Member: I am hearing a lot of chatter about this weekend! It’s also a 3 day weekend.
MZ: It would be a perfect time for the RV to hit.
Member: This weekend is perfect for an RV. Saturday is the 250th anniversery of “the s**t heard round the world,” aka “the birth of American Liberty.”
MZ: On the historic bond side- I am still hearing they have made wonderful progress. I have not had an update since yesterday afternoon…..but was told they are very much on target for completing what they need to this week in order to move forward.
MZ: My understanding of the “Move forward” part is after bonds come the groups , CMKX Farm Claims and Prosperity Packages. Then BAM….it’s us.
MZ: The confirmations from the bond side is a very good sign. They expect to have enough of them done this week to move forward with the rest.
Corruption Risks And Electronic Content Regulation Are On The Government's Agenda.
April 14, 2025 Baghdad - Saad Mohammed Al-Kaabi The Chairman of the Communications and Media Commission, Nawfal Abu Ragheef, and the Director General of the Education and Public Relations Department at the Integrity Commission, Ali Qasim Hamoud, discussed the dangers of corruption and its negative effects on Iraqi society, stressing the need to unify media efforts to launch awareness campaigns by producing effective, qualitative content that serves various segments of society.
A statement received by Al-Zaman yesterday stated that "the two sides discussed during the meeting the importance of cooperation between the two parties to support the values of integrity and combat corruption through media and community guidance."
Integrity Values
Pointing out the importance of producing qualitative content that serves society, especially the youth, in line with consolidating the values of integrity and national discipline, the meeting touched on employing various media outlets, including satellite channels, radio stations, news websites, and social media platforms, to spread awareness concepts, expand the base of interaction with the public, and enhance the culture of reporting corruption through safe and effective digital tools.
The statement added that this cooperation will be achieved through ensuring objective and effective media coverage of the activities of the two bodies, publishing their reports and outputs in a transparent manner, identifying mechanisms to support specialized journalistic investigations into corruption cases, and protecting journalists working in this field.
Pointing to the importance of building the capacity of media and awareness workers through specialized workshops and training courses, in joint coordination between the two institutions, while benefiting from solid international experiences in the field of preventive media and promoting the values
of institutional integrity.
Abu Zaghif stressed that Iraq does not allow communications to pass through any systems or countries that conflict with its national sovereignty, during his meeting in Baghdad with Rebecca Hunter, the senior official for global licensing and market activation at Starlink SpaceX.
During yesterday's meeting, he noted the Commission's openness to serious international investments, provided they fully comply with Iraqi laws and approved regulatory controls, serving the paths of technological development and digital transformation.
The two sides discussed the requirements for granting an official license for the Starlink service within Iraq, the need to settle the status of unlicensed uses, and address their technical and legal implications, ensuring the orderly launch of the service within clear and stable frameworks.
They also reviewed integration mechanisms with national networks and local service providers, and the possibility of sharing the market in a way that preserves the rights of national operators, enhances fair competition, and expands options for users.
The Commission and the Ministry of Culture discussed mechanisms to support cultural content in the media and activate programming and production partnerships.
Yesterday’s statement explained that “the next phase will witness a wider openness to cultural institutions, and the strengthening of the national cultural discourse through responsible media and purposeful, qualitative content, within the framework of institutional integration and enhancing cooperation between government sectors to serve the cultural and media scenes.”
The two sides stressed the importance of
“activating programmatic and production partnerships between the Authority and the Ministry, which contributes to consolidating the national identity,” stressing “the need to support media and cultural initiatives that contribute to consolidating the concepts of diversity, belonging and community awareness, and coordinating efforts in the field of digital culture and governance of specialized content.”
Industrial Revolution
In a related context, Iraq seeks to keep pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and entrepreneurship, transition from a rentier economy to a digital economy, and prepare the infrastructure by focusing on strategic projects.
Minister of Communications, Hiyam Al-Yasiri, during her participation in the activities of the Iraqi Business Summit held in Baghdad, confirmed in a speech followed by (Al-Zaman) yesterday that (in order to strengthen the government’s steps in supporting the digital economy,
progress is being made until Iraq plays an important role in keeping pace with the Fourth Industrial Revolution, entrepreneurship, and the transition from a rentier economy to a digital one, and preparing the infrastructure through strategic projects), pointing out (the ministry’s support for programs and projects that require digital transformation, which is one of the most important tools for combating administrative and financial corruption, supporting the digital economy, and maximizing revenues).
