Brave new world Automation and robotics are now major factors, transforming economies, industries, and daily life while promoting productivity, creativity, and social progress. These technologies are changing the contemporary scene by enabling ground-breaking technical improvements and revolutionising procedures. Their capacity to increase production and efficiency is at the forefront of their influence. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); Automation and robotics are essential for advancement in the digital age, opening up new avenues and improving people's lives everywhere. To fully realise their potential, issues like job displacement and ethical dilemmas must be resolved. Yaqoob Ali Baloch Jamshoro
Larson Financial Group LLC lessened its position in American Water Works Company, Inc. ( NYSE:AWK – Free Report ) by 73.6% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 367 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 1,022 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC’s holdings in American Water Works were worth $54,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in AWK. ORG Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Water Works in the second quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of American Water Works by 155.6% during the third quarter. Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC now owns 299 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $44,000 after buying an additional 182 shares during the period. Hantz Financial Services Inc. bought a new position in shares of American Water Works during the second quarter worth about $46,000. E Fund Management Hong Kong Co. Ltd. acquired a new stake in American Water Works in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $50,000. Finally, Ashton Thomas Securities LLC bought a new stake in American Water Works in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Institutional investors own 86.58% of the company’s stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades A number of research firms have recently issued reports on AWK. Jefferies Financial Group began coverage on shares of American Water Works in a report on Monday, October 7th. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $124.00 price objective on the stock. Bank of America reiterated an “underperform” rating and issued a $140.00 price target on shares of American Water Works in a research note on Friday, September 20th. Mizuho downgraded shares of American Water Works from an “outperform” rating to a “neutral” rating and increased their price objective for the stock from $131.00 to $140.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. UBS Group raised American Water Works from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and lifted their target price for the company from $151.00 to $155.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. Finally, Wolfe Research upgraded American Water Works to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Water Works presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $142.29. Insider Buying and Selling In other news, Director Martha Clark Goss sold 710 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.85, for a total transaction of $101,423.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 36,880 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,268,308. This represents a 1.89 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. American Water Works Price Performance Shares of American Water Works stock opened at $136.98 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.21. The stock has a market capitalization of $26.70 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.22 and a beta of 0.70. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a twelve month low of $113.34 and a twelve month high of $150.68. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $138.92 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $137.83. American Water Works Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 3rd. Investors of record on Tuesday, November 12th will be paid a $0.765 dividend. This represents a $3.06 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.23%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 12th. American Water Works’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 60.59%. About American Water Works ( Free Report ) American Water Works Company, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides water and wastewater services in the United States. It offers water and wastewater services to approximately 1,700 communities in 14 states serving approximately 3.5 million active customers. The company serves residential customers; commercial customers, including food and beverage providers, commercial property developers and proprietors, and energy suppliers; fire service and private fire customers; industrial customers, such as large-scale manufacturers, mining, and production operations; public authorities comprising government buildings and other public sector facilities, such as schools and universities; and other utilities and community water and wastewater systems. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AWK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Water Works Company, Inc. ( NYSE:AWK – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for American Water Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Water Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Romanian lawmakers on Monday voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election by a top court. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in Romania's 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, or PSD, the center-right National Liberal Party, PNL, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. It caps a month-long period of turmoil in which far-right nationalists made significant gains in a Dec. 1 parliamentary election, a week after a first-round presidential race saw the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu emerge as the front-runner. “It will not be an easy mandate for the future government,” Ciolacu, whose PSD party topped the polls in the parliamentary election, said in a statement Monday. “We are aware that we are in the midst of a deep political crisis," he said. "It is also a crisis of trust, and this coalition aims to regain the trust of citizens, the trust of the people.” Romani's 16 ministerial positions will be shared among the parties, which will hold a slim majority in the legislature. It's widely seen as a tactical partnership to shut out far-right nationalists whose voices found fertile ground amid high living costs and a sluggish economy. Ciolacu, who came third in the first-round presidential ballot despite polls indicating he would win the most votes, has served as prime minister since June 2023. After parliament’s approval, President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government and warned the new Cabinet that it's entering a “difficult new period” in which “for many Romanians, there are major concerns.” Romania was plunged into turmoil after Georgescu’s surprise success in the presidential race, after allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference emerged. Days before the Dec. 8 runoff, the Constitutional Court made the unprecedented move to annul the presidential race. “We go through complicated times, but I think we all learned from mistakes of the past,” Ciolacu said. “I hope that together with my colleagues in the coalition, we’ll find the best solutions to get past the challenges we have in front of us.” Ciolacu said that the new government would aim to quickly organize the rerun of the presidential election in which the new coalition has agreed to put forward an agreed common pro-European candidate. Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, said that the new government made up of the same political parties will likely embrace “soft populist” rhetoric such as economic patriotism, anti-austerity, and a peace solution in neighboring Ukraine to counter the rise of far-right populism. “This will be a way to answer the concerns of many Romanians who voted for populists ... but will not solve the fundamental problem of trust,” he said. “The only decisive factor now will be who and how convincing the pro-European candidates will be against this popular revolt.” George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, which came second in the parliamentary election, said that all lawmakers from his party on Monday would vote against the Ciolacu government. In 2021, the PSD and the PNL also formed an unlikely but increasingly strained coalition together with UDMR, which exited the Cabinet last year after a power-sharing dispute.There's not much else we can say about the year that Doechii is having. One of TDE 's brightest stars, the Swamp Princess has certainly earned that nickname in 2024 . After breaking into the mainstream briefly with "What It Is" last year, not many were sure of where she could go from there. However, after a few spot singles and loosies getting more explorative, people began to pay closer attention. Then, in August of this year she went to make a serious statement that she was here to stay. That being her debut mixtape, Alligator Bites Never Heal . Regardless of the majority of the tracks having such short runtimes, her emotional and stylistic ranges were something to behold. It almost felt like this was her true introduction to everyone and it's one that's going to stick with us for years to come. On top of praise from the more casual listeners, critics have fallen in love with her potential and current talent. It's up for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance in part due to "NISSAN ALTIMA." Additionally, she's a nominee for Best New Artist and Remixed Recording. Now, it's a matter of Doechii following up on this run with a debut album that's even better or on par with her mixtape. Read More: Diddy & Luigi Mangione Are Reportedly Being Held In Separate Prison Units Concerts, music videos, and features will also play a role too, and at the start of 2025, it looks like we will be treated to one of those things. According to Uproxx , Doechii shared an interesting teaser trailer to her social media called, "Denial Is A River Show." It's of course a direct correlation to her incredible track of the same name and it looks to be a music video. There's been some light speculation online that Doechii is teasing features for her album that she says is coming in '25. It would some guest list too as TDE label mates ScHoolboy Q and SiR pop in. Others include Teezo Touchdown, Zack Fox, Rickey Thompson, Baby Tate, and DJ Miss Milan. Earl Sweatershirt rounds things out as "Brad Pitt" in reference to the meme above. Everyone is introduced in Family Matters fashion with the original theme song from the 90's sitcom included too. Time will tell what this "show" actually is, but regardless, we are eagerly anticipating it Read More: Drake's Mom Delivers Inspiring Speech That Has Him Ready To Take On UMG And Kendrick Lamar
Ukraine says it has a laser that can shoot down aircraft a mile away. It’s called ‘Tryzub’ | CNN
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — Two people were rescued when a California pier under construction partially collapsed and fell into the ocean Monday as the state's central coast was pounded by heavy surf from a major storm expected to bring hurricane-force winds to the seas off the Pacific Northwest, authorities said. Residents were warned to stay away from low-lying areas near the beaches around the Santa Cruz Wharf, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) south of San Francisco, as the storm rapidly gained strength. “You are risking your life, and those of the people that would need to try and save you by getting in or too close to the water,” the National Weather Service's Bay Area office said on the social platform X. Lifeguards rescued two people from the water and a third person was able to swim to safety, officials with Santa Cruz Fire Department said. No one had serious injuries, Mayor Fred Keeley said. The mayor said the section of the wharf that collapsed had been damaged over time. The structure was in the middle of a $4 million renovation following destructive storms last winter. Tony Elliot, the head of the Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department, estimated that about 150 feet (45 meters) of the end of the wharf fell into the water around 12:45 p.m. It was immediately evacuated and will remain closed indefinitely. Some of the wharf’s pilings are still in the ocean and remain “serious, serious hazards,” the mayor said. Each piling weighs hundreds of pounds and is being pushed by powerful waves. Gov. Gavin Newsom's has been briefed and the state's Office of Emergency Services is coordinating with local officials, his office said. Ocean swells along California's central coast could reach 26 feet (8 meters) as the Pacific storm gains strength through Monday, the weather service said. “A rapidly developing storm will bring hurricane force winds to the areas well offshore of the Pacific Northwest tonight,” the weather service's Ocean Prediction Center said on X. Winds off Oregon and Washington could peak near 80 mph (130 kph) and seas will build over 30 feet (9.1 meters), forecasters said. The end of the pier that broke off had been shut down during renovations. The portion, which included the closed Dolphin Restaurant, floated about half a mile (0.8 kilometers) down the coast and wedged itself at the bottom of the San Lorenzo River. Those who fell into the water were two engineers and a project manager who were inspecting the end of the wharf, officials said. No members of the public were in the area. Building inspectors were now looking at the rest of the Santa Cruz Wharf’s structural integrity. Monday's collapse came about a year after the Seacliff State Beach pier just down the coast was battered beyond repair by a heavy winter storm. ___ Dazio reported from Los Angeles.Houston's Trusted Mobile Locksmith Service Offers 24/7 Assistance 12-23-2024 11:20 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: RankSpire Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/1734959792.jpg Mobile Locksmith TX Earns Praise for Outstanding Customer Satisfaction on Google, Facebook, and Yelp. Mobile Locksmith TX has established itself as a highly regarded locksmith service provider in Houston, catering to residents and businesses with dependable solutions. Known for its professionalism, timely assistance, and affordability, the company continues to gain recognition, as reflected in its outstanding reviews across platforms like Google, Facebook, and Yelp. A city as vibrant as Houston deserves locksmith services that match its fast-paced lifestyle, and Mobile Locksmith TX fulfills that need. Whether addressing home, office, or automotive lock concerns, the company prioritizes security and efficiency. With a fleet of mobile units, the team reaches customers quickly, fully equipped to resolve issues on-site, from key replacements to advanced lock installations. Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/c10252e79398dcc4ead5037a50e394ee.jpg Customer testimonials highlight the expertise and approachable nature of the Mobile Locksmith TX team. Residents frequently commend the company's ability to handle urgent requests with a calm and professional demeanor, ensuring peace of mind during stressful lockout situations. Mobile Locksmith TX's services extend beyond emergency calls. Homeowners trust the team for lock upgrades and rekeying, while businesses turn to them for securing their premises with advanced locking systems. Automobile owners benefit from services that include key fob programming and unlocking vehicles without damage. The company's growing reputation is rooted in its dedication to transparent pricing, skilled technicians, and consistent quality. Positive feedback on platforms like Google reinforces the trust customers place in the team. Mobile Locksmith TX values its connection with the community, which is evident in the reviews and referrals it receives. For those looking to stay connected with the latest updates, Mobile Locksmith TX encourages everyone to follow us on our Facebook [ https://www.facebook.com/MobileLocksmithTX/ ] page. Social media serves as a platform to engage with customers, share valuable security tips, and provide updates about services and promotions. Additionally, customers are invited to read about us on Yelp [ https://yelp.com/biz/mobile-locksmith-tx-houston ], where many have shared their experiences. The testimonials reflect the company's focus on customer satisfaction, making it a go-to choice for locksmith services in Houston. About Mobile Locksmith TX Mobile Locksmith TX [ https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/g/11qnqyn082 ] is a trusted provider of locksmith solutions in Houston, offering a range of services for residential, commercial, and automotive needs. The company is known for its professional approach and commitment to delivering effective, affordable services. With a focus on customer satisfaction and community engagement, Mobile Locksmith TX remains a preferred choice for secure and prompt assistance. Location: https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d443533.96847363753!2d-95.498702!3d29.716598!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x8640c3881cdfd361%3A0x424879e3f38bd7a4!2sMobile%20Locksmith%20TX!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1734959814439!5m2!1sen!2sin Media Contact Company Name: Mobile Locksmith TX Contact Person: Michael Meirovich Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=houstons-trusted-mobile-locksmith-service-offers-247-assistance ] Phone: 281-528-1703 City: Houston State: TX Country: United States Website: https://mobilelocksmithtx.com/ This release was published on openPR.Deep Sky secures $40-million USD grant from Gates-founded Breakthrough Energy CatalystLarson Financial Group LLC raised its position in shares of Southern Copper Co. ( NYSE:SCCO – Free Report ) by 578.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 407 shares of the basic materials company’s stock after buying an additional 347 shares during the period. Larson Financial Group LLC’s holdings in Southern Copper were worth $47,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of SCCO. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc increased its stake in Southern Copper by 1.0% during the 2nd quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 10,558 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,138,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. Prudential PLC increased its position in shares of Southern Copper by 1.0% during the second quarter. Prudential PLC now owns 10,667 shares of the basic materials company’s stock worth $1,149,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the period. Tyche Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Southern Copper by 0.6% in the third quarter. Tyche Wealth Partners LLC now owns 19,685 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $2,277,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares in the last quarter. Greenwood Capital Associates LLC raised its stake in shares of Southern Copper by 0.7% in the third quarter. Greenwood Capital Associates LLC now owns 15,722 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $1,819,000 after acquiring an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Inspire Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Southern Copper by 3.9% in the third quarter. Inspire Advisors LLC now owns 3,001 shares of the basic materials company’s stock valued at $347,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the period. 7.94% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Southern Copper Stock Performance Shares of Southern Copper stock opened at $100.35 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $78.83 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.84, a P/E/G ratio of 1.54 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a quick ratio of 2.31, a current ratio of 2.77 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Southern Copper Co. has a 52 week low of $70.92 and a 52 week high of $129.79. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $110.08 and its two-hundred day moving average is $108.49. Southern Copper Dividend Announcement Wall Street Analyst Weigh In SCCO has been the topic of several recent research reports. Citigroup upped their price target on Southern Copper from $99.44 to $100.00 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 2nd. Morgan Stanley upped their target price on shares of Southern Copper from $97.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 19th. Finally, Scotiabank decreased their price target on shares of Southern Copper from $54.00 to $52.00 and set a “sector underperform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $90.63. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Southern Copper Southern Copper Company Profile ( Free Report ) Southern Copper Corporation engages in mining, exploring, smelting, and refining copper and other minerals in Peru, Mexico, Argentina, Ecuador, and Chile. The company is involved in the mining, milling, and flotation of copper ore to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates; smelting of copper concentrates to produce blister and anode copper; refining of anode copper to produce copper cathodes; production of molybdenum concentrate and sulfuric acid; production of refined silver, gold, and other materials; and mining and processing of zinc, copper, molybdenum, silver, gold, and lead. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Southern Copper Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Southern Copper and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
NEW YORK , Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- S&P MidCap 400 constituent Lennox International Inc. (NYSE: LII) will replace Catalent Inc. (NYSE: CTLT) in the S&P 500, and BILL Holdings Inc. (NYSE: BILL) will replace Lennox International in the S&P MidCap 400 effective prior to the opening of trading on Monday, December 23 . Novo Holdings A/S has acquired Catalent in a deal that closed today, December 18 . Following is a summary of the changes that will take place prior to the open of trading on the effective date: Effective Date Index Name Action Company Name Ticker GICS Sector Dec 23, 2024 S&P 500 Addition Lennox International LII Industrials Dec 23, 2024 S&P 500 Deletion Catalent CTLT Health Care Dec 23, 2024 S&P MidCap 400 Addition BILL Holdings BILL Information Technology Dec 23, 2024 S&P MidCap 400 Deletion Lennox International LII Industrials For more information about S&P Dow Jones Indices, please visit www.spdji.com ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets. S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spdji.com . FOR MORE INFORMATION: S&P Dow Jones Indices index_services@spglobal.com Media Inquiries spdji.comms@spglobal.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lennox-international-set-to-join-sp-500-and-bill-holdings-to-join-sp-midcap-400-302335548.html SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices
Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse? Researchers and watchdog groups say the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce detailed and novel online reviews has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. But AI-infused text generation tools enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice is illegal in the U.S. and becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to buy gifts. A tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews says AI-generated reviews have multiplied. Romanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian lawmakers have voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move on Monday could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, the center-right National Liberal Party, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government on Monday night. Government regulators close investigation into Ford Focus recalls Government safety regulators are closing an investigation into two previous recalls of the Ford Focus after determining that Ford Motor Co. has satisfied its concerns. Ford recalled around 1.5 million Ford Focus sedans from the 2012-2018 model years in 2018 because they could lose power. The issue was a malfunctioning canister purge valve and software that didn’t adequately detect when it was stuck open. Ford fixed the software in two separate recalls, but after cars continued to stall, the government opened an inquiry last year. Earlier this fall, Ford offered to replace the canister purge valve on all of the vehicles, satisfying regulators' concerns. AI will eavesdrop on world's wildest places to track and help protect endangered wildlife PUERTO JIMÉNEZ, Costa Rica (AP) — A biologist hid 350 audio monitors across Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests to spy on endangered spider monkeys in order to help protect them. But she had to go back to collect the data and feed those sounds into artificial intelligence systems that can recognize monkey calls. Now tech giant Microsoft's philanthropic arm is hoping to supercharge AI-assisted wildlife research with new solar-powered devices that can capture sounds, images and other wilderness data for a year or more without human intervention. Researchers say more AI wildlife surveillance is urgently needed to monitor the health of species at risk of extinction.
NCAA chief pushes Congress to ban prop bets on college sports
NEW YORK — There's a Christmas Day basketball game at Walt Disney World, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby. An animated game, anyway. The real game takes place at Madison Square Garden, where Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks in a game televised on ABC and ESPN and streamed on Disney+ and ESPN+. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. Madison Square Garden is a staple of the NBA's Christmas schedule. Now it merges with a bigger home of the holidays, because the "Dunk the Halls" game will be staged at Disney, on a court set up right smack in the middle of where countless families have posed for vacation photos. Why that location? Because it was Mickey Mouse's Christmas wish. "Basketball courts often have the ability to make a normal environment look special, but in Disney it can only turn out incredible," Wembanyama said in an ESPN video promoting his Christmas debut. The story — this is Disney, after all — begins with Mickey penning a letter to Santa Claus, asking if he and his pals can host a basketball game. They'll not only get to watch one with NBA players, but some of them will even get to play. Goofy and Donald Duck will sub in for a couple Knicks players, while Mickey and Minnie Mouse will come on to play for the Spurs. "It looks to me like Goofy and Jalen Brunson have a really good pick-and-roll at the elite level," said Phil Orlins, an ESPN vice president of production. Walt Disney World hosted real NBA games in 2020, when the league set up there to complete its season that had been suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The setting for the Christmas game will be Main Street USA, at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Viewers will recognize Cinderella's castle behind one baseline and the train station at the other end, and perhaps some shops they have visited in between. Previous alternate animated broadcasts included an NFL game taking place in Andy's room from "Toy Story;" the "NHL Big City Greens Classic" during a game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers; and earlier this month, another NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys also taking place at Springfield's Atoms Stadium as part of "The Simpsons Funday Football." Unlike basketball, the players are helmeted in those sports. So, this telecast required an extra level of detail and cooperation with players and teams to create accurate appearances of their faces and hairstyles. "So, this is a level of detail that we've never gone, that we've never done on any other broadcast," said David Sparrgrove, the senior director of creative animation for ESPN. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 phenom from France who was last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, looks huge even among most NBA players. The creators of the alternate telecast had to design how he'd look not only among his teammates and rivals, but among mice, ducks and chipmunks. "Like, Victor Wembanyama, seeing him in person is insane. It's like seeing an alien descend on a basketball court, and I think we kind of captured that in his animated character," said Drew Carter, who will again handle play-by-play duties, as he had in the previous animated telecasts, and will get an assist from sideline reporter Daisy Duck. Wembanyama's presence is one reason the Spurs-Knicks matchup, the leadoff to the NBA's five-game Christmas slate, was the obvious choice to do the animated telecast. The noon EST start means it will begin in the early evening in France and should draw well there. Also, it comes after ABC televises the "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" for the previous two hours, providing more time to hype the broadcast. Recognizing that some viewers who then switch over to the animated game may be Disney experts but NBA novices, there will be 10 educational explainers to help with basketball lingo and rules. Beyond Sports' visualization technology and Sony's Hawk-Eye tracking allow the animated players to make the same movements and plays made moments earlier by the real ones at MSG. Carter and analyst Monica McNutt will be animated in the style of the telecast, donning VR headsets to experience the game from Main Street, USA. Other animated faces recognizable to some viewers include NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who will judge a halftime dunk contest among Mickey and his friends, and Santa himself, who will operate ESPN's "SkyCam" during the game. The players are curious how the production — and themselves — will look. "It's going to be so crazy to see the game animated," Spurs veteran Chris Paul said. "I think what's dope about it is it will give kids another opportunity to watch a game and to see us, basically, as characters." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
The rise of dating apps, social media, and the prominence of technology in everyday life has transformed the dating landscape as we know it. With a world of information readily accessible at our fingertips—whether it's TikTokers sharing shocking first-date horror stories, viral threads dissecting awkward encounters, or podcasts breaking down relationship dynamics—one might assume that identifying "green" and "red flags" on a first date would be straightforward. But dating remains subjective, and opinions on what constitutes a "flag" can vary widely. While some express that modern dating places too much pressure on individuals by setting excessively high standards, others view it as an opportunity to be more selective—treating dating as a process of elimination, akin to a job interview, where only the best matches pass to the next stage. To navigate this evolving dating culture, we reached out to relationship experts to uncover what they consider the ultimate green flag on a first date. Their insights shed light on the subtle yet significant signs that reflect compatibility and mutual respect—factors that are more important than ever in today's fast-paced, high-pressure dating world. Lisa Marie Bobby, PhD, LMFT, LP, BCC, Founder & CEO, Growing Self Counseling & Coaching One of the most promising signs on a first date is sincerity combined with "boundaried openness." This means someone who is open and authentic, but also respectful of the context—like sharing just enough about themselves to build a connection, without oversharing or coming on too strong. Pay attention to how they talk about their relationships, too. People who have a history of healthy relationships tend to have positive things to say about their friends and family. They'll also likely demonstrate conscientiousness—showing up on time, being considerate, and showing genuine interest in getting to know you. And here's a surprising one: a green flag is not feeling crazy, overwhelming chemistry. While it's fun to feel sparks flying, those intense emotions can sometimes cloud judgment. Healthy, emotionally available people tend to feel more calming than chaotic. Instead of intense fireworks, you'll feel a sense of interest, curiosity, and ease—and that's a really good thing. Duana Welch, PhD, Author and Dating Coach If your date shows kindness and respect and honesty without oversharing about someone who hurt them, that's huge! Ask them, "If your ex were here right now, what would they say was behind the breakup?" "I thought we were exclusive, but they were still seeing other people" is a green flag, whereas "I don't know what they would say, but they were a total [insert insult]," or giving all the details to someone they barely know (you!), is deep red. My clients have found this to be a powerful early question, not only because it reveals character, self-control, and emotional intelligence, but it also detects potential danger: the worst way a person speaks about someone else is how they will eventually treat you. Ask them this question, and you'll give them room to show you who they are! Lorne Campbell, PhD, Professor, Psychology, Western University A demonstration of kindness is the biggest green flag on a first date. For example, if in a restaurant, how does the person interact with and treat the wait staff? Kindness is a core feature of interpersonal traits that most people tend to prefer in committed relationships. Denise Marigold, Associate Professor of Social Development Studies at Renison University College, University of Waterloo Paying attention to how the other person makes you feel is important. Do they make you feel comfortable and safe? Of course, a little bit of discomfort is okay to the extent that it reflects the awkwardness or anxiety that can come with a first date. But discomfort that feels threatening in some way—for example, your date exhibiting some controlling behaviours—should be taken more seriously. When two people are getting to know each other and develop a connection, reciprocal self-disclosure is important. You share a little bit, the other person shares a little bit, you share a bit more, they share a bit more, and so on. Ideally this would be pretty balanced, displaying mutual interest and respecting each other's boundaries. Also consider how the other person responds when you share something. Are they listening to understand you, or to decide what they will say next? Do they let you finish, or do they interrupt you with their own perspective? If they do the latter, it's a green flag. Ellyn Bader, PhD, C o-Founder & Director,The Couples Institute, Menlo Park, California The purpose of a first date is to see if you want to have a second date, that's all. So the biggest green flag on a first date is enjoying their company enough that you want to continue the connection. This could look like enjoying the way you feel, how you are when you're with them, enjoying what they bring out of you, feeling relaxed and at ease, etc. Another indicator of a green flag would be the following: shared interests, shared history, shared friendships, shared commitments to same causes.Stock market today: Wall Street slips as the 'Magnificent 7' weighs down the market NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are closing lower as Wall Street ends a holiday-shortened week on a down note. The S&P 500 fell 1.1% Friday and the the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 333 points, or 0.8%. The Nasdaq composite dropped 1.5%. The “Magnificent 7” stocks weighed on the market, led by declines in Nvidia, Tesla and Microsoft. Even with the loss, the S&P 500 had a modest gain for the week and is still headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.62%. 10 tips from experts to help you change your relationship with money in 2025 NEW YORK (AP) — As the calendar changes to 2025, you might be thinking about how to approach your relationship with money in the new year. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated. If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share responsibility for the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO — although not as much as the person who pulled the trigger. So says a new poll from NORC at the University of Chicago. It finds that about 8 in 10 Americans say that the person who committed the killing has “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility for the Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson. Still, some see suspect Luigi Mangione as a heroic figure. About 7 in 10 adults say coverage denials or health insurance profits also bear at least “a moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death. Another jackpot surpasses $1 billion. Is this the new normal? Remember this moment because it probably won’t last: A U.S. lottery jackpot is projected to soar above $1 billion, and that's still a big deal. Friday’s Mega Millions drawing is worth an estimated $1.15 billion. The prize has evoked headlines across the country, despite the nation's top 10 jackpots already having boasted billion-dollar payouts. Jonathan Cohen is the author of the book “For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America.” He says he expects jackpots to continue to grow in size. Larger payouts attract more media attention, increase ticket sales and bring in new players. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Richard Parsons, prominent executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76 NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Parsons, one of corporate America’s most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, has died. He was 76. Parsons died Thursday at his Manhattan home. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015 and cited “unanticipated complications” from the disease for cutting back on work a few years later. Financial services company Lazard confirmed his death. Parsons was a longtime member of the company's board. His friend Ronald Lauder told The New York Times that the cause of death was cancer. Parsons stepped down Dec. 3 from the boards of Lazard and Lauder’s company, Estée Lauder, citing health reasons. He had been on Estée Lauder’s board for 25 years. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen has targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said Thursday's bombardment took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. At least three people were reported killed and dozens injured in the Sanaa airport strike. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose.
MtoZ Biolabs Launches High-Sensitivity Quantitative Phosphoproteomics Service to Advance Cutting-Edge Biomedical Research
Ukraine has developed a laser weapon capable of shooting down targets from more than a mile away, the country’s drone force commander has claimed Speaking at a defense summit in Kyiv this week, Vadym Sukharevskyi, Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems said, “Today, we can already shoot down aircraft with this laser at an altitude of over 2 kilometers (1.2 miles).” “It truly works, it truly exists,” he said, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported, adding that efforts were being made to enhance the weapon’s scale and capabilities. The laser is named the Tryzub, or Ukrainian for “trident,” a nod to Ukraine’s national symbol representing independence, strength, and unity. Sukharevskyi did not offer any further details about the Tryzub laser and CNN cannot verify his claims. However, experts told CNN the existence of the Tryzub was “feasible.” Patrick Senft of the Armament Research Services, a technical intelligence consultancy specializing in arms in munitions research, told CNN that while little is known about the Tryzub system, “it is entirely feasible for Ukraine to develop a functional directed-energy weapon (DEW) capable of destroying some aerial targets.” “This is particularly achievable by using commercial, off-the-shelf welding lasers combined with other available technologies,” Senft said, pointing to the US Navy’s Laser Weapons System (LaWS) that has operated at comparable ranges since 2014. Senft explained that laser directed-energy weapons (DEW) were particularly effective against slow, low-flying drones deployed by Russia, as those drones consist of comparatively fragile components that are vulnerable to heat. Low-flying UAVs, like the Shahed-136/Geran-2 one-way-attack drones’ low altitude and steady flight pattern “make them particularly susceptible to sustained laser exposure,” Senft said, “as the weapon can concentrate energy on a specific point to destroy critical components.” Senft added that such weapons had two key limitations, related to how fast their target is traveling and how the lasers lose energy the farther they travel. Faster-moving or heat-resistant targets (e.g., artillery shells, ballistic missiles) are much harder to neutralize and demand a more advanced system, he said. Fabien Hoffmann of the Oslo Nuclear Project (ONP) said there were several technical challenges to deploying an effective laser system to counter drones or missiles. “These challenges include overcoming issues related to laser beam strength and the cooling of the system, atmospheric absorption and reflection of the laser beam (e.g., due to clouds or rain), and a phenomenon known as ‘thermal blooming.’ Thermal blooming occurs when the laser beam heats the surrounding air, causing it to spread out, which reduces its power and effectiveness at damaging the target,” he said. “To assess how effective it is in a missile defense role, we’ll need to see how it performs in practice,” Hoffmann added. Only a few countries are understood to be in possession of laser weapons, including the US, China and Israel. The UK is also currently developing its own laser weapons system, called the DragonFire , which is set to be operational in 2027. In April, former Defense Minister Grant Shapps said that the DragonFire could potentially be used in Ukraine to counter Russian drones, Reuters reported.