The Yoto Mini children's speaker, with a lithium-ion battery, has been recalled due to a fire risk, with seven complaints of overheating or melting reported. Parents are advised to move the speakers out of reach of children and cut the charging cable, then request a free "smart cable" to prevent overheating. An automatic software update has also been implemented to improve battery management. The recall affects about 270,000 speakers, with most in the US.
Yoto has recalled its Mini speaker due to a charging cable issue that can cause the lithium-ion battery to overheat and catch fire, affecting 251,165 devices in the US and 19,721 in Canada with the PRPLXX00860 SKU. Owners can receive a free replacement Mini Smart Cable and a $20 voucher by logging into Yoto’s website, adding the speaker’s serial number, and uploading a photo of the cut charging cable.
During a PMQs session focused on racist comments, veteran MP Diane Abbott stood up 46 times to catch the Speaker's attention but was not selected to ask a question of the prime minister. The alleged comments by a Tory donor about Ms Abbott dominated the debate, and a spokesperson for the Speaker said he "ran out of time" to call on her.
Samsung's popular The Frame TV, known for its aesthetic appeal and art display capabilities, is expanding into the realm of audio with the introduction of the Music Frame, a customizable speaker designed to blend seamlessly into home decor. The Music Frame features built-in woofers, intelligent audio processing, and Q-Symphony technology for surround sound when paired with Samsung TVs and soundbars. Pricing details have not been revealed, but the speaker is expected to launch alongside Samsung's new TV and home theater lineup in the spring.
Former Trump aide Alyssa Farrah Griffin claims that Kevin McCarthy's decision to exit the House of Representatives is a strategic move to politically harm Speaker Mike Johnson. McCarthy's departure further weakens the already slim GOP House majority, leaving Johnson with only a two-vote margin. Griffin accuses McCarthy of being petty and suggests that if he had distanced himself from Trump after the events of January 6, the GOP could have moved on and potentially experienced a "red wave." However, McCarthy's actions have emboldened the far-right faction of the party, and Johnson's fate may mirror McCarthy's if he fails to appease them.
Best Buy has launched a Sonos Black Friday sale, offering discounts on various Sonos devices including soundbars and speakers. The Sonos Arc is recommended as a top pick, priced from $900 with a savings of $181, while the more affordable Sonos Ray is available for $223 after a $57 discount. The Sonos Roam, a portable speaker, is on sale for $134 instead of $180, and the Sonos Era 100 is $50 off, priced from $249. With high demand for Sonos devices, it is advised to make a quick decision as these deals may not last long.
Three weeks before being elected as Speaker, Mike Johnson expressed his concerns about American culture during a prayer call, stating that it was "dark and depraved" and almost irredeemable. He cited low church attendance and the high percentage of high school students identifying as LGBTQ as evidence of the country's decline. Johnson's past comments and writings on homosexuality and same-sex marriage have garnered attention since his election. His hard-line views on social issues, rooted in his Christian faith, are out of step with mainstream public opinion. Johnson has attempted to distance himself from his previous statements without repudiating them.
Tennessee Rep. Tim Burchett claimed that House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy elbowed him in the back after a meeting, sparking an altercation. McCarthy denied the allegation, but Burchett confronted him, accusing him of the act. The incident occurred following McCarthy's removal from the speakership last month.
Democrats are preparing to help save another Republican speaker from a government shutdown, as they aim to avoid a repeat of the 2018-2019 shutdown that damaged the GOP's reputation. With the current funding deadline approaching, Democrats are expected to work with Republicans to pass a short-term spending bill to keep the government funded and prevent a shutdown.
Republican Mike Johnson, a conservative with little leadership experience, has been elected as the new Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, ending a three-week leadership vacuum. Johnson, known for his conservative stances on social issues and his unsuccessful attempt to overturn the 2020 election results, won the party-line vote and immediately called up legislation to signal support for Israel. As the least experienced House speaker in decades, Johnson faces the challenge of advancing spending legislation, addressing the national debt, and responding to President Joe Biden's funding requests. Democrats criticized his positions and election denialism, while Republicans are divided on further support for Ukraine. Johnson's inexperience may have worked in his favor, as he takes on the role in a divided House with little room for error on controversial votes.
The House of Representatives approved a resolution backing Israel and condemning Hamas in a 412-10-6 vote, marking the first legislation to pass the lower chamber in over three weeks due to the Speaker stalemate. The resolution, the first under Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), expresses support for Israel's right to self-defense and calls on Hamas to cease violent attacks and release all hostages. The resolution comes after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,000 civilians and the kidnapping of more than 200 people.
Only 1 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning independents favored Mike Johnson (R-La.) as the Speaker of the House, according to a recent poll. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) received the most support with 23 percent, followed by former President Trump with 15 percent. Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) had 6 percent support. Johnson's low standing in the poll is likely due to his lack of national recognition. The poll also revealed that support for McCarthy's ouster dropped as the Speaker vacancy continued.
Republicans held a closed-door forum to find consensus on a new speaker for the US House of Representatives, but failed to reach a decision. The party has been divided between rightwing hardliners and more mainstream Republicans, causing a leadership vacuum since former speaker Kevin McCarthy was ousted. The infighting has stalled congressional action on funding needs for Israel, Ukraine, and the federal government. Republicans are concerned that none of the declared speaker candidates will be able to secure the necessary votes on the House floor. The party is set to meet on Tuesday to continue the selection process.
The recent bid for House speaker by Jim Jordan has revealed four distinct groups within the House Republican party. Approximately 40% of Republicans consistently supported Jordan, aligning with the right-wing faction. Another 25% of rank-and-file Republicans accepted Jordan as a compromise choice, indicating the acceptance of the House Freedom Caucus within the party. Around 25% of Republicans initially resisted supporting Jordan but eventually acquiesced, possibly due to pressure from conservative activists. The remaining 10% opposed Jordan, with some being moderate members and others being conservative dissenters. While the dissenters were able to prevent Jordan from becoming speaker, the future may see the conservative faction gaining more power within the party.
