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Tips Belanja dengan QRIS Agar Tidak Boros

QRIS tidak secara otomatis membuat seseorang menjadi lebih boros. Kebiasaan belanja dipengaruhi oleh cara mengelola keuangan, bukan metode pembayarannya. Dengan memahami cara menggunakan QRIS payment secara bijak, kamu tetap dapat menikmati kemudahan transaksi tanpa mengganggu anggaran bulanan.

Kini, QRIS pembayaran sudah menjadi bagian dari kehidupan sehari-hari. Mulai dari membeli kopi, membayar parkir, hingga berbelanja di pasar tradisional, semuanya bisa dilakukan hanya dengan memindai QR Code. Namun, kemudahan ini juga memunculkan anggapan bahwa QRIS membuat orang lebih mudah mengeluarkan uang.

Mengapa QRIS Dianggap Bikin Boros?

Ada beberapa alasan mengapa sebagian orang merasa pengeluarannya meningkat setelah lebih sering menggunakan QRIS.

1. Transaksi Terasa Lebih Praktis

Cukup membuka aplikasi mobile banking atau dompet digital, lalu memindai QR Code untuk menyelesaikan pembayaran dalam hitungan detik.

Karena prosesnya cepat, sebagian orang menjadi kurang menyadari jumlah pengeluaran yang telah dilakukan.

2. Tidak Menggunakan Uang Tunai

Saat membayar dengan uang tunai, kamu dapat melihat langsung jumlah uang yang keluar dari dompet.

Sebaliknya, pembayaran digital membuat transaksi terasa lebih praktis sehingga beberapa orang cenderung kurang memperhatikan total pengeluaran jika tidak rutin mengecek riwayat transaksi.

3. Belanja Lebih Sering

QRIS kini tersedia di berbagai jenis merchant, mulai dari pedagang kaki lima hingga pusat perbelanjaan.

Kemudahan ini membuat transaksi menjadi lebih mudah dilakukan kapan saja, sehingga penting untuk tetap berbelanja sesuai kebutuhan.

Jadi, QRIS Bikin Boros atau Tidak?

Jawabannya, tidak selalu.

QRIS hanyalah metode pembayaran. Sama seperti kartu debit atau uang tunai, QRIS tidak menentukan apakah seseorang akan boros atau hemat. Kebiasaan mengelola keuangan tetap menjadi faktor utama.

Jika kamu memiliki anggaran yang jelas dan disiplin dalam menggunakannya, pembayaran melalui QRIS tetap dapat membantu transaksi menjadi lebih praktis.

Tips Menggunakan QRIS agar Tetap Hemat

Supaya pembayaran digital tetap mendukung pengelolaan keuangan, kamu dapat menerapkan beberapa kebiasaan berikut.

Tentukan Anggaran Harian

Sebelum berbelanja, tentukan batas pengeluaran harian atau mingguan.

Cara ini membantu kamu lebih mudah mengontrol pengeluaran meskipun pembayaran dilakukan secara digital.

Rutin Mengecek Riwayat Transaksi

Luangkan waktu untuk melihat kembali transaksi yang telah dilakukan.

Dengan begitu, kamu dapat mengetahui ke mana saja pengeluaran dialokasikan dan mengevaluasi kebiasaan belanja.

Bedakan Kebutuhan dan Keinginan

Kemudahan pembayaran sebaiknya tidak menjadi alasan untuk membeli barang yang sebenarnya belum diperlukan.

Membuat daftar prioritas sebelum berbelanja dapat membantu menghindari pembelian impulsif.

QRIS Apakah Ada Biaya Admin?

Salah satu pertanyaan yang cukup sering muncul adalah, QRIS apakah ada biaya admin?

Bagi konsumen, transaksi QRIS umumnya tidak dikenakan biaya tambahan. Namun, kebijakan dapat berbeda untuk jenis transaksi tertentu atau mengikuti ketentuan yang berlaku.

Sementara itu, bagi merchant, terdapat Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) yang besarannya ditetapkan sesuai kebijakan Bank Indonesia dan kategori merchant yang bersangkutan.

Karena itu, selalu periksa informasi biaya yang berlaku pada penyedia layanan pembayaran yang digunakan.

Bagaimana dengan QRIS Antarnegara?

Selain digunakan di dalam negeri, kini tersedia implementasi QRIS antarnegara melalui kerja sama Bank Indonesia dengan otoritas sistem pembayaran di beberapa negara.

Layanan ini memungkinkan masyarakat melakukan pembayaran menggunakan QRIS di merchant tertentu di negara mitra yang telah mendukung layanan tersebut.

Ketersediaan negara tujuan, penyedia layanan, serta mekanisme transaksi mengikuti ketentuan yang berlaku dan dapat berkembang seiring perluasan kerja sama internasional.

Nikmati Kemudahan QRIS Payment di neobank

Melalui aplikasi neobank dari Bank Neo Commerce, kamu dapat melakukan QRIS payment untuk berbagai kebutuhan transaksi sehari-hari di merchant yang menerima pembayaran QRIS.

Dengan QRIS neobank, proses pembayaran menjadi lebih praktis karena cukup memindai QR Code melalui aplikasi. Setelah transaksi berhasil, kamu juga dapat melihat riwayat pembayaran sehingga lebih mudah memantau pengeluaran.

