Global Pulse

标签： Africa

非洲

  • Chinese cultural show brings New Year festivities to University of Nairobi

    Chinese cultural show brings New Year festivities to University of Nairobi

    The University of Nairobi transformed into a hub of Sino-Kenyan cultural exchange on February 12, 2026, as its Confucius Institute hosted a spectacular Spring Festival celebration that attracted hundreds of participants. The event showcased the rich tapestry of Chinese traditions while fostering cross-cultural understanding between the two nations.

    The festivities commenced with an energetic traditional lion dance performance, believed to usher in good fortune for the Lunar New Year. This was followed by a diverse musical program featuring both classical Chinese compositions and contemporary pop songs performed by university students and faculty members.

    Beyond the stage performances, the campus grounds evolved into an immersive cultural experience. Attendees indulged in authentic Chinese culinary delights and engaged in various traditional handicraft activities. Participants enjoyed painting plaster ponies, designing decorative horse-themed headwear, and observing the intricate art of sugar painting—all honoring the upcoming Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac.

    Gideon Jadeya, a University of Nairobi student who participated in the lion dance performance, shared his enthusiasm: ‘I’ve been studying this art form for six months, and it has deepened both my skills and passion. The lion dance symbolizes prosperity for the new year, and I perform it with genuine excitement and joy.’

    University Deputy Vice-Chancellor Leonidah Kerubo highlighted the Confucius Institute’s significant role in promoting cultural and academic exchanges. ‘The institute has been instrumental in creating educational opportunities for our students through language teaching and academic collaborations,’ she noted. To date, the institution has facilitated 239 scholarships and exchange programs enabling Kenyan students and educators to study in China. The past year particularly saw enhanced academic cooperation with the introduction of a new joint Chinese language degree program.

    The successful event demonstrated the growing cultural diplomacy between China and Kenya, showcasing how traditional celebrations can serve as bridges for international understanding and educational collaboration.

  • Y A S Developers launches boutique residence project, Casa Altia, in Al Furjan, plans projects worth Dh1 billion in 2026

    Y A S Developers launches boutique residence project, Casa Altia, in Al Furjan, plans projects worth Dh1 billion in 2026

    Dubai’s real estate sector witnesses a significant expansion as Y A S Developers, an established international property group with a portfolio spanning North and Latin America, announces its strategic Dh1 billion investment plan for 2026. The company has officially launched Casa Altia, its newest boutique luxury residential project in Dubai’s thriving Al Furjan district, with enabling works already underway for a scheduled Q1 2028 completion.

    This marks the developer’s third residential venture following the successful handover of both Altia Residence and Altia One in Dubai Silicon Oasis. The expansion strategy is strategically aligned with Dubai’s Real Estate Sector Strategy 2033, responding to substantial population growth, increasing foreign direct investment, and the UAE’s unique lifestyle appeal.

    According to Muneer Kutty, COO of Y A S Developers, the company’s growth strategy leverages Dubai’s status as a prime investment destination. “Dubai’s property market achieved record growth in 2025 with transactions exceeding Dh686 billion, representing a 30% year-on-year increase,” Kutty stated, referencing data from DXB Interact.

    Casa Altia will feature an exclusive collection of 72 residences, including 12 one-bedroom units (approximately 1,000 sqft), 48 two-bedroom apartments (1,400-1,465 sqft), and 12 three-bedroom residences (1,900 sqft). Prices will begin from Dh1.7 million. The development will dedicate an entire floor to six ultra-luxury homes complete with private pools, landscaped gardens, BBQ areas, and bespoke amenities designed to replicate villa-style living.

    The project’s strategic location offers exceptional connectivity, with access to Al Furjan Metro Station, Discovery Gardens Metro Station, Ibn Battuta Mall, Al Maktoum International Airport, and Expo City Dubai within a 7-30 minute drive. Residents will enjoy comprehensive amenities including retail spaces, a fitness center, infinity pool, clubhouse, and children’s play area.

