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ATLANTA , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Properties Incorporated (the "Company" or "Cousins") (NYSE:CUZ) announced today that its operating partnership, Cousins Properties LP (the "Operating Partnership"), has priced an offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2032 at 99.463% of the principal amount. The offering is expected to close on December 17, 2024 , subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Cousins intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund a portion of the purchase price of 601 West 2nd Street, also known as Sail Tower, an 804,000 square foot trophy lifestyle office property in Austin (the "Sail Tower Acquisition"), and the remainder to repay borrowings under its credit facility and for general corporate purposes. In the event the Sail Tower Acquisition is not completed, Cousins will use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including the acquisition and development of office properties, other opportunistic investments and the repayment of debt. The notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company. J.P. Morgan, Truist Securities, US Bancorp, BofA Securities, Morgan Stanley, PNC Capital Markets LLC, TD Securities and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as joint book-running managers. A shelf registration statement relating to these securities is effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. Copies of these documents may be obtained by contacting J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York , 10179, Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, 3rd Floor, telephone collect at 1-212-834-4533; Truist Securities, Inc., Attention: Prospectus Department, 303 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308, telephone: 800-685-4786, or e-mail: TruistSecurities.prospectus@Truist.com ; or U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., Attention: High Grade Syndicate, 214 North Tryon Street, 26th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202, or by telephone at: (877) 558-2607. Electronic copies of these documents are also available from the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov . This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell the notes, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. About Cousins Properties Cousins Properties is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT"). The Company, based in Atlanta, GA and acting through the Operating Partnership, primarily invests in Class A office buildings located in high growth Sun Belt markets. Founded in 1958, Cousins creates shareholder value through its extensive expertise in the development, acquisition, leasing, and management of high-quality real estate assets. The Company has a comprehensive strategy in place based on a simple platform, trophy assets, and opportunistic investments. Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are subject to uncertainties and risks, as itemized in Item 1A included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 . These forward-looking statements include information about the Company's possible or assumed future results of the business and the Company's financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and objectives. They also include, among other things, statements regarding subjects that are forward-looking by their nature, such as: guidance and underlying assumptions; business and financial strategy; future debt financings; future acquisitions and dispositions of operating assets or joint venture interests; future acquisitions and dispositions of land, including ground leases; future acquisitions of investments in real estate debt; future development and redevelopment opportunities; future issuances and repurchases of common stock, limited partnership units, or preferred stock; future distributions; projected capital expenditures; market and industry trends; future occupancy or volume and velocity of leasing activity; entry into new markets, changes in existing market concentrations, or exits from existing markets; future changes in interest rates and liquidity of capital markets; and all statements that address operating performance, events, investments, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to creating value for stockholders. Any forward-looking statements are based upon management's beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance, taking into account information that is currently available. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations may change as a result of possible events or factors, not all of which are known. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements due to, but not limited to, the following: the availability and terms of capital and our ability to obtain and maintain financing arrangements on terms favorable to us or at all; the ability to refinance or repay indebtedness as it matures; any changes to our credit rating; the failure of purchase, sale, or other contracts to ultimately close; the failure to achieve anticipated benefits from acquisitions, developments, investments, or dispositions; the effect of common stock or operating partnership unit issuances, including those undertaken on a forward basis, which may negatively affect the market price of our common stock; the availability of buyers and pricing with respect to the disposition of assets; changes in national and local economic conditions, the real estate industry, and the commercial real estate markets in which we operate (including supply and demand changes), particularly in Atlanta , Austin , Tampa , Charlotte , Phoenix , Dallas , and Nashville , including the impact of high unemployment, volatility in the public equity and debt markets, and international economic and other conditions; threatened terrorist attacks or sociopolitical unrest such as political instability, civil unrest, armed hostilities, or political activism, which may result in a disruption of day-to-day building operations; changes to our strategy in regard to our real estate assets may require impairment to be recognized; leasing risks, including the ability to obtain new tenants or renew expiring tenants, the ability to lease newly-developed and/or recently acquired space, the failure of a tenant to commence or complete tenant improvements on schedule or to occupy leased space, and the risk of declining leasing rates; changes in the preferences of our tenants brought about by the desire for co-working arrangements, trends toward utilizing less office space per employee, and the effect of employees working remotely; any adverse change in the financial condition or liquidity of one or more of our tenants or borrowers under our real estate debt investments; volatility in interest rates (including the impact upon the effectiveness of forward interest rate contract arrangements) and insurance rates; inflation; competition