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Daily Markets Update: Nasdaq Hits Record as Yields Top 5.3%, TSX Flat, Loonie Near 70¢

  S&P/TSX 35,518.55 +0.04% S&P 500 7,773.99 +0.66% Nasdaq 27,477.31 +1.05% Brent US$100.42 -1.8% USD/CAD 1.4250 Flat US 10-yr 5.315% +3.8 bp Monday, October 5 close, with Asia’s Tuesday session. Wall Street’s tech rally pushed the Nasdaq to a fresh record on Monday even as long-term bond yields kept climbing: the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield settled at 5.315%, a new 52-week high. Canada’s TSX barely moved, with tech gains offsetting a slide in energy and financials, and Cenovus fell after unveiling a C$5.7-billion takeover of Athabasca Oil. Oil dropped nearly 2% as G7 emergency stock releases and rising Middle East exports eased supply fears, and the loonie hovered near 70 U.S. cents, close to its weakest level in about 18 months. Canada: TSX Flat as Tech Offsets Energy Index / Stock Close Change S&P/TSX Composite 35,518.55 +0.04% Shopify (SHOP) — +5.7% Athabasca Oil (ATH) — +13.5% Cenovus Energy (CVE) C$44.86 -3.0% Suncor Energy (SU) — -1.2% The TSX added 15.90 points ...

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Macron Faces Farmer Fury: Protests Erupt at Paris Agricultural Fair

 


French President Emmanuel Macron encountered a chorus of boos and whistles as he stepped onto the stage at the Paris Agricultural Fair. The disgruntled farmers, their frustrations simmering, squarely pointed fingers at Macron, accusing him of insufficient support for their struggling industry.

For months, farmers across France have raised their voices in protest. Their grievances echo through the rolling fields and bustling markets. They demand better living conditions, streamlined regulations, and robust protection against what they perceive as unfair foreign competition. The stakes are high, and the agricultural sector’s survival hangs in the balance.

As the fair gates swung open, several dozen protesters breached security barriers, their anger palpable. Macron, scheduled to address the crowd, faced a sea of discontent. Riot-clad police formed a human shield, preventing the demonstrators from reaching the president. Whistles pierced the air, and slogans called for his resignation.

In a separate room, Macron met with representatives from France’s main farmers’ unions. He acknowledged their plight, promising “floor prices” for agricultural products to stabilize incomes. An emergency relief plan for struggling farms would kick off imminently. But the farmers pressed him further. “Give oxygen to the farmers,” one implored. Macron defended his administration’s efforts, emphasizing that progress had been made.

The Paris Agricultural Fair, delayed by hours due to the protests, eventually commenced. Macron, surrounded by Normandy cows and wheels of camembert cheese, navigated the exhibition. Whistles persisted, punctuating his interactions with farmers. Meanwhile, across Europe, agricultural communities rallied against bureaucratic hurdles and restrictive environmental rules.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the fairgrounds buzzed with tension. Macron’s promise of change hung in the air, a delicate balance between political resolve and farmer fury.


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