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The Medical Unit of the Qatari Hajj Mission has affirmed its full readiness to deliver top-notch healthcare services to pilgrims from the State of Qatar, in close coordination with the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).Head of the medical unit of the Qatari Hajj Mission, Dr. Khalid Abdul Hadi, emphasized that the State of Qatar spares no effort in mobilizing all necessary medical capabilities and qualified personnel to safeguard the health and well-being of pilgrims, from the moment of their departure until their safe return.The well-being of pilgrims from Qatar is a top priority, as the medical unit operates around the clock, hiring exceptional family medicine, emergency, and epidemic physicians, alongside nursing teams, paramedics, and pharmacists who have been deployed to escort the pilgrims and provide healthcare services at the highest professional standard, Dr. Hadi highlighted.He added that both male and female medical clinics have been outfitted in Makkah Al Mukarramah and the holy sites, Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah, in addition to isolation, inpatient, and observation rooms, all designated to ensure rapid intervention in emergency cases.As part of a broader step to foster the medical framework of the mission, an agreement was signed this year with Saudi German Hospital Makkah, one of the Kingdom's most premium tertiary care institutions, to serve the pilgrims in case of any emerging emergencies, he said.Under this arrangement, the pilgrims will be granted priority treatment at the facility, while the hospital also provides highly skilled and specialized medical personnel to be embedded within the medical unit of the Qatari Hajj Mission headquarters for this year's season, in a concerted effort to ensure the highest standards of care for the pilgrims, Dr. Hadi explained.He stressed that pilgrims should adhere to the Saudi health requirements to get the essential vaccination shots, particularly meningitis (valid for five years), and a COVID-19 vaccination certificate, as well as receiving the seasonal influenza vaccine.It is extremely paramount for pilgrims to have these vaccinations 14 days prior to their travel, and they are available in the PHCC's centers across Qatar. Those with chronic diseases should reach out to their personal physicians to make sure they are fit to perform the Hajj rites, Dr. Hadi stressed.Dr. Hadi further explained that a special medical form has been updated for pilgrims over 60 years old, which includes a comprehensive assessment to ensure they are capable of performing Hajj rites without any potential health complications.He urged individuals with chronic conditions, particularly those with diabetes, to carry a personal medical kit to properly store medications and insulin based on recommended safety standards.In addition, he called on pilgrims to adopt preventive measures to avoid heatstroke, such as staying well-hydrated, wearing protective head coverings or using umbrellas, and maintaining strict personal hygiene, including frequent handwashing, to remain shielded against infectious and dermatological diseases.As for coordination with Hajj delegations, Dr. Hadi highlighted that the liaison unit of the Qatari Hajj Mission plays a critical role in maintaining direct communication with the delegations and streamlining medical response operations. This is ensured through a 24-hour hotline and the deployment of medical teams across all pilgrimage sites to guarantee swift intervention in health-related cases.He noted that the buildings of the Qatari Hajj Mission in Makkah comprise a dedicated floor for medical isolation, in addition to triage and rapid-diagnosis clinics, as well as treatment clinics for both men and women, and an entire floor designated for immediate clinical evaluation.Field clinics have been fully equipped at the holy sites in Mina and Arafat, with a mobile medical team escorting the pilgrims in Muzdalifah. The medical unit's personnel remain in close accompaniment to the pilgrims wherever they go, ensuring the provision of healthcare services, medical care consistent with the highest standards, and all necessary emergency response.The unit also made certain that an ambulance remains assigned to the Medical Unit throughout the Hajj season, Dr. Hadi noted.Finally, Dr. Hadi confirmed that all Qatari medical service personnel will remain on high alert to operate with high competence across all the mission's sites. He urged all pilgrims to adhere to the health tips, exercise strict diligence in terms of protection, and follow the instructions to ensure a secure and serene pilgrimage season.

The succession of global shocks over the past two decades – including the 2008 global financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasions of Ukraine, and rising inflation – has fuelled a resurgence of industrial policy across Europe. But the added shock of Donald Trump’s return to the White House has underscored the urgency of bolstering domestic economic resilience and integrating national and regional security priorities into economic policymaking.For the European Union and the United Kingdom – which are now facing an openly hostile US administration – the digital economy must become a central focus. Former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi’s report on EU competitiveness and the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan both highlight digital and AI technologies as potential engines of future innovation and growth.The challenge, however, lies in reducing Europe’s heavy reliance on major US tech firms. Whereas president Joe Biden’s administration took a confrontational approach toward Big Tech, the Trump administration has signalled that any future trade agreement will hinge on the EU scaling back its push for new digital regulations and taxes.For Europe, business as usual is no longer an option. Policymakers must develop a coherent and strategic alternative to reliance on American technology. If this sounds like a quixotic endeavour, consider the creation of Airbus, which started as Europe’s answer to Boeing. An “Airbus for AI” – a publicly funded, commercially operated alternative to US-based platforms – is both feasible and necessary.Recent experience has exposed the vulnerability