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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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Russia Cuts Off WhatsApp, Pushes Citizens Toward State Messaging App

Russian messenger app MAX is displayed on a smartphone next to the WhatsApp logo. The latter app has been barred in Russia, with authorities pushing state-backed MAX.



Russia has moved to fully block WhatsApp nationwide, escalating its long-running effort to tighten control over digital communication. Officials claim the platform failed to comply with domestic regulations, prompting authorities to shut down access for millions of users.

In place of WhatsApp, the government is promoting MAX, a state-backed messaging service it describes as secure, reliable, and aligned with national interests. Russian officials argue that relying on foreign platforms poses risks, while critics warn that the shift could expand state surveillance and limit private communication.

The move fits into a broader pattern of Russia steering users toward homegrown digital ecosystems as it seeks greater control over information flows and online activity.

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