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



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said Israel will be moving forward with a planned attack on the city of Rafah in the Gaza Strip despite pleas from the United States and other countries concerned for the 1 million civilians sheltering there.



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



Netanyahu&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1777380259131789536" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">on Monday said</a>&nbsp;a victory against the militant group Hamas, which attacked Israel in October, &#8220;requires entry into Rafah and the elimination of the terrorist battalions there. It will happen &#8211; there is a date.”



The prime minister has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/02/09/israeli-prime-minister-orders-plan-to-evacuate-13-million-people-in-rafah/?sh=69e1c8e22e08">for months insisted</a>&nbsp;attacks in Rafah, a city in the southern Gaza strip, are necessary to eliminate Hamas and win the six-month war, but Western allies have warned against attacking the city that holds more than 1 million civilian refugees who have been driven from their homes.



Netanyahu’s announcement follows backlash from his far-right supporters after <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2024/04/07/rafah-invasion-on-pause-israel-withdraws-most-troops-from-southern-gaza-heres-what-that-could-mean/?sh=5046a14124b2">Israel withdrew</a> most of its troops from southern Gaza on Sunday, a decision met with scrutiny and a threat from security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/5b4fed42-cbb6-472d-8e3a-6249c6d9c6cb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warning</a> that if he didn’t launch a &#8220;large-scale offensive&#8221; in Rafah, Netanyahu &#8220;will not have a mandate to continue&#8221; as prime minister.



The United States has put increasing pressure on Netanyahu to not authorize a major military strike in Rafah—President Joe Biden weeks ago said to do so would be a “<a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/3/18/biden-warns-netanyahu-against-mistake-of-invading-rafah-white-house" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">mistake</a>” and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/biden-warns-israel-to-protect-civilians-aid-workers-in-gaza-or-risk-losing-u-s-support#:~:text=Today%2C%20for%20the%20first%20time,the%20civilian%20suffering%20in%20Gaza." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Thursday said</a>&nbsp;continued U.S. support for the war in Gaza would depend on how well Israel worked to protect civilians and aid workers.



Biden told Netanyahu that he needed to take “measurable” steps to ease &#8220;civilian harm, humanitarian suffering and the safety of aid workers” or risk losing the support of the United States, Israel&#8217;s closest ally.



About two-thirds of the entire population of the Gaza Strip (some 1.5 million people) was sheltering in Gaza as of two weeks ago with no safe way to evacuate, Deepmala Mahl of the humanitarian organization CARE International&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/israeli-invasion-rafah-palestinian-civilians/story?id=108395828#:~:text=With%20about%20two-thirds%20of,evacuate%20them%2C%22%20she%20said." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">told ABC News</a>&nbsp;while warning of a &#8220;terrible loss of life&#8221; if Israel&#8217;s military invades.



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



Netanyahu&#8217;s announcement comes one day after the six-month anniversary of an attack on Israel by Hamas that saw the group kill about 1,200 Israelis and take 253 hostages on Oct. 7. Twenty days later, Israel responded by carrying out attacks in Gaza that the territory’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.barrons.com/news/health-ministry-in-hamas-run-gaza-says-war-death-toll-at-33-207-1c950825" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">health ministry says</a>&nbsp;have killed more than 33,000 people. In that time, more than 2.3 million residents of Gaza have been displaced, more than half of whom&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-02-09-2024-d3229eec6a85c071248d3ddc2de2a73e" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">sought shelter</a>&nbsp;in Rafah. Military operations in Rafah have been increasingly criticized by foreign governments and international organizations. The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nrc.no/news/2024/february/gaza-israels-military-operation-in-rafah-would-be-fatal-for-displaced-civilians-and-humanitarian-aid/#:~:text=Any%20further%20deterioration%20in%20humanitarian,showers%2C%20or%20personal%20hygiene%20items." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Norwegian Refugee Council</a>&nbsp;said an attack would &#8220;turn Rafah into a zone of bloodshed and destruction&#8221; and&nbsp;<a href="https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/care-statement-grave-humanitarian-consequences-military-operation-rafah" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CARE International&nbsp;</a>warned against &#8220;devastating consequences for civilians.&#8221; In addition to Biden&#8217;s concerns on behalf of the United States, more than two dozen countries in the&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/International/israeli-invasion-rafah-palestinian-civilians/story?id=108395828#:~:text=With%20about%20two-thirds%20of,evacuate%20them%2C%22%20she%20said." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">European Union</a>&nbsp;(all but Hungry) last month warned against what they called a &#8220;catastrophic&#8221; offensive plan in Rafah.



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



Continued negotiations in Cairo. Israel’s foreign minister Israel Katz on Monday told Israel’s Army Radio that the country has reached a &#8220;critical point&#8221; in its negotiations with Hamas over the safe return of 133 hostages still held in Gaza by the militant group. “I am more optimistic than I was,&#8221;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ft.com/content/5b4fed42-cbb6-472d-8e3a-6249c6d9c6cb" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">he reportedly said</a>, &#8220;but we can’t promise things when dealing with Hamas.” Netanyahu&#8217;s&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1777380259131789536" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;Monday also referenced the talks in Cairo, saying &#8220;we are working all the time to achieve our goals, primarily the release of all our hostages and achieving a complete victory over Hamas.&#8221;

Destruction in Khan Yunis after Israel’s withdrawal

Israel Moving Ahead With Plan To Attack Rafah: ’There Is A Date,’ Netanyahu Says

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In a move aimed at addressing decades of economic turmoil, Zimbabwe recently launched its new gold-backed currency, Zimbabwe Gold, ZiG, with hopes of bringing stability to its volatile financial landscape. However, experts warn that the road ahead for ZiG is fraught with challenges, with doubts lingering over its ability to enact meaningful change without systemic and governmental shifts to match.



