Beyond the thrill of competition, the reunion of old teammates adds a layer of emotional depth to the matchup. The camaraderie and shared history between players who once fought side by side evoke a sense of nostalgia and poignancy. As they face off against each other once again, memories of past triumphs and challenges will resurface, reminding them of the bonds forged in the fires of competition.Thomas Sorber, Georgetown roll past Coppin State
Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there?
Title: La Liga Latest Points Report: Getafe Wins Relegation Battle, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atletico Madrid in Three-Way Title RaceOne person died in Ecuador and ports closed across Peru as massive waves up to four meters (13 feet) high pummeled the region, officials said Saturday. Many beaches along the central and northern stretches of the Peruvian coastline were closed to prevent risk to human life, local authorities said. Waves there submerged jetties and public squares, sending residents fleeing to higher ground, according to images on local media. In neighboring Ecuador, the National Secretariat for Risk Management said a body was recovered in the coastal city of Manta. "The Manta Fire Department reported that, at 6:00 am, the body of a missing person was found lifeless in the Barbasquillo sector," the agency announced on social media. Peru closed 91 of its 121 ports until January 1, the National Emergency Operations Center said on its X social media account. More from this section The municipality of Callao, close to the capital Lima and the location of the country's main port, closed several beaches and barred tourist and fishing boats from venturing out. "These waves are being generated thousands of kilometers away from Peru, off the coast of the United States," navy Captain Enrique Varea told Channel N television. "They are waves generated by a persistent wind on the surface of the ocean that is approaching our coasts," he said. Dozens of small fishing boats and businesses near the sea were affected, according to images broadcast on television and social networks. axl/rmb/nro/acb
In recent years, robots have metamorphosed from awkward metal contraptions into sophisticated machines with artificial intelligence capabilities. While technological advancements are remarkable, humans still find amusement in placing these robots in quirky and uncomfortable scenarios. Here are some of the most peculiar and intriguing ways we’ve utilized robots this year. Automated Poop Patrol Caleb Olson, a pet owner from Minnesota, has devised a unique solution to the age-old problem of cleaning up after dogs. Olson invented the “Poopcopter,” an autonomous robot designed to hunt down and collect dog waste. This flying marvel employs computer vision to identify droppings and uses a specially designed scoop to dispose of them, potentially raising the sanitary standards in backyards everywhere. Robot Butts Out Cigarette Litter Efforts to combat cigarette litter have led to the creation of the VERO, a four-legged vacuum robot by the Italian Institute of Technology. Designed to suck up discarded cigarette butts, each foot of the VERO is outfitted with a nozzle capable of removing this prevalent litter. If widely deployed, VERO could clean up public spaces efficiently. Empathy Experiments with Robots Marieke Wieringa, a researcher from Radboud University, conducted experiments exploring human empathy towards robots. Participants were more likely to hesitate in causing discomfort to robots that emitted distress sounds, noting a change in perception when they seemed to express emotions. Painting the Future with AI A humanoid robot named Ai-Da, armed with artistic algorithms, has ventured into painting, creating works such as a portrait dubbed “AI God.” The paintings have gained attention, fetching high bids in auctions, which reflects growing interest in the intersection of art and technology. These unusual ventures showcase the ever-expanding capabilities of robots, prompting societal reflection on their roles and our interactions with machines. The Unexpected Future of Robotics: Innovations and Insights Evolving Robotics: Exploring Key Innovations and Trends Robotics has progressed significantly, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and engineering. As robots become more integrated into everyday tasks, intriguing new capabilities and potential societal impacts emerge. Emerging Trends in Robotics 1. Innovations in Waste Management Robotics The development of the “Poopcopter” and the VERO highlights an innovative approach to tackling litter and waste management. These robots use computer vision and autonomous functionality, embodying the trend of robotics solving environmental challenges. The Poopcopter’s ability to autonomously identify and collect waste represents a new horizon in maintaining public hygiene. 2. Emotional Interactions with Robots Marieke Wieringa’s work on empathy towards robots suggests that human-robot interaction goes beyond mechanical functions. This experiment reveals how machines could evoke emotional responses and ethical considerations, presenting a new dimension in robotics – the ability to simulate human-like emotions, potentially influencing future social robots. 3. Artistic Creativity in AI-Driven Robots The humanoid artist Ai-Da exemplifies the intersection of robotics and creativity, ushering in a new era where robots contribute artistically. This could redefine art markets and challenge perceptions of creativity, as AI continues to expand its boundaries. Pros and Cons of Increased Robotic Integration # Pros: – Efficiency: Robots like VERO and Poopcopter streamline processes, increasing cleanliness and reducing labor. – Innovation: New applications, such as Ai-Da’s creative outputs, showcase the potential of robotics to enter traditionally human domains. # Cons: – Ethical Concerns: As with empathy experiments, ethical implications arise when robots appear to express emotions. – Cultural Resistance: Artistic robots challenge traditional ideas, which might face resistance from those valuing human artistry. Predictions for Robotics 1. Enhanced Public Services Robots capable of addressing public litter could be integrated into urban infrastructure, potentially transforming city hygiene dynamics. 2. Expanded Roles in Healthcare and Assistance Given their ability to evoke emotional responses, robots could support elderly or disabled individuals, improving quality of life through companionship or assistance. 3. Evolution in Creative Industries AI-driven artistic robots might become collaborators in creative industries, prompting a reevaluation of intellectual property and creativity ownership. Market Insights The robotics market is witnessing significant growth, driven by demand across sectors such as waste management, healthcare, and creative industries. As technology evolves, investment in robotic innovations is anticipated to rise, with focus areas likely including AI integration, emotional interaction capabilities, and public service support. For More Innovations Discover more about cutting-edge robotic developments and future implications by visiting the MIT Technology Review . Stay informed on the dynamic changes shaping the robotics landscape and understand their potential impacts on society.
