Sep 16, 2026, 09:00 PM UTC

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen outlined key security and diplomatic initiatives during her State of the European Union address to the European Parliament in Strasbourg. Central to her vision is establishing a European Security Council and inviting Canada to become the bloc's first "associate member" to bolster ties on defence, energy, and economic security. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the plenary session alongside European lawmakers.

Von der Leyen warned that ultranationalist forces and Russian interference aim to fragment the European Union. To strengthen European sovereignty, she emphasized cleaner energy independence, enhanced defence cooperation, and stricter digital protections, including an EU-wide social media ban for children under 13 years old.

Sources: Corriere della Sera, Expresso, La Repubblica, Le Monde, NU

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates by a quarter percentage point, marking a key policy move under Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh. Speaking in Washington following the Federal Open Market Committee's announcement, Warsh described the policy tightening as a "sober decision, serious decision, responsible decision" that central bankers had contemplated over his initial months leading the institution.

The rate hike reflects ongoing efforts by the U.S. central bank to manage broader economic conditions through monetary policy adjustments. Warsh emphasized that officials had thoroughly prepared for the decision during his approximately 120 days in office, signaling a deliberate approach to maintaining financial stability.

Sources: Bloomberg.