U.S. presses China, Japan, South Korea to trim Iran oil imports

January 10, 2012

U.S. presses China, Japan, South Korea to trim Iran oil imports

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner faces a stiff challenge this week as he tries to convince China, Japan and South Korea to reduce their dependency on Iranian oil and natural gas.

The Obama administration is pressing those countries to help squeeze Iran financially, hoping to compel the Middle Eastern nation to abandon what Washington and allies say is a plan to develop nuclear weapons. China has so far rebuffed the overtures, arguing there should be no link between trade with Iran and its nuclear program. Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes only.

"Sanctioning is not the correct approach to easing tensions," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.

The U.S. request poses a dilemma for Japan and South Korea, both close allies of Washington but both heavily dependent on imported energy.

Iraq's Interior Ministry arrested a number of traders on charges of financing terrorist acts ...

Related articles ~ Link ~ Banks call upon Iraqi parliament to issue law protecting them (currency exchangers) and .. Central Bank of Iraq reveals that the financial institutions has become one of the most liquid and money-laundering and the financing of violence and .. more Related Links ~ ***CBI ~ Iraq called Economic Security Strategy to Reduce the Entry of Funds to Support Armed Groups ... and Iraqi economists are calling for activating the law against money laundering

11/01/2012

Interior: Arrest of merchants involved the financing of terrorism

Received the security file in the four provinces of

Baghdad, Qassim Hilfi

Interior Ministry arrested a number of traders on charges of financing terrorist acts, based on the confessions made ​​by defendants were arrested earlier for involvement of bombings and assassinations.

This was announced by senior agent of the Ministry of the Interior Adnan al-Asadi, explaining in a statement »Sabah: The Directorate for Combating Economic Crime in the ministry, in cooperation with the Federal Investigation Agency U.S. has been able to control money laundering and the arrest of a number of traders who are funding terrorist cells that carried out the crimes of bombing car bombs and improvised explosive devices, contact lenses and assassination weapons silenced, indicating that the detect these processes have been through the confessions of terrorist detainees, and will be announced in the near future.

William C Dudley appointed Chairman of the Committee on the Global Financial System

January 9, 2012

William C Dudley appointed Chairman of the Committee on the Global Financial System

At their meeting in Basel this weekend, the central bank Governors of the Global Economy Meeting (GEM) 1 appointed William C Dudley as Chairman of the Committee on the Global Financial System (CGFS). Mr Dudley is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and has been the Chairman of the Committee on Payment and Settlement Systems (CPSS) since May 2009.

The appointment of Mr Dudley as Chairman of the CGFS is for a term of three years, starting immediately. He succeeds Mark Carney, Governor of the Bank of Canada, who has been CGFS Chairman since July 2010 and has recently been appointed Chairman of the Financial Stability Board (FSB).

World Future Energy Summit - January 16-19-2012 ...

World Future Energy Summit is the world’s foremost annual meeting committed to advancing future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies by engaging political, business, finance, academic and industry leaders to drive innovation, business and investment opportunities in response to the growing need for sustainable energy.

Gold in 2012 to Average $2,050/oz and Will Reach $2,500/oz - UBS

January 10, 2012

Gold in 2012 to Average $2,050/oz and Will Reach $2,500/oz - UBS

Gold has risen for the first time in three days. Asian stocks and the euro also gained today before German Chancellor Angela Merkel meets with the International Monetary Fund’s, Christine Lagarde in Berlin, a day after Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy met to try minimize the Greek and Eurozone debt debacle.

Going Global Headline News For Tuesday, January 10, 2012 ...

Wednesday, January 11th @ 8 pm est. Phoenix will be a guest on Turtle Island Radio ...

Obama, King Abdullah of Jordan to discuss issues at White House next week

Obama holds meeting with Saudi FM

Chinese PM to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar

Jordanian FM meets Quartet envoy

Monday, January 16th Banks Closed for Martin Luther King Day in United States

Iraq's Economy~ Imbalance and Low Price of the Iraqi Dinar Against the Dollar Catastrophic

Iraq and Turkey ~ Erdogan to Maliki: take steps to reduce tensions in Iraq ...

Meeting of the heads of the three decide to call for an expanded meeting next week to discuss the success of the National Conference Supplies

AND

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner visits China and Japan this week ...

Related articles ~ Link ~ Links ~ China's Currency ~ 2009 -2010 and Link ~ Links ~ China Currency Articles ...

January 10, 2012

Geithner to Press China on Yuan While Seeking Support on Iran

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner visits China and Japan this week as he seeks to narrow differences with the Beijing government on currency and trade disputes while urging officials in both countries to cut back on oil imports from Iran.

Geithner arrives in Beijing today to meet with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan and will hold talks with Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice President Xi Jinping and Vice Premier Li Keqiang tomorrow. In Japan, he is due to meet with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and Finance Minister Jun Azumi on Jan. 12.

Obama, King Abdullah of Jordan to discuss issues at White House next week

1/10/2012

Obama, King Abdullah of Jordan to discuss issues at White House next week

Washington, US President Barack Obama will host King Abdullah II of Jordan at the White House next week, the White House announced on Tuesday.

"The President looks forward to discussing a broad range of bilateral and regional economic and security issues during their Oval Office meeting, including King Abdullah's leadership in advancing our shared goal of a negotiated peace between Israel and the Palestinians," a statement by the White House said.