    Kutty emphasized Al Furjan’s emergence as one of Dubai’s top-performing residential communities, noting 8-10% property value growth in 2025 driven by metro connectivity and proximity to major transportation corridors. The COO further revealed that Casa Altia will be followed within months by another luxury Al Furjan project as part of the company’s continued expansion in Dubai’s dynamic property market.

  • Kenyan officials hail China–Kenya Culture and Tourism Season

    Kenyan officials hail China–Kenya Culture and Tourism Season

    NAIROBI—The recently concluded China-Kenya Culture and Tourism Season 2025 has been hailed as a transformative chapter in bilateral relations, with senior Kenyan officials celebrating unprecedented cultural exchange achievements. The program’s closing ceremony, integrated with Chinese New Year celebrations held on February 10, 2026, showcased the deepening ties between the two nations.

    Ummi Bashir, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Culture and Heritage, revealed that 131 Kenyan professionals across cultural sectors received specialized training in China through the exchange initiative. The comprehensive program encompassed cultural heritage preservation, tourism development, creative economy enhancement, and sports cooperation since its inauguration in June 2025.

    Among the standout collaborations was the Sino-Kenyan paleolithic archaeological project, which conducted groundbreaking research around Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria to study human origins. This scientific partnership not only advanced academic knowledge but also strengthened diplomatic bonds through shared cultural discovery.

    The cultural season featured an impressive array of cross-cultural events, including live broadcasts of the spectacular wildebeest migration in Maasai Mara National Reserve, the China Animated Film Festival, the Kenya Wushu National Championship, the Africa Championship of Chinese Cuisine, and the China-Kenya Friendship Games.

    Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan emphasized the timing significance, noting that 2026 marks both the 70th anniversary of China-Africa diplomatic relations and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. She reaffirmed China’s commitment to “deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and open a new chapter of partnership” with African nations.

    The Spring Festival reception demonstrated cultural fusion through performances including joint Chinese-Kenyan wushu demonstrations, acrobatics, traditional music, and Kenyan folk dances. The Confucius Institute at Moi University’s fashion troupe presented innovative designs blending Chinese and African aesthetic traditions, symbolizing the creative synergy between the two cultures.

  • Sharjah Ruler directs free home nursing for seniors, monthly support raised to Dh17,500

    Sharjah Ruler directs free home nursing for seniors, monthly support raised to Dh17,500

    In a landmark social welfare expansion, the Emirate of Sharjah has unveiled a transformative support package for senior citizens under the direct directives of its Ruler. The comprehensive initiative eliminates all deductions for home nursing services while substantially increasing monthly financial assistance to AED 17,500 per individual.

    The previously implemented nursing care program, which could cost up to AED 18,000 annually, had been deducting approximately AED 3,000 from seniors’ monthly support. The new mandate ensures that all nursing services will now be provided completely free of charge, with beneficiaries receiving their full financial allocation without any reductions.

    Sulaiman Al Naqbi, Director of Sharjah’s Department of Social Services, elaborated on the multifaceted approach to elderly care. Beyond financial support, the program includes complete health and dental insurance coverage, complimentary physiotherapy sessions at departmental facilities, and specialized transportation services for medical appointments and recreational activities.

    The initiative introduces several innovative components, including a mobile salon service that delivers grooming and personal care directly to homebound seniors. Community engagement is fostered through ‘Asala Clubs’ that provide educational, social, and recreational programming specifically designed for elderly residents.

    Transportation solutions form another critical element, with the ‘Mishwar’ service facilitating leisure excursions and the ‘Ijaba’ service ensuring reliable transportation for government-related appointments. Additional mobility support, including airport transfers, can be arranged based on individual needs.

    This holistic approach represents one of the most comprehensive elder care programs in the region, demonstrating Sharjah’s commitment to ensuring dignity, comfort, and social inclusion for its aging population. The integrated services address financial, medical, social, and personal care needs through a coordinated network of support mechanisms.

