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Maryland is completely replacing its aging tax administration infrastructure, which has been in use for over 30 years, with a state-of-the-art cloud-based system.

On Tuesday, September 1, the State Comptroller’s Office will launch “Maryland Tax Connect,” an integrated digital tax portal for residents and tax representatives. The newly introduced “Maryland Tax Connect” offers free services such as real-time account balance inquiries, verification of past filing history, income tax filing and payment, and installment payment applications.

While operations were previously limited to select corporations, the service will be expanded to all individual taxpayers starting in September. The authorities plan to transfer approximately 4 billion tax records accumulated in the existing system to the new cloud platform.

Consequently, statewide tax systems will be suspended for 10 days, from Friday, August 21 to Monday, August 31, when demand for tax administration is lowest. The Comptroller’s Office has announced that it will not impose any penalties or surcharges on tax filings or payments that fall within the system suspension period.

According to the key schedule announced by state authorities, in-person check payments for personal income taxes and other taxes close on Friday, July 24, while electronic filing and payment via the existing online system will only be available until midnight on Wednesday, July 29. Subsequently, all services will return to normal through the new portal starting Tuesday, September 1.

Detailed schedules and information can be found on the dedicated guide page within the State Comptroller’s Office official website (MarylandComptroller.gov/IndividualTaxHub).

“Stone Fist” Alex Ferreira (39, Brazil) is challenging for the legendary feat of conquering three weight classes—an unprecedented achievement in UFC history—for the first time in history right in the heart of the White House.

Ferreira, a former UFC Middleweight and Light Heavyweight Champion, will engage in a fierce single-elimination match for the interim heavyweight title against Cyril Gann (36, France), ranked No. 1 in the 120.2kg heavyweight division, in the co-main event of “UFC Freedom 250,” a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States, held on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on the 15th (KST).

To date, only 11 fighters in UFC history have conquered two weight classes, either simultaneously or with a time gap. However, since the inception of the UFC in 1993, not a single fighter has reached the top of three weight classes. If Ferreira wins this match, he will become the first fighter in history to achieve the monumental record of being a “three-weight class champion.”

Although this is an interim title fight, the interim champion will succeed to the official title if the return of official champion Tom Aspinall, who has been sidelined for eight months due to an eye injury, is delayed. Even if Aspinall returns, a unification title fight against the winner of this match is scheduled, making this effectively a matchup to determine the next heavyweight throne. Pereira (13 wins, 3 losses), who bulked up in a lower weight class to move up, confidently made the heavyweight weight limit.

At the weigh-in, Pereira recorded 113.9 kg, passing the weigh-in with a body weight 1.6 kg heavier than the heavyweight regular Cyril Gahn (112.5 kg, 13 wins, 2 losses, 1 no contest), demonstrating his peak condition. Pereira, who appeared on the day dressed in the traditional attire of the Patacho tribe—the indigenous Brazilian tribe to which he belongs—stepped onto the outdoor stage of the White House South Lawn, shook hands firmly with Cyril Gahn, and struck a fighting pose with a sharp gaze.

Cyril Gan, a former French Muay Thai champion, expressed his relaxed sentiments, stating, “I am very happy to fight Alex Ferreira in the iconic venue of the White House,” and adding, “It is always a pleasure to face a strong opponent with a new style.” In response, Ferreira addressed the crowd filling the White House, saying, “Thank you to everyone who came here today,” and vowed to ascend to the throne, adding, “As this is a special day marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, I will repay you with a great match in the octagon tomorrow.”

The crowd responded enthusiastically by chanting Ferreira’s signature catchphrase, “Chama (Fire).” Ferreira, who dominated the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions in GLORY, the world’s premier kickboxing organization, is now dominating the mixed martial arts (MMA) scene as well. True to his nickname “Stone Fist,” his weapon is a formidable one-punch knockout power capable of knocking out an opponent with a mere graze.

On the other hand, Cyril Ghan is a well-rounded technician possessing agile footwork uncharacteristic of a heavyweight, a variety of kicks, and clever striking techniques. Meanwhile, ‘UFC Freedom 250,’ which will be held for the first time in history on a special outdoor stage at the White House, will be broadcast live on the terrestrial sports entertainment channel tvN and the OTT platform TVING starting at 9 a.m. on the 15th.

Around 11:30 PM on the night of the 13th in the Manhattan area of New York. It was a night where even those with absolutely no interest in basketball could not simply close their eyes. Cheers erupted simultaneously from every corner of the streets, and cars honked their horns as if by prior agreement.

