WOTS Sunday 5/20/18
Forex Rates:CNBC Link:CNBC Morning Squawk Link:No link yetDC NY Iraq Articles:ddddCordial Ties to Iraq Will Grow
https://financialtribune.com/articles/national/86727/ cordial-ties-to-iraq-will-grow
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Saudi Arabia does not have much room for maneuver in Iraq despite the electoral victory of a political bloc led by the cleric Moqtada al-Sadr whose rare visit to the oil kingdom last year signaled a possible rapprochement with Riyadh, says a lawmaker. The Sairoon electoral list backed by Sadr and who has challenged both United States and Iran—won the parliamentary election, winning 54 parliamentary seats, Reuters reported, citing a Saturdayannouncement by the electoral commission."Saudi Arabia may be able to wield influence on certain people in isolated cases and for a limited period. But the overall situation in Iraq is not against Iran from different perspectives, and Iran has a diverse connections in Iraq," Elias Hazrati told ICANA.dKauaihn Iraq Articles:dddVietnam Trade, Service Sectors Need Revision
https://financialtribune.com/articles/world-economy/86714/ vietnam-trade-service-sectors- need-revision
Sunday, May 20, 2018
The development of wholesale and retail infrastructure in Vietnam has faced its fair share of rocky moments, but the industry’s growing role in consumption has put it at the forefront of the economy. Nguyen Van Hoi, deputy director of the domestic market department under the ministry of industry and trade, made the statement on Friday at a conference on the role of management agencies and businesses in developing trade and services, held in Hanoi, VNA reported. Hoi said the average growth of retail and consumption services revenue was 10% a year from 2011-17. This meant that the revenue increased from VND3.5 trillion ($153.5 million) in 2016 to VND4.2 trillion in 2017. In the first four months of this year, it was estimated at VND1.4 trillion, up 9.8% from the same period last year. The average growth rate of combined retail and services revenue is always higher than GDP growth. “However, the trade infrastructure system has been distributed unevenly, and is focused mainly in the cities. The number of markets and supermarkets in rural and mountainous areas remains low in comparison,” he said.Iran Private Sector Calls for Changing Forex Policy
https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-business-and- markets/86712/iran-private- sector-calls-for-changing- forex-policy
Sunday, May 20, 2018
As Iran is dealing with the ramifications of the government's policy announced on April 9 to unify the country's dual foreign exchange rates, the private sector has called on President Hassan Rouhani's administration to make a series of changes to its policy, especially by creating a secondary foreign exchange market.
"If the government allows the formation of a secondary foreign exchange market with the aim of providing currency for other needs [besides imports, travelers and students], foreign exchange rates will also decline," Masoud Khansari, the head of Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, was quoted as saying by TCCIM's official website.
He was speaking on Saturday at the latest dialogue council of Tehran's private sector players and identified several deficiencies in the government's currency policyd26th Int’l Qur’an Exhibition opens
http://www.irna.ir/en/News/82920350
Tehran, May 20, IRNA – The 26th International Qur’an Exhibition opened in Tehran late Saturday with a message from Ayatollah Jafar Sobhani and with the motto of ‘Qur’an Chandelier of Guidance’
Ayatollah Sobhani said in his message to the event that Qur’an boasts of unending concepts, as innumerable works have been created inspired by the Holy Book.
Hailing glory of Qur’an, he added that the eternal religion should have an eternal miracle to shine until the Resurrection Day.
Director of the 26th International Qur’an Exhibition Abdolhadi Feqihizadeh told the inaugural ceremony that the exhibition is one of the biggest events in the Islamic world.
The exhibition attracts the attention of the people to Qur’anic activities such as reciting and memorizing the Holy Book, he said, noting that it will also create a trend to nurture talents in the field.
The 26th International Qur’an Exhibition will continue for 17 days.Maersk Tankers Ends Iran Shipping
https://financialtribune.com/articles/economy-domestic- economy/86722/maersk-tankers- ends-iran-shipping
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Danish shipping group Maersk Tankers on Thursday said it would cease its activities in Iran due to the US decision to leave a landmark nuclear deal and reimpose sanctions against Tehran.
Maersk Tankers would honor customer agreements entered into before May 8, but then wind them down by November 4, “as required by the reimposed US sanctions”, the company told AFP. The group said it “has been transporting cargoes for customers in and out of Iran on a limited basis,” without providing precise figures for its activities.
Maersk Chief Executive Soren Skou told Reuters: “With the sanctions the Americans are to impose, you can’t do business in Iran if you also have business in the US, and we have that on a large scale.”
“I don’t know the exact timing details, but I am certain that we’re also going to shut down (in Iran),” Skou said in an interview following Maersk’s first-quarter earnings. MSC, the world’s second biggest container shipping group after Maersk, said on Wednesday it would stop taking new booking for Iran. Skou said higher oil prices, which followed the US withdrawal, were hitting its container shipping business because of higher bunker fuel prices. Oil prices hit their highest level since November 2014 on Thursday, with Brent crude creeping ever closer to $80 per barrel.Norway CB to Develop Digital Currencyhttps://financialtribune.com/articles/world-economy/86708/ norway-cb-to-develop-digital- currency
Sunday, May 20, 2018
Norway’s central bank, Norges Bank, is considering developing its own digital currency as a supplement to cash to “ensure confidence in money and the monetary system”, according to a working paper May 18.
