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OTTAWA - Immigration measures announced as part of Canada’s border response to president-elect Donald Trump’s 25 per cent tariff threat are starting to be implemented, beginning with a ban on what’s known as “flagpoling.” This is when someone who was in Canada on a temporary visa leaves for the U.S. then quickly re-enters Canada to access immigration services at a port of entry. The restriction on providing work and study permits to flagpolers takes effect today. The Canadian Border Services Agency processed more than 69,300 people who engaged in the practice in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Immigration Minister Marc Miller first announced the plan to ban flagpoling last week, alongside Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc who promised a border control package worth more than $1 billion. There are still rare exceptions where a person will be granted a work or study permit even though they meet the definition of flagpoling, including international truck drivers with a work permit, professionals under certain free trade agreements and American citizens. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 24, 2025.
Drop in Boxing Day footfall ‘signals return to declining pre-pandemic levels’From Bridgerton Boobs to Brat Summer & knockout revenge dresses – Fabulous crowns the biggest fashion moments of 2024Google has put its resources to work, and is keeping an eye on Santa’s flight path on Christmas Eve. The has a variety of games, a Santa selfie and elf maker options to entertain the family before the big man’s arrival. Google’s has educational and interactive activities for all ages, including coding, learning about holiday traditions around the world, and translations. According to , a site that reviews the latest tech gear, the Google Santa Tracker has been around since 2004. It uses Google Maps to trace Santa’s route around the world. You can download the , but the mobile site, is still good and is accessible for iPhone users. Another option to scout Santa’s whereabouts tonight is the site, which is also available online. As it gets closer to midnight tonight, Dec. 24, Santa should reach your neighbourhood in Ontario. Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our and . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google and apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our .OUT with the old, in with the new . . . job, that is. The first two weeks of the new year see the annual January jobs spike, with employers reporting an average 80 per cent surge in applications. Fresh research from Career Wallet suggests that 19 per cent of staff plan to shift careers in 2025, driven by concerns about the long-term viability of the role they hold in their current industry. However, with vacancy numbers continuing to fall, competition for the best positions will be tough. So it pays to be prepared. Whether your New Year’s resolution is to follow a new employment path, climb the career ladder or simply get back into work, Sunemployment is here to support you each week with the best, free, expert advice. Today, we’ve teamed up with CV Builder to share their top tips for finding a new job in the New Year. READ MORE ON EMPLOYMENT UPDATE YOUR CV THE flair for writing one is to decide what to include — and what to leave out — for each individual role you apply for. Search cv-library.co.uk/career-advice/cv/cv-templates/ to find the template best suited to the relevant sector. TAILOR APPLICATIONS WHILE it might be easy to fire off the same CV for every job, it won’t improve your chances of landing an interview. Most read in Business Tailor yours, and cover letter if applicable, to reflect the skills and attributes the job advert asks for. It will take more time but return better results. TRANSFER TACTICS NO direct experience in the position you are applying for? Mention useful transferable skills such as communication, problem solving and adaptability, with examples, which can help fill any gaps in your skillset. This is essential to beat AI systems which sift applications to find the best match. HEADER HEROES MAKE sure your CV has clear headers outlining your key skills, career history and qualifications, but also make it personal. Avoid meaningless jargon and inject your own personality. GET YOURSELF FOUND UPLOAD your CV onto jobs boards and update your LinkedIn profile to help hiring managers discover you. GROW YOUR NETWORK MANY jobs never get to the stage of being advertised or available online, so knowing the right people is still vital. Connect with others you have worked with, join online discussions, attend relevant conferences and events and make the effort to meet like-minded professionals. Then keep those connections going. Check in, ask for advice, be helpful to others. Most people are happy to help if you ask in the right way. This might feel like a long game, but it can really pay off if you put the effort in. BOOST YOUR SKILLS EMPLOYERS love to see people who are taking an active role in their own career development, so invest in online courses and read up on your industry so you know the key trends and developments for 2025. VOLUNTEER IF you are out of work, volunteering can bring new experiences and skills, and will be viewed positively by prospective employers. DO YOUR RESEARCH WHETHER you are preparing for interview or writing your CV, find out all you can about the organisation you are applying to. Look at company websites, social media or LinkedIn. You can also ask an AI tool such as ChatGPT for a summary of financial reports or challenges facing the sector. But make sure you fact check that the answer is correct. PREP FOR INTERVIEWS THIS is your time to shine, so be sure to practise and prep properly. Research who you are meeting, understand the role and the industry and think about the questions you might be asked. Ensure you have a bank of really clear examples of work you have done, or situations you can reference, that help to showcase your expertise. For instance, be ready with examples of where you overcame a challenge but still delivered, or where you had to collaborate successfully with others. If you are doing a presentation or task in an interview, leave time to spell check and make it look polished. Silly mistakes can quickly undermine good work. THE triple approach paid off when Chikondi