Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.Ephesians 3:20-21
The people building AI are saying — subtly and unsubtly — that the technology is advancing more rapidly than the vast majority of people realize.
Why it matters: It’s likely we won't know how and how much AI will change the way we live, work and play until it already has.
"The internet was a minor breeze compared to the huge storms that will hit us," says Anton Korinek, an economist at the University of Virginia. "If this technology develops at the pace the lab leaders are predicting, we are utterly unprepared."
Zoom in: Pay attention to what the people closest to the technology are saying.
“[T]he 2030s are likely going to be wildly different from any time that has come before. We do not know how far beyond human-level intelligence we can go, but we are about to find out,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman wrote in a recent blog post.
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, told Axios’ Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen that AI could wipe out half of all entry-level white-collar jobs in the next one to five years.
Geoffrey Hinton, one of the "godfathers of AI," told BBC Radio 4 the technology is moving "very, very fast, much faster than I expected."
Case in point: Take ChatGPT. It took five days after launch for the chatbot to hit 1 million users.
It took Facebook 10 months to get to 1 million users, and it took Twitter, now X, two years to hit the same milestone.
Between the lines: Despite those forecasts, few appear to be taking the AI tsunami seriously enough.
"In the face of ginormous uncertainty, one of the most common reactions is to wait and see," Korinek, who sits on Anthropic's Economic Advisory Council, an unpaid position, says. "That's a pretty hazardous approach."
"This is a very speculative technology, and the systems we have now are clearly subhuman in a number of areas," he says. "But we’ve seen them improve rapidly in the past couple of years. So if you extrapolate, it seems like these systems could have superhuman intelligence in the next few years."
There are already signs that change is coming — fast. CEOs are starting to say "the quiet part out loud” when it comes to how AI will hit employment, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told employees he expects the tech giant’s workforce to shrink.
Ford CEO Jim Farley said at this year’s Aspen Ideas Festival, “Artificial intelligence is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the U.S.”
Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke told employees that before requesting to open a new role for hiring, they must first prove that the job cannot be done using AI.
The majority of U.S. managers recently surveyed by Resume Builder say they're using AI at work. Many are using it to make hiring, firing and promotion decisions, Axios' Megan Morrone reports.
Even more people could be supervised by AI as the technology replaces more and more middle managers.
Generative AI is fueling a cheating surge, but there’s no consensus on how to stop it. Banning the technology isn't a great solution, as students need to learn how to use it effectively and safely before they graduate.
A January 2023 survey, just two months after ChatGPT's launch, found that nearly 90% of college students had already used it for assignments, New York Magazine reports.
Reality check: The prediction that AI will upend society is still just a prediction. Yann LeCun, Meta's chief AI scientist and another "godfather of AI," posted on X in February, "A house cat has way more common sense and understanding of the world than any LLM."
CEOs have a vested interest in making bold claims about AI and its impact. It's a signal to investors and Wall Street that they're leading tech's next wave, Axios' Emily Peck reports.
Still, even if AI froze in place right now — which would be next to impossible — its capabilities are already advanced enough to shake up our jobs and lives.
What to watch: Amid fears of vanishing jobs and failing schools, there's still a case for optimism. Humans have adapted to technological change for centuries and could do it again.
"We could derive enormous productivity gains. Our economy could produce so much more," UVA's Korinek says. "This technology has the potential to lead to much more broadly shared prosperity. That’s what we should aim for."
One of the most anticipated new openings at Atlantis Paradise Island, Claudio’s Bahamas brings the legendary energy of its sister restaurant in Greenport, New York, to the heart of the Caribbean. Overlooking the Water’s Edge Lagoon at The Coral, the new eatery blends East Coast heritage with Bahamian vibrancy—serving fresh seafood, seasonal favorites, and timeless island cocktails in a soulful, nautical setting. East Coast Heritage Meets Bahamian Vibrancy One of the most anticipated new openings at Atlantis Paradise Island, Claudio’s Bahamas brings the legendary energy of its sister restaurant in Greenport, New York, to the heart of the Caribbean. Overlooking the Water’s Edge Lagoon at The Coral, the new eatery blends East Coast heritage with Bahamian vibrancy—serving fresh seafood, seasonal favorites, and timeless island cocktails in a soulful, nautical setting. Signature Favorites & Island‑Exclusive Creations Guests can enjoy signature dishes from the original location, a cherished East Coast staple for over a century. Famous menu items include Calamari with preserved lemon aioli; Baked Clams topped with peppers, onions, double‑smoked bacon, panko, and parmesan; and Claudio’s Lobster Roll, a fan favorite served on brioche challah with brown butter, celery, lemon aioli, and chives. To complement the familiar favorites, Claudio’s Bahamas offers …
A growing number of U.S. citizens — many of them Latinos — are reporting they were detained for various periods by immigration agents in what critics say were instances of racial profiling and overzealous policing.
Why it matters: U.S. citizens aren't supposed to be arrested or detained unless agents allege they're breaking laws. But reports of citizens of Latino descent being detained — or stopped and asked to prove citizenship — are rippling through Latino communities nationwide.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) hasn't released statistics on such detentions in months. Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, told Axios that recent reports of citizens wrongly being arrested are false — and that "the media is shamefully peddling a false narrative" to demonize ICE agents.
But an Axios review of news reports, social media videos and claims by advocacy groups about raids since President Trump took office found several instances in which U.S. citizens alleged they were wrongfully detained — in one case, for 10 days in immigration detention.
The big picture: The allegations come as ICE continues raids in mostly Latino communities in the Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, Phoenix and San Diego areas, cities in Texas, New Mexico, New York and Florida, and agricultural centers such as Central California.
State of play: In May, ICE briefly detained Florida-bornLeonardo Garcia Venegas from his job at a construction site in Foley, Ala. Agents alleged that Garcia's Real ID was fake, according to Noticias Telemundo. He alleged agents forced him to his knees and handcuffed him.
Immigration officials held U.S. citizen and Albuquerque resident Jose Hermosillo for 10 days in Arizona's Florence Correctional Center after arresting him, and didn't believe him when he said he was a citizen, per Arizona Public Media.
Last month, ICE briefly detained U.S. citizen Elzon Lemus, an electrician from Brentwood, N.Y., during a traffic stop after agents told Lemus he "looked like" someone they were looking for, CBS News first reported.
Also in June, plain clothes ICE agents momentarily detained East Los Angeles-born Jason Brian Gavidia outside an auto body shop in Montebello, Calif., and demanded he tell them where he was born. "I'm an American, bro!" a witness recording him saying.
Gavidia told The New York Times he believed his encounter with ICE was because he was Latino, and that other U.S. Latinos are experiencing similar scrutiny.
In California, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) says it plans to file a $1 million federal lawsuit accusing ICE of assaulting and unlawfully detaining a U.S. citizen in front of a Home Depot in Hollywood.
MALDEF is representing Job Garcia, a photographer who was detained last month while recording video of Border Patrol and ICE agents conducting a raid outside the Home Depot.
Federal agents held Garcia in detention for 24 hours despite having confirmed he was a U.S. citizen with no criminal warrants or any reason to suspect he'd committed a crime, MALDEF alleges.
DHS's McLaughlin said Garcia assaulted and verbally harassed a Border Patrol agent. "He was subdued and arrested for assault on a federal agent," she said.
MALDEF and other civil rights groups say they don't know how many U.S. citizens have been wrongly detained by ICE or the Border Patrol during Trump's immigration crackdown.
Guadalupe Gonzalez of the LA-basedImmigrant Defenders Law Center told Axios she knew of at least five cases of U.S. citizens in Southern California being detained by ICE in recent weeks.
The DHS's McLaughlin said some of the U.S. citizens detained were interfering with immigration enforcement operations — claims that advocates dispute.
"DHS enforcement operations are highly targeted and are not resulting in the arrest of U.S. citizens," McLaughlin said. "We do our due diligence."
What they're saying: "Let's just call it what it is. This is racial discrimination," said Mario Trujillo, a City Council member in Downey, Calif.
Trujillo said Downey — a prosperous community of 110,000 known as the "Mexican Beverly Hills" because about 75% of its population is Latino — has seen several ICE raids recently. Now many Mexican Americans there carry their passports, just in case, she said.
"Reports of American citizens detained by ICE purely based on their race are wholly unacceptable and run afoul of our Fourth Amendment rights," U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) told Axios.
"No one should feel unsafe because of the color of their skin, but in Donald Trump's America — where indiscriminate immigration raids are commonplace — this is the stark reality," he added.
The other side: "Any claims that individuals have been 'targeted' by law enforcement because of their skin color are disgusting and categorically FALSE," McLaughlin wrote in an email to Axios.
She maintained that such rhetoric has led to an increase in assaults on ICE officers.
The uncertainty about what happened at Mystic comes as local officials have repeatedly dodged questions about who was monitoring the weather and what measures were taken ahead of the flooding.
For the first time in 2025, Microsoft's Patch Tuesday updates did not bundle fixes for exploited security vulnerabilities, but acknowledged one of the addressed flaws had been publicly known.
The patches resolve a whopping 130 vulnerabilities, along with 10 other non-Microsoft CVEs that affect Visual Studio, AMD, and its Chromium-based Edge browser. Of these 10 are rated Critical and the
Many middle-class and wealthy families will see benefits from the new legislation, but programs that help low-income families keep babies healthy have been cut back.
Amazon Prime Day can be a good time to upgrade your home theater setup thanks to all the tech deals we usually see. As was to be expected, Amazon has discounted nearly all of its own streaming devices, including the Fire TV Stick 4K Max, which is on sale for only $35 right now. That's nearly a record-low price and it represents a 42-percent discount.
While we still prefer Amazon's Fire TV Stick HD as a budget streaming option, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max could be worth the upgrade for you. Amazon's device supports 4K video, Dolby Atmos, HDR10+ and if you have a newer router, Wi-Fi 6E. It's the best option if you're committed to the dongle-lifestyle — the even-more-powerful Fire TV Cube needs a TV stand to rest on — and a surprisingly great choice if you're looking for a capable retro game console.
Amazon's also added in several features to the Fire TV Stick 4K Max that take it beyond a basic streamer. The built-in Ambient Experience lets the dongle display art and widgets when you're not using your TV, not unlike Samsung's The Frame and The Frame Pro. The Fire TV Stick 4K Max can also stream games from Xbox Game Pass using the Xbox app or Amazon Luna.
The only real reasons to not consider Amazon's platform is if you don't like using Alexa, which acts as the main voice interface for all Fire TVs, don't want to be pushed towards Amazon's services or your subscriptions are tangled up in another platform. You can buy subscriptions to a variety of streaming services and live channels through Amazon Prime Video, but if you've already done that on Apple TV+ for example, you might want to wait out your subscription before jumping ship.
This is just one of a few Fire TV deals you can snag for Prime Day. Others include the Fire TV Cube for $90 and the Fire TV Stick HD for $18.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-prime-day-deals-include-the-fire-tv-stick-4k-max-on-sale-for-35-122512260.html?src=rss
A new generation of stablecoins is emerging, and theyâre not pegged to the US dollar. Instead, digital tokens backed by national currencies, such as the Chinese Yuan and Russian Ruble, are making waves in the crypto market.
The best soundbars can completely transform your TV setup, turning flat, lifeless audio into something that actually sounds cinematic. Whether you're watching blockbuster movies, listening to music or gaming, a good soundbar delivers clearer vocals, deep bass and better overall playback than most built-in TV speakers ever could.
In 2025, there’s a soundbar for every kind of home entertainment setup — from compact all-in-one units to full surround systems with subwoofers and rear speakers. Some prioritize simplicity and sleek design, while others are packed with immersive features like Dolby Atmos and smart voice controls. No matter your budget or your space, we’ve picked the best soundbars you can buy right now to help elevate your audio experience.
I typically come out of CES with a pretty clear understanding of the new soundbars that are coming for the year, but that wasn’t exactly the case in 2025. LG decided to carry over its most premium soundbars from 2024, but it will add the compact S20A this year. The company only previewed the model at CES, so full specs are still forthcoming.
Samsung will once again keep the same overall design and features for its top-end Q990 soundbar. However, the company is adding a few new tools and it drastically reduced the size of the wireless subwoofer that comes in the box. Samsung does have one new model for 2025, the QS700F, that’s designed to sit on a table or automatically adjust to being mounted flat on a wall. Details are scarce on that soundbar for now and I anticipate a full spec sheet when the company is really to sell it.
Of the big three TV companies, Sony is the only one that didn’t announce any home theater gear at CES. The company has decided to focus mainly on its automotive efforts at the show recently, leaving TV and audio announcements for later in the year. The company debuted multiple soundbar options in 2024 and a four-speaker setup for the living room in the Bravia Quad. That said, it wouldn’t surprise me if Sony released new soundbars later in the year since its most recent models were only announced last April.
One company I would keep an eye on is Sennheiser. The original Ambeo model is nearly six years old and could use a refresh. The company has added medium and mini options to the Ambeo lineup since then, but it would be nice to see a refined version of the largest model too. The original Ambeo soundbar is huge, so no matter how good it sounds, it will always be a tough sell for some people.
Although I think it’s less likely, it’s also possible that Sonos has new soundbars this year. While the company’s next device will likely be the rumored set-top streaming box, the Sound Motion tech inside the Arc Ultra would offer a big improvement to bass performance in compact models like the Beam and Ray. The company may bring Sound Motion to standalone speakers first, but it’s destined for those smaller soundbars eventually.
The best soundbars for 2025
What to look for in a soundbar
Features
When it comes to features, the more you pay the more you're going to get in your new audio system. Most affordable options ($150 or less) will improve your television's audio quality, but that's about it. Step into the $300 to $400 range and you'll find all-in-one soundbars with things like built-in voice control, wireless connectivity, Google Chromecast, AirPlay 2 and even Android TV. They're all helpful when you want to avoid looking for the remote control, but the best playback quality is usually only in the top tier and the formats those premium soundbar systems support. I’m talking about things like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and other high-resolution audio standards — essentials if you’re building a truly cinematic home entertainment setup. And not all Atmos soundbars are equal, so you'll need to look at the finer details carefully before you break into the savings account. If you're looking for one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars, size, channels and subwoofer options will be important factors to consider. Some models even include a dedicated subwoofer to enhance bass performance, bringing an extra punch to action scenes and soundtracks.
Ports
This is a big one. A lot of the more affordable soundbars are limited when it comes to connectivity options. They either offer an optical port or one HDMI jack and, if you're lucky, both. Things get slightly better in the mid-range section, but that's not always the case. The Sonos Beam, for example, is $449, but only has a single HDMI port. Even at the higher-end, the $899 Sonos Arc still only has one HDMI port. If you plan to connect multiple devices like a set-top box, gaming laptop or console directly to your soundbar for the best audio experience, you’ll want an option with at least two HDMI (eARC) inputs. HDMI connections are critical for supporting Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital audio formats, as well as high-res passthrough for HDR and 8K/4K content.
Channels
Another big thing you’ll want to pay attention to when looking for the best soundbar is channels. That’s the 2.1, 7.1.2 or other decimal number that companies include in product descriptions. The first figure corresponds to the number of channels. A two would just be left and right while a more robust Atmos system, especially one with rear surround speakers, could be five or seven (left, right, center and upward). The second number refers to the dedicated subwoofer, so if your new soundbar comes with one or has them built in, you’ll see one here. The third numeral is up-firing speakers, important for the immersive effect of Dolby Atmos. Not all Atmos-enabled units have them, but if they do, the third number will tell you how many are in play and how they contribute to the overall soundstage.
