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Israel and Lebanon Agree to 10‑Day Ceasefire as Trump Announces Breakthrough

  Israel and Lebanon Reach 10‑Day Ceasefire Following Trump Announcement Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10‑day ceasefire set to begin at 5 p.m. EST, according to U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the truce followed “excellent conversations” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.  The ceasefire comes after more than six weeks of intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran‑backed armed group operating in southern Lebanon. The conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths in Lebanon and displaced more than a million residents, while Israel has maintained a 10‑kilometre security zone in southern Lebanon. Trump stated that both leaders agreed to begin the truce to pursue peace, adding that he plans to invite them to the White House for the first direct talks between the two countries since 1983. Lebanese officials have welcomed the ceasefire, though Hezbollah has said its adherence depends on Israel halting all attacks....

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US Economy Adds 175,000 Jobs in April, Unemployment Rate Edges Up


The latest data from the Labor Department reveals that the US economy added 175,000 jobs in April. While this marks a solid gain, it falls short of the 240,000 jobs that economists had anticipated. Here are the key facts and figures:

  1. Job Creation: The US job market has been expanding at a robust pace despite 11 rate hikes from the Federal Reserve aimed at slowing down the economy. In March, the economy added an impressive 315,000 jobs, well above expectations. However, April’s figure of 175,000 indicates a firm slowdown in job growth.

  2. Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 3.9%, compared to the estimated 3.8%. While this increase is modest, it highlights the ongoing challenges in the labor market.

  3. Wage Gains: Workers’ wage gains continue to outpace inflation, providing some relief amid rising living costs. However, the pace of wage bumps has slowed, which could impact the Federal Reserve’s efforts to manage inflation.

Despite the April slowdown, the US economy has maintained a remarkable streak of 40 consecutive months of employment expansion, making it the fifth longest such period on record. Additionally, the nation’s jobless rate has held below 4% for 26 consecutive months.

Investors are closely monitoring these developments, as any further signs of a slowdown could prompt the central bank to consider a rate cut sooner than expected. For now, markets anticipate the first cut to occur in November or December.

In summary, while the US job market remains resilient, the April report suggests a need for continued vigilance as economic conditions evolve.

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