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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Landin Hacker scored 21 points as Bellarmine beat NAIA-member Brescia 94-66 on Saturday. Hacker finished 7 of 11 from 3-point range for the Knights (3-7). Ben Johnson scored 17 points while going 6 of 13 (5 for 12 from 3-point range) and added six assists. Dylan Branson shot 5 of 7 from the field and 2 for 3 from the line to finish with 12 points, while adding 10 rebounds. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week
NoneStocks wavered on Wall Street in afternoon trading Thursday, as gains in tech companies and retailers helped temper losses elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 was down less than 0.1% after drifting between small gains and losses. The benchmark index is coming off a three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 6 points, or less than 0.1%, as of 1:52 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was down less than 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened after the Christmas holiday. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.9%, Micron Technology was up 1% and Adobe gained 0.8%. While tech stocks overall were in the green, some heavyweights were a drag on the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.1%. Meta Platforms fell 0.7%, Amazon was down 0.6%, and Netflix gave up 1.1%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, down 1.9%. Health care stocks helped lift the market. CVS Health rose 1.7% and Walgreens Boots Alliance rose 3% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 2.8%, Best Buy was up 2.2% and Dollar Tree gained 2.7%. Retailers are hoping for a solid sales this holiday season, and the day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. U.S.-listed shares in rose 4% and 16%, respectively. The Japanese automakers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. Traders got a labor market update. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits , though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labor Department reported. Treasury yields turned mostly lower in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.57% from 4.59% late Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar. Still, U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the U.S. market remains on pace to The benchmark S&P 500 is up roughly 26% so far this year and remains near its most recent all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of this year. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to next week, including updates on pending home sales and home prices, a report on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity. AP Business Writers Elaine Kurtenbach and Matt Ott contributed.In the final debate of the election campaign, the leaders of the three largest political parties locked horns on the most important issues ahead of Friday, when voters will cast their ballots. We asked four political correspondents to judge how each of Simon Harris, Mary Lou McDonald and Micheál Martin performed.Week 12 TNF: Steelers-Browns Preview, Props & Prediction
NoneWashington Nationals win lottery for No. 1 pick in next amateur baseball draft, Angels No. 2
Culpeper Schools win inaugural awardAhmedabad (Gujarat) [India], November 30: In the ever-evolving world, where variety dominates the markets, and quality rules the mindsets, it is natural that one wants to have it all. With this undulating thought, architects and designers navigate through the myriad choices only to land on Capron’s Walk Befikre R11 Series. The Walk Befikre series curates designs that blend aesthetics with functionality and redefine modern spaces with a touch of home connections. The collection incites creative transcendence through its diverse features and philosophy. With its brand new campaign, “Art Under The Foot”, showcasing elegant and imaginative house designs that feel like art beneath your feet, where every tile incorporates beauty and utility into the cohesive landscape of the project, Capron Vitrified has cemented itself in the tile industry. A Fusion of Form and Functionality The Walk Befikre R11 Series is celebrated for its ability to merge visual appeal with practical features. Its tiles offer anti-skid narrations that ensure safety while maintaining stunning finishes and precise detailing that withstands the test of time. Spectrum of Projects From a residential project to a commercial masterpiece, the series ensures that every design is a vision of a safe space, figuratively and literally. With a brilliant surface rating of R11, Capron has ticked off the point that indicates a solid slip resistance in moisture-prone areas of a property. Capron has devised a perfect amalgamation of safe and sophisticated design portfolios that fulfil the consumer needs of the T. The entrance of the ”Tiles Redefined” campaign has taken the markets by storm. The definition of imaginative elegance, this campaign set out to turn ideal properties into art pieces. Making use of top-of-the-line tile designs like the Walk Befikre R11 series, the venture ensures style, sustainability and safety under one umbrella. Diverse Styles for Unique Spaces Capron understands that no two projects are the same, so the Walk Befikre Series offers an extensive range of designs. Whether you’re looking for contemporary minimalist patterns or classic textures that exude sophistication for your home, office, or outdoor space, these tiles provide designers with the creative freedom to craft areas that reflect individual tastes. Cutting-Edge Surface Rating and Quality Behind the success of the Walk Befikre Series lies Capron’s state-of-the-art surface finishing that boasts a top-notch R11 rating for quality slip resistance. Employing technologies and ensuring stringent quality checks, the series delivers tiles for moisture-prone areas that account for safety and uniformity without playing on aesthetics. For designers and homemakers, this reliability is dream come true. Sustainability and Safety at the Core Architects and designers increasingly prioritise sustainability and safety in their projects, and Capron’s commitment to eco-friendly production resonates with this ethos. The Walk Befikre R11 Series is a qualitative tile series with a whooping R11 rating, a top-tier grade following the market parameters. Additionally, these efficient elements are produced with an environmentally-driven consciousness without compromising on the quality or design spec, making it an ideal choice for professionals aiming to build sustainable yet chic spaces. Universally Applicable The R11 series is sketched to adapt seamlessly across various applications, from flooring to wall cladding; these R11-rated tiles offer effective slip resistance against moisture-driving areas like bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor places, etc, guaranteeing profound safety and prevention of accidents. This versatility allows designers to maintain consistency in their themes while experimenting with layouts and finishes, resulting in cohesive yet dynamic environments. Capron Vitrified has opened doors to a modern and futuristic design house that exudes magnificence and utility in equal measures through its “ArtUnderTheFoot” campaign. This undertaking takes a tour of how Capron tiles turn ideal spaces into works of art, harmonising designs, colours and safety in one cohesive landscape. True to its name, the R11 series reflects the spirit of effortless sophistication. With the assurance of the ‘R’ value, a key measure of surface friction, Capron highlights significant standards for its tiles. These safety-driven variables empower designers to "walk befikre" (walk carefree) through the process of creating safe homely spaces. Trusted Partner for Professionals Capron Vitrified, with its Walk Befikre R11 series, has cultivated a reputation for reliability and innovation. With dedicated customer support, technical consultations, and a rich legacy in the tile industry, it remains a trusted partner for architects, designers and homemakers alike. #ArtUnderTheFoot: Transforming Spaces with Elegance and Imagination Capron’s Tiles Redined campaign is a testament to how thoughtful design can transcend ordinary spaces to extraordinary experiences. For architects and designers who prioritise style, safety, and sustainability, this campaign caters as an indispensable tool in their creative arsenal. As we talked with Krunal Adesara, director of Capron Vitrified, he shared that the campaign’s mission is to curate spaces that reflect elegance and imagination with a touch of ingenuity, turning every bit of Tile work into art. Whether you’re envisioning a serene home or a bold commercial space, trust the Walk Befikre R11 Series to transform your ideas into timeless realities, one tile at a time. #ArtUnderTheFoot Follow Capron Vitrified’s Social Media for more updates. (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with PNN and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR PWR (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
With grid connectivity and efficient power transmission as integral to the energy targets set as the power generation, the transmission and distribution (T&D) sector has been in the spotlight for somewhile now. With tenders bid and orders won at a more frequent pace, KEC International, a diversified yet prominent EPC player in this space, has been riding this structural trend. The shares of the company have risen around 93 per cent in the last one year and 338 per cent in the last five years, while BSE Power has returned a lower 33 per cent and 311 per cent during the same periods respectively. At bl.portfolio , we had recommended investors to HOLD on to KEC International on June 3, 2023, when the company was trading at a one-year forward PE of 21 times, considering the strong business prospects and margins bottoming out, even though supply chain challenges persisted. Since then, margins have gradually recovered and structural tailwinds aiding the overall sector continue to provide a long runway for growth. But supply chain challenges have continued, and more importantly, the valuations have run up far ahead before the thesis fully played out, resulting in one-year forward PE and trailing twelve-month (TTM) PE currently at an elevated 45 times and 74 times respectively. For comparison, Kalpataru Projects International, the closest listed peer, is currently trading at one-year forward PE and TTM PE of 27 times and 40 times respectively. Investors could consider locking in on the gains partially and take some chips off the table, considering the sharp rally of 58 per cent in the last six months. This is a valuation call. KEC International, part of the RP Goenka Group, is a diversified EPC player, executing projects across 30+ geographies, in segments such as transmission and distribution (T&D), civil, railways, cables, oil and gas, and solar. T&D is the company’s mainstay, contributing to around 50 per cent of its topline. KEC offers comprehensive solutions in this space, encompassing the design, manufacturing, supply, installation and commissioning of transmission lines, substations and underground cabling in both domestic and international markets. It is one of the recognised contractors of Power Grid Corporation, India’s leading power transmission player. Civil projects undertaken by KEC is diversified across water infrastructure, water treatment and it is also a construction partner for building warehouses, factories, buildings, data centres, while railways include various signalling, station construction, amongst others. The company is also involved in the implementation of KAVACH via a joint venture. Laying of pipelines for the oil