Powell chairs the Fed, shaping U.S. monetary policy as AI costs, inflation and rate bets dominate markets.
The Office for National Statistics has reported UK consumer price inflation at 2.6% in June, down from 2.8% in May — the weakest rate since March 2025. Falls in motor fuel, food and clothing prices have driven the drop, but renewed fighting in the Middle East and a higher Ofgem cap mean officials expect inflation to rise again later this year.
The Bank of England has voted 8-1 to hold Bank Rate at 3.75% and has published three scenarios showing higher near-term inflation because of the Iran war and energy-price shock. Governor Andrew Bailey has said the path for policy will depend on the size and duration of the energy shock; chief economist Huw Pill has dissented for a 0.25pp rise.
The Federal Reserve has decided that Chair Jay Powell will stay on the board after his term ends, to preserve independence amid political pressure. The move follows a tense policy cycle with inflation still high and growth slowing.
Fed policymakers have maintained rates while considering the impact of Iran’s war on energy prices and inflation. Dissenters warn a bias toward easing may be inappropriate if the economy weakens, signaling potential rate adjustments depending on the energy shock.
Oil prices are lifting inflation pressures while central banks hold rates at current levels. Recent data show jobs strength and firmer services costs, prompting caution on policy paths amid war-linked supply disruption.
The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted former FBI Director James Comey for allegedly transmitting a threat against President Trump through a social media post showing seashells arranged to read “86 47.” The indictment marks a second case against Comey and comes amid broader discourse about political targeting within the DOJ and responses from Trump allies and critics.
Inflation in the UK and US remains under pressure as the ongoing Middle East conflict sustains higher energy prices. UK CPI has fallen to 2.8% in April, but analysts warn this may be a brief respite as fuel and gas costs rise. Producer prices in the US have surged in April, signaling rising costs before they reach consumers.
Today, inflation has remained elevated with the latest data showing core inflation near multi-year highs while energy prices stay elevated amid geopolitical tensions. Markets react as Treasuries rise on expectations the Fed will keep policy tight, and investors reassess growth prospects.
Kevin Warsh has been sworn in as chair of the U.S. Federal Reserve at a White House ceremony on May 22, 2026. President Trump has said Warsh will be "totally independent." Markets are repricing risks as inflation remains above target and the US‑Iran war is pushing bond yields and oil prices higher.
President Donald Trump has named Bill Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director and chair of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as acting director of national intelligence. Pulte will keep his housing posts, has no known intelligence experience and can serve up to 210 days without Senate confirmation, prompting bipartisan concern about politicising the intelligence community.
The White House has issued a scaled-back executive order asking frontier AI firms to voluntarily share advanced models 30 days before release for cybersecurity review. Last week the administration has imposed export-style restrictions that forced Anthropic to cut access to its Fable and Mythos models, prompting industry alarm about ad hoc controls and the limits of the voluntary framework.
Republican factions in Congress have rebuked President Trump on Iran, the White House ballroom funding, and the anti-weaponization fund, while Ukraine aid moves forward. The party faces growing fractures as it weighs next steps ahead of Election Day.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that U.S. consumer prices rose 4.2% in the 12 months through May, the fastest annual pace since April 2023, driven largely by a surge in energy and gasoline costs. Core inflation has remained cooler at 2.9%, while producers’ prices and oil-driven wholesale gains have also accelerated ahead of the Federal Reserve’s June meeting.
The Fed has maintained rates and launched a set of internal task forces under Warsh to overhaul communications, data usage, and inflation strategy, signaling a shift toward a Greenspan-era style of policy and increasing market volatility expectations.
The ECB has raised its policy rate to 2.25% as inflation remains a concern amid a war-linked energy shock. Markets are watching next week’s meetings with the Fed, BOJ and BoE, with analysts signaling a cautious path ahead.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has said federal agents have contacted friends, former staff and donors tied to him and his wife, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and has accused President Donald Trump of ordering a politically motivated investigation as he considers a 2028 presidential run. Multiple outlets report the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California has been handling separate inquiries that began with local whistleblower tips, including probes into the first partner’s taxes and former chief of staff Dana Williamson, who pleaded guilty to federal charges.
The Federal Reserve has maintained rates and signaled a continued focus on inflation, with Warsh stressing price stability. Markets have moved to price in potential further hikes this year as investors await key inflation data.
Alan Greenspan has died at age 100 from complications of Parkinson's disease, his wife Andrea Mitchell has said. Greenspan has led the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006, presiding over long US growth and market rallies while later facing criticism for policies linked to the 2007–09 financial crisis.
New Fed Chair Kevin Warsh is rolling back decades of forward guidance, cutting the Fed’s post-meeting statements and removing explicit guidance on future rate moves. Analysts warn this could raise market volatility and push mortgage rates higher, while Warsh argues markets should rely on data rather than central-bank hints.
The US Supreme Court has rejected President Trump’s executive order that would have denied automatic citizenship to nearly all children born on US soil. In a 6-3 ruling written by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court has affirmed that the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to those born in the United States, while three justices dissented.
Tech stocks retreat after Micron’s results dim optimism for AI demand; Kospi sinks as memory-chip exposure bites—while mega-cap techs hold some ground.
The Fed has maintained policy amid inflation that remains above the 2% goal. Markets are watching for Warsh's approach, with two potential paths emerging as data guides policy. Public appearances and congressional testimony will shape expectations for rate moves this year.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the president can remove leaders of most independent federal agencies, overturning the 1935 Humphrey’s Executor precedent, while carving out an exception for the Federal Reserve. The decisions leave Lisa Cook in place for now but open the door for presidents to exert new control over agencies such as the FTC, shifting regulatory power toward the White House.
The Supreme Court has upheld birthright citizenship for babies born on U.S. soil, rejecting Trump’s bid to limit citizenship based on parents’ status. The decision maintains the 14th Amendment’s promise, even as the administration vows to pursue further restrictions through legislation and enforcement.
U.S. Treasury yields have fluctuated amid hawkish signals from Fed Chair Warsh and ongoing data momentum. Investors await key jobs data and FOMC minutes to gauge policy direction.
The interim Director of National Intelligence has begun a new round of firings within the U.S. intelligence community, as President Trump presses for rapid staff changes. The White House and DNI have not commented. The move follows reports that the administration aims to remove officials deemed loyal to opponents and to expand access to sensitive data.
Fed minutes show policymakers are divided on whether to raise rates this year; markets are betting on a cautious path with speculation about AI inflation and Middle East tensions affecting decisions. Warsh has not provided a clear stand as minutes reflect a range of scenarios.
Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh has convened five task forces to examine communications, data, the balance sheet, productivity, AI, and inflation frameworks. Leaders include Marc Andreessen, Doug McMillon, Mervyn King, Raj Chetty, and others. The groups will work with Fed staff and report to the FOMC, with changes expected by year-end.
Alphabet and peers are expanding AI data-center investments, driving up memory-chip prices and electricity costs while free cash flow turns negative for the quarter. Revenue remains strong as AI demand grows, but capital expenditure is set to rise into 2027.
The Fed is holding its July meeting as inflation cools but energy prices rise amid Middle East tensions. Markets expect rates to stay put, with some officials signaling possible hikes later this year as investors price in a September move.