
<p><strong>Nelson Mandela passed away on December 5 2013. A decade on, what has changed.</strong></p>



<p>Today marks a decade since the loss of Nelson Mandela, South Africa&#8217;s emblematic hero, anti-apartheid champion, and a figure of global reverence. Mandela&#8217;s passing, a moment of profound national and international mourning, has become a pivotal point of reflection, particularly as his envisioned ‘Rainbow Nation’ South Africa remains elusive as the country grapples with severe socioeconomic and political challenges.</p>



<p>Professor Jonathan Jansen, Professor of Education at Stellenbosch University and a respected political columnist, reflects on this shift: &#8220;While Nelson Mandela is held in high esteem across the country, it&#8217;s true that with time, the intensity of commemoration fades. This is true for everyone, not just for the great man himself.&#8221;</p>



<p>Mandela&#8217;s contested legacy surfaces in the Nelson Mandela Foundation&#8217;s bold initiative – an interactive exhibition titled <em>Mandela is Dead</em> hosted in collaboration with The Forge and Stellenbosch University at the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory in Houghton, Johannesburg.</p>



<p>The show encapsulates the growing debate over whether it&#8217;s time to reevaluate Mandela&#8217;s enduring influence on South African society and politics. The exhibition, which launched on the eve of December, attempts to nuance the legacy of the iconic leader.</p>



<p>&#8220;In the past few years, there has been a lot of contention around the meaning of Mandela&#8217;s legacy. Students and intellectuals are debating whether he was truly a &#8216;miracle maker.&#8217; Some criticize him for giving too much to F.W. de Klerk and the apartheid government [during the transition to democracy]. Others represent a more intellectual view, similar to that expressed by someone like [historian] Colin Bundy, which acknowledges his great impact despite his own challenges,&#8221; Jansen observes.</p>



<p>A symbol of resistance and reconciliation, Mandela led the African National Congress (ANC) through the darkest days of apartheid and shepherded the nation into a democratic era – notably, without a major civil conflict that much of the world saw as a foregone conclusion. His vision was of a non-racial, prosperous, and democratic South Africa, ideals that now face scrutiny amid the country&#8217;s lingering socio-economic crises.</p>



<p>&#8220;There is no longer an unconditional celebration of Mandela. His legacy is now viewed through both cynical and pragmatic lenses, considering all his complexities, including his weaknesses. With the current challenges the country faces, it&#8217;s hard to conjure up an image of a flawless leader, especially when basic services are lacking, and there are ongoing issues like loadshedding, children dying due to poor sanitation. This contrasts sharply with the spirit of the first decade following liberation, which was about moving from liberation to survival,&#8221; Jansen adds.</p>



<p>South Africa today wrestles with profound challenges: state capture, frequent power outages and rampant unemployment plague the nation. These issues starkly contrast with Mandela’s dream, spotlighting the gaps between his aspirations and the current realities. In his own desire to ensure a non-violent transition to democracy in South Africa, Mandela made accommodations that some see as allowing the structures of inequality under apartheid to continue to exist.</p>



<p>&#8220;His legacy has done nothing but keep the poor poor and the rich rich, freedom is not free,” reads one message written by a university student on a message board that formed part of the <em>Mandela Is Dead</em> exhibition, which provided a canvas for the reflections of South Africa’s youth, revealing a deepening rift between Mandela’s vision and the contemporary South African experience.</p>



<p>Further emphasizing this disconnect, the lack of significant commemorative events on the anniversary of Mandela&#8217;s death is telling. While Robben Island, Mandela&#8217;s long-term prison home, commemorated his legacy with a running event, the broader national observance was muted, highlighted only by a solidarity march for Palestinians in Pretoria. At the time of publishing, neither the ANC nor the Presidency of Cyril Ramaphosa had issued a commemoration of the day.</p>



<p>Mandela&#8217;s ANC, once the unchallenged political force in South Africa, faces the prospect of losing majorities in key provinces in the upcoming general election. This potential shift signals a transformation in public sentiment and perhaps a reevaluation of Mandela’s influence in contemporary South African politics.</p>



<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ve noticed a sentiment among my comrades, who are saying that the country has strayed far from its path. They question the point of celebrating the achievements of great men from 30 years ago,” continues Jansen. “Even people who were cabinet ministers under Mandela feel this way. The public mood has shifted. The unfettered celebration of Mandela as a great man isn&#8217;t as common anymore, except in smaller, more insular communities.”</p>



<p>As South Africa confronts these realities, the <em>Mandela is Dead</em> exhibition is a call to action, echoing his granddaughter Ndileka Mandela&#8217;s words at the exhibition launch, “South Africa belongs to all who live in it. Let us reclaim it.”</p>



<p>The muted commemorations and critical voices emerging from the youth seem to signal a growing disillusionment with the current state of affairs. The <em>Mandela is Dead</em> exhibition serves as a stark reminder of the work still required. Mandela&#8217;s dream for a prosperous, equal South Africa continues to be a distant aspiration.</p>


A group of American and South African students, aged from 11 to 19, met with Nelson Mandela at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, on 2 June 2009. This is part of a series of activities ahead of Mandela Day on 18 July.

Nelson Mandela: Reflections On The 10th Anniversary Of The Former South African President’s Passing


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline"><a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"></a>TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Global carbon emissions reached another record high in 2023—even after both the U.S. and E.U. cut fossil fuel emissions, according to a recently published study.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>This year’s global carbon emissions from fossil fuels are projected to total 36.8 billion tonnes—a 1.1% rise from 2022, according to a study published by&nbsp;<a href="https://globalcarbonbudget.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Global Carbon Budget</a>.</p>



<p>The report, compiled by an international team of climate researchers from more than 90 universities, determined that time is “running out fast” to avoid the worst impacts from climate change.</p>



<p>The global rise comes even after a sizable reduction in emissions from the European Union and the United States, decreasing by 7.4% and 3% respectively.</p>



<p>However, emissions from India are projected to increase by 8.2%, and emissions from China are expected to rise by 4%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>According to the Global Carbon Budget, emissions have largely plateaued in the last 10 years. The world did not see a significant increase compared to 2022, which also saw emissions increase by 1%. However, experts say this stabilization will not be enough to ensure emissions breach the 1.5ºC threshold—after which the earth will experience irreversible damage from climate change. The Global Carbon Budget now estimates that there is a 50% chance the world will exceed the 1.5C threshold in just seven years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>Professor Corinne Le Quéré of the University of East Anglia’s School of Environmental Sciences said the annual changes are “not profound or widespread enough” to deter climate change. “All countries need to decarbonise their economies faster than they are at present to avoid the worse impacts of climate change,” Le Quéré said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>The study was released as the UN’s annual climate conference, COP28, takes place in the United Arab Emirates. COP28 president-delegate Sultan Al Jaber, the CEO of the UAE’s state-run oil and alternative energy companies, has faced steep criticism since the conference began. Last week, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2023/12/01/cop28-advisory-board-member-resigns-over-reports-uae-used-climate-talks-to-push-fossil-fuels/?sh=480addf4a37e">leaked memos</a> appeared to show Al Jaber was using the conference to pursue more oil and natural gas deals. On Sunday, comments Al Jaber made at a SHE Changes Climate summit on November 21 attracted further criticism. “There is no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is what’s going to achieve 1.5C,” Al Jaber said, in remarks first reported on by the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/dec/03/back-into-caves-cop28-president-dismisses-phase-out-of-fossil-fuels" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guardian</a>. The COP28 president’s beliefs seem to directly conflict with the UN’s stated position on meeting the threshold. “The science is clear: the 1.5-degree limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels,” UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in an address at COP28. “Not reduce. Not abate. Phase out.”</p>


Reports Indicate 2016 Was Hottest Year On Record

Global Carbon Emissions Reached Another Record High In 2023, Study Suggests


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>An uptick of mycoplasma pneumonia cases in children has caused outbreaks in Ohio, Massachusetts, China and Denmark, though officials say they aren’t connected or linked to a “new or novel” virus.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>The illness is caused by a bacteria called “mycoplasma pneumoniae,”<em>&nbsp;</em>and results in typically mild respiratory infections, though the illness can progress into a serious lung infection that calls for hospitalization,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/pneumonia/atypical/mycoplasma/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a>&nbsp;to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.</p>



<p>Mycoplasma pneumonia is sometimes dubbed “<a href="https://www.vinmec.com/en/news/health-news/general-health-check/what-does-a-white-chest-x-ray-indicate/#:~:text=A%20white%20lung%20or%20white,be%20detected%20and%20treated%20promptly." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">white lung pneumonia</a>” due to white patches caused by the disease that present on the lungs during X-rays.</p>



<p>The Warren County Health District in Ohio released a&nbsp;<a href="https://warrenchd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/WCHD-Media-Release-Update-2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>&nbsp;Thursday indicating a pneumonia outbreak that began in August has affected at least 145 children between the ages of three and 14.</p>



<p>“Mycoplasma pneumoniae”<em>&nbsp;</em>was among the specimens at fault, along with “streptococcus pneumoniae” and adenovirus, which all cause pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses, the WCHD indicated in a separate&nbsp;<a href="https://warrenchd.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/WCHD-media-release-pneumonia-112923-004-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>&nbsp;released Wednesday.</p>



<p>The WCHD said the increase of pneumonia cases is not linked to a “new or novel” respiratory illness, but rather a spike in normal pediatric cases, and stated the outbreak isn’t related to any other outbreaks statewide, nationally or globally.</p>



<p>Massachusetts is also <a href="https://www.westernmassnews.com/2023/11/29/doctors-seeing-increase-walking-pneumonia-rsv-cases-kids/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reporting</a> an outbreak of pediatric “<a href="https://www.lung.org/blog/what-is-walking-pneumonia#:~:text=%22Walking%20pneumonia%22%20is%20a%20non,common%20bacterium%20called%20Mycoplasma%20pneumonia." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">walking pneumonia</a>” cases—which refers to mild pneumonia infection often caused by “mycoplasma pneumoniae”—as well as an uptick in other respiratory illnesses like respiratory syncytial virus.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Mycoplasma pneumonia has also been spreading in China and Denmark. Researchers from Denmark’s Statens Serum Institute have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ssi.dk/aktuelt/nyheder/2023/der-er-epidemi-med-mycoplasmainfektioner-ogsaa-kendt-som-kold-lungebetaendelse" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stated</a>&nbsp;mycoplasma pneumonia infections have reached epidemic status in the country. The spike began during the summer, but quickly increased over the past five weeks. Over 540 cases were reported last week—triple the number of cases reported in mid-October. Chinese officials reported during a health conference in November there has been an uptick in respiratory illnesses since mid-October,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON494" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a>&nbsp;to the World Health Organization. However, they blamed this surge on the lifting of Covid restrictions and said it was linked to known illnesses, like Covid, RSV, the flu and mycoplasma pneumonia. WHO echoed China’s sentiments,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON494" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">saying</a>&nbsp;though the surge is early in the typical flu season, it’s not unexpected due to the removal of Covid restrictions in the country. Republican lawmakers&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/11/30/cdc-director-says-respiratory-illnesses-in-china-not-caused-by-new-virus/?sh=61bcf670722b">grilled</a>&nbsp;CDC director Mandy Cohen on Thursday about China’s trustworthiness in reporting the surge in infections. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) likened the surge and the alleged lack of information from China to “a troubling parallel to 2020,” in reference to the early days of the Covid pandemic. Cohen said the rise in cases isn’t linked to a “new or novel” virus, but instead due to respiratory illnesses like mycoplasma pneumonia, an explanation in line with China and WHO.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>Mycoplasma infection is most common in the fall and late summer, and though anyone can get infected, it mainly affects children and younger adults,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/mycoplasma/fact_sheet.htm#:~:text=Typical%20symptoms%20include%20fever%2C%20cough,mild%20and%20rarely%20requires%20hospitalization)." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a>&nbsp;to the New York State Department of Health. Usual symptoms include sore throat, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, wheezing, headache, ear infection and chest soreness, a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430780/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study</a>&nbsp;published in StatPearls reports. Symptoms typically last for a few days but can stretch for more than a month, and they usually begin between two to three weeks following exposure. Though most infections are mild, they can lead to severe complications like lung abscess, respiratory failure, fluid buildup in the lungs and pus in the lungs. There are no vaccines to prevent mycoplasma infection, but it can be treated with antibiotics as it is a bacterial infection, unlike Covid and the flu.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/11/30/cdc-director-says-respiratory-illnesses-in-china-not-caused-by-new-virus/?sh=61bcf670722b">CDC Director Says Respiratory Illnesses In China Not Caused By New Virus</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2023-DON494" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Upsurge of respiratory illnesses among children-Northern China</a> (The World Health Organization)</p>


Shot of little african-american boy  being vaccinated on her arm by a pediatrician at doctor’s office.

What Is Mycoplasma Pneumonia? Dubbed ‘Walking Pneumonia’ Or ‘White Lung Pneumonia’ And Linked To Pediatric Outbreaks In Ohio And Massachusetts


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Hours after Elon Musk told companies to &#8220;go f***&#8221; themselves for pulling their advertisements from X over concerns about antisemitism—and called out Disney CEO Bob Iger by name—a group of right-wing users on the social media platform have called for Disney+ subscribers to cancel their accounts.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p><a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/1730227884957040938" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Multiple</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/realmichaelseif/status/1730275154805068020" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">right-wing</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/ChayaRaichik10/status/1730296643872792752" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">accounts</a>&nbsp;on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, called on subscribers to Disney’s streaming service Disney+ to cancel their subscriptions, with the X account End Wokeness&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/EndWokeness/status/1730218208324395011" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">posting</a>&nbsp;instructions for cancellation with the caption: “Stop giving money to people that hate you.”</p>



<p>Those calls follow Disney’s decision earlier this month to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/11/17/apple-and-disney-pull-x-ads-after-musks-promotion-of-antisemitic-post-joining-these-other-companies/?sh=3f0da76a34fb">suspend its advertising</a>&nbsp;on the social media platform, joining a growing list of companies including Apple, IBM, Lionsgate and Xfinity, following the release of a scathing report that found advertisements on X alongside pro-Nazi posts, and after Musk endorsed a post&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/11/16/elon-musk-condemned-after-calling-antisemitic-post-actual-truth/?sh=7e010cc14020">widely condemned</a>&nbsp;as antisemitic.</p>



<p>Disney’s decision to stop running ads on X could cost the social media platform millions of dollars, while X users’ calls for a boycott of Disney+ would have to reach many of its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tonifitzgerald/2023/08/09/new-record-for-disney-sheds-117-million-subscribers-password-crackdown-coming/?sh=5fe4d2b51d7b">146 million</a>&nbsp;subscribers (as of August) to have an equivalent effect.</p>



<p>Speaking at the New York Times’ DealBook Summit on Wednesday, Musk&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/11/29/elon-musk-says-advertisers-that-have-left-x-shouldnt-come-back/?sh=1f7dc21b10c0">accused advertisers</a>&nbsp;that left the platform of “blackmailing” him with money and crudely told them to “go f**k themselves,” while addressing Iger in the crowd, saying, “hi Bob.”</p>



<p>Iger, also speaking at the summit,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pSxx1e5n34" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;he has “a lot of respect for Elon and what he’s accomplished,” but took exception with Musk’s endorsement of the post on X, saying: “By him taking the position that he took in quite a public manner, we just felt that the association with that position and Elon Musk and X was not necessarily a positive one for us.”</p>



<p>Forbes Daily: Get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.Sign Up</p>



<p>By signing up, you accept and agree to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Terms of Service</a>&nbsp;(including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and you acknowledge our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Privacy Statement</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contra">CONTRA</h2>



