Justin Trudeau taking the time to reflect following Freeland departureColorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders has been having a contentious day with the referees in Saturday's game against the Kansas Jayhawks. Early in the game, Sanders was the subject of a brutal dirty hit that went uncalled when a Kansas defender dove at his knees after he threw a ball, leaving him crumpled on the turf. Fans went crazy on social media after no flat was thrown on the play. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.DOST budget hike approved – Zubiri17 Palestinians killed by Israeli bombings across Gaza777pub download 。

Charlotte (4-7, 3-4 American Athletic Conference) fired Biff Poggi on Monday and Tim Brewster took over. FAU (2-9, 0-7) fired Tom Ferman, also on Monday, with Chad Lunsford taking charge. After Blake's third touchdown catch of the game that came with 5:25 left, the 49ers extended their lead when Tyriq Starks was strip-sacked by Ja'Qurious Conley and 335-pound Katron Kevans carried it 22 yards into the end zone. Blake made five catches for a career-high 205 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown. Purdie was 16 of 30 for a career-best 396 yards passing with the three scores plus an interception. The 49ers only rushed for 46 yards. Stephen Rusnak kicked four field goals. Starks was 12-of-23 passing for 179 yards including a 65-yard score to Omari Hayes in the final minute of the third quarter to get FAU within six of the 49ers. CJ Campbell rushed 58 yards to score early in the fourth quarter and the Owls had a 27-26 lead. Campbell finished with 150 yards on 21 carries. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets will be without point guard LaMelo Ball for at least two weeks because of a strained left calf. Ball felt discomfort in his calf after Wednesday night’s loss to the Miami Heat and did not play against the New York Knicks on Friday. The team said he will be reevaluated on Dec. 11, which is two weeks from the date of the original injury. Ball has been hot for the Hornets, averaging 40.3 points in his last four games. He is averaging a career-best 31.1 points and 4.7 3-pointers per game for the season, which ranks second in the NBA. He also is averaging 5.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 18 starts. Ball has had a history of injury problems, mostly to his ankles, since coming to the league as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. The only Hornets player to ever receive a max contract extension, Ball has played in just 202 games with 182 starts in five seasons. The team also said guard Tre Mann’s lower back soreness has been diagnosed as a disk irritation. His absence from the lineup began on Nov. 23 against Milwaukee. He will continue his rehabilitation and be reevaluated in two weeks. “They are competitors and they want to be out there on the court to compete and hoop, but they also want to be out there for their teammates,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said prior to Saturday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks. "I just walked past ’Melo as I was coming in here to do media, and he’s like, ‘I’m going to take care of everything I need to do on this return to play program and I’m going to attack it with the right mindset.’ I have all the confidence in the world in our performance staff and in those guys.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

A young Jimmy Carter was no stranger to gospel music growing up in the small rural town of Plains, Georgia during the ’20s and early ’30’. He heard it sung by Black tenant farmers working on his father’s land. He heard it too during 24-hour gospel sings that occurred every fifth Sunday, where quartets, local and distant gospel groups, different denominations and communities came together to rejoice around prayer, all-day-singing, and a meal. This love of gospel music, along with a deep religiosity, was implanted in Carter’s heart at a young age and stayed with him throughout his lifetime. And you could tell by the way the late president’s face would light up that his connection to not only gospel music, but also rock, folk, country, jazz, and rhythm and blues ran through the deepest parts of his soul. Jimmy Carter’s deep connection to music, especially gospel, was more than just a personal joy — it was a reflection of his broader worldview and presidency. Music served as both solace and strategy, uniting Americans across divides of race, region and politics. Carter used music as a powerful tool to embody and promote his vision of unity, human rights, and healing — a vision that resonates even more poignantly as the nation reflects on his legacy following his death on Sunday at 100. In the late summer of 1979, partway through his third year as president, Jimmy Carter hosted an afternoon of gospel music at the White House. Blankets covered the grass on the South Lawn as over 800 attendees ate fried chicken, potato salad and coleslaw on paper plates. “Gospel music is really rural music from the country. It has both Black and white derivations; it’s not a racial kind of music,” President Carter said to the crowd. “But I think it’s important to recognize that gospel music is derived from deep within the heart of human beings — it’s a music of pain, a music of longing, a music of searching, a music of hope, and a music of faith.” Since he entered hospice care in February 2023, a lot has been shared about his life. The first president to be born in a hospital was a man of many anomalies. He grew up without electricity and running water in the segregated south, yet most of his friends before he left for the Naval Academy in 1943 were African Americans. He was a peanut farmer, a nuclear engineer, a carpenter and a poet whose simple writing illuminated the historical reckoning and soul of America. One of his first official acts as governor of Georgia in 1971 was to refute the segregationist pride of his predecessor Lester Maddox, the former Georgia governor and Democratic populist, by displaying a portrait of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the capitol and by stating “the time for racial discrimination is over.” This surprised many Georgians who voted for Carter. During his presidency, he was a champion for the environment, installing solar panels at the White House. He was a staunch advocate for women’s rights, civil rights and human rights, and was a pivotal figure in the progressive New South movement, looking to modernize social attitudes ingrained in the culture of the Old South. Though arguably one of the most pietistic, genuine and well-intentioned presidents of the 20th century, Carter’s presidency was clouded by challenges, many of which were out of his control. In 1979, Iranian students stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 American diplomats hostage for 444 days. “I would play Willie Nelson music primarily,” Carter said, of the time that he spent alone, in his study, “so I could think about my problems and say a few prayers.” A failed rescue attempt was also a significant blow to his presidency, ultimately stymieing his reelection. Fuel shortages created high oil prices. Carter struggled to effectively address high inflation, high unemployment and slow economic growth that came to be known as “stagflation.” Also, the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan marked a setback in the Cold War. “Music was a way Carter could insulate himself from the political noise,” says Iwan Morgan, emeritus professor of U.S. Studies at University College London. Morgan was in the United States, doing an exchange teaching job from August 1979 to September 1980 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He recalled that the hostages were the most fundamental thing on people’s minds ultimately blighting the final years of Carter’s presidency. “Music was a way of touching the soul, probably the closest man has to do that. And music was a comfort for Carter,” Morgan says. “I’m not saying it helped him make good decisions. By any standard the attempted rescue of the Iranian hostages was a longshot highly likely to end in failure and gave Carter no real chance thereafter of negotiating the release of the hostages.” Chuck Leavell, the keyboardist for the Allman Brothers Band during the band’s rise to fame in the 1970s, came to know Jimmy Carter when he was governor of Georgia. They’d been friends ever since. Leavell would visit the Carters in Plains or Jimmy and Rosalyn would visit Leavell’s homeplace at the Charlane Woodlands and Preserve in Dry Branch, Georgia for hunting trips. Carter would always ask Leavell to play something on the piano. “I played ‘Georgia on My Mind’ for him and probably did the Allman Brothers song ‘Statesboro Blues’,” Leavell told me. “And again, just, you know, the smile that would get on his face and his eyes would light up. And, you know, it’s not like he was jumping around and dancing. Don’t get me wrong. You know, he wasn’t that kind of guy. He didn’t react in that way, but he was listening, always listening intently. You could just see it. And, you know, even though he didn’t play an instrument himself, I think he had something in his DNA that felt the music, not only heard it, but felt it.” Carter wasn’t initially well-known outside of Georgia, and an endorsement from the Allman Brothers Band in 1975, some three months before the Iowa caucuses, helped increase his candidacy, particularly among young Americans. There was a feeling at the time that young people were in charge. 1972 was the first year that 18-to-21-year-olds could cast a ballot, making the youth vote more important than ever before. So Carter both naturally and strategically aligned himself with musicians to give him a crucial boost during the Democratic primaries. A major strategy for Carter’s presidential campaign was to put on concerts on the campaign trail. It started with the Marshall Tucker Band headlining a concert at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on Oct. 31, 1975, then the Allman Brothers Band on Nov. 25 at Providence Civic Center in Providence Rhode Island, and Charlie Daniels at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on Jan. 14, 1976. Jimmy Buffett put on a benefit for Carter in Portland, Oregon. These concerts not only brought notoriety to the Carter campaign, they also brought in a lot of money that could be matched by the federal government. “Musicians don’t always feel safe with somebody except other musicians,” says Chris Farrell, lead producer of the documentary “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President.” “His authenticity definitely played a great role in his ability to connect with musicians.” The music of change at that time was rock and roll. When Gregg Allman was arrested for trying to acquire pharmaceutical grade cocaine, and testified to get out of serving a prison sentence, Jimmy never turned on Allman. He could have said, “this is too big of a risk for me” and ended his association with the Allman Brothers. “But he didn’t judge people,” Farrell says. “He just cared about who you were as an individual and that’s very spiritual in a very Christian sort of view of the world. And I think that carried over into politics; he didn’t care if you were a Republican or a Democrat. If you’re trying to do the right thing, then why can’t we all do this together? So I think it was not political expediency or effectiveness or, you know, a gimmick. I think that’s just who he was.” Carter won the presidency in 1976, and was inaugurated in 1977. The cowboy-Western film star John Wayne spoke at the inaugural ball. As a conservative, he still wished Carter well. Paul Simon sang. So did Charlie Daniels. Aretha Franklin sang “God Bless America.” Coming out of Watergate, there was a sense too that America needed to heal together. Through music, but also through unifying Republicans and Democrats alike. “John Wayne worked with President Carter to give the Panama Canal back to the Panamanian people,” says Mary Wharton, director of “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President.” “It’s that old line about people who forget about history are doomed to repeat it. And unfortunately, we’re repeating the things in history that we didn’t pay attention to.” When he was president, dozens of musicians came to the White House for themed music nights. In April, 1978 Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, and Conway Twitty were invited to an evening devoted to celebrating country music. Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Dexter Gordon, George Benson, Ron Carter and Tony Williams played a jazz event. It was an honor for Carter to bring jazz musicians who hadn’t been recognized by the government to the White House. He used music as a way for people to see a common humanity among different races, religions and cultural backgrounds. He felt jazz helped break down the racial divide in the country. Cecil Taylor, Chick Correa — their presence wasn’t just for performance. Their inclusion was a statement against racial prejudice, a reminder of music’s potential to dissolve barriers. Carter felt deeply that jazz and country music represented America. Carter also used music to entertain and educate members of Congress. He held a Nascar event, where country singer Willie Nelson performed on the South Lawn. It’s as if Carter used music as a reflective mindfulness practice, decades before the mainstream was aware of what mindfulness is. The Carter administration never dropped a bomb, fired a missile or shot a bullet to kill another person. After his presidency, the Carter Center helped eradicate Guinea worm disease. For 35 years, he spent at least a week every year building houses for Habitat for Humanity. In the days and weeks to come, I imagine a revisionist history about Carter’s presidency will begin to unravel. This began in 2020, with the release of the documentary “Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President,” and will continue, especially now during a time where the world seems more divided than ever. Carter was a president with a lot of faith and a lot of soul. He cried when thinking of his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn. The man was calculated and believed in the power of music. Scholars and historians will remember that Carter wanted to represent America’s value system by making human rights the center of his foreign policy. He helped broker the Camp David Accords, a negotiated peace agreement between Israel and Egypt, marking the first time an Arab country recognized Israel. When I remember Carter, I will think of a man listening to the painful ballads of Willie Nelson when trying to be mindful and make sense of complex problems. I will also think of Jan Williams, the pianist at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. “Carter said he couldn’t sing,” she told me. “But I liked his voice.” The late president first attended Maranatha Baptist Church in 1981 and started teaching Sunday School there until 2015. “His favorite song was always ‘When I Get To Heaven’,” Williams says, thinking of Jimmy reunited with his Rosalynn again.

