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Trump offers a public show of support for Pete Hegseth, his embattled nominee to lead the Pentagon
The apparent assassination of UnitedHealthcare Chief Executive Brian Thompson on a Midtown Manhattan sidewalk Wednesday has unleashed an extraordinary outpouring of emotion. But it’s not all horror or sadness over a 50-year-old father of two being shot dead in public by a man in a mask. Thompson’s death has inspired a torrent of fury about the way his insurance company and others treat — or mistreat — people in their moments of greatest need. Some of the reactions, particularly on social media, have been downright gleeful about the killing. What a stunning illustration of the hatred so many Americans feel toward for-profit health insurance companies, which too often make money for stockholders by withholding care from sick people. UnitedHealthcare is a particularly awful exemplar. It is infamous for high denial rates and low reimbursement levels. According to an investigation by the medical news site Stat and a federal lawsuit recently filed in Minnesota, UnitedHealthcare has been using a deeply flawed artificial intelligence algorithm to wrongfully deny healthcare to elderly and disabled patients. Stat reported that the company “pressured its medical staff to cut off payments for seriously ill patients ... denying rehabilitation care for older and disabled Americans as profits soared.” ProPublica reported last month that the company was using algorithms to identify people it deemed guilty of “therapy overuse” and deny mental health treatment. Both California and Massachusetts determined that the company was breaking the federal law that requires insurers to cover mental health issues the same way they cover physical ailments. UnitedHealthcare denied claims for more than 34,000 therapy sessions from 2013 to 2020 in New York alone, saving the company about $8 million. Adding to this unsavory picture, four of its top executives, including Thompson, have been under scrutiny for $101.5 million in stock trades they made after the company was informed that it was the target of a federal antitrust investigation but before the news became public and the stock price dropped. Perhaps all this helps explain why, as of Friday morning, more than 85,000 people had reacted to UnitedHealthcare’s solemn Facebook statement about Thompson’s death with a laugh emoji . People on other social media platforms also piled on. “All human life is sacred, so it’s not proper to laugh when serious harm befalls someone,” wrote one Bluesky user . “The moral thing to do is instead charge them hundreds of thousands of dollars.” “UnitedHealth CEO meets the same fate as many of his clients,” posted another Bluesky user above photos of the shooter pointing his gun at Thompson’s back before he reportedly rode off on an e-bike. Stories of terrible interactions with the largest health insurer in the country also poured forth. Elizabeth Austin, a single mother who lives in Bucks County, Pa., told me she had a miserable experience with UnitedHealthcare after her young daughter, Carolyn, was diagnosed with leukemia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her chemotherapy caused nausea, so Carolyn’s doctor ordered a nighttime feeding tube to supplement what little she was able to eat while awake. She said United Healthcare wouldn’t pay for the feeding tube unless Carolyn ate no solid food at all. “I was like, ‘She’s 9! She wants to eat food!’” Austin told me. Unmoved, the insurer forced Austin to pay $900 a month out of pocket for the device. Later, when Carolyn developed a sensitivity to a sedative used during her monthly lumbar punctures, her doctors switched to another medicine, and the company again denied payment, Austin said. She paid for that herself too. Austin said she eventually developed a stress-related heart condition that required ablation surgery. She and her daughter are healthy now, but the scars remain. She said she was saddened but not shocked to learn about Thompson’s death. “These things are happening because people are really struggling,” she told me. “I don’t think the CEO was responsible for my daughter’s caregiving issues, but it’s smart to ask, ‘Why did this happen?’ Could it be a systemic issue?’ People are buckling under the pressure.” At this point, the motive for Thompson’s killing is a matter of speculation. But ammunition recovered from the scene was inscribed with words often used to describe insurance companies’ anti-patient strategies, including “deny” and “defend,” the Associated Press and others reported. In the 2010 book “ Delay, Deny, Defend : Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It,” Jay M. Feinman, a Rutgers law professor, traces the evolution of insurance companies from generally helpful organizations where adjusters — that is, human beings — were responsible for reimbursements into the antagonistic, algorithm-driven behemoths they are today. In the 1990s, he writes, insurance companies such as Allstate turned to the consulting firm McKinsey & Co. to develop new strategies. “McKinsey,” Feinman writes, “saw claims as a ‘zero-sum game,’ with the policyholder and the company competing