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Tech Momentum and Fed Anticipation Propel Wall Street to New Heights

  U.S. stock futures climbed Wednesday morning, continuing a record-setting streak as investors rallied behind Nvidia’s meteoric rise and anticipated a pivotal decision from the Federal Reserve. The Dow Jones Industrial Average , S&P 500 , and Nasdaq 100 futures all posted gains, with the Nasdaq leading at a 0.5% increase, buoyed by tech optimism Nvidia (NVDA) surged in premarket trading, adding to its recent rally after CEO Jensen Huang’s keynote at the GTC event highlighted new AI partnerships and a bullish outlook for the industry. The company is now nearing a historic $5 trillion market valuation, driven by expectations of $500 billion in AI chip sales Investor sentiment was further lifted by speculation that former President Trump may ease restrictions on Nvidia’s sales to China, potentially boosting demand for its Blackwell AI processor Meanwhile, all eyes are on the Federal Reserve , which is widely expected to announce a 25 basis point interest rate cut at 2 p.m....

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Aid Blockade Intensifies Ceasefire Standoff Between Israel and Hamas

In a significant escalation of tensions, Israel has halted the entry of all goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip, aiming to pressure Hamas into accepting a new ceasefire proposal. This move comes as the first phase of a fragile ceasefire expired, leaving both sides at an impasse over the terms of a potential extension.

The Israeli government, in coordination with U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff, proposed extending the ceasefire through Ramadan and Passover, which end on April 20. Under this plan, Hamas would release half of the remaining hostages on the first day, with the rest to follow upon reaching a permanent ceasefire agreement. However, Hamas has accused Israel of violating the truce and using aid as leverage, calling the blockade "cheap extortion" and a "war crime".

The first phase of the ceasefire, which began in January, saw a surge in humanitarian aid and the release of hostages on both sides. Yet, disputes over alleged violations marred the truce, with each side blaming the other for breaches. The blockade now threatens to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the population heavily relies on international aid for survival.

As negotiations stall, the international community watches closely, urging both parties to find a resolution that prioritizes peace and humanitarian needs. The situation remains precarious, with the potential for further escalation if an agreement is not reached soon.

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