With streaming services making international music more accessible, the former U.S. President’s endorsements often lead to increased visibility for emerging artists, resulting in surges of streams and social media traction.



Former United States (U.S.) President Barack Obama’s 2024 favorite playlist is putting African artists in the global spotlight, once again highlighting the continent’s rising influence on the international music scene.



Among the 25 songs Obama shared on X (formerly Twitter), African stars like Divine &#8216;Rema&#8217; Ikubor and Ahmed &#8216;Asake&#8217; Ololade from Nigeria, and South Africa’s Tyla Seethal, made the cut, indicating the growing popularity of Afrobeats and Amapiano worldwide.



Rema’s hit Yayo secured a spot on Obama’s list, further solidifying his place as one of Afrobeats’ biggest global ambassadors. Since his breakout track Dumebi and the international success of Calm Down, Rema has been at the forefront of a new generation of Nigerian artists dominating international charts and festivals.



Amapiano sensation Tyla also earned recognition with her track Jump, a collaboration featuring American rapper Sergio &#8216;Gunna&#8217; Kitchens and Jamaican dancehall disc jockey (DJ) and rapper Emwah &#8216;Skillibeng&#8217; Warmington. Tyla’s Amapiano-infused sound has propelled her to global stardom, with Jump exemplifying the genre’s seamless integration into mainstream pop and rhythm and blues (R&amp;B).



Singer and rapper Asake’s track Active, featuring U.S. rapper Jacques &#8216;Travis Scott&#8217; Webster II, also reflects the rise of Afrobeats. His collaboration with Scott underscores the growing interest in African sounds by international artists.



Obama’s list also featured English-Northern Irish singer and rapper Jordan Adetunji of Nigerian descent with his genre-blending track Kehlani. Adetunji represents the evolving sound of the African diaspora reshaping global music narratives.



This isn’t the first time Obama has amplified African artists. His previous playlists have featured the likes of Damini &#8216;Burna Boy&#8217; Ogulu, Ayodeji &#8216;Wizkid&#8217; Balogun, and Temilade &#8216;Tems&#8217; Openiyi, signaling Afrobeats’ and amapiano’s growing global reach.



Inviting his followers to “shake up” their playlists, he urged them to &#8220;let me know if there’s a song or artist I should make sure to listen to&#8221;.

Untitled design (20)

Rema, Tyla, Asake, Jordan Adetunji Shine In Barack Obama’s 2024 Favorite Songs List

Earlier this month, Benin-born artist Hubert Sodoganji, popularly known as Amémé, released his remix of five-time Grammy award-winning singer ⁠Angelique Kidjo’s 30-year-old iconic track Agolo. The significant cultural connection and collaboration, as both artists are from the West African nation of Benin, has allowed Sodoganji to house his distinct brand of Afro-house to the track, which for him emphasizes the importance of bridging generational gaps in music.



“Hubert or Amémé, what may we call you?”



“That’s a good question,” Sodoganji laughs in his hotel room in sunny Cape Town, South Africa, wearing a bright pink t-shirt, as he sits for a chat on Zoom with FORBES AFRICA. “Honestly, people just choose whatever they like, because Hubert is my first name, but it&#8217;s also like my European name. Amémé is my middle name given to me by my grandmother and it&#8217;s my African name. When I decided to go full-time into music, that’s when I knew that I was going to focus on something inspired by my African roots.”



Before gaining global recognition between 2019 and 2020, from Monday to Friday, Sodoganji worked in the finance sector, in banking, in New York City. On weekends, he honed in on his skills as a DJ playing gigs around the city.



That came to a stop when he decided to pursue his passion full-time, leaving his corporate job to integrate fully into the creative economy.



“A lot of people around me, including my extended family, were a bit confused,” he says. “They were like ‘you&#8217;re going to go and try something that is not stable when you have something stable already’.



“But for me, it was always about finding my true self. When I moved to New York, I went to school, I graduated, and I worked at a bank. And I moved up quite quickly throughout the ranks. So, I had a really good job but I was not there; there was always a void inside me.”



The early stages of the move to music involved bringing his African roots to the work he put out. The unique collaboration of chants, drums, African musical culture, impeccable selection, performance, and French house all came together to formulate the sound he was seeking.



“It&#8217;s like a spiritual thing. It belongs in you really,” he says. “You feel like it belongs to you. There&#8217;s a sense of identity that comes along with it. For me, music is an identity because when I think about African electronic music, and in our space, it just speaks to my soul.”



Sodoganji feels there is more work that he has done for the continent, especially when it comes to educating audiences globally on African sound. Growing up in Benin, Sodoganji says electronic music “was never a thing”.



Not any more, as according to the IMS Business Report by Mark Mulligan and MIDiA Research for IMS Ibiza 2024, the electronic music industry is now valued at $11.8 billion with revenue growth of 17% during 2023.



“A lot of people always ask me how I got into electronic music and it was because of my brother, because he went to Paris for school and came back and exposed me to the music,” Sodoganji says. “But I&#8217;m happy that I&#8217;m kind of also on a mission to bring a certain level of information to both sides. So, I get to share my West African heritage to the electronic music world.”



Sodoganji has released hit singles such as Pliva (in collaboration with Jaimie Jones), Power (with Kosmo Kint), and Wait for You (a single with Franc Fala), which has gained him attention in the electronic music space. &nbsp;



This is what gave him the courage to get his team to make contact with ⁠Angelique Kidjo’s team to see if there was a possibility for collaboration. They unfortunately could not accommodate Sodoganji at the time. It was only a year later when Kidjo sent him a direct message on Instagram requesting to speak more about a possible partnership.



“I could not believe it,” Sodoganji exclaims. “I was blown away.”



In 1994, Kidjo released Agolo which not only marked her debut in triple j&#8217;s Hottest 100 (at #99 in the 1994 countdown) but also earned her first Grammy nomination thanks to another eye-catching video.



“I loved working with Amémé on this brand-new version of Agolo,” Kidjo posted on X on Friday following the release of the remix. “This song holds such a special place in my heart, and giving it a second life 30 years later feels like a full circle moment! Thank you Amémé, you did an amazing job with this new version!”



“I always believe that history is a very critical part of our society because history allows us to know where we are from,” Sodoganji says. He believes that collaborations like this are important as they help bridge the generational gap but also serve as a reminder that African music was always great.



“African music has always been there. African music has always been dope. African music has always defined world music. Maybe back then, there was not enough light on it, but today, with technology, that’s not the case anymore.”



Sodoganji believes that the key to the continued success of African artists is through collaborations, which is why he would like to see more fusion between artists in the future, especially with Afrobeat artists coming into the Afro-house genre.



When asked what advice he would give to his younger self, he concludes: “I don&#8217;t think I would give myself advice, because I was naive enough to dream. Being able to dream and be naive can push you forward, because then you&#8217;re not jaded, you&#8217;re still able to dream and know that your dreams are possible.”



Any regrets leaving the corporate world?



Sodoganji laughs, “What do you think?”

Untitled design (16)

From Banker To Global DJ: ‘I Was Naïve Enough To Dream’, Says Benin Artist On Afro-House Music And Working With Five-Time Grammy-Winning Artist Angelique Kidjo

A tumbler that reminds you to drink water and an 18k-gold ring that helps make your payments. Whatever’s next?



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="972" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Apple-Watch-Hermes-1024x972.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64055 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Apple-Watch-Hermes-1024x972.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Apple-Watch-Hermes-300x285.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Apple-Watch-Hermes-768x729.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Apple-Watch-Hermes-1536x1458.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Apple-Watch-Hermes.png 1852w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Apple Watch Hermès



The Apple Watch Hermès Series 10 comes in the signature Hermès orange box, available at Apple or Hermès. The new model supports sleep apnea and wrist temperature, a 6m- depth gauge, on-device Siri, precision inding for Find My and fast charging. Unique Her- mès touches include a silver titanium inish, logo on the back, two watch straps including a leather Hermès one that can be single or double tour, and exclusive watch faces.



Price: from $1,249.
</div></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Kindle Colorsoft Signature Edition



Amazon has released its irst-ever color screen Kindle called the Kindle Colorsot Signature Edition. It promises eight weeks of battery life, improved speed and contrast, supports pinch to zoom and increased display sizes. The seven-inch display is optimized for reading without glare, suited for travel guides, cookbooks, comics, or graphic novels. Highlighting can be done in yellow, orange, pink or blue, plus searching by color. It is waterproof, features USB-C and wireless charging. 



Price: $279.99
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="993" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Amazon-Kindle-Colorsoft-1024x993.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64054 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Amazon-Kindle-Colorsoft-1024x993.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Amazon-Kindle-Colorsoft-300x291.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Amazon-Kindle-Colorsoft-768x745.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Amazon-Kindle-Colorsoft-1536x1490.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Amazon-Kindle-Colorsoft.png 1670w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="760" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Asus-Zenbook-S14-1024x760.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64056 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Asus-Zenbook-S14-1024x760.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Asus-Zenbook-S14-300x223.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Asus-Zenbook-S14-768x570.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Asus-Zenbook-S14-1536x1140.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Asus-Zenbook-S14.png 1886w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
ASUS ZenBook S14



The ASUS Zenbook S14 Copilot+ PC is a pre- mium Windows 11 laptop from ASUS that fea- tures an all-metal 1.1cm thin body that is 1.2kg light. The new Intel Core Ultra 7 chipset and AI Boost powers its AI features like productivity assistance, text and image creation, faster photo and video edits, and built-in security, while its vapor chamber keeps it cool. It has a 3K display, 72Wh battery, large touchpad and Harman Kardon sound.



