Founded in the year 578, Japan’s Kongo Gumi construction company is recognized as the oldest continuously operating company in the world.

Thousands of companies are founded and liquidated daily around the globe, many of which only operate for a few years, maybe even months. The world’s most valuable companies have only been around for a few decades and with technology changing the business landscape at breakneck speeds, who knows how long they’ll be around.

Today, there are only a few thousand companies older than 200 years, and even those seem relatively new compared to the world’s oldest continually operating company, Kongo Gumi. Founded in the 6th century by a Korean carpenter specializing in Buddhist temple construction, the Japanese construction company has been operating for a whopping 1446 years.

The history of Kongo Gumi can be traced back to Japan’s very first Buddhist temple, the Shitenno-ji in Osaka. In the late 6th century, Buddhism was spreading fast around Japan, and even though the Asian archipelago was mainly Taoist, the royal family was directly involved in the mass adoption of the new religion.

Building a Buddhist temple was an important step towards that goal, but the country had no craftsmen familiar with Buddhist temple architecture, so three such Miyadaiku were invited to Japan from Baekje, a kingdom on the Korean peninsula.

Kongō Shikō, one of the three miyadaiku invited to Japan to build Shitennō-ji, the country’s first Buddhist temple, founded the Kongo Gumi construction in the year 578. Records of its work on Shitennō-ji in modern-day Osaka can be found in “Nihon Shoki” (“Chronicle of Japan”), the oldest official history of Japan, so it is officially recognized as the country’s oldest continually operating company.

After completing Shitennō-ji in 593, Kongo Gumi remained actively involved in the building and restoration of Buddhist temples and shrines throughout Japan for almost a millennia. The Shitennō-ji temple played a big part in its success, but it wasn’t enough to ensure its survival for such an incredibly long period pf time. According to Hidekazu Sone, an associate professor at the Shizuoka University of Art and Culture, Kongo Gumi owes its longevity to the skill of its craftsmen and the management ability of its leaders.

Records show that throughout its existence, Kongo Gumi employed several groups of Japan’s most skilled carpenters and craftsmen, and it was precisely the competition between these different groups that led to the discovery and improvement of different techniques which in turn allowed the company to be several steps ahead of any competition.

Throughout most of its 1446-year history, Kongo Gumi was run by 40 generations of Kongo descendants, but Hidekazu Sone claims that family never allowed tradition to come before the good of the company. During the Edo Period (1603 – 1868), Kongo Gumi had serious competition from other groups of carpenters, so to ensure the survival of the family business, it only selected leaders with the necessary carpentry skills to inspire employees and good management skills. Documents show that the Kongo family didn’t always put its firstborn in charge of the construction company if they lacked the required qualities, and didn’t shy away from replacing leaders if they failed to display a commitment to their position. When the family had no male heirs, it made sure that the daughters married great carpenters and leaders for the good of the company.

Kongo Gumi faced many challenges throughout its existence, with some of the most notable being the Showa Depression of the 1920s, when Kongo Haruichi, the 37th leader of Kongo Gumi took his own life due to financial difficulties, and World War II, when demand for Buddhist religious buildings declined dramatically. However, it managed to stay afloat until 2006, when it was acquired by a much younger construction company from Osaka. At that point, it had accumulated large debts and could no longer operate independently.

Even though today Kongo Gumi operates as a subsidiary of the Takamatsu Construction Group, its impressive history is still an inspiration for its parent company and many others in Japan. No descendants of the Kongo family are involved in the management of the company, and only one descendant is currently employed by Kongo Gumi. The Kongo clan is still very much respected among Japan’s carpenters.

Oddity Central

The Incorporated Trustees of Computer Village Market Traders and Stakeholders Joint Management, representing a coalition of market associations within the Computer Village, Ikeja, have issued a cease and desist notice to the Iyaloja-General of Lagos, Mrs. Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, over an alleged imposition of levies on the market. 

The notice dated August 28, 2024, a copy of which was seen by Nairametrics, was formally served by Falana and Falana’s Chambers on behalf of the association. 

The legal notice addresses multiple grievances that the traders have against Tinubu-Ojo, who is President Bola Tinubu’s daughter, particularly her alleged involvement in the unlawful collection of levies and disruption of market activities through the use of thugs.  

According to the notice, this was despite a previous court ruling restraining her from such activities, the traders allege that she has continued to meddle in their operations, causing significant disruptions. 

