Global Pulse

标签： Africa

非洲

  • Charley Hull charges to PIF Saudi Ladies International title with back-nine brilliance

    Charley Hull charges to PIF Saudi Ladies International title with back-nine brilliance

    England’s golf sensation Charley Hull delivered a masterclass in competitive resilience at the Riyadh Golf Club, mounting a spectacular final-round charge to seize the 2026 PIF Saudi Ladies International championship. The world number five began Sunday’s action three strokes off the pace but unleashed a breathtaking 65 (-7) performance to finish at 19-under-par, securing her fifth Ladies European Tour title by a single stroke.

    Hull’s victory was forged through exceptional back-nine brilliance where she played her final seven holes in six-under-par. After turning at two-under through nine holes, the Solheim Cup star overcame a bogey on the 10th with an explosive sequence of birdie-eagle-birdie across holes 11-13, followed by additional birdies on the 15th and 18th.

    “This feels absolutely incredible,” Hull exclaimed afterward. “The round progressed so rapidly today. My boyfriend actually predicted this scenario last night – he knows I thrive when chasing. This course has matured beautifully and presents a wonderful challenge with its thickening grass and evolving complexity.”

    The champion revealed an unusual mid-round boost: “After nine holes, I visited the restroom and had some mashed potatoes. Whether that provided the extra energy or not, it certainly worked! As a Golf Saudi ambassador, winning this sponsor’s home event carries special significance.”

    South Africa’s Casandra Alexander and Japan’s Akie Iwai shared runner-up honors at 18-under-par after strong final-round performances. Alexander’s hopes were dashed by a late bogey on the 17th, while Iwai’s aggressive approach yielded seven birdies despite two bogeys.

    Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi finished tied for fourth at 17-under-par, with England’s Mimi Rhodes, Korea’s Ina Yoon and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka one stroke further back in a tightly contested leaderboard.

    With this victory, Hull assumes the LET Order of Merit lead with 500 points, ahead of Alexander (275) and Ciganda (162.50). The win comes as Hull completes house renovations, with the champion already ensuring her new trophy will have designated display space. The Ladies European Tour now pauses briefly before commencing a four-event Australian swing starting with the Ford Women’s NSW Open.

  • Indian, Pakistani businesses top list of new firms joining Dubai Chamber in 2025

    Indian, Pakistani businesses top list of new firms joining Dubai Chamber in 2025

    Dubai’s commercial landscape witnessed unprecedented expansion in 2025 as the Dubai Chamber of Commerce reported substantial membership growth, predominantly driven by Asian business communities. Indian enterprises maintained their leading position with 18,486 new registrations, marking an 11% annual increase, while Pakistani companies followed closely with 9,138 new members, reflecting a robust 12% growth rate compared to 2024.

    The chamber’s comprehensive annual data revealed Egypt secured third position with 5,043 new companies, followed by the United Kingdom (2,733 companies, +5%) and Bangladesh (2,721 companies, +15%). The top ten was completed by Syria (1,907), China (1,583, +7%), Jordan (1,325), Türkiye (1,308), and the United States (1,054).

    Sectoral analysis demonstrated the real estate, renting, and business services domain dominated new membership activity, capturing 37.6% of all registrations. The wholesale and retail trade sector followed with 34.5%, while construction accounted for 17.2%. Social and personal services (7.9%) and transport, storage, and communications (7.2%) completed the sectoral distribution.

    Overall membership surged to 292,486 active companies by December 2025, representing a significant 13.2% annual growth from 258,318 in 2024. The total of 71,830 new registrations underscores Dubai’s continued attractiveness as a global business hub, particularly for Asian enterprises seeking international expansion opportunities.