Obama also welcomes the opportunity to underscore the strong bonds of friendship between the United States and Jordan, and to demonstrate support for the political reforms that King Abdullah II is leading to produce a government that is more transparent, inclusive and responsive to the aspirations of the Jordanian people, it said.

kuna

Obama holds meeting with Saudi FM

1/11/2012

Obama holds meeting with Saudi FM

Washington, US President Barack Obama met today the Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal during which they discussed regional issues, it was announced here Tuesday.

The White House said in a statement that Obama met with Prince Saud Al-Faisal today in the Oval Office and "affirmed the strong partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia." It indicated that they also discussed "recent developments on key regional issues of mutual interest." "The President asked Prince Saud to convey his best wishes to King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud," the statement noted.

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also be meeting the Saudi Foreign Minister later today, where they are expected to discuss regional issues.

State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters that Clinton is expecting to discuss with Prince Saud Al-Faisal "about virtually all of the regional issues: the situation in Iran, the situation in Iraq, promoting the democratic transition in Egypt, Bahrain, Syria."

(end) si.bs KUNA

Iraq and Africa ~ Iraq’s Warka Bank enters Djibouti Market

Economy

Djibouti’s port is a free trade zone with modern container facilities. The country derives income from port services to Ethiopia and other landlocked African countries; it serves as a refueling and transshipment location for goods entering and leaving East Africa. There is an international airport at Ambouli. There is other transshipment overland and by sea to neighboring countries.

France and the US have troops stationed in Djibouti, which also contributes to the country's income.Scanty rainfall limits agricultural yield to small quantities of fruits and vegetables, and 90% of food is imported from France and Ethiopia.

Djibouti is a source, transit, and destination country for trafficking in women and children. The government is making significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

read more @ link
___
January 8, 2012

Iraq’s Warka Bank enters Djibouti Market

Tadjourah - President Ismail Omar Guelleh recently inaugurated the first subsidiary of Iraq-based Warka Bank for Investment and Finance (BWAI) in Djibouti to offer full range of banking services.

January 14-19 ~ Chinese PM to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Attend Energy Summit

1/10/2012

Chinese PM to visit Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar

TOKYO, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar from January 14 to 19, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported Tuesday.

Wen's visit comes at the invitation of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz of Saudi Arabia, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al-Thani, according to the report. Wen will also attend the Fifth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said in Beijing, adding that the Premier will address the summit and elaborate on China's energy policy.

During the six-day visit, Wen will meet and hold talks with leaders of the three Arab nations and exchange views on the development of bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern, the spokesman said. (end) mk.hb KUNA 101716 Jan 12NNNN


___ January 10, 2012

Premier Wen to visit Arab nations, attend energy summit

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar from Jan. 14 to 19, Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said Tuesday.

Wen's visit comes at the invitation of King and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, and Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Hamad bin Jasim bin Jabir al-Thani.

Premier Wen will also attend the Fifth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi at the invitation of Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Liu said.

Liu said Premier Wen will address the summit and elaborate on China's energy policy.

During the six-day visit, Wen will meet and hold talks with leaders of the three Arab nations and exchange views on the development of bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concerns, Liu said.

Wen's visit will boost the development of relations between China and not only Arab nations but also the Islamic world, Liu said.

link

Jordanian FM meets Quartet envoy

1/11/2012

Jordanian FM meets Quartet envoy

AMMAN, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh held talks with Middle East peace Quartet envoy Tony Blair on Tuesday, discussing efforts underway to achieve peace in the region following meetings in Amman between Palestinian and Israeli negotiators.

Judeh spoke to the press of the need for concerted efforts by the world community to assist Palestinians and Israelis to return to the negotiating table to reach a just and lasting settlement to all final status issues towards setting up an independent Palestinian state on pre-June 1967.

"A final peace deal," Judeh reiterated, "is not only an interest of the parties directly involved and the world as a whole, but a higher national interest of Jordan as well." On his part, Blair said the Quartet fully backed Jordan's role and highly appreciates Jordanian King Abdullah II efforts.

(end) bsb.mao KUNA 110021 Jan 12NNNN

Wednesday, January 11th @ 8 pm est. Phoenix will be a guest on Turtle Island Radio ...

Wednesday January, 11th, 2012 @8 pm est. Turtle Island Radio

The Great Turtle Island Blog Talk Radio ~Link

PRR will air one hour later at 9 pm est. on Wednesday, January 11th

Iraq and Turkey ~ Erdogan to Maliki: take steps to reduce tensions in Iraq ...

Prime Minister Maliki and Prime Minister Erdogan October 21, 2010

11.01.2012

Erdogan to Maliki: take steps to reduce tensions in Iraq

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has told his Iraqi counterpart to take steps to reduce tensions in Iraq following a series of bombings in capital Baghdad after Nouri al-Maliki issued an arrest warrant for one of his Sunni vice presidents last month, Today's Zaman reported.

Meeting of the heads of the three decide to call for an expanded meeting next week to discuss the success of the National Conference Supplies

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Meeting of the heads of the three decide to call for an expanded meeting next week to discuss the success of the National Conference Supplies

Baghdad, The heads of the Republic and the Council of Ministers and the House of Representatives at the meeting Tuesday evening to hold a meeting for representatives of a broader three parties next week to attend to a larger number with the three presidents to discuss the success of the conference requirements proposed by the national expanded earlier President Talabani

Iraq ~ More Headline News From All Iraq News.Com .. January 10, 2012 ...

