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Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Federal hostility could delay offshore wind projects, derailing state climate goals National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020 Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Get healthier in the new year with these resources in the Williamsburg area Get healthier in the new year with these resources in the Williamsburg area James City County officer, 17-year-old injured in Christmas Eve crash James City County officer, 17-year-old injured in Christmas Eve crash How to dispose of natural Christmas trees in Hampton Roads How to dispose of natural Christmas trees in Hampton Roads Longtime Phoebus Auction Gallery to close after New Year’s Day event Longtime Phoebus Auction Gallery to close after New Year’s Day event Williamsburg leaders to prioritize funding for regional Trail757 project Williamsburg leaders to prioritize funding for regional Trail757 project ‘We’re buddies now’: William & Mary students work with dementia patients as part of new program 'We're buddies now': William & Mary students work with dementia patients as part of new program New Kent administrator’s capital improvement plan has some big ticket items New Kent administrator's capital improvement plan has some big ticket items RUSSIANS, U.S. FLY SIDE-BY-SIDE RUSSIANS, U.S. FLY SIDE-BY-SIDE Hitman who killed Navy officer in Newport News among 37 death row inmates commuted by Biden Hitman who killed Navy officer in Newport News among 37 death row inmates commuted by Biden Juvenile humpback whale washes ashore on Outer Banks Juvenile humpback whale washes ashore on Outer Banks Trending Nationally Body found in wheel well of plane from Chicago to Maui How Diddy and Luigi Mangione spent Christmas in Brooklyn jail Massive invasive python is freed into the Palm Beach County wilderness. Here’s why ‘Baby Driver’ actor Hudson Meek dead at 16 Pregnant woman stabbed multiple times by pizza deliverer disgruntled about tip, sheriff saysAfter topping $100,000, Bitcoin supporters see the cryptocurrency soaring even higher. Bitcoin has proven to be one of the best-performing assets in modern history. The value of the cryptocurrency has increased some 1,000 times over the past decade, far outpacing US stocks and real estate. Buoyed by United States President-elect Donald Trump’s crypto-friendly stance, Bitcoin’s record rally hit a new high of $107,000 on Monday after the Republican reiterated his intention to create a Bitcoin strategic reserve. Bitcoin, the first decentralised digital currency, was invented by the pseudonymous figure Satoshi Nakamoto in the wake of the 2007-2008 global financial crisis. Nakamoto introduced the blockchain system – a digital ledger that stores transactions in a network of computers – to enable anyone to make financial transactions without the involvement of banks, financial firms or governments. Once widely derided as a speculative asset with no intrinsic value, Bitcoin is being taken increasingly seriously by governments, financial institutions and investors alike. Boaz Sobrado, a London-based fintech analyst, said Bitcoin has transformed from being a niche asset favoured by political dissidents and criminals carrying out Illicit transactions “to something that central banks have to keep in mind and consider”. “The IMF has put very firm anti-crypto political guidelines into place when negotiating with countries that might require its own assistance. It’s gone from being an academic question to a practical, real one and one that central banks are taking very seriously now,” Sobrado told Al Jazeera. In January, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved Bitcoin ETFs (exchange-traded funds), allowing investors to have exposure to the asset on the stock exchange for the first time. In an October report, the US Department of the Treasury referred to Bitcoin as “digital gold”, noting its use as a store of value. A number of countries have made big bets on the cryptocurrency. El Salvador has accumulated some $600m worth of Bitcoin reserves and is one of just a handful of countries, along with the Central African Republic, that accepts the asset as legal tender. Other countries, including the US and the United Kingdom, have acquired large holdings of Bitcoin through the seizure of assets implicated in criminal activity. The US has seized at least 215,000 Bitcoins, valued at almost $21bn at current prices, since 2020, according to an analysis by crypto firm 21.co. With Trump returning to the White House, Bitcoin supporters are hopeful that cryptocurrencies will gain unprecedented legitimacy after years of government-led crackdowns on the sector. Despite once labelling Bitcoin “a scam”, Trump has emerged as arguably the world’s most powerful advocate for the asset. After pledging to make the US “crypto capital of the planet”, he has picked several high-profile crypto enthusiasts to join his incoming administration, including former PayPal Chief Operating Officer David Sacks as crypto tsar and Paul Atkins as SEC chair. Trump’s pro-crypto stance has found allies in the US Congress, such as Senator Cynthia Lummis, a Republican from Wyoming, who earlier this year introduced the BITCOIN Act of 2024, which would include Bitcoin among reserve assets such as gold and oil as a long-term store of value. Under Lummis’s plans, the government would buy roughly 200,000 Bitcoins every year for five years, and then hold the assets for 20 years as a hedge against inflation. “If we did that with five percent of all the Bitcoin that will ever exist – which is roughly a million Bitcoin – we could cut our debt in half in 20 years,” Lummis said in a television interview with Fox Business. On Wall Street, derision and mockery have also given way to more positive appraisals. BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, who once described Bitcoin as an “index of money laundering”, in January said the commodity was “no different than what gold represented for thousands of years” and