标签： Africa

In an extraordinary outpouring of public gratitude, donations exceeding A$1.1 million (approximately $744,000 USD) have flooded in for Ahmed Al Ahmed, the civilian hero who disarmed an attacker during Australia’s deadliest mass shooting in nearly three decades. The 43-year-old Muslim father-of-two remains hospitalized after undergoing surgery for multiple gunshot wounds sustained during his courageous intervention at Bondi Beach.\n\nThe incident unfolded on Sunday afternoon when two attackers—identified by authorities as a 50-year-old man and his 24-year-old son—opened fire at a Jewish celebration, resulting in 15 fatalities. Surveillance footage and eyewitness accounts confirm that Al Ahmed, who previously served in law enforcement, strategically positioned himself behind parked vehicles before charging one assailant from behind. In a decisive maneuver, he wrestled the rifle away and subdued the gunman.\n\nAustralian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese characterized Al Ahmed’s actions as \”the best of humanity,\\” noting that his bravery undoubtedly prevented additional casualties. During the confrontation, a second perpetrator shot Al Ahmed in the hand and arm. Medical personnel indicate he has undergone initial surgical procedures with potential additional operations required.\n\nThe global recognition of Al Ahmed’s heroism has manifested financially through a massively successful GoFundMe campaign. Billionaire investor Bill Ackman emerged as the largest single contributor with a donation approaching A$100,000, while simultaneously promoting the fundraiser to his substantial social media following. The campaign reached its seven-figure total within just 24 hours of establishment.\n\nInternational leaders including U.S. President Donald Trump have praised Al Ahmed’s valor, with Trump specifically acknowledging that his actions \”saved many lives.\” At St George Hospital, where Al Ahmed is recovering, well-wishers including New South Wales Premier Chris Minns have maintained a constant presence. Community members from diverse religious backgrounds have gathered outside the medical facility, leaving floral tributes and expressing solidarity across cultural divides.\n\nMohamed Fateh al Ahmed, the hero’s father, revealed that his son operates a produce business and retains a protective instinct from his police background. \”His conscience pushed him to attack one of the terrorists,\” the elder Ahmed stated during a media interview, emphatically declaring: \”My son is a hero.\” Muslim charitable organizations have joined the fundraising efforts, coordinating with family members to ensure comprehensive support during Al Ahmed’s recovery period.

At Kenya’s Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, a revolutionary conservation model is reshaping the relationship between wildlife protection and community development. Under the equatorial sun, Samburu tribespeople have established Africa’s first entirely Indigenous-run elephant sanctuary, creating an innovative symbiotic system that benefits both orphaned elephants and local communities.

The sanctuary’s breakthrough came through an unexpected nutritional solution: goat’s milk. When manufactured formula proved costly and unsuitable, caretakers discovered that milk from local goat herds provided an ideal nutritional substitute for elephant milk. This revelation sparked an economic transformation—more than 1,200 Samburu women now supply nearly 700 liters of milk daily to the sanctuary, generating income that provides financial independence and improved living standards.

Beyond milk production, Reteti employs approximately 100 Samburu people, making elephants what sanctuary spokesperson Dorothy Lowakutuk describes as “the keystone of the entire economy.” The model demonstrates how conservation efforts can directly benefit local populations, particularly women who have traditionally had limited economic opportunities.

The sanctuary’s success reflects a broader trend in Kenyan conservation where tourism and wildlife protection increasingly support Indigenous communities. Organizations like Uplift Travel have emerged specifically to channel tourism revenue into local development projects, particularly those supporting women and girls. Founded by travel writer Kim Schneider and philanthropy partner Tanja Wittrock, the organization demonstrates how strategic tourism can significantly impact quality of life while providing immersive cultural experiences.

Kenya’s conservation landscape includes multiple innovative approaches to human-wildlife coexistence. At the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, armed guards protect the last two northern white rhinos while scientists work on advanced reproductive technologies to save the species. In Masai communities, beehive fences create natural barriers that protect both crops and elephants through the insects’ buzzing and stinging deterrent effect.

These initiatives represent a paradigm shift in conservation philosophy—moving from exclusionary protection models to integrated approaches that recognize Indigenous communities as essential partners in preserving Africa’s magnificent wildlife heritage.

