Marnus Labuschagne was left red-faced when his antics left even his own teammates frustrated during the rollercoaster fifth day of the Boxing Day Test on Monday. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Marnus was bringing plenty of energy in the first session of play as Australia hunted early wickets at the MCG with India attempting a record fourth innings run chase of 340 — something never done at the MCG. Labuschagne on several occasions jumped up wildly from his position in the slips cordon while appealing for wickets that were nowhere near the mark. Labuschagne had cricket legends scoffing on live TV as replays showed two separate appeals for caught-behind where the ball had sailed miles away from the edge of the bat. The first came in the third over of play where Mitchell Starc was bowling to Yashasvi Jaiswal and his outswinger sailed through to Alex Carey more than 10cm away from the outside of Jaiswal’s blade. Labuschagne’s desperate appeals appeared to be based off noises he could hear — but none of his teammates wanted anything to do with it. It happened again a few overs later when Starc ripped it past Rohit Sharma with the Indian captain again nowhere near getting bat on ball. Thankfully for the Aussies, Labuschagne’s appeals were quickly dismissed by his own teammates. Former Aussie coach Darren Lehmann was laughing when watching on inside the ABC commentary box. “Marnus, stay at third slip,” Lehmann said. “Don’t speak. Don’t appeal.” The South Australian great went on to say: “That is the worst appeal in the history of the sport”. The Fox Cricket commentary team were flabbergasted. “He’s missed it by a mile. If it had gone up stairs it would have been the worst review in the history of the game,” Mark Howard said. Former England Test captain Michael Vaughan said: “He needs his ears tested. He’s missed it by half a yard. “If Marnus was the captain, Australia would have lost both reviews in six overs.” Starc was sick of Marnus’ antics and was visibly frustrated in waving his teammate’s appeal away. The Aussie spearhead turned his back on Labuschagne when the batsman was mid-appeal. The fast-bowler then turned back and gestured to show the ball had missed the bat by about a foot. It had plenty of fans laughing on social media. Cricket statistician Ric Finlay wrote on X: “Marnus is a DRS-destroyer. Should field permanently at deep square-leg”.
Preview: NEC vs. FC Utrecht - prediction, team news, lineupsBOSTON , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors (the "Board") of The China Fund, Inc. (the "Fund") has declared a distribution in the amount of $0.1497 per share. The distribution is comprised entirely of ordinary income. The dividend will be payable on January 10, 2025 , to stockholders of record on December 30, 2024 , with an ex-dividend date of December 30, 2024 . The Fund has a Dividend Reinvestment and Cash Purchase Plan (the "Plan") in which each stockholder automatically participates, unless the stockholder instructs Computershare Trust Company, N.A. (the "Plan Agent"), in writing, to have all distributions, net of any applicable U.S. withholding tax, paid in cash. If the Fund's shares are trading at a premium to the net asset value ("NAV") per share of the Fund on the distribution payment date, the Plan provides that stockholders will be issued Fund shares valued at NAV. If the Fund's shares are trading at a discount to the NAV per share, stockholders will be issued shares of the Fund valued at market price. Stockholders will not be charged a fee in connection with the reinvestment of dividends or capital gains distributions. A stockholder may terminate his or her participation in the Plan by notifying the Plan Agent in writing at the address below. Stockholders who have questions regarding the distribution may contact EQ Fund Solutions, LLC at 1-888-CHN-CALL (246-2255). The Fund is a closed-end management investment company with the objective of seeking long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in equity securities (i) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is in the People's Republic of China (" China "), or (ii) of companies for which the principal securities trading market is outside of China , or constituting direct equity investments in companies organized outside of China , that in both cases derive at least 50% of their revenues from goods and services sold or produced, or have at least 50% of their assets, in China . While the Fund is permitted to invest in direct equity investments of companies organized in China , it presently holds no such investments. The Fund's shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CHN." The Fund's investment manager is Matthews International Capital Management, LLC. For more information regarding the Fund and the Fund's holdings, please call 1-888-CHN-CALL (246-2255) or visit the Fund's website at www.chinafundinc.com . For more information about the Plan or to terminate your participation in the Plan, please contact Computershare Trust Company, N.A. at c/o The China Fund, Inc. at P.O. Box 43078, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-3078, by telephone at 1-800-426-5523 or via the Internet at www.computershare.com/investor . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-china-fund-inc-declares-distributions-302331625.html SOURCE The China Fund, Inc.
