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The "Finest Cultural Gifts from China" Cultural and Tourism Trade Promotion Activity (Special Session for Musical Journey) Held in Pengzhou, Sichuan ProvinceBefore the doors open to 2025, let’s take you on a ride down the memory lane, to revisit some of the wild, wonderful, and downright outrageous moments that defined 2024 for the Capital's beloved lifeline – Delhi Metro. From record-breaking number of commutes to debut of driverless trains and more importantly the viral reels and ghar ke kalesh (household conflicts while aboard), this journey had us all minding the gap! Futuristic innovations and record-breaking rides Delhi Metro leapt into the future, in July, with the launch of 29 fully driverless trains on the Magenta Line. Well, who needs drivers when technology knows how to keep things on track? Not to be outdone by tech, humans that is metro commuters broke a record of its own when on November 18 it was recorded that 78.67 lakh passenger journeys were covered in a single day! Viral, sensational, Insta-worthy Talking about some of the viral gems that came from Delhi Metro, one's memory goes right back to March during the time of Holi. The festival came alive when two youngsters were recorded colouring each other in a dramatic act on the Bollywood number, Lahu Muh Lag Gaya (from the 2013 movie, Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela ) . The vibe that was thus created in blue hues, left the internet divided between gasps and giggles as the video went viral on with over 1.1 million views on X. Then in July 2024, the Naatu Naatu fever struck Delhiite Sachin Tomar, who turned a Blue Line coach into dance floor, to groove to the Oscar-winning beats. His reel amassed 30.1 million views and over 1.8 million likes, proving that the Metro isn’t just for getting places – it’s where viral sensations are born. A post shared by PRANKSTER SACHIN (@laughwithsachin) On track: High voltage drama Drama alert! On December 5, commuters on the Blue Line faced long delays due to a dramatic cable theft. With 43 incidents reported uptil December, as compared to 38 last year, the cable thefts hit an all-time high this year and became an annoying headache for the authorities (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation) as well as the commuters who complained of a ‘high voltage’ problem that no one individual could actually deal with. What’s new and what’s old? In July, commuters welcomed the addition of a digital QR ticketing system, that brought much convenience to frequent riders of Delhi Metro. But, one must note that the physical metro cards aren’t going anywhere as as of now so you needn't discard the ones you possess. Come autumn and November brought some more good news for the passengers with the launch of Sheryds and Rydr, in an attempt to make the last-mile connectivity a less bumpy ride. A standout feature? Sheryds introduced women-driven bike taxis, exclusively for women, to ensure safety and convenience of female passengers of Delhi Metro. Three decades, and celebrations are in order The Delhi Metro completed three decades of its existence, on May 3, and the milestone was was marked with a grand birthday bash during 30th Foundation Day celebrations at the Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan). But what's a birthday without some fun? Keeping this in mind, a few ace entertainers and artistes were invited to lend their touch fulfill the need for entertainment. Among the performers were singer Kavita Krishnamurti and stand-up comedian-actor Sunil Grover. Their acts added to the celebrations that saw dignitaries such as Param Vir Chakra awardee Honorary Captain Yogendra Singh Yadav. As you take a walk down the memory lane, here's us giving Delhiites a chance to cheer for their lifeline. For more, follow @htcity.delhijunction