Renowned South African economic analyst Daniel Silke cautions against placing too much faith in the currency&#8217;s ability to single-handedly solve Zimbabwe&#8217;s economic woes. Silke suggests that while a new currency may offer a temporary reprieve, lasting stability requires comprehensive economic and political reforms. He emphasizes to FORBES AFRICA, &#8220;A new currency is like putting a plaster over a wound, rather than treating its cause.&#8221; Silke&#8217;s analogy underscores the deeper structural issues facing Zimbabwe&#8217;s economy, highlighting the need for systemic change beyond mere currency reform.



Marisa Lourenço, an independent political and risk analyst, echoes Silke&#8217;s sentiments, expressing skepticism about ZiG&#8217;s potential impact on inflationary pressures. Lourenço points out that Zimbabwe&#8217;s history of currency failures highlights the need for more than just a change in currency. She emphasizes the importance of building reserves, committing to long-term monetary policies, and tackling corruption to address root causes of economic instability. &#8220;Printing money actually drives up inflation, which we have seen happen before in Zimbabwe,” she asserts in an interview with FORBES AFRICA, underscoring the complex interplay between monetary policy and inflation dynamics, suggesting that ZiG may not provide the desired solution to Zimbabwe&#8217;s economic challenges.



The introduction of ZiG comes amidst a backdrop of skepticism surrounding the Zimbabwean government&#8217;s ability to manage monetary policy effectively. Lourenço suggests that a stable monetary policy is crucial for maintaining ZiG&#8217;s credibility in the long term. She advocates for a liberalized currency regime, allowing the market to determine the currency&#8217;s value without undue interference from the central bank. &#8220;A stable monetary policy that enables a liberalized currency regime is essential,&#8221; Lourenço states, emphasizing the importance of market-driven mechanisms.



One of the key challenges facing ZiG is its coexistence alongside other currencies, particularly the United States (U.S.) dollar, which remains widely used in transactions. Silke highlights the dominance of the U.S. dollar and the difficulty of displacing it, especially in a country like Zimbabwe with an entrenched parallel market. Lourenço adds that Zimbabwe&#8217;s currency instability makes it challenging: &#8220;Given Zimbabwe’s track record in being unable to sustain its own currency on at least two occasions, the uptake of the ZiG is going to be difficult to enforce.&#8221;



Concerns have also been raised about the adequacy of gold reserves to back the new currency. Lourenço suggests that Zimbabwe&#8217;s government needs external assistance to address its massive debt arrears. However, she notes that political and economic reforms, including respecting democratic freedoms and implementing stable monetary policies, are essential for restoring confidence in ZiG&#8217;s stability. &#8220;Zimbabwe desperately needs external assistance to help clear its massive debt arrears,&#8221; Lourenço asserts, highlighting the urgency of international support. However, she cautions that without fundamental reforms, Zimbabwe may struggle to overcome its economic challenges and restore confidence in ZiG.



Despite these challenges, Silke remains cautiously optimistic about Zimbabwe&#8217;s future. He suggests that while the road ahead may be difficult, there is potential for positive change if the government commits to meaningful reforms. &#8220;Zimbabwe has the opportunity to turn things around,&#8221; Silke states, &#8220;but it will require bold leadership and decisive action.&#8221; Lourenço echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the need for political will and international cooperation to support Zimbabwe&#8217;s recovery efforts.

Zimbabwe Replaces Battered Dollar With New Unit Called ZiG

Can Zimbabwe’s New Gold-Backed Currency Solve Its Economic Woes? Experts Weigh In

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



A total of 322 trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered Gaza on Sunday—the most in a single day since the war began—the Israeli Ministry of Defense confirmed on Sunday, as Israel faces increased scrutiny over its treatment of aid workers that has resulted in over 200 deaths so far.



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



A total of 228 of the trucks that crossed into Gaza on Sunday were carrying food, said the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories in a&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/cogatonline/status/1777030931280167407?s=46&amp;t=XMT4bHReB9TWcV5q_r0pFw" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">statement</a>&nbsp;on social media, the Israeli Ministry of Defense’s department that handles humanitarian aid shipments.



The rapid increase in aid deliveries follows increased scrutiny on the process after&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/caileygleeson/2024/04/02/netanyahu-says-israel-deeply-regrets-strike-that-killed-7-aid-workers-what-we-know-about-victims/?sh=3d7d6d9275fb">seven aid workers</a>&nbsp;with World Conflict Kitchen were killed in Israeli air strikes on Monday.



One of the seven international aid workers was an American citizen, prompting the White House to call for “specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of aid workers.”



Following a tense conversation with President Biden on Thursday, Israel reopened the Erez Crossing, the large border entry between northern Gaza and Israel, and announced it would allow aid shipments to flow through the port of Ashdod.



