Iraq Dinar Times

Iraq Recognizes Scholars for Scientific Achievement

densblog — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:52:20 +0000

The Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education honoured 35 scholars on Iraqi Science Day (May 2nd), awarding them the Medal of Scientific Achievement in recognition of their pioneering contributions in the field of research.

Former Minister of Education Sami Abdul Mahdi and noted architect Zaha Hadid were among those recognised during a ceremony in Baghdad hosted by the ministry, with the late educator Hussein Ali Mahfoudh among those who received posthumous honours.

The initiative was the first of its kind for the ministry, officials told Mawtani.

In addition to the science award recipients, “about 223 academics, distinguished students and authors of works and innovative research were honoured, as well as the most competent academic institutions”, said the ministry’s general director of research and development Mohammed al-Sarraj.

Recognition was based on 17 categories adopted by a committee of referees from the directorate, he told Mawtani. These categories included the most distinguished president of a university, the top professor, scientifically outstanding professors and the winners of patents for their various inventions.

There were additional categories for teaching staff who had published research papers in international scientific magazines, outstanding postgraduate students, the top research project by final-year students and the best authored or translated book, al-Sarraj said.

The panel, which included 34 experts in the sciences and the humanities, started its work last July, making its selections using advanced evaluation programmes based on regionally- and internationally-adopted standards, he said.

In November 2013, the directorate intends to honour 18 Iraqi researchers in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology and the environment, al-Sarraj said, in addition to choosing three outstanding scientific research papers in reputable, internationally-recognised journals.

SCHOLARS HAVE RAISED IRAQ’S PROFILE

Ministry of Higher Education spokesman Qassim Mohammed told Mawtani that through the establishment of the Medal of Scientific Achievement for Scholars, the ministry sought to express its gratitude for what this group has contributed to society.

These scientific contributions have contributed to the worldwide development of knowledge, he said, in addition to raising the country’s profile internationally and supporting scientific, cultural and ideological progress in Iraq.

The ministry intends to increase the number of its awards to boost a spirit of competition among teaching and research staffs and academic institutions to create environments that strive for excellence and motivate creativity, he said.

“Some of the scientific achievement medals were given to scholars who are outside educational institutions,” said Riyadh al-Zaidi, a member of the Iraqi parliament’s higher education committee.

This “was an important step that reflected the ministry’s appreciation of these scholars’ roles in serving society, and the addition of their scientific innovations and knowledge to humanitarian achievements,” he told Mawtani.

“We at the higher education committee congratulate the ministry on this action, and reaffirm our support of any step that honours the contributions of all our scholars, researchers and students,” he said.

(Source)

Football Association Asking Billion Dinars in Order to Secure Iraq’s Match With Australia in July Next

densblog — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:17:24 +0000

{Baghdad: Euphrates News} said a source close to the Iraqi Olympic Committee, said the Football Association has requested $ billion dinars in order to secure the Iraqi team match with his Australian counterpart on 18 July.

The source said the Euphrates News Agency {} on Monday that “the value very fictional required amount,” he said, adding that he will raise the matter to the Committee on Youth and Sports for its consideration. “

The Football Association has announced on several occasions about the lack of financial support provided to him by the Iraqi Olympic Committee.

(Source)

Official: Iran Ready to Help Iraq in Agriculture Industry

densblog — Wed, 15 May 2013 11:02:13 +0000

TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran is ready to provide assistance to Iraq in the fields of agriculture and industry, an Iranian official said.

“We are ready to provide agricultural and technical support to Iraq in a bid to help that country set up agricultural and industrial units,” an official of the Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST) Mohammad Reza Sanjabi said, addressing a delegation of visiting Iraqi officials on Friday.

He underlined that IROST is willing to share its valuable experiences with Iraq in agricultural and industrial fields.

Iran and Iraq have enjoyed growing ties ever since the overthrow of the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, during the 2003 US invasion of the Muslim country.

Both sides are working on a series of plans to take wide strides in expanding their ties, in economic fields in particular.

The IROST, a comprehensive science policy research center, was established in 1980. It is affiliated to the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.

The IROST has made great advances in providing alternative sources of energy, namely solar energy, biodiesel from microalgae and bi-ethanol from agricultural waste. IROST has also made considerable progress in the pharmacological field.

(Source)

Iraq Tries to Address the Exchange Rate Fluctuation of Dinar Against Dollar

densblog — Tue, 14 May 2013 09:49:36 +0000

First Deputy Chairman of the parliament, Qusay al-Suhail demanded the Central Bank of Iraq to address fluctuating of exchange rate of the dinar against the US dollar and disclose its reasons.

“Suhail chaired a meeting of the Finance Committee at its headquarters in the presence of the central bank governor , Abdul Basit Turki, the Chairman of the Committee and its members,” According to a statement issued by Suhail’s Office received by “Shafaq News”.

