A parliamentarian identifies 3 steps to end the “electricity war” in Iraq
A parliamentarian identifies 3 steps to end the electricity war in IraqInformation / Baghdad..
On Saturday, a member of the House of Representatives, Salem Al-Anbuki, identified three steps to end the electricity war in Iraq, while stressing that the sanctions were not a deterrent.
Al-Anbaki said in an interview with Al-Maalouma, “The country witnesses from time to time a series of attacks targeting electricity transmission lines, whether in Diyala or elsewhere, which leads to crises in energy supplies.”
He added, “The targeting operations are not chaotic and are taking place on important lines in multiple regions, which raises many question marks.”
The member of the House of Representatives explained, “There are three steps to end the electricity war, including: revealing the identity of those behind it and exposing those supporting the sabotage operations, in addition to doubling the penalties further to be more stringent with actions that are essentially terrorist, because they lead to sabotaging important axes in the country’s institutions.” “.
He pointed out that “power interests, internal and external goals, and terrorist acts are all the headlines behind the electricity war in Iraq,” stressing “the necessity of reconsidering field plans and adopting modern frameworks for monitoring and follow-up.”
During 2023, transportation lines witnessed more than 10 direct targeting operations, especially in Diyala and Salah al-Din.
Good news, Iraq and the US hold financial reform discussions in Baghdad.
This little meeting not reported in the mainstream news tells us the US may be ready to help Iraq move towards significant growth in its currency. At least we hope that's what this meeting is pointing to.
The Iraq prime minister discussed the cooperation between financial institutions in Iraq and the US Treasury Department with the US Assistant of the Secretary of the Treasury Department, Elizabeth Rosenberg.
The meeting addressed measures the Iraqi government took to reduce corruption. The Prim Minister indicated the government is advancing the banking sector reforms which are crucial for the economy's growth by adhering to international standards...
Rosenberg applauded the Iraqi government's outstanding efforts in implementing financial and banking reforms which would support Iraq's attempts to...expand its economy.
Al-Sudani heads to New York for United Nations General Assembly
Shafaq News / Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani departed the capital, Baghdad, en route to New York to participate in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
This was announced in a brief statement from his media office. The Iraqi delegation to the UN General Assembly will be led by Prime Minister Al-Sudani and include Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein. They are expected to meet with several world leaders during their visit according to Foreign Ministry's spokesman Ahmed al-Sahhaf.
Foreign Minister Hussein arrived in New York last Friday to prepare for the Prime Minister's visit and the participation of the Iraqi delegation in the General Assembly. The assembly, scheduled to begin on the coming Tuesday, takes place amid significant geopolitical tensions, exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine. It witnesses a rivalry between Russia and China on one side and the United States and Europe on the other to gain the support of non-aligned nations.
The agenda for this year's meetings prominently features concerns in the Southern Hemisphere, reflecting the increased interest of Western nations in securing the support of developing countries in their efforts to isolate Russia.
High-level meetings during the General Assembly will focus on the priorities of developing nations in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, including topics such as climate, health, development financing, and the alignment of "Sustainable Development Goals" on the right track.
Financial Innovation In Iraq: Shifting To A Cashless Payments Landscape
Mario Macari Economy News – Baghdad The business sector around the world is witnessing a real revolution as a result of the adoption of digital payment systems. This heralds many transformations in many countries such as Iraq, where monetary solutions have always dominated the financial system. Although Iraq has one of the lowest rates of access to financial services in the world, with only 19% of its adult population having bank accounts, the country has taken important steps to achieve financial inclusion[1].
The Central Bank of Iraq launched several initiatives in its second strategic plan for the years 2021-2023 in order to confront this challenge. We have witnessed the implementation of many important reforms, such as supporting digital financial services, mandating the use of direct points of sale in financial transactions, reducing commercial fees, imposing linking bank accounts, and providing incentives to encourage the use of direct points of sale.
These initiatives, as a whole, aim to accelerate the pace of transition to non-cash payments so that companies and individuals can achieve optimal benefits from them.
Given their ability to influence consumer purchasing habits, merchants are critical players in this trend. By shifting their payment models to digital platforms, merchants can transform their business as well as contribute to a significant change in the overall economy. Thanks to the availability of safety and transparency, merchants can encourage the adoption of financial reforms among the population, by adopting direct point of sale systems and adopting digital culture.
