This track is known for dry, slick desert conditions but during yesterday’s press day and this morning’s track walk it looked soft and tacky. That won’t last forever but it might be a little better than expected during the night show. This track features some long lanes and lots of 180 turns, which means the opportunity to go big in the rhythm lanes.
Garrett Marchbanks told us a week of therapy went a long way toward making his dislocated shoulder feel better, and he simply could not stomach sitting on the couch another weekend, so he asked the team if he could ride Thursday. He did and he felt good so he’s racing. He thinks the shorter races might actually be better for his shoulder, which could get fatigued as the laps unfold.
Also Honda HRC Team Manager Lars Lindstrom says Jo Shimoda visited Doc G’s office all week and witnessed a big drop in the swelling in his broken fingers. He still can’t ride during the week, but the injury is feeling much better.
Malcolm Stewart is getting better and better after taking a big hit in his Anaheim 1 heat race, he’s confident he’ll be around the top five soon. Aaron Plessinger has had terrible results the last two weeks but he says he feels he’s riding well, and in fact this week is as good as he as ever felt, he says. Cooper Webb spent the week testing at Yamaha’s California test track to try to find a better setup for dry, slick tracks. He knows he’s struggled here in the past but needs to fix that. He says this is the first time he’s made any real bike changes in nearly a year.
For more updates be sure to check out our First Look: Glendale Press Day and The Weege Show.
Exciting news for all Supercross fans! Stay tuned for live written updates and results from the 2025 Glendale Supercross event. Follow along as your favorite riders battle it out on the track and compete for the top spot. Don’t miss any of the action – keep checking back for the latest updates and results! #GlendaleSupercross2025 #SupercrossUpdates #LiveResults.
Ireland vs England LIVE: Six Nations rugby – score, radio commentary & text updates
Stay tuned for live updates as Ireland takes on England in a highly anticipated Six Nations rugby match. Follow along for the latest scores, radio commentary, and text updates as the action unfolds on the field. Who will come out on top in this thrilling showdown? Don’t miss a minute of the action – keep refreshing for all the latest updates! #IREvENG #SixNationsrugby
Unai Emery says Aston Villa’s transfer window “is not normal” as they aim to sign “two or three players” before Monday night’s deadline.
So far this month Villa’s window has been led by Monchi, president of football operations, with the club relying on close contacts and players known to him and Emery.
It is a far from ideal situation, with Ezri Konsa their only option in central defence plus replacements needed for Emiliano Buendia and Jhon Duran. Emery said:
“The moment we are in this transfer window, it is not normal. But it is coming for different circumstances. We had to accept and take our decision. A few days to close the window and the club is working. We have to do something.
“But I am very happy with how they are responding. We played some matches even in the last month when players were close to leaving.
“Without Diego Carlos last week, Jaden Philogene and Jhon Duran. We were playing matches and collectively, we were getting the performances we needed. I’m very proud of them.”
Villa have been routinely pivoting in transfer targets and presently, hold an interest in several players across a number of positions, including Chelsea’s Axel Disasi and Joao Felix, as well as Marco Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain. Emery added:
“Hopefully in two or three days, we can join a minimum of two or three players more with us. And as well, I’m going to be very motivated with those players to get collectively our objective.”
Transfer news live updates: January window tracker as Aston Villa consider Rashford move
As the January transfer window heats up, Aston Villa are reportedly considering a shock move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. The England international has fallen out of favor at Old Trafford and could be seeking a new challenge to reignite his career.
Stay tuned for all the latest transfer news and updates as clubs across Europe look to bolster their squads for the second half of the season. Will Rashford make the move to Villa Park? Only time will tell. #TransferNews #JanuaryWindow #Rashford #AstonVilla
Nottingham Forest are winless in their last three Premier League meetings with Brighton (D1 L2), having been unbeaten in their previous eight top-flight matches against the Seagulls (W6 D2).
