The prospect of Wang Shilin obtaining her driver's license in London adds an international flair to the narrative, reflecting the global outlook of this modern Chinese family. The experience of driving in a foreign country at a young age allows Wang Shilin to broaden her horizons and gain valuable life skills. It also highlights the family's commitment to fostering cultural exchange and embracing diverse experiences.
By Kemberley Washington, CPA, Bankrate.com (TNS) As the end of the year approaches, now’s the time to start preparing for filing your 2024 tax return in 2025. When it comes to tax strategies, generally Dec. 31 is the deadline to make changes that might lower your tax bill. One major exception is the deadline for contributing to a Roth or traditional IRA : You have until April 15, 2025, to make a contribution to a Roth or traditional IRA for tax year 2024. If you qualify for deductible IRA contributions , then a contribution to your traditional IRA can reduce your taxable income for 2024. Here are tips and strategies to prepare now for the 2025 tax-filing deadline. If you had significant changes in your life in 2024 — maybe you got married or divorced, started your own business, or had to claim unemployment benefits — your taxes may be more complicated. As a result, you might need to hire a certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent (EA) or other tax professional to prepare and file your taxes. If you decide to hire someone, it’s best to start planning for that sooner rather than later. Waiting until the calendar flips to April could cost you. The average fee for a professional to prepare and file a simple Form 1040 tax return, with no itemized deductions, is about $220, according to a survey by the National Society of Accountants in 2020-2021, the most recent data available. But that amount rises quickly for more complex returns, and varies depending on where you live. For example, a Form 1040 with itemized deductions costs an average of $432 in states on the Pacific Coast, compared with $285 in New England. No matter where you live, prices usually rise as the tax deadline approaches, so it’s smart to start searching for a tax pro soon. If you’re uncomfortable doing your taxes on your own and can’t afford a CPA, enrolled agent or other tax pro, or to pay for tax software , there are free options to consider. The IRS currently offers three ways to prepare your taxes for free: •With the IRS Free File program, the IRS partners with for-profit tax-software companies that offer free tax-prep software to eligible taxpayers so they can file their federal tax returns for free. Some taxpayers may also qualify for a free state tax filing, depending on the software provider. In January, the IRS will announce the income limit to qualify for the program for the 2025 tax season (for filing 2024 tax returns). For the 2024 tax season (2023 tax returns), taxpayers’ adjusted gross income (AGI) couldn’t exceed $79,000. •The IRS also offers its Direct File program, a free tool that allows you to file your federal income tax return directly with the IRS at no cost. The program supports simple tax returns and is available only in certain states. Check to see if you qualify here. •Another free-filing option is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. IRS-certified volunteers offer free basic tax preparation in person to people who earn less than $67,000 a year, are disabled or whose English is limited. The IRS has an online location tool for hundreds of free tax preparation sites in the U.S. (the locator tool is updated from February through April). Some VITA sites also offer online tax-prep assistance. Now is a good time to create an IRS online account. If you want to see your Form 1040 from last year, or you’re missing a prior year Form W-2 or mortgage interest statement, you can find your documents using this free tax tool. Another benefit of creating an IRS online account is that it allows you to quickly obtain your prior year’s tax information without sitting on the phone for hours with an IRS representative, says Carl Johnson, a certified public accountant in New Orleans. An IRS online account also lets you view your account balance and payment history for each year. You can also create a payment plan to settle your federal income tax debt within minutes. If you’re 73 years old and have enjoyed watching your 401(k) or IRA grow tax-free without touching it, remember that the IRS is going to want its share each year. That means you’ll have to make withdrawals — and pay income tax. If you turned 73 in 2024, plan to take your required minimum distribution (RMD) at the latest by April 1, 2025. Read this IRS bulletin for more information. The amount of your RMDs is based on your