Turkey's President ERDOGAN said Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey have taken a step toward a 'Mecca Defense Alliance'.

Markets are pricing a Fed rate increase this week despite President Trump's calls for much lower borrowing costs, setting up a potential showdown between Trump and Fed chair KEVIN WARSH. Economists warn that if the Fed does not raise rates at Wednesday's meeting its credibility could be damaged; official data have not shown the 'meaningful improvement' Warsh said he would need to avoid a hike. A first rate increase in three years, coming weeks before November midterm elections, risks political backlash—Trump on Sunday said the US should have the 'world's lowest rates' and National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett warned, 'If it's a rate hike... I'm sure he won't be particularly pleased.'

The National Bureau of Statistics said monitoring of 50 key producer-material prices across nine categories showed 37 items rose, 9 fell and 4 were unchanged in early September 2026 versus late August. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) was 6,851.2 yuan/ton, a 14.9% increase versus late August.