Global Pulse

标签： Africa

非洲

  • How Ras Al Khaimah airport expanded international flights to 16 countries in 2025

    How Ras Al Khaimah airport expanded international flights to 16 countries in 2025

    Ras Al Khaimah International Airport has firmly established itself as a major aviation hub after achieving a monumental operational milestone in 2025. The airport successfully handled over 1.3 million passengers, marking its evolution from a medium-sized facility into a significant player in regional air travel. This remarkable growth represents a 51% surge in passenger traffic compared to previous years, accompanied by substantial expansions in both flight operations and destination networks.

    The airport’s strategic development has yielded an impressive international route map encompassing 16 countries across pivotal markets. Key destinations now include India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Egypt, reflecting the airport’s focused approach to connecting emerging economic corridors. This expansion contributed to a 14% increase in served destinations and a 37% growth in flight movements throughout the year.

    Under the leadership of Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Civil Aviation Authority, the airport executed comprehensive infrastructure enhancements. These included terminal facility upgrades, advanced operational systems implementation, and sophisticated passenger experience improvements. The development strategy prioritized seamless travel standards while maintaining rigorous international security protocols.

    Financial performance mirrored operational success, with net profits climbing 29.4% amid the expansion. The airport simultaneously renewed its ISO certifications across multiple domains including environmental management, innovation protocols, business continuity planning, and quality assurance—all without recording any regulatory violations.

    Innovation initiatives formed a core component of the growth strategy, highlighted by the launch of an advanced Drone Management System and strategic partnerships with aviation authorities in Dubai and Fujairah. The airport also achieved recognition as first runner-up in the Arab Award for Social Responsibility and Sustainability among small government entities.

    A particularly groundbreaking achievement involved the successful experimental flight of an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft developed in partnership with Chinese aerospace company XPENG AEROHT, positioning the airport at the forefront of aviation technology adoption.

    Sheikh Salem attributed these accomplishments to the visionary leadership of Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and the oversight of Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council. Their support has enabled the airport to drive innovation while maintaining operational excellence.

    These developments collectively reinforce Ras Al Khaimah International Airport’s strategic position as a growing connectivity hub that actively supports the emirate’s broader economic diversification goals, tourism expansion initiatives, and commercial development objectives.

  • ICE activity increases in Maine as anxiety grows in immigrant communities

    ICE activity increases in Maine as anxiety grows in immigrant communities

    PORTLAND, Maine — The Trump administration has expanded its immigration enforcement operations to Maine through a controversial initiative dubbed ‘Operation Catch of the Day,’ drawing significant opposition from local governments and communities. Despite Maine’s relatively small population of undocumented residents, the state hosts substantial African refugee communities in Portland and Lewiston that have become primary targets of this enforcement surge.

    The Department of Homeland Security’s operation follows similar pattern-based initiatives in other states, including ‘Metro Surge’ in Minnesota and ‘Midway Blitz’ in Chicago. The deployment has triggered widespread anxiety within immigrant communities, prompting organized resistance from civic leaders, educational institutions, and local businesses.

    Governor Janet Mills and Democratic officials have mounted substantial opposition, including the state’s refusal to provide undercover license plates to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a longstanding Trump critic, explicitly denied federal requests for confidential vehicle identification, citing concerns about potential misuse following similar controversies in Illinois.

    Community response has been immediate and multifaceted. Portland residents have established neighborhood alert networks to monitor ICE movements, while local businesses have displayed signage prohibiting ICE agents from their premises. The Portland Public School district, where more than half of students identify as non-white, has developed contingency plans for online learning and implemented temporary security ‘lockouts’ due to immigration enforcement activities.

    City Council Member Pious Ali, originally from Ghana, reported approximately 25% absenteeism among immigrant students and described how fear has permeated essential workforce sectors. ‘Immigrants work in our hospitals, schools, and hotels—they are part of the economic engine of our community,’ Ali emphasized, criticizing the administration’s approach for generating unnecessary trauma.

