Friday, January 24, 2020

Wednesday 1/22/20 WOTS

Wednesday 1/22/20 WOTS
Wednesday 1/22/20 Wots
 
Forex Rates: 
 
 
SymbolBidAskHighLowOpenChangeTime
 USD/IQD  0.0000  0.0000 1192.6000 1191.7000 1192.6000  0.0000 23:51
 USD/VND  23171.0000  23174.0000 23150.8100 23150.8100 23150.8100  1.5600 01:30
 USD/CNY  6.9033  6.9053 6.9160 6.8970 6.9045  -0.0008 03:22
 USD/KWD  0.3032  0.3042 0.3034 0.3033 0.3034  -0.0001 02:25
 GBP/USD  1.3047  1.3048 1.3067 1.3035 1.3046  0.0001 03:22
 USD/IRR  0.0000  0.0000 42097.5000 42097.5000 42097.5000  97.5000 00:00
 USD/IDR  13661.0000  13662.0000 13688.0000 13642.0000 13662.0000  1.0000 03:21
 
 
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DC NY Iraq Articles:dd
 
 
 
Al-Hakim: Honest electoral competition can only take place by restoring the country's prestige
 
 
 
22-01-2020 12:43 PM  Baghdad / news
 
Today, Wednesday, the president of the Al-Hikma Movement, Ammar Al-Hakim, discussed with the Australian Ambassador Joan Lundes and the New Zealand Ambassador you want Dobson in Baghdad the developments of the political scene in Iraq and the region and the relations of Iraq with Australia and New Zealand.
 
Al-Hakim stressed during the meeting in a statement, "Al-Ikhbariya" news agency received a copy of it, "the importance of Iraq’s openness to everyone on the basis of relations, common interests, mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs and the preservation of Iraqi sovereignty."
 
And that "the tasks of the next government are to prepare for the early elections and provide a safe environment to ensure fair competition and equal opportunities between all, and we said that this will not be accomplished unless the Iraqi state regains its prestige and imposes the law on everyone."
 
"He also stressed the necessity to follow the road map drawn up by the supreme religious authority, which is to choose a non-controversial figure to run the next government with integrity, competence, and ability to manage."
 
With regard to the demands of the demonstrators, Mr. Ammar Al-Hakim called for "the implementation of the right from it, the scheduling of priorities and the distribution of responsibilities between the legislative and executive authority." is over  
 
 
 

Deputy: Iraq is not the Banana Republic .. Parliament is the one who holds the president accountable, not the militias
 
 
 
Representative Sarkot Shamsuddin criticized the threats that President Barham Saleh received from some parties if he met US President Donald Trump during the Davos Forum in Switzerland.
 
The Hezbollah Brigades in Iraq, President Barham Saleh, threatened to prevent him from entering the capital, Baghdad, if he meets US President Donald Trump, at the Davos conference.
 
In this regard, Shams Al-Din said in a tweet on Twitter, "We are not the Banana Republic ... The Iraqi parliament is the only one that has the authority to hold the president accountable, not the militias."
 
It is noteworthy that Iraqi President Barham Saleh left yesterday to attend the "Davos" economic conference in Switzerland, where a number of world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, are scheduled to meet on the sidelines of the conference to discuss bilateral relations.

 

Parliament to Hear KRG Envoys on Erbil-Baghdad Negotiations

 
BasNews 22/01/2020 - 01:51 Published in Kurdistan
    ERBIL- The Kurdistan Region parliament is expected to convene on Thursday to hear about the latest updates on the negotiations between Erbil and Baghdad from Kurdish envoys.
    The lawmakers in the first session on Thursday will discuss the talks between Erbil and Baghdad on the Kurdistan Region's share from the federal budget bill for this year.
    In the second session, the MPs will learn about the latest updates on the talks between Erbil and Baghdad about the subject of oil


    Kurdish leader: Where are the governmental, security and judicial authorities from the explicit threats to the President of the Republic?
    22-01-2020 12:23 PM Baghdad / news
    The Kurdish leader, Majed Shankali, criticized the position of government, security and judicial authorities on the explicit threats of the President of the Republic, Barham Salih, in the event he met US President Donald Trump.
    Shankali said in a tweet on "Twitter", "Armed factions belonging to the Popular Mobilization, in its name and explicit address, threaten the President of the Republic with the expulsion from Baghdad if he meets Trump."
    "Where are the governmental, security and judicial authorities from these explicit threats to the protector of the constitution and one of the most important symbols of the state, and whoever talks about reform and building the state of institutions comes to you."
     
     
    Hezbollah to the Iraqi president: We will expel you from Baghdad if you meet Trump
     
     
     
    Wednesday, 22 January 2020
     
    The Iraqi Hezbollah militia threatened President Barham Saleh, through one of her Twitter pages, on Tuesday, to expel him from Baghdad if he met the US President, Donald Trump, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.
     
    In the context, the representative of the Sadikoun parliamentary bloc, Hassan Salem, called on Tuesday, Saleh to refuse to meet with Trump.
    Subject you care about
    ?
    The Lebanese presidency announced, on Tuesday evening, the formation of a new government headed by Hassan Diab. President Michel Aoun issued a decree forming ...
    The government of Lebanon is seeing the light, and the street is protesting The government of Lebanon is seeing the light, and the street is blocking Arabs and the world
     
    It is noteworthy that the Iraqi President is participating in the Davos Forum, which started on Tuesday, after news talked about the possibility of canceling participation against the background of the political crisis the country is going through and conducting crucial consultations to choose a prime minister to succeed Adel Abdul Mahdi.
     
    As part of his participation in the forum, Saleh will deliver a speech on Wednesday about the situations in his country and the region.
     
    He is also scheduled to meet with the US President, according to the agenda announced by the White House earlier.
     
     
     
     
    Kauaihn Iraq Articles:dd
     
     
    Iraq is moving to regain its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council
     
    January 22, 2020 | 12:16 PM - Views: 31 Views
    Iraq is moving to regain its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council
     

    Iraqi Position Network
     
    The Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives announced, Wednesday, that there are efforts to restore Iraq’s seat in the United Nations Human Rights Council.
     
    "Iraq lost its seat in October of last year due to the circumstances of the demonstrations and the accompanying acts of violence, which are still continuing until now," the committee's deputy head, Qusai Abbas Al-Shabaki, said in a press statement.
     
    Al-Shabaki added, "Iraq will seek during the next stage to reconsider the reality of human rights in it and restore its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council."
     
    Iraq lost its seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council in the Asian Group race for four seats in October last year.
     
     
    An expert explains the legality of holding a parliamentary session to choose the prime minister during the legislative recess
     
     
     
    January 22, 2020 | 12:12 PM - views: 25 views

    Iraqi Position Network
    On Wednesday, legal expert Ali Al-Tamimi explained the extent of the legality of holding an extraordinary parliamentary session during the legislative recess of the House of Representatives, pointing out that the President of the Republic in accordance with the constitution must take over the functions of the Prime Minister due to the expiry of the caretaker government.
    Al-Tamimi said in a press statement that "Article 58 of the constitution stipulates that the President of the Republic, the Council of Ministers and Parliament or 50 members within the House of Representatives invite the parliament to hold an extraordinary session, provided that it is limited to the topics that necessitated the invitation to him."
    He added that "Article 57 sets the session for the parliament sessions with two legislative terms during one year of eight months, and defines the internal system, and the session in which the budget is presented does not end."
    He indicated that "the deadline for conducting business for the Prime Minister specified in a month has expired, and the government has become unconstitutional, which the President of the Republic Barham Salih must not take over because the constitution stipulates that, especially after the vacancy of the position due to the government's resignation in accordance with Article 81".
     
