Dr. Muna Tahlak, a prominent figure in the healthcare sector, has recently concluded her term as President of the International Hospital Federation (IHF). Her presidency, which began in 2023, marked a historic milestone as she became the first Arab woman to hold this prestigious position. Her tenure concluded during the 48th World Hospital Congress in Geneva, an event she inaugurated alongside key figures such as Dr. Alawi Alsheikh-Ali, Director General of the Dubai Health Authority, and Dr. Amer Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences. Throughout her leadership, Dr. Tahlak spearheaded initiatives that expanded the IHF’s collaboration with global health organizations, reinforcing its mission to enhance healthcare management and quality worldwide. Her achievements were widely celebrated, with Dr. Alsheikh-Ali highlighting her role as a trailblazer for Emirati women in global healthcare leadership. Dr. Sharif also praised her for setting an inspiring example and advancing the UAE’s representation on the international stage. In her farewell remarks, Dr. Tahlak expressed gratitude to the UAE leadership for their unwavering support and to the IHF team for their contributions to her impactful tenure.
标签： Africa
非洲
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Pakistan deploys army to protect Sri Lankan cricketers
In response to heightened security concerns following a recent suicide bombing in Islamabad, Pakistan has mobilized its army and paramilitary forces to safeguard the Sri Lankan cricket team during their ongoing tour. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced the deployment during a live televised parliamentary session on Thursday, emphasizing the government’s commitment to the team’s safety. Army Chief Asim Munir had previously assured Sri Lankan Defence Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon of comprehensive protection measures. The Sri Lankan players, initially expressing apprehension about staying in Pakistan after the attack, were reassured following a personal intervention by Sri Lanka’s president, who encouraged them to continue their tour. The cricket stadium and the team’s hotel are located within 10 kilometers of the bombing site, raising concerns about proximity to potential threats. The Sri Lanka Cricket Board confirmed that several players had requested to return home but were instructed to remain after receiving assurances of ‘foolproof’ security from Pakistani authorities. Players opting to leave early would face a formal review of their actions. The suicide bombing outside an Islamabad court on Tuesday, which killed 12 and injured 27, marked one of the capital’s deadliest attacks in years. Concurrently, militants stormed a military-run school in Wana, resulting in three fatalities before security forces neutralized the assailants. Pakistan has accused militants based in Afghanistan, with alleged Indian support, for the attacks—claims denied by both Kabul and New Delhi. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared the country to be in a ‘state of war.’ The incidents have reignited memories of the 2009 Lahore attack on Sri Lanka’s cricket team, which halted international cricket in Pakistan for nearly a decade. Security improvements in recent years have since allowed international teams to return, with Sri Lanka’s 2019 tour marking the resumption of Test cricket in Pakistan. The current tour includes a three-match one-day series in Rawalpindi, followed by a Twenty20 tri-series involving Zimbabwe.
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Spinners decide the game, says Gill as India face South Africa
As India prepares to face South Africa in the opening Test at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, captain Shubman Gill highlighted the pivotal role spinners are expected to play in determining the outcome of the match. The pitch at Eden Gardens is anticipated to favor batsmen during the initial days of the Test, which begins on Friday, before gradually assisting spin from the third day onward. However, Gill noted that early morning moisture could provide opportunities for fast bowlers to make an impact. With Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in the lineup, India will rely on their ability to exploit reverse swing. ‘Generally, fast bowlers get a little help in the morning and evening,’ Gill remarked during a pre-match press conference. ‘But in India, spinners usually decide the game. The better the quality of your spin attack, the higher your chances of winning.’ India’s spin arsenal includes Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, offering a variety of options for the team. Gill also reflected on India’s recent Test performances, including a 2-0 whitewash against the West Indies and a hard-fought 2-2 draw in England. A series win against South Africa, the reigning World Test champions, would significantly bolster India’s chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. ‘These two Tests are crucial for our WTC ambitions,’ Gill emphasized. The 26-year-old captain, who excels across all three formats, acknowledged the mental challenges of leading the team but expressed confidence in his physical readiness. ‘It’s a good challenge and a learning curve for me,’ he concluded.
