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.Hawaii, Louisiana top list of 10 worst states to work in 2024

In conclusion, the former Spanish Foreign Minister's insights shed light on the nuanced and evolving nature of Sino-European relations. While cooperation is essential for addressing global challenges, it is equally important to acknowledge and address the challenges that threaten to undermine the partnership. By fostering open dialogue, upholding shared values, and finding common ground, China and Europe can navigate the complexities of their relationship and continue to work towards a more prosperous and sustainable future together.How about a gift that pays you back?

- Powering a new era in Brazil's urban core with the Grand Opening of the Ideal Scientology Mission of Santo André - SANTO ANDRÉ, Brazil, and LOS ANGELES, Calif., Dec. 28, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Santo André, Brazil, is a dynamic city of sophistication and opportunity. Home to three-quarters of a million people, it yet maintains its welcoming attitude and signature friendliness. Although lying within Greater São Paulo’s industrial corridor, green spaces such as Parque Central, with its picturesque lakes and shady walkways, provide respite from the city’s hectic urban tempo. And Parque Chácara da Baronesa transports visitors to the 18th century with its colonial-era mansion and landscaped gardens. Downtown Santo André is a center for nightlife, entertainment, and festivals. And right in the bustling center of this dynamic urban mosaic, the new Ideal Church of Scientology Mission of Santo André welcomes one and all. Scientology Missions form the vanguard of the Scientology religion, providing the full array of basic and introductory Scientology services and Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling). And now joining the ranks of Ideal Missions, the new Scientology Mission in Santo André is designed to serve as the physical embodiment of Scientology technology in helping all to attain spiritual freedom. Community leaders, officials and guests joined Scientologists from across São Paulo and Brazil November 16 to celebrate the Grand Opening of the new Ideal Church of Scientology Mission of Santo André. Joining Mission Director Ms. Andreia dos Santos da Silviera on stage were Officer Renata Breyer Correia of the city of Jundiaí Municipal Guard and Chief Marcos Antônio Pinto de Moraes, Special Class Metropolitan Civil Guard of São Paulo. Working in internal affairs and responsible for the ethics of officers accused of misconduct, Ms. Correia experienced setbacks. “We have 50 supervisors and 460 guards. Those in leadership roles are challenged to effectively guide those under their charge,” she said. “This often leads to extra burden placed on other departments. “In trying to resolve these situations both for myself and my fellows, I discovered Dianetics. I was amazed. Here were answers to why man acted irrationally. This had the answers for how to go from being unmotivated to becoming a dynamic powerhouse. For me personally, as I have learned about and used Dianetics, I have increased my own positive influence on those around me. My goal is to improve Brazilian society through the application of the knowledge I have gained.” Ms. Correia presented the Church with a Certificate of Recognition for its work to spread moral values, promote drug-free living and address immorality and illiteracy in the Greater São Paulo area and throughout Brazil. Chief Moraes became a police officer to help people, particularly those living on the street. “People who need help and are on the margins of society are invisible to many. I find those who are destitute and help bring them back up, getting them out of the life of drugs and degradation that they are suffering from and reuniting them with their families. It was by doing this type of work that I first met the Church of Scientology. “Factually, Scientology found me ,” he said. “Brazilian Scientologists saw the work I was doing and got in touch with me to see how they could support me . That is when I first learned of the Drug-Free World program. This was a tool I could use in my work, both on the streets and with the police. I finally had a way to handle drug abuse before it begins. When people receive the Drug-Free World booklets, they see the truth about what drugs are and the effects they cause.” “I have never seen an organization so well managed as the Church of Scientology. And the entire reason for that level of organization is to increase the well-being of others. This is a