a broken mirror reunited in an e-sports Who truly has Beijing’s ear when it comes to economic policymaking? As China navigates a period of profound economic challenges, this question has taken on new urgency. While outsiders often perceive China’s economic policies as dictated in a top-down, insulated manner, the reality is more nuanced. Policy-making in Beijing frequently involves regular engagement with trusted experts through roundtables, study sessions, and advisory committees. The voices shaping economic strategy extend beyond the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)’s inner circle to include a select “brain trust” of economists whose ideas inform and influence key decisions. To understand China’s policy direction, it is crucial to identify this brain trust. Our project does just that by analyzing the perspectives of economists who have become integral to the policymaking process. These figures include chief economists at major financial institutions, respected academics, and former officials with deep experience in economic governance. By examining their insights, we aim to uncover where their views align, where they diverge, and what these dynamics reveal about China’s economic challenges and priorities. We selected these experts based on five dimensions: influence, prominence, rigor, political proximity, and expertise. Together, they offer a window into the intellectual framework underpinning Beijing’s economic decision-making. The debates among these experts shed light on the priorities shaping China’s economic policies and offer insight into the trade-offs Beijing must grapple with. Understanding these voices is critical – not just to predicting China’s next moves but also to grasping the constraints and opportunities within its evolving economic system. By unpacking the perspectives of China’s economic whisperers, we aim to shed light on the most pressing economic policy debates of recent months and delve into the areas where expert opinions converge and diverge. Stabilizing the Present: Monetary and Fiscal Moves The Chinese government has implemented unconventional monetary and fiscal policies in recent months in an effort to stabilize its economy. The People’s Bank of China’s (PBoC) new liquidity facility and the Ministry of Finance’s debt-restructuring plan exemplify a growing willingness to experiment with creative solutions. But are these measures bold enough to address the scale of the challenges? The PBoC’s Securities, Funds, and Insurance Companies Swap Facility (SFISF), launched in September, has drawn significant attention. By allowing financial institutions to swap illiquid securities for treasury bonds and central bank bills, it aims to inject 500 billion yuan into the capital markets. Economists such as Yugen Xun of Haitong Securities have lauded the move as a confidence booster, calling it a decisive signal of the PBoC’s commitment to stabilizing financial markets. Similarly, Yuanchun Liu of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics has interpreted the SFISF as a harbinger of more aggressive monetary interventions. However, foreign investors remain wary. Ziqiang Xing of Morgan Stanley was skeptical, noting that while the facility provides short-term relief, it falls short of the level of monetary expansion deemed necessary by many foreign stakeholders. The Ministry of Finance’s debt-swapping scheme, which aims to restructure 10 trillion yuan in hidden local government debt over five years, has similarly received mixed reviews. While Zhiheng Luo of Yuekai Securities praised it for reducing debt servicing costs and enhancing transparency, critics argued it merely delays a reckoning with the underlying fiscal imbalances. One area of consensus among economists is the likelihood of further monetary easing. Ming Ming of CITIC Securities predicted multiple cuts to the reserve requirement ratio and interest rates in 2025, while Qingyou Guan, an independent economist, advocated slashing mortgage rates to stimulate the real estate market. Ge Wu of Changjiang Securities warned that concerns about the yuan’s depreciation and declining deposit rates might constrain aggressive easing but argued that steady monetary expansions and interest rate cuts are nonetheless indispensable. Fiscal policy, by contrast, has revealed deeper divisions. Tao Wang of UBS supports targeted fiscal stimulus of 1.5–2 trillion yuan to spur growth. Meanwhile, Daokui Li, a former PBoC official, urged restraint, warning that large-scale government spending could jeopardize long-term fiscal sustainability. Shijin Liu, a former deputy director of the State Council’s Development Research Center, offered a compromise, emphasizing that any stimulus must prioritize improving public service quality and promoting equitable urbanization. This debate underscores the tension between addressing immediate crises and maintaining fiscal discipline. Searching for a New Growth Engine China’s economic growth has long relied on real estate, but the collapse of this model has sparked an urgent search for alternatives. The debate among experts centers on three interrelated priorities: systemic reform, technological innovation, and economic openness. Systemic reform is widely regarded as a prerequisite for sustainable growth. Xuetao Song of TF Securities advocated for strengthening corporate rights protections, improving public service quality, and curbing wasteful expenditures. For Xunlei Li of Zhongtai Securities, enhancing the social safety net is particularly urgent. He argued that raising household incomes and expanding access to education and healthcare will not only boost domestic consumption but also create new opportunities in the tertiary sector. Shanwen Gao of Essence International Financial Holdings echoed this view, emphasizing that policies to stimulate consumption are critical for economic rebalancing. Others contend that technology, rather than systemic reform, will drive China’s next growth phase. Justin Yifu Lin, a former World Bank chief economist, and Xiaonian Xu of CEIBS both stressed the need to improve corporate productivity and move beyond reliance on investment-led growth. Former IMF Vice President Min Zhu took this argument further, highlighting the importance of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), green energy, and data-driven tools in boosting productivity and fostering new industries. Zhu suggested that China could even lead the global transition to sustainable energy and digital economies if it fully embraces technological innovation. A third school of thought prioritizes greater economic openness. Xinli Zheng, a former deputy director of the CCP Central Policy Research Office, has been a vocal advocate for “institutional opening-up,” urging China to align with global regulatory standards and deepen its integration into international trade systems. Jianguo Wei, a former deputy minister of commerce, highlighted the potential of digital trade and agreements like the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement to attract foreign investment and position China as a leader in high-value global supply chains. Navigating the Trump Factor The return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency adds another layer of complexity to China’s economic calculus. Trump’s first term saw a historic trade war that slowed China’s growth and disrupted global supply chains. His reelection raises the likelihood of renewed tariffs and heightened protectionism, forcing Beijing to rethink its economic strategy. Economists are divided on how damaging another round of China-U.S. trade tensions could be. Tao Wang estimated that a full-blown global trade war could shave 2 percentage points off China’s GDP – a significant hit for an economy already facing headwinds. However, Zhiwu Chen of HKU Business School noted a potential silver lining. He argued that