‘Inflation is too high and has been for too long,’ says Kevin Warsh as Fed announces rate hikes – live 16. September 2026 (20:54) Fed chair says it is focusing on price stability as committee decided that inflation was not ‘moving to our objective’US Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the first time since 2023Kay Haigh, global head and CIO of Fixed Income and Liquidity Solutions at Goldman Sachs Asset Management, has this analysis of today’s decision:The Fed has signalled it does not at this stage envisage an aggressive tightening cycle. Most FOMC members see a total of two hikes this year per the SEP, and it will likely skip October’s meeting given its proximity to the midterm elections. One more hike this year in December is our base case, although this remains contingent on upcoming CPI reports and the path of energy prices. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
English far-right extremist who discussed killing Jews, Muslims and migrants is jailed 16. September 2026 (20:53) Ivan Jennings, 46, sentenced to five years after pleading guilty to encouraging terrorism on social mediaA rightwing extremist who discussed poisoning Jews and Muslims and called for the killing of migrants and minority communities has been jailed.Ivan Jennings, 46, called for the murder of hundreds of people he labelled “subhumans”, saying it was “justified and actually needed”, in extreme far-right groups over a period of three months in 2024. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Nato leader warns of ‘most dangerous and complex security environment in a generation’ 16. September 2026 (20:46) Mark Rutte asked UK and Europe to ‘provide the hard power Nato needs’ in face of geopolitical uncertaintyNato needs “more UK and more Europe in the alliance” to deal with the most dangerous security environment faced by the west in a generation, the secretary general of the 32-country military alliance said this afternoon on a visit to the UK.Mark Rutte praised Britain for promising to increase defence spending in line with US demands after a meeting with prime minister Andy Burnham – but argued that the military and financial effort must continue into the future. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Prisoners to ‘double up’ in one-person prefab cells, leaked documents show 16. September 2026 (20:41) Exclusive: Ten category C prisons in England and Wales asked to add second beds, in breach of safe occupancy limitsThe Prison Service has drawn up plans to “double up” hundreds of prisoners in temporary prefabricated cells built for one person, at the request of the Ministry of Justice, leaked documents show.Amid an ongoing overcrowding crisis in England and Wales, governors of 10 category C prisons have been asked to sign off the installation of second beds in “rapid deployment cells [RDCs]”. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
US Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the first time since 2023 16. September 2026 (20:28) Fed committee votes unanimously to raise interest rate by a quarter-percentage point to a range of 3.75% to 4%Federal Reserve raises interest rates – liveThe US Federal Reserve voted to raise interest rates on Wednesday for the first time since 2023 as the central bank continues to fight to tamp down inflation.The Fed’s open market committee voted unanimously to raise its benchmark interest rate by a quarter-percentage point to a range of 3.75% to 4%. This is the first time the Fed has raised rates since July 2023 and potentially sets Kevin Warsh, the current Fed chair, on a collision course with Donald Trump. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Family of pregnant woman who died sues Ken Paxton for wrongful death 16. September 2026 (20:27) Tierra Walker, 37, was diagnosed with pre-eclampsia at 20 weeks, and family says denial of abortion led to deathA wrongful death lawsuit filed on Tuesday accuses Ken Paxton, the Texas attorney general, doctors and state health officials of contributing to the death of a pregnant San Antonio woman whose family says she was denied an abortion that could have saved her life.Tierra Walker, 37, died in December 2024 while 20 weeks pregnant after being diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, a dangerous pregnancy-related high blood pressure condition that can be fatal. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
New lawsuit accuses Trump administration of blocking NIH grants as form of censorship 16. September 2026 (20:20) The administration has used a list of 235 keywords – such as ‘gender’ and ‘racist’ – to prevent topics from being fundedResearchers filed a class action lawsuit against the National Institutes of Health (NIH) on Wednesday, arguing the Trump administration is blocking and cancelling scientific grants to censor topics with which it disagrees.The administration has used a list of 235 keywords – such as “gender” and “racist” – to prevent topics from health equity to climate change from being funded. The NIH is the world’s largest public funder of biomedical research. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Greens just four points behind Labour in urban areas, poll reveals 16. September 2026 (20:00) Exclusive: Party could take 40 seats if result replicated at next election, according to Labour-linked thinktankThe Green party is just four points behind Labour in urban constituencies, putting them within touching distance of taking as many as 40 seats if the result was replicated at the next election, according to new polling by a Labour-linked thinktank.The survey by ThinkLabour, which has extensive links to Andy Burnham’s government, finds that urban voters have moved in large numbers towards Zack Polanski’s party since the 2024 general election. The research highlights the challenge Labour faces holding onto the Holborn and St Pancras seat in the face of a challenge from Polanski himself at next month’s byelection. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
Suspect in ‘Putney pusher’ case found dead at his west London home 16. September 2026 (19:53) HSBC director Nicholas Brandram, 44, was found unresponsive by emergency services on Tuesday evening A senior city banker suspected of pushing a woman into the path of a moving bus in the “Putney pusher” case has been found dead.Nicholas Brandram, 44, was discovered at his home in Chiswick, west London, on Tuesday. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
More Republicans are turning on Iran war as midterms come into view 16. September 2026 (19:18) Three more GOP members voted for war powers resolution to force withdrawal from the conflict as election loomsUS politics live – latest updatesAs the US war with Iran drags on, the ranks of Republicans signaling the conflict is a liability for their party continues to grow.When the House of Representatives on Tuesday evening considered its sixth war powers resolution intended to force Donald Trump to withdraw troops from the conflict, three Republicans who had not supported the previous efforts broke with their party to vote this one to passage. Earlier that day, a Republican who had lost his primary after repeatedly clashing with Trump proposed impeaching the US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, alleging a variety of constitutional transgressions including prosecuting the war against Iran without congressional authorization. Continue reading...(The Guardian)
