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By LOLITA C. BALDOR and TARA COPP (Associated Press)

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. and British militaries bombed more than a dozen sites used by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen on Thursday, in a massive retaliatory strike using warship- and submarine-launched Tomahawk missiles and fighter jets, U.S. officials said.

The U.S. Air Force’s Mideast command said it struck over 60 targets at 16 sites in Yemen, including “command-and-control nodes, munitions depots, launching systems, production facilities and air defense radar systems.”

President Joe Biden said the strikes were meant to demonstrate that the U.S. and its allies “will not tolerate” the militant group’s ceaseless attacks on the Red Sea. And he said they only made the move after attempts at diplomatic negotiations and careful deliberation.

“These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea — including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history,” Biden said in a statement. He noted the attacks endangered U.S. personnel and civilian mariners and jeopardized trade, and he added, “I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.”

Associated Press journalists in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, heard four explosions early Friday local time. Two residents of Hodieda, Amin Ali Saleh and Hani Ahmed, said they heard five strong explosions hitting the western port area of the city, which lies on the Red Sea and is the largest port city controlled by the Houthis. Eyewitnesses who spoke with the AP also said they saw strikes in Taiz and Dhamar, cities south of Sanaa.

The strikes marked the first U.S. military response to what has been a persistent campaign of drone and missile attacks on commercial ships since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. And the coordinated military assault comes just a week after the White House and a host of partner nations issued a final warning to the Houthis to cease the attacks or face potential military action. The officials described the strikes on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Members of Congress were briefed earlier Thursday on the strike plans.

The warning appeared to have had at least some short-lived impact, as attacks stopped for several days. On Tuesday, however, the Houthi rebels fired their largest-ever barrage of drones and missiles targeting shipping in the Red Sea, with U.S. and British ships and American fighter jets responding by shooting down 18 drones, two cruise missiles and an anti-ship missile. And on Thursday, the Houthis fired an anti-ship ballistic missile into the Gulf of Aden, which was seen by a commercial ship but did not hit the ship.

In a call with reporters, senior administration and military officials said that after the Tuesday attacks, Biden convened his national security team and was presented with military options for a response. He then directed Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who remains hospitalized with complications from prostate cancer surgery, to carry out the retaliatory strikes.

In a separate statement, U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the Royal Air Force carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by the Houthis. The Defense Ministry said four fighter jets based in Cyprus took part in the strikes.

Noting the militants have carried out a series of dangerous attacks on shipping, he added, “This cannot stand.” He said the U.K. took “limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defense, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.”

The governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea joined the U.S. and U.K. in issuing a statement saying that while the aim is to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea, the allies won’t hesitate to defend lives and protect commerce in the critical waterway.

Russia, however, requested an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on the strikes. France, the current council president, said it will take place Friday afternoon.

The rebels, who have carried out 27 attacks involving dozens of drones and missiles just since Nov. 19, had warned that any attack by American forces on its sites in Yemen will spark a fierce military response.

A high-ranking Houthi official, Ali al-Qahoum, vowed there would be retaliation. “The battle will be bigger … and beyond the imagination and expectation of the Americans and the British,” he said in a post on X.

Al-Masirah, a Houthi-run satellite news channel, described strikes hitting the Al-Dailami Air Base north of Sanaa, the airport in the port city of the Hodeida, a camp east of Saada, the airport in the city of Taiz and an airport near Hajjah.

The Houthis later Friday said the strikes killed five people and wounded six, without elaborating on who the casualties were.

A senior administration official said that while the U.S. expects the strikes will degrade the Houthis’ capabilities, “we would not be surprised to see some sort of response,” although they haven’t seen anything yet. Officials said the U.S. used warplanes based on the Navy aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and Air Force fighter jets, while the Tomahawk missiles were fired from Navy destroyers and a submarine.

The Houthis say their assaults are aimed at stopping Israel’s war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But their targets increasingly have little or no connection to Israel and imperil a crucial trade route linking Asia and the Middle East with Europe.

Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council passed a resolution Wednesday that demanded the Houthis immediately cease the attacks and implicitly condemned their weapons supplier, Iran. It was approved by a vote of 11-0 with four abstentions — by Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique.

Britain’s participation in the strikes underscored the Biden administration’s effort to use a broad international coalition to battle the Houthis, rather than appear to be going it alone. More than 20 nations are already participating in a U.S.-led maritime mission to increase ship protection in the Red Sea.

U.S. officials for weeks had declined to signal when international patience would run out and they would strike back at the Houthis, even as multiple commercial vessels were struck by missiles and drones, prompting companies to look at rerouting their ships.

On Wednesday, however, U.S. officials again warned of consequences.

“I’m not going to telegraph or preview anything that might happen,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told reporters during a stop in Bahrain. He said the U.S. had made clear “that if this continues as it did yesterday, there will be consequences. And I’m going to leave it at that.”

The Biden administration’s reluctance over the past several months to retaliate reflected political sensitivities and stemmed largely from broader worries about upending the shaky truce in Yemen and triggering a wider conflict in the region. The White House wants to preserve the truce and has been wary of taking action in Yemen that could open up another war front.

The impact on international shipping and the escalating attacks, however, triggered the coalition warning, which was signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Transit through the Red Sea, from the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, is a crucial shipping lane for global commerce. About 12% of the world’s trade typically passes through the waterway that separates Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, including oil, natural gas, grain and everything from toys to electronics.

In response to the attacks, the U.S. created a new maritime security mission, dubbed Operation Prosperity Guardian, to increase security in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Aden, with about 22 countries participating. U.S. warships, and those from other nations, have been routinely sailing back and forth through the narrow strait to provide protection for ships and to deter attacks. The coalition has also ramped up airborne surveillance.

The decision to set up the expanded patrol operation came after three commercial vessels were struck by missiles fired by Houthis in Yemen on Dec. 3.

The Pentagon increased its military presence in the region after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in Israel to deter Iran from widening the war into a regional conflict, including by the Houthis and Iran-backed militias in Iraq and Syria.

____

Associated Press writers Ahmed al-Haj in Sanaa, Yemen; Jack Jeffery in London; Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations; and Zeke Miller, Aamer Madhani and Seung Min Kim in Washington contributed to this report.

Our favorite stainless steel appliances will make your kitchen functional and stylish

One of the main reasons that homeowners love stainless steel appliances is their sleek appearance. From new builds to classic houses, they give the kitchen of any type of home an updated appearance that feels fresh and contemporary.

Aesthetics are certainly important when selecting new appliances for your kitchen, but that isn’t the only reason to love appliances that sport a stainless steel finish. Many of today’s models also offer useful features that make life in the kitchen a bit easier. Our roundup of beautiful stainless steel refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers and microwaves will help you complete your kitchen in modern style.

Reasons to love stainless steel appliances

The beauty of stainless steel appliances is the advantage that stands out. They give a kitchen a modern appearance and make it feel rich and inviting. They also look great with almost any type of kitchen design or decor. What’s more, if you plan to sell your house in the future, stainless steel appliances are a plus that appeals to many buyers.

Homeowners want their appliances to last, which is another reason to invest in those that are crafted of stainless steel. The material is strong and durable and will last for years with proper care. Lastly, stainless steel’s non-porous structure resists bacteria and germs. This characteristic makes the material ideal for the kitchen where cleanliness is a must.

Cons of stainless steel appliances

We think that the pros of owning stainless steel appliances definitely outweigh the cons. However, there are a few considerations before you decide if this special finish will be right for your kitchen and budget.

One of the first things you may notice when shopping for stainless steel refrigerators, dishwashers and other kitchen appliances is that they are often pricier than those with a black or white finish. The higher price tag is due in part to the material and manufacturing process. However, the result is a beautiful appearance and durability that justifies the cost for many consumers.

Stainless steel is also prone to smudges, smears and fingerprints that are quite noticeable. This requires frequent cleaning to keep the finish gleaming. Some stainless steel appliances have a matte coating that makes these flaws less noticeable.

It’s also important to keep in mind that many stainless steel finishes are non-magnetic. However, this is a minor concern, as placing magnets on a premium finish would detract from its appearance even if it were possible.

Best stainless steel kitchen appliances Top stainless steel refrigerator

[ Samsung 28 Cubic Foot 4-Door French Door Refrigerator ]

What you need to know: If you are looking for a gorgeous stainless steel refrigerator with lots of modern features, you won’t be disappointed with this roomy model by Samsung.

What you’ll love: This refrigerator features a spacious interior with a French door design and onboard water and ice. It has Wi-Fi connectivity so you can control its functions with your smart device. The stainless steel finish looks great and resists fingerprints.

What you should consider: While it’s a pricey model, it offers ample features and great looks that justify the price.

Top stainless steel refrigerator for the money

[ LG 20-Cubic-Foot Top-Freezer Refrigerator ]

What you need to know: This classic top-freezer model is a good choice for anyone who wants a stainless steel refrigerator at a reasonable price.

