Skip to main content

Featured

Fuel Cutoff Mystery: Air India Crash Sparks Global Concern

A preliminary investigation into the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 has revealed that both engine fuel cutoff switches were flipped just seconds after takeoff, starving the aircraft of power and leading to its fatal descent. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, en route from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick on June 12, crashed into a residential area, killing 260 people — including 19 on the ground — and leaving only one survivor. According to India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), cockpit voice recordings captured one pilot asking the other why the fuel had been cut off. The response: “I did not do so”. The switches were flipped within one second of each other, a sequence experts say would be highly unusual and difficult to do accidentally. While both engines attempted to restart, only one regained partial thrust before the aircraft crashed. The report did not identify any mechanical faults with the aircraft or its GE engines, and no recommendations were made for Boeing or ...

article

Understanding the New GST Cuts: What’s Included and What’s Not

 

The Canadian government has announced a temporary Goods and Services Tax (GST) break to help ease the financial burden on Canadians during the holiday season. This initiative, effective from December 14, 2024, to February 15, 2025, aims to provide significant relief by removing the GST/HST on a variety of essential items.

What’s Included in the GST Cuts?

The GST cuts will apply to a broad range of goods, making many everyday purchases more affordable. Here are the key items included:

  1. Groceries: While basic groceries are already GST-free, the new cuts extend to additional food and beverage items, including:

    • Alcoholic beverages (excluding spirits but including wine, beer, ciders, and spirit coolers up to 7% ABV) .
    • Restaurant meals and snacks .
  2. Children’s Essentials:

    • Clothing and footwear designed for children, including baby bibs, bunting blankets, and receiving blankets .
    • Diapers and children’s toys .
  3. Holiday Essentials:

    • Gifts, books, print newspapers, puzzles, and Christmas trees .

What’s Not Included?

Despite the extensive list of items covered, some goods remain subject to GST/HST. These include:

  • Luxury Items: High-end electronics, jewelry, and other luxury goods.
  • Non-Essential Services: Services such as spa treatments, gym memberships, and entertainment tickets.
  • Certain Alcoholic Beverages: Spirits and high-alcohol content beverages are excluded from the tax break .

This temporary GST relief is expected to save Canadians an estimated $1.6 billion over the two-month period, providing much-needed financial relief during a time of year when expenses typically rise .

By understanding what’s included and what’s not, Canadians can better plan their holiday spending and take full advantage of the savings offered by this initiative.


Comments