Cyber Monday pulls in record $13.3 billion in sales
Your chances to get some of the deepest discounts of the holiday shopping season have passed with Cyber Monday now in the books. Consumers took full advantage, collectively spending a record $13.3 billion online during Cyber Monday.
Adobe Analytics said that’s up 7.3% from last year and surpassed projections of $13.2 billion in sales. The company said between the peak hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. alone, people spent a combined $15.8 million every 60 seconds.
“Cyber Monday remains the biggest online shopping day of all time, as shoppers took advantage of bigger-than-expected discounts in categories such as electronics (peaking at 30.1% off listed price), toys (26.1%), apparel (23.2%), televisions (21.8%), and computers (21.5%),” Adobe said.
Adobe said “buy now, pay later” plans were quite popular, accounting for more than $991 million worth of Cyber Monday spending.
The company said toys were the clear winner on Cyber Monday, with online sales growing 680% compared to an average day in October 2024.
Other interesting facts include: 57% of online sales came through a mobile device, representing $7.6 billion in spend; traffic to retail sites from chat bots (shoppers clicking on a link to a retail site) increased by 1,950% compared to the year prior; and there was record online spending on Thanksgiving Day of $6.1 billion, up 8.8% from last year.
Adobe said deals will continue in the weeks leading up to Christmas, but will come down from their Cyber Monday peak. Adobe said shoppers can still find good bargains through the month in computers (peaking at 18% off listed price), toys (18%), electronics (17%), televisions (17%), apparel (17%), sporting goods (16%), and appliances (14%).
Americans urged to use encrypted messaging apps after cyberattack: Officials
U.S. officials are recommending Americans use encrypted messaging apps amid a cyberattack on telecommunications companies like AT&T and Verizon. Cybersecurity experts advise you to encrypt your text messages and voice communication, if possible.
Microsoft says the hacking campaign, which they’ve nicknamed “Salt Typhoon,” is one of the biggest intelligence compromises in U.S. history and has not yet been fully stopped.
NBC News said officials on a news call “refused to set a timetable for declaring the country’s telecommunications systems free of interlopers.”
Officials said China is behind the attack in an attempt to spy on Americans. Chinese officials have not addressed the accusations.
“In the call Tuesday, two officials — a senior FBI official who asked not to be named and Jeff Greene, executive assistant director for cybersecurity at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency — both recommended using encrypted messaging apps to Americans who want to minimize the chances of China’s intercepting their communications,” NBC News said.
Related Stories
Chinese hackers listening to calls, reading texts of US government officials
South Korean president faces impeachment calls after martial law order
Political unrest grows in South Korea after the president’s short-lived martial law order. And U.S. officials urge Americans to use encrypted messaging apps after a massive cyberattack. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024.
Push to impeach South Korea’s president after martial law declaration
It may have been short-lived, but the South Korean president’s declaration of martial law could have implications for months to come as six opposition parties have moved to impeach Yoon Suk Yeol.
Martial law grants the military temporary rule during an emergency, which the president can legally declare. Yoon sent heavily armed forces into the streets of Seoul Tuesday, Dec. 3, after suddenly and unexpectedly putting the country under martial law — vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces he claimed were planning a rebellion.
Action was swift, with protesters surrounding South Korea’s parliament building. Lawmakers climbed walls to get back into the building and used fire extinguishers to hold soldiers off so they could unanimously vote to cancel the martial law declaration just hours after it was put in place.
Impeaching Yoon requires the support of two-thirds of the National Assembly and at least six of the country’s nine constitutional court justices. The liberal opposition Democratic Party holds a majority in the 300-seat parliament and has called for Yoon’s resignation.
WATCH: Soldiers arrive at South Korea's parliament after president declares martial law pic.twitter.com/cZX4vsM34y
One Democratic Party lawmaker said an impeachment vote could come as early as Friday, Dec. 5.
Martial law is a sensitive subject in South Korea, which has only been a democracy since the 1980s. Before that, in the wake of the Korean War which ended in 1953, multiple dictatorships emerged with leaders often declaring martial law to prevent antigovernmental protests.
South Korea is considered a key ally of the United States and White House officials said they are “monitoring the situation closely.” The U.S. has about 28,000 troops stationed in South Korea.
Trump’s nominees to lead DEA, FBI, DOD making headlines
Three of President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for his incoming administration made headlines Tuesday. One nominee dropped out, another was the target of a possible cyberattack, and the third could be replaced.
