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Voting on the candidates for the remaining ministries in Adil Abd al-Mahdi's government will not take place in the parliamentary session set to take place on Wednesday, according to the session's agenda.
Theparliamentwill address different topics during the session.
The parliament, according to Wednesday's agenda, will consider the submitted appeals on the validity of the membership of someparliamentmembers, as well as the first reading a draft law to amend the national presses law No. 5 for 1999.
The table also includes the first reading of the mineral investment draft law, and the first reading of the draft law amending the law of social welfare No. 126 for 1980.
On October 24, Abd al-Mahdi managed to get the parliamentary approval on 14 out of 22 ministries. However disagreement between political blocs especially on security ministries have thwarted Abd al-Mahdi's efforts to complete thecabinetin a short time.
KDP's Barzani arrives in Amman to attend World Economic Forum
The president ofKurdistanDemocratic Party (KDP), arrived in Amman, the capital of Jordan, on Friday, to attend the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa on April 6-7.
Barzani and his accompanying delegation were met at the airport by Jordan’s Prince Faisal bin Hussein.
The Kurdish leader was accompanied by a delegation fromKurdistanRegion, after he was officially invited to the event by Jordan’s King Abdullah II.
Barzani's company includes head of theKurdistanRegional Government (KRG)’s department of foreign relations Falah Mustafa and KDP politburo secretary Fazil Mirani, according to media reports.
Iraq, Saudi Arabia to start establishing Baghdad's sports city
The Coordinating Committee of Iraq's Ministry of Youth and Sports and its Saudi counterpart announced a protocol to start working on establishing thesports citygranted by the Saudi King to Iraq.
Chairman of the Committee supervising the project Abdul Rahman al-Harakan said in a statement that frequent visits have been carried out by the committee to implement the gift of King Salman to the Iraqi youth.
He added that specific criteria has been adopted concerning the implementation of the project, including the capacity of roads, and the place from the Baghdad International Airport.
During the past two days, intensive meetings were held between the Iraqi and Saudi sides, during which they agreed to establish the city in Baghdad's Yusufiyah, he added.
Saudi Arabia will fund the construction of the $1-billion-worthsports cityin Iraq, as well as open four consulates, officials said after the second session of a bilateral co-operation council on Wednesday night.
The announcement followed the arrival in Baghdad of a delegation led by Saudi Trade Minister Majid al-Qasabi for the second meeting of the Saudi-Iraqi Co-ordination Council.
Allawi reveals to Calus important developments in the file of the defense candidate and warns of the last opportunity {expanded}
(Baghdad: al-Furat News) Revealed the head of the National Coalition, the leader in the transfer of reform and reconstruction, Iyad Allawi, on important developments in the file names of candidates for the Ministry of Defense.
"We have put forward two military names and three names of civilians and we have presented them to Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi," Allawi said on the program of the satellite channel Al-Furat on Friday evening, referring to "the exclusion of candidate Faisal al-Jarba from the post." He added that "among the candidates (success of the Shammari), a military figure," returned "Al-Shammari is the strongest candidate for many reasons, including that he formed the first anti-terrorism brigade and proved its worth in it and contributed militarily to strike terrorism and stabilize the political process and has a long history of patriotism and not of the type sold And buy deals and contracts of corruption has been handed over to the Prime Minister and there is approval in the Coalition for Reform and Reconstruction. Allawi revealed that "the collection of 45 signatures of the Sunni deputies, including 15 of the National Coalition support the nomination of the (Shamari) to the Ministry of Defense," likely "increase this figure to 50 signatures." And the calls for the formation of the province of Basra, the President of the national reservation, "stressing" the need for this step to a political decision and institutional support. " "I am not against provinces or federalism, but the province of Basra needs institutions that protect it, in addition to a political decision, and that does not exist now," he said, noting that "understanding the region is not clear to many, let alone to the vast majority of the people." He stressed that "the concept of the Federal Republic and the Kurdistan region must be clarified, and there is no such thing as that," noting that "the province of Basra and other political issue and we are in the last half" likely "to join the provinces to Basra to declare the provinces and the reason for this disintegration of the internal situation and the disintegration and the disappearance of the political process" The Iraqi reality is the same and its consequences are dire. " Allawi said, "If the situation continues in this form in the political process and the authority and the government, I expect that the results will be disastrous for all and what happened in Basra is a serious phenomenon and there is a kind of negligence and this is a killing of Iraq." He pointed out that he "feels alienated in the political process despite our opposition to the former regime," noting that "we have become outsiders in the political process, which unfortunately was kidnapped and the Iraqi decision is not in the hands of Iraqi political elites." "We have not come to corruption, sectarianism, quotas, nepotism or building Iraq in this way." Allawi promised "the government of Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi, the last opportunity and an important opportunity to save Iraq." "We have a last chance and if we do not pack it all and build an Iraq that will accommodate all Iraqis and the breadth of the political process, otherwise we will face total destruction," he said. He called for "the first objective is to reform the political process and reform what can be reformed in the Constitution and is part of the reform of the political system and build the institution of the state on the basis of efficiency and integrity and arms inventory by the state." Allawi said that "popular mobilization, part of the state and we are with the involvement of security institutions any solution and distribution." He revealed that he "told the President of the Kurdistan Democratic Party Massoud Barzani that if we want to establish a general command of the armed forces and not a leader and be representative of the Peshmerga and the crowd and the rest of the security forces and linked to the general leadership and be unified work and direction and are subject to the executive authority of Iraq." He said Barzani "welcomed the proposal and informed Abdul Mahdi, who also accepted it and said it was an excellent idea." He stressed that "the need to audit the money since 2003 and called for a criminal accounting and there are accounting companies competent to do so and should take these procedures," pointing out that "a part of the inspectors are involved in the problems and should have been identified procedures before the formation of the Supreme Council to combat corruption," returned "Integrity Commission heresy "Unfortunately, Iraq's reputation has been stained with corruption." Allawi, "President of the Republic Barham Salih and Abdul-Mahdi is a source of optimism for the political process and reform, which are part of the hope and the last opportunity," adding that "a section of the ministers of the government of Abdul Mahdi below the ambitious level and must change some of the current ministers." He called on "the reform and construction parties to submit a reform project to the government, and should be submitted by road map and reform project." "The Iraqi platform is not a political party, all of them young and women, as well as opponents against Saddam and not corruption," Allawi said, adding that "his goal is to pressure the government peacefully to reform the political process," pointing out that " "There is no movement and political blocs, but promising figures." He accused "the current electoral commission to rig the results of the parliamentary elections and we will not participate in the provincial elections if the Commission remains." He explained that "this Commission falsified the elections and played a game and there is evidence that and unfortunately the investigation of the House of Representatives and the government was a disgrace." "Iraq has reached the worst of the situation today and we can not be at the top of the responsibility, it has eaten us time and drink and it is time to fix the situation and we are going to our fate," he said. Allawi ruled out "the possibility of a military coup in Iraq because of the presence of multiple foreign forces on its territory.
Fourteen ISIS members killed in airstrikes, south of Kirkuk
At least 14ISISmilitants were killed on Friday as Iraqi warplanes carried out airstrikes, north of the country, according to news reports.
Six militants were killed in one of the attacks, while eight others were killed in another attack, south of Kirkuk.
In late 2017,Iraqdeclared full victory over ISIS. However, the extremist group still carries out sporadic attacks in some liberated regions through its dormant cells.
The group also lost its final pocket in Syria last month.
Baghdad/ Iraq TradeLink: The senior economic Saudi delegation, currently visiting Baghdad, completed its talks in what was described as a “good neighborly” relations, though some pro-Iranian political circles criticized the visit.
The criticism was voiced that the signed agreement with Saudi Arabia is a move to counter those signed with Iran, earlier.
