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Winter Storm Near Miss: Southern Ontario Could Still See Heavy Snow

  A major winter storm developing across the central United States is expected to track close enough to southern Ontario this weekend to bring the risk of significant snowfall. While the core of the system is projected to remain south of the border, its northern edge may still sweep across regions from Windsor to the Greater Toronto Area. Forecasters say the exact path remains uncertain, but current projections suggest that areas along and south of Highway 401 could see notable accumulations if the storm shifts even slightly north. Some models indicate the potential for 10–20 centimetres of snow, with locally higher amounts possible if lake‑enhanced bands develop. The storm threat comes as southern Ontario braces for a surge of bitter cold. Wind chills dipping into the minus twenties may precede the system, creating conditions that could intensify snowfall rates and make travel more difficult. Meteorologists continue to monitor the storm’s trajectory closely. Residents are enco...

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Netflix and Tech Earnings Lift S&P 500 to New Record

 

The S&P 500 index reached a new all-time high on Wednesday, as strong earnings reports from technology companies boosted investor confidence. Netflix was the star performer, surging 10% after adding more subscribers than expected in the fourth quarter of 2023. The streaming giant also announced plans to buy back up to $5 billion of its shares this year.

Other tech firms also delivered impressive results, such as ASML, the world’s largest supplier of chip-making equipment, which saw its orders more than triple in the fourth quarter. Microsoft also hit a record high, becoming the first company to surpass $3 trillion in market value.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 index rose 0.7%, outperforming the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which fell 0.3%. The Dow was dragged down by losses in Boeing, Chevron, and Goldman Sachs.

Meanwhile, the TSX Composite index edged lower by 0.1%, as gains in energy and materials stocks were offset by declines in financials and industrials. The Canadian dollar weakened against the US dollar, as the Bank of Canada kept its key interest rate unchanged at 0.25%.

Investors are now looking ahead to the European Central Bank’s policy meeting on Thursday, where it is expected to maintain its ultra-loose monetary stance and signal its readiness to support the euro zone economy amid rising Covid-19 cases and lockdowns.

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