Clare
Article: "Qi and K2 Integrity Join Forces to Boost Financial Compliance in Iraq" Quote: "The partnership extends across three countries—UAE, Jordan, and Iraq—and is structured to support different aspects of Qi’s regional operations.
..For Iraq...The timing is critical. As Iraq opens up to foreign investors...showing real commitment to financial integrity is becoming a prerequisite...K2 Integrity, based in New York... leadership includes former U.S. Treasury officials..."
European countries are pushing to retrieve gold reserves stored in the United States
US President Donald Trump's rhetoric against the Federal Reserve, coupled with escalating geopolitical tensions, has reignited debate in Europe about the need to repatriate gold reserves held in the United States, particularly by Germany and Italy.
In statements to the Financial Times, Fabio De Masi, a former member of the European Parliament for the German Left Party, said there are strong arguments for returning a larger portion of Europe's gold reserves, especially in light of what he described as "challenging times."
Germany and Italy hold the second and third largest gold reserves in the world after the United States, holding 3,352 tons and 2,452 tons of gold, respectively, according to data from the World Gold Council.
A large portion of these reserves are stored in the vaults of the Federal Reserve in New York, where their market value is estimated at approximately $245 billion, according to the Financial Times.
President Trump recently hinted at the possibility of interfering in the Federal Reserve's policies if it does not cut interest rates, raising concerns about the US central bank's independence.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump stated that he would blame the Federal Reserve for any economic weakness resulting from his trade war if the central bank did not cut interest rates soon, according to the Wall Street Journal.
According to the newspaper, Trump "may also seek to delegitimize the historically independent institution in a way that could undermine its effectiveness." link
AJ
Iraq: Multiple military sites, including those housing US forces, hit by simultaneous drone and missile attacks early Tuesday. Drone strike near Baghdad Int'l Airport, missile attack on Ain al-Assad Air Base No casualties reported, but radar systems at Al-Taji Camp and Imam Ali Base heavily damaged Attacks occurred 2:15-3:45 a.m., targeting Iraqi security force positions PM Al-Sudani orders high-level investigation; Iraq vows retaliation Iraqi forces thwarted additional drone attacks at four other sites No group has claimed responsibility; probe ongoing
About 5,000 foreign oil workers exit Iraq amid Iran–Israel conflict
Thousands of foreign workers employed by international oil companies in Iraq’s Basra province have left the country due to escalating regional tensions following US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, a senior oil official told Shafaq News on Sunday.
According to the source, a total of 4,860 foreign employees have departed oil sites in southern Iraq since the strikes—part of a wider conflict triggered by Israel’s military campaign and Washington’s direct involvement.
“Approximately 1,700 workers from British Petroleum (BP), 1,000 from France’s TotalEnergies, and 700 from the US-based Schlumberger have exited their sites,” the official said.
In addition, 560 personnel from Italy’s Eni, 500 from Kuwait Energy, and 400 from ExxonMobil have also left their posts in Basra. The source attributed the departures to security concerns stemming from the conflict between Iran and Israel, as well as the heightened risks following the US strikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.
While Iraq has not been directly targeted, fears are mounting that its strategic energy sector could become collateral in the broader regional fallout. The mass withdrawal of foreign technical staff raises concerns about operational continuity in one of the world's most oil-rich provinces.
The Ministry of Oil has not yet issued an official statement on the departures. link
Frank26
[Iraq boots-on-the-ground report]
FIREFLY:They told us today the pipeline salaries, HCL, is in the budget tables and the Kurds, everything is all tied together along with our budget table and article 12-2C.
They told us the final decision is in the hands of the Supreme Justice. That tells us it's about a rate related to be all tied together.
FRANK: IMO there was a reason why the rate was protected in the Gazette for so long. It was the best place to protect it from...Iran.
🚨 RV Intel Update: What’s Happening Right Now? In the latest Big Call update from Bruce (March 26, 2026), several high-impact development...