Global Pulse

标签： Africa

非洲

  • ‘Many killed’ as fresh conflict in South Sudan displaces 180,000

    ‘Many killed’ as fresh conflict in South Sudan displaces 180,000

    South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, faces a catastrophic resurgence of violence that has displaced approximately 180,000 civilians and triggered alarming humanitarian concerns. The renewed conflict, concentrated in Jonglei state north of the capital Juba, marks the effective collapse of the 2018 power-sharing agreement between President Salva Kiir and his former vice-president Riek Machar.

    Eyewitness accounts describe indiscriminate aerial bombardments utilizing barrel bombs, with civilians fleeing into swamps for safety. Daniel Deng, a 35-year-old displaced resident of Duk County, reported approximately 300 combatant fatalities during recent clashes, though these figures remain unverified. ‘I am stuck, and if worse comes, the only safe place for me to go is the swamps,’ Deng told AFP via telephone.

    The political crisis deepened significantly when Machar was arrested in March 2025 and now faces trial for alleged crimes against humanity. This development effectively terminated the fragile coalition government that had maintained relative stability since the civil war that claimed 400,000 lives following the country’s 2011 independence.

    Humanitarian organizations report catastrophic conditions for displaced populations. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirms widespread looting and burning of homes and medical facilities across four Jonglei counties. Médecins Sans Frontières operations manager Gul Badshah warned from Nairobi that supply shortages have reached critical levels, stating bluntly: ‘We don’t have the supplies… Kids will die; it’s as simple as that.’

    The violence has created extensive ‘red zones’ where humanitarian access remains completely blocked. Bol Deng Bol, a local civil society leader, reported continuous civilian movement toward Bor, the state capital, as military mobilization suggests imminent escalation. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan member Barney Afako characterized the situation as ‘a dangerous escalation which could put the country into another dangerous spiral of violence.’

    Despite substantial oil reserves, systemic corruption has left South Sudan among the world’s poorest nations. World Food Programme data indicates approximately 7.7 million of its 12 million citizens faced food insecurity as of April 2025, a situation now dramatically worsened by the current conflict.

  • Dubai Police’s horse riding therapy helps 765 individuals, children of determination

    Dubai Police’s horse riding therapy helps 765 individuals, children of determination

    Dubai Police’s innovative therapeutic horse riding initiative has demonstrated significant success, providing comprehensive support to 765 individuals including children with special needs. This groundbreaking program, operated through the Dubai Police Mounted Police Station, represents one of the most effective contemporary approaches to addressing both physical and intellectual challenges through equine-assisted interventions.

    The comprehensive therapy program delivers dual benefits, facilitating physical rehabilitation while simultaneously enhancing psychological well-being. The initiative has garnered complete trust from parents and guardians, achieving an unprecedented 100% satisfaction rate according to official statements from Dubai Police authorities.

    Supervised by highly qualified specialists at the Mounted Police Station, the therapeutic sessions utilize specially trained horses equipped for rehabilitation purposes. The affiliated Equestrian School plays a pivotal role in training riders and delivering specialized equestrian services to diverse community segments. The program incorporates advanced technological solutions through the Smart Stable project, which implements cutting-edge technologies in equine care and management alongside specialized strategic planning initiatives.

    The program’s outstanding results were formally announced during an inspection visit by Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police. During his assessment, Al Marri emphasized the multifaceted role of mounted patrols in supporting conventional police operations while enhancing public safety perceptions across the emirate.

    Beyond its therapeutic achievements, the Mounted Police Station recorded exceptional operational metrics: a 99.1% job happiness rate, perfect 100% training completion, 81.67% physical readiness rate, and earned the prestigious Gold ‘Wosool’ accessibility certification from Dubai Municipality, recognizing the facility as fully equipped for people of determination.

