Friday, July 19, 2019

WOTS Thursday 7/18/19

WOTS Thursday 7/18/19
WOTS Thursday 7/18/19
 
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DC NY Iraq Articles:dd

Iraq and Kuwait agree to open Safwan International Trade Port

 
2019/7/18
 
[Follow-up]
Iraq and Kuwait agreed on Wednesday to rehabilitate the international port of Safwan and activate trade cooperation between the two countries. 
"Iraq and Kuwait agree on a high level of coordination of positions and the promotion of trade and economic cooperation, and our point of view is clear in many areas, especially in Arab and international forums," Al-Ani told a news conference with his Kuwaiti counterpart Al-Roudhan.
Abizaid and al-Ani: We had meetings with the Kuwaiti side in advance, and signed a joint agreement in February, which will increase cooperation at various levels.
He added that our presence in the port of Safwan is for the purpose of field view on the port, and be different from what it is at present, stressing that the next phase will witness more cooperation and increase the volume of trade exchange in light of a common desire and insist on overcoming all obstacles.
Kuwaiti Minister Al-Roudhan described the meeting as historic and the first Kuwaiti delegation to visit Basra to extend cooperation with the Republic of Iraq. He said that economic exchange is the basis of our subject, stressing the importance of the role of Iraq as a sister country we need to strengthen trade cooperation with them to strengthen the economy of the two countries.
   

Turkish Foreign Minister: Do not rule out the PKK stand behind the Irbil attack

 
2019/7/18
 
[Follow-up]
Turkish Foreign Minister Mouloud Zhaoshoglu said his country is in contact with the authorities of Baghdad and Erbil regarding the armed attack on the staff of the Turkish consulate in the city of Erbil. 
In a statement to reporters in Ankara, Zhaošoglu said that Turkey may send a delegation to Iraq on the back of the attack if necessary.
The Turkish minister added that his country's authorities continue their efforts to uncover the circumstances of the attack, arrest the perpetrators and know their ends of this step.
Zhaoosh Oglu, a consular officer who lost his life as a result of the attack, said that the attackers also attacked two Iraqis who were in the same restaurant.
He continued: "We have continued with the President of the Kurdistan region, and his Prime Minister, and we also contacted the Iraqi Foreign Minister, and we are working to uncover the circumstances of the attack."
He added: "We will bring the body of the martyr to Turkey, and if necessary we will send a delegation to Iraq to reveal the full details of the attack."
Asked about the possibility that BKA Ka or another organization would be behind the attack, Zhaooshoglu said: "When such an attack occurs, the attention is first directed to the terrorist organizations, but in this incident there is also an attack on two Iraqi people, one of whom died and the other In a critical situation, so we have to know the details of the incident. " 
 
 
UN calls for a thorough investigation into the Irbil attack
 
 
18/07/2019
 
Baghdad:
The UN Special Representative for Iraq and head of the UNAMI mission, Genin Henness Blachkart, condemned the killing of a Turkish diplomat and a civilian in an armed attack in Erbil, stressing the need to "exercise maximum restraint and intensify the efforts of the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation and arrest the perpetrators."
"The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Iraq strongly condemns the killing of a Turkish diplomat in an armed attack in Erbil in the Kurdistan region, in which an Iraqi civilian was also killed and another injured."
"I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the two victims who have fallen. I wish the injured person speedy recovery. I urge the utmost restraint and intensify the efforts of the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation and to arrest and bring to justice the perpetrators," the statement added.
 
 
Iraq strikes Basra gas deal with America’s Honeywell
 
Iraq, July 18, 2019
 
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraq’s ministry of oil signed an agreement on Wednesday with US energy giant Honeywell to increase gas production at five oil refineries in Basra to 600 million cubic meters.
 

Thamir al-Ghadhban, Iraq’s oil minister, signed the agreement in Baghdad alongside the new US ambassador to Iraq, Mathew Tueller. Iraq’s state-owned company South Gas will work in partnership with Honeywell at Basra’s al-Artawi facilities.
 
“The Iraqi government and Ministry of Oil are very keen on investing in gas in order to increase the annual budget of the country and increase the production of Iraqi natural resources, and to also reduce air pollution by not burning the gas anymore,” Ghadhban told a press conference.
 
“Today the Iraqi oil ministry signed an agreement to increase Iraqi gas production in order to also benefit the electricity sector and for the internal and external use by exporting the gas for the regional countries and that will increase Iraqi’s annual budget,” he added.
 
Iraq’s Ministry of Oil announced its intention to capture gas flares for electricity generation back in February 2019. Doing so could help improve Iraq’s ramshackle power grid, which suffers daily blackouts, and clean up the environment.
 
Iraqi officials had said they aim to end gas flares in Iraq by 2021.
 
Also speaking at Wednesday’s press conference, US Ambassador Tueller hailed the deal.
 
“We are very happy and delighted to see steps are being taken by the Iraqi oil ministry regarding reinvesting in gas which was one of the main reasons behind air pollution in Iraq and, instead of wasting the gas, now the Iraqi oil ministry is investing in it to increase the annual budget of Iraq and also electricity production,” Tueller said.
 
“American gas companies including the Honeywell company are committed to serve the Iraqi state in order to increase the annual budget of Iraq, electricity production, and gas production, which the gas of the al-Artawi project is mainly focusing on, also those kind of projects will improve the environment and reduce air pollution in Iraq as well as provide job opportunity to hundreds or thousands of Iraqis,” he added.
 
Hayan Abdul Zahra, general manager of South Gas, said although the project is based in Basra, the whole country stands to benefit.
 
Aassim Jihad, an oil ministry spokesman, said: “The project comes when the ministry of oil started to reduce the burring of gas at the oil fields, in order to get benefits from the gas especially using it to produce electricity.”
 
“The first phase … will last for 36 months, and the oil refineries in which the project will start to operate in are Majnun, Gharib al-Qurna, al-lhiss, al-Tubba, and al-Siba.”
 
The Iran-Iraq war (1980-88) saw Iranian jets strike Iraqi oil fields and infrastructure, setting the industry back years. Moreover, the embargo imposed on Iraq due to its invasion of Kuwait deprived it of critical technology to develop its oil fields.
 
Iraq has suffered from severe power shortages since the 1990s. The shortages became even more severe by 2003 with aging power generation plants and terrorist attacks.
 
Last summer, electricity shortages were a primary reason for protests spreading across Iraq. Especially in southern Basra, people took to the streets to demonstrate against poor services, lack of employment, and the meagre hours of state-provided electricity.
 
The Iraqi government has made agreements with foreign firms including Siemens and General Electric in order to improve the electricity supply in Iraq, especially after Washington re-imposed sanctions on Iran, which exports energy to Iraq.
 
Initially, the US granted Iraq a 45-day waiver to import electricity from Iran after Washington re-imposed sanctions on Tehran in November last year. That waiver was renewed three times in December, March, and June, each time for 90 days.
 
Iran supplies about a third of Iraq’s energy, exporting 28 million cubic meters of gas to feed its power stations or the direct import of up to 1,300 megawatts of Iranian-produced electricity. Rudaw"
 
 
 
KRG Economy Needs to Be Diversified Away from Oil: PM
 
Iraq, July 18, 2019
 
ERBIL — The economy and revenue sources of Kurdistan Region should be diversified away from oil, said Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani.
 
The Kurdish premier made the remark while receiving the Russian Ambassador to Iraq Maksim Maksimov who also delivered a congratulatory message from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to PM Barzani.
 
The Russian FM wished a successful KRG cabinet and hoped the ties between Erbil and Moscow would be further fostered.
 
