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Relentless Push: Russia Claims Strategic Edge in Ukraine Offensive

  Servicemen of the 115th Separate Mechanised Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces use an RPG-7 grenade launcher during training between combat missions, in Kharkiv region, Ukraine. Russia’s top military commander, General Valery Gerasimov, has declared that Russian forces are conducting a non-stop offensive along nearly the entire front line in Ukraine, asserting that the “strategic initiative” now lies with Moscow. According to Gerasimov, Russian troops have intensified airstrikes on Ukrainian cities far from the battlefield, including a recent attack on Kyiv that killed at least 23 people and wounded 38. He reported that since March, Russia has seized more than 3,500 square kilometers of territory , captured 149 villages, and now controls the vast majority of the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions. The offensive has also pushed into Ukraine’s southeastern Dnipropetrovsk region, with seven villages reportedly under Russian control. Moscow says it has carried...

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New Financial Considerations for Canadians in 2024


This year, Canadians have several new financial considerations to keep in mind. Here are four of them:

  • First Home Savings Account (FHSA): Introduced in the 2023 federal budget, FHSAs are a new type of investment account that can be used by any Canadian resident between age 18 and 71 who has not lived in a home owned by them or their spouse or common-law partner in the current year or previous four years. Up to $8,000 of annual contributions can be made to an FHSA, up to a total of $40,000. Contributions are tax deductible and though you report them in the year they are made, the deduction can be carried forward to use in a future higher income tax year. Eligible withdrawals must be made within 15 years of opening an FHSA and are tax free when used for the purchase of an eligible owner-occupied home.

  • High-Interest Debt: High-interest debt can be a significant burden on your finances. If you have high-interest debt, consider consolidating it into a lower-interest loan or line of credit. This can help you save money on interest charges and pay off your debt faster.

  • New Tax Filing Obligation: Starting in 2024, Canadians who hold foreign assets with a total cost of more than $100,000 will be required to file a new form with their tax return. This form is called the T1135 and is designed to help the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) identify taxpayers who may be hiding assets offshore.

  • Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs): RRSPs are a popular way to save for retirement in Canada. If you haven’t already, consider making a contribution to your RRSP before the deadline on March 1, 2024. This can help you reduce your taxable income and save for your future.


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