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OpenAI's cautionary stance regarding Sora's launch serves as a timely reminder of the dual nature of artificial intelligence – its immense potential for innovation and progress, as well as the risks and challenges it poses to society. As we embrace the era of intelligent digital assistants like Sora, it is imperative that we do so with a critical eye and a nuanced understanding of the ethical, social, and legal implications at play.
Can AI chatbots make your holiday shopping easier?
Austin arrives in Japan in his last Asia trip as secretary
It's time to celebrate a decade of gaming excellence as PlayStation China marks its 10th anniversary! To commemorate this special occasion, PlayStation is hosting an epic event that will have gamers across China on the edge of their seats – a PS5 giveaway every five minutes during a live stream!In addition to his support for Son Heung-min as a player, Hong Myung-bo also spoke about the striker's importance to the South Korean national team. Son has been a key figure for the Taeguk Warriors, playing a crucial role in their success in international competitions. Hong highlighted Son's leadership on the field, his ability to galvanize his teammates, and his unwavering commitment to representing his country with pride and passion.To stem the spread of the virus, authorities have made the difficult decision to cull all 240,000 chickens on the affected farms. While this may seem like a drastic measure, it is a necessary step to prevent the further spread of the disease and protect the wider poultry population. The culling process will be carried out in a humane manner, with strict protocols in place to ensure the safety of both the workers and the surrounding environment.In recent weeks, tensions between the United States and Russia have been steadily rising, particularly in light of the ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Despite growing concerns about the potential for a military confrontation between the two global powers, one crucial aspect seems to have been overlooked: the activation of a de-escalation mechanism.
Foreign Media Predicts TGA New Games: "Death Stranding 2" and "Max Payne" Remake
The diplomatic tensions between the US and Spain have underscored the complexities of international relations and the challenges that can arise when countries have differing priorities and interests. The incident has also highlighted the importance of communication and transparency in maintaining strong partnerships between nations.
Alibaba Group expressed gratitude for the swift and coordinated efforts of the firefighters, security personnel, and staff members who worked together to contain the fire and ensure the safety of everyone present at the data center. The company also extended thanks to its customers for their understanding and patience during this challenging time.Title: World Record at 12:13, North Korean Women's Team Takes the Lead! Intense Battle Between Weightlifting Powerhouses North Korea and China Reaches its ClimaxDuke of York ‘ceased all contact’ with spy-accused man after concerns raised
Bill Belichick didn't wait around for a call that he might not get from an NFL team. With no guarantees that another opportunity might come his way — only the Atlanta Falcons interviewed Belichick last offseason — and unsure whether he could find the right fit in the NFL, the 72-year-old future Hall of Fame coach decided to go back to school. Belichick took his eight Super Bowl rings to North Carolina on a mission to build a college program the way he constructed two dynasties during 24 seasons with the New England Patriots. It starts with doing things his way. The Patriot Way is legendary. Perhaps it'll translate into the Tar Heel way. That's to be determined. But Belichick is back doing what he loves: coaching. And, he's going to run the show with his guys around him. An NFL team giving Belichick full control the way he had in New England seemed unlikely. Success at North Carolina could change that thinking. For now, Belichick's quest to break Don Shula's all-time record for most wins in the NFL is on hold. He's 15 victories short but the buyout clause in his college contract — a $10 million fee if done before June 2025 and $1 million after that date — leaves the window open for a return to the league. If Belichick stays in college or retires without returning to the NFL, his legacy is already cemented. Winning at North Carolina will only enhance his reputation. Losing won't impact his NFL resume. "He's one of the all-time great coaches. What he's done for the NFL and the game, we all know where he'll end up — in the Hall of Fame with a gold jacket," Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said Wednesday shortly before Belichick agreed on a five-year deal with North Carolina that pays him $10 million in base and supplemental salary annually with up to $3.5 million in bonuses per year. Belichick has his detractors. There's no denying he couldn't win without Tom Brady. He was 29-39 and had no playoff wins without No. 12 in his final four seasons with the Patriots. Critics have labeled him a cheater because of the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. He overlooked Aaron Hernandez's issues. He was tough on players, even alienating Brady in the end and letting him walk him away in free agency in 2020 only to see him lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl in his first season there. But Belichick instilled in players the importance of doing their job and presided over an unprecedented two-decade run of dominance that withstood changing times, free agency, salary-cap