Ambassador Maksimov said investors from his country were willing to introduce their business in Kurdistan Region and bring more investments.
 
PM Barzani welcomed the measures to establish a closer relation with Russia. On KRG’s economy, he reiterated the importance of diversifying the sources of revenue with greater focus on the sectors other than oil.
 

MP: Next week will see a vote on the law of local elections

 
18/07/2019
nformation / Baghdad ...
The parliamentary speaker Khadija Ali, on Wednesday, a political agreement for the holding of five parliamentary sessions in a row to complete all outstanding projects, indicating that next week will see a vote on the law of local elections.
"The Presidency of the Council of Representatives agreed with the political blocs to hold five sessions of the Parliament in a row starting on July 20."
"The holding of successive meetings aims to end all differences between the blocks and the adoption of outstanding laws, including the law of local elections, as well as hosting finance ministers Fuad Hussein and oil Thamir Ghadhban on the sale of oil in the region outside Baghdad."
She explained that "the political agreement includes the adoption of the law of local elections next week after the agreement on most of its articles modified by the political blocs." Ending / 25 d
 
Kauaihn Iraq Articles:dd
 
 
There is no seriousness for the parliament to legislate important laws before the end of the legislative term
 
 
 
18/07/2019 12:13 PM
 
Al-Ahed News - Baghdad
 
The deputy of the bloc of Sadiqon, Uday Awad, on Thursday, the lack of seriousness by the political blocs in the House of Representatives to complete all the draft laws important and listed on its agenda, despite the extension of the legislative term of parliament.
 
Awad told "The Covenant News", "The extension of the House of Representatives legislative separation until next August was his goal to intensify its meetings in order to complete all the laws listed on its agenda, especially the first reading and the second and waiting for the vote, including the provincial councils and the Federal Court and information crimes "Pointing to" the lack of seriousness by the political blocs to resolve these laws. " d

The formation of four committees to develop relations and increase trade exchange between Iraq and Kuwait

 
Release date: 2019/7/17 14:36 • 270 times read
 
Iraq and Kuwait agreed on Wednesday to form four main committees to develop relations between the two countries and overcome the obstacles they face as well as prepare a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation and construction of the port of Safwan - Abdali through the preparation of new designs taking into account the possibility of increasing the size of Trade exchange between the two countries.
"We meet with our Kuwaiti brothers in the province of Basra, which has depth with Kuwait, and we have many common links," Commerce Minister Mohammad Hashim al-Ani told a news conference with his Kuwaiti counterpart in the province of Basra.
"The meeting was held with the Kuwaiti side in the port of Safwan-Abdali, for the purpose of reviewing the field on the port which must be different from what it is now especially as the coming period will witness more cooperation and increase in the volume of trade exchange in the light of common desire and insistence To overcome all obstacles. "
Al-Ani pointed out that "the common desire to lead the two countries will contribute to addressing many of the problems and obstacles to the development of relations."
He added that "Iraq and Kuwait agree on a high level and our view is clear in many areas, especially in Arab and international forums, and we had meetings with the Kuwaiti side and signed a joint agreement last February."
He pointed out that "an agreement to hold the first session of the Iraqi Kuwaiti Committee on the fifth of next September, to identify the obstacles and the launch of relations to advanced levels in all areas."
The Minister of Trade: "As for the subject of free trade agreement and the establishment of a free zone between the two countries were presented to other ministries for the purpose of the statement of views."
"Today is a historic day and it is the first delegation to visit Basra to extend cooperation with the Republic of Iraq," said Kuwaiti Minister of Trade and Industry Khaled Nasser Al-Roudhan.
Al-Roudhan said that "economic exchange is the basis of our subject," stressing the "importance of Iraq as a sister country."
The Kuwaiti minister said: "We saw today at the port of Safwan another modern, it is shameful to be an outlet, and we lack the establishment of good outlets and we have a recommendation to build these outlets after the completion of designs."
Al-Roudhan revealed that "the formation of four committees to resolve the entry file," pointing out that "the committees are: the Committee for the rehabilitation of the port, the Commission to grant the attributes of entry, the Committee of the rail link, the Committee to build a free zone."
For his part, Basra Governor As'ad al-Eidani stressed on the importance of talks with the Kuwaiti side to develop the port of Safwan al-Abdali on the one hand and to increase the volume of trade exchange between the two countries and the contribution of Basra to a greater share being the province adjacent to Kuwait, which could be the main partner in any development of relations. .
He added that the local government in Basra will prepare new designs for the development of the border port and we are ready to contribute with the brothers in the development and construction to accommodate the trade movement, which we expect to be very large in light of the potential of the two countries to activate.
The talks were attended by a large Kuwaiti delegation representing the various Kuwaiti authorities and the ambassadors of Iraq and Kuwait in Baghdad and Kuwait

Demonstrations for «wisdom» tomorrow in Baghdad and the provinces: play or destroy the stadium?

 
Thursday 18 July 2019
 
Hakim wants to export himself as a "Arab leadership" to the "Shiites" Iraq (AFP)
The Iraqi provinces, tomorrow, demonstrations called by the current Ammar al-Hakim, in the first practical steps to announce the transition to the ranks of «opposition». The timing of the demonstrations raises the sensitivity of the team loyal to Adel Abdul Mahdi and his government, to coincide with the tension in the country and the region, apparently Hakim, who got out of the political game, seeking to put the government in front of two options: either to come back again, or to hit you.
The leader of the "stream of wisdom", Ammar al-Hakim, to the street tomorrow. Demonstrations in 14 provinces Until now, forces opposed to the "Blue Wave" (the slogan of Hakim's electoral campaign in the recent elections) will not participate, although many parties support his project; "I like to play the role of a popular player that seems to apply today to Hakim. What is believed to be his" exclusion "from the current government structure has led him to signal the formation of an" opposition front "before officially announcing the transition to its ranks. "The government did not listen to our point of view," they said, referring to the news that they had "deprived their acquired rights" based on their parliamentary representation. This prompted them to move beyond the political situation towards moving on the ground, Supporters Abdul Mahdi «destruction of the stadium».
There are many factors that can be interpreted to explain the position of Hakim, whose relationship with Iran does not seem to be at its best, especially after the man began to promote what he called the "civil trend", which angered Tehran. Described by his close associates as "a Shiite turban dressed in civilian clothes under the cover of different shades of Iraqi society." The first is to maintain a distance from Iran, while maintaining the lines of communication with it, although there is a "reservation" on the performance of some concerned with the Iraqi file, specifically the commander of the Quds Force in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Qassem Soleimani. Second, he presented himself as a "Arab leadership" to the "Shiites" of Iraq, thus competing with the leader of the "Sadrist movement", Moqtada al-Sadr.
Abdul Mahdi's allies reject Hakim's move, believing that he serves US goals

