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U.S. Threatens Harsher Economic Pressure on Iran as Mediators Rush to Secure Second Ceasefire Talks

  A woman walks past a digital screen displaying news of US-Iran peace talks along a road in Islamabad on April 10, 2026 The United States has warned it will step up economic pressure on Iran while mediators race to arrange a second round of ceasefire talks before the fragile truce expires on April 22, 2026 — a standoff that risks higher oil prices, tighter global markets, and direct costs for Canadian households and investors.   Background and diplomatic timeline A two‑week ceasefire that paused nearly seven weeks of fighting was brokered to create a narrow diplomatic window for talks between Washington and Tehran. The first round of face‑to‑face negotiations in Islamabad lasted more than 20 hours but ended without an agreement, leaving the truce set to expire on April 22, 2026 unless mediators secure a follow‑up session.  Mediators led by Pakistan, with active roles from Turkey, Egypt and other regional actors, have been shuttling between capitals to bridge the remaini...

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S&P 500 Futures Retreat from 6,000 Milestone as Post-Election Rally Eases

 

Premarket Update: The S&P 500 futures have dipped below the 6,000-point mark, cooling off after a significant rally driven by Donald Trump’s presidential election victory and a recent interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve.

On Thursday, the S&P 500 futures surpassed the 6,000 milestone for the first time, buoyed by expectations of a more business-friendly regulatory environment under Trump’s administration and the Fed’s 25 basis point rate cut. However, the momentum has slowed as traders digest the implications of Trump’s proposed fiscal policies, which include expansive spending plans and potential tariff hikes.

Despite the slight pullback, the overall market sentiment remains positive. The Dow and S&P 500 are on track for their best week in nearly a year, while the Nasdaq is set for its best performance in two months. Investors are also keeping an eye on upcoming economic data, including the University of Michigan’s preliminary consumer sentiment survey for November and a speech by Federal Reserve Board Governor Michelle Bowman.

Michael Brown, a senior research strategist at Pepperstone, noted that strong earnings and economic growth, coupled with the Fed’s supportive stance, are expected to continue driving the market higher in the medium term. However, the path forward may be complicated by inflationary pressures stemming from Trump’s fiscal policies.

As the market adjusts to the new political landscape, traders have trimmed expectations for further rate cuts next year, leading to a rise in bond yields. The immediate impact on Wall Street has been relatively muted, with all three major indexes closing around record highs on Thursday.


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