The Cut

The US Federal Reserve has kept interest rates unchanged while new figures show inflation climbing to its highest level in three years. The combination leaves policymakers in a difficult position: cutting rates could push prices up further, while raising them risks slowing the economy. Analysts are watching closely for signals on when the central bank might move next.

President Trump is pressing Congress to cut short its recess and return to Washington to pass funding for the Department of Homeland Security, according to the White House. The request comes as the government shutdown continues with no agreement in sight between the White House and lawmakers over funding legislation.

The EU is pressing ahead with plans to build its own payment infrastructure, reducing reliance on US-dominated networks like Visa and Mastercard. The Council of the EU is promoting the initiative, which would allow European consumers and businesses to make card and app payments within an EU-controlled system. Supporters argue it strengthens strategic autonomy and cuts fees; critics question whether it can win adoption against entrenched providers.

SpaceX's Starship, the rocket developed under Elon Musk, completed its first-ever orbit of Earth but ended its flight earlier than planned. The test flight marks a major milestone for the reusable spacecraft, though the early finish has drawn attention to questions about what caused the mission to cut short. Coverage is focused on what the results mean for future Starship launches.

Electric car sales in Europe have surged 52% as gasoline climbs to roughly $10 a gallon. Bloomberg reports the spike in EV purchases is being driven by record-high fuel costs, with drivers across the continent switching to electric vehicles to cut running expenses.

New analysis from PwC argues that US consumer spending is splitting into two divergent tracks: higher-income households continue to spend strongly on travel, dining and discretionary goods, while lower-income consumers cut back as prices and borrowing costs strain budgets. Economists say this divergence, often described as a K-shaped economy, is reshaping retail strategy and complicating readings of overall economic health.

Finland's President delivered a widely shared address at the United Nations, framing what he described as today's world disorder. The speech is being circulated as an essential explanation of the current global situation, drawing millions of engagements and commentary that it cuts through to explain the state of international politics.

The Cato Institute's immigration analyst Alex Nowrasteh reports that legal immigration from majority-Muslim countries has fallen by 96% since 2024. The finding points to a sharp collapse in green cards and other lawful admissions from those nations under current US policy. The figure is drawing attention in debates over the scope and targeting of recent immigration restrictions.

France has proposed that fines imposed by the European Union on Google be used to reduce the contributions member states pay into the EU budget. The suggestion, reported by Reuters, links competition enforcement revenue to the bloc's finances. The proposal is likely to spark debate over how the EU should use the large antitrust penalties it regularly levies on major US technology companies.

The US Department of Transportation has moved to loosen federal fuel economy standards, easing requirements on automakers to improve vehicle efficiency. Supporters frame the rollback as cutting compliance costs and giving consumers more choice in vehicle types, while environmental and clean-energy advocates criticise it as a step backward on emissions reduction and climate goals. The change is expected to face legal and political challenges.

The Wall Street Journal examines the growing phenomenon of adult children estranging themselves from their parents, asking why so many are choosing to cut family ties. The piece explores the personal, cultural and therapeutic factors behind family estrangement, and it has sparked discussion about changing norms around parental relationships, boundaries and mental health in modern family life.

Former Osaka governor and lawyer Hashimoto Toru is trending in Japan amid reports that Agriculture Minister Shinjiro Yanase allegedly said he would cut local budget allocations before taking office, tying spending to election outcomes. Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara said the matter is under investigation, and Hashimoto's commentary on the controversy is drawing public attention.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Pentagon to reduce the number of general and admiral positions by 20% by January 1, a sweeping cut to the military's senior leadership ranks. National Guard general positions would be trimmed by at least 10%. The move is drawing attention as one of the largest shake-ups of senior officer staffing in decades, with debate over its impact on military readiness and command structure.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed new legislation aimed at stopping large corporations from shutting out smaller competitors, alongside measures to cut red tape and speed up business permitting in the state. The announcement came via the California state government portal. Supporters frame the law as a historic step for fair competition and faster approvals for businesses operating in California.

The A7 motorway was cut off near Montélimar in southern France following an accident involving three heavy goods vehicles and a car. France 3 reports the closure disrupted traffic on the busy Lyon–Marseille corridor, with drivers facing major delays while emergency services worked at the scene and authorities worked to reopen lanes.

Amazon's Prime Day sales event has brought discounts on fitness trackers, with early coverage highlighting price cuts on devices from Garmin, Samsung and Fitbit. Shoppers are being pointed to curated selections of the best offers on popular wearables as the deals window opens.

The French government has decided to apply under-indexation to pensions and to reduce the tax abatement, according to Libération. The move means pensions will rise more slowly than inflation, effectively cutting retirees' purchasing power, while the reduced abattement increases the tax burden. The decision comes amid ongoing debate over the contentious pension reform.

The RSPCA is urging people in Britain to cut back on burgers, arguing that eating less beef would improve the lives of farm animals. The animal welfare charity's message has drawn attention on social media, with users debating whether dietary change is a fair ask and how reducing demand for beef would affect livestock farming.

The Chunichi Dragons have notified infielder Bright Kenta, their first-round pick in the 2022 draft, that he will not be offered a contract for next season. He played only five games this year. The move follows notices to six players the previous day, including 2023 third-round pick Tsujimoto Rintaro, who hopes to continue his playing career. Only two players from the ten-man 2023 draft class remain with the club after three seasons.

The Indian government has announced its decision on interest rates for small savings schemes, including Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Public Provident Fund (PPF) and other deposit schemes. Navbharat Times reports the announcement as a major update for savers, though the snippet does not specify whether rates were raised, cut or left unchanged. Small savings rate decisions are closely watched as they affect returns on popular household savings instruments.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Pentagon to reduce the number of general and admiral positions by 20% by January 1. The move is part of a broader effort to streamline military leadership and cut what officials describe as bureaucratic bloat at the top of the armed forces.

Jan Paul van Hecke, a baseline defender for the Netherlands national team, left training early, raising questions about his fitness ahead of the upcoming match against Greece. Reports in Dutch media, including De Telegraaf, ask whether the Greece fixture is now in jeopardy for the defender, while fans await clarification on the severity of the issue.

Apple announced that Final Cut Camera now supports variable aperture on the iPhone 18 Pro, alongside additional pro-level camera controls arriving with iOS 27. The update gives filmmakers finer control over depth of field and exposure directly from the app, extending the iPhone's professional video production capabilities. The news is drawing attention from mobile videographers and content creators tracking Apple's camera software push.