#USA Retirement Withdrawals

[tessansgp]

Rep. Austin Lee oral history [Video]

[zestylemonsz]

I am not very political. And I don't make political posts. However.

(I made the text smaller, however I am using caps)

Tag mutuals that can vote and are in the USA!!

-------------------------------------------------------

GUYS PLEASSSSEEEEE VOTE

NOT VOTING DOESN'T HELP. NOT LIKING THE SYSTEM AND NOT VOTING DOESN'T HELP.

IT SERIOUSLY DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU DON'T LIKE EITHER PRESIDENT. CHOOSE THE BETTER ONE. CHOOSE THE ONE THAT ACTUALLY HELPS THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY. CHOOSE THE ONE THAT IS FIGHTING AGAINST RACISM, AND FIGHTING AGAINST INCREASING HOUSING PRICES.

DON'T CHOOSE THE ONE THAT HAS COMMITTED SEVERAL CRIMES.

PROJECT 2025 WILL INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE US-MEXICO BORDER. IT WILL ALSO INCREASE FEES ON IMMIGRANTS.

PROJECT 2025 WILL TRY TO "STOP THE WAR ON OIL AND NATURAL GAS". THIS WILL ELIMINATE ALL MEASURES DONE FOR CLIMATE CRISIS.

PROJECT 2025 PLANS ON WITHDRAWING ABORTION PILLS.

PROJECT 2025 PLANS ON GETTING RID OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. IT DOESN'T WANT TO BE CONTROLLED BY EXPERTS. PROJECT 2025 WANTS TO BE CONTROLLED BY THE PRESIDENT.

PROJECT 2025 PLANS ON BANNING WHATEVER THEY WANT BY DOING THIS. SUCH AS: LGBTQIA+ BOOKS, USAGE OF THE WORD "TRANS" OR "GENDER" OR "LGBTQIA+".

PROJECT 2025 PLANS ON ELIMINATING A LIST OF TERMS FROM ALL LAWS AND FEDERAL REGULATIONS. THIS INCLUDES: SEXUAL ORIENTATION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION, GENDER EQUALITY, ABORTION, AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

^ THIS WOULD NOT PROTECT LGBTQIA+ PEOPLE. THIS WOULD ALSO NOT PROTECT PEOPLE FROM ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

^ THIS MEANS PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST THIS.

TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, TWO JUSTICES IN THE SUPREME COURT ARE RUMORED ON RETIRING IF TRUMP WINS.

THIS WILL MAKE TRUMP APPOINT TWO MORE JUSTICES.

THAT MAKES TRUMP RUN THE WHOLE SUPREME COURT.

DO NOT LET PROJECT 2025 WIN.

PROJECT 2025 PLANS ON DISMANTLING NOAA. NOAA TRACKS HURRICANES AND PROTECTS MARINE LIFE.

^ PROJECT 2025 PLANS ON DOING THIS BECAUSE IT'S "one of the main drivers of the climate change alarm industry"

PROJECT 2025 PLANS ON INSTALLING A "pro-life task force" TO REPLACE BIDEN'S REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE.

PROJECT 2025 PLANS ON DEFUNDING THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, DISMANTLING THE FBI, AND ELIMINATING THE DEPARTMENTS OF EDUCATION AND COMMERCE.

THIS HAS BEEN LAID OUT IN PLAIN VIEW. PLEASE VOTE.

MORE POLICES INCLUDE:

ERADICATING FEDERAL FUNDING FOR DEI PROGRAMS.

PURGING THE GOVERNMENT OF APOLITICAL CIVIL SERVANTS.

ELIMINATING THE CHECKS AND BALANCES BUILT INTO THREE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT IN FAVOR OF EXPANDED CONTROL BY THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

ENDING REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND REPLACING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

REPLACING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WITH A 100,000 WORKER IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT.

MILITARIZATION OF THE BORDER.

ENDING REFUGEE PROGRAMS.

REMOVING TRANSGENDER MEDICINES AND SURGERIES.

REMOVING LGBTQIA+ AS A WHOLE.

REMOVING ABORTION SERVICES.

[hasufin]

Purging

Okay, so I know that my reach isn't anything, and I'm sure plenty of other people see this.

but we just got two big steaming turds of news today:

and

So, yeah. Now, I also know that a lot of DoD folks are retiring. So, this could be mere typical Trump pettiness - and that's horrible enough, because it means he fully intends to weaponize the US government to oppress his political rivals, a move which will make political opposition impossible (It's hard to run against The Party when they will jail you for opposing them, y'know?)

But on a strategic level, it means he's purging non-Trumpists from these departments. Specifically, he's going after the two parts of the US government which might serve as checks on autocratic power. this is, 100%, a crucial step in transitioning the USA to a dictatorship. And it's being done openly without remorse. He knows the judiciary, heavily tilted with Trumpists, will not object. He believes he has Congress kowtowed.

And what then? What is he planning to do which decent people in the military and the DoJ would not abide?

[weirdowithaquill]

Random Trains I Found Part 1:

So, I've put off writing my myriad of WIPs for a bit to spend some time just... looking at trains. Reconnecting with them. Hunting out ideas for the future and being amazed by the past. And here's a few of my absolute favourite random, insane trains I've found so far:

NGR Class D1:

This right here was the first 4-8-2 ever built - and it's an absolutely massive tank engine from South Africa. It was built to the 3ft 6in Cape Gauge and it began running in 1888. Take a moment for that to settle in - 1888. The USA didn't run a 4-8-2 on it's network until 1911, a good 20+ years later!

Russian Class Kh:

It's a 2-8-0 class built in the USA for Russia that had examples sold to Japan with the last example preserved in China. I personally like these engines because they really do tell us so much about how much the world changed - they began life in 1895, and somehow (I would love to know how if anyone has any information) one ended up in a river in Jilin Province, China. It was probably WWII, but all the same, these engines went places!

Prussian P8 Class:

These engines started life in 1908 and weren't retired until 1981 in Poland at the latest - and if that isn't an opening to an epic class of locomotive, I don't know what is! Roughly 3900 of these machines were built, making it potentially the single largest class of passenger engine in the world and they ended up just about everywhere in Europe, from France to Norway to Romania, where a number (200) were built under license. And the reason they lived so long? They were simple, strong machines.

GWR 2600 'Aberdare' Class:

Honestly, I just like these because they look so odd. Like, these are GWR 2-6-0s that look like a City or a Bulldog class. They have the double frames and the coupling rods of a 4-4-0 - and that's because they were introduced in 1900. They did manage to make it to 1949 hauling coal trains, but the GWR had already been withdrawing them in the 1930s, as they did with their older stock. I wish one had been preserved, they'd be so cool to look at!

NGR Class C:

Last but certainly not least, these behemoths of South Africa once again prove that somehow, the former Cape Colony was at the forefront of wheel arrangement innovation. It's a 4-10-2T. It was built in 1899, alongside the GWR Bulldog class! These things were massive... and eventually rebuilt to 4-8-2T locomotives. But there were 137 of them built, making them the most numerous of the 4-10-2 type locomotive ever constructed.

