The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse?Barbados salaries third highestNEW YORK — Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid a mixed Monday of trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% from its all-time high set on Friday to post a record for the 54th time this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 128 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared 28.7% to lead the market. Following allegations of misconduct and the resignation of its public auditor , the maker of servers used in artificial-intelligence technology said an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or by the company’s board. It also said that it doesn’t expect to restate its past financials and that it will find a new chief financial officer, appoint a general counsel and make other moves to strengthen its governance. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up the market. Gains of 1.8% for Microsoft and 3.2% for Meta Platforms were the two strongest forces pushing upward on the S&P 500. Intel was another propellant during the morning, but it lost an early gain to fall 0.5% after the chip company said CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired and stepped down from the board. Intel is looking for Gelsinger’s replacement, and its chair said it’s “committed to restoring investor confidence.” Intel recently lost its spot in the Dow Jones Industrial Average to Nvidia, which has skyrocketed in Wall Street’s frenzy around AI. Stellantis, meanwhile, skidded following the announcement of its CEO’s departure . Carlos Tavares steps down after nearly four years in the top spot of the automaker, which owns car brands like Jeep, Citroën and Ram, amid an ongoing struggle with slumping sales and an inventory backlog at dealerships. The world’s fourth-largest automaker’s stock fell 6.3% in Milan. The majority of stocks in the S&P 500 likewise fell, including California utility PG&E. It dropped 5% after saying it would sell $2.4 billion of stock and preferred shares to raise cash. Retailers were mixed amid what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record and coming off Black Friday . Target, which recently gave a forecast for the holiday season that left investors discouraged , fell 1.2%. Walmart , which gave a more optimistic forecast, rose 0.2%. Amazon, which looks to benefit from online sales from Cyber Monday, climbed 1.4%. All told, the S&P 500 added 14.77 points to 6,047.15. The Dow fell 128.65 to 44,782.00, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 185.78 to 19,403.95. The stock market largely took Donald Trump’s latest threat on tariffs in stride. The president-elect on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a group of developing economies if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. Trump said he wants the group, headlined by Brazil, Russia, India and China, to promise it won’t create a new currency or otherwise try to undercut the U.S. dollar. The dollar has long been the currency of choice for global trade. Speculation has also been around a long time that other currencies could knock it off its mantle, but no contender has come close. The U.S. dollar’s value rose Monday against several other currencies, but one of its strongest moves likely had less to do with the tariff threats. The euro fell amid a political battle in Paris over the French government’s budget . The euro sank 0.7% against the U.S. dollar and broke below $1.05. In the bond market, Treasury yields gave up early gains to hold relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed above 4.23% during the morning before falling back to 4.19%. That was just above its level of 4.18% late Friday. A report in the morning showed the U.S. manufacturing sector contracted again last month, but not by as much as economists expected. This upcoming week will bring several big updates on the job market, including the October job openings report, weekly unemployment benefits data and the all-important November jobs report. They could steer the next moves for Federal Reserve, which recently began pulling interest rates lower to give support to the economy. Economists expect Friday’s headliner report to show U.S. employers accelerated their hiring in November, coming off October’s lackluster growth that was hampered by damaging hurricanes and strikes. “We now find ourselves in the middle of this Goldilocks zone, where economic health supports earnings growth while remaining weak enough to justify potential Fed rate cuts,” according to Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide. In financial markets abroad, Chinese stocks led gains worldwide as monthly surveys showed improving conditions for manufacturing, partly driven by a surge in orders ahead of Trump’s inauguration next month. Both official and private sector surveys of factory managers showed strong new orders and export orders, possibly partly linked to efforts by importers in the U.S. to beat potential tariff hikes by Trump once he takes office. Indexes rose 0.7% in Hong Kong and 1.1% in Shanghai. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
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NoneThe archbishop of Paris re-opened Notre Dame cathedral on Saturday (December 7, 2024) by symbolically knocking on the doors and entering the 12th-century landmark which has been restored after a devastating fire in 2019. Wearing new designer vestments and carrying a staff cut from one of the roof beams that survived the inferno, Laurent Ulrich joined hundreds of VIPs inside the Gothic masterpiece for a two-hour ceremony. Ulrich commanded the cathedral to "open your doors" and he entered the magnificently-restored edifice. US President-elect Donald Trump sat on the front row as guest of honour next to French President Emmanuel Macron, with invitees marvelling at the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture and state-of-the-art lightening installed as part of the cathedral's overhaul. Outside, small crowds of Parisians and tourists braved wet weather and high winds to witness the renaissance of a beloved monument which came close to being totally destroyed by the inferno that toppled its roof and spire. "I find it really beautiful, even more so now that the spire has been restored," Marie Jean, a 27-year-old dentist from southwest France, told AFP outside. The reconstruction effort has cost around 700 million euros ($750 million), financed from donations, with the re-opening achieved within a five-year deadline set by Macron despite predictions it could take decades. Workers had to overcome problems with lead pollution, the Covid-19 epidemic, and the army general overseeing the project falling to his death while hiking in the Pyrenees last year. It is "a cathedral like we have never seen before," Philippe Jost, who took over as project manager last year, told Franceinfo radio, adding that he was proud to "show the whole world" a "great collective success and a source of pride for all of France". Saturday's service will feature prayer, organ music and hymns from the cathedral's choir. A public concert planned in front of the cathedral featuring Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang and possibly US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams had to be pre-recorded on Friday night because of the stormy weather. Restoring a symbol of Paris Held up as an example of French creativity and resilience by Mr. Macron, Notre Dame's renaissance so soon after the fire comes at a difficult time for the country. The sense of national accomplishment in restoring a symbol of Paris has been undercut by political turmoil that has left France without a proper government since last week when prime minister Michel Barnier lost a confidence vote. Macron is hoping the re-opening might provide a fleeting sense of national pride and unity -- as the Paris Olympics did in July and August. The scale of the immense security operation also recalls the Olympics -- with some 6,000 police officers and gendarmes mobilised. The re-opening "is the proof that we know how to do grand things, we know how to do the impossible" Macron said Thursday in a televised address to the country. He is set to address the congregation during Saturday's ceremony. French President Emmanuel Macron accompanies U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy as they leave after a trilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris as part of ceremonies to mark the reopening of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, five-and-a-half years after a fire ravaged the Gothic masterpiece, in Paris, France, December 7, 2024. | Photo Credit: Reuters Zelensky & Trump in Notre Dame reopening Mr. Macron has scored a major coup by attracting incoming US president Donald Trump for his first foreign trip since his re-election. Another 40 heads of state and government are also present, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who was given a round of applause as he entered Notre Dame, as well as British heir to the throne, Prince William. Mr. Macron hosted three-way talks with Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Trump at the presidential palace shortly before the ceremony, with future US military support for Ukraine's war effort against Russia's invasion expected to have been discussed. Mr. Trump has vowed to force an end to the nearly three-year Ukraine war when he takes office, sparking fears in Kyiv that he will force Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia which Zelensky is resisting. "It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for talks with Macron. One surprising absentee on Saturday was Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. He sent a message addressed to the French people which is set to be read out. The exact cause of the 2019 blaze has never been identified despite a forensic investigation by prosecutors, who believe an accident such as an electrical fault was the most likely reason. On Sunday, the first mass with 170 bishops and more than 100 Paris priests will take place at 10:30 am (0930 GMT), followed by a second service in the evening at 6:30 pm which will be open to the public. Published - December 08, 2024 12:31 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit France / traditional architectureBill Clinton, the former US president who has faced a series of health issues over the years, was admitted to hospital Monday in Washington after developing a fever, his office said. "President Clinton was admitted to Georgetown University Medical Center this afternoon for testing and observation after developing a fever," the 78-year-old's deputy chief of staff Angel Urena said on social media platform X, adding Clinton "remains in good spirits." Clinton was previously hospitalized for five nights in October 2021 due to a blood infection. In 2004, at age 58, he underwent a quadruple bypass operation after doctors found signs of extensive heart disease. He had stents implanted in his coronary artery six years later. The health scare motivated him to make lifestyle changes, including adopting a vegetarian diet, and he has since spoken publicly about his efforts. Clinton's health last made headlines in November 2022 when he tested positive for Covid-19. He said at the time that his symptoms were "mild" and he was "grateful to be vaccinated and boosted." Clinton, who led the United States for two presidential terms from 1993-2001, is the second-youngest living US president, after 63-year-old Barack Obama. He was born mere months after fellow former US president George W. Bush and President-elect Donald Trump. Though his prosperous time in office was marred by scandals, he has enjoyed a second life in the two decades after his presidency, which has seen him venture into numerous diplomatic and humanitarian causes. bur-jgc/aha
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Jaylen Reed’s hands were still dirty and his face smeared with eye black as he took a seat in the Beaver Stadium media room. The hard-nosed veteran of nearly 50 college football games looked weary after Penn State pounded Maryland on Saturday, but lit up as he watched media members gather around teammate Audavion Collins next to him. The sophomore was excitedly describing his first career interception. Reed grinned, his pride was evident. One of Penn State’s captains, Reed loves when underclassmen earn playing time. He knows, especially on defense, the No. 3 Nittany Lions (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP) will likely rely on them to make a run at their first national championship since 1986. “Having that type of depth, having that type of guy that can step up and play the game every week, that’s something that’s going to help us down the stretch,” Reed said. “Having depth at all positions, I feel like that’s the main thing and I feel like we have huge depth.” Reed knows Collins is far from the only reserve player who has been effective for Tom Allen’s defense this season. Heading into Saturday’s Big Ten championship game against No. 1 Oregon in Indianapolis, Penn State has used 39 players on a defense that ranks seventh nationally against the run and pass. Meanwhile, the Nittany Lions are fourth overall in total defense (266.8 yards) and sixth in scoring defense (14 points) entering the showdown with the Ducks' 15th-ranked offense with a College Football Playoff first-round bye at stake. It’s not just the starting 11 getting it done. Since mid-October, Penn State has regularly rotated at least nine defensive linemen, six linebackers and nine defensive backs early and midway through games. As a result, seven players have snagged their first interceptions this season, while five others have recorded their first sacks. “We believe in everybody coming in behind us,” linebacker Tony Rojas said. “Our defense, we know what we’re capable of and I feel like our defense is top tier, if not the best.” It technically hasn’t been at full strength since Week 2 of the season. Then, star safety KJ Winston was lost to an unspecified long-term injury. He tried to play at Wisconsin on Oct. 26, but hasn’t seen action since. In the meantime, Winston’s absence has allowed Allen and head coach James Franklin to get a good look at Collins and other young backend players like Eliot Washington, Zion Tracy and Dejuan Lane. Tracy and Lane have seen their snap counts go up since November, and both have interceptions since. The Nittany Lions haven’t been immune to injuries up front, either. Star end Dani Dennis-Sutton was limited midway through the season by an unspecified ailment. Before last weekend’s game against Maryland, Penn State listed defensive tackles Alonzo Ford and Kaleb Artis and defensive end Zuriah Fisher out with injuries. While not near 100% healthy, Dennis-Sutton continued to suit up, but yielded reps to Amin Vanover and Smith Vilbert. Vanover and Vilbert are seniors who were slowed over the years by injuries but have stuck around, and are now shoring up the team’s depth. “I think getting Dani back healthy, that’s been important,” Franklin said. “I think this was his first game back where he was really healthy, Abdul (Carter) the second half of the season, has gotten very comfortable playing defensive end. We’ve been able to rotate and get production out of guys like Amin as well, so I think all those things have been really important.” So is the fact that Penn State’s defense has continued to close out games. The Nittany Lions have allowed just 445 yards on 125 third-quarter plays this season. Meanwhile, they’ve outscored opponents 192-55 in the second half and overtime and held 19 of their last 22 Big Ten opponents to fewer that 100 rushing yards. Like Reed, senior Dvon J-Thomas spent much of the second half against Maryland cheering on his freshman teammates. Notably, tackle Ty Blanding who had his first career tackle for loss in his first defensive series. “I’ve seen a tremendous leap in their attention to detail,” J-Thomas said. “There’s not a lot of moments or times in your career where you’ll have an opportunity like this and I think they realize that." Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
TransDigm Group Inc. stock underperforms Monday when compared to competitorsCan Timothee Chalamet actually predict the future? We shall see. The Hollywood actor, known for roles like Paul Atreides in the “Dune” franchise and Willy Wonka in “Wonka”, was the guest picker for ESPN’s “College Gameday” show on Saturday morning. When it came time to pick between No. 1 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State , Chalamet went with the Ducks. “I want to go 6-0. I’m going Oregon. Number one team in the country for a reason,” he said. “Strong defense. Not as sharp as 2023 at times, but great showing this year.” Fans all over social media were praising him for his knowledge of the college football landscape. Big Ten championship: No. 1 Oregon (12-0) vs. No. 3 Penn State (11-1) When: Saturday, Dec. 7 Time: 5 p.m. PT Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis TV channel: CBS Stream: You can watch this game live for FREE with Fubo (free trial) or with DirecTV Stream (free trial). If you already have a cable provider, use your login information to watch this game on cbssports.com . Oregon Ducks football 2024 season schedule, scores Sign up for The Ducks Beat newsletterPerma-Pipe International Holdings, Inc. Announces Third Quarter Financial ResultsNo agreement on zoning in Anambra – Chukwuma
Malayalam actor Dileep Shankar found dead in Thiruvananathapuram hotel room
For retro gaming enthusiasts, miniature versions of classic consoles have become a hot commodity. Nintendo has capitalized on this trend with smash hits like the NES Classic and SNES Classic, and Sony followed suit with the PlayStation Classic. Sega even dipped their toes in the water with the Genesis Mini and Genesis Mini 2. So, naturally, fans have been clamoring for Sega to give the same treatment to two of its most beloved, yet commercially unsuccessful, consoles: the Saturn and the Dreamcast. However, Sega has officially poured cold water on the idea, leaving many fans disappointed. But why? Let’s dive into the reasons behind Sega’s decision and explore the challenges and complexities surrounding these potential mini consoles. This news came directly from Sega’s Yosuke Okunari, the producer of the Genesis Mini and Genesis Mini 2 , in an interview with Famitsu. He stated that while the idea has been considered, the high cost and complexity of recreating the Saturn and Dreamcast hardware make these projects unlikely in the near future. This announcement, while disappointing, doesn’t come as a complete surprise to those who have followed the trajectory of these consoles and the challenges involved in emulating their unique architecture. The Saturn: A Complex Beast The Sega Saturn, released in 1994 in Japan and 1995 in North America and Europe, was a technological marvel for its time. However, its dual-CPU architecture, designed for raw power, proved to be a double-edged sword. While capable of stunning 2D graphics, it was notoriously difficult to develop for, leading to a lack of strong third-party support, particularly in the West. Here’s why a Saturn Mini is a challenge: My own experience with the Saturn was bittersweet. I remember being blown away by the graphics of Virtua Fighter 2 in the arcade and desperately wanting to play it at home. The Saturn delivered that arcade-perfect experience, but the console’s high price tag and the limited selection of games I was interested in meant it eventually gathered dust. The Dreamcast: A Beloved Failure The Dreamcast, launched in 1998, was Sega’s final console and a last-ditch effort to regain market share. It was ahead of its time in many ways, featuring online capabilities, a sleek design, and innovative controllers. Despite critical acclaim and a strong initial launch, it ultimately fell victim to the PlayStation 2 juggernaut. Here’s why a Dreamcast Mini faces hurdles: I have fond memories of the Dreamcast. Soul Calibur and Crazy Taxi were revolutionary at the time, and I spent countless hours playing Phantasy Star Online with friends, experiencing online console gaming for the first time. The Dreamcast’s demise was truly the end of an era for Sega. The Cost Factor: A Major Obstacle Perhaps the biggest hurdle for both the Saturn and Dreamcast Mini is the cost of production. Okunari specifically cited this as a key reason for Sega’s decision. Component shortages and rising manufacturing costs have impacted the entire electronics industry, making it difficult to produce affordable retro consoles. Think about it: to create a mini console that accurately emulates the original hardware and includes a decent library of games, Sega would need to invest in: Balancing these costs with a consumer-friendly price point is a delicate act, and it seems Sega isn’t confident in achieving that balance for the Saturn and Dreamcast at this time. Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Sega? While the news about the Saturn and Dreamcast Mini consoles is disappointing, it doesn’t mean Sega is abandoning its retro legacy. The success of the Genesis Mini and Genesis Mini 2 shows that there’s still a strong demand for classic Sega experiences. Perhaps Sega will explore alternative ways to make these classic games accessible to modern audiences. This could include: Ultimately, the future of Sega’s retro catalog remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the passion for these classic consoles and their games endures, and fans will continue to hold out hope for a way to experience them in a new light.We all have heard either, “Oh, I admire your patience,” or “Why can’t you show some patience?” at some point in our lives. Patience is often considered as a cornerstone for moral behaviour, and an extension of self-control, perseverance, and emotional intelligence. But is it really the virtue we’ve been taught to believe it is? Scientists, however, observe patience as a coping mechanism . Studies suggest that patience may not stem from a moral high ground but rather from our brain's ability to adapt and regulate emotions during challenging situations. Patience (n) is the quality of being able to stay calm and not get angry, especially when something takes a long time, according to the Cambridge Dictionary . However, patience has always been a sort of “I know it when I see it” concept, and UC Riverside psychology researcher Kate Sweeny, wanted to make sense of it, in a more systematic and scientific manner. “Philosophers and religious scholars call patience a virtue, yet most people claim to be impatient. That made me wonder if maybe patience is less about being a good person and more about how we deal with day-to-day frustrations,” Sweeny said in a release. Sweeny sought to establish a more precise understanding of patience and impatience for her research. In the article “ When Time is the Enemy: An Initial Test of the Process Model of Patience ,” published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, Sweeny tried to define impatience and patience. In her three studies of 1200 people, she concluded that impatience is the emotion people feel when they face a delay that seems unfair, unreasonable, or inappropriate. For instance, a traffic jam outside of rush hour, or a meeting that should have ended 15 minutes ago. She also arrived at the conclusion that patience, therefore, is how we cope with those feelings of impatience. Psychologists use the term ‘ emotion regulation ’ to explain the strategies people use to either reduce or sometimes increase) the intensity of their emotions. Sweeny, on the other hand, noted that patience is the subset of these strategies that particularly target feelings of impatience. Protect Your Heart During Pollution: Doctor’s Essential Guide The participants in the study were asked to think about their responses in different frustrating situations from everyday life. While one depicted a traffic jam, another described a long and boring meeting. A few others imagined being stuck in a waiting room. The participants were then asked to respond how impatient they would feel in each situation, and if they would practice strategies such as distraction, deep breathing, or seeing the upsides of the situation, in order to counter this impatience. The findings reveal that the three scenarios that create a ‘perfect storm’ for impatience are when the stakes are relatively high when the state of waiting is unpleasant, and when someone is clearly to blame for the delay. The impatience surges when the delay is longer than anticipated. Though nearly every participant in the studies expressed feeling a bit impatient in frustrating situations, a few other were more patient than others. These people were more comfortable with open-ended situations and more emotionally stable (i.e., low in need for closure and neuroticism) and stated that they wouldn’t feel too impatient in such scenarios. People who were more emotionally skilled and better at self-regulation stated that they would respond more patiently, even when they felt impatient. “Our initial findings support many of our ideas about patience and impatience. We have a lot still to learn, but our approach is quite promising in terms of helping people to manage feelings of impatience and ultimately become more patient in their daily lives,” Sweeny adds. (Pic courtesy: iStock) Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Spread love this holiday season with these Christmas wishes , messages , and quotes.San Francisco Federal Building renamed in honor of Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi
Mount Pleasant will end the year on a high after they defeated Waterhouse 3-0 in their Jamaica Premier League (JPL) clash at the Drewsland Mini-Stadium last night. They lead the standings with 34 points, three ahead of Montego Bay and Arnett Gardens with 31 each. After the game, coach Theodore Whitmore dedicated the win to the ‘loyal’ Mount Pleasant fans. “It is great to finish on top of the league for this year, and we look forward to 2025 with continued support from the management, the staff, and the fans who have been loyal supporters. So this game is dedicated to them for a happy New Year,” he said. Shaquile Bradford fired the St Ann-based club into the lead after only four minutes before Kimoni Bailey made it 2-0 with his league-leading ninth goal of the season in the 16th minute. Raheem Edwards then sealed a convincing win with a strike from outside the area in the 62nd minute. “To come here against Waterhouse, one of the top six teams, and give such a performance with three goals and a clean sheet, it is a plus for us,” Whitmore added. The game had barely started when Edwards fired the visitors in front. Mount Pleasant consolidated their dominance when Bailey capitalised on some good play from down the right to stab home at the back post. The winners could have heaped more early pressure on the home team, but Jashaun Anglin’s penalty was saved by Kemar Foster in the 22nd minute. Atapharoy Bygrave had Waterhouse’s best chance, but he failed to make contact from four yards after a good pass from Javane Bryan. After the break, Mount Pleasant increased their dominance, and Franco Celestin nearly added to their lead, but Foster went full-stretch to palm his vicious strike from inside the near post. However, a couple minutes later, Edwards was allowed space in the area and his deflected shot looped over Foster and into the goal to make it 3-0. Waterhouse coach Marcel Gayle said it is always tough losing at home. “It is not something we pride ourselves about. We are always dangerous at home, but today, we were not brave in some of the areas we need to be brave in. “We were a bit slow out of the blocks from the start. We made a lot of changes in the squad, and they took a while to settle down. But our decision-making in the final third could have been better,” he said. Waterhouse stayed fifth in the table with 16 points. livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com Yesterday’s results Dunbeholden 2-2 Racing Harbour View 0-1 Montego Bay Portmore 1-1 Cavalier Vere 0-5 Molynes Tivoli 5-1 Humble Lion Waterhouse 0-3 Mount Pleasant ,(BPT) - Has it been a while since you purchased a new TV? You might be surprised by how far TV technology has come since you bought your last set! Today's smart televisions offer dramatic improvements in picture quality and home screens that are far easier to navigate. Plus, they come with a host of cool features like voice control that you may not even know about. It's time to discover what you've been missing — and if you're asking yourself where to start, the Fire TV Buyer Insights Report can help. This independent study surveyed over 2,000 recent purchasers of smart TVs to learn everything from where they did their product research to why they decided to buy. With the holidays almost upon us, the insights in this report can help guide you as you kick off your seasonal shopping. Whether you're buying a gift, hosting a holiday gathering or looking for the perfect game-day screen, read on to find the best TV for your needs. How do you find the right TV? Here's how recent purchasers did it. When it comes to buying a new TV, there are several factors you'll want to consider, starting with who's going to be using it. The study found that spouses (36%), kids (13%), and even grandparents (1%) were involved in the purchase process, so be sure to keep your home's audience in mind. Beyond that, you'll also want to think about: Room size Smart TVs range in size from a 32-inch screen all the way up to a whopping 100 inches or more. To determine the right screen size for your room, follow this guideline: Small rooms: 32"–43" screen Medium rooms: 43"–55" screen Large rooms: 55+" screen As for viewing distance, divide the screen's diameter by 8 to get the ideal viewing distance in feet. For example, a 32-inch screen should be watched from about 4 feet away, while you'll want to be about 8 feet away from a 65-inch screen. Usage How you plan to use your new TV should play a large part in your decision-making process. If you're always looking for the latest show or movie to watch, your smart TV should offer optimal access to the latest streaming services. Gamers will experience better play on a TV with a high refresh rate, while sports enthusiasts will want to watch the big game on a set with smooth motion handling. Connected TV experience One of the most important considerations is how you'll use TV. In the study, 83% of TV purchasers said that easy access to content was one of the things they liked best about their new TV. But beyond being an all-in-one source for entertainment, your smart TV should also play well with other smart home devices. For instance, Fire TV allows you to pair compatible devices seamlessly like video doorbells, smart home devices, and more. And with select models, Fire TV's Ambient Experience can turn the biggest screen in your home into a beautiful, always-on smart display rotating through beautiful art, personal photos, and glanceable information like calendars and reminders. Knowledge is power Before you land on the perfect TV, you'll need to do a little research first. The study found that only 12% of shoppers bought their TV on an impulse, while 65% engaged in some form of product research. Most (82%) respondents conducted some or all of their research online for instant access to smart TV reviews and feature comparisons. In fact, over half of respondents who searched online mentioned digital retailers like Amazon as a great source for honest ratings and buyer reviews. Timing is everything According to the study, the time from research to purchase takes about two weeks, so plan ahead — especially if you're thinking about giving a TV as a holiday gift. There are also some great deals available during this time of year, so keep an eye out for sales and promotional offers. The big picture A new TV is a big purchase, so don't make it an impulsive one. Take the time to do your research and remember that everyone takes a different path to finding the perfect TV. Whether your search begins online, offline, or with a mix of both, it will end with a next-level viewing experience that's just right for the way you watch.South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has staggered from scandal to crisis but he surprised everyone this week by declaring martial law -- only then to survive an impeachment vote. The plunge back to South Korea's dark days of military rule only lasted a few hours, and after a night of protests and high drama Yoon was forced into a U-turn in the early hours of Wednesday. But polls show a huge majority of citizens want him out and lawmakers voted Saturday on an impeachment motion brought by the opposition, who control parliament. But even though only eight of them needed to support the motion for it to pass, all but three MPs from Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote and it failed. This is despite the PPP's leader Han Dong-hoon -- allegedly on an arrest list the night of the martial law declaration -- saying Yoon's resignation was "inevitable". On Saturday before the vote, Yoon spoke publicly for the first time in days, apologising for the "anxiety and inconvenience" he caused, but stopping short of throwing in the towel. Instead the 63-year-old said he would "entrust the party with measures to stabilise the political situation, including my term in office". Born in Seoul in 1960 months before a military coup, Yoon studied law and went on to become a star public prosecutor and anti-corruption crusader. He played an instrumental role in Park Geun-hye, South Korea's first female president, being convicted of abuse of power, imprisoned and impeached in 2016. As the country's top prosecutor in 2019, he also indicted a top aide of Park's successor, Moon Jae-in, in a fraud and bribery case. The conservative PPP, in opposition at the time, liked what they saw and convinced Yoon to become their presidential candidate. He duly won in March 2022, beating Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, but by the narrowest margin in South Korean history. Yoon was never much loved by the public, especially by women -- he vowed on the campaign trail to abolish the ministry of gender equality -- and scandals have come thick and fast. This included his administration's handling of a 2022 crowd crush during Halloween festivities that killed more than 150 people. Voters have also blamed Yoon's administration for food inflation, a lagging economy and increasing constraints on freedom of speech. He was accused of abusing presidential vetoes, notably to strike down a bill paving the way for a special investigation into alleged stock manipulation by his wife Kim Keon Hee. Yoon suffered further reputational damage last year when his wife was secretly filmed accepting a designer handbag worth $2,000 as a gift. Yoon insisted it would have been rude to refuse. His mother-in-law, Choi Eun-soon, was sentenced to one year in prison for forging financial documents in a real estate deal. She was released in May 2024. Yoon himself was the subject of a petition calling for his impeachment earlier this year, which proved so popular the parliamentary website hosting it experienced delays and crashes. As president, Yoon has maintained a tough stance against nuclear-armed North Korea and bolstered ties with Seoul's traditional ally, the United States. Last year, he sang Don McLean's "American Pie" at the White House, prompting US President Joe Biden to respond: "I had no damn idea you could sing." But his efforts to restore ties with South Korea's former colonial ruler, Japan, did not sit well with many at home. Yoon has been a lame duck president since the opposition Democratic Party won a majority in parliamentary elections this year. They recently slashed Yoon's budget. In his Tuesday night televised address to the nation, Yoon railed against "anti-state elements plundering people's freedom and happiness" and his office has subsequently cast his imposition of martial law as a bid to break through legislative gridlock. But to use his political difficulties as justification for imposing martial law for the first time in South Korea since the 1980s is absurd, an analyst said. "Yoon invoked Article 77 of the South Korean constitution, which allows for proclaiming martial law but is reserved for 'time of war, armed conflict or similar national emergency', none of which appears evident," Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, told AFP. "Yoon's action is a damning reversal to decades of South Korean efforts to put its authoritarian past behind it," he said. burs-stu/ceb/mtp