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2 nice ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Maddie Zimmer and Ilse Tromp both had two goals and an assist in the first half and Northwestern beat Saint Joseph's 5-0 in the championship match of the NCAA Division-I women's field hockey tournament at Phyllis Ocker Field on Sunday. It was the second championship for the second-seeded Wildcats (23-1-0), who have played for the title in four straight seasons. Northwestern beat Liberty 2-0 in 2021 before losing to North Carolina the past two seasons. No. 4 seed Saint Joseph's (20-4-0) was in uncharted waters with its first trip to the final. The Hawks eliminated top-seeded North Carolina in the semifinals to advance. The Tar Heels have won the championship in half of their 22 trips to the final. Northwestern grabbed the lead 6:25 into the first quarter when Zimmer used an assist from Tromp to score. Zimmer had an assist on Olivia Bent-Cole's eighth goal of the season for a 2-0 advantage, and Tromp found the net with 25 seconds left with assists from Lauren Hunter and Ashley Sessa for a 3-0 lead. Hunter and Sessa again had the helpers on Zimmer's 10th goal of the campaign, and Hunter and Regan Cornelius assisted on Tromp's 11th goal of the season 2:42 later for a 5-0 lead at halftime and that was that. Annabel Skubisz finished with her school-record 14th shutout of the season for Northwestern. Zimmer and Tromp are the second duo to score multiple goals for their school in a championship match. Zimmer was named the tournament MVP. It was the second championship for Wildcats coach Tracey Fuchs. Northwestern joins North Carolina and Old Dominion as the only schools to reach the championship match in four straight seasons. Six schools have won multiple titles.Quarterbacks in spotlight when No. 6 Miami visits Syracuse

Coming off what was likely a week's worth of intense practices, No. 10 Kansas returns home for a matchup with North Carolina State on Saturday afternoon in Lawrence, Kan. The Jayhawks (7-2) lost back-to-back games versus unranked opponents, the first time in school history that they have done that while ranked No. 1. Now they have to regroup to face the Wolfpack (7-3). Kansas lost its first two games of the season emphatically: 76-63 at Creighton on Dec. 4 and 76-67 at Missouri last Sunday. Coach Bill Self, who has only lost three straight games four times in his 21-year career at Kansas, was pretty succinct about his team's play following the loss to Missouri. "I think it was probably a combination of them being good and us not being good," he said. "I don't know that I could give them 100 percent credit, but that's what happens in sports. When the other team is doing things to hurt you, and you don't attack it well, they guard you the same way. "A lot of times you just roll it straight because of just not being as prepared or ready. I think it was a combination of both. I would err on the side of giving them more credit, because if I just say we sucked, that would take credit from them. We did suck, but it was in large part them." The Jayhawks still have a balanced and experienced attack, led by seniors Hunter Dickinson (15.0 points per game), Zeke Mayo (10.9), Dajuan Harris Jr. (10.7) and KJ Adams Jr. (9.8). Their biggest problem against Missouri was the 22 turnovers. "It's been a crap week for all of us," Self said on his weekly radio show Tuesday. "But hopefully we get an opportunity to bounce back. "I'm not going to make any excuses. If you don't perform the way we didn't perform, there certainly can be some valuable things to learn from that hopefully will give us a chance to win the war and not just the battle." NC State has won back-to-back games, including the ACC opener against Florida State on Dec. 7. In their last game, the Wolfpack handled Coppin State 66-56 on Tuesday. That's not to say NC State coach Kevin Keatts was impressed. "I thought we did a terrible job at the end of shot clocks when they were going to take a bunch of bad shots but we fouled them," Keatts said. "That being said, you can learn a lot from a win instead of a loss. "We compete hard every day, and our energy is always high. With this group, I'm trying to get everyone to be consistent." The Wolfpack has a trio of double-digit scorers, led by Marcus Hill (13.0 ppg). Jayden Taylor adds 12.5 and Dontrez Styles chips in 10.6. Ben Middlebrooks (9.2) and Brandon Huntley-Hatfield (8.7) round out the top five. Huntley-Hatfield (5.6 rebounds per game) and Styles (4.6) also lead a balanced rebounding attack. The Jayhawks have won 12 straight games in the series with North Carolina State. --Field Level MediaNASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Scottie Scheffler brought a new putting grip to the Hero World Challenge and felt enough improvement to be satisfied with the result, a 5-under 67 that left him three shots behind Cameron Young on Thursday. Young was playing for the first time since the BMW Championship more than three months ago and found great success on and around the greens of Albany Golf Club, chipping beautifully and holing four birdie putts from 15 feet or longer for his 64. He led by two shots over Justin Thomas in his first competition since his daughter was born a few weeks ago. Thomas ran off four straight birdies late in his round and was a fraction of an inch away with a fifth. The big surprise was Scheffler, the No. 1 player in golf who looked as good as he has all year in compiling eight victories, including an Olympic gold medal. His iron play has no equal. His putting at times has kept him from winning more or winning bigger. He decided to try to a “saw” putting grip from about 20 feet or closer — the putter rests between his right thumb and his fingers, with his left index finger pointed down the shaft. “I’m always looking for ways to improve,” Scheffler said. Scheffler last year began working with renowned putting instructor Phil Kenyon, and he says Kenyon mentioned the alternative putting grip back then. “But it was really our first time working together and it’s something that’s different than what I’ve done in the past,” Scheffler said. “This year I had thought about it from time to time, and it was something that we had just said let’s table that for the end of the season, take a look at it. “Figured this is a good week to try stuff.” He opened with a wedge to 2 feet and he missed a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-5 third. But he holed a birdie from about the same distance at the next par 5, No. 6, and holed a sliding 6-footer on the ninth to save par. His longest putt was his last hole, from 12 feet for a closing birdie. “I really enjoyed the way it felt,” he said. “I felt like I’m seeing some improvements in my stroke.” Young, regarded as the best active player without a PGA Tour victory, is treating this holiday tournament as the start of a new season. He worked on getting stronger and got back to the basics in his powerful golf swing. And on this day, he was dialed in with his short game. He only struggled to save par twice and kept piling up birdies in his bogey-free round on an ideal day in the Bahamas. “The wind wasn’t blowing much so it was relatively stress-free,” Young said. Patrick Cantlay, along with Scheffler playing for the first time since the Presidents Cup, also was at 67 with Ludvig Aberg, Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala. Thomas also took this occasion to do a little experimenting against a 20-man field. He has using a 46-inch driver at home — a little more than an inch longer than his regular driver — in a bid to gain more speed. On a day with little wind, on a golf course with some room off the tee, he decided to put it in play. “Just with it being a little bit longer, I just kind of have to get the club out in front of me and get on top of it a little bit more,” Thomas said. “I drove the hell out of it on the back, so that was nice to try something different and have it go a little bit better on the back.” Thomas said the longer driver gives him 2 or 3 mph in ball speed and 10 extra yards in the air. “It’s very specific for courses, but gave it a try,” he said. Conditions were easy enough that only four players in field failed to break par, with Jason Day bringing up the rear with a 75. AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golfMEXICO CITY (AP) — Walmart’s Mexico subsidiary said Friday it plans to appeal a $4.6 million fine for alleged anti-competitive practices involving suppliers. Walmart de Mexico said in a statement that it had talked with suppliers to see if there were any concerns. The agency that issued the fine, known as the Federal Competition Commission, expressed concerns about a “relative monopolistic practice.” The commission, Mexico's main anti-monopoly regulatory agency, is one of several independent agencies soon to be eliminated as part of what the government describes as a money-saving measure. It apparently levied the fine after at least one rival store chain accused Walmart of using its substantial purchasing power to gain discounts that put other sellers at a disadvantage. Walmart is by far the largest retail chain in Mexico. It called the decision “incorrect” and said it contained “errors in applying the law.” The company said it would abide by the agency’s ruling Thursday, but would appeal the decision. Walmart's shares rose about 7.5% on the Mexican stock exchange Friday. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Chris Mubiru leads Northwestern State over North Alabama 71-58

