Ukraine imposes new sanctions targeting Russian maritime and defence supply chains
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has approved new sanctions targeting Russian maritime operators, defence-linked companies and individuals co...
At the Astana International Forum, Kazakhstan and Italy signed 10 memorandums worth €180 million, marking a new chapter in bilateral cooperation focused on industry, green energy, logistics, and technology
in Astana, the Italy-Kazakhstan Business Forum was held as part of the Astana International Forum. The event was organized by Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Trade and Integration, the Kazakhstan-Italy Trade Association (ACIK), and the embassies of both countries.
The forum became a key platform for launching joint projects and strengthening business ties across strategic sectors including mechanical engineering, petrochemicals, agri-processing, metallurgy, logistics digitalization, and green energy.
As a result, 10 memorandums of understanding were signed totaling €180 million, reflecting strong mutual trust and a shared commitment to deeper economic cooperation.
Kazakhstan’s Minister of Trade and Integration, Arman Shakkaliev, highlighted the forum as the start of a new economic chapter between the two nations. He emphasized Kazakhstan’s ambition to act not just as a raw material supplier, but as a central Eurasian hub for transport, manufacturing, and technology.
The sides expressed readiness to shift from trade to building joint production infrastructure. Key initiatives include creating an investment fund, launching a “Digital Supply Chain 4.0” platform, implementing joint export and investment risk insurance, and developing an ESG roadmap.
Kazakhstan also proposed a joint brand, “Made in Kazakhstan with Italy”, to reflect advanced technological cooperation and the co-production of competitive export goods.
Agro-industrial cooperation was another highlight. Kazakhstan offered to boost exports of organic grain, oilseeds, and animal feed, alongside developing co-branded packaging and processing lines for international markets.
In 2024, trade between the two countries reached $19.9 billion (+24%). Kazakhstan’s exports stood at $18.7 billion (+25.8%), while imports from Italy totaled $1.3 billion (+2.2%), including machinery, pharmaceuticals, and industrial equipment.
Quentin Griffiths, co-founder of online fashion retailer ASOS, has died in Pattaya, Thailand, after falling from the 17th floor of a condominium on 9 February, Thai police confirmed.
Ukraine’s National Paralympic Committee has announced it will boycott the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympics in Verona on 6 March, citing the International Paralympic Committee’s decision to allow some Russian and Belarusian athletes to compete under their national flags.
Eric Dane, the actor best known for his roles in 'Grey’s Anatomy' and 'Euphoria', died on Thursday, at the age of 53 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). His family confirmed his death after what they described as a “courageous battle” with ALS.
An Austrian climber has been convicted of gross negligent manslaughter after his girlfriend died from hypothermia while climbing Austria’s highest peak, the Grossglockner, in January 2025.
President Donald Trump said on Saturday (21 February) that he will raise temporary tariffs on nearly all U.S. imports from 10% to 15%, the maximum allowed under the law, after the Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff program.
Iran announced on Saturday that it has designated the naval and air forces of European Union member states as “terrorist entities” in a reciprocal move after the EU blacklisted the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
At least 10 people were killed and 50 wounded in Israeli strikes in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley on Friday (20 February), two security sources told Reuters, after the Israeli military said it had targeted Hezbollah sites in the Baalbek area.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday (21 February) dismissed U.S. claims that 32,000 civilians were killed during protests in Iran. He said Tehran has already released official figures and called for evidence to support any higher estimates.
Uzbekistan's president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has held a series of high-level meetings in the U.S. aimed at strengthening bilateral economic and strategic ties between the two countries.
Türkiye has signalled readiness to contribute to a proposed Gaza stabilisation force during the inaugural Board of Peace meeting on Thursday (19 February), but according to former Turkish diplomat Mehmet Öğütçü, the decisive factor will be whether Israel and the United States agree on Ankara’s role.
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