20Nov/25

Antibiotics: Falling Prices, Rising Costs, and Shortages in Europe

Medicine, , , , , , , , , ,

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

20Nov/25

UK Corporate Digital Communication: AI Responsibility and Transparency Gaps

Business, , , , , , , ,

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

19Nov/25

NYSE International Day: Global Business Gathering

Finance, , , , , ,

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

19Nov/25

Regenerative School Meals: Climate Resilience and Global Reach

Reasearch, , , , , , , , ,

A new research from Stanford University and The Rockefeller Foundation presented at COP30 focuses on the impact of regenerative school meals and climate-resilient food systems globally. Specifically, the analysis finds that shifting school feeding programs to regeneratively sourced staples could, at the same existing cost, feed approximately eight million more children annually across several regions. The research explains that school meal programmes are a massive social safety net, and by leveraging their procurement power for locally-grown and climate-resilient crops, countries can strengthen local economies and build greater system resilience against climate shocks. This research underscores the significant economic and societal returns of investing in sustainable school meals, highlighting a “triple opportunity” to protect nutrition, support agriculture, and reinforce local food systems. Continue reading

19Nov/25

The $6.8 Trillion Global Wellness Economy Forecast to Grow

Health

The report Global Wellness Economy Monitor 2025 released by the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) focuses entirely on the massive and accelerating growth of the worldwide wellness market. The research reveals that the global wellness economy has reached a record $6.8 trillion and is forecast to hit $9.8 trillion by 2029, indicating strong expansion beyond “pandemic recovery mode.” Key growth sectors driving this expansion are wellness real estate and mental wellness, which have shown explosive annual growth rates since 2019. The report emphasises that the wellness economy is now a massive economic force, surpassing several other major global industries like sports and tourism, and provides detailed regional and sector-specific data and future projections through 2029. Continue reading

Google Workspace for Education Editions and Add-ons

Technology, , , , , , ,

Nov. 19, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ — Google Workspace for Education offers a tiered structure of services for educational institutions. It details three primary editions—Education Fundamentals, Education Standard, and the recommended Education Plus—each providing increasingly comprehensive features in areas like security, administration, and learning tools, with the latter two involving per-user fees. Furthermore, there are several optional, paid add-ons designed to supplement the core packages, focusing on functionalities such as advanced teaching and learning tools, endpoint device management, and additional data storage. These add-ons include premium artificial intelligence capabilities, specifically through Gemini Education, offering tailored enhancements for specific institutional requirements. Overall, Google Workspace for Education provides the flexible options available to meet diverse educational technology needs. Continue reading →

19Nov/25

Workday Expands Ecosystem with Google BigQuery and Developer Network

Business, , , , ,

Workday is expanding its open ecosystem through two key initiatives: the introduction of a new global developer network aimed at training future AI talent via certifications and hands-on experience, and a strategic partnership with Google BigQuery to offer customers secure, zero-copy access to Workday HR and finance data for advanced AI-powered insights. Furthermore, the company highlights its planned acquisition of Pipedream, an integration platform, which will enhance Workday’s AI agent capabilities by securely connecting its data with thousands of external systems. Interspersed within the document are unrelated website navigational elements and advertisements for items such as children’s beds and business broadband. Continue reading

18Nov/25

J.P. Morgan 2026 Investment Outlook: AI, Fragmentation, Inflation

Finance, , ,

J.P. Morgan Private Bank published their 2026 Global Investment Outlook, titled “Promise and Pressure.” This outlook focuses on three key themes shaping investment opportunities: the Age of AI, which offers productivity gains but carries market risks; Fragmentation, referring to geopolitical shifts creating new regional investment dynamics; and persistent Inflation, driven by structural factors requiring portfolio stability beyond traditional bonds. The release features commentary from J.P. Morgan investment strategists providing region-specific insights for Europe, Latin America, and Asia, and details how Artificial Intelligence investment is accelerating rapidly. Continue reading

18Nov/25

Global Progress on Tobacco Plain Packaging and Warnings

Healthcare, , , , , , , , , , ,

The Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) released a statement on November 18, 2025, concerning the global advancements in tobacco control measures. Specifically, the report details increasing international adoption of plain packaging for cigarettes and the required use of large, graphic picture health warnings. The CCS report, Cigarette Package Health Warnings: International Status Report, ranks countries based on warning size and notes that more countries are moving forward with these public health measures, including innovative requirements for warnings to be printed directly on individual cigarettes in countries like Canada and Australia.  The core focus is the worldwide progress in mandated cigarette packaging regulations. Continue reading

17Nov/25

The Global Rise of Gen Z Political Protests

Politics, , , , , , , , , , ,

Nov. 17, 2025 /Mpelembe Media/ —   There is an unprecedented global surge of Gen Z-led protests across multiple countries. Youth participation in political change is not new, the recent wave of these movements are interconnected and enabled by technology. The key commonalities among these countries experiencing these protests: they generally possess relatively high political rights but suffer from deficits in prosperity metrics such as income, health, or education, coupled with significantly high youth populations. The article concludes by discussing the mixed outcomes of these protests, which have led to full regime change in countries like Nepal and Madagascar. Is it possibie to predict where future youth uprisings might occur based on these shared characteristics? Continue reading →