Pics du jour

🔋 Arkansas may be sitting on one of the world’s largest lithium deposits. This week, researchers at the US Geological Survey and the Arkansas government announced the discovery of a massive trove of lithium, a critical raw material for most rechargeable batteries (used in EVs, cellphones, laptops, etc.). Officials say testing at the location in southwestern Arkansas showed the presence of 5 million-19 million tons of lithium, or enough to meet all of global demand for decades.

⚖️ Mike Jeffries, the former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch, was arrested for sex trafficking. Federal prosecutors charged Jeffries, who served as CEO of the clothing company from 1992–2014, and two others with running an international sex-trafficking ring and prostitution business. Prosecutors accuse Jeffries of using the status of his job to coerce dozens of aspiring models into having sex with him and his romantic partner.

✈️ A New Zealand airport instituted a time limit for hugs. Travelers leaving the New Zealand city of Dunedin’s airport have a three-minute time limit on goodbye hugs, under a new policy instituted last month. Local officials, channeling pick-me girls, say the move is meant as a “quirky” alternative to signs at other airports warning of wheel clamping or fines for drivers who park in drop-off areas, for example.