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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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Markets decline as Fed minutes fail to boost confidence



The stock markets in the U.S. and Canada started the new year with two consecutive sessions of losses, as investors remained cautious about the Federal Reserve’s plans to cut interest rates this year.

The Fed minutes from its December meeting, released on Wednesday, showed that policymakers were increasingly convinced that inflation was under control and that overly restrictive monetary policy could harm the economy. However, the minutes did not provide much clarity on when and how much the Fed would lower rates, disappointing some traders who had hoped for more guidance.

The S&P 500 index fell 0.8%, while the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.18% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slid 0.76%. The TSX composite index also ended down 0.3%, extending its pullback from a 19-month high.

Among the sectors, energy was the only bright spot, as oil prices rose sharply due to a disruption at Libya’s top oilfield. Suncor Energy was the top performer on the TSX, gaining 5.9%. On the other hand, materials, consumer discretionary and financials dragged the markets lower, as a stronger U.S. dollar weighed on gold and copper prices and rate-sensitive stocks.

Airline stocks also suffered, as higher oil prices raised concerns about fuel costs. The S&P 1500 passenger airlines index plunged 4%.

Some individual stocks also made headlines, such as First Quantum Minerals, which surged 11% after a report that Barrick Gold was exploring a possible bid for the company. Barrick’s shares, however, fell 2.9%. Citigroup also continued its rally, rising 1.1% to its highest level since mid-August 2022, after a positive analyst report from Wells Fargo.

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