age and the year-end values of your retirement accounts. A Roth IRA has two big tax advantages over a traditional IRA : Qualified withdrawals are not considered income for federal (and usually state) tax purposes, and you don’t have to take distributions from a Roth every year once you reach age 73. Converting a traditional IRA to a Roth IRA may save you money in the long run. Just know that when you convert an IRA to a Roth, it’s considered taxable income, which will raise your tax bill for that year. Generally, it’s best to convert to a Roth IRA when you’re in a low-income year. As tax season approaches, many people start receiving phone calls, emails and texts from entities claiming to be the IRS. Be wary, and understand that these are scams. Typically, the IRS will mail you a notice before using any other method of communication to notify you concerning issues with your tax return. The IRS won’t reach out via social media or text messaging. Relatedly, the IRS warns taxpayers to be careful when choosing a tax preparer. Taking time to vet your tax preparer is crucial to protect yourself from tax scams and fraud. Before hiring a tax professional, search that person’s name in the IRS database of federal tax return preparers to avoid dishonest “professionals.” “Taxpayers should check the tax professional’s credentials,” Johnson says. Tax pros without credentials “may take questionable positions without any degree of scrutiny or fear of losing their access to the profession,” Johnson says. Taxpayers who don’t file a tax return and owe a tax bill, or who file but don’t pay their tax bill on time, risk severe penalties. The IRS can even seize assets if necessary. Respond quickly if the IRS has been sending you letters because it found an error on your return or claims you owe back taxes. Typically, the IRS will send you a notice if you have a balance due, changes were made to your tax return, or the agency needs additional information. “If you ignore a collection letter from the IRS, you may face wage garnishments, liens, bank levies, and other adverse action. And in some cases, the amount due may increase for failure to respond,” Johnson says. Keep in mind the IRS does offer installment plans and other payment plans. Make copies of your correspondence and use only the U.S. Postal Service, the postmark from which is your proof of timeliness when responding. But whatever you do, don’t ignore the IRS because this may cause more issues in the future. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Composer Tyler Bates has been sued for allegedly pilfering a singer and former collaborator’s voice on productions he scored. Azam Ali, in a lawsuit filed on Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges Bates created a “digital replica” of her voice, which was used on new projects, including Cartoon Network’s animated series , without consent or compensation to the singer. Ali’s voice has appeared on scores for major studios films, including and . She met Bates in 2001, when he was looking for a vocalist to assist him on scoring the soundtrack to . The pair went on to collaborate on , and . Last year, Ali claims she was contacted by a fan congratulating her for appearing on a soundtrack to an unnamed production scored by Bates. When she reached out to the composer, he allegedly told her in a text message that he had “made an EXS 24 sample instrument,” which refers to a sampler used to manipulate sound files when arranging music, from recordings of her voice. “Azam’s investigation further revealed that Bates appeared to have included samples of [her] voice in audio libraries that were then distributed to his collaborators for use on their shared projects,” states the complaint. Ali alleges that these samples appeared in and , a game released in 2010. She brings a trio of claims related to breach of contract and seeks unspecified damages. Bates has faced accusations of plagiarism. In 2007, Warner Bros. issued a statement acknowledging that “a number of the music cues for the score of were, without our knowledge or participation, derived from music composed by Academy Award winning composer Elliot Goldenthal for the motion picture .” The composer — who scored the soundtracks for the franchise, and — was also sued in 2018 by Kurt Oldman and Dieter Hartmann in a dispute over credit and compensation on . They accused him of going back on a deal to give them credit on the film and 15 percent of royalties from its score. The two sides later settled the case. A representative for Bates didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter
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Article content Long the standard by which Canadian running backs are measured in the NFL, Rueben Mayes is hoping Chuba Hubbard can set that bar even higher. In 1986, Mayes became the first Canadian to rush for over 1,000 yards in an NFL season, running for a career-best 1,353 yards (over 16 regular-season games) as a New Orleans Saints rookie. On Dec. 8, Hubbard became the second Canadian to crack the 1,000-yard plateau and needs 159 yards in the Carolina Panthers’ final two regular-season games to surpass Mayes’ single-season mark. “I’m cheering for him to do it,” Mayes said. “I did what I did 38 years ago and being the first (Canadian) to do it, I feel a lot of pride about that. “But now it’s Chuba’s time. It (1,353 yards) is definitely within reach and I think Canadians should be really proud to know there’s a homegrown player who’s doing that on a big stage like that. The big thing is to stay healthy and have the opportunity, but Chuba is in position to do that.” Now 61, Mayes, of North Battleford, Sask., played in the NFL with New Orleans (1986-90) and Seattle (1992-93), rushing for 3,484 yards (four-yard average) with 23 touchdowns. He was the NFL’s top offensive rookie in 1986, went to the Pro Bowl twice (1986, ’87) and was inducted into the Saints’ Hall of Fame in 2004. Hubbard, 25, of Sherwood Park, Alta., has some work to do to surpass Mayes. Carolina (4-11) finishes its season on the road against division rivals Tampa Bay (8-7) and Atlanta (8-7), which are tied atop the NFC South standings and still have plenty to play for. What’s more, Tampa Bay’s defence is ranked 10th against the run (104 yards per game) just ahead of Atlanta (111.9). “He’ll have to earn it,” Mayes said. “These are two good running teams and I learned when I played that teams that have good running games are good against the run because that’s what they practise. “But I’ll be tracking where he is. It’s kind of fun, kind of exciting to engage in that with another running back.” Chuba called game 📺: Fox @Hubbard_RMN | #ProBowlVote pic.twitter.com/W4EOGtZDF2 Hubbard is coming off a 152-yard rushing performance in Carolina’s 36-30 overtime win over Arizona on Sunday that eliminated the Cardinals from playoff contention. Hubbard also scored two TDs, including the game-winner in extra time on a 21-yard run. That boosted Hubbard’s season total to 1,195 yards (4.8-yard average) with 10 TDs. Last month, Hubbard signed a four-year contract extension worth $33.2 million US. Carolina selected Hubbard in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL draft out of Oklahoma State. Mayes is the regional partnerships and philanthropy officer at Seattle Children’s Hospital. He and his wife of 37 years, Marie, have two sons, Logan (a senior financial analyst for Amazon) and Kellen (a third-year medical student at the University of Washington). Mayes says he has no lingering effects from having played football. “I’ve been so blessed, honestly,” Mayes said. “I’ve had a couple of surgeries post-football, one from surfing ... I tore cartilage in my right knee and I’m a big skier and one time I hurt my shoulder, but now it’s fine. “I have good genes from my dad and mom. My dad is 93 years old. I have a lot of gratitude for my life with a lot more to go.” RECOMMENDED VIDEO New Orleans selected Mayes in the third round of the 1986 NFL draft following a stellar career at Washington State. Twice the Pac-10’s offensive player of the year (1984-85) and a consensus All-American (1984), Mayes set single-season (1,632) and career (3,519) rushing records while also setting a then-NCAA record for single-game rushing yards (357 versus Oregon in 1984). As a junior, Mayes finished 10th in voting for the Heisman Trophy, presented annually to U.S. college football’s outstanding player. Hubbard was eighth in Heisman voting in 2019. Mayes was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008 and Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. “My mindset when I played was always to be the best,” Mayes said. “I wanted to be the best running back in the NFL. “I remember once we had training camp against the Chicago Bears and I got to meet Walter Payton in person, who was one of my idols, and that year I beat him in rushing and it was like it doesn’t matter if you’re from North Battleford, Sherwood Park or Toronto, Chuba can be the best in the NFL and that’s exciting. “That’s always been my mindset, even today, just going for it.”"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.
Saka, in particular, has been a revelation this season, showcasing maturity beyond his years and earning comparisons to some of the game's great dribblers. His ability to change the course of a game with his dribbling and decision-making has made him a crucial player for Arsenal, with fans and pundits alike hailing him as one of the brightest talents in English football.
