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Markets Slip as U.S.–Iran Standoff Deepens and Risk Sentiment Weakens

  North American markets opened the week under pressure as renewed U.S.–Iran tensions rattled global risk sentiment. Major indexes across Canada and the U.S. slipped, with investors shifting toward defensive sectors and safe‑haven assets. The latest escalation — including heightened military posturing and stalled diplomatic channels — pushed oil prices higher and injected fresh volatility into energy markets. While rising crude typically supports Canadian producers, the broader uncertainty weighed on equities, particularly in rate‑sensitive and cyclical sectors. Bond yields edged lower as investors sought safety, and the Canadian dollar softened slightly against the U.S. dollar, reflecting a cautious tone across global markets. For Canadian investors, the key risk remains prolonged geopolitical instability feeding into energy prices, inflation expectations, and central‑bank policy paths. Until tensions ease, markets are likely to remain headline‑driven and choppy.

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Syria's Interim Leader Calls for Unity Amid Escalating Violence

 

In a heartfelt appeal for peace, Syria's interim leader, Ahmed Sharaa, addressed the nation following the deadliest outbreak of violence in over a decade. Speaking from a mosque in his childhood neighborhood of Mazzah, Damascus, Sharaa emphasized the importance of national unity and domestic peace. "We must preserve our unity and live together," he urged, acknowledging the challenges facing the country.

The recent clashes, which erupted in the coastal regions of Latakia and Tartous, have claimed over 1,000 lives, including civilians, security personnel, and fighters loyal to the ousted regime of Bashar al-Assad. The violence marks a grim chapter in Syria's ongoing struggle for stability after the fall of Assad's government in December.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the violence has spiraled into revenge killings and summary executions, with armed militias targeting Alawite communities accused of supporting the former regime. The interim government faces mounting pressure to address these sectarian tensions and restore order.

Sharaa's call for peace comes as a reminder of the resilience and unity needed to rebuild a nation torn apart by years of conflict. "Syria has the characteristics for survival," he reassured, urging citizens to rise above sectarian divides and work towards a peaceful future.


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