Lebanon left much of its population without state electricity last weekend after shutting down its power plants due to a lack of fuel.
The resulting power cut affected crucial infrastructure including ports, the airport, prisons, sewerage systems and water pumps.
The National revealed on Tuesday that the delay in fuel deliveries was due to Lebanon's attempt to renegotiate its mounting debt to Iraq – which stands at about $1.6 billion over three years, according to calculations based on official figures.
Lebanon, which has been suffering from a severe economic crisis since 2019 and has few natural resources, cannot afford to pay Iraq for its fuel delivery. It “doesn’t have the money to pay even a dollar”, an Iraqi senior official told The National.
For now, the issue seems to have been temporarily resolved. Iraq is said to have agreed to a discount and resumed its fuel deliveries, with the next shipment due to be loaded from Iraq on 26 August.
On Thursday, Algeria stepped in to help Lebanon, shipping 30,000 tonnes of fuel as a gesture of solidarity. The delivery is due to arrive next week to help restart the country's power stations.
Although the stations were restarted on Sunday at a reduced capacity, the power cuts continued to affect water pumps, which were still without electricity on Wednesday, Jean Gebran, general manager of the Beirut and Mount Lebanon Water Corporation, told The National.
Brotherly countries pay the bills
Lebanon's Minister of Energy, Walid Fayad thanked Algeria on Sunday for “contributing to [Lebanon's] rescue and assistance in its crises, just like brotherly Iraq”.
Marc Ayoub, associate fellow at the American University of Beirut’s Issam Fares Institute said: “It’s not just a fuel issue; it’s a symptom of a deeper crisis – political deadlock and a paralysed economy.”
“In the meantime, we turn to Iraq and Algeria, but these actions don’t resolve the underlying issues. We need a comprehensive approach, beginning with financial reforms and transparency in contracts."
For about three decades, the electricity sector has been crumbling amid a lack of investment. It has been kept afloat by costly and short-term fixes that have failed to provide round-the-clock electricity, despite repeated promises by politicians.
While Lebanon's current economic woes have exacerbated the power crisis, as the country can no longer afford to operate most of its power plants, it also failed to invest in the sector when it had the opportunity.
For about 30 years, unsustainable policies and neglect have resulted in power cuts that are “violating the right of Lebanon’s population to electricity,” Human Rights Watch said in a report last year.
A neglected sector
In 2010, the minister of energy at the time, Gebran Bassil, promised that Lebanon would have 24-hour electricity by 2014.
Citizens have increasingly turned to private generators to fill the gap left by the state electricity company Electricite du Liban. These generators have doubled the level of carcinogenic pollutants in Beirut since 2017, according to a study.
A health hazard for some has proved to be a fruitful endeavour for others. A 2020 World Bank report estimated that the generator market size was about $1.1 billion in 2018.
“The private sector has progressively taken over, benefiting vested interests – this was a political decision,” Mr Ayoub said.
How did we get here?
The country has been suffering from chronic underinvestment. It has not built a single power plant since the end of the 1990s.
“I calculated that all in all, the Lebanese government has invested only $5 billion in the electricity sector over 30 years,” Mr Ayoub said.
“That’s nothing. It was part of Lebanon's political decision after the civil war to shift the economy towards services and stop investing in productive sectors,” he said.
While the country’s current electricity demand is estimated at between 2,000 and 2,500 megawatts, Mr Ayoub estimates that national production capacity, which relies mainly on heavy fuel oil and diesel power plants, does not exceed 1,800 megawatts. This is if EDL has fuel to run them – which is currently not the case.
Most power plant projects – at least three plants proposed in recent years – have stalled due to a lack of transparency and concerns over tendering processes.
“Political bickering over rent distribution has thwarted any new projects,” Mr Ayoub said.
The only project introduced was a 2013 contract with a subsidiary of the Turkish energy company Karadeniz Holding.
Instead of investing in its national energy production, Lebanon opted to rent two floating power plants docked on its coast, costing over $1.5 billion – enough to build about three power plants and ensure energy security.
Originally meant as a temporary solution, the contract was renewed twice amid corruption allegations and a lack of transparency.
In 2021, as Lebanon faced a severe economic crisis, it could no longer afford to keep the floating plants running. Karadeniz Holdings shut down supplies over unpaid arrears, cutting off about 25 per cent of the country’s energy production.
Financial abyss
Chronic underinvestment has led to high electricity production costs and poor cost recovery. This year, EDL estimated that 38 per cent of its electricity production generates no revenue due to both technical losses from an outdated and poorly maintained grid and non-technical losses such as billing and collection failures.
Lebanon’s power plants rely on heavy fuel and diesel rather than natural gas, which is cheaper and cleaner.
EDL now produces electricity at about $0.20 per kilowatt-hour, while natural gas could produce it for a third of the price, at $0.07–0.08, according to Mr Ayoub.
“There have been several plans to transition to natural gas, but they failed due to conflicts of interest and political resistance from those benefiting from fossil fuels,” Mr Ayoub said.
