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NATO Tensions Spike as Trump Blasts Allies Over Iran Conflict

The US president complained NATO countries did not want to join the fight against Iran, yet still complain about high oil prices. U.S. President Donald Trump sharply criticized NATO allies on Friday, accusing them of failing to support the U.S.-Israel military campaign against Iran and branding the alliance “cowards. Rising Friction Within the Alliance Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump argued that NATO partners were unwilling to contribute meaningfully to the conflict, despite benefiting from U.S. security guarantees. He declared on social media that “without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER,” warning that Washington would “remember” the lack of support.  Strategic Stakes The criticism comes as tensions escalate across the Middle East, with the U.S. and Israel engaged in active military operations against Iran. Trump has repeatedly urged NATO members to take a more assertive role, particularly in securing strategic waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz.  Broader Hum...

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US Futures Stall After Record-Setting Rally

 


US stock futures wobbled on Friday, losing steam after a record-setting rally and blowout month as the relief sparked by an influential inflation reading ebbed. The S&P 500 futures were little changed, coming off the benchmark’s record close and best February in almost a decade. Futures on the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 also wavered around the flatline.

Stocks are kicking off March in a subdued mood, a shift from the upbeat reaction to PCE data that showed inflation continued to cool — easing worries the Federal Reserve would get more reason to hold off from interest-rate cuts. But further scrutiny has highlighted signs of “sticky” inflation that will be harder to shift.

Among big movers, shares in New York Community Bancorp (NYCB) tumbled 20% in premarket after the exit of its CEO, a $2.7 billion quarterly loss, and findings of “material weaknesses” in the bank’s loan processes. Meanwhile, Dell (DELL) shares rose almost 25% in the wake of a quarterly sales and profit beat fueled by AI prospects for its servers. Developments at OpenAI caught the attention of investors tracking the sector. Elon Musk has sued the Microsoft-backed company and its CEO Sam Altman, among others, over a breach of contract. Also, the ChatGPT maker is reportedly set to name new board members in March to end an impasse linked to Altman’s abrupt firing last year.

In summary, the market’s exuberance has tempered, and investors are closely watching inflation trends and corporate developments. As we navigate March, the delicate balance between economic indicators and market sentiment remains crucial.


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