for the same dollars. No longer would each claim be treated on its merits.” Computers would determine reimbursements, and settlements would be offered on a “take-it-or-litigate basis.” Feinman writes that McKinsey urged Allstate to move “from ‘Good Hands’ to ‘Boxing Gloves.’” Earlier this year, the insurance giant Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield announced that it would start limiting reimbursements for anesthesia based on its own time limits for surgeries. The idea, Anthem said, was to prevent overbilling. Doctors, predictably, were outraged. “This is just the latest in a long line of appalling behavior by commercial health insurers looking to drive their profits up at the expense of patients and physicians providing essential care,” Donald Arnold, the president of the American Society of Anesthesiologists, told NPR . On Thursday, after the outpouring of rage against health insurers sparked by Thompson’s killing, Anthem reversed course , blaming “significant widespread misinformation” about its proposed policy for the about-face. No wonder there is so little empathy for Brian Thompson, who was by many accounts a lovely human being . In death, he has become an unwitting symbol of the terrible things health insurance companies do to people for money. Bluesky: @rabcarian.bsky.social . Threads: @rabcarianBarnstable shot 6 for 12 (3 for 8 from 3-point range) and 8 of 9 from the free-throw line for the Tommies (10-4). Drake Dobbs scored 18 points while going 6 of 10 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and 5 for 6 from the line and added five assists. Kendall Blue shot 5 for 11 (2 for 6 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 16 points. The Tommies picked up their sixth straight win. Javontae Campbell led the way for the Falcons (4-7) with 18 points, six rebounds and four steals. Marcus Johnson added 16 points for Bowling Green. Derrick Butler had 15 points. St. Thomas took the lead with 18:36 remaining in the first half and did not relinquish it. Carter Bjerke led their team in scoring with 12 points in the first half to help put them up 46-20 at the break. St. Thomas pulled away with a 10-0 run in the second half to extend a 20-point lead to 30 points. They were outscored by Bowling Green in the second half by a one-point margin, but still wound up on top, as Barnstable led the way with a team-high 14 second-half points. St. Thomas' next game is Sunday against UC Riverside on the road, and Bowling Green hosts Aquinas (MI) on Monday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
NoneNoneBiden White House considering preemptive pardons for Trump’s perceived enemies
Paul Krekorian, who is leaving the Los Angeles City Council due to term limits, will oversee the city’s handling of the 2026 World Cup, the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and other large events. Mayor Karen Bass tapped Krekorian, who leaves office on Sunday and previously served as council president, to be executive director of the city’s Office of Major Events. In that post, he will ensure that the Olympics and other sporting events provide “positive economic impacts for the city,” Bass’ office said. Bass’ office didn’t respond to a request about Krekorian’s salary in the new role. The veteran city lawmaker will serve as the primary liaison between Bass’ office and LA28, the private group organizing and paying for the Games. He will coordinate with city departments, work with the business community and oversee an effort to beef up the city’s transportation networks. City leaders are hoping that the Games will boost tourism and the regional economy. During the 2024 Summer Games, Paris saw a surge of visitors but also a dramatic fall-off in business for some shops and museums because of security restrictions that closed off parts of the city, according to the Associated Press . City officials want the incoming Trump administration to pay for billions of dollars worth of transportation improvements ahead of the Games, though there is no clear indication that it will. Bass, Krekorian and other city and county officials visited Paris earlier this year to study that city’s preparations. “When we met with officials from Paris, they stressed the importance of pulling the entire city together to make sure all city departments were aligned and operating under the same vision,” Bass said in a statement, adding that “Krekorian is uniquely positioned” to lead that effort. Bass pointed to Krekorian’s decades of experience handling city and state finances. Elected to the council in 2009, Krekorian led the powerful Budget and Finance Committee for several years, helping the city emerge from the 2008 recession and weather the economic shocks created by COVID-19. The city is taking on a significant financial risk by hosting the Olympic Games. If the Olympics fail to bring in enough money, the city will be on the hook for the first $270 million and potentially millions more, according to an agreement reached several years ago. At the same time, the city has limited power when it comes to the Olympics and Paralympics. The City Council can vote on venue changes, and LA28 will reimburse the city for some services, but the planning and execution