A STUNNED driver was hit with a $525 bill after a towing company took the "long route" when his car died on the highway - and he had the proof to back it up. Patrik Bohn was traveling home for the holidays when his 2013 Subaru Outback came to a shuddering halt. The driver from Wheeling, West Virginia contacted his insurer, AAA, to have the card towed. Bohn ended up almost missing Thanksgiving with his family in Carlisle, Pennsylvania , but his troubles were only just beginning. AAA charged him $525 for the 275-mile route, rather than $310 for the 230-mile direct route it would have taken along Pennsylvania's Turnpike. Under his platinum-tier membership, AAA would have covered the first 200 miles of towing. READ MORE ON TOWING But Bohn claims that the towing company lied about taking the longer route home to rack up a higher bill. He says he can prove they took the Pennsylvania Turnpike because he left his work cell phone - complete with tracking technology - in the glove compartment of his car. "It has live tracking on it because I do a lot of traveling for work," he told local ABC affiliate ABC27 . Thanks to the GPS feature in his phone, Bohn says he has time-stamped video recordings of the towed car making its way along the turnpike before getting off in Carlisle. Most read in Motors He even provided a time-stamped photo of himself inside a house in Carlisle at the same time. Bohn said he paid the $525 and asked AAA Central Penn - where he's a member - to pay the $315 difference. He says after being pushed back and forth between AAA Central Penn and the local club that dispatched the truck in West Virginia, he still hasn't been helped. "AAA told me that this is at the tow truck company's discretion, and the owner of the tow truck company is calling me a liar despite all of this evidence," he said. AAA did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun's requests for comment. Bohn says he filled out a reimbursement form with AAA Central Penn before going to the news. Wrongfully or not, retrieving a towed vehicle can be a hassle. If your vehicle is towed after parking in a "No Parking" zone or other legitimate reason, there are a few steps to take to get it back. Steps to take when your car is towed: Try to figure out why your car was towed. Did you not see a posted "No Parking" sign? Did you miss a car payment? Did you return to a lot where you have unpaid citations? Finding the reason can narrow down the phone numbers to dial. Locate the vehicle. Most states, cities, or counties require towing companies to leave some form of contact information via a posted sign or sent by mail. Recovery dates and times depend on the company that towed the vehicle, but those times will be posted to the website or can be recited by a representative. Pay the fees. Be careful to be as prompt as possible, as some tow yards may charge storage fees by the day. If you feel your vehicle was wrongfully towed, contesting the action can be done with the following steps: Be prompt - many states have a small window of time where it's acceptable to file a complaint against a company that wrongfully towed the vehicle. Gather supporting documents: photos, emails, receipts, police reports, and witness statements if applicable. The more evidence, the better. Get familiar with your local laws, as laws for towing companies vary per state. Try speaking with the towing company. Sometimes it may have been a simple oversight, and the matter can be resolved quickly. Contact the Justice of the Peace in your area, as they may have more insight or resources to help. They are often utilized for towing cases. Talk to a lawyer. Many lawyers have free case consultations, and depending on the case, it may be worth it to utilize a lawyer. Source: Oregon Department of Justice , National General , Rak Law Firm Several days on, Bohn received a call from AAA Central Penn saying it would reimburse him. "The reimbursement is the outcome of a process to verify details that began immediately after the member notified us of the situation," a spokesperson said. Read More on The US Sun Bohn said getting the money back was a huge relief. With his partner in full-time education finishing school to become a physical therapist, he is the main breadwinner in the household.
