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Nine Provinces Just Made It Legal to Order Wine Straight From Other Provinces — Here's What It Means for Your Wallet

  July 24, 2026 If you've ever fallen in love with a bottle of wine on an Okanagan vacation and then discovered you couldn't legally have it shipped home to Ontario, that particular headache just got a lot smaller. On Tuesday, premiers from nine provinces signed a formal agreement to open up direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales across provincial lines. In plain terms: breweries, wineries, and distilleries in one province will soon be able to sell and ship their products straight to your door in another, without routing everything through a provincial liquor monopoly first. The timing isn't a coincidence. The deal landed roughly 24 hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 50% tariff on Canadian wine, beer, and spirits headed south of the border, set to take effect in August. With one export market getting more expensive, provinces are moving to open up the market next door instead. What it means for you: If you live in Ontario, you'll soon be able to legal...

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Israel Orders New Evacuations in Rafah as it Prepares to Expand Military Operations

 

In a significant development, Israel has ordered new evacuations in Gaza’s southern city of Rafah. Tens of thousands of people are being forced to move as the Israeli military prepares to expand its operations closer to the heavily populated central area. This move comes despite growing pressure from close ally the United States and other international actors.

The situation in Rafah is critical. Israel has already evacuated the eastern third of the city, which is considered the last refuge in Gaza. However, the United Nations and other agencies have warned that a full-scale invasion of Rafah would have dire consequences for humanitarian operations and could lead to a surge in civilian casualties. Rafah shares a border with Egypt near the main aid entry points, which have already been affected by the conflict.

U.S. President Joe Biden has taken a firm stance, stating that offensive weapons will not be provided to Israel for its operations in Rafah. The U.S. report also highlighted “reasonable” evidence that Israel breached international law protecting civilians during its war against Hamas. In response, Israel emphasized its compliance with the laws of armed conflict and its efforts to minimize civilian casualties.

More than 1.4 million Palestinians—half of Gaza’s population—have sought refuge in Rafah, most of them fleeing Israel’s offensives elsewhere. The ongoing evacuations are forcing people to return north to areas that have already been devastated by previous Israeli attacks. Displaced residents are grappling with the difficult decision of leaving their homes in search of safety. As one Rafah resident put it, “The Israeli army does not have a safe area in Gaza. They target everything” .

The situation remains tense, and the international community closely watches the developments in Rafah. The impact on civilians and humanitarian operations cannot be overstated, and efforts to find a peaceful resolution continue amidst the escalating conflict.


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