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The Ursid meteor shower is happening from December 17 to December 24, 2024, and it will be the last major meteor shower of the year. The best time to see it will be around December 23, when the shower is expected to peak. The Ursid meteor shower occurs once a year and was first observed in the early 1900s by British astronomer William F. Denning. Although the winter air and a 54% full moon may make it harder to see the meteors clearly, there are a few simple steps you can follow to enjoy this natural display. According to Robert Lunsford, fireball report coordinator for the American Meteor Society, the best time to watch the shower will be from 4 to 5 AM ET on Sunday, December 23 (2 to 3 PM IST). For people in North America, midnight to early morning is the best time to catch the meteors. If you stay awake and watch closely, you could see up to 10 meteors per hour. The best part is, you don’t need any special equipment since the meteors are visible to the naked eye. pic.twitter.com/pKZi0ZuzgF December 22, 2024 To get the best view of the meteors, face north with the moon behind you. Lie back comfortably and look halfway up in the sky so the horizon is at the bottom of your view. If there are trees or buildings in your way, try looking a bit higher. The lower parts of the sky are thicker, and that’s where the most meteors will appear. If you miss the Ursid meteor shower due to sleep or cloudy skies, don’t worry. The Quadrantid meteor shower will be next, starting on December 26 and peaking on January 3. The Quadrantids will be easier to see since the moon will only be 11% full, making it brighter and clearer.

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PNC Financial Services Group Inc. grew its position in Brown & Brown, Inc. ( NYSE:BRO – Free Report ) by 9.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 46,666 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 4,146 shares during the quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc.’s holdings in Brown & Brown were worth $4,835,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund boosted its stake in Brown & Brown by 0.5% during the 2nd quarter. Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund now owns 20,339 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,819,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the period. Trust Point Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Brown & Brown by 4.3% in the third quarter. Trust Point Inc. now owns 2,519 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $261,000 after buying an additional 103 shares during the last quarter. Creative Planning boosted its stake in shares of Brown & Brown by 0.4% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 29,892 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $3,097,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the period. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Brown & Brown by 0.5% during the third quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 22,929 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,375,000 after buying an additional 113 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Anchor Investment Management LLC increased its position in Brown & Brown by 4.0% in the 2nd quarter. Anchor Investment Management LLC now owns 3,286 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $294,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the period. 71.01% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In BRO has been the topic of several analyst reports. Barclays lifted their target price on Brown & Brown from $108.00 to $119.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research note on Thursday. Argus began coverage on shares of Brown & Brown in a research note on Tuesday, September 24th. They issued a “buy” rating and a $120.00 price objective on the stock. Truist Financial raised their target price on shares of Brown & Brown from $116.00 to $118.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Brown & Brown from $112.00 to $114.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Brown & Brown from $108.00 to $117.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $107.42. Insider Buying and Selling In other Brown & Brown news, Chairman Hyatt J. Brown sold 134,640 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $104.51, for a total transaction of $14,071,226.40. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Insiders own 17.02% of the company’s stock. Brown & Brown Stock Up 1.2 % BRO opened at $112.05 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 1.73 and a current ratio of 1.73. The company has a market cap of $32.04 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.53, a PEG ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.82. Brown & Brown, Inc. has a one year low of $69.13 and a one year high of $114.08. The business’s fifty day moving average is $106.16 and its two-hundred day moving average is $98.82. Brown & Brown ( NYSE:BRO – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, October 28th. The financial services provider reported $0.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.88 by $0.03. Brown & Brown had a net margin of 22.65% and a return on equity of 17.12%. The business had revenue of $1.19 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.16 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.71 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 11.