NoneDabrowka (Poland), Nov 30 (AP) Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk travelled on Saturday to his country's border with the Russian region of Kaliningrad to inspect progress in the construction of military fortifications along the eastern frontier, calling it "an investment in peace". Tusk's visit comes a month before Poland is to take over the rotating presidency of the 27-member European Union. Polish officials say their priority is to urge Europeans to beef up defences at a time of Russian aggression and with change coming soon in Washington. Some European leaders are concerned that the incoming administration of Donald Trump might be less committed to Europe's defense. Also Read | Sabrina Krasniqi Suicide-Murder Case: US Model Shoots Husband to Death, Later Dies by Suicide in Florida. Tusk also proposed this week that Poland and the Nordic and Baltic countries carry out joint navy patrols in the strategically important Baltic Sea, following the suspected sabotage of undersea data cables. Poland's government and army began building the system dubbed East Shield this year. It will eventually include approximately 800 kilometers (500 miles) along the Polish borders with Russia and Belarus, at a time when Western officials accuse Russia of waging hybrid attacks against the West that include sabotage, the weaponisation of migration, disinformation and other hostile measures. Also Read | Relations with India Changed After August 5, Says Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Mohammed Touhid Hossain. “The better the Polish border is guarded, the more difficult it is to access for those with bad intentions,” Tusk said at a news conference near the village of Dabrowka as he stood in front of concrete anti-tank barriers. Poland has been at the mercy of aggressive neighbours over the past centuries and has become a leading European voice for security at a time when France and Germany are weakened by internal political problems. Poland aims to spend 4.7 per cent of its gross domestic product on defence next year, making it one of NATO's leaders in defence spending. Tusk's government estimates that the strategic military project will cost at least 10 billion zlotys (USD 2.5 billion). Poland's borders with Russia, Belarus — as well as Ukraine — are the easternmost external borders of both the European Union and NATO. Tusk said he expected the East Shield to eventually be expanded to protect the small Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. “Everything we are doing here — and we will also be doing this on the border with Belarus and Ukraine — is to deter and discourage a potential aggressor, which is why it is truly an investment in peace," Tusk said. “We will spend billions of zlotys on this, but right now the whole of Europe is observing these investments and our actions with great satisfaction and will support them if necessary.” Tusk did not elaborate on his plans for reinforcing the border with Ukraine, a close ally. Along the frontier, anti-tank barriers known as “hedgehogs” will be integrated with natural barriers like ditches. Tusk said parts of the project are not visible to the naked eye, but it is nonetheless the largest project of its nature in Europe since the end of World War II. The plans also include the construction of threat reconnaissance and detection systems, forward bases, logistics hubs, warehouses and the deployment of anti-drone systems, the state news agency PAP reported. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Married couples across the U.S. have had access to no-fault divorce for more than 50 years, an option many call crucial to supporting domestic abuse victims and key to preventing already crowded family courts from drowning in complicated divorce proceedings. But some advocates for women worried as old comments from now Vice President-elect JD Vance circulated during the presidential campaign opposing no-fault divorce. After President-elect Donald Trump and Vance won the election, warnings began popping up on social media urging women who might be considering divorce to "pull the trigger" while they still could. Some attorneys posted saying they saw a spike in calls from women seeking divorce consultations. Donald and Ivana Trump pose in May 1988 outside the Federal Courthouse in New York after she was sworn in as a United States citizen. Trump — who is twice-divorced — hasn't championed overhauling the country's divorce laws, but in 2021 Vance lamented that divorce is too easily accessible, as have conservative podcasters and others. People are also reading... City officials admit Corvallis' flag is 'bad.' Will it change? 