WOTS THU JAN 21 21
These are the articles I discussed on the podcast https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episode/epbo49
The moment people gathered at a suicide bomber in Tayaran Square and blew himself up
Today, Thursday (January 21, 2021), a suicide bombing took place in Tayaran Square, in the center of the capital, Baghdad, which led to the deaths and injuries, according to what was confirmed by the Baghdad Operations .Command A video tape received (Baghdad Today) showed the bombing incident from the scene of the accident, after the presence of citizens in the Bab al-Sharqi market (Al-Bale), where the citizens are present after the first explosion, ".according to what the videographer says, who indicated that "the second terrorist blew himself up on the citizens
The videotape shows that citizens were present at the scene of the accident, so the suicide bomber exploded, and the .bodies of the martyrs who were very close to the scene of the accident disappear
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Interior revealed the details of the suicide attack that targeted Tayaran Square, in .central Baghdad Major General Khaled Al-Muhanna, spokesman for the ministry, said in an interview with (Baghdad Today), "The initial ".toll of the Tayaran Square attack has risen to 13 martyrs and 28 wounded so far ".He added, "This toll is official, not final and subject to increase Regarding the details of the attack, Al-Muhanna said, "The first suicide bomber blew himself up after he claimed that ".he was sick and people gathered around him He continued, "The second suicide bomber blew himself up after people gathered to transport the injured in the first ".bombing For its part, the Joint Operations Command confirmed that the first explosion occurred near the Granada cinema, after .the terrorist shouted and called on citizens to help him as a patient The first explosion took place near Granada, after the terrorist played the role of the patient, followed by a second" explosion after the security forces arrived at the site of the first explosion, which led to the fall of a number of martyrs .and wounded," said the leadership spokesman,
Tahseen al-Khafaji, in a televised statement And Baghdad operations had reported earlier in the day that two suicide bombers detonated their souls in Tayaran .Square in the center of the capital
After that, the spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Yahya Rasool, issued a statement regarding the suicide attack in which he said: “A double terrorist attack by two suicide bombers who blew themselves up while being pursued by the security forces in the Bab al-Sharqi district in Baghdad, Thursday morning, " .which led to A number of civilians were martyred and wounded
Warning Video is GRAPHIC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Representative Energy: We have dealt with the oil and gas law disputes, and we will vote on it soon
The Parliamentary Oil and Gas Committee revealed, on Thursday, that the legal drafting of the oil and gas law has been completed after all disputes regarding it have been addressed and the three components agree, indicating that Parliament will vote on it soon and before the end of its current session.
A member of the committee, Deputy Zaitoun Al-Dulaimi, said in a statement to "the information", that "all the disputes related to the oil and gas law have been addressed in accordance with the three components," indicating that "the legal drafting has been completed and the law has been submitted to the presidency for the purpose of submitting it to a vote."
Al-Dulaimi added that "the presentation of the law to the vote will take place soon and there are no new obstacles to postponing it," stressing that "the approval of the law will inevitably be approved during this parliamentary session."
Iraqi politicians stress the importance of working on issuing legal legislation that regulates the relationship between the region and the federal government, especially in approving the oil and gas laws and the distribution of national wealth.
This is the image of the Zimbabwe 100 Trillion Note on an Iraqi Bank Website
Iraq’s Disappearance From Biden’s Agenda Is a Big Mistake
Upcoming elections offer an opportunity to turn Iraq around—and contain Iran in the process.
On Thursday morning, Baghdad witnessed twin suicide bombings in a busy market that killed 32 people and wounded more than 100 others. It was the bloodiest such attack in many years. Coming only a day after the inauguration of U.S. President Joe Biden, the attack is a reminder that the dangers facing Iraq from extremism remain very real, and that the country’s situation is still precarious in many ways.
The attack also serves as a reminder that Iraq needs to be on the Biden administration’s agenda, even though it does not appear to be a priority at all. Because of its strategic impact on Middle East politics and the implications Iraq’s success or failure has on the United States’ standing in the world, how Biden and his team handle Iraq will be watched closely in the Middle East and beyond.
Iraq is at a critical moment as it prepares for national elections in October that could help the country to finally emerge from the grip of corrupt, sectarian political parties—or reverse the gains it has made.
The Biden team is taking office 10 years after the Arab uprisings that the United States largely mishandled. In today’s Iraq, as elsewhere in the Middle East, there is a nascent but significant movement among young Iraqis to reject identity politics based on sectarianism, which has a bloody history of being exploited to divide Iraqi Sunnis, Shiites, Kurds, and other groups from one another. The worst thing that could happen is if the new U.S. administration reverted back to old proposals to deepen Iraq’s sectarian divisions as a way of ruling the country, as Biden has proposed in the past. Instead, Washington should support Iraqi sovereignty, stability, and good governance.
Like Biden, many in the new administration will have an Iraq legacy—even if they do not want to own it. The new president, for one, visited Iraq many times as a U.S. senator and vice president.
As the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden played a significant role in giving then-President George W. Bush authorization for the Iraq War in 2002. In a 2006 op-ed in the New York Times, Biden proposed a dismemberment of Iraq along sectarian and ethnic lines. And while sources close to Biden say he has long abandoned that position, he has yet to revoke it directly. As vice president, Biden was assigned by then-President Barack Obama to oversee the Iraq file and was widely considered a kingmaker when he threw his weight behind Nouri al-Maliki getting another term as Iraqi prime minister in 2010. At the same time, however, the Obama administration did its best to ignore Iran’s destructive meddling in Iraq.
Biden isn’t alone in having a significant history with Iraq that has remained largely unspoken during the campaign and transition. His nominees for secretary of defense, Lloyd Austin, and secretary of state, Antony Blinken, are both well acquainted with Iraq. Austin served as a commander in the 2003 Iraq War and later headed U.S. Central Command, where he oversaw the drawdown of U.S. troops and their consequent return to fight the Islamic State. By naming Barbara Leaf as senior director for the Middle East and North Africa in the National Security Council and Brett McGurk as coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, Biden brings two seasoned diplomats who have worked in Iraq to the top of decision-making in national security.
These officials bring experience and personal relationships in Iraq to the table, but Iraq has changed dramatically since they were last in office. The current Iraqi prime minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi, is the first non-Islamist prime minister since 2005. He has advocated civilian, nonsectarian rule in Iraq. President Barham Salih is also an advocate of nonsectarian and progressive politics. The opportunity to work with both of them should not be squandered.
There is a narrow but important opportunity to turn Iraq around—but it won’t be easy. With elections in October, the window to act with Kadhimi and Salih leading Iraq is limited to less than nine months. As the elections are held and the next government is formed, corrupt militia leaders and Iranian proxies in Iraq will do everything in their power to push secular, progressive parties and politicians from power.
To avoid that happening, the U.S. administration should have three priorities in Iraq.
First, Washington should not allow extremist elements, whatever their creed, to attack U.S. interests in the country. These interests include not just the safety of the U.S. Embassy and U.S. troop bases but the stability of Iraq more broadly, including its government, infrastructure, oil installations, and borders with U.S. allies, in particular Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Kuwait. The United States should also support the current government by aiding its ability to provide security and basic services to the Iraqi people, helping secular and progressive rule to gain greater legitimacy.
Second, there is a battle of ideas and ideals raging in the Middle East—and the United States is part of that battle. Be it in Iraq or Lebanon, young people are pushing against sectarianism and the corruption and nepotism that come with it. Thirty years have passed since the 1991 uprising, when Iraqis demanded change in their country. Iraqis rose up in 14 out of the country’s 18 provinces in a revolution that few outside Iraq remember—because it was not televised and predated the ability of social media to capture cries for help. When the uprising was quashed following Operation Desert Storm, in which a U.S.-led coalition ejected Saddam Hussein’s forces from Kuwait, the United States stood by and allowed thousands to be killed.
For over a year now, young Iraqis have once again been taking to the streets to demand a better future. The United States should not stand by the wayside again. It should engage in the Iraqi and Middle Eastern battle for progressive ideals and support the secular nation-state over militia and sectarian rule.
