Monday, August 20, 2018

WOTS Monday 8/20/18

WOTS Monday 8/20/18



WOTS Monday 8/20/18:
 
Forex Rates: 
 
 
SymbolBidAskHighLowOpenChangeTime
 USD/IQD  1,164.1000  1,216.7000 1,164.1000 1,161.7000 1,161.7000  2.4000 04:17
 USD/VND  22,888.5000  23,589.4000 22,888.5000 22,841.5000 22,841.5000  47.0000 04:17
 USD/CNY  6.8560  6.8580 6.8781 6.8395 6.8765  -0.0205 06:26
 USD/KWD  0.3030  0.3040 0.3030 0.3030 0.3030  0.0000 02:18
 GBP/USD  1.2732  1.2733 1.2751 1.2730 1.2747  -0.0015 06:26
 USD/IRR  12,048.0000  12,428.0000 12,048.0000 12,048.0000 12,048.0000  0.0000 17:51
 USD/IDR  14,594.5000  14,606.5000 14,608.6000 14,559.0000 14,572.0000  22.5000 06:24
 
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DC NY Iraq Articles:dd
 
 
The United States is "happy" with the Federal Court's approval of election results
 
 
Last updated: 20 August 2018 - 12:08 PM
 
BAGHDAD / The United States welcomed Monday, August 20, 2018, the ratification of the Federal Supreme Court on the results of the elections, while confirming that the formation of the next government is an Iraqi affair. The US embassy in Baghdad, in a statement, "Washington welcomes the ratification of the Federal Supreme Court On the results of the national elections on Sunday, 19 August 2018, and happy commitment of Iraq's newly elected leaders to form a new government under the constitutional timetable for Iraq. "The embassy stressed that" the formation of the new government is purely Iraqi issue and should be achieved in a manner that protects the interests and national sovereignty of the bride S "," indicating that "the United States under the Strategic Framework Agreement supports an independent Iraq and fully sovereign." She noted that "Washington hopes that the formation of the next government on a national basis to continue progress in combating and promoting the fight against corruption and protect the Iraqi people and seek to achieve economic reforms And to build strong relations with the rest of the world to help meet the legitimate demands of the Iraqi people. "On Sunday, 19 August 2018, the Federal Court ratified the election results and the names of the winners.
 
 
Four Iraqi powers form the biggest parliamentary bloc
 
http://www.iraqtradelinknews.com/2018/08/four-iraqi-powers-form-biggest.html
 
Monday August 20, 2018  3:53 AM  admin   
Baghdad/ Iraq TradeLink: Four Iraqi political powers announced their alliance to form the biggest parliamentary bloc that will for the new government.

The four powers (Sa’iroun, Al-Nasr, al-Hikma and al-Wataniya) made a joint statement for the formation of this alliance.
The statement added that others may join the new alliance.

Sa’iroun alliance headed by Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr got the highest parliamentary seats of  54out of 329 MPs.
Al-Nasr alliance, headed by Premier Haidar al-Ibadi got 42 seats, while al-Wataniya alliance, headed by Iyad Alawi got 21 seats and al-Hikma Trend, headed by Ammar al-Hakeem got 19 seats.

On the other hand, a counter group of ex-premier Nouri al-Maliki (State of Law) announced that contacts are underway to form the biggest bloc.
The State of Law (26 seats) said that the contacts were with al-Fat-h alliance (48 seats) and the two Kurdish parties to form the biggest bloc.

Iraqi Supreme Court approved the results of the elections, thus the Iraqi president should call the new parliament to convene during 15 days at most.
The biggest bloc should form the government within 30 days only.

Supreme Court Ratifies Election Results

http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2018/08/20/supreme-court-ratifies-election-results/
 
20th August 2018 in Politics
By John Lee.
Iraq’s Supreme Court (pictured) has ratified the results of the parliamentary election, which was held in May.According to The National, this gives the winning political parties three months to form a new government.
Muqtada al-Sadr has retained his lead. A coalition government needs at least 165 from a total of 329.
27 Kurdish points for discussion in Baghdad
 
http://www.iraqtradelinknews.com/2018/08/27-kurdish-points-for-discussion-in.html
 
8:00 AM  admin  
Arbil/ Iraq TradeLink: The Kurdish Patriotic Union Party announced it will take part in the coming
Iraqi government even if the other four Kurdish parties rejected.
Spokesman Saadi Ahmed Pira disclosed that his party with the  Democratic Party have 27 points for discussions with the winning Iraqi blocs.
The most important points are the implementation of Article 140 of the Iraqi constitution on the disputed areas, real partnership, balance in state’s offices, oil and budget issues.
 
 
Hilfi: Sadr was the conscience of the Iraqis at the meeting of the Hotel Babylon
 
 
2018/08/20 01:41
 
Baghdad today _ Baghdad
 
The leader of the Communist Party Jassem al-Hilfi said on Monday (August 19, 2018) that the leader of the Sadrist movement Moqtada al-Sadr was the conscience of the Iraqis at the meeting held by the political forces at the Babylon Hotel, to form the "core" of the largest bloc.
 
