Global Pulse

标签： Africa

非洲

  • Israel’s Netanyahu accepts invitation to join Trump’s Board of Peace

    Israel’s Netanyahu accepts invitation to join Trump’s Board of Peace

    In a significant diplomatic development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally accepted an invitation from former U.S. President Donald Trump to participate in a newly established international mediation body dubbed the “Board of Peace.” The announcement was made through an official statement posted on the Prime Minister’s social media account on Wednesday, January 21, 2026.

    The primary and immediate objective of this initiative is to broker a sustainable cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip. The framework, however, is designed with broader ambitions. Should initial efforts in Gaza prove successful, the board intends to expand its mandate to address and mediate other protracted international conflicts around the globe.

    This move marks a notable re-entry of Donald Trump into the arena of international diplomacy and underscores the continuing strategic partnership between the Israeli government and the former U.S. president. The establishment of the board represents an unconventional approach to peacemaking, operating outside traditional diplomatic channels. The involvement of a high-profile leader like Netanyahu lends considerable geopolitical weight to the initiative, though its structure, specific membership, and operational methodology remain to be fully detailed. The international community is observing these developments closely, assessing the potential implications for one of the world’s most enduring and complex conflicts.

  • Trump says ‘brokering peace’ between India, Pakistan ‘key success’ of first year in office

    Trump says ‘brokering peace’ between India, Pakistan ‘key success’ of first year in office

    In a comprehensive review of his administration’s accomplishments, former President Donald Trump has identified his purported mediation between India and Pakistan as a cornerstone achievement during his first year back in office. The White House released a document titled “365 Wins in 365 Days” cataloging these achievements, prominently featuring diplomatic efforts in South Asia under the section “Reasserting American Leadership on the World Stage.”

    During a press briefing commemorating his administration’s anniversary, Trump elaborated on his claims with heightened dramatic effect, notably increasing the number of aircraft he stated were shot down in the conflict from seven to eight. “I ended eight unendable wars in 10 months. Pakistan and India. They were really going at it. Eight planes were shot down,” Trump asserted. “They were going to go nuclear, in my opinion. The Prime Minister of Pakistan was here, and he said ‘President Trump saved 10 million people.’”

    The former president has repeatedly invoked this narrative since May of the previous year, positioning himself as the decisive factor in preventing catastrophic escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors. These assertions appear strategically linked to his aspirations for the Nobel Peace Prize, an award he has consistently expressed grievance over not receiving.

    However, these claims stand in stark contrast to official positions from New Delhi. Indian authorities have consistently refuted any third-party involvement in conflict resolution, maintaining that peace negotiations were conducted exclusively through bilateral channels between the two nations. The initial military confrontation followed the devastating Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir in April 2025, which resulted in 26 casualties and triggered a significant escalation in cross-border tensions.

  • Nigeria police confirm mass church abductions after previous denial

    Nigeria police confirm mass church abductions after previous denial

    Nigerian authorities have executed a dramatic reversal, officially confirming the mass abduction of Christian worshippers from three churches in northern Kaduna state after initially denying the incident occurred. The police retracted their previous statements on Tuesday night, acknowledging that operational units and intelligence sources had verified the kidnapping in Kurmin Wali village.

    According to local residents who spoke with BBC, approximately 177 congregants were seized during Sunday morning services, with 11 managing to escape captivity. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin declined to provide specific numbers but confirmed security forces had been fully deployed to conduct search-and-rescue operations and area patrols.

    Eyewitness accounts describe armed militants surrounding the village during the attack at approximately 10:00 local time on Sunday. “Some people attempted to flee but found themselves encircled,” one witness reported. “The assailants gathered people together and forced them to march into the surrounding bush.”

    The targeted churches included two branches of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church and one Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) congregation. This confirmation contradicts earlier statements from Kaduna state police commissioner Alhaji Muhammad Rabiu, who on Monday challenged journalists to “list the names of the kidnapped victims” while claiming no evidence supported the abduction reports.

    Amnesty International has condemned what it characterized as “the desperate denial” by Nigerian authorities. The human rights organization urged immediate action to address the escalating abduction crisis gradually becoming normalized across Nigeria.

    This incident occurs against a backdrop of severe security challenges confronting Africa’s most populous nation. Criminal gangs conducting ransom kidnappings, Islamist insurgency in the northeast, separatist violence in the southeast, and persistent conflicts between herders and farmers collectively strain national security resources. Experts attribute the crisis to systemic corruption, inadequate intelligence sharing, and chronically underfunded local policing.

    The kidnapping follows November’s abduction of over 300 students and teachers from a Catholic school in neighboring Niger state. The deteriorating security situation prompted Nigeria’s defense minister to resign last month, officially for health reasons, and triggered unprecedented US military involvement with airstrikes against Islamist militant camps on Christmas Day.

    President Donald Trump subsequently warned of additional strikes if attacks against Christians in the West African nation continue. Nigeria’s foreign ministry responded that the country remains committed to protecting all citizens regardless of faith, emphasizing constructive engagement with international partners including the United States.

  • Xi greets Touadera on reelection as president

    Xi greets Touadera on reelection as president

    Chinese President Xi Jinping has formally congratulated Faustin-Archange Touadera on his reelection as President of the Central African Republic, expressing commitment to advancing the strategic partnership between the two nations. The message comes after the Central African Republic’s Constitutional Council officially certified the final results of the December 28 presidential election on Monday, confirming Touadera’s victory and securing his third term in office since initially assuming power in 2016.

    In his congratulatory message, President Xi emphasized the continued deepening of political mutual trust between China and the Central African Republic in recent years. He highlighted how both nations have consistently supported each other on issues concerning their core interests and major concerns while steadily progressing cooperation across multiple sectors.

    President Xi underscored his personal commitment to bilateral relations, stating his intention to collaborate with President Touadera in actively implementing the outcomes established during the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. China remains prepared to drive the continuous enhancement of the strategic partnership between the two countries, aiming to generate increased benefits for both populations.

    The 68-year-old Touadera centered his campaign platform on restoring peace and promoting national development. In preparation for the election, he reportedly signed peace agreements with major rebel groups, according to Xinhua News Agency. Diplomatic relations between China and the Central African Republic, which were reestablished in 1998, have facilitated a gradual recovery in bilateral trade cooperation over subsequent years.

  • Ramadan in UAE: How to get your body ready for month of fasting

    Ramadan in UAE: How to get your body ready for month of fasting

    Medical professionals across UAE healthcare institutions are advocating for strategic physiological preparation beginning weeks before Ramadan to mitigate common fasting-related challenges. According to specialists, the initial days of fasting frequently trigger headaches, fatigue, dehydration, and energy depletion as bodies adapt to altered nutritional patterns.

    Dr. Bhanuprakash Kadaba Bhaskar, Medical Director at Medeor Hospital Dubai, emphasizes that optimal preparation should commence six to eight weeks ahead for individuals with chronic conditions, while healthy individuals require two to four weeks of gradual adaptation. “Sudden dietary shifts adversely impact bodily functions, necessitating systematic nutritional transition rather than abrupt restriction,” he notes.

    Nutritional preparation should prioritize complex carbohydrates from whole grains, oats, and brown rice for sustained energy release, complemented by high-fiber vegetables, fruits, and legumes. Adequate protein intake is crucial for preventing muscle catabolism during extended fasting periods.

    Critical preparatory measures include reducing refined sugars and heavy fatty meals that destabilize metabolic equilibrium. Dr. Bhanuprakash cautions that “overconsumption during non-fasting hours exacerbates next-day fasting exhaustion through metabolic disruption.”

    Caffeine management represents another vital consideration. Abrupt cessation triggers severe withdrawal symptoms including headaches and irritability. Experts recommend gradual reduction one to two weeks pre-Ramadan, substituting refined sugars with complex carbohydrates to maintain glycemic stability.

    Chronobiological adaptation through meal timing adjustments helps synchronize digestive rhythms with suhoor-iftar schedules. Dr. Haseena N M, Consultant Internal Medicine at Lifecare Hospital Musaffah, explains that “gradual adjustment enables smoother hormonal and energy utilization transitions during fasting.”

    Hydration strategies require particular attention, with clinicians clarifying that tea, coffee, and soft drinks potentially exacerbate fluid loss. Optimal hydration involves distributing eight to twelve glasses of water between iftar and suhoor, avoiding excessive consumption at single sittings.

    Medical consultation remains imperative for chronic conditions patients, with physicians emphasizing that fasting should never compromise health integrity. Proper planning enables safe fasting practices while prioritizing physiological well-being.

  • Detained veteran Ugandan opposition figure critically ill in hospital, his party says

    Detained veteran Ugandan opposition figure critically ill in hospital, his party says

    The health condition of imprisoned Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye has significantly worsened according to his political party, raising serious concerns about his treatment in state custody. The 69-year-old former presidential candidate was transported under intense security escort to a private medical facility in Kampala overnight, with his People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party reporting his condition had reached a critical stage.

    Prison authorities have contradicted these accounts, characterizing the medical visit as routine and maintaining that Besigye remains in satisfactory health. Frank Baine, spokesperson for Uganda’s prison system, stated the opposition figure receives standard medical supervision and was recently observed performing exercises.

