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Europe Scorched by Record Heatwave: France and Italy Take Emergency Measures

As a blistering heatwave tightens its grip on Europe, countries are scrambling to protect citizens from soaring temperatures and mounting health risks. France has shuttered over 1,350 schools  and closed the top floor of the Eiffel Tower as temperatures surged past 40°C (104°F)  in several regions. Sixteen French departments are now under the highest heat alert, with authorities urging people to stay hydrated and indoors during peak hours. Meanwhile, Italy has imposed restrictions on outdoor work , particularly in agriculture and construction, during the hottest parts of the day. Cities like Rome, Milan, and Venice are under red alerts, with hospitals reporting a spike in heat-related illnesses. The Mediterranean Sea has also hit record highs, with waters in Spain’s Balearic Sea reaching 30°C , up to 6 degrees above average. Scientists warn that Europe—already warming at twice the global average —is facing increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves due to climate change. New ...

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Markets Soar to Record Highs as Loonie Rebounds Amid Trade Optimism

North American stock markets kicked off July with a bang, as the TSX, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all closed at record highs on Monday, buoyed by strong tech performance and renewed optimism around global trade negotiations.

The S&P 500 rose 0.52% to 6,204.95, while the Nasdaq climbed 0.48% to 20,369.73, both notching fresh all-time highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 275 points, closing at 44,094.77. Canada’s TSX Composite Index also surged, reflecting investor confidence in the domestic economy and easing geopolitical tensions.

Driving the rally were heavyweight tech stocks like Nvidia, Meta, and Microsoft, which continued to benefit from investor enthusiasm around artificial intelligence and digital transformation. The momentum was further supported by Canada’s decision to scrap its digital services tax, a move seen as a goodwill gesture to advance trade talks with the U.S..

Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar (loonie) rebounded from last week’s dip, recovering ground against the U.S. dollar after a string of declines. The recovery was aided by stabilizing oil prices and expectations that the Bank of Canada may hold off on further rate cuts amid improving economic signals.

With a pivotal week ahead—including key economic data releases and a looming July 9 tariff deadline—investors remain cautiously optimistic. But for now, the markets are celebrating a strong start to the second half of 2025.

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