2 bucks illegally killed with crossbow in Corvallis The real reason Corvallis' Pastega Lights moved to Linn County OSU football: Three takeaways from Oregon State's loss at Boise State Commentary: Gulbranson shows he should be starter in thrilling win over Cougars Head-on crash on Highway 228 kills 1, injures 2 Linn County deputy resigns during menacing case More allegations against ex-OSU coach Prosecutor: Driver on laughing gas caused double fatal in Sweet Home Corvallis homes in on layout options for a new government center Corvallis man gets prison for armed robbery case OSU football: Boise State's pass rush is formidable A busy day: A series of crashes in Sweet Home OSU football: Preview and prediction for regular-season finale against Boise State OSU football: Game notes for the Beavers' win over Washington State "We've run this experiment in real time and what we have is a lot of very, very real family dysfunction that's making our kids unhappy," Vance said during a speech at a Christian high school in California, where he criticized people being able to "shift spouses like they change their underwear." Marriage rates held steady but divorce rates of women age 15 and older declined from 2012 to 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released in October. Despite concerns, even those who want to make divorces harder to get say they don't expect big, swift changes. There is not a national coordinated effort underway. States determine their own divorce laws, so national leaders can't directly change policy. "Even in some of the so-called red states, it hasn't gotten anywhere," said Beverly Willett, co-chair of the Coalition for Divorce Reform, whose group unsuccessfully attempted to convince states to repeal their no-fault divorce laws. A couple exchanges wedding bands Oct. 11, 2018, at City Hall in Philadelphia. Mark A. Smith, a political science professor at the University of Washington, said while many Americans became accustomed to no-fault divorce being an option, Vance's previous comments on making it more difficult to separate from a spouse could help jump-start that effort. "Even though he's not directly proposing a policy, it's a topic that hasn't gotten a ton of discussion in the last 15 years," Smith said. "And so to have a national profile politician talk that way is noteworthy." Meanwhile, Republican Party platforms in Texas and Nebraska were amended in 2022 to call for the removal of no-fault divorce. Louisiana's Republican Party considered something similar this year but declined to do so. A handful of proposals were introduced in conservative-led statehouses over the years, but all immediately stalled after they were filed. In January, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Dusty Deevers introduced legislation that would have removed married couples from filing for divorce on the grounds of incompatibility. Deevers backed the bill after writing a piece declaring no-fault divorce was an "abolition of marital obligation." Sen. JD Vance smiles as his wife Usha Vance applauds Nov. 6 at an election-night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. Similarly, in South Carolina, two Republican lawmakers in 2023 filed a bill that would have required both spouses to file for a no-fault divorce application rather than just one. In South Dakota, a Republican lawmaker attempted to remove irreconcilable difference as grounds for divorce since 2020. None of the sponsors of these bills responded to interview requests from The Associated Press. All are members of their state's conservative Freedom Caucus. Nevertheless, some Democratic lawmakers say they remain worried about the future of no-fault divorce. They point to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to abortion in 2022 as an example of a long-accepted option that was revoked through a decades-long effort. "When you choose to be silent, you allow for this to creep in," said Democratic South Dakota Rep. Linda Duba. "These are the bills that gain a foothold because you choose to be silent." Before California became the first state to adopt a no-fault divorce option in 1969, married couples had to prove their spouse violated one of the approved "faults" outlined in their state's divorce law or risk a judge denying their divorce, said Joanna Grossman, a law professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Qualified reasons varied from state to state, but largely included infidelity, incarceration or abandonment. Donald and Marla Trump wave to photographers Dec. 20, 1993, as they enter their wedding reception in New York's Plaza Hotel. The system was a particular burden on domestic violence victims, who are often women who could be stuck in dangerous marriages while they try to prove their partner's abuse in court through expensive and lengthy legal proceedings. "If there was any evidence that the couple both wanted to get divorced that was supposed to be denied because divorce was not something you got because you wanted it, it was something you got because you've been wronged in a way that the state thought was significant," Grossman said. To date, every state in the U.S. adopted a no-fault divorce option. However, 33 states still have a list of approved "faults" to file as grounds for divorce — ranging from adultery to felony conviction. In 17 states, married people only have the option of choosing no-fault divorce to end their