Back in 2004, the landscape of technology was vastly different from what it is today. The emergence of social media platforms such as Facebook and the rise of smartphones with cameras marked the beginning of a digital revolution that would redefine how we communicate, work, and interact with the world around us.
NoneWASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA and its international partners are set to receive scientific research samples and hardware as a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft departs the International Space Station on Thursday, Dec. 5, for its return to Earth. NASA's live coverage of undocking and departure begins at 10:50 a.m. EST on . Learn how to through a variety of platforms, including social media. The Dragon spacecraft will undock from the forward port of the space station's Harmony module at 11:05 a.m., and fire its thrusters to move a safe distance away from the station after receiving a command from ground controllers at SpaceX. After re-entering Earth's atmosphere, the spacecraft will splash down off the coast of Florida. NASA will not stream the splashdown and will post updates on the agency's blog. Filled with nearly 6,000 pounds of crew supplies, science investigations, and equipment, the spacecraft arrived to the orbiting laboratory Nov. 5 after it launched Nov. 4 on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the agency's SpaceX 31st commercial resupply services mission. Dragon will carry back to Earth thousands of pounds of supplies and scientific experiments designed to take advantage of the space station's microgravity environment. Splashing down off the coast of Florida enables quick transportation of the experiments to NASA's Space Systems Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center, allowing researchers to collect data with minimal sample exposure to Earth's gravity. Scientific hardware and samples returning to Earth include (Genes in Space Molecular Operations and Sequencing), which successfully conducted in-orbit sequencing of microbial DNA from the space station water system, and marks the first real look at the microbial population of the water system. In addition, (Space Tissue Equivalent Dosimeter) returns to Earth after collecting data on crew radiation exposure and characterizes the space radiation environment. The dosimeter is a student-developed technology demonstration and effectively operated for 11 months on station – six months longer than intended because of its success. Additionally, two specimens printed with ESA's (European Space Agency) , will go to researchers for post-processing and analysis. Researchers will compare the specimens printed in microgravity with those printed on Earth. The goal is to demonstrate the capability to perform metal deposition, or the layering of metals, in 3D under sustained microgravity conditions and manufacture test specimens. Researchers aim to understand the performance and limitations of the chosen technology and become familiar with crewed and remote operations of the instrument onboard a space habitat. Also returning on spacecraft is the , which invited students and educators around the world to submit drawings, paintings, or poems. Winning art submissions were printed on station, photographed in the cupola, and will be returned to their creators on Earth. In addition, researchers will observe high-speed video of bubble behavior in microgravity to understand fundamental processes that occur on a heated bubble surface. Results may improve understanding of how molecules are deposited on bubble surfaces and enhance detection methods for health care and environmental industries. For more than two decades, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station, advancing scientific knowledge, and making research breakthroughs that are not possible on Earth. The station is a critical testbed for NASA to understand and overcome the challenges of long-duration spaceflight and to expand commercial opportunities in low Earth orbit. As commercial companies focus on providing human space transportation services and destinations as part of a robust , NASA is focusing more resources on deep space missions to the Moon as part of its Artemis campaign in preparation for future human missions to Mars. Get breaking news, images and features from the space station on , , and . Learn more about the International Space Station at: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE NASA
Arturo Peña Romano Medina/E+ via Getty Images ADC Therapeutics ( NYSE: ADCT ) is continuing to make strides with the advancement of its drug ZYNLONTA [Loncastuximab Tesirine-lpyl] for the treatment of patients with DLBCL. Specifically, this company has already received Accelerated Approval of this This article is published by Terry Chrisomalis, who runs the Biotech Analysis Central pharmaceutical service on Seeking Alpha Marketplace. If you like what you read here and would like to subscribe to, I'm currently offering a two-week free trial period for subscribers to take advantage of. My service offers a deep-dive analysis of many pharmaceutical companies. The Biotech Analysis Central SA marketplace is $49 per month, but for those who sign up for the yearly plan will be able to take advantage of a 33.50% discount price of $399 per year. Terry Chrisomalis is a private investor in the Biotech sector with years of experience utilizing his Applied Science background to generate long term value from Healthcare. He is the author of the investing group Biotech Analysis Central which contains a library of 600+ Biotech investing articles, a model portfolio of 10+ small and mid-cap stocks with deep analysis for each, live chat, and a range of analysis and news reports to help Healthcare investors make informed decisions. Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.WASHINGTON — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning "things do change." Here's a look at some of the issues covered: Trump hems on whether trade penalties could raise prices Trump threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn't believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won't be paying more as they shop. "I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow," Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich." He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. "All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field," Trump said. Trump suggests retribution for his opponents while claiming no interest in vengeance He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. "Honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump's role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: "I have the absolute right. I'm the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I'm the president. But I'm not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee," Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, "No," and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. At another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. "I want her to do what she wants to do," he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, "I'm not looking to go back into the past." Swift action on immigration is coming Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. "I think you have to do it," he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end "birthright" citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — though such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and were shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, "I want to work something out," indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not "want to be breaking up families" of mixed legal status, "so the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." Trump commits to NATO, with conditions, and waffles on Putin and Ukraine Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he "absolutely" would remain in the alliance "if they pay their bills." Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies' commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated "fairly" on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin's invasion. "Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure," Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump called for an immediate cease-fire. Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged. "I haven't spoken to him recently," Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to "impede the negotiation." Trump says Powell is safe at the Fed, but not Wray at the FBI The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy, including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: "Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious" that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump's pick for FBI chief, then "he's going to be taking somebody's place, right? Somebody is the man that you're talking about." Trump is absolute about Social Security, not so much on abortion and health insurance Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. "We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient," he said. He added that "we're not raising ages or any of that stuff." He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would "probably" not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, "Well, I commit. I mean, are — things do — things change. I think they change." Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had "concepts" of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called "lousy health care." He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for "better health care for less money."Additionally, technological advancements and innovation are transforming the real estate industry, making it more efficient, transparent, and accessible. From virtual property tours to online property transactions, technology is revolutionizing the way real estate is bought, sold, and developed. Securities firms are at the forefront of these developments, leveraging new technologies to better serve their clients and enhance their own operations.
In the volatile geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, tensions continue to simmer as the Syrian conflict enters its second decade. Recently, the Iranian Ambassador issued a stark warning to the United States regarding the potential consequences of the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. Ambassador Ali Akbar Velayati's message was clear: any attempt to destabilize or bring an end to the Assad government could lead to a dangerous escalation in the region, with the possibility of sparking a wider conflict.
Novak Djokovic might just have produced tennis’s greatest curveball yet. Even by the standards of his Melbourne theatrics, encompassing 10 titles and one lurid deportation saga, the enlistment of Andy Murray as his coach is a bolt from a clear-blue sky. It counts as the ultimate late-career Hail Mary: will it be the dream move, or will it blow up in their faces? Either way, it promises addictive viewing. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray were adversaries throughout their careers but did play as teammates at the Laver Cup in 2022. Credit: Getty Images for Laver Cup At first glance, the idea of Murray as Djokovic’s mentor seems a gimmick, the type of stunt that icons pull to amuse themselves in off-season exhibitions. Except this experiment is heavy with consequence, with Djokovic running out of chances at 37 to break a tie with Margaret Court and win a record 25th major title. His decision to tap into Murray’s wisdom in conquering that final frontier is no mere coincidence. Their paths through life are, as he sees it, intertwined. It is not so much the fact that they were born only seven days apart as the sense that each has helped define the other. Who was across the net when Murray won his first major and his first Wimbledon? Djokovic. And who was the opponent when Djokovic completed the career grand slam? Murray. They have a mutual telepathy when it comes to channelling volatile temperament into competitive defiance. Where better to test this shared understanding than Melbourne Park, the place where they contested four finals in five years? You can see why, on paper, the tie-up appeals to both men. Murray needs greater fulfilment than being a gentleman of leisure in the Surrey stockbroker belt, aimlessly hacking his way around Wentworth. Djokovic, on the other hand, requires fresh impetus ahead of potentially his final season, a kindling of the fire as he attempts to surmount the age gap to Jannik Sinner, 23, and Carlos Alcaraz, 21, the two fearless wunderkinds who have usurped him at the summit. The Serb was alarmingly flat in losing to Sinner in this year’s Australian Open semi-finals, as if stunned by the Italian’s power. It is difficult to envisage any such listlessness under Murray’s tutelage. On the contrary, the coach’s likely message is that if Djokovic can turn the tables on the next generation once – as against Alcaraz in the Olympic final – then he can do so again. The doubt is whether Murray can stay calm enough as a sounding board for Djokovic to deliver. His own coaching team required the patience of Job to deal with his mid-match outbursts, as he lacerated them for everything from poor shot selection to not applauding him loudly enough. Djokovic is no saint in this department either: just ask Goran Ivanisevic, whom he berated furiously in Melbourne in January for failing to look at him. Is Murray the type to sit in his box and accept similar treatment with good grace? Not unless he has undergone some Damascene conversion since retiring. Celebrity coaches are hardly novel in these settings. Murray savoured his finest results under Ivan Lendl, the inscrutable eight-time major champion who appeared, even amid the convulsions of the 2013 Wimbledon final, as if he would rather be playing golf back home in Florida. It was Lendl’s poker face that offset his pupil’s histrionics and made the relationship succeed. Murray is, to put it politely, more of an open book. Yes, his tireless encouragement made him a wonderful Davis Cup team-mate. But in the egocentric world of grand slam singles, raw emotion on the sidelines can be a hindrance. Murray needs to suppress his wilder instincts, to recognise that stoicism can be a virtue. Djokovic is paying Murray the most sincere compliment in calling for his counsel. He has little time to waste, and he has reached the stage where he feels his only option in preventing another Sinner-Alcaraz clean sweep at the majors is to lean on his former adversary. Unlike career coaches, Murray understands how to shape matches through sheer force of will. He showed it in Australia only last year, when he was yelping in agony at the back of the court. Making light of his metal hip to frustrate Thanasi Kokkinakis with a series of staggering retrievals, he flipped the match on its head and secured victory at a little past 4am in an almost empty arena. That unquenchable thirst is what he needs to revive in Djokovic. Ever since that Olympic gold in August, Djokovic has lacked his usual intensity, as if realising at some level that he has completed his sport. Murray is the figure who can remind him that there is still more history to write, still more distance to put between him and everybody else. How poetic it would be if it all came together with a record-extending 11th Australian Open triumph. Murray has reason to believe he is cursed in Melbourne: no other player, male or female, has competed in five finals at the same major without winning. He, too, has an itch to scratch, and who better to do it with than his once-implacable rival? The Telegraph, London News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter .
What could be the implication of proposed ‘right to be forgotten’ law?TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — A U.S. senator has called for mysterious drones spotted flying at night over sensitive areas in New Jersey and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region to be “shot down, if necessary,” even as it remains unclear who owns the unmanned aircraft. “We should be doing some very urgent intelligence analysis and take them out of the skies, especially if they’re flying over airports or military bases,” Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut said Thursday, as concerns about the drones spread across Capitol Hill. People in the New York region are also concerned that the drones may be sharing airspace with commercial airlines, he said, demanding more transparency from the Biden administration. The White House said Thursday that a review of the reported sightings shows that many of them are actually manned aircraft being flown lawfully. White House National Security spokesman John Kirby said there were no reported sightings in any restricted airspace. He said the U.S. Coast Guard has not uncovered any foreign involvement from coastal vessels. “We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus,” Kirby said, echoing statements from the Pentagon and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh has said they are not U.S. military drones. In a joint statement issued Thursday afternoon, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security said they and their federal partners, in close coordination with the New Jersey State Police, “continue to deploy personnel and technology to investigate this situation and confirm whether the reported drone flights are actually drones or are instead manned aircraft or otherwise inaccurate sightings.” The agencies said they have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and that reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. “There are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted air space,” according to the statement. The drones appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker briefed Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security. The number of sightings has increased in recent days, though officials say many of the objects seen may have been planes rather than drones. It’s also possible that a single drone has been reported more than once. The worry stems partly from the flying objects initially being spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. In a post on the social media platform X, Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia described the drones as up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in diameter and sometimes traveling with their lights switched off. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and Federal Aviation Administration regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Most, but not all, of the drones spotted in New Jersey appeared to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists. Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey said he was frustrated by the lack of transparency, saying it could help spread fear and misinformation. “We should know what’s going on over our skies,” he said Thursday. John Duesler, president of the Pennsylvania Drone Association, said witnesses may be confused about what they are seeing, especially in the dark, and noted it’s hard to know the size of the drones or how close they might be. “There are certainly big drones, such as agricultural drones, but typically they are not the type you see flying around in urban or suburban spaces,” Duesler said Thursday. Duesler said the drones — and those flying them — likely cannot evade detection. “They will leave a radio frequency footprint, they all leave a signature," he said. "We will find out what kind of drones they were, who was flying them and where they were flying them.” Fantasia, a Morris County Republican, was among several lawmakers who met with state police and Homeland Security officials to discuss the sightings from the New York City area across New Jersey and westward into parts of Pennsylvania, including over Philadelphia. It is unknown at this time whether the sightings are related. Duesler said the public wants to know what's going on. “I hope (the government agencies) will come out with more information about this to ease our fears. But this could just be the acts of rogue drone operators, it’s not an ‘invasion’ as some reports have called it,” Duesler said. “I am concerned about this it but not alarmed by it.” Associated Press reporters Mark Scolforo in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and reporter Darlene Superville and videojournalists Serkan Gurbuz and Nathan Ellgren in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.
Tennis coach Judy Murray says those born male should only compete with menCharles Schwab Investment Management Inc. Has $17.59 Million Stake in nCino, Inc. (NASDAQ:NCNO)
The killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson appears to have added fresh fuel to already tense discourse online about wealth, the role of corporations in American health care and power in society. Thompson , 50, was in New York City for an investor conference, where he was shot dead by a masked assailant. Days later, the gunman’s whereabouts and identity remained unknown as did the reason for the killing. New York City police say evidence firmly points to it being a targeted attack. Steven Downing, associate professor of criminology and media at Ontario Tech University, said some posts were celebratory in nature and that reactions may reflect people’s frustration with the health insurance industry in the United States. A thread on a Reddit community, inviting people to share their worst experiences with UnitedHealthcare, drew hundreds of comments, mostly negative, and over a thousand upvotes. “There seems to be some effect here where people are sharing their own narratives,” Downing said. “People are strangely bonding over this.” Social media users reacted to the killing, with the term ‘CEOs’ trending on the social media website X. “I’ve seen very little sort of post being sympathetic to the victim,” Downing said. “Certainly, there is an anti-elitist sentiment that we’re seeing here.” Downing said that while this is a tragedy for those who knew Thompson, the social media reaction indicates a broader anti-elite social sentiment. He said there are also posts “valourizing” the shooter. “I saw a tweet specifically mentioning Robin Hood. The parallels are not exact, but there is this class element embedded in that, like an us versus them,” he said. The shooting has shaken corporate America and the health insurance industry in particular, causing companies to reevaluate security plans and delete photos and biographies of executives from their websites, the Associated Press reported. A different Minnesota-based health care company said Friday it was temporarily closing its offices out of an abundance of caution, telling employees to work from home. UnitedHealthcare is a multinational health insurance and services company and is the largest insurer in the United States . In 2023, Thompson earned a total compensation of $10.2 million, according to a disclosure by UnitedHealth Group. It included his annual salary, bonus and stock option awards. UnitedHealthcare brought in $281 billion in revenue last year. The killing has come amid growing tensions and anger as income inequality remains a persistent challenge, and after the U.S. election saw conversations around health care and the further privatization of insurance and care access in the spotlight. Caitlin Slavens, an Alberta-based psychologist, said posts valourizing a killer may not be a genuine endorsement of violence, but may reflect misplaced