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Myanmar Earthquake: Death Toll Climbs to 3,145 Amid Ongoing Rescue Efforts

The devastating earthquake that struck Myanmar nearly a week ago has claimed at least 3,145 lives, with search and rescue teams continuing to recover bodies from the rubble. The 7.7 magnitude quake, which had its epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar's second-largest city, caused widespread destruction, including collapsed buildings, damaged roads, and destroyed bridges.  Humanitarian aid groups are working tirelessly to provide survivors with medical care and shelter, as thousands remain homeless and vulnerable to disease outbreaks. The United Nations estimates that over 17 million people have been affected by the disaster, with more than 9 million severely impacted.  In response to the crisis, Myanmar's military government has declared a temporary ceasefire to facilitate relief efforts. However, ongoing challenges, including communication blackouts and difficult-to-reach areas, have hindered the full assessment of the disaster's impact.  The coming days will be critical in d...

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Stock Market Today: US Futures Edge Higher as Walmart Surges with Retail Sales, Jobs Data Ahead


Stock futures nudged higher Thursday as Wall Street looked to two key signals of US consumer health, as well as more insight on the jobs market. Here are the highlights:

  1. Futures Performance:

    • Futures tied to the S&P 500 (ES=F) and the tech-heavy Nasdaq (NQ=F) rose 0.1%.
    • Dow Jones Industrial Average futures (YM=F) pointed up 0.2%.
  2. Walmart’s Strong Quarter:

    • Retail giant Walmart (WMT) shares surged nearly 6% after a largely positive earnings report.
    • Walmart posted both earnings and revenue beats and raised its full-year outlook.
  3. Retail Sales Data:

    • Monthly government retail sales data is set for release at 8:30 a.m. ET.
    • Economists expect a 0.3% month-over-month increase in July, an improvement from June’s flat reading.
  4. Jobs Market Update:

    • The weekly jobless claims report is also in focus.
    • Last week, claims fell more than forecast, sparking a market surge.
  5. Market Resilience:

    • Stocks have rebounded in August, with the S&P 500 recouping most of its losses from the earlier sell-off.
    • As inflation eases, the jobs market remains a key focus for the Fed.

Wall Street continues to monitor these indicators closely, shaping market sentiment and investor confidence.


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