Finance news

Insurance giant says it’s turning to AI to replace as many as 1,800 jobs

Allianz Partners will axe between 1,500 and 1,800 roles from its workforce of close to 23,000

Comment: Why Commerzbank is not lost yet

Unicredit has gained an excellent position in the takeover battle. But the Frankfurter Bank's scope is greater than it appears at first glance.

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe

Belgium splashes $3.5 billion to build shared air defense arsenal with the Netherlands

“After twenty years without one, Belgium will build again its own powerful air defence capability through this joint procurement,” said Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken.

Kentucky Gov. Beshear presses McConnell to provide health update as speculation grows

McConnell, the former longtime Senate leader who declined to seek an eighth term following a series of health scares, was admitted to a hospital on June 14.

Wall Street: Escalation in Iran drives oil, weighs on bonds and increases yields

Market observers believe a diplomatic solution is more likely. But the uncertainty has its consequences. And: New information on Fed interest rates.

NATO summit: Sánchez downplays Trump's angry speech about Spain

Trump rails against Spain, Sánchez remains relaxed. What's behind the heated debate about NATO funds and trade threats - and what both chatted about, according to Sánchez.

BörsenTag: Is the TACO trade coming back now?

The markets react with losses to Donald Trump's appearance in Ankara. In the face of interest rate concerns and midterm elections, investors can hope for a tried and tested pattern.

+++ NATO summit +++: Chancellor Merz emphasizes unity at the NATO summit – and praises Trump

“Families that argue stick together better” – Rutte emphasizes Trump’s commitment to NATO +++ Trump announces new attacks against Iran – but then confuses Zelenskyj with Putin +++ The news blog.

Alliance meeting in Turkey: The five most important points of the NATO Ankara Declaration

The summit was outwardly marked by Donald Trump's anger at his European allies. Nevertheless, the NATO states adopted a joint declaration - what's in it?

Space travel: Despite rocket explosion – Jeff Bezos achieves high rating for Blue Origin

For the first time, the Amazon founder has raised external capital for his space company - just a few weeks after a spectacular setback.

Bundestag: Environment Minister Schneider reprimands colleague Katherina Reiche

The EU methane regulation is intended to help reduce climate-damaging gas. This sparks a public dispute between the environment and economics ministries.

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · usa

IMF sees world economy growing just 3% this year amid Iran war

The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday modestly downgraded its outlook for the world economy this year, citing the energy shock caused by the Iran war. But the fallout from the conflict is being partially offset by booming investment in artificial intelligence and other technologies. The IMF now expects the global economy to expand by a sluggish 3 per cent in 2026, down from 3.5 per cent last year and from the 3.1 per cent it had forecast for this year back in April. The fund expects...

VW Group in crisis: Green Party Prime Minister Özdemir is fighting for the Audi factory

In a letter, the state government of Baden-Württemberg is now writing directly to VW boss Blume in order to prevent the closure of the Neckarsulm plant. 15,500 people fear for their jobs.

◇ unclassifiedmiddle-east · russia · usa

EIA: Crude Oil Inventories in US See Rare Build

Crude oil inventories in the United States saw a surprise increase of 3.0 million barrels during the week ending July 3, according to new data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) released on Wednesday. The increase brings commercial stockpiles to 411.4 million barrels, according to government data, which are now 6% below the five-year average for this time of year. The EIA’s data release follows API’s figures that were released a day earlier, which reported that crude oil inven

◇ unclassifiedmiddle-east · russia · usa

TotalEnergies Eyes Offshore Exploration Deal in Syria

TotalEnergies is looking to discuss the potential signing of an exploration contract offshore Syria with officials in Damascus, the French supermajor’s chief executive, Patrick Pouyanné, said during a visit to the Middle Eastern country. “Syria's offshore area has never really been explored historically, so we have partnered with other companies to look into it. We will discuss it today with our Syrian counterparts to see whether we can move towards a contract,” Pouyanné told reporters, as carri

◇ unclassifiedmiddle-east · usa

Sempra LNG Plant on Mexico's West Coast Exports 1st Shipment

Sempra Infrastructure's liquefied natural gas project on Mexico's west coast exported its first shipment, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.

◇ unclassifiedusa · europe · russia

Ukraine to get ‘license’ for making Patriot interceptors, Trump pledges

"It’s a defensive weapon, which I like better than an offensive weapon,” Trump said. Russian media quickly picked up on the announcement.

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia · germany

Teen, 16, arrested after two girls seriously wounded in German school ‘rampage’

At least two girls have been seriously wounded and a 16-year-old suspect arrested after an attack at a secondary school in the southern German state of Bavaria on Wednesday. The perpetrator appeared to have deliberately targeted the Welfen grammar school in the town of Schongau in a suspected “rampage”, a police spokeswoman said. She was unable to confirm press reports according to which the assailant used a knife in the attack. Local police said on their social media account that “a suspected..

Bezos' Blue Origin valued at $130 billion in first outside fundraising round

Bezos' Blue Origin is raising outside capital in a round valuing the rocket company at $130 billion, sources told CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin.

◇ unclassifiedmiddle-east · usa · japan

LNG Japan Bags Its First Contract to Supply Gas in Australia

LNG Japan signed an agreement to supply over 30 petajoules of natural gas to power utility Alinta Energy through its 10 percent stake in the Scarborough field offshore Western Australia.

Business ticker: Ikea ends sales of Malm furniture

Mercedes sells fewer cars +++ Deal with Broadcom: Apple has over 15 billion chips produced in the USA +++ OpenAI wants to release new AI models to the public +++ News in the company live blog.

◇ unclassifiedchina · asia

Stars, vintage toys and comic masters all out to slay Hong Kong anime fair

Hong Kong’s annual anime fair will return with its biggest edition yet, boosting capacity by 20 per cent and featuring a record 201 exhibitors, alongside live sketches by local comic masters and a vintage toy collectibles exhibition. The organiser of Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong (ACGHK) on Wednesday announced that its 27th edition would be able to accommodate 38,000 participants, 7,000 more than last year’s event, and host a record 201 exhibitors, up from 160 in 2025. The event will run from July..

Education: Numbers are increasing rapidly: students don't wait for Bafög, they take out loans

It won't be clear until the end of the month whether students will receive more student loans in the future. Many people don't seem to be waiting any longer and are taking out loans instead - albeit reluctantly from KfW.

Alliance in crisis: Trump seeks confrontation at the NATO summit

At the NATO summit, Chancellor Merz invokes the good “Spirit of Ankara,” which is intended to bring Europeans and Americans together again in NATO. But someone doesn't want to take part.

4d07/08⚠ shipping-routes · 2/5

Strait of Hormuz traffic won't return to normal until 2027 after latest setback, Kalshi traders predict

Speculators now see just a 44% chance that traffic flows return to normal by Dec. 1.

Debts: How does a debt collection process work and when does it go to court?

Some debt collection demands are unjustified - debtors do not always have to pay. The most important information about the process and rules of a debt collection process.

Valeo boss Périllat: Europe's auto industry is threatened with “massive deindustrialization”

In an interview, the head of the automotive supplier Valeo pleads for rapid protection of the industry and defends himself against the “Old World” label.

The American Dream is missing one key ingredient, says Harvard happiness expert: Without it, 'life is pretty grim'

Only 35% of U.S. adults define the American Dream as being part of a community. But one cannot thrive without the people around them, say experts.

Waymo starts driverless rides in four more U.S. markets as expansion accelerates

Waymo has a big lead in the nascent U.S. robotaxi market, and is opening up in more cities.