Latest news with #Fire
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Iowa women's basketball star Lucy Olsen signs with WNBL's Townsville Fire
Yay!!! So excited 🤩🤩 After seldom seeing the floor so far for the Washington Mystics in her first WNBA season, former Iowa women's basketball star Lucy Olsen announced her exciting offseason plans Tuesday evening. Olsen, who was selected with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, has been serving as a depth player off the bench for Washington, where she occasionally contributes scoring outbursts. That included Olsen's 19-point performance against the Minnesota Lynx on July 3. With the Mystics' 2025 campaign still ongoing, Olsen made her offseason plans official Tuesday evening when it was announced that the former Hawkeye would be playing for the Townsville Fire in Australia's Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). Given the financial incentives and opportunities to continue competing, it is commonplace for many WNBA players to play overseas or in another domestic league, such as Unrivaled, during the offseason. As Olsen joins the WNBL, she will have an excellent opportunity to develop and showcase her skills while contributing to a Fire squad that made it to the league championship last season. "We're really excited to add Lucy to our team. She's a skilled, versatile guard who can score at all three levels and has excellent vision to create for others. 'What really stood out to me was her character. Everyone I spoke to had nothing but great things to say about her work ethic and the kind of teammate she is. Lucy ticks a lot of boxes for us on and off the floor, and I know she will come in ready to work hard and contribute to our team's success," Fire head coach Shannan Seebobm said of Olsen. Given the new offseason opportunity, Olsen fully embraced the challenge by stating that Townsville's love for the game of basketball perfectly matches her own. 'The Fire organisation has a tremendous reputation here in the US and hearing how beautiful the Townsville area is has me more than excited to be joining this upcoming season! I love to play basketball and it sounds like Townsville loves basketball too – a perfect match! Let's go get the Championship," Olsen said in her statement. With fellow Mystics teammate Jade Melbourne also signed as a member of the University of Canberra (UC) Capitals, Olsen playfully joked that the two may have become "Frenemies" heading into the WNBL's 2025-26 season. @jade_melbourne does this mean we're frenemies now😒🤣 So far in her 19 games played for the Mystics, Olsen is averaging 3.7 points and 1.1 rebounds per game on 43.9% shooting from the floor, 40.0% from 3-point territory, and 90.9% from the free-throw line in 10:30 of playing time per contest. Townsville opens its 2025-26 season on Oct. 19 against the Bendigo Spirit. Ironically, the Fire's second game, scheduled on Oct. 25, will be in Canberra's AIS Arena against Melbourne and the UC Capitals. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
Tom's Guide
14 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
Huge Fire TV sale live from $24 on Amazon — here's 11 back to school deals worth shopping now
Back to school season is upon us — and if you're planning to do some streaming during your downtime this semester, you've come to the right place. From upgrading your gaming setup to enjoying surround sound while watching your favorite flicks, Amazon's Fire TV lineup of TVs, streaming sticks and soundbars is on sale now. If you don't have a smart TV in your dorm, you can grab the Fire TV Stick HD for the low price of $24 and stream your favorite entertainment apps. If you're looking to upgrade your TV for the new school year, the Fire 50" 4-Series 4K Smart TV is just $289. Want something a little larger? The Fire 65" Omni Mini-LED QLED Series TV is $959. Below, I've picked out the best Fire TV deals worth grabbing ahead of back to school. Keep scrolling to check them out. For more ways to save, take a look at the best streaming service deals for students. The standard Fire TV Stick is no more. It's now the Fire TV Stick HD and at just $24 it's a bargain. If you don't have a 4K television, it's the ideal choice offering access to all your favorite streaming services and a voice-controlled remote. We'd still advise most people to opt for the 4K Max model, but if you don't have a 4K TV this is the streaming stick for you. The Alexa Voice Remote Pro is a nice little upgrade for Fire TV users who want a few extra features. It has backlit buttons that light up in the dark, two customizable shortcut buttons, and even a remote finder in case it goes missing. It also supports voice control and can handle your TV's power and volume. The new Fire TV Stick 4K (2024) sports an upgraded 1.7GHz quad-core processor that's 30% more powerful than the previous model. In our Amazon Fire TV stick 4K review, we praised its 4K video quality for a budget price. Features include Dolby Vision/HDR10/HDR10+/HLG support, Wi-Fi 6 support and a Live TV guide button on the remote. You also get Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos support to improve your streaming audio. This compact streaming stick offers smooth 4K HDR playback with Dolby Vision, a powerful quad-core processor, and next‑gen Wi‑Fi 6E support. It's perfect for upgrading older TVs and improving load times. Ideal for users who want solid streaming performance without complexity. We rank it as Amazon's best streaming stick right now. The Fire TV Cube is Amazon's most powerful streamer, driven by an octa-core processor that's about twice as fast as the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. It supports 4K with Dolby Vision and Atmos, Wi‑Fi 6E, and hands‑free Alexa in all directions. A built‑in HDMI‑in port lets you control a cable box, console, or webcam via voice. If you don't need 4K resolution, this 2-Series is a budget smart TV with 1080p resolution and support for HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Audio. The included Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote lets you find your favorite content, get sports scores, control smart home devices, and more with the sound of your voice. This 50-inch model delivers crisp 4K UHD picture quality with support for HDR10 and HLG, enhancing color and contrast for a vivid viewing experience. Running on Fire TV OS, it offers easy access to all your favorite streaming apps and Alexa voice controls built right into the remote. Multiple HDMI and USB ports make connecting devices simple, perfect for a versatile home setup. Save nearly 40% on Fire TV's 65" Omni Series. It features Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, in addition to Alexa integration for hands-free prompts. You also have access to all of your favorite content at a clip thanks to the Amazon Fire platform. In our Amazon Fire TV Omni review, we said the TV is a solid pick for anyone who wants to stick within Amazon's ecosystem. Announced in November 2024, this is Amazon's first Mini-LED TV. It features a 144Hz refresh rate in tandem with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support to give gamers ample juice for fast-paced games. The TV also has an Ambient Experience feature, so when it's powered off it displays dynamic artwork. This is also the first Amazon Fire TV to support Dolby Atmos audio. A compact 2.0‑channel soundbar that delivers a noticeable upgrade over most TV speakers. It's simple to set up and supports Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual: X, and EQ modes for movie, music, and dialogue. It won't shake the room, but for under $100 right now, Amazon's soundbar is a straightforward, fuss‑free audio boost. This 3.1-channel soundbar delivers immersive audio with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support. It features a wireless subwoofer for deep bass and clear dialogue. The soundbar is easy to set up and compatible with Fire TV streaming devices and smart TVs. It's available in various configurations, including options with additional surround speakers for a full 5.1-channel setup.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kasabian tickets are still available for festival headline shows this weekend
Kasabian fans have one final chance to buy tickets this week for their festival shows Kasabian have a busy weekend ahead of them as they have packed in two massive festivals in two days. The British stars, best known for such chart-topping hits as Fire, Underdog, Club Foot, Stevie, and plenty more, will be playing two nights of massive entertainment this Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, 2025. The stars, who have enjoyed huge success in the UK with NME, BRIT, Q and UK Music Video Awards, will be venturing up north this week. First off, they'll be headlining Truck Festival 2025 at Woodstock on Saturday, July 26. There, they'll be joining such massive names as Franz Ferdinand, the Courteeners, Nothing But Thieves and the Blossoms on a massive stage. Then, Kasabian will quickly move on. On Sunday, July 27, 2025, Kasabian will headline Tramlines Festival, taking place at Hillsborough park. Here, they'll join Franz Ferdinand (again), The Last Dinner Party, Hot Chip, Sigrid, and many more. Tickets for these shows have already sold out, but fans looking to get last-minute access to the band's gigs can do so by looking at resale websites. We've got all the information fans need below to get involved. viagogo and resale tickets Sites such as viagogo, Stubhub, and Vivid Seats allow fans to buy resale tickets from other fans. However, it is important to note that ticket conditions often prohibit resale after initial purchase. Those tickets may not be valid for admittance to gigs. Fans intending to buy tickets for live events through resale websites should check the ticket terms and conditions, to confirm whether resale is prohibited, before they buy. Ticket terms and conditions can be checked with the original seller, such as Ticketmaster or Live Nation. If resale is prohibited, tickets bought second-hand could be voided and admission to the event refused. How to buy Kasabian tickets now Kasabian tickets are available right now through a number of online resale retailers. This includes both viagogo and StubHub. Tickets for these festivals are still available at reasonable prices, as well. Some of them are up for grabs for around £160 each. On top of that, Kasabian are playing a one-off show at Edinburgh's Corn Exchange this week. But fans ought to act fast if they want to get involved. Here's the links: VIAGOGO - Buy Kasabian tickets now STUBHUB - Buy Kasabian tickets now Kasabian tickets are also available from official seller Ticketmaster - but only in short bursts. Fans looking to buy from the media giant ought to keep a close eye on its page below. TICKETMASTER - Buy Kasabian tickets now. Kasabian Tour Dates 2025 Wed, JUL 23 - Edinburgh Corn Exchange, Edinburgh, United Kingdom Sat, JUL 26 - Truck Festival 2025, Woodstock, United Kingdom Sun, JUL 27 - Tramlines 2025, Sheffield, United Kingdom
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Uttarakhand@25: 'Forests came before departments,' says Uttarakhand minister Subodh Uniyal; reiterates state's commitment to protect natural resources
Uttarakhand forest minister Subodh Uniyal Uttarakhand forest minister Subodh Uniyal reflects on the journey of preserving state's rich natural heritage under the leadership of chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami's as Uttarakhand completes 25 years since its formation. In conversation with The Times of India for Uttarakhand@25, Subodh Uniyal emphasised the importance of reconnecting people with forests. 'Forests came first—before departments, laws or officials,' he stated. 'Damage began when we disconnected the public from forests. So, our first step was to make policies people-friendly.' To tackle frequent forest fires, 572 Forest Fire Management Committees were formed in vulnerable hotspots. Each committee, led by village heads, receives ₹30,000 annually and includes local stakeholders. This grassroots engagement fostered both accountability and awareness. Uniyal also highlighted the ₹628 crore Herbal Mission, allowing cultivation of herbs across 500 Van Panchayats. 'We linked livelihoods to forests,' he said. 'With 11,230 Van Panchayats and 25 lakh people connected, this mission empowers communities and reduces pressure on natural forests.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Under the state's ecotourism policy, the Forest Department develops eco-destinations and hands them over to local Eco Development committees. Of the 62 identified sites, 32 are ready, aiming to generate employment for 2 lakh locals. 'Eighty percent of revenue goes to locals,' said Uniyal, making conservation economically viable. These efforts align with CM Pushkar Singh Dhami's broader push for sustainable growth and public welfare. A key highlight of his tenure is the launch of House of Himalayas (HoH), an umbrella brand aimed at promoting handcrafted, authentic Uttarakhandi products. HoH not only preserves the state's cultural identity but also supports local artisans and creates employment opportunities. As Uttarakhand steps into its next chapter, Uniyal's approach remains grounded in community participation, policy reform, and ecological responsibility.
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: BTS drops first live concert album: 'Permission To Dance On Stage – Live'
SEOUL: Global superstars BTS have officially released their highly anticipated first live concert album, 'Permission To Dance On Stage – Live', which dropped on Friday. According to a recent report by The Korea Herald, the album vibrantly captures the energy and emotion from the group's expansive global tour, held between 2021 and 2022. It features electrifying performances from their shows in Seoul, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas. This release marks BTS's inaugural official live concert album since their debut. It comprises 22 dynamic tracks, including chart-toppers like 'Dynamite', 'Butter', and 'Permission To Dance'. Many songs received special rearrangements for the tour; for instance, 'Fire' and 'Idol' were given more powerful, intense renditions, while 'Dynamite' and 'Butter' were brightened with lively brass sections, adding a celebratory flair. In conjunction with the album, a full video recording of the final Seoul concert at Jamsil Olympic Stadium in 2022 will be made available exclusively through Weverse, Hybe's global fan platform. This 141-minute video comes bundled with a special photobook featuring interviews and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Looking ahead, BTS is reportedly gearing up for a full-group comeback and a new world tour next spring. During a Weverse Live session on July 1, the members revealed they are beginning preparations for new music and concert plans starting this month.
