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Now that starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is back in the lineup, the Miami Dolphins are starting to play like the team they were expected to be at the start of the season. They have won three games in a row, scored at least 23 points in each of the past four games and are starting to create a buzz that they might be able to go on a second-half run to get back into the AFC playoff picture. Their Thursday night game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving is going to be a pivotal one in their season. It will not only tell us a lot about their chances of going on a run for the playoffs, but also whether or not the team is making any progress in its ability to actually compete with the best teams in the league. When it comes to their playoff chances for this season, the Dolphins have almost no margin for error. They are already on the outside of the AFC playoff picture looking in and two games back of the seventh spot. Realistically speaking, it is probably going to take at least 10 wins to get in the AFC field, which means the Dolphins could not afford to lose more than two games the rest of the way. They might not be able to lose more than one game. While the schedule does have some favorable matchups, including two games against the New York Jets and a game against the Cleveland Browns, there are also a couple of potential playoff teams still looming. That includes Thursday's game at Green Bay, a Week 15 game at Houston and a Week 16 game against San Francisco. That brings us to the other issue here with the Dolphins. Can they actually beat teams like that? That has been the one constant issue for them under head coach Mike McDaniel. In his first two full seasons as the Dolphins' head coach, they are just 3-11 against teams that made the playoffs (including the two playoff games) and were only 1-6 a year ago. The truly staggering thing about that stat is they actually beat two playoff teams within the first three weeks of the 2022 season (Baltimore and Buffalo) and then went just 1-11 in the 12 games after that against playoff teams. So far this season, the Dolphins are 0-4 against teams currently in a playoff position or that have a winning record and 5-2 against teams with a losing record or out of the playoff picture. That is not a sustainable, winning formula to only beat the non-playoff teams and keep losing to the above-average teams. That is why Thursday's game will tell us a lot about what this team is capable of. The Dolphins have their quarterback healthy again. They are building some momentum and playing their way back into the playoff picture. They are getting a chance to play a legitimate playoff team in the NFC. If they win, it gets them back to .500 for the season with some winnable games ahead and proves they can at least beat a good team. If they lose? Their already slim playoff hopes take an even bigger hit and questions remain about their ability to beat good teams.fb7777 。

BOSTON , 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 China Fund, Inc. Announces Date of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX'

ATLANTA (AP) — Already reeling from their November defeats, Democrats now are grappling with President Joe Biden’s pardoning of his son for federal crimes, with some calling the move misguided and unwise after the party spent years slamming Donald Trump as a threat to democracy who disregarded the law. The president pardoned Hunter Biden late Sunday evening, reversing his previous pledges with a grant of clemency that covers more than a decade of any federal crimes his son might have committed. The 82-year-old president said in a statement that his son’s prosecution on charges of tax evasion and falsifying a federal weapons purchase form were politically motivated. “He believes in the justice system, but he also believes that politics infected the process and led to a miscarriage of justice,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, who along with Biden and other White House officials insisted for months that Hunter Biden would not get a pardon . That explanation did not satisfy some Democrats, angry that Biden’s reversal could make it harder to take on Trump , who has argued that multiple indictments and one conviction against him were a matter of Biden and Democrats turning the justice system against him. “This is a bad precedent that could be abused by later Presidents and will sadly tarnish his reputation,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis wrote of Biden on the social media platform X. “When you become President, your role is Pater familias of the nation,” the governor continued, a reference to the president invoking fatherhood in explaining his decision. “Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself, and one can sympathize with his struggles while also acknowledging that no one is above the law, not a President and not a President’s son.” Rep. Greg Stanton, D-Ariz., said on X: “This wasn’t a politically motivated prosecution. Hunter committed felonies and was convicted by a jury of his peers.” Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet said Biden “put personal interest ahead of duty” with a decision that “further erodes Americans’ faith that the justice system is fair and equal for all.” Michigan Sen. Gary Peters said the pardon was “an improper use of power” that erodes faith in government and “emboldens others to bend justice to suit their interests.” Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., called the pardon “understandable” if viewed only as the “action of a loving father.” But Biden's status as “our nation's Chief Executive," the senator said, rendered the move “unwise.” Certainly, the president has Democratic defenders who note Trump’s use of presidential power to pardon a slew of his convicted aides, associates and friends, several for activities tied to Trump’s campaign and first administration. “Trump pardoned Roger Stone, Steve Bannon, Michael Flynn and Paul Manafort, as well as his son-in-law’s father, Charles Kushner — who he just appointed US ambassador to France,” wrote prominent Democratic fundraiser Jon Cooper on X. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison said there “is no standard for Donald Trump, and the highest standard for Democrats and Joe Biden.” Harrison pointed to Trump's apparent plans to oust FBI Director Christopher Wray and replace him with loyalist Kash Patel and suggested the GOP's pursuit of Hunter Biden would not have ended without clemency. “Most people will see that Joe Biden did what was right,” Harrison said. First lady Jill Biden said Monday from the White House, “Of course I support the pardon of my son.” Democrats already are facing the prospects of a Republican trifecta in Washington, with voters returning Trump to the White House and giving the GOP control of the House and Senate. Part of their argument against Trump and Republican leaders is expected to be that the president-elect is violating norms with his talk of taking retribution against his enemies. Before beating Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump faced his own legal troubles, including two cases that stemmed from his efforts to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. Those cases, including Trump’s sentencing after being convicted on New York state business fraud charges, have either been dismissed or indefinitely delayed since Trump’s victory on Nov. 5, forcing Democrats to recalibrate their approach to the president-elect. In June, President Biden firmly ruled out a pardon or commutation for his son, telling reporters as his son faced trial in the Delaware gun case: “I abide by the jury decision. I will do that and I will not pardon him.” As recently as Nov. 8, days after Trump’s victory, Jean-Pierre ruled out a pardon or clemency for the younger Biden, saying: “We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no.” The president’s about-face came weeks before Hunter Biden was set to receive his punishment after his trial conviction in the gun case and guilty plea on tax charges. It capped a long-running legal saga for the younger Biden, who disclosed he was under federal investigation in December 2020 — a month after his father’s 2020 victory. The sweeping pardon covers not just the gun and tax offenses against the younger Biden, but also any other “offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014, through December 1, 2024.” Hunter Biden was convicted in June in Delaware federal court of three felonies for purchasing a gun in 2018 when , prosecutors said, he lied on a federal form by claiming he was not illegally using or addicted to drugs. He had been set to stand trial in September in a California case accusing him of failing to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes. But he agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor and felony charges in a surprise move hours after jury selection was set to begin. In his statement Sunday, the president argued that such offenses typically are not prosecuted with the same vigor as was directed against Hunter Biden. “The charges in his cases came about only after several of my political opponents in Congress instigated them to attack me and oppose my election,” Biden said in his statement. “No reasonable person who looks at the facts of Hunter’s cases can reach any other conclusion than Hunter was singled out only because he is my son. ... I hope Americans will understand why a father and a President would come to this decision.” Associated Press journalists Will Weissert aboard Air Force One and Darlene Superville, Mary Claire Jalonick and Michael Tackett in Washington contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Ed Kelce reveals he is trying to find Taylor Swift a birthday present 'that tweaks the strings of her heart'

Independent TDs are seeking as many as three junior ministerial roles as well as a super junior appointment as part of Government negotiations, but the role of Ceann Comhairle remains up for grabs. It is understood that the two main parties have indicated a willingness to give those in the regional group of Independents two minister of state roles as well as a super junior role, which would allow that person attend Cabinet. However, the group of Independents is pushing for more than this with one indicating that “we might get one more” before adding that “it’s hard to keep everyone happy”. The group of non-party TDs is also seeking the backing of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to ensure Verona Murphy is appointed Ceann Comhairle next week. But one source indicated that Micheál Martin "still has some work to do" to convince party members to back her for the powerful position, with veteran TD John McGuinness entering the race alongside outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl. Mr McGuinness filed his nomination papers to fill the position as the Dáil's chair on Thursday. He told the Irish Examiner that Mr Martin was aware of his decision. He said he had been nominated by "a smattering" of people across parties and said reform of the Dáil is needed. "I'm in the Dáil for 27 years and know the workings inside and out. I know the changes that need to be made to allow members go front and centre to make it more democratic. I see reform as being a centrepiece of this work. I see the members being central to that." The vote to fill the Ceann's chair will be held on Wednesday when the 34th Dáil sits for the first time. Fianna Fáil sources said they believe that the party's TDs would "much rather" vote for one of their own than Ms Murphy. While some said the Wexford TD had "annoyed" Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in previous dealings across the Dáil chamber, one party TD said that it was "not personal". "Why wouldn't we want to see one of our TDs elected to the role?" they said. Others questioned whether Mr Martin and Taoiseach Simon Harris could even promise the role to anyone given that it is one of the rare instances of a secret ballot in Irish politics. In 2020, the Government's nominee for Leas Ceann Comhairle Fergus O'Dowd was beaten by Galway TD Catherine Connolly in a shock result. A Fianna Fáil TD questioned whether Mr Martin would leave himself open to a similar result. Meanwhile, the Social Democrats will continue discussions with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael around government formation next week, the party has decided. Deputy leader Cian O'Callaghan has said that he expects the party's five dealbreakers to come into focus when they meet with Micheál Martin and Simon Harris again. With this in mind, it was decided that talks will also continue with Sinn Féin and Labour. Labour will meet with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on Friday, but the growing expectation is that the party will not go into government. The Social Democrats negotiating team, made up of Mr O'Callaghan, Jennifer Whitmore, and Gary Gannon, had met with the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael ministers on Wednesday and updated the party on Thursday. "We reported that the meetings had been positive and constructive with a good exchange of views," Mr O'Callaghan said. He said there were detailed discussions with the two leaders around climate, housing, disability, healthcare, and childcare. The Social Democrats outlined its red line issues during the campaign and said it intends to stand by these. He said there was "some interest" shown in the proposal to have a senior minister for disability. "I wouldn't say it was rejected outright or anything like that but it was very initial discussions that we were having in those areas," Mr O'Callaghan said. The most challenging topic of the discussions was in terms of climate, he said, but added there were further challenges in other areas as well."Prince" Lucas Bahdi signs with Jake Paul's MVP

Walmart’s DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump’s election victoryHyderabad: The eight-year-old boy, who was injured in the stampede during the screening of ‘Pushpa 2’ here on December 4, was taken off oxygen and ventilator support as his condition is improving, his father has said. Quoting doctors, Bhaskar, however, said the boy’s recovery will take time. Meanwhile, the hospital on Tuesday said Sritej continues to maintain stable vital parameters on his own without any oxygen or ventilatory support. “His sensorium is similar with spontaneous eye opening and spontaneous limb movements but there is still no meaningful eye contact or recognition of family members,” it said in a health update. The boy is waking on verbal stimulus but not following any oral commands. He is tolerating feeds via nasogastric tube well and is afbrile since last three days, the hospital said. Several film personalities and political leaders are making a beeline to visit the child at the hospital. Leading film producer and Film Development Corporation (FDC) chairman Dil Raju who visited the boy on Tuesday said he would ensure that the family gets support from the film industry and also the government. He said he is ready to provide a permanent job to Bhaskar in the film industry if he was interested. But, the immediate priority is the boy’s recovery. The chief minister Revanth Reddy has also appreciated the idea of providing a job to Bhaskar, Dil Raju said. Referring to reports that the state government is not addressing the concerns of the film industry in the stampede issue, he said the CM has assured of the government’s support. The 35-year-old wife of Bhaskar died during the Pushpa 2 stampede at the Sandhya Theatre in Hyderabad on December 4, while his eight-year-old son was hospitalised. Following the incident, the city police registered a case against Allu Arjun, his security team, and the theatre management under different sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Chikkadpally police station based on the complaint lodged by the deceased woman’s family. Allu Arjun, named as accused no 11, was arrested by the city police in connection with the death of the woman on December 13. The Telangana High Court granted him a four-week interim bail on the same day and he was released from a prison here December 14 morning.