Jaafari looking Shaways with the political process in Iraq

Maliki assured the health of his Turkish counterpart by telephone

Jaafari calls during a meeting with Ambassador her Australian companies to invest in Iraq

Iranian Ambassador to Talabani renewed his country's readiness to enhance cooperation with Iraq

Meeting of the heads of the three decide to call for an expanded meeting next week to discuss the success of the National Conference Supplies

Vice-President of the political body of the Sadrist movement: the coming days will witness a breakthrough political crisis

Abawi: Iraq is seeking under the umbrella of the Arab League, to find solutions appropriate to the situation of the Syrian

Abdul-Mahdi to discuss with Egyptian Ambassador to the latest developments on both the Iraqi and Arab

Talabani discusses with Abdul-Mahdi, Jaafari Khuzaie and developments in the Iraqi

Unit Jumaili: the minister who does not comply with the decision of the leaders of the Iraqi List, will be sacked

Iraq ~ Three presidencies held a meeting this evening at the home of Talabani

January 10, 2012

Urgent ..Three presidencies held a meeting this evening at the home of Talabani

Complexity of the three presidencies meeting this evening at the home of President Jalal Talabani to discuss the current political crisis.

A source in the Iraqi List, told all of Iraq [where] on Tuesday that "the three presidencies [President Jalal Talabani, Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, parliament speaker Osama al] will be held Tuesday evening meeting at the home of Talabani to discuss the developments in the political process and preparations for the National Conference to be held by the end of this month and topics that will be included in it. "

"As will be discussed during the meeting on ways to contain the current political crisis and the importance of the adoption of national discourse and away from tense situations."

He was President Jalal Talabani returned to Baghdad from Sulaimaniya yesterday afternoon to hold meetings with leaders of political blocs on his initiative to hold a national conference expanded to resolve the political crisis in the country, as he said, "It was decided in a final conference was held in Baghdad as the capital of Iraq," adding "The committee had proposed and which consists of two members from each bloc will decide after the date of the conference to decide the venue in the capital, Baghdad."

And witnessing the political process Shada and attractive between the parties involved in the political process because of the continuing political differences between the State of Law coalition and the Iraqi List.

link

February 11-15-2012 ~ Basra, Iraq Oil and Gas Trade mission

Iraq Trade Mission
11 - 15 Feb 2012

The EIC is organising an oil and gas trade mission to Basra in Iraq.

Missioners will have the opportunity to attend organised group meetings with key local players, as well as incorporating a briefing meeting presented by qualified speakers with in-market experience and the opportunity to meet with local companies.

LINK

Monday, January 16th Banks Closed for Martin Luther King Day in United States

Related article ~Link ~ Obama's King Speech ~ Sunday, October 16, 2011 ...

Martin Luther King Day in the United States -
Monday, January 16, 2012

Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States.

2012 OFAC Recent Actions - Iraq

IRAQ - LINK ~ 2012 OFAC Recent Actions

Finance Minister and Shaways looking with Najafi and al-Issawi and the delegation of the Sadr movement's efforts resolving the political crisis

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Shaways looking with Najafi and al-Issawi and the delegation of the Sadr movement's efforts resolving the political crisis in the country

Deputy Prime Minister Ruz Nuri Shaways with House Speaker Osama Najafi and Finance Minister Rafie al-Issawi and a number of members of the political body of the Sadrist movement separately, the efforts aimed at resolving the political crisis in the country.

A statement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, on Monday, to discuss with Shaways Najafi and al-Issawi and the delegation of the Sadrist movement efforts to resolving the political crisis, and coordination of efforts and visions for the National Conference to be held soon in the presence of all political parties.

link

U.S. senator is likely collapse of the Maliki government and the disintegration of Iraq into three states

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

U.S. senator is likely collapse of the Maliki government and the disintegration of Iraq into three states

Most likely a member of the U.S. Senate, Senator John McCain, on Tuesday, the collapse of the government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and the disintegration of Iraq into three different countries, stressing that the proliferation of militias and death squads in the country and the escalation of tensions between the Kurdish areas and the rest of Iraq and the flight of Iraqi Vice President to Erbil evidence of the disintegration of the country.

Iraq's Economy~ Imbalance and Low Price of the Iraqi Dinar Against the Dollar Catastrophic

10/01/2012

Iraqi economy suffers from the imbalance

Baghdad, brought to the newspaper "Washington Post," U.S. light on the future of the situation in Iraq in light of the withdrawal of all U.S. forces, in addition to the crises that have dogged the political process, as well as repeated attacks by insurgents and kills a day of many innocent civilians wondered why can do the leaders in Iraq for the advancement of their country in light of these events?.

The American Journal, yesterday, to the remarks was made ​​by Paul Bremer, the civil administration to the authority of the coalition earlier in Iraq in 2003, and his call to open the way for the entry of foreign investments and to attract men the business of Iraq.

It pointed out that America was planning at the invasion of Iraq to turn it into Daanamu economy thrives on oil reserves, depending on the Iraq and one of the largest oil reserves in the world, is that the United States failed to do so where the fighting and conflict did not stop in Iraq, which has hampered Washington to achieve its ambitions, which was designed to.