<p>X could lose as much as $75 million in lost advertising revenue due to more than a dozen companies including Airbnb, Coca-Cola, Disney, IBM, Microsoft and Xfinity pulling out, the New York Times&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/24/business/x-elon-musk-advertisers.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>IBM became one of the first in a string of high-profile advertisers to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/11/16/ibm-suspends-advertising-on-x-after-ads-appear-near-pro-nazi-posts/?sh=17f133ce6a4d">suspend its ads</a>&nbsp;on the platform this month, after a report from left-wing watchdog Media Matters for America found advertisements for the company—as well as Apple, Oracle and Xfinity—appeared near neo-Nazi posts and posts praising Adolf Hitler. Musk suggested the watchdog went out of its way to achieve the result, claiming the finding represented a wildly different experience from that of a typical user. X Corp. later&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/11/18/elon-musk-threatens-thermonuclear-lawsuit-against-group-reporting-antisemitic-x-posts-appearing-near-ads/?sh=27c854462b13">filed a defamation lawsuit</a>&nbsp;against Media Matters. Musk also came under fire after he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/11/16/elon-musk-condemned-after-calling-antisemitic-post-actual-truth/?sh=648123644020">shared</a>&nbsp;a post on X in which a user claimed “Jewish communities have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them,” an argument Musk called “the actual truth.” The White House also&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/11/17/white-house-condemns-musk-over-abhorrent-promotion-of-antisemitic-and-racist-hate/?sh=4990834c1ea5">condemned</a>&nbsp;that post, issuing a statement calling the claim an “abhorrent promotion of antisemitic and racist hate.” Musk on Wednesday apologized for the post and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theverge.com/2023/11/29/23981771/musk-says-the-antisemitic-post-was-a-mistake" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">admitted</a>&nbsp;it was “one of the most foolish, if not the most foolish, thing I’ve done” on the platform.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>$7.2 billion. That’s how much Disney spent on advertisements in fiscal year 2022, surpassing its advertising budget in 2021 ($5.5 billion) and 2020 ($4.7 billion).</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>Disney became the latest in a wave of major companies to draw the ire of right-wing critics largely online. Earlier this year, Bud Light drew&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/05/20/far-right-pundits-are-slamming-companies-including-nike-adidas-and-ford-for-lgbtq-outreach-as-pride-month-nears/?sh=64d1685f76d0">massive pushback</a>&nbsp;among right-wingers, including pundits Candace Owens and Ben Shapiro, after the beer brand launched a partnership with transgender TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney. Fast food chain Chick-fil-A also came under fire after right-wing online circles expressed outrage over its hiring of a director of diversity, equity and inclusion in 2021, while Adidas faced right-wing pushback for a marketing campaign that included trans-inclusive swimwear. Target additionally faced right-wing blowback online for an LGBTQ Pride product line. In response to the criticism, Target&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2023/05/24/target-removes-pride-items-after-conservative-firestorm-sparking-criticism-from-lgbtq-groups/?sh=18e16e20e512">pulled</a>&nbsp;items from that line in late May, just a week before the start of Pride month, claiming in a statement that threats and criticism it received over the products were “impacting our team members’ sense of safety and well-being,” though the move also sparked pushback in LGBTQ circles over claims the company caved to right-wing blowback.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/11/29/elon-musk-says-advertisers-that-have-left-x-shouldnt-come-back/?sh=1f7dc21b10c0">Elon Musk Says Advertisers That Have Left X Shouldn’t Come Back</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/11/17/apple-and-disney-pull-x-ads-after-musks-promotion-of-antisemitic-post-joining-these-other-companies/?sh=3f0da76a34fb">Apple And Disney Pull X Ads After Musk’s Promotion Of Antisemitic Post—Joining These Other Companies</a> (Forbes)</p>


Popular Streaming Services Photo Illustrations

Disney Vs. Musk: Right-Wing X Users Push For Disney+ Cancellations As Disney Pulls Ads


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Israel and Hamas on Thursday agreed to extend an ongoing temporary ceasefire by an additional day, just minutes before it was set to expire, a move that will allow for continued negotiations on the release of more hostages from Gaza in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>The extension was announced by the&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/MofaQatar_EN/status/1730096017763107245" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Qatari Foreign Ministry</a>—which is mediating discussions between the two sides—just minutes before the ceasefire agreement was set to expire at 7 a.m. local time.</p>



<p>The extended truce maintains the same conditions both sides had agreed to previously where Hamas will release at least 10 Israeli hostages every day in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners.</p>



<p>Qatari officials said efforts for permanent ceasefire agreement are still ongoing.</p>



<p>The Israeli Prime Minister’s office said it has already informed the relatives of hostages who are expected to be released on Thursday, with&nbsp;<em>Haaretz</em>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-11-30/ty-article-live/12-israelis-four-thai-nationals-released-from-hamas-captivity-in-gaza/0000018c-1e28-db78-adcc-be7c50fb0007?liveBlogItemId=720471109&amp;htm_source=site&amp;htm_medium=button&amp;htm_campaign=live_blog_item#720471109" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reporting</a>&nbsp;that the list could include eight women and children.</p>



<p><em>This is a developing story</em>.</p>


Two-Day Truce Extension Promises Release Of More Israeli Hostages And Palestinian Prisoners

Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Extended By One More Day Minutes Before It Was Set To Expire


<p><strong>In South Africa, a revolutionary method for dark matter search that is setting a new trajectory for future explorations.</strong></p>



<p>The quest to unravel the mysteries of dark matter has taken a significant turn with the latest research from the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa. Spearheaded by Professor Deepak Kar and his former PhD student, now postdoctoral researcher Sukanya Sinha, this study is published in Physics Letters B and marks a pivotal shift from traditional approaches in dark matter exploration.</p>



<p>Dark matter, invisible yet comprising about a quarter of the universe&#8217;s mass, has long puzzled scientists. Traditional searches have focused on weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), but to date, these efforts have not yielded concrete evidence of its existence. The Wits team, working at the ATLAS experiment at CERN (a center for scientific research in Switzerland), ventured into uncharted territory by investigating semi-visible jets, a novel concept in Dark Matter searches.</p>



<p>Kan, in an interview with FORBES AFRICA, sheds light on the significance of this new approach: &#8220;We looked for a very specific signature of dark matter, which no one has ever looked at, and we didn&#8217;t find it. So what does it tell us? That the dark matter probably doesn&#8217;t exist in that form, or even if it does, the fraction is probably much, much smaller.&#8221; This discovery informs and directs future research, eliminating certain possibilities in the elusive search for dark matter.</p>



<p>Kan further elaborates on the practical implications of their findings: &#8220;Future research in the exploration of dark matter would be informed by this&#8230; Our study is the most prominent result because it&#8217;s an experimental research.&#8221; He also notes the broader impact of their work: &#8220;Our research informs new ways we can look for dark matter in, say, visible jets and beyond. It tells us what is not there, reducing the possibilities.&#8221;</p>



<p>Discussing the relevance of dark matter research to daily life, Kan states: &#8220;It&#8217;s not something which helps in everyday lives directly&#8230; but it might lead to the development of technologies and techniques which can be used in more practical research.&#8221;</p>



<p>He highlights the long-term potential of such fundamental research, drawing parallels with the development of the World Wide Web and advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence, which originated from similar scientific endeavors.</p>



<p>This research by the Wits University team not only propels the scientific community closer to understanding one of the universe&#8217;s greatest mysteries but also exemplifies the profound impact of fundamental research on technological and practical advancements. As the quest for dark matter continues, this novel method introduced by the Wits team stands as a beacon of innovation in the expansive field of astrophysics.</p>


Researchers Prof Deepak Kar and Sukanya Sinha; Image supplied1

Wits University’s New Direction In Understanding One Of The Universe’s Greatest Mysteries


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Shein, a China-based company that dominates the fast-fashion industry, has confidentially filed to go public, the <a href="https://www.wsj.com/business/fast-fashion-giant-shein-files-to-go-public-30a97410?mod=business_lead_story" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wall Street Journal</a> and <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/27/shein-files-for-us-ipo-as-fast-fashion-giant-looks-to-expand-its-global-reach.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CNBC</a> reported Monday.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Shein will be working with Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase and Morgan Stanley as underwriters on the offering, the Wall Street Journal reported.</p>



<p>The initial public offering could happen as soon as 2024, people with knowledge of the matter told CNBC and the Journal.</p>



<p>Last year Shein was valued at $100 billion—worth more than the combined value of two of its fast-fashion competitors, Zara and H&amp;M, according to previous Forbes <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/janeho/2022/11/09/founder-of-fast-fashion-phenomenon-shein-joins-ranks-of-chinas-richest-after-new-fundraising/?sh=10f1cb782bc7">reporting</a>—though Bloomberg reported the value <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-07/shein-targets-up-to-90-billion-valuation-in-us-ipo-sources-say?embedded-checkout=true#xj4y7vzkg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">dropped</a> to between $50 billion and $60 billion this year as higher interest rates and an uncertainty cloud the market.</p>



<p>Shein declined to comment to Forbes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h2>



<p>Earlier this month, people familiar with Shein’s IPO intentions&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-07/shein-targets-up-to-90-billion-valuation-in-us-ipo-sources-say?embedded-checkout=true#xj4y7vzkg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told</a>&nbsp;Bloomberg the company hopes to get a valuation of around $80 billion or $90 billion before going public, which would be one of the largest initial public offerings ever.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>An IPO has long been rumored for Shein, which was founded in 2008 and quickly gained ground in the fast-fashion field. It’s known for selling trendy clothes that target Gen Z buyers with dirt cheap prices, regularly offering products for under $10. The company has faced its fair share of controversy and has regularly been criticized for relying on cotton produced with forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region. Earlier this year, 16 state attorneys general formally asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to not allow Shein to go public until it can prove the company doesn’t use forced labor, CNBC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/30/shein-faces-scrutiny-over-forced-labor-before-ipo.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>. Shein is also under investigation by a House committee scrutinizing China, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov/media/press-releases/select-committee-releases-interim-findings-shein-temu-forced-labor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>&nbsp;from June said Shein and Temu—another fast fashion company—“raise serious concerns about the continued presence of products made with forced labor contaminating American imports.” Shein has denied that it uses forced labor, Bloomberg&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-24/us-lawmaker-seeks-investigation-that-could-bar-shein-apparel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FORBES VALUATION</h2>



<p>We estimate <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/chris-xu/?sh=237275327aa4">Sky Xu</a>, founder and CEO of Shein, to be worth $11.2 billion as of Monday evening, making him the 166th wealthiest person in the world. He was also listed at No. 19 on Forbes’ <a href="https://www.forbes.com/lists/china-billionaires/?sh=4cbb22262d43">China’s Richest list</a>, published earlier this month.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>An IPO has long been rumored for Shein, which was founded in 2008 and quickly gained ground in the fast-fashion field. It’s known for selling trendy clothes that target Gen Z buyers with dirt cheap prices, regularly offering products for under $10. The company has faced its fair share of controversy and has regularly been criticized for relying on cotton produced with forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region, home to the Uyghur population. Earlier this year, 16 state attorneys general formally asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to not allow Shein to go public until it can prove the company doesn’t use forced labor, CNBC&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/30/shein-faces-scrutiny-over-forced-labor-before-ipo.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>. Shein is also under investigation by a House committee scrutinizing China, and a&nbsp;<a href="https://selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov/media/press-releases/select-committee-releases-interim-findings-shein-temu-forced-labor" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>&nbsp;from June said Shein and Temu—another fast fashion company—“raise serious concerns about the continued presence of products made with forced labor contaminating American imports.” Shein has denied that it uses forced labor, Bloomberg&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-24/us-lawmaker-seeks-investigation-that-could-bar-shein-apparel" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.</p>


Trending Apps Photo Illustrations

Shein Reportedly Files For IPO Amid Fast-Fashion Surge


<p><strong>The African Cup of Nations (AFCON), the continent’s most important international men’s association football competition, is less than two months away. FORBES AFRICA offers some insight into what one can expect in the build-up to this much-anticipated exhibition</strong>.</p>



<p>Few times, if ever, has the favorite going into an Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament emerged after a month of intense action hoisting aloft the trophy.</p>



<p>But two years ago, at the last edition in Cameroon, Senegal were certainly a sentimental favorite because they had come so close on several previous occasions but never won, and so when they emerged as victors, it was to many neutrals’ delight.</p>



<p>As reigning African champions, that will make them among the fancied sides this time round, which if historic precedence is followed, will not be welcome.</p>



<p>No team since Egypt in 2008 has been able to hold on to the African crown and Ghana and Cameroon are the only other countries able to retain their title.</p>



<p>The 34th edition Cup of Nations will kick off on January 13 and is being hosted in the Côte d&#8217;Ivoire – a second time for the West African country after the 1984 finals.</p>



<p>Then it was an eight-team tournament, completed in the space of 14 days, but Africa’s continental championship is much evolved. This time round, the Ivorians host 24 teams at six different stadia, four of them newly built for the tournament, which will have a bevy of top stars on display, with the ever-increasing number of African players now featuring in the top leagues in Europe.</p>



<p>Their clubs are not happy they will be absent for up to a month but FIFA rules dictate national teams enjoy preference on the players’ service over clubs when a continental championship, like AFCON, is hosted. Ideally, the players should not have to suffer the tug of club versus country.</p>



<p>But this tournament was moved back six months because of concerns over the rainy season in the region and is now being hosted slap bang in the middle of the league season to the chagrin of the clubs who now lose the services of their best African players.</p>



<p>The concerns over the weather should have been raised when the Ivorians first bid to host the finals but are genuine and have already caused much consternation long before a ball has even been kicked.</p>



<p>The newly-built showpiece Stade Olympique d&#8217;Ebimpé in Abidjan, where the final is due to be played on February 11, turned into a paddling pool in September when the Ivory Coast played Mali in a friendly and the heavens opened. There was no proper drainage and eventually the game had to be called off to the embarrassment of the Ivorians.</p>



<p>There were pitch problem at the last Cup of Nations in Cameroon too, to the consternation of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and they can ill afford a repeat this time, seeking to assure that the playing surfaces are of a quality that ensures a good footballing spectacle. French experts have been called in to make sure all the pitches are ready for carpet football once the event gets underway.</p>



<p>If all conditions do turn out to be top class, it is tournament that has the potential to be a top quality event, given the strength and depth of the protagonists.</p>



<p>Of the 24 participating nations, half have won the tournament previously. This time there are no newcomers but some tricky minnows with a proven pedigree for creating carnage. Equatorial Guinea and the Gambia, for example, were giant killers at the last finals and return again with the ability to upset the established pecking order.</p>



<p>Hosts Côte d&#8217;Ivoire, who have won twice before in 1992 and 2015, have a talented squad but are a little short of tournament temperament. They will look to the former England international Wilfred Zaha to lead their hopes and he certainly has the x-factor to lead them to the winners’ podium.</p>



<p>Morocco, on the back of their heroic exploits at the 2022 World Cup, will be the most fancied side but teams from Arabic-speaking North Africa have a long history of struggling when AFCON is hosted south of the Sahara.</p>



<p>Egypt did win in Burkina Faso in 1998 and again in Ghana 10 years thereafter, but Morocco have pointedly failed time and again in the continental championship, particularly when they have been hailed as pre-competition favorites.</p>



<p>Perhaps this will be their time given the confidence they collected in Qatar, where the 2022 World Cup took place, when they became the first African, and Arab, nation to reach the semi-final.</p>



<p>Algeria will have a heavyweight selection of French-born players from the massive Diaspora that they have across the Mediterranean, while Egypt are ever dangerous, particularly if Mohamed Salah is on song. Egypt lost narrowly in the last Cup of Nations finals to Senegal on post-match penalties.</p>



<p>It has been a decade since Nigeria last won the competition but this could be their opportunity again with a squad brimful of attacking talent. It is led by the striker Victor Osimhen, who finished top scorer in Italy last season where he helped Napoli to win the league.</p>



<p>Often times, however, the players’ ambition is let down by the foibles of their administrators, whose incompetence might make things tough for Nigeria to realize its massive potential.</p>



<p>The tournament is being played in Abidjan (two stadiums), Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro and Yamoussoukro with all but two of the venues built specifically for the tournament.</p>


South Africa v Morocco – Africa Cup of Nations

The Pride Of African Football: A Look Ahead


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Israel released 39 Palestinians it was holding in its Ofer prison in the occupied West Bank on Friday as part of a deal for the release of Israeli hostages Hamas took during its Oct. 7 attack—the Palestinians released were mostly teenage boys and women, a vast majority had not yet been convicted of a crime and many had been imprisoned for years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Seventeen of the released Palestinian prisoners are minors and, of those 17, 15 are boys and two were girls, while the remaining 22 are adult women,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/24/who-were-the-palestinian-prisoners-israel-released-on-friday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Al Jazeera</a>&nbsp;reported.</p>



<p>Israel holds 2,200 Palestinians in detention under its controversial “administrative detention” policy that Israel says is a counter-terrorism measure it uses against people who plan to commit future offenses, according to the AP.</p>



<p>The released prisoners include Iyas Khatib, 17, the son of a U.N. aid worker who was put in “administrative detention” last year based on secret evidence without being publicly charged of a crime or put on trial, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-prisoner-exchange-hostage-92545883b1fef86fb9b34549b7deca58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Associated Press</a>&nbsp;reported.</p>



<p>The prisoners also include Marah Bakeer, 24, who was a 16-year-old high school student in occupied East Jerusalem when Israeli forces shot at and arrested her for allegedly trying to stab an Israeli officer, an accusation Bakeer and her family deny,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/25/family-celebrates-return-of-free-palestinian-prisoner-marah-bakeer" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Al Jazeera</a>&nbsp;reported.</p>



