Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens nextNone

Mac McClung has had a rollercoaster of a basketball career, to say the least. Right now, the future of his career seems to be without a clear answer. At one point, McClung was among the most hyped/talked about high school basketball players on social media. This was due to videos of him doing insane dunks (often in-game) going viral. These videos highlighted the crazy amount of athleticism he possessed. This helped him to get recruited by very reputable schools, including Georgetown, where he would choose to attend in the fall of 2018. McClung would later transfer to Texas Tech in 2020 before entering the 2021 NBA Draft. He was a solid player throughout college but did not get drafted by an NBA team. Bucks Among Best Suitors for 2-Time Dunk Contest Champion Mac McClung Dunk Contest To many people, the NBA dunk contest has become significantly less interesting in recent years than it once was. With that in mind, there has been one massive exception in the past two contests: Mac McClung. He has been the best/most entertaining part of the last two NBA dunk contests, which is why he won both. Not only has McClung won the last two contests, but no one has even come close to him. It is cool to see him go from a viral high school dunking sensation to a multi-NBA dunk contest champion. He has truly captured fans with his insane athleticism and dunking ability. Unfortunately, his pro-playing career has not had as much success. Professional Career McClung has bounced around the NBA and NBA G League for various teams since 2021. He has signed two-way contracts with the Lakers, Bulls, 76ers, and Magic, with whom he has a two-way contract right now. Unfortunately, McClung has only played five career NBA games for a total of 71 minutes. Despite not getting a lot of NBA playing time, his first two years in the G League were very solid. In 2023-2024, McClung took a massive step forward and was named the G League MVP. He averaged 25.7 points per game, 4.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. This season, he has come back down to earth but is still putting up solid numbers. After four years of well-played basketball, it begs the question: why has McClung not gotten more NBA playing time? Possible Issues Despite being a guard, McClung does not fit that mold very well in some ways. A big problem is that he is not a good shooter, particularly when it comes to three-point shots. Being able to shoot, especially the three-point shot, is often important at his position. This almost certainly plays a key factor as to why he is not getting more NBA playing time. Another massive problem is his size, as McClung is only 6-foot-2. Teams view him as a liability on defense due to his height. Despite only being 6-foot-2, he still manages to get normal rebounding numbers for a guard, averaging 4.6 rebounds per game for his G League career. Despite previously mentioned shortcomings in his game, he has the talent to be an NBA player. A guard with that kind of athleticism could be of significant use. That begs the question: What will happen to him? I would assume the NBA will try to keep him around as long as possible, as he has been the only bright spot in recent dunk contests. A professional career overseas is a possibility for him as well. I would continue signing McClung to these two-way contracts for as long as possible. Two-way contracts are extremely cheap. McClung is a much bigger name than almost any other player getting one of these contracts right now due to his dunk contest success/notoriety. Keeping him around on cheap contracts for jersey/ticket sales alone would be a decent idea. Teams in Need I think any team would benefit from having him as a deep option off the bench. Additionally, teams could genuinely use him on the court. His current team, the Magic, should try giving him some playing time as they need guard creation and depth. Due to recent injuries, teams like the 76ers, Nets, Thunder, and Suns could use him. I could also see the Lakers, Heat, and Spurs utilizing him as a legit bench option. The Warriors could use McClung as a more athletic alternative for when Buddy Hield needs to rest. The Hornets could use him, as Josh Green is a fairly weak option at shooting guard as a young team giving McClung an opportunity makes sense. Milwaukee Bucks A team that I can see truly utilizing McClung is the Milwaukee Bucks , who have not had a steady option at shooting guard this season. Gary Trent Jr and Andre Jackson Jr have not been great so far. AJ Green has shown some promise but is most likely not an everyday option. McClung could be a legitimate option for Milwaukee coming off the bench if given the chance. If he were to shine in a role for the Bucks, he could carve out legitimate/regular minutes for them going forward. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

