Police Trust Fund empowers officers’ spouses with vocational skills, others

The Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) yesterday launched a vocational skills acquisition and empowerment programme for spouses of junior police officers.

The programme, according to the NPTF, is aimed at improving the welfare of police families and strengthening the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.

Speaking at the flag-off of the programme in Abuja on Monday, the Executive Secretary of the NPTF, Mohammed Sheidu, said the initiative was part of efforts to promote economic self-reliance among police families through vocational training and the distribution of start-up packs.

He said the programme, which is being implemented simultaneously in selected states across the country, aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on economic empowerment and inclusive development.

Sheidu said, ‘Today’s event is more than the launch of a new programme. It is a demonstration of our belief that the welfare of every police officer is closely linked to the well-being of the family that stands behind him or her.

‘Our officers dedicate their lives to protecting our nation, often under challenging circumstances. Behind every officer is a spouse and a family making sacrifices that deserve recognition and support.’

The NPTF boss noted that while the Trust Fund had continued to invest in police training, infrastructure and operational support, empowering the families of officers remained critical to building a stronger police institution.

He added, ‘This programme has been designed to equip spouses with practical vocational skills and provide the tools they need to build sustainable businesses and improved household livelihoods.

‘As we present these start-up packs, we are not merely distributing equipment. We are investing in opportunities, promoting self-reliance and creating pathways for lasting economic independence.’

He urged the beneficiaries to make productive use of the training and equipment to establish successful businesses capable of supporting their families.

‘The knowledge you have acquired and the start-up packs you receive today are only the beginning. Your determination, discipline and commitment will determine how far you go,’ he said.

Also speaking, the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, described junior police officers as the backbone of the Nigeria Police Force, saying their spouses played indispensable roles in supporting them despite the challenges associated with policing.

The IGP commended the Nigerian Police Trust Fund for initiating the programme, saying improving the welfare of police families would ultimately enhance service delivery.

He said, ‘Behind every dedicated police officer is often a supportive spouse whose sacrifices, encouragement and unwavering commitment provide the emotional strength needed to serve our nation under demanding and sometimes very difficult circumstances.

‘Our junior officers are the backbone of the Nigerian Police Force. They stand on the frontline every day, sacrificing family time and comfort to keep the nation safe.’

According to him, police officers often miss important family occasions because of the demands of their duties, leaving their spouses to shoulder greater responsibilities at home.

‘Most of the time we don’t even know the birthdays of our children. Every occasion we cannot attend because we are on duty. It is you, our wives, who carry the hopes, manage the children, absorb the stress and continue to support your husbands,’ he said.

The IGP said the police leadership recognised that the welfare of personnel could not be separated from the welfare of their families.

‘This is why we welcome initiatives such as this that seek to improve livelihoods, promote self-reliance and create additional opportunities for sustainable family income. I am confident this programme will have a lasting and positive impact on the lives of our personnel and their families,’ he added.

He also thanked the Police Trust Fund and other partners for their continued support towards building a more professional, motivated and service-oriented police force.

WSJ: Iran relocates thousands of uranium enrichment centrifuges

Iran transferred thousands of centrifuges used for uranium enrichment to tunnels deep beneath Mount Pikaks last autumn, AzerNEWS reports, citing The Wall Street Journal.

According to the information, the centrifuges were relocated to the underground facility following the 12-day conflict in June 2025, during which three of Iran’s largest nuclear sites were struck.

Mount Pikaks has long been monitored by the United States and Israel. The underground complex, located near one of Iran’s key nuclear facilities, was commissioned to replace a centrifuge assembly plant that suffered extensive damage in an explosion in 2020.

The Institute for Science and International Security, a think tank specializing in nuclear weapons and non-proliferation, said the site has undergone extensive upgrades over the past 15 months. These include increased truck activity, tunnel reinforcement, and the construction of a security perimeter.

The institute also reported that Iran has been working to restore an older tunnel network, originally built in 2007 and later sealed off, further fueling concerns about the country’s nuclear infrastructure.

Tehran claimed that the site is intended solely as a factory for the production and assembly of advanced centrifuges, not as an active enrichment facility.