<p>The 39 are part of a list of 300 Palestinians Israel said it was considering releasing as part of its deal with Hamas—some on the list were held on minor charges like throwing stones (though some were held on charges as serious as attempted murder), less than a quarter of them were convicted of a crime and most were being held on remand while awaiting a trial, the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67522703" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC</a> reported.</p>



<p>Other common offenses the prisoners have been accused of include threatening security officers, entering Israel illegally without a permit, supporting terrorism and associating with hostile or unknown organizations,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/24/who-were-the-palestinian-prisoners-israel-released-on-friday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Al Jazeera</a>&nbsp;reported.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>The released prisoners were being held in Israel’s Ofer prison, which is situated in the occupied West Bank near its western border north of Jerusalem. Israeli forces began using it in 2002 and it has since housed scores of Palestinian detainees, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.addameer.org/content/offer-prison" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Addameer</a>&nbsp;Prisoner Support and Human Rights Association, a Palestinian non-governmental organization. The Israeli military court system is designed to prosecute Palestinians that violate its various military orders in occupied Palestinian territory, according to Addameer. Human rights groups allege that Israel’s military court system rules Palestinains guilty 99% of the time, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67528844" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC</a>. Addammer points to other perceived issues with the military court and Israeli prison systems, including that Israeli officers, despite being required to interrogate prisoners in their native language, allegedly often&nbsp;<a href="https://www.addameer.org/israeli_military_judicial_system/military_courts" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">get them to sign</a>&nbsp;statements in Hebrew they don’t understand and that prison officials allegedly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.addameer.org/key_issues/medical_negligence" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">deliberately don’t provide</a>&nbsp;prisoners with necessary medical care.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>750,000. That’s how many Palestinians have at one point been in an Israeli jail since 1967, according to estimates from human rights groups, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/palestinians-israel-prisoner-exchange-hostage-92545883b1fef86fb9b34549b7deca58" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AP</a>&nbsp;reported.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NEWS PEG</h2>



<p>The release of the Palestinian prisoners was part of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/11/22/what-to-know-about-the-israel-hamas-hostage-deal/?sh=64f13bfe5845">an agreement</a>&nbsp;between Israel and Hamas that ended weeks of ferocious fighting between the two. That fighting began Oct. 7 after Hamas crossed the border of northern Gaza into Israel, killing around 1,200 and taking 240 hostage in a bloody attack. Israel responded with frequent airstrikes and a ground military incursion into Gaza. More than 14,500 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel declared war, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry. On Friday,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2023/11/24/temporary-ceasefire-takes-effect-in-gaza/?sh=2c11d07321a5">fighting paused</a>&nbsp;as part of a temporary cease-fire. As part of the cease-fire deal, Hamas agreed to release some of the hostages it took on Oct. 7, and Israel agreed to free some of its Palestinian prisoners. Along with the 39 released Palestinians, 13 Israeli hostages were released Friday. The pause in fighting—which is set to last four days, but could be extended if both sides come to further agreement—allowed trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h2>



<p>More Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages to be released. Israel has promised to release 150 Palestinian prisoners and Hamas agreed to release 50 hostages. All of those are expected to be released by the end of the four-day cease-fire. However, even more could ultimately be released soon. As part of the deal, Israel agreed to continue the pause in fighting one more day for each additional 10 hostages released by Hamas.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">TANGENT</h2>



<p>The newly freed Palestinian minors’ names are Yousef Mohammad Mustafa Ata, Qusai Hani Ali Ahmad, Jibreel Ghassan Ismail Jibreel, Mohammad Ahmad Suleiman Abu Rajab, Ahmad Nu’man, Ahmad Abu Na’im, Baraa Bilal Mahmoud Rabee, Aban Iyad Mohammad Said Hammad, Moataz Hatem Moussa Abu Aram, Iyas Abdul Qader Mohammad Khatib, Hazma Laith Khalil Othman Othman, Mohammad Mahmoud Ayoub Dar Darwish, Jamal Khalil Jamal Barahmeh, Jamal Yousef Jamal Abu Hamdan, Mohammad Anis Saleem Tarabi, Abdul Rahman Abdul Rahman Suleiman Rizq, Zeina Raed Abdou and Noor Mohammad Hafez al-Tahir, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/24/who-were-the-palestinian-prisoners-israel-released-on-friday" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Al Jazeera</a>. The adults’ names are Rawan Nafez Mohammad Abu Matar, Marah Joudat Moussa Bakeer, Malak Mohammad Yousef Suleiman, Amani Khaled Nu’man Hasheem, Nihaya Khader Hussein Sawan, Fayrouz Fayez Mahmoud al-Baw, Tahreer Adnan Mohammad Abu Suriya, Falasteen Fareed Abdul Latif Najm, Walaa Khaled Fawzi Tanja, Maryam Khaled Abdul Majid Arafat, Asil Muneer Ibrahim al-Tayti, Azhar Thaer Bakr Assaf, Raghd Nashat Salah al-Fanni, Fatima Nu’man Ali Badr, Rawda Moussa Abdul Qader Abu Ujaima, Sara Ayman Abdul Aziz Abdullah al-Suweisa, Fatima Ismail Abdul Rahman Shahin, Samira Abdul Harbawi, Samah Bilal Abdul Rahman Souf, Fatima Bakr Moussa Abu Shalal, Hanan Saleh Abdullah al-Barghouthi and Fatima Nasr Mohammad Amarnah, according to Al Jazeera.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/willskipworth/2023/11/24/heres-what-to-know-about-the-hostages-released-from-gaza/?sh=4800c2e1aff7">Here’s What To Know About The Hostages Released From Gaza</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/willskipworth/2023/11/24/first-hostages-released-amid-temporary-israel-hamas-ceasefire/?sh=1c663278e9fe">First Hostages Released Amid Temporary Israel-Hamas Ceasefire</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2023/11/24/temporary-ceasefire-takes-effect-in-gaza/?sh=2c11d07321a5">Temporary Ceasefire Takes Effect In Gaza</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/11/22/what-to-know-about-the-israel-hamas-hostage-deal/?sh=64f13bfe5845">What To Know About The Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/11/23/israeli-forces-reportedly-arrest-director-of-gazas-largest-hospital/?sh=28e410055505">Israeli Forces Reportedly Arrest Director Of Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>


Gilad Shalit Swap Deal

Israel Released 39 Palestinian Prisoners: Here’s What We Know About Them


<p><strong>A vision to enhance Nigeria&#8217;s power landscape and facilitate a transition to a more sustainable energy mix.</strong></p>



<p>In a strategic move in Abuja, Nigeria&#8217;s federal capital territory (FCT), the minister of power, Bayo Adelabu, held a meeting with Sun Africa LLC, a US-based renewable energy solutions provider. &#8220;Together, we solidified a collaboration to enhance Nigeria&#8217;s power landscape,&#8221; he affirmed. The collaboration aims to deliver 961 megawatts peak (MWp) of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation infrastructure and 455 megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage systems, amounting to a $2.2 billion investment.</p>



<p>Adelabu disclosed this while sharing the vision during his visit to Cotonou, Benin Republic. &#8220;I had the honor of representing Mr President [Bola Tinubu] at the commissioning of the West African Power Pool&#8217;s (WAPP) Communication and Coordination Center,&#8221; he posted via his X account on November 19.</p>



<p>This initiative by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) promises &#8220;seamless power transmission and market-driven energy trading across the West African sub-region.&#8221;</p>



<p>Excitement resonated in the minister&#8217;s words as he shared his anticipation of the positive impact of the solar PV generation infrastructure on Nigeria. &#8220;This collaboration is a crucial step in transitioning to a more sustainable power mix, vital for economic growth and environmental responsibility,&#8221; he emphasized. The commitment from Sun Africa aligns with his power sector transformation roadmap, focusing on distributed power leveraging renewable energy.</p>



<p>This is coming on the heels of the visit of the president of the World Bank, Ajay Banga, where he co-convened a private sector roundtable with discussions held on the crucial role electricity plays in the country&#8217;s economic development. The World Bank notes that 85 million Nigerians lack access to electricity, and if left unaddressed, this figure is expected to rise to 94 million by 2030.</p>



<p>The financial backing for this ambitious venture is equally robust. &#8220;Financing partners ING Bank and Citi, backed by the US Export-Import Bank (US-EXIM Bank), actively support this venture, committing up to $10 billion over the years,&#8221; revealed the minister.</p>



<p>This support, according to Adelabu, not only ensures the success of the initial phase but also lays the foundation for future developments. Collaborating with Sterling and Wilson Renewable Energy Limited as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) partner further solidifies the project&#8217;s strategic execution.</p>



<p>He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved, recognizing this collaborative effort as a milestone in advancing sustainable and reliable energy solutions for Nigeria. &#8220;Together, we forge a path towards a brighter, greener, and more energy-efficient Nigeria,&#8221; he concluded.</p>


Laptop, farm and engineer team together at night for renewable energy, power and wind turbine. Electrician or technician man and woman in nature for electricity, eco and green environment maintenance

Nigeria And Sun Africa Spearhead $2.2 Billion Renewable Energy Solution


<p><strong>Analysts express concerns over the second postponement of the Central Bank of Nigeria&#8217;s (CBN) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, crucial for interest rates, leading to uncertainties in the market.</strong></p>



<p>While investors began the week on a negative note, resulting in a 0.15% decrease in Nigeria&#8217;s equities market, it closed with a 0.07% gain on Thursday. This was propelled by bargain activities in small to mid-cap stocks.</p>



<p>On Monday, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, CWG, and Caverton Offshore Support Group witnessed profit-taking, leading to share price declines. Stanbic IBTC Holdings saw a 7.08% drop, CWG lost 3.14%, and Caverton was down by 2.78%. However, on Thursday, Beta Glass led market advancers, rising by 10%, while Multiverse, Mecure Industries, and Nigerian Enamelware also experienced significant gains.</p>



<p>At the close of Thursday&#8217;s session, the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX)-All-Share Index (ASI) increased to 71,052.85 points from 71,008.7 recorded on Monday. Market capitalization reached ₦39.074 trillion ($40.85 billion), bringing the year’s return to 38.63% from 38.55%. In 6,579 deals, investors exchanged 563,707,721 shares worth ₦3.442 billion ($3.59 million).</p>



<p>“For this week, we expect a couple of factors to impact investors’ sentiment. Specifically, we anticipate a downturn in market momentum driven by concerns around the inconsistency of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), [as it further postponed its next meeting scheduled to hold during the week].</p>



<p>“Also, we foresee profit-taking activities across tickers that have realized significant gains. However, we do not rule out the possibility of bargain-hunting activities during the week as investors strategically take positions on stocks with attractive entry points.</p>



<p>“Overall, we expect the market to trade on a mixed note with a prevailing bearish sentiment. Thus, we expect the NGX-ASI to close in the red zone this week,” Meristem research analysts reportedly said in their stock recommendation for Monday.</p>



<p>The devaluation of the Naira in June has had a significant impact on Nigerian businesses, particularly foreign-owned subsidiaries trading on the Nigerian Exchange.</p>



<p>Companies with foreign parent groups, importing a substantial portion of their inventories, experienced unrealized FX losses due to the devaluation.</p>



<p>The MPC of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has twice postponed its 293rd meeting, initially set for September 25 and 26, since the nomination of the new governor, Yemi Cardoso, in the same month.</p>



<p>The meeting, intended to address various issues, including the decision on interest rates, was rescheduled for the second time on Monday, shifting to an unspecified date. This meeting would have signified the inaugural rates meeting under Cardoso. While acting as CBN governor from June to September, Folashodun Shonubi oversaw two interest rate increases at the bank.</p>



<p>With the enactment of the new CBN Act (2007) by the National Assembly, the reconstituted MPC &#8220;meets bi-monthly, except in the event of an emergency&#8221;. The two-day meeting occurred in January, March, May, and July 24 and 25. According to the Act, the meeting was supposed to take place in September and November, raising concerns about efforts to stabilize the nation&#8217;s currency, which has plummeted about 42% this year, contributing to inflation which worsened in October.</p>



<p>Nigerian analyst Kolawole Oyebola weighs in on the situation, attributing the negative sentiment to global economic concerns and regional factors impacting investor confidence.</p>



<p>Oyebola notes that the early-week downturn was a reflection of the cautious approach adopted by investors amid geopolitical tensions and fluctuating commodity prices. &#8220;The market experienced a slight dip on Monday as investors reacted to external pressures, exhibiting a typical risk-averse behavior,&#8221; Oyebola tells FORBES AFRICA.</p>



<p>&#8220;The mid-week recovery suggests that investors reevaluated their positions, with a focus on the underlying strength of the Nigerian economy,&#8221; Oyebola explains. He highlights positive indicators, including increased trading volumes and strategic investments in key sectors.</p>



<p>While uncertainties persist, Oyebola expresses optimism about the market&#8217;s ability to navigate challenges. &#8220;Investors are becoming more discerning, and we&#8217;re witnessing a more mature approach to risk management,&#8221; he remarks.</p>



<p>The analyst urges stakeholders to closely monitor global economic developments, emphasizing the interconnected nature of financial markets. &#8220;I encourage investors to adopt a balanced and informed strategy to navigate the evolving landscape.&#8221;</p>


Central Bank of Nigeria headquarters in Abuja.

Nigerian Equities Overcome Early Week Slump, Close With Gains On Thursday


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Two unnamed players from Netflix’s “Squid Game: The Challenge” are threatening to sue the streaming giant and the game show’s producers over claims they experienced hypothermia and nerve damage while shooting the show, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://deadline.com/2023/11/squid-game-the-challenge-contestants-threaten-injury-lawsuit-1235635675/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Deadline</a>, which cited British personal injuries firm Express Solicitors.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Express Solicitors said in a statement the contestants are seeking compensation for the alleged injuries suffered while filming in the U.K. early this year.</p>



<p>The injuries were allegedly sustained while the contestants played the “Red Light, Green Light” game, which tasks players with crossing a field of play and having to suddenly stop their advances anytime an announcer says “red light.”</p>



<p>Express Solicitors told Deadline the contestants were left with injuries “after spending time being stuck in painful stress positions in cold temperatures.”</p>



<p>The lawsuit threat comes several months after Netflix acknowledged that three players required medical attention while filming at a former Royal Air Force base in Bedford.</p>



<p>A spokesperson for the show confirmed to Deadline that no lawsuit has been filed by any of the contestants.</p>



<p>Express Solicitors did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>$4.56 million. That’s the cash prize for the show, which currently has five out of 10 episodes out on Netflix and will be won by one of its 456 contestants.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>“We have sent letters of claim on behalf of contestants injured in this show,” Daniel Slade, chief executive officer at Express Solicitors, said in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.expresssolicitors.co.uk/blog/express-solicitors-in-the-news#news1" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a statement</a>. “From what we’ve been told they pushed the boundaries of safety in the name of entertainment.”</p>



<p>Forbes Daily: Get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.Sign Up</p>



<p>By signing up, you accept and agree to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Terms of Service</a>&nbsp;(including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and you acknowledge our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Privacy Statement</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>The show’s contestants called out the show this year in an interview with&nbsp;<a href="https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/netflix-squid-game-reality-show-frozen-inhumane-welfare-1235511809/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Variety</a>, saying the shooting conditions were “absolutely inhumane and had nothing to do with the game.” Contestants weren’t paid to participate in the show and were reportedly told the shoot would take about two hours to complete, though some players participated for nearly seven hours. The shoot also took place during a cold snap in the U.K., when temperatures dropped to 32 degrees fahrenheit and contestants collapsed, according to Variety, which reported cold and fatigue had hit players who dealt with eight hours of prep time before the game started. The game show is based on the South Korean dystopian drama, Squid Game, which raked in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/netflix-squid-game-is-even-bigger-than-you-thought-2-billion-hours-big/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">more than 1.5 billion&nbsp;</a>of streaming hours from users and became one of Netflix’s most popular shows of all time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://deadline.com/2023/11/squid-game-the-challenge-contestants-threaten-injury-lawsuit-1235635675/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ Contestants Threaten Lawsuit After Claiming They Suffered Hypothermia &amp; Nerve Damage During Filming</a>&nbsp;(Deadline)</p>



<p><a href="https://variety.com/2023/tv/global/netflix-squid-game-reality-show-frozen-inhumane-welfare-1235511809/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Inside Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’ Reality Show Disaster: ‘The Conditions Were Absolutely Inhumane’</a> (Variety)</p>


Opening Of Gamescom In Cologne

‘Squid Game: The Challenge’ Players Threaten Netflix With Lawsuit Over Alleged Injuries


