WOTS Saturday 12/22/18:
Forex Rates:
| Symbol | Bid | Ask | High | Low | Open | Change | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD/IQD | | | 1,186.0000 | 1,186.0000 | 1,186.0000 | | 12:07 |
| USD/VND | | | 23,248.5000 | 23,248.5000 | 23,248.5000 | | 12:00 |
| USD/CNY | | | 6.9054 | 6.9054 | 6.9054 | | 14:01 |
| USD/KWD | | | 0.3042 | 0.3042 | 0.3042 | | 17:37 |
| GBP/USD | | | 1.2657 | 1.2657 | 1.2657 | | 17:10 |
| USD/IRR | | | 12,048.0000 | 12,048.0000 | 12,048.0000 | | 17:51 |
| USD/IDR | | | 14,548.0000 | 14,548.0000 | 14,548.0000 | | 18:04 |
CNBC Link:
CNBC Morning Squawk Link:
No link yet
DC NY Iraq Articles:dd
The deputy of the Alliance for Reform and Reconstruction Hassan Khalati, on Saturday, the extension of the legislative chapter of the Iraqi Council of Representatives 'automatically'.
"The current legislative term ends at the end of this month, but with the arrival of the law of the budget of 2019, and read the first reading, has been extended its legislative term automatically, according to the rules of procedure of the parliament."
He said that "the legislative term will not end until after the adoption of the budget of 2019, even if it lasted six months or more, the Council remains in place until the vote on the budget, and then end the legislative chapter and take a holiday.
The budget determines the duration of the legislative term of parliament
22-12-2018 11:42 AM
The deputy of the Alliance for Reform and Reconstruction Hassan Khalati, on Saturday, the extension of the legislative chapter of the Iraqi Council of Representatives 'automatically'.
"The current legislative term ends at the end of this month, but with the arrival of the law of the budget of 2019, and read the first reading, has been extended its legislative term automatically, according to the rules of procedure of the parliament."
He said that "the legislative term will not end until after the adoption of the budget of 2019, even if it lasted six months or more, the Council remains in place until the vote on the budget, and then end the legislative chapter and take a holiday.
Pompeo reaffirms Washington's support for Iraq in war
2018 12/22 12:43am US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo
(KUNA) - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed Friday with Iraqi President Barham Salih the "recent regional defeat" of the so-called "Da'ash" in Syria.
"He reiterated US support for Iraq in its ongoing fight against Fallujah to build a more stable and prosperous future," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Paladino said in a statement.
"The minister also stressed the importance of our bilateral long-term partnership based on the US-Iraqi strategic framework agreement and the need to support economic development and independence in Iraq."
In November 2008, the two sides signed the Strategic Framework Agreement for the Common Defense and the Enhancement of Security and Stability in Iraq in order to deter all threats against Iraq's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity through the development of defense and security arrangements
"He reiterated US support for Iraq in its ongoing fight against Fallujah to build a more stable and prosperous future," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Paladino said in a statement.
"The minister also stressed the importance of our bilateral long-term partnership based on the US-Iraqi strategic framework agreement and the need to support economic development and independence in Iraq."
In November 2008, the two sides signed the Strategic Framework Agreement for the Common Defense and the Enhancement of Security and Stability in Iraq in order to deter all threats against Iraq's sovereignty, security and territorial integrity through the development of defense and security arrangements
Iraq: American company drilling 40 oil wells
Saturday 22/12/2018 at 12:53
BAGHDAD,
The Iraqi Basra Oil Company and Schlumberger of America signed a contract to dig 40 oil wells and carry out a number of seismic surveys to explore new oil fields in southern Iraq. Deputy Prime Minister Thamer al-Ghadhban said in a statement that a contract had been signed between the two companies. The first involves digging 40 oil wells in the Majnoon field, while the second deals with the implementation of a three-dimensional seismic survey of new oil exploration in the southern part of the country. He explained that the field «crazy» in Basra is one of the giant fields to have great production potential, pointing out that the signing of the contracts comes to promote production rates in the field, especially after the company withdrew from the implementation of Shell commitments to develop the field. For his part, said Mr. Nashwan Mohamed Noor, Director General of Exploration Oil Company, the duration of the implementation of the contracts spanning 19 months, stressing the contribution of Schlumberger in the implementation of several projects with other oil companies in Iraq and in other countries. It is noteworthy that the province of Basra has the largest oil wealth in Iraq, as statistics indicate that it owns 15 of the 77 fields are known, including 10 productive fields are still awaiting development, and these fields contain an oil reserve of more than 65 billion barrels, which is 59% % Of the total Iraqi oil reserves.d
The Council of Baghdad will hold a meeting on Saturday to cancel the decisions of the meeting of the dismissal of Atwani
21:59 - 21/12/2018
Baghdad - Mawazine News
BAGHDAD - The Baghdad Provincial Council will hold a session on Saturday to cancel the decisions of the session that deposed the governor Atwan al-Atwani.
Mawazine News obtained official documents issued by the Office of the President of the Council of Baghdad Riyad al-Adadh. One of them included the directive to hold a session on Saturday (22 December 2018) in order to cancel the decisions of the session during which the Governor of Baghdad, Atwan al-Atwani was dismissed.
BAGHDAD - The Baghdad Provincial Council will hold a session on Saturday to cancel the decisions of the session that deposed the governor Atwan al-Atwani.
Mawazine News obtained official documents issued by the Office of the President of the Council of Baghdad Riyad al-Adadh. One of them included the directive to hold a session on Saturday (22 December 2018) in order to cancel the decisions of the session during which the Governor of Baghdad, Atwan al-Atwani was dismissed.