NoneSave articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Sydney is a stuffed stocking of imminent Christmas shows, concerts and events. From The Nutcracker and Elf: The Musical to Rockettes-inspired dance and magic spectaculars, immersive North Pole worlds, Christmas cabarets, yuletide movies with live orchestras and buses and streets decorated with tinsel, baubles and millions of lights. Ring in the season with these bell-jingling festivities. Grace Carroll and Marcus Morelli star in the Australian Ballet production of The Nutcracker . Credit: Simon Eeles The Nutcracker The traditional festive tale of Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, the Rat King and the Nutcracker Prince twirls through the Kingdom of Sweets in two shows. The Australian Ballet’s rendition of Sir Peter Wright’s classic production is led by soloist Mia Heathcote amid swirling snowflakes, toy soldiers and a Christmas tree growing to the ceiling (until December 18, Sydney Opera House). The Australian Chamber Orchestra’s production (December 13-22, Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay) features ballet and live classical music in collaboration with David McAllister, former artistic director of the Australian Ballet. A livestream of the Australian Ballet production runs December 12-26. Christmas spectaculars Big Christmas Spectacular , an all-ages, all-twinkling, old-fashioned Christmas concert with a choreographed battalion of 40 dancers, live orchestra and choir trilling carols and Christmas songs will fill the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall (December 1). The Christmas Spectacular (December 20-22, State Theatre) is a sequinned carousel of magic tricks, circus skills, high-kicking chorus dancers and Nutcracker -inspired choreography. Led by Prinnie Stevens, it also features conjurer Michael Boy. The Sydney Santa Spectacular (December 12-26, Blacktown Showgrounds) has a double-decker carousel, bumper cars, circus shows, jumping castles, toboggan snow slides, a Santa train, a petting zoo and a walk-through enchanted forest with falling “snow”. Gareth Isaac and Simon Burke star in Elf: The Musical . Credit: Christmas movies on stage The Sydney Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Northey, presents Home Alone in Concert , a live performance of John Williams’ score with a screening of the 1990 Christmas film classic starring Macaulay Culkin (December 5-8, Sydney Opera House). Elf: The Musical , a stage adaptation of the beloved 2003 Will Ferrell Christmas movie about a human raised by Santa’s elves at the North Pole searching for his father in New York, features Gareth Isaac ( Grease the Musical , Mary Poppins ) as Buddy and Simon Burke ( Wicked , Moulin Rouge! The Musical ) as Walter Hobbs, the father who knows nothing of his son (December 19-29, Sydney Opera House). Hayes Theatre’s Irving Berlin’s Holiday Inn (until December 22), based on the 1942 film and directed by Sally Dashwood, follows crooner Jim Hardy’s new life in Connecticut, with classic tunes Cheek to Cheek , Steppin’ Out with My Baby and White Christmas . You can also revisit Nancy Meyers’ romance The Holiday , starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz, with its Hans Zimmer score played live-to-film by Southern Cross Symphony (December 14, Darling Harbour Theatre, International Convention Centre), and then Richard Curtis’ 2003 Christmas film Love, Actually , with the soundtrack played live by Sydney Lyric Orchestra and conducted by Guy Noble (Darling Harbour Theatre, ICC, December 21) as well as its hits (Mariah Carey, Joni Mitchell, the Beatles and more) sung live in Christmas Actually at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre, Rooty Hill (December 21). MacGyver Models’ Simon Cavanough at work on a David Jones Christmas window installation. Credit: Louie Douvis Christmas windows Created over 12 months by artists, designers, engineers and sculptors at MacGyver Models in Marrickville, the David Jones Christmas windows feature more than 50 motorised puppets in scenes based on A Very Wombat Christmas , illustrated by Lachlan Creagh. Elizabeth Street, Sydney CBD. The Nightmare Before Christmas is the perfect balance of scary and merry. Credit: Tim Burton Emo Christmas – Emo Night Dress as Wednesday, Beetlejuice, Pumpkin King Jack Skellington or any character from Burton’s oeuvre ( The Nightmare Before Christmas seems a ripe choice) at this gathering of festive gloom, emo music and makeovers, with prizes for best costume (December 14, Oxford Art Factory). Carols by Cabaret Raising money for the Wayside Chapel, the Hayes Theatre’s Carols by Cabaret returns for its 11th year with an evening of tunes sung by musical theatre and cabaret performers, plus Christmas cocktails (December 9, Hayes Theatre). Wundrful World of Christmas is peak Christmas. Credit: Immersive Christmas world A mix of CGI animations, festooned Christmas trees, a North Pole post office and Mrs Claus baking in her kitchen, Wundrful World of Christmas is a walk-through experience with elves, a gigantic advent calendar, a wishing well and a visit from Santa (until December 24, Wundr Store, 31 Market Street, Sydney CBD). Go fully festive at Carols in the Domain. Credit: Christmas carol concerts Have a picnic with harbour views, Christmas choir carols, dancing elves and festive disco action at Taronga Zoo’s Christmas Concert (December 14, Taronga Zoo concert lawns). Carols in the Domain (December 21) features performances from the Wiggles, Samantha Jade and Rhonda Burchmore, plus dancers, a youth orchestra and two choirs. Santa is also expected. Christmas at Sydney Town Hall (December 17) features carols, choirs, harp-playing, the NSW Police Band and music from the 134-year-old grand organ. The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra performs Noël Noël. Credit: Keith Saunders Brandenburg Orchestra – Noël Noël The Brandenburg’s annual Christmas concert, a collection of traditional chamber music, chorales and festive music performed with the Brandenburg Choir, has swelled to include extra performances in various Sydney churches. The programs, which range from O Come All Ye Faithful and Stille Nacht to excerpts from Vivaldi’s Gloria and Monteverdi’s L’Orfeo , is at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Paddington (December 10); Parish of Holy Name Church, Wahroonga (December 11); City Recital Hall, Angel Place, Sydney CBD (December 12,14); and St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta (December 17). Bus driver Ian Rowsell behind the wheel of his best-decorated bus of the 2023 Christmas season. Credit: Steven Siewert Train Rides with Santa Catch Transport Heritage NSW Christmas railway rides via steam tram, steam train or electric train with the bearded one onboard. Routes include Blue Mountains departures (December 7-8, 14-15), Central to Rhodes (December 7-8) and Thirlmere to Buxton (December 7-8). Santa is also flying in for train rides at the Zig Zag Railway in Clarence (December 7-8). The annual Christmas bus decoration competition , with city buses decked inside and out with tinsel, baubles, twinkling coloured lights and Santa hat-wearing drivers, is also expected to return. Stock up at the Carriageworks Christmas markets. Credit: Anna Kucera Christmas Markets Festive markets festoon the city in November and December. Grab hams, fresh-cut Christmas trees, fruit puddings, mince pies, Christmas tree-shaped crumpets, farm produce and chats with Santa on a velvet throne in full sunshine. Cambridge Christmas Markets are at Centenary Square, Parramatta (November 28); Steyne Park, Double Bay (November 30); Royal Randwick Racecourse (December 6); Burwood Park (December 14); and Green Square Plaza (December 21). Swing between Martin Place Christmas Markets (running between November 28 and December 21), and the wooden chalets, wine bars and melted cheese stations of French-themed Le Jolly Market in Belmore Park, Haymarket (December 13-22) and Mosman Christmas Night Market (December 12). The Summer Seasonal Market (December 7) at Carriageworks offers fresh produce, cut and potted Christmas trees and cooking demonstrations from Nadine Ingram of Flour and Stone bakery. Gather meat, vegetables, baked goods, jams, pickles and preserves at the Carriageworks Christmas Market (December 21), also featuring handmade ceramics and a Christmas DJ. Then gird yourself for the Sydney Fish Market 36-Hour Seafood Marathon (December 23-24) at Pyrmont. The spectacular Martin Place Christmas tree. Credit: James Alcock Giant Christmas trees and lights The annual Martin Place Christmas tree , the tallest Christmas tree in NSW, lights up with Santa’s arrival on a sleigh on November 28 (until January 3) with more than 110,000 LED lights, 330 baubles, a 3.4-metre colour-changing star and 15,000 decorations comprising waratah, bottlebrush, wattle, eucalyptus gum flower, kangaroo paw, flannel flower, pink wax flower and white wax flower. Choirs