<p><strong>The strain is concerning for entrepreneurs who highlight the challenges posed by exchange rate volatility and call for sustainable solutions amid fluctuating policies and economic dynamics.</strong></p>



<p>The Nigerian naira is facing continuous strain on the foreign exchange (FX) market, reaching ₦1,145 per dollar on the parallel market, a slight dip from ₦1,140 on Monday.</p>



<p>Two pivotal policies, implemented since President Bola Tinubu&#8217;s inauguration on May 29, have significantly influenced Nigeria&#8217;s economic landscape. The immediate cessation of the fuel subsidy on the inauguration day and the naira unification on June 14 marked a departure toward a free-floating system by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).</p>



<p>Under this system, deposit money banks (DMBs) and forex market dealers are allowed to engage in unrestricted buying and selling of currency at market-determined rates. This shift signifies a move away from the previous multiple forex regime to a more flexible approach.</p>



<p>The naira experienced a period of depreciation, plummeting to ₦1,310 in October on the parallel market. However, it briefly rebounded to ₦960 in early November. While the naira is demonstrating signs of appreciation at the investors and exporters (I&amp;E) window, the parallel market remains a preferred choice for urgent business transactions due to its ease of accessibility. This preference intensifies the pressure on the naira.</p>



<p>When requesting foreign currency in Nigerian banks, certain regulatory documents are necessary for Form A, including Personal Travel Allowance (PTA), Business Travel Allowance (BTA), school fees, and medical fees. Additionally, Form Q applications for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) may entail a rigorous and time-consuming process which takes days.</p>



<p>At the Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEM), the naira was quoted at ₦830.97 on Tuesday, an appreciation from ₦847.55 quoted on Monday, as reported by data from the Financial Markets Dealers Quotations (FMDQ).</p>



<p>The official market witnessed a peak spot rate of ₦1,120 per dollar and a lower rate of ₦701 on Friday. The daily FX market turnover surged by 23.60 percent to $157.78 million on Friday from the $127.65 million recorded on Thursday, reflecting the dynamic nature of the foreign exchange landscape in Nigeria.</p>



<p>Exporters like Oluwaseun Obilana are expressing deep concern over the implications for their businesses.</p>



<p>Obilana, a player in Nigeria&#8217;s export industry, voices his apprehension about the continuous strain on the national currency as exporters rely on stable exchange rates for international trade.</p>



<p>Emphasizing the challenges this poses for exporters, Obilana states to FORBES AFRICA, &#8220;The volatility in the exchange rate is affecting our ability to plan and price our products competitively in the global market. It adds uncertainty to our operations and erodes the profitability of our businesses.&#8221;</p>



<p>He adds: &#8220;A weaker naira not only impacts pricing but also raises the cost of importing raw materials and machinery crucial for manufacturing and production. This, in turn, could have cascading effects on the overall economy.&#8221;</p>



<p>The CBN has been grappling with measures to stabilize the exchange rate, implementing various policies to address the challenges faced in the FX market. However, the recent fluctuations indicate the persistence of underlying issues that continue to pose a threat to the stability of the national currency.</p>



<p>Obilana calls for more sustainable solutions to ensure the stability of the naira.</p>



<p>Nigerian investor Moses Adeolubodun highlights the need for a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges facing the naira.</p>



<p>&#8220;The consistent depreciation of the naira is a cause for concern and demands urgent attention from relevant authorities. A resilient and stable currency is crucial for investor confidence and economic growth,&#8221; Adeolubodun tells FORBES AFRICA.</p>



<p>He also attributes the recent fluctuations to a variety of factors, including global economic uncertainties, fluctuating oil prices, and domestic challenges. Nigeria, being an oil-dependent economy, is particularly susceptible to the volatility of oil markets. &#8220;The recent trend has put additional pressure on policymakers to explore more effective solutions.&#8221;</p>



<p>Adeolubodun emphasizes the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and the private sector to devise sustainable strategies. &#8220;We need a holistic approach that addresses both short-term challenges and establishes a foundation for long-term stability,&#8221; he states.</p>


Naira Value Plunges on Street Amid ‘Stampede’ for Dollars

FX Pressure Persists As Nigerian Naira Hits ₦1,145 Per Dollar On Parallel Market


<p><strong>South Africa&#8217;s National Assembly has voted in favor of suspending diplomatic relations with Israel, including closing its embassy, in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This significant political move reflects escalating tensions and calls for a ceasefire and peace negotiations.</strong></p>



<p>South Africa’s National Assembly voted yesterday to suspend diplomatic ties with Israel, as well as the closure of the Israeli embassy within the country, due to Israel’s continued war against Hamas in Palestine. The vote, which came hours after Israel recalled its ambassador to South Africa, passed with 248 votes in favor and 91 against. However, the vote is not binding unless enforced by President Cyril Ramaphosa.</p>



<p>The vote, initiated by opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and supported by the ruling African National Congress (ANC), called for a suspension of all diplomatic ties with Israel until a ceasefire is reached. Earlier this week during a virtual summit of the BRICS nations, chaired by President Ramaphosa, it issued a statement condemning attacks on civilians in Palestine.</p>



<p>The move was welcomed by the South African branch of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. “There is no role for diplomacy with a settler-colonial apartheid state that is guilty of genocide against a population that it occupies,” said SA BDS Coordinator Roshan Dadoo to FORBES AFRICA. “South Africa should not be having relations with a state that perpetrates war crimes with impunity, and treats the United Nations, international law, and the rest of the world with utter disdain.”</p>



<p>However, the National Assembly’s vote was not appreciated by all parties. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) condemned the vote as pointless in light of Israel’s withdrawal of its ambassador for consultations, and condemned the chanting of “from the river to the sea” by some members of parliament “a chant which calls for the destruction of the only Jewish state, makes a mockery of the ANC’s stated position of supporting a two-state solution,” said Professor Karen Milner of the SAJBD in a statement.</p>



<p>Both the Israeli ambassadors’ recall as well as the National Assembly vote indicate a further breakdown in diplomatic relations between Israel and South Africa, which has historically had strong political, historical, and ideological ties to Palestinians. The ANC-led government has long condemned the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and the treatment of Palestinians in Gaza, and it remains to be seen how this recent development will impact the already strained relations.</p>



<p>The resolution, titled ‘Closure of the Israel Embassy in South Africa and suspension of all diplomatic relations with Israel’, was presented by Julius Malema of the EFF. This parliamentary decision, while symbolic, reflects a long-standing stance of the South African government since Nelson Mandela&#8217;s presidency, likening the Palestinian struggle to the country’s own fight against apartheid. The ANC&#8217;s chief whip, Pemmy Majodina, emphasized the resolution&#8217;s call for a ceasefire and commitment to United Nations-facilitated peace negotiations.</p>



<p>President Ramaphosa has been vocally critical of Israel&#8217;s military actions in Gaza, urging the International Criminal Court to investigate potential war crimes.</p>



<p>This recent parliamentary vote, amidst the backdrop of escalating violence in Gaza and Israel&#8217;s strategic military campaign against Hamas, marks a pivotal moment in South Africa&#8217;s foreign policy, mirroring its historical commitment to human rights and international law. As the world watches, the actions of Ramaphosa&#8217;s administration in the coming days will be crucial in shaping the future of South Africa-Israel relations and, possibly, the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.</p>


Israeli attacks continue on the 47th day in Gaza

South Africa Votes to Suspend Diplomatic Ties with Israel Amid Gaza Conflict


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Israel and Hamas have reached a deal in which around 50 hostages being held by Hamas will be released to Israel, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-11-21-23/h_2ae5a4fa82ac4a7db0fd2a21acbd1581" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multiple</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-rcna126110" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reports</a>, while fighting will pause for four days—marking the first major agreement between the two sides since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>News of the deal broke Tuesday night after Israel’s cabinet accepted the highly anticipated agreement.</p>



<p>The four-day pause in fighting will be the first pause longer than&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/11/09/israel-agrees-to-4-hour-daily-pauses-in-fighting/?sh=2359b2cb7028">four hours</a>&nbsp;that Israel has agreed to since the fighting escalated in early October.</p>



<p>Israel will let 300 aid trucks a day cross from Egypt into Gaza as part of the deal, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2023/11/21/israel-hamas-hostage-ceasefire-deal-imminent" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Axios</a>.</p>



<p>Israel did not state whether the deal will involve the release of Palestinian prisoners, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-rcna126110" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBC News</a>&nbsp;reported some 150 Palestinians held by Israel could be released under the agreement.</p>



<p>Because the deal was approved Tuesday, the hostages may not be released until Thursday to allow a 24-hour judicial review period, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/11/21/world/israel-hamas-gaza-war-news" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Times reported</a>&nbsp;Tuesday, before the deal was announced.</p>



<p>Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office hinted at the deal Tuesday,&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM_heb/status/1726956351681953872" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announcing</a>&nbsp;Israel’s war cabinet, security cabinet and government would all have meetings Tuesday night “in light of the developments on the issue of freeing the hostages.”</p>



<p>At the start of one of Tuesday night’s meetings, Netanyahu said he asked President Joe Biden to help improve the hostage deal to “include more hostages for a lower cost,”&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/BarakRavid/status/1727058670025068637" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a>&nbsp;to an Axios reporter.</p>



<p>Qatar and the U.S. have both helped in negotiations between Hamas and Israel, working for weeks to help arrange a hostage release and potential break in fighting,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/21/world/israel-hamas-hostages/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a>&nbsp;to CNN.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h2>



<p>Israel suggested a pause in fighting could continue beyond four days, saying in a statement, “The release of every additional ten hostages will result in one additional day in the pause,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/nov/21/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-hamas-leader-haniyeh-truce-ceasefire-talks-gaza-qatar-latest-news" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Guardian</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>“The war continues, the war will continue until we achieve all of our goals: to eliminate Hamas, to return all our hostages, to ensure that the day after Hamas, Gaza will no longer be a threat to Israel,” Netanyahu said Tuesday before one of the meetings to approve the deal, CNN&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-11-21-23#h_9558fc152576df835f09a9ba305283de" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>More than 240. That’s how many hostages have been held by Hamas since Oct. 7. Over the last six weeks of fighting, Hamas has released just four hostages back to Israel—including a mother and daughter and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/10/23/two-more-hostages-released-by-hamas-reports-say/">two elderly</a>&nbsp;Israeli women—and Israel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/10/30/israel-says-forces-free-soldier-taken-hostage-by-hamas-as-gaza-ground-invasion-continues/?sh=6672480c4ddf">freed one hostage</a>&nbsp;during a ground operation. According to the Israeli Defence Forces, at least two hostages held by Hamas, 65-year-old Yehudit Weiss and 19-year-old soldier&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67414353" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Noa Marciano</a>, have been&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/11/16/idf-says-israeli-hostage-found-dead-outside-gazas-al-shifa-hospital/?sh=77921f022526">found dead</a>. Weiss was discovered last week near Al-Shifa hospital, which has been a major battleground over the last week. Hamas claimed Marciano died in an Israeli airstrike on Nov. 9,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67414353" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a>&nbsp;to the BBC.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Getting hostages returned who were taken in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel has been a priority of Israel and the U.S. Of the approximately 240, it’s estimated that about 10 hostages are Americans, <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/biden-believes-deal-close-free-hostages-gaza/story?id=105040105#:~:text=The%20administration%20said%20that%2010,to%20be%20among%20the%20hostages." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a> to ABC News, including a 3-year-old toddler who is believed to be the youngest American held. Over the weekend, U.S. officials said negotiations between Israel, Hamas and the U.S. were “closer than (they had) been perhaps at any point,” and leaders from <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/white-house-says-israel-hamas-hostage-deal-closer-than-before-2023-11-21/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hamas</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/MofaQatar_EN/status/1726960818233765975" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Qatar</a> both made similar claims Tuesday. Israel has also faced increasing calls from international leaders for a cease-fire as the death toll in Gaza has continued drastically rising. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders had previously signified they were open to a multi-day pause, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/11/21/israel-hamas-war-gaza-news-palestine/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according</a> to the Washington Post, but continued to say they wouldn’t agree to a cease-fire unless all hostages were released. As of Tuesday, the Hamas-run Health Ministry <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-rcna126110" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimated</a> more than 13,000 people have died since the conflict began. In Israel, an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/12/world/middleeast/israel-death-toll-hamas-attack.html#:~:text=Israel%20revised%20its%20official%20estimated,Ministry%20said%20on%20Friday%20night." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimated</a> 1,200 have died—the majority of whom were killed in the initial Hamas attack last month.<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/"></a></p>


Israel Declares War Following Large-Scale Hamas Attacks

Israel And Hamas Reach Hostage Release Deal In Exchange For 4-Day Pause In Fighting


<p><strong>The achievement has garnered acclaim from industry insiders, including entertainers, who praise this triumph as a testament to the international success and growing influence of Afrobeats.</strong></p>



<p>At the 2023 Billboard Music Awards held on Sunday, Nigerian sensation Rema and global pop icon Selena Gomez secured the Top Afrobeats Song award for <em>Calm Down</em>, while another Nigerian talent Burna Boy emerged as the Top Afrobeats Artist.</p>



<p><em>Calm Down</em> soared to the number 3 position on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Rema&#8217;s debut on the chart and adding to Gomez&#8217;s tally of top 10 hits.</p>



<p>Spurred by the release of his seventh studio album, <em>I Told Them</em>, Burna Boy set a new record in September by becoming the first African artist to debut two songs on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart within a single calendar year, with <em>Sittin’ On Top Of The World</em> featuring rapper 21 Savage making its debut at number 80 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. <em>Last Last</em>, one of his chart-topping singles, catapulted Burna Boy to his first number 1 position on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart, making him a trailblazer as only the fifth artist to lead the list last year.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-59844" style="width:688px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-768x512.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GettyImages-1677330587-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">NEWARK, NEW JERSEY &#8211; SEPTEMBER 12: Rema attends the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>The Billboard Music Awards introduced new categories this year, including Top Afrobeats Artist and Top Afrobeats Song, recognizing the genre&#8217;s growing influence in the global music landscape. Afrobeats, a contemporary genre, blends traditional African rhythms with modern styles like highlife, hip hop, and dancehall. The genre&#8217;s evolution traces back to Afrobeat, pioneered by the late Nigerian legend Fela Kuti.</p>



<p>The global embrace of Afrobeats is evident in the expansion of awards categories at major ceremonies. The MTV Video Music Awards (VMA), the Grammys, and the American Music Awards have all introduced categories recognizing outstanding achievements in Afrobeats.</p>



<p>Rema&#8217;s success with <em>Calm Down</em> extends beyond the Billboard Music Awards. The track previously earned accolades at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) for Best Afrobeats Song, MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA) for Best Afrobeats, and Trace Awards for Song of the Year and Best Global African Artist in the same year.</p>



<p>During the acceptance speeches at the Billboard Music Awards, Gomez expressed gratitude to Rema for choosing her to be part of the remarkable song, while Rema celebrated the victory as a symbol of unity and the global dominance of Afrobeats. Both artists acknowledged their fans and collaborators for their unwavering support.</p>



<p>Accepting the Billboard award, Gomez said, “Thank you guys so, so much for this award. This is honestly Rema’s doing. He chose me to be a part of such an incredible song. So I want to thank him and thank all of you for streaming and listening and I wish we could be there. But thank you!”</p>



<p>“This honor for <em>Calm Down</em> is a celebration of unity and the global domination of Afrobeats. I want to say a big shoutout to Selena Gomez, Mavin Records, Josie Ward as well as the amazing fans who supported us all the way to this point. I want to say a big thank you to Billboard — I’m very grateful. All the way from Nigeria, Rema. One love,” said Rema.</p>



<p>Burna Boy, accepting the top Afrobeats artist award, said: &#8220;Thank you, everyone. I appreciate you. Big up, Billboard Music Awards. Big up to everyone involved. This is dedicated to Africa and every artist coming out of Africa now, you get me. This is for you and yeah, man, the future’s bright. You guys are gonna see the vision. This is just the tip of the iceberg but you’re gonna see the whole vision soon. Salute, love.&#8221;</p>



<p>Expressing elation at the triumph of Burna Boy and Rema, Nigerian artist Onyebuchi Steven, popularly known as Gorimakpa, acknowledges the significance of this achievement in solidifying Nigeria&#8217;s dominance in the global music arena.</p>



<p>&#8220;As Afrobeats continues to assert its influence on the global music scene, the success of Burna Boy and Rema at the Billboard Music Awards serves as a milestone, reinforcing Nigeria&#8217;s position as a powerhouse in the world of music,&#8221; Gorimakpa tells FORBES AFRICA.</p>



