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ST ELIZABETH, Jamaica — The Ministry of National Security is confirming that the JamaicaEye cameras closest to the location of the stabbing attack on Saturday, December 14 in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth were fully operational at the time of the incident. The ministry further advised that footage from JamaicaEye cameras in the vicinity of the incident is available and is being utilised in the ongoing investigations by the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The clarification follows earlier statements from Porfolio Minister Dr Horace Chang who had noted that a significant number of cameras on the JamaicaEye surveillance network are down while responding to a question posed at a town hall meeting in the parish on Wednesday. The minister had cited maintenance as the primary issue. However, in a statement on Friday, the ministry noted that while some cameras in the Santa Cruz area are currently offline due to technical challenges arising from maintenance delays, the cameras close to the latest stabbing incident were operational at the time. The ministry further assured the public that efforts are far advanced to fully restore the systems that are down. In the meantime, the ministry said it is deeply saddened by this senseless act of violence and is reaffirming its commitment to providing the requisite resources including technology assets such as JamaicaEye, to enhance the investigative and intelligence capacity of law enforcement in their pursuit of criminal elements across the country. READ: WATCH: Significant number of JamaicaEye cameras down, says ChangAP News Summary at 12:25 p.m. ESTBeyoncé starts new NFL traditionVictors Home Solutions recognized as 2024 Roofing Contractor of the Year
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Free tax filing with IRS Direct File: What you need to knowMajor change to Aussie passports coming within days Aussie passport price rises a second time in six months Latest rise slammed by Opposition as 'backdoor tax grab' READ MORE: Lily was told her Etihad flight back to Australia was overbooked and there was no space. Then staff found her a seat... but there was a glaring issue By PADRAIG COLLINS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 12:11, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 12:12, 29 December 2024 e-mail View comments Time is running out for Aussies to renew or apply for a passport before yet another price hike comes into effect on January 1 . The latest increase, which has been slammed as a 'backdoor tax grab' will make a standard 10-year Australian passport the most expensive in the world at $412. The $14 increase, which comes into effect this Wednesday follows a previous rise of 15 per cent just six months ago . Passport fees have risen by a cumulative $104 since the Albanese government for elected to power in May 2022. The cost for a five year passport for children and seniors aged over-75, will also go up from $201 to $208 on January 1. If you lose your passport, the cost of a replacement will rise from $250 to $259. Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham branded the latest hike is 'over the top revenue raising' that will increase the cost of an overseas trip and add to the cost of living crisis. He also accused the Labor government is 'ringing in the new year with another tax grab'. Australians have just two days to renew their passport before a second price hike within six months is enforced on January 1. Travellers at Sydney Airport is pictured 'Many Australians scrimp and save to afford a special holiday to Bali or Fiji , only to find the cost of a passport is similar to the cost of an airfare,' Senator Birmingham said on Sunday. 'Under Labor, Australians are paying record sums for the privilege of a passport that should be a basic entitlement, not an expensive luxury. 'What the Albanese government labelled as a 'modest' increase to passport fees can now clearly be seen for the backdoor tax grab that is it.' It's estimated that the last rise on July 1 will result in $924.5million in revenue, with more than half ($529million being profit to the federal government. 'Rather than responsible cost recovery, the Albanese government is engaging in gross profiteering through the pushing up of passport fees, charging significantly more than the cost of production,' Senator Birmingham added. 'This over the top revenue raising on a government issued document is just another demonstration of how Australians are being made to pay for Labor's out of control spending.' A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson defended the price hike, telling NewsCorp that annual indexation was a legislative requirement. 'The Australian passport is respected internationally as a high-quality travel document,' they said. 