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Oti Region Fully Prepared for Peaceful and Transparent ElectionsLooking for a way to make a difference in Surrey this holiday season? One of the easiest ways to make positive change is to support non-profit organizations. Non-profit organizations make it their missions to serve specific causes — whether those causes are the environment, a certain demographic of people, animals, schools, or social issues. Supporting non-profit groups furthers a worthy cause and even benefits those who lend their support. According to Waterford.org, an equitable learning organization, supporting non-profits can lead to a greater sense of happiness, improved mental health and a stronger sense of purpose. Plus, it fosters a greater number of social connections. There are many different ways to be involved with non-profit groups. Non-profit organizations require funding to meet their missions. Support from donors can cover operating costs and ensure missions are not stalled or cancelled due to lack of funding. Visit your favourite local non-profit's website to find out how to volunteer. Sharing information about an organization with others and asking them to support the non-profit is known as peer-to-peer fundraising. This can happen by word-of-mouth advertising on social media, asking for fundraising for a cause in lieu of traditional birthday or special event gifts, or sharing flyers or other advertisements around town. This type of fundraising is especially valuable because it does not require non-profit organizations to allocate their own resources in order to generate donations. Even if you cannot donate or sponsor an event, you can still be involved. Showing up to support a cause can help raise awareness and inspire non-profit workers and volunteers. Whether you’re a private citizen, an employer or a business owner, you can support non-profit groups in Surrey in any or all of the above ways — and reap the rewards that such support produces. Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas: Especially around the Christmas season, food banks are in need of donations. Surrey is home to many including the , , , and . Donation drop-offs until Dec. 23, Monday to Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Toy Depot (13665 102 Ave, Surrey, BC V3T 1N7). The organization welcomes donations of new, unwrapped toys and/or lightly used coats and shoes. Karmin Dhindsa, Christmas Bureau co-ordinator, said they especially need gifts for teens. "So for teens, gift ideas include makeup kits, any sort of hair accessories. We also have a Sporty Elves program to encourage sports-related gifts from local sports teams and organizations, like soccer balls and gear, basketball, clothing." The Surrey Crime Prevention Society is partnering with Surrey Urban Mission for their winter clothing drive. New or lightly used jackets, large hoodies, boots and shoes, gloves and mittens, socks and toques can be dropped off at 15-12484 82 Ave. Monday to Fridayi from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. New socks can be dropped off until Dec. 12, with all socks going to Sources Food Bank. Donations can be dropped off at the following locations: • Abilities Neurological Rehabilitation, 5460 152 St., Surrey; • Chestnut house, 4576 55B St., Delta; • Crossroads Community Inclusion, 4807 Georgia St., Delta; • Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 2350 148 St., Surrey; • Physiomoves Surrey Panorama, #110-5260 152 St., Surrey; • Physiomoves Ocean Park, 1599 128 St., Surrey; • RBC 1586 Johnston Rd., Unit 1, White Rock; • UNITI North campus, 13550 77 Ave., Surrey; and • UNITI South campus, 15306 24 Ave., Surrey. All items must be new and non-expired. Donations can be dropped off on Dec. 17 by 3 p.m. at Alex House (2916 McBride Ave) or Kensington Prairie Community Centre. Health and beauty Products: shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc Canned Foods: Soups, veggies, fruits; Baking Supplies: flour, sugar, baking soda, and more to inspire holiday treats; Dry Goods: rice, pasta, lentils, cereal, etc. and Grocery Gift Cards. Donations can be dropped off at any time at 9810 Foxglove Drive. They are specifically looking for new or gently used socks, jackets, boots, shoes, pants, hoodies, toques, gloves, blankets, safety blankets, and sleeping bags. New hand and foot warmers, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and chapstick can also be donated. Drop off all donations at the back doors of Shannon Hall, Cloverdale Fairgrounds: 6050 176 Street. This year they are short on gift cards for teens and seniors, specifically asking for $50 Happy Teen gift cards for teens and $25 gift cards for seniors. They are also accepting: Non-Perishable Food Donations (Monday – Thursday), Gently Used Clothing, Small Household Items & Toys for their Free Store (Monday – Friday) and New Toy Donations & Stocking Stuffer Items (Monday & Tuesday). Donations can be dropped off at Peace Portal Alliance Church, located at 152 Street and King George Boulevard, Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations including cold weather jackets and coats that are weather-resistant, sweatpants, jeans, and rain pants. Other clothing items include hoodies, sweatshirts, sweaters and T-shirts, boots and shoes.

For 35 years, Phil Carle, a woodworking teacher at Merrimack High School, has introduced students to a virtual forest of possibilities. The high school's state-of-the-art woodshop contains 18 lathes with tools for turning and transforming wood into functional and artistic objects, including candlestand tables, bowls and ax handles. His students, male and female, run the gamut from the curious and creative to the tentative, dedicated or pre-professional. There's no shortage of interest in the subjects he teaches — Discover, Woodworking, Advanced Woodworking and Creative Lathe Turning. Post-pandemic and in a digital culture and marketplace, most of his classes remain full, and no one expects to scoot through with a barely passing grade. "If you sign up for Mr. Carle's class, you're making products that you'll be proud of when you leave," Carle said. "If students see a need for something at their house, we do it." Since 2001, Merrimack High School has had the largest lathe turning facility in New England's public schools. Last month, and for the third time, New Hampshire Woodworking Guild members came to collaborate with woodshop students to fabricate wig stands for cancer patients. Some drove from Kittery, Maine. Students ages 15 to 18 were "elbow to elbow with Guild members that are retired or working professionals, all working on projects together," said Carle. "When you talk to the students, they say, 'Oh, it was so much fun!' What defines the fun? Skill development. Building confidence. Communicating with each other in person. Doing something for others." One of Carle'[s former students designed and built a pedestal table that won a Gold Key Award in a Scholastic Art & Writing Competition — plus a $57,000 scholarship from one of the sponsors, the Maine School of Art and Design. "There's so much problem solving, in woodworking," he said. Many kids relish working with their hands. "They glow. They thrive. It gives them confidence to pursue other interests they may not have thought they could do." Dimitri Smith, a senior who wants to become a forester and a 'fire jumper' who extinguishes forest fires, built a new handle for the 1941 Collins ax he bought at a vintage tool store in northern New Hampshire, using the traditional tools and methods he learned in woodshop. At the New England Woodworking Competition last month, he took third place among high school students for a 'hollow form,' an artistic object created with a lathe. "Technology has always been a center of discovery and change through all cultures. The computer screen is not the only center," said Carle.KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Israeli airstrikes tore through a tent camp for displaced Palestinians in southern Gaza on Wednesday, sparking fires and killing at least 21 people, according to the head of a nearby hospital, in the latest assault on a sprawling tent city that Israel designated a humanitarian safe zone but has repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strike on the Muwasi tent camp was one of several deadly assaults across the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. An Israeli attack in central Gaza killed at least 10 more people, including four children, according to Palestinian medics. Israel’s devastating war in Gaza, launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, shows no signs of ending after nearly 14 months. Hamas is still holding dozens of Israeli hostages, and most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is reliant on international food aid to survive. Israel is also pressing a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say Palestinians might be experiencing famine. The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push for a Gaza cease-fire now that there's a truce in Lebanon between Israel and the militant group Hezbollah, ending more than a year of cross-border fighting. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump demanded this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. Wednesday's strike in Muwasi — a desolate area with few public services that holds hundreds of thousands of displaced people — wounded at least 28 people, according to Atif al-Hout, the director of Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. An Associated Press journalist at the hospital counted at least 15 bodies, but said reaching a precise number was difficult because many of the dead were dismembered, some without heads or badly burned. In the morgue, an infant's blackened hand and face peeked out from beneath a heavy blanket used to transport bodies to the hospital. “It was like doomsday,” said a wounded woman, Iman Jumaa, who held back tears as she described how the strike killed her father, her brothers and her brothers' children. Videos and photos of the strike shared widely on social media showed flames and a column of