Chamveka from Bristol wanted to launch a new career. She took action on three fronts – upskilling, volunteering and networking. The 28-year-old said: “If you want to find a new job for the new year, now is the time to start. Use the festive break to assess your skill set, then set about upskilling and retraining. “After relocating to the UK from Malawi, I discovered Click Start from the Institute of Coding, which helped me upskill and build my career. “The classes, employability workshops, and coaching sessions shaped my resume and prepared me for the workforce. I also took on two volunteer roles, attended networking events, and enrolled in the British Computer Society programme to enhance my digital skills and I now have a role as an insurance advisor with Lloyds Banking Group, one of the UK’s largest employers.” See instituteofcoding.org/campaign/click-start/ . Use time off wisely STRUGGLNG to switch off over Christmas ? Around half of UK workers will check in on work during their time off, but getting some downtime is essential if you’re ready to perform your best in the New Year. Here LinkedIn career expert Zara Easton shares her advice for a silent night or two away from work this Christmas holiday. She said: “It’s important to take breaks to avoid burnout at work. During the festive season, many of us will be looking forward to some well-earned time off to spend with family and friends. “However, it’s not always that simple. UK workers, particularly women, admit they feel the need to check in with work - even when they are on annual leave. It can be hard to switch off, but it’s very important for your mental health - and your career - to take this time away without feeling guilty or checking in.” lEnsure you leave a clear handover: Don’t overload teams with too much information, don’t offer a colleague’s help without running it by them first. lTell external clients and contacts who to contact: Craft a clear and concise OOO message and check it for typos, as it’s being broadcast to the outside world not just internally. lTurn off the tech: Switching off notifications on your workplace apps and email are a good way to enforce these boundaries for yourself. If you still feel tempted to check in, try deleting those apps from your phone. The additional effort you put into checking on work can help make you less likely to do it as frequently. lRediscover what energises you: Time off isn’t just an escape from work, it’s an opportunity to reconnect with yourself. Use your holiday to truly unplug – ditch the to-do lists and embrace activities that bring you energy . Explore nature, lose yourself in a good book, or spend quality time with family and friends. lLook to the future: By paying attention to what energises you, you will be reminded of what you need to prioritise to achieve a work-life balance, setting you up to be more productive and motivated on your return. MAKE the most of your 2025 annual leave allowance. Research from Away Resorts claims most full-time workers can push up the average 28 days off to 60 days by booking certain key dates as holiday. In January, book 2nd and 3rd to take advantage of the New Year bank holiday. During April, take four days off in the two weeks either side of Easter. You will use up eight days of holiday but gain 16 days off. May has a double bank holiday but taking off four days on the week of the Early May bank holiday and the later Spring bank holiday will use up eight days of your leave allowance but you’ll enjoy 18 days away from work. August bank holiday is on the 25th, so taking holiday from 26th to 29th gets you nine days off. Next Christmas falls on a Thursday, so book 22nd to 24th then 29th to 31st off, to ensure a fortnight’s festive holiday. Who's top dog? IS your office pooch top dog? Workplace design company Interaction has launched a competition to find Britain’s Best Office Dog. The firm is inviting dog owners to nominate their canine colleagues and share a photo of their pets at work, to highlight the important role that dogs play in workplace wellbeing. In the UK, households bought 3.2 million pets in lockdown and by supporting dog-friendly policies, companies can encourage these employees back into the office, while also reducing stress and improving engagement. READ MORE SUN STORIES The company will crown a monthly winner throughout 2025 and the overall winner will be named next December and will clinch a luxurious two-night stay at one of Britain’s finest canine-friendly hotels . Enter at interaction.uk.com/enter-britains-best-office-dog . Caremark is recruiting for care assistants and care managers nationally. Search at caremark.co.uk/careers/ Applications are open for the Govia Thameslink engineering apprenticeship scheme. You need to apply before Jan 1, 2025. Find out more at gtrailwaycareers.com/jobs/apprenticeships/
NoneBills defense out to prove against high-scoring Lions that it's better than its dud vs. RamsQatar tribune South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has for the third time in a row failed to heed a summons to appear before the country’s law enforcement authorities, the Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday. The Corruption Investigation Office said that Yoon had failed to appear at their offices south of Seoul when summonsed, Yonhap reported. Yoon had ignored previous summonses on December 18 and 25. The likelihood was rising that office would issue an arrest warrant against Yoon, Yonhap said. The corruption office is investigating Yoon for unexpectedly imposing martial law on December 3, before lifting the declaration hours later. South Korea has been in political crisis ever since. The National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon on December 14, and the Constitutional Court has launched the relevant proceedings to take a final decision on whether the assembly’s vote is constitutional or not. Yoon recently defended his controversial decision to impose martial law by saying he was acting to protect the nation. (DPA) Copy 30/12/2024 10
WASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday passed a $895 billion measure that authorizes a 1% increase in defense spending this fiscal year and would give a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military. The bill is traditionally strongly bipartisan, but some Democratic lawmakers opposed the inclusion of a ban on transgender medical treatments for children of military members if such treatment could result in sterilization. It passed by a vote of 281-140 and next moves to the Senate, where lawmakers sought a bigger boost in defense spending than the current measure allows. The Pentagon and the surrounding area is seen Jan. 26, 2020, from the air in Washington. Pablo Martinez Monsivais, Associated Press Lawmakers are touting the bill's 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others as key to improving the quality of life for those serving in the U.S. military. Those serving as junior enlisted personnel are in pay grades that generally track with their first enlistment term. People are also reading... Lawmakers said service member pay failed to remain competitive with the private sector, forcing many military families to rely on food banks and government assistance programs to put food on the table. The bill also provides significant new resources for child care and housing. "No service member should have to live in squalid conditions and no military family should have to rely on food stamps to feed their children, but that's exactly what many of our service members are experiencing, especially the junior enlisted," said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. "This bill goes a long way to fixing that." The bill sets key Pentagon policy that lawmakers will attempt to fund through a follow-up appropriations bill. The overall spending tracks the numbers established in a 2023 agreement that then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., reached with President Joe Biden to increase the nation's borrowing authority and avoid a federal default in exchange for spending restraints. Many senators had wanted to increase defense spending some $25 billion above what was called for in that agreement, but those efforts failed. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who is expected to serve as the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the overall spending level was a "tremendous loss for our national defense," though he agreed with many provisions within the bill. "We need to make a generational investment to deter the Axis of Aggressors. I will not cease work with my congressional colleagues, the Trump administration, and others until we achieve it," Wicker said. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., speaks with reporters Nov. 21 on Capitol Hill in Washington. Mark Schiefelbein, Associated Press House Republicans don't want to go above the McCarthy-Biden agreement for defense spending and are looking to go way below it for many non-defense programs. They are also focused on cultural issues. The bill prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and prohibits TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children under 18 if that treatment could result in sterilization. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, said minors dealing with gender dysphoria is a "very real problem." He said the treatments available, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, have proven effective at helping young people dealing with suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts "These treatments changed their lives and in many cases saved their lives," Smith said. "And in this bill, we decided we're going to bar service members' children from having access to that." Smith said the number of minors in service member families receiving transgender medical care extends into the thousands. He could have supported a study asking medical experts to determine whether such treatments are too often used, but a ban on health insurance coverage went too far. He said Speaker Mike Johnson's office insisted on the ban and said the provision "taints an otherwise excellent piece of legislation." Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called the ban a step in the right direction, saying, "I think these questions need to be pulled out of the debate of defense, so we can get back to the business of defending the United States of America without having to deal with social engineering debates." Smith said he agrees with Roy that lawmakers should be focused on the military and not on cultural conflicts, "and yet, here it is in this bill." Branden Marty, a Navy veteran who served for 13 years, said the loss of health coverage for transgender medical treatments could prompt some with valuable experience to leave the military, affecting national security because "we already struggle from a recruiting and retention standpoint." He also said the bill could regularly force service members into difficult choices financially. "It will be tough for a lot of them because of out-of-pocket expenses, especially enlisted members who we know already struggle with food insecurity," said Marty, the father of a transgender teenager. "They don't get paid very much, so they're going to be making a lot of choices on a day-to-day, tactical level." House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., responds to reporters Dec. 6 during his weekly news conference at the Capitol in Washington. J. Scott Applewhite, Associated Press Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said his team did not tell Democrats how to vote on the bill. "There's a lot of positive things in the National Defense Authorization Act that were negotiated in a bipartisan way, and there are some troubling provisions in a few areas as well," Jeffries said. Overall, 81 Democrats voted for the bill and 124 against it. On the Republican side, 200 voted for the bill and 16 against it. "It's disappointing to see 124 of my Democrat colleagues vote against our brave men and women in uniform over policies that have nothing to do with their intended mission," Johnson, R-La., said. The defense policy bill also looks to strengthen deterrence against China. It calls for investing $15.6 billion to build military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Biden administration requested about $10 billion. On Israel, the bill, among other things, includes an expansion of U.S. joint military exercises with Israel and a prohibition on the Pentagon citing casualty data from Hamas. The defense policy bill is one of the final measures that lawmakers view as a must-pass before making way for a new Congress in January. U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors Rising threats from debt collectors against members of the U.S. armed forces are undermining national security, according to data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a federal watchdog that protects consumer rights.To manage the impact of financial stress on individual performance, the Defense Department dedicates precious resources to improving financial literacy, so service members know the dangers of notorious no-credit-check loans.