TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cansortium Inc. (CSE: TIUM.U) (OTCQB: CNTMF) ("Cansortium” or the "Company”), a vertically integrated, multi-state cannabis company operating under the FLUENTTM brand, announced today that it has closed on a new senior secured credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement”) of up to $96,500,000 with Chicago Atlantic Admin, LLC ("Chicago Atlantic”), as administrative agent for certain lenders. The Credit Agreement bears a cash interest rate of 12.00% per annum and paid-in-kind (PIK) interest of 1.00% per annum, and is due to mature on November 26, 2028. The Credit Agreement refinances the existing $71,000,000 senior secured term loan that was set to mature May 29, 2025, thereby eliminating the previously disclosed requirement that the Company prepay $10,000,000 upon the consummation of the business combination with RIV Capital Inc. (CSE: RIV) (OTC: CNPOF) ("RIV Capital”), a vertically integrated cannabis company operating the Etain brand in New York. All required regulatory approvals needed for the business combination with RIV Capital Inc. have been obtained and the Company expects the closing with RIV Capital to occur in early December 2024. "We are excited to announce the successful completion of our senior secured refinancing. The loan's favorable interest rate and single financial covenant underscore our strong financial standing, while its non-dilutive structure - free of equity or warrants - preserves shareholder value. As a result of this transaction, we have no material debt maturities until late 2028,” said Robert Beasley, CEO of Cansortium. "The refinancing includes access to two additional credit lines totaling $25 million, which, combined with the cash balance inflow from the RIV business combination, positions us to enter 2025 with a robust war chest. These resources will allow us to pursue strategic acquisitions and growth initiatives in key markets like Pennsylvania and New York, while also targeting new opportunities in emerging high-growth states. With our solid foundation and this enhanced financial flexibility, we are poised to capitalize on exciting industry developments at the state and federal levels. The future for our company - and our shareholders - has never been brighter.” The Credit Agreement provides for an initial loan of $71,500,000 and access to two additional credit lines of $10,000,000 for future real estate acquisitions and construction projects, and $15,000,000 in the event that the Company were to acquire RIV Capital's Buffalo cultivation and processing facility following the completion of the business combination. "Cansortium has executed with prudence and foresight in its core states of Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas, and we have every confidence in their strategic approach to meet demands in additional markets,” said Peter Sack, Managing Parter of Chicago Atlantic. "They are innately focused on customer experience, fiscal responsibility, and operational excellence, and Chicago Atlantic is thrilled to support their next phase of growth.” The Credit Agreement includes a single financial covenant requiring Cansortium to maintain a minimum unrestricted cash balance of $4,500,000, tested at the end of each fiscal quarter, and includes customary terms and conditions for a financing of this type, including repayment obligations upon the occurrence of certain events of default thereunder. The foregoing description of the Credit Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Credit Agreement, a copy of which will be filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . Chicago Atlantic Credit Advisers, LLC served as lead arranger for the Credit Agreement and Chicago Atlantic Admin, LLC serves as Administrative Agent for the Credit Agreement. Smith Transaction Cansortium and certain of its affiliates and William Smith, a director and the Executive Chair of Cansortium, and certain companies controlled by Mr. Smith (together with Mr. Smith, collectively, the "Smith Group”), have entered into an amended and restated termination agreement (the "Amended Smith Transaction Termination Agreement”) to replace in its entirety the existing termination agreement dated May 30, 2024 (the "Smith Transaction Termination Agreement”), which provided for, among other things, the termination of that certain agreement among Cansortium, certain of its affiliates and the Smith Group (the "Initial Smith Transaction Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Amended Smith Transaction Termination Agreement, Cansortium paid to the Smith Group a $500,000 cash fee and issued to the Smith Group a 15% secured subordinated convertible note in an initial aggregate principal amount of $6,500,000 due May 26, 2029 (the "Smith Convertible Note”). The Smith Convertible Note is subordinated in right of payment to prior payment in full of the Credit Agreement and the principal and accrued interest thereunder is convertible, at the discretion of the Smith Group, into Cansortium Shares at a price of $0.21 per Cansortium Share. For more information on the Smith Transaction Termination Agreement and the Initial Smith Transaction Agreement, see Cansortium's news release dated May 30, 2024 filed