  • Family of Zambia’s ex-President Lungu dismiss poisoning allegation – lawyers

    Family of Zambia’s ex-President Lungu dismiss poisoning allegation – lawyers

    The protracted legal dispute surrounding the burial of former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has entered a new phase as his family formally denies allegations of poisoning while challenging South African police investigations. Lungu, who passed away in June 2025 at age 68 in a Pretoria clinic, remains in a South African morgue eight months later as competing claims over his final resting place continue unresolved.

    In a significant development, Johannesburg-based Mashele Attorneys, representing the Lungu family, has confirmed compliance with five subpoenas related to criminal investigations while simultaneously dismissing the poisoning claims as “unfounded and unsupported by credible evidence.” The legal team has raised serious concerns about additional police attempts to secure custody of the body, citing existing High Court orders that designate Two Mountains Funeral Services as the legitimate custodian pending resolution of legal proceedings.

    The conflict stems from fundamentally different visions for Lungu’s burial. The Zambian government, which secured a favorable court ruling in August 2025, insists on repatriating the former leader’s remains for a state funeral with full honors. Conversely, Lungu’s family maintains that the former president explicitly did not want his successor, President Hakainde Hichilema, to attend his funeral—a preference rooted in their long-standing political rivalry—and thus prefers a private burial in South Africa.

    South African police have maintained extraordinary discretion regarding the case, with spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe characterizing it as “a very sensitive matter that cannot be discussed at this stage.” The morgue currently housing Lungu’s remains has implemented around-the-clock security surveillance, underscoring the heightened sensitivity surrounding the former president’s body.

    Mrs. Lungu, who has remained in South Africa since her husband’s death, recently escalated the legal battle by filing an appeal with the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein to overturn the previous ruling mandating repatriation to Zambia. This move ensures the complex international legal and diplomatic situation will continue indefinitely, highlighting the unusual circumstances surrounding a former head of state’s prolonged inability to be laid to rest.

  • Dubai Basketball clinch ABA League playoffs spot with big win

    Dubai Basketball clinch ABA League playoffs spot with big win

    In a spectacular display of basketball prowess, Dubai Basketball has officially clinched their spot in the ABA League playoffs following a decisive 100-82 triumph over Bosna BH Telecom. The landmark victory, achieved during Round 1 of the Top 8 phase, establishes the Emirati club as the first team to secure postseason qualification following the league’s second phase.

    The Tuesday evening matchup witnessed one of Dubai’s most complete performances this season, combining offensive precision with formidable defensive discipline. The home team entered the competition phase leading the Top 8 standings and reinforced their dominant position with a display that left little doubt about their championship credentials.

    The game’s trajectory was established early as Dubai implemented assertive offensive execution and disciplined half-court defense, consistently keeping pressure in the visitors’ territory. Key contributions came from Dzanan Musa, who found his rhythm midway through the opening quarter, and Mfiondu Kabengele, who established physical dominance in the paint. Although Bosna managed to narrow the deficit to four points late in the first quarter, Dubai’s structural integrity ensured they maintained the advantage.

    Head coach Jurica Golemac acknowledged the challenge post-game: ‘It was a very difficult game to play after these trips. Bosna is a very quality team and the result doesn’t fully reflect the competitive nature of the contest. They fought well and we needed to play exceptionally strong basketball to secure this victory.’

    Despite Bosna’s resurgence in the second quarter, highlighted by Michael Lamor Young Jr.’s offensive impact, Dubai maintained composure. A critical three-pointer from Aleksa Avramović stabilized the home team’s momentum, while enhanced ball movement exposed vulnerabilities in Bosna’s defensive scheme. By halftime, Dubai had expanded their lead to ten points (45-35), demonstrating the cohesion that would ultimately separate the contenders.

    The third quarter presented Bosna’s most determined challenge as the visitors emerged with renewed intensity, temporarily narrowing the gap through Young’s continued productivity. However, Dubai’s physical versatility proved insurmountable. Kabengele’s ability to stretch the floor, combined with sustained interior control, prevented Bosna from maintaining momentum. By the period’s conclusion, Dubai had reestablished a commanding 12-point advantage.