What you’ll love: With a traditional design that features a top freezer, this fridge is both practical and attractive. The crisper drawers keep fruits and vegetables fresh thanks to the temperature-control technology. The price falls on the lower end of the spectrum for a stainless steel model.

What you should consider: The 20-cubic-foot capacity may not be spacious enough for large households.

Top stainless steel range

[ LG 6.3-Cubic-Foot Smart Slide-In Electric Range ]

What you need to know: Lots of impressive features and a gorgeous design make this electric range a good choice for a high-end kitchen.

What you’ll love: Features such as a large interior, built-in air fryer and convection heating making this range ideal for avid cooks. It also boasts a beautiful design with a stainless steel finish that resists smudges and fingerprints.

What you should consider: This large range won’t fit well in some smaller kitchens.

Top stainless steel range for the money

[ GE 30-Inch 4.8-Cubic-Foot Gas Range ]

What you need to know: Anyone who wants a stylish yet affordable gas range will appreciate this stainless steel option.

What you’ll love: This stainless steel range boasts simple controls and four large burners. It has a modern design and is available at a fraction of the price of many ranges with this popular finish.

What you should consider: It has fewer features than some similar models, but you may not mind considering the value.

Top stainless steel dishwasher

[ KitchenAid 24-Inch Top-Control Built-In Tall-Tub Dishwasher with PrintShield ]

What you need to know: Quiet and effective, this dishwasher is an impressive model that is ideal for anyone who wants a stainless steel option with lots of bells and whistles.

What you’ll love: The homeowner who prefers an ultra-modern dishwasher will love this model’s clean lines and modern build. It has a third rack that maximizes the generous interior space. It’s quiet too.

What you should consider: We wish that the cycles weren’t quite so long.

Top stainless steel dishwasher for the money

[ Samsung 24-Inch Top Digital Touch Control Dishwasher ]

What you need to know: If you are looking for a beautiful stainless steel dishwasher that won’t break your budget, this is the one to buy.

What you’ll love: Although it’s quiet to operate, this dishwasher is highly effective at cleaning dishes. It can fit up to 14 place settings. The price falls on the lower end of the scale for this type of finish.

What you should consider: The drying functions aren’t as reliable as the wash cycles.

Top stainless steel microwave

[ Panasonic 2.2-Cubic-Foot 1,250-Watt Microwave ]

What you need to know: This is a feature-rich stainless steel microwave that’s ideal for large households and spacious kitchens.

What you’ll love: We love that this model delivers 1,250 watts of power for fast results. It has sensor technology that adjusts to cooking needs. Ample presets and a roomy interior are also some of its highlights.

What you should consider: The controls come with a learning curve, and the large size isn’t ideal for small countertops.

Top stainless steel microwave for the money

[ Farberware 1.1-Cubic-Foot 1,000-Watt Microwave ]

What you need to know: The price and looks of this model make it a good choice for the budget-minded shopper who wants both value and beauty.

What you’ll love: Although this microwave has useful presets, 1,000 watts of power and a stainless steel finish, it’s available at a reasonable price point. It looks great too.

What you should consider: This microwave isn’t the quietest option.

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Jennifer Manfrin writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Services like ChatGPT will make finding real reviews difficult

Artificial intelligence has been receiving a lot of buzz lately on social media.

Easy access to programs like ChatGPT, which allows users to quickly generate paragraphs on whatever topic they use to prompt it, is going to affect several industries. Online shopping will acutely feel its effects, especially places like Amazon, Walmart, Yelp and others that rely on users posting their reviews based on their real-life experiences.

Fighting against fake reviews is nothing new for these online retailers, with Amazon in recent years taking steps to tamp down on inflated 5-star reviews and sellers that paid people to review their products. But the introduction of these AI programs to flood the sites with reviews is going to pose a new challenge.

Of course, we are glad when AI reduces some menial tasks. For example, products, such as robotic vacuums and smart thermostats, are always appreciated. But when technology threatens to mislead people spending their money, shoppers should take a moment to ensure they aren’t duped when making purchasing decisions.

The threat of AI misinformation is real

If there was one thing the pandemic proved, it was that you can find information online that backs up any argument. Unfortunately, not all of that information is valid or accurate.

Fake reviews give a consumer unwarranted trust in a product, which leads to making poor purchasing decisions. With open-source AI now available, the internet could experience a period where shoppers are inundated with even more unreliable information. Meaning, you must learn a process to find the truth to ensure you don’t waste your money. Basically, you’ll want to be even more careful and be sure to take the basic steps to protect yourself.

5 ways to guard against fake reviews

3 ways to avoid online scams

Using AI to mislead consumers can go beyond merely publishing a multitude of fake reviews. AI can be employed to create more convincing scams by combining legitimate information, photos and videos with erroneous information and phishing links. To keep yourself safe, follow these three practices:

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Jacob Palmer writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.

BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

By CHRIS BURROWS

Associated Press

OXFORD, Miss. — Jaemyn Brakefield scored 28 points, Jamarion Sharp added a school-record nine blocked shots and Mississippi dominated the second half to defeat Florida 103-85 on Wednesday night.

Brakefield was 11 of 16 from the field and the Rebels (14-1, 1-1 SEC) outscored Florida 21-10 in the opening seven minutes of the second half to build a 65-50 lead. The Gators (10-5, 0-2) never got closer than 13 points again.

Matthew Murrell scored 23 points, Allen Flanigan had 17 and Jaylen Murray added 12 in a balanced Ole Miss attack. The Rebels finished 39 of 66 (59%) from the field, including 8 of 20 (40%) from the 3-point line, led by Murrell with three 3s.

Walter Clayton Jr. and Zyon Pullin led Florida with 23 and 18 points. Florida was 31 of 75 from the field (41%) and 5 of 17 (29%) from 3.

“They definitely did a good job of pressuring us and taking us out of our stuff, but we knew that was coming,” Clayton said. “That’s how they play defense and we just weren’t able to run what we wanted to. On defense, they hit a lot of tough shots and got a lot of offensive rebounds.”

Ole Miss led 44-40 at halftime on the strength of a 16-2 run midway through the half, capped by consecutive 3s by Murray.

Big picture

Florida: After finishing 6-0 in December, Todd Golden’s squad is 0-2 in January with road games at No. 5 Tennessee and No. 6 Kentucky later this month. Aside from Clayton and Pullin, the Gators struggled to find offense.

Mississippi: An impressive bounce-back performance for Chris Beard’s squad after losing 90-64 atTenne ssee. Since 2018, the Rebels have won four consecutive games against Florida in Oxford. In the past six games, Brakefield is 45 of 66 (68%) from the field.

Up next

Florida: Will host Arkansas on Saturday.

Mississippi: Will host Vanderbilt to complete a two-game home stand on Saturday.

 

By DAVID BAUDER, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — As Donald Trump’s two main Republican rivals slugged it out Wednesday on a Iowa debate stage, the former president appeared across town on a Fox News Channel town hall in a counterprogramming move where few discouraging words were heard.

Trump walked onstage to cheers and chants of “USA,” stayed at the end to sign autographs and heard one audience member blurt out “love you” after he took her question.

He was barely challenged by questioners who left several challenging topics on the table — like Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election, his support for Capitol insurrectionists and legal arguments this week in which his lawyers claimed he had immunity from any potential crimes he might have conducted while in office.

When asked about his previous statements that a second term as president would be about retribution for his enemies, Trump said he wouldn’t have time for it.

“The ultimate retribution,” he said, “is success.”

It was Trump’s first live appearance on Fox News since 2022, and how the network handled it was closely watched. It came less than a year after Fox agreed to pay Dominion Voting Systems $787 million to settle a lawsuit related to lies told in the aftermath of the 2020 election.

Fox instituted a soft ban against Trump in the opening days of the Biden administration, and the former president has complained about some of its personalities being insufficiently loyal to him.

His standing atop 2024 presidential polls, however, put him in a position of strength. While Fox held Iowa town halls with Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley outside of prime-time hours in the past week, Trump demanded that his town hall air in direct competition with the CNN debate between his two rivals.

Moderators Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum had their own challenge: not to allow the town hall to go off the rails, as a similar town hall televised by CNN last May did, while also not alienating a network audience filled with Trump supporters.

They did it by not interrupting Trump with fact-checks. After Trump criticized how DeSantis responded to COVID as governor of Florida, MacCallum said, “DeSantis would argue with your characterization.” During an abortion discussion, when Trump suggested “radical” Democrats supported killing babies after they were born, it was not challenged.

The event stood in contrast to sharp questioning by CNN’s debate moderators, who put both candidates on the defense at points and revealed some policy differences between Haley and DeSantis.

Baier asked Trump whether he could say that political violence is never acceptable. The former president said, “Of course, that’s right,” but then said that President Joe Biden “is bedlam.”

His court fights came up when MacCallum asked how he’d respond to a DeSantis statement about a potential Trump general election campaign being essentially left up to a jury in a Washington, D.C., courtroom.

“It’s a witch hunt,” Trump said.

