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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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TikTok Goes Dark for US Users Amid National Security Concerns

 

TikTok, the viral social media platform, has officially gone dark for its 170 million American users. This unprecedented shutdown follows a law enacted by Congress, which mandates the app's ban unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, divests its shares. The app's sudden inaccessibility has left millions of users in the lurch, with a message stating, "Sorry, TikTok isn't available right now".

The shutdown comes just before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. Trump has indicated that he will work on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office, potentially granting a 90-day extension to finalize an agreement. This intervention could provide a temporary reprieve for the app, which has been at the center of national security debates due to its Chinese ownership.

TikTok's fate now hangs in the balance, with users and creators eagerly awaiting further developments. The platform's shutdown marks a significant moment in the ongoing tension between the U.S. and China over data privacy and national security concerns.

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