Here are some of the contenders for today's biggest...news...of...the...day...

• A buyout bid for ImClone Systems Incorporated (IMCL) from Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY)...[note - so much for my comment about near-term resistance!]
• Earnings from Visa Inc (V)...[note - I posted some thoughts on Visa yesterday...]
• Earnings from Motorola Inc (MOT)...
• Earnings from Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM) that missed expectations...
• Earnings from Barrick Gold Corp (ABX)...
• Earnings from MasterCard Inc. (MA)...
• An earnings report from Akamai Technologies Inc (AKAM) that has the stock under pressure...[note - I recently offered some upbeat comments on AKAM so I will be keeping an eye on support near 25...]
• Earnings from Altria Group (MO)...
• Documents that suggest that Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) "trained its sales force to downplay risks for Zyprexa and encourage doctors to prescribe the drug beyond approved uses..."
• A look into Apple Inc's (AAPL) growing cash pile...
• GDP data that showed "real growth in the U.S. economy accelerated in the second quarter to a 1.9% annual rate..."
• An investment in solar power by General Electric (GE)...
• Tips on how to avoid foreclosure...

While those are all stories worth watching, I think it is obviously clear that the biggest story is this - A robot with feelings is star of science museum show. According to the article, "scientists have developed a robot that appears to react emotionally to the way it is treated..."

Uh, has anyone watched a little movie called The Terminator? If I was going to map out what would be needed for a robot uprising, one of the key catalysts would be motivation. Since robots, up until now, haven't had "emotional responses" I didn't think that was a concern. Just keep this in mind the next time you kick your computer. One day it may take that personally and inform its big brother.

And if the thought above doesn't scare you, check out the other "goodie" that has been invented...

"...a six-legged metallic spidery robot, was also a big hit because it could recognise and latch onto the faces of visitors who walked around it..."