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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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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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