Selain itu, ada promo menarik di merchant tertentu sesuai program yang sedang berlangsung. Untuk informasi lengkap terkait berbagai promo merchant di neobank, kunjungi: https://s.id/neopromomerchant

Jadi, selain membantu transaksi menjadi lebih mudah, kamu juga bisa memanfaatkan promo yang tersedia untuk mengelola pengeluaran sehari-hari dengan lebih bijak.

Sebelum bertransaksi, pastikan selalu memeriksa syarat dan ketentuan promo yang berlaku pada masing-masing merchant dan periode program.

***

Jika ingin mempelajari fitur QRIS neobank, kamu bisa mengeceknya melalui neobank di PlayStore atau App Store.Untuk informasi lebih lanjut, kunjungi halaman QRIS neobank di website resmi Bank Neo Commerce.

PT Bank Neo Commerce Tbk berizin dan diawasi oleh Otoritas Jasa Keuangan (OJK), Bank Indonesia (BI), serta merupakan peserta penjaminan Lembaga Penjamin Simpanan (LPS).

Press Release juga sudah tayang di VRITIMES

3 August, 2026
Holding Perkebunan Nusantara Perkuat Daya Saing UMKM Kopi melalui Program TJSL PTPN I

JAKARTA – Holding Perkebunan Nusantara melalui Sub Holding PTPN I (Persero) terus memperkuat komitmennya dalam mendorong pertumbuhan ekonomi masyarakat melalui pemberdayaan usaha mikro, kecil, dan menengah (UMKM). Salah satu wujud nyata komitmen tersebut diwujudkan melalui penyaluran bantuan mesin roasting kopi kepada UMKM binaan di Kabupaten Pesawaran, Lampung, melalui Program Tanggung Jawab Sosial dan Lingkungan (TJSL).

Sekretaris Perusahaan PTPN I, Aris Handoyo, menegaskan bahwa pemberdayaan UMKM merupakan bagian dari strategi perusahaan dalam menciptakan nilai tambah yang berkelanjutan bagi masyarakat di sekitar wilayah operasional.

“PTPN I memandang UMKM sebagai mitra strategis dalam membangun ekosistem ekonomi yang inklusif. Karena itu, Program TJSL kami arahkan tidak hanya sebagai bentuk kepedulian sosial, tetapi juga sebagai upaya meningkatkan kapasitas usaha, produktivitas, dan daya saing pelaku UMKM agar mampu berkembang secara berkelanjutan,” ujar Aris.

Menurut Aris, komoditas kopi memiliki prospek yang sangat besar sebagai produk unggulan daerah. Dukungan terhadap pelaku usaha menjadi bagian dari kontribusi PTPN I dalam memperkuat hilirisasi produk perkebunan sekaligus mendorong pertumbuhan ekonomi lokal.

“Kami ingin bantuan yang diberikan benar-benar menghadirkan manfaat jangka panjang. Ketika produktivitas UMKM meningkat, kualitas produknya semakin baik, dan akses pasarnya semakin luas, maka manfaat ekonomi akan dirasakan langsung oleh masyarakat. Inilah esensi kehadiran PTPN I sebagai perusahaan yang bertumbuh bersama lingkungan dan masyarakat,” tambahnya.

Bantuan mesin roasting tersebut diserahkan oleh Asisten Humas, Protokoler, dan TJSL PTPN I Regional 7, Skondra Syarief, kepada pelaku UMKM kopi binaan, Sapturi, di Dusun Kampung Sawah, Desa Kedondong, Kecamatan Kedondong, Kabupaten Pesawaran, Selasa (30/6/2026).

Skondra Syarief menjelaskan bahwa bantuan tersebut diharapkan mampu meningkatkan kapasitas produksi, menjaga konsistensi kualitas hasil sangrai, serta memberikan nilai tambah bagi produk kopi lokal sehingga mampu bersaing di pasar yang lebih luas.

Sementara itu, Sapturi menyampaikan apresiasi atas dukungan yang diberikan PTPN I. Selama ini proses roasting masih dilakukan secara manual sehingga membutuhkan waktu lebih lama dengan hasil yang belum seragam.

“Dengan mesin ini, proses produksi menjadi lebih cepat, hasil sangrai lebih merata, dan kami dapat memenuhi permintaan pasar dalam jumlah yang lebih besar. Bantuan ini menjadi motivasi bagi kami untuk terus mengembangkan usaha kopi,” ujar Sapturi.

Melalui Program TJSL, Perkebunan Nusantara melalui PTPN I terus menghadirkan berbagai program pemberdayaan yang berorientasi pada peningkatan kapasitas ekonomi masyarakat. Langkah tersebut sejalan dengan komitmen perusahaan untuk menciptakan nilai bersama (creating shared value) melalui pengembangan UMKM yang mandiri, produktif, dan berdaya saing, sekaligus mendukung penguatan hilirisasi komoditas perkebunan serta pembangunan ekonomi yang inklusif di wilayah operasional perusahaan.

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3 August, 2026
Pertamina Foundation Bekali Lebih dari 500 Calon Awardee Beasiswa Sobat Bumi Hadapi Tahap Wawancara

Jakarta, 31 Juli 2026 – Pertamina Foundation sebagai pelaksana Program Beasiswa Sobat Bumi 2026 membekali lebih dari 500 calon awardee melalui kegiatan Capacity Building Persiapan Wawancara bertajuk Stand Out & Ace Your Scholarship Interview: Personal Branding for Future Leaders.

