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Iraq and Saudi Arabia sign new Security MOU 21st February 2023 in Politics, Security By John Lee...Iraq-Business News The Iraqi Minister of Interior, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari, and its Saudi counterpart have signed a security memorandum of understanding, which is the first of its kind since 1983. The agreement includes various forms of security cooperation, exchange of ideas, and joint security efforts to enhance security for both countries. The signing was attended by several high-ranking officials from both countries, and the Iraqi Minister of Interior expressed gratitude towards his Saudi counterpart for the warm welcome. (Source: Ministry of Interior) https://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2023/02/21/iraq-and-saudi-arabia-sign-new-security-mou/

Italy donates EUR 2m for Iraqi Stabilization 8th June 2022 in Construction & Engineering In Iraq, Iraq Industry & Trade News, Politics, Security Italy reaffirms its commitment to Iraq's stabilization with EUR 2 million contribution The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, through the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), is supporting the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with an additional EUR 2 million (approximately US$ 2.26 million) to assist communities affected by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Italy's contribution to UNDP's Funding Facility for Stabilization (FFS), which implements fast-track initiatives in areas liberated from ISIL, has been formalised on the occasion of the first visit to Iraq of the Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H. E. Marina Sereni. Italy has generously provided more than US$ 20 million, since FFS was set up in 2015 with the objective of returning internally displaced Iraqis to their homes. Deputy Minister Sereni commended the new contribution as a concrete support of the Italian Government for the stabilization process in Iraq in order to guarantee better human conditions to its people, by supporting their urgent needs. A safer Iraq is more than ever a priority of the Italian Cooperation in the country. "Italy's previous support made an invaluable contribution to crucial stabilization projects in the liberated areas and contributed to providing much needed support to more than 6.6 million people," says UNDP Resident Representative Zena Ali Ahmad. "We are grateful for Italy's continuous support to stabilization in Iraq. This additional support will position FFS to meet better the expectations and needs of the people of Iraq and contribute to improved conditions that will allow the remaining displaced Iraqis to return to their communities of origin with dignity," adds Ms Ali Ahmad. With the support of 30 partners and the Government of Iraq, the FFS has completed over 3,100 projects in areas liberated from ISIL. This has facilitated the dignified and safe return of 4.8 million Iraqis, to their communities of origin, where they hope to restart their lives. (Source: UN) Link: https://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2022/06/08/italy-donates-eur-2m-for-iraqi-stabilization/

New Iranian Ambassador signals 'Changed Approach to Iraq' 14th April 2022 - Iraq Business News From Amwaj Media. Any opinions expressed are those of the author(s), and do not necessarily reflect the views of Iraq Business News. New Iranian ambassador signals 'changed approach to Iraq' Iran has appointed Mohammad Kazem Aal-e Sadeq as its new ambassador to Baghdad, ending the 5-year tenure of Iraj Masjedi. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior Iranian source has told Amwaj.media that the change is not only routine but bureaucratically overdue, revealing that Masjedi's tenure was meant to finish last year. He added that Tehran had firmly stood behind Masjedi amid pressure for a shift following a series of controversies involving the envoy. However, informed sources in Baghdad have contested this narrative of events, indicating to Amwaj.media that the change is meant to signal "a changed approach to Iraq." Link: https://www.iraq-businessnews.com/2022/04/14/new-iranian-ambassador-signals-changed-approach-to-iraq/

2-22-2017 Newshound Guru Enorrste Finally, as KAP noted, we see that, at least from this writer's point of view, the only thing now holding up the implementation of the float is the ISIS situation. It is anyone's guess what will be necessary to convince the government to move forward, but it is possible that recovery of Mosul might be sufficient. Only time will tell. ------------------------------------------------------------ ISIS needs to be completely VANQUISHED from Iraq, not just Mosul. I've always said this. Also, don't take too much stock in people in government "calling" for something to happen. They can "call" for it til they're blue in the face, it doesn't mean it's gonna happen right away, soon, or "in the coming days."

11 September 2015 G4S wins security contracts in Iraq and Afghanistan G4S Risk Management announces that it has won a new contract to provide security services to Basra Gas Company (BGC) for three years commencing January 2016 with a total contract value of $187 million. The exercise of a two-year extension option would bring the total value to $270 million. BGC operates several assets including two gas plants, several compressor stations, a marine shipping terminal, an LPG storage terminal, and all the pipelines between. BGC captures and transports gas from oil fields of West Qurna 1, North Rumaila, South Rumaila and Zubair. This is the largest gas project in Iraq's history and the world's largest gas flares reduction project. G4S Risk Management has also successfully renewed a contract to provide security services to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in Afghanistan for the next three years. Including a two-year extension option, this has a total contract value of £100 million. Under the contract, G4S will provide close protection for British diplomats, attached personnel and officials travelling within Afghanistan and security at the British Embassy. Ashley Almanza, G4S Group Chief Executive said: "Our Risk Management and Risk Consulting businesses deliver high quality services to our customers and we are delighted to have been entrusted by both the FCO and BGC to provide these important services. These major contract wins reflect G4S's world class expertise and investment in sophisticated security services." Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/g4s-wins-security-contracts-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-20150911-00029#ixzz3lTbJGpel

