NFT Use Cases Beyond Art: Real Estate, Tickets, and MoreThe Champions League returned in the wake of some fantastic drama that played out on Tuesday evening, with some blockbuster matchups that came into focus tonight. Liverpool passed a huge continental test with a home win against Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund climbed up the table with a credible away win, and Aston Villa so nearly earned a huge continental scalp at Villa Park. Here are five things we learned from tonight's action across the continent. Liverpool truly are the real deal Premier League leaders Liverpool have done it once again on a rocking Champions League night at Anfield with a 2-0 win over Spanish juggernaut Real Madrid. Arne Slot's Reds looked the real deal across 90 minutes of action in front of The Kop, and despite a Mohamed Salah penalty miss, they were far and away the better side on this evening. And the data proved it further still. Liverpool are the only side with a 100% record in this season's Champions League, are eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table and have won 17 of their 19 matches so far in 2024/25. Slot ball is in full flow. 😍 — Squawka (@Squawka) Now sitting atop the European pile with five wins from five in conjunction with their impressive domestic form, one thing is certainly clear; Liverpool are the best side anywhere in Europe. Additionally, the Reds are only the fifth side ever to win their opening five games in the Champions League campaign and concede no more than one goal. Kylian Mbappé; persona non grata? My, my, my. Will the real Kylian Mbappé please stand up, or is this who he truly is? Perhaps harsh, but ask most Madridista's and the star Frenchman is boiling over into persona no grata territory after Wednesday's performance. If being pocketed by young Liverpool right-back Conor Bradley was not frustrating enough, a miss from the penalty spot that could have pulled Los Blancos level at one-all compouned what was yet another poor outing for Mbappé. Caoimhin Kelleher is the first goalkeeper to save a penalty by Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League 😳 (h/t ) — ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) While his goal tally of seven goals in 12 appearances may seem solid on the surface, his overall performances since his inevitable arrival from PSG remain under scrutiny. And rightly so. Surprise package Dortmund strikes again Few, if any, would have pegged Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund as this season's surprise package in the Champions League, but Nuri Şahin's outfit continues to roll after a 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb. A stunning goal from Jamie Gittens, which mirrored his strike from the weekend, highlighted a strong away performance during a 2024-25 season in which they have sometimes laboured. Saturday in the Bundesliga: - cuts inside on his right foot - bangs it top bins Wednesday in the Champions League: - cuts inside on his right foot - bangs it top bins again Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens with the reverse Arjen Robben. 🔥 — DW Sports (@dw_sports) Having now climbed up to fourth in the table while boasting the second-most goals in the group stage (16) behind Barcelona (18), there is still life for the Ruhr Valley side. Amid a domestic campaign that already sees them ten points adrift from rivals Bayern Munich at the top, they will now want this European form to move over to the Bundesliga. Emery leans into continental pedigree On a night when a resurgent Aston Villa welcomed European royalty to Birmingham in their Champions League test against Juventus, manager Unai Emery nearly pulled off another masterclass tournament result. Renowned for his ability to extract the absolute maximum from his sides on European nights, Villa's 0-0 draw against The Old Lady has them ninth in the table. They also boast one of the best defensive records in the group stage, with just one goal allowed. Aston Villa thought they had earned a famous late victory against Juventus, but Morgan Rogers' goal was ruled out by VAR after Diego Carlos was adjudged to have fouled goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. Should it have stood? 🎥 — The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) Though Morgan Roger's match-winner in stoppage time was controversially pulled back after Diego Carlos was judged to have fouled keeper Michele Di Gregorio, this result, added to their 1-0 win over Bayern Munich on matchday two, shows that Emery still has what it takes. Timeless Di María still has it Ligue 1 side AS Monaco have been one of the bright talking points of the Champions League group stage this season, and rightly so. Coming into their clash with Benfica, Les Monégasques were undefeated in four (3-1-0) and took a Barcelona scalp along the way. They then had a chance to move to second with a win against the Portuguese club. But Benfica had the last laugh despite going 2-1 down, scoring twice in the final eight minutes of normal time to deny Adi Hütter's men at Stade Louis II, with aging star Angel Di Maria at the center of it all. 5 goals and 3 assists in the last 3 games for Benfica. 2 goals in the rout against Porto, hat-trick last Saturday... And 2 assists today, in the final 10 minutes, turning the game around against Monaco. 36 years old. Ángel Di María is TIMELESS! — Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) Having found a rich vein of form this season at the ripe old age of 36, the Argentine winger continued to lead from the front. His brace of assists, which helped the Portuguese past 10-man Monaco, adds to his Benfica legacy after recent clutch performances against Porto and Estrela de Amadora. 📸 Justin Setterfield - 2024 Getty Images
