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Vancouver Budget Balances Books Without Tax Hike

Vancouver city council approved a 2026 budget, which includes a freeze on municipal property taxes. Vancouver City Council has approved a new budget that pledges no increase in property taxes, a move welcomed by many residents facing rising living costs. However, the financial plan comes with significant trade-offs: millions of dollars will be cut from arts programs, park services, and other community initiatives. City officials argue the budget reflects a commitment to fiscal responsibility while easing pressure on households. Critics, however, warn that reductions in cultural and recreational funding could erode the city’s vibrancy and limit access to public spaces. The decision highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing affordability with investment in community life. As Vancouver grows, the debate over how to fund essential services without raising taxes is likely to intensify.

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How to Train Your Brain Like a Pro: Five Science-Backed Tips from Neuroscientists

Your brain is the most complex and powerful organ in your body, and it needs proper care and maintenance to function optimally. Neuroscientists, who study the brain and nervous system, have some tips on how to keep your brain healthy and sharp as you age. Here are five simple habits you can adopt to boost your brain power, according to neuroscientists.

  • Brain health industry boom: The global industry of products and services that claim to support brain health is valued at US $140-billion and expected to grow rapidly, partly due to the projected rise of cognitive disorders in the aging population.
  • Healthy lifestyle choices: Experts say that exercising regularly, abstaining from cigarettes and alcohol, and spending quality time with loved ones can reduce the risk of brain disease by as much as 30 per cent.
  • Hidden threat of social media: Experts warn that social media addictions can erode attention span and hinder deep thought, and suggest replacing scrolling with more cognitively stimulating activities, such as digital games, creative pursuits, reading fiction, or meditation.
  • Best daily practices for brain training: Experts recommend five daily practices that can improve memory, attention, creativity, and social cognition: physical activity, digital games, a creative pursuit, quality time with loved ones, and meditation or self-reflection.

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