The report, prepared by a Norges Bank working group, investigates aspects they believe should be considered when assessing the issuance of a central bank digital currency, Cointelegraph reported.
The authors emphasize at least three possible CBDC applications: the introduction of a reliable alternative to deposits in private banks, a suitable legal tender as a supplement to cash, and an independent backup solution for electronic payment systems.
Norges Bank Governor Oystein Olsen wrote: “A decline in cash usage has prompted us to think about whether at some future date a number of new attributes that are important for ensuring an efficient and robust payment system and confidence in the monetary system will be needed.”
The report states that a CBDC could provide customers with an alternative means to store assets. According to Norges bank, the foundation of a CBDC must also not interfere with the ability of the bank and other financial institutions to provide credit. Norges Bank will reportedly continue to issue cash as long as there is demand for it.
The working group has only completed the initial phase of studying a potential CBDC, stating: “It is too early to conclude whether Norges Bank should take the initiative in introducing a CBDC. The impacts of a CBDC–and the socio-economic cost-benefit analysis–will depend on the specific design. The design, in turn, will depend on the purpose of introducing a CBDC.”Other countries in Europe have also begun to consider issuing a digital currency through their central bank. Similar to Norway, Sweden’s Riksbank is considering an e-krona as a result of declining cash circulation.d
Kauaihn Economic Times:
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More billionaires went to Harvard than Stanford, MIT and Yale combined
Harvard grads represent 6.8 percent of the global billionaire population.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Relying on Trump-triggered stock market rallies is a bad idea, according to tax attorney. Read the full story
US crude dips 21 cents, settling at $71.28, but posts third straight weekly gain
Brent was boosted by strong demand, looming sanctions on Iran, plummeting Venezuelan production and Nigerian disruption.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Commodities May 18, 2018 18:37 GMT Investing.com – WTI crude oil prices settled lower on Friday, but notched their third straight week of gains as falling production in Venezuela and pending U.S. sanctions on Iran helped offset signs of an expansion in U.S. output. On the New York Mercantile Exchange crude futures for June delivery fell 21 cents to settle at $71.28 a barrel, while on London’s Intercontinental Exchange, Brent fell 74 cents to trade at $78.56 a barrel. The number of oil rigs Read the full story
© Reuters. Oil pares weekly gains as traders wait for U.S. production data Read the full story
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Commodities May 18, 2018 17:54 GMT Investing.com – Gold prices rose on Friday as a weaker dollar and falling U.S. Treasury yields bolstered demand for the precious metal but gains were limited as traders remained wary of a rebound in yields. Gold futures for June delivery on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose by $2.00, or 0.16%, to $1,291.60 a troy ounce. Gold prices recovered from lows of $1,285.20 as United States 10-Year turned negative, pressuring the dollar to give Read the full story
© Reuters. Gold was lower on Friday. Read the full story
Square stumbles into the banking business
Square customers are treating the payment company's Cash app more like a bank account than the company intended, CEO Jack Dorsey said this week.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Credit-card debt can be overwhelming and stressful, and many stories found online paint a glossy picture of the process of becoming debt-free. The journey to being debt-free is not always a straight path - it takes vigilance and adaptability to keep yourself on track with your plan. Here's what no one tells you about paying off credit-card debt. I graduated from college in 2015 with more student-loan debt than I wanted to acknowledge and about $5,000 in credit-card debt. I racked up this debt Read the full story
Devices beyond the mobile wallet - accessories, appliances, vehicles - will offer checkout options as households become more connected Read the full story
Lloyds Banking Group brought an end to a disastrous foray into the Republic of Ireland on Friday, offloading a £4 billion mortgage book for a loss of £110 million. Read the full story
A US forestry firefighter cools a burning modular home to protect a nearby structure in Deerhorn Valley as the Harris Fire continues growing beyond 70,000 acres on October 24, 2007. Central bankers are like "pyromaniac firefighters" creating crisis after crisis, hedge fund manager and economist Daniel Lacalle told BI. The 2008 financial crisis happened because of central bank policies, Lacalle said, adding that the next crisis is already being created and could be worse. Central bank policies Read the full story
Founder Josh Reich had a plan. Plans change. Read the full story
US 10-year Treasury note yield hits highest level since 2011
The yield on U.S. 10-year Treasury note yield hit a new multiyear high overnight, returning to a level not seen since 2011.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
© Reuters. What will next week bring? Read the full story
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
New Study of Bitcoin’s Energy Use Makes You Libertarian Nerds Look Even Worse Than Usual
Mother Jones
This story was originally published by Grist and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Bitcoin’s energy footprint has more than doubled since Grist first wrote about it six months ago. It’s expected to double again by the end of the year, according to a new peer-reviewed study out last Wednesday. And if that happens, bitcoin would... Read the full story
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Today, the more than $365 billion invested in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is owned almost entirely by individual investors—not by Wall Street institutions. That’s finally about to change. Coinbase, the largest U.S. Bitcoin exchange, launched new professional-grade trading products for institutional investors this week, citing rising demand for cryptocurrency from smart money heavyweights. “How we’ve seen it play out in the institutional space, very few want to be first, but most want to Read the full story
CURRENCIES
Which countries are dumping the dollar and why?
