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PNP acts on viral photo of police vehicle sans license plate

A viral photo of a police vehicle without a license plate has prompted the Philippine National Police (PNP) to inspect its service vehicles and verify their plates and documentation.

‘I have already ordered an immediate investigation to ensure that all rules on vehicle identification and road compliance are strictly upheld without exception,’ PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Thursday.

The directive was issued after a police vehicle assigned to the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) was spotted along Commonwealth Avenue without a license plate.

The photo was posted on the motorist community page Visor and has since gone viral.

Nartatez also ordered the immediate accounting and inspection of motor pool assets assigned to the PSPG and other support units to verify whether police vehicles have the required plates and documentation.

‘Any violation or administrative lapse will be addressed under PNP rules and due process,’ he added.

The PNP previously said it was conducting an internal investigation on the matter

MUSWEN felicitates Prof Ali at 70

The Muslim Ummah of South-West Nigeria (MUSWEN) has congratulated renowned legal practitioner Prof Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, on his 70th birthday.

In a congratulatory message signed by its President, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo, and Executive Secretary, Prof Wole Abbas, MUSWEN described Prof Ali as an accomplished legal luminary, a notable philanthropist and a committed Muslim who has made significant contributions to the development of the legal profession and the advancement of society.

The organisation commended his decades of service to the legal profession, noting his contributions to legal education, jurisprudence, mentoring and community development.

MUSWEN also acknowledged Prof Ali’s commitment to the Muslim community and his role in promoting Islamic values, education and intellectual development in the South-West and beyond.

According to the organisation, attaining the age of 70 offers an opportunity to celebrate not only Prof Ali’s longevity but also his remarkable achievements and enduring impact on generations of lawyers, students and members of wider society.

MUSWEN prayed for continued good health, wisdom and strength for the legal icon, wishing him many more years of fruitful service to humanity.

The organisation expressed confidence that Prof Ali’s wealth of experience and knowledge would continue to benefit the legal profession, the Muslim Ummah and Nigeria as a whole.

Olam expands $150m Nigeria feed business into cattle market

Olam Agri is expanding its Nigerian animal-feed business into cattle production with the launch of its ‘True Value’ beef and dairy cattle feed, building on its $150 million investment in Nigeria’s animal-feed and poultry value chain as the company targets a livestock market with tens of millions of cattle, sheep and goats.

The expansion could unlock new investment in commercial feedlots, meat processing, dairy production, cold-chain logistics and livestock transportation as the Federal Government seeks to move Nigeria’s livestock industry towards more productive and commercially organised value chains.

Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest livestock populations, with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimating about 55 million cattle, 139 million goats and 65 million sheep. Yet productivity remains constrained by inadequate feed, weak infrastructure, animal-health challenges and underdeveloped processing and marketing systems.

Mukhtar Idi Maiha, minister of Livestock Development, said at the product unveiling in Kaduna on Wednesday that access to affordable and nutritionally balanced feed was fundamental to raising livestock productivity and developing a commercially viable beef and dairy industry under the government’s Livestock Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP).

‘When concentrates are properly combined with quality fodder, clean water and sound animal practices, they improve feed conversion, accelerate weight gain, shorten finishing periods and enable farmers to bring healthier and better finished animals to the market,’ Maiha said.

The minister said the government was also developing processing infrastructure to strengthen demand for commercially finished livestock, noting that groundbreaking had been completed for two modern abattoirs, including an Abuja facility designed to process 1,000 bulls and 3,000 small ruminants daily.

Maiha said the policy shift from transporting and trading live animals towards slaughter and processing in modern facilities would create opportunities across feedlots, meat processing, cold-chain logistics, packaging, branding, transportation and exports.

For dairy producers, he said, balanced cattle concentrates could raise milk yields, improve animal health and reduce production costs per litre, while strengthening the supply of raw milk to domestic processors.

Sharad Gupta, president and global head of Integrated Feed and Protein at Olam Agri, said the cattle segment represented the company’s next frontier for investment and impact, particularly in Northern Nigeria.

He said the new product was aligned with LEAP and would support efforts to make livestock production more productive and internationally competitive, but stressed that government policy and private-sector execution would be required to transform the sector.

Olam Agri’s existing Nigerian operations provide the platform for the expansion. The company invested $150 million in animal-feed facilities, poultry breeding farms and a hatchery, with facilities in Kaduna and Kwara inaugurated in 2017.

The company says its Nigerian operations now produce more than 800,000 tonnes of poultry feed annually, while its Ilorin aqua-feed plant has capacity of more than 150,000 tonnes annually, highlighting the scale of its existing animal-feed business before the move into cattle nutrition.

The cattle-feed launch consequently takes Olam Agri beyond its established poultry and aquaculture markets into a ruminant segment where better nutrition could support faster weight gain, shorter production cycles and higher returns for commercial livestock producers.

Gupta said Olam Agri would focus on scaling the True Value product and working with farmers to improve productivity and incomes, with technical details from product trials expected to be released by the company’s technical team.

Maiha urged the industry to strengthen standards covering feed composition, safety, labelling, storage and quality assurance, while calling for closer integration among fodder producers, crop farmers, feed millers, researchers, financial institutions and livestock producers.

‘Our cattle, sheep and goats possess considerable genetic potential, but that potential cannot be fully realised without adequate, affordable and nutritionally balanced feed,’ Maiha said.

Representing Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, Umar Ismail, special assistant on land matters, said Kaduna was positioning itself as a hub for food security, agriculture and industrialisation and had directed relevant agencies to support commercial agricultural investors.

He said Kaduna’s location between northern production centres and southern consumer markets, combined with its agricultural and livestock base, could help attract further private-sector investment in feed production, livestock processing and related value chains.

Shelton stuns Alcaraz to reach US Open semis

Ben Shelton has beaten defending champion Carlos Alcaraz 6-7(5) 6-1 6-3 1-6 7-6(10-7) to reach?the semi-finals of the U.S. Open in the latest-finishing match in tournament history.

Shelton’s sets up a match in the last four with compatriot Frances Tiafoe, boosting home hopes of a first American men’s Grand Slam champion since 2003.

Seven-times major champion Alcaraz arrived at Arthur Ashe Stadium with a 13-0 ?Grand Slam record against U.S. men but found Shelton tough to break down in ?a match that began at 11.05 p.m. on Tuesday and finished at ?3.33 a.m. on Wednesday.

‘For me it’s always about the people in the crowd,’ Shelton said ?in explaining how he got through the gruelling contest.

‘Whether it’s my coaches and my team there, ?all my family and friends here, or the city of New York that showed up tonight till 3 a.m. with the USA chants until the very end.

‘That’s what kept me going, and that’s what got me this ?win tonight.

‘It’s incredible. I always say that this is the greatest sports city in the ?world. I say that this is the greatest stadium in the world.’

Alcaraz clinched a tight first-set tiebreak and looked have ?all the momentum but uncharacteristic sloppiness allowed Shelton to breeze through the next set before the American tightened his grip on the quarter-final by taking the third.

The Spaniard, making his comeback in New York after nearly five months out with a wrist issue, looked flat and made ?far too many unforced ?errors on his forehand ?but still managed to force a deciding set amid roars from the delighted fans.

Alcaraz vomited into a towel during the break but went toe-to-toe ?with Shelton for 12 games before his opponent closed out the ?shock win after ?four hours and 28 minutes.

‘I’m hoping that my best friend and my sister up there don’t have to be at work in three hours,’ Shelton added.

‘It would be huge from their employers to ?let ?them have the day off today.

‘To be here in front ?of you guys tonight is an absolute honour. Sharing the court with Carlos is an absolute honour, and I cherish ?every moment I have out here.’

Alcantara wins international doubles title at ITF M15 Nonthaburi

SENATOR Bam Aquino commended the young Filipino karatekas who brought honor to the country at the 3rd Asian Karate Youth Open Championship and Training Camp held in Hangzhou, China, from July 22 to 26, 2026.

Aquino’s Senate Resolution No. 580 recognizes the outstanding performances of the Philippine delegation from the Fight Alliance Sports Team-International Shotokan Karate Federation (FAST-ISKF) and Alfonso Karatedo Kobudo Renmei (AAKR) against fellow martial artists from across Asia.

Among those recognized was 9-year-old Romeo Viktor Enriquez of FAST-ISKF, who dominated the Under-10 Male Kumite (+40 kg) and finished among the top five in the Under-10 Male Kata category in his first international competition.

