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5 Things to Know Today: Inflation Data, a Tariff Countdown, and a Big Energy Deal

  August 17, 2026 Inflation data lands this morning, the clock on the U.S. tariff deadline is down to two days, and a long-running provincial energy dispute is about to be settled. Here's what's moving your money today. 1. Today's Inflation Report Could Set the Tone for September Statistics Canada releases July's Consumer Price Index this morning. Economists are expecting the annual rate to tick up to roughly 2.9%, from 2.8% in June, mainly because gasoline prices swung higher again in July after the Middle East conflict pushed oil prices back up. Core inflation measures, which the Bank of Canada watches most closely, aren't expected to move much. What it means for you: A hotter-than-expected print would make it less likely the Bank of Canada cuts rates at its September 2 meeting, which matters if you're renewing a variable-rate mortgage or carrying a line of credit. A softer number keeps a cut on the table. 2. The Tariff Deadline Is Two Days Away, and Talks Are...

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Israeli Forces Intensify Bombardment in Gaza Amid Fierce Fighting

 

In a devastating escalation, Israeli forces have pounded Rafah in southern Gaza and other areas across the enclave. The intense bombardment has resulted in the deaths of at least 38 Palestinians, including civilians, as troops engage in close-quarter combat with Hamas militants. Tanks are pushing into the city, aiming to complete their capture of Rafah, which borders Egypt and has been under assault since early May. The situation is dire, with more than a million displaced people seeking shelter in the city, only to be forced to flee again due to the attacks.

Palestinian health officials report that at least 18 Palestinians were killed in Mawasi, western Rafah, after a tank shelling hit a tent housing displaced families. The Israeli military claims its actions are “precise, intelligence-based,” targeting tunnels used by militants and a university allegedly serving as a Hamas headquarters. Meanwhile, the pace of the Israeli raid has accelerated, with non-stop sounds of explosions and gunfire in western Rafah.

As the conflict continues, Israel’s advance focuses on the last two areas yet to be stormed: Rafah in Gaza’s southern edge and the region surrounding Deir al-Balah in the center. The toll of violence remains devastating, with both Palestinian and Israeli lives lost in this tragic conflict.

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