"His Eminence, Muqtada al-Sadr, was the conscience of the Iraqis. Sadr was very sincere to the Iraqi people and sincerely expressed the needs of the poor and destitute," Hilfi said in a statement received by Baghdad Today.
 
"He spoke with utmost respect for Iraq's dignity," he said.
 
It is noteworthy that the leader of the Sadrist movement Moqtada al-Sadr, on Sunday (August 19, 2018), that the outcome of the meeting of the Babylon Hotel a major step, pointing out that the situation is going on for the better.
 
The forces gathered at the Babylon Hotel on Sunday evening, 19 August 2018, announced the formation of the nucleus of the largest bloc and agreed to open up to the rest of the partners.
 
The forces said in a statement issued at the end of the meeting, "Iraqi national decision stems from the interest of our country and in response to the demands of citizens agreed today to form a nucleus of an alliance seeking to form a parliamentary bloc, which can form a government."
 
"At this meeting, it was decided to open up to our other partners to contribute together in forming this bloc," the statement said.
 
The statement spoke about the alliance of forces gathered at the Babylon Hotel and stressed that "this alliance is transient to sectarianism and rejects quotas in all its forms and determination to work hard to build a state of citizenship, justice and equality and provide a decent life for all our people and seeks to contribute seriously and effectively to form a government working hard to provide services and reconstruction, And fight corruption and accountability spoilers, and sincerely seek to provide new blood from the people of our country to contribute to the management of the State during the next stage. "
 
The Prime Minister of the Alliance of victory Haider Abadi has called on Sunday evening, August 19, 2018, the political blocs to accelerate the agreement on the next government program, to serve the interests of the people, and ensure the provision of services.
 
The lists seeking to attract the rest of the parties in an effort to form the largest bloc in preparation for nominating a candidate for the presidency of the next government, especially after the announcement of the Federal Supreme Court, earlier, Elections.
 
 
Kauaihn Iraq Articles:dd
 
Abadi: We will resort to this option in the event of failure to reach a consensus 
 
https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=2&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ar&sp=nmt4&tl=en&u=https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/ar/Story/118146/%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25B9%25D8%25A8%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AF%25D9%258A-%25D8%25B3%25D9%2586%25D9%2584%25D8%25AC%25D8%25A3-%25D8%25A5%25D9%2584%25D9%2589-%25D9%2587%25D8%25B0%25D8%25A7-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25AE%25D9%258A%25D8%25A7%25D8%25B1-%25D9%2581%25D9%258A-%25D8%25AD%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584-%25D9%2581%25D8%25B4%25D9%2584-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25AA%25D9%2588%25D8%25B5%25D9%2584-%25D8%25A5%25D9%2584%25D9%2589-%25D8%25AA%25D9%2588%25D8%25A7%25D9%2581%25D9%2582&xid=17259,15700023,15700124,15700149,15700168,15700186,15700190,15700201&usg=ALkJrhinnI-SQ-dl6RNdQKsKFKQ38qhmAw
Monday, 20 August 2018 12:51pm


"The majority option will be present and we will resort to naming the three presidencies (Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish) if we do not reach consensus with the rest of the political forces," said Haider al-Abadi, the leader of the al-Nasr alliance. 

Abadi stressed, "in a statement that the political process running according to constitutional time. 

It is noteworthy that the political forces gathered yesterday evening, at a hotel in Babylon, forming the nucleus "of the largest bloc and agree to open up to the rest of the partners
 
 
Makgork and Sulaimani in Baghdad to get out the largest bloc
 
https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=2&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ar&sp=nmt4&tl=en&u=https://aawsat.com/home/article/1367961/%25D9%2585%25D8%25A7%25D9%2583%25D8%25BA%25D9%2588%25D8%25B1%25D9%2583-%25D9%2588%25D8%25B3%25D9%2584%25D9%258A%25D9%2585%25D8%25A7%25D9%2586%25D9%258A-%25D9%2581%25D9%258A-%25D8%25A8%25D8%25BA%25D8%25AF%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AF-%25D9%2584%25D8%25A5%25D8%25AE%25D8%25B1%25D8%25A7%25D8%25AC-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D9%2583%25D8%25AA%25D9%2584%25D8%25A9-%25D8%25A7%25D9%2584%25D8%25A3%25D9%2583%25D8%25A8%25D8%25B1&xid=17259,15700023,15700124,15700149,15700168,15700186,15700190,15700201&usg=ALkJrhiNsliW8ws6yIQevvNpWbETrK-u2g
 
Race between the pivotal Sadr al-Abbadi and al-Amiri al-Maliki to announce

Monday  20 August 2018 AD Issue Number [14510]
 
Baghdad: Hamza Mustafa
 
After the approval of the Federal Supreme Court in Iraq, yesterday, the results of the parliamentary elections held on May 12 last, entered the US-Iranian conflict in order to form the largest bloc that will nominate the next prime minister in its final stages.
 
According to official Iraqi sources told Asharq Al-Awsat, the largest bloc appears to have emerged from the hands of the winning Shiite blocs represented by two axes. The first includes the two blocs of the "Sauron" backed by Moqtada al-Sadr and "Al-Nasr" led by the outgoing Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, The second represented by the "conquest" led by Hadi al-Amiri and the "state of law" led by Nuri al-Maliki. The sources added that "it has been in the hands of US envoys, Brit McGovern and Iranian Qassem Soleimani, both in Baghdad for days."
 
