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Canada’s Housing Market Faces Headwinds Despite BoC Moves

The Bank of Canada’s 25-basis-point cut in September was at best ignored by the national market, with sales falling 1.7 per cent compared to the month before. The Bank of Canada’s recent interest rate adjustments have done little to revive the country’s housing market, which continues to struggle under the weight of broader economic concerns. In September, the central bank cut its policy rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to 2.5%. Yet, instead of sparking renewed activity, national home sales actually fell by 1.7% compared to the previous month.  Economists note that the housing market is no longer moving in lockstep with monetary policy, but is instead being shaped by regional affordability challenges, consumer psychology, and—most critically—job security fears. Uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy has also cast a shadow over Canada’s economic outlook. Businesses remain hesitant to invest, and households are wary of making major financial commitments such as home purchas...

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Daring Rescue: Israel Frees Hostages in Hamas-Led Operation

 


In a daring operation, Israel successfully rescued four hostages who were kidnapped during a Hamas-led attack on October 7. The hostages—Noa Argamani (25), Almog Meir Jan (21), Andrey Kozlov (27), and Shlomi Ziv (40)—were freed in a complex special daytime mission in Nuseirat. The rescue took place in two separate locations within the heart of Nuseirat.

Hamas had initially abducted around 250 hostages during their attack on southern Israel. Approximately half of them were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. However, more than 130 hostages remain, with about a quarter of them believed to be deceased. The situation has intensified divisions within Israel on the best approach to bring the remaining hostages home.

Saturday’s operation marks the largest recovery of live hostages since the war began, bringing the total number of rescued captives to seven.

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