Flutterwave, Africa’s leading payments technology company, has announced that its Founder and CEO, Olugbenga ‘GB’ Agboola, has been appointed to the advisory board of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art. This appointment reflects Flutterwave’s continued commitment to supporting and celebrating African excellence across various sectors on the continent and beyond. The National Museum of African Art, the only U.S. museum devoted to the art of Africa, selected Agboola as one of seven new board members during its 60th anniversary year. This appointment places the Flutterwave Founder and CEO alongside leaders in academia, healthcare, and finance who will help shape the museum’s future direction. “It is a privilege to work with each of these new board members,” said John K. Lapiana, the museum’s director. “Our museum will benefit immeasurably from their perspectives and insight, especially now during our 60th anniversary year.” As a technology leader who has consistently worked to showcase African innovation on the global stage, Mr. Agboola brings unique insights to the museum’s mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding. His appointment creates an exciting bridge between Africa’s digital transformation and its rich cultural heritage. “It is an honour to support the National Museum of African Art in its mission to bring Africa’s vibrant heritage to a global audience. Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, Founder and CEO of Flutterwave and member of Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art Board commented. “This opportunity aligns with Flutterwave’s vision of building solutions and contributing to opportunities that showcase Africa’s talent, potential, and innovation. I look forward to collaborating with the museum to highlight the connection between Africa’s cultural history and its future in the digital age,” Agboola added in a statement. The National Museum of African Art’s collection includes over 13,000 artworks spanning more than 1,000 years of African history. As a board member, the Flutterwave founder and CEO will contribute to the museum’s efforts to showcase Africa’s artistic achievements to a global audience. Agboola also represents Flutterwave, as an inaugural member of the Milken Institute’s Africa Leaders Business Council. He serves on the boards of several prestigious organisations, like the U.S.-Africa Business Centre of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Corporate Council on Africa. Flutterwave has been recognised in Africa and globally for its payment innovations and role as an ecosystem enabler. The company was named Fast Company’s Most Innovative Company for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa in 2024. Flutterwave remains committed to supporting initiatives that celebrate African excellence in all its forms from technology to art.
Arsenal make Mikel Arteta proud after smashing Sporting Lisbon
Everyone will love this Marry Me chicken budget mealCEDAR FALLS — The Iowa Waste Reduction Center at the University of Northern Iowa received a $175,159 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Pollution Prevention Grant Program. This grant is aimed at enhancing pollution prevention practices in breweries nationwide. The center will use the grant to provide technical assistance and training the country, beginning in EPA Region 7, which includes Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas and Missouri. Breweries will build on this success by offering webinars, videos, and case studies along with other resources to help technical assistance providers develop their own brewery programming. The project will include four training webinars covering topics like developing brewery programs, conducting audits, data collection and analysis, and incentivizing brewery participation. Additionally, six short videos will be produced to showcase innovative strategies and technologies implemented by breweries. PHOTOS: The top images from the US in 2024 In 2024, photographers captured glimpses of humanity, ranging from a deeply divisive presidential election, to hurricanes and fires that ravaged communities, to campus protests. (c)2024 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) Visit Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) at www.wcfcourier.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
SPORTING LISBON 1-5 ARSENAL Mikel Arteta promised to send out a ruthless team to end his poor run of European away days and how the Arsenal manager delivered. This deserved dismantling of one of Europe’s most feared teams was what can best be described as a statement win and their best under Arteta in the Champions League. Talk here in Lisbon over the past few days was that the club that gave us Cristiano Ronaldo as a player and more recently Ruben Amorim as a coach had never been better and virtually unplayable at home. They came into the match unbeaten and second to only Liverpool in the new format Champions League table, fresh from thrashing Manchester City here last time out. Arsenal scored only their second away win in eight Champions League trips aided by three first half goals via Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel. They withstood a second half comeback goal from Goncalo Inacio and a 65thminute Bukayo Saka penalty killed the game off. The size of the win lifts Arsenal from 14th to eighth in the table. With home games against Monaco and Dinamo Zagreb followed by a trip to Girona yet to come, they are on course to avoid the inconvenience of a February play-off and qualify automatically for the last 16 of this season’s edition of the competition. Arteta has only an FA Cup to his name to date but knows the fans and hierarchy demand more to really return Arsenal to the top of the top table. How realistic that is remains to be seen. It is hard to challenge the notion that the Spanish coach has restored the club’s relationship with their supporters worldwide and returned the club to the levels they need to be at for the first time since Arsene Wenger left seven years ago. Regularly challenging for the Premier League title and routinely competing in and emphatically winning on Champions League nights such as these as a matter of course. The transformation is not complete, but it is not far off. Lisbon were rattled by the quality