For those who can't get on OM, and who don't have access to the forum. I will post here the articles I like for the day and some of my thoughts. Check back later
Iraq TV is broadcasting the United Nations giving Iraq a warning that further severe repercussions could result of their delay in forming their government.
The Deputy to Parliament reportedly stated that all of the recovered money would be pointless to Iraq if it is not based on international rates thus enabling them to compete with the rest of world.
Maliki, along with his son and some in-laws, are implicated in fraudulent activities of giving inside Iraqi information to American companies to help them win government contracts.
Rates are again visible to some bank sources...... Zim $0.24 - Dinar $4.43 - Dong $1.37. TIME WILL TELL what happens next! #wearethepeople
Iraq's Parliament Speaker Mohamed al-Halbousi on Wednesday met with Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad, where they discussed supporting Iraq and enhancing mutual cooperation.
According to a statement, the two sides also highlighted the need to achieve stability in Iraq, which would contribute to stabilizing the region.
The meeting discussed supporting the Iraqi government in the field of electric power and the provision of quick alternatives to long-term development projects to link Iraq to the electrical system of the Gulf States, the statement read.
It also reviewed the contribution of the international community to the reconstruction of the liberated cities in Iraq, besides joint security cooperation in combating terrorism and activating the trade movement between the two countries, the statement read.d
The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Change Movement (Gorran) met on Thursday in Erbil to resume previous talks on the formation of Kurdistan Region’s new government, reportedly getting closer on an agreement.
KDP spokesperson Mahmoud Mohammed indicated while speaking to reporters that an agreement between the two parties was likely to be reached in the matter of days.
He revealed that KDP and Gorran delegations would possibly meet again until next Saturday.
Aras Wali, a leading member of Gorran who took part at the meetings, said they hope “good news” would come next week.
According to Wali, Gorran has proposed submitting a comprehensive reform package to the parliament. “Colleagues from the KDP did not oppose,” he revealed without elaborating.
Where has Muqtada al-Sadr been for more than 50 days?
Saairun Alliance MP Raed Fahmi said that Sadrist Movement leader Muqtada al-Sadr has refrained from intervening in the current phases of the government formation, adding that he will speak out in case the government got off the reform track.
Fahmi said in an interview that Sadr has affirmed he would intervene in the early stages of the new government formation, adding that Sadr's "silence is considered a chance [given] to the government, [to] watch its performance."
Sadr has stopped holding meetings and writing on Twitter since the end of December last year.
On October 24, Prime Minister Adil Abd al-Mahdi managed to get the parliamentary approval on 14 out of 22 ministries. However, disagreement between political blocs, especially on the security ministries, have thwarted Abd al-Mahdi's efforts to complete the cabinet in a short time.
While Fatah Alliance has frequently tried to force the others to accept Faleh Fayadh as the Interior Ministry candidate, Muqtada al-Sadr affirmed his rejection of Fayadh and any other partisan candidate for the Interior Ministry.
Sadr said that he would instead support the nomination of military leaders who fought against ISIS during Iraq's fight to rid the country of the terrorist group's caliphate.
PM bans foreign forces from roaming inside Iraq without his permission
Anbar Provincial Council reported that a number of 50 US military trucks headed from Kuwait to Ayn al-Assad base west of the province without permission.
Council member Eid al-Ammash said in a press statement that the 50 trucks entered the base without informing the local government, noting, "The Council of Anbar does not have any powers to prevent the uncontrolled movements of US forces in the province."
The federal government and the parliament's security and defense committee "bear full responsibility for the American presence and the violation of Iraqi sovereignty," Ammash added.
14/02/2019 Ahmed al-Asadi, a member of the security and defense committee, said US forces are not an enemy of Iraq.
Al-Asadi said in a press statement that the US forces provide logistical and air support to Iraq, which is located on Iraqi territory in accordance with an agreement concluded with the Iraqi government, in the year 2000 and 14 after the incursion of the organization calling the terrorist in Iraqi cities.
Al-Asadi stressed that the Iraqi parliament will vote on the resolution that preserves the prestige and sovereignty of Iraq and achieve security, pointing out that he intends to discuss the actual need for US forces.
Erbil and Baghdad are among the 50 most polluted cities in the world
The Directorate of the Department of the Environment of Dohuk in the Kurdistan region, one of the international organizations carried out by satellite to identify the 50 most polluted cities in the world, including Baghdad and Erbil, noting that the Environment Authority will conduct a full survey of all regions of the region.
The director of Environment Department Duhok Mohammad Taher said in a statement that the Greenpeace International Organization working in the field of environment conducted a field study by satellite for the purpose of identifying 50 more polluted cities in the world in the field of irrigation.
Taher said that the research is a table that included the names of the cities of Baghdad and Arbil, the capitals of Iraq and the region, pointing to the Environment Agency in the region, which is why the survey of the entire region to determine the dangerous gases in the air and how to address.
He added that the reason for the determination of the cities of Baghdad and Erbil is that the presence of a high proportion of Oxygen gas in the air, which has negative effects and bad on oxygen, adding that in order to identify all types of dangerous gases in the region, the Commission in cooperation with the German Ministry of Environment and depending on a number of devices For the examination of the air by a comprehensive survey to identify the gases and their proportion in the air and work to reduce the harmful ones.
Mohammad Tahir pointed out that the German state has given the region eight air screening equipment and training cadres to work in order to be able to operate and maintain when any disruption.