black smoke rising into the night sky, as well as twisted metal tent frames and shredded fabric. Palestinian men searched through the still-burning wreckage, shouting, “Over here guys!” Further away, civilians stood at a distance, observing the destruction. The military said the strikes had set off secondary blasts, indicating explosives present in the area had detonated. It was not possible to independently confirm the Israeli claims, and the strikes could also have ignited fuel, cooking gas canisters or other materials in the camp. Shortly after the strike, Al-Awda Hospital said two people had been killed and 38 wounded in an attack on a residential block in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The military had no immediate comment on the strike, but said earlier strikes in central Gaza had hit “terrorist targets." Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths, saying the militants often operate in residential areas and are known to position tunnels, rocket launchers and other infrastructure near homes, schools and mosques. Previous Israeli strikes on tent camps in Gaza have drawn widespread international outrage, such as when a wounded student’s last moments were caught on video as he burned to death in a tent outside a hospital. In northern Gaza, dozens of Palestinian families said Israel's expanding offensive had forcibly displaced them from schools-turned-shelters. Associated Press footage showed people on the road Wednesday leaving Beit Lahia, many crowded onto donkey carts with their belongings in their arms. Others walked on foot. “This morning a quadcopter (drone) detonated four bombs at the school. There were people injured, human remains — we left with nothing,” said Sadeia al-Rahel. The 57-year-old said her family has been eating grass, leaves, and animal feed for two months due to the lack of food aid in the north. The amount of aid entering Gaza plunged in October, and hunger is widespread across the territory, even in central Gaza where aid groups have more access. Humanitarian organizations say Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of law and order make it difficult to deliver assistance. Israel has said it is working to increase the flow of aid. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,500 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and around 250 people were abducted. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. On Wednesday, Israel said its forces recovered the body of a hostage who was captured alive during the Oct. 7 attack. Israel believes Itay Svirsky was killed by his captors. The families of hostages held in Gaza have grown increasingly concerned that their loved ones are at risk so long as the war continues. Israel’s military released on Wednesday the findings of a probe into the circumstances behind the deaths of six hostages whose bodies were recovered in August, determining they were probably shot by their captors after a nearby Israeli strike in February. Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem contributed to this report.The 140-year cricket first creating headaches in Border-Gavaskar battle

The year in money: inflation eased, optimism ticked upward

Stock market today: Tech stocks and AI pull Wall Street to more recordsRevvity Inc. stock outperforms competitors on strong trading day

Ranger Energy director Michael Kearney sells $409,964 in stockThe Ottawa Senators face the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 (12/13/24) in a regular season game at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C. How to watch: Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV . You can also watch via a subscription to Sling TV , which is offering half off your first month. — DirecTV Stream is offering $30 off on Entertainment with Sports Pack featuring NFL RedZone, BIG Ten Network and more. — Sling TV is offering plans for as low as $20 for your first month Here’s what you need to know: What : NHL regular season Who : Senators vs. Hurricanes When : Dec. 13, 2024 (12/13/24) Time : 7 p.m. ET Where : Lenovo Center TV : NHL Network Live stream : fuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) *** Here’s a preview capsule via the Associated Press: Ottawa Senators (13-13-2, in the Atlantic Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (18-9-1, in the Metropolitan Division) Raleigh, North Carolina; Friday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Ottawa Senators visit the Carolina Hurricanes after Drake Batherson’s hat trick against the Anaheim Ducks in the Senators' 5-1 win. Carolina is 18-9-1 overall and 11-3-0 at home. The Hurricanes are 4-2-0 in games decided by a goal. Ottawa has a 4-7-1 record on the road and a 13-13-2 record overall. The Senators have a +one scoring differential, with 87 total goals scored and 86 conceded. The teams play Friday for the