Federal Reserve board cuts key interest rate

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve cut its key interest rate by a quarter-point Wednesday and projected it would do so twice more this year as concern grows at the central bank about the health of the U.S. labor market.

It's the Fed's first cut since December, lowering its shortterm rate to about 4.1%, down from 4.3%. Fed officials, led by Chair Jerome Powell, previously kept the rate unchanged as they evaluated eff ects of tariff s, immigration enforcement and other Trump administration policies.

Stephen Miran, President Donald Trump's appointee confirmed Monday in the Senate the same day an appeals court refused to go along with Trump's attempts to fire Fed board member Lisa Cook, was the only member who dissented with the decision, preferring a larger half-point cut.

GAZA: Israel launched its Gaza City off ensive Tuesday, as experts commissioned by the U.N. Human Rights Council concluded Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

CDC: The U.S. public health system is headed to a "very dangerous place" with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his team of anti-vaccine advisers in charge, fired Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief Susan Monarez warned senators Wednesday, describing turmoil in the health agencies.

CARIBBEAN: President Donald Trump said the U.S. military on Monday again targeted a boat allegedly carrying drugs from Venezuela, killing three aboard the vessel, and hinted that the military targeting of cartels could be further expanded.

— Associated Press