I want all of these engines. I would love to know more about them, I would love to own one (in model form) and I am going to love continuing my journey through railway history to find more random, interesting locomotives to share.

And as usual, all images belong to their respective owners.

[figureskatingfanblog]

2024-25 Grand Prix - Top Seeded/Invited - Men

Based on the World Championships, these are the skaters that will be top seeded/invited to the Grand Prix next season.

Ilia Malinin (USA)

Yuma Kagiyama (JPN)

Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA)

Shoma Uno (JPN)

Jason Brown (USA)

Lukas Britschgi (SUI)

Deniss Vasiljevs (LAT)

Kao Miura (JPN)

Nikolaj Memola (ITA)

Junhwan Cha (KOR)

Aleksandr Selevko (EST)

Mark Gorodnitsky (ISR)

Nika Egadze (GEO)

Edits will be made for any withdrawals, retirements, etc...

[kickthecan-revolution]

Random Monday morning thoughts

Anxiety dreams of a 2pm flight to China and it was ten past noon on my old fashioned wall clock - I still hadn’t called a Lyft and was running around trying to find a warm jacket to pack. I haven’t had one of those dreams in awhile.

Work wise, I feel like I’m at a party at the end of the evening and I’ve decided/told the host I’m leaving - now I’m just at the door, waiting for my friends I came with to say their goodbyes. The party is over and I’m calm because I know I’m leaving, I’m not there anymore.

I’m quieter in this election year - it’s mostly a deep interior re-wiring of my beliefs. The Palestinian genocide is not something I can speak of, horror that doesn’t have a language for me. You know something’s evil when they target kids. That the USA will not push for a ceasefire has left me upside down on who we are, what I align to politically and where I live. I’m reading a lot about the world stage, the macro-danger across Western Allies vs our stated enemies and see how close we are to a WW3. How the USA is a protector in so many ways I didn’t understand, the US Navy protecting the cargo ships moving across the world, etc. a protector of basic capitalism, I guess, but as we do that less due to withdrawal of military funding, pirates popped up 27x more in those areas. I saw it keenly in my international travel - the role we play on the world stage, seeing the US as a “protector” through other’s eyes. Those same people are terrified as we buddy up to Russia via Tucker Carlson, etc., only because of what it means for their basic safety. They don’t care that the US seems to be rotted at our core. I get it.

One perspective says we need a War to start over in the USA but war has never adjusted or dismantled underlying systems like capitalism, it’s just fueled it. Ultimately, the USA will use force in wartime, even on its own people. That will be a decision on what we want to die for. Another side says a war will cause the USA to do anything necessary to protect systems in place because we need them to win.

So what force will change the legal system? What catalyst? Is it organizing? That absolutely worked in the Civil Rights movement, but there had to be more catalysts than just that - what were they? What forced America to change? What kind of catalyst combinations are needed to change these foundational, old systems? 200 years isn’t old-old. Is it spiritual? My intuition is the visceral tribalism that human beings operate within for our identity and how we move through life and how that is expressed in American power systems - white, Zionist, Christian, Southern, Liberal, etc. is what we’ll need to let go of first, and that’s so much harder. Many of us are lost as human beings without those tribes, and letting go of that identity can be terrifying and destabilizing. And people will never do it unless they believe in the human experience we’ll have here when they do. Oddly, a World War were the only moments we set those aside temporarily because we had a common enemy greater than ourselves.

So how do we collectively/personally envision that outside of being in a war on our domestic land? Enough to let go of our current understanding of who they are? A world where Black people aren’t incarcerated at disproportional rates. Where kids in Gaza aren’t slaughtered. Where it’s national pride that every citizen has basic needs met, a universal income and living wage. How do we realign on the values of what makes a society truly great?

A World War feels probable so the politics on the US Stage seem almost inconsequential until I heard Trump say he’d encourage Putin to go after an ally. That made my blood run cold. Ultimately I come back to my progressive roots, that the government should prioritize the vulnerable, and that’s not me - I’m white, I have retirement funds and I am not going to get pregnant. There’s comfort in a few of those ideals still showing up in the larger Democratic Party when nothing else about being a Democrat feels true anymore. Maybe it never was. It’s enough for me to vote on, at least right now, but it’s lacking any real change. I see that now, that this basic organization of political party is now identity, which makes it even uglier, less impactful and a vehicle for toxicity vs real change.

It’s like the party is over, and we’re all just waiting.

[whimsicaldragonette]

Blog Tour and Arc Review: The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews

Order

Add to Goodreads

Publication Date: January 16, 2024

Welcome to The Lily of Ludgate Hill book tour with Berkley Publishing Group. (This blog tour post is also posted on my Wordpress book blog Whimsical Dragonette.)

Synopsis:

Lady Anne Deveril doesn’t spook easily. A woman of lofty social standing known for her glacial beauty and starchy opinions, she’s the unofficial leader of her small group of equestriennes. Since her mother’s devastating plunge into mourning six years ago, Anne voluntarily renounced any fanciful notions of love and marriage. And yet, when fate puts Anne back into the entirely too enticing path of Mr. Felix Hartford, she’s tempted to run…right into his arms. No one understands why Lady Anne withdrew into the shadows of society, Hart least of all. The youthful torch he once held for her has long since cooled. Or so he keeps telling himself. But now Anne needs a favor to help a friend. Hart will play along with her little ruse—on the condition that Anne attend a holiday house party at his grandfather’s country estate. No more mourning clothes. No more barriers. Only the two of them, unrequited feelings at last laid bare. Finally free to gallop out on her own, Anne makes the tantalizing discovery that beneath the roguish exterior of her not-so-white knight is a man with hidden depths, scorching passions—and a tender heart.

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, and Shelf Awareness, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats. Learn more online at www.mimimatthews.com.

Author Photo Credit: Vicki Hahn

Rating: ★★★★

*My Review, Favorite Quotes, and Non-Exclusive Extract below the cut.

My Review:

I loved this. It was exactly the sort of banter-filled stubborn hero and heroine who are gone for each other but refuse to admit it story that I love. It's easily the best of the Belles of London series. Anne and Hartford are perfect for each other but it takes them a while to admit it. The only problem I had with it was that it was *extremely* predictable. I knew exactly how it was going to go from the beginning and there was no deviating from that. I actually stopped about 75% of the way through and checked goodreads to make sure I hadn't already read it before. I hadn't. And yet I had predicted every. single. thing that happened. It was like deja vu but more so. The last quarter unfolded exactly as I expected it to. I don't know if the foreshadowing was just really intense or what but that did lessen my enjoyment of the story. Aside from that, however, everything else was exactly as I like in a historical romance. I am curious about the next one, as well, after meeting who will obviously be the new wheelchair-bound, artist hero. I have high hopes because neither of those is something we typically get in a romance hero. *Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an early copy for review.

Favorite Quotes:

"I wish I were more eccentric," Anne declared, rousing her spirits to the cause. "I might have traveled to Yorkshire weeks ago and saved Julia from her fate."

Non-Exclusive Excerpt:

The twin fragrances of pipe smoke and parchment met her nose. Lemon polish, too, though there was no sign that the maids had done any recent tidying up. The library was a place of spectacular clutter. Bookcases lined three of the walls; leather-bound volumes on botany, agriculture, and natural history were pulled out at all angles as if an absent-minded researcher had wandered from shelf to shelf withdrawing tomes at random only to change his mind midway through extracting them. The fourth wall was entirely covered in framed sketches of flowers and greenery. Some images were produced in pencil and others in delicately rendered watercolor. They were-along with the teetering stacks of botanical journals and drooping maps that spilled over the sides of the earl's carved mahogany desk-evidence of his prevailing passion. Lord March's love of exotic plants was legendary. He'd spent much of his life traveling the globe, from the wilds of America to the highest peaks of the Himalayas, bringing back rare seeds to nurture into bloom. A distracted fellow at the best of times, but a kind one, too, as far as Anne recalled. It had been a long time since she'd darkened his doorstep. A lifetime, it felt like. She tugged restlessly at her black kid-leather gloves as she paced the worn carpet in front of the library's cavernous marble fireplace. She'd never excelled at waiting for unpleasantness to arrive. Fortunately, she didn't have to wait long. "Hello, old thing." A familiar deep voice sounded from the library door. Anne spun around, her traitorous heart giving an involuntary leap in her breast. Mr. Felix Hartford stood in the entryway, one shoulder propped against the doorframe. Lord only knew how long he'd been observing her. She stiffened. After all these years, he still had the power to discompose her. Drat him. But she wouldn't permit her emotions to be thrown into chaos by his attractive face and figure. What cared she for his commanding height? His square-chiseled jaw? For the devilish glint in his sky-blue eyes? And devil he was. The very one she'd come here to see. "Hartford," she said. Her chin ticked up a notch in challenge. It was a reflex. There was no occasion on which they'd met during the course of the past several years that they hadn't engaged in verbal battle. This time, however, he made no attempt to engage her. He was dressed in plaid trousers and a loose-fitting black sack coat worn open to reveal the dark waistcoat beneath. A casual ensemble, made more so by the state of him. His clothes were vaguely rumpled, and so was his seal-brown hair. It fell over his brow, desperately in need of an application of pomade. There was an air of arrested preoccupation about him, as if he'd just returned from somewhere or was on his way to somewhere. As if he hadn't realized she was in the library and had come upon her quite by chance. An unnatural silence stretched between them, void of their typical barb-filled banter. Greetings dispensed with, Anne found herself at an unaccountable loss. More surprising still, so did Hartford. He remained frozen on the threshold, his usually humorous expression turned to stone on his handsome face. At length, he managed a smile. "I knew one day you'd walk through my door again. It only took you"-withdrawing his pocket watch from his waistcoat, he cast it a brief glance, brows lifting as if in astonishment at the time-"seven years to do it." She huffed. "It hasn't been seven years." "Six and half, then." Six years and five months, more like. It had been early December of 1855, during the Earl of March's holiday party. She'd been just shy of seventeen; young and naive and not formally out yet. Hartford had kissed her under a sprig of mistletoe in the gaslit servants' hallway outside the kitchens. And he'd proposed to her.

But Anne refused to think of the past. Never mind that, living in London, reminders of it were daily shoved under her nose. "You're not going to be difficult, are you?" she asked. "That depends." He strolled into the room. "To what do I owe your visit?" "Presumptuous, as always," she said. "For all you know, I'm here to see your grandfather." Hartford was the only child of the Earl of March's second son-the late (and much lamented) moralist Everett Hartford. Anne well remembered the man. He'd been as straitlaced and starchy as a vicar. Rather ironic, really, given his son's reputation for recklessness and irreverence. "My grandfather is in his greenhouse," Hartford said, "elbow deep in chicken manure. If it's him you've come to speak with, you're in for a long wait." She suppressed a grimace. There was no need for him to be crass. "Really, Hartford." "Really, my lady." He advanced into the room slowly, his genial expression doing little to mask the fact that he was a great towering male bearing down on her. "Why have you come?" Anne held her ground. She wasn't afraid of him. "I've come to ask a favor of you." His mouth curled up at one corner. "Better and better." He gestured to a stuffed settee upholstered in Gobelins tapestry. "Pray sit down."

Excerpted from The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews Copyright © 2024 by Mimi Matthews. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.

[cyberrgirlsblog]

candle ligth part 3

sorry for the LONG ASS wait like fr, idk how many ppl read this but yea . the hole thing ive written is dead ass like 29,000 words or some shit like that, i got carried away.

Part 3

(TW) cussing, mentions how a dead body looks

Not beta read!!!!!!!

1929, 3 weeks before the planned assassination. And 7 weeks since (y/n) and duke last saw eachother

“What the fuck” I said looking down at the front steps of my house, my hand covering my mouth in shock and horror. I look down to find the body of a dead boy in front of my door.

“First day living in small heith and this is the shit that happens I mean like the fuck. I don't know who sent that and who that person was but that's fucked up man.” I said my voice breaking while paseing around my room, my hands shaking. Ash was sitting on my bed listening to me tentatively. Fez would've been here if it wasn't for him going to visit his girlfriend Lexi in the USA for the week. Even though I was talking about this like it was an everyday occurrence it still shook me to my core. It was unnerving.

“You think it's got something with us working more closely with the peaky,” Ash said, looking at me. I called him as soon as it happened along with Tommy but his maid picked up saying he was out but she would let him know when he came back. I looked at Ash and nodded.

“Maybe, I mean it's the most probable option. But we still got a body to deal with. I mean if we call the cops what the hell do we do about this shit." I said while I paced around my room. As the old boards creaked under my feet.

“If we call the fucking cops Fez will kill us Don't be a dumb ass. Look, we take the body and put it in an incinerator. Pay the workers to keep their mouths shut and we'll see what happens.” Ash said before lighting a cigarette. He offered me one but I declined.

“Yea but should we figure out who the dude is? I mean I'm already in enough shit with fez. Dude barely even lets me leave the house without someone he knows coming with me.” I said sitting down next to Ash, letting my head fall back into the wall, and sighing. 

—-----------3rd person pov

Since you went to the carnival fez has been more on edge about trusting you. Thinking back on it you should have asked Ada to be an alibi for you if Fez ever called her about your where abouts. She told him she was at her house and didn't even know about a carnival happening. Fez was pissed when he found out that you had lied to him. But you also hated how there was a double standard when it came to you and Ash. He could go out for hours and not even come home for days and Fez is rarely ever worried but if you leave and don't come home before night time all of a sudden you have Fez and his friends looking for you. You hated how he acted but a small part of you understood why.

—-----

When you were 11 you and Ash went to the bank to withdraw the money your grandma had not yet withdrawn. You and Ash got separated, Ash came home crying telling Fez how someone had grabbed you and taken you away. The man was someone who worked with Mouse and your older brother hadn't paid the fair amount that he was supposed to for some of the product that was bought from Mouse.

Mouse took you and locked you up in a room in some house that looked like it was a personal haven for rats to stay in. It wasn't till a couple of hours later that a bag was put over your head and you were retired back to Fez, Ash, and your grandma.

Ever since then, Fez has been paranoid about you, and it would be a lie to say those events haven't affected you in any way. 

That is one of the reasons you asked Ash to teach you how to fight and started to carry a gun at all times.

—--- 

(y/n) looks over at ash ‘’ you think that it could be-’’

“No, if it is im gonna kill him the second I see him or his friend and anyways we stopped doing business with him for almost a year,” Ash said while looking at the wall in front of him. 

“Ash, this is something he would do. It's fucked up but it's true you and I both know that,’’ she said looking over at Ash. 

His eyebrows creased and he clenched his fits. Memories going back to the day he saw you, his sister snatched up by some guy and he couldn't do anything to stop it from happening. He knew he wouldn't let anything like that happen again to you.

“Ash you know it's not gonna happen again right? I won't let it happen, you won't let it happen, shit fez will make sure it doesn't happen,” she said turning her head to face the door of the room.

“And anyways it could just have something to do with Tommy or some shit. And maybe I'm just being delusional by saying that other shit. But hey I got this if it ever comes down to it” (y/n) said before lifting her coat jacket revealing the holster that held her gun.

Ash looked down at her gun before looking up and slowly nodding his head. They had an understanding of each other that only siblings could have. Suddenly there was a knock on the door downstairs.

Ash and (Y/n)  look at each other before getting up from the bed and going downstairs.

(y/n) heart started beating faster than normal, her hands felt clammy and she could feel a cold sweat. Ash was the same, once they got downstairs they got to the door. Ash reach for his gun while (y/n) opened the door.

The knocking happened again this time harder and louder. (Y/n) and Ash held their breath before (y/n) slowly twisted the doorknob

“Fuck Pol you scared the shit out of us,” she said before letting out a breath of relief and opening the door just enough for her to get in. 

“I got a call about what happened from Tommy's maid,” she said while looking at us her eyes glazing around.

—------------------1st person

“Weres your brother,” she said, I and Ash looked at each other. We were looking into each other's eyes for a quick second before answering.

“He's in the U.S.’’ I said looking at Pol. 

“Anyway come we put the body in the kitchen. It's i really brutal sight.” I said before I and Ash started walking towards the kitchen with Pol right behind us. Once we got there I heard Pol breathe in a quick breath. 

The man's body was anything but pretty half of his face was disfigured and his arm was bent in an unnatural position. His clothes were ragged and slightly burnt. Blood had dried on his head from where his head wound was.

“I-i think I may know who that is,” Pol said before taking a shaky step back. 

“Pol who is it, we need to know please,” I said looking at her while scratching the skin on my arm almost to the point of drawing blood until ash stopped me from going any further.

“He was a boy who worked for the peaky blinders about the same age as Finn. We need to call the family. Do you guys have a phone.’’ she asked while looking back at the boy's body. I pointed at the phone on the table stand and she went to make a call.

—------------------- 3 hrs later, 2nd person

I sat on the couch in the living room staring at the radio as it played static. Pure static is all I could listen to, it helped clear my mind and fuzz it out better than the other channels did. All you could think about was the boy who was just at the kitchen table. His name was Jimmy walsh he was 16 years old and his family had moved from Ireland to the Uk. he was working with the Peakys to help his family earn money. His body wasn't supposed to be at your doorstep, it was supposed to be at the betting shop's doorstep.

I wondered if he had any friends and if he wanted to go to school once his family had made enough money. If he had a lover, if he had any siblings, and how many he had. When thinking about him though you couldn't help but have your mind go to Duke. it had been a while since you had seen him.

Was he alive, was he well? Did he still work at the fairground or did he get a new job? As these questions plagued your mind. My leg started to shake and the tapping from my foot started to get louder and louder. 

A hand was laid on my shoulder causing me to jump my heart stopping for a second before looking at the person who had done that. When I looked I expected to see ash but instead, I saw Polly.

“Jesus Pol you scared me,” you said while covering your face with your hands. 

“I'm sorry (Y/n) wasn't my intention but I just want to check on you. I tried to find your brother but I think he went to the pub.” she while removing my hand from my face and wiping away the tears from my face which I had failed to notice.

I looked at her in the eyes while trying to form words but all that came out were sobs painful sobs of everything that had built up in for the past years. Pol lay my head on her shoulder and hugged me with one hand on my head and the other on my upper back.

“N-no I not” I let out in shaky breaths that were uneven and tears streaming down my face.

“Ssh try to catch your breath.” pol said while rubbing my back.

“He was j-just a kid. A bit older than me a-and ash. He had a family that loved him and he's gone. It's all so fucked up Pol.” I said while burying my face in her shoulder even more.

“It is, it is, he was an innocent boy who was killed. You shouldn't have seen that and he shouldn't have died.” Polly said while running her hand up and down my hair.

We just sat there for what felt like forever. I wanted to ask who she thought had done it. I wanted to ask if I could do anything to help but in the end, I knew it would all be futile. From what Fez told me, peaky business was peaky business and not to ask questions. Don't get our family deeper than we already are. 

After a while, Polly withdrew from the hug. She looked me in the eyes and wiped the remaining tears from my face and gave me a smile I could only imagine a mother could give her daughter.

“How about this? You stay at my house for tonight and your brother can as well. I dont want you or your brother to stay here alone for now,” she said

“Pol it's fine we can handle ourselves. You already have a lot on your plate. I don't want to burden you anymore,” I said with an unsure voice. 

“Nonsense your welcome at my home anytime you like.” she said looking in my eyes before heading toward the front door.

“Well come on we're going to find your brother,” she said again, she opened the door and stepped outside, holding the door for me while I followed.

“He is probably at the garrison getting shit-faced or something,” i said walking next her while looking around slightly chuckling.

“Well we will see, how about this tomorrow you and me and maybe ash will go out for the day.” she says trying to lighten the mood, i look at her a laugh slightly.

“Sure why not but are you sure I mean me and ash were sorting things out at the house since we just got it we don't really have money to by-,” I say but am quickly cut off by pol

“Nonsense I will pay for anything you or your brother need okay,” she says while looking at me kindly. We walk through the street towards the garrison. It is musty and complex to breathe but it is what I have become slightly used to when it comes to Birmingham. The buildings are coated by years of smoke and children play in coal piles. If you look close enough you might mistake the falling ash for snow on Christmas day.

As (Y/n) and Polly continued walking towards the garrison, they passed by familiar faces in the neighborhood. Some nodded in acknowledgment while others gave them suspicious glances.it seemed Living in Small Heath, one could never be too sure who was a friend and who was an enemy. They finally reached the garrison, a place where many of the Shelby family members and their associates gathered. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with smoke and the smell of whiskey.

