Retired priest arrested for supporting Palestine Action
In this Unmute, she talks about what led her to stand against the government's decision.
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Qatar Tribune
a day ago
- Qatar Tribune
Russia could be turning to a new crypto called A7A5
Agencies Russia could be turning to a new cryptocurrency called A7A5 to allow money to flow in and out of the country and avoid Western sanctions, experts have told AFP. Multiple rounds of international sanctions have been imposed on Moscow since its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine seeking to ramp up economic pressure to halt the war. But the launch of A7A5 in February this year opened up an alternative payment method for Russian businesses and individuals to sidestep sanctions when trading with foreign partners, the UK-based non-profit Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) said in a report. A7A5 is a stablecoin—a form of cryptocurrency backed by traditional assets—in this case pegged to the ruble, making it harder for Western authorities to monitor than dollar-based alternatives. It was launched by a pro-Russian Moldovan oligarch and a Russian state-owned bank as 'the first ever ruble-pegged stablecoin,' George Voloshin from anti-money laundering group ACAMS told AFP. While it is not widely used yet, experts say its creation marks a significant step in Russia's efforts to reduce its dependence on major crypto companies—many of which cooperate with Western governments. Since Russia was kicked out of the international banking system SWIFT and hit with asset freezes and investment bans, Moscow has already turned to crypto to sidestep financial restrictions imposed by the United States and its allies. Stablecoins are especially attractive because they are less volatile than other cryptocurrencies. People have also used cryptocurrency to donate directly to both the Ukrainian army and Russian militias, according to several analytics firms such as Elliptic. But Russia has faced a problem: USDT, the most popular stablecoin, is tied to the US dollar and controlled by a company called Tether, which cooperates with US and European authorities. Earlier this year, Tether blocked $28 million in USDT held in wallets on Garantex, Russia's largest crypto exchange, which was shut down following a global crackdown on illegal transactions. 'That was a real wake-up call' for Russia, said Elise Thomas, senior investigator at CIR. 'It made them think that they need their own stablecoin, they need something that they control,' she added. Just before Garantex was shut down, tens of millions of dollars were moved from USDT into A7A5, according to data from crypto tracking firm Global Ledger. A7A5 is backed by deposits in Promsvyazbank, a Russian bank under sanctions for its ties to the government and the military. The coin is traded on Grinex, a crypto exchange based in Kyrgyzstan—a country seen as friendlier to Russian interests and less vulnerable to Western pressure.
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Al Jazeera
Malaysians protest rising living costs, demand PM Anwar Ibrahim step down
Thousands of Malaysians have taken to the streets to protest rising living costs and a perceived lack of reform by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's unity government. Saturday's rally, organised by opposition parties, marked the first major protest in Southeast Asia's sixth largest economy since Anwar was propelled to power in elections in 2022. Protesters gathered at various points in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, before converging on Independence Square, carrying placards saying, 'Step down Anwar,' as dozens of police officers kept a close eye. 'He [Anwar] has already governed the country for three years and has yet to fulfil the promises he made,' said Fauzi Mahmud, 35, from Selangor just outside the capital. Anwar 'has been to many countries to bring investments, but we have yet to see anything', he told the AFP news agency, referring to the premier's recent trips, including to Russia and Europe. 'The cost of living is still high.' Al Jazeera's Rob McBride, reporting from Kuala Lumpur, said protesters 'clearly believe' that the prime minister has not delivered on the reforms and the transparency he promised when he was elected. 'This is one of the largest protests we have seen on the streets of Kuala Lumpur in several years,' he said. 'Demonstrators are calling for Ibrahim to step down.' Anwar was appointed the prime minister on a reformist ticket and promised to tackle corruption, nepotism and cronyism within the nation's fractured political system. Days before the rally, he laid out a string of populist measures aimed at addressing voters' concerns, including a cash handout for all adult citizens and a promise to cut fuel prices. On Wednesday, Anwar announced that Malaysians above 18 years of age will receive a one-off payment of 100 ringgit ($23.70), to be distributed from August 31. He added that about 18 million Malaysian motorists will be eligible to buy heavily subsidised medium-octane fuel at 1.99 ringgit ($0.47) per litre, compared with the current price of 2.05 ringgit ($0.49). Political analysts viewed the announcements as a strategic move to appease increasing public frustration and dissuade people from joining Saturday's protest. However, a survey released in June and conducted by the independent Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research found that a majority of voters approve of how Anwar is doing his job. He received a 55 percent approval rating. Reasons included the easing of political turmoil in recent years as well as efforts to raise Malaysia's profile through this year's chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Al Jazeera
At least five killed in courthouse attack in Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan
An attack on a courthouse in southeastern Iran's Sistan-Baluchestan province has killed at least five civilians and injured 13, Iranian media report. A mother and child were among those killed on Saturday by gunmen who threw a hand grenade into the building in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchestan, a senior police official told the state news agency IRNA. IRNA said three of the attackers were also killed during the assault, citing the regional headquarters of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In a statement posted on its Telegram account, Jaish al-Adl (Arabic for Army of Justice), a Baloch armed group based in Pakistan but also active in Iran, claimed responsibility for the attack and urged 'all civilians to immediately evacuate the area of clashes for their safety', Iranian media reported. According to Alireza Daliri, Sistan-Baluchestan's deputy police commander, the attackers tried to enter the building disguised as visitors. The Baloch human rights group HAALVSH, quoting witnesses, said several judiciary staff members and security personnel were killed or wounded when the assailants stormed the judges' chambers. IRNA said emergency personnel were at the scene with the wounded evacuated and transported to medical centres. Sistan-Baluchestan, located on the borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan, is home to Iran's Sunni Muslim Baloch minority, who have long said they are economically marginalised and politically excluded. Some armed groups said they are fighting for greater rights and autonomy. The Iranian government accuses some of them of having ties to foreign governments and being involved in attacks and cross-border smuggling. Fighting between Iranian security forces and the armed groups is frequent in the province, located about 1,200km (745 miles) southeast of the capital, Tehran. The area has been the scene of recurring clashes between Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, and fighters from the Baloch minority and Sunni groups and drug traffickers. In one of the deadliest incidents, 10 police officers were killed in October in what authorities described as a 'terrorist' attack.