heightened trade tensions could accelerate China’s pivot from export-driven growth to a domestic consumption model, as the government would be compelled to reallocate resources toward struggling consumer sectors. Most experts agree that Beijing will need to pursue a dual strategy: mitigating short-term risks while diversifying its trade relationships. Strengthening economic ties with Europe, particularly if EU-U.S. relations sour, is viewed as a key avenue for offsetting American protectionism. At the same time, China is likely to offer more favorable terms to foreign investors, as it did with Tesla, to attract the capital needed for domestic growth. Where Experts Diverge – and Why It Matters A striking feature of the current economic debate is the divergence between experts in financial institutions and those with policymaking experience. The former group tends to favor aggressive stimulus and easing measures to address immediate challenges, reflecting the priorities of capital markets. In contrast, academics and former officials often emphasize structural reforms and strategic investments as essential for long-term stability. These differences reflect deeper ideological divides over the role of the state in managing the economy. Should Beijing prioritize short-term interventions to stabilize markets and reassure investors? Or should it focus on building a more resilient economic foundation, even at the cost of slower recovery in the near term? Another source of contention lies in the balance between fiscal and monetary policy. While most agree that monetary easing will play a central role in the short term, the scale and scope of fiscal intervention remain hotly debated. The controversy underscores the challenges of navigating China’s unique economic pressures, where traditional tools may no longer suffice. What China’s Economic Whisperers Reveal About China’s Economy The varied perspectives among China’s leading economists offer a unique lens into the complexities of the country’s economy and its policymaking process. Points of convergence reflect the recognition of shared structural challenges, while divergences expose the competing priorities and uncertainties shaping China’s path forward. Together, these perspectives offer valuable lessons – not just for Beijing but for a global audience grappling with the ripple effects of China’s economic trajectory. The broad agreement on the need for monetary easing highlights a consensus that immediate stabilization is critical. Economists recognize the urgency of addressing liquidity constraints and restoring confidence in markets. This shared perspective underscores the fragility of China’s current economic framework, where even incremental measures like the SFISF are seen as essential lifelines. For policymakers abroad, this serves as a reminder of how interconnected China’s financial stability is with global markets. A wobble in Chinese liquidity sends ripples through supply chains, investor sentiment, and trade flows worldwide. At the same time, disagreements over fiscal policy and long-term growth strategies reflect the difficult balancing act China faces. The debate over whether to prioritize fiscal restraint or stimulus reveals an economy at a tipping point, struggling to reconcile short-term demands with the imperative of structural reform. Divergent views on the roles of systemic change and technological innovation further illustrate the challenge of building a sustainable growth model. For international observers, these debates point to a larger truth: the solutions that propelled China’s rise – heavy investment, real estate expansion, and export dependency – are no longer sufficient. Beijing must innovate within an increasingly constrained global and domestic environment. The divides also underscore the evolving complexity of China’s economic governance. Unlike earlier decades, when a clear policy consensus often emerged swiftly, today’s debates are shaped by diverse and sometimes conflicting views on China’s direction amid structural slowdowns and global headwinds. Economists focusing on market sentiments advocate bold, immediate interventions to reverse low confidence and sluggish recovery, while those with policymaking backgrounds promote more measured, wait-and-see approaches. This fragmentation reflects the complexity within China’s economic system and signals that China’s policymaking, while decisive, is far from monolithic – and that uncertainty is an inherent feature of its economic transition. Finally, the convergence on external risks – particularly the potential fallout from a renewed China-U.S. trade war – reveals a shared acknowledgment of how geopolitics increasingly shapes economic realities. The recognition that diversification and domestic consumption are critical buffers points to a China recalibrating its strategy for a less stable global environment. In the end, the convergence and divergence of China’s economic voices reveal a country navigating one of the most pivotal transitions in its modern history. While China’s decision-making process remains opaque, identifying these debates offers valuable insights into the trade-offs Beijing faces. For policymakers, investors, and analysts worldwide, understanding these dynamics is key to interpreting the complexities of China’s evolving economic strategy.None

(Bloomberg) -- Egypt started selling a stake of as much as $104 million in United Bank, the country’s first initial public offering in three years as it presses ahead with a privatization program being encouraged by the International Monetary Fund. United Bank, almost entirely owned by Egypt’s central bank, is selling 330 million shares — a 30% stake — at a maximum of 15.6 pounds per share, according to a statement on the stock exchange website on Wednesday. That’s slightly lower than the top end of 16.5 pounds announced the day before. The first tranche of 313.5 million shares will be offered as a private placement running through Nov. 25. The final 5% of the shares will be sold to the wider public from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3. Selling part of United Bank — a goal of Egyptian authorities for almost a decade — signals fresh movement in the country’s much-watched pledge to curb the role of the state in the economy. It comes as the IMF discusses Egypt’s progress in enacting an expanded $8 billion reform program, in a periodic review that may unlock a $1.3 billion loan tranche. Mired in economic crisis in early 2023, Egypt’s government announced an initial list of more than two dozen assets it planned to offer to investors, in sectors ranging from banking to energy and real estate. Progress, however, has been slow. Even after authorities let the pound weaken almost 40% in March — helping Egypt secure a wave of funding pledges as part of a global $57 billion bailout — there hadn’t been a significant asset sale until now. Egyptian authorities previously held discussions with Saudi Arabia over its potential purchase of United Bank. Negotiations stalled in early 2023 amid a disagreement over how to value the transaction. The government is also seeking to sell its remaining 20% stake in another lender, Alex Bank, to Intesa Sanpaolo SpA. (Updates with new pricing, details on asset-sale plans.