  • Dubai billionaire says India could lose millions of outsourcing jobs to AI

    Dubai billionaire says India could lose millions of outsourcing jobs to AI

    DUBAI – Artificial intelligence is poised to trigger a seismic shift in global labor markets that could cost India millions of outsourcing jobs, according to prominent Dubai billionaire Hussain Sajwani. The Damac founder and chairman issued this stark warning during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.

    Sajwani drew historical parallels to illustrate the transformative power of AI, comparing its potential impact to the Industrial Revolution and the internet’s emergence. “AI will revolutionize the world tenfold, perhaps even a hundredfold, compared to the internet’s impact,” he stated. “Nations that fail to embrace this technology risk being left behind, much like the Ottoman Empire’s decline after rejecting the typewriter.”

    The billionaire specifically highlighted India’s vulnerability due to its massive outsourcing industry. “Approximately 80% of accounting positions, nursing roles, and similar occupations face replacement by AI systems,” Sajwani projected. “This technological displacement eliminates the necessity for Western companies to maintain offshore staffing arrangements in South Asia.”

    Sajwani identified distinct tiers of AI adoption globally: “China, America, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are establishing leadership through substantial investments and strategic implementation. While smaller economies like the UAE may not single-handedly influence global trends, American and Chinese advancements will undoubtedly drive this revolution.”

    Conversely, Sajwani expressed skepticism about Europe’s approach: “European nations appear to be lagging in AI development. I anticipate they will implement restrictive regulations to protect existing jobs, ultimately hindering their competitive position.”

    UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi echoed these sentiments during separate Forum remarks, noting the Emirates’ increasing reliance on robotics and AI to address labor shortages in construction and manufacturing sectors. “Our aging unskilled workforce presents significant challenges,” Al Zeyoudi explained. “Robotic solutions have become essential for maintaining economic development.”

    The discussion expanded to include Middle Eastern prosperity and reconstruction initiatives, with Sajwani expressing support for peace efforts in Gaza while noting that primary reconstruction funding would necessarily originate from governmental rather than private sources.

  • Mouni Roy vents frustration at being harassed by ‘uncles’ at event in north India

    Mouni Roy vents frustration at being harassed by ‘uncles’ at event in north India

    Prominent Bollywood actress Mouni Roy has publicly denounced what she describes as severe harassment during a recent performance in Karnal, Haryana. The actress, celebrated for her roles in ‘Naagin’ and ‘Devon Ke Dev…Mahadev,’ took to Instagram to detail multiple disturbing incidents that occurred throughout the event.

    Roy expressed particular disgust with the behavior of several older male attendees, whom she referred to as ‘uncles.’ The uncomfortable encounters began even before she took the stage, with multiple men allegedly placing their hands on her waist without consent while attempting to take photographs. When she verbally objected to this physical contact, her protests were reportedly ignored.

    The situation escalated during her performance when two specific individuals positioned themselves directly in front of the stage. According to Roy’s account, these men made lewd remarks, employed inappropriate hand gestures, and engaged in name-calling. The harassment intensified when they began throwing roses at her during her performance, creating a hostile environment that nearly caused her to exit the stage prematurely.

    Adding to the distress, Roy highlighted that these individuals recorded videos from low angles despite being asked to stop, responding with verbal abuse when confronted. The actress expressed disappointment that neither event organizers nor family members of the harassers intervened to stop the behavior.

    Roy emphasized the broader implications of such incidents, noting that if an established performer like herself faces such treatment, emerging artists likely encounter even greater challenges. She called for authorities to take action against what she described as ‘intolerable behavior’ while reaffirming her love for her country and its traditions, but condemning the sense of male entitlement that enables such harassment.

  • India-EU ‘mother of all deals’ nears finish line as Trump tariffs jolt trade

    India-EU ‘mother of all deals’ nears finish line as Trump tariffs jolt trade

    In a significant geopolitical shift, India and the European Union are finalizing a comprehensive free trade agreement, strategically timed to counter growing global trade volatility. The pact, dubbed the ‘mother of all deals,’ represents a decisive move to establish stable trade corridors amid increasing unpredictability in US trade relations under the Trump administration.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa have arrived in New Delhi for the 16th EU-India Summit on January 27, where officials anticipate announcing the conclusion of negotiations that have spanned nearly two decades. While formal signatures may follow later, the political commitment marks a watershed moment in EU-India relations.

    The agreement emerges against a backdrop of escalating US tariff pressures, with some Indian exports facing duties as high as 50%. This environment has transformed the EU-India negotiation from a conventional economic initiative into a strategic safeguard mechanism. The partnership aims to secure predictable trade rules, diversify market access, and reduce vulnerability to abrupt policy changes from traditional partners.

    The scale of existing trade underscores the agreement’s potential impact. Two-way goods trade between India and the EU reached approximately $136 billion in FY2024/25, making the bloc India’s largest goods trading partner. The proposed FTA would expand this economic corridor across multiple sectors—from industrial goods to services—while addressing persistent non-tariff barriers and regulatory friction.

    This development reflects India’s broader ‘portfolio approach’ to trade diplomacy, systematically building bilateral agreements to broaden market access and attract foreign investment. A recent example includes the ambitious agreement with the UAE, targeting a doubling of bilateral trade to $200 billion within six years after surpassing $100 billion under the CEPA framework.

    Despite the breakthrough, sensitive issues remain unresolved. Agriculture remains politically contentious, with the most sensitive agricultural matters temporarily excluded from negotiations. Additionally, Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) presents concerns for Indian industries fearing new carbon-based charges on exports.

    The EU has simultaneously pushed for stronger intellectual property protections and data governance assurances. Beyond commercial elements, the summit is expected to yield a comprehensive strategic package including defense cooperation, information security agreements, and mobility frameworks covering skilled workers, students, and researchers.

    Trade analysts characterize the impending agreement as India’s clearest signal yet of its strategy to build overlapping trade alliances as economic shock absorbers. In an era of tariff threats and shifting trade blocs, both New Delhi and Brussels appear determined to establish a historic economic corridor before the next wave of global trade turbulence emerges.

  • Buying property in Dubai? Here is what you need to know

    Buying property in Dubai? Here is what you need to know

    Investors in Dubai’s off-plan real estate market possess clearly defined legal protections against developer delays and contractual breaches, according to established UAE civil law and specific Dubai property regulations.

    The contractual relationship between purchaser and developer is formalized through a Sale Purchase Agreement (SPA), which comprehensively outlines property specifications, purchase price, payment schedules, completion deadlines, compensation mechanisms for breaches, force majeure provisions, and governing jurisdiction. This agreement operates under Article 246(1) of the UAE Civil Transactions Law (Federal Law No. 5 of 1985), mandating that contracts be executed in good faith according to their stipulated terms.

    When developers fail to meet handover obligations, purchasers benefit from a structured dispute resolution process. The primary recourse involves filing a formal complaint with the Dubai Land Department (DLD), which acts as an initial mediation body under Article 14 of Executive Council Resolution No. 6 of 2010. The DLD endeavors to preserve contractual relationships through conciliatory efforts and proposed solutions, with any mutually agreed settlement becoming legally binding upon departmental approval.

    Should amicable resolution prove unattainable, Article 13 of Law No. 13 of 2008 empowers the DLD to investigate developer violations and refer substantiated cases to competent authorities for further action. Alternatively, purchasers may directly initiate civil proceedings in Dubai courts seeking financial compensation for delays, as permitted under Article 295 of the UAE Civil Transactions Law.

    Developers retain the right to invoke force majeure defenses under Article 21 of Executive Council Resolution No. 6 of 2010, claiming unforeseeable circumstances prevented contractual fulfillment. This legal framework provides offshore investors with multiple avenues for redress while maintaining balance between purchaser protections and developer rights within Dubai’s dynamic property market.