retired US Air Force Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski, told Sputnik, commenting on the group’s alleged . The CENTCOM explanation seems questionable to Kwiatkowski for : 1. The Pentagon typically avoids admitting friendly fire incidents due to the embarrassment. The quick acknowledgment after the crash suggests the truth might be even more embarrassing. 2. The incident is being downplayed and underreported in domestic news, aside from the survival of the pilots. 3. There is confirmed evidence of Houthi capabilities to , , and slower-moving aircraft in the Red Sea over the past 15 months. Yesterday, 15:37 GMT How Could the Houthis Have Downed the US Warplane? Kwiatkowski noted that the F/A-18 was struck shortly after takeoff, as it was gaining speed and altitude. "It is likely that the countermeasures in the F-18 were not usable so soon after takeoff and at the altitude they were hit," she suggested. "Security for takeoff is the carrier battle group’s primary responsibility." Additionally, if a Houthi missile attack was detected, it's possible that US defense systems were trying to avoid friendly fire. This algorithm might have allowed the missile or drone to find its target so close to the USS Harry Truman, within the US-friendly zone. Shiite rebel fighters, known as Houthis, hold their weapons during a tribal gathering to show support for the Houthi movement in Sanaa, Yemen. © AP Photo / Hani Mohammed Why is the US Navy Downplaying the Houthi Missile Threat? According to Kwiatkowski, the primary reason for downplaying is that "The US Naval offensive posture – 12 nuclear Carrier Battle Groups with associated submarine escorts – has become a global target and a technological sitting duck," which are "hard to man, expensive to operate, and difficult to defend." The needed changes are being resisted by current military and political leadership, according to the former Pentagon analyst. "It is the end of this model, and a time for a new US military posture that matches its actual means and constitutional goals. And, dare I say at this time of year, a push for peace," Kwiatkowski concluded. 31 October, 17:56 GMT

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different — and the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at on Thursday. The award — and the glitzy festival itself — is a sign of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to shaping a new film industry. “My heart is attached to cinema and art; I have always dreamed of a moment like this,” Dakheelallah, who still works a 9-5 job, told The Associated Press before the awards ceremony. “I used to work in voluntary films and help my friends in the field, but this is my first big role in a film.” The reopening of cinemas in 2018 marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia, an absolute monarchy that had instituted the ban 35 years before, under the influence of ultraconservative religious authorities. It has since invested heavily in a native film industry by building theaters and launching programs to support local filmmakers through grants and training. The Red Sea International Film Festival was launched just a year later, part of an attempt to expand Saudi influence into films, gaming, sports and other cultural fields. Activists have decried the investments as whitewashing the kingdom’s human rights record as it tightly controls speech and remains one of the world’s top executioners. With FIFA awarding to Saudi Arabia this week, with the London-based rights group ALQST, said Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman “has really managed to create this bubble where people only see entertainment and they don’t see the reality on the ground.” These efforts are part of unveiled in 2016 to ease the economy’s dependence on oil. As part of it, Saudi Arabia plans to construct 350 cinemas with over 2,500 movie screens — by this past April, across 22 cities, it already had 66 cinemas showing movies from the local film industry, as well as Hollywood and Bollywood. (The Red Sea International Film Festival attracts a host of talent from the latter industries, with and also picking up awards Thursday.) The country’s General Entertainment Authority last month opened Al Hisn Studios on the outskirts of Riyadh. As one of the largest such production hubs in the Middle East, it not only includes several film studios but also a production village with workshops for carpentry, blacksmithing and fashion tailoring. “These facilities, when they exist, will stimulate filmmakers,” said Saudi actor Mohammed Elshehri. “Today, no writer or director has an excuse to imagine and say, ‘I cannot implement my imagination.’” The facilities are one part of the equation — the content itself is another. One of the major players in transforming Saudi filmmaking has been founded in 2011 that began as a YouTube channel and quickly became a trailblazer. Producing high-quality digital content such as short films, comedy sketches and series, Telfaz11 offered fresh perspectives on Saudi and regional issues. In 2020, Telfaz11 to produce original content for the streaming giant. The result has been movies that demonstrate an evolution on the storytelling level, tackling topics that were once off-limits and sensitive to the public like secret nightlife in “Mandoob” (“Night Courier”) and changing social norms in “Naga.” “I think we tell our stories in a very simple way, and that’s what reaches the world,” Elshehri says of the changing shift. “When you tell your story in a natural way without any affectation, it will reach every person.” But the films were not without their critics, drawing mixed reaction. Social media discoursed ranged from pleasure that Saudi film were tackling such topics to anger over how the films reflected conservative society. As Hana Al-Omair, a Saudi writer and director, points out, there are still many stories left untold. “We certainly have a long time ahead of us before we can tell the Saudi narrative as it should be,” she said, acknowledging that there are still barriers and rampant censorship. “The Goat Life,” a Malayalam-language movie about an Indian man forced to work without pay in Saudi Arabia, is not available on Netflix’s platform in the country. Movies that explore political topics or LGBTQ+ stories are essentially out of the question. Even “My Driver and I,” featured at the Red Sea festival alongside 11 other Saudi feature-length films, was initially too controversial. It centers on a Sudanese man in Jeddah, living away from his own daughter, who feels responsible for the girl he drives as her parents are absent. It was initially blocked from being made because of the relationship between the girl and the driver, filmmaker Ahd Kamel has said, even though it’s not a romantic relationship. Now in 2024, the film is a success story — a symbol of the Saudi film industry’s evolution as well as the growing role of women like Kamel behind the camera and Dakheelallah in front of it. “I see the change in Saudi cinema, a very beautiful change and it is moving at a wonderful speed. In my opinion, we do not need to rush,” Dakheelallah said. “We need to guide the truth