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Tech Selloff Rattles Wall Street as Iran Peace Talks Ease Oil — June 23, 2026

A sharp selloff in technology stocks weighed on North American markets Tuesday as investors continued to digest the fallout from Alphabet's steep decline and reassess valuations across Big Tech. Canada's TSX hovered near the 35,000 level, oil drifted lower on progress in U.S.-Iran peace negotiations, and gold pulled back from recent highs as hawkish Federal Reserve signals kept pressure on precious metals. 🇨🇦 Canada — TSX & Economy Index / Asset Level Change S&P/TSX Composite ~34,857 ▼ −0.32% CAD/USD ~$0.705 USD ▼ −0.19% WTI Crude Oil ~$73.67 USD/bbl ▼ −0.26% Canada CPI (May 2026) 3.2% YoY ▲ Above 3% target The S&P/TSX Composite Index dipped slightly Tuesday, retreating from the 35,000 level it briefly crossed on Monday after Canada's banking regulator freed up capital requirements for major lenders. The pullback came as tech-driven weakness from Wall Street spread northward. Financials had been a bright spot on Monday — RBC and BMO each added more than 1% aft...

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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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