This trend is compounded by factors linked to political calculations. With the announcement of the results of the last parliamentary elections (May 2018), Hakim appeared to have slapped his opponents with a single 20 seats, in return for the Supreme Council having only two seats. Hakim did not differentiate, as a result of the "alliance of the conquest" (led by Hadi al-Amiri), who won 20 seats, but more than "Asaib Ahl al-Haq" which won 15 seats. Hakim believed that this outcome, which showed that he was the "Supreme Council" in practice, would be enough to keep him a key player in the equation. But the entry of al-Fath and al-Sadr (Sadr's bloc) into an alliance for many reasons (including that Sadr did not find it impossible to abandon his allies in the reform alliance, especially the wise, which does not have a common "chemistry"), Those accounts. Hakim, in practice, became the most affected, even more than the former prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, himself, who is still working on his "image", despite his lack of a clear parliamentary bloc.
After naming the prime minister, who al-Hakim believes his ally has "stabbed" in, the leader of al-Hikma tried to compensate for gains in the government's formation. He demanded and insisted on the oil ministry, but his request was rejected. The Ministry of Water Resources presented it to him and rejected it. From here, the narrative of "exclusion" began to be promoted, before it became a project to form an "opposition front." A project that seems to have come to an end: the summer, which predicts that it will be as warm as before, and that the current government will fail as in the previous to provide radical solutions to the demands of living, which escalate through it. In addition to this is the maturity of the distribution of special grades, which fear "wisdom" to come out of the «birth without Homs».
Abdul-Mahdi's allies reject Hakim's move, believing that he serves US goals at a critical political moment in the region. But those close to the man say the opposition "does not mean opposing the regime, or continuing to make gains at the state level, but against the government and its performance." They set three goals or attributes:
1 - Despite the broad character of the term "opposition" and the opposition of the forces that Hakim has so far been willing to join his camp, he is now, from the point of view of his close associates, two camps: loyalism and opposition led by Hakim.
2. They also believe that al-Hakim's secession would strengthen his political weight, against the forces still in power.
3. The possibility of achieving side-by-side goals against both the "gangs" and the "Sadrists" can be achieved by presenting "wisdom" as a disciplined stream in return for the "escape" of its rivals and an attempt to attract their audience with a more relevant discourse.
On the way, al-Hakamah is trying to flirt with the representatives of the Sunni component by organizing demonstrations in the cities of Tikrit, Ramadi, Mosul and Diyala. The big demonstration will take place in the heart of Baghdad, in front of the prime minister's headquarters in Alawi. Hakim to support Abdul-Mahdi moment to meet his demands?

 

The Popular Gathering Authority responds to Abadi's accusations

 
Release date: 2019/7/18 11:20 • 308 times read
 
(Baghdad: al-Furat News) The popular crowd on Thursday expressed surprise at the statements of former prime minister Haider al-Abadi on the numbers of popular mobilization.
The media spokesman in the name of the crowd in a statement received by the agency {Euphrates News} a copy of the comments Abadi, "offensive and inaccurate about the popular crowd."
He said that "the problems raised by the crowd in terms of the presence of spacemen and the exploitation of some of their positions or capabilities is no different from the problems raised throughout our armed forces, why focus on the crowd and not to deal with the phenomenon in all our armed forces, including the crowd in a constructive national spirit seeking solutions, not to abuse and challenge Questioning the suspicions about the crowd only. "
He added: "We are surprised that the former prime minister in these campaigns of the enemies of Iraq at home and abroad, especially with the popular crowd, which provided convoys of martyrs and wounded and missing persons and an undefined amount of sacrifices, which had a great role to meet the call of reference and duty of duty and contributed with the rest of our armed forces And the forces of our people and our support of peoples and countries to achieve great victory. "
The statement added: "We are surprised by these statements. All that can be directed from wrong or true accusations to the crowd will be directed to the slaves before others. The wrong accusations harm Abadi's reputation and make him a partner for anyone who wants to weaken our armed forces, including the popular crowd."
"The correct one is the first official as commander-in-chief during the years since he assumed the position of prime minister and October 24, 2018. The allegation that he referred to the violations during his responsibility is not enough from the highest official in the state and the armed forces, including the popular crowd. He can not claim the success achieved by the sacrifices of others because he is the first official in the state, but he isolates himself from responsibility for the shortcomings and mistakes, even though he is directly responsible for the armed forces, including the crowd, He has to Holds himself accountable before casting it on others. "
The spokesman for the popular crowd, "After the recent government change, the work is currently on the settlement of the salaries of the employees of the Commission and issued Order Diwani No. 237 of 1/7/2019 aimed at regulating the conditions of the crowd and subjecting the full arms to the state and the closure of its headquarters within the cities, As a former commander-in-chief of the armed forces, Abadi is the first to understand these situations and these measures should not create a whirlwind of doubts and accusations at the wrong time and in an inappropriate and responsible manner, especially at this time when the forces of the crowd are fighting with the other armed forces. } No De-Baathification and strengthening security and order. "
The former prime minister, head of the destruction of victory Haider Abadi, told the program «Calus} broadcast by Al-Furat satellite channel on Tuesday evening that he" does not fear the popular crowd from outside as much as feared from the parties exploited in the crowd. "
"The inspector general of the rallying body is astonishing that there are 60,000 fighters in the crowd on the ground and 150,000 on paper, but the ruthless warlords exploited the crowd to achieve their interests. Otherwise, it is not justified to increase the numbers of the crowd in peacetime. "The presence of factions of the bulk refused to check the figures of its fighters," revealing that "there are factions exist in the crowd and is outside the state.
 
 
 
Iranian newspaper: Europe is betting on Iraq to calm the tension between Washington and Tehran
 
 
12:30 - 18/07/2019
Information / Baghdad ..
 
TEHRAN (Reuters) - Europe is betting on an "active" Iraqi role to ease tensions between the United States and Iran, the newspaper Aftab-ezd reported on Thursday, warning of the serious consequences that would engulf the region in the event of a war between Iran and America.
 
The newspaper said in an editorial titled "A Special Bet on Iraqi Mediation" that "serious consequences will affect the region in the event of a war between Iran and America," indicating that "Europe is also concerned about the security and social consequences that will also face in such a situation ..
 
"A Baghdad visit reflects a shared European-Iraqi interest in the need to reduce the tension in the region, a concern that stems mainly from deep concerns about the worsening atmosphere between Iran and America," she said.
 
The newspaper said that "this visit means that there is a European bet on the role of an active Iraqi pacification between Tehran and Washington, and Iraq is betting on his turn on the European move influential in the same context." Ending / 25
 
 
Lift the concrete blocks for two sites and open a closed street in Baghdad
 
 
Release date: 2019/7/18 8:44 • 318 times read
 
(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) The Secretariat of Baghdad and the Baghdad Operations Command, announced the lifting of the concrete blocks of two sites and open a closed street in the capital.
A statement to the secretariat received the agency {Euphrates News} a copy of it, "and a joint effort included the Baghdad Operations Command and the Office of the Secretary of Baghdad and the engineering effort and the mechanism in the Secretariat was lifted concrete blocks from the vicinity of the land transport company within the street companies in the Renaissance district of Baghdad.
He pointed out that "the lifting of the concrete blocks on the market of the Assyrians in the Dora area south of Baghdad and the opening of 24 Road within the Mahalla 424 in the session also and closed since 2006 and then proceed to service cadres in the towns of Rusafa and Dora campaign to clean and rehabilitate the sites."