from other developers or investors; the risks associated with real estate developments (such as zoning approval, receipt of required permits, construction delays, cost overruns, and leasing risk); supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and increased construction costs; risks associated with security breaches through cyberattacks, cyber intrusions or otherwise, as well as other significant disruptions of our information technology networks and related systems, which support our operations and our buildings; changes in senior management, changes in the Company's board of directors, and the loss of key personnel; the potential liability for uninsured losses, condemnation, or environmental issues; the potential liability for a failure to meet regulatory requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar laws or the impact of any investigation regarding the same; the financial condition and liquidity of, or disputes with, joint venture partners; any failure to comply with debt covenants under debt instruments and credit agreements; any failure to continue to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust or meet regulatory requirements; potential changes to state, local, or federal regulations applicable to our business; material changes in dividend rates on common shares or other securities or the ability to pay those dividends; potential changes to the tax laws impacting real estate investment trusts and real estate in general; risks associated with climate change and severe weather events, as well as the regulatory efforts intended to reduce the effects of climate changes and investor and public perception of our efforts to respond to the same; the impact of newly adopted accounting principles on our accounting policies and on period-to-period comparisons of financial results; risks associated with possible federal, state, local, or property tax audits; and those additional risks and environmental or other factors discussed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company cannot guarantee the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements contained in this press release, and the Company does not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts Roni Imbeaux Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations 404-407-1104 rimbeaux@cousins.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cousins-properties-announces-pricing-of-senior-notes-offering-302330787.html SOURCE Cousins PropertiesGermany is to vote in an early election on February 23 after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition collapsed last month in a dispute over how to revitalise the country’s stagnant economy. Mr Musk’s guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag – a sister publication of Politico owned by the Axel Springer Group – published in German over the weekend, was the second time this month that he has supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. “The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country,” he wrote in his translated commentary. He went on to say that the far-right party “can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality”. The Tesla Motors chief executive also wrote that his investment in Germany gives him the right to comment on the country’s condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, Alice Weidel, has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. Billionaire Mr Musk, an ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, challenged in his opinion piece the party’s public image. “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” Mr Musk’s commentary has led to a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with the paper’s own opinion editor announcing her resignation, pointedly on Mr Musk’s social media platform, X. Eva Marie Kogel wrote: “I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS. Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print.” A critical article by the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Jan Philipp Burgard, accompanied Mr Musk’s opinion piece. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong,” he wrote. Responding to a request for comment from the German Press Agency, dpa, the current editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Ulf Poschardt, and Mr Burgard – who is due to take over on January 1 – said in a joint statement that the discussion over Mr Musk’s piece was “very insightful. Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression.” “This will continue to determine the compass of the ‘world’ in the future. We will develop ‘Die Welt’ even more decisively as a forum for such debates,” they wrote to dpa.Kate Middleton's brother James praises his 'incredible' sister in sweet tribute ahead of her Christmas Eve carol concert Royal Carols: Together At Christmas will air at 7:30pm on Christmas Eve READ MORE: Someone who looks VERY familiar is spotted at Kate's Christmas carol concert as nation prepares to tune in for show after her cancer recovery By ELEANOR DYE Published: 19:13, 24 December 2024 | Updated: 19:17, 24 December 2024 e-mail 10 View comments The Princess of Wales's brother James has shared a sweet tribute to his sister ahead of her annual Christmas Eve carol concert this evening. The entrepreneur, 37, who is Kate's younger brother, has thrown his support behind his sister as she returns to screens on ITV after an incredibly tough year, in which she completed preventative chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Taking to his Instagram account on Tuesday, James shared a picture of the concert's programme - which is illustrated with a picture from author Charlie Mackesy, alongside a touching message. In his post, James praised his 'incredible sister' for sharing a 'very powerful' message through her annual service. He also shared a quote from Kate, which read: 'At Christmas, and throughout the year, we must all shine for each other. Because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other's light.' He added: 'A very powerful message from my incredible sister at a special time of year. Merry Christmas to you all.' During the concert, an adorable moment between the Princess of Wales and her youngest child was captured on film - with six-year-old Prince Louis apparently offering his mother reassuring words of comfort, according to a leading lip reader. In the footage, the young royal is seen arriving at Kate's Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey armed with a sweet note to hang on the 'kindness tree' outside the historic London church. The Princess of Wales's brother James has shared a sweet tribute to his sister ahead of her annual Christmas Eve carol concert this evening. Pictured: The Princess of Wales during the service, which is due to air tonight James Middleton and his wife Alizee attending the service at Westminster Abbey on December 6 Families gathered on Christmas Eve are in for a regal