     
    Abdul-Mahdi condemns the bombing of the vicinity of the American embassy
     
     
     
    Baghdad Operations has found a missile launcher
     
    Wednesday - January 22, 2020 AD issue number [15030]
    Baghdad: «Middle East»
    The resigned Iraqi Prime Minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, directed an immediate investigation into the missile launch incident in the US embassy in the Green Zone in the capital, Baghdad, yesterday evening. A statement by Abdul-Mahdi said that the latter "condemned the targeting of the American embassy with missiles."
    Abdul-Mahdi described the targeting process as "a crime against which a diplomatic mission is exposed to Iraq," directing the concerned authorities to open an immediate investigation into the incident.
    A security source said that two "Katyusha" missiles fell among the approaches of the Green Zone, which includes the government headquarters and the American embassy. For its part, the Baghdad Operations Command announced the finding of the platform from which "Katyusha" missiles were launched towards the American embassy. "After the American embassy in Baghdad was hit by Katyusha rockets, the Baghdad Operations Command mobilized its intelligence and security effort," the command said in a statement. The statement added that "missile launchers have been found in the Za`faraniya region (east of the capital Baghdad) with another new platform with all its missiles, and a search operation is underway to reach those who committed this terrorist act."
    While doubts arise over operations of this nature to the armed factions loyal to Iran, no party has claimed responsibility for such operations. Although Iran announced that it was satisfied to bomb the base of al-Assad in western Iraq and the base of Hariri in the Kurdistan region, in response to the United States killing the commander of the “Quds Force” with the “Iranian Revolutionary Guard” Qassem Soleimani, and not assigning other parties to respond on its behalf, it increased in The last period has been the launching of rockets into the Green Zone, and at Balad Air Base (80 km north of Baghdad) in which the F-16s that Iraq purchased from the United States are located.
     
     
     
    Iraqi security forces, according to the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Iraq.
     
     
    22/01/2020
     
    The Commission renewed its call for Prime Minister-designate Adel Abdel Mahdi to open an investigation into the killings of demonstrators. And a member of the commission, Ali Al Bayati, in a press statement, criticized the security forces, stressing that "there is no justification for killing protesters in the streets."
     
    Al-Bayati said that "in the absence of real Iraqi internal efforts to investigate the murders of the demonstrators that exceeded 500 people, and to prosecute those responsible according to the law, it will open the way for more international actors to interfere, given that the issue of sovereignty of any state in international custom depends on the availability of state protection To its citizens. ”
     
    In a statement Tuesday, the Baghdad Center for Human Rights called on the United Nations "to expedite the creation of an international judicial mechanism to hold those accused of these brutal crimes accountable, and to urgently intervene to protect peaceful demonstrators and curb terrorism targeting them in light of the persistence of heinous crimes and the reluctance of the Iraqi judiciary to carry out its duty and before the ugliness of massacres." Committed in Iraq. ”
     
    The center confirmed the killing of 10 protesters since Sunday dawn, and the security forces launched massive arrests campaigns against the demonstrators.  

    The Federal Court of Iraq announces that it has not issued any decision regarding US forces

    An American officer from "Ain al-Assad": those injured in the Iranian bombing will return to work soon
    An Iraqi government source told RT last week, "There is communication between the Iraqi and American governments about the future of the latter's forces in Iraq, and the common desire between them is for negotiations to begin and continue for months or a year."
    A spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Abdul Karim Khalaf, told RT that there are dialogues with Washington to review the security relations between the two countries.
    The Iraqi parliament, at the beginning of this month, adopted a resolution recommending that the government end the presence of any foreign forces on Iraqi soil and prevent it from using its lands, airspace and water for any reason.
    Then, the caretaker head of government, Adel Abdul Mahdi, announced that he had asked the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, to "send delegates to Iraq to lay down the mechanisms for implementing the decision of the Iraqi parliament for a safe withdrawal of American forces from Iraq."
    In turn, said US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortigos: "At this stage, any delegation heading to Iraq will be charged with discussing the best way to reaffirm our strategic partnership, and not to discuss the withdrawal of troops."
     
    Kauaihn Economic Times:
     
    ECONOMIC TIMES / CHATTER

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    GLOBAL/NEWS /INFO
     
    This Day in History

    10 things you need to know today: January 21, 2020McConnell unveils the rules for President Trump's impeachment trial, Democratic candidates ma...
    Read in The Week:     https://apple.news/AeKYr65euSW2rq3LFTsWxxA
    Good Morning from CNN
     
     
    IMF says the outlook for the global economy 'remains sluggish'The IMF has become less optimistic about global growth, warning that the outlook remains sluggish and there are no clear signs of a turning point.
    Read in CNBC:     https://apple.news/AbNzpu2bgSlGomXTxV0caTg 
     
     
     
     
    World’s 2,153 billionaires hold more wealth than 4.6 billion people combined: reportThe world’s 2,153 billionaires have more wealth than the 4.6 billion people who make up 60% of the planet’s population, reveals a new report from Oxfam today ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
    Read in MarketWatch:     https://apple.news/AcNMXKsQXTkCimwpZWUKN5A
     
    Davos 2020: The World Economic ForumThe world's political and business leaders, plus the usual smattering of celebrities, are heading to Davos, the Swiss Alpine resort where the World Economic Forum's annual conference begins today. The official theme of the 2020 meeting is "Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World." In WEF-speak, that means focusing on "renewing the concept of stakeholder capitalism to overcome income inequality, societal division and the climate crisis." "Business has now to fully embrace stakeholder
    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/AMr3CTs_0P8CkwdjW5k4hSQ
     
     
    Davos 2020 looks to avoid a repeat of 2018: Morning BriefTop news and what to watch in the markets on Tuesday, January 21, 2020.
    Read in Yahoo Finance:     https://apple.news/AVYcS7iKdRD-ApiUfNEhM6g
     
     
    Wayne T. Essex Essex and Associates Inc. -
    U.S. lawmakers, in December 2019, significantly changed rules relating to retirement following the the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act (the SECURE Act). It was passed into law as part of a much broader package of legislation. The legislation has many moving parts, and some pros and cons, but who benefits? Here are four groups who the new law may help.
    If You're Retiring Later, Or Not At All
    We know that life expectancy is increasing. Starting in 2020, the law now reflects that reality. Previously if you were over 70 1/2 you couldn't add to your retirement savings in an IRA. In 2020 you'll be able to do that. The age at which you need to take withdrawals from a retirement account RMDs, or required minimum distributions, just increased to age 72. Both give you a little more financial flexibility if you're still working in your later years, or planning too.
     
    If You Work Part Time
    If you're working over 500 hours a year and a long-term employee, typically defined as working for a company for at least 3 years, you may now be eligible for a 401(k) plan to save for retirement when you weren't previously. The limit was previously 1,000 hours. This move should expand retirement savings options for part-time workers, or those splitting their time between different employers.
     
    If You're Having A Baby
    If you're having a baby, then cash can be tight. The law will allow for a withdrawal of up to $5,000 from a retirement account up to a year after a birth or adoption to help support the costs of having a new member of the family. Of course, the goal of retirement saving is to save, rather than use the money before retirement. This is to say that just because this withdrawal is now possible does not make it a good idea for everyone. Still, this change makes it a little easier to manage the costs of kids.
     
    If You're Using A 529 Plan
    If you're using a 529 plan, then the costs you can cover just became a little broader. The costs associated with apprenticeships are now generally covered. You can also now use a 529 to pay off up to $10,000 of student debt.
     
    Not A Complete List
    Of course, legislation and taxes are complex. This isn't a complete list and even in the situations above you should check, with a tax expert, the implementation timelines and make sure you qualify.


    COMMODITIES/ENERGY

    Yamana Gold: Crushing The Mining Numbers
    Production of gold equivalent was 256,288 Au Equivalent Oz in the fourth quarter of 2019 - a solid quarter with record production above guidance. Yamana Gold is now paying a dividend of $0.05 per year. It is progress, but still insufficient, in my opinion. The company is a slow mover but can be considered again as a long-term investment. Cautious accumulation is a good alternative for patient investors.

