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Canada’s Inflation Climbs to 2.4% as Gas Prices Surge to Record High

  Canada’s inflation rate accelerated to 2.4% in March , up from 1.8% in February, as the Iran war triggered the largest monthly gasoline price increase on record . Statistics Canada reported that gas prices surged 21.2% month‑over‑month , a supply‑shock response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East instability.  Energy costs were the dominant driver of March inflation, with overall energy prices rising 3.9% year‑over‑year after a sharp decline the month before. Excluding gasoline, inflation would have eased to 2.2% , highlighting how concentrated the price shock was.  Food inflation offered mixed relief: grocery prices rose 4.4% , while fresh vegetables jumped 7.8% due to difficult growing conditions. Restaurant inflation cooled sharply as last year’s tax‑holiday distortions fell out of the annual comparison.  Economists note that while headline inflation spiked, core measures remained relatively tame , giving the Bank of Canada ro...
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Israel Explores New Governance Options for Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict


Israel is currently exploring the possibility of establishing an alternative local governing body for Gaza, according to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The goal is to move beyond Hamas, but the specifics of who might replace them remain uncertain. This initiative comes amid new uncertainty in the ongoing eight-month war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces pressure from various quarters, including calls to accept a new cease-fire deal proposed by U.S. President Joe Biden. Meanwhile, far-right allies threaten to destabilize his government if he agrees to the deal. Gallant, a member of Israel’s three-member War Cabinet, has advocated for a detailed postwar plan for Gaza. He stated that the framework for this alternative governance involves isolating certain areas, removing Hamas operatives, and introducing other forces that could facilitate the formation of a new governing body.

In a related development, Israel is seeking Palestinians who are not affiliated with Hamas to manage civilian affairs in planned “humanitarian pockets” within the Gaza Strip. These pockets are designed as testing grounds for postwar administration of the enclave. While the situation remains complex and fluid, efforts to find alternatives to Hamas continue as the conflict persists.


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