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Mr Bayrou, 73, a crucial partner in Macron’s centrist alliance, has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades. His political experience is seen as key in efforts to restore stability as no single party holds a majority at the National Assembly. Mr Macron’s office said in a statement that Mr Bayrou “has been charged with forming a new government”. During the handover ceremony, Mr Bayrou said that “no one knows the difficulty of the situation better” than he does. “I’ve taken reckless risks all along my political life to raise the issue of debt and deficits in the most important elections,” he said. France is under pressure from the European Union’s executive body and financial markets to reduce its colossal debt, estimated to reach 6% of its gross domestic product this year. “I know that the risks of difficulties are much greater than the chances of success,” Mr Bayrou said, adding that he hopes to lead the country towards a “needed reconciliation”. “I think this is the only possible path to success,” he said. The new prime minister is expected to hold talks with political leaders from various parties in the coming days in order to choose new ministers. Former prime minister Michel Barnier resigned last week following a no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes in the National Assembly, leaving France without a functioning government. Mr Macron in an address to the nation vowed to remain in office until his term ends in 2027. Mr Macron’s centrist alliance does not have a majority in parliament and Mr Bayrou’s Cabinet will need to rely on moderate lawmakers from the left and the right to be able to stay in power. Some conservatives are expected to be part of the new government. Mr Macron’s strategy aims at preventing far-right leader Marine Le Pen from holding “make or break” power over the government. Ms Le Pen helped oust Mr Barnier by joining her National Rally party’s forces to the left to pass the no-confidence motion last week. Mr Bayrou’s appointment is also in line with Mr Macron’s efforts to build a non-aggression pact with the Socialists so that they commit not to vote against the government in any future confidence motion. Mr Bayrou leads the centrist Democratic Movement, known as MoDem, which he founded in 2007. In 2017, he supported Mr Macron’s first presidential bid and became a weighty partner in the French president’s centrist alliance. At the time, he was appointed justice minister, but he quickly resigned from the government amid an investigation into the MoDem’s alleged embezzlement of European Parliament funds. Mr Bayrou this year was cleared in the case by a Paris court, which found eight other party officials guilty and sentenced the party to pay a fine. Mr Bayrou became well known to the French public when he was education minister from 1993 to 1997 in a conservative government. He was three times a candidate for president: in 2002, 2007 and 2012.The Helen Clark Foundation wants widespread change to address New Zealand's high obesity rateISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Nov, 2024) The ’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) will host a two-day workshop to promote ’s rights and foster an inclusive political environment, in collaboration with the ( ). The ’s Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) of ’s 16th , under the leadership of Secretary WPC Dr. Shahida Rehmani, will host the “Thought Leadership Workshop” on ( 1st) and the “Digital Workshop” on Monday ( 2nd). These workshops are a key component of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, a global call to action for the protection and empowerment of . They will focus on addressing critical issues such as ending gender-based violence, ensuring ’s physical, social, legal, and online safety, and combating forms of harassment. The workshops are designed to facilitate a powerful dialogue and equip participants with the skills, knowledge & tools needed for identifying, sensitising and tackling women-related issues through informed legislation and promoting and upholding digital . Secretary of the 's Parliamentary Caucus and a Member of the , Dr. Shahida Rehmani will deliver keynote addresses, outlining the core objectives of the workshops. She will emphasize the importance of empowering Members of the to ensure robust participation in 's General Elections. Additionally, Dr. Shahida Rehmani will underscore the need for ethical parliamentary practices, enhanced digital literacy to counter technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and crucially, the development of skills in managing and narratives to tackle the growing menace of misinformation, fake , and propaganda. In addition, a panel of esteemed speakers, including renowned journalists, veteran personalities, experts, and key societal figures, will engage in thought-provoking discussions and interactive sessions to provide valuable insights on these pressing issues. This collaborative effort is a significant step forward in empowering , particularly within the political sphere, to create a safer, more equitable society for .