WINNIPEG — Mike O’Shea stood in front of reporters Friday and kept his cool while answering questions about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ 41-24 Grey Cup loss to the Toronto Argonauts last weekend. The head coach was asked if he made a mistake keeping injured quarterback Zach Collaros in the game, why star running back Brady Oliveira didn’t get the ball more and whether a flawed game plan led to Winnipeg’s third consecutive championship loss. “As an entire team, we didn’t have our best game,” O’Shea said in his end-of-the-season press conference. “We didn’t lack effort. We didn’t lack desire. “We didn’t have our best game as an entire team. Three phases. Coaches — everybody. Me especially.” O’Shea admitted he missed calling a timeout in the fourth quarter when there were only 11 Blue Bombers on the field instead of 12. “I don't get the count over the headset as quickly as I probably need to, we can't count. As I'm seeing a guy come off, that's the right time for that timeout that I should have used,” O’Shea said. He also said he should have used a challenge flag earlier on a play he didn’t identify, and checked on his players more during the game. But hindsight wouldn’t change his decision to put Collaros back in the game after the index finger on his throwing hand was cut deep when it hit a defender’s helmet. “He absolutely deserves every opportunity to lead this team,” O’Shea said. “From what I saw and from chatting with him very briefly, I felt really comfortable with that. I didn't think it was going to be easy, but I thought it's Zach, so...” The injury to Collaros’s finger happened late in the third quarter when the Blue Bombers were trailing the Argonauts 17-10. The veteran left the game and returned with a bandaged finger that needed five stitches and a numbing agent. He wore a glove on the hand and told reporters earlier this week it was difficult to grip the ball. Collaros said he warned receivers in the huddle his throws might not have the usual zip and they should be prepared to come back for the ball. “(I) saw him delivering the ball on the sidelines. Then you see him deliver a couple balls out there and some of them are pretty damn good, right?” O’Shea said. “The awareness of Zach to say to the receivers, ‘hey, work a little harder for me,’ I think it’s natural and what should be said. I think they already know that.” When Collaros re-entered the game, he threw interceptions in back-to-back series. “On one of them he got rid of the ball and I thought it was a good ball and the defensive player made a good play,” O’Shea said of the picks. “One slipped right out of his hand or I don't know if it got tipped or not. You've got to give him that opportunity.” Oliveira was questioning his lack of opportunities in the game when he spoke to reporters earlier in the week. The CFL’s newly minted most outstanding player and top Canadian only had 11 carries for 84 yards and one late touchdown. About 17 or 18 run plays were called, O’Shea said. “One starts off with a procedure penalty in the first and then six of those get pulled because there's X number of guys in the box or the read says this is not a run play anymore, this is now a pass play,” he said. “You call that many runs and then a pile of them get pulled because of the structure of the defence. That's OK with me at that point.” O’Shea said Bombers offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce has been granted permission to talk to CFL teams with head-coaching job openings. The B.C. Lions are reportedly interested in Pierce. The Edmonton Elks also have a vacant head coach spot. If Pierce doesn’t become a head coach, O’Shea said he wants him to stay in Winnipeg. He believes Pierce had the offence “extremely well-prepared” for the Grey Cup. “I’m never going to question the play-calling, and I think what’s going on here is we’re questioning,” O’Shea said. “We’re trying to find blame and fault when that’s nowhere in our DNA of how we built this eight, nine, 10 years ago. We’re starting to try and find all these answers and question all these people that were 0-4 and 2-6 and then 10-1, and we just didn’t play our best game.” The Bombers finished 11-7 and claimed the West Division title that earned them a fifth consecutive trip to the Grey Cup. They won the championship in 2019 and ’21, but lost 28-24 to the Montreal Alouettes last year and 24-23 to Toronto in 2023. “We're the same group that got there, that went on a phenomenal run after a bad start, and a bad start for a lot of reasons that we overcame,” O’Shea said. “I just, I don't question any of it. I look for answers, too. I watch the film over and over and over again. And look to already make notes on how we're going to be better, how we're going to get back there again.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024. Judy Owen, The Canadian Press

DICT Deploys More Equipment In response to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s call for help for the typhoon-ravaged province of Catanduanes, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and its attached agency the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center ( CICC ) have responded by providing emergency communication support. During his visit on November 19, President Marcos directed various government agencies for the immediate provision of relief goods, shelter assistance, and restoration of communication and power systems disabled after Super Typhoon Pepito . DICT Secretary Ivan Uy immediately heeded the President’s call by requesting CICC Executive Director Alexander K. Ramos to deploy self powered , all weather, all terrain communication system to provide internet connection to affected residents. CICC managed to deploy two units of its emergency commsbox to Virac, Catanduanes on November 22 in collaboration with the Philippine Airforce and the Office of Civil Defense. The CICC emergency commsbox will enable 100 users to use free Wifi access all day. Around 11 out of 16 municipalities of Catanduanes were severely affected by Super Typhoon Pepito and it would take two weeks to restore power in the province. Issued by the Office of Executive Director Alexander K. RamosUnisys Appoints Michael M. Thomson as Chief Executive Officer

Meet the Supercharged Growth Stock Poised to Hit $10 Trillion By 2030 According to 1 Wall Street Analyst