Trump had nominated Hillsborough County, Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister to lead the Drug Enforcement Agency. On Tuesday, Chronister took his name out of the running, saying in a post on X to have been nominated was “an honor of a lifetime” but “as the gravity of this very responsibility set in” he concluded that he must “respectfully withdraw from consideration.”
To have been nominated by President-Elect @realDonaldTrump to serve as Administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration is the honor of a lifetime. Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully… pic.twitter.com/bvNF8m9Bh4
The nomination came under fire from some Trump supporters over Chronister’s enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions during the pandemic. This marks the second Trump nominee to withdraw his name after former Congressman Matt Gaetz said he would not continue his bid to become attorney general.
Meanwhile, reports say Trump’s nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, was the target of a possible Iran-backed cyberattack. Sources familiar with the situation told multiple outlets, including ABC News and CBS News, the alleged hackers targeted Patel’s communications, but it was not clear how much data they were able to view.
Patel held various roles during Trump’s first term including chief of staff to the secretary of defense.
Finally, there might be a change when it comes to the next defense secretary. The Wall Street Journal and other outlets reported Wednesday morning, Dec. 4, that Trump’s pick of former Fox News anchor and military veteran Pete Hegseth’s is in doubt.
Since his nomination, Hegseth has been the subject of reports on allegations about his personal life, including claims of sexual misconduct, repeated intoxication and rampant womanizing. Hegseth has denied those allegations.
The Wall Street Journal and New York Post both reported Trump is considering Florida governor and former GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis as a possible replacement for Hegseth. Desantis served in the U.S. Navy before becoming governor.
Both Trump and DeSantis attended a memorial service Tuesday for fallen law enforcement officers in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Hegseth has been meeting with Senate Republicans at the Capitol this week to try to rally support ahead of confirmation hearings. People close to the president-elect’s team said talks of a replacement are in the early stages and the next 48 hours are crucial to Hegseth’s fate.
Trump’s lawyers ask judge to toss conviction, cite Biden’s pardon
President-elect Trump’s lawyers have officially asked a judge to throw out his criminal conviction in his so-called “hush money” case.
In May, a jury found Trump guilty of 34 charges in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through a payment to a porn actor who claimed she and trump had sex. Trump has long denied that.
In a filing made public Tuesday, Trump’s lawyers said continuing the case would present “disruptions to the institution of the presidency” and undermine the transition of power as he prepares to take back the Oval Office next month.
Lawyers also pointed to President Joe Biden’s recent move to pardon his son Hunter of his convictions on tax fraud and gun charges where the president said Hunter was “unfairly prosecuted” as a reason Trump’s case should be dismissed. Trump’s lawyers called his prosecution “political theater.”
Prosecutors have until Monday, Dec. 9 to respond. In the past, they said they would fight efforts to dismiss the case but indicated a willingness to delay the sentencing until after Trump’s second term ends in January 2029.
Americans urged to use encrypted messaging apps after cyberattack
U.S. officials are recommending Americans use encrypted messaging apps amid a cyberattack on telecommunications companies like AT&T and Verizon. Cybersecurity experts advise you to encrypt your text messages and voice communication, if possible.
Threat actors affiliated with the Chinese government have compromised telecom provider networks to conduct a cyber espionage campaign. Network defenders should read new guidance from the #FBI and our partners to harden their systems against this activity: https://t.co/yzh7NedOAepic.twitter.com/GXsN7lbB0f
Officials said China is behind the attack in an attempt to spy on Americans. Chinese officials have not addressed the accusations.
Cyber Monday pulls in record $13.3 billion in sales
Your chances to get some of the deepest discounts of the holiday shopping season have passed with Cyber Monday now in the books. Consumers took full advantage, collectively spending a record $13.3 billion online during Cyber Monday.
Adobe Analytics said that’s up 7.3% from last year and surpassed projections of $13.2 billion in sales. The company said between the peak hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Alone, people spent a combined $15.8 million every 60 seconds.
Adobe said “buy now, pay later” plans were quite popular, accounting for more than $991 million worth of Cyber Monday spending.
Beyoncé tops Billboard’s list of the greatest pop stars of 21st century
The music charting site said the choice is based on Beyoncé’s “full 25 years of influence, impact, [and] evolution.” Billboard added when talking about greatness in the 21st century, nobody else has a longer or fuller track record.
