War Memorial Park was once the grounds of Goldings, a country house built by Francis Russell in the late 18th Century. He bought Hackfield Field to create 6 acres of parkland to the south of his house, which incorporated parts of old timber frame cottages, but was restyle in a manner not unlike that of John Soane. To separate the house and its garden from the parkland he built a ha-ha (concealed ditch) (1) parts of which are still visible at the south entrance to the park, close to the War Memorial itself. (2) The house itself is now the registry office (3), and framed by council offices in modernish style. The older block leans towards brutalism (4), and the newer one towards postmodern vernacular (5). Perhaps surprisingly, the whole urban set piece works rather well. Uses of moulded clay. Pictorial inserts in a tree seat. (This kind of incidental street art is very common in Basingstoke) Ionic capitals and entablature in Fairfields School, a board school dated 1887 using typical local materials in a somewhat Dutch manner. The school is still in active use, and a privelege to have on my walking routes, which also feature Georgian houses and many retaining walls that lean alarmingly. Very picturesque but sooner or later they will have to be rebuilt, hopefully in a sensitive manner. It has to be said that although the call to prayer was intriguing when I first moved to Dubai and I have great respect for my many devout Muslim friends (and some not so devout perhaps) this is the sound of my home country, England and feels very comforting on my Sunday afternoon walk. Culture is deeply embedded in our history. I to cannot be frozen, nor can it be changed in an arbitrary manner. Continuity is important. Although I travelled the world for 45 years and England has changed quite alarmingly while I was away, it is still my home.

China has played a cautious hand on Iran. It has chosen not to try to defend a country that is a major source of oil and officially a “comprehensive strategic partner.” Instead, it has urged a diplomatic solution that will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and maintain adherence to international law, rather safe positions in line with China’s claim to be a “responsible great power.” Xi Jinping, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and other top Chinese officials have been quite critical of Trump, though without naming him, accusing the US of applying the “law of the jungle” and acting like a hegemon. So far, that has not stopped Trump from planning to visit next week. But I can imagine that some of Trump’s advisers, worried about his weakened position at home and abroad, would be delighted if the trip were postponed a second time. China has been very careful about helping in Iran’s defense. Beijing is assisting Iran in much the same way it has assisted Russia in the Ukraine war—by providing military support that falls short of finished weapons or other critical resources. When US intelligence accused China of planning to provide shoulder-held antiaircraft weapons, China denied the charge and Trump said that Xi assured him the report was false. On the other hand, the Wall Street Journal reports that the “Chinese artificial-intelligence company MizarVision claimed on social media to have tracked the movements of American aircraft carriers, F-22 stealth fighters and B-52 bombers by using AI to analyze satellite data” (Chinese satellites over Mideast battlefield put US on edge). Whether or not China is providing Iran with this data is uncertain, but the Pentagon is said to be worried about commercial satellites putting militarily sensitive information before the public. China’s Policy Begins at Home Chinese leaders have always believed that foreign policy begins at home. China’s economy is not untouched by the war. It buys around 90 percent of Iran’s oil, which accounts for roughly 11-13 percent of China’s oil imports. But China has other sources of oil, such as Russia via a direct pipeline and large strategic oil reserves. China also has plenty of coal and solar, wind, and nuclear power for electricity. The US has threatened sanctions against China’s so-called teapot oil refineries that account for a major share of its imports, aiming to further disrupt Iran’s economy. But China has responded with its own threats to sanction any bank, insurer, or shipping company that abides by the US sanctions. The current state of China’s politics also calls for restraint on involvement in the Iran war. Xi has been engaged in major purges of the military and the communist party politburo as he continues a campaign to root out corruption and remove people judged insufficiently loyal to him. The military purges have left a key decision-making group, the Central Military Commission, with only one other member besides Xi. It normally has seven members. And the politburo’s membership is down from 24 to 21. These possibly destabilizing developments would seem to take foreign policy adventurism off Xi’s agenda. The Strategic Perspective From an international perspective, China is reaping the benefits of Trump’s strategic disaster. First, it poses as a peacemaker and protector of lawful activity in conformity with the UN Charter. Fu Cong, China’s permanent representative to the UN, called the US-Israel war “illegal” and said on April 28: “Excessive use of military means cannot fundamentally resolve risks. Rather, it will exacerbate tensions and confrontation, and create even greater security crises. The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, relevant international treaties and customary international law collectively form the foundation of today’s international maritime order. All countries should interpret and apply the convention fully, accurately, and in good faith, and refrain from selective application and double standards.” Second, China’s view aligns with that of Saudi Arabia and the other Gulf states. They want the war to end ASAP, and they are among the important providers of oil to China. Playing peacemaker by urging an end to the US blockade, reopening of the Strait, and US-Iran dialogue is in tune with those countries’ policies. Third, the war accords with China’s energy profile. Asia is being badly hurt by the shipping stoppage in the Strait of Hormuz. That is accelerating the region’s move to renewable energy sources, which China has made central to its energy exports under the Belt and Road Initiative. China’s EVs are going to find an ever-larger market, for example in India, where Japanese, European, and US brands have dominated. Chinese solar and wind technology will also expand in Asia as it becomes plain that even when the oil starts flowing again, the energy paradigm may have permanently changed. Countries look to China for help, and they’re getting it: “Shipments of jet fuel from China to Vietnam increased 34 percent, fertilizer exports to the Philippines rose 33 percent and diesel exports to the Philippines surged 187 percent in March, compared with the month before.” Lessons Learned What lessons might China be learning from the US-Iran war? First, it has learned that the US behaves recklessly, just as it did in Vietnam, Libya, the Dominican Republic, and other interventions of past decades. An imperialist that hasn’t changed its stripes. As Jonathan Czin, director on China affairs in Biden’s NSC, saysin a New Yorker interview: “I think as idiosyncratic and as different as Trump is from his predecessors, from Beijing’s perspective, there is a real through line of continuity across Administrations, Democratic or Republican, . . . So this is just, in their mind, the latest iteration of the same foreign policy and impulse in the Middle East which is bipartisan and spans Administrations, even to encompass Trump.” Second, although China’s military leaders may give grudging admiration to the scope of US war-fighting capabilities, its political leaders may grimace at the thought of taking advantage of US preoccupation with Iran to try taking over Taiwan. As in past years, the Chinese pay close attention to US military tactics, but they also see serious obstacles to applying them in their own backyard. In a word, Iran has shown that while it can’t match US firepower, it can cause the US major headaches. Taiwan, even without direct US intervention, could do the same. That is why China has shown so much interest in asymmetric warfare, such as cyber attacks that could in theory paralyze Taiwan without having to invade it. Besides, Xi recently scored a diplomatic coup by hosting Taiwan’s main opposition party leader, suggesting a diplomatic strategy to undermine the ruling party and a president whom Beijing detests. On balance, Beijing decision makers probably see no reason to adopt a high-risk strategy on Taiwan or on Iran when the US is waging an aggressive war, expending military resources in the Middle East at a feverish clip, and inciting anti-war sentiment at home. China looks like the responsible great power that can stabilize world energy markets and promote lawful behavior. If Trump thinks he holds all the cards, he’s in for a rude awakening. The post China Plays It Smart in the Iran War appeared first on CounterPunch.org.