marriages. The Most Divorced Cities in the U.S. The Most Divorced Cities in the U.S. Photo Credit: shisu_ka / Shutterstock Marriage—and divorce—in the U.S. today are starkly different than in earlier eras of the country’s history. A series of economic, legal, and social shifts reshaped marriage in the second half of the 20th century. More women began working outside of the home in the post-World War II era, which provided avenues to financial security and independence outside of marriage. Greater emphasis on postsecondary educational attainment and career development have led young people to wait longer to enter marriage. States began to adopt no-fault divorce laws throughout the 1960s and 1970s that made it easier to end a marriage. Meanwhile, changing social and cultural attitudes have made it more common for couples to cohabitate, combine finances, and raise children prior to getting married—or without getting married at all. These trends have contributed to a decline in the overall number of marriages and to delays in when people get married for the first time. In the U.S., there are currently only 6.5 marriages per 1,000 people each year , compared to 10.9 five decades ago. For those who do choose to get married, the age of first marriage is happening later. As late as the early 1970s, the median age for a first marriage in the U.S. was just 22. By 2018, that figure had increased to 28.8. These shifts have also affected how likely married couples are to stay together. As women entered the workforce in the mid-20th century and feminism and the sexual revolution took hold, rates of divorce rose quickly throughout the 1960s and 1970s. From 1960 to 1980, the divorce rate per 1,000 people in the U.S. more than doubled from 2.2 to 5.2. But the rate began to fall steadily after 1980, and as of 2018, the rate of divorce had dropped to 2.9 per 1,000 people. Divorce rates have declined alongside increasing marriage ages since the 1980s The link between rates of divorce and age at first marriage has been borne out over time, but it also explains geographic differences in rates of divorce. Today, most of the states with the lowest rates of divorce are also those with a higher median age for marriage. States like New Jersey, New York, California, and Massachusetts all stand out for having fewer than 10% of adults divorced and an age at first marriage above 30. One exception to this is Utah, which has the lowest overall median age for first marriage at 25.5 but also the third-lowest share of divorced adults at 9%, likely due in part to the state’s strong religious ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In contrast, Maine and Nevada lead all states in the share of the population currently divorced at 13.9% and 13.8%, respectively. And at the local level, many of the cities with the highest levels of divorce are found in Florida, Appalachia, and the Southwest. Maine and Nevada have the highest proportions of adults currently divorced The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey . To determine the most divorced locations, researchers at ChamberOfCommerce.org calculated the percentage of adults currently divorced. In the event of a tie, the location with the higher percentage of adults currently separated was ranked higher. To improve relevance, only cities with at least 100,000 residents were included. Additionally, cities were grouped into cohorts based on population size: small (100,000–149,999), midsize (150,000–349,999), and large (350,000 or more). Here are the most divorced cities in the U.S. Small and midsize cities with the most divorced adults 15. Aurora, CO Photo Credit: Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 12.7% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.0% Percentage of adults currently married: 46.1% Percentage of adults never married: 34.9% 14. New Orleans, LA Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 12.8% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.7% Percentage of adults currently married: 28.5% Percentage of adults never married: 50.3% 13. Oklahoma City, OK Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 12.9% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.3% Percentage of adults currently married: 45.1% Percentage of adults never married: 34.2% 12. Colorado Springs, CO Photo Credit: photo.ua / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.0% Percentage of adults currently separated: 1.5% Percentage of adults currently married: 49.9% Percentage of adults never married: 31.1% 11. Louisville/Jefferson County, KY Photo Credit: Jonny Trego / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.0% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.0% Percentage of adults currently married: 41.9% Percentage of adults never married: 36.6% 10. Kansas City, MO Photo Credit: Tupungato / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.3% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.2% Percentage of adults currently married: 39.7% Percentage of adults never married: 39.7% 9. Wichita, KS Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.5% Percentage of adults currently separated: 1.9% Percentage of adults currently married: 45.9% Percentage of adults never married: 33.4% 8. Tampa, FL Photo Credit: Kevin J King / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.5% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.4% Percentage of adults currently married: 38.5% Percentage of adults never married: 40.5% 7. Cleveland, OH Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.5% Percentage of adults currently separated: 3.4% Percentage of adults currently married: 24.7% Percentage of adults never married: 52.3% 6. Miami, FL Photo Credit: Galina Savina / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.5% Percentage of adults currently separated: 3.5% Percentage of adults currently married: 36.8% Percentage of adults never married: 39.8% 5. Las Vegas, NV Photo Credit: f11photo / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.8% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.0% Percentage of adults currently married: 43.8% Percentage of adults never married: 35.3% 4. Jacksonville, FL Photo Credit: CHARLES MORRA / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 14.0% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.2% Percentage of adults currently married: 42.3% Percentage of adults never married: 35.8% 3. Tucson, AZ Photo Credit: LHBLLC / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 14.3% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.3% Percentage of adults currently married: 35.7% Percentage of adults never married: 42.5% 2. Tulsa, OK Photo Credit: Valiik30 / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 14.6% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.5% Percentage of adults currently married: 42.2% Percentage of adults never married: 34.7% 1. Albuquerque, NM Photo Credit: turtix / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 15.1% Percentage of adults currently separated: 1.4% Percentage of adults currently married: 39.8% Percentage of adults never married: 38.2% Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
HOUSTON (AP) — HOUSTON (AP) — Quanex Building Products Corp. (NX) on Thursday reported a loss of $13.9 million in its fiscal fourth quarter. The Houston-based company said it had a loss of 30 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to 61 cents per share. The housing materials maker posted revenue of $492.2 million in the period. For the year, the company reported profit of $33.1 million, or 90 cents per share. Revenue was reported as $1.28 billion. This story was generated by Automated Insights ( http://automatedinsights.com/ap ) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on NX at https://www.zacks.com/ap/NXHennessy Advisors, Inc. Reports 46% Increase in Annual Earnings Per Share
Paid non-client promotion: Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate investing products to write unbiased product reviews. You can open a Roth IRA at banks, credit unions, online brokerages, and through robo-advisors. Diversify your Roth IRA portfolio with stocks, bonds, ETFs, and mutual funds. Choose both hands-on and hands-off methods for managing your Roth IRA. Individual retirement arrangements ( IRAs ) are powerful long-term savings vehicles that are considered among the best retirement plans for preserving and growing wealth. Anyone with an income can open an IRA in addition to or as a replacement for a 401(k) plan. There are several types of IRAs, but a Roth IRA stands out for its robust tax advantages, withdrawal flexibility, and high earning potential. The best Roth IRA accounts are available through online brokerages, banks, and other financial institutions. A Roth IRA is funded with post-tax income — money you've already paid income taxes. Because of this, withdrawals in retirement are not subject to taxes. This makes these accounts a smart option if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket during retirement than you are today. Unlike traditional IRAs, Roth IRA contributions are not tax-deductible. Are you considering starting a Roth IRA to reach your retirement goals? Here's how to get started. Steps to prepare to open a Roth IRA Consider various factors before opening a Roth IRA, such as your eligibility and goals. While there are no age requirements for opening a Roth IRA, you must have earned income within the year to contribute. Contributing to an IRA from a young age is a great way to gradually increase your savings with long-term investment opportunities and the power of compound interest. Roth IRA contributions have income limits. For single tax filers in 2024, your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) must be less than $161,000 to be eligible for at least a partial contribution. If you're married and filing jointly, your combined MAGI must be less than $240,000. For at least eligibility for a partial contribution, your MAGI must be below $165,000 in 2025. Married couples filing jointly must make