RT
The European Union is considering switching payments from the US dollar to the euro after Washington threatened to target European firms working in Iran, according to reports. Read Full Article at RT.com Read the full story
© Reuters. The dollar was higher on Friday. Read the full story
Forex May 18, 2018 16:51 GMT Investing.com – The dollar retreated from a fresh five-month high against a basket of major currencies as a rout of the euro eased, prompting traders to take profits on the greenback despite concerns about proposals laid out by a future Italian coalition government. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, rose 0.09% to 93.48. The greenback earlier in the session had hit a high of 93.74, Read the full story
7 Reasons You're Tired All The Time
Prevention
Ever ask yourself, "Why am I so tired?" Here's what to look out for. Read the full story
Neurodegenerative diseases are on the rise in a big way. Read the full story
A recent study demonstrates that a certain type of cancer immunotherapy might be enhanced simply by reducing cholesterol levels in cells. Read the full story
Weekly immunotherapy shots are the gold standard for allergy desensitization. But one allergist wants to change that—with toothpaste. Read the full story
The drug is called Aimovig Read the full story
Residents airlifted after fast-moving lava crosses Hawaii roadCBS News
Lava crossed a road and isolated about 40 homes Friday in a rural subdivision below Hawaii's Kilauea volcano Read the full story
The eruption of Hawaii's Kīlauea has produced striking images - but what's going on underneath? Read the full story
Emerging markets are trading in correction territory — but some call the stocks a buy
Emerging market stocks fall deeper into correction territory and are on track for their worst week in nearly two months. But some see opportunity — if you have the stomach.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Beggars can't be choosers. But if you're the world's richest hedge fund right now, you need to be as picky as possible. Bridgewater Associates, the $160 billion hedge fund firm run by billionaire Ray Dalio, refined its bets on emerging markets in the first quarter, pulling cash out of three broad-based exchanged traded funds and... Read the full story
About one percent of the island's customers remain without power eight months after Hurricane Maria. Officials say power restoration will be done by May 31. Read the full story
With hurricane season less than two weeks away and thousands of Puerto Ricans still without electricity, the US Army Corps of Engineers on Friday officially halted its work to restore power lines downed by Hurricane Maria in September. Read the full story
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's bloc wins Iraq electionBusiness Insider
Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr meets with ambassadors of Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Kuwait, in Najaf Thomson Reuters BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A political bloc led by populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, a long-time adversary of the United States who also opposes Iranian influence in Iraq, has won the country's parliamentary election, the electoral commission said. He cannot become prime minister as he did not run in the election, though his bloc's victory puts him in a position to pick Read the full story
Moqtada Sadr, a long-time opponent of the US and Iran, makes a comeback in Iraq, final results show. Read the full story
Muqtada al-Sadr's militias were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of US soldiers. Now he's set to be a deciding factor in Iraq's next government. Read the full story
The checkered and turbulent past of the man best poised to take on the role of “kingmaker” in Iraq may return to impact his ability to form a government, and Iraq’s relationship with the United States. Read the full story
Zimbabwe lithium projects face funding hurdleSource
VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe has a small window of up to 24 months to start producing battery grade lithium and ride the wave of high prices, miners said on Thursday, but the country’s high political risk made financing projects difficult. Since the fall of Robert Mugabe after a de facto military coup last November,... Read the full story
VICTORIA FALLS, May 18 - Zimbabwe needs up to $11 billion to modernise its mines and boost production to maximum capacity over the next five years, the head of the country’s Chamber of Mines said on Friday. Foreign investor interest in the southern African nation is growing after the fall of longtime leader Robert Mugabe... Read the full story
China's Hainan offers more countries visa-free accessReuters
China is planning to grant more countries visa-free access to Hainan, the state-owned Securities Times quoted an official as saying on Saturday, in a move aimed at further opening up the southern island province to foreign investment. Read the full story
Beijing could adjust plan to dial down trade tensions with Washington but it won’t budge on goal of becoming a tech superpower, according to sources Read the full story
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
President Donald Trump is mixing three issues that should not be mixed: trade, foreign policy and enforcement, says Max Baucus. Read the full story
There's no deal on the table yet, but negotiations are moving in that direction, according to President Trump's chief economic adviser. Read the full story
EUROPE
Europe reassures Iran of commitment to nuclear deal without U.S.
Reuters
The European Union's energy chief tried to reassure Iran on Saturday that the bloc remained committed to salvaging a nuclear deal with Tehran despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to exit the accord and reimpose sanctions. Read the full story
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
German Chancellor Merkel speaks during a joint news conference with Russian President Putin following their meeting in Sochi Thomson Reuters BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would address trade issues such as reciprocal market access and intellectual property protections during her visit to China next week. The four-term German leader said both countries recognized the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and would push for increased multilateralism at a time of Read the full story
GLOBAL/NEWS/INFO
More billionaires went to Harvard than Stanford, MIT and Yale combined
Harvard grads represent 6.8 percent of the global billionaire population.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
How the '90/10 rule' can help you make fewer, smarter decisions
Facebook's Jennifer Dulski says managers should make very few of their team's decisions themselves.Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
3 easy things you can do to trim monthly expenses and save
Monthly memberships and subscriptions can really add up. Do you know where your money is going?Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
How much money does it take to feel rich?
Americans overall say it would take $2.4 million to be considered "truly wealthy" but the answer also varies a lot by person.Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
As 401 (k) millionaires reach record high, investors warned to keep saving
Fox NewsRelying on Trump-triggered stock market rallies is a bad idea, according to tax attorney. Read the full story
OIL/COMMODITIES/ENERGY
US crude dips 21 cents, settling at $71.28, but posts third straight weekly gain
Brent was boosted by strong demand, looming sanctions on Iran, plummeting Venezuelan production and Nigerian disruption.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Crude Oil Prices Settle Lower But Snatch Third Weekly Gain
Investing.comCommodities May 18, 2018 18:37 GMT Investing.com – WTI crude oil prices settled lower on Friday, but notched their third straight week of gains as falling production in Venezuela and pending U.S. sanctions on Iran helped offset signs of an expansion in U.S. output. On the New York Mercantile Exchange crude futures for June delivery fell 21 cents to settle at $71.28 a barrel, while on London’s Intercontinental Exchange, Brent fell 74 cents to trade at $78.56 a barrel. The number of oil rigs Read the full story
Oil Prices Head for Weekly Gains Ahead of U.S. Shale Production Data
Investing.com© Reuters. Oil pares weekly gains as traders wait for U.S. production data Read the full story
Commodities are posting their best returns in a decade and Goldman thinks there's more to come
Goldman Sachs forecasts even more gains for commodities, as oil fuels the asset class's best year in a decade.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Goldman Sachs forecasts even more gains for commodities, as oil fuels the asset class's best year in a decade.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Gold rebounds as dollar eases on Italian political tensions
Gold prices rebounded on Friday, as the U.S. dollar eased after Italian political tension sparked a sell-off in the country's bond markets and investors sought a safe haven in bullion.Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Gold Prices Rise But Remain On Track for Weekly Slump
Investing.comCommodities May 18, 2018 17:54 GMT Investing.com – Gold prices rose on Friday as a weaker dollar and falling U.S. Treasury yields bolstered demand for the precious metal but gains were limited as traders remained wary of a rebound in yields. Gold futures for June delivery on the Comex division of the New York Mercantile Exchange rose by $2.00, or 0.16%, to $1,291.60 a troy ounce. Gold prices recovered from lows of $1,285.20 as United States 10-Year turned negative, pressuring the dollar to give Read the full story
Gold Continues to Fall as U.S. Dollar Rises
Investing.com© Reuters. Gold was lower on Friday. Read the full story
BANKS/BANKING/CREDIT
Square stumbles into the banking business
Square customers are treating the payment company's Cash app more like a bank account than the company intended, CEO Jack Dorsey said this week.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Banks will trade cryptocurrency sooner than people think, says fmr. JPMorgan blockchain executive
Former head of J.P. Morgan's blockchain arm says major banks like her former employer could get into the cryptocurrency business "sooner than people think."Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
4 things no one tells you about paying off credit-card debt, from someone who's done it
Business InsiderCredit-card debt can be overwhelming and stressful, and many stories found online paint a glossy picture of the process of becoming debt-free. The journey to being debt-free is not always a straight path - it takes vigilance and adaptability to keep yourself on track with your plan. Here's what no one tells you about paying off credit-card debt. I graduated from college in 2015 with more student-loan debt than I wanted to acknowledge and about $5,000 in credit-card debt. I racked up this debt Read the full story
Credit card payments evolve beyond the mobile wallet
ABC NewsDevices beyond the mobile wallet - accessories, appliances, vehicles - will offer checkout options as households become more connected Read the full story
Lloyds Banking Group makes £110m loss as it exits Irish ‘disaster’
Evening StandardLloyds Banking Group brought an end to a disastrous foray into the Republic of Ireland on Friday, offloading a £4 billion mortgage book for a loss of £110 million. Read the full story
Central bankers are like ‘pyromaniac firefighters’ and they are lighting another blaze
Business InsiderA US forestry firefighter cools a burning modular home to protect a nearby structure in Deerhorn Valley as the Harris Fire continues growing beyond 70,000 acres on October 24, 2007. Central bankers are like "pyromaniac firefighters" creating crisis after crisis, hedge fund manager and economist Daniel Lacalle told BI. The 2008 financial crisis happened because of central bank policies, Lacalle said, adding that the next crisis is already being created and could be worse. Central bank policies Read the full story
Online Bank Simple Thought It Would Win by “Not Sucking.” Here’s How That’s Going.
