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Trump Convenes First Peace Board Meeting Amid Lingering Gaza Uncertainties

  The U.S. Institute of Peace building prepares to host U.S. President Donald Trump's first Board of Peace meeting in Washington, D.C., U.S., February 18, 2026. As President Donald Trump prepares to chair the inaugural meeting of the newly formed Board of Peace, the gathering is already drawing global attention due to unresolved questions surrounding the ongoing humanitarian and political crisis in Gaza. The board, created to advise on conflict resolution and long‑term stability initiatives, is expected to face immediate scrutiny over how it will address the region’s fragile cease-fire and the stalled negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian representatives. Officials close to the administration have signaled that the meeting will focus on establishing the board’s priorities, though observers note that the situation in Gaza looms large over any discussion of regional peace. Humanitarian groups continue to raise alarms about access to aid, reconstruction challenges, and the un...
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GST Holiday Fails to Deliver Economic Lift, Data Shows Minimal Impact

                                               

New figures reveal that Canada's GST/HST holiday yielded little boost in consumer spending, falling short of expectations. Payment processor Moneris reported a 4% decline in overall spending during the tax break period compared to the previous year, with both the number and size of transactions dropping slightly. Similarly, a survey conducted by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) found that only about 5% of small businesses experienced a noticeable sales increase, while the majority reported no significant change in business activity.

Despite the intended relief, many retailers found the initiative more burdensome than beneficial, citing last-minute adjustments to point-of-sale systems and increased administrative challenges. Although certain sectors, like children's apparel, saw minor gains, these were not enough to offset the overall downturn in consumer spending. The data suggests that the tax holiday may have merely shifted the timing of purchases rather than stimulating additional economic activity.


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