Kegiatan ini merupakan bagian dari rangkaian seleksi Beasiswa Sobat Bumi Tahun 2026, yang dirancang untuk membantu para peserta mempersiapkan diri menghadapi tahapan wawancara, sekaligus memperkuat kemampuan membangun personal branding, menyampaikan pengalaman secara autentik, serta mengomunikasikan potensi dan nilai diri yang selaras dengan karakter calon pemimpin masa depan.

Hadir sebagai narasumber, HR Practitioner sekaligus Content Creator Vina Muliana, yang membagikan berbagai strategi menghadapi proses wawancara beasiswa. Dalam sesinya, Vina mengajak peserta memahami pentingnya mengenali personal value, membangun personal branding yang kuat, menyusun storytelling berdasarkan pengalaman dan pencapaian, serta menampilkan diri secara percaya diri dan autentik di hadapan pewawancara. Antusiasme peserta juga terlihat dalam sesi tanya jawab interaktif yang membahas berbagai tantangan dan strategi menghadapi proses seleksi.

Vina Muliana menekankan bahwa proses wawancara bukanlah ajang untuk menjadi sosok yang sempurna, melainkan kesempatan untuk menunjukkan nilai diri dan pengalaman yang dimiliki secara jujur.

“Personal branding bukan berarti menjadi orang lain, tetapi memahami nilai diri dan mampu mengomunikasikannya dengan jujur. Wawancara adalah kesempatan untuk menunjukkan siapa diri kita, bukan sekadar apa yang pernah kita capai. Tunjukkan versi terbaik dari diri sendiri, karena kejujuran dan konsistensi justru menjadi nilai yang paling diingat oleh pewawancara,” ujar Vina Muliana.

Manager CSR PT Pertamina (Persero), Roby Hervindo, menyampaikan bahwa tingginya minat terhadap Program Beasiswa Sobat Bumi menunjukkan besarnya semangat generasi muda Indonesia untuk terus belajar, berkembang, dan berkontribusi bagi masyarakat.

“Tahun 2026, total pendaftar Program Beasiswa Sobat Bumi sebanyak 25.811 aplikasi yang berasal dari 47 perguruan tinggi mitra di seluruh Indonesia. Angka tersebut bukan sekadar statistik, tetapi mencerminkan besarnya semangat generasi muda Indonesia untuk terus belajar, berkembang, dan memberikan kontribusi nyata bagi masyarakat serta lingkungan,” ujar Roby.

Roby menambahkan bahwa wawancara bukan sekadar tahapan untuk mengukur prestasi akademik, tetapi menjadi kesempatan bagi peserta untuk menunjukkan karakter, motivasi, kepemimpinan, serta komitmennya terhadap keberlanjutan.

“Kami tidak hanya ingin mengetahui apa saja prestasi yang telah diraih peserta. Yang jauh lebih penting adalah mengenal siapa mereka sebenarnya, bagaimana mereka bertumbuh, menghadapi tantangan, serta kontribusi yang ingin mereka hadirkan bagi masyarakat dan lingkungan. Karena itu, jadilah diri sendiri dan sampaikan pengalaman secara jujur,” tambahnya.

Sementara itu, Vice President Pemberdayaan Masyarakat Pertamina Foundation, Probo Prasidhahayu, menegaskan bahwa Program Beasiswa Sobat Bumi dirancang untuk mencetak generasi muda yang tidak hanya unggul secara akademik, tetapi juga memiliki karakter kepemimpinan, kepedulian sosial, dan komitmen terhadap pembangunan berkelanjutan.

“Program Beasiswa Sobat Bumi bukan sekadar bantuan akademik. Kami mencari generasi muda yang memiliki paket lengkap, unggul secara akademik, memiliki jiwa kepemimpinan, kepedulian sosial yang tinggi, serta komitmen kuat terhadap keberlanjutan,” ungkap Probo.

Menurut Probo, tahapan wawancara merupakan fase krusial dalam proses seleksi karena menjadi ruang untuk menggali karakter, motivasi, potensi kepemimpinan, serta kesesuaian nilai peserta dengan semangat Sobat Bumi.

“Personal branding bukan tentang memalsukan diri agar terlihat sempurna, melainkan tentang mengenali keunikan diri, menyusun storytelling yang bermakna, dan menampilkan versi terbaik dari diri sendiri. Itulah yang ingin kami bantu melalui kegiatan Capacity Building ini,” jelasnya.

Melalui kegiatan ini, Pertamina Foundation berharap seluruh peserta dapat menghadapi tahapan wawancara dengan lebih siap dan percaya diri, serta mampu menunjukkan potensi terbaik yang dimiliki. Lebih dari sekadar mempersiapkan proses seleksi, Capacity Building ini diharapkan menjadi bekal awal bagi calon awardee untuk terus bertumbuh sebagai generasi muda yang adaptif, berintegritas, dan mampu menghadirkan dampak positif bagi masyarakat dan lingkungan melalui semangat keberlanjutan.

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3 August, 2026
Can the Democratic Party Be Saved? Full Interview with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed
Summary | Video | Transcript (condensed) | Credits

Michigan Senate Race: Interview with Dr. Abdul El‐Sayed — Summary and Condensed Transcript

Context: With the Michigan Democratic primary on August 4, 2026, the contest between progressive candidate Dr. Abdul El‐Sayed and establishment candidate Haley Stephens has drawn national attention. This piece summarizes a raw, unedited interview conducted by TRNN Editor‐in‐Chief Maximillian Alvarez in Saginaw, Michigan. For the original video and full coverage, see the TRNN report: TRNN — Full Unedited Interview.

Image: Photo of Abdul El‐Sayed speaking at a rally. Source and context are indicated in the original TRNN post linked above.

Watch the interview: YouTube — Full Interview

Key points (neutral summary)
- Campaign setting: Michigan’s Senate race is framed as a pivotal contest. The primary will determine the Democratic nominee to face the general election opponent.
- Personal growth: El‐Sayed contrasts his 2018 gubernatorial campaign with his 2026 Senate campaign, noting personal changes (age, family, responsibilities) and political experience gained since then.
- Diagnosis of political problems: He argues that Donald Trump is a symptom of deeper systemic issues—specifically corporate influence, wage suppression, and the erosion of democratic accountability—and that addressing symptoms alone is insufficient.
- Public service experience: El‐Sayed cites his tenure leading the Wayne County health department as grounding in technical, practical, and political problem solving—skills he says would help in the Senate.
- Democratic Party critique: He acknowledges voter disillusionment with the Democratic Party, criticizes corporate donor influence, and positions himself as a candidate who does not accept corporate PAC money.
- Message to voters in places like Saginaw: He emphasizes presence, listening to residents, honesty about the pace of change, and building long‐term coalitions rather than promising instant fixes.
- Identity and motivation: Drawing on family history and summers in Egypt, El‐Sayed explains that his work is motivated by a desire to expand opportunity and remove barriers experienced by immigrant and minority communities.
- On fear and courage: He acknowledges fear about the country’s direction but frames public engagement as a moral and spiritual responsibility; he encourages reflection about personal risk and collective action.
Condensed transcript (selected excerpts, neutral tone)

Opening: Maximillian Alvarez interviews Dr. Abdul El‐Sayed in Saginaw. They recall their first meeting during El‐Sayed’s 2018 gubernatorial run and discuss how both the country and El‐Sayed have changed.

On Trumpism and the underlying problem: El‐Sayed says that Donald Trump is a symptom rather than the root cause. The deeper issue, he says, is a system that allows corporate and billionaire influence over politics, which depresses wages and raises costs for ordinary people. He argues the U.S. did not sufficiently address that underlying “disease” after 2016.

Personal growth and family: El‐Sayed contrasts his 2018 life—single, younger, limited public service—with his current life—older, married, father of two, homeowner—and describes how parenting and public health training have changed his approach to politics and governing.

Wayne County public health role: He describes managing a large, complex county health department with many employees, budgets, and programs, and suggests that experience is directly relevant to technical and practical work in the Senate, particularly on health, public health infrastructure, and emergent issues like AI.

Critique of the Democratic Party: El‐Sayed says many voters feel alienated from party elites who accept corporate funding. He positions himself as a “Democrat with a lowercase d” who refuses corporate money and advocates for a coherent narrative that explains who benefits when jobs are lost or healthcare becomes unaffordable.

Reaching places like Saginaw: He emphasizes showing up, being vulnerable, listening, and being honest about timelines. He rejects promises of instant cures, favoring a strategy of organizing, advocacy, and long‐term coalition building tailored to local needs.

Motivation and identity: El‐Sayed speaks about summers in Egypt with his grandmother, the opportunities he received in the U.S., and a desire to extend similar opportunities to other children. He frames his campaign as an effort to reduce the “asterisk” that can attach to the American identity of immigrants and their children.

Fear and civic courage: He acknowledges fear about the country’s direction and about personal risk, and encourages supporters to reflect on what courage means to them—being willing to accept personal sacrifice to protect others. He frames this as both a moral and spiritual exercise.

Selected quotes (cleaned and neutral)

On the root problem: “Donald Trump is the worst symptom of the disease—corporate and billionaire influence over politics—that we failed to cure.”

On public service experience: “Running Wayne County’s health department taught me how to bring technical, practical, and political work together.”

On Democratic Party reform: “We should stop taking money from the people who created the problem. If we want a coherent narrative, we have to be able to name who benefits when people lose jobs or healthcare.”

On working with communities like Saginaw: “You reach people by showing up, listening, being honest, and building things over time rather than promising instant fixes.”

Credits
- Interview: Maximillian Alvarez, TRNN Editor‐in‐Chief — The Real News Network
- Interviewee: Dr. Abdul El‐Sayed — see his bio on Wikipedia
- Videography: Maximillian Alvarez
- Post‐production: David Hebden
Related links
If you would like the full, verbatim transcript organized and edited for clarity, or a plain‐text downloadable transcript file, I can generate that next. Would you like a complete transcript, a shorter Q&A extract, or a formatted article-ready version?