<p>The artist highlights the role of the internet in this triumph, emphasizing the impact of social media and digital streaming platforms in propelling Nigerian music to international acclaim. &#8220;The success of Burna Boy and Rema serves as a testament to the global appeal of Afrobeats, encouraging artists to leverage digital platforms and connect with a diverse audience worldwide.&#8221;</p>



<p>He further expresses optimism about the impact this recognition will have on the future of Nigerian music. &#8220;I believe that this achievement will further inspire and motivate the next generation of Nigerian artists to continue pushing boundaries and make their mark on the international stage.&#8221;</p>



<p>Nigerian event host and compere Sadiq Ola Adebimpe, popularly known as Sceed Barms, adds to FORBES AFRICA: &#8220;It&#8217;s evident that the world is listening, and the numbers songs by our artists attract on the digital streaming platforms are not only from this part of the world [Nigeria]. Burna Boy and Rema have become the most-streamed artists in Nigeria on Spotify this year, and winning these awards is a great reward for their tireless efforts in advancing Afrobeats.</p>



<p>&#8220;What this means for the Nigerian music industry is that our artists are truly making us proud, both at home and beyond. The continuous growth of Afrobeats is a testament to the dedication of our artists, who serve as the forefront soldiers, tirelessly contributing to the industry and the genre.&#8221;</p>


Burna Boy Performs At Rogers Arena

‘Reinforcing Nigeria’s Position As Music Powerhouse’: Rema And Burna Boy Win Big At Billboard Awards


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>X Corporation will file a “thermonuclear” lawsuit against a media watchdog that claimed advertisements for several companies—including Apple and Disney, among others—appeared by antisemitic posts on X, Elon Musk said Saturday, following decisions from several major companies to pause ads on Musk’s social media platform.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Musk&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1725771191644758037?s=46&amp;t=vx29-32gzBE_H5suNoiKjQ" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;a lawsuit will be filed Monday the “split second court opens” against Media Matters for America, a left-wing watchdog, after Musk suggested Media Matters “posted a story that completely misrepresented the real experience on X.”</p>



<p>Media Matters used an alternate account to curate posts and advertising that appeared on the account’s timeline, Musk claims, in an effort to “manipulate the public and advertisers.”</p>



<p>Once the account’s feed was “curated,” Media Matters “repeatedly refreshed” the account’s timeline to find “a rare instance of ads serving next to the content they chose to follow,” Musk alleges.</p>



<p>Media Matters&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mediamatters.org/twitter/musk-endorses-antisemitic-conspiracy-theory-x-has-been-placing-ads-apple-bravo-ibm-oracle" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;earlier this week that ads for major firms—including Apple, Bravo, IBM, Oracle and Xfinity—were appearing next to content that supported Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.</p>



<p>IBM said Thursday&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2023/11/16/ibm-suspends-advertising-on-x-after-ads-appear-near-pro-nazi-posts/?sh=5a48a3a66a4d">it was pulling ads</a>, while companies like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/11/17/apple-and-disney-pull-x-ads-after-musks-promotion-of-antisemitic-post-joining-these-other-companies/?sh=418431934fb3">Apple, Disney and Lionsgate</a>&nbsp;followed suit Friday.</p>



<p>Media Matters did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Forbes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>X, formerly known as Twitter, has also reinstated several accounts for far-right extremists “as part of its creator ad revenue sharing program,” the watchdog claims. The report followed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/11/16/elon-musk-condemned-after-calling-antisemitic-post-actual-truth/?sh=52519b9f4020">comments</a>&nbsp;from Musk, who endorsed another user’s claims that Jewish communities objecting to antisemitism show “hatred against whites,” which Musk said was the “actual truth.” The user also appeared to endorse a conspiracy theory that was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/11/elon-musks-disturbing-truth/676019/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">shared</a>&nbsp;by Robert Bowers, who killed 11 people at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue in 2018, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/07/13/pittsburgh-synagogue-shooting-jury-finds-gunman-eligible-for-death-penalty/?sh=766a0c161afe">deadliest</a>&nbsp;attack on Jewish people in U.S. history. Musk was widely&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/11/16/elon-musk-condemned-after-calling-antisemitic-post-actual-truth/?sh=52519b9f4020">condemned</a>&nbsp;for his comments,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/11/17/white-house-condemns-musk-over-abhorrent-promotion-of-antisemitic-and-racist-hate/?sh=2e363a011ea5">including</a>&nbsp;in a statement from the White House that said Musk’s post was an “abhorrent promotion of antisemitic and racist hate.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>Musk earlier this week also&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1724934935943979269?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1724934935943979269%7Ctwgr%5E9f715cc15d83469cd22b35d1b6fda5bdde5015a6%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bloomberg.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2F2023-11-16%2Felon-musk-calls-anti-semitic-post-on-x-the-actual-truth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">criticized</a>&nbsp;the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish civil rights group that Musk claims “unjustly attacks the majority of the West, despite the majority of the West supporting the Jewish people and Israel.” Musk accused the group of pushing “de facto anti-white racism.” Musk previously blamed the ADL for X’s 60% decline in ad revenue, claiming the organization had been urging advertisers to pull out of the platform.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2023/11/16/elon-musk-condemned-after-calling-antisemitic-post-actual-truth/?sh=52519b9f4020">Elon Musk Condemned After Calling Antisemitic Post ‘Actual Truth’</a>&nbsp;(<em>Forbes</em>)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/11/17/apple-and-disney-pull-x-ads-after-musks-promotion-of-antisemitic-post-joining-these-other-companies/?sh=1c723e1a34fb">Apple And Disney Pull X Ads After Musk’s Promotion Of Antisemitic Post — Joining These Other Companies</a>&nbsp;(<em>Forbes</em>)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/11/17/white-house-condemns-musk-over-abhorrent-promotion-of-antisemitic-and-racist-hate/?sh=2e363a011ea5">White House Condemns Musk Over ‘Abhorrent Promotion Of Antisemitic And Racist Hate’</a>&nbsp;(<em>Forbes</em>)</p>


Tesla Officially Opens Gruenheide Gigafactory

Elon Musk Threatens ‘Thermonuclear’ Lawsuit Against Group Reporting Antisemitic X Posts Appearing Near Ads


<p><strong>In a gripping encounter that had cricket fans worldwide at the edge of their seats, South Africa&#8217;s spirited performance wasn&#8217;t enough to secure victory over a determined Australian side in the World Cup clash.</strong></p>



<p>Kolkata&#8217;s iconic Eden Gardens played host to an enthralling battle of cricketing titans as South Africa squared off against Australia in a contest that promised high drama and delivered in spades. Despite a gallant effort from the Proteas, it was Australia who emerged victorious in this World Cup thriller, marking yet another chapter in South Africa&#8217;s history of heart-wrenching near-misses on the global stage.</p>



<p>As the sun set over Kolkata, casting long shadows across the pitch, the air was thick with anticipation. The Proteas, known for their resilience, faced an Australian team brimming with confidence and tactical acumen. The match unfolded as a narrative of twists and turns, echoing the unpredictability of the sport itself.</p>



<p>South Africa, batting first under the commanding presence of captain Temba Bavuma, started cautiously. The early overs were a testament to Australia&#8217;s bowling prowess, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood exploiting the conditions masterfully. The Proteas&#8217; top order wobbled under the relentless pressure, losing crucial wickets in quick succession. The specter of past collapses loomed large as murmurs of &#8216;chokers&#8217; began to surface among the crowd.</p>



<p>However, the tide turned with the arrival of David Miller at the crease. In a display of sheer will and skill, Miller anchored the innings with a magnificent century, resurrecting South Africa&#8217;s hopes. His 101 off 116 deliveries, punctuated with powerful strokes and calculated risks, became the backbone of the Proteas&#8217; fightback. The Eden Gardens crowd, always appreciative of cricketing brilliance, rallied behind his effort, creating an electrifying atmosphere.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="675" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GettyImages-1796971064.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60256" style="width:818px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GettyImages-1796971064.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GettyImages-1796971064-300x198.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/GettyImages-1796971064-768x506.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><strong> Temba Bavuma of South Africa looks dejected while walking on the field following defeat in the ICC Men&#8217;s Cricket World Cup India 2023 Semi Final match between South Africa and Australia at Eden Gardens on November 16, 2023 in Kolkata, India. (Photo by Matthew Lewis-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)</strong></figcaption></figure></div>


<p>Australia&#8217;s chase, in response, was a rollercoaster ride. The Proteas&#8217; bowlers, fueled by Miller&#8217;s heroics, struck with purpose. Kagiso Rabada and Keshav Maharaj bowled with heart, keeping the Australians in check. The match teetered on a knife-edge as each team vied for dominance.</p>



<p>Travis Head and David Warner provided the initial impetus for Australia, forging a partnership that threatened to take the game away. But just when the momentum seemed to be shifting, South Africa&#8217;s bowlers struck back, reining in the Australian charge. The match ebbed and flowed, with each over adding a new layer of intrigue.</p>



<p>In the end, Australia&#8217;s depth and experience shone through. Despite a valiant effort in the field, South Africa couldn&#8217;t hold back the Australian tide. The match concluded with Australia securing victory, leaving the Proteas to reflect on what could have been.</p>



<p>As the players shook hands and the crowds began to disperse, the Proteas&#8217; journey in this World Cup came to an end, not with a whimper, but with a display of cricketing tenacity that will be remembered by fans and players alike. For Australia, the road to glory continues, their eyes set firmly on the prize. In the aftermath of the clash, both teams can hold their heads high. Australia, for their unwavering pursuit of victory, and South Africa, for a performance that, despite the outcome, spoke volumes of their character and skill.</p>


South Africa v Australia: Semi Final – ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup India 2023

South Africa’s Valiant Effort Falls Short Against Resilient Australia In Thrilling World Cup Showdown


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>The Federal Aviation Administration on Wednesday <a href="https://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">granted a license</a> to billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX for its highly anticipated second launch of its Starship rocket, clearing the way for a test flight as soon as this week, after more than six months being grounded since its previous launch ended in a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/04/20/spacex-starship-explodes-after-launch/?sh=670a7bb36645">fiery explosion</a>.\</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>SpaceX’s Starship, an ambitious program intended to eventually take passengers to the moon and Mars, has met “all safety, environmental, policy and financial responsibility requirements,” the FAA determined.</p>



<p>The FAA’s approval gives SpaceX the go-ahead for a second launch at its Boca Chica launch site in Cameron County, Texas, south of Corpus Christi.</p>



<p>In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, SpaceX said it plans to conduct the launch between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. local time on Friday.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>In April, a SpaceX rocket that had been scheduled to travel 150 miles into Earth’s atmosphere suddenly exploded several minutes after take-off, which SpaceX called a “rapid unscheduled disassembly before stage separation.” SpaceX initially planned its next test launch “in a few months,” Musk—who also owns X and Tesla—said in a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1649050306943266819" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">post</a>&nbsp;on his social media platform. SpaceX also&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/SpaceX/status/1649045802332073986" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;April’s test, despite its explosion, “will help us improve Starship’s reliability.” The FAA was later sued by a group of environmental and cultural heritage organizations, who alleged the agency erred in its approval of the test launch and that its approval violated federal environmental law.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2023/05/01/faa-sued-over-spacex-starship-explosion/?sh=39c6f88679de">Plaintiffs argued</a>&nbsp;the FAA failed to conduct a full environmental review and did not require SpaceX to mitigate potential environmental harm.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>NASA partnered with SpaceX in April 2021 to develop a landing system to take astronauts to the moon for the space agency’s Artemis III mission, another program aimed at bringing astronauts back to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-fact">SURPRISING FACT</h2>



<p>At 400 feet tall, the Starship rocket is the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.space.com/elon-musk-shows-off-starship-sn20-super-heavy-stack-february-2022" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tallest and most powerful</a>&nbsp;rocket ever built.</p>



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<p>By signing up, you accept and agree to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Terms of Service</a>&nbsp;(including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and you acknowledge our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Privacy Statement</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/anafaguy/2023/04/20/spacex-starship-explodes-after-launch/?sh=670a7bb36645">SpaceX Starship Explodes After Launch</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamiecartereurope/2023/04/08/elon-musks-spacex-is-about-to-launch-starship-into-orbit-around-earth/?sh=4dc7196b1ce1">Elon Musk’s SpaceX Is About To Launch ‘Starship’ Into Orbit Around Earth</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>


A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches the third pair of O3b

SpaceX Cleared For Second Starship Test Flight—After First Exploded


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Israeli forces raided the Al-Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza—the enclave’s largest medical facility—early Wednesday, in what they described as a “precise and targeted operation” against Hamas, a day after UN officials raised alarm about the deteriorating conditions at the hospital.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>The Israeli Defense Forces&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1724579353193754958" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">called</a>&nbsp;the raid an “operational necessity” and said it is taking place “in a specified area” of the hospital based on intelligence.</p>



<p>The IDF said its raiding forces include medical teams and Arabic speakers and wants to ensure that “no harm is caused to the civilians being used by Hamas as human shields.”</p>



<p>The IDF also claims its raid on the hospital complex comes after a 12-hour warning to stop all military activities from the site was not heeded.</p>



<p>Thousands of civilians, patients, and doctors are believed to be sheltering at the hospital, which has been without power since the weekend, prompting a warning from the United Nations’ Humanitarian Affairs Office (OCHA) that several patients, including at least 36 babies, are facing a “heightened risk of death.”</p>



<p>The IDF said it has facilitated “wide-scale evacuations of the hospital,” however these claims have faced some&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-11-12-2023-20f5dcd135b7eb34238a7b25ce560d0c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pushback</a>&nbsp;from health officials and people trapped inside the hospital, with Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry accusing Israel of effectively blockading the complex.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NEWS PEG</h2>



<p>Israel has accused Hamas of operating a command post inside tunnel complexes underneath Al-Shifa and said it was using the hospital’s patients and doctors as human shields. Both Hamas and hospital authorities have denied these allegations. On Tuesday, White House National Security Spokesperson John Kirby <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/white-house-says-it-has-evidence-hamas-using-al-shifa-hospital-run-military-2023-11-14/#:~:text=%22We%20have%20information%20that%20confirms,reporters%20aboard%20Air%20Force%20One." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">told reporters</a> that U.S. officials had intelligence that aligned with Israel’s claims about Hamas using the hospital. Following the Israeli raid, Hamas issued a statement saying it holds Israel and President Joe Biden “fully responsible” for the operation. Hamas added that it viewed Kirby’s statement as a “green light” for Israeli forces to “commit more massacres against civilians.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>While describing Hamas’ actions as a war crime, Kirby said: “To be clear, we do not support striking a hospital from the air. We do not want to see a firefight in a hospital where innocent people, helpless people, sick people are simply trying to get the medical care they deserve. We have been clear on multiple occasions &#8211; Hamas&#8217; actions do not lessen Israel&#8217;s responsibilities to protect civilians in Gaza.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>On Monday evening, a World Health Organization official&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67410093" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">described</a>&nbsp;Al-Shifa Hospital as “nearly a cemetery” on Monday and said dead bodies piling up inside the hospital. On Tuesday, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry&nbsp;<a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/hostilities-gaza-strip-and-israel-flash-update-39" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">claimed</a>&nbsp;40 patients died inside Al-Shifa on Tuesday and the hospital’s staff were trying to bury nearly 180 bodies in a mass grave inside the hospital complex. Doctors at the hospital have&nbsp;<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/13/middleeast/gaza-babies-incubators-al-shifa-hospital-israel-intl-hnk/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warned</a>&nbsp;that the lives of dozens of premature babies were at risk as they had to be moved out of their incubators after the hospital lost power. The IDF has&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/IDF/status/1724315771340214353" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">offered</a>&nbsp;to send additional incubators to the hospital but it is unclear how they would be used without power.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/11/14/who-says-gazas-largest-hospital-is-nearly-a-cemetery-as-israel-offers-to-send-incubators/?sh=4140dc985337">WHO Says Gaza’s Largest Hospital Is ‘Nearly A Cemetery’ As Israel Offers To Send Incubators</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/11/13/world-cannot-stand-silent-who-says-gazas-largest-hospital-has-ceased-functioning/?sh=59de8f1324bb">‘World Cannot Stand Silent’—WHO Says Gaza’s Largest Hospital Has Ceased Functioning</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>


Palestinians taking shelter around Nasser Hospital live under difficult conditions in Gaza

Israeli Says Its Forces Have Entered Gaza’s Largest Hospital


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Pfizer shares tumbled again Monday, continuing the pharmaceutical giant’s struggles tied to declining demand for its Covid-19 products<strong>&nbsp;</strong>and essentially wiping out the entirety of the firm’s peak pandemic gains.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Pfizer stock slipped 1.6% to $28.96, closing at its lowest share price since March 26, 2020.</p>



