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AP PHOTOS: Lifelike robots and android dogs wow visitors at Beijing robotics fair

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:15 GMT

BEIJING (AP) — Winking, grimacing or nodding their heads, robots mimicked the expressions of visitors at a robot expo in Beijing. They were among the creations dazzling people attending the annual World Robot Conference, where companies showed off robots designed for a wide range of uses, including manufacturing, surgery and companionship. The animatronic heads and humanoid robots on display at the EX Robots booth this week personified the image of what robots are supposed to be in the popular imagination, with synthetic skin and lifelike facial expressions complimented by moving arms and hands.CEO Li Boyang said they’re ideal for roles that require interacting with the public, such as in museums, tourist attractions, school settings and “companion scenarios.” Doggie droids — a mainstay of high tech fairs — were out in force. Canine robots shook hands with fairgoers and performed handstands on their front paws. Elsewhere at the fair, robotic arms served Chinese tea, prepared ice cre...

Smart Cups CEO wins Gordon Ramsay’s partnership in culinary show finale

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:15 GMT

A food star is born! Well, sort of. The finale of “Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars” went down Wednesday night and in the end, only one person could be chosen to go into business with the famous chef.Gordon Ramsay (in the show): “I wanna bank on someone that I can really believe in. It’s not just an investment. It’s a partnership.”It’s been a long road to the finale of “Gordon Ramsay’s Food Stars.”Gordon Ramsay (in the show): “This has been a really tough decision for me.”But in the end, there could only be one winner. Gordon Ramsay (in the show): “Congratulations goes to … Chris.”Chris’ supporters on the show: “Yes!”Gordon’s going into business with Smart Cups CEO and founder Chris Kanik!Chris Kanik: “Sometimes I take a step back and I go, whoa, this is pretty cool. Gordon Ramsay’s my partner now and we’re going to take Smart Cups to the next level....

Indulge your palate and connect with community at the Black Pepper Food & Wine Festival!

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:15 GMT

Sometimes your relationship with food is complicated, but at the Black Pepper Food & Wine Festival, it doesn’t have to be. This free local event’s mission is to give you a taste of the community in one block party. From ice cream to barbecue to fufu, you will be fu-full by the time you leave.The Black Pepper Food & Wine Festival is all about connection.Alexis Brown (organizer): “There are so many black-owned businesses here in South Florida that deserve to have a moment to be highlighted and this is a space where we do that.” At The Urban of Overtown, people can get down with grub and so much more.Alexis Brown: “This year, we’re going to have over 35 black-owned businesses that have a wide range of offerings of vegan, Caribbean, fusion, and all things in between. Guests can come in and patronize the businesses that are there. So they can buy different small-size offerings or full-portion offerings. We have a bar that features black-owned s...

Austria’s Sebastian Kurz charged with making false statements

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:15 GMT

Former Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has been charged on suspicion of making false statements during a government inquiry into the so-called Ibiza Scandal. The charges were announced Friday morning by Austria’s Economic and Corruption Prosecutor’s Office more than two years after Kurz confirmed he was under investigation. Criminal charges were also filed against Kurz’s former head of Cabinet, Bernhard Bonelli, Austrian media reported.Kurz’s trial will start on October 18. In a statement Friday morning, Kurz said: “The allegations are false, and we look forward to it when the truth finally comes to light and the allegations turn out to be unfounded in court.”This story is being updated.

UMass Boston issues alert about missing 15-year-old international student

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:15 GMT

The University of Massachusetts at Boston has issued an alert about a missing 15-year-old international student who hasn’t been seen since leaving campus.Sainabou Ceesay is part of an international program for young student athletes organized by FHI 360. She was last seen walking on Mt. Vernon Street in Dorchester toward the JFK/UMass MBTA station in a pink athletic suit with black strings on both sweatshirt and sweatpants and white Nike slides. She is Black and approximately 5 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet, 7 inches tall and weighing between 110 and 120 pounds, with short black hair.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Chris Sale can’t get through the 5th inning as Nationals ding playoff hopes of Red Sox, 10-7

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:15 GMT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Red Sox didn’t do much at the trade deadline, but they had reasonable expectations that getting Chris Sale and Trevor Story back from injuries would bring some energy to their postseason push.It didn’t work out that way during a series at Washington.Sale couldn’t make it through the fifth inning in his second start back from a shoulder injury, and Boston suffered another blow to its playoff hopes, losing 10-7 on Thursday and dropping two of three to the last-place Nationals.The Red Sox fell to 7-8 in August and slipped 3 1/2 games behind AL East rival Toronto for the final wild-card spot. Story, who had offseason shoulder surgery and made his season debut on Aug. 8, went 0 for 5 and was hitless in the three-game series.“It’s literally on to the next,” Story said. “I think if we play the way that we want to play and the way we can, then we’ll be where we want to be when the postseason comes.”Luis Urías hit a grand slam in the s...

Mass. communities bracing for more rain after flooding damaged homes, businesses

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:15 GMT

Several Massachusetts communities rocked by flooding earlier this summer are bracing for more downpours this morning as crews continue to assess the damage.In North Andover, where businesses were forced to close after water rushed in last week, town officials declared a State of Emergency. Business owners and residents there have been asked to prepare damage reports for funding for repairs. 7’s weather team is predicting downpours and possible severe weather for Friday’s morning commute.Stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Douglas police seeking help after overturned kayak found in local reservoir

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:15 GMT

Douglas police are turning to the public for help after an overturned kayak was found in a local reservoir.In a post on social media, police say the kayak was found on the big side of the Whitin Reservoir.Anyone with information is urged to call 508-476-3333.This is a developing news story; stay with 7NEWS on-air and online for the latest details.

Howie Carr: Bidenomics triggers shrinkflation

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:15 GMT

I filled up my car on the lower Cape Tuesday night. The price was $3.93 a gallon.You know what I call that? A bargain!Because Bidenomics is working, dammit. That’s all they’re talking about in state-run media, how the US economy is just plain humming. It’s mourning, er morning again in America.Because of inflation, the average American family is spending $709 a month more than in January 2021, so let the good times roll, baby.Someone on the hard-left network known as MSDNC says that Brandon should run for re-election on his inflation numbers. The most recent national poll showed that the regime’s economic policies have 36% approval.Raising the obvious question, who are these 36% of the population who are happy?The far-left Democrats always have an excuse for gasoline prices. First it was the war in Ukraine, even though the largest jumps came before the Russians invaded. A few weeks ago, the far-left cable channels were blaming the hot summer, i.e., global warming.If Biden gets lucky...

Hurricane Hilary grows off Mexico and could reach California as a very rare tropical storm

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:40:15 GMT

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Hurricane Hilary grew rapidly to Category 4 strength off Mexico’s Pacific coast on Friday and could reach Southern California as the first tropical storm there in 84 years, causing “significant and rare impacts” including extensive flooding.The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Hilary had sustained winds near 145 mph (230 kph) at 4 a.m. and was expected to continue its rapid intensification through Friday before starting to weaken. It will nevertheless still be a hurricane when it approaches Mexico’s Baja California peninsula on Saturday night, and will approach Southern California on Sunday as a tropical storm.No tropical storm has made landfall in Southern California since Sept. 25, 1939, according to the National Weather Service. Early Friday, Hilary was centered about 400 miles (640 kilometers) south of Los Cabos on the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. It was moving west-northwest at 13 mph (20 kph), but was expected to turn gradually north through ...