Background and allegations 

The Incorporated Trustees of Computer Village Market Traders and Stakeholders Joint Management is a legally registered entity under Part “C” of the Company and Allied Matters Act. The association comprises several groups, including the Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association of Nigeria (PAPDA), the Computer and Allied Products Dealers Association (COMTEAN), and the Association of Mobile Communication Devices Engineers and Technicians (AMCODET), among others. 

• According to the letter, the traders secured a favourable ruling from an Ikeja High Court in December 2020 under Suit No. ID/9039MFHR/19.  
• The court order permanently restrained Tinubu-Ojo and her agents from imposing and collecting any levies within Computer Village, citing a lack of legal basis for such actions. 
• Despite this ruling, the traders claim that Tinubu-Ojo has continued to engage in actions that infringe on their rights.  
• These actions allegedly include instigating thugs to disrupt lawful gatherings and pressuring the traders’ business partners to make payments directly to her. 

“Our client is not unaware that you have contacted our client’s several partners to make their commitments to you.  

“We have instructions to warn against any further demand or communication to our client’s partners including but not limited to Oppo, Proview, Samsung, Big and Bold et al because the commodity association of the Women and Men Market Association which is the basis of your appointment by the Lagos State Government has no membership in Computer Village,” the notice signed by Taiwo Olawanle and Adebayo Oniyelu of Falana and Falana’s Chambers read in part. 

The traders have also raised concerns about Mrs. Abisola Azeez, who was appointed as the Iyaloja of Computer Village under Tinubu-Ojo’s sanction. The traders assert that Mrs. Azeez has no shop or stake in Computer Village, further questioning the legitimacy of her role. 

Legal implications  

The notice draws attention to the limitations of Tinubu-Ojo’s powers under the Lagos State Market Advisory Council Law.  

• It notes that the law, particularly under Section 8, does not grant her the authority to collect levies or interfere in the internal affairs of markets such as Computer Village.  
• The traders argue that even if her office had such powers, Computer Village is not covered under the referenced law. 
• Falana and Falana’s Chambers, on behalf of the traders, warned Tinubu-Ojo against any further interference, emphasizing that continued violations will result in the pursuit of all available legal remedies, including claims for costs incurred. 

What you should know 

This development marks the latest chapter in the ongoing struggle for control over one of Lagos State’s most significant commercial hubs.  

The market traders had vehemently kicked against the appointment of an Iyaloja for them in 2019. According to them, the technological and commercial hub had been regulated by the Lagos State Ministry of Wealth Creation, and no Iyaoloja was needed to regulate their activities.  

They also argued that the Computer Village is a modern market and there was no relationship between technology and traditionalists. However, the appointment was not rescinded.  

The Computer Village is adjudged as the largest ICT market in West Africa and adds over N300 billion to the economy yearly.  

Nairametrics

Dangote Oil Refinery has begun processing petrol after delays caused by recent crude shortages, an executive said on Monday.

The $20 billion refinery on the outskirts of Lagos, built by Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, began operations in January with output of products including naphtha and jet fuel.

With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, Africa's largest refinery promises to ease oil producer Nigeria's costly reliance on imported oil products.

"We are testing the product (gasoline) and subsequently it will start flowing into the product tanks," said Devakumar Edwin, a vice president at Dangote Industries Limited.

He did not say exactly when the gasoline would hit the local market.

Edwin said state-oil firm NNPC Ltd, Nigeria's sole importer of gasoline, would buy its gasoline exclusively.

"If no one is buying it, we will export it as we have been exporting our aviation jet fuel and diesel," Edwin said.

The delivery of gasoline into the Nigerian market will ease NNPC's struggleto supply the local market. The company is reeling with debts of $6 billion to oil traders for supply since January.

This has affected its ability to supply the local market where fuel queues have persisted since July.

Prices have jumped by 45% from the official price of 617 naira ($0.3942) announced after subsidies were removed last year.

“The news that Dangote is processing gasoline couldn’t come at a more crucial time given NNPC’s statement about its difficulties securing imported supply due to financial strain," said Clementine Wallop, director, sub-Saharan Africa at political risk consultancy Horizon Engage.

She said this "prompts the question of how NNPC will manage purchasing from Dangote, and impresses the need for greater transparency in its finances".

Nigeria is Africa's top oil producer yet it imports almost all its fuel due to years of neglect of its national refineries.

($1 = 1,565.0000 naira)

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPCL) has long been a symbol of mismanagement, corruption, and inefficiency, despite being the custodian of one of the world’s largest oil reserves. The persistent fuel shortages, mounting debts, and inability to fulfill its basic mandate of ensuring energy security have underscored the need for urgent reforms. The recent admission by NNPCL that it is struggling financially—owing international oil traders over $6 billion—highlights the severe crisis facing the company and, by extension, the Nigerian economy.

The NNPCL, now existing under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) as a limited liability company, was intended to operate independently of government interference, driven by principles of profitability, transparency, and efficiency. However, it remains shackled by political influence and remains a de facto extension of the government, an "ATM" for the Federal Government, as Atiku Abubakar aptly described it. This state of affairs not only contravenes the PIA's provisions but also perpetuates the same inefficiencies and corruption that have plagued the company for decades.

The Case for Privatization

Listing the NNPCL on the Nigerian Stock Exchange—and possibly on international exchanges—is not just an option; it is an imperative for the revitalization of Nigeria's oil industry and the broader economy. Privatization would bring numerous benefits:

1. Enhanced Transparency and Governance: As a publicly listed company, NNPCL would be subject to rigorous disclosure and governance standards. This would reduce the opacity that has allowed corruption to flourish within the company, fostering a culture of accountability.

2. Attracting Investment and Expertise: By opening up to private investors, including international oil companies, NNPCL can attract the capital and technical expertise needed to overhaul its operations. Successful examples like the Nigeria LNG and Eleme Petrochemicals—both of which have thrived under private management—demonstrate the potential for a restructured NNPCL to become a profitable and efficient enterprise.

3. Economic Growth and Job Creation: Privatization would likely lead to more efficient management of the company’s assets, including its long-comatose refineries. Revitalizing these refineries and other infrastructure could create thousands of jobs, boost local economies, and reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products, thereby improving trade balances.

4. Revenue Generation for the Government: The sale of NNPCL shares would generate significant revenue for the government, providing much-needed funds to address Nigeria's mounting national debt, currently at over N121 trillion. Moreover, a privatized NNPCL that operates efficiently would provide a steady stream of dividends and taxes to the government, rather than being a drain on the national budget.

5. Stabilizing the Oil Sector and Economy: With NNPCL’s financial woes directly contributing to fuel shortages and economic instability, privatization could stabilize the company, ensuring consistent fuel supplies, more predictable pricing, and greater energy security. This stability is crucial for the broader economy, which remains heavily reliant on oil revenues.

The Road Ahead: Privatization with Integrity

For privatization to succeed, it must be carried out with transparency and integrity. The process should involve reputable international institutions to ensure that the valuation, listing, and share distribution are handled professionally and without undue influence. It is essential that politically exposed persons and entities connected to past and present governments be excluded from acquiring significant stakes in the company, to prevent the perpetuation of the very issues that privatization seeks to resolve.

Moreover, the mistakes of past privatizations—such as the power sector, where inadequate investors left the country with underperforming distribution companies—must be avoided. The government must ensure that only credible investors with the necessary capital and expertise are involved in NNPCL’s privatization.

The NNPCL, as it currently operates, is a relic of Nigeria’s past, marred by corruption and inefficiency. Privatization offers a path forward, transforming the company into a profitable and transparent enterprise that can contribute positively to Nigeria’s economy. It is time for the government to muster the political will to divest itself of control, allowing NNPCL to truly operate as a private company, free from the shackles of political interference. The benefits of such a move—to the oil industry, the Nigerian economy, the people, and the government—are too significant to ignore.

Amnesty International has condemned the planned mass trial of #EndBadGovernance protesters by the federal government. 

Nigerians staged a nationwide protest against bad governance and economic hardship from August 1–10.

The protest turned violent in some parts of the country, with looting and vandalism recorded in some states.

Subsequently, the police announced the arrest of perpetrators in some states.

On August 16, Amnesty said over 1,000 #EndBadGovernance protesters were detained nationwide.

In a statement on Sunday, Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International Nigeria, said the protesters include minors, adding that they have been denied access to lawyers.

The rights group asked the government to release the protesters, saying the planned mass trial is “a sham”.

“Amnesty International is deeply concerned that the #EndBadGovernaceInNigeria protesters to be arraigned nationwide tomorrow (today) are only going to be subjected to another round of government’s unrelenting intent to punish protesters and demonize protests,” the statement reads.