an “asset class that protects you”. ‘Currency of resistance’ The key attribute of Bitcoin that makes it revolutionary is that it separates money from the state, according to Max Keiser, senior Bitcoin adviser to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. “This is the first time in history that this has ever happened – money exists that has no central authority controlling it. This is what makes it unique, very powerful,” Keiser told Al Jazeera. “There’s now this growing feeling that the 21st century will be the century of Bitcoin.” Keiser spotted Bitcoin’s potential early on and advised people to buy it when its value was only $1 in 2011. That year, he and his wife, television presenter Stacy Herbert, called Bitcoin “the currency of resistance”, and predicted it would top $100,000. One of the reasons Bitcoin has gained strength in value is the poor performance of economies such as Argentina, where inflation last year skyrocketed more than 200 percent, according to Gerald Celente, founder and director of the New York-based Trends Research Institute. “People were seeing their currencies being devalued... People were saying: ‘I’m losing all my money, what am I going to do?’ They can’t afford to buy gold, so they started buying whatever they could in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, so that kept it strong,” Celente told Al Jazeera. Since Trump’s election, Bitcoin’s price has risen by more than 50 percent and with an incoming pro-crypto administration, Celente predicts an even greater rally. “[The value] could go through the roof, but we don’t see [Bitcoin] going down much at all,” he said. Crypto supporters argue that Bitcoin’s winning advantage is that its global supply is capped at 21 million. Unlike central banks that can print money indefinitely, Bitcoin’s supply stays constant no matter the demand, which has helped boost its value against the dollar. Armando Pantoja, futurist and tech investor, believes that Bitcoin will appreciate in value “forever”, likening the purchase of the asset to buying real estate in Manhattan. “Bitcoin has value not because of the currency, but because of the technology that governs it, blockchain technology,” Pantoja told Al Jazeera. “In Bitcoin’s blockchain, there’s a certain supply of Bitcoin that comes out every 10 minutes, and every four years they cut it in half. Over time there is less and less Bitcoin being generated. “Once it reaches the limit, no more can be created... That’s why it’s going to keep going up, every four years when they cut the supply, it has to respond positively. It has to keep going up to supply the demand.” Keiser predicts Bitcoin will reach $1m in value in the coming years, with a market cap at least equal to gold’s market cap of $20 trillion. “That would be $1m a coin. I think that would be a conservative estimate for the price for the next three to four years,” he said. Bitcoin’s stellar rise, however, has not convinced everyone. Despite its recent rally, the commodity continues to be extremely volatile. After hitting $107,000 at the start of the week, the asset had by Friday plunged below $97,000. Many financial analysts continue to view Bitcoin as a bubble with little to support its stunning rise. “The more resources Americans misallocate to #Bitcoin and #crypto-related businesses, the fewer resources will be available to devote to making stuff we actually need,” Peter Schiff, chief economist at Euro Pacific Capital, said in a post on X last month. “The end result will be larger trade deficits, a weaker dollar, higher inflation, and a lower standard of living.” Even as Trump’s positive stance towards Bitcoin has thrilled crypto enthusiasts, some pro-crypto governments have reined in their support of the sector. El Salvador announced this week that it would privatize or close its cryptocurrency wallet “Chivo” as part of the terms of a $1.4bn loan deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Bukele’s government also agreed to make acceptance of Bitcoin by businesses voluntary, within steps to assuage the IMF’s concerns about Bitcoin-related risks. Central bank digital currencies Some crypto supporters see governments and central banks taking a leading role in the global march towards digitised money with the development of their own currencies. Celente of the Trends Research Institute said the US, for example, could create its own digital currency as a way to pay off its federal debt. “There’s no way the US can pay off their $36 trillion worth of government debt. They may come up with a new cryptocurrency as part of CBDCs (Central Bank Digital Currency),” Celente said. “You’re seeing more and more of the central banks talking about CBDCs, they’re definitely going to go into that direction,” Celente added. “They’re going to use this as an excuse to come up with a coin because they cannot pay off the debt that they have now. They’re going to say, ‘This [digital currency] is worth a lot more than the dollar, yuan, the euro,’ and use that to pay off their debt.” Some observers have warned that the introduction of CBDCs would open a Pandora’s box of problems related to government control and surveillance of people’s finances. Trump’s pick for commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, is the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, which manages the stockpile of US Treasuries that back Tether, the largest stablecoin by market cap. Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies that are pegged to a traditional commodity or currency to maintain a stable price. They have reached record volumes of more than $200bn in total market cap. Sobrado said there could be an opening for Tether to become the national de facto privatised CBDC for the US, and for smaller economies such as the UAE, Hong Kong, Singapore and Switzerland to issue their own CBDCs. “The pro-crypto voices and Fed-critical voices have never been louder in the White House,” Sobrado said. Celente said he had no doubt that the future of money is digital. “There’s no question at all,” he affirmed.
