insert_link Business / Economics 30 August 2024 Morning Biz News: Letshego Namibia Upgraded, South Africa Inflation Falls, Global Shares Rise, and Major Entertainment Merger Approved GCR Ratings Upgrades Letshego Namibia's Long-Term Issuer Ratings GCR Ratings has upgraded Letshego Namibia’s long-term issuer ratings to A+(NA), citing the successful listing of a N$322 million social bond on the Namibian Stock Exchange. According to The Brief, the bond proceeds will bolster financial inclusion in crucial sectors such as housing, healthcare, and education. The outlook for Letshego Namibia is now Stable. South Africa's Producer Inflation Declines South Africa's producer […] todayAugust 30, 2024 23
insert_link Africa Nigeria and Niger Strengthen Security Ties Despite Ongoing Tensions Nigeria and Niger have signed a new agreement to enhance their security cooperation, the Nigerian military announced on Thursday reports Reuters. The deal, formalized through a memorandum of understanding by the defense chiefs in Niamey, aims to reinforce collaboration and promote regional stability, despite ongoing tensions following last year's coup in Niger. todayAugust 30, 2024 3
insert_link World Israel and Hamas agrees to humanitarian pauses for polio vaccination drive The United Nations says an agreement has been reached for limited pauses in fighting to allow for the polio vaccination drive to take place in Gaza. The Israeli military and Hamas have agreed to three-day pauses as hundreds of children need to receive the vaccine after a baby contracted the first confirmed polio case in 25 years in the Palestinian territory. Jody Jacobs reports for us from the United Nations. […] todayAugust 30, 2024 9
insert_link Health / Medical Health Ministry Updates On Results for Three Potential Mpox Cases This week, the Health Ministry announced that 18 patients across Namibia's public and private health facilities have been tested for Mpox. Of these, 15 cases returned negative results, while the outcomes for the remaining three are still pending. Executive Director Ben Nangombe provided the latest update: todayAugust 30, 2024 38
insert_link South Africa Civil Rights Groups Protest Outside SARS Over Rising Violence Against Whistleblowers Defend Our Democracy and other civil rights groups protested outside SARS head office in Pretoria, spotlighting the rising violence against whistleblowers. This includes the recent assassination attempt of Coreth Naudé, who survived while probing a corruption case tied to SARS. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation's Phumla Williams says the protest stands in solidarity with those risking their lives for justice: todayAugust 30, 2024 16
insert_link World Hate crimes on the rise in NYC Hate crimes in New York surged nearly 13% in 2023 compared to the year before, according to a new report. Data released by the state shows almost half of the incidents last year were against Jews - Black people and gay men were also targeted. From New York, Sally Patterson reports us: todayAugust 30, 2024 8
insert_link Business / Economics Namibia Sees 22.6% Surge in New Insurance Policies in Q1 2024 Despite Year-on-Year Decline Namibia recorded a 22.6% increase in new insurance policies in Q1 2024, reaching 102,597 policies, according to NAMFISA. However, this marks a 45.3% year-on-year decline. The total number of active policies grew by 3.2% quarter-on-quarter to nearly 1.94 million, driven by reduced policy terminations and lapses. The demand for credit risk policies contributed to the quarterly rise, while a decrease in individual investments led to the annual decline. Policy lapses […] todayAugust 30, 2024 11
insert_link South Africa National Energy Regulator of South Africa Reviews Eskom Revenue Application Amid Misinterpretation Claims The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has assured that the Eskom revenue application is currently under internal compliance evaluation. This follows a newspaper article where NERSA’s head of electricity regulation, Nhlanhla Gumede, claimed that a misinterpretation of the law led to excessive electricity tariff increases. Nersa’s spokesperson Charles Hlebela says Gumede's views are personal and do not reflect the regulator's official position: todayAugust 29, 2024 16
insert_link Namibia Green Hydrogen Sector Boosts Jobs and SME Investment Green Hydrogen Commissioner, James Mnyupe has announced that the green hydrogen sector has created over 400 jobs and invested around N$170 million in small and medium-sized enterprises for services reports The Brief. This represents a significant increase from the 200 jobs reported in July within Namibia’s Central Valley. The country now hosts eight active green hydrogen projects—Hyphen, Elof Hansson, HDF Energy, HyIron, Zhero, Cleanergy Solutions, Daures Hydrogen Village, and […] todayAugust 29, 2024 13