of the events falls to LA28. Krekorian, who was elected council president in 2022 and represents part of the San Fernando Valley, said earlier this year that he remains confident that the L.A. Olympics will be economically successful. On Thursday, in a statement, he said he would work with Bass to “deliver the 2028 Games in a way that benefits everyone.” Last month, Krekorian expressed worry about the election of Trump, who has repeatedly attacked California over its left-leaning policies. Krekorian said at the time that he was anticipating “four difficult years for our city on multiple levels, not least of which is our access to federal funding for different programs, and preparations for the Olympics.” Trump announced Wednesday on Truth Social that he is nominating television commentator and former assistant treasury secretary Monica Crowley as the administration’s representative for “major U.S. hosted events,” including the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
NEW YORK , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report with market evolution powered by AI - The global green data center (GDC) market size is estimated to grow by USD 202.4 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 27.17% during the forecast period. Increase in electricity consumption and cost is driving market growth, with a trend towards increased use of dcim and automation. However, cost of building green data center poses a challenge. Key market players include ABB Ltd., Carrier Global Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., CommScope Holding Co. Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Delta Electronics Inc., Eaton Corp. Plc, Fujitsu Ltd., Green Revolution Cooling Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Modine Manufacturing Co., Panduit Corp., Rittal GmbH and Co. KG, Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, STULZ GmbH, Sunbird Inc., and Vertiv Holdings Co.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Component (IT infrastructure, Power solutions, General construction, Cooling solutions, and Monitoring and management), End-user (BFSI, Energy, IT and telecom, and Others), and Geography (Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered Europe, North America, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled ABB Ltd., Carrier Global Corp., Cisco Systems Inc., CommScope Holding Co. Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Delta Electronics Inc., Eaton Corp. Plc, Fujitsu Ltd., Green Revolution Cooling Inc., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., International Business Machines Corp., Modine Manufacturing Co., Panduit Corp., Rittal GmbH and Co. KG, Schneider Electric SE, Siemens AG, STULZ GmbH, Sunbird Inc., and Vertiv Holdings Co. Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The Green Data Center (GDC) market is thriving as businesses prioritize energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. GDCs use energy-efficient components like Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) and cooling systems in ECO mode or Active Standby. AI and ML enable predictive modeling and thermal optimization, while Eco-friendly solutions include renewable energy integration and hardware innovations. Media and entertainment, OTT platforms, and large data centers drive CapEx in GDCs. Cloud computing's green initiatives offer energy-efficient data processing and storage. Digital transformation, environmental regulations, and tax benefits push corporations towards net carbon neutrality. Renewable energy sources like solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric plants power GDCs. Virtualization, intelligent cooling systems, and power management reduce carbon footprint. Consultation services and monitoring systems help businesses navigate this transition. Large enterprises embrace CSR, risk management, and 5G technology. Big data analytics, IoT, healthcare, e-commerce, and colocation providers join the movement towards energy-efficient solutions. Greenhouse gas emissions are minimized through resource management and power systems. Networking systems and colocation data centers adopt renewable energy integration and modular infrastructure. Environmental laws mandate carbon emissions reduction, driving the demand for green data center solutions. Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) software is a crucial tool for managing modern data center facilities. This software enables remote monitoring of various aspects of the data center, including temperature, humidity, and power consumption. Vendors in the Green Data Center (GDC) market offer advanced DCIM systems, which come with higher Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) compared to traditional systems. The importance of energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions has made DCIM a necessary investment for data center operators. Colocation data center providers are particularly focusing on integrating advanced DCIM systems to effectively manage their facilities and ensure optimal energy usage. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This green data center (gdc) market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 IT infrastructure- The digital transformation of businesses is driving the adoption of cloud services among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with 90% expected to operate through cloud storage by 2025. Cloud computing requires substantial computational power but offers flexible, scalable, and efficient business operations. This has led to an increase in data center construction worldwide. Virtualization, a key enabler, has increased IT infrastructure usage in data centers while reducing energy consumption. For instance, Supermicro's MicroBlade systems helped Fortune 100 companies achieve energy efficiency of around 90%. Data center consolidation projects have also reduced server usage, while Open Compute Projects optimize infrastructure for workload and energy consumption. Techniques like direct-to-chip cooling and liquid-immersion cooling have significantly reduced cooling needs. In storage, replacing HDDs with SSDs and virtual networking applications have lowered power consumption. Vendors like Dell, HPE, Cisco, Huawei, Lenovo, and IBM offer energy-efficient, density-optimized infrastructures. Innovations in energy-efficient IT infrastructure will continue to fuel the growth of the global green data center market during the forecast period. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) Research Analysis Green Data Centers (GDCs) are advanced computing facilities designed to minimize energy consumption and reduce carbon footprint. They utilize energy-efficient components such as Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) and cooling systems in ECO mode or Active Standby, which save energy by optimizing power usage. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are integrated for cooling power management, enhancing energy efficiency. GDCs comply with Environmental Regulations and offer tax benefits for net carbon neutrality. Renewable Energy integration is a key feature, making GDCs eco-friendly and reducing carbon emissions. Digital Services, IoT, Healthcare, E-commerce, and various industries benefit from GDCs' energy-efficient solutions. Cooling Technologies and Renewable Energy are integral to GDC infrastructure, with modular designs allowing for scalability and flexibility. The integration of digital transformation and carbon footprint reduction is essential for businesses aiming for a sustainable future. Market Research Overview The Green Data Center (GDC) market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing demand for energy-efficient components in data centers. GDCs utilize Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems, cooling systems with ECO mode, Active Standby, and Economy mode for power efficiency. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are used for predictive modeling and thermal optimization. Energy efficiency is a top priority with the integration of renewable energy sources like Solar Panels, Wind Turbines, and Hydroelectric Plants. Large data centers in media and entertainment, OTT platforms, and content delivery require green initiatives for Capital Expenditure reduction and Net Carbon Neutrality. Greenhouse Gas Emissions are minimized through hardware and software innovations, virtualization, and intelligent cooling systems. Consultation services, monitoring systems, and colocation providers offer eco-friendly solutions for large enterprises focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility, Risk Management, and Digital Transformation. Environmental Regulations and tax benefits drive the adoption of GDCs in various industries, including 5G Technology, Big Data Analytics, Healthcare, E-commerce, and IoT. Renewable Energy Integration, Modular Infrastructure, and Power Management are essential components of GDCs, reducing Carbon Emissions and adhering to Environmental Laws. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/green-data-center-gdc-market-to-grow-by-usd-202-4-billion-from-2024-2028--driven-by-rising-electricity-costs-and-ai-redefining-the-market-landscape---technavio-302322461.html SOURCE TechnavioNEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears open to switching parties to become a Republican, as he declined to rule out a future change in political allegiances during a pair of interviews Friday that came as he has increasing warmed to President-elect Donald Trump. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears open to switching parties to become a Republican, as he declined to rule out a future change in political allegiances during a pair of interviews Friday that came as he has increasing warmed to President-elect Donald Trump. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears open to switching parties to become a Republican, as he declined to rule out a future change in political allegiances during a pair of interviews Friday that came as he has increasing warmed to President-elect Donald Trump. The comments from Adams, the top Democrat in one of the country’s most liberal cities, riled critics who have grown concerned over the mayor’s increasing willingness to throw his support behind Trump and his hardline immigration policies. Adams, who faces federal corruption charges, was a registered Republican in the 1990s and early 2000s but has spent his political career as a Democrat. In a Friday morning interview with the local cable news station NY1, Adams was asked if he would consider a return to the GOP. The Democrat appeared to leave open the possibility of a switch. “The party that’s the most important for me is the American party,” he said. “I’m a part of the American party. I love this country. This is the home of the free, the land of the brave.” In another interview about a half-hour later on PIX11, Adams said he would run for reelection as a Democrat but still appeared to leave some wiggle room for his future. “So no matter what party I’m on or vote on, I’m going to push for the American values,” he said. “And I think America has told us, stop the squabbling, leaders, and start leading us out of the crisis that we’re facing.” Adams won office on a centrist platform and has spent significant time as mayor quarreling with the progressive wing of his party. But his rhetoric has taken a noticeable rightward turn in the weeks since Trump’s election victory, particularly on immigration, with Adams boosting the president-elect’s platform and appearing enthusiastic about the incoming administration. Rather than restricting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as he once promised, Adams recently expressed a willingness to roll back the city’s so-called sanctuary policies, and he plans to meet with Trump’s top border official over concerns about what the mayor said was the “rising illegal alien crime rate in New York City.” He has also praised those in Trump’s orbit, including Elon Musk, who has claimed falsely that Democrats are illegally “importing” migrants to garner votes. “This is a racehorse that wanted to run its right pace and we’ve been holding back that racehorse out of fear of being canceled,” Adams said of the country Tuesday. “And now you have a bunch of people who are not afraid of being canceled.” The shift comes as Adams is trying to fight off an indictment on federal corruption charges while governing the city and gearing up to run for a second term. Adams has pleaded not guilty in his criminal case, in which he has been accused of accepting free or discounted overseas trips and illegal campaign contributions from people looking to gain his influence, including people connected to Turkey or the Turkish government. Adams’ critics have seized on his recent comments about the Trump administration as a move toward self-preservation, accusing the mayor of cozying up to the next president in an effort to secure a pardon in his corruption case. “Eric Adams continues to sound more like he is auditioning for a job in right-wing media than running for reelection in a Democratic primary,” said Zohran Mamdani, a state assembly member who is challenging against Adams in the mayoral primary. “Eric Adams is in City Hall because Democratic voters sent him there. To serve his own narrow self-interests, he is clearly prepared to betray them.” Zellnor Myrie, a state senator who is also challenging Adams in the primary, said “at a time when the Republican Party has never been more out of line with New York values, we need a mayor who isn’t scared to call himself a Democrat.” “Instead of playing footsie with the next president, we need a mayor with the courage to stand up for our city,” Myrie wrote on X. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Adams on Friday did distance himself from the Trump administration’s potential plans to carry out mass deportations, saying, “You know, I’m not for mass deportation, but I’m not for mass saturation.” Still, the mayor’s recent remarks are a major departure from his stance before he took office. In June of 2021, a few weeks before winning the Democratic mayoral primary, Adams spoke to a room full of immigrant New Yorkers about the challenges facing city residents who are in the country illegally. “Too many of our neighbors live in the shadows,” he said at the time, “scarred by the abusive rhetoric and tactics of the Trump era and fearing a denial of their rights.” ___ Izaguirre reported from Albany. Advertisement AdvertisementDMACC plans to expand AI education programming with new mentorship
Leaders to discuss climate change finance at British-Irish Council summit
(BPT) - The holidays are almost here! It means parties and events, hustle and bustle ... and figuring out what to buy for everyone on your list. Sometimes it's hard to get inspired with great ideas that your nears and dears will love at a price you can afford, right? The good news? Inspiration + savings are covered this year. One of the top gifts of Holiday 2024 is technology, and there are a lot of deals out there right now. Done and done! Here are 5 ideas for hot tech gifts for everyone on your list. Smartphones for the family T-Mobile is running a hot deal right now. Get four new smartphones at T-Mobile — this includes Samsung Galaxy S24 and other eligible devices — and four lines for just $100/month . It doesn't get better than that! These new Galaxy phones are tech-tastic, too, with features like AI, Circle to Search with Google, which can be used to help solve math problems and translate entire pages of text in a different language, and Note Assist with