Skip to main content

Featured

Wall Street Holds Steady as S&P 500 Hits Record Ahead of Christmas Break

Market Snapshot – December 24, 2025 Dow Jones Futures: Flat at 48,735 points S&P 500 Futures: Near 6,957 points, little changed after Tuesday’s record close Nasdaq 100 Futures: Slight dip of 0.1% to 25,796.5 points S&P 500 Index: Closed Tuesday at 6,909, its latest all-time high Key Drivers Robust economic growth continues to fuel investor optimism. Seasonal “Santa Claus rally” has lifted stocks for four consecutive sessions. Markets will close early today at 1 p.m. EST and remain shut tomorrow for Christmas Day. Traders remain cautious about inflation and potential Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2026. Quick Take Wall Street enters the holiday season on a high note, with the S&P 500 near the 7,000 mark and futures showing little movement. The shortened trading session means liquidity will be thin, amplifying small moves. Still, the overall tone remains upbeat, with investors betting that the year-end rally will carry into the final days of 2025.

article

Aid Ship Sets Sail: New Sea Route from Cyprus to War-Ravaged Gaza


In a significant humanitarian effort, a ship laden with desperately needed aid is preparing to embark on a new sea route from Cyprus to the war-ravaged Gaza Strip. This initiative comes as international donors rally to support the besieged territory, which has faced widespread hunger and devastation after five months of conflict.

The vessel, named Open Arms, is scheduled to depart from Cyprus—the closest EU country to Gaza. Its mission is to traverse a maritime corridor that has been established to facilitate aid delivery. The European Commission, along with other partners, hopes that this corridor will provide a lifeline for the Palestinian enclave, located approximately 240 miles (386 kilometers) away.

As smoke still rises from the recent explosions in Gaza, the urgency for humanitarian assistance cannot be overstated. The ship’s cargo includes essential supplies such as food, medicine, and other necessities. The hope is that this voyage will alleviate some of the suffering faced by the people of Gaza.

The initiative has garnered international support, with President Joe Biden recently announcing that the U.S. military will establish a temporary port off Gaza’s Mediterranean coast to aid these efforts. Additionally, the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, personally inspected the preparations at the port of Larnaca in Cyprus.

As the ship sets sail, it symbolizes a beacon of hope—a tangible expression of solidarity and compassion. While the challenges remain immense, this new sea route represents a lifeline for those caught in the crossfire of conflict. Let us hope that it brings much-needed relief to the war-weary people of Gaza.

Comments