All Activity

My thought is that this current Obiden / DS administration will and has done anything in the PAST to slip Iran large sums of money, right under our nose AND behind our backs. They would like nothing better than to support Iran's evil on a huge scale. On the other hand......These same people would prefer all us common DEPLORABLES to have NO windfall monetary gain, which of coarse ALSO equals power.

thanks for the reply's , guess these guys are not in business ... letsroll we wait

Just another person trying to tell us things we already know.

Europol arrests a gang smuggling people from Iraq to Europe WorldEurope 2024-04-25 10:28 Font Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the EUROPOL announced that it had arrested 21 individuals in a police operation targeting a criminal network involved in smuggling migrants from Iraq to the European Union via Belarus and Russia. EUROPOL Stated, "Coordinated activities of law enforcement authorities from Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Sweden, supported by Europol, targeted a large criminal network smuggling migrants from Belarus and Russia to the EU via the North Baltic route." It added, "During this coordinated action day in the framework of Europol's Operational Task Force (OTF) Flow II, the efforts of the members of the OTF led to the arrests of High-Value Targets and other main suspects in Finland, Germany, Lithuania, and Poland as well as checks in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania." The action days, between 22 and 24 April, led to 21 arrests of mainly Egyptian, Iraqi, and Syrian nationals (4 in Finland, 1 in Germany, 1 in Lithuania, and 15 in Poland). In addition, the EIROPOL said it seized vehicles, golden jewelry, electronic equipment, forged ID documents, various other documents, money counting machines, drugs, counterfeit cigarettes, and more than EUR 80 000 in cash. According to EUROPOLE, the network, which is composed mainly of Egyptians, Iraqis, and Syrians, is very flexible. They adapted their modus operandi and smuggling route quickly, depending on different factors such as visa regulations, natural conditions, and taking advantage of the geopolitical situation. The criminal network smuggled the migrants from Iraq via Russia and Belarus to the EU, the main final destination countries were Germany and the United Kingdom. "The different criminal groups in the network were connected across borders and well-positioned along the smuggling routes, forming an efficient smuggling network. They used shared organizers, drivers, and other members to deal with the financial flows through the hawala underground banking system. The main organizers operated clandestine financial flows using the hawala network from regional offices in different countries, including Germany, Iraq, Syria, and Turkiye." The migrants paid between EUR 3,000 and EUR 5,000 per person depending on the illegal service (smuggling route, transportation means, and circumstances).

Iraqi PM to visit Saudi Arabia for World Economic Forum meeting IraqBreakingIraqi PM 2024-04-25 10:46 Font Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia later this month, a government source revealed on Thursday. The source told Shafaq News Agency that al-Sudani's visit is to participate in the World Economic Forum's special meeting, hosted by Riyadh on April 28 and 29. This visit comes on the heels of al-Sudani's multi-day trip to the United States last week.

Repeated fires in Erbil spark fear among shopkeepers WorldErbil 2024-04-25 10:59 Font Shafaq News/A spate of recent fires in Erbil, the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region, has sparked fear among shopkeepers and raised questions about the cause of the repeated blazes. Two major fires ripped through the city's popular Bala Market within two months, while Sheikh Allah Market in the city center also saw two fires erupt in the same day. These incidents, along with other fires in various locations, have cast a shadow of worry over local businesses. "My shop completely burned down in the first Bala Market fire, causing significant financial losses," Mohammed, a shopkeeper at the market, told Shafaq News Agency. "I can't say for sure what caused these incidents, but I hope the truth comes out as soon as possible." "People are saying they saw unknown individuals setting fire to the market," Hoshang, another shopkeeper, said. "The second fire at the Bala Market just before Eid al-Fitr burned down over 150 shops, but the security forces haven't revealed any investigation results yet. Despite all the suspicion, nothing is confirmed, and we just want the truth revealed as soon as possible." Major Siraj Taifor, spokesperson for the Erbil Civil Defense, told Shafaq News Agency that "there's no single definitive cause, but in general, most cases we've recorded recently were due to electrical faults." "The relevant authorities conduct annual inspections of all businesses in Erbil," Taifor added. "As part of the measures, we've intensified inspection campaigns, along with providing large quantities of fire protection materials and equipment." However, some experts remain skeptical that all the fires were accidental. "It's not out of the question that the fires in Erbil are deliberate," Rikan Abdulsalam, an environmental researcher, told Shafaq News Agency. "There could be several other reasons behind these fires," Abdulsalam explained. "These include the lack of a proper firefighting system that meets international standards, non-compliance with safety regulations, and the limited number of training programs for Civil Defense personnel." "The government needs to step up efforts in fire awareness and response mechanisms," Abdulsalam continued. "They should also penalize negligent shopkeepers, restaurant owners, and others, while providing advanced equipment to control fires, both within traditional markets and for the Civil Defense teams."

Nineveh prepares a road linking it to Erbil IraqErbilNineveh 2024-04-25 14:42 Font Shafaq News/ On Thursday, the Nineveh Governorate Roads and Bridges Directorate began rehabilitating a road within the disputed areas towards Erbil. Director Radwan Al-Shahwani said in a statement to Shafaq News Agency, "The implementing company has begun constructing and rehabilitating the Al-Kawir - Erbil road towards the villages of Tarash, Kadiya, Mulla Ali Daoud Al-Sharay', with a length of 8 km." He explained that the road "includes burying, cutting and spreading gravel, and constructing a bridge with nine openings over the valley of the village of Zaka." Al-Shahwani added that the work "is progressing well and within the required technical specifications." Al-Kuwair district, southeast of Mosul, is administratively affiliated with Nineveh Governorate, but it is among the disputed areas between the Kurdistan Regional Government and the central government, and problems always arise between the two authorities regarding projects and the development of those areas.

Exclusive: Iraq's "Development Road" Clarified Amid Kuwaiti Concerns and Regional Dynamics ReportBreakingMuhammad Shia Al-Sudani 2024-04-25 16:35 Font Shafaq News/ Following the recent signing of a quadripartite memorandum of understanding between Iraq, Qatar, the UAE, and Turkiye to establish the "Development Road" project, concerns and misunderstandings have arisen, particularly from Kuwaiti officials, regarding the project's impact on their national interests. Quadripartite MoU Signing for Development Road Last week, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan led the signing ceremony of a quadripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Baghdad, involving Iraq, Turkiye, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The MoU aims to bolster cooperation regarding the Development Road project, drawing the participation of high-ranking Turkish and Iraqi delegates. Iraqi Minister of Transportation Razzaq Muhaibis and Turkish Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Abdul Qadir Uraloglu signed the memorandum on behalf of their countries. Minister of Transportation Jassem bin Saif bin Ahmed Al Sulaiti represented Qatar, while Minister of Energy and Infrastructure Suhail Mohammed Faraj Al Mazroui signed on behalf of the UAE. The MoU outlines the commitment of the signatory countries to establish the necessary frameworks for the project's implementation. However, some regional countries are concerned about the repercussions of such projects in their own economy. Kuwaiti Concerns Over Development Road More than a third of the Kuwaiti assembly's 50 members expressed their concerns regarding the signing of the "Development Road" project in Baghdad. They viewed this action, especially amid the stalled progress of the "Mubarak Port" project, as indicative of shortcomings in Kuwaiti government policies concerning development and port enhancement. Their demands included immediate actions such as resuming work at the port and establishing investigative committees to delve into the causes of the delay and evaluate its impact on Kuwait's interests following the recent signing of the project's memorandum of understanding. Notably, the Kuwaiti Mubarak Port, situated across from the Iraqi Faw Port in the Basra region, is poised, through the "Development Road" initiative, to link Asian markets with European ones. Certain Kuwaiti MPs have attributed Kuwait's exclusion from the project to the underdevelopment of Mubarak Port. They have voiced discontent over what they perceive as a lack of progress in completing the Silk City development project (Subiya and Bubiyan Island), which encompasses Mubarak Port, which has been operational since September 2007. In response to the Kuwaiti concerns, Diaa Al-Nasiri, Advisor to the Iraqi Prime Minister, addressed the situation in an interview with Shafaq News Agency, clarifying that "there is no overlap between the "Development Road" project and Kuwait's interests, as the road starts from Iraq's Faw port and extends to the Fishkhabour border crossing, through Turkiye to the European Union. Therefore, no similar road passing through Kuwait would be affected by this project." Al-Nasiri highlighted that the "Development Road" project aims to "open up broad horizons not only for Iraq but also for some countries in the region that want to contribute to it. Kuwait was among the first countries invited to be an integral part." Significance Of The Development Road Iraq's "Development Road" initiative, first proposed by Prime Minister Al-Sudani during his diplomatic visit to Ankara a year ago, has become an important strategic beacon. The "Development Road" project is an integrated road and railway system from Iraq to Turkiye and its ports. Stretching 1,200 kilometers within Iraq, its primary objective is to facilitate the transportation of goods between Europe and the Gulf countries. With an investment budget of approximately 17 billion US dollars, the project divides funding by 6.5 billion for the highway and 10.5 billion for the electric railway. Implementation occurs in three phases, concluding the first by 2028, the second by 2033, and the final phase by 2050. Projections indicate that the project will create roughly 100,000 job opportunities at its outset, escalating to one million upon completion. Observers suggest that projects like this become increasingly attractive to trade movements between East and West if Baghdad and Ankara effectively promote and solidify its success. However, they warned that such projects could hinder other countries' economies. Against the backdrop of escalating tensions and what some term a "proxy war," the project assumes heightened relevance, particularly in light of disruptions to maritime navigation along critical routes like the Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea—vital lifelines facilitating around 15% of global trade. With anticipation building around Erdogan's imminent visit to Iraq in the coming days, the "Development Road" project is poised to take center stage. This initiative, envisioned as a transformative transportation corridor; garners increased attention as both Iraq and Turkiye seek to bolster regional connectivity and foster economic growth. In this intricate geopolitical landscape, Erdogan's longstanding vision of positioning Turkiye as a pivotal nexus for energy and trade finds resonance with Al-Sudani's ambition to leverage Iraq's strategic geographical position, rekindling its historic role as a bridge between East and West. Moreover, recent disruptions in maritime trade, notably the downturn in activity at Israel's port of Eilat—a linchpin for Red Sea access—highlight the fragility of regional commerce amid heightened tensions. Israeli estimates indicate that "the port has incurred an 85% decline in its operations. Plans are currently underway to lay off half of the port's workforce, a consequence of the onset of hostilities initiated by the Houthis in November." Notably, this route was frequented by over 21,000 ships annually before the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war and the Yemeni involvement, within the framework of what is termed the "Axis of Resistance," in defense of Palestinians. Global insurance companies assert that shipping costs in the area have skyrocketed to unprecedented levels. This surge is attributed to several factors, including increased insurance premiums due to heightened risks, such as insurance covering vessel structures, cargo, protection, and compensation. According to international estimates, maritime insurance costs have escalated five to tenfold compared to pre-war levels. For shipping companies, the losses could be significant. In addition to rising insurance premiums, costs have escalated since ships no longer traverse the Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea, necessitating longer voyages around the African continent via the Cape of Good Hope. This elongation of journeys, sometimes by 10 to 20 days, entails additional expenses for fuel, labor, and other resources. Consequently, observers suggest that projects like the "Development Road" would become increasingly attractive to trade movements between East and West if Baghdad and Ankara effectively promoted and solidified its success. Concerning the implementation timeline for the Development Road, Al-Nasiri clarified that "The Faw Port is the initial phase, but it is still under construction and requires another year and a half before investment activities can commence. Once the preliminary preparations are finalized and the Faw Port connects to Basra via rail, it will signify the beginning of this project." He further mentioned, "There are approximately 170 kilometers of railway within Turkish territory that require linking. We've been informed that Turkish contributors and companies have started to work on this stretch of the railway."

