The President of the Republic approves the 2024 budget schedules
Today, Thursday, President Abdul Latif Rashid ratified several laws, including the 2024 budget schedules.
The Presidency of the Republic stated in a statement received by {Al-Furat News}, that “The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Rashid, ratified a number of draft laws, which are the schedules of the Federal Budget Law for the year 2024, the first amendment to the law against prostitution and homosexuality, and the law extending the work of the Independent High Electoral Commission.” And the first amendment law to the law regulating the rent of agricultural lands and ownership of the right to dispose of them for agricultural and veterinary graduates.”
She added, "The laws were sent after their approval by the President of the Republic for publication in the Iraqi newspaper Al-Waqa'i to enter into force."
The Presidency of the Republic confirmed that it is “moving forward in supporting legislation and laws that are in the interest of the country and citizens, by approving the laws approved by the House of Representatives, as well as by submitting draft laws by the Presidency of the Republic to the House of Representatives for the purpose of discussing and approving them.”
Today, Thursday, President Abdel Latif Gamal Rasheed approved a number of laws, including the 2024 budget schedules.
The Presidency’s Media Department said in a statement received by Al Sa’a, “The President of the Republic ratified a number of draft laws, which are the schedules of the Federal Budget Law for the year 2024, the first amendment to the law against prostitution and homosexuality, the law extending the work of the Independent High Electoral Commission, and the amendment law.” The first is a law regulating the rental of agricultural lands and granting the right to dispose of them for agricultural and veterinary graduates.”
She added, "The laws were sent after their approval by the President of the Republic for publication in the Iraqi newspaper Al-Waqae' to enter into force."
On the 14th of this month, the House of Representatives sent the decision to approve the 2024 budget schedules to the Presidency of the Republic for approval.
Modify instructions
Cancellation of Paragraph ( 5 / d ) of the instructions and standards for circulation and replacement of banknotes, and the counting and sorting mechanisms.. For more click here
text of the doc that you will see if you click where it says here
Issue: 291/1/9
NO:
Date: 2/5/2014
DATE:
Banks that have approved all instructions and standards for the circulation and exchange of banknotes, and counting and sorting colleges
good greeting ...
Following our notice No. (9/4/34) on 1/15/2024, we would like to inform you of the cancellation of paragraph (15) of the instructions and standards for handling and replacing banknotes, and the counting and sorting mechanisms included (collecting the amount of (250) dinars on bank deposits.
About the counting and sorting operations for each bundle, and this will be implemented starting on 7/1/2024
with respect.
Mr. Dr. Ammar Hamad Khalaf
Repentant Governor Wakana
Al-Maliki is looking for a "happy ending"... a third term before his
retirement
Al-Dawa and Badr support early elections
Nouri al-Maliki, the leader of the State of Law, is looking for a “happy ending” to conclude his political work during the last 20 years by obtaining the presidency of the government for the third time before his retirement.
Al-Maliki is pushing, and to some extent another major Shiite party is participating with him, to hold early legislative elections, in exchange for the rejection of 14 currents and movements within the coordination framework.
The last 2021 legislative elections were early elections that came against the backdrop of the October 2019 protests, following the overthrow of the previous government of Adel Abdul Mahdi.
The results of the recent elections, which led to the Coordination Framework taking control of the reins of government, following the withdrawal of Muqtada al-Sadr (the leader of the movement), were also supposed to lead to second early elections.
After October, most political forces came to the conviction of the necessity of carrying out comprehensive reforms in the political process to avoid what happened in those large demonstrations.
The political system after Abdul Mahdi (former Prime Minister) has not yet stabilized, so Muhammad al-Sudani’s government program was carrying out arranging early elections a year after he took office.
Parliament voted in late 2022 on the program, which included in its legislative axis, paragraph three, holding early elections, but this commitment was skipped, and then the framework abandoned this issue.
Last year, news leaked - so far unconfirmed - that the version of the government program that Parliament voted on had deleted the “early elections” clause.
"A state of shameless law"!
