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LYNN — The boys basketball landscape in Lynn remains unchanged. St. Mary’s, for the fifth straight year, won the Walter J. Boverini Lynn Christmas Tournament Saturday with a hard-fought 61-53 win against Lynn Tech at the Spartans’ Tony Conigliaro Gym. Nothing came easily, or cheaply. Calling it a defensive struggle was only half the story. It was a “black and blue” game. There were lots of bodies hitting the court, lots of ferocious physical combat under both baskets. But when it was over, one player stood out: JJ Martinez of the Spartans, who was the tournament MVP. Martinez finished the game with 21 points, the only Spartan to finish with double figures. Seven of those points came in a fourth quarter in which St. Mary’s rebounded from a six-point deficit to the eight-point final score. “They did what they had to do,” said Tech coach Corey Bingham. “But our guys gave it their all. I want them to be tired at the end of the game. I’m proud of them.” St. Mary’s may be the dominant team in this tournament (the Spartans have won seven of eight), but Tech wasn’t intimidated in the least. The Tigers jumped out to an 8-1 lead as the Spartans had trouble getting untracked. In fact, St. Mary’s shot under 50 percent for the game. What saved the Spartans was a distinct height advantage, enabling them to stay in the game with rebounds and putbacks. At 11-2, the Spartans got it going and scored the next 10 points to get back in the game – and stay in the game. From that point until the last minute, the margin was six points – a 48-42 Tech lead with five minutes to go in the game. During that run, Martinez scored five points. St. Mary’s was up by a point (15-14) after a quarter, but Tech had a strong second quarter, led by Travis Sanchez’s eight points to take a 30-25 lead into the lockerroom. Tech went ice-cold in the third quarter, and St. Mary’s led by four (44-40) heading into the fourth. The final quarter was played at a hectic pace, with Martinez taking over. St. Mary’s had a huge advantage with four fouls to give in the last minute and a half, and took them all, thereby bunting Tech’s ability to come back once the Spartans got the lead. St. Mary’s also hit 15 free throws in the quarter.
By JESSICA DAMIANO Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. Related Articles Things To Do | Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status tote Things To Do | ‘Gladiator II’ review: Are you not moderately entertained? Things To Do | Beer pairings for your holiday feasts Things To Do | Make these Tahini-Roasted Sweet Potatoes for Thanksgiving Things To Do | How to watch and stream the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40.
Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN. Here's the latest: Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York City The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer may have fled the city on a bus, New York City police officials told CNN on Friday. Video of the suspected shooter leaving the scene of the shooting Wednesday showed him riding a bicycle to Central Park and later taking a taxi cab to a bus depot, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told CNN. “We have reason to believe that the person in question has left New York City,” Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Gunman’s steps after killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO give police new clues The gunman who killed the CEO of the largest U.S. health insurer made sure to wear a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence in view of the nation’s biggest city and its network of security cameras that have aided authorities piecing together his movements and his identity. A law enforcement official said Friday that new surveillance footage shows the suspect riding the subway and visiting establishments in Manhattan and provided more clues about his actions in the days before he ambushed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . The gunman’s whereabouts and identity remain unknown Friday, as did the reason for Wednesday’s killing. New York City police say evidence firmly points to it being a targeted attack . ▶ Read more about the search for the gunman For many companies, investor meetings are seen as a risk In many companies, investor meetings like the one UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was walking to when he was fatally shot are viewed as very risky because details on the location and who will be speaking are highly publicized. “It gives people an opportunity to arrive well in advance and take a look at the room, take a look at how people would probably come and go out of a location,” said Dave Komendat, president of DSKomendat Risk Management Services, which is based in the greater Seattle area. Some firms respond by beefing up security. For example, tech companies routinely require everyone attending a major event, such as Apple’s annual unveiling of the next iPhone or a shareholder meeting, to go through airport-style security checkpoints before entering. Others forgo in-person meetings with shareholders. ▶ Read more about how companies protect their leaders Police have obtained other surveillance images of the person wanted for questioning Those images include New York’s subway system, a law enforcement official said. In establishments where the person was captured on camera, he always appeared to pay with cash, the official said. The official wasn’t authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. — Mike Balsamo Another health insurer taking precautions after the shooting Medica, a Minnesota-based nonprofit health care firm that serves 1.5 million customers in 12 states, said it’s temporarily