https://english.almayadeen.net/in-pictures/the-canadian-qanon-queen
I love Mayadeen. This is a huge red pill. Everyone is shocked. The public watching Mayadeen is now wondering who is QAnon and what are those conspiration theories they are talking about.
I love it. Kek!
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/economics/angola-considering-joining-russias-mir-payment-system
Angola considering joining Russia’s Mir Payment System
Angola may join the Mir payment system, which was developed by Russia in response to Western sanctions, and allow the use of Mir cards in the country, RIA Novosti reported on Saturday, citing Luanda’s Ambassador to Russia Augusto da Silva Cunha.
“Technically, the use of the Mir system in Angola is possible … I believe that Angola can join this system, but under condition of worthwhileness,” he said.
“This will crucially depend on the level of our financial and economic relations as well as on the amount of investments in the country. The Angolan government is fully open to Russian investors, and if their share is significant, then, of course, it would be rational and logical to join this system and accept it,” da Silva Cunha added.
The envoy also said that the two nations may switch to mutual settlements in national currencies, adding that the Russian ruble could easily be used for this purpose.
Russia started developing its own national payment system when the US targeted it with sanctions in 2014. Back then clients of several Russian banks were temporarily unable to use Visa and Mastercard due to the restrictions.
Launched in 2017, Mir is a Russian banking system, meaning both "peace" and "world" in the language. With the West's current isolation measures of Russia, Iran, Cuba, and other countries from the SWIFT banking system, friendlier alternatives have been on the rise in a bid to combat the West's economic hegemony and aggression.
Since the introduction of the new system, Russian banks have already issued more than 129 million MIR cards. They are currently accepted in Turkey, Vietnam, Armenia, South Korea, Uzbekistan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, South Ossetia, and Abkhazia.
Last week, the Iranian finance ministry's banking and insurance department said that Iran could join the Mir payment system within months of when talks between Tehran and Moscow reach a conclusion. This, according to Qorban Eskandari, the department's head, could be in the very near future.
Ehud Yaari, Israeli Channel 12's Arab affairs commentator said in response to this that he does not think there is a way to stop Russian-Iranian cooperation.
He indicated that Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi spoke four times with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, adding that this does not usually happen between countries in such a short period of time without a time of crisis.
Earlier this month, Indian media reported that the country’s ATMs and terminals may soon start accepting Russian MIR debit and credit cards, while Russia was planning to reciprocate and begin accepting Indian RuPay.
In July, the head of the economic department of the UAE Embassy in Moscow, Ahmed Al-Ketb, said the nations had started negotiating an agreement that would allow the use of the Mir payment system cards in the Gulf state.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/economics/ban-on-russian-tourists-in-the-eu-will-cost-21-billion-in-lo
Ban on Russian tourists in the EU will cost €21 billion in losses
The EU will lose around €21 billion ($20.97 billion) if it bars Russian tourists from entering the bloc, State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin wrote on his official Telegram channel on Thursday, commenting on what he called “the frenzy of proposals to ban our citizens from entering the EU continues.”
“According to the most conservative estimates, Europe is going to lose €21 billion because of restrictions on the entry of our citizens. By drawing an iron curtain around their countries, they punish themselves because of their own stupidity and ignorance,” Volodin stated.
According to the official, 80% of the world’s population does not support the sanctions against Moscow, which means Russian tourists have a myriad of places to visit outside the EU. Moreover, he suggests that Russia’s own tourism infrastructure should be developed to accommodate domestic travel.
“We have a huge number of beautiful places. Everything should be done to create conditions for travel and recreation in our country,” he said.
In early August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mused that the Russians should “live in their own world until they change their philosophy,” and urged the West to refuse entry to Russian tourists. Moscow responded by saying that such proposals would only have a negative effect on all involved and called the measure “discriminatory.”
On August 9, the Kremlin said that Zelensky's proposal to ban all Russians from visiting Western countries was "out of the charts" and viewed "extremely negatively" by Moscow.
Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said "the irrationality of thinking, in this case, is off the charts," adding that "this can only be viewed extremely negatively."
"Any attempt to isolate Russians or Russia is a process that has no prospects," Peskov considered.
The spokesperson recalled events in the run-up to and during World War II, saying that "in their unfriendliness, many of these countries slip into forgetfulness."
"And they resort to statements that we heard from several EU countries in the center of Europe 80 years ago," Peskov indicated.
However, a number of EU nations later expressed support for Zelensky’s proposal. An informal meeting of EU foreign ministers is scheduled for the end of August when they will discuss the possibility of introducing visa restrictions for Russian tourists, European Commission representative Anita Hipper said last week.
Some countries have recently sought to ban all Russians from entering the Schengen territory.
The Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Poland, and the Netherlands have limited the issuance of Schengen visas to Russian citizens.
Calls have been mounting for the European Commission to ban Russian tourists from entering the EU’s borderless area over the war in Ukraine.
France and Germany have so far refused to back Baltic and some central EU states on their initiative citing the freedom of travel principle.
The issue will be on the agenda of the upcoming informal EU ministerial meeting that will take place in Prague on August 30-31.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/economics/egypt-dims-lights-to-increase-foreign-reserves
Egypt dims lights to 'increase foreign reserves'
Egypt's streets are dimmed down by an economic crisis, as the government dims lights to free up energy for export and bolster hard currency reserves.
The war in Ukraine had an immediate impact on Egypt, the world's largest wheat importer, which has relied on Russia and Ukraine for more than 80% of its grain.
After seeking a loan from the International Monetary Fund after February 24, Egypt is now pumping more natural gas abroad to boost its foreign currency reserves, a move that has drawn criticism.
Furthermore, the war in Ukraine has also harmed the country's vital tourism sector, reducing the flow of tourists to a country still reeling from the 2011 events and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Economic growth slowed to 3.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2021-22, down from 7.7 percent the previous year, despite an annual expansion of 6.6 percent.
Despite the better-than-expected annual figure, the government stated that growth had slowed due to "global political and economic developments."
Furthermore, Egypt's monetary policy has been caught between a rock and a hard place.
In July, inflation reached a three-year high of 14.6 percent after Egypt devalued the pound, raising import prices and depleting forex reserves by $7.8 billion since February to $33.1 billion in July.
Egypt is negotiating an IMF loan reportedly to help mitigate the effects of the war in Ukraine, with the country having 30 percent of its 103 million people living in poverty.
However, the negotiations have dragged on for six months, raising eyebrows among analysts.
"The fact that talks with the IMF have dragged is probably a sign that some officials are reluctant to follow through on the Fund's demands and would prefer to rely on support from the oil-flush Gulf economies," London's Capital Economics said.
In 2016, Cairo received a $12 billion IMF loan, which required it to cut subsidies and devalue the pound.
Egypt received two more loans in 2020, including $5.4 billion tied to reforms and $2.8 billion to combat Covid.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/kuwaiti-government-calls-for-election-in-september-amid-poli
Kuwaiti government calls for election in September amid political feud
The Kuwaiti government on Sunday called for a legislative election on September 29, the state news agency said, two months after parliament was dissolved amid simmering political tensions.
Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah issued a decree calling on voters to elect a new 50-seat assembly, KUNA reported.
The only Gulf state with a fully elected legislature and the key oil producer has been hit by regular feuding between the ruling Al-Sabah family and the assembly.
The current government was formed at the start of August after the previous cabinet resigned in April, just three months after being sworn in.
That came amid growing disputes between that cabinet and opposition MPs, who had won nearly half the seats in the legislature during the previous election in December 2020.
The opposition has regularly accused ministers from the royal family of mismanagement and corruption.
Crown Prince Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah dissolved the assembly in June after opposition lawmakers staged an eight-day strike in the legislature.
He also dissolved the parliament earlier this month, saying that domestic politics were being "torn by disagreement and personal interests," following a protest held by more than a dozen MPs inside parliament pressing Al-Sabah to appoint a new government.
It is noteworthy that the standoff has delayed the approval of a state budget for the fiscal year 2022/2023, which has to be voted on before November, and other economic reforms.
An official decree, reported by the KUNA news agency, said nominations were now open for candidates to register ahead of the September vote.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/qatar-gets-first-batch-of-eurofighter-typhoon-aircraft-from
Qatar gets first batch of Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft from UK: Report
The first cargo of 24 Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft has arrived in Qatar from the United Kingdom, according to the Qatar News Agency (QNA).
At the Dukhan/Tamim Airbase on Saturday, Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani greeted the arrival of the fighter planes.
The Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft would be deployed as part of a squadron with F15-QA and Rafale planes to provide security during the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year, according to QNA.
A memorandum of agreement between the governments of Qatar and the UK details the support that will be given, including the creation of joint British-Qatari Typhoon and Hawk squadrons to educate pilots and technicians.
Qatar has been trying to expand its political and military ties with major Western powers. Just last month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his Qatari counterpart Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani at the Department of State headquarters in Washington. The US secretary considered Qatar a vital partner for the US and expressed Washington's gratitude for Qatar's role in the peace talks on Afghanistan and the situation in Palestine.
The US Secretary of State continued, noting that the relationship with Qatar goes beyond business, by saying that Qatar is "a vital partner for the United States in so many different areas… but beyond that, really a partner in trying to advance peace, trying to advance progress in the region, and of course, to stand against terrorism - a vital ally in the effort against ISIS."
