Breaking News Today – Friday 6 March 2026

Business News Today 

Brent Fuel Prices at 21-Month High

Crude Oil futures fell around 1% to around $84 per barrel in early trading today, paring gains from the previous session after the Trump administration signalled it is considering several options to address the surge in oil and gasoline prices amid the war in Iran. Brent oil prices have jumped nearly 16% this week, and 22% in the past month, putting them on track for the largest weekly increase in prices since 2022 as the Middle East conflict disrupted global energy flows by effectively halting shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. Brent Crude was last at this price in July 2024 and year-to-date, prices have gained almost 39% creating inflationary pressures at the fuel pump.

Emerging economies are likely to be hit hardest as they rely predominantly on imported fuel, and with the dollar strengthening this creates a secondary inflationary pressure on fuel prices. South African Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, has confirmed that the country currently has “stability” in refined fuel and jet fuel supplies and reserves, however the government will be watching the situation closely. South Africa is one of many African states that imports the majority of its fuel.

Amazon Launches Healthcare AI Agentic Platform

The Healthcare sector is a clear target area for Growth for Amazon Web Services (AWS), who launched Amazon Connect Health yesterday. The new service is an agentic AI platform designed to reduce administrative burden in health care services. Amazon Connect Health automates administrative tasks like scheduling and documentation with AI, freeing health care providers to focus on patient care.The AI handles patient verification, scheduling, medical histories, documentation, and coding and is the first purpose-built AWS solution for health care providers. Amazon has existing partnerships with the US National Health Service, Montefiore Health System, and through this experience with  Amazon Pharmacy and One Medical, they have identified where the healthcare system breaks down. Amazon Healthcare has been purpose built to address these shortfalls.

Ten-Passenger Electric Drone Taxi Revealed

The Matrix is a 5-ton electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle, or eVTOL, has been developed in China, and is considered the largest electric aircraft built so far.The developer – Chinese company AutoFlight, has developed the Matrix, which can carry up to 10 passengers. It has a 20-meter wingspan, and is 17.1 meters long and 3.3 meters tall. The massive drone is able to fly for an hour non-stop without requiring a recharge.

The concept vehicle is being developed with the idea that it could be utilised as a flying taxi, or delivery vehicle although some industry experts it will take some time to refine to that point. The company has already developed a 2-ton passenger eVTOL version that is awaiting the required certifications for commercial operation. Steven Yang, senior vice president of AutoFlight told AP that AutoFlight hopes to get a vehicle “type” certification for the Matrix, from Chinese regulators by 2027

Breaking News Shorts:  

• Electricity generation in South Africa decreased by 6,2% year-on-year in January 2026, according to the latest Stats SA data released yesterday. Seasonally adjusted electricity generation decreased by 2,5% in the three months ended January 2026 compared with the previous three months, while Electricity consumption also decreased by 6,2% year-on-year in January 2026.
• The Pentagon placed a formal supply-chain “risk designation” on the Anthropic AI platform yesterday, which will limit use of their AI technology for military operations or developments. The “supply-chain risk” ‌label, confirmed in a statement by Anthropic, is effective immediately and bars government contractors from using Anthropic’s technology in their work for the U.S. military. Anthropic is et to challenge the ban in court.
• Angola has received formal approval from the World Bank yesterday for crucial financial ​guarantees that will underpin a “debt-for-education” swap the country is lining up ‌to pay for new schools. Debt swaps aim to reduce interest payments so governments can spend more in key areas and Angola’s is set to be only the ​second the World Bank has backed after its first just over ​a year ago in Ivory Coast
• Ghanaian cocoa farmers have ​not been paid for deliveries, even after the regulator released funds to buyers to ‌settle arrears and support the struggling sector.The Ghana Cocoa Board, or COCOBOD, said last week it had released 3.62 billion cedis ($336.74 million) to Licensed Buying Companies (LBCs) to clear outstanding payments owed to farmers dating back to November 2025.
• China is reportedly in talks with Iran to allow crude oil and Qatari liquefied natural gas vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz ​as the U.S.-Israeli war on Tehran intensifies, according to a Reuters report. The conflict, ‌which enters its seventh day today, has left the critical shipping passageway closed to maritime cargo ships, with countries around the world cut off from around 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies from the middle-East region.

Markets by Numbers 

Currency markets indicate the US dollar stronger today against major currencies today. The Greenback is trading against the Euro at 1.16059 while trading against the Pound at 1.33568. The Yen is currently trading at 157.81 to the dollar. The rand (ZAR) is currently trading at around R16.61 against the US dollar.

Commodities:  

• Gold futures are rising today, up by around 0.6% this morning, and currently trading at around $5117.00 per ounce.  
• Copper prices are trending 0.7% higher today, with prices currently around $5.7967 per pound
• Silver futures are trending upward today, up by around 1.7%, and currently trading at around $83.690 per ounce.
• Platinum futures are trending around 0.7% higher this morning, and currently trading at $2144.10, While Palladium prices are trending 1.2% higher this morning, and currently trading around $1670.50 per ounce.
• Brent crude oil prices are lower by around -0.6% today, with prices currently at $84.88 with WTI trading at $80.26
• Cocoa futures are marginally lower today and currently trading around $3055 per ton. 
• Coffee futures have surged upwards by over 3% today, and trading at around $2.9540 per pound

Crypto Currencies: 

• Bitcoin prices are trending lower this morning, and trading at around $70332 per coin currently 
• Ether prices are also lower by around -0.3% today, and currently trading around $2064.84
• $Trumpcoin are currently trading around $3.233

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

Africa News Briefs:

• Egypt welcomed nearly 19 million visitors in 2025 according to their latest data release. This is a 21% improvement compared to 2024. Tourism revenues reached €14.17 billion, more than 20% above pre-pandemic levels.This growth marks a remarkable recovery after the sharp downturn in 2020, when tourism revenues fell to €3.85 billion, down from €11.6 billion in 2019. Since then, the sector has regained strong momentum. Authorities expect this upward trend to continue in 2026.
• Mauritius said yesterday it was considering legal redress to force the United Kingdom to hand back the Chagos islands. Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam said London was delaying ratification of the deal that would see the territory, home to a strategically important naval and bomber base – revert to Port Louis. Under the agreement, the UK will pay Mauritius 101 million pounds per year to lease back the base for at least 99 years. The islands have been under British control since 1814. Britain evicted as many as 2,000 people from the islands in the 1960s and 1970s so the US military could build the Diego Garcia base.