admin
Hollywood has always admired actors willing to go the extra mile, but today’s transformations demand far more than a new haircut or a few weeks in the gym. This week we are taking a look
admin
Bangladesh has rolled out tax breaks and incentives to accelerate solar energy adoption as it grapples with a worsening power crisis linked to global fuel disruptions and domestic supply shortfalls. The measures, introduced in the July 1 national budget, aim to help the country meet its target of generating 20% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030. They include removing customs duties on solar equipment and exempting solar producers and suppliers from income tax. Institutions adopting solar power will also receive a rebate equivalent to 5% of their electricity bills over the next five years. The policy push comes as Bangladesh faces acute energy stress. The country relies heavily on imported natural gas, which accounts for about half of its electricity generation. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz following the US-Israel attack on Iran in February led QatarEnergy—Bangladesh’s largest supplier—to halve shipments this year. The fallout has been severe. Rural areas have endured electricity outages lasting up to 10 hours, while industrial output has dropped by 25% to 30%, according to the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. Rising global energy prices are also fuelling inflation and could cap economic growth at 4.5% this year, the Asian Development Bank said on July 9. Against this backdrop, Dhaka is betting on solar power to reduce import dependence and stabilise supply. The incentives are expected to lower rooftop solar installation costs by 30% to 37%, according to environmental group CLEAN, and encourage large-scale projects, energy storage expansion and grid upgrades. The focus is particularly on industry, including the garment sector, which contributes about 11% to GDP. But critics warn that the approach risks sidelining rural households, where nearly 70% of the population lives. “The tax reforms have raised hopes, but the problem runs much deeper,” said Syeda Rizwana Hasan of the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association. “Electricity outages are severe outside Dhaka, and rural consumers must benefit from any reforms.” Bangladesh’s renewable energy drive has historically lagged. It missed its earlier goal of generating 10% of electricity from renewables by 2020, and current installed capacity stands at just 5%, according to official data. Solar capacity is about 1,515 megawatts. Expanding rooftop solar could significantly ease pressure on imports. Adding 2,000 MW of capacity could save between $476mn and $1 billion annually, estimates the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA). However, scaling up remains a challenge. Bangladesh needs to add roughly 760 MW of renewable capacity each year to meet its 2030 target—more than three times its recent annual average of about 228 MW. Private developers are unlikely to prioritise small household systems, which generate limited returns. Analysts suggest aggregating demand across communities to make rural projects commercially viable. “There is clear potential for rural solar,” said IEEFA analyst Shafiqul Alam. “But it requires new delivery models that bring multiple households together.” Experts say financing is another major constraint. While the government has allocated 171.93bn taka ($1.40bn) to the power and energy sector, only about 2% is earmarked for renewables. Current annual investment of $238mn falls far short of the $933mn to $98 mn needed each year to meet 2030 goals. Industry voices are calling for a dedicated renewable energy fund and expanded access to low-interest loans for households, farmers and small businesses. “Tax incentives are a step forward, but not sufficient,” said Hasan Mehedi of CLEAN. “Without affordable financing and targeted support, smaller consumers will remain excluded from the transition.”Bangladesh’s solar push reflects both necessity and opportunity. But without broader reforms that extend beyond industry and address financing gaps, the country risks deepening existing inequalities even as it seeks to secure its energy future.
