| |  |  | The Reuters Daily Briefing | Thursday, March 17, 2022 by Linda Noakes | Hello Here's what you need to know. Mariupol searches for survivors in the rubble of a bombed theater, Russia accuses the U.S. of "disgusting" Russophobia, and Moscow sets out new controls on foreigners trading Russian assets | | | | | Today's biggest stories  Traders work as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is seen delivering remarks on a screen at the New York Stock Exchange, March 16, 2022 MARKETS The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the first time since 2018 and laid out an aggressive plan to push borrowing costs to restrictive levels next year in a pivot from battling the coronavirus pandemic to countering the economic risks posed by excessive inflation and the war in Ukraine.
Investors are racing to work out how much monetary policy tightening the economy can handle as the Fed embarks on its rate-hike cycle, with some expecting an even steeper path ahead as others fret over possible missteps.
Russia has set out strict rules for foreigners seeking permits to buy and sell Russian securities and real estate, a client memo by Citigroup showed, as details emerge of new state controls on investment in response to Western sanctions.
China's top financial policymaker rescued stock markets from a bloodbath this week with a promise of stability, but plenty of investors reckon mere words will not restore lasting calm in an economy beset with multiple large risks.
The Ukraine crisis could knock more than a percentage point off global growth this year and add two and a half percentage points to inflation, the OECD estimated, calling for targeted government spending hikes in response.
|  A car dealership's broken window is seen following a strong earthquake in Koriyama, Fukushima prefecture, Japan, March 17, 2022 AROUND THE WORLD A powerful earthquake off Japan's northeast coast left thousands of homes without water and power and forced factories to suspend operations, adding to supply chain woes for makers of smartphones, electronics and automobiles worldwide.
British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe and dual national Anoosheh Ashoori arrived in Britain from Iran, ending an ordeal during which they became a bargaining chip in Iran's talks with the West over its nuclear program.
Figures showing a global rise in COVID-19 cases could herald a much bigger problem as some countries also report a drop in testing rates, the WHO said, warning nations to remain vigilant against the virus.
It is unclear if the apparent failure of a missile launch yesterday dealt a lasting blow to North Korea’s plans, but analysts say failures are an important part of any development programme and in the North’s case, have often hinted at progress in more indigenous designs.
The ruling military junta in Mali has launched a procedure to suspend broadcasts by French state-funded international RFI radio and France 24 television, accusing the news outlets of reporting "false allegations" of abuse by the Malian army.
| | | | | | | | | | | Video of the day  Satellite images show scale of Ukraine destruction The footage shows extensive damage to civilian infrastructure and residential buildings in the Ukrainian cities of Sumy, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Kherson. | | | | And finally… NASA's big, new moon rocket set for debut  NASA's next-generation moon rocket is due to make a highly anticipated, slow-motion journey from an assembly plant to its launch pad in Florida for a final round of tests that will determine how soon the spacecraft can fly. | | | Thanks for spending part of your day with us. | | | | | |
