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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 ...
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Russia Open to Ukraine Peace Talks if Trump Initiates Them, Envoy Says

In a recent statement, Russia has expressed its openness to engage in peace talks to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, provided that the initiative comes from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Gennady Gatilov, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, emphasized that any negotiations would need to be grounded in the current realities of Russian advances.

Trump has been vocal about his criticism of the extensive Western aid provided to Kyiv and has promised to swiftly end the conflict, although he has not detailed his approach. His victory in the November 5 presidential election has raised concerns in Kyiv and other European capitals about the future level of U.S. support for Ukraine.

Gatilov acknowledged that while Russia welcomes the prospect of Trump initiating the political process, he remains realistic about the challenges ahead. He noted that any peace talks must reflect the situation on the ground, where Russian forces have made significant advances.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has consistently maintained that peace can only be achieved once all Russian forces are expelled and all territories, including Crimea, are returned to Ukraine. He has warned that any concessions to Russia would be unacceptable for Ukraine and detrimental to European security.

As the world watches closely, the potential for new dialogue between Russia and the United States under Trump's leadership presents a complex and uncertain path forward for the conflict in Ukraine.

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