The government has pledged to create opportunities and make investments in digital assets more accessible, seeking to position Thailand as a regional leader. During a keynote speech on digital assets in Thailand at a Binance TH event, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat said the government would like a partnership with the private sector to support the robust growth of the digital asset market. According to Mr Julapun, following Donald Trump's US presidential election victory, the price of Bitcoin surged to a fresh high of US$94,000, underscoring the potential of digital assets as an alternative investment market. The Thai government recently approved the introduction of investment tokens under the supervision of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1992, meant to comply with international investment standards while fostering innovation in financial technology and the capital market. He said the government prioritises digital literacy, recognising the rapid pace of technological change and its integral role in people's daily lives. "Technology is transforming society, making it essential for people to adapt to these changes, particularly in the economic sector. To address this, the government is promoting digital literacy through its digital wallet policy, which aims to stimulate the economy and enhance digital skills, especially among those less familiar with technology," said Mr Julapun. "The government is also focusing on financial literacy to ensure Thais gain the knowledge and understanding needed to navigate investments in the digital economy." He said he was participating in the event to symbolise the government's commitment to creating opportunities and simplifying digital asset investment, aiming to position Thailand as a regional leader in the digital asset space. "The government hopes to see Thai non-fungible tokens or digital assets making a mark on the global stage, with new unicorns emerging that can generate substantial economic value for Thailand," said Mr Julapun. Recently the Thai Digital Asset Association said Thailand has the potential to become a digital asset hub if strategic policies are implemented to support them, while clearer regulations and greater institutional investment are driving the cryptocurrency market to new highs this year.mnl168 live 。

Upcoming Lead Plaintiff Deadline is January 21, 2025 CLICK HERE TO PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATION AND JOIN THE CASE NEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP ("Wolf Haldenstein") announces that a federal securities class action lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Zeta Global Holdings Corp. (NYSE: ZETA ) ("Zeta" or the "Company"). Zeta is a cloud-based technology company that provides a marketing platform to assist marketers in acquiring customers. The filed complaint alleges that Zeta represented that its marketing platform was powered by the industry's largest opted-in data set and that Zeta gathered customer data from a network of "consent farms" that artificially inflated the company's growth. A ll investors who purchased shares and incurred losses are advised to contact the firm immediately at [email protected] or (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774. You may obtain additional information concerning the action or join the case on our website, www.whafh.com. If you have incurred losses, you may, no later than January 21, 2025 , request that the Court appoint you as the lead plaintiff of the proposed class. Please contact Wolf Haldenstein to learn more about your rights. CLICK HERE TO PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATION AND JOIN THE CASE On November 13, 2024 , investment research firm, Culper Research, published a report titled: "Zeta Global Holdings Corp (ZETA): Shams, Scams, and Spam." Based upon Culper's investigation that included proprietary interviews with industry experts and former Zeta employees, the firm found that Zeta's data set had been generated from a network of "consent farms " – i.e., sham websites designed to gather consumer data under false pretenses or awards that did not exist. Culper Research further wrote that these consent farms drove almost the entirety of Zeta's growth over the past two to three years, representing 56% of its Adjusted EBITDA, and could result in devastating regulatory action in response to this. On the release of the report, the price of the company's stock fell 37%, from a closing price of $28.22 per share on November 12, 2024 , to $17.76 per share on November 13 , 2024. If you have incurred losses, you may, no later than January 13, 2025 , request that the Court appoint you as the lead plaintiff of the proposed class. Please contact Wolf Haldenstein to learn more about your rights. Wolf Haldenstein has experience in the prosecution of securities class actions and derivative litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts across the country. The firm has attorneys in various practice areas, and offices in New York , Chicago , Nashville and San Diego. The reputation and expertise of the firm in shareholder and other class litigation has been repeatedly recognized by the courts, which have appointed it to lead positions in complex securities litigation. If you wish to discuss this action or have any questions regarding your rights and interests in this case, please immediately contact Wolf Haldenstein by telephone at (800) 575-0735 or via e-mail at [email protected] . Contact: Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP Gregory Stone , Director of Case and Financial Analysis Email: [email protected] or [email protected] Tel: (800) 575-0735 or (212) 545-4774 This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. SOURCE Wolf Haldenstein Adler Freeman & Herz LLP

PLANO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- Upbound Group, Inc. (“Upbound” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: UPBD), a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial products that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved consumers, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Brigit, a leading financial health technology company, for total consideration of up to $460 million consisting of cash and shares of Upbound common stock. This transaction is a logical next step reflecting Upbound’s strategic focus on expanding its technology-driven financial solutions for consumers who are underserved by the traditional financial system. Brigit, which offers a subscription-based model, was launched nationally in 2019 to expand financial inclusion and help consumers build a brighter financial future. It is consistently ranked among the most downloaded financial health apps and is a recognized leader in innovation in the industry. Built on proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning-powered cash flow data insights, Brigit’s core product is its direct-to-consumer Instant Cash advance product (earned wage access or EWA) which has saved its users approximately $1 billion in overdraft fees since inception 2. Brigit also offers a credit builder product that helps its subscribers build their credit history over time as they increase their savings, as well as financial wellness solutions and educational resources to help consumers better manage, save, and earn money. Brigit currently serves nearly two million monthly active customers, including over one million active paying subscribers and almost one million free subscribers. Their customers are highly engaged, with paid users logging in on average six times per month. The business is expected to generate revenues of approximately $215 million to $230 million in 2025 and approximately $350 million to $400 million in 2026. Brigit will expand Upbound’s offerings of innovative and flexible financial solutions, positioning the combined company to create an industry-leading technology platform for the financially underserved that meets the consumer wherever they are on their financial journey. In addition, Brigit’s proprietary data and sophisticated tech stack are expected to enhance Upbound’s existing brands, including Acima and Rent-A-Center (RAC), by improving risk management and fraud prevention, enabling more customer approvals while also mitigating net losses and enhancing account management. The combined company’s data-driven insights will create a more personalized customer experience with the ability to deliver, at the right time and through the right channels, a wider range of targeted solutions for consumers. Upbound expects these enhancements to boost conversion rates, lower churn, and increase customer loyalty and engagement. “We are thrilled to welcome Brigit, a company whose mission and target customer base are closely aligned with ours, into our family of brands,” said Upbound’s Chief Executive Officer Mitch Fadel. “Creating a financial solutions platform with Brigit as the backbone expands our addressable market and enables Upbound to innovate across even more product categories to improve the financial health of our customers. The ability to add new products for our customers beyond lease-to-own is an important part of our strategy and now we can offer liquidity solutions, budgeting, credit building, financial literacy and savings. We believe this transaction will position Upbound for accelerated growth, with greater scale and a more diversified financial profile, ultimately driving long-term value for our shareholders.” “Brigit has helped everyday Americans build a brighter financial future through a suite of innovative financial products that leverage cutting-edge cash flow technology,” said Brigit cofounder & CEO Zuben Mathews. “This transaction is a testament to our team’s continued passion for helping the underserved and our dedication to innovation. By combining forces with Upbound, we can