church that takes action. If one person in the Church says ‘Let’s do this,’ the entire group aligns and unifies behind accomplishing that goal and changing society. I believe this Ideal Mission represents a new level of action and help for our community. Together, we are going to raise our society and help it prosper.” Chief Moraes presented the Mission with a Certificate of Recognition for reaching many thousands of youth with effective drug education to ensure their own future and that of São Paulo. Mission Director Ms. Andreia dos Santos da Silviera ended the dedication by inviting one and all to tour their new facilities. “Our Mission is here to serve the individual as the central ground from which to emanate Mr. Hubbard’s solutions for drug rehabilitation, drug prevention, and campaigns to salvage every sector of society. And we now open our doors to expand our help to the entire community.” Visitors to the Santo André Mission are welcome to tour the Public Information Display, featuring multimedia presentations of the basic beliefs and practices of Dianetics and Scientology as well as the life and legacy of L. Ron Hubbard. As an Ideal Church of Scientology Mission, Santo André is equipped with every facility needed to provide the full array of introductory Scientology services. These include the popular Life Improvement Courses through which anyone may find workable solutions to common challenges of everyday life—such as how to improve a marriage, successfully raise children, increase personal motivation, and set and achieve goals. The new Mission also offers seminars on a wide range of topics, including personal efficiency. The Hubbard Dianetics Seminar is based on Mr. Hubbard’s watershed work Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health , the bestselling book that reveals the source of one’s nightmares, unreasonable fears and irrational behavior—the reactive mind—and how to conquer it. Additionally, the Mission provides spiritual counseling, known as auditing , and the Purification Program , developed by Mr. Hubbard to free individuals from the mental and spiritual damage caused by drugs and toxins. The grand opening of the Ideal Scientology Mission of Santo André contributed to the record-breaking rollout of new Ideal Scientology Missions opened around the globe in 2024. From Quito, Ecuador, at the geographic center of the globe; to a new Ideal Scientology Mission in the thriving community of McMinnville, Oregon; back-to-back openings in Taiwan in the city of Chiayi, the gateway to the nation’s cultural heritage, and the bustling metropolis of Taichung; and finally, Japan’s thriving port city of Osaka. Many more Ideal Scientology Missions are planned across North and South America, Europe and Asia in the coming year. The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. Mr. David Miscavige is the Scientology religion’s ecclesiastical leader . The first Church of Scientology was formed in Los Angeles in 1954, and the religion has expanded to more than 11,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries. LEARN MORE: https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/ https://andre.scientologymissions.org VIDEO: https://youtu.be/j-2euFXXbfc?si=VXBeytzaTjpZu2LN IMAGE: https://www.Send2Press.com/300dpi/24-1228-s2p-COSsanto-300dpi.jpg IMAGE CAPTION: Grand Opening of the Ideal Scientology Mission of Santo André, Brazil TAGS: #SantoAndré #Brazil #SãoPaulo #IdealScientologyMission #GrandOpening NEWS SOURCE: Church of Scientology International Keywords: Religion and Churches, Ideal Scientology Mission of Santo Andre, Brazil, SANTO ANDRE, Brazil This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Church of Scientology International) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire . Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P123064 APDF15TBLLI To view the original version, visit: https://www.send2press.com/wire/scientology-expands-its-impact-in-santo-andre-the-industrial-heart-of-sao-paulo/ © 2024 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.Education Minister Nara Lokesh said on Sunday that the state has initiated a Skill Census programme, first of its kind in the country, to develop self-employment-based skills among the youth. The state would also be providing training for courses in such a way that youths are equipped for jobs both internally and abroad, he said. On the Skill Census, Lokesh said an agreement was signed recently with Centurion University to develop self-employment-based skill programmes for the youth in rural areas. “Through this, enterprise clusters