Karen Vasquez, 44, walked out of jail in Cuba on Sunday, part of a deal brokered by the Vatican under which the Biden administration would loosen sanctions on the communist-run island, while Havana would release more than 500 people from its jails who are considered political prisoners by Washington.

OTTAWA — Canada’s annual inflation rate fell to 1.8 per cent in December, thanks in large part to the federal government’s temporary tax break. Statistics Canada’s consumer price index report on Tuesday said restaurant food purchases and alcohol bought from stores contributed the most to the deceleration.

Canada's annual inflation rate dropped to 1.8% in December, Statistics Canada said on Tuesday, slightly lower than expected and a tick below the prior month's 1.9%. Market reaction: [CAD/] Link: COMMENTARY DOUG PORTER,

Canada's annual inflation rate slowed to 1.8 per cent in December after rising 1.9 per cent in Novem ber, as the temporary GST tax break brought down the price of restaurant meals, alcohol and toys. Economists polled by Reuters had expected inflation to remain unchanged at 1.9 per cent last month.

For the first time since 2019, Canadian inflation stayed within the central bank’s target range for a full year, a mark of achievement for policymakers ahead of a potential tariff war that threatens to derail their progress.

The annual inflation rate in Canada eased to 1.8% in December from 1.9% in the previous month, slightly below market expectations that it would remain at 1.9%. The annual core inflation rate in Canada which excludes eight of the most volatile components such as food,

Canada's annual inflation rate dropped to 1.8% in December, Statistics Canada said on Tuesday, slightly lower than expected and a tick below the prior month's 1.9%.

Canada's inflation rate fell to 1.8 per cent in December, with the federal government's GST holiday contributing to a price decline across several categories, Statistics Canada said Tuesday.