Port Hedland earthquake: ‘No tsunami threat’ after quakes hit Australia, Indonesia and PhilippinesA weak Canadian dollar is being blamed as a key culprit behind sticky inflation at the grocery store, a trend one expert says he expects to persist heading into the holidays. While overall inflation has moderated in recent months, settling back at the Bank of Canada’s two per cent target in October, consumers are once again feeling the pinch on groceries. The annual cost of food bought from the store rose 2.7 per cent annually last month, accelerating from a rate of 2.3 per cent in September. October marked the third consecutive month grocery prices outpaced the rest of the consumer basket tracked by Statistics Canada. Driving those costs higher in October were more expensive fresh vegetables and fruit, which rose at annual rates of 7.3 per cent and 7.6 per cent, respectively. Pain at the grocery store is nothing new for Canadians. As Canada grappled with decades-high inflation over the past few years, grocery prices were among the largest contributors. Ipsos polling conducted exclusively for Global News in late August found that 43 per cent of Canadians are worried they might not have enough money to feed their families. Prices on food bought from stores rose over 20 per cent over the three years between July 2021 and June 2024, according to StatCan. That rapid rise helps to explain why Canadians are still feeling “sticker shock” at the grocery store, explains personal finance expert Rubina Ahmed-Haq. “When we go to the grocery store, we still have recent memory of what avocados cost, what a loaf of bread costs, what a carton of eggs costs,” she says. “It’s still something that we’re getting used to, that prices are here to stay at this level. They just aren’t increasing as aggressively year-over-year.” The acute pain of food inflation in recent years is one of the justifications Prime Minister Justin Trudeau cited this week in announcing the Liberal proposal for a two-month GST/HST “holiday” applying to many common grocery items. Sal Guatieri, senior economist and director at BMO Capital Markets, tells Global News that, in contrast to the global bout of inflation from the past few years, today’s price jumps at the grocery store are not necessarily universal. In Canada, while grocery inflation was up 2.7 per cent in October, the latest figures from the United States show food prices were up just 1.1 per cent annually. Guatieri says there’s a few reasons why food inflation looks different on either side of the border, but the most glaring perhaps is the weak Canadian dollar and surging strength of the United States’ greenback. The loonie fell below the 71-cent mark compared to the U.S. dollar to start this week, marking a four-year low before recovering somewhat. Guatieri says this differential is felt particularly hard at grocery stores in Canada, particularly in the colder weather seasons when much of the fresh food Canadians eat is imported from the U.S. Import prices for food have been growing “quite strongly,” Guatieri says, rising 14 per cent in the past year. Canadians are likely feeling the compounding effect of a weak loonie and drought earlier in the year on beef prices, he says, with the latter reducing cattle stocks and limiting supplies of beef coming from south of the border. Guatieri says consumers can also expect prices to rise a bit sharper heading into the end of the year, particularly ahead of the holiday season when Canadians are buying and eating more food than usual. “They celebrate more, certainly with friends and family. And so the demand for food products, especially at the grocery store, tends to go up,” he says. While the Canadian dollar has been flailing against its American counterpart for well over a year, much of the loonie’s weakness can be traced to the results of the U.S. presidential election. Donald Trump’s looming second administration comes with threats of blanket tariffs on trading partners and other economic policies aimed at stimulating growth in the U.S. While it remains to be seen what campaign promises will become policy when he assumes office in January, Guatieri says that the general risks of a Trump presidency lean more towards higher inflation. That’s important for the U.S. Federal Reserve, which looks at where inflation is heading as it sets its benchmark interest rates. Expectations that the Fed might not cut as much as previously expected are important for setting currency exchange rates — the differential between the Bank of Canada’s policy rate and its counterpart in the U.S. affects the value of the loonie. With the Bank of Canada getting a headstart on the Fed in its rate-cut cycle, the two central banks’ policy rates stand at a wide differential, discouraging investors from piling into the loonie and instead pushing them to relative safety in the U.S. dollar. BMO notes that part of the loonie’s recovery this week came from reined-in expectations for the Bank of Canada’s own pace of rate cuts, which came from an upside surprise to inflation and some reaction to the Liberal stimulus proposals. But Guatieri says that a Trump presidency is still likely to be bad news for the Canadian dollar. “That does suggest the Canadian dollar could be on the defensive for quite some time,” he says. Ahmed-Haq says there are a few strategies Canadians ought to employ or revisit when they head to the grocery store, even if price hikes aren’t in the double-digits anymore. For one, making a list and doing an inventory of what you need — and what you already have — before heading to the grocery store is critical for avoiding food waste, particularly on perishable items that can be quick to go bad. “When you throw things out, that is really throwing money in the garbage,” Ahmed-Haq says. She also recommends avoiding putting too much focus on grocers’ loyalty programs. While one loyalty program can be helpful, if shoppers are visiting multiple stores and are enrolled in many different rewards schemes, it can dilute the effectiveness of any savings. Instead, Ahmed-Haq recommends those who live near discount chains take advantage of those, where lower prices can often be found at the expense of wider selections. “Price still trumps everything,” she says. — with files from Global News’s Anne Gaviola
