Missile Launch Alerts: Moscow and Washington's Strategic ProtocolsLewandowski joins Ronaldo and Messi in Champions League 100-goal club. Haaland nets 2 but City drawsRadical Jaguar rebrand and new logo sparks ire online NEW YORK (AP) — A promotional video for a rebrand of British luxury car brand Jaguar is being criticized online for showing models in brightly colored outfits — and no car. The rebrand, which includes a new logo, is slated to launch Dec. 2 during Miami Art Week, when the company will unveil a new electric model. But Jaguar Land Rover, a unit of India’s Tata Motors Ltd., has been promoting it online. The Jaguar brand is in the middle of a transition to going all-electric. “Copy Nothing,” marketing materials read. “We’re here to delete the ordinary. To go bold. To copy nothing.” Trump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don’t expect big revelations DALLAS (AP) — The nation is set to mark 61 years since President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade passed through downtown Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Even after over six decades, conspiracy theories about what happened that day still swirl and the desire to follow every thread of information hasn’t waned. President-elect Donald Trump made promises over the summer that if reelected he would declassify the remaining records. At this point, only a few thousand of millions of pages of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released. And those who have studied what's been released so far say that the public shouldn’t anticipate any earth-shattering revelations even if the remaining files are declassified. Bitcoin is at the doorstep of $100,000 as post-election rally rolls on NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, rising above $98,000 for the first time Thursday. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. NFL issues security alert to teams and the players' union following recent burglaries The NFL has issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted. Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets. Penn State wins trademark case over retailer's use of vintage logos, images PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Penn State has won a closely watched trademark fight over an online retailer’s use of its vintage logos and images. A Pennsylvania jury awarded Penn State $28,000 in damages earlier this week over products made and sold by the firms Vintage Brand and Sportswear Inc. Penn State accused them of selling “counterfeit” clothing and accessories. The defendants said their website makes clear they are not affiliated with Penn State. At least a dozen other schools have sued the defendants on similar grounds, but the Pennsylvania case was the first to go to trial. Has a waltz written by composer Frederic Chopin been discovered in an NYC museum? NEW YORK (AP) — A previously unknown musical work written by composer Frederic Chopin appears to have been found in a library in New York City. The Morgan Library & Museum says the untitled and unsigned piece is the first new manuscript of the Romantic era virtuoso to be discovered in nearly a century. Robinson McClellan, the museum’s curator, says he stumbled across the work in May while going through a collection brought to the Manhattan museum years earlier. He worked with outside experts to verify the document's authenticity. But there’s debate whether the waltz is an original Chopin work or merely one written in his hand. Volcano on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula erupts for the 7th time in a year GRINDAVIK, Iceland (AP) — A volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland is spewing lava from a fissure in its seventh eruption since December. Iceland's seismic monitors said the eruption started with little warning late Wednesday and created a long fissure but looked to be smaller than eruptions in August and May. Around 50 houses were evacuated after the Civil Protection agency issued the alert, along with guests at the famous Blue Lagoon resort, according to the national broadcaster. The repeated eruptions over the past year have caused damage to the town of Grindavík and forced people to relocate. Australian teen and British woman who drank tainted alcohol in Laos have died, bringing toll to 5 VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — An Australian teenager and a British woman have died after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos in what Australia’s prime minister said was every parent’s nightmare. Officials earlier said an American and two Danish tourists also had died following reports that multiple people had been sickened in town popular with backpackers. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng, Laos, for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalized in Thailand. Later Thursday, Britain said a British woman also died and the media in the U.K. identified her as 28-year-old Simone White. US ahead in AI innovation, easily surpassing China in Stanford's new ranking The U.S. leads the world in developing artificial intelligence technology, surpassing China in research and other important measures of AI innovation, according to a newly released Stanford University index. There’s no surefire way to rank global AI leadership but Stanford researchers have made an attempt by measuring the “vibrancy” of the AI industry across a variety of dimensions, from how much research and investment is happening to how responsibly the technology is being pursued to prevent harm. Following the U.S. and China were the United Kingdom, India and the United Arab Emirates. Pop star Ed Sheeran helps favorite soccer team sign player before getting on stage with Taylor Swift It turns out British pop star Ed Sheeran is also good at recruiting soccer players. Sheeran is a minority shareholder at English soccer team Ipswich Town and it needed his help over the summer to get a player to join the club. Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton tells a Soccerex industry event in Miami: “Ed jumped on a Zoom call with him at the training ground, just before he stepped on stage with Taylor Swift. Hopefully that was a key part in getting the player across the line.” Ashton didn’t disclose the player in question, saying only: “He’s certainly scoring a few goals.”
