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Liberal Candidate Paul Chiang Steps Down Amid Controversy

Paul Chiang, a Liberal candidate in the Markham-Unionville riding, has announced his resignation following backlash over comments he made regarding a Conservative opponent, Joe Tay. Chiang suggested that individuals could claim a bounty offered by Hong Kong authorities by turning Tay over to the Chinese consulate. This statement, made during a press conference in January, sparked widespread criticism and raised concerns about foreign interference in Canadian politics. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has since launched an investigation into the matter, citing potential threats to Canada's democratic processes. Chiang issued an apology, calling his remarks a "deplorable lapse in judgment," but the controversy persisted. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre condemned the comments, stating that they endangered Tay's safety and sent a chilling message to the community. Chiang's resignation comes as Liberal leader Mark Carney faces mounting pressure to address ...

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Nasdaq 100 Surges as Investors Bet on Fed Rate Cuts in 2024


The Nasdaq 100 index, which tracks the performance of the largest technology companies in the US, is on track to post its best annual return since the dot-com bubble of 2000, as investors anticipate the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates next year amid slowing economic growth.

The index has gained more than 30% this year, outperforming the broader S&P 500 index, which is up about 25%. The Nasdaq 100 is also close to its all-time high reached in February 2022, before the coronavirus pandemic triggered a global market sell-off.

The rally in tech stocks has been fueled by expectations that the Fed will cut rates as early as March 2024, following a series of weak economic data and rising inflation pressures. The Fed has signaled that it is ready to act if the economy falters, and traders have stepped up bets on rate cuts, according to Fed swaps pricing.

Some analysts believe that lower interest rates will benefit tech companies, which tend to have higher growth prospects and lower debt levels than other sectors. Lower rates also make future earnings more valuable, boosting the valuation of tech stocks.

However, not everyone is convinced that the tech rally will last. Some investors are wary of the high valuations of some tech companies, especially those that have not yet turned a profit. Others are concerned about the potential impact of regulatory scrutiny, trade tensions, and competition on the tech sector.

The Nasdaq 100 index is composed of 103 companies, with the top five being Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Facebook. These five companies account for more than 40% of the index’s weight, making it vulnerable to any shifts in their performance or sentiment.

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