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EU leaders set to endorse more military support for Ukraine

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:26 GMT

BRUSSELS (AP) — EU leaders are set to endorse a deal aimed at sending to Ukraine 1 million rounds of artillery shells within the next 12 months to help the country counter Russia’s invasion forces.The fast-track procedure was adopted during a meeting of foreign and defense ministers earlier this week, and leaders gathered at a summit in Brussels on Thursday will give it a political blessing, according to several senior EU diplomats.With Ukraine facing shortages of ammunition to fight Russia, the idea of setting up a joint purchasing plan of action similar to the one devised during the coronavirus pandemic to buy vaccines was first brought to the table last month by Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas.EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he has won approval for his proposal to provide 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) to encourage member nations to provide artillery shells from their stocks and any orders for new rounds that they might have placed with industry.A further 1 billion...

Anger at Macron mounts as French unions hold new protests

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:26 GMT

PARIS (AP) — French unions on Thursday are holding their first mass demonstrations since President Emmanuel Macron inflamed public anger by forcing a higher retirement age through parliament without a vote. Strikes are upending travel, and blockades are expected at ports, refineries and garbage dumps.Violence has intensified in recent days at scattered protests against the pension reform and Macron’s leadership.Macron is stubbornly resisting the growing discontent on the streets of France, saying Wednesday that the pension bill to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 must be implemented by the end of the year.Critics attacked Macron for the remarks, describing him as “self-satisfied,” “out of touch” and “offensive.”The president’s comments Wednesday were his first since the government forced the pension bill through parliament last week for lack of enough support. The government then survived two no-confidence votes in the lower chamber of parliament Monday.The bill must now pass ...

Texas and Xavier square off in the Sweet 16

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:26 GMT

Xavier Musketeers (27-9, 15-5 Big East) vs. Texas Longhorns (28-8, 12-6 Big 12)Kansas City, Missouri; Friday, 9:45 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Texas -4; over/under is 149BOTTOM LINE: The No. 5 Texas Longhorns take on the No. 13 Xavier Musketeers in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.The Longhorns are 12-6 against Big 12 opponents and 16-2 in non-conference play. Texas is sixth in the Big 12 with 23.3 defensive rebounds per game led by Timmy Allen averaging 4.3.The Musketeers’ record in Big East action is 15-5. Xavier averages 12.2 turnovers per game and is 2-0 when turning the ball over less than opponents.TOP PERFORMERS: Marcus Carr is averaging 15.8 points, 4.1 assists and 1.7 steals for the Longhorns. Jabari Rice is averaging 16.3 points over the last 10 games for Texas.Jack Nunge is averaging 14.1 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Musketeers. Souley Boum is averaging 2.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Xavier.LAST 10 GAMES: Longhorns: 8-2, averaging 7...

Alabama Crimson Tide take on the San Diego State Aztecs in Sweet 16

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:26 GMT

San Diego State Aztecs (29-6, 15-3 MWC) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (31-5, 16-2 SEC)Louisville, Kentucky; Friday, 6:30 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Alabama -7.5; over/under is 137BOTTOM LINE: The No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide take on the No. 18 San Diego State Aztecs in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.The Crimson Tide have gone 16-2 against SEC teams, with a 15-3 record in non-conference play. Alabama has a 27-5 record against teams over .500.The Aztecs’ record in MWC play is 15-3. San Diego State ranks eighth in the MWC scoring 28.6 points per game in the paint led by Keshad Johnson averaging 4.9.TOP PERFORMERS: Brandon Miller is shooting 39.5% from beyond the arc with 2.9 made 3-pointers per game for the Crimson Tide, while averaging 19.1 points and 8.2 rebounds. Jahvon Quinerly is averaging 12.5 points and 4.1 assists over the past 10 games for Alabama.Lamont Butler is averaging 8.6 points, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals for the Aztecs. Matt Bradley is averaging 12.5 po...

Tennessee meets Florida Atlantic in Sweet 16 matchup

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:26 GMT

Florida Atlantic Owls (33-3, 18-2 C-USA) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (25-10, 11-7 SEC)New York; Thursday, 9 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Tennessee -5.5; over/under is 129.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 20 Tennessee Volunteers and No. 25 Florida Atlantic Owls square off in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.The Volunteers have gone 11-7 against SEC opponents, with a 14-3 record in non-conference play. Tennessee is eighth in the SEC scoring 71.2 points while shooting 43.6% from the field.The Owls are 18-2 against C-USA teams. Florida Atlantic has a 25-3 record against opponents above .500.TOP PERFORMERS: Santiago Vescovi is shooting 37.1% from beyond the arc with 2.8 made 3-pointers per game for the Volunteers, while averaging 12.7 points, 3.1 assists and 1.8 steals. Olivier Nkamhoua is shooting 47.9% and averaging 11.6 points over the last 10 games for Tennessee.Johnell Davis is averaging 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals for the Owls. Alijah Martin is averaging 13.9 points over the last 1...