of the artistic movement that is happening in Saudi Arabia.” Baraa Anwer, The Associated PressANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Maddie Zimmer and Ilse Tromp both had two goals and an assist in the first half and Northwestern beat Saint Joseph's 5-0 in the championship match of the NCAA Division-I women's field hockey tournament at Phyllis Ocker Field on Sunday. It was the second championship for the second-seeded Wildcats (23-1-0), who have played for the title in four straight seasons. Northwestern beat Liberty 2-0 in 2021 before losing to North Carolina the past two seasons. No. 4 seed Saint Joseph's (20-4-0) was in uncharted waters with its first trip to the final. The Hawks eliminated top-seeded North Carolina in the semifinals to advance. The Tar Heels have won the championship in half of their 22 trips to the final. Northwestern grabbed the lead 6:25 into the first quarter when Zimmer used an assist from Tromp to score. Zimmer had an assist on Olivia Bent-Cole's eighth goal of the season for a 2-0 advantage, and Tromp found the net with 25 seconds left with assists from Lauren Hunter and Ashley Sessa for a 3-0 lead. Hunter and Sessa again had the helpers on Zimmer's 10th goal of the campaign, and Hunter and Regan Cornelius assisted on Tromp's 11th goal of the season 2:42 later for a 5-0 lead at halftime and that was that. Annabel Skubisz finished with her school-record 14th shutout of the season for Northwestern. Zimmer and Tromp are the second duo to score multiple goals for their school in a championship match. Zimmer was named the tournament MVP. It was the second championship for Wildcats coach Tracey Fuchs. Northwestern joins North Carolina and Old Dominion as the only schools to reach the championship match in four straight seasons. Six schools have won multiple titles.The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse?

WASHINGTON (AP) — La Corte Suprema de Estados Unidos permitió el avance de una multimillonaria demanda colectiva de inversores contra Meta, la empresa matriz de Facebook, derivada del escándalo de privacidad relacionado con la firma de consultoría política Cambridge Analytica. Los jueces escucharon argumentos en noviembre, en el intento de Meta de cerrar la demanda. El viernes, decidieron que se equivocaron al aceptar el caso. El tribunal superior desestimó la apelación de la empresa, dejando en pie una decisión de apelación que permite que el caso avance. Los inversores alegan que Meta no divulgó plenamente los riesgos de que la información personal de los usuarios de Facebook fuera mal utilizada por Cambridge Analytica, una empresa que apoyó la primera campaña presidencial de Donald Trump como candidato republicano en 2016. La insuficiencia de las divulgaciones provocó dos importantes caídas en el precio de las acciones de la empresa en 2018, cuando el público se enteró del alcance del escándalo de privacidad, dicen los inversores. El portavoz de Meta, Andy Stone, dijo que la empresa estaba decepcionada por la acción del tribunal. “Las reclamaciones del demandante son infundadas y seguiremos defendiéndonos mientras el Tribunal de Distrito analiza el caso”, dijo Stone en un comunicado enviado por correo electrónico. Meta ya pagó una multa de 5.100 millones de dólares y alcanzó un acuerdo de privacidad por 725 millones de dólares con los usuarios. Cambridge Analytica tenía vínculos con el estratega político de Trump, Steve Bannon. Pagó a un desarrollador de aplicaciones de Facebook para acceder a la información personal de unos 87 millones de usuarios de la popular red social. Esa información fue luego utilizada para dirigirse a los votantes estadounidenses durante la campaña de 2016. La demanda es uno de dos casos de la Corte Suprema relacionados con demandas colectivas contra empresas tecnológicas. Los jueces también deben decidir si cierran una demanda colectiva contra Nvidia. Los inversores dicen que la empresa los engañó sobre su dependencia de la venta de chips informáticos para la minería de criptomonedas volátiles. Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.At Khanauri, Tikait gives call for unity

With their push to end smoking in Atlantic City’s casinos going nowhere fast in either the courts or the state Legislature, casino workers and supporters of smoke-free gambling halls demonstrated Thursday outside a hotel where New Jersey’s governor was due to speak. The workers have been pushing for four years to end an exemption in New Jersey’s clean air law that allows smoking inside the nine casinos. They say they or their co-workers are becoming ill with cancer, heart disease and other conditions related to exposure to second-hand smoke. Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat, has said he will sign a bill to end casino smoking once it reaches his desk. But he has invested little political capital in pushing for it to happen. His office referred a reporter to a statement he made in a call-in show in September on News 12 New Jersey in which the governor questioned why workers are blaming him for the impasse. “I have an enormous amount of sympathy with them; they’re somehow blaming this on me,” Murphy said on the show. “I just want to repeat what I have been saying for about five years: If a bill comes to my desk that bans smoking in casinos in Atlantic City, I will sign it. Period. I am not equivocating, and I have not equivocated about that. The way to solve this is through legislation.” A bill to end casino smoking has been stalled in the state Legislature for years without the state’s Democratic leadership allowing it to progress to full votes in the Senate and Assembly. And a lawsuit brought by the worker s in April is working its way slowly through the legal system; a judge refused to grant an order in August that would have ended smoking in the gambling halls. UAW to pull out of AFL-CIO over New Jersey casino smoking loophole United Auto Workers’ director is furious at other unions for supporting indoor smoking in Atlantic City casinos, despite the health risk it poses to workers. 3 months ago The stalemate added to the frustration of casino workers who say they want the same workplace protections that virtually every other worker in New Jersey receives. “It’s horrible when you have three, four, five people blowing smoke in your face,” said Sandy Smolen, a dealer at the Borgata casino for the past five years and a 40-year veteran of the industry. “You can’t get away from it. You go home with a cough you didn’t have that morning.” Elaine Rose, a frequent casino patron, voiced similar sentiments. “As a player, I’ve walked into a casino, played a couple hours, and walked out with a bad case of bronchitis,” she said. Whether to ban smoking is one of the most controversial issues not only in Atlantic City casinos, but in other states where workers have expressed concern about secondhand smoke. They are waging similar campaigns in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Kansas and Virginia. The Atlantic City casino industry opposes a ban, fearing the loss of significant revenue and jobs if smokers stop coming to Atlantic City and take their business elsewhere. But opponents say casinos in several parts of the country have successfully gone smoke-free without losing business. A competing bill that would keep the current 25% limit of the casino floor on which smoking can occur, but impose other limits is also bottled up in the Legislature. That measure would allow smoking in unenclosed areas of the casino floor that contain slot machines and are designated as smoking areas that are more than 15 feet (4.6 meters) away from table games staffed by live dealers. It also would allow the casinos to offer smoking in enclosed, separately ventilated smoking rooms with the proviso that no worker can be assigned to work in such a room against their will. Ricky Foster, a supervisor-dealer at the Borgata for 21 years, said the frustration among workers is palpable. “We’re tired of doing Go Fund Me accounts for people’s cancer and heart conditions, and they never smoked a day in their life,” he said. Get daily updates from WHYY News! The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.Jordan Peterson is leaving Toronto. Peterson, appearing on his daughter Mikhaila’s podcast in an episode posted Dec. 6, officially announced his move to a sunnier home in the United