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Macklem Just Raised the Inflation Alarm: What Monday’s CPI Means for Your Wallet

  Canadian Money Brief  |  Sunday, October 18, 2026  |  Written ahead of Monday’s 8:30 am ET inflation release Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem has just told Canadians what the central bank is about to say on October 28: its inflation forecast is going up, and by a lot. The reason is oil. With the Middle East conflict dragging on, shipments still curtailed and refinery capacity damaged, he said the risk that inflation broadens and lingers has gone up. Speaking to reporters from Bangkok on Saturday, he framed the coming decision as a simple question: will inflation drift back toward 2% on its own, or does the Bank need to raise rates to nudge it there? Monday is the first real clue. Here is what is landing, what economists expect, and what it could mean for your gas bill, your grocery cart, your heating costs and your mortgage. 3.0% August CPI, year over year 3.2% September consensus (Reuters poll) 2.25% BoC policy rate, unchanged for nearly a year Oct 28 Rat...

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Tragedy Strikes During Hajj Pilgrimage: Over 300 Egyptians Succumb to Heat

 

At least 323 Egyptian pilgrims tragically lost their lives during the annual Hajj pilgrimage in western Saudi Arabia. The majority of these deaths were attributed to heat-related illnesses, according to two Arab diplomats coordinating their countries’ responses.

The Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, draws millions of pilgrims from around the world to Mecca. However, this year’s pilgrimage faced extreme temperatures, with the area where rituals are performed experiencing a rise of 0.4 degrees Celsius (0.72 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade due to climate change.

Among the deceased, 60 Jordanian pilgrims also succumbed to the heat. Tragically, many of the Egyptian casualties were unregistered pilgrims attempting to save money by avoiding official visas. These off-the-books pilgrims lacked access to air-conditioned facilities provided by Saudi authorities along the Hajj route.

The total death toll reported by various countries has reached 577, highlighting the severity of this heartbreaking event. Other nations, including Indonesia, Iran, and Senegal, have also reported fatalities during this year’s Hajj pilgrimage.

As we mourn the loss of these lives, it serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change and the need for better safety measures during religious pilgrimages.


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