Price: $1,299
</div></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Meta Quest 3S



The new Meta Quest 3S virtual reality headset lets you turn any room into a personal theater. You can play standalone VR games, watch live concerts, experi-



ence mixed reality by blending the digital and real world, or cast games on to a television. It has multi-tasking support for YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Instagram, etc. It features a Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 chip, 8GB of RAM, 128GB storage, up to 120Hz refresh rate, and 1832&#215;1920 screen resolution per eye.



Price: from $299.99
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="636" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Meta-Quest-3S-1024x636.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64061 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Meta-Quest-3S-1024x636.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Meta-Quest-3S-300x186.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Meta-Quest-3S-768x477.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Meta-Quest-3S-1536x954.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Meta-Quest-3S.png 1752w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="906" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Samsonite-Restackd-906x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64062 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Samsonite-Restackd-906x1024.png 906w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Samsonite-Restackd-265x300.png 265w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Samsonite-Restackd-768x868.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Samsonite-Restackd-1358x1536.png 1358w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Samsonite-Restackd.png 1682w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 906px) 100vw, 906px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Samsonite Restackd Carry On



Samsonite’s revamped Stackd collection called Restackd features a lighter design and larger packing volume. The 55cm carry-on cabin spinner with easy access has a front pocket for a laptop, tablet and other accessories, suitable for business travel. It includes two packing cubes and plenty of zipped pockets. At 3.1kg, it mea- sures 55x40x23cm with a 3cm depth expansion. It features an integrated ID tag, TSA combina- tion lock and comes in black, green, pink and navy.



Price: ZAR7,299 ($400)
</div></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Hyperice Hypersphere Go Hyperice, known for its health- tech products for recovery and movement, has the perfect travel companion called the Hyper- sphere Go. This TSA-approved massage ball is palm-sized and supports three speeds of vibra- tion when you roll it over your muscles. Whether you’re in-flight, post-workout or at your desk, you can target muscles, with preci- sion, such as the arms, legs, back or feet. It is USB-powered, has a two-hour battery and weighs under 500g.



Price: $99
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="973" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Hypersphere-Go-1024x973.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64060 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Hypersphere-Go-1024x973.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Hypersphere-Go-300x285.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Hypersphere-Go-768x730.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Hypersphere-Go.png 1404w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="720" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Dyson-Airwrap-i.d-720x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64057 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Dyson-Airwrap-i.d-720x1024.png 720w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Dyson-Airwrap-i.d-211x300.png 211w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Dyson-Airwrap-i.d-768x1093.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Dyson-Airwrap-i.d-1079x1536.png 1079w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Dyson-Airwrap-i.d.png 1310w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Dyson Airwrap i.d.



The Dyson Airwrap i.d. multi- styler and dryer is Dyson’s irst Bluetooth connected hair tool. It pairs to a smartphone app for more personalized styling to automate the curling process using proile data such as hair type, length and skill level. The styler comes in two versions: for straight to wavy hair (T1-2) or for curly to oily hair (T3-4). The new Airwrap introduces three new attachments: the conical barrel, wave+curl diffuser, and blade concentrator.



Price: $599.99
</div></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
Hobot S6-Pro



Hobot has released its irst window cleaning robot, the Hobot S6-Pro. The award-winning robot window cleaner is suited for framed, panoramic or frameless windows for an ei- cient clean-up. It has dual mops to polish and uses ultrasonic sprays for a streak-free clear inish. Safety features include an anti-falling algorithm, a safety rope and 20-minutes of back-up power. The microiber cleaning cloth is washable and the water tank replaceable, making it eco-friendly.



Price: ZAR7,999 ($438)
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="1001" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Hobot-S6-Pro-1024x1001.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64059 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Hobot-S6-Pro-1024x1001.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Hobot-S6-Pro-300x293.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Hobot-S6-Pro-768x751.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Hobot-S6-Pro-1536x1502.png 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Hobot-S6-Pro-2048x2002.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="711" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HidrateSpark-711x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64058 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HidrateSpark-711x1024.png 711w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HidrateSpark-208x300.png 208w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HidrateSpark-768x1106.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HidrateSpark-1066x1536.png 1066w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/HidrateSpark.png 1276w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 711px) 100vw, 711px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
HidrateSpark Pro Smart Tumbler 



The HidrateSpark Pro 590ml smart tumbler bottle stands out for its connected features. It syncs with Bluetooth to a paired smartphone and tracks water intake with reminders when to sip through its glowing feature on the base. It is vacuum insulated and keeps drinks cold for 14 hours and hot for four hours. It comes with a removable stainless-steel straw, sup- ports the Find My Bottle feature to track it and integrates with itness apps.



Price: ZAR1,799 ($98)
</div></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
VezoPay Ring



A South African company is redeining wearable tech through its payment ring that works with Visa and Mastercard on iOS and Android. The ring is available in black, pink, white, silver or gold, which goes up to 18K gold, in either a slim or wide cut and a matte or gloss inish. It requires no charging and is secured through an NFC tokenization that encrypts data. Durability includes impact resistance and it’s water- and dust-proof.



Price: from ZAR2,100 ($115)
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="728" height="642" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Vezo-Pay-Ring.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64063 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Vezo-Pay-Ring.png 728w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Vezo-Pay-Ring-300x265.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 728px) 100vw, 728px" /></figure></div>

Unwrapped Xmas present revealing tablet

Gifts For Geeks: What’s Next

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



Almost half a million power bank chargers sold exclusively on Amazon over the last six years have been recalled after dozens of reports of the product expanding, igniting, melting, overheating or smoking while in use.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Charmast-Power-Banks-Recalled-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Sold-by-Charmast-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">recalled portable chargers</a>&nbsp;are powered by lithium-ion batteries and were sold under the brand name Charmast exclusively on Amazon for between $14 and $25 from December 2018 through September 2024.



Charmast has received 44 reports of the recalled power banks expanding, igniting, melting, overheating or smoking, and four customers reported receiving burns or blisters from the defective products, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.



The company&#8217;s recall says the products should be disposed of through local recycling centers for damaged or defective lithium batteries and should not be thrown out in regular garbage or in used battery recycling boxes because their defect poses a safety risk.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-here-s-how-customers-can-contact-charmast-for-a-full-refund">Here’s How Customers Can Contact Charmast For A Full Refund</h2>



Customers can call Charmast from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. EST Monday through Friday at 929-636-0293, email rcus@charmast.com or visit the company’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.charmast.com/pages/recall-info-page" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">recall website</a>.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-which-power-bank-chargers-have-been-recalled">Which Power Bank Chargers Have Been Recalled?</h2>



The defective products have “Model: W1056” printed on the back and were sold in black, blue, green, mint, pink and white.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">Key Background</h2>



Lithium-ion batteries contain flammable materials and can overheat, leading to fire or explosion. The batteries can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/codes/dangers-of-lithium-ion-batteries.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">re-ignite</a>&nbsp;without warning, even days after an initial fire has been put out, and can&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/hazard-information/fire-in-the-home/lithium-ion-batteries#:~:text=Why%20do%20lithium%2Dion%20batteries,treated%20as%20a%20LiB%20fire." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">release</a>&nbsp;toxic, flammable and explosive gases. Last year, at least seven people were&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/09/tech/lithium-ion-battery-fires/index.html#:~:text=The%20problem%20with%20lithium%20batteries&amp;text=%E2%80%9CSo%20when%20a%20fire%20does,these%20devices%2C%E2%80%9D%20Kerber%20said." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">injured</a>&nbsp;in a five-alarm fire in New York City caused by a defective lithium-ion scooter battery, and the New York City Fire Department&nbsp;<a href="https://ul.org/news/ul-research-institutes-ul-standards-engagement-and-ul-solutions-commend-new-york-city-council" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">said</a>&nbsp;it responded to more than 200 e-scooter and e-bike fires—resulting in six deaths—in 2022. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said it&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2023/CPSC-Calls-on-Manufacturers-to-Comply-with-Safety-Standards-for-Battery-Powered-Products-to-Reduce-the-Risk-of-Injury-and-Death" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">received reports</a>&nbsp;from 39 states of at least 208 fires or overheating events that caused a reported 19 fatalities from Jan, 1, 2021 through Nov. 28, 2022.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">Crucial Quote</h2>



“Lithium batteries are generally safe and unlikely to fail, but only so long as there are no defects and the batteries are not damaged or mistreated,” Steve Kerber, vice president and executive director of Underwriters Laboratory’s Fire Safety Research Institute,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/09/tech/lithium-ion-battery-fires/index.html#:~:text=The%20problem%20with%20lithium%20batteries&amp;text=%E2%80%9CSo%20when%20a%20fire%20does,these%20devices%2C%E2%80%9D%20Kerber%20said." rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">told CNN</a>. “The more batteries that surround us the more incidents we will see.”



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



The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported several other recalls Thursday, including one impacting about 63,000 batteries used in lawnmowers and other outdoor tools.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Chervon-North-America-Recalls-SKIL-40V-50Ah-Lithium-Ion-Batteries-for-SKIL-Lawnmowers-and-Outdoor-Tools-Due-to-Fire-and-Burn-Hazard" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Chevron North America</a>&nbsp;has recalled SKIL 40V 5.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Batteries after more than 100 reports of the batteries overheating, melting, smoking and lighting on fire, including eight reports of minor burns and/or smoke inhalation and 49 reports of related property damage. Also recalled Thursday were 85,000 silicone&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Melii-Baby-Silicone-Spoons-for-Babies-Recalled-Due-to-Choking-Hazard-Imported-by-Melii-Baby" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">baby spoon sets&nbsp;</a>from Melii Baby and about 500 Elongdi magnetic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2025/Magnetic-Building-Sticks-Sets-Recalled-Due-to-Ingestion-Hazard-Violation-of-Federal-Regulations-for-Toy-Magnets-Sold-Exclusively-on-Amazon-com-by-Elongdi" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">building stick sets</a>&nbsp;sold on Amazon.

