Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Coffee with MarkZ and Andy Schectman. 12/13/2023
Iraqi, French anti-corruption agencies activate MoU on exchanging intelligence, expertise, 13 DEC
Iraqi, French anti-corruption agencies activate MoU on exchanging intelligence, expertise
Shafaq News/ Iraq and France have agreed to activate a memorandum of understanding on exchanging intelligence and expertise in an effort to combat trans-border corruption, according to an official statement.
The agreement came following a meeting between Judge Haider Hanoun and Isabelle Jegouzo, which took place on the sidelines of the 10th Conference of the States Parties to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) in Atlanta, Georgia.
Judge Hanoun emphasized the importance of upholding the UNCAC's provisions and fostering cooperation among member countries in tackling corruption. He also called for adopting effective legal mechanisms to prevent and combat this pervasive issue.
The meeting saw both parties commit to activating a memorandum of understanding signed in January 2023 during Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia al-Sudani's visit to France.
The MoU outlines a framework for joint efforts in intelligence cooperation, expertise exchange, and training.
Iraq's PM to Blinken: Iraqi security forces can pursue diplomatic mission attackers independently, 13 DEC
Iraq's PM to Blinken: Iraqi security forces can pursue diplomatic mission attackers independently
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shia Al-Sudani stressed the government's commitment to protecting the diplomatic missions in the country.
Al-Sudani's media office said that the Prime Minister received, on Tuesday, a phone call from U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
Both sides discussed various topics of common interest, including ways to strengthen relations between Iraq and the United States, and regional and international developments.
Al-Sudani stressed Iraq's "keenness to fostering partnerships and collaboration with brotherly and friendly nations, aiming to address economic, security, and climate challenges collectively."
The Iraqi Prime Minister pointed out that Iraq is committed to protecting diplomatic missions and advisors, emphasizing the capability of Iraqi security forces to fulfill their responsibilities in pursuing those responsible for attacks on diplomatic missions without any external interference.
For his part, the U.S. Secretary of State welcomed the Iraqi government's measures to secure diplomatic missions and embassies operating in Iraq and to those behind the attacks.
The call between the two countries came after the U.S. embassy in Baghdad was attacked last week.
The U.S. Embassy spokesperson issued a statement saying that the "indications are the attacks were initiated by Iran-aligned militias, which operate freely in Iraq."
The Embassy said two missiles struck the embassy complex, and no casualties were reported until the moment.
The statement affirmed the U.S. right to self-defense and "to protect our personnel anywhere in the world."
The attacks on the U.S. interests in Iraq and Syria escalated after the clear Amercian support of Washington to Israel in its aggression against Palestinians in Gaza, where more than 18,500 were killed, most are children and women.
The United States keeps providing Tel Aviv with weapons and ammunition and using the veto power to block a Gaza ceasefire resolution.
In contrast, the "Axis of Resistance" (including Iraqi factions, Lebanese Hezbollah, and Ansarallah of Yemen) expressed full support to the Hamas Movement in confronting the Israeli operations in Gaza.
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq launched more than 70 attacks against the US-led Coalition forces in Syria and Iraq. The Ansarallah fired rockets and drones toward Israel despite being more than 1,000 miles away from Sanaa, the Yemeni capital.
The Houthis are also utilizing their control of Yemen's western seaboard, encompassing ports like Hodeidah, to launch attacks on shipping they perceive as linked to Israel.
On the Lebanese front, Israel is facing another "enemy," Hezbollah, the most potent Iran-aligned group in the Middle East.
More than 120 people have been killed on the Lebanese side, mostly Hezbollah fighters with one Lebanese soldier.
Israel also lost tens of soldiers in the military operations on the Lebanese-Palestinian borders.
Hezbollah's strategy started with attacking the Israeli telecommunication towers, which blocked the connection among the Israeli forces, then attacked with drones and rockets the Israeli army gatherings, killing dozens.
"RV UPDATE" BY ARIEL, 13 DEC
Ariel
Coming In Hot – So let me ask you. If the oil is crashing what else is in conjunction with it?
And if that is collapsing what else in tandem is falling alongside that answer from the 1st question?
And if you answer both of those questions what does that say about the stock market around the world in general? Is this going to be our Christmas to remember for the wrong & right reasons?
Remember the Basel 3 session on Capitol Hill? I wonder if those Capital Requirements are biting some banks in the a$$? Can you say Mortgage-Backed Securities? Can you say derivatives? Can you say fiat USD?
Now do you understand why we had to wait until this happened in order for the IQD reinstatement to occur as a result of the value reducing in the USD in order for countries to trade with America in the new economy?
Iraqi PM praises economic ties with Turkey as strategic, 13 DEC
Iraqi PM praises economic ties with Turkey as strategic
Shafaq News/ Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani on Wednesday praised Iraq's decision to develop its economic ties with Turkey a "sovereign and strategic decision".
The remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from the Turkish company Triaki Agro, in the presence of the director-general of the Iraq Development Fund, Mohammed al-Najjar, and the Turkish ambassador to Iraq, Ali Riza Guney.
According to a statement from the prime minister's office, al-Sudani congratulated the company on signing a contract with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to establish the first-of-its-kind agricultural processing complex in Iraq at Umm Qasr port.
The Turkish delegation, according to the statement, expressed interest in taking in other projects in the agricultural sector, modern irrigation technologies, and clean energy.
Al-Sudani reiterated the government's support for these investment initiatives, highlighting their importance in boosting food security, creating local jobs, and investing in water resources and modern technology. He also pledged to remove all obstacles to investors and invited other Turkish companies to enter the Iraqi investment market.
Al-Sudani told the Turkish delegation that "developing economic ties between Iraq and Turkey in a mutually beneficial manner is a sovereign and strategic decision that will enhance regional security and stability."
https://shafaq.com/en/Iraq-News/Iraqi-PM-praises-economic-ties-with-Turkey-as-strategic
MAJEED UPDATE, 23 DEC
Majeed No more Dollar coming to Iraq The central bank has two options File for bankruptcy Or change the damn rate Because this is what it ...
-
Frank26 [Bank story] This time we didn't go down, we just called [the bank]... We said we want to see if we can exchange some cu...
-
Bank appointment for Currency EXCHANGE Instructions/Checklist Bank Name_________________________________________ Bank 800#____________...
-
Walkingstick All these meetings that the CBI had with all these agencies that were helping them with their monetary reform are done. Al...