Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, triggering fresh concerns about the independence of the US central bank. Powell has publicly linked the probe to ongoing political pressure over interest rate decisions, raising alarms across financial markets.

The owners of a bar at the center of a deadly New Year’s fire at a Swiss ski resort are now under intense scrutiny as investigators launch a criminal probe. The blaze broke out during a packed celebration in Crans-Montana, quickly turning into a deadly flashover that left little time for escape. Police have interviewed the bar’s French owners, examining whether the venue complied with fire safety regulations.