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/AR2CL1UgdM-qNj8BH4KDfDw


    Gold Bulls Could Stay In Charge Within January's Range | Action Forex
    Gold came under pressure following the peak at a 7-year high of 1,611 but the 1,535 level rejected the downside move, sending the price slightly up. The upside reversal in the RSI and the rebound in the Stochastics suggest that there is still some room for improvement in the short-term, though with the MACD having […] The post Gold Bulls Could Stay In Charge Within January’s Range appeared first on Action Forex.

    Read in Action Forex:     https://apple.news/AVPan5Ul4OayBgMIIKwRGTg

    Gold Edges Higher After IMF Shaves World Growth ForecastCommodities Jan 20, 2020 13:35 GMT By Geoffrey Smith Investing.com -- Gold prices drifted fractionally higher on Monday as U.S. markets remained closed for the Martin Luther King holiday while European ones were content to await the European Central Bank’s policy meeting later this week for clues as to how long the current regime of negative interest rates will last. Prices ticked up slightly after the International Monetary Fund kept its gloomy outlook for 2020, shaving its forecast for global

    Read in Investing.com:     https://apple.news/Ao6LaGuCiQ8GLjFhuZmoC_Q


    Oil prices climb after production halt in Libya and Iraq unrest fears
    Oil prices kicked off the week with higher prices amid supply disruptions in two major crude producing countries.

    Read in MarketWatch:     https://apple.news/A0vpLYM3sQ6OqHmnvChf9UA


    Supply threats push oil prices higher
    Crude futures surged as much as 1.7% overnight amid threats to supply, but have now pared some gains, up 0.5% to $58.86/bbl. Forces loyal to Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar blocked exports at ports under his control, causing the National Oil Corp. to declare force majeure, which can allow Libya to legally suspend delivery contracts. Iraq also temporarily stopped work on an oil field on Sunday and supply from a second production site is at risk amid widespread protests. ETFs: USO, OIL, UWT, UCO,

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/Av2Tu7FGPNk2IaDQvBbo0qg


    WTI oil jumps on double-whammy production distruptions, but upside limited | Action Forex
    Oil prices jumped notably today double-whammy of disruptions in two key producers, in Libya and Iraq. WTI hits as high as 59.56 but fails to extend gains so far. Also, despite the recovery, near term bearish outlook is unchanged with 60.24 minor resistance intact. That is, current decline from 65.38 is seen as a leg […] The post WTI oil jumps on double-whammy production distruptions, but upside limited appeared first on Action Forex.

    Read in Action Forex:     https://apple.news/AaX-VargyM52j4pcFVGaMQQ


    Natural Gas Inventories Remain Elevated As We Reach The Midpoint Of Winter
    The weather has been warm. Another small inventory withdrawal for this time of the year. Stocks will go into the injection season way above last year’s level. An oversold market could experience a rally. DGAZ on a recovery.

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/Aw5CJM488NKy9KizCOYhDFg


    Oil Prices Retreat After Gaining on Supply ConcernsCommodities Jan 21, 2020 05:22 GMT By Alex Ho Investing.com - Oil prices retreated on Tuesday in Asia after trading higher over the weekend as production were hit in Iraq and Libya. U.S. Crude Oil WTI Futures lost 0.3% to $58.38 by 12:20 AM ET (04:20 GMT), while International Brent Oil Futures dropped 0.6% to $64.83. Oil prices gained earlier in the day amid continuing supply concerns. Security guards shut down production at the 70,000 barrel a day Al Ahdab field in Iraq at the weekend in an

    Read in Investing.com:     https://apple.news/ARKLjLJpoRCOzew57XkulGw

    The Best Performing Oil And Gas Stocks - January 2020
    This article presents returns data for the 50 best-performing energy sector stocks over the past year. We analyze trends and themes in oil and gas along with current market drivers. We are bullish on oil and see more upside in 2020 for a number of stocks in the group.

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/AWayvP27SORWspTkSZM3m7w


    BANKS/BANKING/CREDIT

    Chinese Blockchain-Based Mobile Payment Revolution: How Is the Biggest CO2 Polluter Becoming Leading World Solar Panels Producer
    Society is now witnessing the implementation of digital currencies, AI and blockchain technology worldwide. These new digital technologies require a high consumption of electric energy, which is currently produced with coal and fossil fuels that adversely impact the environment. A global shift toward green energy will require the removal of the technological, infrastructural, regulatory and tax policy barriers. In a series, my articles evaluate the tax, digital technology and solar policies (

    Read in Cointelegraph:     https://apple.news/AFA1f8hTNTwmJ0M19zXq8lA


    The Week Ahead - BOJ, BOC, And ECB To Keep Rates On Hold As Markets Focus On Global PMI Readings And Earnings
    Right now, the Fed is widely expected to do nothing for the rest of the year regarding rates, but they will soon try to temper balance sheet growth expectations. The second week of earnings season will focus on tech as we will see results from Netflix, IBM and Intel. US stocks are constantly making fresh record highs, currency volatility is at a record low, but something must give.

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/AZn5aNkAcPOyjGOEP6CdwBw


    Doubling down on BofA's retail business
    "Our market share in consumer is probably 12%, 13%, 14%, depending on who counts... The reality is, you could double that," Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) CEO Brian Moynihan said in an interview with the FT. "Other companies that you think might have big consumer markets share - the auto companies, the soft drink companies, the beer companies - they have massively more consumer share [than BofA]." BofA is already the largest U.S. consumer bank, with $730B of retail deposits.

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/AgPbaBM9XNsCt0buYoPIcVg

    Bank Of America Flexing Its Muscles As A Consumer Banking Titan
    The strong get stronger, as Bank of America posts a healthy fourth quarter, though the beat wasn't so impressive at the pre-provision line. Management continues to leverage one of the best deposit franchises among the larger banks, while an organic growth plan and ongoing IT investments support the long-term story. Bank of America has outperformed but still offers some upside from here.

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/ANtrCJgZlNua936wyH29HKQ


    TREASURIES / STOCKS / BONDS


    Could see a market reversal, strategist says
    Tatjana Greil Castro, portfolio manager at Muzinich & Co, discusses the fixed income space.

    Read in CNBC:     https://apple.news/A3Clv7_08RQO3FGSXq2Nj-w


    Market Continues 'Euphoric' Advance As 3500 Becomes Next Target
    The S&P 500 has now pushed into 3-standard deviation territory above the 200-week moving average. Currently, the risk of a more "substantial decline" is somewhat mitigated due to extremely easy financial conditions. However, such doesn't mean a 5-10% correction is impossible, as such is well within market norms in any given year. One of the other big concerns remains the concentration of positions driving markets higher. With the Federal Reserve continuing to pump liquidity into the market

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/AD_PMQCblOPuxUmvYgWVW1w


    Any market downturn should be short-lived, strategist says
    Daniel Morris, senior investment strategist at BNP Paribas Asset Management, discusses corporate earnings and his outlook for markets.

    Read in CNBC:     https://apple.news/AbwindFLCTOakH_NmE9EhNw


    The four biggest misconceptions about investing in ETFs: Behavioral finance pro
    Behavioral finance pro Dan Egan discusses his four rules for ETF investing, including why investors should be cautious about jumping on the hottest ETFs.

    Read in CNBC:     https://apple.news/AjL9IkQUlTj64FDBhseOcTg


    What Is a Small Cap Stock?
    And why would you need them in your portfolio? Surprise, surprise: it's a public company that doesn't have a large market capitalization. Market cap is simply number of shares on the market times share price per share. That way, we get the total equity value of the company. So small cap stocks have a smaller market cap than mid-caps and large caps, many of which you find on the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average. You can track small cap stocks on the Russell, 3000, 2,000 and 1,000 indexes.