Stewart cooked critics with Superwoman strengthHut 8 Operations Update for November 2024When Comcast swallowed NBC and Universal Studios 14 years ago, the sibling cable channels USA Network, Bravo and CNBC were considered diamonds in the rough. USA Network had gained traction with its "Blue Skies" programming strategy: sunny and upbeat TV programs infused with a buoyant energy and natural light. The cable channels were NBCUniversal's equivalent of blue skies, routinely delivering three-quarters of the company's profit. In 2012, cable networks threw off a robust $3.3 billion in cash flow. Times have changed.Comcast this week announced its plans to jettison all but one cable channel into a separate, stand-alone publicly traded company that will take shape over the next year. "This is a reminder that the cable television network business is yesterday's news," analyst Craig Moffett said Wednesday in an interview. "If it feels like Comcast is shedding itself of an albatross — that's because it is." For now, Comcast's cable channels remain a viable business by generating $7 billion in annual revenue. But you have only to look at the properties the Philadelphia cable giant is keeping to see how the top brass has picked future winners and losers in a fast-changing media landscape. Comcast will hold on to the NBC broadcast network, with its NBC News and NBC Sports units, along with its prolific Los Angeles-based Universal film and television studios, Universal Studios theme parks, local TV stations, including KNBC-TV in Los Angeles, and streaming service Peacock, which now has 36 million subscribers. The lone cable outlet set to remain within NBCUniversal is Bravo, which has a bold brand, cultural cachet and the "Real Housewives" franchises.Company executives reviewed data that showed NBC and Bravo shows had strong viewership on Peacock, insiders said. The spinoff company will be composed of the remainder of the cable channels, including MSNBC, CNBC, USA, Oxygen, Syfy, E! and the Golf Channel as well as digital properties, including Rotten Tomatoes, Fandango and SportsEngine. Comcast's move is the strongest sign yet of alarm reverberating throughout Hollywood's traditional companies. Cable channels have long been a key economic pillar by generating billions of dollars in cable distribution fees that more than covered up the misses when big-budget movies flopped or during advertising recessions. No more. Rampant cord-cutting has roiled the television business and linear cable channels — once a mighty draw for couch-potato viewing — have become endangered species. Industry executives privately acknowledge that they unintentionally contributed to the erosion by making cable channels less appealing — stuffed with endless sitcom reruns, dated movies and extended commercial breaks, contributing to the rise of on-demand streaming services. Millions of consumers have switched to streaming platforms that offer fewer commercials, or none at all, and lower subscription prices. In the first six months of the year, an additional 4 million customer homes dropped pay-TV, according to a recent MoffettNathanson report. That's a 30% decline since 2012, when there were more than 100 million pay-TV homes in the U.S. Consumers also can cancel streaming services with a click of a button — without haggling with a customer service representative at a pay-TV company call center. The toll has been enormous. Thousands of entertainment company workers have been laid off in the last four years in seemingly endless waves of restructuring. Traditional media companies have struggled to shore up their slumping stock prices. In August, Warner Bros. Discovery took a $9-billion writedown on the value of its basic cable portfolio, which includes CNN, TBS, TNT and Cartoon Network. That same month, Paramount Global wrote down $6 billion in value for its cable channels, including MTV, Nickelodeon, VH-1 and Comedy Central. Pay-TV channel blackouts have become more common. And pioneering satellite TV company DirecTV two months ago announced its plan to buy competing Dish Networks for $1. That merger is expected to face regulators' scrutiny. More separations and roll-ups may be coming. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Daniel Penny’s criminal trial over the death of Jordan Neely has become the latest cultural flashpoint underscoring deep divisions in how Americans view issues of race, crime and mental health in the United States. A New York City jury found Penny, a former Marine, not guilty on charges of killing Neely, a homeless Black man, on the subway last year after placing him in a chokehold for roughly six minutes . Penny's lawyers argued he did not intend to harm Neely and was trying to protect other subway passengers, who witnessed Neely screaming that he was hungry, thirsty and ready to kill someone. On Friday, a judge in the case dismissed the more serious manslaughter charge after the jury was unable to come to a unanimous verdict – underscoring the divisive nature of the case and the controversial cultural topics at play. Responses to the case, like many issues in America, have fallen along political lines, with conservative-leaning pundits and politicians describing Penny as a hero, and progressives calling him a "murderer." The dueling responses aren’t surprising, given the details of the case , said Nicole Brenecki, a Brooklyn-based trial expert. “This is showing the polarization of society right now, because all the issues that society is grappling with came together in this particular case,” Brenecki said, pointing to safety on the nation’s largest subway system, mental illness and the homelessness crisis. Diverging viewpoints Republicans and Democrats have emphasized different parts of the complicated case, drawing on their opposing views on cultural issues. In the weeks after the incident, Republican lawmakers rallied in support of Penny, painting him as a hero whose actions helped protect the lives of others on the subway. Much like Penny’s defense team, Republicans highlighted that Neely’s actions scared some passengers on the subway. Penny, they asserted, was not only acting out of self-defense, but for the public good. In a video testimony about the altercation, Penny said Neely appeared to be on drugs when he entered the subway, threw his jacket at people and yelled threats that he was going to kill, was prepared to go to jail and was willing to die. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis , a former Republican presidential candidate, called Penny a “Good Samaritan” in a tweet shortly after Neely died in May 2023. He described the charges against Penny as part of a pro-criminal “agenda” by Democrats. DeSantis also criticized Democratic Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, who announced the charges against Penny. Bragg led the prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump’s New York hush money trial, and has received ire from Republicans since. On Monday, DeSantis commended the jury’s decision to acquit Penny of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Neely, saying it was “clearly the just and correct verdict.” Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York and a close Trump ally, called the verdict a "great act of justice" that rejected "racist, unjust charges." He said Penny deserved a medal from the city for his actions. In contrast, progressive Democrats described Neely’s death as emerging from systemic issues related to race, poor funding for mental health care and lack of social services for the homeless. Neely, a street and subway performer, had experienced homelessness and poor mental health leading up to his death, according to lawyers for his family. His problems first started at age 14 when his mother was murdered and continued on-and-off for years. If Neely had not been homeless, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D-N.Y., suggested he may have been treated differently when he entered the subway car. “(Because) Jordan was houseless and crying for food in a time when the city is raising rents and stripping services to militarize itself while many in power demonize the poor, the murderer gets protected,” Ocasio-Cortez wrote in a tweet two days after Neely's death. Jamila Hodge, CEO of Equal Justice USA, a national nonprofit focused on racial justice and community safety, argued that the case surrounding Neely’s death is an example of how the criminal justice system fails to protect society’s most vulnerable members when they're struggling and land in harm's way. “We are constantly reminded that the law is not enough,” Hodge, who is a former assistant U.S. Attorney, said, referencing a speech Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave in 1965 . “Jordan Neely is dead and Daniel Penny has been acquitted because of the assumption of dangerousness that attaches to Black skin.” Long term impact Despite the political chasm, Brenecki said that while the cultural pieces of the case were important, there were other legal issues as well. “If you bring this case down to its nuts and bolts, this case was not about all the other issues that were raised,” she said. “This case boiled down to whether the pressure that was applied to the victim's neck was unreasonable or not.” The “minutia of the legal decisions” governed how the case played out in court, Brenecki said, but the other details will continue to spark conversations about policy and public safety. “The social and political discourse that results from them is very, very, very important for us to reflect upon,” she said. “At the end of the day, our governments and our legislators should be very, very busy acting upon our social discourse.”Living with fibroids can be a challenging journey, especially when it comes to maintaining intimacy and a healthy relationship. Fibroids, non-cancerous growths in the uterus, can cause a range of symptoms, including heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, and bloating. These symptoms can significantly impact physical and emotional well-being and, by extension, intimacy and libido. The impact on intimacy can be particularly sensitive for many women, as fibroid symptoms may make physical intimacy difficult or even impossible. Pain during intercourse, fatigue, and hormonal changes often reduce sexual desire, creating barriers to closeness with a partner. Consider Chinasa’s experience and how her fibroids affected her relationship, leading to misunderstandings and frustration with her husband, Nkem. Her struggle to communicate the physical and emotional toll of her symptoms left Nkem feeling confused by her diminished sensuality and sexual interest. Chinasa had always envisioned a picture-perfect marriage: a loving husband, beautiful children, and a cosy home filled with laughter. But this dream began to fade when she started experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding, severe pelvic pain, and persistent lower backache. After a series of medical tests, the diagnosis was clear: uterine fibroids. The news was a shock, a harsh reality threatening to derail her carefully planned future. The physical discomfort was unbearable, but the emotional toll was even greater. Her once vibrant personality dimmed, overshadowed by a persistent cloud of worry and self-doubt. The fibroids also took a toll on her marriage in an unexpected way—intimacy. Her husband, Nkem, once her pillar of strength, became increasingly frustrated with her mood swings and constant fatigue. The once vibrant bedroom became a battleground of silent resentment. They couldn’t even engage in physical intimacy casually, normally, or