Pregnancy is a unique journey filled with both excitement and challenges, and having a supportive companion by one's side can make all the difference. In this case, Zhang Meng was fortunate to have Xiao Wu, a dear friend who provided her with unwavering support and care during her prenatal check-up. The sight of the two friends together exemplified the beauty of female friendship and the importance of being there for each other through thick and thin.Excitement fills the air as the Gold Dragon Index soars back to the 7000-point mark, igniting a sense of jubilation and anticipation among investors and financial experts alike. After a period of fluctuation and uncertainty, the market has once again demonstrated its resilience and strength, reaffirming the confidence of participants in the A-share market.
De'Vondre Campbell's mid-game quitting overshadowed the 49ers' offensive woesDominate trading: Elliott Wave strategies for SP500, NASDAQ 100 and more [Video]Similarly, SpaceX, Musk's aerospace company, has continued to achieve remarkable successes in the realm of space exploration. The company's ambitious goals, such as developing the Starship spacecraft and launching a constellation of satellites for global internet coverage, have captured the imagination of investors and the public alike. This has translated into increased valuation for SpaceX and further bolstered Musk's financial standing.
LONDON -- A lone voice in the East Stand strikes up the chant. "I believe in Jesus', Arsenal's No. 9". The other 60,156 aren't tempted. The giddy delight in which he enraptured supporters in the summer of 2022, the fervor with which they greeted him being risen from the treatment table the following Easter: such an atmosphere feels a lifetime ago. It was no wonder Wednesday night that the Emirates Stadium failed to rally around their fading star. It wasn't just the two really big misses to start off the 3-0 win over Monaco. It was the ball over the top he didn't quite throw himself at against Fulham, the increasingly timid cameos in the weeks before, the 22 Premier League games without a goal. It's enough to have the Arsenal fanbase quite reasonably saying that it doesn't matter if they believe in Gabriel Jesus. Does Gabriel Jesus believe in Gabriel Jesus? He's beginning to. The direct scoring output was not there again and that matters. It cannot be doing Jesus' confidence any favors that he is the lowest-scoring Gabriel at Arsenal in the year 2024 by a margin of five. Since the day he suffered that World Cup-ending knee injury more than two years ago, Jesus has rarely if ever looked the mobile, aggressive force he was before, the man who could make believers of doubters with one dribble. No less than pronounced than whatever issues may linger in his knee is what that injury seems to have done to Jesus' spirit. The verve of old has rarely if ever been apparent this season. At his worst of late, he has played like a man torn between two conflicting ideas. He knows how much just getting that one goal when it really matters -- i.e. not against Preston -- would do him the world of good. It just isn't his game to goal hunt. Not that he didn't get into prime spots in this one. That matters. It is easy to play into the familiar narrative that coalesced around Jesus in his Manchester City days, that he simply isn't a killer, the sort of striker who needed only one chance to bury his opponent. There's probably truth in that. When you have consistently underperformed your xG through nine seasons in English football, it's probably not all variance. Then again, the output would still look pretty encouraging when he was getting 0.9, 0.8 even 0.6 xG per 90. In 2024, that number has dipped to 0.31 in over 1,000 minutes and is even a fair wedge lower when he's getting to go at tiring defenses off the bench. Jesus hasn't even been getting in spots to miss his chances. A step in the right direction then. Twice Jesus found himself in prime scoring positions. The first time, an elegant ball from back to front by Jakub Kiwior did much off the work for him but he still needed the right first touch and a decent hit of his shot. Quibble if you want about the second but he hardly shanked it. Not for the first or last time in this game, it took very good work from Radoslaw Majecki to foil Jesus. Indeed a little over two minutes later the Monaco goalkeeper was the spoiler again. This time there was even more to like in Jesus' muscularity, holding off Thilo Kehrer to first claim Gabriel Martinelli's shot and then draw a smart save from Majecki. Time and time again Jesus was attacking the space in behind the Monaco defense and Arsenal kept finding him. The best ball of the lot was to come from the full Champions League debutant, Myles Lewis-Skelly fizzing the ball through the line and into Jesus' path. This time his eyes were fixed not on the goal but Bukayo Saka, a first-time cross to evade three defenders and find his man at the back post easier said than done. It was a reminder that a good Jesus performance can be about more than pure scoring. His pressing created another chance for himself when it looked like Monaco had cleared Mikel Merino's cross. Jesus was prepared to go wherever required to aid his team but on this occasion, it didn't stop him getting into impactful areas. He faded as Monaco's pressure grew in the second half and Kai Havertz's robust, goalscoring cameo will have only strengthened his standing at the top of the striker depth chart. This was at least a step in the right direction, a sign that there might be something to be resurrected in a player so frequently linked with an exit this year. Those zealots who still remain have something to cling to. For the rest to believe in Jesus, though, Arsenal's No. 9 is really going to have to do more than just get into the right spots.