Suhail stressed “the need to identify procedures taken by the management of the central bank to deal with the fluctuation of the exchange rate,” confirming ” the importance of knowing the real reasons that led to this instability, which will negatively affect the lives of the Iraqi individual”.

The Presidency of the parliament announced on Sunday, its full support for the actions that the central bank intends to take to ensure the stability of the Iraqi currency after it experienced a value decline against the dollar to a record level in two year.

The value of the Iraqi dinar has declined gradually over the past weeks to reach the per dollar price to about 1129 dinars after it was stable at 1120, which is the highest rate the exchange rate reaches during the past two years.

The Finance Committee of the parliament revealed, early last month, that the Central Bank of Iraq started to take urgent measures to preserve the stability of the exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar against the dollar by increasing exchange facilities of selling hard currency, but the value of the currency has continued to decline.

(Source)

Iraqi Parliament Supports the Actions of the Central Bank to Ensure the Stability of the Dinar

densblog — Mon, 13 May 2013 12:06:35 +0000

Twilight News / announced the Presidency of the Council of Representatives, on Sunday, its full support for the action the central bank intends to take to ensure the stability of the Iraqi currency after it experienced a decline in value against the dollar to a record level in two years.

And plunged the value of the Iraqi dinar gradually over the past weeks to reach the price per dollar to about 1129 dinars after it had been stable for 1120, the highest rate up to the exchange rate during the past two years.

The Finance Committee in the House of Representatives revealed, early last month, the start of the Iraqi Central Bank to take urgent action to preserve the stability of the exchange rate of the Iraqi dinar against the dollar by increasing outlets selling hard currency, but the value of the currency has continued to decline.

A statement from the House of Representatives reportedly for “Twilight News”, the Presidency of the Council of Representatives headed by Osama Abdul Aziz Najafi, Chairman of the Board and the presence of Qusay al-Suhail, First Deputy Speaker of the House and Aref Tayfur, Vice President of the Council met with the President of the Audit Court and the Governor of Central Bank of Iraq and the Agency Abdul Basit Turki.”

And the Presidency of the Council expressed during the meeting for “full support for the central bank to scrutinize the work of private banks and archiving of information within the bank and reform measures that include adjust the exchange rate of the dollar and reduce the phenomenon of money laundering and strengthen the capacity of the central bank in economic development.”

According to the statement, the meeting dealt with the role of the House of Representatives in issuing decisions in order to protect Iraq’s money for the next year and address the issue of debt and push focus of the international effort to protect Iraqi funds abroad.

Iraq looks forward to the United States to protect its assets and reserves of the Central Bank and the Development Fund for Iraq in the next year and vaccinated against creditors.

The U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order last year to extend immunity to Iraqi funds in the Development Fund for Iraq for a year, due to the situation in Iraq.

It seems that confidence in Iraqi تزعزت currency after a government decision to oust former Central Bank Governor Sinan al-Shabibi and tense security situation in an unprecedented manner during the past few weeks.

(Source)

Iraqis Ride the Social Media Wave

densblog — Mon, 13 May 2013 09:48:54 +0000

Social media, which provides a source of entertainment, a way to search for news and information and boundless possibilities for self-expression, has become part of daily life in Iraq.

Blue Wave Internet Café manager Ammar Ahmed said most of his patrons are young people who show serious interest in Facebook and Twitter, which have recently become popular.

Social media use has risen sharply over the past few years, he said, as people quickly absorbed the culture.

“I opened this internet café in 2006, when the number of users coming to the café was not as large,” he said. “But today visitors spend long hours, many until closing time, posting on Facebook.”

Ahmed said in his opinion the conventional wisdom — that young people account for the majority of social media use — does not hold true.

“This is not restricted to the young, but goes beyond to the older generation of those above 40 years old,” he said, adding that both men and women enjoy using social media.

The increasing affordability of computers, smartphones and tablets on the Iraqi market is responsible for the spike in social media use, he said.

“As soon as a new device is on the market, people rush to stores to buy it,” he said. “Now, everyone can use the latest advances in technology.”

POLITICIANS AND JOURNALISTS TURN TO SOCIAL MEDIA

Candidates and politicians also have been using social media to attract voters and keep in touch with the political mood of the “street”.

Facebook pages featured prominently in the recent provincial council elections, journalist Ammar Salman from Al-Mashraq newspaper told Mawtani.

Many candidates used social media to “describe and identify themselves”, Salman said, and he and others citizens used this information to learn more about their positions and political backgrounds.

Journalist Mohammed Saleh from Al-Iraq newspaper said Facebook has become a serious rival to online news media as many prefer to get their news from it rather than go to another source or navigate another website.

“My journalist colleagues post daily news on their Facebook pages, and through that I get to know what is going on around us,” he said.