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



The increased pressure to protect international aid workers comes after the Israeli government apologized for the deaths of the seven World Conflict Kitchen workers on Monday. After an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2024/04/05/idf-fires-senior-officers-after-deadly-strike-on-aid-workers-as-it-blames-mistaken-identification/?sh=7cb8b7f7ae7f">IDF investigation</a>, the Israeli military called the attack a “grave mistake stemming from a serious failure due to a mistaken identification,” and dismissed two senior officers over the strike. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also&nbsp;<a href="https://twitter.com/netanyahu/status/1775214347519660112" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">apologized</a>, adding that “we will do everything in our power to ensure that such tragedies do not occur in the future.” José Andrés, the celebrity chef and founder of World Conflict Kitchen, told&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/week-transcript-4-7-24-chef-jos-andrs/story?id=108949216" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">ABC News’s</a>&nbsp;Martha Raddatz the attack was “unforgivable” and called for Israel to face “a real reckoning on how they conduct war.” Andres thanked Israeli military for releasing the results of the investigation so quickly, but also called for an independent investigation into the attack. “The perpetrator cannot be investigating himself,” Andrés said.



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



More than 220. That’s how many international aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7, according to the most recent&nbsp;<a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/04/1148276" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">U.N. estimates</a>. Speaking on Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an independent investigation into the other deaths. “We want to know why each one of them was killed,”&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/video/2024/apr/05/we-want-to-know-why-un-chief-questions-israel-on-196-aid-workers-killed-in-gaza-video" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Guterres demanded</a>&nbsp;after a meeting of the U.N. Security Council.



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



Although a record number of aid trucks entered Gaza on Sunday, aid shipments have faced other issues making it into the besieged territory during the war. In February, a group of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/02/10/gaza-aid-blockade-protest-kerem-shalom/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">far-right Israeli activists</a>&nbsp;camped out in front of aid convoys attempting to enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom Crossing. Aid shipments have also been threatened by members of Netanyahu’s government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right member of Netanyahu’s coalition,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/2024/02/13/israel-gaza-flour-shipment" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">intervened to block</a>&nbsp;a shipment of flour bound for Gaza from the U.S.

Humanitarian aid trucks at Rafah Border Crossing

Largest Aid Convoy Enters Gaza Since War Began Amid Mounting Pressure On Israel

The number of annual prostate cancer diagnoses is expected to roughly double by 2040, according to a study published Thursday in The Lancet medical journal, with the number of annual deaths attributable to the disease expected to rise by 85% in the same amount of time—an increase driven by lower-income countries.



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



Scientists at the London Institute of Cancer Research predict there will be 2.9 million annual cases of prostate cancer around the world by 2040, more than twice as many as the 1.4 million cases seen in 2020, with the increase expected to be most prominent among men in low- and middle-income countries.



Subsequently, researchers estimate deaths due to the disease will rise to almost 700,000 per year in 2040, up from the 375,000 in 2020.



While prostate cancer deaths have declined in most high-income countries over the last 30 years, mortality rates and the number of cases continue to rise in low- and middle-income countries, particularly those without access to early blood detection screening called PSA testing.



The study suggests that even in high-income countries, men at high risk—like those with family history, those of African descent and those with the BRACA2 gene mutation—be screened for the cancer early using PSA testing and MRI scans.



Researchers warn lifestyle changes and public health interventions will do little to stop the rise in cases as the main risk factors for the disease—being a man over 50 and having a family history of prostate cancer—are unavoidable.



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



“As more and more men around the world live to middle and old age, there will be an inevitable rise in the number of prostate cancer cases,&#8221; lead author Dr. Nick James said in a statement. &#8220;We know this surge in cases is coming, so we need to start planning and take action now.&#8221;



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



Prostate cancer is already responsible for 15% of all male cancers, and is the most common form of cancer in men in more than half of countries around the world, the Lancet study said. It is possible for women to be diagnosed with prostate cancer, but&nbsp;<a href="https://www.baptisthealth.com/blog/womens-care/can-women-have-prostate-cancer#:~:text=Women%20can%20develop%20cancer%20in,0.003%25%20of%20all%20genital%20cancers." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">studies have suggested</a>&nbsp;as few as 0.003% of cases are found in women. There is no cure for metastatic prostate cancer, but many cases&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/prostate-cancer/types-treatment#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20cure%20for,that%20extend%20life%20even%20further." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">are treatable</a>&nbsp;and, if discovered early, it&#8217;s not uncommon for patients to outlive the disease. Those diagnosed within the first three stages are likely to be cancer-free after five years, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/prostate-cancer/prostate-cancer-prognosis#:~:text=High%20Cure%20Rates%20for%20Local,disease%2Dfree%20after%20five%20years." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">John Hopkins Medicine</a>, but there is little that can be medically done for the cancer in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stage-4-prostate-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20377972" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">late stage</a>. Johns Hopkins estimates 80 to 85% of all prostate cancers are found early, but cases found late have an average five-year survival rate of only 28%. Because of the importance of early detection, countries with less access to screenings have a higher rate of prostate cancer and deaths among residents. While prostate cancer rates are highest in countries including Ireland, Sweden and France, deaths rates from the disease are highest in the lower-income and predominantly Black nations of Zimbabwe, Barbados, Haiti and Zambia, according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wcrf.org/cancer-trends/prostate-cancer-statistics/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">World Cancer Research Fund</a>. Most prostate cancer research, however, is done on white men, the Lancet study reports, while also placing an emphasis on the need for more research involving patients of different ethnicities, especially those of West African descent.