Quarterback Darian Mensah's move to Duke comes with a massive paycheck, as CBS Sports reported Monday that the recent Tulane transfer will receive $8 million over two years. An annual average of $4 million would make Mensah unofficially the highest paid college football player, according to CBS Sports. The deal is believed to be close to that commanded by John Mateer, the top-ranked QB in the 247Sports portal rankings, when he transferred from Washington State to Oklahoma. Mateer reportedly did not use a traditional agent to negotiate his NIL deal with Oklahoma, while Mensah was represented by Young Money APAA Sports agents Noah Reisenfeld and Adie von Gontard and well-known sports law attorney Darren Heitner. The top-ranked player in ESPN's transfer portal rankings, Mensah told ESPN he was impressed by first-year Duke coach Manny Diaz, who guided the Blue Devils to a 9-3 record, marking one of the best seasons in program history. "He gets you going; he's legit," Mensah said. "They have a legit defensive line. He'll take this team as far as we want to go." Mensah guided the Green Wave to the American Athletic Conference title game as a redshirt freshman this season. Tulane (9-5) reached No. 18 in the College Football Playoff rankings before ending the regular season with consecutive losses. The Green Wave lost 33-8 to Florida (8-5) in the Gasparilla Bowl on Friday without Mensah. Mensah has three years of eligibility remaining. He completed 189 of 287 passes (65.9 percent) for 2,723 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions, adding 132 rushing yards and a score. He is now in line to replace record-setting Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy, who also entered the portal after the regular season. Duke will take on Ole Miss (9-3) in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2. --Field Level MediaChinese-made weapons hidden inside Arunachal forest seized
Magic Publishers Unveils Its New Product, The Santa Muerte Colors Tarot Deck
Trinasolar Establishes A Partnership With Centro Universitário FACENS To Empower Brazilian Market On Its Advanced Smart Solar Solutions1 2 3 4 5 6 Dibrugarh: In a significant breakthrough in counter-insurgency operations , security forces recovered a substantial cache of Chinese-made assault rifles during a joint operation in Arunachal Pradesh 's Changlang district on Saturday. The operation, conducted in the remote Miao-Vijaynagar region, marks one of the largest weapons recoveries in South Arunachal Pradesh in recent times. The coordinated effort, led by the Army's Spear Corps in collaboration with Assam Rifles and Arunachal Police, successfully unearthed 10 MQ 81 Chinese-origin assault rifles from multiple locations within the forest area. The operation employed cutting-edge technology, including high-tech drones, tracker dogs, and metal detectors. "The weapons were strategically concealed inside the forest area. Prior to conducting the operation, we ensured safe passage for tourists present in the Namdapha Reserve Forest. The entire operation was executed with utmost professionalism and precision to prevent these weapons from falling into insurgent hands," revealed a senior Army official involved in the operation. Intelligence sources said that these weapons were buried by Eastern Naga National Govt (ENNG) cadres prior to their surrender last year. The recovery holds particular significance as various insurgent groups, notably NSCM (IM) and NSCN (K-YA), had reportedly made multiple attempts to retrieve these weapons over the past six months, working in conjunction with former ENNG cadres.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Penn State has won a closely watched trademark fight over an online retailer's use of its vintage sports logos and images. A Pennsylvania jury awarded Penn State $28,000 in damages on Wednesday over products made and sold by Vintage Brand and Sportswear Inc., two firms co-founded by former minor league baseball player Chad Hartvigson. Penn State accused them of selling “counterfeit” clothing and accessories, while the defendants said their website makes clear they are not affiliated with the university. At least a dozen other schools have sued the defendants on similar grounds, including Purdue, Stanford and UCLA, Penn State said in its 2021 lawsuit. However, the Penn State case was the first to go to trial and seen by some as a test case in the sports merchandising industry. “It addresses an important issue with trademark law — whether or not the mark owner is able to prevent third parties from using its marks on T-shirts and paraphernalia without permission,” said Tiffany Gehrke, a trademark lawyer in Chicago who was not involved in the case. The verdict, she said, maintains the status quo, while a victory for Vintage Brand “could have shaken things up.” It followed a six-day trial in federal court in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, overseen by Chief U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann. Defense lawyers declined to comment on the verdict and whether their clients planned to appeal. Penn State, in a statement, called its trademarks “critical” to the school's brand, and said it was grateful for the verdict. “The university appreciates this result as it relates to the many hundreds of licensees with whom the university works and who go through the appropriate processes to use Penn State’s trademarks," the statement said. Founded in 1855, Penn State adopted the Nittany Lion as its mascot in 1904 and has been using various images of the animal, along with the school's seal and other logos, for decades, the lawsuit said. The school now has more than 100,000 students at 24 campuses.1. A dino nugget pillow sure to resonate with anyone who could *literally* live off of chicken nuggies and never get sick of them. Promising review: "This dino chicken nugget pillow is a real Jurassic dream come true! It's the perfect cuddle companion for all the paleontologists-in-training or anyone with an insatiable appetite for comfort. Just be careful not to accidentally take a bite while you're napping, because it looks deliciously deceiving!" — LadyTee Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in four styles, two sizes, and in multipacks). 2. A dimmable sad duck night-light that's basically a physical manifestation of you when your alarm goes off every morning. Promising review : "I ordered this lamp because of its appearance. I didn't NEED a depressed duck lamp ... but it has totally filled a void in my life I didn't know existed. Everyone who sees it pokes it. The lamp is actually very functional. It's got a really nice set of brightness options and the glow is yellowish, which is much nicer than white in a dim/dark room. One thing that isn't mentioned in the description is that its legs are utterly floppy. It's terrific." — Literated Get it from Amazon for $15.99 . 3. An admittedly questionable but inarguably hilarious toothpaste cap for anyone whose top four favorite movies include Shrek , Shrek 2 , Shrek the Third , and Shrek Forever After . CasualChicken is a small business based in Irvine, California, that sells an array of unique 3D printed items. Promising review: "My order came well packaged and on time. Gifted it to my friend and she thinks it is hilarious." — Grace Get it from CasualChicken on Etsy for $11.99 . 4. A decorative cat towel that'll silently watch you microwave your day-old pizza or scroll TikTok on the toilet. Promising review : "I did not buy this to actually use as a towel. To me it doesn’t seem like it would be good at serving this purpose as the material is not very absorbent, however it is great for decoration purposes. It is really, really adorable! I love how there’s little snap buttons to keep it in place. I highly recommend this as a decorative gift for the cat lover in your life or for yourself if you love kitties! Great purchase!" — Crystal Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 35 designs). 5. A snail hand soap dispenser if you're sick of regular ol' bottles of Dial but you aren't the ~aesthetic~ type who's into refillable amber glasses, either. Promising review : "In the week or so I've had this thing it has brought me so much joy. I'm always so excited for my snail to vomit on my dish scrubber, or my hand. It's surprising how such a simple soap dispenser has changed my whole family's life for the better. This was once a house where dishes were a hated chore. Now, it's a blood bath to get anywhere near the legendary 🐌." — Zoe Scoville Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in three colors). 6. A giant Lego storage drawer you can use to house whatever knickknacks have taken over every surface in your home. Heck, you can even stack a bunch of them to build your own dresser, desk, or coffee table! Check it out on TikTok here ! Promising review: "LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this storage container! My son got a 1,500-piece Lego set for Christmas and this fits all of the pieces nicely! Definitely recommend." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in two sizes and 11 colors). 