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Weekly Market Snapshot: Geopolitical Fog Meets Earnings Season as Markets Grind Higher

Week ending April 24, 2026 | Canadian Money Brief – moneysavings.ca Markets this week found themselves caught between two powerful forces: a roaring U.S. earnings season pushing stocks to fresh records, and a simmering Middle East conflict keeping oil elevated and investor nerves frayed. For Canadians, that makes for a complicated but important picture heading into the last week of April. TSX Composite: Stuck in the Mud The S&P/TSX Composite spent the week trading in a tight band near the 34,000 mark, unable to mount a meaningful rally. Tuesday delivered a sharp blow — the index plunged over 550 points to close at 33,808 as U.S.-Iran ceasefire talks collapsed after U.S. Vice President JD Vance abruptly cancelled his Pakistan trip, where he was set to lead negotiations. Wednesday brought a partial recovery, with the TSX adding roughly 0.4% to close at 33,955 , helped by gains in energy and mining stocks following President Trump's announcement of an indefinite ceasefire ex...

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Songkran: Thailand’s Splendid New Year Celebration

Thailand’s New Year festivities are a vibrant blend of tradition and joy, with the Songkran Festival standing at its heart. Celebrated annually from April 13 to 15, Songkran marks the start of the Buddhist New Year. The festival is famed for its jubilant water fights that splash across streets and towns, drawing both locals and tourists into a dazzling melee of fun. 

Traditionally, Songkran is a time to honor ancestors, visit temples, and cleanse Buddha statues with scented water—a ritual believed to bring good luck and blessings. The water element holds deep symbolism, representing purification and renewal as individuals metaphorically wash away past misfortunes.

Over the years, Songkran has evolved into an exhilarating cultural event that highlights Thailand’s charm. Streets transform into battlegrounds for water pistol wars, buckets fly, and hoses unleash cascades of joy. Cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok host lively parades, music, and traditional dances that enliven the festival further.

Songkran is much more than a celebration—it’s a reflection of Thailand’s warm spirit, creating unforgettable memories of connection and laughter. It’s safe to say that in Thailand, the New Year doesn’t just start; it splashes its way in!

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