Third, Washington must counter Iran’s expansionist agenda in the region by helping Iraq regain its sovereignty and limiting foreign intervention in the country. Ensuring Iraq is firmly on a path to becoming a more neutral and influential actor in the region would benefit U.S. interests and bring more stability to the region.
Oddly, Iraq is barely even mentioned in Washington even as there is near-consensus that Iran will be among the top foreign-policy issues the Biden administration will tackle early on. But to address Iran and its nuclear program in isolation is short-sighted. Iran’s expansionist policies in the region, and particularly in Iraq, are part of the problem and have to be addressed and curtailed.
In his Senate confirmation hearing, Blinken said that the Gulf Arab countries and Israel would be involved in potential talks with Iran about its role in the region. There was no mention of Iraq, even though it is at the heart of Iran’s expansionist ambitions in the region.
There is a common misconception that Iran has what is often described as a “natural role” in Iraq, whether because of cultural links or Tehran’s imperial ambitions. Yet there is no reason for Iran to have a political or security role in other sovereign states. Undoubtedly, cultural links are important. But having Iraq-based militias report to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Iranian military commanders freely cross borders goes far beyond cultural influence. Iraq must not be seen only in terms of Iran’s agenda.
The United States has a number of powerful tools of influence it can use in Iraq. A physical presence—whether U.S. troops or embassy staff—is required to show commitment and help stabilize Iraq. Apart from the most ardent of Iran’s allies in Baghdad, who wish to push the United States out of Iraq, political leaders prefer a U.S. presence that creates a counterweight to Iran. Even the radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, whose followers rail against the United States, would rather keep Washington engaged in order to avoid a complete Iranian takeover. Another tool is sanctions, which the Trump administration used frequently. Sanctions are a clear indicator of whom Washington will work with and with whom they won’t. Being designated by the United States as a militia leader can end the political aspirations of anyone wanting to enter government and wield power.
Politicians in Iraq recognize that the Biden administration has little time or resources to squander in their country. That worries those who hope to see the United States play a role there and to have close ties. For those aligned with Iran, who see the United States as a challenger to their plans, this is a welcome development. They shouldn’t get what they are hoping for.
The exchange rate of the dollar decreased on the main stock exchange in Baghdad, on Thursday, at a time when it stabilized in the Kurdistan Region.
Our correspondent said that the Central Al-Kifah Stock Exchange in Baghdad registered 145,650 Iraqi dinars today, compared to 100 US dollars, which is the same price as Al-Harithiya Stock Exchange.
While the central Al-Kifah Stock Exchange in Baghdad registered 145,800 Iraqi dinars against 100 US dollars at its opening yesterday.
Our correspondent indicated that the buying and selling prices decreased slightly in the banking shops in the local markets in Baghdad, where the selling price reached 146,000 Iraqi dinars, while the purchase prices reached 145,000 dinars per 100 US dollars.
As for Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region, the dollar’s prices have witnessed stability, as the selling price reached 146,000 dinars per hundred dollars, and the purchase was 145,500 dinars per hundred US dollars.
The Executive Director of the Stock Exchange, Taha Abdel-Salam, told «Economy News»: We will launch online trading for investors during the current year
The Executive Director of the Stock Exchange, Taha Ahmed Abdel Salam, announced that during the current year we will launch internet trading for investors and this will happen for the first time on the stock exchange, indicating that we seek to increase the number of companies listed on the stock exchange and diversify financial instruments such as government bonds, for example.
Abdel Salam said in an interview with “Al-Eqtisad News”, “The Stock Exchange is working on amending the Companies Law to guarantee the rights of small shareholders in the meeting of the public bodies of companies listed on the stock exchange.
Below is the full text of the interview conducted by “Al-Iktissad News” with the Executive Director of the Iraq Stock Exchange (Stock Exchange) Taha Ahmed Abdel-Salam:
* Has the economic crisis caused by the Corona virus affected the trading operations on the stock exchange?
There is no doubt that the year 2020 had many variables that affected economic activity and the business sector represented by joint-stock companies registered in the financial markets, including the Iraq Stock Exchange (the stock exchange). The great impact was in the period that the government called the “Cairo period,” which extended from February 5 to December 12, 2020.