under Cansortium's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . The transactions contemplated by the Amended Smith Transaction Termination Agreement (the "Smith Transaction”) constitutes a "related party transaction” as such term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101”). Cansortium has relied on the exemptions from obtaining a formal valuation and minority shareholder approval of the Cansortium Shareholders with respect to the Smith Transaction in accordance with sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the aggregate fair market value of the cash consideration and the Smith Convertible Note issuable in connection with the Smith Transaction does not exceed 25% of Cansortium's market capitalization as determined in accordance with the provisions of MI 61-101. In addition, the Smith Transaction was approved by the Cansortium Board, with Mr. Smith having disclosed his interest in the Smith Transaction and abstaining from voting thereon. Cansortium did not file a material change report 21 days prior to the closing of the Smith Transaction as the details of the Smith Transaction had not been finalized at that time. The foregoing description of the Amended Smith Transaction Termination Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Amended Smith Transaction Termination Agreement, a copy of which will be filed on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . For more information, please visit: investors.getfluent.com About Cansortium Inc. Cansortium is a vertically-integrated cannabis company with licenses and operations in Florida, Pennsylvania and Texas. The Company operates under the FluentTM brand and is dedicated to being one of the highest quality cannabis companies for the communities it serves. This is driven by Cansortium's unrelenting commitment to operational excellence in cultivation, production, distribution, and retail. The Company is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Cansortium Inc.'s Common Shares trade on the CSE under the symbol "TIUM.U” and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol "CNTMF”. For more information about the Company, please visit www.getFLUENT.com . About Chicago Atlantic Chicago Atlantic is a private markets alternative investment manager focused on industries and companies where demand for capital exceeds traditional supply. The firm's investment strategies include opportunistic private credit and equity with focuses on loans to esoteric industries, specialty asset-based loans, liquidity solutions and growth and technology finance. Chicago Atlantic has closed over $2.3 billion in credit facilities since inception. Chicago Atlantic's team of over 80 professionals has offices in Chicago, Miami, New York and London. For more information on Chicago Atlantic's investment opportunities and financing products, visit chicagoatlantic.com . Forward-Looking Information Certain information in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans”, "targets”, "expects” or "does not expect”, "is expected”, "an opportunity exists”, "is positioned”, "estimates”, "intends”, "assumes”, "anticipates” or "does not anticipate” or "believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may”, "could”, "would”, "might”, "will” or "will be taken”, "occur” or "be achieved”. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the date of this news release, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to the factors described in the public documents of the Company available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect the Company; however, these factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Company Contact Robert Beasley, CEO investors.getfluent.com Media Contact: Trailblaze [email protected]Appointment of Evelyn Angelle to Bird’s Board of Directors
Negotiators have agreed to 'at least' $300 billion in climate funding at the UN climate summit after two weeks of tense negotiations that highlighted sharp divides between rich and poorer nations. But is it enough?Rarely has a climate summit venue so accurately reflected the mood and unfolding of negotiations. Also Read | World News | Rich Nations Offer USD 300 Billion Annually After 10 Years to Global South. For two bumpy weeks, the labyrinthine corridors in Baku's Olympic Stadium have echoed with the hurried footsteps of negotiators rushing from one windowless meeting room to the next, avoiding dead-ends and wrong turns among the endless passageways. Also Read | World News | Trump Taps Rollins as Agriculture Chief, Completing Proposed Slate of Cabinet Secretaries. Further characterized by missing global leaders, major disagreement and shifting geopolitical dynamics, the talks stretched deep into overtime before there was finally light at the end of the tunnel. And an agreement that sets a goal of at least $300 billion in climate financing per year by 2035 flowing from developed to developing countries. Failure in Baku was "not an option," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking on Thursday. But that failure looked possible late on Saturday when delegates from AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States) and LDCs (Least Developed Countries) walked out of talks on the grounds their concerns were not