In a speech on the occasion of National Press Day last week, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called attention to the issue of fair compensation to media companies for the use of their content by big technology platforms. The Internet’s rapid growth has created a power imbalance between news publishers and large online enterprises which now set the financial terms for their use of content created by others. Many countries are grappling with this issue, and new regulations are taking shape. In Australia and France, Google and Meta are increasingly required to negotiate fairer revenue-sharing agreements and licensing deals with publishers. A similar push in India will be an essential step to ensure the continued vibrancy and financial sustainability of news organisations, which are under threat in their traditional and online formats. The government’s affirmation of support for fair revenue sharing in favour of news publishers — first expressed last year — is more important than ever. As Artificial Intelligence makes stealthy, large-scale appropriation of content easier and when new business models are built on that technological capacity, fair compensation for original creators is an urgent question. The time has come to rapidly act to give force to these pronouncements through law. The pushback that these steps will likely face from Big Tech platforms make it that much more important to start the work quickly, and with resolve. The Minister has also expressed concern on the issue of misinformation and fake news. It is important for the government to establish trust as a good faith broker and avoid the temptation to act as a regulator or censor of content. Trust comes, for instance, by taking steps to improve the public’s media literacy in general. The government’s desire, now stalled by the judiciary — to act as a fact-checker — in fact, to be the final authority over what is or is not true about the Union government, is not helpful. Trust is established by empowering a strong press to pursue and verify falsehoods vigorously; and not by state regulation and censorship. The partisan application of existing rules by authorities that go after the Opposition parties on charges of misinformation while turning a blind eye towards violations by the ruling party must also stop. Only an even-handed application of laws against misinformation will act as a deterrent for bad actors. India’s news industry has always suffered from fundamental financial and political challenges. The Internet age offers the opportunity to work on remedies. The firms that control the Internet must be more effectively regulated, and government interventions, which are necessary, must not result in state high-handedness. Published - November 28, 2024 12:10 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit ministers (government) / media / technology (general) / Australia / France / online / Artificial Intelligence / judiciary (system of justice) / politics / India / government / internet
The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.
55th GST Council Meeting Ends: Decision On ATF, Insurance, Food Delivery Deferred; 18% Tax On Caramel Popcorn
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has improved its desalination efficiency by 80 percent and halved costs by 50 percent in recent years, a top official from the Kingdom has said. “Our achievements in desalinated water production in the last eight years are equivalent to what was achieved in the previous four decades,” Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour bin Hilal Al-Mushaiti said. He outlined the accomplishments at the 2025 Budget Forum hosted by the Ministry of Finance in Riyadh, calling the progress a “historic milestone” for the Kingdom, according to the Saudi Press Agency. Daily desalinated water production has surged to 6 million cubic meters, contributing to a total capacity of 11.3 million cubic meters daily, he added. The improvement is testament to the Kingdom’s commitment to water security, environmental sustainability and Vision 2030, the deputy minister said. He highlighted the monumental scale of the Kingdom’s water infrastructure, noting that water production facilities are primarily located along the coasts, requiring water to be transported across thousands of kilometers. “The water transmission network we have built spans more than 14,000 km — double the length of the Nile River,” he said. “It crosses mountain peaks, valleys and deserts to deliver water to communities across the Kingdom.” Strategic water storage capacity has also seen a significant boost, rising from 13 million cubic meters in 2016 to more than 25 million cubic meters today. “This expansion ensures the Kingdom’s resilience in times of crisis, guaranteeing reliable access to water for all regions,” said Al-Mushaiti. He attributed the achievements to strong government support and private-sector collaboration. “We have implemented 29 water projects worth SR28 billion ($7.46 billion), of which 30 percent — SR8 billion — is foreign investment,” he said. Looking forward, Al-Mushaiti announced plans for private sector projects worth SR58 billion. “We are building a system where public and private sectors work hand-in-hand to achieve national goals,” he said. Technological advancements have played a critical role in the Kingdom’s water conservation efforts. Al-Mushaiti said that by using innovation and sustainable practices, the Kingdom is saving more than 9 billion cubic meters of groundwater annually. “That’s equivalent to the water consumption of the entire Kingdom’s population for three years,” he added. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the water sector installed 2 million electronic meters, enabling more efficient billing and consumption monitoring. “These meters send notifications to users when their consumption exceeds normal levels, promoting the principle of ‘responsible consumption’,” Al-Mushaiti said. Furthermore, water rationalization initiatives in government agencies saved more than 31 million cubic meters of water in 2023 alone. The ministry’s efforts have also spurred growth in the agricultural sector, which has seen its contribution to gross domestic product rise from SR64 billion in 2016 to SR109 billion in 2023. “We achieved self-sufficiency rates for many crops that now exceed 100 percent,” Al-Mushaiti said, adding that these gains reflect the success of policies aimed at conserving water resources while boosting productivity. On the environmental front, Saudi Arabia is making strides with its Saudi Green Initiative. Al-Mushaiti said that in just three years, the country has planted more than 95 million trees using renewable water and supplementary irrigation. “This number will surpass 100 million by the end of the year, marking the start of a green era for the Kingdom,” he said. The deputy minister also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s leadership in addressing global water challenges. “Water is the backbone of life and development, and achieving sustainability is one of the greatest global challenges,” he said. In this regard, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in 2023 announced the establishment of the Global Water Organization, headquartered in Riyadh. The decision underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to advancing water sustainability worldwide, Al-Mushaiti said. He added that the World Bank has recognized Saudi Arabia’s water system as unique and a model that others should study. As Saudi Arabia pushes forward with its ambitious plans for water security, agriculture and environmental sustainability, Al-Mushaiti concluded with optimism: “The journey so far has been remarkable, but the best is yet to come.”
