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20 Turkish Soldiers Killed in Georgia Military Plane Crash

Members of emergency services work at the site of the Turkish C-130 military cargo plane crash near the Azerbaijani border, in Sighnaghi municipality, Georgia. Turkey’s Ministry of Defense announced that 20 soldiers were killed when a military transport plane crashed in Georgia . The aircraft, a C-130 cargo plane, had departed from Azerbaijan and was en route to Turkey when communication was lost shortly after takeoff. Georgian emergency teams reported that 18 bodies were recovered at the crash site , with search operations continuing to locate the remaining victims. Witnesses shared footage showing the plane breaking apart mid-air before spiraling down into farmland near the Azerbaijani border. This tragedy is Turkey’s deadliest military aviation accident in recent years . Both Turkish and Georgian authorities have launched investigations, and officials confirmed that the aircraft’s black box has been recovered . President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expressed condolences to the families...

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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.


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