    Read in TheStreet:     https://apple.news/A5id9zZsSQYar6pz5Vhlk5w


    GLOBAL MARKETS-China virus sends shiver through markets as risks mount* European shares fall, MSCI All-Country World Index down 0.4%

    Read in Reuters:     https://apple.news/AEHbfx7JjQOSCcT7K7Luw8w

    Top 5 Things to Know in the Market on Tuesday, 21st January
    Investing.com -- Global stocks are falling amid concerns about a possible rerun of the SARS epidemic after more worrying news out of China. The trial of Donald Trump in the Senate gets under way, hours after the President and environmentalist Greta Thunberg square off in Davos. There's brighter economic data out of Europe that put a dint in hopes for a U.K. rate cut, while Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) will make waves after the close with its latest earnings report. Investors will be hoping for a better set of numbers than the ones they got from Swiss banking giant UBS earlier. Here's what you need to know in financial markets on Tuesday, 21st January.
     
     
     

    CRYPTO/DIGITAL /CURRENCIES
     
     
    After Sudden 8% Drop, Bitcoin Bulls Must Defend Price Support at $8,460
    Bitcoin's dramatic overnight fall from $9,200 is telling a tale of buyer exhaustion.

    Read in CoinDesk:     https://apple.news/A5sTHEdhMQAWibJ2MnQUWig
     
     
    Report: Hamas, Iran-Tied Militants Intensify Bitcoin Fundraising Action
    A militant group with ties to the Iranian regime and Hamas — the de facto ruling authority of the Gaza Strip in Palestine — is allegedly upping its Bitcoin (BTC) fundraising activities. The spur for the increase is reportedly a slump in resources, compounded by Iran’s recent rejection of the group’s request for financial support. An analysis of the group’s activities was detailed in a cyber desk report from the IDC’s International Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT), as reported by the

    Read in Cointelegraph:     https://apple.news/AY9WOy3UBRyi944gtTmaCBQ
     
     
    South Korea Considers Imposing a 20% Income Tax on CryptocurrenciesSouth Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance is considering imposing a 20% tax on income from cryptocurrency transactions. According to a report published by local English-language news outlet The Korea Times on Jan. 20, the ministry had reportedly ordered its income office to review cryptocurrency taxation. The Korea Times cited an anonymous official who reportedly said that the ministry has not finalized its plan, but noted that the government may impose a 20% tax on crypto income. News of

    Read in Cointelegraph:     https://apple.news/AJGj6m3iOQq-IPMesKYJjvA
     
     
    Binance CEO Suggests Crypto Exchanges Are Safer Than Keeping One’s Keys
    Changpeng Zhao, the co-founder and CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Binance, suggested that for most, keeping crypto assets on an exchange is safer than keeping the keys themselves. Zhao gave his comments in a tweet on Jan. 19 after famous crypto skeptic and gold bug Peter Schiff complained that he lost access to his Bitcoin (BTC). Invoking the phrase “SAFU” — a slanger term in the crypto community for “safe,” Zhao said: “Many hardcore crypto [organizations] advocate storing your own keys. But the

    Read in Cointelegraph:     https://apple.news/A4DfddEI0RLmCYxGzCNQ75g
     
     
    Binance P2P Crypto Trading Platform Supports Vietnam’s Fiat CurrencyMajor cryptocurrency exchange Binance has launched peer-to-peer (P2P) trading for the Vietnamese dong (VND). Vietnam-based Binance users can now directly purchase and sell major cryptocurrencies using VND through the latest versions of the Binance P2P mobile app on iOS and Android. The four supported cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), major stablecoin Tether (USDT) as well as Binance’s native cryptocurrency Binance Coin (BNB), the firm said in a press release shared with

    Read in Cointelegraph:     https://apple.news/AqQjGii30TOGaJANY4wUI1g
     
     
    Guide to WEF Davos 2020: Sustainability, Stablecoins and CBDCsThe annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland is about to start. As usual, the forum will gather the world’s political and business elite, and will last from Jan. 21 to 24. Here’s everything there is to know ahead of time on how this meeting will be vital for the crypto and blockchain industry. WEF is modernizing its agenda This year’s theme is “Stakeholders for a Cohesive and Sustainable World,” which could be seen as the WEF’s response to criticism surrounding the annual gatherings in

    Read in Cointelegraph:     https://apple.news/AtxkUG5zxQeS3KUws9iKTxw
     
     
    Raiz to Offer Bitcoin Fund to Australian Retail Investors in 2020Australian micro-investment startup Raiz is set to bring Bitcoin (BTC) fund options to its users, Australian Financial Review (AFR) reports on Jan. 20. The firm cleared the last legal hurdle with the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC), the country’s financial watchdog agency. Raiz is a fintech startup offering micro-investment services to its 300,000 registered accounts. Like the United States-based Acorns and other worldwide startups, it “rounds up” the spare change from the

    Read in Cointelegraph:     https://apple.news/AXADRVmUVSs2EtOU42q5wpw



    CURRENCIES


    What to look for in a good Forex broker? | Action Forex
    The internet is a wonderful tool. However, it can be a difficult beast to tame as it throws so many options at us daily. If you wish to buy groceries and have them delivered, you will be faced with a choice of dozens of supermarkets that will deliver right to your door. You may be […] The post What to look for in a good Forex broker? appeared first on Action Forex.

    Read in Action Forex:     https://apple.news/A5V0d6QWeODCFsJ1ihSWBBw


    Standard Chartered prefers Southeast Asian currencies over US dollar
    Eric Robertsen of Standard Chartered says emerging markets' currencies such as the Indonesian rupiah and the Malaysian ringgit offer "very attractive yields," while the U.S. dollar "is going down" this year.

    Read in CNBC:     https://apple.news/AWLYKBLK_Ri2AbjuB9zq6FQ


    January 2020: Forex Relative Valuation And Trading Opportunities
    The most important themes impacting global foreign exchange market are no longer limited to just Brexit and the U.S.-China trade negotiations. Swiss frank and the British pound look "overvalued." Australian dollar is the most "undervalued" currency among the majors.

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/Adg4DzDiXNCOqNH31Rn4ubQ


    Dollar Rises Again after Brief Retreat, EUR/USD Pressing Key Support | Action Forex
    Dollar, Canadian and Yen are so far the strongest ones in a relatively quiet day. The greenback is supported by recent data as well as easing trade tension. But as the US economic calendar is ultra light this week, Dollar’s fate is likely on others’ hands. Canadian Dollar is supported by oil prices, which surged […] The post Dollar Rises Again after Brief Retreat, EUR/USD Pressing Key Support appeared first on Action Forex.

    Read in Action Forex:     https://apple.news/Ac-EnYCgbP3aSXjFy65vyDg

    Dollar Rises Again after Brief Retreat, EUR/USD Pressing Key Support | Action Forex
    Dollar, Canadian and Yen are so far the strongest ones in a relatively quiet day. The greenback is supported by recent data as well as easing trade tension. But as the US economic calendar is ultra light this week, Dollar’s fate is likely on others’ hands. Canadian Dollar is supported by oil prices, which surged […] The post Dollar Rises Again after Brief Retreat, EUR/USD Pressing Key Support appeared first on Action Forex.

    Read in Action Forex:     https://apple.news/Ac-EnYCgbP3aSXjFy65vyDg


    Forex - Sterling Climbs on Strong UK Jobs DataForex Jan 21, 2020 10:03 GMT By Peter Nurse Investing.com - Sterling climbed Tuesday after strong employment data painted a healthier picture of the U.K. economy just as the Bank of England prepares to debate a possible interest rate cut. At 5:10 AM ET (1010 GMT), GBP/USD traded at $1.3047, up 0.3%, while EUR/GBP stood at 0.8507, down 0.2%. Official data published on Tuesday showed the number of people in employment rose by 208,000 to 32.90 million in the three months to November, the biggest

    Read in Investing.com:     https://apple.news/AClHg_ai_SPSEwPY_JIe7MQ

    GBPAUD Inches Sideways Towards Supportive Trendline | Action Forex
    GBPAUD has shifted sideways after a pullback from the multi-year peak of 1.9521. Directional momentum has evaporated, and the pair is approaching a supportive trendline drawn from the low of 30 July 2019. The MACD is marginally above its red trigger line and barely below zero, while the RSI is at its neutral mark, both […] The post GBPAUD Inches Sideways Towards Supportive Trendline appeared first on Action Forex.

    Read in Action Forex:     https://apple.news/Ar8m0w9JYOHuwrCLb0Ogk5w


    Surging Swiss franc may have become a gold proxy, Goldman Sachs says
    The Swiss franc, which has been in a steep incline against the dollar of late, may be being used as a proxy for gold, according to Goldman Sachs.

    Read in CNBC:     https://apple.news/Argb5qOZ7SVyhlEZlzWuvLw


    AUD/USD Outlook: Aussie Extends Weakness on Rising Expectations for Rate Cut | Action Forex
    The Australian dollar fell in European session to the lowest since 10 Jan, after brief recovery in Asia lost traction. Fresh weakness comes in extension of Friday’s strong fall after bull stalled on Thursday and formed bull-trap reversal pattern on daily chart. Bears pressure pivotal supports at 0.6860/50 (Fibo 61.8% of 0.6754/0.7032/8-10Jan higher base) and […] The post AUD/USD Outlook: Aussie Extends Weakness on Rising Expectations for Rate Cut appeared first on Action Forex.

    Read in Action Forex:     https://apple.news/AK7GFMMj4MpGXlrMY-PpJuQ


    Zimbabwe Bets On Currency Deal With China to Lift TradeZimbabwe has signed a currency swap deal with China, hoping to stabilise its economy and improve trade. Zimbabwe Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube said the country was following in the steps of Japan, South Africa and Nigeria. Mr Ncube made the revelations at a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who was on a five-country Africa tour last week. "What this means is that there are those who will be investing in Zimbabwe from China. Those who require their proceeds to be remitted back to

    Read in AllAfrica:     https://apple.news/AF5feUjDsMYSM4PhxyilZTw

    Forex - Yen in Demand; Virus Sparks Risk AversionForex Jan 21, 2020 08:27 GMT Investing.com - The Japanese yen is in demand Tuesday as a safe haven currency with the outbreak of the pneumonia-like virus in China sparking a bout of risk aversion. At 03:30 ET (0830 GMT), the yen climbed 0.2% against the dollar, with USD/JPY trading at 109.97. The Chinese yuan was hit, dropping 0.6% against the greenback, with USD/CNY trading at 6.9072. Elsewhere, EUR/USD was at 1.1089 and GBP/USD at 1.3005, with attention turning to the month's ZEW index for

    Read in Investing.com:     https://apple.news/AePODf2leRxmfeb5EBp5nBg


    Forex - Yuan Drops Amid Virus Concerns; Yen Rises
    Forex Jan 21, 2020 05:54 GMT By Alex Ho Investing.com - The Chinese yuan slid on Tuesday in Asia as authorities confirmed a new virus can be passed form person-to-person. The USD/JPY pair lost 0.2% to 109.96 as Asian markets traded lower. The Bank of Japan (BOJ) kept rates unchanged, but took a brighter view of the economy The BOJ raised its growth projections for the first time in a year. The central bank trimmed its inflation forecast at the same time. The decision came ahead of meetings by

    Read in Investing.com:     https://apple.news/AXlMjqo3PRamD0NEYo6AaXA


    Asia’s Best Currency for 2020? It’s Hard to Look Past the Rupiah


    Why China’s currency reserve managers must pay attention to the euro in 2020
    The euro has been one of the currency market’s favourite punching bags for quite some time but maybe not for much longer. In the past few years, the prospect of Brexit, signs of weakness in the global economy, Germany’s near run-in with recession and the…

    Read in South China Morning Post:     https://apple.news/AvvlXA8JbSb2vYZ7hTPDA_w 
     
     
    HEALTH/SCIENCE 
     
     
    AstraZeneca
     
    AstraZeneca liver cancer treatments win orphan FDA status
    Two AstraZeneca (NYSE:AZN) cancer drugs received have orphan status for treatment of liver cancer by the FDA, a designation that may eventually speed progress to approval. The special status was granted to Imfinzi, a lung cancer treatment, and tremelimumab, which has been tested in a combination in a variety of cancers. Lynparza, another Astra drug, was also given FDA priority review for a severe form of prostate cancer, the company said separately.

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/Ako6smtglOQyJzyDOYIs-jg


    Drinking this everyday can reverse the affects of agingParticipants who routinely drank either skim or 1% milk aged around four and half years slower than their 2% milk-loving counterparts.

    Read in Ladders:     https://apple.news/AwJ8uyiaJQlKDVGj4W1Jz_g


    Five patients quarantined in China's Zhejiang for respiratory illnessChina's eastern province of Zhejiang on Monday reported that five patients are in quarantine for respiratory illness but the diagnosis is not confirmed yet.

    Read in Reuters:     https://apple.news/ARH44HHBDSJquMfXTtBmEag


    U.S. takes precautions as China's deadly virus outbreak spreads
    Passengers arriving in the U.S. from the city at the center of the coronavirus outbreak are now being screened, as China's leader calls for containment ahead of huge travel period.

    Read in CBS News:     https://apple.news/A0Oa1Wa6ZRJKBNsvU5mfiiQ


    New virus originating in China sparks fear of “super-spreaders”Health authorities in the Chinese city of Wuhan said another person had died from the recently identified coronavirus infection, bringing the total to four. It added that 15 medical staff in Wuhan had contracted the virus, confirming that it is spreading…

    Read in South China Morning Post:     https://apple.news/AFXinpw4VTOOKa9s1TitifA


    Your heartburn drug has been recalled. Now what?
    There are alternatives to heartburn relief — including a doctor-approved bedtime trick.

    Read in NBC News:     https://apple.news/APf9Iy1OSRNePz2bwgJd8GQ

    Benzodiazepines might be a 'hidden element' of the US' overdose epidemic -- and doctor visits for prescriptions are increasingDoctors have been increasingly prescibing benzodiazepines, also known as "benzos," a new study finds.

    Read in CNN:     https://apple.news/Abm91XEJLTRqYZwcXLJ0Suw

    These are the laziest states in America, CDC study findsHow lazy is your state?

    Read in Fox News:     https://apple.news/A0-Z5GbXATfCkpOJ3SX_4yA 
     
     
     
    USA/CANADA


    Watch Trump's Speech Live from World Economic Forum in DavosEconomy Jan 21, 2020 10:27 GMT U.S. President Donald Trump gives the first keynote speech on day one of the 50th World Economic Forum in Davos. Watch Trump’s Speech Live from World Economic Forum in Davos

    Read in Investing.com:     https://apple.news/AIY5u9N8iTqa2BRxZsExATA

    Opinion: How unfair mortgage and housing practices affect you and your neighborhood — and what can be done about it
    4 ways to help create a housing market that works for all Americans.

    Read in MarketWatch:     https://apple.news/AqPk1qYOJT_ukKAlSVgjSVg


    Radical New Picture Of Why Economic Growth Is Modest, Yet The Economy Prospers
    Dietrich Vollrath has published a new book, "Fully Grown," that addresses the issue of slow economic growth within an economy fully employed with a vast amount of wealth creation. Mr. Vollrath has identified the demographic changes and structural movements in the economy that are a result of increases in wealth and well-being but result in slower growth. This view of how things are working should provide confidence to investors and business leaders that the world is not totally screwed up but

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/AjNI9kGjpOaa-0PL1VJqaNA


    New storm set to slam West Coast tomorrow
    January is in full swing in the eastern half of the United States.

    Read in ABC News:     https://apple.news/AdUT6uJXkRLa36jsOf5Xgbg   
     
     
    EMERGING MARKETS
     
    For Wall Street, Mexico Has Stolen Brazil’s ThunderForeign investors have a reason to like Mexico. Here's why short-termers are buying up Mexico at the expense of Brazil.