Why next regional financial hub may not be Dubai or Istanbul, but Baku

The geopolitical map of Eurasia has long highlighted Baku as a crucial node for energy corridors and transit logistics. However, a quiet yet profound shift is currently taking place underneath the surface of these traditional economic pillars. The financial architecture of Azerbaijan is undergoing a significant transformation, moving rapidly away from a purely domestic, resource-reliant model toward becoming an ambitious regional financial hub. For years, the flow of capital in the region was largely unidirectional, with wealth generated from oil and gas being reinvested internally or funneled into major global markets. Today, a new narrative is unfolding-one where South Caucasus and Central Asia are becoming financially intertwined, with Azerbaijan positioning itself as the vital anchor of this emerging economic corridor.

This evolution did not happen overnight, nor is it an accidental byproduct of market forces. It began with the calculated outward expansion of Azerbaijani banking institutions. The initial footsteps of this journey were marked by a prominent local bank establishing a solid presence in the neighboring markets of Turkey and Georgia, effectively testing the waters of cross-border corporate financing. These moves demonstrated that domestic financial entities possessed the operational maturity and capital depth to compete outside their home turf. Building upon this foundation, the momentum accelerated dramatically at the beginning of this year when another leading Azerbaijani financial institution executed a landmark acquisition, purchasing a commercial bank in Uzbekistan. This strategic entry into the heart of Central Asia signaled a shift from merely opening foreign branches to acquiring fully integrated, high-performing assets abroad, illustrating an assertive export of banking expertise and liquidity.

While these cross-border banking expansions showcased Azerbaijan’s ability to export capital, the true test of a financial center lies in its capacity to attract foreign players seeking to raise funds. This missing link is now being forged as a prominent mobility enterprise from Kazakhstan prepares to issue corporate bonds on the Baku Stock Exchange. Because local regulatory frameworks mandate strict risk mitigation for foreign entities, this upcoming issuance will be backed by an unconditional guarantee from a domestic bank. This mechanism is groundbreaking for the local ecosystem. For the first time, a private foreign corporation is bypassing traditional global financial capitals to seek liquidity directly from Azerbaijani institutional and retail investors, using a local bank as its shield of credibility.

This impending bond issuance represents a historic first step-a literal icebreaker for the domestic capital market. If this initial transaction proves successful and demonstrates smooth execution, it will establish a highly visible precedent for the entire region. Businesses across Georgia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan that require optimal, localized financing without the astronomical legal and administrative costs of Western mega-exchanges will naturally begin to look toward Baku. A successful debut proves to the regional corporate community that the Azerbaijani market possesses the necessary depth, sophisticated brokerage infrastructure, and investor appetite to absorb foreign debt efficiently.

The macroeconomic implications of this trend for Azerbaijan are profound. Instead of allowing vast sums of domestic liquidity to sit passively within standard low-yield instruments, the local financial system is creating a conduit to actively finance regional innovation and infrastructure. Azerbaijani banks are transitioning from traditional lenders into regional guarantors and underwriters, earning diverse fee income and elevating their institutional prestige. Simultaneously, local investors gain access to high-quality, diversified assets that offer a compelling balance between risk and reward, shielded by the security of domestic bank guarantees.

Ultimately, what we are witnessing is the convergence of the South Caucasus and Central Asian financial landscapes into a unified ecosystem, with Baku acting as its geographical and economic bridge. The historical trade routes of the Silk Road are effectively being digitized and financialized. By transforming from a regional credit consumer into an active capital exporter and an attractive fundraising destination, Azerbaijan is successfully rewriting its economic identity. If the current trajectory holds and more regional enterprises follow this path, the vision of Baku as the dominant financial center of the Caspian region will transition from an ambitious policy goal into an undeniable reality.

Bulk supply, open access rules a gamer changer in Kenya’s electricity market

World over, access to energy is a lifeline. Reliable, affordable, and sustainable power creates quality jobs, protects livelihoods, boosts security, drives down the cost of doing business and promotes economic growth.