Looking ahead, the outlook for money market funds remains uncertain. As economic conditions evolve and market dynamics shift, fund managers will need to remain vigilant and adaptive to navigate the changing landscape. Investors, on the other hand, will need to stay informed and proactive in managing their investment portfolios to achieve their financial goals.
Donald Trump made a political statement on Sunday, prompting his own supporters to voice their disagreements with him. Trump over the weekend marked the passing of fellow former President Jimmy Carter, who died after receiving hospice care in his home . Trump took to Truth Social after the news broke, saying in part, "The challenges Jimmy faced as President came at a pivotal time for our country and he did everything in his power to improve the lives of all Americans. For that, we all owe him a debt of gratitude." ALSO READ: Poor Trump supporters are about to get a rude awakening — but we shouldn't be celebrating MAGA fans on Trump's Truth Social page didn't like that from Trump. Theodore Winters , who describes himself as a "conservative Republican artist," laughed at the president elect's comment. "Lol, I know you’re being nice. But you’re tripping," Winters wrote. "Carter was a terrible president and damaged The United States Of America to such an extent that we are STILL dealing with his horribly policy decisions and his inflation repercussions in 2024." He then added, "I get it. He just passed. And we have to be respectful and nice. But let’s still keep it real." An account that promotes posts by Trump's appointees, Commieskillpuppies, said, "I appreciate your graciousness toward him but it won’t win you any points from the leftists." "They’re soulless. Besides a skunk by any other name would still stink to high heaven," the user then added. "He was not a good President. But he wasn’t our worst. Biden wins that award." A Truth Social user who proclaims "Trump is my president" in their bio, Chicabonita2145, said, "Jimmy Carter was the worst President in history." "He sold the Panama Canal for $1 to settle a dispute. Also the Iran hostage crisis was a diplomatic crisis between Iran and the United States," the user then added. "Carter came from a peanut farm his own brother was a fool and I will never forget he kept our American citizens hostages. He is part of the deep state club and always will be. I don’t care about Carter." John 55 🇺🇸 , who identifies as an "America First" veteran, chimed in: "Jimmy Carter pardoned all the Vietnam draft dodgers that forced other men to take their place! Many of these men did not come home." "Personally, I think Carter lived a long life to suffer for the pardons to the draft dodgers he pardoned," he added.It's no secret that big-data analytics firm Palantir Technologies Inc PLTR represents one of this year's biggest success stories. At the same time, a year-to-date return of well over 300% has analysts skeptical about a sustained run. Presently, PLTR stock trades at an extremely rich valuation, leading to a split sentiment on Wall Street. Despite the reasonable concerns, the smart money appears to generally lean toward a bullish posture. In particular, the latest read of PLTR stock's unusual options activity shows heightened activity for the $70 call expiring on Jan. 16, 2026. The total value hit $393,000, conspicuously above other aberrant options trades of the midweek session. Investors who continue to pile into PLTR stock may be looking at the bigger picture. A growing number of entities — particularly those related to the defense industry — have adopted Palantir's artificial-intelligence-based solutions . Even more enticing, the empirical data suggests that Palantir bulls are justified in their optimism. Also Read: Alphabet’s Quantum Willow Chip Wows Analyst: Google At The ‘Leading Edge Of Technology Innovation’ Running the Tape on PLTR Stock While the overvaluation concerns surrounding PLTR stock are legitimate, it's important to consider the hard numbers. When running the tape, Palantir's equity has demonstrated an upward bias in its weekly performance (defined as the difference between Monday's open and Friday's close) since making its public market debut in 2020. Specifically, out of 219 weeks, 119 saw a positive return (54.3%), 99 saw a loss (45.2%) and one week was flat. In other words, on any given Monday, bullish investors should have a modest edge that their position will end up in the black by Friday. However, the beauty of multi-leg options trades is that speculators can adjust the parameters of success. For example, in a bull call spread — a transaction that involves buying a call and simultaneously selling a higher-strike call of the same expiration date — traders can potentially deploy a strategy where the breakeven price is below the current open market price. This dynamic is possible because the credit received from the short call helps partially offset the debit paid for the long call. In Palantir's case, if success is defined as a weekly return greater than a 1% loss, the odds of a positive result jump to nearly 61%. Playing 4D Chess with Palantir Admittedly, it may be difficult to justify a heavy long exposure to PLTR stock given its rich valuation. However, the short-term outlook may be much more enticing, especially if the parameters of success are modulated. One compelling idea that stands out is the 68/71 call spread (i.e. buy the $68 strike, sell the $71 strike) that expires Dec. 20 of this year. At time of writing, the net debit paid to enter the trade was $190, which also represents the most that can be lost. The maximum reward comes out to $110 or a payout of 57.89%. Compellingly, the breakeven price for this transaction sits at $69.90, or more than 2.5% below the time-of-writing price. Using this benchmark as the threshold for success, the likelihood that PLTR stock will be somewhat profitable over a one-week period soars to around 65%. In addition, to collect the maximum reward, PLTR stock doesn't necessarily need to move higher by Dec. 20. Rather, it just needs to not fall below $71. For some traders, that may be a more attractive proposition than a standard open-market long position. However, it's important to keep in mind that both the risk and the reward are capped. Read Next: Magnificent Seven Tech Titans Hit $18.2 Trillion Market Cap: Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Tesla Jointly Notch All-Time Highs Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Winston's performance in snowy win over Steelers adds new layer to Browns' quarterback conundrum
Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game for the 49ers with a shoulder injury