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Chorizo parsnips, spicy roast potatoes and three-green gratin: Rosie Mackean’s alternative Christmas sides – recipesEAST LANSING, Mich. — Rutgers saved its best for last. After getting gutted last week in a last-second loss to Illinois that rattled the foundation of the program, no one would have blamed the Scarlet Knights for mailing in their regular-season finale. Instead, Rutgers responded with a performance that will send it into the postseason feeling like, yet again, the team that should have been counted out a long time ago will be fighting for something special. Extra motivation? Rutgers needed none of it Saturday. The Scarlet Knights spent one day to put rehash what went wrong against Illinois. They said they moved on and proved it early, dismantling Michigan State for a 41-14 win that was never in jeopardy. The bounce-back performance should be something to give coach Greg Schiano’s team something to be proud of with whatever comes next in the postseason. After all: It was Michigan State fighting for a postseason berth Saturday, but Rutgers looked like the playing with its season on the line. Rutgers can sit back and wait for its bowl game destination knowing it salvaged its season after a four-game losing streak and quickly erased what was one of its worst losses ever. On Saturday, te Scarlet Knights were better in every facet. Offensively, defensively, special teams — this was the type of complementary football that has escaped Rutgers until its final game of the regular season. If this was the final time fans see senior running back Kyle Monangai in a Rutgers uniform, the senior gave one last memorable performance. Monangai moved past Terrell Willis for second place on the school’s all-time rushing list. He racked up 101 of his 129 yards in the first half to help Rutgers rattle off 34 unanswered points, spanning the second and third quarters. In a potentially fitting finale, Monangai recorded a 100-yard game for the third straight season against Michigan State. After all, it was here in East Lansing where Monangai first exploded onto the scene in 2022. Just three years ago, Monangai rattled off a then-Big Ten record for Rutgers after carrying 24 times for 162 yards and a touchdown. It was a game Rutgers still found a way to lose. There might not be a better embodiment of Rutgers’ resurgence than Monangai who went from an unheralded recruit to the Big Ten rushing champ to a player who went back to work time and time again. When Rutgers needed one last week of work, it turned to wise words from the face of its senior class, who put it simply ... to move past the heartbreak, Rutgers needed to “just get back to work”. Instead of checking out, Rutgers got back to work. Observations Move to the spread? Experimenting with different packages, formations and tempo, it was somewhat startling that Rutgers not only spread things out — but thrived doing so. Quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis hit sophomore Ian Strong for a 9-yard touchdown pass. At that point, with Rutgers leading 31-7, it was becoming clear that the offense was going to operate at a high level with whatever it was hoping to accomplish. That may be the best news for Rutgers. With Monangai and the run game, the Scarlet Knights were able to bring balance to its offense. Will that be the case next season? Either way, Rutgers will have a quarterback in Kaliakmanis and a loaded core of young receivers who could give the Scarlet Knights a foundation to build around. After throwing for 150 yards Saturday, Kaliakmanis will need 248 yards in the bowl game to reach the 2,700-yard mark, which has only been reached by three other Rutgers passers — Ryan Hart, Mike Teel and Gary Nova — who also have substantial players in program lore. Dariel Djabome delivers all season long From the first game of the regular season to the last, the junior linebacker from Quebec was one of Rutgers’ biggest revelation. The team’s leading tackler, who was thrust into the starting lineup to replace injured captain Mohamed Toure, delivered the game’s biggest play when he stuffed running back Kay’ron Lynch-Adams in the backfield for a turnover on downs. At the time, Michigan State had the chance to tie the game with a field goal but gambled facing 4th-and-1 at Rutgers’ 6-yard line. With Michigan State facing a 10-7 deficit with 10:01 to play in the second quarter, the momentum fully