sing each day at 6pm, December 1-24. There is also a Canopy of Light , with 80,000 suspended lights, across Pitt Street Mall (November 28-January 1), the Queen Victoria Building’s ceiling-high Christmas tree with artwork created with First Nations artists from Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative, and the lighting of a 16-metre-high tree at Parramatta Square (November 28) with carols and live music. Darling Square’s light tunnel returns (with live DJs on December 7, 14 and 21). St Mary’s Cathedral is running its light shows and projections, along with trees, stalls and live entertainment (December 12-25). No mistaking the message at 7 South Street, Tempe. Credit: Steven Siewert Christmas house decoration streets An army of tinsel-loving residents, bravely casting aside thoughts of their electricity bills, decorate their homes with millions of flashing bulbs across hundreds of Sydney streets each year. Visit the biggest and most creative displays on Cumberland Road, Whalans Road and Vernon Street in Greystanes, Benaud Street in St Clair, O’Neill Street in Guildford and Lochview Crescent, The Rapids and Caley Way in Mount Annan. There are also South Street in Tempe, Alice Street in Rooty Hill, Avoca Street in North Bondi, Magic Grove in Mosman, Dunmore Street in Bexley North, Sydney Road in Hornsby, and First, Second, Third and Fourth avenues in Willoughby. Payten Avenue in Roselands goes all-out. Check christmaslightsearch.com.au/australia for a map of streets with Christmas displays. Contact Santa Claus Call Father Christmas at his North Pole workshop for free from any Telstra Payphone (dial #HO HO HO or #46 46 46). For written messages, visit any Australia Post Office before December 24 to hand-deliver letters, wish-lists or drawings, and you’ll receive Santa’s reply on the spot. A group dance at the Wayside Chapel Christmas lunch. Credit: Getty Images Helping others People can donate money, volunteer their time and buy products to help charity organisations across Sydney to help others at Christmas. Check out Two Good Co, which supports women escaping violence and abuse; Variety Australia, which fundraises for sick, disadvantaged and disabled children; Share the Dignity, for providing access to sanitary products; Orange Sky, which offers laundry services to homeless people; Wayside Chapel, which provides year-round assistance and a free Christmas lunch for people affected by homelessness or social isolation; and OzHarvest, which provides food and meals to people in need. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday .

Coi Leray rolls into 2025 with a new Range Rover. The rap star shared with fans that her boyfriend and fellow rap star Trippie Redd bought her a new ride for Christmas. Wrapped with a bow, Leray posted an Instagram story showing off the new car. She expressed her love for Trippie Redd in the caption. It reads: "Thank you, baby. I love you so much." Trippie Redd would appear in a second Instagram story. He shared the Range Rover on his Instagram account with the caption, "4Bae." Social media praised the couple's love in their comments. "Cute together [heart-eye face emoji]," commented a user. Another user wrote, "Much power to them it’s nice and all but I feel like once they got back together she been out the loop a lot cause I got used to seeing her doing the stuff she do maybe I’m wrong but I just feel like she needs to get back in grind mode." Before the gift, Trippie Redd previewed new music. Read more: Trippie Redd Bashes His Fans For Leaking Music In Bitter Twitter Rant View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Akademy TV (@theakademytv) Trippie Redd and Coi Leray rekindled their relationship in September. When asked how he and Coi found their way back to each other, Trippie explained, “I reached out and told her I missed her. We’ve been talking for a while, keeping things on the low. That’s my boo.” Their breakup in 2019 inspired Trippie’s heartfelt track “Leray,” a somber ballad where he poured out his pain. In the song, he lamented, “It was love at first sight and misery after two months. You were only messing with my feelings because you didn’t know your own.” He added, “Sometimes I’m miserable without you, so it’s just like you’re still here.” Fans are now watching closely as Trippie Redd and Coi Leray write this new chapter. With both artists hinting at music collaborations and sharing glimpses of their relationship, the duo seems ready to turn the page on their past and embrace the future together. Read more: Trippie Redd Reveals How He And Coi Leray Got Back Together [ Via ]NIPC partners Afreximbank as firm commits $50mUS agencies should use advanced technology to identify mysterious drones, Schumer says

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets will be without point guard LaMelo Ball for at least two weeks because of a strained left calf. Ball felt discomfort in his calf after Wednesday night’s loss to the Miami Heat and did not play against the New York Knicks on Friday. The team said he will be reevaluated on Dec. 11, which is two weeks from the date of the original injury. Ball has been hot for the Hornets, averaging 40.3 points in his last four games. He is averaging a career-best 31.1 points and 4.7 3-pointers per game for the season, which ranks second in the NBA. He also is averaging 5.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 18 starts. Ball has had a history of injury problems, mostly to his ankles, since coming to the league as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. The only Hornets player to ever receive a max contract extension, Ball has played in just 202 games with 182 starts in five seasons. The team also said guard Tre Mann’s lower back soreness has been diagnosed as a disk irritation. His absence from the lineup began on Nov. 23 against Milwaukee. He will continue his rehabilitation and be reevaluated in two weeks. “They are competitors and they want to be out there on the court to compete and hoop, but they also want to be out there for their teammates,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said prior to Saturday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks. "I just walked past ’Melo as I was coming in here to do media, and he’s like, ‘I’m going to take care of everything I need to do on this return to play program and I’m going to attack it with the right mindset.’ I have all the confidence in the world in our performance staff and in those guys.” AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBAAdam Titlbach had the only goal for Vancouver Giants – his eighth tally of the season – as Everett Silvertips scored two power play goals and two shorthanded goals in a 7-1 win on Friday night, Nov. 30 at the Langley Events Centre. Giants Head Coach Manny Viveiros apologized to the fans. "We just got outclassed," Viveiros said. "Completely outclassed. Credit to Everett. They're good. They work. They know their identity. They know how to play. Even if they don't have their game, they stick with it. We don't do that. Our group doesn't do that. When things get tough sometimes, guys do individual things instead of staying with the system or giving ourselves an opportunity to at least compete. We didn't do that tonight. I'm just sorry for the fans that had to watch that tonight. It was not a good effort from our group at all tonight." The Giants' record drops to 10-9-4 this season, while the first place Silvertips improve to 20-3-2-1. Everett has a league best 12 road wins and have one regulation loss in their last 18 games (14-1-2-1). Julius Miettinen scored a pair for Everett, who also got goals from Dominik Rymon, Carter Bear, Clarke Schaefer, Jesse Heslop and Tyler McKenzie. The final shots on goal in the game were 40-19 for Everett. Silvertips got things started with a shorthanded goal 6:31 into the first period, after McKenzie stole the puck on the forecheck and found Rymon for a one-timer. The visitors extended their lead to 2-0 with 31 seconds left in the first period when Bear got the last touch at the far post following a tremendous pad save from Carter Capton. Less than five minutes into period two, Vancouver got some life thanks to an Everett turnover where Brett Olson fed a pass to Titlbach in front of the goal. Several minutes later, however, Everett went back ahead by two thanks to Schaeffer's first career WHL goal, off a good shot pass from defenceman Eric Jamieson from the left circle. Miettinen would get on the board with another shorthanded goal when he beat two Giants defenders to a loose puck at centre ice and broke in alone, firing home his eighth of the season to make the score 4-1 after 40 minutes. Heslop scored 29 seconds into the third period to stretch the Silvertips lead to 5-1, before Miettinen and McKenzie added goals as well, making it a 7-1 final. Everett outshot Vancouver 40-19. Next, Giants host the Seattle Thunderbirds Sunday, Dec. 1 at LEC. Puck drops at 4 p.m.