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Top economists call on world leaders to set up an international panel on inequality
CAPE TOWN, South Africa — In a significant move, hundreds of prominent economists and experts, including former U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, have issued a compelling call for the establishment of an independent international panel to address income and wealth inequality. This appeal was made in an open letter released on Friday, just ahead of the Group of 20 (G20) summit scheduled for November 22-23 in South Africa. The summit is expected to feature a groundbreaking report on global inequality, chaired by Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, which will be presented to world leaders. The report, published earlier this month, highlights a dual crisis of inequality and climate change, warning of increased political instability, conflicts, and a decline in democratic trust. It reveals that between 2000 and 2024, the wealthiest 1% captured 41% of all new global wealth, while 2.3 billion people—approximately one in four globally—face moderate or severe food insecurity, a figure that has surged by 335 million since 2019. The report advocates for the creation of an International Panel on Inequality, modeled after the U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, to guide governments in addressing this pressing issue. The letter, signed by Nobel laureates and former senior officials from the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, emphasizes that extreme wealth concentration undermines democratic governance, erodes societal trust, and fuels political polarization. South Africa, the G20 host and the world’s most unequal country according to the World Bank, has prioritized global inequality as a key summit agenda item.
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Resura Real Estate launches advisory-led investment model to protect international buyers in the UAE
Resura Real Estate has unveiled a pioneering advisory-led investment model aimed at protecting international investors navigating Dubai’s dynamic property market. Departing from conventional brokerage services, the firm offers a structured, consultative approach that supports clients through every phase of their investment journey — from acquisition and legal structuring to asset management and long-term protection. Rooted in education, compliance, and strategic clarity, Resura’s model ensures investors make informed decisions while avoiding common pitfalls in the UAE market. Many foreign buyers often lack understanding of local legal frameworks, inheritance planning, or international fund transfer processes, which can lead to costly delays or unexpected expenses. Resura addresses these challenges through its core advisory services, including tailored investment structuring, asset management, legal and inheritance planning, regulated international fund transfer guidance, and exit and diversification strategies. Muhammad Rahman, CEO of Resura Real Estate, emphasized the importance of establishing proper legal frameworks to safeguard assets and legacy. He also highlighted the firm’s role in optimizing international fund transfers by connecting clients with regulated FX partners to minimize costs and ensure compliance. Resura’s advisory-first approach sets a new standard for transparency and trust in UAE real estate investment, prioritizing investor protection over sales volume.
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Khaleej Times back with 4th edition of Banking Innovation & Technology Summit
Khaleej Times is set to host the 4th edition of the Banking Innovation & Technology Summit (BIT’25) on November 18, 2025, in Dubai, UAE. This premier event aims to foster innovation between the fintech and banking sectors, emphasizing the pivotal role of technology in shaping the financial landscape of the region. Following this, on November 20, 2025, the inaugural GCC GRC Day will take place, powered by Swiss GRC as the Presenting Sponsor. This event will focus on Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), bringing together board members, C-suite executives, compliance leaders, and regulators from across the Gulf to discuss strategies for an AI-driven economy. Key topics will include enterprise resilience, third-party risk management, AI governance, cybersecurity, and regulatory transformation. The GCC GRC Day promises to deliver actionable insights and foster strategic collaborations to enhance organizational resilience and accountability. ‘The GCC GRC Day reflects our commitment to advancing the regional GRC agenda through meaningful dialogue and shared expertise,’ said Yahya Mao, Chief Marketing Officer at Swiss GRC. For registration and partnership opportunities, visit www.khaleejtimes.com/events or contact Events@KhaleejTimes.com.
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Dubai Fitness Challenge: Fancy climbing 54 storeys of a skyscraper?
Dubai is once again setting the bar high for fitness and community engagement with its annual Dubai Fitness Challenge. This year, the city is taking wellness to new heights—literally—with the ‘Climb for a Cause’ event at ICD Brookfield Place on November 22. Participants will ascend 54 floors of this iconic skyscraper, combining physical endurance with philanthropy to support the Al Jalila Foundation, a UAE-based charity dedicated to medical education and research.
ICD Brookfield Place, renowned for its sustainable design and innovative approach to urban living, is opening its doors to the public for this unique event. The initiative aims to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds to celebrate health, foster community spirit, and contribute to a meaningful cause. Ben McGregor, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Management & Operations at Brookfield Properties, emphasized that the event is more than just a fitness challenge. It’s a platform for collective action, where small individual efforts can create a significant impact.
The ‘Climb for a Cause’ initiative aligns seamlessly with the Dubai Fitness Challenge’s broader vision of making fitness inclusive and accessible. By encouraging movement and mindfulness within a landmark setting, the event underscores Dubai’s commitment to fostering a healthier, more connected community. Partnering with the Al Jalila Foundation adds a deeper layer of purpose, as every step taken by participants supports advancements in healthcare and medical research.
