Global Pulse

标签： Africa

非洲

  • Premier League: Slot says Liverpool can still do ‘special things’ ahead of Arsenal clash

    Premier League: Slot says Liverpool can still do ‘special things’ ahead of Arsenal clash

    Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed unwavering confidence in his squad’s ability to achieve “special things” this season despite a challenging title defense that sees them trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by 14 points. The reigning English champions travel to Emirates Stadium for Thursday’s crucial encounter positioned fourth in the table, seeking to disrupt the Gunners’ championship pursuit.

    The Dutch tactician, who guided Liverpool to an impressive title triumph in his debut season following Jürgen Klopp’s departure, acknowledged his team’s inconsistent form while maintaining optimism about their potential. Although Liverpool currently enjoy a nine-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, this sequence includes four draws that have hampered their league position.

    “We aren’t where we want to be, but I feel we have a very talented squad,” Slot stated during Wednesday’s pre-match press conference. “If everyone’s available and ready, then I think we can do special things.”

    The manager highlighted the team’s contrasting performances this season, noting impressive victories against elite opponents alongside disappointing results. Liverpool’s August victory over Arsenal at Anfield demonstrated their capability against top-tier competition, while comprehensive defeats against Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, and PSV Eindhoven exposed consistency issues.

    Slot emphasized the club’s historic ability to secure silverware despite league struggles, pointing to ongoing opportunities in the FA Cup and Champions League. Thursday’s match represents both a critical league encounter and a measuring stick for Liverpool’s progress against what Slot described as “a very, very good Arsenal team” that represents “the complete package.”

    With Arsenal pursuing their first league title in over two decades, Slot acknowledged their deserved position at the summit while positioning the clash as an opportunity for Liverpool to demonstrate their resilience and quality in high-stakes circumstances.

  • Bethell slams maiden century to give England glimmer in final Ashes Test

    Bethell slams maiden century to give England glimmer in final Ashes Test

    In a display of remarkable composure and skill, 22-year-old Jacob Bethell carved his name into Ashes history with an unbeaten maiden Test century at Sydney Cricket Ground. The left-handed batsman’s flawless 142 not out provided England with a fragile second-innings lead of 119 runs, finishing day four at 302-8 with two wickets remaining.

    Bethell’s arrival at the crease came during a period of significant pressure for England. The early dismissal of Zak Crawley, trapped lbw by Mitchell Starc’s devastating inswinger in the opening over, set a troubling tone. First-innings centurion Joe Root managed just six runs from 37 deliveries before falling to Scott Boland, deepening England’s predicament.

    The young batsman demonstrated extraordinary maturity, reaching his century off 162 balls with a lofted drive over midwicket for four. His performance became particularly crucial after middle-order collapses saw Harry Brook lbw for 42 and Will Jacks caught without scoring within three deliveries from part-time off-spinner Beau Webster, who unexpectedly claimed 3-51.

    Adding to England’s challenges, captain Ben Stokes lasted just five balls after limping to the crease with a groin injury, while a miscommunication resulted in Jamie Smith’s run-out for 24 during a promising 45-run partnership.

    Australia had established a formidable position earlier, dismissed for 567 before lunch on the back of Travis Head’s 163 and captain Steve Smith’s 138, giving them a 183-run first-innings advantage.

    With number ten Matthew Potts yet to score, Bethell acknowledged the strategic challenge ahead: ‘I’m going to have to be smart around how we let Pottsy and (Josh) Tongue come in and what they face. I’m just going to have to hit the gaps. It’s a big outfield, so there are plenty of gaps and I just have to try and hit them.’

    The emotional significance wasn’t lost on Bethell, who celebrated with his parents in attendance: ‘To do that and have the family there was very special. My dad was a cricketer so he knows how it feels to be out there batting, but I don’t think that stops him from getting any less nervous.’

  • UAE: New ‘security dome’ to increase safety on RAK roads

    UAE: New ‘security dome’ to increase safety on RAK roads

    Ras Al Khaimah Police have launched a groundbreaking public safety initiative called the Integrated Security Dome Project, representing one of the emirate’s most ambitious technological transformations. This sophisticated system employs cutting-edge surveillance technologies and advanced data analytics to create a comprehensive security network across the region’s roads and critical areas.

    The innovative platform operates through a unified digital interface that integrates and analyzes data from multiple operational processes. This interconnected approach enables authorities to predict potential risks, enhance proactive security measures, and significantly improve emergency response capabilities across all police departments. The system’s design incorporates both local and international policing best practices, aligning with the UAE’s broader digital transformation objectives and the national ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision.

    Brigadier Dr. Tareq Mohammed bin Saif, Director-General of Police Operations, emphasized the project’s strategic importance in supporting decision-making processes and building institutional resilience against evolving criminal methodologies. The implementation followed carefully structured phases within a comprehensive operational framework that includes strategic planning, intelligence gathering, governance principles, and risk management protocols.

    This technological advancement aims to achieve national targets for criminal and traffic safety indicators while reinforcing security for all community segments. The integrated platform facilitates unprecedented coordination among criminal, traffic, and operational police teams, potentially establishing new standards for smart security ecosystems in the region.

  • Inside China’s expanding partnership with Africa

    Inside China’s expanding partnership with Africa

    China’s strategic partnership with African nations continues to expand significantly, moving beyond traditional infrastructure development into broader economic cooperation frameworks. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects are accelerating transformation across the continent, delivering substantial upgrades to transportation networks, enhancing energy infrastructure capabilities, and expanding digital connectivity systems.

    In a complementary move demonstrating deepened economic integration, China has implemented zero-tariff access for exports from all 53 African countries with which it maintains diplomatic relations. This trade policy, announced in June 2025, represents a substantial market access opportunity for African producers and exporters seeking to enhance their global trade competitiveness.

    The growing partnership reflects a multidimensional approach to international cooperation that combines physical infrastructure development with trade facilitation mechanisms. African nations are increasingly positioned to benefit from both the hard infrastructure improvements and the soft trade advantages created through this evolving relationship. The combination of infrastructure modernization and preferential market access is creating new economic pathways for African economies seeking greater integration into global value chains.

    This comprehensive cooperation model addresses both the physical constraints to economic development through infrastructure projects and the market access barriers through trade policy reforms. The dual approach demonstrates China’s evolving strategy in engaging with African partners, moving beyond a purely contractor-client relationship toward a more integrated economic partnership framework.

  • Iconic Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr dies at 70

    Iconic Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr dies at 70

    The film world has lost one of its most distinctive voices with the passing of Hungarian filmmaker Béla Tarr at age 70. The European Film Academy confirmed his death on Tuesday, January 6th, 2026, following an extended battle with illness.

    Tarr, renowned as the pioneering force behind the ‘slow cinema’ movement, leaves behind an indelible legacy characterized by stark black-and-white aesthetics, extended single-shot sequences, and minimalist storytelling. His approach deliberately subverted conventional narrative structures, instead offering contemplative portrayals of everyday existence in post-communist Eastern Europe.

    The director’s magnum opus, 1994’s seven-and-a-half-hour epic ‘Satantango,’ stands as perhaps the ultimate embodiment of his artistic vision. The film meticulously documents the struggles within a small Hungarian village following communism’s collapse and has been consistently ranked among cinema’s greatest achievements despite its demanding runtime.

    Beyond his filmmaking, Tarr dedicated his later years to educational pursuits. Following his 2011 feature ‘The Turin Horse,’ he transitioned to mentoring emerging talents, establishing the Film Factory school in Sarajevo in 2012. There he served as professor and academic director until 2016, shaping a new generation of filmmakers.

    The European Film Academy’s statement honored Tarr as ‘an outstanding director and a personality with a strong political voice,’ noting he was ‘deeply respected by his colleagues and celebrated by audiences worldwide.’ The organization has requested privacy for Tarr’s family during this period of mourning.

  • Fireworks, free concerts: Family-friendly activities during last week of Dubai Shopping Festival

    Fireworks, free concerts: Family-friendly activities during last week of Dubai Shopping Festival

    Dubai’s iconic shopping extravaganza, the 31st Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF), approaches its grand finale on January 11, 2026, offering residents and international visitors one final opportunity to immerse themselves in its diverse array of family-centered activities and retail promotions. This year’s edition has distinguished itself through an ambitious program of citywide entertainment specifically crafted to engage all demographic groups through large-scale spectacles, interactive experiences, and live performances.

    Throughout the final week, Festival Bay at Dubai Festival City Mall serves as a central entertainment hub, offering complimentary access to concert events. The e& DSF Nights concert series concludes on January 10 with a performance by Arabic pop duo Dalia Al Turky and Mahmoud Al Turky, promising an energetic musical culmination to the festival. Younger audiences can enjoy free stage performances featuring globally recognized characters from Sesame Street, Nickelodeon’s DORA, DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls, Animaccord’s Masha and The Bear, and PJ MASKS, enhanced by accompanying dancers and musicians.

