Fed hikes rates first time since 2023, Sept 17 2026

1. FED HIKES RATES FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2023
The Federal Reserve raised the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 3.75%-4.00%; Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation is 'too high' and 'too long'. President Trump demanded rates at 1% or below; Wall Street indexes fell after the decision.

2. UN CHIEF CALLS FOR DE-ESCALATION
Antonio Guterres said de-escalation in the Middle East must be priority one, two and three; he demanded civilian protection, humanitarian access and restoration of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab. On Ukraine, he urged an immediate ceasefire and reiterated a two-state solution for Middle East peace.

3. ISRAEL AND MOROCCO UPGRADE TIES
The two countries agreed to raise diplomatic missions to embassies and appoint ambassadors after a trilateral meeting in New York with US officials. The move strengthens bilateral ties amid regional tensions.

4. EU PROPOSES CANADA AS FIRST ASSOCIATE MEMBER
Ursula von der Leyen proposed opening the door for Canada to become the EU's first associate member, receiving a standing ovation in the European Parliament. Canada also applied to join the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force to reduce defense dependence on the US.

5. US HOUSE DELAYS HEGSETH IMPEACHMENT VOTE
Speaker Mike Johnson sent lawmakers home early for a seven-week midterm campaign recess, delaying a vote on impeaching Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Rep. Thomas Massie accused Hegseth of abusing authority in the war with Iran; Johnson called it a 'publicity stunt'.

6. LEBANON RENEWS CONFIDENCE IN SALAM GOVERNMENT
Lebanon's parliament voted 68 in favor, 12 against and 2 abstentions; Hezbollah MPs left the chamber before the vote. PM Nawaf Salam said the framework with Israel is a political negotiating framework, not a treaty, and aims to stop attacks and achieve full Israeli withdrawal.

7. SAUDI ARABIA ACCUSES HOUTHIS OF TARGETING MECCA
Saudi Arabia said it destroyed a hostile drone and accused the Houthis of targeting Mecca; the Houthis denied the claim. The Arab Parliament and GCC condemned the attempt and called for urgent international action.

8. YEMEN CONFLICT DISPLACES OVER 100,000 PEOPLE
UNHCR warned that escalating hostilities along Yemen's western coast displaced more than 100,000 people internally; thousands crossed the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to Djibouti, raising humanitarian concerns.

9. ISRAEL SAYS HAMAS RAFAH COMMANDER KILLED
Defense Minister Israel Katz said the commander of Hamas' Rafah Brigade was killed in an airstrike in southern Gaza; this is an Israeli claim without independent confirmation.

10. RUSSIAN DRONES HIT BUS AND TRAIN IN UKRAINE
Ukrainian officials said Russian drones struck a passenger bus and a train in southern Ukraine, killing five people; Moscow continues to target transport infrastructure.

11. BELARUS FREES 25 PRISONERS
Belarus released 25 prisoners in a deal involving continued US sanctions relief. US special envoy John Coale said President Trump was 'very pleased'.

12. NEPAL DISASTER DEATH TOLL RISES TO 1,403
Nepal's disaster authority recorded 1,403 deaths and 6,150 missing from floods and mudslides; rescue operations remain under pressure.

Điều cần theo dõi hôm nay: A meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump is being prepared in New York.

*Information compiled for reference, reflecting multiple sources at the time of publication.*