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Canada's New Grocery Benefit Starts July 3 — How Much Will You Get?

  If you've been receiving the GST/HST credit, something is changing on July 3, 2026 — and it's actually good news. The federal government is replacing the old credit with a new program called the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) , and it comes with payments that are 25% larger. More than 12 million Canadians qualify. No application is required. Here's everything you need to know before the first payment lands. What Is the CGEB? The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit is the federal government's replacement for the GST/HST credit, which has been around since 1991. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the new benefit on January 26, 2026, and it received Royal Assent on February 12 under Bill C-19. The legislation commits $11.7 billion in additional support to Canadians over six years — $3.1 billion immediately through the one-time June top-up, and $8.6 billion over five years through higher quarterly payments. The name change is deliberate — it signal...

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Mideast Enters Dangerous New Phase With Iran’s Attack on Israel

 

In a significant escalation of tensions, Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, firing over 300 drones and missiles. The attack, which took place on a Saturday evening, was largely thwarted by Israel and its allies, including the US, UK, and France, with most of the projectiles intercepted before reaching Israeli airspace¹. Fortunately, there were no fatalities reported, although a 10-year-old girl in Israel was badly injured by falling shrapnel, and an army base sustained light damage.

US President Joe Biden condemned the assault in the strongest terms, emphasizing that it was the first attack from Iranian soil against Israel. Israeli officials warned that this incident marked "a severe and dangerous escalation" from Tehran. However, neither the US nor Israel indicated immediate plans for retaliation against Iran. The attack came after Iran's embassy compound in Syria was hit by missiles on April 1, resulting in the deaths of seven Iranian officers. Iran stated that it would refrain from further assaults unless Israel responded strongly.

Despite the tension, stock markets in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Middle Eastern countries experienced only slight declines. Iran deliberately limited the scale of its retaliation, aiming for maximum symbolism but minimum damage. The situation remains precarious, and global leaders are coordinating a united diplomatic response. Oil prices surged following the Syria strike, with Brent climbing above $90 a barrel, and analysts speculating it could reach $100 if direct conflict between Iran and Israel escalates. The Israeli shekel weakened, and Israeli stocks initially rose but later reversed gains. Saudi Arabia expressed deep concern over the military escalation developments in the region.

As the Middle East enters this perilous new phase, the world watches closely, aware that the situation could have far-reaching consequences for regional stability and international relations.



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