分类： society

In a significant move aimed at improving road safety, Dubai has introduced a new regulation prohibiting delivery riders from using fast lanes on major roads. The rule, effective from November 1, restricts motorcycles from occupying the two leftmost lanes on roads with five or more lanes and the leftmost lane on roads with three or four lanes. On smaller roads with two lanes or fewer, riders are free to use either lane. The initiative, jointly announced by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Dubai Police, has been welcomed by delivery riders who often face life-threatening risks while navigating high-speed traffic. Companies complying with the new rules will be recognized under the ‘Delivery Sector Excellence Award.’

Sarfaraz, a delivery rider, recounted a harrowing accident on Al Khail Road last year, where he narrowly escaped a fatal collision. ‘I was rushing to deliver an order, and the customer kept calling. I didn’t want to be late, but speeding nearly cost me my life,’ he said. The incident left him with a newfound caution, and he now avoids fast lanes altogether. ‘This law is for our safety,’ Sarfaraz emphasized. ‘If food arrives a few minutes late, please bear with us. We don’t delay because we want to; we delay because we want to live.’

Hamza, another rider with four years of experience in Dubai, highlighted the practical challenges riders face. ‘Some roads have exits kilometers apart. In heavy traffic, we’re forced to use the left lane to reach the exit in time,’ he explained. However, he acknowledged the dangers of sharing lanes with larger vehicles. ‘Even the wind pressure from a passing SUV can destabilize us,’ he added. Hamza called on delivery platforms to adjust delivery times based on traffic conditions and avoid penalizing riders for delays.

Motorists also expressed relief over the new rule. Amaan Hashim, a daily commuter, recalled several close encounters with delivery bikes. ‘They’re small and fast, often appearing out of nowhere,’ he said. ‘This rule will make the roads safer for everyone.’ Mohammed Irfan, another driver, noted that bikes are often in blind spots, making them hard to spot from elevated vehicles like SUVs. ‘Fast lanes are meant for high-speed cars, not bikes,’ he stated.

Road safety expert Mustafa Aldah praised the regulation as a crucial step toward reducing accidents. ‘The scale of violations is alarming, with over 78,000 fines issued in the first nine months of this year alone,’ he said. Aldah suggested leveraging AI monitoring and smart cameras to enforce compliance and foster long-term behavioral change among riders. ‘This rule is not just about safety; it’s about saving lives,’ he concluded.

In a heartwarming tale of family and tradition, Ghanem Abdullah Al Muhairi, an Emirati father of five, has been teaching his children carpentry and metalwork since they were just five years old. Al Muhairi, who learned these skills from his own father, believes in nurturing curiosity and self-reliance in his children from a young age. Instead of conventional toys, his children were introduced to tools like hammers, nails, and wood carving machines, crafting their first chairs from iron and wood. This early exposure not only taught them patience, focus, and precision but also instilled a sense of accomplishment and creativity. Al Muhairi emphasized that his approach is not merely for entertainment but to impart essential life skills and values such as teamwork and discipline. He also prioritizes safety, guiding his children through every step and ensuring they understand potential risks. Al Muhairi’s initiative extends beyond his family. Through his Instagram account ‘klna rban’ (We Are All Captains), he shares videos of practical activities like assembling sinks, repairing furniture, and car maintenance, aiming to inspire other families. The account has garnered positive feedback, with many praising the focus on productive tasks over screen time. Al Muhairi has also expanded his efforts by conducting workshops for children aged 10 to 18, teaching skills like plumbing, agriculture, and electricity. He now plans to establish a permanent center to teach traditional Emirati crafts in a modern way, ensuring these valuable skills are passed on to future generations.