For his part, the Qatari Foreign Minister expressed his hope that his country would play a bigger role in helping in mediating some of the conflicts that will help in maintaining stability in the region, noting that "the relationship between Qatar and the US has been, for decades, nothing but growing."
In March, US President Joe Biden made the decision to designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally of the US, a promise he had made to Qatar earlier this year in their January meeting. This designation is usually given to allies that have a strategic relationship with the US military.
Biden had told reporters during his January meeting with Qatar's Emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani: "I am notifying Congress that I will designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally to reflect the importance of our relationship."
At the time, Biden also welcomed a major deal between Qatar Airways and Boeing concerning the supply of 34 777-8 wide-body cargo aircraft. The deal was said to pave the way for ordering 16 more in the future.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/armed-violence-in-tripoli-kills-12-injured-87
Armed violence in Tripoli kills 12, injured 87+
Armed violence in Tripoli, Libya intensified on Saturday night, with 12 people killed and 87 injured, according to the Libyan Health Ministry, calling the number a 'preliminary' figure. There is no confirmation as to whether those who have been killed are civilians or combatants.
Videos are circulating on social media, with one video depicting plumes of black smoke releasing in the air over Tripoli, and armed personnel and military hardware moving through the streets.
Other videos show residential buildings being hit with artillery weapons, with shooting and blasts being heard in other media.
This may mark the worst fighting in two years, where two sides are vying for control of the oil-rich North African nation: Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Dbeibah's Tripoli-based National Unity Government, and Fathi Bashagha's administration that is supported by the Libyan parliament based in Tobruk.
On Saturday evening, a major militant group based in Tripoli assaulted a rival base, using small arms, machine guns, and mortars.
Libyan military sources confirmed Saturday that the forces of Major-General Salem Jeha, loyal to the Libyan designate-government headed by Fathi Bashagha, are approaching the eastern entrance of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and are ready to march in.
The sources told Sputnik that since the early morning hours, the forces have been moving with all military might, with its weapons and vehicles, heading from Misrata to Tripoli, the capital, and will not stop until they reach it.
The sources added that if the forces are attacked, they will deal with the fire source.
On the other hand, a Libyan military source in Misrata confirmed that the "Himayat Al-Dustoor" forces, - or, what translates to "Constitution Protection" forces - loyal to the National Unity Government headed by Abdel Hamid Dbeibah, are preparing to deploy towards Tripoli and close the coastal road.
The fun part is that they don't have the pilots to fly them. Gotta send them training. It's like buying a nice car, but you don't know how to drive it, so it sits in the garage until you learn to drive.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/turkey-calls-on-france-to-recognize-its-colonial-past
Turkey calls on France to recognize its colonial past
The Turkish Foreign Ministry is calling on France to acknowledge the consequence of its colonial past without blaming other nations, ministry spokesman Tanju Bilgic said on Saturday.
According to Turkish media, during his recent visit to Algeria, French President Emmanuel Macron claimed the existence of networks in Turkey, Russia, and China that demonstrate neocolonialist and imperialist aspirations and act against France in Africa.
"We hope that France will reach as soon as possible the maturity to face its colonial past without blaming other countries, including Turkiye," Bilgic said in a statement.
The ministry stressed that Macron's remarks against Turkey were unacceptable and drew attention to the developing beneficial relations between Algeria and Turkey.
"If France supposes that there are reactions against it in the African continent, it should search for the source of these reactions in its colonial past and its efforts to still pursue this with different methods and it must try to repair it," the document read, adding that "to claim that these reactions are caused by the activities of third countries, instead of confronting and solving the problems related to their own past, is not only to deny a sociological phenomenon and history but also reflects the distorted mentality of some politicians."
France retained its colonies in Africa roughly until the 1960s, exercising its dominance over North, Western, and Equatorial Africa. Shortly after the formation of the Fifth French Republic in 1958, countries such as Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Congo, Chad, and the Central African Republic gained independence.
Despite this fact, Paris failed to completely abandon the region, continuing to intervene in internal affairs of the region, including by military means, prompting states like Mali to demand its complete withdrawal and non-interference.
What happened in Mali?
Mali has been under threat from terrorists since 2012 and has witnessed two military coups since 2020.
Colonels angry at the government's handling of the long-running insurgency seized power in August 2020, then carried out another coup in May the following year.
The junta that came to power in August 2020 has had sharp tensions with France, which had sent troops to its former colony in what many saw as a bid to still have a foothold in the country.
The Malian people have a profound sentiment of resentment toward France that, during about 10 years of its military presence in Mali, failed to achieve any tangible achievements in terms of the country's security, political instability, and economic issues.
