Author: John Spears

"Infuriatingly humble tv expert. Friendly student. Travel fanatic. Bacon fan. Unable to type with boxing gloves on."

Sony has announced a major overhaul in its Bravia product lineup for the 2024 models, simplifying model names to make it easier for consumers to navigate their range of TVs and entertainment products. The new Bravia lineup includes mini-LED TVs with local dimming zones, OLED TVs, soundbars, and more, all under the trusted Bravia brand. At the top of the line is the Bravia 9, a mini-LED LCD model available in 65-, 75-, and 85-inch varieties, boasting to be the brightest 4K TV Sony has ever produced. Following closely is the Bravia 8 OLED, featuring 75-inch, 65-inch, and 55-inch options,…

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In a significant move towards reviving semiconductor manufacturing in the United States, the White House has announced a whopping $6.4 billion in funding for Samsung. This funding is part of the Biden administration’s efforts to bring chipmaking back to the country and reduce America’s dependence on foreign manufacturers. The focus of this funding will now shift towards areas like memory chips, which are crucial for powering artificial intelligence. This announcement comes as billions of dollars are potentially being distributed to companies in the semiconductor industry to boost domestic production. A substantial portion of the $39 billion set aside for manufacturers…

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US House Speaker Mike Johnson is making headlines with his recent proposal for wartime aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. Johnson has unveiled a strategy that includes pushing for separate votes on aid for each country, deviating from the $95 billion aid package passed by the Senate in February. Despite mounting pressure from President Joe Biden and top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, Johnson has declined to allow a vote on the Senate funding package in the House. This has led to escalating conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine as the House struggles to act. Johnson’s approach is facing opposition…

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Hundreds of New Yorkers will be reporting for jury duty on Monday morning in Manhattan for the highly anticipated trial of former U.S. president Donald J. Trump. Lawyers for Trump and prosecutors from the Manhattan district attorney’s office will be tasked with selecting 12 jurors and several alternates from the pool of potential jurors. The selection process will involve both sides trying to uncover any biases that could potentially sway the outcome of the trial. Prospective jurors will be asked a series of questions in an effort to gauge their impartiality, all while being in close proximity to Trump himself.…

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Global markets saw a slight rebound today following the recent tensions between Iran and Israel that threatened to disrupt the fragile economic stability. European stocks and US equity index futures experienced gains, while oil prices dropped on speculation that the conflict would not escalate further. President Biden reportedly assured Israeli Prime Minister that the US would not support a counterattack, easing some fears in the market. However, investors remain on edge due to concerns of inflation and higher interest rates, injecting fresh volatility into the markets. Analysts are closely monitoring the situation, predicting that oil prices could surpass $100 a…

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Residents in the Haleiwa area are on high alert after highly dense populations of the Aedes albopictus mosquito, a known vector of the dengue virus, were found around a resident’s home and surrounding area. The Hawaii Department of Health has also confirmed another travel-related case of dengue in the area, prompting public health officials to urge the community to take additional precautions to protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases. With high visitor traffic in areas like Haleiwa Harbor, the risk of mosquito-borne diseases spreading is a major concern. Vector control teams are currently treating the area and monitoring for any signs…

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The Trypilska power plant in Ukraine became the latest target in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as a massive missile and drone attack left the plant in flames. The attack destroyed crucial infrastructure such as transformers, turbines, and generators, cutting off power to 3 million customers in the Kyiv, Cherkasy, and Zhytomyr regions. Workers at the plant managed to save their lives by hiding in a shelter during the attack. Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed that the strikes were in retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. This attack comes on the heels of similar strikes on…

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Title: Apple Stock Soars After Mac Overhaul Announcement In a surprising turn of events, Apple Inc. saw a 4.3% increase in its stock value on Thursday following the announcement of a major overhaul of its Mac computer line, with a focus on artificial intelligence. This change came after a period of underperformance that saw the tech giant’s stock down 15% from its December high. Investors showed their approval of Apple’s new AI strategy by adding a whopping $112 billion in value to the company. Market strategists are optimistic about the impact of this new direction, with some believing it could…

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United Launch Alliance’s Delta IV Heavy rocket took to the skies for the final time on Tuesday, marking the end of an era for the powerful but costly launch vehicle. The rocket, known for its extravagant visuals during liftoff thanks to its RS-68 engines creating a fireball effect, has been a staple in the world of commercial spaceflight. Despite its spectacular appearances, the Delta IV Heavy was plagued by high costs and a low flight rate, leading to its retirement. NASA had once considered the rocket for its Orion spacecraft, but ultimately decided to move forward with the Space Launch…

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NASA has awarded contracts to three companies for the design of a lunar terrain vehicle that will transport astronauts around the Moon during the Artemis missions. Intuitive Machines, Lunar Outpost, and Venturi Astrolab have been selected to develop a vehicle that will be operational by 2030 for the Artemis V crew. The companies will conduct a year-long feasibility study to meet NASA’s requirements for the vehicle. Intuitive Machines received a $30 million contract for the assessment, with the total value of the contract program reaching $4.6 billion. The selected company will also conduct a demonstration mission to validate the vehicle’s…

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