    Besigye, who served as personal physician to President Yoweri Museveni before becoming his principal political rival, faces capital charges including treason and illegal firearms possession. His detention dates to November 2024 when he was extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya alongside associate Obeid Lutale.

    The PFF has issued strong accusations against Ugandan authorities, alleging deliberate denial of adequate medical care and violation of fundamental human rights. ‘We hold the regime and prison authorities fully accountable for his well-being,’ the party declared, characterizing official statements as attempts to conceal the physical consequences of prolonged detention.

    Personal accounts from Besigye’s family paint a distressing picture. His wife Winnie Byanyima described severe symptoms including acute abdominal pain, high fever, dehydration, and tremors sufficiently severe to impair mobility. She confirmed her husband has refused treatment from prison medical staff, demanding access to independent physicians.

    This incident echoes previous health crises during Besigye’s confinement at Luzira Maximum Security Prison, including a critical condition developed during a February hunger strike protesting judicial proceedings. The opposition leader’s legal team has faced repeated bail denials, with courts citing procedural delays in plea entry.

    The health emergency emerges against Uganda’s tense political backdrop following recent elections where Museveni secured extended power amid opposition allegations of electoral manipulation. Bobi Wine, Museveni’s primary challenger, has rejected the official results and reportedly gone into hiding citing safety concerns.

  • Sharjah real estate records highest trading value in its history with Dh65.6 billion in 2025

    Sharjah real estate records highest trading value in its history with Dh65.6 billion in 2025

    Sharjah’s property market has achieved an unprecedented milestone, recording its highest-ever annual trading value of Dh65.6 billion in 2025. This remarkable performance represents a substantial 64.3 percent surge from the Dh40 billion recorded in 2024, signaling exceptional market vitality and growing investor confidence in the emirate’s stable investment landscape.

    The market demonstrated robust activity across multiple metrics, with total real estate transactions climbing to 132,659—a 26.3 percent annual increase. Sales transactions specifically witnessed extraordinary growth, reaching 33,580 transactions with a 38.4 percent expansion rate. This surge was propelled by heightened demand for residential properties for both end-use and investment purposes, supported by attractive rental yields, price stability, and diverse real estate projects offering flexible financing options.

    Mortgage activity similarly experienced significant growth, with total mortgage values reaching Dh15.5 billion through 6,300 transactions—a 45.1 percent increase from the previous year. The market’s international appeal broadened substantially, with investors from 129 nationalities participating in Sharjah’s real estate sector, compared to 120 in 2024. Properties traded by international investors jumped to 60,322 from 45,676, reflecting the market’s expanding global footprint.

    According to Abdulaziz Ahmed Al-Shamsi, Director General of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department, this historic achievement stems from strategic leadership vision and long-term planning that has established an integrated real estate ecosystem. ‘These results demonstrate the maturity and efficiency of Sharjah’s real estate system,’ Al-Shamsi noted, ‘reaffirming its capacity to attract high-value, long-term investments within a framework distinguished by transparency, advanced infrastructure, and quality living standards.’

    Transaction analysis revealed Emirati investors accounted for approximately Dh33.8 billion of total value across 41,066 properties. GCC nationals (excluding Emiratis) invested Dh3.4 billion in 2,055 properties, while Arab nationals contributed Dh9.8 billion through 8,663 properties. Other international investors represented Dh18.5 billion across 8,538 properties, highlighting the market’s diverse investment base.

    Documentation processes showed consistent growth across categories: ownership certificate transactions increased 17.6 percent to 47,453, title deed transactions grew 29.7 percent to 46,131, initial sales contracts surged 41.2 percent to 14,472, and valuation transactions expanded 35.8 percent to 3,696. These figures collectively underscore the comprehensive strength and accelerating momentum of Sharjah’s real estate sector throughout 2025.

  • Iranian chess champion opens up about trauma amid protests

    Iranian chess champion opens up about trauma amid protests

    In a poignant interview from Paris, Iranian-French chess grandmaster Mitra Hejazipour has revealed the profound emotional distress she continues to endure while monitoring anti-government protests and severe internet blackouts in her homeland. The 32-year-old athlete, who fled Iran five years ago following her symbolic removal of the mandatory hijab during an international tournament in Moscow, now finds herself grappling with sleepless nights and anxiety as she struggles to contact family members amid widespread communications shutdowns.

    Hejazipour, who obtained French citizenship and became national champion in 2023, described the current situation as ‘highly distressing,’ particularly after receiving harrowing accounts from medical contacts within Iran. ‘A friend working at a hospital shared devastating details about numerous gunshot wounds, especially eye injuries, and many fatalities,’ she disclosed while promoting her newly released autobiography, ‘The Chess Player.’

