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New push on for US-run free tax file system

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:06 GMT

WASHINGTON — It’s that time of year when throngs of taxpayers are buckling down to file their income tax returns before Tuesday’s filing deadlineAlmost one-quarter of Americans wait until the last minute to file their taxes, many paying to use software from private companies such as Intuit and H&R Block.There could be a new, free option in future years. The IRS has been tasked with looking into how to create a government-operated electronic free-file tax return system for all.The idea has been batted around and hotly debated for a long time. Congress now has directed the IRS to report in on how such a system might work.The order came as part of the $80 billion infusion of money for the tax agency over the next 10 years under the Democrats’ flagship climate and health care measure, known as the Inflation Reduction Act. It gave the IRS nine months and $15 million to report in on how it might implement such a program and how much it would cost.Next month, the IRS ...

Kenyan runners poised to make history in 127th Boston Maraton

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:06 GMT

The elite performers from Team Kenya will be looking to execute an historic three-sweep in Monday’s 127th running of the BAA Boston Marathon.The Boston Marathon was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resumed with a first-time autumn race on Oct. 11, 2021.Kenyan Benson Kipruto (2:09:51) took the men’s a race while compatriot Edna Kiplagat (2:25:09) broke the tape in the women’s race. Her winning time set a new master’s record on the course.The Boston Marathon returned to its Patriot’s Day format last April 18, with a predicable result for the Kenyans. Evans Chebet won his first Boston Marathon with a time of 2:06:51, the eighth fastest clocking in BAA history. He was followed across the line by countrymen Lawrence Cherono (2:07:21) and Kipruto (2:07:27).Peres Jepchirchir took the women’s race in 2:21:01 in her BAA debut, becoming the first athlete to win the Boston, New York City and Olympic marathon titles.Separating a Kenyan from the winner’s podium in the men...

Red Sox notebook: A special year, a special bond – 2013 Red Sox reunite 10 years after title

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:06 GMT

Jonny Gomes already knew how hard winning a World Series would be. He’d lost with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 and wasn’t sure he’d ever get another chance.Then, when he was with the Oakland Athletics in 2012, he realized what winning one would actually mean.“It was their 40-year anniversary of ’72 and they just wheeled these dudes out,” Gomes said. “It sunk in that winning a title is forever.”Now, Gomes and his 2013 Red Sox teammates are living out “forever” themselves.On Sunday the 2013 club reunited at Fenway Park to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their World Series championship season. Before the game players and their families were invited to throw batting practice on the field to their kids, play catch in the outfield and tour the inside of the Green Monster. The team was also honored during a pregame ceremony, during which a 2013 World Series championship banner was unfurled across the entire left field wall.The ...

Gerrrit Cole delivers complete game shutout as Yankees stuff Twins 2-0

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:06 GMT

The Yankees were able to split the series in a finale that was expected to be a pitching duel between Gerrit Cole and Pablo Lopez.But Cole (4-0) threw a complete game and outshined his counterpart, allowing just two hits, a walk and no runs in the Yankees’ 2-0 victory against the Twins. He didn’t allow a hit through 4.1 innings and struck out 10 batters, his 23rd double digit strikeout game as a Yankee, tying him with Ron Guidry for the franchise record.It was the second-straight game the Twins’ bats were mostly neutralized to end the first season series between the two teams, a stark difference compared to the 20 combined hits in the first two games. The Twins had five hits Saturday and were held to just two on Sunday.The Yankees got traffic in the third inning after a one-out walk to Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo reached after Lopez hit the first baseman in the foot.The HBP is Rizzo’s 204th of his career, tying him with ex-Phillies infielder Chase Utley for...

Son of Iran’s last shah set to make first visit to Israel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:06 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Iran’s exiled crown prince is scheduled to come to Israel this week on a visit that reflects the warm ties his father once had with Israel and the current state of hostility between Israel and the Islamic Republic.Reza Pahlavi, the son of the last shah to rule Iran before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, said Sunday that he will be delivering “a message of friendship from the Iranian people.” He is set to participate in Israel’s annual Holocaust memorial ceremony on Monday night, said Israeli Intelligence Minister Gila Gamliel, who will host him. He is also set to visit a desalination plant, see the Western Wall and meet representatives of the local Bahai community and Israeli Jews of Iranian descent, she said.Gamliel praised the “brave decision” by Pahlavi to make what she said would be his first visit to Israel. “The crown prince symbolizes a leadership different from that of the ayatollah regime, and leads values of peace and tolerance, in contrast to the...