The delegation comprised of many Saudi ministers, 40 consultants and acting ministers and tens of governmental officials, according to local reports.
During the meetings of the Saudi delegation, many memorandum and agreements were signed, particularly Saudi supply of electricity to Iraq, establishing a free trade zone on the joint borders, and opening more consulates one expected to be in Shiite city of Najaf and the other in southern Basra province.
In addition, the agreements included granting Iraq a one billion dollars to build a sports city south of Baghdad, rehabilitation of the liberated provinces.
According to available local reports, it is expected that more grants and agreements shall be provided by Saudi Arabia during the coming visit of Iraqi Premier to Riyadh will be announced during the coming two weeks.
Political circles said that the new Saudi stands towards Iraq were made through “US suggestion”, pointing that the supply of Saudi electricity to Iraq will stop Iraqi pretexts to cooperate with Iran.
Earlier, the Iraqi government claimed that stopping electricity imports from Iran will affect the southern provinces.
It is expected that the Saudi alternative with lesser prices will force Iraq to abide with the sanctions imposed against Iran.
The sources said that the Saudi agreements were for the benefit of Iraq, not like the Iranian accords, while some other circles warned that the Saudi agreements should notembarrass Iraq before Iran, calling the government to send the texts of the agreements to theIraqi parliament for study and approval.
Saudi Trade Minister: We will receive the Iraqi prime minister within 3 weeks
Majid al-Qasabi, the Saudi minister of trade and investment, said that the Kingdom will host Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi in less than 3 weeks. He pointed out that 13 agreements will be signed in the fields of energy, environment and a number of other fields. Salman opened four consulates in Iraq, started in Baghdad and then the role will come on Najaf and Basra.
"The technical teams are studying the needs and requirements of the link to enable Iraq to meet its needs of electricity, water and petroleum materials," he added.
He added: "We will facilitate the travel procedures between the two countries, and after the opening of the Saudi consulate in Baghdad, Iraqi citizens can obtain a Saudi visa directly instead of going to Amman."
Baghdad/ Iraq TradeLink: Iraqi security sources reported that a ban was imposed to prevent the travel of a number of officials with corruption speculations or having arrest warrantsThe list of the banned officials was distributed to all border checkpoints, the sources added. On the other hand, Iraqi Parliamentary Speaker Mohammed al-Halbousi waived that some ministers and senior officials will be summoned for corruption speculations.
Many of these ministers and official refused to reply to the questions given to them by the parliament.
The summon order covered ministers of water resources, oil, finance, integrity commission and other
Some other sources pointed that though the parliament is planning to open some of the corruption cases, but many were closed to due to political pressures.
The government of Najaf vows to strike with an iron fist against anyone who touches the sanctity of the city
(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) The local government in Najaf province vowed, "beating with an iron fist for anyone who tries to undermine the sanctity of the city."
The governor of Najaf, Lu'ay al-Yasiri, participated in Najaf's children, "the owners of the honorable positions and their indignant stand against those who want to harm our blessed holy places. "The local government in Najaf will strike with an iron fist for anyone who tries to harm our holy rituals and has directed the province of several directions, the most important of which is to prevent women from working in the cafeteria and shutting down unauthorized cafes," said Yasiri. He continued, "The security services are working on the implementation of our decision in high coordination with the competent departments in tourism, police and intelligence and at the highest levels of official in accordance with the law in force."
EgyptAir delegation visits Iraq's Najaf, talks resuming direct flights
Najaf GovernorLuay al-Yasirireceived on Friday a delegation from Egypt Air to discuss resuming the operation of direct flights between Egypt and Al-Najaf International Airport in both directions.
Yasiri affirmed the Iraqi government's openness to neighboring countries and its keenness to strengthen the Iraqi economy, through exchanging visits of economic and trade delegations, a statement said on Wednesday.
During the meeting, the Egyptian delegation visited Al-Najaf Airport, where they met senior officials on measures to resume the services from Egypt, Yasiri was quoted as saying.
