Roya Karimi, once a child bride in Afghanistan, has transformed her life to become one of Europe’s top bodybuilders. Now 30, she is set to compete in the World Bodybuilding Championships, marking a remarkable rise in a sport she embraced professionally less than two years ago. Her journey began in 2011 when she fled Afghanistan with her mother and young son, seeking refuge in Norway. There, she rebuilt her life, pursued education, and became a nurse, all while meeting her second husband, Kamal Jalaluddin, a fellow bodybuilder who became her staunch supporter. Bodybuilding became a turning point for Roya, helping her reclaim her identity and break free from the mental and social constraints she faced in Afghanistan. Despite facing criticism and threats on social media for her bold appearance, Roya remains undeterred, using her platform to inspire women in Afghanistan, where rights have severely regressed since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Her victories in competitions like the Stoperiet Open and Norway Classic 2025 have cemented her status as a trailblazer. As she prepares for the world championships in Barcelona, Roya aims to make history for Afghan women, proving that resilience and determination can overcome even the most daunting challenges.
作者： admin
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Is motherhood the end of career? 28% of UAE mums start businesses after childbirth
A groundbreaking study in the UAE has revealed that motherhood is far from a career-ending phase for many women. Instead, it serves as a catalyst for ambition and entrepreneurship. The ‘State of Motherhood & Ambition in the UAE 2025’ report, conducted by researchers Constanze Munz and Anushka Kalyanpur De Luca, surveyed over 180 professional mothers across the country. The findings challenge the outdated notion that women scale back their professional aspirations after having children.
According to the study, 28% of mothers in the UAE have started their own businesses at various stages of motherhood, from the first year after childbirth to over a decade later. Furthermore, 70% of working mothers reported maintaining or even strengthening their ambition post-childbirth. Rather than leaving the workforce, many are redefining success on their own terms, prioritizing autonomy, purpose, and flexibility over traditional career trajectories.
The research highlights that one in five mothers switched industries to pursue more meaningful work, while another 20% returned to their roles with renewed clarity and drive. Nearly half (46%) expressed plans to start a business in the future, signaling a growing trend of female-led entrepreneurship in the UAE.
Support systems emerged as a critical factor in sustaining ambition. Among mothers satisfied with childcare arrangements, 84% reported steady or increased ambition, compared to 55% among those without adequate support. Flexible work arrangements, financial security, and reliable childcare were identified as essential enablers for mothers to thrive professionally.
The researchers emphasized that the findings should shift the national conversation from ‘working mothers’ challenges’ to ‘societal opportunities.’ Supporting mothers, they argue, is not only a social good but also an economic strategy that benefits families, employers, and the broader economy. ‘When mothers thrive, everyone thrives,’ Munz stated.
The study, conducted between June and November 2025, included mothers from diverse industries and stages of motherhood. It concludes that ambition does not diminish with motherhood; instead, it evolves and, with the right support, can flourish.
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Moment newly opened bridge partially collapses in China
A recently inaugurated bridge in China’s southwestern Sichuan Province experienced a partial collapse, raising concerns about infrastructure safety. Local authorities swiftly responded to the incident, confirming that no casualties were reported. The collapse occurred shortly after the bridge’s opening, prompting immediate investigations into the structural integrity and construction standards. Officials emphasized that emergency protocols were effectively implemented to ensure public safety. This incident has sparked widespread discussions on the quality control measures in China’s rapidly expanding infrastructure projects. While the exact cause remains under investigation, the event underscores the critical need for rigorous safety assessments in public construction endeavors.
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Dominican Republic suffers nationwide power cut after ‘cascade of failures’
The Dominican Republic faced a nationwide power outage on Tuesday, disrupting daily life and critical services across the country. The blackout, which occurred at 13:23 local time (17:23 GMT), was attributed to a failure in the electricity transmission system, according to the state-owned Dominican Electricity Transmission Company. Energy Minister Joel Santos Echeverría confirmed that the issue originated at a substation, triggering a cascade of failures across the grid. Echeverría assured the public that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the root cause, while efforts were already underway to restore power swiftly. This incident follows a series of smaller blackouts reported in recent weeks, raising concerns about the stability of the nation’s power infrastructure. The outage impacted essential services, including the metro and cable car systems in the capital, Santo Domingo, where passengers had to be evacuated. Reports of traffic chaos and disruptions to internet services further compounded the situation. Social media users highlighted widespread outages, though some areas retained electricity and internet connectivity. The Caribbean nation, home to approximately 11 million people, is still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa last month. The Category 5 storm claimed four lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, exacerbating existing challenges. As a major tourist destination, the Dominican Republic’s infrastructure struggles could have broader economic implications. The country, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, continues to grapple with the dual pressures of natural disasters and aging energy systems.