The paper, the American public that the economic climate in Iraq is suffering from the disorder which has hampered the process of exchange of securities, which resulted in the survival of only 45 companies operating in the exchange of securities in Iraq at the moment. link

___ Links - Iraq's Currency "Iraqi Dinar" and Monetary Policy - "Remove Zeros" ...Updated ...

09/01/2012

Low price of the Iraqi dinar against the dollar catastrophic

Baghdad, The member of the Finance Committee, the parliamentary deputy Haitham Jubouri Central Bank to increase liquidity to maintain the value of the Iraqi dinar against the U.S. dollar. Jubouri said that "Iraqi currency in recent years have seen a fluctuation large a decline in the price of the Iraqi dinar against the U.S. dollar This catastrophic economic damage to all citizens.

"He added Jubouri:" The central bank should take its role in this matter, as the issue price of the dinar based on demand and supply and therefore should increase liquidity in order to preserve the value of Iraqi dinar and offset the U.S. dollar.

" He explained: "it is necessary to do no harm to the Iraqi dinar and the national economy as a whole before the adoption of the budget in 2012, in order that determined the budget the right way," noting that the volatility prices borne by the central bank currency, and traders. "

link

***Iraq's Budget May Be Approved and Passed Next Week

Bumped ~Link .. Calls for the central bank to raise the value of Iraqi dinar against the U.S. dollar exchange rate ...

Related article Dec. 2011 ~ Link..The Cabinet has passed its largest draft budget yet, calling for spending of 117 trillion Iraqi dinars

Snip ~'He added that the budget Resan discussed in second reading in the House and may be passed and approved next week in order to relieve the pressure and political differences between the blocks '

Monday, January 09, 2012

Abdul-Hussein Resan: fiscal policy is clear and the budget does not meet the ambitious

Member of the Economic Commission criticized the National Alliance MP Abdul Hussein Resan the current year budget because it does not meet the ambition and tainted by a lot of problems.

Central Bank Preserving The Exchange Rate of Iraqi Dinar ~ US dollar prices in local markets in Iraq ...

Related Article ~ Link ~ CBI and Iraqi Dinar/Dollar ~ Central Bank follows the steps to maintain the balance of the dinar against the dollar .. and his work must not interfere

09/01/2012

Central Bank: US dollar prices in local markets in Iraq

The Central Bank of Iraq, confirmed Monday that the US dollar prices in local markets and rising sales to neighbouring States, trade financing, noting that it would reflect negatively on its reserves of hard currency.

Deputy Central Bank Governor Mohammed Saleh reporter appearance (independent Iraqi news agency) US dollar exchange rate for the Iraqi dinar local markets, as well as the high sales of the Iraqi Central Bank currency returns to neighbours trade financing by Iraqi traders.

Continues

CBI and Iraqi Dinar/Dollar ~ Central Bank follows the steps to maintain the balance of the dinar against the dollar .. and his work must not interfere

Friday 01/06/2012

Central Bank follows the steps to maintain the balance of the dinar against the dollar .. and his work must not interfere

Baghdad, The member of the Finance Committee, the parliamentary deputy / National Alliance / Abdul-Hussein al-Yasiri to not interfering with the central bank to achieve Precautions high and strengthen the Iraqi dinar in the market.

Iraq Oil and Gas Law ~ Parliamentary oil: we will seek to vote on the law of oil and gas even if the province to the Iraqi Council of Representatives

Monday, January 9, 2012

Parliamentary oil: we will seek to vote on the law of oil and gas even if the province to the Iraqi Council of Representatives

BAGHDAD / With: Member of the Committee confirmed the oil energy parliamentary Susan Saad that the law of oil and gas will be voting on it, even if Congress did not attend the meetings of the existing Iraqi Council of Representatives.

She added Saad to the reporter and the news agency the future on Monday: "There are urgent demands for the enactment of the oil and gas, especially as there are crises you get between the Oil Ministry and the provincial councils and the Kurdistan region on issues of export and other related to the oil law, stating that" the Commission calls for a vote even if they attend the Iraqi List the meetings of the Council of Representatives."

Iraq Politics ~ the coming days will witness a breakthrough of the political crisis ...

January 9, 2012

Deputy for the rule of law: the coming days will witness a breakthrough political crisis

Revealed Deputy for a coalition of state law on the Kurdish-Husseini for signs of a breakthrough to the political crisis taking place in Iraq over the next few days.

A member of the bloc affiliated with a coalition of independent State of Law Deputy Ali Kurdish News Agency correspondent future on Monday, said: "The next few days will lead to a major breakthrough in the political crisis surrounding the Iraqi political scene."

He added that "all political parties unanimously agreed on the necessity of dialogue without preconditions to resolve the existing problems," He pointed out that "politicians agreed on the need to separate political issues and matters of procedure for the conduct of State affairs."

link

Massive Changes - A New Global Economic Restructuring!!! Please spread Far and Wide!!

January 1, 2011

Massive Changes - A New Global Economic Restructuring!!! Please spread Far and Wide!!Please spread far and wide. Feel free to embed, Digg, Tweet and Facebook.

A New Global Economic Restructuring

Conscious Media Network has been approached by a representative of global leaders and financiers from 130 nations to broadcast a statement about a new global economic restructuring arising in 2012.

