Trump Slams U.S. Central Bank Chief, Says His ‘Termination Cannot Come Fast Enough’
President Donald Trump has lashed out at Jerome Powell, the head of the U.S. central bank for not lowering interest rates and writing that his termination cannot come fast enough.
Trump’s post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday a day after Powell warned that the president’s global tariff fight is likely to drive up inflation and slow growth in the world’s biggest economy.
Those comments helped push U.S. markets down on Wednesday.
Trump rebuked Powell, writing that the USA is getting rich on tariffs and that the central banker must cut interest rates now.
Powell has chaired the Federal Reserve since February 2018, after having been nominated to the position by Trump during his first term.
Powell’s term runs to May 2026.
The central bank is considered the most powerful independent agency within the U.S. government, with a mandate to control inflation and promote maximum employment.
Economists warn that undermining the Federal Reserve’s independence could erode investor confidence and destabilise financial markets.
Powell was asked whether he was concerned about being fired in the days after Trump’s election win in November.
He said that if Trump asked him to leave the role, he would decline, and that it is not permitted under the law for the president to fire him.
The Fed’s next interest rate decision is due on May 7.
The benchmark lending rate sits at a range of 4.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent, where it has been since December.
Trump’s post came as the European Central Bank (ECB) lowered its benchmark deposit rate by 0.25 percentage points to 2.25 per cent in spite of the ongoing uncertainty about the effect of U.S. tariffs on the eurozone’s economy.
Responding to Trump’s criticism, ECB President Christine Lagarde offered support for her esteemed colleague and friend Powell.
“We have a steady, solid relationship among central bankers,” Lagarde said.
British Teacher Accused Of Sexually Assaulting Child In Turkey
A British teacher accused of sexually assaulting a child in Turkey should not be extradited, because she has depression, a court has heard.
Rebecca Richardson, 54, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Thursday as she fights extradition to Turkey over allegations she sexually assaulted a young child while teaching at an international school in Istanbul.
The alleged incident happened in early 2019, when the child would have been four or five years old.
The court heard Richardson, of Cradley in Herefordshire, left the UK in 2000 and spent nearly 20 years living abroad.
She lived in Turkey between 2013 and 2019, but before that, she had lived in Mexico and Hong Kong, the extradition hearing was told.
Doctors who have assessed her told the court she suffers from depression.
Dr. Richard Latham said Richardson suffers from moderate depression, but her symptoms would worsen if she were to be extradited and imprisoned in Turkey.
Dr. John Tully, who gave evidence by video link, said he deemed Richardson’s condition mild, with “no objective signs she was severely depressed”.
Graeme Hall, representing Richardson, asked Dr Latham if she were to be extradited, would her symptoms worsen.
“I agree,” Dr Latham said.
Asked if her risk of suicidal thoughts would worsen if she were extradited, Dr Latham said: “Yes.”
He raised concerns about Richardson’s risk of suicide if she were to be extradited, and said that the teacher can give the impression she “is in a better state than she is”.
Richardson, who sat in seats in front of the dock, wore a white shirt and black blazer.
She spoke only to confirm she understood her duty to return to court for her next hearing.
She was granted conditional bail and will face a further extradition hearing on June 2.
The decision on her extradition is not expected until two weeks after that.
UK PM Pays Tribute To Persecuted Christians In Easter Message
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday paid tribute to Christians facing hardship, persecution or conflict around the world who cannot celebrate freely in an Easter message.
Starmer also called on the nation to “work together for the flourishing and renewal of Britain.
According to the 2024 World Watch list, an annual report published by Open Doors, around 365 million Christians are subject to high levels of persecution and discrimination, and in 2023 4,998 Christians were killed for faith-related reasons.
In his Easter statement Starmer said: “As Lent comes to an end and we move into the Easter weekend, I want to wish Christians everywhere remembering the death and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ a very happy Easter.
“The story of Easter is central to the Christian faith: It is a story of hope, redemption and renewal.
“This Easter, as churches hold special services across the UK, and gather to celebrate with friends and family, we remember those Christians facing hardship, persecution or conflict around the world who cannot celebrate freely.
“I also want to thank you for the ways in which you follow Christ’s example of love and compassion in serving your communities.
“Whether through night shelters, youth clubs, toddler groups, family support, care for the elderly or chaplaincy support, and in a multitude of other ways, you demonstrate steadfast commitment and care.
“We can all take inspiration from the message of Easter and continue to work together for the flourishing and renewal of our country.”
Berlin Man Jailed Over Anti-Semitic Attack On Jewish Student
A 24-year-old man from Berlin has been sentenced to three years in prison for an attack on a Jewish student.
The Tiergarten District Court found the defendant; formerly a fellow student at the Free University of Berlin, guilty of grievous bodily harm and found anti-Semitism was the motive for the attack.
Prosecutor Tim Kaufmann, who had demanded a sentence of two years and four months for the defendant, said the attack on the student Lahav Shapira was an example of anti-Semitic violence.
“|Lahav Shapira was attacked because he is Jewish and campaigned against anti-Semitism,” Kaufmann added.
Shapira, now 32 years old, was attacked outside a bar in the central Mitte district on February 2, 2024.
The defendant admitted following Shapira as he left the venue and attacked him, arguing that the act was not about politics but due to Shapira’s behaviour in a WhatsApp group and his tearing down of a poster at the university.
The 24-year-old, whose parents are from Lebanon, apologised to Shapira shortly before the verdict was handed down.
“I am sorry to have caused you pain,” he said.
According to the verdict, the defendant knocked down Shapira with his fist and kicked him in the face, leaving the Jewish student with a complex facial fracture and a brain haemorrhage.
Shapira appeared as a witness earlier in the trial, explaining how he was forced to lock himself at home for several weeks after suffering severe injuries.
Trump Slams U.S. Central Bank Chief, Says His ‘Termination Cannot Come Fast Enough’ is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