As a journalist, surfing Facebook and Twitter feeds has become part of his work, Saleh said.

“Social media can carry political and security news other media would not be willing to cover or deal with, due to their in-house policies,” he said. “This has allowed these sites to take a great leap forward in the world of media and publishing.”

HOUSEWIVES, BUSINESSMEN AND STUDENTS BENEFIT

Lamyaa Mohammed, a housewife, surfs YouTube in search of new recipes.

“YouTube is the best chef,” she said. “I get all the recipes free by watching how they are made. Every Friday I choose to watch a new recipe which I then prepare for lunch.”

Her daughter Rafif said she is “addicted to Twitter”, through which she follows the activities of various musicians and celebrities.

Many private firms and institutions have now set up Facebook pages to promote and advertise their services and have moved away from expensive television, radio and newspaper advertising.

“I advertise my artistic projects and all the activities the company is involved in through Facebook and Twitter,” said Saadallah al-Khalidi, executive director of Kahramana Agency for Advertisement and Promotion, told Mawtani, “By sending one advertising message or tweet, I get 100 hits in less than one hour, and all of that is free.”

Students say they rely on social media for both social and research purposes.

Iraqi university student Mouayed Ahmed said he benefitted from some historical articles published by a colleague on Facebook while working on his master’s degree thesis on religions and sects in Iraq.

“The articles published by a colleague on Facebook helped me in looking up sources my colleague had referred to in his articles,” he said.

“I use Twitter and Facebook equally, especially to stay in contact with my friends,” secondary school student Omar Najy told Mawtani. “At times, we exchange lectures by posting them on Facebook, as well as links to science video lectures available on YouTube.”

BRIDGING THE GAP

Actor Mohammed al-Naqqash said for him the most important benefit of social media is that it reduces the distance between Iraqis inside and outside the country.

“I go on Facebook to catch up with the news of my friends who are also in the same artistic field, and maintain links with those who are outside the country, as well as post pictures of my latest theatre and television work,” he said.

(Source)

UNESCO: Suspending Work Permits for Satellite Channels Contradict With the Press Freedom Principle

densblog — Sun, 12 May 2013 08:34:58 +0000

Baghdad/ NINA /–The UNESCO representative in Iraq Zia al- Saray counted timing of suspending of work permits for ten satellite channels by the Iraqi Media and Communications Commission as contradict action with the press freedom principle.

The same source reiterated in his speech addressed to a meeting which was organized by cooperation between media and communications commission and UNESCO on the adherence to standards of broadcasting in the Iraqi media.

(Source)

Cabinet Allocated 15 Billion Dinars to Address the Loss of Flood

densblog — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:48:02 +0000

The Department of Wasit province that the percentage of damage in agricultural crops due to rains and floods that swept through the province reached 100% of the district of Sheikh Saad east of Kut, and 80% in other areas of the province, while showed that the losses, which affected farmers in the province and the country in general was great.

He said Wasit province, Mehdi al-Zubaidi during a joint press conference held at the Office of the province with a cell crisis formed by the prime minister and attended by long-Presse: The losses caused by the rains and floods in the area of Sheikh Saad was too large for the agricultural sector amounted to 100%.

Zubaidi said: that more than 30 thousand acres planted with wheat and barley in terms alone completely destroyed and no hope to obtain one kilogram of the crop this season. He continued governor of Wasit province: that the proportion of the damage to the rest of the fields in the province amounted to about 80% confirms the existence of a big loss for farmers in the province and the country in general during the season.

The governor of Wasit had said last Tuesday: that the preliminary estimate of damages rains and floods refers to the destruction of more than 2,500 home fully in hand, and one of the areas of the province, adding that the damage to the fields and livestock and other property were very large pledging that the committees Sthsaha accurately.

The Ministry of Resources: The amount of rain that fell in the cities of Sheikh Saad and Ali al-Gharbi during the last days equivalent Rain full season north of the country confirming that it was able to achieve تصاريف of Seoul caused by the rain by 550 cubic meters per second toward the income from otherwise open several outlets of the discharge.

It was announced Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki on the allocation of 15 billion dinars to address the damage caused by rainwater and floods coming from Iran, and decided to give each family affected by the floods about four million dinars, while the Minister of Agriculture and Agency Mohammed Xiaa Sudanese that more than 50 villages destroyed by the flood.

(Source)

USAID Discovers Corruption in the Procurement of Ministries

densblog — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:47:37 +0000

Confirmed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) provided nearly nine billion dollars in support of Iraq since 2003, and will continue for a few more years, despite shrinking budgets, and showed that more corruption in Iraqi ministries is through the procurement system used.