of Arsenal’s start, the way they moved the ball so precisely at pace. The decision to go out on the front foot paid off inside the opening seven minutes when Martinelli put them in front. Jurrien Timber worked himself clear on the right and sent in a tantalising low right-foot cross with a bit of curl that drew the keeper out while also taking the ball away from him. Kai Havertz looked set to cash in but was blocked by defender Diomande and Martinelli stole in at the far post to score his second goal in as many games. The second goal, after 22 minutes, also came down the right and was also a quality move. In form Thomas Partey sent Bukayo Saka clear with a chip into the Sporting area and the England winger prodded the ball through Franco Israel’s legs for Havertz to tap in a ball that would probably have gone in anyway. The stunned Sporting supporters responded by letting off a bunch of green and white smoke bombs and flashing fireworks over the head of undeterred Arsenal keeper David Raya. Arsenal continued to look the more dangerous side in the smoke even when Sporting tried to up the pace of their game. As the Portuguese laboured the Arsenal supporters stationed high up in the Estadio Jose Alvalade taunted the locals with chants of ‘we want more fireworks.’ A warning against complacency for fans and players alike came in the form of a run and shot by Geovany Quenda, which Raya tipped over the bar just before half-time. Raya snuffed out the danger from the corner too and moments later was dancing around his area in celebration when Gabriel headed in from a Declan Rice corner with the very last touch of the first half. The Brazil central defender sprinkled some salt on the wounded Lisbonites by celebrating in front of their fans in the style of their Swedish goalscoring hero Viktor Gyokeres. The highly coveted striker, said to be firmly on Arsenal’s radar too, touched the ball only 18 times in the first half, three of them from kick-offs. Sporting came out like a rocket at the start of the second half as a Hidemas Morita shot earned them a quick corner. Goncalo Inacio scored when the ball was sent back in and with only two minutes of the second period played it was game on all over again. Arsenal diligently slowed the game down and Saka buried his spot kick and any hopes of a comeback after Martin Odegaard was hacked down from behind in the penalty area. Substitute Leandro Trossard’s 82nd minute header from the rebound of a Mikel Merino shot prompted an early emptying of the stadium. Sporting Lisbon: Israel 6, St Juste 5, Inacio 6 (Reis 88), Diomande 5, Araujo 5 (Catamo 68), Morita 6 (Harder 78), Quenda 6, Hjulmand 6, Edwards 5 (Braganca 68), Gyokeres 7, Trincao 6. Subs not used: Kovacevic, Callai, Fresneda, Esgaio, Brito, Simoes, Monteiro, Couto. Arsenal: Raya 8, Timber 8, Saliba 8, Gabriel 8 (Kiwior 84), Calafiori 6 (Zinchenko 78), Odegaard 8 (Nwaneri, 78), Partey 8, Rice 7 (Merino 70), Saka 8, Martinelli 8 (Trossard 70), Havertz 7. Subs: Neto, Setford, Tierney Lewis-Skelly, Jorginho, Sterling, Jesus. Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL) 6.Now that we are in the holiday season, it’s time to think about buying gifts for family, friends and other loved ones. Well, if you have an outdoorsman or outdoorswoman on your shopping list, you know it can sometimes be challenging to find a present that will be truly appreciated since most outdoors enthusiasts have certain brands and products they prefer. On the flip side, the nice thing about outdoor gear, gadgets and equipment is there is always something new coming out, so there is no shortage of awesome and impactful products out there. Whether your favorite person loves fishing and hunting, or camping and outdoor cooking are their jam, we’ve got you covered with our great gift ideas. YETI Cast Iron Skillet: YETI is known for its high-quality craftsmanship and the company’s new line of cast iron skillets is just the latest example. Perfect for those who love to cook while at camp or camping, or even for use in the home, this skillet is available in three sizes — 8-, 10- and 12-inch — and delivers even, consistent cooking temperatures for a perfect and delicious meal every time. Yeti's cast iron skillet comes in three sizes and is perfect for those who love to cook while camping, or for use in the home. Photo courtesy Backbone Media The first thing you will notice about the YETI skillets is that they are definitely lighter than some cast iron pans, making them easier to wield and use, and that’s by design. YETI says the skillets are cast so they are thick in only the areas they need to be, resulting in the reduced weight. The 10-inch weighs 4.8 pounds while the 12-inch weighs only 6.9 pounds. As far as using and cooking, the skillets come pre-seasoned with a smooth cooking surface for a non-stick effect that becomes stronger every time you oil the pan or grease your meals. Whether you are cooking dinner around a campfire or pan-searing a steak at home, this skillet needs to be in your collection. ( https://www.yeti.com/food/cookware/21180000007.html ) Moultrie Mobile Edge 2 Pro: Trail cameras, especially cell cams, have been one of the most impactful innovations in the sport of deer hunting over the past decade or so, with most hunters deploying at least one or two at their hunting spots nowadays. If you know your dad, wife, husband or kid is on the hunt for a new camera for 2025, then check out the Moultrie Mobile Edge 2 Pro . This cell cam features 40MP images and 1440p video with sound, 0.3-second trigger speeds, 100-foot flash and detection ranges, no glow flash, built-in memory (no SD card required) and Moultrie Mobile AI, which eliminates the vast majority of false triggers. The camera also has an auto-connect feature that lets it easily connect to all four major cellular data networks, while the live aiming feature allows the user to take a test shot and see via the app exactly where the camera is pointing, making camera setup simple and easy. ( https://www.moultrieproducts.com/moultrie-mobile-edge-2-pro-cellular-trail-camera ) A Pennsylvania fishing license makes a wonderful stocking stuffer or alternative to gift cards. Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com RECOMMENDED • pennlive .com Target hot deal: This Gourmia 6-Qt Digital Window Air Fryer is half off for a limited time Dec. 6, 2024, 11:10 a.m. How this father of 2 bagged Pa.’s biggest bear so far this year Dec. 6, 2024, 9:20 a.m. Fishing license: Even though the cost has gone up slightly in recent years, there is perhaps no better bargain in the outdoors than a fishing license , and it makes a wonderful stocking stuffer or alternative to gift cards. The cost of a 2025 Pennsylvania resident annual fishing license for ages 16 and up is $27.97, and if you throw in a trout stamp at $14.97, that’s still a super gift that checks in under $45. Think about that for a minute. If a person gets out just 10 times in a year, that’s less than $5 a day, and there are simply not a lot of recreational and entertainment options available out there for that price anymore. And don’t worry if you don’t have your favorite person’s contact info, you can still get a voucher for them so they can order the license themselves. ( https://www.pa.gov/en/agencies/fishandboat/fishing/buy-fishing-license-permit.html ) Streamlight BearTrap 360: If you are looking for a multi-purpose light that’s truly versatile — think camp or camping, work projects and even emergency power outages — then one excellent option is the rechargeable Streamlight BearTrap 360 . It all starts with the light’s ability to rotate 360 degrees horizontally and 270 degrees vertically to direct the light where it’s really needed. Plus, the clamp-like design and a powerful magnet allow you to adhere the unit to almost any surface. As for light itself, the BearTrap 360 offers three spot and three flood settings so you’re covered whether you need softer, bright light to illuminate a wider area, or you want a concentrated beam for focus on a specific location. The light’s flood mode provides up to 2,000 lumens on high, with a 2.5-hour runtime, while the flood mode delivers up to 1,000 lumens on high with a 4.5-hour run time. ( https://www.streamlight.com/products/detail/beartrap-360 ) Hurricane Crossbow 520: If you have a family that bowhunts or simply loves backyard archery, then they’ll need a target that can stand up to repeated assault from arrows and bolts. Enter the Hurricane Crossbow 520 . Deigned especially for the high velocities of today’s crossbow bolts, this target features the stopping power to handle projectiles flying up to 520 feet per second. Plus, it has all the features for which bag targets are known such as easy bolt and arrow extraction and heavy-duty handles that make the target easy to carry and move. The Crossbow 520 measures 21x12x21 inches and has high-visibility aimpoints on one side and a deer vitals area on the other. ( https://www.feradyne.com/product/crossbow-h-21/ )
Tossing and Turning: How Seasonal Stress Affects Your Sleep CycleCOPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — For a pair of lower-level downhill events, this sure had plenty of Olympic medal-capturing and World Cup-winning ski racers. The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn , the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races in nearly six years. Vonn wasn't particularly speedy and finished in the middle of the pack on a cold but sunny day at Copper Mountain. Times and places weren't the mission, though, as much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit this season. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races that she had enough points to enter World Cup events. The timing couldn't be more perfect — the next stop on the women's circuit is Beaver Creek, Colorado, in a week. Vonn, who used to own a home in nearby Vail, hasn't committed to any sort of timetable for a World Cup return. “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” Vonn wrote on X . “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.” Her competition — a veritable who's who of high-profile ski racers — applauded her efforts. “I don't expect her to come back and win — just that she comes back and she has fun,” said Federica Brignone of Italy, a former overall World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist. “She's having fun, and she’s doing what she loves. That’s the best thing that she could do.” In the first race on a frigid morning, Vonn wound up 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds posted by Mirjam Puchner of Austria. In her second race through the course later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who finished in 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning season-long World Cup downhill champion. “It’s really nice to compare with her again, and nice to have her (racing) again,” Huetter said. “For sure, for the skiing World Cup, we have a lot of more attention. It's generally good for all racers because everyone is looking.” Also in the field were Nadia Delago of Italy, who won a bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Puchner, the Olympic silver winner in super-G in Beijing. In addition, there was Marta Bassino of Italy, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships, and two-time Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland. “For me, it was really a training, but it was fun to have a World Cup race level right here,” Gisin said. “It was a crazy race.” Vonn remains a popular figure and took the time after each run to sign autographs for young fans along with posing for photos. When she left the sport, Vonn had 82 World Cup race victories, which stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont , last weekend. Vonn’s last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist left the circuit still near the top of her game. But all the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. She had a partial knee replacement last April and felt good enough to give racing another shot. “It's very impressive to see all the passion that Lindsey still has,” Gisin said. Also racing Saturday was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who once competed for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was the next racer behind Vonn and they got a chance to share a moment between a pair of 40-somethings still racing. “I was like, ‘Give me some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a highway tuck, the whole thing.’ Then she’s like, ‘It’s just like the good old days.’" AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiingIowa offensive lineman announces plans to return in 2025