will be established in sectors such as garment manufacturing, auto parts, dragon fruit cultivation, smart agriculture and drone technology. Vocational training will be provided in these sectors.” He noted, “Recently, an agreement was signed with 2COMS to provide skill training to youths in courses that can fetch them jobs abroad too.” The first phase of the skill census of 1.12 lakh households and 2.77 lakh residents of Mangalagiri assembly constituency and Thullur mandals has been completed. “Arrangements have been made to start the skill census across the state soon and complete it within six months. Vocational training programmes were conducted for 6,035 candidates under the DDUGKY scheme,” the minister said. Focusing on aerospace, automotive and shipbuilding, 2,506 candidates from 63 engineering colleges were trained in high-end Dassault Systems labs. In collaboration with organisations like Wadhwani Foundation and NASSCOM, 27,928 candidates were trained in technical, employability and soft skills in 483 degree colleges, he said. Lokesh gave a route map of the activities to be undertaken in the Skill Development department in the next six months. He said, “APAAR IDs should be given to all (100%) polytechnic and ITI students in the state. Skill Census programme should be effectively carried out across the state.” Some 20,000 candidates should be trained in 200 skill hubs, 2,000 candidates in 37 skill colleges and 2,000 candidates in skill spokes with industry participation. 2,500 workers should be trained in NAC centers from the AP Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Training programmes should be conducted for 150 people through Power Grid CSR, 30 people under the National Institute of Solar Energy CSR component at NAC centres, he said. The minister said employment should be provided to 26,000 candidates through DDUGKY skill development. Some 20,000 students from engineering colleges should be trained through CM Excellence Centres, 25,000-degree students in Employability Skill Centres and 10,000 students in Dassault Centres (CAD training). He said, “Under Skill International Programme, necessary training programmes should be completed through CEDAP to recruit candidates in sectors like Nursing, Construction and Automobile. Indo-Euro Synchronisation, 2Coms Consulting Pvt Ltd should facilitate overseas recruitment for nurses in Germany.” For artisans under the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Scheme, training programmes wuld be conducted for candidates under Nal Jal Mitra Scheme. He said the PM Internship awareness campaigns would be launched for industry onboarding and community awareness through DET & APSSDC. State-wide job fairs would be organised and job opportunities provided to the unemployed youth. Laboratories in government polytechnic colleges would be modernised and upgraded, and industrial laboratories would be set up in ITIs. The 5th semester textbooks and lab-manuals would be printed and provided to six departments through SBTET for diploma students in a timely manner, Lokesh said.

Recently, the tech world has been abuzz with major announcements from some of the industry's biggest players. OpenAI's highly anticipated AI language model, known as Sora, has finally gone live, causing a surge of traffic that temporarily crashed the company's official website. At the same time, Chinese tech mogul Lei Jun revealed that his company's latest electric vehicle, the YU7, has been released ahead of schedule, unveiling its true design beneath the camouflage. In contrast, tech giant Apple made headlines by announcing its lack of interest in pursuing AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), a decision that has sparked debate among experts and enthusiasts alike.

As Tencent Video implements the adjustment of VIP device quota rights, it is clear that the platform is committed to meeting the needs of its growing user base while also ensuring that existing members continue to receive the best possible service and benefits. With a focus on user satisfaction, content diversity, technological innovation, and loyalty to its members, Tencent Video remains a trusted and beloved destination for online entertainment in China.Cytokinetics director Wendall Wierenga sells $37,100 in stock

As the country prepares for a new chapter in its political history, it is imperative that all parties involved approach the transition process with a spirit of unity and reconciliation. The transfer of power should not be viewed as a zero-sum game, but rather as an opportunity to build a stronger and more inclusive democratic system.3. Crash Diets:

If Philadelphia Eagles star quarterback Jalen Hurts is unavailable for their Week 17 tilt with the rival Dallas Cowboys, they'll at least have Kenny Pickett at their disposal. Hurts remains in concussion protocol while also dealing with a finger injury on his non-throwing hand. He did not practice on Thursday, but QB2 Pickett (ribs) was a full participant. Pickett told reporters after practice Thursday that he expects to be able to play. He "tested out some different things padding-wise" in anticipation of being on the field Sunday against visiting Dallas, when the Eagles can clinch the NFC East title with a victory. "It is what it is. Just something I'm going to have to deal with," Pickett said. "So, yeah, I'll be ready to go for Sunday." Hurts was injured last Sunday in the Eagles' loss to the Washington Commanders. His head hit the turf while being tackled by Frankie Luvu and Bobby Wagner. Hurts connected on just 1 of 4 passes for 11 yards before he exited the game. Pickett took over and produced 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception on 14-of-24 passing as Washington rallied to beat Philadelphia 36-33. It was later revealed that Pickett hurt his ribs during the game. "I think after a couple more days, getting a chance to kind of rest it a little bit more, go do some rehab, I'll be good for Sunday," Pickett said. The only other quarterback on the Eagles' roster is Tanner McKee, a sixth-round pick in 2023 who has yet to play a snap for them. Philadelphia signed quarterback Ian Book to the practice squad earlier Thursday. --Field Level MediaThe list of President-elect Donald Trump's legal cases is shrinking — or being delayed. On Monday, Special Counsel Jack Smith filed a motion to dismiss the Washington, D.C. election subversion case. He also asked a federal appeals court to stop reviewing the classified documents case in Florida. On Tuesday, that court granted dismissal of the case against Trump — though not against other appellees. In dismissing the cases, the Special Counsel cited the Department of Justice's long-standing policy of not prosecuting sitting presidents. "After careful consideration, the Department has determined that OLC's prior opinions concerning the Constitution's prohibition on federal indictment and prosecution of a sitting President apply to this situation and that as a result this prosecution must be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated," Smith wrote in his court filing regarding the election subversion case. "We've used the word unprecedented a lot over the course of the last four years, and yet again this is something that is unprecedented, and Smith himself said this in his motion," former state and federal prosecutor David S. Weinstein told Scripps News. "He took great detail to point out that this was not based on the strength or weakness of the case." In a post on Truth Social , Trump said in part "These cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless." RELATED STORY | Special counsel evaluating how to wind down federal cases against Trump Earlier this year, Trump faced four on-going criminal cases. He was convicted in his New York hush money case in May, but sentencing — which was scheduled for this week — has been delayed . After Smith's actions Monday, Trump now faces only the Georgia election interference case. In Georgia, Trump was indicted along with 18 allies, accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election results in the state. But that case is now on hold after the state appeals court unexpectedly removed a December hearing from its calendar. That court will issue a new order on how this case will move forward, but with less than two months before the inauguration, the future of the Georgia and New York hush money cases are still being decided. "The two state cases are likely to recede into the background — at best," former Department of Justice attorney and current partner at Gelber, Schachter & Greenberg, Barbara Llanes, told Scripps News. "We probably won't hear much about these cases following the inauguration of President-elect Trump." Defense attorneys for Trump believe his election victory is enough for the hush money case to be dismissed. They need to file a motion by Dec. 2 making that argument. Then prosecutors have until Dec. 9 to file a rebuttal. They still believe Trump should be sentenced — even if it's after he leaves office. Judge Juan Merchan will then make a decision on how this case should move forward. There's no set date on exactly when he will make that decision.