admin
US President Donald Trump steps out of Marine One for a visit to Fort Bragg to mark the US Army anniversary, in North Carolina, last year in this file photo. (Reuters) In a recent article marking America’s 250th anniversary, The Economist magazine made an interesting observation. Measured by several criteria, the US of 2026 is “richer, stronger and cleverer than ever”. Yet at the same time, as the piece points out, America’s “dominance appears to be eroding”. Certainly, US military spending is unmatched and it has access to many more overseas bases than any combination of its rivals. On the economic front, though losing ground to China every year, its companies still dominate tech, it is the biggest player in oil and gas, and the dollar remains the world’s reserve currency. Yet it is hard to disagree with The Economist’s conclusion. Time and again, from Afghanistan to Iraq, and during the current conflict with Iran, the US willingness to spend vast amounts on superior warfighting capabilities has not translated into strategic victory. There is also a growing perception, even among long-time partners, that the US is an unreliable ally. It is no longer taken for granted that “American leadership is the one constant in an uncertain world”, as President Obama put it only a decade ago. Instead, in recent decades the US has struggled to demonstrate leadership by providing followers across the world with the security, stability and order they expect from their leader. This point is important. It is far easier to get regional partners to follow you voluntarily when you take their interests into account and are committed to defending those interests. This is as much a matter of political will as material power. The absence of political will quickly translates into a loss of strategic influence that damages a leader’s standing with its followers. To take one example, despite its enormous material advantages over the Assad regime and its Russian patron, the Obama administration’s lack of resolve and strategic clarity in the Syrian civil war diminished America’s leadership. As one of many similar media headlines put it in 2016, “Russia’s grip on Syria tightens as brittle ceasefire deal leaves US out in the cold”. Followers will continue to follow even when the leader ignores their interests or lacks the will to act in support of those interests. They do so because they have no better options or because they fear the leader will unleash punitive measures against them, such as tariffs and sanctions. But this form of leadership is coercive, expensive and consumes a lot of political capital to keep weaker and smaller states, including allies, in line. The result is a downward spiral that undermines the leader’s legitimacy and makes it harder for it to shape the international system in line with its own interests – a key test of geopolitical dominance. All this was evident in mid-April when US allies responded negatively to President Donald Trump’s call for a US-led Hormuz coalition after Iran closed the Strait. Unlike earlier post–Cold War coalitions, where participation was both broad and geographically diverse, the Hormuz initiative struggled from the outset to attract even a core group of committed partners among Washington’s traditional allies. For example, none of the three countries who participated in the initial military invasion of Iraq in 2003 — Australia, the UK and Poland — agreed to get involved. Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland publicly ruled out sending troops. His Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, explained bluntly “This is not our war”. The UK’s Keir Starmer promised his country would “not buckle” under US pressure. This refusal to follow Washington is notable because freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is a shared interest of the entire international community. Nor can we put this non-involvement down to legitimate concerns about escalation with Iran or domestic political opposition. Similar risks and constraints were present in Iraq and Afghanistan yet did not prevent large numbers of states from contributing in various ways. A more persuasive explanation is that in the past America’s allies willingly followed the US more than today. They did so because they believed the relationship, despite real differences on some issues, was based on reciprocity, shared interests and even common values. Spanish prime minister, José María Aznar, explained that he joined the US coalition in Iraq in 2003, despite huge popular opposition at home, because, “The strengthenging of relations with the United States was a priority.” He added, “you cannot ask a friend for help and then later, when that same friends asks you for something, say no”. Contrast this with the position of Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s current prime minister. He called the attack on Iran an “absurd and illegal war”, denied the US access to his country’s military bases and stood up to President Trump when he threatened to cut off trade and kick Spain out of Nato. This is not to say that the era of American power is over. Despite its much-reduced position, the US continues to be the “powerful outsider” at the centre of most regions. The procession of government leaders visiting the White House to pay homage attests to this. Even Sánchez has downplayed his disagreements with Trump. But the recent Hormuz episode, and the wider war with Iran, provide an important indication of how changes in perceptions of US power and leadership are reshaping the geopolitical order. It is also a reminder of something else: that America’s “unipolar moment”, which began with its victory in the Cold War in the early 1990s, was always going to be just that — a moment. It is rare for one state to sustain indefinitely its position as the preeminent militarily, economic and diplomatic actor across all regions at the same time. This state of affairs is always temporary. Eventually, another state or, more usually, a combination of states will, as Napoleon found out, put their differences aside, come together and overturn the unipolar order. Having lived for almost forty years in a world defined by an overwhelming concentration of power in a single state, the US, it is easy to forget that unipolarity is the exception not the norm throughout history. The writer is Professor of International Politics and Director of the Small States and Energy Studies Programs at Georgetown University in Qatar.@RoryDavidMiller
