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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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The Thirst Crisis in Gaza: A Struggle for Survival

 

The Gaza Strip faces an escalating water crisis, with clean sources becoming increasingly scarce due to ongoing conflict and infrastructure damage. Hundreds of thousands of residents have lost access to clean water after the destruction of pipelines and wells during military offensives. Many are forced to walk long distances to fill containers from the few remaining wells, which often fail to provide safe drinking water.

The Coastal Aquifer Basin, Gaza's only natural water source, is severely depleted and polluted, rendering up to 97% of its water unfit for human consumption. Desalination plants and sanitation facilities have also been heavily damaged, leaving the population with limited options. The daily water supply has dropped to an average of 3-5 liters per person, far below the minimum needed for basic survival.

This crisis highlights the urgent need for humanitarian aid and sustainable solutions to ensure access to clean water for Gaza's 2.3 million residents. Without immediate intervention, the situation could worsen, threatening lives and livelihoods across the region.

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