“The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities,” said Andrew Cohen, the director of financial readiness in the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon.But debt collectors are gaining ground. Last quarter, debt collection complaints by U.S. military service members increased 24%, and attempts to collect on “debts not owed” surged 40%. Complaints by service members against debt collectors for deceptive practices ballooned from 1,360 in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 1,833 in the first quarter of 2024.“There’s a connection between the financial readiness and the readiness of a service member to perform their duty,” said Jim Rice, Assistant Director, Office of Servicemember Affairs at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Laws exist to protect the mission readiness of U.S. troops from being compromised by threats and intimidation, but debt collectors appear to be violating them at an alarming pace.“If they’re threatening to call your commander or get your security clearance revoked, that’s illegal,” says Deborah Olvera, financial readiness manager at Wounded Warriors Project, and a military spouse who’s been harassed herself by a collection agency that tried to extort money from her for a debt she didn’t owe. But after she requested the name of the original creditor, she never heard from them again.“The financial well-being of service members and their families is one of the Department’s top priorities.” —Andrew Cohen, Director of Financial Readiness at the PentagonUnder the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, it’s illegal for debt collectors to threaten to contact your boss or have you arrested because it violates your financial privacy. The FDCPA also prohibits debt collectors from making false, deceptive, or misleading representations in connection with the collection of a debt, even for borrowers with bad credit scores.But according to the data, debt collectors are increasingly ignoring those rules. “Debt collection continues to be one of the top consumer complaint categories,” said a spokesperson at the Federal Trade Commission. The commission released a report earlier this year revealing that consumers were scammed $10 billion in 2023, a new benchmark for fraud losses.In his book Debt: The First 5,000 Years, David Graeber argues that debt often creates a relationship that can feel more oppressive than systems of hierarchy, like slavery or caste systems because it starts by presuming equality between the debtor and the creditor.When the debtor falls into arrears, that equality is then destroyed. This sense of betrayal and the subsequent imbalance of power leads to widespread resentment toward lenders. Jon Bilous Most Menacing Loan Messengers Photo Credit: Olena Yakobchuk / ShutterstockThe debt collector reportedly harassing military service members most was Resurgent Capital Services, a subsidiary of collection giant Sherman Financial Group. The company tacks on accrued interest and junk fees and tries to collect on debts purchased for pennies on the dollar from cable companies, hospitals, and credit card companies, among others.Sherman Financial Group is run by billionaire Benjamin Navarro, who has a reported net worth of $1.5 billion, according to Forbes. Sherman Financial also owns subprime lender Credit One Bank and LVNV Funding, which outsource collections to Resurgent Capital.According to CFPB data, the second worst offender is CL Holdings, the parent company of debt-buyer Jefferson Capital Systems. The company has also been named in numerous complaints to the Better Business Bureau for alleged violations of the FDCPA, such as failing to properly validate debts or update credit reports with accurate information.Under the leadership of CEO David Burton, Jefferson Capital Systems is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CompuCredit Corporation, which markets subprime credit cards under the names Aspire, Majestic, and others.The third most referenced debt collector is publicly traded Portfolio Recovery Associates [NASDAQ: PRAA], which was forced to pay $27 million in penalties for making false representations about debts, initiating lawsuits without proper documentation, and other violations. Portfolio Recovery Associates is run by CEO Vikram Atal.Fourth place for alleged worst offender goes to Encore Capital Group [NASDAQ ECPG], which was required to pay $42 million in consumer refunds and a $10 million penalty for violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Encore collects under its subsidiary Midland Credit Management Group.These debt collectors all operate under a veritable shell game of company and brand names, almost none of which are disclosed on their websites, sending consumers on a wild goose chase to try and figure out how they’re related to each other. But despite their attempts to hide their tracks behind a smoke screen of subsidiaries, a leopard can’t change its spots, and the CFPB complaint database makes it harder for them to try. Olena Yakobchuk Loan Harassment Hotspots Photo Credit: Bumble Dee / ShutterstockAlthough widely considered a consumer-friendly state, complaints spiked most in California, which saw a 188% increase in complaints filed from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. California is home to 157,367 military personnel, making it the most populous state for active-duty service members.The second-largest increase in debt collection complaints was in Texas, which saw a 66% jump from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. The U.S. Department of Defense reports 111,005 service members stationed in the Lone Star State, which is the third-most populous state for active-duty military.The rising trends do not correlate to the number of military personnel by state. Complaints against debt collectors in Virginia, the second most populous state with 126,145 active duty personnel, decreased by 29% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. And