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Israel and Lebanon Agree to 10‑Day Ceasefire as Trump Announces Breakthrough

  Israel and Lebanon Reach 10‑Day Ceasefire Following Trump Announcement Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10‑day ceasefire set to begin at 5 p.m. EST, according to U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the truce followed “excellent conversations” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.  The ceasefire comes after more than six weeks of intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran‑backed armed group operating in southern Lebanon. The conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths in Lebanon and displaced more than a million residents, while Israel has maintained a 10‑kilometre security zone in southern Lebanon. Trump stated that both leaders agreed to begin the truce to pursue peace, adding that he plans to invite them to the White House for the first direct talks between the two countries since 1983. Lebanese officials have welcomed the ceasefire, though Hezbollah has said its adherence depends on Israel halting all attacks....

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Markets Surge on Positive U.S. Retail Data


The stock markets opened with a bang today as both the TSX and the S&P 500 reached record highs, buoyed by encouraging U.S. retail data.

The S&P 500 climbed by 1.2%, closing at 5,308.15, while the TSX Composite Index rose by 41.42 points to settle at 22,284.76. This surge was driven by strong performances in the technology and utility sectors, reflecting investor optimism following a favorable U.S. retail sales report.

The U.S. retail data showed a robust increase in consumer spending, which has been a key indicator of economic health. This positive sentiment was further bolstered by lower-than-expected inflation figures, providing a double dose of good news for the markets.

Kathrin Forrest, an equity investment specialist at Capital Group, noted, "It’s been a really constructive day for equities, certainly in North America. The technology sector, in particular, ended the week with a strong rally, led by semiconductor companies".

As investors continue to digest these positive economic indicators, the outlook for the markets remains optimistic. The combination of strong retail sales and manageable inflation suggests a resilient economy, which is likely to keep the markets buoyant in the near term.


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