Iraq hangs 11 terrorists from the Islamic State group AFP April 25, 2024 1607 3 min Iraqi counter-terrorism personnel arrest a terrorist belonging to ISIS. Photo: INA Baghdad – Iraqi authorities have executed at least 11 people convicted of terrorism this week, security and health sources said Wednesday, with rights group Amnesty International condemning an alarming lack of transparency. Under Iraqi law, terrorism and murder offences are punishable by death, and execution decrees must be signed by the president. A security source in Iraq’s southern Dhi Qar province told AFP that 11 “terrorists from the Islamic State group” were executed by hanging at a prison in the city of Nasiriyah, “under the supervision of a justice ministry team”. A local medical source confirmed that the health department had received the bodies of 11 executed people. They were hanged on Monday “under Article 4 of the anti-terrorism law”, the source added, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue. All 11 were from Salahaddin province and the bodies of seven had been returned to their families, the medical official said. Iraqi courts have handed down hundreds of death and life sentences in recent years for people convicted of membership in “a terrorist group”, an offence that carries capital punishment regardless of whether the defendant had been an active fighter. Iraq has been criticised for trials denounced by rights groups as hasty, with confessions sometimes obtained under torture. Amnesty in a statement on Wednesday condemned the latest hangings for “overly broad and vague terrorism charges”. It said a total of 13 men were executed on Monday, including 11 who had been “convicted on the basis of their affiliation to the so-called Islamic State armed group”. The two others, arrested in 2008, “were convicted of terrorism-related offences under the Penal Code after a grossly unfair trial”, Amnesty said citing their lawyer.

Iraqi President invited to take part in COP 29 in Baku Amr Salem April 25, 2024 575 2 min The Iraqi President, Abdul Latif Rashid, and the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iraq, Nasir Mammadov. Photo: INA Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi President, Abdul Latif Rashid, received an invitation on Wednesday from the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, to take part in the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29), which will convene next November in Baku, Azerbaijan. The invitation was handed over to the Iraqi President by the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Iraq, Nasir Mammadov, according to a statement released by the Iraqi Presidency. The statement mentioned that Rashid expressed appreciation for receiving the invitation, conveying his regards to the Azerbaijani President. The Iraqi President emphasized the significance of hosting the UN Climate Change Conference in light of climate change and its effects on the environment, including high temperatures, desertification, and drought, which affect many countries in the world. In order to address the effects of climate change and compel countries to implement standards that ensure the protection of the environment from pollution, Rashid emphasized the significance of carrying out the decisions and recommendations made by previous conferences. The Iraqi President talked about the significance of promoting bilateral ties between both countries and increasing cooperation in different fields. Mammadov expressed appreciation for the Iraqi President’s interest in developing relations between Iraq and Azerbaijan, stressing his country’s desire to promote mutual cooperation

Iraq to produce 7 million tons of wheat this season Amr Salem April 25, 2024 488 2 min A wheat field. Photo: AFP Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The Iraqi Minister of Agriculture, Abbas Al-Maliki, said on Wednesday that Iraq is expected to produce seven million tons of wheat during the current season. Al-Maliki’s remarks took place during his meeting with the British Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Iraq and President of the Iraq Britain Business Council (IBBC), as well as a group of researchers, academics, and specialists in the field of agriculture in the British capital, London, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. The Iraqi Agriculture Minister talked about Iraq’s transition to smart agriculture and reaching self-sufficiency in basic crops, including vegetables and wheat. Al-Maliki stated that although Iraq needs less than five million tons of wheat annually, the efforts made have helped the country’s wheat output this season, which is up to seven million tons compared to 5.2 million tons produced last year. The Iraqi Agriculture Minister stated that Iraq aims to establish programs of cooperation and partnership with British laboratories specializing in the field of tissue culture of date palm. The attendees expressed their intention to help the Iraqi government accomplish its goals for smart agriculture and to support the infrastructure needed for agricultural growth in Iraq

Iraq to conduct nationwide population census in November Amr Salem April 25, 2024 493 3 min Part of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Photo: Getty Images Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The President of the Iraqi Society for Statistical Sciences, Mahdi Al-Alaq, said that Iraq is scheduled to finish its much-anticipated general population census in November. Al-Alaq elaborated that the census will be conducted using computerized means at a record time, according to Rudaw News. The Iraqi official explained that there is a significant change in the work technique, which now uses tablets and data centers instead of paper and more conventional ways for the first time. This will be the country’s first population count since 1997 and the first to include the governorates of the Kurdistan region of Iraq since 1987. Al-Alaq described the census as important, considering how much Iraq’s population has changed since then. The coronavirus outbreak forced a postponement of a census scheduled for 2020. The Iraqi Ministry of Planning revealed an estimation of the Iraqi population in 2023, indicating that it exceeded 43 million. The Planning Ministry mentioned last July that it is working to conduct a national census in 2024 to serve development plans by setting up a comprehensive database of the population in Iraq. According to the last national census carried out in 1997, during the era of the late President Saddam Hussein, Iraq’s population at that time was 19 million. According to estimations, the population in the Kurdistan region of Iraq was around three million people at that time.

