WOTS Sunday 12/23/18:
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 |
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DC NY Iraq Articles:dd
Reform announces an important decision on the budget and the distribution of parliamentary committees
Release date: 2018/12/23 8:56 • 340 times read
{Baghdad: Al Furat News} The General Organization of the Alliance of Reform and Reconstruction agreed to reduce expenditure in the financial budget for 2019.
A statement to the presidency of the coalition received the agency {Euphrates News} a copy of it that "the General Organization of the Alliance of Reform and Reconstruction held yesterday (Tuesday) the third meeting with members and leaders of the coalition, and discussed the files on the agenda of the meeting."
He added that "the attendees voted unanimously on the rules of procedure of the alliance as a new step towards the path of institutionalization, and voted unanimously on the election of Mr. Ammar al-Hakim as head of the coalition, and the selection of Sabah al-Saadi as head of the parliamentary bloc."
The meeting also discussed "the general budget for 2019, where they agreed on the need to reduce spending and take into account the observations recorded, while referred the subject of the budget to a committee composed of coalition deputies of the Finance and Economic Committee and the Committee on Energy and the Committee to follow up the implementation of the government program."
They stressed during the meeting to "adopt the same mechanism that was adopted in the formation of the government in the formation of parliamentary committees to be the presidency of the committees for the most efficient, and the rejection of any distribution of constituent or national or sectarian committees."
He added that "the attendees voted unanimously on the rules of procedure of the alliance as a new step towards the path of institutionalization, and voted unanimously on the election of Mr. Ammar al-Hakim as head of the coalition, and the selection of Sabah al-Saadi as head of the parliamentary bloc."
The meeting also discussed "the general budget for 2019, where they agreed on the need to reduce spending and take into account the observations recorded, while referred the subject of the budget to a committee composed of coalition deputies of the Finance and Economic Committee and the Committee on Energy and the Committee to follow up the implementation of the government program."
They stressed during the meeting to "adopt the same mechanism that was adopted in the formation of the government in the formation of parliamentary committees to be the presidency of the committees for the most efficient, and the rejection of any distribution of constituent or national or sectarian committees."
Minister of Commerce reveals an important project in the ration card
Editorial date: 2018/12/23 8:39 • 730 times scheduled
(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) Minister of Commerce, Mohammad Hashim al-Ani, announced the Ministry's intention to implement an important project in the ration card.
Al-Ani said in a press statement that "the ministry intends to issue a smart ration card, which depends on the fingerprint to ensure access to ration items to the beneficiaries."
"This approach is in line with the directives of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and the government program, which aims at eliminating corruption and manipulating the strength of the people."
Al-Ani stressed, "Since our receipt of the ministry to develop a large and clear plan for all provinces, we follow the vocabulary of the ration card since its arrival to our ports in Umm Qasr and to the stage," stressing "distribution among citizens and we entered on all details the ministry's keenness to provide the best food items in the ration card items and Access to the beneficiaries of Egypt's importance and necessity. "
In another regard, the Minister of Trade on the need to unify the procedures at the border crossings between the center and the Kurdistan region to prevent the discrepancy and confusion experienced by some of the obstacles in the ports, "pointing to the presence of" some border traders, but we will deal soon. "
On cooperation with customs, Al-Ani said, "We are cooperating with the Ministry of Finance according to the government program not to increase fees with the region and they will all unite."
"This approach is in line with the directives of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and the government program, which aims at eliminating corruption and manipulating the strength of the people."
Al-Ani stressed, "Since our receipt of the ministry to develop a large and clear plan for all provinces, we follow the vocabulary of the ration card since its arrival to our ports in Umm Qasr and to the stage," stressing "distribution among citizens and we entered on all details the ministry's keenness to provide the best food items in the ration card items and Access to the beneficiaries of Egypt's importance and necessity. "
In another regard, the Minister of Trade on the need to unify the procedures at the border crossings between the center and the Kurdistan region to prevent the discrepancy and confusion experienced by some of the obstacles in the ports, "pointing to the presence of" some border traders, but we will deal soon. "
On cooperation with customs, Al-Ani said, "We are cooperating with the Ministry of Finance according to the government program not to increase fees with the region and they will all unite."
A parliamentary question to the Ministry of Oil
Date of release:: 2018/12/23 11:07 • 132 times read
"There are many questions and comments about the nature of the work of the Ministry of Oil specifically with regard to the volume of domestic consumption and the amount of processing of the Ministry of Electricity and crude oil and other petroleum products."
Al-Rubaie said in a statement received by the agency {Euphrates News} a copy of it "by virtue of our oversight work, we sent a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives to address the Minister of Oil to inquire about a lot of observations in the work of the ministry and how to deal with exports and petroleum products."
He explained that "the questions directed also include knowledge of the volume of total production of Iraqi refineries of oil products and how much domestic production is measured in terms of internal needs."
"We also demand to know the size of the processing of refineries of the private sector inside Iraq and the amount of processing per refinery."
He pointed out that "the Presidency of the House of Representatives instructed the relevant parties to address the Ministry of Oil to answer these questions and queries," explaining that "the answer of the Ministry of Oil may affect the nature of discussions within the House of Representatives regarding the adoption of the unilateral budget."
He explained that "the questions directed also include knowledge of the volume of total production of Iraqi refineries of oil products and how much domestic production is measured in terms of internal needs."
"We also demand to know the size of the processing of refineries of the private sector inside Iraq and the amount of processing per refinery."
