Erdogan admits losing local elections to opposition

PoliticsBreakingIstanbulAkrem ImamogluErdoganThe Turkish Elections

Celebration of opposition supporters in the streets of Istanbul

2024-03-31 at 17:15Font

Shafaq News / The Turkish opposition announced on Sunday a “big victory” in municipal elections across the country, preserving Istanbul and Ankara, at the expense of the ruling Justice and Development Party led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

“The local elections are not the end for us, but it is a turning point,” Erdogan said in a speech, “we will hold ourselves accountable after the results of the local elections, and we will study the messages issued by the people,” referring to “the end of the elections that drained the economy.”

Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency published official results on Sunday after sorting some ballot boxes, showing the progress of the opposition Republican People’s Party in major cities such as Izmir, Bursa, Antalya and Adana.

Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, who belongs to the Republican People’s Party, has announced that he has retained his position since 2019.

“His party ranked first in Istanbul by more than a million votes,” Imamoglu told the press, Sunday evening, continuing: “We won the election.”

In Ankara, the mayor, who also belongs to the Republican People’s Party, Mansour Yavash, announced that he would retain his position while the counting of votes was still ongoing.

Besides Izmir, the country’s third city and the stronghold of the Republican People’s Party, and Antalya where opposition supporters began celebrating victory on the streets, the results suggest the CHP is on track for a victory in Anatolia.

The party leads the results of the partial counting in regional capitals long held by the AKP.

In contrast, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidates are advancing in several in the cities of Greater Anatolia (Konya, Kayseriya, Land of Rum) and the Black Sea (Riza, Trabzon), while pro-Kurdish HDP candidates are expected to win in major Kurdish-majority southeastern cities, most notably Diyarbakir.

Uzgor Ozil, head of the Republican People’s Party, Turkey’s largest opposition formation, also said that “voters chose to change Turkey’s face” after 22 years of dominance of the ruling Justice and Development Party, adding that voters “wanted to open the door to a new political climate in our country.”

https://www.shafaq.com/ar/سیاسة/ردوغان-يقر-بخسارة-الانتخابات-المحلية-لصالح-المعارضة

Iraq signs memorandum of understanding with two international companies to stop the burning of natural gas

EconomyBreakingNatural Gas

2024-03-31 at 07:23Font

Shafaq News / The Iraqi Oil Ministry signed, on Sunday, a memorandum of understanding with Siemens Energy and Schlumberger to invest, process and stop the burning of gas in the fields.

Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Affairs and Oil Minister Hayan Abdul Ghani confirmed, in a press conference, that the signing of the memorandum of understanding with the two companies comes within the ministry’s accelerated plan to convert gas into productive and useful energy to supply electric power plants and the national network.

The conference followed the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Oil and Siemens Energy and Schlumberger to invest and process associated gas and transfer it to electric power plants.

Abdul Ghani said during the conference that the ministry aims through this memorandum and the contracts attached to it to implement the accelerated plan to invest and process the quantities of gas from the oil fields, thanks to the technology possessed by these companies, pointing to the signing of another memorandum by Siemens with the Ministry of Electricity, in support of the energy sector.

For his part, the Chargé d’affaires at the German embassy, Maximilian Rush, praised the joint cooperation between the two countries, stressing his country’s support for Iraq to improve the energy reality and reduce emissions, expressing his hope to sign more contracts in other fields.

While the director of Siemens Energy Iraq, Mohannad Al-Saffar, said that this memorandum is the beginning of joint cooperation with the ministry to stop the burning and processing of gas, and employ it for the electric power generation sector, which contributes to achieving energy security in addition to reducing imports and maintaining the cleanliness of the environment.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry for Gas Affairs, Ezzat Saber, stressed that the memorandum comes as part of the ministry’s efforts to conclude more contracts to accelerate the investment and treatment of all quantities of gas associated with oil fields in cooperation with specialized international companies, to contribute to supporting the electric power sector, saving financial expenses and preserving the environment.

The General Manager of Schlmanger Iraq, Wissam Al-Azm, said that Siemens and Shalmanger will work to develop appropriate solutions and studies to improve the reality of sustainable energy using the latest technologies.

