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Italy to remain top wine producer in world: 2025 estimates
Italy to remain top wine producer in world: 2025 estimates
by  AFP

Italy is expected to enjoy a good 2025 harvest and clinch the world's leading producer label once again, according to estimates presented Wednesday by Italy's agriculture ministry and its wine union. Overall, Italy is regaining a lead over France, the world's second largest producer, and expected to produce 37.4 million hectolitres.

US Senate panel advances nomination of Trump's Fed governor pick
US Senate panel advances nomination of Trump's Fed governor pick
by  AFP

A US Senate committee on Wednesday advanced the nomination of President Donald Trump's choice to join the Federal Reserve board, despite concerns that he might not resign from the White House even if confirmed. Stephen Miran, who chairs the White House Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), passed the Senate Banking Committee's vote by 13-11, with Democratic lawmakers opposing the advancement.

US producer inflation unexpectedly falls in first drop since April
US producer inflation unexpectedly falls in first drop since April
by  AFP

US producer prices unexpectedly fell in August, government data showed Wednesday, driven in part by a pullback in energy and trade -- and prompting President Donald Trump to renew calls for lower interest rates. He reiterated his calls for Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to lower rates "right now," calling the central bank chief "a total disaster."

Software company Oracle shares surge more than 35% on huge AI deals
Software company Oracle shares surge more than 35% on huge AI deals
by  AFP

Oracle shares surged more than 35 percent in early trading Wednesday after the software giant projected massive revenue growth based on contracts tied to artificial intelligence. Oracle projected that its cloud business revenues would grow 77 percent in the current fiscal year to $18 billion.

Zara owner Inditex shares soar as sales growth revives
Zara owner Inditex shares soar as sales growth revives
by  AFP

Shares in Zara owner Inditex, the world's largest fashion retailer, soared on Wednesday as a positive start to the autumn season enthused investors and eclipsed slower-than-expected sales growth. "The results were bad, but the market is reacting very positively to this growth figure because it means returning to the levels Inditex had got us used to," XTB analyst Javier Cabrera wrote in a note.

Top EU court upholds nuclear green label
Top EU court upholds nuclear green label
by  AFP

The EU's top court on Wednesday upheld the European Commission's decision to give a sustainable finance label to investments in natural gas and nuclear power, dismissing a complaint by Austria. The European Commission in 2022 defied protests from green campaigners and dissent in its own ranks to give a sustainable finance label to investments in both gas and nuclear power.