Texas and Xavier play in the Sweet 16

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:16:50 GMT

Texas and Xavier play in the Sweet 16 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 -4.5; over/under is 149BOTTOM LINE: The No. 5 Texas Longhorns and No. 13 Xavier Musketeers meet in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16.The Longhorns’ record in Big 12 games is 12-6, and their record is 16-2 against non-conference opponents. Texas leads the Big 12 averaging 77.7 points and is shooting 47.1%.The Musketeers’ record in Big East games is 15-5. Xavier has a 5-5 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.TOP PERFORMERS: Timmy Allen is averaging 10.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Longhorns. Jabari Rice is averaging 2.3 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Texas.Souley Boum is shooting 44.2% and averaging 16.5 points for the Musketeers. Colby Jones is averaging 15.1 points over the last 10 games for Xavier.LAST 10 GAMES: Longhorns: 8-2, averaging 73.1 points, 31.9 rebounds, 15.9 assists, 7.8 ste...

Alabama Crimson Tide and San Diego State Aztecs meet in Sweet 16

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:16:50 GMT

Alabama Crimson Tide and San Diego State Aztecs meet in Sweet 16 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 square off against the No. 18 San Diego State Aztecs in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.The Crimson Tide’s record in SEC games is 16-2, and their record is 15-3 in non-conference play. Alabama has a 5-0 record in one-possession games.The Aztecs are 15-3 against MWC teams. San Diego State averages 11.0 turnovers per game and is 2-0 when winning the turnover battle.TOP PERFORMERS: Jahvon Quinerly is averaging 8.7 points and 3.6 assists for the Crimson Tide. Brandon Miller is averaging 19.1 points and 8.2 rebounds over the last 10 games for Alabama.Matt Bradley is averaging 13 points for the Aztecs. Jaedon LeDee is averaging 8.8 points over the last 10 games for San Diego State.LAST 10 GAMES: Crimson Tide: 9-1, averaging 81.8 points, 41.0 rebounds, 1...

Gonzaga Bulldogs take on the UConn Huskies in Elite 8

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:16:50 GMT

Gonzaga Bulldogs take on the UConn Huskies in Elite 8 UConn Huskies (28-8, 13-7 Big East) vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-5, 14-2 WCC)Las Vegas; Saturday, 8:49 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Gonzaga -2; over/under is 153.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 9 Gonzaga Bulldogs and No. 10 UConn Huskies play in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.The Bulldogs’ record in WCC play is 14-2, and their record is 17-3 in non-conference play. Gonzaga is the WCC leader with 9.2 offensive rebounds per game led by Drew Timme averaging 2.6.The Huskies’ record in Big East games is 13-7. UConn is third in the Big East scoring 78.7 points per game and is shooting 46.5%.TOP PERFORMERS: Timme is scoring 21.5 points per game with 7.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Bulldogs. Julian Strawther is averaging 17.4 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 47.9% over the past 10 games for Gonzaga.Jordan Hawkins averages 2.9 made 3-pointers per game for the Huskies, scoring 16.1 points while shooting 37.7% from beyond the arc. Adama Sanogo is shooting 69.1% and averaging 17....

AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:16:50 GMT

AP Week in Pictures: Europe and Africa MARCH 17-23, 2023From Cyclone Freddy’s devastating impact in Malawi and protests in France against raising the retirement age, to fans celebrating with flares at a Premier League match in England, this photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published in the past week by The Associated Press from Europe and Africa.The selection was curated by Markus Schreiber, AP chief photographer in Berlin.Follow AP visual journalism:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apnewsAP Images on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AP_ImagesAP Images blog: http://apimagesblog.comSource

Thursday’s Sports in Brief

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:16:50 GMT

Thursday’s Sports in Brief SOCCERBUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — The 83,000 screaming fans were not disappointed in Lionel Messi and his Argentina team’s first international match since lifting the World Cup title last December.Messi’s Argentina beat Panama 2-0 with two late goals Thursday night at the Monumental de Nunez Stadium in Buenos Aires, in the first of two matches for the team to celebrate its triumph in Qatar.Thiago Almada opened the scoring in the 78th minute, pushing the ball into an empty net after a free kick taken by Messi hit the post. Eleven minutes later, the Argentine great netted the second with another free kick to the delight of the capacity crowd. It was Messi’s 800th goal in his professional career. If he scores another in Argentina’s next friendly against Curacao on Tuesday, he will hit the mark of 100 goals for the national team.NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Harry Kane became England’s leading scorer of all time — and his record-setting goal just had to come from the penalty spot.Kane tugged ...