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Analysts anticipate that Brown & Brown, Inc. will post 3.74 EPS for the current fiscal year. Brown & Brown Increases Dividend The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 13th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 6th were paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.54%. This is a boost from Brown & Brown’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.13. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 6th. Brown & Brown’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 16.35%. About Brown & Brown ( Free Report ) Brown & Brown, Inc markets and sells insurance products and services in the United States, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and internationally. It operates through four segments: Retail, National Programs, Wholesale Brokerage, and Services. The Retail segment provides property and casualty, employee benefits insurance products, personal insurance products, specialties insurance products, risk management strategies, loss control survey and analysis, consultancy, and claims processing services. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BRO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Brown & Brown, Inc. ( NYSE:BRO – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Brown & Brown Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brown & Brown and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Oppo downgrades SuperVOOC fast charging on the Find X8 Pro but with a positive aspect

A Tennessee man is convicted of killing 2 at a high school basketball game in 2021Keynote address by IBRAHIM GAMBARI at the 2024 African Bar Association annual conference in Lusaka, Zambia Before I get into the substance of my presentation, I wish to highlight my pleasure of being back here in Zambia, a place which I consider home. Zambia occupies a special place in my heart, especially for the crucial role the country played in the liberation of Africa and its immense contribution towards Africa’s independence and the respect for the rights and dignity of the African people. My first ever visit to this lovely country was as Foreign Minister of Nigeria, in 1984 in the context of efforts to support the Frontline States. In fact, it is here in Lusaka that I first met with Oliver Tambo, President of ANC, before Mandela took over from where he found a home away from home here, at the time when South Africa was under the grip of the Apartheid regime. So, human rights and promotion of self-determination and political development first brought me here. My second visit also had to do with the promotion of inclusive democracy and human rights between 2016 and 2018 as the Commonwealth Secretary General’s Special Envoy to Zambia where I was asked by the Commonwealth SG to support political dialogue in Zambia. The sacrifices this country and other African Front-line States, including Nigeria, made to end minority rule on the continent, a crucial issue for the respect of human rights and dignity cannot be overemphasized. The choice of Zambia as host of this event is therefore of great significance and it is important to use this opportunity to remember the father of the Zambian nation, H.E. President Kenneth Kaunda-KK, who played a critical role in shaping Africa’s humanist, philosophical and development agenda which we have a collective responsibility to continue building upon. It is an open secret that Africa is trailing other continents in terms of access to the digital world. Yet digital connectivity through ICTs has been identified as crucial for development and prosperity as highlighted in UN Agenda 2030 in SDG 9. Target 9 C: calls on countries to “significantly increase access to information and communication technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the internet in the LDCs by 2030”. Development is a fundamental human right in itself. As the Chief of Staff to the immediate past President of Nigeria, I had the unique opportunity to witness how technology can be both a tool for empowerment and a barrier that exacerbates inequality within and between countries when access is unequal. During my tenure, the administration recognized the immense potential of technology to drive socio-economic development and, importantly, to safeguard fundamental human rights. This recognition led to the creation of the Nigeria Startup Act, signed into law in October 2022, which was designed to foster innovation by providing essential support structures for startups, tax incentives, and access to funding. Yet, despite the advances in the startup ecosystem and the benefits of such policies, we must acknowledge a stark reality: the digital divide continues to deepen, leaving millions of Africans disconnected from the opportunities that the digital economy provides. As of 2022, only 40% of the African population had access to the Internet, leaving over 871 million people with the majority living in rural areas disconnected. The disparity between rural and urban access is stark: 64% of urban dwellers have Internet access compared to just 23% in rural areas. This digital inequality is not merely a technological issue but a human rights issue, as the lack of access to digital tools perpetuates socio-economic inequalities and restricts access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and democratic participation​. Afrobarometer has found that while most Africans own mobile phones, fewer than half own a mobile phone with internet access and fewer still with access to a computer. This divide also disproportionately affects marginalized groups, particularly women. Globally, women are underrepresented in online spaces, with South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa showing the largest gender gaps. In Africa, for every three men online, there are only two women. The implications of this divide on human rights are profound. Without access to the Internet, individuals are excluded from information that could improve their quality of life and exercise their rights. The digital divide limits access to healthcare through telemedicine, educational resources through e-learning platforms, and even economic opportunities through digital entrepreneurship. In regions with weak democratic institutions, access to the Internet can also empower citizens to hold their governments accountable, promoting transparency and good governance. However, bridging this divide can unlock tremendous potential for growth and development. According to a 2020 report by the World Bank, closing the digital divide in Africa could increase GDP by as much as 2% per year across the continent. This growth could be driven by enhanced access to global markets, innovation in sectors such as fintech and agritech, and improved service delivery in education and healthcare. In the recently concluded Summit of the Future at the United Nations headquarters in New York, world leaders adopted the Global Digital Compact which commits to enhanced global cooperation and capacity building based on the premise that every country must be able to access the benefits of technology. Furthermore, the Compact includes the very first truly universal agreement on international governance of Artificial Intelligence to give every nation a seat on the AI table. Implementation is now the key objective for measures to bridge the digital gap between Africa and other continents. Technology is revolutionizing legal practice across all areas, from human rights to commercial law. The ability to file briefs electronically and access court documents online has significantly reduced delays in legal proceedings, making the system more efficient. Digital scheduling tools ensure smoother coordination of hearings, helping to avoid conflicts and improve case management. Remote legal consultations and virtual hearings have expanded access to justice, particularly for those in remote or underserved areas. Moreover, AI-powered legal research tools and digital databases streamline the research process, while cloud-based document management systems allow for secure, collaborative access to legal files. Client Relationship Management software helps lawyers manage communications and administrative tasks more effectively. With advanced cybersecurity measures protecting sensitive client data, and Online Dispute Resolution platforms facilitating quicker conflict resolution, legal professionals can now deliver more timely, accessible, and secure services, enhancing the overall administration of justice. As legal professionals, you are pivotal in this effort. By advocating for digital rights, ensuring adherence to international human rights standards, and crafting inclusive legal frameworks, you help pave the way toward a more equitable and connected digital future. The laws you craft, the cases you argue, and the policies you support can help ensure that every African, regardless of gender, geography, or economic status, can participate in the digital economy fully. Indeed, to avoid a digital divide becoming entrenched, Africa needs to initiate proactive measures which will enable the continent take full advantage of the Fourth Industrial Revolution so as to boost economic prospects and respect for fundamental rights for the millions of its most youthful population. The prohibitive costs of accessing ICT services for a significant portion of our African population, especially in the rural areas highlights the sector’s lack of competitiveness and also undermines the development needs of the African population and thus the protection of its fundamental human rights. In closing, addressing the digital divide is not just about technology, it is about human rights. It is about ensuring equitable access to the tools and opportunities that can improve the lives of millions of Africans. Together, through strategic policies, legal advocacy, and collaboration, we can build a brighter, more inclusive future where no one is left behind! Prof. Gambari is the Chairman, Savannah Center for Diplomacy, Development and Democracy, AbujaHedge fund manager Scott Bessent is a credible, safe choice for US Treasury secretary -- and one that is likely positive for markets -- observers said Saturday following President-elect Donald Trump's highly anticipated nomination. His selection came after competition for the top economic job spilled into the open last weekend, with the world's richest man Elon Musk throwing his support instead behind Trump's transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick. Lutnick has since been named commerce secretary to lead Trump's tariff and trade agenda, and Bessent's nomination days later appears to be uncontroversial for now. "Scott Bessent is a credible, mainstream pick for Treasury Secretary," said Jason Furman, a professor at Harvard University and former top White House economic adviser. "I could see previous administrations as having chosen him," Furman, a