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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 PropertiesUnlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in recent years, Danielle Griffin had no trouble getting them. The 38-year-old information technology worker from New Mexico had a prescription. Her pharmacy had the drugs in stock. And her health insurance covered all but $25 to $50 of the monthly cost. For Griffin, the hardest part of using the new drugs wasn’t access. It was finding out that the much-hyped medications didn’t really work for her. “I have been on Wegovy for a year and a half and have only lost 13 pounds,” said Griffin, who watches her diet, drinks plenty of water and exercises regularly. “I’ve done everything right with no success. It’s discouraging.” In clinical trials, most participants taking Wegovy or Mounjaro to treat obesity lost an average of 15% to 22% of their body weight — up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. But roughly 10% to 15% of patients in those trials were “nonresponders” who lost less than 5% of their body weight. Now that millions of people have used the drugs, several obesity experts told The Associated Press that perhaps 20% of patients — as many as 1 in 5 — may not respond well to the medications. It's a little-known consequence of the obesity drug boom, according to doctors who caution eager patients not to expect one-size-fits-all results. “It's all about explaining that different people have different responses,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital The drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic a hormone in the body known as glucagon-like peptide 1. Genetics, hormones and variability in how the brain regulates energy can all influence weight — and a person's response to the drugs, Stanford said. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea can prevent weight loss, as can certain common medications, such as antidepressants, steroids and contraceptives. “This is a disease that stems from the brain,” said Stanford. “The dysfunction may not be the same” from patient to patient. Despite such cautions, patients are often upset when they start getting the weekly injections but the numbers on the scale barely budge. “It can be devastating,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of the obesity treatment company FlyteHealth. “With such high expectations, there’s so much room for disappointment.” That was the case for Griffin, who has battled obesity since childhood and hoped to shed 70 pounds using Wegovy. The drug helped reduce her appetite and lowered her risk of diabetes, but she saw little change in weight. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” she said. “You want it to work like it does for everybody else.” The medications are typically prescribed along with eating behavior and lifestyle changes. It’s usually clear within weeks whether someone will respond to the drugs, said Dr. Jody Dushay, an endocrine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Weight loss typically begins right away and continues as the dosage increases. For some patients, that just doesn't happen. For others, side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea force them to halt the medications, Dushay said. In such situations, patients who were counting on the new drugs to pare pounds may think they’re out of options. “I tell them: It's not game over,” Dushay said. Trying a different version of the new class of drugs may help. Griffin, who didn't respond well to Wegovy, has started using Zepbound, which targets an additional hormone pathway in the body. After three months of using the drug, she has lost 7 pounds. “I'm hoping it's slow and steady,” she said. Other people respond well to older drugs, the experts said. Changing diet, exercise, sleep and stress habits can also have profound effects. Figuring out what works typically requires a doctor trained to treat obesity, Saunders noted. “Obesity is such a complex disease that really needs to be treated very comprehensively,” she said. “If what we’re prescribing doesn’t work, we always have a backup plan.” The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Nearly 1,000 protesters were arrested in Islamabad after a large rally demanding the release of jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan. The protest, which saw more than 10,000 people marching towards the city center, was met with a sweeping security crackdown. Authorities deployed 20,000 security personnel to disperse the crowds, who were defying a lockdown and a ban on public gatherings. Protesters clashed with security forces, and police used tear gas to disperse the crowds. Islamabad Police Inspector General Ali Nasir Rizvi confirmed that 954 individuals had been arrested between Sunday and Tuesday, as protesters came within 1.6 kilometers of their intended target. The government reported at least one police officer and four paramilitary personnel were killed during the clashes. PTI Continues to Challenge the Government Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, has faced numerous legal battles that he claims are designed to block his return to politics. Despite these setbacks, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has continued to stage regular protests. This recent gathering marked the largest protest in Islamabad since the February elections. Key figures from PTI, including Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi (Khan’s wife), led the protest, though Khan himself made a statement from prison urging his supporters to gather. Gandapur vowed that the movement would only end when Khan was freed. Government Calls Protests “Extremism” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the protests, calling them “extremism.” He and his ministers held regular press conferences, asserting there would be no mercy for the protesters. However, as the situation de-escalated, some officials began calling for reconciliation to avoid further damage to the country’s citizens. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan urged both Khan’s party and the government to engage in “purposeful political dialogue” to find a peaceful resolution. Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director, commented on social media, stating that Pakistan’s protests had no clear winners and that the country was facing a growing confrontation. Excessive Force Deployed Against Protesters The Pakistani government has faced increasing criticism for its heavy-handed response to the protests. Mobile internet was shut down across Islamabad, schools remained closed for multiple days, and roadblocks prevented many workers from reaching their jobs. Amnesty International condemned the government’s actions, stating that law enforcement had used “unlawful and excessive force” to quell the protests. Khan’s Struggle and Political Influence Imran Khan, a former cricket star and the leader of PTI, was ousted from office in 2022 after a no-confidence vote, which followed tensions with Pakistan’s powerful military establishment. His removal sparked protests, with Khan becoming a central figure in opposition to the establishment. PTI has continued to defy the government, gaining significant support despite the crackdown. Khan led PTI to win more seats than any other party in this year’s election, but a coalition of parties that is perceived to be more aligned with the military ultimately excluded PTI from power. The ongoing unrest and political tension have continued to polarize the nation.CBC resurrects plans for live New Year’s Eve broadcast specials
Two senior members of the federal cabinet were in Florida Friday pushing Canada’s new border plan with Donald Trump’s transition team, a day after Trudeau himself appeared to finally push back at the president-elect over his social media posts about turning Canada into the 51st state. Both Trudeau and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who Trudeau has been courting to become Canada’s next finance minister, shared posts on X Thursday, a day after Trump’s latest jab at Canada in his Christmas Day message. It isn’t clear if Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who has repeatedly insisted Trump’s 51st state references are a joke, will raise the issue with Trump’s team when he and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly meet with them in Palm Beach. The two are there to discuss Canada’s new $1.3 billion border plan with just under four weeks left before Trump is sworn in again as president. He has threatened to impose a new 25 per cent import tariff on Canada and Mexico the same day over concerns about a trade imbalance, as well as illegal drugs and migration issues at the borders. The broad strokes of Canada’s plan were made public Dec. 17, including a new aerial intelligence task force to provide round-the-clock surveillance of the border, and improved efforts using technology and canine teams to seek out drugs in shipments leaving Canada LeBlanc’s spokesman, Jean-Sébastien Comeau, said the ministers will also emphasize the negative impacts of Trump’s threatened tariffs on both Canada and the U.S. Comeau said the ministers will build on the discussions that took place last month when Trudeau and LeBlanc met Trump at Mar-a-Lago just days after Trump first made his tariff threat. It was at that dinner on Nov. 29 when Trump first raised the notion of Canada becoming the 51st state, a comment LeBlanc has repeatedly since insisted was just a joke. But Trump has continued the quip repeatedly in various social media posts, including in his Christmas Day message when he said Canadians would pay lower taxes and have better military protection if they became Americans. He has taken to calling Trudeau “governor” instead of prime minister. Trudeau had not directly responded to any of the jabs, but on Thursday posted a link to a six-minute long video on YouTube from 2010 in which American journalist Tom Brokaw “explains Canada to Americans.” The video, which originally aired during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, explains similarities between the two countries, including their founding based on immigration, their trading relationship and the actions of the Canadian Army in World War 2 and other modern conflicts. “In the long history of sovereign neighbours there has never been a relationship as close, productive and peaceful as the U.S. and Canada,” Brokaw says in the video. Trudeau did not expand about why he posted a link to the video, posting it only with the words “some information about Canada for Americans.” Carney, who is at the centre of some of Trudeau’s recent domestic political troubles, also called out Trump’s antics on X Thursday, calling it “casual disrespect” and “carrying the ‘joke’ too far.” “Time to call it out, stand up for Canada, and build a true North American partnership,” said Carney, who Trudeau was courting to join his cabinet before Chrystia Freeland resigned as finance minister last week. Freeland’s sudden departure, three days after Trudeau informed her he would be firing her as finance minister in favour of Carney, left Trudeau’s leadership even more bruised than it already was. Despite the expectation Carney would assume the role, he did not and has not made any statements about it. LeBlanc was sworn in as finance minister instead the same day Freeland quit. More than two dozen Liberal MPs have publicly called on Trudeau to resign as leader, and Trudeau is said to be taking the holidays to think about his next steps. He is currently vacationing in British Columbia. Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press