South African authorities have confirmed the death toll from last week’s structural collapse at a Hindu temple construction site has reached five victims as investigative teams initiate a formal probe into the catastrophic incident. The multistory building, which was under illegal construction atop the Verulam temple complex approximately 25 kilometers north of Durban, catastrophically failed last Friday during expansion operations. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda verified that search and recovery teams extracted four additional bodies from the wreckage over the weekend, supplementing the initial fatality confirmed at the scene. Officials have withheld victim identities and declined to specify how many individuals might remain trapped within the debris. Preliminary investigations by Durban’s regional government reveal the construction project lacked legally mandated building approvals, prompting Verulam law enforcement to open an official inquest. The temple complex, situated on a steep incline overlooking pastoral land, suffered sudden structural failure shortly before noon on Friday, with municipal photographs depicting horrifying scenes of twisted steel reinforcement, shattered concrete pillars, and massive rubble accumulation. Local government authorities emphasized that clearance operations will require extensive time due to necessary safety protocols for systematic debris removal. South Africa’s Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities issued a statement acknowledging the profound trauma inflicted upon worshippers, families, and the broader community, noting that sacred spaces represent fundamental sanctuaries for spiritual practice and communal solidarity. Hinduism constitutes a minority faith practiced by under two percent of South Africa’s population, with its strongest presence in the KwaZulu-Natal region where this tragedy occurred.

Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a pivotal media nexus was prominently showcased during the inaugural Global South Video News Awards, a cornerstone event of the Bridge Summit. Organized by Viory, a UAE-based video news agency, the ceremony served as a transformative platform for journalists who are fundamentally reshaping international perceptions of the Global South.

The gathering attracted major media institutions from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East, signaling a paradigm shift in how the global industry regards this increasingly influential media sector. The event balanced celebratory recognition with profound purpose, highlighted by opening remarks from media personality Mai Maxwell and an impactful address from Alex Kobia, Viory’s African Distribution Lead.

Kobia’s declaration that “The Global South is not emerging – it has arrived” resonated throughout the summit, emphasizing the critical importance of verified, ground-level visual journalism. He detailed Viory’s extensive network of over 3,000 video journalists worldwide committed to bringing clarity and human depth to underrepresented stories.

The awards gained substantial credibility through a distinguished judging panel comprising senior media representatives from Clarín (Argentina), Hindustan Times (India), Korean Broadcasting System (South Korea), TeleSUR (Venezuela), and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation.

Recipients of the inaugural honors included Maximiliano Jonas (Best Camerawork), Enrique Ortiz (Most Creative Shot), Masoud Al Jarousha (Exclusive Lens), and Ernest Dela Aglanu (Vital Footage Award). Their work was celebrated for its courageous impact and ability to capture defining moments that strengthen global storytelling.

The ceremony also featured poignant reflections from UAE youth representative Shahd Alabdouli, who shared insights from her humanitarian work in conflict zones, reminding attendees of the human experiences behind every journalistic piece and the responsibility to preserve truth.

Viory concluded the event by reaffirming its commitment to supporting journalist communities and ensuring essential Global South stories receive deserved visibility. This initiative aligns with the UAE’s strategic investments in media innovation and its positioning as a bridge between global markets, marking a significant step toward more authentic and inclusive global narratives.

In a remarkable ceremony at Qasr Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan presented honors to Sheikh Shakil, an Indian expatriate residing in Al Ain for 21 years, for his exceptional philanthropic contributions. Despite his limited financial resources, Shakil made 42 separate donations to the Life Endowment campaign, both in his name and on behalf of family members.

The recognition ceremony, organized by the Authority of Awqaf and Minors’ Funds Affairs in Abu Dhabi (Awqaf Abu Dhabi), highlighted Shakil’s story to demonstrate that the endowment initiative receives support from donors across all socioeconomic backgrounds. ‘When Awqaf Abu Dhabi first contacted me about the recognition, I was truly surprised,’ Shakil expressed. ‘I never imagined that my contributions would lead to being honored by the President of the UAE. Attending the ceremony was an unforgettable moment that reminded me of the values this country was built upon—generosity, compassion and caring for one another.’

Established in May 2023, Awqaf Abu Dhabi serves as the central authority promoting and developing the endowment sector through strategic investments and partnerships aligned with sustainability values. The organization manages endowment processes while also overseeing financial guardianship and wealth development for minors and other vulnerable groups, contributing to greater financial and social inclusion.

The Life Endowment campaign specifically focuses on creating sustainable funding for medical treatment of chronic illness patients who cannot afford care costs. Beyond immediate medical support, the initiative works to enhance long-term healthcare services, improve community wellbeing, and build more resilient societies through endowment practices that transcend traditional charitable giving.