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Zelensky Urges Stronger U.S. Pressure After Strikes Freeze Kyiv

  People take shelter inside a metro station during a Russian missile and drone attack, in Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is calling for intensified U.S. pressure on Russia after a new wave of missile and drone strikes left parts of Kyiv without heat, electricity, and water. The attacks, which targeted critical infrastructure during freezing winter temperatures, plunged several districts into darkness and disrupted essential services. Emergency crews worked through the night to contain fires and restore power, while city officials warned residents to brace for further outages. The strikes are part of Russia’s ongoing campaign against Ukraine’s energy grid, a strategy that has repeatedly exposed civilians to dangerous winter conditions. Zelensky urged Washington and other Western partners to respond with a unified and forceful message to Moscow, arguing that only increased diplomatic and economic pressure can deter further attacks. He emphasized that the latest stri...
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Stock Market Update: Central Banks in Focus

 

Wall Street is experiencing a modest decline in premarket trading as global central banks take center stage. Here’s a brief overview of the key developments:

The Bank of Japan (BOJ) has made a significant move by increasing its benchmark interest rate for the first time in 17 years. The overnight call rate has been raised to a range of 0 to 0.1%, up from the previous negative rate of minus 0.1%. This decision comes as inflation stabilizes above the BOJ’s 2% target, despite lingering uncertainties in industrial production, exports, housing investment, and government spending. Market reaction has been subdued, with Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index rising 0.7% and the dollar strengthening against the Japanese yen.

This week, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve’s meeting, where interest rates will be discussed. The widespread expectation is that the central bank will maintain its main interest rate at the highest level since 2001. However, investors are eagerly awaiting updated forecasts from Fed officials regarding interest rates for the rest of the year and beyond. Recent reports on inflation have been worse than expected, potentially impacting the number of rate cuts the Fed foresees delivering in 2024. Any deviation from expectations could significantly affect market sentiment.

Across the Atlantic, the Bank of England will announce its latest interest rate decision later this week. Investors will closely watch for any shifts in monetary policy that could impact global markets.

Yesterday, U.S. stocks showed resilience, with the S&P 500 gaining 0.6% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average rising 0.2%. The Nasdaq composite also performed well, gaining 0.8%. Smaller stocks in the Russell 2000 index, however, slipped 0.7%. The market remains sensitive to central bank actions and economic data, making this week’s developments crucial for investors.

As central banks continue to navigate economic challenges, investors should stay informed and monitor policy decisions closely. The global financial landscape remains dynamic, and any unexpected shifts could have ripple effects across markets.


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