Federal Reserve Keeps Markets Focused on Inflation

US monetary policy is once again centred on inflation after the Federal Reserve increased its benchmark interest rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.75%–4.00%. 

Several Fed officials have indicated that inflationary pressure now appears broader than earlier shocks linked mainly to energy prices and tariffs, keeping attention firmly on whether demand in the US economy remains too strong for inflation to move sustainably back towards the central bank’s 2% target.

Consumer spending and continued economic momentum are making the policy picture more complicated. Richmond Fed President Tom Barkin has pointed to signs of firm demand, while Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari has said inflation remains elevated across different parts of the economy. Investment connected with technology and artificial intelligence forms part of that broader picture, alongside strength in manufacturing and defence-related activity.

Investors are now watching inflation, employment and consumer-spending data particularly closely for clues about what the Fed may do next. Policymakers have not committed themselves to a fixed path, but the recent increase in rates and projections from most officials for additional tightening have strengthened expectations that restrictive monetary policy could remain in place for longer than markets had previously assumed.

Trump–Xi Summit 2026 in Washington

Chinese President Xi Jinping is beginning a major state visit to the United States, with meetings with President Donald Trump expected to cover some of the most sensitive issues in US–China relations.

The visit is scheduled for 23–25 September and includes formal events at the White House, as both governments seek to manage tensions between the world’s two largest economies. Trade, technology and artificial intelligence are among the principal issues surrounding the talks. 

The Role of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of the bilateral relationship. Preparatory talks between US and Chinese officials included a US proposal for a bilateral mechanism to notify each side about significant AI safety incidents.

Eric Topol: The Doctor Who Demands Evidence From Medical AI

Artificial intelligence is already helping to analyse scans and support diagnostic decisions. But when does it actually improve patient care? Eric Topol, one of the world’s most prominent physician-scientists, argues that medical AI should be judged by clinical outcomes — and by whether it gives doctors more time for their patients.

Stories about medical technology often centre on a single inventor credited with a breakthrough and millions of lives saved. The reality is more complicated. Discoveries must pass through research, trials, implementation and evaluation in ordinary clinical settings. At every stage, the promise may prove greater than the demonstrated benefit.

New Cars of 2026: The Industry Is Competing on Time, Price and Everyday Convenience

The global automotive industry is undergoing its most profound and capital-intensive transformation since the mass production of the internal combustion engine. For over a century, progress on the road was measured in horsepower, top speed and styling. Today, the fundamental metric has changed: the industry is increasingly competing on time, efficiency and electrical architecture.

BMW promises a range of up to 900 km, BYD aims to cut charging stops to minutes, and Renault and Volkswagen are bringing electric cars back into the affordable city car segment. We examine what the figures mean, how the underlying technology is evolving, and which 2026 launches reveal where the global industry is genuinely heading.

Erdoğan, Stubb, Takaichi, and other leaders are demanding stripping Russia of its voting rights at the UN

Leaders Push for UN Reform as Russia’s War in Ukraine Exposes Security Council Crisis

NEW YORK — World leaders used the 81st United Nations General Assembly to intensify calls for reform of the UN Security Council, arguing that the present system allows permanent members to block international action even when they themselves are involved in conflicts. Finland’s President Alexander Stubb went furthest, proposing that the voting rights of any Security Council member that violates the UN Charter should be suspended. His remarks came in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine, which he described as unlawful, unjustified and unprovoked.

A conviction has been taking shape globally over nearly thirteen years of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the entire civilized world: a country that launched an act of aggression cannot serve as a "voice" on the UN Security Council; its only place is in the dock at a war crimes tribunal in The Hague.

Stubb told the General Assembly that the way Russia’s war ends will have consequences extending far beyond Ukraine, affecting the credibility of the international rules-based order itself. He highlighted the “Coalition of the Willing” working towards what he described as a just and lasting peace in accordance with the UN Charter, and stressed the need to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. As part of a broader reform package, Stubb proposed adding permanent Security Council seats for Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, removing the veto from individual states, and suspending the voting rights of a Council member that breaches the Charter.

UN General Assembly Focuses on Wars, AI and Global Reform

World leaders have gathered in New York for the 2026 United Nations General Assembly at a moment of mounting geopolitical pressure.

The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, climate risks, economic uncertainty and questions about the future effectiveness of multilateral institutions are dominating the high-level debate.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has used his final General Assembly address before the end of his term to argue that international law and cooperation must remain central to resolving global crises.

US, Denmark and Greenland Sign Major Arctic Security Agreement

A new security agreement between the United States, Denmark and Greenland is set to expand the American military role in Greenland while leaving existing sovereignty arrangements unchanged.

The accord gives Washington broader access for defence activity in strategically significant parts of the island, as Arctic security becomes a more prominent priority for both the United States and its NATO partners.

London Fashion Week 2026: British Reinvention and Ukrainian Creativity Take Centre Stage

From McQueen’s dramatic homecoming and M&S’s runway debut to the eighth UA in UK Fashion Show, London celebrated heritage, resilience and a new generation of international talents

London Fashion Week returned to the British capital from 17 to 21 September 2026, presenting the Spring/Summer 2027 collections and reaffirming London’s position as one of the world’s most creative and culturally diverse fashion centres.

Organised by the British Fashion Council, the five-day programme brought together established fashion houses, independent designers, emerging brands, retailers, buyers, editors, celebrities and creative professionals. This season was distinguished by several major returns and debuts, as well as by an increasingly international programme in which fashion became a powerful instrument of identity, cultural diplomacy and economic opportunity.

THE AI POWER 12: AI’s $30 Trillion Powerhouse

Artificial intelligence is no longer merely a branch of the technology industry. It is becoming the economic infrastructure upon which the next generation of global business will be built.

The AI economy already encompasses advanced semiconductors, chip manufacturing, data centres, cloud platforms, foundation models, consumer devices, enterprise software, autonomous vehicles and robotics. It is simultaneously transforming how companies operate, how governments compete and how capital is allocated.

Based on the market capitalisations and private-company valuations used for this analysis, the 12 organisations at the heart of the global AI ecosystem have a combined value of approximately $29.1 trillion—effectively creating a $30 trillion AI powerhouse.

Canada at Europe’s Door: What “Associate EU Membership” Could Mean

BRUSSELS / STRASBOURG — A proposal that would have sounded almost impossible only a few years ago has suddenly become one of the most consequential political stories in transatlantic relations: Canada could become the European Union’s first-ever “associate member.”

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen publicly opened that door on 16 September during her State of the Union address in Strasbourg, with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in attendance. She proposed moving beyond the existing Canada–EU trade relationship towards an “Alliance for the Future” and said she wanted to work with Ottawa on making Canada the EU’s first associate member.

London Fashion Week September 2026: British Fashion Reclaims the Spotlight

From McQueen’s homecoming and Christopher Kane’s debut at Mulberry to Burberry, Simone Rocha, Erdem and a new generation of designers, London Fashion Week returns with one of its most ambitious programmes in recent years.

London Fashion Week opens on 17 September 2026 and runs through Monday, 21 September, presenting primarily the Spring/Summer 2027 collections. This September edition is unusually substantial: the British Fashion Council has confirmed 47 catwalk shows, 23 presentations, 10 digital activations and 53 evening events, combining major British houses, emerging talent, retail brands, public events and experimental formats.