<p>After notching record overall revenue and profits in 2022, Pfizer’s luck has run out so far in 2023, reporting a 42% decline through the year’s first nine months and reporting its first quarterly loss since 2019 in its October 31 earnings report.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>$170 billion. That’s how much market capitalization Pfizer has lost since December 2021.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Including dividends, Pfizer has posted a -40% return on investment this year, the 15th-steepest loss of any S&amp;P 500 company. Other pharmaceutical stocks which soared during early development and adoption of Covid treatments have also flailed, including Moderna (down about 80% from its 2021 peak), BioNTech (down about 70% from 2021 peak) and Johnson &amp; Johnson (down nearly 20% from 2021 high). Pfizer’s recent plunge came after the company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2023/10/16/vaccine-stocks-including-pfizer-moderna-biontech-and-novavax-slide-amid-plummeting-demand/?sh=5cda962f7099">slashed</a>&nbsp;sales guidance for October 16, with sales for its vaccine down 70% year-over-year and Paxlovid revenues down 95%. Pfizer “finally threw in the towel on the potential for reinvigorated” demand for its two primary Covid products, UBS analyst Colin Bristow wrote in a note to clients last month.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-contra">CONTRA</h2>



<p>It’s not all doom and gloom for pharmaceutical stocks, though the balance of power has shifted. Drug makers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have both climbed more than 70% over the last 12 months as their respective weight loss medications surge in popularity, and the two are now the most valuable pharmaceutical companies in the world by market cap. Pfizer, which was more valuable than both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk at the end of 2021, is now worth less than half of each firm.</p>


Vaccinations at Egoli Township as Omicron Cases Spread

Pfizer Stock Hits 3-Year Low—Down 50% From 2021 Peak


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>The war between Israel and Hamas has continued for more than a month, laying waste to the Gaza Strip, killing thousands and displacing many more in the region as the conflict appears likely to continue for some time.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p><strong>1.5 million:&nbsp;</strong>That’s how many people in Gaza have been internally displaced, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unocha.org/publications/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/hostilities-gaza-strip-and-israel-flash-update-32#:~:text=Displacement%20(Gaza%20Strip),the%20remainder%20with%20host%20families." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations</a>, which reported 557,000 people are sheltering in facilities unable to bring in new arrivals, prompting concerns of overcrowding.</p>



<p><strong>More than 11,000:</strong>&nbsp;The number of people&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gaza-officials-say-hospitals-come-under-new-israeli-attacks-2023-11-10/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">killed</a>&nbsp;in Gaza during the conflict, according to Reuters.</p>



<p><strong>Around 1,200:</strong>&nbsp;The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-revises-death-toll-oct-7-hamas-attack-around-1200-2023-11-10/#:~:text=JERUSALEM%2C%20Nov%2010%20(Reuters),previous%20government%20estimate%20of%201%2C400." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">revised death toll</a>&nbsp;of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in southern Israel, Reuters reported, which cited a spokesperson for Israel&#8217;s foreign ministry.</p>



<p><strong>More than 400:</strong>&nbsp;The number of U.S. citizens and residents who have left the Gaza Strip, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/more-than-400-us-citizens-residents-have-left-gaza-spokesperson-2023-11-07/#:~:text=More%20than%20400%20US%20citizens,Reuters" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reuters</a>, citing the State Department, which noted some U.S. citizens still remain in the war-torn region this week.</p>



<p><strong>About 240:&nbsp;</strong>That’s how many hostages Israeli officials believe Hamas and other groups are holding, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/article/israel-hostages-hamas-explained.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Times</a>, a matter that has become the<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/israel-hamas-hostage-deal-critical-juncture-gaza/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;crux of negotiations</a>&nbsp;between Israel and Hamas.</p>



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<p><strong>756:&nbsp;</strong>The total count of humanitarian aid trucks that have crossed into Gaza from Egypt since such trucks were first allowed to do so on Oct. 21, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/israel-hamas-war-gaza-strip-2023-11-08/card/more-than-100-aid-trucks-reach-gaza-in-largest-single-day-convoy-YsfsqJaxyKLQifBui5sg" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wall Street Journal</a>&nbsp;reported, citing Egyptian officials and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, which said none of the trucks contained fuel.</p>



<p><strong>18:</strong>&nbsp;World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus indicated in an emergency meeting that this was the share of Gaza’s 36 hospitals that were not operating in the region (home to about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/gaza-strip" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2.1 million people</a>), according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/live-blog/israel-hamas-war-live-updates-rcna124563/rcrd25458?canonicalCard=true" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBC News</a>, adding facilities are operating beyond capacities and that two-thirds of Gaza’s primary health care centers are not functioning.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR</h2>



<p>Israel agreed Thursday to put four-hour daily humanitarian pauses in place for its military operations in Gaza each day, according to the White House. The pauses have helped hostage talks, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/israel-hamas-hostage-deal-critical-juncture-gaza/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Politico</a>, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/09/politics/israel-pauses-gaza-white-house/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">insisted</a>&nbsp;that “no cease-fire” would be achieved without the release of Hamas-held hostages. Politico reported any hostage agreement is likely to be interim and limited in scope.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>The Israel-Hamas conflict has gone on for more than a month now, after Israel declared war following Hamas’ invasion of southern Israel on Oct. 7. The U.S. has stood firm in its support of Israel, a longtime ally. President Joe Biden asked Netanyahu during a Monday call for a three-day pause to allow for hostage negotiations, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-humanitarian-pauses-b8fc613ffd8b9351c0dc37b90b6e10dd" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Associated Press</a>&nbsp;reported, adding that the president said it took “a little longer” than he hoped for Israel to agree to the current hours-long humanitarian pauses. Despite pushing for humanitarian aid, the White House has been careful to not call for a definitive cease-fire, citing&nbsp;<a href="https://www.state.gov/secretary-antony-j-blinken-at-a-press-availability-41/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">concerns</a>&nbsp;it would allow Hamas to recover and re-tool. Biden has also publicly doubted the death toll coming out of Gaza, saying late last month he had &#8220;no confidence in the number that the Palestinians are using,” according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/despite-bidens-doubts-humanitarian-agencies-consider-gaza-toll-reliable-2023-10-27/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reuters</a>. Calls for a cease-fire have been supported by a majority of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/27/united-nations-votes-overwhelmingly-in-favour-of-humanitarian-truce-in-gaza" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">United Nations</a>&nbsp;in addition to tens of thousands of Americans who have participated in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/11/04/thousands-descend-on-washington-for-gaza-cease-fire-rally-photos/?sh=6a381a4a1df7">cease-fire rallies</a>&nbsp;in recent weeks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/10/14/israel-hamas-conflict-the-grim-statistics-after-a-week-of-war/?sh=3d27aea84407">Israel-Hamas Conflict: The Grim Statistics After A Week Of War</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-revises-death-toll-oct-7-hamas-attack-around-1200-2023-11-10/#:~:text=JERUSALEM%2C%20Nov%2010%20(Reuters),previous%20government%20estimate%20of%201%2C400." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Israel revises Hamas attack death toll to &#8216;around 1,200&#8217;</a>&nbsp;(Reuters)</p>


Israel’s Response To Hamas Attack Complicated By Hostages And Concerns Over Gaza Campaign

Israel-Hamas Conflict: The Bleak Numbers After 36 Days Of Fighting


<p><strong>Dubai’s ambition to become one of the world’s top three cities was further attested at the Dubai Business Forum on November 1 and 2 organized by Dubai Chambers, which operates six offices in Africa. The event saw several African entrepreneurs and policy-makers in attendance and deals signed between the two regions.</strong></p>



<p>It’s the climate for conferences in Dubai.</p>



<p>With the searing summer months giving way to cooler weather in the coastal emirate, November commenced with the Dubai Business Forum (DBF) and will also by the month-end witness the start of the much-anticipated 13-day COP28 global climate conference.</p>



<p>An event powered by Dubai Chambers and held under the theme <em>Shifting Economic Power: Dubai and the Future of Global Trade</em>, the DBF from November 1-2 brought together key stakeholders from the government and private sectors from across the globe to explore strategic economic partnerships. This year’s inaugural edition at the city’s verdant Madinat Jumeirah attracted over 2,000 delegates.</p>



<p>Over two days, the forum highlighted the strategic imperatives to attract foreign companies and investment, advance the digital economy, and leverage innovative technologies to accelerate business and economic growth. The event also featured The Deals Hub, a dedicated space for businesses to forge partnerships and announce new initiatives, investments, and commercial alliances, which saw six agreements and deals signed at the event.</p>



<p>The booming metropolis of Dubai – one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – with a population of more than 3 million, has always been a benchmark in business even for the emerging economies of Africa. The city’s ambition to become one of the world’s top three cities is a consistent mission for those in charge of making it a reality.</p>



<p><strong>Visionary leadership</strong></p>



<p>Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, the President and CEO of Dubai Chambers (a non-profit public entity that supports Dubai’s vision as a global player by empowering businesses, providing innovative value-added services and access to influential networks), puts it all down to the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. In a conversation with <em>CNBC Africa</em>, Lootah said: “We are blessed to have a leadership that has included the private sector and continuously regulates the policy and business environment. The secret is that we are always aiming to improve the way we are doing things.”</p>



<p>The government’s Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) aims to double the size of the emirate&#8217;s economy by 2033 through 100 transformational projects; advance its plans for green and sustainable manufacturing; add 400 cities to Dubai’s foreign trade map; and open economic corridors with Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.</p>



<p>Currently, Dubai Chambers operates 25 international offices including six in Africa – the latest an office opened in Johannesburg in June.</p>



<p>Through this network, plans are to accelerate D33 targets of increasing Dubai’s FDI to over AED650 billion ($177 billion) over the coming decade.</p>



<p>“The UAE economy grew by 3.7% in real terms in the first half of 2023,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, in a fireside chat at DBF. “This represents robust growth against the backdrop of global and regional uncertainty and is still a higher figure than any of the other GCC countries.&nbsp;Moreover, the non-oil sector registered a growth rate of 5.9%. The UAE’s economic growth is a testament to our resilience, diversification, and commitment to openness and international cooperation.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>One of the central aims of Dubai Chambers is to increase FDI into the emirate.</p>



<p>“We’ve made strong progress in recent years, with Dubai achieving an 80% increase in FDI inflows between 2021 and 2022…We were also proud to see Dubai ranked as the top global destination for attracting greenfield FDI projects in the most recent edition of the <em>Financial Times’</em> ‘fDi Markets’ data, which indicated that the emirate attracted 511 greenfield projects in H1 2023,” added Lootah in a statement.</p>



<p>Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Brett Armitage, Chief Commercial Officer of Kerzner International that operates the Atlantis hotels in Dubai, spoke about the tourism sector’s role as an important revenue generator. Their session at DBF focused on how Dubai can serve as an example for economies around the world for its sustainable tourism.</p>



<p><strong>Entrepreneurial ecosystems</strong></p>



<p>South Africa-based EZulu Life, a multinational medical technology and nutraceutical company, was in attendance at the DBF, to sign an agreement with UAE-based biopharmaceutical company Bioventure Healthcare, to distribute the latter’s products and provide technical support in the southern and East Africa regions.&nbsp;Bioventure, with a market capital of $250 million-$300 million, is aiming to expand its reach in Africa, investing in life science and biotech solutions to promote innovation in healthcare and cater to the needs of patients in the Middle East and Africa.</p>



<p>The founder and CEO of EZulu Life, Mpumelelo Ndiweni told <em>CNBC Africa</em> in an interview: “We are coming together to set up facilities in Africa and address African challenges.” The company started before the pandemic, and took off when Covid-19 hit, when their immune booster products “flew off the shelves”. By the end of 2021, their products were in over a 100 outlets in southern Africa.</p>



<p>Ndiweni’s advice to entrepreneurs breaking into the Middle East: “Never stop knocking on doors here. We are where we are because of that. We tend to over-plan, but don’t wait. Start on your plan. The moment you see a gap, get in. There is huge potential for African products.”</p>



<p><strong>Advancing the digital economy</strong></p>



<p>“One very interesting area that has continued to flourish is the increased appetite and footprint from global and regional tech startups using Dubai as a base for them. Over the last few years, roughly 90% of tech startups that received funding throughout the MENA region are based in Dubai,” Dubai Chambers’ Lootah said to <em>CNBC Africa</em>. “Dubai is not only witnessing growth in the traditional sectors but also diversity for tech companies as a funding and growth region.”</p>



<p>The forum saw innovators such as Eric Aguilar, Co-founder and CEO of Omnitron Sensors, speaking about the Future of the Internet of Things (IoT), and shedding light on the growing use of innovative sensor systems in bridging the gap between AI and business growth.</p>



<p>Aguilar underlined the importance of effectively introducing innovative technology to the market. “By embracing exponential innovation, you can break through barriers and bring about a huge disruption in the market. We keep hearing that AI is going to change the world, and to some extent that is true. But – as good as AI currently is – we won’t realize the future we imagined without fundamental changes to IoT and hardware.”</p>



<p>The final session in the forum’s main arena&nbsp;featured an interview with&nbsp;Divyank Turakhia, Founder of advertising tech company Media.net, who discussed how Dubai’s resilient business ecosystem has supported his successful journey as a serial entrepreneur. Sharing key learnings on how to capitalize on lucrative opportunities, Turakhia said: “Each business is different – some require more capital, some require less, and will eventually grow. It is extremely important to use capital efficiently. The UAE is unique in the region due to the ability of the leadership to continually pursue their visions. As a result, they achieve their goals in a timely manner, which is not easily accomplished otherwise.”</p>


A session at the Dubai Business Forum; the emirate attracted 511 greenfield projects in H1 2023; image supplied

Lessons For Africa’s Emerging Economies From Dubai’s Playbook On Business


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Greenpeace is facing a major new legal threat in the form of a $2.1 million lawsuit from oil giant Shell,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/shell-sues-greenpeace-21-million-after-boarding-oil-vessel-2023-11-09/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multiple outlets</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/09/shell-sues-greenpeace-over-fossil-fuel-protest-in-north-sea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;Thursday, after the environmental advocacy group’s protestors occupied a floating oil platform in January in what one spokesperson called an “unlawful and extremely dangerous” stunt.</p>



<p>Greenpeace activist Yeb Saño holds aloft a flag on a rib after attempting to board a Shell oil&nbsp;&#8230; [+]<small>GETTY IMAGES</small></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>U.K.-based Shell filed a claim against Greenpeace UK and Greenpeace International in London&#8217;s High Court alleging the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/31/greenpeace-protesters-board-shell-platform-bound-for-shetland" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">occupation</a>&nbsp;of a floating oil production vessel by protesters earlier this year cost the company money in shipping delays and forced it to hire extra security,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/shell-sues-greenpeace-21-million-after-boarding-oil-vessel-2023-11-09/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reuters</a>&nbsp;reported.</p>



<p>Shell has asked the court to stop any future protests on the company’s infrastructure at sea or in port, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/nov/09/shell-sues-greenpeace-over-fossil-fuel-protest-in-north-sea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Guardian</em></a>, and threatened to file further claims on behalf of contractors that could be worth as much as $8.6 million.</p>



<p>Greenpeace has accused Shell of trying to silence any legitimate protests of its fossil fuel operations, but Shell has said the lawsuit is focused only on protests at sea and is designed partly to protect the safety of protesters.</p>



<p>A spokesperson for Shell said in an email to&nbsp;<em>Forbes</em>&nbsp;that the protest was &#8220;unlawful and extremely dangerous.&#8221;</p>



<p>In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/international/press-release/63522/shell-hits-greenpeace-with-intimidation-lawsuit-threatening-8-6m-damages-claim-and-protest-ban-to-silence-climate-demands/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a>&nbsp;posted to its website Thursday, Greenpeace called the lawsuit an attempt “to silence growing dissent over moves by Shell’s chief executive” and said Shell has offered to settle for $1.4 million if Greenpeace vows to never again stage a protest “at its infrastructure” at sea or in port.</p>



<p>Greenpeace said it would only comply with the request if Shell &#8220;agreed to stop wrecking the climate&#8221; and comply with a Dutch court order to reduce its emissions by 45% by 2030.</p>



<p>Greenpeace activists hold a billboard during a protest outside Shell headquarters amid the companies&nbsp;&#8230; [+]<small>CHRIS J RATCLIFFE FOR GREENPEACE VIA GETTY IMAGES</small></p>



<p>Forbes Daily: Get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.Sign Up</p>



