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OTTAWA — The national unemployment rate was 6.7 per cent in December. Statistics Canada also released seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average unemployment rates for major cities.

OTTAWA — The fight for an independent review body to keep an eye on Canada's border agency may be over, but there are lingering concerns in civil society circles about how much bite the new watchdog will have.

Queens Royals (10-6, 3-0 ASUN) at Austin Peay Governors (6-10, 1-2 ASUN) Clarksville, Tennessee; Saturday, 5 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Queens takes on Austin Peay after Chris Ashby scored 20 points in Queens' 75-73 victory over the Lipscomb Bisons.

Central Arkansas Sugar Bears (8-6, 2-1 ASUN) at Queens (NC) Royals (6-8, 0-3 ASUN) Charlotte, North Carolina; Saturday, 2 p.m.

San Diego State Aztecs (13-4, 2-2 MWC) at Wyoming Cowgirls (8-7, 2-1 MWC) Laramie, Wyoming; Saturday, 4 p.m.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chris Ashby scored 20 points, Bryce Cash made a go-ahead layup with 5.4 seconds left and Queens defeated Lipscomb 75-73 on Thursday night. Will Pruitt went coast-to-coast, but his layup rolled off the rim at the buzzer.

GATINEAU, Que. — The Moncton Wildcats topped the Gatineau Olympiques 4-2 for their ninth consecutive win Thursday in the Quebec Maritimes Hockey League.

Canada's emergency preparedness minister says Canadian military personnel, their equipment and another 250 firefighters stand "ready to support our American neighbours" as wildfires devastate parts of Southern California.

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — A dramatic vote on Thursday night ended with the Newfoundland and Labrador government deciding to move forward with a draft energy deal with Quebec heralded as a game-changer for the indebted Atlantic province.

MONTREAL — The Quebec Superior Court has ruled against a real estate development company that wanted the heritage status removed from First World War fortifications overlooking the St. Lawrence River east of Quebec City.