complaints filed quarter-over-quarter in North Carolina, the fifth most populous state with 91,077 military personnel, decreased by 3% in the same period.The third largest percentage increase in debt collection complaints was from service members stationed in Maryland, where alleged harassment reports jumped 112% from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024. Maryland ranks number 12 with just 28,059 active duty service members.Fourth place goes to Ohio – the 28th most populous active-duty state – where complaints doubled, followed by Arizona – the 15th most populous military state – where complaints were up 70% in the same quarter-over-quarter period. Bumble Dee Billionaire Bets on Bad Credit Photo Credit: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A / ShutterstockIn 2007, Congress passed the Military Lending Act to cap the cost of credit to a 36% annual percentage rate, inclusive of junk fees and late charges, for active duty military service members. That rate is still considerably higher than average credit card rates, which range from 8% for borrowers with excellent credit scores to as high as 36% for borrowers with bad credit. But lenders still get hauled into court for violating the MLA.Don Hankey, the billionaire subprime auto lender who funded Donald Trump’s $175 million appeal bond, is among those violators. His company, Westlake Financial, which markets high-interest car loans for bad credit, has been sued twice by the Department of Justice for harassing military service members.In 2017, the DoJ alleged Hankey’s Westlake Financial illegally repossessed at least 70 vehicles owned by military service members. Westlake Financial paid $700,000 to settle the charges. In 2022, Westlake Financial paid $250,000 for allegedly cheating U.S. troops out of interest rates they were legally entitled to.Westlake Financial continues to receive complaints from military service members alleging abusive debt collection practices on its no-credit-check loans. A steady year-over-year increase in the number of complaints filed against Westlake Financial continued from 2020 to 2023. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau data shows a 13% increase in the number of complaints against the company from 2020 to 2021, a 28% increase from 2021 to 2022, and a torrential 119% surge from 2022 to 2023. The numbers suggest systemic complaint-handling processes and inadequate customer service resources. PeopleImages.com - Yuri A Lenders Try to Shutter CFPB Photo Credit: Cynthia Shirk / ShutterstockOn May 16, 2024, a deceptively named predatory lending industry front group dubbed the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) lost a legal attempt to defund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.In an effort to deprive Americans of essential consumer protections, the lobby group argued that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure was unconstitutional. But the Supreme Court denied its claim. In a 7-2 ruling, the Court held that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s funding structure is indeed constitutional.That means the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau cannot be defunded, but it does not mean the agency cannot be defanged. The New York Times suggested that Hankey’s incentive to finance Trump’s $175 million bond could have been a reciprocity pledge to neuter the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if Trump wins the upcoming U.S. presidential election.If Trump wins a second term, he could replace Consumer Financial Protection Bureau director Rohit Chopra, an American consumer advocate, with a predatory lending advocate.In 2020, the Trump Administration secured a Supreme Court ruling that made it easier for the president to fire the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The ruling struck down previous restrictions on when a president can fire the bureau’s director. Like other federal agencies, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has also been confronted for overstepping its bounds, pushing too far, and acting unfairly against entities it regulates. Cynthia Shirk Holidays, Interest Rates Not to Blame Photo Credit: Lux Blue / ShutterstockSeasonality and rising interest rates do not explain the increase in debt collection complaints from service members. The surge in complaints is not tied to predictable seasonal fluctuations or changes in interest rates.The increase in debt collection complaints by service members may point to underlying systemic issues, such as aggressive and predatory debt collection practices that exploit the unique financial vulnerabilities of service members, who face frequent relocations and deployments.Debt Complaints by Service MembersFrom Q1 2021 to Q4 2022 Up 4%From Q4 2022 to Q1 2023 Up 6%From Q4 2023 to Q1 2024 Up 24%The 24% spike in debt collection complaints exhibits no correlation to fluctuations in interest rates.30-Year Fixed Mortgage RatesFrom 3.08% in Q4 2021 to 3.82% in Q1 2022From 6.66% in Q4 2022 to 6.37% in Q1 2023From 7.30% in Q1 2023 to 6.75% in Q4 2024Pandemic stimulus checks were also not a factor. COVID-19 relief benefit checks went through three major rounds during the pandemic. The final round of Economic Impact Payments went out in March 2021.To better understand the rising trend of debt collection complaints, we calculated the increase in the total number of complaints and the percentage increase quarter-over-quarter. For example, New Jersey has the second largest percentage increase in complaints quarter-over-quarter, but the total number of complaints increased by just 16. Shutterstock Methodology The data for this study was sourced from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) complaint database. The dataset specifically targeted complaints filed by U.S. military service members, identified using the tag “Servicemember” within Q4 2023 and Q1 2024.Readers can find the detailed research methodology underlying this news story in the accompanying section here.For complete results, see U.S. Troops Face Mounting Threats from Predatory Debt Collectors on BadCredit.org. Jon Bilous Veteran homelessness is on the rise despite government efforts—here's how it happens Veteran homelessness is on the rise despite government efforts—here's how it happens Homelessness reached record levels in 2023, as rents and home prices continued to