For his part, the spokesman for the Ministry of Oil, Asim Jihad, stressed that the memorandum comes in line with the government program and the Ministry of Oil in accelerating gas investment and increasing national production, within a pivotal plan towards enhancing energy security, reducing operational expenses and utilizing gas resources, to supply electric power plants and all industries associated with it, pointing out that these projects constitute decisive progress in Iraq’s journey towards sustainable energy.

https://www.shafaq.com/ar/اقتصـاد/االعراق-يوقع-مذكرة-تفاهم-مع-شركتين-عالميتين-ل-يقاف-حرق-الغاز-الطبيعي

The first in the Biden era. Erdogan to visit Washington on May 9

• Time: 2024/03/29 23:22:02
• Read: 546 times

  

Turkish and U.S. President Joe Biden is scheduled to host his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the White House on May 9, Turkish and U.S. officials said Friday, Turkish and U.S. officials said Friday, in the Turkish leader to Washington since Donald Trump was president of the United States.

Relations, long strained by disagreements over several issues between the two NATO member countries, have improved since Ankara ratified Sweden’s request to join the alliance in January, after a 20-month delay that frustrated Washington.

However, tension remains over issues involving northern Syria, where U.S. forces are allied with Kurdish militants whom Ankara considers terrorists and are waging cross-border military operations.

At the same time, Washington is putting pressure on Ankara to do more to ensure that its sanctions on Russia, which overlooks the Black Sea coast, like Turkey and Ukraine, are not circumvented.

Washington sees the meeting as an opportunity for Erdogan to agree on a complete ban on the transit of goods, which could be used civilianly or militarily, from Turkey, which Washington says is being used in Moscow’s war effort in Ukraine, a U.S. official said.

Since Biden’s election in 2020, he and Erdogan have met several times on the sidelines of international summits and spoke by phone. Turkey pressed for a meeting at the White House in which Erdogan previously met with Trump in 2019, where he had good personal ties to him.

A Turkish official, who confirmed the planned visit in May, said the visit comes as an “opportunity” for bilateral relations.

“We hope that the visit will also be an opportunity to strengthen cooperation in various areas and strengthen the spirit of the coalition, including the fight against terrorism,” the official added, requesting anonymity.

Ankara has for years expressed deep alarm at U.S. support for the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which it is a terrorist organization linked to Kurdish militants who have been waging decades of insurgency against the Turkish state. But Washington says the YPG is a key ally against the Islamic State in Syria.

Despite the dispute over the US military presence in Syria and US support for Israel in its war on Hamas, Washington and Ankara recently struck a long-awaited deal by agreeing Turkey to buy US F-16 fighter jets.

During the visit, the Biden administration will look to see if Ankara can commit to a ban on “dual-use” goods, such as chemicals and fine chips, to Russia, the U.S. official said.

Washington is already imposing sanctions on a number of individuals and businesses in Turkey, including the shipping sector, for violating sanctions. Turkey supports Ukraine but opposes Western sanctions on Russia, with which it also has good relations. Despite a good relationship with Moscow, Ankara says sanctions on Turkish soil will not be circumvented.

The second Turkish source, a security official, said the head of Turkey’s intelligence service, Ibrahim Kalin, will meet with members of the US House of Representatives, on Friday, to discuss Erdogan’s planned visit and other bilateral issues.

Turkish Foreign Minister Haqqan Fidan and Defense Minister Yasher Güler met with the US delegation on Thursday and Friday.

https://alforatnews.iq/news/الأولى-في-عهد-بايدن-أردوغان-يزور-واشنطن-في-9-آيار

Iraq begins building two new tankers to transport oil products

reconstruction and construction

   

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Economy News – Baghdad

The Iraqi Oil Tanker Company (National Carrier) announced today, Thursday, that the percentage of transport of oil products produced in Iraqi refineries has increased to 65% after the two tankers confirmed and Sumer entered work, and while confirmed the imminent announcement of the construction of two new tankers to transport products, it revealed a plan to enter into real partnerships with major companies to acquire giant tankers.

The company’s general manager, Ali Qais, told the official agency and followed by “Economy News”, that “the Iraqi Oil Tanker Company previously owned 29 tankers of different sizes, but as a result of the wars and conflicts that the country went through, this fleet was completely destroyed and Iraq sold oil on the minus and not continued, and that is why the Oil Tanker Company sought to regain its position after 2003.”

Qais added, “The company owns 4 tankers, which are tankers of oil products only (Digla, Euphrates, Shatt Al-Arab, and Baghdad) with a tonnage of 13,000 tons, and in 2019 it signed a contract to build two tankers according to international specifications, namely (Akd and Sumer) to transport oil products.”