According to economic regulation theory, competition is an enabler to reduction in prices, improved service delivery, consumer experience and delight. Kenya has been among trailblazers in having in place The Energy (Electricity Market, Bulk Supply and Open Access) Regulations beginning May 8, 2026.

This follows decades of progress which saw the traditional vertically integrated utility model evolve to unbundling of generation, transmission and distribution in the electricity sector. Developed economies such as the United States of America and India have been on the path to open access for over two decades. The United States began implementing open access in phases in 1920.

The reforms aim to provide new suppliers access to the market, potentially reducing costs for consumers.

While the goals for open access may be common, each country’s journey and challenges remain unique and shaped by every nation’s peculiar economic, social, and regulatory environment.

The open access concept allows different providers of electricity to make use of the underlying distribution and transmission infrastructure owned by incumbent utility companies at a fee in the form of wheeling charges.

The regulations speak to the establishment and participation in the electricity market, bulk supply, open access, market governance, principles, operations and functions of the system operator among other pertinent issues.

There is no doubt that adopting a more ambitious conception of access may bring conflicting priorities, as well as a scale of challenges, more clearly into focus. A key concern has been that of utility death spiral, in simple terms, a situation where customers reduce their reliance on and leave traditional utilities, forcing them to raise rates on the remaining clients with fears of even driving even more customers away, causing revenue drain and possible financial collapse.

However, and in the words of Sakshi Pawar, Vivek Shastry and Andrew Kamau, open access is not just about opening the grid to more players; it’s about building a resilient, transparent, and competitive electricity market that benefits consumers, investors, and ideally the environment.

Now, more than ever, Kenya needs to ensure that the benefits of energy and more so clean and renewable power are available to all. This is not only a matter of equity but a Kenyan constitutional and statutory imperative. Indeed, traditional utilities such as Kenya Power and Ketraco may have to consider decoupling and diversifying their revenues and profits from energy sales to include transmission and distribution lines monetisation and optimisation.

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority on the other hand and in discharging its statutory mandate should continue to ensure just and reasonable, cost-reflective tariffs and the implementation of the regulatory framework that allow the utilities to recover the fixed costs of long-term contracts from the broader market created after liberalisation.

EU firmly committed to supporting UN-led efforts on Cyprus, Kallas says after phone call with Holguín

The European Union remains firmly committed to supporting the United Nations-led efforts towards a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said following a phone call on Tuesday afternoon with the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguín.

In a social media post, Kallas said she had ‘a good call’ with Holguín ahead of her visit to Brussels on Wednesday, and the upcoming visit of the UN Secretary-General to Cyprus.

‘The EU remains firmly committed to supporting the UN-led efforts on Cyprus,’ Kallas stated.

The two officials also discussed ‘recent developments on the Cyprus issue and stressed the importance of maintaining momentum towards a comprehensive settlement’.

Kallas added that they agreed to continue their discussions during the United Nations General Assembly in September.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

After informal meetings in 2025, followed by a hiatus of several months, deliberations are underway for a new meeting in broader format to be held, as the term of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nears its end. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.

Russia summons Moldova’s Ambassador over diplomatic mission dispute

Russia has summoned Moldovan Ambassador Lilian Darii to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to lodge a strong protest over what Moscow describes as incidents involving the Russian Embassy’s personnel and diplomatic vehicles in Chi?inau, AzerNEWS reports.

Russia considers Moldova’s actions to be a serious violation of the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, which guarantees the privileges and immunities of diplomatic missions.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that on July 19, Moldovan police stopped a bus belonging to the Russian Embassy in Chi?inau and removed its diplomatic license plates. Moscow also alleged that embassy staff were subjected to the use of force and threatened with arrest during the incident.

A second incident reportedly occurred overnight between July 20 and 21 at the Leu?eni border crossing, where Russian Embassy personnel transporting an official diplomatic shipment from Moldova to Russia were allegedly detained for more than four hours without justification.

In response, Russia said it reserves the right to take reciprocal measures.