The sources pointed out that in the light of the movements of McGork, it is clear that Washington has resolved its option in support of Abadi. The news that the arrival of Muqtada al-Sadr to Baghdad confused his opponents in the other blocs, especially Maliki, who wants to resolve the largest bloc without Sadr and Abadi, while Amiri, one of the candidates for prime minister, does not tend to exclude (s) to avoid a Shiite-Shiite clash
 
 
Masoum confirms the intention to call the new parliament to convene during the constitutional period
 
http://alforatnews.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=172127
 
Date of release: 2018/8/20 9:08 • 255 times read
 
The President of the Republic, Fuad Masoum, stressed the determination to call the new Council of Representatives to convene during the constitutional period, which began since Sunday after the ratification of the Federal Supreme Court on the election results and continue for 90 days.
 
The President of the United States Ambassador to Iraq, Douglas Seelman, met on Sunday with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and discussed with him ways to enhance cooperation between the two countries and friendly peoples as well as the overall political developments in Iraq and the region. "He said. 
Masoud said during the meeting, "Iraq thanked the United States for supporting the political process in Iraq," asserting "the determination to invite the elected House of Representatives to convene during the constitutional period in preparation for the exercise of legislative and oversight functions." 
He also expressed his confidence in the success of the political forces in reaching the necessary understandings to form the next government during the constitutional period to ensure that citizens' demands for services, unemployment and security are met. Deepening national unity and democratic order ". 
For his part, the US ambassador reiterated his country's support for the stability of Iraq and to continue to provide the necessary assistance to Iraqis in all fields within the framework of the strategic agreement between the two countries. He thanked President Masum for his interest in shedding light on all efforts exerted to deepen the unity of Iraqis and progress of their country. 
The leaders and leaders of the Alliance and the coalition of victory and the stream of national wisdom and the National Coalition signed on Sunday evening at the Babylon Hotel in Baghdad an agreement on an alliance forms the nucleus of the largest bloc. 
"This cross-sectarian alliance rejects all forms of quotas and is determined to work hard to build a state of citizenship, justice, equality and the provision of life," said Hakim al-Abadi, leader of the al-Hakamah movement, Sayyed Ammar al-Hakim, Gracious to all our people. " 
It also seeks to contribute seriously and actively to the formation of a government working hard to provide services and achieve reconstruction and the return of the displaced and fight corruption and accountability spoilers, and seeks sincere to provide new blood of our people to contribute to the management of the State during the next phase. 
It was decided at the meeting "to open up to our other partners to contribute together in forming this bloc."
 
 
Iraqi indignaion on Iranian war compensations
 
http://www.iraqtradelinknews.com/2018/08/iraqi-indignation-on-iranian-war.html
 
Monday, August 20, 2018  7:00 AM  admin   
Baghdad/ Iraq TradeLink: The continued Iranian calls for Iraq to pay compensations for the 8-year
war stirred internal indignation, while the Iraqi government kept silent on this matter.

Official reports regarded the Iranian calls as “not official demand”, though they were uttered by a member in the Iranian parliament.

Chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy at the Iranian parliament Hishmat Falaht Beesha announced that the compensations are commitments that cannot be ignored in Iraqi-Iranian relations.

He added that Iraq is capable of paying these compensations and Iran expects to end this question.

Though Iraq did not reject the payment of the compensations due to continued Iranian calls, the demands resulted in divisions inside the Iraqi political scene, where some circles believe that Iran has the right for compensation according to UN resolution No. 598, while others reported that this resolution did not stipulate any compensation for any of the two sides.

The Iraqi rejectionists for the compensations said that “It is unreasonable to open the this dossier after 30 years”.

Other circles attacked the Iraqi quarters that called for compensating Iran.

Some Iraqi politicians believe that the new calls were said to embarrass the Iraqi governmet on its decision on the US sanctions against Iran.
 
 
Chevron to Develop Oil Fields in Basra
 
http://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2018/08/20/chevron-to-develop-oil-fields-in-basra/
 
20th August 2018 in Iraq Oil & Gas News
By John Lee.
The state-run Basra Oil Company (BOC) has signed a memorandum of understanding with US oil company Chevron to develop oil fields
BOC announced the start of the first phase of work and cooperation with Chevron US to develop some oil fields and the establishment of a company.
The Director-General pointed out that this project will provide employment opportunities and social services for citizens in the province.
 
 
Will the US dollar disappear someday? 
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=2&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=ar&sp=nmt4&tl=en&u=http://www.faceiraq.net/inews.php%3Fid%3D6578856&xid=17259,15700023,15700124,15700149,15700168,15700186,15700190,15700201&usg=ALkJrhieNuy_McnXsAWfo498zWnFogDmMA
 
20/08/2018 1 hour ago
 

Under pressure from the United States on a number of economies - including Turkey, Russia and Iran - by imposing a series of sanctions to subdue them, as well as Donald Trump's trade war with the EU, China and other partners; renewed calls for the adoption of national currencies in foreign transactions to get rid of the grip of the dollar Washington is exerting pressure on countries as the most common currency.
 