and gas sector is another segment, while the company is also into EPC of solar power projects. The non-T&D businesses account for the remaining 50 per cent. EBITDA margins for T&D is around low double-digits, while for Non-T&D projects, it has been around 5 per cent. SAE Tower Holdings LLC, an acquisition made in 2011, to geographically expand in the US (now present in Brazil and Mexico too), which dropped into losses from FY21, was back in the black in FY24. This was a causal factor behind the dip in EBITDA margins, from around 11 per cent between FY17 and FY20 to 4.8 per cent in FY23, before recovering to around 6.6 per cent in FY24. Revenue growth and EBITDA margins were guided at 15 per cent and 7.5 per cent respectively for FY25. Order intake, on the other hand, was guided for ₹25,000 crore, which, if met, would be the highest ever for the company. As of H1 FY25, the company’s revenue stood at ₹9,625 crore growing 10 per cent year on year – tepid, but impacted due to external factors. If not for manpower shortage (sustained from previous FY), delays due to heavy rainfalls in Gujarat and Rajasthan, where bulk of the T&D projects are under execution, and deliberate slowdown of water EPC projects due to payments issues with customer, H1 FY25 would have been stronger. Manpower shortage has been a widespread concern noted by most of the EPC players. EBITDA margin was at 6.4 per cent for H1 – 50-basis point year-on-year improvement. H2 FY25 is expected to be better on account of higher margin projects getting executed. EBITDA margins have been recovering steadily and this is the sixth consecutive quarter with year-on-year improvement. With old orders with lower margins expected to be executed and closed out this year and contribution from T&D segment continuing to rise, EBITDA margins are expected to inch up towards 9-10 per cent for FY26. Revenue contribution from T&D has been consistently on the rise with the same improving from 50 per cent in FY22 and FY23 to 53 per cent in FY24 to 55 per cent in H1 FY25. Order intake YTD as of October 2024 stood at around ₹13,482 crore – growth of 50 per cent year on year and this is apart from L1-s (lowest bidder, meaning the company is the lowest bidder in the tender process, but the order is yet to be awarded) of ₹8,500 crore, providing good revenue visibility. It is largely in line with the guidance and with H2 generally better than H1 in this industry, the management is confident of walking the talk. Orderbook is also at a high of ₹34,088 crore. T&D segment’s contribution to the orderbook, similar to the trend in revenue, has increased from 47 per cent in FY23 to 55 per cent in H1 FY24, in line with the increased frequency of tendering in this space. The management has said that they are reasonably hedged against commodity price hikes and that any volatility shouldn’t affect them materially. KEC is selective in its new projects, with emphasis on margin profile, working capital cycle, counterparty risk, execution risk and projects with front-ended cash flows and shorter execution timeframe. So, order intake in the railways, civil, oil and gas, and solar segment is expected to be constrained. In September this year, KEC concluded a fund raiser by way of QIP to the tune of ₹870 crore, issuing shares at a price of ₹955. The funds raised via the QIP will be used by KEC to repay debt, strengthening its balance sheet. This will help reduce interest costs, which has been hovering at 3-3.5 per cent of revenue since FY23 to 2.5 per cent for FY25. KEC has also planned for business realignment by transferring its cable business on slump sale to a newly-incorporated subsidiary for this purpose, to focus on that segment of the business. The management expects to grow at a brisk pace with recent investments in electron beam (e-beam) and elastomeric technology for high performance and specialty cables like green cables (eco-friendly) and EV charging cables. This realignment takes effect from January 1, 2025. The commissioning of its aluminium conductor manufacturing plant in Vadodara, which was scheduled for Q2, has been pushed to Q3 FY25. The aluminium conductors are used in power transmission and are efficient in it with lower transmission losses. This investment will help in backward integration. CommentsAnge Postecoglou relishing Tottenham’s key run of fixtures before Christmas
It was no surprise when Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was fined for his hit on Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. It is a surprise that in the melee that followed, only one other player faced any league discipline. The NFL announced today that it has fined Jaguars tight end Evan Engram $11,255 for unnecessary roughness. Engram decked Al-Shaair after Al-Shaair hit Lawrence. But the lack of fines for anyone else is shocking. A huge melee broke out with players on both teams pushing and shoving, and Jaguars defensive back Jarrian Jones was ejected for throwing a punch. Yet no one except Engram was fined. Al-Shaair got a three-game suspension for the hit, a significant punishment for a significant foul. The lack of significant punishments for the rest of the players involved in the fight after the play is a confusing decision by the league’s disciplinary department.As the end of the year approaches, now’s the time to start preparing for filing your 2024 tax return in 2025. When it comes to tax strategies, generally Dec. 31 is the deadline to make changes that might lower your tax bill. One major exception is the deadline for contributing to a : You have until April 15, 2025, to make a contribution to a Roth or traditional IRA for tax year 2024. If you qualify for , then a contribution to your traditional IRA can reduce your taxable income for 2024. Here are tips and strategies to prepare now for the 2025 tax-filing deadline. If you had significant changes in your life in 2024 — maybe you got married or divorced, started your own business, or had to claim unemployment benefits — your taxes may be more complicated. As a result, you might need to hire a certified public accountant (CPA), enrolled agent (EA) or other tax professional to prepare and file your taxes. If you decide to hire someone, it’s best to start planning for that sooner rather than later. Waiting until the calendar flips to April could cost you. The average fee for a professional to prepare and file a simple Form 1040 tax return, with no itemized deductions, is about $220, according to a survey by the National Society of Accountants in 2020-2021, the most recent data available. But that amount rises quickly for more complex returns, and varies depending on where you live. For example, a Form 1040 with itemized deductions costs an average of $432 in states on the Pacific Coast, compared with $285 in New England. No matter where you live, prices usually rise as the tax deadline approaches, so it’s smart to start searching for a tax pro soon. If you’re uncomfortable doing your taxes on your own and can’t afford a CPA, enrolled agent or other tax pro, or to , there are free options to consider. The IRS currently offers three ways to prepare your taxes for free: •With the IRS Free File program, the IRS partners with for-profit tax-software companies that offer free tax-prep software to eligible taxpayers so they can file their federal tax returns for free. Some taxpayers may also qualify for a free state tax filing, depending on the software provider. In January, the IRS will announce the income limit to qualify for the program for the 2025 tax season (for filing 2024 tax returns). For the 2024 tax season (2023 tax returns), taxpayers’ adjusted gross income (AGI) couldn’t exceed $79,000. •The IRS also offers its Direct File program, a free tool that allows you to file your federal income tax return directly with the IRS at no cost. The program supports simple tax returns and is available only in certain states. Check to see if you qualify here. •Another free-filing option is the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. IRS-certified volunteers offer free basic tax preparation in person to people who earn less than $67,000 a year, are disabled or whose English is limited. The IRS has an online location tool for hundreds of free tax preparation sites in the U.S. (the locator tool is updated from February through April). Some VITA sites also offer online tax-prep assistance. Now is a good time to create an IRS If you want to see your Form 1040 from last year, or you’re missing a prior year Form W-2 or mortgage interest statement, you can find your documents using this free tax tool. Another benefit of creating an IRS online account is that it allows you to quickly obtain your prior year’s tax information without sitting on the phone for hours with an IRS representative, says Carl Johnson, a certified public accountant in New Orleans. An IRS online account also lets you view your account balance and payment history for each year. You can also create a payment plan to settle your federal income tax debt within minutes. If you’re 73 years old and have enjoyed watching your 401(k) or IRA grow tax-free without touching it, remember that the IRS is going to want its share each year. That means you’ll have to make withdrawals — and pay income tax. If you turned 73 in 2024, plan to take your at the latest by April 1, 2025. Read this for more information. The amount of your RMDs is based on your age and the year-end values of your retirement accounts. A has two big tax advantages over a : Qualified withdrawals are not considered income for federal (and usually state) tax purposes, and you don’t have to take distributions from a Roth every year once you reach age 73. may save you money in the long run. Just know that when you convert an IRA to a Roth, it’s considered taxable income, which will raise your tax bill for that year. Generally, it’s best to convert to a Roth IRA when you’re in a low-income year. As tax season approaches, many people start receiving phone calls, emails and texts from entities claiming to be the IRS. Be wary, and understand that these are scams. Typically, the IRS will mail you a notice before using any other method of communication to notify you concerning issues with your tax return. The IRS won’t reach out via social media or text messaging. Relatedly, the IRS warns taxpayers to be careful when choosing a tax preparer. Taking time to vet your tax preparer is crucial to protect yourself from tax scams and fraud. Before hiring a tax professional, search that person’s name in the to avoid dishonest “professionals.” “Taxpayers should check the tax professional’s credentials,” Johnson says. Tax pros without credentials “may take questionable positions without any degree of scrutiny or fear of losing their access to the profession,” Johnson says. Taxpayers who and owe a tax bill, or who file but don’t on time, risk severe penalties. The IRS can even seize assets if necessary. Respond quickly if the IRS has been sending you letters because it found an error on your return or claims you owe back taxes. Typically, the IRS will send you a notice if you have a balance due, changes were made to your tax return, or the agency needs additional information. “If you ignore a collection letter from the IRS, you may face wage garnishments, liens, bank levies, and other adverse action. And in some cases, the amount due may increase for failure to respond,” Johnson says. Keep in mind the IRS does offer and other payment plans. Make copies of your correspondence and use only the U.S. Postal Service, the postmark from which is your proof of timeliness when responding. But whatever you do, don’t ignore the IRS because this may cause more issues in the future.
800 Million People Living With Sexually Transmitted Infection