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Israel and Lebanon Agree to 10‑Day Ceasefire as Trump Announces Breakthrough

  Israel and Lebanon Reach 10‑Day Ceasefire Following Trump Announcement Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a 10‑day ceasefire set to begin at 5 p.m. EST, according to U.S. President Donald Trump, who said the truce followed “excellent conversations” with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.  The ceasefire comes after more than six weeks of intense fighting between Israel and Hezbollah, the Iran‑backed armed group operating in southern Lebanon. The conflict has resulted in over 2,000 deaths in Lebanon and displaced more than a million residents, while Israel has maintained a 10‑kilometre security zone in southern Lebanon. Trump stated that both leaders agreed to begin the truce to pursue peace, adding that he plans to invite them to the White House for the first direct talks between the two countries since 1983. Lebanese officials have welcomed the ceasefire, though Hezbollah has said its adherence depends on Israel halting all attacks....
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New Federal Budget to Deliver $1,100 Tax Credit for Personal Support Workers

 

                                           Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu 


The federal government has announced a major new measure in Budget 2025 aimed at supporting Canada’s personal support workers (PSWs). The initiative introduces a refundable tax credit of up to $1,100 per year for eligible PSWs, a move expected to benefit more than 200,000 frontline care workers across the country.

Unveiled by Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu, the credit is designed to recognize the essential role PSWs play in Canada’s healthcare system, particularly in caring for seniors and vulnerable populations. The refundable nature of the credit means that even low- and modest-income workers, who may not owe income tax, will still be able to claim the benefit.

The program will allow PSWs to claim five per cent of their eligible earnings, up to the $1,100 maximum, for the next five years. This measure comes after sustained advocacy from healthcare unions, including SEIU Healthcare, which had been calling for financial relief for PSWs since 2024 Newswire.

Alongside the tax credit, Budget 2025 also includes a $75 million investment in the Union Training and Innovation Program to expand apprenticeship opportunities in the skilled trades, as well as commitments to speed up the recognition of foreign professional credentials.

Union leaders and healthcare advocates have welcomed the announcement, calling it a “long overdue recognition” of the sacrifices and contributions made by PSWs, especially during the pandemic years. The government has framed the measure as part of a broader effort to make life more affordable for workers while strengthening Canada’s healthcare system.

With Canada’s aging population driving up demand for long-term care, the new tax credit is being positioned as both a financial relief measure and a recruitment tool to help attract and retain workers in a sector facing chronic shortages.

In short: Budget 2025 delivers a landmark win for PSWs, offering direct financial support while reinforcing their critical role in the country’s healthcare system.


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