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U.S. Threatens Harsher Economic Pressure on Iran as Mediators Rush to Secure Second Ceasefire Talks

  A woman walks past a digital screen displaying news of US-Iran peace talks along a road in Islamabad on April 10, 2026 The United States has warned it will step up economic pressure on Iran while mediators race to arrange a second round of ceasefire talks before the fragile truce expires on April 22, 2026 — a standoff that risks higher oil prices, tighter global markets, and direct costs for Canadian households and investors.   Background and diplomatic timeline A two‑week ceasefire that paused nearly seven weeks of fighting was brokered to create a narrow diplomatic window for talks between Washington and Tehran. The first round of face‑to‑face negotiations in Islamabad lasted more than 20 hours but ended without an agreement, leaving the truce set to expire on April 22, 2026 unless mediators secure a follow‑up session.  Mediators led by Pakistan, with active roles from Turkey, Egypt and other regional actors, have been shuttling between capitals to bridge the remaini...

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How the Bank of Canada envisions a digital dollar



The Bank of Canada has revealed some details about its potential digital currency, which would be a digital version of the Canadian dollar. The central bank has been researching the idea of a digital currency for several years, but has not yet decided whether to launch one.

According to a presentation by the bank’s deputy governor Timothy Lane, the digital currency would not pay interest or require identification from users. This would make it different from bank deposits, which pay interest and require verification, and cash, which does not pay interest but is anonymous.

The bank says that a digital currency would have several benefits, such as improving financial inclusion, reducing the use of cash, and enhancing the resilience and efficiency of the payment system. It would also give the bank more control over the money supply and potentially enable new monetary policy tools.

However, there are also challenges and risks associated with a digital currency, such as privacy and security issues, legal and regulatory implications, and the impact on the banking sector and the economy. The bank says that it is consulting with various stakeholders, including the public, to assess the pros and cons of a digital currency.

The bank has not yet announced a timeline for launching a digital currency, but says that it will be ready to do so if the need arises. The bank says that it will continue to monitor the developments of other central banks and private sector initiatives, such as cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, that could affect the demand for a digital currency.

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