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Florida State pounds Charleston Southern for second victory of seasonTrue freshman Luke Kromenhoek threw three touchdown passes and Caziah Holmes ran for two more as host Florida State routed Charleston Southern 41-7 on Saturday afternoon in Tallahassee, Fla. The Seminoles (2-9) convincingly snapped a six-game losing streak and ensured that the Buccaneers (1-11) would finish theirs on a 10-game skid. Florida State has not had much to celebrate during one of its worst seasons in program history. But on Saturday, the Seminoles overcame a rough start and put together one of their more complete efforts of the season. Florida State had not scored more than 21 points in a game prior to Saturday's contest and its 175 rushing yards more than doubled its average (80.5 per game) this season. No single runner had over 40 yards, but seven rushers combined for that output on 34 attempts. The Seminoles entered the game ranked 130th out of 133 FBS teams in rushing offense. Holmes, a senior, finished with three carries for 38 yards, including touchdown runs of 3 and 18 yards. Kromenhoek gave Florida State a sliver of hope for its quarterback future as he completed 13 of 20 passes for 209 yards and no interceptions. He threw TD passes for Amaree Williams, Ja'Khi Douglas and Hykeem Williams. The highlight was a 71-yard touchdown pass to Douglas on the first play from scrimmage of the second half to put the Seminoles ahead 24-0. Douglas finished with 82 yards receiving on three catches, and 10 different Florida State players caught passes for 240 total yards. The Seminoles went 6 of 10 on third downs after averaging only a 25 percent conversion rate all season. Their defense held Charleston Southern to 275 total yards (57 rushing) and forced two turnovers. Florida State was unable to hang on to the shutout, however, as Bucs quarterback Kaleb Jackson found Landon Sauers for a 7-yard touchdown pass with 57 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Jackson completed 22 of 32 passes for 218 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The Bucs defense recorded three sacks led by Davion Williams, who had eight tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. The Seminoles will conclude their season next Saturday at home against rival Florida. --Field Level MediaGrand Opening of Fogão Gaúcho Brazilian Steakhouse

NEW YORK , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global content marketing market size is estimated to grow by USD 654.78 million from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 16.01% during the forecast period. Rise in number of users on social media is driving market growth, with a trend towards use of AI with social media management software. However, frauds related to digital advertisements poses a challenge. Key market players include Adobe Inc., Alma Media, Brafton Inc., ClearVoice Inc., Contentoo B.V., Eucalypt LLC, Hootsuite Inc, HubSpot Inc., Influence and Co., IZEA Worldwide Inc., Rock Content, Seismic Software Inc., Skyword Inc., Sprinklr Inc., Upland Software Inc., Contently Inc., CoSchedule LLC, Interact Marketing, Kenscio, and Vendasta Technologies Inc.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver In today's digital transformation, enterprises are shifting their marketing strategies towards Content Market, leveraging Internet users' preferences for online engagement. Traditional channels are being replaced by digital platforms. Client involvement efforts are key to consumer behavior understanding. Skills like data analysis and AI-powered automation are essential for effective content marketing systems. Content marketing software, powered by AI and ML, streamlines digital communications, enhancing brand visibility. Marketing agencies and advertising agencies adopt content marketing, focusing on social media posts, video platforms, and digital content creation. Cloud computing ensures on-demand access, with cybersecurity measures in place. Demographics and content formats vary across industries like healthcare, media, travel, and charities. Content management systems facilitate on-premise or cloud deployment for large enterprises. AI and ML improve customer experience, retention, and brand loyalty. Technology providers and IT journals publish recognized articles by certified authors, catering to a consumer-centric market. Businesses are undergoing digital transformation to establish interconnected platforms and generate new industry revenues. This shift has led several industries to invest in real-time solutions and advanced IT infrastructure, including analytical tools. The modern business landscape is characterized by a heightened demand for sophisticated business intelligence (BI). Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized content marketing with its technological advancements. These advancements include virtual agents and chatbots, targeted advertising, suggestive web searches, voice and speech recognition, pattern recognition, machine translation, face recognition, automatic scheduling, and autonomous driving. AI offers a comprehensive perspective on all business operations and related information, empowering companies to gain a competitive edge in the market. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! In today's digital transformation, enterprises face challenges in reaching and engaging their target audience through traditional channels. With over 4.66 billion internet users, digital platforms have become essential for marketing strategies. However, creating high-quality content for various formats like textual, graphical, audio, and video requires specific skills and resources. Client involvement efforts are crucial for effective content marketing systems. Data analysis from content advertising strategies, AI-powered automation, and generative AI platforms help optimize content for demographics and consumer behavior. However, managing content across digital communications and online engagement requires a content management system. Brand visibility in a consumer-centric market relies on understanding audience preferences and demographics. Marketing agencies and advertising agencies offer solutions, but large-sized enterprises in sectors like healthcare and pharmaceutical, media and entertainment, travel and tourism, and charities/nonprofit organizations may require specialized content marketing software. IT technology providers and technology journals can offer recognized authors and certified publications to enhance brand loyalty and customer experience. Cloud computing and cybersecurity are essential considerations for on-premise or cloud deployment. Streaming platforms and social media posts offer opportunities for video content creation. AI and machine learning components can streamline content marketing processes, while cybersecurity ventures ensure data security. In summary, navigating the content marketing landscape requires a comprehensive understanding of the latest trends, technologies, and consumer behavior. Digital platform content advertisements, a form of online advertising, aim to promote products or services to consumers. The definition of digital advertisements has evolved, but concerns have arisen due to an increase in digital advertisement fraud . This includes displaying ads when users are not engaged, using content-scraping sites for false traffic, and creating deceptive mechanisms for ad delivery. These issues emerged around the time search engine marketing became popular over a decade ago. Industry professionals must remain vigilant against such fraudulent activities to maintain trust and effectiveness in digital advertising. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! This content marketing market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Retail 1.2 Automotive 1.3 Financial services 1.4 Telecom 1.5 Others 2.1 Blogging 2.2 Videos 2.3 Infographics 2.4 Case studies 2.5 Others 3.1 Lead generation 3.2 Brand awareness 3.3 Thought leadership 3.4 Others 4.1 APAC 4.2 North America 4.3 Europe 4.4 South America 4.