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Weekly Market Snapshot: Trade Talks Collapse, 50% Tariffs Hit as Markets Wrap a Choppy Week

  Published August 22, 2026 · Canadian Money Brief BREAKING OVER THE WEEKEND U.S.-Canada trade talks collapsed late Friday night, and the U.S. imposed 50% tariffs on roughly $20 billion of Canadian goods just after midnight Saturday. Ottawa says it will retaliate dollar-for-dollar. Here's what happened on the markets before that news broke — and what it means for your wallet now. It was a genuinely strange week to be a Canadian investor. Stocks mostly rallied through Friday on hope that Washington and Ottawa were closing in on a trade deal. Then, hours after the closing bell, that deal fell apart. The 50% tariff that had been threatened, paused, and re-threatened for weeks finally landed. Markets haven't had a chance to react to it yet — that reaction starts Monday morning. Below is how the week actually traded, market by market, followed by what the tariff news means for you and what's on deck for next week. TSX: A Choppy Week That Ended With a Miner-Led Rally The S&P/...

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A Symbol of Hope: Tiny Christmas Tree Amidst Church Ruins in Lebanon

 

In the southern Lebanese town of Dardghaya, amidst the ruins of the 18th-century St. George Melkite Catholic Church, a tiny Christmas tree now stands as a symbol of hope and resilience. The church, devastated by an Israeli airstrike in October, once served as a vibrant community center. 

Georges Elia, a 40-year-old municipal worker and churchgoer, took it upon himself to bring some normalcy to the holiday season. "This year, Christmas is arriving with sadness for us, but we didn't want it to be a sad one for the town's residents and its church," Elia said. 

The modest tree, shorter than Elia himself, is decorated with a shining garland and a star. Despite the lack of lights and a traditional Nativity scene due to the war's destruction, the tree stands tall among the fallen stones and shattered pews. "But, of course, Christ is born in our hearts, lit with our love for him," Elia added.

The church's priest, Father Maurice el Khoury, who has served for 11 years, conducts Sunday Mass in a small underground room that once housed visiting bishops. "This room is more like the cave where Jesus was born," he said, reminding families of the true essence of the holiday season.

The community's faith remains unshaken, and despite the staggering financial toll of the damage, estimated at nearly $3 million, they continue to celebrate Christmas with hope and love.



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