New York City officials dismissed the bomb threat its own public schools and Los Angeles schools received Monday as a hoax likely concocted by a fan of the Showtime drama “Homeland.” New York City public schools did not close down any of its campuses Tuesday but the same threat prompted Los Angeles Unified School District to…
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Is This What Jesus Really Looked Like?
Could this be what Jesus Christ really looked like?
Photo Credit: Don Schwenneker WTVD/ Facebook
Not exactly the blond-haired, blue-eyed dreamboat that we have been shown for years in Church, huh?
According to a study originally reported on by Popular Mechanics, the above face is probably the best bet for what Christ actually looked like.
In short, he was probably short- around 5 ft. 1 in- the average height for men living in the Middle East at that time period.
It is also unlikely that he had long hair and probably looked like a normal guy. As the article points out; in the Bible, Judas needed to kiss Jesus on the cheek in the Garden of Gethsemane in order to show the Romans who Christ was. That might have had to do with the fact that Jesus blended in with the crowd to a certain extent, at least physically.
It is a fascinating study that goes into great depth.
Read more about it over at Popular Mechanics.
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Five Essential Steps For Millennials To Tackle Their Taxes
By Maria C. Alonso, Bank of America Miami Market Manager
The author. Submitted Photo.
Filing taxes. It’s unavoidable and intimidating, especially for those less experienced in doing it. In fact, 80 percent of millennials worry about making a mistake, according to a new survey by NerdWallet.
With April 15 less than a month away, time is of the essence. If you are struggling with how to get started take a look at these five steps to help you get you on the right track.
- Know your tax bracket
Each bracket of your income is taxed at a different rate. As you make more money, a higher percentage may be owed in taxes.
Check out this infographic on decoding your tax bracket to see how it works.
- Know your timeline
The regular tax return filing deadline is April 15. In general, experts recommend filing tax returns earlier rather than later. The earlier you file, the better your chances of avoiding tax-related identity theft, a crime that’s on the rise. Plus, if you’re owed a refund, you will get it sooner.
Additional tip: If you think you need extra time, you can file an extension giving you until October 15. But, if you owe the government money, you still need to pay your estimated taxes in full by April 15 to avoid penalties and interest.
- Get familiar with the terms and paperwork
Check out this guide to key tax terms, then start collecting all of the essential information you’ll need, including:
- W-2s: Sometime in January or February, you should have received a W-2 form from your employer(s). With information on your wages, tips and tax withholdings, this form may contain much of what you need to complete the bulk of your tax return. Watch this video on the anatomy of a W-2 to gain a better understanding of what the form includes.
- 1099s: If you earned interest on a savings account or you have income from an investment account, you should also have received a 1099 form from your bank or your broker showing just how much interest, dividends, or capital gains or losses your account has accrued over the past year.
The three main personal income tax forms are the 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ. The simplest of these and a good option if you have a fairly simple financial picture is the 1040EZ. The 1040 and 1040A forms are a bit more complex but offer additional tax credit options if you qualify. Refer to this simple IRS guide to choose and download the right form for you. Watch this video to find out if the 1040EZ form is right for you.
- Decide how to file
The easiest way to prepare and file your tax return (and to process your refund) is through IRS e-file. E-filing is easily available for those who file on their own or use online programs or tax professionals to prepare their returns. If your adjusted gross income is $60,000 or less, you may be eligible for free online tax-filing services.
- Plan year-round
Whether you’re filing independently or working with a tax professional, staying on top of related paperwork all year long will make your life easier during tax season. If you plan to itemize deductions, you probably want to keep receipts for things like charitable donations, job expenses and medical bills. You should keep your paperwork after you file, too. The IRS recommends keeping records for three years.
Also, having a sense of which credits and deductions you may be eligible for can help you save the proper documentation all year and avoid a last-minute scramble. Here are a few to consider: saver’s credit, student loan interest, moving expenses, job search expenses, charitable deductions, freelance expenses, and homeowner’s benefits.
Additional tip: If you think you may qualify for additional credits or deductions, check the IRS website.
Maria C. Alonso is the Miami Market Manager for Bank of America.
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in public affairs. You can write for us!
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Tesla Recall In Effect for 90,000 Model S Cars
Tesla, the American electric car maker has announced that is recalling 90,000 of its Model S vehicles due to a potential issue with the seatbelt system in the cars.
The Tesla recall is a voluntary one spurred on by one incident in Europe.
According to Business Insider, one Telsa owner sitting in the front passenger seat in Europe turned around in her seat to speak to people sitting in the rear of the car, and her seat belt came unbuckled. When Tesla tested the problem, it confirmed similar problems and issued the recall.
The issue is only impacting the Model S and a company spokesperson told Business Insider that the recall was being done out of an “abundance of caution.”
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors. Photo Credit: Maurizio Pesce/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
Tesla broke the news to customers in an email.
From the email sent to Tesla customers (obtained by The Next Web):
“We are sending you this email to inform you of a proactive action Tesla is taking to ensure your safety. Tesla recently found a Model S in Europe with a front seat belt that was not properly connected to the outboard lap pretensioner. This vehicle was not involved in a crash and there were no injuries. However, in the event of a crash, a seatbelt in this condition would not provide full protection. First and foremost, we care about your safety.
This is the only customer vehicle we know of with this condition. Even though we have since inspected the seat belts in over 3,000 vehicles spanning the entire range of Model S production and found no issues, we have decided to conduct a voluntary recall as a proactive and precautionary measure to inspect all front Model S seat belts and make absolutely sure that they are properly connected. (We have no concerns regarding seat belts in the rear of Model S.)”
Tesla has asked all Model S customers to schedule an appointment at a Tesla service facility so they can do an inspection.
More to come. Stay with Rise News.
#BREAKING Tesla recalls 90,000 Model S vehicles for seatbelt fix
— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) November 20, 2015
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