The other document, addressed to the president, that the "group held an illegal session in the Council (the meeting of the dismissal of Atwani), to elect the governor has written the book and issued contrary to the law and controls and falsifying the form of the Office of the President of the Council."
The Council of the province of Baghdad, was elected on Wednesday December 12, 2018, Fadhel al-Shuwaili of the Alliance of Sowron governor of Baghdad, replacing Atwan al-Atawani of the rule of law, which won the membership of the House of Representatives, in the parliamentary elections that took place on 12 May last.
Al-Geshmi proposes to allocate 25 trillion dinars for basic services in the budget
Date of release: 2018/12/22 • 118 times read
(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) The deputy of the wisdom bloc, Khalid al-Geshmi, suggested to the presidency of the House of Representatives, that allocate the investment budget in the financial budget for the year 2019, for basic services only.
As suggested by al-Gheshmi in his letter to the presidency of the Council "to postpone the allocation of each project is complementary or insignificant until the completion of all basic services, which are currently concentrated in the health and education, municipalities and reconstruction and investment projects of the Ministry of Oil."
The proposal included allocating a budget for "investment projects of the Ministry of Transport, specifically for the port project of FAO, and for the Ministry of Water Resources in the construction of dams and completion of irrigation projects."
It was also suggested to delete allocations in the budget within the framework of investment projects in the budget of 2019, with the exception of funds for the reconstruction of liberated areas, the project of housing protection and allocations of ministries of health and environment, education, reconstruction, housing, water resources, oil and electricity.
In his proposal to increase allocations for the development of the regions and the Ministry of Transport, he called for the total number of investment projects to be more than 25 trillion dinars.
The House of Representatives completed in its meeting on Thursday, the first reading of the budget bill 2019.
The revenues of the budget is estimated at (105569686870) {one hundred and five trillion five hundred and sixty-nine billion six hundred and eighty-six million and seven hundred and seventy thousand dinars} according to the calculation of the estimated revenues from the export of crude oil on the basis of the rate of 56 dollars per barrel and an export rate of 3 million and 880 thousand barrels per day, 250 thousand barrels per day for the quantities of crude oil produced in the Kurdistan region.
As estimated expenditures by the amount of {133107616412} thousand dinars {one hundred and three trillion and one hundred and seven billion six hundred and sixteen million and four hundred and twelve thousand dinars}, while the total deficit planned {27537929542} thousand dinars {twenty-seven trillion five hundred and thirty-seven billion nine hundred and twenty-nine One hundred and five hundred and forty-two thousand dinars}
The proposal included allocating a budget for "investment projects of the Ministry of Transport, specifically for the port project of FAO, and for the Ministry of Water Resources in the construction of dams and completion of irrigation projects."
It was also suggested to delete allocations in the budget within the framework of investment projects in the budget of 2019, with the exception of funds for the reconstruction of liberated areas, the project of housing protection and allocations of ministries of health and environment, education, reconstruction, housing, water resources, oil and electricity.
In his proposal to increase allocations for the development of the regions and the Ministry of Transport, he called for the total number of investment projects to be more than 25 trillion dinars.
The House of Representatives completed in its meeting on Thursday, the first reading of the budget bill 2019.
The revenues of the budget is estimated at (105569686870) {one hundred and five trillion five hundred and sixty-nine billion six hundred and eighty-six million and seven hundred and seventy thousand dinars} according to the calculation of the estimated revenues from the export of crude oil on the basis of the rate of 56 dollars per barrel and an export rate of 3 million and 880 thousand barrels per day, 250 thousand barrels per day for the quantities of crude oil produced in the Kurdistan region.
As estimated expenditures by the amount of {133107616412} thousand dinars {one hundred and three trillion and one hundred and seven billion six hundred and sixteen million and four hundred and twelve thousand dinars}, while the total deficit planned {27537929542} thousand dinars {twenty-seven trillion five hundred and thirty-seven billion nine hundred and twenty-nine One hundred and five hundred and forty-two thousand dinars}
Kauaihn Iraq Articles:dd
US calls on Baghdad leaders to speed up the formation of the government within the schedule
Date of release: 2018/9/15 22:33 • 539 times read
[Ayna-Baghdad]
The US State Department on Saturday called on Baghdad leaders to speed up the formation of the government according to the specific constitutional time.
The US State Department on Saturday called on Baghdad leaders to speed up the formation of the government according to the specific constitutional time.
"We congratulate Mohammed Al Halbusi on his election as Speaker of the Iraqi Council of Representatives, and we congratulate Hasan Karim Al Kaabi on his selection as First Vice President of Parliament and look forward to the election of the second deputy," the US Embassy in Baghdad said in a statement. This is a very important step for the constitutional timetable to form a new government. "
"The United States has worked closely with Halaboussi in his previous post as governor of Anbar, where he served his province effectively and stabilized after a humiliating defeat," she said.
"We also support the call of the Iraqi people for reform within an effective and transparent government," she said, calling on elected Iraqi leaders to "expedite the formation of the new government within the specified constitutional timetable
"The United States has worked closely with Halaboussi in his previous post as governor of Anbar, where he served his province effectively and stabilized after a humiliating defeat," she said.
"We also support the call of the Iraqi people for reform within an effective and transparent government," she said, calling on elected Iraqi leaders to "expedite the formation of the new government within the specified constitutional timetable
Parliamentary Finance: The government rejected 47 observations to amend the budget for 2019
Saturday 22 December 2018 Law 2019.
BAGHDAD / A member of the parliamentary finance committee, Siham al-Aqili, on Saturday, that the Council of Ministers did not comment on the amendment to the Budget "The Council of Ministers did not take 47 observations to amend the law of the budget of 2019, which was submitted by the Parliamentary Finance Committee and members of parliament to the ministerial committee formed to discuss the budget."
"The government has been singled out with just one out of 47 votes for regional development and has increased its allocations from one trillion to two trillion," it said.
The House of Representatives read in its meeting last Thursday, the draft budget law for the year 2019 read first, while the Parliament intends to complete the second reading after the inclusion of remarks by deputies on the draft. "End 3
Iraq is to pay 16 billion dinars as interest and premiums for international loans
BAGHDAD / A member of the House of Representatives Iqbal Abdul Hussein, Saturday, that Iraq will pay more than 16 billion dinars as the benefits and premiums of international loans and treasury remittances during the next year.
"Iraq is required to pay two billion dinars, 55 million and 873 thousand and 556 dinars within the budget next year as interest on international loans granted to him," it said in a statement.
She added that "37 billion and 3 million and 854 thousand and 372 dinars will be paid as interest on Treasury remittances (auctions) and within the budget.
"The 10 billion and 928 million and 807 thousand and 345 dinars were calculated as installments of loans will be paid within the budget of 2019.
She pointed out that the need to adopt a sound economic policy can avoid the international loans that have worn down Iraq over the past years and do not know so far what is the benefit from them. Finished
Iraqi police use live ammunition to disperse protesters in Basra
2018/12/22 12:38 AM
Iraqi security forces used live ammunition and tear gas on Friday to disperse protesters who tried to break into the provincial council building in the southern city of Basra.
Riot police also used force last Friday to disperse demonstrators.
Around 250 people gathered outside the interim headquarters of the provincial council yesterday to protest corruption, demand jobs and improve public services. Protesters threw stones and empty bottles of water at the police.
By nightfall, some protesters had stormed the main entrance to the outer perimeter of the building and tried to storm it. There were no reports of casualties.
Riot police also used force last Friday to disperse demonstrators.
Around 250 people gathered outside the interim headquarters of the provincial council yesterday to protest corruption, demand jobs and improve public services. Protesters threw stones and empty bottles of water at the police.
By nightfall, some protesters had stormed the main entrance to the outer perimeter of the building and tried to storm it. There were no reports of casualties.
Sulaimaniya Security Forces Arrest a Tevgeri Azadi Journalist
22/12/2018 - 00:01
ERBIL- Kurdistan Region's Sulaimaniya Security (Asayish) has reportedly arrested a news reporter of Tevgeri Azadi, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) offspring in the Kurdistan Region.
The arrest was made on Friday evening during an attempted gathering in Sulaimaniya's Salim street to protest the prolonged imprisonment of the PKK's jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan.
The security forces, apart from preventing the protest, they also took a number of demonstrators into custody.
Identified as Barham Latif, a news reporter of Roj News, was among the detainees.
Talking to BasNews, Karwan Anwar, head of Kurdistan Journalists Syndicate’s Sulaimaniya office, criticized the detention of the journalist, arguing that he had every right to cover the development as a journalist, adding that they would make every effort to free him.
d
Kauaihn Economic Times:
ECONOMIC TIMES / CHATTER
FOR TWITTER ACCT
Just send a text message from your cell phone to:
40404 (may have to add 40404 as a contact first) Then send a message that says: Follow @FactsnOpinion1 and you will join their twitter feed and instantly get the doc. You do NOT have to join twitter to get tweets
ONLY SPACE IS AFTER FOLLOW
who are on their computers to go to:
to get to our twitter feed
d
GLOBAL/NEWS/INFO
Today in History
10 Things to Know for Today
ABC News
Among 10 Things to Know: Mattis resigns as Pentagon chief; Trump's demand for wall pushes governmentcloser to shutdown; China calls US arrogant and selfish after hacking indictment; Japan prosecutors file
new allegation against Nissan's Ghosn. Read the full story
5 common tax misconceptions to avoid
CNN Business
Tax year 2018 marks the first year of the updated tax code under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Read the full story
Tips on Deciding Which Tax-Filing Status Is Best for You
The Wall Street Journal
Do you file jointly or separately? There may be some powerful reasons to do the latter. Read the full story
This One Simple Trick Will Revolutionize How You Achieve Your Goals in 2019
POPSUGAR
I am a big dreamer with lofty goals. I often don't reveal them to people for fear of being judged, so instead I say them to myself (sometimes out loud) or write them down. But the thing is, I usually write out my dreams and goals similarly to how I write out my to do list: clean the fridge, fold the ... Read the full story
These are the 10 best countries for business
Fox Business
Forbes ranked the best countries for business in 2019. Here's a look at the winners. Read the full story
OIL/COMMODITIES/ENERGY
Gold hovers at roughly 5-month highs after Fed rate-hike campaign tweaked
MarketWatch
Gold prices ticked higher Thursday, a mild recovery from the after-hours decline for the precious metal that followed the Federal Reserve’s as-expected rate increase. Read the full story
PRECIOUS-Gold holds ground near 6-month high, weak dollar supports
Reuters
Gold prices held firm on Friday, havingclimbed to a near six-month high in the previous session, asinvestors shunned risky assets and the dollar lingered nearone-month lows. Read the full story
Gold Prices Fall After Fed Decision; U.S. Dollar Also Slips
Investing.com
Commodities Dec 20, 2018 06:24 GMT
Investing.com - Gold prices fell while the U.S. dollar also slipped onThursday in Asia after the U.S. Federal Reserve raised rates as expected. COMEX’s benchmark February
gold futures were down $7.45, or 0.6%, to $1,248.95 per troy ounce by 1:15 AM ET (06:15 GMT). Futures of the yellow metal hit a six-month high at $1,262.10 on Wednesday before retreating on the Fed’s
announcement of a fourth quarter-point hike in interest rates this year. The central bank Read the full story
Crumbling crude is flashing a warning sign
Fox News
Oil needs to be on the Fed's radar Read the full story
Oil Prices Mixed; OPEC Vows to Extend Output Cuts
Investing.com
Commodities Dec 20, 2018 06:09 GMT Investing.com - Oil prices were mixed on Thursday morning in Asia, while oil production cartel OPEC and its allies pledged to keep slashing output next year. Crude Oil WTI
Futures for February delivery dropped 1.56% to $47.42 a barrel at 10:51 PM ET (03:51 GMT) on the New York
Mercantile Exchange, while Brent Oil Futures for February delivery edged up 0.19% to $56.61 per barrel on London’s Intercontinental Exchange. OPEC’s de-facto leader Saudi Arabia said the Read the full story
Oil prices rise as OPEC output cuts seen deeper than previously expected
Reuters
Oil prices climbed on Friday after tumbling 5 percent in the last session, with OPEC production cuts that
start next month seen being deeper then previously expected. Read the full story
Brent Crude Closes Below $55 As Fed Hike Sends Markets Tumbling
Investor's Business Daily
Brent crude closed below $55 a barrel for the first time in more than a year as economic warning signs sent markets reeling across the globe. Read the full story
Natural-gas futures extend gains after the EIA reports a drop in weekly U.S. supplies
MarketWatch
The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported Thursday that domestic supplies of natural gas fell by 141 billion cubic feet for the week ended Dec. 14. Analysts polled by S&P Global Platts had forecast adecline of 145 billion cubic feet, on average. Total stocks now stand at 2.773 trillion cubic feet, down 697 billion cubic feet from a year ago, and 720 billion below the five-year average, the government said.
January natural gas traded at $3.827 per million British thermal units, up 10.1 Read the full story
BANKS/BANKING/CREDIT
Facebook and Wells Fargo are in bottomless pits of scandal. They each reacted differently
CNN
One company said goodbye to its CEO and other top executives, clawed back tens of millions of dollars in pay, installed a new chair and hired a law firm to find out what went wrong. Read the full story
For Banks, There's Never Been A More Important Time To Invest In Tech
Forbes
This month I talked to CFO Allison Dukes about the future of financial services, the state of tech at SunTrust and why being a female CFO means being a role model. Read the full story
U.S. bank regulators sign off on 'living wills' for foreign banks
Reuters
U.S. banking regulators announced on Thursday they had signed off on "living wills" for four foreign banks - Barclays , Credit Suisse, Deutsche Bank and UBS - detailing how they could safely be dissolved in a crisis. Read the full story
Wells Fargo moves jobs abroad after U.S. layoffs, government says
Reuters
Wells Fargo & Co. has been hiring overseas after pledging to eliminate thousands of jobs, according to a
Department of Labor investigation. Read the full story
TREASURIES/BONDS/STOCKS
Three Lessons The Markets Learned In 2018
Forbes
Number one: politics matter more than they should. Read the full story
Spooked global funds drive up cash and bond holdings
Reuters
Spooked by another worldwide stocks selloff, global investors have piled up cash to a more than two-year high this month, hoovered up bonds and cut back property holdings. Read the full story
Here's Why Stocks Have Sold Off So Steeply In December
Forbes
Barclays blames...retail traders. Read the full story
10-year Treasury yield holds near 9-month low as bonds react to Fed
hike
MarketWatch
Treasury yields are struggling for direction as bond traders digest the Federal Reserve’s policy decision, which had sent U.S. government bonds rallying. Read the full story
The stock index that powered the bull rally is on the precipice of a bear market — and that would make history
MarketWatch
Forget the Santa rally, the stock market is fending off one of its worst Decembers in recent memory, and now the Nasdaq is on the brink of a bear market. It’s a scenario that may officially begin the end of the longest equity market bull run in history. Read the full story
Quadruple witching – What to expect in markets Friday
Yahoo Finance
Stocks have just five more trading days left in 2018 to try and recuperate losses for the year. Read the full
story
Quadruple witching – What to expect in markets Friday
Yahoo Finance
Stocks have just five more trading days left in 2018 to try and recuperate losses for the year. Read the full story
Dow Drops 334 Points Because the Fear Is Real
Barron's
The Dow Jones Industrial Average continues to pile up losses, falling 334 points in early afternoon trading, while the Nasdaq Composite is now officially in bear-market territory. Read the full story
As fear rises on Wall Street, strategists warn the worst is yet to come
CNBC
Stocks plummeted toward bear country, led by the Nasdaq, and strategists say selling will get worse before it gets better. Read the full story
Dow falls below 23,000 for first time in 14 months
CBS News
After years of easy money, investors are spooked by rising interest rates and slowing U.S. growth Read the full story
Pros aren't the only investors feeling the heat in the current market
plunge
CNBC
Investors are beginning to question the mix of stocks, bonds and other investments they hold. That's because it's been so long since they've experienced such a sharp decline. Read the full story
How Bad Will It Get for the Stock Market?