SlateFounder Josh Reich had a plan. Plans change. Read the full story
TREASURIES/BONDS/STOCKS
US 10-year Treasury note yield hits highest level since 2011
The yield on U.S. 10-year Treasury note yield hit a new multiyear high overnight, returning to a level not seen since 2011.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Top 5 Things That Moved Markets This Past Week
Investing.com© Reuters. What will next week bring? Read the full story
An ETF that made a big winning bet on bitcoin has now sold most of it
An ETF that has been beating the competition in the past year made a big bet on bitcoin that helped. But now the ETF has sold most of its cryptocurrency holdings.Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
CRYPTO'S / DIGITAL CURRENCY
New Study of Bitcoin’s Energy Use Makes You Libertarian Nerds Look Even Worse Than Usual
Mother Jones
This story was originally published by Grist and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Bitcoin’s energy footprint has more than doubled since Grist first wrote about it six months ago. It’s expected to double again by the end of the year, according to a new peer-reviewed study out last Wednesday. And if that happens, bitcoin would... Read the full story
Bitcoin rally this week fails to materialize as New York conference brings more hype than substance
Bitcoin dropped about 10 percent this week despite calls that it would rally on the back of major blockchain conference held in New York City.Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Why Coinbase's Cryptocurrency Business Could Jump 50%
FORTUNEToday, the more than $365 billion invested in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies is owned almost entirely by individual investors—not by Wall Street institutions. That’s finally about to change. Coinbase, the largest U.S. Bitcoin exchange, launched new professional-grade trading products for institutional investors this week, citing rising demand for cryptocurrency from smart money heavyweights. “How we’ve seen it play out in the institutional space, very few want to be first, but most want to Read the full story
CURRENCIES
Which countries are dumping the dollar and why?
RT
The European Union is considering switching payments from the US dollar to the euro after Washington threatened to target European firms working in Iran, according to reports. Read Full Article at RT.com Read the full story
Forex- U.S. Dollar Rallies To Five-Month High
Investing.com© Reuters. The dollar was higher on Friday. Read the full story
Forex - Dollar Eases From Highs as U.S. Bond Yields Retreat
Investing.comForex May 18, 2018 16:51 GMT Investing.com – The dollar retreated from a fresh five-month high against a basket of major currencies as a rout of the euro eased, prompting traders to take profits on the greenback despite concerns about proposals laid out by a future Italian coalition government. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, rose 0.09% to 93.48. The greenback earlier in the session had hit a high of 93.74, Read the full story
Dollar climbs to five-month peak as euro falls on Italy worries
The euro headed for its fifth successive weekly decline versus the dollar, in what would be a first for the currency since 2015.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
The euro headed for its fifth successive weekly decline versus the dollar, in what would be a first for the currency since 2015.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
INSURANCE / HEALTH
7 Reasons You're Tired All The Time
Prevention
Ever ask yourself, "Why am I so tired?" Here's what to look out for. Read the full story
Want To Prevent Neurodegenerative Disease? Science Says To Start Here
mindbodygreenNeurodegenerative diseases are on the rise in a big way. Read the full story
Lowering cholesterol improves cancer-fighting immunotherapy
Medical News TodayA recent study demonstrates that a certain type of cancer immunotherapy might be enhanced simply by reducing cholesterol levels in cells. Read the full story
Forget allergy shots. Try allergy toothpaste.