admin
No bank card? No address? No problem. Shoppers in Africa increasingly are buying online from big brands such as Amazon or Walmart even though they have no physical presence on much of the continent. Among those benefiting from the shift are local and foreign package-forwarding companies that use technology and increasing internet penetration in Africa to overcome hurdles, including a lack of formal street addresses and customers with no access to traditional banks. One is Senegalese startup, Afrety, which provides a snapshot of how Africa’s shoppers can rely on intermediaries to buy from the United States, Europe and China and receive the package at their doorstep. Delivering without an addressAfrety’s service provides shoppers with delivery addresses at warehouses in France, the United States and China. Multiple purchases can be consolidated for each customer and repackaged for dispatch to West Africa. On arrival, customs duties are paid, benefiting local governments. Customers without bank cards can pay by digital, mobile money accounts that can be charged with cash at kiosks. Mobile money is used widely in Senegal, along with other parts of Africa, instead of conventional banking. Once the packages arrive in Senegal, motorbikes and vans parked outside Afrety’s depot deliver using GPS across a major city like Dakar. “You have to be very, very, very flexible. That’s the key word,” Souane Diop, the 34-year-old CEO, told Reuters, outside his depot filled with packages labelled Amazon and other international brands. Diop said the company started in 2018 with the aim of connecting informal networks of air travellers between France and Senegal. From small beginnings it has grown to four to five metric tons by air and two to three containers by sea each week. To keep costs low, Afrety rents its warehouse in France and uses partners in the US and China to handle trade there. A revolution in online shopping in AfricaGlobal logistics company Aramex is a much bigger rival, operating two platforms with overlapping services. Whereas Afrety grew out of the deep connections between Senegal and former colonial power France, which has a large Senegalese diaspora population, Aramex in Sub-Saharan Africa relies on MyUS, which began by providing goods for US expatriates living in Africa. Aramex acquired MyUS in 2022 and in addition runs a platform that it created, Shop and Ship, which also delivers to many countries on the continent. Aramex Group Chief Executive Amadou Diallo told Reuters the company aims to serve African customers that want choice and brands otherwise unavailable to them. Angola is one of its main destinations, but it also operates in difficult environments, notably Somalia, which has been riven by war for decades. Online growth funds are finiteAramex says Sub-Saharan Africa is one of its fastest growing regions. The products most in demand are electronics, apparel, toys and machinery for agriculture and auto parts. The company says it plans to double revenue from shipping these and other goods there by 2030. However, constraints on growth remain. For Aramex and also Afrety, customers mostly live in or near major cities, where relative wealth is concentrated. That is because e-commerce in Africa is largely driven by economic hubs, according to Tech Cabal Insights, a consultancy. Internet penetration has reached around 43% of Africa’s 1.5bn people, but only a small fraction have enough income to shop online, it says. Even in Nigeria, West Africa’s economic powerhouse, only 1 in 3 internet users shop online. In poorer regions like Central Africa, only about 1 in 20 people shop online, the consultancy says. The exception of South AfricaSouth Africa, the richest economy in sub-Saharan Africa, dominates the continent’s internet use and stands alone in Africa for its level of online shopping. Online retail volumes in South Africa have grown by close to 35% annually over the last five years to about 140bn rand in 2025 ($7.26bn), Mastercard figures show. The growth has drawn big brands to set up their first operations in sub-Saharan Africa. Amazon launched its first online marketplace in South Africa in 2024, competing with local e-commerce giant Takealot. The first Walmart-branded stores in Africa opened in Johannesburg last year. When asked, neither Amazon nor Walmart commented on whether they were considering expanding to other parts of sub-Saharan Africa. They also did not respond to requests for data on sales volumes to intermediaries. Competition intensifies in strong marketsEven if the online giants remain absent from much of Africa, the intermediaries face other competition. Nigerian retail company Jumia, often known colloquially as the Amazon of Africa, operates in eight countries in sub-Saharan Africa, selling consumer goods ranging from fashion to electronics to home appliances. It has yet to make a profit, but says it expects to break even this year. Its Chief Executive Francis Dufay told Reuters that the company is fending off competition from Chinese retail giants including Temu and Shein by tailoring its services to each country, including opening local help centres and pick-up points in rural areas. Executives at both Jumia and Aramex said Nigeria was among the African e-commerce markets with most potential. The Nigerian government does not routinely publish e-commerce figures but has cited United Nations figures estimating the total at around $75 billion in 2025. Aramex opened a warehouse in Nigeria in April this year. Jumia’s Dufay said business there has grown by around 50% over the last quarter of 2025. “It’s still totally underpenetrated We’re just at the beginning of our transformation In Nigeria,” he said.
