Under the proposals, Swiss-based companies would have faced penalties for human rights abuses abroad.
M Swiet Productions/Getty Images
Swiss voters on Sunday rejected sweeping responsible business standards that would have held multinational companies liable for their conduct abroad, reports Swissinfo.
The Responsible Business Initiative would have amended the constitution, adding penalties for Swiss-based companies committing human rights abuses abroad.
A razor-thin majority of voters approved of it, with 50.7% in favor vs. 49.3% against, but the measure also needed support from the Swiss canton voting system, according to public data.
Switzerland on Sunday reportedly rejected sweeping responsible business standards, which would have held multinational companies liable for their conduct abroad, despite a razor-thin majority of citizens voting in favor.
The Responsible Business Initiative would have amended the constitution to increase penalties for Swiss-based companies committing environmental or human rights abuses elsewhere, according to reports from Agence France Presse and AP.
Vote counting was was still under way, but enough of the country's 26 cantons, or voting districts, had reported results to call the vote, according to Swissinfo, a division of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation.
About 50.7% of the population approved, while 49.3% rejected the measure, according to public voting data. But the measure also needed support from a majority of cantons to pass. Of 26 total cantons, 14.5 voted against the measure.
Peter Ungphakorn, a former World Trade Organization secretariat, discussed the result on Twitter. He wrote that Sunday's vote marked the first time in about 65 years that a measure had been passed a popular vote but failed due to the Swiss canton system.
The country's bigger cities, including its French-speaking capital, Geneva, voted in favor of the measure.
As a result of the loss, an alternative measure will be put into place, reports AP. That measure "wouldn't require companies to answer to Swiss courts, and would focus on issues like mining of minerals drawn from conflict zones or child labor," the AP reported.
"This means that the counter-project, a toothless reporting law, will be put in place instead," said Florian Wettstein, a professor at University of St Gallen, an organizer of the initiative, on Twitter.
More than 29,000 multinational companies call Switzerland home, which creates jobs for about a quarter of all the total Swiss workforce, according to Agence France Press. Neither the Swiss parliament or government supported the initiative, saying it went "to far," it added.
The initiative was the result of a decade-long project backed by a group of non-governmental organizations, reported Swissinfo. It would have held Swiss-based companies responsible for human rights abuses that happened abroad, unless " they can prove that all due care has been taken," according to a summary of the proposal from Ernst & Young.
President Donald Trump in an interview with Fox Business on Sunday continued to make unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in the latest instance of his refusal to accept his loss in the 2020 presidential election.
Trump said he had asked his lawyers to file "one nice, big, beautiful lawsuit" encompassing his claims of voter fraud, but said his legal team told him he didn't have the standing to do so.
Instead, the Trump campaign has filed a number of legal challenges in states across the country that have so far not netted the president any sort of victory capable of overturning the election results.
"You mean as president of the United States, I don't have standing?" Trump asked. "What kind of court system is this?"
President Donald Trump in an interview Sunday said that he wanted to file "one nice, big beautiful" lawsuit alleging widespread voter fraud, but was told by his legal team that he didn't have the ability to do so, marking the latest instance of his refusal to concede the race to President-elect Joe Biden.
"We have stories that are unbelievable, but we aren't allowed to put in our proof," the president claimed during a phone interview with Fox Business' Maria Bartiromo on "Sunday Morning Futures." "They say we don't have standing."
"I said to the lawyers, I would like to file one nice, big, beautiful lawsuit," he continued. "Talking about this and many other things. We have tremendous proof."
The president repeated himself, telling the Fox Business host that he had asked his lawyers to "put everything into one simple suit."
But his lawyers told him he didn't have the legal ground to file such a suit, Trump said Sunday.
"You mean as president of the United States, I don't have standing?" he asked. "What kind of court system is this? And the judges stay away from it."
