Local exchange companies are preparing for a major demonstration on Jan. 24

Baghdad – Hundreds of exchange-rate owners and employees are planning a major demonstration on January 24 to demand a change in their central bank policies, which they see as unjust and weaken their role and influence in the local economy.

And explained the reasons for their exit at the demonstration at the main gate of the Central Bank of Iraq with several points.

– Adopting a systematic policy of hostility against the private sector represented by exchange companies rather than sponsoring and supporting them, as is the case in other countries of the world.

– Dealing with disrespect and retaliation instead of practicing correction and reform. This has been reflected in the behavior of the staff of the committees in dealing with the owners of exchange companies by police methods and inspecting mobile phones, underwear, bags, etc.

– The imposition of wages and illegal fees on companies that did not exist in the past punish the company in case of non-payment.

– Replacement of experienced, competent and former staff with no experience, and are only able to execute orders from their position in these positions.

– The imposition of harsh penalties such as the cancellation of companies, the withdrawal of leave, or suspension for a long time, or the imposition of fines without a right, or to give a weak chance of defense so that the opponent is the referee.

– Failure to implement promises and procrastination in the issuance of any decision to improve difficult situations, or to address them

Iraaqi.com

Exchange Rates of the US Dollar against the Iraqi Dinar on the Stock Exchange and Local Markets

Dollar exchange rates stabilized on the Stock Exchange and local markets on Tuesday (January 8, 2019).

The prices of the Kifah Stock Exchange – Baghdad 119.950, the same for Monday.

Selling and buying prices in banking:

The sale price of the dollar = 120,500 dinars.

The purchase price of the dollar = 119.500 dinars.

non14.net

Deputy reform: We regret the selection of Abdul-Mahdi to head the government

Baghdad / … Rep. Of the Alliance for Reform and Reconstruction, Jassim al-Bekhati, Tuesday, we regret our choice of Abdul-Mahdi and perhaps all Iraq regrets not only the political forces.

Al-Bakhati told “Iraq News” that “the reform alliance regretted his choice of Adel Abdul Mahdi, and perhaps all of Iraq now feel sorry for this choice for many reasons.”

He continued, “According to the current data, Abdul Mahdi did not achieve what was desired by the people at all levels, albeit a small part, and we expected more tender and strong in the performance of tasks.”

Aynaliraqnews.com

Prime Minister: We sent a list of the names of the remaining candidates to the political blocs to agree on them

Information / Baghdad … Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi, on Tuesday, he sent a list of the remaining candidates to the political blocs for approval.

“The prime minister sent a list of the names of the remaining candidates for the cabinet to the political blocs for approval before going to the House of Representatives for the purpose of voting,” Abdul Mahdi said during the weekly conference attended by the agency.

On the other hand, Abdul-Mahdi that “the level of visits of foreign delegations to Iraq has increased significantly and this has important indicators and indications.” End 25 T

Faceiraq.net

US national security adviser to leave Turkey without a meeting , Erdogan

US national security adviser John Bolton left Turkey on Tuesday without meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, deepening tensions between Washington and Ankara over not compromising Syria’s US-backed democratic forces.

It seems that Bolton’s departure for Ankara without a meeting with Erdogan came after his failure to secure assurances from Ankara not to attack Syria’s democratic forces in the event of a US withdrawal from Syria.

Turkey has denied Erdogan has pledged to his US counterpart Donald Trump to “protect” Kurdish militants in Syria, as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said.

“With regard to Pompeo’s statements, it is absolutely inconceivable that such a guarantee was given during talks between Erdogan and Trump or through other channels,” said Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin.

In an opinion piece published in the New York Times, Erdogan said that Turkey was committed to “defeating a pro-Syrian organization and other terrorist groups” in Syria, apparently referring to Syria’s democratic forces.

The Syrian Democratic Forces are mainly formed by Kurdish People’s Protection Units, which Ankara regards as a terrorist group and an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Turkey for years.

Shafaaq.com

BGG:

1) This isn’t a pro-Trump Rah, Rah rant… just some observations.

2) John Bolton is political PLAYER. He is no one to be trifled with. If he left, there was a reason.