 Polly's eyes scanned the room, searching for Ash, but he wasn't among the crowd. “Guess he's not here,” (Y/n) said, feeling slightly disappointed. Polly nodded, “Well, let's give him some more time. In the meantime, why don't we sit down and have a drink?” 

she suggested, gesturing towards an empty table in the corner. They sat down, and Polly signaled for a drink. The bartender quickly poured them a couple of glasses of whiskey. (Y/n) took a sip, feeling the warmth of the liquid spread through her body. It was a welcome distraction from the chaos of the day. As they chatted and waited for Tommy, (Y/n) couldn't help but admire Polly's strength. Despite the loss of her own children and all the hardships she'd faced, Polly remained resilient and fiercely protective of those she cared about.

 Soon, Tommy arrived at the garrison, looking troubled. His eyes met (Y/n)'s, and he gave her a small smile, a rare thing to see from him unless you were his childre, family or lover. He then turned to Polly and greeted her with a hug. “I heard about what happened at your place,” Tommy said in a low voice. Polly nodded, “Yes, it's a terrible situation. We're going to need to be cautious and keep an eye on things. (Y/n) and Ash needs protection.” “I'll make sure they have it,” Tommy replied, his expression stern.

“It's fine we can protect ourselves besides I think it was targeted at you guys more than it was at me, Ash or Fez,” i say while looking down slightly to scared to look them in the eyes as i could feel the gazes on me

 “But we need to find out who did this and why. This was clearly about sending a message that and we won't be pushed around.” As they discussed their next steps, (Y/n) felt a mix of fear and determination. She knew she had to protect herself and her brother, but she also wanted justice for Jimmy's death. She couldn't bear the thought of another innocent life being lost because of the dangerous world they were caught up in. 

Later Ash walked into the garrison looking around (y/n) caught her brother's eyes and waved him over to where she, Pol and Tommy were sitting, she ordered some drinks for everyone and continued to listen to Pol and Tommy talk. 

The night wore on, and they continued to strategize, knowing that they had to be cautious in their every move. By the time they left the garrison, it was already late, and the streets of Small Heath were dimly lit. “Come with me,” Polly said to (Y/n) and Ash as they walked towards her house. “You'll stay with me for the night, and we'll figure out a plan together.”

 (Y/n) nodded, feeling grateful for the support she was receiving from Polly and Tommy. Even though they were just business associates; they were treating her and Ash with more kindes than she thought they were owed but she felt happy at the same time, she was happy to have her brother with her as well and in the dangerous world they lived in, family meant everything. As they reached Polly's house, (Y/n) felt a mix of emotions. The events of the day had been overwhelming, and in her mind, the weight of the world seemed to rest on her shoulders. 

By the time they got to pols house (y/n) felt exhausted and was slightly using ash as a walking support. Pol lead them up to the room they would sleep in it was spacious, there were two twin-sized beds with a desk put in between the 2 beds. A window looking outside that let the moonlight shine through and 2 closets on either sides of the beds

1st person 

“Well I hope this is alright with you 2 i'll see you in the morning,” she said before leaving the room and closing the door. Me and ash having taken off our shoes once we originally got in the house walked to the different closets silently and got in them to change our clothes for the night, we brush our teeth and did whatever either of us usually did for our night routine 

A moment passed by with neither of them saying anything until Ash decided to speak.

“You think this is a sign,” Ash said looking up at the ceiling, I looked over at him 

“What do you mean,” I ask confused, Ash turns his head to look at me

“Maybe we should've stayed in the US and never left, maybe things would be better.” Ash said before looking back up at the ceiling.

“I don't think anywhere would be better for us ash, I mean the shit our family is involved with, no matter how far we run I don't think we'll ever be able to run away from what's coming,” I said while looking at Ash. he looked over at me with a gaze I knew all to well a gaze I had given him many times before when I felt helpless or confused. 

“Whatever it is i'll make sure it doesn't hurt you Fez or grandma, ok ash, family above everything,” I said smiling at him.

“Oh also (y/n) when you went to that carnival who were you really with.” Ash said, his eyes filled with curiosity and mischive. 

“Uhh… don't snitch to fez but it was a guy named Duke he worked at the circus but I haven't talked to him or seen him for a while and I have no way of contacting him, he was a cool dude thought i'd like to get to know him more,” I said, I could feel myself start to feel slightly happy at the thought of seeing him again 

“Yeah, I bet you would like to get to know him better hmm,” Ash said jokingly, I shook my head with disgust

“Ew Ash what the fuck I barely know him, don't say shit like that.” I said covering my face in emmbarsesment and rolling over in my bed. I could hear Ash laugh, so I took one of the pillows and threw it at him, I could hear a tiny ow before he shut up. 

“Night ash,” I said to him before closing my eyes. “Night,” he said back to me 

As I closed my eyes my mind drifted back to Duke. I wondered where he was, he hadn't ever left my mind ever since the day I first met him, there seemed to be a lot about him. I wanted to know he was very quiet about his life. Which could only make me wonder about him. I missed him oddly enough, I missed him like I missed Rue or Maddie. They were like family to me, I only hoped they were ok. 

Same night Dukes pov

 Duke let out a sneeze as he sat in the dimly lit circus tent filled with the scent of sawdust and anticipation as the performers prepared for their acts. Among them, Duke Shelby couldn't help but feel a weird peculiar tingling in his chest, and it wasn't because of the show. It had been quite some time since he last saw (y/n), the girl he had met outside the circus grounds months ago.  As he brushed down the sleek black coat of a circus horse, Duke's thoughts kept wandering back to that fateful encounter.

 He remembered how he had stumbled upon (y/n) while she was walking to small heath. She asked if he could help her get there on his horse-drawn carriage to her intended destination, with the promise of payment. he was curios by her demeanor, how she would space out, how she would ramble without thought but stop before she revealed too much, she interested him even in his usually reserved demeanor. 

He had invited her to come to the circus while it was in town, hoping to talk to her more. It was an impulsive decision, driven by a desire to know her better and, perhaps, to impress her.  But things didn't go as he had hoped. (y/n) seemed to enjoy the circus initially, her eyes shining with wonder at the daring acrobatics and mesmerizing performances. Yet, after a little while, she excused herself and left, offering only vague reasons for her sudden departure.

  He went about his duties that night, trying to focus on the work he had to do. Yet, behind the straight seemingly bored face, his mind kept wandering back to (y/n). He wondered where she was, what she was doing, and if she ever thought about him.

  Duke thought it was dumb of him to think of someone he barely knew, someone who probably didn't remember him. Perhaps she already had forgotten about him, just like he should forget about her. Duke felt a sense of longing mixed with apprehension and anger. He couldn't shake off the thought that he wanted to see (y/n) again, to talk to her, to understand more about her, if anything. But for now, he could only hope that fate would bring them together again and that maybe, just maybe, the thoughts he had would not remain unknown forever.