Galaxy AI, which lets you focus on capturing your notes and then Note Assist will summarize, format and even translate them for you. High tech spiral notebook for students We've got to admit, this is pretty cool. The Rocketbook looks (a bit) like a regular spiral, paper notebook. Here's the high tech twist: You can take notes, capture ideas, brainstorm, draw — whatever you do on paper — on the pad, and the Rocketbook digitizes your doodles and saves to the cloud device of your choice. Then you simply wipe the pad clean and it's good to go. Look for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales at your favorite online retailer. Wrist-worthy smartwatches for athletes (or those who want to be) Everyone loves smartwatches (if you're not already tracking your sleep and heart rate, where have you been?) and the Google Pixel Watch 3 (41mm & 45mm) takes it to the next level with features for athletes or anyone who may be setting fitness goals for the coming year. The watch has workout prompts like Real Time Guidance — audio and haptic cues for when to sprint, cool down or maintain pace. It gives you the ability to program your workouts and even monitors your cadence and stride. It also has Offline Maps, with driving navigation, search and maps. Here's the deal of the century: Get it for free at T-Mobile when adding a qualifying watch line. Cute wireless keyboard for people who are all thumbs Who else is annoyed by typing email or texts or social posts on a smartphone? The Logitech Multi-Device Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard solves that problem with style! It comes in sweet colors like lavender, it's wireless, it's small and portable, and it works with just about any device. Pop it into your backpack or purse and you'll never have to thumb-out a message again. Speakers perfect for hosting and giving Have a music lover in your life or need the perfect hosting gift? T-Mobile has you covered. For a limited time, you can get the JBL Clip 5 for free when you pick up a Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 9 . The JBL Clip 5 is an ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker perfect for those on the go and the Onyx Studio 9's sleek design and booming sound will take care of all your holiday hosting needs. For more tech-tastic holiday gift inspiration, check out T-Mobile's holiday gift guide at t-mobile.com/devices/tech-gifts .
By Brendan Hesse on December 6, 2024 at 4:05PM PST GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links. Best Buy's Black Friday Sale may be over, but the retailer still has plenty of holiday deals to take advantage of, including a three-day Doorbuster sale that sees up to 50% off select toys, trading cards, and collectibles between December 6 and December 8. The list of discounts includes everything from Pokemon and Disney Lorcana trading cards and Lego sets to action figures, plushies, and more. We've highlighted some of the best Doorbuster deals below, and you can see the full lineup at Best Buy. $38 ( $50 ) One notable deal is the Best Buy-exclusive Pokemon TCG Paradox Wisdom Premium Collection that's on sale for $38 (was $50). This box includes: Iron Leaves ex promo card Iron Crown ex promo card Iron Boulder ex promo card Oversized Iron Crown ex promo card Seven Pokemon TCG booster packs (10 cards per pack) Magnetic three-card display Pokemon TCG Live code $100 ( $120 ) Other Pokemon TCG sets are also part of the Doorbuster sale, including the Terapagos ex Ultra-Premium Collection for $100 (was $120). This set includes: One foil promo Terapagos ex card One foil promo Lapras ex card One foil promo Cinderace ex card 18 booster packs (10 cards per pack) Eight foil energy cards Magnetic three-card protector Playmat Deck box Metallic coin Six damage counters Two condition markers A Pokemon TCG Live code. $12.49 ( $25 ) You'll also find discounts on releases from other popular trading card games, like the Lorcana Gateway Box for $12.49 (was $25). This set includes two pre-made decks and a selection of bonus card packs, plus gameplay accessories and gameboard. This is a great intro set for new players. $4 per pack (was $6 per pack) If you're looking to add to your existing Lorcana card collection, you can grab boosters from the Ursula's Return and Shimmering Skies sets for $4 per pack (normally $6 per pack). $16 ( $30 ) Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG fans can snag the Yu-Gi-Oh! 25th Anniversary Rarirty Collection 2 Tuckbox for $16 (was $30). Each box contains three five-card booster packs with a unique selection of rare foil cards. $105 ( $150 ) For Lego deals, the Lego Icons Corvette kit is on sale for $105 (normally $150). This 1210-piece kit is packed with cool details like a mini replica of the original Corvette engine under the hood, a moving steering wheel, and a convertible top, making it a great gift idea for fans of classic cars. Another Lego set included in the sale is the Lego Ideas Home Alone display set . While Best Buy was offering the festive kit for just $240 (down from $300), it's already sold out. There's a chance it could be restocked later, so it's worth checking to see if it's available again. If you're still looking to pick it up, the Home