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Futures Slip as Geopolitical Tensions Overshadow Strong Bank Earnings

  US stock futures edged lower as investors balanced upbeat bank earnings against rising geopolitical unease tied to escalating tensions involving Iran. Contracts tied to the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all traded in the red, signaling a cautious start to the trading day. Major banks delivered solid quarterly results, with strong trading revenue and resilient consumer activity helping lift sentiment in the financial sector. Yet the optimism was tempered by concerns that potential US responses to developments in Iran could inject fresh volatility into global markets. Energy prices climbed as traders braced for possible disruptions. The pullback comes at a moment when investors are already navigating a crowded landscape of economic data, inflation readings, and policy uncertainty. With markets on edge, even strong corporate performance wasn’t enough to counter the broader risk-off mood.

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Special Counsel Pauses Federal Prosecution of Trump Over 2020 Election Interference

 

In a significant development, Special Counsel Jack Smith has requested a pause in the federal prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump for his alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. This move comes in light of Trump's recent victory in the 2024 presidential election.

Smith's request, filed on Friday, asks the court to vacate all remaining deadlines in the pretrial schedule to allow the government time to assess the unprecedented circumstances and determine the appropriate course of action. The Justice Department has a longstanding policy against prosecuting sitting presidents, which has influenced this decision.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan granted the request, setting a new deadline of December 2, 2024, for the government to file a status report outlining its proposed course for the case. This pause reflects the complexities and legal considerations surrounding the prosecution of a sitting president.

Trump, who has denied all wrongdoing, was initially indicted in August 2023 for his alleged role in a criminal scheme to overturn the 2020 election results. The case has faced numerous delays, and the recent election victory has added another layer of complexity to the proceedings.

As the legal and political implications of this decision unfold, the nation watches closely to see how the Justice Department will navigate this unprecedented situation.

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