Bloomberg
While it feels like it won’t stop, someday it will. To get a handle on when equities might bottom out, analysts and investors turn to everything from valuations to technical analysis and history. Read the full story
CRYPTO'S / DIGITAL CURRENCY
Blockchain And Crypto Leaders Share Their 2019 Industry Predictions
Forbes
As we approach 2019, find out what blockchain and crypto influencers like Tim Draper and Changpeng Zhao (CZ) are predicting for the industry over the next 12 months. Read the full story
XRP/USD Technical Analysis: Bull takes charge as cryptocurrency rides
the surge wave
AMB Crypto
The cryptocurrency market has been enjoying a bullish run that has come out of the blue. Popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin [BTC], XRP and Ethereum [ETH] all saw staggering gains that lifted their price supports at the same time. 1-hour The hourly XRP chart puts the gain in perspective, with the bearish sideways movement that the cryptocurrency... Read the full story
Investors Still Interested In Cryptocurrency But Crave More Education
Forbes
Cryptocurrencies have plummeted in value during the past year but that hasn't reduced the interest on the part of investors. The biggest roadblock to adoption: a lack of education, according to a new survey by
eToro. Read the full story
Study: Asia Has More Impact on Bitcoin Price Than America and
Europe - Bitcoinist.com
Bitcoinist.net
With events like SEC approval for Bitcoin ETFs and the introduction of cryptocurrency derivatives, it iseasy to imagine the market being driven by news out of the United States. However, new research suggests that Asia, and not the West, is the dominant driver of Bitcoin price and cryptocurrency markets. Western Focus Might be Misleading Jay Clayton, the Chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) commented back in June 2018 as part of his comments about the Read the full story
Lawmakers look to change SEC's 72-year-old securities definition to
exclude cryptocurrencies
definition-to-exclude-
%7Cmorningsquawk
CURRENCIES
COLUMN-Fed still the only hiker in town, but dollar refuses to play ball: McGeever
Reuters
(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, acolumnist for Reuters) Read the full story
Dollar on track for worst week since February in Fed aftermath
MarketWatch
The U.S. dollar extends its weakening trend Thursday, unable to shake the risk-averse aftertaste of this
week’s Federal Reserve policy update and interest rate increase. Read the full story
Dollar struggles near one-month low, risk aversion boosts yen
Business Insider
FILE PHOTO: Illustration photo of a U.S. five dollar note Thomson Reuters By Shinichi Saoshiro TOKYO (Reuters) - The dollar hovered near a one-month low against its peers on Friday, weighed down by a subdued outlook toward U.S. interest rates and the economy, while risk aversion in the broader markets boosted the yen. The dollar index against a basket of six major currencies stood near 96.30 after falling to 96.168 overnight, its lowest since Nov. 20. The index has lost roughly 1.2 percent this Read the full story
Pound euro exchange rate: GBP dips as Italy populists cave in to EU
pressure over budget
Express
THE pound to euro exchange rate is down today, and is currently trading at €1.1082 as the Bank of England gets set to hold interest rates at 0.75 per cent at today’s policy meeting. The euro has found strength in the news that Italy has managed to avoid the European Union’s sanctions after agreeing to reduce its controversial budget deficit from 2.4 per cent to 2.04 per cent. EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Pierre
Moscovici commented that it was a “victory of political dialogue” that will Read the full story
INSURANCE / HEALTH / SCIENCE
Are you heavier than the average American? Here are the latest stats
CNN
The average weight, BMI and waist circumference for American men and women has increased, but average height remains the same, according to a new report from the National Center for Health
Statistics. Read the full story
Tennessee man diagnosed with human form of 'mad cow' disease: What you should know
ABC News
The human form of 'mad cow' disease affects one in a million people. Read the full story
Healthiest and least healthy states of 2018
CBS News
Check where your state stands in the new report's ranking Read the full story
Certain antibiotics may cause aortic aneurysm, FDA warns
CNN
The US Food and Drug Administration warned that the benefits of fluoroquinolone antibiotics do not
outweigh the risks — which include aortic aneurysm — for certain patients. These drugs are under thenames ciprofloxacin (Cipro), gemifloxacin (Factive), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), norfloxacin (Noroxin) and ofloxacin (Floxin). Read the full story
Even Napping With Your Contacts In Puts You At Risk For Eye Infections,
This Study Says
Bustle
While extended wear contact lenses are designed to make life easier, a new study published in the journal Annals of Emergency Medicine found that sleeping in your contact lenses can cause serious eye infections. The study in partnership with the… Read the full story
USA / CANADA
Day After: Market Near 2018 Lows After Fed Hike As Economic Worries Persist
Forbes
The Fed arguably had little choice except to raise rates yesterday, because if it hadn’t, there might have
been an even bigger market flop as people wondered what signs of economic weakness it had seen. Read
the full story
House passes spending bill with $5 billion for Trump's border wall
CNN Politics
With Washington a little more than 24 hours away from a partial government shutdown, the House ofRepresentatives on Thursday passed a spending bill that includes an additional $5 billion for President Donald Trump's long-promised border wall. The vote was 217-185. Read the full story
Ron Paul: The markets are more powerful than the Fed
Fox News
Former congressman Ron Paul (R-Texas) discusses Congress's struggle to pass a spending bill, the Federal Reserve's recent rate hike and President Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. military from
Syria. Read the full story
How world leaders are responding to U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria
Axios