Kauaihn Iraq Articles:dd
Deputies: We will put the legal limit for members of the House of Representatives absent
On Friday, the Parliamentary Legal Committee described the Presidency of the Council of Representatives in Luxor against its absent and non-constitutional members so far, because there is no legal cover to limit this phenomenon, while it indicated that it will amend some points in the Parliament's rules of procedure to limit the absence of members of the Council .
"All deputies are obliged to attend the parliamentary sessions and abide by the charter they held with the people because their presence represents a constitutional and legal duty," said member of the committee Hussain al-Aqabi. "The absence of some executive figures in previous governments and the failure of the constitutional oath of governors of Basra and Kirkuk Despite their victory in the membership of the House of Representatives got to the absence of a legal cover limiting this phenomenon . "
He added that "the presidency of the House of Representatives is failing to put a penal law against the non-functioning of the constitutional right and absent from the sessions of the Council," noting that "the Legal Committee will work to amend some points in the rules of procedure of Parliament to reduce the absence of members of the Council ."
The MP of the Alliance peace be upon Hadi has confirmed, earlier, that the Presidency of the Parliament bears responsibility for the absence of deputies to attend the meetings, noting that the law has not been implemented since the first session against the absentee MPs .
The Information Service of the House of Representatives has announced, earlier, the existence of eight deputies winners in the parliamentary elections that took place on the 12 of May last, did not lead the constitutional oath .
Sawson: Taking US troops out of Iraq is a priority for parliament
11:20 - 15/02/2019
MP Ali Al-Ghawi announced on Friday that the parliament has set priorities in the next legislative term to resolve the files of the cabinet cabins and the positions of the proxy and the removal of US forces.
"The ministerial cabin will top the files that will be resolved during the next legislative term of the parliament in addition to the laws that have been read in addition to discussing the security situation," Ghawi said in a statement.
He added that "the next legislative term will be the end of the file of positions and grades of the Agency, where a time limit was set for the month of June to end this file and the selection of personal figures."
"The next chapter of the parliament will be the collection of signatures of the deputies in order to draft a draft to remove US forces from Iraq, and will use the parliament any legal outlet to remove these forces from Iraq, where this will be a priority of the House of Representatives in the coming days."End 25 n
A newspaper talking about the involvement of al-Maliki suspicions of corruption in security contracts achieved by the American judiciary
Comments on the newspaper talk about the involvement of al-Maliki suspicions of corruption in security contracts achieved by the US judiciary closed 72 visits
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - The US Justice Department is conducting investigations with a military contractor for bribing Iraqi officials, including former Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, and his son and son-in-law to win extraordinary security contracts, the Daily Post reported .
The newspaper said in a survey conducted on Wednesday that the Ministry of Justice is conducting an investigation with the company of military contracts, "Saaliport Global Services" to ascertain that allegedly played a role in bribing Iraqi officials in exchange for winning extraordinary contracts, indicating that "influential individuals, including Nuri al-Maliki, Relations with a Kuwaiti company called Afaq, which allegedly sold access to and facilities for a large number of US military contracts . "
She explained that "the story of the company Horizons and its relations with US military contractors in Iraq came from two amounts disclosed with their information, despite the fact that this poses a personal danger to them."
The newspaper said it had met with more than 30 sources, including contractors and business people in Iraq, who asked not to be named for fear of possible reactions. One of them refused to speak more, saying "this is very secret ."
"Saliport operates military facilities in various parts of the Middle East and Central Asia, but the jewel of the company's crown is at Balad Air Base, a base in northern Baghdad that includes F-16s funded by the US government," she said.
"In January 2014, Saaliport received a contract from the Air Force to provide security support, training and protection services to Al Qaeda, including essential services such as food and electric power at the base. Saaliport received $ 1.1 billion for its services at Base country".
The newspaper quoted sources from the company "Saliport" as well as other sources of senior associates at the base of the country's office and the company's head office in Virginia, described by Afaq as a "partner".
The investigation revealed that "documents filed by the Commission for Security and Exchange of Caliborn reveal that in October 2016 claimed an associate in the Iraqi Ministry of Defense that the company Afaq promised Iraqi government officials to provide funds for them to register the name of the company Saliport as a contractor to provide services to the base of Balad, As an Iraqi country base and the Iraqi government have the right to determine the contractor hired to work there. "
The newspaper pointed out that 17 sources confirmed the links of the company "horizons" with officials in the Iraqi government, where the company is facilitating matters with Iraqi officials, while revealed sources, according to the newspaper, some of them have direct information, the involvement of Nuri al-Maliki, where they said that " Full dominance of Afaq, while the other section was secondary. "
The sources also reported that "the son of al-Maliki, Ahmed al-Maliki and then his brother-in-law Yasser Sakhil al-Maliki, a current deputy, also deal with prospects," indicating that "the former prime minister does not manage all the details of prospects," but they claimed that he receives a wage and that relationship was successful For Saleport.
"The US Department of Justice is now investigating possible violations of US laws that limit external corrupt practices that Salliport has committed through its relationship with Afaq. The Caliborn file states that the government investigation examines whether the previous management of Saaliport Takes note of or is supposed to have knowledge of alleged bribes promised by Afaq to Iraqi government officials. "
In August 2016, Afaq filed a lawsuit against Salliport in the Iraqi courts to charge it $ 70 million and then repay $ 90 million. Both cases lost their obligations but did not give up. Prospects for the case were reopened and a court of discrimination Ruled that "Saaliport is a city of prospects for more than $ 56 million. However, the amount has not been paid because Saliport has challenged the decision and won again for not providing sufficient evidence."
