The Bank of Canada is keeping interest rates steady for now, but its latest policy discussions reveal growing concern that an extended surge in fuel prices could eventually force the central bank to tighten monetary policy. Officials held the benchmark interest rate at 2.25% on September 2, leaving it unchanged for a seventh consecutive decision. But newly released minutes show that policymakers are watching closely for signs that higher gasoline…

A proposed new relationship between Canada and the European Union has quickly become another point of friction between Washington and Brussels. US President Donald Trump has warned that Canada’s possible move toward becoming the European Union’s first “associate member” could be viewed as a hostile act toward the United States. Trump said Washington could respond with very heavy tariffs against Europe or even restrict trade in a number of areas…

A proposed new relationship between Canada and the European Union has quickly become the latest source of tension between Brussels and Washington. US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could impose “very serious tariffs” on the European Union, and potentially restrict trade in a number of areas, if the bloc moves ahead with a plan to make Canada its first associate member. Trump described the proposal as…

A proposal to give Canada a new form of associate relationship with the European Union has quickly become the latest flashpoint in an increasingly complicated dispute between Washington and Brussels. US President Donald Trump has warned that the United States could impose what he called “very serious tariffs” on the European Union, and potentially stop trading with Europe in some areas, if the bloc moves ahead with plans to make…

The European Union is considering a relationship with Canada that could create a new category of partnership between the bloc and a non-European country. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed working with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to open the way for Canada to become the EU’s first associate member, signaling an ambitious attempt to deepen economic, technological and security cooperation between the two sides. The proposal…

A new dispute between Washington and Brussels is putting Canada at the center of an increasingly complicated transatlantic trade relationship. US President Donald Trump has threatened the European Union with “very serious tariffs” and even a possible halt to trade in some areas if the bloc moves ahead with plans to deepen its relationship with Canada. Trump dismissed the idea of Canada becoming an EU “associate member” as “laughable” and…

More than 100 former French and British diplomats are calling for a tougher response to Israel’s policies toward Palestinians, arguing that repeated statements of concern have done little to change conditions on the ground. In a joint open letter published in France, 102 former diplomats from the two countries urged their governments to move beyond diplomatic criticism and introduce concrete economic and military measures against Israel. Their proposals include suspending…

For many emerging filmmakers, making a good film is only half the battle. The harder part can be finding the money, mentorship and industry connections needed to take that film beyond its home market. A new partnership between Nairobi-based DOCUBOX and the French Embassy in Kenya is attempting to address exactly that gap. The organizations have launched the East African Short Fiction Development Grant, a program designed to help writers…

A failed military mutiny in Niger has developed into a wider confrontation over foreign influence, internal security and the future direction of the country. Niger’s military government has accused France of helping orchestrate the attempted mutiny that erupted in the capital, Niamey, in late August. Paris has rejected the allegation, calling it unfounded. But beneath the diplomatic confrontation lies a more complicated story. The unrest exposed divisions within Niger’s armed…