Trump also in the interview Sunday declined to provide a drop-dead date for when he and his campaign would cease their legal challenges and accept the results of the election. President-elect Joe Biden won 306 electoral votes, putting him well over the 270 threshold needed to secure victory. Biden also won the popular vote, securing more than 80 million votes — the most of any US presidential candidate in history.
The president's interview Sunday is the latest instance of his sharing unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud — claims which aren't backed up in the Trump campaign's various lawsuits.
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Amazon
Amazon's Cyber Monday sale is already on, and its tech deals are pouring in. This year, we're seeing an emphasis on entertainment deals: TVs and speakers from brands like Sony and Samsung have seen deep discounts. You can also find excellent price drops on smart home tech like Amazon's all-new Echo devices, which were just announced in September.
Just note that, because of their popularity on Black Friday, some items are seeing delayed shipping estimates, with some devices shipping out in late December or early January. They may not be available for holiday gifting, but that doesn't mean they're not still great deals.
We've highlighted some of the best tech deals you can find from Amazon right now, though you may want to act fast — some are only available for a limited time.
Best Amazon Echo and device Cyber Monday deals in 2020
Best Cyber Monday Amazon video doorbell deals in 2020
Best Cyber Monday Amazon headphone and speaker deals in 2020
Elite 65t Earbuds (medium, Preferred: Amazon)
Best Cyber Monday Amazon Fire tablet and Kindle deals in 2020
Best Cyber Monday Amazon PC and accessory deals in 2020
Best Cyber Monday Amazon TV deals in 2020
When does Amazon's Cyber Monday sale start?
Cyber Monday happens every year following the weekend after Black Friday. This year, the online-focused shopping holiday lands on Monday, November 30. Cyber Monday sales can start as early as Saturday morning after Black Friday.
We expect some "doorbusters" to be released on Cyber Monday, with limited supplies. Though Cyber Monday sales once only took place on Monday, we'll likely see some deals last through the rest of the week.
Where can I find Amazon's Cyber Monday deals?
Amazon's Cyber Monday page will be the place to check if you want to browse the retailer's holiday shopping discounts. Just like years past, Amazon will also be offering Alexa-exclusive deals that can be discovered by asking, "Alexa, what are my deals?"
Do you need an Amazon Prime membership for the deals?
Unlike Amazon Prime Day, you don't need to be a Prime member to take advantage of Amazon's Black Friday deals. But you do get perks like faster delivery and exclusive deals if you sign up for Prime which costs $12.99 per month. It's a worthwhile option if you plan to do the bulk of your holiday shopping on Amazon and want the flexibility to order last-minute gifts.
prime monthly subscription product card
How do we select the best Cyber Monday deals at Amazon?
We select products that meet our high standards of coverage from brands we've tested.
We research prices across retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy and compare these against historical price drops to find the deals that are worth your time.
President Donald Trump approaches reporters as he departs on campaign travel to Minnesota from the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, DC, September 30, 2020.
Carlos Barria/Reuters
President Donald Trump on Sunday declined to give a date specifying when he'll drop the lawsuits alleging election fraud.
"I don't want to give you an actual date," he told Fox News when asked when he plans to shut down the multiple lawsuits he has across the country.
For weeks, Trump has been trying to cast doubt on the election results, pushing nearly two dozen legal attacks and demanding vote recounts.
There is no evidence that fraud occurred this election, and Trump has not yet won a single lawsuit.
President Donald Trump on Sunday refused to specify when he'll end the lawsuits alleging election fraud, setting up another obstacle in waiting for the incoming Biden administration.
"I don't want to give you an actual date," he told Maria Bartiromo on Fox News when asked for details on when he'll drop the election charges.
Joe Biden won the presidency weeks ago, but Trump has repeatedly refused to concede.
December 8 is the deadline for all states to close any remaining election disputes. Still, Trump did not offer a date. "I'm not going to say a date," he told Bartiromo.
His conversation with Bartiromo acts as an extension of his attempts to derail the coming Biden administration.