He pointed out that "the Presidency of the House of Representatives instructed the relevant parties to address the Ministry of Oil to answer these questions and queries," explaining that "the answer of the Ministry of Oil may affect the nature of discussions within the House of Representatives regarding the adoption of the unilateral budget."
Federal Court ruled unconstitutional pensions of deputies
Date of release: 2018/12/23 11:55 • 365 times read
(Baghdad: Al Furat News) The Federal Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional articles in the Law of the House of Representatives and Formations No. 13 of 2018, including pensions.
"The Federal Supreme Court held its session today under the chairmanship of Judge Medhat al-Mahmoud and the presence of all members of the judges, and considered appeals to articles in the Law of the House of Representatives and its formations No. 13 of 2018," the spokesman of the court, Ayas al-Samuk, "He said.
Samok added that "the court, after completing its procedures as it checked the articles contested unconstitutional with the Constitution, issued a ruling in this regard."
He explained that "the court ruled unconstitutional article (6 / II), which gave the right of law to third parties, and Article (11 / IV), which considered the member of the House of Representatives lagging behind, and if not become a deputy.
He also pointed out that Article 13, which specifically discriminates against the president and his deputies, and the members of the council, are subject to pensions that differ from the salaries covered by the unified pension law. Article 17, which authorized the council to issue legislative decisions except the provisions of the constitution, The system of precedents being the authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "
The Samok, that "the rest of the articles of the law contested by the 25 articles in the said law was found by the court is not contrary to the Constitution and dismissed the plaintiff's case / in addition to his job on them."
Samok added that "the court, after completing its procedures as it checked the articles contested unconstitutional with the Constitution, issued a ruling in this regard."
He explained that "the court ruled unconstitutional article (6 / II), which gave the right of law to third parties, and Article (11 / IV), which considered the member of the House of Representatives lagging behind, and if not become a deputy.
He also pointed out that Article 13, which specifically discriminates against the president and his deputies, and the members of the council, are subject to pensions that differ from the salaries covered by the unified pension law. Article 17, which authorized the council to issue legislative decisions except the provisions of the constitution, The system of precedents being the authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. "
The Samok, that "the rest of the articles of the law contested by the 25 articles in the said law was found by the court is not contrary to the Constitution and dismissed the plaintiff's case / in addition to his job on them."
Iraq and Kuwait select adviser to study border oil areas
Release date: 2018/12/23 12:19 • 78 times scheduled
Kuwait and Iraq have chosen a consultant to study the oil areas on the border between the two countries, and the production policy will be determined based on the study, Oil Minister Thamir al-Ghadhban announced on Sunday.
Speaking at a meeting of the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) in Kuwait, Al-Ghadhban said he expected "oil prices" to improve at the beginning of next year as implementation of OPEC's cut production decision and independent producers began earlier this month.
"There is no longer a big store in the market, so we are optimistic that this rapid decline will stop."
"There is no longer a big store in the market, so we are optimistic that this rapid decline will stop."
Kauaihn Iraq Articles:dd
Deputy for construction: Abdul-Mahdi asked to postpone the introduction of voting on the candidates of the cab to tomorrow
Sunday, 23 December 2018Baghdad / Al-Ghad Press:
MP for the coalition of construction Ahmed al-Asadi, on Sunday, that Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi asked to postpone the introduction of voting on the candidates of the cab to tomorrow.
Al-Asadi told "Al-Ghad Press" that "Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi asked to postpone the introduction of the vote on the candidates of the Cabinet Cab to Monday."
MP for the coalition of construction Ahmed al-Asadi, on Sunday, that Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi asked to postpone the introduction of voting on the candidates of the cab to tomorrow.
Al-Asadi told "Al-Ghad Press" that "Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi asked to postpone the introduction of the vote on the candidates of the Cabinet Cab to Monday."
He added that "the differences are still ongoing between the blocks around the ministries and their candidates," explaining that "tomorrow will be put to the House of Representatives is to decide to pass the candidates or drop them in the vote."
Hakim as head of the coalition of reform and support of the parliamentary bloc
2018/12/23 9:01 183 times installed
[Ayna-Baghdad]
Ammar al-Hakim was elected head of the coalition.
Ammar al-Hakim was elected head of the coalition.
"The General Authority of the Coalition for Reform and Reconstruction held its third meeting in the presence of members and leaders of the coalition, and discussed the files on the agenda of the meeting."
He added that "the attendees voted unanimously on the rules of procedure of the alliance as a new step towards the path of institutionalization, and voted unanimously on the election of Mr. Ammar al-Hakim as head of the coalition, and the selection of Sabah al-Saadi as head of the parliamentary bloc."
The meeting also discussed "the general budget for 2019, where they agreed on the need to reduce spending and take into account the observations recorded, while referred the subject of the budget to a committee composed of coalition deputies of the Finance and Economic Committee and the Committee on Energy and the Committee to follow up the implementation of the government program."
They stressed during the meeting to "adopt the same mechanism that was adopted in the formation of the government in the formation of parliamentary committees to be chaired committees for the most efficient, and the rejection of any component or national or sectarian distribution of the committees."
He added that "the attendees voted unanimously on the rules of procedure of the alliance as a new step towards the path of institutionalization, and voted unanimously on the election of Mr. Ammar al-Hakim as head of the coalition, and the selection of Sabah al-Saadi as head of the parliamentary bloc."
The meeting also discussed "the general budget for 2019, where they agreed on the need to reduce spending and take into account the observations recorded, while referred the subject of the budget to a committee composed of coalition deputies of the Finance and Economic Committee and the Committee on Energy and the Committee to follow up the implementation of the government program."
