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Wall Street Futures Slip as Tech Weakness Marks Final Week of 2025

U.S. stock futures edged lower Monday as markets entered the final trading week of 2025, with declines in major tech names weighing on sentiment. Nasdaq futures led the pullback, pressured by early drops in Nvidia and Tesla, both of which slipped more than 1% in pre‑market trading. S&P 500 futures dipped modestly, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures also traded slightly in the red. The soft start comes after a strong December rally that pushed major indexes near record highs, fueled by optimism around artificial intelligence, easing inflation pressures, and expectations for rate cuts in the year ahead. The tech sector’s stumble coincided with volatility in commodities. Silver, which briefly surged above $80, pulled back sharply, and gold futures also retreated after touching fresh highs last week. Despite Monday’s early weakness, all three major indexes remain on track to close the year with solid gains, capping a dynamic 2025 defined by rapid shifts in investor sentimen...

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Mpox Emerges as Global Health Crisis: Africa Declares Emergency

 

In a concerning development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern for the second time. This decision comes on the heels of a similar continental emergency declaration by African health officials. The virus, known for causing painful, pus-filled lesions and severe illness, first gained global attention in 2022. Although case counts cooled down after widespread vaccination efforts, this year presents a more grim situation.

Across 18 African nations, thousands of infections have been reported, with a highly-transmissible variant spreading beyond the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Even vulnerable newborns are falling ill in overcrowded hospitals. The lack of necessary vaccines and therapeutics in hotspots exacerbates the crisis. Year-to-date, Africa has seen over 15,000 mpox cases and nearly 500 deaths, representing a 160% increase compared to 2023.

Toronto, too, faces a resurgence of mpox cases. Officials urgently advise at-risk residents to get vaccinated. Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) estimates a need for 10 million mpox vaccine doses, but the continent has procured only 200,000 doses so far. Coordinated international efforts are crucial to halt these outbreaks and save lives.

Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize vaccination to combat this global health crisis.


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