rise in most of the U.S. One group was particularly impacted: people who have served in the U.S. military."This time last year, we knew the nation was facing a deadly public health crisis," Jeff Olivet, executive director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, said in a statement about the 2023 numbers. He said the latest homelessness estimates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development "confirms the depth of the crisis."At least 35,000 veterans were experiencing homelessness in 2023, according to HUD. While that's about half of what it was in 2009—when the organization began collecting data—things have plateaued in recent years despite active efforts to get that number to zero.Although they make up just 6.6% of the total homeless population, veterans are more likely to be at risk of homelessness than Americans overall. Of every 10,000 Americans, 20 were experiencing homelessness. Of veterans living in the United States, that number jumps to 22, HUD data shows.Complicated by bureaucracy, family dynamics, and prejudice, the path from serving in the military to homelessness is a long one. According to a 2022 study by Yale School of Medicine researchers, homelessness typically occurs within four years of leaving the military, as veterans must contend with the harsh reality of finding a job in a world where employers struggle to see how skills on the battlefield transfer to a corporate environment.These days, veterans also deal with historically high rent and home prices, which causes many to rely on family generosity while figuring out a game plan.Stacker examined academic studies, analyzed government data, and spoke with members of the Biden administration, experts, and former members of the armed forces to see the struggles members of the military face when leaving the armed forces. Photo illustration by Michael Flocker // Stacker // Canva Veterans struggle to find a path forward The Department of Veterans Affairs offers transition assistance to the roughly 250,000 service members who leave each year. However, those programs can be burdensome and complex to navigate, especially for those who don't have a plan for post-military life.Only a small portion of veterans have jobs lined up when they leave, according to 2019 Pew Research. Many also choose to live with relatives until they get on their feet, which can be longer than anticipated. Some former service members are unsure what kind of career they'd like to pursue and may have to get further education or training, Carl Castro, director of the Military and Veteran Programs at the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work at the University of Southern California, told Stacker."It takes years for that kind of transition," Castro said.Many have trouble finding a job after leaving the service, even if they are qualified. Some employers carry misconceptions about those who have served. A 2020 analysis from the journal Human Resource Management Review found that some veterans face hiring discrimination due to negative stereotypes that lead hiring managers to write them off as a poor culture fit.Underemployment, or working low-wage jobs below their skill level, is also an issue. While the unemployment rate for veterans was 3% in March 2024, a study released by Penn State at the end of 2023 found three years after leaving the service, 61% of veterans said they were underemployed because of perceived skill mismatches.This phenomenon can have long-term economic effects, and eventually, that frustration can boil over, strain relationships, and potentially lead to housing instability.Working, especially a low-wage job, is not protection against homelessness. A 2021 study from the University of Chicago found half of people living in homeless shelters and 2 in 5 unsheltered people were employed, full or part-time. Stacker Vets with mental health issues most at risk for homelessness For veterans, housing costs certainly play a role, but those who leave the military also face systemic barriers."It's worrying there are people that continue to fall through the cracks," said Jeanette Yih Harvie, a research associate at Syracuse University's D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.Just under a quarter of adults experiencing homelessness have a severe mental illness, according to 2022 HUD survey data. They are also likely to have chronic illnesses but are unable to maintain preventative care, which only exacerbates these problems.Veterans facing homelessness are more likely to have experienced trauma, either before or after joining the military, according to Yale researchers who analyzed the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study. Childhood trauma was among the most significant commonalities among vets who become homeless. Substance use disorder is also widespread and can indicate an undiagnosed mental illness.Racial and ethnic disparities are at play, too. A 2023 study in the Journal of Psychiatric Research showed that Hispanic and Black veterans were more likely to screen positive for PTSD, and Hispanic veterans were more likely to report having suicidal ideation.Overall, access to mental health care has improved in the last decade or so. In December 2023, the VA announced it would open nine additional counseling centers. However, the stigma of getting help remains, especially after years of being conditioned to be self-reliant and pull oneself up by their bootstraps.That help, in the form of public policy, is slowly working to catch up to the need.In 2023, the Biden administration invested millions into research programs and studies on suicide prevention by the VA office in addition to a proposed $16 billion to improve quality and lower-cost mental health care services for veterans. And, in February of this year, HUD and the VA announced they would give up to $14 million in vouchers to public housing agencies for veterans experiencing homelessness. The program would also offer case management and other services.Still, with a culture that pushes people to keep going, it can be challenging for servicemembers to take advantage of these opportunities, Harvie said. "When you've been doing that for the last 15 or 20 years, it's difficult to stop and say, 'I'm the person that needs help.'"Story editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Stacker Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!