Kauaihn Economic Times:
ECONOMIC TIMES / CHATTER
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Rising risk of US and China housing slump causing recession – IMF
the guardian
Concern that overvaluation, low interest rates and loose lending will affect stability A growing number of homes in the US and China are teetering on the brink of a price slump that would drag their economies into a recession, the International Monetary Fund has warned. Using the latest evidence from global housing markets, the Washington-based organisation said there was a clear increase in the risk of a housing price collapse in both countries after years of ultra-low interest rates and looseRead the full story
Extreme debt is rewriting the rules of economics Axios
The world appears to be at a debt inflection point where traditional rules no longer apply. Driving the news: Following a substantial increase of $21 trillion in 2017, debt accumulation rose by just $3.3 trillion in 2018, bringing "the global debt mountain to $243 trillion," the Institute of International Finance reported this week.Read the full story
OIL/COMMODITIES/ENERGY
METALS-Copper falls as German factory data adds to demand worries
Gold drops as dollar recovers, stocks fight for gains ahead of U.S.-China trade update
MarketWatch
Gold futures drop as financial markets await an update on reported progress in trade negotiations between the U.S. and China and as an upbeat reading on jobless benefits claims fuels optimism for a recovery in monthly hiring in a reportdue Friday morning.Read the full story
Gold Prices Sink To 4-Week Low After U.S. Jobless Claims Data
Commodities Apr 04, 2019 12:50 GMTInvesting.com- Gold prices sank to a four-week low on Thursday, after data showed that the number of Americans filing applications for unemployment benefits dropped to a more than 49-year low last week. Spot gold was down $6.08, or around 0.5%, at $1,283.82 per ounce by8:50AM ET(12:50 GMT), the weakest level since March 7. Comex gold futures shed $7.55, or about 0.6%, to $1,287.75 a troy ounce. The yellow metal hit session lows after the U.S. Department ofRead the full story
Oil Prices Fall Amid Unexpected Increase in Crude Stocks
Commodities Apr 04, 2019 05:29 GMTInvesting.com- Oil prices fell on Thursday in Asia following reports that U.S. crude oil inventories rose unexpectedly last week. U.S Crude Oil WTI Futures were down 0.14% to $62.37 by1:18 AM ET(05:18 GMT), while international Brent Oil Futures dropped 0.1% to $69.27. Despite the fall today, WTI remains up more than 35% for the year and Brent 28%, supported by aggressive production cuts from OPEC and Russian-led allies and U.S. sanctions against Iran andRead the full story
Oil-and-gas giant Total's foray into China battery tech
Axios
Oil-and-gas giant Total on Thursday announced a joint venture with the Tianneng Group, a Chinese battery maker, to expand production in China.Read the full story
Commodities Apr 04, 2019 13:33 GMTInvesting.com- Crude oil prices struggled to make headway and continue 2019’s bullish trend on Thursday, as the market digested the implications from a surprise surge in U.S. crude inventories last week. Sentiment was positive ahead of an afternoon meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s top trade negotiator, vice-premier Liu He, but bears overturned an early morning recovery, pushing oil prices back down. New York-traded West TexasRead the full story
BANKS/BANKING/CREDIT
8 top banking apps
MarketWatch
Here are some of the key benefits of eight of the best apps out there.Read the full story
World Bank forecasts Bangladesh growth of 7.3 pct, to miss govt projection
Reuters
The World Bank on Thursdaypredicted Bangladesh's economy will grow at 7.3 percent in thefiscal year thatends on June 30, lower than a governmentprojection, saying a possible slowdown in some top markets inthe West could hurt exports.Read the full story
Greek banks repayment of emergency funding a credit positive - Moody's
Reuters
* Greek banks eliminate emergency borrowing from Bank ofGreeceRead the full story
Jamie Dimon: Bad mortgage rules are holding back the U.S. economy
A look at how people with exceptional credit achieve those ratings.Read the full story
Mortgage rates hold near 14-month lows as application demand revs up