swung in Rutgers’ favor from there as the Scarlet Knights scored on five of its six first-half possessions. Special teams deja vu Michigan State avoided complete destruction from a special teams blunder, but it just goes to show how steady that unit has been under Schiano. Halfway through the first quarter, long snapper Jack Carson Wentz sent a high snap through the hands of punter Ryan Eckley, who was able to scoop it up and stay out of the end zone when he was hit by freshman Ben Black. Rutgers took over at the 1-yard line but went backwards on a illegal motion by Monangai, leading to an eventual 25-yard field goal by Jai Patel that put Rutgers up 10-7 with 7:29 left in the first quarter. Last season, Michigan State punter Michael O’Shaughnessy dropped a snap, opening the door for Rutgers to rally for an 18-point comeback in the fourth quarter of an eventual 27-24 win for the Scarlet Knights. Go big or go home What was more unlikely? Senior Tyler Needham returning from what was previously diagnosed as a season-ending injury or him playing as a tight end? Needham, switching from No. 56 to 86, returned to the field three weeks removed from a knee injury and was used as a sixth offensive lineman, giving the Scarlet Knights a jumbo package look in a game decided in the trenches. Needham started the first nine games at right tackle before injuring his knee against Minnesota three weeks ago. Rutgers diagnosed his injury as season-ending, but the Philadelphia native was back in the starting lineup Saturday, giving the Scarlet Knights another option for its injury-decimated group of tight ends. While redshirt sophomore Mike Higgins saw the field, Rutgers used its jumbo package for a majority of its offensive snaps. Blustery Big Ten weather The official reading at kickoff was 24 degrees. Snow covered the field and fell like confetti from start to finish in a game between two teams trying to take advantage of the weather. Hits felt bigger, catches felt grittier and this Nov. 30, regular-season finale felt like the embodiment of Big Ten football. On a day, where Michigan State was playing for a bowl berth, Rutgers came into Spartan Stadium and was simply better across the board. Bonus coverage - With the win, Rutgers finished the regular season with a 7-5 record and 4-5 mark in Big Ten play. The 7-5 record will stand as Rutgers’ best regular-season record since 2014 when the Scarlet Knights recorded the same overall finish in its inaugural season in the Big Ten. Its four Big Ten wins also set a new program best. - The snow was a no-go, apparently. Michigan State running back Nate Carter was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after celebrating by doing snow angels following his first touchdown run of the game. It was a significant penalty, too. On the ensuing kickoff, Jonathan Kim booted the ball out of bounds. With the penalty yardage stacked together, Rutgers started with possession at the 50-yard line for its first drive, which ended with a 7-yard touchdown run by Monangai. Injury updates The Scarlet Knights listed 13 players as pre-game scratches on their availability report . The list included three new seniors — defensive end Aaron Lewis, cornerback Eric Rogers and safety Desmond Igbinosun — who all played last week against Illinois. In addition to those three regulars, Rutgers listed four other major contributors — wide receiver Christian Dremel, offensive lineman Tyler Needham, tight end Mike Higgins and cornerback Al-Shadee Salaam — as questionable two hours before kickoff. All four ended up playing, opening the door for Needham’s intriguing return as a jump-package option. The line Rutgers opened as a one-point favorite Sunday, but the lined eventually moved to favor Michigan State. At the time of kickoff, Michigan State was a favorite by 1 1/2 points, according to multiple sports books. The total points was set at 47 1/2. MORE RUTGERS COVERAGE Rutgers loses physical battle with Texas A&M, leaves Las Vegas with lost opportunities What’s Rutgers’ injury situation vs. Michigan State? Scarlet Knights thin again Rutgers vs. Texas A&M FREE LIVE STREAM (11/30/24) | How to watch men’s college basketball in Las Vegas online Everything Rutgers fans need to know about Michigan State showdown Married to Rutgers: Fans sneak away from Vegas hoops tournament to say, ‘I do’ Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Patrick Lanni may be reached at planni@njadvancemedia.com .