A leader in the coordination framework of (Al-Mada) confirms that “Nouri al-Maliki wants to record one last thing in his political archive before his retirement” by obtaining a third government term through early elections. In 2022, before Al-Sadr decided to leave politics, the latter had asked to dissolve Parliament and hold early elections. At that time, he rejected the “framework” and stipulated before that that the House of Representatives should be reunited.
After that, the Shiite alliance gradually retreated from implementing Al-Sadr's demand, and all the "Framework" leaders, including Nouri al-Maliki, confirmed that there was no need for early elections.
Al-Maliki then retracted his previous refusal, in the context of new transformations that occurred in his positions in the last three months, and then began “flirting with Al-Sadr.”
The leader of the "Frame" believes that even if Al-Maliki fails to reach the position, he "is striving with all force to produce a person from the rule of law (Qah), similar to Al-Sadr (Qah), which Al-Sadr called for after the 2021 elections."
In these last months, Al-Maliki tried to incite the Sadrists to hold early elections.
Leaders in the Dawa Party claimed that "the movement supports early elections," but Al-Sadr circles denied that news.
The leader of the “Frame” and a member of the political bureau of one of the “Frame” parties says, “Al-Maliki wants his service to have a happy ending, and reaching power is the philosophy of political work. There is no room for ideals. Political work is based on seizing power.”
He continues: "Putting this person to power will maintain Al-Maliki's brilliance even after his soon retirement, which will inevitably come, because he seeks a comfortable retirement."
Al-Maliki's team had prepared an integrated plan to return to power again, reconcile with Al-Sadr, and amend the election law to block the Sudanese path.
Ahmed Al-Kanani, a member of the political bureau of Asaib Ahl al-Haq, told Al-Mada: “The demand for early elections is due to fear of the growing popularity of Sudanese.”
Two months ago, the American Gallup Center for Public Opinion Polls announced that more than 60% of Iraqis support Sudanese policies.
The Sudanese had been silent about holding early legislative elections, despite their presence in the government program. He once said that this procedure requires "Parliament to dissolve itself."
Al-Kanani, a former MP, believes that holding early elections now is “unjustified and establishes a dangerous political custom in which every party that is not convinced by the government requests the acceleration of the elections.”
Two against 14
Some Shiites share the “framework” with Al-Maliki’s concerns that Sudanese completing his term may increase his chances of obtaining a second term.
According to information obtained by (Al-Mada), the “Badr Organization” supports early elections, for incomprehensible reasons, but it is likely that it may ally with Al-Maliki.
Most of the Shiite coalition views Al-Sudani as a settlement candidate “without political support.” The current Prime Minister won a single seat in the last elections.
Qais Khazali, the leader of Asaib, once said in a television interview a year ago that the Prime Minister is like a “general director” of the coordination framework.
Ahmed Al-Kanani points out that “the entire coordinating framework (which is 16 parties and movements), with the exception of one or two parties, rejects early elections, and forces outside the framework also reject this procedure.”
A few days ago, the Victory coalition, led by Haider al-Abadi, confirmed that there was no national agreement to hold early elections, according to a statement issued by the latter.
The leader in the coordination framework says that the rest of the Shiite coalition parties believe that “implementing Al-Maliki’s demand to hold early elections means losing the opportunity of the rest, especially Al-Abadi, to obtain the position of prime minister for a third time.
US Finalises Measure Against Iraq-based Bank
FinCEN Finalizes Financial Measure Against Iraq-based Al-Huda Bank to Combat Terrorist Financing
Today [Wednesday 26th June, 2o24], the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a final rule under section 311 of the USA PATRIOT Act (section 311) that severs Al-Huda Bank from the United States financial system by prohibiting domestic financial institutions and agencies from opening or maintaining a correspondent account for or on behalf of Al-Huda Bank, an Iraqi bank that serves as a conduit for terrorist financing.
Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said:
"As Iraq continues to make progress in its efforts to address illicit finance-related vulnerabilities in its financial system, we remain focused on preventing Iran and its proxies from exploiting these gaps to facilitate their destabilizing terrorist activities.
"Today's final rule severs this key channel for money laundering and terrorist financing, ensuring both the integrity of the Iraqi and international financial systems as well as the continued development of legitimate business and trade."
