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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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US Claims Russian Air Defenses Downed Azerbaijani Plane

                                         

The United States has suggested that Russian air defenses may have been responsible for the downing of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane that crashed in Kazakhstan earlier this week. The Embraer 190 aircraft, which was en route from Baku to Grozny, crashed near Aktau, killing 38 people and injuring all 29 survivors.

According to White House national security spokesman John Kirby, early indications point to the possibility that the plane was brought down by Russian air defense systems. Kirby emphasized that the U.S. has seen some evidence supporting this theory but declined to provide further details, citing an ongoing investigation.

Azerbaijan's Minister of Digital Development and Transportation, Rashad Nabiyev, also suggested that the plane was subjected to "external interference" before the crash. Survivors reported hearing loud noises and explosions while the aircraft was circling over Grozny.

The Kremlin has yet to respond to these claims, with Russian officials stating that it is premature to draw conclusions before the investigation is complete.

The incident has raised tensions between Azerbaijan and Russia, with Azerbaijan pausing flights to several Russian cities citing potential flight safety risks.

As the investigation continues, the international community awaits further clarity on the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.


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