“We condemn the sham trials even before they begin and call for an end to these endless bizarre attempts to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest.

“What is going to happen to these protesters — who took to the streets last month — seeking good governance is a disguised exercise solely aimed at punishing dissenters.

“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested from 1-10 August for exercising their right to peaceful assembly, instead of resorting to putting them through trumped-up charges just to justify unlawfully detaining them.

“The Nigerian government has been wrongfully placing priority on punishing protesters, without saying even a word on the urgent need to investigate the killing of dozens of protesters across Kano, Katsina, Suleja/Tafa, Jigawa and Maiduguri.

“Many protesters were subjected to horrific violations by security personnel, including excessive use of force and misuse of tear gas.

“Since the arrests of the protesters, Amnesty International has been receiving disturbing reports of violation of the rights of those detained through denial of access to family, legal assistance and medical care where needed.

“That dozens of minors are among those detained and possibly to face trial tomorrow is a travesty of justice.”

Amnesty said the planned mass trial is a “mockery of the rule of law”.

“The authorities have an obligation to uphold and protect fundamental human rights,” the statement adds.

“Instead of investing in desperate attempts to rush dissent, the government should listen to critics, and address rampant insecurity, corruption and mismanagement.

“Giving more attention to rescuing millions of Nigerians from the brink of starvation should be the top priority of government, not punishing protesters.”

The Cable

Drew Povey,  a British national declared wanted, has reacted to the allegation of building “a network of sleeper cells to topple” the Bola Tinubu administration “and plunge the nation into chaos.”

On Monday, the police high command promised to reward any Nigerian who facilitates the arrest of Povey.

Apart from Wynne, the Force also declared one Lucky Ehis Obinyan, wanted.

In a Special Police Gazette Bulletin shared with journalists at Force Headquarters, the force accused the duo of terrorism financing, treasonable felony, cybercrime, subversion and criminal conspiracy.

The police said the Briton has fled the country.

It also said the suspect established the bookshop and ‘STARS of Nations Schools’ as a cover for his subversive activities.”

Reacting, Povey, in a statement written on the letterhead of his bookshop, said the mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government.

“But rather than addressing the people’s demands, the government turned to repression,” he said.

The statement read in part: “PROTEST IS NOT TREASON – release all the detainees! The mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government. But rather than addressing the peoples’ demands, the government turned to repression. Perhaps 40 people were murdered by the police and other the security forces, thousands were arrested and many still remain in captivity.

“In Abuja, the authorities have attacked the so called leaders and organisers of the protests. Ten people face ridiculous charges including treason, mutiny and levying war against the state. The NLC promised a general strike to protect its President, Joe Ajaero, from arrest and detention in relation to similar charges. Despite the flimsy nature of the evidence against the detainees, they face long years in prison unless the trade union movement is prepared to protect them.

“On 7th August the NLC said it, “condemns in the strongest terms the human rights violations perpetrated by security forces against peaceful protesters.” The first person to be arrested in this case was Eleojo Opaluwa. He is a former colleague of Joe Ajaero, working for NUEE, the electricians union, as an organiser in Abuja. He is also the Vice Chair of the NLC in Kogi State. He has now been detained for over 4 weeks with no tangible evidence. His family was told that he had received a WhatsApp message from one of the other alleged leaders.”

Daily Trust

Hamas says hostage guards in Gaza have been operating under new instructions

Hamas' armed wing said on Monday that since June the group has been operating under new instructions on how to handle hostages should Israeli forces approach their locations in Gaza.

The announcement comes days after the Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages from a tunnel in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, saying they had been shot dead by their captors as Israeli forces got close.

Abu Ubaida, spokesperson for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, did not provide details on what the instructions were. He said his group holds Israel responsible for the hostages' deaths.

The new instructions, Ubaida said, were given to guards of hostages after a rescue operation by Israel in June. At that time, Israeli forces freed four hostages in a raid in which dozens of Palestinians, including women and children, were killed.

"Netanyahu's insistence to free prisoners through military pressure, instead of sealing a deal, means they will be returned to their families in shrouds. Their families must choose whether they want them dead or alive," he said.

Later on Monday, the Hamas armed wing published a pre-recorded video of one of the six dead hostages. It was unclear when the video was made.

Netanyahu said in a press conference on Monday that the hostages had been shot in the back of the head, and promised that Hamas would pay a heavy price.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said Netanyahu's accusations against Hamas were an attempt to escape responsibility for their deaths.

