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Greek unions stage general strike over rail deaths

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:50 GMT

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — A general strike in Greece called in response to a rail disaster last month grounded flights and extensively disrupted services, with protests in cities across the country planned for Thursday.The strike also kept ferries to the Greek islands at port, left public hospitals running with emergency staff, halted public transport services and led to class cancellations at state-run schools.Unions have rallied behind railway workers’ associations that have staged rolling walkouts since the head-on train collision in northern Greece on Feb. 28 that left 57 people dead and dozens injured.The government, which faces parliamentary elections before the summer, says rail services will restart on March 22 and be restored gradually through April 11, with additional staff to monitor safety and mandatory speed reduction rules along sections of the track.Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ center-right government has seen a strong lead in opinion polls reduced in recent weeks ...

UN nuclear watchdog: 2.5 tons of uranium missing in Libya

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:50 GMT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Some 2.5 tons of natural uranium stored in a site in war-torn Libya have gone missing, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said Thursday, raising safety and proliferation concerns. Natural uranium can’t immediately be used for energy production or bomb fuel, as the enrichment process typically requires the metal to be converted into a gas, then later spun in centrifuges to reach the levels needed. However, each ton of natural uranium — if obtained by a group with the technological means and resources — can be refined to 5.6 kilograms (12 pounds) of weapons-grade material over time, experts say. That makes finding the missing metal important for nonproliferation experts. In a statement, the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency said its director-general, Rafael Mariano Grossi, informed member states Wednesday about the missing uranium. The IAEA statement remained tightlipped though on much of the details. On Tuesday, “agency safeguar...

Lebanon’s empty schools bode long-term damage from crisis

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:50 GMT

BEIRUT (AP) — On a recent school day, the Rene Mouawad High School in Beirut was empty, its classrooms dark, just like all of Lebanon’s public schools have been for most of the past three months. Its striking teachers were protesting in front of the Education Ministry, not far away.About a hundred teachers joined the demonstration outside the ministry, blocking traffic and holding placards demanding pay raises. “We are done with charity,” said Nisreen Chahine, the head of the union for contractor teachers. “We are not negotiating anymore. They should either rightfully pay or us or go home.” The teachers gave speeches demanding officials come out and talk to them. But as usual in these regular protests, no one from the ministry emerged. After several hours, the teachers packed up and went home.Lebanon’s schools are crumbling under the weight of the country’s economic collapse as the political leadership — which caused the crisis through decades of corruption and mismanagement — balks...

Miami Hurricanes play the Drake Bulldogs in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:50 GMT

Drake Bulldogs (27-7, 15-5 MVC) vs. Miami Hurricanes (25-7, 15-5 ACC)Albany, New York; Friday, 7:25 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Miami -2; over/under is 146.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 16 Miami Hurricanes take on the Drake Bulldogs in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.The Hurricanes’ record in ACC play is 15-5, and their record is 10-2 in non-conference play. Miami ranks seventh in the ACC in rebounding with 31.9 rebounds. Norchad Omier leads the Hurricanes with 9.7 boards.The Bulldogs’ record in MVC play is 15-5. Drake is the MVC leader with 26.2 defensive rebounds per game led by Darnell Brodie averaging 5.1.TOP PERFORMERS: Isaiah Wong is scoring 16.2 points per game and averaging 4.3 rebounds for the Hurricanes. Nijel Pack is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Miami.Tucker DeVries is shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc with 2.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Bulldogs, while averaging 19 points and 5.6 rebounds. Roman Penn is shooting 51.6%...

Texas A&M takes on Penn State in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:50 GMT

Penn State Nittany Lions (22-13, 10-10 Big Ten) vs. Texas A&M Aggies (25-9, 15-3 SEC)Des Moines, Iowa; Thursday, 9:55 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Texas A&M -2.5; over/under is 134.5BOTTOM LINE: The No. 17 Texas A&M Aggies and Penn State Nittany Lions play in the NCAA Tournament first round.The Aggies have gone 15-3 against SEC teams, with a 10-6 record in non-conference play. Texas A&M is 1-0 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 11.9 turnovers per game.The Nittany Lions are 10-10 in Big Ten play. Penn State ranks second in the Big Ten shooting 38.5% from 3-point range.TOP PERFORMERS: Wade Taylor IV is averaging 16.5 points, four assists and 1.8 steals for the Aggies. Tyrece Radford is averaging 12.3 points over the last 10 games for Texas A&M.Jalen Pickett is averaging 17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists for the Nittany Lions. Andrew Funk is averaging 2.5 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Penn State.LAST 10 GAMES: Aggies...