Smartphones being Charge with Portable Power Banks

Power Bank Chargers Sold On Amazon Recalled After They Melted, Caught Fire

As the founder and CEO of the Arise Group, one of the largest infrastructure investment platforms in Africa, Gagan Gupta has, in a decade, developed a portfolio of 18- plus large-scale infrastructure projects across Africa. Present in 12 African countries and employing over 6,200 people, building industrial and logistic ecosystems, sustainability is at the core of his mission and so is developing African talent. The Gabon special economic zone he built in 2011, was the first carbon-neutral industrial zone in Africa. Here, he speaks about his key strategies for unlocking Africa’s future.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-developing-africa-s-natural-resources">Developing Africa’s natural resources </h4>



For too long, Africa has been exporting its natural resources. The whole business model we built was around developing something sustainable based on the raw materials of each country and changing them forever. This continent has been exporting raw material for the last 400 years, and that is the only constant. Africa grapples with three big issues. First is unemployment. Second, you have a situation where the governments are not able to spend enough money on healthcare and education because they have a low GDP base. Third is the climate perspective. 



Everybody says we need to be looking at climate, but the continent produces [a large amount of ] the world’s cashew and sends it to Asia, where it gets transformed and goes to Europe and the U.S. So, you’re creating a massive carbon footprint for no reason. How I look at it is the continent needs long-term fixing, which will not hap- pen with donations or grants. It has to happen through fundamental change, which is sustainable and using the core strengths the countries have, and that is natural resources. 



How do you really look at transforming that and ensuring you build entire businesses around it? Therefore, what we did was look at each country’s strengths, train the youth, get them to transform [raw materials] and then export it. If you look at Gabon, we focused on timber, and in Benin, raw cashew. Instead of exporting raw, we add value and then export. Even cotton. The busi- ness model is around the sustainable transmission of the resources these countries have, which unlocks massive po- tential for the youth and creates a long-term future.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center" id="h-the-years-in-india-and-africa">The years in India and Africa</h4>



I was born in Alwar in Rajasthan. I studied in Chennai, and then did my chartered accountancy in Delhi. What I always wanted, even as a 16-year-old, was to create impact and change lives. My father used to be the CFO of a large ce- ment company, and would leave home for work at 5.30AM every day and worked hard… In the year 2000, I wanted to build an industrial zone in India, when working for Reckitt Benckiser. And then, I joined Olam – a very entrepreneurial company. I always believed in entrepreneurship and came to Africa. I had not heard about Gabon at the time, and had to look it up on the internet. It was in 2008 and I didn’t un- derstand how the countries in Africa were saying they were so poor and continued to export raw material. How can you be in a situation where you are saying you don’t have jobs and you are exporting, literally, your jobs away? And that’s how it all started. I worked with Olam for 12 years, and all of it in Gabon.



Gabon is a beautiful country, 88% of which is covered by dense green forest. We looked at it and said, ‘how can this country be having all this wood exported as raw, and at the same time the country is importing timber products from the outside’. We built the first carbon-neutral industrial zone in Africa here… Nobody could believe that this country will go from exporting logs to becoming the second-largest exporter of veneer globally. It was unimaginable, exporting to China, India, Vietnam… What really also got me living in Gabon was the people, always smiling and happy. For my kids, Gabon is their first home. I love the rain, the sun, the climate there. I spend about 20 days a month in Africa [from my base in Dubai].



<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">The transformation journey</h4>



The way I look at is, the bigger the problem you’re solv- ing, the bigger the business you’re creating. You are fixing a problem happening every day. And I believe this is the only way for Africa to progress. This is the only way you can make permanent change and create positive, long-term, sustain- able impact in the continent. Obviously, when you start, you will not be sure if it will work; there will be iterations and everything. That’s what we did. But once we did it, it became quite successful. And what will happen is that the other countries will come and say, ‘can you do it for us too?’



Understanding why it didn’t work [previously] and then fixing those points is really what will make it work… When we choose countries, we [are not in] the business of flag-hoisting. We want to go to the countries that want to take this journey with us, because transformation is not an easy job. The first thing we want to understand is if the gov- ernment is wanting to do this journey with us or not. Sec- ondly, do they have the raw material? Do they have neces- sary things for the industrial zone to be successful? Because, at the end of the day, industrialization cannot happen if you do not have the right ingredients to transform. In some cases, the raw material can even be energy. Maybe the country has a lot of energy, and you can make energy-heavy industry, or it can be talented manpower that the country boasts, and you can build something around that. So, identifying what is going to be a key input, that will be the differentiator, and what you can produce that you can export on a global, com- petitive scale. From our perspective, we are building ecosys- tems, end-to-end&#8230; Build it and people will come.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">On African manpower</h4>



The youth of Africa is wanting to work hard, they’re avail- able, and want to make a difference. You just need to orient them in the right direction. It’s just that it’s a chicken and egg story. If you do not have industry, how will you skill them? And if you do not have skills, how will you build the industry? So, we go and build vocational training centers in partnerships before we start. And I think the only way to break some of these vicious cycles is to say, let me create it, and things will happen.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Thoughts on the DRC</h4>



I love the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). You can feel the energy at 5AM, you can feel the rush. The DRC is a massive market, and with the population [100 million] it has, we are building an industrial zone. I think the key challenge there is to solve for energy. Also, people who have not been to the DRC have very different images of it in their mind, so it’s about convincing people that the DRC is very safe for in- vestments, outside of mining. The government is quite com- mitted to the process. And we are looking to rehabilitate the railway that connects Matadi to Kinshasa.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Running and organizing marathons</h4>



I run over eight and a half kilometers every day from 5AM. That’s my adrenaline, my time of peace and problem-solv- ing. I have my routes, in Dubai, in Benin, in the DRC – where I run around the Corniche. For the last eight years, we have co-organized official marathons in Gabon for thousands.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-center">Leadership lessons</h4>



You have to be a good human being. We all need to realize that we are just lucky where we are. The family that you were born into already decides so many things in your life. So, you have to be thankful you were born in a place that could afford your education, your food, because there are so many people in the world who don’t know today what they will eat. We can claim we are smart, but I don’t think so, I think in the end, it’s about things falling in place and about being human. I don’t look at work as work. I have fun. I do it because I love it.

Gagan Gupta Image supplied

Gabon To Africa – ‘Build It And People Will Come’

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SOLE SEARCHERS: The Rise Of The Solopreneurs

Hot off the fashion runways, here’s a look at the cross-cultural fusion of African designers overseas. The following pages explore fashion as cultural diplomacy; the designer pieces not only contribute to current global trends but also challenge stereotypes allowing for a broader understanding of heritage, history and innovation.



Photography: Manelisi Dabata ; Assistant: Bokang Khuto | Styling: Deneal Van Wyk | Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty | Location: Houghton 1938, Johannesburg



TIA ‘TIMA REECE’ HERMAN Performing Artist, Singer/Songwriter, Vocal Producer, Vocal Coach



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="701" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-701x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64078 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-701x1024.jpg 701w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-206x300.jpg 206w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-768x1121.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-1052x1536.jpg 1052w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-1403x2048.jpg 1403w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2298-Recovered-scaled.jpg 1754w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 701px) 100vw, 701px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
TIA WEARS:



Gold Statement Earrings; ZAR480/$27, House of Ayi Pink Peony Corset Dress; ZAR21,999/$1,207, Nolanga Made Gold Oval Bracelet; ZAR1,000/$55, House of Ayi Poppy Red Tote Bag; ZAR8,490/$466, Tory Burch, Preview Designer Collection Black Heels; ZAR5,290/$290, Europa Art
</div></div>



KURT HERMAN Music Producer, Mixing and Mastering Engineer, Singer/Songwriter


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="871" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-871x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64080" style="width:432px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-871x1024.jpg 871w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-255x300.jpg 255w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-768x903.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-1306x1536.jpg 1306w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2364-Recovered-1742x2048.jpg 1742w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 871px) 100vw, 871px" /></figure></div>


KURT WEARS:



Denim Jacket; ZAR15,000/$823, TSHEPO Jeans Purple Knitted Pullover; ZAR3,600/$198, GUGUBYGUGU Denim Jeans; ZAR10,000/$549, TSHEPO Jeans White Sneakers; ZAR3,690/$202, Europa Art


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="638" height="822" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699879852-3d8e3456-f9b5-4ad4-a208-da9b5b31ed95_1-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64091" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699879852-3d8e3456-f9b5-4ad4-a208-da9b5b31ed95_1-1.jpg 638w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699879852-3d8e3456-f9b5-4ad4-a208-da9b5b31ed95_1-1-233x300.jpg 233w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 638px) 100vw, 638px" /></figure></div>


<div class="wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile"><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
KURT WEARS:



Printed Suit Jacket; ZAR25,000/$1,372, MAXHOSA Printed Pants; ZAR17,500/$961, MAXHOSA



Brown Shoes; ZAR3,190/$175, Europa Art
</div><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="683" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-683x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64083 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-683x1024.jpg 683w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-768x1152.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-1365x2048.jpg 1365w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2590-Recovered-scaled.jpg 1707w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px" /></figure></div>



<div class="wp-block-media-text is-stacked-on-mobile"><figure class="wp-block-media-text__media"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="669" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-669x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64071 size-full" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-669x1024.jpg 669w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-196x300.jpg 196w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-768x1176.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-1003x1536.jpg 1003w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-1338x2048.jpg 1338w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2660-Recovered-scaled.jpg 1672w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 669px) 100vw, 669px" /></figure><div class="wp-block-media-text__content">
TIA WEARS:



Sheer Dress; ZAR9,800/$538, Viviers Studio Gold Blazer; ZAR28,000/$1,538, Viviers StudioGreen Diamante Bag; ZAR6,990/$379, Karl Lagerfeld, Preview Designer Collection Gold Court Heels; ZAR3,690/$202, Europa Art Gold Oval Dome Ring, ZAR350/$19, House of Ayi
</div></div>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="612" height="848" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699889622-fdaa94cb-5643-4675-a613-c41418a72d28_1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64089" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699889622-fdaa94cb-5643-4675-a613-c41418a72d28_1.jpg 612w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699889622-fdaa94cb-5643-4675-a613-c41418a72d28_1-217x300.jpg 217w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px" /></figure></div>

<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="982" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-982x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64074" style="width:616px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-982x1024.jpg 982w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-288x300.jpg 288w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-768x801.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-1473x1536.jpg 1473w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_2957-Recovered-1964x2048.jpg 1964w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 982px) 100vw, 982px" /></figure></div>


TIA WEARS:



Printed Blouse; ZAR11,500/$631, MAXHOSA Printed Skirt; ZAR14,000/$769, MAXHOSA Gold Chunky Bangles (each); ZAR1,000/$55, House of Ayi Red Square Toe Heels; ZAR3,490/$192, Europa Art



KURT WEARS:



Black Blazer With Button Detailing; ZAR5,500/$302, GUGUBYGUGU Mesh T-Shirt; ZAR300/$16, GUGUBYGUGU Black Tailored Pants; ZAR1,820/$100, GUGUBYGUGU Black Suede Loafer; ZAR5,490/$302, Europa Art


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="658" height="851" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699897307-45b7b929-0c70-47f9-b628-79c94d4599be_1.png" alt="" class="wp-image-64088" style="width:528px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699897307-45b7b929-0c70-47f9-b628-79c94d4599be_1.png 658w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/1734699897307-45b7b929-0c70-47f9-b628-79c94d4599be_1-232x300.png 232w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 658px) 100vw, 658px" /></figure></div>

<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="682" height="1024" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-682x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64076" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-682x1024.jpg 682w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-200x300.jpg 200w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-768x1154.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-1022x1536.jpg 1022w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-1363x2048.jpg 1363w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/DSC_3216-Recovered-scaled.jpg 1704w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px" /></figure></div>


KURT WEARS:



Double Breasted Blazer: ZAR5,060/$280, GUGUBYGUGU, Black Shirt, ZAR500/$28, GUGUBYGUGU Black Cargo Pants: ZAR1,456/ $80.4 GUGUBYGUGU, Black Loafers: ZAR2,990/ $165, Europa Art



TIA WEARS:



Black Flower Detail Corset; ZAR18,999/$1,043, Nolanga Made Black Flared Tailored Pants; ZAR1,820/$100, GUGUBYGUGU Gold Tote Bag; ZAR6,000/$330, Tory Burch, Preview Designer Collection White Embellished Loafers; ZAR2,690/$148, Europa Art

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Luxury Holiday Fashion Guide: Africa’s Global Threads

There are affordable ways to reduce the amount of plastic you use and alternatives that help limit the spread of microplastics when you’re out shopping and eating this holiday season.



Microplastics, the tiny pieces of plastic debris that permeate everything from the water we drink to the air we breathe, are detrimental to human and environmental health. Busy, cost-conscious shoppers can choose affordable ways to reduce the amount of plastic they consume and discard.



“These particles are increasingly recognized as endocrine disruptors, capable of interfering with our hormonal systems,&#8221; writes&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;contributor Dr. Christopher Thompson, a medical professor at Harvard University. &#8220;By mimicking hormones like estrogen and cortisol, microplastics may contribute to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherthompson/2024/08/19/your-plastic-water-bottle-may-be-making-you-gain-weight-microplastics/">weight gain, metabolic issues, fertility and other serious health problems</a>.”



In addition to making us gain weight faster and reproduce slower,&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;science contributor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/lesliekatz/2024/03/12/microplastics-in-arteries-heighten-heart-attack-and-stroke-risk-study-warns/">Leslie Katz</a>&nbsp;writes that research published earlier this year shows microplastics may be affiliated with heightened risks of heart attack and stroke.



When it comes to the planet at large, the overwhelming amount of plastic production and plastic trash we generate has widespread impacts. According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.unep.org/interactives/beat-plastic-pollution/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">United Nation Environment Programme</a>, people produce 400 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, polluting water supplies.



Here are a few tactics that&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;contributor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jessepines/2024/04/25/5-ways-to-reduce-your-microplastics-exposure-in-the-plasticene-era/">Dr. Jesse Pines</a>, a practicing physician and professor of emergency medicine at Drexel University, recommends for reducing microplastic consumption at home:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Avoid heating plastic bowls or cups, including steamy takeout served in plastic containers.</li>



<li>Vacuum your home, including couches and drapes, frequently and follow that cleaning with wet mopping to reduce the microplastic particles you’d otherwise breath in.</li>



<li>Triple check that you’ve cleaned your food thoroughly before cooking, especially seafood like shrimp.</li>
</ul>



Drinking from a copper or glass bottle, not plastic water bottles, and washing dishes with powder or liquid soap, instead of with plastic pods, can also help families avoid ingesting plastic particles.



And, as&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;sustainability contributor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliviapinnock/2024/10/21/the-plastic-pollution-hiding-in-your-wardrobe-and-how-to-tackle-it/">Olivia Pinnock</a>&nbsp;points out, using products like Cora Ball or GUPPYFRIEND when washing your clothes at home can reduce the quantity of microplastic released into the water when you do laundry.



As many shoppers know, single-use plastic bags are on their way out. A dozen U.S. states and a growing number of municipalities in other states have banned them. Remember, you can put cloth canvas bags in your car or purse so that they’re already available the next time you go grocery shopping.



“Plastic bag bans in the U.S. have proven effective in reducing plastic litter and pollution in the ocean,” writes&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;sustainability contributor&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/danieladelorenzo/2024/09/09/plastic-bag-bans-tackle-ocean-pollution-right-study-finds/">Daniela De Lorenzo</a>, adding “The European Union has set a target for citizens to use a maximum of 40 plastic bags per year.”



No matter where you live, or what type of shopping you need to do, there are affordable ways to reduce the amount of plastic you consume. With these simple tips you can avoid plastics while shopping and eating, enjoying a healthier lifestyle that’s better for both you and the environment.

a woman drinking coffee in stainless steel cup

How To Avoid Plastics While Shopping And Eating

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



Sean &#8220;Diddy&#8221; Combs appeared in court Wednesday for what is likely to be his last court appearance for several months in his federal sex trafficking case that will see him spend the Christmas holidays in prison despite several attempts by his attorneys to have him released to house arrest. (Here is a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/10/22/all-major-allegations-against-sean-diddy-combs-rape-sexual-abuse-cassie-ventura-tony-buzbee-lil-rod/">complete list of the allegations</a>&nbsp;against Combs.)


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-full"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2171912226-1.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-64025" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2171912226-1.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2171912226-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2171912226-1-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">King Combs, son of Sean &#8220;Diddy&#8221; Combs, right, exits court in New York. (Photographer: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)</figcaption></figure></div>


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



December 18Combs&nbsp;<a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/sean-diddy-combs-back-court-wishes-spectators-happy/story?id=116924609" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">appeared in court</a>&nbsp;for a brief hearing in his federal case at which federal prosecutors said they plan to disclose all available evidence to his defense team by the end of the year in preparation for a May trial date. One court&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsweek.com/diddy-sean-combs-case-jail-appearance-update-2003100" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">reporter</a>&nbsp;described Combs as appearing “thinner” and “grayer” than when he was last seen in public, and the music mogul wished spectators a &#8220;Happy Holidays&#8221; as he left.



December 2<a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/ghislaine-maxwell-prosecutor-joins-sean-diddy-combs-trial-1235190051/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Maurene Comey</a>, former FBI director James Comey&#8217;s daughter who litigated the case in which Maxwell was <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/ghislaine-maxwell-sentenced-20-years-prison-conspiring-jeffrey-epstein-sexually-abuse" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">convicted</a> for her role in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse minor girls with Jeffrey Epstein, on Monday notified the federal court in the Southern District of New York that she has joined the prosecution against Combs.



November 27Federal judge Arun Subramanian <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.628424/gov.uscourts.nysd.628424.92.0.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">denied</a> Combs’ request to be released on bail citing “compelling evidence of Combs’s propensity for violence.” Subramanian’s ruling also stated that there was evidence supporting “a serious risk of witness tampering,” along with evidence that he “violated Bureau of Prisons regulations during his pretrial detention to obscure his communications with third parties.” The judge also wrote the government prosecutors have shown “by clear and convincing evidence that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure the safety of the community.”



November 25Attorneys for the federal government argued against Combs’ push to get released on $50 million bail and a laundry list of other conditions, telling Judge Arun Subramanian in a letter the package “does not come close to ensuring the security of the community” or to ensuring Combs won&#8217;t interfere with the case or try to flee before the trial—citing an alleged “pattern of violence” toward women and his own staff. In their own letter, defense attorneys argued Combs has been unconstitutionally held in jail and silenced since he was first arrested in September, that the government has launched a campaign against him to keep him from getting a fair trial and that Combs “is not required to sit idly by and acquiesce to all of this.” Subramanian is expected to make a decision on bail by Thanksgiving.



November 22Subramanian heard arguments from attorneys on both sides but punted a decision to the following week on whether Combs should be released on bail. Subramanian rejected the idea Combs be kept under house arrest at a home with a boat dock in Miami but seemed open to potentially releasing him to confinement with around-the-clock security at a three-bedroom apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. He asked lawyers to submit further arguments in writing by Monday, Nov. 25.