being heard. "What is happening here is highlighting what a very different boat our vulnerable countries are in, compared to the developed countries," said Cedric Schuster, the Samoan chairman of the group. "After this COP29 ends, we cannot just sail off into the sunset. We are literally sinking." What have nations agreed — and is it enough? COP29's core aim was getting the near 200 countries to agree on a new climate funding target that could replace the current goal of $100 billion (about €95 billion) per year. This financial packageis intended to help developing countries tackle emissions, transition away from fossil fuels and adapt to a warming world. But the size of the finance pot and which countries should foot the bill were huge sticking points in negotiations. Developing countries pushed for at least $1 trillion per year, a sum leading economists have said is necessary for them to respond to the climate crisis. Anything else was lowballing and "divorced from the reality of what was needed," according to Champa Patel of environment non-profit Climate Group. But industrialized countries held off specifying concrete figures until the very last day and said they couldn't raise the money alone without private sector involvement. The $300 billion promised is far lower than what developing countries were hoping for. "At COP29, developed nations once again coerced developing countries into accepting a financial deal woefully inadequate to address the gravity of our global climate crisis," said Harjeet Singh of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. "The deal fails to provide the critical support required for developing countries to transition swiftly from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy systems, or to prepare for the devastating impacts of the climate crisis." Low-income countries are seeing increasingly extreme floods, droughts, heat waves, storms and rising sea levels and do not have the resources to deal with them. Developed countries are responsible for the majority of historical emissions causing the planet to heat up. By 2050 climate change is expected to cause $38 trillion in damages around the world, according one estimate. But the new text released early Sunday morning, attempted to reassure progress to the $1.3 trillion would happen. It referenced a "Roadmap from Baku to Belem," which calls on "all actors" to "scale up" climate finance to developing countries and includes access to finance through "grants, concessional and non-debt-creating instruments." Observers said negotiators from Africa and other developing countries had pushed for the changes to be included in the hope of creating a meaningful process to align the global financial system with the $1.3 trillion target by 2035. To date, much of the international climate finance has been provided to developing countries in the form of non-concessional loans. Organizations such as Oxfam have criticized this, pointing out that this increases the debt burden of some of the LDCs. Developed countries also pushed for China and wealthy Gulf states that are heavily dependent on oil and gas to contribute to the $300 billion climate fund and share the burden. China is the world's biggest carbon emitter. And although it's a major economy, the UN still classes it as a developing country. The final agreement didn't widen the donor base to include China, but it did introduce a fudge that would officially recognize the country's contributions. The new mechanism allows for voluntary recognition of cash flowing from developing countries through development banks as climate finance. What does the outcome mean for global emissions? When it comes to fossil fuels — the primary source of global emissions and drivers of climate change — proceedings this year didn't get off to a good start. The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev used COP29 as a platform to describe oil and gas as a "gift of God." But negotiators did reach a deal on controversial carbon markets that would allow polluting countries to buy carbon-cutting offsets. Supporters say the new rules would help boost investment in local-income countries, where the carbon projects are usually located. But critics say they could be used for greenwashing climate targets. "These decisions were taken behind closed doors," Tamra Gilbertson of the US-based non-profit Indigenous Environmental Network told DW. "We know that other carbon markets have completely failed to address climate change and emissions." Many were hoping for more progress to build on what was achieved at COP28 in Dubai last year, which concluded with a hard-won final agreement on "transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems." But oil producer Saudi Arabia, tried to derail progress on moving away from fossil fuel, and was described as a "wrecking ball" to the agreement. "We are in the midst of a geopolitical power play by a few fossil fuel states," said Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock Saturday as talks spiraled. As with previous COPs, there were strong criticisms regarding the presence of over 1700 oil and gas lobbyists. They received more passes to COP29 than all the delegates from the 10 most climate-vulnerable nations combined, according to one report. Richard Folland, head of policy and engagement with independent financial think tank Carbon Tracker said the talks in Baku had been "strangled by the second highest attendance of fossil fuel lobbyists on record" and that the summit had "taken us dangerously backwards on collective climate action as extreme weather events take their toll." The core goal of the Paris Agreement is to hold global average temperature increases well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) compared to pre-industrial levels, and to strive to stay under 1.5 C. The science is clear that this requires urgent and deep cuts to global emissions. However, global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels have hit new heights this year and 2024 is set to be the hottest ever on record. Dubbed the "finance COP," this year's conference highlighted the difficulties in reaching global consensus on climate action, and also drew calls for reform. In an open letter to the UN, a group of scientists and former leaders said COP was "no longer fit for purpose," and required a shift from negotiation to implementation to "deliver on agreed commitments and ensure the urgent energy transition and phase-out of fossil energy." With reporting from Giulia Saudelli and Tim Schauenberg in Baku, Azerbaijan. Edited by: Jennifer Collins and Tamsin Walker (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 24, 2024 05:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).Asia markets to open mixed even as Wall Street notches fresh records; investors assess Australia inflation
A stuttering Aberdeen will be hoping for some post-Christmas cheer when they travel to the BBSP Stadium Rugby Park to face Kilmarnock in the Scottish Premiership on Thursday. The hosts will kick off Boxing Day in ninth place with 18 points in as many games, while the visitors are now third in the league standings with 34 points after 17 matches. After flying out the starting gate with 10 wins and just one draw in their first 11 matches of the season, the wheels now look as though they are starting to come off for Aberdeen in recent weeks. The Dons took an early lead last weekend at home to Hibernian thanks to a Topi Keskinen goal in the 14th minute, but that lasted just four minutes, and by half time they were a goal down before eventually losing the match 3-1. That result marked Jimmy Thelin 's side's sixth consecutive league match without victory, and saw them forced out of second place by Rangers, who edged Dundee to a 1-0 win the following day. Cracks are starting to appear across the pitch for the Dandies too, with their defence failing to keep a clean sheet in nine matches on the bounce, while the midfield duo of Graeme Shinnie and Sivert Nilsen have been much less effective recently than they were earlier in the campaign. However, the visitors have still only lost once on the road this season and may feel that this could be the match in which they start to turn things around, having beaten this opponent fairly comfortably in their last encounter. Meanwhile, after finishing in fourth place last season, Kilmarnock have experienced a significant downturn this term, having managed just four wins in 18 games to date, and currently just four points above basement club St. Johnstone. However, after a winless November and a thumping 6-0 defeat to Rangers at the start of this month, Killie are starting to show some signs of life, now unbeaten in their last three matches (W1 D2 L0). Their most recent fixture saw them come back from a goal down to finish 1-1 against Motherwell on the road thanks to a 74th minute goal by Liam Polsworth - their first from open play since the 3-3 draw against Dundee last month. Indeed, a lack of consistent goals has been the major downfall for Derek McInnes 's side this season, as they have only managed to find the back of the net 19 times to date, which is the second-lowest tally in the division behing Ross County (14). The hosts have earned only two wins in seven home games this season, but given his former employer's struggles of late, McInnes will likely feel his side may be able to sneak a result here. Kilmarnock will be able to welcome Robbie Deas back to the squad this week, with the defender having now served his suspension for the red card he was shown against Hearts earlier this month. That means the hosts are only expected to be without one first-team player for this match in the form of Stuart Findlay , who is still on the road to recovery from an ankle injury sustained last month. For the visitors, Vicente Besuijen and defender Jack Milne both sustained injuries during the 1-1 draw against St Johnstone a couple of weeks ago, and Thelin confirmed earlier this week that the pair are expected to remain sidelined for four and three months respectively. Dimitar Mitov (hamstring) and top-scorer Pape Habib Gueye (muscle) are also ruled out until the New Year, meaning Ross Doohan will continue between the sticks and Ester Sokler will lead the line this week. Kilmarnock possible starting lineup: O'Hara; Mayo, Wright, Ndaba; Watson, Lyons, Polworth, Murray, Anderson; Vassell, Watkins Aberdeen possible starting lineup: Doohan; Devlin, Rubezic, Molloy, Mackenzie; Shinnie, Nilsen; Keskinen, Clarkson, McGrath; Sokler After an incredible start to the season, Aberdeen have now gone six matches without victory and are missing their first-team goalkeeper and top-scorer due to injury. Kilmarnock, meanwhile, are a long way from the type of form we saw last season, currently the second-lowest-scoring team in the top flight. This is a match that both sides will likely feel they can win, but given their current form and recent league records, we feel there will be nothing to split them at the final whistle. For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here .
