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Serbia, Kosovo reach pact on implementing peace plan, EU’s Borrell says

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:51:38 GMT

Kosovo and Serbia reached an agreement Saturday on implementing an EU-backed deal to normalize relations, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said. “We have a deal,” Borrell tweeted late Saturday after 12 hours of talks by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti and EU officials in Ohrid, North Macedonia.“Kosovo and Serbia have agreed on the implementation annex of the agreement on the path to normalization of relations,” Borrell said. “The parties have fully committed to honor all articles of the agreement and implement their respective obligations expediently and in good faith.”The two leaders held separate meetings with Borrell before a three-way session. Both sides had agreed to the underlying deal in Brussels last month.Kosovo and Serbia have been in EU-backed talks for nearly a decade since Kosovo declared independence in 2008. Serbia still regards Kosovo as a breakaway state and flare-ups between the two have...

Macron’s leadership at risk amid tensions over pension plan

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:51:38 GMT

PARIS (AP) — A parody photo appearing on protest signs and online in France shows President Emmanuel Macron sitting on piles of garbage. The image references the trash going uncollected with sanitation workers on strike, but also what many French people think about their leader. Macron, 45, had hoped his push to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 would cement his legacy as the president who transformed France’s economy for the 21st century. Instead, he finds his leadership contested, both in parliament and on the streets of major cities.His brazen move to force a pension reform bill through without a vote has infuriated the political opposition and could hamper his government’s ability to pass legislation for the remaining four years of his term.Demonstrators hoisted the parody photo at protests after Macron chose at the last minute Thursday to invoke the government’s constitutional power to pass the bill without a vote at the National Assembly. He has remained silen...

Oklahoma State and Eastern Washington play in NIT

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:51:38 GMT

Eastern Washington Eagles (23-10, 16-2 Big Sky) at Oklahoma State Cowboys (19-15, 8-10 Big 12)Stillwater, Oklahoma; Sunday, 2 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: The Oklahoma State Cowboys and Eastern Washington Eagles meet in the National Invitation Tournament.The Cowboys’ record in Big 12 play is 8-10, and their record is 11-5 against non-conference opponents. Oklahoma State leads the Big 12 in rebounding, averaging 34.0 boards. Moussa Cisse leads the Cowboys with 8.2 rebounds.The Eagles are 16-2 against Big Sky teams. Eastern Washington is 4-2 in games decided by less than 4 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Bryce Thompson is averaging 11.6 points for the Cowboys. Caleb Asberry is averaging 13.5 points over the last 10 games for Oklahoma State.Casey Jones is averaging 7.5 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Eagles. Steele Venters is averaging 16.7 points over the last 10 games for Eastern Washington.LAST 10 GAMES: Cowboys: 4-6, averaging 66.2 points, 34.3 rebounds, 11.2 assists, 4.4 steals and 4.0 block...

Marquette Golden Eagles play the Michigan State Spartans in second round

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:51:38 GMT

Michigan State Spartans (20-12, 11-8 Big Ten) vs. Marquette Golden Eagles (29-6, 17-3 Big East)Columbus, Ohio; Sunday, 5:15 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Marquette -2.5; over/under is 140BOTTOM LINE: The No. 6 Marquette Golden Eagles and Michigan State Spartans meet in the NCAA Tournament second round.The Golden Eagles’ record in Big East games is 17-3, and their record is 12-3 against non-conference opponents. Marquette is 6-2 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.The Spartans are 11-8 against Big Ten opponents. Michigan State is eighth in the Big Ten scoring 70.3 points per game and is shooting 45.1%.TOP PERFORMERS: Kam Jones is averaging 15.1 points for the Golden Eagles. Tyler Kolek is averaging 17.2 points, 7.2 assists and 1.9 steals over the past 10 games for Marquette.Tyson Walker is averaging 14.5 points for the Spartans. Joey Hauser is averaging 16.8 points over the last 10 games for Michigan State.LAST 10 GAMES: Golden Eagles: 10-0, averaging 77.4 points, 29.2 reb...

Xavier Musketeers and Pittsburgh Panthers play in NCAA Tournament second round

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:51:38 GMT

Pittsburgh Panthers (24-11, 14-6 ACC) vs. Xavier Musketeers (26-9, 15-5 Big East)Greensboro, North Carolina; Sunday, 12:10 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Xavier -5; over/under is 151.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 13 Xavier Musketeers and Pittsburgh Panthers play in the NCAA Tournament second round.The Musketeers’ record in Big East play is 15-5, and their record is 11-4 in non-conference games. Xavier is second in the Big East with 25.9 defensive rebounds per game led by Zach Freemantle averaging 6.6.The Panthers’ record in ACC games is 14-6. Pittsburgh ranks fourth in the ACC giving up 69.3 points while holding opponents to 41.9% shooting.TOP PERFORMERS: Souley Boum is averaging 16.5 points and 4.3 assists for the Musketeers. Colby Jones is averaging 15.4 points over the last 10 games for Xavier.Jamarius Burton is averaging 15.2 points and 4.2 assists for the Panthers. Blake Hinson is averaging 3.2 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Pittsburgh.LAST 10 GAMES: Musketeer...