On January 31, 2024, FinCEN issued a finding and notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that identified Al-Huda Bank as a foreign financial institution of primary money laundering concern. As described in the finding, Al-Huda Bank has for years exploited its access to U.S. dollars to support designated foreign terrorist organizations, including Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and IRGC-Quds Force, as well as Iran-aligned Iraqi militias Kata'ib Hizballah and Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq.
Moreover, the chairman of Al-Huda Bank is complicit in Al-Huda Bank's illicit financial activities, including money laundering through front companies that conceal the true nature of and parties involved in illicit transactions, ultimately enabling the financing of terrorism.
FinCEN is taking this section 311 action to protect the United States financial system from Al-Huda Bank's illicit activity. Pursuant to this final rule, covered financial institutions are now prohibited from opening or maintaining correspondent accounts for or on behalf of Al-Huda Bank, and are required to take reasonable steps not to process transactions for the correspondent account of a foreign banking institution in the United States if such a transaction involves Al-Huda Bank, preventing indirect access by Al-Huda Bank to the United States financial system.
This final rule also requires covered financial institutions to apply special due diligence to their foreign correspondent accounts that is reasonably designed to guard against their use to process transactions involving Al-Huda Bank.
The final rule, as submitted to the Federal Register, is available here.
The January 31, 2024 NPRM is available here.
The "stubbornness" of the dollar against the Iraqi dinar confirms the "gap" between the official and parallel prices
Iraq has been seeking for two years to end the phenomenon of dealing in the dollar in the local market, while economic experts point out the success of the Central Bank of Iraq’s measures in achieving “relative” success in controlling the hard currency.
The year 2023 witnessed an unprecedented rise in the dollar exchange rate, as it reached 1,700 dinars per dollar and continued for several weeks before it gradually decreased at the end of the year, reaching during the past two months a level ranging between 1,470 dinars to 1,450 dinars per dollar.
The Iraqi currency crisis began after the US Treasury deprived 14 Iraqi banks of the global bank transfer mechanism known as “SWIFT” in an attempt to prevent the smuggling of dollars to Iran.
The Central Bank of Iraq platform finances external transfer requests from foreign currencies that are specifically used for the purposes of financing foreign trade for the private sector.
The budget increases the gap
Economic expert Nabil Al-Marsoumi said, during an interview with Shafaq News Agency, that "the reason for the rise in the dollar is trade with Iran, which is subject to US sanctions, and therefore the electronic platform of the Central Bank of Iraq designated for selling the dollar does not provide traders with this currency, which forces them to resort to the black market to buy the dollar."
He points out that "travelers to Syria, Lebanon, and Iran are also unable to obtain the official dollar from banks, so they resort to the parallel market, which increases the demand for the dollar."
Al-Marsoumi adds, “The gap has recently begun to widen, especially after the launch of the new budget, which means an increase in overall demand, consumer and investment spending, and thus an increase in imports, which in turn will lead to increased pressure on the dollar, pushing it higher, and it may reach 150 thousand dinars for every 100 dollars and a little higher.”
The Iraqi government then agreed to the Central Bank’s proposal to reduce the value of the exchange rate from about 1,470 dinars to 1,300 dinars per dollar, which had a clear impact on the exchange market at that time by reducing prices that reached the level of 1,700 dinars per dollar in the parallel market.
Structural imbalance in the economy
Economic expert and professor of economics at the Iraqi University, Abdul Rahman Al-Mashhadani, attributes the stability of the dollar price for the second month to “the result of the performance and mechanisms used by the government and the central bank. As for the rise that occurred during the past days of Eid, it was caused by the great demand for travel outside Iraq, so the demand for the dollar increased.” .
Al-Mashhadani explained to Shafaq News Agency, “Finding a solution is part of dealing with Iran, whose daily import rate ranges between 25 to 30 million dollars, part of which is through the United Arab Emirates.”
He pointed out that "the solutions did not address the structural imbalance in the economy, as the commercial sector was not reorganized, and the banking system did not fully comply with international standards and the Federal Reserve Bank (the US central bank) in the transfer operations that take place daily."
