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U.S. Seizure of Russian-Flagged Tanker Heightens Global Tensions

The ship, currently between Iceland and the British Isles, has been accused of breaking US sanctions and shipping Iranian oil. It has historically transported Venezuelan crude oil. The United States has seized a Russian‑flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after a prolonged pursuit across the Atlantic, marking one of the most assertive enforcement actions under Washington’s sanctions program. The vessel, previously known as Bella‑1 and later renamed Marinera , was intercepted after evading an earlier boarding attempt near Venezuelan waters. U.S. military aircraft and naval units tracked the ship for weeks as it traveled across the Atlantic, at times shadowed by Russian naval vessels. Officials say the tanker was part of a network used to transport sanctioned Venezuelan and Russian oil. Its capture underscores Washington’s efforts to disrupt what it describes as illicit energy shipments that help sustain both governments. The operation comes at a delicate geopolitical moment, wit...

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Bank of Canada Considered Waiting Until July to Cut Rates

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Bank of Canada officials recently discussed whether to delay interest rate cuts until July. Their primary concern was confirming that inflation remains on track to reach the central bank’s 2% target. Ultimately, the governing council decided to cut the policy rate to 4.75% at their June 5 meeting. This move followed four consecutive months of slowing underlying price pressures, which they deemed sufficient progress to warrant the rate reduction.

While policymakers acknowledged the possibility of further rate cuts if inflation continues to ease, they emphasized a gradual approach. The bank’s dependence on data was evident, as they considered waiting until July before making a decision. Additionally, they discussed the potential divergence of Canada’s interest rate path from that of the US, noting that expectations of different policy outlooks could impact the exchange rate.

In summary, the Bank of Canada’s decision reflects a delicate balance between economic indicators and the need for cautious monetary policy adjustments. As they continue to monitor inflation and economic growth, future rate cuts will depend on further disinflation momentum and evolving market conditions.

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