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and appealed to the Australian Government on Tuesday through written submissions to delay a bill imposing a social media ban for children under 16 years old. In their submissions, both Google and Meta contended the bill should be delayed until the Government’s Age Assurance Trial results are obtained. The would “include methods that verify a user’s identity credentials to accurately determine their age” using “biometric markers or digital usage patterns.” Meta’s outlined several key points, including asserting the bill will “needlessly burden parents and young people” and “disempower Australian parents,” expressing doubts regarding the government’s proposition to place the burden on social media companies. Further, the submission considers the “omission of YouTube and online gaming fatal to the Bill’s purpose.” However, the government has to exclude messaging apps, gaming services, and health and education-related such as Google Classroom and YouTube. Meta’s submission additionally voices reservations about the new definition of ‘age-restricted social media platform,’ the “unclear technical requirements with significant penalties.” It raises concerns of “overlap and duplication” with the Privacy Act. Google’s proposed the bill “adopt a more targeted approach to covered services,” noting “digital platform regulation is complex and requires careful regulation,” expressing concerns that the speed of the bill’s development has “not allowed for adequate contemplation of the complexities,” and the “rushed approach” has “failed to allow adequate consultation with experts, industry, parents and caregivers and young people themselves,” suggesting it “does not reflect good regulatory practice.” Australia’s Labor government the on November 21, 2024, which sought to implement a minimum age of 16 for social media. The proposed bill, which received bipartisan support, in the House of Representatives with 102 votes to 13 and will proceed to the Senate for debate. The bill was referred to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, with submissions of opinions closing after one day. An amendment to the , the bill would place responsibility on social media companies, rather than parents or children, to ensure reasonable steps are taken to prevent children under 16 from the platforms. The broadened definition of ‘age-restricted social media platform’ noted in would include Facebook and Instagram owned by Meta Platforms, TikTok, Snapchat, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter). Significant penalties could be imposed upon digital platforms for systemic breaches, such as failing to adhere to the minimum age obligation and incurring fines of up to AUD $49.5 million. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese the legislation as a “landmark reform,” acknowledging, “We know some kids will find workarounds, but we’re sending a message to social media companies to clean up their act.” Several organizations and individuals have expressed uncertainty and opposition to the bill, including , , , , and . Despite reservations about the bill expressed in submissions, a found an increase in Australian citizens’ support for the bill, with 77 percent backing the proposed ban. Pope Urban II sparks First Crusade Pope Urban II threw his support behind what would become the First Crusade on November 27, 1095 during the Council of Clairmont. The Pope urged the council's participants to render aid to the Byzantine Empire, which was being attacked by the Seljuks. Pope Urban called for a wide coalition of rich and poor to combat the threat, which eventually resulted in the conquest of much of the Muslim-controlled Levant by the Crusaders and the establishment of the Crusader States. Pope Urban's address. Catholic Code of Canon Law revised On November 27, 1983, the revised of the Roman Catholic Church went into effect.Learn more about the history of Canon Law from of the Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law. Alfred Nobel creates Nobel Prize in his will On November 27, 1895, Alfred Nobel signed his will, creating the . about the history of the Nobel Prize and the Nobel Commission.
How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Stock market today: Stocks waver in thin trading after US markets reopen following a holiday pause Stocks are wavering on Wall Street in light trading as U.S. markets reopen following the Christmas holiday. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq composite were down by less than 0.1% in afternoon trading Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up less than 0.1%. Gains in technology companies and retailers helped temper losses elsewhere in the market, including a pullback by some heavyweight Big Tech stocks. The Labor Department reported that U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. Treasury yields fell. U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finnish police say authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables. It was the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure. Police and border guards boarded the Eagle S and took control as they investigate damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable. The cable brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea. The cable went down on Wednesday. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Both have been termed sabotage. Russian ship that sank in the Mediterranean was attacked, owner says MOSCOW (AP) — The Russian operator of a cargo ship that sank in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria says it has been hit by a series of explosions in an act of sabotage. Oboronlogistica is a state-controlled company that operated the Ursa Major freighter. The company said the vessel was wrecked by three powerful explosions just above the water line in what it described as a “terrorist attack” that caused it to sink on Monday. The company said in a statement carried by Russia’s state RIA Novosti news agency on Thursday that the explosions left a hole in the ship’s starboard and filled the engine room with acrid smoke. That hampered the crew’s attempts to access it. Undersea power cable linking Finland and Estonia hit by outage, prompting investigation FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finland’s prime minister says authorities are investigating an interruption in a power cable under the Baltic Sea between his country and Estonia. Petteri Orpo said on X that power transmission through the Estlink-2 cable suffered an outage Wednesday. Authorities have been on edge about undersea infrastructure in the Baltic after two international data cables were severed in November and the Nord Stream gas pipelines between Russia and Germany were blown up in September 2022. Japan to maximize nuclear power in clean-energy push as electricity demand grows TOKYO (AP) — A Japanese government panel has largely supported a draft energy policy calling for bolstering renewables up to half of Japanese electricity needs by 2040. It also recommends maximizing the use of nuclear power to accommodate the growing demand