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4 ways married couples can use tax breaks to build wealth

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:10 GMT

By Elizabeth Ayoola | NerdWalletThe investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.“Two is better than one” is an old adage that translates to finances, too. Two incomes can go much further than one, especially between married couples.People who say “I do” also have access to various tax breaks that can give them a financial edge when it comes to building wealth. For instance, married couples filing their taxes jointly get a standard deduction of $27,700 in 2023, while single filers get a $13,850 deduction.How can married couples act on the many tax breaks they have access to and use them to build wealth? Two certified public accountants share a few strategies for couples to consider.Strategy 1: InvestingWhen married couples get a tax deduction or tax credit, there’s an opportunity t...

Boston Palestinian Rally At Copley Square

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:10 GMT

Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters join in prayer during a rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporters rally in front of the library at Copley Square(Chris Christo/Boston Herald)Boston, MA - October 16, 2023: Palestine supporter at the rally in front of the libr...

Breast cancer is deadlier for Black women. A study of mammograms could help close the gap

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:10 GMT

By CARLA K. JOHNSON (AP Medical Writer)Are 3D mammograms better than standard 2D imaging for catching advanced cancers?A clinical trial is recruiting thousands of volunteers — including a large number of Black women who face disparities in breast cancer death rates — to try to find out.People like Carole Stovall, a psychologist in Washington, D.C., have signed up for the study to help answer the question.“We all need a mammogram anyway, so why not do it with a study that allows the scientists to understand more and move closer to finding better treatments and ways of maybe even preventing it?” Stovall said.The underrepresentation of women and minorities in research is a long-simmering issue affecting health problems including Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and COVID-19. Trials without diversity lead to gaps in understanding of how new treatments work for all people.“Until we get more Black women into clinical trials, we can’t change the science. And we need better science for Black bod...

Photos: What the solar eclipse looked like from San Diego

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:10 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Did you see it? Saturday's annular solar eclipse wowed people across the Americas over the weekend.While the "ring of fire" -- the burning rim visible when the moon lines up perfectly with the sun -- wasn't visible from Southern California, since the region wasn't in the eclipse's "path of totality," San Diegans were still able to enjoy a partial view of the phenomenon. FOX 5 viewers from Oceanside to Hillcrest submitted their photos of the eclipse.The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Point Loma (Michael Klose)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Escondido (Don Biadog)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Sunrise Highway (Melissa Noland)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Oceanside (Daniel Politte)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from La Mesa. (Patrick Ellis)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Hillcrest (Sister Ida K)The solar eclipse on Oct. 14, 2023 as seen from Clairemont (MIchael Aline)If you missed t...

Live updates | House prepares to vote on Jim Jordan as speaker

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:10 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House of Representatives is set to vote on Jim Jordan’s nomination for speaker on Tuesday afternoon, two weeks after the chamber ousted Kevin McCarthy from the top spot.Jordan has been scrambling to shore up the votes needed to clinch the speakership in the closely divided chamber. He can likely only lose a few GOP votes to win the nod.What to knowJim Jordan’s rapid rise has been cheered by Trump and the far rightHow the vote for a new speaker worksScalise ends bid to become speaker as holdouts refuse to back himMcCarthy was an early architect of the GOP majority that became his downfallSpeaker McCarthy ousted in historic House voteDemocrats gasp and groan over wrestling mentionA reference to Jordan’s wrestling career during Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik’s nominating speech received an audible gasp and groan from Democrats across the aisle.Stefanik said ahead of Tuesday’s vote: “Whether on the wrestling mat or in the committee room, Jim Jorda...