turned 19 on December 24, and although she was ill with the flu and unable to celebrate, now revealed her gift haul – receiving over $35,000 in presents. The took to TikTok to speak to her fans, revealing she "didn't get to enjoy [my birthday] because I was so sick but I am back on my feet and I want to give you guys a Christmas haul." "I am so grateful for all my gifts and I wanted to share because some people requested it," she continued, before revealing she received Chrome Heart gloves and pink wallet, as well as a gorgeous diamond necklace from her sister with an "A" and a "B" pendant, and a cross necklace. She was also gifted a $7,000 Barbie pink bag in calfskin with rhinestones, and a black Prada bucket purse with diamante detailing. A third purse was a vintage purse in chrome, and she also received a "so cute" tweed and leather back pack, which she said was a gift from Kris, presumably step-mom Kardashian's mom Kris Jenner. You may also like From her dad, Blink 182 drummer , she received large diamond stud earrings and her "third Cartier love bracelet". "It's like a tradition now, every year I get a better one," she said, showing off the bracelets she also had for her 16th and 17th birthdays. "My dad has some of the best style and he got me this jacket," she said, revealing a stunning leather duster with a fur collar and gold detailing on the buckle. The teen also received two Poster Girls dresses, totally over $1,250, and a latex corset from the brand, as well as a $500 Jean Paul Gaultier dress that featured mesh detailing and the appearance of a $100 bill, and a Jean Paul Gaultier printed beach cover-up, worth over $350. Balenciaga's 110mm Essex boots, worth over $2,400 were also a gift from her dad, as was a vintage Cavalli cow print jacket, and the Gucci Horsebit Platform Slingback Loafer Pumps, which retail for $1500 – and have also been worn by "You guys know I love my lace so I got a lace Dolce catsuit," Alabama continued – the a catsuit retails for $2000 – before squealing and revealing her "favorite gift of all," a brand new Birkin bag, which is available for $24,000. Watch Alabama's haul here: Alabama is Travis' daughter with ex-wife Shanna Moakler; they are also parents to son . "Happy 19th Birthday my angel @alabamaluellabarker . I can’t believe I’m saying that. I’m so proud of you and I love watching you grow. Never settle, the stars aren’t too far away. Never give up, never give in. I love you unconditionally. I love you to the moon and back," Travis emotionally wrote on social media alongside a carousel of throwback pictures. He is also dad to one-year-old son Rocky with Kourtney, and helped to raise Shanna's eldest, Atiana de la Hoya.
An Uxbridge manufacturing company, UCEL Inc., has been awarded almost $1.4 million by the Ontario government to help it expand its operations. The award was announced last week by Pickering-Uxbridge MPP and finance minister Peter Bethlenfalvy. An announcement by Bethlenfalvy’s office said the government award is in support of UCEL’s $10.8 million investment to boost local manufacturing and create 25 new jobs in Uxbridge. The funding is provided through the Regional Development Program’s Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Competitiveness(AMIC) Stream. “UCEL Inc.’s investment will boost the local manufacturing sector and create more good-paying jobs for workers and families in Uxbridge,” Bethlenfalvy said. UCEL, which manufactures construction hoists and industrial elevators, plans to expand its operations and adopt new technologies that will offer new elevator system supporting solutions. The investment will also see UCEL bring additional manufacturing capabilities in-house, including work that is currently outsourced overseas.Russia is considering taking steps to resume nuclear tests according to Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov . Ryabkov gave the chilling warning as he cautioned against US president-elect Donald Trump from conducting nuclear testing in an interview with Russia newspaper Kommersant. Such a move would be significant escalation of tensions which are currently at their highest since the Cold War following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Neither country has conducted a nuclear test since the early 1990s but it is believed that the Trump administration did consider doing so during his first term in office, something Ryabkov described as "extremely hostile" toward Russia . Russia signed the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), which prohibits nuclear explosions for civilian or military purposes, in 1996 and ratified it in 2000. However, after launching his illegal war in Ukraine , Putin withdrew Russia from the agreement, bringing the country in line with the United States who are one of eight nations not to have ratified the agreement. Speaking about the possibility of tests Ryabkov said: “I would simply like to say in this regard that the international situation is currently extremely difficult, American policy in its various aspects is today extremely hostile toward us. “So the options for us to act in the interests of ensuring security and the potential measures and actions we have to do this—and to send politically appropriate signals...does not rule anything out,” according to translators from Reuters. Most nuclear powers are currently in the process of upgrading their nuclear arsenals as they seek to modernise their capability in the face of rising global tensions. There are fears that the United States is considering resuming nuclear tests as a means of developing new weapons and demonstrating strength to countries threatening their global hegemony. Russia possesses 5,580 warheads, whilst the United States has 5,044, meaning the two nations control 88% of the world’s nuclear weapons. It remains unclear what approach the new Trump administration will take in respect of Russia . Throughout the election campaign, Trump repeatedly claimed that he would be able to end the war in Ukraine on his first day in office, although details on how this would be achieved remain to be seen. The president-elect has spoken openly about his respect for the Russian leader as well as positive relationship which has included several phone calls between the pair since Trump left office in 2021.Israel's next target in its battle with Iran: The Houthi rebels of Yemen