The statement will be delivered via a video-taped interview with a layperson on behalf of the consortium that has been working behind the scenes, on the problem of the unsustainable global economy for the past 8 years. The party who drafted this statement has stated, in response to conspiracy concerns, that “The usual suspects are not the suspects” and that the Global Elite also understand that the unsecured, digital money system has failed us all, including themselves.

This announcement is to serve as the introduction of a New Global Economic Structure that will begin surfacing in 2012. Those involved in this plan are calling it the “greatest humanitarian effort” in modern history. It will be for each of us to determine over time if this is a truthful statement ...

Going Global Headline News for Monday, January 9, 2012 .. Will Update ...

Way To Go Alabama ! No. 2 Alabama beats No. 1 LSU 21-0 for BCS title

U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner visits China and Japan this week ...

Merkel, Sarkozy vow faster euro action ~ Want Deal by March 1st

Abusive Tax Schemes, LLCs ~ IRS Offshore Programs Produce $4.4 Billion to Date for Nation’s Taxpayers; Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program Reopens

Copyright Lawyers Oppose SOPA … And Say It Won’t Even Work

Iraq Conspiracy? Late for Tea at the Deer Palace

Talabani discusses with U.S. ambassador to the political situation and ways of making the National Conference

The Baghdad Job: Iraq's Missing Millions Watch Tonight CNBC Jan. 9th @ 9 pm ...

JANUARY 2012 FORECAST

Summit in Baghdad in preparation for the General Conference

Iraqi MP urges Kuwait to review war compensation

U.S. Defense Secretary: Iran developing a nuclear weapon and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, A red line for us ...

Iraq Oil and Gas Law ~ Parliamentary oil: we will seek to vote on the law of oil and gas even if the province to the Iraqi Council of Representatives

Knesset Finance warns of catastrophe threatening the economy of Iraq, if Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz

IRS Revives Offshore Tax Dodger Forgiveness

AND ..

Way To Go Alabama ! No. 2 Alabama beats No. 1 LSU 21-0 for BCS title

This is first time in the history of the BCS that two teams from the same conference (and also from the same division of the same conference) have met for the BCS National Championship ...

January 9, 2012

The Alabama Crimson Tide more than avenged their only loss of the season Monday night, defeating the LSU Tigers 21-0 in the BCS Championship Game at New ...

No. 2 Alabama beats No. 1 LSU 21-0 for BCS title ...

Abusive Tax Schemes, LLCs ~ IRS Offshore Programs Produce $4.4 Billion to Date for Nation’s Taxpayers; Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program Reopens

Overview - Abusive Tax Schemes

Abusive tax schemes have evolved from simple structuring of abusive domestic and foreign trust arrangements into sophisticated strategies that take advantage of the financial secrecy laws of some foreign jurisdictions and the availability of credit/debit cards issued from offshore financial institutions.

IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) has developed a nationally coordinated program to combat these abusive tax schemes. CI's primary focus is on the identification and investigation of the tax scheme promoters as well as those who play a substantial or integral role in facilitating, aiding, assisting, or furthering the abusive tax scheme (e.g., accountants, lawyers). Secondarily, but equally important, is the investigation of investors who knowingly participate in abusive tax schemes.

What is an Abusive Tax Scheme?

The Abusive Tax Schemes program encompasses violations of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and related statutes where multiple flow-through entities are used as an integral part of the taxpayer's scheme to evade taxes. These schemes are characterized by the use of trusts, Limited Liability Companies (LLCs), Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs), International Business Companies (IBCs), foreign financial accounts, offshore credit/debit cards and other similar instruments. The schemes are usually complex involving multi-layer transactions for the purpose of concealing the true nature and ownership of the taxable income and/or assets.

Copyright Lawyers Oppose SOPA … And Say It Won’t Even Work

January 10, 2012

Snip ~ As reported by Forbes, the Atlantic Monthly and others, coders are already developing work-arounds to SOPA and PIPA. For example, a developer using the alias “Tamer Rizk” launched DeSopa, an add-on for the popular Firefox browser that would allow users to visit sites blocked by the proposed copyright protection measures proposed under SOPA. So not only these bills are not only draconian, but they won’t work.

Link ~ Copyright Lawyers Oppose SOPA … And Say It Won’t Even Work

Iraq Conspiracy? Late for Tea at the Deer Palace

Original article ~ Iraq Conspiracy? Late for Tea at the Deer Palace

Interesting ~ add this to the allawi conspiracy and the puzzle is complete, Snip ~ "To counter it, Iraq’s ayatollahs created the Dawa party around 1958 ..

The self-same party that rules Iraq today in the form of its leader, Nouri al-Maliki.

Both the Chalabi’s and the Sadr family, which set up the party and later produced the ..

firebrand cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, were involved in the Dawa milieu"

This is a review of Late for Tea at the Deer Palace, a new book by Tamara Chalabi, published in 2011 by HarperCollins.

Had Anastasia, the daughter of Czar Nicholas II of Russia, somehow escaped the wholesale execution of the Russian ruling family in 1918 along with her father, and half a century later returned to Moscow in triumph, she might have produced a volume like Late for Tea at the Deer Palace by Tamara Chalabi.

Chalabi, of course, is the daughter of Ahmed Chalabi, the wily wheeler-dealer and self-promoter who wangled his way into the good graces of America’s neoconservatives in the 1990s, helping to convince them to launch an unprovoked war against Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. In 2003, Chalabi entered Baghdad in 2003 as a would-be president of the new Iraq and, although he never reached that goal, he’s been a fixture on the Iraqi political scene ever since.

