Nov. 21, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — Africa, particularly the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions, features prominently in the report’s analysis of global instability and conflict, often ranking among the world’s least peaceful and most conflict-affected areas.
The overall trend shows a continuous decline in peacefulness for both regions, marked by severe conflicts, rising geopolitical competition, and acute economic stressors. Continue reading
Nov. 18, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — The report offers an extensive analysis of the current state of global peace, highlighting a deterioration in peacefulness for the sixth consecutive year, driven primarily by increases in Ongoing Conflict and Militarisation. It details rising geopolitical fragmentation, an increase in the number of internationalised conflicts, and a major jump in global military spending to a record $2.7 trillion in 2024. The report also examines the economic impact of violence, noting it reached $19.97 trillion and that developing countries are heavily burdened by debt, often spending more on servicing it than on public services, leading to increased domestic conflict risk in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Finally, the analysis identifies nine key factors that escalate conflict intensity and uses case studies—such as the Tigray War and the Kashmir conflict—to illustrate the risks of future large-scale violence. Continue reading
S&P Global announced the publication of its “Look Forward: Unlocking Africa” report, which examines the continent’s economic potential. The report highlights how key factors like renewable energy, sustainable finance, capital market development, and infrastructure investment are shaping Africa’s future economic outlook. S&P Global emphasises Africa’s natural resources and young population as catalysts for global growth, while also detailing persistent challenges such as financing gaps and regulatory hurdles. The publication is timed to coincide with the inaugural S&P Global Africa Summit 2025 in Johannesburg, which focuses on advancing Africa’s development through robust financial markets. The overall message stresses the need for sustained global collaboration and innovative policy support to accelerate long-term sustainable development across the continent. Continue reading
A new report by the GSMA indicates that 6G will require up to three times the current mid-band spectrum to handle surging demand for data and advanced AI-powered services by 2040. The report stresses that governments and regulators must make near-term decisions on spectrum allocation ahead of the crucial WRC-27 conference to avoid future bottlenecks and ensure robust connectivity. Failure to plan now risks slower speeds, congestion, and lost economic opportunity in the next decade, with the study forecasting over 5 billion 6G connections globally by 2040. Continue reading
The Bitwise XRP ETF (Ticker: XRP) on the NYSE is scheduled to begin trading on November 20, 2025. This fund is designed to offer investors exposure to XRP, the third-largest crypto asset, which powers the XRP Ledger and aims to modernise cross-border payments. The announcement, from global crypto asset manager Bitwise, highlights XRP’s 13-year track record and its potential to disrupt a projected $250 trillion market. Crucially, the document also includes extensive risk disclosures, noting that the fund is subject to high volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Continue reading
GODIVA Chocolatier announced their reimagined Holiday Collection and refreshed brand identity as they approach their centennial celebration in 2026. This announcement, titled “The Most Chocolatey Time of the Year,” details the new offerings, including limited-edition yule log-inspired confections like Pistachio Wonder and Velvet Pecan Night. Furthermore, the actress and singer Leighton Meester is returning to portray the spirit of Lady Godiva for the holiday campaign, which will be featured across various platforms, including a Times Square billboard. The release also includes background information on GODIVA’s ownership under pladis, a subsidiary of Yildiz Uluslararasi Gida Yatirimlari AS. Continue reading
Dreame is expanding from smart household appliances into the television market with the introduction of its new Mini LED TV series. Dreame TV, developed under Shenzhen Televi Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., is entering the global stage after exhibitions at events like IFA and the Canton Fair, with a planned showing at CES 2026. Key features highlighted include the V3000 and S100 models, which boast advanced Aura Mini LED display technology, high brightness levels, QLED+ colour support, and integrated, high-performance Dolby Atmos soundbars. These new products signify Dreame’s strategic move to create an integrated smart home ecosystem focused on superior audiovisual experiences. Continue reading
Findings from a European study highlights the critical economic challenges facing the production of essential off-patent antibiotics, particularly in the context of rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Viatris and Medicines for Europe sponsored the independent study, which revealed that between 2020 and 2024, the average price of top-selling off-patent antibiotics dropped by over 10%, while industrial costs such as energy, labour, and overall production surged significantly. This unsustainable dynamic has led to antibiotic shortages and market withdrawals, ultimately threatening patient access across Europe. The organisations urgently call for policy reform, including price indexation, minimum price policies, and procurement changes, to secure the economic viability and long-term availability of these vital medicines and combat the growing threat of AMR. Continue reading
A Webranking survey by Comprend assessment details how well the corporate websites of the UK’s largest listed companies meet stakeholder expectations for digital communication and transparency. A major finding is that while UK companies are strong in digital accessibility (with 75% publishing an accessibility statement), they significantly lag in responsible AI disclosure, as only 10% provide a policy or framework for ethical AI use, falling slightly behind the European average. The report notes a “clear gap” between merely discussing AI and demonstrating responsible governance, though sustainability communication is also expanding in scope. Overall, UK companies achieved an average score of 46.4 out of 100 in the ranking, with Coca-Cola HBC being the top scorer, demonstrating consistent strength in financial transparency and cohesive storytelling. The survey underscores the growing pressure on businesses to communicate clearly on complex topics like AI governance and sustainability amid evolving regulatory frameworks. Continue reading
The New York Stock Exchange’s (NYSE) second annual International Day event held at 11 Wall Street, hosted over 230 guests from 27 countries, including top investors, C-suite leaders, and the NYSE’s listed community. The event featured extensive programming on topics such as fintech and scaling beyond borders, with notable attendees including NBA legend Yao Ming and CNBC’s Jim Cramer. Several international companies, such as the apparel manufacturer Epic Group, AI-driven solutions provider IFS, and “phygital” company Smobler, were highlighted for discussing their growth and potential for listing on the exchange. The closing bell ceremony and social activities assert the NYSE’s strength in attracting international listings. Continue reading