The trend towards the use of national currencies in intra-trade deals raises questions about the fate of the dollar and the global economy in its current form. Can the green currency disappear from the markets as a strong currency if these efforts succeed, and any possible implications for the possibility of adopting an alternative global currency or basket of currencies? This is what Al-Jazeera Net has tried to answer by looking at the opinions of a number of experts.
 
The dominance of the US currency 
Economic expert Anna Kokuriva, deputy director of the Center for Economic Analysis (Alpari), says that many efforts by countries to find a new currency to replace the dollar are not easy, but not impossible.
 
"If countries agree to replace their basket of currencies with each other, this will limit the dollar's dominance in trade," she told Al-Jazeera Net.
 
Kocoriva believes that the idea of ​​replacing the US dollar with the ruble in trading between Russia and other countries is good and realistic, and it is possible to work in this direction, but linked it to gradual and deliberate steps within an economic system that allows for national currency transactions between Russia and other countries.
 
In this context, she spoke of the agreement reached with China to deal with the Russian ruble and the Chinese yuan in the trade exchanges between the two countries regarding the import of Russian oil and other transactions such as the sale of diamonds.
 
For his part, the general manager of Namaa Financial Consultancy Company Taha Abdul Ghani said that America has been using the dollar as a pressure card to achieve its interests, especially with the signing of the petrodollar agreement with Saudi Arabia, where all traders in the green currency are turning to US banks.
 
With regard to the use of national currencies as the basis for transactions, he said that special agreements were needed in view of the difficulties of inflation and growth rates in each country.
 
He said in an interview with Al Jazeera Net that it is easier to use a basket of currencies to evaluate the national currencies, in which case America can not control the countries.
 
Taha Abdul Ghani also suggested using gold as an agreed unit to evaluate goods and services and evaluate each national currency.
 
"The gold base in this case will be fair, and we will return to that before the use of global currencies," he said.
 
The Turkish lira, the Iranian riyal and the Russian ruble are seeing significant declines against the backdrop of economic sanctions imposed by the United States on Turkey, Iran and Russia, which accuse the West of launching an economic war.
 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to give up the dollar in trade, expressing his country's willingness to conduct commercial transactions in national currencies with China, Russia and Ukraine.
 
He also said Russia would prefer to conduct bilateral trade transactions with all countries in their national currencies instead of the dollar.
 
Disorders 
Russian economist Timur Ngamatolin believes the idea of ​​reducing dependence on the US dollar in transactions between Russia and other countries is wrong and could lead to dire economic consequences.
 
He attributed the dollar to 71% of Russia's total export earnings.
 
"If the dollar is eliminated in trade for the ruble, it will lead to imbalances in the overall trade balance of up to $ 4.5 billion in a quarter, which will cast a negative shadow on the Russian balance of payments.
 
The adoption of the ruble as a monetary unit for external trade requires the development of an effective economic system, and in a strong economy, most of which is not dependent on oil and gas revenues.
 
With regard to the possibility of launching an alternative currency to deal like the currency of Brix, the economist believes that it is too early to talk about achieving this because of differences between the economies of the States.
 
He pointed out that most of the currencies of members of the Brix unstable, in addition to the oil prices are determined globally in US dollars.
 
Among the objectives of the BRIX countries (Brazil, India, China and South Africa), which held their first summit in 2009, were the establishment of a bipolar global system, the internationalization of local currencies and the conduct of inter-trade transactions away from the dollar, while the group launched the "New Development Bank" with paid- Dollars.
 
The BRIX Group is the world's fastest growing economy, contributes 20% of the world's gross domestic product, 15% of foreign trade, and has a cash reserve of over $ 4 trillion. Alternative currencies For his part, considered the Arab economic expert resident in Turkey Shihab al-Azzazi that any move to influence the centrality of the dollar in international transactions would change the economy of the world, and end the American system and the capitalist system, and establish a natural alternative to another said that it is "the Islamic economy." "It is in the interest of China and Russia as big nations that capitalism collapses," he said in an interview with Al Jazeera.net. "We are looking for an alternative to these two countries because they are ready to press other countries to adopt an alternative global currency. But he pointed out that it is one of the strengths of the dollar that the world is linked to it, so if the American currency collapses, the entire world economy will collapse. "If a decision is made to adopt an alternative currency, it means that everyone will bear the cost of the collapse," he said. "It is not easy to launch an alternative currency to the dollar like the currency of Brix," he said. "The issue is not only a currency, but a global economic system linked and controlled by all other regimes, primarily politics." "The liberalization of dollar peg requires the arrangement, coordination and prior approval of the basket of international currencies in coordination with China, Russia, France, Britain and other 20 countries such as Germany, Brazil and others on the basis of ensuring their interests, and within a collective decision and a global plan with a time vision. He reiterated that it is possible to find alternative currency for the dollar, and disengagement, but everyone must bear the collapse and its consequences. And the efforts of countries such as Iran, Turkey and China to adopt national currencies in trade - especially oil - as an entry point to get rid of the dollar as a stressor currency. "All the methods of pressure are only helpful factors, especially when it says countries that are not among the permanent superpowers, Remain limited ". Any such approach required a global collective decision to package a new economic reform that was different from that of the current capitalist system towards the implementation of a new economic order, which would have to change the policies of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and the establishment of other international organizations. International Monetary Fund data released in December show that the dollar's share of global currency reserves fell by the end of September to the lowest level since 2014. The reserves stood at $ 6.13 trillion, or 63.5 percent of the reserves in the third quarter of 2017, compared to 63.8 percent in the preceding quarter, the third consecutive decline in the US share of global reserves, Reuters reported..
 