Merkel, Sarkozy vow faster euro action ~ Want Deal by March 1st

January 09, 2012

Merkel, Sarkozy vow faster euro action

The leaders of France and Germany vowed Monday to speed up various measures to ease the eurozone crisis, as the euro flirted with new lows on the market amid signs of heightened banking tensions.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said after talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel that an agreement on stricter budgetary rules tying in all EU members except Britain should be signed by March 1.

Merkel said negotiations on a text were "progressing well" and announced Paris and Berlin could accelerate payments into a permanent fund for future possible bailouts that is due to come into force later this year.

"Germany and France are ready to review... to what extent our payments can be accelerated in a certain way and thus once again make our trust in and support for the eurozone clearly visible," she told reporters.

PM Maliki: democrat or autocrat?

January 09, 2012

PM Maliki: democrat or autocrat?

Baghdad, To detractors, Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki threw down the gauntlet with stunning speed when his Shi'ite Muslim-led government demanded the arrest of a Sunni Muslim vice president seemingly moments after the departure of U.S. troops.

Already seen as having autocratic tendencies in a country where most people have known little but dictatorship, Maliki has long expressed doubt about the efficacy of his brawling partnership government of Shi'ite, Sunni and Kurdish factions.

But the move to arrest Vice President Tareq al-Hashemi and a demand that parliament remove Maliki's Sunni deputy, Saleh al-Mutlaq, ignited a political storm that threatens Iraq's shaky U.S.-backed coalition and, for some, has called into question Maliki's commitment to any sort of democracy.

"There is no doubt (the arrest warrant) was choreographed to put down the marker, to eradicate any doubt over who was in charge in the wake of the U.S. troop withdrawal," said Ali al-Saffar, an analyst with the Economist Intelligence Unit.

Talabani discusses with U.S. ambassador to the political situation and ways of making the National Conference

2012-01-09

Talabani discusses with U.S. ambassador to the political situation and ways of making the National Conference

BAGHDAD (Iba) ...

Search by President Jalal Talabani and the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad James Jeffrey, the political situation in the Iraqi arena and efforts to calm the current situation and ways to the success of the National Congress.

A presidential statement said Talabani also discussed during a meeting with the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad this evening, the bilateral relations and ways to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries in all fields.

During the meeting, they exchanged views on the latest political developments in the Iraqi arena.

Summit in Baghdad in preparation for the General Conference

10/01/2012

Summit in Baghdad in preparation for the General Conference

Talabani's return to Baghdad and confirms the response of the political blocs all

BAGHDAD - Al Sabah

Said President Jalal Talabani, who returned to Baghdad yesterday that the National Congress of the year will be held in Baghdad soon, stressing that he will meet political leaders in the coming hours to finalize the conference.

Talabani said, according to a presidential statement received the "morning," a copy of it: "It was agreed that the meeting be held in Baghdad, and I will start first interviews summit with senior leaders in the Iraqi parties and then start selecting on the expanded meeting of all, we are working on the basis of the work of the programmer, we formed a preparatory committee, comprising two from each Party, the Committee create the program, and was finally agreed that the conference will be held in Baghdad as the capital of Iraq and the problems there and the solution must be there too, and the meeting will be held soon.

JANUARY 2012 FORECAST

Interesting .. Snip ~ Among other things, this means no immediate fix to problems like the disintegration of the Euro zone (and its common currency), the paroxysm in the global economy and financial system, the great struggle of East and West, etc. (In particular, watch for these themes to come to the fore around the 16th, when the Moon aligns with Saturn.)

JANUARY 2012 FORECAST - by Richard Nollelast - JAN 8, 2012

Two of 2012’s prime celestial pointers are zeroed in as the year opens. One is the near-exact Jupiter-Saturn opposition (within two degrees of precise alignment from late December 2011 through January 2012). It’s the final near-alignment in the 20-year cycle of this opposition which was last exact on March 28, 2011. This is another part of the Great Chronocrator cycle I’ve been writing about for several years now, the changeover from the earth sign Chronocrators that have held sway from the dawn of the Industrial Revolution.

This is the last Jupiter-Saturn opposition in the earth sign Chronocrator series. It points to a breakdown in the social, political, cultural and economic order – and the response to that breakdown, which is always initially an attempt to preserve the status quo, until that attempt itself breaks down, as it must.

*Being so close all month, and so historic besides, this is a sign in the sky that there is no return to business as usual – and that extends to politics and culture as well.

**There’s a struggle to achieve balance, to fix systemic problems and conflicts, but it’s an enormous, generational job. (For more on the historic context of this temporal watershed, see the full version of my 2012 World Forecast Highlights.)

Among other things, this means no immediate fix to problems like the disintegration of the Euro zone (and its common currency), the paroxysm in the global economy and financial system, the great struggle of East and West, etc. (In particular, watch for these themes to come to the fore around the 16th, when the Moon aligns with Saturn.)

Must read entire forecast @ Link

Iraqi MP urges Kuwait to review war compensation

Related article ~ Link .. Al-Maliki Will Visit Kuwait in the Next Few Days Critical to complete Iraq exit files from Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations

January 9, 2012

Iraqi MP urges Kuwait to review war compensation

An Iraqi MP close to Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki urged Kuwait to review the billions of dollars of war compensation it demands for Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion, in comments published on Monday.

