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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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Heatwave Tragedies: Dutch Tourist Found Dead on Greek Island, Others Missing

 

In the scorching heat of a relentless early-summer heatwave, tragedy has struck the idyllic Greek islands. Dr. Michael Mosley’s death made headlines in the UK, but he is not alone. At least four other visitors have lost their lives recently. The heatwave, which meteorologists predict will “go down in history,” has prompted warnings for people to stay indoors between 11 am and 3 pm.

The Acropolis in Athens closed, schools and nurseries shut, and temperatures soared to a blistering 43°C in some places. Greece faces its longest recorded heatwave, lasting 16 days. Experts fear this could be a grim sign of summers to come, with the country on the frontline of global warming.

Tourists have fallen victim to the extreme conditions. On the island of Symi, Dr. Mosley was found dead after a hike in scorching heat. Meanwhile, an American tourist’s body was discovered on the small Greek island of Mathraki. And on Samos, a 74-year-old Dutch tourist vanished while hiking. His body was later found in a gorge.

Let us remember these lives lost and heed the warnings as temperatures continue to rise

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