The Global Mayors Dialogue Zhengzhou and the 2025 International Mayor’s Forum on Tourism brought together mayors and urban planners from around the world to explore the delicate balance between urban modernization and the preservation of cultural heritage. Held in Zhengzhou, Henan province, the four-day event showcased innovative strategies for urban renewal and tourism development, emphasizing the importance of integrating historical memory into contemporary cityscapes. The forum concluded on Saturday, leaving participants with actionable insights for sustainable urban growth. Zhuang Jianqiu, mayor of Zhengzhou, highlighted the city’s transformation of old factories and neighborhoods into vibrant cultural and entertainment hubs. One notable example is Fuminli, a once-dilapidated area near the 3,600-year-old ancient city wall, now a thriving tourist destination attracting over a million visitors annually. The city preserved the architectural essence of old Zhengzhou while introducing modern amenities, creating a nostalgic yet dynamic urban environment. International participants, including Frank Amoakohene from Ghana and Maurizio Rasero from Italy, shared their experiences in reviving traditional construction techniques and repurposing historical sites for tourism. The event underscored the importance of a people-oriented approach to urban renewal, ensuring that disused buildings are transformed into spaces that enhance citizens’ daily lives. With around 300 attendees, the forum served as a platform for exchanging practical solutions to urban challenges and promoting global tourism sustainability.

In a significant move, Chinese authorities detained Ezra Jin, the leader of the Zion Church, along with over 30 church staff, including pastors, on October 10. This marks one of the largest crackdowns on Christian churches in recent years, shedding light on Beijing’s ongoing efforts to regulate religious activities. The Zion Church, a prominent unregistered Christian congregation with widespread presence across China, has long been under government scrutiny. The timing of this crackdown is particularly notable, as it coincides with escalating tensions between China and the United States, suggesting that both domestic religious policies and international relations are influencing Beijing’s actions. China officially recognizes five religions—Buddhism, Daoism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism—with Buddhism and Daoism considered indigenous and central to Han Chinese culture. Christianity, introduced to China centuries ago, has faced periods of tolerance and persecution. The 19th century saw significant growth in Chinese Christianity, fueled by Western missionaries, but this also led to xenophobic movements that contributed to the fall of the empire. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, foreign Christians were expelled, and state-controlled religious bodies were created. Dissatisfaction with these bodies led to the rise of unregistered churches, which have operated outside state control ever since. The Cultural Revolution (1966–1976) brought severe persecution of all religious practices, but Christianity persisted and experienced a resurgence in the more liberal 1980s. However, under President Xi Jinping’s leadership since 2013, China has adopted a stricter stance on religion, emphasizing the ‘Sinicization’ of faiths to align them with state ideology. Recent regulations have tightened control over religious sites, finances, and charitable activities, while the forcible removal of crosses and the imprisonment of prominent church leaders like Wang Yi underscore the severity of the crackdown. The close ties between some unregistered churches and U.S.-based evangelical groups have further complicated the situation, with repressive measures often intensifying during periods of strained U.S.-China relations. The recent crackdown on the Zion Church, whose founder’s daughter is a U.S. Senate staffer, appears to be a strategic signal to Washington. Unless bilateral relations improve, Chinese Christians may face continued repression.

Thailand’s Queen Mother Sirikit, a revered figure known for her dedication to rural development, environmental conservation, and the preservation of traditional crafts, passed away on Friday at the age of 93. The Royal Household Bureau announced her death in a Bangkok hospital, where she had been receiving treatment for a blood infection since October 17. Despite the efforts of her medical team, her condition did not improve. Queen Sirikit had largely retreated from public life in recent years due to declining health, following the death of her husband, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, in October 2016. Born into an aristocratic family on August 12, 1932, Queen Sirikit’s life was marked by her commitment to the Thai people. Her portrait adorned homes and public spaces across the country, and her birthday was celebrated as Mother’s Day. She played a pivotal role in initiatives ranging from aiding Cambodian refugees to protecting Thailand’s forests. However, her influence was not without controversy. During Thailand’s political upheavals, her behind-the-scenes role in the monarchy’s affairs drew scrutiny. Despite this, her enduring popularity in rural areas remained steadfast. Queen Sirikit’s legacy includes the establishment of the SUPPORT Foundation in 1976, which trained thousands in traditional crafts, and numerous environmental projects aimed at wildlife conservation and forest preservation. She believed deeply in the monarchy’s role in Thai society, once stating, ‘The mere word king has something magic in it.’ Her passing marks the end of an era for Thailand, leaving behind a legacy of service and dedication.