States, where there “are decided advantages” over living in Toronto. A psychologist who rose to prominence rallying against preferred pronoun use at the University of Toronto, Peterson has become a popular talking head among conservative and right-wing media in recent years. “The issue with the College (of Psychologists of Ontario) ... is very annoying, to say the least,” Peterson said, citing reasons why he decided to leave Toronto. “And the new legislation that the (federal) Liberals are attempting to push through, Bill C-63 (Online Harms Act) — we’d all be living in a totalitarian hellhole if it passes.” “The tax situation is out of hand, the government in Canada at the federal level is incompetent beyond belief. And it’s become uncomfortable for me in my neighbourhood in Toronto.” Peterson’s spat with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) stems from complaints over social media posts about, among other things, a “not beautiful” plus-size model. The college ordered Peterson to undergo a coaching program on professionalism in public statements. In August, three Superior Court judges comprising a panel of Divisional Court, ruled it was reasonable for the CPO to order Peterson to take a course on professionalism in communications. The governing body for psychologists made the order after receiving numerous complaints over Peterson’s commentary, which has been criticized for attacking feminism and racial diversity. Peterson has repeatedly taken aim at the Online Harms Act, or Bill C-63, which has sparked debate over how Ottawa should best strike the balance between protecting its citizens and their right to express themselves freely. There are seven categories of harm are laid out in the bill — three deal with protecting children from exploitative or harmful content, another category covers the sharing of intimate images without consent, and the remaining categories include content that promotes hatred, content that incites violence, and content that incites violent extremism or terrorism. to ensure the child safety guidelines could be passed into law. Peterson didn’t specify where in the U.S. he has moved to, but mentioned that he was near his daughter, who lives in Arizona. Peterson didn’t say exactly where he lived in Toronto, but that he had “modest semi in Seaton Village.” On the podcast episode he said he lived in a “kind of champagne socialist neighbourhood” and was “less popular in my own neighbourhood than I am anywhere else in the world, literally.” He called the Toronto District School Board “probably the most woke institution in North America, which is really saying something,” over its handling of the COVID pandemic, and said Toronto is “run by the wife (Olivia Chow) of the last leader of the socialist party in Canada (Jack Layton), and so the goal in Toronto was to turn it into Portland or San Francisco. And that’s happening.” He said he moved once he and his son, whom he lived close to, became uncomfortable living in Toronto. “I didn’t ever expect that to be something that happened in Canada. But under Justin (Trudeau) and the woke mob, that’s definitely something that’s happened,” Peterson said. It’s been almost a decade since Peterson rocketed to national consciousness — and controversy — by arguing that being forced to use pronouns such as “ze” and “zir” was a violation of free speech while lecturing at the University of Toronto. He emerged as part public intellectual, part internet celebrity and a fighter against perceived political correctness. He was author of the bestselling book, “12 Rules for Life: Antidote to Chaos,” which urged readers to seize responsibility for their own lives, sparking speaking tours, lucrative crowdfunding and official merchandise and launched him into global fame. Peterson also parted ways with U of T, writing in the National Post in 2022 that he’d resigned from the full-time, tenured position. There were a few reasons, he wrote. Chief among them was the “appalling ideology currently demolishing the universities and, downstream, the general culture.” He has since and regularly appears on conservative media, rallying against and . Then, testifying under oath at a public inquiry into foreign interference in October, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared to reference recent American allegations that RT — a media mouthpiece for the Russian government — had been covertly bankrolling right-wing influencers, allegedly , according to the prime minister. Peterson denied those claims, telling the National Post, “I don’t think it’s reasonable for the prime minister of this country to basically label me a traitor and I don’t find it amusing.” He has said he is considering legal action.ISU women's basketball preparing for SEMO

Red Violet director Peter Benz sells $935,429 in stockHOUSTON, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tidal Investments LLC (“Tidal”) announced today that Days Global Advisors (“DGA”), a leading innovator in ETF management, will change the listing exchange for shares of DGA Core Plus Absolute Return ETF (ticker: HF) from NYSE Arca, Inc. to the New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE”), effective December 12, 2024. DGA is committed to enhancing the trading experience for its clients and investors. By listing on the NYSE, the ETF will benefit from the expertise of a Designated Market Maker (DMM). This strategic shift reflects DGA’s commitment to delivering superior investment products and optimizing trading outcomes for its investors. The ETF will commence trading on the NYSE as of the open of trading on December 12, 2024. Shareholders of the ETF are not anticipated to be impacted or need to take any action in connection with the change in listing exchange. The ticker of the ETF will remain unchanged. About Tidal Investments LLC Formed by ETF industry pioneers and thought leaders, Tidal Investments LLC sets out to revolutionize the way ETFs have historically been developed, launched, marketed, and sold. With a focus on growing AUM, Tidal offers a comprehensive suite of services, proprietary tools, and methodologies designed to bring lasting ideas to market. Tidal is an advocate for ETF innovation. The firm is on a mission to provide issuers with the intelligence and tools needed to efficiently and to effectively launch ETFs and to optimize growth potential in a highly competitive space. For more information, visit https://www.tidalfinancialgroup.com/ . About Days Global Advisors Days Global Advisors is a premier asset management firm specializing in innovative ETF solutions. With a focus on enhancing liquidity, transparency, and investor confidence, DGA delivers tailored investment products that align with market trends and investor needs. For more information, visit http://www.daysadvisors.com . Important Information Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Fund, please visit our website at www.daysadvisors.com. Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing. Investment Objective: The DGA Core Plus Absolute Return ETF seeks long-term capital appreciation as a primary objective, with capital preservation as a secondary objective. Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decision. Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of Shares or during periods of market volatility. Cybersecurity Risk. With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security, and related risks. Equity Market Risk. The equity securities in which the Fund invests may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. Political Criteria Risk. Because the Sub-Adviser evaluates the political activity of the companies in the Fund’s investment universe as part of its portfolio management process, it may forego some market opportunities available to other funds that do not consider political factors. Tidal Financial Group (Tidal) serves as the Investment Adviser for the Fund. Days Global Advisors (DGA) serves as the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. The Fund is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside, Tidal, and DGA are not related.None