They stressed during the meeting to "adopt the same mechanism that was adopted in the formation of the government in the formation of parliamentary committees to be chaired committees for the most efficient, and the rejection of any component or national or sectarian distribution of the committees."
Sources: National and the axis agree on the nomination of Darraji and Jabouri for the post of Minister of Defense
Baghdad / Al-Ghad Press:
Political sources reported on Sunday, the national agreement and the axis on the nomination of Hisham Darraji and Salim Jubouri for the post of Minister of Defense.
The sources told "Al-Ghad Press" that "a meeting held by a number of deputies of the National Coalition and the National Axis Alliance agreed to nominate two personalities for the post of Minister of Defense, both Major General Hesham al-Daraji and Dr. Salim al-Jubouri, former Speaker of the House of Representatives."
Reform Alliance: the budget for 2019 for employees and not for services and investment
Sunday 23 December 2018
Baghdad / ... Description of the alliance of reform and reconstruction, Sunday, the budget in 2019 as a budget for staff and not for services and investment, while noting that this view was agreed during the meeting of the last coalition.
A member of the coalition Jassim al-Bukhati told "Iraq News" that "the coalition of reform and reconstruction, discussed at its meeting on Saturday, the financial budget for the year 2019 in an extensive and led to an agreement in the opinion that the budget is the budget of staff and not services and investment, and this is a big problem we will face because most Iraq's provinces need to need investment projects to improve their status. "
He added that "the coalition intends, through its members in parliament, to work to reduce the budget expenditures and arrange in a manner consistent with low oil prices and avoid falling into deficit."
The Iraqi army strengthens its presence on the Syrian border
aljournal December 23, 2018
Baghdad - Journal News
Iraqi army forces and the popular crowd have reinforced their presence on the border with Syria to prevent the infiltration of elements of a terrorist organization, especially after the US decision to withdraw from the Syrian north.
"Iraqi forces have stepped up their presence in some border areas with Syria, which is witnessing the presence of elements of an organization calling on the other side of the border, in anticipation of the consequences of the US withdrawal," a security source told the Sunday Times.
Another source revealed the intention of the United States to establish a military base in the area of silk, the district of Shaqlawa, in the province of Arbil in northern Iraq, pointing to the start of preparations for the transfer of troops from Syria to Iraq.
The source said about 2,000 US troops would be transferred to the base, the fifth US base in Iraqi Kurdistan, 60 km from the Iranian border.
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CNBC
Forex - Dollar's Drive Higher Can't Make Up for Rocky Week
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GLOBAL/NEWS/INFO
Today in History
ABC News
ABC News
Clean out your 'financial junk drawer' and finish money goals for the New Year
The end of the year is a great time to tackle unfinished financial projects and goals. Read the full story
The 7 Best Money And Investing Books Of 2018
Forbes
Need a last minute gift for the bookworm on your list? While it's not quite as alluring as a car with a bow in the driveway, the right book may prove to be a more valuable gift over the long run. Here are the 7 best books on money & investing from 2018. Read the full story
OIL/COMMODITIES/ENERGY
Gold Prices Slip as Dollar Recovers
Investing.com
Commodities Dec 21, 2018 06:36 GMT Investing.com - Gold prices fell on Friday in Asia as the U.S. dollar recovered. Gold Futures for February delivery slipped 0.45% to $1,262.25 at 1:26 AM ET (06:26 GMT) on the Comex exchange, while the U.S. dollar index, tracking the greenback against a basket of six currencies, gained 0.2% to 95.938. The Fed raised rates as expected by a quarter point at its December meeting on Wednesday. But it also sent out mixed signals to the market by lowering its Read the full story
PRECIOUS-Gold steadies near 6-month peak on global economic growth concerns
Reuters
(Updates prices, adds fresh comments) Read the full story
Gold Futures Confirmed a Bottom and Gold Stocks Will Follow
TheStreet
Barrick Gold and Newmont Mining are best positioned to outperform. The Comex gold futures contract confirmed a bottom with a positive weekly chart on Dec. 7. The contract moved above its 200-day simple moving average at $1,257.0 this week and has been above its 200-week SMA at the same time. This sets the stage to buy gold mining stocks. My favorite miners are Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX) and Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM) . Barrick has been above its 200-day simple moving average at $12.35 since Oct. Read the full story
Gold Futures Confirmed a Bottom and Gold Stocks Will Follow
TheStreet
Barrick Gold and Newmont Mining are best positioned to outperform. The Comex gold futures contract confirmed a bottom with a positive weekly chart on Dec. 7. The contract moved above its 200-day simple moving average at $1,257.0 this week and has been above its 200-week SMA at the same time. This sets the stage to buy gold mining stocks. My favorite miners are Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX) and Newmont Mining Corp. (NEM) . Barrick has been above its 200-day simple moving average at $12.35 since Oct. Read the full story
Oil Prices Continue to Decline as Buying from Increased OPEC Cuts Fades
Investing.com
Commodities Dec 21, 2018 10:15 GMT Investing.com - Although oil prices bounced higher in overnight trade as OPEC said it would make deeper-than-expected quotas of its output cuts public, optimism faded in early morning trade on Friday as crude headed for the largest weekly decline in a month as concerns over weak economic growth and rising U.S. shale production outweighed hopes that the cartel could keep the global supply glut in check. New York-traded West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell Read the full story
Oil prices continue to fall after 10-week decline
Axios
Oil prices lost more ground Friday morning, the latest declines in a remarkable 10-week slide that's greased by concerns about softening demand and, thus far, largely resistant to OPEC's pledge to tighten the market. Read the full story
BANKS/BANKING/CREDIT
Avoid this credit card 'at all costs' this holiday season, expert says
CNBC