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Fears of a press crackdown under Donald Trump’s second term deepened with his nomination of Kash Patel as FBI director — given his calls for retribution against journalists. Yet a rare chance to protect press freedom has emerged. The bipartisan Protect Reporters from Exploitative State Spying (Press) Act, the strongest press freedom legislation in U.S. history, is on the brink of a vote. While President-elect Trump has urged Republicans to block it, the Senate could still deliver it to Joe Biden before the lame-duck session ends in January. The Press Act would ban secret government demands for journalists’ communications from tech giants such as Google or Verizon and protect reporters from jail for refusing to reveal sources. For investigative reporters to do their jobs — holding government officials to account for corruption and wrongdoing — they need to be able to protect the confidentiality of their sources. With courts recently weakening already-imperilled “reporter’s privilege” protections, this bill would finally give journalists in the U.S. federal protections comparable to those afforded to other relationships where confidentiality is paramount, such as lawyers and clients, doctors and patients, and spouses. The bill has something for both Democrats and Republicans to like. The Press Act’s broad and nonpartisan definition of “journalist” takes into account the modern media landscape: you don’t have to work full-time for a mainstream media organisation to be covered. Freelancers, independent reporters writing Substack newsletters and even journalists posting primarily to social networks such as X would be included. It protects right-leaning journalists just as much as anyone at the New York Times or the Guardian. It also has commonsense national security exceptions (like preventing a terrorist attack or an imminent threat of violence) without diluting the bill’s strong protections. It’s worth remembering that Democratic administrations have abused their powers to go after the first amendment rights of journalists just as much as Republicans. The Obama administration brought a record number of prosecutions against whistleblowers, and was implicated in several government spying scandals, including secretly targeting journalists at the Associated Press and Fox News. Even the Biden administration, before reversing course after public outrage, continued pursuing at least some of the surveillance orders against news outlets that the first Trump administration initiated. That’s why, in an age of extreme political polarisation, the Press Act is about as bipartisan as it gets. The House passed the bill early in 2024 unanimously, with several prominent Republicans publicly touting its importance. The bill also has powerful co-sponsors in the Senate, ranging from Democrats such as Ron Wyden and Dick Durbin, the judiciary committee chair, to Trump-supporting Republicans like Mike Lee and Lindsey Graham. Even the former Fox News host Tucker Carlson supports the bill, as he made clear in a recent interview he did with the former Fox News and CBS reporter Catherine Herridge, who was subpoenaed to reveal a source for a story she wrote several years ago. She was recently in front of the DC court of appeals, where her lawyers argued that forcing reporters to reveal their sources in court sends a chilling effect to countless others around the country.
