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Wall Street Pauses as Fed Meeting Looms: Futures Hold Steady

U.S. stock futures were little changed on Tuesday as investors awaited the start of the Federal Reserve’s final policy meeting of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures all hovered near flat, reflecting a cautious mood across Wall Street. The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged, but traders are focused on Chair Jerome Powell’s comments and the central bank’s updated economic projections. Markets are looking for clues on when rate cuts might begin in 2024, with inflation cooling but still above the Fed’s long-term target. Recent gains in equities have been fueled by optimism that the Fed’s tightening cycle is over, yet uncertainty remains about how quickly monetary policy will shift toward easing. Until then, investors appear content to hold their positions, waiting for clearer signals from the Fed before making bold moves.

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Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Eastern Lebanon After Drone Incident



Israel has escalated its military response in eastern Lebanon following an incident where Hezbollah shot down an Israeli drone. Tensions between the two sides have been mounting, and this recent exchange of fire adds to the regional instability.

On Sunday, April 7, 2024, Hezbollah, an Iran-backed armed group, downed an Israeli unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over Lebanese airspace. The drone in question was identified as the Israeli-made Hermes 900. In retaliation, Israel launched air strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure sites in eastern Lebanon.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that fighter jets targeted a military complex and three other infrastructure sites belonging to Hezbollah in the city of Baalbek. These strikes were a direct response to the UAV incident. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties from the attacks.

Hezbollah and Israel have been engaged in cross-border skirmishes since October 8, 2023. The conflict intensified after Hamas, a Palestinian group, launched an attack on Israel, leading to a war in Gaza. As a result, both sides have continued to trade fire, resulting in casualties and displacement of civilians.

While the U.S. and other countries advocate for a diplomatic resolution, the situation remains volatile. Hezbollah has stated that it will not cease fire until a ceasefire is implemented in Gaza. As the conflict persists, the international community closely monitors developments in the region.

In summary, the recent strikes in eastern Lebanon underscore the ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. As both sides remain entrenched, efforts to find a peaceful resolution continue amidst the backdrop of regional instability.


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