Millennials are far more likely than the average person to open a new credit card for their holiday shopping. But experts say you need to read the fine print and check your budget twice before signing on the dotted line. Read the full story
Trading Strategies: What to Expect From the Banking Sector Going Into 2019
TheStreet
Here's what investors should be thinking about in regards to the bank sector as we head into 2019. What do you know about the banking sector? TheStreet's London Bureau Chief, Martin Baccardax, breaks down what investors need to know about the sector as we head into 2019. Here's a quick look at the top bank stocks over the past year. JPMorgan (JPM) is down 9% year-to-date. Goldman Sachs (GS) is down almost 34% year-to-date. Citibank (C) is down nearly 30% year-to-date. Morgan Stanley (MS) is down Read the full story
Square has resumed its banking push after regulatory concerns
Business Insider
Bank Of Bird-in-Hand Completes And Sells Out Common Stock Offering | Global Banking & Finance Review
Global Banking & Finance Review
The Bank of Bird-in-Hand (the Bank) announced that, as of December 19, 2018, it has Read the full story
Exclusive: Uzbekistan appoints banks for international debt market debut
Reuters
Uzbekistan is making final preparations for its first foray into international debt markets, naming four international banks to lead a dollar bond deal, sources involved in the plans have told Reuters. Read the full story
Deutsche Boerse fined $12 million in insider trading case
Reuters
Deutsche Boerse said it accepted combined fines of 10.5 million euros ($11.9 million) by a Frankfurt court in an insider trading case involving the German stock exchange operator's former Chief Executive Carsten Kengeter. Read the full story
Bank of America Falls 3%
Investing.com
Stock Markets Dec 21, 2018 20:36 GMT Investing.com - Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) fell by 3.11% to trade at $23.36 by 15:35 (20:35 GMT) on Friday on the NYSE exchange. The volume of Bank of America shares traded since the start of the session was 99.05M. Bank of America has traded in a range of $23.36 to $24.51 on the day. The stock has traded at $25.2400 at its highest and $23.3500 at its lowest during the past seven days. Read the full story
TREASURIES/BONDS/STOCKS
Investors fleeing the market in droves as year ends in rout
CNBC
U.S. investors fled stocks and bonds in droves this past week as widespread market selling continued amid rising interest rates and a worsening global economy. Read the full story
Take Five: Bear-y Christmas! World markets themes for the week ahead
Reuters
Reuters
Following are five big themes likely to dominate thinking of investors and traders in the coming week and the Reuters stories related to them. Read the full story
Volatility ravaged the stock market this year. Here's what that was like for first-time investors.
Business Insider
The 'Fearless Girl' statue stands across from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as it is lit for the holidays with red and green light, December 17, 2018 in New York City. Stocks were particularly volatile in 2018 after years of slow and steady gains for the major US markets. That might be intimidating to novice investors. Business Insider spoke with new retail investors, all millennials, to find out what they learned amid the volatility. "Starting now is difficult because of the volatility in Read the full story
Investors pull record US$3.3bn from loan funds, rate hikes forecast to slow
Reuters
NEW YORK, Dec 21 (LPC) - Investors pulled more than US$3bnfrom loan funds this week as the Federal Reserve signalsadditional rate increases may be slower than previouslyanticipated, which may deter some investors that were betting oncontinued increasing distributions from the floating-rate debt. Read the full story
This chart shows the dramatic demise of a market flagged by the Fed
MarketWatch
Leveraged loans are in the midst of a spectacular selloff this year, reversing the fortunes of an asset class that has drawn concerns from the Federal Reserve and other financial watchdogs. Read the full story
The Blockchain Technology Revolution Is About To Remake The Stock Market
Investor's Business Daily
Blockchain technology is one of the hottest buzzwords among investors. Now, they’ll witness its power firsthand as the blockchain stock market era begins. Read the full story
The Difference Between An ETF And A Mutual Fund: Key Things To Know
Investor's Business Daily
Exchange traded fund, mutual fund — they’re all the same, right? Not so much. If you’re building your investment portfolio and wondering about the differences, read this. Read the full story
Nasdaq in bear market, Dow falls 414 points
Fox Business
Christmas fear not cheer drove end of the week trading. Read the full story
Fear on Wall Street; Chaos in Washington; Carlos Ghosn rearrested
CNN Business
Here's what you need to know about the markets before you start your business day. Read the full story
CRYPTO'S / DIGITAL CURRENCY
5 Types of Cryptocurrency Entrepreneurs Should Know About
Entrepreneur
Cryptocurrencies are both investment opportunities and new financial instruments of increasing importance to investors and business owners. You can classify every digital currency in existence as one of these five types of cryptocurrency. These distinctions are of the utmost importance for cryptocurrency investors because they determine what exactly you’re investing in, and who can invest in the first place. From coins to tokens, stablecoins to utility and security tokens, here are the main Read the full story
Beat The Taxman On Your Bullish Bitcoin Bet
Forbes
Is Bitcoin a cult or is it heading to $200,000? I don't know but these IRS rules will let the taxman subsidize your BTC play. Read the full story
Coinbase CEO is first crypto billionaire to pledge donation of bulk of fortune
CNBC
Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong is joining the ranks of billionaires pledging to donate the majority of their wealth. Read the full story
Bitcoin [BTC/USD] Technical Analysis: Cryptocurrency braves the bear wind as prices holds above $4,000
AMB Crypto
The recent resurgence of the cryptocurrency market has seen some remarkable changes in the ranks and the prices of the coins. Popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin [BTC], XRP and Ethereum [ETH] all saw surges that held on for a week, with double-digit rises becoming a common sight. 1-hour The one-hour Bitcoin chart shows a striking uptrend... Read the full story
5 Types of Cryptocurrency Entrepreneurs Should Know About
Entrepreneur
Cryptocurrencies are both investment opportunities and new financial instruments of increasing importance to investors and business owners. You can classify every digital currency in existence as one of these five types of cryptocurrency. These distinctions are of the utmost importance for cryptocurrency investors because they determine what exactly you’re investing in, and who can invest in the first place. From coins to tokens, stablecoins to utility and security tokens, here are the main Read the full story
