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Black Friday Nov. 27: Wait for It or Skip It? Canadians Plan to Spend 6.5% Less

  CANADIAN MONEY BRIEF • NOVEMBER 14, 2026 Black Friday lands on Nov. 27, and nearly half of Canadians have been holding off purchases to wait for it. But with budgets shrinking and borrowing costs higher, waiting only pays if the deal is real and the bill gets paid. Quick take: Canadians plan to spend an average of $911 this holiday season, down 6.5% from last year. Black Friday is still the day most plan around. The smart move is not to skip it or blindly chase it, but to decide before the sales what you need, what it should cost, and how you'll pay. Budgets are shrinking, but Black Friday isn't The Retail Council of Canada and Leger surveyed 2,500 Canadians between Aug. 21 and Sept. 4. The average planned holiday budget came in at $911 , down $64 from $975 a year ago. More than half of respondents (56%) said inflation or economic instability is weighing on their outlook. Yet the big sale days are doing the opposite of shrinking. 88% rank Black Friday among their top three...

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Trump Administration Repeals Biden-Era Order on U.S.-Supplied Weapons and Human Rights

 

In a significant policy shift, the Trump administration has rescinded a Biden-era order that required the U.S. government to report potential violations of international law involving U.S.-supplied weapons by allies, including Israel. The order, known as National Security Memorandum-20 (NSM-20), was signed by former President Joe Biden in February 2024 amid concerns over Israel's use of American bombs in its war in Gaza.

NSM-20 mandated that the U.S. government produce reports for Congress on the use of U.S. arms by other countries, ensuring that these weapons were not used in violation of international humanitarian law. However, the Trump administration, through an order issued by White House National Security Adviser Michael Waltz on February 21, has repealed this memorandum.

The decision has sparked controversy, with U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, a key proponent of congressional oversight of U.S. arms sales, calling the move "shameful" and a disservice to national security and global human rights. Van Hollen emphasized that the revocation undermines American taxpayers' right to ensure their dollars align with U.S. laws and national interests.

The Trump administration's decision to rescind NSM-20 has raised concerns about the credibility of assurances from U.S. allies, such as Israel, regarding their adherence to international humanitarian law when using U.S.-supplied weapons. Critics argue that this move reflects a blatant indifference to American values and a retreat from the principles of human rights and accountability.


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