(Bloomberg) — After years of lagging returns and more recent concerns over US office loans, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce has turned a corner with investors. Chief Executive Officer Victor Dodig says he won’t put that at risk with acquisitions that reduce shareholder value. “The investor sentiment fundamentally says that CIBC is a changed bank,” Dodig said in an interview with Bloomberg News. This, he said, comes after a steady focus on courting affluent Canadians as clients, investing in technology and digitization and targeting privately owned businesses and entrepreneurs in the US. Dodig, 59, who has led Canada’s fifth-largest bank for more than a decade, laid out the bank’s relatively straightforward strategy at CIBC’s most recent investor day in June 2022. “We don’t want to be doing something large that would make us take a step back,” Dodig said last week, adding that he remains open to an “interesting” acquisition that improves return on equity. “But it really is focused on organic growth and tuck-in acquisitions, particularly in the wealth-management space, which are capital light and would strengthen our hand in a business that we’re very good at,” he said. Office Drag CIBC’s revamped strategy wasn’t an immediate success. The lender was initially dogged by a reputation for costly mistakes in the past — it was caught up in Enron Corp.’s bankruptcy and took big writedowns on securities linked to US subprime mortgages during the financial crisis. By the middle of 2023, signs of distress emerged in its US commercial lending book. The lender had a higher exposure to the troubled US office space than its peers and took a series of large provisions against potentially bad loans in the sector. But after taking steps to reduce its exposure to such debt, CIBC’s credit performance has been strong for most of this year. With that in hand, investors have turned their focus to the bank’s revenue growth, cost controls and strong execution, sending the stock to new all-time highs. “CIBC put up the best results this earnings season, followed by Royal Bank, both of which continued to deliver solid and consistent numbers along with strong guidance for next year,” Bank of Nova Scotia analyst Meny Grauman wrote to clients last week. Grauman has a buy rating on the stock and a one-year price target of C$114, or about $80, significantly higher than the consensus among analysts of C$97.73. CIBC’s shares have been hovering above C$94.Cyclone Fengal: TN health department to conduct 500 medical camps in red alert districts on December 1

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Newcomer talent is widely underused in Canada, but employers who tap into it see clear benefits to their business, a new report finds. The paper by The Institute for Canadian Citizenship (ICC) and Deloitte outlines how companies working with newcomers can draw on the diverse experiences of those workers to improve performance while helping to close the immigrant unemployment gap. The findings are based on conversations with more than 40 leaders across a range of sectors from mining to technology who shared their strategies for hiring and retaining immigrants. Daniel Bernhard, chief executive officer of ICC, says the insights shared show that working with newcomers leads employers to innovate by incorporating new perspectives and processes in their work. “The data shows that if you can bring people from around the world to play on your team, you’re going to have an edge over other teams where people have the same experiences and are more likely to see things the same way,” he says. Immigrants face higher unemployment rates in Canada – in large part because of the challenges of having the experience from their country of origin recognized. Statistics Canada data shows the unemployment rate for recent immigrants – those who have become permanent residents in the past five years – stood at 12.6 per cent in June. In contrast, the rate for Canadian-born workers in the same period was 5.5 per cent. Even though the federal government just announced it will Canada has welcomed about 1.8 million immigrants in the past five years, according to Statistics Canada, and there will be about 400,000 new permanent residents a year for at least the next few years. The ICC-Deloitte report suggests that employers can tap into newcomer talent more effectively if they adopt a “culture of ambition.” Leaders surveyed recognized the benefits of having a diverse work force, but they noted that their teams often struggle to invest in creating new recruitment and onboarding policies to support immigrants. The lack of clear-cut processes for integrating newcomers puts the onus on organizations to create their own, Mr. Bernhard says. “Identifying and integrating this talent is not straightforward,” he says. “While the benefits are clear, there’s an investment required. But many companies are simply not prepared to make those investments, and as a result, they’re losing out.” According to the report, the lack of will to innovate not only limits employers’ ability to hire immigrant employees but hinders these potential employees from meaningfully applying their global experience in the Canadian context. One respondent noted seeing newcomers as “global navigators” with distinct cultural insights and language skills that can help position these immigrant employees as key players in building new partnerships and