He was interrupted several times by applause and even laughter — like when he said about former rival Chris Christie, who was caught on a hot mic Wednesday saying that Haley was going to get “smoked” in the voting, that it was “one of the few things he’s been right about.”

The majority of questioners said they were Trump supporters, including one expected caucusgoer who returned to the former president after attending one of the other candidate town halls, saying she had been undecided.

One man, who said he was a Trump supporter, said some of his friends had turned away from the former president because they feared “four years of chaos due to your haters.”

Trump — and the audience — backed that characterization.

“Most of the chaos was caused by Democrats constantly going after me,” he said, to the audience’s applause.

For Trump, the appearance capped off a pre-primary season where he refused to appear at any debates featuring his rivals.

By NICHOLAS RICCARDI, Associated Press

There were only two Republicans on the presidential debate stage Wednesday, as former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis met for the highest-stake face off yet just five days before the nominating process formally starts with Iowa’s caucuses.

Haley and DeSantis’ spirited debate came in the shadow of a live town hall held by the man who is dominating the primary contest, Donald Trump. The former president, of course, has stayed away from all five debates, holding a rival town hall Wednesday on Fox News. The one Republican candidate whose entire campaign has been based around stopping Trump, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, suspended his campaign just hours before the debate.

J. Patrick Rice / Special to the SentinelFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis (L) and former US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley attend the fifth Republican presidential primary debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 10, 2024. (Photo by CHRISTIAN MONTERROSA/AFP via Getty Images)

Christie wasn’t scheduled to be on the stage anyway as the field was whittled down to the only two candidates who are battling for a very distant second to Trump.

Here are early takeaways from the event:

THE FIGHT FOR SECOND

Ever since debates began in August, Trump’s absence has created a surreal scene of politicians badly trailing in the polls talking about what they’ll do when they win the presidency. On Wednesday, at least, it was painfully clear that the remaining contenders in the Republican primary are fighting for second place.

The opening question was why each of the two candidates thought they were the best option for voters who didn’t want to support Trump. That set the stakes squarely about second place and the candidates snapped to it.

Haley opened the debate by touting a new website to track DeSantis’ “lies.”

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Orlando SentinelFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during the fifth Republican presidential primary debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 10, 2024. (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

DeSantis countered: “We don’t need another mealy mouthed politician who just tells you what she thinks you want to hear, just so she can get into office and do her donors’ bidding.”

The sharpest exchange came after Haley continued to needle DeSantis on how he ran his campaign, saying it showed he couldn’t be trusted to run the country if he could spend $150 million and have so much internal chaos and stagnant polling. When the Florida governor tried to interrupt her, Haley said: “I think I hit a nerve.”

DeSantis dismissed Haley’s criticism as “process stuff” that voters don’t care about and bragged about his conservative record in Florida while jabbing her for failing to pass school choice as governor.

It went on and on like that, with the two candidates constantly jabbing each other. They made swipes at Trump, but spent the overwhelming amount of time on the person standing at the podium next to them.

Tom Benitez / Orlando SentinelFormer US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley speaks during the fifth Republican presidential primary debate at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 10, 2024. (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

The political rationale is clear — Trump is 77 years old and faces four separate sets of criminal charges plus a bid to disqualify him from being president that is currently at the U.S. Supreme Court. Anything can happen, and if it does you’d rather be the runner-up than in third or lower. Plus, maybe Trump reaches down and picks his running mate from the top of the also-rans.

Trump’s campaign has already quipped that the debates are actually vice presidential debates and, during his Fox News town hall, suggested he already knew who his pick would be.

As has been the case, Wednesday’s debate didn’t seem likely to change the overall trajectory of the race, with Trump dominating. But at least there were some stakes.

ATTACKING TRUMP … CAREFULLY

By staying physically offstage, Trump has largely avoided being attacked in the debates. It’s tricky to criticize a man beloved by most Republican voters, and for the most part, the contenders haven’t bothered. But that’s been slowly changing, and continued to Wednesday.

Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda, Orlando SentinelFormer US President and 2024 Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump shakes hands with supporters as he leaves a town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, on January 10, 2024. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

DeSantis opened with what’s become his standard campaign sound bite that claims that Trump is only interested in “his issues” and DeSantis cares about “your issues.” Haley quickly criticized the former president for piling onto the federal deficit, not being strong enough against China and failing to end illegal immigration.

The main mission for both candidates was to vault into second. But there are increasing signs that both know that, if they make it there, they have to have an argument for why Republican voters should back them and not their former president.

No. 3 Kansas just could not get rid of the pesky UCF Knights basketball team Wednesday night. UCF pulled off its biggest victory in program history with a shocking 65-60 victory over the Jayhawks, but the biggest talk after the game came courtesy of the UCF fans.

Many of the 9,469 bodies in attendance at Addition Financial Arena stormed the court as the clock hit zeroes, and the party was on following UCF’s Big 12 home debut. The crowd was on its feet and loud the entire way, and it energized the Knights.

“Man, the court-storming was crazy. I’ve never seen anything like that,” UCF guard Jaylin Sellers said. “I kinda got up out of there. I just went to the locker room. I’ve never seen that many people around me like that.”

UCF fans storm the court at Addition Financial Arena after the Knights pulled off a shocking 65-60 upset of No. 3 Kansas, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. (Chris Hays/Orlando Sentinel)

It was a team effort that had coach Johnny Dawkins beaming.  He wanted his team to keep its composure Wednesday, and it did.

“I’ve seen it like this on several occasions over the years,” Dawkins said of the fans, “so I know it has a chance to be special, this environment. This is probably the entertainment capital of the world, definitely in our country. … We want to be one of the attractions.

“It was electric. The energy and enthusiasm in the building is why we won. That’s what we’ve talked about. We have to do this together. Our community came out and they rallied behind us.”

Dawkins was caught on video by the Knights video crew and posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) after the game @ucfknights:

LET’S GOOO @Coach_Dawkins pic.twitter.com/DGqf11JpLE

— UCF Knights (@UCFKnights) January 11, 2024

Darius Johnson hit a pair of free throws with 14.8 seconds left before Kansas missed two desperation 3-pointers as time ran out.

“Obviously we’re super excited,” Johnson said, “but, you know, we’re not shocked. We always know we can be able to compete at a high level. Moving forward we need to continue to work hard and continue to practice at a high level.”

It was the highest-ranked team UCF has ever beaten. The Knights beat No. 4 UConn 68-63 in 2011 in the Battle of Atlantis. The Knights also  defeated No. 6 Houston 69-64 in 2019, followed by a 58-55 victory over No. 19 Cincinnati.

“We kept believing, and our guys kept fighting,” Dawkins said. “We got off to a really good start in the game. They have a championship pedigree. A championship program. Great coach. And I feel like guys just kept fighting.”

Johnson finished with 17 points, Sellers had 18 and Ibrahima Diallo had 13 points and played tremendous defense to lead the Knights.

UCF’s 7-footer Diallo was blanketing Kansas 7-foot-2 center Hunter Dickinson all night, blocking shots, grabbing rebounds and putting shots over top of Dickinson’s outstretched arms. Dickinson struggled on defense with Diallo and picked up his fourth foul with 1:52 remaining. Dickinson managed just 12 points. He came into the game as the Big 12’s leading scorer at 19.3 points per game.

“I loved it. The crowd was so exciting and we needed to give them something,” Diallo said.

Diallo hit a short baseline jumper for a 59-57 edge with three minutes left and the Knights maintained that lead the rest of the way.

UCF players celebrate with fans who rushed the court after winning the Kansas at UCF college basketball game at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. UCF won the game 65-60. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

“I needed this one and there was something I needed to prove,” said Diallo, a native of Senegal. “We work the same thing every day in practice. My teammates trust me and they give me the ball, so I have to [convert].”

It was a far cry from the Knights’ performance in their Big 12 opener at Kansas State on Saturday, a 77-52 loss.

UCF used a variation of defenses, throwing an uncharacteristic zone at the Jayhawks, as well as a match-up zone and its customary man-to-man, even stretching it full-court at times. UCF collected 8 steals and forced 18 Kansas turnovers. The Knights frustrated the Jayhawks to the tune of them shooting just 32% from the field in the second half, including 3 of 11 from 3-point range, 6 of 18 overall beyond the arc.

“I thought it was important for us to mix it up,” Dawkins said.

Kansas guard Kevin McCullar Jr. said the defense was a difference.

“We turned the ball over at a high rate,” McCullar. said. “That leads to easy baskets for the other team. We have to take care of the ball better.”

Kansas coach Bill Self said he enjoyed the atmosphere, despite his team losing.

“They’ve got a talented bunch,” Self said of UCF. “I loved [the atmosphere]. … Can they beat anybody in our league in this building? Absolutely they can. … [especially] if the fans do their job like they did tonight.

“There’s no understating that they were better than us. On the flip side, we weren’t very good.”

McCullar led the Jayhawks with 16 points and he said he was not surprised with the competitive level the UCF players provided.

“It’s the Big 12. Every away game is going to be a tough environment,” McCullar said. “It was a big crowd tonight .”

Kansas coach Bill Self yells during the Kansas at UCF college basketball game at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel)

UCF came alive in the second half, surging to a 50-44 lead with a 21-7 run in the first nine minutes. It seemed that every Knights player had a piece in the turnabout. Sellers and Shemarri Allen were making plays all over, Johnson was burying 3s, Diallo was a force in the paint and C.J. Walker was applying some feisty defense. .

There were times when it appeared Kansas would run away with this game, but UCF kept clawing back.

In the first three minutes of the game, UCF had everybody fired up. After missing their first two shots, the Knights maintained possession with a pair of offensive rebounds, culminating in a 3-pointer from Sellers. UCF hit three straight baskets and led the Jayhawks 7-0, prompting a timeout by Self.

Three minutes later, the game was tied 7-7, and Kansas (13-2, 2-1 Big 12) began its roll and eventually led by 16 points.

UCF (10-4, 1-1) did not surrender. The Knights kept fighting. In the first half, every time it appeared as if the Jayhawks were about to run away, UCF would fight back. Trailing 23-12 with 9:05 left before halftime, UCF got a shot-clock-beating 3-pointer from Sellers and the crowd lit up again.

On the ensuing KU possession, Walker came up with a steal and he raced down the court for a breakaway layup, but KU’s Nick TImberlake tracked him down and hammered him before the shot. The foul caused a bit of a dust-up under the basket and nearly into the seats as security quickly rallied to control the situation. UCF’s Thierno Sylla came off the bench during the altercation and was ejected from the game.

UCF got within 23-17, but KU ripped off another run of eight straight points and threatened to pull away again, 35-19 with 3:44 left in the half.

But back stormed UCF with its own 10-0 run and the Knights trailed just 37-29 at the break.

“We knew we couldn’t get it all back in one possession,” Dawkins said. “So what we wanted to do was chip away, chip away. And I thought we did that by halftime, and we carried that momentum into the second half.”

Chris Hays covers high school and college football and college football recruiting. You can find him on X @OC_ChrisHays and on Instagram @OS_ChrisHays. He can be reached vis email at chays@orlandosentinel.com. 

MIAMI — Observations and other notes of interest from Wednesday night’s 128-120 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder:

– Well, this is getting interesting.

– So when the Heat roster is whole (assuming such a time exists), who starts at power forward?

– Nikola Jovic certainly has been tantalizing in these emergency starts, even earning closing-time minutes in this one.

– Haywood Highsmith offered reminders Wednesday night why he was shifted into the starting role earlier this season, closing with a career scoring high.

– And Caleb Martin said he is getting closer to a return from his ankle sprain, having shown all that needs to be shown during last season’s playoffs.

– For Highsmith, there is the versatility to play elsewhere in the rotation, as shown by his defensive turn Wednesday night at shooting guard against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

– Something that Martin also can do.

– While Jovic is somewhat power forward or bust.

– All of which could make it interesting at the Feb. 8 NBA trading deadline.

– With Martin and Haywood both impending free agents this summer.

– So trade while still able to get something in return?

– Or value just how much Highsmith and Martin could mean defensively this season?

– It could well come down to a waiting game with Jovic.

– With the Heat at least now knowing a potential direction to turn at the position next season.

– When Jovic will be all of 21.

– With Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry and Martin out, the Heat moved to a 20th different starting lineup in their 37th game.

– This time it was Bam Adebayo, Jovic, Highsmith, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyler Herro.

– Butler remained out with his toe injury, with Lowry sitting with a hand sprain and Martin with his ankle sprain.

– The Thunder opened with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Josh Giddey, Lu Dort, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren.

– Josh Richardson played as the Heat’s first reserve. He had been on the injury report earlier in the day with neck spasms.

– Kevin Love also entered in the Heat’s first substitution.

– Duncan Robinson made it eight deep for the Heat.

– And that basically was it.

– As Jamal Cain, RJ Hampton, Orlando Robinson and Thomas Bryant watched.

– The Heat entered having won their previous six games against the Thunder, the franchise’s longest winning streak against Oklahoma City.

– The matchup featured two of the top candidates for Rookie of the Year, the Heat’s Jaquez and the Thunder’s Holmgren.

– “I know there’s going to be a narrative of top rookies in our class,” Jaquez said ahead of the matchup. “He’s got great size. He can space the floor. He can pass. On defense he’s a great presence.”

– Asked pregame about the Heat, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said, “They just are the essence of competition. They don’t quit. They’re grimy. They’re willing to do hard things. They’ve done that for years. It seems like every player that wears their uniform embodies that. And so it’s a test in terms of reaching that bar.”

– He added, “They’ve really done an incredible job of building a first-class organization in the way that they operate, and certainly the way they’ve been able to maximize their team. We’ve talked a lot about wanting to be a team where the whole is better than the sum of the parts. And they’re done that consistently for a long, long period of time, through a lot of different circumstances.”

–  Daigneault also said that playing the Heat can open a window to the opposition.

– “They’re a team that has schemed very well against us in the past,” he said. “They’re a team you can tell when we play them, they’ve got a play in that’s specific to our team. And where we are, that’s helpful to us, to kind of learn how an opponent that we respect is viewing our team, is viewing ways to attack us and ways to try to neutralize certain things that we do.”

– Butler said amid his absences he remains confident in the team’s depth.

– “I’ve always seen this,” he said. “So this is nothing new to me. It may be new to individuals that aren’t in here every day, that’s not seen these guys work on their game, gain confidence through that.”

– Richardson said the tight race in the middle of the East playoff pack is fascinating but hardly unprecedented.

– “Yeah, it gets like that sometimes,” he said. “I’ve been in it a couple of times. My rookie year, it came down to it, our last game, whether it was going to be sixth or third. So it’s the league. It’s the NBA. Every team is talented. Especially right now there’s a lot of teams that have a lot of pieces, a lot of guys that can really hurt you. So we just got to approach every game like it’s our last.”

MIAMI – The fine line the Miami Heat have been walking in the absence of Jimmy Butler turned into too much of a high-wire act Wednesday night.

Against one of the league’s emerging teams, there was neither enough deterrence nor a closer to take control late.

The result was a 128-120 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder that dropped the Heat to 1-1 on this four-game homestand that continues Friday night against the Orlando Magic.

“That’s a very good basketball team,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said of the Thunder, who stand third overall in the NBA. “They’re high level, very talented.”

Standing as the ultimate face of youth in the NBA, the Thunder got 28 points and eight assists from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 23 points and nine rebounds from Chet Holmgren and 19 points, 12 assists and nine rebounds from Jalen Williams.

“They’re young and they attack you from all angles,” Heat guard Tyler Herro said. “We weren’t aggressive enough on the defense.”

Unable to contain the Thunder either in man-to-man or zone, the Heat fell despite 25 points, 11 rebounds and six assists from Bam Adebayo, a career-high 19 points from Haywood Highsmith. 21 points from Jaime Jaquez Jr.  and 17 points from Herro.

The Thunder closed at .593 from the field.

“System discipline,” Spoelstra said, “that’s where we made a lot of mistakes. That’s what a really good team can do to you.”

Spoelstra said once the Heat’s shots stopped falling, the defense further lost its way.

“That’s where we’re going to be better,” he said, “is to be able to defend whether we’re making shots or not.”

Adebayo said the defense has to be a constant.

“Obviously this is a league of talented players, so they’re going to make tough shots,” Adebayo said. “But for us it was the lackadaisical plays.”

In addition to Butler, the Heat also were without Kyle Lowry and Caleb Martin.

Five Degrees of Heat from Wednesday night’s game:

1. Closing time: The Heat led 35-29 at the end of the first period and 69-65 at halftime. The Thunder then went on a 13-0 run to start the third period and went into the fourth up 99-96, after nine lead changes in the third.

As was the case at the start of the second half, the Thunder began to distance themselves at the start of the fourth quarter, leading to a  Spoelstra timeout 1:25 into the period.

It further crumbled from there, as the Heat reverted to their fourth-quarter struggles, with Spoelstra again forced to call time with the Heat down 112-97 with 7:14 to play.

The Heat scored the first six points out of that timeout to move within 112-103 and force a Thunder timeout.

Later, a 10-0 run got the Heat within 126-120 with 68 seconds to play after a pair of Jaquez 3-pointers.

Herro then had a chance to make it a 3-point game with 44.2 seconds to play but was off on a fading 3-pointer, effectively ending it.

“I’ve seen him make a ton of those shots,” Spoelstra said of Herro’s off-balance attempt. “That’s a makeable shot. And he makes that, then all of a sudden things change.”

Herro said he thought there was enough contact to earn a trip to the line.

“I thought I had got fouled,” Herro said of putting up that 3-point attempt.

2. Another lineup: After missing three games while in concussion protocol and then playing in Monday night’s victory over the Houston Rockets as a reserve, Highsmith returned to the starting lineup.

With Butler, Lowry and Martin out, the Heat wound up with their 20th lineup of the season, this time opening with Highsmith, Adebayo, Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic.

“It was a lot to like at the beginning of the game,” Spoelstra said of the new lineup. “And it just stalled out.”

Butler missed his fifth consecutive game with a right toe MP joint sprain. Lowry was out with the hand sprain sustained Monday against the Rockets. Martin missed his seventh consecutive game with a sprained right ankle.

3. Highsmith impact:  Highsmith hit two early 3-pointers, with eight points in his initial 10:56 stint and was the first Heat player to reach double digits in scoring.

He was up to a team-high 13 points at halftime and 19 through three quarters. His previous season high had been 15 and his career high had been 18.

“I was just in a good rhythm today,” Highsmith said.

Perhaps more significantly, he provided stout defense early against Gilgeous-Alexander, on a night the Heat were limited in their perimeter defensive options.

Gilgeous-Alexander still closed at 11 of 17 from the field.

“I was just trying to find my niche defensively,” Highsmith said. “All I could do was make it as tough as possible.”

4. Not enough: Unlike other nights when Herro and Adebayo helped the Heat overcome the absence of Butler, this was not one of those nights.

Herro struggled with his 3-point shot and required a high shooting volume to reach his final scoring total. He closed 7 of 21 from the field, including 1 of 5 on 3-pointers.

He did not score in the fourth quarter.

Adebayo missed several point-blank attempts and largely was outplayed by Holmgren, before coming around late. Adebayo closed 9 of 16 from the field, 7 of 7 from the line.

“That’s the flow of the game,” Adebayo said, “You can’t dictate the game from the start. You’ve got to worry how to finish.

“It becomes my turn at some point, and my turn was in the fourth.”

Adebayo (13) and Jaquez (11) combined for all 12 of the Heat’s fourth-quarter points.

Of Holmgren, who blocked three shots, Spoelstra said, “Holmgren really changed a lot of things for us at the rim.”

Adebayo seconded the notion.

“I feel like he’s a good fit for that team,” Adebayo said of Holmgren. “Their energy toward each other is blended.”

5. Jovic again: Jovic again showed his craftiness, showing a variety of skills on the offensive end, from his bustout dribble, to clever play in the lane to a pull-up 3-pointer.

He was up to 12 points by halftime, with nine in the second quarter. He then earned the trust of Spoelstra to play fourth-quarter minutes.

Jovic closed with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.

“It’s been incremental progress going back to summer league,” Spoelstra said of Jovic. “He adds a different dimension to our team.”

CORAL GABLES — Mike James scored 26 points and Louisville scored the last nine points and beat Miami 80-71 on Wednesday night to end a four-game losing streak against the Hurricanes.

Louisville (6-9, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), which also ended a three-game skid overall, won its first game at Miami since 2019.

Curtis Williams made a pair of 3-pointers for Louisville to bookend a 10-1 surge that tied it 57-all midway through the second half. The game was tied five more times, the last at 71-all on Mathew Cleveland’s alley-oop dunk for Miami, with 3:28 remaining.

Louisville ended the game by making 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Miami missed its last seven field goals.

James was 8 of 12 from the floor, with five 3-pointers, and 5 of 6 at the free-throw line. Brandon Huntley-Hatfield added 22 points and nine rebounds for Louisville. Williams chipped in three from long range and finished with 13 points.

Cleveland scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Miami (11-3, 2-1), which has lost two consecutive games since its 95-82 win against then-No. 16 Clemson. Wooga Poplar added 18 points and had four from long range.

Poplar made three 3-pointers and scored 13 points in the first half to help Miami build a 41-37 advantage. The Hurricanes scored 17 points from 11 Louisville turnovers. The Hurricanes opened the second on a 15-10 spurt for a 56-47 lead — their largest advantage of the game.

Miami, which entered shooting a nation-best 42% from distance, shot 32% (11 of 34) against the Cardinals.

UP NEXT

Miami is on the road against Virginia Tech on Saturday.

Can mushroom coffee help you live a healthier life?

The secret to achieving goals is moving forward in realistic increments. If you want to get from point A to point B, you may be able to do that by taking 10 steps. However, trying to cover the same distance in one mighty leap could prove impossible and result in repeated frustration.

When striving to live healthier, for instance, which is a top goal this time of year, the road to success is filled with many small steps forward. These steps can be as simple as adding a little dried and milled mushroom powder to your coffee.

What is mushroom coffee?

Mushroom coffee is not new. It has been around for over 80 years. Finnish people reportedly used chaga mushrooms as a coffee substitute during World War II. It is, however, trending now, and gaining more attention than ever because of its potential health benefits.

Mushroom coffee is not so different from regular coffee. You can make it simply by dehydrating medicinal mushrooms, grinding them into a fine powder and mixing that powder with your coffee. After that, you prepare mushroom coffee the same way you prepare regular coffee. For convenience, you can purchase mushroom coffee as ground coffee blends, instant coffee packets, coffee pods or even non-dairy coffee creamer.

What are medicinal mushrooms?

The first use of medicinal mushrooms dates back thousands of years, long before mushroom coffee was invented. With functional medicine and holistic nutrition becoming ever more mainstream, there has been a renewed interest in these ancient remedies. Medicinal mushrooms are fungi that are believed to have beneficial properties, which include providing immune support, increasing energy and stamina, supporting the brain and nervous system, balancing blood sugar and more.

Is drinking mushroom coffee beneficial to your health?

While medicinal mushrooms have health benefits and contain fiber, vitamins and minerals, do you really gain any benefit by mixing them in with your coffee? As long as you aren’t adding an excessive amount of sugar and creamer, the medical community’s current stance is there’s nothing bad about this trend. Also, considering the fact that mushroom coffee has less caffeine and has been shown to remove cortisol from the body, which may help manage stress, the benefits are measurable.

However, as with almost all foods, it is better to go to the source and eat whole mushrooms to receive the maximum benefits. But then again, if you do not enjoy eating whole mushrooms and having a daily cup of coffee is already part of your morning routine, don’t mess with a good thing. Simply switch to mushroom coffee to experience the benefits.

What are the potential cons of drinking mushroom coffee?

When adding mushroom coffee to your diet, it is important to do it strategically. Start with one type and monitor any changes in your body or symptoms you might experience. Mushrooms are not tolerated well by everyone, so you may experience some digestive issues. Additionally, some mushrooms, such as chaga, are high in oxalates, so drinking mushroom coffee could increase the occurrence of kidney stones in some individuals.

It is also important to remember that the beneficial effects of mushroom coffee have yet to be verified by the medical community, so results may vary. And, depending on the type of blend you prefer, mushroom coffee may be more expensive.

What does mushroom coffee taste like?

For the average person, mushroom coffee tastes like regular coffee. The powdered mushroom will not be enough to overpower the coffee flavor. Also, it is important to understand that the medicinal mushrooms used in the preparation of mushroom coffee do not contain any psilocybin, so you will not experience any hallucinations.

What you need for mushroom coffee

[ Mushroom Coffee Ground Dark Roast Organic Lion’s Mane Coffee ]

This premium dark roast is blended with lion’s mane mushrooms. The two primary ingredients are intended to increase alertness, memory, focus and concentration. Additional properties in the lion’s mane help reduce stress to give you a balanced boost of energy without the unpleasant side effects of caffeine.

[ La Republica Organic Mushroom Coffee ]

La Republica’s offering contains a blend of seven mushrooms with each chosen to add a specific health benefit. This coffee is touted as being able to reduce stress, increase energy, boost immunity, improve digestion, deliver antioxidants and more.

[ Organic Mushroom Ground Coffee by Four Sigmatic ]

This is a dark and nutty brew that contains both lion’s mane and chaga mushrooms. The carefully formulated blend delivers all the benefits of focus and mental stimulation without the jitters or crash of regular coffee. It comes in a 12-ounce bag and can be prepared whichever way you like.

[ VitaCup Focus Ground Mushroom Coffee ]

Besides a full-bodied medium roast made from arabica beans, this invigorating blend contains lion’s mane and chaga. As expected, these ingredients help increase memory, focus and concentration. However, this gourmet vegan option also contains a wealth of vitamins, including B1, B5, B6, B9, B12 and D3 for additional benefits.

[ Mushroom Coffee K-Cups by Four Sigmatic ]

If you love your mushroom coffee but have a pod machine, don’t worry. These K-cups from Four Sigmatic will suit your needs. This box of 24 sustainable pods helps with focus and immunity.

[ KOS Mushroom Coffee ]

There are five types of mushrooms in this keto-friendly blend: lion’s mane, chaga, red reishi, turkey tail and cordyceps. You can use this dark chocolate mocha flavored blend as a non-dairy coffee creamer, mixed with hot water or added to baked goods recipes.

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Setting up a video doorbell alternative can save you money over time

Video doorbells are an ideal way to improve your home security. Still, many video doorbell manufacturers charge monthly fees that can add up over time. Luckily, you can set up your own outdoor surveillance system to avoid subscription costs. We sat down with our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about setting up a video doorbell alternative.

What is a video doorbell?

Video doorbells are home security devices with small cameras, motion detectors and an alert system. These devices connect to your home’s Wi-Fi to alert you when someone approaches your door or rings your doorbell. In most cases, they have small speakers and microphones, letting you communicate with people approaching your door.

What you need to make your own video doorbell alternative Network-attached storage enclosure

NAS enclosures are file storage devices that let machines on your network store files on a hard disk drive. These devices are ideal for DIY security systems, as they’re designed to remain on at all times. Alternatively, you can use a computer or laptop like the Mac Mini.

Camera

You’ll need a camera that can connect to your network. It’s best to buy a model designed to be used outdoors. Ideally, you’ll want a real-time-streaming-protocol camera, as these allow you to view your camera’s live video stream from various devices and programs. Still, most internet protocol cameras will work even if they don’t support RTSP.

Software

You’ll need software to turn your setup into a security system. Apps like Synology Surveillance Station are an ideal choice. “You can use Surveillance Station to find the cameras on your network,” said Vazquez. “I use it to set up security zones and send me notifications when my cameras are triggered. All of these are built with apps, so you can set it up to check your front door from the other side of the world.”

Benefits of making your own security setup

Home security system FAQ Does Synology Surveillance Station charge monthly fees?

A. No, the software is included with most Synology NAS devices and includes two free camera licenses. Perpetual licenses for additional cameras can be purchased for around $50 each.

What is the Real-Time Streaming Protocol?

A. RTSP is a protocol that dictates how video is streamed from a device to an endpoint. In the case of a home security system, it is usually the protocol that dictates how live video is transmitted to phones, computers and other devices. “This protocol is specific to the use case of security cameras and isn’t used by services like Netflix,” Vazquez said.

Are there any video doorbells without monthly fees?

A. Certain video doorbells save your footage to an external storage device, such as an SD card, rather than the cloud. Some Kasa devices by TP-Link don’t require monthly fees, although you won’t get the same functionality as you would from having the subscription. Many Eufy video doorbells don’t require monthly payments, but given their track record, they aren’t an excellent choice for those concerned with privacy.

Expert-recommended tech for home security

[ ReoLink 4K PoE Security Camera System ]

This camera offers 4K video streaming with a wide viewing angle. It has spotlight and alarm capabilities to help deter intruders. Many were impressed with the color night vision.

[ Amcrest 5MP Turret POE Camera ]

This camera has a built-in microphone and a wide viewing angle. The image quality is top-notch, and it offers motion-detection alerts. Many were impressed with its low-light recording capabilities.

[ Synology 2-Bay NAS DiskStation ]

This lets you share and sync data across various operating systems. It’s surprisingly easy to use. It comes with Synology Surveillance Station and two free camera licenses. Many were impressed with the intuitive user interface.

[ Synology 5-Bay DiskStation ]

You can add up to 10 additional drive bays. It comes with Synology Surveillance Station. Many were impressed with its ease of use.

[ Synology IP Camera License ]

This perpetual license lets you add an additional camera to your Synology Surveillance Station. You can purchase it as a one-pack, four-pack or eight-pack.

[ Apple 2023 Mac Mini ]

The Mac mini is the perfect alternative for those who don’t want to buy an NAS. This model features 8 gigabytes of unified memory and 256GB of internal storage. Most said they enjoyed its performance and quiet operation.

Doorbell cameras worth checking out

[ Kasa Smart Video Doorbell ]

This hardwired video doorbell is one of the few that doesn’t require a subscription. It’s compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. It has a 30-foot night-vision radius for low-light recording. The built-in speaker and microphone let you talk to people at your door.

[ Logitech Circle View ]

This wired video doorbell is an excellent choice for Apple HomeKit fans. The video quality is excellent, and it features color night vision. Many said it was surprisingly easy to install. It has facial recognition and customizable activity zones.

[ Arlo Essential Video Doorbell ]

This features a wireless design and HD video capabilities. It’s compatible with Amazon Alexa. It has two-way audio and a built-in siren. It’s available in black or white.

[ Ring Video Doorbell Elite ]

This can be powered via an ethernet connection. It features night vision and two-way audio. The video quality is excellent.

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By DAVID SOLOMON

ST. LOUIS — Matthew Tkachuk scored his fifth career hat trick to help the Florida Panthers beat the St. Louis Blues 5-1 on Tuesday night for their eighth straight victory.

Sam Reinhart and Kevin Stenlund also scored for the Panthers, who have 36 goals during their winning streak. Anthony Stolarz made 29 saves.

Brayden Schenn scored and Joel Hofer made 26 saves for St. Louis, which had won two in a row.

Tkachuk scored into an empty net for his 11th goal of the season with 57 seconds left to complete his hat trick.

Tkachuk scored on one knee to give Florida a 3-1 lead 2:18 into the third period and got his second goal of the game 3:39 later to make it 4-1. He has six goals in the Panthers’ last four games after scoring only five in the first 36 games of the season.

Reinhart scored his team-leading 29th on a power play 1:11 into the second period to give Florida a 2-1 advantage.

Stenlund tied it 1-all when he scored his eighth goal on a feed from Jonah Gadjovich with 4:04 remaining in the first period.

Schenn got his ninth goal when he lifted Jake Neighbours’ rebound over Stolarz 3:24 into the first. Schenn hadn’t scored in 16 games since netting a pair of goals against Buffalo on Nov. 30.

UP NEXT

Panthers: Host the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night to open a five-game homestand.

TALLAHASSEE — Jamir Watkins scored 19 points and Darin Green Jr. scored 17 points and Florida State beat Wake Forest 87-82 on Tuesday night to end the Demon Deacons’ nine-game win streak.

Watkins made all 11 of his free throws, distributed nine assists and committed just three turnovers. Baba Miller scored 14 points and the Seminoles (9-6, 3-1 ACC) used depth off the bench to outscore Wake Forest’s reserves 26-13. Eleven players entered the scoring column for Florida State.

Florida State now has won three straight and five of its last six.

Cameron Hildreth scored 25 points for the Demon Deacons (11-4, 3-1), Kevin Miller scored 21, reserve Parker Friedrichsen scored 13 and Hunter Sallis 10.

The Seminoles led 42-41 at halftime and took advantage of Wake Forest’s cold shooting to start the second half. Florida State outscored Wake Forest 14-2 in the first six minutes after the break and led 56-43.

Hildreth’s two free throws were the only Wake Forest points during that stretch in which it missed all six shot attempts and committed six turnovers.

Wake Forest righted itself and began the march back and grabbed a 69-67 lead with 6:19 left. The advantage proved to be short lived as Watkins went on his own 5-0 run that included a pair of free throws and a three-point play and the Seminoles never trailed again.

Green threw down a dunk with 2:14 left to make it an 82-72 lead before Hildreth and Sallis made consecutive 3-pointers in a 36-second span. But Jalen Warley made 3 of 4 free throws and Watkins made a pair with 13 seconds left to seal it.

The Demon Deacons, who now have scored 80 points or more in seven consecutive games, host Virginia on Saturday. Florida State travels to face Notre Dame on Saturday.

 

Team reaction to Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s fire at his home, a deep look at the injuries linebacker Jerome Baker is dealing with and the storytelling of coach Mike McDaniel’s past bout with alcoholism were covered in Tuesday night’s eighth episode of HBO reality series “Hard Knocks” following the team in-season.

Local news coverage of Hill’s house on fire, along with him standing outside, was used on the show, while teammates inside Dolphins facilities were shown expressing concern with one another.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was saying he was trying to call and text Hill, to no avail. Fullback Alec Ingold was shown in a media interview saying it’s important teammates are present for Hill with whatever he needs.

Hill had to leave Miami’s Wednesday practice last week to attend to the accidental fire at his home. He was absent from Thursday drills and has been living away from home in the aftermath.

McDaniel had a candid talk with his team during the week about the eight-year anniversary of going sober.

The episode took a glance at his journey through being fired from his first paid coaching job with the Houston Texans, why he keeps the number 865 by his desk for the number of days he was out of the NFL and the moment McDaniel realized he had to stop drinking daily in order to achieve his career aspirations.

It was all in a week where the Dolphins were taking on the rival Buffalo Bills for the AFC East crown.

The episode went inside Baker’s four-week recovery from an MCL injury in his left knee suffered Dec. 3 to return for the regular-season finale, even showing some of his pool workouts inside team facilities.

Returning for what was essentially a divisional title game, Baker broke down the team’s practice huddle one day the past week passionately relaying his desire to knock off Buffalo, a divisional foe that has had Miami’s number in recent history.

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In the game, Baker hurt his right wrist while tackling Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid in the second half, initially clutching at it. He later aggravated the injury trying to take down quarterback Josh Allen on his key third-and-13 scramble for a first down.

The conversations between Baker, his mother and agent Drew Rosenhaus as word spread that he dislocated the wrist and needed surgery, effectively ending his season, were documented.

The general message inside the Dolphins locker room after the crushing loss was that the team won’t break from it and are still going into the playoffs.

The moment it was revealed to five Dolphins offensive players — Tagovailoa, Hill, running back Raheem Mostert, left tackle Terron Armstead and Ingold — that they made the Pro Bowl last week was shown. General manager Chris Grier was in the room with McDaniel and the players. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey was also a Pro Bowl selection for Miami.

Fellow cornerback Xavien Howard was seen in a cast on his injured left foot at team facilities.

The latest edition of “Hard Knocks” told Dolphins head of security Drew Brooks’ story. Brooks lost his son to Glioblastoma, a common form of brain cancer. Brooks has also had to recover from a torn triceps this season, which he hurt while on the sideline of Miami’s regular-season meeting against the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany when quarterback Patrick Mahomes rumbled into him.

The episode began with McDaniel’s speech to the team as it started the new year. The essence of it, coming off the Dec. 31 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, was to tear the bandage off and make a point that difficult things happen on the way to accomplishing anything special.

NEW YORK (AP) — A final round of legal documents released Tuesday in a court case related to Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuse of teenage girls was made up of testimony transcripts that were already largely public and dealt with allegations about misconduct by several rich and influential men whose names have been known for a decade or more.

The unsealed files included a 2016 deposition of Virginia Giuffre, a woman who said Epstein sexually abused her and arranged for her to have sexual encounters with men including Britain’s Prince Andrew starting when she was 17.

It also included a transcript of testimony by Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s former girlfriend, who insisted that Giuffre was a liar. There was also a deposition from Epstein himself, who refused to answer questions citing his Fifth Amendment right not to incriminate himself.

Those depositions had already been made public, though with some sentences or names blacked out.

Overall, the documents released since last week have added few details to what was already known about Epstein’s crimes. They did not contain the explosive revelations or new identities of abusers that some had predicted.

Epstein, a millionaire money manager, surrounded himself with celebrities, leading academics and big names from the fashion and political worlds before he was arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2006 and accused of paying underage girls for sex.

He served 13 months in a jail work release program. Outrage over his plea bargain, sparked by reporting in the Miami Herald, led federal prosecutors in New York to bring new sex trafficking charges against Epstein in 2019, and he killed himself in a federal jail cell while awaiting trial.

Prosecutors also brought charges against Maxwell, who is now serving a 20-year prison term for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.

Dozens of women say Epstein sexually abused them at his homes in New York, Florida, the Virgin Islands and New Mexico.

The documents released this month relate to a 2015 defamation lawsuit that Giuffre filed against Maxwell and was settled in 2017. Most of the court file has been public for years, but public interest in the documents soared after a judge ordered that some sealed sections be fully released.

Much of the lawsuit revolved around the truthfulness of Giuffre’s claims that Epstein had flown her around the world for sexual encounters with billionaires, politicians, royals and heads of state.

She initially kept the names of those men secret, but in a 2014 legal filing, she said her abusers included Prince Andrew, other royal figures whose names she didn’t know, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, the head of a hotel chain, noted academics, former U.S. Senator George Mitchell, French modeling scout Jean Luc Brunel, billionaire Glenn Dubin and law professor Alan Dershowitz, who had represented Epstein.

All of the men named by Giuffre denied her allegations.

Giuffre withdrew her claims about Dershowitz in 2022, saying she “may have made a mistake” in identifying him as an abuser. She said she “was very young at the time” and “it was a very stressful and traumatic environment.” Dershowitz campaigned to get documents related to Giuffre’s lawsuit unsealed, arguing that they would make his innocence more clear.

Giuffre settled a lawsuit against Prince Andrew in 2022.

Brunel, who was close to Epstein, killed himself in a Paris jail in 2022 while awaiting trial on charges that he raped underage girls.

The Associated Press typically does not name people who say they have been the victims of sexual abuse unless they go public with their stories, as Giuffre has.

MIAMI — The Miami Heat on Tuesday night announced the team has reached terms on an extension with coach Erik Spoelstra, who has been working in the final year of his contract. Terms of what the team termed “a long-term contract” were not disclosed.

A person familiar with the agreement told the South Florida Sun Sentinel the contract is for eight years, with a salary that puts the total value at $120 million, largest total in a contract ever for an NBA coach.

Spoelstra’s salary this season had been reported at $8.5 million. San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich is earning a reported $16 million this season, with Monty Williams receiving a reported $13 million in this first season with the Detroit Pistons. Spoelstra’s deal exceeds the largest previous total in a coaching contract.

Spoelstra, 53, took over as Heat coach from Heat president Pat Riley on April 28, 2008, now second in NBA coaching tenure only to Popovich. This is Spoelstra’s 16th season as Heat coach, his 29th as a member of the organization, having previously served as a video coordinator, scout and assistant coach.

Spoelstra has a 725-506 coaching record during the regular season and 109-75 postseason record that includes 12 playoff appearances, nine division titles, six conference championships and guiding the franchise to NBA championships in 2012 and ’13.

Since his ascension to head coach, the Heat have the third-best regular-season and fourth-best postseason winning percentages in the NBA.

In February 2022, Spoelstra was selected as one of the 15 Greatest Coaches in NBA history as part of the league’s 75th-anniversary celebration.

Spoelstra, who passed Riley on Miami’s all-time victory list with win number 455 on Dec. 16, 2017, has been honored as the NBA’s Eastern Conference Coach of the Month a franchise-record nine times.

Since stepping in as coach, following in the Heat’s lineage of Ron Rothstein, Kevin Loughery, Alvin Gentry, Riley and Stan Van Gundy, Spoelstra has coached a variety of roster types, first inheriting a lottery team; then coaching the Big Three of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh; then beginning a developmental process that eventually pushed the Heat to the NBA Finals in 2020 and then again last season.

Spoelstra is just the fourth coach to lead his team to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances, as he did during the Big Three era, joining Red Auerbach, K.C. Jones and Riley, all of whom have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame.

Since Spoelstra took over in 2008, no coach has recorded more playoff victories than Spoelstra’s 109 and his 23 postseason series wins are tied with Golden State’s Steve Kerr for the most the past 15 seasons.

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Spoelstra has recorded 834 total career wins (725 regular season and 109 postseason), the fourth-most by a coach with a single franchise, behind only Auerbach (Celtics), Jerry Sloan (Jazz) and Popovich (Spurs).

Additionally, Spoelstra has coached over 1,000 career regular-season games, becoming the third coach in NBA history to coach 1,000 or more games with only one franchise for his entire career, joining Popovich and Al Attles (Warriors).

Spoelstra served as an assistant coach to Kerr with Team USA at last summer’s World Championships in the Philippines and will be in the same role with USA Basketball at this coming summer’s Paris Olympics.

A Filipino American, Spoelstra is the first Asian American coach in the history of the four major U.S. sports leagues and the first Asian American coach to win an NBA title.

They have spied.

They have lied.

They have denied.

Now, sadly, the Michigan Wolverines have been rewarded with a national championship trophy.

And if it’s not hard enough to swallow that a bunch of cheaters won the national title on Monday night when Michigan ran over Washington 34-13, Wolverines coach Jim Harbaugh had the audacity to rub our noses in it with his you-can’t-touch-me smugness afterward.

“The off-the-field issues, we’re innocent and we stood strong and tall because we knew we were innocent,” Harbaugh said with a straight face. “Overcome that? It wasn’t that hard because we knew we were innocent.”

Puh-leeze.

If you believe Harbaugh and his coaching staff are innocent, you probably also believe there are a bunch of crime fighting Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles living in the sewers beneath New York City.

If the Wolverines are innocent then why was Harbaugh — the national championship-winning coach — suspended for half of the regular season (six games) for two different breaches of NCAA rules?

Why did Michigan itself levy a three-game suspension of Harbaugh as a good-faith effort to penalize the coach for alleged recruiting violations in 2020 in which the NCAA says Harbaugh lied to its investigators?

Why did Michigan agree to the Big Ten’s additional three-game suspension of Harbaugh at the end of the season for the comprehensive sign-stealing scheme orchestrated by Harbaugh staff member Connor Stalions? And why was Stalions fired only after the blatant cheating allegations became public?

And why did Michigan’s leaders, whom originally claimed they would fight the Big Ten’s suspension of Harbaugh in court, back down at the 11th hour after new information came out? Instead, they agreed to the Harbaugh suspension and swiftly fired Wolverines linebackers coach Chris Partridge instead.

Why?

Why?

Why?

Because Michigan and Harbaugh cheated.

The NCAA knows it.

The Big Ten knows it.

Even Michigan itself knows it.

But, as we all know, winning is the great deodorizer and covers up the stench that emanates from the gutter of college sports. As I wrote several weeks ago:

“We used to think of the University of Michigan as a bastion of academic excellence, as one of the nation’s premier research universities and arguably the most esteemed public university in America. Now when we think of Michigan, we think of just another sewer-dwelling, win-at-all-cost football factory that will do anything and everything in its power to win a national championship. The Wolverines, in their race to get to the top of the college football rankings, actually have sunk to the bottom of the cesspool known as college athletics.”