3) I imagine Pompeo has some factual basis for his comments regarding what Erdogan said to President Trump. Why would he make up such a FANTASTICAL story?

4) Erdogan should step carefully… if, in fact, he did offer such support, he should beware that President Trump – if NOTHING ELSE, can be unpredictable.

5) I have a hard time reconciling this as well… did no one on his staff explain to President Trump the level of “bad guy” he was dealing with in Erdogan?

Lest anyone forget… we all watched a couple of years ago, he staged a “faux-coup” which he used to “purge” nearly 6,000 military officers he didn’t trust from his own military. Erdogan is one bad actor.

6) It’s curious how the media seems to always land on the wrong side of things… which wouldn’t happen if they would just READ THE NEWS (note above: Kurdish “militants” – not “freedom fighters”).

7) In conclusion – right or wrong, we can probably do whatever we were doing from a fire base (aka – U.S. Embassy) in Iraq or from a carrier group just as easily… should the need arise.

8) Erdogan’s persecution of the PKK and the PPU is nothing more than war he’s waging against his political rivals.

Think of how that would go over here… if political rivals tried to exterminate one another. Let’s hope some level of dignity somehow returns to ALL BRANCHES of our government.

Central Bank sets 20 banks to eliminate the space

The Central Bank of Iraq said that the settlement of salaries to employees is an important measure to eliminate the aliens who receive more than a salary from the state and restore confidence between the citizen and the banking sector.

“The settlement of salaries is done with the approval of the Central Bank of the recognized banks, whether governmental or private, and according to the conditions of the Central Bank and its law, and the employee has the right to choose to settle his salary as he believes in the service provided by the bank” .

“The central bank has approved 20 government banks to settle salaries for government and private sector employees,” Hussein said.

“This measure will eliminate the people in government departments who receive more than salaries from the government departments, in addition to the benefits that the employee will earn from the bank, which will be settled from the advances, loans and banking facilities.”

He demanded that “the employees to settle their salaries in any bank they see fit for their aspirations,” noting that “this measure will do the relationship between citizens and banks and will rebuild confidence for the banking sector.

Alforatnews.com

URGENT House of Representatives postponed its meeting to next Thursday

(Baghdad: Al-Furat News) postponed the House of Representatives held its regular session scheduled Tuesday to Thursday.

A parliamentary source told the {Euphrates News}, that the postponement of the meeting “because there is no quorum for the opening of the session.”

Parliament was scheduled to resume its regular session today

Alforatnews.com

Iraq president marks armed forces day with call for stronger army

President Barham Salih lays a wreath of flowers on the monument of the Unknown Soldier in Baghdad on the occasion of the 98th anniversary of the establishment of the Iraqi army, January 6, 2019. Photo: Office of the Iraqi Presidency

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Iraqi President Barham Salih called for a strengthening of the country’s armed forces on Sunday in a message marking 98 years since the establishment of the Iraqi army.

“On the anniversary of the foundation of the Iraqi army, we remember the feats of the army and its formations in defending the homeland, most recently eradicating Daesh’s terror,” Salih tweeted, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State (ISIS).

“While we extend congratulations to our people on this anniversary, we emphasize the necessity of bolstering the capabilities of the army and enabling it as a professional national institution for all Iraqis with their different affiliations, protector of the homeland and its federal democratic constitutional regime,” he added.

Salih laid a wreath of flowers on the monument of the Unknown Soldier during a ceremony in Baghdad.

In his own statement on Facebook, Mohammed al-Halbousi, the speaker of the Iraqi parliament, echoed Salih’s call for a stronger Iraqi army.

He shared the “keenness of the legislative authority to support the independence of the military institution to be far from political tendencies,” and pledged to “work with the government to have a strong army, and we will support the conclusion of relevant agreements in the interest of enhancing its capabilities.”

Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi, commander-in-chief of the Iraqi forces, spoke at Sunday’s ceremony to thank the armed forces.

“The brave Iraqi army will remain for all Iraqis and be aware that it is the protector of diversity and coexistence under the roof of the constitution and our great home, Iraq,” Abdul-Mahdi said.