<p>By signing up, you accept and agree to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Terms of Service</a>&nbsp;(including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and you acknowledge our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Privacy Statement</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>“The right to protest is fundamental and we respect it absolutely. But it must be done safely and lawfully,” Shell’s statement reads. “Shell and its contractors are entitled to recover the significant costs of responding to Greenpeace’s dangerous actions.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Climate activists used ropes to hoist themselves onto a floating production storage and offloading vessel from inflatable boats they used to chase the Shell ship. The protestors boarded the vessel just north of the Canary Islands and rode it for 13 days,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/international/press-release/63522/shell-hits-greenpeace-with-intimidation-lawsuit-threatening-8-6m-damages-claim-and-protest-ban-to-silence-climate-demands/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to Greenpeace</a>. No arrests were made. The vessel was bound for the not-yet-operational Penguins oil and gas field in the North Sea, and protestors were imploring the company to stop drilling for new oil and gas and &#8220;instead take responsibility for causing climate breakdown.” The Penguins platform is the first new northern North Sea project for Shell in 30 years and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shell.com/about-us/major-projects/penguins.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">is expected</a>&nbsp;to yield 45,000 barrels of oil per day.</p>



<p>Greenpeace activists hang a banner on July 24, 2014 in front of a Shell gas station in Santiago,&nbsp;&#8230; [+]<small>AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES</small></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>$39.9 billion. That&#8217;s how much money&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/02/02/shell-earnings-oil-giant-reports-record-annual-profits.html#:~:text=Shell%20reported%20adjusted%20earnings%20of,2021%20profit%20of%20%2419.29%20billion." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Shell reported in adjusted earnings&nbsp;</a>in 2022, more than double its 2021 profit of $19.29 billion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>This isn’t the first time Shell and Greenpeace have butted heads. The two famously faced off back in 1995 when the oil company, known at the time as Royal Dutch Shell, proposed it would get rid of its decommissioned rig called the Brent Spar <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/47744/brent-spar-the-sea-is-not-a-dustbin/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">by sinking it</a> in the North Atlantic Ocean. Greenpeace activists occupied the tanker for three weeks and organized a boycott of service stations worldwide while claiming the vessel Shell was trying to sink had 5,500 tons of oil on board. The estimate was vastly higher than what Shell claimed and what later proved to be true—Greenpeace ultimately issued an apology. Shell withdrew its plan to sink the Brent Spar. Greenpeace later successfully protested Shell&#8217;s <a href="https://www.greenpeace.org/international/story/7022/you-did-it-shell-abandons-arctic-drilling/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2006 plan</a> to drill for oil in the Arctic. Two years ago, Greenpeace was involved in a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/shell-wins-court-case-start-seismic-surveys-offshore-south-africa-2021-12-03/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">failed attempt</a> to stop the company from looking for oil in humpback whale breeding grounds on South Africa&#8217;s coast.</p>


Shell Posts Quarterly Profits

Shell Sues Greenpeace For $2 Million After Protest On Moving Oil Platform — The Latest Clash Between The Two


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Adidas is considering writing off its remaining inventory of Yeezy merchandise, valued at $320 million by the company, chief executive Bjorn Gulden said Wednesday—as the German footwear firm separates from the brand designed by Kanye West, who lost his partnership with Adidas following a string of antisemitic remarks.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Gulden said Wednesday that a scenario in which the company writes off its Yeezy inventory is “financially the worst case,” according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/adidas-ye-kanye-west-antisemitism-df2df5a6489beba1a23ffefa6acc98c3" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Associated Press</a>.</p>



<p>The company has sold hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of leftover Yeezy shoes, and Gulden reportedly said “we of course hope we can do more drops next year and we can get more value out of it and donate the proceeds,” but no decision has been made.</p>



<p>Gulden also said the company had stored its Yeezy inventory in several locations and declined to say what the company would do if the inventory remained unsold.</p>



<p>Adidas included a possible write-off of the Yeezy inventory in its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adidas-group.com/en/media/news-archive/press-releases/2023/adidas-reports-revenue-increase-in-the-third-quarter-underlying-b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">outlook</a>&nbsp;Wednesday for its earnings this year, suggesting in its full-year guidance that it expects about $106 million in operating losses this year after a previous prediction of a $481 million loss.</p>



<p>Shares for&nbsp;<a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/ADDYY" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adidas</a>&nbsp;fell slightly (2%) to $90.46 after the company released its third-quarter earnings&nbsp;<a href="https://www.adidas-group.com/en/media/news-archive/press-releases/2023/adidas-reports-revenue-increase-in-the-third-quarter-underlying-b/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>.</p>



<p>Adidas reported a 6% increase in footwear revenue year-over-year and a 6% decline in apparel sales, while the company’s revenue declined 6% to $6.4 billion.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>$374.7 million. That’s how much revenue Adidas generated from Yeezy sales through the third quarter. Yeezy merchandise generated about <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/08/03/adidas-sold-437-million-worth-of-yeezys-in-second-quarter-of-2023/?sh=36ab3bd526f4">$437 million</a> in revenue in the second quarter, which Adidas said was in line with Yeezy sales during the same quarter last year. The company generated $1.28 billion from Yeezy sales through all of last year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Adidas ended its partnership with West last year after the rapper made a series of antisemitic comments on social media. The company announced earlier this year it would start selling some of its remaining Yeezy inventory—valued then at $1.28 billion—and donate a “significant amount” of sales to organizations combating racism and antisemitism. Adidas&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2023/08/03/adidas-sold-437-million-worth-of-yeezys-in-second-quarter-of-2023/?sh=1f97832526f4">previously</a>&nbsp;explored a write-off of its remaining Yeezy inventory in August, which the sportswear firm estimated the write-off would cost the company an additional $437 million. Adidas similarly estimated its “discontinuation of the regular Yeezy business” cost the company about $437 million in the first half of 2023. A write-off would reduce the value of the brand in Adidas’s financial statements.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/antoniopequenoiv/2023/10/17/adidas-cuts-projected-losses-by-over-300-million-after-selling-yeezy-shoes/?sh=1e34b8baab0a">Adidas Cuts Projected Losses By Over $300 Million After Selling Yeezy Shoes</a>&nbsp;(<em>Forbes</em>)</p>


Street Style – Paris Fashion Week – Menswear Spring/Summer 2024 : Day Six

Adidas Could Write Off Value Of Unsold Yeezy Inventory—Worth $320 Million


<p>The Covid-19 pandemic brought unprecedented change to many lives around the world but for a group of daredevils in Ghana, it sparked a passion to explore the world by road.</p>



<p>The group of friends with wide-ranging interests and careers ranging from banking, education, technology and real estate, and also travel enthusiasts, saw an opportunity to use the lockdown to ignite their expedition.</p>



<p>“We started traveling in Ghana because of Covid. We couldn’t get out of Ghana and one funeral to Tamale, in Northern Ghana, inspired the passion for traveling. We began to travel sometimes for funerals, other times for weddings and for work,” says Richard Osei-Anim, an education technology entrepreneur who is part of the group.</p>



<p>Osei-Anim works to deploy smart labs and technology for schools in rural areas. Some of the hard-to-reach areas he works in – such as in Northern Ghana – requires travel by road, and that is what birthed his love for travel. On one of these trips with the group, initially consisting of five team members, one of them suggested going on a 10,000km journey to the United Kingdom (UK).</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="alignright size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="768" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_7679.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-60171" style="aspect-ratio:0.75;width:367px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_7679.jpeg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/IMG_7679-225x300.jpeg 225w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure></div>


<p>“We have this saying we use that ‘what’s the worst that could happen’. So, when the idea was suggested, we were all up for it. Later on, some other members joined which brought our group to about 10 people in all,” recalls Osei-Anim.</p>



<p>This was in 2019 before the Covid pandemic.</p>



<p>“Kwabena Peprah, who is the OCD one amongst us, is our lead planner. He pulled the Excel spreadsheets and put in all the components from the type of car we would use, the spark plugs, windows, the tyres we will need, the cans for petrol and everything in between. We had a whole spreadsheet of data that had been acquired over the years. We postponed it to 2023 but it [meant] about six to nine months of planning and speaking to different people,” says Osei-Anim.</p>



<p>In 2022, the group had also attempted to climb to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.</p>



<p>“We didn’t make it all the way to the top. I got to 4,000 meters and Kwabena and the other guys got to 5,000 meters. So, we couldn’t make it, but it was a useful experience and we ended up in Zanzibar for about three days just to chill.”</p>



<p>With friendships in the group going back more than 30 years, there is true camaraderie here. After almost a year of planning, the group set off this year for their planned journey to the UK, from their starting point in Oyarifa, Ghana with a convoy of five cars.</p>



<p>“It took us 14 days to get from Accra to London. We started off from Oyarifa in Aburi, then crossed over to Ivory Coast, then Bamako, then Kayes, then Senegal, then Mauritania to Morocco and some of us left in Morocco to go to Johannesburg to work. The rest of the group crossed over by ferry to Spain, then went to France, then Calais to Dover and ended up in Kent,” says Osei-Anim.</p>



<p>Planning for the trip had to be airtight to ensure they covered the 14-day journey in good time.</p>



<p>“We aimed for departure at 4AM and always considered all scenarios that could potentially delay us unnecessarily. For example, we usually settle all bills the night before so when we wake up, we check out without any drama – like someone’s card not working or no forex to change into local currencies,” says Osei-Anim.</p>



<p>The trip led to the creation of Wanderlust Ghana, a travel blog to chronicle the adventures across some 10 countries. One of the travelers, Kwabena Ayirebi, also Director, Banking Operations at African Export-Import Bank, used the attention from the epic journey to London to raise funds to help connect communities across Ghana and Kenya to digital learning with a platform called EduSpots.</p>



<p>“I first went to London from Accra through a British Chevening Scholarship and that gave me the chance to have a global career. I saw the journey to London as an opportunity to celebrate my birthday, raise funds for a good cause and experience the amazing continent of Africa,” says Ayirebi.</p>



<p>The group stayed at hotels in each destination and the entire trip cost an average of $10,000 per person. The main challenges were mechanical issues ranging from changing car tyres to spark plugs and everything in between.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="768" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/A-road-trip-that-led-to-the-creation-of-a-travel-blog-image-supplied.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-60173" style="aspect-ratio:1.3333333333333333;width:646px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/A-road-trip-that-led-to-the-creation-of-a-travel-blog-image-supplied.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/A-road-trip-that-led-to-the-creation-of-a-travel-blog-image-supplied-300x225.jpeg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/A-road-trip-that-led-to-the-creation-of-a-travel-blog-image-supplied-768x576.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">A road-trip that led to the creation of a travel blog, image supplied</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>“I would advise that if you want to take on this journey, make sure you are using very reliable cars. Our cars were quite old with some of them having about 500,000km already and even though we regularly service them, they gave us some issues,” says Osei-Anim.</p>



<p>Another advice is to be mindful of the local rules in various countries. For example, Mauritania has a policy against using tinted windows on cars which the group was not aware of.</p>



<p>“This was the worst experience on the trip as the policemen extorted us and kept us for about eight hours in Mauritania. They threatened to impound us for 48 hours and after illegally taking our money we were finally allowed to pass through,” says Osei-Anim.</p>



<p>After two weeks, the group arrived in Kent to a rousing welcome from the Ghana High Commission in London and along the way, had garnered enough media attention for their epic journey.</p>



<p>With the success of this trip, the group already have their eyes set on their next set of adventures which includes a road trip from Accra to Cape Town next year, then an eight-day expedition in Australia from Perth to Brisbane, then a Dubai via Egypt to Accra expedition and finally hitting all the football stadiums across North America to Alaska in the World Cup year of 2026.</p>


A road-trip that led to the creation of a travel blog; image supplied

From Accra To London By Road: What The Trip Taught This Group Of Friends and Professionals From Africa


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>Nike this week added New Balance and Skechers to the list of athletic wear companies it says has stolen the &#8220;game-changing&#8221; patented Flyknit technology that Nike claims it spent more than a decade developing in order to cut down on waste while making lightweight yet supportive running shoes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>In two separate federal lawsuits filed in Massachusetts and California, respectively, Nike claims New Balance and Skechers are infringing on the company’s patents and producing shoes using Flyknit, a specific knitted fiber used to make the &#8220;upper&#8221; of shoes, or the part above the sole surrounding the foot.</p>



<p>Nike claims New Balance stole the technology for use in its Tekela, FuelCell, Fresh Foam and Furon lines, and that Skechers is using it to make its Slip-Ins, Ultra Flex and Glide Step shoes, among others.</p>



<p>Nike asserts it told New Balance it was illegally using patented materials and that the company &#8220;refused&#8221; to stop using Flyknit and claims New Balance &#8220;only escalated the scope of its infringing activities” — and Nike also claims this isn’t the first time Skehers has stolen its technology.</p>



<p>Nike has asked a judge to block the sales of New Balance and Skechers it says utilize the patented technology and is seeking an unspecified &#8220;award of damages.&#8221;</p>



<p>New Balance did not respond to&nbsp;<em>Forbes’&nbsp;</em>request for comment Tuesday but said in a statement to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nike-new-balance-skechers-lawsuit-flyknit/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CBS News</a>&nbsp;that “Nike does not own the exclusive right to design and produce footwear by traditional manufacturing methods that have been used in the industry for decades.&#8221;</p>



<p>A representative for Skechers said the company does not comment on pending litigation.</p>



<p>Forbes Daily: Get our best stories, exclusive reporting and essential analysis of the day’s news in your inbox every weekday.Sign Up</p>



<p>By signing up, you accept and agree to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Terms of Service</a>&nbsp;(including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and you acknowledge our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Privacy Statement</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>Nike has also sued Adidas, Puma and Lululemon for allegedly stealing the same technology.&nbsp;<a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/nike-adidas-settle-two-separate-164108630.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Adidas settled</a>&nbsp;its series of patent disputes in 2022, as did&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2018/10/10/judge-denies-pumas-motion-to-dismiss-nike-lawsuit.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Puma</a>&nbsp;in 2020. Nike&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/qai/2023/02/06/nike-is-suing-lululemon-over-patent-infringementagain-heres-what-investors-need-to-know-about-the-war-between-these-athletic-apparel-giants/">sued Lululemon</a>&nbsp;earlier this year, claiming the textile knitting process used in making Lulu’s Chargefeel Mid, Chargefeel Low, Blissfeel and Strongfeel shoes was also stolen from Flyknit patents. That case is ongoing.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>New York University&#8217;s Center for Sustainable Business in 2016 used Nike&#8217;s Flyknit technology for a case study on sustainability.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.stern.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/assets/documents/Nike_Carly_04.2017%20-%20Copy.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The study</a>&nbsp;called Flyknit a &#8220;fundamental breakthrough in sustainable innovation&#8221; that met the athletic demands of a comfortable, high-performing sneaker while also reducing manufacturing waste. After more than 10 years and 200 prototypes, Nike developed its patented method to use one continuous woven thread to make a shoe instead of gluing and stitching multiple pieces of material together. By cutting down on wasted scraps and reducing the number of materials used, the company was able to save 3.5 million pounds of waste and cut its manufacturing waste by 80%, according to NYU.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>182 million. That&#8217;s how many plastic bottles New York University says have been diverted from landfills by Nike since they started using recycled polyester in Flyknit shoes.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>&#8220;Nike’s Flyknit shoe is the most groundbreaking sneaker innovation in over 40 years,&#8221; NYU&#8217;s study said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forbes-valuation">FORBES VALUATION</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/phil-knight/?list=rtb/&amp;sh=6279b1041dcb">Phil Knight</a>, the co-founder of Nike, has a $43.1 billion estimated net worth. He retired as chairman of Nike in June 2016 after 52 years at the company. The founder and former CEO of Lululemon,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/chip-wilson/?list=rtb/&amp;sh=7529dc547068">Chip Wilson,</a>&nbsp;is worth an estimated $6.1 billion and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/jim-davis/?list=rtb/&amp;sh=6ea9ff9b5fab">Jim Davis</a>, chairman and owner of New Balance, is worth an estimated $5 billion.</p>


Melbourne Fashion Festival: Streetstyle

Nike Claims New Balance And Skechers Stole Technology For Sustainable Shoes In New Lawsuit


<p><strong>In anticipation of COP28 – the United National Climate Change Conference – which takes place later this month, we speak to food and beverage conglomerate, PepsiCo about the significance of the conference, and how the company is tackling its climate change goals.</strong></p>



<p>Multinationals worldwide have begun the process of reviewing their business and operational strategies in order to meet their net zero goals.</p>



<p>With COP28 set to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from November 30 – December 12, FORBES AFRICA speaks to Eugene Willemsen, CEO for PepsiCo AMESA (Africa, Middle East and South Asia) about the company’s agricultural strategies, its focus on renewable energy and growth prospects on the continent.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Q. </strong><strong>In terms of COP28 and PepsiCo, what&#8217;s the premise behind this? What are your plans for the upcoming conference?</strong><strong></strong></p>