accelerate our impact and better serve the millions of Americans who have been historically underserved by traditional financial institutions. Together, we are excited to widen our reach and bring financial freedom to even more people in need.” Brigit founders Zuben Mathews and Hamel Kothari will continue to lead the Brigit team as a business segment of Upbound. Brigit will continue to operate under its existing branding and will retain its headquarters in New York City, which is expected to serve as one of Upbound’s innovation hubs. Transaction Details Upbound is acquiring Brigit for up to $460 million, comprised of (1) $325 million payable at closing, 75% in cash and 25% in Upbound shares; (2) $75 million in deferred cash consideration over two years; and (3) a potential earnout of up to $60 million in cash based on achievement of certain financial performance metrics for the Brigit business in 2026. Upbound will fund the transaction through a combination of cash on hand, borrowing capacity under its $550 million revolving credit facility, and issuance of new shares of Upbound common stock to Brigit stockholders. The integration of Brigit’s all-digital, scalable platform is expected to expand Upbound’s addressable market outside of durable goods and enhance its strong financial profile while adding an additional complementary growth segment. With approximately 80% recurring subscription revenue, and an estimated total revenue growth in 2024 of 40% to 50% compared to 2023 with similar expectations in 2025, Upbound believes the transaction will accelerate its growth and is expected to be neutral to non-GAAP EPS in year one and meaningfully accretive to non-GAAP EPS in year two and beyond. Brigit will diversify Upbound’s revenue/Adjusted EBITDA mix; within the next four years, Upbound expects approximately two-thirds of revenue and Adjusted EBITDA 3 will be derived from virtual and digital platforms. Following the transaction, Upbound expects pro forma net leverage ratio of approximately 3x 4 and pro forma available liquidity of nearly $300 million 5. Upbound continues to target leverage of approximately 2x over the long-term. The acquisition is expected to close in Q1 2025, subject to receipt of requisite regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Advisors Greenhill & Co. Inc. is acting as financial advisor to Upbound, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Mayer Brown LLP are acting as its legal counsel. FT Partners is acting as financial advisor to Brigit and Cooley LLP and Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP are acting as its legal counsel. Investor Conference Call Details Upbound will host a conference call on Friday, December 13, 2024, at 9:00 am (ET) to discuss this transaction. Interested parties can access a live webcast of the conference call via this link or through the Company's investor relations website. About Upbound Group, Inc. Upbound Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPBD), is a technology and data-driven leader in accessible and inclusive financial products that address the evolving needs and aspirations of underserved consumers. The Company’s customer-facing operating units include industry-leading brands such as Rent-A-Center® and Acima® that facilitate consumer transactions across a wide range of store-based and digital retail channels, including over 2,300 company branded retail units across the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Upbound Group, Inc. is headquartered in Plano, Texas. For additional information about the Company, please visit our website Upbound.com . About Brigit Brigit is a holistic financial health app that has helped millions of Americans budget better, get their earned wages early, build their credit through savings, protect themselves from identity theft, and find ways to earn and save money. Its mission is to help everyday Americans build a better financial future. Brigit is backed by Lightspeed, DCM, Nyca, Flourish Ventures, Hummingbird VC, DN Capital, Will Smith, Kevin Durant, and other prominent investors. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release and the associated investor presentation and webcast contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "could," "estimate," "predict," "continue," "should," "anticipate," "believe," or “confident,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology and include, among others, statements concerning (a) the anticipated benefits of the proposed transaction, (b) the anticipated impact of the proposed transaction on the combined company’s business and future financial and operating results, (c) the anticipated closing date for the proposed transaction, (d) other aspects of both companies’ operations and operating results, and (e) our goals, plans and projections with respect to our operations, financial position and business strategy. However, there can be no assurance that such expectations will occur. The Company's actual future performance could differ materially and adversely from such statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such material and adverse differences include, but are not limited to: (1) risks relating to the proposed transaction, including (i) the inability to obtain regulatory approvals required to consummate the transaction with Brigit on the terms expected, at all or in a timely manner, (ii) the impact of the additional debt on the Company’s leverage ratio, interest expense and other business and financial impacts and restrictions due to the additional debt, (iii) the failure of conditions to closing the transaction and the ability of the parties to consummate the proposed transaction on a timely basis or at all, (iv) the failure of the transaction to deliver the estimated value and benefits expected by the Company, (v) the incurrence of unexpected future costs, liabilities or obligations as a result of the transaction, (vi) the effect of the announcement of the transaction on the ability of the Company or Brigit to retain and hire necessary personnel and maintain relationships with material commercial counterparties, consumers and others with whom the Company and Brigit do business, (vii) the ability of the Company to successfully integrate Brigit’s operations over time, (viii) the ability of the Company to successfully implement its plans, forecasts and other expectations with respect to Brigit’s business after the closing and (ix) other risks and uncertainties inherent in a transaction of this size and nature, (2) the general strength of the economy and other economic conditions affecting consumer preferences, demand, payment behaviors and spending; (3) factors affecting the disposable income available to the Company's and Brigit’s current and potential customers; (4) the appeal of the Company’s and Brigit’s offerings to consumers; (5) the Company's and Brigit’s ability to protect their proprietary intellectual property; (6) the impact of the competitive environment in the Company’s and Brigit’s industries; (7) the Company's and Brigit’s ability to identify and successfully market products and services that appeal to their current and future targeted customer segments; (8) consumer preferences and perceptions of the Company's and Brigit’s brands; (9) the Company’s and Brigit’s compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the impact of active enforcement of those laws and regulations, including any changes with respect thereto or attempts to recharacterize their offerings as credit sales, (10) information technology and data security costs; (11) the impact of any breaches in data security or other disturbances to the Company's or Brigit’s information technology and other networks and the Company's and Brigit’s ability to protect the integrity and security of individually identifiable data of its customers and employees; and (12) the other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's SEC reports, including but not limited to, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, the Company is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect the events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Non-GAAP Financial Measures This release and the associated investor presentation and webcast contain certain financial information determined by methods other than in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), including (1) Adjusted EBITDA (net earnings before interest, taxes, stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted for special items) on a consolidated and segment basis and (2) Net Leverage Ratio (total debt less unrestricted cash, divided by Adjusted EBITDA). “Special items” refers to certain gains and charges we view as extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring in nature or which we believe do not reflect our core business activities. Special items are reported as Other Gains and Charges in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Because of the inherent uncertainty related to these special items, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measures or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. These non-GAAP measures are additional tools intended to assist our management in comparing our performance on a more consistent basis for purposes of business decision-making by removing the impact of certain items management believes do not directly reflect our core operations. These measures are intended to assist management in evaluating operating performance and liquidity, comparing performance and liquidity across periods, planning and forecasting future business operations, helping determine levels of operating and capital investments and identifying and assessing additional trends potentially impacting our Company that may not be shown solely by comparisons of GAAP measures. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is also used as part of our incentive compensation program for our executive officers and others. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures also provide supplemental information that is useful to investors, analysts and other external users of our consolidated financial statements in understanding our financial results and evaluating our performance and liquidity from period to period. However, non-GAAP financial measures have inherent limitations and are not substitutes for, or superior to, GAAP financial measures, and they should be read together with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Further, because non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized, it may not be possible to compare such measures to the non-GAAP financial measures presented by other companies, even if they have the same or similar names. ______________________________ 1 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 2 Assumes all Brigit’s cash advances since inception have assisted customers with avoiding overdraft fees at an estimated $34/overdraft. 3 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 4 Non-GAAP Financial Measure. See descriptions below in this release. Due to the inherent uncertainty related to the special items discussed under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below, management does not believe it is able to provide a meaningful forecast of the comparable GAAP measure or reconciliation to any forecasted GAAP measure without unreasonable effort. 5 Pro forma net leverage ratio (total debt less unrestricted cash, divided by Adjusted EBITDA) and pro forma available liquidity (estimated available borrowings under the company’s revolving credit facility and unrestricted cash) assume the acquisition of Brigit is completed March 31, 2025 and the Company makes the closing date cash payment at that time. Above metrics reflect the Company’s estimates and are not reflective of actual amounts or indicative of future results. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212082702/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contact Jeff Chesnut SVP, Strategy & Corporate Development 972-801-1108 jeff.chesnut@upbound.comMedia Contacts Kelly Kimberly 713-822-7538 Kelly.kimberly@fgsglobal.com Leah Polito 212-687-8080 Leah.polito@fgsglobal.com KEYWORD: TEXAS UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: APPS/APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY FINANCE FINTECH HEALTH TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOFTWARE HEALTH DATA MANAGEMENT SOURCE: Upbound Group, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 05:00 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 05:00 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212082702/enNorth Dakota regulators OK underground storage for proposed Midwest carbon dioxide pipeline

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and a left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff following level-headed campaigns widely seen as emblematic of the country's strong democracy. As polls closed Sunday evening, turnout stood at 89.4% — around the same as during the first round last month in which the two moderate coalitions both failed to win an outright majority. Voting in Uruguay is compulsory. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front by a razor-thin margin. Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won nearly 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, has campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." Other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party that came in third place last month — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the general election, is promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay that draws on the memory of stability and economic growth under his Broad Front coalition, which presided over pioneering social reforms that won widespread international acclaim from 2005-2020, including the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and sale of marijuana . With inflation easing and the economy expected to expand by some 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund, surveys show that Uruguayans remain largely satisfied with the administration of Lacalle Pou, who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term. But persistent complaints about sluggish growth, stagnant wages and an upsurge in violent crime could just as easily add the small South American nation to a long list of places this year where frustrated voters have punished incumbents in elections around the world. With most polls showing a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, analysts say the vote may hinge on a small group of undecided voters — roughly 10% of registered voters in the nation of 3.4 million people. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation,” said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates’ lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power in neighboring Argentina and the United States. “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over the current government's struggle to stem the rise in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor’s pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who became a global icon for helping transform Uruguay into one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse at a polling station, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , turned up at his local polling station before balloting even began, praising Orsi's humility and Uruguay’s famous stability. “This is no small feat,” he said of Uruguay's “citizenry that respects formal institutions.” Orsi planned no dramatic changes, and, despite his call for a revitalized left-wing, his platform continues the Broad Front's traditional mix of market-friendly policies and welfare programs. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi described Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.Emmanuel Tjibaou elected president of pro-independence Union Calédonienne

We noticed a dearth of 'How to Talk to Your MAGA Uncle!' pieces this holiday season. And it was a refreshing change. After years of the Left publishing brightly colored graphics explaining how to make yourself humanity's most insufferable house guest, it seems the tide has turned and people are fed up with the woke garbage infiltrating every aspect of life. Holidays should be about spending time with family and friends, sans politics. The Left find that absolutely unbearable, because they have to make everything political. So we're not surprised there was at least one who tried to make Christmas a political discussion: Giffords, as this writer learned recently, is the name of a gun-grabbing 'advocacy' group who recently got their butts handed to them in a back-and-forth with Dana Loesch over the Wisconsin Christian school shooting . Spending the holidays with loved ones who may have a gun in the house? Here’s how to talk with your family about the importance of safe gun storage—it can be the difference between life and death. https://t.co/kgCURX5kk6 They write: You may be welcoming more people into your space than usual, or maybe you’re bringing your own children to a new home—which may or may not have a gun around. Regardless of who’s hosting, it can be difficult to keep track of where people are and who is touching what, especially with curious young children running around. Unloading and locking away guns properly means that the worst thing they’ll get their hands on is probably an embarrassing memento from high school. There are more guns than people in America. On top of that, more than half of all gun owners store at least one of their guns unsafely, without any locks or other secure storage measures. Nearly a quarter of all gun owners report storing all of their guns in an unlocked location in their home. There can be a reasonable debate about gun storage. We don't want to hear it from gun grabbers and we don't want to hear it on the holidays, for sure. Be sure to take your loved ones shooting this holiday season so they can learn everything Giffords claims is nonsense 🥳 pic.twitter.com/4HAGDwDsWy They admit guns outnumber people, and yet we have a lower per-capita homicide rate than, say, Mexico that has one national gun store . Keep your loved ones safe from gaslighting this holiday season. Here's how to educate your family about recognizing and preventing emotional manipulation. Exactly. And that's what it is. Like this writer said, there can be a discussion about gun storage and gun safety. Doing it at Christmas, at the behest of a group with an agenda, is a problem. If you're a guest in someone else's home, keep your lectures to yourself. If a guest in your home starts lecturing you, show them the door. Don't be polite about it. And unless the gun is literally sitting on the kitchen table or bathroom counter, odds are you're not going in a room where the guns are kept, anyway. If you are hosting, the sensible thing to do is put them away. It's what this writer would do. Oh, and watch your kids. Bring your own gun, follow me for more holiday tips This made us chuckle. Gun free homes should be required by law to have a large sign in the front yard that says “absolutely no guns in this house, we are anti-gun” so people know where the safe spaces are. Random fact: a relative of this writer wrote a letter to an elected official saying the same thing, and it became a local talk radio topic for about a week, because said official felt 'threatened' by it. Good times. You have a right not to own a gun, which is what makes America great. In my house my guns are stored correctly to how I want them including on my person and under my control at all times. Because that’s my choice to do so. If someone has the gall to come into my house and attempt to lecture me on how I should store my guns, they will be asked to... The thing that's bothersome is the tone of the article. It's someone else's house, and you're a holiday guest. There will be over 10 guns per visiting family member at our Hanukkah party this week. That’s not counting the ones carried in by said family members. https://t.co/ZqprJ3CsmT That's a well-armed party. Happy Hanukkah. 1. treat every gun as if it’s loaded 2. keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to fire 3. don’t point a gun at anything you aren’t willing to destroy 4. know your target and its surroundings https://t.co/aWNIihUMiV Everyone should know the basic rules of gun safety. Even if they don't own a gun. Yes please. Excellent idea. Call up your loved ones who own guns and then you, not a gun owner, please talk to them about safe storage of firearms. That should go well. “Well, Tammy, I’m sorry you feel that way. If you are that concerned, maybe you should just stay home.” https://t.co/NX6n99B5Ew That's like the relative who doesn't cook telling you how to make the Christmas roast. Bad idea.WLYB stock hits 52-week high at $53.01 amid robust growth

VISTA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 25, 2024-- Flux Power Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLUX ), a developer of advanced lithium-ion energy storage solutions for electrification of commercial and industrial equipment, today announced that on November 20, 2024, it received a letter from the Listing Qualifications Department of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) notifying the Company that it was not in compliance with requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) as a result of not having filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2024 (“Form 10-Q”) and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 (“Form 10-K”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). This notification has no immediate effect on the listing of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq. Under the Nasdaq rules, the Company has until December 16, 2024, to submit to Nasdaq a plan to regain compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rule. If Nasdaq accepts the Company’s plan, then Nasdaq may grant the Company up to 180 days from the prescribed due date for the Form 10-K to regain compliance, or April 14, 2025. If Nasdaq does not accept the Company’s plan, then the Company will have the opportunity to appeal that decision to a Nasdaq Hearings Panel. The Company is working diligently to complete its Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and plans to file its Form 10-K and Form 10-Q as promptly as practicable to regain compliance with the Listing Rule. About Flux Power Holdings, Inc. Flux Power (NASDAQ: FLUX) designs, manufactures, and sells advanced lithium-ion energy storage solutions for electrification of a range of industrial and commercial sectors including material handling, airport ground support equipment (GSE), and stationary energy storage. Flux Power’s lithium-ion battery packs, including the proprietary battery management system (BMS) and telemetry, provide customers with a better performing, lower cost of ownership, and more environmentally friendly alternative, in many instances, to traditional lead acid and propane-based solutions. Lithium-ion battery packs reduce CO2 emissions and help improve sustainability and ESG metrics for fleets. For more information, please visit www.fluxpower.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, and other securities law. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Words and phrases such as “anticipated,” “forward,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “may,” “intend,” “remain,” “potential,” “prepare,” “expected,” “believe,” “plan,” “seek,” “continue,” “estimate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, the expected filing date of its Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and ability to regain compliance under the Nasdaq listing rule. All of such statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied or projected by, the forward-looking information and statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the completion of the review and preparation of the Company’s financial statements and internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures and the timing thereof; the discovery of additional information; delays in the Company’s financial reporting, including as a result of unanticipated factors; the Company’s ability to obtain necessary waivers or amendments to the Loan Agreement in the future; the risk that the Company may become subject to future litigation; the Company’s ability to remediate material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting; risks inherent in estimates or judgments relating to the Company’s critical accounting policies, or any of the Company’s estimates or projections, which may prove to be inaccurate; unanticipated factors in addition to the foregoing that may impact the Company’s financial and business projections and guidance and may cause the Company’s actual results and outcomes to materially differ from its estimates, projections and guidance; and those risks and uncertainties identified in the “Risk Factors” sections of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2023, and its other subsequent filings with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made. Flux, Flux Power, and associated logos are trademarks of Flux Power Holdings, Inc. All other third-party brands, products, trademarks, or registered marks are the property of and used to identify the products or services of their respective owners. Follow us at: Blog: Flux Power Blog News Flux Power News Twitter: @FLUXpwr LinkedIn: Flux Power View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125289701/en/ CONTACT: Media & Investor Relations: media@fluxpower.com info@fluxpower.comExternal Investor Relations: Chris Tyson,Executive Vice President MZ Group - MZ North America 949-491-8235 FLUX@mzgroup.us www.mzgroup.us KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY BATTERIES ENERGY OTHER ENERGY SOURCE: Flux Power Holdings, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/25/2024 04:01 PM/DISC: 11/25/2024 04:01 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125289701/en

Brian Snitker comments on loss of leadership in Braves clubhouse49ers’ Shanahan expects Jake Moody to be his kicker into the future

Carrefour's cold shoulder for South American beef sparks a backlash from BrazilIt was easier to take a charge back then, and Steven Ashworth tried as often as he could. Every day was a competition in practice for Utah State’s freshman point guards, Ashworth and Rollie Worster. They came from different backgrounds. Ashworth was a knockdown shooter. Worster, once a high school quarterback, was bigger and burlier. But the skinny Ashworth had timing and willingness to take a hit from Worster’s 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame. It was a common sight and emblematic of their contrasting approaches challenging one another, forcing development. Creighton's Steven Ashworth (1) goes up for a 3-pointer against Tennessee's Zakai Zeigler (5) during an NCAA Tournament game last March. Worster and Ashworth were only teammates for one season, which ended in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Four years, three trips into the transfer portal and 188 games later, their paths again converge in Omaha on Friday, likely for the last time in their college careers as Worster’s Nebraska plays Ashworth’s Creighton at 7 p.m. inside CHI Health Center. People are also reading... “You always hear it’s a small world," Worster said, 'but especially in athletics it’s really small." Said Ashworth: “Obviously, we’ve followed each other’s careers, and we started off together in the same spot then went our separate ways. But a lot of respect for him and his game, and (I’m) excited to see him on Friday.” Worster came to Utah State as the two-time Montana Gatorade Player of the Year. Ashworth, originally from Lone Peak, Utah, had just finished a two-year mission in Indianapolis for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He progressed rapidly over the course of his freshman season, settling back in the daily grind of basketball. Rarely did they share the floor during games. Of Utah State’s 10 most used lineups that season, two of them included both, according to KenPom. The combinations added up to 6% of the Aggies’ total minutes. With Ashworth on the court, the Aggies often pushed the pace. Worster was slower, more methodical. But Worster got an up-close look at Ashworth from playing on opposite teams in practice and watching when Ashworth ran the offense. Worster tried to learn from his teammate’s shooting ability. He watched the way Ashworth moved when he had the ball, the high basketball IQ of someone who was small even by Mountain West point guard standards. “Some nights were my night, some nights were his, and I think just being able to grow from each other,” Worster said. “We both had freshman mistakes and a little bit different playing styles, but I think just to see how you watch everyone play and pick up on things or see things that maybe you do or don’t do that you can get better at.” Nebraska's Rollie Worster (24) shoots a layup while defended by Texas Rio Grande Valley's Marshal Destremau (left) and Trey Miller (right) on Nov. 4 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. The Aggies made the NCAA tournament as an 11 seed, falling to Texas Tech in Bloomington, Indiana, an hour from where Ashworth had completed his mission. Then they scattered. USU coach Craig Smith, a former Nebraska assistant, took a new job at the University of Utah. Worster joined Smith while Ashworth played at Utah State for another two years, leaving for Creighton after