Platform economy prioritizedCIBC Asset Management Inc Buys New Shares in STAG Industrial, Inc. (NYSE:STAG)The investigation comes at a critical juncture when tech companies like Google and Meta have been facing increasing scrutiny over their market dominance and data privacy practices. The European Union, known for its stringent regulations on competition and consumer protection, is taking a proactive stance to ensure that the digital advertising market remains fair and competitive for all stakeholders.
GSA Capital Partners LLP Acquires New Holdings in Kimco Realty Corp (NYSE:KIM)Title: "Pledge: Intelligent NPC Companions that Strike the Perfect Balance with Player Interaction"
The afternoon session saw the downward trend persist, with most sectors in the A-share market experiencing losses. Technology, consumer goods, and financial stocks were among the hardest hit, weighed down by profit-taking activities and concerns over the impact of the ongoing macroeconomic challenges.A number of prominent pundits, including former City defender and club ambassador Micah Richards, have questioned why the Belgium international has not been starting games amid the champions’ dramatic slump. City have not won in seven outings in all competitions – their worst run since 2008 – with De Bruyne featuring only as a substitute in the last five of those matches after recovering from a pelvic injury. The latest came with a 12-minute run-out in Sunday’s demoralising 2-0 defeat at Premier League leaders Liverpool, a result which left City 11 points off the pace and fifth in the table. Richards said on The Rest is Football podcast it appeared “there’s some sort of rift going on” between De Bruyne and Guardiola while former England striker Gary Lineker added: “It seems like all’s not well.” Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher said he felt “something isn’t right” and fellow Sky Sports analyst Gary Neville, the ex-Manchester United right-back, described the situation as “unusual, bizarre, strange”. Guardiola, speaking at a press conference to preview his side’s clash with Nottingham Forest, responded on Tuesday. The Spaniard said: “People say I’ve got a problem with Kevin. Do you think I like to not play with Kevin? No, I don’t want Kevin to play? “The guy who has the most talent in the final third, I don’t want it? I have a personal problem with him after nine years together? “He’s delivered to me the biggest success to this club, but he’s been five months injured (last season) and two months injured (this year). “He’s 33 years old. He needs time to find his best, like last season, step by step. He’ll try to do it and feel better. I’m desperate to have his best.” De Bruyne has not started since being forced off at half-time of City’s Champions League clash with Inter Milan on September 18, having picked up an injury in the previous game. Both the player and manager have spoken since of the pain he was in and the need to ease back into action, but his spell on the bench has been unexpectedly long. The resulting speculation has then been exacerbated because De Bruyne is in the final year of his contract but Guardiola maintains nothing untoward has occurred. He said: “I’d love to have the Kevin in his prime, 26 or 27. He would love it to – but he is not 26 or 27 any more. “He had injuries in the past, important and long ones. He is a guy who needs to be physically fit for his space and energy. You think I’m complaining? It’s normal, it’s nature. “He’s played in 10 or 11 seasons a lot of games and I know he is desperate to help us. He gives glimpses of brilliance that only he can have. “But, always I said, he himself will not solve our problems, like Erling (Haaland) won’t solve it himself. We attack and defend together. “We want the best players back. Hopefully step by step the confidence will come back and we’ll get the best of all of us.”Beijing Embarks on New Subway Artery: Urban Sub-Center "Rail + Land" Demonstration Line Launched
At Netanyahu's behest, Israel's defense minister is purging the army of his critics
One key highlight of the October report is the sustained positive momentum observed across a wide range of industries. This consistent trend suggests that Chinese businesses are successfully managing risks, optimizing operations, and maintaining a solid financial position, despite the uncertainties and disruptions caused by both domestic and global factors.Atria Investments Inc Lowers Stake in Mplx Lp (NYSE:MPLX)
AP News Summary at 4:54 p.m. ESTRicoh has also been recognized for its robust governance practices, which emphasize transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct. The company's strong governance structure ensures that sustainability considerations are integrated into decision-making processes at all levels of the organization, contributing to its long-term success and resilience.
