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5 Things to Know Today: Inflation Data, a Tariff Countdown, and a Big Energy Deal

  August 17, 2026 Inflation data lands this morning, the clock on the U.S. tariff deadline is down to two days, and a long-running provincial energy dispute is about to be settled. Here's what's moving your money today. 1. Today's Inflation Report Could Set the Tone for September Statistics Canada releases July's Consumer Price Index this morning. Economists are expecting the annual rate to tick up to roughly 2.9%, from 2.8% in June, mainly because gasoline prices swung higher again in July after the Middle East conflict pushed oil prices back up. Core inflation measures, which the Bank of Canada watches most closely, aren't expected to move much. What it means for you: A hotter-than-expected print would make it less likely the Bank of Canada cuts rates at its September 2 meeting, which matters if you're renewing a variable-rate mortgage or carrying a line of credit. A softer number keeps a cut on the table. 2. The Tariff Deadline Is Two Days Away, and Talks Are...

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Nikki Haley Suspends Presidential Campaign, Paving the Way for Trump-Biden Rematch

 

Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, has made a significant decision that will shape the upcoming U.S. presidential election. On Wednesday, Haley announced her suspension of the presidential campaign, effectively ensuring that Donald Trump will secure the Republican nomination. This development sets the stage for a high-stakes rematch between Trump and Democratic President Joe Biden in November.

Haley’s campaign suspension comes on the heels of Super Tuesday, during which Trump emerged victorious in 14 out of 15 Republican nominating contests. Although Haley outlasted other Republican challengers, she never posed a serious threat to the former president. Trump’s iron grip on the party’s base remained unshaken, despite facing multiple criminal indictments.

Nikki Haley garnered support from deep-pocketed donors who aimed to prevent Trump from securing a third consecutive Republican presidential nomination. Her strong performances in debates—performances that Trump chose to skip—highlighted her appeal to moderate Republicans and independent voters. Notably, she secured almost 40% of the vote in South Carolina and won unaffiliated voters by a wide margin in New Hampshire.

The impending rematch between Trump (77 years old) and Biden (81 years old) marks the first repeat U.S. presidential contest since 1956. However, it’s a contest that few Americans desire. Both candidates face low approval ratings among voters, and the election promises to deepen the existing political polarization in the country.

Biden portrays Trump as an existential threat to democratic principles, while Trump continues to re-litigate his false claims of victory in the 2020 election. As the nation braces for this divisive showdown, the question remains: Can either candidate bridge the gap and unite a fractured electorate?

In the end, Nikki Haley’s decision to step aside clears the path for a Trump-Biden rematch—one that will undoubtedly capture the attention of the entire nation.


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