closing all six locations. The firm has offices in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North Dakota, and employs about 3,000 people. Employees will work from home, Medica spokesman Greg Bury said in an email Friday. “The safety of Medica employees is our top priority and we have increased security both for all of our employees,” a statement from Medica said. “Although we have received no specific threats related to our campuses, our office buildings will be temporarily closed out of an abundance of caution.” Bury also said biographical information on the company’s executives was taken down from its website as a precaution. Government health insurance provider Centene Corp. says its Investor Day will now be virtual The insurer cited the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in its announcement about the Dec. 12 event. “All of us at Centene are deeply saddened by Brian Thompson’s death and want to express our support for all of those affected. Health insurance is a big industry and a small community; many members of the CenTeam crossed paths with Brian during their careers,” Centene CEO Sarah M. London said in a news release. “He was a person with a deep sense of empathy and clear passion for improving access to care. Our hearts are with his family and his colleagues during this difficult time.” Centene Corp. has grown in recent years to become the largest insurer in Medicaid, the state- and federally funded program that covers care for people with low incomes. Insurers manage Medicaid coverage for states, and Centene has more than 13 million people enrolled in that coverage. UnitedHealth Group says it’s focused on supporting Brian Thompson’s family The insurance company also said it’s focused on ensuring the safety of employees and assisting investigators. “While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place,” the company said. NY Mayor Eric Adams provided no new information on investigation’s progress during interviews But he said Friday that he’s confident police will arrest the shooter. “We are on the right road to apprehend him and bring him to justice,” Adams said on TV station WPIX. Hours after the shooting, UnitedHealthcare removed photographs of its executives from its website Later, it removed their names and biographies entirely. Investigators believe the suspect may have traveled to NY last month on a bus that originated in Atlanta Police and federal agents have been collecting information from Greyhound in an attempt to identify the suspect and are working to determine whether he purchased the ticket to New York in late November, a law enforcement official said. Investigators were also trying to obtain additional information from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza through which the shooter fled. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass The fatal shooting of Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. Experts say today’s political, economic and technological climate is only going to make the job of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them even more difficult, experts say. Some organizations have a protective intelligence group that uses digital tools such as machine learning or artificial intelligence to comb through online comments to detect threats not only on social media platforms such as X but also on the dark web, says Komendat. They look for what’s being said about the company, its employees and its leadership to uncover risks. ▶ Read more about the steps companies take to protect their leadership Police test DNA and fingerprints on discarded bottle as they hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO’s killer Police said Thursday they found a water bottle and protein bar wrapper from a trash can near the scene of the ambush and think the suspect bought them from a Starbucks minutes before the shooting. The items were being tested by the city’s medical examiner.TSB investigating rough plane landing in Halifax, passenger says flames were visibleMehmet Oz, the celebrity doctor picked by President-elect Donald Trump to oversee the country's Medicare and Medicaid programs, has agreed to stop promoting health and wellness products if confirmed by the Senate, according to a spokesperson for the Trump transition. Likewise, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – who recently raised eyebrows by appearing on his wife's social media account apparently showering naked in the background while she promoted her beauty line – also has agreed to disclose his finances and undergo a federal ethics review if confirmed as health secretary, said spokesperson Katie Miller. "Both Mr. Kennedy and Dr. Oz plan to divest where appropriate and fully cooperate with the Office of Government of Ethics," Miller told ABC News. Whether Trump's nominees planned to follow traditional ethics rules that have governed Washington policymakers for decades had been an open question. Trump has picked several billionaires to lead his Cabinet, while Kennedy and Oz promoted wellness companies in new online posts even after being named as part of the incoming administration. Experts say it's still possible for any nominee to try to test the bounds of ethics rules. MORE: What to know about Dr. Oz as Trump picks him to lead Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services While many requirements are spelled out in law, Trump's Justice Department would be in charge of enforcing those rules. Trump also would ultimately be in charge of the federal ethics office after inauguration and would be responsible for pursuing or authorizing any disciplinary or corrective action among his cabinet members. Still, the transition's promise to follow ethics rules is an important