Ethereum [ETH/USD] Technical Analysis: Bull continues to support the cryptocurrency
AMB Crypto
The market has entered the brighter side as all the cryptocurrencies have been covered in green for the past few days. This has raised the hopes of the investors, with some claiming that the bull is here to stay. According to CoinMarketCap, Ethereum [ETH], the third-largest cryptocurrency by market cap, was trading at $114.54 with... Read the full story
CURRENCIES
Forex - Dollar's Drive Higher Can't Make Up for Rocky Week
Investing.com
Forex Dec 21, 2018 19:21 GMT Investing.com – The U.S. dollar was set for a weekly losses against its rivals despite a surge on Friday as traders mulled over the prospect of a U.S. government shutdown. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, rose by 0.70% to 96.95. U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday threatened a “very long” government shutdown ahead of a midnight deadline, if the Senate fails to pass spending legislation that Read the full story
Forex - Dollar's Drive Higher Can't Make Up for Rocky Week
Investing.com
Forex Dec 21, 2018 19:21 GMT Investing.com – The U.S. dollar was set for a weekly losses against its rivals despite a surge on Friday as traders mulled over the prospect of a U.S. government shutdown. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, rose by 0.70% to 96.95. U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday threatened a “very long” government shutdown ahead of a midnight deadline, if the Senate fails to pass spending legislation that Read the full story
Pound rises as shoppers keep the UK economy afloat despite Brexit uncertainty
The Independent
The pound rose on Friday as the UK economy kept up with expectations, but uncertainty still hovered over the markets after a rough week. Read the full story
Pound euro exchange rate: GBP buoyed as UK GDP prints in line with expectations
Express
THE pound euro exchange rate is trading at €1.108, up nearly 0.3 per cent so far this morning and edging away from a one-week low. The pound is creeping higher against the euro this morning following the release of the UK’s latest GDP reading. According to data published by the Office for National Statistics , the UK’s final third quarter GDP reading confirmed that the economy expanded by 0.6 per cent, dispelling concerns that growth may have been downgraded. Accompanying today’s GDP figures was Read the full story
Croatian central bank steps in again to tame kuna gains
Reuters
Reuters
The Croatian central bank said onFriday it had bought 130.5 million euros ($148.9 million) fromcommercial banks in its second intervention this week to tamegains in the Croatian kuna against the euro on the local market. It said it had bought the euros at an average rate of 7.4245kuna. The kuna eased to 7.4170 to the euro from around7.4090, where it had been quoted before the intervention. ($1 = 0.8764 euros) (Reporting by Igor Ilic; Editing by Kevin Liffey) Read the full story
INSURANCE / HEALTH / SCIENCE
Scientists Find A Brain Circuit That Could Explain Seasonal Depression
NPR
Research suggests the winter blues are triggered by specialized light-sensing cells in the retina that communicate directly with brain areas involved in mood. Read the full story
'Widespread and dangerous': Facing medical uncertainty, some doctors tell patients it's all in their heads
CNN
CNN
When 7-year-old Bailey Sheehan arrived at a hospital in Oregon partially paralyzed, a doctor said the girl was faking her symptoms to get her parents' attention because she was jealous of her new baby sister. Read the full story
FDA warns about teething jewelry after baby dies
CBS News
The toddler was reportedly strangled by his amber teething necklace during a nap Read the full story
USA / CANADA
Government officially shuts down as clock hits midnight on Capitol Hill without deal
ABC News
ABC News
Trump has said he won't sign a government funding bill without wall money. Read the full story
El-Erian: Fed's Powell trying to break the market's central bank 'co-dependence'
CNBC
Powell would likely say "it's about time the markets stand on their own feet" in response to stocks sinking Wednesday following his press conference, economist Mohamed El-Erian says. Read the full story
Democrat Suggests Invoking 25th Amendment Against Donald Trump Amid Government Shutdown Fight
Newsweek
The 25th Amendment allows for a complicated process to remove a president who is unfit for office. Read the full story
Trump threatens a shutdown that will “last for a very long time”
The New York Times
President Trump sought to blame the Democrats for a potential funding lapse that he said last week he would proudly own. Read the full story
Global growth worries, U.S. government shutdown threat hit stocks
Reuters
World stocks extended a steep sell-off on Friday as the threat of a U.S. government shutdown and further hikes in U.S. borrowing costs compounded investor anxieties over the trajectory of global economic growth. Read the full story
House passes bill with money for Trump wall, increasing likelihood of a shutdown
NPR
The House bill includes $5.7 billion for border wall funding but is not likely to survive in the Senate. Trump has said he won't sign any spending measure without funding for border security. Read the full story
EMERGING MARKETS
Mexico president says deal reached to reduce pension funds' fees
Reuters
Mexican President AndresManuel Lopez Obrador told a regular news conference on Friday adeal had been reached to reduce fees charged by pension funds. Read the full story
Some Believe Emerging Markets Are Beckoning (NYSE:IEMG)
Benzinga
Benzinga
Emerging markets equity have spent most of 2018 slumping and with just a few trading days left in the year, those pains are getting worse. Following commentary from the Federal Reserve that was more hawkish than expected, the MSCI Emerging Markets Index fell 1.66 percent, extending its fourth-quarter decline to 9.56 percent. Down more than 18 percent year-to-date, the widely followed gauge of developing world stocks resides just 2.44 percent above its 52-week low. What Happened As has been the Read the full story
Opinion: The biggest emerging-market debt problem is in America
MarketWatch
The seeds of financial crises are sown during good times (when bad loans are made), writes Carmen Reinhart. Read the full story
MIDDLE EAST
US will close base in Syria that Russia complained about
The Hill
The U.S. is set to close a base in Syria which has drawn the ire of Russia, [Buzzfeed reported Thursday](https://www.
