PANews reported on March 8th, citing Xinhua News Agency, that Wang Yi stated at a press conference on foreign affairs during the Fourth Session of the 14th National People's Congress that the situation in Iran is currently the focus of international affairs. China, upholding an objective and impartial attitude, has repeatedly clarified its principled position, which can be summarized in one sentence: ceasefire and end the war. Facing the Middle East engulfed in conflict, this is a war that should not have happened, and one that benefits no party. China reiterates its call for an immediate cessation of military operations to prevent further escalation and the spread of the conflict.

Powell said the Federal Open Market Committee is weighing interest rates on a meeting-by-meeting basis, with no long-term consensus. US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the 19 members of the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) remain divided on additional interest rate cuts in 2025.At Wednesday’s press conference after the Fed’s 25-basis-point rate cut, Powell said the central bank is trying to balance its dual mandate of maximum employment and price stability in an unusual environment where the labor market is weakening even as inflation remains elevated. Powell said:Powell said that the “median” FOMC projection from the Federal Reserve’s Summary of Economic Projections (SEP), the Fed’s quarterly outlook for the US economy that informs interest rate decisions, projected interest rates at 3.6% at the end of 2025, 3.4% by the end of 2026, and 3.1% at the end of 2027.Read more