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have no plans to leave their California home and are prepared to fight any deportation attempts, Express.co.uk can reveal. According to a well-placed source, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have firmly established California as their home, and plan to remain there despite the threat of being expelled from the United States. “There are no plans [for the Sussexes] to move from the US,” said one source. Another source added: “Harry and Meghan feel at home in California, and they won’t be leaving there without a fight. “They have a very good legal team, and they have a lot of support behind them to ensure that they will be able to remain in the United States.” Prince Harry , 40, is currently entangled in legal proceedings over his US immigration status. In his memoir, Spare, he admitted to past drug use, including cocaine, cannabis, and psychedelic mushrooms, which could be grounds for his visa application to be denied. The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has sought access to Harry’s visa records, arguing his drug use should have barred his US entry. While a judge recently ruled that Harry’s visa application will remain confidential, this could change under Donald Trump ’s presidency. President-elect Trump, 78, remarked earlier this year that he might consider deporting Harry over issues regarding his US visa status. “I wouldn’t protect him. He betrayed the Queen. That’s unforgivable. He would be on his own,” the president-elect stated at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February. Recent reports suggested that Trump’s unexpected victory earlier this month had “sent the Sussexes into a spin” due to the previous comments he made about expelling Harry from America. “Harry and Meghan are not fazed by the comments Trump made because they believe they have done everything correctly,” said the source. “Meghan is a US citizen, and Archie has just started a new school, so to leave the place they call home isn’t even an option.” The Sussexes, who relocated to the United States after stepping back from royal duties in 2020, have built their life in the affluent coastal community of Montecito. Despite being happy in California, it was recently revealed that the couple purchased a new £3.6 million villa in Portugal, near Princess Eugenie ’s summer residence. However, according to the source, it’s not yet ready for use and will only ever be used as a holiday home. “The villa in Portugal is more an investment than anything else and construction hasn’t even been completed yet,” said the source. “It hasn’t been purchased as a new home, but more as a holiday retreat and something they can put their money into to protect their assets.”
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Pleasanton appoints first-ever female police chiefgettyimagesbank Korea's super-rich, who account for less than 1 percent of the country’s population, are choosing low-risk investment options next year due to economic uncertainties, a report showed Sunday. The report from KB Financial Group's think tank showed that 461,000 Koreans, estimated to represent just 0.9 percent of the population, held financial assets worth 1 billion won ($689,800) in 2023. Their financial assets were valued at 2,826 trillion won in total. The amount went up 2.9 percent from a year earlier and made up a 58.6 percent share of all Korean households' financial assets last year. Financial assets refer to cash, deposits and financial investment products such as stocks and bonds that can be cashed quickly and easily. Due to their cash flow, they have an advantage over non-financial assets such as property, commodities, patents and trademarks that usually bring returns in the long term. Of the 461,000, 63 percent said they would keep their investment in stocks to the same level in 2025, and the other 21.8 percent said they would reduce stock investment. Only the remaining 15.3 percent said they will increase the corresponding investment. Concerning deposits, 73 percent of the 461,000 individuals said they will remain unchanged in the amount next year. Other 11 percent said they will save more cash as deposits, while the remaining 16 percent responded said they will cash out some deposits. “The finding suggests rich individuals are cautious about going aggressive in investment,” the report said, referring to stagnant country’s economic growth due to uncertainties here and abroad. Meanwhile, 32.8 percent of the 461,000 respondents said they mostly accumulated wealth through business income. Other 26.3 percent said they created wealth through property investment. A total of 60.8 percent of these respondents also inherited cash, real estate and other forms of wealth from their parents. To remove this article -From deep breathing gadgets to melatonin dermal patches , I've spent a lot of time testing and reviewing sleep products. As such, I'm always on the hunt for unique sleep products geared toward solving a serious sleep barrier. That's what the Perfectly Snug smart topper is. This topper uses air to give sleepers on-demand temperature control. Temperature is one of the biggest sleep problems for people. Whether it's hot flashes or sleeping at a different temperature than your partner, body temperature can really mess with your sleep. Perfectly Snug aims to reduce night sweats and keep you cool at night. While it does that, I found that Perfectly Snug can be used for more than just cooling. Here's my experience using it for the last few months. What is the Perfectly Snug topper? The Perfectly Snug smart topper is a thin and flexible topper that gives you control over the temperature of your bed at night. This 2-inch thick topper has a dual-zone design that lets you and your partner sleep at the temperatures that work best for your sleep. On each side is a power switch and an up or down temperature button. With so much tech in this smart topper, I thought it would be complicated. But the Perfectly Snug topper is one of the most to-the-point sleep tech products I've seen. Using either the buttons on the side or the app, you choose your temperature and are ready to sleep. The smart topper uses built-in sensors to ensure the topper (and you) stay at your set temperature all night. Say you set your topper to cool; if the sensors detect that you're heating up, it will adjust to bring you back to temperature. Perfect Snug specifications: The Perfectly Snug smart topper is a unique product. In the cooling sleep tech space, some competitors reach the same goal, though not in the same way. For instance, the Eight Sleep Pod requires a water tank to cool you at night. Perfectly Snug just uses air, so there's no maintenance to remember. You just turn it on and go to bed. The first night I used the Perfectly Snug topper, I set it to as cold as it would go and then went to brush my teeth. When I came back into my bedroom, I was surprised to see my sheets hovering above the bed because of the cooling force of the topper. It reminded me of an air hockey table. The dual-zone model has two fans per side at the foot of the topper. I occasionally hit the fan unit with my foot when sleeping, though I got used to it being there with time. My cats enjoyed sleeping on the fans at the corners of the bed. Using the Perfectly Snug topper When I first unboxed the Perfectly Snug smart topper, I was intrigued. As the first smart topper I've tested, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. The first thing that struck me was the feel. The Perfectly Snug topper has an almost net-like mesh texture, which I felt while sleeping. It wasn't uncomfortable, though it was something that required getting used to. Thicker sheets helped me eliminate the feeling but still get the benefit of the active airflow. After a few weeks, I barely noticed the texture anymore. The topper came folded in a very tall box. It was a little hard to move, but not bad. Being my first smart topper, there were a few things I didn't expect. First, how heavy the topper was. I was able to move it by myself, though there's definitely some weight to it that likely comes from the internal components that allow for the cooling. Plenty of people will be able to set it up alone, though I can see it being a two-person job for some. Another thing that I noticed was that there are labels near the top of the topper. The first few nights, the labels did trip me up when I would run my hand over it, but I got used to it. Given the technology in this topper, I expected it to be a little harder to set up, but it's truly as simple as plugging it up and installing the app on your phone. There is a plug on either side of the topper that you connect to the split power cord. On each side, a control panel allows you to turn it on or off and adjust the temperature. I found that it was best for small adjustments, but I much preferred to use the app to plan my temperatures for the night. Though I liked the inclusion of the physical buttons. Setting up the Perfectly Snug topper is as easy as plugging it in and turning it on. The app leaves something to be desired. It's almost too straightforward, so much so that it actually took my brain a second to realize there were no extra buttons to push. The main interface is a graph where you set your temperature for falling asleep, sleeping and waking. I wouldn't say it's the most obvious way to present the information. That said, you can set your preferences across the board or make a weekly schedule. The best part of this topper is that each side of the bed can control its temperature -- from the side panel or the app. My boyfriend is a hot sleeper, so he set his temperature down from the second he got in bed until he got out. I used my side a little differently. I used the Perfectly Snug topper to fix my sleep schedule Like you, there are times in which my sleep schedule can get thrown off. Sometimes, it's from jet lag or sickness