treat when the Together at Christmas concert, which took place at Westminster Abbey earlier this month, airs at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX this evening. And Prince Louis, who has routinely stolen the limelight with his comical appearances at royal events, this time stole hearts. Expert lip reader Nicola Hickling has claimed what she thinks the young Prince is seen saying to his mother on one of her first major public appearances following treatment for cancer. Hickling suggests the young boy told the Princess of Wales at the service: 'We're looking out for each other.' As Louis strolled into the Princess' fourth annual concert alongside his father, Prince William, and his siblings, Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte, nine, the family are seen in the video quietly observing some of the red notes hung on the festive fir. And then the young prince steps forward to hang his own red tagged note, a special thank you to his maternal grandparents. The Middletons have thrown their support behind Kate throughout her cancer diagnosis. James and Kate pictured together as children Taking to his Instagram account on Tuesday, James shared a picture of the concert's programme - which is illustrated with a picture from author Charlie Mackesy, alongside a touching message In his post, James praised his 'incredible sister' for sharing a 'very powerful' message through her annual service A festive note for granny and grandad: Prince Louis, six, is seen hanging a note to his maternal grandparents on the 'kindness tree' at Westminster Abbey at Kate Middleton's carol concert The young royal clutched onto a note (pictured) that read: 'Thank you for granny and grandpa because they have played games with me Close bond: Lip Reader Nicola Hickling told The Sun what she thinks the Prince is seen saying to his mother as they stand together in church, claiming the young royal tells Kate 'We're looking out for each other.' Earlier today, the Princess of Wales, 42, posted a teaser of what viewers can expect at this evening's carol service, including an emotional message saying 'we are all each other's light' The new montage, posted today, sees footage from the service, which will air tonight, shared with the Prince and Princess of Wales' 16.8million Instagram followers The Princess of Wales makes an impassioned ask for the nation to 'shine for each other' in the short clip, which features her three children, from left Louis, Charlotte and George, arriving at Westminster Abbey together The handwritten festive card reads: 'Thank you for granny and grandpa because they have played games with me'. Lip reader Hickling told The Sun newspaper that the moment between mother and son was clearly a treasured one. Elsewhere, the Princess of Wales has told the nation that 'we must all shine for each other' in an emotional address posted on social media ahead of her carol concert tonight. Families gathered on Christmas Eve are in for a regal treat when The Princess of Wales' concert, which took place at Westminster Abbey earlier this month, airs this evening. And Kate offered a taster of what viewers can expect tonight with a video montage posted to the Wales' Instagram account, calling the concert, filled with royal and celebrity faces, 'a heartfelt celebration'. The short clip sees moments from the service including those who attended admiring Christmas messages on a 'kindness tree' outside the Abbey, the Princess chatting with youngsters before the service and teenage musicians playing instruments as the crowds entered. The message, posted to the Prince and Princess of Wales' 16.8million followers this afternoon, said the service reflects 'upon the importance of love and empathy'. It is the fourth time the royal has held the annual festive concert - but this year's is particularly poignant as the 42-year-old royal continues her recovery from cancer ; Prince William has described 2024 as 'probably the hardest year of my life'. The three siblings hold our traditional candles as they make their way to their seats in Westminster Abbey A festive handshake: The new video montage shows the Princess of Wales shaking hands with a young attendee of the service Kate's impassioned voice over thanks 'inspiring' people 'embracing those in need', saying: 'This carol service is a heartfelt celebration of everyone of you.' The royal continues, adding: 'It's a reminder that at Christmas and throughout the year we must all shine for each other because in times of joy and sadness, we are all each other's light'. Filmed earlier this month on December 6th, Royal Carols: Together At Christmas will air at 7:30pm on Christmas Eve on ITV1 and ITVX, with the princess joined by William, 42, and the couple's three children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte , nine, and Prince Louis , six. The concert marked one of the few times the mother-of-three has made a public appearance this year, after undergoing a course of preventative chemotherapy in the first half of 2024. Kate (pictured left) hosted her fourth 'Together at Christmas ' concert at Westminster Abbey at the start of December, with members of the royal family including Prince William and the Wales children Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in attendance Kate has been described as being ‘hands on’ over every aspect of the service, including holding regular planning meetings at Windsor ahead of filming. On the day the service was filmed, the Princess arrived on her own at 4pm to view the abbey and oversee last minute arrangements. However, the supportive royals have also helped Kate bring her ideas together, with everyone from King Charles , who donated Christmas trees, and Prince Louis, who penned a sweet note, helping to make the service a seasonal success. Royal fans will see the Princess of Wales looking elegant in an Alexander McQueen red coat, featuring a statement black bow, which she teamed with black Ralph Lauren boots for the festive occasion . The event, which was attended by 1,600 people will 'reflect upon...how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives' Here, FEMAIL looks at everything we know so far about the regal yuletide service... HOW THE SERVICE WILL UNFOLD The service will, Kensington Palace said, 'shine a light on individuals from all over the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities'. 