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5 Things to Know Today: July 29, 2026

  Wednesday, July 29, 2026 A fresh Iran missile attack has oil swinging again, the TSX just set another record, the Fed decides this afternoon, Microsoft and Meta report tonight, and your CPP deposit lands today. Here's what it means for your wallet. 1. Your CPP payment lands today Wednesday, July 29 is a Canada Pension Plan deposit day — the seventh of twelve scheduled payments this year and the last one before the August cycle. If you're collecting the maximum retirement pension starting at 65, you'll see $1,507.65 land in your account. The average new beneficiary starting at 65 receives $877.01 . Your amount will match what you received in June: CPP is indexed only once a year, in January (this year's bump was 2.0%), so there's no mid-year change. The next adjustment arrives with the January 2027 deposit. What it means for you: If your deposit is smaller than expected, it's almost always something individual — an early-start reduction, tax withholding, or a...
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A Symbol of Hope: Tiny Christmas Tree Amidst Church Ruins in Lebanon

 

In the southern Lebanese town of Dardghaya, amidst the ruins of the 18th-century St. George Melkite Catholic Church, a tiny Christmas tree now stands as a symbol of hope and resilience. The church, devastated by an Israeli airstrike in October, once served as a vibrant community center. 

Georges Elia, a 40-year-old municipal worker and churchgoer, took it upon himself to bring some normalcy to the holiday season. "This year, Christmas is arriving with sadness for us, but we didn't want it to be a sad one for the town's residents and its church," Elia said. 

The modest tree, shorter than Elia himself, is decorated with a shining garland and a star. Despite the lack of lights and a traditional Nativity scene due to the war's destruction, the tree stands tall among the fallen stones and shattered pews. "But, of course, Christ is born in our hearts, lit with our love for him," Elia added.

The church's priest, Father Maurice el Khoury, who has served for 11 years, conducts Sunday Mass in a small underground room that once housed visiting bishops. "This room is more like the cave where Jesus was born," he said, reminding families of the true essence of the holiday season.

The community's faith remains unshaken, and despite the staggering financial toll of the damage, estimated at nearly $3 million, they continue to celebrate Christmas with hope and love.



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