Japan gov't mulls raising tax-free income threshold from January 2026Marketers are embracing messiness after years of cultural sanitisation and emotional suppression and taking risks, according to We Are Social’s Think Forward 2025: The Liveable Web report . Compiled by the creative agency’s Cultural Insights team and supported by a survey of 500 global marketing decision-makers, it predicts the key trends shaping social media over the next year. The report identifies backlash against a treadmill of micro-trends, notifications and noise online. It describes how people are pushing back against the prevailing culture of “more” – more content, faster trend cycles, ever higher, more unattainable goals – to find new modes of joy online. The five key trends playing out across The Liveable Web: After years of cultural sanitisation and emotional suppression, 2024 saw a return to rawness, gore, sleaze and hedonism – the social landscape is embracing messiness again. Think Forward states that 59% of marketers took risks in the last year such as partnering with an unusual or divisive creator or making content that was anticipated to provoke backlash; 98% of these reported a successful or neutral outcome. In an example of leaning into indie sleaze and celebrating the messiness of rave culture, H&M collaborated on a collection with queen of the primal renaissance, Charlie XCX . Charli XCX at her livestreamed listening party for the BRAT remix album Online spaces have been reclaimed as a place for escape and release. A new, more relaxed internet is emerging, with an emphasis on levity and kindness of the internet’s perceived early ‘00s “peak.” Take the less-is-more approach on Marc Jacobs’ TikTok – the fashion lynchpin has ceded creative control, allowing creators and micro-influencers to pepper their feed with fun, small-scale content. Social status used to be linked to how much money someone could spend. Now, though, a new wave of social users who value sustainability over splashing the cash are offering up a counter-narrative. Brands recognise this, and 66% of marketers have increased ethical and/or sustainability messaging in their social content in 2024 vs last year. E.l.f. Cosmetics have eased off pressurising consumers to buy in favour of content, and instead refocused on the happiness their cosmetics offer, leaning into joy-giving behaviours and rituals associated with their products. Creator-led content now leads the way in responding to and shaping popular culture. The result is an Easter egg web in which audiences are digging deeper into entertainment. For their AW drop, clothing brand Peachy Den worked with influencer Olivia Neill and director Jake Erland to meticulously recreate a scene from the iconic film The Devil Wears Prada, with fans quick to decode the video’s references and praise its attention to detail. People are participating in fandoms like never before, and research shows they’re doing so for the communal element of feeling part of something bigger than them. Marketers are responding by creating intimate experiences – 61% of global marketers use gate-keeping around their content, such as customer-only groups or closed social channels. REFY – creators of Vegan & Cruelty-Free Makeup – have stopped running influencer trips to promote their brand, offering community bonding trips for friends instead. The survey also identified a learning gap for marketers when it comes to understanding internet culture; despite shitposting, sludge and slop content becoming increasingly prolific online in 2024, the majority of those questioned – 83% for sludge and slop and 67% for shitposting – have no idea what the terms mean. “We know that a lot of people feel overwhelmed by their online experiences today; even spending time on social can be exhausting at times,” Mobbie Nazir , We Are Social’s global chief strategy officer said. “That’s why it’s been so encouraging to see the emergence of ‘The Liveable Web’ as a theme this year – separating joy from progress and prioritising slower consumption. We also see more audiences actively seeking out more raw emotion and less sanitisation; this in itself is a creative gift to marketers everywhere – particularly those willing to take a few risks.” Suzie Shaw , CEO of We Are Social Australia, said: “The social media landscape is at a pivotal moment, where people are increasingly seeking authenticity, levity, and genuine connection amid rising concerns about its impact. Our Think Forward 2025 report delves into these cultural shifts, from the raw energy of the Primal Renaissance to the emergence of low-stakes social spaces that embrace kindness and creativity. “These trends reveal not just the challenges but the profound opportunities for brands to step up. By championing intentional consumerism, fostering meaningful communities, and embracing cultural nuances, brands can be part of creating a healthier, more human digital world—something Australians are clearly craving.”