'It's been a focal point for her, as it is each year,' a source added. Combining traditional and modern elements to encompass people of all faiths and none, the service will see the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir perform some of the nation’s most beloved carols, alongside musical performances by guests including Olivia Dean, Gregory Porter, Paloma Faith and JP Cooper, as well as a specially composed piece by pianist Rosey Chan. Guests will also watch a specially curated performance by two Soloists from The Royal Ballet and students from The Royal Ballet School. The event takes place at Westminster Abbey During the service, poignant readings linked to the theme of love and empathy will be delivered by speakers including The Prince of Wales, Olympian Adam Peaty OBE, Sophie Okonedo CBE, Michelle Dockery and Richard E. Grant. Alongside this, candles will be lit by notable people linked to the theme including Lindsey Burrow, Sir Chris Hoy MBE, and teammate Paralympians Lizzi Jordan and Danni Khan. Nodding to the importance of nature as a source of healing and comfort, the Abbey will be adorned with sustainable, festive decorations and foliage, providing a beautiful Christmas backdrop for the Service. This year a ‘Kindness Tree’ will be situated outside the Abbey for guests to dedicate a decoration to someone who has supported them throughout their life, highlighting the importance of empathy, love and kindness to us all. 'In addition, guests waiting to enter the Abbey, will be treated to 2 music by young performers, including a 25-piece steel pan band and jazz ensemble from Restore the Music, a nationwide charity funding music education for young people DRESS TO IMPRESS: THE PRINCESS OF WALES' OUTFIT A vision in festive red: Kate Middleton donned a couture coat by Alexander McQueen with a red tartan skirt The Princess of Wales finished her look with Mulberry Amberley Baroque Pearl Earrings and a £110 Gold Plated bangle by British brand Halcyon Days Wearing a highly festive Alexander McQueen red coat, with a large statement black bow, which she teamed with her black Ralph Lauren boots for the occasion. Looking typically stylish for the outing, Kate completed her festive ensemble with a red check skirt, her Mulberry Amberley Baroque Pearl Earrings and a £110 Gold Plated bangle by British brand Halcyon Days. The bangle is thought to have been a birthday present from Prince William in 2020, and features a subtle nod to Princess Diana as it's called 'the Salamander Torque Forget-Me-Not & Gold Bangle ' - named after the late royal's favourite flower. Showcasing her stylish prowess, Kate kept her brunette locks in soft waves and added to her features with a smattering of glamorous makeup . FROM ZARA TO BEATRICE: WHICH ROYALS ATTENDED THE SERVICE? The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, arrive for the Together At Christmas carol service A host of royal family members will be spotted by eagle-eyed viewers when the concert airs, as many of the Windsors turned out to support the Princess of Wales. The princess was, of course, joined by William, 42, and the couple's three children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six. The entire Middleton family too, who have been Kate's dedicated support network throughout her recent illness, was also out in force. The King and Queen, however, were not amongst the guests, with the filming coinciding with Camilla's ongoing recovery from a viral chest infection. The royal appeared to arrive at the event without her husband Mike Tindall, or the couple's three children, Mia Grace, Lena Elizabeth and Lucas Philip Sophie Winkleman and Lord Frederick Windsor also showed their support for Kate Princess Michael of Kent looked stunning in a red ensemble Zara Tindall , without her husband Mike or children Mia, Lena and Lucas, accompanied Princess Beatrice , who is pregnant with her second child, and her husband Edo Mapelli Mozzi and his young son Wolfie. Zara, the daughter of Princess Anne , looked sensational in a velour trouser-suit the colour of burgundy, alongside matching heels and a gold bag. And Beatrice picked a monochromatic burgundy ensemble, holding the hand of eight-year-old Wolfie as the family walked walked into Westminster Abbey to take their place among the 1,600-person strong congregation. A FAMOUS ILLUSTRATOR BEHIND THE ORDER OF SERVICE The cover for the Order of Service has been designed by British illustrator Charlie Mackesy and bears a powerful message of hope - as Kate returns to public life after completing her cancer treatment earlier this year A bespoke illustration by British artist Charles Mackesy - which embodies the service's themes of kindness, love and empathy - will be featured on the Order of Service. The image depicts a snowy scene with a group of people walking arm in arm towards Westminster Abbey, accompanied by the words 'How did I help? You were by my side, which was everything.' Mackesy is known for his bestselling book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse - which was published in 2019 and celebrates themes of kindness and friendship . He said: 'Love, empathy and kindness are important messages for us all. 'As the theme of The Princess of Wales' Carol Service this year, it was very special to have been asked to create the illustration for the Order of Service. I hope it reminds us of the beauty of being there for each other at Christmas.' Alongside the Order of Service, each guest will receive a special letter from the princess thanking them for all they have done to provide comfort and hope to those in need, telling them 'Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times'. MOTHER-AND-SON: A TENDER MOMENT BETWEEN KATE AND LOUIS The Princess of Wales and Prince Louis shared a very sweet moment in the first glimpse of the royals inside her 'Together At Christmas ' carol concert In a clip released by ITV ahead of the full service airing on Christmas Eve, the Princess of Wales and Prince Louis were seen sharing a very sweet moment as British actress Sophie Okonedo read a poem, The Kindness Of Trees. As the actress, 56, read the poem, the camera panned to the audience to show the royals listening attentively. In a heartwarming moment, the youngest Wales sibling, six-year-old Prince Louis appeared to be looking at his mother Kate to gauge her reaction. Kate has released another sneak peak at the service, showing British actress Sophie Okonedo reading a poem, The Kindness Of Trees As the royals listened to poem The Kindness Of Trees, Louis looked up at his mother to see her reaction Smiling down at him, the two shared a loving glance before continuing to listen to the poem. Princess Charlotte, nine, meanwhile appeared to be closely following along to the poem on her Order Of Service sheet, smiling as she did so. Next to her, Prince William and Prince George, 11, were focused on listening to Sophie, as the Hotel Rwanda star read: 'The tree roared in the wind in the dead midwinter night / 'The tree blew a hello, goodbye, when every child was asleep in bed, the tree sung a lullaby.' STAR-SPOTTING: CELEBRITIES WHO ATTENDED The Princess of Wales has also called upon a host of famous faces to help pull together her annual service. Hannah Waddingham led the pack as she stepped out in a floral dress that she teamed with a burgundy coat slung over her shoulders. The Ted Lasso star, 50, was joined by her 10-year-old daughter Kitty for the carols. During the concert, poignant readings linked to the theme of love and empathy will be delivered by