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Canada’s Inflation Climbs to 2.4% as Gas Prices Surge to Record High

  Canada’s inflation rate accelerated to 2.4% in March , up from 1.8% in February, as the Iran war triggered the largest monthly gasoline price increase on record . Statistics Canada reported that gas prices surged 21.2% month‑over‑month , a supply‑shock response to Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz and broader Middle East instability.  Energy costs were the dominant driver of March inflation, with overall energy prices rising 3.9% year‑over‑year after a sharp decline the month before. Excluding gasoline, inflation would have eased to 2.2% , highlighting how concentrated the price shock was.  Food inflation offered mixed relief: grocery prices rose 4.4% , while fresh vegetables jumped 7.8% due to difficult growing conditions. Restaurant inflation cooled sharply as last year’s tax‑holiday distortions fell out of the annual comparison.  Economists note that while headline inflation spiked, core measures remained relatively tame , giving the Bank of Canada ro...
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Beijing Tightens Pressure on Tokyo Amid Taiwan Dispute

                                           Japan's prime minister, Sanae Takaichi 


China has sharply escalated its diplomatic spat with Japan following remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Tokyo could respond militarily if Beijing attacks Taiwan. The dispute, which erupted earlier this month, has quickly spilled into trade and travel, signaling Beijing’s intent to warn not only Tokyo but other nations considering involvement in Taiwan’s defense.

At the heart of the row are Takaichi’s comments that a Chinese assault on Taiwan could pose a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, thereby justifying collective self-defense. Beijing reacted furiously, lodging protests and warning Japan of “crushing” consequences if it intervenes militarily.

China’s retaliation has been swift and multifaceted:

  • Suspension of Japanese seafood imports, citing concerns over treated wastewater from Fukushima.
  • Travel warnings to Chinese citizens in Japan, while Tokyo has urged its nationals in China to exercise caution amid rising hostility.
  • Economic pressure on Japanese industries, with tourism and retail sectors already feeling the strain.

The dispute underscores China’s broader strategy of deterrence, using economic and diplomatic levers to dissuade foreign powers from supporting Taiwan. Analysts note that Beijing’s actions are not only aimed at Tokyo but also serve as a warning to Washington and other allies that interference in Taiwan is a “red line”.

Japan, meanwhile, faces a delicate balancing act. While its new prime minister has taken a firmer stance than her predecessors, Tokyo must weigh the risks of economic fallout against its security concerns. The spat highlights the fragility of regional ties and the growing likelihood that Taiwan’s fate could reshape Asia’s geopolitical order.


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