The horse neighed slightly as he brushed its black coat of hair. He had always liked horses so he had no problem taking care of one for the fairground. He hadn't seen Esme in a while and still thought back to her reaction at your name almost like she new who you were or knew of you.

“Duke how's the horse coming along?” yelled Dukes boss, he turned away from the horse to spare a glance at his boss

“She's almost done.” Duke mumbled out before looking back at the horse and continued to brush her. He felt a tap on the shoulder and turned around as his boss placed his payment for the week in his hand,  2 pounds.

“Next fair will be by small heath in a week after this one, you'll get your full payment tomorrow.” said the boss before turning around and leaving the makeshift stable/tent. 

“Mhm, good to know.” Duke said lazily while he continued to brush the horse, by this point he hoped his boss was leaving. The whole reason he chose to take care of the horses was because he got to be away from people. They pissed him off. He likes horses better than most people anyways.

He felt intrigued by the idea of returning to small heath, mainly because it might give him the opportunity to see you again and have more conversations with you. The memory of your address crossed his mind, making him contemplate the possibility of visiting to check if you were around. Despite acknowledging that it might come across as creepy, he couldn't help but entertain the thought.

He finished brushing the horse and put everything away, he started walking to his caravan as he did he heard the sound of cars leaving and people talking. It was loud and annoying, underwhelming almost, soon he heard footsteps behind 

“Did you hear about that boy found dead” said a boy behind duke seemingly talking to his friends, duke started walking slower to hear the conversation going on behind him

“Oh yea it was dead kid found on somebody's doorstep right?’’ said the other boy

“Yea and apparently the peaky's got something to do with it, I heard polly gray went to the house he found there were two people there, a boy and a girl maybe 14 or 15. I think they work for the peakys or maybe they killed the boy.” said the other boy, by the time they started talking more about what had happened they had walked past Duke.

He watched them as they walked past him the last thing he could hear was that apparently the body was found in small heath birmingham. He shrugged and continued to walk to his caravan.

He got in and laid on his bedspread. He stared at the ceiling unmoving, he stared at the cracks in the wood and listened to the wind blow through the tents and nearby trees. He wondered if he would ever have more to life than being a fairground worker.

He wanted to travel the mountains, all of them, here in Britain and maybe the rest of the world. As he closed his eyes his mind went to you and wondered how you were doing. Soon he let the embrace of sleep take him to a quiet darkness as the candle light danced on the walls.

[stephenjaymorrisblog]

One Man’s Opinion on Retirement

Stephen Jay Morris

5/12/2024

©Scientific Morality

            Once again, I must remind you that every human being is different. However, one gender has trouble with retirement: male. Why? The male ego. Thanks to the constant haranguing by advocates of masculinity, some men think that retirement is a death sentence to their identities. It’s part of the male castration complex. Upon retirement, you lose the respect of people who now view you as a useless, babbling nobody. You are regarded as a child again. Some dudes must be forced into retirement because they refuse to go there. In a capitalist society, you are either a master or a slave. Capitalists (masters) never have to retire because they have enough money to allow them 10 lifetimes. Now, as a worker (slave) who retires, you can no longer make any capitalist rich. However, your body ultimately breaks down from arthritis and heart disease, and you can no longer function without physical discomfort.

            A lot of retirees do not have any savings or investment income, so they are dependent upon pensions and/or Social Security. As such, they are on fixed incomes. Plastic conservatives point their boney fingers at them and declare it was their fault: “You didn’t handle your money right! You spent it on capricious stuff like a sports car or a 500-dollar pair of sneakers. You should have invested your money or saved more!” So, like a good little flunkey, you feel guilty for having burdened rich, White guys to pay taxes to fund your Medicare or Social-Security benefits. Even when you lost your job during your working years and were eligible for unemployment benefits, you didn’t sign up because of feeling embarrassed over your plight.

            Some men go through the extremes of depression and then suicide. Others become hermits and withdraw from society. Why is this? Because we live in society that celebrates wealth and downplays the proletariat. Plus, old people are viewed as annoying and useless, like children.

I am glad I have a different attitude towards retirement.

I am a subject of Gerontology. I state my case here. After an anfractuous life and being yelled at by alarm clocks, I am here to state: I love retirement! The money sucks, but the freedom is priceless. Many seniors go to Las Vegas and sit in front of those one-armed bandits all day, hoping for a big payoff. As for me? I was never good at making money. Plus, I never cared for it. To me, money was something you needed to buy art supplies and chilidogs. I had a passion for the arts and other things, like musical instruments. You needed money to buy birthday presents or other gifts to show your friends that you valued their friendship. Well, not me. A lot of people I knew thought I was a cheap asshole. Maybe I was.

            Retirement to me is living in freedom. I sleep as long as I want. I don’t have anything scheduled. I can literally stop and smell the roses. The only notable difference in my activities is that I see medical doctors more. But nobody points at me and tells me to be a man! I couldn’t even if wanted to. It takes me two minutes to get up from my couch. I don’t have to prove anything to anybody. I can walk away from anything and not care. I am happily married and in love.

In this country (USA), nobody has respect for elders. We are just a nuisance. President Biden is one those men who refuses to quit, just like Donald Trump. The selfishness of these two men is astounding! Should one of them die of natural causes during their term in office, it would put the entire nation in political crises. But, do they care? Hell no! They’re dead!

As for me, I am still alive, and I can take a long lunch if I want to!  Retirement: plan for it and have fun year-round!

[anobviousdisappointment]

Gold and Silver For Retirement

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) can be supported with actual gold and silver, yet not very many investors know about this reality. They are excluded from all capital additions charges, so in the event that your investments perform above and click here to learn more beyond a significant stretch of time, it can bring about colossal savings.

Expanding your retirement portfolio with precious metals is generally required assuming you properly figure out resource allocation (see the Ibbotson study). Furthermore precious metals typically ascend during times of disrupting occasions like conflicts, psychological warfare, expansion, flattening, slumps in the stock market and the US dollar. Precious metals generally return huge profits in these conditions.

What is interesting about this plan is that you can take actual ownership of the real gold or silver when you make your withdrawals. That is right! You can cash out in truly true blue gold and silver rather than fiat dollars. This is the main element of all. Not too far off, in this generational positively trending market in gold and silver, the chances are in support of yourself that you will want and need the physicals when now is the ideal time to get to your investment.

When you decide that you want to include precious metals in your retirement arranging, you want to decide how much you want to invest. How much relies upon your yearly contribution, your own objectives and your singular investment philosophy. Elements to consider are your age, complete resources and chance resilience.

Not very many organizations are gotten up in a position handle the precious metals part of retirement plans. One of the forerunners in the field is GoldStar Trust Organization. GoldStar Trust Organization for investors who want IRAs that will acknowledge precious metals. GoldStar fills in as overseer for approximately 20,000 independent IRAs with resources in overabundance of $700 million.

GoldStar isn't a coin vendor, however it will work with sellers who trade precious metal coins and bullion for your IRA on your directions.