speakers including Olympian Adam Peaty OBE, Sophie Okonedo CBE, Michelle Dockery and Richard E. Grant. Alongside this, candles will be lit by notable people linked to the theme including Lindsey Burrow, Sir Chris Hoy MBE, and teammate Paralympians Lizzi Jordan and Danni Khan. Hannah Waddingham attends the 'Together At Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey dressed in a black floral print dress Sir Chris Hoy and his wife Sara looked in high spirits at Westminster Abbey Giovanna Fletcher and Tom Fletcher walk hand in hand as they arrive for Kate Middleton's carol concert Susanna Reid is snapped wearing a burgundy velvet pantsuit with glitzy heels Also dressed to impress was Paloma, who exuded glamour in a scarlet gown with puffed sleeves and intricate embroidery detail Others in attendance included GMB host Susannah Reid and another ITV breakfast star, Lorraine Kelly, who wore a coat made from Scottish tartan. Also dressed to impress was Paloma Faith, who exuded glamour in a scarlet gown with puffed sleeves and intricate embroidery detail. Sticking with an all-red theme, the singer even donned scarlet tights and accessorised with slingback heels and gloves. Strictly's Amy Dowden also looked chic in all-red, pairing a fitted jumpsuit with a longline coat and stiletto heels. Olympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy, who is terminally ill with prostate cancer, lit a candle as did Lindsey Burrow, the wife of former rugby league star Rob Burrow who died in June following a much-publicised battle with motor neurone disease. 'REFLECT AND SLOW DOWN': KATE'S FESTIVE MESSAGE The service will begin with a voice over message by the Princess of Wales, in which she asks The broadcast of Kate's service will open with a special festive message from the royal, in which she talks about the importance of love and empathy. The Princess of Wales has called for people to 'slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all' and turn to 'love, not fear'. Her heartfelt message - which was given in a letter to every guest at the concert on December 6, and 15 regional community services and will be a voice over played at the start of the concert - was also shared in a clip from the upcoming broadcast. Kate says: 'Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year, it is a time for presents, tinsel and mince pies, but it's also a time to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all. 'It is when we stop and take ourselves away from the pressures of daily life, that we find the space to live our lives with an open heart, with love, kindness and forgiveness, so much of what the Christmas spirit is all about. A letter from The Princess of Wales for the 2024 Together at Christmas Carol Service The Princess of Wales has called for people to 'slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all' and turn to 'love, not fear' in the opening for her annual carol concert 'The Christmas story encourages us to consider the experiences and feelings of others. It also reflects our own vulnerabilities and reminds us of the importance of giving and receiving empathy, as well as just how much we need each other in spite of our differences. Above all else, it encourages us to turn to love, not fear.' Kate continues: 'The love that we show ourselves and the love we show others. Love that listens with empathy, love that is kind and understanding, love that is forgiving, and love that brings joy and hope. 'It is love which is the greatest gift we can receive, not just at Christmas but every day of our lives. PRINCE LOUIS' SWEET NOTE OF SUPPORT Prince Louis gripped onto a sweet handwritten note as he arrived at his mother's carol concert at Westminster Abbey this evening. As the six-year-old royal walked into the Together at Christmas event alongside his father, Prince William, and his siblings, Prince George, 11, and Princess Charlotte , nine, he held onto a special thank you note. Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey The young royal clutched onto a note (pictured) that read: 'Thank you for granny and grandpa because they have played games with me The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children, Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte, arrive for the Together At Christmas carol service 'Thank you for granny and grandpa because they have played games with me,' the special message read. The young royal, who is known for his cheeky tendencies, shares a close bond with Michael and Carole Middleton . He carried the note to add to a 'kindness tree', as guests had been invited to write the name of someone who had helped them this year on red card to decorate the tree. A GIFT FROM THE KING: CHARLES DONATED TREES FOR THE SERVICE The King and Queen were not amongst the guests at the concert, but Charles did donate Christmas trees from Windsor Great Park to decorate the building, which will later be donated to the local community. Kate Middleton Prince William Royals ITV Share or comment on this article: Kate Middleton's brother James praises his 'incredible' sister in sweet tribute ahead of her Christmas Eve carol concert e-mail Add comment

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Meta, Apple, OpenAI, and are set to launch new technology in the new year. In 2025, expect a display in Meta's glasses and a Gemini-infused mixed-reality headset. Apple reportedly has several new offerings in the works, like an iPhone Air and a new iPhone SE. on releasing AI updates and hardware in 2024 — and you can expect the same pattern in 2025. Many companies made flashy product announcements and gave extravagant demonstrations this year, but several of those offerings aren't available quite yet. Examples include Apple's revamped Siri, Meta's Orion glasses, and . While some release dates remain unclear, here's what you can expect to see from Big Tech companies in 2025. on Monday that was adding a screen inside its Ray-Ban smart glasses that could be available in an update as early as the second half of 2025. The screen would be able to display notifications and responses from Meta's chatbot, the report said. , Meta's chief technology officer and head of Reality Labs, wrote in a blog post in December that in 2025 users could expect personalized AI assistants that don't just respond to prompts but help them throughout their day. "One of the things I'm most excited about for 2025 is the evolution of AI assistants," Bosworth said. is expected to release a "more personal" Siri, but it's unclear whether that would come next year or with the Siri update expected in 2026. Apple is expected to announce in 2025. A in November said Apple could also announce the release of a smart home device as early as March. The report said the device may be a wall-mounted iPad-like tablet that can control appliances, manage video calls, and use AI to access apps. The tech giant is also set to announce a sleek and a new version of the budget-friendly , Bloomberg