Intel's strong performance propelled Wall Street toward another record high on Thursday, while oil prices experienced a yo-yo effect, trending lower overall. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.8%, the S&P 500 gained 0.6%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.9%, all driven by Intel's 7% jump after the chipmaker reported better-than-expected earnings.
Oil Markets Volatile
Oil prices swung wildly but ended lower, with benchmark U.S. crude falling 1.2% to $82.50 per barrel. The volatility came amid reports of potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and concerns over global demand. Brent crude, the international standard, dropped 1% to $87.20.
Canadian News Highlights
In Canada, several stories dominated headlines. Ontario hospitals announced job cuts as nearly three-quarters of the province's hospitals operate at a deficit. Meanwhile, a wildfire near the Trans-Canada Highway in British Columbia grew to 40 hectares, prompting evacuation alerts. In Alberta, a spring snowstorm created treacherous road conditions, with RCMP warning drivers to stay off the roads. Calgary also faced a wind warning with gusts close to 90 km/h.
Other Notable Events
- Organized pickpocket groups targeted shoppers at Toronto Premium Outlets, according to police.
- A Burnaby strip mall fire sent one person to the hospital.
- Gas and food were delivered to drivers stranded south of Fort McMurray due to road conditions.
- Gas prices increased across the Maritimes.
- Regina's supervised consumption site saw increased demand following an overdose alert.
- Flin Flon Bombers won their first SJHL title since 1993 after sweeping the Yorkton Terriers.
- Dutchie's faced 14 new Employment Standards Act violations.
- A legal fight emerged between a Hamilton baseball team and the St. Louis Cardinals.
On the political front, the federal government reported a $25.5 billion deficit for the April-to-February period. Ottawa earmarked $8.6 million to support Black communities' access to legal services. Canada also hailed progress at the G7 meeting after a climate absence to appease the U.S.
In business news, Enbridge received federal approval for a $4 billion natural gas pipeline expansion in B.C. Nuclear reactor maker X-Energy was valued at US$11.9 billion in its Nasdaq debut. Businesses paid up to US$4 million to cross the Panama Canal during a Strait of Hormuz chokehold.
Health updates included time running out for an assisted dying bill in England and Wales, newer testing methods suggesting significant silent spread of measles in the U.S., and the FDA planning ultra-fast review of three psychedelic drugs following a Trump directive.
Entertainment highlights included Haruki Murakami's new novel 'The Tale of KAHO' set for July, South Korean prosecutors denying an arrest warrant for a K-pop mogul, and a website owner receiving a prison sentence for posting a spoiler article about a Godzilla movie.
In sports, George Russell expressed hope for his 2026 F1 title shot, a Toronto team signed Yasiel Puig despite a potential prison sentence, and reigning two-time champ Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the French Open due to a wrist injury.
Lifestyle stories covered Milan design week, a beached whale in Germany, and the ancient mountain kingdom of fantasy. Climate and environment news featured a tornado in Oklahoma, an invasive 'janitor fish' removal in Indonesia, and a baby koala at a Florida zoo.
Sci-tech stories included a mysterious 'golden orb' in the Gulf of Alaska, AI smart glasses for visually impaired runners, and massive kraken-like octopuses that may have ruled the seas 100 million years ago.