of Europe’s public services and private sector to the whims of US tech executives whose top priority is to remain on good terms with their own government. Elon Musk’s willingness to breach Starlink contracts with European governments has fuelled concerns about the reliability of American platforms, as have efforts by other US firms to exploit trade tensions to lobby against European tech regulations like the EU’s Digital Markets Act and the UK’s Online Safety Act.Consequently, even if the Trump administration were to reverse its protectionist policies tomorrow, doubts about the trustworthiness of US tech companies would persist. And since Chinese tech platforms are equally problematic, it is increasingly evident that European governments must begin developing an independent digital and AI ecosystem.Politicians often shy away from necessary decisions that seem too difficult or costly. Yet in a new policy brief, Joshua Tan, Brandon Jackson, and I argue that a public-private commercial model for building large-scale European AI systems – known as foundation models – is technically and financially viable, and could be launched quickly.While European research laboratories and institutes already collaborate, they still lack a coordinated product strategy and a clear pathway from innovation to market. Airbus should serve as a blueprint. The company was established in 1970, when European governments recognised that their national aviation firms were too fragmented to compete with Boeing. France and Germany – later joined by the UK and Spain – formed a consortium that pooled expertise, resources, and funding to develop cutting-edge, innovative aircraft.Although the Airbus project emphasised commercial viability from the outset, it was also supported by public financing and industrial-policy tools such as advance purchase commitments, research investment, and technical training. Domestic political imperatives were addressed by distributing the benefits among participating countries through supply-chain specialisation.The Airbus project achieved a major breakthrough with the A300, demonstrating the potential of aligning scientific research with market needs. Developing a twenty-first-century AI equivalent will require similarly large infrastructure investments and sustained political commitment.Fortunately, the building blocks for such a model are already in place and could be mobilised quickly by a select group of European governments. Many are already investing in national public computing facilities, and several leading European labs – such as those participating in LLMs4Europe – have begun releasing cutting-edge foundation models that push the boundaries of AI research.Coordinating these efforts will be essential to achieving the necessary scale. In addition to creating value for taxpayers, this will help European alternatives differentiate themselves from dominant US tech firms – a key condition for commercial viability. Private companies like France’s Mistral show that a robust European market could be catalysed and given a defensive moat through coordinated strategic action. Singapore has also demonstrated the potential for effective public-private partnerships – though not yet at scale – and other successful models have emerged in the semiconductor sectors of Japan and the US.Given US incumbents’ first-mover advantage, any European initiative will require significant public support. But such support doesn’t have to come solely through direct funding. It can also take the form of access to public computing resources, tax advantages tied to public-interest commitments, preferential access to government datasets unavailable to US firms, and purchasing commitments from public institutions.Moreover, market demand can be further stimulated through targeted measures. For example, the EU’s AI Champions initiative, which focuses on high-value industrial applications, could serve as a powerful catalyst once a European consortium is ready to supply the necessary technology.The strategic and economic case for developing an alternative to US and Chinese AI is compelling. But a public-private, commercially driven European AI initiative should do more than serve industrial policy and security objectives; it must also reflect the culture and values of the continent’s middle powers. American-developed AI models increasingly project a US-centric worldview – one that is rapidly, and perhaps irrevocably, diverging from Europe’s. It is time for European countries to chart their own course. — Project SyndicateDiane Coyle, Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge, is the author, most recently, of The Measure of Progress: Counting What Really Matters.

Tom Cruise hit the Cannes Film Festival’s red carpet yesterday to a live band rendition of the Mission: Impossible theme song as organisers pulled out all the stops to celebrate what may be the action star’s last appearance in the franchise. Expectations had been high for Cruise’s return to Cannes three years after he had presented Top Gun: Maverick with a colourful jet flyover. He could be seen mouthing “wow” and “bravo” to the band during the performance. Cruise, 62, greeted fans who had been waiting hours in the French Riviera resort town’s unrelenting sun before joining the other stars of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning to walk the carpet. Fellow cast members Hayley Atwell, Pom Klementieff, Greg Tarzan Davis, Angela Bassett, Esai Morales and Hannah Waddingham posed with Cruise, even snapping a few selfies themselves, before heading into the red-bedecked Grand Lumiere Theatre. US actors Zoe Saldana and Eva Longoria, as well as Andie MacDowell, sporting a suit, and Cannes jury member Halle Berry were also spotted on their way to the Cannes premiere. Cruise reprises the role of agent Ethan Hunt for the eighth time in the latest iteration in the series from director Christopher McQuarrie due to hit US theatres on May 23. With a budget of about $400mn, the new Mission: Impossible is one of several big-name films that cinema operators are hoping will help them stay on the road to recovery this year, five years after the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Box office receipts totalled $8.6bn last year in the United States and Canada, 25% below the pre-pandemic heights of $11.4bn in 2019.