Abdul Mahdi establishes the force «Save the regime»
18/07/2019
When asked about the situation on the eve of the demonstrations of tomorrow, Iraqi security sources, in her talk to Al-Akhbar, express their concern, speaking of "the possibility of some of the delegates entering the line of mobility of wisdom" which would "disrupt the demonstrations." But the sources of "wisdom" reject this talk, saying that «Ammar al-Hakim ordered the formation of an internal discipline to prevent the entry of any Mendes or a destroyer», in order to maintain the «peaceful demonstrations and civilization». The Iraqi political forces had advised Hakim, at the meeting of the «senior leaders» (last days), the need to postpone popular gatherings, in the interest of security stability. The prime minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi, reports that he has established a force called "maintaining the regime" of 34,000 soldiers from different security forces to prevent the repetition of the Basra 2018 scenario.
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Today in History
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OIL/COMMODITIES/ENERGY

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Oil Prices Near Flat After Falling More Than 3% Overnight
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BANKS/BANKING/CREDIT


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Deutsche bank Run

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TREASURIES/BONDS/STOCKS

Top 5 Things to Know in the Market on Wednesday
Economy Jul 17, 2019 09:29 GMT Investing.com - Here are the top five things you need to know in financial markets on Wednesday, July 17: 1. Bank of America, Netflix, IBM to release earnings The string of bank earnings continues on Wednesday with the release of quarterly numbers from Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) ahead of the open. Investors will likely focus on the bank's cost-cutting efforts along with its investment banking performance. Tech will steal the spotlight after the market close with

Read in Investing.com: https://apple.news/Aar9doD1jRkCbsRA3EnO-5g


The Dow Is Steady as Earnings Roll In
Johnson & Johnson, Goldman Sachs, and JPMorgan Chase all turned in higher earnings than expected in reports out this morning. The latest figures on retail sales are the next point to watch.

Read in Barron's: https://apple.news/AGNSH55EyR3ayAhN6-5v9lw


How to Spot a Market top When you see one
Mark Hulbert cautions investors to avoid getting caught up in the bullish euphoria that inevitably accompanies new market highs. The bulls are kidding themselves if they think the sentiment data support their optimism. To be sure, the data do provide some superficial support for their case: Stock market exuberance is slightly lower today than it was at the market's late-April high, even though the major market averages are higher today than then. Since bullishness normally tends to rise and fall

Read in TheStreet: https://apple.news/AkdV3ZIWBRWSsP-kujR1vrA


Want To Know Why The Stock Market Is At An All-Time High? Look At Bonds
The possibility of a lower positive expected return for stocks is better than the surety of a negative real return offered from most bonds.

Read in Forbes: https://apple.news/ARMX5_QzAQsKPv3vRDPknkg


How the Dow could zoom past 31,000 by the end of 2020
America's stock market is on fire, registering its best start to a year since the dotcom bubble days of the late 1990s.

Read in CNN Business: https://apple.news/AHKWVxfJ0QhWSlSJvPeLuAg


Investors trim cash, buy stocks on dovish Fed, trade truce: BAML poll
Fund managers have trimmed cash holdings and added risk to their portfolios following the U.S. Federal Reserve's dovish pivot and after Beijing and Washington agreed a temporary truce to their protracted trade spat, a key investor survey showed on Tuesday.

Read in Reuters: https://apple.news/A83gwvi-TSBes7UBbCeEkvw


How to Spot a Market top When you see one
Mark Hulbert cautions investors to avoid getting caught up in the bullish euphoria that inevitably accompanies new market highs. The bulls are kidding themselves if they think the sentiment data support their optimism. To be sure, the data do provide some superficial support for their case: Stock market exuberance is slightly lower today than it was at the market's late-April high, even though the major market averages are higher today than then. Since bullishness normally tends to rise and fall

Read in TheStreet: https://apple.news/AkdV3ZIWBRWSsP-kujR1vrA

Day Ahead - Top 3 Things to Watch
Stock Markets Jul 16, 2019 21:41 GMT Investing.com - Here are the top 3 things that could rock markets tomorrow. 1. Rebound in Housing Market to Continue? Housing market numbers are on the agenda for Wednesday, with many eager to see whether homebuilder activity will finally get a boost from lower mortgage rates following an unexpected drop in May. The Commerce Department will report on housing starts and building permits for June at 8:30 AM ET (13:30 GMT). Economists expect that housing starts

Read in Investing.com: https://apple.news/AtohcB9biS-ShXPilrESLcQ



CRYPTO'S / DIGITAL CURRENCY

Donald Trump's bitcoin takedown signals global currency war
HSBC and ING both told clients last week that the US could be gearing up for broader intervention in global currency markets.

Read in Yahoo Finance UK: https://apple.news/Ah6c6glBISK61jHabzfn4fQ


Facebook's Libra spoils the cryptocurrency party with renewed government scrutiny
Thanks to Facebook entering the space, the grown-ups have come in to turn on the lights and throw cold water on the cryptocurrency party.

Read in Axios: https://apple.news/AVerRLS3CSQuS6uIf78U60A


Facebook's Libra Could Use A Little Colonialism
It models itself after the successful currencies of the British domain

Read in Forbes: https://apple.news/Ajc_Lny6CS9OLlASvqb-yMQ


France to approve first crypto-issuers as new rules loom
* Regulator to bring in rules by end-July

Read in Reuters: https://apple.news/AEzQ2GuuDRu-DUZpCJdauZA


Key Bitcoin Price Indicator Turns Bearish in First Since December
The widely tracked MACD bitcoin price indicator has turned bearish for the first time in seven months.

Read in CoinDesk: https://apple.news/AMzfJ5jkZTeCr6JHWUTSRMA


CURRENCIES

We are in a currency war, but no one is admitting it, strategist says
Thanos Vamvakidis, global head of G-10 FX strategy at BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research, discusses the currency market.

Read in CNBC: https://apple.news/APChC9LgiTG-Tz7L1Q9b8EQ


Forex - U.S. Dollar Rises on Retail Sales Data; Pound Near Two-years Low
Forex Jul 17, 2019 05:27 GMT Investing.com - The U.S. dollar rose on Wednesday in Asia on the back of the release of strong retail sales data, while the pound traded near two-years low on Brexit concerns. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a basket of six major currencies, gained 0.4% to 96.922 by 1:24 AM ET (05:24 GMT). Retail sales rose 0.4% in June, the Commerce Department reported on Tuesday, compared to expectations for a slight gain of 0.1%. The stronger

Read in Investing.com: https://apple.news/AH73y-ti1S1W0PzbyvyaE3Q


FOREX-Dollar drifts higher in thin summer trading; upside capped
* Currencies still driven by tug of war between centralbanks * Focus on upcoming U.S. data * Mnuchin voices concern about Facebook's Libra * Bitcoin holds gains, rallies from 2-week low * Graphic: World FX rates in 2019 (Adds new analyst comments, bitcoin, updates prices, FX table) By Gertrude Chavez-Dreyfuss NEW YORK, July 15 (Reuters) - The dollar edged higher onMonday in thin summer trading, with its potential upside limitedby expectations the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates atnext

Read in Reuters: https://apple.news/AYwtqZuwHRy6Hm9TLbIE2aA


The British Pound Looks Ugly
Sitting near the lows.Waiting for a new leader in the UK.A general election could follow quickly.The EU cannot afford to budge on Brexit.FXB is melting with the pound, but a weaker dollar could come to the rescue.

Read in Seeking Alpha: https://apple.news/AuGwBk5G4SFyCOuVs2E-aUA


Pound euro exchange rate hits 6-month low as no-deal fears mute positive wage & jobs data
The pound euro exchange rate hit a six-month low this morning, leaving the pairing fluctuating around €1.108, despite UK earning figures rising at their fastest rate in 11 years. The GBP/EUR exchange rate slipped 0.3 percent as Sterling broadly weakened in the face of ongoing Brexit uncertainty. Ricardo Evangelista, a Senior Analyst at ActivTraders, said: “Sterling weakness is justified by the increasing likelihood of a no-deal Brexit.” e added: “[S]ources in Brussels alluded to increased

Read in Express: https://apple.news/AlPnZv3uuMZWZOqM1XmnbNw


Pound Sinks to Lowest Since 2017 on Threat of No-Deal Brexit
The pound fell to the lowest level since 2017 as the market once again reckoned with no-deal risk after the contenders to be U.K. prime minister intensified demands to renegotiate on Brexit.