As the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) clinched the championship for the first time in 53 years, the excitement from watching the game in Manhattan’s restaurants, bars, and parks poured directly out onto the streets. On this day, the Knicks staged a comeback victory, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 94-90 in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on the road in San Antonio, Texas.

Trailing throughout the game, the Knicks managed a dramatic turnaround in the final moments of the fourth quarter. Fans wearing the Knicks’ iconic orange and blue uniforms lined the streets. As game time approached, the streets of Manhattan were unusually quiet for a weekend evening. Instead, bars showing the broadcast were packed with fans without exception, and long lines formed waiting to enter. Some regular restaurants also installed large TVs for customers at outdoor tables.

A bar manager in Manhattan’s Upper West Side described the atmosphere, saying, “Of course we had to show the Knicks game today; otherwise, there would have been riots.” Large electronic screens were also installed at major landmarks such as Central Park and Pier 17, where cheering battles unfolded.

Before the game, fans chanted “Knicks in 5,” hoping for a 4-1 series victory, and after the championship was confirmed, they sang Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York” in unison and shouted, “Knicks Forever.” Major buildings, including Manhattan landmarks like the Empire State Building, also celebrated the victory by lighting up orange and blue celebratory lights.

On the day the Knicks were challenging for the championship, another sporting festival awaited just across the river from Manhattan. In New Jersey, the World Cup group stage match between Brazil and Morocco was taking place, and soccer and basketball fans flocked all at once to the area around Penn Station in Manhattan, where trains heading to the World Cup stadium stop.

Even amidst the green and yellow (Brazil) and red (Morocco) soccer uniforms, orange and blue (Knicks) uniforms were overwhelmingly more numerous. Inside Madison Square Garden, the Knicks’ home arena located right near Penn Station, a concert by a major band was held, further intensifying the congestion. In anticipation of the simultaneous influx of World Cup spectators and Knicks supporters, New York City issued a “traffic paralysis alert,” strengthened traffic management, and significantly increased police deployment. However, once the championship was confirmed for the first time in 53 years, the fans’ joy sometimes escalated into violent behavior.

As excited fans poured into the streets, vehicle traffic was blocked in some areas, and some individuals climbed onto lampposts or structures or vandalized police vehicles. Police moved to contain the crowd by firing tear gas and other means.

Local media, including the New York Post, reported that at least four people were arrested on charges including property damage and obstruction of official duties.

The New York Times reported on the 7th that “UFC Freedom 250,” a mixed martial arts event scheduled to be held on the White House South Lawn on the 14th—President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday—is facing a lawsuit.

According to the report, two individuals, including political activist Susan Douglas and Vietnam War veteran Paul Romano, filed a lawsuit the previous day in the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., requesting that the event be stopped. The case has been assigned to Judge Amit Mehta, who was appointed during the administration of former President Barack Obama.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that President Trump is granting UFC CEO Dana White and his company privileges that no one else has ever enjoyed, citing unrestricted access to the White House and the Lincoln Memorial to host private, for-profit sporting events, as well as all associated promotional and brand exposure opportunities, as these privileges.

While the event is being held at the White House, the fighters’ official weight-in takes place at the Lincoln Memorial. The plaintiffs also focused their criticism on the improper financial gains resulting from the event. They pointed to reports that premium tickets are selling for over $1 million, the fees Paramount Skydance—a media company owned by President Trump’s close associates Larry Ellison and David Ellison—to receive for streaming the event, and the fact that President Trump purchased between $15,000 and $50,000 worth of stock in TKO Holdings Group, the UFC’s parent company, last March.

Additionally, the plaintiffs noted that the event is taking place three weeks prior to the 250th U.S. Independence Day. The complaint stated, “This event is not intended to commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, and crucially, it is not an event planned, organized, or executed by the federal government.”

It has been found that New York City’s store vacancy rate has still not recovered to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. According to a report released on the 4th by the New York City Comptroller (Comptroller Mark Levin), the overall store vacancy rate in New York City stood at 11% as of May this year, higher than the 10.5% recorded in early 2020, six years ago. In terms of the number of vacant stores, this amounts to a staggering 15,700.

By borough, Manhattan and Brooklyn exceeded the New York City average at 12.9% and 12.3%, respectively, while Queens recorded 9.5%, the Bronx 8.0%, and Staten Island 7.5%. In particular, the Financial District-Battery Park City area in southern Manhattan was the most severe in New York City, with more than one in five stores (21.1%) closed and vacant.

The Old Astoria-Hallets Point area in Queens followed with a store vacancy rate of 20.1%, while Brooklyn’s Ocean Hill and Manhattan’s Tribeca-Civic Center areas both recorded 19.5%, and Brooklyn East New York recorded 19.4%, placing them in the top five.

