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5 Things to Know Today: BoC Decision Looms, Oil Spikes, Bigger CCB Cheques Land

  Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Good morning. Here's what Canadians need to know today, from tomorrow's Bank of Canada rate call to a bigger Canada Child Benefit deposit landing next week. 1. Bank of Canada decides tomorrow — a hold is widely expected The Bank of Canada announces its interest rate decision Wednesday, July 15, at 9:45 a.m. ET, alongside its quarterly Monetary Policy Report. Markets and economists widely expect the Bank to hold its key rate at 2.25%, with Governor Tiff Macklem holding a press conference at 10:45 a.m. ET to explain the decision. What it means for you: If you're renewing a mortgage or carrying a variable-rate loan or HELOC, tomorrow's decision likely won't change your payment. But watch the tone of the statement closely — renewed oil-price pressure (see #3) could shape how the Bank talks about inflation risk heading into the fall. 2. U.S. inflation data drops this morning The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases its June Consumer Price In...

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Revolutionary Gene Therapy Restores Hearing in Deaf Toddler

 

In a remarkable medical breakthrough, an 18-month-old toddler named Opal Sandy has regained her hearing thanks to a pioneering gene therapy trial. Born deaf due to a rare genetic condition affecting the OTOF gene, which is responsible for producing a protein essential for hearing, Opal’s prospects for natural hearing were bleak. However, the innovative treatment at Cambridge University Hospitals in England has opened up a world of sound for her.

The procedure involved the infusion of a working copy of the OTOF gene into Opal’s right ear, a process that took a mere 16 minutes. Remarkably, within weeks, Opal began responding to loud noises, and after 24 weeks, she could hear whispers, indicating a near-normal level of hearing restoration.

Opal’s case is part of the Chord trial, which is recruiting more children from the UK, Spain, and the US to undergo similar treatment. The trial is being closely monitored, with participants followed up for five years to assess the long-term efficacy and safety of the therapy.

The success of this gene therapy is a beacon of hope for many suffering from genetic deafness, signaling the dawn of a new era in medical science where conditions once thought incurable are now within the realm of treatment. Opal’s story is not just a personal victory; it’s a milestone in genetic medicine, showcasing the incredible potential of gene therapy to change lives.

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