Saliport is a contract company run by a holding company called Caliporn, owned by DC Capital Partners, a US private equity firm .
Tehran uses Iraq, Syria, Lebanon to recreate Persian Empire: Pence
US Vice President Mike Pence said on Thursday that Tehran is trying to recreate the Persian Empire by carving out a “corridor of influence” through Iraq, Syria and Lebanon, NBC News reported.
Pence accused Iran of pursuing "another Holocaust" as he lashed out at some of America's closest allies for trying to undercut US sanctions against Tehran.
“The Iranian regime openly advocates another Holocaust and seeks the means to achieve it,” Pence told delegates at a US-organized Middle East conference in Poland on Thursday.
The meeting in Warsaw has been devoted to persuade the world to rally against Iran after President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal last year.
Iraqi Deputy Chief of Staff Abdul Amir Rasheed Yarallah has discussed with the Syrian ambassador to Iraq the mechanism of opening the Iraqi-Syrian border south of the Euphrates.
During the meeting, Yarallah and Ambassador Sattam al-Dandah discussed joint operations in eastern Syria and reviewed the means of cooperation and coordination over the security updates between the two countries, according to a statement by Iraq's Ministry of Defense.
Dandah praised Iraq's government, army and people for supporting Syria and providing all forms of assistance at all levels, according to the statement.
Negotiations between the US and ISIS have failed, under which the US asked the terrorist group to withdraw from the Iraqi-Syrian border, an Iraqi commander said, in return for a safe exit for the families of the militants, according to a local media report.
Commander of IMIS's Western Axis Qassem Mosleh was quoted as saying that the US and Syrian Democratic Forces failed to reach a deal with ISIS to withdraw from Syria's Hajin, Baghur on the Syrian border with Iraq.
Basrah Gas Company to Increase Capacity by 40%-Iraq
Shell has reportedly announced that the Basrah Gas Company (BGC) has taken a “final investment decision (FID)” on its growth programme, which will increase BGC’s capacity by 40 percent.
According to Oil and Gas Middle East, the decision was taken with the support of all BGC’s shareholders: South Gas Company (SOC), Shell and Mitsubishi.
BGC captures flared gas from the Rumaila, West Quma 1 and Zubair oilfields, converting it into dry gas for power generation and liquids for the domestic market and for exports.
At the heart of the new development is the Basrah Natural Gas Liquids (Basrah NGL) project; a 400 million standard cubic feet per day greenfield gas processing plant at Ar Ratawi.
Kauaihn Economic Times:
ECONOMIC TIMES / CHATTER
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10 Things to Know for Today ABC News Among 10 Things to Know: Border security brawl seems near a serene resolution; School massacre 1 year later: A time to remember the victims; Airbus abandons iconic A380 superjumbo; Fentanyl deaths from 'Mexican oxy' pills hit Arizona hard. Read the full story
OIL/COMMODITIES/ENERGY
PRECIOUS-Gold steadies as dollar pauses on hopes for trade truce
Gold slips as steps toward U.S.-China trade pact cut demand for haven assets
MarketWatch
Gold prices slip Wednesday though the metal has spent time in positive and negative territory, tracking a dollar index that remains near multimonth highs. Read the full story
Gold Steady in Cautious Trade With All Eyes on China
Commodities Feb 13, 2019 16:42 GMT Investing.com - China is the watchword for the gold market as Donald Trump’s eagerness to strike a trade deal with Beijing holds precious metals in check. The spot price and futures of bullion were little changed on Wednesday as traders awaited developments on negotiations in China led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The spot gold contract, reflective of trades in physical bullion, rose $3.11, or 0.2%, to Read the full story
Oil Extends Gain On Saudi Output Pledge, Trump Trade Flexibility
Investor's Business Daily
Oil climbed for a second day after Saudi Arabia pledged to deepen production cuts and President Trump said he might extend a deadline for tariffs on China. Read the full story
METALS-Copper heads for first gain in five days on trade optimism
Reuters
London copper prices rose onWednesday, on track to snap four consecutive sessions ofdeclines, after U.S. President Donald Trump said he could seethe deadline for a trade agreement with top metals consumerChina being pushed back. The world's two biggest economies are currently holdingtheir latest round of trade talks in Beijing. If they cannotreach a deal to end their trade dispute by March 1, U.S. tariffson $200 billion worth of Chinese imports are scheduled toincrease to 25 percent from 10 Read the full story
BANKS/BANKING/CREDIT
The Future of Banking Requires Balancing Old and New
Forbes
Over recent years, fewer customers are popping into bank branches, and more are logging onto mobile banking apps. Innovative start-ups, offering alternative banking models are on the rise, but there is still a need for the trustworthy services offered by traditional financial institutions. Read the full story
What to know about the new jumbo reverse mortgages
MarketWatch
These loans let owners of high-value homes tap their home equity. Here’s what’s new. Read the full story
Starling Bank, now with 460K consumer accounts, raises further £75M for European expansion
TechCrunch
Starling Bank, founded by banking veteran Anne Boden, has raised £75 millionin further funding. The new capital breaks down as £60 million in a Series Cround led by Merian Global Investors, including Merian Chrysalis, with £15million in follow-on funding from Starling's existing backer and majorshareholder Harald McPike. It brings total funding to date for the London-based challenger bank to £133 million.Starling says the new funding will support increased investment in the bank'sfinancial ... Read the full story
Record Earnings, Good Economy—So Why Are the Big Banks Cutting Back?