"Netanyahu killed the six prisoners and he is determined to kill the remaining ones. The Israelis should choose between Netanyahu or the deal," Abu Zuhri said.

Similarly, Ezzat El Rashq, a member of the Hamas political bureau, said in a statement published by the group on Monday: "The resistance's hostages can immediately return to their families, the [one] stalling their return and responsible for their lives is Netanyahu."

Israel and Hamas have failed to reach a deal that would end the war and see the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in return for many Palestinians jailed by Israel.

Hamas wants an agreement to end the war and get Israeli forces out of Gaza while Netanyahu says the war can only end once Hamas is defeated.

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

West wants ‘total control’ over Ukraine – Putin

The Ukraine conflict stems from long-standing Western ambitions to control the country, Russian President Vladimir Putin has said. The Russian leader made the comments in an interview with Mongolian newspaper Onoodor, ahead of his visit to the country on Monday. 

“For decades, they [the West] have sought total control over Ukraine. They funded nationalist and anti-Russian organizations there; they persistently worked to convince Ukraine that Russia was its eternal enemy and the main threat to its existence,” Putin stated.

The Russian leader referred to the 2014 Maidan coup in Kiev, saying it was orchestrated by the US and its “satellites” and driven by “radical neo-Nazi groups” in Ukraine, which, Putin claimed, continue to determine the country’s policies.

The Kremlin has listed the “denazification” of Ukraine as one of the key objectives of the current military operation. 

“The hatred for everything Russian has become Ukraine’s official ideology. The use of the Russian language has been increasingly restricted, and the canonical Orthodoxy has been subjected to persecution, which now has come to the point of a direct ban,” Putin added. 

Last month, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky signed into law legislation enabling any religious group suspected of having ties to Russia to be banned. The bill effectively threatens to shut down the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), the largest faith organization in the country. The UOC has historical ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC).

The Russia-Ukraine conflict is the natural outcome of the “destructive strategy of the West towards Ukraine,” Putin said.

The Russian leader is scheduled to visit Mongolia on Monday for a World War II commemoration. He is expected to attend a ceremony honoring the 1939 Battle of Khalkhin Gol, in which the decisive victory of the Red Army and its Mongolian allies over the Imperial Japanese Army secured the Soviet Union’s eastern flank until 1945.

The visit would theoretically put the Russian leader at risk of arrest on the International Criminal Court’s “war crimes” warrant, as Ulaanbaatar recognizes the ICC’s jurisdiction. The court has insisted that Mongolia has an “obligation to cooperate.” However, Moscow “has no concerns”about the ICC warrant, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, noting that all possible issues concerning Putin’s visit have been “worked out separately” in advance.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

US researchers find probable launch site of Russia's new nuclear-powered missile

Two U.S. researchers say they have identified the probable deployment site in Russia of the 9M370 Burevestnik, a new nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile touted by President Vladimir Putin as "invincible."

Putin has said the weapon - dubbed the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by NATO - has an almost unlimited range and can evade U.S. missile defenses. But some Western experts dispute his claims and the Burevestnik's strategic value, saying it will not add capabilities that Moscow does not already have and risks a radiation-spewing mishap.

Using images taken on July 26 by Planet Labs, a commercial satellite firm, the two researchers identified a construction project abutting a nuclear warhead storage facility known by two names - Vologda-20 and Chebsara - as the new missile's potential deployment site. The facility is 295 miles (475 km) north of Moscow.

Reuters is the first to report this development.

Decker Eveleth, an analyst with the CNA research and analysis organization, found the satellite imagery and identified what he assessed are nine horizontal launch pads under construction. They are located in three groups inside high berms to shield them from attack or to prevent an accidental blast in one from detonating missiles in the others, he said.

The berms are linked by roads to what Eveleth concluded are likely buildings where the missiles and their components would be serviced, and to the existing complex of five nuclear warhead storage bunkers.

The site is "for a large, fixed missile system and the only large, fixed missile system that they're (Russia) currently developing is the Skyfall," said Eveleth.

Russia's defense ministry and Washington embassy did not respond to a request to comment on his assessment, Burevestnik's strategic value, its test record and the risks it poses.

A Kremlin spokesman said these were questions for the defence ministry and declined further comment.

The U.S. State Department, the CIA, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and the U.S. Air Force National Air and Space Intelligence Center declined to comment.

The identification of the missile's probable launch site suggests that Russia is proceeding with its deployment after a series of tests in recent years marred by problems, said Eveleth and the second researcher, Jeffery Lewis, of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

Lewis agreed with Eveleth's assessment after reviewing the imagery at his request. The imagery "suggests something very unique, very different. And obviously, we know that Russia is developing this nuclear-powered missile," he said.

Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists, who also studied the Vologda imagery at Eveleth's request, said that it appears to show launch pads and other features "possibly" related to Burevestnik. But he said he could not make a definitive assessment because Moscow does not typically place missile launchers next to nuclear warhead storage.

Eveleth, Lewis, Kristensen and three other experts said Moscow's normal practice has been stockpiling nuclear payloads for land-based missiles far from launch sites - except for those on its deployed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) force.

But deploying the Burevestnik at Vologda would allow the Russian military to stockpile the nuclear-armed missiles in its bunkers, making them available to launch quickly, said Lewis and Eveleth.

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Russia will make changes to its guidelines on the use of nuclear weapons in response to what it regards as Western escalation in the war in Ukraine, state news agency TASS reported on Sunday.

POOR TEST RECORD

A 2020 report by the United States Air Force's National Air and Space Intelligence Center said that if Russia successfully brought the Burevestnik into service, it would give Moscow a "unique weapon with intercontinental-range capability".

But the weapon's checkered past and design limitations raised doubts among eight experts interviewed by Reuters about whether its deployment would change the nuclear stakes for the West and other Russian foes.

The Burevestnik has a poor test record of at least 13 known tests, with only two partial successes, since 2016, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI), an advocacy group focused on reducing nuclear, biological and emergent technology risks.

The setbacks include a 2019 blast during the botched recovery of an unshielded nuclear reactor allowed to "smolder" on the White Sea floor for a year following a prototype crash, according to State Department reports.

Russia's state nuclear agency Rosatom saidfive staff members died during the testing of a rocket on Aug. 8. Putin presented their widows with top state awards, saying the weapon they were developing was without equal in the world, without naming the Burevestnik.

Pavel Podvig, a Geneva-based expert on Russia's nuclear forces, Lewis, Eveleth, and other experts said it will not add capabilities that Moscow's nuclear forces already do not have, including the ability to overwhelm U.S. missile defenses.

Moreover, its nuclear-powered engine threatens to disgorge radiation along its flight path and its deployment risks an accident that could contaminate the surrounding region, said Cheryl Rofer, a former U.S. nuclear weapons scientist and other experts.

"The Skyfall is a uniquely stupid weapon system, a flying Chernobyl that poses more threat to Russia than it does to other countries," agreed Thomas Countryman, a former top State Department official with the Arms Control Association, referring to the 1986 nuclear plant disaster.

NATO did not respond to questions about how the alliance would respond to the weapon's deployment.

Little publicly is known about the Burevestnik's technical details.

Experts assess that it would be sent aloft by a small solid-fuel rocket to drive air into an engine containing a miniature nuclear reactor. Superheated and possibly radioactive air would be blasted out, providing forward thrust.

Putin unveiled it in March 2018, saying the missile would be "low flying," with nearly unlimited range, an unpredictable flight path and "invincible" to current and future defenses.

Many experts are skeptical of Putin's claims.

The Burevestnik, they say, could have a range of some 15,000 miles (23,000 km) - compared to more than 11,000 miles (17,700 km) for the Sarmat, Russia's newest ICBM - while its subsonic speed would make it detectable.

"It’s going to be as vulnerable as any cruise missile," said Kristensen. "The longer it flies, the more vulnerable it becomes because there is more time to track it. I don't understand Putin's motive here."

The Burevestnik's deployment is not banned by New START, the last U.S.-Russian accord limiting strategic nuclear weapon deployments, which expires in February 2026.

A provision allows Washington to request negotiations with Moscow on bringing the Burevestnik under the caps but a State Department spokesperson said no such talks had been sought.

Citing the war in Ukraine, Russia has spurned U.S. calls for unconditional talks on replacing New START, stoking fears of an all-out nuclear arms race when it expires.

Podvig said Moscow might use the missile as a bargaining chip if talks ever resume.

He called the Burevestnik a "political weapon" that Putin used to bolster his strongman image before his 2018 re-election and to telegraph to Washington that it cannot dismiss his concerns over U.S. missile defenses and other issues.

