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Blast at Islamabad Mosque Leaves Dozens Dead

                    Blood stains at the site of a deadly explosion at a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan A suicide bomber detonated explosives inside a crowded Shi’ite mosque in Islamabad, killing 31 people and injuring many others during Friday prayers. The attack struck the Tarlai neighborhood, where worshippers had gathered in large numbers, turning a moment of devotion into chaos and devastation. Witnesses described a powerful blast that shattered windows, collapsed parts of the structure, and left victims trapped beneath debris. Emergency teams and local residents worked together to rush the wounded to nearby hospitals, where several remain in critical condition. Authorities have heightened security across the capital as investigators work to determine how the attacker breached the area and whether others were involved. The bombing marks one of the deadliest assaults in the city in years and has intensified ...

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Bank of Canada keeps interest rate at 5%, warns of future hikes

 

The Bank of Canada (BoC) announced on Wednesday that it is maintaining its key interest rate at 5% for the eighth consecutive time, citing the need to balance the risks of high inflation and a slowing economy.

The central bank said that inflation has been running above its 2% target for several months, mainly due to higher energy prices and supply chain disruptions. However, it also noted that the economy is facing headwinds from the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which has led to renewed public health measures and uncertainty.

The BoC said that it expects inflation to moderate in the second half of 2024, as the effects of transitory factors fade and the output gap closes. It also said that it will continue to monitor the evolution of the economy and the pandemic, and that it is prepared to raise interest rates further if needed to achieve its inflation objective.

The BoC’s decision was widely expected by analysts, who have been speculating on the timing of the next rate hike. Some believe that the BoC will raise rates as early as January, while others think that it will wait until April or later, depending on the impact of the Omicron variant on the economy.

The BoC’s key interest rate affects the cost of borrowing for consumers and businesses, as well as the value of the Canadian dollar. A higher interest rate tends to attract foreign investors, boosting the demand for the loonie. The Canadian dollar was trading at 79.32 US cents on Wednesday, up slightly from 79.25 US cents on Tuesday.


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