FORTUNE
Last month, Wall Street’s major banks celebrated robust quarterly earnings virtually across the board. Even before Morgan Stanley disclosed comparatively disappointing numbers, the likes of Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo combined to report more than $100 million in earnings for the fourth quarter of 2018. Buoyed by the Trump tax cuts and the crest of the current economic cycle, the big banks shrugged aside December’s topsy-turvy market volatility and Read the full story
International Bank of Azerbaijan prepares recovery plan ahead of privatisation
Reuters
The International Bank ofAzerbaijan (IBA) is working with a consultant to prepare arecovery strategy ahead of its privatisation, the head of itssupervisory board said. Read the full story
Breakingviews - Chinese banks resist maxing out credit cards
Reuters
HONG KONG (Reuters Breakingviews) - Chinese banks are wise to resist maxing out their credit cards. Lenders have issued hundreds of millions of them to local consumers, facilitating debt-fuelled shopping sprees. It’s a lucrative but risky supplement to other types of loans, and some now appear to be pulling back. Read the full story
TREASURIES/BONDS/STOCKS
The case for why 2019 will be a bad year for markets and 2020 will be even worse
CNN Business
Hedge fund manager Mark Yusko told CNN Business that he sees eerie similarities between today and the bursting of the dotcom bubble. Read the full story
The stock market just cleared a key hurdle
CNBC
Technical analysts say more bullish signs for stocks are showing up in the charts. Read the full story
Should investors be poised to put new money in stocks?
Fox News
Former Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli and Wells Fargo Investment Institute president Darrell Cronk on investing under the current market conditions. Read the full story
Stocks pare gains but end higher, extending S&P 500 win streak to 4th day
MarketWatch
Stocks trimmed early gains but ended higher, giving the S&P 500 a fourth straight win. Support was tied to continued optimism over U.S.-China trade talks under way in Beijing. The S&P 500 rose around 0.3% to finish near 2,753, according to preliminary figures, while the Dow industrials advanced around 117 points, or 0.5%, end near 25,543. The Nasdaq Composite clung to a gain of 0.1% to close near 7,420. The Dow was up 200 points at its session high, while the Nasdaq had threatened to exit a bear Read the full story
Markets will see 'negative surprises' in coming months: Morgan Creek Capital
CNBC
"There are lots of cheap places to put your capital. You don't have to put it in the U.S.," Morgan Creek's Mark Yusko says. Read the full story
Economy Feb 14, 2019 10:33 GMT Investing.com - Here are the top five things you need to know in financial markets on Thursday, February 14: 1. Trump Considers 60-Day Extension for China Tariff Deadline U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a 60-day extension of a March 1 deadline, when U.S. tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports are scheduled to increase to 25% from 10%. Ongoing trade talks between the U.S. and China continued in Beijing Thursday, as a trade delegation Read the full story
CRYPTO'S / DIGITAL CURRENCY
GMO Internet’s Crypto Business Reports $12 Million Loss in 2018
CoinDesk
Japanese IT giant GMO Internet has reported an operating loss of nearly $12 million for its crypto business in 2018, with mining worst hit. Read the full story
Japan’s Biggest Bank Launching Blockchain Payments Network in 2020
CoinDesk
Japanese banking giant Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is launching a high-throughput blockchain-based payments network next year. Read the full story
Bitcoin [BTC/USD] Technical Analysis: Token wary of bear attack as sideways movement begins
AMB Crypto
The cryptocurrency market's sudden bullish trend has certainly had a positive impact on investor sentiment as the prices have started climbing. Popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin [BTC], Ethereum and XRP have all seen a green spread while at the same time, the trend has had a drip down effect on the rest of the market. Looking... Read the full story
Ethereum [ETH/USD] Price Analysis: Cryptocurrency market indicates a bullish future for the coin
AMB Crypto
The bull continues to support the market as all the coins are seen performing relatively well. Even the top coins in the market are glowing green because of the bull's presence. According to CoinMarketCap, at press time, ETH was trading at $123.24 with a market cap of $12.92 billion. The coin has a trading volume... Read the full story
ETF Tied to Bitcoin Futures Withdrawn After SEC Staff Request
CoinDesk
The withdrawal of a proposed ETF that would have had exposure to bitcoin futures comes just days after its submission to the SEC. Read the full story
Has Bitcoin Entered A New Normal?
Forbes
Bitcoin's price volatility has been modest over the last several weeks. Will this calm prompt more adoption? Read the full story
Cryptocurrency 101: What is a stable coin?