The director of the agency Thomas tulle in a meeting with a number of media, including the long-Presse: The size of the subsidies granted to Iraq since 2003 to now nearly nine billion dollars, including 200 million for 2013, the current, indicating that this support is reduced compared to previous years but our work continues for a few years to come. He added tulle: to support the Agency focuses on the areas of infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, financial sector reform democratic governance and support of the elections, pointing out that the organizations that supported the agency provided aid to the 1715 case of the most vulnerable groups in society, especially women, as well as the submission billion dollars in small loans to about 400 thousand people helped to secure 400 thousand jobs.

The director of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the agency has in collaboration with UNICEF vaccinate 98 percent of the children of Iraq, noting that the agency has provided support to the agricultural sector local and that sector fish farming has doubled its production of five thousand tons to 80 thousand tons to reach sales of fish farmers to 142 million dollars now. Toole confirmed the presence of auditors and Iraqi oversight committees to monitor the functioning of the organizations that support by the agency, and continued: in the event of detecting corruption process calls for the organization returns the funds given to the organization concerned or refer the matter to the local authorities or the Iraqi judiciary.

Saw director of the U.S. Agency for International Development, that the most important problem of corruption in Iraqi ministries concerning the procurement system followed them, revealing that there is coordination with the Office of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, and the Advisory Board at the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers, to address the issue of the procurement system in the Iraqi ministries. He tulle: that the Agency carried out a training cadres of 13 Iraqi Ministry of encouraging them to apply new purchases on the systems according to international standards. And the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is an agency of the United States federal government, which is primarily responsible for the management of external assistance to civilians.

The foundations of former President John F. Kennedy, the agency in 1961 administrative order to implement development assistance programs under the Foreign Assistance Act, and the work of Congress to update the mandate through a number of annual financial dependence laws and other legislation. In spite of the fact that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), one of the agencies of the U.S. government technically independent, but they are subject to foreign policy directives of the President of the United States of America and the United States Secretary of State and the National Security Council.

The director of the agency operates within the foreign policy directives and powers of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, is seeking the U.S. Agency for International Development to help people to improve their living conditions and recover from disasters, or those people who are struggling to live in a free and democratic nations. Agency’s objectives include the provision of economic assistance and humanitarian and development around the world to support the implementation of the foreign policies of the United States. The agency works in Africa, Asia and the Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean and Europe.

(Source)

The Hands of Time

densblog — Fri, 10 May 2013 08:10:20 +0000

Wished to return watch market original

BAGHDAD – Mahmoud Tiger whenever watching an hour, however, a passer-by Armgaha into curiosity must know its brand, price and origin, spends long hours in the Al-Rashid Street since he was a kid in the sixties of the last century, stands in front of shops selling watches to watch the types of new watches and protect it by heart.

He was able to learn the profession forty years ago self, and became created major surviving on them, as she was more than watch blockbuster at the time working in a “coking,” depends very much front-hour “Albaatk” because it is the most expensive in terms of quality and durability, as price up to about 18 thousand dollars Fmarkh time are determined by the price tag.

“Encountered Watchmaker” Abu Zeinab “a lot of irony while working in buying and selling watches, remembers how came one day people and offered him an hour was dedicated to him by a friend to read Al-Fatiha for the spirit his deceased father and when asked one repairmen watch repaired asked him the amount of $1500, and offered to buy the amount of six thousand dollars was rejected, “Abu Zeinab” That and displayed on the Reformer last turn, wanted to buy the amount of ten thousand dollars until he reached the price to $25,000.

Described the “Abu Zeinab “the world of watches Sea to the one who knows that dive into it and knows the value of clocks may buy an hour with five thousand dinars and sells thousands of dollars and maybe the opposite will happen when those who do not know the hours, they are a profession need to skill.

Believes watches as amazing world, although it has seen in the last period lethargic but soon What I came back to the movement because it runs the precision and commitment, and returned people are looking for brand original watches old, adding that “there are watches presidential completely different their prices specially made for presidents and kings in the world.”

When فاجأته a question about the possibility of the disappearance of this profession, he replied: “everything to the demise and technical exceeded things and shortened distances, profession exists but is subject to evolution unchanged if the things around us.”

And wished “Abu Zeinab,” that “dating circuit instrumentation and re-watch market original as Iraq from developing countries to trying to reach the ranks of developed countries in terms of the possession of modern technology.”

And emphasized that “the modern watch Chinese-made, which sold for 2,000 dinars harmful to human health because the substance” chrome “that enter the body and cause diseases such as allergies because Madenha cheap reverse watch the original, which is composed of a material – elegant furnishings – or platinum – and gold – and Mintha Pearl – these high-end watches to ensure physical and notebook are secured by the company and even in the bank, but not in Iraq.

(Source)

Iraq Dinar Times

Iraq Recognizes Scholars for Scientific Achievement

SCHOLARS HAVE RAISED IRAQ’S PROFILE

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