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Retail- The retail segment, encompassing distribution channels and omnichannel companies like branded wholesalers, traditional retailers, grocery store operators, convenience store operators, and others, significantly contributes to the global content marketing market. Content marketing offers numerous benefits for retailers, such as increasing website traffic, establishing authority and trust, creating brand awareness, developing brand personality, connecting with audiences, fueling social media, and supporting the conversion funnel. These factors contribute to improved conversion rates. With the retail industry's rapid growth and the increasing use of mobile devices for shopping, content marketing becomes essential for retailers to stay connected with customers and reach potential ones. Retail content marketing allows enterprises to share brand stories and product information, fostering customer engagement and attracting new customers. For instance, Tata Cliq, a subsidiary of Tata Group, uses content marketing to promote its offline stores selling beauty and cosmetic products. These advantages will drive the demand for content marketing in the retail sector during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics The Content Market is a dynamic and ever-evolving landscape where enterprises meet the demands of Internet users for engaging and personalized digital content. Traditional channels are being replaced by digital platforms, leading to a digital transformation in marketing strategies. Client involvement efforts are at an all-time high, with consumer behavior driving the need for various forms of content such as textual, graphical, audio, and video. Skills in digital content creation, cloud computing, and cybersecurity are essential for success in this market. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that by 2025, there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity jobs worldwide. Technology providers and IT departments are investing heavily in content creation and technology journals, certified publications, and recognized authors to stay ahead of the curve. On-premise deployment is giving way to cloud-based solutions, enabling real-time access to information and reducing costs. The Internet, streaming services, and social media platforms are transforming the way we consume content, making it more accessible and personalized than ever before. The future of the Content Market is bright, with endless opportunities for innovation and growth. The Content Market is a dynamic and evolving landscape where enterprises meet the demands of Internet users for engaging and personalized digital content. Traditional channels are being replaced by digital platforms, leading to a shift in marketing strategies. Client involvement efforts are crucial in understanding consumer behavior and preferences. Skills like data analysis and content marketing systems are essential for creating effective content marketing strategies. AI-powered automation and generative AI platforms are revolutionizing content creation. Content marketing software, cloud computing, and cybersecurity are critical components of the digital communications and online engagement ecosystem. Brand visibility is a top priority for enterprises in various industries, including healthcare and pharmaceutical, media and entertainment, travel and tourism, charities/nonprofit organizations, and IT technology providers. Content formats range from textual and graphical to audio and video, with on-premise and cloud deployment options. Marketing agencies and advertising agencies are essential partners in this consumer-centric market, helping enterprises retain customers and build brand loyalty through social media posts, video platforms, and digital content creation. The future of content marketing lies in the integration of AI and ML, offering personalized and interactive experiences for audiences. 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation End-user Retail Automotive Financial Services Telecom Others Platform Blogging Videos Infographics Case Studies Others Objective Lead Generation Brand Awareness Thought Leadership Others Geography APAC North America Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Infiniti Research, Inc.

CENTENNIAL, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 11, 2024-- NUBURU, Inc. (“NUBURU” or the “Company”) (NYSE American: BURU), a leading innovator in high-power and high-brightness industrial blue laser technology, today announced it received from NYSE Regulation a Warning Letter (the “Letter”) as provided under Section 1009(a) of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide (the “Company Guide”) describing violations by the Company of Sections 301 and 713 of the Company Guide. Section 301 of the Company Guide prohibits a listed company from issuing, or authorizing its transfer agent or registrar to issue or register, additional securities of a listed class until it has filed an application for the listing of such additional securities and received notification from the NYSE American that the securities have been approved for listing. Section 713 of the Company Guide requires stockholder approval when additional shares to be issued in connection with a transaction involve the sale, issuance, or potential issuance of common stock (or securities convertible into common stock) equal to 20% or more of outstanding stock for less than the greater of book or market value of the stock. As noted in the Letter, the Company issued approximately 4.6 million common shares between May 2024 and August 2024 in connection with the conversion of certain convertible promissory notes that NYSE has determined were in violation of these provisions. The Company is implementing additional controls to avoid violations of such NYSE rules in the future. The Company has been advised by NYSE Regulation that, following the filing of this press release and the associated Current Report on Form 8-K, this matter is resolved. About NUBURU Founded in 2015, NUBURU, Inc. (NYSEAM: BURU) is a developer and manufacturer of industrial blue lasers that leverage fundamental physics and high-brightness, high-power design to produce higher quality welds and parts at a faster rate than current lasers can produce for laser welding and additive manufacturing of copper, gold, aluminum and other industrially important metals. NUBURU’s industrial blue lasers produce minimal to defect-free welds at a rate that is up to eight times faster than traditional welding methods — all with the flexibility inherent to laser processing. For more information, please visit www.nuburu.net . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “plan,” “seek,” “targets,” “projects,” “could,” “would,” “continue,” “forecast” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, among other things, developments with our Board of Directors and our compliance with Exchange listing standards. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by NUBURU and its management, are inherently uncertain and many factors may cause the company’s actual results to differ materially from current expectations which include, but are not limited to: (1) the ability to continue to meet the Exchange’s listing standards; (2) failure to achieve expectations regarding its product development and pipeline; (3) the inability to access sufficient capital to operate as anticipated; (4) the inability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (5) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (6) the possibility that NUBURU may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; (7) volatility in the financial system and markets caused by geopolitical and economic factors; (8) failing to realize benefits from the partnership with GE Additive; and (9) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in NUBURU’s most recent periodic report on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. NUBURU does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expected results. NUBURU assumes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by applicable law. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211406485/en/ CONTACT: Investor Relations: NUBURU, Inc. ir@nuburu.net (720) 767-1400 KEYWORD: COLORADO UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MACHINE TOOLS, METALWORKING & METALLURGY MANUFACTURING SOURCE: NUBURU, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/11/2024 06:10 PM/DISC: 12/11/2024 06:08 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241211406485/enNoneConsumer watchdog takes Webjet to court over alleged hidden fees