North Texas squares off against Sam Houston in NIT

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:51:38 GMT

Sam Houston Bearkats (26-7, 14-4 WAC) at North Texas Mean Green (27-7, 16-4 C-USA)Denton, Texas; Sunday, 4 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: The North Texas Mean Green and the Sam Houston Bearkats meet in the National Invitation Tournament.The Mean Green’s record in C-USA games is 16-4, and their record is 11-3 in non-conference games. North Texas scores 64.4 points and has outscored opponents by 8.8 points per game.The Bearkats’ record in WAC play is 14-4. Sam Houston ranks second in the WAC shooting 38.2% from 3-point range.TOP PERFORMERS: Tylor Perry averages 3.0 made 3-pointers per game for the Mean Green, scoring 16.9 points while shooting 42.2% from beyond the arc. Kai Huntsberry is averaging 12.1 points over the past 10 games for North Texas.Donte Powers is shooting 41.1% from beyond the arc with 2.1 made 3-pointers per game for the Bearkats, while averaging 11.1 points. Qua Grant is shooting 41.0% and averaging 16.1 points over the past 10 games for Sam Houston.LAST 10 GAMES:...

Gonzaga Bulldogs take on the TCU Horned Frogs in second round

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:51:38 GMT

TCU Horned Frogs (22-12, 9-9 Big 12) vs. Gonzaga Bulldogs (29-5, 14-2 WCC)Denver; Sunday, 9:40 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Gonzaga -4.5; over/under is 156.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 9 Gonzaga Bulldogs face the No. 22 TCU Horned Frogs in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.The Bulldogs are 14-2 against WCC opponents and 15-3 in non-conference play. Gonzaga is 3-2 in one-possession games.The Horned Frogs are 9-9 against Big 12 teams. TCU leads college basketball with 17.1 fast break points per game.TOP PERFORMERS: Drew Timme is shooting 62.4% and averaging 20.9 points for the Bulldogs. Julian Strawther is averaging 18.2 points over the last 10 games for Gonzaga.Mike Miles averages 1.4 made 3-pointers per game for the Horned Frogs, scoring 17.6 points while shooting 35.6% from beyond the arc. Damion Baugh is shooting 39.8% and averaging 11.6 points over the last 10 games for TCU.LAST 10 GAMES: Bulldogs: 10-0, averaging 91.3 points, 33.6 rebounds, 17.3 assists, 7.0 steals and 4.3 b...

Wisconsin plays Liberty in NIT matchup

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:51:38 GMT

Liberty Flames (27-8, 15-3 ASUN) at Wisconsin Badgers (18-14, 9-11 Big Ten)Madison, Wisconsin; Sunday, 12 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: The Wisconsin Badgers take on the Liberty Flames in the National Invitation Tournament.The Badgers are 9-11 against Big Ten opponents and 9-3 in non-conference play. Wisconsin scores 65.4 points while outscoring opponents by 1.6 points per game.The Flames are 15-3 against ASUN teams. Liberty has a 0-2 record in one-possession games.TOP PERFORMERS: Steven Crowl is averaging 12.3 points and seven rebounds for the Badgers. Max Klesmit is averaging 1.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Wisconsin.Blake Preston is averaging 6.8 points and 5.2 rebounds for the Flames. Darius McGhee is averaging 27.0 points over the last 10 games for Liberty.LAST 10 GAMES: Badgers: 5-5, averaging 67.6 points, 30.5 rebounds, 11.3 assists, 4.7 steals and 1.7 blocks per game while shooting 41.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 66.0 points per game.Flames: 8-2, av...

UAB, Morehead State play in NIT

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:51:38 GMT

Morehead State Eagles (22-11, 14-4 OVC) at UAB Blazers (26-9, 14-6 C-USA)Birmingham, Alabama; Sunday, 3 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: The UAB Blazers take on the Morehead State Eagles in the National Invitation Tournament.The Blazers’ record in C-USA play is 14-6, and their record is 12-3 against non-conference opponents. UAB averages 12.4 turnovers per game and is 1-1 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents.The Eagles’ record in OVC games is 14-4. Morehead State has a 1-0 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.TOP PERFORMERS: Jordan Walker is averaging 23.1 points and four assists for the Blazers. KJ Buffen is averaging 12.3 points over the last 10 games for UAB.Alex Gross is averaging 12 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.1 blocks for the Eagles. Mark Freeman is averaging 13.6 points over the last 10 games for Morehead State.LAST 10 GAMES: Blazers: 9-1, averaging 81.1 points, 36.1 rebounds, 12.5 assists, 8.1 steals and 4.3 blocks per game while shooting 46.1% from the...

Colorado, Utah Valley square off in NIT

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 19:51:38 GMT

Utah Valley Wolverines (26-8, 15-3 WAC) at Colorado Buffaloes (18-16, 8-12 Pac-12)Boulder, Colorado; Sunday, 9:30 p.m. EDTBOTTOM LINE: The Colorado Buffaloes and Utah Valley Wolverines play in the National Invitation Tournament.The Buffaloes’ record in Pac-12 games is 8-12, and their record is 10-4 against non-conference opponents. Colorado is seventh in the Pac-12 scoring 69.9 points while shooting 43.3% from the field.The Wolverines are 15-3 against WAC opponents. Utah Valley is the WAC leader with 37.6 rebounds per game led by Aziz Bandaogo averaging 10.3.TOP PERFORMERS: KJ Simpson is averaging 15.9 points, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals for the Buffaloes. Tristan da Silva is averaging 15.6 points over the last 10 games for Colorado.Le’Tre Darthard is shooting 43.7% and averaging 14.0 points for the Wolverines. Trey Woodbury is averaging 13.6 points over the last 10 games for Utah Valley.LAST 10 GAMES: Buffaloes: 5-5, averaging 67.9 points, 33.5 rebounds, 13.3 assists, 5....