Breaking News Today – Wednesday 30 April 2025

Business & Tech News

Toyota Announces Waymo Partnership:

Global Auto giant, Toyota, has announced the creation of a new partnership with U.S. autonomous driving technology company Waymo earlier today. Toyota has expressed its intention to develop autonomous vehicles as a priority for future company developments for some time, making the new partnership a good alignment. Waymo, the company that began its autonomous driving vehicle journey as the Google Self-driving project back in 2009, has already set up an autonomous ride-hailing service in several US cities, making Waymo a logical partner for Toyota’s ambitions. “Toyota is committed to realizing a society with zero traffic accidents and becoming a mobility company that delivers mobility for all. We share a strong sense of purpose and a common vision with Waymo in advancing safety through automated driving technology,” Toyota Executive Vice President Hiroki Nakajima said in a statement.

Meta Launches Its AI App:

Meta Platforms has launched a standalone AI app that incorporates a social media component, which is set to compete with ChatGPT. The Meta AI app is built on Meta’s Llama 4 AI platform and includes a “discover” feed that lets users see how others are interacting with AI. There is also a voice mode for verbal interaction with the AI.

“It’s smart for Meta to differentiate its ChatGPT competitor by drawing from the company’s social media roots. The app’s Discover feed is like a version of the OG Facebook Feed but only focused on AI use cases,” said Forrester research director Mike Proulx. By letting users link their Facebook and Instagram accounts, the Meta AI app “gets a leg up on instantly personalizing its user experience with social media context.”

Chinese Business Confidence and Manufacturing Output Dips:

China’s official NBS Non-Manufacturing PMI dropped to 50.4 in April 2025 from a three-month high of 50.8 in March, missing market expectations of 50.7. New orders (44.9 vs 46.6) and employment (45.5 vs 45.8) contracted at a faster pace, while foreign orders (42.2 vs 49.8) deteriorated sharply amid mounting concerns over the impact of rising U.S. tariffs on the service economy. At the same time, delivery times shortened slightly (50.8 vs 51.1). On the cost side, input prices declined for the third consecutive month (47.8 vs 48.6), accompanied by a continued drop in selling prices (46.6 vs 46.7). Finally, business confidence fell to its lowest level since September 2024.

Business, Tech & Market News Shorts:

• Kenya’s annual inflation rate climbed to an eight-month high of 4.1% in April 2025, from 3.6% in the previous month. Still, inflation remained well within the central bank’s target range of 5±2.5%. On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.3% in April, slightly easing from a 0.4% increase in March. Earlier this month, Kenya’s central bank cut its policy interest rate for the fifth meeting in a row to 10% to stimulate private sector lending and economic activity.
• The yield on the 10-year US Treasury note held steady around 4.17% on Wednesday, hovering at a three-week low as investors awaited critical economic data that could provide early insight into the impact of new tariffs. Markets are closely watching the release of the March PCE price index—the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure—and the preliminary reading of Q1 GDP, both due later today.
• Brent crude oil futures dropped toward $62 per barrel on Wednesday, falling for the third consecutive session and nearing a three-week low, as uncertainty over trade policies continued to weigh on demand outlook. Oil is also on pace for a monthly loss of over 16%—its steepest decline since November 2021

• China has created a list of U.S.-made products that would be exempted from its 125% tariffs and is quietly notifying companies about the policy, two people familiar with the matter said, as Beijing seeks to ease the impact of its trade war with Washington.

Markets by Numbers

Currencies:

Currency markets indicate the US Dollar has again gained against most main global currencies this morning. It is currently up against the Euro, at 1.13789, and trading slightly stronger against the Pound, at 1.33912. The Yen is currently trading at 142.58 to the dollar. The rand has remained stable and is trading at R18.54 to the US dollar.

Commodities:

• Gold futures prices have dropped to a two week low and are currently trading at $3307 per ounce.
• Copper prices are trending more than -1,4% lower today and currently at 4.7403.
• Silver futures prices are also trading lower this morning and are at 32.906 currently.
• Platinum futures have dipped today, and at $973 currently, while Palladium prices are trending lower and at $927 currently.
• Brent Crude Oil prices have dropped by over -1% today and are at $62.58, with WTI also trading lower at $59.62.
• Cocoa futures have jumped by over 4,4% this morning, and are at $9343 per ton.
• Coffee futures prices are trending upwards and are at $414.33 currently.

Crypto Currencies:

• Bitcoin prices are trending upwards today and are currently trading at $94898
• Ether prices are trading upwards today and at $1808.70 currently.
• $Trumpcoin has dropped by almost 7% today and is currently trading at $13.13

(All prices quoted at approximately 08H20 – Central African Time)

Other Breaking News in Africa Today

Nigeria Gets New General to Address Terror War:

In response to intensified military attacks in northern Nigeria, the Military command has appointed a new commander, Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar, to address the fight against the increasing insurgency in the northeast region after renewed attacks in the last four months that have killed several civilians and soldiers in the region. Yesterday saw a new attack in the Borno state that left at least 26 people dead. Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar will be its 15th commander in the fight against Boko Haram/ISWAP insurgency in the northeast, Reuben Kovangiya, spokesperson for the operation, said in a statement. Boko Haram and its splinter rival, the Islamic State West Africa Province, have increased attacks in recent weeks in northeast Nigeria. These incidents have raised fears of a major comeback by the jihadists, whose tactics now include armed drones and explosive devices planted on major roads, security experts said.