    The protests, initially triggered by economic hardships in late December, have evolved into the most significant challenge to Iran’s leadership in recent years. Independent monitoring organizations estimate the death toll ranges from several thousand to as many as 20,000 casualties resulting from the government’s brutal crackdown on dissent.

    Despite her successful chess career in exile—which includes leading the French team to a third-place finish at the world championships—Hejazipour remains emotionally connected to Iran’s struggle. She expresses cautious optimism that ‘the sacrifice of Iranians will not be in vain’ and predicts the eventual collapse of the current regime. The chess prodigy identifies Reza Pahlavi, son of the former shah living in American exile, as a potential unifying figure for establishing democratic governance.

    Her memoir recounts a childhood in Mashhad where chess became ‘a balm to soothe my sorrow, my shield against life’s uncertainties.’ The defining moment came in December 2019 when she dramatically removed her headscarf during the World Championship in Moscow, an act that precipitated her exile. Now settled in Paris, Hejazipour has established a charitable organization dedicated to promoting chess as an empowerment tool for women worldwide.

  • UK: Katy Perry’s ex-husband in court on two new rape charges

    UK: Katy Perry’s ex-husband in court on two new rape charges

    British actor and comedian Russell Brand appeared remotely before a UK court on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, confronting two new charges of rape dating back to 2009. The additional allegations, filed in December 2025, involve two separate women and expand the legal challenges facing the controversial entertainer.

    The 50-year-old celebrity, known for his marriage to pop star Katy Perry from 2010-2012, participated via video link wearing a partially buttoned pale blue shirt. During the brief hearing, Brand only spoke to confirm his personal details before being granted conditional bail.

    These new charges supplement existing allegations from May 2025, where Brand pleaded not guilty to five separate counts including two rapes, two sexual assaults, and one indecent assault. Those initial charges stem from incidents alleged to have occurred between 1999 and 2005 involving four different women.

    The investigation originated from a 2023 exposé by The Sunday Times and Channel 4 television, which documented multiple sexual misconduct allegations against the comedian. Brand, who transitioned from Hollywood stardom and left-leaning political activism to conservative commentary targeting his substantial social media following, has consistently denied all allegations.

    The court has scheduled a pre-trial hearing for February 17 at Southwark Crown Court, with the full trial on the original five charges set to begin in June. Brand’s public persona has undergone significant transformation in recent years, including his 2024 baptism in the River Thames which he described as marking his conversion to Christianity.

  • Creative Fusion showcases 100+ architectural models with 20+ developers at Cityscape 2025

    Creative Fusion showcases 100+ architectural models with 20+ developers at Cityscape 2025

    Creative Fusion has emerged as a transformative force in the architectural model industry, achieving an extraordinary milestone at Cityscape 2025 in Riyadh. The rapidly expanding firm presented an impressive collection of over 100 architectural models created in partnership with more than 20 prominent regional developers, signaling its ascent as a key player in the Gulf Cooperation Council’s construction and real estate sector.

    The exhibition, held at one of the Middle East’s premier property events, served as a platform for Creative Fusion to demonstrate its exceptional capabilities across diverse project types. The showcased models encompassed futuristic residential complexes, mixed-use megaprojects, urban masterplans, and cutting-edge interactive digital representations, collectively illustrating the evolving architectural landscape of the GCC region.

    What makes Creative Fusion’s accomplishment particularly remarkable is the company’s rapid trajectory to industry leadership. Within just two years of operation, the firm has delivered more than 500 architectural models, establishing itself as a preferred partner for major developers in both the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. This accelerated growth defies industry norms where such recognition typically requires a decade or more to achieve.

    The company’s success stems from its unique combination of precision craftsmanship, technological innovation, and rapid production capabilities. Creative Fusion employs advanced fabrication techniques, state-of-the-art machinery, and premium materials to create models that accurately reflect architectural intent while incorporating interactive elements, smart controls, and augmented reality features.

    At Cityscape 2025, Creative Fusion’s exhibition space became a central attraction for developers, investors, and industry professionals. The models on display represented some of the region’s most ambitious development projects, highlighting the company’s capacity to handle complex, large-scale assignments with exceptional attention to detail and visual storytelling.

    The company’s strategic positioning across both UAE and Saudi markets has enabled it to simultaneously support the rapid growth occurring in these key GCC economies. With a dedicated team of designers, model makers, and engineers possessing expertise across architecture, engineering, and industrial design, Creative Fusion has set new standards for quality and innovation in the model-making industry.

    This landmark achievement at one of the region’s most significant property events underscores Creative Fusion’s transformation from startup to industry leader, demonstrating how technological excellence and consistent performance can rapidly reshape traditional industry hierarchies within the GCC’s dynamic construction sector.