Why impact investing and changing corporate behavior is important UBS

Supercar dealer Alexanders Prestige has returned to profitability following a ‘much improved’ performance in 2025. The luxury retailer slipped to a pre-tax loss of £304,065 in its last set of annual accounts but new documents have now revealed a ‘strong recovery’. Figures recently published via Companies House show that Alexanders Prestige Group Limited has delivered a profit before tax of £585,533 for the 12 months ending August 31, 2025. Bosses say the turnaround has come despite ‘difficult trading conditions’, with the firm showing ‘great resilience in the face of the market volatility’. The York-based dealer also saw turnover rise by a hefty 12.5% to £77.86m, with gross margins remaining at of 7.2%. The accounts show that vehicle sales generated the vast majority of the firm’s turnover, bringing in £77.6m, while a further £262,190 came from service, parts and aftercare sales. While EBITDA was not explicitly disclosed in the accounts, the numbers in the filings would suggest a figure in the region of £1.56m. Following the improved performance, ordinary dividends were paid amounting to £1.09m. Commenting on the results, director and co-founder Andrew North, paid tribute to the company’s ‘very strong fundamentals’. He said: ‘The business has delivered a strong recovery from last year’s financial performance. ‘The market dynamics in the motor trade which created very challenging conditions last year – subdued consumer demand, stock availability, inflationary pressures and higher interest rates – have all softened to a greater or lesser extent, enabling the business to demonstrate a step change in performance. ‘The business’ very strong fundamentals, which protected it during difficult trading conditions, have underpinned its much improved performance in the year to 31 August 2025 and also its even stronger performance in the current financial year. ‘The business has shown great resilience in the face of the market volatility of recent times and this is a testament to its staff, loyal customer base, ever strengthening brand and disciplined financial systems and processes.’ Elsewhere, the dealer’s workforce shrunk slightly over the course of the year – from an average of 51 to 50 – with employee costs rising to £2.29m. Meanwhile, directors’ remuneration came in at £193,437, down from £220,573 in the previous year. Looking ahead, bosses say they are ‘optimistic’ about future performance, while remaining wary of the potential impact of outside factors. North added: ‘The directors remain optimistic about future financial performance but always watchful of macroeconomic conditions – an uncontrollable variable which can have a significant impact on short term group performance. ‘The key indicators used to monitor the performance of the business’ departments remain sales volumes, sales revenue, gross margin and EBITDA.’ Alexanders Prestige Group incorporates supercar dealership Alexanders Prestige Ltd as well as premium used vehicle dealer Harvey Cooper Cars Ltd. Alexanders Prestige has won a number of Car Dealer Used Car Awards over the years, most recently picking up our Specialist Used Car Dealership gong in 2024. The business has also featured in our Selling Supercars series of videos. You can find watch the full video, as well as all other episodes of our Selling Supercar series, on the dedicated playlist on our YouTube channel. Join our breaking news WhatsApp group Sign up for daily email Car Dealer news bulletins Listen to the latest Car Dealer Podcast Read the latest digital issue of Car Dealer Magazine The post Supercar dealer Alexanders Prestige returns to profitability after ‘much improved’ 2025 appeared first on Car Dealer Magazine.

Lazarus Saturday marks the quiet turn toward Easter, when Jesus wept, then called life out of death. It reminds us that even in our darkest places, His voice still speaks hope, healing, and resurrection.

By Robert Niles: It's not been smooth sailing this month for Disney's newest cruise ship.Disney Adventure canceled its May 7 sailing after passengers came aboard on the ship. The Adventure was unable to sail away from its Singapore home port yesterday, due to what many guests have reported on social media as engine problems. After an evening in port, Disney Cruise Line canceled the cruise, sending passengers to area hotels.Disney is giving passengers full refunds for the cruise that they did not get to take, plus 50% off any Disney cruise sailing before May 31, 2027. Disney is covering the cost of the hotels and breakfast, along with a $200 room credit. Disney also is providing up to $500 per stateroom for incidentals and helping with flight rebookings.Guests sailing back to back on the Adventure are having their hotel nights covered until the next cruise's planned departure on May 11. As of now, that sailing is good to go, as repairs continue on the ship.Disney Adventure debuted in March, sailing exclusively from Singapore. The cruise's maiden voyage had been delayed from its originally announced December 2025 debut. The only ship of its design in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, the Disney Adventure was commissioned as Genting Hong Kong's Global Dream. After that cruise business collapsed during the pandemic, Disney bought the ship in 2022 for a tiny fraction of its estimated value, transforming it into Disney Adventure.The best comment I have read about this surely frustrating experience? "So when does Tony Stark show up to fix this?"Robert Downey Jr. - Tony Stark from the Marvel Avengers films - is the Godparent of the Disney Adventure.

Sore eyes symptoms, causes, and treatment explained with prevention tips for dry eyes, eye infections, and irritation to protect your vision daily.

This post will focus on an alternative method of using Kali Linux, moving beyond direct terminal command execution. Instead, we will leverage a Large Language Model (LLM) to translate “natural language” descriptions of desired actions into technical commands. Achieving this setup requires the integration of three distinct systems: UI: Apple’s macOS (Can also use Microsoft Windows, but not covered in this guide) - with Claude Desktop Attacking box: Kali Linux - using various tools LLM: In the cloud - Anthropic’s Sonnet 4.5 The LLM is only part of the story. When paired with Model Context Protocol (MCP)’s, it allows/enables the LLM to seamlessly connect with external sources (data, programs/tools etc). At a very high level: We can ask a LLM to-do a task via a “prompt”. “Can you please port scan scanme.nmap.org, if you find a valid web server, check if security.txt exists” The LLM will understand what we asked it to-do. “First task, I need to use Nmap/Network Mapper to-do a port scan of scan scanme.nmap.org” LLM will then request the MCP to-do any action(s). “Is Nmap installed? Can I access it?” MCP will run the request and return results $ nmap scanme.nmap.org The LLM will process the results as well as showing it to us as end-users. “I found that scanme.nmap.org is up, and contains a web server on port 80/TCP & 443/TCP.” If needed, could be a loop, and re-run a command/action again back in the MCP until the prompt has been completed/full-filled. “Now I need see if /.well-known/security.txt gives HTTP 200 response” Just like the joys of text editors wars (vim vs emacs vs nano), this is not to say its the “best” way to-do it. This is a way. This scenario may work for you, or it may not be acceptable to you (e.g. privacy). That is fine. If you are wonder “Why this setup? Why are you using multiple OSes?”, there are various reasons why! You may want a graphical user interface (GUI), which Claude Desktop is. Its an official product from Anthropic, who is making the model we want to run. However Claude Desktop is not officially supported on Linux. There are workarounds (e.g. community packages or WINE, as well as other solutions, such as 5ire, AnythingLLM, Goose (Desktop) & Witsy It being “free”. At the time of writing, 2026-01 Speed Having Kali running in “the cloud”, may have greater network connection , or be closer to your target - thus speeding things up! SSH We are going to want our macOS box, to be able to talk/interact/communicate to Kali. For this, we will use SSH. Kali Setup First up, Kali. If you are using Kali in the cloud, you likely already have SSH pre-setup. If SSH is not setup, let’s quickly install and run: $ sudo apt update [...] $ $ sudo apt install -y openssh-server [...] $ $ sudo systemctl enable --now ssh [...] $ macOS Switching over to our macOS machine, open up Terminal (or similar program), and either find out public SSH key or generate one: user@Users-MacBook-Pro ~ % ls -lah .ssh ls: .ssh: No such file or directory user@Users-MacBook-Pro ~ % This is a clean install, so we will be generating a new key. Generating a new SSH key, is the same steps as doing it on Linux: user@Users-MacBook-Pro ~ % ssh-keygen Generating public/private ed25519 key pair. Enter file in which to save the key (/Users/user/.ssh/id_ed25519): Created directory '/Users/user/.ssh'. Enter passphrase for "/Users/user/.ssh/id_ed25519" (empty for no passphrase): Enter same passphrase again: Your identification has been saved in /Users/user/.ssh/id_ed25519 Your public key has been saved in /Users/user/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub The key fingerprint is: SHA256:9JWMFmD6Jhq9gSLVrWSQaqR0hOOfGC5wd/HoMW1CoKU user@Users-MacBook-Pro.local The key's randomart image is: +--[ED25519 256]--+ | +oo. o.. | | =.B .oo + . | |=.E +.o=. o + | |+=.o.+*o+o . | |=.=.=o+=S . | |.+ + o.= | |. . . | | | | | +----[SHA256]-----+ user@Users-MacBook-Pro ~ % user@Users-MacBook-Pro ~ % cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub ssh-ed25519 AAAAC3NzaC1lZDI1NTE5AAAAIFVZPT158E6mNNGrtOXTBQtK/7sXj09gRGZjkyMt82hs user@Users-MacBook-Pro.local user@Users-MacBook-Pro ~ % Password is not shown Now, lets add that public SSH key from macOS to Kali, allowing for key authentication. Our Kali is located at 192.168.1.30, change the IP to match your setup: user@Users-MacBook-Pro ~ % ssh-copy-id kali@192.168.1.30 /usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: INFO: Source of key(s) to be installed: "/Users/user/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub" The authenticity of host '192.168.1.30 (192.168.1.30)' can't be established. ED25519 key fingerprint is SHA256:s1EHXZomZxup5ybdUSgTJwnyjwrMBxFSmAgt4+ijhws. This key is not known by any other names. Are you sure you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])? yes /usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: INFO: attempting to log in with the new key(s), to filter out any that are already installed /usr/bin/ssh-copy-id: INFO: 1 key(s) remain to be installed -- if you are prompted now it is to install the new keys kali@192.168.1.30's password: Number of key(s) added: 1 Now try logging into the machine, with: "ssh 'kali@192.168.1.30'" and check to make sure that only the key(s) you wanted were added. user@Users-MacBook-Pro ~ % Password is not shown This hopefully will be the last time you need to type in your Kali password when connecting via SSH! Testing Finally, let’s test it out: user@Users-MacBook-Pro ~ % ssh kali@192.168.1.30 Linux kali 6.16.8+kali-amd64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Kali 6.16.8-1kali1 (2025-09-24) x86_64 The programs included with the Kali GNU/Linux system are free software; the exact distribution terms for each program are described in the individual files in /usr/share/doc/*/copyright. Kali GNU/Linux comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by applicable law. Last login: Wed Jan 21 13:47:48 2026 from 192.168.30.153 ┏━(Message from Kali developers) ┃ ┃ This is a minimal installation of Kali Linux, you likely ┃ want to install supplementary tools. Learn how: ┃ ⇒ https://www.kali.org/docs/troubleshooting/common-minimum-setup/ ┃ ┗━(Run: “touch ~/.hushlogin” to hide this message) ┌──(kali㉿kali)-[~] └─$ Please replace 192.168.1.30 with YOUR Kali IP address. Boom! MCP Server (MCP Kali Server) Now that we have a console on Kali, let’s continue our MCP server setup. There are many of MCP server options out there already with more being created every day. We will be using mcp-kali-server: $ sudo apt install -y mcp-kali-server [...] $ $ kali-server-mcp 2026-01-21 13:54:41,734 [INFO] Starting Kali Linux Tools API Server on 127.0.0.1:5000 * Serving Flask app 'kali_server' * Debug mode: off 2026-01-21 13:54:41,748 [INFO] WARNING: This is a development server. Do not use it in a production deployment. Use a production WSGI server instead. * Running on http://127.0.0.1:5000 2026-01-21 13:54:41,748 [INFO] Press CTRL+C to quit Long term, there are various different ways to have kali-server-mcp running in the background, such as using a tmux/screen session, or creating a systemd.unit, but that is out of scope for this post. Testing To test that everything so far is working, in another terminal run mcp-server (this is what our MCP client, Claude Desktop, will end up running): $ mcp-server 2026-01-21 14:03:25,804 [INFO] Initialized Kali Tools Client connecting to http://localhost:5000 2026-01-21 14:03:25,812 [INFO] Successfully connected to Kali API server at http://localhost:5000 2026-01-21 14:03:25,812 [INFO] Server health status: healthy 2026-01-21 14:03:25,812 [WARNING] Not all essential tools are available on the Kali server 2026-01-21 14:03:25,812 [WARNING] Missing tools: dirb, gobuster, nikto, nmap 2026-01-21 14:03:25,828 [INFO] Starting Kali MCP server Did you see anything wrong? Did you spot the warning? Missing tools: dirb, gobuster, nikto, nmap Let’s install them now (as well other tools which mcp-kali-server can use), we can re-use the mcp-server terminal before closing it: 2026-01-21 14:03:25,828 [INFO] Starting Kali MCP server ^C [...] $ $ sudo apt install -y mcp-kali-server dirb gobuster nikto nmap enum4linux-ng hydra john metasploit-framework sqlmap wpscan wordlists [...] $ $ sudo gunzip -v /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt.gz # Alt: `$ wordlists` /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt.gz: 61.9% -- replaced with /usr/share/wordlists/rockyou.txt $ $ exit Our Kali installation was a minimal installation, without any tools pre-installed, which is why this happened. Claude Desktop Time to switch machines, and on macOS, download Claude Desktop. This will be our interface to the LLM, and it also is a MCP client, which will talk to our MCP server (mcp-kali-server), which will run commands on Kali. Download Claude.dmg (At the time of writing, 2026-01, latest version v1.1.381-c2a39e) Afterwards, open Claude.dmg and copy Claude.app into Applications before running it. If you are using Microsoft Windows, setup should be similar, but it is out of scope for this post. Now, we need to follow the complete the first time items, and follow the steps to to register/sign in At the time of writing, 2026-01, Claude Desktop is on Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows. There is not an official Linux build. Others have reported that using WINE is possible, as well as other unofficial Linux builds - You do you (and at your own risk!) Using Claude Code, requires a API key, which at the time of writing, does not have a free-tier option. MCP Client (Claude Desktop) With all that out of the way, we need to setup Claude Desktop’s MCP client. Open settings (Claude -> Settings), then find Deveploper (Under Desktop app), and click Edit Config. Finder should open up with claude_desktop_config.json highlighted (otherwise: /Users/[USERNAME]/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json). Open/edit the file using your text editor of choice, and paste in: { "mcpServers": { "mcp-kali-server": { "command": "ssh", "args": [ "kali@192.168.1.30", "mcp-server" ], "transport": "stdio" } } } Please replace 192.168.1.30 with YOUR Kali IP address as before. So for us, it looks like: user@Users-MacBook-Pro ~ % cat /Users/user/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json | jq { "preferences": { "quickEntryShortcut": "off", "menuBarEnabled": false }, "mcpServers": { "mcp-kali-server": { "command": "ssh", "args": [ "-i", "/Users/user/.ssh/id_ed25519", "kali@192.168.1.30", "mcp-server" ], "transport": "stdio" } } } user@Users-MacBook-Pro ~ % Finally restart Claude Desktop by quitting and re-opening for our settings to take affect. Testing Let’s see what all the hype about and give it a quick spin: Can you please do a port scan for me on scanme.nmap.org? Claude will check if we trust the MCP, and if we wish to run commands. Afterwards, we just wait. If you are impatient, you can peek behind the curtain a little bit by checking the logs! In the terminal which we ran kali-server-mcp, we can then see: 2026-01-21 14:20:21,688 [INFO] Executing command: which nmap 2026-01-21 14:20:21,690 [INFO] Executing command: which gobuster 2026-01-21 14:20:21,692 [INFO] Executing command: which dirb 2026-01-21 14:20:21,693 [INFO] Executing command: which nikto 2026-01-21 14:20:21,695 [INFO] 127.0.0.1 - - [21/Jan/2026 14:20:21] "GET /health HTTP/1.1" 200 - 2026-01-21 14:21:25,385 [INFO] Executing command: nmap -sV scanme.nmap.org 2026-01-21 14:21:39,295 [INFO] 127.0.0.1 - - [21/Jan/2026 14:21:39] "POST /api/tools/nmap HTTP/1.1" 200 - Recap In review: We have a Kali instance running (could be on the same network, or in the Cloud). On Kali, we setup SSH service to allow for secure communication. On Kali, we ran MCP-Kali-Server for our MCP server. We also made sure Kali has the needed tools installed! On macOS, we setup Claude Desktop, and configured a MCP client. macOS can SSH into our Kali box, to run MCP-Kali-Server’s client. We then used Anthropic’s Sonnet 4.5 LLM to-do a nmap port scan of scanme.nmap.org. …and we did this for “free”! We may be talking about AI, but AI was not used to write this! Find out more about advanced red teaming for AI environments at OffSec.com.

