super ace legit site From Boeing to bots, rebrands and the Budget – test your city wits with our fiendish festive financial quizCaprock Group LLC lowered its holdings in shares of Datadog, Inc. ( NASDAQ:DDOG – Free Report ) by 3.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,983 shares of the company’s stock after selling 124 shares during the quarter. Caprock Group LLC’s holdings in Datadog were worth $458,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of DDOG. SouthState Corp bought a new stake in shares of Datadog during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Blue Trust Inc. purchased a new position in Datadog during the 2nd quarter worth $37,000. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in Datadog by 70.2% during the 1st quarter. EverSource Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 308 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares in the last quarter. American National Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in shares of Datadog in the 3rd quarter worth $39,000. Finally, Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in shares of Datadog by 216.5% during the 2nd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 307 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.29% of the company’s stock. Datadog Trading Up 7.6 % DDOG opened at $154.83 on Friday. Datadog, Inc. has a 12-month low of $98.80 and a 12-month high of $155.42. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $124.21 and a two-hundred day moving average of $120.03. The firm has a market capitalization of $52.60 billion, a PE ratio of 292.14, a P/E/G ratio of 18.83 and a beta of 1.10. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Datadog Insider Transactions at Datadog In related news, CTO Alexis Le-Quoc sold 127,105 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.33, for a total transaction of $16,438,489.65. Following the sale, the chief technology officer now directly owns 336,165 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $43,476,219.45. This trade represents a 27.44 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, President Amit Agarwal sold 150,000 shares of Datadog stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.03, for a total value of $18,904,500.00. Following the transaction, the president now owns 214,275 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $27,005,078.25. This represents a 41.18 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 541,491 shares of company stock worth $68,927,496 over the last 90 days. 11.78% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Datadog Company Profile ( Free Report ) Datadog, Inc operates an observability and security platform for cloud applications in North America and internationally. The company's products comprise infrastructure and application performance monitoring, log management, digital experience monitoring, continuous profiler, database monitoring, data streams and universal service monitoring, network monitoring, incident management, workflow automation, observability pipelines, cloud cost and cloud security management, application security management, cloud SIEM, sensitive data scanner, and CI visibility. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Datadog Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Datadog and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Matt Gaetz withdraws attorney general nominationLendmark Financial Services Announces the Elevation of Bret Hyler to President & Chief Operations Officer and Retirement of Two C-Suite Members76ers' star Paul George sidelined the next 2 games with bone bruise in left knee

High drama in Parliament complex: House of push & shove, bruises & blame gameIraqi story repeats in Syria

ExxonMobil ( XOM -0.88% ) is already the undisputed leader among international oil companies. The oil giant delivered industry-leading earnings, cash flow, and shareholder returns during the third quarter. It owes its leadership to its advantaged resource portfolio, which features several world-class assets that generate high margins. The oil company believes its best days lie ahead. It recently unveiled its new corporate plan to 2030, which would see it deliver significant incremental earnings and cash flow in the coming years. Exxon's bold 2030 plan Exxon expects to deliver an incremental $20 billion in earnings and $30 billion in cash flow by 2030. That implies the oil giant will grow its earnings at a 10% annual rate while its cash flow rises at around an 8% compound annual pace. That's a very healthy growth rate for a company of Exxon's massive size. The company isn't banking on higher oil and gas prices to fuel its plan. It expects Brent oil, the global benchmark price, to be around $65 a barrel by 2030 (Brent is currently in the mid-$70s). Meanwhile, it foresees natural gas prices to be roughly $3 per MMBtu (metric million British thermal units) in the U.S. and $6.50 per MMBtu globally. (While U.S. gas prices have been in the $2 per MMBtu range this year, international gas prices have been over $10.) Instead, Exxon expects a combination of investing in its advantaged assets, operational excellence, and disciplined cost and capital management to drive its earnings and cash-flow growth. Drilling down into the core of Exxon's plan The core of Exxon's strategy is to continue investing heavily to develop and expand its best assets. The company expects capital spending to be between $27 billion and $29 billion in 2025. It sees its capital spending rising to a range of $28 billion to $33 billion annually in the 2026 to 2030 time frame. Exxon expects to deploy about $140 billion into major capital projects and its Permian Basin development program through 2030. The company anticipates this investment will generate strong returns of more than 30%. In addition to the Permian, Exxon expects to continue investing heavily in two other advantaged upstream assets: Guyana and LNG . The company has four world-class LNG projects under development that will add 40 million tons of annual LNG production by 2030. Meanwhile, it expects to complete eight developments in Guyana by 2030, which will grow that region's gross production to 1.3 million barrels per day. Overall, Exxon expects its upstream business to produce an average of 5.4 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) per day by 2030. That's up from nearly 4.6 million BOE/d in the third quarter of this year. The company expects more than 60% of its production to come from its high-margin advantaged assets by 2030. But wait, there's more Investing heavily in its upstream business unit is only part of Exxon's strategy. The energy giant also expects to invest capital into growing its product-solutions businesses (chemicals and refining) and low-carbon solutions platform. The company believes it can grow its product-solutions earnings by an additional $8 billion by 2030 by investing in several projects to expand its capacity to produce high-value products like thermoset resin, advanced coke, and renewable diesel. Meanwhile, it plans to invest up to $30 billion into low emissions opportunities between 2025 and 2030. That includes projects to reduce its carbon footprint and help third-party customers cut their emissions profile. It's primarily focused on three opportunities: carbon capture and storage , hydrogen , and lithium . Finally, Exxon plans to continue leveraging its growing scale to reduce costs. The company expects to capture more than $3 billion in annual synergies from its Pioneer Natural Resources acquisition. That's an over 50% increase from its initial expectations. On top of that, Exxon plans to capture an additional $7 billion in structural cost savings by simplifying its business processes, optimizing its supply chains, and modernizing its technology. Exxon's monster plan to grow shareholder value Exxon plans to invest heavily into growing its best assets over the next several years. The company expects that strategy will grow its earnings by around 10% each year while adding about $30 billion to its annual cash flows. That will give Exxon plenty of cash to return to shareholders via a growing dividend and meaningful share-repurchase plan. Add it all up, and Exxon appears to have the fuel to be a terrific long-term investment.Analysis: If Jets don't want Rodgers, others will

Seafood industry awaits TrumpPHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have no plans to pitch prized prospect Andrew Painter in spring training games as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old Painter hurt his elbow during spring training in 2023 and had surgery that July 25 with Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Painter was the 13th overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft and signed for a $3.9 million bonus. “He’ll throw but not plan on pitching” in games, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday. “We’re going to push the innings back.” Dombrowski said Painter will build up at some point in the minor leagues and could make his major league debut at some point in the summer. Painter made six starts and allowed four runs in the Arizona Fall League. He struck out 18 batters in 15 2/3 innings after he sat out each of the last two seasons. Painter sprinted through Philadelphia’s system in 2022, going 6-2 with a 1.48 ERA in 26 appearances spread across two Class A teams and Double-A Reading. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

CONWAY, Ark. (AP) — Elias Cato scored 23 points as Central Arkansas beat UNC Asheville 92-83 in double overtime on Sunday. Jordan Morris made two free throws with one second left for UNC Asheville (2-3) to force overtime tied at 71. Fletcher Abee's 3-pointer with 33 seconds left in the first overtime tied the game at 79 and led to the second extra period. Michael Evbagharu's layup gave Central Arkansas (2-4) the lead in the second OT and Cato followed with a 3-pointer as the Bears outscored the Bulldogs 21-12 to pull out the victory. Cato added nine rebounds for the Bears. Layne Taylor totaled 19 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals. Brayden Fagbemi pitched in with 19 points, seven assists and five steals. The Bulldogs (2-3) were led by Fletcher Abee, who recorded 27 points. UNC Asheville also got 17 points from Josh Banks. Toyaz Solomon finished with 15 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Elizabeth Warren Warns That Trump’s Transition “Threatens the American Public”

ROANOKE, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 27, 2024-- Luna Innovations Incorporated (Nasdaq: LUNA) (the “Company”), a global leader in advanced fiber optic-based technology, today announced that, Pamela Coe, a member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”), will be retiring from the Luna board effective today. Ms. Coe was elected to the Board in May 2021 for a three-year term. “We are very grateful for Pam's notable contributions and leadership throughout her time on the Board,” said Barry Phelps, Chairman of the Board of the Company. “Her expertise, focus and commitment have been instrumental in guiding Luna. We wish Pam all the best in her future endeavors.” About Luna Luna Innovations Incorporated ( www.lunainc.com ) is a leader in optical technology, providing unique capabilities in high-performance, fiber optic-based, test products for the telecommunications industry and distributed fiber optic-based sensing for a multitude of industries. Luna’s business model is designed to accelerate the process of bringing new and innovative technologies to market. Forward-Looking Statement The statements in this release that are not historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements include expectations regarding the Company’s continuing operations, results from operations and strategic alternatives. Management cautions the reader that these forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to a number of both known and unknown risks and uncertainties, and actual results, performance, and/or achievements of the Company may differ materially from the future results, performance, and/or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. These factors include, without limitation, risks set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, as well as in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Such filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and on Luna’s website at www.lunainc.com . The statements made in this release are based on information available to Luna as of the date of this release and Luna undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241227000518/en/ CONTACT: Investor Contact: Allison Woody Luna Innovations Incorporated Phone: 540.769.8465 Email:woodya@lunainc.com KEYWORD: VIRGINIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: DEFENSE TECHNOLOGY NANOTECHNOLOGY OTHER TECHNOLOGY TELECOMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE OTHER DEFENSE SOURCE: Luna Innovations Incorporated Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/27/2024 04:40 PM/DISC: 12/27/2024 04:40 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241227000518/enJaland Lowe flirted with a triple-double as Pitt improved to 6-0 with a 74-63 win over LSU on Friday afternoon at the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Lowe finished with a game-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists for the Panthers, who have won their first six games of a season for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. It would have been the second straight triple-double for Lowe, who had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against VMI Monday. Ishmael Leggett chipped in 21 points and Cameron Corhen supplied 14, helping Pitt outshoot the Tigers (4-1) 44.4 percent to 37.3 percent overall. Vyctorius Miller and Jalen Reed recorded 14 points apiece for LSU, with Reed also snatching seven boards. Cam Carter contributed 11 points. Pitt took control in the first four-plus minutes of the second half, opening the period on a 13-0 run to build a 40-28 lead. The Tigers were held scoreless following the break until Carter converted a layup with 13:13 to go. It was still a 12-point game after Zack Austin hit a pair of free throws with 12:50 remaining, but LSU then rallied. Corey Chest, Reed and Jordan Sears each had a bucket down low for the Tigers during an 8-1 spurt that made it 43-38. However, Lowe stemmed the tide, answering with back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Panthers up 49-38 with 9:31 left. Miller did everything he could to keep LSU in contention, scoring eight points in a span of 1 minute, 23 seconds, with his four-point play getting the Tigers within 56-52 with 6:03 to play. But Pitt never let LSU get the upper hand, and it led by at least six for the final 5:05 of the contest. The Tigers had a 28-27 edge at intermission after ending the first half on an 8-2 run. LSU overcame a quick start by the Panthers, who raced out to a 12-6 advantage and led by as many as eight in the first 20 minutes of action. --Field Level MediaThe request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by January 19 while the government emphasised its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment of January 19 2025, while it considers the merits of this case,” said Mr Trump’s amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case. The filings come ahead of oral arguments scheduled for January 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld the statute, leading TikTok to appeal to the Supreme Court. The brief from Mr Trump said he opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office”.

Kobe Sanders tied a season high with 27 points as Nevada claimed fifth place in the Charleston Classic with a 90-78 victory over Oklahoma State Sunday afternoon in South Carolina. Sanders helped the Wolfpack (6-1) earn a second win following one-possession games against Vanderbilt and VCU. After hitting the decisive 3-pointer with five seconds left in Friday's 64-61 win over VCU, Sanders made 7 of 10 shots, hit three 3s and sank 10 of 13 free throws Sunday. Nick Davidson added 223 points as Nevada led by as many as 19 and shot 58.9 percent. Brandon Love contributed 11 on 5-of-5 shooting as the Wolfpack scored 46 points in the paint and scored at least 85 for the fourth time this season. Marchelus Avery led the Cowboys (4-2) with 15 points and Arturo Dean added 13. Robert Jennings and Abou Ousmane added 11 apiece but leading scorer Bryce Thompson was held to seven points on 1-of-9 shooting as Oklahoma State shot 42 percent and 73.2 percent (30-of-41) at the line. After Avery's 3 forged a 12-12 tie with 13:41 remaining, Nevada gradually gained separation. The Wolfpack took a 24-15 lead on Chuck Bailey's jumper in the paint with 8:28 left but the Cowboys inched back, getting within 33-31 on a dunk by Avery with 4:11 left. Another Bailey jumper staked Nevada to a 40-33 lead by halftime. Nevada began pulling away early in the second half as it scored eight in a row for a 52-40 lead on a basket by Love with 16:44 left. A 3 by Sanders opened a 62-43 lead with 14:06 remaining before Oklahoma State charged back. After Nevada made eight straight shots, the Cowboys countered with 11 straight points and trailed 62-54 with 11:19 left on a 3-pointer by Avery. Thompson made his first basket by sinking a jumper with 10:37 left to get Oklahoma State within 64-56 left, and Keller's triple cut the margin to 70-64 nearly three minutes later. The Cowboys were within 78-72 on a basket by Avery with 3:56 remaining, but he fouled out about a minute later and the Wolfpack outscored Oklahoma State 12-6 the rest of the way as Sanders sank five free throws. --Field Level MediaMatt Gaetz withdraws attorney general nomination