Laying out an IRA with GoldStar Trust Organization

Setting up a personally managed IRA with GoldStar is simple. I will talk about this at the Money Show in Las Vegas in May. Subsequently there are just three moves toward follow.

1. Present the desk work. 2. Store the account. 3. Direct your broker which precious metals to purchase.

The metals are stored at HSBC Bank USA's New York precious metals vault, which is one of the world's biggest and is utilized by COMEX and other significant products trades. Yearly storage expenses are charged at a level charge of $90 each year no matter what the size of the account.

[tessansgp]

4th of July Call in Show | Tell us What you Love about USA! | Duck UK LOL! [Video]

[usafphantom2]

U.S. Navy orders two steatlh XQ-58A Valkyrie drones

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 02/01/2023 - 14:00in Military, UAV - UAV

0

Views

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems received a U.S. Navy contract to supply two XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aircraft systems.

The $15.51 million contract granted to Kratos is for the acquisition and delivery of the two unmanned aerial systems with useful loads of sensors and weapons to carry out collaborative penetration attacks in an autonomous and accessible way - portfolio objectives, including non-recurring technical engineering services, system/subsystem integration, installation, testing, ground and flight operations, logistics and maintenance for the UAS

The work will be carried out at Kratos headquarters in Sacramento, California, and is expected to be completed in September 2023. The U.S. Naval Air War Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

The Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie is a stealth experimental unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) designed and built by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions for the United States Air Force's Low Cost Attritable Strike Demonstrator (LCASD) program, through the USAF Research Laboratory LCAAT (Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology) project. The goal of LCAAT is to break the increasing cost trajectory of tactically relevant aircraft.

This partnership included the design and production of the aircraft by Kratos, while the AFRL Aerospace Systems Directorate provided the critical integration of the turbine entry, structural tests and evaluation of the electrical and control subsystems of the XQ-58. It was initially designated as XQ-222.

Valkyrie successfully completed its first flight on March 5, 2019 at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.

The XQ-58 was designed to act as a "lean wing" that is controlled by a parent aircraft to perform tasks such as reconnaissance, defensive fire or absorption of enemy fire if attacked. The role of LCAAT is to escort the F-22 or F-35 during combat missions and be able to deploy weapons or surveillance systems.

The XQ-58 can be deployed as part of a drone swarm, with or without direct pilot control. Although the XQ-58 is capable of conventional takeoffs and landings, it can also be launched from "undefined launch modules", such as support ships, containers and semi-trailer trucks.

Kratos could produce between 250-500 Valkyries per year.

Tags: Military AviationDronesKratosUSN - United States Navy/USA NavyXQ-58 Valkyrie

Sharing

tweet

Pin

Fernando Valduga

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. He has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. Uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.

Related news

MILITARY

Tupolev delivers another modernized Tu-22M3 aircraft to the Russian Air Force

02/01/2023 - 18:00

MILITARY

Failed fighter purchase plan for Colombia

02/01/2023 - 15:52

MILITARY

USAF accelerates the withdrawal of operation of the RC-26 fleet derived from Metroliner

02/01/2023 - 11:00

INTERCEPTIONS

China releases video from J-11 fighter that intercepted the USAF RC-135V that "made dangerous maneuvers"

02/01/2023 - 08:42

MILITARY

Are strategic bombers still relevant?

01/01/2023 - 23:11

BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE

FAB begins retirement of F-5 fighters with the start of operation of the F-39 Gripen multimission

01/01/2023 - 15:51

homeMain PageEditorialsINFORMATIONeventsCooperateSpecialitiesadvertiseabout

Cavok Brazil - Digital Tchê Web Creation

Commercial

Executive

Helicopters

HISTORY

Military

Brazilian Air Force

Space

Specialities

Cavok Brazil - Digital Tchê Web Creation

[ianmhill]

6.30

ELECTION

I don't really know what to say, even a few days after the American people made their choice for the next four years. But I will try, with as few swear words as possible.

For starters, where were the 15 million people who voted for Biden last time that didn't vote for Harris? And why would any woman, person of colour, Latinx, LGBTQ+, or genuine Christian vote for him? It should have been a landslide for Harris.

Clearly, this country is populated with more racists, mysoginists and idiots than I had thought. Ok, I had a fear about this result, but seriously America - giving this guy another chance to bugger things up? Were you not paying attention the first time around?

And this time it will be worse, I'm sure. I lay awake in the early hours of Wednesday when we first heard the outcome thinking about aspects of life here - and the rest of the world - that are likely to be impacted by this outcome. And none of them were positive.

Medical care here, which is already a challenge for some people, is going to deteriorate as the administration starts to dismantle Obamacare. I would imagine the prescription pricing work done by the current President will be undone also, to push profits back to Big Pharma.

Climate change initiatives will likely be reversed, moving the country back to more oil and gas consumption - though a side "benefit" might be higher sales and profits for Tesla (their stock price has already leaped as a result). No wonder Musk was so keen to support him. This will be one of many results of the threatened import tariffs, which will make electric vehicles from China, in particular, much more expensive. Plus, the tariffs will make everything imported more expensive, so the President-elect has no chance of reducing inflation, like his supporters believe he will. Not forgetting that there will be retaliatory tariffs on American exports, which will make things tougher to sell abroad. I understand the idea of tariffs to encourage industry to create more jobs in this country, but I would think that's unlikely to happen as American workers will want to be paid way more than folks in Developing Nations which will deter companies from investing in the USA.

The Supreme Court is likely to lose a couple of the older Republican appointees - they will be persuaded to retire to make way for much younger justices, thus cementing the conservative majority for a period much longer than my likely lifetime.

All the court cases currently in flow against him will, of course, be dropped within minutes of his inauguration, even though some are State cases and technically outside the jurisdiction of the Justice Department. Followed swiftly by pardons for all the January 6th 2021 rioters.

He will probably withdraw the USA from NATO, which will have repercussions elsewhere in the world, not least in Ukraine of course. Military assistance to Zelensky will almost certainly cease and Russia will control the country again, unless Europe is able to fill the void.

Does he have any hope of influencing the situation in the Middle East? I wouldn't think so and all those people who wouldn't vote for Harris due to the current administration's support of Israel are going to watch Palestine and Gaza disappear from the map.

Immigrant deportation - this will be an interesting situation. If there are genuinely 13-14 million undocumented people in this country, how will it be practical to find them all and deport them? And if that were even possible, what would happen in the construction, farming and other industries that rely on migrants to do jobs that Americans won't?

The National Debt is likely to balloon, especially with all the likely tax reductions for wealthy individuals and corporations. But of course, that wealth will "trickle down" to the general population, won't it? Erm, no. It never does, anywhere in the world.

How long before we see the sleaze creeping in? Well, given the 2 billion that Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump received from Saudi Arabia for their "investment company" a couple of years ago, I would imagine not very long at all.

What's the impact on DC Statehood? Well, it was always a bit of a longshot in my opinion because even the current Supreme Court would probably kill it, but with a Republican majority in the Senate it's dead in the water, probably for decades to come.

