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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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Trudeau Announces $15 Billion Boost to Housing Program

 

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled plans for a $15 billion increase to the Apartment Construction Loan Program (ACLP) as part of Budget 2024. This significant boost aims to construct a minimum of 30,000 new apartments across Canada.

As part of this announcement, the Prime Minister also introduced the Canada Builds program. This initiative will partner with provinces and territories to build rental housing, providing federal financing under certain conditions. These conditions include complementing federal funding with their own investments, utilizing government, non-profit, community-owned, and vacant lands, and streamlining development approval timelines to no longer than 18 months.

The Apartment Construction Loan Program, launched in 2017, has already committed over $18 billion in loans to support the creation of more than 48,000 new rental homes. With this top-up, the program’s financing is now on track to build over 131,000 new apartments within the next decade. Reforms announced alongside this boost include extending loan terms and broadening access to financing for housing aimed at students and seniors.

This move represents a significant step toward addressing Canada’s housing challenges and ensuring affordable housing options for citizens. As the country continues to grow, initiatives like the ACLP play a crucial role in meeting the housing needs of Canadians.


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