Wireless
Most soundbars these days offer either Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or both. When it comes to Wi-Fi, that connectivity affords you luxuries like voice control (either built-in or with a separate device), Chromecast, Spotify Connect and AirPlay 2. Depending on your preferences, you might be able to live without some of these. For me, AirPlay 2 and Chromecast are essentials, but the rest I can live without. Those two give me the ability to beam music and podcasts from my go-to apps without having to settle for — or struggle with — a Bluetooth connection. For instance, Sonos speakers often offer seamless integration with iOS devices, making it easy to connect and stream music wirelessly. If you’re looking for a wireless speaker that can enhance your TV setup while also offering flexibility for audio throughout the house, it's worth considering a multi-room system.
Size
This one might seem obvious but humor me for a minute. Nothing is more soul-crushing than getting a pricey soundbar in your living room only to discover you have to rearrange everything to find a spot for it. This was my plight when the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar arrived at my door. Yes, that speaker is absurdly large (and heavy), and most soundbars aren't nearly as big. I learned a valuable lesson: Make sure the space where you want to put a soundbar will accommodate the thing you're about to spend hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on.
Basically, it all comes down to the TV you have (or are planning to get) and what the primary goal is for your living-room audio. Is it ease of use? Do you want the best possible sound from a single speaker or speaker/sub combo? Do you just want to be able to actually hear your TV better? Or do you want a full home entertainment experience with crisp vocals, thunderous deep bass, and immersive surround system audio?
By paying attention to each of those areas, you should have a good idea of what to look for in a soundbar, soundbar/subwoofer combo, Dolby Digital system or a more robust setup. With that said, we've put numerous products through their paces at Engadget and have a few favorites for best soundbar at various price points to get you started.
Other soundbars we tested
Sonos Arc
There’s no doubt that the Arc is Sonos’ best-sounding soundbar, but it’s also the company’s most expensive. With a new model based on the Arc rumored to be on the way, it’s difficult to recommend this product over the likes of Samsung and Sony. The Arc works well as both a soundbar and a speaker, and the device will fit in nicely with other Sonos gear you might already have for a multiroom setup. It only has one HDMI port though, where much of the competition allows you to connect streaming and gaming devices directly to their soundbars.
Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus
I don’t think Sennheiser’s medium-sized model offers enough to stand out from the more powerful Ambeo Soundbar Max or the Ambeo Soundbar Mini. The Mini is more affordable and does a solid job with immersive audio in its own right. Like the rest of the Ambeo lineup, there’s no option for satellite speakers as you can only add a subwoofer to the soundbars. However, the Ambeo Soundbar Plus does have RCA input, so you can use it with a turntable if you’re into vinyl.
Best soundbar FAQs
Is a soundbar better than speakers?
It really depends on what you’re after. A soundbar is definitely a simpler, more compact solution compared to a full speaker setup. If you want better sound than your TV’s built-in setup but don’t want to deal with multiple speakers and wires everywhere, a soundbar is probably the way to go. Some soundbars can even deliver impressive surround sound effects, thanks to features like Dolby Atmos and virtual audio technology.
However, if you’re an audiophile or want true surround sound for an at-home theater experience, a multi-speaker setup with a receiver, surround speakers and subwoofer will give you a richer soundstage and more control over your experience.
What connection do I need for a soundbar?
Most modern soundbars connect to your TV via HDMI ARC or eARC, which is the easiest and best option for achieving high-quality audio. If your TV supports this, all you need is an HDMI cable, and you’ll get not only great sound but also some extra features like controlling the soundbar with your TV remote.
If HDMI ARC isn’t an option on your TV, you can use an optical cable, which also delivers solid audio quality. Some soundbars even offer Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections for streaming music, and a few still have a 3.5mm aux jack for connecting to older devices.
Do all soundbars come with subwoofers?
Not all soundbars come with subwoofers, but many do or at least offer one as an optional add-on that you can purchase separately. A subwoofer is what gives you that deep, booming bass, so if you like action movies or want a fuller sound for music, having one can make a big difference. Some soundbars have a built-in subwoofer, but these generally don’t provide the same punch as a separate one.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/audio/speakers/best-soundbars-143041791.html?src=rss
PNUT, which has no affiliation with the actual squirrel or Musk, saw trading volumes surge over 120% from $65 million to $214 million in a 24-hour period, according to CoinGecko.