Popular ScienceWeekly immunotherapy shots are the gold standard for allergy desensitization. But one allergist wants to change that—with toothpaste. Read the full story
I Took the First FDA-Approved Migraine Prevention Treatment. It Transformed My Life
TIMEThe drug is called Aimovig Read the full story
USA/CANADA
Residents airlifted after fast-moving lava crosses Hawaii roadCBS News
Lava crossed a road and isolated about 40 homes Friday in a rural subdivision below Hawaii's Kilauea volcano Read the full story
Hawaii's Kilauea: Volcano's dramatic images explained
BBC News USThe eruption of Hawaii's Kīlauea has produced striking images - but what's going on underneath? Read the full story
US reportedly cancels B-52 bomber exercise with South Korea amid threats from North Korea
The news comes a day after the Pentagon said there were no plans to scale back the exercises.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
The news comes a day after the Pentagon said there were no plans to scale back the exercises.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
EMERGING MARKETS
Emerging markets are trading in correction territory — but some call the stocks a buy
Emerging market stocks fall deeper into correction territory and are on track for their worst week in nearly two months. But some see opportunity — if you have the stomach.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Hedge Fund Narrows Emerging-Market Bets, Focuses On Brazil
Investor's Business DailyBeggars can't be choosers. But if you're the world's richest hedge fund right now, you need to be as picky as possible. Bridgewater Associates, the $160 billion hedge fund firm run by billionaire Ray Dalio, refined its bets on emerging markets in the first quarter, pulling cash out of three broad-based exchanged traded funds and... Read the full story
FEMA Denies Contract Extension In Puerto Rico, Power Crews Head Home
NPRAbout one percent of the island's customers remain without power eight months after Hurricane Maria. Officials say power restoration will be done by May 31. Read the full story
Army Corps to leave Puerto Rico as hurricane season approaches
CNNWith hurricane season less than two weeks away and thousands of Puerto Ricans still without electricity, the US Army Corps of Engineers on Friday officially halted its work to restore power lines downed by Hurricane Maria in September. Read the full story
Venezuela’s Maduro seeks fresh mandate amid unprecedented social and economic crises
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is poised to win re-election on Sunday, despite widespread anger over the country's crushing economic crisis.Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
MIDDLE EAST
Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr's bloc wins Iraq electionBusiness Insider
Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr meets with ambassadors of Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Kuwait, in Najaf Thomson Reuters BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A political bloc led by populist cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, a long-time adversary of the United States who also opposes Iranian influence in Iraq, has won the country's parliamentary election, the electoral commission said. He cannot become prime minister as he did not run in the election, though his bloc's victory puts him in a position to pick Read the full story
Shia cleric Moqtada Sadr's bloc wins Iraq elections
BBC News USMoqtada Sadr, a long-time opponent of the US and Iran, makes a comeback in Iraq, final results show. Read the full story
A Cleric’s Rise Is A “Crushing Reminder” For Some Iraq War Veterans
BuzzFeed NewsMuqtada al-Sadr's militias were responsible for the deaths of hundreds of US soldiers. Now he's set to be a deciding factor in Iraq's next government. Read the full story
Muqtada al-Sadr: From US Foe to Iraqi Kingmaker
Atlantic CouncilThe checkered and turbulent past of the man best poised to take on the role of “kingmaker” in Iraq may return to impact his ability to form a government, and Iraq’s relationship with the United States. Read the full story
Ties With Israel Sour as Erdogan Seizes Gaza Issue Before Election
The New York Times
With a rally, harsh words and a recall of ambassadors, Turkey’s president hopes to position himself as a champion of the Palestinians and leader of the Muslim world. Read the full story
Europe's energy chief will seek to reassure Iran's top ministers on Saturday that the European Union wants to keep trade open despite the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Read the full story
The European Union's energy chief tried to reassure Iran on Saturday that the bloc remained committed to salvaging a nuclear deal with Tehran despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to exit the accord and reimpose sanctions on the country. Read the full story
With a rally, harsh words and a recall of ambassadors, Turkey’s president hopes to position himself as a champion of the Palestinians and leader of the Muslim world. Read the full story
After Trump's withdrawal from nuclear pact, EU energy chief courts Iran
ReutersEurope's energy chief will seek to reassure Iran's top ministers on Saturday that the European Union wants to keep trade open despite the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear deal. Read the full story
Iran says EU promising to salvage nuclear deal despite Trump move
ReutersThe European Union's energy chief tried to reassure Iran on Saturday that the bloc remained committed to salvaging a nuclear deal with Tehran despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to exit the accord and reimpose sanctions on the country. Read the full story
AFRICA
Zimbabwe lithium projects face funding hurdleSource
VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe - Zimbabwe has a small window of up to 24 months to start producing battery grade lithium and ride the wave of high prices, miners said on Thursday, but the country’s high political risk made financing projects difficult. Since the fall of Robert Mugabe after a de facto military coup last November,... Read the full story
Zimbabwe mines need $11 billion investment to modernise
SourceVICTORIA FALLS, May 18 - Zimbabwe needs up to $11 billion to modernise its mines and boost production to maximum capacity over the next five years, the head of the country’s Chamber of Mines said on Friday. Foreign investor interest in the southern African nation is growing after the fall of longtime leader Robert Mugabe... Read the full story
Africa: Palestine Wants Ethiopia, African Union to Mediate Peace Talks With Israel Instead of U.S.AllAfrica
(Photo: allafrica.com) The Palestinian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Nasri Abujaish (PhD), called on Ethiopia and the African Union to engage in peace talks with Israel, as his country will no longer accept the US as a neutral negotiator after the US Embassy opening in Jerusalem. The Ambassador announced this during a press conference held on the 15th of May 2018, to condemn the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. "Ethiopia's relation with the Arab world as well as being the seat of the African Read the full story