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BANKS/BANKING/CREDIT 
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TREASURIES/BONDS/STOCKS
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CURRENCIES
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USA/CANADA

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© Reuters. Canada CPI advances 3.0%, above forecasts for annual inflation of 2.5% Read the full story



EMERGING MARKETS
Maduro orders 96 percent devaluation in hyperinflation-stricken Venezuela
Venezuela's president Nicolas Maduro announced on Friday a single exchange rate pegged to his socialist governments petro cryptocurrency.

Venezuelan shopkeepers alarmed by Maduro's latest economic moves
After Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's 60-fold increase to the minimum wage, storeowners on Saturday wrestled with an anguishing decision.

With hyperinflation, Venezuela’s cryptocurrency is magical unrealism
The Hill
Investors have little confidence in Maduro’s government, whether it is in the cryptoworld or the world of Venezuela's official fiat currency. Read the full story

How quinoa is changing farmers' lives in Peru
BBC News US
Farmers have grown quinoa for millennia, but can they withstand growing international competition? Read the full story


MIDDLE EAST
Iraqi Supreme Court ratifies May election results
Reuters
Iraq's Supreme Court has ratified the results of the May 12 parliamentary election, its spokesman said on Sunday, setting in motion a 90-day constitutional deadline for the winning parties to form a government. Read the full story

U.S. forces to stay in Iraq as long as needed: spokesman
Reuters
U.S. forces will stay in Iraq "as long as needed" to help stabilize regions previously controlled by Islamic State, a spokesman for the U.S.-led international coalition fighting the militants said on Sunday. Read the full story

Baghdad gun shops thrive after Iraqi rethink on arms control
Reuters
In the middle of Baghdad's busy commercial neighborhood of Karrada, where most retail outlets sell home appliances, shoppers can now also buy handguns and semi-automatic rifles legally for the first time in decades. Read the full story

Trump's fight with Turkey is helping Russia and Iran
Business Insider
Russian President Vladimir Putin with Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan at the Presidential Palace in Ankara, in 2014. Trump's trade war is driving Turkey into the arms of Iran and Qatar. Russia and China won't mind that at all. What does the US gain from all this? Trump might get that preacher back. And, er ... that's it. LONDON - Late on Thursday night, the White House threatened further economic sanctions against Turkey if it fails to release detained American pastor Andrew Brunson. Brunson Read the full story

Iran says U.S. 'action group' will fail to overthrow Iranian state
Reuters
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif said on Sunday that a new Iran Action Group in the U.S. State Department aimed to overthrow the Islamic Republic, but would fail. Read the full story

Israeli questioning of US Jews at border expose deeper rift
ABC News
Israel's recent detention of Jewish-American critics entering the country is shining a spotlight on a growing gulf between the world's two largest Jewish communities. Read the full story

Turkish president blasts ‘economic coup’ amid heightened tensions with US
The Hill
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday blasted what he called an “attempted economic coup” amid heightened tensions with the U.S. Read the full story

U.S. cuts to Syria stabilization funds jeopardize a fragile recovery
Axios
A Russian army convoy driving in the East end of Aleppo's industrial zone, on August 16, 2018. Read the full story
AFRICA
 
Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan Dead at Age 80 After a 'Short Illness'
People
 
Kofi Annan, who served as the Secretary-General for the United Nations from 1997 to 2006, has died. He was 80. In a statement released on Saturday from the Nobel Peace Laureate’s family and the Kofi Annan Foundation, it was confirmed that he “passed away peacefully on Saturday 18th August after a short illness.” “His wife Nane and their children Ama, Kojo and Nina were by his side during his last days,” the statement continued. “Wherever there was suffering or need, he reached out and touched Read the full story
 
 
Ethiopia: Nation's Economy Needs Revolutionary Reform - Experts
AllAfrica
 
(Photo: Addis Standard) Ethiopian economy needs strong public private partnership and the current reform should shape the private sector to make it engine of the nation's economy which needs revolutionary change, economic experts said. During a panel discussion organized by Addis Ababa Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Association Thursday economists argued that the nation should make the private sector the engine of the economy. They stated that the current reform needs structural changes, Read the full story
 
 
Tanzania: Trained Rats Help to Detect Tuberculosis in Children
AllAfrica
 
WHILE some scientists in the country are taxing brain to come up with child-friendly diagnostic test for Tuberculosis (TB), a recent study shows that trained rats increase the detection of the disease in children significantly and could help address the childhood TB diagnosis challenges. The study conducted by the Sokoine University of Agriculture- Apopo TB Tanzania, indicated that when trained rats were given children's sputum samples to sniff, they were able to pinpoint 68 per cent more cases Read the full story
 