Read in Bloomberg: https://apple.news/AQDyiRqntQGu4gCdI6uijyQ


HEALTH / SCIENCE


Crunches won't give you abs and other fitness myths you need to stop buying into
Make sure to avoid falling victim to these fitness myths which can be detrimental to your goals.

Read in USA TODAY: https://apple.news/Ad8Q5r6aaSNGF5oYDULNlig


More than 40% of people with mental health problems have let someone use their bank cards
More than two fifths of people with mental health problems have let someone else use their bank cards, leaving them vulnerable to financial abuse, new research suggests.

Read in The Independent: https://apple.news/A8kqan2rxR_OcZLIixN7oKA

UK's START Program Improves Alzheimer's/Dementia Caregivers' Mental Health Long-term
A new study from the University College London (UCL) has shown that its program, that combines therapy and coping strategies for people who care for family members with dementia, actually improves the caregivers’ mental health, and that the effects can still be seen six years later.

Read in Forbes: https://apple.news/Ac9beyCGWT7eO8p8G8-zP9w


A 'wake-up' call: Your health before age 40 is tied to heart risks later in life
Having higher-than-normal cholesterol and blood pressure levels as a young adult, before age 40, can raise your risk of heart disease later in life more than you might think, according to a new study.

Read in CNN: https://apple.news/AHcYs-WGpR12S6iMs9QvWiA

Chart: There are more opioid overdoses in the suburbs than ever
We tend to talk a lot about how the opioid epidemic has ravaged small towns and rural areas. And it certainly has done that. But over the past few years, the crisis has hit harder in big cities, and hardest in those big cities' suburbs.

Read in Axios: https://apple.news/AD07M422CT_a8PJsaAClDsA


USA / CANADA

Retail Sales Easily Beat June Forecasts; Dow Jones Rises
Retail sales soundly topped expectations in June, pointing to healthy consumer spending. Dow Jones futures remained higher after the data.

Read in Investor's Business Daily: https://apple.news/APK_O6rG4RpiGDIaRoZ2Nkg


Jamie Dimon raves about the strength of the US consumer, calls global economy 'not that bad'
Credit card sales volume rose 11% this quarter and merchant processing volume increased 12%, the bank says in its earnings statement.

Read in CNBC: https://apple.news/A9xSQ38mvQbm7Nr83GNtp8A

EMERGING MARKETS

Brazil economic activity rebounds in May, cooling recession fears
By Jamie McGeever BRASILIA (Reuters) – Economic activity in Brazil rose in May, a central bank indicator showed on Monday, the first increase this year and an indication that Brazil may avoid slipping back into recession. The closely watched index, a leading indicator of gross domestic product (GDP), rose 0.54% in May, rebounding sharply from...

Read in CreaWorldNews: https://apple.news/AWN9KiwP1T6ufAiFA7o9e7A


Brazil completes first blockchain real estate sale | ZDNet
This article, Brazil completes first blockchain real estate sale, originally appeared on ZDNet.com. The first ever real estate transaction entirely carried out via blockchain technology has been completed in Brazil. Local construction giant Cyrela and startup Growth Tech carried out the sale under the project Notary Ledgers, which enables users to request and track notary services in a digital environment. The service, underpinned by IBM Blockchain technology, enabled the reduction of timescales

Read in ZDNet: https://apple.news/Am8cnwpWtPRWnUvYezAWtDQ


Brazilian housing subsidies program receives $266 million: spokesman
SAO PAULO (Reuters) – Brazil’s Regional Development Ministry has received 1 billion reais ($266.30 million) to resume the housing subsidies program Minha Casa Minha Vida, presidential spokesman Otávio do Rêgo Barros said on Monday. The allocation was authorized by Congress last month. Rego Barros also said that President Jair Bolsonaro is “still evaluating” his son’s...

Read in CreaWorldNews: https://apple.news/ATVPXE3gMT8SmruWUTwqUaA


Vale to pay $106.5 million to workers affected by Brazil dam disaster
Brazilian mining company Vale SA said on Monday it would pay 400 million reais ($106.52 million) to compensate workers affected by the deadly rupture of a tailings dam in January that killed at least 240 people.

Read in Reuters: https://apple.news/ArI2P2zz6SFG3-GefqkQf9w


Who should profit from Mexico's nitrogen-fixing corn?
In a 1979 visit to Totontepec, a small town in Oaxaca, Mexico, naturalist Thomas Boone Hallberg marveled at the local maize. The plants grew nearly 20 feet high in nutrient-poor soil, even though local farmers did not apply any fertilizer. The maize had aerial roots that grew a mucous-like gel just before harvest season. It...

Read in Food & Environment Reporting Network: https://apple.news/AUinGhL_4TemG-DLLuNIIKw


Can Mexico Qualify as a Safe Third Country?
In 1994, attorney Susan Gzesh wrote in a report that Mexico was not a safe third country. Has anything changed?

Read in Pacific Standard: https://apple.news/ApSsqoynBQuifM1m-HvVb0A


Mexico doubles down on refinery, vows deeper Pemex tax breaks
Mexico will recapitalize state oil company Pemex and reduce its tax burden to help build a new refinery and raise production from onshore and shallow water fields, CEO Octavio Romero said on Tuesday in a presentation of a business plan.

Read in Reuters: https://apple.news/ALW-KlZ46RGWnQE8oNPw6DA


Argentina ranchers kill the fatted cow amid cash crunch, turn to China
By Maximilian Heath BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina’s world-famous ranchers are culling their breeding cows at the highest rate in 30 years and tapping Chinese demand for meat in order to help pay their bills as access to credit has dried up for farmers in South American’s No. 2 economy. The trend underscores how Argentina’s...

Read in CreaWorldNews: https://apple.news/Ay6_AiR-HSe6dRqT957rGUQ


Argentina asks IMF to increase end-September goal for primary fiscal balance
BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) – Argentina requested several modifications to its $57 billion International Monetary Fund financing deal, including an increase in its end-September goal for the country’s primary fiscal balance, the fund said on Monday. Argentina requested an expansion of the primary fiscal goal to a stricter 70 billion pesos, up from 60 billion pesos,...

Read in CreaWorldNews: https://apple.news/AF-7aJC02TGyjHbGl7Y0AVw


MIDDLE EAST

Iran hits back at US demands on ballistic missilesIran has hit back at US President Donald Trump's call for new nuclear negotiations that encompass its ballistic missiles programme, accusing Washington of bringing the Middle East to the brink of "explosion" by selling arms to allies in the Gulf. Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister, made the comment in a wide-ranging interview that aired on NBC News on Monday. He said Iran would only sit down with the United States if it lifted punishing economic sanctions it has imposed on Tehran and

Read in Aljazeera: https://apple.news/AiDJDMdb5NKyxtX1uQll2Ig


U.S. War With Iran Will Not Have British Support, Boris Johnson Warns TrumpJuly 16, 2019 When Asked If The U.S. Is Going To War With Iran, Trump Says 'I Hope Not' Boris Johnson—the front runner in the race to become the next prime minister of the U.K.—has said he would not support U.S. military operations against Iran as the international community watches Tehran nervously for signs of nuclear proliferation. Speaking alongside rival and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt at the final leadership debate on Monday, Johnson said he would not support strikes against Iran if he

Read in Newsweek: https://apple.news/AGffjdid4SzS-GbMgSirUbg


The Latest: Colleague says French-Iranian's email 'strange'A noted French academic working with a French-Iranian researcher arrested in Iran says he last heard from Fariba Adelkhah on June 12 -- when she may already have lost her freedom

Read in ABC News: https://apple.news/AkhP9A_fDT3GWDvL_w-5HbA

Gulf conflict would see oil prices spike, ease, jump again: researchOil would initially jump by $15-20 a barrel if Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, but prices would ease immediately once U.S. forces engaged, said U.S. consultancy Rapidan, which analyzed scenarios entailing oil flow disruption after a conflict.

