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Germany’s President Condemns Iran War as a Historic Foreign Policy Break

In a scathing verbal attack, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, whose largely ceremonial role allows him to speak more freely than politicians, took a far more critical line than Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has sharply criticized the U.S.-led war in Iran, calling it a “disastrous mistake” and a breach of international law—an unusually direct rebuke of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy.  A Rare and Blunt Critique Steinmeier, whose largely ceremonial office allows him more freedom to speak candidly, warned that the conflict represents a deep rupture in transatlantic relations. He argued that the justification for the war—claims of an imminent attack on U.S. targets—“did not hold water,” and stressed that Germany must openly acknowledge violations of international law rather than avoid naming them.  A Turning Point for German-U.S. Relations The president compared the diplomatic fallout to the irreversible shift caused by Russia’s invasi...

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Bank of Canada Poised to Cut Interest Rates Amid Trade Uncertainty

                                                

The Bank of Canada is expected to cut interest rates next week as the looming threat of tariffs from the United States continues to cast a shadow over the Canadian economy. With newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to impose a 25% tariff on all goods from Canada, the central bank is considering a 25-basis-point rate cut to mitigate potential economic damage.

Despite recent positive economic indicators, such as a 2% growth in the fourth quarter and the addition of 91,000 jobs in December, the uncertainty surrounding trade relations with the U.S. has prompted the Bank to take a cautious approach. The inflation rate, which slowed to 1.8% in December, is also a factor in the decision-making process, although core inflation measures remain high.

Economists are divided on the necessity of the rate cut, with some arguing that the central bank should hold off to maintain flexibility in the face of ongoing economic challenges. However, the prevailing sentiment is that the potential impact of tariffs outweighs other considerations, and a rate cut is the most prudent course of action.

The Bank of Canada's decision will be closely watched by markets and businesses alike, as it will have significant implications for borrowing costs and economic growth in the coming months.



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