By Kemberley Washington, CPA, Bankrate.com The IRS Direct File program, which lets taxpayers file their federal income tax return directly with the IRS for free, is doubling its reach to 24 states for the 2025 tax season, up from 12 states in 2024, the program’s pilot year. The Direct File program will also accept more types of tax situations for the 2025 tax season. While taxpayers who used the system in 2024 could claim a handful of tax credits, including the earned income tax credit and the child tax credit , that list is expanding in 2025 to include the child and dependent care credit , among others. Related Articles An estimated 30 million taxpayers will qualify for the Direct File program in 2025, the IRS says. More than 140,000 taxpayers filed their federal tax returns through the Direct File program in 2024. About 90% of users said their experience was excellent or above average, according to a survey of about 11,000 Direct File users in 2024, conducted by the General Services Administration. “We’re excited about the improvements to Direct File and the millions more taxpayers who will be eligible to use the service this year,” said Danny Werfel, the IRS commissioner, in a statement. “Our goal is to improve the experience of tax filing itself and help taxpayers meet their obligations quickly and easily.” The IRS says that taxpayers can use Direct File when the 2025 tax season kicks off in January, and it will be available until Oct. 15, 2025. But the program’s future is somewhat unclear: In December, 29 Republican lawmakers sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, calling for him to end the Direct File program on his first day in office. Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives also introduced legislation in July to end the Direct File program. For now, here’s what you need to know about how the IRS Direct File program works, and how to qualify for it. The Direct File program is a new initiative, about to enter its second year, that allows taxpayers to file their federal tax returns electronically with the IRS. The no-cost tool guides taxpayers through every part of their federal income tax return. Taxpayers can file using a smartphone, computer or tablet. One of the program’s advantages is that, if you have questions as you’re working on your return, you can get live support directly from the IRS via chat or phone. IRS representatives can answer basic tax questions and help with technical issues in English and Spanish. The Direct File program has income limits, as well as limits on the types of income, deductions and credits you can enter on your tax return. For the 2025 tax season: To be eligible for Direct File, your income can come from the following sources: But if you’re self-employed, or have business or rental income, you can’t use Direct File . Same goes for IRA contributions or distributions: If you have either, you can’t use Direct File. You can use the IRS Direct File program only if you claim the standard deduction — the program isn’t available to people who itemize. But you can claim certain above-the-line deductions: student loan interest , educator expenses and health savings account contributions . You can’t use Direct File if you want to deduct your IRA contributions. The Direct File program allows for the following tax credits in 2025: However, if you want to claim education credits , credits for energy efficient home upgrades or the adoption expense credit , you can’t use the Direct File program. More taxpayers will have access to the IRS Direct File program in 2025. In 2024, the IRS kicked off the program with only 12 states; that number has expanded to 24 states for the 2025 tax season. For some of the states that participate in the IRS Direct File program, your federal return information will be transferred automatically to the state tax website, but in some cases you’ll have to re-enter your information. Visit this IRS Direct File page to get the details for your state. Here is a list of the participating states: If you don’t qualify for the IRS Direct File program, you may have other options to file your tax return for free. In addition to Direct File, the IRS offers the Free File program, in which it partners with online tax software providers to provide free federal income tax return filing. Some providers also allow you to file a state income tax return. For the 2024 tax season, your adjusted gross income had to be less than $79,000 to qualify for the Free File program. That dollar threshold is likely to rise slightly for the 2025 tax season. The IRS also offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides certified volunteers to prepare basic tax returns if you earn less than $67,000 a year, are disabled, or speak limited English. You can find a site near you by visiting this IRS page . ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.The 9-2 Minnesota Vikings are preparing for their first home game in nearly a month, this week vs the Arizona Cardinals . They haven’t played in front of the league’s best crowd at U.S. Bank Stadium since November 3, a win over the Indianapolis Colts. There has been a lot of construction going on with the roster, the last couple days. On Tuesday , we saw them place ILB Ivan Pace Jr. on Injured Reserve. They also signed inside linebacker Jamin Davis, off the Green Bay Packers practice squad, and activated UDFA outside linebacker Gabe Murphy off of IR. Minnesota Vikings roster construction continued on Wednesday Wednesday was more of the same... but different. After days of rumors connecting Daniel Jones to the Minnesota Vikings, it was announced this morning that he was indeed signing with the purple. This afternoon, more roster moves were announced. One day after being activated to the 53-man , Gabe Murphy was waived. As long as he isn’t claimed, it’s expected that the UDFA out of UCLA will land on the Vikings’ practice squad. Taking his place on the active roster is long-snapper, Jake McQuaide. Tight end Nick Muse was signed to the practice squad, after he was activated to the 53-man on November 23 , then waived on November 25. The #Vikings have announced the following roster moves – Signed LS Jake McQuaide to the 53-man roster – Signed TE Nick Muse to the practice squad – Waived OLB Gabriel Murphy pic.twitter.com/ZTCvpiWehT Daniel Jones is not expected to arrive in Eagan, until Friday, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell . That means we’ll probably see him added to the practice squad roster, at that time. That’s probably around the same time that Murphy will join the practice squad, as well. LS Jake McQuaide was signed a few weeks ago, after Pro Bowl long-snapper Andrew DePaola was placed on injured reserve. He and replacement kicker John Parker Romo have played together in the past . The two have helped combine for 8-of-8 on field goal tries, since putting on a Minnesota Vikings uniform in week 10 . This article first appeared on Minnesota Sports Fan and was syndicated with permission.