Plastic Healthcare Packaging Market to Reach USD 40,306.8 Million, Driven by Industry Growth and Demand for Innovative Solutions 12-24-2024 03:38 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Future Market Insights The global plastic healthcare packaging market is set to experience robust growth, with an estimated valuation of USD 24,768.7 million in 2023, projected to reach USD 40,306.8 million by 2033. The market is anticipated to record a steady CAGR of 5% over the forecast period, driven by the rapidly growing healthcare industry and the increasing demand for high-quality, durable, and versatile packaging solutions. Core Concepts in the Plastic Healthcare Packaging Industry Market Valuation in 2023: The plastic healthcare packaging market is valued at USD 24,768.7 million . Future Forecast: The market is projected to reach USD 40,306.8 million by 2033, with a CAGR of 5% . Leading Regional Market: North America is a leading regional market due to its advanced healthcare infrastructure. Key Trend: Advancements in smart packaging technologies for enhanced safety and traceability are a significant trend. Preferred Material Type: Polypropylene is preferred due to its compatibility with sterilization methods and high-barrier properties. Get a Sample PDF of the Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb-1127 Key Growth Drivers: Healthcare Industry Expansion: The ongoing expansion of the healthcare industry, fueled by the rising demand for medical supplies and medications, is a primary driver for the plastic healthcare packaging market. Manufacturers are increasingly turning to plastic packaging due to its affordability, durability, and versatility. Innovative Packaging Solutions: Manufacturers are focusing on innovation, developing diverse shapes, colors, and designs to enhance consumer appeal and product visibility. Advanced features like tamper-evident seals and child-resistant closures are gaining popularity, further boosting market growth. Child-Resistant Packaging Demand: With an aging global population and increased medication use, there is a growing demand for child-resistant packaging. This is particularly crucial for products posing risks to children, such as medications and medical devices. Manufacturers are investing in new technologies to develop safe, durable, and user-friendly child-resistant packaging. Technological Advancements: Innovations in packaging design are enhancing the functionality and safety of plastic healthcare packaging. Smart packaging solutions, which improve product shelf life and reduce waste, are becoming more prevalent. Additionally, advanced design technologies are enabling the production of lightweight, cost-effective, and easy-to-use packaging solutions. Challenges in the Market: Environmental Concerns: The increasing pressure from environmental groups and consumers for sustainable packaging solutions poses a significant challenge. Plastic packaging has a substantial environmental impact, and as consumer awareness grows, the demand for eco-friendly options is rising. Specialized Materials and Regulatory Standards: Healthcare packaging requires specialized materials and designs to meet strict regulatory standards. Ensuring safety and effectiveness while complying with regulations demands a high level of expertise and investment, which can be a barrier to market entry for some players. Balancing Efficiency and Sustainability: Companies are under pressure to minimize packaging waste and increase efficiency while protecting and preserving healthcare products. Balancing these concerns with environmental impact poses a challenging landscape for manufacturers to navigate. Technological Advancements: Smart Packaging: Technological advancements are leading to the development of smart packaging solutions that improve shelf life, reduce waste, and provide valuable information to consumers. Lightweight and Cost-Effective Designs: Advanced design technologies enable the creation of lightweight, user-friendly, and cost-effective packaging solutions tailored to healthcare needs. Access Full Report: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/plastic-healthcare-packaging-market Plastic Healthcare Packaging Industry by Category: By Product Type: Vials & Ampoules Blisters Bottles Dropper Bottles Nasal Spray Bottles Liquid Bottles Bags, Pouches & Sachets IV Bags Medical Specialty Bags Prefilled Inhalers, Syringes & Cartridges Containers & Jars Caps & Closures Trays Medication Tubes By Material Type: Polyethylene Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Linear Low-Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Polyvinyl Chloride Polystyrene Polypropylene Bi-axially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) Cast Polypropylene (CPP) Polyethylene Terephthalate Bi-axially oriented Polyethylene Terephthalate (BoPET) Metalized PET Others (Polycarbonate) By Application: Medical devices Sterile packaging Nonsterile packaging Pharmaceuticals By Region: North America Latin America Europe South Asia East Asia Oceania Middle East and Africa (MEA) Contact Us: Future Market Insights Inc. Christiana Corporate, 200 Continental Drive, Suite 401, Newark, Delaware - 19713, USA T: +1-347-918-3531 For Sales Enquiries: sales@futuremarketinsights.com Website: https://www.futuremarketinsights.com LinkedIn| Twitter| Blogs | YouTube Niranjan.k@futuremarketinsights.com About Future Market Insights (FMI) Future Market Insights, Inc. (ESOMAR certified, recipient of the Stevie Award, and a member of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce) offers profound insights into the driving factors that are boosting demand in the market. FMI stands as the leading global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, consulting, and events for the Packaging, Food and Beverage, Consumer, Technology, Healthcare, Industrial, and Chemicals markets. With a vast team of over 400 analysts worldwide, FMI provides global, regional, and local expertise on diverse domains and industry trends across more than 110 countries. Join us as we commemorate 10 years of delivering trusted market insights. Reflecting on a decade of achievements, we continue to lead with integrity, innovation, and expertise. This release was published on openPR.
Prices of Presidential Memorabilia Drop Amid Political Turmoil in South Korea
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