admin
As Europe's railways buckle under record heat, roads melt and power grids strain, countries are turning to an array of fixes for ageing infrastructure, from drones inspecting tracks and AI-powered sensors to a surprisingly simple
admin
Millie Cooke, The IndependentAndy Burnham has called for a "serious review" of MPs' security after the murder of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe. The incoming prime minister warned that "something has changed" in politics, saying he
admin
I am not a film buff. I watch a movie or a TV series only if someone insists; otherwise, I would much rather spend my free time reading books, magazines, or newspapers. That is why
admin
Imagine an AI tutor that gently corrects your child's English, patiently answers her questions at midnight, and never runs out of energy. Now imagine that same tutor quietly telling her, in a hundred small ways,
admin
Palestinian officials, media figures, and researchers said that the late His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani left an enduring legacy of support for the Palestinian cause and the protection of Islamic holy sites in Palestine, describing him as an exemplary Arab leader whose contributions will remain etched in the memories of history and the Palestinian people.In statements to Qatar News Agency (QNA), they highlighted the late Father Amir's distinguished leadership, steadfast political positions, and humanitarian and development initiatives, which had a profound impact on Palestinians, particularly in the Gaza Strip. They said his legacy will remain present through the positions he championed and the projects launched during his reign that contributed to strengthening Palestinian resilience.They added that the passing of HH the Father Amir represents the loss of an Arab leader whose name became synonymous with unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, saying that the legacy he left behind reflects the deep ties between Qatar and Palestine and a political and humanitarian approach whose impact remains evident today. They noted that Qatar has continued to stand alongside the Palestinian people through humanitarian and relief aid, as well as political support for their legitimate national rights, including freedom, independence, and statehood.For his part, Director of the Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip, Ismail al-Thawabta, praised the humanitarian and historic role played by the State of Qatar during the era of the late HH the Father Amir, particularly in helping break the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip. He said that amid the historic turning points and major challenges faced by the Palestinian people, the humanitarian and principled positions adopted by Qatar represented significant milestones, reflecting the pioneering role led by the State through initiatives launched and sponsored by the late HH the Father Amir.No Palestinian or Arab can overlook the strategic contributions and profound humanitarian interventions established by Qatar’s vision during the era of the late HH the Father Amir. That vision served as a key pillar in strengthening the resilience of Palestinians and helping them remain steadfast on their land, he added.He noted that the historic and unprecedented visit by the late HH the Father Amir to the Gaza Strip in 2012 represented the first official and practical declaration of breaking the political and economic siege imposed on the Strip. He said the visit was a bold step and a strong message of Arab solidarity that challenged efforts to isolate Gaza, restored hope among Palestinians, and paved the way for a new phase of reconstruction and development in the face of destruction and aggression.Al-Thawabta said Qatar’s genuine political will translated into concrete action through the launch of the Qatar-funded reconstruction grant, which brought about a significant transformation in the Strip’s infrastructure. He highlighted several major development projects implemented under the initiative, including the construction of Hamad City residential complex, the rehabilitation and expansion of vital roads in Gaza, including Salah al-Din and al-Rashid streets, as well as the establishment of major medical facilities, most notably the Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics, which he described as a lifeline for those injured in conflicts and people with disabilities, among other projects.The Director of the Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip stated that Qatar’s vision during the era of the late HH the Father Amir extended beyond rebuilding infrastructure to strengthening human resilience. He added that the initiatives and projects launched under his leadership, and later continued and expanded under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, created a genuine social safety net.Al-Thawabta pointed out that these projects and initiatives included support for the energy sector, the provision of fuel needed to operate Gaza’s power plant, and regular financial assistance to hundreds of thousands of vulnerable families to help them cope with extreme poverty