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31 July, 2026
Mumia Abu-Jamal’s legal team appeals to UN

Mumia Abu-Jamal, a 72‐year‐old incarcerated journalist and former Black Panther, is seriously ill and may die in prison, according to a new filing his legal team submitted to the United Nations’ Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. The petition, filed by lawyers including Abolitionist Law Center legal director Bret Grote, requests UN review and support after nearly all domestic legal options have been exhausted. Read the original report on Truthout and the filing itself here.

The submission summarizes decades of alleged procedural failures: a contested 1981 conviction for the killing of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner (which Abu‐Jamal has long denied), the 2001 overturning of his death sentence, and a 2011 resentencing to life without parole. His attorneys argue that repeated attempts to secure a new, fair trial have been denied and that his detention may meet the UN’s criteria for arbitrary detention, which includes factors beyond strict legality—such as unfair process, lack of predictability, and injustice.

Health and treatment concerns: Abu‐Jamal’s lawyers say he endured long periods of solitary confinement (1983–2011) and now faces multiple serious health conditions while incarcerated at SCI Mahanoy. Medical records cited in the UN submission report a 2012 hepatitis C diagnosis that led to cirrhosis, a severe skin condition treated with steroids that precipitated diabetic complications, and ongoing cardiological and ophthalmological problems. Human rights experts previously raised alarm when he was shackled to a hospital bed in 2021 while awaiting heart surgery; see the OHCHR statement.

Vision at risk: Court and medical records indicate Abu‐Jamal suffers from cataract complications and complex eye diseases—proliferative diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma—that place him at significant risk of permanent blindness. In a 2025 commentary for Prison Radio, he described severe vision loss that has left him largely unable to read or write.

Advocates including the Center for Constitutional Rights and the Abolitionist Law Center note that international review has previously influenced U.S. policy: a 2023 submission to the UN Human Rights Committee helped prompt a call for a moratorium on life sentences without parole. The petitioners hope the Working Group’s review will similarly spotlight alleged human rights violations and catalyze action.

The filing cites precedent: in 2022 the UN Working Group concluded that Leonard Peltier’s detention was arbitrary after a petition by Yale Law School’s Lowenstein Clinic; Peltier later received commutation to home confinement in 2025. Advocates point to that case as an example of international scrutiny provoking domestic remedies.

Possible routes to release are limited. Abu‐Jamal’s conviction is at the state level, so options include a gubernatorial commutation (politically unlikely), a successful appeal if new evidence emerges, or compassionate release. His lawyers say he does not have a terminal diagnosis that would automatically qualify him for compassionate release now, but they emphasize his age and serious health needs as factors that make continued incarceration problematic. Pennsylvania has not adopted a “second‐look” sentencing policy; review the nationwide status at The Sentencing Project.

Supporters argue that international pressure and human rights findings have historically influenced U.S. sentencing reforms and release decisions. As Samah Sisay of the Center for Constitutional Rights explained, even when the U.S. resists international law, global advocacy has helped drive domestic change on extreme sentencing.

Context and advocacy: Former political prisoner Laura Whitehorn and organizations such as Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP) emphasize the broader issue of long sentences for older incarcerated people and point to international examples—such as a recent Indian Supreme Court decision directing states to create early‐release policies for elderly and terminally ill prisoners.

The legal team acknowledges the UN Working Group cannot enforce decisions directly, but hopes a formal finding will increase transparency and pressure for remedies. Their filing requests the UN to determine whether Abu‐Jamal’s detention violates international human rights norms and to recommend appropriate action.

For more information and source documents, see the Truthout coverage, the Abolitionist Law Center’s submission, and statements from the Center for Constitutional Rights.

Correction note: This summary clarifies that the Leonard Peltier petition was filed by Yale Law School’s Lowenstein Clinic and that the 2023 recommendation on life without parole came from the UN Human Rights Committee.

Related internal resource: Full article and coverage on The Real News.

(more…)

31 July, 2026
How a 19-year-old sultan built Istanbul’s Blue Mosque

En 1609, el sultán Ahmed I inició personalmente los trabajos de lo que sería la obra más ambiciosa de su reinado. Tenía 19 años y gobernaba un imperio con problemas económicos y militares. Aunque la tradición exigía financiar grandes mezquitas con botines de guerra, Ahmed no contaba con esos recursos; aun así, quería erigir en Estambul un templo capaz de competir con la venerada Santa Sofía y dejar una huella perdurable en el paisaje urbano. De ese empeño nació la Mezquita del Sultán Ahmed, conocida mundialmente como la Mezquita Azul.

El proyecto se lanzó en un momento delicado para el Imperio Otomano: tras años de conflictos y tras el tratado de paz de 1606, muchas voces en la corte consideraron que el imperio había salido debilitado. Aun así, Ahmed decidió financiar la obra con fondos del tesoro público, una decisión que generó resistencia entre los ulemas, los juristas islámicos, que llegaron a desaconsejar rezar en la mezquita.

Un trono heredado en crisis

Ahmed I subió al trono a los 13 años, tras la muerte de su padre Mehmed III, cuya sucesión se marcó por ejecuciones dinásticas. Heredó un vasto territorio que se extendía por tres continentes, pero también una maquinaria estatal golpeada por las guerras y la escasez de recursos. La reciente Guerra Larga Turca y el tratado que la cerró habían dejado un sentimiento de humillación en algunos sectores, y las crónicas contemporáneas registraron críticas por la aparente temeridad de emprender una obra de tal magnitud en esas condiciones.

