U.S. stocks edged lower as investors navigated a mix of rising oil prices, corporate earnings signals, and shifting expectations around Federal Reserve policy. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all turned down after early gains, reflecting a market grappling with geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns. Indexes Pull Back All three major indexes slipped roughly between 0.3% and 0.6%, giving back some of the previous session’s momentum. The downturn followed renewed volatility in energy markets and cautious sentiment around consumer spending. Oil Prices Add Fresh Pressure Crude prices extended their sharp rally, driven by heightened worries over a potential U.S.–Iran conflict. Brent crude climbed above $71 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate hovered near $66 — its biggest daily jump since October. Rising energy costs revived inflation concerns and weighed on equities. Walmart Earnings in Focus Walmart posted stronger‑than‑expected results, but its cautious pro...
Turkey Blocks Instagram Access Over Hamas Chief Post Removal
In a significant move, Turkey’s communications authority has blocked access to Instagram, reportedly in response to the platform’s removal of posts related to Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh. The Information and Communication Technologies Authority (ICTA) announced the block on Friday, though no official reason was provided.
According to local media, the block came after Instagram removed posts by Turkish users expressing condolences for Haniyeh, who was recently killed. This action follows criticism from Fahrettin Altun, the presidential communications director, who condemned Instagram for censoring messages of sympathy for Haniyeh.
Turkey, which does not classify Hamas as a terrorist organization, has a history of censoring social media platforms. The country is observing a day of mourning for Haniyeh, with flags flown at half-staff. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between Turkey and social media companies over content regulation and freedom of expression.
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