(Photo: allafrica.com) The Palestinian Ambassador to Ethiopia, Nasri Abujaish (PhD), called on Ethiopia and the African Union to engage in peace talks with Israel, as his country will no longer accept the US as a neutral negotiator after the US Embassy opening in Jerusalem. The Ambassador announced this during a press conference held on the 15th of May 2018, to condemn the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. "Ethiopia's relation with the Arab world as well as being the seat of the African Read the full story
South Africa: Reading Crisis - Focus On the Root Cause, Not the Peripherals
AllAfrica
Nearly a quarter of a century into democracy, four presidents and several curricular revisions later, South Africa has made little headway in its reading crisis. Calling it a crisis is no overstatement. South Africa ranked last out of 50 countries in the 2016 Progress in International Reading Literacy (PIRLS) study which tested reading comprehension of learners in their fourth year of primary schooling. The study found that 78% of South African pupils at this level could not read for meaning. Read the full story
Nearly a quarter of a century into democracy, four presidents and several curricular revisions later, South Africa has made little headway in its reading crisis. Calling it a crisis is no overstatement. South Africa ranked last out of 50 countries in the 2016 Progress in International Reading Literacy (PIRLS) study which tested reading comprehension of learners in their fourth year of primary schooling. The study found that 78% of South African pupils at this level could not read for meaning. Read the full story
ASIA
China's Hainan offers more countries visa-free accessReuters
China is planning to grant more countries visa-free access to Hainan, the state-owned Securities Times quoted an official as saying on Saturday, in a move aimed at further opening up the southern island province to foreign investment. Read the full story
Foreign firms may be invited to join Made in China 2025 scheme, sources say
South China Morning PostBeijing could adjust plan to dial down trade tensions with Washington but it won’t budge on goal of becoming a tech superpower, according to sources Read the full story
China says opening up of financial sector will need reciprocity
China's push to open up its financial sector to foreign banks and financial institutions will not reward protectionism by other countries, an official said Saturday.Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Trump may give in on China trade to get North Korea’s Kim John Un, says former ambassador
CNBCPresident Donald Trump is mixing three issues that should not be mixed: trade, foreign policy and enforcement, says Max Baucus. Read the full story
China trade talks heading toward eliminating barriers: Larry Kudlow
Fox BusinessThere's no deal on the table yet, but negotiations are moving in that direction, according to President Trump's chief economic adviser. Read the full story
EUROPE
Europe reassures Iran of commitment to nuclear deal without U.S.
Reuters
The European Union's energy chief tried to reassure Iran on Saturday that the bloc remained committed to salvaging a nuclear deal with Tehran despite U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to exit the accord and reimpose sanctions. Read the full story
EU considers routing money transfers through Iran's central bank to dodge US sanctions
The European Commission is proposing that EU governments make direct money transfers to Iran's central bank to avoid U.S. penalties.Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Merkel to address reciprocal market access, IP security in China
Business InsiderGerman Chancellor Merkel speaks during a joint news conference with Russian President Putin following their meeting in Sochi Thomson Reuters BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would address trade issues such as reciprocal market access and intellectual property protections during her visit to China next week. The four-term German leader said both countries recognized the rules of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and would push for increased multilateralism at a time of Read the full story
Italy’s incoming government wants to lift Russia sanctions and rewrite EU rules
Italy's two populist parties are set to raise concerns for the EU.
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
Exclusive: The former head of the UK civil service tells BI that EU citizens could be targeted after Brexit. Lord Kerslake says the Home Office must reassure Europeans living in the UK that they will not suffer the same treatment as Windrush citizens. "Given what happened with Windrush, the onus is now on the government and the Home Office to reassure us that it isn't going to be a problem," Kerslake tells BI. The Home Office insists EU citizens will be treated fairly. LONDON - EU citizens Read the full story
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday that he would stand up to any attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump to block a Russian-German gas pipeline project. Read the full story
Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/
EU citizens at risk from May's 'hostile environment' after Brexit, warns former UK civil service chief
Business InsiderExclusive: The former head of the UK civil service tells BI that EU citizens could be targeted after Brexit. Lord Kerslake says the Home Office must reassure Europeans living in the UK that they will not suffer the same treatment as Windrush citizens. "Given what happened with Windrush, the onus is now on the government and the Home Office to reassure us that it isn't going to be a problem," Kerslake tells BI. The Home Office insists EU citizens will be treated fairly. LONDON - EU citizens Read the full story
Putin seeks common cause with Merkel over Trump
ReutersRussian President Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday that he would stand up to any attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump to block a Russian-German gas pipeline project. Read the full story
Catnip:
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ARTICLE 1 (from PM Abadi's website; posted only on Arabic side, not on English side)
Prime Minister Dr. Haider Abadi meets in Baghdad with the head of the Sadrist movement, Sayyed Muqtada al-Sadr
Prime Minister Dr. Haider al-Abadi met in Baghdad with the head of the Sadr movement Sayyed Muqtada al-Sadr.
Dr. Haider al-Abbadi congratulated the Iraqi people once again on holding the elections on time in advance, thanks to the security forces that protected the voters and maintained their neutrality.
Dr. Abadi called on all blocs to accept the results and follow the legal means of objections and called on the Commission to consider them.