Advanced Zumwalt destroyers to host US Navy’s 1st hypersonic weapon
For years, the U.S. Navy has been hard at work seeking to salvage the design of the futuristic Zumwalt destroyers. With a hefty price tag of $7.5 billion, the destroyers were meant to replace the Arleigh-Burke class destroyers.
The design was eventually abandoned, though the three finished destroyers are still operational and highly advanced. Now, the Navy is on the verge of turning these ships into hypersonic heavyweights.
Zumwalts have an unconventional design, meant to minimize radar signatures, and even have electric propulsion. They can also fire munitions like the standard missile in their vertical launchers, but were also designed with 155mm artillery guns at the front of the ship to support land forces. Unfortunately, the price per pound of those guns was close to $1 million, and they were never operational.
These ships were eventually used as testing platforms for new innovations, until now. The Navy wants to innovate with them even further.
At a Huntington Ingalls shipyard in Mississippi, the Navy has begun to replace the artillery guns with a new launching system for the Conventional Prompt Strike weapon. When it’s all said and done, each Zumwalt-class destroyer will be able to hold 12 CPS missiles.
CPS is one of the hypersonic missiles the U.S. is currently developing. The Navy and Army have both conducted numerous land-based tests. Now, the Navy says it is on track to start testing these missiles on Zumwalts in 2027 or 2028.
Hypersonic weapons are missiles that can travel at least five times faster than the speed of sound, without losing maneuverability. This is an important distinction, because ballistic missiles can travel much faster than the speed of sound, but they take a predictable path and can be easier to intercept.
A conventional prompt strike missile is made up of different components, but on the end of the weapon is a hypersonic glide vehicle that will do the maneuvering and actually impact the target. Retrofitting Zumwalts with hypersonic weapons like CPS is enough for one defense analyst at the Hudson Institute to say the Navy is taking victory from the jaws of defeat.
Russia claims to have hypersonic weapons, but Ukraine was able to counter them with U.S. supplied weaponry, including Patriot batteries. China does have hypersonic missiles, and the Pentagon confirmed as much according to documents leaked online by Jack Texeira.
Critics say hypersonic missiles are too expensive, and only offer a way to hit something far away really fast. The Congressional Budget Office says it will cost about $18 billion to buy 300 CPS weapons and maintain them for 20 years.
On the other hand, supporters say the cost of not developing hypersonic weapons could be steeper, arguing that if adversaries have them, the U.S. should too.
Jaguar reveals ‘Type 00’ concept car after controversial rebrand
Jaguar revealed its first electric concept car following a controversial rebrand by the company. The boxy vehicle with sleek lights, a long hood and 23-inch alloy wheels is called Type 00.
It debuted at Miami Art Week on Monday, Dec. 2, in two colors –– Miami pink and London blue.
The car won’t actually be produced since concept vehicles are used to gauge customer interest in a design.
Jaguar’s Chief Creative Officer Gerry McGovern said Type 00 is what the company means with its newly branded “Copy Nothing” mantra.
“Type 00 is the first manifestation of the new Jaguar brand,” McGovern said. “This is a taste of things to come.”
The concept car is getting a lot of reaction online with one person on X posting, “Copy nothing, I.E. Upsize a 2008 Chrysler Crossfire and make it a Mary Kay cosmetics sales prize.”
Copy Nothing, i.e. upsize a 2008 Chrysler Crossfire and and make it a Mary Kay Cosmetics sales prize https://t.co/Xb2hV88E3z
Not everyone dislikes it though. One person on Reddit said, “Haters gonna hate, but it’s truly a work of art.”
The concept car comes after the British manufacturer launched a new look last month with some critics calling the company “woke.” Others questioned why the promotional video didn’t feature any cars.
The rebrand includes a redesign of its pouncing cat logo and a new monogram.
Jaguar is preparing to relaunch as an electric-only automaker in 2026.
China retaliates at US chip restrictions by banning shipment of key materials
The global chip war is ramping up with China banning exports of key materials to the United States. The move comes in response to the Biden administration tightening the country’s access to American technology.
China’s Ministry of Commerce announced Tuesday, Dec. 3, that it will stop shipping rare minerals and metals used to make military components, semiconductors, batteries, electronics and solar panels. That includes gallium, germanium, antimony and graphite.
The Biden administration expanded its technology curbs to China on Monday, Dec. 2, prohibiting the sale of certain types of chips and machinery, and adding more than 100 companies to a restricted-trade list.
