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The Federal Reserve's credibility in the eyes of financial markets helped in its battle against inflation over the past two years, but it had to be earned afresh with interest rate hikes that backed up policymakers' verbal promises to restore price stability, according to new research presented at the Kansas City Fed's annual research conference in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. A strong perception in financial markets that a central bank is committed to inflation control can make monetary policy more effective, prompting markets to shift financial conditions faster and lowering inflation with a less serious hit to economic growth than would otherwise be the case.

Conflicting federal policies may force thousands of residents in flood-prone areas to pay more for flood insurance or be left unaware of danger posed by dams built upstream from their homes and worksites, according to an Associated Press review of federal records and data. To get the best discount on flood insurance, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s points-based rating system requires communities to chart all the homes, businesses and critical facilities endangered by a potential dam failure and warn people of their risk. Federal “dam information sharing procedures costs communities points, homeowners money, and potentially citizens lives,” a California emergency services official warned in a January 2020 presentation to FEMA's National Dam Safety Review Board at an invitation-only meeting attended by dozens of federal and state officials.

Thousands of people live downstream from dams yet may not always realize the risks. As the climate changes, heavy rains from intense storms have put communities at greater jeopardy from flooding and placed the nation’s aging dams at greater risk of failing. An Associated Press review found that conflicting federal policies may be inhibiting the ability of local officials to share details with residents, businesses and other property owners about the places that get could inundated with floodwaters if a dam were to fail.

The imminent rate cuts planned by the U.S. Federal Reserve are "in line" with International Monetary Fund advice that has put a premium on ensuring inflation was controlled but now sees risks shifting toward the labor market, IMF economic counsellor Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas said on Friday. "What was telegraphed by (Fed chair Jerome) Powell today is very much in line with what we've advocated," Gourinchas said on the sidelines of a Kansas City Fed economic conference. "Inflation has been improving and labor markets have shown signs of cooling ... If labor markets are not contributing to inflation pressures anymore ... then you might ease a little bit on cooling aggregate demand and bring (the policy rate of interest) back closer to neutral."

(Bloomberg) -- Officials from three of the world’s major central banks on Friday signaled they are firmly on course to lower — or continue lowering — interest rates in the coming months, marking the beginning of the end for an era of high borrowing costs as the global economy slips out of the grip of post-Covid inflation.Most Read from BloombergChicago's Migrant Surge Is Stirring Trouble for Democrats in DNC Host CitySydney Central Train Station Is Now an Architectural DestinationWith Housing Co

(Bloomberg) -- Bond investors’ big bet on US Treasuries is paying off after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell cemented expectations for an interest-rate cut next month.Most Read from BloombergChicago's Migrant Surge Is Stirring Trouble for Democrats in DNC Host CitySydney Central Train Station Is Now an Architectural DestinationWith Housing Costs High, Democrats Hone YIMBY MessageWith Self-Driving Vans, Hamburg Tries to Make Microtransit WorkUK Transport Minister Clears Path for More 20mph Spe

(Reuters) -Canada's main stock index rose to a record high on Friday, with energy and financials contributing to broad-based gains as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell endorsed the start of rate cuts, raising hopes the economy could avoid recession. For the week, the TSX added 1%, its third straight week of gains. Wall Street's major indexes also rose after Powell said, "The time has come" to reduce interest rates.