South China Morning Post
Amid a collapse in the digital asset market in 2018, which saw bitcoin lose 80 per cent of its value, many investors have moved into stable coins, which have been described as the “holy grail” of cryptocurrencies. Here is what you need to know about… Read the full story
CURRENCIES
Stocks Advance As Trade Hopes Grow; Dollar Steady: Markets Wrap
Investor's Business Daily
Stocks rose around the globe after President Donald Trump signaled a more conciliatory stance toward China fueling hopes of a breakthrough in the trade war Read the full story
Dollar inches higher ahead of U.S. inflation data for January
MarketWatch
The U.S. dollar inches higher against many of its rivals early Wednesday after a brief period of jerky trading, as market participants make sense of rumors surrounding Brexit, central bank updates and myriad economic data including inflation in the U.S. Read the full story
Forex - Dollar Shrugs off Mixed U.S. Inflation as Euro Falls on Growth Worries
Forex Feb 13, 2019 19:04 GMT Investing.com – The dollar rose against a basket of major currencies Wednesday, shrugging mixed U.S. inflation data as the euro slipped on fresh signs of stuttering eurozone growth. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a trade-weighted basket of six major currencies, rose 0.34% to 97.03. The Labor Department said on Thursday its consumer price index was flat for January, after edging up 0.1% in the prior month. But core CPI, which Read the full story
UPDATE 1-Pound propelled higher in thin markets as Brexit delay prospect reappears Reuters
Forex - Kiwi Jumps on Less-dovish RBNZ; Dollar Slips on Improved Risk SentimentInvesting.com
Forex Feb 13, 2019 04:29 GMT Investing.com - The NZD/USD pair advanced on Wednesday in Asia after the Reserve Bank of New Zealand (RBNZ) decision earlier in the day. The central bank kept the interest rates unchanged at 1.75% but refrained from offering any fresh dovish signals either for future monetary policy change or headline economic indicators. RBNZ Governor Adrian Orr also backed the central bank’s outlook and said the chances of a rate cut had not increased and risks are finely balanced. Read the full story
China cracking down on illegal underground forex trading in bid to control capital flight
South China Morning Post
China is cracking down on individuals and corporations who buy or sell foreign currency on the black market as the government seeks to control capital flight and maintain the stability of the yuan exchange rate and its slowing economy. According to the… Read the full story
HEALTH / SCIENCE
Confusing and high bills for cancer patients add to anxiety and suffering
The Conversation US
A cancer diagnosis is one of the scariest of all. The pain and fear are worsened by a confusing landscape of bills, opaque billing systems and changing insurance rules, rates and reimbursements. Read the full story
To Lose Weight and Feel Full, a Doctor Says to Focus on This During Every Meal POPSUGAR
Whether you're sneaking in lunch while running errands, inhaling breakfast on your commute, or kicking back in front of the TV for dinner, multitasking while you eat can be efficient and even enjoyable. But you also may have noticed how easy it is to overeat when you're not totally focused on your f ... Read the full story
The Deadly Worst Case Scenario for America's Xanax Obsession
VICE
Cracking down on the legal supply is not a solution. In fact, it could spell disaster. Read the full story
Where antibiotics are more common than water, superbugs thrive
CNN
Where there is no water, antibiotics have long been used as a quick fix for infections spread by unhygienic conditions. But doctors in West Africa now warn of superbugs they cannot beat. Read the full story
Why these Pacific Island nations have world's highest childhood obesity rates
CNN
Pacific Island nations, such as Nauru and the Cook Islands, appear to have the highest childhood obesity rates, and the countries Ethiopia and Burkina Faso appear to have the lowest rates. The prevalence of childhood obesity is climbing globally. Read the full story
This Woman's Tiny Bruise Turned Out to Be a Rare Form of Skin Cancer
The blemish on her shoulder was actually a Bednar tumor, a type of soft-tissue sarcoma. Read the full story
Drugmaker behind ibuprofen recall has history of FDA violations
CBS News
Federal watchdog previously found significant violations of manufacturing rules by Tris Pharma Read the full story
USA / CANADA
Nearly One-Third Of Americans Have More Credit Card Debt Than Savings
HuffPost Twenty-nine percent of American households have more credit card debt thanemergency savings, a figure that has risen by 6 percent since 2011, accordingto a new study from Bankrate.com."The sharp deterioration in the relationship between credit card debt andemergency savings is an ominous indicator of the financial health of Americanhouseholds," said Greg McBride, the financial service company's chieffinancial analyst. "The strain of high household expenses, lacklusterincreases in income, and ... Read the full story
Trump will get the weak dollar he likes from a China trade deal but not if he goes after Europe
CNBC A trade deal with China could stop the dollar's rise, but it may not stay down if President Donald Trump then turns his focus to tariffs on European cars. Read the full story
Mnuchin says trade talks in China are 'so far, so good'
Reuters U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Wednesday trade talks with China are progressing well, as the world's two largest economies try to iron out an agreement to resolve their trade dispute. Read the full story
US-Poland summit: Many nations snubbing meet
Aljazeera Some countries are snubbing a US-sponsored meeting about Iran's role in the Middle East. But Poland, the host country, says Iran will not be the only item on the agenda. They say delegates will also discuss the presence of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS), and the war in Syria. Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahlebarra reports from Warsaw. Read the full story
More Americans Are At Least 3 Months Behind On Their Car Payment Than Ever Before Jalopnik Remember back before the economic crash of 2008 just over a decade ago? One of the heralds of that massive worldwide economic crash was the fact that more than 5.5 million Americans couldn’t pay their car note, and were more than 90 days behind on the bill. According to a report by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, we’re heading toward a critical mass with more than 7 million car loans more than 90 days past due. Read the full story
US Treasury yields higher as China-US trade talks continue