The Public Works Authority (Ashghal) announced the launch of an ambitious five-year plan worth more than QR 81 billion to implement vital projects across various infrastructure sectors, ranging from the development of citizens' lands, government building projects, sewage networks to strategic outfalls. This strategic step outlines the features of Qatar's infrastructure over the next five years.This was unveiled during a press conference, during which HE President of Ashghal Engineer Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al Meer outlined the most prominent features of the new plan, which complements a rich history of infrastructure achievements that have contributed to qualitative leaps over the past years, particularly during the period of hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.HE Al Meer said that Ashghal is going to launch and implement a wide range of development projects during the coming period as part of the five-year plan 2025-2029, which is the biggest in the Authority's history in terms of the volume of investments and the number of projects. He added that these projects include the development of citizens' lands through the implementation of an integrated infrastructure that takes into account the concepts of 'humanization of cities' and focuses on improving the quality of life, in addition to constructing government buildings that serve vital sectors such as health, education, sports, and culture.He also stated that the Authority will implement advanced sewage and rainwater drainage projects, including strategic tunnels, pumping and treatment stations, and home connections, with the aim of reducing flooding and enhancing the efficiency of the national network.On the most prominent future projects, HE Al Meer announced the launch of the strategic outfalls project this year, one of the biggest sustainable projects for draining rainwater in the north and south of Doha, with plans to reuse the water for irrigation and cooling purposes, explaining that the project will consist of two phases: the first will see the launch of the main tunneling works in 2025, and the second will launch the sub-tunneling works in early 2026, in coordination with the Ministry of Municipality and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.As part of the state's drive to strengthen the role of the private sector, His Excellency revealed new projects to be implemented under a public-private partnership system. The most notable of these projects is the development of infrastructure for more than 5,500 residential plots in various areas, he said, noting that the work involves the implementation of internal road networks and linking them to surrounding roads, in addition to the complete infrastructure of sewage and treated water, landscaping, and street lighting.He also said that the Authority is considering tendering the second phase of the wastewater treatment plant project in Al Wakra and Al Wukair under a partnership framework.Regarding pending projects, HE Al Meer noted that Ashghal adopted alternative plans and exceptional measures to support current contractors and ensure the completion of work, emphasizing that corrective measures will be taken to evaluate the performance of contractors and consultants and accelerate the pace of completion while maintaining quality and safety standards.As part of the government's commitment to enhancing the continued growth of the contracting sector, Ashghal announced financial and regulatory support worth QAR 21 billion provided to the sector, including in direct payments and burden-relief measures, particularly following the repercussions of the Covid-19 pandemic. These measures include replacing maintenance reserves with bank guarantees in advanced projects, extending contracts for pending projects, and activating periodic contractor performance evaluations.The Authority also reported significant progress in implementing the local added value program (ICV), which aims to support local companies and enhance economic independence. It recorded positive results, most notably an increase in the number of companies registered with Ashghal from 201 in the first quarter of 2022 to 733 in the third quarter of 2024, an increase in the percentage of contracts awarded to local suppliers to 77 percent, compared to only 10 percent in 2022, and a decrease in the percentage of companies whose certificates were not renewed from 47 percent to 11 percent, with a jump in ICV points from 3,024 to more than 23,447 points.In the digital transformation and enhancement of operational efficiency, Ashghal launched an initiative to automate financial data for service providers to expedite tendering procedures and reduce administrative burdens. This initiative relies on a central database that eliminates the need to upload financial data repeatedly. It also enables proactive monitoring of contractors' performance, allowing timely action to be taken to avoid any potential challenges.In this context, HE Engineer Al Meer pointed out that Ashghal is developing the 'smart contracts' initiative to raise levels of transparency and reliability, and reduce costs and human interventions through the use of advanced digital technologies in contract management, adding that this step represents a qualitative shift in the path of contract and project management, in line with Qatar National Vision to promote innovation and sustainability.He also pointed out that the Authority's corporate strategy for the period 2024-2030 will soon be accompanied by the launch of Ashghal's new identity with an updated look that reflects the Authority's future plans, as part of Ashghal's journey towards achieving the Third National Development Strategy, leading to Qatar National Vision 2030.Through this strategy, he explained, the Authority seeks to become a global leader in project and asset management by providing distinguished services and infrastructure that keep pace with the aspirations of future generations. He pointed out that Ashghal's primary mission is to deliver and manage assets, projects, and services in a sustainable manner to satisfy its customers.He further said that Ashghal will work to confront all challenges in order to maintain Qatar's position among the ranks of developed countries by giving top priority to implementing sustainable infrastructure projects that will benefit future generations and moving more towards digital transformation in all operations and procedures.At the end of his speech, HE Al Meer thanked the wise leadership for its unlimited support of the infrastructure sector, stressing Ashghal's commitment to implementing projects with the highest standards of quality and efficiency, and achieving sustainable development befitting Qatar's global standing.

Germany’s new government has inherited a heavy legacy posing significant challenges to growth, according to QNB.Post-World War II, Germany stood as the economic powerhouse of Europe during extended periods of time. However, over the last two decades, fundamental headwinds began to accumulate.These included negative demographic trends, excessive regulatory and tax burdens, and the omission to upgrade leading sectors to adapt to the digital age and a rapidly changing global landscape.As a result, Germany’s economy has underperformed, with real GDP remaining unchanged in the last five years. This compares poorly with the 12.2% expansion for the US, or even the 5% growth for the rest of the Euro area during the same period.The incoming administration led by Chancellor Friedrich Merz could mark a turning point in economic policy and performance. For decades, Germany has been committed to fiscal discipline and austerity.In contrast, the new government enters the scene with a massive fiscal expansion package that could reach €1tn, including infrastructure and defence, together with plans for tax and labour market reforms.The economic package marks a paradign shift from Germany’s traditional fiscal conservatism, and will stimulate growth in the medium term. However, the new administration inherits considerable challenges that call for aggressive reforms to sustainably boost the stagnant German economy.In this article, QNB discusses three key factors that describe the challenges faced by the German government.First, significant structural challenges continue to erode competitiveness and productivity. The World Competitiveness Report provides a useful assessment on this