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Three Smart Levers to Cut Your 2025 Tax Bill

Taxes are inevitable, but overpaying them isn’t. With new rules and opportunities in 2025, smart planning can help you keep more of your hard-earned money. Here are three effective levers to reduce your tax liability this year: 1. Maximize Retirement Contributions Contributing to retirement accounts such as RRSPs (Canada) or 401(k)/IRAs (U.S.) remains one of the most effective ways to lower taxable income. Contributions qualify for tax relief at your highest marginal rate, meaning every dollar you save reduces your tax bill significantly. Employer-matching programs make this even more attractive, and withdrawals in retirement can be structured for lower tax exposure. 2. Leverage Tax Credits and Deductions Common deductions include childcare expenses, education costs, and home office claims. Tax credits, unlike deductions, directly reduce the amount you owe, making them especially valuable. Temporary tax breaks introduced in 2025 can be maximized before they expire. 3. Use...
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Red Sea Shipping Crisis Worsens After US and UK Strike Yemen

 

The Red Sea, a vital waterway for global trade, has become a hotspot of conflict and insecurity after the US and UK launched airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have been attacking commercial vessels with missiles and drones.

The airstrikes, which began on Thursday, were a response to the 27th Houthi attack on shipping since November, according to the US military. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have been targeting ships in the southern Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a narrow passage that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

The escalation of violence has disrupted the flow of oil, gas, grains, and manufactured goods through the region, which accounts for about 12% of global seaborne trade. Many shipping companies have suspended or diverted their operations, opting for the longer and more costly route around Africa. Some insurers have also raised their premiums or restricted their coverage for vessels passing through the area.

The shipping crisis has added to the humanitarian catastrophe in Yemen, where a civil war has been raging since 2015. The UN estimates that more than 20 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and that millions are on the brink of famine. The airstrikes have also raised fears of a wider regional conflict, as Iran and its allies clash with the US and its allies over various issues, including the nuclear deal and Israel’s war in Gaza.

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