Skip to main content

Featured

5 Things to Know Today: BoC Hike Odds, Fixed Rates, Tariff Swap, $100 Oil & Budget Countdown (Oct. 25)

  Canadian Money Brief • Sunday, October 25, 2026 A big week for your wallet starts Wednesday. Here are the five things Canadians should know before it begins. 1 The Bank of Canada decides Wednesday, and markets lean toward a hike The Bank of Canada announces its rate decision at 9:45 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 28, alongside a new Monetary Policy Report. Prediction markets price roughly a 79% chance of a quarter-point hike to 2.50%, up sharply after Governor Tiff Macklem’s hawkish comments at the IMF meetings, though analysts remain split and some expect a “hawkish hold.” The U.S. Fed also decides that day. What it means for you: Variable-rate mortgage and HELOC holders feel it first. A 0.25-point hike works out to roughly $70 more per month on a $500,000 variable mortgage (25-year amortization), and prime would move from 4.45% to 4.70%. A hold means little change until the next decision on Dec. 9. 2 Fixed mortgage rates have already moved without the Bank Fixed rates follow bond ...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

Israel Orders New Evacuations in Rafah as it Prepares to Expand Military Operations

 

In a significant development, Israel has ordered new evacuations in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah. Tens of thousands of people are being forced to move as the Israeli military prepares to expand its operations closer to the heavily populated central area. This move comes despite growing pressure from close ally the United States and other international actors.

The situation in Rafah is critical. Israel has already evacuated the eastern third of the city, which is considered the last refuge in Gaza. However, the United Nations and other agencies have warned that a full-scale invasion of Rafah would have dire consequences for humanitarian operations and could lead to a surge in civilian casualties. Rafah shares a border with Egypt near the main aid entry points, which have already been affected by the conflict.

U.S. President Joe Biden has taken a firm stance, stating that offensive weapons will not be provided to Israel for its operations in Rafah. The U.S. report also highlighted “reasonable” evidence that Israel breached international law protecting civilians during its war against Hamas. In response, Israel emphasized its compliance with the laws of armed conflict and its efforts to minimize civilian casualties.

More than 1.4 million Palestinians—half of Gaza’s population—have sought refuge in Rafah, most of them fleeing Israel’s offensives elsewhere. The ongoing evacuations are forcing people to return north to areas that have already been devastated by previous Israeli attacks. Displaced residents are grappling with the difficult decision of leaving their homes in search of safety. As one Rafah resident put it, “The Israeli army does not have a safe area in Gaza. They target everything” .

The situation remains tense, and the international community closely watches the developments in Rafah. The impact on civilians and humanitarian operations cannot be overstated, and efforts to find a peaceful resolution continue amidst the escalating conflict.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment