Skip to main content

Featured

Budget 2026 Brings a Second Grocery Top-Up: Who Gets It and How Much

  Canadian Money Brief  |  Budget 2026  |  November 6, 2026 Another grocery cheque is on the way. In Thursday's federal budget, Ottawa proposed a second one-time top-up to the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB), a payment worth half the benefit's annual value, expected to land in early 2027. $339 budget estimate, qualifying single person $679 budget estimate, couple with two children Early 2027 expected timing, exact date not announced $4.1B cost of the expanded program What Ottawa actually announced Budget 2026, a 511-page document titled "Masters of our Destiny," is mostly about investment and productivity. But tucked into its affordability measures is a repeat of something Canadians have already seen this year. The government proposes a one-time payment equal to half of the CGEB's annual value, and the Canadian Press reports it is expected in early 2027. A similar payment went out in June. That June payment was a one-time top-up equal to 50% of t...

article

Cyprus: 50 Years of Division and Reflection

 

On July 20, 2024, Cyprus marked the 50th anniversary of the Turkish invasion, a pivotal event that has left the island divided ever since. The day was observed with a mix of solemn commemorations and celebratory events, reflecting the deep-seated divisions between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

At dawn, air raid sirens wailed across Nicosia and other cities, a stark reminder of the invasion that began on this day in 1974. Greek Cypriots mourned the loss and displacement caused by the invasion, with memorial services and moments of silence held to honor the fallen. President Nikos Christodoulides emphasized the importance of reflection and the pursuit of peace, urging for renewed dialogue to resolve the ongoing division.

In contrast, Turkish Cypriots in the north celebrated what they view as a liberation from Greek Cypriot control. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan attended a military parade in northern Nicosia, marking the event as a "peace and freedom operation". The celebrations included a display of military strength, symbolizing the enduring presence and support of Turkey in the region.

Despite recent improvements in relations between Greece and Turkey, the Cyprus issue remains a sensitive and unresolved matter. The island’s division continues to evoke strong emotions and differing narratives on both sides. Efforts for reunification have repeatedly stalled, with the last significant attempt collapsing seven years ago.

As Cyprus reflects on this significant milestone, the hope for a peaceful resolution remains, albeit tempered by the complexities of the past and present.



Comments