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Canada Holds Steady: Interest Rate Pause Signals Cautious Confidence

                      The Bank of Canada also held its policy rate at its last scheduled rate announcement in December. The Bank of Canada has opted to keep its key interest rate at 2.25% , a move that underscores a careful balancing act as the country approaches a pivotal moment in North American trade relations. With CUSMA (the Canada‑United States‑Mexico Agreement) negotiations on the horizon, policymakers appear intent on maintaining stability while assessing potential economic turbulence. The decision reflects a mix of optimism and prudence. Inflation has been easing gradually, giving the central bank some breathing room. At the same time, global economic uncertainty and the high stakes of upcoming trade talks mean officials are reluctant to introduce new variables into the financial system. By holding the rate steady, the Bank of Canada signals confidence in the economy’s underlying resilience while acknowledgin...

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A major power outage is reported in Spain and Portugal, disabling their capitals

 

A major power outage has struck Spain and Portugal, including their capitals, Madrid and Lisbon, causing significant disruptions across the Iberian Peninsula. The blackout has affected subway networks, phone lines, traffic lights, and ATM machines, leaving millions of residents grappling with the sudden loss of electricity.

Spanish power grid operator Red Eléctrica and Portuguese distributor E-Redes are working to restore power and stabilize the network. Early reports suggest the outage may be linked to issues in the European electricity system. The blackout has also impacted parts of France, further highlighting the scale of the problem.

Authorities in both countries have urged residents to limit travel and prioritize safety as traffic lights and public transportation remain non-operational. This rare and widespread outage has disrupted daily life, with courts halting work and mobile networks experiencing outages.

Efforts to restore power are underway, but the cause of the outage remains under investigation. This developing situation underscores the vulnerability of interconnected power systems and the need for robust infrastructure to prevent such incidents in the future.

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