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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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Trump Hails Hostage Release as Israel Marks Fragile Gaza Ceasefire

                        Relatives and friends of the hostages at "Hostages Square" awaiting their expected return.


A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas entered a critical phase as all 20 living Israeli hostages were released from Gaza, sparking emotional celebrations across the country. The release came as part of a U.S.-brokered deal that also includes the freeing of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, underscoring the delicate balance of the agreement.

President Donald Trump arrived in Israel to a hero’s welcome, greeted by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion Airport. Trump declared the war “effectively over” and is expected to meet with the families of freed hostages before addressing the Israeli parliament. He will later travel to Egypt for a regional peace summit aimed at solidifying the truce.

In Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, thousands gathered to cheer, sing, and chant as giant screens broadcast the return of the captives. While the release has been hailed as a breakthrough, Israeli officials cautioned that the remains of 28 slain hostages remain in Gaza, a stark reminder of the conflict’s toll.

The ceasefire, now in its fourth day, has raised cautious hopes for a broader peace, though both sides remain wary. For many Israelis, however, the sight of families reunited offered a rare moment of relief after two years of war.


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