With Syria decision, Trump’s foreign policy doctrine emerges
The Washington Post
The president says no one should be surprised he wants to end U.S. military deployments overseas. Read the full story
U.S. set to extend sanctions waiver for Iraq to import Iranian gas
Reuters
The United States hasreached an agreement in principle with Iraq to extend for 90days an exemption to sanctions against Iran, allowing Baghdad tokeep importing Iranian gas that is critical for Iraqi powerproduction. Read the full story
Exclusive: Global traders halt new Iran food deals as U.S. sanctions bite - sources
Reuters
Cargill, Bunge and other global traders have halted food supply deals with Iran because new U.S. sanctions have paralyzed banking systems required to secure payments, industry and Iranian government sources say. Read the full story
AFRICA
Zimbabwe Has 5 Currencies but No Plan to Address Its Crisis
The Nation
Nanjala Nyabola How can Zimbabwe recover from 80,000,000,000 percent inflation? The post Zimbabwe Has 5 Currencies but No Plan to Address Its Crisis appeared first on The Nation. Read the full story
Zimbabwe: RBZ Governor Claims Enough Fuel for Festive Season
AllAfrica
Harare Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor John Mangudya on Thursday urged citizens not to panic, saying the country has enough fuel for the festive season. He told the parliamentary portfolio committee on energy that the central bank had put in place financing facilities worth 197.2 million U.S. dollars for importation of the commodity that is currently in short supply due to ongoing foreign currency shortages. "We have put in place a number of long-term financing facilities to ensure that Read the full story
Zimbabwe: ED Boost As UK's Department for International Trade Sets Up Harare Office
AllAfrica
THE UK's Department for International Trade (DIT) is setting up an office in Harare, in a development that will be seen as boost for the Zimbabwe government's re-engagement efforts. The Harare office will be headed up by Tom Hill, the UK's new country head of trade and investment. Hill, who moved to Harare in November, had previously led the creation of the UK government's new and much-anticipated export strategy. His career thus far also includes positions held at SIX Financial Information and Read the full story
Zimbabwe: ED Talks Tough On Corruption in the Mining Sector
AllAfrica
President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called for transparency in the mining sector threatening that his administration will not condone any acts of corruption or misappropriation of national resources. Addressing stakeholders during the commissioning of the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) crushing plant in Chiadzwa yesterday, Mnangagwa said those caught on the wrong side of the law will be dealt with severely. "Transparency, accountability, honesty and integrity are indispensable values Read the full story
Solar cures energy ills at Zimbabwe's power-short clinics
Thomson Reuters Foundation News
Solar power systems at health centres enable live-saving equipment to function, vaccines to be refrigerated, computers to work and patients to get better treatment - and they are good for the climate Read the full story
ASIA
China decides to rely on ‘larger scale’ tax cuts and home market to weather stormy 2019
South China Morning Post
Amid trade war with the United States, annual Central Economic Work Conference chaired by President Xi Jinping sets policy direction for next year Beijing says it will implement proactive fiscal and prudent monetary policy Read the full story
China National Petroleum Corp may cut Kunlun bank's ties to Iran: sources
Reuters
China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC) [CNPC.UL] may stop its banking unit from conducting most of its Iranian-related financial services because of concerns over U.S. sanctions, two persons with knowledge of the matter told Reuters. Read the full story
Fed approach gives China central bank more breathing space
South China Morning Post
With two, not three, rate increases hinted at next year by the US institution, the People’s Bank of China has extra room to manoeuvre during the trade war Read the full story
Beijing accuses U.S. of fabrication after China charged with stealing trade secrets
South China Morning Post
Justice Department in US says the two accused acted for Chinese ministry to hack into companies and government agencies in at least a dozen countries Chinese foreign ministry responds by accusing Washington Read the full story
EUROPE
French court fines oil group Total in Iran bribery case
Reuters
A Paris court on Friday fined French oil group Total 500,000 euros for bribing foreign public officials in a case related to contracts in Iran in 1997. Read the full story
Opinion: ECB readies to fight worsening economic slump
MarketWatch
Mario Draghi has a few tricks up his sleeve to make sure he goes into retirement with his saviour-of-the-eurozone status intact Read the full story
Firms told to prepare for no-deal Brexit
BBC News US
A Treasury minister issues a "call to action" to businesses to prepare for a no-deal scenario. Read the full story
Europe responds with alarm to US defence secretary's resignation
the guardian
European ministers fearful over withdrawal of US troops from Syria and Afghanistan Europe responded with a mixture of panic, disorientation and frantic steps to limit the damage after the resignation of US defence secretary, James Mattis. Mattis’s decision to quit the administration came after Donald Trump confirmed he was ending all US military operations in Syria. He is also reportedly planning to halve the US troop presence in Afghanistan. Continue reading... Read the full story
CBI, ISX, Kauaihn Chatter:
CBI Update:
The CBI for Sunday 12/23/18 did update on the indicative rates Sell Rate 1190
The currency auction is 210,251,250
There are no news and announcements.
