The Central Committee for the Regional Parliament Elections discusses with a UN team the Commission’s support for the success of the electoral process

The head of the electoral administration, head of the Central Elections Committee of the Kurdistan Regional Parliament, Judge Amer Musa Al-Husseini, received the United Nations Electoral Assistance Mission (UNAMI) team today, Monday, in Erbil Governorate.

A statement by the Electoral Commission stated that during the meeting, several axes were discussed within the Commission’s preparations, represented by its electoral offices in the governorates of the region, for the electoral event and what the mission team can contribute to supporting the Commission in the success of its work during the coming period.

Al-Husseini expressed his thanks and gratitude for all that the electoral support team of the United Nations Mission provides to the Electoral Commission in terms of exchanging experiences, expressing his hope to continue with this support and assistance.

On the other hand, the team praised the decision of the Electoral Commission to manage the electoral process in all its stages from the center of the re
gion, for the ease of communication with the electoral offices in the region and reassuring the partners of the electoral process of holding fair, honest and transparent elections, in addition to the exceptional efforts made to hold the upcoming elections for the Kurdistan Regional Parliament 2024 on their scheduled date.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The President of the Republic stresses the necessity of diversifying energy sources to reach the production of the total need for electricity


President of the Republic Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid stressed, today, Monday, the necessity of strengthening the infrastructure and diversifying energy sources, especially renewable ones, to reach the production of the country’s total need for electricity.

A statement by the presidency stated that “President of the Republic Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid received, at the Baghdad Palace, the head of the Parliamentary Electricity and Energy Committee, Muhammad Nouri Al-Abd Rabbah.”

He stressed, during the meeting, the importance of addressing the problems facing the electricity sector, pointing to the necessity of strengthening the infrastructure, diversifying energy sources, especially renewable ones, and supporting the establishment of new projects to reach the production of the country’s total need for electricity and to meet the aspirations of citizens.

Muhammad Nouri Al-Abd Rabbah presented a briefing to the President on the work of the Parliamentary Committee and its role in supporting the energy and electrici
ty sector and improving its production in the country.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Resuming public transportation to and from Baghdad International Airport


The General Company for Transporting Passengers and Delegations announced today, Monday, the resumption of public transportation lines to and from Baghdad International Airport after the end of the Arbaeen visit ceremony.

The company’s General Manager, Karim Kazem Hussein, said, according to a statement by the Ministry of Transport, that “the company has resumed its plans to operate public transportation lines to and from Baghdad International Airport via the company’s buses and within its operational plans for the public transportation project.

He added, “This procedure comes in line with the government’s directions and citizens’ demands, as well as within the continuous and diligent efforts of the Ministry of Transport and the company’s management to provide the best transportation services to citizens and honorable travelers.

It is noteworthy that the General Company for Transporting Passengers and Delegations previously announced the opening of more than 34 public transportation lines in the capital, B
aghdad, within the public transportation project.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

The Board of Financial Supervision discusses with the regional government resolving differences between the two sides


The Ministry of Finance in the Kurdistan Regional Government revealed, today, Monday, the content of its meeting with officials of the Federal Board of Financial Supervision during their visit to Erbil.

The Ministry said in a statement that “its Minister, Awat Sheikh Janab, received a joint delegation from the Board of Financial Supervision in Baghdad and Kurdistan,” indicating that “the meeting discussed the tasks undertaken by the joint delegation, as the Minister renewed his support for the success of its tasks.”

The Minister added, according to the statement, that “there has been continuous coordination and cooperation with the joint Board of Supervision team for two years in order to resolve differences and remove technical obstacles related to expenditures, revenues, employee payrolls and ministries’ staff,” noting that “the doors of the Ministry and its affiliated directorates are open to that joint team.”

He stressed that “officials of the Financial Supervision Bureau explained the objectives of th
eir visit to the region, which are to audit expenditures and revenues for the second three months of 2024 based on the Federal General Budget Law, which stipulates that a financial audit be conducted every three months.

Source: National Iraqi News Agency

Oil prices drop


Washington – Ma’an – Oil prices fell in trading on Monday, amid market fears of a decline in demand for black gold from China.

By 09:25 Moscow time, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures fell 0.67% to $76.14 per barrel, while Brent crude futures fell 0.51% to $79.27 per barrel.

Oil futures ended Friday’s trading lower amid concerns over China, with Brent reading below $80 a barrel.

Source: Maan News Agency

Tamkeen and Al-Zaytouna sign an agreement to pay insurance policies


Ramallah – Ma’an – Tamkeen Insurance Company and Al-Zaytouna Islamic Finance Company signed an agreement to pay insurance policies, according to which Al-Zaytouna Islamic Finance Company provides installment services for the value of insurance policies issued by Tamkeen Insurance Company to the insured without any additional commissions and pays the value in cash to the company.

The agreement was signed by Mohammed Al-Reemawi, General Manager of Tamkeen Insurance Company, and Jamal Awda, General Manager of Al-Zaytouna Islamic Finance Company, in the presence of Akram Barakat, Assistant General Manager for Compensation Affairs, Simon Shehadeh, Assistant General Manager for Technical Affairs, Khaldoun Mufarjah, Assistant General Manager for Development, and Mahmoud Shakhshir, Director of Marketing Communications and Public Relations Department, representing Tamkeen Insurance Company, Fadi Sharif, Director of Support Affairs and Information Technology Department, Iyad Al-Nabulsi, Director of Internal Audit, Moh
ammed Al-Masry, Director of Financial Affairs, and Hiba Ouri, Digital Media Officer for Al-Zaytouna Company.

