Friend of Quebec man killed in Florida boat explosion says his sister also injured
Avior Wealth Management LLC lifted its position in shares of First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF ( NASDAQ:FV – Free Report ) by 40.1% during the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 2,311 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 661 shares during the period. Avior Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF were worth $135,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sound Income Strategies LLC purchased a new stake in shares of First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF during the 3rd quarter valued at $30,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC bought a new stake in First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF in the second quarter worth about $39,000. Zions Bancorporation N.A. purchased a new position in First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF in the second quarter valued at about $86,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. bought a new position in shares of First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $86,000. Finally, Register Financial Advisors LLC increased its stake in shares of First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF by 11.5% during the 2nd quarter. Register Financial Advisors LLC now owns 1,936 shares of the company’s stock worth $111,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF Stock Performance FV stock opened at $61.16 on Friday. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $58.74 and a 200-day moving average of $57.09. First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF has a fifty-two week low of $46.45 and a fifty-two week high of $61.41. The company has a market capitalization of $3.96 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.50 and a beta of 1.07. First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF Increases Dividend First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF Company Profile ( Free Report ) The First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF (FV) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in total market equity. The fund tracks an equal-weighted index of US and global ETFs issued by First Trust. The index selects 5 ETFs based on relative price momentum. FV was launched on Mar 6, 2014 and is managed by First Trust. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF ( NASDAQ:FV – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Trust Dorsey Wright Focus 5 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .MONTRÉAL, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Osisko Metals Incorporated (the “ ” or “ “) ( ; ; ) announces, further to its news release dated November 18, 2024 (entitled ), the following changes to Osisko Metals’ leadership team: The Company is pleased to announce the implementation of the following key management additions: The Company is pleased to announce the appointment of Patrick Anderson and Tara Christie to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “ “). – Mr. Anderson holds a BSc. Degree in geology from the University of Toronto and is an entrepreneur and executive with over 30 years of experience in the resource sector. He has held key roles across gold, base metals, and diamond projects for junior explorers, major producers, and consulting firms in South America, North America and Europe. His board experience includes companies listed on the TSX-V, TSX, and LSE-AIM exchanges. As the founder, CEO, and Director of Dalradian Resources Inc., he led the discovery of over 6 million ounces of high-grade gold at Curraghinalt and executed a $537 million go-private transaction. Previously, he co-founded Aurelian Resources Inc., overseeing the discovery of the 13.7 million-ounce Fruta del Norte deposit, acquired for $1.2 billion. This deposit is now Lundin Gold’s flagship asset. Mr. Anderson has been named Mining Man of the Year by The Northern Miner and received the PDAC Thayer Lindsley Award. He recently served as Lead Independent Director for Osisko Mining in its $2.2 billion acquisition by Gold Fields Ltd. Currently, he is the CEO of private Dalradian Resources, a Director of O3 Mining Inc., and Chairman of Cornish Metals Inc. – Ms. Christie is a professional engineer and has over 25 years of experience in the exploration and mining business. Currently, she is the President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Banyan Gold Corp. and led the company from discovery to establishing its current resource on the AurMac Gold Project. Ms. Christie currently serves on the board of Western Copper and Gold Corporation and has served on the boards of several other public companies. She was formerly the President of privately owned Gimlex Gold Mines Ltd., one of the Yukon’s largest placer mining operations. Ms. Christie has been a board member of PDAC, Association for Mineral Exploration BC, and the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board (YESAB). She is also President of the registered charity “Every Student, Every Day” that works to improve attendance in Yukon schools working with communities and First Nations. Luc