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Russian Air Defense Fire Suspected in Azerbaijan Airlines Crash

  Aviation experts have raised concerns that Russia's air defense fire may have caused the recent crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane, as the nation mourns the loss of 38 lives. The Embraer 190 aircraft, en route from Baku to Grozny, was diverted to Aktau, Kazakhstan, due to unspecified reasons. Tragically, it crashed while attempting to land, killing 38 of the 67 people on board and injuring all 29 survivors.  Cellphone footage shows the plane making a steep descent before crashing into the ground and exploding. Experts point to holes in the plane's tail section as evidence that it may have been hit by a Russian air defense missile, possibly while Russia was defending against a Ukrainian drone attack. Azerbaijan observed a nationwide day of mourning, with flags lowered to half-mast and a moment of silence observed across the country. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev stated that the weather forced the plane to change its course, but investigations are ongoing. The Kremlin ...

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Hits Fresh Record as All Eyes Turn to Fed Decision

                                      
    
Wall Street closed the trading session on a high note Tuesday, as investors braced for the results of a crucial Federal Reserve policy meeting. Here are the key highlights:

  1. S&P 500 Record High: The S&P 500 rose close to 0.6%, beating back earlier losses to close at a fresh record high of 5,178.51. This surge reflects optimism and resilience in the face of recent market volatility.

  2. Dow Jones Industrial Average: The Dow Jones Industrial Average also performed well, rising 0.8%, which translates to more than 300 points. This gain underscores the market’s confidence in the current economic landscape.

  3. Nasdaq Composite: The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite increased by almost 0.4%, with Nvidia shares gaining ground following AI updates from its annual developer conference. This tech-driven momentum contributed to a second-straight winning day for major stock indices.

Attention is firmly on the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting, which began Tuesday morning. Investors are keenly observing this meeting as a test for stocks that have been bruised by recent inflation surprises. The central question: Will the Fed signal any interest-rate cuts soon? Policymakers are widely expected to keep rates at their historic highs, but all eyes are on the “dot plot” for clues about the number and timing of any cuts this year. The policy decision is due Wednesday at 2 p.m. ET.

While the Fed deliberates, the Bank of Japan has made waves by ending its era of negative rates with its first hike in 17 years. This move adds to the intrigue of a week packed with central bank decisions. Meanwhile, in the world of cryptocurrencies, bitcoin continues to pull back from its recent record high, falling over 5% at one point. Shares of crypto-linked companies like Coinbase and Marathon Digital have also experienced losses alongside the token.

On the corporate front, shares of Unilever popped after the company announced plans to cut jobs and spin off its ice cream unit. These strategic moves reflect the dynamic landscape of global markets and investor sentiment.

In summary, the stock market’s resilience, coupled with central bank decisions and corporate developments, sets the stage for an eventful week. Investors remain cautiously optimistic, navigating volatility while keeping an eye on policy shifts and economic indicators.

Remember, investing involves risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Stay informed, diversify your portfolio, and make decisions based on your financial goals and risk tolerance.


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