Bank Articxles:
Al-Rafidain publishes instructions to grant loans to Nineveh residents exclusively
Editorial Date: 2018/12/23 10:23 • 139 times read
{Baghdad: Al-Furat News} Rafidain Bank decided to grant loans to citizens of Nineveh residents exclusively and damaged their homes.
The bank's press office said in a statement received by the agency {Euphrates News} a copy of it, "it was decided to grant loans to citizens of the province of Nineveh, whose homes have been demolished or damaged by the control of a supporter of the terrorists on their areas or the result of military operations, as follows:
1. The citizens whose homes have been demolished or damaged by the control of the terrorist on their territory or as a result of military operations shall be granted the condition that they do not receive compensation or grant from any party supported by the compensation committees. In the event of receiving any amount of compensation after granting the loan, Of the amount of compensation
2- The loan is granted with a maximum limit of:
A - 30,000,000 thirty million dinars for a citizen who owns a housing house with the type of property Tabu exchange and guarantee mortgage of the first class property in favor of the bank and to cover the value of the property.
B - 15,000,000 fifteen million dinars for the citizen who lives in rural areas and the guarantee of real estate in favor of the bank in addition to the guarantee of civil servant of the state services covering 50 percent of his salary.
3. The term of the loan is 10 years or 120 months. The installments shall be paid in the following month from the grant date.
4- The loan amount shall be paid in equal installments for both types: The first payment shall be made once all the requirements of the grant treatment have been completed and the second payment shall be made at the completion of the construction phase to the completion rate of 50%.
5- The real estate deed shall be in the name of the loan applicant. It shall not be possible to transfer ownership of the property or to perform any legal actions until after paying its obligations to the bank or with the approval of the bank.
6 - The borrower is required to use the loan for the purpose granted for it and in the event of default, the loan is considered to be due
7- The inquiry shall be carried out for the citizen and the sponsor to know the obligations resulting from its appropriation to any party and to fulfill the commission according to the instructions and controls with the cross-cutting procedure and not to repeat the grants.
8 - Insurance on the life of the borrower for all cases of death, including the terrorist operations of one of the government insurance companies in favor of the bank and at the expense of the customer.
9 - The work of granting the loan is suspended after two years.
10 - If the borrower wishes to pay the loan in full during the first five years will not bear any interest
1. The citizens whose homes have been demolished or damaged by the control of the terrorist on their territory or as a result of military operations shall be granted the condition that they do not receive compensation or grant from any party supported by the compensation committees. In the event of receiving any amount of compensation after granting the loan, Of the amount of compensation
2- The loan is granted with a maximum limit of:
A - 30,000,000 thirty million dinars for a citizen who owns a housing house with the type of property Tabu exchange and guarantee mortgage of the first class property in favor of the bank and to cover the value of the property.
B - 15,000,000 fifteen million dinars for the citizen who lives in rural areas and the guarantee of real estate in favor of the bank in addition to the guarantee of civil servant of the state services covering 50 percent of his salary.
3. The term of the loan is 10 years or 120 months. The installments shall be paid in the following month from the grant date.
4- The loan amount shall be paid in equal installments for both types: The first payment shall be made once all the requirements of the grant treatment have been completed and the second payment shall be made at the completion of the construction phase to the completion rate of 50%.
5- The real estate deed shall be in the name of the loan applicant. It shall not be possible to transfer ownership of the property or to perform any legal actions until after paying its obligations to the bank or with the approval of the bank.
6 - The borrower is required to use the loan for the purpose granted for it and in the event of default, the loan is considered to be due
7- The inquiry shall be carried out for the citizen and the sponsor to know the obligations resulting from its appropriation to any party and to fulfill the commission according to the instructions and controls with the cross-cutting procedure and not to repeat the grants.
8 - Insurance on the life of the borrower for all cases of death, including the terrorist operations of one of the government insurance companies in favor of the bank and at the expense of the customer.
9 - The work of granting the loan is suspended after two years.
10 - If the borrower wishes to pay the loan in full during the first five years will not bear any interest
Value Traded
264,677,616
Shares Traded
219,525,061
:
ISX ended in Green
Kauaihn Chatter:dd
http://www.dinarguru.com/
12-22-2018 Newshound/Intel Guru Mnt Goat Iraq is slotted to be a “central hub” of commerce for the Middle East. But a dinar rate of just 1/8 of a penny is not sufficient to make this happen!
12-22-2018 Newshound/Intel RVAlready [Finding it a little hard to believe that everything is done, since they keep stalling.] ...hate to say it, but I think the target has been 1 Jan 2019 for quite a while. They just kick the can from one target date to another. This time, everything actually looks ready to go.