  • Dubai Metro service resumes after brief disruption on Red Line

    Dubai Metro service resumes after brief disruption on Red Line

    Dubai’s metro commuters experienced a brief service interruption on the Red Line during Sunday morning operations, according to an official announcement from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The technical malfunction, which occurred between Al Garhoud and Union stations, prompted immediate response from engineering teams who worked diligently to resolve the issue.

    The disruption was first identified at approximately 8:36 AM local time on January 25, 2026. Within less than thirty minutes, by 9:00 AM, full service had been restored to normal operational capacity. During the interim period, the RTA implemented contingency measures by deploying alternative bus services to transport affected passengers between the impacted stations.

    Transport authorities confirmed that the interruption resulted from an unspecified technical problem affecting the rail system. The RTA’s rapid response team successfully addressed the issue, minimizing inconvenience to morning commuters. The swift resolution demonstrates the effectiveness of Dubai’s public transport emergency protocols and the technical competency of maintenance personnel.

    Public transportation systems in Dubai have maintained an exemplary record of reliability, making such disruptions relatively uncommon. The RTA’s transparent communication regarding the incident and their efficient handling of the situation reflects the city’s commitment to maintaining world-class infrastructure standards and passenger satisfaction.

  • Can UAE employees complain against incompetent manager? What the law says

    Can UAE employees complain against incompetent manager? What the law says

    In the United Arab Emirates, employees seeking legal action against managers perceived as incompetent face specific limitations under current employment legislation. While Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 mandates employers to provide a safe and appropriate working environment, there exists no explicit legal provision permitting complaints based solely on managerial inadequacy or deficient leadership capabilities.

    Legal experts clarify that managerial inefficiency alone does not constitute grounds for legal action unless it manifests as conduct violating specific provisions of UAE Employment Law. Actionable complaints require demonstration of workplace harassment, discriminatory practices, abuse of authority, or the creation of hostile work environments.

    The legal framework specifically prohibits sexual harassment, bullying, or any form of verbal, physical, or psychological violence against employees by employers, managers, or colleagues under Article 14(2) of the Employment Law. In such instances, employees may escalate concerns through internal grievance procedures, HR channels, or whistleblowing mechanisms established by their organizations.

    When internal resolution attempts prove unsuccessful, employees retain the right to file formal complaints with the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE). This escalation pathway remains available exclusively for matters involving statutory violations rather than subjective assessments of managerial competence.

    Legal professionals emphasize that while employee dissatisfaction with management quality is understandable, the UAE’s legal system distinguishes between professional incompetence and legally actionable misconduct. Employees are advised to document specific incidents that potentially violate legal standards rather than general complaints about managerial capabilities.

  • Skipping doctor visits to save money? UAE experts say it can cost you more later

    Skipping doctor visits to save money? UAE experts say it can cost you more later

    Healthcare professionals in the United Arab Emirates are issuing urgent warnings about the dangerous trend of residents postponing medical care to reduce immediate expenses. As insurance premiums and out-of-pocket costs continue to rise, many individuals are opting to skip routine doctor visits, diagnostic tests, and preventive screenings—a strategy that experts confirm ultimately results in more severe health complications and substantially higher medical bills.

    Insurance specialists have observed concerning behavioral shifts among policyholders facing increased financial pressures. Anas Mistareehi, General Manager at E-sanad Insurance Brokers, noted that outpatient services typically become the first casualty of cost-cutting measures. ‘Patients frequently defer routine consultations or essential testing because each visit represents an immediate financial burden,’ Mistareehi explained. ‘This short-term approach often culminates in the development of more serious medical conditions requiring extensive treatment.’

    The most frequently neglected healthcare services include preventive screenings, blood tests, physiotherapy sessions, and mental health support—precisely the interventions that could identify and address health issues before they escalate. Mahdi Attya, Insurance and Commercial Strategy Leader at MSS Advisors, emphasized that chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and elevated cholesterol levels deteriorate without proper management. ‘Ignoring these conditions doesn’t make them disappear; it transforms them into acute problems demanding hospitalization and expensive long-term medication,’ Attya stated.

