Breaking News Today – Friday 29 August 2025

Business & Tech News 

US GDP Growth for Q2 2025 Exceeds Expectations

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported yesterday that real GDP grew at a revised 3.3% annualised rate in Q2 of 2025, up from the initial 3.0% estimate, and exceeding the 3.1% Dow Jones forecast. This marked a clear rebound from Q1 that recorded a -0.5% contraction. The growth was primarily driven by a sharp 30.3% decline in imports, which boosted GDP as imports subtract from the total, and a 1.6% rise in consumer spending, revised up from 1.4%. Net exports contributed nearly 5 percentage points, reflecting trade balance improvements with the impact of tariffs taking hold. Business investment grew by 1.9%, with equipment and software investment up 4.8% and 6.4%, respectively, signalling AI-driven capital deepening.

AI Website builder Framer Hits Double Unicorn Valuation

Framer, the no-code website builder that has established over half a million monthly active users, has reached a remarkable $2 billion valuation after raising a $100 million Series D funding round led by existing investors Meritech and Atomico.This double-unicorn milestone comes at a time of market hype around AI driven website builders — including direct competitors like Figma, Squarespace, and Wix, as well as rising “vibe coding” platforms such as Cursor and Lovable. “With this funding, we’re doubling down on enterprise growth and AI, so any company can confidently run their entire website on Framer,” CEO and co-founder Koen Bok said. Rather than static landing pages, Framer supports dynamic websites that teams can quickly update — without requiring developer support.

Zambian Inflation Down Again

Zambia’s annual inflation rate fell further to a near two-year low of 12.6% in August 2025, from 13% in July, marking a fourth consecutive month of decline. The relative stability of the kwanza has played a central role in this trend. Food inflation cooled to 14.9% in August, down from 15.3% in July, and non-food prices rose more slowly at 9.3%, compared with 9.7% last month. On a monthly basis, the CPI rose by 0.5% in August, up from a 0.1% increase in the prior month

Business, Tech & Market News Shorts: 

• Stocks in the US closed higher on yesterday,, with the S&P 500 climbing to a second consecutive record high above the 6,500 mark this week, the Nasdaq 100 rose 0.6% and the Dow added 72 points. Market sentiment was supported by strong economic data and ongoing enthusiasm for artificial intelligence. Profit taking from investors has seen a slight reversal this morning as they lock in profit.
• The total number of liquidations of businesses in South Africa saw a dramatic increase of 16,5% in July 2025 compared with July 2024. Liquidations of close corporations increased by 26 cases while liquidations of companies decreased by 4 cases during this period. For the three month period from May to July, 2025, the number of liquidations increased by 12,4% compared with the same period in 2024.
• TransUnion, the global credit reporting company, has disclosed a data breach affecting more than 4.4 million customers’ personal information.In a filing with Maine’s attorney general’s office yesterday, TransUnion claimed the July 28 breach was due to unauthorised access of a third-party application storing customers’ personal data for its U.S. consumer support operations.
• US-based mining startup KoBold Metals, has been granted seven permits to explore for lithium in the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials announced this week.The permits cover a 4,500-square-kilometre area in Manono, a region already home to one of the world’s richest lithium deposits.
• Gold moved above the key $3400 mark this morning to around $3,410 per ounce, near its highest level in over a month, and is on track for a second consecutive weekly gain. The metal continued to draw support as investors sought refuge amid uncertainty over US monetary policy. 

Markets by Numbers 

Currencies: 

Currency markets today indicate the US Dollar is currently trading upwards against the Euro at 1.16653 and against the Pound at 1.34965 The Yen is currently trading at 147.03 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR) is currently at R17.70 to the US dollar.

Commodities:

• Gold futures prices are trending upwards this morning after a spike yesterday, and are currently trading around $3411.90 per ounce.  
• Copper prices are trading higher today, with prices currently at $4.937
• Silver futures prices are -0.5% lower today, and currently at $38.884
• Platinum futures are trading marginally softer this morning, and are currently trading at $1353.60 While Palladium prices are trading higher this morning and currently at $1103.50
• Brent crude oil prices are currently trading lower, and currently at $67.75, with WTI trading at $64.39 
• Cocoa futures are trending flat this morning, and are currently at $7738.00 per ton. 
• Coffee futures are down by -1.6% today, and currently at $387.30

Crypto Currencies:

• Bitcoin prices are currently trending lower today and currently at $111050 
• Ether prices are currently trending upwards today and at $4454.15 
• $Trumpcoin is currently trading around $8.47

(All prices quoted at approximately 08H15 Central African Time) 

Other Breaking News in Africa Today

US Deportees Arrive in Rwanda

In the ongoing efforts by the US administration to remove dangerous illegal immigrants from their country, seven migrants deported from the US have arrived in Rwanda, the first of 250 expected to be taken in by the African state under a deal reached with President Donald Trump’s administration. “The first group of seven vetted migrants arrived in Rwanda in mid-August,” Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said. She did not provide any details about their nationalities, only explaining that four of them would remain in Rwanda, with three opting to return to their home countries.

They are also being visited by the International Organization for Migration, as well as representatives of Rwanda’s social services.In addition to accommodation, those approved for settlement in Rwanda will receive workforce training and health care, she said.Rights groups have warned that such deportations could breach international law if people are sent to countries where they risk torture or other abuses.