Amazon UK just launched its Black Friday sale for 2024 and it's packed with thousands of discounts with up to 68% off across TVs, laptops, appliances, headphones, tablets, phones, gaming, and more. With eight years of Black Friday experience behind me, I've searched through this year's sale to pick out 31 of the best deals I recommend buying now. • Browse the full Black Friday sale at Amazon UK One deal I can't approve of enough is the Nothing Ear (a) for £69 (was £99). These earbuds are one of the biggest surprises of the year, scoring a full five stars in our Nothing Ear (a) review for their excellent AirPods-beating audio quality and impressive noise cancellation. All for a budget-friendly price of under £70? I'll take it. Next to that, you can find a whopping 50% discount on the Google Pixel 8 Pro . It may be an older device but £499 for a super-powerful handset that's excellent for everyday use and taking photos is a steal. There's also this cheap but surprisingly capable Eufy G50 Robot Vacuum for £99.99 (was £169.99), an essential Oral-B Pro 3 Electric Toothbrush for £35 (was £100) and the brand-new MacBook Air (M3) for a record-low price . While these offers shouldn't get any cheaper over the next week, Amazon has announced a price promise is in effect until December 2. This means that if you do see something you bought with the Black Friday badge for less between now and then you will automatically get a refund for the difference. A good bit of peace of mind when shopping today. You can see all my top picks from the Amazon UK Black Friday sale below or jump into the best offers in various categories using the quick links. And for offers at other retailers, check out our full Black Friday deals coverage. Amazon Devices : up to 58% off Kindle & Echo Apple : iPad and AirPods from £179 Appliances : 60% off Ninja and Shark Gaming : PS5 and Xbox games from £15.99 Headphones : Sony and Bose from £31.99 Health : up to 68% off Philips and Oral-B Laptops : Lenovo, Asus and HP from £149 Phones : Google and Samsung from £98 Smart home : Ring & Echo from £15.99 Tablets : Fire tablets from £39.99 Toys : Lego and board games from £9.99 TVs : cheap TVs from £109 Vacuums : up to 40% off Shark and Dyson Wearables: up to 40% off Fitbit and Garmin 31 best Black Friday deals at Amazon UK These have been some of the surprise earbuds of the year, scoring a sweet five stars in our Nothing Ear (a) review – and now you can get them for their lowest price ever. Considering the latest AirPods are still around £130, the fact that these boast massively superior sound and great active noise cancellation for far less than Apple's offering makes them a no-brainer. This entry-level electric toothbrush is a solid pickup while it's less than half price in Amazon's Black Friday deals. It doesn't boast many impressive high-end features but it has the basic ones you really need to brush your teeth effectively and efficiently, including a two-minute timer and a visible pressure sensor. Plus, you get a handy carry case included for free. Amazon has this wireless outdoor security camera down to a new record-low price for all as part of its Black Friday deals. You get 1080p HD video, motion detection, and the option of two-way talk through the Blink app. A two-year battery life also means you can have the camera set up and running for a good amount of time. Of course, there's Alexa compatibility too, so you can see through cameras using your Echo Show or other displays. You can also add up to three extra cameras to get an impressive bundle for the price if you want to get started with an easy-to-use home security system. Ninja's recent space-saving air fryer is down to a record-low price, which is a steal for the popular and well-rated appliance. We loved it at TechRadar, scoring it full marks in our Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer review and even putting it in our best air fryer buying guide. Well-built and great-looking on any countertop, it offers five cooking levels across two drawers and two racks, while the 9.5L capacity is ideal for medium to big families. Even though a newer version is available, the Google Pixel 8 Pro remains one of the best Android phones and a beautifully designed handset. We rated the gorgeous display 5/5 in our review, and the triple camera array on the back of the phone has class-leading features. The Tensor G3 chipset, designed by Google, keeps things running snappily, and 12GB of RAM is plenty for multitasking and AI. This deal brings a truly premium device to an incredibly low price for a flagship phone. Amazon's all-new Kindle Paperwhite is on sale for the first time since launch this Black Friday. Previous versions have been reduced to under £100 in the past, but it's unlikely we'll ever see an offer like that again on this upgraded version. We found in our Kindle Paperwhite review that it's packed with features to suit all avid readers, including an improved 12-week battery life, a larger glare-free 7-inch screen, adjustable warm light and storage space for thousands of books. Display - 13.6 inches Processor - Apple M3 RAM - 16GB Storage - 256GB OS - macOS Apple's latest version of the MacBook Air is our pick for the best laptop you can buy right now, and this price cut brings the brand-new version with 16GB of RAM down to a record-low price. Windows 11 laptops at this price point just can't compare, and this is an ideal offer if you're looking for a thin, light and dependable laptop to use for school and work. The G50 is very budget-friendly even at full price, but even more so with this Black Friday deal, which takes it under £100. A maximum suction of 4,000Pa is extremely good for the price, and the onboard bin is surprisingly generously sized at 600ml. For this price, expect the navigation to be basic, and geared towards whole-home cleans rather than anything more specific. Because there's no central raised puck, it'll be able to sneak under low furniture. We generally rate Eufy highly as a brand, although we haven't reviewed this specific model yet. I've got one of those AnySharp knife sharpeners to keep my kitchen knives up to scratch but if you want to go all the way with a convenient knife block with a build-in sharpener then this is a great price for a premium set from Ninja that matches the previous record-low. You'll never suffer from dull knives again with this extremely handy