Author: staff
The Fed left its key rate unchanged on Wednesday for a second consecutive meeting, holding it at about 3.6%. In a statement, the central bank said the “implications of developments in the Middle East for the US economy are uncertain”. Policymakers expect the Iran war will worsen inflation this year while having little impact on growth, but they still expect to cut their key rate once in 2026. By keeping their forecast for a rate cut this year and next — the same projections that they made in December — central bank policymakers appear to expect the gas price spike…
Les déclarations contre le système d’échange de droits à polluer, pilier de la politique climatique européenne, portent les attaques contre la régulation environnementale à un autre niveau. Feb 17 10 mins read
“The big question is if politically they can do that even if they can legally,” said one Rayner ally. “The one thing that appears to unite a growing body of people is a blunt retrospective five to ten year element, with no protections.” The opponents hope they can get the PM to water the plans down himself, but failing that, they want to push for a vote. They’re yet to land on a means, but tabling an amendment to one element of the legislation is one possibility under discussion, one adviser told POLITICO. Like other critics, the same adviser had…
The 27 leaders of the European Union are heading into a stormy summit on Thursday, with Hungary’s veto of a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, the widening war in the Middle East and persistently high energy prices set to dominate the talks. The single market, trade, defence, security, migration and the state of the multilateral system will also be on the table, along with a brief – almost blink-and-you-miss-it – discussion on the next seven-year budget. From the moment leaders arrive, all eyes will be on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose decision to block the support loan for Ukraine…
When Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi meets Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, she will be the first G7 leader to visit since the backlash over Washington’s push for allies to help secure the Strait of Hormuz. Last weekend, Trump had asked Tokyo and other capitals to participate in his war effort and send naval vessels to unblock the critical waterway. After the allies rebuffed him, he aborted his call: “Because of the fact that we have had such Military Success, we no longer ‘need’, or desire, the NATO Countries’ assistance – WE NEVER DID! Likewise, Japan, Australia,…
“What I know is that allies are working together discussing how to do that,” he told reporters during a visit to a NATO military exercise in Norway. “What is the best way to do it? They are working on that collectively to find a way forward.” The remarks underscore the high-wire act facing Rutte as the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran drags into its third week. The secretary-general wants to placate Trump — a longtime NATO skeptic — while avoiding a full embrace of a war which is out-of-area for NATO and has been widely criticized by other allies. Yet the…
Published on 18/03/2026 – 16:20 GMT+1•Updated 16:27 Brent crude oil prices reached $110 a barrel on Wednesday afternoon, after Iranian state media reported that part of the South Pars gas field, the largest plant in Iran, and the Asaluyeh oil facility were struck by Israel. Moreover, the US oil benchmark WTI also rose and is trading at $98 a barrel at the time of writing. In response to the latest Israeli attacks, the IRGC announced that some Gulf energy sites are once again “legitimate targets”. The prospect of escalation and prolongation of the conflict in the Middle East, resulting in…
Belmond is set to relaunch one of its luxury boat hotels this summer. The hospitality company, which is best known for its train services including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, will be offering itineraries between Pontailler-sur-Saône and St Léger, Lyon and Auxonne, and St-Jean and Lyon on board Marguerite, A Belmond Boat, Burgundy. Formerly known as Amaryllis, the newly revamped riverboat takes its name, and its design cues, from the region’s famed golden marguerite fields. Able to accommodate up to eight guests, the boat has four double suites, an open-plan salon, and a private plunge pool on the outdoor deck. “From the…
“It is clear to us that the legal process that led to the Swedish citizen being executed has not been fair,” Stenergard wrote. “The death penalty is an inhumane, cruel and irreversible punishment. Sweden, together with the rest of the EU, condemns its application in all circumstances” she added “Sweden will continue to condemn serious human rights violations in Iran.” The execution takes place during the third week of the U.S. and Israel’s ongoing war with Iran, where the regime has a long record of human rights violations, most recently underscored by a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests. Iran also…
The strike hit shortly after dawn on 18 March, sending thick smoke over central Beirut as emergency teams rushed to the scene. The Israeli army said it had warned residents to evacuate about an hour before the attack, which flattened the building and damaged nearby vehicles on a busy road. The building had already been targeted three times on 12 March without collapsing, marking a fourth strike in less than a week. Israel claims the site was used by Hezbollah to store large sums of money, though no evidence has been made public. The attack comes as Israel intensifies operations…