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The next two FIFA Women’s World Cups will stream on Netflix
By now, those who read this weekly offering with any regularity understand that I might have an inordinate amount of curiosity about a myriad of topics. Just a few days ago while shopping for stocking stuffers I found myself taking inventory of various matters during the past year. Apropos of absolutely nothing, I asked myself this question, “Did anybody in 2024 have a better year than Snoop Dogg?” I mean, c’mon, he’s been fully embraced by corporate America in a variety of commercials. He was essentially the face of the summer Olympics in Paris. There might have been more shots of him than of the Eiffel Tower. In the last few weeks, he’s a regular on national TV as a talent judge on a show called "The Voice." Ol’ Snoop’s had a pretty good year. Peper column: Christmas trees hold fond memories My mind is uniquely wired to observe such mundane matters. I enjoy noticing stuff or wondering about different items that are commonly right there for all of us to consume. I seem to enjoy the journey to nothingness more than others. That’s also, I suppose, why certain headlines find their way to my inbox from various news outlets. I don’t venture down every rabbit hole, but I clearly have a tendency to take a peek. For instance, are you likely to click on a subject that deals with why dogs lick people? Are you mildly interested in knowing how much farther you can drive when the gas gauge shows "E?" Ok, so maybe these aren’t life-altering topics that guarantee happiness in your life, but they are questions that definitely intrigue me. Since I went to the trouble of exploring the answers, allow me to share. Dogs lick people for a couple reasons. It’s often a sign of affection and Rover is just happy to see you. There’s also a chance that you just ate something and taste good. Peper column: Donate to a Lowcountry blessing box this holiday As for the gas tank sitting on empty? The manufacturers build in a little buffer before the tank is really bone dry. It depends on the size of the tank. A big SUV might still have a couple gallons left when the "E" light appears. A compact car, maybe a gallon. My advice? Don’t drive faster when the light comes on in an effort to get there sooner. I don’t know why life seems to zoom by so quickly as you get older. I do know that it feels like it is in warp speed at the moment. When I was a child, it took forever for Christmas to get here. Now it feels that as soon as I say “Happy New Year” to somebody, a few moments later it’ll be time for Christmas again. I think it’s OK to wonder about things and find answers to various questions. I’ve always felt as if there are still many questions I’d like to learn the answers to. For instance, why can’t you end a sentence with a preposition? Anyway, as we enter 2025, can you believe it? Remember 2000 when we were warned the whole world might come apart at the seams because nobody was sure all the computers were equipped to handle the end of a millennium? Peper column: What goes into making a to-do list? As we start another year, I’ll do what I can to keep your interests piqued. Just today, look what we’ve learned. Nobody had a better year than Snoop Dogg; when the "E" light comes on, don’t panic, there’s still a little wiggle room; and dogs lick your face because they’re happy to see you. However, if Snoop Dogg licks somebody’s face, there are bound to be a few other questions. Happy New Year!As 2025 approaches, the landscape of technology is rapidly evolving. This includes a spotlight on humanoid agents. This past year, the development of robots has surged with innovations that once seemed far-off now becoming imminent. The long-anticipated release of fully autonomous humanoids—previously confined to industrial settings—is possibly approaching. This is the view of deep tech investor Anders Indset , who has told Digital Journal: “We stand on the brink of a new era as these machines become increasingly sophisticated and capable.” Indset argues: “ Humanoid robots like Tesla’s Optimus are designed for industrial applications, capable of performing tasks in manufacturing and logistics. Elon Musk has indicated that Optimus will become a cornerstone of the company, with Optimus Gen 3 likely to debut by the end of 2024. With the integration of advanced software, visuals, and cameras tied to the Tesla ecosystem—similar technologies pushing for autonomous vehicles and robot taxis—the possibilities for these robots in 2025 are limitless.” The focus on AI agents has attracted significant investment, according to Indset, with record-high “dry powder” of $250 billion in the Bay Area alone directed toward the convergence of AI models and robotics. Indset explains: “Boston Dynamics is not alone in this race; they have introduced fully autonomous working partners that move beyond pre-programmed functions. The humanoid’s shift from hydraulic systems to electric capabilities indicates a move toward enhanced physical and mental performance, closely mimicking the human musculoskeletal system.” Notable examples in humanoid robotics include Boston Dynamics’ Atlas, which has demonstrated impressive agility, and Hanson Robotics’ Sophia, known for her advanced conversational abilities and emotional expressions. These robots, Indset thinks: “showcase the potential for humanoid agents to engage meaningfully with humans, enhancing customer service, healthcare, and education. Similarly, UBTech’s Walker and Agility Robotics’ Digit highlight the industry’s push towards creating robots that can navigate complex environments while performing intricate tasks.” The cost of employment is likely to be a driver. Indset observes: “Today, human labour accounts for approximately 50% of the global GDP, a staggering $42 trillion. As humanoid robots begin to take on roles in construction, logistics, and manufacturing, they will also address the needs of a growing aging population—estimated at 700 million individuals requiring home care in 2.3 billion households worldwide. The demand for assistive technologies will drive the integration of humanoid agents into daily life, providing support to the elderly and enhancing their quality of life.” The issue of technological innovation is not without its concerns. Drawing these out, Indset says: “However, the reliance on foundational AI models presents risks for these companies. The integration of self-hosted models and the potential for AI errors remain significant challenges. If AI fails, the humanoids, while designed to replicate human capabilities, may not achieve the desired outcomes. The ethical and social implications of humanoid agents must also be addressed, particularly concerning job displacement, privacy concerns, and the potential misuse of technology.” So, what does the future hold for humanoid robots? Indset’s view is: “As we approach 2025, we can anticipate the widespread adoption of AI in robotics, enhanced human-robot interactions, and the rise of Robotics as a Service (RaaS) models, making advanced robotic solutions accessible to more industries. These developments indicate a transformative period for the robotics industry, where humanoid agents will reshape our interactions with technology and expand the possibilities for AI applications across different domains.” Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.
Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and RussiaTarkov is not hitting 1.0 this year. Despite initially teasing that Escape From Tarkov would hit 1.0, and thus a full release, this year, game director Nikita Buyanov has now confirmed that the upcoming wipe will not be the full launch of Tarkov, with that now presumably targeted for next year. This time last year, Nikita teased that the story content that will arrive alongside the full launch of Escape From Tarkov would be added to the game in 2024, suggesting that the 1.0 version of Tarkov would also arrive this year. However, in a new interview, Nikita has confirmed that the upcoming wipe will not be a surprise 1.0 launch. “No, version 1.0 won’t arrive with the New Year’s patch,” said Nikita in an interview where he also discussed the future of Escape From Tarkov Arena . “We are moving towards the release, and we are currently preparing patch 0.16.0.0 for release.” Despite some speculation from the community that the upcoming wipe could be a surprise 1.0 launch, it now seems that will certainly not be the case, with a full launch in 2025 being much more likely. That shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, as you would expect the dev team to announce the full release well in advance to try to drum up some extra hype heading into the launch window, and with seemingly less than a week to go before the wipe hits, that wouldn’t be an effective marketing strategy. However, that doesn't mean that the upcoming wipe will be disappointing, with lots of new toys to play with being added to Tarkov . It will be slightly smaller than a usual wipe patch, given that a lot of the team is creating content for the full launch, but there will still be some cool new weapons , a rework to Customs and the Unity 2022 engine update that should make some technical improvements to Tarkov, which is starting to show its age. Oleksandr Usyk Vs. Tyson Fury 2 Results: Winner, Scorecards, Reaction Today’s NYT Mini Crossword Clues And Answers For Sunday, December 22 NYT ‘Strands’ Today: Hints, Spangram And Answers For Sunday, December 22nd We are expecting the Escape From Tarkov wipe to arrive next week , likely on December 26th given they tend to arrive on Thursdays. However, as we have seen before, there is still a chance that it could be delayed until Battlestate Games announces the official release date. But before then you can still enjoy some entertaining pre-wipe events in Tarkov such as one that gives you a free Kappa container , another that increased cultist spawns and today’s addition that had made the AA-12 shotgun much easier to get.
HARARE – Zimbabwe’s capital markets are undergoing significant transformation, with efforts to address low liquidity, regulatory hurdles, and economic instability paving the way for potential growth. The introduction of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency and initiatives to engage international creditors have set the stage for stability and expansion. Market analysts believe that a strategic approach is necessary to stimulate the country’s capital markets in 2025. Business analyst Kudakwashe Mundowozi highlighted the importance of enhancing liquidity through new financial instruments, streamlining regulations, and implementing investor education programs. He also emphasised the need for sustainable investment promotion and a green financing framework to attract socially responsible investors in line with global trends. Fostering public-private partnerships and encouraging foreign direct investment through policy stability and tax incentives are considered critical for long-term growth. By addressing these issues, Zimbabwe can build a more vibrant and resilient capital market. The Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE) and the Victoria Falls Stock Exchange (VFEX) are seen as key platforms for driving investment and contributing to the country’s economic development. Investment analyst Enock Rukarwa noted that the introduction of ZiG had brought relative stability, shifting stock market activity from flat to a bullish trend in late 2024. However, he pointed out challenges such as the discontinuation of foreign currency settlements, which had briefly improved liquidity. Liquidity, market depth, and size remain areas of concern, with analysts linking these variables to broader macroeconomic dynamics. Improved economic conditions, they argue, would boost confidence and activity in the stock market. Financial analyst Malone Gwadu observed that ZSE served as a haven for investors during periods of volatility, particularly in early 2024, as a hedge against exchange rate losses. However, he identified inflation and exchange rate volatility as systemic threats to market confidence and growth. To encourage market participation, Mr Mundowozi proposed tax incentives for companies listing on the ZSE, citing successful examples from Rwanda and Ireland. He also suggested adopting a fast-track listing process, similar to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, to attract foreign companies and diversify the investor base. Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced plans to further incentivise market activity on the VFEX, which has been hindered by low trading volumes. As part of the 2025 national budget, the Government will reduce capital gains withholding tax on marketable securities on the ZSE, effective January 1, 2025. ZSE Chief Executive Justin Bgoni welcomed the tax reduction, stating it would increase liquidity, attract more investors, and enhance overall market efficiency. Lower taxes could also improve price discovery and make Zimbabwe’s investment landscape more appealing to foreign investors. As these measures take shape, Zimbabwe’s capital markets are expected to play a pivotal role in driving economic growth and attracting both domestic and international investors in the coming years.
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