Dollar smuggling
In turn, the economist and former director of the Central Bank of Iraq, Mahmoud Dagher, said during an interview with Shafaq News Agency, that "the gap between the market and the official price remains primarily due to the leakage of dollars into the market and then across uncontrolled borders."
He adds, "Smuggling the dollar to countries subject to sanctions is the main cause of the dollar crisis, and to solve this crisis, the borders and customs must be controlled so that the dollar returns to the official price."
He continues, "The reason why the dollar has not risen to more than 1,500 dinars during the past two months is that the bank sells more than 300 million dollars daily, and this offer is wide and somewhat restricts the increases, but the price in the market is still above 1,450 dinars per dollar, and the official price is 1,320 dinars." This means that 120 points, or 130 dinars per dollar.
The fluctuation of the dollar exchange rate on the black market led to disruption of commercial activity in the country, which contributed to the rise in the prices of consumer goods. Despite the increase in the average Iraqi per capita income to seven million dinars last year, the price rise of goods and commodities, as well as the fluctuation of exchange rates, affect the Iraqi market. .
Market contraction
In an interview with Shafaq News Agency, economic expert Durgham Muhammad Ali said, “The dollar remaining within the region of instability has harmful effects on the local market, as the gap between the official price and the parallel price increases, the market shrinks and the supply of goods decreases, which raises their price even more than the parallel exchange value.” Therefore, stabilizing the price within one level and stifling the parallel market is the solution to any price crisis.”
He stresses that "the effects of long-term inflation are difficult and slow to address, even within a stable price range."
Foreign fast food chains in Baghdad lose business after attacks
Despite strict security measures, Western dining brands are not as busy as they used to be prior to attacks on them in the Iraqi capital city of Baghdad, as customers fear renewed violence.
American and British companies in Baghdad, including KFC and Caterpillar, have been the target of a series of attacks in recent weeks, facing calls for boycott over their alleged links to Israel.
Security forces have arrested several people, including their members following the attacks.
Even neighboring shops and restaurants say they are affected and their business has slowed due to recent security lapses.
"Our livelihood has stopped," Abu Ali, a local whose shop is close to a KFC restaurant, told Rudaw's Ziyad Ismail. "People are scared. People would like to go to secure places. They want security. People are afraid, because they [the attacks] did not happen once, but twice and three times. That is why people panic. No one comes to the restaurant. It has affected the entire street, not just my shop. It has a direct influence on all of us.
“Our income has stopped and people are scared. When people want to go someplace, they firstly want a clean and secure place, so the situation is scary now.”
Eight of the 10 branches of American brands in Baghdad remain closed in fear of more attacks.
“We have discussed this subject and provided security [in response]. We have reiterated that all interests in Iraq are protected by the law. Everything in Iraq today, regardless of links to any country, is protected within the framework of the interior ministry,” Miqdad Miri, spokesperson of Iraq’s Ministry of the Interior, told Rudaw.
The US embassy recently warned that attacks on foreign businesses in Baghdad “could weaken Iraq’s ability to attract foreign investment,” while condemning the attacks.
Iraq’s foreign ministry has said that the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF, or Hashd al-Shaabi) were not behind the recent attacks on several KFC franchises in Baghdad, days after Washington accused the group of engaging in violent activities.
“The attacks that took place on some restaurants were carried out by outlawed groups and do not in any way represent Hashd al-Shaabi,” the Iraqi foreign ministry said in a statement without directly referencing the restaurants.
Prior to the Iraqi foreign ministry's remarks, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller had told Rudaw, “We do remain concerned that individuals within the PMF are not responsive to the Iraqi commander in chief and engage in violent and destabilizing activities in Iraq and Syria.”
The Iraqi ministry described Miller’s remarks as “inaccurate information.”
Iraq is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause and on several occasions has condemned the lack of international support for justice for Palestinians.
Al-Sudani issues directives regarding memoranda of understanding with Türkiye and amending the investment system
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Today, Thursday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shia Al-Sudani issued directives related to memorandums of understanding with Turkey and amending the investment system.
