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Storm on the Horizon: Iran Issues Dire Warning After U.S. Naval Deployment

Tensions in the Persian Gulf have surged after Iran warned that any military strike by the United States would trigger an “all‑out war.” The warning followed the deployment of a U.S. naval “armada,” ordered by Donald Trump, to reinforce American presence in the region. Iranian officials described the move as a direct threat to their national security, insisting that even a limited attack would provoke a full‑scale response. The U.S. maintains that the deployment is meant to deter aggression and protect its interests and allies. Analysts caution that the situation is becoming increasingly volatile. With both nations adopting uncompromising positions, even a minor misstep could ignite a conflict far larger than either side intends. The world now watches closely as diplomatic channels strain under the weight of rising hostility.

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TD to slash jobs after disappointing earnings report


The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) announced that it will cut an unspecified number of jobs as part of a restructuring plan to reduce costs and improve efficiency. The move comes after the bank reported lower-than-expected earnings for the fourth quarter of 2023, amid rising expenses and higher provisions for credit losses.

According to its financial results, TD earned $3.2 billion, or $1.72 per share, in the quarter ended Oct. 31, down from $3.5 billion, or $1.87 per share, a year earlier. Analysts had expected earnings of $1.79 per share, according to Refinitiv. The bank’s revenue increased by 4 per cent to $11.8 billion, but its expenses rose by 7 per cent to $6.9 billion. The bank also set aside $1.1 billion for bad loans, up from $891 million in the same period last year.

TD’s chief executive officer Bharat Masrani said the bank is facing “a challenging and uncertain environment” due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the economy. He said the bank is taking “decisive actions” to adapt to the changing conditions and position itself for long-term growth. He did not provide details on how many jobs will be affected by the restructuring, but said the bank will offer support and transition assistance to the impacted employees.

TD’s disappointing earnings contrast with the strong performance of its peers, such as Royal Bank of Canada, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bank of Montreal and National Bank of Canada, which all beat analysts’ estimates and raised their dividends in the fourth quarter. TD was the only one of the Big Six banks that did not increase its dividend, keeping it at 79 cents per share.

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