businesses

The United Nations has added 61 companies to its blacklist of firms operating in Israeli settlements, citing alleged human rights violations against Palestinians. The update to the database of businesses engaged in activities in the occupied territories is expected to draw sharp reactions from Israel and its allies, while rights groups have long pressed for firms to be held accountable for operations in the settlements.

The US Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time since 2023, according to ABC News. A rate hike would mark a reversal from the easing cycle of recent years and would affect borrowing costs for mortgages, credit cards and businesses across the American economy. Markets and households will be watching for signals on whether further increases are planned.

Russian authorities are instructing businesses to protect their own facilities from Ukrainian drone attacks, as strikes increasingly disrupt operations across the country. The move signals that Moscow's air defenses are struggling to intercept the growing number of drones targeting infrastructure and industry. The report, published by The Wall Street Journal, highlights the mounting economic strain the drone campaign is placing on Russia's war effort.

Russia's finance ministry has announced tax increases aimed at shoring up the country's military budget, as the war in Ukraine continues to strain public finances. The move signals Moscow's willingness to place more of the tax burden on businesses and households to sustain defence spending. Observers see it as evidence that the costs of the conflict are increasingly being passed on to ordinary Russians.

Economists are split over whether the US Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year. ABC News reports that analysts disagree on the outlook, with arguments on both sides about inflation pressures, labor market strength, and the risk of slowing growth. The division reflects genuine uncertainty about how the economy will perform in the months ahead, leaving markets and businesses unsure about borrowing costs.

US aviation authorities briefly halted flights at several busy East Coast airports after a cut fiber optic line disrupted communications. The Federal Aviation Administration paused departures and arrivals while crews worked to restore the connection, causing delays across major hubs. Travelers reported grounded flights and long waits, and the incident has renewed questions about the fragility of the air traffic control system's infrastructure.

The United States and China have announced a tariff arrangement linked to at least $30 billion in imports, following a meeting between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Officials confirmed the arrangement but left key details unresolved, leaving businesses and analysts questioning the scope of the tariff relief, which products are covered, and how the deal will be implemented.

The United Nations has added more than 60 companies to its blacklist of firms operating in Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories. The move, published by the UN Human Rights Council, lists businesses it says are involved in settlement-related activities that Palestinians and rights groups consider illegal under international law. Israel has condemned the listing, while supporters see it as accountability.

Climate discussions in New York are being reshaped by two mounting pressures: rising energy costs for households and industry, and the surging electricity demand from artificial intelligence data centres. As negotiators and business leaders weigh decarbonisation goals against affordability and grid reliability, the rapid growth of AI is complicating plans to phase out fossil fuels, forcing climate policy to account for a new wave of power consumption.

The UN human rights office has added 61 more companies to its blacklist of firms accused of violating Palestinian human rights through business ties to Israeli settlements. The move expands a list first published in 2020 and is expected to draw criticism from Israel and its allies, while rights groups welcomed the step.

US stock futures are holding steady as investors await President Trump's decision on Iran, according to Investor's Business Daily. Traders are watching closely for signs of escalation or de-escalation in the standoff, with energy prices and safe-haven assets likely to react sharply to any announcement involving military action or new sanctions.

The United Nations has published an updated blacklist naming 61 companies it says are involved in activities in Israeli settlements that violate Palestinian human rights. The list, maintained by the UN Human Rights Council, identifies firms for business operations linked to the occupied territories. The move is expected to draw criticism from Israel and the United States, while rights groups welcome greater corporate accountability.

The United Nations has added 61 companies to its blacklist of firms operating in Israeli settlements, alleging violations of Palestinian rights. The list names businesses accused of contributing to settlement activity in the occupied territories, a move likely to draw criticism from Israel and its allies while being welcomed by Palestinian advocacy groups. Firms on the list may face reputational and commercial pressure.

Reserve Bank of Australia Governor Michele Bullock says the days of low interest rates are gone, signalling that borrowing costs are likely to stay elevated for the foreseeable future. The warning matters for Australian households and businesses still adjusting to higher mortgage repayments, and it has drawn wide attention as people weigh what a permanently higher rate environment means for housing and the wider economy.

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten is lobbying Washington against a fresh round of export restrictions that would hit ASML's China business. US lawmakers are pursuing legislation that could tighten controls on the chip-equipment maker's immersion lithography systems and its servicing activities in China. The Dutch intervention highlights tensions between US efforts to curb China's chip ambitions and the interests of Europe's most valuable tech firm.

Britain's so-called Brexit labels, the EU-related labelling requirements introduced after the UK's departure from the European Union, are set to be removed. The change means British businesses will no longer have to carry the specific markings associated with post-Brexit rules. Commenters are debating whether the move signals a genuine loosening of Brexit-era bureaucracy and what it means for trade with the EU.

The United Nations has expanded its list of Israeli companies operating in West Bank settlements to 215 firms. The list, published by the UN Human Rights Council, names businesses it says are engaged in activities supporting settlement expansion, which Israel and its supporters condemn as biased, while human rights groups welcome it as a step toward corporate accountability in occupied territory.

The Central Bank of Brazil has announced new regulations for Pix, the country's widely used instant payment system. The move affects millions of users and businesses that rely on Pix for daily transactions, and reactions are circulating widely as people try to understand what changes to transfers, limits and security requirements will mean for them.

Indian broadcasters are running rolling live coverage bundling several major stories: a political row involving the Election Commission, remarks and actions by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a fresh attack by Yemen's Houthis, and rising tensions between the United States and Iran. The combined coverage reflects a busy news day spanning domestic election politics and international security developments being watched in both India and the US.

Meta has introduced a new lineup of artificial intelligence products, according to Bloomberg. The company is positioning the offering as an attempt to succeed where competitors have struggled to gain traction with AI. The announcement is drawing attention as tech giants race to convert AI investments into widely adopted consumer and business products.

The U.S. economy continues to grow even as bond yields climb toward 5%, defying expectations that high borrowing costs would slow activity. Consumer spending and business activity are surging, breaking the usual link between rising yields and economic slowdown, and prompting debate about whether the economy can keep defying these pressures.

The United Nations has expanded its database of Israeli companies operating in West Bank settlements, adding firms to bring the total to 215. The list, compiled by the UN Human Rights Council, names businesses deemed to support or benefit from Israel's settlement enterprise, which most of the international community considers illegal. Israeli officials have condemned the blacklist, while human rights groups see it as accountability pressure.

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, the Japanese maker at the center of a supplement contamination scandal linked to suspected deaths, is reportedly considering a buyout offer worth more than ¥500 billion. The move would mark a major turning point for the company, which has faced reputational and financial fallout since the scandal, and is drawing attention to the future ownership of the troubled firm.

Bill Gates has publicly criticised Donald Trump's refusal to back safeguards on artificial intelligence, arguing the US should support stronger oversight of the technology. Gates framed the resistance as a mistake at a time when governments worldwide are moving to regulate AI. The remarks add a prominent business voice to the debate over how far Washington should go on AI rules.