the 2022-23 season. Life, in Utah and Nebraska, has gone on for both. Worster transferred to Nebraska in April to finish his college career at his third school. Ashworth is now married and has a son. They’ve stayed in occasional contact in the four years since, sometimes running into each other in Utah airports. Friday will serve a full-circle moment, one more connection to their previous lives. “We’ve talked a little bit,” Worster said. “We’re rivals now so it’s a little different, but I just wish him the best success going forward.” Photos: Nebraska men's basketball vs. Fairleigh-Dickinson — Nov. 13 Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg (right) loses control of the ball while guarded by Fairleigh Dickinson's Jameel Morris (1) during the second half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Rollie Worster (right) shoots against Fairleigh Dickinson's Jo'el Emanuel (13) during the first half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Brice Williams (3), Rollie Worster (24) and Sam Hoiberg (1) defend a shot by Fairleigh Dickinson's Terrence Brown (2) during the first half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. A foul was called on Nebraska during the play. Nebraska's Cale Jacobsen (center) runs out onto the court before the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Brice Williams (3) waits for his name to be called during lineup announcements before the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Williams shaved his beard since the last game. Nebraska's Cale Jacobsen (left) celebrates a 3-pointer by his teammate during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Juwan Gary (right) shoots while guarded by Fairleigh Dickinson's Jo'el Emanuel (13) on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska fan Brenda John, of Lincoln, wears a corncob shirt as she cheers during the first half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Andrew Morgan (23) shoots the ball while defended by Fairleigh Dickinson's Jacob Warren (35) during the first half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg (1) and Cale Jacobsen (31) celebrate a point during the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Brice Williams (3) shoots a 3-pointer during the first half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Brice Williams (3) shoots a free-throw during the first half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Ahron Ulis (2), Andrew Morgan (23) and Gavin Griffiths (12) wait for play to resume after a timeout during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg (1) celebrates during the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg (left) shoots a layup while defended by Fairleigh Dickinson's Bismark Nsiah (7) during the first half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Berke Büyüktuncel (9) shoots the ball while guarded by Fairleigh Dickinson's Josiah Francis (15) during the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Cale Jacobsen (31) shoots the ball during the first half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska assistant coach Nate Loenser (left) speaks to Berke Büyüktuncel (9) during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Fairleigh Dickinson's Cameron Tweedy (21) knocks the ball loose from Nebraska's Ahron Ulis (2) during the second half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Berke Büyüktuncel (9) celebrates during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Brice Williams (3) shoots the ball during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska head coach Fred Hoiberg watches his team play during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Sam Hoiberg (1) drives to the basket while guarded by Fairleigh Dickinson's Jacob Warren (35) during the second half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Henry Burt (35) goes up for a shot against Fairleigh Dickinson's Ahmed Barba-Bey (8) during the second half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Jeffrey Grace III (8) shoots the ball over Fairleigh Dickinson's Jacob Warren (35) during the second half of the game on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Jeffrey Grace III (8) looks back and reacts at his bench after being fouled during the second half of the game against FDU on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Cale Jacobsen (31) drives to the basket during the second half of the game against Farleigh Dickinson on Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Subscribe for the best Husker news & commentary Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Mobile Notary Public and Apostille Services Now Serving South Florida 12-26-2024 10:00 PM CET | Politics, Law & Society Press release from: ABNewswire Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeM5eRI4qC7mza0r81SXtBiezoyGoxc6ibSeYKkvx3lxrofKWOZxs2mWEZhscqUTcE6-n20qmNqrFxn77Q3UqLdlUykr-_qpy4cXc80xQ7XjIdG1BcwWmtCxbDtqAX7NJb8oAda?key=wy1EBlvpUOyvJB8Gf4dCMitL Fort Lauderdale, FL - Mobile Notary Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton [ https://notaryftltoboca.com]has announced its comprehensive range of mobile notary and apostille services, offering convenient, reliable, and professional solutions to individuals, families, and businesses across South Florida. Serving the region from Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton, the company's certified professionals are dedicated to providing accurate and hassle-free notarization services at any location, whether at home, an office, or a neutral meeting spot. With years of experience and a strong commitment to professionalism, Mobile Notary Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton is focused on delivering services tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients. By eliminating the challenges of locating a notary, the company ensures that all documents are notarized efficiently and securely. "Our goal is to simplify the notarization process for everyone in South Florida," says Alan Friedland, the company's owner. "We understand how valuable time is, and we are committed to offering a seamless experience that prioritizes both accuracy and convenience." Extensive Mobile Notary Services Mobile Notary Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton provides a broad spectrum of notary and document-related services, including: * Mobile Notary Public: Offering reliable notarization services at the client's preferred location. * 1st and 2nd Witnesses: Ensuring compliance with document signing requirements by providing witnesses when needed. * Real Estate Documents: Assisting with the notarization of real estate paperwork, including deeds, closings, and escrow forms. * Traveling Notary Public: Delivering professional notary services to any convenient location. * Healthcare and Advanced Directives Notarization: Ensuring accurate handling of medical documents, such as living wills and healthcare proxies. * Power of Attorney Notarization: Providing secure notarization for power of attorney documents. * Apostille Florida Service: Offering expedited apostille services for international document authentication, with next-day turnaround options. * Vin # Verification Form 82042: Assisting with state-required vehicle identification number verification forms. * Estate Documents Notarization: Ensuring the proper notarization of estate planning documents, including wills and trusts. * Wedding Officiant Services: Providing officiant services for weddings with a personal touch. Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc5HY0MJiBjZ6368oj42VN5izKwznNWpc1heEjbY9oJO57XaaK557CwC2_0-9DB3SaZjnmg6m5O6F37O1Bd7-0bEWuEDLpAuM_sg65nzzoseuRw6AvyOjHgNV45r29ZX8OSPQ69aA?key=wy1EBlvpUOyvJB8Gf4dCMitL Express Apostille Services for International Needs Mobile Notary Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton is equipped to handle time-sensitive international documentation through its express apostille services. This offering is ideal for clients requiring urgent authentication for visas, international adoptions, or business transactions abroad. The company's express apostille services allow for document completion as quickly as the next day, providing clients with peace of mind during critical processes. Why Clients Choose Mobile Notary Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton * Certified Professionals: All team members are certified, bonded, and insured, adhering to Florida notary laws and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. * Convenience: Services are mobile, allowing clients to choose the location that works best for them. * Confidentiality: Client privacy is a top priority, with all documents handled securely and discreetly. * Flexibility: The company accommodates individual schedules to ensure a smooth notarization process. * Community Commitment: As a locally owned business, the company is dedicated to supporting and serving the South Florida community. A Personalized Client Approach Mobile Notary Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton understands that every client has unique needs. By tailoring services to specific requirements, the company ensures a seamless experience for tasks ranging from estate planning to real estate transactions. The company's client-centric philosophy is reflected in its ability to deliver personalized solutions with professionalism and care. Convenience as a Core Value Recognizing the challenges of busy schedules, Mobile Notary Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton emphasizes convenience by bringing its services directly to clients. This mobile approach eliminates the need for trips to a notary office, saving time and effort for those managing multiple responsibilities. For inquiries or to schedule a mobile notary or apostille service, interested parties can contact the company at mobilenotaryfortlauderdale@gmail.com [mailto:mobilenotaryfortlauderdale@gmail.com] or visit https://notaryftltoboca.com . About Mobile Notary Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton Mobile Notary Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton is a trusted mobile notary and apostille service provider in South Florida. With a focus on professionalism, accuracy, and convenience, the company offers a wide range of services, including real estate document notarization, healthcare directives, power of attorney, wedding officiant services, and more. The company's mission is to make notarization stress-free and accessible by delivering personalized, on-site services to meet the needs of its clients. For more information, visit https://notaryftltoboca.com . Media Contact Company Name: Mobile Notary Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton Contact Person: Alan Friedland Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=mobile-notary-public-and-apostille-services-now-serving-south-florida ] Country: United States Website: https://notaryftltoboca.com This release was published on openPR.The ethics of AINone

