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Fed lowers rates, but Powell suggests move may be the last of 2025
WASHINGTON(Reuters) -- A policy divide within the US central bank and a lack of federal government data may put another interest rate cut out of reach this year, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said on Wednesday, as he acknowledged the threats that officials see to the job market but also the risky nature of making further rate moves without a fuller picture of the economy. The Fed on Wednesday cut interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, as expected, as a way to temper any further
Oct. 30, 2025 -
Pakistan says peace talks with Afghanistan's Taliban government in Istanbul failed after four days
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan have failed in Istanbul after four days of negotiations, Pakistan’s information minister said before dawn Wednesday, accusing the Taliban government in Kabul of refusing to act against militants blamed for deadly cross-border attacks. The talks followed an earlier round in Doha that produced a ceasefire on Oct. 19 after deadly border clashes between the two sides left dozens dead, including soldiers, civilians and militants. Paki
Oct. 29, 2025 -
US strikes $80 billion deal for new nuclear power plants
The US government inked a partnership with the Canadian owners of Westinghouse Electric on Tuesday that aims to build at least $80 billion in nuclear reactors. It is one of the most ambitious plans in US atomic energy in decades, underscoring President Donald Trump's agenda to maximize energy output, focused on oil, gas, coal and nuclear. It also comes as growth in artificial intelligence data centers boosts US power demand for the first time in two decades, straining parts of the grid. Under th
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Trump's popularity dips as Americans sweat cost of living, poll finds
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- US President Donald Trump's presidential approval rating fell in recent days, tying the lowest level of his term, as more Americans frowned on his handling of the cost of living, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll. The three-day poll, which concluded on Sunday, showed 40 percent of Americans approve of the Republican leader's job performance, compared to 42 percent in an Oct. 15-20 Reuters/Ipsos poll. Trump's popularity has been within a percentage point or two of its
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Zelenskyy says Kyiv ready for peace talks, but will not cede territory
KYIV, Ukraine (Reuters) -- Ukraine is ready for peace talks but will not withdraw its troops from additional territory first as Moscow has demanded, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. In comments to reporters released on Tuesday, he said he was happy for talks to be held anywhere, except in Russia itself or on the territory of Moscow's close ally Belarus. Plans for a summit in Budapest this month between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin were put on hold after Mosco
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Climate inaction causing 'millions' of avoidable deaths: study
PARIS (AFP) -- Climate change is ravaging the health of people around the world and policy failures are leading to "millions" of avoidable deaths each year, an international team of experts said Wednesday. Opportunities for a "just" climate transition were still on the table but remained "largely untapped," according to the Lancet's Countdown, a major annual study tracking the health impacts of climate change. The report put figures on some of the most deadly consequences: 546,000 people died ea
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Pope reaffirms dialogue with Jews as he marks 60th anniversary of a key document
Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday marked the 60th anniversary of the Vatican document that revolutionized the Catholic Church's relations with Jews, reaffirming the commitment to dialogue at a time of rising antisemitism over Israel's war in Gaza. Leo presided over a two-part interfaith commemoration of the anniversary: He first joined religious leaders from over a dozen faith traditions in an appeal for peace at the Colosseum, then presided over an evening event focused on the landmark document at the Va
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Pressure builds on Prince Andrew to vacate mansion he rents for the nominal sum of a peppercorn
LONDON (AP) -- The latest chapter in the saga haunting the House of Windsor could be called "The Prince and the Peppercorn." Prince Andrew, who recently relinquished his formal titles after new revelations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, is under pressure to vacate his royal digs where he lives nearly rent-free near Windsor Castle. The demoted duke occupies Royal Lodge, a sprawling mansion that eclipses its modest name, for the sum of a single peppercorn a yea
Oct. 29, 2025 -
Putin brandishes a new nuclear-powered missile as he digs in over Russia's demands on Ukraine
By holding nuclear drills and boasting about a successful test of a pioneering atomic-powered cruise missile, Russian President Vladimir Putin is sending a message to US President Donald Trump: Moscow won’t be cowed into making concessions on Ukraine. Facing Trump’s call for a quick ceasefire and bruising, new US sanctions on Russia’s oil industry, Putin is again reminding the US and other Western allies of Kyiv about his nuclear arsenal to back his longstanding, maximalist demands. He has said
Oct. 28, 2025 -
Sudan army admits loss of key city as reports of atrocities emerge
PORT SUDAN, Sudan (AFP) -- Sudan's army admitted on Monday it had withdrawn from the strategic hub of El-Fasher, while the UN issued a stark warning over reports of "atrocities" by the paramilitary group now in control of the city. Fears have mounted for the safety of tens of thousands of civilians in the city in western Darfur, trapped in an 18-month siege by the Rapid Support Forces, which has been fighting a brutal war with Sudan's army for more than two years. "We have agreed to withdraw the
Oct. 28, 2025 -
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara reelected to fourth term, early results show
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — Ivory Coast’s President Alassane Ouattara was reelected to a fourth term in an election marked by low turnout and empty streets in the economic capital of Abidjan, provisional results showed Monday. Ouattara, 83, who first came to power in the West African nation in 2011, won 89.7 percent of the vote, Electoral Commission head Ibrahime Kuibiert Coulibaly said Monday. Jean-Louis Billon, a former commerce minister from one of Ivory Coast’s richest families, came in a di
Oct. 28, 2025 -
Brazil ex-leader Bolsonaro appeals 27-year prison sentence
BRASILIA, Brazil (AFP) -- Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro's lawyers on Monday filed an appeal against his 27-year prison sentence for a botched coup bid after his 2022 election loss. The far-right firebrand's lawyers allege "ambiguities, omissions, contradictions and obscurities" in the Supreme Court decision finding him guilty of attempting to oust President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, in a divisive trial that sparked the ire of US President Donald Trump. Supreme Court judges have no d
Oct. 28, 2025 -
World's oldest president, Paul Biya, wins Cameroon election at 92
YAOUNDE, Cameroon (AP) — The world's oldest president, Cameroon 's 92-year-old Paul Biya, has won election again, the country's top court said Monday, after days of protesters' clashes with security forces left at least four people dead as opposition supporters demanded credible results. Biya has led the central African nation since 1982, ruling longer than most citizens have been alive. Over 70 percent of the population of almost 30 million is below 35. The Oct. 12 election has displayed growin
Oct. 28, 2025 -
Ivanka Trump joins FIFA education charity project part-funded by World Cup ticket sales
ZURICH (AP) -- FIFA added another personal link to US President Donald Trump on Monday by appointing his daughter Ivanka to the board of a $100 million education project part-funded by 2026 World Cup ticket sales. Ivanka Trump, tennis great Serena Williams, singers Shakira and The Weeknd, actor Hugh Jackman and soccer star Kaka are on the advisory board of the charity fund created by FIFA and the Global Citizen anti-poverty nonprofit. "The board will provide strategic guidance to maximize the fu
Oct. 28, 2025 -
King Charles III dedicates Britain's first national memorial to LGBTQ+ troops
LONDON (AP) -- King Charles III on Monday dedicated Britain's first national memorial to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender troops, 25 years after the UK ended a ban on homosexuality in the armed forces. The king, who is the ceremonial head of the armed forces, laid flowers at the monument in the National Memorial Arboretum in central England at a service attended by scores of serving troops and veterans. The sculpture takes the form of a crumpled bronze letter bearing words from personnel w
Oct. 28, 2025