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Market Meltdown: Dow Plunges 900 Points Amid Recession Fears

                                                              The U.S. stock market experienced a sharp downturn on Monday, with major indices posting significant losses as concerns over a potential recession gripped investors. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly 900 points, marking a 2.08% decline, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite suffered its worst day since 2022, falling 4%. The S&P 500 also slid 2.7%, reaching its lowest level in six months. The sell-off was driven by growing uncertainty surrounding tariff policies and their potential impact on the economy. Comments from President Trump over the weekend, describing the current economic situation as a "period of transition," further fueled market jitters. Key technology stocks, including Tesla, Nvidia, and Alphabet, led the decline...

Mpox Emerges as Global Health Crisis: Africa Declares Emergency

 

In a concerning development, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared mpox a public health emergency of international concern for the second time. This decision comes on the heels of a similar continental emergency declaration by African health officials. The virus, known for causing painful, pus-filled lesions and severe illness, first gained global attention in 2022. Although case counts cooled down after widespread vaccination efforts, this year presents a more grim situation.

Across 18 African nations, thousands of infections have been reported, with a highly-transmissible variant spreading beyond the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Even vulnerable newborns are falling ill in overcrowded hospitals. The lack of necessary vaccines and therapeutics in hotspots exacerbates the crisis. Year-to-date, Africa has seen over 15,000 mpox cases and nearly 500 deaths, representing a 160% increase compared to 2023.

Toronto, too, faces a resurgence of mpox cases. Officials urgently advise at-risk residents to get vaccinated. Africa’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) estimates a need for 10 million mpox vaccine doses, but the continent has procured only 200,000 doses so far. Coordinated international efforts are crucial to halt these outbreaks and save lives.

Stay informed, stay vigilant, and prioritize vaccination to combat this global health crisis.


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