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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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Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza Amid Escalating Conflict

In a tragic escalation of violence, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza has claimed the lives of at least 23 people, including a family of 10. The victims, five children, four women, and a man, were killed in Khan Younis, a southern city in Gaza. The United Nations has raised alarms over the worsening humanitarian crisis, as a six-week blockade has left over two million residents struggling to access basic necessities like food and water.

The blockade has severely disrupted food supplies, forcing most of Gaza's population to rely on charity kitchens for their daily meals. The World Food Program reports that 80% of the population depends on humanitarian aid, with many now surviving on just one meal a day. Water scarcity has also reached critical levels, with residents queuing for hours to collect minimal amounts from trucks.

Israeli officials have stated that the blockade and airstrikes are part of their strategy to pressure Hamas, which they accuse of operating within residential areas and misusing aid. However, the impact on civilians has drawn widespread concern from international organizations, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict.

The situation in Gaza underscores the devastating human cost of prolonged hostilities, with families and communities bearing the brunt of the violence and deprivation.

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