CNBC U.S. government debt prices were lower on Wednesday morning, as market participants continued to monitor trade talks between China and the U.S. There are also a number of Fed speeches that will be followed closely. Read the full story
The best U.S. cities for jobs right now
Yahoo Finance
WalletHub calculated the best U.S. cities for jobs by analyzing 30 different factors including employment growth, unemployment rate, employment outlook, and job security. Read the full story
China's Xi scheduled to meet with US delegation in Beijing Fox News
WSJ Executive Washington Editor Jerry Seib on the significance behind China President Xi Jinping's decision to meet with the U.S. delegation this week. Read the full story
Goldman CEO David Solomon says US economy still 'chugging along'
CNBC
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said Wednesday the chances of a recession are quite small, even though the rate of economic growth is slowing. Read the full story
EMERGING MARKETS
Don't expect US sanctions against Venezuela to fuel a rally in oil prices, IEA says
CNBC Energy market participants may be able to adjust to U.S. sanctions against Venezuela's crude industry, the IEA said in its closely-watched report on Tuesday. Read the full story
Venezuela's Guaido says he's working to restore ties with Israel
Aljazeera Juan Guaido, Venezuela's self-declared president, has said he's working to restore ties with Israel a decade after Venezuela severed relations with it in solidarity with the Palestinians. Guaido told Israel Hayom newspaper on Tuesday: "I am very happy to report that the process of stabilising relations with Israel is at its height." "First we'll restore the relations, then we'll announce the appointment of an ambassador to Israel, and we very much hope an envoy will come here from Israel," he Read the full story
RPT-Venezuela oil firm transferred millions of euros to Bulgarian bank accounts - security officials
COFCO Int'l eyes sugar assets in Brazil - softs head
Reuters COFCO International, the tradingarm of Chinese state-owned food group COFCO, islooking to invest in sugar assets in Brazil, Global Softspresident Marcelo de Andrade said on Wednesday. Read the full story
Emerging Market Stocks Are the Most Crowded Trade for the First Time on Record
Barron's Long U.S. dollar is the second most crowded trade, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s monthly survey. Read the full story
Emerging markets are the most crowded trade for first time: Survey
Fox News FBN's Charles Payne and Heritage Capital President Paul Schatz on Bank of America Merrill Lynch's February fund manager survey, which showed that fund managers considered being long on emerging markets was the most crowded trade. Read the full story
MIDDLE EAST
Iran leader: Not worth talking to U.S., be careful with Europeans
Reuters
Iran can only lose by negotiating with the United States and must be careful to limit any dealings with some "untrustworthy" European states, the Islamic Republic's top leader said on Wednesday. Read the full story
Rebuffed on Iran diplomacy, Trump is getting more traction on Venezuela
NBC News
Analysis: When it comes to rallying other nations behind standoffs with Iran and Venezuela, Trump is getting different results. Read the full story
Deutsche Bank eyes Mideast expansion after years of cost control
Mubasher
Mubasher: Deutsche Bank AG announced plans to rebuild its presence in the Middle East after years of cost control. It has even begun appointing executives to acquire debt and consultancy contracts in the region. The Frankfurt-based lender shifted … Read the full story
WARSAW, Poland (AP) - The United States and Poland are kicking off an international conference on the Middle East amid uncertainty over its aims and questions about what it will deliver. Initially it was billed by President Donald Trump's administration as an Iran-focused meeting. The organizers have significantly broadened its scope to include the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the fight against the Islamic State group, Syria and Yemen. The shift was designed in part to boost participation after Read the full story
EU adds Saudi Arabia, Panama, Nigeria to dirty-money blacklist
Reuters
The European Commission added Saudi Arabia, Panama, Nigeria and other jurisdictions to a blacklist of nations that pose a threat because of lax controls on terrorism financing and money laundering, the EU executive said on Wednesday. Read the full story
EU blacklists Saudi Arabia: What does it mean?
Aljazeera
The European Commission confirmed it intends to name Saudi Arabia on its updated list of high-risk jurisdictions for money laundering and terrorist financing. Other countries including Pakistan, Libya and Panama have also been added to the list, which the European Parliament is expected to ratify within one month. Financial institutions in EU member states will now have to commit to greater levels of scrutiny for transactions involving high-risk countries, including faster access for law Read the full story
AFRICA
South Africa's retail sales down 1.4 percent year/year in December
Reuters
South African retail salesfell 1.4 percent year-on-year in December after increasing at arevised year-on-year rate of 2.9 percent in November, thestatistics office said on Wednesday. Read the full story
UPDATE 1-S. Africa's retail sales slump in Dec after Black Friday boost
Government has given the nod for Mozambican companies to export green bananas to Zambia through Zimbabwe as part of efforts to foster cooperation between the two countries. In an interview, Manicaland provincial administrator Mr Edgars Seenza said the Department of Plant Quarantine in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement had done extensive research on the transportation of bananas through the country before granting the authority. "As part of our Read the full story
Zimbabwe: Drought and Rising Costs to Leave 2.4 Million Zimbabweans Needing Food Aid
AllAfrica
Bulawayo The 150 percent fuel price hike that sparked mass public unrest across Zimbabwe last month sent the cost of living skyrocketing: the price of bread nearly doubled in a week. Worse is likely to come. Combined with poor harvests, political unrest, eroded salaries, and an ongoing currency crisis, the rising costs mean the ability of many Zimbabweans to grow or afford a basic meal is under threat. More than two million people are predicted to need humanitarian food assistance this year, Read the full story
Zimbabwe - An update on tourism after chaos
FurtherAfrica
The start of 2019 was highly anticipated by the tourism industry after Lonely Planet placed Zimbabwe as the world's third best destination for the year. Years of moderate but steady growth have proven the sector’s resilience, despite adverse economic and political conditions. Read the full story