Discovering Europe's Undiscovered Gems in May 2026 Yahoo Finance

By Robert Niles: What are Disney's plans for AI? A Wall Street analysts that question in Disney's quarterly earnings call this morning. And I loved the response.Disney CEO Josh D'Amaro and CFO Hugh Johnston both responded to the question. D'Amaro talked about Disney's long-time use of technology in its business. Disney has been automating the production of entertainment long before "AI" became a Wall Street buzzword. Heck, Disney was creating mechanical automation projections long before many of today's Wall Street analysts were born. Just think about the automated animals that have been entertaining guests on the Jungle Cruise since 1955. Disney has been using digital automation for years, too. From the original TRON to staffing management in its theme parks, Disney's IT teams have been writing programs to replace pencil pushing in everything from animation to accounting. Automated pattern matching and replication is nothing new for Disney. "We've got a lot of work going on to develop a hyper-personalized recommendation engine across Disney+ and ESPN, and then we're implementing AI to enhance our ad-targeting capabilities, letting our partners develop and execute truly dynamic brand messaging," D'Amaro said, to further feed Wall Street's desire for companies to jump on the AI bandwagon.Let's acknowledge that many Wall Street analysts are vultures, and much of what passes for analysis in the stock market is just "pump and dump." Analysts love to hear companies commit to slashing workforces and automating work, because that boosts short-term profits and allows investment firms to issue "buy" recommendations on companies whose stock they soon will be selling at a peak, just before the job cuts and slopping automation cause revenue to crash.Johnston then jumped in, concluding with this gem:"We do see our Experiences business as well positioned structurally in a world of rising AI driven content. We think it may end up increasing even more the values consumers place on authentic, real-life experiences with those that they are close to, like we deliver across the parks and resorts every day."Brilliant. In a world ever more filled with AI slop, Disney's business strategy is to deliver authentic, human-driven experiences as an alternative.The problem with generative AI is that it enables the creation of so much mediocre content that people simply quit reading, watching, and listening as a result. That is an existential threat to entertainment companies (and news websites). The industry needs to find ways to cut through the slop and connect with the public before more people turn away from their products.Disney is wise to remain, as D'Amaro said, "committed to implementing AI in a way that keeps human creativity at the center of everything that we do, and of course, respects creators and the tremendous value of our own intellectual property."Disney beat analysts' expectations today, and the company's stock price soared. So long as Disney continues to make the money that Wall Street wants, the company can keep thumbing its nose to analysts over the way that it makes that cash.For my weekly update of Disney and theme park news, please sign up for Theme Park Insider's weekend newsletter.

Prop D vs. Prop C: San Francisco’s high-stakes fight over business taxes Local News Matters

Nem gondolnád, hogy a bevásárlólistádról mely tételeket érinti legdurvábban a Hormuzi-szoros lezárása. Bár a Hormuzi-szoros lezárása és a meredeken megugró kőolajárak Magyarországon kevésbé éreztetik a hatásukat, mint Ázsiában, ettől még az energiaárak megugrása végiggyűrűzött a globális ellátási láncokon, és már bekúszott a mindennapjainkba is – megdrágítva minden terméket, hiszen nemcsak a gyártási, hanem a szállítási költségek is nőnek. Mutatjuk, melyek azok az áruk, amelyeket többszörösen súlyt a közel-keleti helyzet. Több ebből Karagich a vagyonadóról: Az egymilliárd forintos értékhatár több tízezer kkv-t sodorna veszélybe Az amerikai-izraeli támadás február 28-án indult Irán ellen, és a modern történelem legsúlyosabb olaj- és gázellátási zavarához vezetett. A teljes infrastruktúrát súlyos támadások érték, az olajfinomítókban keletkezett károk helyreállítása akár évekig is eltarthat. Tehát a kialakult helyzetre nem jelentene megoldást egy hirtelen beköszönő béke – amire egyébként mostanra egészen minimális esély mutatkozik csak. A magas árak a háború után is velünk fognak maradni, összeszedtük, hogy mi mindent érint a válság. Aránytalan helyzet a benzinkutakon Bár az üzemanyagok termékárára számtalan tényező hatással van, de ettől még a fogyasztói ár arányosan követi a kőolaj jegyzésárát és a dollár-euró-forint árfolyamok mozgását. Ugyanakkor a kutak árváltozásán az látszik, hogy a gázolaj jelentősen nagyobbat drágult, mint a benzin. Grád Ottó, a Magyar Ásványolaj Szövetség elnöke kérdésemre elmondta, hogy ennek oka az európai dízelhiány. Ez pedig azért alakult így, mert az európai finomítók benzinnel el tudják látni a piacot, gázolajjal viszont önmagukban nem, ehhez korábban orosz importra volt szükség, ami alapgázolajként érkezett, ezt keverték az itt előállított gázolajhoz, akár húsz százalékban is. Az ukrajnai háború kitörése után a szankciók miatt kieső mennyiséget végül az iráni háború által sújtott régióból pótolták, vagyis Szaúd-Arábiából, Kuvaitból és az Emirátusokból. Ám azzal, hogy ez a beszerzési útvonal is lezárult, nemcsak egy késztermék nem érkezik meg, hanem az európai finomítók is drágábban jutnak hozzá az alapanyaghoz. Emiatt az összeurópai hiány miatt a gázolaj benzinnél is nagyobbat drágult, és ugyan nyaranta trendszerűen a benzin ára a dízel fölé nő, idén ez várhatóan máshogy fog alakulni. Mivel a közúti fuvarozás dízelüzemű furgonokkal és teherautókkal zajlik, ez a drágulás extrán lecsapódik minden termék kiskereskedelmi árán. Kőolaj a háztartásainkban Az üdítős palackokhoz és az élelmiszerek csomagolásánál használt PET-műanyag európai ára március közepén 15,4 százalékkal volt magasabb, mint egy évvel korábban. Nem véletlenül: a legtöbb műanyag alapanyaga a kőolaj vagy a földgáz, ezeket bontják kémiai alkotóelemeire és alakítják polimerekké. Ugyanígy készülnek például a ruhák alapanyagául szolgáló poliészter szövetek is. Érdemes úgy számolni, hogy az élelmiszereknél például a csomagolás a termék előállítási költségének 5–15 százalékát teszi ki. De nemcsak a csomagolásokhoz kell a kőolaj, petrolkémiai eredetű anyagok vannak a fogkrémben, az eldobható pelenkában, a tamponban és a mosószerekben is. Vagyis ezek ára közvetlenül függ a kőolaj árától. A tusfürdők például különösen érintettek, hiszen ezek jellemzően strapabíró, úgynevezett nagy teherbírású műanyag palackokban érkeznek, illetve a csomagoláson kívül a felhasznált nyersanyagok is érintettek, mert a háború kezdete óta a petrolkémiai termékeken kívül a pálmaolaj és a parfümök is drágábbak lettek. Ugyanez vonatkozik a mosó- és mosogatószerekre is. A fentiek miatt az otthoni tisztító, tisztálkodási és ápolószerek a leginkább kitettek, hiszen ez a két terület rengeteg műanyag palackot és tubust használ. A napi bevásárlás tételein felül minden más műanyag termék is drágul, ráadásul a fentieknél meredekebben. Ugyanis a petrolkémiai ipar központjai, tehát Dél-Kelet-Ázsia, India és Kína különösen kitettek a közel-keleti olajkitermelésnek. Kína több mint 141 milliárd dollár értékben értékesített műanyagot és műanyagból készült termékeket 2024-ben, vagyis többet, mint bármelyik más ország. Ráadásul a teljes nyersolajszármazék beszerzésének a kétharmadát a Közel-Keletről szerzi be, és a fellépő hiány már most arra kényszeríti a gyártókat, hogy felmondják a már megkötött szerződéseket és csökkentsék a termelést. Kínában a hőre lágyuló műanyagok ára közel 44 százalékot drágult február óta, és a PET-palackok helyi ára a 30 százalékos drágulásával messze meghaladta az európait. Azt sem szabad elfelejteni, hogy Magyarország például a TVK révén régiós szinten meghatározó vegyipari és petrolkémiai szereplő, és ezen keresztül az iráni válság miatt dráguló vegyipari alapanyagok nemcsak a hazai, hanem a környező országok műanyagiparára és csomagolásiparára hatással van. Hogyan lesz az olajból napszemüveg? A nyersolajjal indul a teljes folyamat, amelyet a fúrótornyoknál kitermelnek, majd a finomítókba és a petrolkémiai feldolgozókba kerül. Ezeken a helyeken készül a nyersolajból vegyipari alapanyag, itt válik el egymástól a propán és a bután, a benzin, a kerozin, a gázolaj és a fűtőolaj. Ez után kerül a megfelelő alapanyag a polimergyártásba, és készülnek a műanyag szálak, ami a műanyaggyártás alapját jelenti, és az ebből készült aprított pellet kerül a gyárakban a fröccsöntő gépekbe. Az elkészült termékek ez után vagy tovább mennek újabb munkafolyamatokra (festés, összeszerelés stb.), vagy azonnal megkapják a csomagolásukat, és mehetnek a kereskedelmi forgalomba. A hiány begyűrűzése A nagy, stratégiai fontosságú kínai üzemek akár két hónapra elég készletet is tárolnak a gyártás alapanyagául szolgáló műanyag pelletből, ám az árak emelkedése előtti hirtelen vásárlási roham kimerítette a meglévő készleteket. Ennek egyenes következménye lett a vártnál is meredekebb további drágulás, de még úgy is folytatódott a készletek növelése, hiszen az előrejelzések még nagyobb drágulást jósoltak. Ez az öngerjesztő folyamat ugyanúgy zajlik, ahogyan a covid alatt is történt, és végül a fogyasztókon csapódik le: elindul a meredek áremelkedés, hogy a cégek fedezzék az ellátási lánc és az összetevők szárnyaló költségeit. És ahogy a világjárványnál is láttuk, a covid lecsengése után még emelkedtek az árak, és csak jóval később kezdtek normalizálódni. Az iráni válság kapcsán az elemzők szerint ugyanez várható, ha holnap be is köszöntene a béke, a magas árak továbbra is velünk fognak maradni. Források: Reuters, Greenpeace, CNN, EuNews, BBC The post Így érinti a heti bevásárlást az iráni háború appeared first on Forbes.hu.

This article is the 2025 Audiophile On the list of the best high-definition audio players for budget buyers. We list the best models and offer advice on what you should look for when buying a cheap audiophile DAP.So you don't want to break the bank? You have a tight budget. However, you still care about sound and want to buy the best-sounding high-resolution music player or MP3 player for under $100, but in this list, we have included some models that touch up to the $200 price point and beyond. The reason for this is that with inflation, cheap has been redefined; now we regularly see music players priced in the 1000’s of dollars, but for most people, these are just overkill and maybe even sometimes snake oil. The very high-end HD music players are for a specific niche, for people who have maxed out and end-gamed their headphones and IEMs and are looking to squeeze every last drop of sound out of them. Or maybe they are people who need some of the very specific and niche functionality of those players. Heck, maybe they just like to have the fanciest thing.For me, though, it’s always been about building myself the perfect rig within my budget. Finding a player I like and matching it up with the right headphone. Having a little powerhouse of a mobile audiophile setup that I can travel the world with. The players on this list are designed to scratch that itch. I include a lot of variety in size, features, and performance. Even though we all have phones, there is something special about having a separate device dedicated purely to our music. It’s simpler, it’s purer and it just feels right to sit down and listen without being distracted by what’s going on online.Now, let’s get into the list. Quick Recommendations: 3 Great Models Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Buy on Amazon Best Budget Hi-Res Music Players 2025 1. MECHEN M30 HiFi Player The Mechen M30 is a compact budget music player that supports high-resolution playback. It’s aimed at audiophiles looking to buy a great-sounding DAP on a budget with lots of high-res file support. Pros:Excellent build qualityColor screenExcellent sound quality Cons:Online availability only in the west from what we have seen ReviewThe MECHEN M30 is one of those refreshingly simple devices in a world of feature-bloated DAPs (digital audio players). The build is great, its a solid metal chassis, a scroll-wheel or tactile buttons for navigation, and dual outputs (line-out plus standard headphone jack). It feels robust in the hand and has a very industrial Hifi design, I think a lot of audiophiles are going to appreciate. It’s a pure music-playing beast with a huge list of Hi-Res file compatibility. The player supports FLAC, WAV, APE and even DSD at 5.6 MHz, thanks to a WM8965 DAC chip paired with a TI TPA6530 amplifier stage. The specs stand out because of the price. The RRP on the Mechen is well under $100, and if it’s pure music playing prowess you're looking for without any fluff, it’s extremely hard to beat. Every time I picked it up, I couldn’t get my head around how they built something so good for so cheap.What stands out in listening tests is the M30’s sonic signature: deep and controlled sub-bass, a forward but articulate midrange with good instrument separation, and a treble that extends well without becoming fatiguing. Power-wise wise it won’t drive your large planars, but if you are looking to use it with efficient IEMs or Headphones, you won’t see any need to pair it with an external amp. In sum: if you value sound quality above bells and whistles, the MECHEN M30 is a compelling budget audiophile choice. It may not have a lot of extras, but it does something far more important: it makes music feel alive, detailed, and engaging. I also think it looks great, has solid battery life, and the interface for a Chinese DAP is pretty intuitive. Buy on Amazon 2. Sony NWE394 The HiFi Walker H2 is a music player released a few years ago, but its ease of use and great sound quality keep it on this list. It’s also available online with heavy discounts. Pros:The ultra-portable design fits easily in the pocketSimple interfaceAptx Bluetooth Cons:10 hours playback with DSD ReviewI used the HIFI WALKER H2 for a few weeks, and it’s one of those players that quietly earns your respect. There’s no flashy UI, no streaming apps, and no pointless gimmicks — just a solid, old-school machine built entirely around sound quality.The H2 feels great in hand: all metal, nicely weighted, and with proper physical buttons that make it satisfying to use blind in a pocket. The jog wheel navigation is a little clunky at first, but once muscle memory kicks in, it’s surprisingly efficient.Plugged into a good pair of IEMs, the sound really opens up. It has a slightly warm, organic character — not overly analytical, but with enough detail to reveal texture in vocals and reverb tails you might miss elsewhere. Bass is tight rather than bloated, mids have a nice natural body, and treble extends cleanly without harshness. It’s a genuinely musical tuning, the kind that keeps you listening longer than planned.Battery life is dependent on file type, as higher res like DSD is more demanding on the chipset, but I was getting close to 10 hours on a charge. The noise floor is practically silent, even with sensitive earphones, creating a nice black canvas onto which your music is painted. Sure, the interface is basic and the screen looks dated, but when the music starts, none of that matters.The HIFI WALKER H2 isn’t about features — it’s about fidelity. A pure, honest, great-sounding player that reminds you why local music still matters. And it does all that at an unbeatable price. Buy on Amazon 3. AGPTEK A02s The AGPTEK A02 player is old-school cool with great battery life. Pros:Huge battery life (70hrs)Ultra-lightweight (50g)Simple old school fun ConsSome limitations on memory at 8GB internal and 128gb SD cards ReviewThe AGPTEK A02 is the most basic music player on this list, but it earns its spot because it’s fun to use, has a retro appeal, and is cheap. The cheapest MP3 player we have tested, to be frank.Still, despite the low price, I think you get an awful lot for your money as you throw in a 128 GB card filled with music. It doesn’t slow down, and the battery life is mighty, with 70 hours of playback from a single charge. This is a great player for sports, going to the beach, or just messing around. Using it also took me back to when I loved my music without worrying about the gear. Its easy menu system and one-handed operation were cool, its new tech in an old school retro design from the noughties.As for sound, it’s great. Leaning a little to the warm end with a smooth overall sound and bass, it pairs well with a good set of earphones as long as they don’t require too much power draw to drive them. Buy on Amazon 4. YOTON MP3 Player A cheaper alternative to the famous Sansa Clip players with bluetooth as a bonus. Pros:Much loved form factor. Great for people on the go.Powerful with balanced soundBluetooth is a huge bonus Cons:Some interface quirks to get used to ReviewHaving carried the YOTON MP3 player with me during workouts, commutes, and casual listening sessions, it's an interesting prospect as the famous Sansa Clip disappears from shelves. It is ultra-light (about 28–30 g) with a built-in clip design that makes it ideal for jogging or walking. It comes with a 64 GB micro-SD storage card but is expandable up to 128 GB, and it even has Bluetooth 5.2. Sound-wise, it’s better than it has any right to be at this price. Plug in a decent pair of IEMs and you’ll get a balanced, slightly warm presentation with enough clarity and punch to make pop and acoustic tracks feel lively. The bass isn’t booming, but it’s clean; mids sit naturally, and highs roll off gently — perfect for long listening without fatigue. Bluetooth works fine, though wired sounds noticeably better.It’s tiny. The plastic body won’t win design awards, but it’s light, durable, and clips neatly to a pocket or bag strap. The buttons are old-school but responsive, and the interface, while basic, does the job once you get used to its logic.No, it won’t replace a high-end DAP. But for a pocketable, distraction-free player that just lets you enjoy your music anywhere, the YOTON punches far above its weight and the price is unbeatable. Buy on Amazon 5. HiBy R4 Ok its not quite budget but if you are looking for a lower priced entry into the very high end dap world then the Hiby R4 is the best choice Pros:Amazing designHuge file support, including DSDStunning full featured audiophile DAP Cons:Obviously this isn’t budget in the consumer world but it is damn good value in the audiophile one. ReviewI daily drove the HiBy R4 for a couple of weeks, and it became my go-to recommended DAP under $300. As mentioned above, this is not what many people would consider cheap, but in the world of audiophile products its a steal and punches very far above its price point. Therefore, I look at it as a cheap alternative to those very expensive players from the likes of Astel & Kern.Build quality is solid with a hint of “industrial cool,” and the 4.7-inch screen plus Android 12 make it feel modern without the lag that plagues cheaper players.Sound-wise, the R4 impresses straight out of the box. The quad DAC setup delivers a clean, spacious presentation — neutral but musical. Bass is taut and textured, mids are open with good layering, and treble has bite without fatigue. The balanced output has serious grunt, comfortably powering my planar IEMs and even mid-sized headphones.It’s not perfect. The player runs a bit warm on Class A mode, and battery life dips if you push high gain or stream over Wi-Fi. But those trade-offs feel minor considering the payoff.The R4 feels like a return to what portable being an Audiophile on the go should be — no nonsense, just clear, powerful, beautifully balanced sound in your pocket. For anyone wanting a serious upgrade from phone-based listening, this is the one to beat. Buy on Amazon 6. AIMoonsa Music Player The AIMoonsa is a solid choice that makes you question value. You get so much for so little outlay and it works great with IEM’s. Pros:Metal BodyNeutral soundAmazing price Cons:Low res screen Review<

Soundbars have become an essential addition to home entertainment setups, offering powerful audio in a compact form. Whether you're watching movies, playing games, or listening to music, a good soundbar can dramatically improve your audio experience without the need for a bulky speaker system. After first having used one years ago I just simply cannot go back to using the inbuilt speakers on any television. They make an experience defining difference. Soundbars create an immersive sound experience for your home cinema or TV. With that said it’s one of the most common questions I get asked as the owner of this site so instead of answering each question one at a time here are the best soundbars of 2024, covering a range of features, prices, and sound quality to suit different needs. I will keep this list updated going forward as I get the chance to test more Soundbars in the future.1. Sonos Arc Ultra SpecificationsChannels: 9.1.4 spatial audioConnectivity: HDMI eARCSmart Features: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2 ProsDolby Atmos for immersive soundVoice assistants and home integrationExcellent build quality and sleek design ConsExpensive Why I Recommend ItThe Sonos Arc is still one of the top soundbars in 2026, delivering powerful, immersive sound with Dolby Atmos support for a true cinematic experience. The upward-firing speakers create a 3D sound field, making you feel as though the sound is coming from above and around you. For me, that creates way more immersion and reality when watching movies or concerts.It also doubles as a smart home device with built-in Amazon Alexa, making it a versatile center piece for your home and allowing you to control appliances and lights. Though it comes with a premium price, the Sonos Arc is worth it for those who want cutting-edge sound and smart features in a sleek design. Sonos is one of the most popular brands in multi-room home audio,so if you wish to expand your system in the future, this soundbar should integrate well with future models.The main drawback of this unit is of course the price which when paired with a subwoofer can be prohibitively expensive for many people. Thankfully there is a viable alternative inside the Sonos ecosystem in the Beam 2 which is awesome in its own right, you still get Dolby Atomos Support, Voice Assistant compatibility and the setup is as simple as it gets, it comes in at 1/3rd the price of the Arc ultra and I consider both very compelling. Buy on Amazon 2. Samsung HW-Q990C SpecificationsChannels: 11.1.4 (Dolby Atmos, DTS)Connectivity: HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-FiSmart Features: Alexa built-in, SmartThings integration Pros11.1.4 channels for room-filling soundDolby Atmos and DTSfor cinematic audioIncludes rear speakers and a subwoofer ConsPriceySetup can be complex for beginners Why I Recommend ItThe Samsung HW-Q990C is one of the most comprehensive soundbars on the market, offering 11.1.4 channels with Dolby Atmos and DT support for incredible audio detail. This soundbar comes with a wireless subwoofer and rear speakers, providing wireless surround sound without the hassle of a traditional wired setup. With its SmartThings integration and Alexa built-in, you can control it easily via voice commands. While it's on the pricier side and getting the correct setup took some time, the HW-Q990C delivers a great sound experience for movies, music, and gaming. Buy on Amazon 3. Sony HT-A3000 SpecificationsChannels: 3.1 (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X)Connectivity: HDMI eARC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USBSmart Features: Apple AirPlay 2, Google Assistant, Alexa ProsImmersive 3D audio with Dolby AtmosVersatile connectivity optionsCompact size fits most spaces ConsNot as powerful as higher-end modelsLimited to 3.1 channels unless expanded with optional subwoofer/rear speakers Why I Recommend ItThe Sony HT-A3000 delivers an immersive Dolby Atmos experience with its 3.1-channel setup. It features a built-in subwoofer and advanced sound processing to provide a rich, enveloping soundstage.It offers plenty of connectivity options, including HDMI eARC and Bluetooth, making it compatible with a wide range of devices. While it isn’t as powerful as the HT-A7000, it’s a great choice for smaller to medium-sized rooms and can be expanded with Sony’s optional subwoofer and rear speakers for an enhanced setup. Buy on Amazon 4. Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar SpecificationsChannels: 5.1.2 (Dolby Atmos, Bose TrueSpace)Connectivity: HDMI eARC, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, USB, EthernetSmart Features: Amazon Alexa Built-In, Bose Voice2Video, ADAPTiQ Audio Calibration ProsImmersive 5.1.2-channel audio with Dolby Atmos and Bose TrueSpace technologyAI-powered Dialogue Mode for enhanced vocal claritySleek design with premium materials ConsPremium price Why I Recommend ItThe Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar delivers an immersive 5.1.2-channel audio experience, combining Dolby Atmos and Bose TrueSpace technology to create a spacious soundstage. Its AI-powered Dialogue Mode ensures clear vocals, making it ideal for both movies and music. The sleek design, featuring a premium glass top and metal grille, adds a touch of elegance to any room.While it doesn't include a dedicated subwoofer or wireless surround speakers, these can be added separately to enhance the audio experience further. The inclusion of voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and the ADAPTiQ audio calibration system makes setup and control straightforward.One thing I really enjoy about this unit is that it stays faithful to what fans call Bose’s house sound. This is a unique tuning that Bose implements right across its products, from headphones to earphones and speakers and is a big part in why people keep coming back. Its here too in the soundbar and as a result, the sound is very natural and clear with a hint of warmth, making it incredibly versatile with multiple different genres or even regional accents, etc. Buy on Amazon 5. Polk Audio Signa S4 SpecificationsIncluded: Soundbar and SubwooferConnectivity: HDMI eARC, Bluetooth 5.3, USBSmart Features: Voiceassist, Bassassist ProsImmersive audio due to tuning and upward firing speakersCompact design suitable for various room sizesAffordable entry into very high-quality surround sound systems ConsLacks smart featuresLimited customization options Why I Recommend ItThe Polk Audio Signa S4 genuinely caught me off guard. The moment you switch it on, the soundstage just opens up and fills the room in a way that feels disproportionate to its compact size. Width depths and separation are far greater than I thought going into my tests. The reason I think is that Polk Audio is a genuine high end speaker manufacturer and they cross over their engineering expertise between departments.That wireless subwoofer deserves a special mention — it adds serious weight to the low end without ever becoming boomy or muddy, that is a difficult balance to strike without in some way becoming the dominant aspect of sound and where many mid to low price soundbar systems fall short. The Dolby Atmos support with those upfiring drivers create a real sense of height and space during movies, blockbusters feel genuinely cinematic even in small spaces, it fills the room as opposed to directing the sound straight towards you. VoiceAdjust is one of those features you don’t know you need until you use it, I’m someone who can sit down to watch a movie and instantly be annoyed by recessed vocals, usually diving into a TV menu system in search of a very mediocre solution —with voiceadjust you are focusing on vocals as opposed to adjusting a complete sound profile, dialogue becomes crystal clear even during chaotic action sequences, it kind of props the dialogue up against the background. RRP is $449 USD for this one and its very much still great value at full price but I have seen it listed around of under $400 where it becomes a no brainer with little real competition.6. Sonos Beam (Gen 2) SpecificationsChannels: 5.0 (Dolby Atmos support)Connectivity: HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, EthernetSmart Features: Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay 2 ProsCompact design with Dolby Atmos supportGreat for small to medium-sized roomsVoice assistants built-in ConsNo subwoofer includedLacks bass depth without a subwoofer Why I Recommend ItThe Sonos Beam (Gen 2) is a compact soundbar that punches well above its weight with Dolby Atmos support and exceptional sound quality. It’s perfect for smaller spaces and during the testing I had it set up in my bedroom but I think this will work great in a dedicated TV room or for smaller apartment owners who don’t want a huge Soundbar taking up a lot of space. The Beam also includes built-in Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing for easy voice control and integration with other smart devices. While it doesn’t come with a subwoofer, the Beam provides impressive sound for its size, and you can always add a Sonos subwoofer for extra bass if needed.Truth be told I have gone full Sonos in my house with the living room having the Arc model I discuss above in the living room and the Beam in the bedroom as well as various Sonos speakers of varying sizes dotted throughout the house and garden to create a full home audio system. The thing I love most is that as a complete package the whole thing just works damn well together and I can control it all through the app on my iPhone. Buy on Amazon 7. JBL Bar 700 SpecificationsChannels: 5.1 (Dolby Atmos, DTS:X)Connectivity: HDMI eARC, Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, USBSmart Features: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Alexa Multi-Room Music, JBL One App Pros<

UK Tops Global Seizures in Illicit Medicine Crackdown Medscape

For decades, marine ecosystems have posed intriguing mysteries that continually captivate researchers driven by a passion for uncovering the secrets of the sea. Among the numerous marine organisms populating our oceans, jellyfish remain some of the most enigmatic creatures. Resilient and ecologically significant, these gelatinous animals have thrived for millions of years, yet their role […]

AMSTERDAM--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #insurance--AM Best has maintained its stable outlook on Italy's non-life insurance segment and expects gross written premium (GWP) in the segment to continue on a steady growth trend during 2026 across all lines of business, although at a slower pace than in recent years. In its new Best’s Market Segment Report, “Market Segment Outlook: Italy Non-Life Insurance”, AM Best also states that the additional fiscal burden from the 2026 Budget Law will not place significant pressure o

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Most Christians are sincere about wanting to be in “God’s will.” We hear this prayed all the time. The post Searching for Peace in Decision Making appeared first on Biblical Counseling for Women.