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5 Things to Know Today: BoC Minutes, U.S. CPI and Cheaper Gas (Nov. 8, 2026)

  Canadian Money Brief • Sunday, November 8, 2026 Markets are closed until Monday, but the week ahead is loaded: two Bank of Canada releases, a key U.S. inflation report and some welcome relief at the pump. Here are five things to know today, and what each means for your wallet. 1. Two Bank of Canada releases land early this week The Bank of Canada publishes its Q3 Market Participants Survey Monday at 10:30 a.m. ET, then the summary of deliberations behind its Oct. 28 rate decision Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. ET. The Bank raised its policy rate 25 basis points to 2.50% that day, its first hike since July 2023, and signalled more tightening was possible if energy costs spill into broader prices. The minutes were written before the post-midterm oil drop, so watch how hawkish the tone is. What it means for you: If you have a variable-rate mortgage or a HELOC, the minutes help show whether another hike is on the table at the next decision on Dec. 9. A hawkish read keeps pressure on borrowin...

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Israel’s Expanding Offensive in Central Rafah: A Closer Look

 

The Israeli military has officially confirmed that its forces are operating in central parts of Rafah as part of an expanding offensive in the southern Gaza city. This development comes after Israel launched a ground assault into Rafah on May 6, triggering an exodus of approximately 1 million Palestinians from the city and disrupting U.N. humanitarian operations in the area.

Key Points:

  1. Citywide Operations: The Israeli military statement suggests that its forces have been operating in most parts of Rafah, including both eastern districts and areas close to the border with Egypt. Israeli troops seized the Rafah crossing into Egypt on the first day of the offensive and have since claimed control over the Philadelphi Corridor, a road running along the Gaza-Egypt border on the Gazan side.
  2. Recent Developments: Earlier this week, Israeli troops also moved into Rafah’s western district of Tel al-Sultan, where heavy clashes with Hamas fighters have been reported by witnesses.
  3. Hamas Presence: The offensive aims to uproot Hamas fighters, following the group’s October 7 attack on southern Israel. In central Rafah, Israeli troops have uncovered Hamas rocket launchers, tunnels, and dismantled a weapons storage facility.
  4. Humanitarian Impact: The exodus of Palestinians from Rafah has led to a scattered population across southern and central Gaza. Most of them now live in squalid tent camps, with up to around 300,000 people believed to remain in the area. Some still reside in the central urban parts of Rafah, while others have sought refuge in rural areas near the coast, which have also been targeted by Israeli strikes and shelling.

Despite the ongoing offensive, U.S. President Joe Biden has emphasized that Israel has not crossed the “red lines” of a full-fledged invasion that he had urged them against. The situation remains tense, and humanitarian organizations continue to grapple with the challenges posed by the conflict.



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