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NATO and Ukraine to hold emergency talks after Russian attack with hypersonic missileSEATAC, Washington — Background music is no longer an afterthought at many airports, which are hiring local musicians and carefully curating playlists to help lighten travelers’ moods . London’s Heathrow Airport built a stage to showcase emerging British performers for the first time this summer. The program was so successful the airport hopes to bring it back in 2025. Nashville International Airport has five stages that host more than 800 performances per year, from country musicians to jazz combos. In the Dominican Republic , Punta Cana International Airport greets passengers with live merengue music. Tiffany Idiart and her two nieces were delighted to hear musicians during a recent layover at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport . “I like it. There’s a lot of people here and they can all hear it,” said Grace Idiart, 9. “If their flight got delayed or something like that, they could have had a hard day. And so the music could have made them feel better.” Airports are also carefully curating their recorded playlists. Detroit Metro Airport plays Motown hits in a tunnel connecting its terminals. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Texas has a playlist of local artists compiled by an area radio station. Singapore’s Changi Airport commissioned a special piano accompaniment for its giant digital waterfall. Music isn’t a new phenomenon in airport terminals. Brian Eno’s “Music for Airports,” an album released in 1978, helped define the ambient music genre. It’s minimalist and designed to calm. But Barry McPhillips, the head of international creative for Mood Media, which provides music for airports and other public spaces, said technology is enabling background music to be less generic and more tailored to specific places or times of day. Mood Media – formerly known as Muzak – develops playlists to appeal to business travelers or families depending on who’s in the airport at any given time. It might program calmer music in the security line but something more energizing in the duty-free store. “We see it as a soundscape,” McPhillips said. “We design for all of these moments.” There’s a science to Mood Music’s decisions on volume, tempo, even whether to play a song in a major key versus a minor one, he added. “How do we want to affect their mood at that moment?” McPhillips said. “It’s not just like, ‘Here’s a load of songs.’ It’s a load of songs for that 10-minute segment, and then we move to the next 10 minutes.” At the same time, many airports are going low-tech, hiring local musicians to serenade travelers and give them a sense of the place they’re passing through. Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports have more than 100 live performances each year. Phoenix’s Sky Harbor International Airport began a live music program five years ago and now has two stages featuring local artists. Tami Kuiken, the manager of airport music in Seattle, said the Seattle-Tacoma airport launched its live music program about a decade ago after a city commissioner heard live music at the airport in Austin, Texas . “The idea was like, ’Man, why doesn’t Seattle have music? We’re a music city too,” Kuiken said. At first, the airport created a playlist featuring emerging artists along with famous ones like Pearl Jam . Then it decided to try live musicians for a 12-week trial. It was so successful that the airport now features live musicians daily and is building new performance spaces. “People’s anxiety levels are very high when they’re traveling,” Kuiken said. “The feedback that we started getting was that once they got through the checkpoint and they were greeted with music, all of a sudden their anxiety and stress levels dropped.” The programs also benefit musicians, who get paid to perform and gain wider exposure. When Colorado Springs Airport announced a live music program in March, more than 150 musicians applied. It now hosts two two-hour performances each week. David James, a singer and guitarist who plays at Seattle’s airport about once a week, said waking up in time for a daytime gig took some adjustment. But he’s gained new fans from all over the world. “I get really sweet responses from people all the time, saying, ‘That was so soothing to be able to just sit and listen to music in between flights,’” James said. “So it feels like it’s especially therapeutic for people.” Country stars like Blake Shelton and Keith Urban have come through Nashville’s airport and interacted with local musicians, said Stacey Nickens, the airport’s vice president of corporate communications and marketing. Shelton even gave one his guitar. Otto Stuparitz, a musicologist and lecturer at the University of Amsterdam who has studied airport music, said airports should think carefully about their selections. Music that’s meant to be actively listened to – like live music or catchy pop songs – can be very distracting in an already chaotic environment, he said. He has noticed some airports – especially in Europe -- turning off piped melodies altogether. But McPhillips said big spaces like airports can feel cold and unwelcoming without background music. “A well-crafted audio strategy is one that people aren’t particularly cognizant of,” he said. “They just know they’re having a good time and that it’s appropriate.” --DEE-ANN DURBIN and MANUEL VALDES/The Associated PressBuck with mysterious tag in B.C. backyard reveals AI scam targeting seniors
