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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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Wall Street Futures Dip as Holiday-Shortened Week Concludes

 

 U.S. stock index futures fell on Friday as Wall Street wrapped up a holiday-shortened week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average futures dropped 119 points (0.27%), while S&P 500 futures declined by 22 points (0.36%). Futures tracking the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 also fell by 92.25 points (0.42%).

Despite the dip, the S&P 500 has nearly recovered from last week's losses, driven by the U.S. Federal Reserve's projection of fewer interest rate cuts in 2025. The benchmark index is now just 1% below its all-time high reached on December 6.

Investors are now eyeing the "Santa Claus rally," a traditional stock-buying season in the last five trading sessions of December and the first two of January. Historically, the S&P 500 has climbed 1.3% on average during this period since 1969.

Trading volumes have been lower than average this week and are expected to remain subdued until January 6. The next major focus for markets will be the December employment report due on January 10.




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