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BoC Opens the Door to Rate Hikes: What It Means for Your Mortgage

  Published September 4, 2026 The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% on September 2 — the seventh straight hold — but Governor Tiff Macklem didn't sound like a central banker done for the year. He told reporters the Bank is "prepared to raise interest rates, and if it takes more than one increase, we're prepared to do that," if inflation stays too high. That's a real shift in tone, and it lands right as a wave of Canadians hit their mortgage renewal date. Here's what changed, who's forecasting what, and what it actually means for your payment. Why the Bank Suddenly Sounds Hawkish Canada's annual inflation rate has climbed to around 3% — a full point above the Bank's 2% target — and the Bank is pointing squarely at energy prices. Oil has stayed elevated because of the Iran conflict and disruption near the Strait of Hormuz, pushing gas prices up and dragging headline CPI with it. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy, is still s...

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Hamas Rejects Israel’s Ceasefire Response, Sticks to Main Demands



The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas has firmly rejected an Israeli ceasefire proposal. In a statement issued on Saturday, Hamas conveyed its response to the proposal to mediators in Egypt and Qatar. The group remains steadfast in its core demands, which include:
  1. Permanent Ceasefire: Hamas insists on a lasting cessation of hostilities.
  2. Israeli Troop Withdrawal: The complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the entire Gaza Strip.
  3. Return of Displaced Palestinians: Ensuring the safe return of displaced Palestinians to their original areas and places of residence.
  4. Humanitarian Aid and Reconstruction: Intensifying the entry of relief and aid and commencing the much-needed reconstruction efforts.

Hamas’s readiness to engage in a prisoners-for-hostages swap deal with Israel, involving the release of 133 hostages, underscores the gravity of the situation. However, Israel has already dismissed some of these demands as delusional.

As tensions persist, the region remains on edge, awaiting further developments in this protracted conflict. The stakes are high, and the delicate balance between peace and continued strife hangs in the balance.

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