On a bright and crisp morning, the parade ground echoed with the sound of military boots marching in unison. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and pride as over a thousand new recruits stood tall and solemn, ready to take on the responsibilities and challenges of their new roles as soldiers. For the parents who gathered to witness this monumental moment, it was a bittersweet occasion - a mix of pride, concern, and a tinge of nostalgia for the children they once were.In conclusion, the current bank initiative to offer loans with approval rates of up to 100% in the automotive finance sector represents a significant opportunity for customers looking to purchase a new vehicle before the end of the year. With competitive interest rates, favorable loan terms, and a streamlined application process, customers have the flexibility and convenience to secure financing for their automotive needs. As banks continue to expand their presence in the auto finance market, customers can look forward to a more accessible and efficient loan approval process, making their dream car purchase a reality.Rakovina Therapeutics Announces Closing of Oversubscribed $3M Private Placement
( ) on Thursday reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings that topped Wall Street targets. HPE stock climbed amid strong revenue growth from artificial intelligence systems, mainly data center servers processing AI workloads. The maker of computer servers, networking equipment and data storage systems reported earnings after the market close. For the October quarter, HPE earnings rose 12% to 58 cents on an adjusted basis. Revenue rose 15% to $8.5 billion, the company said. Analysts expected HPE earnings of 56 cents a share on sales of $8.25 billion. Fiscal Q4 revenue from AI servers came in at $1.5 billion, up 16% from the previous quarter, vs. $900 million in fiscal Q3 and $400 million in the April quarter. Competition has heated up with ( ) in AI servers. For the current quarter ending in January, the company forecast adjusted EPS in a range of 47 cents to 52 cents, versus estimates of 49 cents. HPE said it expects revenue growth in the "mid-teens." On the , HPE stock rose more than 1% to 22.04 in extended trading. Shares were up 28% in 2024 prior to the HPE earnings report. Heading into the HPE earnings report, the tech stock had a Relative Strength Rating of 76 out of a best-possible 99, according to . HPE Stock: Juniper Closing Near? In early 2024, HPE agreed to buy Sunnyvale, Calif.-based ( ) for $14 billion in cash. The purchase is expected to close soon. HPE expects the deal to be earnings and free-cash-flow accretive in the first year post-close. However, HPE added significant debt to finance the transaction. Morgan Stanley analyst Meta Marshall on Thursday upgraded HPE stock to over-weight prior to the earnings report release. "With the close of the pending Juniper acquisition seemingly near, we think upwards of 40% to 50% of the pro-forma earnings power being driven by networking can help shares rerate to a (higher) multiple," he said in a report. "Combined with Juniper coming out of an inventory digestion and having new cloud customers, we are biased to think that there is more upside to Juniper's numbers in the near term vs. downside."Aaron Rodgers suggests a 'curse' might be the reason for the Jets' losing ways