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BoC Opens the Door to Rate Hikes: What It Means for Your Mortgage

  Published September 4, 2026 The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% on September 2 — the seventh straight hold — but Governor Tiff Macklem didn't sound like a central banker done for the year. He told reporters the Bank is "prepared to raise interest rates, and if it takes more than one increase, we're prepared to do that," if inflation stays too high. That's a real shift in tone, and it lands right as a wave of Canadians hit their mortgage renewal date. Here's what changed, who's forecasting what, and what it actually means for your payment. Why the Bank Suddenly Sounds Hawkish Canada's annual inflation rate has climbed to around 3% — a full point above the Bank's 2% target — and the Bank is pointing squarely at energy prices. Oil has stayed elevated because of the Iran conflict and disruption near the Strait of Hormuz, pushing gas prices up and dragging headline CPI with it. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy, is still s...

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Putin Rejects Talks With Ukraine’s ‘Illegitimate’ Leadership

 

                                            Russian President Vladimir Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared that it is “senseless” to sign any agreements with Ukraine’s current leadership, which he labeled as illegitimate. Speaking at a summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on November 27, 2025, Putin argued that Kyiv lost its legitimacy after failing to hold elections once President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s elected term expired. According to Putin, this undermines any potential negotiations or peace documents that might be signed with Zelenskyy’s government.

Ukraine, however, maintains that elections cannot be conducted under martial law while the country is actively defending itself against Russia’s ongoing invasion. Kyiv insists that postponing elections is a constitutional necessity during wartime, and that Zelenskyy remains the legitimate head of state until conditions allow for a vote.

Putin’s remarks highlight a widening gap between Moscow and Kyiv on the question of legitimacy and negotiation. While Russia frames Ukraine’s leadership as unconstitutional, Ukraine and its Western allies argue that martial law provisions justify the delay in elections. This dispute complicates prospects for peace talks, as Moscow signals it will not recognize agreements signed by Zelenskyy, while Kyiv insists its government remains valid and internationally recognized.

The statement underscores the broader geopolitical struggle: Russia seeks to delegitimize Ukraine’s leadership to weaken its negotiating position, while Ukraine continues to rally international support by emphasizing its right to self-defense and sovereignty. For now, Putin’s refusal to engage with Zelenskyy directly casts further doubt on the possibility of meaningful negotiations in the near future.

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