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Wall Street Futures Tick Higher as 2026 Trading Begins

U.S. stock futures moved higher early Friday, signaling a confident start to the first trading session of 2026. The gains follow a strong multi‑year run for equities and come as investors look ahead to a new year of economic and corporate developments. Dow Jones Industrial Average futures edged up, S&P 500 futures posted a modest rise, and Nasdaq futures led the early advance with a stronger uptick. The move reflects continued enthusiasm for technology and growth‑oriented sectors, which helped drive markets through much of the previous year. Despite bouts of volatility in late 2025, major indexes closed the year with solid performance, supported by resilient consumer spending, easing inflation pressures, and expectations of a more accommodative monetary environment. As 2026 begins, traders are watching several themes: the timing and pace of potential interest‑rate cuts, the durability of tech‑sector leadership, and whether gains will broaden across more industries. Early future...

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China Engages WHO Amid Rising HMPV Cases




The Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed on Friday that it has been in close communication with the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding the recent surge in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases. The Chinese government emphasized its commitment to public health, both for its citizens and foreign nationals within the country.

HMPV, a respiratory virus that has been circulating in humans for over 60 years, typically causes symptoms similar to the common cold or flu. According to the latest report from China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HMPV cases remain high, aligning with trends observed in other parts of the northern hemisphere.

Despite the rise in cases, the Chinese government reassured the public that HMPV is not a new or unknown virus. "It is alarmist to exaggerate common viruses as unknown viruses, which goes against scientific common sense," stated Guo Jiakun, a foreign ministry spokesperson.

The WHO has also been in contact with Chinese health officials and has not received any reports of unusual outbreak patterns. Both organizations continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to manage the spread of respiratory diseases.



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