Manufacturer marks Official Supplier status with 5 millionth tankless water heater donation and 50-year anniversary milestone PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Rinnai America Corporation — manufacturer of a leading brand of tankless gas water heaters in North America — is proud to announce a landmark partnership with Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to building and donating specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives. The new agreement makes Rinnai the Official Supplier of water heaters for new homes across the country through 2027. This exclusive collaboration strengthens both organizations' shared commitment to providing Veterans and their families with the resources they need to rebuild their lives after service. Also celebrating 50 years in North America , Rinnai marked the occasion by donating the 5 millionth tankless water heater manufactured at its state-of-the-art facility in Griffin, Georgia for a new home under construction in Texas . "Celebrating 50 years and reaching 5 million tankless water heaters sold in the North American market are significant milestones for us but knowing that our donation is helping a Veteran and their family start a new chapter in life is incredibly meaningful," said Frank Windsor , President, Rinnai America Corporation. "We are honored to help restore some of the freedom and independence to the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much defending our country. Our continued partnership with Homes For Our Troops is a powerful way for us to give back and deliver our brand promise of 'Creating a healthier way of living'." Since its inception in 2004, HFOT has built over 400 homes. Each specially adapted energy efficient home is designed to comfortably raise a family while limiting future expenses. Equipped with Rinnai's durable and highly energy efficient products, the homes constructed as part of this partnership will help reduce the families' long-term utility costs and serve as a safe and welcoming place to call home for years to come. "We are incredibly proud to extend our partnership with Rinnai. The company's passion for assisting Veterans and their families significantly helps us advance our mission of Building Homes and Rebuilding Lives for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans," said HFOT President/CEO, Brig. Gen., USA (Ret) Tom Landwermeyer . "These Veterans face enormous challenges, and through this partnership, we are also providing the comfort and convenience of a high-quality water heater to help create a home that promotes healing and independence." Army SGT Christopher Leverkuhn will receive the 5 millionth product, a SENSEI ® RX Series, for his home currently under construction in Kerrville, Texas . The most advanced condensing tankless water heater on the market, it sets the standard for efficiency at 0.98 UEF and creates a healthier way of living by delivering the ultimate in comfort, smart design and unlimited hot water. Over the next three years, Rinnai will donate appropriate products with features ideal for the hot water demands of each Veterans' home. Many will receive Rinnai's newest condensing tankless water heater, the SENSEI RXP. This product comes equipped with a built-in recirculation pump to deliver faster hot water to the faucet. Rinnai will also provide its RWM200 WiFi module, which can be used with the Rinnai Central TM app to control temperature and recirculation patterns. Veterans may also receive Rinnai's new electric heat pump water heater , one of the most sustainable electric water heating solutions available, meeting highest efficiency standards while reducing energy usage and costs. The agreement highlights the growing commitment of the sustainable manufacturer's corporate responsibility and charitable giving in addressing the needs of Veterans and their families. In addition to HFOT, Rinnai partners with Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. These organizations prove that partnerships can lead to lasting change and help those who have given so much for their country. About Homes For Our Troops: Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) is a publicly funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives. Most of these Veterans have sustained injuries including multiple limb amputations, partial or full paralysis, and/or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). These homes restore some of the freedom and independence our Veterans sacrificed while defending our country, and enable them to focus on their family, recovery, and rebuilding their lives. Since its inception in 2004, nearly 90 cents of every dollar spent has gone to our program services for Veterans. HFOT builds these homes where the veteran chooses to live and continues its