    Experts identify the selection of inadequate insurance plans as a critical error made by cost-conscious residents. Choosing cheaper policies frequently leads to restricted hospital networks, elevated co-payment requirements, and insufficient outpatient coverage—all of which can generate unexpected expenses reaching thousands of dirhams. Families with children and senior citizens face particular vulnerability due to their increased healthcare utilization patterns.

    Healthcare professionals stress that emergency care, chronic disease management, essential medications, and inpatient coverage should never be compromised regardless of financial considerations. Attya advises residents approaching insurance renewal periods to thoroughly evaluate their coverage options and seek professional guidance if necessary. ‘The fundamental principle remains unchanged: timely medical intervention proves both safer and more economical than deferred treatment that allows conditions to worsen,’ he concluded.

  • Middle East shows resilience as global bond sell-off hits markets

    Middle East shows resilience as global bond sell-off hits markets

    Amid a turbulent week for global fixed-income markets, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations have demonstrated remarkable resilience against a widespread bond sell-off that originated in Japan and rippled through major economies. While regional debt instruments experienced modest yield increases, the fundamental strength of Middle Eastern economies has contained the financial contagion to manageable levels.

    The market volatility commenced when Japanese Government Bond (JGB) yields surged dramatically following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s unexpected announcement of a snap election coupled with ambitious stimulus and tax-reduction proposals. This triggered a chain reaction that subsequently impacted US Treasuries and European sovereign debt, creating one of the most significant fixed-income disruptions in recent months.

    According to Emirates NBD’s Market Economics analysis, the 10-year JGB yield climbed to 2.296%, representing an 11 basis point weekly increase and nearly 25 basis points since January’s commencement. More dramatically, 30-year Japanese yields escalated by 28 basis points in just one week and approximately 40 basis points year-to-date.

    The contagion effect extended to US Treasury markets, where geopolitical tensions exacerbated the sell-off. President Donald Trump’s continued threats of tariffs against European allies contributed to the uncertainty, pushing the 10-year Treasury yield upward by 5 basis points to 4.276% with an 11 basis point increase since January began.

    Middle Eastern markets experienced comparatively moderate impact. Saudi Arabia’s 2036 USD bond witnessed a 6 basis point yield increase to 5.026%, while the UAE’s 2034 dollar-denominated bond rose 5 basis points to 4.385%. Türkiye’s 2036 dollar yield demonstrated the most significant regional movement, jumping 7 basis points to 6.872%. A Bloomberg index tracking regional debt declined approximately 0.5% weekly and 0.7% year-to-date.

    Critical technical factors contributed to this relative outperformance. The GCC region has witnessed substantial bond issuance in January 2026, totaling $28.4 billion as of January 21st—representing 15% of 2025’s total issuance and significantly exceeding the $21 billion raised during the same period last year. This supply dynamic temporarily pressured prices but reflects robust market access rather than structural weakness.

    The fundamental economic architecture of GCC nations provides substantial protection against global financial shocks. Saudi Arabia maintains a debt-to-GDP ratio of merely 33%, while Türkiye stands at approximately 25%—both dramatically lower than advanced economies. Even Bahrain, with a higher debt burden near 150% of GDP, is implementing comprehensive reforms including subsidy reductions, corporate tax implementation, and increased dividends from government-related entities.

    Emirates NBD’s analysis concludes that investor confidence will quickly return to regional markets due to the attractive combination of relatively high yields and strong credit ratings. The institution anticipates that GCC spreads will remain near record lows once global conditions stabilize.

    Edward Bell, Acting Chief Economist and Group Head of Research at Emirates NBD, emphasized that while global volatility persists, regional credit markets possess the necessary fiscal anchors and policy frameworks to withstand turbulence more effectively than their international counterparts.