second time this season. The Hurricanes won the previous meeting 4-0. TOP PERFORMERS: Martin Necas has scored 14 goals with 29 assists for the Hurricanes. Sebastian Aho has two goals and 11 assists over the last 10 games. Brady Tkachuk has 14 goals and 15 assists for the Senators. Adam Gaudette has scored six goals and added one assist over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Hurricanes: 4-5-1, averaging 3.2 goals, 5.7 assists, 3.4 penalties and seven penalty minutes while giving up 3.9 goals per game. Senators: 5-4-1, averaging three goals, 5.3 assists, 4.1 penalties and 9.9 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game. INJURIES: Hurricanes: None listed. Senators: None listed. (The Associated Press contributed to this report) Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.At today’s morning skate, Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet confirmed that goaltender Thatcher Demko will be returning to action as a backup for tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This will be Demko’s first time suiting up for an NHL game since he was sidelined with an injury back in the first round of the 2024 Playoffs against the Nashville Predators. Since his injury, the Canucks have tried several different options in net and found a useful one in the offseason by signing Kevin Lankinen. Lankinen has been exactly what the Canucks have needed in the absence of their starting goalie and has a 12-3-3 record and a spot on Finland’s roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off . With Demko finally returning, this will bring stability to the Canucks crease and the two goalies could be one of the best tandems in the league. Demko’s Return Is What the Canucks Need Demko’s play in the net is exactly what the Canucks need to climb back up in the standings. The American netminder has been the Canucks’ staple in the crease for almost the past five seasons and was a big reason for their success last regular season. He helped lead the Canucks to a first-place finish in their division and had he not gotten hurt in the first round, maybe the team could have beaten the Edmonton Oilers and gone farther than the second round. He now returns to Vancouver’s lineup with the Canucks in a comfortable position as the third-place team in the Pacific Division and with his goaltending partner Lankinen stealing games for the Canucks. With Demko now returning, the Canucks have a great opportunity to have one of the top goaltending tandems in the NHL. The team’s plan will most likely be to send Arturs Silovs down to the American Hockey League (AHL) so he can play some games with the Abbotsford Canucks and Vancouver will run with Demko and Lankinen as their two goalies. If they play up to their potential, both are starting-calibre goaltenders in the NHL. Lankinen has proven this season that he is far and away the Canucks best goalie when Demko is hurt and Demko has been Vancouver’s starting goalie for the past several years. This tandem could be what pushes the Canucks back into the conversation of Stanley Cup contenders as these two goalies will help them win games and will give them saves that perhaps they were not getting when Demo was out. Perfect Timing This news couldn’t have come at a better time for the Canucks. The team has been treading water for most of the season and hasn’t been able to string together a solid win streak since winning four games in a row back in October. The club hasn’t met that same success since the season started and some of that has been due to their goaltending situation as Silovs has not played as he did during the playoffs last season. With Demko arriving now, the Canucks are primed to start rattling off some wins in consecutive order and get back to being one of the top teams in the Western Conference. The best teams in the modern NHL are the ones that have two goalies who could be starters or at least two that you feel comfortable playing in front of. The best example of this was when the Boston Bruins had Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark as their tandem for the past two seasons. In 2022-23, they both helped the Bruins set the record for most wins in a single season and both goalies were a big reason for it as the players in front of them knew that the person between their goalposts could give them a chance to win. If Lankinen and Demko can be close to as good as those two were, the Canucks are going to shoot up the standings and be a much better team than they have shown so far this season. Demko’s return will be a boost to the Canucks as he is a veteran on the team but it will also help them win more games. If he can work well with Lankinen and become a good tandem with him, Vancouver is primed for another run at the Stanley Cup. This article first appeared on The Hockey Writers and was syndicated with permission.

