Senior Congress and Pentagon officials met. The Kurdistan Region Presidency delegation concludes its visit to Washington
The Presidency of the Kurdistan Region announced today, Saturday, that its delegation concluded its visit to the United States of America after holding a series of meetings and encounters with senior government officials in America. The Presidency pointed out that its delegation received America’s assurance of continued support for Iraq and the region.
The region is with Washington against Iraq.” Kurdistan supports the American presence and supports the violation of sovereignty
In conjunction with the Parliament session to vote on the legislation of the law to remove American forces from Iraq, after numerous violations, violations of sovereignty, and invasion of Iraqi airspace, Kurdistan came out with a “position of disappointment” that supports the continued presence of foreign forces inside the country through the official and public position of the expired government in Erbil. .
According to observers, the support of the Kurdistan Regional Government to Washington by keeping its combat forces inside Iraqi territory is due to: To try to achieve political gains and to bully the internal parliamentary forces in many files, in addition to not attending the session that was held to vote on the law to remove the security forces.
The expired Kurdistan Regional Government, through its president, Masrour Barzani, officially announced, through its president, Masrour Barzani, the need for the Kurdistan region for the survival of American combat forces and the international coalition, amid harsh criticism from all components of the Iraqi people, in parallel with Parliament’s efforts to vote on a law that would lead to the removal of American forces in accordance with legal frameworks. .
* Support American crimes?
Speaking about this file, a member of the Nabni Alliance, Ali Al-Zubaidi, criticizes the region’s position in support of the continued presence of American combat forces inside Iraq, while he stressed that the Kurdistan government did not denounce, at the very least, the American bombing of security forces and civilians.
Al-Zubaidi said in an interview with the Maalouma Agency, “The region’s relations in support of the continued presence of the American occupier are not new, nor surprising,” noting that “the entire forces of the Shiite component are determined to expel foreign forces through Parliament.”
He continues, "Supporting some political parties that do not want to remove the American occupation forces will not affect the position of the national forces in ending the military presence or the so-called international coalition forces," adding that "political interests and the attempt to solicit international support for internal issues are one of the reasons that make this “The parties are desperate for foreign forces to remain inside the country.”
He added, "The lack of denunciation of the continuing crimes by the United States of America against the security forces and civilians amounts to satisfaction and support for these American crimes," pointing out that "the Kurdistan region's position in support of the continued presence of American combat forces inside the country is unjustified."
“The region is with Washington against Iraq.” Kurdistan supports the American presence and supports the violation of sovereignty
Political interests!
In addition, the political analyst, Haitham Al-Khazali, comments on Kurdistan’s position in support of the continued presence of foreign combat forces inside Iraq, while stressing that standing with the United States of America is nothing but an attempt to strengthen itself against other political blocs.
Al-Khazali said in an interview with the Maalouma Agency, “The region seeks to achieve political gains through a position supporting the presence of Washington’s combat forces,” noting that “the dream of secession from Iraq will not be realized with America’s support for Kurdistan.”
He continues, "The United States of America will not lose its relations with Turkey for the sake of the region, which is demanding international support to secede from Iraq after the previous attempt that failed," pointing out that "Kurdistan is exploiting the position of removing foreign forces in order to consolidate its relations with America."
*Pass the law to remove Washington’s forces!
For his part, a member of the Sindh parliamentary bloc, Faleh Al-Khazali, confirmed today, Saturday, that the law to remove foreign combat forces from the country will support the government’s actions in this file, adding that the arrival of the number of Iraqi security forces to more than one million and 600 thousand security personnel confirms that the country does not need this. Troops.
Al-Khazali said in an interview with the Maalouma Agency, “Approving the law removing foreign forces from the country is tantamount to avenging the blood of the martyrs of the security forces and civilians,” noting that “the government will be obligated to implement the law after the House of Representatives votes on it.”
He continues, "There are no justifications for the continued presence of American forces that violate Iraqi sovereignty and commit other violations," calling on "all members of the political forces to vote on the law during the parliament session that will be held today."
Many popular and political circles criticized the Kurdish parties’ failure to attend today’s session, which includes a voting clause on the law to remove foreign forces from the country, after collecting parliamentary signatures and proposals that will be discussed in today’s session in order to end the issue of the presence of these forces inside the country, and only legal frameworks, and implementation of calls. Popular to end the continuing violations committed by Washington in many files.
Exchange at the central bank rate
The Hajj and Umrah Authority in the Kurdistan Region decided, on Saturday, to collect pilgrims’ travel costs exclusively in Iraqi dinars, instead of dollars, like the rest of Iraq’s cities, provided that the value of the cost is determined at the Central Bank’s exchange rate (1,320 dinars per dollar), while it gave registrants one week to pay the costs and update. Passport data.