or revenge bedtime procrastination . When I started testing the perfectly snug topper, I was in the thick of a stint of poor sleep. On the first few nights of testing, when I was pushing the topper to the absolute limits of its cooling potential (which is quite cool because I keep my bedroom cool), I noticed something. I fell asleep easier than I had in a while. I wasn't quite ready to attribute it to the topper yet, not before I had a few more days adjusting the temperatures to find what was most comfortable for me. The app homepage is a graph that allows you to drag the line up and down to set your temperatures. Yes, the Perfectly Snug smart topper is a great option for people who sleep hot and need to cool down enough to sleep well, but I found the ability to warm myself the most essential. Let me explain. An essential part of sleep is our body's natural thermoregulation process, or the rise and fall of our body temperature. Our body temperature drops a degree or two when we're falling asleep. That's why it's best to sleep in a cooler room to help the process along. Body temperature naturally varies by sleep stage , though it rises when it's time to wake up, which is why hot sleepers can have such a tough time sleeping. There are ways you can hack your body temperature for better sleep, such as timing your showers before bed . Or you can use the Perfectly Snug topper. By setting my initial temperature down and having it rise about 30 minutes before I wanted to wake up, I was able to get my sleep schedule back on track. Waking up was easier than it had been in weeks. Using the Perfectly Snug smart topper has become a part of my nightly routine. The best part is that I set my temperatures and forgot about the app. I found what worked for me, so there was no need to continuously adjust the settings. Like the initial setup, I set it and then forgot about it. Perfectly Snug won't be for everyone I enjoyed my experience testing the Perfectly Snug topper and was surprised by the different ways I could use it. Not to mention, I liked the hum of the fan that became a sort of white noise machine at night. That said, there are a few things to consider that I can't ignore. Unlike traditional toppers that are used to change the feeling or firmness of your old mattress , the Perfectly Snug topper is designed for temperature control, not adding comfort to your bed. That's not inherently a bad thing, but it's important to remember that distinction. The website states, "If you have a super soft mattress, it will firm it up, or if your bed is very firm, it may soften up the feel. If your mattress is medium firmness, you may not notice a difference." Inside the Perfectly Snug topper is a thin foam layer. That's pretty vague and honestly not what I experienced. My mattress is firmer, and the Perfectly Snug topper didn't make it softer. If anything, it might have even been a little firmer. How this topper will feel partially depends on how firm your bed is, but there was no way around it for me; I thought the Perfectly Snug topper was pretty firm. As such, I can't recommend it for strict side sleepers who want a really plush topper. Though as a combination of a side and stomach sleeper, I slept fine and thought it was comfortable. I don't think this takes anything away from the topper. It's absolutely going to give you temperature control, but it's not going to change the firmness of your bed like other options. A queen dual zone Perfectly Snug topper is $1,899 before sales. That's how much a Big Fig mattress costs, our best overall recommendation for heavy people . It's an expensive topper that many people won't be able to afford without some budgeting. This isn't a mark against Perfectly Snug; the price aligns with other mattress cooling technology like the Eight Sleep Pod and cooling mattresses , which tend to be slightly pricer than traditional options. Cooling sleep products just cost more because of the technology used in them. That said, there's no getting around the cost. It's going to be a barrier to entry for many people. The people who need temperature control will love it The Perfectly Snug topper is expensive and very different from traditional toppers, but that doesn't mean it's not worth your money. I found it to be an incredibly effective product. It does exactly what it says: It heats or cools you on demand. I was surprised by how well it worked since it uses air instead of water like other cooling products. However, because of that, it does have less of a temperature range than those products, because Perfectly Snug relies on ambient air. A close-up of the mesh texture. Some mornings, I woke up with it imprinted on my skin. Though I don't think the average person could rationalize the cost of this topper, people who struggle with their temperature through the night might. Take people who struggle with hot flashes: The ability to turn down the temperature to combat the hot flash from interrupting their sleep will be hugely beneficial. It could also be a practical solution for couples who sleep at drastically different temperatures and fight over blankets or the thermostat setting. Too long; didn't read? I was skeptical about this topper, especially when I unboxed it and felt that mesh