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



A number of high-profile celebrities have publicly shared their journeys with prostate cancer. British actor&nbsp;<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/12/12/ian-mckellen-diagnosed-with-early-stage-prostate-cancer-years-ago#:~:text=Doctors%20diagnosed%20Sir%20Ian%20McKellen,%2C%22%20according%20to%20the%20site." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Sir Ian McKellen</a>, now 84, said he was given an early stage prostate cancer diagnosis in 2005 or 2006.&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=101017&amp;page=1" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Robert De Niro</a>, now 80, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003 at age 60 and went on to make a full recovery. Other public figures who&#8217;ve shared their diagnosis include former Secretary of State&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/12/us/kerry-to-undergo-surgery-for-prostate-cancer-today.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">John Kerry,</a>&nbsp;former New York City Mayor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2000/09/15/nyregion/giuliani-undergoes-implant-to-treat-his-prostate-cancer.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Rudy Giuliani</a>, actor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nola.com/entertainment_life/yourbestlife/cancer_and_you/comedian-and-actor-ben-stiller-brought-attention-to-early-screening-for-prostate-cancer/article_10b7ed1c-5fb1-11ee-b555-7fdb3fd50b39.html#:~:text=His%20doctor%20ordered%20a%20follow,to%20have%20this%20test%20done." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Ben Stiller</a>&nbsp;and billionaire&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2012/09/14/warren-buffett-completes-prostate-cancer-treatments.html#:~:text=In%20April%2C%20he%20announced%20that,debilitating%20in%20any%20meaningful%20way.%22" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Warren Buffet</a>. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that King Charles of England does not have prostate cancer, but has not shared what type of cancer he&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2024/02/05/king-charles-diagnosed-with-cancer-after-hospital-stay/">was diagnosed with</a>&nbsp;earlier this year. The health discovery came after the monarch was treated for an enlarged prostate. His daughter-in-law and the future Queen,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/03/22/kate-middleton-cancer-diagnosis-prince-william-rose-hanbury-denies-rumors/">Kate Middleton</a>, also shared she has been diagnosed with cancer, but did not specify a type.

Radiologist consoling a senior patient at MRI scan.

Worldwide Prostate Cancer Cases Will Double By 2040, New Study Predicts—Here’s Why

Leading the way in youth empowerment and change is Zuriel Oduwole. She shares the story of her humble beginnings and the lessons since.



Over a decade ago, at 10 years old, Zuriel Oduwole already proved to the world that age is just a number. That statement still rings true for the 21-year-old who calls herself a filmmaker, global education advocate, presidential advisor, and peace envoy.&nbsp;



“Actually, everything that I&#8217;ve done now, it started with filmmaking,” Oduwole says to FORBES AFRICA, after leaving the stage following her panel discussion at the 2024 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Leading Women Summit on March 8 in Johannesburg.&nbsp;&nbsp;



She reveals more about a competition she took part in when she was nine, to create a documentary focusing on the “revolutionaries in history”. While all her peers focused on the American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, and various European ones, Oduwole opted for something different.&nbsp;



“I&#8217;ve always wanted to be different; I don&#8217;t want to follow the mold,” she says.



Oduwole, born to parents who are from Nigeria and Mauritius, decided to focus on Ghana, which resulted in her flying to the West African country from her home in Los Angeles in the United States. While collecting all the necessary footage for her documentary, it bothered her that children, particularly girls, were out on the streets during school hours.



“I found out that it’s a big challenge – girls are out of school, not just in Ghana but across the African continent. That’s how my film started. But from that, after seeing what was happening on the ground, I went back home and thought about what I wanted to do; to try and do my small part; to try to make a difference.”&nbsp;



Since then, she has sat down with over 30 world leaders to address global social development and education challenges that children and teenagers face, from former Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to billionaire Aliko Dangote. Oduwole says she has also spoken to around 52,730 youth in over 21 countries.&nbsp;



“When I sit down with all these presidents and prime ministers, first of all, it’s such an honor,” says the 2024 FORBES WOMAN AFRICA Young Achiever Awardee.



“But the biggest thing I try to do is to show myself as an example of what girls in their country can do. The biggest thing I try to talk about is education and how there are not enough girls in schools… I try to show myself as an example through excellence.”



According to a 2024 Statista report which explores the out-of-school population among primary school children, between 2000 and 2018, over the past two decades, there has been a decrease globally in the number of girls of primary school age who are out of school.



However, the progress in reducing the number of out-of-school children has generally “stagnated since 2007” and there is still a higher number of girls than boys who are not in primary school, worldwide, today.



Furthermore, sub-Saharan Africa has the highest out-of-school population in the world – 22% of girls and 17% of boys from this region are not in primary school.&nbsp;



“As of 2022, 22.3% of female and 25.9% of male South African learners aged seven to 18 stated that poor academic performance was the main reason for dropping out and not attending educational institutions. The rate of learners not attending educational institutions due to family commitments was significantly higher among females at 12.1% than among males at 0.2%,” the report read.&nbsp;



“Whenever I go and meet with these heads of state or am asked to speak at schools and speak on platforms, it’s not intimidation I feel, it&#8217;s a sense of responsibility,” Oduwole adds.