A pesar de las objeciones, Ahmed ordenó la expropiación de varias residencias de visires en la península de Fatih, entre ellas la que pertenecía a Sokollu Mehmed Pasha, y cedió ese terreno para la nueva construcción, ubicada frente a Santa Sofía y sobre los restos del antiguo hipódromo de Constantinopla.

La guerra arquitectónica contra Santa Sofía

El responsable del diseño fue Sedefkâr Mehmed Ağa, alumno del eminente Mimar Sinan y autor de una obra que fusionó referentes otomanos y bizantinos. La ubicación de la mezquita, deliberadamente frente a Santa Sofía, buscaba rivalizar con la cúpula bizantina que había definido el perfil de la ciudad durante siglos. El proyecto combinó una sala de oración con una cúpula central apoyada en semicúpulas y un amplio patio con fuente para las abluciones.

El interior fue recubierto con más de 20.000 azulejos de Iznik en tonos azules y turquesa, lo que dio origen al nombre popular de Mezquita Azul. Un gran número de ventanas —alrededor de 260, muchas con vidrieras— proporcionaban una iluminación uniforme que realzaba la sensación espacial.

Uno de los aspectos más discutidos del diseño fue la presencia de seis minaretes, cuando la práctica habitual de las mezquitas imperiales solía limitarse a cuatro. Ese detalle provocó rumores sobre la presunta arrogancia del sultán y su comparación con la Gran Mezquita de La Meca. Según la tradición, para calmar las críticas se habría añadido un séptimo minarete a la mezquita de La Meca.

Un legado construido sobre clemencia y ruina

La mezquita se integró en un conjunto mayor, o külliye, que incluía una madrasa, un comedor para necesitados, un hospital, un hospicio y comercios en el bazar Arasta. Ese complejo no solo satisfacía fines religiosos y sociales, sino que también generaba ingresos a través de los alquileres comerciales para sostener el mantenimiento del conjunto. La demanda de azulejos de Iznik fue tan intensa que sobrecargó los talleres y contribuyó al declive gradual de esa industria cerámica en el siglo XVIII.

Ahmed I falleció de tifus el 22 de noviembre de 1617, a los 27 años, poco después de que la obra principal concluyera. Algunos registros contables finales llevaron la firma de su sucesor, Mustafa I, lo que sugiere que el sultán no presenció por completo la finalización del proyecto.

En lo político, Ahmed introdujo un cambio significativo al no ordenar la ejecución de su hermanastro pequeño al asumir el trono; en lugar de ello, los príncipes quedaron confinados en el llamado kafes, la “jaula” del harén en el Palacio de Topkapi. Ese confinamiento limitó la experiencia administrativa y militar de futuros sultanes, una circunstancia que algunos historiadores consideran factor en el progresivo debilitamiento del gobierno imperial en los siglos siguientes.

Tras una restauración integral de seis años, la Mezquita del Sultán Ahmed reabrió en 2023. En 2025 recibió la visita del papa León XIV, que se convirtió en el tercer pontífice en visitar el lugar. Hoy, sus seis minaretes siguen dominando la Punta del Serrallo, en una de las colinas históricas de Estambul.

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31 July, 2026
Saving the Democratic Party — Interview with Dr. Abdul El-Sayed
Michigan Senate Primary — Interview Summary: Dr. Abdul El‐Sayed

Image: Michigan Democratic candidate for Senate Dr. Abdul El‐Sayed speaking at a rally in Detroit on July 18, 2026. (Photo credit in original publication.)

The following is a concise, neutral summary of an unedited interview by TRNN Editor‐in‐Chief Maximillian Alvarez with Dr. Abdul El‐Sayed in Saginaw, Michigan. The interview focuses on the Michigan Democratic primary (August 4), El‐Sayed’s campaign, internal divisions within the Democratic Party, and his views on corporate influence, public service and community recovery.

Read the full unedited interview and video: TRNN — Full Interview. For more coverage, visit The Real News or the site’s Politics section.

Key points from the interview
- Primary context: The Michigan Senate primary between progressive candidate Dr. Abdul El‐Sayed and establishment candidate Haley Stephens is described as a pivotal contest ahead of the general election.
- Diagnosing the political problem: El‐Sayed frames Donald Trump as a symptom of deeper systemic problems, pointing to corporate influence, wage suppression and economic inequality as root causes.
- Party reform: He criticizes the Democratic Party’s ties to corporate donors and argues the party must align more closely with voters’ needs rather than donors’ interests.
- Public service experience: El‐Sayed highlights his work as a public health official, including leading a larger Wayne County department, as preparation for solving technical and practical policy challenges at the federal level.
- Commitment to communities: On visiting Saginaw, El‐Sayed emphasizes sustained presence, listening to local concerns, and building coalitions to address long‐term economic recovery rather than promising instant fixes.
- Personal motivation: He cites his family background and time spent with relatives in Egypt as motivations for public service and expanding opportunity.
- On fear and courage: El‐Sayed acknowledges fear about the country’s direction but encourages spiritual and moral reflection, and readiness to accept personal risk to protect others’ rights and wellbeing.
Selected transcript highlights
- On Trump and the underlying issues: “Donald Trump himself is not the disease of our politics. He’s just the worst symptom.” El‐Sayed stresses the need to address structural causes like corporate power.
- On change since 2018: He notes personal growth — family life and practical experience running county government — have altered his perspective and approach to politics.
- On public health and technical expertise: El‐Sayed points out the Senate lacks experienced public health officials and doctors, and he presents his administrative background as valuable for policy development.
- On Democratic Party reform: He argues the party should stop taking money from those who created the problems it seeks to solve and pursue a clearer narrative that connects economic harms to corporate behavior.
- On political engagement in places like Saginaw: “You come. We’re here.” He emphasizes showing up, listening, and honestly laying out problems and realistic paths to recovery.
- On motivation and identity: He describes public service as a way to expand opportunity for children and communities like those in his family’s past.
- On fear and action: El‐Sayed speaks about processing anxiety, preparing for risks, and choosing fulfillment through meaningful public effort rather than avoiding hardship.
Credits and further resources

