Business

Brent crude rebounded more than 3% on Monday after US President Donald Trump rejected an Iranian peace proposal that would have resolved their conflict and reopened the Strait of Hormuz. With diplomatic efforts in stalemate, tensions in the Middle East remain elevated, keeping traders pricing in supply risk and pushing oil prices higher.

Oil prices are rising as negotiations between the United States and Iran remain deadlocked, with no sign of a breakthrough. Markets are reacting to the risk that a prolonged stalemate could tighten global supply, pushing up crude costs and, in turn, gasoline prices. Analysts are watching whether either side makes a move to restart talks.

Donald Trump is preparing to meet China's Xi Jinping at a summit, with the Wall Street Journal flagging three key issues business leaders should monitor. Observers expect trade tariffs, technology restrictions and supply-chain policy to dominate the agenda. Analysts say the outcome could shape market sentiment and corporate planning across both economies, making the encounter one of the most closely watched diplomatic events of the moment.

Commentators are examining how the massive investment wave in artificial intelligence is complicating central banks' fight against inflation. Huge spending on data centres, chips and energy is boosting demand and prices in some sectors, even as AI promises productivity gains that could lower costs elsewhere, leaving policymakers with mixed signals about how quickly price pressures will ease.

A New York Times piece examines how scientists can influence public opinion on the risks of artificial intelligence, reportedly through protests and public engagement. It suggests researchers are becoming active voices in the debate over AI safety, rather than leaving the conversation to companies and regulators.

Walmart's grocery business is increasingly being positioned as the retailer's answer to Amazon Prime, according to a new report. By building loyalty through everyday food shopping, Walmart appears to be turning its largest category into the foundation of a membership-style ecosystem that can compete with Amazon's subscription model for customer retention and spending.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher are presenting Australia's final budget outcome, wrapping up the financial year's accounts. Attention is focused on the fiscal position ahead of an expected Reserve Bank of Australia interest rate rise, with the budget's state of repair likely to feed debate over whether further rate hikes are needed.

Arizona defense contractors are reporting a business boost as low-cost drone technology plays a growing role in the conflict involving Iran. The demand for cheaper, expendable drones is reshaping military procurement, and manufacturers in Arizona are positioning to benefit. Observers note the shift could change how defense spending is directed toward drone production.

The Bank of Japan could raise its benchmark interest rate for a second consecutive month at its October board meeting, moving earlier than many economists expect, according to a former executive director who oversaw monetary policy at the central bank. The assessment adds to speculation about the pace of Japan's shift away from ultra-low rates and is drawing attention from markets watching for further tightening.

Automattic, the company behind WordPress and Tumblr, has reconstituted its board of directors after an unsuccessful attempt to place its CEO on leave. The governance shake-up raises questions about internal power struggles at the top of one of the web's most influential companies. Commenters are debating what the failed move reveals about tensions between the CEO and investors or directors, and what the new board's composition means for the company's direction.

A study of 4,688 small-business websites found that 49.7% met none of seven security header criteria, meaning about half of these sites ship without basic browser-level protections such as those guarding against clickjacking, content injection and protocol downgrade attacks. The finding suggests many small firms remain exposed to common web attacks despite these fixes being cheap and straightforward to deploy.

Questions are being raised about whether Oracle's long-tenured board of directors is equipped to oversee the company as its business shifts rapidly toward cloud computing and AI infrastructure. Observers are debating whether decades of continuity at the board level match the pace of technological and strategic change the software giant now faces, and what that could mean for its governance and future direction.

The Wall Street Journal profiles Mark Walter, the financier who transformed a dull insurance business into a major lender willing to take on significant risk. The piece examines the strategy behind the shift, the growth it produced, and what the company's aggressive lending approach means for the broader financial sector as investors and analysts weigh the implications.

Investigators or reporters have identified five additional businesses tied to Apex registered at the same non-operational building, adding to questions about the company's operations. The discovery suggests a pattern of multiple entities sharing a single address, a detail often scrutinized in business or fraud investigations. People are discussing what these links mean for Apex and whether regulators will take further action.

Meta is pushing back against claims that a premium Instagram offering, referred to as Instagram Plus, would show users who repeatedly view their stories. The company is rejecting suggestions that repeat story viewers could be revealed, addressing speculation that has been circulating among Instagram users.

Medical marijuana businesses are bracing for major changes as the federal government moves to reschedule cannabis. The shift would alter how these companies are taxed, easing the current burden that bars standard business deductions, and could change day-to-day operations across the industry. Operators and analysts are watching closely to gauge how tax rules, banking access and compliance requirements will be affected.

A national cannabis company has placed its Maryland assets on the market, signaling a possible exit or restructuring of its operations in the state's regulated marijuana market. The sale could reshape the company's footprint in one of the newer East Coast cannabis markets, and industry watchers are watching who might buy in.

Electronics For Imaging (EFI) and Agfa have announced an agreement to combine EFI with Agfa's Digital Printing & Solutions business, creating a global, full-service industrial inkjet company. The merger pairs EFI's digital printing platforms with Agfa's inkjet technology and consumables. Industry watchers see it as a bid to consolidate scale in industrial printing amid competitive pressure.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei is set to have dinner with President Trump, in what is described as a rare meeting between the AI executive and the US president. The encounter is drawing attention given Anthropic's prominent role in the artificial intelligence sector and the White House's growing focus on AI policy, safety and competition with China.

Brookfield Business Partners (TSX:BBUC) is drawing attention as hopes for a rebound in the stock run into questions about its fair value. Commentary suggests that while investors may be banking on a recovery, valuation analysis indicates the shares may not be as cheap as optimists assume, tempering expectations for a near-term turnaround.

A bipartisan bill in Maryland would protect deposits held by small businesses in the state. The proposal, reported by the Maryland Daily Record, has drawn attention for its cross-party support and its focus on safeguarding the money small firms keep in banks. Details on the bill's provisions and its chances of passage remain limited.

Taiwan's foreign minister has departed for diplomatic visits to Belize and Guatemala, two of the island's remaining diplomatic allies in Central America, accompanied by a business delegation. The trip combines diplomatic engagement with trade promotion, and coverage from Taiwanese outlets highlights the government's effort to deepen ties with its few remaining partners.

Crain's Detroit Business has published an opinion piece examining the financial trade-offs involved in making water infrastructure a spending priority. The piece weighs the costs of investment in water systems against competing needs, a debate with particular resonance in Detroit and southeast Michigan, where water system upkeep and affordability have long been contested public issues.

A Dallas board is set to review a tax zone funding arrangement connected to the Dallas Mavericks arena and an accompanying entertainment district. The review will examine how public tax increment financing supports the venue and surrounding development. The funding plan has drawn attention because of the large public commitment involved and its potential impact on the area around the arena.

No. 7-ranked Alabama beat No. 21 Oklahoma in a Southeastern Conference college football game, covering the point spread as expected and reinforcing its position in the rankings. The result strengthens Alabama's standing in the SEC and its push toward postseason positioning, while Oklahoma suffers a setback against a higher-ranked conference opponent.

San Diego officials are pressing a Gaslamp Quarter business leader for answers over an advertising deal tied to Comic-Con, according to Voice of San Diego. The inquiry focuses on how the agreement was arranged and whether city interests were properly protected during negotiations surrounding the annual downtown event.

The Facianas are investing in two downtown Akron office high-rises, a wager that the city centre's recovery will bring demand for office space back to the district. The move stands out in a market where many landlords are retreating from urban office buildings, and it puts the family's outlook against broader doubts about the future of downtown office real estate.

The Canton Fair is introducing a membership programme for overseas buyers at its 140th edition. All registered international buyers will be automatically enrolled, with the scheme adding loyalty points, permanent status levels and redeemable benefits to China's largest sourcing event. The move aims to encourage repeat attendance and deepen ties with the fair's global buyer base.

Hawaiian Electric has activated a Public Safety Power Shutoff in Pukalani, Maui, following Hurricane Nolo. The precautionary outages are meant to reduce the risk of wildfires or equipment damage from storm-stressed power lines. Residents in the affected area face disruption while crews monitor conditions, and the shutoffs have drawn attention to how utilities balance safety against leaving communities without power during storm season.

Relation Insurance Services has acquired LaPlaca Insurance, an agency based in Philadelphia, as part of a push to expand its presence in the city and surrounding market. The deal adds LaPlaca's book of business and local client relationships to Relation's growing national brokerage network. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed in early coverage.

Relation Insurance Services has acquired a family-owned insurance agency in Pennsylvania, continuing the brokerage's pattern of growth through acquisitions. The deal adds the agency's book of business and local client relationships to Relation's national platform. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Industry observers track such deals closely as consolidation continues across the US insurance brokerage sector.

A man is accused of holding a business owner at knifepoint during an attempted robbery in South City, St. Louis, according to local reports. Details about the suspect's identity, whether an arrest has been made, and the extent of any injuries were not immediately available. Police have not released further information about the incident.

Regions Bank and Tenet Partners have made investments in the first companies launched by HVL, a venture studio. The move links a major regional US bank and an innovation firm to a portfolio of early-stage ventures, offering them capital and corporate backing as they build out their businesses.

A $20 million real estate transaction in Forest Hills has taken the top spot in the latest ranking of highest-priced home sales. The deal leads a roundup of the area's most expensive residential transactions, highlighting continued strength in the luxury housing market despite broader concerns about high mortgage rates and housing affordability.

Washington state’s Department of Labor & Industries has proposed an increase in workers’ compensation insurance rates for employers. The proposal, reported in the Tri-Cities business press, would raise premiums that businesses pay to fund the state-fund workers’ comp system. Employers and business groups typically weigh in during the public comment period, arguing over costs versus benefit adequacy.

Tennessee Deputy Governor Stuart McWhorter says he still sees prospects for Paramount, the film studio, despite uncertainty around its future. The comment, reported by The Business Journals, signals the state's continued interest in Paramount as a potential partner or investor. Observers are watching whether Tennessee could land projects or investment tied to the company's next moves.