Welcome to Briefly, Colorado Politics' daily news briefing. Here's what's happening today: Polis, Owens host "Disagree Better" event Gov. Jared Polis hosted an event alongside former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens and Tim Shriver, CEO of the Special Olympics and co-creator of the Dignity Index, a scoring system for ranking the civility and divisiveness of political discourse. The event, "Repairing the Breach in a Time of Political Polarization," included a discussion on how individuals with differing views can communicate respectfully and was part of Polis' Disagree Better initiative through the National Governor's Association. "As public leaders, we have a responsibility to lead with dignity and respect," said Polis. " Research shows that when political leaders stand together publicly and commit to constructively addressing our differences, we can have a depolarizing impact." Other attendees included Paul Edwards of Brigham Young University's Wheatley Institute and a panel of religious leaders. Disagree Better was created by Polis and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox. The initiative aims to show that Americans how to work through political differences and have productive, thoughtful conversations. Polis speaks at Ed Commission meeting, visits Denver Indian Health and Family Services Gov. Polis spoke at the Education Commission of the State's Winter commissioners meeting, which brings the states educators together to discuss trends, share initiatives, and collaborate to address challenges. "Helping all students get a high-quality education and secure good jobs in our innovative economy is critical for their future and Colorado’s future," said Polis. "I was excited to discuss my National Governor’s Association Chair Initiative 'Let's Get Ready' at today's meeting and the importance of creating opportunities that lead students to successful careers through many different education paths." Let's Get Ready is Polis' initiative as chair of the National Governor's Association and focuses on how to make sure young people are prepared for the workforce. Polis then visited Denver Indian Health and Family Services, the city's only Indian health clinic. In 2022, Polis signed House Bill 1190 , which appropriated funds to the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to address healthcare challenges among Indigenous people living in urban areas. "Providing all Coloradans culturally appropriate care is critical to creating a Colorado For All," Polis said. "I am thankful to Denver Indian Health and Family Services for helping our Native communities receive the care and services needed to thrive." Bennet, Hickenlooper praise federal funding for Springs-based semiconductor company Colorado Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper praised the U.S. Department of Commerce's announcement of a $77 million investment from the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, which authorized nearly $300 billion in funding for research and manufacturing of semiconductors in the United States. The newest investment will help semiconductor manufacturer Entegris expand its facility in Colorado Springs, creating about 900 new jobs. "Thanks to the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act, we're bringing the semiconductor industry back to America – and more economic opportunity to Colorado," said Bennet. "This historic funding for Entegris will create good-paying jobs and help our state continue to lead the way in advanced manufacturing."NEW YORK , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation, a special purpose acquisition company ("ANSC"), announced today that the Treasurer of Australia (the "Treasurer") on December 12, 2024 (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) confirmed that the Commonwealth Government of Australia has no objection to ANSC's previously announced proposed business combination with Australian Food & Agriculture Company Limited ("AFA") and the other parties to the Business Combination Agreement dated August 28, 2024 (the "Business Combination") (known colloquially as "FIRB Approval" as the Treasurer is advised on such matters by the Foreign Investment Review Board). FIRB Approval is one of the conditions to closing of the Business Combination. ABOUT AFA AFA is a large-scale, diversified agricultural business established by the late Colin Bell in 1993 with the acquisition of the historic 'Burrabogie' station. AFA now operates one of the largest agricultural portfolios in New South Wales, Australia consisting of three major freehold title land aggregations within the Deniliquin, Hay and Coonamble districts, which total approximately 550,000 acres, and a water portfolio of approximately 45,000 acre-feet. AFA's portfolio includes some of Australia's most iconic properties, including 'Boonoke', 'Burrabogie', 'Wanganella' and 'Wingadee'. The company has total livestock carrying capacity of approximately 247,000 dry sheep equivalent across its sheep wool and meat and cattle operations (excluding the Conargo feedlot). AFA also operates the historic Wanganella and Poll Boonoke merino sheep studs, amongst the most highly regarded studs in Australia . AFA's cropping operations are characterized by flexibility amongst crop types, geographies and seasons. Key crops include irrigated cotton, irrigated rice, wheat, barley, canola, corn, chick peas and faba beans. More recently, the company has developed the state-of-the-art Conargo feedlot with a licensed capacity of 12,000 standard cattle units. ABOUT ANSC ANSC was formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, amalgamation, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination. ANSC represents a further expansion of its sponsors' 18-year franchise in low-carbon investments, having established industry leading, scaled companies with more than $6 billion of equity invested in renewables. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This document includes certain statements that may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intends," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "would" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions, or results, and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors, many of which are outside of ANSC, Agriculture & Natural Solutions Company Limited ACN 680 144 085 ("NewCo") or AFA's management's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing ANSC's, AFA's or NewCo's views as of any subsequent date, and none of ANSC, AFA or NewCo undertakes any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. None of NewCo, ANSC or AFA gives any assurance that any of NewCo, ANSC or AFA will achieve its expectations. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, NewCo's actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: (i) the ability of the parties to complete the Business Combination by ANSC's business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain an extension of the business combination deadline if sought by ANSC; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the definitive agreements relating to the Business Combination; (iii) the outcome of any legal, regulatory or governmental proceedings that may be instituted against NewCo, ANSC or AFA or any investigation or inquiry following announcement of the Business Combination, including in connection with the Business Combination; (iv) the inability to complete the Business Combination due to the failure to obtain approval of ANSC's shareholders; (v) AFA's and NewCo's success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, their officers, key employees or directors following the Business Combination; (vi) the ability of the parties to obtain the listing of the ordinary shares in the capital of NewCo ("NewCo Ordinary Shares") and warrants to purchase NewCo Ordinary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange or another national securities exchange upon the closing of the Business Combination; (vii) the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of AFA as a result of the announcement and consummation of the transactions described herein; (viii) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination; (ix) unexpected costs related to the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition and the ability of AFA to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its key employees; (x) the ability of the parties to consummate one or more private placements of securities of NewCo to be consummated in connection with the Business Combination (the "Private