Read in Reuters: https://apple.news/A1HKzaKMGTBqMch6Yxnw02w


US House overwhelmingly approves anti-Saudi measuresUS lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly for a bill that would sanction those responsible for the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The House of Representatives passed two measures on Monday, with one seeking to have the US impose sanctions on the Saudi officials responsible for the murder of the Washington Post columnist Khashoggi. In addition to passing a resolution via voice vote that condemned Saudi Arabia's detention and alleged abuse of womens rights advocates, the House

Read in Aljazeera: https://apple.news/AHn_xsOeSOfCtGtK7f4oBig


Turkey says EU measures won't deter it from drilling off CyprusTurkey has said punitive European Union measures against it will not deter it from continuing to search for oil and gas off the coast of Cyprus. On Monday, the foreign ministers of the EU agreed to call off high-level political meetings, suspend negotiations on an aviation deal, and reduce EU accession funding to Ankara for 2011. earmarked for Turkey and restrict credits made available by the European Investment Bank. The ministers of the28-member bloc, of which Cyprus is a member, also invited

Read in Aljazeera: https://apple.news/AmkmpNvGTNMmifIeW0JJ2pw


Netanyahu wary of West Bank-Gaza corridor in Trump peace planIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his advisers told Trump administration officials they have reservations about the proposal for a passage connecting the West Bank and Gaza as part of the White House Middle East peace plan, sources briefed on the matter tell me.

Read in Axios: https://apple.news/ASjllHeYSR6GTo6yoh3EGQA



AFRICA


South Africa: Vast Subsidies Keeping the Fossil Fuel Industry Afloat Should Be Put to Better Use
(Photo: Roy Symons/GroundUp) Capitalism has often been identified as the underlying cause of the climate crisis. A leading voice on the subject is Naomi Klein, one of the climate movements most influential thinkers, whose seminal book on climate change was subtitled Capitalism vs. the Climate. She is one of many voices identifying capitalism as the cause of climate change. Often central within the capitalism versus the climate framing is the idea that the heart of capitalist ideology - free

Read in AllAfrica: https://apple.news/A3ZzEUj_ePuiF0tyyCGrFEA


Uganda: Government Tightens Mineral Licensing
The government has announced it is phasing out manual issuance of mineral licences next month and automating the system to weed out speculators, promote efficiency and transparency. Mr Robert Kasande, the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, yesterday said they are migrating the transactions onto a customised online platform to fast-track licensing. He said a clean-up of the records is underway and will culminate in the removal of non-compliant licences to pave

Read in AllAfrica: https://apple.news/AVELtbbP1NvKXHoXthlvBdQ


Zimbabwe: Local Currency to Spur Industry - Minister
Government is confident the adoption of a local currency by the country's monetary authorities has potential to spur industrial growth to 60 percent and boost exports. This was revealed by Industry and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu while addressing a breakfast meeting on the state of the country's industry and commercial sector in Harare yesterday. Minister Ndlovu said Zimbabwe's industrial and manufacturing sector capacity utilisation needs to be at least on 60 percent with anything less

Read in AllAfrica: https://apple.news/AuOPZWHsXM-GAGeN-jJvS3g


Zimbabwe inflation almost doubles to a 10-year high
Zimbabwe inflation almost doubles to a 10-year high

Read in TRT World: https://apple.news/A4U50ZGPsRbqeGv1DrMWKpA

Zimbabwe: Zim Power Blackouts Trigger Turmoil in Telecom Sector
Zimbabwe's mobile network connectivity was in a bad state over the last weekend, with callers and the transacting public reporting challenges in making calls and getting mobile money transactions to go through. The disruptive service unavailability comes at a time mobile money services are playing a key inclusive role of bridging the financial divide by providing services to those who have no access to formal banking systems. It is also serving a key role in mitigating for the shortage of

Read in AllAfrica: https://apple.news/A3QhWcWUFNcKV0-RFoeBv0A


Zimbabwe: Magistrate Blasts Anti-Corruption Prosecutors
Harare magistrate Mr Nyasha Vitorini yesterday blasted anti-corruption prosecutors for lack of seriousness when the State applied for the postponement of former National Social Security Authority (NSSA) general manager Elizabeth Chitiga's case involving $31 million. Chitiga is facing allegations of abuse of office. Prosecutor Mr Michael Chakandida applied for the postponement of the case, citing that it was recently allocated to him. Mr Vitorini asked if the State was serious about prosecuting

Read in AllAfrica: https://apple.news/ATc9S9lJ4O9e5PdGtZ9lZ0w


ASIA

China and US badly need trade war deal despite Trump claim
With China’s exports and imports having fallen last month as the trade war escalated, analysts focused on second-quarter gross domestic product for evidence of slowing economic growth. It fell to 6.2 per cent from 6.4 per cent the previous quarter. This…

Read in South China Morning Post: https://apple.news/AQlT9vFkSRNa1Yz-f-qaNPA


China boosts local government bond issuance to $104 billion in June to spur economy
China's local governments sharply accelerated their bond issuance in June as they looked to ramp up infrastructure spending to support economic growth that slowed to a 27-year low.

Read in Reuters: https://apple.news/AYZHQoKd0R9GyvGfpSubkXg

China cracks down on subsidies to zombie companies as US trade war hits economy
As part of its goal to make the economy more efficient, China unveiled a new reform plan on Tuesday to make it easier for companies, including zombie state-owned enterprises, to be closed down. It intends to better allocate resources to unleash the…

Read in South China Morning Post: https://apple.news/Alk_TKZqpSJq11yTShmzkFA


China says Trump 'misleading' people linking trade deal, slowing economy
China on Tuesday rebuffed a suggestion from U.S. President Donald Trump that Beijing needs a trade deal with the United States because its economy is slowing, saying this was "totally misleading" and that both countries wanted an agreement.

Read in Reuters: https://apple.news/AbILF7JZmSvmHSGa-SRpzMg


Shanghai tops consumption strength in China: report
The list was formulated on the basis of 40 major Chinese cities' total retail sales of consumer goods

Read in Asia Times: https://apple.news/AdmXpujXqTVO75lnCLGKcEw


EUROPE

Boris Johnson rejects EU compromise and pushes Britain towards the no-deal Brexit cliff edge
The United Kingdom is hurtling towards a no-deal Brexit in October, after both contenders to replace Theresa May rejected a possible compromise deal with the EU. Boris Johnson, the likely next prime minister, said on Monday that he would not accept compromise on the Northern Irish backstop - a compromise that even hardline pro-Brexit MPs have said they would accept. This creates an even bigger chasm between the UK and the EU and significantly increases the chances of a no-deal Brexit on October

Read in Business Insider: https://apple.news/AT5Rq5CSeTwylI_2Ai2zMkw

EU braces for no-deal Brexit or another delay under Boris Johnson
The European Union is bracing for either a no-deal Brexit or another delay if Boris Johnson becomes Britain's prime minister next week with a pledge to renegotiate a deal the bloc says it will not reopen.