France burns in overnight protests

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:16:50 GMT

France burns in overnight protests Tense protests against a hot-button reform of the French pension system escalated overnight as demonstrators threw objects at public buildings and set fires in the streets.“There were many protests, which sometimes lasted until very late last night, turning violent notably in Paris,” Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said Friday on TV channel CNews.According to the minister, 903 fires of “street furniture or garbage” were identified in Paris — where close to 9,600 tons of trash lie on the street because garbage workers are on strike — and 457 individuals were arrested overnight across France. Some 441 policemen were injured in the protests.An estimate on how many demonstrators were injured is difficult to obtain. One woman suffered from a “serious thumb injury” in Rouen, local daily La Voix du Nord reported.The protestors targeted public buildings in several cities across the country, notably Nantes, Rennes and Bordeaux — where the city hall’...

Carob drink recalled because it could permit growth of botulism bacteria

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:16:50 GMT

Carob drink recalled because it could permit growth of botulism bacteria A recall has been issued for Nuba brand Carob drink due to a potential bacteria contamination.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says the product could permit the growth of Clostridium botulinum, the bacteria that creates the botulism toxin.The affected drink was sold in 750 ml bottles with a best before date of Sept. 30, 2023.It was sold in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec and may have been distributed in other provinces or territories. There have been no reported illnesses associated with the drink.Food contaminated with Clostridium botulinum toxin may not look or smell spoiled but can still make you sick or cause death in severe cases.Symptoms in adults can include facial paralysis or loss of facial expression, unreactive or fixed pupils, difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids, blurred or double vision, difficulty speaking, including slurred speech, and a change in sound of voice, including hoarseness. Symptoms of food-borne botulism in children can include difficulty swallowing, s...

In The News for March 24 : Will higher alcohol prices prompt Canadians to go dry?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:16:50 GMT

In The News for March 24 : Will higher alcohol prices prompt Canadians to go dry? In The News is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to kickstart your day. Here is what’s on the radar of our editors for the morning of March 24 …What we are watching in Canada …Canada’s restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country’s alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years, spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business.“Any increase at this very vulnerable time for our industry is just another blow while we’re down,” said Brenda O’Reilly, the owner of multiple restaurants and a brewery in St. John’s, N.L. “It’s like death by a thousand cuts.”Bar and eatery operators across Canada have endured lockdowns, labour shortages, supply chain mayhem and soaring costs for everything from payroll to cooking oil. Rising inflation has also softened demand as some consumers stay home to save money. “Many of us haven’t recovered from t...

Hong Kong traffic accident leaves some 70 people injured

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:16:50 GMT

Hong Kong traffic accident leaves some 70 people injured HONG KONG (AP) — Four passenger buses and a truck collided near a Hong Kong road tunnel Friday and about 70 people were injured, including children. Most of the injuries were minor.The accident occurred after midday near a tunnel entrance on Tseung Kwan O Road in Lam Tin, a residential area in Kowloon. Some 60 people sustained light injuries and around nine others suffered more serious injuries, police said.It was unclear what caused the collision.Scores of firefighters, paramedics and police rushed to the scene. Several people lay on stretchers and at least one passenger was seen being helped out of a vehicle. A window on the side of a bus was shattered. Some of the injured, including elderly people, were treated by paramedics at the scene. A group of primary school students was seen sitting on the road and some of them sustained hand injuries.Kanis Leung, The Associated Press

Trudeau hopes to advance policy as pomp surrounds Biden’s whirlwind visit to Ottawa

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 18:16:50 GMT

Trudeau hopes to advance policy as pomp surrounds Biden’s whirlwind visit to Ottawa OTTAWA — The pomp and circumstance of a presidential visit will give way today to a series of talks about green energy, migration and Haiti, as U.S. President Joe Biden heads to Parliament Hill.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is scheduled to greet Biden late Friday morning for a welcoming ceremony at West Block.Dignitaries from the House of Commons and Senate, including the Speakers from each chamber and the leaders of each elected party and most Senate groups, are set to join them.Biden and Trudeau plan to then have a bilateral meeting in the Prime Minister’s Office.That is to be followed by an extended chat between Biden and senior Trudeau cabinet ministers in the room where they typically craft major policy decisions. It is possible that some of Biden’s own cabinet ministers will join the discussion.The presidential flight included at least 18 officials and aides, including State Secretary Antony Blinken, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and national security adviser ...