7. An ugly Renaissance cats calendar that'll straight up make you LOL on the first of every month when you flip to see what 16th-century painters thought a cat looked like??? Decor Hardcore is a small business based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Promising review: "My brother, sister, and I decided to buy fun esoteric calendars for each other for Hanukkah. My sister is a huge cat lover and this made her day. 100 out of 10 would buy again!" — Gwendy7769 Get it from Decor Hardcore on Etsy for $26.81+ (available in two sizes; there's also an ugly Renaissance dog paintings version ). 8. A Bob the Builder-looking saw knife with the power to cut through any cake you put in front of it. No matter how many ganache-filled layers, you won't even break a sweat. Promising review : "I get so many laughs and compliments when I bust this thing out to slice a birthday cake! I got it for my baby girl's 1st birthday party (on Halloween!) and I relish any opportunity to use it. It's so much fun! It's also lightweight and easy to clean. It doesn't take up much drawer space, and it's not much larger than a proper kitchen knife." — Heather David Get it from Amazon for $17.45 . 9. A freakin' cherry toilet brush certain to brighten up your bathroom and your mood when you inevitably have to clean it... Promising review : "It's beautiful! 😍 I'm so happy. I used it as soon as I got it open and it works like a dream. It is very sturdy and I love the little crook at the end of the stem/handle. It's so cute. 🥰 I'm so glad I bought this for my bathroom. It really adds an adorable touch to my bathroom decor and it had a purpose so it's even better!! A+++ 🍒" — BumbleBee Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in two colors). 10. A unicorn head squirrel feeder that looks like a kindergartener's drawing come to life. Promising review: "This is both ridiculous and spectacular. It just might be my best Amazon impulse buy ever." — Meredith Get it from Amazon for $19.64 . 11. A set of embroidered sponges with your choice of PG- or R-rated sayings that definitely won't make the dishes fun, but will probably make them more tolerable. It comes with four sponges with different cross-stitch designs, a frame, and suction cups. Promising review: "I love these! Especially the frame it comes with, didn’t expect that. I gave some as a gift and my parents love them so much they don't want to use them." — honest reviewer (: Get it from Amazon for $22.45 . 12. Or a Homer Simpson sponge holder that emulates your fave gif. Geek 3D by Sean is a West Lafayette, Indiana–based small biz. Promising review : "This is both the dumbest and greatest sponge holder I have ever owned. I love it. Quality is solid." — JD Lauriat Get it from Geek 3D by Sean on Etsy for $19.99+ (with or without a suction cup). 13. A serpentine table lamp so dashing, your friend may try to snatch it on their way out the door. Luckily, it'd be hard to hide in a canvas tote. Promising review : "I got two of the snake table lamps for my foyer and EVERYONE who walks into the house compliments me on them. They are unique, sharp, and yet classic looking in many ways. Well worth the investment!" — Martin92 Get it from CB2 for $149 . 14. A contemporary end table if your space could use a little drip — both literally and figuratively. Promising review : "I love the way it picks up color and plays with light and shadow. Amazing work of art. I highly recommend it. It arrived quickly, was boxed very well, and was super easy to set up. Light enough but also sturdy enough to stand safely." — Susan Stec Get it from Amazon for $155.99+ (available in five finishes). 15. An adorable cow print ottoman with two horns and four widdle legs. While it'd make a great nursery piece, I think I'd want it in the living room so if my cat jumped up it'd look like she was entering her first rodeo. Promising review : "I smiled when I saw this online and thought 'Why not?!' Turns out it is a really useful little ottoman and extremely comfortable. I love the touch of whimsy it brings to my living room. " — Pamela M-L Get it from Amazon for $87.75 . 16. A UFO-shaped cat box that not only looks stellar, but prevents kitty babies from kicking litter all over the dang place. Happy and Polly is a small business with all sorts of cutesy cat and dog products from carriers and scratching posts to water fountains and even apparel. Get it from Happy and Polly for $149.99 (originally $179.99). 17. An ultra-unique vinyl stand made from a refurbished newspaper box. That way, you can take your records out of the cardboard box they've called home for the last year. Impact Racks is a small biz that refurbishes and repurposes used newspaper boxes. They're actually the supplier of said boxes (to publications like The New York Post, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today) so when one is ready to be retired, they swoop in and transform it into a record stand! Not only do they *look* incredibly cool, but each one sold keeps around 85 pounds of metal out of the landfill! Promising review : "Literally the best customer service ever!! I absolutely love my box. It’s so unique and creative and perfect for my vinyl collection and stand. It’s my favorite piece of furniture. But really I cannot say enough great things about Jon and how much he cares about his products and customers. Thank you so much!! I highly recommend him and don’t think twice about purchasing from him." — moberg135 Get it from Impact Racks on Etsy for $399 (available in 27 styles so you can pick your favorite publication). 18. An egg-shaped bath mat guaranteed to prevent any Humpty Dumpty-style slips or falls post shower so you can go earn that bacon! 🥓 Promising review : "I purchased this for my kitchen and I'm in love! It's super soft and the rubber backing keeps it in place. I've run the vacuum over it and the material didn't pull or anything so it's very good quality and super easy to clean." — Sarah B. Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in three sizes). 19. A 'Rocktopus' fidget toy that has absolutely no reason to exist but here we are and I'm intrigued. 7 Printz is a London–based small 3D print shop from Simar Singh. Promising review : "The Rocktopus arrived today and we love him! The finish is very high quality — much more smoothly finished than a lot of 3D print stuff. The legs are really nicely articulated and the movement is really smooth and fluid. Excellent, high-quality build!" — Andrea Johnson Get it from 7 Printz on Etsy for $10.14+ (originally $13.53+; available in 19 colors). 20. A miniature zen garden — in the form of a litter box with lil' kitty figurines — if you're looking to practice mindfulness but in a non-traditional way. Promising review : "This litter box zen garden is so cute and such a perfect gift! I got two to give out to friends this year. Definitely will be buying the other minis as well !" — Lexy Get it from Target for $8.99 . 21. A pack of four "licorice" (they're actually silicone) straws that'll make sipping anything — even plain ol' tap water — much more fun. Promising review: " Now that reusable straws are becoming more and more popular , especially where we live in California, I figured it would be great to have a little fun . These are great for kids as well as adults, and they work really well! I will certainly be ordering them again." — Joshua Epstein Get them from Amazon for $10.49 . 22. A shower beer and wine holder because sometimes, a bath bomb just isn't enough. Real ones know that true R&R involves a chilled glass of sickly sweet Barefoot attached securely to your shower wall — not perched precariously on the lip of your tub. SipCaddy is a small biz! Promising review: " My wife got me this as a Christmas present and I must admit I rolled my eyes when I opened the box. 'That'll never work,' I thought to myself. We stuck it on the shower wall that day and have had no issues since. It's still sticking some 60 days later and shows no signs of slipping. It holds beer cans and plastic pint glasses like a boss, and for those days when I'm feeling super bougie, I make a cocktail, dump it in a tumbler, and it fits, too! Shower beers will never be the same again! " — Morgan Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in six styles). 23. A Froot Loops-inspired candle that will both delight and confuse all who see it. Since the soy candle comes in a real cereal bowl with a real spoon, it's quite the conversation starter. Jennifer Cox's Nashville, TN-based Candlelit Desserts sells exactly what you think — candle versions of scrumptious treats like milk and cookies, key lime pie, and loaves of apple cinnamon bread. Promising review : "Super Cute! The candle smells exactly like Froot Loops! Looks super realistic! 15/10 Would definitely recommend! Absolutely love! ❤️" — Keira Get it from Candlelit Desserts for $18.99 . 24. The Office -themed dishwasher magnets with regular Michael Scott indicating your dishes are squeaky clean and Prison Mike indicating your dishes are dirty. Promising review : "I’ve had this item in my 'save for later' cart for over a year and finally made the purchased. As a fan of The Office, I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to buy the darn thing! A little advice from someone who said, 'I don’t need it' every time I saw it... YOU NEED IT! Just buy it . The joy it gives me each time I flip to clean/dirty is the same joy I felt when Pam and Jim got married, or when Michael yelled, 'I declare bankruptcy!' or when Kevin said, 'call it' during the CPR episode. It’s amazing and you need it in you life. Just buy it." — Judy Sal Get them from Amazon for $8.99 . 