Brighton won this exact fixture 3-2 last season – they’ve never before won consecutive away league games against Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest’s eight game unbeaten run came to an end last time out at Bournemouth, conceding more goals in that defeat (5) as they did in their previous seven Premier League games combined (4). Only once previously this season have they lost consecutive league matches, doing so in November against Newcastle and Arsenal.
Brighton’s six game unbeaten run was ended last time out at home to Everton. The Seagulls have won just two of their last 11 Premier League games (D6 L3) and could lose consecutive matches for the first time since ending last season with back-to-back defeats.
Nottingham Forest have won six of their last eight Premier League home games (D1 L1), with five of those six victories coming by a one goal margin. This is just the second time they are kicking off at 12:30 on a Saturday since their return to the Premier League, beating Liverpool 1-0 at the City Ground in October 2022 in their only previous game.
Brighton have scored the opening goal in 10 of their 12 Premier League away games this season (including in each of their last five), more than any other side. Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest have gone 1-0 up in 18 of their 23 league games overall this term, the most in the division.
Only Erling Haaland (17), Alexander Isak (16) and Mohamed Salah (14) have scored more non penalty goals in the Premier League this season than Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood (12). Wood has scored more goals against Brighton (9) than he has against any other side in his English league career.
Brighton’s João Pedro has six goal involvements in his last eight away appearances in the Premier League (2 goals, 4 assists), also netting a brace at the City Ground back in November 2023.
The average distance of Nottingham Forest’s goal kicks in the Premier League this season has been 43.7 metres, the highest of any side, while 121 of those have ended in the attacking half, 26 more than any other team. By contrast, only three sides have taken goal kicks at a shorter average distance than Brighton this campaign (23.4 metres).
Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina has taken 35 throw-ins that have ended in the opposition’s penalty area in the Premier League this season, seven more than any other player. In total, Forest have taken 56 throws that end in the opposition box, with only Brentford doing so more often (60).
Premier League LIVE: Six games including Nottingham Forest v Brighton, Everton v Leicester City, Bournemouth v Liverpool, Newcastle United v Fulham – radio commentary, live text and score updates
Join us for a thrilling day of Premier League action as six exciting matches take place across the country.
Tune in for live radio commentary, real-time text updates and score updates as Nottingham Forest take on Brighton, Everton face off against Leicester City, Bournemouth go head-to-head with Liverpool, and Newcastle United battle it out with Fulham.
Stay tuned for all the goals, drama and excitement as the action unfolds. Don’t miss a minute of the action – follow along with us for all the latest updates!
Premier League, Nottingham Forest, Brighton, Everton, Leicester City, Bournemouth, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Fulham, radio commentary, live text, score updates, live stream, match highlights, English football, EPL, soccer, sports commentary.
Beyond Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets haven’t had many consistent bright spots this season but Russell Westbrook has definitely been one. The team signed the 36-year-old former league MVP to a veteran minimum contract in the offseason out of necessity.
Russ had fallen out of favor around the league and had a nonexistent market. The Nuggets had a roster lacking depth and talent and extremely limited assets to upgrade. The deal came together as a marriage of convenience for both sides but it has worked out better than anyone could have imagined.
Westbrook has played so well that he has usurped a role in the starting lineup from Christian Braun and had people wondering if he’s actually the Nuggets’ second-best player. But the good vibes took a pause on the ironman, Westbrook on Friday night.
Westbrook leaves game vs. 76ers with hamstring injury
In the second half of the Ngugets’ Friday night game in Philadephia, Westbrook left the game and was ultimately ruled out during the fourth quarter. The Nuggets reported that Westbrook was experiencing hamstring tightness when he left for the locker room.
Russell Westbrook is experiencing left hamstring tightness and is questionable to return according to the Nuggets.
He was initially listed as questionable but was ruled out later in the game. There has been no further update, but hamstring issues are not usually good news. These soft tissue injuries can be fickle and unpredictable and often come with a high risk of re-injury.
Russ has played in every single game this season and shockingly been one of the most reliable things the Nuggets have going for them. Losing him for an extended period of time would be a devastating blow for a Denver team that is already lacking in depth and positive energy.
Theoretically, they should be able to survive without the veteran legend, and hopefully, it won’t be an extended absence but that’s no guarantee. This may serve as a good opportunity for guys like Braun and Julian Strawther to step up and if this lingers, maybe Trey Alexander will even get elevated from the G-League for an opportunity.
We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and start speculating, but a hamstring injury for an older player is certainly concerning. Hopefully, the Nuggets get some good news and Russ will be back soon, but if not, they are going to have a massive hole in the rotation to fill all of a sudden.
The Denver Nuggets were dealt a brutal blow on Wednesday night as star guard Russell Westbrook suffered a serious injury during their game against the Golden State Warriors. Westbrook appeared to twist his ankle while driving to the basket in the third quarter and had to be helped off the court.
The Nuggets have yet to release an official statement on the extent of Westbrook’s injury, but early reports suggest that he could be out for an extended period of time. This is a major setback for Denver, as Westbrook has been one of their top performers this season, averaging 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists per game.
Fans and teammates alike are hoping for a speedy recovery for Westbrook, but in the meantime, the Nuggets will have to regroup and find a way to fill the void left by his absence. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
They became a potent symbol of Israel’s hostage crisis after video from the Hamas-led 2023 attack showed Palestinian militants leading away a distraught mother clutching her two small red-haired sons. Another video showed the father of the same family being spirited away to Gaza on a motorcycle, his head bloodied.
On Friday, Hamas said the 35-year-old father, Yarden Bibas, will be one of three male hostages to be freed on Saturday.
Israelis are still anxiously awaiting word of his wife, Shiri, and their two children, Ariel, now 5, and Kfir, who was 9 months old at the time of his capture — the youngest hostage taken into Gaza. Last week, Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesman, seemed to brace the public for the likelihood that they would not come out alive, saying the military was “gravely concerned” for the mother and children.
Hamas claimed last year that Ms. Bibas and her children had been killed by an Israeli airstrike, but Israeli officials have never confirmed that. Several hostages were killed in Gaza by Israeli forces, accidentally shot or possibly as a result of Israeli airstrikes. The military has also said some civilian hostages may have been killed by Israeli forces as they were being kidnapped on the day of the Oct. 7 attack.
The Bibas family has been through “a twisted reality from hell,” a relative, Yifat Zailer, said in an interview last year.
Balloons being released in Tel Aviv on Jan. 18 to celebrate the second birthday of Kfir Bibas. Kfir was 9 months old when he was captured during the Oct. 7 attack. Credit…Ohad Zwigenberg/Associated Press
The family of four were among more than 180 residents of kibbutz Nir Oz, a farming community in southern Israel, who were killed or abducted in the Oct. 7 attack. Since then, the family became the faces of a national trauma that sparked a fierce Israeli war in Gaza aimed at eradicating Hamas, an onslaught that has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, who do not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
More than 1,750 people in Israel have been killed in the war, about 1,200 of them on the day of the Oct. 7 attack, according to Israeli officials. The toll includes more than 890 members of the Israeli military forces.
Throughout more than a year of waiting, hostage families and their supporters have carried orange balloons and worn orange shirts in honor of the missing children and their ginger-colored hair. They have held large events to mark the first two birthdays of Kfir, who has never celebrated one out of captivity.
All other children seized in the Oct. 7 attack were released in a previous cease-fire deal.
Israeli officials pressed Hamas negotiators in recent days for more clarity on Ms. Bibas and her children, according to Israeli media. As a female civilian with children, they were expected to be released in the initial stages of the cease-fire deal, before soldiers or men, if they were alive.
Mr. Bibas was abducted separately from his family.
In the early morning hours before his capture, he texted his sister, Ofri Bibas-Levy, to tell her about incoming rocket fire, according to an interview she gave to Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster. Later, he texted her that militants had entered the camp. He had a gun, he told her, but the militants had automatic rifles.
He then described scenes of clashes on the kibbutz and his fear that his two young sons would not be able to keep quiet.
“It feels like the end,” he wrote her at 9:10 in the morning.