  • India vs Pakistan: Ishan Kishan, rapper Hanumankind share happy moment

    India vs Pakistan: Ishan Kishan, rapper Hanumankind share happy moment

    In an unexpected intersection of sports and music, Indian cricketer Ishan Kishan and rapper Hanumankind (Sooraj Cherukat) shared a memorable moment at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium following India’s decisive victory over Pakistan in a T20 World Cup match. The crossover occurred after Hanumankind delivered an electrifying pre-match performance that energized the stadium ahead of the highly anticipated cricket showdown.

    The rapper, known for hits like ‘Big Dawgs’ and his work on the Bollywood soundtrack ‘Dhurandhar,’ had just concluded his set when Kishan approached him with a gesture of appreciation. The wicketkeeper-batter presented Hanumankind with an official team jersey, creating a viral moment captured and shared by the International Cricket Council with the caption ‘Two of a kind.’

    Kishan’s generosity extended beyond the gift exchange, as he later delivered a match-winning performance with a brilliant 77 runs off just 40 deliveries. His explosive batting provided the foundation for India’s total of 175-7 in their allotted 20 overs. The Indian bowling attack then dominated Pakistan, dismissing them for 114 runs in 18 overs, with Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Varun Chakravarthy each claiming two wickets.

    The victory marked India’s eighth win in nine T20 World Cup encounters against Pakistan, securing their advancement to the Super Eight stage of the tournament. This musical prelude continues a tradition established by the ICC, which previously featured performances by Bollywood stars including Arijit Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Shankar Mahadevan before high-profile India-Pakistan matches.

    Hanumankind, who spent his formative years across multiple countries including India, the US, Nigeria, and several Middle Eastern nations, has built a significant following since his debut single ‘Daily Dose’ in 2019. The artist has also ventured into acting with a role in the 2024 Malayalam film ‘Rifle Club.’

  • OMNIYAT awards main works contract for ENARA as construction enters next phase in Marasi Bay

    OMNIYAT awards main works contract for ENARA as construction enters next phase in Marasi Bay

    Dubai’s premium real estate developer OMNIYAT has reached a pivotal construction phase for its ultra-luxury commercial project ENARA, located in the prestigious Marasi Bay area within the Burj Khalifa District. The developer has officially appointed Dutco as the main works contractor following the successful completion of all enabling works and piling operations.

    The ENARA tower, which has achieved complete sell-out status prior to completion, represents OMNIYAT’s strategic vision to redefine premium workspace environments in Dubai. The project has garnered remarkable market response, demonstrating robust demand for Prime Grade A office spaces in one of the city’s most desirable business locations.

    Construction progress indicates significant milestones for 2026, with the superstructure scheduled to reach Level 10 while mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems advance to Level 5. Façade installation is planned to commence later this year, accelerating the transformation of the architectural vision into physical reality.

    Peter Stephenson, Co-Managing Director of OMNIYAT, emphasized the project’s significance: “ENARA marks a transformative moment in our commercial real estate strategy and the evolution of Marasi Bay as a global business destination. The appointment of Dutco as main contractor reinforces our commitment to delivering a world-class commercial tower that embodies design excellence and sustainable value creation.”

    ENARA distinguishes itself through hospitality-inspired amenities integrated with future-ready sustainable design. The development will feature exclusive single-tenant floorplates, private elevator access, landscaped terraces, and cutting-edge digital infrastructure. The project has already secured triple Platinum pre-certifications—LEED Platinum, WiredScore Platinum, and SmartScore Platinum—making it the UAE’s first office building to achieve this recognition. Additional WELL Building Standard Platinum certification is being pursued, highlighting OMNIYAT’s dedication to occupant health and wellbeing.

