of private banks, it was noticed that there were a number of banks that did not increase their capital to (250) billion dinars, in contrast to the uncles of the General Directorate of Banking and Credit Control. In the year 2013, we mention some of these banks, for example, the Dar Al-Salam Bank (150) billion dinars, the Babylon Bank (178.859) billion dinars, the Tigris and Euphrates Bank (100) billion dinars, and the Islamic Cooperation Bank (144,481) billion dinars. "

He added that "the follow-up of the Office of Financial Supervision showed that the Central Bank's instructions related to the sale and purchase of currency did not include anything indicating the follow-up of commercial lists provided by private banks in exchange for imported goods that were covered by credits, which causes the central bank to lose the control component of remittances."

butterfly   He pointed out that "there are no deterrent measures by the General Directorate of Banking Supervision regarding banks that refrain from paying the issuance of letters of guarantee for a specified period of time."

Al-Muhammadawi added, "Some companies have been observed to engage in brokering activities in selling currency in Baghdad, but they are not installed in the database of the Banking Supervision Directorate."

He stressed that "companies mediating in the sale of currency benefited from the issuance of the Banking Control Directorate to stop requests to grant branches to banks, which led to companies and offices taking advantage of the legal loophole."

Al-Muhammadawi was surprised by the suspension of the activity of the mediation companies located in the governorates of Anbar and Nineveh. The suspension did not include the other hot provinces of Salah al-Din and Diyala in 2016.

Al-Muhammadawi revealed that the company (Al-Labab to mediate in the sale of currency) borrowed from the Iraqi Trade Bank an amount of (350) million dinars, that is, (70%) of its capital of (500) million dinars, in contradiction to the law, in addition to that the loan was granted to the company before it was registered with the Department. Company registration. ”

butterfly  Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya stock exchanges indicate a decline in dollar prices

Time: 04/27/2021 10:24:58   {Economic: Al Furat News} The exchange rates of the dollar fell, on Tuesday, on the main stock exchange in Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region.

Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here

Economists said that the central Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya Stock Exchange in Baghdad recorded 147800 Iraqi dinars for 100 US dollars.

While the Central Al-Kifah Stock Exchange registered 148,000 Iraqi dinars, during its opening on Monday morning.

They indicated that the buying and selling prices decreased in the exchange shops in the local markets in Baghdad, where the selling price reached 148,250 Iraqi dinars, while the purchase prices reached 147,250 dinars per 100 US dollars.

butterfly Rafidain Bank announces the distribution of salaries for the employees of a number of state departments

Time: 04/27/2021 08:08:05  {Economic: Al Furat News} Al-Rafidain Bank announced the distribution of salaries of a number of ministries and state institutions through electronic payment tools.

Al-Mukhtasar al-Mufid .. In important news, you can find it on the Al Furat News channel on the Telegram .. To subscribe, click here

The bank’s media office said in a statement that the Euphrates News Agency received a copy of it today that the salaries of employees of some ministries and state institutions have been distributed from those whose salaries have been settled with the bank and holders of the electronic Master Card.

He indicated that the bank continues to pay salaries according to specific contexts and dates.

butterfly  Washington is ready to support the Central Bank and the Iraqi banking sector............................On Monday, the US ambassador to Baghdad, Matthew Toller, expressed his country's readiness to provide full support to the central bank and the banking sector in Iraq.

In a statement received by the Tigris, the Central Bank of Iraq said, "The Governor of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mustafa Ghaleb, is terrifying. He received the US ambassador to Iraq, Matthew Toller, and discussed with him ways of joint cooperation between the two countries in the monetary and economic fields, including emphasizing the importance of technical support and joint cooperation." For the advancement of the Iraqi banking sector. "

For his part, the ambassador expressed "his country's readiness to provide various types of support and assistance to the central bank and the banking sector in Iraq."

butterfly  Al-Rasheed continues to grant advances electronically...........................Al-Rasheed Bank confirmed, on Monday, that it will continue to grant advances to employees of the Ministries of Defense and Interior, as well as retirees, electronically.

In a statement received by the Tigris, the bank said, "The submission is made directly without the beneficiary coming to the bank."

He pointed out that "there is no intermediary between the bank and the beneficiary," warning against "dealing with any party that claims otherwise."

Doug_W  Silver:$26.54 +0.26

Butterfly  Constitutional Amendments Committee to / NINA /: The final report is not yet complete

Tuesday 27, April 2021 15:54 The special parliamentary committee in charge of constitutional amendments revealed that its final report on constitutional amendments, which it was hoped would be presented to the House of Representatives, is still incomplete so far.

A member of the committee, Representative Yonadam Kanna, said in a statement to the Iraqi National News Agency ( NINA ) that "the Constitutional Amendments Committee did not complete all its work officially, due to several disagreements, the first of which is Article 140," referring to different views related to the Federation Council and the provisions of Article 76, regarding the formation of The new government and the description of the winning bloc in the elections, and the powers of the regions and governorates with the central government.

He added, "A small committee of representatives of the components of the Kirkuk governorate was assigned to resolve a joint formulation from all concerned parties and then include it in the final report of the constitutional amendments," noting that "the mini-committee has not produced anything to this day, and the final report is still incomplete so far." .

In late November 2020, the Special Parliamentary Committee in charge of constitutional amendments announced the end of its work with the existence of controversial points in need of political consensus, after it failed to hold its final meeting to discuss Article 140, due to the absence of representatives of the components and some of its members. The other political blocs prevented the quorum from being reached for the meeting

butterfly   The Iranian Foreign Minister affirms support for the government and respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq

Tuesday 27, April 2021 16:08 confirmed Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, the government 's support and respect for Iraq 's sovereignty and territorial integrity, adding to the depth of historical relations between Baghdad and Tehran,

Zarif said, during a meeting with national security adviser Qassem al - Araji in Baghdad on Tuesday that " the security adviser talks Nationalist Qasim Al-Araji, the last one in Tehran, was important and successful. "

The meeting witnessed a review of the Iraqi relations between Iraq and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and means of strengthening them, in a way that serves the interests of the two neighboring countries and peoples.

Sheila   Did anyone notice that Royal Bank of Canada went belly up? Nothing much in news about that. Wonder if anyone can shed light on that event?

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