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Russia Warns That Foreign Troops in Ukraine Would Be Considered Targets

A service member of the 65th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fires a Javelin anti-tank missile system during a military exercise at a training ground near a front line, in Zaporizhzhia region. Russia has issued a sharp warning that any foreign military personnel deployed to Ukraine would be treated as legitimate targets by its armed forces. The statement came in response to new security commitments announced by Ukraine’s Western allies, including discussions about a potential multinational force that could operate in the country after a ceasefire. The warning followed a declaration signed in Paris by the United Kingdom and France, outlining plans for future cooperation that could include troop deployments to help secure Ukrainian territory and support long‑term defense rebuilding. French officials have suggested that such a mission could involve thousands of personnel, while British leaders emphasized the need for a legal framework to support Ukraine’s secur...
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Markets Rally: S&P 500 Hits Record High Amid Recovery






On Thursday, the S&P/TSX composite index surged 333.29 points, closing at 21,222.69, marking a 1.6% gain. The energy sector led the charge, propelling Canada’s main stock index to new heights. But it wasn’t just the Great White North celebrating; across the border, U.S. markets also joined the party.

The S&P 500, a bellwether for American equities, etched a fresh all-time high. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average climbed 348.85 points, reaching 38,773.12. Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite danced upward by 47.03 points, settling at 15,906.17.

What’s fueling this market resurgence? Mixed messages from inflation readings have been playing a game of tug-of-war with investor sentiment. Earlier this week, hotter-than-expected U.S. CPI numbers triggered a selloff, but the subsequent days saw a remarkable recovery. Kevin Burkett, portfolio manager at Victoria-based Burkett Asset Management, explains, “The numbers themselves aren’t bad. I think that the issue is people’s expectations, in particular at the end of December, had become so aligned to this view that we would see imminent and steep rate cuts.”

However, Burkett tempers expectations. “Right now, there’s very little chance that either the Bank of Canada or the U.S. Federal Reserve will start cutting interest rates in March,” he asserts. The specter of stubbornly elevated inflation looms large, making rate cuts a precarious proposition.

Recent earnings reports in Canada underscore the divergence between companies. While Manulife soared nearly nine percent after reporting robust earnings, Canadian Tire grappled with tougher economic conditions and softer consumer spending. Their stock price remained relatively stable.

As the markets sway, the Canadian dollar dances at 74.11 cents US, and commodities play their part. The April crude oil contract surged US$1.23, settling at US$77.59 per barrel. Meanwhile, gold glimmered, with the April gold contract adding US$10.60, reaching US$2,014.90 per ounce. Copper, too, caught the bullish wave, climbing six cents to US$3.76 per pound.

In this financial tango, investors watch closely, balancing optimism with caution. The rhythm of recovery continues, and the markets sway to their own beat.


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