A more significant concern is that 80 to 90 percent of the vacant stores have been empty for at least nine months, leading to calls for urgent government-level measures.

What can you do after an interview to increase your chances of getting a job offer? The most common advice is to send a thank-you note, but one American woman, in addition to sending a thank-you note, also attached a “90-day onboarding plan,” detailing the goals she would achieve in the first 30, 60, and 90 days after getting the job. In the end, she successfully landed a tech job with an annual salary of US$165,000, or about HK$1.3 million.

An American woman secured a tech job after submitting a “90-day onboarding plan” during her job interview. (Image source: Hong Kong 01) Jean Kang, 33, who lives in San Francisco, interviewed for a senior project manager position at the design software company Figma in 2021. After the interview, she proactively attached a PDF file outlining her work plan after joining the company. She stated that no one expected or asked her to prepare this information; she did it to proactively demonstrate “what you can get if you hire me” and prove that she can operate independently without needing hands-on guidance. An American woman landed a million-dollar job after sending out an extra document during her interview.

Jean Kang interviewed for a senior project manager position at the design software company Figma in 2021. (Image for illustrative purposes only. Image source: Getty Images) Based on interview details, identify pain points and create a blueprint to demonstrate immediate combat effectiveness.

Jean Kang revealed that she constructed this roadmap based on information gathered from previous rounds of interviews. When writing the outline, she would ask herself: Why is the company hiring for this position? What are they looking for? What impact will this position have? How can I prove that I am the most suitable candidate? And what abilities can I demonstrate immediately? Next, she worked backwards, setting specific goals such as “establishing key relationships” for the first 30 days, “understanding core business priorities” for the next 60 days, and “aligning project plans” for the next 90 days.

To achieve her goal, she even outlined detailed steps, including meeting with product support, sales, employee management, and leadership colleagues to understand the current fiscal year’s business objectives and familiarize herself with the corporate support model. In addition, she used Figma’s design tools to add personalized touches such as stickers to her documents, showcasing her sincerity and personal style.

A few days later, she received an offer of admission, and the team gave her extremely high praise. An American woman landed a million-dollar job after sending out an extra document during her interview. Jean Kang included a work plan after the interview, demonstrating his understanding of the job’s challenges and business objectives.

Experts agree that taking an extra step and thinking from another’s perspective can help break through the current situation. Career experts also agree on the benefits of sending thank-you notes. Ian Siegel, CEO of the job search website ZipRecruiter, pointed out in March 2023 that this could be a key advantage over competitors, and suggested that job seekers go beyond a typical thank-you note, such as proactively offering or explaining how they can fill a skills gap in the company.

Former Google executive Jenny Wood also stated in March 2025 that including three to four sentences in a thank-you letter explaining how you have driven the company’s growth or solved pain points can demonstrate a job seeker’s commitment to the business and its goals.

According to a report by Axios on the afternoon of June 1st local time, US President Trump expressed “strong dissatisfaction” with Israel’s escalation of the situation in Lebanon during a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. The report stated that in this “strongly worded” call, Trump accused Netanyahu of “overstepping his bounds” on the Lebanese issue.

According to a US official, Trump warned Netanyahu that bombing Beirut, the Lebanese capital, would “further exacerbate Israel’s isolation in the international community.” According to two sources familiar with the matter, Trump called Netanyahu “crazy” during the call and accused him of being “ungrateful.” One U.S. official relayed Trump’s words: “If it weren’t for me, you’d be in jail by now. I’ve been helping you. Now everyone hates you, hates Israel.”

Another source said Trump was “very angry” and even yelled at Netanyahu, “What the hell are you doing?” The report states that Trump does not oppose Israel taking “self-defense action” against Hezbollah’s attacks in Lebanon, but he believes Netanyahu’s recent military escalation in Lebanon is an “overreaction”—in addition to threatening airstrikes on Beirut, the Israeli military has recently expanded its ground operations in southern Lebanon.

The report states that this call was one of the tensest between Trump and Netanyahu since Trump returned to the White House. A major reason for Trump’s anger is that Israel’s escalation of the situation in Lebanon could lead to the breakdown of ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran.

The U.S. international tourism market is facing its worst recession since the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysts warn that this is not just a tourism problem but may symbolize a structural decline in the U.S. international image, soft power, and global influence.

According to a CNN report, data from the World Travel and Tourism Council shows that the number of international tourists visiting the United States in 2025 will decline by 5.5% compared to last year, marking the worst single year drop in 20 years, excluding the period of the pandemic in 2020. At the same time, the global international tourism market continues to grow.