    Read in Forbes:     https://apple.news/AkoMVpnAWRhWxCQSpMzZwZA
     
     
    Critics say Mexico social programs used for political endsShortly before taking office in October 2018, Mexican President Andres Manuel López Obrador created an army of 18,000 volunteers to carry out an unusual mission for an administration yet to begin

    Read in ABC News:     https://apple.news/AGF032si6Twugz5gJFeh72g
     
     
    Global FDI dips, hit by Hong Kong divestment, Brexit: U.N.Global direct foreign investment (FDI) dipped slightly around the world last year, hit by massive divestment in Hong Kong and a drop in flows into Britain due to Brexit uncertainty, the United Nations said on Monday.

    Read in Reuters:     https://apple.news/A77TdP_2BTxGZ_lRruC6M4A
     
     
    Trump adviser: Former Bolivian leader a 'headache' for ArgentinaA senior adviser to President Trump said that former Bolivian leader Evo Morales has become a “headache” for Argentina.

    Read in The Hill:     https://apple.news/AKcG8z_dFQUaPTaOrb8EMPA
     
    Transportadora De Gas Del Sur: Undervalued Natural Gas ExtractorTransportadora de Gas del Sur S.A. provides natural gas extraction, transportation, and distribution services within Argentina. Profit margins and earnings growth have been positive in recent years, along with a reliable dividend. Dividends have increased consecutively over the last 10 years. Large sell-off brought equity to attractive levels, as investors should wait on for momentum build-up.

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/AAY_Y4EgmNGWoUosV6U91SA
     
     
    Puerto Ricans fear help may never comeYAUCO, Puerto Rico - Nydia Camacho's ankles are swollen and puffy after days of sleeping in a compact car with her two teenagers. The single mother can't return to her rented home because it shakes. The one she owns is a roofless jumble of wood and tin, uninhabitable since the hurricanes ravaged it. The 39-year-old is low on cash, her hours as a private security guard have been suspended because the public school she protects is closed.

    Read in My San Antonio:     https://apple.news/A-0N02fJKSQiMWbqJ0XQh9Q
     
     
    Aftershock Aftermath: This Is the Earthquake Forecast for Puerto RicoRichard Aster Environment, Americas These quakes are the most damaging to strike Puerto Rico since 1918, and the island has been under a state of emergency since Jan. 6, 2020. Multiple strong and damaging earthquakes in southern Puerto Rico starting around Dec. 28, 2019 have killed at least one person, caused many serious injuries and collapsed numerous buildings, including a multistory school in the town of Guánica that luckily was empty at the time. These quakes are the most damaging to strike

    Read in The National Interest:     https://apple.news/AN9a5jjJPNtCgr2DX05a8Pg
     
     
    Puerto Rico fires two more officials after Hurricane Maria aid found unused amid current earthquake aftermathPuerto Rico's Gov. Wanda Vázquez on Sunday fired two more officials in the most recent development since anger broke out over a viral video showing unused emergency supplies allegedly leftover from Hurricane Maria aid sitting in a warehouse in a small town currently grappling with the aftermath of a devastating earthquake last month.

    Read in Fox News:     https://apple.news/AIYQU-PrgQ_mWOceD2u3nCA 
     
     
     
     
    MIDDLE/EAST
     
     
    Expect OPEC oil production cuts to continue in 2020: Wood Mackenzie
    The oil market is "still not ready" to absorb OPEC's production cuts, said Sushant Gupta, a research director at Wood Mackenzie.

    Read in CNBC:     https://apple.news/AXI2AWlP0SZGqqUynKFhxUw
     
     
    OPEC remains focused on stability, says secretary general
    Mohammed Barkindo says the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries can only adjust supply to keep the oil markets balanced while watching fluctuations in demand "with very keen interest."

    Read in CNBC:     https://apple.news/ARP8EmOS_QQmfmEGpj2v9Kw
     
     
    Iraqi officials: At least 13 wounded in violence in Baghdad
    Iraqi officials say security forces have fired tear gas and live rounds in clashes with anti-government protesters in Baghdad, killing two and wounding dozens of demonstrators

    Read in ABC News:     https://apple.news/AQ3pglK7fSd2fNqmXVckhQQ
     
     
    Iraqi security forces kill two protesters in Baghdad, say sources
    Security forces have fired tear gas and live fire in an attempt to clear roads in Iraq's capital, Baghdad, as hundreds of protesters took again to the streets to express their anger at the embattled government's slow pace of reforms. Demonstrators a week ago had given the government until Monday to act on their demands, which include the holding of a snap poll under a new electoral law, the appointment of an independent prime minister and the prosecution of officials suspected of corruption.

    Read in Al Jazeera:     https://apple.news/AwHVb1S4EME2Ho09mgSq5ig
     
     
    Iraq's Shia armed groups meet over 'US aggression': Spokesman
    The leaders of major Shia armed groups in Iraq gathered in Iran's city of Qom earlier this month to coordinate efforts to expel the United States' troops in Iraq. Mohammad Mohie, spokesman of the Iran-backed Shia paramilitary group Kataib Hezbollah, told Al Jazeera on Sunday that the meeting held on January 13 aimed to coordinate future action among the armed groups. "That meeting was very important to coordinate our actions, activities and the resistance for the next step," Mohie said. More:

    Read in Al Jazeera:     https://apple.news/AcmqKx2OlMZy-hMsdb_z1BA
     
     
    Iran tensions: Tehran warns it will leave global nuclear weapons treaty if referred to UNIran‘s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has warned that the country would leave the international treaty that prevents that spread of atomic weapons if its alleged violations of the nuclear deal were brought before the United Nations Security Council.

    Read in The Independent:     https://apple.news/AMs5iQgBSTGS8BNNtBvOYaA
     
     
    Iran Says Will Target Any Country Used for Anti-Tehran Plot
    Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi says the Islamic Republic reserves the right to target any other country – including the friendly state of Iraq – if they are used for conspiracy and attack against Iran.

    Read in IFP News:     https://apple.news/Ajc9miKi0Rr-Mrq_GOGM2Tw
     
     
    Trump to decide in coming days on when to release Middle East peace plan
    President Trump is expected to decide in the next several days whether to present the White House's Middle East peace plan before Israel's March 2 elections, Israeli and U.S. sources told me.

    Read in Axios:     https://apple.news/Ap1aeMpy5SOWM9tJdc3_6Aw

    AFRICA
     

    West African States Mired in Controversy Over 'Eco' Currency
    Anglophone ECOWAS members have criticized plans by the bloc's French-speaking states to change the CFA franc's name to 'Eco'. ECOWAS had planned to launch a common currency under the same name in 2020. English-speaking members of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), plus Guinea, on Thursday condemned a recent announcement that the French-backed CFA franc used in eight West African countries would be renamed as the Eco. The move "is not in line" with plans by the regional bloc to

    Read in AllAfrica:     https://apple.news/AiLMji0bWM-aPNUZdt_Ag2w


    South African rate cut surprises analysts, but easing cycle may be short-lived
    The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) cut its main repo rate by 25 basis points on Thursday, surprising the vast majority of economists.

