The U.S. Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Wednesday, maintaining the target range at 4.25% to 4.50%, despite mounting pressure from the Trump administration to ease borrowing costs.
The decision, announced at the conclusion of the Federal Open Market Committee’s (FOMC) two-day policy meeting, came as recent data pointed to a slowdown in economic momentum and persistent inflation.
“Although swings in net exports continue to affect the data, recent indicators suggest that growth of economic activity moderated in the first half of the year,” the Fed said in a statement.
“The unemployment rate remains low, and labor market conditions remain solid. Inflation remains somewhat elevated.”
The central bank acknowledged that uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook remains elevated, as it reaffirmed its commitment to achieving maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2% target.
The decision follows Commerce Department figures released earlier Wednesday showing that the U.S. economy grew at an annualized rate of 3.0% in the second quarter, following a 0.5% contraction in the first.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7% year-on-year in June, marking the sharpest increase since February—widely attributed to the impact of tariffs on goods.
Among the 12 voting FOMC members, two dissented, favoring a 25-basis-point rate cut. One Fed board member abstained from voting.
The move underscores a cautious stance by the Fed amid political pressure from the White House, which has repeatedly called for lower interest rates to support growth ahead of the 2026 election.
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Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Khamenei has declared a “decisive victory” over the U.S. and Israel, signalling a “new phase” in Tehran’s control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part of broader efforts to attract investment and boost tourism.
The European Union and Washington are nearing an agreement to coordinate the production and security of critical minerals, Bloomberg News reported on Friday (10 April).
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Memorial events were held in Tehran’s main squares on Wednesday (8 April) to mark the 40th day since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during U.S.-Israeli attacks on 28 February.
Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.
A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is suing him for libel at the High Court in London, according to a court record published on Friday (10 April).
The European Union and Washington are nearing an agreement to coordinate the production and security of critical minerals, Bloomberg News reported on Friday (10 April).
In a forceful rebuke to Washington’s foreign policy in the Americas, a senior Russian diplomat has declared that Moscow will never abandon Cuba, pledging ongoing support to help the Communist-run island overcome a severe energy crisis linked to the United States embargo.
Hungary votes on Sunday in a parliamentary election that could loosen Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power. His ruling Fidesz faces a strong challenge from Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, which has led some polls, though many voters remain undecided.
While a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war may deliver badly needed relief to economies battered by the world’s worst-ever energy crisis, hopes it will quickly restore normal oil and gas flows from the Middle East are almost certainly misplaced.
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