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have no plans to pitch prized prospect Andrew Painter in spring training games as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old Painter hurt his elbow during spring training in 2023 and had surgery that July 25 with Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache. Painter was the 13th overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft and signed for a $3.9 million bonus. “He'll throw but not plan on pitching” in games, Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski said Monday. “We're going to push the innings back.” Dombrowski said Painter will build up at some point in the minor leagues and could make his major league debut at some point in the summer. Painter made six starts and allowed four runs in the Arizona Fall League. He struck out 18 batters in 15 2/3 innings after he sat out each of the last two seasons. Painter sprinted through Philadelphia’s system in 2022, going 6-2 with a 1.48 ERA in 26 appearances spread across two Class A teams and Double-A Reading. AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLBThe United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. Related video above: Biden works to cement legacy during final month in office The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the Defense Department may not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he won't provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about $4.35 billion. Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Zelenskyy decide it’s time to negotiate. One senior defense official said that while the U.S. will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until Jan. 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the U.S. has provided more than $64 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.

Kobe Sanders, Nevada beat Oklahoma St. for fifth place in Charleston

Former Congressman Matt Gaetz announced Thursday he is withdrawing his nomination for attorney general, citing it as a distraction amid fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation. Gaetz posted on social media that he did not want to waste time on a "needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1." This decision follows his meetings with senators to try to secure support for his confirmation. Allegations of sexual misconduct have clouded his nomination , and despite support from President-elect Donald Trump, Gaetz faced an uphill battle in the Senate. In a statement, President-elect Donald Trump said Gaetz "was doing very well" and appreciated his "recent efforts in seeking approval to be attorney general." Gaetz added he remains fully committed to seeing that Trump is the most successful president in history.Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office

OXFORD, England , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- History was made at Oxford as the Enhanced Games convened the world's foremost scientists, Olympians, and human enhancement experts for the Second Conference on Human Enhancement on December 10, 2024 . In an extraordinary moment for sport, science, and ethics, over 50 global leaders ratified the Declaration on Human Enhancement , a groundbreaking charter defining the future of ethical research and innovation in human performance. Featuring keynote speeches from Bryan Johnson , founder of Blueprint and a pioneer in longevity science; Dave Asprey , the "Father of Biohacking"; and Professor George Church , the geneticist shaping the future of humanity, the conference brought together luminaries in a historic collaboration. The Declaration establishes a bold framework for human enhancement, rooted in ten key principles, including: This groundbreaking document, the first of its kind, was co-authored by Bryan Johnson , Dave Asprey , D. Michael Ashenden - pioneer of the athlete blood passport system - and Dr Nenad Dikic , founder of a national anti-doping agency. It represents a global consensus on how enhancements can be embraced ethically and responsibly. "The Declaration on Human Enhancement is more than a roadmap; it's a revolution," said Dr Aron D'Souza , PhD , President of the Enhanced Games. "We are proving that performance enhancement and ethics are not only compatible but essential to the future of sport and humanity itself." This milestone reflects the Enhanced Games' vision to create a new era of competition and innovation, rejecting outdated paradigms of shame and fear while embracing the transformative potential of science. To find out more, please visit enhanced.com/conference-on-human-enhancement About the Enhanced Games: The Enhanced Games are redefining the future of sports, merging scientific innovation with athletic achievement to create a captivating competition for sports fans, tech enthusiasts, and the science-curious. Founded in 2023 by Australian entrepreneur Aron D'Souza , the Enhanced Games challenge conventional views on human performance, embracing advancements in medicine and technology to safely expand the boundaries of what is possible. With a vision to inspire superhumanity, the Games provide athletes with the opportunity to enhance their abilities under professional supervision, focusing on transparency, safety, innovation, and record-breaking feats. Backed by pioneering investors like Peter Thiel , Balaji Srinivasan , and Christian Angermayer , the Enhanced Games represent a global movement at the intersection of sport, science, and cultural evolution. Empowered by a diverse team of experts from organisations including FIFA, Nike, Red Bull , and the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee, we are committed to creating a fair, financially equitable platform that inspires humankind to overcome limits and redefine human potential. For more information, visit enhanced.org For further information, please contact: Mike Oakes , Communications Director, Enhanced Games; media@enhanced.org Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2557016/5087039/Enhanced_Games_Logo.jpg View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bryan-johnson-dave-asprey-dr-michael-ashenden-united-with-olympians-and-anti-doping-experts-to-forge-the-future-of-human-enhancement-302336526.html SOURCE Enhanced GamesNC MP's Anti-Reservation Policy Protest In J&K, Cong Raises Questions