reported. The new iPhone SE, that report said, would eliminate the home button and is expected to support Apple Intelligence. has been working on GPT-5 for more than a year and a half, but the model has been pushed back. It's unclear when exactly it will launch, but it might in 2025. The model is expected to have impressive capabilities that surpass . It could complete multistep tasks and work with audio, video, and text. It would also have a large context window, allowing it to process more text. While doesn't anticipate the Cybercab hitting volume production until 2026, he said in that he expected to get regulatory approval in 2025. He also said the company was on track to start producing more-affordable EV models in the first half of 2025. "These vehicles will utilize aspects of the next-generation platform as well as aspects of our current platforms and will be able to be produced on the same manufacturing lines as our current vehicle lineup," Musk said. Musk also said in a post on X in July that Tesla would have humanoid robots in "low production" for the company's internal use in 2025 and in high production for external companies in 2026. In partnership with Samsung and Qualcomm, is introducing its approach to mixed reality with the release of the Android XR spatial computing platform. The company said the first device, built by Samsung and code-named Project Moohan, would be available to purchase next year. The device would offer typical mixed-reality experiences and an integrated Gemini. "With Gemini, our AI assistant, you can even have conversations about what you're seeing or control your device," the company said. "Gemini can understand your intent, helping you plan, research topics and guide you through tasks." A Google DeepMind spokesperson said capabilities from research prototypes like Project Astra, which Google hopes will become a universal assistant, would graduate to Google applications and services. But they said there were no plans to make Project Astra generally available itself. Read the original article onAddressing a press conference here, Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh raised questions over outcome in Maharashtra where BJP and its allies Shiv Sena and NCP are heading for a landslide victory. Published: November 24, 2024 2:32 AM IST By Edited by Congress on Saturday expressed satisfaction over the result of Jharkhand assembly polls, saying the party has done well in the state and that it will analyse the outcome in Maharashtra which is “completely opposite” to the expectations and “very strange”. Addressing a press conference here, Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh raised questions over outcome in Maharashtra where BJP and its allies Shiv Sena and NCP are heading for a landslide victory. Jairam Ramesh said somewhere “there is a conspiracy” to defeat the Congress. Pawan Khera said BJP suffered a setback in Maharashtra in the Lok Sabha polls about five months back and raised questions over BJP’s strike rate in Maharashtra assembly polls. He said the Congress was concerned about its electoral transparency and will continue to raise concerns about electoral process. “The Lok Sabha election was fought in the name of Modi ji in Maharashtra, BJP lost it. The same state gives the same BJP 132 out of 148 seats within 4-5 months. What kind of strike rate is this? ...Is this strike rate possible? Democracy is our concern. Electoral transparency is our concern. Can the BJP reverse anti-incumbency? We complained continuously. Jairam Ramesh had complained about the name being deleted from the Election Commission’s website from the house of a woman BJP leader. All the leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi had complained. No answer was given,” he said. “Whether we win or lose, we will continue to question the election process. In a country where exam papers are leaked, can we blindly trust the machines? You cannot shut us up by showing the results of Jharkhand. To date, apart from the poetry, we have not received any concrete answer from the Election Commission,” he added. Jairam Ramesh said the setback in Maharashtra does not mean that the party will step back from its agenda including demand for caste census. “We will definitely analyse the result that has come. But today we can say that even those who won did not anticipate that this result would come. We were assuming that we will get the mandate. The farmers of Maharashtra are angry, the working class of Maharashtra is against the government. And the atmosphere that was there in Maharashtra 4-5 months ago, the same atmosphere is there today too, we were assuming this and everyone accepted this,” he said. “But the results that have come are completely opposite to this. But this does not mean that we will step back from our agenda... somewhere there is a conspiracy to defeat us... The result of Maharashtra is very strange, I cannot use any other word for it, it is absolutely strange,” he added. Khera said in Jharkhand, RSS and BJP “tried to make a laboratory” in tribal areas but it was rejected. “Himanta Biswa Sarma became their poster boy. The poster boy left no stone unturned there...The people of Jharkhand completely rejected this kind of politics and again made a working government win with a good majority. Congress performed well there,” he said. In Maharashtra, BJP has won or is ahead in 132 seats, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has won or is ahead in 57 seats and NCP led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar is poised to win 41 seats. The state has 288 assembly seats. The constituents of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a rude jolt with Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray poised to win 20 seats, Congress 16, and NCP (SP) led by Sharad Pawar only 10 seats. In Jharkhand, the ruling JMM led the ruling coalition to a convincing victory. The JMM has won or is leading on 34 seats. Its allies are poised to win 22 more seats – Congress 16, RJD on 4 and CPI(ML) two. BJP is ahead or has won 21 seats. Polling was held for 81 seats in Jharkhand. This is first time since the creation of the state that an alliance has won polls after five years in power. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on or follow us on and . Read more on Latest on . Topics