The change that she would like to see, is the way women are viewed. Oduwole would also like for young people to seize every opportunity and dare to dream.&nbsp;



“…If your dreams don&#8217;t scare you, then they&#8217;re not big enough. And so, as youth, we have the whole world at our fingertips. We need to dream big dreams,” Oduwole says.



“I have a different take about what we are about, as women. First of all, we have to decide if we are objects or subjects… I say that because I don’t think women came together and decided to dress in a certain way and show off half their bodies in front of the cameras, just so a group of four to five people could tell us who the most beautiful is. I think we need to decide that we are subjects of excellence as opposed to objects to be defined by others.”

DSC04653 (1)

‘We Are Subjects Of Excellence’: 21-Year-Old Pan-African Activist Who Has Met With 30 World Leaders

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



Global life expectancy rose by 6.2 years between 1990 and 2021, driven by reductions in deaths from diarrhea, lower respiratory infections, stroke and ischemic heart disease—but the world faced significant setbacks due to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(24)00367-2/fulltext" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">new study</a>&nbsp;by the Lancet.



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



The leading causes of death worldwide remained consistent from 1990 to 2019—with ischemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lower respiratory infections topping the list—with global life expectancy improving in that time period thanks in part to annual reductions in deaths from all causes ranging from .9% to 2.4%.



The Covid-19 pandemic hampered progress, with pandemic-related mortality causing a net reduction in life expectancy of 1.6 years between 2019 and 2021 and Covid-19 becoming the second-leading cause of death—the first major shakeup of the rankings in decades.



Changes in life expectancy varied significantly by region, the study found—the so-called super-region consisting of Southeast Asia, East Asia and Oceania saw the greatest net gain in life expectancy from 1990 and 2021, rising by 8.3 years due to big drops in mortality from chronic respiratory diseases, stroke, lower respiratory infections and cancer, with “strong management” of the pandemic curbing life expectancy losses due to Covid-19 to just .4 years between 2019 and 2021.



Reductions in deaths from enteric diseases—which include diarrhea and typhoid—significantly contributed to improvements in life expectancy, estimated to contribute an overall increase of 1.1 years globally.



Control of mortality due to diarrheal disease contributed to significant gains in life expectancy in the super region of South Asia, which had the second-highest increase among super regions in life expectancy with 7.8 years, and in Eastern sub-Saharan Africa, which had the highest increase in life expectancy of any local region with 10.7 years.



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



“On one hand, we see countries’ monumental achievements in preventing deaths from diarrhea and stroke,” said Dr. Liane Ong of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluations, one of the authors of the study, in a statement. “At the same time, we see how much the Covid-19 pandemic has set us back.”



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



31.5%. That’s how much the age-standardized mortality rate for ischemic heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide, dropped between 1990 and 2021. The rate in 2021 was 108.7, with Covid-19 the second-leading cause of death at 94.0.



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



The largest decline in life expectancy due to Covid-19 was in Latin America and the Caribbean, where it caused a 3.6-year reduction.



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



The study is the first of its kind to compare deaths from Covid-19 to other leading causes of death, according to the authors. It notes Covid-19 may have had indirect effects on mortality rates as well, with physical distancing measures affecting mortality for other diseases, and deferred care-seeking leading to pandemic-related deaths not attributable directly to Covid-19. Another <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/03/12/covid-lowered-global-life-expectancy-more-than-previously-thought-new-study-suggests/?sh=17845fa6576b">study</a> published by the Lancet earlier this month previously found the global life expectancy dropped by 1.6 years due to the pandemic, with the United States seeing the highest excess mortality rate when compared to similar high-wealth nations.<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesfarrell/"></a>

Researcher working in a biochemist laboratory

Global Life Expectancy Increased Between 1990 And 2021, But Pandemic Stalled Progress

A record year for ten-figure wealth has left the billionaire class bigger and richer than ever.



What a year it’s been for the planet’s billionaires, whose fortunes continue to swell as global stock markets shrug off war, political unrest and lingering inflation. There are now more billionaires than ever: 2,781 in all, 141 more than last year and 26 more than the record set in 2021. They’re richer than ever, worth $14.2 trillion in aggregate, up by $2 trillion from 2023 and $1.1 trillion above the previous record, also set in 2021. 



Two-thirds of the list’s members are worth more than a year ago; only one fourth are poorer. Much of the gains come from the top 20, who added a combined $700 billion in wealth since 2023, and from the U.S., which now boasts a record 813 billionaires worth a combined $5.7 trillion. China remains second, with 473 (including Hong Kong) worth $1.7 trillion, despite weak consumer spending and a real estate bust that helped wipe out some $300 billion in wealth. India, which has 200 billionaires (also a record), ranks third. 



To calculate net worths, we used stock prices and exchange rates from March 8, 2024. See below for the full list of the world’s billionaires and our methodology. For daily updated net worths of all 2,781 billionaires, check out our&nbsp;<a href="http://forbes.com/real-time-billionaires/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">real-time billionaires rankings</a>.

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FORBES WORLD’S BILLIONAIRES LIST: The Richest in 2024

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OVER 30 UNDER 50: Formidable And Forging Ahead

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



Microsoft will split up its workplace messaging and video calls app Teams from its Office platform globally, the company told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-separate-teams-office-globally-amid-antitrust-scrutiny-2024-04-01/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Reuters</a>&nbsp;early on Monday, mirroring a move it undertook in the European Union last year as it attempts to avoid being penalized by the bloc’s antitrust regulators.



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



In August last year, Microsoft announced it would unbundle Teams from its Microsoft 365 subscription—which includes its Office suite of productivity software like Word, Excel and PowerPoint—in the EU and offer the messaging service as a standalone subscription.



The tech giant&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-separate-teams-office-globally-amid-antitrust-scrutiny-2024-04-01/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">told</a>&nbsp;Reuters Monday it will enact the change for all its customers worldwide “to ensure clarity,” and businesses can now choose slightly cheaper Microsoft 365 plans without Teams.



The company said its decision was based on feedback from the European Commission to help global companies “standardize their purchasing across geographies.”



Forbes has reached out to Microsoft for a comment.



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



The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm,&nbsp;<a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_3991" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">opened</a>&nbsp;an antitrust investigation into Microsoft in July last year. The commission said the investigation intended to assess whether the company “breached EU competition rules by tying or bundling its communication and collaboration product Teams to its popular suites for businesses Office 365 and Microsoft 365.” The executive body expressed concerns about Microsoft “abusing” the market dominance of its Office productivity software to restrict competition for “communication and collaboration products.” The investigation followed a complaint filed against Microsoft and Teams by its rival messaging platform Slack. Microsoft&nbsp;<a href="https://blogs.microsoft.com/eupolicy/2023/08/31/european-competition-teams-office-microsoft-365/#:~:text=First%2C%20beginning%20October%201%2C%202023,or%20%E2%82%AC24%20per%20year)." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">responded</a>&nbsp;by unbundling Teams from its office productivity suite for EU customers in August. At the time, the company said it was taking “meaningful steps” to address the commission’s concerns and had gained clarity “from extensive and constructive discussions” with the executive body.



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



It is unclear if Microsoft’s latest actions are enough to fend off an antitrust fine from the EU. The commission had particularly expressed concern that Microsoft was giving Teams a “distribution advantage” over rivals by “not giving customers the choice” on whether they want to include Teams in their Office subscription. The unbundling will likely assuage that issue, but the commission had also raised a red flag about Microsoft possibly limiting “interoperability between its productivity suites” and rival messaging apps. If the investigators are unsatisfied with the remedies and find Microsoft guilty of antitrust breaches, the company could face fines as high as 10% of its global annual turnover.



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



$2.37 billion (€2.2 billion). That is the quantum of antitrust fines Microsoft has faced in the European Union in the past decade, the Reuters report added.



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



<a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/microsoft-separate-teams-office-globally-amid-antitrust-scrutiny-2024-04-01/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Microsoft to separate Teams and Office globally amid antitrust scrutiny</a> (Reuters)

Microsoft Services Down For Tens Of Thousands Around World

Microsoft Unbundles Teams From Office Suite In A Bid To Address Antitrust Probe

Five years ago, I couldn’t imagine asking boards and business leaders whether robots would one day run their companies.



However, the massive increase in awareness of the potential of large language models is forcing executives to explore how to use robots and artificial intelligence in day-to-day decision-making.



In fact, the rise of executive robots has already started.



For example, in May 2023, Forbes reported that Dictador, a progressive premium brand rum distiller, had appointed an AI CEO called Mika.



It is gimmicky for sure, as humans are still very much controlling her AI strings, but as Mika reportedly said in an interview with Reuters, “My decision-making process relies on extensive data analysis and aligning with the company’s strategic objectives.” She went on to explain how she was devoid of personal bias, which helps ensure that strategic choices are prioritized in line with the organization’s best interests, not hers.



This sounds amazing. So, is Mika the forerunner of the mass adoption of AI for corporate governance and leadership roles?



For once, the likely answer is yes, absolutely.



For starters, the demand for a solution like this is apparent.



Humans regularly make bad decisions, and more often than not, this leads to someone losing a lot of money.



Why, for example, did OpenAI’s board sack Sam Altmann (before he returned as CEO in November last year)?



What led Elon Musk to rebrand Twitter to X?



And why didn’t Silicon Valley Bank diversify its risk away from startups?



Decisions like these wipe out trillions of dollars of value every single year. And these three examples are just the tip of the iceberg.



Further, those impacted aren’t just the super-wealthy. Often, it’s the poorest who see their life savings and pensions hit hardest.



All of which means there is a huge interest from everyone, from governments to investors, to find ways to improve decision- making and corporate governance.



We already spend billions of dollars for consultants and business schools to develop leaders and models to help companies maximize profits while minimizing risks.



But these billions will quickly switch to AI alternatives if there is even the smallest of probabilities that technology will help improve a stock’s potential returns.



So, the demand is there.



But how long will we have to wait for the likes of the already hugely-impressive ChatGPT to offer intelligence that can not only answer questions in narrow fields but actually analyze data from multiple sources, draw inferences, consider interdependencies, develop execution plans, draw up funding requirements, consider resource allocations, raise funding and build support along with all the other tasks and activities that are required in any modern-day business?



Mustafa Suleyman, founder of DeepMind and Inflection.AI, explores this question in his recent bestseller, The Coming Wave.



Specifically, he asks how long it will be before machines answer and act on prompts such as “Please design and execute a strategy that will allow me to make $1mill on Amazon in as few months as possible with just $100K of investment.”



