{"id":10582,"date":"2026-11-06T04:16:03","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T04:16:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/06\/world-in-brief-tech-stocks-lose-2-5tn-paraguay-president-resigns-dr-congo-residents-sue-chinese-mine-over-pollution-and-other-stories-businessday-ng\/"},"modified":"2026-11-06T04:16:03","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T04:16:03","slug":"world-in-brief-tech-stocks-lose-2-5tn-paraguay-president-resigns-dr-congo-residents-sue-chinese-mine-over-pollution-and-other-stories-businessday-ng","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/globalnigerianews.com\/index.php\/2026\/11\/06\/world-in-brief-tech-stocks-lose-2-5tn-paraguay-president-resigns-dr-congo-residents-sue-chinese-mine-over-pollution-and-other-stories-businessday-ng\/","title":{"rendered":"WORLD IN BRIEF: Tech stocks lose $2.5tn, Paraguay president resigns, DR Congo residents sue Chinese mine over pollution and other stories – Businessday NG"},"content":{"rendered":"

Major tech stocks lose $2.5tn as AI concerns deepen after US midterms<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Major technology stocks suffered heavy losses on Thursday, wiping an estimated $2.5 trillion from the Nasdaq as Democratic victories in the US midterm elections fuelled concerns about tighter restrictions on artificial intelligence development.\n<\/p>\n

The Nasdaq Composite fell more than 5.5 percent, marking its worst session since 2025, as investors reacted to campaigns against the expansion of data centres and other infrastructure needed to power AI systems. The election results added to existing concerns about whether massive investments in the technology will generate sufficient returns.\n<\/p>\n

Nvidia shares dropped more than 9 percent, erasing over $400 billion from its market value, while Advanced Micro Devices and Micron fell more than 17 percent each. Intel lost 10.3 percent, while SanDisk plunged more than 22 percent, sending the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index down over 12 percent.\n<\/p>\n

Tesla and SpaceX, both associated with Elon Musk, also recorded sharp declines, falling nearly 11 percent and 8 percent respectively. The sell-off reflects growing investor uncertainty over the profitability of AI investments and the possibility that political opposition could slow the construction of data centres.\n<\/p>\n

Hoax bomb threats disrupt at least 21 flights across Europe<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At least 21 aircraft and several airports across Europe received bomb threats on Thursday, disrupting flights in eight countries and prompting security checks, in the second wave of such incidents in a week.<\/p>\n

Flights to Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Italy, Poland and Romania were affected. An Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to a military air base in France, while Italian fighter jets escorted a Finnair flight travelling from Helsinki to Rome.\n<\/p>\n

EasyJet said police met its flights from Newcastle and Glasgow at Prague airport as a precaution. London Heathrow and Birmingham airports also received threats, although authorities assessed them as not credible. Searches found no explosives, and investigators have not established whether the incidents are connected.\n<\/p>\n

Authorities in Rome said threats against two inbound flights were sent by email and signed by a group calling itself \u201cFighters of the Male State\u201d. The name appears to reference a Russian ultra-right group banned in 2021, although the messages have not established who was responsible for the latest threats.\n<\/p>\n

French protests draw more than 600,000 as unions demand higher wages<\/strong><\/h3>\n

More than 600,000 people took part in demonstrations across France on Thursday as trade unions and student groups intensified protests over wages, living costs and public services.\n<\/p>\n

France\u2019s interior ministry put the turnout at more than 600,000, while the CGT labour union estimated participation at 1.57 million, describing the mobilisation as its strongest since 2023. Large demonstrations took place in Paris, Marseille, Bordeaux and Lille, with five unions joining the coordinated action.<\/p>\n

The protests began in September over poor conditions and inadequate resources in high schools before spreading to universities, workplaces and groups campaigning against rising living costs. Prime Minister S\u00e9bastien Lecornu said he would convene a social conference with unions and employers next Monday in response to the unrest.\n<\/p>\n

Some demonstrations were accompanied by clashes, vandalism and police intervention. A car was set alight in Lyon, masked protesters clashed with police in Rennes, and officers used tear gas in Bordeaux. Interior Minister Laurent Nu\u00f1ez had deployed 70,000 police officers ahead of the demonstrations, promising a firm response to violence.\n<\/p>\n

Paraguay president resigns amid crisis over collapsed bank<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Paraguayan President Santiago Pe\u00f1a has announced his resignation following a political crisis triggered by the collapse of Ueno Bank, a lender in which he previously held a stake through its parent company.\n<\/p>\n

Pe\u00f1a announced his decision in a video posted on social media, apologising to citizens if he had failed to meet their expectations. He said his resignation was intended to protect political stability, social peace and democratic institutions, while rejecting allegations of wrongdoing.\n<\/p>\n

