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Futures Slip as Geopolitical Tensions Overshadow Strong Bank Earnings

  US stock futures edged lower as investors balanced upbeat bank earnings against rising geopolitical unease tied to escalating tensions involving Iran. Contracts tied to the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all traded in the red, signaling a cautious start to the trading day. Major banks delivered solid quarterly results, with strong trading revenue and resilient consumer activity helping lift sentiment in the financial sector. Yet the optimism was tempered by concerns that potential US responses to developments in Iran could inject fresh volatility into global markets. Energy prices climbed as traders braced for possible disruptions. The pullback comes at a moment when investors are already navigating a crowded landscape of economic data, inflation readings, and policy uncertainty. With markets on edge, even strong corporate performance wasn’t enough to counter the broader risk-off mood.

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NDP Blasts Ford for Washington Trip: Ethics Complaint Filed Over Alleged Partisan Use of Taxpayer Funds

 

Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles has formally lodged an ethics complaint with the province’s Integrity Commissioner over Premier Doug Ford’s recent Washington, D.C. trip. The complaint alleges that Ford blurred the lines between official government business and partisan campaigning by leveraging taxpayer-funded travel for electioneering purposes. A campaign-style video—initially posted with the Progressive Conservative party logo—has come under fire for suggesting that the trip was used to boost his re-election campaign, even after the logo was later removed. 

Ford made the trip in his capacity both as Ontario’s premier and as chair of the Council of the Federation, meeting with U.S. lawmakers to counter potential punitive tariffs amid threats from President Donald Trump. Despite assertions that the visit was intended to serve Ontario’s economic interests, Stiles argues that such actions constitute a misuse of public funds. “His actions have repeatedly and intentionally blurred the lines between official provincial business and partisan promotion,” she stated, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability. 

Critics from both the NDP and Liberal ranks contend that the trip, especially during the middle of a snap election, undermines democratic integrity by prioritizing political gain over the public good. The complaint calls for an investigation into whether government resources were inappropriately used to produce campaign content and whether proper protocols were followed during the trip. 

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