The incidents add to growing tensions between Moscow and Chi?inau, whose relations have deteriorated in recent years amid broader geopolitical disputes and disagreements over regional security

Germany-Azerbaijan Business Council reflects broader shift in economic diplomacy

Economic relationships are strongest when they are built not only on trade and investment, but also on trust, shared ambition, and institutions that endure beyond political cycles. As global markets become increasingly interconnected, countries are seeking more structured ways to transform economic potential into lasting partnerships. Against this backdrop, the establishment of the German-Azerbaijani Business Council symbolizes a new chapter in bilateral cooperation-one that aims to deepen commercial ties, foster innovation, and create a sustainable framework for long-term engagement between the business communities of Germany and Azerbaijan.

In today’s global economy, sustainable partnerships are increasingly built not only through government-to-government agreements but also through strong institutional mechanisms that facilitate continuous dialogue between businesses, policymakers, and investors. The German-Azerbaijani Business Council embodies this modern approach by providing a permanent platform where representatives of both countries can exchange ideas, identify common interests, and transform economic potential into practical cooperation. Rather than relying on occasional meetings or isolated business forums, the Council establishes a systematic mechanism designed to promote lasting engagement and tangible outcomes.

Germany has long been recognized as one of Europe’s leading industrial and technological powers, while Azerbaijan has steadily expanded its role as a regional economic hub connecting Europe with the South Caucasus, Central Asia, and beyond. The creation of the Business Council demonstrates the growing recognition of Azerbaijan’s economic potential, favorable investment opportunities, and strategic geographic position. As regional connectivity becomes increasingly important in international trade, Azerbaijan’s role as a bridge between East and West continues to attract greater attention from international business communities seeking reliable and diversified economic partnerships.

One of the Council’s most significant contributions will be its ability to facilitate direct communication between companies from both countries. Strong business relationships are often built through regular interaction, trust, and a clear understanding of mutual interests. By bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, industry representatives, and public institutions, the Council creates an environment where partnerships can develop more efficiently and where new investment projects can be identified and advanced through continuous cooperation.

Innovation and sustainability are central themes of the Council’s mission. Modern economic growth increasingly depends on technological advancement, knowledge-based industries, and environmentally responsible development. The emphasis on promoting innovative and future-oriented economic relations reflects a shared vision of expanding cooperation into sectors that will shape tomorrow’s economy. Such collaboration creates opportunities for businesses to exchange expertise, explore emerging industries, and develop initiatives that contribute to long-term economic resilience and competitiveness.

Investment promotion represents another important dimension of the new institutional framework. Every successful investment requires confidence, information, and effective communication between potential partners. The Business Council serves as a bridge that can connect investors with promising projects while supporting the identification, development, and, where appropriate, implementation of joint initiatives. This structured approach helps create an environment where investment opportunities become more visible and cooperation can progress in an organized and coordinated manner.

Knowledge sharing is equally valuable in strengthening bilateral economic relations. The Council is expected to encourage the exchange of professional expertise, sector-specific experience, and practical business knowledge through various working formats. Such cooperation allows businesses and institutions to learn from each other’s strengths, improve professional capabilities, and identify best practices across different industries. Continuous dialogue between experts contributes to stronger institutional capacity while encouraging innovation and higher standards of business cooperation.

Another important aspect of the Business Council is its advisory role in supporting improvements to the business and investment environment in both countries. Constructive recommendations developed through direct interaction with the business community can help create conditions that encourage entrepreneurship, investment, and long-term economic cooperation. A well-functioning dialogue between governments and private sector representatives strengthens confidence among investors while supporting policies that facilitate economic growth and commercial activity.

The establishment of the German-Azerbaijani Business Council also reflects the growing importance of institutional cooperation in an increasingly interconnected global economy. International business relationships today require stable platforms that can respond to evolving market conditions, promote regular communication, and encourage long-term strategic planning. By institutionalizing cooperation rather than relying solely on individual projects, both countries are laying the groundwork for deeper and more diversified economic engagement in the years ahead.

Economic partnerships flourish when they are supported by trust, consistency, and shared objectives. The new Council provides exactly such a framework by bringing together government institutions and private enterprises in pursuit of common economic goals. Its comprehensive mandate-ranging from investment promotion and business networking to knowledge exchange and policy recommendations-creates multiple channels through which bilateral cooperation can continue to expand.