Four Canadian women honoured in World Rugby’s Dream Teams of the YearBy ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weeks-long delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transiton of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. “This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day,” said Susie Wiles, Trump’s designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement comes a week after the Trump transition team signed an agreement with the Biden White House to allow transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office on Jan. 20. The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House had issued both public and private appeals for Trump’s team to sign on. Security clearances are required to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the nation, and the Biden White House and outside experts have emphasized to Trump’s team the importance of having cleared personnel before Inauguration Day so they could be fully briefed and ready to run the government. Republican Senators have also insisted on FBI background checks for Trump’s nominees before they face confirmation votes, as has been standard practice for decades. Lawmakers have been particularly interested in seeing the findings of reviews into Trump’s designated nominee for defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. “That’s why it’s so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing,” said. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine on Monday. John Thune, the incoming Senate Republican leader, said the Trump team “understands there’s going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees.” AP congressional correspondent Lisa Mascaro contributed.
Forward Outranks All 14 Other Vendors, Achieving the Highest Scores for Key Features and Business Criteria and is considered an Innovator SANTA CLARA, Calif. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Forward Networks' digital twin technology is again recognized for delivering multi-layered benefits and substantial return on investment (ROI) to large enterprises. In the 2024 GigaOm Radar for Network Validation, Forward Enterprise is ranked an outperformer and positioned closest to the "bullseye" for the third consecutive year. The company is included in the Innovation/Platform Play quadrant, earning the highest scores for key features and business criteria, and is projected to continue to lead the network validation market over the next 12 - 18 months. With today's highly complex network landscapes, automated network validation is increasingly critical to ensuring business continuity, maintaining network security compliance, and ensuring efficient and outage-free change windows. GigaOm expects significant growth in this area to manage multi-vendor environments, improve the efficiency of change windows, secure network devices and services, and meet compliance. GigaOm cites AI/ML and robotic process automation as additional contributing factors driving market growth. Forward Networks excelled in the security category, earning a five-star rating for both compliance and security verification. The compliance verification score reflects the platform's ability to ensure that network configurations and operations align with industry best practices, organizational policies, and regulatory requirements such as ECA, GDPR, GLBA, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, and SOX. Meanwhile, the security verification rating underscores the platform's effectiveness in evaluating network configurations and operations to meet stringent security standards, safeguarding against vulnerabilities and threats. These ratings reflect Forward Enterprise's ability to help organizations maintain a robust and secure network environment, reducing the risk of data breaches, cyberattacks, and reputational risks, attacks, and reputational harm. "As enterprises increasingly adopt AI and automation, having precise and reliable network data is essential. Our network digital twin technology offers a comprehensive suite of capabilities, with network validation as a key component. By providing accurate, real-time insights into network compliance, behavior, and configuration, we enable administrators to confidently leverage AI and automation without the risk of unintended outcomes," said Chiara Regale, SVP of Product and UX at Forward Networks. "Being recognized by GigaOm as an outperformer in network validation for the third consecutive year is a testament to the advanced capabilities and value of our platform. We are committed to continued innovation." Forward Enterprise creates an always-accurate digital twin of an organization's entire network infrastructure using a proprietary mathematical model. It documents, verifies, and analyzes network behavior across on-premises, cloud, and virtual overlay environments. The platform enables network operators to visualize network topology, perform end-to-end path analyses, verify behavior, ensure network compliance, and identify present security