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5 Things to Know Today — September 24, 2026

  Thursday, September 24, 2026 5 Things to Know Today Bond yields are hitting levels not seen in decades, Trump and Xi just extended a trade truce, and the Bank of Canada is mired in a near-100-day strike. Here's what Canadians need to know this morning. 1 · Markets TSX Sinks as Bond Yields Hit Multi-Decade Highs The TSX dropped 584 points on Wednesday — a 1.61% slide — closing at 35,751.43 and breaking through its 25-day and 50-day moving averages. It was the worst single-session performance in weeks, reversing three straight days of gains. The selloff was driven by rising energy prices and a global bond market rout that has sent U.S. 10-year Treasury yields toward 5.1%, their highest since 2007, while Canada's 30-year yield hit a level not seen since 2004. Higher yields pull money out of equities and push up borrowing costs across the board. Big bank stocks led the decline — RBC fell 2%, TD dropped 2.4%, BMO shed 2%, and Scotiabank retreated 1.6% — while gold miners added to ...
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Aid World in Turmoil: USAID Contractors Face Layoffs and Cash Crunch Under Trump Overhaul


In a dramatic shakeup of U.S. foreign assistance, contractors working with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) have been forced to fire staff and grapple with severe cash shortages amid sweeping changes imposed by President Donald Trump. Hours after taking office, Trump ordered a comprehensive review—and subsequent freeze—of nearly all U.S. foreign aid programs. The move, aimed at realigning spending with “America First” priorities, has led to blanket stop-work orders that left hundreds of contractors without incoming payments for approved projects.

Contractors, who normally front project costs and then invoice the government, suddenly found their revenue streams drying up. As a result, companies reported laying off large portions of their workforce and initiating furloughs, with some citing unpaid invoices worth millions of dollars. The financial crunch has not only jeopardized the livelihoods of thousands of aid workers but also threatened critical programs abroad—from nutritional support for malnourished children to life-saving health initiatives.

Critics warn that these abrupt changes risk undermining decades of humanitarian work that has saved millions of lives, while supporters argue that the review is necessary to eliminate waste and ensure that aid spending directly supports U.S. national interests. As the situation unfolds, uncertainty looms over the future of U.S. foreign assistance, with contractors and aid organizations bracing for further disruptions and potential legal battles over lost benefits and unpaid debts.


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