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in collaboration with Advocacy for Policy and Innovation (API), has introduced a pivotal Whitepaper on the Framework for an Online Harms Protection Bill in Nigeria. This initiative represents a major step forward in addressing the rising challenges of online harms while fostering a secure and inclusive digital environment for all Nigerians. The Whitepaper is an outcome of Nigeria’s first-ever Content Moderation and Online Safety Summit, held in July 2022, and hosted by API, an African non-profit committed to advancing digital innovation and inclusive policymaking. The document lays the groundwork for a comprehensive legal framework to safeguard Nigerians in the digital space and protect against a myriad of online threats. Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 16 (Feb 10 – May 3, 2025 ) opens registrations; register today for early bird discounts. Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations here. Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and i nvest in Africa’s finest startups here . “Despite existing regulations, the complexities of the digital environment require a more comprehensive and collaborative approach to online safety for Nigerians,” the document said. The document identifies the pervasive nature of online harms, highlighting the risks posed to children and vulnerable groups. It offers an in-depth analysis of global regulatory efforts while proposing strategies tailored to Nigeria’s unique digital industry. “This white paper underscores the importance of regulatory measures broadly, and for children and minorities especially, and calls for a collaborative and data-driven approach to crafting a framework to ensure a safer digital environment for all,” the Agency stated. NITDA acknowledges that previous efforts, including the Cybercrime Act of 2015 and the Internet Code of Practice, have been insufficient in addressing the evolving challenges of online safety. The agency stresses the need for a more robust approach, stating that the complexities of the digital environment demand a collaborative and comprehensive strategy to ensure online safety for all Nigerians. The Whitepaper is designed to spark a national conversation about combating online harms. It aims to guide the development of policies that strike a balance between regulatory oversight and fostering a vibrant digital ecosystem. It seeks to serve as a foundation for drafting a legal framework to promote online safety while encouraging inclusive participation from stakeholders across various sectors. It also emphasizes the importance of collaboration among government agencies, civil society, businesses, and the wider public to address the complexities of digital safety. At its core, the document highlights the urgent need to protect children and minorities and calls for a data-driven approach to crafting effective policies. NITDA has called on all stakeholders, including businesses, civil society organizations, local and international internet platforms, and the general public, to review the Whitepaper and provide feedback. The agency has set up a dedicated secretariat to collect responses, which will inform further discussions among stakeholder groups before a final bill is drafted. Over the years, Nigeria has implemented several regulations to address online harms. Notable among these are the Cybercrime Act of 2015, the Internet Code of Practice introduced by the Nigerian Communications Commission in 2017, and the National Broadcasting Code of 2020. Additionally, NITDA’s Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms, introduced in 2022, was another significant step. Legislative proposals such as the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill of 2019, the controversial Social Media Bill, and the NBC Amendment Bill of 2023 have also been introduced to protect citizens from online dangers. However, there are concerns regarding the inadequacies of these regulations, particularly their perceived potential to stifle civic spaces and infringe on human rights. NITDA has clarified that the Whitepaper is not a definitive regulatory guide but rather a research-driven document intended to facilitate discussions and refine policy directions. This approach allows stakeholders to collaborate on creating a framework that balances regulatory action with fostering innovation and inclusivity in the digital ecosystem. However, many believe that this initiative has the potential to set a new standard for digital governance in Nigeria. With stakeholder feedback and continued dialogue, the framework for the Online Harms Protection Bill is expected to mark a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward a more secure and inclusive digital future.
Qatar’s extensive investments help maintain ‘high levels of satisfaction’ with digital services: ReportHow to Watch the NBA Today, December 30The murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO in New York on Wednesday has ignited a firestorm of fury online about the health insurance industry. Brian Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday morning, but many social media users have exhibited a morbid indifference or even cheerfulness in reacting to his death. "Of course I would have been happy to send my condolences after the United Healthcare CEO was killed," one person posted in a video on TikTok. "Unfortunately, sympathy requires a prior authorization, and I have to deny that request." One person commented on previous Scripps News reporting saying, "Private health insurance is evil so... this doesn't concern me 1 bit." RELATED STORY | 'Depose,' 'Deny,' 'Defend' reportedly written on shell casings in slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Many other online users posted about their challenging experiences with UnitedHealthcare, including stories of being denied coverage by the provider. The words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were written on ammunition the shooter used, according to law enforcement. Those words caused some on social media to draw a connection to a 2010 book with a similar title, "Delay, Deny, Defend," about insurance companies failing to pay claims. Denial of health insurance claims have been increasing across the board, according to a U.S. Senate Investigative report found by Scripps News. It found UnitedHealthcare's denial rate for post-acute care climbed from almost 11% in 2020 to nearly 23% in 2022, and Humana's denial rate for long-term post-acute care grew by 54% during that same time span. A new survey from The Commonwealth Fund found nearly one in four older U.S. adults spent at least $2,000 out of pocket on health care last year. The online response to Thompson's murder isn't a surprise to Stephan Meier, the chair of the management division at Columbia Business School, given the industry in which the CEO worked. "It's not so surprising if you look at, you know, surveys about what industries are liked or not, are trusted or not, and health insurers are not at the top of that list, to put it mildly," Meier said. There are signs the industry is taking notice of the backlash. CVS Health has taken down photos of its executives posted to its website, as security concerns grow for industry leaders.