Unfortunately, many merchants face many challenges in terms of lack of awareness and financial education when creating and using digital payment systems. The lack of proper training in accepting these systems and financial education hinders merchants and consumers alike, often confining them to the traditional realm of cash transactions.
Perhaps the prosperity of the digital payment system will greatly help increase financial inclusion and enhance economic growth in emerging markets such as Iraq. Digital transactions are fast and easy to track, while giving merchants relevant insights into their future sales and budgets. These payments involve less risk compared to cash transactions. With the right infrastructure and local payment service providers, digital payments can provide merchants with an optimal platform to gradually grow their business.
The Iraqi government is fully aware of the importance of digital transformation to enhance viable and prosperous economies. Recently issued policies by the Central Bank of Iraq and the government to support digital payments are scheduled to be implemented this year.
Moreover, according to Statista, a company specialized in market studies and statistics, the total value of transactions in the digital payments market is expected to reach $10 billion in 2023[2].
There are many digital payment platforms operating in the country, as the Central Bank of Iraq has issued 17 licenses of this type so far[3]. FinTech companies are collaborating with telecommunications service providers in Iraq to provide consumers with a seamless and secure digital experience to facilitate digital payments.
Visa collaborated with its partners last year to launch a variety of payment products to serve Iraq’s underbanked population.
The future seems to be increasingly moving towards cashless solutions, as technology continues to penetrate every aspect of our lives. As the world continues to evolve to keep pace with the digital age, financial education and the implementation of the strictest digital security measures will play a critical role in facilitating the transition to a cashless economy more smoothly.
This transformation promises to increase the efficiency of the financial system and provide comprehensive access to financial services, especially for residents who do not have bank accounts or have accounts but do not use them.
There is no doubt that enhancing financial culture plays an essential role in completing this transformation and ensuring that individuals fully benefit from the benefits of digital financial solutions. To support financial education efforts in the market, we have selected two of our partners to collaborate with in order to provide content that can help build knowledge and help individuals improve their understanding of financial concepts and services.
These partnerships will play a pivotal role in developing a comprehensive digital payments system that enables the Iraqi economy to flourish and develop in the digital age. Written by Mario Macari, Visa’s Levant General Manager Added 09/17/2023 – https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=36388
[CBI put out a RFP-Request for Proposal tender] SHANGDODDLE: It appears to be the government of Iraq is seeking contractor bids for the purchase of machines used to count, sort and packet currency. IMO that would be for the new currency in the lower denominations in the new small category notes... FRANK: This is fantastic. Then an article comes out and says, "This tender will be accomplished by October 22, 2023". October 22nd is simply the time limit parameters of this tender...You think it's going to take until October the 22nd? No.
Why would Iran be at the CBI governor's office dealing with international issues? I think you know why. They can't steal anymore. The floor is spotless. It's dinner time. Something is about to happen.
Iraq boots-on-the-ground report] FIREFLY: We see Austria is back here in Iraq. They are reopening their embassy here. Their ambassador says due to the security and stability here it leads them to trust and reopen. FRANK: Hey, Sudani how clean is the floor of the CBI bro!?
The CBI had a meeting with the United States Treasury...The CBI got their butts chewed out in front of Sudani. In less than 24 hours all the nonsense they were complaining about has been wiped out...
You have Iraq, Iran, the CBI official, US Treasury all in one room that doesn't make any senseunless you have have interest in changing the exchange rate and adding value to the Iraqi currency because there's security and stability in Iraq and it's all because Iran finally conceded, 'we give up'.
[Iraq boots-on-the-ground report] FIREFLY: USA Treasury was threatening us about sanctions on more banks here if not addressed on misuse of the American dollar that the US Treasury is seeing all over Iraq. I don't know what they're talking about, we can't find the dollar anywhere. FRANK: Don't let that bother you. The US Treasury is simply trying to get Sudani and the board of directors to move.
Speculators And Analysts Manipulate The Price Of The Dollar Through “False Assumptions”
The first 09/17/2023 Baghdad: Huda Al-Azzawi A “false hypothesis” claiming that visits by US Treasury officials to the capital, Baghdad, aimed at increasing sanctions on banks, has gained currency in the local market and was the main reason for the rise in the dollar exchange rate over the past few days. Specialists in economic affairs have shown that these hypotheses unleashed by beneficiary speculators are supported and promoted by many economic or political analysts for several reasons.