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 Properties

Trump is making Americans richer by the day - and he's not even President yet: ALEX BRUMMER By ALEX BRUMMER FOR THE DAILY MAIL Updated: 22:00, 12 December 2024 e-mail 6 View comments The second coming of Trump horrifies many East and West Coast US liberals. Yet when older Americans examine their retirement investment portfolio, and Generation Z and millennials review gains made on the Robin Hood share platforms, they cannot but have conflicted feelings. Donald Trump’s alliance with fellow travelling conservative Elon Musk, embrace of deregulation and choice of laissez faire, anti-regulation hedge fund managers to key economic posts is making ordinary Americans richer. The possibility that his tariff agenda may eventually be embraced could make US citizens and the country poorer. Trade wars will raise the cost of living (barriers are a tax on imported goods) and fragment an already distorted global trading system. Business boost: Even before his arrival in the White House Time magazine has named the President-elect ‘Person of the Year’ for his ‘once in a generation political realignment’ Time magazine has named the President-elect ‘Person of the Year’ for his ‘once-in-a-generation political realignment’. Time might have added economic and financial realignment to the citation. Choices such as macro hedge fund guru Scott Bessent, nominated to lead the US Treasury, and Andrew Ferguson, to head the anti-trust Federal Trade Commission (FTC), where he has dissented on actions against big tech, delighted Silicon Valley. British investors have had something to cheer, too. A preference of UK fund managers for Wall Street over the Square Mile is hugely disappointing for FTSE 350 investors but has done wonders for those tracking S&P 500 and Nasdaq. It is no accident that in the hours after Ferguson was picked, the tech-dominated Nasdaq soared to a record 20,000 on Wednesday. There was a sigh of relief from Google parent Alphabet, Microsoft and Apple – all have been under intense scrutiny from departing FTC boss Lina Khan. Even though Trump is no fan of Big Tech, – bar Musk – there is a belief the upcoming anti-trust court case against Google, demanding the potential disinvestment of its Chrome search engine, will fizzle out. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Labour's tax grab budget and broken promises on business... I'll just buy more robots - they don't WFH: Itsu tycoon... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account It IS no surprise that Microsoft, Amazon and Meta Platforms, owner of Facebook and WhatsApp, have been among the biggest winners. Trump’s pick of Musk as ‘efficiency adviser’ is paying rich dividends. Forbes magazine, in its latest billionaires list, records that the value of Musk’s enterprises soared 71 per cent in 2024 to $440billion (£345billion) – making him considerably richer than Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The value of pioneering EV maker Tesla stumbled earlier in 2024. But the shares were $419 last night, not far off their record high of £434. As for his rocket and satellite innovator SpaceX, it is now worth an astonishing £280billion. The £200million which Musk spent helping Trump to win the election is proving cash amazingly well spent. The $64billion question is to ask whether the Trump-Musk rally has run its course? So far Federal Reserve chairman Jay Powell has not yet chosen to emulate a predecessor, Alan Greenspan. At the height of the dot.com bubble in 1996, Greenspan expressed concern about ‘irrational exuberance’. It took another four years for that bubble to burst. But there must be a worry that sticky inflation, Trump tariffs and America’s public debt overhang will take its toll. Earlier this week, the Bank for International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland, warned that soaring amount of global government borrowing risks destabilising the financial system. It may soon be time to fasten the seatbelts. DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: Trump is making Americans richer by the day - and he's not even President yet: ALEX BRUMMER e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence. More top storiesMore than 300 Republican party activists will decide Saturday whether chair David Hann or one of three other candidates will lead the party into 2026. Whatever the state central committee decides, Hann says this will likely be his last run for chair and that he’s ready to pass the torch to a new generation of leadership. “I’m at a point where, if we’re successful in 2026 in accomplishing the goals that we set out for ourselves in 2021, that would be a good point to look at stepping away and allowing others to take on the job,” he said in an interview. Hann was elected chair that year after the party was rocked by a major donor getting charged with sex trafficking and former Chair Jennifer Carnahan resigned after pressure for her to step down . He’s spent the last three years working to get the once embattled state party out of debt, and under his leadership, Republicans were able to break Democrats’ trifecta at the state Capitol this year. Though he’s favored to win as the incumbent, Minnesota Republicans say the race could be a toss-up, especially because so many candidates are running. The three challengers are Army veteran Brett Bussman, former RNC committeeman and Wayzata City Council member Alex Plechash and former gubernatorial candidate Mike Murphy. “A tie is not a victory, and suing your way into office is also not a victory,” Murphy said in an interview, referring to the split 67-67 House unless Republicans’ challenge of the results in the House District 54A race in Shakopee is successful. Murphy said he thought there was too much intra-party fighting and not enough focus on the legislative battleground races this election. If elected chair, Murphy wants to implement a party board to hear grievances openly and work toward resolutions, rather than letting grudges fester. Internal party issues tend to become public anyway, he said. Plechash declined to speak for this story and Bussman could not be reached for comment. There’s also a tight race for deputy chair. Hann’s deputy chair Donna Bergstrom, 61, a former candidate for lieutenant governor, has served in the role since 2021. Kip Christianson, 34, who most recently served as President-elect Donald Trump’s deputy state director for his re-election campaign in Minnesota, is also running. Hann is backing Christianson over Bergstrom in the race. Hann’s relationship with the state’s conservative grassroots base and decision to back Christianson has frustrated some Republicans heading into Saturday’s race. Bergstrom says she was blindsided by Hann’s decision, and has since received an overwhelming show of support and encouragement to run for chair herself, a move she ultimately decided against. “That disorder opened up the door to a different element in the campaign,” she said of Hann’s decision to back Christianson. “So many people had said they wouldn’t run against David, just out of their loyalty. Well, now that was kind of all off the table.” But Hann, 72, argues backing Christianson was a necessary move to usher in a younger, new generation of leadership and members in the party. If elected, Christianson would be the youngest person to hold the deputy chair role. “I’ve supported [Bergstrom], and I still do. I think she’s done a great job,” Hann said. “To me, it was a decision to at least make it clear that, as a party, we need to embrace some change, and we need to embrace the newer, younger demographics that are a part of our party organization.” Fresh off Trump’s re-election campaign in Minnesota, Christianson wants to bring the field organizing experience he gained on the job into the deputy chair role to ensure Republicans are competitive heading into 2026 and beyond. “The party is in a new world and David and I both see that that requires new leadership to bring that into the future with those with this balanced approach of continuity and change,” said Christianson, who too had been mulling a bid for chair himself before he decided to run for the deputy post. In announcing his candidacy, Christianson came clean to supporters about his past, telling them he was arrested for a DUI nearly a decade ago. “I made a mistake, I learned from it. It won’t happen again,” he said in a video , telling supporters he’s now sober. He also told them he was behind helping Kevin Shores run as a Grassroots Legalize Cannabis Party candidate in the Seventh Congressional District in 2020. Also in the running for deputy chair is Fred Hage, a local party leader in Cass County. The central committee meets Saturday at noon in Minnetonka.