Video from the Oct. 7 attack on Nir Oz revealed images of militants drilling open the Bibas family’s front door.
Sometime before her brother was captured, Ms. Bibas-Levy told Kan, he texted her and their parents that he loved them. At 9:45 in the morning, he wrote: “They’re in.”
Ms. Bibas-Levy told Kan that the first she learned of her brother’s Oct. 7 kidnapping when she saw a video of militants abducting him a few days later.
Images of the Bibas family have been seared into the Israeli psyche throughout the crisis. Credit…Amir Levy/Getty Images
In November 2023, not long after Hamas said Ms. Bibas and her children were killed by Israeli bombing, the group released a video of Mr. Bibas being told his wife and children had been killed, as he broke down crying.
Images of the Bibas family have been seared into the Israeli psyche throughout the crisis. They were on the front page of one of the country’s most popular daily newspapers, Yedioth Ahronoth, under the headline “A Mother and Two Small Souls, Led Into the Darkness.”
And across the country, graffiti depicting the family has appeared on the streets. Some show baby Kfir holding a pink elephant, as in the photo used for his hostage poster. Others show an imagined reunion of the Bibas family, lighting a Hanukkah menorah.
“I know they became a symbol,” Ms. Bibas-Levy said in a tearful news conference last February. “But for us, it’s our family, and we want them back.”
Johnatan Reiss and Matthew Mpoke Bigg contributed reporting.
Hamas and Israel are set to exchange more hostages for prisoners in a deal brokered by Egypt. The exchange is expected to take place in the coming days, with both sides hoping to secure the release of their respective citizens held captive.
Stay tuned for live updates on the negotiations and the exchange process as it unfolds. We will provide real-time updates on any developments, including the number of hostages and prisoners involved, the conditions of the exchange, and the reactions from both Hamas and Israel.
This exchange comes as a rare moment of cooperation between the two sides, who have been locked in a decades-long conflict. The success of this deal could pave the way for future negotiations and potentially help to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Follow along with us as we bring you the latest news on this historic exchange between Hamas and Israel. #HostageExchange #PrisonerRelease #Hamas #Israel #LiveUpdates
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Hamas, Israel, hostages, prisoners, exchange, live updates, Middle East conflict, political news, international relations, Hamas-Israel negotiations
Share buybacks have long been a popular exit strategy for investors. Effective October 1, 2024, amendments under the Finance (No. 2) Act 2024 classify buyback proceeds as dividends, taxable as “income from other sources” for shareholders. Additionally, the acquisition cost is treated as a capital loss, which can be offset against other capital gains.
This creates an anomaly where shareholders may pay tax on amounts equivalent to their capital investment, without any actual income gain. While capital loss benefits are available, they may not always be useful. To address this, it is recommended that buyback proceeds equivalent to the capital returned be exempt from tax, with no corresponding capital loss be recorded.
(Source: William O’Niel India)
Budget 2025 Stock Market Live Updates: Sensex falls 200 pts as Budget presentation ends; Nifty50 below 23,450; India VIX eases 10%
The Indian stock market witnessed a dip as the Budget 2025 presentation came to an end, with the Sensex falling by 200 points and the Nifty50 trading below the 23,450 mark. The India VIX also saw a 10% decrease, indicating a decrease in market volatility.
Investors are closely monitoring the announcements made in the Budget, analyzing the impact on various sectors and industries. The market reaction to the Budget is crucial in determining the short-term direction of the stock market.
Stay tuned for more live updates on the Budget 2025 and its impact on the stock market.
Israel is preparing to receive three male hostages held in Gaza on Saturday, in the latest release of captives under the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal.
The militant group named the three men on Friday that it intends to release: Keith Siegel, Yarden Bibas and Ofer Kalderon.
Here’s what we know about them.
Keith Siegel, an Israeli-American citizen, was taken from his home in kibbutz Kfar Aza. His wife Aviva, who was kidnapped alongside him, was released in November 2023 as part of the short-lived ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Aviva Siegel said that while they were held captive together, Keith would ask everyone to identify one thing they were thankful for. “Imagine being in the depths of hell and still trying to find one thing each day that you are thankful for,” she said, according to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
Yarden Bibas was kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz alongside his wife Shiri and two sons Kfir and Ariel. Kfir was just nine months when he was abducted, the youngest hostage taken on October 7.
Hamas claimed in November 2023 that Shiri, Kfir and Ariel Bibas were killed in an Israeli airstrike. Israel never confirmed their deaths, but the military has told relatives that they may not be alive, according to a spokesperson for the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
The Bibas family, and Kfir in particular, are among the most recognizable victims of the October 7 terror attacks.
Kfir’s picture has been featured on many of the posters calling for the release of the hostages that have been on display across Israel and the world for the past 15 months. In it, the red-haired baby boy is holding a pink elephant toy, looking directly into the camera with a toothless smile.
Ofer Kalderon, a French-Israeli citizen, was 52 when he was kidnapped from kibbutz Nir Oz together with his son Erez, who was 11 at the time, and his daughter Sahar, who was 16. Erez and Sahar were also released during the November 2023 ceasefire.
Kalderon has been described by his family as a keen cyclist and expert carpenter, and a man who enjoys music and field trips with his children.
Live updates: Israel-Hamas ceasefire and Gaza hostage release
Stay tuned for the latest developments in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as a ceasefire agreement is reached and hostages from Gaza are set to be released. Follow along for minute-by-minute updates on this crucial moment in the Middle East. #Israel #Hamas #Gaza #ceasefire #hostages #peace
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Israel-Hamas ceasefire, Gaza hostage release, Israel news, Hamas news, Gaza news, Middle East conflict, current events, breaking news, international relations, diplomacy, peace negotiations, conflict resolution.
Budget 2025 Live Updates: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the first full India Budget of Modi 3.0, aiming to balance middle-class tax relief with economic growth needs.
This Budget comes as GDP growth is projected to fall to a four-year low of 6.4% in FY24, near its decadal average. The Economic Survey forecasts 6.3-6.8% growth in FY26, well below the pace required to achieve Viksit Bharat by 2047. It stresses the need for land and labour reforms to drive growth.
With India’s world-leading growth showing signs of moderation, the push for an 8% annual growth rate remains crucial. The projected growth for FY25-26 compares to an estimated 6.4% in FY24 and 8.2% in FY23-24.
Budget 2025 Live streaming: When and where to watch Nirmala Sitharaman’s speech; Budget Speech Timing: Scheduled for 11 a.m. on February 1 in the Lok Sabha. Live Broadcast: Available on Sansad TV, DD News, and Sansad TV’s YouTube channel. Online Updates: Follow all Budget 2025 updates on economictimes.com
Key numbers to watch out for in the Union Budget for 2025-26: Fiscal Deficit Capital Expenditure Debt Roadmap Borrowing Tax Revenue GST Nominal GDP Dividend Disinvestment & Asset Monetisation
Budget FAQs What is the Union Budget? The Union Budget is the annual financial statement of the government. It outlines revenue and expenditure for the upcoming financial year.
Who presents the Union Budget? Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presents the Budget in Parliament.
When is the Budget presented? The Budget is presented on February 1.
What are the key components of the Budget? Revenue Budget Expenditure Budget Fiscal Deficit GDP Growth Projections Policy Announcements
Will there be changes in income tax slabs? Given the pressure on middle class, Nirmala Sitharaman may propose changes in tax slabs, exemptions, and deductions under the old and new tax regimes in the budget.
What are the indirect tax changes? Major indirect taxes are GST, customs, excise duties etc. The Budget can alter GST rates, impose or reduce customs and excise duties, impacting imported goods and services.
Get ready for the latest updates on Budget 2025 live! Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is all set to introduce a new Income tax bill next week, paving the way for significant changes in the tax structure.
In addition to the tax reforms, the budget will also focus on boosting China’s factories, promoting the new UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme for regional connectivity, and pushing for advancements in education.
Stay tuned for more updates as we bring you the latest developments and analysis on Budget 2025 live! #Budget2025 #NirmalaSitharaman #IncomeTaxBill #ChinaFactories #UDAN #EducationPush”
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Budget 2025, Budget 2025 Live Updates, Nirmala Sitharaman, New Income Tax Bill, China’s factories, UDAN boost, education push, Budget 2025 news, budget updates, government budget, economic news, tax bill announcement, Nirmala Sitharaman news
Will your income tax slab and the income tax rate change after Union Budget 2025? The latest income tax slabs for financial year 2025-26 are eagerly awaited by the common man, middle class and salaried taxpayers. Will FM Nirmala Sitharaman make the new income tax regime more lucrative for the common salaried individual taxpayers? Will the income tax slabs under the new income tax regime be tweaked further? The question on which income tax regime is better for you – new income tax regime vs old income tax regime – is dependent on the latest calculations for FY 2025-26 based on the income tax slabs and income tax rates announced in the Union Budget 2025.
What are the current income tax slabs under the new tax regime?
Up to INR 3 lakh – Nil
INR 3,00,001 to INR 7,00,000 – 5%
INR 7,00,001 to INR 10,00,000 – 10%
INR 10,00,001 to INR 12,00,000 – 15%
INR 12,00,001 to INR 15,00,000 – 20%
Above INR 15,00,000 – 30%
Since the introduction of the new income tax regime a few years ago, the Narendra Modi government has introduced several changes in it to encourage its adoption. The new income tax regime is essentially a regime that doesn’t allow you major tax deductions and exemptions, but favours taxpayers in the form of lower tax rates and more rationalised income tax slabs. For example; under the new income tax regime, common exemptions and deductions such as Section 80C, Section 80D, Section 80G, Section 80TTA, HRA, LTA are not allowed. However, the tax rates are lower and the income tax slabs are different. Under the new income tax regime, the 30% income tax slab kicks in at an income level above Rs 15 lakh, unlike the old tax regime where 30% tax is applicable above Rs 10 lakh.
When the new income tax regime was first introduced, standard deduction was not a part of it. However, eventually a Rs 50,000 standard deduction was allowed, which was hiked to Rs 75,000 in last year’s Budget. It’s important to note that under the old income tax regime, the standard deduction continues to be Rs 50,000.
One common ask of salaried taxpayers is that FM Sitharaman should allow popular exemptions and deductions such as Section 80C, HRA, LTA and Section 80D under the new income tax regime to make it more lucrative.
With the new income tax regime becoming the default tax regime, personal tax experts also expect that the Modi government may eventually do away with the old income tax regime. While that may not happen this year, the path towards phasing out the old income tax regime may be outlined in this year’s Union Budget. Also, a simplified Direct Tax Code is likely to be tabled in the Budget Parliament session, which may find mention in FM Sitharaman’s Budget speech.
As the Budget 2025 announcement draws near, there is anticipation and speculation about possible changes in income tax slabs and rates for the financial year 2025-26. Salaried taxpayers are hoping for some relief and tweaks in the new tax regime that could ease their tax burden.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to make some announcements regarding income tax slabs and rates in the upcoming budget. There are talks of a possible restructuring of the tax slabs to provide relief to middle-class taxpayers who have been facing the brunt of high tax rates in recent years.
With the economy still recovering from the impact of the pandemic, there is a hope that the government will take measures to boost disposable income for individuals and stimulate consumption. Changes in income tax slabs and rates could be one way to achieve this goal.
Stay tuned for live updates on Income Tax Slabs 2025-26 Budget 2025 as FM Sitharaman unveils the new tax regime and announces any changes that could impact salaried taxpayers. All eyes are on the budget as taxpayers eagerly await news of possible income tax relief.
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Income Tax Slabs 2025-26, Budget 2025 Live Updates, Income Tax Rates, Income Tax Relief, Salaried Taxpayers, New Tax Regime, FM Sitharaman, Income Tax Changes 2025
