South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
Thailand Vows Continued Military Action Amid Cambodia Border Clash Despite Trump Ceasefire Claim 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
ECB Signals Steady Rates Ahead as Policymakers Warn of Inflation Risks 
Zelenskiy Signals Willingness to Drop NATO Bid as Ukraine, U.S. Hold Crucial Peace Talks in Berlin 
Fed Near Neutral Signals Caution Ahead, Shifting Focus to Fixed Income in 2026 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
RBI Cuts Repo Rate to 5.25% as Inflation Cools and Growth Outlook Strengthens 
Global Markets Slide as Tech Stocks Sink, Yields Rise, and AI Concerns Deepen 
Supporters Gather Ahead of Verdict in Jimmy Lai’s Landmark Hong Kong National Security Trial 
Asian Currencies Hold Steady as Indian Rupee Slides to Record Low on Fed Outlook 
Japan Business Sentiment Hits Four-Year High, Boosting Expectations of BOJ Rate Hike 
U.S. Soldiers Killed in ISIS Attack in Palmyra, Syria During Counterterrorism Mission 
Indonesia Aims to Strengthen Rupiah as Central Bank Targets 16,400–16,500 Level 
Korea Zinc Plans $6.78 Billion U.S. Smelter Investment With Government Partnership 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
U.S. President Donald Trump once again urged the Federal Reserve to slash interest rates sharply, while intensifying his criticism of Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Speaking after the release of second-quarter GDP data, Trump praised the economy’s performance but argued that monetary policy remains too tight.
On Truth Social, Trump wrote, “If it weren’t for Jerome ‘Too Late’ Powell, we would be at 2% right now, and in the process of balancing our budget. The good news is that we’re powering through his incompetence.” His remarks came just a week after the Fed lowered its benchmark rate by 25 basis points to a range of 4% to 4.25%, a move Powell described as cautious in light of persistent inflation and a cooling labor market.
The U.S. economy showed resilience in the second quarter, supported by strong GDP growth. However, analysts warn that lingering effects from Trump’s trade tariffs and labor market weakness could weigh more heavily on third-quarter performance. Powell has emphasized that there is no “risk-free path” for monetary policy, underscoring the Fed’s measured approach.
Trump has consistently demanded steeper cuts, arguing that delaying aggressive action could trigger broader economic risks. His nominee for the Fed board, Stephan Miran, echoed these calls during last week’s meeting, supporting immediate and deeper reductions in borrowing costs.
Despite Trump’s pressure, most Fed officials have pushed back against rapid easing, citing concerns over inflation stability and long-term growth risks. Still, financial markets appear to expect further cuts this year. According to CME FedWatch, traders are pricing in a 93% chance of another 25-basis-point cut in October and nearly a 60% chance of an additional cut in December.
The clash highlights an ongoing debate between political pressure for stimulus and the Fed’s cautious stance in managing inflation and economic stability, leaving investors closely watching the central bank’s next moves.
