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Fed Poised for First 2025 Rate Cut as Weak Jobs Data Outweigh Inflation Concerns

  The Federal Reserve seal at its Washington, D.C. headquarters, where policymakers are set to decide on the first interest rate cut of 2025. The U.S. Federal Reserve is expected to lower its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points today, marking its first rate cut of 2025 and the first since December last year. The move would bring the federal funds target range down to 4.00%–4.25%, as policymakers respond to slowing job growth and rising unemployment, even as inflation remains above the Fed’s 2% target. Recent labor market data showed just 22,000 jobs added in August, with earlier months revised downward, while the unemployment rate has climbed to around 4.3%. Inflation, measured by the Fed’s preferred PCE index, has edged higher in recent months, partly due to tariffs pushing up consumer prices. Markets have largely priced in the cut, with investors watching the Fed’s updated “dot plot” for clues on whether more reductions will follow in October and December. The decision ...

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Tensions Rise Following Israeli Drone Strike in Lebanon

 

In the early hours of Thursday, an Israeli drone strike in eastern Lebanon resulted in the death of a prominent militant leader, Muhammed Jabara, affiliated with both Hamas and the Lebanese Islamist group al-Jamaa al-Islamiya. The strike occurred in the village of Ghazzeh, located in the Western Beqaa District, approximately 40 kilometers from the Israeli border.

Jabara, a key figure in orchestrating attacks against Israel, was targeted while driving. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the strike, stating that Jabara was responsible for planning and executing attacks, including rocket fire, on northern Israel. His death is seen as a significant blow to the operational capabilities of Hamas and its allies in the region.

The aftermath of the strike has heightened tensions along the Lebanon-Israel border, with increased military presence and heightened alertness on both sides. Lebanese state media reported that the strike has led to a surge in security measures and a state of heightened vigilance among militant groups.

This incident is part of a broader pattern of escalating hostilities between Israel and militant groups in Lebanon, often involving cross-border skirmishes and retaliatory attacks. The situation remains volatile, with potential implications for regional stability and security.

As the region braces for possible further escalations, international observers are calling for restraint and dialogue to prevent a full-scale conflict.



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