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Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...

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Netanyahu Condemns ICC Ruling, Gains Broad Political Support

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly denounced the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue arrest warrants for him and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Netanyahu labeled the ruling as “anti-Semitic” and “absurd,” asserting that Israel will not succumb to international pressure in defending its citizens.

The ICC’s warrants accuse Netanyahu and Gallant of war crimes related to the recent conflict in Gaza, including allegations of starvation and persecution of Palestinians. The court’s decision has sparked a rare moment of unity among Israeli politicians, with both allies and opponents rallying to Netanyahu’s defense.

Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett criticized the ICC, calling the warrants a “mark of shame” on the court itself. Opposition leader Yair Lapid described the ruling as a “reward for terrorism,” while Benny Gantz, who briefly joined Netanyahu’s war cabinet, condemned the court’s "moral blindness".

Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir suggested a bold response by annexing the occupied West Bank, further intensifying the political discourse.

The ICC’s decision has undoubtedly deepened the diplomatic rift, with Israel and its key ally, the United States, not recognizing the court’s jurisdiction. As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, anticipating the potential ramifications on the ongoing conflict and future peace negotiations.


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