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Missile Fire from Yemen's Houthi Rebels Triggers Sirens in Central Israel for the Second Night

  For the second consecutive night, air raid sirens blared across central Israel as a missile launched from Yemen's Houthi rebels was intercepted by Israeli air defenses early Wednesday morning. The missile, aimed at the Tel Aviv area, was successfully intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory, though shrapnel from the interception fell in several towns.  This marks the fourth time in a week that missile fire from the Houthi rebels has set off sirens in Israel. On Saturday, a missile hit a playground in Tel Aviv, injuring 16 people after Israel's air defense system failed to intercept it. In response, Israeli jets struck Yemen's rebel-held capital and a port city, resulting in nine casualties.  Israel's foreign minister has requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council to condemn the Houthi attacks and their alleged Iranian allies for providing the rebels with weapons. The situation remains tense as both sides continue to exchange fire, with the H...
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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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