Videography: Maximillian Alvarez. Post‐production: David Hebden.

More resources: Background on Dr. Abdul El‐Sayed — Wikipedia: Abdul El‐Sayed. For state election details and schedules, see the Michigan elections page on official state sites or reputable trackers.

Note: The original transcript was labeled as rushed and may contain errors. For the full unedited video and original transcript, visit the TRNN link above.

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31 July, 2026
Mumia Abu-Jamal legal team appeals to UN

Originally published by Truthout on July 28, 2026. Shared under a Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) license. For related coverage, see our home page or our legal rights section.

Summary: Legal representatives for long-imprisoned activist and journalist Mumia Abu-Jamal have filed a submission to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention requesting international review and support for his release. The filing, prepared after exhausting domestic remedies in the United States, details alleged legal failures and serious health concerns that, according to his lawyers, make his continued detention arbitrary under international human rights standards.

Case background: Abu-Jamal, a former Black Panther and longtime journalist, was convicted in the 1981 killing of Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. He has consistently maintained his innocence. His death sentence was overturned in 2001, and in 2011 Pennsylvania resentenced him to life without parole. Advocates say efforts to obtain a new, fair trial have repeatedly failed.

The UN submission: The legal filing, led by attorney Bret Grote of the Abolitionist Law Center and supported by organizations including the Center for Constitutional Rights, summarizes decades of allegations: an unfair trial, biased appeals, prolonged solitary confinement, censorship, and what the lawyers describe as “death by incarceration.” The submission cites UN standards that define arbitrary detention broadly to include injustices and due process failings.

Health and detention conditions: Abu-Jamal is in his early 70s and has multiple serious health conditions. His legal team reports long periods in solitary confinement (1983–2011) and claims inadequate medical care after transfer to SCI Mahanoy. Medical records referenced in the filing indicate he was diagnosed with hepatitis C in 2012, developed liver cirrhosis, suffered severe skin conditions treated with steroids that led to diabetic complications, and has faced delays or deficiencies in cardiac and ophthalmological care. United Nations experts previously expressed concern when he was reportedly shackled to a hospital bed in 2021; see the UN press note here.

Risk of blindness: According to the submission, Abu-Jamal has experienced complications following cataract surgery and now faces several complex eye conditions—such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma—that place him at significant risk of permanent vision loss. He has described severe vision impairment in public commentaries, including a 2025 piece for Prison Radio.

Legal and international context: While the UN Working Group can issue findings but lacks direct enforcement powers, past UN reviews have influenced U.S. outcomes. In 2022, the Working Group found the cumulative procedural deficiencies in Leonard Peltier’s detention arbitrary, and in 2025 President Biden commuted Peltier’s sentence to home confinement (coverage: Truthout).

The legal teams behind Abu-Jamal’s submission, including the Abolitionist Law Center and CCR, previously persuaded the UN Human Rights Committee to call for a 2023 moratorium on life-without-parole sentences in certain circumstances; see the CCR statement here.

Paths to release and advocacy: Domestic options in Pennsylvania are limited. The state has not adopted a formal “second look” sentencing review like many others; for context, see the Sentencing Project’s review of state policies here. Advocates note alternatives such as clemency or compassionate release, though each faces political and procedural hurdles. The campaigners argue that international scrutiny may help catalyze action and public attention.

Voices and precedents: Supporters cite examples such as Russell “Maroon” Shoatz, who received compassionate release in Pennsylvania in 2021 after decades in custody but died shortly after release. Former prisoners and advocates, including members of Release Aging People in Prison (RAPP), have argued for policy changes that consider age and health in sentencing and release decisions. International rulings—such as a recent Indian Supreme Court directive on early release for elderly and terminally ill prisoners—are presented as comparative precedents that influenced national policy elsewhere.

Conclusion: Abu-Jamal’s legal team asks the UN to determine whether his detention is arbitrary under international law and to issue findings that could amplify calls for his release or improved medical care. They acknowledge UN rulings are not directly enforceable but contend an international determination would expose the case publicly and support ongoing advocacy.

Further reading and resources: • Abolitionist Law Center submission to the UN: PDF. • UN on arbitrary detention: information page. • Background on second-look laws: Sentencing Project. • For more on related advocacy, visit our human rights coverage.

