2025-12-11
3 分钟The Economist Hello, you're listening to the free edition of The World in Brief from The Economist.
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This is the world in brief from The Economist.
The Federal Reserve lowered the central bank's headline interest rate range by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.5 to 3.75%.
It was the third consecutive meeting at which the rate setting board opted for a cut.
Three members, however, dissented from the majority vote.
One wanted to lower rates by a half point, two preferred no cut.
Donald Trump confirmed that American forces seized a, quote,
very large oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela.
The vessel was reportedly under sanctions.
Since September, the Trump administration has waged a pressure campaign against Nicolás Maduro,
Venezuela's leader, who Mr Trump accuses of narco-terrorism.
The United States has struck boats off South America and threatened military action inside Venezuela.
Volodymyr Zelensky said he held, quote,
productive talks about Ukraine's economic recovery with a group of American officials that included Scott Besant,
the Treasury Secretary.