Can you shoot down a drone? Common misconceptions, regulations and rightsOregon beats San Diego State, improves to 7-0Oregon beats San Diego State, improves to 7-0The Māori electoral roll has grown by more than 3000 people - after organisers of the hīkoi mō te Tiriti promoted a switch from the general roll. Data from the Electoral Commission up to 25 November showed 2262 people changed from the general roll to the Māori roll - up from 59 in October. Just 28 people changed from Māori roll to general roll. There were also 862 new enrolments on the Māori roll - up from 29 the previous month. All up, there were 3096 more people on the Māori roll than at the start of the month. Read more: Victoria University senior lecturer in Te Kawa a Māui, the School of Māori Studies, Annie Te One said historically, Māori had not been well represented in the electoral system so any strategy that encouraged more people to vote was a good one. "Whether or not we continue to see this increase on the Māori roll, we have to wait and see but the numbers that have come out just in November are pretty phenomenal and showing this small but significant shift towards the Māori roll." Engaging rangatahi in politics During the hīkoi, organisers encouraged participants to make sure they enrolled to vote in the next election - with much of the messaging aimed at rangatahi (young) Māori. Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi told the hīkoi if supporters were not enrolled to vote, nothing would change. "We are now 20 percent of the population - we are a million people in this country. That should translate into 19 to 20 seats. We should be determining who the government is every election - that's the strategy. Everybody on the Māori roll." When the hīkoi reached Parliament, rangatahi Atareta Milne was one of the speakers to address the crowd, telling them that young Māori were watching and learning. "I ask you to enrol to vote. I ask you to be on the Māori roll. E mātakitaki ana mātau, e whakarongo ana mātau. (We are watching, we are listening). We need you, for today and for our apōpō!" Read more: Annie Te One said it was vital for other rangatahi to see that happening, to see that they had a voice and could have it heard. "There has been this consistent and, at times, unhelpful narrative that rangatahi Māori are politically apathetic, but that really isn't true. "Rangatahi Māori are really engaged in politics and we've just seen this play out - you know, the likes of Eru Kapa-Kingi, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke . These two young Māori, who are just two of many who have been involved in different political movements, are showing us that actually rangatahi Māori are leading this change." The role of social media as a platform to get the messaging out to rangatahi has been huge, she said. And Maipi-Clarke's haka in Parliament helped spread awareness nationally and internationally. "Through this hīkoi, we're seeing that this platform was not only made available for rangatahi Māori - it was actually made available by rangatahi Māori. It was the likes of Hana and Eru who really led the establishment of this." General roll or Māori roll? Overall, 3.65m people are enrolled to vote in Aotearoa. Of those, 563,964 are of Māori descent - with 292,825 (51.9 percent) on the Māori roll and 271,139 (48.1 percent) are on the general roll Since 2023, voters of Māori descent have been free to switch between the Māori roll and the General roll at any time except in the three months before an election. Previously, Māori voters could only switch once every five years, at census time. Annie Te One said a lot of education still needed to be done so Māori were aware of what was a relatively recent change to the electoral system. Those on the Māori roll vote in one of the seven Māori electorates. At the last election, six of those seven seats were won by Te Pāti Māori , the sole exception being Labour MP Cushla Tangaere-Manuel who won the Ikaroa-Rāwhiti seat. There is a historical stigma against the Māori seats which, when combined with a lack of education around how votes on the Māori roll translated to seats, had led to the almost even split of the Māori population between Māori and general rolls, Te One said. "Māori still only have the same number of votes as any other person in Aotearoa who is voting. Our votes don't have more weight than anyone else - it is just the ability to respond to how we want our vote to best translate, whether that's through the Māori electoral roll or through the general electoral roll." The number of people changing rolls during and after the hīkoi showed that flexibility of choice was a good thing, she said. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.jsbet 。

Black Group Investment Partners With Zenzic Oasis To Advance Stem Cell Therapy For Personalised Medicine Media Outreach Newswire APACDanladi Umar and Retributive Justice

Federal agencies have submitted their complete inventories of artificial intelligence use cases to the White House to ensure trustworthy and transparent deployment. Following the recent Monday deadline to report such programs, 37 agencies submitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget, fulfilling the provision in President Joe Biden’s October 2023 that asks agencies to provide details about how AI is impacting their business operations and about the risk mitigation efforts used to ensure that such systems are deployed safely. Overall, the top three categories for AI use cases in federal operations were: mission-enabling and operations support, health and medical system support and government service operationalization. Of the total 1,757 use cases reported, 227 of these were identified as civil rights or safety impacting. The Department of Health and Human Services leads agencies in total use cases deployed, with 271 active AI use cases, 4 of them being rights-impacting. Following HHS, the Department of Veterans Affairs reported 229 active AI use cases, with 145 of them classified as rights-impacting at various levels. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of the Interior followed just behind, reporting 183 and 180 active AI use cases, respectively. Though the updated transparency is seen as a positive development in ongoing AI policy, analysts noted inconsistencies in how agencies document their AI usage. “Agencies’ updated AI use case inventories are a reflection of both increased AI usage across the federal government as well as improved documentation of agencies’ existing use cases. Some updated inventories contain significantly more information than years passed [sic], marking important progress,” Quinn Anex-Ries, a senior policy analyst at the Center for Democracy & Technology told in an email. “However, there are still significant inconsistencies in documentation practices between agencies and limited information about how agencies are evaluating the risk level of AI systems," she added. "Agencies now have the chance to learn from one another and the public about how these inventories can be improved upon in the future.”PATNA: RJD MLA Bhai Birendra, considered close to party chief Lalu Prasad, said Thursday they "would welcome" Bihar CM Nitish Kumar back if he parted ways with BJP . "There is no permanent friend or foe in politics. If Nitish reaches us after snapping the alliance with the communal forces, we will welcome him," Birendra said. His comments came amid an apparent tug-of-war over whether Nitish will be the NDA face in next year's assembly polls. Birendra set the grapevine buzzing by telling reporters to "watch out" for more of the "political games" that Bihar has seen in the past. "Khela hota raha hai aur aage bhi hoga. Dekhte rahiye (state has witnessed political games in the past and they will happen again. Keep watching)." Nitish's JD(U) dismissed the remarks as "nonsense". "RJD has been constantly trying to create confusion among people. There is restlessness within the party after its disastrous performance in the Lok Sabha and assembly bypolls (last month)," said JD(U)'s Neeraj Kumar. BJP s Dilip Jaiswal accused RJD of desperation. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , Location Guesser and Mini Crossword .Former National Party Minister Nikki Kaye dies at 44: Her final speech to Parliament

Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail a third time as he awaits sex trafficking trialOTTAWA - Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario’s threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, as the province floats the idea of effectively barring sales of American alcohol. On Wednesday, Premier Doug Ford said Ontario is contemplating restricting electricity exports to Michigan, New York state and Minnesota if Trump follows through on a threat to impose a 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada. “That’s OK if he that does that. That’s fine,” Trump told American network CNBC when asked Thursday about Ford’s remarks on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange. “The United States is subsidizing Canada and we shouldn’t have to do that,” Trump added. “And we have a great relationship. I have so many friends in Canada, but we shouldn’t have to subsidize a country,” he said, claiming this amounts to more than US$100 billion annually in unspecified subsidies. Meanwhile, an official in the Ford government says it’s considering restricting the Liquor Control Board of Ontario from buying American-made alcohol. The province says the Crown agency is the largest purchaser of alcohol in the world. The province also says it could restrict exports of Canadian critical minerals required for electric-vehicle batteries, and bar American companies from provincial procurement. Ford doubled down Thursday on the idea of cutting off energy exports. The province says that in 2013, Ontario exported enough energy to power 1.5 million homes in those three states. “It’s a last resort,” Ford said. “We’re sending a message to the U.S. (that if) you come and attack Ontario, you attack livelihoods of people in Ontario and Canadians, we are going to use every tool in our tool box to defend Ontarians and Canadians. Let’s hope it never comes to that.” Ontario Energy Minister Stephen Lecce said the province would rather have co-operation with the U.S., but has mechanisms to “end power sale into the U.S. market” the day Trump takes office on Jan. 20. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith ruled out following suit. “Under no circumstances will Alberta agree to cut off oil and gas exports,” she said. “Our approach is one of diplomacy, not threats.” Michael Sabia, president and CEO of Hydro-Québec, said “it’s not our current intention” to cut off Quebec’s exports to Massachusetts or New York state, but he conceded it might be possible. “Our intention is to respect those contracts, both because they’re legally binding, but also because it’s part of, in our view, a sound relationship with the United States,” he said. “It’s a questionable instrument to use in a trade conflict.” Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew would not directly say whether Manitoba would threaten to withhold hydroelectric exports. “We are preparing our list and starting to think through what those options should look like,” he said. “I’m not going to make specific news today about items that we’re looking at.” Kinew added that some premiers felt retaliatory measures wouldn’t work in a call Trudeau held Wednesday. Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey said “we have no interest in stopping” the export of energy to the U.S., adding that a trade war would hurt both countries. “We hope it is just bluster; we’re preparing as if it is not,” he said. Canada supplies more oil to the U.S. than any other country. About 60 per cent of U.S. crude oil imports are from Canada, and 85 per cent of U.S. electricity imports as well. Canada sold $170 billion worth of energy products last year to the U.S. It also has 34 critical minerals and metals the Pentagon is eager for. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tax on all products entering the United States from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Canadian officials have said it is unfair to lump Canada in with Mexico. U.S. customs agents seized 43 pounds of fentanyl at the Canadian border last fiscal year, compared with 21,100 pounds at the Mexican border. Canada since has promised more border security spending to address Trump’s border concerns. Ford said that will include more border and police officers, as well as drones and sniffer dogs. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2024. — With files from The Associated Press, Liam Casey in Toronto, Lisa Johnson in Edmonton and Steve Lambert in Winnipeg.Abstract Aerial Art Topline Summary and Update The French biotech Cellectis S.A. ( NASDAQ: CLLS ) is one of a growing contingent of companies attempting to develop engineered cell therapies from donors, so-called “allogeneic” CAR T-cell therapies. In my first coverage of CLLS, I expressed Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

Donald Trump Jr. has publicly confirmed neither a breakup from longtime fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle nor a new relationship with Palm Beach socialite Bettina Anderson. But sources close to Trump Jr., 46, and the family of President-elect Donald Trump are opening up t o People magazine about the reasons that Trump Jr. became tired of his six-year relationship to Guilfoyle, 55, and began dating the younger Anderson about six months ago, “right under Guilfoyle’s nose,” as the Daily Beast added . It turns out that Trump Jr. didn’t like Guilfoyle’s “style,” including the “tight dresses,” a political source told People in another report . He felt that the 39-year-old Anderson, with her honey-blonde hair and “Waspy” model looks, would “impress” his father and perhaps make her a more ideal romantic partner. “Don Jr. has always wanted to look good in his father’s eyes,” the political source told People. Meanwhile, Trump family members got tired of Guilfoyle’s attention-seeking ways and are happy that the former Fox News host will be leaving their “immediate sphere” to take a job as Trump’s new ambassador to Greece, People reported. “Kim is not a nice person and always wants the limelight,” a source told People in another report . The former first lady of San Francisco-turned Trump loyalist couldn’t help but become aware that her fiancée had begun seeing Anderson, 39, after he took the socialite on a trip to Alaska and started to introduce her to family and friends as his new girlfriend, even “when he was still very much with Kim,” People reported. “For the most part Kim has looked the other way because she loves the power and lifestyle,” the source told People. When Guilfoyle became Trump Jr.’s girlfriend in 2018, she also became a top campaigner and fundraiser for Trump and one-half of a MAGA power couple. And, as Trump himself said on Truth Social Tuesday, he named her to be U.S. ambassador to Greece in part because he wanted to reward her for being “a close friend and ally.” But, as many suspected, sending Guilfoyle off to Europe was part of a Trump family plan to “remove her from the picture,” so that Anderson could take her place as Trump Jr.’s new significant other, People reported. “They are trying to send Kim abroad,” a political insider told People, who added that Anderson also wanted Guilfoyle “out of the area.” The plan also was for Trump Jr. to wait for the election to pass before letting the public know that he no longer saw a future with Guilfoyle and had a new woman in his life — who also happens to be “a big Republican,” People reported. “They didn’t want the split to get in the way of anything to hurt Donald in the election,” the political insider told People. The U.K. tabloid the Daily Mail on Tuesday confirmed months of speculation that Trump Jr. and Anderson were an item by publishing photos of the two leaving a dinner date in Palm Beach Monday night. Later Tuesday, Trump announced he was nominating Guilfoyle to be the U.S. ambassador to Greece. For public purposes, Guilfoyle said on social media that she was “honored” to accept the nomination, while Trump Jr. gallantly said on X, “I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an ambassador.” Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle, the ex-wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, began dating in 2018, shortly after Trump Jr.’s first wife, Vanessa, filed for divorce to end their 12-year marriage. Trump Jr. and Vanessa share five children. Guilfoyle also left her lucrative job at Fox News after she began dating Trump Jr. The New Yorker reported in 2020 that Guilfoyle was effectively forced out of her Fox News job, following a human resources into allegations that she engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior in the workplace. As a couple, Trump Jr. and Guilfoyle, a former San Francisco prosecutor, became known as “the prom king and queen of MAGA” politics as they campaigned together around the country on his father’s behalf. At donor events, they also were known for alluding to their playful sex life, while Guilfoyle often liked to introduce herself to the crowd — or appear at Trump’s Jan. 6, 2021 rally preceding the violent attack on the U.S. Capitol — doing a sexy dance. At such events, Trump Jr. appeared to take delight in Guilfoyle’s sexy dances and flamboyant style. But at some point he began to get weary of it, according to the political insider who said that he had started to complain about her “style,” People reported. Others in their “orbit” shared his complaints, according to People. “Don Jr. has been telling people for months that Kim is so uptight and always dresses so professionally in these kinds of dresses and high heels, and never looks relaxed or casual,” the political source said, while commenting to People on “the optics” of the relationship. “The tight dresses need to go and she has been told that.” Apparently, Anderson’s more natural, fun-loving style is more to Trump Jr.’s taste these days, especially as he sees that she could become his “own Melania Trump equivalent,” a source told People. “She is a party girl, and outgoing, and Don is smitten with her,” a Palm Beach source told People. “Bettina is smart, sexy and savvy and knows it. She likes to have fun,” another source added. “Who knows what, if anything, will come from this.”Putin Says Slovak PM Ready To Offer 'Platform' For Possible Ukraine TalksSunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, CBS BetMGM NFL Odds: Ravens by 3. Against the spread: Eagles 7-4; Ravens 6-5-1. Series record: Baltimore leads 3-2-1. Last meeting: Ravens beat Eagles 30-28 at Philadelphia on Oct. 18, 2020. Last week: Eagles beat Rams 37-20; Ravens beat Chargers 30-23. Eagles offense: overall (3), rush (1), pass (25), scoring (7) Eagles defense: overall (1), rush (7), pass (3), scoring (6) Ravens offense: overall (1), rush (2), pass (3), scoring (2) Ravens defense: overall (24), rush (2), pass (31), scoring (10) Turnover differential: Eagles plus-3; Ravens plus-2. RB Saquon Barkley. Barkley has not only turned the Eagles into legitimate Super Bowl contenders, his numbers could make him the first non-QB to win MVP since Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson in 2012. He had a career-high 255 yards on 26 carries and two rushing TDs against the Rams. It was the ninth-best single-game rushing performance in NFL history. Barkley has only played against Baltimore once, and finished with 83 yards rushing and a touchdown in October 2022. RB Derrick Henry. Not to be outdone, Henry is close behind Barkley in the race for the NFL rushing title, trailing 1,392 yards to 1,325. His 15 total TDs lead the league. This is the first meeting between players with at least 1,300 yards rushing since Week 16 of 2012, when Peterson's Minnesota team faced Houston and Arian Foster. Baltimore's Lamar Jackson vs. Philadelphia's top-ranked defense. Jackson has been particularly good with ball security this season. He's thrown only three interceptions. The Eagles lead the league with 46 points off turnovers since Week 8. Eagles: Philadelphia lost the heart of the team when DE Brandon Graham announced after last week's game that he was out for the season with a torn triceps. He said previously this would be his final season. Graham has 3 1/2 sacks this season, his 15th with the Eagles. ... The Eagles should know closer to game day if CB Darius Slay (concussion) and WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) will play against the Ravens. Ravens: Star LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) did not play against the Chargers, but he was back at practice this week. The past three meetings between the teams have been decided by a combined four points. In fact, only one matchup in the series — Baltimore's 36-7 win in 2008 — has had a margin of more than five. ... The past two meetings came down to 2-point conversion attempts by Philadelphia near the end of the game, and both times the Eagles failed. ... John Harbaugh spent a decade on the Eagles' staff before becoming Baltimore's head coach in 2008. The Eagles have started 9-2 or better in three consecutive seasons. ... Nick Sirianni is the first Eagles head coach with winning seasons in each of his first four years with the team. ... Over the past 30 years, only five coaches have opened 9-2 or better in three straight years: Sirianni (2022-24 Eagles), Sean Payton (2018-20 Saints), Bill Belichick (2014-17 Patriots), Tony Dungy (2005-07 Colts) and Mike Shanahan (1996-98 Broncos). ... Philadelphia’s seven-game winning streak is tied for its third-longest stretch in a single season since 2004, trailing only the 2017 (nine) and 2022 (eight) seasons. ... The Eagles are second in the NFL with a .719 (23-9) road winning percentage since 2021, trailing only Kansas City (23-8) in that span. ... The Eagles have held opponents to fewer than 300 total yards for seven straight games, their longest streak since 2008. ... The Ravens have at least two sacks in 15 straight games. That's the longest active streak in the NFL. ... Jackson is 23-1 in games started against the NFC. ... Baltimore has scored TDs on 78.7% of its red zone trips, tops in the league. ... The Ravens are the first team in the Super Bowl era with at least 3,000 yards passing and 2,000 yards rushing through the first 12 games of a season. ... Jackson is the first player since 2020 (Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers) with at least 3,000 yards passing and a passer rating of at least 115 entering Week 13. ... Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy have eight sacks apiece for Baltimore. The Ravens, Texans and Vikings are the only teams with two players who have reached that total. ... Baltimore has gone three straight games without scoring in the first quarter. Ravens TE Mark Andrews has a TD catch in two of his past three games and appears to be Baltimore's top option at that position despite the presence of Isaiah Likely. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

First-ever athlete and fan-owned network boasts 2,200 Fan Owners and 70+ superstar athlete investors and partners by the likes of Chris Paul , Travis Kelce , Dwayne Wade , Chiney Ogwumike, Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard , Natasha Cloud , Alysha Clark , Carmelo Anthony , and many more LOS ANGELES , Dec. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PlayersTV , the first athlete and fan-owned media company, today announced the acquisition of Cloud Media Center , an AI-driven sports adtech and media distribution company. This strategic year-end move boosts PlayersTV's reach to a total of 500 million monthly ad impressions, solidifying its position as a trailblazer in athlete-driven lifestyle entertainment while broadening its ability to connect with advertiser and inventory networks. PlayersTV empowers athletes to control their narratives while giving brands access to engagement opportunities with an expansive global audience. It is known for its groundbreaking athlete-fan ownership model, supported by more than 70 high-profile athlete investors and partners across the NFL, NBA, WNBA, and MLB, and a community of more than 2,200 Fan Owners (shareholders in the company). The network features high-profile athletes, including Travis Kelce , Chris Paul , Damian Lillard , Dwyane Wade , Chiney Ogwumike, Carmelo Anthony , Allen Iverson , Natasha Cloud , Kyrie Irving, Ken Griffey, Jr. , Vernon Davis , Austin Ekeler , DeAndre Jordan , CJ McCollum, AJ Andrews, Angel McCoughtry , Alysha Clark , and more. PlayersTV currently reaches more than 300 million households via OTT and CTV via DirecTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Philo . Its proprietary ad network called Players360 generates an additional 500 million monthly ad impressions. Through the acquisition of Cloud Media Center, PlayersTV now owns technologies responsible for more than 1 billion combined monthly ad impressions. "This is a transformative moment for PlayersTV and the future of sports media," said Deron Guidrey , co-founder of PlayersTV. "The acquisition of Cloud Media Center catapults us into a new era of innovation, expanding our reach to an astounding 500 million monthly ad impressions. With cutting-edge AI technology now at the core of our operations, we are setting the gold standard for athlete-driven media, revolutionizing how athletes connect with fans and how brands engage with audiences worldwide. This is more than an acquisition, it's a declaration of our vision to lead the global sports media industry." PlayersTV Co-founder Collin Castellaw added, "This acquisition is a monumental step forward for our organization. By integrating Cloud Media Center's AI-driven tech we're significantly expanding our reach while revolutionizing how athletes and sports content is created, distributed and consumed. This is an exciting time for our company and the future of athlete media and sports media." Cloud Media Center's innovative platform brings state-of-the-art AI technology to PlayersTV, enabling more precise audience targeting, dynamic content distribution, and scalable adtech. With this acquisition, PlayersTV is poised to deliver highly personalized and impactful content experiences, meeting the growing demand for athlete-centered stories and authentic fan connections. About PlayersTV PlayersTV is the first-ever athlete-owned media network and content provider. As the premier athlete lifestyle content destination, PlayersTV empowers athletes to own their stories while engaging fans with authentic and meaningful connections, bridging the worlds of sports, lifestyle, and entertainment. PlayersTV's 24/7 channel can be found on DirecTV, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Philo . See more at https://playerstv.com/ . About Cloud Media Center Cloud Media Center (CMC), based in Ponte Vedra, FL , sells digital advertising inventory through a cloud-based, analytically driven distribution platform that seamlessly connects advertisers with content providers and publishers. The result maximizes collaboration — unleashing next-level ad campaign synergies. CMC's next-gen platform and best-in-class dashboards — built by next-generation premier developers — provide AI-based microtargeting on the frontend, and real-time, easy-to-understand analytics on the back end. Content producers, advertisers, and publishers will have all the tools and data needed to optimize campaigns — and do it with speed and granular accuracy. Visit the CMC website at https://cloudmc.us/ . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/playerstv-acquires-cloud-media-center-integrates-sports-ai-ad-technology-to-surpass-1b-monthly-impressions-302337699.html SOURCE PlayersTVThe Roku Ultra is a streaming device available for $100. The Roku Ultra is the perfect streaming device for anyone who doesn't want to commit to team iOS with an Apple TV 4K or team Android with a Google TV Streamer. There are a few drawbacks to getting a Roku Ultra, like the lack of a headphone jack on the remote. Although I'm an iPhone user with an Apple TV 4K, I love using different streaming devices -- I never feel committed to a single brand. Different brands offer different features, and adding a new device to an older TV can make it feel like a brand-new television. This happened with my Fire TV when I added a Roku Ultra. Also: The Google TV Streamer surprised me in the best way - and I'm an extreme cord cutter I have a habit of getting deeply discounted Fire TVs during major shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. I got a 50-inch 4-Series Fire TV during Prime Day 2022 and a 43-inch Omni Series Fire TV during Prime Day 2023. The 4-Series television looks great, but its FireOS platform has begun to slow down significantly even though the model came out only three years ago – I guess it's the price you pay for an inexpensive TV. Roku Ultra (2024) The Roku Ultra is a 4K-capable streaming device that comes with stronger processing power and the latest Roku Voice Remote Pro 2nd Edition. This could be a storage issue, but I've tried deleting apps I don't need and the cache on apps I do, and nothing makes a significant difference. The TV only has 2GB of RAM, so it could also be unable to keep up with all the apps I run on it. This set is the main character in my family's TV room and gets many streaming hours courtesy of my kids. This room is adjacent to their playroom, so it's like a one-stop shop where they play, draw, read, and