relationship with the Veterans after home delivery to assist them with rebuilding their lives. www.hfotusa.org . About Rinnai: Rinnai America Corporation, a subsidiary of Rinnai Corporation in Nagoya, Japan , was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Peachtree City, Georgia . Rinnai Corporation manufactures gas appliances, including tankless water heaters, a wide range of kitchen appliances, and heating and air conditioning units. As the technology leader in its industry, Rinnai is the largest gas appliance manufacturer in Japan and is the No. 1 selling brand of tankless gas water heaters in the United States and Canada . Annual corporate revenues, including those of its subsidiaries, are in excess of $3.3 billion . With a global perspective to create 21st-century products for the home and business, Rinnai Corporation commits itself to safety and Creating a healthier way of living ® . For more information about Rinnai's entire product line, visit www.rinnai.us . Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. Rinnai ® and Creating a healthier way of living ® are the registered trademarks of Rinnai Corporation used under license by Rinnai America Corporation. SOURCE Rinnai America CorporationINDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), a global leader in high-speed autonomy, is gearing up for a monumental return to CES 2025 with exciting new developments, including the introduction of multicar racing and the future of physical AI . Set to take place on January 9, 2025 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway from 2-4 PM PST , the Autonomous Challenge at CES 2025 will mark a significant milestone in the development of autonomous technologies, offering attendees a firsthand look at the evolution of AI in high-speed motorsport. A New Era of AI Racing: Multicar Showdown and Tiered Competitions Having introduced the world to head-to-head autonomous racing three years ago at CES, the IAC will attempt another historic feat during CES 2025 with a multicar exhibition race. Teams will run 3-4 autonomous racecars on track at the same time, in a thrilling 20-lap format. This marks a significant leap forward in high-speed autonomy, as the exhibition race will test not just individual car performance but the ability of AI systems to manage complex multi-agent interactions at high speed. The IAC race event at CES2025 will feature a progressive three-tiered structure, designed to ensure teams at every level can actively compete and push the boundaries of their AI driver development: Tier 1 : Single-car time trials, providing teams an opportunity to demonstrate the stability of their AI driver at extreme high speeds. Tier 2 : A two-car passing competition, designed to challenge teams with strategic racing and AI adaptability in head-to-head racing scenarios. Tier 3 : Multicar racing event, where 3-4 racecars compete in an open racing format, testing the limits of AI driver multi-agent interaction and high speeds. This structure allows for a progressive increase in AI racing difficulty, ensuring all teams, regardless of experience, have a chance to showcase their AI driver development in the ever-evolving landscape of autonomous racing. New Teams and Exciting Partnership The IAC has also welcomed two new university teams: Indiana University and California Institute of Technology , bringing the total number of IAC teams to ten. These new additions further elevate the competition, expanding the IAC’s global pool of talent and expertise that are working on a common AI and robotics platform to accelerate the future of high-speed autonomy The IAC’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI extends beyond racing, through a strategic collaboration with the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) which selected IAC as an official test and evaluation platform to be used in improving AI training for autonomous systems. This work is part of a new DARPA program, Transfer Learning from Imprecise and Abstract Models to Autonomous Technologies (TIAMAT) which aims to address the “simulation to real” gap in AI training. “The Indy Autonomous Challenge is truly leading the charge in the physical AI revolution,” said Paul Mitchell, President of the Indy Autonomous Challenge. “By pushing the limits of autonomous technology on the racetrack, we’re not just developing AI that can drive racecars—we’re creating systems that can be applied to everything from aviation to autonomous vehicles and robotics. The race at CES will be a showcase of cutting-edge innovation, and it’s also a great example of what can be achieved when government, academia, and industry come together to tackle some of the biggest tech challenges of our time.” IAC at CES 2025: A Hub for Innovation As a leader in the physical AI revolution , the IAC will take center stage at CES 2025 , the world’s largest innovation event. The IAC will have a prominent display in the West Hall lobby, showcasing the IAC-AV-24 world’s fastest autonomous racecar, along with a series of CES Conference Sessions exploring the future of AI in motorsport and beyond. Sessions include: How To Build Physical AI for Mobility Tuesday, January 7, 