"Iraq has paid large compensation to our neighbour Kuwait ... and it's time to review the details of those compensations, especially after Iraq regained its sovereignty" from the US, Abdulhadi al-Hassani told Kuwaiti daily Al-Dar.

Hassani, a member of Maliki's State of Law parliamentary group, said the Iraqi people were also victims of the Saddam regime and should not keep being punished.

Iraq is required to put five percent of its oil revenues into a UN reparations fund, which has so far paid out $34.3 billion to claimants, of which around $25 billion went to Kuwait.

U.S. Defense Secretary: Iran developing a nuclear weapon and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, A red line for us ...

01/09/2012

U.S. Defense Secretary: Iran developing a nuclear weapon and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a red line for us

Stressed the Minister of Defense Leon Panetta yesterday that Iran's development of a nuclear weapon or a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a red line representing the United States.

Panetta said, "I think that the diplomatic pressure from everywhere .. From Europe and the United States and elsewhere working on the exercise of pressure on them to make them realize that they cannot continue to do what they do now."

The Baghdad Job: Iraq's Missing Millions Watch Tonight CNBC Jan. 9th @ 9 pm ...

Earlier Report


Links ~ *Iraq's Missing Funds ~ Links

CNBC SHOW TIMES - Premieres Monday, January 9th - 9p 12a ET

About The Show - Beginning in the earliest days of the war in Iraq, the New York Federal Reserve in New Jersey, shipped billions of dollars in physical cash to Baghdad. The money came from Saddam Hussein’s assets frozen under global sanctions regimes and was sent to help restart the government and restore basic services.

Much of it may have been used on the things it was intended for, but hundreds of millions, maybe billions of dollars are missing. As investigators are rushing to determine what happened to the money, CNBC tracked down the last American official responsible for delivering the cash before it disappeared inside the vaults of the Central Bank of Iraq.

Knesset Finance warns of catastrophe threatening the economy of Iraq, if Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz

January 9, 2012

Knesset Finance warns of catastrophe threatening the economy of Iraq, if Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz

Baghdad - the Parliamentary Finance Committee, warned on Monday of the great danger threatens the Iraqi economy in case of Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz, and while the government called for reconsideration of the budget of 2012, criticized the Oil Ministry for failing to revive the strategic line of oil.

A member of the Committee Deputy Bayan Jabr, said that "close the Strait of Hormuz is a great danger and a disaster for the Iraqi economy, in case of Iran," he said, attributing to the fact that "Iraq will depend in the export of the vast majority of its oil through the ports of Basra, which pass in turn through the Strait of Hormuz".

Al-Maliki Will Visit Kuwait in the Next Few Days Critical to complete Iraq exit files from Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations

January 8, 2012

Al-Maliki visit Kuwait in the next few days

The National Alliance Deputy said on Al-Alaq to visit Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to Kuwait expected in the next few days, come within the Iraqi Government plans to close the file on Iraq sanctions, noting that the approval of the ending of sanctions depends on the position of Kuwait on the issue of missing persons, in addition to the establishment of border pillars.

The upcoming visit critical task to complete Iraq exit files from Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as ending differences caused by Kuwait's intention to establish port of Mubarak.

He noted that there is a desire in US Iraq output from Chapter VII through dialogues with the United States Government that a node is in Kuwait after this chapter ... Particular that Iraq continues to give financial compensation to Kuwait by five percent of oil imports.

And between Al-Alaq that Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki met with his Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al-most files between the two countries by telephone before stating that there is a visit to Kuwait.

link

IRS Revives Offshore Tax Dodger Forgiveness

January 09, 2012

IRS revives offshore tax dodger forgiveness

The Internal Revenue Service said on Monday it is reopening a voluntary disclosure program for taxpayers who have evaded taxes by hiding money offshore in secret bank accounts.

Two previous IRS programs, in 2009 and 2011, brought in more than $4.4 billion in taxes from tens of thousands of tax evaders, said the tax collection agency.

The revival of the tax dodger forgiveness program comes at a time when the U.S. government, facing enormous budget deficits, is cracking down hard on offshore tax evasion.

The tax-collecting IRS and the tax division of the Justice Department are probing Swiss and Swiss-style banks suspected of selling tax evasion services to scores of wealthy Americans.

'Saudi Arabia orders hit on Iraqi VP'

January 9, 2012

'Saudi Arabia orders hit on Iraqi VP'

The Saudi regime is reportedly planning to assassinate fugitive Iraqi Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi over fears that he might disclose Saudi Arabia's role in the bloody events in Iraq.

According to reports coming from Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, where Hashemi has taken refuge, head of Saudi Arabia's intelligence agency Prince Muqrin bin Abdul-Aziz is tasked with killing Hashemi to prevent the disclosure of his cooperation with Riyadh in assassinating Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.

Foresight Africa: Top Priorities for the Continent in 2012

Interactive Map ~http://www.cfr.org/human-rights/interactive-map-horn-africa/p1333

January 2012

Foresight Africa: Top Priorities for the Continent in 2012

This past year, Africa and the rest of the world witnessed many significant events that have created consequential challenges for the future of Africa and the global economy. Most notably, these included the economic slowdown in Europe and the United States, the Arab Spring in the Middle East and North Africa, instability and unrest in a number of Sub-Saharan African countries, and severe drought and famine in the Horn of Africa.

