BBC News Briefing

16 September, 2026

Alex has short blonde hair and blue eyes. She is smiling and wearing a black turtleneck

Alex Binley

Hello. The US's central bank has raised interest rates to 3.75%-4%, up from 3.5%-3.75% - we'll bring you the latest news and analysis. Also, find out why Ukraine's postal service is in Russia's crosshairs, and watch as thousands of turtles arrive on a Mexican beach to lay eggs.

TOP OF THE AGENDA

Cost of borrowing to increase as Fed raises interest rates

A city trader wears blue overalls and is sitting at a bank of screens. He has short dark hair and is watching a TV. On the TV is a man in a grey suit and the words 'Fed funds' and '+0.25%'

Fed chair Kevin Warsh said inflation is 'too high' and has been for 'too long'. Credit: Getty Images

The Federal Reserve has raised interest rates for the first time in three years, and its forecasts suggest another hike could happen before the end of the year. The White House branded the move "unfortunate". US President Donald Trump has consistently opposed any hike, but with the Iran war pushing up global oil prices, inflation in the US has hit 3.4%, well above the Fed's target of 2%. By increasing interest rates, borrowing will become more expensive and the bank hopes people will cut back on spending, causing price rises to ease. With the midterm elections fast approaching, Republicans "had been hoping good economic news would improve their prospects", writes North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher, but, he says, the hike means chances of "such a positive turn are rapidly dimming".

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GET UP TO SPEED

A composite image showing a damaged car on the left, and a shredded tent-like structure which smoke is rising from, on the right

Photos show damage at US sites from Iranian attacks

An unnamed member of the military said the images showed "major damage to our bases that hasn't been communicated" to the public.

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A man with short grey hair sits on a white chair with gold edging. He is wearing a grey suit, white shirt and red and blue striped tie. He appears to be speaking and is sat in front of a white wall and a blue and gold flag.

Ex-Kosovo president sentenced for war crimes

Hashim Thaci has been sentenced to 25 years after being found guilty of murder, illegal arrests, torture and cruel treatment.

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Ed Sheeran is seen in a town centre. He is surrounded by people and standing behind a microphone with blocks of flats in the background. He has short ginger hair and is wearing a white T-shirt, holding a brown guitar and smiling

Why Ed Sheeran is facing biggest crisis of his career

In trying to stay away from politics and controversy, the singer's "nice guy image has taken a huge dent", our correspondent writes.

Read the analysis >

Rows of red shipping containers with windows in sit on concrete. Trees can be seen in the distance and the sky is blue.

'Tall athletes can't stretch legs in beds at Asian Games'

Thousands of competitors are being housed in wooden container huts which have been beset by complaints, including size and flooding.

More on the issues >

An photo from Princess Diana's funeral shows Princes William and Harry, then Prince Charles and Earl Spencer all looking sad and wearing black suits and ties.

Charles said Diana would be forgotten, brother claims

Buckingham Palace has pushed back against the claim reportedly made by Earl Spencer in his upcoming memoir.

More on the claims >

NEWS FROM THE UK

Noah Woods: Police searching for the three-year-old who went missing after leaving a playground say they have found a body in a nearby pond.

Bonnie Greer: The British-American author and cultural commentator has died at the age of 77 after a brief illness, her husband has said.