I’ve often said that sports fandom is much like partisan politics. In the political arena, for instance, Democrats and Republicans have been brainwashed by cable news and will rationalize lying, cheating and stealing to back their candidate no matter what.

Likewise, it’s the same in sports fandom. We’ll see a perfect illustration of what I’m talking about when the powerhouse Kansas Jayhawks basketball team jets into Orlando on Wednesday to play UCF in the Knights’ Big 12 home opener. Kansas coach Bill Self was implicated in the FBI investigation into Adidas reps bribing top players to sign with Kansas — the sneaker company’s most high-profile program.

Did Kansas react by firing Self? No, they gave him a big raise and a lifetime contract extension instead. Self responded by winning the 2022 national title and might win another one this year.

Good luck to squeaky clean UCF coach Johnny Dawkins as he tries to compete with a shady program such as Kansas in the years to come.

As you might expect, Michigan fans and leaders are responding to their cheating scandal much like Kansas did. They are scoffing at the allegations from the toothless NCAA and strongly backing Harbaugh because, well, he’s a Michigan man and he’s put the Wolverines back on top of college football.

They have actually convinced themselves that the sign-stealing was done by a renegade member of Harbaugh’s staff without the head coach’s knowledge. As if  such an elaborate scheme could take place within any program without the knowledge of the typically obsessive, micromanaging college football head coach.

Then there are those Michigan fans and Harbaugh apologists in the media who explain away the violations by claiming, “It’s no big deal. Everybody does it. If you ain’t cheating, you ain’t trying.” They also try to validate the tainted national championship by saying, “Michigan didn’t have to cheat to win and proved it by winning the rest of its games even after the sign-stealing scandal was uncovered.”

The obvious question: If the Wolverines didn’t think the sign-stealing would help them win then why did they do it in the first place? We’ll never know if Michigan’s program would have even been in the position to make the College Football Playoff without the cheating that took place over the last couple of seasons.

And shame on the Big Ten and the College Football Playoff Committee for even allowing the Wolverines the opportunity to play for the national championship. The Big Ten should have had the guts to make Michigan ineligible for the conference title.  And — even if that didn’t happen — the committee should have left the Wolverines out of the four-team playoff.

It should tell you about the ethics and morals of college football that the committee snubbed undefeated Florida State because of an injury to quarterback Jordan Travis, but they included Michigan despite a coaching staff that cheated to gain an unfair advantage over its opponents.

I hate to say it, but I will never again be able to listen to my once-favorite college fight song — Michigan’s “The Victors” — without changing the lyrics to more appropriately portray the new paradigm within the football program:

“Hail! to the victors spying …

Hail! to Harbaugh lying …

Hail! Hail! to Michigan …

Chicanery at its best! …

Hail! to elaborate sign-stealing …

Hail! to coaches double-dealing …

Hail! Hail! to Michigan …

The cheaters we detest!”

Email me at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Hit me up on X (formerly Twitter) @BianchiWrites and listen to my Open Mike radio show every weekday from 6 to 9:30 a.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and 969TheGame.com/listen

 

Is AI worth the additional cost?

When ChatGPT launched two months ago, it revealed advances in AI that made some people excited and others apprehensive. Microsoft is one of the most excited parties. The company is making a sizable investment in AI technology over the next few years in hopes of creating and commercializing new breakthroughs with the technology.

But what exactly is AI? How does it work? And which products currently make the most of this often controversial technology?

Does AI even really exist yet?

Technically, true artificial intelligence doesn’t exist yet. Machines aren’t arriving at unpredictable conclusions. Ultron is not plotting the extinction of the human race. Everything that software (and in turn, machines) can currently do is a matter of analyzing data to recognize patterns and make decisions based on an algorithm. There is no independent thinking or thinking outside the box. At least not yet. Everything the technology currently does is better defined as machine learning. However, artificial intelligence sounds cooler, so that’s the term that caught on and is typically used.

How does AI work?

What AI does is very basic. It looks at data, finds patterns and uses a predetermined set of rules to make a decision based on the patterns it finds. In simple terms, if you look up at the sky and it’s clear, you know it won’t rain. However, if you look up at the sky and see clouds, based on the type of clouds you see and your previous experience with those types of clouds, you weigh the possibility of rain and decide if you need an umbrella.

The feat that AI performs is not impressive. What makes it so valuable is the magnitude of data and speed. Typing a single word into a search engine proves AI can far outperform human abilities. Typing “dog” into Google, for instance, produces 5,440,000,000 results in 0.63 seconds. That’s where AI shines.

Why are people excited about AI?

AI has the ability to simplify the world for humans so you can live your best life. For instance, without AI, your phone couldn’t recognize your face and unlock it only for you. Similarly, by using the technology to fly planes, evaluate emergencies and help diagnose medical symptoms, AI can help people stay safe and allow them to live better, longer lives.

AI can also automate machines to eradicate menial tasks from your life. One of the best day-to-day examples of this is a robotic vacuum, which employs machine learning to map out your home and plot the most strategic route for cleaning. Many models can even empty themselves so you don’t have to think about vacuuming for months at a time.

Lastly, unlike humans, AI doesn’t need to sleep. It has your back 24/7, and it never complains. If you want to turn your thermostat down after you fall asleep, a smart thermostat can do that for you. It can also turn the heat back on and take the chill out of the air shortly before you wake up again.

Why are people apprehensive about AI?

Most of the reasons why people fear AI are because they don’t quite understand it. Machine learning, at this stage of its evolution, at least, does not “think outside the box.” It cannot simply decide that humans are inefficient and need to be exterminated. That has to be coded into the algorithm by a human.

However, there are some genuine concerns that the technology will take away jobs, and that has been the case throughout history. But whenever that happens, the technology creates a new type of workforce.

The most realistic aversion to AI, however, is that you can’t challenge its final decision. That, and the “thought process” is not transparent. If you change your look dramatically, your facial recognition software might not let you access your phone or laptop, no matter how much you argue and plead. If you think getting put in Facebook jail for no discernable reason is frustrating, imagine not being able to unlock your phone.

What makes a good AI product for a consumer?

The best AI products are ones that make your life easier or more enjoyable without increased effort on your part. They don’t frustrate you, make you uneasy or complicate your life. The best AI products don’t even have a learning curve; you can start using them right out of the box. Here are a few top AI products we’ve picked based on user feedback.

Best AI products for the kitchen

[ LG Side-by-Side Smart Refrigerator with Craft Ice and InstaView ]

Technically, this is not an AI refrigerator; it’s merely smart. But that’s plenty good enough for owners who love all the convenience this model has to offer. Many people get super excited over the “awesome” knock feature that lets you tap on the door to see what’s inside (without opening). If you like chilled beverages, one user proclaimed, “craft ice is the best!” One owner wrote, “Very easy to download controls to my smartphone to regulate temp and ice production.”

[ Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro ]

One of the hardest parts for any cooking appliance to get right is even heating. This model moves the power to where it’s needed most, so your food is always perfectly cooked. One user marveled at the oven’s ability to perform cooking tasks without heating the entire oven, while another simply gushed, “This oven has no negatives and does everything that it promises.”

Best AI products for the living room

[ LG B2 Series 65-Inch Class OLED Smart TV ]

According to the manufacturer, this TV intelligently adjusts to whatever scene you’re watching to offer the optimal viewing experience. According to owners, “The smart features, including smart sounds, are amazing.” Also, “Picture quality is second to none.”

[ iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum ]

The j7+ is a remarkable device that learns a little more every day. It can map out your home, avoid undesirable messes and objects and it even empties itself. “Love that you get updates with pictures of obstacles and can tell the app if [the obstacle] is permanent or temporary,” customers note. One reviewer was so impressed, they exclaimed, “This thing is crazy smart.”

Best AI products for your car or commute

[ Rexing M2 2K Front and Rear Mirror Dash Cam with Smart BSD ADAS GPS ]

Besides the typical dash cam features, this model uses machine learning to identify many common obstacles and road hazards to make driving safer. It’s like having a guardian angel along for the ride. One user wrote, “Best quality I have ever seen and owned.” Another stated, if you need some smart drive functionality for an older car, “you really can’t go wrong” with the Rexing dash cam.

Best AI games

[ Square Off Pro Portable Roll-Up Chess Board Set ]

If you’re old enough, the first real-world application of AI that you probably remember was in a chess game. Back in ’77, Bobby Fischer schooled a computer with ease. The AI in Square Off Pro chess, however, is designed to teach and make playing fun, prompting users to leave favorable reviews, such as, “The AI has been challenging and it feels good working my way up the levels.”

[ The Last of Us Part II for PlayStation 4 ]

Chess isn’t the only game with AI. The hugely popular video game (and now hit TV show) “The Last of Us” incorporates the technology so you can choose to take the story wherever you want, and all the gaming elements will adapt and react accordingly. This along with other gameplay features has inspired reviews such as, “One of the greatest games ever made.”

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