Skip to main content

Featured

5 Things to Know Today: BoC Hike Odds Near 80%, Oil Tops US$100, Loonie Hits 5-Week High

  Canadian Money Brief  |  Saturday, October 24, 2026 The Bank of Canada is expected to raise rates on Wednesday, oil is back above US$100 and stocks slipped on AI worries. Here are the five things to know this Saturday, and what each one means for your wallet. 1 The Bank of Canada is widely expected to hike on Wednesday Markets are putting roughly an 80% chance on a quarter-point increase at the Bank of Canada’s Oct. 28 decision, which would lift the policy rate from 2.25% to 2.50%. A majority of economists polled by Reuters also expect a second hike by the end of March. The shift followed hawkish comments from Governor Tiff Macklem about a higher inflation outlook driven by oil. What it means for you Every 0.25-point increase adds about $250 a year (roughly $21 a month) for each $100,000 of prime-linked debt, such as a variable-rate mortgage or HELOC. Fixed-rate holders are not hit directly, but renewals are being priced off higher bond yields. Savers may see HISA and...
Post a Comment
Read more

article

Labels

Israel’s Gaza City Offensive Sparks Global Outcry Amid Hostage and Humanitarian Concerns

 

                            Palestinians walk along a street near war-damaged buildings in Gaza City on Friday.                

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a controversial plan to seize control of Gaza City, intensifying its nearly two-year war with Hamas. The move, announced Friday, has drawn sharp international condemnation and raised fears over the fate of hostages and worsening humanitarian conditions in the besieged enclave.

Global Backlash
Leaders from the UK, Spain, Turkey, China, and Australia have urged Israel to reconsider. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned the offensive “will only bring more bloodshed,” while Turkey called it a “heavy blow” to peace and accused Israel of attempting to forcibly displace Palestinians. The UN’s human rights chief Volker Türk stated the plan “must be immediately halted,” citing violations of international law and the right of Palestinians to self-determination.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Gaza City, once home to 700,000 people, now shelters hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians amid widespread famine and infrastructure collapse. Aid deliveries have been severely disrupted, and images of starving children have intensified calls for a ceasefire.

Hostage Dilemma
Israel’s push into Gaza City has sparked concern over the remaining 50 hostages held by Hamas, with only 20 believed to be alive. Families of hostages and former Israeli security officials have criticized the plan, fearing it could endanger lives and derail negotiations.

What’s Next?
Despite mounting pressure, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists military action is necessary to dismantle Hamas and secure national security. However, critics argue that further escalation risks deepening the humanitarian catastrophe and undermining prospects for peace.


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment