Start your day off right with five things you need to know this morning.
A new Bank of Canada report warns of a concerning trend for many Canadian homeowners over the next year. It says roughly 60% of mortgage holders will face higher monthly payments when their loans come up for renewal in the final half of 2025 and 2026. Homeowners renewing their mortgage over the next six months will see an average increase of 10%, the report estimates, while 2026 increases will see average increases of 6%.
60 per cent of Canadians could face higher mortgage payments by 2026: Bank of Canada https://t.co/Sv6Uh88i5y
— Corey Bellamy (@TOcorey) July 17, 2025
Connie Francis has died. The wholesome pop star of the 1950s and ‘60s was 87 years old. Her hits include “Pretty Little Baby” and “Who’s Sorry Now?” She was a top performer of the pre-Beatles era, rarely off the charts from 1957-64, and was just 17 when she signed a contract with MGM Records after appearances on several TV variety shows.
Connie Francis has passed away at the age of 87 pic.twitter.com/JS5Mq31CQo
— 🎸 Rock History 🎸 (@historyrock_) July 17, 2025
A man who won a bronze medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver has died in tragic fashion. The Norwegian ski federation announced Wednesday that Audun Groenveld was struck by lightning and killed on Tuesday night. The athlete, who competed in Alpine skiing and ski cross, was just 49 years old.
Audun Groenvold has tragically died after being struck by lightninghttps://t.co/ckPn9MmzIs
— Irish Daily Mirror (@IrishMirror) July 17, 2025
The final major of the men’s golf season is underway across the pond. It’s the 153rd Open Championship and Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. Xander Schauffele is the defending Open champion, while Ireland’s Shane Lowry had a memorable win when the tournament was last held at Royal Portrush in 2019.
The backdrops at Royal Portrush 😍#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/OehzxgAFw8
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 15, 2025
An anonymous bidder has spent millions to purchase a meteorite that is the largest known piece of Mars on Earth. The meteorite, known as NWA 16788, weighs 54 pounds. The bidder spent $4.3 million on the rock at a Sotheby’s New York auction on Wednesday.
Largest Mars rock ever found on Earth sells for $4.3m at auction https://t.co/J9N8M3L0vL
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) July 16, 2025