For weeks, Trump has tried to cast doubt on the election results, pushing nearly two dozen legal attacks in multiple states where's he demanded vote recounts. So far, he's won none of them, and there's ample evidence that voter fraud did not occur.
Earlier this month, for example, a group of international election observers reported no instances of voter fraud. The Organization of American States said in a preliminary statement a team of 28 experts who observed the election across the country did not witness voter fraud happening, despite Trump and Carlson's claims.
Trump lawyers also told the New York Times that they were worried the lawsuits they were bringing to challenge election results are not based on evidence.
Despite the evidence, Trump on Sunday sidelined Bartiromo's questions and did not give any sort of end date for the election charges.
But the transition process remains underway.
Biden is scheduled to be inaugurated into office on January 20, when Trump is expected to leave the White House and end his presidency.
Upon authorization from the General Services Administration, Biden has called the transition process "sincere" and said he's beginning to receive national security information. But experts warn that Trump's attempts to derail the transition process with these lawsuits are likely making it more difficult for Biden to slip into office as smoothly as possible.
"Transitions are enormous undertakings that are difficult to pull off with all the goodwill, funding, and experience imaginable," said Lauren A. Wright, associate research scholar and lecturer at Princeton University. "So it doesn't take a lot to imagine how much the process is harmed when it is characterized by animosity, resentment and withholding of critical resources and information."
Trump has hinted that he will not leave the White House quietly. He is starting to strategize ways to remain relevant even after Biden takes office. He's considering a 2024 run for president and reportedly plans to host a campaign event on the same day as Biden's inauguration.
The Biden transition team did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.
Billionaire George Soros attends the opening of the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture in Berlin, Germany, on June 8, 2017.
Popow/ullstein bild via Getty Images
A Hungarian government commissioner has been condemned after comparing billionaire George Soros, who is a Holocaust survivor, to Adolf Hitler.
In an opinion article published on a pro-government news website, ministerial commissioner Szilard Demeter wrote that Soros was "the liberal Führer" and that Europe was his "gas chamber."
Demeter was writing the article in defense of Hungary and Poland who are currently in an ongoing dispute with Brussels over the planned European Union €1.8 trillion budget.
His comments have been condemned by the Jewish community in Hungary, the former Hungarian prime minster, and also the Israeli government.
A Hungarian ministerial commissioner has been condemned after comparing billionaire George Soros, who is a Holocaust survivor, to Adolf Hitler and the Nazis.
Szilard Demeter, who is the head of the Petofi Literary Museum in Budapest, wrote in an opinion piece for pro-government outlet Origo that Soros was "the liberal Führer" and that Europe was his "gas chamber," according to the Associated Press.
"Europe is George Soros' gas chamber," Demeter wrote, according to the AP. "Poison gas flows from the capsule of a multicultural, open society, which is deadly to the European way of life."
Demeter was writing the article, which was published on Saturday, in defense of Hungary and Poland, who are currently in an ongoing dispute with Brussels over the planned European Union €1.8 trillion budget, linked to standards of democracy in member states.
Hungary and Poland are accused of undermining judicial independence and media freedom and under EU investigation. They are threatening to veto the EU budget over provisions that could block payments to countries that do not uphold democratic standards, Politico reported this week.
In the article, Demeter, appointed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to oversee cultural production, referred to Hungary and Poland as the "new Jews."
Orban frequently targets Soros over his philanthropic activities, which usually favor liberal causes, and has previously accused him of diluting citizens' national identity in European countries.
The commissioner's comments sparked outrage from the Jewish community in Hungary as well as other government officials.
Gordon Bajnai, who was Hungary's prime minister between 2009 and 2010, said on Sunday that if Demeter isn't removed from his post by Monday, "Hungarians and the rest of the world will obviously consider (his) statement as the position of the Hungarian government," AP reported.
The Unified Hungarian Jewish Congregatio called the article "tasteless" and "unforgivable" and said in a statement that it was "a textbook case of the relativization of the Holocaust, and is therefore incompatible with the government's claim of zero tolerance for anti-Semitism," according to the Associated Press.