Number of seats: Four Seats filled: 0 20.44pm Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik said she will speak to the leaders of the Green Party and the Social Democrats to build a “left bloc”. She told reporters at the RDS: “The first thing I will do is speak to the leaders of other parties and groupings that share our vision and our values and, explicitly, I mean the Green Party and the Social Democrats. “They’re the first people we speak to because what we have learned, I think, is that we must have the critical mass of numbers to deliver on the vision of change that we have. We want to see a left bloc, a common platform, come together.” 19.22pm The first two counts in Dublin Bay South have not seen anyone elected but show that James Geoghegan of Fine Gael is topping the poll. The following candidates were eliminated on the first count - Lauralee Doyle (Irish People), John Dominic Keigher (Ind), Daniel Pocock (27), David Hennessy (IND). The following candidates were eliminated at the end of the second count - Mannix Flynn (Ind) and Peter Dooley (Ind). James Geoghegan currently has 6069 votes. The quota is 7957. Andrews, Chris (SF) 5166 Bacik, Ivana (Lab) 5795 Blain, Emma (FG) 4190 Chu, Hazel (Green) 3332 Delahunty, Nick (Ind) 2108 Geoghegan, James (FG) 6171 Hayes, Eoin (Soc Dems) 3702 O’Callaghan, Jim (FF) 5779 O’Connell, Kate (IND) 1905 Purcell, Brigid (PBP/SOL) 1413 Mary Lou elected Eliminated: Brigid Purcell 12.24pm The final tally is in and looking good for Fine Gael’s James Geoghegan who has pulled over 15pc of the vote. Labour leader Ivana Bacik also polled strongly on 14.2pc, followed by Fianna Fail’s Jim O’Callaghan on 13.7pc, and Sinn Fein’s Chris Andrews on 12pc. Opening more boxes didn’t do any favours for Green Party’s Hazel Chu who is now down the list on 8.2pc. 30/11/24 The count starts on the 2024 election at the count centre in the RDFS Simmonscourt.. Picture: Arthur Carron Tallies indicate first major wins and casualties in tight race 9.35am: The Green Party's Hazel Chu is in trouble as she aims to take Eamon Ryan's seat in Dublin Bay South. The tallymen are predicting Fine Gael's James Geoghegan, Labour's Ivana Bacik, Fianna Fail's Jim O'Callaghan and Sinn Féin's Chris Andrews will take the seats. But it will be tight, according to former Labour TD Kevin Humphreys. The transfers of Social Democrats candidate Eoin Hayes will determine the outcome. He is transferring soft left to Bacik and Chu. Early days in Dublin Bay South, but Sinn Fein Chris Andrews is holding up well in his inner city heartland. The first boxes opened are from the east of the constituency.(All times Eastern) Schedule subject to change and/or blackouts Wednesday, Dec. 18 AMERICAN HOCKEY LEAGUE 7 p.m. NHLN — Providence at Lehigh Valley COLLEGE BASKETBALL (MEN’S) 6:30 p.m. CBSSN — Creighton at Georgetown 7 p.m. ESPN2 — Memphis at Virginia FS1 — Xavier at UConn 8 p.m. SECN — The Citadel at Vanderbilt 9 p.m. BTN — CS Northridge at Southern Cal CBSSN — Alabama at N. Dakota ESPN2 — Michigan at Oklahoma FS1 — Butler at Marquette 11 p.m. FS1 — Washington St. at Washington COLLEGE BASKETBALL (WOMEN’S) 6:30 p.m. ESPNU — North Carolina vs. Florida, Charlotte, N.C. 7 p.m. ACCN — Wofford at Duke 8:30 p.m. ESPNEWS — Tennessee at Memphis COLLEGE FOOTBALL 5:30 p.m. ESPN — The Boca Raton Bowl: W. Kentucky vs. James Madison, Boca Raton, Fla. 8:30 p.m. ESPNU — NJCAA Tournament: Hutchinson Community College vs. Iowa Western Community College, Championship, Canyon, Texas 9 p.m. ESPN — The Art of Sport L.A. Bowl: California vs. UNLV, Los Angeles GOLF 3:30 a.m. (Thursday) GOLF — DP World Tour: The AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, First Round, Mont Choisy Le Golf, Grand-Baie, Mauritius NHL HOCKEY 7 p.m. TNT — Philadelphia at Detroit TRUTV — Philadelphia at Detroit (DataCast) 9:30 p.m. TNT — Florida at Minnesota SOCCER (MEN'S) 2:40 p.m. CBSSN — EFL Carabao Cup: Brentford at Newcastle United, Quarterfinal TENNIS 6 a.m. TENNIS — Next Gen ATP Finals: Round Robin 11 a.m. TENNIS — Next Gen ATP Finals: Round Robin 6 a.m. (Thursday) TENNIS — Next Gen ATP Finals: Round Robin The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV .

As the product innovation progresses in the Philippines, the generation of plastic waste in packaging and manufacturing sectors also grows. This heightened the need for sustainable packaging solutions, which continues to be unmet due to lack of standard criteria for sustainable packaging materials. Recognizing this challenge, the Department of Science and Technology, through the Industrial Technology and Development Institute (DOST-ITDI), is driving innovative approaches to eco-friendly packaging that reduces environmental impact and promotes resource efficiency. These initiatives were discussed at a conference dubbed as “Initiatives of DOST-ITDI on Green and Sustainable Packaging” during the Regional Science and Technology Week organized by the DOST Region XI at a mall in Davao City on November 12. Mary Joy Paico, from DOST-ITDI’s Packaging Technology Division (PTD), underscored in her message the importance of packaging in all products. She noted that it is essential for containment, protection and preservation, communication, and convenience. “Packaging is not only intended for food, it is also used for furniture and other products,” she said. Types of plastic Paico identified the different types of plastic packaging that are commonly used in the market. They are marked with numbers indicating their types. The Resin Identification Code (RIC) from numbers 1 to 7 are used to label different types of plastic packaging to help consumers and recyclers for proper waste identification and management. She also distinguished bio-based plastics, made from renewable sources, from petroleum-based ones, emphasizing bio-based plastics’ potential for lower emissions, although their recyclability varies. Sustainable Packaging and Health Paico said partly in Filipino: “Sustainable packaging protects not only the environment but also the people’s health.” Moreover, she differentiated compostable and biodegradable plastics, noting that while all compostable materials are biodegradable, not all biodegradable materials are compostable. Widely recyclable and reusable items like textile fibers and plastic lumber are marked with No. 1 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), including water and soda bottles, and No. 2 High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), such as milk jugs and detergent bottles. Pipes and food wraps marked with No. 3 PolyVinyl Chloride present recycling issues because of their high chlorine content and potentially harmful additions that can emit poisonous chemicals. However, because of their low-quality and low cost, products branded No. 4 Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), like bread bags and plastic wraps, have few recycling possibilities. Furthermore, polypropylene (PP) products—like yogurt containers and straws with the No. 5 label—are durable and recyclable but lose their strength through the recycling process. Owing to their poor scrap value, No. 6 PolyStyrene (PS) goods, such as coffee cups and takeout containers, frequently wind up in landfills. Plastics used in No. 7 items differ in their capacity to be recycled. Waste management is aided by these codes, which promote sustainability and efficient recycling. On photodegradable and oxodegradable plastics and their varying degradation mechanisms, Paico said their efficient waste management is highlighted by the fact that photodegradable plastics decompose in the presence of sunshine using UV light, while oxodegradable polymers fragment using heat and oxygen. Green packaging lab To address the demand for sustainable solutions, DOST-ITDI established the Green Packaging Laboratory, focusing on developing alternative packaging materials. The initiative involves farmers as key suppliers of agricultural/aquacultural waste as raw materials. Among DOST-ITDI’s sustainable projects with prototypes are pineapple leaf fiber-based partition boards and cushion pads, chitosan-based antioxidant biodegradable packaging, and anti-insect biodegradable packaging made with PVA, chitosan, and essential oils. Pectin-based biodegradable packaging from calamansi and mango peels showcases the valorization of agricultural waste, although it faces cost challenges due to the lack of locally available producers. For example, chitosan powder is usually imported. Testing and safety The DOST-ITDI PTD’s specialized laboratories conduct tests to assess the overall migration of packaging materials to ensure safety. Through these initiatives, DOST-ITDI continues to push for innovations that make packaging more sustainable while considering economic and practical factors. Through advanced materials and sustainable design, these initiatives aim to minimize waste, improve recyclability, and support a circular economy for a greener future. The 2024 Regional Science Technology and Innovation Week is among the regional celebrations leading to the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week held in Cagayan de Oro from November 27 to December 1.

President-elect Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell could be on a policy collision course in 2025 depending on how economic circumstances play out. Should the economy run hot and inflation flare up again, Powell and his colleagues could decide to tap the brakes on their efforts to lower interest rates. That in turn could infuriate Trump, who lashed Fed officials including Powell during his first term in office for not relaxing monetary policy quickly enough. “Without question,” said Joseph LaVorgna, former chief economist at the National Economic Council during Trump’s first term, when asked about the potential for a conflict. “When they don’t know what to do, oftentimes they don’t do anything. That may be a problem. If the president feels like rates should be lowered, does the Fed, just for public optics, dig its feet in?” Though Powell became Fed chair in 2018, after Trump nominated him for the position, the two clashed often about the direction of interest rates. Trump publicly and aggressively berated the chair , who in turn responded by asserting how important it is for the Fed to be independent and apart from political pressures, even if they’re coming from the president. When Trump takes office in January, the two will be operating against a different backdrop. During the first term, there was little inflation, meaning that even Fed rate hikes kept benchmark rates well below where they are now. Trump is planning both expansionary and protectionist fiscal policy , even more so than during his previous run, that will include an even tougher round of tariffs, lower taxes and big spending. Should the results start to show up in the data, the Powell Fed may be tempted to hold tougher on monetary policy against inflation. LaVorgna, chief economist at SMBC Nikko Securities, who is rumored for a position in the new administration, thinks that would be mistake. “They’re going to look at a very nontraditional approach to policy that Trump is bringing forward but put it through a very traditional economic lens,” he said. “The Fed’s going to have a really difficult choice based on their traditional approach of what to do.” Market sees fewer rate cuts Futures traders have been waffling in recent days on their expectations for what the Fed will do next. The market is pricing in about a coin-flip chance of another interest rate cut in December, after it being a near certainty a week ago, according to the CME Group’s FedWatch gauge. Pricing further out indicates the equivalent of three quarter percentage point reductions through the end of 2025, which also has come down significantly from prior expectations. Investors’ nerves have gotten jangled in recent days about the Fed’s intentions. Fed Governor Michelle Bowman on Wednesday noted that progress on inflation has “stalled,” an indication that she might continue to push for a slower pace of rate cuts. “All roads lead to tensions between the White House and the Fed,” said Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM. “It won’t just be the White House. It will be Treasury, it’ll be Commerce and the Fed all intersecting.” Indeed, Trump is building a team of loyalists to implement his economic agenda, but much of the success depends on accommodative or at least accurate monetary policy that doesn’t push too hard to either boost or restrict growth. For the Fed, that is represented in the quest to find the “neutral” rate of interest, but for the new administration, it could mean something different. The struggle over where rates should be will create “political and policy tensions between the Federal Reserve and the White House that would clearly prefer lower rates,” Brusuelas said. “If one is going to impose tariffs, or mass deportations, you’re talking about restricting aggregate supply while simultaneously implementing deficit finance tax cuts, which is encouraging an increase in aggregate demand. You’ve got a basic inconsistency in your policy matrix,” he added. “There’s an inevitable crossroads that results in tensions between Trump and Powell.” Avoiding conflict To be sure, there are some factors that could mitigate the tensions. One is that Powell’s term as Fed chair expires in early 2026, so Trump may simply choose to ride it out until he can put someone in the chair more to his liking. There’s also little chance that the Fed would actually move to raise rates outside of some highly unexpected event that would push inflation much higher. Also, Trump’s policies will take a while to make their way through the system, so any impacts on inflation and macroeconomic growth likely won’t be readily apparent in the data, thus not necessitating a Fed response. There’s also the chance that the impacts might not be that much either way. “I expect higher inflation and slower growth. I think the tariffs and the deportations are negative supply shocks. They hurt growth and they lift inflation,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “The Fed will still cut interest rates next year, just perhaps not as quickly as would have otherwise been the case.” Battles with Trump, then, could be more of a headache for the next Fed chair, assuming Trump doesn’t reappoint Powell. “So I don’t think it’s going to be an issue in 2025,” Zandi said. “It could be an issue in 2026, because at that point, the rate cutting’s over and the Fed may be in a position where it certainly needs to start raising interest rates. Then that’s when it becomes an issue.”