The Prime Minister’s Media Office said, in a statement received by Al-Youm Al-Akhbariya, that “the Prime Minister directed, during today’s session, the formation of a committee from the Investment Authority, the Advisory Board in the Prime Minister’s Office, the Governorate Affairs Coordinator, and the Legal Department in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, to study Proposed amendments to the investment system.
The statement added, "Al-Sudani also directed the activation of the memorandums of understanding that were signed with Turkey during the visit of the President of the Turkish Republic, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, to Iraq."
The "Resistance" threatens the Iraqi trilogy with a "wider war" in support of Lebanon
Talk is escalating about the possibility of a war breaking out between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, amid warnings of the repercussions of the Iraqi factions’ participation in it on three security, economic, and even political levels for the country.
Lebanese Hezbollah has been exchanging fire with Israel for more than eight months, in parallel with the war in Gaza. While many European and regional countries announced their intention to evacuate their nationals from Lebanon due to conditions that threaten to escalate the confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah that have been ongoing for months.
Israeli media had revealed that the Northern Command of the Israeli army was preparing for a large-scale attack on Lebanon, and was awaiting the green light at the political level.
Meanwhile, Lebanese Hezbollah confirmed that its intensified attacks along the northern border of Israel this week show Israeli leaders that an all-out war will be costly, according to Ali Damoush, a senior leader in the party.
Iraqi security experts and strategists believe that the coming days herald the occurrence of a war that will be broader and more comprehensive than the Gaza war, due to the presence of influential regional factors, whether in Hezbollah’s association with factions present in Iraq, Yemen, and Syria, or in Hezbollah’s association with Iran.
Therefore, the issue of the participation of the "Islamic resistance factions in Iraq" is relevant, based on the strategy of unity of arenas adopted by the "Islamic Resistance", which it shares with the Lebanese Hezbollah, the Ansar Allah Houthis in Yemen, and the Hamas movement, according to experts.
This possibility was strengthened with the Secretary-General of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement, Qais Khazali, last Monday, threatening America to strike all its interests in Iraq and the region if it supports the Israeli army’s attack on Lebanese territory.
Al-Khazali said in a televised speech received by Shafaq News Agency, “If the United States of America continues to support this usurping entity (Israel), if it expands its operations and attacks Lebanon and attacks Hezbollah, America should know that it has made all its interests in the region and Iraq subject to targeting and danger.” ".
Support Lebanon
In this context, a member of the Security and Defense Committee in the Iraqi House of Representatives, Ali Nimah Al-Bandawi, affirmed that “Iraq is part of the Arab nation, and the position of the Iraqi people and the Iraqi government is firm in defending the issues of the region and the Arab nation, and the Arab countries must also confront the arrogance of the Israeli Zionists by threatening the security of Lebanon.” ".
Al-Bandawi added to Shafaq News Agency, “The Arab nation is one body, and it is not possible for the Zionist entity to attack Gaza and the killing, destruction and displacement it caused there, and today it is trying to repeat this attack on another Arab country, which is Lebanon, so there will be a strong position for all forces.” Political and resistance factions support the Lebanese Arab people in the event of any attack.
The member of the State Administration Alliance pointed out that “the House of Representatives supports the directions of the government, which is representative of all the people of Iraq, whether Sunnis, Shiites or Kurds, as well as the rest of the minorities, and even the honorable resistance factions are represented in the House of Representatives and the government, and I believe that the government will have a position.” It is official and we will support him in all his directions.”
At the end of his speech, Al-Bandawi gave an “advice” to Israel by saying: “I advise Israel not to get involved with Lebanon because it will enter the region with conflicts that everyone will not need.”
For its part, the Iraqi government refused to state its position on any future escalation between Lebanon and Israel and the participation of Iraqi factions in this war, if it occurs.
Consequences
However, the involvement of “Islamic resistance factions in Iraq” is considered possible if the situation develops between the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Zionist entity, “based on the strategy of unity of arenas adopted by the Islamic Resistance, which it shares with Hezbollah, Ansar Allah Al-Houthi in Yemen, and the Hamas movement,” according to the security expert, Imad. Height.