Mobileye Global (NASDAQ:MBLY) Trading 2.1% Higher – Here’s WhyAnge Postecoglou has castigated Timo Werner ’s first-half performance for Tottenham Hotspur against Rangers as “not acceptable” after taking him off at half-time. Werner started at Ibrox but made no impact on the game, lost the ball repeatedly, and was withdrawn for Dejan Kulusevski at the interval. Kulusevski went on to score the second-half equaliser. Advertisement Postecoglou was brutally honest about Werner’s performance in his post-match press conference, saying that was not “anywhere near” the expected level. Postecoglou revealed he told Werner what he thought of his performance, and that he was especially disappointed given Spurs’ reliance on teenagers Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall . “He wasn’t playing anywhere near the level he should,” Postecoglou said, when asked why he had withdrawn Werner at the break. When asked whether he needed more from the Germany international, Postecoglou agreed. “When you’ve got 18-year-olds, it’s not acceptable to me,” he said. “I said that to Timo. He’s a senior international, he’s a Germany international. In the moment we’re in right now, it’s not like we’ve got many options. I need everyone to at least be going out there trying to give the best of themselves. His performance in the first half wasn’t acceptable.” Spurs currently have Richarlison and Wilson Odobert out with hamstring injuries and Mikey Moore out with illness, leaving them short on attacking options. Werner has only scored once this season and has not made an impact in recent weeks. “It’s not really of great concern,” Postecoglou said when asked to explain Werner’s poor performance. “We need everybody including him to be contributing. Because we don’t have the depth to leave people out if they’re performing poorly. We need them to play their part. Especially the senior guys. When I’m asking younger guys to do massive jobs. I expect a level of performance from some of the senior guys. And today wasn’t that.” Postecoglou has traditionally defended his players in public even after poor performances. This criticism of Werner was most critical Postecoglou has ever been of one of his Spurs players. Postecoglou’s side are now five games without a win and the point leaves them ninth in the Europa League table, just outside the top eight who qualify for the last 16 without needing to go through a playoff round. Tottenham are next in action against Southampton in the Premier League on Sunday. They are 11th in the table, three points behind 10th-placed Fulham . GO DEEPER The really bad news for Tottenham: Things will get worse before they get better (Top photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)Total Energy Services Inc. ( OTCMKTS:TOTZF – Get Free Report ) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 8,400 shares, an increase of 68.0% from the November 30th total of 5,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 5,500 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.5 days. Total Energy Services Price Performance Shares of TOTZF stock opened at $8.25 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $7.93 and a 200 day simple moving average of $7.28. Total Energy Services has a fifty-two week low of $5.72 and a fifty-two week high of $8.71. Total Energy Services Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Read More Receive News & Ratings for Total Energy Services Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Total Energy Services and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Nick Kyrgios says positive tests for duo are ‘disgusting’ and ‘a horrible look’

Titans QB Mason Rudolph gets another chance at starting, this time against the Jags

After closing the books on a banner year for US stocks, investors expect to ride seasonal momentum into mid-January when a slew of economic data and a transition of power in Washington could send markets moving. The S&P 500 rose almost 27% in 2024 through Dec. 26, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite index, which surpassed 20,000 for the first time in December, is up 33.4%. November through January is traditionally a strong period in the market, said Michael Rosen, chief investment officer at Angeles Investments. Additionally, stocks tend to do well in the last five trading days of December and into the first two days of January, a phenomenon dubbed the Santa Claus rally, which has driven S&P gains of an average of 1.3% since 1969, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac. For the last four trading sessions, the S&P rose 2.91%, while the Nasdaq is up 3.3%, lifting hopes for a repeat. "The underlying data suggests that that's likely to continue," Rosen said. Just how long that momentum lasts will depend on several forces that could help drive markets in 2025. Monthly US employment data on Jan. 10 should give investors a fresh view into the health and strength of the US economy. Job growth rebounded in November following hurricane- and strike-related setbacks earlier in the year. The market's strength will be tested again shortly after, when US companies start reporting fourth-quarter earnings. Investors anticipate a 10.6% earnings per share growth in 2025, versus a 12.16% expected rise in 2024, according to LSEG data, although excitement over President-elect Donald Trump's policies is expected to boost the outlook for some sectors, like banks, energy and crypto. "There's the hope that taxes and regulations will be lowered or reduced next year, that will help support corporate profits, which are what drive the market in the first place," said Rosen. Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20 could also throw the markets some curve balls. He is expected to release at least 25 executive orders in his first day on a range of issues from immigration to energy and crypto policy. Trump has also threatened tariffs on goods from China and levies on products from both Mexico and Canada, as well as to crack down on immigration, creating costs that companies could ultimately pass on to consumers. Helen Given, associate director of trading at Monex USA, said a new administration always brings with it a large degree of uncertainty. There is also a good chance the impact of the Trump administration's expected trade policies is far from fully priced into global currency markets, she added. "We're looking ahead to see which of those proposed policies actually are enacted, which might be further down the pipeline," Given said, adding she expected a big impact on the euro, Mexican peso, the Canadian dollar, and the Chinese yuan. The conclusion of the Federal Reserve's first monetary policy meeting of the year in late January could also present a challenge to the US stocks rally. Stocks tumbled on December 18 when the Fed implemented its third interest-rate cut for the year and signalled fewer cuts in 2025 because of an uncertain inflation outlook, disappointing investors who had expected lower rates to boost corporate profits and valuations. Still, that could be good for alternative assets like cryptocurrencies. The incoming crypto-friendly Trump administration is adding to a number of catalysts that are boosting crypto investors' confidence, said Damon Polistina, head of research at investment platform Eaglebrook Advisors. Bitcoin surged above $107,000 this month on hopes of friendlier Trump policies. "Crypto is viewed broadly as a kind of risk on assets. So, any Fed cutting rates is a positive... Any positive economic data in early January will help maintain the momentum that we're seeing," Polistina added.