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here host Declan Donnelly gave his daughter the dream day at work with daddy. The six-year-old joined her father on the set of the hit reality show yesterday morning as he continues his work in the Australian jungle. Isla joined her dad on set and spent her morning playing with members of the ITV crew as well as hanging out in Dec's lavish dressing room which boasts a sofa, bathroom and television to watch the show. Isla watched Dec, 49, and his co-host Ant McPartlin present their aftershow live to thousands of viewers on social media and even joined the fun by interrupting "Uncle Ant" to shout "Toast!" as he showed slices of it to the camera, to which he responded: "Yes Isla, toast." The outing came after Friday's episode saw viewers pointing out huge blunders throughout show. On several occasions, celebrities appeared in the Bush telegraph to talk to the camera, but the wrong name flashed up on screen. In one instance Love Island's Maura Higgins appeared on screen alongside the writing for Melvin Odoom, TV presenter and DJ. Another showed McFly's Danny Jones incorrectly named as Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough. And fans quickly mocked the mishap on Twitter /X. One user jibed: "The editing team tonight need to be fired. they've mixed up campmates names several times. #imacelebrity #ImACeleb." Another noted: "Issues with names tonight Danny was Dean and Maura was Melvin #ImACeleb #imaceleb2024," while a third wrote: "What’s happening with the names today??? Danny was in the telegraph apparently it was Dean and Maura was Melvin. @imacelebrity #ImACeleb #imaceleb2024" Posting the images alongside each other, another joked: "The names are cracking me up. Dean and Melvin look different! @imacelebrity @antanddec #ImACeleb" During Friday's edition of the show, fans were all concerned that Dean McCullough would spoil a major secret in the jungle. Earlier in the week, Love Island contestant Maura Higgins and The Communards star Reverend Richard Coles joined the show in the Jungle Junkyard. They were kept separate from the main camp and were seemingly going without any luxuries, not even beds. However, they were lapping up the luxury and had to try to fool the other contestants. After the most recent Bushtucker Trial, Dean joined Maura and Richard in the separate camp and fans were wary he was going to ruin their secret. Taking to X, many shared their fears, with one writing: "Dean will ruin the junkyard lie and ruin it for everyone, i fear. He couldn’t keep the teabags a secret when Tulisa/Melvin had salt and no one knew until she gave it up #imaceleb." Follow Mirror Celebs on Snapcha t , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .OAHU, Hawaii -- The long-awaited sequel "Moana 2" takes place a few years after the original, even if it's been eight years in real life! The film's leading lady, Auli'i Cravalho, is back in the role that made her a star. She was a teenager the first time around. She just turned 24 last week. "It feels like coming home, getting to play this character again. And I've missed her, truly," said Cravalho. The young star said she hears differences in her voice now that she's older and she sees differences in the animation with all the latest technology at play. However, one thing remains the same. "I feel so grateful to have a film where our heroine is a young woman of Pacific Island descent," Cravalho said. "We have such Polynesian pride from across all of these islands." In "Moana 2," our young heroine is three years older, and wiser, than when we first met her. She's tasked with leading a dangerous but important journey for her people after receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors. "This Polynesian history is a source of pride for all of us. To see it on the big screen means the world," Cravalho said. "Moana 2" is rated PG and hits theaters Wednesday, Nov. 27.

Netball at CSI on the riseNoneInvestors quickly revisited strategies of the first after President-elect Donald Trump vowed new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. His posts on the Truth Social platform reignited volatility in the foreign exchange market, sending the U.S. dollar soaring against the peso, loonie, and yuan. However, mature traders took his rhetoric as a continuation of his negotiation tactics that they now had better tools to deal with. Economic Effects on Global Markets As reported by earlier, Trump proposed 25% tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, linked to drug and immigration problems, and 10% on Chinese goods due to fentanyl-related issues. The latter has raised concerns about disruptions in the economy while heralding his familiar approach toward using tariffs as leverage in trade negotiations. The Mexican peso and Canadian dollar dropped by over 2% and 1.4%, respectively, before stabilizing. Meanwhile, the Chinese yuan hit a four-month low against the dollar. Automotive and manufacturing stocks, particularly those reliant on Mexico, faced sell-offs. Honda's shares dropped 2%, reflecting unease over trade repercussions. Chinese officials noted that drug interdiction efforts have improved and reaffirmed no party wins in trade wars. Experts do think that China could step up its drive toward greater technological independence. "China already has a template to deal with tariffs in reference to Trump 1.0," Simon Yu, the vice general manager at Panyao Asset Management in Shanghai, said. Yu added that with regard to tech-related punishments, China could have a solution to combat it through "import substitution" and self-reliance. "Regarding other clampdowns such as tech-related sanctions, China may accelerate the process of self-reliance and import substitution." Another expert, Robert St. Clair, the head of investment strategy at Fullerton Fund Management in Singapore, said that any finalized packaging could spell a slight difference from the starting positions. He added that Trump is all-in on his anti-inflation goals that's why he would continue to improve domestic manufacturing and competitiveness in the country. Therefore, this suggests, that US imports cannot be extreme to an extent. The New Normal We Should Accept While the presidential announcements surprised markets, investors anticipate that negotiations will eventually moderate the threat of even the most inflammatory rhetoric, reports. For example, Fullerton Fund Management's Robert St Clair opined that Trump's anti-inflation program would require tariffs not to harm U.S. manufacturing competitiveness. Speaking of tariffs, even for the big change that is about to come. Gaming gears, according to Tech Times are expected to increase in prices so it's recommended to buy them before the Trump inauguration. Volatility Looms Ahead Trump's unpredictable style casts a layer of uncertainty over financial markets. His propensity to make policy changes through social media increases headline risks, and thus investors need to hedge their bets. However, experienced traders remember similar market behavior during Trump's first term, hence equipping them with strategies to overcome the storm. Preparing for Policy Changes The financial world braces for another chapter of trade negotiations under Trump's administration. While his policies introduce volatility, they also offer opportunities for those willing to adapt. As one strategist aptly put it, "It feels like we've just had a time warp back to 2016." Markets may be jittery, but they are also prepared.

