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Tehran Signals Defiance as Supreme Leader Vows Retaliation and Strait Closure

  A man holds a picture of Iran's new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, while people attend a funeral ceremony for the Iranian military commanders who were killed in strikes, in Tehran Iran’s Supreme Leader issued his first public remarks following the deaths of senior Iranian commanders, vowing that the country will “avenge the martyrs” and maintain the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz until what he described as “justice” is served. His comments, delivered during a nationally broadcast address, underscore a sharp escalation in rhetoric at a moment of heightened regional tension. The Supreme Leader framed the recent losses as sacrifices in the defense of Iran’s sovereignty, promising that those responsible “will face consequences.” He also reaffirmed Iran’s decision to keep the Strait closed, a move that has already disrupted global shipping routes and rattled energy markets. The strait, one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for oil transport, has long been a flas...

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S&P/TSX Composite Closes Lower Amid Broader Losses

Canada’s main stock index, the S&P/TSX composite, closed lower on Friday, echoing the trend in U.S. markets. Despite earlier gains, the S&P/TSX composite index ended down 66.37 points at 21,875.79. The decline was driven by weakness in energy and industrials sectors.

Statistics Canada reported that real gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.3% in April, but the early read for May showed growth slowing to 0.1% for the month. Consumers in Canada appear to be pulling back, impacted by higher interest rates over the past two years. Portfolio manager Hadiza Djataou noted that consumption is taking a hit, influencing stock performance.

In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 45.20 points at 39,118.86, the S&P 500 index dropped 22.39 points to 5,460.48, and the Nasdaq composite fell 126.08 points to 17,732.60. The U.S. Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge indicated a 2.6% rise in consumer prices for May, easing from April’s 2.7% reading.

The Canadian dollar traded at 73.06 cents US, and while Canada’s GDP data didn’t significantly impact interest rate expectations, Djataou anticipates further pressure on the loonie due to diverging economic trajectories between Canada and the U.S.


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