While 2011 has certainly proven to be difficult for Africa and other regions, there were also developments that have helped many African countries manage the negative impacts of these challenges. These developments included: high commodity prices, which helped boost trade returns in Africa’s commodity-rich countries; economic and governance reforms in several African states, which helped strengthen democratic rights and improve livelihoods; and a deepening of regional integration efforts, which helped stimulate growth across the continent.

Looking at 2012, experts from the Brookings Africa Growth Initiative (AGI) and colleagues from think tanks based in the region have come together to produce this year’s issue of Foresight Africa, where they outline the top priorities for the continent for 2012 and beyond.

AGI scholars assess what they see as the major challenges for Africa in the coming year and provide policy recommendations on how to manage these challenges and leverage opportunities to catalyze and reignite growth in 2012. Similarly, AGI and its partner think tanks identify country-specific challenges in Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal and Kenya,

Read the full report » (PDF)

Iraq's Parliament Lifted to Tuesday, January 17th ~ lifted its 13-second legislative term of the second legislative to the 17th due to Lack of Quorum

January 9, 2012

House of Representatives to lift its 17-month to a lack of quorum

Presidency of the Council of Representatives lifted its 13-second legislative term of the second legislative year to the 17 of January of the current lack of quorum.

Parliamentary source said in a statement published by the news Monday that public opinion Speaker Osama Najafi decided, the adjournment of Parliament 13 of Chapter II of the second legislative year to be held today, 17 of the month of January.

Arguing that the reason for adjournment of the meeting is the lack of quorum.

link

Asian Financial Forum January 16-17-2012 ~ 2,000 business and government leaders from around the world are expected to take part in AFF 2012 ...

January 9, 2012

Asian Financial Forum to Feature High-Profile Speakers

Some 60 prominent international speakers are expected to take part in next month’s Asian Financial Forum (AFF).

The latest speakers to confirm their participation in the two-day financial summit are: David Lipton, First Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund; Haruhiko Kuroda, President, Asian Development Bank; Fu Yuning, Chairman, China Merchants Group; and Victor Fung, Chairman, Li & Fung Group.

Other speaker highlights will include the first-time participation of Michel Barnier, European Commissioner for Internal Markets and Services, and U.K. Sinha, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Board of India.
Continues

Iraq Publishes Payments From its Oil Exports

January 9, 2012

Iraq Publishes Payments From its Oil Exports

Iraq has disclosed detailed information about the US$ 41 billion in revenue it received from oil and gas exports in 2009. Iraq's disclosure of the figures follows the country's commitment to the EITI standard, the global standard for transparency of resource revenues. The revenues are published in Iraq's first EITI Report, which detailed production figures and revenues from the sales of oil abroad in 2009.

Iraq Oil ~ Shahristani announced the presence of the Iraqi ministers of the meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Energy ...

Monday, January 09, 2012

Shahristani announced the presence of the Iraqi ministers of the meetings of the Cabinet Committee on Energy

Deputy Prime Minister for Energy, Hussain al-Shahristani, Monday, the presence of the ministers of the Iraqi List for meetings of the Energy Committee of the Council of Ministers.

The Director of Information Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Energy Faisal Abdullah in "The Energy Committee of the Council of Ministers held its regular presence of the ministers of the Iraqi List, specialists with energy."

Abdullah said that "the ministers of science and technology Abdel Karim al-Samarrai, electricity, Abdul Karim Aftan addition to the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Torhan Mufti attended the meeting."

link

World needs economic ethics, new rules, pope says

Related article ~Link .. *Global Government - The Pope Calls For A New World Financial Order (Again) ...

January 09, 2012

World needs economic ethics, new rules, pope says

The global crisis shows that the world needs economic ethics and new rules so the financial system benefits all humanity, Pope Benedict said on Monday in his keynote speech for the New Year.

In a wide-ranging address, the pontiff also called for the end of violence across North Africa and the Middle East, and denounced attacks against religious freedom.

Talabani in Baghdad today and the meeting of the National Union yesterday focused on the Iraqi crisis ...

Monday, January 09, 2012

Talabani in Baghdad today and the meeting of the National Union yesterday focused on the Iraqi crisis

Revealed the leadership of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan Adnan Mufti, on Monday, said that President Jalal Talabani will return to Baghdad today to continue their moves to hold a national conference of the year.

The Mufti said that he was President of the Parliament of Kurdistan in the electoral cycle, the last in a statement to the Agency (Voices of Iraq) The meeting of the Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) yesterday evening focused on the Iraqi crisis and to support the initiative of President Jalal Talabani for dialogue and convergence of views between the partners.

He denied reports that the Mufti on the nomination of political figures to fill positions in the government of the territory and said that this news is no truth to it.

He added that part of the meeting of the Political Bureau of the National Union address next Tuesday the formation of the Government of the Territory, and the need to consult with the Kurdistan Democratic Party on the mechanisms and the need to form the next government.

link

*Jim O'Neill Picks the Next BRICs ~ Emerging "Growth" Markets ...

Link ~ Links to BRIC Articles ... and .. Links to Articles ~ North American Union

January 9, 2012

Jim O'Neill, creator of the acronym BRICs 10 years ago, is positive on the prospects of the BRIC economies but also of other "growth" markets such as Turkey and Mexico. He talks to Tracy Corrigan, Editor-in-Chief of The Wall Street Journal Europe.