The government of Israel, a close ally of Hungary, also chimed, tweeting on Saturday: "There is no place for connecting the worst crime in human history, or its perpetrators, to any contemporary debate."
Soros, who was born into a Jewish family in Hungary and is a Holocaust survivor, has long been a campaigner for human rights.
According to his personal website, the 90-year-old is well known for his philanthropy, having given away more than $32 billion.
More than 800,000 Jews lived in Hungary in May 1944. In just eight weeks, some 424,000 Jews were deported to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Thousands more were murdered and thrown into the Danube in Budapest by Hungarian Arrow Cross fascists.
In all, some 565,000 Hungarian Jews were murdered, according to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center, in Jerusalem.
Dr. Anthony Fauci testifies before the US Senate about the federal coronavirus response in September 2020.
Jennings/Pool/REUTERS
Dr. Anthony Fauci told host Chuck Todd on NBC's "Meet the Press" that the US is "months" away from a coronavirus vaccine that's approved for children.
It's normal in vaccine development for children to be studied after adults so that researchers can make sure the shots are safe, and vaccine studies so far have mainly involved adult participants.
Fauci estimated that the process for approving vaccines for kids will start in January.
That's a likely hiccup in the reopening of schools, as several cities have suspended or canceled their plan to resume in-person classes.
Dr. Anthony Fauci on Sunday warned that a vaccine won't be approved for children likely until after January.
Fauci, a world-renowned expert in infectious disease and longtime director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told host Chuck Todd on NBC's "Meet the Press" that authorities are "going to start the process very likely in January to get it to the children sooner rather than later."
The early shots will likely go to healthcare workers and the elderly, Fauci has said, but other adults could get vaccinated as early as April or June, depending on who you ask. But getting approval to sell vaccines for kids requires further safety data and studies.
That's a likely hiccup in the reopening of schools, as several cities have suspended or canceled their plan to resume in-person classes. Earlier this month, Mayor Bill de Blasio re-closed New York City schools — sending students in many cases back to their parents for home-schooling — as the city hit a 3% testing positivity rate for the coronavirus.
"Children, as well as pregnant women, are vulnerable," Fauci said on NBC. "So before you put it into the children you're going to want to make sure you have a degree of efficacy and safety that is established in an adult population, particularly an adult normal population."
The vaccine studies to date have mainly involved adult participants, which is how vaccine development normally works. Researchers start with young and healthy adults before expanding into more vulnerable groups, Dunn reported in September.
In late October, Pfizer expanded its trial to include children as young as 12. Moderna is still looking to expand its trial to include teenagers, but Tal Zaks, its Chief Medical Officer, told Axios that a vaccine could be ready for children by the middle of next year.
"It's going to be months," Fauci said on Sunday.
The next steps, according to Fauci, are Phase I and II trials, testing a growing number of patients, and then a bridge study, a research method that commonly allows drugs approved in one region of the world to be deployed in another.
"You can say okay, now we have safety in the children, we have comparable immunogenicity, namely the same type of immune response — we can get this expeditiously approved for the children before going through a 30,000-person trial that may take a longer period of time," Fauci said.
For those of you in the market for a smart speaker, we've curated the best Echo deals available during Black Friday 2020, including the new Echo (4th Gen) and Echo Dot (4th Gen). We fully recommend the deals included here and note the models that are top picks in our buying guides.
As more people take advantage of the Echo deals, the delivery dates will be pushed back further. In fact, some products may not be shipping until late December or January. So, don't drag your feet if considering making a purchase, and keep an eye on the expected delivery dates if you are hoping for your Echo to arrive in time for the holidays.
Also, take a close look at the buying options for each Echo since there are numerous useful add-ons that Amazon is offering with the purchases.
The best Echo Black Friday deals
Amazon Echo (4th Gen)
Released last month, the Amazon Echo (4th Gen) already holds the top pick in our guide to the best Echo speakers and smart displays with its attractive design and impressive sound quality. This is the first time Amazon has dropped the price. Take a close look at your buying options since there are several freebies to choose from, including a two-pack of Hue Bulbs.
