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Myanmar Earthquake: Death Toll Climbs to 3,145 Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

The devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar nearly a week ago has claimed at least 3,145 lives, with search and rescue teams continuing to recover bodies from the rubble. The 7.7 magnitude quake, which had its epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, caused widespread destruction, including collapsed buildings, damaged roads, and destroyed bridges.  Humanitarian aid groups are working tirelessly to provide survivors with medical care and shelter, as thousands remain homeless and vulnerable to disease outbreaks. The United Nations estimates that over 17 million people have been affected by the disaster, with more than 9 million severely impacted.  In response to the crisis, Myanmar's military government has declared a temporary ceasefire to facilitate relief efforts. However, ongoing challenges, including communication blackouts and difficult-to-reach areas, have hindered the full assessment of the disaster's impact.  The coming days will be critical in d...

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Wall Street braces for inflation data amid Fed uncertainty

Wall Street is set to open lower on Monday as investors await the latest inflation data and the Federal Reserve’s next move on interest rates.

The S&P 500 futures fell 0.5% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 0.4% ahead of the opening bell.

The main focus this week will be the government’s consumer prices report, due on Tuesday, which will show how much inflation has eased or worsened in February. Inflation has been a major concern for the markets, as it erodes the value of future earnings and could prompt the Fed to tighten monetary policy faster than expected.

The Fed has raised interest rates 11 times since March 2022, bringing its benchmark rate to a 23-year high of about 5.4%. The central bank has said it expects to cut rates three times in 2024, but has not given any clear signal on the timing of the first cut.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell testified to Congress last week, but did not offer any new insights into the Fed’s outlook or plans. Powell said the Fed would continue to monitor the economic data and act as appropriate to support the recovery.

Investors will also pay attention to other economic indicators this week, such as the producer prices index, the retail sales report, and the consumer sentiment survey.

Meanwhile, the earnings season is winding down, with a few notable companies left to report their results. Oracle, Kohl’s, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General are among the companies scheduled to release their quarterly numbers this week.

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