Skip to main content

Featured

The Rate Cuts Are Over — Is a Hike Coming?

  July 23, 2026 Oil shocks, sticky inflation and a technical recession are pulling the Bank of Canada in opposite directions at once. For most of the past two years, the only question about the Bank of Canada was how far and how fast it would cut. The overnight rate fell from 5.00% to 2.25% between June 2024 and October 2025, one of the sharpest easing cycles in the Bank's history, and it has held there through six consecutive decisions since. That story is now over. The question on the table for the rest of 2026 isn't whether the Bank cuts again — it's whether the next move is actually a hike. Two conflicting signals, one Bank The case for staying put — or even cutting — comes from the growth side of the ledger. Statistics Canada data showed the economy contracted in both the fourth quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, meeting the informal definition of a technical recession. That was enough to have some economists warning the Bank had no room to raise rates at a...

article

Escalating Tensions: Strikes on Militant Leaders Threaten Middle East Stability

 

In a dramatic escalation, the recent targeted strikes on two senior militant leaders have heightened tensions in the already volatile Middle East. The assassination of Hamas’ top leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and the strike against senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur in Beirut have sent shockwaves through the region.

These strikes, attributed to Israel, come at a critical juncture as international mediators strive to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The killing of Haniyeh, a key figure in the cease-fire negotiations, has cast a shadow over these efforts. A senior Egyptian official involved in the talks described the assassination as a “reckless act” that could derail the fragile peace process.

Iran’s response to the attack on its territory has further complicated the situation, with threats of retaliation that could potentially lead to a broader conflict. The international community, including the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar, has condemned the strikes and urged for restraint to prevent further escalation.

The impact of these events on the ground is palpable. In Gaza, there is a growing sense of despair as hopes for a cease-fire wane. “By assassinating Haniyeh, they are destroying everything,” said Nour Abu Salam, a displaced Palestinian.

As the region teeters on the brink, the need for diplomatic intervention and a renewed commitment to peace has never been more urgent. The coming days will be crucial in determining whether the Middle East can avoid descending into further chaos.


Comments