    Homeland Security officials confirmed approximately 1,400 enforcement targets in Maine, with initial arrests including individuals convicted of aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and child endangerment. However, local leaders including Portland Mayor Mark Dion have challenged the operation’s proportionality, stating ‘There is no evidence of unchecked criminal activity in our community requiring a disproportionate presence of federal agents.’

    The political confrontation extends beyond immediate enforcement concerns. Bellows previously attempted to remove Trump from Maine’s presidential ballot under the 14th Amendment’s insurrection clause and recently refused to share state voter rolls with federal authorities. Republican leaders argue that withholding undercover plates compromises public safety, while federal prosecutor Andrew Benson—a Trump appointee—has urged demonstrators to maintain peaceful conduct amid growing tensions.

  • Ras Al Khaimah’s ultra-luxury residence sells for record-breaking Dh130 million

    Ras Al Khaimah’s ultra-luxury residence sells for record-breaking Dh130 million

    Ras Al Khaimah’s luxury property market has achieved an unprecedented milestone with the historic sale of the Sky Palace at Waldorf Astoria Residences for Dh130 million ($35.4 million), establishing a new benchmark as the highest-value single-unit residential transaction ever recorded in the emirate.

    The landmark transaction, announced by developer Al Hamra, was accompanied by the separate sale of the development’s signature penthouse for Dh55 million ($15 million), collectively demonstrating robust investor appetite for ultra-premium waterfront properties in the northern emirate.

    This record-breaking sale occurs amid Ras Al Khaimah’s remarkable transformation into one of the UAE’s most dynamic real estate markets. The emirate’s strategic infrastructure investments, government-supported initiatives, and growing portfolio of branded residential developments have propelled its emergence as a premier investment destination.

    Market data reveals substantial property appreciation throughout 2025, with villa prices in Al Hamra Village surging by 42 percent and five-bedroom homes exceeding Dh14 million. Apartments similarly demonstrated strong growth, driven by heightened investor participation and sustained demand for resort-style communities.

    The Sky Palace itself represents the pinnacle of luxury living, occupying the top three floors of the beachfront tower across approximately 10,000 square feet. The residence offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Arabian Gulf, Wynn Al Marjan Island integrated resort, and surrounding mountain ranges. Residents enjoy exclusive access to premium amenities including private lounges, a library, cigar salon, and cinema facilities, complemented by a dedicated ferry connection to the entertainment offerings of Wynn Al Marjan Island.

    Benoy J. Kurien, Group Chief Executive Officer of Al Hamra, emphasized that these transactions reflect growing confidence in Ras Al Khaimah’s long-term economic trajectory and the increasing appeal of meticulously designed luxury developments that meet international standards.

    These landmark sales not only establish new parameters for ultra-luxury real estate in the region but significantly enhance Ras Al Khaimah’s positioning as an emerging global hub for high-net-worth investors seeking sophisticated lifestyle investments.

  • Meraki Developers launches wellbeing-focused Nirvana Residence 1 in the heart of Dubai Production City

    Meraki Developers launches wellbeing-focused Nirvana Residence 1 in the heart of Dubai Production City

    Dubai’s real estate landscape gains a new wellness-oriented residential development with the official launch of Nirvana Residence 1 by Meraki Developers. This 22-story tower, situated in the serene Me’aisem district within Dubai Production City, introduces 392 meticulously crafted residential units ranging from studios to three-bedroom configurations.

    The development represents a paradigm shift in urban living, prioritizing resident well-being through thoughtfully integrated amenities and expansive green spaces known as Nirvana Groves. These wellness zones are strategically distributed throughout the property, creating natural retreats that promote relaxation and community interaction alongside comprehensive fitness facilities.

    Ajay Rajendran, Founder and Chairman of Meraki Developers, articulated the project’s philosophy: “Our vision transcends conventional housing by creating environments that actively nurture the human spirit. Nirvana Residence 1 embodies our commitment to harmonizing modern living with natural elements and community connectivity.”