Houston Cougars play the Northern Kentucky Norse in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:50 GMT

Northern Kentucky Norse (22-12, 14-6 Horizon League) vs. Houston Cougars (31-3, 17-1 AAC)Birmingham, Alabama; Thursday, 9:20 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Houston -18.5; over/under is 121BOTTOM LINE: The No. 2 Houston Cougars play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the Northern Kentucky Norse.The Cougars have gone 17-1 against AAC teams, with a 14-2 record in non-conference play. Houston is 1-0 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 9.4 turnovers per game.The Norse’s record in Horizon League play is 14-6. Northern Kentucky ranks ninth in the Horizon League scoring 28.5 points per game in the paint led by Chris Brandon averaging 6.0.TOP PERFORMERS: J’wan Roberts is averaging 10.4 points and 7.7 rebounds for the Cougars. Marcus Sasser is averaging 2.8 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for Houston.Marques Warrick is averaging 19.1 points for the Norse. Sam Vinson is averaging 2.1 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games for ...

Maryland faces West Virginia in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:50 GMT

West Virginia Mountaineers (19-14, 7-11 Big 12) vs. Maryland Terrapins (21-12, 11-9 Big Ten)Birmingham, Alabama; Thursday, 12:15 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Maryland -2; over/under is 137.5BOTTOM LINE: The Maryland Terrapins and West Virginia Mountaineers meet in the NCAA Tournament opening round.The Terrapins are 11-9 against Big Ten opponents and 10-3 in non-conference play. Maryland is 1-1 when it wins the turnover battle and averages 10.0 turnovers per game.The Mountaineers’ record in Big 12 action is 7-11. West Virginia ranks third in the Big 12 shooting 34.8% from 3-point range.TOP PERFORMERS: Jahmir Young is averaging 16.1 points and 3.2 assists for the Terrapins. Julian Reese is averaging 12.5 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 58.5% over the past 10 games for Maryland.Erik Stevenson is averaging 15.5 points for the Mountaineers. Kedrian Johnson is averaging 13.7 points, 3.4 assists and 2.5 steals over the last 10 games for West Virginia.LAST 10 GAMES: Terrapi...

Creighton takes on NC State in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:50 GMT

NC State Wolf Pack (23-10, 12-8 ACC) vs. Creighton Bluejays (21-12, 14-6 Big East)Denver; Friday, 4 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Creighton -5; over/under is 148.5BOTTOM LINE: The Creighton Bluejays play the NC State Wolf Pack in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.The Bluejays’ record in Big East games is 14-6, and their record is 7-6 in non-conference games. Creighton has a 2-5 record in one-possession games.The Wolf Pack’s record in ACC action is 12-8. NC State is 3-1 in games decided by 3 points or fewer.TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan Kalkbrenner is averaging 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.2 blocks for the Bluejays. Trey Alexander is averaging 13.8 points over the last 10 games for Creighton.Terquavion Smith is averaging 17.5 points, 4.2 assists and 1.5 steals for the Wolf Pack. Jarkel Joiner is averaging 18.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.7 steals over the past 10 games for NC State.LAST 10 GAMES: Bluejays: 6-4, averaging 76.2 points, 33.3 rebounds, 15.8 as...

TCU Horned Frogs and Arizona State Sun Devils play in the opening round of NCAA Tournament

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:50 GMT

Arizona State Sun Devils (23-12, 11-9 Pac-12) vs. TCU Horned Frogs (21-12, 9-9 Big 12)Denver; Friday, 10:05 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: TCU -5; over/under is 141BOTTOM LINE: The No. 22 TCU Horned Frogs play in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against the Arizona State Sun Devils.The Horned Frogs have gone 9-9 against Big 12 opponents, with a 12-3 record in non-conference play. TCU scores 75.2 points while outscoring opponents by 7.3 points per game.The Sun Devils’ record in Pac-12 action is 11-9. Arizona State is 2-1 when it turns the ball over less than its opponents and averages 11.3 turnovers per game.TOP PERFORMERS: Mike Miles is shooting 35.4% from beyond the arc with 1.4 made 3-pointers per game for the Horned Frogs, while averaging 17.3 points. Damion Baugh is averaging 12.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 1.8 steals over the past 10 games for TCU.Desmond Cambridge is averaging 13.8 points and 1.7 steals for the Sun Devils. DJ Horne is averaging 2.4 ma...

Arkansas and Illinois meet in first round of NCAA Tournament

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 10:27:50 GMT

Illinois Fighting Illini (20-12, 11-9 Big Ten) vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (20-13, 8-10 SEC)Des Moines, Iowa; Thursday, 4:30 p.m. EDTFANDUEL SPORTSBOOK LINE: Arkansas -2; over/under is 144BOTTOM LINE: The Arkansas Razorbacks play in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament against the Illinois Fighting Illini.The Razorbacks’ record in SEC play is 8-10, and their record is 12-3 in non-conference play. Arkansas is fourth in the SEC scoring 74.4 points while shooting 47.6% from the field.The Fighting Illini are 11-9 in Big Ten play. Illinois is 0-1 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents and averages 12.4 turnovers per game.TOP PERFORMERS: Davonte Davis averages 1.3 made 3-pointers per game for the Razorbacks, scoring 10.5 points while shooting 34.4% from beyond the arc. Ricky Council IV is averaging 15.9 points over the last 10 games for Arkansas.Terrence Shannon Jr. is averaging 17.1 points for the Fighting Illini. Matthew Mayer is averaging 15.8 points over the last 10 gam...