Placements") on the stated timeline; (xi) the use of proceeds from the Private Placements by the combined company; (xii) the risk that there will be insufficient cash raised through the Private Placements, or that the amount of redemptions by ANSC's public shareholders is greater than expected; (xiii) the management and board composition of NewCo following completion of the Business Combination; (xiv) limited liquidity and trading of NewCo's securities; (xv) geopolitical risk and changes in applicable laws or regulations, including legal or regulatory developments (including, without limitation, accounting considerations) which could result in the need for AFA to restate its historical financial statements and cause unforeseen delays in the timing of the Business Combination and negatively impact the trading price of NewCo's securities and the attractiveness of the Business Combination to investors; (xvi) the possibility that AFA may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; (xvii) operational risks; (xviii) the possibility that a pandemic or major disease disrupts AFA's business; (xix) litigation and regulatory enforcement risks, including the diversion of management time and attention and the additional costs and demands on AFA's resources; (xx) the risks that the consummation of the Business Combination is substantially delayed or does not occur including the risk that the transaction may not be completed by ANSC's business combination deadline and the potential failure to obtain extensions of the business combination deadline if sought by ANSC; and (xxi) other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Business Combination, including those under "Risk Factors" therein, and in ANSC's, AFA's and NewCo's other filings with the SEC. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. No Offer or Solicitation This communication relates to a proposed business combination between AFA and ANSC. This document shall not constitute a "solicitation" of a proxy, consent, or authorization, as defined in Section 14 of the Exchange Act, with respect to any securities or in respect of the Business Combination. This document also does not constitute an offer, or a solicitation of an offer, to buy, sell, or exchange any securities, investment or other specific product, or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any offer, sale or exchange of securities, investment or other specific product in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale or exchange would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities will be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom. Additional Information About the Business Combination and Where To Find It In connection with the Business Combination, ANSC, NewCo and AFA intend to file a registration statement on Form F-4 relating to the Business Combination (the "Registration Statement") with the SEC, which will include a proxy statement of ANSC in connection with ANSC's extraordinary general meeting of its shareholders (the "ANSC Shareholders' Meeting") and certain other related matters described in the Registration Statement. The Registration Statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus contained therein, will contain important information about the Business Combination and the other matters to be voted upon at the ANSC Shareholders' Meeting. This communication does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the Business Combination and other matters and is not intended to provide the basis for any investment decision or any other decision in respect of such matters. ANSC, AFA and NewCo may also file other documents with the SEC regarding the Business Combination. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF ANSC AND OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS ARE URGED TO READ, WHEN AVAILABLE, THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, INCLUDING THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED THEREIN, ANY AMENDMENTS THERETO AND DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT WILL BE FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE BUSINESS COMBINATION CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY BECAUSE THESE DOCUMENTS WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ANSC, NEWCO, AFA, AND THE BUSINESS COMBINATION. After the Registration Statement is declared effective by the SEC, ANSC will mail the definitive proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Business Combination to its shareholders as of the record date established for voting on the Business Combination. Shareholders will also be able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials in connection with the Business Combination without charge, once available, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation, 712 Fifth Avenue, 36 th Floor, New York, NY 10019. Participants in the Solicitation ANSC, NewCo, AFA and their respective directors and executive officers and related persons may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies from ANSC's shareholders in connection with the Business Combination. ANSC's shareholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the directors and officers of ANSC and their direct or indirect interests therein in ANSC's Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 28, 2024 (File No. 001-41861), including, without limitation, "Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance", "Item 11. Executive Compensation", "Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters" and "Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence". Information regarding the persons who may, under SEC rules, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies to ANSC's shareholders in connection with the Business Combination and other matters to be voted upon at the ANSC Shareholders' Meeting will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus for the Business Combination when available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described above. Media Contact Daniel Yunger / Emma Cloyd Kekst CNC daniel.yunger@kekstcnc.com / emma.cloyd@kekstcnc.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agriculture--natural-solutions-acquisition-corporation-receives-firb-approval-in-connection-with-previously-announced-business-combination-302331743.html SOURCE Agriculture & Natural Solutions Acquisition Corporation

Inter beats Como and closes gap at the top of Serie A while Bove back on Fiorentina sideline FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Inter Milan beat Como 2-0 to cement third place in Serie A and close the gap on top two Atalanta and Napoli on Monday. Carlos Augusto got the opener when he headed home a corner kick in the 48th minute. Canadian Press Dec 23, 2024 1:56 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Inter Milan's Carlos Augusto, center, celebrates after scoring against Como during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Como at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno) FLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Inter Milan beat Como 2-0 to cement third place in Serie A and close the gap on top two Atalanta and Napoli on Monday. Carlos Augusto got the opener when he headed home a corner kick in the 48th minute. Marcus Thuram scored the second in stoppage time with a potent strike into the roof of the net. It was the first time these teams have played each other in the top division since 2003 and although Inter had lost only one league game all season it struggled to impose itself on 15th-placed Como. However, it won without exerting itself and the three points were enough to take Simone Inzaghi’s men within three points of leader Atalanta and within one of Napoli. Inter has a game in hand over both clubs. Fiorentina misses chance to rise Fiorentina missed a chance to go fourth when it lost at home to Udinese 2-1. The Florence club won a record eight consecutive Serie A games before losing to Bologna 1-0 on Dec. 15, and it looked to be back on track when Moises Kean converted a penalty after eight minutes to become the first Fiorentina player to reach double figures in the league since Federico Chiesa in the 2019-20 season. However, Udinese was a different prospect after the break. Lorenzo Lucca equalized with the aid of sloppy defending four minutes into the second half and then Florian Thauvin found space on the edge of the box to curl in the second eight minutes later. The result left Udinese in ninth place and Fiorentina in fifth. The match was a special one for Edoardo Bove, the Fiorentina player whose collapse with a heart issue led to the suspension of its game with Inter Milan on Dec. 1. Bove was fitted with a defibrillator implant soon after and sat on the Fiorentina bench for the first time since his collapse. He is not allowed to play but his position on the sideline alongside coach Raffaele Palladino was seen as a step towards normality for the 22-year-old midfielder. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Soccer FIFPRO against FIFA's temporary changes to transfer rules Dec 23, 2024 11:22 AM World Cup winner Alessandro Nesta fired by last-place Serie A club Monza Dec 23, 2024 8:12 AM Australia is banning social media for teens. Should Canada do the same? Dec 23, 2024 7:13 AMCo-founder and CEO, Dezigntees, Gbenga Aleshinloye, speaks about how the firm is leveraging technology to revolutionise Nigeria’s fashion industry, the challenges in achieving the initiative and the way forward. Emma Okonji presents the excerpts: Can you tell us the inspiration behind Dezigntees.ng and how it addresses a gap in the fashion industry? Dezigntees.ng was born from a deep-rooted passion to bridge the gap in accessible, high-quality merchandise customization across Africa. The inspiration stemmed from seeing how limited options were for creatives and brands to express their vision on merchandise without high costs or logistical burdens. We saw an opportunity to revolutionise this space by creating a platform that combines ease of design with robust production capabilities, allowing anyone, from individuals to established brands, to bring their creative ideas to life seamlessly. Great ideas deserve more than just conceptualisation; they deserve to be shared with the world. How is Dezigntees.ng revolutionising fashion in Nigeria and Africa, particularly through the use of technology? At Dezigntees.ng, we’ve built an e-commerce platform that goes beyond simple retail. With our free design templates and marketplace, users can customize merchandise or upload their designs, allowing creatives to monetize their art. For many artists in Africa, breaking into the market comes with obstacles like production costs and supply chain challenges. Our platform removes these barriers, handling everything from printing to delivery. In an industry where Statista estimates the global custom printing market to reach $10 billion by 2025, we are positioning Africa as a contributor and innovator, leveraging technology to make a mark on the global stage. Could you walk us through how your online platform works, especially for customers new to digital fashion design? Our platform was designed with simplicity and user experience in mind. Customers follow four straightforward steps: they choose their merchandise, customize it with text, images, or pre-made designs, select their preferences (size, color, quantity), and check out. Within 72 hours, their items are delivered. Our goal was to create a streamlined, inclusive process that anyone—whether tech-savvy or not—could navigate. This ease of use is core to our mission of democratising design for everyone. What role does customization play in your business model, and how does technology facilitate this? Customisation is at the heart of our business model. We value self-expression, and our technology empowers users to create unique, personal designs across various merchandise. From a technological perspective, we’ve built a robust design canvas on our site where users can upload images, add text, and change colors in real time, creating anything from T-shirts to mugs. As we look to the future, AI will play a transformative role. We are developing AI integration that will allow users to generate art based on keywords, an advancement that will open new creative possibilities and set us apart in a rapidly evolving digital market. How has the response been from Nigerian and African consumers, especially regarding the idea of self-designed clothing? The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Our customers, whether in Nigeria, across Africa, or in the diaspora, appreciate the authenticity and connection that comes with creating something uniquely theirs. Self-designed merchandise is more than just a fashion statement; it’s a representation of individuality and culture. A recent McKinsey report highlights that personalization is not only a trend but a key growth driver in e-commerce, and our platform is directly aligned with this. We are not just creating products; we are fostering a movement of self-expression across the continent and beyond. What challenges have you faced in combining technology with fashion, and how have you overcome them? Starting out, our main challenges were technological—finding a developer who understood our vision and building an infrastructure capable of handling both front-end and back-end requirements. Transitioning customers from social media to our website was also challenging, as many were accustomed to informal channels. We tackled these issues by investing in top talent and relentlessly optimizing our site for speed, usability, and engagement. Today, thanks to these efforts, we enjoy strong repeat customer rates, which is a testament to the experience we’ve created. In your opinion, what sets Dezigntees.ng apart from other clothing or design platforms currently available? Our distinction lies in the depth of our design expertise, our commitment to quality, and our end-to-end solution for artists. We aren’t just a marketplace; we’re a platform where creativity meets commerce, backed by a fully operational production facility that ensures quality control and swift delivery. This operational advantage allows us to fulfill orders quickly and maintain high standards—an essential factor for consumer trust. Additionally, our commitment to innovation in AI and customization means we’re not just keeping up with trends; we’re setting them. What future trends do you see emerging in tech-driven fashion, and how does Dezigntees.ng plan to stay ahead? The future of fashion is undoubtedly tech-driven, and the integration of AI is a major frontier. From predictive design to on-demand customization, AI will reshape consumer experiences. At Dezigntees.ng, we are proactively investing in these technologies to remain ahead. Our AI-driven design tool is just the beginning. We envision a platform where users can input keywords or themes, and our AI will generate unique artwork that can be instantly applied to merchandise. As customization becomes more mainstream, we aim to set the standard by leading with innovation, creativity, and efficiency. How is Dezigntees.ng impacting local artists and creatives, and what opportunities does it create for them? Dezigntees.ng provides a platform where African artists can reach audiences globally, something that has historically been a significant challenge. Artists can upload their designs to our marketplace, monetize them, and build their brand—all without any upfront costs. This model empowers creatives by offering them a zero-capital way to earn. We see this as a way to not only support the creative industry in Africa but to elevate it. With plans to expand into North America and Europe, we’re opening doors for African artists to make a global impact. What’s next for Dezigntees.ng in terms of growth and innovation? Any expansion plans beyond Nigeria? Our vision extends far beyond Nigeria. We recently launched Dezigntees in Canada ( dezigntees.co/ca ), and we’re preparing to open a flagship store there in early 2025. The North American and UK markets are next, as we see substantial demand from diaspora communities seeking personalized African-inspired merchandise. Globally, the customized merchandise market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.7% through 2030. The global creative economy is valued at over $4 trillion, according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development’s 2020 report on the Creative Economy and COVID-19. By entering these markets, we’re positioning Dezigntees.ng not only as a leader in Africa but as a global brand that champions African creativity and innovation.

