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The Rate Cuts Are Over — Is a Hike Coming?

  July 23, 2026 Oil shocks, sticky inflation and a technical recession are pulling the Bank of Canada in opposite directions at once. For most of the past two years, the only question about the Bank of Canada was how far and how fast it would cut. The overnight rate fell from 5.00% to 2.25% between June 2024 and October 2025, one of the sharpest easing cycles in the Bank's history, and it has held there through six consecutive decisions since. That story is now over. The question on the table for the rest of 2026 isn't whether the Bank cuts again — it's whether the next move is actually a hike. Two conflicting signals, one Bank The case for staying put — or even cutting — comes from the growth side of the ledger. Statistics Canada data showed the economy contracted in both the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, meeting the informal definition of a technical recession. That was enough to have some economists warning the Bank had no room to raise rates at a...

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Trump's Pick of Rubio as Top Diplomat Jolts Latin America

 

President-elect Donald Trump's selection of Senator Marco Rubio as the next Secretary of State has sent shockwaves through Latin America, a region long accustomed to U.S. neglect. Rubio, a staunch conservative and vocal critic of communist regimes, is expected to bring a renewed focus on Latin American policy, which has often been sidelined in U.S. foreign affairs.

Rubio's appointment marks a significant shift in U.S. diplomacy. As the first Latino Secretary of State, he is poised to leverage his deep understanding of the region and his personal connections to drive U.S. policy. His reputation as a national security hawk and his support for Trump's hardline immigration policies are likely to influence his approach to issues such as trade, drug trafficking, and migration.

While some Latin American leaders welcome the attention, others are wary of Rubio's polarizing rhetoric and his alignment with Trump's "America First" agenda. Critics argue that his stance could alienate U.S. allies in the region and complicate diplomatic relations.

As Rubio prepares to take on his new role, the world watches closely to see how his leadership will reshape U.S. engagement with Latin America and address the challenges facing the region.

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