For his part, Mohammed Al-Rimawi stressed the depth of the strategic relationship between the two institutions as partners in the Islamic vision of financial and insurance services provided to the public, and they share a complementary role, and are considered important investment arms of the Orphans Fund Management and Development Foundation and the Palestinian Retirement Authority. He added: “We always seek to develop work mechanisms and innovate what is compatible with the needs and requirements of the public to facilitate access to insurance services and solutions, and facilitate mechanisms for paying insurance documents and paying them in installments, and the pace has increased recently in light of the difficult economic conditions that our people are going through.”

In turn, Jamal Awda, General Manager of Al-Zaytouna Finance Company, confirmed his blessing for this step, which confirms the dep
th and nature of the relationship between Al-Zaytouna Finance Company and Tamkeen Insurance Company. He also pointed out that this step comes within a program adopted by Al-Zaytouna Islamic Finance Company to promote Islamic thought in commercial transactions, starting with Islamic banking and insurance, in line with the company’s mission based on providing advanced financing programs that are fully compatible with the provisions of Islamic Sharia, and in order to achieve the company’s goals aimed at promoting Islamic identity and culture as a modern and vital alternative. On the other hand, Al-Zaytouna Company always seeks to initiate programs that it believes serve the Palestinian citizen and help him achieve his needs and goals in the best possible way.

For his part, Khaldoun Mufarjah, Assistant General Manager for Development, pointed out that this service is the third of its kind offered by the company to facilitate and accelerate the mechanism of paying the insurance policy, whether by traditional or d
igital means, in coordination with the Sharia Supervisory Board to confirm its consistency with the provisions of the noble Islamic Sharia.

Source: Maan News Agency

$125 million agreement to enhance Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah LNG terminal in Aqaba

Aqaba, The Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) has entered into a $125 million agreement with a coalition of international firms to enhance and modernize the Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Aqaba.

The agreement, signed by Hussein Safadi, ADC CEO, and representatives of the Contractors Consortium, marks a significant step in bolstering Jordan’s energy infrastructure.

The agreement outlines the construction of a beach conversion unit and various upgrades to the existing natural gas terminal. According to Safadi, the development of the Sheikh Sabah LNG Terminal is a strategic project that will bring a qualitative leap in Aqaba’s terminal system.

He underscored that the project will be executed according to the highest international standards, with coordination between the ADC and several governmental bodies, including the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation, and the National Electric Power Company, the Jordani
an News Agency (Petra) reported.

“The Sheikh Sabah Natural Gas Terminal Development Project is not only critical for enhancing the terminal system in Aqaba but also for ensuring the security of Jordan’s energy supply,” Safadi stated. “This development ensures that importing liquefied natural gas remains a viable option for electricity generation and industrial use, particularly in cases where current supply sources are disrupted, thereby offering financial savings in electricity production.”

Safadi detailed that the project will see the establishment of facilities capable of converting up to 700 million cubic feet of liquefied natural gas per day from its stored liquid state into compressed natural gas. This gas will then be pumped from the terminal into the Arab Gas Pipeline, which feeds power generation stations across the Kingdom. The project is expected to be completed within 22 months.

Safadi expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation and the Kuwait Fund for Arab
Economic Development for their crucial role in securing part of the project’s funding through a soft loan, alongside facilitating the necessary conditions to initiate the project.

The Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah Terminal, originally established by the ADC in 2015, is equipped with all the necessary facilities for importing liquefied natural gas. It includes a floating storage and regasification unit that was crucial during previous natural gas shortages.

The current upgrades are intended to further solidify the terminal’s role as a key component in Jordan’s energy strategy, ensuring a reliable alternative in the face of supply disruptions.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Bahrain All Share Index marks 1,935.80 points

Manama, Bahrain All Share Index has closed at 1,935.80 points, marking a decrease of 7.67 points below the previous closing.

This decrease was due to the drop in the financial sector and the materials sector.

Bahrain Islamic Index closed at 806.84 points, marking a decrease of 0.02 points below the previous closing.

Results indicated that 62 equity transactions took place with a volume of 20,589,094 worth BD 22,119,885.

Investors traded mainly in the financial sector, representing 99.13% of the total value of securities traded.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

CBB Treasury Bills oversubscribed by 176%

Manama, This week’s BD 70 million issue of Government Treasury Bills has been oversubscribed by 176%.

The bills, carrying a maturity of 91 days, are issued by the Central Bank of Bahrain (CBB), on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

The issue date of the bills is August 21, and the maturity date is November 20.

The weighted average rate of interest is 6.27% compared to 6.39% of the previous issue on August 7.

The approximate average price for the issue was 98.440% with the lowest accepted price being 98.384%.

This is issue No. 2030 (ISIN BH000Z626275) of Government Treasury Bills. With this, the total outstanding value of Government Treasury Bills is BD 2.110 billion.

Source: Bahrain News Agency

TelePIX sends AI processor for satellites to space

Seoul, South Korea’s space startup TelePIX has sent an onboard artificial intelligence (AI) processor for satellites into space.

The processor, named TetraPLEX, was delivered on an Italian satellite aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 into orbit last Friday, according to the company.

TetraPLEX enables efficient, on-the-spot data analysis directly within the satellite, allowing AI processing and edge computing in space.

With this launch, TetraPlex will demonstrate high-speed parallel processing of big satellite data AI models in real time, and test satellite image pre-processing algorithms and its stability in a radiation-accumulating environment, according to the South Korean News Agency (Yonhap).

“Through this demonstration in space, TelePIX has secured space heritage, laying the foundation for the company to enter the global space market,” said Kim Seong-hui, chief technology officer at TelePIX.

Source: Bahrain News Agency