Read in Reuters: https://apple.news/AkdZLoJ8BSw6kI5loGNAMAw

EU goods trade gaps with U.S. and China widen
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's trade surplus in goods with the United States and its deficit with China both increased in the first five months of 2019, figures that could add extra strain to global tensions. The European Union's surplus with the United States grew to 62.1 billion euros ($69.8 billion) in Jan-May 2019 from 55.4 billion euros in the same period of 2018, EU statistics office Eurostat reported on Tuesday. With China, the EU's trade deficit expanded to 76.7 billion from

Read in Business Insider: https://apple.news/A9hkQPSvvSLioZHxk_hXqDw


Will The EU Learn That Repudiating Proven Principles Of Growth Is A Huge Mistake?
Faced with subpar economies and the rise of populist parties, many European countries are opting for policies of higher taxes, more spending and more regulation, an approach guaranteed to fail.

Read in Forbes: https://apple.news/AdykFcfVbT2qzCYxnHWL4mQ


EU goods trade gaps with U.S. and China widen
The European Union's trade surplus in goods with the United States and its deficit with China both increased in the first five months of 2019, figures that could add extra strain to global tensions.

Read in Reuters: https://apple.news/Ascx8H7f8SD-5sgu0pLX6Hw


UK PM May: Keep talking to businesses as Brexit nears
Outgoing British Prime Minister Theresa May on Tuesday told her top ministers to keep engaging with businesses over Brexit, and that firms expect her successor to keep up infrastructure investment and continue developing an industrial strategy.

Read in Reuters: https://apple.news/Aab7ZoAygR3uF3tugxKf8YA
Sent from my iPhone
 
CBI, ISX, Kauaihn Chatter:
 
CBI Update:
 
 
The CBI for Thursday 7/18/19 did update on the indicative rates Sell Rate 1190
The currency auction is 144,230,310
There are no news and announcements.

Rafidain announced the payment of a new batch of retired civilian and military

 
Editorial date:: 2019/7/18 8:08 • 128 times read
 
(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) Rafidain Bank, announced the disbursement of a new meal of the predecessor of retired civilian and military, ranging from 3, 5, 8 and 10 million dinars through electronic payment tools.
The press office of the bank in a statement received by the agency {Euphrates News} a copy of it that "a new batch of retired military and civilian veterans of more than three thousand retired."
The statement said that "the disbursement of this advance was by informing the pensioner by sending him a text message notify him to grant the advance, after he completed all the legal procedures to grant it and disbursement through electronic payment tools, which was filled the financial balance to it."

Al-Rashed determines the amount of the advance of the employees of the government departments

 
Editorial date: 2019/7/18 11:08 • 241 times read
 
(Al-Furat News) Al-Rasheed Bank announced on Thursday that the amount of the advance granted to employees of the state departments is set at {5} and {10} million dinars, according to the salary limits for each employee holding the Nakheel card.
A statement to the media office of the bank received {Euphrates News} that "the advance is granted without a sponsor for the employee," noting that "the submission is made after receipt of the first salary and be through the branches of the bank in Baghdad and the provinces."
The bank called on "all departments wishing to benefit from this service and other services accelerate the settlement of salaries of employees to enable the bank to promote their transactions as soon as possible."
ISX Update:
For latest update click on the link above.
 
Shares Traded:
 
Value Traded:
 
ISX ended in Green

 
Kauaihn Chatter:dd
 
 
7-17-2019   Newshound/Intel Guru Randy Koonce    THE RATE IS THE ONLY THING THAT YOU ARE WAITING FOR.  Remember: This is a POLITICAL football, so it is possible there could always be another unforeseen ‘time out’.  It is not that our information was bad; but it might change. Again. DO NOT give your dinar to anyone else to exchange for you.  We are really, seriously, truly, honestly, absolutely, positively, probably VERY CLOSE.  RELAX the RV really is coming . ...Keep Breathing...check the [CBI] every day to see if it has changed...  [post 3 of 3]

7-17-2019   Newshound/Intel Guru Randy Koonce    I want you to know there is nothing left for Iraq to do to prepare for a rate change. They have been ready since December of Last Year. As in 2018.January started the political football game. There were many political players, from our own Government to several others as well...And ALL of them have affected the political environment. Look for the Dinar to come out between $1 -$2. It should go up a little more later on. Please do not get suckered into waiting or watching for any 800 numbers. You will be able to exchange at any big bank or financial exchange center that normally deals in foreign currency exchanges.  [post 2 of 3....stay tuned]

7-17-2019   Newshound/Intel Guru Randy Koonce   ...there is a very good window that has opened up once again, and will last through the end of the month. As I have mentioned before, many of the things that have happened on our way to the revaluation of the Iraqi Dinar has turned this anticipated event into a very big Political Game. I call it “Global Political Football”.  And there have been no rules to this long and unending game!  That being said, there is reason to believe that we are very - VERY - close to the final buzzer now. And, it is a very BIG WINDOW between now (as in ‘right now’;) through the end of month.  But...because it is a political football game, that does not mean that if this window closes at the end of the month without a rate change, we will never see it.  It just means that another political fight got in the way. Again.   [post 1 of 3....stay tuned]

7-17-2019   Intel Guru MarkZ   [via PDK]   I feel very good and very confident this morning.  The facts are no new rate in Iraq yet this morning… My contacts at redemption centers are sitting there waiting...twiddling their thumbs.  I am still being told that there will be redemption centers all over ...should be one within 50 miles of almost everyone.   ...I believe Mr. Trump will be very motivated now to release this reset...

7-17-2019   Intel Guru Bruce    ...we believe things are to the point where we should be getting some good news tomorrow [Wednesday]. Now, it maybe we get toll-free numbers and all we do tomorrow is set appointments. It maybe if we get the numbers soon enough, we set appointments and start tomorrow [Wednesday]. It maybe we get the numbers and set appointments for Thursday. I am trying my best I am not calling it. This is based on the compendious of confirmation and evidence that I have so far today...We know things change.  We know we are facing a moving target... I do believe they have this ready for us finally to go.    [post 2 of 2]
 
 
7-17-2019   Intel Guru Bruce   ...I usually start where are we...I can tell you where were we supposed to be. We were supposed to be in the Bank and the Redemption Centers...today [Tuesday]....We were faked out by the fact we were looking for 800 numbers on Monday or Today with exchanges, but...There were a number...of disgruntled former bank employees...with at least 4 or 5 main banks...that had the wise idea to try to put out bogus toll-free numbers to our community...and they nixed that right away...but it did slow us down for a couple of days. So, we are ready.  We are willing and able to move forward to get this party started.   [post 1 of 2....stay tuned]

7-17-2019   Newshound Guru Enorrste   ...I think the answer is clear.  They want to make Iraq one of the most powerful currencies in the world.  They want to make it a world reserve currency.  They announced that some time ago.  8 years ago.  IMF has agreed it's a good idea because of their location.  1.  They are in the Middle East  2.  The world needs another world reserve currency with the dollar being so over extended...they need this and we can't overestimate the power and importance of the IMF becoming this trustee...they want this thing to happen.  They are proving it by making this currency flat to close to its own market rate for 16 months now and announcing they're ready for international trade.  It's really really tightened up. [Post 2 of 2]

7-17-2019   Newshound Guru Enorrste   I don't think we can underestimate the role of the IMF in all of this.  They stated two years ago they were going to become the trustee of the Central Bank of Iraq.  When you're the trustee this means you have the purse strings in your pocket and you can pull any sting you want at any time you want and it's not by any coincidence whatsoever this currency shortly thereafter came into stabilization and they got within 2% between the fixed rate and the market rate...Allaq couldn't do it so the IMF finally took over as the trustee of the CBI...They have it under control for 16 months...Why in the world would an International organization like the IMF want to stick their nose in Iraq's business so deeply?    [Post 1 of 2....stay tuned]

7-17-2019   Newshound/Intel Guru Mnt Goat   Article:  "DEPUTIES IN PARLIAMENT DEMAND ACTION TO PUT AN END TO THE THE MASSIVE CORRUPTION CARRIED OUT THROUGH THE AUCTION OF HARD CURRENCY ORGANIZED BY THE CENTRAL BANK"  Quote:  “THE OFFICIAL STRESSED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS CONSIDERING SEVERAL OPTIONS TO STRENGTHEN THE DINAR, such as the deletion of zeros or determine the price globally, as do many countries in the Arabian Gulf.” To determine the price globally means to reinstate the dinar BACK on the global exchanges... ...This is the holdup right now in getting the reinstatement ...THE CORRUPTION IN THE CBI! ...So we know they that they know and the pressure is on to do something about losing all this money on these auctions. They have out-lived their usefulness which was to control inflation... 
 