    Read in CNBC:     https://apple.news/AoYwIjrcrRHOBXQqd-gSAmA


    Rwanda's Macroeconomic Performance Strong, IMF Says
    The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Friday concluded the first review of Rwanda's programme supported by the IMF's Policy Consultation Instrument (PCI). The institution said Rwanda's macroeconomic performance remains strong under the programme. The programme seeks to support the implementation of the National Strategy for Transformation (NST). Macroeconomic performance - the measure of how well the country is meeting its economic targets - usually looks at things like output, employment and

    Read in AllAfrica:     https://apple.news/AidApRwufMw66kkmUvT0AXg

    Africa: UN Agency Appeals for U.S.$375.5 Million to Enhance Human Rights Globally
    The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights is appealing for $375.5 million to support its efforts to promote and protect human rights in dozens of countries around the world at a time of great turbulence and erosion of fundamental rights. Human rights is one of the three main pillars of the United Nations, along with peace and security and development. And, yet the office established to be the world’s human rights watchdog is seriously short of cash. Barely half of last year’s

    Read in AllAfrica:     https://apple.news/A2zfFTYsOPI6FkPAW1b-_kQ


    Kenya: Govt Eyes Up to U.S.$350 Million Aid From U.S. to Finance Projects
    The head of a special US development programme is due in Kenya in the coming week to hold initial talks on the country's potential eligibility for project funding of up to Sh35 billion. Sean Cairncross, chief executive of the Millennium Development Corporation (MCC), said in a press briefing on Thursday that Kenya is making "excellent progress" toward meeting criteria for inclusion in the programme. ASSESSMENTS Successfully completing this initial step would likely result in Kenya being chosen

    Read in AllAfrica:     https://apple.news/AqX_bOHlTNQuiggb20vCBXA


    In Zimbabwe, a backyard hydroponic farm beats drought to grow veg
    In a backyard in Zimbabwe's capital, a 50-year-old mother of two is using hydroponics to grow vegetables for some of Harare's top restaurants, defying drought and an economic crisis that have left millions needing food aid.

    Read in Reuters:     https://apple.news/A_Zl6Lu8MTRmmFB-xZ_dmAg

    ASIA


    U.S., India draft 'mini' trade deal
    Officials in India and the U.S. are preparing a limited bilateral trade agreement that could be unveiled during a visit by President Trump to New Delhi in the coming weeks, government officials in both countries told WSJ. The pact, described as a "mini-deal," could ease some of the U.S.'s longstanding concerns with India's trade and economic practices, as well as restore India's preferential trade status. While that would allow the nation to ship billions of dollars of duty-free products to the

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/AZFfRtN6MNeKP86yM5z5Yhg


    Could Taiwan Stop an Invasion By China?
    David Axe Security, Asia Expert: “Over the next four years, it may be more important to acquire less glamorous but nimbler weapons to prevent Beijing from considering an invasion.” Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen’s January 2020 re-election could signal another four years of stiff defiance to Chinese aggression for the island country. But Taiwan should reconsider its defensive strategy, Iain Marlow wrote for Bloomberg. “In her first term, President Tsai Ing-wen secured more than $10 billion in

    Read in The National Interest:     https://apple.news/AFrdJ87xmORafXz8txL36EQ

    Beijing’s dubious claims undermine Indonesia’s role as South China Sea’s honest broker
    This year Indonesia and China will celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations. But the journey has not always been smooth sailing. When Indonesia broke off diplomatic ties in 1967, the relationship went into a deep freeze. Even when ties were restored in…

    Read in South China Morning Post:     https://apple.news/AQ7ElPNtlQ1mHeUzMvKXSfw


    China and Myanmar’s growing closeness could help forge united front against international critics
    China and Myanmar sought to present a united front during President Xi Jinping’s visit last week in the face of growing international pressure In a joint statement released after the visit on Saturday, the two sides said that they would deepen their…

    Read in South China Morning Post:     https://apple.news/ATKv9q9zsSeyVWXFyDdGxxw

    China confident of stabilizing industrial growth in 2020
    China is confident of maintaining steady industrial growth this year despite big pressures on the sector, underpinned by tax cuts and broad policy support, Minister of Industry and Information Technology Wei said on Monday.

    Read in Reuters:     https://apple.news/ArlcIoTLJQOCbFz2gO4mQ0Q


    Recent developments surrounding the South China Sea
    A senior Indonesian researcher says Beijing is undermining its relations with Jakarta by making dubious claims about the rights of its fishermen to operate within Indonesia’s exclusive economic zone

    Read in ABC News:     https://apple.news/AA40_AMvRSV-H0nLwvuTMYQ


    Osaka, Japan is top travel destination for Canadians in 2020
    None

    Read in Toronto Sun:     https://apple.news/A5kucI-cqSS-5QeECXfdk7g  
     
     
    EUROPE
     
     
    Sterling under pressure over hard Brexit warnings from UK finance ministerThe U.K.'s biggest business lobby group warns on UK exit by firms as a hard Brexit threat pressures the pound.

    Read in CNBC:     https://apple.news/AKMK5vyk3SLWpGmak34TC6Q


    Digital tax in the spotlight this weekFrench economy minister Bruno Le Maire hopes to resolve a row with the U.S. over a planned French digital tax by Wednesday evening, adding he would meet American counterparts at the Davos World Economic forum in Switzerland. The digital tax imposes a 3% levy on digital revenues of companies like Google (GOOG, GOOGL), Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) and Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), which have more than €750M in global revenue, including at least €25M in France. Washington has threatened to

    Read in Seeking Alpha:     https://apple.news/A2QUB9lGrPrGldFWGs7sVCQ


    UK looks to fast-growing Africa for trade ties after BrexitBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson is hosting several African leaders as the U.K. prepares for post-Brexit dealings with the world

    Read in ABC News:     https://apple.news/AimVMECLKRpGMSdrWwytaAA

    Britain's EU Journey: When Churchill urged European unityEurope has been a source of contention in Britain seemingly forever

    Read in ABC News:     https://apple.news/Ap3Ssp-5FRO6MQJUJ6EevuQ


    Boris Johnson tells Putin there will be no normalisation of UK-Russia relationship until ‘destabilising activity’ endsBoris Johnson has told Vladimir Putin there will be no normalisation of the relationship between the UK and Russia until the latter country brings an end to its “destabilising activity”.

    Read in The Independent:     https://apple.news/AZ9b2RbvORqiEDUIi6tHJyA
     
    d
     
    CBI, ISX,Dinar Guru:
     
    CBI Update:
     
     
    The CBI for Wednesday 1/22/20 did update on the indicative rates Sell Rate 1190
    The currency auction: Total sale amount 268,422,263.
    There are no news and announcements.
    ISX Update:
    No update yet. Click on the link above for the latest update.
    Value Traded:
    Shares Traded:
     
    ISX ended in Green
     
    Dinar Guru:dd
     
     
     
    1-22-2020   Newshound Guru Kaperoni   If the dinar is ever going to go up in value it will be as a result of Iraq implementing laws for investment and investors coming to participate in the rebuilding. Only then can the dinar begin to appreciate as a result...
    1-21-2020   Intel Guru RayRen98   ...Iraqi TV has legal activists saying the budget will be given to the Finance Minister and he can present it to Parliament for voting and passage since the caretaker government is limited in what it can legally do. This is being voted on in Parliament to get done so the budget can be presented...Iraqi citizens are in the streets today regarding the slow pace of reforms... Saleh announced postponement of nomination of next pm had meeting this morning with several key figures on agreement before travel...
    1-21-2020   Intel Guru Delta   Article:  "Legal Spotlights on the Central Bank's Independence from the Executive Authority - A Comparative Analytical Study"    Quote:  "CBI is in the process of drawing up and implementing monetary policy"   MORE CONFIRMATION CBI ON THE VERGE OF...YOU KNOW..MUSIC TO MY EARS.
     
    1-21-2020   Intel Guru MarkZ   My contacts at the redemption centers are saying they will not be working 24 hours but from 7-11 everyday. They are still on “High Alert”.  In Iraq I am hearing “yes” to a new prime minister.  My diplomatic sources there are very optimistic for RV this week. My contractor sources over there expect to have to change the QI card values this week.

    1-21-2020   Newshound Guru Kaperoni        What the guru's keep talking about (some overnight event) to delete zeros is a LOP.  That is not what we want to see. That is a neutral event. There is no overnight significant RV/RI... What we want to see is for Iraq to create the economic conditions (laws, investment) to create a thriving private sector/market economy. As a result, the dinar will rise in value gradually via a float increasing the value. This is what Iraqis prefer and it also would allow for the money supply to be reduced.
     
