Samsung is heading into CES 2026 with a familiar message wrapped in a slightly stranger package. ... What makes this year different is not the stainless finish or the tighter installation tolerances. It is the decision to push Google Gemini directly into the kitchen, starting with a refrigerator that can see what you eat and tell the cloud about it. Yes, really.
Good health news for babies, kids and adults regarding the benefits of COVID-19 vaccination kept coming in December. Pregnant people who were vaccinated before becoming infected with the coronavirus had a lower risk of severe COVID-19 -- and their infants were less likely to be born prematurely -- than pregnant people who had not gotten vaccinated before an infection.
President Donald Trump's economy has exceeded expectations in his first year back in office. Mainly for America's wealthiest households, that is.
The estimate, which had been delayed by the government shutdown, shows that the economy remained resilient over a three-month period that saw fewer new tariffs announced and consumers shopping for back-to-school goods. read more
Although the overall US economy added 64,000 jobs last month, the tech sector is softening when it comes to hiring. read more
@#16 ... The decomposing------------- is mentioned many more times than Clinton. ...
Bill Clinton wants any other mentions of him from the Epstein files to be released
www.scrippsnews.com
... A representative for former President Bill Clinton gave a new statement Monday calling for the release of any remaining files from the Department of Justice's Epstein investigation that reference Clinton.
"What the Department of Justice has released so far, and the manner in which it did so, makes one thing clear: someone or something is being protected. We do not know whom, what or why. But we do know this: We need no such protection," reads the statement from Clinton's spokesman Angel Ureña. ...
"Accordingly, we call on President Trump to direct Attorney General Bondi to immediately release any remaining materials referring to, mentioning, or containing a photograph of Bill Clinton."
"Refusal to do so will confirm the widespread suspicion the Department of Justice's actions to date are not about transparency, but about insinuation." ...
Another view ...
Robust consumer spending boosts US third-quarter economic growth
www.reuters.com
... The U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in two years in the third quarter, fueled by robust consumer spending, though momentum appears to have faded amid the rising cost of living and recent government shutdown.
The stronger-than-expected increase in gross domestic product last quarter, which was reported by the Commerce Department on Tuesday, also reflected solid growth in exports, which helped to shrink the trade deficit, as well as government spending and a still-solid pace of business investment in equipment and artificial intelligence products.
The increase in consumer spending was the fastest in nearly a year as households splurged on recreational goods and vehicles and traveled internationally.
Economists say higher-income households are driving spending, thanks to a stock market boom that has inflated household wealth, while middle- and lower-income households have mostly pulled back because of high inflation, partly blamed on President Donald Trump's import tariffs. This trend has created what is called a K-shaped economy.
Though the GDP report is outdated after being delayed by the 43-day federal government shutdown, economists said strong economic growth last quarter reduced the need for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates again in January.
Inflation accelerated in the third quarter. ...
Jeffrey Epstein apparently wrote letter to Larry Nassar referencing Trump
www.theguardian.com
... A disturbing letter that appears to have been written by Jeffrey Epstein and sent to Larry Nassar, the US Olympics gymnastics team doctor convicted of sexual abuse, is included the latest batch of Epstein-related documents released by the US government.
"As you will know by now, I have taken the short route' home," the letter, which appears to have been signed from Epstein to Nasser, reads. "Good luck! We shared one thing ... our love & caring for young ladies and the hope they reach their full potential."
The letter continues: "Our president also shares our love of young, nubile girls.
When a young beauty walked by he loved to grab snatch', whereas we ended up snatching grub in the mess halls of the system." ...
@#7 ... You tell me. Is there even such a thing? ...
From what I've heard, there do exist such American-made vehicles (GMC, Ford and such) but they were quoted to be so much more expensive than the BMW X5 sports cars that Dir Patel wanted.
That raises some questions ...
For starters, is Dir Patel blatantly saying that US car manufacturers are unable to provide a competitive vehicle to the one supplied by a German manufacturer?
And, perhaps as a follow-up question, I might ask ... WTF does Dir Patel need a vehicle like this for?
There's this ...
Kash Patel Purchases New Fleet of Luxury Armored BMWs to Be 'Less Conspicuous' During Outings
people.com
... FBI Director Kash Patel is flouting tradition by traveling in a luxury car instead of the department's standard-issue SUVs.
MS NOW reported on Monday, Dec. 22, that Patel, 45, pressured the FBI to purchase him a special, armored BMW X5, with sources saying he felt it made him "less conspicuous on his outings."
While the State Department contracts similar vehicles to transport foreign dignitaries in high-risk environments around the world, FBI personnel have traditionally been driven in a Chevrolet Suburban.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson confirmed the purchase of the X5s for Patel's use, saying, "Government agencies, including the FBI, routinely evaluate, replace and update vehicle fleets based on usage, security needs or budgetary decisions. The specific decisions referenced in this article were evaluated partly as a way to save taxpayers millions by picking cheaper selections or making cost structures more efficient."
The FBI did not, however, provide documents showing the cost of the new vehicle, prove that it was more cost-effective than using the pre-existing fleet of Suburbans, or explain why a new vehicle was needed. Public information about a fully-armored X5 isn't available online; however, Car and Driver noted that a similarly outfitted Cadillac Escalade went for $350,000 in 2019. ...
So I ask once again ...
Why?
@#2 ... From an investor perspective, not prosecuting crypto fraudsters has the effect of taking the bloom off of crypto. ...
I do not agree with that opinion at this point.
Not prosecuting crypto fraudsters would make crypto more valuable because of how it might be used.
Binance Still Processed $144 Million in Suspicious Crypto Payments After Plea Deal: Report
gizmodo.com
... The crypto exchange has been under scrutiny for its links to terrorist group payments. ...
Then there's things like this ...
AI's Big Red Button Doesn't Work, And The Reason Is Even More Troubling
www.sciencealert.com