MarketWatch
Rates for home loans held near recent lows but went in different directions, suggesting some bond market equilibrium is being reached.Read the full story
TREASURIES/BONDS/STOCKS
5 ways to start investing with just $100
ABC News
You don't need to have wealth in order to generate more wealth.Read the full story
Stocks jump ahead of U.S.-China trade talks
Yahoo Finance
Stocks jumped at the open Thursday, as President Donald Trump gears up to meet with Chinese Vice Premier Liu He at the White House for more talks to resolve the U.S.-China trade standoff.Read the full story
Stock Markets Apr 04, 2019 20:52 GMTInvesting.com- Here’s a preview of the top 3 things that could rock markets tomorrow. 1. Nonfarm Payrolls Forecast to Bounce Back Trading direction tomorrow is almost certain to hinge, as usual, on the monthly employment report. The Labor Department will release its measures of the employment situation for Marchat 8:30 AM ET(12:30 GMT), following up on a very disappointing payrolls number for February. Economists expect that nonfarm payrolls rose byRead the full story
Economy Apr 05, 2019 09:42 GMTInvesting.com- Here are the top five things you need to know in financial markets on Friday, April 5: 1. Nonfarm Payrolls Forecast to Bounce Back The U.S. Department of Labor will release its measures of the employment situation for Marchat 8:30 AM ET(12:30 GMT), following up on a very disappointing payrolls number for February. Economists forecast that nonfarm payrolls will bounce back in March, rising by 175,000. A meager 20,000 jobs were created in the secondRead the full story
CRYPTO'S / DIGITAL CURRENCY
Bitcoin Price Plunges $400 Overnight But Clings to $5K Support -Bitcoinist.com
Bitcoin price fell $400 in minutes April 3 but broadly held onto support above $5000 as the enthusiasm from this week’s bull run continues. $5000: Bitcoin’s New Home? Data from cryptocurrency exchange Bitstamp, which tends to deliver slightly more conservative price information than many mainstream platforms, showed bitcoin price hitting a high of $5332 before retracing Thursday. The gains, which began earlier this week when bitcoin suddenly jumped from $4170 to $5000, mean Thursday saw theRead the full story
A Brief History of Bitcoin
TheStreet
Curious about how Bitcoin came to be? Dive into the history of the popular cryptocurrency. Is crypto making a comeback? There are numerous cryptocurrencies being used these days. And Bitcoin stands out from the rest of the pack. Why? Well, the answer can be summed up to the huge fluctuation of the price. The price topped $5,000 this week. But, Bitcoin had lots of eyeballs when the price of a bitcoin surged to $19,783 in 2017. This was a huge difference from 2011, when the price per Bitcoin wasRead the full story
The Biggest Winners from April's Early Crypto Market Rebound
CoinDesk
Cryptocurrencies across the board are flashing significant growth in the first few days of April, after concluding what was already the market's strong quarter since the last of 2017.Read the full story
CURRENCIES
$100 bills, the preferred currency for crime, soared to a record high last year
CNBC
U.S. hundred-dollar bills in circulation hit an all-time high last year, according to new data from the Federal Reserve.Read the full story
Into US session: Dollar rebounds on strong jobless claims, Euro enduring string of negative news | Action Forex
Action Forex
Entering into US session, Dollar and Yen are both regaining some grounds as financial markets turned mixed. There are positive reports on US-China trade negotiation, which should be in its final stage. Trump scheduled to meet Chinese Vice Premier Liu Heat 2030 GMTand a summit with Xi could be finally announced. Yet, that […] The post Into US session: Dollar rebounds on strong jobless claims, Euro enduring string of negative news appeared first on Action Forex.Read the full story
U.S. dollar edges higher as investors eye trade developments
MarketWatch
The U.S. dollar edged higher on Thursday, carving out small gains against its major rivals as investors await further clarity on a potential trade deal between the U.S. and China, while looking ahead to March employment datadue on Friday.Read the full story
Forex - Dollar Edges Lower as Euro Shrugs Off German Orders Slump
Forex Apr 04, 2019 07:19 GMTInvesting.com-- The dollar is a little weaker in early trading in Europe Thursday as the euro shrugs off a disappointing set of factory orders in Germany that bode ill for a quick turnaround in the euro zone’s largest economy. New orders to German manufacturers fell by 4.2% in February, the biggest monthly drop in two years, with the steepest drop coming from foreign markets outside the euro zone. Orders were also down 8.4% on the year. The indications are that theRead the full story
UPDATE 1-Sterling snaps 3-day rising streak on long Brexit delay concerns
Pound to euro exchange rate: Brexit delay BOOSTS sterling after Commons vote
Express
THE POUND to euro exchange rate has seen sterling climb against the euro today after a Brexit delay was voted on by the House of Commons. What can you get for your money? The Post Office online rates today are €1.1498 to the pound if you change over £1000. The pound is faring better today after the House of Commons voted on a delay to Brexit.Read the full story
WEEKAHEAD-AFRICA-FX-Ugandan and Tanzanian currencies seen falling
Reuters
The currencies of Uganda andTanzania are likely to depreciate next week as Zambia'sappreciates and those of Nigeria and Kenya hold steady.Read the full story
Forex - U.S. Dollar, Yuan Slip Despite Renewed Trade Optimism
Forex Apr 04, 2019 04:03 GMTInvesting.com- The U.S. dollar and the Chinese yuan slipped on Thursday in Asia despite recent reports that suggested Beijing and Washington are closing in on a trade agreement. The U.S. dollar index that tracks the greenback against a basket of other currencies slipped 0.1% at 96.620 by12:01 AM ET(04:01 GMT). The USD/CNY pair rose 0.1% to 6.7144. The fall in the dollar and the yuan came despite progress in trade talks and the People’s Bank of China setting higherRead the full story
HEALTH / SCIENCE
What we aren't eating is killing us, global study finds
CNN
Poor diet is the top risk for death and disability around the world, according to a new 27-year global study of 195 nations.Read the full story
Scientific evidence behind CBD claims?
CBS News
CBD is popping up in everything from food to beauty products. It comes from plants in the cannabis family and has been marketed as a solution for anxiety, pain and epilepsy. With Walgreens and CVS expanding into hemp-derived CBD products, the FDA is taking a closer look at the unregulated market. Dr. Tara Narula joins "CBS This Morning" to discuss whether there is scientific evidence behind the claims.Read the full story
Diseases surge in Venezuela under health system in ‘utter collapse’, report says
The Independent
Venezuela’s health system is in “utter collapse,” according to a report, including the exponential spread of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and diphtheria and “dramatic surges” in infectious diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.Read the full story
Poor diets are linked to 20% of all deaths, new study says
"Mom, am I going to die?" Parents question cell tower's link to cancer
CBS News
Sprint shut down a cell phone tower on the campus of a California elementary school, despite saying it's safeRead the full story
USA / CANADA
One More Rate Cut Seen as World's Fastest-Growing Economy Slows
Bloomberg
India’s central bank is on course for its most aggressive monetary policy easing in more than three years, as it seeks to support the world’s fastest-growing major economy in the face of risks both at home and abroad.Read the full story
Trump says U.S. economy strong despite 'destructive actions' by Fed
Reuters
President Donald Trump on Thursday said the U.S. economy was very strong despite what he said were "unnecessary and destructive actions" taken by the U.S. Federal Reserve, his latest attack on the nation's independent central bank.Read the full story
March jobs report: What to expect on Friday
Fox Business
Wall Street will be closely watching Friday's report for signs of a potential economic downturn.Read the full story
U.S. Jobless Claims Fall to 49-Year Low, Below All Forecasts
Bloomberg
Filings for U.S. unemployment benefits unexpectedly fell, dropping to the lowest since December 1969, as the labor market tightened further.Read the full story