Author: Rachel Maddow

Economy Shows Strength The US Federal Reserve decided Wednesday to keep its key interest rate at about 3.6%, pausing after three cuts last year. In a statement, the central bank noted that the job market has stabilized and described economic growth as “solid,” an improvement from last month’s “modest” assessment. With hiring steady and the economy expanding, Fed officials see little urgency to lower rates further at this time. Inflation and Policy Debate Although many policymakers expect borrowing costs to fall later this year, most want to see inflation trending closer to the Fed’s 2% target before taking action. In…

Lawmakers Push for Clear Rules and Investment MEPs from the European People’s Party are calling on the EU to treat nuclear fusion as a serious, near-term opportunity rather than just research. On Tuesday, they issued a declaration urging the European Commission to create a clear and predictable regulatory framework that could attract the private investment needed to develop fusion energy, given its high costs. “Fusion has reached a turning point. European industrial capability and private investments are converging toward deployment,” the declaration reads. Lawmakers including Tsvetelina Penkova (Bulgaria/EPP) and Hildegard Bentele (Germany/EPP) stressed that Europe has a chance to turn…

Eight Countries Receive SAFE Funding Approval The European Commission has given the green light to defence investment plans from Estonia, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, and Finland under the EU’s €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme. Together, these countries requested €74 billion, with Poland accounting for €43.7 billion alone. SAFE is a major part of the EU’s Readiness 2030 initiative, which aims to channel hundreds of billions of euros into defence by the end of the decade amid concerns that Russia could pose a direct threat to Europe. This second round of approvals follows €38 billion granted…

The World Bank Group has inaugurated its first office in Doha, marking a new chapter in its collaboration with Qatar and reinforcing the country’s expanding role in global development and finance. The office, officially opened on Sunday, will act as a regional hub for partnerships between the World Bank Group and Qatari institutions. Its main focus will be on development financing, mobilising private-sector investment, and supporting countries facing fragility and conflict. The office is located at the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) headquarters, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance. World Bank Group President Ajay Banga highlighted the significance of…

Tripartite peace negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are set to continue Saturday in Abu Dhabi, aiming to find a resolution to Russia’s nearly four-year invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the discussions will focus on the future of the eastern Donbas region, a key area of conflict. Early Talks Show “Productive” Progress The White House described Friday’s opening session as productive, while the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meetings are part of ongoing efforts to “promote dialogue and identify political solutions to the crisis.” Zelenskyy emphasized the significance of the trilateral talks, noting that Ukrainian…

Outrage Over Front-Line Remarks The UK has strongly rejected former US President Donald Trump’s claim that NATO troops “stayed a little back” and did not fight on the front lines in Afghanistan. In a Fox News interview aired Thursday, Trump appeared unaware that 457 British soldiers died in the conflict following the September 11 attacks, sparking widespread criticism. Official figures show that 405 of those British casualties were killed in hostile military action, underscoring the sacrifices made by UK forces. NATO Allies Answered the Call After the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre, the UK and several NATO allies—including…

Bilateral Talks, Not NATO-Wide Approval Spain’s Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, clarified on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos that a security framework for Greenland negotiated by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte must still be presented to all NATO allies for consideration. Speaking to Euronews, Albares stressed that the deal announced with US President Donald Trump is a bilateral arrangement. “This is a bilateral arrangement, not NATO. It is the Secretary General of NATO talking to one of the allies,” he said. Albares added that allied foreign ministers currently only have access to the public announcement, and…

A new report shows that arts engagement can help people feel more connected to their communities and reduce feelings of loneliness. Researchers found that attending performances, visiting museums, and participating in creative activities encourages social interaction and fosters meaningful connections. The study highlights how arts programs provide spaces where people can meet, share experiences, and build friendships. From local theater shows to community art projects, these activities bring residents together and strengthen social bonds. Experts say that participating in the arts benefits not only individuals but also entire neighborhoods. Researchers noted that creative activities like painting, music, dance, and writing…

Prenatal ultrasounds are a vital part of monitoring a baby’s development, but traditional scans can miss up to half of fetal abnormalities. Now, a new AI-powered system cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) aims to help doctors catch more issues earlier. Real-Time Analysis in the Exam Room The software, developed by U.S. start-up BioticsAI, works alongside existing ultrasound machines. It instantly evaluates each image, checks for quality, suggests adjustments, and ensures every part of the baby is visible. Using global data patterns, it flags potential problems such as heart or limb defects and produces a detailed report…

The National Bank of Poland (NBP) has boosted its gold holdings to around 550 tonnes, worth over €63 billion, as part of a long-term strategy to protect the nation’s financial stability. NBP President Adam Glapiński has repeatedly highlighted gold’s unique role: it carries no credit risk, is unaffected by other countries’ monetary policies, and acts as a safeguard against economic shocks. The bank now aims to reach 700 tonnes, bringing total bullion reserves to around PLN 400 billion (€94 billion). A Rapid Rise in Gold Holdings Gold’s share of Poland’s foreign reserves has surged in just over a year. In…