Lessard has stepped down as a director of Osisko Metals, having served as a director on the Board since 2016. Mr. Lessard will continue as a strategic advisor to the Company. Concurrent with these appointments, Anthony Glavac has stepped down as Chief Financial Officer. “On behalf of the members of the Board, the management team and the staff of Osisko Metals, I would like to thank Luc and Anthony for their valued contributions and commitment to the success of Osisko Metals,” commented Robert Wares, CEO of the Company. “We wish Luc and Anthony all the best in their future endeavors.” The Company announces that, effective December 12, 2024, it has granted to certain directors, officers, employees and/or consultants of the Company an aggregate of 15,100,000 stock options (“ “) pursuant to the Osisko Metals stock option plan. The Options have an exercise price of $0.26 per share and a five-year term from the date of grant, and vest annually in equal thirds beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the critical metals sector, with a focus on copper and zinc. The Company acquired a 100% interest in the past-producing Gaspé Copper mine from Glencore Canada Corporation in July 2023. The Gaspé Copper mine is located near Murdochville in Québec s Gaspé Peninsula. The Company is currently focused on resource expansion of the Gaspé Copper system, with current (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals’ November 14, 2024 news release entitled “ “. Gaspé Copper hosts the largest undeveloped copper resource in eastern North America, strategically located near existing infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Québec. In addition to the Gaspé Copper project, the Company is working with Appian Capital Advisory LLP through the joint venture to advance one of Canada s largest past-producing zinc mining camps, the Pine Point project, located in the Northwest Territories. The current mineral resource estimate for the Pine Point project consists of (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals’ June 25, 2024 news release entitled . The Pine Point project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, close to infrastructure, with paved road access, an electrical substation and 100 kilometers of viable haul roads. Robert Wares, Chief Executive Officer of Osisko Metals Incorporated Email:FNA Deadline: FNA Investors with Losses in Excess of $100K Have Opportunity to Lead Paragon 28, Inc. Securities Fraud Lawsuit First Filed by The Rosen Law Firm
Happy New Year! It’s crazy how fast time seems to fly by. As we review how this past year has gone, we are delighted with how much was accomplished. Over $1,158,783 worth of improvements were made in 2024, such as building the Interurban Trail, finishing Lancaster Park, and maintaining our other facilities. Large projects require lots of financial resources, and we are thankful to have been blessed with $332,590.26 in local donations and from our new partnership with Harrison Township. Our department also secured $494,023 in grants this year, helping us prepare for our 2025 projects. Next year looks to be just as busy as this year was, with multiple projects on the books. After the baseball season ends in early July, Roush Park will be closed for major parking lot upgrades, including installing drainage, adding ADA sidewalks, and repaving the basketball court. The Wabash River Stabilization project to repair 1,100 feet of the riverbank from Wayne Street to the Howard Rich Pavilion will also commence in the summer while the river is in a low position. If all goes well with funding, there is a good possibility that as soon as the pool closes for the season, construction on the new one can begin. We are so grateful for the continued community support; we truly could not do it without all of you! Have you always wanted to learn how to Crochet? Now is your chance to sign up for January’s Hooked on Crochet class! Learning to crochet will give you a lifetime of pleasure and relaxation. You can learn to create handmade items for yourself and those you love. Classes will be taught by Kathy Gehrett at City Hall (128 E Market) from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Jan. 9, 16 & 23. The cost for 3 one-hour group lessons is $20, due the first day. Yarn and instructions will be provided, and you will need to bring your own size H hook. Call the park office to pre-register at 824-6069 or email events@blufftonindiana.gov. The class is open to beginners and advanced students. The first Theater Thursday of 2025 is scheduled for January 16th at 10 am at the Wells County Public Library. The film will be 007 No Time to Die, rated PG-13. James Bond is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica after leaving active service. However, his peace is short-lived as his old CIA friend, Felix Leiter, shows up and asks for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond on the trail of a mysterious villain armed with a dangerous new technology. There is still time to make a New Year’s resolution to become more active! Over 200 people commit to the Wells Winter Challenge each year, and we have expanded the options for 2025! Wells Winter 100 Mile