Like the newer Echo, the new Echo Dot has a more stylish design and better sound quality than the previous generation. And though our reviewer doesn't recommend it over the 3rd-gen model at its regular price of $50, it might be worth considering during Black Friday sales, as this is the first time the 4th-gen model has been offered at a discounted rate.
Amazon Echo Auto
With the dashboard-mounted Echo Auto speaker, you bring the smarts of Alexa to your car, and you get six months of Amazon Music Unlimited for free with your purchase (a $47.94 value).
When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.
Walmart will offer tons of deals for Cyber Monday — here's what you need to know ahead of November 30
Walmart; Gilbert Espinoza/Business Insider
If you're hoping to shop online and save big during Cyber Monday 2020, you'll definitely want to shop Walmart's deals. While it often plays second fiddle to Best Buy, Target, and Amazon, Walmart offers some of the best deals on TVs, electronics, and kitchen appliances. In fact, the retail giant often matches and exceeds many of its competitors' prices.
Robot vacuums are proving to be real standouts for Walmart's Cyber Monday sale with models from Shark, iRobot, and Ecovacs seeing steep discounts. The iRobot Roomba 670 and Ecovacs Deebot 711S are just two examples of robot vacs currently at all-time low prices.
This year, with the arrival of Walmart+, we expect Walmart to show up in a big way — especially on Cyber Monday. Here's everything you need to know about Walmart's Cyber Monday sale and the best deals available now.
Table of Contents: Masthead Sticky
The best Cyber Monday deals available now at Walmart
58-inch Class 4K Crystal UHD Smart TV (medium, Preferred: Walmart)IQ Robot Vacuum (RV1000) (medium, Preferred: Walmart)Viva 6-Qt. Pressure Cooker (medium, Preferred: Walmart)Deebot 711S Robot Vacuum Cleaner with App (130-minute battery life) (medium, Preferred: Walmart)Premiere (medium, Preferred: Walmart)Nest Hub with Google Assistant (medium, Preferred: Walmart)IQ Self-Empty RV1000S Robot Vacuum (medium, Preferred: Walmart)Versa 2 (medium, Preferred: Walmart)Personal Water Filter (medium, Preferred: Walmart)Nest Mini (2nd Generation) (medium, Preferred: Walmart)VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Maker by De'Longhi (medium, Preferred: Walmart)
When is Walmart's Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale?
Every year, Cyber Monday occurs the following week after Black Friday. This year, Cyber Monday lands on November 30.
While Walmart has yet to release any info on their Cyber Monday sale, we expect the retailer to continue many of its Black Friday discounts through that weekend. Walmart will likely release new, restocked deals on Cyber Monday focusing on tech and smart home gear.
What should you buy at Walmart during Cyber Monday?
Walmart's Cyber Monday offers are on par with those from Best Buy, Target, and Amazon. Outside of a few select doorbusters, we expect each retailer to price-match their competitors during the sales event.
Outside of the savings on TVs and kitchen appliances that are customary during the shopping events, Walmart usually offers huge discounts on Google's smart home products. Shoppers will likely see big discounts or bundles featuring Google Nest Audio, Google's latest smart speaker, and the updated Chromecast streaming device.
How we selected the best Cyber Monday deals at Walmart:
We only choose products that meet our high standard of coverage, from brands we've tested and trust.
We compare the prices against other retailers like Amazon, Target, and Best Buy and only include the deals that are the same or better (not including promotional discounts that come from using certain credit cards).
We research price history thoroughly, to ensure that every deal we list is actually worth your time.
Does Walmart have curbside pickup?
To help alleviate that stress that comes with holiday shipping delays, Walmart will offer contact-free curbside pickup for online orders on Cyber Monday and Black Friday. Going this route can save shoppers from any shipping-related headaches and get you your products in sooner. Plus, there's little risk of your packages going missing.