former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, told AFP. But a key difference is that Bessent, 62, has had to adopt and defend views on topics like tariffs, in a way "he never would have in pursuit of the job for a previous Republican administration." Tariffs are a key part of Trump's economic agenda, with the Republican president-elect vowing sweeping duties on allies and adversaries alike. In an opinion piece published earlier this month on Fox News, Bessent defended the potential use of tariffs as a means to raise revenue for the government, protect strategic US industries and negotiate with trading partners. He would be one of the first openly gay Cabinet officials if confirmed by the Senate, and the first at the helm of the Treasury Department. Jens Nordvig, chief executive of data and analytics firm Exante Data who has worked with Bessent, drew a contrast between his demeanor and that of other Trump supporters. While some Trump allies have a tendency towards "general sweeping statements," Bessent is an "analytical thinker, and he communicates accordingly," Nordvig told AFP. He counts Bessent among his early clients. "I would expect his messaging to be very focused, to get his key points across, without any unnecessary flamboyance or gusto," Nordvig added of the Wall Street veteran. Calling Bessent a "safe choice," Brookings senior fellow in economic studies David Wessel told AFP: "He will be an adult in the room for the Trump administration." Besides Bessent, others seen as top contenders for Treasury chief in recent days included former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh, Apollo Global Management chief executive Marc Rowan, and Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty. It remains to be seen if Bessent will be a big influence "moderating some of the administration's more aggressive trade policy" or simply be a spokesman, Wessel said. He does not have much experience in dealing with Congress either, and this would be important next year as the Trump administration works to raise the debt ceiling and effort a tax bill to deliver on his economic promises. Bessent would also have to grapple with the country's debt burden, with debt borrowed at much lower interest rates previously and Trump's plans estimated to add trillions over time. In an open letter published Saturday, Nordvig called for "thoughtful leadership" at the Treasury, saying a realistic approach to tax cuts and bond issuance was needed. He also sounded a hopeful note, saying Bessent would work to reduce extreme risks for markets. Krishna Guha, vice chairman of Evercore ISI, believes Bessent's nomination "will be well received by financial markets," given his deep understanding of markets and macro conditions. Guha also warned of the risk of bond yields spiking and "pushing up mortgage rates and tanking the housing market, while also causing stocks to sell off." In his past administration, Trump has viewed the stock market as a gauge of his success. bys/md

The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), has advised cocoa farmers to shun unethical practices in cocoa production leading to avoidable losses. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, gave the advice in Ibadan on Monday during the 60th anniversary of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN). Kyari, represented by FMAFS South-West Zonal Director, Mrs Olayinka Akeredolu, observed that cocoa farmers cut corners by rushing cocoa’s processing and production stages. “When cocoa is exported, they are tested and these sharp practices, which our people have done, are discovered. “The implication of this may be the rejection of our product and when they are rejected, it is a big loss to farmers, investors and Nigeria in general,” he said. Kyari said the FG would prefer things be done properly to enable farmers to gain from the efforts invested in producing the commodity. The minister urged cocoa farmers to seek counsel and interact with research institutes and extension agents whenever they have problems. The minister further urged the farmers to add value to their production to enjoy better income and gain from their efforts. “I will encourage them to continue to plant new cocoa when the ones they have are getting old; we have improved varieties in our research institute, which they can purchase and plant. “They need to adopt technology in the improvement of their production,” he said. He commended CRIN for its tremendous contribution and improvement over the years in developing its mandate crops, which include cocoa, kola, cashew, coffee, tea and plant plum. “The FG felicitate with you on your 60th anniversary and encourage you to continue to do more to attain fulfilment of your mandate and contribution to the GDP of the country,” he said. Earlier, CRIN Executive Director, Dr Patrick Adebola, commended the FG as well as the staff of the institute for their support and commitment. Adebola reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to leading the change in agriculture innovation, leveraging science and technology to enhance productivity and improve farmers’ livelihood in Nigeria. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the presentation of awards as the occasion’s highlight.Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for intel chief, faces questions on Capitol Hill amid Syria falloutBracing for Trump tariffs, China's Xi makes diplomatic push at global summits

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