UConn and Arkansas meet in the Sweet 16

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:26 GMT

Arkansas Razorbacks (22-13, 8-10 SEC) vs. UConn Huskies (27-8, 13-7 Big East)Las Vegas; Thursday, 7:15 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: UConn -4; over/under is 140BOTTOM LINE: The No. 10 UConn Huskies face the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.The Huskies are 13-7 against Big East opponents and 14-1 in non-conference play. UConn is 0-4 in one-possession games.The Razorbacks are 8-10 in SEC play. Arkansas averages 12.4 turnovers per game and is 0-1 when committing fewer turnovers than opponents.TOP PERFORMERS: Adama Sanogo is scoring 17.3 points per game with 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 assists for the Huskies. Jordan Hawkins is averaging 14.7 points over the past 10 games for UConn.Ricky Council IV is averaging 16.1 points for the Razorbacks. Davonte Davis is averaging 1.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Arkansas.LAST 10 GAMES: Huskies: 8-2, averaging 75.6 points, 35.7 rebounds, 17.1 assists, 5.4 steals and 5.0 blocks per game while shooting 47.2%...

UCLA Bruins and Gonzaga Bulldogs meet in Sweet 16

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:26 GMT

Gonzaga Bulldogs (30-5, 14-2 WCC) vs. UCLA Bruins (31-5, 18-2 Pac-12)Las Vegas; Thursday, 9:45 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: UCLA -1.5; over/under is 145.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 7 UCLA Bruins and No. 9 Gonzaga Bulldogs meet in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.The Bruins’ record in Pac-12 play is 18-2, and their record is 13-3 in non-conference games. UCLA leads the Pac-12 at limiting opponent scoring, allowing 60.2 points while holding opponents to 40.5% shooting.The Bulldogs are 14-2 in WCC play. Gonzaga currently has college basketball’s highest scoring offense with 87.3 points while shooting 52.6%.TOP PERFORMERS: Jaime Jaquez Jr. is averaging 17.5 points, 8.1 rebounds and 1.5 steals for the Bruins. David Singleton is averaging 1.6 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for UCLA.Drew Timme is shooting 62.1% and averaging 21.1 points for the Bulldogs. Julian Strawther is averaging 18.4 points over the last 10 games for Gonzaga.LAST 10 GAMES: Bruins: 9-1, averaging 74.5 po...

Creighton Bluejays and Princeton Tigers square off in Sweet 16

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:26 GMT

Princeton Tigers (23-8, 10-4 Ivy League) vs. Creighton Bluejays (23-12, 14-6 Big East)Louisville, Kentucky; Friday, 9 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Creighton -10; over/under is 139BOTTOM LINE: The Creighton Bluejays take on the Princeton Tigers in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.The Bluejays have gone 14-6 against Big East teams, with a 9-6 record in non-conference play. Creighton ranks fifth in the Big East at limiting opponent scoring, giving up 68.5 points while holding opponents to 42.2% shooting.The Tigers are 10-4 in Ivy League play. Princeton is third in the Ivy League allowing 67.9 points while holding opponents to 42.1% shooting.TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan Kalkbrenner is shooting 70.6% and averaging 15.7 points for the Bluejays. Trey Alexander is averaging 2.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Creighton.Tosan Evbuomwan is averaging 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.7 assists for the Tigers. Ryan Langborg is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games f...

Kansas State Wildcats and Michigan State Spartans square off in Sweet 16

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:26 GMT

Michigan State Spartans (21-12, 11-8 Big Ten) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (25-9, 11-7 Big 12)New York; Thursday, 6:30 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Kansas State -1.5; over/under is 137.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 15 Kansas State Wildcats play the Michigan State Spartans in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.The Wildcats have gone 11-7 against Big 12 teams, with a 14-2 record in non-conference play. Kansas State averages 75.5 points and has outscored opponents by 6.6 points per game.The Spartans are 11-8 against Big Ten teams. Michigan State ranks sixth in the Big Ten with 14.5 assists per game led by A.J Hoggard averaging 5.9.TOP PERFORMERS: Markquis Nowell is averaging 17.1 points, 7.8 assists and 2.4 steals for the Wildcats. Keyontae Johnson is averaging 17.5 points and seven rebounds over the past 10 games for Kansas State.Tyson Walker is averaging 14.8 points for the Spartans. Joey Hauser is averaging 3.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Michigan State.LAST 10 GAMES...

Houston and Miami (FL) square off in the Sweet 16

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:12:26 GMT

Miami Hurricanes (27-7, 15-5 ACC) vs. Houston Cougars (33-3, 17-1 AAC)Kansas City, Missouri; Friday, 7:15 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Houston -7; over/under is 138BOTTOM LINE: The No. 2 Houston Cougars square off against the No. 16 Miami Hurricanes in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.The Cougars have gone 17-1 against AAC opponents, with a 16-2 record in non-conference play. Houston has a 24-1 record in games decided by 10 points or more.The Hurricanes are 15-5 in ACC play. Miami (FL) is 0-1 when it wins the turnover battle and averages 10.9 turnovers per game.TOP PERFORMERS: J’wan Roberts is averaging 10.3 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Cougars. Marcus Sasser is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Houston.Isaiah Wong is averaging 16.1 points and 3.3 assists for the Hurricanes. Jordan Miller is averaging 15.8 points over the last 10 games for Miami (FL).LAST 10 GAMES: Cougars: 9-1, averaging 72.5 points, 35.4 rebounds, 13.8 assists, 8.3 ste...