for power in the era of AI while meeting decarbonization targets. Cabinet is expected to formally approve the plan by March following a period of public consultation. The policy says nuclear energy should account for 20% of Japan’s energy supply in 2040, with renewables expanded to 40-50% and coal-fired power reduced to 30-40%. Working Well: Returning to the office can disrupt life. Here are some tips to navigate the changes NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of workers are facing an unsettling reality heading into 2025. After years of working from the comfort of home, they're being told it’s time to return to the office full-time for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic. That can bring a host of challenges, including losing time with family. Workers at Amazon, AT&T and other companies have been called back to the office five days a week. Experts have advice to share about how to navigate the changes when an employer calls you back to the office. Workers can convey what they need, seek flexibility and if all else fails, consider other options. US applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3-year high WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years. The US Labor Department reported Thursday that jobless claim applications ticked down by 1,000 to 219,000 for the week of Dec. 21. That’s fewer than the 223,000 analysts forecast. Continuing claims, the total number of Americans collecting jobless benefits, climbed by 46,000 to 1.91 million for the week of Dec. 14. That’s more than analysts projected and the most since the week of Nov. 13, 2021. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered representative of U.S. layoffs.Multiple preeminent members of the New York Giants organization gave their thoughts on the banner flown above MetLife Stadium asking team owner John Mara to "fix this dumpster fire" on Sunday. Head coach Brian Daboll explained that he initially wasn't aware of the sign, but acknowledged that he wasn't pleased with New York's 2-11 record either. As for rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, he removed himself from discussion surrounding the identity of the person who paid for the plane to fly the banner. The Giants fell to the New Orleans Saints by the final score of 14-11 on Sunday. This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app , homepage and social feeds—including Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .Syrians rejoice as Assad flees, ending brutal reign
( MENAFN - Investor Brand Network) GPS tracking technology developer SuperCom Ltd. (NASDAQ: SPCB) is gaining attention for its improving profitability amid the company's heightened focus on court and police client electronic monitoring (“EM”). The company's superior EM solutions allow dependable supervision of qualifying offenders while freeing them from expensive physical custody. Simply Wall St noted in a recent article on SuperCom's financial performance that the company's Return On Capital Employed (“ROCE”), a metric evaluating how much pre-tax income a company earns on capital invested in its business, shows that SuperCom has already moved into positive territory for its earnings on its capital. “Interestingly, the capital employed by the business has remained relatively flat, so these higher returns are either from prior investments paying off or increased efficiencies,” the article states, while also acknowledging that the company's current liabilities have decreased in relation to its total assets as evidence of fundamental improvements ( ). “Our gross profit margin improved dramatically to 50.1% from 37.7% in the prior year period,” SuperCom President and CEO Ordan Trabelsi stated in the company's report on Q3 finances last month ( ).“Looking ahead, we remain focused on executing our strategy by delivering cutting-edge solutions, deepening relationships with existing clients, and entering new markets.” The company has put effort into optimizing its cash use for greater efficiency in employing its capital, while boosting sales in North America and Europe. SuperCom offers a unique all-in-one field-proven RFID & GPS tracking technologies product suite known as PureSecurity, tailored to the public safety sector. The platform is enhanced by monitoring services that complement the technology and are adapted for domestic violence prevention, EM supervision of people on probation or house arrest, and other security needs. Its technology provides improvements over legacy ankle monitor products with solutions designed to be worn discreetly with long battery life so that they don't continually require a recharge. They also provide the potential for EM tracking on a three-dimensional plane, which is useful in metropolitan areas where residences and business offices may occupy elevated facilities within a building, and tracking movements between multiple floors is desirable rather than simply following someone on a two-dimensional map. “Some people, especially in Manhattan, live in a certain area, so you want to make sure they're actually in the building and in their home, not just in the building,” Trabelsi said in an interview earlier this year with the Your Advantage Play podcast ( ).“If someone's a sex-offender and they need to stay in their house, and there is a huge building with thousands of people, it doesn't help just to track that they're in the building.” SuperCom's base of operations in Israel draws on the education and mindset inherent among the nation's residents in defensive technologies, giving the company an added advantage in the EM security sector. For more information, visit the company's website at . NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SPCB are available in the company's newsroom at About TechMediaWire TechMediaWire (“TMW”) is a specialized communications platform with a focus on pioneering public and private companies driving the future of technology. It is one of 70+ brands within the Dynamic Brand Portfolio @ IBN that delivers : (1) access to a vast network of wire solutions via InvestorWire to efficiently and effectively reach a myriad of target markets, demographics and diverse industries ; (2) article and editorial syndication to 5,000+ outlets ; (3) enhanced press release enhancement to ensure maximum impact ; (4) social media distribution via IBN to millions of social media followers ; and (5) a full array of tailored corporate communications solutions . 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Open boss sends clear message to Donald Trump as decision made on Turnberry future
NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. Now that’s to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect’s on all Canadian products entering the U.S., that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park.” “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn’t a trolling-free zone for Trump’s adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden’s spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns and launched other stunts to respond to Trump’s taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.”