less than $246,000 in 2025 Read more on Roth vs. traditional IRA s » You can contribute up to $7,000 to a Roth IRA in 2024 and 2025. If you're 50 or older, you can contribute an additional catch-up contribution of $1,000. A few IRA providers offer an IRA match (typically between 1-3%), which works similarly to a 401(k) employer-match contribution. The brokerage or bank will match up to a set percentage for every dollar you contribute toward your Roth IRA. IRA-match contributions don't count toward your annual limit. Make sure you have the following documentation and information to open a Roth IRA: A copy of your government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport Your personal information, including your name, phone number, address, date of birth, and Social Security number Details on your beneficiaries or whom you'd like to inherit the account when you die Your preferred contribution method Banking information (if you want to fund the account with an electronic transfer) or information on your other 401(k) or IRAs (if you're doing a rollover) Choosing the right financial institutions To select the best financial institutions to open an IRA, consider the following: The first step to opening a Roth IRA is to choose what type of institution you'll open your IRA through. There are many options to choose from, including: Banks: Most banks offer traditional and Roth IRAs to their customers. Sometimes, banks require an existing checking or savings account before you can open an IRA with them. Having your IRA and bank account on the same platform makes contributing retirement savings simple. However, you may not get access to as many investment opportunities or trading features. Credit unions: Opening a Roth IRA through a credit union is only recommended for pre-retirees looking to invest a significant portion of their retirement savings into high-yield CDs. However, credit union IRAs are more limited regarding investment options and brokerage services. Online brokerage: Suitable for passive or active investing strategies. Brokerages offer full-service management and may have a wider selection of investments. If you want the most economical option, consider looking for brokers with low or no account fees and various commission- and fee-free investment options. Robo-advisors: Generally best for a hands-off investing approach. The best robo-advisors come with low management fees, risk-based investment options, automatic portfolio balancing, and other perks. Robo-advisors can often be managed using an online dashboard. Not all IRA accounts are built the same. Some IRA offerings are objectively better than others. Don't open your Roth IRA with the first financial institution you stumble across. Instead, review factors such as: Fees and commissions Investment options Customer service Account minimums Investment strategies Trustworthiness Avoid basing your decision entirely on fees or commissions. While choosing an affordable solution is important, other factors should also play a role, including your tech-savvy level, investment know-how, the institution's investing minimums, and the service it's known for. "Consider the overall service you'll be receiving," says Heather Welsh, CFP and senior vice president of wealth planning at Sequoia Financial Group . "While robo-advisors are generally inexpensive, your level of comfort with technology might suggest taking a different direction and talking with your bank or financial advisor." Opening your Roth IRA account Opening an account is usually pretty simple and can often be done easily online or through your brokerage. The exact process will vary. "How you open an account will depend on your selected IRA provider or advisor," Welsh says. "If you take the do-it-yourself approach, you can likely do it online. If you work with a bank or advisor, you will be provided with forms to open the account, either electronically or in hard copy, depending on their processes and your preferences." Whether doing the opening process online or in person, ensure you have all the necessary documentation and information. Once your IRA has been established, you can begin making contributions. Link a bank account: You may be able to link your bank account and directly transfer funds. "As a general rule, I'd say the more you can add to your retirement funds, the better off you'll be in the future," says Scott Staton, RICP and founder of Staton Financial Group . Rolling over funds from a 401(k): If you roll funds over from a 401(k) or another retirement, you'll also have some forms to fill out. The best rollover IRAs send the money directly to your new IRA account. Others may send you a check, which you must deposit into the new IRA yourself. Typically, the whole process takes anywhere from two to four weeks. Rolling over funds from a traditional IRA: If you roll over funds to a traditional IRA, you won't need to pay taxes on the funds until you start making withdrawals. If you roll over funds to a Roth IRA, though, you'll owe taxes on the rolled-over amount when you file your annual returns. Rollover check: If you receive the rollover check directly, make sure to deposit it quickly. If you fail to deposit your rollover funds within 60 days, it will qualify as a withdrawal and could mean a penalty if you are not of retirement age. Selecting investments for your Roth IRA After you've funded your account, you can begin investing. "One important thing to understand is, an IRA isn't an investment, nor does it pay a particular rate of return," Staton says. "What determines the rate of return and level of risk of an IRA are the investment choices you make within it." There are many investment options, including: Stocks: Stocks allow you to purchase ownership shares of publicly traded companies. Bonds : Bonds are debt securities that offer money to investors and, often, the government. They're one of the lowest-risk investments you can make. Mutual funds: Mutual funds are investment pools made up of many different investments. They're managed professionally, and individual consumers can buy shares in the fund. Index funds: Index funds are stock portfolios that aim to match the returns of a specific market index, such as the S&P 500. ETFs: Exchange Traded Funds, or ETF s, are baskets of securities that track an index, like the S&P 500 — similar to index funds. These can be traded throughout the day on the stock market. Target-date funds : Target-date funds operate with a certain retirement year in mind. As you approach that date, the investments shift, reducing your risk and exposure to loss. You don't have to choose just one type of investment. You can — and should — diversify your portfolio with investments in several types of securities. Portfolio diversification reduces your exposure to risk. One way to easily diversify your portfolio is with low-cost ETFs. Understanding how risk and volatility affect your investment portfolio is crucial to reaching your investment goals and protecting your savings. Riskier asset classes are appealing because they offer the potential for higher returns. You can review the historical returns of different asset classes to see the level of risk and volatility involved. A general rule of thumb is that you should gradually invest in less risky investments as you near retirement age. Investing in a Roth IRA is no different. Younger investors, such as those in their 20s and 30s, have more time to recover from any significant losses than investors in their 50s. Your personal preference, retirement goals, and estimated retirement age may also affect the level of risk you take in your portfolio. Consult a financial advisor to help you allocate your Roth IRA assets according to your needs. Managing your Roth IRA Like any investment account, Roth IRAs require ongoing review and management to ensure you're on track to meet your retirement goals. You can manage your Roth IRA by regularly monitoring your portfolio's investments and rebalancing as you see fit. Since retirement saving is a long-term investment strategy, this doesn't mean checking every day — once or twice a year should be enough. Otherwise, you may get distracted (or scared) by natural fluctuations in the market. Some people use a Roth IRA as a tax-advantaged savings account or emergency fund since you can withdraw your original contributions (not including the growth) penalty-free at any time. However, leaving the funds in your account alone for as long as possible is the best practice to build long-term wealth and get the maximum benefit of compound interest. Talk to a financial advisor or Certified Financial Planner if you're unsure or need guidance. They can provide advice personalized to your exact goals and finances. Roth IRA FAQs The steps to start a Roth IRA are determining your eligibility, deciding how much to contribute, gathering the necessary documents, choosing financial institutions, opening your account, selecting investments, and managing your IRA effectively. You can contribute up to $7,000 to a Roth IRA in 2024. Individuals aged 50 and older can make an additional $1,000 catch-up contribution for a total contribution of $8,000. You can hold various types of investments in a Roth IRA, including stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and target-date funds. The right mix depends on your risk tolerance and investment horizon. Experts recommend diversifying your retirement portfolio with different asset classes to mitigate risk and volatility. Yes, there are income limits for contributing to a Roth IRA. These limits vary based on your tax filing status and modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). To qualify, single filers must make below $161,000 annually. If you're married and filing jointly, your combined MAGI must be under $240,000. Yes, you can open a Roth IRA online. The process is typically straightforward and can be completed in a few steps, including filling out an application, setting your goals, and funding your account. Credit cards Investing apps Retirement savings Cryptocurrency The stock market Retail investing
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ATLANTA , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Properties Incorporated (the "Company" or "Cousins") 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 Properties © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Innovative AstroRad Vest Poised to Safeguard Astronauts from Space RadiationSEALSQ Corp LAES shares are surging Wednesday after the company announced a partnership with IC’ALPS to accelerate the development of secure Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs). Here’s what you need to know. What To Know: The collaboration will leverage IC’ALPS’ expertise in ASIC design alongside SEALSQ’s experience in security technology and manufacturing. This partnership aims to meet the growing demand for customized, high-security chips, including post-quantum solutions like SEALSQ’s QVault TPM, and is expected to release initial samples in the first quarter of 2025. “This partnership showcases how mid-sized high-tech companies can unite their expertise to fast-track the development of cutting-edge products that not only meet market demands but rival the capabilities of larger corporations. By combining agility with innovation, we are setting a benchmark for excellence in the competitive global semiconductor industry,” added Jean Pierre Enguent , CTO of SEALSQ. ASICs are integral to industries such as telecommunications, automotive, IoT and healthcare due to their high performance, lower power consumption and adaptability. The global ASIC market is projected to grow from $21.53 billion in 2024 to $36.8 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate of 6.9%. This move aligns with SEALSQ’s broader strategy to expand its presence in the evolving semiconductor market and address increasing security needs in advanced applications. “Drawing on our experience, we adapted our methods to meet SEALSQ’s rigorous security standards. This partnership underlines our commitment to supporting our customers in the development of their products,” said Lucille Engels , COO of IC’ALPS. LAES Price Action: SEALSQ shares were up 90.8% at $1.08 at the time of writing, according to Benzinga Pro. Read Next: Costco Q1 Earnings Preview: Membership Fee Increase In Focus With Shares At All-Time Highs Photo by solarseven on Shutterstock . © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Canaan Inc. Signs Agreement with AGM Group Holdings Inc.
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AI Revolutionizes Mahakumbh Mela 2025: Enhanced Safety and Security MeasuresBy HILLEL ITALIE NEW YORK (AP) — Even through a year of nonstop news about elections, climate change, protests and the price of eggs, there was still time to read books. U.S. sales held steady according to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print market, with many choosing the relief of romance, fantasy and romantasy. Some picked up Taylor Swift’s tie-in book to her blockbuster tour, while others sought out literary fiction, celebrity memoirs, political exposes and a close and painful look at a generation hooked on smartphones. Here are 10 notable books published in 2024, in no particular order. Asking about the year’s hottest reads would basically yield a list of the biggest hits in romantasy, the blend of fantasy and romance that has proved so irresistible fans were snapping up expensive “special editions” with decorative covers and sprayed edges. Of the 25 top sellers of 2024, as compiled by Circana, six were by romantasy favorite Sarah J. Maas, including “House of Flame and Shadow,” the third of her “Crescent City” series. Millions read her latest installment about Bryce Quinlan and Hunter Athalar and traced the ever-growing ties of “Maasverse,” the overlapping worlds of “Crescent City” and her other series, “Throne of Glass” and “A Court of Thorns and Roses.” If romantasy is for escape, other books demand we confront. In the bestselling “The Anxious Generation,” social psychologist Jonathan Haidt looks into studies finding that the mental health of young people began to deteriorate in the 2010s, after decades of progress. According to Haidt, the main culprit is right before us: digital screens that have drawn kids away from “play-based” to “phone-based” childhoods. Although some critics challenged his findings, “The Anxious Generation” became a talking point and a catchphrase. Admirers ranged from Oprah Winfrey to Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee, who in a letter to state legislators advocated such “commonsense recommendations” from the book as banning phones in schools and keeping kids off social media until age 16. Bob Woodward books have been an election tradition for decades. “War,” the latest of his highly sourced Washington insider accounts, made news with its allegations that Donald Trump had been in frequent contact with Russian leader Vladimir Putin even while out of office and, while president, had sent Putin sophisticated COVID-19 test machines. Among