He continued: “We are now in the process of negotiating with international companies to enter into major partnerships for the purpose of expropriating tankers, as well as the re-activity of transporting Iraqi crude oil, as the percentage of transport of oil products produced in refineries reached 65% after the entry of the two tankers (Akd and Sumer),” stressing: “We are now in the process of announcing the construction of two new tankers to transport products and we will try to reach 100% of the transfer of products.”

Regarding the percentage of quantities exporting crude oil, Qais explained that “the quantities exported of crude oil are sold through the oil marketing company, that is, the purchasing companies that transport oil because we sell it on the line and not continuous, but the Minister of Oil stressed that the activity of transporting Iraqi crude oil by Iraqi tankers must be returned.”

He pointed out that “the company’s future plan is to build two tankers of oil products and enter into real partnerships with major companies for the purpose of expropring giant tankers to transport Iraqi crude oil.”

https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=41956

The National Bank of Iraq continues the digital transformation by launching its new banking system and mobile application

Banks

   

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Economy News – Baghdad

Aware of the importance of technology in enhancing the efficiency of operations and providing exceptional digital banking experiences to customers, Al Ahli Bank of Iraq announced its success in launching its new banking system based on the systems of Temenos International Company (Temenos – T24), which is the most important banking systems, in addition to launching its advanced application on mobile phones, (Mobile Banking).
Al Ahli Bank of Iraq began implementing its operational operations based on its new banking system as of the beginning of this year, as this system will contribute to improving the efficiency of operations, which reduces the time and effort in completing transactions, enhances their accuracy. The system allows customers to conduct various banking transactions via the Internet or through the mobile application, such as transferring funds, paying bills, and requesting banking products. The system will also contribute to enhancing compliance with international standards and the requirements of the Central Bank of Iraq, which enhances transparency and security in banking operations.
On the other hand, the new mobile application, which has an easy-to-use interface, is one of the most important components of the digital transformation journey of Al-Ahli Bank of Iraq, as it offers customers a wide range of banking services, such as: managing accounts in terms of reviewing their account balances, their transactions, transferring funds, paying bills, and knowing their loan deductions, as well as the possibility of linking the account to credit cards, while many services will soon be available, most notably; opening accounts through the application and the possibility of transferring through Western Union, in addition to many various digital services.
This step will consolidate the position of the National Bank of Iraq as a major player in the Iraqi banking sector, thanks to its enabling the provision of digital and unprecedented banking services and solutions that meet the evolving and increasing needs of its individual and corporate customers, in various sectors and sizes, whether large companies or small and medium companies, giving them added value.
The authorized director of the National Bank of Iraq, Ayman Abu Dheim, stressed that this project is in line with the vision of the Central Bank of Iraq in supporting the banking sector and making it modern and effective, pointing out that the bank’s investment in advanced technology not only guarantees compliance with the regulations of the Central Bank of Iraq, but also paves the way for the future of innovation and digital excellence.” He pointed to the unprecedented demand for the mobile application, which was downloaded by 40,000 customers in the first two days of its launch.
Abu Dhaim thanked the technical team that implemented the project in record time, and expressed his appreciation to Temenos International, the provider of the T24 basic banking system, and ITSS, a leader in the field of information technology, specializing in providing an integrated software package to meet the multiple needs of all types and sizes of companies.
In turn, the Chief Operating Officer of the National Bank of Iraq, Aqeel Ezz El-Din, pointed to the positive impact of the new system on the bank’s performance, stressing that the bank is working to keep pace with development and technology and set new standards in the Iraqi banking market.
The National Bank of Iraq – which is based in the Iraqi capital Baghdad – was established in 1995 as a public shareholding company, and in 2005 Capital Bank / Jordan acquired majority shares in the bank by (61.85%), which enabled it to develop its products and services, strengthen its foothold globally, and enhance financial inclusion at the country level.
Thanks to this acquisition, Capital Bank – which has an extensive network of correspondent banks – provided a gateway for the National Bank of Iraq to global economies, where it facilitated the sending and reception of internal and external remittances, granting credit facilities, and providing trade finance services. The bank can also trade for the benefit of its customers in the Jordanian market and in the global markets through Capital Investments Company, the investment arm of Capital Bank.
The National Bank of Iraq – which has a capital of 300 billion Iraqi dinars or the equivalent of 229 million US dollars), topped the list of banks and banks operating in the Iraqi market at various levels. It is the best private bank in Iraq in terms of growth (assets, facilities and deposits), and has won multiple international and local awards for its role in supporting and encouraging investment in Iraq, and as the fastest growing in the field of retail trade and salary localization for the public and private sectors, and it is the best commercial bank in Iraq, where it won the Iraqi Stock Exchange Award for its role in supporting and encouraging investment in Iraq 2021, and also received a rating from the largest international financial institutions Capital Intelligence (BB) and before Moody’s (B3) and classified by the Central Bank of Iraq (very good).
It should be noted that the bank’s total assets were close to $2.8 billion supported by the growth of customer deposits by about 91%, while the bank has a growing customer base today of about 200,000 customers served through more than 1000 employees, 30 branches and 200 ATMs in all major Iraqi cities, in addition to a branch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

https://economy-news.net/content.php?id=41918

Iraqi president urges finance minister to speed up payment of salaries in Kurdistan region