2025 10:30-11 AM PST LVCC West Hall, Level 1, CES 2025 Mobility Stage AI is learning to drive! What will it take to safely and securely build, test, and deploy Physical AI solutions for mobility? Physical AI: Moving From Bits to Atoms Tuesday, January 7, 2025 4-4:40 PM PST LVCC West Hall Lobby, CTA Main Stage The AI revolution is already underway in the digital world. How can industry, academia, and government work together to accelerate the adoption of AI in the physical world? Indy Autonomous Challenge: Racing in the Cloud Wednesday, January 8, 2025 5:30-6 PM PST LVCC, West Hall, Amazon Theater, #4000 Learn how the dSPACE driving simulator on AWS simulates and validates autonomous race cars for AI drivers in the Indy Autonomous Challenge. These sessions will provide key insights into the future of physical AI and its potential to revolutionize mobility while increasing sustainability and quality of life. Race Day and VIP Experience at CES The Indy Autonomous Challenge race day at CES 2025 will be held at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, setting the stage for a thrilling exhibition of innovation, speed, and AI advancement. Taking place on January 9 from 2-4 PM PST , this exciting autonomous race event will include three competitions: Time Trials, Passing Competition, and Multicar Race Exhibition. Ample parking will be available at the venue, and rideshare drop-offs are encouraged for added convenience. This year’s official IAC at CES Media Briefing will take place at the Media Center of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on January 9, 2025, at 1:15 PM , right before race activities begin. Reporters will receive the latest updates, learn about the innovations on the track, and have the opportunity for an open Q&A with IAC leadership and team leads. Media Registration: To attend any IAC track events as media, including tier 1, 2 and 3 exhibitions and/or to attend the media briefing, please register here . Media Contact & Resources: To request an interview with IAC stakeholders or to plan media tours at the track and/or booth, please contact IAC@OneMoreVolley.com . High-resolution images and additional information about the Indy Autonomous Challenge are available on the IAC Media Page . About the IAC: The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) is a non-profit organization based in Indianapolis, Indiana (USA) that organizes racing competitions among university-affiliated teams from around the world. Teams program AI drivers to pilot fully autonomous racecars and compete in a series of history-making events at iconic tracks. The IAC is working to establish a hub for performance automation in the state and is harnessing the power of innovative competitions to attract the best and the brightest minds from around the globe to further state-of-the-art technology in the safety and performance of autonomous vehicles. The IAC started as a $1 million prize competition with 31 university teams signing up to compete more than four years ago, representing top engineering and technology programs from 15 U.S. states and 11 countries. Follow the IAC on LinkedIn , Twitter , Instagram , Facebook , & YouTube . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219471601/en/ IAC@OneMoreVolley.com KEYWORD: INDIANA NEVADA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL SERVICES MOTOR SPORTS INTERIOR DESIGN OTHER ENTERTAINMENT CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY DATA ANALYTICS NANOTECHNOLOGY AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING SOFTWARE NETWORKS MANUFACTURING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY SPORTS HARDWARE ENTERTAINMENT ELECTRONIC DESIGN AUTOMATION DATA MANAGEMENT PERFORMANCE & SPECIAL INTEREST TECHNOLOGY AUTOMOTIVE AUTONOMOUS DRIVING/VEHICLES GENERAL AUTOMOTIVE UNIVERSITY SOURCE: The Indy Autonomous Challenge Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 03:44 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 03:45 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219471601/en
NFL world reacts with excitement, surprise, questions after Bill Belichick is hired to coach UNCOTTAWA — Canada’s public safety minister says he has discussed the idea of allowing Canada Border Services Agency to patrol between points of entry, but it is not a priority for Ottawa as it looks for more urgent ways to bolster border security. Dominic LeBlanc joined Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on a trip last Friday to Palm Beach, Fla., to see president-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago estate, where they dined with other incoming White House cabinet nominees. The unannounced trip had been arranged earlier in the week when the leaders spoke by phone after Trump threatened to slap a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada over concerns about illegal immigration and the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., when he takes office in January. Since Trump’s threat, LeBlanc has sought to reassure Canadians and his American counterparts that it takes border security seriously, pledging in the wake of the threat to send additional police drones and helicopters to the