标签： Africa

A comprehensive analysis by Al-Futtaim reveals a critical disconnect between urban development and transportation systems across rapidly growing UAE communities. The white paper ‘Rethinking Urbanisation and Mobility in the GCC’ demonstrates how accelerated urban densification is creating accessibility challenges even in otherwise sustainable neighborhoods.

According to Ellora-Julie Parekh, Chief Sustainability Officer at Al-Futtaim, current planning approaches remain fragmented. “Decision-making occurs in community-level silos with mobility considerations treated as an afterthought,” Parekh explained. This methodology has resulted in practical difficulties with ingress and egress from otherwise well-designed communities.

The research incorporated survey data from 2,000 UAE residents which revealed unanimous concern about traffic congestion as the primary urban challenge. While preferences for liveability factors varied by nationality—ranging from affordability to safety and green spaces—congestion emerged as the universal priority. Despite these concerns, only 33% of respondents currently utilize public transportation, with 30% citing lack of availability in their areas.

The study identifies significant momentum toward green mobility transitions, with 24% of car buyers intending to purchase new energy vehicles within two years. However, charging infrastructure remains the principal barrier to electric vehicle adoption, surpassing range anxiety concerns. Parekh compared the current charging situation to early broadband development, emphasizing that “ubiquitous charging requires collaboration between private sector and government.

Looking forward, the report advocates for integrated planning utilizing digital modeling and AI technologies. “Cities can now create digital twins of future spaces to test scenarios before construction,” Parekh noted, highlighting how predictive analytics could prevent costly retrofits and improve coordination between urban development and transportation systems.

Imam Abubakar Abdullahi, the Nigerian cleric internationally acclaimed for his heroic actions during sectarian violence, has passed away at age 90. His son confirmed to BBC Hausa that Abdullahi died Thursday night while receiving hospital treatment for a heart condition.

The imam earned global recognition for his courageous intervention during the 2018 Plateau state violence in central Nigeria. When armed attackers targeted predominantly Christian communities, Abdullahi witnessed terrified families fleeing toward his Muslim-majority village and made the instantaneous decision to provide sanctuary.

Defying grave personal risk, the religious leader sheltered 262 people across his personal residence and mosque. When the armed assailants—suspected to be Muslim cattle herders—demanded he surrender those seeking refuge, Abdullahi refused without hesitation. Instead, he and other Muslim community members employed emotional appeals, weeping and pleading until the attackers eventually withdrew, though not before burning two nearby churches.

This act of bravery occurred within the broader context of Nigeria’s persistent farmer-herder conflicts, primarily between Muslim Fulani herders and Christian Berom farmers competing over land and grazing rights. The violence continues to plague the central region, with US officials previously criticizing Nigeria’s protection of religious minorities—a claim Nigerian authorities contest.

Abdullahi’s moral conviction was summarized in his own words: ‘God created mankind differently, but he wants us to live together in peace and harmony, and not harm each other.’

His legacy received significant official recognition, including one of Nigeria’s highest national honors from then-President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022 and the International Religious Freedom Award from the US State Department in 2019. Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang described Abdullahi’s passing as a ‘monumental loss,’ praising his ‘unwavering commitment to peace, unity, and the protection of the vulnerable.’

Dubai judicial authorities have initiated criminal proceedings against an organized criminal network allegedly responsible for a meticulously planned office robbery amounting to approximately 3 million UAE dirhams ($816,000). The sophisticated operation targeted a trading company situated within a commercial high-rise in Deira, marking one of the most significant commercial theft cases recently handled by Dubai law enforcement.

According to official court documentation, the criminal investigation commenced following an emergency alert received by Dubai Police regarding an active robbery incident. Specialized patrol units and forensic investigation teams were immediately dispatched to secure the crime scene and initiate evidence collection procedures.

Investigative findings reveal that the perpetrators specifically targeted a Turkish national who was conducting business alone within the office premises. Surveillance footage obtained from the commercial tower captured the moment the victim responded to a door inquiry, subsequently being confronted by multiple individuals who forcibly accessed the premises. The assailants proceeded to extract a substantial sum of cash from the company’s secure storage facility before making their escape.

Through comprehensive digital forensic analysis and coordinated international investigative techniques, authorities identified five primary suspects originating from Eastern European nations. The criminal network demonstrated advanced operational coordination both preceding and following the commission of the offense. Current investigations indicate three suspects remain in custody while two accomplices have reportedly fled UAE jurisdiction.

Notably, Dubai law enforcement successfully intercepted and recovered approximately 300,000 dirhams ($81,600) of the stolen funds, which have been formally seized and deposited with the Public Prosecution as material evidence. The arrested individuals now face multiple criminal charges including organized robbery, illegal confinement, and handling criminal proceeds. Judicial authorities continue collaborative investigations with international law enforcement agencies to facilitate the apprehension of remaining suspects and complete legal proceedings.

South African authorities have taken the unprecedented step of closing Kruger National Park, one of Africa’s premier wildlife reserves, in response to catastrophic flooding conditions sweeping across the country’s northeastern regions. The park administration announced the complete suspension of all tourist activities and access routes as emergency teams assess extensive damage to infrastructure and potential threats to wildlife.

The closure comes as meteorological services report continuous heavy rainfall across Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces, where rising water levels have transformed normal riverbeds into dangerous torrents. Park officials confirmed that several critical access roads and bridges have been either submerged or structurally compromised, creating potentially life-threatening conditions for visitors and staff alike.

Environmental specialists express particular concern for animal populations within the 7,500-square-mile reserve, noting that sudden flooding can displace species from their natural habitats and disrupt delicate ecological balances. Conservation teams are monitoring the situation closely, though current conditions have hampered ground-based assessment efforts.

The tourism industry anticipates significant economic repercussions from the closure, as Kruger typically attracts over 1.5 million visitors annually. Local safari operators and hospitality businesses have begun implementing emergency contingency plans while awaiting further updates from park management. Government disaster response units have been deployed to affected regions, prioritizing human safety while developing strategies for eventual recovery operations.

Climate scientists note this event continues a pattern of increasingly extreme weather phenomena affecting Southern Africa, with current flooding representing some of the most severe hydrological conditions recorded in the past decade. Park authorities have established emergency communication channels and pledged daily updates as the situation evolves.