 
Lesotho: Dealers Want Diamond Trading Decriminalised
AllAfrica
LOCAL diamond dealers have called on the government to permit diamond trading while it works on reforming relevant trading laws. The dealers, who spoke to Lesotho Times this week, say they live in constant fear of being tormented by police as though they are criminals. They said as a result of the hostile treatment they get in the country, many of them have since migrated to neighbouring South Africa which has kinder diamond trading laws. They are therefore enriching South Africa instead of Read the full story
 
 
Fura continues ruby acquisitions in Mozambique
FurtherAfrica
 
Toronto-based miner Fura Gems is continuing to expand its presence in Mozambique’s ruby industry. The company became the holder of the largest ruby land package in the country after making nine acquisitions in mid-July, and has now added another prospecting licence to its total. Read the full story



ASIA

What China Could Expect from a Global Britain
The National Interest
John Hemmings Security, Asia London will find ways to compete and cooperate with other navies in the Indian Ocean, such as China's PLAN. As India celebrates seventy-two years of Independence from the British Empire this week, a grand historical milestone for the ancient nation, it is notable to see the Royal Navy sailing in India’s waters once more—however this time it comes as an ally to India to sail together in an increasingly troubled world. Pulled from its forty-two-year involvement in the Read the full story

Trump aims sanctions at Iran ... Hong Kong bank customers get hit
South China Morning Post
Banking for companies that do business with Iran is about to get even more complicated – as some in Hong Kong and mainland China are already finding out Read the full story

After detente with North Korea, Trump increasingly takes aim at a new foe — China
The Washington Post
From a trade war to ‘Space Force,’ the president’s competition with Beijing signals a shift toward treating China like an outright adversary. Read the full story

Seychelles: China Writes Off U.S.$5.5 Million Loan to Reduce Seychelles' Debt Load
AllAfrica
The Chinese government has written off a loan to Seychelles worth 37,816,400 renminbi -- or $5.5 million -- after an agreement aimed at supporting Seychelles' economy and reducing its debt load was signed this week. Ambassador Yu Jinsong, representing the Republic of China, and Maurice Loustau-Lalanne minister for Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning, formalised the agreement at a signing at the ministry's headquarters at Liberty House in the capital city of Victoria. According to a Read the full story


EUROPE
 
 
Tough talks, no agreements at Merkel, Putin meeting near Berlin
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters no agreements were reached, but the meeting had simply been intended to "check the watches."
 
Standard Chartered chief warning over Brexit staff moves
BBC News US
Bank boss says demands by EU regulators may mean more jobs being moved out of UK than originally thought. Read the full story
 
As No-Deal Brexit Looms, UK Blockchain Startups Are Weighing Options
CoinDesk
The U.K. is on the cusp of leaving the E.U., sparking concern for blockchain startups working within a government-run regulatory sandbox. Read the full story
Experts warn of UK water supply crisis due to hot summers
Sky News
There are fears that the UK may not be able to manage an "ever decreasing" water supply. Read the full story
Crops rot on UK farms due to EU worker shortage
TRT World
Crops rot on UK farms due to EU worker shortage Read the full story
 
d
CBI, ISX, Kauaihn Chatter:
 
CBI Update:
 
 
The CBI for Monday 8/20/18 did update on the indicative rates Sell Rate 1190
The currency auction is 175,024,956
There are no news and announcements.
ISX Update:
Value Traded
546,080,413
 
Shares Traded
362,119,287
 
ISX ended in Green
 
Kauaihn Chatter:dd
 
 
8-19-2018   Newshound Guru Kaperoni   "Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court has now ratified the election results"  So with the ratified election results political parties are meeting to form the largest bloc. An official announcement may come in the next day or so. 

8-19-2018   Newshound Guru MilitiaMan   They are imo finishing the process at that accelerated pace we have heard of.  They even now are saying within hours or by tomorrow they will ratify the elections...Not that that has to be done, imo, it will be done though. I see it as a measure of safety and all to be on the up and up...And imo, it will be before the rate changes internationally for that reason and maybe others...Fascinating times...imo..

8-19-2018   Guest Guru Kathy   The elections have been ratified as of this morning.  They say they will announce the largest block this evening and the first parliament meeting will be within one day!!  Agreed US troops will stay in Iraq to ensure security and become trainers!...
 
8-19-2018   Newshound Guru chattels  Article:  "Central Bank: adopt a mechanism to prevent rising from $ 100 thousand dinars Al121"   Quote:  "... the Central Bank of Iraq several measures and mechanisms adopted in order to maintain the stability of the dollar exchange rate against the Iraqi dinar at 121 thousand dinars for each $ 100."  The foregoing article is interesting in that it confirms the intentionality of the CBI regarding maintaining a stability range on the value of the dinar relative to the dollar.