first step, aid Delaney Marsco, ethics director for the nonprofit Campaign Legal Center. "It is one of the most basic commitments to not commit a criminal conflict of interest violation" when taking a government job, Marsco said. "The price of having all this power is that you have to use it to serve the public. And part of that deal is that you can't have financial conflicts of interest that would cloud your judgment," she added. Ethics laws require office holders to either divest investments that pose a conflict of interest or recuse themselves from making decisions related to those investments. Separate federal regulations impose standards of conduct that generally prohibit government officials from promoting products online that could be seen as a kind of federal endorsement. Five days after Oz was named as the incoming head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid – a federal agency that oversees federal health insure for 160 million Americans and regulates private insurers – he turned to social media to promote iHerb, an online retailer that sells vitamins and supplements. "Thanksgiving is a perfect excuse for practicing gratitude -- which also happens to be a proven way to reduce stress. You can also reduce stress with adaptogens like ashwagandha from a trusted source like iHerb. Happy Thanksgiving!" Oz wrote on X, with a similar video message posted on his personal Instagram account. Last month, Kennedy posted a similar post promoting an online fitness game called BoxBollen shortly after Trump named him to be health and human services secretary. "The ideal stocking stuffer! " Kennedy said in a video playing the game and wearing the game's headband. Kennedy quickly deleted his post. Miller said Kennedy has canceled his promotional contract already, while Oz plans to end his relationship with iHerb to avoid any potential conflict of interest. MORE: Could changes be coming to Medicare, Medicaid with Dr. Oz leading CMS? Oz also does not have any ongoing contractual agreements with weight-loss drugs, which he has promoted in the past on his syndicated television show. Separately, Oz's regular posts promoting iHerb prompted calls this week by the liberal consumer watchdog group Public Citizen for an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission. FTC rules requires online influencers to make clear in their posts if they are being paid to promote products. The FTC declined to comment on whether it would consider such a request. There are no records of past actions against Oz by the FTC. Less clear is how federal ethics rules might apply to the business owned by Kennedy's wife, Cheryl Hines, which sells home and body products. Marsco of the Campaign Legal Center said spouses typically aren't required to step away from their jobs or businesses because their partner was hired by the U.S. government. However, government officials are required to recuse themselves from making decisions that could impact their spouse's employment and would still have to divest financial holdings that conflict with their work. Those details would have to be worked out with the ethics office and enforced by the president, she said. Under the law, the couple could divest their financial interest in the company to Hines' adult daughter while he remains in office. Marsco said these requirements won't kick in until after Trump takes office and they are officially nominated. "Assuming they follow through with what they've said, which is that they're going to fully cooperate and divest and follow all the conflict of interest laws and rules, then that is what is frankly expected of people in their position," she said.
#16DaysOfActivism: JFC Partners WACC, Others To End GBV In NigeriaJimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, passed away at the age of 100, leaving behind a legacy of friendship with India. During his 1978 visit to the country, a village in Haryana was renamed Carterpuri in his honor, symbolizing the unique bond he formed with the nation. Carter, seen as a friend of India, delivered a speech to the Indian Parliament emphasizing the value of democracy over authoritarian rule. He praised India for choosing its leaders freely, marking a pivotal point in US-India relations following the Janata Party's victory. The Carter administration laid the groundwork for enduring cooperation between the two countries, including achievements in nuclear energy, technology, and trade. Carter's presidency marked a pivotal era for US-India relations, shifting towards deeper partnership and mutual respect. (With inputs from agencies.)
Seaspan Corporation Signs Agreement with KVH to Equip Fleet with OneWeb Low Earth Orbit SolutionThe 27-year-old achieved the feat with a 23-yard run during the fourth quarter of the Eagles’ crushing 41-7 success at Lincoln Financial Field. Barkley is 100 yards short of Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984 for the Los Angeles Rams, ahead of next week’s regular season finale against the New York Giants. However, he could be rested for that game in order to protect him from injury ahead of the play-offs. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept alive their dreams of reaching the play-offs by overcoming the Carolina Panthers 48-14. Veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield produced a dominant performance at Raymond James Stadium, registering five passing touchdowns to equal a Buccaneers franchise record. The Buffalo Bills clinched the AFC conference number two seed for the post season with a 40-14 success over the New York Jets at Highmark Stadium. Josh Allen passed for 182 yards and two touchdowns, while rushing for another. Buffalo finish the 2024 regular season undefeated at home, with eight wins from as many games. The Indianapolis Colts’ hopes of reaching the play-offs were ended by a 45-33 defeat to the Giants. Malik Nabers exploded for 171 yards and two touchdowns and Ihmir Smith-Marsette broke a 100-yard kick-off return to give the Giants their highest-scoring output under head coach Brian Daboll. Quarterback Drew Lock threw four touchdown passes and accounted for a fifth on the ground to seal the win. Elsewhere, Mac Jones threw two touchdowns to help the Jacksonville Jaguars defeat the Tennessee Titans 20-13, while the Las Vegas Raiders beat the New Orleans Saints 25-10.The latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16 started with host Amitabh Bachchan making a smashing entry and playing the fastest finger first round. Twinkle Bhati Rathore from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh make it to the hot seat after winning the FFF. He asks Twinkle who do women cover their faces when they get extremely happy? This makes the studio audience laugh out loud. Twinkle talks about herself and reveals she is housewife and is preparing for civil services. She also shared that she pregnant and is will soon be embracing motherhood. Big B congratulated Twinkle and her husband and says that whenever she feels uncomfortable she can inform him and he will stop the game. Mr Bachchan says, "Jab Kabhi bhi aapko apatti ho humko boliyega, khela band kar denge hum, Inke swaasth ke liye ye karna hoga.' The host reads the first question for Rs 1000. Fill in the blanks with the same word to get an electric appliance and a cosmetic: air______, hair ____________. Twinkle selects Option A) Conditioner. While talking about banks, Twinkle Bhati Rathore shared a humorous story from her early days in Bhopal after marriage. She recounted how her father-in-law handed her a credit card for emergencies, but unaware of the repayment concept, she went on a shopping spree. It was only later that her father-in-law explained its purpose, leaving everyone amused. Twinkle also revealed that her husband gets jealous because his family, having no daughters, dotes on her immensely. She added a funny twist, sharing how her father-in-law once scolded and even disciplined her husband for a similar incident before their marriage. Big B asks Twinkle's husband and he revealed that after seeing his father politely explaining his wife. he felt very jealous. The incident made the host and everyone else in fits of laughter, Twinkle further reveals that her father-in-law cooks mutton curry for her and it is her favourite dish. Big B turns to her husband and says he has a tough competition at home and praises her father-in-law. Big B presents Super Sawaal for Twinkle. Bagheera, Shere Khan, and Mowgli are characters from which book set in India? The contestant answers 'Jungle Book' and wins herself the super power 'Dugnastraa'. Twinkle made a heartfelt request to Amitabh Bachchan, expressing her special wish for his autograph. She brought out a baby onesie, which she had kept with her husband, and asked the megastar to sign it. Twinkle revealed that this onesie would be the first outfit her baby would wear after birth. Big B admired the adorable outfit, signed it, and sweetly said, "Baby Rathore, hello" to the onesie, leaving everyone touched by the moment. For the question of Rs 20,000, Twinkle takes the help of 'Double Dip' lifeline. An artistic depiction of which Hindu god is seen in this image? She selects Option B) Lord Agni and wins the amount. Host Amitabh Bachchan inquired how Twinkle manages her time, balancing her preparation for civil service exams while also expecting a baby. He asks her now that she is pregnant how she takes care of her health, sleep and food. Twinkle credits her joint family for it. She says that her mother-in-law looks after her and takes care of her food. They make everything available for her even before she mentions them. They take good care of her and her husband must be getting jealous. Big B gives her his best wishes. For the Rs 1,60,000 question, Twinkle enables the super power, 'Dugnastraa' Fill in the blank in the name if the SDG India index released by NITI Aayog: ______ Developed Goals. She selects Options A) Sustainable and wins bonus of Rs 1,60,000. Moving ahead in the game, Mr Bachchan reads out the question for Rs 3,20,000. Which of these players scored two consecutive hundreds in the T20 series against South Africe in November 2024? She takes the help of 'Audience Poll' lifeline and goes with the majority. She selects Option C) Tilak Varma and wins the amount. Twinkle next plays the 'Super Sandook' round and answers 8 questions correctly. She wins Rs 80,000 and revives her 'Ask the expert' lifeline. Big B presents the question for Rs 12,50,000. What is the most volcanically active body in solar system? She takes the help of two lifelines 'Audience Poll' and 'Video Call A Friend'. As she is not confident with her friend's answer, she decides to go with 'Audience Poll' and selects Option C) A natural satellite and wins the amount. Twinkle faces a question for Rs 25,00,000. Which country decided to add a crown to their flag after it was found to be similar to Haiti's during the 1936 Olympics? As she is not confident about the answer, she decides to quit the show. She takes a guess before quitting the show and selects Option C) Luxembourg but it is the wrong answer, the correct answer is Option B) Liechtenstein Twinkle takes home Rs 12,50,000. 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 12' comes with a few changes relevant to the current times
As Lawmakers Vow to Protect ‘California Values,’ New Los Angeles County Chair Calls for Bipartisan ApproachPoll: Most Americans want US leadership on global affairs, increased defense spending
Colombia shares higher at close of trade; COLCAP up 0.27%Carson Currey signs with Glenville State University
COP29 deal clinched, what are countries saying?In a rivalry that has delivered some memorable games, No. 14 Gonzaga is set to face No. 22 UCLA on a brand-new stage Saturday when they become the first college teams to play at the Intuit Dome, the new $2 billion home of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers in Inglewood, Calif. Saturday's matchup is the fifth in as many seasons between the programs. Gonzaga (9-3) has won each of the last four, although last season's 69-65 decision in the Maui Invitational was the third of the four decided by four points or fewer. Close games have been vexing for Gonzaga early this season. With back-to-back losses to Kentucky on Dec. 7 (90-89 in overtime) and UConn on Dec. 14 (77-71), the Bulldogs fell to 0-3 in contests decided by fewer than eight points. After Gonzaga's two most recent contests -- home routs of Nicholls and Bucknell -- the Bulldogs' average margin of victory sits at 28.1 points per game. Their most competitive win was an 88-80 victory over Arizona State on Nov. 10, which was also the Bulldogs' only win decided by a single-digit-point margin. Gonzaga coach Mark Few expects Saturday's affair to mirror the close contests his team has faced through the opening weeks of this season. "It's going to be a really, really, really physical game," Few said. "UCLA's playing really hard-nosed defense, keeping the scores down. ... That's going to be a real physical challenge, much like the UConn game." UCLA (10-2) returns to action after its own close defeat, blowing a large second-half lead to fall 76-74 against North Carolina last Saturday in New York. Tyler Bilodeau and Sebastian Mack each provided season-highs with 26 and 22 points, respectively. The Bruins led by as many as 16 points after halftime, but could not overcome a field-goal drought of more than five minutes. UCLA coach Mick Cronin said the Bruins' late-game execution is an area of emphasis as they prepare for the second half of the regular season. While the team's defense is at an elite level, the offense is suspect at times. "I'm still fighting to get this group ... to where we were a couple years ago," said Cronin, referring to UCLA lineups that advanced to at least the Sweet 16 in three straight NCAA Tournaments from 2021-23. "It's hard to find guys as smart as Tyger (Campbell) and Dave Singleton." Two of those three postseasons ended with narrow losses to Gonzaga. After their most recent setback, UCLA is 1-2 when allowing more than 71 points. Opponents are scoring 58.4 points per game against the Bruins this season, seventh-best in the nation and third-best among power-conference teams. Gonzaga comes into Saturday's contest scoring 89.3 points per game, most in the nation. Six Bulldogs players average in double-figure scoring, led by big man Graham Ike's 15.5 points per game. Point guard Ryan Nembhard (11.8 points) leads the country with 10.2 assists per game. Bilodeau leads UCLA with 15.1 points per game, followed by Eric Dailey Jr. (10.8) and Mack (10.3). The Bruins boast two of the most effective turnover-creating perimeter defenders, with Kobe Johnson and Skyy Clark averaging 2.3 and 1.8 steals per game. Dailey played less than a minute in the second half vs. North Carolina after getting hit in the face in the first half. --Field Level Media
The Latest: Police believe gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO has left New York CityS&P Dow Jones Indices Float Adjusted Liquidity Ratio Clarification for Certain U.S. Indices
American troops of the 504th Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, advance by way of a fire break in the woods as they make their way to Herresbach, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge. Mary Evans via ZUMA It was their first day in battle and the two best friends had just switched places. Bob Fordyce rested while Frank Hartzell crawled down into the shallow foxhole, taking his turn chipping away at the frozen ground. Just then, German artillery fire began falling all around them. With his body plastered to the ground, Hartzell could feel shrapnel dent his helmet. When the explosions finished, he picked himself up to find that his best friend had just been killed in the blur of combat. “When you’re actually in it, it’s very chaotic,” Hartzell said. The following day, New Year’s Day 1945, Hartzell battled Nazi soldiers for control of the Belgian town of Chenogne. In the aftermath, American soldiers gunned down dozens of unarmed German prisoners of war in a field—a clear violation of the Geneva Convention. “I remember we had been given orders, take no prisoners,” Hartzell said. “When I walked past the field on the left, there were these dead bodies. I knew what they were. I knew they were dead Germans.” News of the massacre reached General George S. Patton, but no investigation followed. This was an untold story that occurred during the epic Battle of the Bulge that began in December 1944 and continued for six weeks, an event that British Prime Minister Winston Churchill described as being “undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war.” With 700,000 Allied forces involved, it was the largest battle fought by Americans, resulting in enormous numbers of casualties and marking the last offensive on the Western front. This week on Reveal , reporter Chris Harland-Dunaway investigates why the soldiers who committed the massacre at Chenogne were never held accountable. This is an update of an episode that originally aired in July 2018 .‘Wicked: The Soundtrack’ Album Review: Stephen Schwartz’s World-Beating Song Score Gets Its Due, and So Do the Divas Who Deliver It