Despite the crisis, some companies during the partial ban period provided disclosures for their annual data, and during the year 2020, 70 companies submitted financial statements for the year 2019.
The indicators of 2020 were less than 2019, but as a general outcome, they were positive indicators commensurate with the size of the challenges that the world has witnessed.
* What is the reason for the “isolation” of the Iraqi stock exchange from its counterparts in the Arab world?
Because the companies listed on the Iraqi Stock Exchange are local companies, and you cannot find foreign companies in some Arab stock exchanges. Nevertheless, 17% of the shares deposited in the Stock Exchange Depository Center are owned by foreign shareholders, and during 2020 their circulation amounted to 10% of the total turnover. It is a percentage from our point of view as market management is very acceptable, especially since we had a break of up to 60 sessions during the same year.
During the year 2020, many stock exchanges around the world also collapsed, but the Iraqi stock exchange was not affected because the country was going through a period of a comprehensive curfew, and the stock exchange was closed at that time.
* Has the number of foreign investors increased or decreased during the last period?
The increase in the number of foreign investors depends on the increase in listed companies as well as the innovation of new economic sectors. There is another issue, that any global economic variable forces foreign investors to turn their attention to emerging markets, but the stock exchange relies on its advanced systems to attract foreign investors.
* How many banks are listed on the stock exchange?
There are more than 50 banks listed on the stock exchange.
* What are the listing conditions imposed by the stock exchange on companies?
The listing conditions can be summarized by requiring companies to disclose their financial statements for two fiscal years. It should not have a financial deficit, and the company should not be bound by legal restrictions affecting the trading of its shares, and the number of its shareholders should not be less than 100.
* What is the reason for the domination of major investors in the decisions of listed companies?
We called more than once to amend the Companies Law to include provisions for voting in the meetings of the public bodies of companies, for the vote to be cumulative, as the latter gives the right to small shareholders to compete with major shareholders in making decisions.
* How many companies have distributed profits to shareholders?
During the past year, only 17 companies distributed profits to investors, which is a low number compared to previous years, as it ranged between 30-35 companies that distribute profits to their shareholders. The distribution of profits to shareholders contributes to attracting investors because they see this as a window of investment.
* There is a government plan to offer government bonds on the stock exchange. Is the latter ready for this procedure, especially since there was an unsuccessful experience in 2015?
The issuance and marketing is carried out by the Central Bank of Iraq, according to my information. We do not interfere with this shopping because the stock exchange has a relationship with the issue and we do not have legal authority over marketing. The process of marketing government bonds should target all segments of society. As for the 2015 exports, it was acquired by the banks because their interest rate was 8%, so it served as an investment vehicle for them.
As for the technical aspect, the Stock Exchange is fully prepared for such an offering, especially as it has an electronic system for trading and deposit.
* As a citizen, how can I invest in the stock market?
Trading in the shares of joint-stock companies begins with attending the stock exchange to view its papers, after which he can open an account in the depository center to obtain the investor’s number. From there, the one who wants to invest begins to follow up the companies’ activities and stock bulletins issued by the stock exchange, to be fully aware of the activities of the company whose shares he wishes to invest.
* Is there cooperation between you and Arab stock exchanges?
The Iraqi Stock Exchange is a member of the Federation of Arab Stock Exchanges and a member of the Federation of European Asian Stock Exchanges since 2005, and there is cooperation in terms of disseminating information and data on the official websites of these federations, and these matters would give positive indicators to Arab and foreign investors.
During the past year, we signed a cooperation agreement with the Egyptian Stock Exchange, and there are training programs in March 2021 to train our cadres electronically on applications in both markets.
* Has the effect of changing the exchange rate on market transactions?
There is no doubt that any economically affected variable affects all aspects of the economy and its institutions, especially those that deal with investments. Dealing within the market is done in Iraqi dinars on the shares of joint-stock companies. Any economic change must be reflected on the market in terms of sales and trading volume.
* Holding the “evening sessions” just an idea or will it be implemented?
At the present time we are in the process of studying the subject technically because it has to do with changing some of the regulations of some brokers as well as changing the financial and equity settlements of some companies in order to make sure of the safety of the operations carried out by investors and shareholders.