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Sudanese women describe sexual violence and beatings while escaping el-Fasher
Women who escaped the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) brutal takeover of Sudan’s el-Fasher have recounted harrowing tales of sexual violence, beatings, and killings as they fled to nearby towns. These survivors shared their testimonies with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) after reaching Tawila, 50 kilometers away, with some walking as far as al-Dabbah, a staggering 1,500 kilometers from el-Fasher—a journey that took nine days. Amina, one of the survivors, described the horrors she witnessed: ‘There were many bodies on the roads, dead people everywhere, and many children in the streets who had lost their families. Rape happened before our eyes, and killings too.’ Fatima, another survivor, recounted being beaten in front of her daughter, whom she had been carrying on her back. ‘They ordered me to put her down and started whipping me. They hit me on the chest with my mobile phone, and my children began screaming and crying,’ she said. Soraya, who was sexually assaulted during her escape, lamented the inhumane treatment: ‘They searched us in an inhumane way. A man searching a woman like that, she is not your wife, you cannot touch her in such a way.’ The RSF’s violence extended to mass killings, with survivors reporting that women were beaten and killed in the streets. ‘We left so many corpses behind us. If you cannot hide well, they will kill you,’ one woman said. According to the UNFPA, nearly 82,000 of the 260,000 civilians in el-Fasher have fled since the RSF seized the city, while others remain trapped. Satellite images confirm that a critical exit route was recently closed by the RSF. The Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab corroborated reports of civilians being killed near a makeshift wall constructed around the city. Video footage reviewed by Middle East Eye showed dead bodies and executions near the wall. Survivors also reported that young men were forcibly accused of being soldiers, leading to their imprisonment or execution. Amira, whose husband is missing, said, ‘From our group that left el-Fasher, they took 60 young men. My husband is still missing. We don’t know where he is or where he went.’ Soraya, who lost her 16-year-old twin sons, added, ‘I don’t know whether they are alive or dead.’ The RSF’s atrocities included looting and burning homes, seizing livestock, and destroying crops. Nadia, whose son was killed, said, ‘Nothing they took from me hurt as much as his death. He was a teacher at the school. He had gone to university. He was responsible for the whole household. They killed him.’ The RSF’s actions in el-Fasher, documented by its own fighters and satellite imagery, are part of a broader conflict that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF over plans to integrate the RSF into the regular army. The war has killed tens of thousands and displaced 13 million people. Middle East Eye has reported that the United Arab Emirates is supplying the RSF with weapons through a complex network of supply lines across Libya, Chad, Uganda, and Somalia. Both the RSF and SAF have been accused of war crimes, with the RSF facing allegations of genocide in Darfur.
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Turkish prosecutors seek 2,000-year sentence for Ekrem Imamoglu
Turkish prosecutors have filed a nearly 4,000-page indictment against Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu, seeking a staggering prison sentence of over 2,000 years. The charges, revealed in court documents on Tuesday, include allegations of running a criminal organization, bribery, embezzlement, money laundering, extortion, and tender rigging. Imamoglu, a prominent opposition leader from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was arrested on March 19 and is described in the indictment as manipulating a widespread criminal network ‘like an octopus.’ The CHP has accused President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of targeting Imamoglu following the opposition’s success in the 2024 local elections. Since his arrest, several other CHP mayors, officials, and politicians have also been detained, sparking widespread protests and accusations of politically motivated actions. Authorities have responded by detaining nearly 2,000 people, most of whom were later released. In a separate case last month, a court in Ankara dismissed a corruption case against CHP leader Ozgur Ozel, calling it ‘moot.’ Ozel reaffirmed that Imamoglu remains the party’s candidate for the next presidential election, denouncing the charges as baseless and politically driven. ‘His only crime is running for the presidency of this country!’ Ozel declared in a passionate address to parliament.