( ) is up about 10% in 2024, but is off the recent high. Investors who missed the rally this year are wondering if FTS stock is still and good to buy for a self-directed Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) portfolio focused on income and total returns. Fortis stock price Fortis trades near $60 per share at the time of writing. The stock has been in a range of $51 to $63 over the past year. Most of the gains occurred in the past six months. This is largely due to interest rate cuts put in place by the Bank of Canada and the U.S. Federal Reserve. Fortis spends billions of dollars every year on its growth projects, and the company uses debt to fund part of the capital program. The jump in interest rates through 2022 and 2023 caused some concern for investors who worried that the higher debt expenses would cut into cash that could be paid out to shareholders. Higher borrowing costs can also potentially limit the number of new growth projects that get approved. The drop in interest rates in Canada and the United States in recent months has reduced interest charges for variable-rate loans. Bond yields have also dropped from their 2023 highs. Lower debt expenses help boost profits and free up more cash for dividend payments or debt reduction. Growth Fortis operates utilities in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean. The businesses include natural gas distribution utilities, power-generation facilities, and electricity transmission networks. Revenue from these businesses is largely rate-regulated, meaning Fortis enjoys predictable and reliable cash flow. This enables management to plan growth over several years. Fortis is currently working on a $26 billion capital program that will raise the rate base from $38.8 billion in 2024 to $53 billion in 2029. As the new assets are completed and go into service, the extra cash flow should support ongoing dividend growth. Fortis also has a long track record of making strategic acquisitions. The company hasn’t done a deal for several years. However, the drop in interest rates could spur a wave of consolidation in the utility sector. Risks Bond yields are moving higher again, even after the Bank of Canada’s latest rate cut and the anticipated next cut by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The concern in the market is that inflation has increased in the past couple of months and could continue to climb in 2025. If that occurs and the central banks are forced to halt rate cuts or even raise rates again, the utility sector would likely pull back again. Dividends Fortis recently raised the dividend by 4.2%. This is the 51st consecutive year the board has increased the distribution. Fortis plans to boost the dividend by 4% to 6% annually through at least 2029, supported by the capital program. The company has other projects under consideration that could get approved to boost the outlook for growth and dividend increases. Investors who buy Fortis stock at the current price can get a dividend yield of 4%. Is Fortis a buy today? Additional downside is possible in the near term, depending on how the central banks act in the coming months. That being said, buy-and-hold dividend investors should be comfortable owning FTS stock at the current level and can look to boost the position on weakness.
By MIKE CATALINI CHATHAM, N.J. (AP) — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It’s unclear if it’s drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what’s behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey’s new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they’re looking into what’s happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it , has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she’s glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn’t buy what the governor said, that the drones aren’t a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there’s the notion that people could misunderstand what they’re seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they’re looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin’s view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That’s not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added. Associated Press reporter Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report.The murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO in New York on Wednesday has ignited a firestorm of fury online about the health insurance industry. Brian Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday morning, but many social media users have exhibited a morbid indifference or even cheerfulness in reacting to his death. "Of course I would have been happy to send my condolences after the United Healthcare CEO was killed," one person posted in a video on TikTok. "Unfortunately, sympathy requires a prior authorization, and I have to deny that request." One person commented on previous Scripps News reporting saying, "Private health insurance is evil so... this doesn't concern me 1 bit." RELATED STORY | 'Depose,' 'Deny,' 'Defend' reportedly written on shell casings in slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Many other online users posted about their challenging experiences with UnitedHealthcare, including stories of being denied coverage by the provider. The words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were written on ammunition the shooter used, according to law enforcement. Those words caused some on social media to draw a connection to a 2010 book with a similar title, "Delay, Deny, Defend," about insurance companies failing to pay claims. Denial of health insurance claims have been increasing across the board, according to a U.S. Senate Investigative report found by Scripps News. It found UnitedHealthcare's denial rate for post-acute care climbed from almost 11% in 2020 to nearly 23% in 2022, and Humana's denial rate for long-term post-acute care grew by 54% during that same time span. A new survey from The Commonwealth Fund found nearly one in four older U.S. adults spent at least $2,000 out of pocket on health care last year. The online response to Thompson's murder isn't a surprise to Stephan Meier, the chair of the management division at Columbia Business School, given the industry in which the CEO worked. "It's not so surprising if you look at, you know, surveys about what industries are liked or not, are trusted or not, and health insurers are not at the top of that list, to put it mildly," Meier said. There are signs the industry is taking notice of the backlash. CVS Health has taken down photos of its executives posted to its website, as security concerns grow for industry leaders.
Vikings vs Bears Prediction: Odds, Expert Picks, QB Matchup, Injury News, Betting Trends and Stats
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Even in outwardly inclusive workplaces, LGBTQ+ employees face ‘invisible’ challenges
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — A federal judge set a Jan. 8 hearing to hear NASCAR’s motion to throw out an antitrust lawsuit filed against the stock car series by Michael Jordan-owned 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports The two teams are suing NASCAR and were granted a preliminary injunction Wednesday that will allow them to compete as chartered teams in 2025. U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth D. Bell said that “NASCAR fans (and members of the public who may become fans) have an interest in watching all the teams compete with their best drivers and most competitive teams.” NASCAR has indicated it will appeal his ruling and wants his injunction partially blocked pending the appeal. The hearing is the latest in the legal brawl between the two Cup Series teams and the sanctioning body that began late last season. Judge Bell is set to decide other motions, as well. He also set a Sept. 19, 2025, deadline for discovery to be completed and set a trial date of Dec. 1 — after the completion of next season. 23XI, the team owned by Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row refused in September to sign take-it-or-leave it charter renewal offers made by NASCAR. A charter is essentially a franchise and guarantees prize money, a spot in the field each week and other protections. The teams filed suit alleging NASCAR owners are “monopolistic bullies” and lost a bid in November to be recognized as “chartered” teams as the suit continues. 23XI and Front Row can now sign the charter agreements and still pursue their lawsuit. They also each were granted permission to purchase additional charters from Stewart Haas Racing, which is going from four Cup cars to one, though NASCAR must approve the transfers to those teams.
BEIJING (Reuters) – Huawei cut the prices of a variety of high-end devices, including mobile phones, by up to 3,000 yuan ($411) over the weekend on one of China’s leading e-commerce platforms, it said in a post on its official Weibo social media account on Sunday. In a JD.com “Super Brand Day” promotion running from Saturday evening through to midnight on Sunday, Huawei offered discounts on its smartphones, headphones, watches and tablets, the post showed. ($1 = 7.2980 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Kim Coghill) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
Ex Demi Moore Shares Update on Bruce Willis’ Dementia BattleUS auto giant General Motors announced Tuesday it will abandon its robotaxi development efforts after a highly publicized incident last year stymied its progress in the autonomous vehicle field. The Detroit-based manufacturer plans to merge the Cruise robotaxi vehicle unit with GM's technical teams to concentrate on developing advanced driver assistance systems for personal vehicles, a statement said. The company said it abandoned the Cruise project "given the considerable time and resources that would be needed to scale the business, along with an increasingly competitive robotaxi market." It marks a major turnaround for GM, which bought the Cruise startup in 2016 and has since spent billions of dollars to make the operation viable. "A robotaxi business is not General Motors’ core business," said GM CEO Mary Barra in a call with analysts. But Barra said GM's commitment to autonomous technology "is unwavering." The halt of operations comes a year after Cruise was forced to suspend all operations in San Francisco after one of its self-driving cars dragged a woman who had first been hit by a hit-and-run driver in the city. Cruise lost its operating permits from regulators, paused expansions into other states and laid off 900 employees -- a quarter of its workforce. Shortly before the incident, California authorities had allowed for expanded driverless taxi services in San Francisco, giving the go-ahead for Alphabet-owned Waymo and Cruise. Cruise's exit confirms Waymo as the dominant player in the business, which was valued at $45 billion after a fundraising round in October, according to Bloomberg. The company has been expanding its reach and currently runs robotaxi fleets in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles. And in a team-up with Uber, the company is planning to offer Waymo robotaxi rides in Atlanta and Austin. Amazon's Zoox meanwhile is conducting robotaxi testing in California and Las Vegas, while Elon Musk recently unveiled what he said was a robotaxi capable of self-driving, predicting it would be available by 2027. GM's strategic pivot comes as embattled automakers worldwide face mounting pressure to balance investments in emerging technologies with near-term profitability. The auto giant said that the restructuring is expected to generate annual savings exceeding $1 billion once completed in the first half of 2025. GM's share price was up by more than three percent in after hours trading on Wall Street. arp/dwIs Infinity Nikki a gacha game?