Jonas Hu Announces Key Strategies for Integrating Chinese Culture into Modern Media in Exclusive InterviewMinutes after the University of North Carolina announced it had hired Bill Belichick as its next head football coach, the Tar Heels’ Instagram account posted a photo of the legendary NFL coach — at no more than 3 years old — sitting in the UNC bleachers. “Welcome home, Coach,” the post reads , dredging up the memory of when the young Belichick shadowed his father, Steve, who was a UNC assistant from 1953 to 1955. As news of his hiring spread around the NFL world, the reaction ranged from excitement at seeing him back on the sideline to disbelief. The most decorated coach in NFL history after earning six Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots, and two more as the defensive coordinator with the New York Giants, Belichick is officially making his next challenge college football after agreeing to a five-year deal with UNC. “I will have to see him on the sideline to believe that’s happening,” Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury joked Thursday. “We’ll see how the NFL job search goes and all that. I will have to see him on the sideline coaching in Chapel Hill to believe that’s happening." While Belichick’s knowledge of the sport, and his success, are unquestioned, there has been debate among those who have played for the 72-year-old coach during his 40-plus years in football about how well his style will translate to the college game. Some of his former players believe his skill set will work at any level. That list apparently includes Tom Brady, the quarterback during all six of Belichick’s Super Bowl wins with New England. “Congrats, coach. The Tar Heel way is about to become a thing,” Brady posted on Instagram on Thursday, referencing “The Patriot Way” that he popularized in New England. Some cautioned that the players he brings into the UNC program should prepare to have their limits tested like never before. “I think he’s going to do good,” said Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne, who played under Belichick during his final three years in New England. “Bill does a good job of developing players, developing young men. I think it will be a challenge for the young man. He’s a tough coach, which we all know. But I think it will be good for certain players that have the right mindset.” Bourne's advice? Always stay locked in mentally. “Just stay tough,” Bourne said. “Have a gritty mindset because it’s not going to be easy, but in the end, it’s going to be worth it." Though some have questioned why the Tar Heels would even consider hiring Belichick after parting ways with 73-year-old Mack Brown this season, current Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said good coaching is ageless. “To me, it doesn’t matter if you’re a young man or a 10-year vet in the league, he’s a great teacher,” said Mayo, who played eight seasons under Belichick, winning a Super Bowl during the 2014 season, and then succeeded him as head coach after last season. "I wish him nothing but the best. It doesn’t really matter what level, I think he’ll be successful.” NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders is a relative newcomer to the college game himself. He spent three seasons at Jackson State before going to Colorado in 2023. In a message posted to the X social media platform, he welcomed Belichick as a competitor. “Coach Bill Belichick is a coaches coach to all us Coaches along with my man coach (NIck) Saban,” Sanders posted. “They’re game changers and they know how to move people forward. I know this is a great thing for College Football & for North Carolina. God bless u Coach, if you’re happy I am 2.” But former Patriots defensive back Je’Rod Cherry wonders how well Belichick’s old-school coaching style will be received in an era in which in-your-face methods don't always fly as well as they did when Belichick began his career. “You can’t coach hard anymore,” Cherry said during an appearance on ESPN GameNight. “You can’t yell at guys, curse at guys and that’s what he does. You are going to have to find guys who are going to accept that brand of coaching and will accept someone constantly getting on them." New York Jets safety Jalen Mills, who played for Belichick with the Patriots from 2021 to 2023, said he was surprised by the news. “I thought he definitely was going to try to wait it out until after the season and come back to the NFL,” Mills said. "But I think it’s gonna be a good thing for him because now you get a guy who has won and, of course, he’s going to try to turn that program around. But he also gets to connect with the younger generation and kind of modify and adjust to this younger generation of football on top of what he already knows. So I think that’ll just help him as far as coaching. And then, of course, he’ll give those guys, those young guys, structure as far as what the NFL looks like, too.” Just how much the Belichick on the college sidelines will resemble the one in the cutoff hooded sweatshirt who patrolled NFL sidelines is unclear. Belichick hinted they will be one and the same. During an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN prior to agreeing to the UNC job, Belichick laid out what his approach at the college level would be. “The program would be a pipeline to the NFL for the players than have the ability to play in the NFL,” Belichick said. “It would be a professional program — training, nutrition, scheme, coaching, techniques — that would transfer to the NFL. It would be an NFL program at a college level.” ___ AP National Writer Howard Fendrich and Pro Football Writer Dennis Waszak contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Kyle Hightower, The Associated Press