5 Hezbollah fighters are killed as tensions flare along the border between Lebanon and Israel

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:10 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — Clashes erupted Tuesday along the Lebanon-Israel border that left five Hezbollah fighters dead, marking the largest number of casualties for the militant group in a single day as tensions with Israel escalate.Israeli forces and armed groups in Lebanon have engaged in a series of low-level skirmishes since the outbreak of the latest war in Gaza between the Israeli military and the Hamas militant group. Hezbollah has announced the death of 10 militants since skirmishes began.Israeli military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi threatened that Israel would retaliate aggressively should Hezbollah escalate.“This is a war on the home,” Halevi said after meeting with Israeli troops near the northern border with Lebanon. “If Hezbollah makes a mistake, it will be annihilated.”The escalation comes amid fears that the war could spread into Lebanon, where Hezbollah has expressed strong support to the militant Palestinian group Hamas. Israel considers the heavily-armed group in Lebanon an ...

Justice Department investigates possible civil rights violations by police in New Jersey capital

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:10 GMT

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — The U.S. Justice Department opened an investigation Tuesday into possible civil rights violations by the police department in New Jersey’s capital city.The investigation in Trenton will focus on allegations that officers have used excessive force, stopped motorists and pedestrians without justification, and illegally searched homes and cars.“The public must have trust and confidence that police officers will treat them fairly and with respect,” Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, of the Civil Rights Division, said in a written statement. “The Justice Department will conduct a full and fair investigation into these allegations, and if we substantiate those violations, the department will take appropriate action to remedy them.”Democratic Mayor Reed Gusciora, Police Director Steve Wilson and the head of the city’s legal department were notified of the investigation and have pledged cooperation, federal authorities said.In a separate statement, G...

Manitoba regional chief Cindy Woodhouse eyes top job at Assembly of First Nations

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:10 GMT

OTTAWA — Manitoba regional chief Cindy Woodhouse has announced her candidacy in the upcoming Assembly of First Nations national chief election.Woodhouse said at an news conference today that Indigenous Peoples face a lot of problems in Canada, but their resilience gives her hope that things can improve.Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations vice-chief David Pratt was the first person to announce his intention to run to be the new national chief. In his August announcement, Pratt said the AFN is at a “critical juncture” and the election is about restoring and rebuilding the national organization.The upcoming election comes after the dramatic ouster of former national chief RoseAnne Archibald, who was voted out after colleagues accused her of creating a toxic work environment — an allegation she continues to deny.The election is set to take place during a special assembly in December in Ottawa.This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2023.The Cana...

How international law applies to war, and why Hamas and Israel are both alleged to have broken it

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:10 GMT

LONDON (AP) — Hamas and Israel have both been accused of breaking international law during their latest conflict, and the United Nations says it is collecting evidence of war crimes by all sides.Enforcing the law amid the fog of war is difficult. Holding perpetrators to account once conflicts are over has often proved elusive.Here is a look at some of the issues.WHAT ARE THE RULES OF WAR?The rules of armed conflict are governed by a set of internationally recognized laws and resolutions, including the United Nations charter, which prohibits aggressive wars but allows countries the right to self-defense.Battlefield behavior has international humanitarian laws including the Geneva Conventions, drawn up after World War II and agreed on by almost every nation.The four conventions agreed upon in 1949 set out that civilians, the wounded and prisoners must be treated humanely in wartime. They ban murder, torture, hostage-taking and “humiliating and degrading treatment” and require fighters...

Alleged car thieves collide with police cruiser in Pickering; SIU investigating

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:41:10 GMT

Ontario’s police watchdog is investigating after a crash between a vehicle of alleged car thieves and a police cruiser in Pickering.Durham police say officers were called to the area of Strouds Lane and Whites Road around 4 a.m. Tuesday morning for reports of a vehicle theft in progress.Officers were able to locate suspects and say a crash occurred between a responding police cruiser and a suspect vehicle near the intersection of Sultana Square and Foxwood Trail.Three suspects were taken into custody and two were brought to hospital with serious injuries. Police say the officers involved in the crash also went to hospital with minor injuries.It’s unclear if the suspect vehicle involved in the collision was stolen.The Special Investigations Unit and the Durham Regional Police Service Collision Investigation unit are both investigating.The SIU is an independent government agency that investigates the conduct of officials that may have resulted in death, serious injury, sex...