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Start Saving Now for September: Your RESP Checklist Before the School Year Hits

  Canadian Money Brief · Family Finance September feels a long way off on July 1. That's exactly why now is the right time to look at your child's RESP — not in late August when the school supply list arrives and the grant math gets rushed. If you have a Registered Education Savings Plan (or you've been meaning to open one), here's what to check right now, and why the calendar year — not the school year — is what actually matters. Why July, Not August The Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) — the government's 20% match on RESP contributions — runs on the calendar year , not the school year. Grant room for 2026 resets on a January-to-December basis, and it doesn't carry any special "back to school" deadline. But summer is genuinely the best time to check your numbers, for three reasons: You still have six full months left in the year to top up if you're behind. Contributions made now have more time to grow before your child needs the money. You av...

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Ceasefire Gains Momentum as Israel Releases Dozens of Palestinian Prisoners

 

In a significant move toward de‐escalation in the long‐running conflict, Israeli authorities have begun releasing dozens of Palestinian prisoners as part of an ongoing ceasefire deal with Hamas. The latest prisoner swap comes amid a series of reciprocal releases that have been central to the fragile truce established earlier this January.

According to reports, the release includes individuals held on a range of charges—from those convicted of participating in deadly attacks to others detained under administrative measures. This round of exchanges follows previous deals in which Hamas handed over several Israeli hostages, whose deteriorated condition sparked widespread public concern and condemnation from Israeli officials.

The prisoner release is seen as a tactical step intended to build confidence on both sides and create space for further negotiations aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire. International mediators have stressed that while the prisoner swap does not resolve all the underlying issues, it is a critical component of a broader effort to ease tensions and allow humanitarian aid to flow into the Gaza Strip.

At the same time, top figures in Israel and abroad have underlined the precarious nature of the ceasefire. Recent high‐level meetings—such as the joint press conference held by the U.S. president and the Israeli prime minister—have highlighted the international community’s role in trying to steer the situation toward a lasting solution. While both sides acknowledge that the deal is only a first step, the gradual process of exchanges is viewed by many as essential for paving the way toward ending hostilities and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

As the ceasefire enters its next phase, negotiators are set to discuss further measures, including the eventual release of all remaining hostages and a phased withdrawal of forces. For now, the latest exchange stands as a rare moment of conciliation amid an otherwise volatile regional landscape.

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