live UN halts Strait of Hormuz escort operations after reported attack on cargo ship
The UN's International Maritime Organization has paused escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz after a cargo ship was reportedly attacked near...
The National Bank of Kazakhstan has raised the key interest rate by 1.25 percentage points today, from 15.25% to 16.5%, according to the financial regulator.
The bank's press service stated that the rate hike was prompted by rising inflation, which reached 9.4% in February.
The National Bank of Kazakhstan aims to reduce inflation to 5%.
Prices are rising mainly due to increased service costs, high demand, and active consumer lending. External factors, such as the situation in Russia and high global commodity prices, also contribute to inflationary pressure.
The bank predicts inflation will reach 10-12% in 2025, 9-11% in 2026, and decline to 5.5-7.5% by the end of 2027.
This will stabilize both short-term and long-term inflation expectations, preventing a continued rise in prices,” the statement said. It also emphasized that the decision would help preserve purchasing power, protect savings, and boost confidence in tenge assets.
Economic growth is expected to slow to 4.2-5.2% in 2025-2026, though reforms aimed at increasing fixed capital investment, foreign direct investment, and economic liberalization may spur acceleration.
Previously, the key rate was increased by 1 percentage point to 15.25% in December 2024, and it remained unchanged in January 2025.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.
As Western Europe battles a deadly heatwave that has shattered temperature records, disrupted transport and power supplies, and forced the closure of schools and cultural landmarks, attention is turning to whether El Niño is playing a role in the extreme conditions.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
The Kremlin has denied a Wall Street Journal report claiming Moscow is pressuring Belarus to support an expanded Russian military campaign in Ukraine.
Tens of thousands of people are still unaccounted for after two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela. At least 589 people have been confirmed dead and hundreds are believed to be trapped under rubble, as emergency crews and international rescue teams race to respond.
Apple is facing a £3 billion lawsuit in the United Kingdom after a competition tribunal approved a major collective action over its iCloud storage service.
China has opened its market to cashew nuts from all African countries with diplomatic relations with Beijing, removing a long-standing barrier that had restricted exports from much of the world's largest cashew-producing continent.
Media leaders from across Europe gathered in Vienna this week for the annual European Publishing Congress.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has said artificial intelligence will ultimately lead to labour shortages rather than widespread unemployment, pushing back against growing fears that AI will replace human workers.
French department store BHV and online fast-fashion retailer Shein have ended their partnership, seven months after the launch of a permanent Shein shop in Paris triggered controversy and widespread criticism.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment