Central Asian forecasters dismiss Iran 'acid cloud' rumours
Reports of so-called “acid clouds” moving from Iran towards Central Asia are not supported by scientif...
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held a meeting to address the worsening global market situation amid the collapse of energy and commodity prices on global markets due to tariff conflicts, the presidential press service said.
At the meeting, attended by the Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the Governor of the National Bank Timur Suleimenov, and other senior officials, President Tokayev instructed to accelerate drafting the government's plan of action to address the financial and economic crisis, with aim to prevent economic slowdown and a decline in investment flows.
"The President emphasized that, despite the challenging economic conditions, the priorities he outlined for the country's development—such as major infrastructure projects, digitalization, the advancement of artificial intelligence, and the modernization of agriculture and the transport and logistics sectors—will still be implemented," - president's press service reported.
President Tokayev is expected to convene a special meeting on this matter next week.
On Wednesday, Serik Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy, said that Kazakhstan’s government was assessing various scenarios in response to potential fluctuations in oil prices.
““We have three development scenarios. Currently, we are approaching the pessimistic scenario with oil prices at $60 per barrel. This week, we began calculations for scenarios involving prices dropping to $55 and $50 per barrel," - said Zhumangarin and added that the government had "clear understanding on what needs to be cut and what should remain unaffected."
The Deputy Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of infrastructure development and job creation during a crisis.
He suggested that the state may once again turn to the National Fund, stating, “the National Fund was created for such situations, particularly during times of crisis."
Brent oil prices reached a four-year low on Wednesday, falling below $60 per barrel, after standing at approximately $75 at the beginning of April.
The sharp decline in oil prices, attributed to tensions surrounding U.S. tariff decisions, resulted in a day-on-day drop of around 2.3% on Wednesday and a 20% decrease since early April.
Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, is a hardline cleric with strong backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise signals continuity in Tehran's anti-Western policies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Welcome to our live coverage as the conflict involving Iran enters its 11th day. Tensions in the region remain high as the United States and Iran exchange increasingly sharp warnings over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
China has raised the retail prices of petrol and diesel after global oil prices climbed sharply. The country’s top economic planning body, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), announced the move after reviewing international oil market trends.
Global financial markets remained on edge on Friday as the escalating war involving the United States, Israel and Iran continued to rattle investors, fuelling volatility in stocks and sending energy prices sharply higher.
China’s top leadership has unveiled a new push to turn advanced technologies into large-scale industrial priorities as part of the country’s upcoming 15th Five-Year Plan, which will guide economic and social development from 2026 to 2030.
The European Commission sees no immediate impact on the European Union's security of oil supply from the escalating conflict in the Middle East, it said in an email to EU governments, seen by Reuters on Monday (2 March).
Paramount Skydance emerged as the winner in a months-long battle to acquire Warner Bros Discovery after streaming giant Netflix on Thursday refused to raise its bid for the storied Hollywood studio.
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