****** Today is Wednesday 16th December 2015 and we are briefly covering the FEDs announcement that it has raised interest rates by 0.25% After two thousand, five hundred and fifty six days of record low interest rates, the US Federal Reserve has at last raised interest rates by 0.25% "Given the economic outlook, and recognizing the time it takes for policy actions to affect future economic conditions, the committee decided to raise the target range for the federal ral funds rate from ¼ to ½ percent," the FOMC's post-meeting statement said. "The stance of monetary policy remains accommodative after this increase, thereby supporting further improvements in labor market conditions and a return to 2 percent inflation." Many market commentators have predicted this rise. In fact, earlier today, Michael Gapen, Barclays’ chief US economist, said that the Federal Reserve’s goal is to raise interest rates and avoid causing any market turmoil. Speaking on Bloomberg TV, Gapen said the Fed has a “very real and very tangible” fear of spooking investors. Both gold and silver rose prior to the announcement up 1% and 2.5% respectively and at the time of this video gold stands at $1070 and silver at $14.19 So what do we make of this? Well, the rate rise was expected. Despite what Peter Schiff and others claimed that there was no way the FED could raise rates – they have been proven wrong. Yes to some degree they were backed into a corner. The dollar is slightly up on the day, though traditionally when rate announcements have previously been made, the reaction has ironically been to fall slightly. We shall no doubt see a little turmoil for a couple of days, but we hold fast to our view that the short term trend for gold and silver is still down from these levels. Please View our most recent Videos: Winners and Losers of the 5th Republican Presidential Debate 2015 ****** Illuminati silver interviews Brother Anthony ****** Silver prices fall to $13 93 and may head lower into 2016 ****** Donald Trump - UK Ban Petition likely to be debated in Parliament ****** Greek Citizens To Declare Cash and Gold Holdings Hidden under their Beds ****** New Website - www.illuminatisilver.com is launched ****** Donald Trump calls for “a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the US” ****** The UK Parliament Votes 397 vs 223 in Favour of Military Action Against Syria ****** "Cash is not likely to die out any time soon" - according to the Bank of England ****** Yuan given the Green light today to enter the SDR and receive International Reserve Currency status ****** EU Council Issues Statement today of Turkey’s possible entry into the EU ****** Will the Solar Industry prove to be the saviour for Silver’s Future? ****** A Russian Military Aircraft shot down by Turkey this morning – is this a Black Swan event evolving? ****** Platinum Prices Down But it has its supporters Longer Term ****** Is Donald Trump ‘The Real Deal’ and a supporter of gold? ****** China’s Economy Grows at the weakest rate since the global financial crisis in 2008 ****** Demand for gold up and supply down according to the WGC November 2015 ****** Silver demand down - Mine supply marginally up - Silver Institute Interim Report 2015 ****** Glencore an opportunity or too high a risk? ****** Are the IS bombings and attacks in Paris the start of a 'black swan event'? ****** Non - Bank Forecasters predict lower gold prices over the next few Years ****** 5 Year Silver Price Forecast – What do the ‘experts’ say? ****** US Non-Farm Payrolls surge to 271,000 jobs and unemployment falls to 5%. ****** Why Gold and Silver prices have fallen in early November 2015 ******