Should I get Walmart+?
New to 2020 is Walmart+, the premium retail subscription from Walmart. While the benefits frankly don't match what a Prime subscription offers, there's a free trial to take advantage of free shipping and any possible exclusive offers Walmart may surprise us with.
For the two-week trial, shoppers can choose between starting their free trial to take advantage of the early deals starting the first week of November, or for the Black Friday sale after Thanksgiving. The smart money says to wait until Black Friday since that's when Walmart will likely offer the best deals.
If you're a Lululemon fan, you already know how rare it is to find discounts on its workout gear. But right now, you can save up to almost 60% as part of Lululemon's Cyber Monday sale.
Cyber Monday 2020 is here, and Lululemon is among the brands currently offering huge discounts. Lululemon has accrued a cult-like following over the years for its truly excellent workout and athleisure clothing, and I happen to be one of its devoted fans.
I have yet to buy something from the brand that I haven't ended up wearing for years. The leggings, in particular, have stood the test of time. I have pairs that I've been wearing for upwards of 10 years now, and despite countless workouts and numerous cycles through the washing machine, they haven't pilled, become see-through, or lost their stretch or hold, which makes them well worth the initial investment in my book. I've tried numerous other brands over the years, but continue to return to Lululemon for the quality and durability of its styles.
Still, even for me, it can be hard to pull the trigger on a new workout set that costs upwards of $100. While Lululemon does occasionally have sales, it's not often that its most popular products are offered at a significant discount, making its Cyber Monday sale the ideal time to get its gear at a much more affordable price (especially if you're shopping for gifts).
White House Council of Economic Advisers Chairman Austan Goolsbee gestures as he addresses the 2010 meeting of the Wall Street Journal CEO Council in Washington, November 16, 2010.
REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst
Austan Goolsbee, a former top economic advisor under President Barack Obama, said congressional Democrats should pass a relief plan now and seek a larger one later.
"So if they have to accept half a loaf, then they should take half a loaf, and then let's try to get another half of a loaf," Goolsbee told CNN's Manu Raju.
Congress has been gridlocked on another relief plan since the spring, and Democrats have wanted a larger package for months.
Austan Goolsbee, a former top economic advisor to former President Barack Obama, told CNN on Sunday that it was better for Democrats to accept a smaller relief package if it meant getting federal aid out the door faster.
Goolsbee, now a professor of economics at the University of Chicago, said many federal protections such as an eviction moratorium are expiring next month, raising the urgency.
"So if they have to accept half a loaf, then they should take half a loaf, and then let's try to get another half of a loaf," Goolsbee told CNN's Manu Raju. "But right now is really touch and go, and I wish both sides could see that."
Goolsbee's comments echo House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's criticism of the White House's initial $1.6 trillion stimulus offer almost two months ago.
"This isn't half a loaf," Pelosi told Bloomberg in early October. "What they're offering is the heel of the loaf."
Congress has not passed another coronavirus relief package since the spring and both parties are clashing on the size and scope of another rescue plan. Many economists are urging lawmakers to pass a relief bill because millions of unemployed Americans are set to lose all their jobless aid next month and virus cases continue to rise virtually unchecked nationwide, prompting a new wave of restrictions and business closures.
On Saturday, the US recorded 156,000 new cases, per John Hopkins University. Earlier this week, Sen. Debbie Stabenow, the fourth-ranking Democrat, also urged passing an aid plan to support individuals and businesses through the winter even if it's smaller than they want.
Democrats have long called for an expansive relief plan that includes new federal unemployment benefits, state aid, and a second round of $1,200 stimulus checks for taxpayers and public health funding. Republicans are seeking a smaller package that prioritizes aid for schools and small businesses, as well as health funding.
President-elect Joe Biden's economic team is worried about the weak recovery turning into another recession, The New York Times recently reported. Biden supports the multitrillion stimulus plan that congressional Democrats favor.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has taken a backseat on the next relief package, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell taking the lead among Republicans.
