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Israel and Lebanon Agree to 10‑Day Ceasefire as Trump Announces Breakthrough

  Israel and Lebanon Reach 10‑Day Ceasefire Following Trump Announcement Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10‑day ceasefire set to begin at 5 p.m. EST, according to U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the truce followed “excellent conversations” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.  The ceasefire comes after more than six weeks of intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran‑backed armed group operating in southern Lebanon. The conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths in Lebanon and displaced more than a million residents, while Israel has maintained a 10‑kilometre security zone in southern Lebanon. Trump stated that both leaders agreed to begin the truce to pursue peace, adding that he plans to invite them to the White House for the first direct talks between the two countries since 1983. Lebanese officials have welcomed the ceasefire, though Hezbollah has said its adherence depends on Israel halting all attacks....

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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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