vulnerabilities. With features like automated auditing and customizable policy checks, Forward Enterprise helps network teams streamline operations, reduce errors, and enhance overall network security and performance. At its core, the platform creates a vendor-neutral digital twin of the entire network, accurately modeling infrastructure components such as switches, routers, firewalls, load balancers, SD-WAN, and wireless solutions, whether on-premises or in the cloud. Designed to scale seamlessly, Forward Enterprise supports networks ranging from a few devices to supporting the world's largest and most complex networks. The report recognizes Forward Networks for its advanced capabilities, including: The 2024 GigaOm Radar for Network Validation analyzes 15 vendors' network validation offerings and provides a forward-looking assessment over a 12-to-18-month window. Forward Networks is ranked a Leader and Outperformer, earning the latter designation "due to its innovative features, rapid release cadence, and comprehensive product roadmap." To learn more about Forward Networks' network validation capabilities, view a 15-minute demo. To download the full report, click here . About Forward Networks Forward Networks is revolutionizing the way large networks are managed. Forward's advanced software delivers a digital twin of the network, enabling network operators to ensure the network is secure, reliable, and agile. The platform supports devices from all major networking vendors and cloud operators, including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform. Forward Networks was founded in 2013 by four Stanford Ph.D. graduates and is headquartered in Santa Clara, California. Investors include MSD Partners, Goldman Sachs, Andreessen Horowitz, Threshold Ventures, Section 32, Omega Venture Partners, and A. Capital. For more information, visit www.forwardnetworks.com . Forward Networks Contacts: Dustin Rausa , Guyer Group dustin.rausa@guyergroup.com Dawn Slusher , Forward Networks dawnslusher@forwardnetworks.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/forward-networks-named-outperformer-in-2024-gigaom-radar-for-network-validation-for-third-consecutive-year-302334117.html SOURCE Forward Networks, Inc.State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Pa.) is either a total space cadet or is trolling the universe after he appeared to mistake a “ Star Wars ” prop for a captured drone. In fairness to the Trump-endorsed Republican who lost to Democrat Josh Shapiro for governor in 2022, we’ll give him his say first: He insists he was knowingly using the image as a meme. But he absorbed nearly a day of online mockery for writing a serious-sounding statement about the government response to the drones. And it was accompanied by a photo of a “Star Wars” TIE fighter replica on a truck with the headline: “Breaking News: Crashed drone in Orange Beach retrieved from water, and taken to undisclosed location for further investigation.” It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones. The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire... pic.twitter.com/qWqyH3dnkI — Senator Doug Mastriano (@SenMastriano) December 16, 2024 He received a community correction and some online sass for the apparent blunder. Among prominent people chiming in were former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and CNN’s Jake Tapper. Critics also called him “dumb” and “stupid.” I take the actual drone story seriously but re the below, I’m pretty sure Red Leader Garven Dreis shot down that TIE fighter in ep IV A New Hope https://t.co/MD4nRsZqQ7 — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 17, 2024 Wow — Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@AdamKinzinger) December 17, 2024 Leaked footage reveals that they're armed with space lasers! pic.twitter.com/vIGkLsDAQZ — AXEL (@AxelTheDoby) December 17, 2024 pic.twitter.com/F36RqnzfyH — CletusVanDamme (@CubbiesFan82) December 17, 2024 You can’t be that stupid, or can you? — Mario 🇺🇸🇵🇱🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@PawlowskiMario) December 17, 2024 Doug please this is so embarrassing — pamela 🎡✨ (@tisthepamseason) December 17, 2024 I'm sorry, you're an elected state senator???? — Sean Murphy (@seanhalfcourt) December 17, 2024 Mysterious drones appearing over New York and New Jersey have captured the public’s imagination but federal officials say they don’t pose a threat . Mastriano sure seemed rattled but asserted that the farce was with him ― and he turned his response into an indictment of “modern day ‘journalism.’” pic.twitter.com/xrzDa104lr — Doug Mastriano (@dougmastriano) December 17, 2024 Stephen Colbert Spots Grim Holiday Twist In Republican Lawmaker’s Drones Plan U.S. Government Should Use Advanced Technology To Identify Mysterious Drones, Schumer Says Donald Trump Calls On Feds To Either Explain The Mystery Drones Or Shoot Them DownThe Savings Game: Social Security Fairness Act passes House, needs Senate approval
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