Roos host Shottenkirk ClassicJust hours before the PIAA Football Championships took flight at Cumberland Valley’s Chapman Field, the governing body on Pennsylvania sports tweaked one of its newest and controversial rules. The PIAA’s Competitive Balance rule, adopted in 2018, was first aimed at deterring successful football and basketball teams from adding too many transfers over a two-year sports cycle. All team sports now fall under the rule. • Sign up for PennLive’s daily high school sports newsletter Targeting teams that had success in the state playoffs and added a set number of transfers in that cycle would mean a promotion to a higher classification against schools with larger enrollments. Until Wednesday, teams gathering six or more points ... four points for qualifying for a state final, three points for a semifinal, two points for a quarterfinal, etc. ... were forced into a higher class. Teams will now need seven points for the rule to kick in after the PIAA Board approved the change on a third and final reading Wednesday. “The feeling on the board was they should be getting to a state championship game. We had found over the past six years, with six you could identify somebody that gets only to two semi-finals, never plays in a championship game, that would end up moving up,” said Dr. Robert Lombardi, PIAA Executive Director. “And then we found that you’d have somebody that could play in a championship game and not have others, and then not move up. So that caused a little bit of a rift, so that is going to now move to seven.” Lombardi and PIAA football tournament director Pat Gephart sat down with PennLive last Thursday to inquire about changes to the rule, the ongoing argument between public vs. private, scheduling sites for all state playoff brackets and more. Additional changes to the competitive balance are being considered, such as the number of transfers needed to initiate the rule or how/if transfers are counted under special circumstances. The full interview with Lombardi and Gephart is above. As for the overall success of the rule, the results are difficult to argue. Bishop McDevitt’s first season in 5A resulted in the Crusaders’ third overall title via Friday’s 34-31 overtime win vs. Roman Catholic. Bishop Guilfoyle emerged as 2A champion last Thursday in its first season in the class. Another Mid-Penn team, Steel-High, finished 10-3 after bumping up to 2A. The Rollers dropped a 25-14 PIAA first round game to Bedford. Elsewhere, longtime powers Southern Columbia (2A) and Aliquippa (4A) won appeals to remain in those classifications. Both the Tigers and Quips failed to make the postseason. Follow Eric Epler on X/Twitter — @threejacker Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. ©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit pennlive.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
PORT HARCOURT – The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has pledged to galvanise the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, NDCCITMA, by releasing N30 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs. Speaking during an interview with newsmen at the NDDC’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, restated the Commission’s commitment to empowering the region’s people through economic programmes. He highlighted the NDCCITMA’s role in training youths, supporting SMEs, and designing industry-friendly skill development programmes. Ogbuku said the NDDC was supporting the NDCCITMA to drive economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region by providing financial support, training, and networking opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. He assured: “We are providing N30 billion to fund projects and support businesses to ensure the sustainability of our youth development initiatives. “We will release the matching funds so the entrepreneurs can access them to boost their businesses. In our 2024 budget, we have provision for 30 billion naira which we are to use as matching funds for the chamber of commerce. We are working towards releasing this fund so that the chamber of commerce can start work in earnest. “The Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce will strengthen young entrepreneurs in the region. It is no longer acceptable for our youths to be contented with receiving stipends while at home doing nothing. Ogbuku, according to a statement signed by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, NDDC Director Corporate Affairs, remarked that the Commission was collaborating with the Bank of Industry, BOI, to ensure the success of NDDC’s youth development programmes. According to him, “The current NDDC Board and Management choose to look at sustainable options in designing youth programmes. In the past, we did a lot in supporting entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta but these activities were not properly documented and backed with verifiable data. “Our new strategy is to support genuine entrepreneurs rather than people who are just portfolio entrepreneurs because we know that the government alone cannot employ everybody. “Many university graduates are coming out, and the government cannot employ all of them. However, we can empower them by creating an environment where they can engage other persons to expand their businesses.” The NDDC boss maintained that engaging the youths in meaningful ventures was a sure way of keeping peace in the Niger Delta region, noting that the young ones should not just be allowed to be roaming the streets. “We need to support budding entrepreneurs to grow and engage more hands and we have to do it in a structured way, using the platform of the Niger Delta chambers of commerce,” Ogbuku said. He stressed that for the entrepreneurs to benefit from the support being provided by the NDDC, they must be registered members of the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, which covers all the nine states of the Niger Delta region. Speaking on the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme, Ogbuku observed that some loose ends were being tied to ensure that the list of beneficiaries were released as soon as possible and the successful ones notified. He noted: “This initiative will train youths and aspiring entrepreneurs while supporting small and medium-scale enterprises. The youths will be attached to organisations for one year to learn different skills.” Ogbuku said that the consultant processing the applications of millions of youths was harmonising the entries for the different skill sects to ensure that they could all take off simultaneously. He observed that the consultant was also firming up the terms of the internship scheme because the applications were in different areas. The NDDC boss said: “Some of the organisations we are in contact with are ready to engage some of these people, but we want a seamless take off. We want all the different skill areas to kick off concurrently. Following the information given to us by the consultant, we will start paying the beneficiaries from January 2025. We are expecting the final list of beneficiaries who would be promptly notified in the next few weeks for the effective implementation of the youth programme.( MENAFN - IANS) United Nations, Dec 28 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is saddened by the passing of India's former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who played a "pivotal role" in shaping the nation's "economic trajectory", according to his Associate Spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay. "The Secretary-General was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Manmohan Singh," she said in a statement on Friday. He "played a pivotal role in India's recent history, particularly in shaping its economic trajectory," the statement said. "As Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, Singh oversaw a period of significant economic growth and development in India." "Under his leadership, India also strengthened its collaboration with the United Nations, contributing actively to global initiatives and partnerships," it added. Singh cooperated with Guterres's two predecessors Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon during his 10 years as Prime Minister, meeting them at the UN headquarters in New York as well as at other international forums. Singh addressed the UN General Assembly five times. Fighting climate change has been a top item in the UN's agenda along with sustainable development for poverty eradication. In pursuing these goals, Singh reiterated India's commitment but also constantly reminded world leaders that the developing countries' historical context should be taken into account and the developed countries had a special responsibility in pursuing them. At the UN Climate Change Conference in Denmark in 2009, he declared, "India was a latecomer to industrialisation and as such we have contributed very little to the accumulation of greenhouse gas emissions that caused global warming, but we are determined to be part of the solution." When the negotiations began while he was Prime Minister for the landmark Paris Climate Change Accord that was adopted in 2015, he made it a firm condition that it should be "equitable" taking into account the disproportionate role the developed countries had in creating the greenhouse gas crisis and its consequences suffered by developing countries. He also attended the Rio+, the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio De Janeiro in 2012. While criticising the developed countries for their parsimony in funding development around the world, he also said, "Sustainable development mandates the efficient use of available natural resources. We have to be much more frugal in the way we use natural resources." While the UN was working on its ambitious 2030 Sustainable Development Goals that was adopted in 2015 after he left office, Singh emphasised that it should provide funding for developing countries and technology transfer. In 2013 in his last address to the UN General Assembly, he said, "The problems of over a billion people living in abject poverty around the world need to be attacked more directly. Poverty remains a major political and economic challenge and its eradication requires special attention and a new collective thrust." "It is, therefore, important that the UN set clear and concise goals (for its sustainable development agenda) and provide practical and well-defined means of implementation, including the adequate flow of resources and transfer of technology, taking the views of developing countries fully into account," he added. MENAFN27122024000231011071ID1109036087 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. 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By Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times (TNS) Every day millions of people share more intimate information with their accessories than they do with their spouse. Wearable technology — smartwatches, smart rings, fitness trackers and the like — monitors body-centric data such as your heart rate, steps taken and calories burned, and may record where you go along the way. Like Santa Claus, it knows when you are sleeping (and how well), it knows when you’re awake, it knows when you’ve been idle or exercising, and it keeps track of all of it. People are also sharing sensitive health information on health and wellness apps , including online mental health and counseling programs. Some women use period tracker apps to map out their monthly cycle. These devices and services have excited consumers hoping for better insight into their health and lifestyle choices. But the lack of oversight into how body-centric data are used and shared with third parties has prompted concerns from privacy experts, who warn that the data could be sold or lost through data breaches, then used to raise insurance premiums, discriminate surreptitiously against applicants for jobs or housing, and even perform surveillance. The use of wearable technology and medical apps surged in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, but research released by Mozilla on Wednesday indicates that current laws offer little protection for consumers who are often unaware just how much of their health data are being collected and shared by companies. “I’ve been studying the intersections of emerging technologies, data-driven technologies, AI and human rights and social justice for the past 15 years, and since the pandemic I’ve noticed the industry has become hyper-focused on our bodies,” said Mozilla Foundation technology fellow Júlia Keserű, who conducted the research. “That permeates into all kinds of areas of our lives and all kinds of domains within the tech industry.” The report “From Skin to Screen: Bodily Integrity in the Digital Age” recommends that existing data protection laws be clarified to encompass all forms of bodily data. It also calls for expanding national health privacy laws to cover health-related information collected from health apps and fitness trackers and making it easier for users to opt out of body-centric data collections. Researchers have been raising alarms about health data privacy for years. Data collected by companies are often sold to data brokers or groups that buy, sell and trade data from the internet to create detailed consumer profiles. Body-centric data can include information such as the fingerprints used to unlock phones, face scans from facial recognition technology, and data from fitness and fertility trackers, mental health apps and digital medical records. One of the key reasons health information has value to companies — even when the person’s name is not associated with it — is that advertisers can use the data to send targeted ads to groups of people based on certain details they share. The information contained in these consumer profiles is becoming so detailed, however, that when paired with other data sets that include location information, it could be possible to target specific individuals, Keserű said. Location data can “expose sophisticated insights about people’s health status, through their visits to places like hospitals or abortions clinics,” Mozilla’s report said, adding that “companies like Google have been reported to keep such data even after promising to delete it.” Related Articles A 2023 report by Duke University revealed that data brokers were selling sensitive data on individuals’ mental health conditions on the open market. While many brokers deleted personal identifiers, some provided names and addresses of individuals seeking mental health assistance, according to the report. In two public surveys conducted as part of the research, Keserű said, participants were outraged and felt exploited in scenarios where their health data were sold for a profit without their knowledge. “We need a new approach to our digital interactions that recognizes the fundamental rights of individuals to safeguard their bodily data, an issue that speaks directly to human autonomy and dignity,” Keserű said. “As technology continues to advance, it is critical that our laws and practices evolve to meet the unique challenges of this era.” Consumers often take part in these technologies without fully understanding the implications. Last month, Elon Musk suggested on X that users submit X-rays, PET scans, MRIs and other medical images to Grok, the platform’s artificial intelligence chatbot, to seek diagnoses. The issue alarmed privacy experts, but many X users heeded Musk’s call and submitted health information to the chatbot. While X’s privacy policy says that the company will not sell user data to third parties, it does share some information with certain business partners. Gaps in existing laws have allowed the widespread sharing of biometric and other body-related data. Health information provided to hospitals, doctor’s offices and medical insurance companies is protected from disclosure under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act , known as HIPAA, which established federal standards protecting such information from release without the patient’s consent. But health data collected by many wearable devices and health and wellness apps don’t fall under HIPAA’s umbrella, said Suzanne Bernstein, counsel at Electronic Privacy Information Center. “In the U.S. because we don’t have a comprehensive federal privacy law ... it falls to the state level,” she said. But not every state has weighed in on the issue. Washington, Nevada and Connecticut all recently passed laws to provide safeguards for consumer health data. Washington, D.C., in July introduced legislation that aimed to require tech companies to adhere to strengthened privacy provisions regarding the collection, sharing, use or sale of consumer health data. In California, the California Privacy Rights Act regulates how businesses can use certain types of sensitive information, including biometric information, and requires them to offer consumers the ability to opt out of disclosure of sensitive personal information. “This information being sold or shared with data brokers and other entities hypercharge the online profiling that we’re so used to at this point, and the more sensitive the data, the more sophisticated the profiling can be,” Bernstein said. “A lot of the sharing or selling with third parties is outside the scope of what a consumer would reasonably expect.” Health information has become a prime target for hackers seeking to extort healthcare agencies and individuals after accessing sensitive patient data. Health-related cybersecurity breaches and ransom attacks increased more than 4,000% between 2009 and 2023, targeting the booming market of body-centric data, which is expected to exceed $500 billion by 2030, according to the report. “Nonconsensual data sharing is a big issue,” Keserű said. “Even if it’s biometric data or health data, a lot of the companies are just sharing that data without you knowing, and that is causing a lot of anxiety and questions.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.