resulting from the blockade. They also covered support for education, agriculture, and the fishing sector, as well as the provision of temporary employment opportunities to assist young people and graduates.Concluding his remarks to QNA, he emphasized that these development projects and relief interventions have had a profound and direct impact on the lives of Palestinians, forming a key pillar in aiding civilians living under occupation and siege, and representing a unique model worthy of emulation internationally.Editor-in-chief of Safa News Agency Mohammed Abu Qamar, said Palestinians remember with great pride the late HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani's stances and support he provided to strengthen the resilience of the Palestinian people, particularly in the Gaza Strip.Abu Qamar said, in exclusive statements to QNA, that these positions went beyond political statements and were reflected in practical projects that had a clear impact on the lives of Palestinians. He noted that His Highness was among the most prominent Arab leaders who defended the rights of the Palestinian people and translated that support into strategic projects, including Hamad Residential City, infrastructure initiatives, road network development, and support for the health sector. He said these projects continue to have an impact today, reflecting a practical commitment based on an understanding of Palestinian needs.Abu Qamar stressed that the approach established by the late HH the Father Amir during his rule has continued under the patronage of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, becoming an established Qatari policy whose benefits remain visible and ongoing. He added that Qatar continues to be a true partner of the Palestinian people and a supporter of their resilience, standing by them through humanitarian and relief assistance, as well as political positions supporting their legitimate national rights, foremost among them the right to freedom, independence, and the establishment of an independent state.He concluded his remarks by saying that the passing of HH the Father Amir brought widespread sadness among Palestinians, particularly in Gaza, as they recognise the scale of his historic positions in support of their resilience and hold deep appreciation for the genuine support he provided to their cause.Writer and political analyst Mohammed Mustafa Shaheen observed that HH the Father Amir is present in the Palestinian consciousness as one of the most prominent supporters of the Palestinian cause.In remarks to QNA, Shaheen said the late HH the Father Amir's initiatives in support of Palestinians in Gaza came at a time when the Strip was facing an escalating siege and worsening humanitarian conditions. He said these initiatives carried a political and moral message affirming that Palestine was a permanent Arab and Islamic responsibility.The writer and political analyst added that HH the late Father Amir's visit to the Gaza Strip constituted a historic milestone that broke the political isolation imposed on the Strip, bringing hope to the Palestinians.He noted that the name of the late HH the Father Amir remains engraved in the Palestinian national memory due to the reconstruction projects, roads, hospitals, housing, and everything that alleviated the effects of the siege and wars.Researcher and political analyst Wissam Afifa affirmed that Palestinians remember a great leader whose name is synonymous with sincere support for the Palestinian cause and who left a political and humanitarian legacy still evident in the Gaza Strip to this day.Afifa said that the Palestinian cause during the reign of His Highness was integral to Qatar's foreign policy. This support included defending Palestinian rights, sponsoring reconciliation efforts, hosting dialogues between factions, and working to keep the issue present on both the Arab and international agendas.He recalled several key milestones during the late HH the Father Amir's era, particularly his call for an emergency Arab summit during the Israeli aggression on Gaza in late 2008, despite the political pressures facing Doha at the time. He emphasized that the late HH the Father Amir insisted that the events in Gaza required an Arab position that went beyond traditional statements of condemnation.He described His Highness's visit to the Gaza Strip in 2012 as "the most vivid memory for Gazans", explaining that it was not a mere protocol visit, but rather one that carried with it a reconstruction program and a political message affirming that Gaza was not an isolated area and that its siege should not become a fait accompli.The Palestinian researcher and political analyst pointed out that the impact of that visit was not limited to its political dimension, but extended to sustainable projects, most notably Hamad Residential City, major road projects, development initiatives, and the Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani Hospital for Rehabilitation and Prosthetics. These projects contributed to providing housing, services, and stability for thousands of Palestinian families, changing Gaza's landscape. Related Story
