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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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Tensions Escalate: Israeli Strike Claims Senior Hezbollah Commander’s Life

 

In a recent development, an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon resulted in the death of a senior Hezbollah commander. The slain official, Mohammad Naameh Nasser, also known as “Abu Naameh,” was the head of Hezbollah’s Aziz Unit—one of three regional divisions in southern Lebanon. This incident marks the highest-ranking Hezbollah figure killed since Taleb Sami Abdullah’s death in a June airstrike.

As tensions continue to simmer between Israel and Hezbollah, global diplomatic efforts are underway to prevent further escalation. The situation remains precarious, with both sides on edge. Hezbollah retaliated by launching heavy warhead rockets at Israeli military headquarters, signaling the gravity of the conflict.

Since October, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have claimed over 450 lives, primarily Hezbollah fighters, but also more than 80 civilians and non-combatants. On the Israeli side, 16 soldiers and 11 civilians have lost their lives. The conflict remains a delicate balance, with the potential for further escalation if a ceasefire is not achieved in the Gaza Strip.

Efforts to maintain calm and prevent an all-out war are crucial, but the situation remains highly volatile. Diplomats continue to scramble for solutions, hoping to avert a direct confrontation between Israel and Iran, which could have far-reaching consequences for the region.

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