US dollar exchange rate declines in Baghdad, Erbil Amr Salem April 25, 2024 696 2 min A currency exchange agent counts US dollars in a currency exchange shop in Basra, Iraq. Photo: Hussein Faleh/AFP Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – The US dollar exchange rate against the Iraqi dinar dropped in Baghdad and the capital of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, Erbil, on Thursday with the closure of the two main stock exchanges in the country. The US dollar exchange rate fell with the closure of Baghdad’s Al-Kifah and Al-Harithiya stock exchanges, where the US dollar exchange rate reached 1464.5 dinars compared to 1467 dinars on Thursday morning. The exchange rate in currency exchange shops in Baghdad ranged between 1475 dinars and 1455 dinars, Shafaq News reported. In Erbil, the US dollar exchange rate ranged between 1465 dinars and 1464 dinars. The Central Bank of Iraq (CBI) announced in February 2023 that it started applying the new exchange rate of the US dollar, which is 1,300 dinars against one US dollar. The previous official exchange rate was 1450 dinars to one US dollar, which was being exchanged in the parallel market at a rate of 1550 dinars. In January 2023, the exchange rate of the US dollar against the local currency reached 1610 dinars, while the official exchange rate remained 1450 dinars per dollar, with a gap between the two exchange rates of more than 10 percent.

International firms compete for 30 energy projects in Iraq Amr Salem April 25, 2024 494 3 min An oil facility in Iraq. Photo: AFP Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – In its effort to boost the national economy and attract foreign investments, the Iraqi Ministry of Oil revealed a new round of oil exploration and production licenses, aiming to attract international energy companies to carry out 30 strategic projects in various areas of Iraq. International companies taking part in Iraq’s oil and gas sector withdrew due to security, political, and technical challenges; however, the Iraqi government seeks to stimulate this sector and re-attract investments by providing a suitable investment environment and encouraging strategic partnerships with major companies. The Ministry of Oil’s announcement of the new licensing round is part of the country’s efforts to strengthen its energy sector and achieve sustainable development. The Iraqi Ministry of Oil said last Thursday that it will begin accepting bids from foreign companies on April 27 for contracts to explore oil and gas reserves. However, the ministry later revealed on Wednesday that the step has been delayed and will now take place at a later date. The spokesperson for the Oil Ministry, Asem Jihad, revealed last week that the government aims to reduce imports that are straining the national budget and produce the natural gas needed to operate power plants. Jihad illustrated that the ‘fifth plus’ round comprises 16 projects, some of which were not granted in the fifth licensing round, while the sixth round will mostly offer exploratory gas blocks. The governorates of Nineveh, Anbar, Karbala, Najaf, Babylon, Qadisiyah, Muthanna, Basra, Thi Qar, Maysan, Wasit, Diyala, and the capital Baghdad are all included in the projects, according to Jihad. Iraq’s location stands out among the most important regions in the global oil and gas industry due to its strategic location and huge reserves of natural resources, which provide the country with distinct opportunities for investment and development in this vital sector.

Ep 3338b - Trump Trials Are Exposing The [DS], B2 Bomber No Longer Stealth, Panic In DC

Ep 3338a - Germany Misled The Public On The Green Agenda, One Rate Cut Is Predicted

Great....Music & lyrics

Good one

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Roachford

They cannot have MCP and join so hopefully either way we will find out possibly May 9th!!

Loving this one.....Music & scene ( incomplete and without dialogue in below vid).....Perfect match Special track to me....Somehow thrilling..... 

Great movie ( real story) feat. Russell Crowe, Al Pacino, Christopher Plummer-RIP etc directed by Michael Mann https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Insider_(film)

Sandro Pertini, Italian President With Common Touch, Dies at 93 By Clyde Haberman, Special To the New York Times Feb. 26, 1990 (34 years ago) https://www.nytimes.com/1990/02/26/obituaries/sandro-pertini-italian-president-with-common-touch-dies-at-93.html The best president Italy has ever had....A man of his word...A true anti-fascist

AMEN !

God has His remnant. As Elisah prayed for the servant's eyes to be opened, I pray you will see the glorious plan God has begun to bring revival and awakening to this land.