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A scruffy little fugitive is on the lam again in New Orleans, gaining fame as he outwits a tenacious band of citizens armed with night-vision binoculars, nets and a tranquilizer rifle. Scrim, a 17-pound mutt that's mostly terrier, has become a folk hero, inspiring tattoos, T-shirts and even a ballad as he eludes capture from the posse of volunteers. And like any antihero, Scrim has a backstory: Rescued from semi-feral life at a trailer park and adopted from a shelter, the dog broke loose in April and scurried around the city until he was cornered in October and brought to a new home. Weeks later, he'd had enough. Scrim leaped out of a second-story window, a desperate act recorded in a now-viral video. Since then, despite a stream of daily sightings, he's roamed free. The dog’s fans include Myra and Steve Foster, who wrote “Ode to Scrim” to the tune of Ricky Nelson’s 1961 hit, “I’m a Travelin’ Man.” Leading the recapture effort is Michelle Cheramie, a 55-year-old former information technology professional. She lost everything — home, car, possessions — in Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and in the aftermath, found her calling rescuing pets. “I was like, ‘This is what I should be doing,’” Cheramie said. “I was born to rescue.” She launched Zeus’ Rescues, a nonprofit shelter that now averages 600 cat and dog adoptions a year and offers free pet food to anyone who needs it. She helped Scrim find the home he first escaped from. It was Cheramie's window Scrim leaped from in November. She's resumed her relentless mission since then, posting flyers on telephone poles and logging social media updates on his reported whereabouts. She's invested thousands of dollars on wildlife cameras, thermal sensors and other gear. She took a course offered by the San Diego Zoo on the finer points of tranquilizing animals. And she's developed a network of volunteers — the kind of neighbors who are willing to grid-search a city at 3 a.m. People like writer David W. Brown, who manages a crowd-sourced Google Map of all known Scrim sightings. He says the search has galvanized residents from all walks of life to come together. As they search for Scrim, they hand out supplies to people in need. “Being a member of the community is seeing problems and doing what you can to make life a little better for the people around here and the animals around you,” Brown said. And neighbors like Tammy Murray, who had to close her furniture store and lost her father to Parkinson's disease. This search, she says, got her mojo back. “Literally, for months, I’ve done nothing but hunt this dog,” said Murray, 53. “I feel like Wile E. Coyote on a daily basis with him.” Murray drives the Zeus' Rescues' van towards reported Scrim sightings. She also handles a tactical net launcher, which looks like an oversized flashlight and once misfired, shattering the van's window as Scrim sped away. After realizing Scrim had come to recognize the sound of the van's diesel engine, Murray switched to a Vespa scooter, for stealth. Near-misses have been tantalizing. The search party spotted Scrim napping beneath an elevated house, and wrapped construction netting around the perimeter, but an over-eager volunteer broke ranks and dashed forward, leaving an opening Scrim slipped through. Scrim's repeated escapades have prompted near-daily local media coverage and a devoted online following. Cheramie can relate. “We’re all running from something or to something. He's doing that too,” she said. Cheramie's team dreams of placing the pooch in a safe and loving environment. But a social media chorus growing under the hashtag #FreeScrim has other ideas — they say the runaway should be allowed a life of self-determination. The animal rescue volunteers consider that misguided. “The streets of New Orleans are not the place for a dog to be free,” Cheramie said. “It’s too dangerous.” Scrim was a mess when Cheramie briefly recaptured him in October, with matted fur, missing teeth and a tattered ear. His trembling body was scraped and bruised, and punctured by multiple projectiles. A vet removed one, but decided against operating to take out a possible bullet. The dog initially appeared content indoors, sitting in Cheramie's lap or napping beside her bed. Then while she was out one day, Scrim chewed through a mesh screen, dropped 13 feet to the ground and squeezed through a gap in the fence, trotting away. Murray said Cheramie's four cats probably spooked him. “I wholeheartedly believe the gangster-ass cats were messing with him,” Murray said. Cheramie thinks they may have gotten territorial. Devastated but undeterred, the pair is reassessing where Scrim might fit best — maybe a secure animal sanctuary with big outdoor spaces where other dogs can keep him company. Somewhere, Murray says, “where he can just breathe and be.” Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96OUT 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. 3 The triple approach paid off when Chikondi Chamveka wanted to switch careers Credit: getty 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 BOSSING IT I've been offered a new sales job & am anxious about targets - what should I do? BOSSING IT I’m self-employed and love what I do - but how do I progress my career? 