Leaders are responding to President Trump's decision to pull 2,000 U.S. troops out of Syria, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said he supports the move, and the country's European allies, who are still concerned of the ongoing threat of the Islamic State, or ISIS. Read the full story
EMERGING MARKETS
GRAPHIC-Markets suffer worst year since global financial crisis
Reuters
Read the full story
Why it may be time to shine for emerging-market currencies in 2019
MarketWatch
Emerging-market investors had no place to hide in 2018. From trade spats, to rising U.S. interest rates and a strong U.S. dollar, the deck seemed stacked against them. Here’s how that could result in a bullish turn
next year. Read the full story
Brazil's cane fields in 2019/2020 season seen aging at slower pace
Reuters
Brazil's center-southsugarcane fields are forecast to age at slower pace next year,which could increase yields by 0.5 tonne per hectare in the2019/2020 season that starts in April, sugarcane group Centro deTecnologia Canavieira SA said on Thursday. Read the full story
'Think of it as an ice cube': How Venezuela became a disaster state
Yahoo Finance
Venezuela's dependence on a broken oil regime caused a deepening humanitarian crisis. A newdocumentary details the Venezuela disaster. Read the full story
MIDDLE EAST
U.S. to also end air war against Islamic State in Syria: officials
Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump's order to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria also signifies an end to the U.S. air campaign against Islamic State there, U.S. officials told Reuters on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity. Read the full story
A bank divided: Yemen's financial crisis hits food imports
Reuters• Central bank is split in two Read the full story
•Protests over rising prices spread to Sudan's Khartoum
Aljazeera
At least one person has been killed in protests that have swept across Sudan over the rising costs of bread and fuel. The death came in the city of Gedareif where a state of emergency has been declared due to the protests. A state of emergency has also been declared in Atbara, about 320km north of the capital Khartoum, after protesters set the ruling National Conference Party offices on fire. Protests also spread to several other cities, including Khartoum and Port Sudan. Residents told Al Read the full story
Saudi Arabia modifies intelligence service following Khashoggi murder
Business Insider
RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday the creation of three new government bodies aimed at improving the country's intelligence operations in the wake of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, which has sparked international outrage. King Salman ordered a restructuring of the intelligence service in October after the authorities, following initial denials, acknowledged that Khashoggi had been killed inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate by a team of Saudi intelligence and Read the full
story
Scoop: Netanyahu rejected Russian plan to work with U.S. on Syria, Iran
Axios
More than three months ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin's national security adviser Nikolai Patrushev gave his Israeli counterpart a document. It contained an unofficial proposal for a deal between
the U.S. and Russia on Syria and Iran intended to start a wider dialogue between Washington and Moscow to improve relations, two Israeli officials with direct knowledge tell me. Read the full story
Russia, Iran and Turkey will step into vacuum US leaves in Syria
The Hill
The reversal in US policy throws into question the Trump administration’s commitment to its allies on the
ground in Syria. Read the full story AFRICA
Liberia: World Bank Approves Us$29m for Southeastern Road Project
AllAfrica
World Bank Group Country Director, Ms. Leshchenko The World Bank Board of Executive Directors yesterday approved an International Development Association (IDA) credit financing of US$29 million for the Liberia Southeastern Corridor Road Asset Management Project (SECRAMP). The project will support the Government's effort to enhance road connectivity for residents living along selected sections of the Ganta-to-Zwedru Road corridor, and to improve institutional capacity to manage the road sector. Read thefull story
Namibia: Economy Shows Recovery - Schlettwein
AllAfrica
(Photo: Stefan Magdalinski/Wikipedia) FINANCE minister Calle Schlettwein has denied the depression state of the economy, rather calling it a prolonged recession, with signs of slow recovery emerging. In a press statement on the state of the economy released yesterday, the minister said Namibia is a small and open economy. However, to date external factors and to a lesser extent domestic factors has caused the economy to slide into an undesired direction and debt increase, although there are Read the full story
Africa: Trumping China in Africa?
AllAfrica
President Obasanjo and Dr Mills are co-authors of the just-released 'Democracy Works: Rewiring Politicsfor Africa's Advantage'. The Trump Administration recently announced a long-awaited new strategy towards Africa. It's designed to be tougher in its selection of partners and to counter what is described as the "predatory" practices of China and Russia, which it says are "deliberately and aggressively targeting their investments in the region to gain a competitive advantage". National security Read the full story
UPDATE 1-South Africa coal train derails, export line shut -Transnet
Reuters
(Adds details) Read the full story
ASIA
China’s private firms shy away from bank borrowing, delaying investment
South China Morning Post
Government efforts to boost bank lending to struggling private sector are getting lost in mixed messages and growing economic uncertainty Companies are postponing investment as they wait for outlook to clear Read the full story
How China’s elite spies stole the world’s most valuable secrets
WIRED
A new DOJ indictment outlines how Chinese hackers allegedly compromised data from companies in a dozen countries in a single intrusion. Read the full story
China denies 'slanderous' economic espionage charges from U.S., allies
Reuters
China's Foreign Ministry said on Friday it resolutely opposed "slanderous" accusations from the United States and other allies criticising China for economic espionage, urging Washington to withdraw its