'It has a high level of technological sophistication, backed by rigorous anti-fraud measures, which ensures its integrity. This is a key reason why Australian passport holders receive visa-free access to over 180 countries.' It's just one of a raft of changes set to come into effect on January 1. A young woman is pictured holding her Australian passport, which is now the most expensive in the world Be the first to comment Be one of the first to comment Comments What you do you think of the latest passport fee hike? Comment now Read More Centrelink student boost, bans on plastic straws and gas rules: All the changes coming on January 1 Despite it being the most expensive in the world, a young woman recently exposed flaws in her new Australian passport, describing it as 'flimsy' and low quality . Natalie Vellozzi, 28, posted a video to social media where she compared her old and new passports and accused the government of skimping on quality. 'The quality definitely does not match the price of this passport,' she said. After the Sydney woman put both passports next to each other, the difference could be seen straight away, with the new one's cover curving upwards. Natalie Vellozzi, 28, (pictured) compared her new passport (left) with her old one (right) and found the new model 'flimsy' 'This is my old passport I have had for 10 years. It is definitely better quality,' Ms Vellozzi said. 'This new one looks like it was literally printed at Officeworks. I've had it for one day and it is already warping, it's already bending.' But DFAT trumpeted the new R series passport upon its launch in 2023, boasting it was manufactured in Australia. 'The next-generation passport is packed with advanced security features designed to keep Australians' identities safe,' a spokesperson said. But since its release, questions have been raised about the expensive document's quality. 'Maybe the material they're using is different,' Ms Vellozzi said. 'But I just noticed as soon as I got it, it was already curling and bending over. 'When they made it and bound it together, they're not putting enough weight on it to flatten it properly.' 'In the previous passport it was laminated paper and now I just feel it will snap.' Australian passports are ranked as the fifth most powerful internationally, according to the 2024 Henley Passport Index. Share or comment on this article: Major change to Aussie passports coming within days e-mail Add commentKhanchit Khirisutchalual Introduction: BlackRock Enhanced Capital and Income Fund Inc ( CII ) will be renamed as “BlackRock Enhanced Large Cap Core Fund, Inc.” with the same symbol, starting the new year. However, not much will change regarding its investment style or goals. 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Research from several sites is starting to suggest that people came to the Americas earlier than once thought. Sloths were not always slow-moving, furry tree-dwellers. Their prehistoric ancestors were huge — up to four tonnes — and when startled, they brandished immense claws. For a long time, scientists believed the first humans to arrive in the Americas soon killed off these giant ground sloths through hunting, along with many other massive animals such as mastodons, sabre-toothed cats and dire wolves that once roamed North and South America. But new research from several sites is starting to suggest that people came to the Americas earlier — perhaps far earlier — than once thought. These findings hint at a remarkably different life for these early Americans, one in which they may have spent millennia sharing prehistoric savannas and wetlands with enormous beasts. “There was this idea that humans arrived and killed everything off very quickly — what’s called ‘Pleistocene overkill’,” said Daniel Odess, an archaeologist at White Sands National Park in New Mexico. But new discoveries suggest that “humans were existing alongside these animals for at least 10,000 years, without making them go extinct”. Some of the clues come from an archaeological site in central Brazil, Santa Elina, where bones of giant ground sloths show signs of being manipulated by humans. Sloths such as these once lived from Alaska to Argentina, and some species had bony structures on their backs, called osteoderms — a bit like the plates of modern armadillos — that may have been used to make decorations. The decorative artefacts from Santa Elina are roughly 27,000 years old — more than 10,000 years before scientists once thought that humans arrived in the Americas. Originally researchers wondered if the craftsmen were working on already old fossils. But research strongly suggests that ancient people were carving “fresh bones” shortly after the animals died. University of Sao Paulo researcher Mirian Pacheco’s findings, together with other recent discoveries, could help rewrite the tale of when humans first arrived in the Americas — and the effect they had on the environment they found. “There’s still a big debate,” Ms Pacheco said. Scientists know that the first humans emerged in Africa, then moved into Europe and Asia-Pacific, before finally making their way to the last continental frontier, the Americas. But questions remain about the final chapter of the human origins story. Clovis is a site in New Mexico, where archaeologists in the 1920s and 1930s found distinctive projectile points and other artefacts dated to between 11,000 and 13,000 years ago. This date happens to coincide with the end of the last Ice Age, a time when an ice-free corridor likely emerged in North America — giving rise to an idea about how early humans moved into the