RCMP, as well as having personnel redeployed. Mark Weber, the national president of the c ustoms and immigration union representing border services officers, said Ottawa should give the agency the power to patrol the entire border, not just official entry points. He called on the Liberals to repeal an order dating back to 1932, which made the Mounties responsible for border security between entry points, which Weber said is clearly “outdated.” “The situation is so silly now that if our officers are sitting at one of their workplaces and they see someone crossing just off to where the port is, we have to call the RCMP.” “It’s frustrating for members.” With a nearly 9,000-kilometre border, Weber said he does not want to replace the RCMP, but for its members to be able to assist. “It seems like an obvious part of this solution to the problem.” Speaking to reporters on Monday, LeBlanc said the federal Liberals have “taken note” of the idea. “I’ve discussed that with the commissioner of the RCMP,” the minister said, adding no decision has been made. LeBlanc defended the job done by the RCMP when it comes to border security, saying as a national police force it has the necessary access to criminal intelligence and has long-established relationships with other policing organizations, such as the FBI. “If we were to undertake a big machinery (of) government change, that may require legislation in the room behind me,” LeBlanc said, referring to the House of Commons. “I’m not sure it would speak to the urgency of the matter.” The government “is always looking at good ideas and we’re not dismissing this one,” LeBlanc said, “but it’s not a priority for us in terms of arriving at the conclusion we want.” The minister declined to provide specifics around the plans to deploy additional technologies, saying that he spoke to both RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme and Canada Border Services Agency President Erin O’Gorman earlier in the day about the matter. Exactly where the equipment and personnel will be deployed are matters of police operations, LeBlanc said. Weber added the border services agency still faces a staffing shortage, saying it has not recovered from the 1,200 jobs that were cut under the former Conservative government. In a statement on Monday, a spokesman for the agency reiterated that border security is a responsibility it shares with the RCMP. The national force did not respond to a request for comment by press time. Kelly Sundberg, a criminologist and former border services officer who now teaches at Mount Royal University, said the fact that successive governments have kept such an “antiquated” order in place reflects the “neglect” Ottawa has shown to border issues. “We just haven’t taken it seriously.” “The RCMP is understaffed already,” Sundberg added. “Buying a bunch of helicopters to patrol a 9,000-kilometre border is nothing short of ridiculous. It’s just performative security theatre.” Sundberg believes the country needs to transform the border services agency into a “true policing agency.” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has called on the federal Liberals to present a plan to Parliament for how it plans to address border security. Besides increasing patrols and ensuring collaboration with local police, he said Trudeau should expand the mandate of the border service’s agency. Both federal officials and the RCMP have said they are ready for a potential influx of people who may try entering Canada illegally, in light of president-elect Trump’s vow to deport millions of people from the U.S. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is preparing to roll out an updated version of an advertising campaign it has been running since 2018, laying out the facts about claiming asylum in Canada. Those searching online for information about claiming asylum will see an advertisement appear warning there are “strict guidelines” to follow, according to a statement from Immigration Minister Marc Miller’s office. The ads will appear in different languages, including Tamil, Hindi, Arabic and Persian. “We strongly discourage irregular crossings, which can be risky and dangerous, especially as the winter approaches,” a spokeswoman said in a statement. “We are monitoring the situation closely with the U.S. and reviewing our policies and processes to help address the issue.” National Post staylor@postmedia.com Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what’s really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here . Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark nationalpost.com and sign up for our politics newsletter, First Reading, here .
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First-ever athlete and fan-owned network boasts 2,200 Fan Owners and 70+ superstar athlete investors and partners by the likes of Chris Paul , Travis Kelce , Dwayne Wade , Chiney Ogwumike, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard , Natasha Cloud , Alysha Clark , Carmelo Anthony , and many more LOS ANGELES , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PlayersTV , the first athlete and fan-owned media company, today announced the acquisition of Cloud Media Center , an AI-driven sports adtech and media distribution company. This strategic year-end move boosts PlayersTV's reach to a total of 500 million monthly ad impressions, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in athlete-driven lifestyle entertainment while broadening its ability to connect with advertiser and inventory networks. PlayersTV empowers athletes to control their narratives while giving brands access to engagement opportunities with an expansive global audience. It is known for its groundbreaking athlete-fan ownership model, supported by more than 70 high-profile athlete investors and partners across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, and MLB, and a community of more than 2,200 Fan Owners (shareholders in the company). The network features high-profile athletes, including Travis Kelce , Chris Paul , Damian Lillard , Dwyane Wade , Chiney Ogwumike, Carmelo Anthony , Allen Iverson , Natasha Cloud , Kyrie Irving, Ken Griffey, Jr. , Vernon Davis , Austin Ekeler , DeAndre Jordan , CJ McCollum, AJ Andrews, Angel McCoughtry , Alysha Clark , and more. PlayersTV currently reaches more than 300 million households via OTT and CTV via DirecTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Philo . Its proprietary ad network called Players360 generates an additional 500 million monthly ad impressions. Through the acquisition of Cloud Media Center, PlayersTV now owns technologies responsible for more than 1 billion combined monthly ad impressions. "This is a transformative moment for PlayersTV and the future of sports media," said Deron Guidrey , co-founder of PlayersTV. "The acquisition of Cloud Media Center catapults us into a new era of innovation, expanding our reach to an astounding 500 million monthly ad impressions. With cutting-edge AI technology now at the core of our operations, we are setting the gold standard for athlete-driven media, revolutionizing how athletes connect with fans and how brands engage with audiences worldwide. This is more than an acquisition, it's a declaration of our vision to lead the global sports media industry." PlayersTV Co-founder Collin Castellaw added, "This acquisition is a monumental step forward for our organization. By integrating Cloud Media Center's AI-driven tech we're significantly expanding our reach while revolutionizing how athletes and sports content is created, distributed and consumed. This is an exciting time for our company and the future of athlete media and sports media." Cloud Media Center's innovative platform brings state-of-the-art AI technology to PlayersTV, enabling more precise audience targeting, dynamic content distribution, and scalable adtech. With this acquisition, PlayersTV is poised to deliver highly personalized and impactful content experiences, meeting the growing demand for athlete-centered stories and authentic fan connections. About PlayersTV PlayersTV is the first-ever athlete-owned media network and content provider. As the premier athlete lifestyle content destination, PlayersTV empowers athletes to own their stories while engaging fans with authentic and meaningful connections, bridging the worlds of sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. PlayersTV's 24/7 channel can be found on DirecTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Philo . See more at https://playerstv.com/ . About Cloud Media Center Cloud Media Center (CMC), based in Ponte Vedra, FL , sells digital advertising inventory through a cloud-based, analytically driven distribution platform that seamlessly connects advertisers with content providers and publishers. The result maximizes collaboration — unleashing next-level ad campaign synergies. CMC's next-gen platform and best-in-class dashboards — built by next-generation premier developers — provide AI-based microtargeting on the frontend, and real-time, easy-to-understand analytics on the back end. Content producers, advertisers, and publishers will have all the tools and data needed to optimize campaigns — and do it with speed and granular accuracy. Visit the CMC website at https://cloudmc.us/ . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/playerstv-acquires-cloud-media-center-integrates-sports-ai-ad-technology-to-surpass-1b-monthly-impressions-302337699.html SOURCE PlayersTVJD Martin Expands Representation of Dialight into North and South Carolina
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 PropertiesState Administration Council Members watched the final matches of Inter-State and Region sports competitions of the Fifth National Sports Festival at the relevant stadiums and gymnasiums in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. The final matches of Inter-State and Region boxing took place at Wunna Theikdi stadium yesterday and was attended by SAC members Dr Hmuh Thang and Dr Ba Shwe, Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs U Min Thein Zan, Deputy Ministers, state and regional social affairs ministers, transport ministers, and other relevant officials. In the women’s 52-kilogramme event, the Magway Region team won the first prize, the second went to the Mandalay Region team, the joint third to the Shan State