Thursday, July 9, 2026 Every July, a wave of federal benefit payments resets for the new benefit year — and 2026 brings one of the biggest shifts in years. Between a permanent 25% boost to the old GST/HST credit, a fresh Canada Child Benefit increase, and the largest quarterly OAS bump of the year, millions of Canadian households will see different numbers land in their accounts this month. Here's what actually changed, and what to check in your own CRA account. The GST/HST Credit Has a New Name — and a Bigger Payout The GST/HST credit has officially been replaced by the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit (CGEB) . It's not a new program from scratch — it runs on the same CRA infrastructure and eligibility rules — but the payment amounts are 25% higher, and that increase is locked in for five years. The first CGEB payment went out on July 3, 2026. Under the new structure: A single individual with no children can receive up to roughly $679 per year (about $170 per quart...
Ceasefire Chaos: Russia and Ukraine Exchange Blame Over Infrastructure Attacks
In the aftermath of a high-profile phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump, tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated further. The two nations have traded accusations of launching infrastructure attacks, despite an agreement to temporarily halt strikes on energy facilities.
The call, which aimed to establish a limited ceasefire, saw Putin agreeing to pause attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure. However, the ceasefire fell short of the 30-day truce proposed by Trump. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had initially supported the broader ceasefire but later endorsed the limited agreement.
Hours after the call, reports emerged of drone strikes and missile attacks targeting civilian and energy infrastructure in both countries. Ukrainian officials claimed that Russian forces launched over 40 drones, damaging hospitals and homes in regions like Sumy and Kyiv. Meanwhile, Russian authorities accused Ukraine of sabotaging the ceasefire by targeting an oil depot in the Krasnodar region.
The situation underscores the fragility of ceasefire agreements in the ongoing conflict, with both sides accusing each other of undermining peace efforts. As the international community watches closely, the path to a lasting resolution remains uncertain.
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