As a result, Paris lost the legal basis for carrying out military operations in Mali after the West African nation withdrew from defense agreements with France, the Malian government had said.
On July 22, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russian and African partners are working on reducing, though gradually, trade in the US dollar and the euro in mutual trade payments.
Russia has long advocated for the establishment of an independent and efficient financial system independent from the SWIFT system that is "proof against the potential impact from the unfriendly States."
Moscow has continued to fulfill its obligations to supply food, fertilizers, and energy to African countries, regardless of western sanctions.
It has also supplied Mali with several warplanes and helicopters with the intent to fight off a jihadist campaign that began in the north of the country in 2012.
The attacks have spread to the center and south of Mali and into Niger and Burkina Faso. Across the region, thousands of people have died and more than two million have fled their homes.
Where France has failed secure its credibility, Russia succeeded beyond expectations.
Relations between Africa and France are yet to further unfold ahead of deepening tensions between the West and Russia.
>> Both are hypocrites.
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/3-dutch-commandos-injured-in-shooting-outside-indiana-hotel
3 Dutch commandos injured in shooting outside Indiana hotel
A shooting outside a hotel in Indianapolis, US on Friday night injured three Dutch commandos who were in the country for training operations, according to the Dutch Defense Ministry.
A statement that was released on Saturday stated that one of them was in severe condition. It added that local authorities were looking into the event and that the guys were in Indiana for training purposes.
There have been no detentions.
The inquiry is being handled by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), which was not immediately available for comment. It appears that an altercation had occurred earlier at a different location from the Hampton Inn in downtown Indianapolis, an IMPD police officer reported on FOX 59.
"Right now the information we're willing to disclose is that it was not something that occurred inside the hotel," the officer told the news channel. "It was a previous altercation we believe at another location. It did not happen inside the Hampton, the actual occurrence was outside."
Although no further details were disclosed, it is worth highliting that this incident is no stranger to the United States which has been witnessing a high number of shootings this year.
A few days ago, four individuals were killed in a shooting incident in Arizona, including a female constable, according to media reports.
Constable Deborah Martinez-Garibay was serving an eviction notice at a home complex when the incident occurred, according to KGUN9.
Furthermore, last week, three people were shot in Atlanta's Midtown area, according to police who announced that the shooter is on the loose.
The Atlanta Police Department advised residents to avoid the Midtown area streets while officers investigated. The victims' conditions were unknown, and the police department's information was described as "preliminary".
https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/france-algeria-declare-irreversible-dynamic-of-progress-in-t
France, Algeria declare "irreversible dynamic of progress" in ties
French President Emmanuel Macron and his Algerian counterpart Abdelmadjid Tebboune Saturday declared a "new, irreversible dynamic of progress" in their nations' ties, concluding a visit by Macron aimed at ending months of tensions.
Macron's visit comes less than two months after Algeria marked six decades of independence following 132 years of French colonialism.
It also comes as European powers struggle to replace Russian energy imports - including with supplies from Algeria, Africa's top gas exporter.
In their joint declaration on Saturday, the two leaders said "France and Algeria have decided to open a new era … laying the foundation for a renewed partnership expressed through a concrete and constructive approach, focused on future projects and youth."
At the signing ceremony, Tebboune described the French President's visit as an "excellent, successful visit… which allowed for a rapprochement which wouldn't have been possible without the personality of President Macron himself."
Macron visited Algeria on Thursday hoping "to lay a foundation to rebuild and develop" a tense relationship with the North African nation, especially since ties between Paris and Algiers became particularly stormy last year when Macron questioned Algeria's existence as a nation before the French occupation and accused the government of fomenting "hatred toward France."
Tebboune withdrew his country's ambassador in response and banned French military aircraft from its airspace. Normal diplomatic relations have since resumed, along with overflights to French army bases in sub-Saharan Africa.
On Friday, Macron considered that the African nation helped Europe diversify its energy supplies by pumping more gas to Italy.
French politicians angered by Macron's proposals
During his visit, Macron announced that an additional 8,000 Algerian students would be admitted to study in France this year, joining 30,000 already in the country. He also announced the creation of a joint commission of historians to examine the colonial period.
However, in France, both left and right-wing politicians were angered by the proposal.
Far-right leader Thomas Menage tweeted that Algeria should stop "using its past to avoid establishing true, friendly diplomatic relations."
Meanwhile, Socialist party leader Olivier Faure noted that in 2017, Macron had called French colonialism a "crime against humanity," then later questioned the existence of Algeria as a nation prior to the colonial period.
"The lightness with which he deals with the subject is an insult to wounded memories," Faure tweeted.