Breaking News Today – Thursday 3 April 2025

Business & Tech News

AI Agents that Teach Agents:

Emergence AI, a startup founded by former IBM Research veterans have launched a new AI agent creation platform that lets the human user specify what work they are trying to accomplish via text prompts, and then turns it over to AI models to create the agents they believe are necessary to accomplish said work. This new system is literally a no code, natural language, AI-powered multi-agent builder, and it works in real time. Emergence AI describes it as a milestone in recursive intelligence, aims to simplify and accelerate complex data workflows for enterprise users.

“Recursive intelligence paves the path for agents to create agents,” said Satya Nitta, co-founder and CEO of Emergence AI. “Our systems allow creativity and intelligence to scale fluidly, without human bottlenecks, but always within human-defined boundaries.”

Google Launches AI Weather Forecasting for Africa

Accurate weather forecasts are one example of how AI is helping to solve real-world challenges. At Google Research Africa, scientists and engineers in Accra and Nairobi are working with local experts to develop solutions that address societal needs. One such is Google weather predictions to projects like Open Buildings — which maps structures to support disaster response and urban planning.  The major barrier to weather forecasts in Africa has been the lack of radar that track weather cells and patterns. This has now been overcome via the use of AI that uses satellite imagery to determine weather patterns and has advance to be able to give 24hour accurate forecasts for small regional areas. This provides severe weather forecasting that has not been readily available for much of Africa.

AI Speed Test Software Launched:

Artificial intelligence group MLCommons unveiled two new benchmarks that it said can help determine how quickly top-of-the-line hardware and software can run AI applications. Since the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT over two years ago, chip companies have begun to shift their focus to making hardware that can efficiently run the code that allows millions of people to use AI tools. As the underlying models must respond to many more queries to power AI applications such as chatbots and search engines, MLCommons developed two new versions of its MLPerf benchmarks to gauge speed. One of the new benchmarks is based on Meta’s so-called Llama 3.1 405-billion-parameter AI model, and the test targets general question answering, math and code generation. The new format tests a system’s ability to process large queries and synthesize data from multiple sources.

Oil, Silver and Copper Slump on Trump Tariffs while Gold Hits a Fresh High:

Prices of Oil, silver and Copper fell in early trade today with markets nervous about manufacturing growth prospects, while  the Gold price rose to $3,164 per ounce, a new record high as risk aversion increased following President Trump’s tariff announcement. Trump outlined a 10% baseline tariff on imports from all countries, with higher rates for nations with trade surpluses, including China (34%), the EU (20%), and Japan (24%), and a 25% tariff on foreign-made automobiles. He presented a chart comparing the tariffs these countries impose on U.S. imports, with reciprocal tariffs set to take effect. Trump claimed the measures would boost domestic manufacturing and reduce trade deficits. The yellow metal was further supported by expectations of rate cuts, central bank buying, and strong demand for gold-backed ETFs, with China’s ETF adding 233,000 ounces.

Markets by Numbers

Currencies:

Currency markets are indicating the major currencies have shifted after tariff announcements from the US, with the US Dollar trading lower and currently at 1.09104 against the Euro, and at 1.30648 against the Pound.  The Yen is trading stronger against the Dollar, and at 147.37 to the dollar currently. The rand has lost more ground today after budget disagreements in the GNU and is trading 0,5% lower at R18.85 to the dollar currently.

Commodities:

• Gold futures prices are currently trading upwards, and currently at $3147.
• Copper prices have dropped this morning, and at 4.8967 currently.
• Silver prices are trading lower today, and at 33.374 currently.
• Platinum is trading lower at $974 currently, while Palladium prices are currently trading lower today and at $952.50 currently.
• Brent Crude Oil prices are trending lower today and at $73.26 currently, with WTI also trading downwards, and at $69.93 currently.
• Cocoa futures have jumped by over 6% this morning, with prices currently at $8901 per ton.
• Coffee futures prices have dropped today, and at $386.97 currently.

Crypto Currencies:

• Bitcoin prices have fallen overnight, and is currently trading at $83299.
• Ether prices have remained below the $2000 mark, and currently trading up today at $1824.90.
• $Trumpcoin has  dropped by almost 10% this morning, and the coin is currently trading at $9.33 currently

(All prices quoted at approximately 06H30 – Central African Time)

Other News in Africa Today

Peace Law Passed in Mozambique:

In some positive news for Southern Africa, Mozambique’s parliament has unanimously approved a new law aimed at fostering national dialogue and political reconciliation, marking a significant step toward restoring stability in the country. The legislation, which includes constitutional revisions and changes to presidential powers, is part of a broader peace agreement signed on March 5 between President Daniel Chapo and all political parties. The new law has received overwhelming support from all four parliamentary benches, with the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) emphasizing its role in strengthening democracy. “With this approval, our legislature has a historic opportunity to contribute to Mozambique’s renewal and put the interests of its people first,” said the leader of Frelimo’s parliamentary group.

South Sudan Peace Talk Delegation Arrives

African Union (AU) mediators have arrived in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, yesterday to hold urgent talks aimed at preventing a return to civil war. The intervention follows the house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar last week, a move that has heightened tensions in the country. President Salva Kiir’s government has accused Machar—his longtime rival and former rebel leader during the 2013-2018 conflict that claimed more than 400 000 lives, of inflaming a new rebellion. Machar was detained last Wednesday amid ongoing clashes in Upper Nile state between government forces and the White Army militia. Although Machar’s forces were previously allied with the White Army during the civil war, they deny any current ties. The AU delegation includes members of the “Council of the Wise,” such as former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and former Kenyan judge Effie Owuor.