Fueled by climate change, Zimbabwe's erratic harvests cause farmers with HIV to struggle
CNN
In the arid south of Zimbabwe, farmers have long experienced the adverse effects of climate change as they witness their crops fail each season and face a desperate need to find alternatives. Add to this a setting where HIV rates are among the highest globally. Read the full story
ASIA
How China’s economic crash could cost you your job in Australia
Daily Mail
China's expected economic recession is set to cripple a number of Australian sectors, according to an industry expert. Read the full story
China will need more foreign money as its trade surplus dries up: Morgan Stanley CNBC
China will likely run a current account deficit this year, marking its first since 1993, and setting the country on a path to becoming more reliant on foreign capital, according to a Morgan Stanley report. Read the full story
Chinese bond momentum remains strong, but don’t expect the yuan rally to last
South China Morning Post
The Chinese bond market got off to a solid start in 2019, building on the strong momentum from last year that saw China buck the global trend to deliver positive returns to investors. The onshore rates rally continued in January, thanks to further… Read the full story
China launches countrywide bonds health check as default wave looms
South China Morning Post
China’s National Development and Reform Commission, which oversees bond issuance by its biggest state-owned enterprises as well as some large property companies, has launched a countrywide inspection campaign to better assess risks, as more companies run… Read the full story
China cenbank says it sells 20 bln yuan in bills in Hong Kong
Reuters
China's central bank said onWednesday it has auctioned a total of 20 billion yuan ($2.96billion) in three-month and one-year bills in Hong Kong. Read the full story
Yield-hungry investors dig into offshore Chinese debt
Reuters
At BEA Union Investment in Hong Kong, Pheona Tsang is getting creative. The head of fixed income is planning to fill 10 percent of a yuan-focused portfolio this year with U.S. dollar bonds, sold by Chinese companies outside of the mainland market. Read the full story
North Korea may choose to follow Vietnam's economic model as it looks to open up
CNBC
Like Vietnam, North Korea would like to be integrated into the global economy yet maintain its firm grip of control, analysts say. Read the full story
EUROPE
ECB warns Romanian finance minister over bank tax
Reuters
The Romanian government shouldhave consulted the European Central Bank before approving awidely criticised new tax on bank assets, which could have amaterial impact on financial stability, the ECB said in a letterto the finance minister quoted by a local news site. Read the full story
Exclusive: BT executives knew of accounting fraud in Italy unit - prosecutors
Reuters
A preliminary criminal investigation into an accounting scandal at the Italian unit of British telecom firm BT has alleged that three top executives of the group were aware of bookkeeping fraud at the unit, according to a document prepared by Italian prosecutors. Read the full story
UK inflation falls to two-year low in January
BBC News US
Falling energy prices push inflation to 1.8% in January, from 2.1% the previous month, official figures show. Read the full story
Scottish First Minister Sturgeon calls for UK PM May to rule out no deal Brexit: ITV
Business Insider
Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon takes part in a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh, Scotland Thomson Reuters Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called on British Prime Minister Theresa May to take a no deal Brexit off the table, ITV reported on Wednesday. Sturgeon said May and her government are being "increasingly reckless and negligent" by not ruling out a no deal Brexit, ITV said. Unless May can get a Brexit deal approved by the British parliament, she will have to Read the full story
Brexit: Government must 'get its act together' to prevent panic-buying and civil unrest, officials warn
The Independent
The government needs to “get its act together” to prevent panic-buying and civil unrest over Brexit, officials have warned. Read the full story
Putin’s Plan to Double Down on Venezuela, Syria and Ukraine Could Be Sending Russia Into Bankruptcy
Newsweek
Vladimir Putin is doubling down in Venezuela, Syria and Ukraine. His quest for global power could be bankrupting Russia. Read the full story
2-15-2019 Intel Guru RayRen98 Iraq TV is broadcasting the United Nations giving Iraq a warning that further severe repercussions could result of their delay in forming their government. The Deputy to Parliament reportedly stated that all of the recovered money would be pointless to Iraq if it is not based on international rates thus enabling them to compete with the rest of world. ...Rates are again visible to some bank sources...Zim $0.24 - Dinar $4.43 - Dong $1.37. TIME WILL TELL what happens next!
2-14-2019 Newshound/Intel Guru Mnt Goat
...Remember as I said many times we will see a rate change within Iraq as close to 1000 dinars or lower per USD first, then the CBI must launch the smaller notes or the economy will not have any currency they can work with. So now we see the CBI program rate as record lows coming into this week and so we should expect it even much lower and then the launching of first the 25, 50 and 100 dinar notes, as promised would happen at this time. Stay tuned it is all good. [post 2 of 2]
2-14-2019 Newshound/Intel Guru Mnt Goat Article: "CURRENCY STRUCTURE: CENTRAL BANK PREPARES TO DELETE 3 ZEROS OF IRAQI CURRENCY" ...this article ...is only from Nov of last year...not too long ago. Okay so here is the beginning of the re-education process I said would begin a months before the reinstatement would happen. Remember the CBI must first wait for the right environment to launch the rest of these lower smaller category notes. Now they are telling us the time is just around the corner. This is exactly what we wanted to hear and needed to hear at this time. [post 1 of 2....stay tuned]
2-14-2019 Newshound Guru MilitiaMan ...articles are out about CONTRACTS...They have to be adjusted accordingly...Let the CONTRACT's adjusting to a new rate sink in... The Pres signed the 2019 budget on the 4th... Note the articles about Contracts use the word Implementation... So aside from the time line, think about it. Contracts and pricing of goods, needs to be done as well. They imo won't or can't put pricing off for long.. We have not heard Taxes and Tariffs being put off or extended...Now think about it...02/04/19 and 10 days less the weekend of two days...Puts Kurds talk of 02/17 for implementation of T & Ts or even the federal budget law to install contracts, imo, right on time...