The economic affairs analyst, Nabil Jabbar Al-Tamimi, stated in an interview with “Al-Sabah” that “there is a link between the rise in the exchange rate of the dollar and the sanctions imposed on banks, and this link came as a result of traders and some people benefiting from the economic analysis,” stressing that “there is no relationship to the rise in...
The exchange rate when imposing sanctions on four banks in November 2022, as well as when imposing sanctions on 14 banks after that date,” explaining that “these assumptions are economically illogical, because the (14) banks had an entry rate of about 8% in the currency auction and can be covered.” By other banks.
He pointed out that "these hypotheses are unleashed by some economic analysts for the purpose of benefiting from them, especially since some of them have political leanings against the current government, and try to distort the facts by promoting such (false hypotheses) or have a connection with currency traders, and this is what The authorities alerted him,” and Al-Tamimi expected that some of these economic analysts would be “arrested” in the next few days.
He pointed out that "the Communications and Media Commission stressed the importance of avoiding misleading information on more than one occasion, which causes an increase in exchange rates. This information must be addressed by government authorities to refute it and hold accountable everyone who promotes false information that causes an increase in the exchange rate."
For his part, the professor and analyst in economic affairs, Dr. Jaafar Alloush, indicated in an exclusive interview with “Al-Sabah” that “the incorrect reading of the visits of treasury officials is what gives general impressions that compliance with international standards has not been achieved, and thus creates pessimistic expectations that help raise the dollar exchange rate.” While the Central Bank’s data explaining its policies confirms progress in accordance with those policies Standards".
Alloush considered the unstable rise in the exchange rate “an economically unjustified rise, but it is linked to the abundance and expansion of the volume of internal exchanges in the dollar currency, supported by the increasing types and volume of imported goods that are financed in dollars,” and explained that “the demand for the dollar is multi-faceted and depends on the volume of transactions (which It constitutes a growing demand), as the rise in the exchange rate of the dollar is directly proportional to the volume of internal trading in it,
and with there being only one source for supplying the dollar, which is the central bank (the window for selling the currency) and through the mediations of commercial banks that finance these exchanges, especially foreign trade, in exchange for the limited supply of this supply.
“The problem remains in the form of a real gap between the increasing demand for dollar transactions and the limited supply.”
He pointed out, “Here lies the danger of lowering the exchange rate by the central bank and losing its effectiveness unless the means of financing trade are legalized and the volume of local dollar exchanges is reduced.”
Regarding the repeated visits of US Treasury officials to Baghdad, Alloush stated that “those visits come to ensure the application of these international standards, and they are also periodic visits that have occurred for a long time, and there are financial relations linking the Central Bank of Iraq with the Federal Reserve and the American Treasury, and meetings are held.” "A regular period between the two parties to review many issues."
He explained, "These days, the visits of American officials to Baghdad are being exploited in the media to inject more waves of pessimism that are directed towards creating a supportive climate for the instability of the dollar exchange rate, knowing that this rise has become a financial resource for many speculators, some of whom control the parallel exchange market, because Dollar trading has expanded its base, and this expansion creates additional difficulties for the monetary authorities and the central bank in controlling the gap in the parallel rate with the official rate.
The US Treasury Department reveals the secrets of its assistant visit to Iraq and its meeting with senior officials, 17 SEPT
Baghdad - Iraq Today: 2023/09/16 10:03
The US Treasury Department announced that Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Rosenberg discussed with Iraqi officials during her visit to Baghdad raising the level of the Iraqi banking sector to "international standards" and "preventing violations" of US sanctions.
US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Combating the Financing of "Terrorism" and Financial Crimes, Elizabeth Rosenberg, visited Baghdad on September 12 and 13, and held meetings with Iraqi officials, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and Central Bank Governor Ali Al-Alaq.
In a statement about the visit, the US Treasury Department noted that Elizabeth Rosenberg met with the prime minister and officials of the Central Bank, the Iraqi Economic Intelligence Unit, the Commercial Bank of Iraq and representatives of private banks.