dimension across countries.Just a decade ago, Germany was ranked 6th in the world. However, the country has dropped markedly to the 24th position, reflecting regulatory burdens, onerous tax policies, rigid employment laws, and administrative complexity.Excessive bureaucracy costs Germany up to €146bn a year. The loss of competitiveness is starkly reflected in productivity statistics: since 2017, output per worker has dropped 2.5%. Business leaders point to the amount of red tape and a glacial pace in moving towards the digitalisation age.This is particularly damaging in the case of startups, where bureaucratic delays can make the difference between survival and failure of a project. Because of this, companies are increasingly relocating their business to other European countries, such as Holland, Sweden, Portugal or Poland.Therefore, structural problems will continue to weigh on economic growth and need to be addressed by the new administration with measures that go beyond fiscal stimulus.Second, upgrading outdated infrastructure is critical if Germany aims to achieve a new economic growth phase. Germany’s highly conservative fiscal policy has led to an underfunding in key infrastructure areas. Public investment averaged 2.8% of GDP during 2023-2024, compared to 4.3% in France, for example.As a result of low public investment, ageing infrastructure for transportation and energy, and lagging digital technology are hindering long-term economic growth, underscoring the importance of substantial upgrades.In previous experiences, procurement and planning have taken more time than actual construction, and there are abundant examples where spending funds have gone unutilised, QNB said.In 2023, €76bn in fiscal resources went unused due to bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles. Thus, an infrastructure upgrade should be one of the priorities for the new government. Furthermore, a plan to reduce corporate taxes would only be gradually implemented starting from 2028.Third, the manufacturing sector, a key sector of the German economy, continues to extend a sustained period of decline that drags on overall growth. Between 2000 and the peak in 2017, the industrial component of real GDP grew at an annual rate of 1.9%. This robust pace reversed dramatically afterwards, as the sector faced a successive series of negative shocks, including global trade tensions, a slowing world economy, the Covid-pandemic, the energy crisis due to the Russo-Ukrainian war, and the decline of the automotive industry. Since its peak in 2017, industrial production accumulates a contraction of 18% in Germany.This year, the new trade wars initiated by President Trump’s administration, together with the high levels of geopolitical uncertainty, will put further pressure on Germany’s export oriented industries, QNB noted.Although manufacturing should benefit from larger infrastructure investment and defence spending, the new administration will need to secure a more stable environment to offset major headwinds and support growth.“All in all, the government inherits a heavy legacy posing significant challenges to growth. The paradigm shift in fiscal policy will contribute to a much-needed upgrade in infrastructure and likely jumpstart a recovery, providing a boost to medium-term growth, but deeper reforms are also needed,” QNB added.

Bill Gates (pictured) has pledged to give away $200bn via his charitable foundation by 2045 and lashed out at Elon Musk, accusing the world’s richest man of “killing the world’s poorest children” through huge cuts to the US foreign aid budget.The 69-year-old billionaire co-founder of Microsoft said he was speeding up his plans to divest almost all of his fortune and would close the foundation on December 31, 2045, years earlier than previously planned.Gates published a chart showing his net worth plummeting 99% over the next 20 years in a blog post announcing the shift, describing a doubling of the pace of giving.“People will say a lot of things about me when I die, but I am determined that ‘he died rich’ will not be one of them,” Gates wrote.Gates said that he believed the money would help achieve several of his goals, such as eradicating diseases like polio and malaria, ending preventable deaths among women and children, and reducing global poverty.His announcement follows moves by governments, including the Trump administration, to slash international aid budgets used to prevent deadly disease and famine.The US cuts have been overseen by Musk, who has publicly bragged about feeding the US Agency for International Development (USAID) “into the wood chipper” and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).Around 80% of USAID programmes are set to be cut; the agency spent $44 billion worldwide in fiscal 2023.“The picture of the world’s richest man killing the world’s poorest children is not a pretty one,” Gates told the Financial Times.Gates is listed as the 13th on the Forbes “real-time” billionaire list, with a net worth of $112.6bn. Musk is first with $383.2bn.In an interview with Reuters, Gates warned of a stark reversal to decades of progress in reducing mortality over the next four to six years due to the funding cuts by governments worldwide.“The number of deaths will start going up for the first time ... it’s going to be millions more deaths because of the resources,” Gates told Reuters.The Gates Foundation’s annual budget will reach $9bn by 2026 and around $10bn annually after that due to the accelerated spending.Gates has warned the White House that his foundation and other philanthropies cannot fill the gaps left by governments.“I think governments will come back to caring about children surviving” over the next 20-year period though, Gates said yesterday.Gates and Musk, the chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, once agreed over the role of the wealthy in giving away money to help others, but have since clashed several times.Asked if he had appealed to Musk recently to change course, Gates said it was now up to Congress to decide on the future for US aid spending.“Gates is a huge liar,” Musk said in reply to a tweet on his X social media platform that featured an interview with Gates warning about US aid cuts.Musk’s spokespeople were not immediately available for comment.Gates said that despite his foundation’s deep pockets, progress would not be possible without government support.“There are too many urgent problems to solve for me to hold onto resources that could be used to help people,” Gates wrote in a post on his website. “It’s unclear whether the world’s richest countries will continue to stand up for its poorest people.”He praised the response to aid cuts in Africa, where some governments have reallocated budgets, but said that, as an example, polio would not be eradicated without US funding.Gates made the announcement on the foundation’s 25th anniversary.He set up the organisation with his then-wife Melinda French Gates in 2000, and they were later joined by billionaire investor Warren Buffett.The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which had more than $71bn in assets at the end of 2023, has been credited with helping to reshape the world of global public health.It lists five offices throughout Africa, in addition to locations in the United States, Europe, China, India and the Middle East.Since inception, the foundation has given away $100bn, helping to save millions of lives and backing initiatives like the vaccine group Gavi and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.It will close after it spends around 99% of Gates’ personal fortune, he said.The founders originally expected the foundation to wrap up in the decades after their deaths.Gates, whose fortune is currently valued at around $108bn, expects the foundation to spend around $200bn by 2045, with the final figure dependent on markets and inflation.The foundation has faced criticism for its outsized power and influence in the field without the requisite accountability, including at the World Health Organisation (WHO).Gates himself was also subject to conspiracy theories, particularly during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.He has spoken to Trump several times in recent months, and twice since the president took office on January 20, he told Reuters yesterday, on the importance of continued investment in global health.“The world does have values. That’s what my parents taught me,” Gates told Reuters.