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Airport to home in minutes: Abu Dhabi unveils flying taxi network with over 10 vertiports
Abu Dhabi is set to revolutionize urban transportation with the introduction of a cutting-edge flying taxi network. Abu Dhabi Airports announced on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, the development of over 10 vertiports across strategic urban and transit locations, forming the foundation of an innovative air taxi ecosystem. These vertiports will serve as hubs for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to traditional helicopters. The battery-powered eVTOLs, capable of carrying up to four passengers, are designed to be significantly quieter and environmentally friendly, with a noise footprint 100 times lower than conventional helicopters. The initial phase of the project will focus on Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI), establishing point-to-point routes to enhance airport-city connectivity. While current battery technology limits the range of these flights, future advancements are expected to enable inter-emirate travel, including routes to Al Ain. The first flights are anticipated to launch in 2026, with Abu Dhabi Airports overseeing infrastructure, operations, and commercial readiness. The initiative is a collaboration between Abu Dhabi Airports, the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, the Integrated Transport Centre, and the General Civil Aviation Authority. Additionally, Abu Dhabi Airports has partnered with Skyports Infrastructure for the design, construction, and operation of the vertiports. This ambitious project aligns with the UAE’s vision for sustainable, low-emission transport innovation and marks a significant step toward redefining urban mobility.
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AP Interview: Newsom says Trump climate-fighting absence is ‘doubling down on stupid’
California Governor Gavin Newsom has sharply criticized the United States’ absence from the United Nations climate negotiations in Belem, Brazil, labeling it as a misguided move that could jeopardize the nation’s economic standing. Newsom, a prominent Democrat and potential 2028 presidential candidate, is among several U.S. governors and mayors attending the talks to emphasize that many American states remain committed to combating climate change despite federal policies under the Trump administration that favor fossil fuels and roll back environmental regulations.
Newsom highlighted the stark contrast between California’s progressive climate policies and the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global temperature rise. He accused President Trump of sending a damaging message to the world by skipping the talks, stating, ‘You don’t matter, we don’t care.’ Newsom warned that the U.S. risks falling behind economically as other nations, including China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, aggressively transition to green energy and low-carbon technologies.
The Trump administration has sought to undermine California’s authority to implement ambitious climate measures, such as banning the sale of new gas-powered cars. Newsom criticized these efforts, calling them ‘doubling down on stupid’ and arguing that they cede economic power to other countries. Meanwhile, the White House defended Trump’s energy policies, accusing Newsom of promoting a ‘Green New Scam’ that has led to high energy prices in California.
Newsom also emphasized the undeniable impacts of climate change, citing California’s record-breaking wildfires, droughts, and floods as evidence. Despite the challenges, California continues to pursue its goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045, investing in renewable energy, nuclear power, and advanced technologies like AI and nuclear fusion.
Analysts, including Alden Meyer of the European think tank E3G, praised the presence of U.S. state leaders at the talks but lamented the absence of federal representation. The ongoing climate negotiations underscore the global urgency to address environmental challenges and the economic opportunities tied to sustainable development.
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Watch: Trump and Obama honour US troops for Veterans Day
In a rare display of bipartisan unity, former U.S. Presidents Donald Trump and Barack Obama came together to honor American veterans on Veterans Day. The event, held in Washington D.C., saw Trump making a surprise appearance by landing on a special flight carrying nearly 80 veterans from the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The gathering served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by military personnel, transcending political divides to pay tribute to their service. Both leaders expressed their gratitude and commitment to supporting veterans, emphasizing the importance of recognizing their contributions to the nation. The ceremony highlighted the enduring significance of Veterans Day as a time for reflection and national unity.
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Exhibition highlights historical and cultural roots of Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao
A groundbreaking exhibition at the Guangdong Museum in Guangzhou is shedding light on the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. Titled ‘Love and Memory of the Greater Bay Area – Historical and Cultural Relics of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Since the 19th Century,’ the event opened on November 11 and will continue until March 8. Featuring over 350 cultural artifacts, the exhibition chronicles the social, economic, and cultural evolution of the Greater Bay Area over the past century. These relics illustrate how the three regions, despite geographical separation, have preserved a shared ancestry, traditions, and cultural bonds. The exhibition emphasizes that ‘Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao’ is not just a geographical term but a symbol of identity and a vital link that connects Hong Kong and Macao to mainland China through a shared heritage.