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BoC Held Again at 2.25% — But a Rate Hike Is Now More Likely Than Not Before Year-End

  Bond markets put the odds of an October 28 hike at 57%. Here's what the big banks are forecasting, what it means for your mortgage payment, and how to think about your next move. MoneySavings.ca · September 17, 2026 The Bank of Canada kept its overnight rate at 2.25% on September 2 — the seventh consecutive hold since the last cut in October 2025. On the surface, nothing changed. Below the surface, everything did. Governor Tiff Macklem's post-decision language was the most hawkish the Bank has sounded in over a year. He flagged that persistently high oil prices (Brent has since touched $107) and new U.S. tariffs — combined with Canada's own $27.6 billion retaliation list — are creating genuine upside risks to inflation. The BoC's August deliberations summary, released September 16, confirmed the Governing Council is now actively weighing a hike, not just a hold. The August CPI reading that came in on September 14 didn't settle anything: headline inflation held at ...

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Rebels Advance on Homs and Damascus as Assad's Forces Struggle to Hold Ground

 

Syrian rebels have intensified their assault on key cities, capturing Hama and advancing towards Homs and Damascus. The rapid rebel advance has caught government forces off guard, leading to a significant repositioning of troops to defend these strategic locations.

In recent days, rebels have seized control of several major cities, including Aleppo in the north and Hama in the center. The capture of Homs, Syria's third-largest city, would be a major blow to President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Thousands of residents have fled the advancing conflict zones, seeking safety in less volatile areas.

The Syrian military has launched airstrikes on rebel positions and sent reinforcements to fortify Homs. However, the rebels remain undeterred, claiming to control most of the south and advancing to within 50 kilometers of Damascus.

The international community watches closely as the situation unfolds, with concerns over regional stability and the potential for further escalation. The conflict, which began in 2011 as an uprising against Assad's rule, has already caused significant humanitarian crises and drawn in various external powers.

As the rebels continue their push, the future of Syria hangs in the balance, with the potential for significant shifts in power and territory.




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