WNBA star Kelsey Plum is having a pretty crappy Monday ... and she says it's all 'cause she drank a tainted Jamba Juice smoothie! The Las Vegas Aces point guard took to Instagram to explain her plight ... writing on her IG Stories that she believes she's battling some bad diarrhea this week due to some extra berries she threw into her JJ drink over the weekend. "Peeps," she wrote in a warning to her followers, "stay away .... I ordered double strawberries this weekend and my butt paying the price." In her social media message, she shared a screen grab from an iwaspoisoned.com article that reported Jamba Juice has recently issued a caution to its customers about its strawberries -- saying they recently might have been contaminated with Listeria. Despite the situation, Plum's clearly taking things in stride ... as she included some funny emojis on her post. The WNBA season is currently over -- so Kelsey's got all the time she needs to recover. Then again, Thanksgiving -- and a whole 'nother set of berries (cranberry sauce, anyone?) is approaching quickly ... so get better quickly, KP!!!

Lights on for Life anti-impaired driving campaign begins Wednesday

TITLETOWN (NBC 26) — More than 60 Packers fans traveled together from Germany to Titletown this week for the team's games Sunday and Thursday. The group is representing German fan group " Packers Germany e.V. ," and says they are joined in Green Bay this week by contingents from the United Kingdom and the Czech Republic Two of the German fans say they enjoy American football because it's more complex and fast-paced than soccer, and they like that the NFL has more parity, with a salary cap Packers Germany says it's the third-largest NFL fan group in Germany Video shows the group touring Lambeau and speaking German with Titletown neighborhood reporter Karl Winter (The following is a transcription of the full broadcast story, with additional details added for web) Ein, zwei, drei — go Pack go! Packers fans come from near and far to visit Lambeau Field — aber die Gruppe mit die längsten Reisen diese Woche kam aus Deutschland . That means: "The group with possibly the longest trip this week came from Germany." This group of Packers fans flew to the Midwest to see their favorite team play two games in five days. "For the last game, and for the game tomorrow, we will be at least 60 from Germany," Christopher Klehn-Schwandt said. Many of them are here for the first time. Klehn-Schwandt has been to Lambeau before, but says the magic hasn't worn off. "I had [the feeling] two years ago — first time [at] Lambeau Field, inside, outside, Pro Shop — you can't stop smiling anymore, just like a dream," he said. Christopher is a board member of Packers Germany, which he says is the third-largest NFL fan group — and growing. "We are over 660 members right now, and we hope to have 1000 by the end of next year," Klehn-Schwandt said. "That's our hope." Only the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers have larger fan groups in Germany, according to Klehn-Schwandt The group got a stadium tour from former Packers receiver Antonio Freeman, then visited with team president Mark Murphy — highlights of a trip that included stops around the Midwest. Benjamin Brandt, who is from Hamburg, said American sports fans are nicer than European sports fans. "From the people who are just great and welcome you with open arms," Brandt said, "to the experience around Lambeau with the tailgating, with all these crazy people, with the Frozen Tundra man, Packer mania, and all these guys being there — such big fans with all their stuff — to the game itself; I wasn't prepared for how cold it was. [...] You get addicted into it, and I just love the sport." The group's tour guide, Joachim Exler, said the group trip sold out in less than 48 hours. "It's getting more and more popular," Exler said. "We get a lot of questions [like] 'I want to visit NFL teams.' It's amazing." Before the group continued to explore Lambeau, I decided to put my German heritage to the test, with one more question for the group: "Which is better, German beer or American beer?" I asked Klehn-Schwandt in German. "Definitely German beer," he said, "except Spotted Cow. That's the best beer that I've drank in America in the last 20 years." Chris says the group will be tailgating for Thursday night's game in Lot 1, and if it goes anything like Sunday's game against the 49ers — he's expecting a victory.Standing together, listening to difficult truths

Big Ten slate features Indiana-Ohio State showdown and Penn State-Minnesota matchup Things to watch this week in the Big Ten Conference: No. 5 Indiana (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten, No. 5 CFP ) at No. 2 Ohio State (9-1, 6-1, No. 2 CFP), Saturday, noon ET (Fox) This marks the 98th matchup between these two teams, but it's only the fourth time both teams have been ranked. Although Indiana is unbeaten, its soft schedule means the Hoosiers aren't assured of making the 12-team field if they lose this game. The only team with a winning record that Indiana has beaten is Washington (6-5). Ohio State needs a win to have a realistic shot at a rematch with top-ranked Oregon in the Big Ten championship game. Ohio State has beaten Indiana 28 straight times since the Hoosiers posted back-to-back victories in 1987-88. No. 4 Penn State (9-1, 6-1, No. 4 CFP) at Minnesota (6-4, 4-3), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (CBS) This is likely Penn State's biggest obstacle on its way to a potential playoff berth. The Nittany Lions' lone remaining regular-season game is a Nov. 30 home matchup with Maryland (4-6, 1-6). Minnesota has had an extra week to prepare this game since its 26-19 loss at Rutgers on Nov. 9, which snapped a four-game winning streak. Penn State and Minnesota have split their last four meetings, with the home team winning each time. Penn State DE Abdul Carter has multiple tackles for loss in each of his last three games. He ranks second among all Bowl Subdivision players in tackles for loss (17 1⁄2). Southern California RB Woody Marks rushed for a career-high 146 yards in a 28-20 win over Nebraska. Marks has six 100-yard rushing performances this season. Rutgers RB Kyle Monangai is the first Scarlet Knight to rush for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons since Ray Rice did it three straight years from 2005-07. Monangai has run for 1,028 yards this season and rushed for 1,262 yards last year. Oregon OLB Matayo Uiagalelei recorded a sack and had a game-clinching interception as the top-ranked Ducks won 16-13 at Wisconsin last week. He has 8 1⁄2 sacks this season to rank second in the Big Ten. Four of the top seven Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks in passer rating are from the Big Ten. Indiana's Kurtis Rourke is second, Ohio State's Will Howard is third, Penn State's Drew Allar is fifth and Oregon's Dillon Gabriel is seventh. ... Illinois QB Luke Altmyer has thrown 18 touchdown passes with only three interceptions. The