team and the Taninthayi Region team, whereas the Yangon Region team grabbed the first prize, the second by the Taninthayi Region team and the joint third by the Nay Pyi Taw and the Sagaing Region team in women’s 50-kilogramme. The Taninthayi Region team won the first prize in women’s 54-kilogramme, and the Kayin State team ranked second place and the Shan State team and the Yangon Region team secured the third place. In the women’s 57-kilogramme, the first prize went to the Chin State team, the second to the Ayeyawady Region team, and the third to the Bago Region team and the Sagaing Region team. In the men’s 51-kilogramme, the Kayin State team won the first prize, while the Kachin State team grabbed the second prize and the Mandalay Region team and the Sagaing Region team received the third prize. In the men’s 54-kilogramme, the first prize went to the Mandalay Region team, the second to the Shan State team and the third to the Nay Pyi Taw team and Taninthayi Region team. In the men’s 57-kilogramme, the Yangon Region team won the first prize, the Kachin State team ranked at the second place and the Chin State team and the Sagaing Region team at the third place. In the men’s 63.5-kilogramme, the Kachin State team won the first prize, the Mandalay Region team grabbed the second prize and the Bago Region team and Sagaing Region team achieved the third prize. In the men’s 71-kilogramme, the first prize went to the Sagaing Region team, the second to the Mandalay Region team, and the third to the Kayin State team and Bago Region team. The final matches of the Inter-State and Region U-21 athletics were held at Wunna Theikdi stadium, and SAC member U Yan Kyaw, Union Minister U Min Thein Zan, deputy ministers, state and regional social affairs ministers, transportation ministers, and other officials. In the men’s 800-metre race, the Bago Region won the first prize, the Nay Pyi Taw team won the second prize and the Ayeyawady Region team won the third prize. In the women’s 800-metre race, the first prize went to the Chin State team, the second to the Kayah State team and the third to the Shan State team. In the women’s 200-metre race, the first and second prizes went to the Taninthayi Region team and the third to the Magway Region team. In another women’s 200-metre race, the Taninthayi Region team won the first prize, the Ayeyawady Region team grabbed the second prize and the Taninthayi Region team secured the third prize. In the men’s shot-put event, the first prize went to the Magway Region team, the second to the Yangon Region team and the third to the Ayeyawady Region team. In the men’s 110-metre hurdle, the Ayeyawady Region team won the first and second prizes, and the Magway Region team won the third prize. In the women’s 110-metre hurdle, the first and second prizes went to the Shan State team and the third to the Sagaing Region team. The Kayin State team grabbed the first prize in the men’s high jump, whereas Mon State ranked at second place and the Ayeyawady Region team in third place. In the men’s 400-metre hurdle, the Sagaing Region team won the first prize, the second prize by the Mandalay Region team and the third prize by the Taninthayi Region team. Moreover, in the women’s shot put, the Shan State team won the first prize, while the second prize by the Rakhine State team and the third prize by the Sagaing Region team. In the women’s high jump, the Taninthayi Region team ranked at first place, the Sagaing Region team at second place and the Taninthayi Region at third place. Similarly, Inter-State and Region Men’s and Women’s U-20 volleyball final matches took place at Wunna Theikdi Gymnasium B, and attended by SAC Member Khun San Lwin, Union Chief Justice U Tha Htay, Union Constitutional Tribunal Chairman U Aung Zaw Thien, and other relevant officials watched the matches. In the women’s volleyball, the Shan State team won the first prize, whereas the Taninthayi Region team won the second prize and the Kachin State team and the Mandalay Region team won the third prize jointly. In men’s volleyball, the first prize went to the Mandalay Region team, the second to Shan State team and the third to the Kayin State team and the Nay Pyi Taw team. Similarly, the award ceremony of Inter-State and Region Taekwondo was held at TC-1. The Yangon Region team won the first prize, the Bago Region team grabbed the second prize and the Chin State and Shan State teams achieved the third prize in women’s singles. In men’s singles, the Yangon Region team won the first prize, whereas the second prize by the Mon State team and the third prize by the Shan State and Kayin State teams. In the mixed event, the first prize went to the Yangon Region team, the second to the Mon State team and the third to the Shan State team and Mandalay Region team. In the women’s team event, the Yangon Region team won the first prize, the Kayah State team the second prize and the Shan State team and Bago Region team third prize. In the men’s team event, the first prize went to the Yangon Region team, the second to the Bago Region team and the third to the Mon State team and Kayin State team. — MNA/KTZH
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