    As part of OMNIYAT’s comprehensive vision for Marasi Bay, ENARA joins other landmark developments including The Lana, VELA, and VELA Viento in establishing the district as Dubai’s premier ultra-luxury waterfront destination. With construction progressing according to schedule and strong on-site momentum, ENARA is positioned to establish new benchmarks for luxury commercial spaces in the region.

  • iPhone 18 Pro series leaks: Design changes, camera upgrade, and UAE launch

    iPhone 18 Pro series leaks: Design changes, camera upgrade, and UAE launch

    With approximately six months remaining until Apple’s anticipated September 2026 launch event, substantial leaks regarding the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models have surfaced, revealing potentially transformative design and technological advancements. These preliminary reports indicate Apple’s commitment to redefining premium smartphone aesthetics and functionality through several groundbreaking innovations.

    The most significant architectural modification involves the complete integration of Face ID sensors beneath the display surface, effectively eliminating the familiar pill-shaped cutout that has characterized recent iPhone models. This engineering achievement would reduce the visible front-facing hardware to a singular hole-punch camera, reportedly positioned in the top-left corner rather than the traditional central location. The Dynamic Island interface is expected to persist in a refined, less visually intrusive format that maintains full functionality for live activity displays.

    Regarding photographic capabilities, industry analyst Jeff Pu suggests the Pro models will incorporate a sophisticated 48-megapixel primary camera with variable aperture technology. This system would grant users unprecedented control over light intake and depth of field, substantially enhancing low-light performance, portrait photography, and professional-grade image customization.

    Performance enhancements will reportedly center on Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chipset, manufactured utilizing TSMC’s cutting-edge 2-nanometer process. This architectural innovation implements advanced packaging technology with RAM integrated directly onto the same wafer as the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine components, potentially delivering unprecedented processing efficiency and power management.

    The physical design language undergoes subtle yet significant refinements, including improved glass finishing, smoother integration with the aluminum frame, and new exclusive color options such as deep purple, burgundy, and coffee-inspired brown. The Pro Max variant may incorporate a substantially enlarged 5,100mAh battery, potentially increasing device thickness and weight beyond 240 grams to accommodate enhanced power capacity and thermal management systems.

    Apple traditionally maintains its September release schedule for flagship iPhone models, with UAE availability expected shortly after the global unveiling. These purported advancements position the iPhone 18 Pro series as potentially representing the most substantial redesign since the introduction of the notch, offering compelling reasons for users of older Pro models to consider upgrading.

  • Ramadan in UAE: Retailers have high levels of food reserves, says minister

    Ramadan in UAE: Retailers have high levels of food reserves, says minister

    The United Arab Emirates has confirmed its strategic food reserves are at peak readiness levels, ensuring long-term continuous supply capacity as the holy month of Ramadan approaches. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Higher Committee for Consumer Protection, emphasized that retailers maintain substantial inventories of essential consumer goods.

    The announcement followed Minister Al Marri’s comprehensive field inspection of major retail outlets including Emirates Co-operative Society and Spinneys across the UAE. The tour aimed to verify market price stability and adequate product availability to meet consumer demand throughout Ramadan.

    In parallel, the Ministry of Economy reinforced mandatory pricing regulations requiring both physical and digital retailers with spaces exceeding 1,000 square meters to display unit prices clearly using standardized measurement units for each item. These regulations, established under Cabinet Resolution No. 120 of 2022, empower authorities to monitor compliance and enable consumers to file complaints against violators.

    The ministry has specifically prohibited unauthorized price increases for essential commodities including cooking oils, eggs, dairy products, rice, sugar, poultry, legumes, bread, and wheat without prior approval. Minister Al Marri highlighted that the unit price policy provides consumers with accurate information to rationalize spending and make informed choices among alternatives, while ensuring fair competition based on unit pricing rather than promotional offers.

    The Ministry will intensify monitoring of promotional offers and discounts during Ramadan to prevent unjustified price increases and ensure sufficient quantities of key consumer goods remain available.

  • Ramadan to begin this week: What Shaban crescent looks like in UAE skies today

    Ramadan to begin this week: What Shaban crescent looks like in UAE skies today

    Astronomers in the United Arab Emirates have successfully documented the concluding lunar phase of Shaban, marking a significant celestial event preceding the holy month of Ramadan. The Khatm Astronomical Observatory, operating under the International Astronomy Center, captured the slender crescent moon from Abu Dhabi at precisely 8:15 AM UAE time on Monday, February 16.

    This astronomical observation holds profound religious significance as Islamic months transition based on lunar sightings, typically spanning 29 or 30 days. The UAE Fatwa Council has confirmed that the official crescent sighting committee will assemble on Tuesday, February 17, to determine the commencement of Ramadan 2026.

    According to astronomical projections, the likelihood of crescent visibility on February 17 remains exceptionally low. Should the committee confirm sighting on Tuesday, Ramadan would commence on Wednesday, February 18. Otherwise, the holy month will officially begin on Thursday, February 19. The final determination will be communicated through authorized channels following the committee’s deliberation.

    The photographic documentation of the Shaban crescent provides scientific validation of the lunar cycle’s progression while serving as a cultural touchstone for millions of Muslims awaiting Ramadan’s arrival. This process blends ancient tradition with modern astronomical technology, as authorities utilize both naked-eye observations and specialized equipment to make their determination.

    Neighboring nations including Saudi Arabia and Qatar have similarly called upon their citizens to participate in crescent sighting efforts on February 17, highlighting the regional significance of this astronomical and religious event. The convergence of scientific observation and religious tradition continues to define the Islamic calendar’s implementation across the Muslim world.

  • Ghana tomato traders among dead in Burkina Faso attack

    Ghana tomato traders among dead in Burkina Faso attack

    Northern Burkina Faso witnessed a devastating series of coordinated attacks on Saturday, resulting in significant casualties and destruction. The jihadist organization Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate, has publicly claimed responsibility for the assault on the town of Titao.

    Initial reports confirm a minimum of twenty fatalities. Among the victims were seven Ghanaian nationals, tomato traders traveling on a supply truck that was specifically targeted. Ghana’s Interior Minister, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, stated the individuals were tragically “burnt beyond recognition,” complicating identification efforts. Roadblocks imposed in the aftermath have severely hindered evacuation and recovery operations, preventing Ghanaian embassy personnel from accessing the site.

    Eyewitness accounts describe a highly organized, multi-pronged offensive. Assailants reportedly divided into three tactical units: one engaged a local military camp, a second group systematically destroyed telecommunications infrastructure to isolate the area, while a third focused on looting and setting fire to commercial establishments and supply vehicles. Security sources, speaking anonymously to AFP, suggested that ‘hundreds’ of militants overwhelmed the Titao military base, a facility noted for being one of the nation’s best-equipped, leaving it partially destroyed.

    The Burkinabè military junta, which seized power vowing to eradicate extremist violence, has not released an official death toll. However, army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Abdoul Aziz Ouedraogo appeared on state broadcaster RTB on Sunday, asserting that government forces had demonstrated “valour and professionalism” and had inflicted a “heavy defeat” on the terrorists, neutralizing dozens. He attributed the attack to recent military operations in the north and Sahel regions that displaced militant groups westward.

    This incident is part of a dangerous escalation of violence in the region, occurring just two days after suspected JNIM fighters seized the eastern town of Bilanga, killing 18 soldiers. The ongoing instability has critically endangered cross-border trade. The Ghanaian truck drivers’ association highlighted the perpetual risks faced by traders, noting the attackers set the vehicle ablaze after the driver attempted to seek cover.

    With the victims’ bodies beginning to decompose, Ghanaian and Burkinabè authorities are coordinating a burial. Unharmed Ghanaian women survivors have been asked to witness and document the interment process. Burkinabè officials have pledged military support to create a safe passage for evacuating the remaining survivors to the Ghanaian mission in the capital, Ouagadougou, following the burial.