spontaneously as husband and wife without her becoming emotional. It was always one excuse after another. Sex turned into a chore—forced, mechanical, and abrupt—leaving both of them unfulfilled, upset, and frustrated. Related News From fear to hope: Tina’s battle with uterine fibroids HIFU technology: How doctors removed our fibroids without surgeries — Women Missing womb: How fibroid surgery turned awry for Lagos couple Nkem was confused and worried at the same time. The once sensual and vibrant woman he fell in love with seemed to be slipping away. Unintentionally, he began to withdraw too. Chinasa noticed the change and became alarmed. She realised she needed to take control of the situation and sought advice from friends and medical professionals. The emotional scars ran deep. Chinasa had to relearn how to connect with her husband, rebuilding the trust and intimacy that had been eroded. With the support of a therapist, she embarked on a journey of healing. She learned to communicate her feelings openly and honestly, expressing her fears and insecurities. She also discovered the importance of self-care, prioritising her physical and mental well-being. Over time, the couple grew stronger over time, learning to appreciate the small moments and cherish their love. Fibroids can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, leading to anaemia and fatigue that lower energy levels and diminish sexual desire. Persistent pelvic pressure or pain caused by fibroids can make sexual activity uncomfortable or painful. Hormonal changes associated with fibroids can also negatively impact libido and sexual function. The effects of fibroids on intimacy and sexual relations extend to both the physical and emotional aspects of a partnership. Physical issues, such as pain during intercourse, arise from the size and location of the fibroids, which may exert pressure on the uterus and surrounding organs. Emotional challenges include struggles with self-esteem and body image due to symptoms like bloating and weight gain, which can lead to feelings of diminished attractiveness. Chronic pain and other fibroid symptoms can heighten stress and anxiety, further dampening sexual desire and intimacy. This stress often strains relationships, as partners may feel frustrated, and communication can suffer when symptoms go unspoken. Effective coping strategies include open communication with partners about how fibroids affect daily life. Honest conversations can foster understanding and support. It is beneficial to consult with a healthcare professional to explore treatment options for managing symptoms and enhancing quality of life. Keeping a record of symptoms and concerns before medical appointments can lead to more effective discussions with providers. While treatment choices range from medications to surgical procedures depending on the severity of the fibroids, each option has its pros and cons. For example, myomectomy can remove fibroids while keeping the uterus intact, but there is a chance that fibroids can return. A hysterectomy, on its part, offers a permanent solution but removes the possibility of having children. Discussing these options thoroughly helps in making informed decisions that align with personal values. Also, addressing the emotional effects of fibroids is equally important as managing physical symptoms. You may find counselling beneficial to navigate the psychological impacts on your relationship. Joining support groups, whether online or face-to-face, can also provide a community of shared experiences. Further, incorporating self-care practices, like yoga and meditation, can help reduce stress and enhance overall wellness. Essentially, living with fibroids requires a comprehensive approach that includes medical care, open dialogue, and emotional support. By tackling these challenges together, couples can maintain a strong, close relationship, knowing they are not alone in this journey and that seeking help can lead to significant improvements.

VIGO, Spain, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Celta Vigo fought back with two late goals in quick succession to hold LaLiga leaders Barcelona to a highly entertaining 2-2 draw on Saturday. It looked like Barca were cruising towards victory after they opened a two-goal lead thanks to strikes by captain Raphinha in the 15th minute and by Robert Lewandowski in the 61st, but the script changed after their midfielder Marc Casado was sent off due to a second-yellow card for a foul in the 82nd minute. With Barca down to 10-men, the home side piled on the pressure and managed to score twice with strikes by substitute Alfonso Gonzalez and Hugo Alvarez in the 84th and 86th minutes respectively. Barca top the LaLiga standings with 34 points, five ahead of Atletico Madrid in second and seven ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, who have two games in hand. Sign up here. Reporting by Fernando Kallas, editing by Pritha Sarkar Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabPrime Minister Justin Trudeau is firmly in his Swiftie era. Trudeau attended the Taylor Swift concert in Toronto on Friday, the Eras Tour’s second-last night in the city. Press secretary Jenna Ghassabeh confirmed that the prime minister was at the concert with family members. Saturday wraps up two weekends of concerts in Toronto for the Eras Tour, which ends in Vancouver with three shows at BC Place from Dec. 6 to 8. The Eras Tour kicked off in March 2023 and touched down in five continents with nearly 150 performances. Before the Canadian dates were announced, Trudeau had reached out to Swift on social media, asking her to bring the tour to Canada.

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