Latest news with #Speaker


Fox News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Fox News
This is a 'very different Democratic Party than we've ever seen before,' says Newt Gingrich
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich discusses the state of the Democratic Party on 'Jesse Watters Primetime.'


Tom's Guide
6 days ago
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Huge audio sale at Best Buy — 5 deals I'd get from $124
The Best Buy Back to School sale continues this week offering deals on all things college related. This week's sale has a particularly large number of deals on headphones and Bluetooth speakers. For example, right now you can get the JBL Xtreme 4 Portable Speaker for just $249 at Best Buy. That's $130 off and the lowest price I've seen for this Editor's Choice speaker. Below I've rounded up five of the best audio deals you can get right now at Best Buy. For more savings, see our Best Buy coupon codes and our guide to the best back to school laptop sales. Yes, there's a newer model of these headphones, but we called the original OpenRun Pro the ultimate bone conduction headphones for athletes thanks to their competitive sound, barely-there feel, and amazing 10 hours of battery life. They earned a near-perfect score in our Shokz OpenRun Pro review. The Beats Pill is a redesigned version of the company's first (and most popular) Bluetooth speaker, now with improved sound, 24-hour battery life, USB-C charging, access to Apple's Find My network and compatibility with Android and iPhone. Plus, it's IP67-rated for water resistance, so you won't get caught short in the rain. The JBL SoundGear Sense Hybrid are a great set of earbuds for those who want to enjoy their workout music and monitor their environment at the same time. They feature JBL's OpenSound Technology with air conduction, which doesn't completely close off your ear canal. Their flexible hooks can latch onto your ears and be adjusted at different angles to form a secure fit. The Beats Solo 4 might not feature noise canceling, but they make up for it by sounding pretty good. They're comfortable as well thanks to Beats new foam, and they fold up super small so that they can fit into any bag. There's also loads of battery life — 50 hours, to be exact. The Xtreme 4 is the GOAT of portable speakers. In our JBL Xtreme 4 review, we said the Editor's Choice speaker offers excellent bass, party mode, and a terrific design. Its IP67 rating also helps protect it against water or dust. At 4.6 pounds it's not something you'll want to carry all day, but its performance is unrivaled.


Telegraph
6 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
How the ‘jolly' Commons Speaker became one of Westminster's sharpest operators
Sir Lindsay Hoyle is the face of Parliament. For more than five years, he has run the House of Commons from the gothic splendour of the 13ft Speaker's chair. His public image is one of a bluff, convivial Lancastrian. Ministers and journalists are regularly hosted in his grace and favour house; hotpot tartlet is a party favourite. But his ever-present smile conceals a finely tuned political mind that makes him one of Westminster's sharpest operators. Recent weeks have demonstrated why that is so important. First there were reports of an exchange with Rachel Reeves that saw the Chancellor weep on camera. Then there was the super injunction over the Afghan data leak. Harriet Harman, Sir Lindsay's old rival for the Speakership, suggested he had failed in his duties by not pressuring ministers to tell MPs. 'In the Speaker's chair, all eyes are upon you,' says one Labour veteran. Having watched his two predecessors leave office in disgrace, Sir Lindsay is determined for the same thing not to happen to him. In the Reeves affair, he was trying to smooth things over after a previous altercation about protocol. In Harman's case, his office hit back firmly, pointing out that Sir Lindsay was bound by a super injunction. Publicly robust; privately conciliatory. It is that awareness of the unwritten rules of political discourse which explains Sir Lindsay's prominence in Parliament. His Speakership is the culmination of a lifetime's work. Sir Lindsay was quite literally born into the Labour party. His father, Doug, spent 21 years as an MP; Lindsay's first Labour conference was as a baby in 1957. Growing up, he learnt the political craft from his father. While Hoyle Sr made his name in Westminster, his son cut his teeth in Labour's north-west machine. 'The by-ways of Lancashire,' said one ex-MP in 2019, 'are littered with the bodies of those who've underestimated Lindsay.' Seventeen years on, Chorley borough council refined Sir Lindsay's talents. In 1997, his dad retired, and Hoyle Jr, aged 39, entered the Commons. The 2010 election, in which so many Labour hopes were dashed, proved to be Sir Lindsay's making. Encouraged by friends, he stood for the vacant Deputy Speakership and won. In the words of one colleague, 'The campaign for Speaker began that day.' For nine years, he served as the balm to John Bercow's poison, impressing MPs with his good humour and calm demeanour. The Speaker's decision to quit in September 2019 was a godsend for Sir Lindsay. For two decades, he had cultivated his colleagues; it was his friends, rather than the imminent Tory intake who would choose the new Speaker. 'It was decided by those leaving, rather than those joining,' reflects one former MP. Sir Lindsay was regarded as the runaway favourite and courted the electorate accordingly. To Tories, he sympathised about Bercow's politicking; for Labour it was a chance to have one of their own. Sir Lindsay ran as the candidate of experience, promising to protect MPs' security and restore Bercow's office to its former greatness. During Covid, he won plaudits across the House for his determination to keep the Commons running. His penchant for Urgent Questions made him popular among backbenchers, much to ministers' irritation. 'He runs a permanent campaign,' says one frontbencher. 'We get his regular newsletter and see his stuff online.' Sir Lindsay has a veritable menagerie of pets named after various politicians. His cat, Attlee, boasts its own Instagram account and line of goods in the House of Commons gift shop. He has known tragedy in his family life, too: Sir Lindsay has spoken movingly about the death of his daughter Natalie, aged just 28, in 2017. Sir Lindsay's worst moment as Speaker came in February 2024. As Labour tore itself apart on Gaza, Sir Lindsay was accused of favouritism by ignoring official advice. During an SNP motion calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, opponents charged that Sir Lindsay had bent parliamentary rules to let an alternative Labour amendment be debated instead. His response to the ensuing outrage showed his skills as a survivor. He apologised, quickly, on the floor of the Commons, offering to meet with parties 'to discuss the way forward'. That ability to admit mistakes and grasp 'the mood of the House' is partly why he has been able to survive the fractious era of post-Brexit politics. 'Lindsay likes to be liked,' says a friend. 'He understands people – how they work, what they think and where they want to be.' His attentiveness to MPs' needs has helped him win unlikely friends too. Within Reform there is praise for how the Speaker has welcomed their new MPs and given them suitable offices in Parliament. Nigel Farage has publicly declared his respect for Sir Lindsay. Where Bercow revelled in conflict, his successor largely eschews it. 'He's always down our end of the tea room,' remarks one Tory. For such an astute operator, the Speaker does have a blind spot. His taste for the trappings of office has provoked much comment in the press. A string of foreign trips in business or first class ran up a sum of £275,000 in two years; Bercow took 10 years to rack up the same bill for 'non-regular' foreign travel. His accommodation is invariably high-end: the St Regis in Doha, the Westin Grand in the Cayman Islands, and the Ritz-Carlton in Los Angeles. One long-standing colleague suggests that Sir Lindsay's choices are indicative of an Old Labour mindset, namely that 'nothing's too good for the workers'. There are gifts too, with Sir Lindsay keeping almost 300 presents since 2021 including dozens of bottles of alcohol, hampers, ties, cufflinks and chocolates. No rules have ever been broken, but there are echoes of the 'freebiegate' row that plagued this Government in its first months in office. Sir Lindsay's reputation as being 'pro-MP', means, in the words of one, 'none of us want to make much out of all that'. The Speaker is unapologetic, insisting that he is merely maintaining the prestige of the office. Aides argue that his post confers an ambassadorial role, requiring him to build links between his office and its equivalents around the world. 'Other Speakers have their own aircraft and travel around the world all the time without criticism,' declared Sir Lindsay earlier this year. He sees himself as an unabashed champion of parliament. Critics, though, question his mission of 'Speaker-led diplomacy'. They ask whether diplomacy ought not to remain the sole preserve of the elected government. A mis-sent email in January 2024 prompted a public row over whether Sir Lindsay had intended to fly the Palestinian flag from the grandly-named 'Speaker's Flagpoles'. Sir Lindsay denied this was ever his intention. Aiding the Speaker is an expanding team: the head count in the Speaker's office has doubled since he took over. Yet despite his wobbles, Sir Lindsay seems near-certain to serve out the remainder of his Speakership in this parliament. Already there have been murmurings, sotto voce, about likely contenders. The diary columnists have started tipping Meg Hillier, the Treasury Select Committee chair. Nus Ghani, the current Deputy Speaker, is another seen as 'on manoeuvres'. At 68, Sir Lindsay is yet to name an exit date. But would-be pretenders for his chair could do worse than study his rise to the Speakership and make their plans accordingly. After all, that is what Sir Lindsay would do.


Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Scotsman
Soundcore Motion Boom Plus summer speaker deal – now £99.97 on Amazon
The Soundcore Motion Boom Plus is ultra-portable thanks to its lightweight design, built-in handle and removable strap. | Anker This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. This rugged waterproof speaker is perfect for beach trips, camping and festivals – and it's now under £100 in Amazon's limited-time deal. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... If you're planning a summer full of beach trips, festivals or camping adventures, one gadget you won't want to leave behind is the Soundcore Anker Motion Boom Plus Bluetooth Speaker. Right now it's available on Amazon for just £99.97 – that's a massive 41% off its usual price of £169.99 – and it's made for long, loud, outdoor fun. This rugged portable speaker pumps out up to 80 watts of crisp, powerful sound, so your summer playlist won't get drowned out by waves, wind or chatter. What really makes the Motion Boom Plus ideal for the British summer is its IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating. Whether you're partying by the sea, braving a muddy festival field or just dodging a sudden downpour, you can relax knowing this speaker will keep playing without missing a beat. You can even hose it down if it gets dusty or sandy – perfect for beach barbecues or camping trips where things can get messy. The Motion Boom Plus features rugged build quality and powerful stereo sound, making it ideal for outdoor use. | Anker Despite its power, the speaker is surprisingly easy to carry thanks to a built-in handle and removable strap. It also weighs less than many similar outdoor speakers, so you can sling it over your shoulder and trek to your pitch or picnic spot without it feeling like a burden. And when it's set down, the sturdy tabletop mount keeps it stable even on uneven grass or sand. One of the standout features for outdoor use is its massive 13,400mAh battery, offering up to 20 hours of playtime on a single charge. That's more than enough to last you through a full weekend festival or two long beach days without worrying about recharging. It even doubles as a power bank, so you can give your phone or other gadgets a quick boost on the go. Sound quality is where the Motion Boom Plus really earns its stripes. Its twin 30W woofers and 10W tweeters, paired with Soundcore's BassUp technology, deliver rich, punchy bass and clear, detailed treble – a rare feat for an outdoor speaker at this price. And if you like to customise your sound, the free Soundcore app lets you tweak the EQ and download firmware updates to keep things performing at their best. With over 8,700 five-star reviews and a limited-time price of just £99.97, this is a brilliant summer gadget that brings the party wherever you go. Whatever your plans this summer, this speaker deserves a place in your backpack. This article was produced with the support of AI tools to assist in sourcing and structuring information. All content has been reviewed, verified and completed by a National World journalist prior to publication. Discovery Cove Discover Orlando's hidden island paradise with exclusive early booking savings £ 115.00 Buy now Buy now Tucked away in the heart of Orlando, Discovery Cove is the all-inclusive tropical escape most visitors don't even know exists. Swim with dolphins, snorkel through vibrant reefs, hand-feed exotic birds and unwind on white-sand beaches — all in a serene, crowd-free setting with guest numbers capped daily. Right now, you can save up to 28% on 2026 bookings, plus an extra 12% off with code SUNNY, and enjoy a free premium drinks package for over-21s. But hurry — these early booking savings end soon. Explore Discovery Cove deals today MySweetSmile Get wedding photo-ready with MySweetSmile's gentle teeth whitening range £ 20.99 Buy now Buy now Wedding season is here — and so are all the photos you'll treasure forever. Whether you're the bride, the groom or just a guest, you'll want a confident, glowing smile in every shot. That's where MySweetSmile comes in. This UK best-seller promises peroxide-free, gentle whitening that fits effortlessly into your routine. From their teeth whitening powder for brides to quick-fix strips for guests and a handy pen for grooms, you'll be ready for your close-up on the big day. Shop the full MySweetSmile wedding-ready range here.


Scotsman
15-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
Soundcore Motion Boom Plus summer speaker deal – now £99.97 on Amazon
The Soundcore Motion Boom Plus is ultra-portable thanks to its lightweight design, built-in handle and removable strap. | Anker This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. This rugged waterproof speaker is perfect for beach trips, camping and festivals – and it's now under £100 in Amazon's limited-time deal. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... If you're planning a summer full of beach trips, festivals or camping adventures, one gadget you won't want to leave behind is the Soundcore Anker Motion Boom Plus Bluetooth Speaker. Right now it's available on Amazon for just £99.97 – that's a massive 41% off its usual price of £169.99 – and it's made for long, loud, outdoor fun. This rugged portable speaker pumps out up to 80 watts of crisp, powerful sound, so your summer playlist won't get drowned out by waves, wind or chatter. What really makes the Motion Boom Plus ideal for the British summer is its IP67 waterproof and dustproof rating. Whether you're partying by the sea, braving a muddy festival field or just dodging a sudden downpour, you can relax knowing this speaker will keep playing without missing a beat. You can even hose it down if it gets dusty or sandy – perfect for beach barbecues or camping trips where things can get messy. The Motion Boom Plus features rugged build quality and powerful stereo sound, making it ideal for outdoor use. | Anker Despite its power, the speaker is surprisingly easy to carry thanks to a built-in handle and removable strap. It also weighs less than many similar outdoor speakers, so you can sling it over your shoulder and trek to your pitch or picnic spot without it feeling like a burden. And when it's set down, the sturdy tabletop mount keeps it stable even on uneven grass or sand. One of the standout features for outdoor use is its massive 13,400mAh battery, offering up to 20 hours of playtime on a single charge. That's more than enough to last you through a full weekend festival or two long beach days without worrying about recharging. It even doubles as a power bank, so you can give your phone or other gadgets a quick boost on the go. Sound quality is where the Motion Boom Plus really earns its stripes. Its twin 30W woofers and 10W tweeters, paired with Soundcore's BassUp technology, deliver rich, punchy bass and clear, detailed treble – a rare feat for an outdoor speaker at this price. And if you like to customise your sound, the free Soundcore app lets you tweak the EQ and download firmware updates to keep things performing at their best. With over 8,700 five-star reviews and a limited-time price of just £99.97, this is a brilliant summer gadget that brings the party wherever you go. Whatever your plans this summer, this speaker deserves a place in your backpack. This article was produced with the support of AI tools to assist in sourcing and structuring information. All content has been reviewed, verified and completed by a National World journalist prior to publication. Discovery Cove Discover Orlando's hidden island paradise with exclusive early booking savings £ 115.00 Buy now Buy now Tucked away in the heart of Orlando, Discovery Cove is the all-inclusive tropical escape most visitors don't even know exists. Swim with dolphins, snorkel through vibrant reefs, hand-feed exotic birds and unwind on white-sand beaches — all in a serene, crowd-free setting with guest numbers capped daily. Right now, you can save up to 28% on 2026 bookings, plus an extra 12% off with code SUNNY, and enjoy a free premium drinks package for over-21s. But hurry — these early booking savings end soon. Explore Discovery Cove deals today