Fossil fuel is a lucrative market. Fuel imports for EDL totalled $24 billion between 1992 and 2020, according to figures from Lebanon’s Ministry of Finance.
As a result, despite failing to provide continuous electricity, EDL has become a financial burden on public finances.
Between 1992 and 2018, government transfers to EDL contributed over $40 billion to the country’s public debt. Last year, the World Bank estimated that annual budgetary transfers to EDL averaged 3.8 per cent of GDP over the last decade, amounting to about half of the overall fiscal deficit.
Corruption
Endemic corruption has also crippled the sector. One of the most documented examples is the adulterated fuel scandal. In 2020, the Lebanese judiciary uncovered an alleged corruption scheme that accused officials at the Lebanese Ministry of Energy and laboratories of having been bribed to falsify fuel tests.
As a result, Lebanon paid a steep price for poor-quality fuel supplied under a 2005 deal with a subsidiary of Algeria's Sonatrach for EDL's power plants.
ZR Energy DMCC, which was subcontracted in secret “passed off their dangerously compromised fuel product by blending it with other fuels”, according to the US treasury which sanctioned their owners, Lebanese brothers Teddy and Raymond Rahme last year.
After the revelations, Sonatrach ended its contract with Lebanon in late 2020. After years of overpaying its fuel, the country struggled to find a replacement.
That is when Iraq stepped in to sell fuel with payment proposals. Under the terms of the contract, Lebanon pays Iraq for its fuel in an account in dollars at the Lebanon central bank, which Iraq can use to buy “goods and services” for its ministries within Lebanon.
About three years later, unpaid bills to Iraq have caused recurring power cuts.
“All the examples of corruption in recent years show the power of the cartel. We only see transitional reforms, but to undertake a complete reform that includes the economy, you need the political will to do so.” Mr Ayoub said.
“It’s not there,” he said.
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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The biog
Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah
Date of birth: 15 November, 1951
Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”
Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry
Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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PROFILE OF CURE.FIT
Started: July 2016
Founders: Mukesh Bansal and Ankit Nagori
Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
Size: 500 employees
Investment: $250 million
Investors: Accel, Oaktree Capital (US); Chiratae Ventures, Epiq Capital, Innoven Capital, Kalaari Capital, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Piramal Group’s Anand Piramal, Pratithi Investment Trust, Ratan Tata (India); and Unilever Ventures (Unilever’s global venture capital arm)
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ERick%20Famuyiwa%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPedro%20Pascal%20and%20Katee%20Sackhoff%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Overview
What: The Arab Women’s Sports Tournament is a biennial multisport event exclusively for Arab women athletes.
When: From Sunday, February 2, to Wednesday, February 12.
Where: At 13 different centres across Sharjah.
Disciplines: Athletics, archery, basketball, fencing, Karate, table tennis, shooting (rifle and pistol), show jumping and volleyball.
Participating countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Qatar and UAE.
Ordinary Virtues: Moral Order in a Divided World by Michael Ignatieff
Harvard University Press
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
- Store funds in hardware wallets as opposed to online exchanges.
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Top 10 in the F1 drivers' standings
1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari 202 points
2. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-GP 188
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes-GP 169
4. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull Racing 117
5. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari 116
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing 67
7. Sergio Perez, Force India 56
8. Esteban Ocon, Force India 45
9. Carlos Sainz Jr, Toro Rosso 35
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault 26
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Abaya trends
The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
Know your cyber adversaries
Cryptojacking: Compromises a device or network to mine cryptocurrencies without an organisation's knowledge.
Distributed denial-of-service: Floods systems, servers or networks with information, effectively blocking them.
Man-in-the-middle attack: Intercepts two-way communication to obtain information, spy on participants or alter the outcome.
Malware: Installs itself in a network when a user clicks on a compromised link or email attachment.
Phishing: Aims to secure personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers.
Ransomware: Encrypts user data, denying access and demands a payment to decrypt it.
Spyware: Collects information without the user's knowledge, which is then passed on to bad actors.
Trojans: Create a backdoor into systems, which becomes a point of entry for an attack.
Viruses: Infect applications in a system and replicate themselves as they go, just like their biological counterparts.
Worms: Send copies of themselves to other users or contacts. They don't attack the system, but they overload it.
Zero-day exploit: Exploits a vulnerability in software before a fix is found.
The specs
Engine: 2.5-litre, turbocharged 5-cylinder
Transmission: seven-speed auto
Power: 400hp
Torque: 500Nm
Price: Dh300,000 (estimate)
On sale: 2022
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
The specs
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESteven%20Knight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMark%20Ruffalo%2C%20Hugh%20Laurie%2C%20Aria%20Mia%20Loberti%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E1%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
SPECS
Mini John Cooper Works Clubman and Mini John Cooper Works Countryman
Engine: two-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 306hp
Torque: 450Nm
Price: JCW Clubman, Dh220,500; JCW Countryman, Dh225,500
COMPANY PROFILE
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Match info
Premier League
Manchester United 2 (Martial 30', Lingard 69')
Arsenal 2 (Mustafi 26', Rojo 68' OG)