US President Donald Trump’s first 100 days in office stand out as one of the most volatile periods in American history – arguably the most turbulent in peacetime. And the consequences continue to reverberate far beyond the United States, as demonstrated by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s federal election victory following a campaign defined by sharp opposition to Trump’s agenda.For European countries and other long-standing US allies, the start of Trump’s second term has posed a direct challenge to the foundational pillars of the transatlantic alliance – security, defence, trade, and shared democratic values – all of which Trump views as negotiable.The European Union, long dependent on the US security umbrella, has found itself facing threats of trade wars and relentless attacks from Trump and his allies – most notably Vice-President J D Vance and the ubiquitous (though perhaps fading) tech billionaire Elon Musk. But instead of wallowing in despair over the fraying security alliance, these provocations have fostered an unexpected sense of purpose and unity in Europe.I call this the “Trump Boomerang Effect”. Paradoxically, Trump’s attempts to weaken America’s allies – whether Canada, Mexico, Australia, Denmark, or the EU – have energised them politically and encouraged them to become more self-reliant. Trump’s ham-fisted effort to extract concessions has instead reinforced their national resolve and solidarity.The fallout has also hurt the popularity of Trump-aligned cheerleaders worldwide, from Canadian Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre (who lost the parliamentary seat he had held for over 20 years) to Australia’s Peter Dutton, Greenland’s self-proclaimed Trump protégé Jorgen Boassen, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.Perhaps most strikingly, Trump’s campaign to undermine Europe has prompted political leaders to display a surprising degree of courage and confront long-standing challenges. By trying to bully the EU, he has inadvertently empowered member states to achieve goals that once seemed unattainable through internal negotiations alone.As a result, Europe has emerged as a beacon of economic and political stability, attracting capital inflows and US-based researchers considering relocation. Meanwhile, far-right leaders across the continent – with the notable exception of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni – have seen their popularity decline due to their association with Trump, offsetting the boost that Trump’s re-election gave figures like Orbán.Vance’s insulting speech at the Munich Security Conference in February was one of the clearest manifestations of the Trump Boomerang Effect. In response, incoming German Chancellor Friedrich Merz broke with his country’s Atlanticist tradition to declare a second Zeitenwende (“epochal change”) – a paradigm shift aimed at meeting the demands of a rapidly changing global landscape.Merz’s new strategic doctrine, endorsed by French President Emmanuel Macron and others, aims to reduce Europe’s dependence on the US. It includes a historic shift in fiscal policy, exempting defence spending above 1% of GDP from Germany’s constitutional debt brake. This adjustment is set to unlock substantial new resources for both military expenditures and broader infrastructure investment.Trump’s actions have also rekindled the Franco-German alliance – historically, the EU’s engine of economic growth – which will reshape the bloc’s political trajectory. France and Germany now have a shared purpose: to achieve strategic independence from the US and bolster Europe’s geopolitical resilience against its unpredictable and untrustworthy president. This, in turn, has led to an unexpected rapprochement between the EU and the United Kingdom. While post-Brexit Britain remains formally free to align with either the US or the EU, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has clearly sided with Europe.These developments are paving the way for deeper European integration, with far-reaching implications for regional security and economic prosperity. One key initiative involves financing increased defence spending through joint borrowing – a strategy pioneered by the NextGenerationEU fund, the bloc’s Covid-19 recovery programme.Moreover, the push for deeper defence integration may soon extend into the broader economy. Over the past year, separate reports by former Italian Prime Ministers Mario Draghi and Enrico Letta have highlighted Europe’s lagging innovation and productivity compared to the US, calling for a stronger and more unified single market in financial services, energy, and digital technologies.At the core of the EU’s emerging strategy for reigniting economic dynamism is the creation of a Capital Markets Union, now rebranded as the Savings and Investment Union. The goal is to give firms easier access to pan-European financing and repatriate Europe’s substantial savings surplus – much of which currently flows into US markets – while maintaining financial stability. Trump’s disruptive economic policies are already accelerating this shift.The Trump Boomerang Effect appears to be driving a profound transformation, underpinned by renewed confidence in the European project. Europeans today are experiencing a degree of unity and common purpose not seen in decades. Even previously staunch Euroskeptics now speak in pan-European terms. Meloni, for example, has deferred to the EU in negotiating with Trump, recognising that the bloc is responsible for trade policy and also better positioned than any individual member state to confront the US effectively.It remains to be seen whether Europe’s political leaders will be able to capitalise on these favourable circumstances to achieve genuine EU independence and strategic autonomy. Given the scale of Trump’s assault on the continent, they at least appear to understand that their actions will be judged not only by their own constituents but by people across Europe. This new form of pan-European political accountability may end up making Europe – not America – great again. — Project SyndicateAlberto Alemanno, Professor of European Union Law at HEC Paris and visiting professor at the College of Europe in Bruges and Natolin, is Founder of The Good Lobby and one of the leading voices on the democratisation of the European Union. He was named Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, Social Innovation Thought Leader by the Schwab Foundation on Social Entrepreneurship, Ashoka fellow, European Young Leader by Friends of Europe, and one of the 40 most powerful influencers in the European Union by Politico Europe. He is the author of many books, including Lobbying for Change: Find Your Voice to Create a Better Society.

Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025 at its 14th annual ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre.The event brought together university leadership, faculty, staff, families, and guests to honour the achievements of this year’s graduates, who now join a growing global network of NU-Q alumni.The Class of 2025 comprises 118 graduates, hailing from more than 18 countries. They have studied journalism, communication, and liberal arts while also contributing to award-winning student projects, groundbreaking research, and community initiatives in Qatar and beyond.In his address to the graduates, NU-Q dean and CEO Marwan M Kraidy, reflected on the symbolic power of light—or nūr—as a guiding principle for the journey ahead. “A flame is not only burning heat; it is also light and warmth,” said Kraidy. “As you leave here, take that habit of critical reflection with you. Use the flame to build a hearth. Start from a place of openness. Pause. Consider all sides. Then decide where your light should shine.”Encouraging graduates to lead with purpose and integrity, he reminded them that “one small flame can ignite a thousand candles.”In a unique, full-circle moment, HE Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman al-Thani, undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour in Qatar and Class of 2015 alumna, returned to the stage as this year’s graduation speaker, a decade after delivering the student address at her own graduation.Reflecting on the transformation from student to professional, she said, “The Najwa that went to Northwestern feels like a different person from a different life.”Her speech balanced humour with heartfelt advice, encouraging the Class of 2025 to “trust the process, play the long game, and change the way you see yourself.”She also recounted her journey since graduating, from navigating postgraduate studies in Oxford to building a career shaped by rejection, resilience, and reinvention. “While many before me have carved out the space for those of us from the region, we remain underrepresented,” she said. “We have a value to bring to the table, a voice that cannot be substituted by those who write about us.”Drawing from Arabic philosophy, she urged the graduates to embrace wasilah — the means by which we pursue our goals — as the true measure of character.Joining Dean Kraidy and Sheikha Najwa on the stage, Class of 2025 Speaker Fairuz Yosef Issa addressed her fellow graduates, congratulating them on their achievements and reflecting on the spirit of resilience and perseverance that defined them.“We arrived here as individuals,” she noted, “but today, we leave as a collective, bonded by shared challenges, late-night deadlines, and the belief that stories matter.”A journalism student known for her advocacy and commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices, she reflected on the unique journey of her class: from entering university at the height of the global Covid-19 pandemic to graduating at a time of a rapidly shifting world.“Northwestern didn’t just teach us how to write headlines,” she said. “It taught us how to listen closely, speak honestly, and show up — especially when it’s uncomfortable.”Drawing on moments of uncertainty and growth, she reminded her classmates that “our stories are not just ours — they belong to the people we seek to serve.” She went on to urge her peers to carry forward the values of courage, curiosity, and compassion: “We may not know what’s next, but we know who we are — and that will always be enough.”Another highlight of this year’s ceremony was the attendance of a senior delegation from Northwestern University’s home campus, underscoring Northwestern’s support for the campus and community in Qatar. The group included members of the Northwestern University Board of Trustees, Peter J. Barris, chair of the Board, and Provost Kathleen Hagerty.Alongside dean Kraidy, they participated in the graduation processions and engaged with students, faculty, and staff during the visit.The ceremony concluded with graduates processing out beneath the Weber Arch, a powerful reversal of their symbolic entry into university life.With their degrees in hand and their next chapters just beginning, the Class of 2025 leaves NU-Q as alumni, poised to lead with impact after graduation and make a lasting impact across the globe, the statement added.

Northwestern University in Qatar (NU-Q) celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025 at its 14th annual ceremony at the Qatar National Convention Centre.The event brought together university leadership, faculty, staff, families, and guests to honour the achievements of this year’s graduates, who now join a growing global network of NU-Q alumni.The Class of 2025 comprises 118 graduates, hailing from more than 18 countries. They have studied journalism, communication, and liberal arts while also contributing to award-winning student projects, groundbreaking research, and community initiatives in Qatar and beyond.In his address to the graduates, NU-Q dean and CEO Marwan M Kraidy, reflected on the symbolic power of light—or nūr—as a guiding principle for the journey ahead. “A flame is not only burning heat; it is also light and warmth,” said Kraidy. “As you leave here, take that habit of critical reflection with you. Use the flame to build a hearth. Start from a place of openness. Pause. Consider all sides. Then decide where your light should shine.”Encouraging graduates to lead with purpose and integrity, he reminded them that “one small flame can ignite a thousand candles.”In a unique, full-circle moment, HE Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman al-Thani, undersecretary at the Ministry of Labour in Qatar and Class of 2015 alumna, returned to the stage as this year’s graduation speaker, a decade after delivering the student address at her own graduation.Reflecting on the transformation from student to professional, she said, “The Najwa that went to Northwestern feels like a different person from a different life.”Her speech balanced humour with heartfelt advice, encouraging the Class of 2025 to “trust the process, play the long game, and change the way you see yourself.”She also recounted her journey since graduating, from navigating postgraduate studies in Oxford to building a career shaped by rejection, resilience, and reinvention. “While many before me have carved out the space for those of us from the region, we remain underrepresented,” she said. “We have a value to bring to the table, a voice that cannot be substituted by those who write about us.”Drawing from Arabic philosophy, she urged the graduates to embrace wasilah — the means by which we pursue our goals — as the true measure of character.Joining Dean Kraidy and Sheikha Najwa on the stage, Class of 2025 Speaker Fairuz Yosef Issa addressed her fellow graduates, congratulating them on their achievements and reflecting on the spirit of resilience and perseverance that defined them.“We arrived here as individuals,” she noted, “but today, we leave as a collective, bonded by shared challenges, late-night deadlines, and the belief that stories matter.”A journalism student known for her advocacy and commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices, she reflected on the unique journey of her class: from entering university at the height of the global Covid-19 pandemic to graduating at a time of a rapidly shifting world.“Northwestern didn’t just teach us how to write headlines,” she said. “It taught us how to listen closely, speak honestly, and show up — especially when it’s uncomfortable.”Drawing on moments of uncertainty and growth, she reminded her classmates that “our stories are not just ours — they belong to the people we seek to serve.” She went on to urge her peers to carry forward the values of courage, curiosity, and compassion: “We may not know what’s next, but we know who we are — and that will always be enough.”Another highlight of this year’s ceremony was the attendance of a senior delegation from Northwestern University’s home campus, underscoring Northwestern’s support for the campus and community in Qatar. The group included members of the Northwestern University Board of Trustees, Peter J. Barris, chair of the Board, and Provost Kathleen Hagerty.Alongside dean Kraidy, they participated in the graduation processions and engaged with students, faculty, and staff during the visit.The ceremony concluded with graduates processing out beneath the Weber Arch, a powerful reversal of their symbolic entry into university life.With their degrees in hand and their next chapters just beginning, the Class of 2025 leaves NU-Q as alumni, poised to lead with impact after graduation and make a lasting impact across the globe, the statement added.

