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Wall Street Pauses as Fed Meeting Looms: Futures Hold Steady

U.S. stock futures were little changed on Tuesday as investors awaited the start of the Federal Reserve’s final policy meeting of the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures all hovered near flat, reflecting a cautious mood across Wall Street. The Fed is widely expected to keep interest rates unchanged, but traders are focused on Chair Jerome Powell’s comments and the central bank’s updated economic projections. Markets are looking for clues on when rate cuts might begin in 2024, with inflation cooling but still above the Fed’s long-term target. Recent gains in equities have been fueled by optimism that the Fed’s tightening cycle is over, yet uncertainty remains about how quickly monetary policy will shift toward easing. Until then, investors appear content to hold their positions, waiting for clearer signals from the Fed before making bold moves.

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Israel on High Alert: Increased Threat from Syria Despite Rebel Leaders' Moderate Tone


Despite the moderate tone adopted by the new Syrian rebel leaders, Israel continues to perceive an increased threat from Syria. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the immediate risks to the country have not diminished, and recent developments in Syria have only heightened the threat.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria and head of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, stated that Israel was using false pretexts to justify its attacks on Syria. However, he also expressed a desire to avoid new conflicts, focusing instead on rebuilding the war-torn nation.

In response to the perceived threats, Israel has moved into a demilitarized zone inside Syria, including the Syrian side of the strategic Mount Hermon. The Israeli Defence Forces have also conducted numerous strikes on Syria's strategic weapons stockpiles to prevent them from falling into the hands of rebel groups.

Several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan, have condemned Israel's actions, calling for diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability.

As Syria focuses on reconstruction and stability, Israel remains vigilant, maintaining its military presence in the region to safeguard its borders.


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