<p>A. COP28 is a crucial event for not just PepsiCo, but for the world. I think everyone is seeing the impact that climate change is having on everything from food security to people being displaced, etc. At PepsiCo, we firmly believe that we have a role to play to create a more sustainable world, and I think that is also embedded in our positive vision and strategy that we rolled out a couple of years ago.</p>



<p>There are a few elements within that strategy that are, for us, critical. One is positive agriculture. The second is positive value chain and the third one is positive choices. As we look at COP28, in particular, the focus is going to be primarily on the first two of those pillars. Within positive agriculture, we have committed ourselves to convert the equivalent of the agricultural land that we&#8217;re using to grow our crops. We work with about 100,000 farmers across the world and we want to convert the equivalent of the land that we&#8217;re using with these farms to grow our crops to regenerative agricultural practices.</p>



<p>On positive value chain, this is very much in focus for COP28. A few key focus areas there – as a company, we&#8217;ve committed to become net zero, across our entire ecosystem, by 2040. If you then break that down –agriculture is, for us, one of the important drivers of our emissions. The second area that we need to work on is packaging, which is another contributor to our emissions. And there, we&#8217;ve pledged to significantly reduce the amount of virgin PET, so we will reduce that by 50% by 2030, per serving. That means that we need to establish proper recycling infrastructure, especially, in the markets that I&#8217;m responsible for, but also start including recycled PET within our packaging footprint to ensure that we create this circular economy for packaging. Within the Africa, Middle East and South Asia (AMESA) sector, we now have established the right legislative framework in most of the markets, in the sense that recycled PET is allowed to be used for food grade consumption.</p>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="567" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Tshego-Selepe-agribusiness-manager-at-the-Kgodiso-Development-Fund-helping-with-the-first-planting-at-a-model-farm-in-Kakamas-Northern-Cape-South-Africa-1024x567.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-60163" style="aspect-ratio:1.8059964726631392;width:542px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Tshego-Selepe-agribusiness-manager-at-the-Kgodiso-Development-Fund-helping-with-the-first-planting-at-a-model-farm-in-Kakamas-Northern-Cape-South-Africa-1024x567.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Tshego-Selepe-agribusiness-manager-at-the-Kgodiso-Development-Fund-helping-with-the-first-planting-at-a-model-farm-in-Kakamas-Northern-Cape-South-Africa-300x166.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Tshego-Selepe-agribusiness-manager-at-the-Kgodiso-Development-Fund-helping-with-the-first-planting-at-a-model-farm-in-Kakamas-Northern-Cape-South-Africa-768x426.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Tshego-Selepe-agribusiness-manager-at-the-Kgodiso-Development-Fund-helping-with-the-first-planting-at-a-model-farm-in-Kakamas-Northern-Cape-South-Africa-1536x851.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Tshego-Selepe-agribusiness-manager-at-the-Kgodiso-Development-Fund-helping-with-the-first-planting-at-a-model-farm-in-Kakamas-Northern-Cape-South-Africa-2048x1135.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Tshego Selepe, agribusiness manager at the Kgodiso Development Fund helping with the first planting at a model farm in Kakamas, Northern Cape, South Africa</figcaption></figure></div>


<p>We have been and are working with other stakeholders to set up and further scale up proper collection and sorting mechanisms. And also we&#8217;re working with suppliers to secure a sufficient supply of recycled PET and we have now launched, in nine markets, recycled PET with our packaging footprint. We&#8217;re now in the process of further scaling that up and adding a few other markets to the roster.</p>



<p>And the third one, of course, is in our manufacturing and logistics setup. There, the focus is to drive towards renewable energy. That&#8217;s going to be a big focus area for us, again, as we look at COP28, for discussions with governments and other stakeholders.</p>



<p>Then the last focus area for us is on water, where we’ve pledged to become net water positive, and again, making good progress on that by reducing water usage consumption as much as possible, but also leveraging our technologies to help others save on water.</p>



<p><strong>Q. With the countries and the markets you&#8217;re involved in, what kind of practices are you implementing to improve the livelihoods of farmers in those areas?</strong></p>



<p>A. As I said, globally, we work with about 100,000 farmers – that&#8217;s from very large scale commercial farmers, like you would have in the Midwest, to smallholder farmers in, whether it be India, whether it be the African continent. Especially in the sector that I&#8217;m responsible for, we have tremendous experience working with small-scale farmers. We have a lot of know-how in terms of how you can reduce water usage, how you optimize the use of fertilizers, the best type of fertilizers, but also how we can work with those farmers to improve their yields. We&#8217;ve deployed that across many markets in AMESA, definitely also in Egypt and South Africa, as well as in Ethiopia.</p>



<p>In South Africa, one of the other things that we&#8217;re doing, as part of the financials acquisition, is we have made available a development fund, which is R600 million (approx. $32.7 million) in total. [Half of that] is specifically earmarked for agriculture, and with a focus of including emerging farmers into our value chain, and helping them with tools, with skills building, and with that, hopefully, also create better livelihoods for them, for their families and for their communities. That is one of the areas that we&#8217;re very much focused on in South Africa.</p>



<p><strong>Q. With your renewable energy practices, what are some of these you&#8217;ve implemented or are implementing?</strong></p>



<p>A. Net zero has many different components, because we have emissions across that entire value chain, but if you specifically look at what the focus is, and when it comes to our manufacturing and logistics setup, within manufacturing, the aim there is to move to renewable energy sources. That will be through investments in solar energy, using wind energy as well, where possible.</p>



<p>The big unlock that we need to still see happen in many of our markets is the establishment of power purchase agreements, so that will help us generate energy through renewable sources. And when we&#8217;re not in a position to use that energy, we can put it back on the grid. When we need energy from the grid, we can take from it. That is the ‘wheeling arrangements’, as they&#8217;re called, that is not yet in full force in most of the markets in AMESA. That is a big focus area for us in the discussions with local governments.</p>



<p>Second – when it comes to our fleet – you&#8217;ll see us investing in electric vehicles, in order to ensure that our fleet, over time, also becomes a fleet that is not using fossil fuels anymore, but is using renewable energy as the main source, to transport our products and raw materials.</p>



<p><strong>Q. Let&#8217;s talk about opportunities in Africa, and then in the AMESA region in general. What are you seeing in terms of growth and expansion?</strong></p>



<p>A. It spans about 45% of the world population. It&#8217;s a very young population. There is also an opportunity for us, as we look at that growth, to create very positive impact in the communities where we operate. And that is, again, linked to some of the work that we&#8217;re doing with farming communities, because, specifically for our foods business, we need to source crops, and we largely want to source those crops locally. The region as such, I think, offers a lot of opportunity for growth.</p>


Eugene Willemsen

How This Global Company Is Pushing for Regenerative Agriculture And Renewable Energy In Africa


<p><strong>South Africa intensifies its critique of Israel, recalling diplomats and slamming actions in Gaza as war crimes. As international condemnation grows, the government contemplates further sanctions amid widespread protests and calls for a decisive international response.</strong></p>



<p>South Africa has recalled its diplomatic corps from Israel for consultation, with the country&#8217;s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, issuing a strong critique of Israel&#8217;s ground invasion of Gaza. Pandor stated that the killing of children in the Palestinian region is a &#8220;war crime&#8221;.</p>



<p>Pandor was responding to questions she received after the Cabinet announcement today, withdrawing South Africa&#8217;s diplomats from Tel Aviv.</p>



<p>The African National Congress (ANC)-led South African government has long shown solidarity with the Palestinian cause, with Palestinian resistance movements providing social and military aid in the fight against apartheid in South Africa.</p>



<p>Israel&#8217;s response to the attacks of Hamas on October 7, which, at the time of writing, have seen at least 10,000 casualties among Palestinians in Gaza, was strongly condemned by the South African government.</p>



<p>&#8220;We believe the nature of the response by Israel has become one of collective punishment,&#8221; continued Pandor, &#8220;which falls outside the practices of international humanitarian and international human rights law.&#8221;</p>



<p>South Africans themselves have demonstrated in vast numbers in the major cities of Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban, with protests occurring almost weekly outside the United States Embassy and Consulate.</p>



<p>South Africa is not the only country to have instituted diplomatic responses to Israel in recent weeks, with Chad also recalling its ambassador earlier today. Several South American governments, such as Colombia, Chile, and Bolivia, had earlier done the same.</p>



<p>The South African branch of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement welcomed the decision by the government but also critiqued the time taken to make such an action.</p>



<p>&#8220;The SA BDS Coalition welcomes our government’s Cabinet statement condemning Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people,&#8221; said Roshan Dadoo, spokesperson for the BDS, to FORBES AFRICA. &#8220;However, it took more than 10,000 Palestinians to be killed by the apartheid Israeli state before our government recalled all South African diplomatic staff for consultations.&#8221;</p>



<p>South Africa might take even further action following the last three weeks of conflict, with Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni stating in today&#8217;s post-Cabinet briefing that Israeli Ambassador Eliav Belotsercovsky&#8217;s position was &#8220;very untenable&#8221;.</p>



<p>Belotsercovsky has been directly critiqued by both the Cabinet and Pandor for his remarks in South African media as of late, with Minister Ntshaveni also stating that President Cyril Ramaphosa had instructed the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) to chastise him for &#8220;disparaging remarks&#8230;about those who are opposing the atrocities and the genocide of the Israeli government.&#8221;</p>



<p>&#8220;A genocide under the watch of the international community cannot be tolerated,&#8221; said Ntshaveni, sparing no words. &#8220;Another holocaust in the history of humanity cannot be tolerated.&#8221;</p>



<p>The South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) spokesperson Charisse Zeifert said in a statement to FORBES AFRICA that the organization is seeking an urgent meeting with President Ramaphosa regarding today&#8217;s Cabinet decision, stating, &#8220;Severing ties would be a decision contrary to everything that the government claims it stands for, that is, talking to both sides of the conflict. And the only people who will stand to lose are South African citizens.&#8221;</p>



<p>Both the South African Jewish community and the Palestinian diaspora have deep ties within the country, with tensions unlikely to abate without a greater resolution to the conflict between Israel and Palestine itself.</p>



<p>&#8220;The South African people demand our government act in multilateral fora towards an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian assistance for people trapped in Gaza with UN protection, for the reinstatement of the UN anti-apartheid mechanisms towards international sanctions and an arms embargo, and a swift investigation and prosecutions by the International Criminal Court into war crimes, crimes against humanity including the crime of genocide and apartheid,&#8221; concluded the statement by BDS.</p>


Encircled By Israel, Gaza Faces Catastrophe As Death Toll Soars

Escalating Tensions: South Africa’s Diplomatic Withdrawal From Israel


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-topline">TOPLINE</h2>



<p>The woman who won the Nobel Peace Prize for her gender advocacy in Iran has started a hunger strike in prison,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-mohammadi-nobel-laureate-hunger-strike-d34da0d7bbe473c21cdf6ae930487cac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multiple outlets</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/nobel-prize-laureate-narges-mohammadi-goes-on-hunger-strike-in-iran-prison-101699269185351.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;Monday, after she and other female inmates were blocked from receiving medical care over their refusal to wear a headscarf.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Narges Mohammadi was refused a transfer from Evin prison last week after a doctor diagnosed her with two severe vein blockages and high lung pressure, and ordered she undergo an off-site coronary angiogram and lung scan, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67299512" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BBC reported</a>..</p>



<p>The prison&#8217;s warden refused to send her out of the prison without a headscarf, her family told the BBC, and Mohammadi said she would not wear the &#8220;forced hijab&#8221; even for medical treatment.</p>



<p>Mohammadi&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-mohammadi-nobel-laureate-hunger-strike-d34da0d7bbe473c21cdf6ae930487cac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">began a hunger strike</a>&nbsp;on Monday to protest the restriction and that of jailed attorney and activist Nasrin Sotoudeh, among other women who refuse to wear a headscarf under Iranian law.</p>



<p>PROMOTED</p>



<p>Inmates protested in the prison yard for two days and nights to send Mohammadi to the heart hospital, her family told the BBC, but were told the transfer would not happen unless Mohammadi agreed to wear the hijab.</p>



<p>Mohammadi’s daughter&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/jailed-iranian-womens-activist-smuggles-out-letter-thanks-nobel-peace-prize-2023-10-31/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">last week</a>&nbsp;read a message her mother had smuggled out of jail, the first official reaction to her winning of the Nobel Peace Prize on October 6, in which she called the laws forcing women to wear a hijab &#8220;a means of control and repression&#8221; by the &#8220;authoritarian religious regime&#8221; of Iran, French newspaper&nbsp;<em>Le Monde</em>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/11/01/peace-prize-winner-narges-mohammadi-s-message-from-behind-bars_6219457_4.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>The Nobel Foundation last month&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2023/press-release/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">awarded</a>&nbsp;the Nobel Peace Prize to Mohammadi, who is serving several prison sentences totalling 31 years in jail, and she also faces 154 lashes of a whip. Mohammadi has been an advocate for equality and women&#8217;s rights since her days as a student in the 1990s and has been involved with the Defenders of Human Rights Center in Tehran, founded by a fellow Nobel Peace Prize laureate, since 2003. She has been arrested more than a dozen times in the last decade for her women&#8217;s advocacy work and has continued her work as an inmate, which has been met with harsh conditions like a ban on phone calls and visitors, the foundation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2023/press-release/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>. Mohammadi has spoken against the forced wearing of headscarves in Iran, use of the death penalty, the use of torture and sexual violence against political prisoners and the government&#8217;s policies of discrimination targeting women. Mohammadi’s advocacy has kept her from seeing her husband for 15 years and her children (twin daughters who are 16) for seven years, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/jailed-iranian-womens-activist-smuggles-out-letter-thanks-nobel-peace-prize-2023-10-31/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reuters</a>. They&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/06/world/who-is-narges-mohammadi-nobel-peace.html#:~:text=Victory%20is%20near.%E2%80%9D-,Ms.,her%20children%20in%20eight%20years." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">live in exile</a>&nbsp;in France.</p>



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<p>By signing up, you accept and agree to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/terms-and-conditions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Terms of Service</a>&nbsp;(including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions), and you acknowledge our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/privacy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Privacy Statement</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>&#8220;Woman, Life, Freedom.”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/jailed-iranian-womens-activist-smuggles-out-letter-thanks-nobel-peace-prize-2023-10-31/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mohammadi said</a>&nbsp;news of her winning the Nobel was met with cheers from her cell mates of her movement’s three-word slogan.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>Cries against Iran&#8217;s strict Islamic dress code that, sets out several rules to punish women who do not wear the hijab properly, have intensified in the last month following the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/10/22/iranian-teenager-armita-geravand-is-brain-dead-after-alleged-assault-by-police-over-hijab/?sh=6a0f2091679a">apparent beating</a>&nbsp;of a 16-year-old girl. Armita Geravand fell into a coma after she was reportedly beaten by government &#8220;morality&#8221; agents in Iran on October 1 for not wearing a headscarf on the subway. Iranian state media weeks ago reported she was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2023/10/22/iranian-teenager-armita-geravand-is-brain-dead-after-alleged-assault-by-police-over-hijab/?sh=6a0f2091679a">pronounced brain dead</a>&nbsp;a month after the incident.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67188151" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CCTV footage shows</a>&nbsp;Geravand entering a train with her hair uncovered and being carried off moments later while unconscious, but no footage from inside the train has been released. Hengaw, an activist group, said Gerevand instead suffered a “severe physical assault” by government agents in Tehran but authorities<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67188151" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">&nbsp;have insisted</a>&nbsp;she fainted and said her death was due to pre-existing medical conditions. Sotoudeh, the jailed lawyer who was denied medical treatment alongside Mohammadi, was arrested for attending Geravand’s funeral while not wearing a hijab, the Associated Press&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/iran-mohammadi-nobel-laureate-hunger-strike-d34da0d7bbe473c21cdf6ae930487cac" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-fact">SURPRISING FACT</h2>



<p>Wearing a hijab has been required by women in public spaces in Iran since shortly after the 1979 Islamic revolution. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/21/middleeast/iran-hijab-law-parliament-jail-intl-hnk/index.html#:~:text=Those%20who%20collude%20with%20foreign,two%20years%2C%20the%20bill%20says." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">A new law</a> was passed by parliament in September dubbed the “hijab bill,” which punishes women who do not wear the hijab properly and men who wear &#8220;revealing clothing.&#8221; Women in Iran can face up to 10 years in prison for &#8220;inappropriate dress.&#8221;</p>


Category: Current Affairs