Some Democrats are frustrated over Joe Biden reversing course and pardoning his son Hunter

Houston's Al-Shaair apologizes for hit on Jacksonville's Lawrence that led to concussion HOUSTON (AP) — Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair took to X to apologize to Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence after his violent blow to the quarterback’s facemask led to him being carted off the field with a concussion. Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win on Sunday. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback. In the long post, Al-Shaair says "To Trevor I genuinely apologize to you for what ended up happening.” Jets are sticking with struggling Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers will remain the New York Jets’ starting quarterback despite speculation the team could bench him in what has been a disappointing season. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said during a video call that he still believes Rodgers, who turned 41 on Monday, gives the Jets their best chance to win. Rodgers was 21 of 39 for 185 yards and touchdown passes to Davante Adams and Isaiah Davis but also had an interception returned 92 yards for a touchdown by Leonard Williams in the Jets’ 26-21 loss to Seattle on Sunday. Hall of Famer Randy Moss reveals he's 'battling something' internal and asks for prayers Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss revealed he’s dealing with a health issue and asked fans to pray for him and his family. The 47-year-old ESPN football analyst made the announcement on Instagram from the set of the network’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” show. He directed his message to men and urged them to get checkups and bloodwork done, without specifying for any particular illness. Moss explained why he’s been wearing tinted sunglasses, saying, “I’m battling something, man, and it’s something internal, your boy is going to get through it.” College playoff bracket offers last dress rehearsal and one more chance to see where the SEC stands The next set of College Football Playoff rankings will be released Tuesday night under heavy scrutiny before the final bracket is set on Sunday. It will be one last chance to see just how much the selection committee loves the Southeastern Conference. The best gauge will be whether Miami, which suffered its second loss over the weekend, is placed behind any or all three SEC teams with three losses — Alabama, Mississippi and South Carolina, all of which are coming off wins. Whatever happens, the SEC is likely to have at least five teams in the 12-team field when the final bracket comes out. Mollie Marcoux Samaan stepping down as LPGA commissioner after 3 1/2 years of record prize money Mollie Marcoux Samaan is leaving after more than three years as LPGA commissioner. In a surprise announcement Monday, Marcoux Samaan says she will step down in January, just three weeks before the LPGA starts its 75th season. Liz Moore is the chief legal and technology officer. She'll be serving as interim commissioner until a search committee can find a permanent replacement. Marcoux Samaan was the athletic director at Princeton when she took over the LPGA in May 2021. Prize money has soared during her tenure. She also has faced criticism for the LPGA not gaining in popularity during a rise in women's sports. Kansas holds off Auburn for No. 1 in AP Top 25 as SEC grabs 3 of top 4 spots; UConn slides to No. 25 Kansas continues to hold the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. Auburn is pushing the Jayhawks in the latest poll after winning the Maui Invitational and checked in at No. 2. Two-time reigning national champion UConn nearly fell out entirely after an 0-3 week at Maui, falling from No. 2 to 25th. The Southeastern Conference had three of the top four teams with No. 3 Tennessee and No. 4 Kentucky behind the Tigers. The poll featured six new teams, headlined by No. 13 Oregon, No. 16 Memphis and No. 18 Pittsburgh. TCU, Duke climb into top 10, Notre Dame drops in women's AP Top 25; UCLA and UConn remain 1-2 TCU has its best ranking ever in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll after a convincing win over Notre Dame. The Horned Frogs jumped eight spots to No. 9, the first time the school has ever been in the top 10. The Fighting Irish, who were third last week, fell seven spots to 10th after losses to TCU and Utah. UCLA remained No. 1, followed by UConn, South Carolina, Texas and LSU. USC, Maryland and Duke are next. USC QB Miller Moss enters transfer portal after losing starting job to Jayden Maiava LOS ANGELES (AP) — Southern California quarterback Miller Moss is entering the transfer portal after losing the Trojans’ starting job last month. Moss started the Trojans’ bowl victory last season and their first nine games this season before coach Lincoln Riley replaced him with Jayden Maiava in early November. Moss signed with USC before Riley arrived at the school. Moss also stayed after Caleb Williams transferred from Oklahoma to rejoin Riley, and he served as Williams’ backup for two seasons before getting his chance to play with six touchdown passes in last year’s Holiday Bowl. Michael Andretti's Formula 1 dream comes to bittersweet fruition without his involvement Michael Andretti has been sidelined from his namesake motorsports organization and won’t have any role with the Formula 1 program he spent the last four years desperately trying to launch. His effort to get a program partnered with General Motors into F1 was approved last week, a month after he stepped aside from his teams. F1’s decision to expand its grid for Cadillac F1 came amidst a federal antitrust investigation into why Liberty Media refused to admit Andretti Global and after Andretti partners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter claimed controlling interest of the fledgling effort. Ryan Poles to remain Bears general manager and lead search for new head coach LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears president Kevin Warren said Ryan Poles will remain the general manager and serve as the point person in the search for a head coach to replace the fired Matt Eberflus. He says Poles will have the “final say” if the two have differing opinions on who should get the job. Chicago had never fired a coach during a season. But a six-game losing streak marked by questionable coaching decisions spurred the founding NFL franchise to change course. The Bears let Eberflus go Friday and replaced him on an interim basis with offensive coordinator Thomas Brown.Ex-Imo commissioner sues police for illegal arrest, detention