    1-21-2020 Intel Guru Frank26 ...If it is like they are telling you in the articles today that they have a new prime minister, well then what does that mean? It means you no longer have a caretaker government...What do you think is the first demands the citizens want? ...they wanted a new government...second thing they want? Purchasing power. Because they know that that's coming...
     
     
    Elmer:
     
    Not in today
     
    Artmeister:
     
    Not in today
     
    Catnip:
     

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

    Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi receives the Italian Minister of Defense

    The Prime Minister, Adel Abdul-Mahdi, received today, Tuesday, the Italian Minister of Defense, Mr. Lorenzo Gorini, and his accompanying delegation, which includes the Chief of Defense Staff and the Italian Ambassador to Iraq.

    During the meeting, they discussed the development of Iraqi-Italian relations, the enhancement of military cooperation, and developments in the regional crisis.

    The Prime Minister affirmed his pride in the relations between the two countries in all fields, and the importance of continued cooperation and support for the Iraqi military and security capabilities in the field of training. The Prime Minister also clarified the position of the Iraqi government and the decision of the House of Representatives to withdraw foreign forces, and its policy to build balanced relations in the Arab, regional and international environment and its permanent pursuit To defuse the crises and achieve calm, and the importance of countries respecting the sovereignty, security and stability of Iraq, and that the Iraqi government is continuing to establish friendship and cooperation relations with all neighboring and friendly countries on the basis of mutual respect.

    For his part, the Italian Minister of Defense expressed the support of his country's government for the security and stability of Iraq and its national sovereignty and the intention of the Italian government to stand with Iraq, especially in these sensitive circumstances and to strengthen its position in line with the distinguished and growing relations between the two countries and its keenness to expand cooperation with Iraq and meet the needs of the military and security forces in areas Arming and training, praising the positions of the Iraqi government in its regional environment and achieving security and stability in Iraq and keeping it away from international conflicts, and stressed the need to overcome the current conditions in the region and spare its people and interests the dangers of war, and the importance of cooperation and cooperation T between the two countries in this area that concerns the security and stability of the region and the world.

    The meeting was attended by the Chief of Staff of the Army and a number of advisors.

    Media Office of the Prime Minister
    January 21, 2020

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

    The Council of Ministers holds its regular session, headed by Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi

    The Council of Ministers held its regular session today, Tuesday, January 21, 2020, headed by the Prime Minister, Adel Abdul Mahdi.

    The Council approved the recommendation of the Ministerial Council for Energy according to the following: Which requires the concerted efforts of all state institutions.

    The Council of Ministers decided to give the Prime Minister the authority to approve the accompanying proposals and make amendments to them regarding conducting the general census of the population.

    And it was agreed to amend paragraph (6) of Cabinet Resolution (340 of 2019) to become according to the following: 900,000 nine hundred thousand unemployed persons who do not have the ability to work monthly grants 175,000 dinars only one hundred and seventy five thousand dinars per person for a period of three months provided that They are within the poverty line stipulated in the Social Protection Law.

    The Council of Ministers agreed to terminate the work of the ministerial committee formed according to Cabinet Resolution No. (361 of 2016) regarding the mechanism for appointing deputy ministers and general managers for the existence of a committee composed for the same purpose under the Diwaniya Order (199) issued under the Prime Minister’s Office letter.

    It was agreed that the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs would hand over the marketing complexes and kiosks after its establishment to the Baghdad Municipality regarding the Baghdad governorate for the purpose of implementing paragraph (9) of Cabinet Resolution No. (340 of 2019) regarding employment of the unemployed, and it would assume the management of municipalities in the irregular governorates In the region, the implementation of the paragraph (first) above, this decision is implemented from the date of its issuance.

    The Council agreed to amend the second paragraph of Cabinet Resolution No. 140 of 2019 to read as follows: The Ministry of Youth and Sports shall determine the appropriate mechanisms to provide the governmental financial grant directly to sports federations, with the abolition of the fourth paragraph of the aforementioned decision.

    Media Office of the Prime Minister
    January 21, 2020

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    ARTICLE 2 (from Government of Iraq twitter account)

    At the time this report was submitted, there are no new tweets posted on the Government of Iraq twitter account.

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    ARTICLE 3

    Muhammad Allawi explains the truth [what happened on commissioning night]

    1/21/2020 17:48
    [Follow-up]

    The former minister, Muhammad Tawfiq Allawi, denied on Tuesday, rejecting his candidacy for the position of the next prime minister, because of "the dictates of some political parties."

    Allawi said in a tweet to him in response to a series of tweets on Twitter today, Tuesday: "A fabricated tweet has been put in place as well as a fabricated article under the title (What happened on commissioning night) and it was widely reported that Muhammad Allawi rejected his candidacy due to the dictates of some political parties."

    "I would like to confirm that this tweet and this article are fabricated and fabricated altogether and in detail, as no one has yet dictated to me any dictations and any conditions, knowing that I will not accept in the case of assigning me ministers according to the political quotas like the previous governments that ended in failure and brought the country to This situation is miserable. "

    Pages circulated on social networking sites a fake tweet by a candidate for Allawi, which included an apology for assigning him to the premiership because of the pressure of one of the political blocs that asked him for ministries approved approach to quotas

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    ARTICLE 4

    Iraq signs a contract with the United Nations to support the implementation of the general population census

    1/21/2020 16:57
    [Baghdad-where]

    The Ministry of Planning announced, on Tuesday, that Iraq has signed a contract with the United Nations to support the implementation of the general census of the population this year, while revealing some details of the contract.

    The ministry said, in a statement received [where] a copy of it, that "Iraq signed with the United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN- HABITAT) a joint cooperation contract to support the implementation of the general population and housing census to be implemented in the last third of the year 2020."

    He added, “The contract was signed on the Iraqi side by the head of the Central Bureau of Statistics Zia Awad Kazem, while Irfan Ali, the regional director of (UN- HABITAT), signed it.”

    In addition, Minister of Planning Nouri Al-Dulaimi said that "the contract will provide the Central Bureau of Statistics with high-resolution satellite images of all areas of work for the general population and facilities for urban and rural areas, design a digital geographic platform for the census and a digital and statistical statistical paper for the census."

    He pointed out that "efforts recently resulted in the launch of a special platform to follow up on reconstruction projects, and the project to address and settle informal housing in Iraq."

    For his part, the Regional Director of (UN- HABITAT) praised the "level of joint cooperation with Iraq," stressing: providing all possible support to the Ministry of Planning in implementing its development vision, foremost of which is the implementation of the Population and Housing Census 2020. "
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    ARTICLE 5

    Observatory: The former deputy speaker of parliament is no longer state property and the arrest of the journalist who published the news

    1/21/2020 16:25
    [Baghdad-where]

    The Iraqi Observatory for Journalistic Freedoms in the Iraqi Journalists Syndicate condemned the arrest of journalist Sorkiyo Muhammad, editor-in-chief of the "Berkraff" agency in the city of Sulaymaniyah after filing a lawsuit against him by the second deputy of the former Speaker of Parliament Aram Sheikh Muhammad.

    A representative of the Iraqi Observatory for Press Freedoms in the city of Sulaimaniyah, Salah Hassan Baban, said in a press statement that [where] received 3 copies of it, “The Brackraff site mentioned in a news that a lawsuit was filed against the site’s editor, Sorkyu Muhammad, on January 16th by the second deputy The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aram Mohamed, on charges of defamation, after a report published by the website about public property and properties that Sheikh Mohammed did not return to the state after the end of his official work.

    He pointed out that: The Kurdish j    ournalist was released by the Azmar police station on a financial guarantee (500 thousand dinars) Iraqi, and this is the second time that Sheikh Muhammad filed a lawsuit against the editor of "Berkraaf" site.
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