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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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Rising Tensions: Israel's Airstrikes in Southern Lebanon Spark Concerns

In a significant escalation, Israel launched dozens of airstrikes on southern Lebanon, marking one of its most intense bombardments since the ceasefire that ended last year's conflict with Hezbollah. The Israeli military stated that the strikes targeted Hezbollah infrastructure in the region, though the group has previously claimed to have withdrawn its forces in accordance with the U.S.-brokered truce.

Lebanon's Health Ministry reported at least one fatality and eight injuries as a result of the attacks. Thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from the Nabatieh district, approximately 12 kilometers from the border, where the strikes were concentrated. The ceasefire agreement had stipulated that neither Hezbollah nor any other armed group should maintain weapons in areas near the border, yet both Lebanon and Israel have accused each other of failing to fully implement the deal.

The latest strikes come amid ongoing tensions, with Israel continuing to conduct airstrikes in southern Lebanon on a regular basis despite the ceasefire. The Lebanese government has condemned the attacks, warning that they could destabilize the region further. As the situation unfolds, international observers are closely monitoring developments, fearing that renewed hostilities could lead to a broader conflict.



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