anger or desperation. “In this case, the shooter may symbolize rebellion against a system people feel has failed them — like health care or insurance industries. For some, it’s easier to justify or glorify such actions than to sit with the helplessness or rage they feel toward those larger systems,” she said. Amie Grant, a therapist based in Cleveland, Ohio, said prolonged exposure to an oppressive system or situation – like being denied life-saving care – can lead to people’s collective frustrations boiling over into extreme narratives. Social media offers an easy space for people to vent. “Social media amplifies these feelings by creating echo chambers where resentment can turn into dark humor or misplaced validation,” she said. Grant said growing income-inequality, stagnant wages and rising prices have led to a growing collective anger. “Online spaces provide a fertile ground for these feelings to take root, often through humor, memes, and dark satire that make complex issues more accessible. Social media acts as a pressure valve, allowing people to articulate their frustrations in ways that feel both rebellious and communal,” she said. Feeling powerless in the face of large corporations can feel dehumanizing, Slavens said. Sharing those experiences online can be cathartic for some. “Sharing personal stories, especially about struggles with insurance companies, can be incredibly validating. It allows people to feel seen and heard while connecting with others who have faced similar experiences,” Slavens said. “For some, it’s a way to reclaim power over a situation that feels dehumanizing, turning their pain into a call for systemic change.” Matthew Polacko, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Toronto whose work focuses on the effects of income inequality on political behaviour, said anti-elite sentiments are not limited to the United States. Canada, too, has seen simmering anger since the pandemic. “It’s definitely on the rise, this dissatisfaction with billionaires, in Canada with grocery stores and the rising prices. There is this perception of collusion on their part,” he said. Where that anger goes next remains unclear. Downing said these sentiments could well snowball into populist political movements in the future. “There’s a movement towards populist sentiments,” he said. “If you look at Occupy Wall Street, there were analogous or simultaneous movements in Canada. I do think there will be (more such movements in the future).” Polacko said it’s unlikely that more violence will follow this incident. “This is more of an isolated incident,” he said, “I don’t think we have to worry about more violence happening here (in Canada). I don’t think this is likely to keep happening.”On pardons, Biden weighs whether to flex presidential powers in broad new ways
Well, the holidays are here and the time of giving is upon us. Since giving is such an important part of the season, I started writing an annual gifting column in December to remind you of some of the things to be aware of. I know that it isn’t going to affect all of you, but I still think that is a good idea to remind everyone of the rules. When discussing gifting with clients, the first thing that always comes up is the annual limit. A lot of my clients believe that there is a set limit on the amount of gifts a person can give each year to any one individual. If you take one thing away from this week’s column, let it be this: there is no limit on the amount of gifts a person can make each year. What a lot of people think of as a limit is a triggering amount. Each of us can make gifts of up to $18,000.00 to any individual before any reporting is required. If you give any one individual a total of $18,000.00 in gifts in 2024, you don’t have to report anything. If you gift $18,001.00 to any one individual, you must file a federal gift tax return. Also, each of us can gift $18,000.00 so that a husband and wife could gift $36,000.00 to a favorite child without any reporting. I checked and next year, the gift tax exclusion increases to $19,000.00. Remember that the $18,000.00 gift tax exclusion is a total for the year. There is no Christmas or birthday exception. If you give $18,000.00 at Christmas, it is in addition to all the other gifts made that year. $18,000.00 means $18,000.00. Also, make sure that any gift you make is completed before the end of the year. If you write a sizeable check to a loved one, make sure that they negotiate the check prior to the end of the year. If your son sits on the check until January, it may not be a completed gift for the year that it was intended. Remember that if you make gifts that aren’t cash, make sure that you understand tax basis. When making gifts other than cash, the recipient takes your tax basis in the asset. For example, if you gift $18,000.00 in stock to a son, he takes your tax basis in the stock, not the value at the time of the gift. The stock may be worth $18,000.00, but the tax basis could be considerably less resulting in a capital gain when the stock is sold. Also, if gifting securities, remember that it may take time for the transaction to be completed. Don’t decide to gift stock on December 21, and expect it to be completed this year. Finally, if you make a gift in excess of the gift exclusion, tax will be assessed but you probably won’t have to pay it. Each of us has a lifetime unified credit that can be used to pay any assessed tax. If you owe $1,000.00 in gift tax, you can use $1,000.00 of your unified credit to avoid paying tax. It will reduce your unified credit at the time of your death by that amount but most of us will still be okay. Gifting can be complicated so if you intend to make sizeable gifts before the end of the year, contact your attorney or accountant to discuss the potential pitfalls. Although it’s unlikely that you will have to pay any tax, it’s best to report the gift when required to do so.
