CNBC Daily Open: Inflation fight gets harder in final stretch

This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe  here .

Asia stocks advance
Asian markets rose ahead of the Fed's rate decision later today.Hong Kong's Hang Seng and mainland China's CSI 300 gained as Beijing left loan prime rates unchanged. South Korea's Kospi rose, lifted by Samsung Electronics, while the small-cap Kosdaq inched higher. Overnight, U.S. stocks rallied with the Dow closing more than 300 points higher at 0.8%, its best day since Feb. 22. The S&P 500 added 0.56%, closing at a fresh record, while the Nasdaq gained about 0.4%. 

Japan intervention?
Japanese authorities could intervene if the yen falls to 155 against the dollar, according to "Mr Yen," a former top foreign exchange official Eisuke Sakakibara. His remarks come a day after the Bank of Japan ended its negative interest rates policy, which triggered a sell-off in the currency. The yen may also strengthen to 130 by early next year, he said.

Tim Cook visits China
Apple CEO Tim Cook is on a visit to Shanghai amid falling iPhone sales in the country.  The trip comes ahead of the inauguration of the latest Apple retail store in Shanghai on Thursday. China is a key market and manufacturing base for Apple which revealed plans to expand its research centers in Shanghai and Shenzhen earlier this month.

Kuwait oil CEO on energy demand
The CEO of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said global energy demand will outstrip the rate of population growth through 2050. "That means that we're going to require more energy intensity for the population in the world," Shaikh Nawaf al-Sabah said at an energy