TOKYO: The Bank of Japan dug its heels in on its easy-money policies Thursday while raising its inflation forecast, even as other countries hike interest rates to tackle soaring prices.

BEIJING: China has fined ride-hailing giant Didi more than 8 billion yuan ($1.2 billion), regulators announced Thursday, concluding a year-long investigation into alleged data security violations.

By Majd Othman

KUWAIT: A recent report showed that Kuwait will have the highest economic ranking in terms of its growth with the anticipation of a new government, new economic strategies and visions.

Berlin: The German government will take a 30-percent stake in energy giant Uniper as part of a rescue plan to shield it from the energy crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, the company said Friday.

Moscow: Russia’s central bank on Friday cut its key interest rate to below the level seen before President Vladimir Putin sent troops to Ukraine in February.

London: British annual inflation surged to a fresh 40-year high in June on rising motor fuel and food prices, official data showed Wednesday, adding to a cost-of-living crisis.

KUWAIT: Boubyan Bank has announced KD 53 million in operating profits for the first half of this year, while continuing to allocate provisions amounting to KD 22 million, thereby recording KD 33 million in net profits at a growth rate of 54 percent compared with last year, with an earnings per share of 8.5 fils.

BRUSSELS: The European Commission on Wednesday urged EU countries to reduce demand for natural gas by 15 percent over the coming months to secure winter stocks and defeat Russian “blackmail”.

PARIS: Global demand for electricity is slowing sharply this year due to sluggish economic growth and runaway energy prices and the trend will likely continue next year, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday.