Norwegian robotics firm 1X unveiled its latest home robot, Neo Gamma, on Friday. The humanoid system will succeed Neo Beta, which debuted in August. Like its predecessors, the Neo Gamma is a prototype designed for testing in the home environment.

Images of the robot show it performing a number of household tasks like making coffee, doing the laundry, and vacuuming.

1X says the bipedal robot is set to step outside the lab, with limited in-home testing, though the company is quick to add that the Gamma is a long way from commercial scaling and deployment.

Neo Gamma represents a softer side of the humanoid industry — both figuratively and literally. 1X has built the robot to be welcoming, with a friendlier design and a suit made of knitted nylon. The latter is designed to reduce potential injuries that might arise from robot-to-human contact.

Neo Gamma arrives amid a sea of humanoids from companies like Agility, Apptronik, Boston Dynamics, Figure, and Tesla.

While firms like Figure already have their robotic systems operating in a mock home environment within their lab, all have prioritized warehouse and factory deployment. 1X’s home-first approach makes it unique among its direct peers.

Home robots have always been a tricky proposition. Beyond robotic vacuums produced by companies like iRobot, none have meaningfully penetrated the market. This isn’t from lack of trying — the technology simply isn’t there.

Home robots need to be useful, reliable, affordable, and significantly safer than their industrial counterparts. This is doubly the case given that age-tech is likely to be one of home humanoids’ key targets. As the average age of the population rises, independent living for older adults will become an increasingly important technology target.

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China is advancing its deep-sea ambitions with plans to establish a research station 2,000 meters beneath the South China Sea, a region abundant in resources and subject to territorial disputes among multiple nations.

According to the South China Morning Post, the facility is projected to be operational by 2030 and will accommodate six scientists for month-long missions.

Referred to as a “cold seep” ecosystem research facility, the station will focus on studying methane-rich hydrothermal vents that host unique marine life and contain significant deposits of methane hydrates.

Research objectives include monitoring methane emissions to evaluate their impact on climate change, analyzing deep-sea species for potential medical applications, observing geological activities to forecast natural disasters, and exploring methane hydrates as a prospective energy resource.

Designed for extended deep-sea habitation, the station will be equipped with a life support system and an integrated surveillance network.

It will collaborate with unmanned submersibles, surface vessels, and seabed observatories to collect data.

Additionally, China is developing a seabed fiber-optic network to enhance its marine infrastructure and research capabilities.

The South China Sea’s wealth of resources, including methane hydrates and rare minerals, renders it a strategically important area.

By establishing this research base, China aims to strengthen its territorial claims and augment its geopolitical and economic influence.

Despite advancements in artificial intelligence, human researchers remain essential to deep-sea exploration. While AI can assist in data collection, real-time decision-making and adaptive problem-solving necessitate human expertise.

The capacity of scientists to respond to unpredictable environmental changes ensures their indispensable role in such missions.

China’s initiative to build a deep-sea research station signifies a substantial advancement in marine science and resource exploration.

With potential ramifications for energy security, climate research, and geopolitical dynamics, this project positions China at the forefront of deep-sea exploration, potentially outpacing competitors like the United States and Russia.

Although specific details about the station’s power source have not been disclosed, similar U.S. and Soviet-era stations, such as the NR-1 and AS-12 Losharik, utilized nuclear reactors.

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Aa.com.tr

According to reports, the newly discovered coronavirus uses the same human receptor as the virus responsible for COVID-19 and SARS, human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2).

A Chinese team discovered a new bat coronavirus that poses a risk of animal-to-human transmission as it uses the same human receptor as the COVID-19 virus, a Hong Kong daily reported on Thursday, citing the latest study.

The study, conducted by the Guangzhou Laboratory in collaboration with the Guangzhou Academy of Sciences, Wuhan University, and the Wuhan Institute of Virology, was published in the scientific journal Cell on Tuesday, the South China Morning Post reported.

The virus, also known as HKU5-CoV-2, is a novel lineage of the HKU5 coronavirus discovered in Japanese pipistrelle bats in Hong Kong.

Lab tests revealed that the virus can infect human cells and artificially-grown lung and intestine tissues. It can also bind to ACE2 receptors in humans, bats, and other animals, increasing the likelihood of cross-species transmission.

Even though HKU5-CoV-2 has a stronger binding ability than its original strain with a wider range of hosts, the researchers emphasized that it is far less potent than SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, and the risk of widespread human transmission is low.

Shi Zhengli, the study’s lead scientist, is well-known for her work at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which has come under fire due to claims that COVID-19 originated from a lab leak, which Shi has denied.

China previously rejected the “CIA-backed theory” that the COVID-19 pandemic originated from an accidental lab leak in Wuhan rather than natural transmission in a wet market, the daily reported

The first cases of the COVID-19 virus were reported in Wuhan, central China, in December 2019. It subsequently spread worldwide, leading to national lockdowns and causing nearly seven million deaths.

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Parade.com

According to officials behind the scenes, Hooters will be working alongside law firm Ropes & Gray over the next few months to prepare a filing.

As of now, detailed plans have not yet been finalized, and those behind the scenes have requested to remain private during the process.

Hooters has reportedly been working to address its debt load with lawyers, as well as with turnaround advisers from the boutique firm Accordion Partners.

It has also been reported that Hooters’ debt holders have even gone as far as to seek out Houlihan Lokey Inc. for further advice on the matter.

Additionally, due to the change in foot traffic and constantly changing playing field, Hooters has already shuttered several of its long-standing locations. The popular restaurant chain even reportedly sold upwards of $300 million in asset-backed bones in 2021.

Over the years, Hooters has fought vigorously against liquidity issues as foot traffic has declined across a large number of its locations. 

For those curious, these asset-backed bonds were packaged as “whole-business securitizations,” meaning the company will pledge most of its assets, including franchise fees, as collateral. Whole business securitizations have become a popular product amongst major restaurant chains, fitness clubs and other various franchised businesses.

While time can only tell what is in store for Hooters, fans of the restaurant chain should be pleased to hear that work is being done behind the scenes to ensure more opportunities to serve the loyal customer base.

Times are tough all around, for businesses and customers alike, and it’s always unfortunate to see a legacy brand struggle to make ends meet. We’ll be sure to keep you informed as Hooters’ new plans progress.

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President Donald Trump signed an executive order Feb. 5 called the “No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order.” 

The state organization that oversees most Wisconsin high school athletic programs updated a policy Wednesday to say only athletes, “designated as females at birth” would be allowed to compete in girls sports.

The change by the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association comes as the Trump Administration is acting to prohibit transgender women and girls from competing in sports. 

WIAA cited compliance with federal directives for its change in policy. 

“Working in consultation with legal counsel, our Board updated this policy to ensure clarity is provided to our membership as they work to comply with new federal guidance from the White House,” WIAA Executive Director Stephanie Hauser said in a statement.

Before the change Wednesday, WIAA’s transgender policy, adopted in 2013, allowed students regardless of the sex they were assigned at birth to participate in sports. 

At least two Wisconsin school districts have wanted to pass measures to ban trans athletes from school teams. 

Arrowhead Union High School and the New London School Board have both advocated for “saving women’s sports” bills. 

The board vote is similar to a recent action by the NCAA

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This marks a significant milestone as Merilog becomes the first rapid-acting insulin biosimilar authorized by the FDA, providing more options for patients managing their diabetes.

Merilog is a rapid-acting human insulin analog designed to reduce spikes in blood sugar levels that typically occur during mealtime.

This approval extends to a 3-milliliter single-patient-use prefilled pen and a 10-milliliter multiple-dose vial, making it readily accessible for personal and clinical use.

The introduction of Merilog is particularly notable given that it is the third insulin biosimilar approved in the U.S., following the approval of two long-acting insulin biosimilars in 2021.