clientele worldwide. Another respondent noted how attitudes of current employees toward immigrants can also hamper their integration in the workplace. They cited, for example, the tendency among some immigrants to work longer than Canadian-born workers, which can threaten the desire to encourage work-life balance. Some employers, according to the report, also struggle to recognize the value of foreign experience, with many preferring to hire alumni from universities or organizations that they know. When employers are unable to recognize the credentials of foreign employers or schools, they struggle to assess if the candidate’s experience fits their needs. Despite these barriers, respondents say organizations can take steps toward integrating immigrants, starting with de-emphasizing Canadian experience in their search for candidates. “One thing employers should do is rediscover their humility and remind themselves why when someone with an unfamiliar name from an unfamiliar country and different experience comes across your desk, there’s a possibility that person knows something you don’t know,” says Mr. Bernhard. The report also highlights the importance of creating a diversity, equity and inclusion strategy to recruit and retain newcomer talent. One HR leader from a financial services company suggests that considerations such as country of origin and year of arrival should figure in hiring frameworks to ensure they are inclusive. Respondents further noted the value of sharing success stories with colleagues across their organizations about working with immigrants. For example, a natural resource firm in Western Canada shared how changing their policy from only hiring workers who had experience driving in the snow led them to see that those who had no such experience were often more careful and had fewer accidents. This allowed them to boost their safety record while relying on newcomers to address labour shortages in their industry. Beyond cultivating an inclusive work culture, the report recommends adopting a more holistic approach to employee well-being that involves the employer recognizing the factors outside of work that can affect performance. This could include, for example, the spouse’s ability to find work. According to respondents, organizations can help in these areas by connecting with civil society organizations offering support services to newcomers. While the immigrant unemployment gap persists, the ICC-Deloitte report finds that Canada has an opportunity to use immigrant talent to gain a competitive edge. But without a dedicated approach, employers risk losing out on the potential that global talent brings, while falling behind on growth and innovation. “Immigrants who are selected for their specific skills and experiences and come from countries that do some things better than we do can teach firms to evolve and innovate,” Mr. Bernhard says. “Sidelining those people is a recipe for stagnation.”

Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says the central bank is preparing for a future that looks more uncertain and more prone to shocks. In a speech to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, he said Monday structural changes are underway in the world including demographic shifts, technological changes, decarbonization and a move away from globalization. “We need to use the pandemic experience to prepare for future crises,” Macklem said in a prepared text of his speech. To that end, Macklem says the Bank of Canada is working to learn what it can from how the economy reacted to the pandemic and in its aftermath. The Bank of Canada is conducting a review of the policy actions it took to restore financial stability and support the economy during the pandemic that it plans to publish along with an assessment of an independent panel of experts. Macklem said the spike in inflation in 2022 was a reminder that even though inflation was relatively low and stable for 30 years leading up to the pandemic, central banks cannot take public trust for granted. “All of a sudden, people couldn’t afford the things they need. And while inflation is low once again, many prices are still a lot higher than they were before the pandemic. So people feel ripped off. And that erodes public trust in our economic system,” he said in his speech. The Bank of Canada has cut its key policy interest rate five times this year including last week when it reduced the benchmark by a half a percentage point to 3.25 per cent. Macklem says the bank will be evaluating the need for further reductions in the policy rate one decision at a time and anticipates a more gradual approach to monetary policy if the economy evolves as expected. Statistics Canada reported last month that the annual inflation rate was two per cent in Ontario, hitting the Bank of Canada’s target. The speech by Macklem came ahead of the release of the November inflation report on Tuesday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 16, 2024. The Canadian PressLOS ANGELES — “Around the Horn,” ESPN’s long-running sports debate program with a game show twist, is coming to an end next year. The network will pull the plug on the show sometime during the summer of 2025, according to a source familiar with the decision but not authorized to discuss it publicly, after nearly 23 years on the air. ESPN declined to comment for this story. The show premiered in November 2002 and has been a staple in the network’s 5 