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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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Senate to Decide Fate of Funding Bill as Shutdown Deadline Looms


In a dramatic turn of events, the U.S. House of Representatives approved a crucial funding bill just hours before the midnight deadline, sending it to the Senate for immediate consideration. The bill, which passed with a vote of 366-34, aims to temporarily fund federal operations and provide disaster aid, but notably excludes an increase in the debt ceiling as demanded by President-elect Donald Trump.

House Speaker Mike Johnson emphasized the importance of avoiding a government shutdown, especially during the holiday season, while acknowledging the challenges posed by Trump's last-minute demands. The bill now faces a critical test in the Senate, where its passage is expected but not guaranteed.

As the clock ticks down, all eyes are on the Senate to see if they can act swiftly enough to prevent a shutdown that would disrupt federal services and impact millions of Americans.




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