* What is the market plan for the next 5 years?
During this year, we will launch online trading for investors, and this will happen for the first time on the stock exchange. The biggest challenge during 2021 is to increase the number of companies listed on the stock exchange and diversify financial instruments, such as government bonds, for example. We also hope that joint stock companies will issue their own bonds.
And that the comparison of the Iraqi stock exchange with the Arab stock exchanges should not be done at the market level only. On the technological level, the stock exchange ranks first in the Arab world. As for the reason why Arab stock exchanges outperform the Iraqi stock market in terms of volume and value of transactions, it is due to the fact that Arab stock exchanges contain bonds, sukuk, and Islamic financial instruments.
Favorite Currencies Forex Quotes
| Symbol | Bid | Ask | High | Low | Open | Change | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD/IQD |  1433.8000 |  1483.3000 | 1458.5000 | 1458.2000 | 1458.2000 |  0.0000 | 11:29 |
| USD/VND | 23060.0000 | 23080.0000 | 23057.6500 | 23052.4600 | 23052.4600 | 6.8600 | 00:37 |
| USD/CNY | 6.4602 | 6.4622 | 6.4655 | 6.4575 | 6.4653 | -0.0052 | 05:18 |
| USD/KWD | 0.3024 | 0.3034 | 0.3026 | 0.3024 | 0.3026 | -0.0002 | 05:13 |
| GBP/USD | 1.3722 | 1.3723 | 1.3745 | 1.3650 | 1.3652 | 0.0070 | 05:18 |
| USD/IRR | 42000.0000 | 42210.0000 | 42097.5000 | 42097.5000 | 42097.5000 | -914.4000 | 07:13 |
| USD/IDR | 14021.0000 | 14027.0000 | 14041.0000 | 13998.0000 | 14015.0000 | 4.0000 | 05:15 |
Black Hawk Crash in New York Kills 3 National Guard Members
Deutsche, JPMorgan Top Banks Flagged in Fraud Report: Highlights
- About 90 financial institutions appear in the leaked documents.
- The report analyzed more than $2 trillion in transfers.
Jack Ma Resurfaces After Months of Lying Low...
$58 Billion Sigh of Relief...
Marijuana abuse by youth linked to suicide attempts...
Oil Parliament reveals the completion of the legal drafting of the oil and gas law
The Parliamentary Oil and Gas Committee revealed, on Thursday, that the legal drafting of the oil and gas law has been completed after all disputes regarding it have been addressed and the three components agree, indicating that Parliament will vote on it soon and before the end of its current session.
A member of the committee, Deputy Zaitoun Al-Dulaimi, said in a press interview, that "all the disputes related to the oil and gas law have been addressed in accordance with the three components," indicating that "the legal drafting has been completed and the law has been submitted to the presidency for the purpose of submitting it to a vote."
She added that "the presentation of the law to the vote will take place soon and there are no new obstacles to postponing it," stressing that "the adoption of the law will inevitably be approved during this parliamentary session."
The National Investment Commission holds a workshop on corporate governance and activating the role of the private sector
The National Investment Commission, in cooperation with the Governance Corporation for Directors (GloD) and the International Finance Corporation, has held a workshop entitled (The Role of the National Investment Commission in Developing Corporate Governance Practices to Support and Activate the Role of the Private Sector in Iraq).
The authority’s advisor, Adnan Kashmoula, and a number of department managers and employees participated in the workshop.
A statement of the authority, seen by "Al-Eqtisad News", said that the National Authority, in cooperation with the Governance Institution for Directors, organized a workshop via closed-circuit television, entitled (The Role of the National Investment Commission in Developing Corporate Governance Practices to Support and Activate the Role of the Private Sector in Iraq). Executive Director of the Governance Foundation in Iraq, Dr. Bushra Al-Amin, Member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Wadih Al-Handal, and Corporate Governance Projects Officer for the Middle East and North Africa of the International Finance Corporation, Dr.
The statement added that the workshop included introducing the role of the governance institution for managers in spreading the culture of governance to support and activate the private sector and the challenges it faces, in addition to the benefits of governance to attract local and foreign investment, and success stories were presented for institutions that applied governance as a method of work, which brought them benefit.