By Anna Helhoski, NerdWallet The battle to get here was certainly an uphill one, but people are generally feeling better about the economy and their finances than they once did. On top of that, the economy has been easing into an ideal, Goldilocks-like position — not running too hot or cooling too quickly. Throughout 2024, consumer sentiment data showed people were fairly positive about the economy and their own finances, even if there’s remaining frustration over elevated prices compared to four years ago. Looking ahead, households are feeling more optimistic about their personal finances in the next year, as the share of those expecting to be in a better financial situation a year from now hit its highest level since February 2020. Combine positive personal vibes with a strong economic picture and it looks like 2024 wasn’t so bad for consumers, after all. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t bumps in the road or potential roadblocks ahead. To cap off the year, NerdWallet writers reflect on the top trends in personal finance and the economy this year — and what they think might be ahead in 2025. Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet’s economist What happened: In 2024, U.S. consumers have proven resilient following a period of high inflation and ongoing high interest rates. Wage growth has been strong, owing in part to rising productivity. This has driven robust spending throughout the year, which has kept the economy growing at a healthy pace. The labor market has remained steady, though cooler than 2023, and price growth continues to moderate towards the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation goal. What’s ahead: Barring significant changes to economic policy and significant shocks, the U.S. economy is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the coming year. Inflation will continue to moderate and the labor market will remain relatively healthy, all due in part to continued slow and deliberate rate cuts from the Fed. However, there are risks to this path. Higher tariffs and tighter immigration policies are likely, but the extent of these changes are yet unclear. The potential policy scenarios are many, and the economic outcomes complex. Increased tariffs are generally inflationary, and stricter immigration policies could impact the labor supply and economic growth. Consumers and small business owners with their eyes to the new year should focus on the things within their control. Margarette Burnette, consumer banking and savings writer What happened: High-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit offered elevated rates in 2024, rewarding savers with strong returns. Following the Federal Reserve rate cuts in the second half of the year, high-yield accounts had modest rate decreases, but they continued to outperform traditional savings accounts and CDs. What’s ahead: We’re watching for further Federal Reserve rate cuts, which could lead to more decreases in savings rates. Sara Rathner, credit cards writer What happened: Credit card debt levels hit record highs, with consumers turning to credit cards to pay for necessities. While the economy is doing well, many individuals have struggled to make ends meet, as incomes haven’t kept up with certain costs. What’s ahead: We may see some policy and regulation changes with the incoming administration that could affect folks when it comes to credit cards, debt and consumer protections. Ryan Brady, small business writer What happened : New businesses continued to blossom in 2024 as business applications remained well above pre-pandemic levels. Confidence in the future state of the U.S. economy also spiked after the presidential election, but that optimism was tempered by concerns over rising costs and labor quality. What’s ahead: All eyes are on the incoming administration as small-business owners brace for turbulence resulting from potential tariffs, tax policy changes and dismantled government regulations. We’re also watching the possibility of interest rate cuts in 2025 and small-business owners’ growing reliance on new technologies, such as AI. Holden Lewis, mortgages writer What happened: Home buyers struggled with elevated mortgage rates, rising house prices and a shortage of homes for sale. On top of that, a new rule required buyers to negotiate their agents’ commissions. What’s ahead: The Federal Reserve is expected to cut short-term interest rates, but mortgage rates might not necessarily fall by a similar amount. Buyers will probably have more properties to choose from, and the greater supply should keep prices from rising a lot. Interest rates on home equity loans and lines of credit should fall, making it less expensive to borrow to fix up homes — either to sell, or to make the home more comfortable and efficient. Sam Taube, investing writer What happened: The stock market had a great year. The S&P 500 is up more than 25% due to falling interest rates, fading recession fears, AI hype, and the possibility of lighter taxes and regulations under the new administration. Cryptocurrency also saw big gains in 2024; the price of Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 mark for the first time in December. What’s ahead: A lot depends on how fast the Fed reduces rates in 2025. Another key unknown is Trump’s second term. Regulatory rollbacks, such as those he has proposed for the banking industry, could juice stock prices — but they also could create systemic risks in the