By BARBARA ORTUTAY, Associated Press Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly” despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health, according to a new report published Thursday by the Pew Research Center. As in past years, YouTube was the single most popular platform teenagers used — 90% said they watched videos on the site, down slightly from 95% in 2022. Nearly three-quarters said they visit YouTube every day. There was a slight downward trend in several popular apps teens used. For instance, 63% of teens said they used TikTok, down from 67% and Snapchat slipped to 55% from 59%. This small decline could be due to pandemic-era restrictions easing up and kids having more time to see friends in person, but it’s not enough to be truly meaningful. X saw the biggest decline among teenage users. Only 17% of teenagers said they use X, down from 23% in 2022, the year Elon Musk bought the platform. Reddit held steady at 14%. About 6% of teenagers said they use Threads, Meta’s answer to X that launched in 2023. The report comes as countries around the world are grappling with how to handle the effects of social media on young people’s well-being. Australia recently passed a law banning kids under 16 from social networks, though it’s unclear how it will be able to enforce the age limit — and whether it will come with unintended consequences such as isolating vulnerable kids from their peers. Meta’s messaging service WhatsApp was a rare exception in that it saw the number of teenage users increase, to 23% from 17% in 2022. Pew also asked kids how often they use various online platforms. Small but significant numbers said they are on them “almost constantly.” For YouTube, 15% reported constant use, for TikTok, 16% and for Snapchat, 13%. As in previous surveys, girls were more likely to use TikTok almost constantly while boys gravitated to YouTube. There was no meaningful gender difference in the use of Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook. Roughly a quarter of Black and Hispanic teens said they visit TikTok almost constantly, compared with just 8% of white teenagers. The report was based on a survey of 1,391 U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 conducted from Sept. 18 to Oct. 10, 2024. Be civil. Be kind.

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — A far-right populist took the lead in Romania’s presidential election Sunday, electoral data showed, and will likely face leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu in a runoff in two weeks, an outcome that rocked the country's political landscape. Calin Georgescu, who ran independently, led the polls with around 22% of the vote, while Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party, or PSD, trailed at 20.6%. Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party, or USR, stood at about 17.4%, and George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, took 14.3%. After polls closed at 9 p.m. local time (1900GMT), 9.4 million people — about 52.4% of eligible voters — had cast ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau. Thirteen candidates ran for the presidency in the European Union and NATO member country, and will go to a second round on Dec. 8. The president serves a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy and judicial appointments. Georgescu, 62, ran independently and was not widely known. He outperformed most local surveys, sending shockwaves through Romania's political establishment. After casting his ballot on Sunday, Georgescu said in a post on Facebook that he voted “For the unjust, for the humiliated, for those who feel they do not matter and actually matter the most ... the vote is a prayer for the nation.” Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, told The Associated Press that Georgescu’s unexpected poll performance appears to be a “large protest or revolt against the establishment.” “The mainstream political parties have lost the connection with regular Romanians,” he said. “You don’t have strong candidates or strong leaders ... there are weak candidates, weak leaders, and the parties in general are pretty much disconnected.” Georgescu lacks an agenda, Andrei added, and has a vague and populist manifesto with positions that are “beyond the normal discourse." His stances include supporting Romanian farmers, reducing dependency on imports, and ramping up energy and food production. He also has a rapidly growing on the social media platform, TikTok. Ahead of Sunday's vote, many expected to see Simion, a vocal supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, face Ciolacu in the second round. He campaigned for reunification with Moldova, which this year renewed a five-year ban on him entering the country over security concerns, and he is banned for the same reason from neighboring Ukraine. Ecaterina Nawadia, a 20-year-old architecture student, said she voted for the first time in a national election on Sunday and hopes young people turn out in high numbers. “Since the (1989) revolution, we didn’t have a really good president,” she said. “I hope most of the people my age went to vote ... because the leading candidate is not the best option.” Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on Dec. 1 that will determine the country’s next government and prime minister. Andrei, the political consultant, said Romania's large budget deficit, high inflation, and an economic slowdown could push more mainstream candidates to shift toward populist stances amid widespread dissatisfaction. Ciolacu told the AP before the first-round vote that one of his biggest goals was “to convince Romanians that it is worth staying at home or returning” to Romania, which has a massive diaspora spread throughout EU countries. Other candidates included former NATO deputy general secretary Mircea Geoana , who ran independently and obtained about 6%; and Nicolae Ciuca, a former army general and head of the center-right National Liberal Party, which is currently in a tense coalition with the PSD — who stood at 9.3%. Geoana, a former foreign minister and ambassador to the United States, told the AP before Sunday's vote that he believed his international experience would qualify him above the other candidates. Lasconi, a former journalist and the leader of the USR, said she sees corruption as one of the biggest problems Romania faces and that she supports increased defense spending and continued aid to Ukraine.

Kids aren't the only ones who hang their stocking by the chimney with care each year. Who doesn't love to wake up on Christmas morning to find their stocking stuffed with goodies? Chocolates and candy canes, are the natural go-to stocking stuffers, but there's a world of fun and unexpected tchotchkes just waiting to get stuffed into a sock. I've rounded up a list of the best stocking stuffers that put the "fun" in functional, all under $20. This list includes a bunch of out-of-the-box ideas for kids and adults alike. I'm talking a for just $4, for your teen's Stanley cup and a (yep, you read that right). From tech problem-solvers and budget-friendly beauty faves to card games for the whole family, these ideas are proof that the best things often come in the smallest packages. Broken down by price for easier shopping, keep scrolling to find a few stocking stuffer ideas for everyone on your list — , , teens, kids, you name it. And while you're in the shopping spirit, check out our along with and . Aveeno Skin Relief Repairing Hand Mask E.l.f. Monochromatic Multi Stick Pulidiki Car Cleaning Gel Little Stinker Bag of Reindeer Farts La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Lip Balm Betrich Electric Lighter Grace & Stella Under Eye Masks, 6 Pairs MaledenInvisible Ink Pens, Set of 6 Gocii Airtag Wallet Holder, 2 Pack Urtheone Silicone Hair Scalp Massager HomDsg Silicone Cowboy Hat Straw Covers, 4 Pack UNO Show ‘em No Mercy Card Game Ototo Tulip Tea Infuser Schylling NeeDoh Nice Cube Oxo Good Grips Sweep & Swipe Laptop Cleaner OctoBuddy Silicone Suction Phone Case Bee's Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps, 3 Pack Crosley Radio Mini Record Player Bluetooth Speaker Jiskan Pro Golf Club Brush Cleaner Don't let dry, scaly skin take away from her merry mani this holiday season. These shea butter-infused masks work their skin-saving magic in just 10 minutes. Just slip 'em on, rub in any visible products once the time is up and reveal smoother, softer hands. A little swipe of color goes a long way. This bestselling multi-tasker works as an eyeshadow, blush and lipstick — all for a fraction of the price of popular brands like Ilia and Jones Road. Editor , raving that they're "dewy without being slick or sticky." Pick from seven gorgeous colors, from a shimmery peach to a bolder berry. ( ) A car vacuum is great for the floor mats and seats, but this slime-like gel can tackle all of the nooks and crannies. Press it into air vents, cupholders and other hard-to-clean