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The Rate Cuts Are Over — Is a Hike Coming?

  July 23, 2026 Oil shocks, sticky inflation and a technical recession are pulling the Bank of Canada in opposite directions at once. For most of the past two years, the only question about the Bank of Canada was how far and how fast it would cut. The overnight rate fell from 5.00% to 2.25% between June 2024 and October 2025, one of the sharpest easing cycles in the Bank's history, and it has held there through six consecutive decisions since. That story is now over. The question on the table for the rest of 2026 isn't whether the Bank cuts again — it's whether the next move is actually a hike. Two conflicting signals, one Bank The case for staying put — or even cutting — comes from the growth side of the ledger. Statistics Canada data showed the economy contracted in both the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, meeting the informal definition of a technical recession. That was enough to have some economists warning the Bank had no room to raise rates at a...

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A Step Toward Peace: Russia and Ukraine Agree to Maritime Truce and Energy Attack Ban

In a significant development, Russia and Ukraine have reached separate agreements to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and to halt attacks on each other's energy facilities. These agreements, mediated by the United States, mark a potential turning point in the three-year-long conflict between the two nations.

The accords, finalized during talks in Saudi Arabia, aim to reduce hostilities and pave the way for broader peace negotiations. Both nations have expressed skepticism about the other's commitment to the agreements, emphasizing the need for U.S. enforcement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that any violations by Russia would prompt requests for sanctions and additional military support.

While the agreements represent progress, challenges remain. Maritime battles have been a smaller part of the conflict since 2023, but energy infrastructure has been a frequent target for both sides. The success of these agreements will depend on mutual adherence and effective enforcement.

This development offers a glimmer of hope for a resolution to the ongoing war, but the road to lasting peace remains uncertain.

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