Enriquez’s teammates, 13-year-old Raphael Mariano Herrera, secured his second consecutive bronze medal in the Under-14 Male Kata, while Ripley Tate Borromeo finished in the top five of the Under-12 Female Kata and top seven in the Under-12 Female Kumite.

Aquino also recognized Ellis Sebastian Canoza and Colin Isaiah Paolo of FAST-ISKF which was handled by national team coach and former Karate Pilipinas national team captain Engene Stoner Dagohoy.

‘These achievements reflect the dedication of the athletes, their coaches, parents, sports organizations, and supporters from both the public and private sectors who continue to nurture and develop young Filipino talent,’ said Aquino, who personally extended his congratulations to the young karatekas and their coaches during a meeting.

Aquino emphasized that karate helps instill discipline, perseverance, humility, resilience, and self-confidence among young Filipinos while giving them opportunities to excel on the international stage.

‘The success of these young athletes serves as an inspiration to the nation’s youth to pursue excellence through hard work and determination, underscoring the importance of sustained support for youth and sports development,’ he added.

AAKR’s Wifredo Apellido retained his title in the Under-12 Male Kata and also clinched silver in the Under-12 Male Kumite (-45 kg). The AAKR Karatedo delegation was also represented by Ysabella Arwen Varias.

How Kijanangoma was chosen as King of Tooro

The Babiito have revealed that the new Omukama of Tooro, Prince Edward Rukidi Kijanangoma, was selected through a lengthy process of nomination, selection, and intensive vetting by a 21-member committee appointed by the Babiito royal clan to handle the succession of the late King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV.

Fr Charles Oyo, a member of the Babiito royal clan, a member of the 21-member succession committee and head of communications under the Office of Omujwera Musuuga, said the committee did not use a voting system to determine the next king.

Instead, the committee developed criteria that guided the identification and assessment of potential candidates from different generations of the royal family.

‘The process was quite long because we were given responsibility by the Babiito clan. There were 21 people, and we sat down and had a lot of discussions,’ Fr Oyo said.

He said the committee first established criteria to provide a basis for identifying a suitable successor before considering candidates from different generations of the royal family.

‘We looked at different generations. We did not have any child to put into consideration. Then we went to Kaboyo’s generation and to Rukidi’s generation,’ he said.

Prince Edward Kijanangoma, he explained, is a grandson of the late Omukama Rukidi III, while his father, Christopher Paul Kijanangoma, was a son of Rukidi III.

Fr Oyo said the committee considered leadership competence, education, experience and the candidates’ understanding of Tooro’s culture, rituals, customs and traditions.

‘We looked at the skills required for someone to become a leader. We considered the competencies and experience this person has, their acquaintance with the culture of Tooro, and their acquaintance with the rituals, customs and traditions of the Tooro Kingdom.’

He said the committee also assessed the ability of each candidate to listen to the people, articulate their concerns, engage the government and other stakeholders and deliver results.

The committee, he added, considered the broader social needs of the kingdom, including the need for strong families, disciplined children and culturally grounded citizens.

‘We need good families, we need good children, we need discipline, and we need cultured citizens. We cannot have cultured citizens if we do not have good families,’ Fr Oyo said.

No voting

Fr Oyo said the selection was not conducted through an election or a simple vote among members of the committee. Instead, candidates were nominated, selected and then subjected to a detailed vetting process.

‘No, no, no. We had nomination. After nomination, there was a criterion that we followed to pick out someone who is going to another stage. After nomination, we did selections. After selections, we followed with vetting,’ he said.

He said the candidates were vetted ‘seriously and critically’ before the committee arrived at a priority list; some potential candidates, he said, were contacted but declined the responsibility because of other commitments.

‘Someone has to accept and say, ‘Yes, I will, and I am going to make this happen,” he said.

According to Fr Oyo, the committee ranked the candidates in order of priority and subsequently engaged them individually.

‘The first one said, ‘No, I have responsibilities, and I am not able to be the king.’ The next one, good enough, accepted the responsibility and we allowed him to be our next king,’ he said.

This process culminated in the proclamation of Prince Edward Kijanangoma as the new Omukama of Tooro at Karuziika Palace in Fort Portal City on Wednesday evening.

Child heir

Fr Oyo also addressed claims that the late King Oyo had left a child who was destined to succeed him, saying as Babiito royal clan could not base the succession process on information circulating outside the established cultural procedures.

