The central bank's move comes as concerns grow about a slowdown in the world's second largest economy.
Read moreBBC News World
Biden believes Putin will 'move in' on Ukraine
The US president says he thinks Russia's leader will "move in" but does not want a "full-blown war".
Top Stories
Biden believes Putin will 'move in' on Ukraine
The US president says he thinks Russia's leader will "move in" but does not want a "full-blown war".
First foreign aid plane arrives in stricken Tonga
New Zealand and Australia are sending water and supplies, after ash was cleared from the runway.
Brother urged Texas hostage-taker to surrender
A recording of the gunman's last phone call to family made during the siege has emerged.
Biden questions if US elections will be 'legit'
Mr Biden casts doubt on election integrity as party rebels doom his voting overhaul agenda.
Drug-resistant infections killing millions - study
The death toll, worst in poorer countries and among the under-fives, needs urgent action, experts say.
Major Peru oil spill sparks calls for compensation
The "ecological disaster" occurred after high waves caused by the volcanic eruption in Tonga.
'Megaberg' dumped huge volume of fresh water
The melting monster iceberg A68 put 1.5 billion tonnes of fresh water into the ocean every day.
Featured Contents
Biden believes Putin will 'move in' on Ukraine
The US president says he thinks Russia's leader will "move in" but does not want a "full-blown war".
First foreign aid plane arrives in stricken Tonga
New Zealand and Australia are sending water and supplies, after ash was cleared from the runway.
Brother urged Texas hostage-taker to surrender
A recording of the gunman's last phone call to family made during the siege has emerged.
Biden questions if US elections will be 'legit'
Mr Biden casts doubt on election integrity as party rebels doom his voting overhaul agenda.
Drug-resistant infections killing millions - study
The death toll, worst in poorer countries and among the under-fives, needs urgent action, experts say.
Major Peru oil spill sparks calls for compensation
The "ecological disaster" occurred after high waves caused by the volcanic eruption in Tonga.
'Megaberg' dumped huge volume of fresh water
The melting monster iceberg A68 put 1.5 billion tonnes of fresh water into the ocean every day.
First foreign aid plane arrives in stricken Tonga
New Zealand and Australia are sending water and supplies, after ash was cleared from the runway.
Brother urged Texas hostage-taker to surrender
A recording of the gunman's last phone call to family made during the siege has emerged.
Biden questions if US elections will be 'legit'
Mr Biden casts doubt on election integrity as party rebels doom his voting overhaul agenda.
Features & Analysis
Watch/Listen
Latest Updates
UN chief lauds Ethiopia's effort to make peace
Copyright: Getty ImagesImage caption: The UN has in the past called for peace in Ethiopia UN Secretary General António Guterres has said there is "demonstrable effort to make peace" in Ethiopia after more than a year of civil war.
Mr Guterres spoke to the African Union (AU) chief envoy to the Horn of Africa Olusegun Obasanjo who briefed him on the peace efforts.
Mr Obasanjo has been meeting officials in the federal government and from the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
The UN chief said the AU envoy "expressed optimism that there is now a real opportunity for political and diplomatic resolution of the conflict".
Federal troops have been fighting rebels in the north of the country for more than a year now, in a war that has ended thousands of lives.
Clashes on the ground between the two sides had stopped but recently there have been reports of renewed fighting.
Algeria closes schools amid rise in Covid cases
Copyright: AFPImage caption: Algeria has recorded more than 220,000 cases of coronavirus infections Algeria has closed schools for 10 days and enhanced screening at airports and other control measures following a rise in coronavirus cases.
It has also encouraged people to get vaccinated to counter the spread of the virus.
The decision by President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to shut schools starting from Thursday followed an emergency meeting of ministers, top health and security officials.
A statement from the presidency however said that it was up to the universities to determine whether to close or reschedule their classes.
The country has recorded more than 220,000 coronavirus cases and over 6,000 deaths since the pandemic began.
By Sam Cabral
BBC News, Washington
Video content
Video caption: Key moments: Biden’s speech after first year in office ‘The nicest questions.’ Here are some of Biden’s moments as he reads his report card to the press.
By Vineet Khare
BBC Hindi
By Andrew Harding
Africa correspondent, BBC News
Video content
Video caption: Joe Biden: Ukraine invasion would lead to 'disaster for Russia' A Russian invasion of Ukraine would result in a "severe cost" to Russia, US President Joe Biden warns.
By Catherine Evans
BBC News
Video content
Video caption: Ashling Murphy: Hundreds attend vigil for woman killed while out running "She was so young and she had so much to live for," said one woman attending the vigil.
