live Saudi Arabia says air defences destroyed Houthi drone near Mecca
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks...
Kazakhstan’s industrial sector grew by 6.4% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025, driven by increased oil production and strong performance in manufacturing, according to Halyk Finance.
Kazakhstan’s industrial sector posted robust growth between January and May 2025, expanding 6.4% year-on-year, with the mining and manufacturing industries playing a dominant role, data from Halyk Finance’s analytical centre showed on June 26.
The mining sector, which contributes around 12% to the country’s GDP, expanded by 7.8%. This was largely attributed to rising oil production at the Tengiz field, which also bolstered the output of diesel, gas, fuel oil, and petroleum coke. The increased oil activity also stimulated wholesale trade and transport, making oil a primary engine of economic growth during the period.
Crude oil production rose by 10.2%, coal by 11.3%, and metal ores by 0.8%. With mining comprising 45.5% of the country’s total industrial output, the sector’s performance had a wide-reaching impact on the economy. However, analysts expect this momentum to ease as the Tengiz expansion nears completion and global oil prices potentially fall, particularly if tensions between Iran and Israel de-escalate.
The manufacturing sector, contributing 11.9% to GDP, grew by 6% in the same period. Food production and mechanical engineering both increased by 10.5%, while ferrous metallurgy rose 3.4%. A 2.1% decline in basic precious and non-ferrous metals production weighed slightly on the overall figures.
Meanwhile, growth in the energy sector stalled at 0.1%, down sharply from the previous year. This was attributed to a decrease in the value of electricity transmission and distribution, although natural output edged up by 2.9%.
The water supply and waste management sector continued its downward trend, falling by 6.2% year-on-year, following a smaller 0.1% dip the year before. The latest decline was linked to reduced volumes in water treatment and waste collection.
Seventeen of Kazakhstan’s regions posted industrial growth, with Zhambyl and Zhetisu Regions and the city of Shymkent standing out for their particularly strong performance.
U.S. Central Command said 101 commercial vessels have been redirected in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices rose more than three per cent amid fresh regional attacks and supply concerns.
U.S. President Donald Trump has again said Iran is keen to reach a deal quickly, but a senior Iranian security official rejected the claim, saying Tehran will not negotiate until its conditions are met.
A Danish military helicopter came within “metres” of being struck by flares fired by a Russian warship, Denmark's Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said on Tuesday. Russia accused Denmark of carrying out “dangerous manoeuvres” near its ship, and said it was investigating the incident.
Saudi Arabia said its air defences destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it could enter prohibited airspace over the holy city, as attacks by the Iran-aligned group deepen regional tensions.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is outlining the EU's priorities in her annual State of the Union address, covering security, support for Ukraine, trade with China, migration, climate and artificial intelligence.
Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held high-level talks in Seoul aimed at expanding South Korean investment, industrial cooperation and partnerships in technology, finance and infrastructure.
From new Asia-Europe trade routes to investment, energy and security cooperation, the Organization of Turkic States has grown far beyond its original focus on shared language and culture.
Central Asia and South Korea are targeting annual trade of $20 billion by 2030, almost double last year’s record of more than $10 billion, following a proposal at their first leaders’ summit in Seoul.
Representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Azerbaijan have concluded a two-day visit to Garabagh and Eastern Zangezur, touring key cultural, educational, economic and infrastructure sites in the region.
A skyscraper, a six-tower district, and a launch event timed to coincide with Georgian Dream's long campaign for warmer ties with the Trump administration — even as Washington has kept its distance.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment