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Diplomatic Progress Tempered by Kremlin’s Firm Stance on Territory

President Putin welcomes Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, son-in-law Jared Kushner and Josh Gruenbaum, Commissioner of the U.S. Federal Acquisition Service. Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meeting with a group of U.S. envoys has opened the door to further diplomatic engagement, but Moscow insists that any meaningful progress will hinge on resolving long‑standing territorial disputes. The talks, described by Russian officials as direct and substantive, focused on outlining the next phase of security discussions expected to take place in Abu Dhabi. Both sides reportedly explored potential frameworks for de‑escalation and future negotiations involving Ukraine. Despite the constructive tone, the Kremlin made clear that territorial questions remain the central barrier to a broader settlement. Russian officials reiterated that regions Moscow claims as its own must be recognized accordingly — a position Ukraine rejects outright. Additional economic discussions are planned betwe...

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GST Holiday Brings Mixed Reactions from Retailers

 

Retail organizations are welcoming the federal government’s decision to temporarily suspend the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on a wide range of items from December 14 to February 15. This move is expected to boost consumer spending during the typically slow post-holiday period. However, industry observers warn that the implementation could pose significant logistical challenges for many retailers.

The Retail Council of Canada has highlighted that while the GST break will be straightforward for some businesses, others may face a laborious process. Retailers will need to identify which products qualify for the tax exemption, reprogram their point-of-sale systems, and prepare to reverse these changes once the holiday ends.

Small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, may struggle with the short notice and the administrative burden. Despite these challenges, the retail sector remains optimistic that the GST holiday will drive increased traffic and sales, providing a much-needed boost during a period of economic uncertainty.


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