Challenge : Walk or run 100 miles by March 21! That’s just 10 miles a week — are you ready to go the distance? Wells Winter Fitness Minutes Challenge : Stay active with 1,800 minutes of any activity this winter (indoor/outdoor biking, walking, yoga, pickleball, etc.). Aim for 150 minutes a week (30 minutes five times a week), and you’ll be on track. Kids 50 Mile Challenge: For kids 12 and under—run or walk 50 miles and join in the fun. We also want to congratulate this year’s Gingerbread Contest winners : Lane McClure, Jada Gehrett, and Paige Watter. Each winner was awarded Chamber Bucks for all their creative work. Have a great week!Mystery drones have been discovered following a British aircraft carrier at sea and hovering over air force bases in England. An unidentified 1.5 by 1.5 metre drone was spotted tailing HMS Queen Elizabeth into the harbour of Hamburg, Germany, on Friday, according to German newspaper Bild. According to the newspaper, the Bundeswehr positioned guards around the port and attempted to target the drone with HP-47 jammers before the unmanned aircraft flew away. The US Air Force (USAF) has also declared that it spotted “small unmanned aerial systems” over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk last week. USAF, which uses the bases, said the size and number of drones overhead had fluctuated. The British Ministry of Defence said it would not comment on security procedures. While it is unclear whether the drones have hostile intent, the incidents come during a week that saw the most significant escalation of hostilities in Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion nearly three years ago. 05:48 PM GMT That’s all for today Thank you for following our live coverage. 05:47 PM GMT British soldiers told to be wary of drones British soldiers were warned last year that spies could be flying reconnaissance drones over UK military bases. The Field Army Threat Handbook, published in October last year and promising clear military information concerning best practice for commanders and troops, details the tactics, techniques and procedures favoured by hostile foreign intelligence services. The handbook warns of tactics such as “the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and physical reconnaissance”, stating there were particularly “credible espionage and subversion threats” surrounding the training of Ukrainian soldiers. 04:48 PM GMT US warns it has ‘right to protect’ bases in England The US Air Force (USAF) has warned that it has “the right to protect” bases in England from threats amid drone sightings this week. Several clusters of “unmanned aerial systems” were spotted in the skies above RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell between 20 and 22 Nov. “To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation,” the Air Force said, adding: “We continue to monitor our airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets.” Lakenheath is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, which provides cutting-edge worldwide responsive combat air power in the form of fighter jets. Mildenhall hosts the 100th Air Refueling Wing, which conducts combat support operations throughout Europe and Africa, while Feltwell provides housing, schools and other services. 04:13 PM GMT Trump key pick plans deal to end war in Ukraine Donald Trump’s pick for US national security advisor (NSA) has called for an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia, and for both parties to come to the negotiating table. Mike Waltz said: “We need to bring this to a responsible end. We need to restore deterrence, restore peace, and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it.” The Republican congressman has been critical of Russia but has opposed increasing aid to Ukraine. “President Trump has been very clear about the need to end this conflict,” he told US media outlet Fox News on Sunday, adding: “We need to be discussing who’s at that table, whether it’s an agreement, an armistice, how to get both sides to the table and then what’s the framework of a deal?” Waltz said he had met with Joe Biden’s NSA Jake Sullivan and warned “adversaries” abroad against thinking they could gain an advantage in the months before Mr Trump takes office in January. 03:39 PM GMT Zelensky calls for better air defences after Russian drone attack Volodymyr Zelensky has called for better air defences after an overnight Russian drone attack evaded interception. The Ukrainian president voiced concern after 23 of the 73 drones launched by Russia managed to break through the country’s defensive shield. “An air alert has been sounded almost daily across Ukraine,” Mr Zelensky said on Telegram messenger, after a week in which Russia launched more than 800 guided aerial bombs, around 460 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles of various types. “Ukraine is not a testing ground for weapons. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state. But Russia still continues its efforts to kill our people, spread fear and panic, and weaken us,” he added. The Ukrainian military said earlier on Sunday that air defence units had destroyed more than 10 Russian drones that were targeting Kyiv overnight. 