She explained that (there are government efforts to open the doors to any innovation and projects by the private sector in the field of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, and to support youth opportunities, talents, and the creation of experts), indicating that (the ministry has played its role, and is still working to provide automated services and implement promising plans to develop optical fibers, and provide a secure government network to connect state institutions that serve various sectors with broadband internet, in addition to moving towards fifth generation services). LINK
In this episode of Goldilocks Global Banking News, host Freedom Fighter delves into significant changes in the global financial landscape, particularly focusing on the impact of U.S. tariffs and the process of dollarization by various countries.
The speaker highlights several successful meetings reported by community members with bankers, suggesting growing confidence amongst individuals navigating the banking system.
The key emphasis is on the Vietnamese dong, which is transitioning towards international market recognition and independence from the central bank’s control by 2025. Freedom Fighter underscores that by adhering to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Vietnam is preparing to integrate into the global economic framework, allowing market forces to determine the dong’s value. Additional insights discussed matters related to tariffs, currency manipulation, and the interconnectedness of trade practices, conveying an urgent call to the audience to engage with their financial institutions proactively.
🌍 Global Economic Shifts: Reported shifts in trade dynamics due to escalating U.S. tariffs impacting currency values globally.
💰 Dollarization Trend: Countries are increasingly abandoning the U.S. dollar for their local currencies in global trade practices.
🇻🇳 Vietnamese Dong’s Future: The dong is set to become an internationally recognized currency by 2025, moving away from the central bank’s control.
📊 International Financial Reporting Standards: Vietnam is adopting IFRS mandates to align its currency with international standards.
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Tariff Discussions: Recent U.S. tariffs aim to mitigate unfair trade practices through currency valuation adjustments.
🤝 Banker Relationships: Encouragement for individuals to establish and nurture relationships with bankers as a strategic advantage.
🙌 Empowerment through Knowledge: Emphasis on personal discernment and actively gathering information instead of relying solely on external sources.
Key Insights
📈 Trade Dynamics Altered by Tariffs: The speaker notes that the introduction of U.S. tariffs is reshaping international trade dynamics, emphasizing that countries leveraged the dollar primarily for their benefit, often at the expense of the U.S. economy. This shift is prompting countries to consider more strategic financial practices that do not solely benefit the U.S. dollar, indicating a substantial change in global economic power structures.
🏦 Successful Banking Interactions: The successful interactions reported by members exemplify a need for individuals to engage proactively with their financial institutions. The confidence gained by community members suggests that transparent communication with bankers can lead to better financial planning and readiness for the future shifts in currency valuations and trade dynamics.
🌐 Transition to the International Market for the Dong: Vietnam’s commitment to aligning its currency with international standards highlights a critical shift in the global currency landscape. This is significant as the dong’s valuation will eventually be dictated by supply and demand rather than central bank intervention, which can enhance Vietnam’s economic resilience and growth opportunities.
🚦 Integration of IFRS and Its Implications: The adoption of IFRS represents a pivotal shift towards standardization in banking practices. As Vietnam prepares to enforce these standards by 2025, the implications for transparency and accountability in financial reporting could attract more foreign investments and trading partnerships.
❌ Currency Manipulation and Tariffs: The discussions surrounding tariffs include explicit attention to currency manipulation, which adds another layer to the U.S. trade policies. The suggestion that tariffs are used as leverage against countries that undervalue their currencies indicates a strategic approach to trade negotiations and practices.
💡 Establishing Financial Relationships: The motivational messages underscore the importance of collective engagement within the financial landscape. By championing the establishment of banking relationships, the speaker conveys that individuals can mitigate risks and make informed decisions regarding their financial futures.
🙏 Empowerment Through Information: The call to action for listeners to rely on their discernment reflects a broader theme of personal empowerment. The notion that individuals can arm themselves with knowledge and insights signals a shift away from traditional reliance on “gurus” or external authorities, promoting financial independence and critical thinking.
In essence, Freedom Fighter articulates how evolving economic policies and practices are influencing the relationship between countries and their currencies, urging listeners to become proactive participants in the changing financial landscape. The convergence of tariffs, currency value dynamics, and the path towards international standards are creating opportunities for individuals and nations alike to redefine their economic narratives. This is not only a moment of transformation for Vietnam but also a broader indication of shifts in global economic power, heralding a new era in trade practices and currency usage worldwide.
US FEARS THE POPULAR MOBILIZATION LAW… “IT THREATENS WASHINGTON’S INTERESTS AND CREATES A NEW REVOLUTIONARY GUARD.”
The Washington Institute for Near East Policy called on the US administration, headed by Donald Trump, to send a “calm and firm” message to the Iraqi government regarding the risks of passing a new law related to the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), warning that this legislation would transform the PMF into an entity similar to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
The institute stated in a report translated by Shafaq News Agency that “the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have been considered a threat to US national security interests and Iraqi civilians for years,” noting that “US-designated terrorists hold senior leadership positions within the PMF, including the head of the organization and the chief of staff, exploiting this institutional structure to secure government salaries for tens of thousands of militia members affiliated with designated terrorist groups such as Kata’ib Hezbollah and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq.”
He considered that “these practices represent blatant manipulation,” noting that “Baghdad is currently studying two legislative projects that could grant the Popular Mobilization Forces greater legitimacy as a national security institution. The first is the Popular Mobilization Forces Service and Retirement Law, which the report described as internally aiming to remove leaders of rival militias. The second, and more important, is the amended Popular Mobilization Forces Authority Law, which restructures the Mobilization Forces within a formal framework resembling a ministerial institution.”
According to the report, passing the new law would consolidate the Popular Mobilization Forces, which number approximately 238,000 members, as a parallel armed force with powers at the local and regional levels. The report emphasized that “the legislation will consolidate the Popular Mobilization Forces’ status as a permanent structure within the Iraqi security sector, not as an emergency force, but rather as a ministry-like institution that would be difficult to reform or dissolve later.”
He also warned that the draft law explicitly refers to the Popular Mobilization Forces as the “guarantor of the political system,” led by Shiite factions since 2003, similar to the role of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. This weakens the standing and prestige of the Iraqi armed forces and grants the militias broad powers that could include “militarizing the political process, from candidate registration to voting and government formation.”
The report also warned that the legislation could encourage militias to repeat the violence against demonstrators and civil society organizations, as occurred during the 2019 protests, it said.
He called on the Trump administration to act quickly and convey its clear objections to officials in Baghdad, via direct messages to the President, Prime Minister, and Speaker of Parliament, to prevent the bill from being referred to the House of Representatives for ratification. He noted that such a step would not require a significant American effort, but rather a “firm signal behind the scenes.
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He pointed out that the current tense regional situation presents Washington with a powerful opportunity to exert pressure, as the United States is redeploying its forces extensively, while Iraqi militias are keen to remain outside the US targeting circle. This provides Washington with leverage that must be used wisely to prevent “the birth of a new Revolutionary Guard in the heart of the region,” as the report put it.
According to the report, the institute called on decision-makers in the White House and the US embassy in Baghdad to urgently reinforce this message and shift from quiet pressure tools to more vocal ones, including imposing sanctions on the Popular Mobilization Forces as a whole, as Washington previously did with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
He explained that “these sanctions will have a broad financial impact within the Iraqi financial system, given that the Popular Mobilization Forces receive their salaries from the Iraqi government.”
The report continued, stating that “early US action to block this legislation would demonstrate the Trump administration’s awareness of the delicate developments in Iraq and its ability to deter Iranian-backed groups without waiting for a military escalation via drones or kidnappings and killings of Americans.”
The report concluded with a recommendation not to be satisfied with warnings, but to take concrete steps, such as imposing immediate sanctions on the General Engineer Company, the economic wing of the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), which the report likened to the Khatam al-Anbiya Foundation, the economic conglomerate affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has long been subject to international sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations.
This one got me excited... “Parliament face a constitutional challenge. Ready laws await vote and fate is in hands of blocs”
they are telling us things are ticking down and there is a short time period to make all of these changes before they get into the election cycle. They are telling us to look for a lot of activity. Look for the budget and HCL and lots of agreements. They are setting the stage right now.
With oil falling Iraq is faced with some things.
They may have to revalue their currency. And that is being talked about right there in the news. They are actually discussing going ahead and pulling that trigger.