May 2026 - Page 2 of 5 - Africa news break

Why are multi-asset portfolios regaining popularity among advisors?

19 May

Multi-asset portfolios: why are advisors embracing them again?

Multi-asset portfolios are experiencing a renewed wave of interest among financial advisors. After years dominated by single-asset strategies, thematic bets, or narrowly diversified equity allocations, advisors are increasingly returning to multi-asset approaches to address a more complex investment environment. Persistent inflation, higher interest rates, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifting correlations across asset classes have all contributed to this resurgence.A Market Landscape Marked by Heightened Challenges and Growing UncertaintyThe post-pandemic investment environment has been shaped by sharp swings and shifting market regimes, with equity markets producing inconsistent gains, bonds enduring their most severe declines in generations, and long-held beliefs about traditional diversification…

Istanbul, in Turkey: What makes a retail concept scalable across diverse neighborhoods

19 May

Istanbul, Turkey: retail concept scalability for varied communities

Roger W. WatsonEconomy

Istanbul emerges as a megacity defined by striking contrasts: compact historic districts, heavily visited tourist corridors, sleek business hubs, expansive suburban areas, and two continents connected by ferries and bridges. These differences form a patchwork of consumer habits, foot-traffic rhythms, rental conditions, and infrastructure. A retail concept intended to succeed across Istanbul’s varied neighborhoods must remain intentionally modular, guided by data, and strong in day-to-day execution. The framework below outlines what enables such a concept to scale, supported by examples and actionable strategies.1) Precise segmentation and neighborhood-level customer understandingSuccessful scaling starts with precise segmentation:Define customer archetypes: tourists, young professionals, students,…

Yamaha Marine and Skeeter Boats Co-Sponsor Charity Bass Tournament Benefitting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®

18 May

bass tournament for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® supported by Yamaha Marine and Skeeter Boats

Roger W. WatsonSocial Responsibility

A long-established bass fishing tournament in Minnesota once again brought anglers, sponsors and surrounding communities together to support children confronting life-threatening illnesses, with the annual event blending competition, fundraising and generosity to raise more than $1.3 million for the mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.The Dick Hiley St. Jude Bass Classic made its 28th appearance in Wabasha, Minnesota, drawing fishing fans from throughout the Upper Midwest for a weekend devoted to both competition and philanthropy, and from May 1 to May 3 the tournament welcomed 100 boats while upholding a legacy that has grown into one of the region’s…

Which designers changed fashion history?

18 May

Who are the fashion designers that changed history?

Roger W. WatsonCulture and Entertainment

In the ever‑evolving realm of fashion, numerous designers have not only introduced groundbreaking trends but have also transformed the very notion of style across generations, leaving lasting impressions on the industry and shaping contemporary views on clothing and aesthetics; below is an exploration of several pivotal designers whose work has altered fashion history, highlighting their ideas, innovations, and timeless influence.Coco Chanel: The LiberatorCoco Chanel, the iconic French designer, transformed women’s fashion by freeing them from rigid corsets and presenting a refined yet comfortable aesthetic that still shapes contemporary style. Among her most celebrated innovations is the little black dress, a…

18 May

Decoding minimalist style

Roger W. WatsonCulture and Entertainment

Minimalist style represents a design philosophy that has influenced numerous domains, including art, architecture, fashion, and interior design, centering on simplicity and prioritizing essential elements to craft an aesthetic that feels both refined and practical, while relying on a restrained selection of components to cultivate a peaceful, orderly, and cohesive atmosphere.The Origins of MinimalismMinimalism as a formal movement began in the post-World War II Western art world, primarily gaining traction in New York in the late 1960s. Artists like Donald Judd, Agnes Martin, and Carl Andre sought to break away from the complexities of Abstract Expressionism, instead favoring simplicity and…

18 May

Pop star Shakira acquitted in Spanish tax fraud case

Roger W. WatsonCulture and Entertainment

A Spanish court has ruled in favor of Shakira in a long-running tax dispute, ordering authorities to return millions of euros in fines and interest payments. The decision marks another major chapter in the singer’s complicated legal history with Spain’s tax agency.A court in Spain has acquitted Colombian singer and global music icon Shakira in a tax fraud case tied to the 2011 fiscal year, determining that authorities had not proven she was a formal tax resident in the country at that time, and the decision, disclosed through court documents reviewed by international media, instructs the Spanish government to return…

Placebo and nocebo: the power of expectation in health

13 May

Health outcomes and expectation: exploring placebo and nocebo

Roger W. WatsonScience and Technology

Expectations influence physiology, and the terms placebo and nocebo describe the corresponding beneficial or adverse results shaped by those expectations. A placebo effect arises when an inert intervention or therapeutic context leads to an improvement in health, whereas a nocebo effect appears when harmful outcomes or unwanted symptoms emerge due to negative expectations. These responses are not imaginary; they trigger observable shifts in symptoms, biological indicators, neural activity, and behavior. Grasping these effects is essential for clinical practice, research design, public health strategies, and responsible communication.Essential Terms and Clear DistinctionsPlacebo: improvement attributable to psychological and contextual factors rather than the…

How are quantum sensors impacting navigation and medical imaging research?

12 May

Unpacking the ethical questions in AI science

Roger W. WatsonScience and Technology

Artificial intelligence systems are increasingly used to generate scientific results, including hypotheses, data analyses, simulations, and even full research papers. These systems can process massive datasets, identify patterns faster than humans, and automate parts of the scientific workflow that once required years of training. While these capabilities promise faster discovery and broader access to research tools, they also introduce ethical debates that challenge long-standing norms of scientific integrity, accountability, and trust. The ethical concerns are not abstract; they already affect how research is produced, reviewed, published, and applied in society.Authorship, Attribution, and AccountabilityOne of the most pressing ethical issues centers…

12 May

Redefining the approach to obesity

Roger W. WatsonScience and Technology

Obesity is increasingly understood not as a matter of willpower or aesthetics, but as a multifaceted, long‑term medical condition shaped by biological, behavioral, social, and environmental influences. This broader understanding has prompted major shifts in prevention strategies, clinical practice, public policy, and scientific research. This article outlines the factors behind this change, reviews supporting evidence and examples, presents emerging tools and care models, and examines the challenges and consequences for patients, healthcare professionals, and communities.Understanding obesity and its significanceObesity is usually defined by body mass index (BMI) thresholds (BMI ≥30 kg/m² for adults), but BMI is a crude measure that…

Andorra: CSR in services advancing universal accessibility and community-centered care

12 May

Corporate social responsibility in Andorra: focus on accessibility and community

Roger W. WatsonSocial Responsibility

Andorra is a microstate whose economy is heavily weighted toward services: tourism, retail, banking, transport, and telecommunications. In such a setting, corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the service sector has powerful leverage to expand universal accessibility and to embed community-centered care across daily life. This article examines practical strategies, concrete initiatives, measurable outcomes, and replicable models that service organizations in Andorra can and do use to make access equitable for residents and visitors while strengthening social cohesion and local capacity.Why CSR in services matters for accessibility and careServices shape lived experience: whether a person can access a bank counter, arrive…