economy. His proposed tariffs could also hurt economic growth (and therefore stock prices). Finally, it remains to be seen whether trendy AI stocks, such as NVIDIA, can continue their momentum into next year. It’s the same story with crypto: How long will this bull market last? Caitlin Constantine, assistant assigning editor, insurance What happened: Many people saw their home and auto insurance premiums skyrocket in 2024. In some states, homeowners are finding it harder to even find policies in the first place. Meanwhile, life insurance rates have started to decrease post-pandemic. We also saw more insurers offering online-only policies that don’t require a medical exam. What’s ahead: Auto and home insurance costs will likely continue to rise, although auto premiums may not rise as dramatically as they have over the past few years. And if you’re in the market for life insurance, expect to see competitive life insurance quotes and more customizable policies. Eliza Haverstock, student loans writer What happened: Borrowers received historic student loan relief, but lawsuits derailed an income-driven repayment plan used by 8 million whose payments are indefinitely paused. Uncertainty will carry into 2025 as a result of the presidential administration change. What’s ahead: Trump has pledged to overhaul higher education and rein in student loan relief. The fate of the SAVE repayment plan, student loan forgiveness options, FAFSA processing and more remain in the balance. Meghan Coyle, assistant assigning editor, travel What happened: People are willing to pay more for big and small luxuries while traveling, and airlines and hotels are taking note. Many airlines raised checked bag fees early in 2024, credit card issuers and airlines invested in renovated airport lounges, and major hotel companies continued to add luxury properties and brands to their loyalty programs. What’s ahead: Southwest will say goodbye to its open seating policy and introduce new extra-legroom seats, a major departure for the airline. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will unveil a unified loyalty program in 2025. Spirit Airlines may attempt to merge with another airline again after its 2024 bankruptcy filing and two failed mergers under President Biden’s administration. Travelers will find that they’ll have to pay a premium to enjoy most of the upgrades airlines and hotels are making. Laura McMullen, assistant assigning editor, personal finance What happened: This year, dynamic pricing expanded beyond concerts and travel to online retailers and even fast-food restaurants. This practice of prices changing based on real-time supply and demand received plenty of backlash from consumers and prompted the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how companies use consumers’ data to set prices. What’s ahead: Beyond an expansion of dynamic pricing — perhaps with added oversight — expect subscription models to become more prevalent and demand for sustainable products to grow. Shannon Bradley, autos writer What happened: New-car prices held steady in 2024 but remained high after a few years of sharp increases — the average new car now sells for about $48,000, and for the first time ever the price gap between new and used cars surpassed $20,000 (average used-car prices are now slightly more than $25,000). Overall, the car market returned to being in the buyer’s favor, as new-car inventories reached pre-pandemic levels, manufacturer incentives began making a comeback and auto loan interest rates started to decline. What’s ahead: The future of the car market is uncertain and depends on policies implemented by the incoming administration. Questions surround the impact of possible tariffs on car prices, whether auto loan rates will continue to drop, and if federal tax credits will still be available for electric vehicle buyers. Jackie Veling, personal loans writer What happened: Buy now, pay later continued to be a popular payment choice for U.S. shoppers, even while facing headwinds, like an interpretive ruling from the CFPB (which determined BNPL should be regulated the same as credit cards) and Apple’s discontinuation of its popular Apple Pay Later product. Large players like Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay continued to offer interest-free, pay-in-four plans at most major retailers, along with long-term plans for larger purchases. What’s ahead: Though more regulation had been widely anticipated in 2025, the change in administration suggests the CFPB will play a less active role in regulating BNPL products. For this reason, and its continued strength in the market, BNPL will likely keep growing. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Easing inflation was a bright spot in 2024. In June, the consumer price index fell below 3% for the first time in three years. Consumers saw prices level off or decline for many goods, including for groceries, gas and new and used vehicles. But prices haven’t fallen far enough or broadly enough to relieve the pinch many households feel. What’s ahead: The new and higher tariffs proposed by the Trump administration could reignite inflation on a wide range of goods. Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Rent prices remain high, but annual rent inflation slowed significantly compared to recent years, staying around 3.5% for much of 2024, according to Zillow, a real estate website that tracks rents. A wave of newly constructed rental units on the market seems to be helping ease competition among renters and forcing landlords to offer better incentives for signing a lease. What’s ahead: If it continues, a softening rental market could work in renters’ favor. But construction is one of several industries that could see a shortage of workers if the Trump administration follows through on its promise to deport undocumented immigrants. A shortage of workers would mean fewer houses and apartments could be built. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: After a contentious presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump declared victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to lower inflation, cut taxes, enact tariffs, weaken the power of the Federal Reserve, deport undocumented immigrants and more. Many economists have said Trump’s proposals, if enacted, would likely be inflationary. In Congress, Republicans earned enough seats to control both houses. What’s ahead: It’s unclear which campaign promises Trump will fulfill on his own and with the support of the new Congress. He has promised a slew of “day one” actions that could lead to higher prices, including across-the-board tariffs and mass deportations. Most recently, Trump pledged to enact 20% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff on China. He has also promised to extend or make permanent the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; many of its provisions expire by the end of 2025. Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: Fiscal year 2023-2024’s funding saga finally came to an end in March, then six months later, the battle to fund the fiscal year 2024-2025 began. The Biden Administration waged its own war against junk fees . Antitrust enforcers pushed back against tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta; prevented the Kroger-Albertsons merger; nixed the Jet Blue-Spirit Airlines merger; and moved to ban noncompete agreements. The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as a challenge to abortion pill access. SCOTUS also overruled its landmark Chevron case, which means every federal regulatory agency’s power to set and enforce its own rules are now weaker. What’s ahead: The election’s red sweep means the GOP will control the executive and legislative branches of government. They’ll face the threat of at least one more potential government shutdown; a debt ceiling drama comeback; and the beginning of the debate over extending or making permanent provisions of the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. More From NerdWallet Anna Helhoski writes for NerdWallet. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @AnnaHelhoski. The article What Trended in Personal Finance in 2024? originally appeared on NerdWallet .Canadians face a fresh wave of scams as fraudsters seize on the Canada Post strike to try to trick victims out of their cash. The last few weeks have seen an “exponential” rise in attempted fraud, ranging from phishing emails to deepfake phone calls, says Octavia Howell, chief information security officer at Equifax Canada. “Any time there is a major political event, a major strike or anything like that, we’ll see an uptick,” she said in a phone interview. “Not only is there a Canada post strike ... it’s the holidays.” Scams related to parcels and deliveries typically tick up in step with online shopping orders this time of year, but the work stoppage at Canada Post has led to even more fraud attempts amid the confusion around shipments, Howell said. Comprehensive figures on the latest batch of scams are not yet available from Equifax Canada, but the credit bureau’s daily updates have marked the rise nonetheless. Rather than the roughly half-dozen daily consumer fraud reports of previous increases, Equifax Canada’s investigations team is filing up to “87 in one report in one day coming from the same IP addresses,” said Howell. She called the trend “insidious.” “We’re seeing exponential growth in the amount of scams that are actually happening ... because, one, holidays, and then two, people aren’t able to get their shipments out.” Mail carriers walked off the job on Nov. 15, halting deliveries of letters and packages at the start of the holiday shipping season. Canada Post cautions users that it never reaches out about a delivery via text or email unless it has been requested to. The Crown corporation has asked Canadians to be on guard for telltale signs of a phishing scam or fraud attempt, including poor grammar, imagery inconsistent with Canada Post logos and a tracking number at odds with its standard format. The Better Business Bureau similarly cautioned users when the strike kicked off. “Watch out for fake package delivery offers during Canada’s postal strike,” the non-profit said in a release last month. It advised potential victims to verify delivery services, avoid unsolicited shipment offers from little-known companies and check for accreditation by the bureau before selecting a service. It also noted that scammers may send false messages claiming to be from Canada Post or another carrier asking for payment for undelivered items or offering “priority service.” “Do not click on links in unsolicited emails or texts. Instead, visit the official website of the courier service for updates,” the bureau said. Canada Post recommends customers contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre if they receive a suspicious email, text or call related to the postal service.