WOW - what a dilemma we face these days -- We read & hear about the risk of putting our money in the banks but yet if we hide it in our homes it still poses a risk -- Just what do we do?? One thing that I feel is a major consideration is a back up plan -- a note somewhere to recover in case our memory fails us..... or worse .... we expire our time here .... I just very recently told my daughter some very personal information concerning some valuables ...... just in case ........ I was in that 27% ha ha for the freezer -- I put it there probably 1 1/2 yrs ago and "forgot" -- found it by accident just a few days ago along with a $100 bill in a wallet that I was no longer carrying -- I have hidden small amounts of money for emergencies since my early teen years when I first started earning it - I think I have more hidden but plan to clean out freezer soon so will take a closer look at what I throw away -- lol Maybe it would not be too smart for us to mention our favorite hiding places but it might be fun to read stories of hiding and finding cash / treasures - Have you misplaced things that you still have not found? Or have you found things that were hidden by some one else? I have read some very interesting stories of folks finding huge hidden treasures in old houses - In the walls - behind picture frames - in the floors -- under carpet -- in the basement -- etc. My house is 100 years old but I have not found anything of value yet lol -- I hope some of you will share your interesting stories -- Anyone still looking for their misplaced Dinar ? ??? I think I finally have all accounted for now with receipts -- UNEEK Forget The Bank: Why Many Americans Are Hiding Cash Where to stash your cash? Some Americans are sleeping on it-literally. While banks are still the go-to solution for most consumers, 29 percent say they're keeping at least some savings in cash bills and coins, according to a new survey of 1,820 adults from American Express (AXP). Of those holding cash savings, 53 percent are hiding it in a secret location. Millennials are even more apt than other generations to go the mattress or freezer route, with 67 percent of those saving cash saying that they hide it outside a bank account. "We've long asked people about how they've planned to keep their savings, and for the past few years, we've seen an uptick in people saving cash," said Kimberly Litt, public affairs manager at American Express. This is the first year the company has specifically asked Americans about tucking away cash. The survey also found that about 1 in 4 consumers anticipates a financial emergency this year, and hiding cash at home could be one way people are preparing. "I've also heard of people using it as a budget technique, keeping cash in envelopes set aside," said Litt. AmEx didn't ask where, exactly, that cash is stashed, but a 2012 Marist College survey of 1,080 adults found that the most popular place-with 27 percent of the vote-is the freezer. A little less than 20 percent of Americans hide cash in a sock drawer, while 11 percent put it under the mattress and 10 percent secure it in a cookie jar. Another 9 percent keep their cash somewhere else in the house. "We saw a surge of this back in 2008, when the banking crisis was going on," said security expert Todd Morris, founder and chief executive of BrickHouse Security, a company that sells security, technology and surveillance solutions. The trend has continued in recent years, he said, with more people installing floor and wall safes to store important documents and cash. But keeping large amounts of cash in the house is something that makes personal finance experts cringe. "Can't discourage it strongly enough," said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com. "That's a recipe for problems down the road." Primarily, that's because the funds don't have the same loss protections afforded to an FDIC-insured savings or checking account. "Keeping money stashed around the house leaves you at tremendous risk of theft or loss due to fire or some sort of unforeseen disaster," he said. There are plenty of horror stories, such as the Israeli woman who in 2009 replaced her mother's old mattress, only to learn that it was where she'd hidden her life savings, an estimated $1 million. Or the man in Moline, Illinois, who accidentally donated a suit with $13,000 stashed in a pocket. That said, it's not a bad idea to have a little cash at home, for use in an emergency, said McBride. After a major storm, for example, ATM access may be limited or stores' credit card processing systems may not be working. Keep on hand what you'd need to tide you over for a few days, with the exact amount depending on your family's financial situation, he said. But even then, come up with a decent hiding spot. Thieves know which spots are popular, Morris said. "Burglars definitely know certain places to look, like the bottom of your sock drawers, and underneath your drawers, where it's easy to tape an envelope [of cash]," he said. "If you think about your house and you know where things are, you can think about some places where people wouldn't look." Maybe a tool box in the basement, for example, or a little-looked-at book on your shelf. Pick just one place, Morris said. Divvying up cash among multiple spots increases the chance of you forgetting one of the hiding places or otherwise losing the cash (say, by adding the pair of boots where it's stored to the yard sale pile, or throwing out that old hairbrush that's actually a diversion safe). Be sure to tell at least one other person the location of your hiding place, he said. That reduces the chances of an accidental disposal, and also ensures your assets won't be lost if you suddenly pass away http://finance.yahoo.com/news/forget-bank-why-many-americans-161502396.html