Alone Lego set is still in stock at Amazon and available at the full $300 price is still charging the full $300. $50 ( $75 ) Other Doorbuster deals at Best Buy include price cuts to popular collectibles like MacFarlane Toys' Fallout Figure Four-Pack for $50 (was $75), which includes six-inch posable figures of Lucy, The Ghoul, Maximus, and the Vault Boy mascot as seen in the Fallout TV show. $17.49 ( $35 ) You can also grab this adorable 10-inch Banjo and Kazooie plushie made by Club Mochi Mochi for just $17.49 (was $35), which is one of the lowest prices we've seen for the officially licensed collectible. Upvote Leave BlankWASHINGTON — President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family. The Democratic president previously said he would not pardon his son or commute his sentence after convictions in the two cases in Delaware and California. The move last Sunday night comes weeks before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced. In a statement released Sunday evening, Biden said, “I believe in the justice system, but as I have wrestled with this, I also believe raw politics has infected this process and it led to a miscarriage of justice.” LEADERSHIP VOTE: Senate Democrats reelected Chuck Schumer as party leader on Tuesday. Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin was also reelected to the No. 2 spot and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar became the new No. 3. MEMPHIS PD: The Memphis Police Department uses excessive force and discriminates against Black people, according to a U.S. Department of Justice investigation report released Wednesday. The inquiry was launched after the police beating death of Tyre Nichols in 2023. CEO KILLED: A gunman killed UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, 50-year-old Brian Thompson, on Wednesday morning in a “brazen, targeted attack” outside a Manhattan hotel where the health insurer was holding its investor conference, police said, setting off a massive search for the assailant. NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers formally asked a judge Monday to throw out his hush money criminal conviction, arguing that continuing the case would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.” In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers told Manhattan Judge Juan M. Merchan that anything short of immediate dismissal would undermine the transition of power, as well as the “overwhelming national mandate” granted to Trump by voters last month. BOEING RULING: U.S. District Judge Reed O’Connor rejected a deal Thursday that would have allowed Boeing to plead guilty to a felony conspiracy charge and pay a fine for misleading U.S. regulators about the 737 Max jetliner before two of the planes crashed, killing 346 people. TRANSGENDER HEALTH: The Supreme Court on Wednesday appeared likely to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices’ decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people. EMPLOYMENT: The Labor Department reported Tuesday that the number of job postings in the United States for October rose 5% to 7.7 million from 7.4 million in September. The increase suggests that job gains could pick up in the coming months. Still, the latest figure is down significantly from 8.7 million job postings a year ago. — Associated Press 3.09M Travelers screened by the Transportation Security Administration last Sunday, breaking the previous record by about 74,000 as the holiday weekend drew to a close. Here in California, we’re not going to spend our time, our money or our resources going backward. Immigrants are the backbone of our nation. Immigrants make America great.” TAYLOR SWIFT: After more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years, the global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour will come to an end Sunday in Vancouver, Canada. The 31⁄2-hour concert, showcasing 44 songs representing 10 “eras” of her career, kicked off in March 2023 in Glendale, Arizona. By the end of 2023, it became the first concert tour to gross over $1 billion and saw hundreds of millions of dollars spent on merchandise. EMINEM: Debbie Nelson, the single mother of Detroit rapper Eminem whose rocky relationship with her son was known widely through his hit song lyrics, died Monday. She was 69. No cause of death was given, although Nelson had battled lung cancer. BRAIN ROT: Many of us have felt it, and now it’s official: “Brain rot” is the Oxford dictionaries’ word of the year. Oxford University Press said Monday that the phrase “gained new prominence in 2024,” with its frequency of use increasing 230% from the year before. ELTON JOHN: Elton John says he struggled to watch his new musical because he has lost his eyesight after contracting an infection. The 77-year-old singer-songwriter attended the opening night of “The Devil Wears Prada” in London last Sunday and told the audience about the condition. John wrote the score for the stage musical based on the 2006 movie about a young journalist navigating the glamour and egos of a glossy fashion magazine. 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Chris Temple Talks About Nickel, Lithium, $200 Uranium, US Policies And 2025 Potential Energy Shift