25. A witchy spine candle that looks like something a serial killer would have in their house but also imagine how cool it'll look when it starts to melt and pool wax! Promising review : "Super cool!! The candle makes me feel like being in the classroom of Professor Lupin learning how to cast a Patronus! Very cute decor!!" — Yvette Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in black and white). 26. A blackhead-removing toy you can pick and prod at with tweezers like you're performing surgery alongside your Grey's Anatomy colleagues. But for real, it helps if you're prone to picking your skin or pulling out hair when you're stressed!! Promising review : "I have trichotillomania and really love these little guys. They help refocus my habit and the pull is very satisfying and realistic . I've had to repurchase already, and I'll reorder more in the future. Can't recommend these enough, as I've been searching for this type of tool for a long time." — Danika Hill Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 17 styles). 27. A clever mug — that looks like a whole pot of coffee — if you're the type of person who's always glued to your brew. Some reviewers even use this to store and display beans! Promising review: "I bought this mug for my dad who just started at an office job. He absolutely loves it! He enjoys making dad jokes about drinking a whole pot of coffee in the morning. The silicone lid is great to keep it warm and makes it easy to drink out of. It's made of thin glass, so it's not as sturdy as a mug and it gets hotter, but it's great quality and made well." — tess Get it from Amazon for $24.97 . 28. A spinning pill dispenser so you'll feel like a contestant on The Price Is Right or Wheel of Fortune... even though you know no matter what you spin, you will end up with a multivitamin, fish oil, and Prozac. Check out a TikTok of the pill dispenser in action. Promising review: "So I am horrible about remembering if I took my pills . And I HATE digging into the old pill boxes or doing the tip-over . I don't know what it is, but I have always disliked it. I hung this on my wall right by the kitchen, so I pass it like 5,000 times a day, and I can't not see it. It is so fun pushing the little orange button to watch the meds fall out. I mean, it kind of feels like a really weird game of Wheel of Fortune, but I like it." — Grofica Get it from Amazon for $35.99 (available in four colors). 29. A "Noodle Monster" spaghetti container that looks like something straight out of Aaahh!!! Real Monsters and that makes my millennial heart happy. Promising review: "I love this so much. Like, so much. The canister part is glass, which I love. It's tall enough for long pasta, but also good for macaroni. His lil' noodle noggin is plastic with a silicone seal, so it's actually practical while also being literally the cutest thing in the world. And his eyestalks make opening the lid a breeze while also being absolutely adorable. I really want a little gang of them for my pantry, and I'd make little hats for them. " — Surua Get it from Amazon for $18.95 . 30. A set of french fry clips so your Doritos never go stale again 🙌🏻 And when they're not in use, the magnetic set sticks right to your fridge so you won't misplace them. Promising review : "These are very cute and I love the magnet holder to stick on my fridge so they are easily accessible. Not sure about the durability, haven't used very long." — Save the Bees Get a set of 12 clips from Amazon for $14.90 . 31. And a mini claw machine that comes with dinosaur toys, but some reviewers like to use it for their antidepressants instead and I like where their heads are at. Fill it up with Prozac, plop it on your bathroom counter, and guests *will* be wondering where they can get one of their own. Promising review: "Impulse buy after laughing hysterically at the video of this going around on TikTok. This thing is cute and fun and very entertaining! Be forewarned: The clear top dome part does not attach firmly." — Szibarita Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in 15 colors and pack sizes). Reviews in this post have been edited for length and/or clarity.
By CLAIRE RUSH President-elect Donald Trump has once again suggested he wants to revert the name of North America’s tallest mountain — Alaska’s Denali — to Mount McKinley, wading into a sensitive and decades-old conflict about what the peak should be called. Related Articles National Politics | Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process Former President Barack Obama changed the official name to Denali in 2015 to reflect the traditions of Alaska Natives as well as the preference of many Alaska residents. The federal government in recent years has endeavored to change place-names considered disrespectful to Native people. “Denali” is an Athabascan word meaning “the high one” or “the great one.” A prospector in 1896 dubbed the peak “Mount McKinley” after President William McKinley, who had never been to Alaska. That name was formally recognized by the U.S. government until Obama changed it over opposition from lawmakers in McKinley’s home state of Ohio. Trump suggested in 2016 that he might undo Obama’s action, but he dropped that notion after Alaska’s senators objected. He raised it again during a rally in Phoenix on Sunday. “McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president,” Trump said Sunday. “They took his name off Mount McKinley, right? That’s what they do to people.” Once again, Trump’s suggestion drew quick opposition within Alaska. “Uh. Nope. It’s Denali,” Democratic state Sen. Scott Kawasaki posted on the social platform X Sunday night. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski , who for years pushed for legislation to change the name to Denali, conveyed a similar sentiment in a post of her own. “There is only one name worthy of North America’s tallest mountain: Denali — the Great One,” Murkowski wrote on X. Various tribes of Athabascan people have lived in the shadow of the 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) mountain for thousands of years. McKinley, a Republican native of Ohio who served as the 25th president, was assassinated early in his second term in 1901 in Buffalo, New York. Alaska and Ohio have been at odds over the name since at least the 1970s. Alaska had a standing request to change the name since 1975, when the legislature passed a resolution and then-Gov. Jay Hammond appealed to the federal government. Known for its majestic views, the mountain is dotted with glaciers and covered at the top with snow year-round, with powerful winds that make it difficult for the adventurous few who seek to climb it. Rush reported from Portland, Oregon.The NRL has suspended Ezra Mam for nine games after the Brisbane Broncos star pleaded guilty to charges of drug driving. Mam's punishment was reported by the Courier Mail and is expected to see the five-eighth sidelined until Round 10, when the Broncos face the South Sydney Rabbitohs. The 21-year-old escaped a criminal conviction last week after pleading guilty to two charges relating to a drug-driving crash. The Queenslander was driving unlicensed before colliding into an Uber on October 18. The Uber was carrying three occupants at the time - 64-year-old driver Marcel Van Den Camp, a mother and her four-year-old daughter. In court, the magistrate fined Mam $850 and suspended his licence for six months, leading to an outcry of disappointment he didn't receive harsher punishment. News Corp revealed last week Mam had a history of traffic offences, including speeding, failure to stop at a red light, and driving while using a phone. His licence had also previously been suspended three times. After leaving court Mam issued a statement to the media, as he apologised to his fans and family, as well as the NRL and Brisbane Broncos. “Today is an important step in owning my actions and starting to make things right. To all the people involved in this accident, I’m truly sorry,” he said. “I promise to work on being a better person and representative of the club and the game that I love.” The Queensland government was left displeased with the punishment, as Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie labelled it "disgraceful". "It was a slap on the wrist," he said. Queensland Attorney-General Deb Frecklington said she would look into legislation changes following the penalty. “I can understand that for many Queenslanders, this outcome doesn’t pass the pub test,” she said in a statement. “Most Queenslanders would expect that the penalty for a driver who’s found to have drugs in their system would be more severe than the penalty for using a mobile phone behind the wheel. “I will be consulting with my colleagues, in particular the transport minister, and considering what changes can be made to our laws." The NRL has now come under fire with many accusing its punishment of also being too weak. Journalist Phil 'Buzz' Rothfield was one of several who slammed the suspension on social media. "The Ezra Mam 9-week ban by the NRL is not harsh enough for drug-driving and putting a 4-year-old in hospital with a broken hip while unlicensed. SHOULD HAVE BEEN 12-15 WEEKS MINIMUM," he posted on X. Another said the NRL "need to hang their heads in shame". "If you give Ezra Mam a 9 week ban shows how out of touch with society you really are. Cricket Australia gave players 12 months for ball tampering," a third wrote.