p.m. time slot Monday through Friday, followed by another long-running sports talk show, “Pardon the Interruption.” “Around the Horn” was originally hosted by Max Kellerman, with current host Tony Reali taking over that role in early 2004. “Around the Horn” features a rotating panel of four sports reporters and columnists — often including The Los Angeles Times’s Bill Plaschke, the Colorado Springs Gazette’s Woody Paige, ESPN’s Mina Kimes, the Dallas Morning News’s Tim Cowlishaw, former Times columnist and ESPN reporter J.A. Adande, ESPN’s Sarah Spain, former Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan, the Washington Post’s Kevin Blackistone, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and many others. The show’s format features Reali asking for a hot take from each panel member on a number of trending sports topics. Reali awards, or takes away, points for each panel member based on their takes, with the person with the lowest number of points being eliminated as the show progresses until a winner is declared. That person is awarded 30 seconds of “Face Time” to talk about anything they choose. ESPN is said to be exploring new show concepts with “Around the Horn” and “Pardon the Interruption” producer Erik Rydholm. The network is also said to hold Reali in high regard and to be looking for new opportunities for him at ESPN after “Around the Horn” ends.My 2 best ASX growth shares to buy in November

Intech Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Omnicell, Inc. ( NASDAQ:OMCL – Free Report ) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 17,270 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $753,000. A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of OMCL. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Omnicell by 1.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,651,732 shares of the company’s stock worth $165,200,000 after purchasing an additional 80,312 shares during the last quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. lifted its position in shares of Omnicell by 32.6% during the second quarter. Pacer Advisors Inc. now owns 2,070,434 shares of the company’s stock valued at $56,047,000 after buying an additional 508,789 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Omnicell by 0.3% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,180,503 shares of the company’s stock valued at $31,955,000 after buying an additional 3,570 shares in the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. grew its position in shares of Omnicell by 11,982.3% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 1,148,426 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,071,000 after buying an additional 1,138,921 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Federated Hermes Inc. raised its stake in shares of Omnicell by 1,113.6% during the 2nd quarter. Federated Hermes Inc. now owns 991,151 shares of the company’s stock worth $26,830,000 after acquiring an additional 909,480 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.70% of the company’s stock. Omnicell Price Performance NASDAQ OMCL opened at $46.59 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $44.55 and its 200 day moving average price is $37.94. Omnicell, Inc. has a 1 year low of $25.12 and a 1 year high of $55.74. The company has a market cap of $2.16 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -119.46, a PEG ratio of 36.82 and a beta of 0.81. Analyst Ratings Changes Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on OMCL Omnicell Company Profile ( Free Report ) Omnicell, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides medication management solutions and adherence tools for healthcare systems and pharmacies the United States and internationally. The company offers point of care automation solutions to improve clinician workflows in patient care areas of the healthcare system; XT Series automated dispensing systems for medications and supplies used in nursing units and other clinical areas of the hospital, as well as specialized automated dispensing systems for operating room; and robotic dispensing systems for handling the stocking and retrieval of boxed medications. See Also Five stocks we like better than Omnicell How to Invest in Small Cap Stocks The Latest 13F Filings Are In: See Where Big Money Is Flowing How to Invest in the Best Canadian Stocks 3 Penny Stocks Ready to Break Out in 2025 What Does a Gap Up Mean in Stocks? How to Play the Gap FMC, Mosaic, Nutrien: Top Agricultural Stocks With Big Potential Receive News & Ratings for Omnicell Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Omnicell and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Urbana, Ill., Mulls Council Approval of Surveillance Tech