accusations. Read the full story
China-U.S. Relations Are In a 'Dangerous Period' and Are 'Likely to Get More Dangerous,' Harvard Scholar Warns
Newsweek "The U.S. no longer sees China as [a] strategic partner, but a strategic adversary," Professor Graham Allison warned. Read the full story
Asia Stocks Drop After U.S. Slide; Yen Holds Gains: Markets Wrap
Bloomberg
Asian stocks fell and Japanese equities dropped deeper into a bear market, with regional shares on course for the worst week since October. U.S. futures slipped after shares fell overnight. Read the full story
Morgan Stanley is 'outright bullish' on Asian markets
CNBC
Read the full story
EUROPE
UK ministers focused on getting Brexit deal through parliament, May says
Reuters
British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday that her cabinet's focus was on building support for her Brexit deal after different ministers floated contrasting back-up plans should her Brexit deal fail to pass in parliament next month. Read the full story
Government edits own documents to remove claim no-deal Brexit is 'unlikely'
Sky News
The government is editing its own "no-deal" documents to remove the word "unlikely" in relation to Britain falling out of the EU without a agreement. Read the full story
Breakingviews - EU Brexit safety net still means trauma for London
Reuters
LONDON (Reuters Breakingviews) - Card players can bluff by raising the stakes to induce their opponents to fold. The European Commission played a similar hand on Thursday when it released plans to manage the fallout if the UK can’t agree a Brexit deal with the EU. The proposal looks unrealistic, but it still gives the bloc negotiating leverage and could damage London. Read the full story
While China and the US spar over trade, Europe quietly heads for its worst year sincethe financial crisis
Business Insider
2018 has been, by pretty much every quantifiable measure, a nightmare for investors, but while most attention has been focused on the US and China, Europe has suffered worse. The Euro Stoxx 50 index of Europe's biggest companies has fallen more than 15% so far in 2018. European stocks have dropped three times more than the S&P 500, and are headed for their worst year since the financial crisis. Economic woes in Germany, a budget crisis in Italy, Brexit, and France's social issues are all partly Read the full story
European stocks sink a day after Fed decision
MarketWatch
European stocks fall into a bear market on Thursday, as the Federal Reserve’s latest monetary policy decision disappoints investors. Read the full story
CBI, ISX, Kauaihn Chatter:
CBI Update:
CBI closed on Friday and Saturday
Kauaihn Chatter:
12-21-2018 Newshound Guru Adam Montana [What’s up with the GOI formation? Will it happen? In your opinion, do you think this is coming closer to an RV?] GOI formation is proceeding very good IMO. Everyone should keep in mind that Iraq will never have a fully seated government with absolutely 0 contested seats. We are talking about a society that operates very different than anywhere outside the Middle East. 80% good is about as good as it will ever get, and we are pretty much there.
12-21-2018 Intel Guru ADMINBILL WE SEEM TO BE IN A STATE OF FLUX AS FAR AS THE CURRENCY MOVEMENT IS TODAY. WE SHALL SEE. I TEND TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROCESS HAS SLOWED BUT IS STILL WINDING ITS WAY TOWARDS A CONCLUSION. I ANTICIPATE A CONCLUSION FOR THE MAJOR "TIERS" BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR WITH THE PUBLIC LAUNCH IN JANUARY.
12-21-2018 Intel Guru ADMINBILL WE SEEM TO BE IN A STATE OF FLUX AS FAR AS THE CURRENCY MOVEMENT IS TODAY. WE SHALL SEE. I TEND TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROCESS HAS SLOWED BUT IS STILL WINDING ITS WAY TOWARDS A CONCLUSION. I ANTICIPATE A CONCLUSION FOR THE MAJOR "TIERS" BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR WITH THE PUBLIC LAUNCH IN JANUARY.
12-21-2018 Newshound/Intel Guru Mnt Goat We are just waiting for the next step. I know they have a target for EARLY 2019 to reinstate the currency...We almost witnessed this reinstatement last January and if it was not for some factors that occurred back then we would not be here today again at this time...I am telling everyone now...the flood gates are about to open. It is all going to come real fast and with a great change to Iraq. With this flood will bring what we want- finally! Be patient and hang in there, it is coming. It may be very quiet now but not for very long.
12-21-2018 Intel Guru Bruce We know that the timing of this is designed. I am pointed toward before Christmas...That is the information I am getting. I am not getting for us that is pointing to after the first of the year or after Christmas. I have heard this is intended to go by or before Saturday...Intention of this White House of our President Trump is to let us have this for us before Christmas. ...I am encouraged by the fact that we are there. We have a rough time frame that we think is still intact. [post 2 of 2]
12-21-2018 Intel Guru Bruce We do not normally do rates, but I will tell you this...the dong has been going up in value. The dong was in just under the $5 range today. Just under $5 on the front screen. I can’t tell you where the dinar is on the front screen right now, because I do not know that number. ...We have been told that the rates for these currencies should be updated and new by this afternoon [Thursday]. ...That is usually a good sign of things happening on the Forex, on the World Markets. ...I know that was the intention. [post 1 of 2....stay tuned]
12-21-2018 Newshound Guru Adam Montana [I've been remembering back to Iraq being removed from Chapter 7 (UN) and some of the process involved....How does current GOI environment compare and what is similar / different getting HCL in place?] I think the main difference would be the players involved - Chapter 7 was an outside decision. They were at the mercy of the UN(etc) on that one. HCL is not that way - this is an internal decision. The HCL is done when Iraq says it is done, and no outside influences can stop them.
12-21-2018 Newshound/Intel Guru Walkingstick The timing/ change of the exchange rate, of.. any country... is not, dictated ..by, the date/s listed on the UN operational rate/s of exchange..