Ransomware attack on software supplier disrupts operations for Starbucks and other retailers
Idaho US senator says ‘jury’s still out’ on how to handle women serving in military combatPHILADELPHIA and PERTH, Australia , Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcadium Lithium plc (NYSE: ALTM, ASX: LTM, "Arcadium Lithium"), a leading global lithium chemicals producer, today announced that it has obtained all requisite shareholder approvals in connection with the proposed acquisition by Rio Tinto previously announced on October 9 , 2024. "Today's vote of support by our shareholders confirms our shared belief that with Rio Tinto, we will be a stronger global leader in lithium chemicals production. Together, we enhance our capabilities to successfully develop and operate our assets while supporting the clean energy transition. We are confident that this transaction will provide future benefit to our customers, employees and the communities in which we operate, and I am excited by the path ahead," said Paul Graves , president and chief executive officer of Arcadium Lithium. The final voting results of Arcadium Lithium's special meetings will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in a Form 8-K and will also be available at https://ir.arcadiumlithium.com . Regulatory Update As of this release, merger control clearance has been satisfied or waived in Australia , Canada , China , the United Kingdom and the United States (Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976). Additionally, investment screening approval has been satisfied in the United Kingdom . The proposed transaction is still expected to close in mid-2025, subject to the receipt of remaining regulatory approvals and other closing conditions. Arcadium Lithium Contacts Investors: Daniel Rosen +1 215 299 6208 daniel.rosen@arcadiumlithium.com Phoebe Lee +61 413 557 780 phoebe.lee@arcadiumlithium.com Media: Karen Vizental +54 9 114 414 4702 karen.vizental@arcadiumlithium.com About Arcadium Lithium Arcadium Lithium is a leading global lithium chemicals producer committed to safely and responsibly harnessing the power of lithium to improve people's lives and accelerate the transition to a clean energy future. We collaborate with our customers to drive innovation and power a more sustainable world in which lithium enables exciting possibilities for renewable energy, electric transportation and modern life. Arcadium Lithium is vertically integrated, with industry-leading capabilities across lithium extraction processes, including hard-rock mining, conventional brine extraction and direct lithium extraction (DLE), and in lithium chemicals manufacturing for high performance applications. We have operations around the world, with facilities and projects in Argentina , Australia , Canada , China , Japan , the United Kingdom and the United States . For more information, please visit us at www.ArcadiumLithium.com . Important Information and Legal Disclaimer: Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, we have identified forward-looking statements by such words or phrases as "will likely result," "is confident that," "expect," "expects," "should," "could," "may," "will continue to," "believe," "believes," "anticipates," "predicts," "forecasts," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "intends" or similar expressions identifying "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the negative of those words and phrases. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions regarding future events, future business conditions and the outlook for Arcadium Lithium based on currently available information. There are important factors that could cause Arcadium Lithium's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including the completion of the transaction on anticipated terms and timing, including obtaining required regulatory approvals, and the satisfaction of other conditions to the completion of the transaction; potential litigation relating to the transaction that could be instituted by or against Arcadium Lithium or its affiliates, directors or officers, including the effects of any outcomes related thereto; the risk that disruptions from the transaction will harm Arcadium Lithium's business, including current plans and operations; the ability of Arcadium Lithium to retain and hire key personnel; potential adverse reactions or changes to business or governmental relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the transaction; certain restrictions during the pendency of the transaction that may impact Arcadium Lithium's ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; significant transaction costs associated with the transaction; the possibility that the transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the transaction, including in circumstances requiring Arcadium Lithium to pay a termination fee or other expenses; competitive responses to the transaction; the supply and demand in the market for our products as well as pricing for lithium and high-performance lithium compounds; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the integration of the businesses of Livent and Allkem or of any future acquisitions; our ability to acquire or develop additional reserves that are economically viable; the existence, availability and profitability of mineral resources and mineral and ore reserves; the success of our production expansion efforts, research and development efforts and the development of our facilities; our ability to retain existing customers; the competition that we face in our business; the development and adoption of new battery technologies; additional funding or capital that may be required for our operations and expansion plans; political, financial and operational risks that our lithium extraction and production operations, particularly in Argentina , expose us to; physical and other risks that our operations and suppliers are subject to; our ability to satisfy customer qualification processes or customer or government quality standards; global economic conditions, including inflation, fluctuations in the price of energy and certain raw materials; the ability of our joint ventures, affiliated entities and contract manufacturers to operate according to their business plans and to fulfill their obligations; severe weather events and the effects of climate change; extensive and dynamic environmental and other laws and regulations; our ability to obtain and comply with required licenses, permits and other approvals; and other factors described under the caption entitled "Risk Factors" in Arcadium Lithium's 2023 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024 , as well as Arcadium Lithium's other SEC filings and public communications. Although Arcadium Lithium believes the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, Arcadium Lithium cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither Arcadium Lithium nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Arcadium Lithium is under no duty to update any of these forward-looking statements after the date of this news release to conform its prior statements to actual results or revised expectations . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/arcadium-lithium-announces-shareholder-approval-of-proposed-rio-tinto-transaction-and-provides-regulatory-update-302338409.html SOURCE Arcadium Lithium PLC
