News – Agencies

`` In June, Bill Gates gave US$ 4.6 billion of Microsoft shares to the BMGF, followed by a new campaign to combat the spread of malaria. This latest donation reduces his Microsoft holdings from 2.4% to 1.3% (although Microsoft stock accounts for 9% of his overall net worth, and he remains the world’s wealthiest individual, despite donating billions of US$). The anti–malarial campaign focuses on mosquito nets, and is part of the Foundation’s wider efforts to defeat malaria. Donated nets will be distributed by World Vision to families in the Inhambane region of Mozambique, where malaria is still prevalent. The Foundation is also seeking to raise public awareness of malaria, and Mr Gates points out that 429 000 people died from the disease in 2016, although there are “miraculous” falls in malaria deaths since 2000, with numbers halving. (Forbes, 15 August 2017)