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 ALL I WANT FOR BUSINESS From Boeing to Budget, test your knowledge with our festive quiz BOOZEY BET BrewDog founder James Watt reveals he played game of golf with MILLIONS at stake RATE EXPECTATIONS Bank of England divided over timing of interest rate cuts BANKS FOR NOTHING Wage surge dashes hopes for interest rate cuts as inflation fears grow 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. Glasgow Tech Firm Axes 60 Employees Before Christmas 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 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 3 LinkedIn career expert Zara Easton shares her advice 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. Double holidays 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? 3 You can take part in Interaction's competition to find Britain’s Best Office 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 on the Scottish Sun CHRISTMAS MIRACLES Christmas baby joy for Scots parents as little ones begin arriving EDGE OF THE WORLD Inside the remote Scots golf club dubbed 'the world's loneliest course' 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 . Job spot 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/
A WOMAN has faced endless problems since the Social Security Administration declared her dead two years ago - and the accident is more common than you'd think. The government wrongly marks thousands of Americans as dead each year, according to federal data. The mistake can prohibit taxpayers from accessing their bank accounts and retirement benefits. It can also prevent people from getting jobs or loans. In 2022, Brooklyn resident Sandra Hazel was shocked to learn she was listed on the SSA's Death Master File. The agency revealed the news to her while she was trying to set up her retirement benefits. READ MORE ON SOCIAL SECURITY "We recently discovered that our records wrongly showed you as deceased," the SSA wrote in a letter to Hazel. "How can you say that I'm deceased when I'm alive?" Hazel said, according to WCBS-TV. The small mistake turned into issues recurring for two years. Last August, the Internal Revenue Service told Hazel her tax return couldn't be processed because her social security number "belongs to someone deceased." Most read in The US Sun "And I'm not getting no benefits from social security, none," Hazel said. "I have rent to pay. I have bills to pay." Hazel has been unable to register for Medicaid because of the mistake. According to the SSA's most recent data from 2019, up to 7,000 Americans end up on the DMF by accident. However, the number of incidents has reportedly dropped by 45% since 2011 due to the rise of electronic records. In a similar clerical error to Hazel's, one woman reported losing access to her money after she was declared dead. If you suspect you've been declared dead by the Social Security Administration, it's important to contact the SSA as soon as possible. You can contact the SSA by: Calling 1-800-772-1213 Visiting your local SSA office Emailing the SSA support team Writing a letter to the following address: Social Security Administration Office of Public Inquiries and Communications Support 1100 West High Rise 6401 Security Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21235 More information can be found on the agency's website . Renee Williams, 66, told Philadelphia's CBS affiliate KYW-TV that the incident has been a "pain in the behind." She made the terrifying discovery that she had been deemed deceased while at a doctor's appointment. "I went to the emergency ward on Friday, and they couldn't get my insurance information," Williams told the outlet. "She said she tried several places and they said it was inactive. They said that I was deceased." The mistake led to devastating consequences for Williams as she reported her monthly Social Security checks have disappeared. "Her benefits, the banks, credit cards, it's a lot," Williams' daughter, Wadeeyah McNeil, said. Read More on The US Sun "It's going to be a while before she gets all this stuff back in order. It'll be a long while." The U.S. Sun has reached out to the SSA for comment.Winners and losers from CFP, bowl selections: The Big Ten’s smooth ride, SEC angst, cold-weather dreams, letdowns for UW, USC and more
Trump’s tariffs in his first term did little to alter the economy, but this time could be different
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his second term, his approach to technology policy is becoming clearer, with significant implications for major tech companies and apps used daily by millions. Trump has long promised to crack down on big tech companies, filling his staff with individuals who share this vision. However, in recent weeks, Trump has been building relationships with industry leaders he has criticized for years. His inaugural fund has received million-dollar donations from Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, Jeff Bezos’ Amazon and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Elon Musk of X has even referred to himself as Trump’s “first buddy.” “I want to get ideas from them. Look, we want them to do well,” Trump said, indicating a willingness to engage with tech giants. Tech companies, particularly social media platforms, are aware of the potential challenges ahead. Trump has accused them of censoring conservative speech, and concerns over privacy and child safety are bipartisan issues in Congress. Scrutiny of the tech industry is expected to intensify. Brendan Carr, Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Communications