At the end of the workshop, the lecturers thanked the President of the National Investment Commission, Suha Daoud Najjar, for adopting such a workshop because of its positive impact on the work of the Commission by providing the best services to investment companies and investors
The moment people gathered at a suicide bomber in Tayaran Square and blew himself up
Today, Thursday (January 21, 2021), a suicide bombing took place in Tayaran Square, in the center of the capital, Baghdad, which led to the deaths and injuries, according to what was confirmed by the Baghdad Operations .Command A video tape received (Baghdad Today) showed the bombing incident from the scene of the accident, after the presence of citizens in the Bab al-Sharqi market (Al-Bale), where the citizens are present after the first explosion, ".according to what the videographer says, who indicated that "the second terrorist blew himself up on the citizens
The videotape shows that citizens were present at the scene of the accident, so the suicide bomber exploded, and the .bodies of the martyrs who were very close to the scene of the accident disappear
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Interior revealed the details of the suicide attack that targeted Tayaran Square, in .central Baghdad Major General Khaled Al-Muhanna, spokesman for the ministry, said in an interview with (Baghdad Today), "The initial ".toll of the Tayaran Square attack has risen to 13 martyrs and 28 wounded so far ".He added, "This toll is official, not final and subject to increase Regarding the details of the attack, Al-Muhanna said, "The first suicide bomber blew himself up after he claimed that ".he was sick and people gathered around him He continued, "The second suicide bomber blew himself up after people gathered to transport the injured in the first ".bombing For its part, the Joint Operations Command confirmed that the first explosion occurred near the Granada cinema, after .the terrorist shouted and called on citizens to help him as a patient The first explosion took place near Granada, after the terrorist played the role of the patient, followed by a second" explosion after the security forces arrived at the site of the first explosion, which led to the fall of a number of martyrs .and wounded," said the leadership spokesman,
Tahseen al-Khafaji, in a televised statement And Baghdad operations had reported earlier in the day that two suicide bombers detonated their souls in Tayaran .Square in the center of the capital
After that, the spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Major General Yahya Rasool, issued a statement regarding the suicide attack in which he said: “A double terrorist attack by two suicide bombers who blew themselves up while being pursued by the security forces in the Bab al-Sharqi district in Baghdad, Thursday morning, " .which led to A number of civilians were martyred and wounded
Warning Video is GRAPHIC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Parliamentary Finance is preparing its 27th meeting to discuss the budget
The Information Department stated in a brief statement that Al Furat News received a copy of it that "the Finance Committee held its meeting No. (27) to complete its discussions on the draft federal budget bill for 2021."
The Parliamentary Finance Committee indicated, on Wednesday, that it will study adding articles in the budget law to support the private sector and stimulate the economy.
"The Finance Committee continues to discuss the draft federal budget bill for the year 2021," noting that it will study adding articles in the law that support the private sector and contribute to revitalizing the Iraqi economy.
And confirmed according to the statement that "the sub-committees of the Finance Committee will host the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, the Ministries of Industry and Transport and the Iraqi Media Network, to discuss their financial allocations in the 2021 budget
CBI Update: Just a note:
including $0. CASH
ISX Update: Shares Traded: not updated for todayValue Traded: not updated for today
The Cabinet held its regular weekly meeting in Baghdad on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi.
The meeting was attended by members of the Independent Higher Electoral Commission.
The Prime Minister underscored the importance of mobilising all resources to support the work of the Commission to ensure that the forthcoming elections will be free and fair and reflect the will of the Iraqi people.
The Cabinet discussed a request by the Commission to amend, for technical reasons, the date of the early parliamentary elections.
The Cabinet decided that the new date for early parliamentary elections in Iraq will now be 10/10/2021.
The Cabinet then received a briefing from the Minister of Health on the latest developments in relation to the Coronavirus pandemic and the official measures to protect public health.
The Cabinet also received a briefing from the Mayor of Baghdad, who was invited to attend the meeting, on plans for the urban development of the capital and for improving key services to its residents.
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