continent after crossing the Bering land bridge from Asia. And because the fossil record shows the widespread decline of American megafauna starting around the same time — with North America losing 70% of its large mammals, and South America losing more than 80% — many researchers surmised that humans’ arrival led to mass extinctions. “It was a nice story for a while, when all the timing lined up,” said paleoanthropologist Briana Pobiner at the Smithsonian Institution’s Human Origins Programme. “But it doesn’t really work so well any more.” In the past 30 years, new research methods — including ancient DNA analysis and new laboratory techniques — coupled with the examination of additional archaeological sites and inclusion of more diverse scholars across the Americas, have upended the old narrative and raised new questions, especially about timing. “Anything older than about 15,000 years still draws intense scrutiny,” said Richard Farina, a palaeontologist at the University of the Republic in Montevideo, Uruguay. “But really compelling evidence from more and more older sites keeps coming to light.” In Sao Paulo and at the Federal University of Sao Carlos, Ms Pacheco studies the chemical changes that occur when a bone becomes a fossil. This allows her team to analyse when the sloth osteoderms were likely modified. “We found that the osteoderms were carved before the fossilisation process” in “fresh bones”, she said — meaning anywhere from a few days to a few years after the sloths died, but not thousands of years later. Her team also tested and ruled out several natural processes, such as erosion and animal gnawing. The research was published last year in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B. One of her collaborators, palaeontologist Thais Pansani, recently based at the Smithsonian Institution, is analysing whether similar-aged sloth bones found at Santa Elina were charred by human-made fires, which burn at different temperatures from natural wildfires. Her preliminary results suggest that the fresh sloth bones were present at human campsites — whether burned deliberately in cooking, or simply nearby, is not clear. She is also testing and ruling out other possible causes for the black markings, such as natural chemical discoloration. The first site widely accepted as older than Clovis was in Monte Verde, Chile. Buried beneath a peat bog, researchers discovered 14,500-year-old stone tools, pieces of preserved animal hides, and various edible and medicinal plants. “Monte Verde was a shock. You’re here at the end of the world, with all this organic stuff preserved,” said Vanderbilt University archaeologist Tom Dillehay, a researcher at Monte Verde. Other archaeological sites suggest even earlier dates for human presence in the Americas. Among the oldest sites is Arroyo del Vizcaino in Uruguay, where researchers are studying apparent human-made “cut marks” on animal bones dated to around 30,000 years ago. At New Mexico’s White Sands, researchers have uncovered human footprints dated to between 21,000 and 23,000 years ago, as well as similar-aged tracks of giant mammals. But some archaeologists say it is hard to imagine that humans would repeatedly traverse a site and leave no stone tools. “They’ve made a strong case, but there are still some things about that site that puzzle me,” said David Meltzer, an archaeologist at Southern Methodist University. “Why would people leave footprints over a long period of time, but never any artefacts?” While the exact timing of humans’ arrival in the Americas remains contested — and may never be known — it seems clear that if the first people arrived earlier than once thought, they did not immediately decimate the giant beasts they encountered.BEIJING , Dec. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In 1949, pioneering computer scientist Edmund Callis Berkeley envisioned a future filled with thinking machines in his book Giant Brains, or Machines That Think. Decades later, his vision has become a reality with artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping industries, societies and daily lives. The progress however, is far from straightforward. While AI excites people with its potential, it also raises questions about ethics, safety and its impact on human life. Recently, Science and Technology Daily hosted a panel discussion, "Tech with Heart, AI for Good", on how AI empowers life and bridges human limitations but also needs guard rails to ensure it remains under control. Omnipresent AI AI is reshaping the way we live, work and interact with the world. For Zeng Yi , a professor at the Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and an expert of the United Nations' high-level advisory body on AI, the motivation to advance AI technology lies in its potential to liberate humans from repetitive and labor-intensive tasks. "Combining AI with robotics allows us to redirect human energy toward more creative and meaningful pursuits," Zeng said. He highlighted how AI-powered robots are stepping into hazardous fields such as firefighting, disaster relief and space exploration. Lunar rovers equipped with advanced AI capabilities are conducting complex analyses on the moon's surface — tasks too risky for