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Oil prices jump on Mideast war, stock markets diverge

World oil prices soared Wednesday, with the benchmark international contract Brent North Sea crude surpassing $95 for the first time in nearly six weeks as the United States and Iran carried out more strikes.

Metal mining's carbon footprint far larger than thought: study

From building wind turbines to reinforcing power grids for rising demand from electric cars, transitioning from fossil fuels to greener economies will require a massive increase in metal extraction.

TokenInsight Q2 2026 Report: TradFi Momentum Lifts MEXC to No. 2 in Commodity Perpetuals

MEXC, a pioneer in 0-fee digital asset trading, increased its market share in Q2 2026 and ranked No. 2 globally in commodity perpetuals market share, according to TokenInsight's newly released Q2 2026 Crypto Exchange Report. The report provides a comprehensive review of trading volume, open interest, and TradFi perpetuals markets across major global crypto exchanges.

Leonardo chief sees potential for Germany to join GCAP fighter jet project

The head of Italian defence giant Leonardo told AFP it would be "beneficial" for Germany to join an initiative led by Britain, Italy and Japan to develop a next-generation fighter jet, after its rival project with France collapsed.

Oil prices surge on Mideast war, stock markets diverge

World oil prices soared Wednesday, with the benchmark international contract Brent North Sea crude surpassing $95 for the first time in nearly six weeks as the United States and Iran carried out more strikes.

In Kazakhstan, emptying villages and overcrowded cities

In a slowly emptying village in northern Kazakhstan, wild grass engulfed the entrances of abandoned apartment blocks, as children's songs spilled into the street from the only building still occupied.

Cooler inflation hands new UK PM Burnham an early boost

Britain's annual inflation rate fell more than expected in June, driven by lower fuel prices, official data showed Wednesday, in a boost to new Prime Minister Andy Burnham's cost-of-living push.

Mideast conflict lifts Brent back above $94, stocks give up gains

Oil prices rose sharply on Wednesday as fresh US strikes triggered air defences in Iran, while stocks in Asia gave up earlier gains and inched higher in Europe.

In Bulgarian mountains, local doctor still on call at 90

Doctor Kiril Apostolov shows no sign of being short of breath as he climbs a steep street in the mountain village of Skrat in southwestern Bulgaria, medical briefcase in hand, despite his advanced age.

Tech lifts Asia stocks, Brent crude back above $92

Enthusiasm for tech shares boosted Asian stocks for a second day Wednesday, as more mayhem in the Middle East lifted Brent crude back above $92 a barrel and the yen came under renewed pressure.

Hitler's Austrian birthplace to become a police station

Austria will formally open a new police station on Wednesday in Adolf Hitler's former house, in the hope of deterring today's ascendant far-right extremists from making the pilgrimage to the Nazi dictator's birthplace.

India's domestic workers go online as instant services boom

Racing against a stopwatch, a group of women folds bedsheets as they train to join an Indian startup that offers instant home services, transforming a traditionally word-of-mouth sector and promising better pay.

Hormuz, Malacca and other key straits spawn tensions throughout history

Hormuz and a handful of maritime straits around the world have served as the linchpin of global trade since the 16th century and have fuelled geopolitical rivalries throughout history.

AI boom lifts Mexico tech exports, complicating Trump trade goals

The United States' frenzied rush to build out AI infrastructure has boosted exports of Mexican technology, complicating President Donald Trump's hand heading into trade negotiations.

French parliament backs social media ban for under-15s in EU first

France's parliament on Tuesday approved a bill banning social media access for children under 15, making France the first European country to bar children from apps such as TikTok.

Trump 'not finished' with Iran as Tehran steps up strikes

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States was not finished attacking Iran, as Tehran stepped up its strikes across the Middle East.

French senators back social media ban for under-15s

France's parliament on Tuesday was set to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15, making France the first European country to bar children from apps such as TikTok.

Airbus pushes ahead with future single-aisle jet, hydrogen plane

With its extended, foldable "wing of tomorrow" unveiled Tuesday at the Farnborough airshow, Airbus is moving closer to the 2030 launch of its new single-aisle aircraft, Bruno Fichefeux, head of future programs at Airbus, told AFP.

French lawmakers set to ban social media for under-15s in European first

French lawmakers on Tuesday were set to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15, putting France at the forefront of such efforts in the European Union.

Stocks rise despite climbing oil prices

Stock markets rose Tuesday as technology shares rebounded further, while oil prices climbed as Iran targeted US radar and air defence installations in the Gulf.

General Motors lifts 2026 outlook despite hit from electric retreat

General Motors raised its full-year profit forecast on Tuesday after reporting solid quarterly results on strong vehicle pricing that offset a hit from costs tied to winding down electric vehicle investments.

Philippines, China summon ambassadors over clash in disputed waters

The Philippines and China summoned each other's ambassadors on Tuesday following a clash at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, which sparked condemnation of Beijing by Manila's allies.

Stock markets, oil prices climb

Stock markets rose Tuesday, with rebounding technology share prices helping Asian indices in particular.

South Africa's anti-migrant unrest sparks smalltown suspicion, fear

Armoured vehicles carried around 20 soldiers through a rundown area outside South Africa's normally calm seaside town of Jeffreys Bay, back up for police after an explosion of anti-migrant violence.

New UK govt tackles cost of living with energy tax cut

Britain's new Prime Minister Andy Burnham on Tuesday kickstarted his programme to ease the cost of living for millions of Britons by planning to remove tax on household electricity bills.

Novartis says buoyed by new treatments in second quarter

Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis said Tuesday that group sales exceeded expectations in the second quarter of 2026, on the back of a range of new products.

South Korea president urges regulator action on leveraged stock funds

South Korea's president urged financial watchdogs to take "necessary measures" over new highly speculative investment products tied to the fortunes of the nation's AI chipmakers after share price declines left investors nursing losses.

For Ukraine's drones, names are part of the battle

Some intercept drones attack Ukrainian cities, while others strike oil refineries hundreds of kilometres away in Russia. But Ukrainian drones are also known for their unconventional names, with humour becoming part of psychological warfare.

Countries move to ban social media for children

Lawmakers in France are scheduled to vote on Tuesday to ban social media for under-15s -- one of 20 countries worldwide to have proposed or introduced such measures.

Asia stocks up as chip stocks recover, oil eases

Asian stocks mostly rebounded after days of losses on Tuesday led by technology shares, while oil prices eased slightly even as Iran said it had struck hit US military targets in Bahrain and Kuwait.

French youth social media ban meets age check conundrum

France's parliament is weighing a social media ban for under-15s, following in the footsteps of Australia and Indonesia, although enforcement authorities are facing a puzzle on how to manage age checks.

French lawmakers expected to approve social media ban for under-15s

French lawmakers are expected to approve a bill banning social media access for children under 15 on Tuesday, putting France at the forefront of similar efforts in the European Union.

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