Alo continued his speech to Shafaq News Agency, saying, “If the United States of America continues to provide support and support to the Zionist forces in the event of their clash with Hezbollah, it is possible that the American forces’ camps in Iraq and Syria will be subjected to strikes by the Islamic Resistance, and in return there will be possible reactions from the aviation.” American or Zionist, which will affect the internal situation in Iraq.”
Alou believed that “the expansion of the war waged by the Zionist forces against the Palestinian people in Gaza could lead to dire consequences and threaten regional and international security and peace, and this is what most observers, analysts, and also Western politicians have stated, whether at the level of the European Union or international organizations affiliated with the United Nations.” In addition to the warnings of some American politicians that the expansion of the war may drag the region into a comprehensive war, which will affect energy supplies and commercial transportation lines in the Red Sea, the Arabian Gulf, and the Mediterranean.
He added: “It is worth noting that the Islamic Resistance in Iraq partnered with Ansar Allah Al-Houthi in directing strikes on naval vessels and ships in the Mediterranean, so this issue constitutes a great danger, and the United States of America is trying - according to its claims - to pressure the Zionist entity and the Netanyahu government by In order not to be swayed by calls to launch an attack on southern Lebanon.”
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the day before Tuesday that the United States was urgently seeking to reach a diplomatic agreement that would allow Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes on both sides of the border.
"Hezbollah's provocations threaten to drag the Israeli and Lebanese people into a war they do not want," Austin said at the start of his meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant at the Pentagon. "Such a war would be a disaster for Lebanon and would be devastating for innocent Israeli and Lebanese civilians."
He added, "Diplomacy is the best way to prevent further escalation. Therefore, we are urgently seeking to reach a diplomatic agreement that will restore lasting calm to Israel's northern border and enable civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the Israeli-Lebanese border."
The mutual bombardment led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from areas on both sides of the border, and its escalation in the past few weeks raised fears of an all-out war between Israel and the Hezbollah group.
Complex crisis
But the strategic expert, Ahmed Al-Sharifi, saw that "the negotiation phase has been passed in light of the failure of many attempts, including the French attempt, and now we are closer to the possibility of war breaking out between Israel and Hezbollah, and the coming days portend the occurrence of a clash."
Al-Sharifi detailed to Shafaq News Agency the character of this war, saying: “If in Gaza it is restricted by what are called (rules of engagement) and (special operations), then in Lebanon the war will be broader and more comprehensive due to the danger of the front called the Northern Front, and the influential regional factors.” Whether it is in Hezbollah’s association with factions present in Iraq, Yemen, and Syria, or in Hezbollah’s association with Iran, if war occurs and there is pressure on Hezbollah, it is not unlikely that the factions will participate in it.”
He stated, "In the state administration coalition, the framework is what controls the political path and the government, and Qais Khazali's speech was clear (that if a clash occurs, we will participate and strike American interests, whether in Iraq or the region), so the alignment is clear that Iraq will participate."
Al-Sharifi explained, “What is beyond that is the possibility that if Hezbollah and Iraq participate, it is not unlikely that there will be operations from Iran as well, realizing that dropping weapons may lead to a direct threat to Iran, so it will participate in the war as well, so the harbingers of a regional war have become clear.” Very much, and this war is not devoid of international interference.”
As for the matter in Iraq, "the threat is not limited to Iraq being an arena for a new conflict only, but rather the step lies in the region where the conflict is taking place. There is a great possibility that if Iran participates, the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Bab al-Mandab will become hotter and may even lead to cutting off these two... The two straits, and this means that Iraq’s lungs - the rentier Iraqi economy - which comes from oil may be harmed,” according to Al-Sharifi.
He pointed out, “This means that we will have difficulty even fulfilling the state’s obligations towards the salaries of its employees, retirees, and social care, because the economic situation in Iraq - as a rentier economy - depends on the export of oil, and after that it will be converted into money and converted into salaries, and if the issue becomes difficult... Exporting oil, this issue is very complicated.”