Fr Oyo explained that, under Tooro cultural practice, a child born into the royal family is introduced to elders, who perform ceremonies and rituals, including naming and celebration.

‘When a child is born, this child is introduced to the elders. The elders perform a number of ceremonies and rituals. They name the child; they have a celebration,’ he said.

‘When this child is destined for leadership in the kingdom, they will take this child out of the palace and bring up this child with formal training so that this child will be able to understand what the kingdom is, but also to have this child grow from one stage to another to reach a mature adult who has the capacity to make a difference.’

The late king, who ascended the throne as a three-year-old in 1995, died aged 34 after more than three decades on the throne.

Mourning continues

Fr Oyo said the proclamation of a new king does not bring mourning for the late Omukama to an end, saying the cultural system allows the kingdom to mourn its fallen king while simultaneously beginning preparations for the next reign.

‘It is a very big challenge. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be doing it if it was an ordinary family at home. We are going to continue with mourning. Yes, we have brought in a new king, but we have lost our king, and we loved him.’

He described the late Oyo as ‘a gentleman’ who was able to bring together many people and said his death at a young age had left the kingdom deeply saddened.

Fr Oyo said the kingdom would now begin consultations with different stakeholders to prepare for the coronation of the new Omukama.

He said the coronation date had not yet been fixed, but indicated that cultural preparations would follow the kingdom’s traditional counting of nine.

Center raises alarm over silent kidney disease, urges regular screening

Heritage Kidney and Medical Care (HKMC), an Abuja-based renal healthcare facility, has urged Nigerians to prioritise regular kidney screening, warning that kidney disease can develop silently without noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred.

The centre, while highlighting its expansion in renal healthcare delivery, said early detection and timely medical intervention remained critical to preventing the progression of kidney disease and reducing the number of patients presenting for treatment at advanced stages.

HKMC particularly advised people living with hypertension, diabetes and other kidney disease risk factors to undergo regular kidney health assessments, stressing that kidney health should not only become a concern when dialysis is required.

According to the facility, greater public awareness, early screening and stronger partnerships among families, communities, workplaces, healthcare organisations and other stakeholders could help reduce late presentation and improve treatment outcomes.

The centre in a statement, said it had also recorded significant growth in its capacity to provide specialised renal care since commencing operations in 2009 with a single dialysis machine. HKMC now operates 64 functional haemodialysis machines and is capable of providing up to 50 dialysis sessions daily across two shifts.

The facility disclosed that it currently conducts more than 1,000 dialysis sessions every month and performs an average of 10 kidney transplant surgeries monthly. The expansion, it said, reflects its growing capacity to provide advanced treatment to Nigerians living with kidney disease.

Beyond dialysis and transplantation, HKMC provides a range of renal healthcare services, including inpatient care, laboratory and diagnostic services, radiology and pharmacy support. A multidisciplinary team delivers these services, including consultant nephrologists, registrars, renal nurses, renal technicians, laboratory professionals, and other healthcare personnel.

The facility’s contribution to renal healthcare delivery received national recognition in 2025 when it was named the Best Dialysis Centre in Nigeria at the Dove Healthcare Awards. HKMC said the recognition reflected its commitment to quality healthcare delivery and improved outcomes for patients requiring renal care.

However, the centre stressed that increasing treatment capacity alone would not be sufficient to address Nigeria’s kidney disease burden without stronger emphasis on prevention and early detection. It noted that kidney disease often develops gradually, with affected individuals potentially showing few or no symptoms during the early stages.

As a result, the facility said many patients may only seek medical attention after substantial kidney damage has occurred, when treatment becomes more complex and costly. HKMC therefore called for sustained public education campaigns to improve understanding of kidney disease, its risk factors and the importance of routine screening.

It urged families and communities to support people at risk in accessing appropriate medical assessments, while encouraging workplaces and organisations to incorporate kidney health awareness into broader wellness initiatives. The centre also called for stronger collaboration among healthcare providers, government institutions, private organisations and community stakeholders to improve access to preventive kidney care and encourage Nigerians to seek medical attention promptly when risk factors or symptoms emerge.

According to HKMC, a stronger focus on prevention and early intervention would not only improve treatment outcomes but also help save lives by reducing the number of patients who present with advanced kidney disease.