12-22-2018 Newshound Guru Kaperoni ...There will never be a re-instatment. A currencies appreciation depends on a countries economic success. Nothing happens overnight. Nothing is happening through the end of the year... Iraq has much yet to do before they can begin to float the dinar.
12-22-2018 Newshound/Intel Guru RVAlready The RV seems poised to go. I think it is a high priority item for Iraq at this point. They have invested a lot of time doing all the preparatory steps. I do not think they will put it on the back burner at this point.
12-22-2018 Intel Guru RayRen98 The vote on the 5 remaining cabinet members is supposed to take place on Saturday. These are reported as new names for consideration. It appears that the citizens are not happy with these new candidates...Time Will Tell. On Iraqi TV, requests for Mahdi to show the economic reform were sporadically broadcast.
12-22-2018 Newshound Guru Kaperoni ...There will never be a re-instatment. A currencies appreciation depends on a countries economic success. Nothing happens overnight. Nothing is happening through the end of the year... Iraq has much yet to do before they can begin to float the dinar.
12-22-2018 Newshound/Intel Guru RVAlready The RV seems poised to go. I think it is a high priority item for Iraq at this point. They have invested a lot of time doing all the preparatory steps. I do not think they will put it on the back burner at this point.
12-22-2018 Intel Guru RayRen98 The vote on the 5 remaining cabinet members is supposed to take place on Saturday. These are reported as new names for consideration. It appears that the citizens are not happy with these new candidates...Time Will Tell. On Iraqi TV, requests for Mahdi to show the economic reform were sporadically broadcast.
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.
Elmer:
Not in today
Artmeister:
Not in today
Catnip:
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ARTICLE 1 (from PM Mahdi's website; posted on both Arabic and English sides)
Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi receives a telephone call from the US Secretary of State
Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi received a telephone call from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, during which the US Secretary of State explained the details of the expected withdrawal from Syria and stressed that the United States is continuing its commitment to fight da'ash and terrorism in Iraq and the rest of the regions. And the efforts of the government to protect security in Iraq and prevent interference in its affairs, and the completion of the cabinet.
The Prime Minister reviewed the nature of the positive developments taking place in the country and seeking to complete the ministerial reshuffle, which is expected to achieve further progress during the coming week.
He stressed that the development of security in Syria and reaching a political settlement is directly related to Iraqi security and stability in the region, pointing out that the Iraqis are the most keen to consolidate national unity and defend the sovereignty of their country and prevent interference in their internal affairs.
He also praised the Prime Minister for the right decision to extend Iranian electricity purchase deadline for 90 days And the agreement on how to deal with these issues through deepening the relations between the two countries on the basis of common interests. The Prime Minister stressed that all these and other matters will be the subject of in-depth research in the upcoming meetings between the two parties, and blessed for all near Christmas and New Year.
Media Office of the Prime Minister
22 December 2018
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ARTICLE 2 (from Government of Iraq twitter account):488
Government of Iraq - الحكومة العراقيةVerified account @IraqiGovt 12-22-2018 around 8 am Eastern
The @IraqiGovt is working closely with @UNMAS to strengthen women’s role in mine clearing and removal of unexploded ordnance across Iraq. This vital work saves lives, helps communities to rebuild and supports the revival of economic activities.
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ARTICLE 3
Three days holiday marking the end of the year
2018/12/20 19:23
[Ayna - Baghdad]
The Council of Ministers decided to suspend the official working hours for Sundays and Mondays, 30 and 31/12 and also on Tuesday 1/1/2019 to celebrate the New Year's holidays and the legal inventory days for all the State Departments and Ministries at the end of the current year 2018.
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ARTICLE 4
Rafidain: More than 2000 loans granted to citizens and employees for the purchase of residential units in Basmaya complex
2018/12/22 10:58
[Ayna-Baghdad]
Rafidain Bank announced that the proceeds of loans granted to citizens and employees for the purchase of residential units in the complex Basmaya housing amounted to 2273 loans.
"Since the start of the process of granting loans for the purchase of housing units in Basmaya, the total proceeds of the purchase of these units reached 2273 through its branches in Baghdad," the bank said in a statement.
He said that "the condition of the guarantor was canceled if the citizen pays 25 percent of the value of the housing unit in Basmaya."
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ARTICLE 5
The disclosure of 16 billion dinars will be established by Iraq as the benefits of international loans during 2019
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq will pay 16 billion dinars for international loans in 2019, MP Iqbal Abdul Hussein said on Saturday.
"Iraq is obliged 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," Al-Mathai said in a statement received by Iraq Press.
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 representative said that "10 billion and 928 million and 807 thousand and 345 dinars were calculated as premiums for loans will be paid within the budget in 2019."
"It is necessary to adopt a sound economic policy that can be avoided by the international loans that have been exhausted by Iraq over the previous years, which we do not yet know what is the benefit of them." (1)
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ARTICLE 6
Sistani's reference sets conditions for the celebration of the New Year's Day
Najaf - December 22 - Iraq's top Shiite cleric, Ali al-Sistani, on Saturday set specific conditions for celebrating New Year's holidays.
"It is not permissible to participate in it if there is promotion of Christianity or corruption," Sistani said in response to a question posted on his website.
In response to another question about celebrating Valentine's Day, Sistani said: "If there is no promotion of corruption or infidelity, there is no objection."
The Iraqi capital Baghdad, and most of the country's cities, celebrate the occasion of the New Year, the first night of January of each year, lasting several hours.
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