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Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...

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Syria’s Sectarian Fault Lines Erupt: Sweida Faces Deadly Unrest

Southern Syria is once again gripped by violence as sectarian clashes between Druze militias and Sunni Bedouin tribal fighters escalate in the city of Sweida. Over the past few days, at least 89 people have been killed and more than 100 injured, marking one of the deadliest flare-ups since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December.

The violence was triggered by a wave of kidnappings, including the abduction of a Druze merchant on the Damascus–Sweida highway. What began as retaliatory detentions quickly spiraled into open armed conflict, with both sides exchanging fire in densely populated neighborhoods.

Syrian government forces have deployed to the region in an attempt to restore order, but their presence has done little to quell the fighting. Six soldiers were reportedly killed during operations to secure safe passage for civilians. Meanwhile, **Israel has launched airstrikes targeting Syrian tanks** in the Sweida region, further complicating the volatile situation.

Local leaders and Druze spiritual authorities have called for restraint and international protection, warning that the absence of functioning state institutions is fueling chaos. The Syrian Ministry of Interior has announced a direct intervention to end the conflict and pursue those responsible.

As tensions mount, fears of a broader bloodbath loom large. The clashes underscore the fragility of Syria’s post-Assad landscape, where sectarian fault lines remain dangerously exposed.

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