RT/Reuters

Six months ago, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s grip on power in Bangladesh appeared unbreakable. The ruling Awami League had just won a fourth successive term in an uncontested election, allowing it to remain in full control of the country’s institutions. With journalists, human-rights defenders, opposition members, and other critics facing politically motivated prosecution, prison, exile, and forced disappearance, the country’s continued descent into authoritarianism seemed certain.

But suddenly, last month, student-led protests erupted across the country, fueled by outrage over a quota system that allocates government jobs to the ruling party’s allies. The state’s response – a violent crackdown that claimed more than 400 lives – revealed the brittleness of Hasina’s 15-year rule. In scenes reminiscent of the Sri Lankan “Aragalaya” mass protests that ended the rule of the Rajapaksa family in 2022, young Bangladeshis forced Hasina to resign and flee into exile.

Bangladesh is the latest in a series of youth-driven uprisings that have shaken countries in Asia and Africa this year. In February, young Pakistanis delivered a shock result when, defying the military, they voted en masse for the imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, giving his allies the highest number of votes and seats in parliament.

The following month, young Senegalese voters reclaimed their democracy in an election that was nearly stolen from them. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, a little-known tax inspector, was catapulted from prison to the presidency in the space of just a few weeks.

Then, in June, the tremors reached Kenya, where protesters, proudly identifying themselves as “Gen Z,” took to the streets to express their outrage against President William Ruto’s plan to introduce new taxes on essential items. As in Bangladesh, the authorities responded with lethal violence, killing dozens and injuring hundreds. Ultimately, though, Ruto was forced to withdraw the bill. Now attention has turned to Nigeria, which has been jolted by protests over the rising cost of living.

A new generation is asserting itself in parts of Asia and Africa. Young people are spontaneously forming protest movements and forging rare coalitions. This is the first generation that has not known life before the internet, and they are using social media not just to announce and live-stream street protests, but also to organize and debate. In the process, they are devising innovative tactics, including the use of artificial intelligence, and creating new spaces by holding digital demonstrations when the streets are closed off to them. In response, governments have unleashed their own techno-repression, from throttling the internet to shutting it down altogether.

These movements also are unsettling conventional views of politics, transcending traditional ethnic and political divides, and often shunning traditional political parties and civil-society organizations. It is typically assumed that populism and authoritarianism are complementary forces, yet here we see expressions of populism challenging authoritarianism – and by a generation that is proving to be both fearless and uncompromising. Far from deterring them, state violence has often hardened their resolve.

Of course, it would be a mistake to overstate this “youthquake” or to generalize across two vast continents. Gen-Z protesters are not monolithic, nor are they all idealistic in their ambitions. Like any other age cohort, the young are politically divided. In Bangladesh, for example, the ruling party’s thuggish youth wing, the Chhatra League, was partly responsible for the violence.

While Senegal had a relatively smooth transition, owing to the resilience of its institutions, Bangladesh is on a more uncertain path, with the threat of violence and civil disorder still hanging over the country. Recent reprisals against members of the Awami League and attacks on the Hindu minority show how the taste of victory can lead some to temptations of vengeance.

Nonetheless, there are striking similarities. In each case mentioned above, people between the ages of 15 and 34 constitute at least one-third of the total population. Despite strong economic growth of around 6% per year, Bangladesh struggles with 15% youth unemployment. And many of these countries are weighed down by heavy debt burdens, using between 20%and 60% of government expenditures to keep their creditors at bay – a sum that dwarfs public spending on education, health, and urgently needed climate action. It’s no coincidence that these protests are taking place in some of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world.

The protests were sparked in many cases by the announcement of new measures that would have inflicted more economic pain on young people – whether it was regressive taxes in Kenya, the unfair allocation of jobs in Bangladesh, or the rising cost of living in Nigeria. But these moves merely set aflame a tinderbox of grievances that had accumulated over decades. Young people are despairing not just the lack of economic prospects, but also their rulers’ greed, the state’s brutality, and a general unresponsiveness to their needs. There is an impatience with the status quo. They want to sweep away old, outdated orders and reimagine their political systems.

But this change will not come easily, nor is it guaranteed. A decade ago, youthful revolts also broke out across the Arab world, toppling dictatorships and rousing hopes for a more just and equitable order. To avoid those failures, the openings this moment has created will have to quickly be seized and built upon – and the dangers will have to be carefully navigated.

Project Syndicate

Key Takeaways

• Marketing your small retail business involves a creative, multichannel approach.
• You can maximize both in-store and online opportunities by using the simple yet effective marketing strategies listed in this article.

As a small retail shop owner, you have big ambitions but, perhaps, a tight budget. You want to attract more customers but not blow all your means on expensive ads or social media marketing. What are some strategies to implement now and attract more customers?

From the in-store experience to upping your digital "curb appeal," here are some simple yet effective ways to market your retail store.

1. Curate the in-store experience

An eye-catching storefront and thoughtful merchandising work wonders to not only draw in passersby but also increase sales. Carefully curating the in-store experience — from product displays to the checkout process to your customer service team — is essential for effective retail marketing.

The overall atmosphere of your store is important. Consider the colors, furniture, lighting, music and even scent. A pleasant ambiance makes the shopping experience more enjoyable and encourages customers to browse your store.

Make it easy for customers to find what they are looking for, with an intuitive layout and intentional product displays. Design your displays to highlight your best products, seasonal items or current promotions. Pair related products together (in proximity) to encourage customers to purchase complementary items. For example, place sunglasses near summer clothing or athletic equipment near sportswear.

Train staff to provide a positive, consistent customer service experience. For example, all staff should welcome guests as they enter the store and provide personalized recommendations based on the products customers are interested in.

2. Make it Meta (organic and ads)

With more than three billion monthly active users, Meta (formerly Facebook) is the biggest social media platform around. Meta is particularly effective when it comes to marketing a small retail business, whether through organic content or paid advertising.

First, create and optimize your Facebook business page to effectively describe your business, reflect your visual branding, share business updates, promote products and engage with customers. Your Facebook posts should have a consistent aesthetic and tone of voice so that when people visit your profile, they get a positive and clear impression of your business.

Meta also offers powerful ad-targeting tools to reach specific demographics based on location, interests and shopping behavior. You can run Meta ads on Facebook and Instagram to promote your store, online products, special offers or events.

Meta is also a great platform for sharing user-generated content. Encourage your customers to share photos of their purchases and tag your store. This type of content serves as impactful social proof and testimonials for your products.

3. Run pin-worthy product promos

If you sell products online through your website, then Pinterest is the place for promotion. With over 500 million active users, Pinterest is an extensive online marketplace that allows people to discover new products and brands.

Pinterest — like Google, Bing or YouTube — works as a search engine. People search for how-to guides, products, video content, etc., and the algorithm generates their feed to match. By creating content "pins" related to what people are searching for, you can get your products to rank high in Pinterest search.

The types of content that tend to perform best on Pinterest are product showcases with high-quality images, step-by-step tutorials featuring your products, seasonal inspiration boards and customer testimonials or reviews.

Experiment with different topics and content formats to see what your customers enjoy most. Use tools like Tailwind to automatically circulate your Pins, improving visibility and traffic.

4. Up your digital curb appeal with SEO

You don't need to depend on casual foot traffic to keep your store busy. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) works to attract local customers searching online. Through geo-specific targeting, you can drive more customers to your physical storefront.

Use an SEO keyword tool like Semrush to identify searchable key terms related to your product, niche and/or location. For instance, if you run a women's boutique clothing store in Brooklyn, some key terms to target might include "women's clothing store brooklyn" (50 searches per month) and "brooklyn dress shop" (70 searches per month).

You'll then incorporate these key terms into the content on your website, whether on your main pages (home, about, contact, etc.), product pages or blog posts. Ensure that the content effectively describes the key term you wish to target on each page, respectively.

Implement on-page SEO best practices, like writing concise page titles, descriptions and page headings, to improve the "searchability" of your website. Identify question-based keywords, like "how to dress for an interview" to target longer, more descriptive blog post content.

Create a Google Business Profile that includes your hours, location, phone number and website link. Add eye-catching photos of your storefront, products and staff, and request that happy customers leave reviews on your profile. This will work to build trust and attract more local customers.

In summary, marketing a small retail business involves a creative, multichannel approach. In-store merchandising, Meta organic content and ads, Pinterest and SEO strategies can all be used to drive more online sales and local customers. From curating eye-catching displays and personalized customer service to creating content for Meta and Pinterest, these strategies come together to form a cohesive marketing plan that maximizes both in-store and online opportunities.

Entrepreneur