But on the plus side - it's uncommonly warm and sunny, for the first week in…November!

[accelero25]

Planning to relocate to India from the US? Know the tax and financial implications for NRIs and US citizens.

Introduction

For non-resident Indians (NRIs) and U.S. citizens considering relocation to India, understanding the tax and financial implications is essential to ensure a smooth transition. With significant differences in tax laws and financial regulations between the two countries, careful planning is necessary to avoid complications. Accelero Corporation, an esteemed accounting firm located in Hyderabad, provides comprehensive services to assist clients in managing the complexities of USA India Taxes, making the transition seamless and efficient. Here, we explore the critical aspects of tax and financial planning for NRIs and U.S. citizens relocating to India.

Understanding the Tax Implications

Tax Residency in India

The first steps in understanding tax implications when relocating to India is determining your tax residency status. In India, tax residency is depend on the number of days you spend in the country during a financial year. Generally, if you spend 182 days or more in India, you will be considered a tax resident. This status affects how your income is taxed, as tax residents are required to pay taxes on their global income.

U.S. Tax Obligations

It's mandatory for U.S. citizens and Green Card holders to complete U.S. taxes even after relocating to India. The U.S. is predicated on citizenship for taxation purposes, meaning that U.S. citizens and permanent residents must report their worldwide income to the IRS, regardless of where they live. This can create complex tax situations, especially if you have income from both India and the U.S.

Double Taxation Concerns

The possibility of double taxation, in which the same income is subject to taxes in both India and the United States, is a big worry for people moving to India. Fortunately, India and the U.S. have a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) to prevent such occurrences. Understanding how to utilize this treaty effectively is crucial to minimizing tax liabilities, and this is where Accelero Corporation's expertise becomes invaluable.

Financial Implications and Planning

Currency Exchange and Financial Accounts

Moving funds between the U.S. and India involves currency exchange, which can be subject to fluctuating rates and additional fees. It's important to strategize on the timing and method of currency conversion to maximize your savings.

Additionally, maintaining financial accounts in both countries requires careful planning to comply with regulatory requirements, such as the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) in the U.S.

Investment Strategies

Relocating to India presents new investment opportunities, but it also requires re-evaluating your existing investment portfolio. Indian financial markets operate differently from those in the U.S., and understanding these differences is essential to make informed decisions. 

Accelero Corporation provides guidance on investment strategies that align with your financial goals while considering both U.S. and Indian tax implications.

Retirement Planning

If you are relocating to India for retirement, planning for your retirement income is crucial. U.S. retirement accounts, such as 401(k) plans and IRAs, have specific rules regarding withdrawals and taxes, and these must be carefully coordinated with Indian tax laws. 

Accelero Corporation offers personalized retirement planning services to help you navigate these complexities and ensure a financially secure retirement.

Accelero Corporation’s Comprehensive ServicesTax Filing and Compliance Accelero Corporation specializes in handling USA India Taxes, providing expert assistance with tax filing and compliance for NRIs and U.S. citizens. Our team of experienced accountants ensures that all tax obligations are met accurately and efficiently, leveraging tax treaties and credits to minimize liabilities.

Startup Bookkeeping and Tax Returns

For individuals planning to start a business in India, Accelero Corporation offers startup bookkeeping and tax return services. We understand the unique challenges faced by startups and provide tailored solutions to help your business thrive in the Indian market.

VC Due Diligence and Venture Debt Expertise

Accelero Corporation assists businesses with venture capital due diligence and venture debt expertise, ensuring that investment decisions are informed and strategic. Our comprehensive financial analysis helps clients navigate the complexities of venture financing, reducing risks and maximizing opportunities.

Personalized Financial Planning

At Accelero Corporation, we recognize that each client’s financial situation is unique. We offer personalized financial planning services to address your specific needs, whether it’s tax optimization, investment strategy, or retirement planning. ConclusionRelocating to India from the U.S. involves navigating a complex web of tax and financial implications, but with proper planning and expert guidance from Accelero Corporation, the process can be smooth and efficient. Whether you need assistance with USA India Taxes, investment planning, or venture financing, our comprehensive services are designed to meet the unique needs of NRIs and U.S. citizens. Trust Accelero Corporation to be your reliable partner in achieving financial success and peace of mind as you transition to your new life in Indi

[tessansgp]

The Epic Evolution of US Estate Planning! [Video]

[sa7abnews]

Biden has another light schedule this week with 5 months until term ends

New Post has been published on https://sa7ab.info/2024/08/13/biden-has-another-light-schedule-this-week-with-5-months-until-term-ends/

Biden has another light schedule this week with 5 months until term ends

President Biden has a lax schedule this week as he appears to coast toward the end of his term as Vice President Kamala Harris takes the helm.Biden will arrive back in Washington, D.C., Monday morning after spending the weekend at his home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He was pictured sunbathing with his family over the weekend.The president has no public events on his schedule for Monday, and he has just two for the entire week. That is one more than he had last week. He will appear at a Cancer Moonshot event on Tuesday in New Orleans, and then he will appear at a campaign rally for Harris on Thursday in Maryland.Biden is expected to highlight the administration’s efforts to lower costs for Americans, which has been a sticking point for Harris’ campaign.BIDEN’S UPCOMING SUNDAY SIT-DOWN INTERVIEW FIRST SINCE EXITING 2024 RACE: ‘HAPPY TO DO IT, WHITE HOUSE SAYS’The president has no public events scheduled for Wednesday or Friday, and he will retire to the presidential retreat in Camp David for the weekend, according to his schedule.KAMALA HARRIS HAS AVOIDED INTERVIEWS FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS SINCE BECOMING DEM NOMINEEBiden’s lax schedule comes as there is no shortage of global events requiring U.S. leadership. Israel remains on the brink of war with Iran and its terrorist proxies. Iran has goaded Israel with rocket attacks by Hezbollah in recent weeks, and Hamas has refused to move forward with cease-fire talks.Biden said achieving a cease-fire agreement before leaving office was his top priority after announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race.Biden has also made no comment on Team USA’s dominant performance at the Paris Olympics, which wrapped up this weekend.Biden’s only major news-making event in recent days was an interview with CBS that aired on Sunday. In the conversation with host Bob Costa, Biden revealed the extent of Democratic pressure that forced him out of the race.PELOSI DEMURS ON IF ‘EVERYTHING IS OK’ BETWEEN HER AND BIDEN: ‘YOU’D HAVE TO ASK HIM'”A number of my Democratic colleagues in the House and Senate thought that I was going to hurt them in the races. And I was concerned if I stayed in the race, that would be the topic, you’d be interviewing me about why did Nancy Pelosi say -why did – and I thought it’d be a real distraction,” Biden told Costa.Biden announced at the end of July that he would be bowing out of the presidential race and quickly endorsed Vice President Harris. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Chuck Schumer and other Democrats reportedly called on Biden to drop out in private in the weeks following his first debate with former President Trump.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP”The polls we had showed that it was a neck-and-neck race, it would have been down to the wire,” Biden added.