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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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New Alliance Against ISIS: Turkey Joins Neighbors in Syrian Fight


In a bold regional move, Turkey announced it will join forces with Syria, Iraq, and Jordan to confront the lingering threat of the Islamic State group in Syria. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that this coordinated effort aims not only to dismantle ISIS’s remaining footholds but also to recalibrate U.S. involvement in the region, particularly by reducing support for Kurdish-led militias that Turkey deems as extensions of the PKK.

Speaking at a press conference in Doha alongside regional leaders, Fidan criticized the current role of the Kurdish YPG, arguing that instead of actively combating ISIS, the group is largely occupied with guarding thousands of ISIS detainees. He suggested that a united regional front would be more effective in eradicating the extremist threat and would allow the United States to reconsider its long-standing alliance with the Kurdish forces.

Preliminary talks among the four nations have already taken place, setting the stage for joint military operations and intelligence sharing. The proposed alliance reflects Turkey’s strategic pivot in the region—seeking to reinforce its national security while pushing for a realignment of external military support in Syria. Critics of U.S. policy, including Turkish officials, hope that this new coalition could prompt a reassessment of Western engagement, especially concerning Kurdish forces in Syria.



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