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Tech Giants Lift Markets as Investors Brace for Fed Decision

Both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hit their highest levels in more than a week on Monday. Wall Street finished the day on a strong note, with major U.S. indexes advancing as investors positioned themselves for a pivotal week of corporate earnings and a closely watched Federal Reserve meeting. Market Momentum The S&P 500 and Nasdaq extended their recent winning streak, marking their longest run of gains in weeks. Confidence was fueled largely by heavyweight technology stocks, which continued to attract buyers ahead of their upcoming earnings reports. What’s Driving the Optimism Companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Broadcom, and Meta helped propel the market higher. Their performance has been central to the broader rally, especially as enthusiasm around artificial intelligence remains a dominant theme in tech valuations. Eyes on Earnings and the Fed Investors are now turning their attention to earnings guidance from these major firms, which could determine whether t...

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USAID Headquarters Seized: Staff Barred as Lease Is Transferred to GSA

In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, scores of USAID staffers were turned away from their decades-old Washington, D.C. headquarters after officials confirmed that the Trump administration had stripped the agency of its lease. When employees arrived to retrieve personal belongings and report for duty, they encountered tightly controlled entry measures—a front desk officer admitted only a pre-approved list of fewer than 10 names was permitted inside, while tarps obscured the agency’s interior signage.

According to multiple reports, the building’s lease has now been handed over to the General Services Administration (GSA), which plans to repurpose the space for other federal uses. This abrupt move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration, with backing from billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, to dramatically downsize USAID. Critics argue that such measures are not only intended to cut what the administration deems “wasteful” spending, but also to realign U.S. foreign aid policies with an “America First” agenda.

The chaos unfolding at USAID headquarters comes amid a series of legal and administrative challenges. While a federal judge temporarily blocked an order that would have placed thousands of USAID staffers on administrative leave and imposed a 30-day deadline for overseas workers to return to the United States, the blockage did not extend to the headquarters lockout. Consequently, many employees reported confusion over conflicting emails and notices issued over the past weekend regarding access to the office, with some staffers stating they were simply told to “go” without further explanation.

As the situation continues to evolve, aid organizations and USAID officials warn that the disruption could jeopardize critical life-saving programs abroad—from emergency food and water assistance to health initiatives in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.


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