San Jose State's volleyball team, the subject of a national debate about participation in women's sports, was beaten by Colorado State 27-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-16 in Saturday's Mountain West tournament final, ending the Spartans' season. The Rams (20-10) received the conference's automatic bid to the 64-team NCAA Tournament. Watch NBC Bay Area News 📺 Streaming free 24/7 San Jose State's season was marked by forfeits, limited protests and the topic of gender identity becoming a political issue in an election year. The Spartans were 14-6. “I will not sugarcoat our reality for the last two months,” Spartans coach Todd Kress in a statement issued by the athletic department. "Our team prepared and was ready to play each match according to established Mountain West and NCAA rules of play. We did not take away anyone’s participation opportunities. “Sadly, others who for years have played this same team without incident chose not to play us this season. To be clear, we did not celebrate a single win by forfeiture. Instead, we braced for the fallout. Each forfeiture announcement unleashed appalling, hateful messages individuals chose to send directly to our student-athletes, our coaching staff, and many associated with our program.” The controversy didn't end during the Mountain West tournament. Boise State, which twice boycotted regular-season matches with San Jose State, pulled out of the conference tournament on Wednesday night, hours after it defeated Utah State to secure a spot against the Spartans in Friday’s semifinals. While the Broncos didn’t announce explicitly why they withdrew, a lawsuit was recently filed in Colorado by players from various schools against the conference and San Jose State officials calling for a Spartans player to be blocked from participating in the tournament. They cited unspecified reports asserting there was a transgender player on the San Jose State volleyball team, even naming her. U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver ruled Monday that the player was allowed to play, and a federal appeals court upheld the decision the following day. San Jose State, which received six forfeit victories because of boycotts from opponents during the regular season, was seeded second in the conference tournament and received a first-round bye. “This has been one of the most difficult seasons I’ve ever experienced and I know this is true as well for many of our players and the staff who have been supporting us all along,” Kress said. “Maintaining our focus on the court and ensuring the overall safety and well-being of my players amid the external noise have been my priorities.” In addition to Boise State, Mountain West members Wyoming, Utah State and Nevada as well as Southern Utah canceled matches this season against the Spartans. Nevada’s players said they “refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes,” without providing further details. Colorado State chose to play San Jose State in the regular season and for the conference title, even with the uncertainty of what might await Saturday. It turned out to be a fairly routine day. There were no protesters outside of Cox Pavilion, and there also were no noticeable signs of hostility directed from the crowd of about 100 in the championship match. “We've talked about it every single week that we have to play with the extra noise and minimizing the time you spend on social media and maximizing the time we spend on our scouting report and controlling what we can control," Colorado State coach Emily Kohan said. “We can't control what the crowd's going to do, what lineups roll out there or what's going to happen. We can control the way we play on our side, and that's what we've done all year with any opponent we've played.” While some media have reported those and other details, San Jose State has not confirmed the school has a trans women’s volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player’s name because she has not publicly commented on her gender identity and through school officials has declined an interview request. Participation of transgender women in women’s sports became a hot political topic ahead of the recent election. ___ AP college sports: https://apnews.com/hub/college-sportsBy ROB GILLIES, Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Donald Trump that Americans would also suffer if the president-elect follows through on a plan to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products , a Canadian minister who attended their recent dinner said Monday. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders with the United States. He said on social media last week that he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, attended a dinner with Trump and Trudeau at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on Friday. Trudeau requested the meeting in a bid to avoid the tariffs by convincing Trump that the northern border is nothing like the U.S. southern border with Mexico . “The prime minister of course spoke about the importance of protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs, but we also discussed with our American friends the negative impact that those tariffs could have on their economy, on affordability in the United States as well,” LeBlanc said in Parliament. If Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, alcohol and other goods. The Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said last week that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when the countries retaliate. Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the U.S. should Trump follow through on the threat. After his dinner with Trump, Trudeau returned home without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks “productive” but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. “The idea that we came back empty handed is completely false,” LeBlanc said. “We had a very productive discussion with Mr. Trump and his future Cabinet secretaries. ... The commitment from Mr. Trump to continue to work with us was far from empty handed.” Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department, and Mike Waltz, Trump’s choice to be his national security adviser. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, told The Associated Press on Sunday that “the message that our border is so vastly different than the Mexican border was really understood.” Hillman, who sat at an adjacent table to Trudeau and Trump, said Canada is not the problem when it comes to drugs and migrants. On Monday, Mexico’s president rejected those comments. “Mexico must be respected, especially by its trading partners,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said. She said Canada had its own problems with fentanyl consumption and “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has.” Flows of migrants and seizures of drugs at the two countries’ border are vastly different. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Most of the fentanyl reaching the U.S. — where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually — is made by Mexican drug cartels using precursor chemicals smuggled from Asia. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol reported 1.53 million encounters with migrants at the southwest border with Mexico between October 2023 and September 2024. That compares to 23,721 encounters at the Canadian border during that time. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security.Jennifer Hudson and Common are thriving with their relationship, which quietly began in 2022 when they began working together on the movie Breathe. The pair made their romance official on The Jennifer Hudson Show back in January , and have since then have not shied away from gushing over each other, whether it's social media tributes or on-air declarations of love. The latest way they showed their appreciation for each other was through their music, with Common, 52, collaborating with his girlfriend, 43, on her debut holiday album, The Gift of Love . In fact, he showed up in a big way to celebrate her first ever holiday tour for the record by gifting her a bouquet of 100 roses ahead of her show in Brooklyn, New York this past weekend. Appearing on the Today Show , the talk show host and American Idol alum spoke fondly of her boyfriend, and described what their relationship dynamic can actually be like. She called collabing with her significant other "that much more enjoyable, for one," and added: "I just get to learn from him, he's a hip-hop legend," agreeing that he is "such a good guy." When asked what their life was like when out and about, as two notable celebrities, Jennifer replied: "Y'know what? It feels amazing," mentioning that Common in particular gets recognized "when I say, everywhere we go." Host Craig Melvin answered: "Well, we all grew up with Common," to which Jennifer excitedly continued: "I told him that! I was like, 'I grew up off of Common.'" MORE: Jennifer Hudson asks fans for help as she prepares for Thanksgiving with teen son David He quipped back, though, that those may not be the ideal words someone would want to hear from their partner, joking: "He might not like it when you say it, 'I grew up listening to you,'" leaving the studio in hysterics. "I did!" Jennifer defiantly stated through giggles. "I always tell him, 'You've always been a legend in my eyes.' He's from Chicago, I'm from Chicago. So it's like...Common!" MORE: Jennifer Hudson is beaming following double dose of joy ahead of the holidays Jennifer, for her part, was also a featured artist on a recent project from the rapper, his collab album with producer and DJ Pete Rock, The Auditorium, Vol. 1 , which features her vocals on the song "A GOD (There Is)." He told People previously that it was the EGOT winner's role playing the legendary Aretha Franklin in her biopic Respect that earned her the part. MORE: Jennifer Hudson's comments about dating and prioritizing son David's feelings "I loved it, because when I played it to musician friends, they were like, 'Who is that singing?'" he recalled. "I'm like, 'That's Jennifer!' It doesn't sound like things you've heard from her before. I love that we were able to utilize her gifts in a new space . She brought it, man." He remembered the song coming about from a beat sample that he'd always believed belonged to Aretha, but was actually from Ashford and Simpson's Valerie Simpson. "I told [Jennifer] who it was and then we was discussing."