Bayern Munich battled past 10-man Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 thanks to Kim Min-jae’s winner to improve their chances of automatic qualification and leave the visitors in trouble after a third loss in the competition. With PSG’s only win so far coming against Girona in their opener they were desperate for points but Bayern struck first with South Korea’s Kim heading home from close range after the goalkeeper Matvei Safonov fluffed a corner in the 38th minute. Things got worse for Luis Enrique’s PSG when Ousmane Dembélé was dismissed for a lunging tackle that brought a second booking in the 57th minute, leaving an already struggling side with 10 players. Safonov made amends for his earlier mistake by tipping a Jamal Musiala shot on to a post but despite some late pressure PSG could not deny Bayern. The Bavarian club climbed to 11th with nine points from five games, a point off the top eight places that bring automatic qualification for the last 16. PSG are 26th on four, outside the playoff spots with three matches remaining. An own goal by the RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba gave Inter a 1-0 home win in the Champions League as the Italian champions provisionally moved top of the standings. Inter took the lead in the 27th minute after Lukeba turned the ball into Leipzig’s own net following Federico Dimarco’s free-kick. Unbeaten Inter top the table with 13 points from five games, one point above second-placed Barcelona – who beat Brest 3-0 in a simultaneous kick-off – and Liverpool, who host Real Madrid on Wednesday. Leipzig are still in search of their first points of the league phase after five consecutive losses in the competition. Robert Lewandowski scored twice as Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 home win over Brest , with the Polish striker joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the only players to pass the 100-goal mark in the competition. Lewandowski put Barça ahead after being fouled by the goalkeeper Marco Bizot and converting from the spot in the 10th minute. The home side squandered several chances to extend their lead and were almost caught out by a couple of counterattacks from the French side before Dani Olmo got their second after dribbling past two defenders, with Lewandowski wrapping up the win in added time. Diego Simeone was thrilled with Atlético Madrid ’s commanding performance in a 6-0 thrashing of Sparta Prague in, featuring two goals from Julián Álvarez. The Argentinian manager said he was excited with his compatriot’s evolution after a bumpy start to the season when he was signed for big money and high expectations from Manchester City. “Anything that means winning makes me happy. If the team has the chance to keep playing like this and scoring goals, so much the better,” Simeone said. “We kept taking the game where we wanted it to go, we accumulated chances and Julián’s goal from a free-kick was a great goal. “Julián is a player with the highest level, who has played for River Plate, Manchester City and Argentina. He is going from strength to strength since joining us, and we expect the best from him.” After Álvarez and Marcos Llorente gave Atlético a three-goal lead, Antoine Griezmann and Ángel Correa came off the bench to add to the feast, with Correa scoring twice in the final minutes. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Milan earned their third successive win with a 3-2 victory at Slovan Bratislava , hanging on after the home side sought to stage a late comeback. The first half ended level with Milan’s Christian Pulisic opening the scoring in the 21st minute before a quick counterattack led to Slovan’s Tigran Barseghyan equalising three minutes later. Milan struggled to put Slovan away before the substitute Rafael Leão put them back in front in the 68th minute and Tammy Abraham capitalised on a horror back-pass from David Strelec to extend their lead three minutes later. Slovan pulled a goal back through Nino Marcelli in the 88th minute but then had Marko Tolic sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession and Milan came through the late drama to move on to nine points. Bayer Leverkusen got their Champions League campaign back on track with a 5-0 home win over Red Bull Salzburg , with Florian Wirtz scoring twice and the visitors having their goalkeeper Alexander Schlager to thank for avoiding an even bigger defeat. Leverkusen, beaten 4-0 at Liverpool in their last game, raced into an early lead with Wirtz scoring from the penalty spot in the eighth minute and Alejandro Grimaldo netting from a free-kick three minutes later. Wirtz scored again on the half hour as Leverkusen threatened to run riot, Patrik Schick added a fourth goal 16 minutes after the break and Aleix García rounded off the win. Leverkusen’s return to winning ways, after they had also drawn 1-1 with Brest, moves them on to 10 points while Salzburg remain on three points after suffering their fourth defeat in five matches.AP News Summary at 2:47 p.m. EST
The Packers host the Saints on Monday Night Football, and our DraftKings promo code is worth up to $1,200 in betting bonuses -- including a Bet $5, Get $150 in bonus bets promo for MNF. Our DraftKings promo code for the NFL also scores a 20% deposit match up to $1,000 and a $50 bonus bet after you make a $5 deposit. An additional $150 in bonus bets is offered in different ways, depending on which state you're in*. You'll also get a weekly NBA prop bet token! We've got Saints vs. Packers odds and expert picks from TSN's Vinnie Iyer and Bill Bender to help with your bets at DraftKings, which ranks among the best NFL betting sites . Claim your bonuses: DraftKings promo code for up to $1,200 in bonus bets DraftKings promo code + Saints vs. Packers odds on MNF Here are live MNF odds from DraftKings Sportsbook . Click on a line you want to bet to visit DraftKings and claim your promo ! NFL betting analysis & expert picks for Saints vs. Packers TSN's Vinnie Iyer forecasts a blowout win for the Packers on MNF. Here's Vinnie: "The Packers have been terrific with Josh Jacobs and the running game, and Jordan Love is reaping the benefits at the right time. Look for the Packers' defense to have a field day at Lambeau against whoever's starting at QB for the Saints." Pick: Packers win 34-14 and cover the spread. TSN's Bill Bender notes the Packers can clinch a playoff spot with a win on MNF. Here's Bill: "Green Bay has covered in its past four games. New Orleans has allowed 135 rushing yards per game in its past three games, and that's not good news when facing Josh Jacobs, who has scored eight rushing TDs in his past four outings. "There is potential for a blowout here if Jordan Love does not turn the ball over at home. Love has seven interceptions in six home games, but he has not thrown an interception in his past four starts." Pick: Packers win 27-16 but fail to cover ATS. DraftKings promo code unlocks $1,200 in potential bonuses for MNF DraftKings Sportsbook gives new customers up to $1,200 in bonus bets to wager on the NFL. The best part of this deal is enjoying $150 in bonus bets after making a $5 bet.* You'll also get a weekly NBA prop bet token. Here's how to register: Click on our DraftKings promo code link to register Make a deposit of at least $5 and get a $50 bonus bet Make a $5 bet and get an additional $150 in bonus bets 20% deposit match up to $1,000 * In AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, MA, ME, NC, OH, PA, WY and WV, the $150 in bonus bets are awarded instantly upon a new customer's first bet of $5 or more, win or lose. In DC, IA, KS, KY, LA (select parishes), MD, MI, NJ, NY, TN, VA and VT, the $150 in bonus bets are awarded if the new customer's first real-money bet of $5 or more wins. The deposit bonus is not available in MA . Related : Best sportsbook promos & sports betting bonuses | Best sports betting sites for 2024 | DraftKings vs. FanDuel If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Learn more >
Google has named Debbie Weinstein, a senior executive for the tech giant in the UK, as its president in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Until now, Ms Weinstein has been the US firm’s vice president and managing director in the UK and Ireland, having previously worked at Unilever. She said her focus will be on “unlocking AI-powered growth for everyone”, calling the current AI boom a “pivotal” time for the tech giant. Google has joined many of its rivals in launching a string of high-profile generative AI products in recent times, led by the firm’s generative AI-powered assistant, Gemini. “Europe, the Middle East and Africa is an amazingly diverse and varied region, but the enormous growth opportunity that AI can create is universal,” she said. “My focus will be on unlocking that AI-powered growth for everyone – users, businesses, partners and governments across every part of the region. “I’m excited to be stepping into this role at a pivotal time, in a company where I’ve spent the last ten years and leading a region where I’ve spent much of my life.” Google employs more than 29,000 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with 56 offices across 35 countries in those regions working on many of the firm’s largest products, including its search engine, the Android mobile operating system and its Chrome web browser. Its AI research arm, at Google DeepMind, is also led from London. Philipp Schindler, Google senior vice president and chief business officer, said: “This is the AI era and we are only just beginning to see its transformative impact on business and society. “In such a pivotal moment for technology, I’m thrilled we’ve appointed a visionary leader to be our President of Google EMEA. “Debbie brings a track record of unlocking growth that benefits everyone, alongside the passion and focus needed to help our customers succeed, as we bring the best of Google’s Gemini-era to everyone across EMEA.”Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors’ Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season
Penn State wins trademark case over retailer's use of vintage logos, images
Thousands of women rallied in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli on Monday to demand the new Islamist rulers in Damascus respect women's rights and to condemn Turkish-backed military campaigns in Kurdish-led regions of the north. Many of the protesters waved the green flag of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ), an affiliate of the Kurdish People's Protection Units militia (YPG) that Turkey deems a national security threat and wants disbanded immediately. "We are demanding women's rights from the new state ... and women must not be excluded from rights in this system," said Sawsan Hussein, a women's rights activist. "We are (also) condemning the attacks of the Turkish occupation against the city of Kobani." Kurdish groups have enjoyed autonomy across much of the north since Syria's civil war began in 2011. The Kurdish YPG militia, which leads the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) armed group, is a major force in the area. But Syria's power balance has shifted away from these groups since the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) swept into Damascus and toppled Bashar al-Assad two weeks ago, establishing a new administration friendly to Ankara. Syria's dominant Kurdish groups embrace an ideology emphasizing socialism and feminism - in contrast to the conservative Sunni Islamist views of HTS, a former al Qaeda affiliate. Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 and is deemed a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and the European Union. Hostilities between the SDF and a Turkey-backed Syrian force known as the Syrian National Army have escalated since Assad was ousted, with the SDF driven out of the northern city of Manbij. Syrian Kurdish leaders have warned that Turkish forces are mobilizing for an offensive on the SDF-controlled city of Kobani at the Turkish border, also known as Ayn al-Arab. There is widespread apprehension among Syrians that the new Damascus administration will gravitate towards hardline Islamist rule, marginalising minorities and women from public life. Obaida Arnout, a spokesperson for the Syrian transitional government, said last week that women's "biological and physiological nature" rendered them unfit for certain governmental jobs. Hemrin Ali, an official in the Kurdish-led administration of northeastern Syria, told Reuters at Monday's rally: "Yes to supporting the YPJ. Yes to preserving the rights and gains of the women's revolution in northern and eastern Syria."Supreme Court dismisses constitutional claim in California air pollution caseThey were all exceptional – Mikel Arteta loved seeing Arsenal run riot in LisbonShip strikes kill thousands of whales. A study of hot spots could map out solutions
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a red-state constitutional challenge to California’s special authority to fight air pollution. Over a dissent by Justice Clarence Thomas, the justices turned away an appeal from Ohio and 16 other conservative states, which asked the court to rule “the Golden State is not a golden child.” While Monday’s brief order closes the door on a constitutional challenge to California’s anti-pollution standards, the court on Friday cleared the way for a different, more targeted legal challenge. The oil and gas industry is suing over the state’s “zero emissions” goals for new vehicles, arguing California’s special authority to fight air pollution does not extend to greenhouse gases and global warming. A lower court had dismissed that suit on the grounds the oil producers had no standing to sue. Their complaint was they would sell less fuel in the future. On Friday, the justices agreed to reconsider that ruling early next year. They could clear the way for the suit to proceed. Monday’s related order narrows the legal grounds that the industry can use to challenge California’s rule, assuming it eventually wins standing. The incoming Trump administration is likely to intervene on the side of the challengers. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar had urged the court to turn down both appeals. They said California’s strict emissions standards are designed to fight smog and other air pollution as well as greenhouse gases. They argued that Congress had ample authority under the Constitution to set special rules for problems in different states. Since early in American history, they said Congress approved special customs duties for some states or rules involving tribe relations. In challenging California’s authority, Ohio’s Attorney General, David Yost, pointed to the court’s 2013 decision that struck down part of the Voting Rights Act on the grounds it violated the principle of equal state sovereignty. When Congress adopted national air pollution standards in 1967, it said California could go further because it was already enforcing strict standards to combat the state’s worst-in-the-nation problem with smog. Ohio and red states say this special authority violates “core constitutional principles because no state is more equal than the others. And Congress does not have the general power to elevate one state above the others. ... Yet in the Clean Air Act, Congress elevated California above all the other states by giving to the Golden State alone the power to pass certain environmental laws.” Without commenting, the justices said they would not hear the constitutional claim. The Environmental Defense Fund hailed the court’s announcement. “California’s clean car standards have successfully helped reduce the dangerous soot, smog, and climate pollution that put all people at risk, while also turbocharging clean technologies and job creation,” said Alice Henderson, lead counsel for the fund’s clean-air policy group.John Stamos rips backlash over bald cap tribute to Dave Coulier