restrictions and much more. Brady has always maintained how important Belichick was for his career, giving him credit for helping him become one of the best players in sports. Now, Belichick is onto Chapel Hill in a surprise twist after he spent most of the NFL season reinventing himself as an entertaining and engaging analyst. Belichick is a football genius and his knowledge came across on television. But he also displayed a fun personality, trading quips with the Mannings and cracking jokes with Pat McAffee. "College kind of came to me this year," Belichick said at his introductory news conference. "I didn't necessarily go and seek it out. I had many coaches, probably a couple dozen coaches, talk to me and say, 'Can we come down and talk to you about these things?' Let's call it the salary cap of pro football relative to college football. The headsets, the green dot, the two-minute warning, the tablets on the sideline. Those were all rules changes this year for college football that were either or the same or similar to what we had in the NFL. These coaches said, 'Hey coach can we talk to you about how you did this? How you did that? How did you use this?'. "As those conversations started and then the personnel conversations started relative to salary cap and how you spend whatever the allotment of money you have. I'd say that started to make me a lot more aware of it because the first thing I would have to do is learn about it. .... As you learn different things about different programs you start to put it all together. There is some common threads and there's some variables." How will he do as a college coach? Nobody knows yet. Three of Belichick's former players were skeptical before he took the job. "There's a lot of things he can do, and obviously he's tremendous, and even showing his personality. But getting out there on the recruiting trail and dealing with all these college kids, that would be ..." Brady said before trailing off during a conversation on Fox's NFL pregame show last Sunday. Fellow former Patriots Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman also wondered the same. "Can you imagine NIL, and all that nonsense?" Gronkowski said. Edelman added: "Can you imagine Bill on a couch recruiting an 18-year-old?" But Belichick doesn't have to recruit kids on visits. These are new times in college sports. The NIL has dramatically changed the landscape. Plus, Belichick's name is enough. Just like Deion Sanders at Colorado. "I think it could be great for this game, honestly, if he can find a way to make college football more like this in terms of what's being asked of the coaches, the recruiting staff, the personnel, the NIL, and all those different things," Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Cohen said. "If he can make it a little bit less demanding on some of the coaches and create a great atmosphere and have success, I think it's great for our game. It's pretty cool to see, actually." Time for Belichick to do his job. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
North Korea is likely to send more troops to Ukraine to help Russia , an expert has warned. According to reports, North Korea has already sent 11,000 soldiers to help Vladimir Putin's forces. This came after Moscow and Pyongyang reached an agreement for a security deal earlier this year. Images shared by Ukrainian forces have shown North Korean soldiers in operation in the Kursk region of Russia . Dr Edward Howell, a lecturer in politics at Oxford University and the Korea Foundation Fellow at Chatham House, believes North Korea could send more troops in the future. He told The Telegraph : "We cannot rule out the likelihood that additional troops will be deployed from other divisions. "If Russia has pledged to provide North Korea with advanced military and missile technology, as well as knowhow, in response for North Korea going 'all in' and sending manpower, then North Korea is likely to continue to deploy troops in order to reap these benefits, and ask Putin for more substantial concessions." Earlier this week, the first deaths of North Korean troops were reported. Ukraine ’s military intelligence (GUR) reported the North Koreans were embedded with Russians in Kursk when they were killed. According to reports, North Korean soldiers accidentally killed Russian troops because of the language barrier between them. Kyiv’s military intelligence said that "fearful" North Koreans opened fire on a Russian vehicle in Kursk. They added that the Russians and North Koreans have struggled to communicate with one another. Meanwhile, a Western official claimed last month that North Korean soldiers are so badly trained that they were not able to be deployed into combat straight away. The official said: "We say due to poor training and lack of logistical support as the primary reasons why DPRK (North Korea) haven’t started the fight yet." CNN reported in October that the Russian soldiers are not happy with their new colleagues. They quoted comms from Russian soldiers, with one saying: "What the f*** are we supposed to do with them?" The soldier added that the North Koreans "can’t be commanded like ours" and appear "inadequately trained."Black mothers in Waterbury advocate for equity in maternal health careCharmaine Sheh, one of TVB's most popular actresses, took to social media to address the ongoing rumors of a split with long-time boyfriend Kevin Cheng. The couple had previously dated for several years before reportedly calling it quits due to their busy schedules. However, recent sightings of the pair together sparked rumors of a reconciliation, only to be followed by rumors of another breakup.
