标签： Africa

Dubai is poised for a significant transformation in its traffic infrastructure, with the first phase of the World Trade Centre Roundabout project set to open in January 2026. The iconic roundabout, a central hub connecting Sheikh Zayed Road with five major arterial streets, will be converted into a surface-level intersection to enhance traffic flow. This ambitious project includes the construction of five bridges spanning 5,000 metres, with two bridges scheduled to open in January 2026, serving traffic from 2nd December Street towards Al Majlis Street and Sheikh Rashid Street. Currently, the project is 40% complete.

The initiative, reviewed by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aims to double the junction’s capacity, reduce average delays from 12 minutes to just 90 seconds, and cut travel time from Sheikh Zayed Road to Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Street from six minutes to one. The project is part of a broader effort to improve Dubai’s road network, which includes the Al Mustaqbal Street improvement project, scheduled for completion in 2027. This project will widen the street from three to four lanes in each direction, increasing capacity from 6,600 to 8,800 vehicles per hour and reducing travel time from 13 minutes to six minutes.

Together, these two projects involve the construction of seven bridges and three tunnels spanning 6,500 metres, at a cost of Dh1.3 billion. They are expected to benefit over one million residents and visitors, reducing travel time by 75%. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) continues to lead in infrastructure efficiency, constructing an average of 829 lane-kilometres of roads annually, more than double the global average. The RTA plans to deliver 72 new projects between 2025 and 2027, at an estimated cost of Dh35 billion, further enhancing the city’s transport network and contributing to increases in property values of 6% to 16%.

In a momentous ceremony held at Thumbay Grounds, Thumbay Medicity, Gulf Medical University (GMU) in Ajman celebrated the graduation of 630 students across its diverse health science programs. The event, presided over by Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Ajman Executive Council, was attended by families, faculty members, and prominent healthcare leaders. Graduates from medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, physiotherapy, healthcare management, and other disciplines received their degrees, marking a significant milestone in their academic journeys. The ceremony commenced with a presentation titled ‘GMU At a Glance,’ followed by the conferral of degrees and the administration of the graduate oath. Dr. Thumbay Moideen, founder president of Thumbay Group, lauded the graduates and emphasized GMU’s robust academic and clinical ecosystem, which is deeply integrated with Thumbay Medicity’s advanced teaching hospitals, research facilities, and simulation institute. Professor Manda Venkatramana, chancellor of GMU, praised the graduates for their dedication and acknowledged the unwavering support of parents, faculty, and clinical mentors in shaping a new generation of globally competent healthcare professionals. The event also honored distinguished individuals with honorary doctorates and professorships. Mirza Al Sayegh and Feroz Allana were awarded honorary doctorates for their exceptional societal contributions, while Dr. Samih Tarabichi, Dr. Abdulla Al Khayat, Dr. Abdulrahim Mustafawi, and Dr. Humaid Al Shamsi received honorary professorships for their groundbreaking work in clinical excellence, academic medicine, and healthcare innovation. Graduates will continue to gain practical experience within the Thumbay Academic Health System, which includes Thumbay University Hospital, Thumbay Dental Hospital, Thumbay Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Hospital, and long-term care facilities. As they embark on their professional careers in leading medical institutions and research centers worldwide, the Convocation 2025 ceremony underscored GMU’s commitment to advancing healthcare education and strengthening the global healthcare workforce. The event concluded with remarks from the Student Council President and the formal dissolution of the convocation.

Dubai has introduced a groundbreaking architectural identity framework, approved by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, aiming to standardize design across the emirate’s infrastructure projects. The initiative, unveiled on Friday, aligns with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan and emphasizes sustainability, visual harmony, and a blend of traditional and modern design elements. The city has been divided into six distinct zones, each with its unique aesthetic and functional focus. Residential zones feature warm colors and materials inspired by the local environment, prioritizing privacy and tranquility. Rural zones utilize light earthy tones and organic materials to highlight nature and agricultural character. Industrial zones focus on neutral colors and durable materials for simplicity and functionality. Mixed-use zones integrate residential and commercial spaces, balancing public and private areas. Historical and artistic zones celebrate traditional designs and local ornamentation, emphasizing cultural heritage. High-end attraction zones showcase modern architectural forms and contemporary urban facades. Additionally, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the winners of the Dubai Urban Challenge, a global competition that attracted over 500 artists and designers from 91 countries. The winners include Oliver Charles from the UK, Mohammed Ayash from Saudi Arabia, and Giulietta Debrutti from Argentina. The Dubai Tunnels initiative, part of the broader beautification project, will enhance 18 tunnels across the city in three phases, incorporating smart lighting systems, artistic wall panels, and sustainable materials.

In a poignant demonstration against gender-based violence, hundreds of women clad in black gathered at a Johannesburg park on Friday, just one day before the commencement of the G20 summit. The 15-minute lie-down protest symbolized the tragic reality that 15 women lose their lives daily to gender-based violence in South Africa. Organized by the nonprofit Women for Change, the event aimed to draw global attention to the crisis, which has plagued the nation for decades. Despite South Africa’s progressive stance on gender issues during its G20 presidency, the country’s femicide rate remains alarmingly high, five times the global average, according to U.N. Women. Protest coordinator Courtney Gelderblom, 19, described the act as ‘a minute of silence for every woman that could have fallen within the day,’ emphasizing the need to mourn and honor the victims. The protest saw participation from ordinary citizens, activists, and survivors of gender violence, some of whom wept while lying down. Placards bearing messages like ‘Why do you hate us?’ and ‘My body is not your crime scene’ underscored the urgency of the issue. The demonstration was part of a month-long campaign by Women for Change, which garnered over a million signatures on a petition urging the government to act. In response, the South African government declared gender-based violence a national disaster, mandating authorities to allocate resources and take decisive action. President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged the crisis during a G20 sideline summit, calling it a ‘national crisis.’ Gender violence expert Professor Corné Davis-Buitendag highlighted the global implications of the issue, noting its significant economic and societal costs. Despite legal reforms aimed at supporting victims, the rates of gender-based violence continue to rise. The Women for Change petition calls for stricter measures, including denying bail in severe cases, imposing life sentences for offenders, and holding officials accountable for negligence.