    The final quarter saw Bosna demonstrate resilience, but Dubai’s offensive consistency ensured the lead never approached threatening margins, culminating in an 18-point victory that solidifies their championship aspirations.

    Kabengele led all scorers with 21 points, anchoring Dubai’s offensive production, while Musa contributed 15 points against his former club. McKinley Wright added 13 points to the balanced scoring effort. The victory strengthens Dubai’s position atop the standings as the ABA League season progresses toward its decisive phase.

    The team now looks ahead to their next home game, another EuroLeague night where playoff positioning intensifies. Following an away victory against Milan, Dubai currently occupies 11th place—just one position outside Play-In tournament qualification—adding another layer of significance to their continental campaign.

  • Gold shopping in Dubai leads to gold Mercedes win for expat

    Gold shopping in Dubai leads to gold Mercedes win for expat

    A Dubai expatriate hailing from a modest Sri Lankan fishing community has experienced an extraordinary reversal of fortune after winning a gold Mercedes-Benz S-Class 500 through a shopping raffle. The life-changing prize came as part of Dubai Gold District’s ‘Shop & Win’ promotional campaign running from December 11 to February 8, where customers earned raffle entries with purchases exceeding Dh500 at participating jewelry and watch retailers.

    The winner, who had utilized his long-term savings to invest in gold at the District, expressed profound gratitude and astonishment at the unexpected turn of events. Having never envisioned luxury vehicle ownership even in his most ambitious dreams, he described the premium automobile as a transformative asset that would significantly alter his life trajectory.

    The campaign mechanism allocated one raffle entry for every Dh500 spent across Dubai’s premium gold and jewelry establishments, creating multiple opportunities for shoppers to participate while making planned purchases. The winner attributes his success to perseverance and philosophical patience, citing his personal mantra: ‘Keep going. Everything you need will come to you at the right time.’

    This remarkable story underscores Dubai’s reputation as a city where extraordinary opportunities can emerge from ordinary consumer activities, particularly within its renowned gold sector that continues to attract both investors and aspirational shoppers seeking value beyond their purchases.

  • Stake raises Dh113.7 million in Series B funding; Emirates NBD, Mubadala buy share

    Stake raises Dh113.7 million in Series B funding; Emirates NBD, Mubadala buy share

    Dubai-based real estate investment platform Stake has successfully concluded an oversubscribed Series B funding round, raising $31 million (Dh113.77 million) from a consortium of prominent regional investors. The investment was led by Emirates NBD bank and Mubadala Investment Company, with additional participation from Property Finder, Ellington Properties, Middle East Venture Partners (MEVP), STV NICE, Wa’ed Ventures, and GFH Partners.

    This latest injection of capital brings Stake’s total funding to date to $58 million (Dh213 million), significantly strengthening its position in the digital real estate investment sector. The platform, founded in the UAE in 2021 and expanded to Saudi Arabia in 2024, has built a substantial community exceeding 2 million users from 211 nationalities.

    Neeraj Makin, Group Head for Strategy, Analytics and Venture Capital at Emirates NBD, emphasized the strategic importance of the investment: “Real estate remains a foundational component of global investment portfolios, yet there is an opportunity to improve how many investors access and gain transparency into these assets. Our strategic investment in Stake represents a significant step in expanding our digital investment capabilities.”

    The funding will primarily support Stake’s expansion in the Saudi market, which the company identifies as a strategic growth opportunity. Since entering Saudi Arabia, Stake has already closed three real estate funds, attracting 6,930 international investors and channeling over SAR 416 million into the local real estate sector.

    Co-founder and co-CEO Rami Tabbara commented on the institutional backing: “To have institutions like Emirates NBD, Mubadala, Property Finder, MEVP, Wa’ed Ventures, GFH Partners, STV and Ellington Properties join us is a reminder that our region believes in ambitious ideas and in the power of technology to transform industries.”

