BUSINESS

The United States is not planning to verify foreign firms over their diversity programmes but needs certain companies to self-certify compliance with new US rules, two of its main European embassies said Wednesday, after a furore over an apparent warning sent to European companies.

President Bola Tinubu dismissed the entire leadership of Nigeria's state-run oil company Wednesday, naming a former Shell executive to lead the outfit in a sweeping overhaul that one commentator described as "long overdue".

Virginia Giuffre, who accused disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein and Britain's Prince Andrew of sexual abuse, is in a stable condition after a reported car crash in Australia, the hospital treating her said Wednesday.

Artificial intelligence risks taking Japanese anime artists' jobs but nothing can replicate Hayao Miyazaki, the creative lifeblood of the studio behind classics such as "Spirited Away", his son told AFP. Thanks to ChatGPT's new image generator, the internet is awash with pictures imitating Studio Ghibli's whimsical style, raising fresh debate over potential copyright infringements.

Business was already tough for auto parts maker Asahi Tekko, but with US car tariffs due to bite this week its president has a simple message for Donald Trump: "Give me a break."

China's military drills around Taiwan this week aim to send a clear message to the island's leadership, analysts say -- in the event of war, Beijing can cut them off from the outside world and grind them into submission.

NATO member Greece is set to unveil a massive modernisation of its armed forces on Wednesday, following the lead of several of its European allies.

The head of US aerospace giant Boeing will on Wednesday tell senators that the company has made "serious missteps in recent years" and commit to restoring consumer and investor confidence, according to an advance copy of his remarks.

Tesla sales kept falling in March in many European markets as it suffered from a double blow of boycotts against the policies of its founder Elon Musk and an ageing model line-up.

Asian markets edged up Wednesday as nervous investors brace for Donald Trump's wave of tariffs later in the day, though speculation about what he has in store is stoking uncertainty on trading floors.

Japanese video game giant Nintendo is set to unveil the new version of its hugely popular Switch console on Wednesday, with the update eagerly awaited by both gamers and investors.

"They are our eyes," said Karin happily after releasing the arm of one of the specialised "image whisperers" guiding her and other blind people around Geneva's Red Cross museum.

Language used by President Donald Trump and his government to slash US-funded foreign aid is being adopted by other governments to attack NGOs and independent media, rights groups warn.

US Attorney General Pam Bondi on Tuesday asked federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, who allegedly gunned down an American health care CEO in a brazen attack.

British rock band Muse was facing pressure on Tuesday from fans and artists to cancel an upcoming Istanbul gig after the Turkish concert promoter lashed out at those involved in recent anti-government protests.

US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, who has faced calls to resign over his role in the recent Yemen chat group scandal, saw renewed scrutiny Tuesday after the Washington Post reported on his usage of Gmail for official work.

General Motors led US vehicle sales in the first quarter, according to company reports Tuesday, as the industry braces for President Donald Trump's incoming tariffs this week.