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Canada's Inflation Jumps to 2.4% in March — And Your Grocery and Gas Bills Show It

Canada's annual inflation rate climbed to 2.4% in March 2026 , up sharply from 1.8% in February, according to Statistics Canada data released Monday. The jump was driven almost entirely by soaring energy prices tied to the U.S.-Iran conflict and its disruption of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz — and Canadians felt it directly at the gas pump and grocery store. Headline CPI (March) 2.4% ▲ Up from 1.8% in February Gasoline (monthly) +21.2% Largest monthly jump on record Grocery prices (year/year) +4.4% Up from 4.1% in February Core CPI (ex-gas) 2.2% Milder than expected Gas was the main culprit Gasoline prices surged a record 21.2% month over month in March — the largest single-month jump ever recorded in Canada — as the U.S.-Iran conflict choked off roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply through the Strait of Hormuz. On a year-...

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Federal Funding Freeze Sparks Debate Over Free Speech and Academic Freedom

The Trump administration has taken a controversial step by freezing federal grants to several universities, including Cornell and Northwestern, citing concerns over pro-Palestinian protests and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies. Over $1 billion in funding for Cornell and $790 million for Northwestern have been paused, affecting research in defense, health, and cybersecurity. 

The administration has accused these universities of failing to address antisemitism on campus, linking pro-Palestinian protests to support for Hamas. Critics argue that this conflation undermines free speech and academic freedom, with human rights advocates raising concerns about the broader implications. 

This move has sparked a heated debate about the balance between combating hate speech and preserving the right to protest. Universities like Harvard and Princeton are also under scrutiny, with billions in federal funding at stake. 

The situation highlights the tension between government oversight and institutional autonomy, leaving many to question the future of academic freedom in the United States.

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