kitchen gadget, with its five-piece set of stainless knives and included paring scissors. The Sony WH-1000MX4 are older now but they are still some of the best over-ear headphones ever. These wireless Sony cans package together top-notch audio, excellent comfort, and effective noise cancellation all at a reasonable price point that's about £70 less than the newer Sony XM5 that are only a minor upgrade. We still rate these as the best headphones for most people because you can find them at a price like this during major sales such as Black Friday. The PS5 is the console I use the most, and while I'm not the biggest Fortnite fan, I can appreciate the considerable saving on this bundle that includes a PlayStation 5 console and a Fortnite Starter Pack featuring cosmetics and V-Bucks. If you're not interested in the Fortnite goodies then you can also get the PS5 console by itself for £399.99 and save a tenner. You can save a good amount on the impressive Karcher WV5 Plus right now at Amazon, bringing it down to the lowest price I've seen this year. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery boasts a 35-minute run time, which equals about 105m2 on a single charge – or up to 75 windows. That’s more than enough to do a small flat several times over or a couple of trips around a whole home. The Samsung 55-inch S95D OLED TV is the TV everyone wants to own. It has an incredibly detailed QD-OLED picture with anti-reflection technology, spectacular gaming features, and even a great-looking design. Colours look dynamic and natural, and there are deep blacks, too. It's easily one of 2024's best TVs and it's now down to a record-low price. We already called the new version of these popular cheap earbuds 'great value for money' in our Sony WF-C510 review – and that was at the full asking price. At this new record-low price, I think they're an absolute steal and then some. Yes, 20 hours of battery can be bettered – but 10 hours from the buds alone certainly can't at this new price point. They're also light and comfortable, providing an exciting, musical sound that also beats the latest AirPods. I bought this massage gun myself and found it to be excellent value for money, so I definitely recommend it at this record-low price. It's easy to use, quiet, has four attachments to target different muscles and has six speed settings to suit your preferred pressure. The detachable handle is a nice addition, too, so you can easily reach your back. Here's a return to the record-low price for this impressive bundle featuring the appliance we awarded 4.5 stars out of five in our Shark Stratos Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner review . I can't praise these vacuums enough for the Anti Hair Wrap tech that's saved me so much time unclogging the brush roll compared to my old vacuum. Flexology makes it a good option for reaching under furniture and this upgraded Stratos version boasts anti-odour tech and CleanSense IQ that automatically adjusts suction power to tackle tougher areas of dirt. On top of all that, battery life is an impressive 60 minutes. DJI's latest entry-level drone builds on the Mini 2 SE by bringing 4K video to the table, whereas the Mini 2 SE only shoots in 2.7K. With this early Black Friday deal you get over 20% off what we think is hands-down the best 4K drone for the money. This standard combo includes DJI's basic remote controller and a single battery for a 31-minute flight time. If you're looking for your first drone equipped with a camera, the Mini 4K is a great starting point. A new version of the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet was only recently released and this latest budget-friendly slate has now got a huge 50% discount at Amazon for Black Friday. While not the most powerful tablet out there, the Fire HD 8 has what you need to cover the essentials, such as web browsing, sending emails, watching videos and a little light gaming. Battery life is impressive at up to 13 hours, so it's good to take on the go or if you're just chilling on the couch. This updated Sonos Era 100 recently knocked the classic Sonos One off the top spot to become our favourite wireless speaker. It offers terrific audio quality for its small size with a rich soundscape and strong bass. It's also versatile so you can connect to it via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or an aux cable and fire music to it from multiple streaming services. The hefty starting price was the only off-putting factor in our Sonos Era 100 review , but this record-low makes it a great buy as an all-around home speaker. Amazon's new version of the standard Fire TV Stick is now the cheapest it's ever been making this is an affordable way to add or upgrade the essential smart features in your TV, including access to streaming apps in HD, Alexa voice controls and the ability to control other smart home devices. As we said in our Fire TV Stick review , this is a decent option if you're looking to upgrade your streaming setup on the cheap. If you want to go for the more modern version of Apple's entry-level tablet then this iPad 10.9 is now at its cheapest price yet for Black Friday. It's great value for money at this price if you need an all-around tablet. We said Apple's latest base-level tablet is a big upgrade over the previous generation model in our iPad 10.9 review , with a larger Liquid Retina display, a new A14 Bionic chip, improved cameras, USB-C support, and a sleek design. This is a new low price for the fantastic Bose QuestComfort Ultra Headphones and it's a great deal considering that there's a clear step up in sound compared to other premium cans. Superbly detailed and energetic sound meets the best noise cancellation you can get right now, in a light and comfortable design. Display - 15.6 inches Processor - Intel i7 RAM - 16GB Storage - 1TB OS - Windows 11 A laptop with this amount of power and at this sort of price with an OLED screen is a rare find, so if you desire top-tier image quality for photo/video editing or watching TV/movies then this device is one to consider. With a reasonably modern Intel i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and a large 1TB SSD it has all the power you need to keep up with more demanding jobs and all of your computing needs. This Amazon Fire TV 4-Series is a strong buy after this over £200 discount if you've got a small budget and need a more modern