Recognizing the challenges and future opportunities for the development of Iraq's financial sector, the two sides "declared their commitment to continue working together and taking positive steps towards meaningful and long-term reforms, in order for Iraq to live up to international standards, and prevent falsity, sanctions violations, terrorist financing and other illegal acts," she said.
Earlier, US State Department spokesman, Matthew Miller, said in a press interview that the US Treasury Department discussed with the Iraqi government the opportunities and challenges facing the financial sector in Iraq, and ways to develop the sector and raise it to the level of international standards.
Al Sudani was denied access to come to...the US because he had three things to get done. And now he is scheduled to be in the U.S. on the 20th which is Wednesday. I have a hard time thinking on the 20th he's going to show up smiling and waving doing International contracts without having changed from 1310 to a real effective exchange rate.
We're in such a good space I can't contain the excitement because what we've seen in the last 96 hours. There's nothing but powerful information from Al-Sudani, we have the US Treasury Assistant showing up...big companies...Stellar Energy...Total...Barzani being tickled pink because they've signed agreements. We have a change of pace...
...on Tuesday – The US assistant secretary of the Treasury showed up to Iraq... other folks from the US were there- on the business side. So businesses showed up and other countries showed up...We are talking about International trade. Iran, Iraq, France, The US and many others...The US Secretary of the Treasury has the power to make certain things happen…and
I think the US is now allowing the facilitation of Iraq joining the international financial system. And they say the Us now supports the tripartite budget for 2023, 24 and 25...And letting Iraq and Iran trade outside of using the US dollar is huge. There are deals with UAE, France, Japan, China and many more. This really is huge...These international contracts and international financial systems …well, we have never seen this before...I think we are in a phenomenal timeframe...
The CBI can (and probably will) put a hefty spread their buy price – I’ve heard it will be at least 8% if they RV high.
This means they will sell the Dinar for $1, but they will buy it for $0.92
Personally, I’d be grateful and overjoyed to see a 8% spread on a $1 RV!
Most likely, we will only see about $0.92 per Dinar at a $1 RV by the time it gets in our hands (every party involved will take a little chunk, unless you are physically able to go to the CBI.
And you can’t do that.
So, just accept it – you’re going to pay a spread.)
Once again, the extra numbers aren’t important right now – the only number that’s important is the $1 and the $0.92, because that’s what the CBI is worried about.
Let’s say there is a billion USD worth of Dinar out there right now, or 1 trillion IQD.
The CBI pays $0.92 for every $1 worth of Dinar, then resells it the next day for $1.
The Parliamentary Finance Committee to host federal and Regional Finance Ministers for salary and revenue discussions
Shafaq News / The Parliamentary Finance Committee has announced its intention to host the Finance Ministers from both the federal government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) for discussions on the salaries of Regional employees and the Region's oil and non-oil revenues.
Member of the committee, Khalil Al-Doski, stated that they have invited the federal Finance Minister and the Regional Finance Minister to the committee's headquarters to discuss the region's entitlements.
The committee plans to convene in the next two days to address issues related to the salaries of the Region's employees, as well as its oil and non-oil financial revenues.
As stipulated in Article 13 of the budget, Kurdistan is required to deliver a minimum of 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily to SOMO, a state-owned oil marketing company, for export through the Ceyhan port or for domestic use if not exported.
The issue of Kurdistan Region's oil and non-oil revenues has been a contentious matter for several years with no resolution in sight. In recent years, the federal government has adopted a new mechanism for disbursing the region's entitlements in the budget, involving financial loans to allow KRG to pay employee salaries, which are often delayed by several months.
Shafaq News / The Ministry of Finance revealed on Sunday that Iraq's financial revenues in the federal budget exceeded 65 trillion dinars over seven months, confirming a rise in the oil contribution to the budget to 95%. However, an economic expert believes that non-oil revenues "will not improve."
Shafaq News Agency examined data and tables released by the Ministry of Finance for the current fiscal year from January to July. These figures indicate that oil still constitutes the main source of Iraq's general budget, accounting for 95%, highlighting that Iraq's economy heavily relies on oil revenues.
According to financial tables, total revenues until July amounted to 65,195,003,735,974 dinars after excluding transfer revenues of 1,995,073,713,000 dinars. Total expenditures, including advances, 52,916,562,761,000 dinars.
