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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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Fireworks from Yacht Spark Forest Fire in Greece: 13 Arrested

 

Thirteen crew members and passengers have been arrested in Greece after fireworks launched from a yacht allegedly sparked a forest fire on the island of Hydra. The blaze, which occurred on Saturday, burned through the island’s only pine forest in the remote area of Bisti.

Despite the challenging conditions, firefighters managed to bring the flames under control. Accessing the beach by sea and using helicopters to drop water from the air, they successfully contained the fire. However, the incident has caused outrage in Greece, especially given the ongoing wildfires and the country’s first heatwave of the year.

Hydra’s mayor, Giorgos Koukoudakis, expressed indignation, stating, “We are indignant that some people so irresponsibly throw fireworks into a pine forest.” Social media users have also criticized the yacht’s passengers, with one person describing them as “rich people with more money than brains.”

Greece remains on high alert for wildfires, and authorities are preparing for a challenging summer due to dry conditions, strong winds, and high temperatures. Last Friday, a volunteer firefighter tragically lost his life while battling a fire in the southern region of Ilia on the Peloponnese peninsula. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, to climate change. Additionally, Greece has grappled with arsonists, with stricter laws now in place to combat such behavior.


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