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Column: The Chicago Bulls could advance to the NBA Cup semifinals with an unlikely win Friday. Who does that help?
Vice President Kamala Harris took to social media to urge supporters to remain resilient despite her Election Day loss to President-elect Donald Trump. “I just have to remind you, don’t you ever let anybody take your power from you. You have the same power that you did before November 5, and you have the same purpose that you did, and you have the same ability to engage and inspire,” Harris said. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, discussed the election during a conference call with the Democratic Party’s financial committee. It was the first time Harris spoke about the election loss since delivering her concession speech at Howard University three weeks ago. On the call, Harris highlighted the campaign’s fundraising efforts. According to Harris, her campaign raised nearly $1.5 billion during the three-month campaign, with almost 8 million donors contributing an average of $56. “The work that you all did is going to have [a] lasting effect,” she said. “Again, I’ll say you know that the election didn’t turn out like we wanted it to, certainly not as we planned for it to, but understand that the work we put into it was about empowering people. That’s the spirit with [which] we did our work.” In her address, Harris emphasized the importance of building a diverse coalition. “Hard work is good work. Hard work can be joyful work, and in doing our work, we will remain committed and intentional about building community, building coalitions, reminding people that we all have so much more in common than what separates us. We will be armed with the faith and the fuel that tells us what is possible and then drives us to achieve it,” she added. She also thanked top donors for their support. “The outcome of this election, obviously, is not what we wanted. It is not what we worked so hard for, but I am proud of the race we ran, and your role in this was critical,” Harris said. “What we did in 107 days was unprecedented. Think about the coalition that we built.” Leaders of Harris’ campaign have insisted they simply didn’t have enough time to execute a winning strategy. Speaking on the “Pod Save America” podcast that aired Tuesday, Harris’ leadership team defended strategic decisions made in the campaign’s closing days, some of which have faced scrutiny in the weeks since Trump’s decisive victory. Specifically, they defended Harris’ outreach to Republican voters, her unwillingness to distance herself from President Biden, her silence on Trump’s attacks on her transgender policies, and her inability to schedule an interview with popular podcaster Joe Rogan. “In a 107-day race, it is very difficult to do all the things you would normally do in a year and a half, two years,” said Harris campaign senior adviser Jen O’Malley Dillon. David Plouffe, another senior adviser, added, “There was a price to be paid for the short campaign.”
The New Zealander of the Year Awards Office is proud toannounce the the Semi-Finalists in seven categories for the2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā Tohu PouKōhure o Aotearoa. From thousands of nominations, theseremarkable New Zealanders stood out; identified by ourindependent judging panel as using their passion to make ourcountry a better place. Miriama Kamo, Te Koruru Patronof the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Ngā TohuPou Kōhure o Aotearoa says, “2024 has been a year ofextraordinary achievements, from the inspiring successes ofour Olympians to groundbreaking contributions insustainability, health innovations, and communityleadership." "Our Semi-Finalists represent the heartand soul of Aotearoa – athletes who unite us incelebration, innovators tackling our most pressingchallenges, and change-makers who strengthen the fabric ofour society. Their courage, vision, and dedication remind uswhat it means to step up for whānau, communities, and ourcountry. It’s an immense privilege to honour theirachievements. Ngā mihi nunui ki a koutoukatoa.” • (Bay of Plenty Te Moanaa Toi) – As the retiring Principal of Rotorua Boys’ HighSchool, Chris Grinter MNZM has dedicated 33 years totransforming the lives of young Māori men througheducation. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Dame LisaCarrington (Te Aitanga a-Māhaki/Ngāti Porou) DNZM is aworld champion kayaker, and New Zealand’s most decoratedOlympian of all time. Her outstanding achievements havecemented her influence as a role model for perseverance,excellence and positive change. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau)– Dr. Alexander Stevens II (Muriwhenua, Ngāpuhi) is adistinguished health leader in sexual violence recovery withover 20 years of expertise in trauma recovery, mentalhealth, and addiction treatment. His innovative approachblends traditional Māori healing, Rongoā, withcontemporary therapeutic practices, allowing him to providecomprehensive support to Māori and Pacific communitiesacross Aotearoa. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Dr Hassan Mubark isa distinguished rheumatologist, known for his pioneeringwork in safe, non-surgical, regenerative medicine. Hisimpactful work continues to transform lives, advancinghealthcare options across Aotearoa and beyond. • (Manawatū-Whanganui)– Dr Malcolm Mulholland (Ngāti Kahungunu) is a staunch,prominent advocate for cancer patients in New Zealand,tirelessly lobbying for access to life-enhancing medicationsthrough his organisation Patient Voice Aotearoa. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) –Lydia Ko has had a remarkable year, cementing her legacy asone of the most accomplished golfers in history. Fromwinning gold at the Paris Olympics to being inducted intothe LPGA Hall of Fame, Lydia represents New Zealand withgratitude and grace at every turn. • (Wellington TeWhanganui-a-Tara) – Sir Mark Dunajtschik and DorothySpotswood are visionary philanthropists whose generosity hastransformed healthcare, education, and community well-beingin Wellington and beyond. • (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara)– Professor Bev Lawton ONZM (Ngā Porou) is a pioneeringforce in women’s health in Aotearoa. Over the past year,her advocacy led to New Zealand’s historic shift to HPVself-testing as the primary method for cervicalscreening – making Aotearoa the first high-incomecountry to do so. • (Canterbury Waitaha) – Richard Adams is thefounder and National Director of Taskforce Kiwi, a disasterrelief charity powered by volunteers. Under his leadership,Taskforce Kiwi has so far deployed 343 skilled volunteers,contributing 13,334 hours of work to disaster-hitcommunities. • (Manawatū-Whanganui) – Renowned rugby unionplayer Sarah Hirini (Ngati Kahungunu ki te Wairoa) ONZM is atrue inspiration in the world of rugby. In 2024 – aftermaking an incredible comeback from injury – she played apivotal role in securing gold for New Zealand at the ParisOlympics. Earlier this year, the Awards Office calledon Aotearoa to honour extraordinary Kiwi, those who usetheir passion to make Aotearoa a better place, by casting anomination. Thousands of nominations were then rigorouslyevaluated by an independent and diverse judging panel, andthe 10 Semi-Finalists per category selected. AllSemi-Finalists go on for consideration in the next round ofjudging, where they are carefully whittled down to justthree Finalists in each Award category, to be announcedWednesday 26 February 2025. Winners will then be revealed atthe Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards Gala Dinner onThursday 20 March 2025 in Tāmaki Makaurau. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Nu’uali’iEteroa Lafaele (Fogapoa, Leulumoega Tuai, Lefaga) is aglobally recognised Samoan leader and software engineer fromCannons Creek, Porirua, forging new pathways to bridge thedigital divide for Pacific communities inAotearoa. • (Waikato) – The founder of Māori Millionaire, TeKahukura Boynton (Ngāti Kahungunu, Tuhoe, Te Whakatōhea)is a young trailblazer from Napier, dedicated to closing thewealth gap and empowering her community. • (Hawke'sBay Te Matau-a-Māui) – The Reverend Zhane Tiopira Tāhau(Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) is a young communityleader who has made it his mission to support the spiritualwellbeing of Māori communities in Hawkes Bay. Zhaneembodies cultural leadership – he is a constant kanohikitea (seen face) and spiritual leader amongst hispeople • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – As the founder ofGirlBoss New Zealand, Alexia Hilbertidou is a trailblazingyoung leader and social entrepreneur. Her mahi has seen hertake the stage at some of the world’s largest conferences,and she continues to advocate for others throughinternational leadership roles. • (Bay of Plenty Te Moana a Toi) – EllaScrivens is an inspiring young leader working on the groundto transform mental health and medical supportsystems. • Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – Daniel Gamboa,CEO of the Refugee Youth Council, has made a transformativeimpact on former-refugee youth in New Zealand – creatingopportunities, empowering young leaders with essentialskills, and amplifying their voices. • (Northland Te Tai Tokerau) –Keegan Jones (Ngā-Hine, Ngā-Porou) is a young Whangāreilawyer transforming access to justice in Aotearoa bypioneering free, community centred legal clinics –ensuring accessible, compassionate legal support forcommunities across Aotearoa. • (Waikato) – Ben Purua (Tainui) embodiesresilience, transformation, and hope – emerging from atroubled past to become an inspiring leader in New Zealand'sagricultural sector. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Quack Pirihi(Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Wai, Ngati Porou, & Ngāti Whātua oKaipara) is a powerful force for inclusive, pro-Māoriinitiatives. Across advocacy boards and social mediaplatforms, Quack inspires others to stand strong for theircommunities. • (Nelson Whakatū) – As the founder of GEN-ZAotearoa, Nate Wilbourne is leading the charge forenvironmental and social change across New Zealand –empowering youth to tackle key issues, from climate action to social justice. • (Bay ofPlenty Te Moana a Toi) – As the retiring Principal ofRotorua Boys’ High School, Chris Grinter MNZM hasdedicated 33 years to transforming the lives of young Māorimen through education. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – With over threedecades of activism under her belt, Lexie Matheson ONZM isan undeniable champion for inclusivity – workingtirelessly to champion spaces where everyone feels safe,supported, and seen. • (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – As thefounder of the Wellington Hospitals Foundation, Bill DayMNZM JP has spent two decades championing healthcare. Underhis leadership, the foundation has grown into a vitalorganisation, positively impacting New Zealanders across themotu. • (Hansa) (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Sincearriving from Zimbabwe in 1971, community advocate HansaNaran has poured over fifty years to uplifting others –from championing gender equality to raising significantfunds for local and global causes. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau)– Elizabeth Ellis CNZM JP (Ngāpuhi, Ngāti Porou) is anoutstanding artist and leader in Māori arts and education.At nearly eighty, her remarkable contributions to Māoriarts span decades of pioneering work and advocacy. • (Northland Te Tai Tokerau) –Albie Paton has spent a lifetime uplifting the Maungaturotocommunity in Te Tai Tokerau Northland – generously givinghis time and energy to a diverse range of localcauses. • (AucklandTāmaki Makaurau) – Jeet Suchdev is a lifelong advocatefor community service whose contributions have profoundlyimpacted New Zealand communities. His charitable trust,Bhartiya Samaj, is a vibrant hub for the elderly, children,and immigrants. • (Northland Te Tai Tokerau) – On the rolling landswest of Kaikohe, farmers John and Lily Coleman have carvedoff four hectares of land encompassing a historic pā site,and gifted it to local hapu– an impactful reminder to NewZealanders of how we can work together to rebuild whānauconnections to the land. • (Waikato) – As a highly respected leader,historian, and Ahorangi/Professor at the University ofWaikato’s Faculty of Māori and Indigenous Studies,Professor Tom Roa (Ngāti Apakura, Ngāti Maniapoto Waikato)has helped to shape the way New Zealand honours andunderstands its past. • (Hawke's Bay Te Matau-a-Māui) – Jenny Wake is atrue powerhouse of New Zealand’s performing arts andchildren’s media, with a decades-long career dedicated tocreating – and advocating for – quality programming fortamariki and rangatahi. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau)– As the founder of Generate Zero, dynamic entrepreneurCarmen Vicelich has developed a groundbreaking AI-poweredplatform that enables organisations to accurately measure,monitor, and reduce carbon emissions. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Asco-founder and CEO of Kitea Health, distinguished NewZealand scientist Professor Simon Malpas led the developmentof the world’s smallest implantable brain pressure sensor– offering patients a groundbreaking method to monitorbrain pressure at home. • (Manawatū-Whanganu) – Blair (Ngāpuhi,Te Rarawa), CEO and founder of Tāmata Hauhā Limited, is avisionary leader dedicated to empowering Māori landownersand farmers revitalise whenua right across NewZealand. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) –Julia Arnott Neenee and Nu’uali’i Eteroa Lafaele are thevisionary co-founders of Fibre Fale, a social enterprisededicated to increasing Pacific representation in thetechnology sector. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – Becs Percaskyand Kate Bezar are the visionary co-founders of the BetterPackaging Company (BPCo), a pioneering force in the globalshift towards sustainable packaging. • (CanterburyWaitaha) – As the co-founders of KiwiFibre, BenPhillpotts-Scales and William Murrell (Ngāi Tahu) arepioneering sustainable innovation on world stage byharnessing some homegrown goodness: our humbleharakeke. • (AucklandTāmaki Makaurau) – Emma Lewisham is Co-Founder and CEO ofEmma Lewisham, a skincare company established in New Zealandin 2019. Renowned for delivering evidence-based skincare,uniting luxurious, high-performance, and naturalformulations while leading the industry insustainability. • (Waikato) – Paul Charteris is the creative mindbehind saveBOARD – an organisation dedicated totransforming the built environment through the developmentof sustainable building materials. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau) – As the founderof Aotea Health and Aotea Energy, Tama Toki (Ngāti Rehua,Ngāti Wai, Ngāpuhi) is an innovative Māori entrepreneurchampioning sustainability, kaitiakitanga, and socialimpact. • (AucklandTāmaki Makaurau) – Murphy O'Neal is a trailblazer inmodular housing, transforming the field with his innovativedesigns that simplify construction while championingsustainability. • (Waikato) – As a passionatechampion for two of the things New Zealand is best known for– our farming sector and our precious endemic wildlife –Adam Thompson is driving positive change with a strong focuson education and community support. • (Otago Ōtākou) – Lawyerturned social entrepreneur, Deborah Manning is a trailblazerin sustainability and food security – transforming NewZealand’s food rescue landscape through her ventureKiwiHarvest and the NZ Food Network. • (Bay of Plenty Te Moana a Toi)– Joel (Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa, Rangitāne oWairarapa) and Awhina Ngātuere (Ngāi Te Rangi, NgātiRanginui, Te Whānau a Apanui) from Mt Maunganui are truechampions for their community, advocating