03:06 PM GMT Erdogan calls Putin to discuss further ‘cooperation’ Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Vladimir Putin during a telephone call on Sunday that he wishes to increase trade between Turkey and Russia. “President Erdogan declared that he aimed to increase the cooperation between Turkey and Russia in a number of areas, notably expanding the volume of trade,” the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Turkey initially condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but has since retreated to a neutral stance, justifying the relations as a necessity born out of Turkey’s dependency on Russian oil and gas. 02:22 PM GMT Pictured: Oreshnik wreckage 01:42 PM GMT Putin rolls out new incentives for recruits Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law granting debt forgiveness to new army recruits who enlist to fight in Ukraine. The new legislation allows those signing up for a one-year contract to write off bad debts of up to 10 million rubles (£77,000), according to Russian state news agency Interfax. The law applies to debts for which a court order for collection was issued and enforcement proceedings had commenced before Dec 1, 2024. Russia has ramped up military recruitment by offering increasing financial incentives, in some cases several times the average salary, to those willing to fight in Ukraine. 01:23 PM GMT Ukrainian missiles downed over Kursk Two Ukrainian missiles and 27 drones have been destroyed over Russia’s Kursk region, claims the governor of the region that borders Ukraine. Kursk regional governor Alexei Smirnov did not provide further details in a post on his Telegram channel. The Ukrainian military later said on Telegram that its forces had destroyed a Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system in Kursk. 12:48 PM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian military braces for winter 12:26 PM GMT Russia fires commander for misleading Ukraine reports, war bloggers claim Vladimir Putin has fired a senior general for providing inaccurate reports about the progress of the war in Ukraine, according to pro-Russian war bloggers and Russian media. Colonel General Gennady Anashkin, the commander of the Southern Grouping, has reportedly been removed from his command, though there was no official confirmation. Russian war bloggers have criticised the operation around Siversk, where they said poorly supported Russian units were thrown into deadly battles for little apparent tactical gain. Russian state outlet RBK reported that a source in the Russian ministry of defence acknowledged Anashkin’s dismissal but claimed that it was due to a “planned rotation”. 11:51 AM GMT Ballistic name for Russian baby A Russian man wants to name his 15th child Oreshnik after Vladimir Putin’s new ballistic missile. Vladimir Sukhov told media that the missile, unveiled by Putin on Thursday, was Russia’s “protector” and that it was his patriotic duty to have as many children as possible. “For the glory of our great and powerful country Russia, our Russian people, our victorious warriors, our great commander-in-chief Vladimir Putin,” he said. Media reported that Mr Sukhov had had 15 children with different women. This month the Russian parliament banned “childless propaganda” in an attempt to boost Russia’s birth rate, an obsession of Putin. 11:28 AM GMT Russia threatens Seoul over supplying arms to Kyiv The Russian foreign ministry has warned Seoul that it will respond “in every way” if South Korea supplies arms to Ukraine. South Korea has been considering sending military assistance to Kyiv in response to the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. “Seoul must realise that the possible use of South Korean weapons to kill Russian citizens will fully destroy relations between our countries,” Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko told the state-run Tass news agency. He added: “Of course, we will respond in every way that we find necessary. It is unlikely that this will strengthen the security of the Republic of Korea itself.” US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday night that he expects the 10,000 or so North Korean troops amassing in Russia to “soon” enter combat against Ukraine. 11:08 AM GMT Fears for grain exports as Russia targets ports Volodymyr Zelensky has said 321 port facilities have been damaged by Russian drone and missile strikes since July 2023, hampering Ukraine’s ability to export grain around the world. Ukraine, known as the Breadbasket of Europe, exported around six million tonnes of grain every month from its Black Sea ports before the Russian invasion in 2022. President Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine remained committed to being a “reliable contributor” of food to 400 million people in 100 countries and pledged to help share knowledge, cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise to fight against world hunger. Speaking at the third Grain from Ukraine summit in Kyiv, he said: “It is so important that we continue to stand together in protecting food security, the security of routes, supplies, food and other critical export goods.” 