This decision comes after Niyaz Naqshbandi, Director General of Hajj and Umrah in the Kurdistan Region, chaired a meeting with the owners of Hajj and Umrah offices in the provinces and autonomous administrations of the region.
Karzan Stoney - Media of the Umrah and Jujj Authority in Kurdistan:
We directed the Hajj and Umrah offices to receive the amounts from the pilgrims for a period of one week from 11 to 18 February of this year, and whoever does not pay the costs during this period will lose the right to Hajj this year.
Hajj and Umrah companies have alerted all registrants who do not have passports, or which have expired, to visit the Passport Department to update their data within a week.
The cost of Hajj for the people of the Kurdistan Region is no different from their counterparts in the rest of the cities of Iraq.
A joint “accounting” delegation from two ministries and the Financial Supervision Bureau of the Kurdistan Regional Government arrived today, Sunday, in the capital, Baghdad.
The Ministry of Finance and Economy of the Regional Government said in a statement, “A technical delegation from the Kurdistan Regional Government, consisting of the Ministry of Finance and Economy, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Financial Supervision Bureau of the Kurdistan Region, arrived in Baghdad.”
She added, "The delegation forms a joint team to complete the financial and accounting procedures between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the federal government."
During its visit to Baghdad, which will last several days, the delegation will participate in several sessions with the participating teams of the Iraqi Ministry of Finance and the Iraqi Financial Supervision Bureau.
Sparkle Expands its Int'l Network to Iraq
Italian connectivity services provider Sparkle has announced the expansion of its network footprint to Iraq with the opening of a new Point of Presence (PoP) in Erbil, in cooperation with Novel Point, an Iraqi international provider of connectivity and ICT solutions.
According to a press release:
"The PoP in Erbil leverages Novel Point's cutting edge open data center and Sparkle's Tier 1 global IP backbone Seabone (AS6762) to deliver top-notch Internet connectivity services to the Iraqi market as well as to neighboring countries.
"By connecting to Sparkle's PoP in Erbil, network providers, ISPs, OTTs, content and application providers as well as enterprises can benefit from reliable, low latency IP Transit services in scalable multiples ranging from 10 GB to 100 GB. In addition, customers can gain access to Sparkle's comprehensive IP portfolio including DDoS Protection - that grants customers the option to self-protect their networks from attacks - and Virtual NAP - which provides virtual access to leading Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) without the need to build proprietary infrastructure."
Sparkle, part of Telecom Italia (TIM), develops optic-fiber fixed-line network infrastructure internationally.
Novel Telecom is a joint venture between DIL Technology and Horizon Technology, established in 2021 to provide international connectivity and ICT solutions in Iraq.
Expectations of the date of Ramadan in Iraq
After the Sunni Endowment Office in Iraq and the Supreme Religious Authority in Najaf announced the start dates for the month of Shaban for the Hijri year 1445, it has become almost certain to know the date of the next month of Ramadan, which follows Shaban in the lunar months.
The crescent of the month of Shaaban was seen at sunset this evening, Sunday (February 11, 2024), with the naked eye in Najaf Al-Ashraf and Kirkuk.
The Sunni Endowment Office announced yesterday that today, Sunday, is the first day of the month of Shaban, and considering that this month will have 30 days, the beginning of the month of Ramadan will be next March 12, and if the month of Shaban has 29 days, then the first of Ramadan will be on March 11.
On the other hand, the Office of the Supreme Religious Authority announced yesterday that tomorrow, Monday, is the first day of the month of Shaban, and considering that this month will have 30 days, the beginning of the month of Ramadan will be next March 13, and if the month of Shaban has 29 days, then the first of Ramadan will be on March 12.
This year, Sunnis and Shiites may fast on the same day if the Sunni Endowment and the Supreme Authority in Najaf announce that March 12 is the first day of the month. Otherwise, the difference will be one day, and the Sunnis will fast a day earlier than the Shiites.
Ministry of Communications: The fourth license will operate with fifth generation (5G) technology for the first time in Iraq
they tweeted this
Ministry of Communications: The fourth license will operate with fifth generation (5G) technology for the first time in Iraq
text on the image:
Ministry of Communications: The fourth license will operate with fifth generation (5G) technology for the first time in Iraq.
Communications: The fourth mobile license will operate with fifth generation technology for the first time in Iraq
The Minister of Communications, Hayam Al-Yasiri, confirmed today, Sunday, that the fourth mobile phone license was granted to an Iraqi government company, and while she indicated that it will work with fifth generation technology for the first time in Iraq, she confirmed that it will be launched in cooperation with an international operator, and negotiations are currently underway with international companies in this field. .
Al-Yasiri said in a statement followed by Mawazine News: “A decision from the Council of Ministers was issued last October and stipulated granting the fourth national mobile license to Al-Salam General Company, one of our ministry’s companies, and it will be using fifth generation technology to enter Iraq for the first time. It is a very advanced technology and few countries operate it.”
She added, "The Ministry has begun its procedures and has prepared the designs, plans and detailed studies to establish and operate the network with this license. There are a set of procedures that must precede the process of launching the service and operating the network, including issuing a license from the Communications and Media Commission, which is what is currently being worked on with the Commission to complete the procedures for issuing the license."
She continued, "On the other hand, and in parallel, we are conducting ongoing negotiations with large international companies specialized in mobile phones and fifth generation technology to persuade them to enter the Iraqi market, adopt this project, and obtain the best offers in this field."
She pointed out, "The Ministry is also working to establish a national joint-stock company that will offer a portion of its shares for subscription to citizens, and the intention is to include the Employees' Retirement Fund and the Social Security Fund among the founders of the government company and its shareholders, so that the company's profits will return to them."
She explained, "The license will be granted to a national company in partnership with a global operator, and its impact will be significant on the service level, because fifth generation technology is an advanced technology that provides speed and quality many times better than what fourth generation technology offers."
Don’t leave money on the table. ($75, to be exact.)
A 5 Star bank is offering a free online bank account with a debit card that pays $25 to the enrollee and $75 "commission" to everyone that refers someone to the account.
So YOU set up your account and receive your OWN $25 and then you will set up your family and friends and THEY will all get the same $25 and YOU get $75 for everyone that gets the $25.
It does take $10 to sign up for the account, and it has to come from a debit card (checking account) connected to you, but the $10 is available immediately in your account to use. So it's actually free to get your $25 but you need to have $10 available to set it up.
Yes it's true and it works and I have done it MYSELF!
Venezuela moves on the Guyana border and satellites monitor the establishment of a military base
Venezuela is backing up its threats to annex part of Guyana and secure access to some of the world's largest oil discoveries by transferring light tanks, missile-equipped patrol boats, and armored carriers to the border between the two countries, which is quickly becoming a new security challenge for the administration of US President Biden, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal translated by Economy News.
Venezuela's deployment of its forces, which was demonstrated in satellite images released on Friday and in videos recently posted by the Venezuelan military on social media, is a major escalation in its attempts to exert influence over the newly discovered energy reserves of its neighbour, Guyana.
This comes despite the existence of a written agreement, signed last December between Guyanese President Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, which condemned the use of force and called for the establishment of a committee to address regional conflicts.
Since the end of last year, Venezuela, which has an army of 150,000 active fighters and modern military equipment supplied by its ally Russia, has increased its claim to the right to possess "Essequibo", an area that is almost completely covered by forests and constitutes two-thirds of Guyana's area.
The deployment of troops and increasingly hostile language from the Venezuelan capital, Caracas, have made Guyana one of the hottest regions in the world following offshore oil discoveries by a consortium led by the American ExxonMobil.
Guyana, a former British colony with a population of 800,000, has a defense force of only 3,000 soldiers, prompting the government to work more closely with the United States to strengthen its defense capabilities.
When asked about Venezuela's deployment of military forces on the border between the two countries, Guyana's foreign minister told the WSJ, "We are not surprised by Venezuela's bad intentions. We are more disappointed than surprised." The Venezuelan Ministry of Information refused to answer the same question.
Venezuela said it was strengthening its defenses in response to US military exercises in Guyana in December, and the UK's deployment of a small counter-drug ship, HMS Trent, in Guyana's waters.
On Wednesday, Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino accused the American company ExxonMobil of relying on the US army for its protection while exploiting Guyana for its personal benefit. He wrote on
The publication by Venezuelan President Maduro, along with the referendum he held in December in which he confirmed that millions of Venezuelans approved plans to seize the Essequibo region, has alarmed policymakers in the Biden administration, which already faces the challenge of crafting a response to Venezuela's alliances with both Russia and Russia. Iran and China.
In recent months, US officials from the Department of Defense and the White House visited Guyana's capital, Georgetown, for talks on closer cooperation, with Ali Irfan, the Guyanese president, stating that his government would soon purchase helicopters and drones as well as other US defense equipment.
“Supporting Guyana to enhance its defense capacity as it continues to make huge oil gains in the market is something we have a direct interest in,” Juan Gonzalez, a senior adviser to President Biden, told reporters in Colombia on Monday, one day after he met with Guyana’s president in Georgetown. “We do not want to escalate tensions, but we have our own strategic relationship with Guyana.”
Using satellite images provided to it by Maxar Technologies, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington found that between late 2023 and January 2024, Venezuela moved armored vehicles that appeared to be light tanks to the island of Anacoco, located On the Cuyuni River and just yards from Guyana. Construction work was also seen indicating the expansion of a base there.
Between January 18 and January 22, Venezuela deployed at least three anti-ship patrol boats equipped with Iranian-made Peykaap III guided missiles in the Atlantic port of Guería in Venezuela, as seen in satellite images used by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. . On January 31, the military established a Russian-made Buk M2E air defense system in Guiria, an approximate distance of 400 miles east of their usual location near the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. A small Coast Guard station at Punta Parima, 50 miles from Guyana-controlled Essequibo, is being renovated into a naval and air base. These deployments are within easy reach of the Stabroek Block, operated by ExxonMobil and its partners Chevron and China's CNOOC, off the coast of Guyana, where crude oil production has risen to 645,000 barrels per day, not far from what Venezuela produces.
Rising tension in northern South America has prompted shipping industry risk assessments at the Lloyd's Market Association in London to place Guyana on its global list of areas affected by war, piracy and terrorism. These ratings raise insurance costs for operators and put Guyana's waters on the same level as other risks such as the waters of the Red Sea, where Iran-backed Houthis have attacked ships, and the Black Sea routes at risk due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
“We are not going anywhere,” ExxonMobil spokeswoman Michelle Gray said in a statement. “Our focus remains on developing resources efficiently and responsibly, under our agreement with the Government of Guyana.”
The photos show that the movement of equipment and troops was occurring at the same time that the foreign ministers of Venezuela and Guyana were in a meeting in Brazil, late last month under the auspices of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in order to establish a committee to address regional conflicts.
“The Venezuelans are relaying a lot of stuff that suggests military action, and they're showing it all on social media while also trying to tell the Guyanese: 'Okay, let's negotiate friendly terms,'” said Christopher Hernandez-Roy, deputy director of the Americas Program at CSIS. "Being a good neighbor. They're doing tank exercises 140 yards from Essequibo."
While Andre Serbin Pont, head of the Buenos Aires-based CRIS Research Group, which closely follows Venezuelan military maneuvers, noted that the videos published by the Venezuelan army on social media indicate that there is ongoing work to update a number of river patrol sites along the Essequibo River, And the construction of a multi-storey command center for forces specialized in jungle operations.
Andre Serbin-Bont sees a striking political parallel with the Argentine invasion of 1982, when a desperate military junta sought to divert public attention from domestic economic problems through the failed invasion of the United Kingdom's Falkland Islands. During the nearly 11 years of Maduro's rule, Venezuela's economy shrank by nearly 70% while a quarter of Venezuela's population, 7.7 million people, fled.
Serbin Pont added: “If we put this in the context of Venezuela, the regime is creating the conditions to emerge from its crisis through a historical claim to territory.”
High-ranking former Venezuelan military officers and army analysts say the regime is not planning an invasion. Instead, they believe that the regime, after witnessing the transformation of Little Guyana from a poor neglect region into a significant oil producer, is willing to negotiate a deal that can... To benefit Venezuela.
“What they are trying to do is blackmail,” noted Isidro Pérez, a former colonel in the Venezuelan army who studies the regime’s use of the military against opponents.
Maduro and other Venezuelan officials have often declared their desire for Guyana to abandon the border resolution issue it has brought before the United Nations International Court of Justice in order to put an end to century-old Venezuelan claims, and instead enter into direct negotiations. They also indicated their desire for Venezuela to benefit from energy and mining projects in the Essequibo region.
“Guyana and ExxonMobil will have to sit down and negotiate with us,” Maduro wrote in December via X.
The increase in Venezuelan military activity near Guyana came after the United States eased some of its economic sanctions to push Maduro to hold fair elections and receive Venezuelan immigrants deported from the United States. Instead, Maduro has imprisoned opponents and prevented his rivals from running against him in presidential elections scheduled to be held later this year, human rights groups reported.
The threat from Venezuela has caused increased anxiety among other neighbors, including Maduro's close ally, Brazil, which in recent days has deployed dozens of armored vehicles and troops to bolster security on its borders with Venezuela and Guyana.
In 2014, Venezuela was accused of using naval ships to threaten the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba to facilitate the release of a senior regime official who was being held under a US arrest warrant on drug smuggling charges. In the past, Caracas has also sent gunboats to evict oil survey ships chartered by Guyana in disputed waters.
Maduro has directed much of his anger at ExxonMobil, which abandoned operations in Venezuela years ago over a dispute with the socialist government and has since shepherded Guyana's transformation into an energy hub.
“The only winner is the people of Venezuela,” Maduro said in December after the referendum on the annexation of Essequibo. His government then unveiled a new map with expanded borders that included an area the size of Florida. He added, “The only losers are the government of Guyana, ExxonMobil, and the American empire.”
ExpertOption introduces new features to its award-winning platform
ExpertOption, the global leader in online trading, has announced a series of improvements aimed at providing its users with a more meaningful and accessible trading experience.
In response to feedback from the trading community, ExpertOption has introduced a brand new referral program. Users can easily increase their income without active trading, simply by sharing their referral link or promo code. This allows them to earn a one-time payment for each referral, along with a percentage of the company's revenue. Additionally, their referrals receive a generous 120% bonus, creating a win-win scenario for all participants.
ExpertOption has also significantly increased its asset offering, introducing a number of new indicators, including a new football indicator. This index, derived from the share prices of publicly listed teams, broadcasters and sponsors, is the core of the world's favorite sport. Such additions demonstrate the platform's commitment to providing diverse trading opportunities, allowing users to explore and capitalize on market trends.
In addition to the new indices, ExpertOption has also introduced a range of other assets, including Nike, Nvidia and Cisco stocks, as well as several ETFs, further diversifying its investment portfolio. This move aligns with the platform's goal of accommodating the diverse preferences and interests of its ever-growing user base.
The launch of the new Battles trading mode allows users to compete against each other in real-time trading tournaments. The victor is determined by the highest profit he received. This feature provides traders with an opportunity to showcase their skills while earning exciting rewards.
The platform has also seen a major upgrade to its user interface, taking the trading experience to new levels. The new design improves aesthetic appeal and simplicity of navigation, ensuring traders can easily access important features to maximize their trading potential.
On top of that, users can expect to see the implementation of a new rewards system, featuring exciting rewards such as risk-free trades, increased profits, status upgrades, promo codes, and much more. These rewards can be earned through regular trading activity on the platform and will be conveniently stored in the new “Stock” section.
ExpertOption's dedication to continuous improvement, diverse offerings and user satisfaction cements its position as a leading choice for online traders. As the platform expands in its features and assets, users can expect a richer trading experience
Iraqi Embassy hires Squire
Welcome back to PI’s semi-regular roundup of recent FARA filings that caught our eye. The Iraqi Embassy has enlisted new lobbying firepower in Washington and re-upped its contract with another firm on its payroll amid escalating tensions in the region stemming from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and, more recently, the U.S. retaliation campaign for a drone attack that killed three American troops last month.
— The embassy has inked a yearlong contract with Squire Patton Boggs worth almost $800,000 to “provide policy advice and outreach concerning the political and commercial bilateral relationship” between the two countries, according to a copy of the contract filed with the Justice Department this week.
— The contract is dated Feb. 2, meaning that it was signed prior to a U.S. drone strike in Baghdad this week that killed the commander of an Iran-backed militia who the Pentagon contends had been responsible for attacks on Americans in the region. The U.S. strike sparked pushback from Iraqi leaders, with a spokesperson for the prime minister warning that it would ratchet up pressure to expel the U.S.-led coalition working to counter ISIS there.
— The firm’s Ed Newberry and Gassan Baloul, former diplomat Paul Jones, former John Boehner aide David Schnittger and former Trent Lott aide Bret Boyles will work on the account, DOJ filings show.
— The embassy in recent weeks has also retained Michael Sarafa, an attorney at the Michigan law firm Butzel Long, to help Iraq forge ties to Iraqi-American communities in Michigan and Illinois, the Iraqi-American business community and the members of Congress who represent those communities, according to DOJ filings.
— It also renewed its contract with the lobbying and comms firm Cogent Strategies to drive and monitor media coverage and conduct media training for the embassy and ambassador, boost the embassy’s social media footprint, and conduct outreach to think tanks, documents filed this week show. As part of the yearlong extension, Cogent’s fees for the work will increase to $310,000, from $200,000.
— Staying in the region, the Saudi Embassy also re-upped with one of its longtime lobbying firms, Hogan Lovell, renewing its $200,000-per-month agreement with the firm for another year. And the Future Investment Initiative Institute, the Saudi sovereign wealth fund’s think tank responsible for putting on so-called “Davos in the Desert” each year, has hired PR giant Fleishman-Hillard. The firm will provide FII with media relations services and help promote FII’s summit in Miami slated for later this month, per DOJ filings.
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