restlessly toprotect the air, land, and water for the people they loveand wider community. • (Gisborne Tairāwhiti) – Sam Gibson, knownas Sam 'The Trap Man' is a trapper and conservationcommunicator whose efforts are making a profound impact. Therecent publication of his book, Sam the Trap Man, hascemented his position as a respected voice inconservation. • (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – Dan Henry isthe driving force behind Predator Free Miramar, a thrivingcommunity project that aims to eradicate introducedpredators from the peninsula. • (Marlborough Te Tauihu-o-te-waka) – With years ofexperience delivering significant biodiversity gains inAotearoa New Zealand and globally, Elizabeth (Biz) Bell is aleading force in ecological restoration and predatoreradication. • (Manawatū-Whanganui) – Dr Mike Joy is a leadingfreshwater ecologist and science communicator, renowned forhis unwavering dedication to conservation andenvironmental protection. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau)– Barry Coates, founder and CEO of Mindful Money, is apassionate advocate for ethical investing andsustainability. His mahi empowers individuals to driveglobal change – aligning their investments with a visionof a more ethical, sustainable future. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau)– Riley Hathaway is a passionate environmental advocate,inspiring young people to become kaitiaki of the ocean bysharing educational videos, leading school programs, andpromoting ocean conservation through interactive, engagingand fun initiatives. • (Canterbury Waitaha) – As Director ofthe Centre for EcoLogical Technology Solutions (CELTS) atthe University of Canterbury, Professor Aisling O'Sullivanis making waves in the world of ecological engineering –advancing sustainable solutions to complexproblems. • (Waikato) – Since retiring to Tauranga-Taupō in2011, Shirley Potter has become a remarkable force inenvironmental conservation and community service, leadingthe restoration of the Oruatua Recreation Reserve. • (Waikato) – As CEO /Director of Talitonu Te Kaha Trust (Believe in Potential),Birgette McCarthy is a dedicated advocate for vulnerablerangatahi across Aotearoa – working tirelessly totransform lives and break cycles of hardship. • (Otago Ōtākou) – DrMai Tamimi MNZM is a respected community leader in ŌtepotiDunedin. Since arriving from Palestine in 2008, she hasdedicated her career to fostering cultural understanding –making her a key figure in the movement for a more inclusiveAotearoa New Zealand. • (Bay of Plenty Te Moana a Toi) – Tāme Iti (NgaiTūhoe, Te Arawa, Waikato) is a well known champion forMāori rights, fearlessly and creatively challengingconventional narratives. In 2024, he led a powerful hīkoito the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, serving as both aninspiration and a call to action. • (Bay of Plenty Te Moana a Toi) – CampbellHill is a co-founder of Good Neighbour in Tauranga,providing practical opportunities for people to connect withand support one another. • (Bay of Plenty Te Moana a Toi) – Char Jean Harrisis a driving force behind Unseen Heroes; celebrating thestrength and pride of young carers while ensuring they areseen, heard, and supported. • (Bay of Plenty Te Moana a Toi) –Kahira-Rata Olley MNZM is a passionate advocate forsurvivors of domestic violence and those facing generationaltrauma – founding a range of support programmes andinitiatives in the Rotorua community. • (Canterbury Waitaha) – Matt Ashton is acommitted peer support worker for male survivors of sexualtrauma. His dedication and courage has empowered others,offering understanding, hope and validation on the journeyto recovery. • (Hawke's Bay Te Matau-a-Māui) – Henare O'KeefeQSM JP is a living legend in Te Matau-a-Māui Hawke's Bay,known for his humble, proactive approach to combattingviolence and uplifting disadvantaged communities. • (Auckland TāmakiMakaurau) – Subash Chandar K – known online as'infinityplusone' – is a game-changing educator who hasmade a significant impact on students across Aotearoa,creating a popular YouTube channel that provides free,detailed tutorials covering NCEA mathematics. • (AcrossAotearoa) – Red Frogs is a volunteer-driven organisationdedicated to safeguarding young people in high-risk,alcohol-fuelled environments – supporting thousands ofyoung party-goers and achieving a notable reduction inalcohol-related harm. • (Auckland Tāmaki Makaurau)– Representing over 35,000 Muslim women from more than 50ethnic backgrounds, The Islamic Women’s Council of NewZealand empowers and advocates for women across Aotearoa,creating a platform for positive change locally andglobally. • (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – FeatherstonBooktown Trust has transformed a little town in SouthWairarapa into Aotearoa New Zealand's only Booktown, athriving cultural hub and source of deep communitypride. • (Canterbury Waitaha) – The Speed Freaks Truststarted in 2021 with one goal: to use running and walking asa vehicle to support those in recovery from addiction andmental distress. • (West Coast Tai-o-Poutini) – Trees for Change NZis a dynamic, student led social enterprise connecting WestCoast rangatahi with their environment through native treeplanting. • (Bay of Plenty Te Moana a Toi) – Live Well WaihīBeach is a community led organisation driving innovativecollaboration between residents, groups, and organisationswhile working closely with hapū to make their corner ofAotearoa more inclusive, sustainable, andconnected • (CanterburyWaitaha) – Since 2001, Jolt have been pioneers ofinnovative, inclusive dance practice. Their work hastransformed perceptions around dance and disability,creating a vibrant community of dancers and teachers with apowerful creative contribution to share. • (Bay of Plenty Te Moana a Toi) –Founded in 2018 by two Tauranga police officers, AWHI is agroundbreaking, tikanga-based initiative that connectspeople in need with community-based supportservices. • (Wellington Te Whanganui-a-Tara) – Since 1969,dsport has been a vital force in the Wellington region,empowering disabled individuals through sports andrecreation. In 2024, they took it to the next level:co-hosting the World Wheelchair Rugby ParalympicQualification Tournament. • (Across Aotearoa) – Over the last fivedecades, survivors of ill-treatment at the Lake Alice Childand Adolescent Psychiatric Unit – have bravely fought forjustice, leading a historic case against New Zealand at theUnited Nations. With steadfast support from the Citizen'sCommission of Human Rights (NZ), lead by their director MikeFerriss, they have brought long-awaited recognition tothousands.By ROB GILLIES, Associated Press TORONTO (AP) — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Donald Trump that Americans would also suffer if the president-elect follows through on a plan to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products , a Canadian minister who attended their recent dinner said Monday. Trump threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if they don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders with the United States. He said on social media last week that he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders. Canadian Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, attended a dinner with Trump and Trudeau at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago club on Friday. Trudeau requested the meeting in a bid to avoid the tariffs by convincing Trump that the northern border is nothing like the U.S. southern border with Mexico . “The prime minister of course spoke about the importance of protecting the Canadian economy and Canadian workers from tariffs, but we also discussed with our American friends the negative impact that those tariffs could have on their economy, on affordability in the United States as well,” LeBlanc said in Parliament. If Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, alcohol and other goods. The Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said last week that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when the countries retaliate. Canada is already examining possible retaliatory tariffs on certain items from the U.S. should Trump follow through on the threat. After his dinner with Trump, Trudeau returned home without assurances the president-elect will back away from threatened tariffs on all products from the major American trading partner. Trump called the talks “productive” but signaled no retreat from a pledge that Canada says unfairly lumps it in with Mexico over the flow of drugs and migrants into the United States. “The idea that we came back empty handed is completely false,” LeBlanc said. “We had a very productive discussion with Mr. Trump and his future Cabinet secretaries. ... The commitment from Mr. Trump to continue to work with us was far from empty handed.” Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, Trump’s pick to lead the Interior Department, and Mike Waltz, Trump’s choice to be his national security adviser. Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., Kirsten Hillman, told The Associated Press on Sunday that “the message that our border is so vastly different than the Mexican border was really understood.” Hillman, who sat at an adjacent table to Trudeau and Trump, said Canada is not the problem when it comes to drugs and migrants. On Monday, Mexico’s president rejected those comments. “Mexico must be respected, especially by its trading partners,” President Claudia Sheinbaum said. She said Canada had its own problems with fentanyl consumption and “could only wish they had the cultural riches Mexico has.” Flows of migrants and seizures of drugs at the two countries’ border are vastly different. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border during the last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Most of the fentanyl reaching the U.S. — where it causes about 70,000 overdose deaths annually — is made by Mexican drug cartels using precursor chemicals smuggled from Asia. On immigration, the U.S. Border Patrol reported 1.53 million encounters with migrants at the southwest border with Mexico between October 2023 and September 2024. That compares to 23,721 encounters at the Canadian border during that time. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US$2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. About 60% of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85% of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada is also the largest foreign supplier of steel, aluminum and uranium to the U.S. and has 34 critical minerals and metals that the Pentagon is eager for and investing for national security.