The World Tourism and Tourism Council points out that by 2025, the number of international tourists worldwide will increase by approximately 80 million compared to the previous year, “but these people have chosen other destinations instead of the United States.” Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, a travel data analytics company, said that the United States had long maintained a rare “trade surplus” in the tourism industry, meaning that foreign tourists spent more money in the United States than Americans spent on traveling abroad.

But by 2025, this advantage will have officially reversed. Currently, Americans spend more on overseas travel than international tourists spend in the US, signifying a clear decline in the competitiveness of American tourism.

Analysis indicates that the reasons for international travelers turning away from the United States include not only the geopolitical risks caused by the Iran war and soaring aviation fuel prices, but also the deteriorating political atmosphere within the United States, immigration enforcement controversies, and the Trump administration’s tough rhetoric towards allies and foreign countries.

Juliette Kayyem, director of the Homeland Security Program at Harvard Kennedy School and a senior national security analyst at CNN, said that the United States used to be a model for many countries around the world, but this image as a “beacon of democracy” is gradually crumbling. She pointed out that many foreigners now perceive the United States as a country of “government incompetence, immigrant raids, violence, and social chaos.”

She added, “The current international narrative of the United States is, at best, a country that is no longer worthy of respect; at worst, a democracy that is spiraling out of control.”

Canada has become one of the most significant sources of tourism losses for the United States. Some Canadian travelers admitted that what truly made them decide to stop traveling to the US was not just tariffs and talk of “the 51st state,” but also the US war on Iran and the overall political atmosphere. Sachs warned that the United States is currently at a critical crossroads. He believes that if the U.S. wants to restore its international appeal, it must reinvest in tourism promotion programs such as Brand USA, reduce its hostile tone towards allies, and stop allowing political factors to further damage its image.

The Pentagon released a new batch of declassified documents, commonly known as the “UFO Files,” on the 22nd, including 50 previously classified videos and other documents documenting “unidentified anomalous phenomena.”

One video, taken by the US Coast Guard in April 2024 while operating infrared sensors, shows an object flying near an aircraft over the southeastern United States. A video labeled “Syrian UAP instant acceleration” was captured by an infrared sensor on a U.S. military platform in 2021 and uploaded to a classified government network in 2024. The Department of Defense’s All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office has conducted multiple investigations into all the captured phenomena but has found no concrete evidence to prove that the events are related to extraterrestrials. However, military officials admit that many of the events remain unexplained and are in a state of “unresolved.”

Among the newly released records is a video taken by the US Central Command in 2020 at an undisclosed location, showing a spherical object flying over a densely populated area, gradually rising before disappearing into the sky. The record also includes a written account provided last year by a senior U.S. intelligence official, who wrote that while on duty, he saw two “huge spheres” suddenly light up next to the helicopter.

The document states that the orange spheres had a white or yellow center, and the entire sphere emitted light. Officials wrote that fighter jets were scrambled to try to identify what the spheres were but were unable to do so. The official wrote: “The spheres we saw earlier turned into a chase after fighter jets, and we were all stunned by what we witnessed.”

A Department of Defense spokesperson said that since the Pentagon released its first batch of declassified UFO files on the WAR.GOV/UFO website on May 8, the files have received more than one billion views from around the world.

US President Donald Trump is expected to visit Beijing on June 14-15. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated clearly at a congressional hearing on June 22 that he hopes the two sides will reach an agreement on a wider range of agricultural purchases beyond soybeans during Trump’s visit.

Greer emphasized that Washington’s goal is to obtain a commitment from China to purchase “all agricultural products,” which will be a major topic of discussion at the Trump-Xi meeting, and Washington hopes this will be a significant achievement of Trump’s visit.

According to multiple foreign media reports, during his testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee on government trade priorities, Greer stated that the U.S. is working with Beijing to establish a specific mechanism aimed at promoting trade in non-sensitive goods such as agricultural products. The US hopes China will make comprehensive purchases of agricultural products, which is seen as part of a new round of “big deal” between the two countries.

Greer revealed that the US hopes Beijing will make a broader commitment to overall agricultural procurement, rather than just focusing on soybeans as a past indicator. Data shows that China’s soybean purchases from the US have seen a temporary rebound over the past year. However, despite this rebound, China’s soybean imports still primarily come from Brazil and Argentina, with the proportion from the US remaining low. Market analysis indicates that this shows China’s purchasing decisions, in addition to market factors, clearly reflect policy and negotiating leverage.