spots, then pull it away slowly to remove dust and debris. Give kids a good laugh with this toot-tastic treat, which smells— and tastes? — like cherries. Cue the fart jokes (sorry, parents). Hot take: Our Senior Beauty Editor Jennifer Romolini suggests you skip th and pick up this potent, moisturizing balm instead. She's not the only one who stands by this fragrance-free favorite — thousands of Amazon reviewers say it effectively treats dry, cracked lips, with that "it's incredibly hydrating without being greasy" and the "effects last for hours without needing constant reapplication." No flames or fuel here. Charge this long-necked lighter with the included USB cord and use it up to 800 (!) times before it needs a power boost. Slip these into her stocking to encourage some overdue TLC. Dubbed an "energy drink for your eyes," these glittery gels target all the usual suspects: puffy eyes, dark circles, fine lines and dryness. Pint-size spies can write special messages for their eyes only — or the eyes of the ones they trust (ahem, you). The ink is totally invisible unless they shine it with the blacklight from the pen’s cap. Everyone in your life should have an AirTag (or five) by now. On the off chance that they don't, pick up and divvy them up between stockings. Then stick the trackers in these sleek holders, which they can slip into any card slot in their wallet. "It was super easy to pop the AirTag in and it fits securely," adding that they also keep one in their passport holder when they travel. Hair products aren't cheap. This little doodad ensures that shampoo and other treatments are evenly distributed, ultimately giving her better bang for her buck. Plus, , "it makes it feel like you are getting your hair professionally washed at the salon." Maybe there's a "big dumb cup" waiting for her underneath the tree. Or maybe she already has a collection of 'em. Either way, she'll love dressing up her tumbler(s) with these silly (yet stylish) straw covers. UNO is having a bit of a resurgence right now, so why don't you kick things up a notch with this new-and-improved version? "It is chaotic, fast-paced, and can easily turn casual players into cutthroat revenge-seeking enemies," one customer raved. That's because the rules are stricter and the actions are way more brutal (like Skip Everyone and Wild Draw 10). Talk about a tea-riffic stocking stuffer: Place any loose-leaf variety in the base of this flower, then watch the flavors blossom as it steeps in hot water. "It stands well, defuses well, and washes well," adding it's a "cheerful addition to my tea cup." A whopping 90,000 Amazon shoppers picked up this sensory squish in the last month. The reason: "It is satisfying to hold and squish without being too squishy. There is a slight firmness to it," , plus it "doesn't have the sticky gross feeling that comparable products can have." It's all about how you squeeze it — go slowly for a softer feel or pick up the speed to increase its firmness. ( ) You know what's always "in"? Taking care of your tech. Use this double-sided tool to clean laptops, smartphones and tablets — the retractable brush sweeps away crumbs and dust, while the microfiber pad gets rid of smudges and fingerprints. This silicone stick-on is every influencer's (not-so) secret to quality videos and selfies. Snag one for your budding social media star — or better yet, for anyone who simply wants to watch videos, read recipes or follow directions on their phone hands-free. "It sticks on most surfaces, as long as it's flat and smooth," . "Doesn't leave any suction cup marks or anything." If they're the practical type, reusable food wraps are a no-brainer. They'll get three sizes in this pack —a small one for half a lemon, onion or avocado; a medium wrap for sandwiches and snacks; and a larger one to cover bowls or pie dishes. "Eliminates the need for dozens of rolls of plastic wrap, so saves money and the environment at the same time," There's more than meets than eye to this retro-inspired speaker. It looks like a mini version of Crosley's popular turntable, but it has all the modern-day tech to play up to eight hours of music via Bluetooth. He's spent a near fortune on his clubs, and now he'll be able to properly care for 'em. He can clip this brush onto his belt or bag, so he can quickly remove dirt and grass before his next play. Mix a little soap and water in the squeeze bottle for a deeper clean. ( ) See all of our in one spot. We've got gift ideas for all the different people in your life — , , , you name it.Super Football Conference: United White All-Division teams, 2024

UMKC 88, Gallitos 55The UN nuclear watchdog's board of governors passed a resolution chiding Iran's poor cooperation with the agency after hours of heated exchanges, diplomats told AFP late on Thursday, a move Tehran called "politically motivated". The censure motion brought by Britain, France, Germany and the United States at the International Atomic Energy Agency's 35-nation board follows a similar one in June. But it comes as tensions run high over Iran's atomic programme, with critics fearing that Tehran is attempting to develop a nuclear weapon -- a claim the Islamic Republic has repeatedly denied. The resolution -- which China, Russia and Burkina Faso voted against -- was carried by 19 votes in favour, with 12 abstentions and Venezuela not participating, two diplomats told AFP. Ahead of the vote on Thursday night, the United States and its European allies sought to rally support for their resolution by denouncing Iran. In its national statement to the board, Washington said that Tehran's nuclear activities are "deeply troubling". London, Paris and Berlin in a joint statement drew attention to the "threat" Iran's nuclear programme posed "to international security", stressing that it now had enough highly enriched uranium for four nuclear weapons. In a first reaction after the vote, Iran's ambassador to the IAEA, Mohsen Naziri Asl, told AFP that the resolution was "politically motivated", citing its "low support" compared to previous censures. The confidential resolution seen by AFP says it is "essential and urgent" for Iran to "act to fulfil its legal obligations". The text also calls on Tehran to provide "technically credible explanations" for the presence of uranium particles found at two undeclared locations in Iran. Moreover, Western powers are asking for a "comprehensive report" to be issued by the IAEA on Iran's nuclear efforts "at the latest" by spring 2025. Since 2021, Tehran has significantly decreased its cooperation with the agency by deactivating surveillance devices to monitor the nuclear programme and barring UN inspectors. At the same time, Iran has rapidly ramped up its nuclear activities, including by increasing its stockpiles of enriched uranium. That has heightened fears that Tehran might be seeking to develop a nuclear weapon, which it denies. The resolution comes just as IAEA head Rafael Grossi returned from a trip to Tehran last week, where he appeared to have made headway. During the visit, Iran agreed to an IAEA demand to cap its sensitive stock of near weapons-grade uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity. "This is a concrete step in the right direction," Grossi told reporters Wednesday, saying it was "the first time" Iran had made such a commitment since it started breaking away from its obligations under the nuclear deal. The landmark 2015 deal -- which curbed Iran's nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief -- fell apart three years later after the unilateral withdrawal by the United States under then-president Donald Trump. In retaliation, Tehran began gradually rolling back some of its commitments by increasing its uranium stockpiles and enriching beyond the 3.67 percent purity -- enough for nuclear power stations -- permitted under the deal. Although symbolic in nature at this stage, the censure motion is designed to raise diplomatic pressure on Iran. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Thursday the censure "will disrupt" interactions with the agency, but stressed Tehran would remain keen to cooperate. Earlier, Araghchi had warned of a "proportionate" response by Iran if the board passes the resolution. According to Heloise Fayet, a researcher at the French Institute of International Relations, the resolution has the potential to "harm Rafael Grossi's efforts". "But Western powers are frustrated by the lack of effectiveness of his diplomatic manoeuvres and are looking for firmer solutions," she told AFP. On Wednesday, Grossi said he could "not exclude" that Iran's commitment to cap enrichment might falter "as a result of further developments". Foreign policy expert Rahman Ghahremanpour said Tehran might retaliate to the new censure by "increasing the enrichment levels". But he does not expect any drastic "strategic measures" as Iran does not want to "aggravate tensions" before Trump returns to the White House. pdm-anb-kym/giv