    The True Gamers zone presents interactive gaming competitions with prize pools totaling Dh30,000, specifically designed to accommodate children, teenagers, and parents alike. Additionally, visitors can experience breathtaking light, fountain, and laser displays along the waterfront area.

    Bluewaters and The Beach JBR continue their daily drone shows at 8pm and 10pm, now enhanced with pyro-drone fireworks to create the largest aerial production in DSF history. These visually stunning displays remain freely accessible to the public.

    Meanwhile, the e& Market Outside The Box at Dubai Design District maintains operations until January 11, featuring over 80 food and beverage outlets alongside retail pop-ups from emerging designers and homegrown brands. The market offers MOTB-exclusive menus, limited-edition product releases, and interactive brand activations across fashion, beauty, and lifestyle sectors. The space also hosts live music performances, DJ sets, dance showcases, and hands-on workshops tailored for all age groups.

    Automotive enthusiasts can experience the Middle East Car and Bike Week at Dubai Studio City from January 10-11, with ticket prices ranging from Dh75 for single-day access to Dh100 for a two-day pass. The event provides family-friendly exposure to supercars, custom bikes, and stunt zones. Alternatively, the Mirdif Motor Show x DSF Auto Season offers free admission on January 10 with over 1,000 vehicles on display, complemented by live DJ performances and entertainment suitable for younger audiences.

  • Rare mountain gorilla twins born in Africa’s oldest national park

    Rare mountain gorilla twins born in Africa’s oldest national park

    In a significant conservation milestone, Virunga National Park in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has welcomed the birth of twin mountain gorillas—an exceptionally rare event for this endangered species. The twins were discovered on Saturday by community trackers who found 22-year-old mother Mafuko tenderly holding her newborn sons. Both infants and their mother appear to be in good health.

    Twin births occur in only approximately 1% of mountain gorilla births, making this event particularly noteworthy for conservationists. The park has implemented enhanced monitoring protocols to support Mafuko and her twins during this critical early period, with rangers providing close observation and necessary intervention.

    This birth represents both hope and challenge for the species. Mafuko previously gave birth to twins in 2016, but tragically lost both infants within their first week of life. Young gorillas are exceptionally vulnerable, relying entirely on their mothers for care and protection in an environment that remains threatened by poaching activities and armed groups operating in the region.

    Mafuko’s own survival story adds poignancy to this event. Born in 2003 into the Kabirizi family, she lost her mother to armed attackers at just four years old. She later joined the Bageni family at age ten and has now experienced five pregnancies throughout her life.

    The Virunga National Park, Africa’s oldest and largest protected area established exactly a century ago specifically to safeguard mountain gorillas, provides essential habitat for the species. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which maintains the Red List of threatened species, fewer than 1,100 mountain gorillas remain in the wild, exclusively found in Virunga and neighboring national parks in Rwanda and Uganda.

    This twin birth—the first in Virunga since September 2020—signals continued progress for conservation efforts. Through anti-poaching patrols and community programs supported by the European Union and UNESCO, mountain gorilla populations in Virunga have demonstrated gradual recovery over the past decade. This positive trend led to the species’ conservation status improvement from “critically endangered” to “endangered” in 2018.

    Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning 7,800 square kilometers of diverse landscapes including active volcanoes, vast lakes, rainforests, and mountains, remains a critical sanctuary for biodiversity conservation in Central Africa.

  • Election runner-up in Central African Republic alleges fraud in vote

    Election runner-up in Central African Republic alleges fraud in vote

    BANGUI, Central African Republic — The Central African Republic’s presidential election has descended into controversy as runner-up candidate Anicet Georges Dologuélé formally rejected provisional results on Wednesday, alleging systematic electoral manipulation. The opposition leader claims election authorities excluded over half of the voting data from official tallies, though he presented no concrete evidence to substantiate these allegations.

    Provisional results indicate incumbent President Faustin Archange Touadera secured a decisive third term with 76.1% of votes, while Dologuélé trailed significantly with 14.6%. President Touadera’s spokesperson, Evariste Ngamana, dismissed the fraud claims as baseless accusations from a disgruntled loser.

    The political turmoil unfolds against a backdrop of growing Russian influence in the mineral-rich nation. President Touadera confirmed during an interview with Russian state media TASS that he has extended a formal invitation to President Vladimir Putin, whom he praised as “one of the most outstanding political figures in the world.” This diplomatic overture comes amid reported tensions between Touadera and Moscow regarding security arrangements, with Russia pushing to replace the Wagner mercenary group—currently responsible for presidential security—with its formal military African Corps.