Idaho US senator says ‘jury’s still out’ on how to handle women serving in military combatTORONTO, Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- POET Technologies Inc. (“ POET ” or the “ Corporation ”) (TSX Venture: PTK; NASDAQ: POET), the designer and developer of the POET Optical InterposerTM, Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) and light sources for the data center, tele-communication and artificial intelligence markets, today announced that it has signed a Master Agreement, an Optical Engine Purchase Agreement and a Deed of Consignment with Globetronics Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd (“ GMSB ”), to manufacture optical engines for POET in Penang, Malaysia. Further information concerning GMSB is provided below POET also today provided an update on the announced acquisition of the minority equity interest of its existing joint venture in China, Super Photonics Xiamen (“ SPX ”) and its recently announced public offering. POET has engaged GMSB to assemble and test Optical Engines based on designs made exclusively by POET. The Deed of Consignment relates to a suite of wafer-level process equipment recently purchased by POET that is being installed at the GMSB facility in Penang. Concurrent with the Deed and a Purchase Agreement, the Parties entered into a Master Agreement, covering a period of three years, which governs the overall relationship between the Parties. POET and GMSB have prepared an initial project plan and statement of work for the installation and start-up of the consigned tools, the costs for which will be absorbed by POET. POET will submit purchase orders under the Optical Engine Purchase Agreement, with pricing to be based on specific optical engine types. Globetronics Technology Berhad (“ GTB ”) has allocated RM7.7 million (approximately US$1.7 million) for additional capital expenditures in connection with manufacturing optical engines for POET over the 2025-2027 period. Separately, and further to the Corporation’s November 25, 2024 announcement of a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Quanzhou Sanan Optical Communication Technology Co., Ltd. (“ SAIC ”) to transfer to POET its 24.8% stake in the joint venture SPX, along with all the production equipment previously leased by SAIC to SPX, POET is pleased to confirm that the parties expect to shortly conclude their ongoing negotiations and that binding definitive agreements are expected to be signed by December 31, 2024. Terms of the transaction with SAIC remain subject to finalization and are expected to be announced upon signing of the definitive agreements As previously disclosed, it is the Corporation’s intention following completion of the transaction to continue to operate SPX in a manner consistent with past practice while it brings up a wafer-level assembly operation for optical engines in GMSB, thereby implementing its “China Plus One” strategy. As a further update to the Corporation’s public offering announced on December 12, 2024, POET is pleased to confirm that the US$25 million offering has been fully subscribed by a single institutional investor. The closing of that offering is now expected to take place after completion of the SPX acquisition described above. Terms of the offering remain unchanged from those previously announced, and the offering remains subject to the receipt of all regulatory approvals, including the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange, and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About POET Technologies Inc. POET is a design and development company offering high-speed optical modules, optical engines and light source products to the artificial intelligence systems market and to hyperscale data centers. POET’s photonic integration solutions are based on the POET Optical InterposerTM, a novel, patented platform that allows the seamless integration of electronic and photonic devices into a single chip using advanced wafer-level semiconductor manufacturing techniques. POET's Optical Interposer-based products are lower cost, consume less power than comparable products, are smaller in size and are readily scalable to high production volumes. In addition to providing high-speed (800G, 1.6T and above) optical engines and optical modules for AI clusters and hyperscale data centers, POET has designed and produced novel light source products for chip-to-chip data communication within and between AI servers, the next frontier for solving bandwidth and latency problems in AI systems. POET’s Optical Interposer platform also solves device integration challenges in 5G networks, machine-to-machine communication, self-contained "Edge" computing applications and sensing applications, such as LIDAR systems for autonomous vehicles. POET is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with operations in Allentown, PA, Shenzhen, China, and Singapore. More information about POET is available on our website at www.poet-technologies.com . About Globetronics Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. (GMSB) GMSB was incorporated on 16 May 2008 as a private company limited by shares and having its registered address at B-21-1, Level 21, Tower B, Northpoint Mid Valley City, No.1, Medan Syed Putra Utara, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan. GMSB is a wholly-owned subsidiary of GTB. GMSB has an issued share capital of RM25,027,500 comprising 25,009,000 ordinary shares and is principally involved in the business of providing manufacturing and packaging services in semiconductors and turnkey manufacturing in encoder and sensor LEDs and related products. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and “forward-looking statements” (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements or information are identified with words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “plan”, “intend”, “potential”, “estimate”, “propose”, “project”, “outlook”, “foresee” or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding any potential outcome. Such statements include the Corporation’s expectations with respect to its business partnership with GMSB, completion of the acquisition of the minority equity interest in SPX from SAIC, completion of its previously announced public offering, success of the Corporation’s product development efforts, the performance of its products, operations, meeting revenue targets, and the expectation of continued success in the financing efforts, the capability, functionality, performance and cost of the Corporation’s technology as well as the market acceptance, inclusion and timing of the Corporation’s technology in current and future products and expectations regarding its successful penetration of the Artificial Intelligence hardware markets. Such forward-looking information or statements are based on a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the completion of definitive agreements with its SAIC concerning the acquisition of SPX, timing and conditionality for completion of its previously announced public offering, the negotiations with contract manufacturers, the size, future growth and needs of Artificial Intelligence network suppliers, management’s expectations regarding the success and timing for completion of its development efforts, the introduction of new products, financing activities, future growth, recruitment of personnel, reorganization efforts, plans for and completion of projects by the Corporation’s consultants, contractors and partners, availability of capital, and the necessity to incur capital and other expenditures. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including, without limitation, failure to receive necessary regulatory approvals for the Corporation’s arrangements with GMSB and SAIC, failure to complete the recently announced public offering, the failure of Artificial Intelligence networks to continue to grow as expected, the failure of the Corporation’s products to meet performance requirements for AI and datacom networks, lack of sales in its products, lack of sales by its customers to end-users, operational risks in the completion of the Corporation’s projects, risks affecting the Corporation’s ability to complete its products, the ability of the Corporation to generate sales for its products, the ability of its customers to generate sales for products that incorporate the Corporation’s products, the ability to attract key personnel, the failure of its reorganization efforts and the ability to raise additional capital when needed. Although the Corporation believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Corporation’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Corporation can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release and the Corporation assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements except as required by law. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 120 Eglinton Avenue, East, Suite 1107, Toronto, ON, M4P 1E2- Tel: 416-368-9411 - Fax: 416-322-5075