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Northern Lights Illuminate the East of England: A Spectacular Display of Aurora Borealis

The East of England recently witnessed a breathtaking natural phenomenon—the Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis. Night owls and star gazers were treated to a mesmerizing display of color as the skies lit up with vibrant hues. Here’s what you need to know about this awe-inspiring event: Geomagnetic Storms and Solar Wind Interaction: The Northern Lights occur due to the interaction between charged particles from the solar wind and Earth’s atmosphere. Recently, one of the strongest geomagnetic storms in years hit our planet, creating ideal conditions for the aurora borealis. Spectacular Sightings: People across the East of England—from Buckinghamshire to Norfolk—captured stunning images of the lights. Social media flooded with photographs showcasing the ethereal glow of the Northern Lights. Best Viewing Times: If you’re eager to witness this celestial spectacle, wait until after 22:30 BST for the best views. The magenta and red hues danced across the night sky, leaving spe
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Canada’s economy shrinks in Q3 amid export and consumer woes

 


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Canada’s economy shrinks in Q3 amid export and spending woes

Canada’s economy contracted by 1.1 per cent on an annualized basis in the third quarter of 2023, according to Statistics Canada. This was a much weaker result than expected by analysts and the Bank of Canada, which had forecast a slight growth of 0.1 per cent and 0.8 per cent, respectively.

The main factors behind the economic decline were a drop in exports, a slump in business investment, and a stagnation in consumer spending. Exports fell by 5.1 per cent, reflecting lower shipments of energy products, motor vehicles, and aircraft. Business investment decreased by 10.1 per cent, as firms reduced their spending on machinery and equipment, intellectual property, and non-residential structures. Consumer spending was flat, as households saved more of their income amid rising interest rates.

The only bright spots in the third quarter were government spending, which increased by 7.3 per cent, boosted by a one-time GST/HST credit payment, and residential housing investment, which rose by 8.3 per cent, driven by a surge in new construction.

The Canadian economy also performed poorly compared with the U.S. economy, which grew by 5.2 per cent in the same period. Canada has been more sensitive to the impact of higher interest rates, which have been raised by the Bank of Canada to 5 per cent from 0.25 per cent since early 2022. The central bank has recently signalled that it may pause or reverse its tightening cycle, as inflation has eased and economic growth has faltered.

Some economists believe that the third quarter contraction was a temporary setback and that the economy will rebound in the fourth quarter and beyond. Statistics Canada estimated that GDP grew by 0.2 per cent in October, indicating a modest recovery. However, others warn that the economy may face more headwinds in the new year, such as the ongoing supply chain disruptions, the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, and the uncertainty over the federal fiscal policy.

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