BOSTON — Forty years ago, Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie rolled to his right and threw a pass that has become one of college football’s most iconic moments. With Boston College trailing defending champion Miami, Flutie threw the Hail Mary and found receiver Gerard Phalen, who made the grab while falling into the end zone behind a pair of defenders for a game-winning 48-yard TD. Flutie and many of his 1984 teammates were honored on the field during BC’s 41-21 victory over North Carolina before the second quarter on Saturday afternoon, the anniversary of the Eagles’ Miracle in Miami. “There’s no way its been 40 years,” Flutie told The Associated Press on the sideline a few minutes before he walked out with some of his former teammates to be recognized after a video of The Play was shown on the scoreboards. A statue commemorating Doug Flutie's famed "Hail Mary" pass during a game against Miami on Nov. 23, 1994, sits outside Alumni Stadium at Boston College. Famous football plays often attain a legendary status with religious names like the "Immaculate Reception," the "Hail Mary" pass and the Holy Roller fumble. It’s a moment and highlight that’s not only played throughout decades of BC students and fans, but around the college football world. “What is really so humbling is that the kids 40 years later are wearing 22 jerseys, still,” Flutie said of his old number. “That amazes me.” That game was played on national TV the Friday after Thanksgiving. The ironic thing is it was originally scheduled for earlier in the season before CBS paid Rutgers to move its game against Miami, thus setting up the BC-Miami post-holiday matchup. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie rejoices in his brother Darren's arms after B.C. defeats Miami with a last second touchdown pass on Nov. 23, 1984, in Miami. “It shows you how random some things are, that the game was moved,” Flutie said. “The game got moved to the Friday after Thanksgiving, which was the most watched game of the year. We both end up being nationally ranked and up there. All those things lent to how big the game itself was, and made the pass and the catch that much more relevant and remembered because so many people were watching.” There’s a statue of Flutie winding up to make The Pass outside the north gates at Alumni Stadium. Fans and visitors can often be seen taking photos there. “In casual conversation, it comes up every day,” Flutie said, when asked how many times people bring it up. “It brings a smile to my face every time we talk about it.” A week after the game-ending Flutie pass, the Eagles beat Holy Cross and before he flew off to New York to accept the Heisman. They went on to win the 49th Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day. Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie evades Miami defensive tackle Kevin Fagan during the first quarter of a game on Nov. 23, 1984, in Miami, Fla. “Forty years seem almost like incomprehensible,” said Phalen, also standing on the sideline a few minutes after the game started. “I always say to Doug: ‘Thank God for social media. It’s kept it alive for us.”’ Earlier this week, current BC coach Bill O’Brien, 55, was asked if he remembered where he was 40 years ago. “We were eating Thanksgiving leftovers in my family room,” he said. “My mom was saying a Rosary in the kitchen because she didn’t like Miami and wanted BC to win. My dad, my brother and I were watching the game. “It was unbelievable,” he said. “Everybody remembers where they were for the Hail Mary, Flutie pass.” Mike Tyson, left, slaps Jake Paul during a weigh-in ahead of their heavyweight bout, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Spain's tennis player Rafael Nadal serves during a training session at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, in Malaga, southern Spain, on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) A fan takes a picture of the moon prior to a qualifying soccer match for the FIFA World Cup 2026 between Uruguay and Colombia in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Santiago Mazzarovich) Rasmus Højgaard of Denmark reacts after missing a shot on the 18th hole in the final round of World Tour Golf Championship in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Taylor Fritz of the United States reacts during the final match of the ATP World Tour Finals against Italy's Jannik Sinner at the Inalpi Arena, in Turin, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (1) fails to pull in a pass against Atlanta Falcons cornerback Dee Alford (20) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/ Brynn Anderson) Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love, top right, scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) India's Tilak Varma jumps in the air as he celebrates after scoring a century during the third T20 International cricket match between South Africa and India, at Centurion Park in Centurion, South Africa, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski warms up before facing the Seattle Kraken in an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Kansas State players run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) A fan rapped in an Uruguay flag arrives to the stands for a qualifying soccer match against Colombia for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico) People practice folding a giant United States flag before an NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Brazil's Marquinhos attempts to stop the sprinklers that were turned on during a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match against Venezuela at Monumental stadium in Maturin, Venezuela, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos) Georgia's Georges Mikautadze celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League, group B1 soccer match between Georgia and Ukraine at the AdjaraBet Arena in Batumi, Georgia, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Tamuna Kulumbegashvili) Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque, right, attempts to score while Minnesota Wild right wing Ryan Hartman (38) and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (32) keep the puck out of the net during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Ellen Schmidt) Mike Tyson, left, fights Jake Paul during their heavyweight boxing match, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Italy goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario misses the third goal during the Nations League soccer match between Italy and France, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (88) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) President-elect Donald Trump attends UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) Fans argue in stands during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between France and Israel at the Stade de France stadium in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, Thursday Nov. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova hits a return against Danielle Collins, of the United States, during a tennis match at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals at the Martin Carpena Sports Hall, Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024, in Malaga, southern Spain. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) St. John's guard RJ Luis Jr. (12) falls after driving to the basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against New Mexico, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith) England's Anthony Gordon celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between England and the Republic of Ireland at Wembley stadium in London, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung) Katie Taylor, left, lands a right to Amanda Serrano during their undisputed super lightweight title bout, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DJ Turner, right, tackles Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington, left, on a punt return during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) UConn's Paige Bueckers (5) battles North Carolina's Laila Hull, right, for a loose ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Greensboro, N.C., Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown) Get local news delivered to your inbox!