8-19-2018   Newshound Guru Adam Montana   [..if, (big IF) the election results become official by the end of next week (after holiday) how long would you speculate that it would take to seat the new parliament and start conducting business? I realize this is Iraq and anything or nothing may happen SOON.]   We're looking at about a 30 day cycle right now, IMO
 
8-19-2018 Newshound Guru Don961 Article: “An economist reveals the bank's printing of large amounts of currency with small categories to replace them with damage” ...from previous articles ... this will also help get more of the existing 3 zeroes out from under those mattresses ... and replace them with these smaller denominations ... because as other articles showed from the CBI ... these lower denom notes will be pushed ... in the marketplace ... and in the banks .. which will also get citizens enured to using smaller notes ... and make the transition to the RI lower denoms much more realistic psychologically ... another step ...imo
 
Elmer:
 
Not in today
 
Artmeister:
 
Not in today
 
Catnip:

 
*************
ARTICLE 1 (from PM Abadi's website; posted only on Arabic side, not on English side)

Speech of the Prime Minister Dr. Haider Abadi to the Iraqi people on the occasion of the announcement of the Federal Court ratification of the results of the elections of the House of Representatives

In the name of of Allah the Merciful
After the Federal Court announced its ratification of the results of the elections of the House of Representatives, I thank the Iraqi people for the completion of the constitutional elections and their contribution to the voting for the candidates for membership of the House of Representatives.

I would also like to thank all those who contributed to the success of the electoral process and to resolve and finalize counting, counting and announcing the final results of the elections in the Independent High Electoral Commission and the judiciary delegated by the Higher Judicial Council and the Federal Court to speed up its ratification of the final results.

I congratulate the members of the new parliamentary session for winning the confidence of those who voted for them and call on them to assume their responsibilities before God and the people. They should be worthy of the trust given to them by the Iraqi voters. In the next stage, they will be responsible for building, reconstruction, services, improving living conditions and fighting corruption. And to complete the reform of the state system and its institutions

After the ratification of the results of the elections by the Federal Court, which enters all of us within the constitutional ceilings and timelines due to follow I call on the political blocs to accelerate the completion of agreement on the next government program, which must take into account the demands of citizens throughout Iraq to live safe and dignified and provide ways To promote the economic reality of Iraq and provide the best services to citizens and launch a large-scale investment process for the establishment of service projects and strategic in all sectors of interest to the lives of citizens and benefit the Iraqi economy and contribute to the motivation and the availability of hundreds of thousands Of jobs.

I also call on the President of the Republic to initiate the call of the Council of Representatives to convene as soon as possible within the constitutional time limit to begin the procedures of electing the Presidency of the Parliament and the President of the Republic and to assign the representative of the largest parliamentary bloc to form the next government and to give confidence to the new government in the House of Representatives to proceed to serve Iraq And achieve the aspirations of Iraqis to stability and a free and decent life.

I also extend congratulations to all our people on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha holiday, God restores the Iraqis and all Muslims with good, health, safety, security and security.

Peace, mercy and blessings of God .
Dr. Haider Abadi
Prime Minister
19 August 2018

*************
ARTICLE 2

Tweets posted on Government of Iraq twitter account:
  1.  8-19-2018 around 2 pm Eastern
    PM @HaiderAlAbadi: Iraqis are embarking on a new chapter; that of reconstruction, reforms, combatting corruption, building a fair economy, raising living standards and the creation of sustainable jobs for our citizens
  2.  8-19-2018 around 2 pm Eastern
    PM @HaiderAlAbadi: The new parliament must convene within the timetable mandated by the constitution, so that the process of forming the new government can begin
  3. 8-19-2018 around 2 pm Easterne


    PM @HaiderAlAbadi: I extend my best wishes to the newly elected MPs, and congratulate them. They must now discharge their responsibilities to the Iraqi people
  4.  8-19-2018 around 2 pm Eastern
    PM @HaiderAlAbadi delivers a brief televised address, welcomes the decision by the Federal Supreme Court to ratify the results of May’s parliamentary election, and thanks the Iraqi people for their sacrifice & determination which made this democratic milestone possible
  5.  8-19-2018 around 10 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 #IraqiElections2018
  6.  8-19-2018 around 9 am Eastern
    The @IraqiGovt welcomes the decision by Iraq’s Federal Supreme Court to certify the results of the May 12 parliamentary election. This milestone paves the way for the convening of the first session of the new parliament, and subsequently the formation of the new government

