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Three Smart Levers to Cut Your 2025 Tax Bill

Taxes are inevitable, but overpaying them isn’t. With new rules and opportunities in 2025, smart planning can help you keep more of your hard-earned money. Here are three effective levers to reduce your tax liability this year: 1. Maximize Retirement Contributions Contributing to retirement accounts such as RRSPs (Canada) or 401(k)/IRAs (U.S.) remains one of the most effective ways to lower taxable income. Contributions qualify for tax relief at your highest marginal rate, meaning every dollar you save reduces your tax bill significantly. Employer-matching programs make this even more attractive, and withdrawals in retirement can be structured for lower tax exposure. 2. Leverage Tax Credits and Deductions Common deductions include childcare expenses, education costs, and home office claims. Tax credits, unlike deductions, directly reduce the amount you owe, making them especially valuable. Temporary tax breaks introduced in 2025 can be maximized before they expire. 3. Use...

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Hamas Releases Final Hostage in Latest Exchange with Israel

In a significant development, Hamas has released the sixth and final Israeli hostage as part of the latest exchange agreement with Israel. The release took place on Saturday, marking the end of the first phase of the ceasefire deal between the two adversaries.

The final hostage, Hisham Al-Sayed, a 36-year-old Bedouin Israeli with a history of mental health issues, had crossed into Gaza on his own in 2015 and had been held since. His release follows the earlier release of five other hostages, including three Israeli men who were abducted from the Nova music festival during the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas.

The exchange has been overshadowed by heightened tensions between the two sides. The ceasefire deal, which has paused over 15 months of conflict, is nearing the end of its first phase. Negotiations for a second phase, which would involve the release of dozens more hostages in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal, are expected to be even more challenging.

The release of the hostages was conducted in staged ceremonies, which have been condemned by both Israel and the Red Cross in the past. Despite the tensions, the exchange has brought a glimmer of hope for the families of the hostages and the possibility of a more stable ceasefire in the future.



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