A post shared by Sreeleela (@sreeleela14) The TOI Entertainment Desk is a dynamic and dedicated team of journalists, working tirelessly to bring the pulse of the entertainment world straight to the readers of The Times of India. No red carpet goes unrolled, no stage goes dark - our team spans the globe, bringing you the latest scoops and insider insights from Bollywood to Hollywood, and every entertainment hotspot in between. We don't just report; we tell tales of stardom and stories untold. Whether it's the rise of a new sensation or the seasoned journey of an industry veteran, the TOI Entertainment Desk is your front-row seat to the fascinating narratives that shape the entertainment landscape. Beyond the breaking news, we present a celebration of culture. We explore the intersections of entertainment with society, politics, and everyday life. Read More Anikha Surendran shines in blue elegance How to make South Indian-style Ghee Roast Eggs for dinner Aditi Rao Hydari's bridal look continues to steal the spotlight 8 healthiest sources of selenium 9 best sources of calcium other than milk Tamannaah Bhatia works her denim magic in a chic bodycon dress 10 most remote tourist destinations to explore this new year From Rashmika Mandanna to Samantha Ruth Prabhu: Best celeb-inspired lehengas for South Indian brides 9 baby girl names that mean beauty in SanskritHousing unaffordability still rising despite billions in government measures: PBOThe BC SPCA Kamloops animal centre has recovered several adult cats and kittens from a property, and is getting ready to receive between 15 and 25 more cats from the same property over the next few weeks. The animals were prioritized for recovery, with a female cat, her four kittens, and five other adults in the first intake. Sadly, two of the adult cats needed to be euthanized, while the kittens tested positive for coccidia and one of the adult cats tested positive for giardia. All the cats immediately went into quarantine and were treated. “This happens all too often when a kind person feeds a stray cat,” says Daria Evans, manager of the BC SPCA’s Kamloops animal centre. “In this case the finders began feeding stray cats in their community during the pandemic, and in no time at all the number of cats in their home more than doubled. “They became overwhelmed and reached out to us, and we are currently in the process of bringing all the cats into our care.” Evans adds that it’s likely that all of the cats in the home will require treatment, so the Kamloops centre is preparing for that. Coccidia and giardia are parasitic infections of the intestinal tract and are typically treated with oral medications and intravenous fluids if required. Although quite common and very treatable, they are both contagious. Once the cats clear quarantine, they will be placed with a BC SPCA foster carer or — if they are ready — made available for adoption. “Our goal is to bring all these babies into our care and treat them as soon as possible,” says Evans. “The kittens are very playful and sweet. They were a little grumpy when we gave them their coccidia baths, but that is to be expected. They now seem to be much happier and content.” The adult cats appear to be a mixture of indoor and outdoor animals. Staff at the centre have been pleasantly surprised at how comfortable the cats are around people, even though some may not have had as much human socialization as others. “They are very affectionate and love it when staff comes around to feed and care for them," says Evans. She notes that this case is a reminder that people should reach out if there are stray cats in their area, and the earlier the better. “It is amazing how quickly a cat population can explode.” The cats and kittens currently in care will be available for adoption later in December. You can help them — and other animals in need at the BC SPCA — by making a donation at spca.bc.ca/donations-animal-emergency/ .