Based on the financial data, oil revenues reached 62,259,118,923,534 dinars, constituting 95% of the general budget. Meanwhile, non-oil revenues reached 2,935,884,812,439 dinars.
Economic expert Mohammed Al-Hasani commented on this, stating, "Non-oil revenues will not improve or increase as long as Iraq lacks local industrial and agricultural production." He emphasized that "the Iraqi economy is rentier, relying on taxes and customs for non-oil revenues."
He pointed out that "the successive governments in Iraq have not directed the surplus of oil revenues resulting from rising oil prices towards industrial and agricultural development but relied on imports to meet local needs," confirming that "Iraq has become dependent on neighboring countries."
Earlier in March 2021, Prime Minister's Financial Affairs Advisor Mudhhir Mohammed Saleh stated that the persistence of Iraq's economy relying solely on oil is due to wars, economic blockades during the past era, and the ongoing political conflicts, which have led to the dispersion of economic resources.
Iraq's continued dependence on oil as the sole source for the general budget puts the country at risk of global crises affecting oil prices, forcing it to cover deficits through foreign or domestic borrowing. This highlights the inability to effectively manage the state's finances and the failure to find alternative financing solutions.
You have Iraq, Iran, the CBI official, US Treasury all in one room that doesn’t make any sense unless you have have interest in changing the exchange rate and adding value to the Iraqi currency because there’s security and stability in Iraq and it’s all because Iran finally conceded, ‘we give up’.
The CBI had a meeting with the United States Treasury…The CBI got their butts chewed out in front of Sudani. In less than 24 hours all the nonsense they were complaining about has been wiped out..
[Iraq boots-on-the-ground report]
FIREFLY: We see Austria is back here in Iraq. They are reopening their embassy here. Their ambassador says due to the security and stability here it leads them to trust and reopen.
FRANK: Hey, Sudani how clean is the floor of the CBI bro!?
As of Fri. 15 Sept. all US Banks were working for the US Treasury: When you go into a bank like Wells Fargo to exchange, you are not doing business with Wells Fargo. You are doing business with the US Treasury. They are contracting with that bank to use the space but the people don’t work for the bank they are contracted by the US Treasury.
The US Treasury Assistant Secretary made a comment per Rod Steele that everything is and has been signed off and should be approximately 96 hours from her return from Baghdad, Iraq. She returned today Fri. 15 Sept. X 96 hours = Tues. 19 Sept.
Fri. 15 Sept. TNT: Tony was informed by his bank contacts that they were facing a heavy workload and by Mon. 18 Sept. we should be exchanging.
Fri. 15 Sept. MarkZ: Lots of expectations for Sunday 17 Sept. and Mon. 18 Sept. during meetings with Iraq and the US Treasury on HCL agreements where they will be addressing the exchange rate of the dinar. Iraq wanted a worldwide announcement to the general public of a rate change somewhere around the 20th or 21st. That does not mean we are waiting until then. Groups are positioned and ready. People are all in place. Agreements are done. All we are waiting on is the switch to be pulled.
Thurs. 14 Sept. Bruce: Three excellent sources said Tier4b (us, the Internet Group) should get notified Fri, Sat or Monday 15, 16 or 18 Sept. We are at a any day, any hour basis. Release to Bond Sellers should happen Fri, Sat or Monday 15, 16 or 18 Sept. Tier4bto be notified after Bond Holders – or by next Tues. 19 Sept. Military personnel and Bond Holders have exchanged but do not yet have access to their funds.On Tues. 12 Sept. the US Treasury gave word to Redemption Centers that everything was signed off and ready to go.
Mon. 11 Sept. Hernán Robert Hbravo: It is reported in Iraq that everything is ready and agreed with the United States Treasury for the Revaluation of the DINAR currency.
All documentation was studied and agreed upon between the government of IRAQ and the US. The documentation was delivered on Mon. 11 Sept. 2023, to the United States Treasury for prompt signature.
As of Fri. 15 Sept. Banks were no longer independent, but working for the US Treasury: When you go into a bank to exchange like Wells Fargo you are not doing business with Wells Fargo. You are doing business with the US Treasury. They are contracting with that bank to use the space but the people don’t work for the bank they are contracted by the US Treasury.
Our inside source, a brave individual deep within military intelligence circles(identity classified for obvious reasons), has dropped a piece of information that might just shake the very foundations of the global economy: 97 of the top 100 central banks are currently under transformation to become fully operational under the QFS + RTGS system. The remaining 82 smaller central banks are gearing up for this transition. On October 1st all BANKS have to be working with the QFS, THAT’S WHY WE THINK IT HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30.
Fri. 15 Sept. Rubix Q: I have a friend who is a personal Dinar dealer in the United States. He is telling me that his vendor just got all of his dinar confiscated and is no longer allowed to sell. They are tightening the noose in Iraq and they are stopping people from taking it overseas. The US Treasury has caused a wave that is causing vendors to immediately stop. This tells me that’s it’s a wrap…the initiation process begun. When the brokers are told to stop selling it let’s you know we are an inch away…you won’t be able to double dip once you make your appt. Second, what you have is what you have…it has been said that when we are close that brokers/dealers will be restricted from selling. As far as BTC, it’s going to zero. XRP is the mother of all digital gold backed assets.
Rep. Tom Emmer introduced a bill to ban the Federal Reserve from creating a Central Bank Digital Currency. A CBDC is nothing more than a CCP-style surveillance tool that can be weaponized to oppress the American way of life.
As of Fri. 15 Sept. 97 of the top 100 Central Banks were under transformation to become fully operational under the QFS + RTGS system. The remaining 82 smaller Central Banks were gearing up for this transition.
Fri. 15 Sept. Rubix Q on Telegram: Auto workers are now officially on strike outside the Ford assembly plant, which makes the Bronco and Ranger, in Wayne, Michigan. It’s not coming back just like Hollywood on strike. When they go on strike it’s a bye-bye. No jobs, no company so what happens to the economy. https://t.me/police_frequency/100798
Thurs. 14 Sept. Inside the Exclusive World of Redemption and Exchange Centers, Ben Fulford.
If you have purchased currency from an authorized dealer in the US an email from powerhouses like Wells Fargo Bank or even Chase – both top tier 1 banks for Exchange + Redemption Centers – is on its way to your inbox.
The US Treasury provides these email lists. No one can truly verify if they’re on this exclusive list. And thus, to ensure maximum reach, the Safelink website, the ultimate tool for exchange, will be spread like wildfire across major online platforms and chat forums.
While estimates suggest there are 10 to 12 million individuals in the US holding foreign currency or securities, only a measly 3 to 4 million find their way to the Wells Fargo email list. The reason? Scores of people innocently bringing currencies home after vacations, dutiful military personnel from places like Iraq, charter flights operations, and many more reasons you wouldn’t suspect.
Anyone longing for higher exchange rates via the Exchange or Redemption Center will be granted a unique personalized 800 number (not to be confused with the pedestrian ‘1800‘ numbers). This number, mind you, is one-time-use only.
If anyone chooses to walk into a bank directly without this unique digital access, they’re effectively shooting themselves in the foot. The reason? Banks can only offer what’s known as the screen rate or the Forex rate, a measly sum compared to what one could obtain.
Exchange rates in the US stand as fixed, unyielding monoliths – unless, of course, one possesses a particularly hefty amount.
(Zim) Bonds? Now, they’re a different ballgame. The rates of exchange, the interest, the fees after working with banks – it’s all up for negotiation, pulling the strings behind closed doors.
Your unique rendezvous at the Redemption or Exchange Center, however, comes with strings attached. No second helpings allowed! If you think you can dance twice at the same ball, think again. Should anyone attempt a sly double-dip, the repercussions will be swift and severe.
A second appointment? Reserved for a different basket of currencies scheduled half a year later.
The Redemption and Exchange Centers will be open for a brief window of 4 to 6 weeks.
Private Bank teams, with their vast networks, swoop in, ensuring anyone with redemptions over $1 million is shepherded into trust setups, private banks, and an exclusive world of perks not available to the average Joe.
Redemption Centers exist for the sole purpose of redeeming (Zim) bonds, and Exchange Centers designed for currency-only aficionados.
The safety at these centers? Top-notch. I have a hunch the military might be lurking in the shadows, ensuring iron-clad security.'