 
7-16-2019 Intel Guru MarkZ I am tired and weary but cautiously excited tonight. 2 excellent sources in Iraq think they will have their rate in the Gazette on Wednesday... On the treasury side they are saying it could happen tonight [Tuesday] ...another government source said anytime in the next 72 hours.
 
Elmer:
 
Not in today
 
Artmeister:
 
Not in today
 
Catnip:

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

Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi congratulates Iraq on the presidency of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Ministers of Information

We received with great satisfaction the media achievement achieved by Iraq's presidency of the Executive Office of the Council of Arab Information Ministers in its new session,
I call for every national effort to strengthen the role of Iraq in its Arab and international environment and contribute to enabling the Arab media to shoulder its responsibilities towards our societies and countries, and to promote community peace, stability and development.

I congratulate and congratulate all our people and the President and members of the delegation of the Information and Communications Commission at its fiftieth session for their efforts which culminated in this achievement.

Adel Abdul Mahdi
Prime Minister
17 July 2019

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ARTICLE 1 (from PM Mahdi's website; posted only on Arabic side, not on English side)
Prime Minister Mr. Adel Abdul Mahdi congratulates Sabean Mandaeans on the occasion of the Great Feast and the New Year of Mandaean 

It is my pleasure to extend to our brothers in the homeland the Sabean Mandaeans the best congratulations and blessings on the occasion of the great feast and the New Year Mandaean,
Which is celebrated by our Iraqi people from this noble community, calling on the Almighty to perpetuate the security, stability and unity of the homeland, which we live under in its shadow with our Iraqi identity. The cultural and religious diversity remains a source of our people's strength and a key to the common way of life that we have gathered for thousands of years. On the foundations of this good land.Every year, our Iraq in all its forms is fine and uplifting.

Adel Abdul Mahdi
Prime Minister
17 July 2019
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ARTICLE 2 (from Government of Iraq twitter account)
  1. “We had a frank discussion about a series of unresolved issues. Both parties were optimistic about cooperating and resolving existing problems” says PM @AdilAbdAlMahdi about his meeting with @masrour_barzani. Watch a short clip here:
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ARTICLE 3

Foreign Ministry condemns the attack on Erbil and stresses that it will not affect relations with Turkey
2019/7/17 20:44
[Baghdad-where]

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Wednesday condemned the armed attack on employees of the Turkish consulate in the city of Erbil.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemns the killing of a Turkish diplomat working in the Turkish Consulate General in Erbil and one citizen and the wounding of another in an assassination incident in Erbil province," Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmad al-Sahaf said in a statement. With the security authorities; to know the circumstances of the incident, and to find out the reasons.

"The Ministry believes that this crime will not undermine the momentum of historical and strategic relations between Baghdad and Ankara, and will not dispel the efforts of the two friendly countries to continue the rapprochement and achieve the common interests that have long been keen to maintain them and build on the achievement of the escalation at all levels "He said.

"An armed attack occurred Wednesday at a restaurant in Erbil, which killed one Turkish consulate employee and another citizen and wounded one," Asayish said.

The Spokesman for the Presidency of Turkey, Ibrahim Kalin, that the response to the Irbil attack will be necessary, "noting that" will respond appropriately to the offensive Irbil and he began the measures to find the perpetrators. "

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

Iraq and Kuwait agree to open Safwan International Trade Port
2019/7/17 20:57
[Follow-up]

Iraq and Kuwait agreed on Wednesday to rehabilitate the international port of Safwan and activate trade cooperation between the two countries.

"Iraq and Kuwait agree on a high level of coordination of positions and the promotion of trade and economic cooperation, and our point of view is clear in many areas, especially in Arab and international forums," Al-Ani told a news conference with his Kuwaiti counterpart Al-Roudhan.

Abizaid and Al-Ani: We had meetings with the Kuwaiti side in advance, and signed a joint agreement in February, which will increase cooperation at various levels.

He added that our presence in the port of Safwan is for the purpose of field view on the port, and be different from what it is at present, stressing that the next phase will witness more cooperation and increase the volume of trade exchange in light of a common desire and insist on overcoming all obstacles.

Kuwaiti Minister Al-Roudhan described the meeting as historic and the first Kuwaiti delegation to visit Basra to extend cooperation with the Republic of Iraq. He said that economic exchange is the basis of our subject, stressing the importance of the role of Iraq as a sister country we need to strengthen trade cooperation with them to strengthen the economy of the two countries.

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ARTICLE 5

Iraq plans to invest gas from five fields with a capacity of 600 million cubic feet
2019/7/17 13:56
[Baghdad-where]

Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Minister of Oil, Thamer Ghadhban, stressed the interest of the government and the ministry to invest gas associated with the oil operations through promising projects, thus enhancing the national production of this wealth and reducing gas burning in order to preserve the environment.

Al-Ghadhban said during a press conference following the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding for the investment of gas [Artawi] between the South Gas Company and Honeywell [US] to invest [300 mcm] million standard cubic feet per day in the first phase of the project.

He pointed out that "the ministry and through its plans to invest gas from many fields, it is today an important step in this context to enhance the national production of this wealth and the provision of good quantities of dry gas to supply power plants and liquid gas and condensate for internal use and export," praising "the efforts of stakeholders In the departments of the ministry and the Office of the Undersecretary for Gas and South Gas Company on their efforts in cooperation and preparation to the signing of the memorandum and contracts later.

For his part, the US ambassador in Baghdad, Matthew Toler expressed "appreciation for the steps taken by the Ministry of Oil to reduce the burning gas in the southern oil fields through investment and benefit from it to supply power plants at good rates."

"US companies, including Honeywell, are actively working to develop new long-term investments, including the Artawi gas investment project, which aims to boost the Iraqi economy by increasing local capacity to produce energy in Iraq with state-of-the-art technology, Opportunities and reducing environmental pollution ".

"The project is one of the important projects to invest gas throughout the country and in the province of Basra in particular, where it aims to invest gas up to 300 (Muqmq) million standard cubic feet per day and up to 600 [Muqmq] Million cubic feet per day in the second phase of the project, which enhances the national production of gas. "

"This project comes within the framework of the plans of the Ministry of Oil to stop the burning of gas and the transfer of burned and wasted energy to useful energy to supply power plants with large quantities of gas and estimated the period of time for the first phase of about 36 months."

Jihad added that "this project invests gas from five large fields, namely [Majnoon, West Qurna, Al-Lahis, Al-Tuba, Al-Sabba]" pointing out that "the next phase will witness the signing of a number of contracts to invest gas to enhance the national production of this wealth."
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