Correction note: This summary clarifies that the petition related to Leonard Peltier was filed by the Lowenstein Clinic for International Human Rights at Yale Law School and that the 2023 moratorium recommendation referenced came from the UN Human Rights Committee.

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31 July, 2026
Vance and Zelensky: air defense, Patriot missiles, market impact

U.S. Vice President JD Vance spoke by phone on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During the conversation they addressed the critical condition of Ukraine’s air defenses, the urgent need for interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, and the war’s effects on international markets.

The call occurred amid an escalation of attacks on both fronts of the conflict, as Ukraine seeks to bolster its defensive capabilities while Russia continues to apply military and economic pressure.

“I received a good phone call from the U.S. vice president, JD Vance. We discussed our recent meeting with President Trump in Washington, which was positive and productive,” Zelensky said in his statement.

Zelensky emphasized to Vance that obtaining Patriot interceptor missiles remains a “priority” for his country, especially given the shortage of this weaponry that is essential to defend against Russian ballistic missile strikes.

At their last meeting in Washington, Trump reportedly told Zelensky that Ukraine had been granted permission to manufacture Patriot interceptor missiles in cooperation with the U.S. company Raytheon, consistent with what the U.S. president announced at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8.

However, Trump told the press he was not certain he would ultimately allow Ukraine to produce this strategic weapon.

“You have to be very cautious, but also very careful. We have not reached an agreement on this. We’re considering it, but it is difficult to hand over that kind of technology. And I don’t think this will happen. There are people who receive that technology who could one day turn against you,” the U.S. president warned when asked about the future of military cooperation with Kyiv.

During the call, Zelensky also raised with Vance the economic consequences of the war for global markets, particularly the impact of Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports and merchant vessels.

Russian strikes have almost completely blocked access to Ukrainian ports, while Kyiv has responded with strikes on ports controlled by Russia in the Sea of Azov. The U.S. government has urged Ukraine to avoid such attacks in an effort to prevent further escalation and reduce risks to international trade.

At the end of the call, Zelensky said the two governments would keep close contact to advance the agreements discussed.

While diplomacy seeks new avenues to secure Ukraine’s defense, fighting continues on the ground. A drone attack on Friday caused a fire at an energy facility and at Wildberries warehouses—the leading online retailer in the Volgograd region of Russia—leaving at least five people injured.

Regional governor Andrei Bocharov confirmed the injured received medical care, and in neighboring Rostov a woman was also wounded in a separate drone attack. Meanwhile, the Ryazan refinery halted crude processing after a Ukrainian strike; the company expects the stoppage to last at least two weeks, which could affect the national supply of petroleum products.

Amid the hostilities, Zelensky stated that Russia has recorded around 1.6 million casualties since the start of the war, including about 700,000 deaths, while Ukraine has acknowledged roughly 50,000 soldiers killed and about 400,000 wounded.

(With information from EFE)

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31 July, 2026
JD Vance and Zelensky discuss air defense, Patriot missile production and war impact on global markets

U.S. Vice President JD Vance spoke by phone on Friday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. They discussed the critical state of Ukraine’s air defenses, the urgent need for interceptor missiles for Patriot systems, and the war’s effects on international markets.

The call took place amid an escalation of attacks on multiple fronts, as Ukraine seeks to strengthen its defenses while Russia maintains military and economic pressure.

“I had a good phone call with the U.S. vice president, JD Vance. We discussed our recent meeting with President Trump in Washington, which was positive and productive,” Zelensky said.

Zelensky emphasized to Vance that receiving Patriot interceptor missiles remains a priority for Ukraine, given the current shortfall of this critical equipment needed to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks.

At the recent Washington meeting, Trump reportedly indicated that Ukraine was allowed to produce Patriot interceptor missiles in cooperation with U.S. firm Raytheon, echoing his statement at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8.

However, Trump told reporters he was not certain he would authorize Ukraine to produce this strategic weaponry.

“One must be very cautious and careful. We have not reached a decision on this. We are considering it, but it is difficult to relinquish that kind of technology. I do not think this will happen. There are people who receive such technology and could one day turn against you,” the U.S. president warned when asked about future military cooperation with Kyiv.

During the call, Zelensky also raised the economic consequences of the war for global markets, highlighting the impact of Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports and merchant vessels.

Russian strikes have largely blocked access to Ukrainian ports, while Kiev has responded with strikes on ports controlled by Russia in the Sea of Azov. The U.S. government has urged Ukraine to avoid such attacks in an effort to prevent further escalation and reduce risks to international trade.

At the end of the call, Zelensky said both governments would maintain close contact to advance the agreements discussed.

On the ground, the conflict continues. A drone attack on Friday caused fires at an energy facility and at warehouses belonging to Wildberries, the region’s largest online retailer, in Volgograd, injuring at least five people.

Regional governor Andrei Bocharov confirmed the injured received medical attention, and in nearby Rostov a woman was also wounded in another drone strike. Separately, the Ryazan refinery halted crude processing after a Ukrainian attack; the company expects the outage to last at least two weeks, which could affect national fuel supplies.

Amid the hostilities, Zelensky stated that Russia has sustained around 1.6 million casualties since the start of the war, including roughly 700,000 deaths, while Ukraine has reported about 50,000 soldiers killed and approximately 400,000 wounded.

(Based on reporting from EFE)

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31 July, 2026