human scientists. Besides industrial applications, AI is making a significant impact on environmental conservation such as tracking wildlife. AI's potential extends into our everyday lives as well. Gao Shaolin, an expert at Peking University Law and Artificial Intelligence Research Center, mentioned a recent road trip during which he drove 3,000 kilometers on highways without coming across a single traffic accident. "This is extraordinary," Gao said, attributing the improvement to advancements in AI-driven safety features in modern vehicles. From fatigue-monitoring systems in trucks to self-driving technologies in electric cars, these innovations are drastically reducing the likelihood of accidents. However, both Zeng and Gao agreed that AI should not aim to replace humans but rather enhance human expertise and efficiency. AI can amplify human capacity, leaving room for creativity and innovation. Responsible AI As AI continues to evolve, responsibility becomes a critical issue. Zeng quoted Berkeley, who wrote, "It is often easier for scientists to create a device than to guide it well afterward." Berkeley urged innovators to think beyond breakthroughs and address potential risks. The question of accountability becomes central. Who will be responsible for any problem caused by AI? "AI is not an independent legal entity," Gao emphasized, pointing out that current AI systems are tools rather than autonomous entities. The responsibility for their actions lies squarely with their developers, service providers and users. "AI should be as intelligent as necessary, but it must remain under human control," Gao stressed. As Zeng put it, "The key is ensuring AI coexists harmoniously with humans, not as a competitor but as a collaborator." Wu Baojun, executive deputy secretary-general of the Association for Science and Technology of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, said the rapid advancement of AI must be accompanied by efforts to ensure its reliability and safety within ethical frameworks. "Our research in AI," Wu said, "aims to explore unknown territories, eliminate human fears and make AI more reliable." Reliable AI China has consistently demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to AI development, balancing technological innovation with social and ethical considerations. As Matt Sheehan from the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace wrote in an article, " China is in the midst of rolling out some of the world's earliest and most detailed regulations governing artificial intelligence." In 2017, China released the Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan to encourage diverse AI methodologies, such as deep learning, knowledge-based reasoning and large-scale modeling. The plan also emphasized ethical governance, with over a dozen references to social and legal challenges. In May 2019 , it was followed by the Beijing AI Principles, which set out clear guidelines for AI research and development, advocating respect for privacy, human dignity and human rights. These visions were strengthened in July 2024 when the 78th UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution proposed by China and co-sponsored by over 140 countries. The resolution emphasized the human-centered development of AI, international cooperation, and promotion of AI to benefit humanity as a whole. Zeng said China's AI strategy reflects a responsible and inclusive approach: " China's AI development strategy is not limited to promoting domestic economic growth. They aim to empower humanity and promote sustainable development goals." Shared AI principles AI governance has become a global priority with nations striving to ensure that technology develops responsibly and inclusively. "We analyzed global AI ethics guidelines and found that 95 percent of the topics are consistent across countries. Concepts like human-centered development, transparency, fairness, safety and privacy protection are widely endorsed," Zeng said, adding that nations worldwide largely agree on the foundational principles for AI ethics and governance. In 2023, the Bletchley Declaration on AI safety was signed by 28 countries and the European Union. This marked the first broad agreement on the importance of AI safety as a global issue. In 2024, the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence was adopted unanimously by all member states, which is another example of the global consensus. China is playing an active role in promoting international cooperation on AI governance. "AI must empower all nations, not just the technologically advanced ones. We should guide AI for good with collective efforts and shared responsibilities," Gao said. Executive Producers: Wang Junming, He Yi Producer: Fang Linlin Reporters: Long Yun , Zhong Jianli, Gong Qian Subtitle Proofreaders: Wang Jing , Cen Yingjie Video Editing Instructor: Wang Xiaolong AI Technology Advisor: Liu Yang Cameramen: Liu Xiao, Li Huitao, Li Tianji Video Editor: Zhang Shunping Reviewer: Fang LinlinJimmy Carter's love of tennis intersected with his presidency
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. 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.