Dr. Peter Stein, the director of the FDA’s Office of New Drugs, commented on the agency’s ongoing efforts to facilitate the biosimilar approval.

“Today’s approval underscores our commitment to fostering a competitive market and expanding access to affordable treatments such as insulin,” he stated.

The FDA’s emphasis on enhancing the availability of high-quality medications is seen as a critical measure in addressing the needs of the millions of people affected by diabetes.

Diabetes remains a pressing public health issue in the United States, with over 38 million individuals diagnosed with the condition.

Approximately 8.4 million rely on insulin therapy to effectively manage their blood glucose levels. Insulin enables glucose to enter the body’s cells, providing necessary energy.

In people with diabetes, insufficient insulin production can lead to dangerously high blood sugar levels, resulting in serious complications over time.

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AbcNews

The move, carrying out a Jan. 20 executive order by President Donald Trump, names Tren de Aragua in Venezuela, MS-13 in El Salvador and others. The designation will be published in Thursday’s edition of the Federal Register, according to a notice Wednesday.

The Trump administration is formally designating eight Latin American crime organizations as “foreign terrorist organizations,” upping its pressure on cartels operating in the U.S. and on anyone aiding them.

The Republican president has made securing the U.S.-Mexico border among his top priorities, vowing to carry out mass deportations, sending active duty troops to the border and reaching deals with some countries to take in more migrants. The notification is due for formal publication in the federal register Thursday.

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum responded to Trump’s order last month that set up the new formal designation by saying Mexico would defend its sovereignty and independence while seeking coordination.

The “foreign terrorist organization” label is unusual because it deploys a terrorist designation normally reserved for groups like al-Qaida or the Islamic State group that use violence for political ends — not for money-focused crime rings such as the Latin American cartels.

The Trump administration argues that the international connections and operations of the groups — including drug trafficking, migrant smuggling and violent pushes to extend their territory — warrant the designation.

Critics of the move call it an unnecessarily broad and harsh one that could damage relations and paralyze trade with Latin America. Businesses, banks and buyers could fear possible U.S. prosecution if they knowingly or unknowingly have any transactions that touch the world of the cartels.

Such cartels permeate Mexico’s economy, dealing not only in drug trafficking and migrant smuggling but fighting for control of the multibillion-dollar avocado business.

Aid groups say some past U.S. designations of groups as foreign terrorist organizations have threatened overall food imports into countries, for example, by making shipping companies fearful that U.S. prosecutors may accuse them of directly or indirectly supporting the targeted groups.

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Riverside Natural Foods first recalled certain batches of MadeGood granola bars sold across the country (and beyond) in December due to a potential metal contaminant in the product, “which, if consumed, may result in a safety hazard,” the company said.

(A full list of the impacted granola bars and their identifying UPC codes and best-by dates can be found on the FDA’s official website. Some of the bars were included in variety packs, as well.

Multiple varieties of MadeGood’s granola bars were impacted by the recall, including Chocolate Chip, Mixed Berry, Strawberry, two holiday varieties, and several others.

At the time, Riverside Natural Foods said it had identified the source of the problem and took the appropriate actions to “fully” mitigate any future issues.

In a classification update dated Feb. 11, the FDA appears to have upgraded the recall to a Class II, noting again that the product “may contain metal pieces.”

A Class II recall describes “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote,” the FDA writes on its website.

A representative for MadeGood was not immediately available to confirm whether there had been any injuries reported as a result of the potential metal contaminants. The initial recall notice in December had indicated there were none at the time.

A total of 2,408,883 cases of the bars have been recalled, according to the latest update.

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The Guardian

President Trump, speaking Tuesday afternoon from his home in Florida, appeared to shift three years — if not many decades — of U.S. foreign policy almost 180 degrees, issuing remarks that made his administration sound aligned more with Russian President Vladimir Putin than America’s European allies of the last eight decades.

US President Donald Trump has escalated his attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a “dictator” and saying he “better move fast” on a deal to end the war with Russia.

Zelenskyy has slammed Trump’s earlier claim that Ukraine started the war, saying Washington is living in a Russian-made “disinformation space”.

Ukraine foreign minister say ‘nobody can force Ukraine to give up’

In a post on X, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has said the country “withstood the most horrific military attack in Europe’s modern history and three years of a total war”.

He added that the Ukrainian people, and Zelenskyy, “refused to give in to Putin’s pressure”.

“Nobody can force Ukraine to give up. We will defend our right to exist,” he added.

The message was posted just minutes after Trump released his latest rant against Zelenskyy, accusing him of doing a “terrible job” and saying he had to hurry up to make a deal or he was “not going to have a country left”.

Trump says $100bn in US aid to Ukraine ‘missing’. What is he referring to?

Trump’s rant against the Ukrainian leader includes the claim that “Zelenskyy admits that half of the money we sent him is ‘MISSING’”.

The US president appears to be referring to Zelenskyy’s statement to The Associated Press news agency that the $200bn Washington says it has provided to Ukraine does not match what Kyiv has received.

Trump’s allies, including Musk, have seized on the statement as proof of corruption and possible Ukrainian embezzlement.

But Politifact has debunked the claims. The fact-checking site noted earlier this month that it was not completely clear what aid Zelenskyy was referring to.

Still, the numbers align with public data that shows US funding going towards weapons manufacturing, non-military support, and other regional aid, as well as to direct military support for Ukraine.

The Trump Media & Technology Group, of which Trump is a majority owner, has launched a lawsuit in Sarasota, Florida, against Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes, accusing him of violating free speech rights in the US.

De Moraes is a prominent figure in Brazilian politics: He has ordered the removal of social media profiles linked to right-wing conspiracy theories about Brazil’s voting system, and last year, he even got into a public spat with the social media platform X for its failure to comply with the removals.

In 2023, he also approved a request from federal prosecutors in Brazil to investigate former President Jair Bolsonaro, known as the “Trump of the tropics”. Bolsonaro was charged with attempting a coup earlier this week.

“This is, frankly, what Vladimir Putin would have said — that none of this needed to happen, when in fact, it happened because he wanted it to happen,” Ravi Agrawal, the editor in chief of Foreign Policy magazine, told CBS News’ Major Garrett after hearing Mr. Trump’s remarks.

Zelenskyy reacted Wednesday, saying Mr. Trump appeared to be operating in a “disinformation space” fostered by Russia.

Putin, who first sent forces into Ukraine in 2014 and seized control of its Crimean Peninsula in a unilateral annexation never recognized by the U.S. or most of the world, has claimed he was forced to launch his full-scale attack on the neighboring nation due to a threat posed by the U.S.-led NATO alliance spreading its influence eastward toward Russia’s border.

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NYP

Apple last year stopped selling the iPhone SE in some countries overseas since the Lightning port does not comply with EU regulations.

The tech giant is expected to introduce a new version of its iPhone SE, a somewhat more outdated smartphone that starts at just $429 on its website – far less than the $799 price tag attached to its newest iPhone 16.

The latest version will likely be priced above the iPhone SE, which launched in 2022, since it will have new features and a redesign, according to analysts.

Leaked photos of the soon-to-be-released smartphone indicate it will ditch the physical button at the bottom of the screen and significantly trim down the bezel, which is the white or black panels located at the top and bottom of the screen.

These changes have already been made in newer iPhones.

The latest model will likely be larger than the original iPhone SE.

Analysts also expect Apple to add Face ID to the new low-cost model, which was not available on the first iPhone SE.

Analysts expect the new tech will have a USB-C charging port, not Apple’s older proprietary Lightning plug.

Last month, Apple forecast higher sales than Wall Street expected as the company predicted its new artificial intelligence features would help earnings rebound from a dip.

Investors welcomed the buoyant outlook after iPhone sales and China revenue slumped during the holiday quarter due to tough competition from Chinese rivals like Huawei.

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