He pointed to the importance of moving quickly to exercise those who won the elections their role and functions in the House of Representatives.
He said that the meeting with His Eminence Muqtada al-Sadr is to work together to speed up the formation of the government and the next government will be strong and provide services and employment opportunities and improve the standard of living and fight corruption.
Dr. Haider al-Abadi said that the meeting witnessed a convergence of views on the need to accommodate everyone.
Muqtada al-Sadr thanked the prime minister and blessed him with the victory of the victory list.
He added that the meeting is a reassuring message that the next government is a fatherly and caring for all the people, indicating that our hand is extended to all those who build the homeland and that the decision is Iraqi, stressing the importance of speeding up the formation of a government that takes into account the aspirations of our people.
Prime Minister 's Media Office
20 May 2018
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ARTICLE 2
Tweet from Government of Iraq twitter account]
Government of IraqVerified account @IraqiGovt 5-18-2018, around 6 am Eastern
Iraqis voted on 12 May to choose their parliamentary representatives. Newly elected lawmakers will nominate a prime minister-designate who will begin the task of forming a government #IraqVotes #IraqiElections2018Government of IraqVerified account @IraqiGovt 5-18-2018, around 5 am Eastern
The @IraqiGovt, @UNICEFiraq & the Netherlands sign agreement to build resilience in the education system in Anbar, Nineveh, Dohuk & Kirkuk provinces. The agreement will enable 150,000 displaced and host community children to have access to educati
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ARTICLE 3
This winning candidate is who will preside over the first parliament sessions
2018/5/19 17:06
[Ayna-Baghdad]
The Iraqi constitution has identified the winning candidate in the oldest parliamentary elections who presides over the sessions of the first parliament.
According to article [54] of the Constitution that [the President of the Republic calls the House of Representatives to convene by a presidential decree, within fifteen days from the date of ratification of the results of the general elections, and the meeting is chaired by the oldest members to elect the President of the Council and his deputies, , MP Muhammad Ali Saleh al-Zayni, born in 1939, will preside over the first session of parliament as the oldest member.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Mohammed Ali Saleh Zinni from the province of Najaf won a seat from the Democratic Civil Alliance, holds a bachelor of law and electrical engineering and master's and doctorate oil economy served and held positions, notably Vice-President of the company of America and an oil expert and economist [Center for Global Energy Studies - London].
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ARTICLE 4
Parliament of Kurdistan resumes discussion of the reform bill on salaries
2018/5/19 21:53
[Ayna-Baghdad]
The Legal Committee of the Parliament of Kurdistan announced that the legal and financial committees will meet to discuss the draft law on reform in retirement, salaries, allowances and privileges.
"The legal and financial committees in the parliament of Kurdistan will meet on Sunday to discuss the draft law on reform in retirement, salaries, allowances and privileges," said Talar Latif, the head of the legal committee in the parliament of Kurdistan.
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) sent the draft law earlier this year to the parliament of Kurdistan, which approved on 28/2/2018.
But the presidency of the parliament decided to reconsider the law against the backdrop of citizens' objections to a number of articles of the law, especially regarding the salaries of retirees.
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ARTICLE 5
Iyad Fatih al-Rawi, 75 years old
BAGHDAD, May 19 (UPI) - The head of Iraq's former Republican Guard, Major General Iyad Fatih al-Rawi, died on Friday after being hit by a stroke, according to sources familiar with the death.
She said the death of the narrator came after 15 years of detention in June 2003. The 30-year-old was in the list of 55 wanted in the seven-page American carotid and the narrator suffered a stroke about a week ago. He was taken to Yarmouk Teaching Hospital for treatment but his condition worsened. Today inside the hospital.
The narrator, who served as the first pillar of the Iraqi Republican Guard in the Iran-Iraq War, was one of the leaders of the battle to liberate Faw. He served as governor of Baghdad and Kirkuk and later served as the head of the Quds Force. He was honored several times and received many medals and medals. 27 medals awarded during the Iran-Iraq War, 2008, sentenced to life imprisonment. End
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ARTICLE 6
Doctors recommend sleeping for long periods of Ramadan
BAGHDAD, May 18 (Reuters) - Specialized fasting doctors advised Ramadan to try to keep up with the usual hours of sleep, saying it was necessary for the human body and mind to get enough rest, especially since the human diet varies this month Karim for the rest of the months.
In order for the body and mind to get enough rest, they need at least seven hours of sleep a day, said Dr. Fayyad, a gastroenterologist at the American Hospital in Dubai.
As for the best way to distribute sleep hours during the day, he explained that this varies from person to person, saying that "there are some people who prefer to wake up to sleep to eat Suhur, and remain on this case to go to work early," and so they are able to Finish their work early and go home to take a nap before breakfast.
On the contrary, Dr. Fayyad believes that others prefer to go to bed again after eating the suhoor. "They wake up late and can not finish their work until a little late," he said. Which of the two methods is best. Finished (1)
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