    The election was already marred by controversy as major opposition coalitions boycotted the vote following a constitutional referendum that eliminated presidential term limits. Former Prime Minister Henri Marie Dondra, who garnered 3.19% of votes, joined Dologuélé in demanding complete election cancellation due to alleged electoral law violations.

    Final election results are anticipated by January 20, though the current dispute threatens to prolong political instability in a nation that has increasingly turned to Russian security assistance amid persistent armed group threats throughout the country.

  • Nigeria’s ex-justice minister granted bail in corruption case

    Nigeria’s ex-justice minister granted bail in corruption case

    In a significant judicial development, a Nigerian court has authorized the release on bail of former Attorney General Abubakar Malami, alongside his wife and son, amidst ongoing money laundering proceedings. The 58-year-old former minister, recognized as one of the most powerful officials in ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration (2015-2023), faces sixteen counts of financial misconduct and abuse of power.

    Presiding Judge Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court ruled Wednesday that the allegations constitute bailable offenses. The court set bail at 500 million naira (approximately $350,000) for each defendant, with additional requirements including two property-owning guarantors from designated areas of Abuja and the surrender of all travel documents.

    The case, prosecuted by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), centers on allegations that Malami exploited his ministerial position to divert government funds for acquiring luxury properties across multiple Nigerian cities. The defendant has maintained his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges and previously characterizing his arrest as politically motivated.

    Malami’s political trajectory adds complexity to the case. Recently, he departed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the opposition African Democratic Congress—viewed as the APC’s primary challenger in upcoming 2027 general elections. His familial connections to former President Buhari, through marriage to Buhari’s daughter Nana Hadiza, further heighten the case’s political significance.

    This prosecution represents part of a broader anti-corruption initiative targeting former Buhari administration officials, including ex-Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika. The proceedings have been adjourned until February 17, 2025, allowing time for case preparation while the defendants remain free under court-supervised conditions.

  • Plot to kill Burkina Faso leader foiled, says junta

    Plot to kill Burkina Faso leader foiled, says junta

    Burkina Faso’s security forces have successfully disrupted a sophisticated assassination attempt targeting the nation’s military leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, according to an official government announcement. Security Minister Mahamadou Sana revealed in a late-night national broadcast that the elaborate scheme was orchestrated by Lieutenant Colonel Paul Henri Damiba, the military officer whom Captain Traoré had previously ousted from power in September 2022.

    The minister detailed that intelligence operatives intercepted the operation during its final planning stages, preventing what would have been a coordinated attack on the nation’s leadership. “Our intelligence services intercepted this operation in the final hours,” Sana stated. “They had planned to assassinate the head of state and then strike other key institutions, including civilian personalities.”

    Authorities allege the plotters intended to execute Captain Traoré either through close-range assassination or by detonating explosives at his residence around 23:00 local time on January 3rd. Following the planned assassination, the conspirators allegedly intended to target additional senior military and civilian figures in a broader destabilization campaign.

    Minister Sana further asserted that the plot received significant foreign funding, particularly highlighting approximately 70 million CFA francs (equivalent to $125,000) allegedly transferred from neighboring Ivory Coast. The minister claimed Damiba had mobilized both military personnel and civilian supporters while planning to neutralize the country’s drone-launch base before foreign forces could potentially intervene.

    “We are carrying out ongoing investigations and have made several arrests. These individuals will be brought to justice soon,” Sana announced during his television address, while reassuring citizens that the situation remained under control. He urged the public “not to be misled, out of naivety, into dangerous schemes.”

    This incident marks at least the third known coup attempt against Captain Traoré since he seized power. The 37-year-old leader maintains significant popular support despite growing criticism from both local and international observers regarding his government’s authoritarian tendencies, including allegations of suppressing dissent through arbitrary arrests of military officers and media restrictions.

    The ongoing internal power struggles occur against the backdrop of escalating jihadist violence that has displaced millions of Burkinabe citizens, further complicating the nation’s security landscape. These developments are likely to exacerbate existing regional tensions in West Africa.

    Neither Colonel Damiba nor Ivorian officials have responded to the allegations at this time. This is not the first instance where Burkina Faso’s junta has accused Ivory Coast of interfering in its internal affairs, highlighting the complex geopolitical dynamics within the region.