Ultimately, the launch of the German-Azerbaijani Business Council represents a forward-looking step in the development of bilateral economic relations. It signals a mutual commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation, encouraging innovation, facilitating investment, and expanding direct engagement between the business communities of both countries. As Germany and Azerbaijan continue to deepen their economic ties, the Council has the potential to become an important platform for fostering sustainable partnerships, unlocking new commercial opportunities, and supporting a dynamic and future-oriented economic relationship that benefits both nations.

Azerbaijan, IMF discuss economic cooperation [PHOTOS]

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Economy and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have held discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation, AzerNEWS reports.

vThe talks took place during a meeting between Deputy Economy Minister Samad Bashirli and Anna Bordon, the IMF’s mission chief for Azerbaijan.

The discussions focused on current and medium-term economic forecasts, structural reforms, and measures aimed at diversifying Azerbaijan’s economy. They also reviewed the Ministry of Economy’s work in these areas, as well as reforms in tax policy and tax administration.

The Azerbaijani side highlighted efforts to expand state support mechanisms for entrepreneurship, introduce new business development tools, and strengthen investment policies in the non-oil and gas sector. Opportunities for deeper cooperation with international financial institutions were also explored.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on issues of mutual interest.

PM named in new petition for Senate poll probe

The opposition has been urged to investigate nine senior Bhumjaithai Party figures including Prime Minister Anutin Charnviurakul for alleged involvement in manipulating the 2024 Senate election.

The election-monitoring group iLaw on Tuesday presented new information to opposition chief whip Parit Wacharasindhu, who said the opposition would review the petition and use parliamentary mechanisms to scrutinise the claims.

Mr Parit, a People’s Party list MP, also said the opposition would hold another public forum on July 26 featuring new witnesses from several provinces.

The latest information from iLaw is based in part on accounts heard at a seminar the opposition held at parliament on July 12. Participants including candidates described in great detail the backroom manoeuvrings and exchanges of money, sometimes in six figures, in exchange for supporting pre-approved lists of Senate candidates.

All of this activity, iLaw has alleged, took place with the explicit or implicit approval of the most senior Bhumjaithai Party officials.

In addition to the prime minister, other politicians named include Deputy Prime Minister Songsak Thongsri, PM’s Office ministers Paradorn Prissananantakul, Napintorn Srisunpang and Suksomruay Wantaneeyakul, government chief whip Korrawee Prissananantakul and Deputy PM Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn.

iLaw director Yingcheep Atchanont said witness accounts suggested the politicians may have been involved in activities that undermined the integrity of the Senate election.

The petition alleged Mr Anutin discussed the Senate race and assigned aides to coordinate with candidates, while another witness claimed he attended a meeting with newly elected senators after the election to discuss Senate leadership.

‘Not credible,’ says PM

Mr Anutin on Tuesday dismissed the claims, saying he had nothing to do with the case. When told he was the first person named, he said the information was ‘not credible’.

Mr Parit urged the Election Commission not to limit the case to individual provinces or low-level participants and called for all those allegedly involved to be referred to court if evidence supported the allegations

Reserve senator Akkharawat Phongthanachalitkuun said 12 additional witnesses were expected to provide evidence next week.

The 2024 Senate election gave rise to allegations of systemic fraud and vote-buying by at least 120 senators.

The vote produced some highly unusual results, notably a preponderance of winners from provinces where the Bhumjaithai Party, which now leads the government, is strong electorally.

The Election Commission since March 2025 has been investigating reports of collusion to rig the vote in 2024. It is expected to decide by next month whether to forward cases involving 229 individuals identified by an investigative panel.

The Department of Special Investigation, meanwhile, has interviewed hundreds of people about reports of money-laundering related to the election and is now reviewing the findings. (Story continues below)

EC chief in spotlight

In a related development, reserve Mr Akkharawat on Tuesday submitted a petition to Mr Parit, seeking an investigation into the payment of salaries, position allowances and other benefits to Election Commission secretary-general Sawaeng Boonmee after the EC reportedly ruled in 2025 that he had failed a performance evaluation.

The case sparked controversy following reports questioning whether four former commissioners who took part in the evaluation still had the legal authority to do so after leaving office.

The issue was rendered moot earlier this month when the EC board voted 5-2 to nullify the previous performance review. This cleared the way for Mr Sawaeng to remain in his role until his contract expires in 2027

Mr Akkharawat also called for scrutiny of the current EC’s authority to conduct such evaluations and for a review of Mr Sawaeng’s current employment contract.

Why dead cat strategy is bad for Kenya

Friends are usually surprised by my distaste for political banter. True, I have been an MP and a governor, but I prefer ideas that can transform society, to political gossip.

This frustrates a group of young leaders with whom I interact. My insistence that good politics must have standards, and that the end does not always justify the means, seems lofty to them. My conviction that politics must go beyond name-calling, solve problems and improve living standards seems unattainable.

They quote Machiavelli, who argued that a politician cannot be judged with the same morality as a commoner. I’m a leader not a politician, I protest, as they point to a growing trend.

Using outlandish and controversial topics, Kenyan politicians push the public and media to debate the shock factor, rather than focusing on key issues such as unemployment and the cost of living.

This tactic is called the dead cat strategy.

Popularised by former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Australian political strategist Lynton Crosby, the dead cat strategy is a political communications manoeuvre that introduces a sensational, controversial topic to divert public attention away from a more critical or damaging issue.

If you are losing an argument, or the facts are against you, throw a dead cat onto the dining table mate, Crosby famously advised Johnson. Everyone will immediately recoil, and start talking about the cat, instantly making them forget about the previous, uncomfortable conversation.

The point is distraction. The injected topic must be outrageous or highly emotional, to guarantee immediate media coverage and public outrage. The goal is to flood the news cycle with the new, controllable controversy so that the original issue-such as a policy failure or ethical lapse-slips by, unnoticed.

Coming into prominent view in the early 2010s, the concept is not new. Sample this: From the 19th century practice of using smelly smoked fish to throw hunting hounds off a scent trail, the ‘red herring’ became the definitive literary and political term for introducing an irrelevant topic, to divert attention from the real issue. The trick and word, are now in common usage.

‘Wag the Dog’, made popular by a 1997 movie of the same title, is a political term for creating a diversion such as an international military crisis, or foreign policy spectacle, to shift domestic media attention away from a severe political scandal at home. This is common in US and European politics.

Politicians know that public attention span is limited, and thus have, since Roman emperors, provided everything from free food to entertainment, to distract the populace from vexing political issues. They manufacture consent, Noam Chomsky argued in 1989, by staging unmissable spectacles that quietly push unfavorable policies off-stage.

Kenya’s politics is similar. It is structured around ethnic mobilisation rather than ideological or policy differences. Instead of competing on economic, healthcare, or education platforms, politicians build tribal coalitions to win elections. Ethnicity is a dead cat.

In a game of chameleon politics, parties change names and alliances every election cycle, based on tribal math, not shared ideology or policy goals. As voters, we prioritise representation over pressing issues, supporting co-ethnics out of fear of exclusion from government programs. This ‘our turn to eat’ thinking is common political speak.

There are, however, signs of a transition to issue-based politics. Kenya’s urbanised, tech-savvy youth are moving away from traditional ethnic patterns, using social media to organise around governance issues.

The 2024 youth-led revolt, and shifting economic pressures, demonstrate a growing public demand for accountability over tribal loyalty. Voters are beginning to unite around economic issues rather than tribal identity.

As late president Mwai Kibaki says in a viral clip, economic hardships like stagnant real incomes, unemployment, and high cost of living, have no tribal dimension.

Further, county-level debates are forcing gubernatorial and county legislative politicians to address specific local issues including jobs, healthcare, agriculture, and water access. Citizens are making comparisons.

While ‘dog bites man’ is a poor headline, the media should aide the transition by shifting coverage from sensational political elite melodramas, to rigorous, data-driven debates analysing the feasibility of candidate promises.

And buyer beware. As the 2027 elections beckon, dead cats are everywhere. Goonism and calls for a tourism and investment boycott are but two examples!