As science continues its evolution, discoveries and technologies can act like a master key that opens doors that lead to novel advancements. Artificial intelligence is one such key, making innovations possible by solving complex problems, automating tasks and enabling research that would have been impossible, or very time-consuming, without it. But do we want to do research on all topics, and shall we try the AI master key on every door? To explore this question, let’s consider the use of AI by genomics experts as an example. In recent years, genomics experts have added unbelievable depth to what we know about the world and ourselves. For example, genetics researchers have revealed facts about when certain animals and plants were domesticated. In another example, DNA found in 30,000-year-old permafrost was used to create fertile samples of a plant called narrow-leafed campion. Importantly, genetic engineering techniques such as CRISPR facilitate extraordinary advances in the treatment of complicated conditions, such as sickle-cell anemia. Thanks to AI developments, we are witnessing a dramatic increase in the pace and scalability of genomic techniques, which will allow researchers to embark on exploratory journeys — and at the same time, add urgency to already-existing ethical issues. AI companies are also most interested in the scientific implications of this technology. We see this demonstrated in a recent interview between Harvard Business School officials and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. In response to the question, “What are the pieces of AI that you are most excited about?” Altman said: “Greatly increasing the rate of scientific discovery is what I’m most excited about.” However, given the risks and possible consequences of AI use in science, should we rush headlong into using AI in all kinds of projects? One relevant example is research on Neanderthals, our closest relatives, who lived until about 40,000 years ago. Neanderthals have been studied for several years now through genetic investigation of their fossils and their DNA. Genetic engineering can potentially use ancient DNA and genome editing methods to re-create a Neanderthal or aspects of a Neanderthal’s genetics and physiology. To do this, scientists could start by figuring out the DNA sequence of a Neanderthal by comparing it with the DNA of modern humans, since they are closely related. Then, scientists could use CRISPR to swap out parts of human DNA with Neanderthal DNA. This process would require a lot of trial and error and might not succeed soon, but based on what we know about genetics, if something is possible, AI can help make it happen faster, cheaper and with less effort. Scientists are excited about these developments because they could facilitate new discoveries and open up many new research opportunities in genetic research. With or without AI, research on Neanderthals will proceed, but the extraordinary power of AI could give the final push to these discoveries and facilitate this kind of resurrection. At that point, the scientific community must develop norms and guidelines about how to treat these resurrected beings with dispositions very similar to humans. We would need to carefully consider their rights and well-being almost in the same way as when humans are involved and not as research subjects or artifacts of scientific curiosity. These ethical issues are discussed in more detail in a new paper published in the journal Nature Machine Intelligence. A more holistic question to consider is: Should we prioritize the use of resource-intensive AI, researchers’ time and public funds to resurrect extinct beings? Or should we invest these resources into conserving species that are critically endangered today to prevent biodiversity from more degradation?

A retired soldier has been charged in relation to a farm work scam through which he allegedly defrauded two women more than $1 million in June this year. Fifty-six-year-old Phillip Panton is charged with obtaining money by means of false pretence as well as conspiracy charges. The Portmore police allege that Panton and another man informed the two women that they could guarantee them a place on the farm work programme in the United States or Canada for a cost of $100,000. The women allegedly paid a total of $1,085,000 to the men who would periodically provide updates on the progress. The women later learned via social media posts that Panton had allegedly swindled money from other persons. A report was made to the police and Panton, who had been previously charged with similar offences, was again charged following a question and answer session in the presence of his attorney. His court date is yet to be finalised. Follow The Gleaner on X and Instagram @JamaicaGleaner and on Facebook @GleanerJamaica. Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169 or email us at onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com or editors@gleanerjm.com .Resolute Productions Launches to Redefine Event Excellence