12-21-2018 Intel Guru Bruce We know that the timing of this is designed. I am pointed toward before Christmas...That is the information I am getting. I am not getting for us that is pointing to after the first of the year or after Christmas. I have heard this is intended to go by or before Saturday...Intention of this White House of our President Trump is to let us have this for us before Christmas. ...I am encouraged by the fact that we are there. We have a rough time frame that we think is still intact. [post 2 of 2]
12-21-2018 Intel Guru Bruce We do not normally do rates, but I will tell you this...the dong has been going up in value. The dong was in just under the $5 range today. Just under $5 on the front screen. I can’t tell you where the dinar is on the front screen right now, because I do not know that number. ...We have been told that the rates for these currencies should be updated and new by this afternoon [Thursday]. ...That is usually a good sign of things happening on the Forex, on the World Markets. ...I know that was the intention. [post 1 of 2....stay tuned]
12-21-2018 Newshound Guru Adam Montana [I've been remembering back to Iraq being removed from Chapter 7 (UN) and some of the process involved....How does current GOI environment compare and what is similar / different getting HCL in place?] I think the main difference would be the players involved - Chapter 7 was an outside decision. They were at the mercy of the UN(etc) on that one. HCL is not that way - this is an internal decision. The HCL is done when Iraq says it is done, and no outside influences can stop them.
12-21-2018 Newshound/Intel Guru Walkingstick The timing/ change of the exchange rate, of.. any country... is not, dictated ..by, the date/s listed on the UN operational rate/s of exchange..
12-20-2018 Newshound/Intel Guru Mnt Goat Article: "IRAQ IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S RICHEST COUNTRIES" Quote: “the Central Bank has a future plan to restructure the Iraqi currency, including the deletion of zeros”. ...to me this looks like there is a long term plan to issue a 100,000 dinar note. Why is this if they want to complete the project to delete the zeros? So this article says the CBI is holding off on this idea (pending) for now. My guess is...they are doing this and will not launch this 100,000 dinar note until after the reinstatement and then only use it for inter-banking transactions for trade and reconstruction transfers of money payments of large sums. The average citizen may NEVER see this category. So this is the real reason for this 100k note.
Elmer:
Not in today
Artmeister:
Not in today
Catnip:
*************
ARTICLE 1 (from PM Mahdi's website)
At the time this report was submitted, there were no new articles posted on PM Mahdi's website.
*************
ARTICLE 2 (from Government of Iraq twitter account):
Government of Iraq - الحكومة العراقيةVerified account @IraqiGovt 12-21-2018 around 8 am Eastern
Representatives from @IraqiGovt, Iraqi business leaders and international investors discuss an ambitious vision for Iraq’s economic development, with emphasis on unleashing the potential of all Iraqis as they lay the foundation for a prosperous future for all.
*************
ARTICLE 3
America grants exemption to Iraq to enable it to buy energy from Iran
2018/12/21 20:02
[Where - Continue]
A US State Department spokesman said on Friday that the ministry had granted Iraq a 90-day exemption to enable it to continue to pay for its imports of electricity and natural gas from Iran.
In November, the United States re-imposed sanctions on Iran's energy exports over its nuclear program and its interference in the Middle East, but granted exemptions to a few buyers to meet consumers' energy needs.
The spokesman said the State Department was working with Iraq to end its dependence on Iranian natural gas and increase its independence in the energy field.
*************
ARTICLE 4
World Bank: Middle East needs 300 million jobs
2018/12/21 17:12
[Where - Continue]
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region needs 300 million new jobs by 2050, the World Bank said on Friday.
This was made by Vice President of the World Bank Group for the Middle East and North Africa Farid Belhadj, on the sidelines of a conference in Tunis.
Belhadj called for the need to exploit human resources through reforming education, keeping up with the progress train, supporting the competencies and the private sector.
Today, Tunisia is witnessing a World Bank conference entitled "Investing in Human Capital for a Better Future for the Region", which presented two reports on world development in 2019 and education in the region.
"All countries in the region must create 10 million jobs each year by opening up the private sector as the engine of the economy," Belhadj said. "The country supports and supports, but it is unable to provide all employment opportunities."
The World Bank's "World Development 2019" report called for North African and Middle East countries to invest in human capital, especially early childhood education, social protection and budget space.
"If governments [in the region] do not move now, invest in quality education, and improve learning, many of these young people will face a life full of frustration and disappointment, with implications and implications not only for the region," the World Bank said earlier. , But also to the world. "
"The Arab region is rich in human resources, but without resources, qualifications and skills to deal with the job market and integrate into the economic cycle, it will be a major challenge," Tunisian Minister of Investment, Development and International Cooperation Ziad al-Athari told reporters.
He pointed out that "a large part of the jobs will be scattered and will highlight other occupations by technological and digital transformations, which will push governments today to think more about the preparation of youth and childhood revolution of the fourth industrial and digital transformation."
"This requires investment in human capital, and Tunisia was among the first countries to respond to the World Bank's initiative to push for it," he said.
The report of the World Bank [Education in the region] stated that the region occupies the highest position in terms of absolute capacity for educational transition between generations compared to other regions of the world.
Countries in the region are experiencing a low rate of intergenerational income generation, with the achievement of education in the rest of the world closely linked to rising incomes.
*************
ARTICLE 5
Ibrahim al-Jaafari's media office denies his death
BAGHDAD, Dec. 21 (Xinhuanet) - Former Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari announced on Friday that "the news of his death is baseless."
The office said in a statement that "the news transmitted by some social media about the death of the former prime minister and former foreign minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari is false and false", pointing out that "al-Jaafari extends a surplus of thanks and appreciation to those noble sentiments who expressed concern about The lies that were transmitted by some means of social communication about the news of his death. " End Ah
No comments:
Post a Comment