His conclusion? “Aside from the legal requirements of registering as a business on the marketplace and getting a bank account, all of this seems to me eminently doable. I think it will be done within the next year and probably fully autonomously within three to five.”



When an industry insider as respected as Suleyman makes a comment like this, we should sit up and listen.



And it makes absolute sense when you consider that a potent combination of factors is driving development in AI. Breakthroughs in machine learning algorithms, dramatic increases in computing power, the abundance of extensive data sets, advancements in cloud computing, enhanced global connectivity, escalating demand across industries and the democratization of access through open-source initiatives are just some of the factors propelling it at exponential rates.



And, of course, the biggest factor of all is perhaps the simple fact that we are now using AI to build AI, as more and more code is being written by machines, not developers. So perhaps the real question isn’t whether or even when robots will run companies. Shareholders and boards might do better considering what types of leaders they need to employ to manage the transition from human to augmented to algorithmic leadership. This is not an easy question to answer. There is no template for designing leadership systems for robots. Perhaps ChatGPT has the answer?

Robot working at desk, 3D Rendering

Expert-Speak: Will Robots Run Companies?

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Collaborative Crescendo: Nigeria’s Musicians Riding The Digital Wave

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



Altimmune’s experimental weight loss drug pemvidutide minimized the loss of muscle mass while losing weight, mimicking the effects of diet and exercise, according to the results of a small trial by the company, amid efforts by biotech firms to study how increasingly popular weight-loss drugs can maintain muscle mass.



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



In a mid-stage trial of pemvidutide, 74.5% of weight loss among 391 participants came from fat tissue while only 25.5% came from lean mass, results that are comparable to the effects “historically associated with diet and exercise,” Altimmune&nbsp;<a href="https://ir.altimmune.com/news-releases/news-release-details/altimmune-announces-positive-lean-mass-preservation-data" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;Wednesday.



The drug pemvidutide combines the GLP-1 hormone—a key ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy—with the hormone glucagon, a pairing the company is also testing to treat a common form of liver disease called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, or MASH.



Over 30% of participants using a 2.4-milligram dose of pemvidutide achieved a 20% weight loss through a 48-week trial of the drug, Altimmune&nbsp;<a href="https://ir.altimmune.com/news-releases/news-release-details/altimmune-announces-positive-topline-results-momentum-48-week" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;in November.



The Food and Drug Administration announced last year it would fast-track its evaluation of pemvidutide for treating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, or NASH, a severe form of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, after more than half of the 190 participants in a&nbsp;<a href="https://altimmune.com/pemvidutide/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">trial</a>&nbsp;had their liver fat content reduced to a normal level after 12 weeks.



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



Other popular weight-loss drugs have been studied for their ability to maintain muscle mass while helping patients lose weight. During a 68-week&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa2032183/suppl_file/nejmoa2032183_appendix.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">trial</a>&nbsp;of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, over 1,300 participants using the drug lost an average of nearly 15 pounds of lean muscle and 23 pounds of fat. BioAge Labs&nbsp;<a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231026896677/en/BioAge-Labs-Announces-Plans-for-Phase-2-Trial-of-First-in-Class-Apelin-Receptor-Agonist-BGE-105Azelaprag-Co-Administered-With-Tirzepatide-for-Treatment-of-Obesity-in-Collaboration-With-Lilly%E2%80%99s-Chorus-Organization" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;last year it would be testing its muscle loss drug azelaprag with Mounjaro to treat obesity, after an early trial indicated azelaprag could help prevent muscle atrophy.



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



Additional data from Altimmune’s mid-stage trial will be presented at an unspecified upcoming event, the company said. Results from a study involving pemvidutide’s treatment of MASH are expected in the first quarter of 2025.

Hand of an elderly woman pouring a small assortment of pills onto the palm of her hand

What To Know About Pemvidutide—Altimmune Says Weight Loss Drug Minimized Muscle Mass Loss In Trial

Story curated by Chanel Retief and Nicole Pillay Art Direction: Lucy Nkosi Photography: Katlego Mokubyane ; Assistant: Sbusiso Sigidi Styling: Deneal Van Wyk; Outfits supplied by Fashimo Styles Studio, Ukara, Suited For Her and Preview Accessories Hair &amp; Makeup:Vanessa Unamaca, MakoleMade Location: NewKatz.Studio, Johannesburg



If you ever find yourself with an internationally-acclaimed chef, just know that he or she will joke that they would like for you to first taste their food before adding salt. And then want you to know that this craft is an art and science come to life. 



As a food and nutrition scientist, chef Siba Mtongana is no different. She gained global recognition when her show Siba’s Table first aired on Food Network, capturing the essence of South African cuisine. Reportedly, more than 150 countries and 60 million homes in the US tune into Cooking Channel alone to watch her whip up her culinary specialties, proving how hungry the world is for African cuisine.



Q. How did your journey in the culinary world begin, and what inspired you?



A. My journey started when I was a very young girl in my mother&#8217;s kitchen, where I was so mesmerized by how my mother could turn simple ingredients into the most amazing dishes. She had a garden that my dad tended for her. My life was an interaction from the garden to the kitchen, which was really beautiful. I decided, against my parents’ wishes, to become a chef. At the time, there weren&#8217;t many people who were successful; I&#8217;m going to say specifically African black people who were successful in the food industry, especially as chefs. Therefore, my parents were very skeptical… but I do believe that I&#8217;ve created a template – because [of] my cooking show on Food Network, where I can say specifically to Africans, this is actually a career path you can take. I think my contribution to the food industry and culinary world was that I made it more relatable and easy for people to follow in my footsteps.



Q. Can you talk to us about a big career milestone?



A. I have been blessed with many career milestones but one comes to mind… I opened my first restaurant during Covid-19. SIBA–The Restaurant is a fine dining restaurant in Cape Town (at the Victoria &amp; Alfred Waterfront) and is doing incredibly well. Last year alone, we won about 10 awards, locally and internationally. I often think to myself, should I not have done it at that time, would I have had the trajectory that I am on now? Maybe not, because the story might not have been as strong but you really have to have that inner gut feel and follow it.

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Over 30 Under 50: ‘I’ve created a template for young people’/ Siba Mtongana

SA20 Commissioner and former South African cricketer Graeme Smith on the ambition to create the biggest league outside of India, and why putting on a show off the pitch is as important to attract a new audience.



South Africa has the potential to create the biggest Twenty20 domestic competition outside of the Indian Premier League (IPL), says a confident SA20 Commissioner Graeme Smith, who also has an eye on shaking up the local entertainment industry.



Former South Africa opening batter Smith, the most successful captain in Test history, is leading what he believes will be a cricket revolution in the country to attract a new generation of fans to the game.



He helped to launch the six-team SA20 (a Twenty20 franchise cricket tournament in South Africa) in 2023 having had only three months to pull together the competition, and while there were some grumbles around the scheduling, the cricket itself was top draw and spectators responded by packing out venues.



The six franchises share owners – and in some instances players – with the teams in the IPL, and this has opened up the massive, lucrative Indian market, which has a seemingly insatiable appetite for the game.



A 10-year deal with Indian broadcaster Viacom18 worth $10 million (R190 million) a season is in place, and including other sponsors, there is already $400 million (R7.5 billion) in committed income over the next decade. That is likely to grow substantially too.



“Closing our broadcasters was important. If we have ambitions to be the biggest league outside of India, to have the SA20 beamed into homes all around the world is crucial to that,” Smith tells FORBES AFRICA.



“Last year we built this product in three months, it was a mad rush. So since then, we have focussed on



where we can improve the fan experience and making sure we are consistent and delivering at the same level. “When I look at the teams, I think we have delivered across the board. They look stronger and the balance is better with incredible international talent and good rookie players. Making sure the cricket gets better and better will always be the core.”



The Mumbai Indians Cape Town, Durban Super Giants and Sunrisers Eastern Cape may seem like odd names to many for a South African domestic league, but Smith admits that tapping into the expertise of IPL franchises has been crucial to the fast development of SA20.



“It’s very difficult to compete with the IPL, I don’t think it’s even possible. But certainly, outside India, we have the opportunity to put this competition on the map with players and fans around the world in the months of January and February,” Smith says.



“Traveling overseas and talking to people, the two things that came out (from year one) were the quality of the cricket in SA20, but also the vibrancy of the people in the stadiums and how that looked on TV.”



Smith concedes that in this day and age, putting on a show off the pitch is as important as what fans see on it.



“Our other big ambition is to be the number one sports entertainment brand in South Africa. We invest heavily in music (at the venues), the look and feel of the stadiums, the activations at games and through the big screens.



“We want something for everyone and for people to come to the stadium for a number of reasons (not just the cricket).&#8221;



Figures supplied by SA20 suggest the inaugural year contributed R4.1 billion ($216.5 million) to South Africa’s Gross Domestic Product and was played in front of 380,000 spectators, but the impact on the game of cricket in the country, which has perhaps stagnated in recent years, is potentially equally huge.



“We’ve been open about our ambition to revive the cricket fan in South Africa. It’s been a tough few years,” Smith says. “I think we managed to do that last year, but we also want to attract a new audience to the game and introduce cricket to them at a level where they can come and love the opportunity to be a part of something big.”



Smith says there is an aspirational element to the league. Getting youngsters to play the game is proving ever more challenging around the world and South Africa is no different. Leagues like the SA20 provide a lucrative career opportunity beyond the love of the game.



“It is important for youngsters to see that there is not only the dream of playing for the national team one day, but that there is a domestic competition of serious value, and a career can be built on it,” he says.



“There were a number of players that were picked up from season one (of SA20) and got IPL contracts as well. There is a proper career for youngsters coming through.”



More kids playing the game and a better standard of competition should also have a positive influence on the potential of the national team to compete in World Cups.



“We saw the IPL benefit Indian cricket hugely, the amount of talent they now have at their disposal is enormous,” Smith says.



“We want to be exposing South Africa’s top 70 or 75 players every season to the pressure of playing in front of huge crowds with an international broadcast, playing against the best players in the world and being exposed to some of the best coaches.”



The cricket world has changed dramatically since the introduction of T20 cricket in the early 2000s, the shorter, action-packed format more appealing for fans and broadcasters.



So where does that leave the purest form of the game, Test cricket, once very much the elite level for players, but now an after-thought for many fans?



“I still believe Test cricket has a place and will be strong,” Smith says. “It’s never going to be a 20-nation format, it’s going to be maybe your top six or seven nations in the world competing against each other.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="15" height="14" src="">“But T20 cricket offers so much growth from an entertainment perspective and to bring new audiences into the game. That is why it is so important

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