texture. Then again, when I set it up, I found the tag on the top of the bed. Not to mention the components at the bottom that I could feel with my feet. However, the benefits of the Perfectly Snug topper outweighed any nitpicky concerns I had. It delivers on all temperature claims it makes. It's a neat product that definitely does what it markets. That said, I don't think the average person would want to buy this based on the price. I got used to the net texture and the tags and the fact that it made my bed firmer, but there were many little things I had to get used to. And at the price, I'm not sure people would want to deal with that. Thankfully, there is a 30-day trial that will give you a chance to decide if it's right for you. Who should buy the Perfectly Snug topper: Who shouldn't buy it:
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'Unbelievable' Odegaard transforms Arsenal and gets Saka smiling againAll the hard work the Vikings put in on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field almost fell by the wayside after they failed to recover an onside kick in the final minute. That paved the way for Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos to send the game into overtime with a 48-yard field goal as time expired. ADVERTISEMENT As proud as head coach Kevin O’Connell was that the Vikings still managed to escape with a 30-27 overtime win, he also was irked that lack of execution on the onside kick nearly cost them. What went wrong? Though it looked like nothing more than a fluky bounce, it was actually a misread by tight end Johnny Mundt that resulted in the ball hitting him. Asked about the particular play, special teams coordinator Matt Daniels said as soon as Mundt realized it was going to be a watermelon kick, he should’ve attacked the ball rather than engaged in a block. “He’s got to have some awareness right there,” Daniels said. “He didn’t see where the ball was at.” The use of the watermelon kick has become much more common across the NFL over the past few seasons. It’s executed by placing the ball on its side and kicking the point to create a spinning motion. The hope is to create enough spin with the watermelon kick that the ball travels the required 10 yards. The only issue? The rules say the kicking team can’t touch any member of the receiving team on an onside kick until the ball crosses 10 yards. ADVERTISEMENT That’s why Daniels has stressed to his players the importance of attacking the ball in those situations. “That’s the No. 1 thing,” Daniels said. “As soon as we see it’s a watermelon kick, we are going to go get the ball.” Pace on injured list After suffering a hamstring injury over the weekend, linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. has been placed on injured reserve. As a result, he will have to miss at least the next month, with the Vikings hoping he can be ready to return by the time the playoffs roll around. It’s a tough blow for the Vikings heading into the home stretch as Pace has developed into a key contributor on defense. As a way to add some depth amid the loss, the Vikings signed linebacker Jamin Davis to their active roster, poaching him from the Green Bay Packers, who had signed him to their practice squad. There might be some untapped potential in Davis considering the Washington Commanders selected him in the first round of the 2021 draft. He has totaled 282 tackles, seven sacks, an interception and a pair of forced fumbles across 50 NFL games. Additionally, the Vikings also activated edge rusher Gabe Murphy from injured reserve. ADVERTISEMENT Quessenberry fills in The benefit of having veteran left tackle David Quessenberry on the roster is that he has proven capable of going into a game on short notice. After stepping up last month when star left tackle Christian Darrisaw went down with a knee injury, Quessenberry had his number called over the weekend when veteran left tackle Cam Robinson left the game with a foot injury. Though there were some ups and downs for Quessenberry in the game, his presence allowed the Vikings to continue to run their offense. “I thought he came in and played really well,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said. “The left side really wasn’t an issue with him in there. We weren’t thinking like, ‘Oh god. We’ve got to get chips over there. We’ve got to try to formation these things where we can help him out every play.’ We felt pretty comfortable with him felling in and playing that role.” Evans gets claimed After being cut by the Vikings over the weekend, cornerback Akayleb Evans was claimed off waivers by the Carolina Panthers. It will be a fresh start for Evans as he looks to get his career back on track. Though he started 15 games for the Vikings last season, Evans barely played at all on defense this season. He was buried on the depth chart behind veteran cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore, Byron Murphy Jr., and Shaq Griffin. Why didn’t it work out for Evans? ADVERTISEMENT “Sometimes it becomes a numbers situation,” defensive coordinator Brian Flores said. “He’s a talented player who has a place in this league. I wish him all the best in Carolina. He’s going to do a great job for them.” ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .