Skip to main content

Featured

5 Things to Know Today — September 17, 2026

  Thursday, September 17, 2026  A historic Fed rate hike, Carney embracing EU associate status, a sliding TSX, oil pulling back from four-month highs, and a high-stakes vote in Newfoundland — here is what every Canadian needs to watch today. ITEM 1 OF 5 The Fed Raised Rates for the First Time in Three Years The U.S. Federal Reserve hiked its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points Wednesday to a target range of 3.75–4.00%, defying public pressure from President Trump who had pushed for a cut. It marks the Fed’s first rate increase since 2023. Sixteen of eighteen FOMC officials signalled at least one further hike is likely before year-end. For Canadian markets, the ripple effects are real even though the Bank of Canada (still holding at 2.25%) does not move in lockstep with Washington. Higher U.S. Treasury yields, which have already pushed above 5%, pull Canadian government bond yields upward — and it is those bond yields, not the BoC’s overnight rate, that drive the 5-year ...

article

White House Showdown: Trump and King Abdullah Clash Over Gaza’s Future

 

At the White House on Tuesday, President Donald Trump is set to meet with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in what promises to be a high-stakes discussion on the future of Gaza. In recent days, Trump has pushed a controversial proposal envisioning the transformation of the war‐torn Gaza Strip into what he calls the “Riviera of the Middle East.” His plan would require relocating Gaza’s Palestinian residents to neighboring Arab states—including Jordan and Egypt—a proposal that has already sparked widespread outrage in the region and raised fears of further instability.

The meeting comes amid heightened tensions surrounding a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. After Hamas announced a pause in the release of hostages—accusing Israel of violating the truce—Trump intensified his rhetoric, suggesting that if Jordan and Egypt do not accept Gaza refugees, he might withhold critical U.S. aid to these longtime allies. 

King Abdullah, known for his pragmatic approach to regional security, is expected to push back strongly against the proposal. Concerned that the influx of additional refugees could destabilize Jordan and undermine prospects for a two-state solution, the Jordanian monarch is likely to emphasize national dignity and long-standing regional dynamics in his response. 

As global attention remains fixed on the evolving crisis in Gaza, this tense encounter at the White House could signal a turning point in U.S.–Arab relations. Observers are keen to see whether a compromise can be reached or if divergent visions for the Middle East will further widen existing divides. 


    Comments