The Fed's Decision to Keep Rates Steady Is 'Unsurprising,' According to a JPMorgan Expert. Here's Why.
Federal Reserve officials kept interest rates at a target range of 4.25% to 4.5% following the conclusion of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting on Wednesday.
The range has stayed the same since December when the Fed cut rates by 25 basis points or 0.25%, but the Fed indicated that reductions to the rate could occur later in the year.
"We'll be adapting as we go," Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said in a Wednesday press conference following the decision. He noted that the Fed does not need to rush to make policy adjustments and "is well positioned to wait for clarity" on President Donald Trump's economic plans, including tariffs. |
 Pentagon confirms resumption of US aid to Ukraine
Assistance was resumed after Kiev accepted Washington’s proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia
Pentagon officials have confirmed that the US has fully restored military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Washington announced its decision to lift restrictions on assistance after Kiev announced that it would agree to a 30-day ceasefire with Russia.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Pentagon Press Secretary Sean Parnell said that “US military aid to Ukraine has been turned back on, as well as intelligence sharing.”
Echoing Parnell’s remarks, Alexus Grynkewich, Commander of the US Air Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) reaffirmed that US military aid has resumed. “We’ve got confirmed reports that it is continuing or is flowing back into Ukraine and, of course, daily reports on the outcome of the intelligence sharing and those efforts,” he said. “So, all of that is as it was previously.”
The US had earlier halted the delivery of billions of dollars’ worth of military aid to Kiev and restricted intelligence sharing following last month’s quarrel at the White House between Vladimir Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, who was joined by Vice President J.D. Vance. During the exchange, Trump accused Zelensky of ingratitude and “gambling with World War III” by refusing to seek peace with Russia. The Ukrainian leader was asked to leave the US capital and only return when he was ready for serious negotiations.
Pentagon’s announcement came the same day that Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation to discuss efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution to the Ukraine conflict. The much-anticipated phone call lasted two and a half hours, with both the White House and the Kremlin describing it as positive.
The two leaders confirmed a month-long mutual suspension of strikes on energy infrastructure and discussed Trump’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire, with the Russian side outlining several key issues that would need to be addressed before implementation.
Kiev, however, swiftly violated the agreement when its military allegedly targeted an energy facility deep inside Russia on Wednesday, despite having announced a pause on long-range strikes.
Putin also emphasized the necessity of establishing a reliable monitoring mechanism for the ceasefire, halting forced mobilization, and preventing further rearmament in Ukraine.
The Russian president also insisted that a key condition for preventing further escalation and a diplomatic resolution of the conflict is the complete cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. |
Military operation in Ukraine19 Mar, 09:20
Ukrainian soldiers stunned by Russia’s Operation Pipeline — Russian commander
Operation Pipeline involved a joint assault unit comprising soldiers from the 11th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade, the 30th Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division, the Akhmat special forces unit, and volunteers from the Veterans and Vostok V assault brigades
KURSK, March 19. /TASS/. The Russian military’s operation to seize the town of Sudzha in the Kursk Region turned into a nightmare for Ukrainian forces, as they were completely disoriented and chose to surrender, Lieutenant General Apty Alaudinov, deputy chief of the Russian Armed Forces’ Main Military-Political Department and commander of the Akhmat special forces unit, told TASS.
"They were horrified because even after being captured, they could not comprehend what had happened to them. For them, it [Operation Pipeline] became an absolute nightmare because all their commanders had simply fled, abandoning them and failing to even notify them of their retreat," Alaudinov said.
Operation Pipeline involved a joint assault unit comprising soldiers from the 11th Separate Guards Air Assault Brigade, the 30th Regiment of the 72nd Motorized Rifle Division, the Akhmat special forces unit, and volunteers from the Veterans and Vostok V assault brigades. The troops moved stealthily through a gas pipeline, about 15 kilometers, and emerged deep within Ukrainian defenses near Sudzha, catching enemy forces off guard.
On March 12, Army General Valery Gerasimov, chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and first deputy defense minister, stated that over 600 soldiers participated in the operation, with the Veterans and Akhmat units, along with the 11th Air Assault Brigade and the 30th Motorized Rifle Regiment, standing out. Gerasimov commended "the heroic actions of the combined assault unit," which startled the enemy, caused them to abandon their defenses, and thereby aided the Russian army’s progress in the Kursk Region. |
Iran Is Practicing to Sink an American Aircraft Carrier
Iran’s demonstrations displaying the sinking of American carriers are intended to show off the country’s military might and capabilities. But these “capabilities” are far from reality. |
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What a pity the Canadians elected Carney just another Justin Trudeau political clone
Green guru Carney’s first week as Canadian PM exposes messy politics of fossil fuel phase-out
Prime minister has long advocated for green finance but faces major hurdles to progress both at home and abroad |
Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) - 19 March 2025 |
No interest rate cut tomorrow in my thought given CPI. |
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The diplomatic tension between the US and UK has reached a boiling point after Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent call with President Trump. This video analyzes the fallout from what insiders are calling the "call from hell" and examines how these strained relations are impacting the already struggling UK economy.
We break down:
USA UNLEASHES FURY at Starmer After CALL FROM HELL! UK Economy in RUINS! |
That's Aberdeen forked,the oil rigs are closing down. Shell won't invest any more,high tax and too much fighting with the Windmill Milliband
Aberdeen named UK's 'slowest city for economic growth' as North Sea decline blamed
Among Scottish cities, Edinburgh stands out with a forecast for GVA growth of 1.9%. Glasgow is expected to see GVA growth of 1.6%, but Aberdeen is projected to trail behind at 0.9%. |
New Provocation: Ukrainian Troops Attempted Breakthrough In Russian Belgorod Region
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On the eve of the upcoming talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin with his counterpart Donald Trump, the Kiev regime expectedly attempted new provocation. On March 18th, the Armed Forces of Ukraine launched attack across the Russian border in the Belgorod region.
Ukrainian preparation to the offensive operation in the border areas was spotted back on the evening of March 17th. By nightfall, the Ukrainian troops began to pull up military equipment and personnel to the border area. The engineering forces began demining areas to pave the way for the attack on the Russian border villages of Prilesye, Grafovka and Demidovka, located about 85 kilometers west of the capital city of Belgorod.
On the morning of March 18th, the Armed Forces of Ukraine attempted a breakthrough. According to preliminary reports, Ukrainian forces included three assault groups on tanks, armoured vehicles and quad bikes. They were reportedly moving towards the village of Demidovka, but were warmly welcomed by the Russian military.
Ukrainian assault groups were repelled back to the Ukrainian territory destroyed by artillery shelling and airstrikes. According to preliminary reports, the Armed Forces of Ukraine lost four armored vehicles, three tanks and about 20 servicemen killed and wounded. As a result, the attack was successfully repelled.
In general, tensions increased in the border areas. The warring sides are exchanging drone strikes and artillery shelling. Ukrainian groups are maneuvering along the border, and Russian forces are hunting for them.
The morning assault was accompanied by the massive wave of drone strikes in the border Belgorod region. According to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, in total, 41 Ukrainian UAVs were destroyed in the region by Russian air defense at night. Civilian infrastructure in the city of Belgorod and other settlements across the region suffered damage. According to local reports, at least three civilians were heavily wounded.
The ongoing manoeuvres of the Armed Forces of Ukraine accompanied by drone strikes in the Russian rear indicate the continuation of Ukrainian attempts to break through the Russian border.
Ukrainian operations near the border have no strategic military goals. Today’s provocation was dedicated to the upcoming talks between Putin and Trump. The constant provocations by the puppet Kiev regime are aimed at thwarting any peace agreement between Washington and Moscow.
The failed night attack should demonstrate the ability of the Ukrainian army to continue offensive operations. In the case of success, the Kiev regime hopes to capture at least some Russian areas to gain political benefits at the negotiation table after the humiliating defeat in the Kursk region.