PoliticsSalaries Of KurdistanThe Iraqi PresidentThe Iraqi Minister Of Finance

2024-03-28 07:14Font

Shafaq News / The President of the Iraqi Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, stressed on Thursday the need to expedite the payment of salaries of employees of the Kurdistan Region, noting that the delay directly affected the living, economic and social conditions in the region.

A statement of the Presidency of the Republic and a response to Shafaq News said that “the President received at the Peace Palace in Baghdad, Minister of Finance Taif Sami, and during the meeting a number of economic and financial files were discussed.”

The president pointed out, according to the statement, “the importance of adopting modern strategic plans that raise the Iraqi economic level and work to secure the financial side of the government and citizens.”

He stressed “the need to expedite the payment of the salaries of the region’s employees, civil and military retirees, martyrs, anfals, contracts and beneficiaries of the social protection network, especially after the decision of the Federal Court.”

He pointed out that “the delay in the payment of dues to these segments directly affected the living, economic and social conditions in the region.”

The President stressed “the need to raise the level of coordination and cooperation between the executive and legislative authorities to approve the general budget for 2024, support the government’s service program, facilitate investment procedures and exert efforts to mature and approve laws that are in the interest of advancing the reality of Iraqi life throughout the country.”

In turn, the Minister of Finance pointed out that “the ministry’s keenness to implement the ministerial curriculum to develop the economic aspect and provides opportunities to create comprehensive development reflected in favor of providing the best services to citizens.”

https://www.shafaq.com/ar/سیاسة/الر-يس-العراقي-يحث-وزيرة-المالية-على-الاسراع-بصرف-رواتب-قليم-كوردستان

Al-Shammari reveals the most prominent files of the Sudanese visit to Washington and the government’s ambition on the dollar {expanded}

• Time: 2024/03/28 01:14:57
• Read: 234 times

  

{Political: Al-Furat News} Political Advisor to Prime Minister Fadi Al-Shammari revealed the most prominent files to be discussed by the visit of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudain scheduled to Washington in the middle of next month,” referring to “the strong relationship between the Sudanese and the leaders of the coordination framework.”

Al-Shammari said to the program (Before Suhoor} broadcast by Al-Euphrates satellite channel:

Al-Sudani is a fierce follower and enters in detail from multiple doors for achievement, not to intervene and work with him, there is no rest in it, but there is the pleasure of production.

Al-Sudani follows a lot of projects daily and resolves any obstacle or routine.

Sudanese consultants are tasked and work as a bee cell, some of their files are in the completion stages, and some of them will be closed after some of them were disabled for 15 years.
 
Al-Sudani is a good listener to his advisors and refers files to specialists despite his experience in order to make the decision and ideas.

The Sudanese visit to Washington will be practical and will not be for taking pictures.

The visit will discuss sensitive and basic files, including the identity of the relationship between Iraq and the United States and the incomprehensible overlap with it, and we want to clarify them.

The ceiling of ambitions for the visit is very high and we want to clarify Iraq’s relations with the major countries, including the United States.

The financial file will be present and strongly and the trade file

The Iraqi delegation will ask the American side about the reasons for their decisions to impose sanctions on Iraqi banks.

Our expectations that the visit will be very successful and this matter is based on our data, taking into account the changes in the world, and there are good news that will be made by the Prime Minister.

There is a great intenstimation in the attempt to portray that the Sudanese are in Wade and the coordination framework in Wade, but the reality is otherwise because there is participation in decision-making and the Sudanese are part of the leaders of the framework.
 
There is a balanced relationship between the first executive {Sudanise} and the leaders of the framework

The Sudanese government is my service address and the opening of 9 hospitals in Baghdad this year

Uncovering multiple networks led by security leaders that own electronic armies to down military symbols and raise public opinion against figures

Actions were taken against 16 military personnel involved in extortion networks

Extortion networks include media figures whose goal is to bring down government and military symbols

Investigations will reveal the facts and no one can pressure investigative committees

Some parties are close to the Sudanese but the prime minister does not compliment at the expense of the people

The decline in the dollar exchange rate is a cumulative indicator of the monetary procedures and policy of the central bank and the government

Decline after narrowing of currency smuggling space and black market subject to supply and demand mechanisms

The dollar is on its way to the descent and will be subject to supply and demand spaces.

The government plans to reduce the dollar to the official price, and this is certain, but it needs time.

10% of merchants used to go to the electronic platform and today the percentage rose to 70%

The path of development is going on at a stronger pace than when it was announced, and the segment of Basra – Nassiriya is ready to work.
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Mr. Al-Sudani did not exert pressure on the resistance factions to stop their attacks against the American bases, but there was a constructive dialogue based on the interest of Iraq and cover from the majority of the forces of the coordination framework.
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Talking about early elections “Shu Media” and the prime minister believes it is too early to go into the election talk, and his time is now dedicated to the success of the government.

https://alforatnews.iq/news/الشمري-يكشف-عن-أبرز-ملفات-زيارة-السوداني-الى-واشنطن-وطموح-الحكومة-بشأن-الدولار-موسع

Iraq signs five-year gas supply contract with Iran

• Time: 2024/03/27 15:56:20
• Read: 1,937 times

  

{Economic:Euphrates News} The Ministry of Electricity announced today, Wednesday, that it has signed a contract with an Iranian company to supply gas for a period of five years.

A ministry statement, a copy of which was received by {Euphrates News}, said: “Electrptriciy Minister Ziad Ali Fadel signed a gas supply contract with the National Iranian Gas Company for a period of five years, with pumping rates of up to 50 million cubic meters per day.”

He added, “This amount will be varying according to the need of the system,” noting that “this aims to sustain the momentum of production plants, keep pace with the peak of loads and the increasing demand for electric power, and until the completion of the rehabilitation of national gas fields and meet the need for electricity.”

https://alforatnews.iq/news/العراق-يوقع-عقداً-لتوريد-الغاز-مع-إيران-لمدة-خمس-سنوات

Iraqi government raises 2024 budget size, parliament ‘surprised’

PoliticsThe Iraqi GovernmentParliamentary Finance CommitteeBalancing 2024

2024-03-27 07:09Font

Shafaq News / The parliamentary finance committee said on Wednesday that the Iraqi government raised the size of the 2024 budget, noting that it was “surprised” by the decision.

A member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, Moen Al-Kadhimi, explained to Shafaq News, that “the Parliamentary Finance Committee hosted the Minister of Planning to discuss amendments and projects and the reasons for the delay in sending the General Budget Law to the House of Representatives.”

He added, “We at the Parliamentary Finance Committee were surprised that the government raised the total amount of the budget law from 199 trillion dinars to 228 trillion dinars in the 2024 budget,” explaining that “this increase is significant while what was disbursed in 2023 amounted to 142 trillion dinars.”

He pointed out that “the members of the Finance Committee had the opinion on hosting that the budget should be realistic and not only planning.”

Al-Kazimi pointed out that “raising the total amount in the budget law caused an increase in the deficit rate,” noting that “the budget is currently still in the corridors of the Council of Ministers and is expected to be sent to the House of Representatives next month.”

https://www.shafaq.com/ar/سیاسة/الحكومة-العراقية-ترفع-حجم-موازنة-2024-والبرلمان-متفاج

US State Department urges Baghdad and Erbil to end oil dispute

A wish| 11:14 – 27/03/2024

 
Mawazine News-Baghdad
The US State Department announced that the United States will continue to seek the resumption of the export of oil to the Kurdistan Region, an issue in which it has engaged “at the highest level,” calling on all parties to reach an agreement on this regard.
Washington is urging Baghdad and Erbil to work together, ministry spokesman Matthew Miller said at a press conference, noting that during their meeting today, the US and Iraq foreign ministers discussed the problems between Baghdad and Erbil.
In this regard, he pointed out that the US Secretary of State told his Iraqi counterpart that “stabilizing relations between Erbil and Baghdad will bring economic benefits to all Iraqis,” noting that “will be a good thing for the region, and we encourage the two partners to work together.”

On Washington’s efforts to resume oil exports, he said that “the United States has engaged at the highest level in this issue, and we urge all parties to reach an agreement to resume the export of oil via the pipeline.”

https://www.mawazin.net/Details.aspx?jimare=244684