Skip to main content

Featured

Fed Poised for First 2025 Rate Cut as Weak Jobs Data Outweigh Inflation Concerns

  The Federal Reserve seal at its Washington, D.C. headquarters, where policymakers are set to decide on the first interest rate cut of 2025. The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to lower its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points today, marking its first rate cut of 2025 and the first since December last year. The move would bring the federal funds target range down to 4.00%–4.25%, as policymakers respond to slowing job growth and rising unemployment, even as inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target. Recent labor market data showed just 22,000 jobs added in August, with earlier months revised downward, while the unemployment rate has climbed to around 4.3%. Inflation, measured by the Fed’s preferred PCE index, has edged higher in recent months, partly due to tariffs pushing up consumer prices. Markets have largely priced in the cut, with investors watching the Fed’s updated “dot plot” for clues on whether more reductions will follow in October and December. The decision ...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

COP28 reaches landmark agreement to transition from fossil fuels

 



In a historic breakthrough, the COP28 climate summit in Dubai concluded on Wednesday with a deal that commits nearly 200 countries to start reducing their reliance on fossil fuels and shift to renewable energy sources.

The agreement, which was reached after two weeks of intense negotiations and a day of overtime, marks the first time that the world has explicitly recognized the need to transition away from oil, gas and coal, the main drivers of global warming.

The deal also sets ambitious targets for increasing renewable energy capacity, cutting coal use, and deploying technologies that can capture and store carbon emissions. It aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, in line with the latest scientific findings.

The deal was hailed as a historic moment by many countries, especially the small island states that are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. They had pushed hard for strong language on phasing out fossil fuels, despite facing resistance from the OPEC group of oil producers, led by Saudi Arabia.

The COP28 president, Sultan Al Jaber, who is also the UAE minister of industry and advanced technology, said the deal was a “clear signal” to investors and policy-makers that the world is united in its desire to break with fossil fuels and embrace a clean-energy future.

However, he also stressed that the success of the agreement would depend on its implementation, and urged countries to take concrete actions to fulfill their commitments.

The deal was welcomed by environmental groups, who praised it as a significant step forward in the global fight against climate change. However, they also warned that more work is needed to ensure that the transition is fair and equitable, and that the most vulnerable communities are supported and protected.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment