Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump’s promised crackdown on immigration
Trump’s proposed tariffs could cost Texas billions, renowned economist tells Y’all-iticsThe assassin who cooly gunned down the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in front of witnesses on Wednesday morning made a head-scratching stop before he carried out his hit. New photos released by police show that the suspect dipped into a nearby Starbucks just before he descended upon the Midtown Hilton around 6:45 a.m. to fatally shoot the 50-year-old Thompson as he walked there to give a speech at an investors meeting. The new photos—pulled from security footage—revealed only the alleged gunman’s eyes and hands, as he was wearing the same black facemask and black hoodie he wore during the shooting. Police did not say if the mystery man ordered anything at the coffee joint or if—by some extreme luck—he happened to give his first name for his hypothetical order. Police said the gunman “targeted” Thompson and fled the scene on an e-bike after shooting the health insurance CEO in his calf and back. He remained at large as of Wednesday afternoon. Donald Trump ’s coming back home...to NBC. The president-elect will sit down with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker for his first network interview since he won the presidency again last month. The conversation will tape on Friday before it airs on Sunday, and the network plans to release the full interview and transcript after it concludes. The sit-down marks a turn for Trump, who effectively shunned traditional media outlets in the run-up to the election in favor of either gabs with Fox News or lengthy debates with Joe Rogan. The interview comes more than a year after Welker launched her show with a Trump interview in September 2023, which critics— including at the Daily Beast —derided as unchallenging and ineffective despite Welker’s skill as an interviewer. Trump has previously derided Welker as “terrible,” “horrible,” and a “radical left Democrat.” The nights are longer, the weather is colder, and there’s no better time to get some sleep. Get ready for the winter with Bearaby’s Black Friday Sale , featuring up to 30% off all of the brand’s made-to-make-you-cozy bedtime essentials. Fall asleep faster and enjoy a more restful sleep with Bearaby’s soft and breathable knitted weighted blanket , made of 100% organic cotton. Made with a custom, plant-based material that the brand calls MelofoamTM, this soothing body pillow melts away tension and relieves pressure by providing support to your joints, neck, and back. This gently weighted sleep mask leverages a tension-melting clay material to cradle your eyes and block out light, giving you a first-class ticket to dreamland. Don’t sleep on this heated neck wrap , which cradles your neck, back, and shoulders to create a warm, calming comfort that will put you at ease. Alternatively, chill it in the freezer to help soothe sore muscles. If you buy something from this post, we may earn a small commission. A 60-year-old California art teacher died after being bit by a bat in her classroom, according to officials. Leah Seneng died on Nov. 22, a month after removing a bat from her classroom at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos. Before class started, the teacher discovered the bat and “scooped it up to take it outside,” unaware that it had rabies, friend and family spokesperson Laura Splotch told NBC News. Seneng thought she had just been scratched, and didn’t seek immediate treatment, Splotch said. After not having any symptoms for weeks, Seneng went on Nov. 18 to the hospital, where it was determined that the classroom encounter likely gave her rabies. Her condition quickly worsened and she died four days later. NBC News reported that it was the first rabies death in Fresnno County since 1992. According to the CDC , less than 10 people die each year in the United States. The teacher is survived by her daughter and husband. “It’s very shocking, still, to think that she’s no longer around because of something so random,” Splotch said to NBC News. Donald Trump’s secretary of defense pick, Pete Hegseth, said he would quit drinking if confirmed to the position, CNN correspondent Manu Raju reported Wednesday. “He views the job as so important that he volunteered that,” Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger told Raju. “I didn’t ask him.” The New Yorker published a bombshell report Sunday that alleged Hegseth had a history of drinking heavily at work while the president of a veteran’s advocacy group. Then several former Fox News colleagues shared with NBC News that Hegseth’s drinking was concerning and affected his job as a morning host. Hegseth denied having a drinking problem in an interview with Megyn Kelly on Wednesday, though he did not address the allegations about his behavior at work. Hegseth’s candidacy has been marred by a number of scandals, including multiple sexual assault allegations, infidelities and a leaked letter written by his mother calling him an “abuser.” Pete Hegseth told incoming Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker that he wouldn’t drink if confirmed to the job. “He views the job as so important that he volunteered that,” Wicker told me. “I didn't ask him.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Whether you’re looking for sleep support, stress relief, a little physical relief, or just a little something to take the edge off, Kind Oasis’ premium, hemp-derived cannabis edibles are the perfect treat. to relax and unwind without the smoke and carcinogens you inhale with a joint, whether it be a Delta, CBD, or THC-forward product. The family-owned cannabis company offers a wide range of handcrafted cannabis products made in small batches that undergo strict quality control and third-party testing, so you can rest assured you’re getting top-quality and extra-pure products with every order. Kind Oasis offers something for everyone looking to enjoy the potentially mood-enhancing benefits of cannabis, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned smoker looking to ditch the flames. Not sure where to start? Some of the brand’s bestsellers include its Delta-8 and Delta-9 gummies, which some users say offer very similar benefits to conventional and higher-dose THC edibles while being chemically distinct from traditional THC products subject to federal and state criminal bans and Delta-based products are often available for order and delivery online in almost all jurisdictions, even those without state-legalized marijuana. Kind Oasis offers a slew of different treats, from THC-infused seltzers (and flavored syrups that can be added to green baked goods and spiked coffee drinks!) to full-spectrum CBD gummies for those who prefer a mild effect (or live in regions in which THC is not legal). Whatever your cannabis needs are, Kind Oasis has you covered with a product that will give you the right feeling, no matter what you prefer: an active candy or sweet or a flavorful and relaxing beverage. The Satanic Temple will begin offering a religious studies program at a public elementary school in Ohio after a parent’s request. Seeking an alternative to the school’s Christian release program, a concerned parent at Edgewood Elementary school in Marysville, Ohio requested for a different program to be implemented at the school for non-Christian students. The school’s initial release program, organized by LifeWise Academy, sees students being removed from classes for 55 minutes each week to study the Bible or visit local churches. With the Satanic Temple’s new program, the Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (Hail), students at Edgewood can instead partake in “self-directed learning” and “good works in the community” once every month, where they’ll also have “inspirational guest speakers” and “tons of fun,” per the organization’s Facebook page . The Satanic Temple identifies as a “non-theistic” church, meaning it doesn’t believe in deities like God or Satan, but rather claims it is instead on a mission to promote pluralism among different religious views. “We aren’t trying to shut the LifeWise Academy down,” June Everett, an ordained minister at the Temple, told WCMH . “But I do think a lot of school districts don’t realize when they open the door for one religion, they open it for all of them.” M issing woman Hannah Kobayashi ’s Venmo account has reportedly been flooded with donations after news broke that she recently crossed into Mexico. The Hawaii native was initially reported missing by family on Nov. 11 after failing to board a connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York three days prior. The LA Police Department swiftly commenced an investigation into Kobayashi’s disappearance to determine if there was any foul play. On Monday, however, surveillance footage from Customs and Border Protection showed Kobayashi crossing into Mexico alone with her luggage, seemingly unharmed, the day before. Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell disclosed that Kobayashi had been “classified a voluntary missing person” in a press conference on Monday, adding that foul play is no longer suspected in her disappearance. Following the update, Venmo users have been sending money and recommendations to Kobayashi for her apparent trip to Mexico, according to The Daily Mail . “I hope you’re safe. You don’t owe an explanation. Here’s some taco money, girl. Have fun!,” one user wrote. Another said, “Way to make it to Mexico girlie! Have a chicharron on me!” Frasier star Kelsey Grammer is set to release a memoir in 2025 about his sister, Karen, and her murder in 1975. Karen, who was 18 at the time of her death, was kidnapped by multiple men from her job at Red Lobster. She was later stabbed to death after being raped. In a People exclusive , Grammer talked about his sister’s memory, and the healing journey he and his family have been on since the tragedy. “It is not a grief book. It is a life book, a celebration of Karen’s life,” Grammer, 69, told the outlet. “From a loving brother, I invite you to meet Karen. To know her and remember her with me.” Grammer has faced multiple other untimely deaths in his family. His father was killed by a trespasser on his property when the actor was just 13-years-old, which was five years before his sister’s death. Then in 1980, his two half brothers dying in a scuba diving incident. The memoir, entitled, “Karen: A Brother Remembers,” is expected to be released in May 2025. “Fifty years hence, I learned that love, that our love, is forever,” Grammer said. Prince William and Prince Harry are engaging in yet another very public display showing how toxic their relationship has become by refusing, once again, to appear together at an award ceremony honoring their mother’s legacy. While Harry will appear via pre-recorded video at the Diana Awards tomorrow, William will not attend and instead handed out letters to the winners on Wednesday. It’s arguably a slightly less absurd solution than that employed at another awards ceremony for the charity in March this year, which saw William speak live at the event with Harry’s speech delayed till after he had left. Adding to the sense of bitterness back then, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, announced the launch of her American Riviera Orchard brand on Instagram minutes before William took to the stage. Prince William’s new letter seemed to adopt some Sussex buzzwords, with the future king writing: “I am so proud of the impact every one of you has had on your communities and beyond. You are driven by kindness and compassion and through this you are all changing the world for the better.” Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. It’s not every day that you can score a deal on a high-quality printer at a lower cost. Investing in a quality printer for your home or office is a game-changer, and while it’s not the most fun purchase, it’ll pay for itself in a couple of months. Fortunately, you don’t have to pay full price for a solid printer, thanks to HP’s current sale . Right now, you can score the HP Envy Inspire 7955e , the brand’s premium at-home photo printer for $70 off. If you’re looking for a solid holiday gift that they’ll actually use, the deluxe multi-purpose printer is a great choice—especially for photographers and anyone who works from home. The all-in-one printer is also designed with HP’s Wolf Essential Security system to keep your information secure and keep hackers out. Plus, unlike other printers that require you to get your hands dirty to replenish the ink, this one offers a 15-second mess-free ink refill experience with bottles that can be plugged into the tank. Say goodbye to messes and hello to your new printer . Best of all? For a limited time, score three months of Instant Ink with HP+. Donald Trump picked tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA, the president-elect announced on Truth Social. Isaacman currently serves as the CEO of the payments-technology company Shift4 Payments. The billionaire has also helped pioneer private space travel by funding Elon Musk’s SpaceX flights. “Jared will drive NASA’s mission of discovery and inspiration, paving the way for groundbreaking achievements in Space science, technology, and exploration,” Trump said in a post. Isaacman has been on two SpaceX flights, first in 2021 and most recently in September. “On my last mission to space, my crew and I traveled farther from Earth than anyone in over half a century. I can confidently say this second space age has only just begun,” Isaacman wrote on X following the announcement. “At NASA, we will passionately pursue these possibilities and usher in an era where humanity becomes a true spacefaring civilization.” Donald Trump has named former White House aide Peter Navarro as a senior counselor in his impending administration after the MAGA loyalist spent four months in prison for refusing to testify to Congress about the Jan. 6 insurrection. Navarro will serve as senior counselor for trade and manufacturing, the president-elect announced in a pair of Wednesday Truth Social posts , hailing him as “a man who was treated horribly by the Deep State, or whatever else you would like to call it.” Navarro was convicted on two counts of contempt for refusing to comply with a subpoena from Congress—prosecutors said he “chose allegiance to former President Donald Trump over the rule of law.” Hours after his release from prison in July, Navarro delivered a speech at the Republican National Convention. Now, he will be back in the White House. “The Senior Counselor position leverages Peter’s broad range of White House experience, while harnessing his extensive Policy analytic and Media skills,” Trump wrote in his announcement. “His mission will be to help successfully advance and communicate the Trump Manufacturing, Tariff, and Trade Agendas.”Michael Strahan hurt Terry Bradshaw's feelings within one minute of FOX NFL Sunday after joking that he'd wasted 10 seconds of his life . The Week 12 edition of FOX NFL Sunday was opened by artist Michael Buble, who narrated the opening credits following the release of his new Christmas song that came out on Nov. 18. FOX host Curt Menefee then took over as he said: "Thanks to five-time Grammy Award winner Michael Buble for opening the show, his new song 'Maybe This Christmas' with country star Carly Pearce is out right now. "As we welcome in Terry, Howie, Michael, and Jimmy... they didn't ask you (Bradshaw) to sing us a country song?" Bradshaw then explained how he was let down by analyst Howie Long, and replied: "Well I told them I would, but only with Howie and that was kind of the deal. Long then claimed that Americans needed a Bradshaw Christmas album, which the NFL legend disagreed with. Strahan then brutally interrupted and said: "Can I just say? That was 10 seconds of our lives we can never get back." Michael Strahan shows true colors with brutal Aaron Rodgers verdict on FOX NFL Sunday Michael Strahan forced to correct Terry Bradshaw on FOX NFL Sunday after confusing Chiefs remark Bradshaw then told Strahan: "Now Michael, that hurt my feelings." Strahan then apologized for his savage comment, but was dealt a dose of karma as Menefee moved things on to focus on the struggling New York teams, and added: "Speaking of Michael, you may want to cover your ears for this next segment." Strahan spent his entire 15-year NFL career with the New York Giants after being selected in the second round of the 1993 NFL Draft, and poetically won the Super Bowl in his final season (2007). The Giants won the Super Bowl again four years later after Eli Manning outclassed Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. However, the Giants are currently enduring a disastrous season and dropped to 2-9 on Sunday after losing 30-7 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Giants started second year quarterback Tommy DeVito against the Buccaneers, after agreeing to release Daniel Jones earlier this week. Jones didn't perform well enough to keep his starting role, and after signing a four-year, $160 million extension in 2023, the Giants made the decision to drop him to the bottom of the depth chart and end his stint with the team. Rather than wait until the end of the season to pursue other options, Jones requested to be released immediately. The situation became increasingly ugly on Sunday after the game, as rookie Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers was adamant that their losing streak had nothing to do with the quarterback and appeared to suggest it's a coaching issue. "It ain't the quarterback," Nabers said in the Giants locker room. "Same outcome when we had DJ (Daniel Jones) at quarterback. It ain't the quarterback." When asked if it was down to the play-calling, Nabers replied: "I don't know." Want to watch more live sports? Peacock has your favorite sports, shows, and more all in one place. Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99 so you can stream live sports like NFL, Premier League, and Big Ten Football.
Boost for FTSE as investors pile into UK shares: But £317m inflow may be temporary reprieve
Texans need win over Dolphins and loss by Colts Sunday to clinch 2nd straight AFC South titleOregon started signing day behind Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten recruiting rankings and was poised to finish Wednesday on top. The Ducks flipped five-star cornerback Na'eem Offord from the Buckeyes and four-star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele from California — additions that pushed them to No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in the Big Ten in the 247Sports Composite rankings. A Big Ten-high four five-stars signed with the Ducks. Ohio State's class, ranked fifth in the country, is highlighted by a pair of national top-five prospects in quarterback Tavien St. Clair and cornerback Devin Sanchez. Michigan's class was rated third best in the Big Ten and seventh best in the nation. Quarterback Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 national recruit, was scheduled to sign his letter of intent with the Wolverines on Wednesday evening. Two other Big Ten teams were ranked in the top 20, No. 13 Southern California and No. 17 Penn State. Oregon closed with a flourish with Offord and Sagapolutele flipping on signing day and four-star linebacker Gavin Nix switching from Miami on Tuesday. The Ducks signed some of the nation's top prospects at wide receiver and cornerback. Dakorien Moore is the No. 1 receiver and Dallas Wilson is No. 4. Offord is the No. 2 corner, Brandon Finney is No. 5 and Dorian Brew is No. 8. They also signed a second quarterback, the four-star Akili Smith Jr., whose father was the Ducks' quarterback in 1997-98 and an NFL first-round draft pick. Five-star quarterback Husan Longstreet was USC's top signee, and the Trojans beat out Ohio State and Oregon for five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart. Penn State landed the No. 4 offensive lineman in the country in Malachi Goodman. Among eight four-star defensive players to sign was linebacker LaVar Arrington Jr., whose father was a 1998 All-American for the Nittany Lions and No. 2 overall draft pick in 2000. Nebraska signed four-star linebackers in Dawson Merritt and Christian Jones and got a pleasant signing-day surprise when four-star wide receiver Cortez Mills flipped from Oklahoma. Iose Epenesa, the No. 14 national prospect and No. 3 defensive lineman, continues his family's tradition at Iowa. The edge rusher from Edwardsville, Illinois, is the brother of former Iowa star AJ Epenesa. Another brother, Eric, is a walk-on linebacker for the Hawkeyes. Their father, Eppy, played at Iowa in the 1990s. ... Indiana's breakthrough season produced a minimal bump in the recruiting rankings. The Hoosiers, who signed 21 players, went from No. 16 last year to No. 13 in the Big Ten. . ... Maryland signed four four stars, including the nation's No. 5 quarterback prospect in 6-foot-4, 215-pound Malik Washington. ... Michigan State didn't sign a four-star recruit for the first time since at least 2009. ... Purdue, three days after the firing of Ryan Walters and coming off one of the worst seasons in program history, signed just six players. Michigan's NIL collective reportedly offered Underwood an eight-figure financial package and Tom Brady provided a strong nudge to get him to flip from LSU two weeks ago. Underwood is from Belleville, Michigan, less than a half-hour drive from Ann Arbor, and he has said playing close to home also was a factor. Underwood is the first No. 1 national prospect to land at Michigan since defensive end Rashan Gary in 2016. An Ohio State stocking cap sat alongside Auburn and Oregon ballcaps on a table at Offord's signing ceremony at Parker High in Birmingham, Alabama. He picked up the Auburn cap and put it on for a split-second, then flipped it into the crowd and put on the Oregon cap. With three of the top eight cornerback prospects and four-star safety Trey McNutt expected to sign, the Ducks would have the highest-rated group of defensive backs. 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
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The College of Business and Economics at Qatar University (QU), in collaboration with the edX platform, has launched the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Certificate Program, the first of its kind in the Arab world to be offered in Arabic. The program aims to equip individuals aspiring to develop an entrepreneurial mindset and capabilities to create innovative ideas and projects or gain a competitive edge to advance their professional careers. It provides participants with strategic insights and practical skills to thrive in today's competitive business environment. The program comprises four specialized courses addressing key entrepreneurial skills: entrepreneurial business management, entrepreneurial marketing, entrepreneurial marketing, change and innovation management. Speaking about this milestone, Dr Rana Sobh, Dean of the College of Business and Economics at QU, stated, "the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation is a landmark achievement, addressing a long-standing need for accessible, high-quality entrepreneurship education in Arabic. This program empowers participants to innovate, lead, and create meaningful value in their respective industries while celebrating and leveraging their cultural and linguistic heritage." For his part, Dr Mohammad al-Smadi, Director of the Digital Learning and Online Education Center at QU, emphasized the program's importance, saying, "this program exemplifies our commitment to leveraging advanced digital learning technologies to provide accessible, high-quality education. By offering the Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Arabic, we are empowering learners to gain essential skills through a flexible and engaging online platform, tailored to meet the needs of the Arabic-speaking community in a rapidly evolving global landscape". According to QU's statement, current professionals, students, graduates, and those interested in innovation and entrepreneurship can register and benefit from this certificate, adding that the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Certificate Program offers significant flexibility, allowing participants to study online at their own pace. Graduates of the Program will be able to develop and implement successful projects, design innovative marketing strategies, explore various financing options, and lead institutional change processes to enhance innovation. The program will also qualify them for critical roles, such as establishing and managing startups or serving as key team members within them; working in innovation-focused roles within organizations, such as product development or operations management; providing specialized consulting in entrepreneurship strategies; leading digital and social entrepreneurial projects that combine innovation with positive impact; and contributing to education and mentoring for a new generation of entrepreneurs. (QNA) Related Story Qatar vows to enhance Arabic language in AI age: minister Arabic Book Club offers insight on publications about Gaza
Charlamagne calls on Dems to give up charade of 'moral high ground' after no primary, pardoning HunterA landmark defence pact between North Korea and Russia, signed by its leaders in June, has gone into effect after the two sides exchanged ratification documents, North Korea's official KCNA news agency said Thursday. The formalization of the treaty comes as the United States and South Korea have accused the nuclear-armed North of sending more than 10,000 soldiers to help Russia fight Ukraine. Experts say North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is keen to acquire advanced technology from Moscow and battle experience for his troops in return. Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the strategic partnership deal during the Kremlin chief's visit to Pyongyang. It obligates both states to provide military assistance "without delay" in the case of an attack on the other, and to jointly oppose Western sanctions. It came into effect from Wednesday, when the ratification documents were exchanged in Moscow by the countries' vice foreign ministers Kim Jong Gyu and Andrei Rudenko, KCNA reported. Lawmakers in Moscow last month voted unanimously for the deal and it was later signed by Putin. Pyongyang said it was ratified by a decree from Kim. The treaty will serve "as a strong driving force accelerating the establishment of an independent and just multi-polarized world order without domination, subjugation and hegemony," KCNA said. Analysts have suggested Pyongyang could be using Ukraine as a means of realigning its foreign policy. By sending soldiers, North Korea is positioning itself within the Russian war economy as a supplier of weapons, military support and labour — potentially even bypassing traditional ally, neighbour and main trading partner China, they say. North Korea and Russia have strengthened their military ties since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Both countries are under rafts of UN sanctions -- the former for its nuclear weapons programme and the latter for the Ukraine conflict. Kim said last week during a visit to Pyongyang by Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov that his government, army and people would "invariably support the policy of the Russian Federation to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity". Putin hailed the deal in June as a "breakthrough document". bur-sst/bjt
Ligand Pharmaceuticals: Buy This Strong Growing Pharma And Get A Stake In Dozens Of TherapiesBlack Friday deal on 'absolutely amazing' everyday Sol de Janeiro perfume that 'lasts ages'Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast (copy)
Here's Why This Nuclear Energy Stock Soared in NovemberNone
The Portland Trail Blazers hope to head home for Thanksgiving on a happier and healthier note when they conclude a five-game trip Wednesday night against the Indiana Pacers. The Trail Blazers stagger into Indianapolis after a short-handed 123-98 drubbing at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. Five regulars -- Scoot Henderson, Kris Murray, Matisse Thybulle, Donovan Clingan and Deandre Ayton -- all sat out with injuries. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Each year, an estimated 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving alone, with production largely concentrated in a handful of states. To determine the top turkey producers in the U.S., researchers ranked states based on 2023 total turkey production, measured in pounds. Click for more. Thanksgiving's Hometown Heroes: The States You Can Thank for Your Turkey Dinner
Costa Rica's digital identity reflects its international growth
The Amazon Omni Mini-LED (2024) delivers a stellar picture and intense audio. Wi-Fi 6E capability and a 144Hz refresh rate help optimize it for gameplay. The remote response and load times seemed a bit sticky. My two foremost considerations for buying a smart TV are price range and performance. Is it within my budget, and how does it stack up to competitors? Assessing those two factors alone can help determine the value you're getting for your purchase. Also: Mini LED vs. OLED: What's the difference, and which TV should you buy? While the 2024 Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED is not a budget model, it's impressive enough to give higher-end, more expensive televisions a run for their money. I tested the 65-inch version at our ZDNET lab -- while surveying the picture quality and experience of other, more premium sets -- to give you this breakdown. Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini LED (2024) The company's latest model features a Mini LED panel, a 144Hz refresh rate, and useful AI features. What's new with this model Amazon's latest iteration in the Fire 4K TV Omni series ambitiously combines the precise control of brightness and contrast of mini-LED backlighting with the vibrant colors and wide viewing angles of QLED. That, plus its picture-enhancing Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive features, results in images with superb depth and detail. In addition to these visual improvements, Amazon upgraded its audio potential from a pair of 12W speakers to a 2.1 system, meaning it added a subwoofer to complement the Omni Mini-LED's left and right speakers. This better equips the TV to make the most of its Dolby Atmos technology and create a spatial, three-dimensional surround sound experience. Also: Changing these 5 soundbar settings made my living room feel like a movie theater The Omni Mini-LED also has better Wi-Fi support than older models, now able to operate on Wi-Fi 6E. Besides futureproofing, this allows for faster data rates if your router is compatible. (The Amazon Eero Pro is a ZDNET-recommended option, and now it has a new model available.) Speaking of accelerated processing, it shouldn't come as a surprise that this is Amazon's fastest Fire TV ever. The Omni Mini-LED features a tantalizing 144Hz refresh rate for hardcore gamers, and PC gamers especially can take advantage of AMD FreeSync Premium Pro to smooth out gameplay and reduce latency. While we're seeing more premium sets hit the 165Hz rating, 144Hz is still a significant step up from the 60Hz we typically see on mid-range TVs. Further, the Fire TV now has two HDMI 2.1 ports in case you'd like to connect devices beyond your Xbox or PlayStation console. It also comes with two HDMI 2.0 ports, an ethernet connection, and an eARC port for a soundbar or peripheral speakers. Also: The best TVs of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed Three features stand out that separate the Omni Mini-LED from lower-end options: motion detection, hands-free operation, and its Ambient Experience, which, according to Amazon, "turns your TV into an all-day useful display." Motion detection is a sweet addition because the TV's integrated radar sensor will notice motion in the room to wake up the unit when idle, displaying a customized screen saver and preferred widgets, like weather information. This feature is part of its Ambient Experience -- a mode in which you can use AI to create your own art to display 24/7, if you so wish. I asked it, for example, to create a "bioluminescent coral seascape." Here is what the AI came up with. A sample of the Omni Mini-LED's generative AI artwork. The hands-free Alexa feature allows you to search for and launch your desired content (and also adjust volume) without even touching the remote. If you don't want your smart TV to hear everything you say, you can turn this off via a manual switch buried at the bottom of the unit's frame. Or, holding down the single blue button on the remote allows you to communicate your requests more discreetly. Setup and performance The Omni Mini-LED's initial setup required jumping through the usual hoops: setting up Wi-Fi, adding apps, opting in or out for Amazon-specific ad features, and so on. One of the first options while setting up included changing the default Picture Mode to a different mode for better picture quality. Do this. Making the switch only invokes a minor increase in power consumption, which adds up to spending a few more pennies per month, so it's worth it. I tried all the picture options and found "Movie Bright" looks best on the Omni Mini-LED. Notably, the Netflix app wasn't an available option in the initial setup, but when I logged into my Prime account, it included all the apps I downloaded there. That process, after attaching the unit's two metal feet to its base, was fairly swift and breezy. Also: LG's G4 OLED TV is my pick for best picture quality, and it's $800 off for the holiday season With Prime's extensive library at my fingertips, I chose to watch Outer Range (in 4K) to get a first impression. And I was impressed by its 1,400 nits of peak brightness and 768 dimming zones which yield a sharp, bright picture and superb contrast, even in a well-lit room. As I always do when setting up a TV for testing, I experimented with the Omni Mini-LED's settings to maximize (in this case) its QLED potential. It's interesting to note that its UX allows access to settings with two different menus: one from the Home screen, and one within each app. For example, pressing the remote's gear icon Settings button while watching a movie gives you limited menu options compared with clicking on the gear icon from the Home screen. Navigating through the options, I turned on AI Picture and Adaptive Brightness under the "Intelligent Picture" option. This purportedly adapts the picture according to your room's current light and color, and the AI upscaling will fine-tune details to keep high-res images sharp. Under Advanced Picture Settings, I further turned on Super Resolution and set both Edge Enhancer and Noise Reduction on high. Also: Changing these 6 TV settings instantly sped up its performance The Omni Mini-LED's native volume is intense, partly thanks to the inclusion of that subwoofer upgrade. Dolby Atmos support and its new 2.1 speaker system also help bring richness and clarity to the sound. While testing, I was more than comfortable with the volume set at 23 out of 100. For comparison, I often need to push the volume on my 2018 Samsung up to 70+ to get comprehensible dialogue. For this Omni TV, in the Advanced audio settings, I found the option called Clear Voice to be best, and I went ahead and turned on Volume Leveler: High. With these settings in place, I was satisfied that I was getting the most out of the Omni Mini-LED in terms of sound and vision. Overall, I only have a couple of minor gripes, and they are persnickety. The network speed at our lab checks out at a respectable 130 Mbps. Despite that, I found the load times lagged a bit when switching between shows and apps, implicating the Fire TV OS as dragging its feet. With a strong Wi-Fi signal, I was surprised to see what was ostensibly buffering between transitions. My other gripe is even more nitpicky. I noticed a delay in the TV's response to pressing any button on the remote. Granted, we're talking about a matter of one or two seconds. If you're impatient like me, though, you might be tempted to hit a button twice when you don't get an instant, immediate response, toggling you back to where you were. This drives me crazy, but I know it's no big deal. ZDNET's buying advice Looking for a mid-range TV that rivals brands with a higher price tag but similar qualities? The Omni Mini-LED is a worthy contender at its list price of $1,089. It offers convincing upgrades from prior Fire TV models and exceeds the needs of many viewers and game players with its lofty specs. If you're keen on Google TVs, consider the Hisense Class U8 -- the company's flagship version of a mini-LED panel. ZDNET's Taylor Clemons suggests it may eclipse the Omni Mini-LED in terms of gaming performance, but its list price is generally higher when not on sale. Specifications (compared to competitors) Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini LED (2024) Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED (2022) Hisense U8N (2024) Display type QLED, Mini LED QLED QLED, Mini LED Resolution 4K UHD 4K UHD 4K UHD HDR formats HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10+ Gaming HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Advanced HDR Refresh rate 144Hz in gaming mode 60Hz 144Hz HDMI ports 2x HDMI 2.0 / 1x HDMI eARC 2.1 / 1x HDMI 2.1 3x HDMI 2.0 / 1x HDMI eARC 2.1 2x HDMI 2.0 / 2x HDMI 2.1 Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E and Ethernet Wi-Fi 6 and Ethernet Wi-Fi 6E and Ethernet Sizes 55", 65", 75". 85" 43" (LED), 50", 55", 65", 75" 55", 65", 75". 85", 100" Price $819 - $2,099 $449 - $1,099 $798 - $4,997 How we test TVs While testing and researching the TVs featured on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind: Price: Not all budgets are created equal. And if you're working with a limited budget, that shouldn't mean you have to settle for a sub-par TV. Each TV model on this list has been chosen across a variety of price points to help accommodate different needs. Screen size: The most important factor to consider, after price, when shopping for a new TV is whether or not it will fit into your space. Each best TV on this list was chosen because they are available in a wide variety of sizes to suit different rooms. Picture and audio quality: A new TV doesn't mean much, even if it costs an arm and a leg, if it doesn't provide a great picture and clear audio. Each TV on this list has been ensured to support various HDR codecs, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, as well as enhanced audio software like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and object-tracking sound. For a more detailed look, check out our extensive TV testing methodology . Why I pick this ultraportable Lenovo tablet over the iPad Air for multimedia consumption I tested the new Kindle Scribe for two weeks, and it beat my ReMarkable in several ways One of the best QLED TVs I've tested isn't made by Samsung or Hisense These Beyerdynamic earbuds delivered glorious sound for any kind of music I played