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Italy Advances Tougher Measures on Migrant Arrivals

ILE PHOTO: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni attends a bilateral meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance (not pictured), during his visit to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, February 6, 2026.  Italy’s government has approved a new migration bill that would grant authorities the power to impose temporary naval blockades during periods of intense pressure on the country’s borders. The proposal, backed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, is designed to curb irregular sea crossings by restricting access to Italian territorial waters. The draft law would allow officials to bar vessels from entering for up to 30 days, with the option to extend the measure to six months if national security or public order is deemed at risk. The plan also strengthens border surveillance, increases penalties for human smuggling, and expands the list of offenses that can lead to deportation. Supporters argue the move is necessary to manage migration flows more effectively, whi...

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Wall Street Poised for Higher Open Ahead of Fed Decision


U.S. stock futures are pointing to a higher open on Wednesday as investors gear up for the Federal Reserve's upcoming decision on interest rates. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq futures are all showing gains, indicating a positive start to the trading day.

Market participants are eagerly awaiting the Federal Reserve's announcement, with many expecting a quarter-percentage point cut in the federal funds rate. This anticipated move comes as the Fed aims to support a slowing job market while keeping inflation in check.

Investors are also keeping an eye on the Fed Chair Jerome Powell's remarks following the decision, as his comments could provide further insights into the central bank's future monetary policy direction.

The premarket optimism follows a week of mixed economic reports and comes ahead of the Fed's last meeting of the year. Analysts believe that a series of rate cuts could help boost the economy and support investment prices, although there are concerns about potential inflationary pressures.

As the market awaits the Fed's decision, all eyes will be on how the central bank navigates the delicate balance between fostering economic growth and maintaining price stability.



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