This is the third move by President Joe Biden in the past three years to prevent China from acquiring and making advanced computer chips, citing national security threats to the U.S.
The chips are used for powering artificial intelligence and supercomputers that can be used to launch cyber attacks and design new weapons.
“Such practices seriously undermine the international economic and trade order, disrupt the stability of global production and the supply chain, and harms the interests of all countries,” a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Chinese industry groups are now calling for Chinese companies to purchase chips within China or from countries other than the United States, saying American chip products are no longer safe and reliable.
The groups did not go into detail on the issues with U.S. chips.
This all comes ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office next month. He has indicated he would continue to pressure China’s tech industry by hiking tariffs on Chinese goods.
Retailers tighten return policies as billions flock to online shopping
With analysts estimating shoppers would spend at least $13 billion on Cyber Monday, some retailers are upping the fees when it comes to returns. They say the main reason for the change is an increase in fraud.
According to the National Retail Federation, of $743 billion in returns in 2023, $101 billion, or 14%, were fraudulent. That’s a 10% jump from the year before. Businesses say that stealing is cutting into revenue.
The consulting firm McKinsey says retailers pay anywhere from $21 to $45 to process a single return. As a result, companies are passing some of that cost down to consumers. Saks Fifth Avenue now charges $9.95 for returns by mail. Neiman Marcus charges a similar fee, especially if items are returned after a certain date.
Saks is now conducting more thorough inspections of returned products in order to cut down on fraud.
However, those fees and scrutiny have lead to some pushback from angry customers when the retailer sends their item back without a refund.
One customer of Saks even went on social media to complain when the company refused to issue a refund on a dress that cost nearly $700. That same customer also filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau.
It’s worth noting that shoppers can typically return online purchases at the physical brick and mortar store, for free.
Trump to travel to Paris for reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral
President-elect Donald Trump announces plans to travel to Paris, his first trip overseas since winning the election. And a judge rejects Elon Musk’s bid to restore his $56 billion pay package. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024.
Trump to travel to Paris for reopening of Notre Dame cathedral
Trump posted his travel plans to his Truth Social platform Monday night, Dec. 2, saying in part, “President Emmanuel Macron has done a wonderful job ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so. It will be a very special day for all!”
A massive fire broke out at the cathedral in April 2019 and although it is not yet fully restored, visitors will be allowed back beginning Dec. 7. According to Paris police, Saturday’s reopening is expected to draw some 50 heads of state. Sources told CNN Trump was invited to the event by the French government.
https://x.com/i/broadcasts/1yoJMyjEyQXJQ
Macron is slated to deliver remarks at the ceremony. The French president was the first foreign leader to congratulate Trump on his victory last month, posting on X that he was ready to work with Trump again for peace and prosperity.
The news of Trump’s trip to Paris comes just days after the president-elect selected real estate mogul Charles Kushner, his son-in-law’s father, to serve as the ambassador of France during his second administration.
In 2020, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner, who had pleaded guilty in 2005 to 18 counts of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign donations. He served 14 months in prison.
Trump’s visit to Paris would be his first known trip outside of the U.S. since he visited his golf courses in Ireland and Scotland in May 2023.
Biden makes history as first US president to visit Angola
Biden’s visit is centered on the U.S.-backed Lobito corridor railway redevelopment project in Angola, Zambia and Congo. It’s meant to counter China’s influence on the continent.
This morning, I met with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva of the Republic of Cabo Verde to discuss our growing relationship, the vibrant Cabo Verdean diaspora in the U.S., and ways we can work together to support democratic freedoms and climate resilience. pic.twitter.com/gMQQDKphsD
The goal is to increase the U.S.’ presence in the region which is rich in the critical minerals used to make things like electric vehicle batteries and other electronic devices, as well as clean energy technologies.
On his way to Angola, Biden stopped in the island nation of Cape Verde for a short, closed-door meeting with that country’s prime minister.
Raskin challenges Nadler for top Democratic House Judiciary Committee spot
Raskin is a former constitutional law professor who served as the Democrats’ lead prosecutor in the Trump impeachment trial after the Jan. 6 attack. Nadler has held the top job on the committee since 2019 and is currently serving in his 17th term in Congress.
Raskin, who is the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said in a statement Monday that come next year, the Judiciary under his leadership would become “the headquarters of congressional opposition to authoritarianism.”