only Power Four quarterback with a better touchdown/interception ratio while throwing at least 10 touchdown passes is Clemson's Cade Klubnik, who has 26 touchdowns and four interceptions. ... Rutgers' three Big Ten wins matches its largest total since joining the league in 2014. Rutgers also had three conference wins in 2014, 2017, 2020 and 2023. A victory Saturday over No. 24 Illinois would give Rutgers three straight Big Ten wins for the first time. ... Washington's 31-19 win over UCLA was its 20th straight home victory, representing its second-longest such streak in school history. The Huskies won 45 straight home games from 1908-17. ... Wisconsin heads to Nebraska this week having won its last 10 matchups with the Cornhuskers. Penn State justifiably is favored on the road against Minnesota, but Bet MGM's 12 1⁄2-point spread seems way too big. Expect this game to have a single-digit margin. Get local news delivered to your inbox!The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) added 29 more Chinese entities to its list of exporters banned for suspected use of slavery, including companies that manufacture food and metals, from tomato paste to iron ore. Chinese propaganda organs were predictably outraged by the UFLPA action. The state-run Global Times on Monday published an apoplectic editorial that portrayed “forced labor” as pure fiction created by American politicians and businessmen as an excuse to treat China unfairly. “The U.S. is clearly using ‘human rights’ as a pretext to curb the development of Chinese enterprises, destabilize Xinjiang region [occupied East Turkistan] and contain China’s development,” railed Chinese Academy of Social Sciences research fellow Liu Weidong. WATCH — “Here I Am!” — Trump Warns China over Taking Advantage of American Workers While He Was Gone: Liu repeated the Chinese Communist Party’s mantra that “decoupling” from Chinese supply chains is “costly and unsustainable” for Western companies, as well as being a “shortsighted move that, in the long run, will negatively impact global economic stability and the interests of the U.S. itself.” The Chinese Foreign Ministry accused U.S. officials of “spreading false stories on Xinjiang” and “illegally” sanctioning Chinese companies for imaginary human rights violations. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian claimed the UFLPA would only hurt the Uyghurs by depriving them of employment. On Monday, the Global Times ran a propaganda piece intended to convince readers that the Uyghurs of East Turkistan have become happy and productive under China’s wise, if somewhat firm, stewardship. The piece included photos of smiling Uyghurs ostensibly delighted that China forced them to leave their homes and relocate to industrial and agricultural sites where they could find work. Also on Monday, the Department of Homeland Security announced a very big name that might soon be added to the UFLPA entity list: Temu, the Chinese online retailer famed for its low prices. DHS said it was investigating Temu over allegations of using forced labor to produce goods at dirt-cheap prices. DHS officials told the New York Post (NYP) that Temu has been under investigation for quite some time, but the Biden administration has been curiously reluctant to add it to the Entities List. That reluctance might end under the second Trump administration. Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas delivers remarks during a visit to the southern border on February 29, 2024, in Brownsville, Texas, as President Joe Biden, looks on. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) “It’s just incredible that those guys can make a dress, ship it halfway around the world and sell it for, you know, $8 or something, and so those put all sorts of U.S. businesses out of business. And then comes in a question of, how do they do that?” former CIA intelligence officer Kevin Hulbert told the NYP. “They do it probably by having really cheap cotton in their goods and stuff, and so that’s an issue. We shockingly allow Temu to self-certify that none of their cotton comes from the Xinjiang province, which is where slave labor is used,” Hulbert said. The DHS action announced last Wednesday was the first time China-based companies that export steel or aspartame sweeteners have been added to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) Entity List. The UFLPA is a law that took effect in January 2022, banning imports of products that might be tainted by forced labor from the oppressed Uyghur Muslims of occupied East Turkistan, which China refers to as Xinjiang province. The law presumes nearly all exports from Xinjiang have been contaminated with forced labor at some point in their production chains, unless the export company can prove otherwise. With the latest 29 additions – the largest number added in a single action since 2022 – the number of entities on the UFLPA ban list stands at 107. It will most likely be the last forced-labor enforcement action of the outgoing Biden administration. “Today’s enforcement actions make it clear: the United States will not tolerate forced labor in the goods entering our markets,” said DHS Under Secretary for Policy Robert Silvers, who chairs the Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force (FLETF). “The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is a powerful tool in the fight against forced labor, and we are using it to its full potential. We urge companies to take responsibility, know their supply chains, and act ethically,” Silvers said on Wednesday. WATCH — Harshbarger: U.S. “Dependent” on Foreign Countries Supplying Medical Ingredients Needed for Survival: Twenty-three of the 29 new additions are agricultural companies, while the others mine or process minerals such as copper, lithium, beryllium, nickel, manganese, and gold. Solar power and textiles were among the first industries to be heavily impacted by the UFLPA, but recently the U.S. government has been taking a closer look at Chinese metals and seafood products. Critics of the Biden administration claim enforcement has been too lax, but they expect it to become much more vigorous under President-elect Donald Trump and his Secretary of State nominee, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who was a sponsor of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Rubio sent a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on October 31, complaining that the Biden administration has not used the tools provided by the UFLPA aggressively enough against certain Chinese pharmaceutical companies. “The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act assures the American people that the products they purchase were made without slave labor. It is clear that the lack of oversight by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has not made this true,” Rubio wrote. “The FDA and DHS have a responsibility to rectify this dangerous error and uphold the law,” Rubio told Mayorkas.A landmark $600 million deal for a Papua New Guinea team to enter the National Rugby League comes with an escape clause allowing the Australian government to immediately terminate the agreement if PNG strikes a security or policing pact with China or other rival nations over the next decade. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG Prime Minister James Marape announced at a joint press conference in Sydney that a Port Moresby-based team will enter the NRL from 2028. The PNG team is likely to want Xavier Coates to be its inaugural marquee signing. Credit: Getty “Australia and PNG are the nearest of neighbours and we are the truest of friends,” Albanese said. “We are bound by a history of shared sacrifice and a common commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific. And we are united of course by a love of rugby league. That’s why I’m delighted to announce the Australian government is supporting a PNG team to join the NRL competition from 2028.” “Rugby league is PNG’s national sport and PNG deserves a national team. The new team will belong to the people of PNG and it will call Port Moresby home. It will have millions of people barracking for it from day one.” The leaders hailed the deal as a historic milestone for the PNG-Australia relationship that will bond the nations together and provide a major economic boost to the Pacific’s most populous nation as it seeks to lift much of its population out of poverty. There’s no questioning Papua New Guinea’s passion for rugby league. Credit: Getty “What this is about, isn’t just the elite level,” Albanese said. “This is about the grassroots level. It’s about economic development. It’s about the relationship between our peoples. It provides, as sport often does, an opportunity for people to succeed, not just in sport but in life. “That is why this partnership isn’t just about Papua New Guinea, it’s also about our relationship with the Pacific.” Australian taxpayers will provide $600 million over the next 10 years to help establish the team, with $120 million coming from existing Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funding. The PNG government has committed to building compound-style accommodation for players and offering tax-free salary benefits to lure star players to its capital, Port Moresby. The Australian and PNG governments have signed a separate agreement on “shared strategic trust” that sits beside the franchise agreement between the NRL, Australia and PNG. The exact terms of the strategic trust agreement are confidential and will not be released to the public. “Today also confirms ... our bilateral security agreement, which was signed just over a year ago in Canberra,” Albanese said. “Since signing that agreement, we’ve made real progress with Australia providing tangible support to PNG’s internal security priorities ... I think that today is a day where people will look back in five years, 10 years, 20 years and see that this was a day where the relationship between our nations was cemented even further into a new level.” While there is no explicit clause granting Australia veto rights over security deals between PNG and other countries, government sources said the NRL agreement was “contingent” on PNG continuing to support the principle that security and policing arrangements are handled by Pacific nations including Australia. The sources, who were not authorised to speak publicly, said the agreement allows the Australian government to withdraw financial support for PNG’s NRL team without supplying a reason until 2035. The NRL would be required to terminate the PNG team’s franchise if the Australian government removes its support under the terms of the agreement. “This is about diplomacy, this is about making Australia safer, this is about securing our status as the security partner of choice in the Pacific,” a senior government source said. The government announced a new treaty earlier this week with Nauru that allows it to block China and other countries from striking any security or telecommunications deals with the tiny Pacific nation in exchange for $140 million in financial support from Australian taxpayers. PNG’s Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko told this masthead last week that the agreement has “nothing to do with China” but Australian government officials have insisted there was a security element to the agreement. A separate clause prohibits the NRL from asking the Australian government for more money within or after the 10-year funding period. The logo, colours and name of the PNG team are yet to be determined. One option is for the club to be called the PNG Hunters, the name given to the team that has been playing in the Queensland Cup competition since 2014. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and PNG counterpart James Marape discussed PNG’s NRL bid while walking the Kokoda Track in April. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer “I want to indicate to everyone here in Australia and back home, we’re not just filling the numbers for Anthony [Albanese] and James [Marape] to feel good,” Marape said. “Far from it. We want to win the competition. Just like the Dolphins did in their first year of entry [in 2023], we will field a very strong team in the first game in 2028. “As South Sydney lives on 100 years on from its birth, this one will live on way after you [Albanese] and me are gone. Our people forever bound in not only a shared love for rugby league, but a shared love for each other.” It remains unclear whether PNG will be the NRL’s 18th or 19th team, given there is a desire to add another side as early as 2027. The NRL remains in negotiations for a Perth-based franchise, which are continuing directly with the WA government after a consortium bid was rejected. Sources said negotiations over the PNG team were up in the air until the May NRL “magic round” in May, when Pacific Minister Pat Conroy and Australian Rugby League chairman Peter V’landys struck an in-principle agreement for a team to enter the competition. One of the likely signing targets for the franchise is Xavier Coates. The Melbourne, Queensland and Australian star was born in Port Moresby, has previously represented Fiji and, given he is only 23 years old, will likely be in his prime when the team enters the NRL. His younger brother, Phillip, is also a rising star who represented the PNG Junior Kumuls in their recent draw with the Australian Schoolboys team. As a sweetener to sign with PNG, players and staff will be granted tax-free status. That will allow a marquee signing on a $1.2 million deal to save up to $550,000 a year. The expansion of the NRL competition is expected to bring more money into the game and the existing clubs have argued for a share. They have been placated by the division of a $60 million license fee, which will come out of the $600 million Australian government payment. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter .

No. 21 Creighton's Steven Ashworth doubtful for Players Era Festival opener against Aztecs