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Obesity And Pregnancy : Couples who are planning to conceive are advised to improve their health and achieve a certain standard of fitness for a healthy pregnancy. From quitting smoking, drinking to eating a balanced diet the whole lifestyle of a person needs to change before they conceive. Doctors often advise the couples who are planning to conceive to attain healthy weight, especially if either mother or father are obese Dr. Meenakshi Ahuja Senior Director Obstetrics & Gynaecology Fortis La Femme GK explains on how obesity affects your chance of pregnancy. Obesity can have a negative impact on fertility and pregnancy outcomes in both men and women. In Women obesity can cause menstrual irregularities, chronic oligo-anovulation and infertility. It can also increase the risk of miscarriage and impair the success of assisted reproductive technologies. Obesity can also affect the endometrium, which can lead to placental abnormalities. Once pregnancy occurs, the outcome of pregnancy is compromised in obese patients. Patients suffer with an increased rate of miscarriages, and complicated pregnancies and even stillbirth. There is increased risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes in pregnancy. This leads to risk of prematurity, growth restriction, labour complications, and even still births. There is increased risk of post delivery complications to the mother like wound infection and sepsis. If obesity is complicated with thyroid disorders, sub fertility, increased miscarriages and subnormal intelligence is seen in children. Uncontrolled diabetes at conception in obese women is associated with increased rate of birth defects Some factors that may contribute to the link between obesity and infertility include: Insulin excess and insulin resistance, This is a factor in PCOS, ovulation gets disturbed and hence conception becomes difficult . Excess free fatty acids, which can damage cells and create a chronic low-grade inflammatory state. Oxidative stress is a major factor in damaging cells and hence disturbing quality of life of the eggs as well as the uterine lining for implantation Altered levels of adipokines, such as leptin, which can affect steroidogenesis and the developing embryo, this leads to early miscarriage even if conception does occur in the woman Obesity can cause low testosterone levels, erectile dysfunction, and infertility. It can also impair the physical and molecular structure of sperm, and decrease sperm quality in Men. This can lead to sperm quality as well as quantity causing sub fertility, miscarriages and abnormalities in the fetus. Lifestyle interventions, such as weight loss, physical activity and dietary changes, can improve fertility. Decrease in BMI will lead to correction of metabolic disturbances and improve quality of egg and sperm and give better fertility rates and improved pregnancy outcome. ALSO READ: Expert Explains Risk Of Late Pregnancy And Precautions To Be Taken For Old Moms To Be ALSO READ: Boosting Your Immune System During Pregnancy: Doctor Recommended Tips For Winter SeasonThe forgotten man of Italian tennis, Fabio Fognini, is back in the limelight, and it’s for all the right reasons. The 37-year-old defeated Lukas Neumayer, who is 15 years younger than him, to lift his first (and last) title of the year, at the ATP Challenger Montemar 2024. Out of all the words Fognini could have chosen to use after lifting the trophy, the first ones to come out of his mouth were, “I’m tired.” The interviewer smiled and continued, “You’re 37, I’m 45 and sometimes I get tired,” before the Italian interrupted, pointing at his opponent and saying, “He’s 22,” leaving both of them laughing. Jokes aside, it is understandable why he chose those words. It was a long season for Fognini, who continued to juggle between the ATP Tour and Challenger Tour. Still, it’s remarkable to see him challenging players mostly younger than him. The Italian seemed to be in good touch in the opening phase of the game before an unexpected interruption caused him to lose his “concentration.” It eventually cost his second set as well. It comes as little surprise that Fognini’s win at the ATP Challenger Montemar has come on the clay. Dubbed as a ‘clay court specialist,’ the Italian’s latest triumph only proves that he still has what it takes to succeed on his favorite surface. Fognini’s 8 out of 9 ATP Tour singles titles have come on clay Known for his fiery temperament and frequently losing his cool on the court, Fognini can beat anyone on a given day, but he performs at his best on the red clay. His first title, some 11 years ago, came on the same surface – the 2013 Stuttgart Open. Over the next five years, he won six more titles on his favorite surface. Fognini finally broke the jinx in 2018 when he won the Los Cabos Open in Mexico, which was on a hard court surface. It remains unclear how much of a boost this latest triumph in Montemar can offer him. One thing is certain, it allows Fognini, who won his last ATP Tour title at the 2019 Monte-Carlo Masters, to stay in the top 100 rankings (World No.90). This will be crucial for him at the start of the next season.iShares Short Treasury Bond ETF (NASDAQ:SHV) Stock Position Raised by JPMorgan Chase & Co.