Judge rules Elon Musk’s $56B Tesla pay package can’t be reinstated
On Monday, a Delaware judge ruled Tesla failed to prove its fiscal plan for the CEO was fair, saying the board was under too much influence from Musk when it approved the massive payout in the form of stock options. The package was the largest compensation plan in U.S. history for a public company executive.
In a post on X, which Musk also owns, Tesla said it plans to appeal the decision.
A Delaware judge just overruled a supermajority of shareholders who own Tesla and who voted twice to pay @elonmusk what he’s worth.
The court’s decision is wrong, and we’re going to appeal.
This ruling, if not overturned, means that judges and plaintiffs’ lawyers run Delaware…
2,500 giant panda sculptures on display in Hong Kong
It was “panda-monium” at the Hong Kong International Airport on Monday as 2,500 giant panda sculptures were on display. It was all part of a launch ceremony for the panda-themed exhibition called “PANDA GO! FEST HK.”
Starting Saturday, the sculptures will be on the move throughout Hong Kong visiting various landmarks. The designs of six special editions were inspired by the half-dozen giant pandas currently living in Hong Kong.
What is “brain rot?” According to Oxford, the definition is the “supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as a result of overconsumption of material — particularly online content — considered to be trivial or unchallenging.”
Oxford says it selected “brain rot” after a vote of 37,000 people, public discussion, and analysis. The publisher said “brain rot” has gained new prominence this year as a term used to reference the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content.
Bernie Sanders sides with Elon Musk over defense budget problems
Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders criticized U.S. defense spending on Sunday, Dec. 1, endorsing comments from tech billionaire Elon Musk. President-elect Donald Trump has put Musk in charge of finding ways to reduce government spending.
Sanders specifically spoke out against the amount of money allocated to the U.S. military, calling for reforms in the Pentagon’s budget.
Elon Musk is right.
The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its 7th audit in a row. It’s lost track of billions.
Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud.
“Elon Musk is right,” Sanders said on X. “The Pentagon, with a budget of $886 billion, just failed its seventh audit in a row. It’s lost track of billions. Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud. That must change.”
Trump appointed Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency initiative aimed at reducing wasteful spending and streamlining federal agencies.
The initiative will work alongside the White House’s Office of Management and Budget to provide outside advice on improving government spending.
Sanders isn’t the only unlikely ally of Musk when it comes to cutting government waste.
Florida Democratic Rep. Jared Moskowitz also weighed in on X, saying, “The Department of Homeland Security is very necessary but has simply gotten too big and is a bureaucratic mess. It’s time to break up parts of DHS. DOGE should look at this.”
Democratic California Rep. Ro Khanna shared a CNN interview on X with the caption, “When it comes to cutting waste, fraud, and abuse and opening the five primes to more competition, there are Democrats on HASC (the House Armed Services Committee) who will work with @elonmusk and @DOGE.”
Musk reposted Khanna’s message with the caption “Cool!”
The Defense Department told The Hill the department is committed to improving oversight and transparency.
Musk and Ramaswamy have stated their goal is to cut $500 billion in government spending by July 4, 2026.
It’s a first-person shooter game resembling series like Call of Duty, Medal of Honor and Battlefield. This game, however, unfolds in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and puts players in Palestinians’ shoes.
A recent update out last month allows players to re-create parts of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. A trailer for the update showed Hamas fighters using paragliders to enter an Israeli base and a Hamas fighter shooting a female Israeli soldier.
Video game news outlet 404 Media reported on British authorities blocking the game in the U.K.
The outlet spoke to the game’s creator, Nidal Njim, a Brazilian of Palestinian heritage. He told 404 shooting a soldier on their knees is actually an action the game doesn’t allow players to do. He added the game penalizes players if they do it.
404 Media obtained emails between Njim and Valve, operators of the Steam marketplace, where a representative said they blocked the game using country restrictions on orders from the U.K.’s Counter-Terrorism Internet Referral Unit, or CTIRU.
It also gave a statement to 404 Media. “The CTIRU works closely with a range of technology, social media and online service providers, but we do not comment on specific content or any communication we may have with specific platforms or providers.”
Njim accused British regulators of being hypocritical.
“On their flawed logic, the most recent Call of Duty Black Ops 6 should be banned as well. As you play as an American soldier and go to Iraq to kill Iraqi people. What I can say is that we see clearly the double standards,” Njim said.
The game has also been blocked from sale in Brazil and Australia but for a different reason. The game doesn’t have a specific age rating, something the creator says is down to cost. Each country requires payment of a few thousand dollars to obtain a rating.