
NZ wants the economic benefits of migrants without helping them
Some of these people are, as some other statistics showed during the week, just 'passing through' on their way to a preferred destination. These people may or may not have intended this course at first. Whatever the reasons, the transience of new migrants is concerning in terms of building strong and healthy communities here as are high degrees of social stress evident in the survey among migrant or relatively recent migrant generations.

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Qatar Tribune
18 minutes ago
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Bangladesh brick industry tries to clean up its act
Agencies Across Bangladesh, clay-fired kilns for brick making send filth into the air, spew toxic gasses and use up topsoil that could be producing food. To clean the air and meet environmental goals, the government has been closing the polluting kilns, but the adoption of cleaner alternatives is badly lagging, industry insiders say. Cleaner alternatives include automated, energy-efficient brick-making technology or the production of concrete blocks, increasingly being adopted by other Asian countries like China and Vietnam. The government environment agency in Bangladesh has shut more than 600 kilns, while 3,500 of the country's 8,000 kilns are designated for closure, according to official figures. The shutdowns began with kilns that lacked proper documents to operate. Many were set up near villages, schools or forests in violation of government rules, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the country's environment adviser. 'This is about switching to alternative materials that other countries have already adopted,' Hasan said. Manufacturing clay bricks mostly runs on burning coal, generating greenhouse gases and particulate matter that harm human health, and uses topsoil that is critically needed for growing crops in the densely populated country. Over the last 15 years, Bangladesh has attempted to move to cleaner alternatives such as less-polluting kilns, but the effort is held up by cost considerations. With government encouragement, brick kiln owners converted many long-necked fixed-chimney kilns to zigzag kilns that make better use of energy and emit fewer toxic gases. Development organizations have been pushing for more energy-efficient technologies as well such as hybrid Hoffman kilns (HHK), which capture and use their own waste heat to halve energy usage. The large initial investment costs of $2 million for each HHK kiln, however, is about 15 times the cost of making a zigzag kiln, slowing their large-scale adoption, according to the World Bank.


Qatar Tribune
19 minutes ago
- Qatar Tribune
Higher US levies on dozens of countries come into effect
Agencies Higher US tariffs imposed on dozens of its trading partners came into effect on Thursday, raising the stakes in President Donald Trump's wide-ranging efforts to reshape global trade in favor of Washington. Shortly before the new levies kicked in, Trump separately announced his decision to double Indian tariffs to 50% and hit many semiconductor imports from around the world with a 100% levy. As an executive order signed last week took effect, U.S. duties rose from 10% to levels between 15% and 41% for a list of trading partners. Many imports from economies, including the European Union, Japan and South Korea, now face a 15% tariff, even with deals struck with Washington to avert even steeper levies. But others like India face a 25% duty – to be doubled in three weeks – while Syria, Myanmar and Laos face staggering levels at either 40% or 41%. Switzerland's government, which failed to convince Trump not to impose a stinging 39% tariff, was set to hold an extraordinary meeting later Thursday. Taking to his Truth Social platform just after midnight, Trump posted: 'It's midnight! Billions of dollars in tariffs are now flowing into the United States of America!' The latest tariff wave of 'reciprocal' duties, aimed at addressing trade practices Washington deems unfair, broadens the measures Trump has imposed since returning to the presidency. On the eve of his latest salvo, the U.S. president doubled planned duties on Indian goods to 50%, citing New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil. The new levy – up from 25% now – would take effect in three weeks. The Federation of Indian Export Organisations called the move a 'severe setback for Indian exports, with nearly 55% of our shipments to the U.S. market directly affected.' For New Delhi, one of the main sticking points has been Washington's demand to access India's vast agricultural and dairy market. 'We will not compromise with the interests of our farmers, our dairy sector, our fishermen,' Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Thursday. Trump's order also threatened penalties on other countries that 'directly or indirectly' import Russian oil, a key revenue source for Moscow's war in Ukraine. Washington has already separately imposed tariffs on sector-specific imports such as steel, autos and pharmaceuticals. Trump said Wednesday he also planned an 'approximately 100% tariff' on semiconductor imports, but with 'no charge' for companies investing in the U.S. or committed to doing so. Shares in Taiwanese chip-making giant TSMC surged on Thursday as Taipei said it would be exempt, but some other Asian manufacturers took a beating. Companies and industry groups warn that the new levies will severely hurt smaller American businesses, while economists caution that they could fuel inflation and hit growth. With the dust settling on countries' tariff levels, at least for now, Georgetown University professor Marc Busch expects U.S. businesses to pass along more of the bill to consumers. An earlier 90-day pause in these higher 'reciprocal' tariffs gave importers time to stock up, he said. But although the wait-and-see strategy led businesses to absorb more of the tariff burden initially, inventories are depleting and it is unlikely they will do this indefinitely, he told Agence France-Presse (AFP). 'With back-to-school shopping just weeks away, this will matter politically,' said Busch, an international trade policy expert. The tariffs leave lingering questions for partners that have negotiated deals with Trump recently. Tokyo and Washington, for example, appear at odds over key details of their pact, in particular on when lower levies on Japanese cars will take place. Generally, U.S. auto imports now face a 25% duty under a sector-specific order. Japanese giant Toyota has cut its full-year profit forecast by 14% because of the tariffs. Japan and the U.S. also appear to differ on whether the 'reciprocal' tolls of 15% on other Japanese goods would be on top of existing levies or – like the EU – be capped at that level. China and the U.S., meanwhile, currently have a shaky truce in their standoff, but that is due to expire on Aug. 12. Trump has separately targeted Brazil over the trial of his right-wing ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of planning a coup. U.S. tariffs on various Brazilian goods surged from 10% to 50% on Wednesday, but broad exemptions, including for orange juice and civil aircraft, are seen as softening the blow. Still, key products like Brazilian coffee, beef and sugar are hit.