Traveling through LAX can sometimes be a nightmare, with traffic into the airport, inefficient security lines, and unplanned delays. Since 2019, LAX has been busy with construction and renovations , including a highly anticipated but delayed people mover , which means significant changes for the restaurants, lounges, and bars at the airport. With years of construction already completed, and more to come, Los Angeles International Airport is honestly looking better than ever regarding passenger experiences inside the terminals. One of the new options is an airport-only food delivery service called Order Now which brings dishes from across terminals, in case a particular terminal you’re flying out of doesn’t have the options you want. Here is an updated look, just ahead of the holiday travel season, and what to expect when seeking out food at Los Angeles’s busy airport. Prices taken at time of publishing. From home to Hollywood, Eater’s got you covered. The Eater Guide to Los Angeles is the perfect companion for a trip to the city of Angels. Find the best places to eat all across the city, like world-class tacos, the top Korean barbecue spots, and the fanciest fine dining destinations. Three Standout Places to Eat Terminal 1 Terminal 2 Terminal 3 Terminal 4 Terminal 5 Terminal 6 Terminal 7 Terminal 8 Tom Bradley International Terminal PS is a private terminal for flights in and out of LAX, with an entrance a few miles away from the airport’s main portal. Members or guests can go through a separate TSA-approved security and take cars directly to the terminal, bypassing crowds and the long walks through concourses. But the experience comes a hefty price tag , starting at $1,095 for one use or $4,850 for annual membership, plus an additional fee per use. The perks of using PS terminal are good enough that the facility gets to near capacity every day of the week, so reservations are highly recommended. Most people who come in with themselves or up to three additional guests can hang out in the salon, which features well-made cocktails and a sizeable menu of avocado toast, soba noodles, steak, seared salmon, caviar, and other dishes. The food and drinks are essentially unlimited — think of this as a first-class airline lounge, but with top-flight ingredients and preparation. The other option here is to book a private suite, which comes stocked with snacks, a private bathroom, toiletries, and other amenities — and all of the aforementioned food and drink available in the salon. Sign up for our newsletter. Check your inbox for a welcome email. Oops. Something went wrong. Please enter a valid email and try again.
While electroencephalography (EEG) can provide a wealth of information on the electrical activity of an individual's brain, that person is required to wear a clumsy skull cap full of electrodes. Such caps could soon be replaced, however, with inkjet-printed scalp tattoos. Among other things, EEGs are frequently utilized to monitor and diagnose a wide variety of brain injuries and brain disorders such as epilepsy. They're also used to assess sleep problems, and even to allow paralyzed individuals to control computers (or other devices) . Ordinarily, people who are getting an EEG must wear a skull cap equipped with a hardwired array of electrodes. Each of those electrodes has a dab of conductive gel on its underside, which lets it read the brain's electrical signals through the patient's hair and skin. Needless to say, these caps would be quite impractical – and funny-looking – for a person to wear throughout the day as they go about their regular activities. The gel would also dry out, resulting in subpar readings. As a result, EEGs are typically performed over relatively short periods of time in hospitals or clinics, with the patient remaining seated or reclined the whole time. This means that the recorded readings may not reflect how the person's brain activity varies over days or even weeks, as they're doing the things they usually do. A more mobile alternative to EEG caps, which has been in the works for over a decade, involves replacing the electrodes with composed of conductive ink. One problem with this approach lies in the fact that such "e-tattoos" only work on completely non-hairy skin. Even if the e-tats were applied to shaved skin, they would become ineffective as the hair grew back in. That's where the e-tattoos come in. They're being developed by scientists from The University of Texas at Austin, and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The tattooing process begins with a 3D scan being performed on the patient's head. Utilizing this head-shape data, a computer algorithm determines the optimum placement of the e-tattoos on that specific person. Those tattoos are then quickly applied by a 5-axis microjet printing robot. Importantly, that robot's print nozzle doesn't actually contact the patient's skin. Instead, it shoots out the conductive ink at such a velocity that it passes through the hair and onto the underlying skin. There, it forms a flexible, stretchable, breathable film that isn't affected by the hair growing around it. Each e-tattoo incorporates both the electrode itself and a "wire" – composed of a different type of ink – leading from it down the back of the patient's neck. There, the base of each tattooed wire is connected to an actual wire, which is in turn connected to a small wearable commercial EEG recorder. "The holy grail for EEG is a sensor that patients can wear for long periods of time, outside the clinical setting and without the need for constant maintenance," says UT Austin's Prof. Nanshu Lu, one of the leaders of the project. "What we’ve developed opens the door for more mobile EEG sensing." The process currently only works on scalps with fairly short hair, so the scientists are working on a robotic system that will actually comb through longer hair, pulling it aside so the printer can get at the skin beneath. They're also in the process of making the ink more resistant to friction, as it presently rubs off fairly easily. A paper on the study was recently published in the journal . The e-tattooing process is demonstrated in the video below. Source:Luckin Coffee, the up-and-coming Chinese coffee chain known for its innovative marketing strategies and trendy beverage offerings, recently launched a limited edition collaboration cup priced at 183.5 RMB. However, what was supposed to be a stylish accessory for coffee lovers turned into controversy when it was discovered that the cup was not suitable for holding hot water, as originally marketed.Recently, a series of alarming incidents have occurred at bathing centers in Zhengzhou, where multiple individuals have fainted unexpectedly. The incidents have sparked concerns and raised questions about the safety and hygiene practices at these establishments. Immediate medical attention and intervention were required to stabilize the affected individuals and ensure their well-being.
Players have been quick to praise Exile's Path 2 for its stunning graphics, dynamic gameplay, and rich storytelling, with many noting the improvements and enhancements made in the sequel compared to its predecessor. The game's robust multiplayer features have also been a major draw, allowing players to team up with friends or compete against one another in epic battles and challenges.New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and the state Environment Department are suing a Texas company that provides oil and gas pipeline inspection services, alleging it is using radioactive materials in New Mexico without a license. ARC Inspection Services LLC — based in Krum, Texas, and a provider of "non-destructive examination and testing services for the pipeline and heavy industrial markets" — also is accused of doctoring documents to try to show it has authority to conduct "lucrative" industrial radiography. According to the lawsuit filed recently in the First Judicial District Court, the company frequently stored equipment and radioactive materials at a storage yard in Eunice in southeastern New Mexico near the Texas border. The site was used to dispatch radiography technicians and materials to jobs in New Mexico and Texas, without a proper license to operate in the state, the suit alleges. Reached by telephone Friday, Shane Wells, listed as the company's owner on LinkedIn, said ARC Inspection Services LLC went out of business last week. He had no further comment on the lawsuit. ARC Inspection Services specializes in conventional radiography, magnetic particle and dye penetrant and ultrasonic testing, its LinkedIn page shows. The Texas Department of State Health Services had information in August showing the company was operating at eight locations in New Mexico, according to the lawsuit, which says it had 167 violations in Texas. According to the lawsuit, the company checked for damage to the integrity of oil or gas pipelines as well as metal welding using radiation, a technology similar to X-rays. The radioactive materials used for such jobs include cobalt-60, cesium-137, iridium-192, sodium-24 and americium-241, the lawsuit states. The Texas health services agency received an anonymous report in August of a "Category 2" radioactive material that was out without supervision in Eunice, located in Lea County. A New Mexico Environment Department inspector "spoke with a known industrial radiography licensee located in Hobbs, New Mexico who agreed to go to the address, and who confirmed there were no abandoned radioactive source materials," the suit states. "The licensee did confirm that ARC radiography trucks and trailers were present at the location and took photos documenting this fact."
As Big Tech profit growth slows, investors hunt for a new thing The stock market’s growth engine is running on fumes. For years, investors have counted on the biggest technology companies to power equity indexes higher based on their strong earnings and expectations for even more profits in the future, most recently fuelled by the development of artificial intelligence services. Those days appear to be over, at least for now. And it’s forcing investors to think of other ways to play the latest equities bull market as it enters its third year, Bloomberg reports. The issue is profits. The Magnificent Seven tech giants -- Alphabet Inc, Amazon.com Inc, Apple Inc, Meta Platforms Inc, Microsoft Corp, Nvidia Corp and Tesla Inc -- are expected to post a combined earnings increase of 18 per cent in 2025, down from a projected 34 per cent for 2024, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence. Strip out Nvidia, arguably the biggest beneficiary of Wall Street’s AI mania, the rest of the group is expected to post a measly 3.0 per cent increase in profits in 2025. An 18 per cent profit expansion is good news for just about any sector -- but Big Tech. Should the estimate come to fruition, the high-flying cohort will fall behind health care in full-year earnings growth and not significantly above the materials and industrials groups. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 Index’s earnings growth is projected to reach 13 per cent in 2025, up from 10 per cent this year. In other words, the tech giants are no longer setting the pace for Corporate America. “The Mag Seven is not necessarily going to be the engine of growth for the market that it has been for the last year or so,” said Julian McManus, portfolio manager at Janus Henderson. Investors are already responding. In the week through Dec 4, the information technology group had its largest outflow in six weeks at $1.4 billion, according a Bank of America note on Friday citing data from EPFR Global. Small-cap stocks, which have been trailing the broader market this year, had $4.6 billion of inflows, putting them at an annualized record high of more than $30 billion. McManus said he’s watching for upside surprises in free cash flow growth and sees alternatives to Big Tech all over the world, not just in the US, where he’s “significantly underweight.” He likes energy producers, which are benefiting from power-thirsty data centers and are a popular play, and sees opportunities in biotech as well as chip design software companies like Cadence Design Systems Inc. A big part of the search for Big Tech alternatives is purely about their stock prices. Just this week, the Magnificent Seven companies traded at 41 times projected earnings, the highest valuation multiple since early 2022, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The entire S&P 500 has seen a jump as well, with its ratio of 23 times the highest since 2021. But it’s still almost half the price of the tech giants’ valuations. “You’re being overly risky being in just the megacaps,” said Phil Blancato, chief executive officer at Ladenburg Thalmann Asset Management. “You’re looking at companies that are trading at valuations that are quite rich. Some of the numbers for the rest of the S&P 500 don’t look bad, they look good. I’d rather buy the rest of the S&P 500 at 18 times (forward earnings) versus the entire S&P 500 at 23 or 24 times.” He isn’t alone in his scepticism. Wall Street pros like Michael Wilson, chief US equity strategist at Morgan Stanley, and Brian Belski, chief investment strategist at BMO Capital Markets, also see the equities rally continuing to broaden to sectors beyond Big Tech, a trend that began in the second half of the year. “Euphoria around megacap tech is evident in growth expectations for the Magnificent 7 approaching all-time highs, just when their earnings are slated to decelerate,” Bank of America strategists led by Savita Subramanian wrote in a note to clients this week. With the cohort accounting for about a third of the S&P 500’s weighting, “we see more opportunity in the average stock than in the index,” the strategists wrote. However, that isn’t to say all Magnificent Seven stocks are created equal. Because there’s one company that stands head and shoulders above the rest: Nvidia. Relentless demand for its accelerators used in AI computing has sent earnings soaring. Nvidia is projected to deliver $71 billion in profits on revenue of $129 billion next year, up 49% and 52%, respectively, according to the average of analyst estimates compiled by Bloomberg. This explains why the stock is the seventh best performer in the Russell 1000 Index this year with a 193% gain — and the only Magnificent Seven company in the top 50. Much of Nvidia’s success is being driven by spending from its megacap peers. Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta Platforms are projected to show more than $200 billion in combined 2024 capital spending to beef up computing capacity. And they’ve pledged to spend significantly more next year. That’s great for Nvidia, but investors are questioning when those investments will pay off for the rest. “I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Mag Seven sort of break up because gravity is going to catch up,” Janus Henderson’s McManus said. Of course, Wall Street has underestimated Big Tech’s strength in the past. At the start of 2024, analysts were projecting earnings growth of 19% for the Magnificent Seven, and the group is now on track for a 34 per cent increase. And despite the numbers, the tech giants still retain their allure with investors, especially if the economy deteriorates. Scott Chronert, US equity strategist at Citigroup, likens the group to a defensive sector like consumer staples, whose products people need regardless of economic circumstances. The point being, megacaps remain a safe bet in uncertain times -- like now. “If you were to sell big tech, where would you go?” said Andrew Choi, portfolio manager at Parnassus Investments. “Do you really want to bet on rate-sensitive stocks where you need rates to go a certain direction? Do you want to chase places that have done well? Big tech remains the best, easiest answer for what you want regardless of what market conditions end up being.”