Another hot streaming deal has arrived to match the summer heat. This time is comes from Paramount+, which is offering a two-month subscription for only $2. Put another way, you'll pay $1 per month for your first two months.
But the kicker for this deal is that is applies to two subscription tiers: you can either choose the ad-supported Essential plan or the ad-free Premium plan and the deal price remains the same. That means new subscribers will save $14 on the standard price of the Essential tier, or $24 on the price of the Premium plan.
It also hosts original programming like the Sonic-adjacent Knuckles TV show and the dad-friendly Tulsa King. Paramount owns CBS, so subscribers can also access much of that network's programming. This includes stuff like The Amazing Race, Blue Bloods and several CSI entries.
This offer will be available until July 13. There's just one caveat. Subscriptions will auto-renew if you forget to cancel. Set a reminder to kick in at the end of the second month.
Check out our coverage of the best streaming deals for more discounts, and follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/two-months-of-paramount-is-down-to-only-2-right-now-114314980.html?src=rss
After splitting their first two games of the California Classic against the Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat, the Los Angeles Lakers ended their exhibition schedule against the San Antonio Spurs. The Lakers picked up their first win of the summer against the Heat and went into their matchup hoping to replicate that success against […]
Amazon Prime Day has returned for the summer, making it a good time to check to see if any big-ticket gadgets on your wishlist are on sale. A lot of our favorite tech is on sale at the moment, and that includes a number of Prime Day vacuum deals. One of the best is on the Dyson V15 Detect Plus, which has dropped to $570 for Prime members.
We loved the Dyson V15 Detect and it earned a slot in our best cordless vacuums guide. The Plus model on sale during Prime Day is the same vacuum with more accessories. The suction power on the V15 Detect Plus is really impressive, especially for a cordless vacuum. For anyone with pets, good suction should be a strong consideration when selecting a vacuum, and we were thoroughly impressed with the pet hair this model picked up in our tests from both hardwood and carpet.
The Fluffy Optic hard surface cleaning head comes with a laser that illuminates the ground in front of you as you vacuum. It does a frighteningly good job of highlighting just how much dust, hair and other debris have collected on your hardwood or tile floors that you might not have seen. For a shocking look at just how much stuff is on your floors, try vacuuming with the lights off.
The V15 Detect Plus gets its namesake from a handy LCD display screen on the main body of the vacuum that tells you exactly how many particles across different size ranges the vacuum has detected since you started cleaning. In practice, this doesn't add anything to the functionality of the device, but it sheds a light on just how much stuff you've picked up.
Other Prime Day Dyson deals are also available, and they run the gamut from cordless vacuums to headphones to beauty tech. Here are some of the best ones.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/prime-day-deals-on-vacuums-include-the-dyson-v15-detect-plus-for-180-off-121534678.html?src=rss
The State Department is warning U.S. diplomats of attempts to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio and possibly other officials using technology driven by artificial intelligence.
Currently, you can get the Amazon Echo Spot for $45, down from $80. The 44 percent discount brings the smart alarm clock to a new all-time low. The deal is available on each of the color options, Black, Glacier White and Ocean Blue.
Amazon launched the new Echo Spot in 2024, five years after it canned an initial iteration. It's not too different than its predecessor, though its front is split between a screen and a speaker. Amazon also got rid of its camera, which made some people uncomfortable for a bedside table device. Of course, it offers Alexa integration so you can use the voice assistant for everything from getting the time to playing music. That includes controlling smart home devices as well, and you can even pick up the Echo Spot bundled with an Amazon Basics smart light bulb for an extra $5.
Elsewhere in the Amazon devices ecosystem, more smart speakers have received discounts. The Echo Pop is 45 percent off and down to $22 for Prime members, and the Echo Show 5 is 33 percent off and down to $60. Neither of those are record-low prices, but they are some of the best discounts we've seen in 2025 so far.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-amazon-echo-spot-has-been-discounted-to-45-for-prime-day-133212914.html?src=rss
Michael Shannon Sims, a founder and promoter of OmegaPro, and Juan Carlos Reynoso, who led OmegaPro’s operations in Latin America and some parts of the U.S.