By DAVID A. LIEB Artificial intelligence. Abortion. Guns. Marijuana. Minimum wages. Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another. Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed this year. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges. Here’s a look at some of the most notable state laws taking effect: California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest technology companies, is seeking to rein in the artificial intelligence industry and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of Hollywood actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use. Parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so. New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges. Related Articles National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen National Politics | Exhausted by political news? TV ratings and new poll say you’re not alone National Politics | Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ A Florida law bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15. But enforcement is being delayed because of a lawsuit filed by two associations for online companies, with a hearing scheduled for late February. A new Tennessee law also requires parental consent for minors to open accounts on social media. NetChoice, an industry group for online businesses, is challenging the law. Another new state law requires porn websites to verify that visitors are at least 18 years old. But the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry, has filed a challenge. Several new California measures aimed at combating political deepfakes are also being challenged, including one requiring large social media platforms to remove deceptive content related to elections and another allowing any individual to sue for damages over the use of AI to create fabricated images or videos in political ads . In a first nationally, California will start enforcing a law prohibiting school districts from adopting policies that require staff to notify parents if their children change their gender identification . The law was a priority for Democratic lawmakers who wanted to halt such policies passed by several districts. Many states have passed laws limiting or protecting abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to the procedure in 2022. One of the latest is the Democratic-led state of Delaware. A law there will require the state employee health plan and Medicaid plans for lower-income residents to cover abortions with no deductible , copayments or other cost-sharing requirements. A new Minnesota law prohibits guns with “binary triggers” that allow for more rapid fire, causing a weapon to fire one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it is released. In Delaware, a law adds colleges and universities to a list of school zones where guns are prohibited, with exceptions for those working in their official capacity such as law officers and commissioned security guards. Kentucky is becoming the latest state to let people use marijuana for medical purposes . To apply for a state medical cannabis card, people must get written certification from a medical provider of a qualifying condition, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, epilepsy, chronic nausea or post-traumatic stress disorder. Nearly four-fifths of U.S. states have now legalized medical marijuana. Minimum wage workers in more than 20 states are due to receive raises in January. The highest minimum wages will be in Washington, California and Connecticut, all of which will top $16 an hour after modest increases. The largest increases are scheduled in Delaware, where the minimum wage will rise by $1.75 to $15 an hour, and in Nebraska, where a ballot measure approved by voters in 2022 will add $1.50 to the current minimum of $12 an hour. Twenty other states still follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. In Oregon, using drugs on public transit will be considered a misdemeanor crime of interfering with public transportation. While the measure worked its way through the legislature, multiple transportation officials said drug use on buses and trains, and at transit stops and stations, was making passengers and drivers feel less safe. In Missouri, law enforcement officers have spent the past 16 months issuing warnings to motorists that handheld cellphone use is illegal. Starting with the new year, penalties will kick in: a $150 fine for the first violation, progressing to $500 for third and subsequent offenses and up to 15 years imprisonment if a driver using a cellphone cause an injury or death. But police must notice a primary violation, such as speeding or weaving across lanes, to cite motorists for violating the cellphone law. Montana is the only state that hasn’t banned texting while driving , according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Tenants in Arizona will no longer have to pay tax on their monthly rent , thanks to the repeal of a law that had allowed cities and towns to impose such taxes. While a victory for renters, the new law is a financial loss for governments. An analysis by Arizona’s nonpartisan Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimated that $230 million would be lost in municipal tax revenue during the first full fiscal year of implementation. Meanwhile Alabama will offer tax credits to businesses that help employees with child care costs. Kansas is eliminating its 2% sales tax on groceries. It also is cutting individual income taxes by dropping the top tax rate, increasing a credit for child care expenses and exempting all Social Security income from taxes, among other things. Taxpayers are expected to save about $320 million a year going forward. An Oklahoma law expands voting privileges to people who have been convicted of felonies but had their sentences discharged or commuted, including commutations for crimes that have been reclassified from felonies to misdemeanors. Former state