Governor Inuwa swears in 19 permanent secretaries

Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has sworn in 19 newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, in what is the largest single appointment of Permanent Secretaries in the history of the state.

While performing the swearing-in ceremony at the International Conference Centre, Gombe, the Governor said the latest appointments brought to 55 the number of Permanent Secretaries appointed by his administration over the past seven and a half years, alongside more than 100 directors elevated to the senior administrative cadre of the state civil service.

He said the appointments were part of a broader effort to strengthen the institutional capacity of government, address manpower gaps and build a professional civil service capable of sustaining development beyond his tenure.

A major highlight of the Governor’s address was his disclosure that his administration was preparing for a massive recruitment exercise into the state civil service, following the establishment of an accurate manpower database through the biometric verification system.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya said he had already directed the Head of Civil Service to work with the State Civil Service Commission to conduct a comprehensive manpower needs assessment across ministries, departments and agencies to determine existing gaps and the number of personnel required.

He said the exercise would pave the way for fresh recruitment before the expiration of his tenure on May 29, 2027.

According to him, the biometric attendance and verification system, which attracted criticism when introduced, had since demonstrated its value by providing the government with reliable data on the actual workforce, while helping to tackle ghost workers and absenteeism and saving the state billions of naira.

The Governor said the reforms had also created the necessary foundation for a more rational and needs-based approach to recruitment.

He explained that since assuming office, his administration had made civil service reform and institutional strengthening a priority, citing the establishment of the Bureau for Public Service Reforms as another key intervention aimed at improving efficiency, accountability and service delivery.

Beyond manpower and institutional reforms, Governor Inuwa Yahaya pointed to workers’ welfare as a central component of his administration’s civil service policy.

He cited the prompt payment of salaries, implementation of the minimum wage at the state and local government levels, regular promotions, and payment of pension and gratuity liabilities as evidence of the government’s commitment to the welfare of workers and retirees.

On gratuity obligations, the Governor disclosed that his administration had paid more than N33 billion in gratuities over the past seven and a half years, with about 70 per cent of the liabilities inherited from the previous administration.

He announced that another tranche of gratuity payments would be made before the end of September 2026, expressing confidence that the government would clear the outstanding gratuity backlog by the first quarter of 2027.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya said the government was determined to leave behind a civil service that was more professional, digitally accountable, adequately staffed and capable of responding effectively to the needs of citizens.

On the selection of the new Permanent Secretaries, the Governor said the process was designed to ensure competence, merit and equitable representation.

He explained that senior directors from the state’s Local Government Areas were considered, with their qualifications, experience and service records subjected to scrutiny. Written examinations were also conducted to test candidates’ general knowledge and Information and Communication Technology competencies.

He added that two of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries were drawn from outside the conventional state civil service structure, with one from the Federal Civil Service and another from academia, to bring additional administrative experience, institutional linkages and research-oriented perspectives into the state bureaucracy.

The Governor charged the new Permanent Secretaries to see their appointments as a solemn responsibility rather than a personal achievement.

‘You are the ambassadors of the civil service and of your respective communities. Your appointment is not a personal achievement alone; it is a trust reposed in you by the people of Gombe State.’

He urged them to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, accountability, discipline and diligence, warning that his administration would not tolerate corruption, indiscipline, dishonesty or abuse of office.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya said that with his administration entering its final phase, the focus would be on consolidating ongoing reforms, strengthening institutions and ensuring that the gains recorded over the years endure beyond the life of the present administration.

Earlier, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, commended Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his purposeful leadership, which had consistently prioritised professionalism, competence, accountability and institutional development.

Professor Njodi assured the Governor of the continued commitment of the public service to supporting his administration’s reform agenda and development programmes.

He congratulated the new Permanent Secretaries and urged them to be accessible, responsive and innovative in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Speaking on behalf of the newly appointed Permanent Secretaries, Musa Mohammed Babaji expressed appreciation to the Governor for the confidence reposed in them and pledged that the appointees would justify the trust through diligence, loyalty, professionalism and commitment to effective public service.

Canada lets 1.5 million foreign workers pursue courses without permits

Canada’s latest policy allows access to study programmes of up to six months for work permit holders to undertake study programmes without obtaining a separate study permit.