Google Faces EU Investigation Demanding Disclosure of Secret Advertising Collaboration with MetaDillon Gabriel was faced with a quandary when he arrived at Oregon this year. Gabriel had worn No. 8 at Oklahoma before transferring for his sixth season of eligibility. But in Eugene, that number had special significance because it had been worn by Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota. There were many similarities between the two: They were both dual-threat quarterbacks who had piled up accolades along with yards and touchdowns. Both hailed from Hawaii and were shaped by the island spirit. Mariota chose the No. 8 initially because of the number of Hawaiian islands. His helmet’s facemask was formed in an 808, Hawaii’s area code. So Gabriel took a leap of faith and texted Mariota to ask his permission. Mariota, now with the NFL’s Washington Commanders, said yes. “You know, when you’re growing up and you have that kind of direct example, a guy from Hawaii, playing at a high level, at the DI level, and then you see him go to the NFL, it’s like you can see it, you can believe it,” Gabriel said. has led the top-ranked Ducks (12-0, 9-0 Big Ten) through an undefeated season and on to the Big Ten title game on Saturday against No. 4 Penn State (11-1, 8-1) in Indianapolis. Gabriel — who played his first three years at Central Florida before joining the Sooners — became the all-time NCAA leader for total career touchdowns along the way and now has 183, including 149 via pass, 33 via rush and one reception. He’s tied with former Oregon quarterback Bo Nix — now with the Denver Broncos — with an FBS-record 61 career starts. Ever humble, Gabriel is thoughtful about the arc of his career. “I think we’re in an interesting time that’s all about results. And so many people talk about the process but aren’t patient enough. I think if you look at my body of work, I’m a guy who’s eager and wants to get better but has had that time to develop and work in that way. I think you see it over time,” Gabriel said. As a Duck, Gabriel has thrown for 3,277 yards and 24 TDs in 12 games. He’s rushed for seven more scores. Mariota spent his three-year college career at Oregon, throwing for 104 touchdowns and running for 29 more. He was the Ducks’ quarterback in the 2014 season, the last time Oregon advanced to the national championship game. “I mean, everybody would love to run out there with the experience that we have at quarterback right now,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said. “And I think that experience shows up consistently every Saturday for us. More than anything, just the ability for Dillon to be calm within the chaos that exists in a football game, and being a great decision-maker and understanding the scheme.” The only other time Oregon finished the regular season 12-0 was in 2010, when the Ducks played for the BCS national championship. Among the team’s victories this season was a and a The Ducks capped the season with a , finishing 9-0 in their first Big Ten year. Gabriel threw for a pair of touchdowns and ran for another in that game. The Nittany Lions advanced to the conference title game with a on Saturday. They were helped by Ohio State’s 13-10 loss to Michigan in Columbus. Oregon has played the Nittany Lions just one other time, in the 1995 Rose Bowl. Penn State, led by Joe Paterno, won that one, 38-20. The winner in Indianapolis this weekend can secure a first-round bye in the expanded 12-team playoffs. Both teams are assured of a playoff berth even with a loss. On Tuesday, Gabriel added another honor when he was named Big Ten offensive player of the year. “He’s earned the trust and the admiration of all his teammates and the coaches around him,” Lanning said. “This guy prepares extremely hard. He is the calmest dude you’ve ever been around on the field, which is impressive, but I’m really proud of him and what he’s been able to do for this team.” ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 all the season. Sign up . AP college football: and