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Wall Street Futures Rise Ahead of Thanksgiving Holiday

  US stock futures edged higher on Wednesday as investors looked to extend the market’s recent rally into the Thanksgiving holiday. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures gained 0.2%, S&P 500 futures rose 0.2%, and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 0.3% . The move follows a strong session on Tuesday, when the Dow surged more than 660 points (1.4%) , marking its third consecutive day of gains. Tech stocks continued to drive momentum, with Alphabet closing at record highs after reports that Meta may adopt Google’s TPU chips in the coming years. Meanwhile, Nvidia shares slipped over 2.5% as competition in the AI chip space intensified. Investors are also keeping a close eye on the Federal Reserve. Markets are currently pricing in an 85% probability of a quarter-point rate cut in December , which has helped bolster optimism. Lower Treasury yields and easing inflation pressures have further supported the bullish sentiment. Through the first two trading days of this holiday-shortened we...

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Rising Temperatures and Wildfire Smoke: A Call for Disaster Recognition

 

As the mercury soars and wildfire smoke blankets the skies, a coalition of environmentalists, labor unions, and public health advocates have united with a singular demand: classify extreme heat and wildfire smoke as major disasters in the United States. This plea, directed at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), seeks to unlock critical funding and resources to bolster community resilience against these increasingly frequent and intense climate events.

The petitioners argue that the recognition of extreme heat and smoke as major disasters is overdue. They draw parallels to FEMA’s rapid response to the Covid-19 pandemic, suggesting that similar urgency is needed to combat the lethal consequences of climate change. The statistics are alarming: an estimated 2,300 Americans succumbed to heat-related illnesses in 2023, the hottest year on record. Meanwhile, smoke from Canadian wildfires has traveled as far south as Georgia, disrupting lives and livelihoods.

The groups emphasize that extreme heat acts as a “harm multiplier,” exacerbating health risks and economic burdens, particularly for disadvantaged communities. Their petition underscores the need for proactive measures, such as air filters and rooftop solar systems, to mitigate the impacts of these climate crises before they strike. As the planet warms, the call for action grows louder, urging FEMA to step up and recognize the gravity of these environmental threats.

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