ECB cuts rates for the third time this year by 0.25% to 3.25%

ECB interest rate cut

On Thursday 17th October 2024, the ECB announced its third interest rate reduction of 2024, as inflation risks within the European Union diminished more rapidly than anticipated.

At its October meeting, the central bank decreased the deposit rate by 0.25%. This decision followed a slowdown in the euro area’s price increases to 1.8% in September 2024, falling below the central bank’s target of 2%.

The EU interest rate is now: 3.25%

Amazon goes nuclear, to invest more than $500 million to develop small modular reactors (SMR)

AWS nuclear power

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced the signing of an agreement with Dominion Energy, the utility company of Virginia U.S., to explore the development of a small modular nuclear reactor near Dominion’s existing North Anna nuclear power station.

As Amazon’s cloud computing subsidiary, AWS has an ever-growing demand for clean energy, particularly as it expands into generative AI. This agreement aligns with Amazon’s journey towards net-zero carbon emissions.

Amazon joins other major tech companies like Google and Microsoft in turning to nuclear power to meet the increasing energy needs of data centres.