The crisis escalated after Ueno Bank entered insolvency proceedings, freezing its operations and leaving millions of customers unable to access their accounts. The lender reportedly served about three million people, equivalent to roughly 60 percent of Paraguay\u2019s adult population, and held pension funds and other public money.<\/p>\n

Lawmakers accused Pe\u00f1a of conflicts of interest and misconduct because he was a shareholder in the company that owned the bank until last year. The lower house of Congress had voted to pursue impeachment proceedings, while the central bank seized the lender and authorities approved a process to reimburse depositors.\n<\/p>\n

Eight killed in shootings across western Turkey<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Eight people have been killed and another seriously injured in a series of shootings in Turkey\u2019s western Afyonkarahisar province, prompting a major police operation and the arrest of a suspect.\n<\/p>\n

The victims were found in different locations across three vehicles on Thursday, according to local reports. Three people were killed near Ayazini village and another three near Kiyir village, while two women injured in Yukaritandir later died in hospital.\n<\/p>\n

The suspect fled the scene, triggering a manhunt before authorities confirmed his arrest in neighbouring Eski\u015fehir province. Turkish media published CCTV footage showing a man wearing a black jacket, white trousers and glasses carrying a long weapon beside a red minivan.
Two teachers were reportedly among those killed. Police closed roads leading to the affected villages as officers investigated the attacks, while the Afyonkarahisar governor\u2019s office said state institutions were working together to establish the circumstances.\n<\/p>\n

Two Egyptian army officers killed in crackdown on illegal gold mining<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Two Egyptian army officers, including a senior border guard officer, have been killed during a military campaign against illegal gold mining along the country\u2019s southern border with Sudan, Egypt\u2019s military said on Thursday.<\/p>\n

The operation, launched in June in the Eastern Desert, is aimed at curbing unauthorised mining and strengthening state control over mineral resources. The military said three phases had been completed, with the fourth scheduled to begin on Saturday, but did not disclose when the officers were killed.\n<\/p>\n

Authorities have detained 151 Egyptians and 540 foreign nationals during the campaign, according to a military spokesperson. The crackdown has drawn attention amid concerns over the growing trade in gold from Sudan, where conflict has disrupted livelihoods and increased reliance on artisanal mining.\n<\/p>\n

The rights group Emergency Lawyers said in October that at least 72 artisanal miners were killed in an airstrike in northern Sudan near the Egyptian border, blaming the Egyptian Air Force. Egypt\u2019s military did not address the allegation, although it said it had dropped warning leaflets on what it described as criminal elements operating in the area.\n<\/p>\n

Morocco suspends tomato exports to African markets over rising domestic prices<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Morocco has temporarily suspended tomato exports to African markets as the government seeks to increase domestic supplies and ease rising prices, according to the country\u2019s fresh produce exporters federation and a government source.\n<\/p>\n

The decision follows a surge in local tomato prices caused by lower production in Souss Massa, the country\u2019s main growing region, alongside higher fertiliser and fuel costs. Exporters serving African destinations were informed of the suspension on Thursday, Lahoucine Aderdour, head of the Moroccan fresh produce exporters federation, told Reuters.<\/p>\n

A government source said the measure was temporary and intended to help organise the domestic market, adding that exports would resume soon. The source requested anonymity and did not provide a specific date for the resumption.\n<\/p>\n

Morocco is the European Union\u2019s second-largest tomato supplier, while its African export market is comparatively small. Shipments to European markets, where tomatoes command higher prices, have been exempted from the suspension.\n<\/p>\n

Kenyan tribunal dismisses challenge to Dangote\u2019s planned refinery<\/strong><\/h3>\n

A Kenyan tribunal has dismissed a legal challenge to Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote\u2019s planned 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Lamu, removing one of several legal obstacles facing the project.\n<\/p>\n

The case was filed by the Consumers Federation of Kenya, which asked the Public Private Partnerships Petition Committee to review approvals granted for the refinery and require disclosure of the government\u2019s proposed investment. The tribunal ruled that the organisation had failed to establish that the project was a public-private partnership, leaving no legal basis for ordering the disclosure of related documents.\n<\/p>\n

The petition also sought details of the government\u2019s proposed stake, including the investment vehicle, share structure, payment terms and evidence of public participation. The ruling, dated October 30, was seen by Reuters on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Dangote plans to replicate his group\u2019s 700,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Nigeria through the Lamu project, which is scheduled for completion in 2030. He has offered regional governments a combined 30 per cent stake in the proposed facility.\n<\/p>\n