option for your everyday TV viewing. The mid-sized 4K display supports HDR 10 to offer a sharp, clear, and vibrant image for TV shows, movies, and sports. All major streaming apps are ready to go, too, plus there's voice control support through Alexa. It's an all-around solid TV for the price that I'd buy if I needed an affordable and capable display. Would you prefer to buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra outright instead of getting a monthly contract? This deal at the official Samsung Store brings it to within £50 of the record-low price for Black Friday. You can also upgrade to 1TB of storage at a discounted cost of £100 and save up to £490 on top when you trade in your old device. As we found in our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review , this device represents the very best that Samsung has to offer in its latest phone lineup, with superb cameras, a powerful chipset for great performance, and a large display. This beats the discount we saw last year by £20 on the latest generation Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C support. As well as that more universal connection option, Apple's newest premium earbuds come with sought-after improvements to audio quality and noise cancellation. In our AirPods Pro 2 review , we said that these upgrades ensured they were a big step up compared to the originals and helped them truly compete with other high-end buds. Display - 13-inch OLED Processor - Snapdragon X Plus RAM - 16GB Storage - 256GB OS - Windows 11 This is one of the best discounts I've seen on the new Surface Pro models and it's a tempting buy after we were super-impressed in our Surface Pro 11 review . This version boasts a gorgeous 13-inch PixelSense Flow OLED display at 2880 x 1920 resolution so it looks sharp and crisp with some vibrant colors and deep blacks. Meanwhile, the Snapdragon X Plus processor ensures excellent battery life and combines well with its many AI features to simplify your life. There’s also 16GB of memory and 256GB of SSD storage which will ensure speedy performance and enough storage space for your essential files and applications. This second-generation Sonos Beam soundbar is a few years old but this discount drops it back to a record-low price. For the money, you get a compact and stylish soundbar with excellent integration with the wider Sonos ecosystem and Dolby Atmos support for a more immersive experience when watching movies. We also found it's great at playing music in our Sonos Beam (Gen 2) review so it's a good choice if you need one for multiple uses. Another year, another update to EA's all-consuming football sim – and it's perhaps just as unsurprising to see EA FC 25 get its first significant discount for Black Friday. In many respects its a reskin of last year's game, but with just enough changes and graphical tweaks to make it worthwhile. And who else would be on the cover but Jude Bellingham? This dental flosser comes from the premium brand Waterpik and there's a small saving available for Black Friday that brings it back to a record-low price. With multiple brush heads, a compact size, ten pressure settings, good battery life, and a large reservoir, it's one of the better options available if it's your first time trying a water flosser. There's a solid £50 saving available on the wonderful little Xbox Series S at Amazon. Microsoft's cheaper current generation console is not as powerful as the Xbox Series X, but with this deal, it's over £250 cheaper and still capable of playing all the same games in full HD. Pair this with an Xbox Game Pass subscription and it's a good option if you want to game on a budget.This Black Friday , you can get an incredible deal on the Dyson V11 cordless vacuum. With a great 39% discount, this powerful and design cleaning machine is available at just $349, down from its original price of $569 . This offer is part of Amazon’s Black Friday Week deals and it includes their best price guarantee throughout the event period. If the price drops further during Black Friday, Amazon will refund you the difference, so there’s no need to wait. See at Amazon As an added bonus for holiday shoppers, Amazon is extending its return policy for this Black Friday deal. It means that you can return the Dyson V11 Origin until January 31, 2025, instead of the standard 30-day window. This is great if you’re considering the V11 as a Christmas gift. Most Premium Vacuum As you probably know, Dyson is a renowned British brand and it’s famous for producing some of t he world’s most powerful and efficient vacuum cleaners . The V11 Origin is no exception and boasts impressive suction power (185 AW !), innovative design and extended battery life. This cordless wonder also transforms effortlessly into a handheld vacuum so that you’ll be able to tackle any cleaning task in your home. The Dyson V11 Origin is equipped with Dyson’s latest motor technology and delivers up to 185 Air Watts (AW) of suction power. This massive power ensures that no dirt, dust, or debris is left behind-whether you’re cleaning carpets, hardwood floors or even tiles. The vacuum features three cleaning modes – Eco, Auto, and Boost – and you can adjust the suction power (from the LCD screen located at the top of the vacuum) based on your cleaning needs and maximize battery life. What’s great with this model is that the vacuum’s High Torque cleaner head comes with a dynamic load sensor that automatically detects the floor type and adjusts suction power accordingly in Auto mode. This feature ensures optimal cleaning performance on any floors but also helps conserve battery life. Speaking of battery life, the Dyson V11 Origin offers a run time of up to 60 minutes on a single charge when using Eco mode. You can check the battery level on the LCD screen as well. The V11 Origin’s bin capacity is 0.76 liters and provides ample space for collected debris13. When it comes to filtration, the vacuum is equipped with a whole-machine filtration system that captures 99.99% of particles as small as 0.3 microns. It’s also incredibly silent (75 dB) and you’ll really like it on a daily basis. Everything is so easy, in particular because it’s corless. We really recommend not miss out on this exceptional Black Friday deal: this is the record low price for a premium Dyson V11 Origin vacuum and it might run out of stock very soon. Over 10,000 units have been sold in the past month on Amazon, and this vacuum is clearly among our favorite. See at Amazon