Organizers anticipate strong participation from a diverse mix of individuals, including professionals from the ICD Brookfield Place business network, fitness enthusiasts, and families. The event promises to be a milestone in the Fitness Challenge calendar, offering participants a chance to test their physical limits, have fun, and contribute to a noble cause. Beyond the physical challenge, the climb aims to inspire a sense of connection, accomplishment, and the realization that even the most daunting goals can be achieved one step at a time.
ICD Brookfield Place’s commitment to wellness and sustainability is evident in its design and community programs. The ‘Climb for a Cause’ event exemplifies this ethos, transforming a workplace into a platform for positive impact. As Dubai continues to turn ambitious ventures into reality, this unique blend of fitness, philanthropy, and corporate philosophy sets a new standard for community-driven initiatives.
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Turkey suspends C-130 flights after fatal plane crash
Turkey has temporarily suspended all flights of its C-130 military cargo planes following a tragic crash in neighboring Georgia that claimed the lives of all 20 individuals on board. The incident occurred on November 6, 2025, as the aircraft was returning to Turkey from Azerbaijan. The Turkish Defence Ministry announced the suspension on November 13, stating that operations would only resume after comprehensive technical inspections and safety checks are completed on all C-130 planes. The ill-fated plane had departed from Ganja Airport in western Azerbaijan but crashed shortly after crossing into eastern Georgia. Eyewitness footage, shared by Azerbaijani media, captured the plane spinning horizontally alongside debris as it plummeted. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with the ministry emphasizing that the accident investigation team is working diligently to determine the root cause. The flight data and cockpit voice recorders, commonly referred to as the black boxes, have been recovered and sent to Ankara for analysis. The ministry clarified that the plane was carrying personnel and maintenance supplies, with no ammunition on board. Among the victims were maintenance specialists for F-16 fighter jets, who had participated in Azerbaijan’s Victory Day celebrations in Baku. The C-130 aircraft, originally purchased from Saudi Arabia in 2012, underwent maintenance and upgrades before being added to the Turkish air force inventory in 2014. It was modernized and put into service in 2022, with regular maintenance ensuring its operational readiness. The ministry refuted claims that the plane had been decommissioned by its previous operator, stating it was a surplus aircraft.
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Nigeria cancels mother-tongue teaching in primary schools and reverts to English
The Nigerian government has decided to scrap a contentious education policy that mandated the use of indigenous languages for teaching in early schooling, reinstating English as the primary medium of instruction. Introduced three years ago by former Education Minister Adamu Adamu, the policy aimed to enhance learning by teaching children in their mother tongue, a method supported by UN studies on early childhood education. However, current Education Minister Tunji Alausa announced the policy’s immediate cancellation, citing its failure to deliver expected academic outcomes. Data from key examination bodies, including the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), the National Examinations Council (NECO), and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), revealed significant academic underperformance in regions that adopted the mother-tongue approach. The decision has sparked mixed reactions. While some, like education expert Dr. Aliyu Tilde, support the reversal, arguing Nigeria lacks the resources and trained teachers to implement such a policy effectively, others believe the policy was abandoned too soon. Critics, including social affairs analyst Habu Dauda, contend that the initiative required more time, investment, and support to succeed. The debate underscores Nigeria’s struggle to balance its linguistic heritage with the practical demands of a globalized economy where English proficiency is paramount. The policy reversal highlights broader challenges in Nigeria’s education system, including poor teaching quality, inadequate resources, and low teacher pay, which have contributed to high dropout rates and millions of children out of school.
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K-pop group NewJeans returns to label ADOR; ex-CEO Min Hee Jin assures support
In a significant development within the K-pop industry, all five members of the globally acclaimed group NewJeans have opted to return to their label, ADOR, following a court ruling in late October 2025. The decision comes after a tumultuous period marked by legal disputes and public revelations about the group’s relationship with their former CEO, Min Hee Jin, who was ousted from her position in 2024. The conflict escalated when NewJeans attempted to form an independent group under the name NJZ, prompting ADOR to seek a legal injunction. The South Korean court ultimately ruled in favor of ADOR, leading to the group’s return. On November 12, ADOR confirmed that the two youngest members, Haerin and Hyein, had decided to rejoin the label after consultations with their families. Shortly after, the remaining members—Minji, Hanni, and Danielle—also announced their return. Min Hee Jin, who has been a maternal figure to the group, publicly supported their decision, emphasizing the importance of unity among the five members. She praised their courage and expressed her commitment to their happiness, urging fans to continue supporting the group. Min also addressed the ongoing legal battles between herself and HYBE, as well as between ADOR and NewJeans, describing it as a challenging period but clarifying that these issues are separate from the group’s future. She remains optimistic about her own path forward, vowing to uncover the truth through her legal efforts.