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Intel’s Weak Earnings Put Futures on Ice After a Choppy Week

U.S. stock futures lost momentum Friday morning as Wall Street tried to steady itself after several days of sharp swings. Dow futures slipped, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures hovered slightly lower, signaling a cautious start to the trading day. The hesitation came largely from Intel’s disappointing earnings report. The chipmaker’s results and weaker outlook weighed heavily on tech sentiment, sending its shares sharply lower in pre‑market trading. Investors had hoped for stronger numbers given the industry’s AI‑driven momentum, but Intel’s update suggested ongoing challenges in key segments like data‑center chips. The broader market has been wrestling with volatility all week, driven by shifting economic expectations and uneven corporate results. With the S&P 500 on track for another weekly decline, traders appear reluctant to make big moves until they see clearer signs of stability.

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Israel’s War Cabinet Deliberates: Responding to Iran’s Unprecedented Attack

 

Israel’s war cabinet convened urgently to address the unprecedented drone and missile attack launched by Iran. The situation has escalated tensions in the Middle East, leaving the world on edge.

On Saturday night, Iran unleashed a barrage of more than 300 drones and missiles toward Israeli territory. The Israeli military, with support from the US, UK, France, and other allies, successfully thwarted most of these attacks before they reached their targets. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, and the damage remained limited.

However, the gravity of the situation cannot be ignored. Israel’s military chief of staff, Lt Gen Herzi Halevi, asserted that Iran’s actions would not go unanswered. Speaking from the Nevatim air base in southern Israel, which sustained damage during the attack, Lt Gen Halevi emphasized that the launch of so many missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) would indeed prompt a response. Yet, the specifics of that response remain undisclosed.

Analysts speculate on Israel’s potential moves. They range from a limited cyberattack or targeted infrastructure strike—designed to send a clear signal without provoking a full-scale military response—to more extensive actions. The war cabinet’s deliberations aim to strike a delicate balance between asserting Israel’s security interests and avoiding further escalation.

World leaders have urged restraint. US President Joe Biden reaffirmed “America’s ironclad commitment to the security of Israel” but also emphasized the need for a ceasefire to bring home the 130 hostages still held in Gaza since October 7. The US, however, declined to participate in any counter-strike against Iran.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak echoed this sentiment, calling on “all sides” to show restraint. As tensions persist, the international community closely watches the unfolding situation in the Middle East.

Separately, violence continues in the occupied West Bank following the killing of an Israeli teenager, Benjamin Achimeir. His disappearance while tending to sheep near Ramallah has added to the region’s instability.

As Israel’s war cabinet weighs its response, the world holds its breath, hoping for de-escalation and a path toward peace.

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