In the year that marks Qatar Foundation (QF)’s 30th anniversary, graduating students from its Class of 2025 are reflecting on their journeys – through stories that go beyond academic achievements, ahead of the annual Convocation ceremony that celebrates graduates of its universities.Among them is *Mohamed Mourchid, whose journey at the QF is testament to how diverse experiences can shape and elevate a student’s educational path.Before becoming a QF student, he held a senior position at the French embassy and played a key role in driving business development across the Middle East.After earning a Master’s in Economic Intelligence with honours, complemented by advanced studies in political science, he pursued his Executive MBA at QF partner university HEC Paris Doha – which he describes as a turning point for him."Belonging to QF wasn't just an academic privilege; it was being surrounded by people who believed in their role in making a global impact,” he said. “It was an environment where passion for learning, ambition, and social responsibility came together.”During this time, Mourchid’s mother, his greatest supporter, passed away."She was the quiet force that shaped me, believing in the light within me,” he said, reflecting on her influence: “Although she isn't here to witness my graduation, I feel her presence in every step I take."At the QF, Mourchid discovered a diverse community that deepened his sense of responsibility toward others."QF taught me that education isn’t just a privilege – it’s a responsibility,” he explains. “A responsibility to lead with integrity, and to give back.”For *Almaha Jassim Hamad al-Thani, graduating from Northwestern University in Qatar, a QF partner university, was more than an achievement – it was the realisation of a childhood dream.“I was determined to study at QF, even if it meant starting with a foundation year,” she said. “I didn’t apply anywhere else, and graduating now means everything to me.”Al-Thani’s studies at QF began at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning she had to juggle online and in-person studies, and she says: “There were times when graduating seemed almost impossible. But through it all, I didn’t give up – my family's unwavering support and the encouragement I found within the QF community kept me going.”She also joined the research team for Qatar TV’s *Etqan in its first season, participated in numerous creative workshops, and represented Qatar as a professional fencer on the national team.*Zahra Saboorzadeh, a Class of 2025 graduate from Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q), transferred to the QF partner university from Qatar University’s College of Pharmacy.“At QF, I found my true calling,” she said. “I discovered the power of economics as a tool for justice, the intersection of politics and human rights, and the need to amplify the voices of those who are often overlooked.”Saboorzadeh has held prominent leadership roles, from serving on the Honour Council to participating in the QF’s Doha Debates.She has led research with Georgetown and Yale Universities and presented her work at international conferences.Looking ahead, Saboorzadeh hopes to use her voice to advocate for policies that promote equality and sustainability.Graduate *Najwa Doha began her academic career with degrees in nursing, molecular biology, and genetics, which ultimately led her to the QF’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), where she was awarded a scholarship.“HBKU not only provided me with academic knowledge, but also gave me the space to think critically, research boldly, and engage with global perspectives,” she said.Doha holds a Master’s in Biological and Biomedical Sciences from the HBKU and specialises in cancer and neurological disorders research.With experience in intensive care and pathology laboratories, she has published studies on the mental health of refugee women and multi-method research for her nursing capstone project.

