The Prague Post

South African tycoon Motsepe rules out presidential bid

South African mining magnate Patrice Motsepe on Wednesday ruled out a future in politics, dismissing speculation that he could one day run for the country's presidency.

Trump threatens Iran bridges, power as payback for Hormuz attacks

US President Donald Trump threatened Wednesday to knock out one Iranian bridge or power plant in return for each attack on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, warning he was "not finished" with a war that has already cost Washington $37.5 billion.

DonnaPro Introduces AI-Trained Executive Assistants for European CEOs

DonnaPro, the premium executive assistant agency built exclusively for CEOs and founders, has introduced AI-trained executive assistants into the marketplace, bringing a new standard of human-led, AI-amplified support to European business leaders.

Germany's Merz replaces leader ousted over surrogacy row

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday picked his right-hand man to lead the CDU/CSU alliance in parliament after the incumbent was forced out for using a surrogate mother.

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.

Iran steps up attacks in return to war with US

Iran stepped up its attacks in the Middle East on Tuesday, two weeks after its war with the United States resumed, with sirens sounding in Bahrain and Jordan announcing it had intercepted two waves of missiles and drones.

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.

The Prague Post - Economy (English)

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BP profit soars as Mideast war roils energy prices

Most stock markets gain, while oil prices edge up after plunge

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