10:44 AM GMT Russia recruits Yemeni mercenaries The Kremlin has recruited hundreds of men from Yemen to fight in its war in Ukraine. According to the FT, the men were tricked into travelling to Russia with promises of work and citizenship but were instead forced into the army and sent to the frontline. It published a video of four alleged Yemeni mercenaries wearing military uniforms, sitting in a wood in Ukraine. Speaking in Arabic, the video’s commentator complained that a colleague has tried to commit suicide. “We are under bombardment. Mines, drones, digging bunkers,” he said. A company linked to Houthi rebels in Yemen helped to organise the men’s transfer to Russia, the FT said. The Kremlin has built strong links with Iran-backed Houthi rebels since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This has reportedly included sending weapons to the rebels. 10:39 AM GMT Prioritise Ukraine, urges Taiwan’s former president Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has urged the US support to prioritise support for Ukraine, despite the rising threat of a Chinese invasion of the self-governing island. “They should do whatever they can to help the Ukrainians, we [Taiwan] still have time” Ms Tsai told the Halifax International Security Forum. “A Ukrainian victory will serve as the most effective deterrent to future aggression,” she said. Ms Tsai served as president from 2016 to 2024, leaving office in January after poor local election results and ceding power to her Vice President William Lai. 10:30 AM GMT Watch: A week of drone attacks on Ukraine This week, air raid alerts have sounded almost daily across Ukraine. Just last night, our air defense forces managed to shot down nearly 50 strike drones. Over the past week, Russia has launched more than 800 guided aerial bombs, around 460 strike drones, and over 20 missiles of... — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) 10:30 AM GMT Welcome to our live coverage Hello and welcome to our live coverage. We’ll be keeping you up to date with the day’s events as they happen.
Ahead of the 2025 fiscal year, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube faced a daunting task on Thursday: revitalising Zimbabwe’s economy and filling the coffers of a Government encountering challenges to meet its obligations. In 2024, Government coffers came short, forcing Treasury to order ministries, departments and Government agencies (MDA) to prioritise spending. In a letter to the MDAs, Treasury said during the last quarter of the year, priority will be given to support social protection programmes, “which are still lagging behind in terms of their budget utilisation”. This is after revenue projections fell short of expenditures. During the first nine months of the year, total revenue collections amounted to ZiG62,4 billion, against expenditures amounting to ZiG66,5 billion. Consequently, a budget deficit of ZiG4,1 billion was recorded. Total revenue collections to year end are projected at ZiG110,7 billion, while expenditures are expected at ZiG119,97 billion (18,4 percent of GDP), resulting in a projected deficit of ZiG9,3 billion. With a constrained fiscal space, Treasury relied heavily on borrowing and even faced accusations of excessive money printing. The fiscal deficit as at September 2024 stood at ZiG4,1 billion and was financed through issuance of securities amounting to ZiG2,3 billion and drawdown of bank balance carried forward from the previous financial year. The year 2025 is not expected to be any better. In line with the projected GDP growth of 6 percent, during 2025, revenue collections are estimated at ZiG 270,3 billion (19,6 percent of GDP) while the 2025 fiscal framework provides for overall expenditures of ZiG276,4 billion or 20,1 percent of GDP. In US dollar terms, the Fiscal Framework translates to a GDP of approximately US$38,2 billion, revenues of US$7,5 billion and expenditures of US$7,7 billion. Mthuli said the budget deficit will be financed from the domestic markets and external sources. However, even after accounting for borrowing, the spending envelope still fell short of vote allocations. During the 2025 National Budget formulation stage, MDAs submitted total bids of over ZiG$700 billion, against the available budget envelope of ZiG 276,4 billion. This is more than double the ceiling of revenue collection capacity of 19,6 percent of GDP. To address this, Mthuli embarked on an ambitious plan to broaden the tax base by tightening existing tax administration and introducing new taxes and regulations. One such measure was the imposition of a “Fast Foods Tax” on popular items like pizza, burgers, and shawarma that will attract a tax rate of 0,5 percent on the sales value, with effect from 1 January 2025. The betting industry was not spared. A 10 percent withholding tax was imposed on the gross winnings of sports betting punters, aiming to tap into this growing sector. Furthermore, a wide range of businesses, from fabric and clothing merchandisers to car dealers and lodges, are now mandated to register for corporate and personal income tax. Failure to comply would result in hefty penalties. Mthuli proposed that any operator that fails to register and account for taxes be compelled to