watch TV. It's also where we have family movie nights. When I began testing the new Roku Ultra, I ditched the built-in FireOS and added the new streaming device to the TV. The Roku Ultra made the 4-Series Fire TV perform better than when it was first purchased, and it also looks better than ever, likely thanks to the extra memory on the device. Also: Apple TV vs. Roku: Which streaming device should you buy? Testing the Roku Ultra has made it one of my favorite streaming devices, and it's all due to a single underrated benefit among smart devices: simplicity. The Roku Ultra is an unassuming device with a simple operating system that is easy to learn and navigate, even for those who aren't tech-savvy. It doesn't bombard you with ads and suggested content when you turn on your TV and lets you dive right into navigating its intuitive, app-based platform. Also: The Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED is great for gaming and streaming, and still 25% off The Roku platform has ads, but they're banner ads rather than obnoxious content that plays automatically when the TV is idle on the home screen (looking at you, FireOS). The Roku Ultra is also compatible with Wi-Fi 6, though not with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, as other streaming players are. Faithful to simplicity, the Roku Ultra doesn't feature extra bells and whistles; instead, it keeps all the technology within the device and remote control. The Roku Ultra looks similar to previous versions, if a bit larger, but the new remote is an absolute winner. Aside from being 30% faster than other Roku streaming devices, the new Roku Ultra comes with the latest Roku Voice Remote Pro. This is easily the best remote control among streaming devices, packed with all the features you'll need: backlit buttons, a customizable shortcut button, a rechargeable battery with a USB-C port, and a voice-controlled remote finder feature. Also: The most immersive gaming speaker system I've ever tested is almost 30% off at Amazon Since my kids seem to always be in the TV room watching our Fire TV, the remote control is often lost. It's been squished into the reclining mechanisms on one of the chairs, resulting in a cracked Alexa Voice Remote that, thankfully, still works. Now I only have to say, "Hey Roku, find my remote" when I can't see it. Among streaming players, Roku also features the most free channels; Roku Channel offers more than 400 live channels. If live TV is something you've been missing since cutting the cord, I'd definitely recommend Roku's subscription-free live TV system. ZDNET's buying advice The Roku Ultra is perfect for anyone looking for a fast, reliable streaming device that is easy to use with almost any smartphone. Unlike the Apple TV 4K and the Google TV Streamer, direct competitors catering to specific audiences, the Roku Ultra supports both Apple AirPlay and screen mirroring from Android, so you can cast your media to your TV regardless of the operating system on your phone. I'd recommend the Roku Ultra streaming device to anyone looking for a fast, intuitive device who doesn't want to marry a single mobile operating system. Also: I tested Amazon's Mini LED Fire TV, and it competes with more expensive Samsung and LG models Though Fire TV devices also support screen mirroring from iOS and Android, the FireOS platform is more cluttered than the Roku system, with a lot of suggested content on the home screen and more ads. I also find that Fire TV devices are more prone to slowing with age, seemingly bogged down by updates and memory issues. Why I pick this ultraportable Lenovo tablet over the iPad Air for multimedia consumption I tested the new Kindle Scribe for two weeks, and it beat my ReMarkable in several ways One of the best QLED TVs I've tested isn't made by Samsung or Hisense These Beyerdynamic earbuds delivered glorious sound for any kind of music I playedThis company will participate in the 9th World Oil and Gas Equipment Exhibition WOGE2024

Trump is named Time's Person of the Year and rings the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange after being recognized by Time magazine as its person of the year. The honors Thursday for the businessman-turned-politician are a measure of Trump’s remarkable comeback from an ostracized former president who refused to accept his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House decisively in November. At the stock exchange, Trump was accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Trump grinned as people chanted “USA” before he opened the trading day and raised his fist. YouTube TV is hiking its monthly price, again. Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Are you a YouTube TV subscriber? Your monthly bills are about to get more expensive again. YouTube has announced that it’s upping the price of its streaming service’s base plan by $10 — citing rising content costs and other investments. The new $82.99 per month price tag will go into effect starting Jan. 13 for existing subscribers, and immediately for new customers who sign up going forward. YouTube TV has rolled out a series of price hikes over the years. When launched back in 2017, the going price of its streaming package was $35 a month. By 2019, that fee rose to $50 — and has climbed higher and higher since. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's brotherhood is still strong after 30 years with new album 'Missionary' LOS ANGELES (AP) — When it comes to music, there’s one person in particular Snoop Dogg trusts to steer the ship without question: hit-making producer Dr. Dre. Their bond, built over 30 years of brotherhood, began when Dr. Dre shaped Snoop’s game-changing debut, “Doggystyle,” a cornerstone of hip-hop history. From young dreamers chasing stardom to legends cementing their legacies, the duo has always moved in sync. Now, the dynamic pair reunites for Snoop’s “Missionary,” his milestone 20th studio album, which releases Friday. The 15-track project features several big-name guest appearances including Eminem, 50 Cent, Sting, Method Man, Jelly Roll, Tom Petty, Jhené Aiko and Method Man. Country star Morgan Wallen sentenced in chair-throwing case NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music star Morgan Wallen has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. He had been charged for throwing a chair from the rooftop of a six-story bar in Nashville and nearly hitting two police officers with it. Wallen appeared in court alongside his attorney on Thursday. He was sentenced to spend seven days in a DUI education center and will be under supervised probation for two years. According to the arrest affidavit, Wallen was accused of throwing a chair off the roof of Chief’s bar on April 7. The chair landed about a yard from the officers. Witnesses told police they saw Wallen pick up a chair, throw it off the roof and laugh about it. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. 'Vanderpump Rules' star James Kennedy arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Police say “Vanderpump Rules” star James Kennedy has been arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence. Police in Burbank, California, say officers investigated reports of an argument between a man and a woman at a residence late Tuesday night and arrested the 32-year-old Kennedy. He was released from jail after posting bail. A representative of Kennedy did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The Burbank city attorney will decide whether to file charges. Kennedy is a DJ and reality TV star who has appeared for 10 seasons on “Vanderpump Rules” — the Bravo series about the lives of employees at a set of swank restaurants. The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own death moves to end their marriage MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own drowning so he could abscond to Europe has filed a court action to end the couple's marriage. Online court records indicate Emily Borgwardt filed a petition in Dodge County Circuit Court on Thursday seeking to annul her marriage to Ryan Borgwardt. A hearing has been set for April. According to court documents, Ryan Borgwardt staged his own drowning by leaving his overturned kayak floating on Green Lake. He flew to Eastern Europe, where he spent several days in a hotel with a woman before taking up residence in the country of Georgia. He is charged with misdemeanor obstruction in Green Lake County. San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A block in downtown San Francisco has been renamed for acclaimed photojournalist Joe Rosenthal, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his iconic photo of U.S. Marines raising the flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during WWII. The longtime staff photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle, who died in 2006 at age 94, is also remembered for the 35 years he spent documenting the city's famous and not so famous for the daily newspaper. He photographed a young Willie Mays getting his hat fitted as a San Francisco Giant in 1957. He also photographed joyous children making a mad dash for freedom on the last day of school in 1965. Nearly half of US teens are online 'constantly,' Pew report finds Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly,” despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health. That's according to a new report published Thursday by the Pew Research Center. As in past years, YouTube was the single most popular platform teenagers used — 90% said they watched videos on the site, down slightly from 95% in 2022. There was a slight downward trend in several popular apps teens used. For instance, 63% of teens said they used TikTok, down from 67% and Snapchat slipped to 55% from 59%. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment.

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