CP Rail launches major clean-up effort after derailment in Maine

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:06 GMT

MONTREAL — Canadian Pacific Kansas City railway crews face a hefty cleanup effort after a freight train derailed in rural Maine yesterday, setting several cars ablaze.CPKC says the train hit a washout on the track in a wooded area near Moosehead Lake, some 220 kilometres southeast of Quebec City.The railroad operator says three crew members were taken to a local hospital for non-life-threatening injuries Saturday and released the same day.CPKC spokeswoman C. Doniele Carlson says locomotives and four derailed lumber cars went up in flames, with crews now containing spilled diesel fuel.She says cars carrying drums of ethanol and another hazardous material also went off the rails but did not catch fire, with state officials adding there is no threat to public safety.The rail line is the same one where the fatal Lac-Mégantic disaster unfolded about 90 kilometres further west as the crow flies in 2013.This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 16, 2023.Companies in this ...

Promising senior, 4 others slain in Alabama party shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:06 GMT

DADEVILLE, Ala. (AP) — A high school senior who planned to play college football was celebrating at his sister’s 16th birthday party Saturday night in Alabama when gunfire killed him and three other people and wounded several others.Police were gathering evidence Sunday at a dance studio where the party was held in downtown Dadeville. They did not immediately say if a suspect was in custody, or if they knew more about any motivation.Philstavious “Phil” Dowdell, a Dadeville High School senior who had committed to Jacksonville State University, was celebrating at his sister Alexis’ party before he was shot to death, his grandmother Annette Allen told The Montgomery Advertiser. “He was a very, very humble child. Never messed with anybody. Always had a smile on his face,” Allen told the newspaper, calling it “a million-dollar smile.”Dowdell’s mother was among those hurt in the shooting.“Everybody’s grieving,” Allen said.Sgt. Jeremy Burkett of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agen...

Russian hockey competition linked to war in Ukraine ending

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:06 GMT

BRAMPTON, Ontario (AP) — Russia and Belarus won’t be allowed to compete in International Ice Hockey Federation tournaments as long as the war in Ukraine continues, the group’s president said Sunday.With both nations already barred from competing in IIHF events through 2024, its president, Luc Tardif, said a decision on the two countries’ eligibility in 2025 will be made in March.“I hope Russia and Belarus will come back as soon as possible, because it will mean the war is over,” Tardif said during a news conference held on the final day of the women’s world hockey championships being held in the Toronto suburbs.“It’s a question of security for fans, our teams. Anyway, no visa, cannot travel,” Tardif added. “And nobody knows how long it’s going to take.”Russian men’s and women’s hockey players last competed under the Russian Olympic Committee banner at the 2022 Beijing Games, which concluded shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine. That led to the IIHF barring Russia and ally Bel...

Ontario announces plan to hire 1,000 new teachers for math and literacy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:06 GMT

Ontario is hiring nearly 1,000 teachers for specialized math and literacy programs, the province’s education minister announced Sunday, but critics say that won’t provide enough help for students in the vast majority of schools.Stephen Lecce said more than $71 million will go toward supporting about 300 teachers, consisting of one math lead per school board to direct curriculum implementation and training and math coaches to provide support in classrooms. There are currently about 140 math coaches and the funding will see that number doubled.Lecce also said $109 million will go toward funding 700 teachers for reading intervention programs to support literacy development, as well as setting up early reading screening tools for students from senior kindergarten to Grade 2. An overhauled language curriculum will be in place for this coming September, he said.The government will also send so-called math action teams – made up of trained math educators – to school...

New Brite Spot restaurant in Ottawa damaged by fire

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 18:15:06 GMT

OTTAWA, Ill. — An Ottawa restaurant was damaged during a fire late Saturday night, according to the Ottawa Fire Department.Firefighters were called to the New Brite Spot restaurant in the 800 block of East Norris Drive. 2 teens shot in the Loop during large disturbance There was heavy smoke and flames coming from the restaurant when they arrived.According to a press release from the fire department, it took firefighters about 30 minutes to put the fire out.The Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshall is helping investigate the cause of the fire. The cause and origin of the fire are still under investigation. "To our customers, we are so appreciative to have you as part of our family," an employee said in a Facebook post. "Please keep us in your prayers that we can rebuild and come back strong. We will miss seeing all of you and hopefully get back to serving you soon. After 22 years of working for the Imeri family my heart is broken. They are such a big part of our community."