Business

Strong non-oil and gas exports helped Indonesia post a $10.61 billion trade surplus in the first nine months of 2026, Statistics Indonesia said.

South Africa’s FirstRand has joined a growing list of Africa’s largest banks seeking acquisitions in Kenya’s profitable banking market.

South Korea’s exports reached a record $115.3 billion in October, up 93.7%, as chip exports soared 259% to $56.4 billion on AI demand.

Kenya wants to more than double coffee output to 150,000 tonnes a year, but research gaps and a seedling shortfall stand in the way.

Germany’s electric vehicle registrations jumped 58% to 604,000 in nine months, helping push global BEV registrations to a record 11 million.

Brent crude climbed above $115 a barrel on Wednesday after reports that the US told Gulf states to prepare for strikes on Iran, while WTI topped $100.

About 60,000 Microsoft employees in four countries can take a voluntary exit offer, with those who accept leaving on December 31.

South Korea posted a $116.63 billion current account surplus in Q2, second only to China, as chip exports powered record monthly gains.

Russia’s trade with Oman hit a 10-year high of $1.5 billion in January-July 2026, Shoigu said after talks with Oman’s Idris Al-Kindi.