*************
ARTICLE 3

Abadi calls on the infallible to call the House of Representatives to convene [expanded]
2018/8/19 20:07
[Ayna-Baghdad]
Prime Minister Haider al-Abbadi called on President Fuad Masum to call on the House of Representatives to convene within the constitutional time limit.
"After the announcement of the ratification of the results of the elections of the House of Representatives, I thank the honorable people of Iraq to complete the maturity of the constitutional elections and their contribution to the voting of candidates for membership of the House of Representatives," Abadi said in a televised speech on the occasion of the ratification of the final results of the 2018 elections.
He added, "I also thank Shukri to all those who contributed to the success of the electoral process and to resolve and end the counting and counting and announcement of the final results of the elections in the Independent High Electoral Commission and the judiciary formed by the Supreme Judicial Council and the Federal Court to speed up its ratification of the final results."
"I congratulate the members of the new parliamentary session for winning the confidence of those who voted for them and call on them to assume their responsibilities before God and the people, and to be worthy of the trust given to them by the Iraqi voters and the responsibility they will assume and will represent in the next stage of construction, Improving the living conditions, fighting corruption and completing the reform of the state system and its institutions. "
He added: "After the ratification of the election results by the Federal Court, which enters all of us within the constitutional ceilings and time-timings to be followed, I call on the political blocs to accelerate the completion of agreement on the next government program, which must take into account the demands of citizens throughout Iraq to live safe and decent And provide ways to promote the economic reality of Iraq and provide the best services to citizens and launch a large-scale investment to establish service and strategic projects in all sectors of interest to the lives of citizens and benefit the Iraqi economy and contribute to stimulate the economy and Hundreds of thousands of jobs. "
He called on the President of the Republic to "direct the call of the House of Representatives to convene as soon as possible within the time limit set constitutionally and start the procedures of electing the presidency of parliament and the Republic, in addition to the commissioning of the representative of the largest parliamentary bloc to form the next government and to give confidence to the new government in the House of Representatives to proceed with its work and tasks to serve Iraq and achieve the aspirations of Iraqis to stability and a free and decent life. "
Al-Abbadi congratulated the people of our people for the occasion of the Eid al-Adha, God restores the Iraqis and all Muslims with good, health, safety, safety and security.

*************
ARTICLE 4

Urgent announcement of the formation of the nucleus of the largest bloc
2018/8/19 23:09
[Ayna-Baghdad]
The five-member coalition announced its closing statement after the meeting in Baghdad on Sunday evening.
The statement of the agency received all of Iraq [where] a copy of it, "the Iraqi national decision stems from the interest of our country and in response to the demands of citizens agreed today to form a nucleus of an alliance seeking to form a parliamentary bloc that can form a government.
"At this meeting, it may be decided to open up to our other partners to contribute together in forming this bloc," he said.
He pointed out that "this cross-sectarian alliance, which rejects quotas in all its forms, is determined to work hard to build a state of citizenship, justice and equality and provide a decent life for all our people and seeks to contribute seriously and effectively to form a government working hard to provide services and reconstruction and the return of the displaced and fight corruption and accountability spoilers, To provide new blood of our countrymen to contribute to the management of the State during the next stage. "

*************
ARTICLE 5

United States: The formation of the new government is purely Iraqi
2018/8/20 11:35 • 6 times read
[Ayna-Baghdad]
The United States welcomed Monday the ratification of the results of parliamentary elections in Iraq.
"We welcome the ratification by the Federal Supreme Court of the results of the national elections on Sunday and are pleased with the commitment of Iraq's newly elected leaders to form a new government under Iraq's constitutional timetable," said a statement by the US embassy in Iraq.
"The formation of the new government is purely Iraqi and should be achieved in a way that protects Iraq's national interests and sovereignty," the statement said. "Under the Strategic Framework Agreement, the United States supports an independent and sovereign Iraq."
The US embassy expressed its hope that the next government will be formed on a national basis to continue progress in fighting the fight against corruption, protecting the Iraqi people, seeking to achieve basic economic reforms and building strong relations with the rest of the world to help meet the legitimate demands of the Iraqi people.
The Federal Supreme Court on Sunday ratified the results of the parliamentary elections held on 12 May after a recount of some votes manually. The re-counting of those votes affected the result only in one seat.
The court's approval means setting a 90-day constitutional deadline for the winning parties to form a new government.

*************
ARTICLE 6

A recent study linking asthma with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity
2018/8/19 14:01
[Ayna-Follow]
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A strong link between asthma and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may be associated with hyperactivity, making people infected more vulnerable to infection, according to a recent study.
The researchers examined data from 49 smaller studies involving 210,363 people in total of Attention Deficit Disorder patients with hyperactivity and more than 3.1 million others who did not.
The study found that about 17% of people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder were asthma patients, compared with only 11.5% among those without the disorder.
Results showed that 8.8 percent of people with asthma had the disorder, compared to only 5.6 percent among those without asthma.
In general, the study found that asthma increased the risk of ADHD with hyperactivity by 45 to 53% and vice versa.
"There are likely to be changes that make the brains of some children more vulnerable to ADHD with hyperactivity and asthma together," said Samuel Cortis, a senior researcher at the University of Southampton in Britain. "Sleep problems such as sleep apnea may also increase the risk of both." Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disease around the world, with an estimated 358 million people.
The proportion of people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is about 5% of school-age children and 2.5% of adults worldwide.
The association between asthma and the disorder persisted even after taking into account other factors that could be as influential as the mother's age at birth, the level of education, the income of the parents, the weight of the child at birth, and the incidence of eczema in children.
Researcher Jessica Agnio-Bliss of Kings College in London wrote an accompanying article in which she said that the symptoms of one of the two diseases may make the patient more vulnerable to the other.
"Asthmatics can suffer from coughing and difficulty breathing at night, which may result in symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and hyperactivity. Psychosocial stress associated with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may lead to fluctuations in immune function, which may cause asthma symptoms Or aggravated. "
"Many of the causes of asthma and attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity are hereditary and people who are more genetically susceptible to asthma may also be more genetically susceptible to the disorder," she said.

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