The U.S. Federal Reserve kept its benchmark federal funds rate unchanged on Wednesday, maintaining the target range at 4.25% to 4.50%, in a widely expected move as the central bank navigates a complex economic environment marked by slowing inflation, global trade tensions, and political pressure.
In a statement, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) said it remains focused on achieving its dual mandate of maximum employment and 2% inflation over the longer term, but acknowledged that uncertainty about the economic outlook has increased.
“The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate and judges that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen,” the Fed said.
The central bank also reiterated its commitment to adjusting monetary policy as needed if evolving risks threaten its economic objectives.
The decision comes amid political turbulence, particularly stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly criticized Fed Chair Jerome Powell for what he views as sluggish action in the face of mounting economic risks. Trump has called for aggressive rate cuts, referencing moves by European central banks and claiming that current U.S. policy could stall the economy.
In a string of posts throughout April, Trump called Powell “always TOO LATE AND WRONG” and claimed that “termination cannot come fast enough,” suggesting the Fed’s hesitancy could lead to a broader slowdown.
Despite the political rhetoric, the Fed has gradually reduced rates from a post-pandemic high of 5.5%—held steady from July 2023 to September 2024—to its current level, signaling a measured approach to monetary easing.
Analysts say the Fed’s pause reflects caution amid conflicting signals, including stable job growth, moderating inflation, and growing concerns about the impact of Trump’s tariff policies on global trade and domestic price pressures.
The next rate decision is expected in June, with markets watching closely for signs of whether the Fed will resume cuts or hold steady amid ongoing political and economic uncertainty.
The U.S. Federal Reserve is widely expected to hold interest rates steady at its policy meeting on Wednesday, as signs of easing inflation and continued job growth clash with increasing pressure from President Donald Trump to slash rates amid the first economic contraction in three years.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, stating on Thursday that Powell's termination "cannot come fast enough."
The Federal Reserve is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged at Wednesday’s meeting.
The Federal Reserve is likely to begin cutting interest rates in June, following a mixed jobs report that highlights both robust job growth and emerging signs of labor market weakness.
Washington, D.C., February 24, 2025 – Research released by the San Francisco Fed on Monday reveals that investors and economists expect the U.S. central bank to respond “strongly and systematically” to shifts in inflation and labor market conditions.
Russia is preparing to present Ukraine with a draft peace proposal once a recent prisoner swap concludes, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Friday, signaling a potential step forward in peace efforts.
Boeing has struck a deal with the U.S. Justice Department to avoid criminal charges over the 737 Max tragedies, agreeing to pay over $1.1 billion in penalties, victim support, and safety reforms.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the arrest of those responsible for the failed launch of the country’s second naval destroyer, calling the incident an “unpardonable criminal act” and demanding accountability amid skepticism over the extent of damage to the warship.
German police say at least 17 people were injured in a knife attack at Hamburg’s main train station on Friday.
Iran and the U.S. ended a fresh round of indirect talks in Rome, as negotiators hope to resolve a decades-long dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
In a region long defined by conflict and complex history, AnewZ set out to hear the voices that matter most- those of the people.
Two staff members from the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C.- Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were shot and killed on Wednesday night by a lone gunman as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, close to the White House.
Oil prices fell for the first time in three weeks, with expectations mounting that OPEC+ will raise production in July, Bloomberg reported.
Adidas and Puma are expected to raise prices in the U.S. after Nike increased footwear costs, as rising import tariffs push up expenses across the sportswear industry.
Shein says French consumers may face higher prices if the EU imposes handling fees and France enacts new penalties on fast fashion. The platform criticizes the lack of dialogue with authorities as pressure mounts on budget e-commerce models.
Telegram has reported a remarkable $540 million profit last year, marking its first annual profit after years of losses. The Dubai-based messaging app’s revenues surged to $1.4 billion in 2024, up from $343 million the previous year, based on a company presentation reviewed by the Financial Times.
The U.S. government's decision in April 2025 to impose stricter export controls on advanced semiconductors has delivered a significant blow to Nvidia, compelling the company to obtain licenses for sales of its H20 AI chips to China—one of its largest and most strategically important markets.
Russia is preparing to present Ukraine with a draft peace proposal once a recent prisoner swap concludes, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Friday, signaling a potential step forward in peace efforts.
Boeing has struck a deal with the U.S. Justice Department to avoid criminal charges over the 737 Max tragedies, agreeing to pay over $1.1 billion in penalties, victim support, and safety reforms.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the arrest of those responsible for the failed launch of the country’s second naval destroyer, calling the incident an “unpardonable criminal act” and demanding accountability amid skepticism over the extent of damage to the warship.
German police say at least 17 people were injured in a knife attack at Hamburg’s main train station on Friday.
Iran and the U.S. ended a fresh round of indirect talks in Rome, as negotiators hope to resolve a decades-long dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
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