pay tax between US$9 000 and US$15 000. “I, further, propose to empower ZIMRA to temporarily close businesses which fail to adhere to the above requirements, including failure to register for tax purposes, until such registration and payment of applicable taxes are completed,” said Mthuli. To monitor transactions and enhance tax compliance, even small businesses were required to adopt the Virtual Fiscalisation System. “I, propose to extend the Virtual Fiscalisation System for the recording of VAT taxable transactions to Micro and Small Enterprises whose turnover falls below the VAT registration threshold for purposes of monitoring sales, during the first quarter of 2025. “This will assist in promoting transparency and ultimately enhance tax compliance by Micro and Small Enterprises,” said Mthuli. The mining sector also came under scrutiny. Mineral royalties were included in the definition of taxes, and mining companies were required to register for income tax before applying for mining rights. “I, therefore, wish to emphasise that, in the general interest of the public, royalties shall be payable on any mineral or mineral bearing ore or products during any period of assessment. “In addition, I propose that the Minister responsible for Finance be empowered to designate any mineral as being subject to royalties, notwithstanding the provisions of any other legislation. The Government also introduced a Special Capital Gains Tax on the transfer of mining rights. “I propose that no mining company should be allowed to make any application for mining rights without registration for Personal and Corporate Income Tax. “While these measures aimed to increase revenue, Mthuli also acknowledged the need for tax relief. The personal income tax-free threshold was adjusted to provide relief to taxpayers. “I propose to review the local currency Tax-Free Threshold to ZiG2 800 per month and accordingly adjust the tax bands,” said Mthuli. Additionally, the Capital Gains Withholding Tax on marketable securities was reduced. “I, therefore, propose that marketable securities be subject to Capital Gains Withholding Tax at a rate of 1 percent on the gross value of the price at which the security is sold, with effect from January 1, 2025. To promote environmental sustainability, the Government introduced a 20 percent Plastic Carrier Bag Tax and provided incentives for the use of electric vehicles and solar power. Trigrams Investment analyst, Walter Mandeya, said the success of these measures will depend on effective implementation and enforcement. “As Zimbabwe navigates its economic challenges, the Government’s ability to strike a delicate balance between taxation and economic growth will be crucial,” he said. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe’s economy is poised for significant growth in 2025, with projections indicating a 6 percent expansion. While slightly lower than the initial forecast of 6,5 percent, this figure represents a significant rebound from previous years including 2024, which is expected to grow by just 2 percent. Key sectors driving this growth include agriculture, which is expected to surge by 12,8 percent, powered by favourable weather conditions and increased investment. The energy sector, specifically electricity generation, is projected to grow by 10.6 percent, alleviating power shortages and boosting industrial activity. The information technology sector, a burgeoning industry, is anticipated to expand by 9,9 percent, fueled by increasing digital adoption and innovation. The mining sector, a traditional economic mainstay, is expected to grow by 5,6 percent, driven by rising commodity prices and increased investment in mining operations. On the demand side, private consumption is projected to be the primary driver of growth in 2025, with an estimated 6,6 percent increase. This is attributed to a strong recovery in household spending as economic conditions improve. Government consumption is also expected to contribute to growth, albeit at a more modest pace of 5,3 percent. Gross fixed capital investment is projected to rebound significantly from 0.5 percent in 2024 to 4,6 percent in 2025. This surge in investment is expected to be driven by the private sector, which is increasingly confident in the country’s economic outlook. The economy is expected to experience stable inflation in 2025, with a projected average month-on-month inflation rate of less than 3 percent. This stability is attributed to the implementation of tight fiscal and monetary policies. While US dollar year-on-year inflation increased from -2,9 percent in January 2024 to 3,3 percent in November 2024, the outlook for the exchange rate remains positive. Mandeya, however, called for caution. “While these projections are promising, it is crucial to note that several challenges remain. These include high levels of debt, infrastructure deficits and political uncertainty. ‘However, with prudent economic policies, sustained reforms, and a conducive business environment, Zimbabwe has the potential to unlock its economic potential and achieve sustainable growth,’ said Mandeya. Source: Business WeeklyDrought, fires and deforestation battered Amazon rainforest in 2024