Woodward’s other scoops: Putin seriously considered using nuclear weapons against Ukraine, and President Joe Biden blamed former President Barack Obama, under whom he served as vice president, for some of the problems with Russia. “Barack never took Putin seriously,” Woodward quoted Biden as saying. Former (and future) first lady Melania Trump, who gives few interviews and rarely discusses her private life, unexpectedly announced she was publishing a memoir: “Melania.” The publisher was unlikely for a former first lady — not one of the major New York houses, but Skyhorse, where authors include such controversial public figures as Woody Allen and Trump cabinet nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And its success was at least a minor surprise. Melania Trump did little publicity for the book, and offered few revelations beyond posting a video expressing support for abortion rights — a break from one of the cornerstones of GOP policy. But “Melania” still sold hundreds of thousands of copies, many in the days following her husband’s election. Taylor Swift was more than a music story in 2024. Like “Melania,” the news about Taylor Swift’s self-published tie-in to her global tour isn’t so much the book itself, but that it exists. And how well it sold. As she did with the “Eras” concert film, Swift bypassed the established industry and worked directly with a distributor: Target offered “The Eras Tour Book” exclusively. According to Circana, the “Eras” book sold more than 800,000 copies just in its opening week, an astonishing number for a publication unavailable through Amazon.com and other traditional retailers. No new book in 2024 had a better debut. Midnight book parties are supposed to be for “Harry Potter” and other fantasy series, but this fall, more than 100 stores stayed open late to welcome one of the year’s literary events: Sally Rooney’s “Intermezzo.” The Irish author’s fourth novel centers on two brothers, their grief over the death of their father, their very different career paths and their very unsettled love lives. “Intermezzo” was also a book about chess: “You have to read a lot of opening theory — that’s the beginning of a game, the first moves,” one of the brothers explains. “And you’re learning all this for what? Just to get an okay position in the middle game and try to play some decent chess. Which most of the time I can’t do anyway.” Lisa Marie Presley had been working on a memoir at the time of her death , in 2023, and daughter Riley Keough had agreed to help her complete it. “From Here to the Great Unknown” is Lisa Marie’s account of her father, Elvis Presley, and the sagas of of her adult life, notably her marriage to Michael Jackson and the death of son Benjamin Keough. To the end, she was haunted by the loss of Elvis, just 42 when he collapsed and died at his Graceland home while young Lisa Marie was asleep. “She would listen to his music alone, if she was drunk, and cry,” Keough, during an interview with Winfrey, said of her mother. Meanwhile, Cher released the first of two planned memoirs titled “Cher” — no further introduction required. Covering her life from birth to the end of the 1970s, she focuses on her ill-fated marriage to Sonny Bono, remembering him as a gifted entertainer and businessman who helped her believe in herself while turning out to be unfaithful, erratic, controlling and so greedy that he kept all the couple’s earnings for himself. Unsure of whether to leave or stay, she consulted a very famous divorcee, Lucille Ball, who reportedly encouraged her: “F— him, you’re the one with the talent.” A trend in recent years is to take famous novels from the past, and remove words or passages that might offend modern readers; an edition of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” cuts the racist language from Mark Twain’s original text. In the most celebrated literary work of 2024, Percival Everett found a different way to take on Twain’s classic — write it from the perspective of the enslaved Jim. “James,” winner of the National Book Award, is a recasting in many ways. Everett suggests to us that the real Jim was nothing like the deferential figure known to millions of readers, but a savvy and learned man who concealed his intelligence from the whites around him, and even from Twain himself. Salman Rushdie’s first National Book Award nomination was for a memoir he wished he had no reason to write. In “Knife,” he recounts in full detail the horrifying attempt on his life in 2022, when an attendee rushed the stage during a literary event in western New York and stabbed him repeatedly, leaving with him a blinded eye and lasting nerve damage, but with a spirit surprisingly intact. “If you had told me that this was going to happen and how would I deal with it, I would not have been very optimistic about my chances,” he told The Associated Press last spring. “I’m still myself, you know, and I don’t feel other than myself. But there’s a little iron in the soul, I think.”
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