    In a significant regulatory development, Stake has received In-Principle Approval from Dubai’s Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) to advance regulated tokenization of real estate assets in collaboration with Property Finder. This positions the company at the forefront of blockchain integration in Middle Eastern real estate markets.

    To date, Stake has facilitated over 250,000 investments across 500-plus properties and four private real estate funds, distributing more than Dh55 million in rental income and surpassing Dh1.4 billion in real estate transactions.

  • US soldiers arrive in Nigeria to aid its fight against Islamist militants

    US soldiers arrive in Nigeria to aid its fight against Islamist militants

    Approximately 100 United States military personnel have been deployed to northeastern Nigeria, marking a significant escalation in security cooperation between the two nations. The troops arrived at an airfield in Bauchi state with specialized equipment to commence training operations with Nigerian armed forces.

    Defense spokesperson Major General Samaila Uba confirmed the deployment, emphasizing that American forces would not engage in direct combat operations but would provide critical intelligence support and technical training to enhance Nigeria’s counter-terrorism capabilities. The mission follows formal requests from the Nigerian government for assistance in addressing multiple security threats.

    This deployment represents the latest development in bilateral military coordination following December’s joint airstrikes against Islamist militant camps in northwestern Nigeria. The collaboration focuses on strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to deter terrorist organizations including Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), while improving protection for vulnerable communities.

    The security partnership evolved through diplomatic channels, including working group discussions between defense officials from both nations. This contingent supplements a small team of US forces already operating in the country, with Nigerian military officials previously indicating expectations of approximately 200 additional personnel.

    The deployment occurs against a complex backdrop of religious and ethnic dynamics. While the previous US administration expressed concerns about Christian persecution in Nigeria’s predominantly Muslim north, the current mission appears focused on technical cooperation rather than religious protection. Nigerian authorities have consistently maintained that violence affects all religious groups equally.

    President Bola Tinubu’s administration has explicitly endorsed the security cooperation, expressing gratitude for US support in addressing Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges that include Islamist insurgencies, criminal kidnapping networks, resource-based conflicts, and separatist movements across this ethnically diverse nation of more than 250 distinct groups.

  • Powering industrial diversification efforts

    Powering industrial diversification efforts

    Brunei Fertilizer Industries (BFI) has rapidly transformed into a strategic national asset since its establishment in 2013, demonstrating remarkable success in advancing Brunei’s economic diversification agenda. Operating Southeast Asia’s largest single-train fertilizer facility, the company converts domestic natural gas into high-value ammonia and urea products for export across Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

    Under CEO Dr. Harri Kiiski’s leadership, BFI has achieved industry recognition as one of only 30 stewardship champions within the International Fertilizer Association’s 500-member network. The company boasts an exceptional safety record of over 4.2 million injury-free working hours while establishing itself as a reliable supplier with premium-quality products.

    The enterprise has significantly contributed to national workforce development, increasing Bruneian employment from 70% to 78% of its workforce. Through targeted graduate recruitment programs, BFI has developed 160 young professionals into key operational roles, aligning with Brunei’s Wawasan 2035 development vision.

    Technologically, BFI utilizes world-class licensed processes producing 2,200 tonnes of ammonia and 3,900 tonnes of urea daily. The company is advancing into specialty fertilizers containing inhibitors, micronutrients, and biostimulants to address regional food security challenges and soil health issues, particularly zinc deficiency affecting women and children.

    Environmental sustainability remains central to operations, with modern processes optimizing energy efficiency, reducing water intensity, and limiting emissions. The company explores future opportunities in carbon capture, storage, and green energy integration through the ASEAN grid.

    Strategically positioned at market center with superior logistics capabilities, BFI offers 30-40% lower transport emissions compared to Middle Eastern producers. The company now serves as a confidence anchor for investors in chemicals, energy transition, and advanced manufacturing, positioning Brunei as an emerging hub for future-oriented industries.

