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Big Bank Earnings Wrap: What RBC and CIBC Reveal About Your Mortgage

  Royal Bank and CIBC reported record or near-record profits before the market opened Thursday, closing out a jam-packed bank earnings week that also included BMO, Scotiabank and National Bank. Beyond the headline numbers, though, the details tucked into these reports say a lot about where mortgage rates, lending standards and household credit stress are actually heading — and it's a more reassuring picture than a lot of the tariff-and-tension headlines this month might suggest. RBC: Record Profit, Credit Quality Barely Budged Royal Bank of Canada posted net income of $6.0 billion for the quarter ended July 31, up 11% from a year earlier and a record for the bank. Diluted earnings per share came in at $4.23, up 13% year-over-year, while return on equity climbed to 17.9%. The number worth watching for anyone with a mortgage isn't the profit line — it's the provision for credit losses (PCL), the money banks set aside for loans that might go bad. RBC's total PCL was $1.0 b...

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History in the Making: Botswana Unearths 2,492-Carat Diamond

 

In a remarkable discovery, Botswana has unearthed the largest diamond found in over a century. The colossal 2,492-carat stone was recently revealed at a viewing ceremony in Gaborone, the country’s capital. This extraordinary find, weighing approximately half a kilogram, marks a historic moment for Botswana and the diamond industry.

The as-yet-unnamed diamond was presented to the world by Botswana’s President, Mokgweetsi Masisi. His awe-struck reaction—“It is overwhelming. I am lucky to have seen it in my time”—captures the significance of this remarkable gem. Senior government officials were equally amazed, gathering to take a closer look at the fist-sized wonder.

The diamond was recovered from the Karowe Mine in central Botswana by Lucara Diamond Corp., a Canadian mining company. Using advanced X-ray technology, Lucara identified this “exceptional” rough diamond, which remains intact and of high quality. While its value is yet to be determined, it already holds a place in history as the largest diamond found in 119 years.

For context, the famous Cullinan Diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905, weighed 3,106 carats and was cut into gems that now adorn the British Crown Jewels. Botswana, known for its natural diamond production, continues to make headlines with its remarkable finds. As the second-biggest producer of natural diamonds globally, the country has consistently unearthed some of the world’s most significant stones. 

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