China has said it has received overtures from the US for talks on tariffs — but warned it will need concessions as proof of “sincerity” before any negotiations can take place.The world’s two largest economies are locked in a tit-for-tat tariff war that threatens hundreds of billions in trade and has roiled global markets and supply chains.The US has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, with cumulative duties on some goods reaching a staggering 245%.As well as the blanket levies, China is also under sector-specific tariffs on steel, aluminium and car imports.Sales of Chinese goods to the US last year totalled more than $500bn — 16.4% of the country’s exports, according to Beijing’s customs data.China has vowed to fight the measures “to the end” and has unveiled reciprocal tariffs of up to 125% on imports of American goods, which totalled $143.5bn last year, according to Washington.Beijing has filed complaints with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), citing “bullying” tactics by the Trump administration.And it has gone after American companies, scrapping orders for Boeing planes, probing Google for “anti-monopoly” violations and adding US fashion group PVH Corp — which owns Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein — and biotech giant Illumina to a list of “unreliable entities”.Beijing has also restricted exports of rare earth elements — critical in the manufacturing of everything from semiconductors to medical technology and consumer electronics.Beijing has long drawn Trump’s ire with a trade surplus with the US that reached $295.4bn last year, according to the US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.Chinese leaders have been reluctant to disrupt the status quo.But an intensified trade war will likely mean China cannot peg its hopes for strong economic growth this year on its exports, which reached record highs in 2024.US duties further threaten to harm China’s fragile post-Covid economic recovery as it struggles with a debt crisis in the property sector and persistently lowconsumption.The tariff war is already having an impact in the US, with uncertainty triggering a manufacturing slump last month and officials blaming it for an unexpectedslump in GDP in the first three months of the year.“The cost on the US economy and livelihood is beginning to surface,” Mei Xinyu, an economist at the state-affiliated Chinese Academy of InternationalTrade and Economic Co-operation, told AFP.“They are starting to truly feel the cost and impact of pursuing trade hegemony with China,” he said.The head of the WTO said in April that the US-China tariff war could cut trade in goods between the two countries by 80%.Analysts expect the levies to take a significant chunk out of China’s GDP, which Beijing’s leadership hope will grow 5% this year.Likely to be hit hardest are China’s top exports to the US — everything from electronics and machinery to textiles and clothing, according to the Peterson Institute of International Economics.And because of the crucial role Chinese goods play in supplying US firms, the tariffs may also hurt American manufacturers and consumers, analysts havewarned.Trump has repeatedly claimed that China has reached out for talks on the tariffs. But yesterday’s statement by Beijing suggested it was Washington that’s been reaching out.While China’s commerce ministry said it was “evaluating” the offer, it warned it would need concessions from Washington — namely the lifting of tariffs — before talks could go ahead.“Tariffs cannot be used as a bargaining chip to pressure China. China cannot make any concessions on the tariff issue,” Wang Wen, Dean of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, told AFP.Analysts in China broadly agreed that pressure on the US economy was driving Washington’s call for talks.

Beyond the TarmacJet fuel is one of the largest cost components for air carriers—often up to 30–40% of total operating expenses.When fuel prices drop, airlines obviously save significantly on expenses, especially for long-haul or frequent routes.Margins also improve, allowing carriers to stay profitable even with competitive pricing.Stronger load factors so far in 2025, combined with decreased fuel costs have contributed to a rise in air cargo yields globally, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is the global body of airlines.Oil markets experienced significant changes in March this year, primarily driven by increased production from non-Opec+ nations, amid slower global demand due to trade friction, IATA noted in a recent report.Brent crude’s average price in March fell to $72.6, marking eight straight months of y-o-y decline. This represents a 15.1% decrease compared to last year and a 3.5% drop from February.Jet fuel costs plunged even more sharply, falling 17.3% y-o-y to $88.9 and decreasing 6% m-o-m—marking the second month in a row of declines, IATA data reveal.This sharper fall in jet fuel compared to oil narrowed the crack spread to $16.3, a 26.2% drop from $22.1 in March, 2024.Like fuel prices, the spread saw its second straight monthly fall, sliding 3.5%.Meanwhile, stronger load factors (so far) in 2025, combined with decreased fuel costs, contributed to a rise in air cargo yields. These yields jumped 3.8% from last year and 6.6% from February.This rebound ends a three month streak of monthly yield declines that lasted through February.Meanwhile, the latest IATA data for global air cargo markets showed total demand, measured in cargo tonne-kilometres (CTK), increased by 4.4% compared to March 2024 levels (+5.5% for international operations), a historic peak for March.Capacity, measured in available cargo tonne-kilometres (ACTK), expanded by 4.3% compared to March 2024 (+6.1% for international operations).Typically, March volumes rise after a lull in February, driven by the easing of holiday demand.This year’s modest single-digit increase aligns with trends observed in years not influenced by post-Covid recovery factors, where such gradual gains were common.Moreover, a frontloading effect could be implemented to mitigate the tariff impacts in April.Air shipments increased by 3.2% month-on-month (m-o-m) from February to March, after seasonal adjustments. This jump matches past trends, but current events may have contributed to the boost.“The sharp rise in US tariffs may have prompted companies and buyers to make purchases in advance to avoid significant import fees,” IATA said and noted air cargo demand grew across most regions in March.Asia Pacific led the growth with a 9.3% increase, followed by Latin America and the Caribbean at 5.6%.North American carriers rebounded from a decline (- 1.3%) in February to achieve a growth rate of 3.7%.European airlines experienced a 4.4% increase.However, carriers in the Middle East and Africa faced ongoing challenges for the third consecutive month.The Middle East recorded its smallest decline so far at 3.3%, while Africa saw its sharpest drop at 13.4%. Both regions are experiencing the effect of a strong 2024, which suggests that 2025 will be a challenging year.IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh said, “March cargo volumes were strong. It is possible that this is partly a front-loading of demand as some businesses tried to beat the well-telegraphed 2 April tariff announcement by the Trump Administration. The uncertainty over how much of the 2 April proposals will be implemented may eventually weigh on trade.“In the meantime, the lower fuel costs — which are also a result of the same uncertainty — are a short-term positive factor for air cargo. And, within the temporary pause on implementation we hope that political leaders will be able to shift trade tensions to reliable agreements that can restore confidence in global supply chains.”Analysts believe that lower transport costs via air cargo will encourage more international trade, especially of high-value or time-critical goods.Therefore, many forwarders are likely to make air freight a more attractive option compared to slower modes (e.g., sea freight). This enhances the resilience and flexibility of global supply chains.Lower jet fuel price help carriers either improve their bottom line or slash prices to attract more customers, gaining market share.This is especially important in air cargo, where price sensitivity among logistics providers and shippers is high.