The British created Iraq’s first modern military battalion on January 6, 1921 during its mandate over the country following World War One.

The military became highly influential in the years that followed, with dissident officers going on to launch a coup against the British-installed royal family.

During Saddam Hussein’s rule, Iraq’s military became one of the most powerful in the Middle East, with generous US support. Its tactical limitations were exposed however during the 1980-88 Iran-Iraq war, which ended in stalemate.

Through the 1970s, 80s, and early 90s, Iraqi forces were used to crush Kurdish and Shiite resistance to the regime.

In 1991, Saddam’s army was swiftly beaten back by a US-led coalition after his ill-fated invasion of Kuwait. Sanctions and weapons inspections further enfeebled Iraq’s military until its ultimate defeat in the 2003 US invasion.

In one of the biggest strategic blunders of the post-2003 occupation, Iraq’s armed forces were disbanded, leaving disgruntled soldiers unemployed. Many would later join the insurgency that would later create ISIS.

Massive foreign investment in the new Iraqi army failed to prevent its humiliating route in 2014 when ISIS conquered swathes of the country’s north and cities along the Tigris River Valley.

Supplemented by another US-led coalition, the Kurdish Peshmerga, and Iranian-backed Shiite militias, the Iraqi army was able to declare the defeat of ISIS in December 2017 at a tremendous cost to life and infrastructure. A low scale ISIS insurgency is ongoing.

Rudaw.net

Dollar falls for the third day in a row

Twilight News – The US dollar fell for a third straight day against rival currencies on Monday, as expectations grew that the US central bank will cut interest rates in the coming months.

Despite strong US jobs data in December last week, market watchers believe the world’s biggest economy is losing momentum, and comments by Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reinforced expectations that the central bank may adopt a more cautious outlook.

On Friday, Powell told the US Economic Association that the board does not adopt a predetermined path of interest rate increases and will take into account the downside risks the market takes into account.

The dollar index, which tracks the performance of the greenback against a basket of rival currencies, fell around 0.25 percent to 95.92, nearing a two-month low recorded last week.

The euro and the Australian dollar led the gains, and the latter benefited from news earlier this week that China had strengthened its stimulus policy.

Australia’s dollar, which is heavily affected by China, rose nearly 0.5 percent to $ 0.7140, while the US dollar rose 0.2 percent against the yuan in foreign trade to 6.8483 yuan.

Keywords: Shafaaq.com

Sources: US ambassador asked Halabousi not to present the “law to remove foreign troops” from Iraq

Journal News: The US ambassador to Iraq, Douglas Soliman, has asked Speaker of the House of Representatives Mohamed Halboussi not to pass the law to remove foreign troops from Iraq, according to informed political sources, noting that “Halabousi gave verbal approval to the ambassador.”

“The US is planning to keep its troops in Iraq for as long as possible,” the sources told The Journal News. “The visit of US President Donald Trump was for that reason, and he announced that he was not considering taking US troops out of Iraq and using it as a key base.”

“The American ambassador told Halaboussi that the US embassy is closely monitoring the political process in Iraq and has followed up the reactions after Trump’s visit to the Ain al-Assad base and his attempt to meet Prime Minister Adel Abdul-Mahdi,” she said.

The draft law provides for the removal of all foreign forces from Iraq, including the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the support of Iraqi forces, the formation of the Ministry of the Interior and popular mobilization factions, strengthening the capabilities of the air force and building air defense systems capable of securing the country and signing defense agreements with neighboring countries and friendly countries. , Without being mentioned.

It is worth mentioning that America introduced its military forces into Iraq in two stages. The first during the invasion of this country in 2003, and Washington was forced to withdraw its troops at the end of 2011, and in late 2008 an agreement called the “Strategic Framework Agreement” and included paragraphs allowing it to keep part of Forces in Iraq to train the military and security forces of the country.

After the terrorist organization Da’ash entered and occupied large areas of Iraq in June 2014, America took advantage of the opportunity to re-establish its military forces under the pretext of supporting it in the face of a “push” within the framework of the so-called “International Alliance” led by Washington.

Aljournal.com