    The project’s strategic location offers dual advantages: proximity to major transportation arteries ensuring quick access to Dubai’s urban core, while maintaining a tranquil residential atmosphere. This balance reflects Meraki’s overarching design principle of creating sanctuary-like communities without sacrificing urban convenience.

    With over 100 completed projects, the award-winning developer continues to emphasize sustainable design practices and customer-centric development, positioning Nirvana Residence 1 as their latest innovation in quality-conscious real estate that merges architectural excellence with holistic living concepts.

  • UAE: 2025 among hottest years on record, as nation ramps up AI use to boost rainfall

    UAE: 2025 among hottest years on record, as nation ramps up AI use to boost rainfall

    The United Arab Emirates is dramatically scaling its deployment of artificial intelligence in weather modification initiatives as global temperature records continue to climb. With 2025 confirmed as one of the hottest years in recorded history, the arid nation is confronting its water security challenges through technological innovation.

    The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) unveiled three pioneering research projects selected for the Sixth Cycle of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science (UAEREP), each receiving up to $1.5 million in funding over three years. This cycle demonstrates a strategic pivot toward AI-integrated solutions across cloud seeding analysis, smart material development, and land-use modeling.

    Alya Al Mazrouei, Director of UAEREP and Director of Research and Weather Enhancement at NCM, emphasized the critical nature of the situation: ‘Water security remains among the most urgent global challenges. With annual precipitation averaging below 100 millimeters, exceptionally high evaporation rates, and constrained groundwater replenishment, innovative approaches have transitioned from optional to essential.’

    The global context underscores this urgency. According to World Meteorological Organization data, Earth’s average surface temperatures have risen 1.44°C above pre-industrial benchmarks, with 2023, 2024, and 2025 constituting the three warmest years ever documented.

    The selected projects represent cutting-edge intersections of meteorology and artificial intelligence. Dr. Dixon Michael, a radar meteorologist from the United States, will employ machine learning to enhance assessment methodologies for cloud seeding effectiveness, advancing beyond conventional storm tracking to analyze microphysical processes and precipitation outcomes.

    Professor Linda Zou from Australia’s Victoria University will develop advanced nanocomposite materials serving as ice nucleation agents, optimized through AI-powered analytics. Her work includes deploying a portable cloud chamber at NCM facilities and conducting specialized training programs.

    Dr. Oliver Branch from Germany’s University of Hohenheim will investigate how strategic land cover modifications might naturally induce rainfall, providing complementary approaches to aerial interventions.

    Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organization and Director General of NCM, noted the program’s evolving role: ‘Since its 2015 inception, UAEREP has matured into a global nexus for scientific collaboration, translating visionary concepts into practical, sustainable solutions that simultaneously foster economic growth and address environmental challenges.’

  • Dubai: Poets, musicians, performers open Emirates LitFest with nostalgic storytelling

    Dubai: Poets, musicians, performers open Emirates LitFest with nostalgic storytelling

    The 18th Emirates Airline Festival of Literature commenced on January 21st along Dubai Creek, launching an eight-day celebration of global literary arts with a profoundly local spirit. This year’s opening ceremony at InterContinental Festival City transformed into an evocative homage to pre-literate storytelling traditions, emphasizing memory and oral history over written texts.

    Emirati poets, musicians, and performers established the festival’s thematic foundation by revisiting an era when narratives traveled verbally through homes rather than libraries. The National Youth String Chamber Orchestra and Repton Al Barsha Choir provided melodic accompaniment while Dubai Police’s mounted cavalry and young drummers contributed visual rhythm, creating a multisensory experience that connected contemporary arts with cultural heritage.

    One of the most poignant moments featured Um Mohammed, whose recollections of old Dubai were preserved through the Erth Dubai heritage project. She described a tightly-knit community where open doors facilitated constant communication and the creek served as daily companion rather than tourist landmark. Emirati poet Shamma Al Bastaki later articulated poetry’s role as “a vessel for preserving lived experience,” drawing inspiration from her father’s nautical life and the celestial navigation methods of sailors.

    International voices echoed these themes, with children’s author Rachel Bright and poet Afra Atiq discussing poetry as “an act of belief” during a walk through Shindagha that inspired place-specific verse. Festival Director Ahlam Bolooki framed the evening as a reminder that “stories have always been part of who we are” long before they were committed to paper.

    The festival, featuring over 200 sessions and participants from 40 nationalities, will concurrently celebrate the 20th anniversaries of both the Sheikh Zayed Book Award and the Saif Ghobash Banipal Prize for Arabic Literary Translation. While promising diverse programming ranging from crime fiction to Nobel laureate conversations, the opening ceremony established literature not merely as written art but as living practice connecting generations through shared narrative traditions.

  • What we learned from Afcon 2025

    What we learned from Afcon 2025

    The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations concluded in Morocco with both remarkable achievements and significant controversies that will define its legacy. While Senegal ultimately claimed victory, the tournament’s climax was marred by chaotic scenes during the final match against hosts Morocco.

    The championship match descended into turmoil during stoppage time when Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala awarded Morocco a controversial penalty after VAR consultation. This decision triggered a 16-minute delay as Senegal’s team staged a walk-off protest. The dramatic conclusion saw Brahim Diaz’s Panenka attempt saved, preserving Senegal’s triumph amid the controversy.

    Beyond the final’s discord, Morocco delivered exceptional infrastructure and organization. The Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat emerged as a tournament centerpiece, showcasing Morocco’s preparation for co-hosting the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal. Significant investment backed by King Mohammed VI resulted in world-class facilities that impressed visitors and set new standards for African football hosting.

    Tournament economics showed substantial progress, with Confederation of African Football (CAF) revenues growing by 90% and ticket sales skyrocketing from $11 million in 2023 to $55 million. The event attracted 23 sponsors and partners while generating an estimated $114 million net profit.

    However, officiating standards emerged as a persistent concern. VAR implementation regressed from the 2023 edition, with lengthy reviews and questionable decisions throughout the tournament. Security issues also surfaced, particularly regarding Senegal’s team being mobbed upon arrival in Rabat and inadequate crowd control measures.

    The tournament’s success raises questions about future hosting capabilities, especially with the 2027 edition scheduled for East African nations Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Nigeria star Asisat Oshoala’s description of Morocco as African football’s ‘new headquarters’ highlights the challenge other nations face in matching Morocco’s infrastructure and organizational capabilities.

  • Guinea-Bissau junta sets election date following last year’s coup

    Guinea-Bissau junta sets election date following last year’s coup

    The military junta currently governing Guinea-Bissau has formally declared December 6th as the date for both legislative and presidential elections, marking a significant development in the country’s political transition. General Horta Inta-a, leader of the military government installed following last November’s coup, issued a presidential decree confirming that all necessary conditions for conducting free, fair, and transparent elections have been established.

    This announcement comes against the backdrop of Guinea-Bissau’s turbulent political history, characterized by persistent instability since gaining independence from Portugal over five decades ago. The West African nation of approximately 2.2 million people, consistently ranked among the world’s poorest countries, has experienced numerous coups and attempted power seizures throughout its existence, including a significant coup attempt as recently as October 2022.

    The military high command had previously appointed Inta-a, former army chief of staff, to lead a transitional government with a mandated one-year oversight period. Meanwhile, regional security analysts note that Guinea-Bissau’s notorious reputation as a narcotics trafficking corridor between Latin America and Europe has substantially contributed to its political dysfunction, with drug trade revenues exacerbating governance challenges.

    This development occurs within the broader context of a regional coup pattern sweeping across West Africa since 2020. Military takeovers in neighboring nations including Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Guinea have typically been justified by promises to enhance national security against extremist threats or combat systemic corruption. General Mamadi Doumbouya’s 2021 overthrow of Guinea’s president exemplified this trend, undertaken with similar commitments to governance reform.

  • UAE: From ‘Dhoom’ to Dubai, the story of Rimi Sen’s transformation

    UAE: From ‘Dhoom’ to Dubai, the story of Rimi Sen’s transformation

    Former Bollywood sensation Rimi Sen, celebrated for her roles in blockbuster films including ‘Dhoom’, ‘Garam Masala’, and ‘Phir Hera Pheri’, has embarked on an unexpected second career path as a real estate professional in Dubai. The multilingual actress, who also made her mark in Bengali and Telugu cinema, has transitioned from the silver screen to property consultancy with remarkable ease and satisfaction.

    In a recent interview with Dubai-based Buildcaps Real Estate LLC, Sen revealed her appreciation for Dubai’s welcoming environment and structured real estate sector. She highlighted that the emirate’s predominantly expatriate population creates an inclusive atmosphere where the government prioritizes resident welfare through streamlined policies.

    Sen drew striking comparisons between Dubai’s professional real estate landscape and perceptions of the industry in her native India. She noted that Dubai property agents enjoy status comparable to financial consultants, with property investments regarded with the same seriousness as stock market or cryptocurrency ventures. This contrasts sharply with Indian attitudes toward commission structures, she observed.

    The actress-turned-agent also addressed recent social media speculation regarding her appearance changes, clarifying that while she has undergone non-surgical treatments including fillers, botox, and PRP therapy, she has not pursued full plastic surgery. Sen appeared unfazed by the commentary, suggesting that the ongoing discussion ultimately benefits her public profile.

    Having participated in reality television shows like ‘Bigg Boss 9’ and ‘Jhalak Dikhla Jaa 9’, with her final film appearance in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s ‘Shagird’, Sen now finds fulfillment in her Dubai-based career helping clients navigate the emirate’s dynamic property market.

  • In Dubai, everybody wants everyone to succeed, says Sheikha Latifa

    In Dubai, everybody wants everyone to succeed, says Sheikha Latifa

    At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, articulated the unique social fabric that underpins Dubai’s remarkable development. She characterized the emirate as a thriving mosaic where collective advancement and cultural preservation coexist harmoniously.

    Sheikha Latifa emphasized that Dubai’s fundamental ethos revolves around mutual success, where individual achievements create positive ripple effects throughout society. “The connecting theme in Dubai is that everybody wants everyone to succeed,” she stated during a panel discussion, highlighting the collaborative spirit that defines the city’s social contract.

    Despite its reputation as a forward-thinking, innovative, and progressive global hub, Sheikha Latifa noted that Emirati society remains deeply rooted in traditional values. These cultural foundations manifest daily through clothing choices, interpersonal interactions, and the enduring practices of hospitality, respect, and strong moral conduct.

    The cultural authority chairperson underscored Dubai’s extraordinary diversity, noting the emirate is home to 195 distinct cultures and backgrounds. What makes this diversity remarkable, she explained, is how these communities maintain their cultural and religious practices while contributing to a cohesive, open society.

    Sheikha Latifa presented a compelling vision for cultural coexistence: “We believe in openness beyond merely connecting through similarities. We must celebrate our differences. A world where everyone looked, spoke, and operated identically would be profoundly boring. The true beauty of our world lies in its diversity.”

    Addressing governance, Sheikha Latifa revealed the leadership’s rigorous approach to promise-keeping. “Dubai’s leadership maintains strict accountability regarding delivery on commitments. Whenever we launch a strategy or initiative, we are obligated to fulfill these promises,” she explained.

    This results-driven approach involves comprehensive stakeholder engagement. Before implementing any new strategy, Dubai’s authorities consult extensively with affected communities, listening to challenges, proposed solutions, and identifying industry gaps to enable collaborative problem-solving.