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On the final day of the 12-day-long "Shipmas" event, OpenAI introduced its latest reasoning models, named o3 and o3-mini. These models were unveiled as a preview, with no immediate plans for public release. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the o3-mini model is expected to launch by the end of January, with the full version of o3 to follow at a later date. Altman believes these advanced large language models (LLMs) have the potential to outperform existing ones, attracting both new users and investors. In preparation for the launch, OpenAI has invited researchers to apply for early testing of these models before they are publicly available. The application window for external researchers will remain open until January 10. Notably, OpenAI had previously released o1, initially known as Project Strawberry, in September of this year. Interestingly, the company appears to be skipping the o2 designation entirely, reportedly to avoid a potential copyright conflict with the UK-based telecommunications company O2. you all did incredible work here! https://t.co/vxHBwbvv2Z — Sam Altman (@sama) December 21, 2024 ALSO READ | Meta Ray-Ban Smart Glasses Update: Live AI, Live Translation And Shazam Showcased By Zuckerberg Earlier Finally Arrive OpenAI o3 Outperforms Its Predecessor The o3 model has reportedly set new benchmarks, outperforming its predecessors in multiple domains. It achieved a 22.8 per cent improvement in SWE-Bench verified coding tests and even outperformed OpenAI’s Chief Scientist in competitive programming challenges. Additionally, the model excelled in AIME 2024, one of the most challenging math competitions, scoring an impressive 87.7 per cent on expert-level science problems. When tackling the most complex math and reasoning challenges, o3 solved 25.02 per cent of the problems—far surpassing other models, which struggled to exceed a 2 per cent success rate. While the o1 models demonstrated strong reasoning capabilities and handled intricate problems effectively, the upcoming o3 and o3-mini models promise to deliver even greater performance. At present, these new models are undergoing rigorous internal safety testing.None
Cassie Randolph did not find her happily ever after on The Bachelor , but she found The One in Brighton Reinhardt . Randolph competed on season 23 of the ABC series. She won Colton Underwood ’s season despite leaving early, but the pair parted ways in May 2020. (Underwood came out publicly as gay in April 2021.) Shortly after their split, Randolph began dating Reinhardt. The couple went public with their romance in July 2021 after nearly one year together. That same year, Randolph starred in Reinhardt’s “Dreaming” music video, and they’ve since become regulars on each other’s social media pages. You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News Randolph and Reinhardt got engaged in November 2024 after four years of dating. Scroll down to revisit Randolph and Reinhardt’s romance: Credit: Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram Cassie Randolph and Fiance Brighton Reinhardt: A Timeline of Their Relationship Cassie Randolph did not find her happily ever after on The Bachelor , but she found The One in Brighton Reinhardt .Randolph competed on season 23 of the ABC series. She won Colton Underwood ’s season despite leaving early, but the pair parted ways in May 2020. (Underwood came out publicly as gay in April 2021.)Shortly after their split, Randolph began dating Reinhardt. The couple went public with their romance in July 2021 after nearly one year together. That same year, Randolph starred in Reinhardt’s “Dreaming” music video, and they’ve since become regulars on each other’s social media pages.Randolph and Reinhardt got engaged in November 2024 after four years of dating.Scroll down to revisit Randolph and Reinhardt’s romance: Credit: Sara De Boer/startraksphoto.com; Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram; Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock August 2020 The duo sparked dating rumors three months after her split from Underwood. Fans noticed them spending time together with her family in Huntington Beach, California, and “liking” each other’s Instagram posts. However, Reinhardt shut down the speculation in August 2020. “Cassie and I are just friends and have been for over four or so years,” he exclusively told Us at the time. “My brothers and I are all close with Cassie and her whole family.” Credit: Shutterstock; Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram; Shutterstock January 2021 The musician seemingly shaded Underwood in his song “Creep,” two months after Randolph dropped her restraining order against her ex. (Randolph accused Underwood of installing a tracker on her car. Randolph rescinded the order after coming to an agreement with Underwood.) The lyrics, in part, read, “You can’t stop thinking about my baby / What once was yours in the world is changing / God, I hope you get your thinking right / GPS on the underside / Told her everything will be just fine / Damn, I can’t believe these guys.” Credit: John Nacion/Startraks; Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram; Shutterstock May 2021 A source told Us that the speech pathologist’s relationship with Reinhardt “progressed naturally” after her split from the former Bachelor. “He’s been a good friend of hers for over five years,” the insider noted. “He obviously knows what she went through with Colton and just supported her along the way.” Reinhardt “gets along well with her family,” the source said, adding that the twosome were “still enjoying spending time with one another and just seeing where things go.” Credit: Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram July 2021 Randolph and Reinhardt made their relationship Instagram official in July 2021. “Insert cheesy caption here*,” he captioned the beach pics. Credit: CraSH/imageSPACE/Shutterstock; Courtesy Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram August 2021 Randolph appeared in the music video for her boyfriend’s song “Dreaming” in August 2021. “This song is obviously very special to me,” she explained via Instagram at the time. “About 5 months ago when it was just a demo, I began using it as my YouTube intro song, and