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The Fed Just Hiked Rates. Here's What It Means for Your Canadian Mortgage.

  The U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate 25 basis points yesterday — the first hike in three years. The Bank of Canada hasn't moved. That gap is now the biggest story in Canadian personal finance. MoneySavings.ca  |  September 17, 2026  |  Canadian Money Brief Yesterday afternoon, the Federal Open Market Committee voted 12-0 to raise the U.S. federal funds rate by a quarter point, pushing it to a target range of 3.75%–4.00%. It's the Fed's first rate hike since July 2023, and Chair Kevin Warsh made clear it almost certainly won't be the last. The Bank of Canada, by contrast, has held its overnight rate at 2.25% through seven straight meetings. It doesn't decide again until October 28. For Canadians with a mortgage, a renewal coming up, or a home equity line of credit, this matters more than it might look at first glance. 3.75–4.00% New U.S. Fed Rate 2.25% Bank of Canada Rate 1.625% Rate Gap (vs. 1.375% yesterday) ~71.5¢ Loonie (post-hike low) What th...
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Trump’s Congo Gamble: Business Diplomacy Meets Political Turbulence


Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambitious “peace-for-business” initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing mounting challenges as political instability, local skepticism, and logistical hurdles stall progress. The campaign, which aimed to leverage private investment—particularly in Congo’s rich mineral sector—as a pathway to peace, has encountered resistance from both Congolese officials and wary international investors.

Trump’s strategy centered on economic development as a stabilizing force, with allies like financier Gentry Beach eyeing high-stakes deals such as the $500 million Rubaya coltan mine project. The U.S. hoped this investment-led diplomacy would counter China’s mineral dominance and foster regional peace, including a ceasefire between Congo and Rwanda.

However, the reality on the ground has proven more complex. Local communities remain cautious, citing past exploitation by foreign firms. Security concerns, corruption, and weak governance have prompted several companies to withdraw. Meanwhile, Trump’s polarizing legacy complicates diplomatic efforts, with some regional leaders reluctant to publicly support the initiative.

A separate U.S. mission tied to Trump’s team—offering prisoner releases in exchange for mineral deals—ended abruptly after tensions with Congolese officials, further highlighting the fragility of these unconventional negotiations.

Despite initial optimism, Trump’s peace-through-profit model is struggling to gain traction in a region where sustainable peace demands more than just investment—it requires trust, transparency, and long-term political solutions.

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