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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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UN Halts Aid Shipments Through Gaza’s Main Crossing Over Safety Concerns

 

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has announced the suspension of aid deliveries through the Kerem Shalom crossing, Gaza's primary cargo route, citing severe safety concerns. Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, stated that the decision was made due to the threat posed by armed gangs who have looted recent aid convoys.

The suspension comes amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by the cold, rainy winter and the ongoing conflict. Experts have already warned of potential famine in the northern parts of Gaza, which have been almost completely isolated by Israeli forces since early October.

Lazzarini pointed out that the route leading to Kerem Shalom has become too dangerous, with nearly 100 trucks being looted in mid-November and another smaller shipment stolen just recently. He also criticized Israeli policies, claiming they have contributed significantly to the breakdown of law and order in Gaza.

The suspension of aid shipments is expected to worsen the already dire situation in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are living in squalid tent camps and relying heavily on international food aid.



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