shortly after @briighton trusted me to attempt to sing some background vocals on it! In a funny way I feel like this song is one of my kittens that I’ve been watching grow up ... Anywho, we’ve been SO impatiently waiting to share this with you all.” Credit: Cassie Randolph/Instagram September 2021 One month after Randolph starred in the "Dreaming" video, a source told Us that the couple were happier than ever. "She's in a very normal dating relationship with Brighton," the insider said. "They're very much in love. They are really happy and just enjoying life." The source noted that they hadn't moved in together yet, but are still spending much of their free time with each other. "In their downtime, they're always at the beach — surfing, swimming, laying out," the insider explained. "She's very active and has been doing lots of yoga and meditation. They also like creating videos together and taking photos, capturing special moments of them together." Credit: Oscar Chan - Momentum Photography November 2021 The reality TV alum and the musician enjoyed a romantic getaway together at Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Cancun in Cancun, Mexico. “They seemed to be very much in love and were seen being affectionate and cuddling on the beach cabanas and poolside lounge chairs,” an eyewitness recalled to Us Weekly at the time. "They also enjoyed a romantic candlelit private dinner set up by the resort in their suite and took long walks hand in hand on the beach.” Credit: Courtesy of Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram March 2022 "He's a great person," Randolph gushed about her man during an episode of the "Off the Vine" podcast in March 2022. "It's very, like, natural. So easy. Which I never understood until this [relationship]. ... I'm never questioning him or us. It's more just we get annoyed at little things." While reflecting on their next steps, Randolph noted, "We've definitely talked about the future. There's no, like, plans on the horizon that I am aware of." Credit: Courtesy of Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram April 2022 Reinhardt celebrated Randolph’s birthday by taking her to Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, California. Credit: Courtesy of Cassie Randolph/Instagram August 2023 The pair celebrated three years together by sharing two disposable camera photos via Instagram. Credit: Courtesy of Brighton Reinhardt/Instagram July 2024 “First time at Yosemite! ✅ Hiked enough for the rest of the year 😅,” Reinhardt captioned a series of photos from the couple’s national park trip. Credit: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images November 2024 Reinhardt proposed on November 25 at the Crystal Cove Cottages in Newport Beach, California. “Forever with my best friend,” the musician captioned an IG Story photo after news of their engagement broke. “When Brighton dropped to a knee and asked ‘Will you marry me?,’ as he opened the box, my reaction was immediately, ‘Oh, my gosh, yes!,’” Randolph told People of the special moment. In order to view the gallery, please allow Manage Cookies For access to all our exclusive celebrity videos and interviews – Subscribe on YouTube!Albion dominated for large periods on a foggy evening at the Amex Stadium and hit the woodwork inside four minutes through Julio Enciso. Bees goalkeeper Mark Flekken also made a string of important saves before being forced off injured in the 36th minute, albeit his replacement Hakon Valdimarsson was rarely tested on his Premier League debut. Brentford, who remain without a top-flight away win this term, had an early Yoane Wissa finish ruled out for offside following VAR intervention but barely threatened, despite an improved second-half showing. The Seagulls remain 10th ahead of Monday’s trip to Aston Villa, with Thomas Frank’s visitors a position and two points below moving towards their New Year’s Day showdown with Arsenal. Brighton have plummeted from second place to mid-table amid a poor run of form which has increased scrutiny on head coach Fabian Hurzeler. Seagulls chief executive Paul Barber called for perspective from fans in his programme notes after revealing he revealed emails “full of doom and gloom” following the recent 3-1 home defeat to rivals Crystal Palace. Enciso, one of two players recalled by Hurzeler following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at West Ham, almost gave Albion a dream start. A poor pass from Bees goalkeeper Flekken was intercepted by Carlos Baleba and, following a neat layoff from Joao Pedro, Paraguay forward Enciso curled against the right post. Brentford arrived in Sussex with the worst away record in the division, having previously taken a solitary point from 24 available this term. Flekken saved well from Baleba and then collected a tame header from the unmarked Enciso before the away side thought they had snatched a 13th-minute lead. After being slipped in by Mads Roerslev at the end of a swift counter-attack, Wissa thumped high into the net beyond Seagulls keeper Bart Verbruggen only to be ruled marginally offside. Flekken made further saves from Brajan Gruda and Matt O’Riley before hurting himself keeping out a deflected Kaoru Mitoma cross and being replaced by 23-year-old Iceland international Valdimarsson. Brentford remained on the back foot and, aside from Wissa’s disallowed effort, offered little going forward in a one-sided opening period which somehow ended level. Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke produced a crucial block to deny Wissa as the west London club began the second half brightly before Christian Norgaard’s ambitious effort deflected wide amid groans from increasingly restless home fans. Hurzeler responded with a triple change, introducing Yasin Ayari, Simon Adingra and Yankuba Minteh in place of O’Riley, Gruda and Mitoma. Albion forward Pedro then escaped punishment in the 76th minute after swinging an arm at Bees substitute Yehor Yarmoliuk without making contact before defender Ben Mee became the second visiting player to depart injured. The introduction of Solly March in the 88th minute for his first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in October last year briefly lifted the mood on the terraces. But, following a frantic five minutes of added time, some Seagulls supporters vented their displeasure at full-time as their club’s wait for victory goes on.