The temporary policy, which took effect on September 4, 2026, provides a new pathway for foreign workers in Canada to acquire additional skills and qualifications while retaining their work authorisation.

The move could affect a significant pool of temporary residents, with 1.5 million foreign nationals holding only work permits as of June 30, 2026, according to the latest federal government data.

Under the new policy, a foreign worker with a valid work permit can study without a study permit even where the programme extends beyond the period of stay initially authorised when the worker first entered Canada.

Previously, foreign nationals could generally study without a permit for programmes lasting six months or less only where the programme would be completed before the end of their initially authorised stay.

The new provision removes that restriction for eligible work permit holders, potentially giving foreign workers greater flexibility to pursue short-term education and skills development while working in Canada.

However, the exemption is limited. The worker must hold a valid work permit and the programme must not exceed six months. The authorisation also ends when the worker’s permit expires or when the temporary public policy expires or is revoked, whichever occurs first.

The policy is scheduled to remain in effect until December 31, 2027, although the Canadian government can revoke temporary public policies at any time without prior notice.

The development comes against the backdrop of Canada’s large temporary resident population and continuing efforts to manage the number of foreign workers and international students in the country.

As of June 30, Canada had about 630,000 study permit holders, some of whom also held work permits, alongside the 1.5 million foreign nationals holding only work permits.

The policy also illustrates the Canadian government’s continued use of temporary measures to adjust immigration rules in response to changing conditions in the country’s labour and temporary-resident systems.

Trkiye’s Central Bank seen holding rates as easing outlook looms

The wait for the Central Bank of the Republic of Trkiye’s (CBRT) September 2026 interest rate decision is coming to an end. With the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) set to hold its September meeting, markets are closely watching whether the policy rate will be changed. When will the central bank announce its interest rate decision, and what time will it be released? What will the CBRT’s September 2026 interest rate decision be? Will there be a rate cut? Here is what is known about the central bank’s upcoming decision.

The critical day has arrived for the CBRT’s September Monetary Policy Committee meeting. Ahead of the decision, which is being closely followed by financial markets, attention has turned to whether the central bank will make any changes to its policy rate.

Among the questions attracting the most attention ahead of the decision are: ‘When will the central bank announce its interest rate decision? What time will the CBRT announce its decision? Will there be an interest rate cut in September?’ Here are the details surrounding the central bank’s decision.

According to the CBRT’s 2026 meeting calendar, the Monetary Policy Committee’s September meeting will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

The summary of the MPC meeting is scheduled to be published on September 17, 2026.

The CBRT Monetary Policy Committee will hold its September 2026 meeting on Thursday, September 10. The interest rate decision taken at the meeting will be announced to the public at 2 p.m.

As a result, the September policy rate decision that markets have been awaiting for some time will become clear today.

Economists’ expectations for the interest rate decision had also emerged ahead of the September meeting. A total of 25 economists participated in an expectations survey conducted by Anadolu Agency Finance.

According to the survey, 24 economists expect the policy rate to remain unchanged at 37%, while one economist forecasts a 100-basis-point rate cut, which would bring the policy rate down to 36%.

The median expectation in the survey is for the CBRT to keep its policy rate unchanged at 37% in September.

The median of economists’ year-end policy rate expectations was calculated at 35%.

At its Monetary Policy Committee meeting in July, the central bank left the policy rate unchanged. The policy rate was maintained at 37%.

At the same meeting, the overnight lending rate was kept at 40%, while the borrowing rate remained at 35.5%.

The decision to be taken at the September meeting is also being closely monitored for its implications for the CBRT’s monetary policy during the remainder of the year.

Ahead of the September meeting, the majority of economists expect the policy rate to remain unchanged. Therefore, based on the current market expectations, no interest rate cut is anticipated in September.

However, the final decision will be announced following the Monetary Policy Committee meeting. The CBRT’s decision on the policy rate will be announced at 2 p.m.

The CBRT’s 2026 Monetary Policy Committee calendar includes two more meetings following the September meeting: October 22, 2026 and December 10, 2026.

The summary of the October 22 meeting is scheduled to be published on October 30, while the summary of the December 10 meeting is scheduled for publication on December 17.

The CBRT’s decisions during the remainder of the year will be closely monitored for the direction of the policy rate and market expectations regarding interest rates.