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Breaking: Pope Francis dies at 88, Vatican confirms

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1 year ago

April 21, 2025

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Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, passed away at the age of 88, the Vatican confirmed in a statement on Monday. His death marks the end of a papacy that was often turbulent, characterised by attempts to reform a deeply entrenched institution while navigating significant internal divisions.

The Vatican shared the news via a video announcement. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, speaking on the Vatican’s TV channel, said, “Dear brothers and sisters, it is with profound sadness I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 on Monday morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father.”

Francis had recently recovered from a severe bout of double pneumonia, which had raised concerns about his health in the weeks leading up to his passing.

A Life of Reform and Controversy

Jorge Mario Bergoglio, elected pope on March 13, 2013, made a profound impact on the Catholic Church. His election as the first Latin American pope took many by surprise, with many seeing him as an outsider. He was known for his deep concern for the poor and marginalised, which became central to his papacy.

Francis rejected the traditional papal lifestyle, choosing not to live in the grand Apostolic Palace. Instead, he lived in a guesthouse within Vatican City, focusing on community living for both his “psychological health” and as a statement of simplicity.

Challenges Within the Church

When Francis took office, the Church was embroiled in scandal and internal division. He inherited an institution suffering from the child sex abuse crisis and a deeply fractured Vatican bureaucracy. His mandate was clear: restore order and reform the institution.

However, his papacy faced fierce opposition from both sides of the theological spectrum. Conservatives criticized him for abandoning cherished traditions, while some progressives felt he didn’t go far enough in pushing for reform.

Despite internal challenges, Francis emerged as a global figure, beloved for his efforts to promote interfaith dialogue, peace, and the rights of migrants and other marginalised groups. His extensive travels brought him closer to the global community, attracting massive crowds wherever he went.

A Unique Papacy

Unlike previous papacies, there were two papal figures in the Vatican during much of Francis’s rule, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013. Benedict, who had been a figurehead for the Church’s conservative faction, remained in the Vatican, offering a unique dynamic.

After Benedict’s death in December 2022, Francis stood alone as the singular papal leader.

A Legacy of Progress and Transition

As of February 2025, Francis had appointed nearly 80% of the cardinal electors, making it likely that his successor will continue his progressive policies despite ongoing resistance from traditionalists. His legacy, particularly his advocacy for the marginalised and his efforts at reconciliation, will be a defining feature of his papacy for years to come.

(Source: Reuters)

Related Topics:church dead francisdies latinamericanpope Pope popefrancis romancatholic Vatican

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

News

Want a free taxi ride in Dubai? Here’s how to book the new autonomous cab

Published

8 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Dubai residents can now experience the future of transport with free autonomous taxi rides in parts of Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim.

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has started public operations of its driverless taxi service in partnership with Apollo Go and autonomous driving technology company WeRide.

Passengers can book the vehicles through the Uber or Apollo Go mobile apps at no cost during the current trial phase.

Announcing the launch on social media, the RTA said: “Your next ride could be autonomous, and it’s currently free.”

The rollout follows the introduction of Dubai’s commercial autonomous taxi programme earlier this year, which began with a fleet of 100 driverless vehicles. The fleet is expected to expand gradually as demand grows.

The initiative forms part of the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to increase the adoption of autonomous transport and reinforce the emirate’s position as a global leader in smart mobility.

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Sharjah new ticketless parking rules: How to avoid fines in Aljada

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8 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Drivers visiting Sharjah’s Aljada will now pay for parking in selected areas after a new smart parking system went live on July 15.

Launched by Parkin in partnership with Arada, the system uses Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology, allowing motorists to enter and exit without tickets or barriers. Parking fees are paid digitally through Parkin’s payment channels.

Where is paid parking available?

The new system covers selected parking locations across Aljada, including:

On-street parking along East Boulevard
Designated off-street parking lots
Retail parking at The Boulevard, Tiraz, and Misk

How much does parking cost?

Parking charges vary depending on where you park:

East Boulevard (On-street parking)

Dh6.30 per hour (including VAT)
Operates 24 hours a day

Off-street parking

Dh4.20 per hour (including VAT)
Charged from 8am to midnight

Retail parking

Visitors parking at The Boulevard, Tiraz and Misk receive:

First two hours free
Dh10 per hour after the free period

What about residents?

Residents will continue using their allocated parking spaces, while any additional parking will be charged under the new tariff. Seasonal subscriptions will also be available for eligible parking areas.

The rollout marks Parkin’s first operation in Sharjah, expanding beyond Dubai as the company grows its smart parking network.

The ticketless system is designed to improve parking availability and traffic flow across Aljada, one of Sharjah’s fastest-growing mixed-use destinations, which attracts residents, students, workers and visitors throughout the day.

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Visiting Dubai’s City Walk? Here’s What you need to know about the new ticketless parking

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1 day ago

July 14, 2026

Michael Gomes

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If you’ve ever fumbled for a parking ticket while leaving City Walk or queued at a payment machine, those days are over.

Dubai’s popular lifestyle destination has rolled out a barrierless, ticketless parking system, allowing motorists to drive in and out without collecting a ticket or stopping to pay before exiting.

The new system, introduced by Parkin, uses automatic number plate recognition technology to record when vehicles enter and leave the parking facility, making the entire process faster and more convenient.

How the new parking system works

Instead of paper tickets and exit barriers, cameras identify your vehicle when you enter and exit City Walk.

Parking fees are calculated automatically based on the length of your stay.

If you have a Parkin account, the fee is deducted automatically. Visitors without an account, or those with insufficient balance, will receive a payment link to complete the transaction digitally.

The move is part of Dubai’s wider shift towards smart mobility and cashless services.

Parking charges at City Walk

Visitors can still enjoy one hour of free parking at City Walk.

After the complimentary period, parking is charged at:

Dh5 per hour, or part of an hour.

For visitors heading to The Boulevard, a different tariff applies.

The first 30 minutes are free, after which parking costs Dh20 per hour. According to City Walk, these charges are automatically deducted through the visitor’s Salik account.

How to get free parking

Visitors spending Dh50 or more at participating outlets can receive up to three hours of complimentary parking.

To claim the benefit, shoppers and diners must validate their parking at the participating retailer before leaving.

Parking validation is also available for eligible visitors at attractions including Roxy Cinemas, The Green Planet and selected participating outlets.

Part of a growing smart parking network

City Walk is the latest destination to embrace ticketless parking as Dubai continues expanding digital payment solutions across the city.

Earlier, Parkin announced a five-year agreement with Al Ghurair Centre to introduce a similar smart parking system.

Under that arrangement, visitors receive three hours of complimentary parking before charges apply from Monday to Saturday, while parking remains free on Sundays and public holidays.

With barrierless parking now becoming more common across Dubai, motorists can expect quicker entry and exit, fewer queues and a smoother parking experience, without the hassle of paper tickets.