From the military point of view, Ukrainian attacks in new directions are aimed at distracting the Russian military and containing Russian reserves in battles. However, the ongoing manoeuvres near the Belgorod region are yet to bring any results, while the Russian troops do not stop advancing in almost all directions on the Donbass frontlines and in the Kursk region.
Support SouthFront |
British steel pleads for help as tariffs take toll
Britain’s beleaguered steel firms are already facing cancelled orders after Donald Trump hit the industry with 25pc tariffs - and they have called for government action to save them, writes John-Paul Ford Rojas.
Tata Steel and British Steel bosses said the Government has been slow to act compared to the EU.
They were giving evidence to the Commons business select committee as Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds visits Washington for talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Britain is seeking an exemption from tariffs on global steel and aluminium imports.
The tariffs deter US customers from buying UK steel products but an even bigger problem is cheap steel from other markets being diverted from America to Britain. |
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Berkeley Group Sees Change in Voting Rights with Barclays Acquisition
The Berkeley Group Holdings PLC has announced a change in its voting rights structure following an acquisition or disposal by Barclays PLC. As of March 14, 2025, Barclays PLC holds a total of 5.21% of voting rights in Berkeley, a slight increase from its previous position. This adjustment in holdings could influence Berkeley’s strategic decisions and impact its stakeholders, reflecting Barclays’ continued interest in the company’s operations. |
Santander risks 750 jobs with 95 branch closures
Santander UK has put 750 jobs at risk after announcing that 95 of its 444 UK branches are to close, including 11 in Scotland.
Of the remaining branches, 36 will operate on reduced hours branches, 18 will be “counter-free”, and five are “Work Cafés”, a concept the bank said it is rolling out globally. Only 290 full-service branches will remain.
The bank, headquartered in Spain, said financial transactions completed in branches fell 61% since 2019 while the use of internet banking to open accounts and conduct banking rose. |
Bank of Japan holds rates, warning of trade uncertainty
The Bank of Japan left its key interest rate unchanged today in a widely expected move given the global economic uncertainty fuelled by US trade tariffs.
Following a two-day policy meeting, the central bank said it was keeping its key interest rate at around 0.5%.
"There remain high uncertainties surrounding Japan's economic activity and prices, including the evolving situation regarding trade," a Bank of Japan statement said.
The bank hiked rates in January to their highest level in 17 years on the back of bumper inflation in the world's fourth largest economy. |
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Britain a Financial Basket Case Update:
Developers delay investment as project starts fall by a third
Project starts have fallen by around a third in value over the past three months, driven by a decline in major projects and weak business confidence, according to the latest data.
The value of schemes starting in the three months to the end of February fell by 32 per cent compared with the equivalent period last year, Glenigan reported in its latest Construction Review report.
The data intelligence provider described a “freeze” on major project starts, with only a few £100m-plus developments getting underway during the latest period.
“This slowdown is due to delays in planning approvals, higher borrowing costs and weaker business confidence, prompting developers to delay investment until the economic outlook improves,” Glenigan said. |
Chinese intimidation tactics against Taiwan continue
March 17 saw China send 59 military aircraft and nine naval vessels towards Taiwan, marking a significant show of force after a brief period of relative calm, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) reported a day later.
According to Focus Taiwan reports of the now routine intimidation tactics carried out by Beijing, saw more than two dozen of the aircraft cross the median line of the Taiwan Strait, a de-facto boundary that Beijing has increasingly disregarded, while others entered Taiwan’s air defence identification zone (ADIZ), according to a flight map released by the MND.
Adding to the heightened tensions brought about by the incursions, Taiwan also reported the presence of two high-altitude balloons drifting over waters north of the island nation at some point between early morning Monday and early Tuesday the report says.
French military eyes more Rafale fighters for defense edge |
Insolvency fears continue with geopolitical impacts yet to be felt
Global business insolvencies will keep rising over the next two years, following a 10% leap in 2024.
Trade credit insurer, Allianz Trade, has released its latest Global Insolvency Report and unveils updated forecasts for 2025 and 2026. It predicts insolvencies are expected to grow by 6% in 2025 and 3% in 2026. This would result in 5 successive years of increasing insolvencies beginning in 2022. |
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