He pointed out that "the motive of Iraq, which was behind the establishment of the Aqaba pipeline, was that it believed that in the event of a Gulf crisis that would lead to the closure of the straits and affect the export of oil through the Gulf, it would be via Aqaba, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean basin, as there would be outlets through which Iraq could export oil." To maintain the momentum of its economic resources, but the port of Aqaba did not work, and the pipeline towards Turkey is in a precarious and impermeable condition, in addition to the limitations of this pipeline, so Iraq is facing a complex security-military crisis with an economic dimension.
Al-Sharifi noted that “the Sudanese government made pledges before its formation to the international community, represented by the United Nations and the American ambassador, and also made pledges to public opinion and the Iraqi street on the issue of combating corruption, providing services, etc., and these pledges were not at the required level, in addition to pledges to partners in the country in A coalition to manage the state, but neither the Kurds got their entitlements nor did the Sunnis achieve their ambitions.”
The strategic expert concluded by saying, "Iraq is facing a complex crisis in which we do not rule out the security and military pressure, given that Iraq is an arena for settling scores, the economic pressure, with the difficulty of exporting oil, and the political pressure,
Visa launches a digital card replacement service
Visa, the leading global company in the field of digital payments, announced the launch of a new service aimed at facilitating the process of replacing emergency digital cards.
This new service is a quick way to provide new digital cards to customers via text messages or email on behalf of card issuers.
Once customers receive the new digital card, they can validate it and add it to their digital wallets.
This service provides a convenient, fast and secure solution, which contributes to improving travel experiences and increasing customer satisfaction of issuing entities.
Speaking about the new service, Kathleen Pierce-Gilmore, Head of Global Issuing Solutions at Visa, said: “The Emergency Digital Card Replacement Service provides travelers with immediate and secure access to their funds, and enables card issuing banks to provide superior customer service.”
Gilmore emphasized that this service is a win-win deal for everyone and highlights the power of digital payments to improve everyone’s experiences.
In addition, Visa offers some valuable tips for travelers to boost their use of digital payments, including going digital and preloading Visa cards into their digital wallets to avoid the need to handle cash.
Visa also recommends enabling transaction alerts to track spending in real time and detect any fraudulent activity early.
It also encourages travelers to notify issuers immediately if cards are lost, as a quick digital replacement is provided if the issuer supports Visa.
Visa advises travelers to contact the card issuer before traveling to ensure that the card can be used in the countries they visit, and also encourages choosing to pay in local currency when the option is available.
Visa Digital offers an emergency digital card replacement service as part of its ongoing efforts to meet the growing demand for seamless and secure digital payments.
This new service aims to provide additional support to Visa customers by providing an emergency digital replacement for lost or stolen cards.
Visa relies on its strong global network and established partnerships in card production and distribution to provide fast and efficient service around the world.
Construction of a modern bank in Sidekan at a cost of 1.4 billion dinars
As part of the Kurdistan Regional Government's efforts to improve and develop the banking system, the establishment of an advanced bank in the Sidekan area within the boundaries of the Soran Independent Administration is scheduled to be completed in the near future, to facilitate the completion of citizens' transactions.
The mayor of Sidekan district, Ihsan Chalabi, said in a statement to the Information Department in the regional government that "the process of establishing the modern Sidekan Bank is underway at a cost of 1.4 billion dinars, knowing that the completion rate has reached 95%," noting that "the establishment of this bank will contribute to strengthening the banking system in the region."
"The completion of the bank will provide a great service to the citizens of the judiciary and will save them a lot of time and expenses," he added.
A number of residents of the district confirmed that the bank "will be very useful because it will save them a lot of effort and time during their reviews of government departments and institutions in the cities of Soran and Erbil."
It should be noted that the Kurdistan Regional Government has taken important steps in the field of salary distribution and digitization of the banking system as by 2025, one million people will have their own bank accounts.
Washington: If our forces in Iraq are exposed to new attacks, we will respond appropriately
The United States of America said on Wednesday that its forces will respond appropriately if they are exposed to new attacks in Iraq.
A US State Department spokesman said, “His country’s forces will respond regrettably if they are exposed to any new attack in Iraq.”
This statement comes in response to what the Secretary-General of the Asaib Ahl al-Haq movement, Qais Khazali, said regarding attacking American interests in Iraq if the Zionist entity attacks Lebanon.