  • Kenya’s main airport resumes operations after 2-day strike

    Kenya’s main airport resumes operations after 2-day strike

    NAIROBI, Kenya — Operations at Kenya’s primary aviation hub are returning to normal following the resolution of a two-day labor strike that had severely disrupted air travel. The industrial action, which commenced on Monday and paralyzed activities at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, was called off on Tuesday after productive negotiations between airport workers’ representatives and government transportation officials.

    The work stoppage created significant travel disruptions, with flight delays extending up to six hours and airlines advising passengers to reschedule their journeys. The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority confirmed in an official statement that airport functions would resume immediately following the successful mediation between the transport ministry and the trade union.

    Labor representatives had initiated the strike to demand improved working conditions, enhanced compensation packages, and better benefits for airport staff. These concerns were addressed during Tuesday’s discussions, which focused on implementing measures to meet the workers’ requirements.

    As a critical transportation nexus for both regional and international flights, the airport’s operational stability is considered vital to East Africa’s connectivity. Kenya Airways announced it was progressively normalizing its flight schedule, anticipating full operational resumption within 24 hours.

    Transport Minister Davies Chirchir reaffirmed the government’s dedication to maintaining stability within the aviation sector, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted airport operations. The labor union had previously issued a strike notice last week after authorities failed to execute portions of an earlier agreement addressing labor conditions and compensation.

  • Nigeria and Kenya lead Africa’s push for electric vans assembled from Chinese EV kits

    Nigeria and Kenya lead Africa’s push for electric vans assembled from Chinese EV kits

    Across Africa’s largest economies, a transformative shift in transportation is underway as e-mobility companies establish local assembly operations for electric vehicles through strategic Chinese partnerships and innovative financing models. Nigeria and Kenya are emerging as continental leaders in this green transportation revolution, leveraging imported Chinese kits to build electric vans and taxis tailored for African markets.

    In Nigeria, Saglev—a joint venture between Stallion Group and China’s Sokon Motor—has commenced assembly of 18-seater electric passenger vans using components from Dongfeng Motor Corp. The Lagos-based manufacturer aims to produce up to 2,500 vehicles annually, with plans to expand to 17 electric models for West African markets. CEO Olu Falaye heralded this development as “a major step in Nigeria’s transition toward clean, fossil-free transportation,” marking the first mass transit EV assembled locally in sub-Saharan Africa.

    Simultaneously in Kenya, Rideence Africa has invested $2.46 million in a partnership with Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) to produce electric taxis and minibuses using kits from Jiangsu Joylong Automobile and Beijing Henrey Automobile Technology. Managing Director Minnan Yu emphasized the company’s evolution “from operator to manufacturer,” with ambitions to create a “Kenya-rooted new-energy mobility company serving Africa.”

    The economic advantages are substantial: EV charging costs average approximately $3 for 200 kilometers compared to over $15 for petrol equivalent distances. However, the transition faces infrastructure challenges, particularly regarding reliable power sources. Saglev addresses this by planning solar-powered charging stations to ensure consistent energy supply.

    Innovative financing models are crucial to adoption. Rideence leases taxis to drivers for about $18 daily, while BasiGo-Kenya Vehicle Manufacturer requires a deposit plus 20 cents per kilometer driven. These pay-as-you-drive and lease-to-own options overcome financial barriers in markets where credit access is limited and upfront vehicle costs are prohibitive.

    Despite progress, EVs remain a tiny fraction of Africa’s vehicle population—approximately 30,000 compared to millions of fossil-fuel vehicles. The continent produced just 1.1 million vehicles total in the previous year, with 90% manufactured in Morocco and South Africa. Nevertheless, industry experts like Dennis Wakaba of Kenya’s Electric Mobility Association note that scaling local assembly has already reduced costs, making EVs increasingly accessible to transport operators across the continent.