Commission, has expressed a desire to change how the FCC operates. “For too long, you know, Republicans just sat by and said if a large corporation wants to do something, who are we to stand in the way? And Democrats said, well, they’re ideologically aligned with us, we’ll let them get away with it. I think that era is over,” Carr said. Carr has advocated for making it easier to sue social media companies over content moderation, a move platforms argue could force them to either moderate nothing or everything, drastically altering the internet landscape. TikTok also faces uncertainty, with its future in the U.S. potentially hinging on a Supreme Court decision unless President Joe Biden delays its sale deadline from its Chinese parent company. Trump has hinted at a possible reprieve, saying, “You know I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok because I won youth by 34 points and there are those that say that TikTok has something to do with that.” Google and Apple are also under scrutiny, with Gail Slater nominated to lead the Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division. Slater is expected to continue ongoing cases against these companies, which the DOJ claims engage in anti-competitive practices. When nominating Slater, Trump said, “Big Tech has run wild for years, stifling competition in our most innovative sector and, as we all know, using its market power to crack down on the rights of so many Americans, as well as those of Little Tech!” As Trump’s administration takes shape, the tech industry is left to wonder whether he will follow through on his plans to crack down on big tech or if collaboration with top executives will prevail.
( MENAFN - GlobeNewsWire - Nasdaq) Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP Securities Litigation Partner James (Josh) Wilson Encourages Investors Who Suffered Losses Exceeding $50,000 In Sun Communities To Contact Him Directly To Discuss Their Options If you suffered losses exceeding $50,000 in Sun Communities between February 28, 2019 and September 24, 2024 and would like to discuss your legal rights, call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . [You may also click here for additional information] NEW YORK, Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP , a leading national securities law firm, is investigating potential claims against Sun Communities, Inc. (“Sun Communities” or the“Company”) (NYSE: SUI) and reminds investors of the February 10, 2025 deadline to seek the role of lead plaintiff in a federal securities class action that has been filed against the Company. Faruqi & Faruqi is a leading national securities law firm with offices in New York, Pennsylvania, California and Georgia. The firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors since its founding in 1995. See . As detailed below, the complaint alleges that the Company and its executives violated federal securities laws by making false and/or misleading statements and/or failing to disclose material adverse facts concerning where money was coming from, namely, undisclosed loans and a $4 million mortgage. Importantly, Defendants concealed key information regarding Board members' insider trading, loans taken on behalf of SUI by CEO Shiffman, and the mortgage signed by CEO Shiffman on behalf of an entity called DH Bingham Farms LLC. Such statements absent these material facts caused Plaintiff and other shareholders to purchase SUI's securities at artificially inflated prices. On September 25, 2024, Blue Orca Capital published a report alleging, among other things, that Sun Communities' CEO“received an undisclosed $4 million loan from the family of a purportedly independent Director who has sat on the Audit Committee and chaired the Compensation Committee for close to a decade.” On this news, Sun Communities' stock price fell $1.62, or 1.2%, to close at $137.48 per share on September 25, 2024, thereby injuring investors. The court-appointed lead plaintiff is the investor with the largest financial interest in the relief sought by the class who is adequate and typical of class members who directs and oversees the litigation on behalf of the putative class. Any member of the putative class may move the Court to serve as lead plaintiff through counsel of their choice, or may choose to do nothing and remain an absent class member. Your ability to share in any recovery is not affected by the decision to serve as a lead plaintiff or not. Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP also encourages anyone with information regarding Sun Communities' conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others. To learn more about the Sun Communities class action, go to /SUI or call Faruqi & Faruqi partner Josh Wilson directly at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (Ext. 1310) . Follow us for updates on LinkedIn , on X , or on Facebook . Attorney Advertising. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP (). Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome with respect to any future matter. We welcome the opportunity to discuss your particular case. All communications will be treated in a confidential manner. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at MENAFN26122024004107003653ID1109033703 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Salt AI Raises $3M, Elevates Aber Whitcomb to CEOSuspect in the UnitedHealthcare’s CEO Killing Struggles, Shouts Entering Courthouse