CHATHAM, N.J. (AP) — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It's unclear if it's drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what's behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey's new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they're looking into what's happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it , has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she's glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn't buy what the governor said, that the drones aren't a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there's the notion that people could misunderstand what they're seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they're looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin's view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That's not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added. ___ Golden reported form Seattle. Mike Catalini And Hallie Golden, The Associated Press

I’m a Celebrity’s Oti Mabuse hits back at body shamers: ‘This is the healthiest I’ve ever been’Rams WR Demarcus Robinson not suspended, will play Sunday after arrest on DUI suspicionFLORENCE, Italy (AP) — Inter Milan beat Como 2-0 to cement third place in Serie A and close the gap on top two Atalanta and Napoli on Monday. Carlos Augusto got the opener when he headed home a corner kick in the 48th minute. Marcus Thuram scored the second in stoppage time with a potent strike into the roof of the net. It was the first time these teams have played each other in the top division since 2003 and although Inter had lost only one league game all season it struggled to impose itself on 15th-placed Como. However, it won without exerting itself and the three points were enough to take Simone Inzaghi’s men within three points of leader Atalanta and within one of Napoli. Inter has a game in hand over both clubs. Fiorentina missed a chance to go fourth when it lost at home to Udinese 2-1. The Florence club won a record eight consecutive Serie A games before losing to Bologna 1-0 on Dec. 15, and it looked to be back on track when Moises Kean converted a penalty after eight minutes to become the first Fiorentina player to reach double figures in the league since Federico Chiesa in the 2019-20 season. However, Udinese was a different prospect after the break. Lorenzo Lucca equalized with the aid of sloppy defending four minutes into the second half and then Florian Thauvin found space on the edge of the box to curl in the second eight minutes later. The result left Udinese in ninth place and Fiorentina in fifth. The match was a special one for Edoardo Bove, the Fiorentina player whose collapse with a heart issue led to the suspension of its game with Inter Milan on Dec. 1. Bove was fitted with a defibrillator implant soon after and sat on the Fiorentina bench for the first time since his collapse. He is not allowed to play but his position on the sideline alongside coach Raffaele Palladino was seen as a step towards normality for the 22-year-old midfielder. AP soccer:

HOUSTON, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tidal Investments LLC (“Tidal”) announced today that Days Global Advisors (“DGA”), a leading innovator in ETF management, will change the listing exchange for shares of DGA Core Plus Absolute Return ETF (ticker: HF) from NYSE Arca, Inc. to the New York Stock Exchange LLC (“NYSE”), effective December 12, 2024. DGA is committed to enhancing the trading experience for its clients and investors. By listing on the NYSE, the ETF will benefit from the expertise of a Designated Market Maker (DMM). This strategic shift reflects DGA’s commitment to delivering superior investment products and optimizing trading outcomes for its investors. The ETF will commence trading on the NYSE as of the open of trading on December 12, 2024. Shareholders of the ETF are not anticipated to be impacted or need to take any action in connection with the change in listing exchange. The ticker of the ETF will remain unchanged. About Tidal Investments LLC Formed by ETF industry pioneers and thought leaders, Tidal Investments LLC sets out to revolutionize the way ETFs have historically been developed, launched, marketed, and sold. With a focus on growing AUM, Tidal offers a comprehensive suite of services, proprietary tools, and methodologies designed to bring lasting ideas to market. Tidal is an advocate for ETF innovation. The firm is on a mission to provide issuers with the intelligence and tools needed to efficiently and to effectively launch ETFs and to optimize growth potential in a highly competitive space. For more information, visit https://www.tidalfinancialgroup.com/ . About Days Global Advisors Days Global Advisors is a premier asset management firm specializing in innovative ETF solutions. With a focus on enhancing liquidity, transparency, and investor confidence, DGA delivers tailored investment products that align with market trends and investor needs. For more information, visit http://www.daysadvisors.com . Important Information Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus or summary prospectus with this and other information about the Fund, please visit our website at www.daysadvisors.com. Read the prospectus or summary prospectus carefully before investing. Investment Objective: The DGA Core Plus Absolute Return ETF seeks long-term capital appreciation as a primary objective, with capital preservation as a secondary objective. Investments involve risk. Principal loss is possible. New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decision. Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of Shares or during periods of market volatility. Cybersecurity Risk. With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet to conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security, and related risks. Equity Market Risk. The equity securities in which the Fund invests may experience sudden, unpredictable drops in value or long periods of decline in value. Political Criteria Risk. Because the Sub-Adviser evaluates the political activity of the companies in the Fund’s investment universe as part of its portfolio management process, it may forego some market opportunities available to other funds that do not consider political factors. Tidal Financial Group (Tidal) serves as the Investment Adviser for the Fund. Days Global Advisors (DGA) serves as the Sub-Adviser to the Fund. The Fund is distributed by Foreside Fund Services, LLC. Foreside, Tidal, and DGA are not related.