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5 Things to Know Today: Tariffs, a CPI Surprise, and the Mortgage Rate Gap

  July 21, 2026 A new round of US tariffs, a surprise inflation dip, and a widening gap between fixed and variable mortgage rates are all moving in different directions today. Here's what's happening and what it means for your money. 1. Washington hits Canada with new 50% tariffs on everyday goods The White House has announced fresh 50% tariffs on a wide list of Canadian exports, including wine, dairy, furniture, hockey equipment, cement, and clothing. The move is framed as retaliation over Canada's dairy quotas, car import rules, and provincial bans on US alcohol. The tariffs take effect August 19 and apply even to goods that would normally qualify duty-free under CUSMA, though energy, potash, fish, and critical minerals are exempt. What it means for you: This round targets export industries, not imports into Canada, so it won't directly raise shelf prices here the way a Canadian tariff on US goods would. The bigger risk is indirect — job pressure in affected sectors ...

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Cyprus Leaders Discuss Opening New Crossing Points Along 1974 Ceasefire Line


 Leaders of war-divided Cyprus said on Monday they supported opening further crossing points along the 1974 ceasefire line splitting the island to meet popular demand, and would work with the United Nations towards that objective. President Nikos Christodoulides, the Greek Cypriot leader, and Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar discussed the modalities of new checkpoints at a rare meeting hosted by the United Nations in the divided capital Nicosia. 

Despite mutual support for further openings, the leaders did not announce any immediate measures to ease movement across the truce line, indicating continued disagreements. The leaders believe that the opening of new crossing points is critical to promote people-to-people contacts, strengthen economic ties, and build trust. 

Another meeting is scheduled in the coming days to continue discussions. The push for additional checkpoints follows months of negotiations focused on where and how many checkpoints should open in addition to the nine crossings used by thousands daily along a 180-km (116-mile) ceasefire line. 

It is estimated that more than a million people use the checkpoints to cross each year either for employment, education, or personal reasons. The first pedestrian crossing was opened in April 2003 after almost three decades of isolation. 

Greek Cypriots say they do not object to opening one checkpoint advocated by Turkish Cypriots in the east of Nicosia, the island's ethnically-split capital. They say that in a spirit of reciprocity, Turkish Cypriots should agree to opening a checkpoint which Greek Cypriots want. 

The leaders' joint statement emphasized the importance of opening new crossing points to promote people-to-people contacts, strengthen economic ties, and build trust. 




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