Why bitcoin is boomingThe Ducks will ring in December by hosting the Ottawa Senators on Sunday in a matchup of teams that are an eyelash under .500 with designs on gaining some upward momentum. They’ll enter the clash with identical .477 points percentages that situate them near the bottom of their respective divisions but not far behind a crowded pack of middling clubs. The Ducks have had more of a defensive inclination while the Senators have shown more scoring pop to date. Ducks coach Greg Cronin said his team hadn’t “had too many stinkers” of late, and that’s been reflected by their 5-3-1 record across their past nine games, with four of their five-plus-goal games this season arriving in that span. “Since we got back from that New York trip, I think we’ve been on a pretty good path in terms of playing with an identity and competing,” Cronin said. They had to grind hard on Black Friday, when they played what Cronin described as something of a postseason-style game against the Kings at Honda Center. Though they fell 2-1 to what veteran forward Ryan Strome described as a “mature, veteran team” that they couldn’t quite edge past despite playing a “disciplined, structured and north-south” game, the Ducks still felt they carried forward some positive indicators from their recent play. “It was a good hockey game. We competed hard. I thought we dictated a lot of the game. We played similar to the way we’ve been playing,” Strome said. Kings coach Jim Hiller concurred. With teams frequently playing the Southern California franchises back to back, he and Cronin get constant looks at one another’s teams during pre-scouts, and Hiller assessed the Ducks’ performance quite favorably. “I thought – we’ve played them this year, I’ve scouted them this year – I thought that’s the best game they’ve played this year. I thought they played very well,” Hiller said. Time will tell if Sunday’s match elicits similar plaudits from Ottawa coach Travis Green, who spent parts of two seasons with the Ducks as a player and is in his first year as the Sens’ head coach after previously guiding the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils briefly. Though Brock McGinn has made some progress in his return, he and Robby Fabbri remained unavailable. So, too, did Leo Carlsson, whose upper-body injury has kept him out of the Ducks’ past two matches. Cam Fowler will be a game-time decision. Troy Terry has four points across his three-game scoring streak, while Trevor Zegras just snapped a four-gamer that saw him compile six points. For Ottawa, forwards Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson each have seven points in the Sens’ past five outings. Captain Brady Tkachuk, whom Cronin suggested could be a model for his own power forward Mason McTavish, has racked up five points during a three-game surge. Those are the three Senators scoring above a point per game this season, with Stützle’s 28 points in 22 games leading the way. When: 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Honda Center How to watch: Victory+

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The Ducks will ring in December by hosting the Ottawa Senators on Sunday in a matchup of teams that are an eyelash under .500 with designs on gaining some upward momentum. They’ll enter the clash with identical .477 points percentages that situate them near the bottom of their respective divisions but not far behind a crowded pack of middling clubs. The Ducks have had more of a defensive inclination while the Senators have shown more scoring pop to date. Ducks coach Greg Cronin said his team hadn’t “had too many stinkers” of late, and that’s been reflected by their 5-3-1 record across their past nine games, with four of their five-plus-goal games this season arriving in that span. “Since we got back from that New York trip, I think we’ve been on a pretty good path in terms of playing with an identity and competing,” Cronin said. They had to grind hard on Black Friday, when they played what Cronin described as something of a postseason-style game against the Kings at Honda Center. Though they fell 2-1 to what veteran forward Ryan Strome described as a “mature, veteran team” that they couldn’t quite edge past despite playing a “disciplined, structured and north-south” game, the Ducks still felt they carried forward some positive indicators from their recent play. “It was a good hockey game. We competed hard. I thought we dictated a lot of the game. We played similar to the way we’ve been playing,” Strome said. Kings coach Jim Hiller concurred. With teams frequently playing the Southern California franchises back to back, he and Cronin get constant looks at one another’s teams during pre-scouts, and Hiller assessed the Ducks’ performance quite favorably. “I thought – we’ve played them this year, I’ve scouted them this year – I thought that’s the best game they’ve played this year. I thought they played very well,” Hiller said. Time will tell if Sunday’s match elicits similar plaudits from Ottawa coach Travis Green, who spent parts of two seasons with the Ducks as a player and is in his first year as the Sens’ head coach after previously guiding the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils briefly. Though Brock McGinn has made some progress in his return, he and Robby Fabbri remained unavailable. So, too, did Leo Carlsson, whose upper-body injury has kept him out of the Ducks’ past two matches. Cam Fowler will be a game-time decision. Troy Terry has four points across his three-game scoring streak, while Trevor Zegras just snapped a four-gamer that saw him compile six points. For Ottawa, forwards Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson each have seven points in the Sens’ past five outings. Captain Brady Tkachuk, whom Cronin suggested could be a model for his own power forward Mason McTavish, has racked up five points during a three-game surge. Those are the three Senators scoring above a point per game this season, with Stützle’s 28 points in 22 games leading the way. Ottawa at Ducks When: 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Honda Center How to watch: Victory+