Qatar Tribune
21 minutes ago
- Qatar Tribune
Manchester United agree $99 mn deal for RB Leipzig striker Sesko
PAMedia/dpa London Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Benjamin Sesko after agreeing a deal worth up to 85 million euros ($99 million) with RB Leipzig, the PA news agency understands. The talented 22-year-old striker has been the subject of a tug of a war as the Red Devils and Newcastle both attempted to bolster their attacks ahead of the new season. Sesko indicated to United that he favoured a move to them over the Magpies and PA understands they have now agreed a deal with Leipzig worth ?76.5 million ?8.5 million in add-ons. The Slovenia international has been granted permission to travel to Manchester to undergo a medical and complete the move. Sesko scored 21 goals in all competitions last term and has long been on the Red Devils' radar, stretching back to his move from Domzale to RB Salzburg in 2019. Newcastle had made the first move this summer and reacted to seeing an initial bid rebuffed by making an improved approach worth a reported ?82.5 million plus ?2.5 million in add-ons. Ruben Amorim's Red Devils were waiting in the wings and followed with a rival proposal of ?75 million, plus a potential ?10 million in add-ons. The terms were subsequently tweaked, with United paying slightly more as an initial fee as part of the deal in principle struck with Leipzig. Sesko is set to become the fourth signing of the summer as United look to hit back from finishing 15th last season - their worst top-flight campaign in 51 years - and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham. Matheus Cunha joined from Wolves for £62.5 million, while Bryan Mbeumo left Brentford for an initial £65 million ($83.8 million) fee that could rise by a further £6 million should certain add-on clauses related to team and player be achieved. Teenage wing-back Diego Leon has also linked up with United after a deal was struck with Cerro Porteno in January. Sesko's impending arrival raises fresh questions over the future of fellow frontman Rasmus Hojlund, who has scored just 14 goals in 62 Premier League appearances since joining from Atalanta in 2023. The striker, who like the Slovenian is 22, has rarely justified his lofty fee and has been linked with an exit, but the Denmark international recently stressed that he wants to stay at Old Trafford. United have been trying to sign a striker throughout this window and made Sesko their priority over Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins, having been interested in Liam Delap and Hugo Ekitike before their summer moves. Newcastle also held an interest in the pair and missing out on Sesko is another blow in a frustrating summer window that has been compounded by the situation surrounding Liverpool's pursuit of Alexander Isak. The 25-year-old missed Newcastle's Asian tour with what the club called a 'minor thigh injury' but it soon emerged he was unsettled and training at former club Real Sociedad. Boss Eddie Howe claimed he only found about Isak's whereabouts through the media, with the Sweden international made to train by himself in Tyneside on Wednesday. Liverpool have seen a £110 million bid rejected and, while the Premier League champions remain keen on the 25-year-old, sources on Merseyside have indicated they would not enter a bidding war.