November 19Subramanian told prosecutors to “get rid of” their copies of handwritten notes taken by Combs in jail, making the decision as he considers legal arguments from Combs’ lawyers that the notes were subject to attorney-client privilege and counter arguments from prosecutors who accused Combs of writing about a witness tampering plot.



November 15In a filing opposing Combs’ request to be released on bail, prosecutors claim Combs has attempted to “corruptly influence witness testimony” by asking his family members to reach out to victims and potential witnesses and create “narratives” to affect their opinion, while also asking his children to post a video to social media in celebration of his birthday and ensuring the video had “his desired effect on potential jury members in this case.”



November 12In &#8220;The Downfall of Diddy: Inside the Freak-Offs,” Ray J claims high-profile celebrities are &#8220;reaching out to victims&#8221; and offering them money in exchange for avoiding any public exposure, and aspiring singer-songwriter Tanea Wallace described her experience at a 2018 party where she said she saw minors “dressed up like Harajuku Barbies, red lipstick, looking like real sexy.”



November 8Combs’ attorneys again requested the mogul be released on bail with a $50 million bond with a laundry list of new conditions, including home detention in Miami or New York City, security lockdown and no internet access, which is scheduled to be heard at a hearing on Nov. 22.



November 4In a video <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DB9lgi1tXiF/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">posted</a> by his son, Combs spoke to his children on the phone on his 55th birthday Monday and said, “I can’t wait to see y’all. I just want to say that I’m proud of y’all, especially the girls. I mean, all y’all just for being strong.”



November 3Comb&#8217;s lawyers sent a letter to Subramanian asking he place all potential witnesses under a gag order until a federal trial scheduled for May, claiming a &#8220;deluge of improper pretrial publicity that is undermining Mr. Combs’s right to a fair trial.” (The request comes after a friend of Comb&#8217;s late girlfriend Kim Porter <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/sean-combs-urges-court-to-issue-widespread-gag-order-1235152185/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">spoke</a> outside a courthouse in Manhattan, saying he’d testified before a grand jury and has footage of Combs raping and sexually assaulting several people, including minors).



October 31Ty Stiklorius, John Legend&#8217;s manager, wrote in a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/31/opinion/p-diddy-sean-combs-music-business-reform.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Times piece</a> that she herself experienced a &#8220;terrifying situation&#8221; in which she says she was locked in a bedroom while attending a party hosted by Combs in St. Barts in the late 1990s and &#8220;managed to talk her way out&#8221; of what she assumed was an abnormal experience, but later realized &#8220;what happened that night was no aberration—it was an indicator of a pervasive culture in the music industry.”



October 28Federal authorities said they&#8217;d carried out an “interagency operation” at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where Combs is awaiting trial, but did not provide specific details about what was done inside the facility, which has been the target of rampant criticism from the Combs team and the location of several crimes in recent months, including a <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdny/pr/federal-inmate-mdc-brooklyn-charged-orchestrating-murder-hire-using-contraband" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">murder-for-hire </a>plot and the <a href="https://apnews.com/article/federal-jail-brooklyn-diddy-bureau-of-prisons-afd6aebdfacd70286955f8c1bbf1cd6e" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">stabbing deaths</a> of two inmates.



October 25In a letter submitted to the court Friday, Combs&#8217; attorneys requested a gag order be implemented for all federal officials involved <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/09/17/sean-diddy-combs-charged-with-sex-trafficking-racketeering/">in his case</a>, specifically citing a <a href="https://nypost.com/2024/10/25/us-news/diddy-mixed-a-list-parties-with-freak-off-sex-shows-tapes/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New York Post article</a> that quotes a &#8220;federal law enforcement source who is involved in the investigation&#8221; as proof the Department of Homeland Security is purposefully interfering with Combs&#8217; right to a fair trial (in October, Combs&#8217; legal team claimed DHS <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/10/lawyers-for-sean-combs-allege-us-government-leaked-assault-footage-to-cnn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">leaked</a> an incriminating video of Combs to CNN, which the agency denied). A judge later called the quotes in the article “plainly improper” but rejected the gag order request.



October 22Two of Combs’ seven children—Quincy Brown, Combs&#8217; adopted 33-year-old son, and Chance Combs, his 18-year-old daughter with Sarah Chapman—made a joint&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBbIxQHPOjn/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">post on Instagram&nbsp;</a>calling the last month &#8220;devastating&#8221; for their family and defending their father from what they called &#8220;accusations, conspiracy theories and false narratives.”



October 15Combs returned to <a href="https://www.instagram.com/diddy/?hl=en" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a> for the first time since his arrest in September with a post marking the second birthday of his youngest daughter, named Love Sean Combs (he’d previously <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/06/20/all-of-diddys-instagram-posts-and-videos-including-cassie-apology-are-deleted/">deleted every post </a>on the social media account as <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/10/22/all-major-allegations-against-sean-diddy-combs-rape-sexual-abuse-cassie-ventura-tony-buzbee-lil-rod/">allegations</a> piled up against him, but has posted a total of three times since July, each time with photos of his children).



October 11A U.S. Appeals court referred Combs&#8217; latest request for bail to a panel of three judges, but ruled he will remain behind bars until a decision is made.



October 10Combs appeared in court for the first time since his arrest, where a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/10/10/sean-diddy-combs-will-face-sex-trafficking-trial-in-may/">trial date</a> of May 5 was set for him to face federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution.



October 9Combs’ team filed a memo alleging that the Department of Homeland Security<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/oct/10/lawyers-for-sean-combs-allege-us-government-leaked-assault-footage-to-cnn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> leaked</a> a surveillance video that showed him abusing his ex-girlfriend, Casandra &#8220;Cassie&#8221; Ventura, though prosecutors have denied the allegations and said they did not obtain that video until it was made public by CNN.



October 8Lawyers for Combs filed paperwork <a href="https://www.billboard.com/pro/diddy-appeals-bail-ruling-sex-abuse-case-witness-tampering/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">asking</a> he be allowed to await trial outside of the Metropolitan Detention Center where he resides, claiming the initial decision to deny him bail was unfairly “distorted” by the attention on the case (the initial judge, who has since been replaced, ruled Combs should stay in jail so he can’t use his money and influence to interfere in the government&#8217;s case against him).



October 6Janice Small Combs, Sean Combs&#8217; mother, said in a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DAzDBw7p2pL/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;ig_rid=937fbcc4-1950-477e-9bef-89c73dccc13a&amp;img_index=2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a> through her family&#8217;s attorney she is &#8220;devastated and profoundly saddened&#8221; by the allegations against her son, adding those accusing him of misconduct are &#8220;seeking a financial gain&#8221; and likened Combs to &#8220;many individuals&#8221; who have been &#8220;wrongfully convicted due to their past actions or mistakes&#8221;—though she also said Combs “may have been not entirely truthful” when <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/17/entertainment/sean-combs-cassie-ventura/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">denying assault allegations</a> raised by his ex-girlfriend Ventura.



September 30Lawyers for Combs filed a notice asking the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in the Southern District of New York to overturn the decision to hold him in prison while he awaits trial, a choice Judge Andrew Carter made <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2024/09/30/entertainment/sean-combs-lawyers-appeal-detention/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">citing concerns</a> Combs had allegedly tampered with witnesses who had been contacted as part of the investigation against him (the request was not granted).



September 26A <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/09/27/sean-diddy-combs-lawyer-says-violent-video-of-cassie-not-evidence-of-sex-trafficking/">documentary</a> was released for streaming on Tubi and featured an interview with Combs’ lawyer Marc Agnifilo—who addressed a leaked <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/05/19/sean-diddy-combs-apology-video-of-him-beating-cassie-2016-lawsuits-sex-trafficking-rape-abuse-assault/">surveillance video</a> of Combs shoving and kicking ex-girlfriend Ventura—in which he called the <a href="https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.nysd.628425/gov.uscourts.nysd.628425.2.0_2.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">indictment</a> a takedown of a “successful Black man&#8221; and said he doesn&#8217;t expect Combs to accept a plea bargain.



September 24Combs is sharing a unit with disgraced<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2024/03/28/sam-bankman-fried-speaks-my-useful-life-is-probably-over-as-hes-sentenced-to-25-years/"> Bankman-Fried</a> at the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/09/18/sean-diddy-combs-reportedly-complains-about-horrific-jail-conditions-what-to-know-about-notorious-metropolitan-detention-center/">Metropolitan Detention Center</a>, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/24/arts/music/sean-combs-sam-bankman-fried-jail.html?smtyp=cur&amp;smid=tw-nytimes#" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The New York Times</a>, as the former crypto mogul serves out a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2024/03/28/sam-bankman-fried-speaks-my-useful-life-is-probably-over-as-hes-sentenced-to-25-years/">25-year sentence</a> in prison for counts of conspiracy, fraud and money laundering linked to a scheme that lost former FTX customers, lenders and investors several billion dollars.



September 18Combs&#8217; lawyers cited &#8220;horrific&#8221; conditions at the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/conormurray/2024/09/18/sean-diddy-combs-reportedly-complains-about-horrific-jail-conditions-what-to-know-about-notorious-metropolitan-detention-center/">Metropolitan Detention Center</a> in Brooklyn, New York in a <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/09/18/sean-diddy-combs-loses-bail-denial-appeal-after-pleading-not-guilty-to-sex-trafficking-racketeering-charges/">request for bail</a>—which included a $50 million bond offer, GPS monitoring and strict limitations on visitors—that was denied by U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter, who said the conditions weren’t enough to ensure the safety of the community.



September 17A federal court in Manhattan <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2024/09/17/sean-diddy-combs-charged-with-sex-trafficking-racketeering/">unsealed charges</a> against Combs for racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, alleging he “abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”



September 16Combs was arrested in Manhattan after being indicted by a grand jury.



May 29<a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2024/05/29/entertainment/sean-diddy-combs-federal-investigation/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sources told CNN</a> federal investigators were getting close to filing charges against Combs, and that plaintiffs who had filed individual civil lawsuits against him had been interviewed as part of the case.



March 25Federal agents <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianbushard/2024/03/25/feds-search-sean-diddy-combs-la-and-miami-homes-reports-say/?sh=d8b69e15d52c">raided Combs’ homes</a> in Florida and California in relation to a federal sex trafficking investigation.



November 20-23A $30 million lawsuit filed by Ventura kicked off a series of criminal complaints against Combs that have included rape, sexual assault, sex trafficking and other claims (<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/10/22/all-major-allegations-against-sean-diddy-combs-rape-sexual-abuse-cassie-ventura-tony-buzbee-lil-rod/">see all of the allegations here</a>).

Sean “Diddy” Combs Fulfills $1 Million Pledge To Howard University At Howard Homecoming – Yardfest

Diddy Wishes Courtroom ‘Happy Holidays’ At Hearing: Here Is The Latest On Sean Combs

It has been a decade since the foot-tapping beats and vibrant culture of Amapiano became one of Africa’s most popular music genres. In recent years, it has been the toast of the global music scene as well, as African artists continue to release hits that dominate the charts worldwide.



And 2024 has set the record straight for the rising popularity of the genre.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;



On streaming site, Spotify, Nigerian artist David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, and South African artist Musa Makamu (Musa Keys), hit the number one spot for Unavailable, the most-streamed song this year. The Amapiano number garnered over 183 million streams on Spotify and over 123 million views on YouTube.



In second place was viral favorite, Tshwala Bam, a remix by South African producers, Thato Mathobela (TitoM), Bongani Sibanyoni (Yuppe) and S.N.E (Sinenhlanhla Sibanyoni), but now featuring Nigerian Grammy award-winning artist, Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy. The remix gained 50 million streams on Spotify and just over 30 million views on YouTube. It seems to have enjoyed the most success on TikTok, where, according to reports, the remix received over 1.4 billion views.



According to a report by Wallaroo Media, 60% of TikTok users are Gen Z, a generation typically defined as people born between the mid-to-late 1990s and early 2010s. In 2024, they would be between the ages of 12-27 years old. Furthermore, the Wallaroo Media report assessed that “Gen Zers are trendsetters; next year, 74 million people in the U.S. will be part of Gen Z, which will make it the largest generation of all.”



With Africa’s bulging youth dividend, it’s easy to see how this generation has amplified Amapiano music.



&#8220;Amapiano has become one of the defining sounds of 2024, captivating global audiences with its hypnotic blend of house music, soulful melodies, and the unmistakable spirit of South Africa&#8217;s township,” Phiona Okumu, Head of Music at Spotify Sub-Saharan Africa, tells FORBES AFRICA. “Tracks like Tshwala Bam and Mnike are lighting up dancefloors worldwide, and this genre&#8217;s unstoppable rise is a testament to its prolific producers and passionate fans who keep it fresh, vibrant, and innovative.”



Okumu says that Gen-Z listeners in the U.K. alone have spent over 82 million hours streaming Amapiano, while fans in Mexico clocked 4 million hours; in Spain, it was 6 million hours, and Japan followed with more than 2 million.



“Amapiano is not just a genre; it’s South Africa’s number one cultural export, a movement that continues to inspire and evolve,” adds Okumu.

AfroFuture Festival 2023 Takes Place In Accra

10 Years Of Amapiano: Davido, Musa Keys, S.N.E, TitoM, Yuppe And Burna Boy Dominate The South African Music Genre In 2024, Mostly Thanks To Gen Zs

<a href="https://www.forbes.com/"></a><a href="https://www.forbes.com/search/"></a>Plus: A $13.2 Billion Shopping Day; Holiday Spending Predicted To Hit Record Levels, But With Slower Growth; Inflation Makes Shoppers More Likely To Use Credit; Avoiding Shopping Scams



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-this-is-the-published-version-of-forbes-ceo-newsletter-which-offers-the-latest-news-for-today-s-and-tomorrow-s-business-leaders-and-decision-makers-click-here-to-get-it-delivered-to-your-inbox-every-week">This is the published version of Forbes’ CEO newsletter, which offers the latest news for today&#8217;s and tomorrow&#8217;s business leaders and decision-makers. <a href="https://www.forbes.com/newsletter/ceo">Click here</a> to get it delivered to your inbox every week.</h4>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/>



The holiday spending season is officially here. Shoppers are tapping mobile phones, typing on keyboards, and yes, even going into actual stores in search of gifts to make the darkest part of the year more festive.



While today’s shopping event—Cyber Monday—is really just a name for sales, it’s still enormous. (According to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/internet-broadband/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Pew Research Center</a>, 96% of adults use the internet and 79% have a high-speed connection at home—a vast difference from the 2005 origin of the event, when people used their work computers to shop online.)&nbsp;<a href="https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/cyber-monday-statistics/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">CapitalOne predicts</a>&nbsp;that holiday shoppers will spend $13.2 billion today. In 2023, 94 million people shopped online on Cyber Monday, which was a 26.5% bigger shopping day than Black Friday.



Since the holiday spending season brings so much business—according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://nrf.com/research-insights/holiday-data-and-trends/winter-holidays/winter-holiday-faqs" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">National Retail Foundation</a>, it’s driven an average of 19% of total annual sales for the last five years for retailers—we’re devoting Forbes CEO today to what retailers and shipping companies call the most wonderful time of the year. We’ve got statistics and projections about what consumers are likely to spend and how it can impact the economy. I also talked to Jim Yu, CEO of BrightEdge, about how Google’s AI is impacting e-commerce this holiday season.



Thanks so much for reading, and may your registers ring.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spending-projections">SPENDING PROJECTIONS</h2>



It’s high shopping season now, but the projections about how people were likely to spend have been coming out since August. The good news:&nbsp;All predictions have shown more spending this year. The not-so-great news: Many see slower growth than in the past.



According to the National Retail Federation’s annual holiday sales predictions in October,&nbsp;total retail sales are expected to increase 2.5% to 3.5%&nbsp;over 2023 levels.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2024/10/15/retail-group-upbeat-about-holidays-expects-980-billion-in-spending/">Forbes&nbsp;senior contributor Joan Verdon wrote</a>&nbsp;this is a modest increase but still would be a spending record, with shoppers expected to spend at least $25 billion more than last year. NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said retailers are fairly upbeat and optimistic about the holidays, even though they’re concerned that shoppers will be more price-conscious.



Deloitte made a similar projection in September, expecting holiday spending to increase between 2.3% and 3.3%. Michael Jeschke, leader of Deloitte’s Retail &amp; Consumer Products Practice,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2024/09/12/moderate-holiday-sales-growth-of-23-to-33-forecast-by-deloitte/">told Verdon</a>&nbsp;in an interview about this forecast that they see a “return to normal spending” in 2024—more in line with the last 10 to 15 years in terms of growth than the previous three, which were all deeply impacted by the pandemic and its after effects. But still, Deloitte found that consumers plan to spend an average of $1,778 this holiday season—8% more than 2023—with the largest increases on experiences, decor and holiday clothing.



In August,&nbsp;Salesforce predicted online global holiday sales of $1.19 trillion, growth of just 2%&nbsp;from 2023’s $1.17 trillion,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2024/08/29/holiday-online-sales-expected-to-increase-2-to-119-trillion/">wrote&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;senior contributor Joan Verdon</a>. Adobe’s online forecast, made about a month later in September, predicts a record $240.8 billion in online spending in the U.S., an increase of 8.4% over 2023,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2024/09/25/adobe-expects-record-online-holiday-sales-of-2408-billion-up-8/">Verdon wrote in another article</a>. Patrick Brown, Adobe’s vice president of growth marketing and insights, told Verdon that they anticipate consumers to do more splurging on bigger ticket items—and more deep discounts coming on them this year.



The spending got off to a rousing start last week.&nbsp;Black Friday online sales approached $11 billion—an increase of more than 10%,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2024/11/30/black-friday-online-sales-up-10-as-in-store-traffic-falls-8/">Verdon reported</a>&nbsp;from Adobe Analytics and Salesforce data. But there was a loser on Black Friday: actual stores. There was an 8.2% drop in in-store traffic, according to Sensormatic Solutions. Grant Gustafson, Sensormatic’s head of retail and analytics, told Verdon this was likely caused by retailers improving their online shopping experiences and spreading sales to the entire week.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-economic-indicators">ECONOMIC INDICATORS</h2>



While analysts predict that more money will be spent this year,&nbsp;consumers have also borne the brunt of inflation for the last several years. Prices of most items, from food and fuel to gifts and experiences, are still a little more expensive—something that could make a big difference in what people spend.



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/sharonedelson/2024/10/07/consumers-start-holiday-shopping-early-but-high-prices-on-essentials-drives-cutbacks/">Forbes&nbsp;senior contributor Sharon Edelson reported on</a>&nbsp;a survey from ESW at the beginning of October that found 61% of consumers said they planned to spend more than $600 this holiday season, but 47% said the&nbsp;high prices of food and fuel will lead them to spend less than they would otherwise.



Salesforce&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2024/08/29/holiday-online-sales-expected-to-increase-2-to-119-trillion/">predicted back in August</a>&nbsp;that value will be top-of-mind for consumers this year, with&nbsp;one in five online purchases expected to be made on a Chinese-headquartered shopping app: namely Temu, Shein and TikTok. In August, 63% of consumers had made purchases from one of these apps during the previous six months, and half had already planned to buy from them during the holiday season. Salesforce said TikTok was likely to be the big winner; its customer base increased 24% between April and August.



Deloitte’s Jeschke&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2024/09/12/moderate-holiday-sales-growth-of-23-to-33-forecast-by-deloitte/">said in September&nbsp;</a>that&nbsp;inflation is likely to have both a positive and negative impact on holiday spending. With decreased inflation comes an ability to spend more, but the prolonged period of inflation has eaten into many households’ savings, which could lead to more credit card debt.



An overwhelming majority of consumers—85.1%—said they expect to use credit&nbsp;or borrowing to make holiday purchases, according to Coresight Research’s Holiday 2024 Consumer Survey and Retail Outlook,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanverdon/2024/11/18/why-shoppers-are-using-credit-cards-more-this-holiday-season/">Verdon wrote last month</a>. Four in 10 expect to put the majority of their spending on credit, and more than a third are using credit cards more than last year, according to Salesforce.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tomorrow-s-trends">TOMORROW’S TRENDS</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-google-s-ai-is-shifting-the-holiday-e-commerce-playing-field">How Google’s AI Is Shifting The Holiday E-Commerce Playing Field</h3>



It’s hard to miss the changes that Google has been making to its search results pages this year, especially when it comes to shopping. As the tech giant continues to improve its AI-powered search results, it’s doing more to impact what it shows to consumers. I talked to Jim Yu, CEO of SEO and content marketing firm BrightEdge, which keeps close tabs on what Google and other search engines are doing. I spoke to him about some of the changes and what they mean for businesses. This conversation has been edited for length, clarity and continuity.



What are some new things Google is incorporating in its e-commerce search results?



Yu:&nbsp;Google’s doing a lot in some of these commerce shopping queries [with] experimentation around YouTube. It makes sense if you think about multimodal content. If you are shopping for the new Sonos, buying a new iPhone or looking for a big screen TV, a lot of times people go to YouTube and find reviews. But it takes a lot of time to watch those videos.



Google’s AI overview automatically goes and looks at the video, watches the video, transcribes the video, then figures out what query is relevant for in search and summarizes. For example, if there are some pros and cons to buying something, it automatically looks at the video, along with regular reviews, and then summarizes that into the AI overview.



This is a very interesting hint into the future of AI. The last 18 months has been around large language models, which have been about just text. From a shopper perspective during the holiday season, you don’t have to watch all that stuff and spend a ton of time researching.



Is it doing a good job of picking credible reviews? I mean, anybody who wants to do a product review can, but I imagine that an editor at&nbsp;Consumer Reports&#8216; review might carry more weight than one from my neighbor.



I think they’re doing a relatively good job with this. It’s an interesting dynamic because on YouTube they have a lot more signals around content moderation. Bigger picture, you saw this evolution with AI overviews, where in the beginning it was using a lot of Reddit and Quora content—user-generated, creator-generated content, but with maybe less on moderation and authority. With YouTube, there are better controls and guardrails around the authority they ascribe to a creator.



What else has Google changed and added for the shopping season in terms of AI and search results?



There are larger AI overview panels. And by larger, I mean the real estate the AI overview takes now. We have not seen a lot of ads appear. I know they&#8217;re talking about that, [and because] the space that the AI overview is taking is increasing, that may be a precursor to having more real estate to add ads into that format.



You’re seeing more of the introduction of AI overviews at the top of search results, and a lot of times, integrating more details around the product so it’s a richer experience if you have a high-intent shopping query.



The product carousel, where in the AI overviews you can actually see different products, went up 300%. It’s not just describing products, describing attributes to consider, talking about the latest trends and things like that, but [it can] go ahead and show you the products that you can click through and buy. Those are going to be very important aspects heading into the holiday season.



What does this mean for CMOs and CEOs?



You’ve got to start analyzing this. If Google is important to your business, which for many people it is, especially as you head into the holiday shopping season, make sure you understand and monitor where AI is showing up in your portfolio of shopping keywords. If you have products [that would be in its] carousels, make sure that the product feeds you’re sending Google are in there, they’re timely, accurate and optimized because it’s pulling that right into the front of the AI. You want your image of your product and the information from your products to show up in that AI overview. And the best chance of that is making sure that you are feeding that directly into Google.



You also want to make sure you are very focused on the quality of the data and the content that you’re sending. Before, nobody was going to page two of the results. Now, you really want to be the trusted, accurate information that’s right in the AI portion at the top of that page.



One other thing I would [recommend], especially for shopping, is visual content. The trend here, especially in commerce, is people don’t just shop by looking at words. People are looking at pictures and videos and things like that. You want to make sure you are the source of that beautiful picture of that product and that is going to be another important element of winning in the AI-assisted shopping experience.

Google

How Google’s AI Is Changing E-Commerce For The Holidays

It has been 30 years since the release of the cinematic classic, The Lion King. It has been 27 years that it has been playing on stage at the Minskoff Theatre in Broadway, New York. The legacy continues with the release of Mufasa: The Lion King, the prequel to the 2019 live-action version of The Lion King. South African actor Dr John Kani, who reprises his role voicing for Rafiki the mandrill, and Kagiso Lediga, who played the mandrill in the live-action film, reveal more to FORBES AFRICA.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="683" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2189455823.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63981" style="width:686px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2189455823.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2189455823-300x200.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2189455823-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> The world premiere of Disney&#8217;s Mufasa: The Lion King at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on December 09, 2024. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)</figcaption></figure></div>


“When they first released the first animation of The Lion King, that had everybody glued,” South African actor and author, Dr John Kani tells FORBES AFRICA. “We had to watch it 89 times because the kids kept saying, ‘I want to watch The Lion King’.”



Chatting to FORBES AFRICA just days before the release of Mufasa: The Lion King, Kani says the animated film is deeply rooted in being African as it teaches audiences about the gift of hearing stories from your elders. In the movie, Rafiki relays the legend of Mufasa to lion cub Kiara (played by Beyoncé’s daughter Blue Ivy), the daughter of Simba and Nala.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="554" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LKP-T2-00086893-1024x554.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-63983" style="width:656px;height:auto" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LKP-T2-00086893-1024x554.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LKP-T2-00086893-300x162.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LKP-T2-00086893-768x415.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LKP-T2-00086893-1536x830.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/LKP-T2-00086893.jpg 1998w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Rafiki (voiced by John Kani) in Disney’s live-action MUFASA: THE LION KING. Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.</figcaption></figure></div>


“In&nbsp;2019, we did the CGI (computer generated imagery) version, which was more technically advanced,” Kani says. “And when I got the call from the director, Barry Jenkins, that ‘we&#8217;re doing The Lion King again, but this time, it&#8217;s a prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King; and would you voice Rafiki again’, I thought ‘what an honor, what an incredible moment for me’.”



“The pressure of [being asked to come and play Rafiki], the iconic-ness of it all,” exclaims South African actor and comedian Kagiso Lediga. “But I also feel like it&#8217;s part of this collective human [race]. From the past 30 years, people who grew up in the 1990s, people who have had children, who&#8217;ve watched it, they&#8217;ve put their children to sleep [with it]. It&#8217;s almost, I don&#8217;t want to say religion, but it&#8217;s [almost like it]. It&#8217;s got its subculture of people.”



Related in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a lion named Taka — the heir to a royal bloodline. The meeting then allows for “an extraordinary group of misfits to search for their destiny”.



Director Jenkins says that he saw this film as an opportunity to ground Mufasa — to show that the character was not born perfect.



“In The Lion King, when Mufasa looks up to the heavens and you see all the great kings, we assume that they were all just born great… He was not born wealthy. He was not born entitled. He was just someone with a family who lost that family,” Jenkins says. “Then faith and fortune and luck gave him a new family that he learned from and built with. He wasn’t given a damn thing — he earned all of it through learning, through being one with his environment, through caring for others.”



For Kani, the film emphasizes the emotional connection between generations and the need for young people to understand their roots. Highlighting the story of Mufasa, it also showcases the bond of family. Kani stresses the importance of relationships and understanding diverse cultures, and that this is what he believes people will relate to when watching Mufasa: The Lion King.


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="554" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/007_FB_2270_comp_v0841_R_1046_1_22_2-1024x554.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-63984" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/007_FB_2270_comp_v0841_R_1046_1_22_2-1024x554.jpeg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/007_FB_2270_comp_v0841_R_1046_1_22_2-300x162.jpeg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/007_FB_2270_comp_v0841_R_1046_1_22_2-768x415.jpeg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/007_FB_2270_comp_v0841_R_1046_1_22_2-1536x830.jpeg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/007_FB_2270_comp_v0841_R_1046_1_22_2.jpeg 1998w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"> Rafiki (voiced by John Kani) and Kiara (voiced by Blue Ivy-Carter). Photo courtesy of Disney. © 2024 Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved.</figcaption></figure></div>


“One of the greatest threats in our modern society is the disappearance of family. Children do not grow up with grandparents they can rely on and confide [in] when faced with challenges,” Kani adds. “To get a story like this where the role of elders is still critical in passing on to the next generation… This is what people will relate to when watching this great epic Mufasa: The Lion King. That they will need to go home and ask mom; ‘tell me more about your family, who was your mother, what was your father.’… &nbsp;You will feel like you will need a moment of sharing the past, the present, and how we go to the future.”



Lediga says that he would like audiences to feel what he felt the first time, in 1994, when he watched The Lion King at Sterling cinema. He recalls how he was on a date and how for the first time, as Apartheid had just ended, as a Black man, he could walk into a cinema and watch a film. He went to a different cinema house in Durban a few weeks later and watched the film again.



“Look at it like this, you’ve got this great script, you’ve got this great iconic character, and it was very important to just honor that. You need to live in that, in the present of it all,” Lediga says, recalling the days leading up to the production of the project. “Take that script to where it&#8217;s meant to go and further. And I guess that&#8217;s the job I had. If the audiences can watch this, and if I could make audiences feel the way the original film made me feel, the original Rafiki made me feel, then, I&#8217;m happy, then it&#8217;s Christmas!”

South African Premiere Of Mufasa The Lion King

‘The Iconic-ness Of It All’: South African Actors On Playing Their Part In The Prequel Of The Much-Beloved Disney Classic That You Can Watch Again And Again And Again    

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



Nissan Motor’s shares surged sharply on Wednesday morning after reports emerged that the company had initiated talks for a merger with fellow Japanese carmaker Honda, in a move that intended to help Nissan wade through an ongoing crisis and reportedly allow the Japanese companies to compete better against electric vehicle rivals from China and Tesla.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Key Facts</h2>



According to&nbsp;<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automobiles/Honda-and-Nissan-to-begin-merger-talks-amid-EV-competition" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Nikkei Asia</a>, which first reported the merger talks, the two automakers are discussing the possibility of operating under a single holding company that would allow them to pool their resources to take on emerging rivals.



The report said the size of each of the two automakers’ stakes in the new holding company and other financial details of the merger are yet to be decided.



The merged entity also plans to eventually bring Mitsubishi Motors—whose top shareholder is Nissan—on board, the report added.



In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nissan-global.com/JP/IR/TSE/ASSETS/2024/PDF/20241218_tse01_j.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Tokyo Stock Exchange filing</a>, Nissan said it is considering “various ways of future collaboration” with Honda and Mitsubishi as part of a strategic partnership that was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/IR/TSE/ASSETS/2024/PDF/20240801_tse02_e.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;earlier this year, “including some matters reported in the press…but nothing has been finalized at this time.”



Honda also issued a&nbsp;<a href="https://global.honda/en/investors/library/filings/filings20241218/main/0/link/CY2024_20241218_TSEfling_e.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">similar statement</a>&nbsp;in a regulatory filing, noting that the media reports are not based on any official announcements from the company.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">How The Market Reacted To The Honda-Nissan Merger Reports?</h2>



The price of Nissan’s shares surged 23.70% to JPY 417.6 ($2.72) in Wednesday morning trading in Tokyo, prompting a pause in trading as it hit the upper limit for a single-day swing. Mitsubishi Motor Corp’s stock price surged 19.65% to JPY 487 ($3.17) after the news was reported. The shares of Honda Motors—the biggest of the three companies—went up initially, but eventually slipped to JPY 1,233 ($8.04), down nearly 4% from the previous day. The stock of Japan’s biggest automaker Toyota—which will continue to hold that crown even if this merger goes through—rose nearly 2% to JPY 2,725 ($17.76).



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Big Number</h2>



Around 4 million. That is the combined number of vehicles Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi sold globally in the first half of 2024, according to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-12-17/honda-nissan-said-to-explore-potential-merger-to-take-on-toyota" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Bloomberg</a>. This is lower that the 5.2 million sold by Toyota—the world’s biggest car marker—in the same period.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Further Reading</h2>



<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Automobiles/Honda-and-Nissan-to-begin-merger-talks-amid-EV-competition" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Honda and Nissan to begin merger talks amid EV competition</a>&nbsp;(Nikkei Asia)

Nissan, Honda Agree to Study EV, Intelligence Partnership

Nissan Shares Surge 23% After Reports Of Merger Talks With Honda

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), reappointed for a second term, has also been named one of Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women in the World in 2024, marking her eighth appearance on the list.



In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Okonjo-Iweala celebrated the recognition alongside four other African women: &#8220;Honoured to be on the list of the 2024 Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women in the World, for the 8th time! This is an honor I do not take for granted. I wish to congratulate all my fellow women Honorees, in particular the 4 other African Women on the list – H.E President @SuluhuSamia of Tanzania, H.E Prime Minister @SuminwaJudith of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ms Mpumi Madisa – CEO of Bidvest, and our very own @MoAbudu. Let’s hope for even more African Women next time!&#8221;



Her tenure as WTO Director-General comes during a period of complex global trade disruptions, where she has been instrumental in pushing for equitable reforms and addressing the needs of developing nations.



In response to her reappointment, Okonjo-Iweala reaffirmed her commitment to the WTO’s mission: &#8220;Today, it is with humility and a great sense of honour that I thank each and every one of the 166 WTO members for the consensus they achieved in supporting my reappointment! Thank you for the wonderful words of recognition and support. I don’t take this lightly. I also want to thank my colleagues in the Secretariat Staff for their dedication and hard work.



&#8220;This is an enormous responsibility and I will redouble my efforts to work with each and every member to try and deliver the results this organization needs, including the necessary reforms to make it fit for 21st century challenges. We’ve done it before, we can do it again! I am also grateful to my family, my country, to the Africa Region, and to all my friends and colleagues from all over the world who have reached out with hundreds of congratulatory messages. Thank you for the recognition!&#8221;



A globally respected economist and finance expert, Okonjo-Iweala’s career spans decades. Educated at Harvard University and earning her doctorate degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), she became a household name during her two terms as Nigeria’s Finance Minister, where her reforms stabilized the economy and secured $18 billion in debt relief. Her bold leadership earned her international acclaim, including the moniker ‘the Iron Lady of Finance’.



She has held the position as WTO Director-General since 2021, making history as the first African and first woman leader to do so.

World Leaders Day At The COP29 Global Climate Talks

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala Reappointed As WTO Director-General And Also Celebrates Inclusion In Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women List For Eighth Time

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



Shares of MicroStrategy rallied Monday after the corporate bitcoin holder earned a spot in a key stock index, an apparent institutional vote of confidence in the company whose stock has been red hot amid the cryptocurrency boom.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">Key Facts</h2>



MicroStrategy stock gained 4% at market open, enjoying a bump from the Nasdaq&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/annual-changes-nasdaq-100-indexr-2024-12-13" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">announcing</a>&nbsp;after Friday’s close that the Virginia-based company would join its Nasdaq 100 stock index next Monday.



The inclusion on the Nasdaq 100, which is the basis for the popular Invesco QQQ exchange-traded fund, should result in about $2.1 billion in net buying of MicroStrategy shares as portfolios adjust to the move, according to Bernstein analyst Gautam Chhugani.



Also boosting the share price of MicroStrategy, which trades under the ticker MSTR, was a weekend rally for bitcoin, which hit a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/bitcoin-powers-above-105000-first-time-2024-12-15/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">fresh</a>&nbsp;all-time high Monday of over $106,000; almost all of MicroStrategy’s underlying value is tied to its bitcoin horde rather than a more traditional revenue-based business model.



MicroStrategy stock has gained a robust 573% in 2024, outstripping bitcoin’s 150% gain and the S&amp;P 500’s 29% return.



Shares of the other two new Nasdaq 100 entrants, Axon Enterprise and Palantir, had less stark reactions, with Taser stun gun maker Axon stock up 1% and analytics-based defense contractor Palantir trading flat.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-does-mstr-do">What Does Mstr Do?</h2>



MicroStrategy&nbsp;<a href="https://www.microstrategy.com/investor-relations" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">describes</a>&nbsp;itself as the “world&#8217;s first and largest Bitcoin Treasury Company.” Part of the dot-com boom at the turn of the millennium, MicroStrategy shifted its focus beginning in 2020 from its software business to becoming the most prominent voice advocating for bitcoin as a long-term store of value akin to gold. The company owns 439,000 bitcoins in its strategic reserve, equivalent to $46 billion, or 2.2% of the world’s total bitcoin supply. Some 40% of MicroStrategy’s bitcoins have been acquired over the last 40 days, according to Chhugani, dating back to the election of Donald Trump, an outspoken bitcoin ally. MicroStrategy has taken the rare step of issuing debt to fund its bitcoin purchases. “If you are not a Bitcoin believer, this is scary, but MSTR’s Bitcoin strategy is a long term high-conviction ‘buy &amp; hold’ strategy with the view to hold Bitcoin till it surpasses Gold and beyond,” Chhugani wrote Monday.



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



MicroStrategy certainly has its critics, including investment firm Citron Research, which&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/CitronResearch/status/1859608654590202325?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1859608654590202325%7Ctwgr%5E285e05254ab72981c19f7dd4fb2010b21edd4c81%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ffinance.yahoo.com%2Fnews%2Fmicrostrategy-stock-plummets-16-after-new-short-bet-with-bitcoin-trading-at-record-highs-151747801.html" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">announced</a>&nbsp;a short position on MicroStrategy stock last month, calling the stock “overheated” and “completely detached” from bitcoin fundamentals. With a market capitalization of about $100 billion, MicroStrategy trades more than two times higher than its bitcoin holdings, with its other operations hardly offering much further support, as its software business brought in less than $120 million last quarter.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">Big Number</h2>



2,700%.&nbsp;That’s how much MicroStrategy stock has returned over the last five years. That easily outranks the roughly 2,200% and 1,600% gains from the S&amp;P’s top performers during that stretch in artificial intelligence darling Nvidia and Elon Musk-led electric vehicle company Tesla, respectively, according to FactSet.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-forbes-valuation">Forbes Valuation</h2>



MicroStrategy’s outspoken founder and chairman Michael Saylor is worth more than $10 billion, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/michael-saylor/">making him</a> the 254th-richest person in the world. His net worth has more than doubled <a href="https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/">since</a> March.

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