Sen. George Young, an Oklahoma City Democrat, carried the bill in the Senate. “I think it’s very important that people who have gone through trials and tribulations in their life, that we have a system that brings them back and allows them to participate as contributing citizens,” Young said. Associated Press writers Trân Nguyễn in Sacramento, California; Kate Payne in Tallahassee, Florida; Jonathan Mattise in Nashville, Tennessee; Randall Chase in Dover, Delaware; Steve Karnowski in Minneapolis; Bruce Schreiner in Frankfort, Kentucky; Claire Rush in Portland, Oregon; Summer Ballentine in Jefferson City, Missouri; Gabriel Sandoval in Phoenix; Kim Chandler in Montgomery, Alabama; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; and Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City contributed.What do ADHS, sex, cocaine, nova explosions, spiders and seismology have in common? There are all topics we wrote and you read in 2024.As with any other year, 2024 saw its fair share of good and bad stories. But we pride ourselves at DW Science on bringing you a constructive take on developments, whether it's in health and medicine, psychology or archeology. Also Read | ISRO's SpaDeX Mission Set for December 30 Launch To Achieve Historic Space Docking Feat: Minister of Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh. We've seen major leaps in artificial intelligence, neuroscience, and in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. Also Read | Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Successfully Completes 'Hotfire Test’ Paving Way for Its Launch. Here's our nine most read stories, starting at the top: 1. ADHD: Did the condition help our ancestors survive? Commonly called a disorder, ADHD may have helped our ancestors find food and survive. DW reporter Hannah Fuchs found an innovative study that asked participants to pick berries and led to the conclusion that the more ADHD symptoms a person had, the more berries they collected. Read the article to find out how that helped early hunter-gatherers and today's understanding of ADHD. 2. Nova explosion without a telescope September's nova explosion of T Coronae Borealis — 3,000 light years from Earth — promised to be a once-in-a-lifetime astronomical event. A nova explosion is the dramatic instance of a star exploding as it interacts with another, nearby star. If you missed the event, read Fred Schwaller's article to find out more. And if you're short on time, watch our resident physicist Sushmitha Ramakrishnan explain the "Blaze Star" phenomenon on TikTok. 3. The hymen uncovered Is an intact hymen a sign of virginity in women? No — that's a myth that's caused harm to young women all over the world. Sex and the Body creator, Lea Albrecht, explained how hymens come in different shapes and why it's impossible to tell whether a woman is a virgin by examining it. 4. Seismic shift: Yes, India is disappearing! The idea that one country could edge under another may seem strange at first, but in the case of India and China, it has, in fact, been happening for the past 50 million years. It's all down to tectonics, as Julia Vergin wrote in November. And it's fascinating when you think that the two most populous countries on Earth are in a "tug of war" which neither can control. 5. How the German cockroach conquered the world Germany claims to have given the world a number of things, from X-ray vision to the no-speed-limit-autobahn. But the humble cockroach? Alexander Freund wrote in May that it took a team of scientists in Singapore and the DNA of 281 cockroaches from 17 countries on five continents to discover the truth. 6. The eye of the... spider! Our weekly Science show, Tomorrow Today, loves to answer questions from viewers, and this one was especially popular: How did spider eyes evolve? As Cornelia Borrmann explained in this wonderful video, the development of spider eyes is controlled by the same genes as in other animals. 7. The ongoing threat of mpox In August, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency. A new version of the mpox virus had emerged in Central Africa and was spreading among children and adults in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and neighboring countries. We explained what mpox is, how it spreads and how it can be prevented — there's a vaccine for it, but it's often unavailable where it's needed most. 8. 'Promise' of a cocaine vaccine? On the face of it, the idea of using a drug to mitigate the effects of another drug is about as weird as reading that India is edging under China (see above) — couldn't you could just stop taking the drug you're trying to mitigate? Easier said than done, when the drug is highly addictive, like cocaine. Aline Spantig explained why cocaine is so addictive and why researchers in Brazil were investigating whether inhibiting cocaine's effects with a vaccine was a good way to get people off the drug. 9. New research aims to help people with dyslexia Dyslexia has little to say about a person's intellect or creativity — many famous intellects and creatives have had dyslexia: Albert Einstein, Ludwig van Beethoven, Agatha Christie, Whoopi Goldberg... the list goes on. That said, scientists are still trying to work out what exactly causes it. In 2024, Alexander Freund wrote that new research showed for the first time how dyslexia was linked to the visual thalamus, a brain region important for emotion, memory, and language among other things. The findings may help develop better treatment and support. We hope you enjoyed our stories in 2024 and that you'll join us again in 2025. Remember you can always send us a comment, or ask us to answer your questions about science, health and technology. We look forward to hearing from you! Edited by: Fred Schwaller (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 29, 2024 10:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).NoneThe 45+ best Black Friday phone deals 2024: Sales on iPhones, Samsung, and more