The bad news for Chicago Bulls vice president of basketball operations Artūras Karnišovas is that Patrick Williams is out for an undetermined length of time with inflammation in his surgically repaired left foot. The good news is Karnišovas will get to see more of his latest project, Matas Buzelis, who figures to get more minutes as Williams rests his swollen foot. As the Bulls prepared to play the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday at the United Center in the second game of back-to-backs, the Buzelis buzz was growing, albeit at a low frequency. With Julian Phillips also sidelined Saturday with an illness, someone joked it was turning into “the Matas Buzelis Show.” “Maybe,” coach Billy Donovan said. “I’m here for the whole five positions.” With Williams and Phillips out, Donovan said he would have to utilize more of his bench against the Grizzlies as the Bulls attempted to win back-to-back games for the first time. Karnišovas gave Williams a five-year, $90 million extension in June, showing confidence Williams eventually would blossom into the player the Bulls envisioned when they selected him with the fourth pick in the 2020 draft. Williams was a 19-year old who didn’t start for Florida State but was chosen for his athleticism and upside as a 6-8 forward who can handle the ball. “Long arms, big hands,” Karnišovas said then. “Such an upside and potential. He can play from one through five. Played point guard in high school. Humble kid that is mature beyond his years. This is what the NBA is today.” Williams insisted Friday that he could’ve played if needed, but the Bulls aren’t likely to rush him back so soon into the season. Donovan talked about a “logjam” at the position before Williams’ injury, suggesting Buzelis and Phillips would benefit with more minutes. But instead of starting one of the two on Friday in the 136-122 win over the Atlanta Hawks, Donovan opted for a four-guard lineup, adding Ayo Dosunmu to starters Zack LaVine, Coby White and Josh Giddey. The Bulls’ Matas Buzelis gestures after making a 3-pointer in the third quarter against the Hawks in an NBA Cup game on Nov. 22, 2024, at the United Center. Buzelis scored nine points in the Bulls’ 136-122 win. (Geoff Stellfox/Getty) Still, Buzelis was on the court for two long stretches, scoring nine points with two blocks in 20 minutes while sinking a corner 3 and converting two dunks, including one that brought the house down in the first quarter. LaVine said he told the 20-year-old rookie to keep it up and not to worry about missing shots. “He athletically helps us just from being on the court and playing multiple positions,” LaVine said. Donovan liked the rim protection and the offensive part of Buzelis’s game but added the 6-9, 196-pound rookie needs to understand the realities of going into the paint in the NBA. “When he’s going to the basket, there are going to be people putting bodies in the way,” Donovan said. “And sometimes Euro-stepping leads you into some of those charges. These are things I think he’ll learn.” Related Articles Chicago Bulls | Column: Chicago Bulls are on pace for the worst defensive season in franchise history. Can it be fixed? Chicago Bulls | NBA urges players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following high-profile burglaries Chicago Bulls | ‘I’m being true to myself.’ How Zach LaVine strives for success through selflessness with the Chicago Bulls. Chicago Bulls | 6 takeaways as the Chicago Bulls lost to the Milwaukee Bucks — but won the minutes without Giannis Antetokounmpo Chicago Bulls | Patrick Williams is sidelined again with pain in the same foot — but Chicago Bulls aren’t panicking yet Hopefully those lessons will be learned now, as the 7-10 Bulls have nothing to lose by letting him play and seeing what they’ve got. They’re one trade away from being an official rebuild, and LaVine looks healthier and more tradeable than at any point in 2023-24. The anticipation whenever the ball found its way into Buzelis’s hands Friday was palpable to those of us sitting in the stands, which includes the local media not employed by the Chicago Sports Network. Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf took away the courtside press seating last year in a blatant money grab, similar to what he did at Sox Park many years ago. Anyway, it was obvious Friday that Bulls fans appear desperate for something new and exciting after years of watching the same old thing. Fair or not, Buzelis is going to have to succeed for Karnišovas’s reputation, not to mention for fans’ sanity. But until then, the Bulls will probably be content to ride LaVine as long as they can and look to the future at the trade deadline. White, Dosunmu and Williams will all be part of it, but the rest of the cast is unknown. Karnišovas’s widely panned acquisition of Giddey from the Oklahoma City Thunder for energizer Alex Caruso hasn’t been as one-sided as expected because of Caruso’s poor early-season shooting. Still, Giddey’s defensive play is so sketchy Donovan has been closing tight games with Dosunmu, making Giddey a bystander, literally and figuratively. Dosunmu, growing in confidence daily, has been up for the task. Without Lonzo Ball available , he’s easily their best perimeter defender. “You always want to help the team close a win,” Dosunmu said. “That feels pretty good. We’ve got to do better as a team closing games out, but I like where we’re at. We can be better. We will be better.” They had better be better, or Karnišovas will be the one bearing the brunt of the blame. Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu is fouled by the Hawks’ Dyson Daniels on a drive to the basket during the first half of an NBA Cup game on Nov. 22, 2024, at the United Center. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP) Dosunmu took over ballhandling duties Friday, which seemed to calm down Giddey, a decent point guard who’s a good distributor and rebounder but has difficulty covering smaller, quicker guards. Giddey had 18 points, eight assists and six rebounds Friday with a plus-19 rating in one of his better overall performances. Donovan said the four-guard starting lineup will be predicated on matchups while Williams is out, but obviously he liked what he saw Friday as the Bulls shot a season-high 57%, including 19-for-43 (44.2%) from 3-point range. LaVine noted the fast pace of both teams on Friday, when the Bulls made 19 turnovers and still cruised to a win to even their NBA Cup record at 1-1. “There were a couple times I didn’t make it past half-court without getting back,” LaVine said with a laugh. “We’re sticking with the identity of what we’re trying to do — guys playing fast. You have to get in shape for it.” The message from Donovan is clear, albeit a little repetitive. “We have to run,” Donovan said. “We have to try to generate stuff in transition. We have to play fast. It’s just what we have to do. ... It gets bodies off of us, helps us get downhill, helps generate some 3s.” On nights like Friday, it’s something to see. But with the real grind of the NBA schedule just beginning, we’ll soon find out how much the Bulls have in their tank.