2-14-2019 Newshound Guru Kaperoni ...There no RV. Once the GOI is formed (Still missing 4 cabinet members), parliament returns, begins passing laws we may see the CBI move to a float.
2-14-2019 Intel Guru Delta Article: “After the adoption of a tariff as a unified customs .. Will the price of cars rise?” ...SO THIS TAX APPLY ONLY FOR CARS OVER $50K...OTHER PRODUCT WILL BE COLLECT BY DINARS AS I KNOW...BUT EITHER WAY THE PRICES WILL INCREASE NO MATTER WHAT AND THAT WILL CAUSE A HIGH INFLATION...BUT THE BEST PART AT ALL IS THAT THIS TIME THE TAXES ARE ON...FINALLY...
Elmer:
Not in today
Artmeister:
Not in today
Catnip:
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ARTICLE 1 (from PM Mahdi's website)
At the time this report was submitted, there were no new articles on PM Mahdi's website.
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ARTICLE 2 (from Government of Iraq twitter account)
At the time this report was submitted, there were no new tweets posted on the Government of Iraq twitter account.
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ARTICLE 3
Human rights: Zerbiyat is in danger of having 15 million extruded
WASSIT, February 14 (KUNA) - The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (WCHR) in Wasit said on Thursday that "the environmental situation in the area of Zurbatiya border is dangerous due to the remnants of war," pointing out that "the study of the issue of clearance of mines and remnants of war, According to the Ministry of Health and the Environment, more than (15) million extruded between mines, missiles and ammunition and non-flocked bombs.
The Office of the High Commissioner, "This large number of projectiles pose a serious danger to the lives of people in the region and its suburbs, and tourists and others who visit the spring and a violation of human rights is the risk to his life and deprivation of the enjoyment of a clean and safe environment," pointing out that " Wasit province allocated 75 million dinars as a first payment to remove these remnants of war. " End Ah
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ARTICLE 4
Iraq and Syria discuss the possibility of opening the port of Hasiba on the common border
BAGHDAD, Feb 14 (KUNA) - The Iraqi and Syrian sides discussed Thursday the possibility of reopening the Hasaybah border crossing and ongoing military operations in eastern Syria.
The Defense Ministry said in a statement received by the Iraqi army chief of operations, deputy commander of joint operations, Lieutenant General Abdul Amir Yarallah, received the Syrian ambassador in Iraq, Sattam Jadan al-Dandah.
"During the meeting, they discussed and discussed the military operations in eastern Syria, as well as the mechanism to open the port of Husaybah, the link between Iraq and Syria, south of the Euphrates River, as well as discuss the prospects of cooperation and joint coordination and security developments between the two neighboring countries."
The statement added that "the Syrian ambassador thanked and appreciated the hospitality and reception," praising "the positions of Iraq's government, army and people to stand with Syria and to provide all forms of support and assistance at all levels." (1)
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ARTICLE 5
Integrity details the details of the seizure of a municipal accounts manager in Diwaniyah, accused of embezzlement
2019/2/13 22:06
[Baghdad - where]
The Integrity Commission today clarified the details of the arrest of a municipal accounts manager in Diwaniyah province, accused of embezzlement of state funds.
According to a statement issued by the Commission, "the Investigations Department of the Commission, in the context of the details of the investigation, which was made under a judicial note, indicated the implementation of the staff of the Office of Investigation Commission in the province of the arrest of the director of the accounts of the Municipality of the X, based on the provisions of Article 315 of the Penal Code.
"The preliminary data of the seizure indicate that the defendant was caught up in embezzlement of funds belonging to the state and its organization and the arrival of fake receipts for the sums he had stolen for his personal account.
"The accused shall accompany the suspect to the competent investigating judge who decided to arrest him in the investigation.
The Office of the Commission's investigation in the province has carried out several qualitative operations, the most recent was the seizure of the head of the energy follow-up committee in the province of Qadisiyah, dressed in bribery, and the arrest of the assistant director-general and the director of a hospital in the province; for the commission of offenses and excessive in the transactions of the purchase of medicines and medical supplies and laboratory equipment, The director of the Rafidain Bank branch, on the right side, was charged with bribery and the director of the Diwaniyah Education Hospital, who was present at the scene of the crime, as a result of collusion with the first accused.
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ARTICLE 6
The triple birth of a 30-year-old woman in Diyala
DIALA, Feb 14 (Reuters) - A 30-year-old woman on Wednesday laid out three twins for the seventh month of her pregnancy with a natural birth at the public hospital in Baladrouz, the director of the Diyala Health Department said Thursday.
The director of Baladrouz General Hospital Dr. Jaafar Hussein Daoud said that "the birth was conducted under the supervision of a competent female doctor and the staff of the maternity ward in our hospital." "The health of the children is well and they have been placed under care in preterm infants." Finished
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