On Sunday, Trump gave his first interview since the election to Fox News and didn't bring up passing a coronavirus aid plan. He had repeatedly called for one in the run-up to November 3.
Artificial Christmas trees have come a long way. They have a more realistic and festive look during the holiday season than their predecessors.
Even better, quality artificial trees are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles, from smaller trees that are ideal for apartment living to nontraditional trees like the ombre one in this guide.
Artificial Christmas trees are going in and out of stock right now, so you may want to order one sooner rather than later.
You can also find a few of our picks available for lower prices due to Cyber Monday 2020 deals.
The artificial holiday trees of today aren't the aluminum monsters of the past. Many are made of high-quality combinations of PVC, polyethylene, and sometimes vinyl, that you have to get right up against and take a big whiff of before you realize they're not from a tree farm.
Can grabbing the artificial tree box from the basement ever equal the nostalgic thrill of chopping your own from a snowy field and strapping it to the roof of the family car? Don't even try to convince me. However, a natural tree will never the convenient, no-mess, lower-cost, shippable, symmetrical perfection that a high-quality artificial one can lend your holiday decor.
After researching scores of artificial trees that are available and assessing them for issues like cost, convenience, beauty, and realism, we've whittled it down to the best artificial trees you can buy this holiday season.
Prices and links are current as of 11/29/20. Some of the trees were out of stock at the time of writing, but we've left them in the guide in case they come back. A few trees are also on sale, and we've noted those deal prices.
The realistic color of the Balsam Hill Classic Blue Spruce is a major selling point. The shade is a very natural-looking deep green that will remind you of an authentic winter wonderland.
The set-up is quick and easy so that anyone should be able to do it themselves in less than an hour. In addition to the tree itself, you'll also get a storage bag and two pairs of white gloves to aid in your branch-fluffing efforts.
This highly rated tree is available in multiple sizes, ranging from 4.5 to 9 feet tall, and can be purchased with or without built-in clear LED lights. The only remaining problem is the lack of that beloved pine scent. But tree-scented candles and aromatherapy oils are getting more realistic, too. Problem solved.
This particular tree comes pre-lit with 1,500 perfectly spaced clear lights, so there's no fiddling with tangled strands or burnt-out bulbs — if one burns out, the others will stay lit. The metal stand is also included, so just add a tree skirt, your family's own traditional ornaments, a topper, and you're set for Santa.
This tree is rather difficult to put up, but looks amazing once it's done. So that's something to consider if you're planning to set it up by yourself. But two people should be able to set it up perfectly well with a bit of time and patience. Besides, at 10-feet tall, you can expect a little assembly time for any tree.
Trying to jam a majestic tree into your studio apartment or even a dorm room just got easier. With the Half Christmas Tree from Home Heritage, you don't have to limit yourself to a tiny tabletop tree. What blew me away about this artificial tree is that you can get the look of a full tree without sacrificing your precious floor space, thanks to the fact that it's basically a faux tree that's been cut in half.
At 14-inches wide, you'll use up what will seem like a tiny amount of floor space for a tree this tall. If you're worried that the lack of width might make this tall tree tippy, some owners said the stand it comes with works perfectly to keep it upright, with no need to anchor it to the wall.
There's also a 7-foot version if you have a bit more space that can accommodate a slightly taller and wider tree and a corner version is space is even tighter.
This isn't the most realistic looking tree on our list, but for the money, it's one of the best values out there. The tree is easy to set up, and the metal stand also drives up the functionality. It makes the whole shebang a lot sturdier and less likely to tip than other inexpensive trees that come with cheap plastic stands.
You may have to do some creative branch fluffing to maintain a full looking tree, but once you load it up with ornaments, lights, ribbons, and tinsel, you won't think twice about whether or not your purchase was worth it.
If the perfect Pinterest-worthy tree is important to your holiday cheer, then you may want to up your budget. But if a solid tree with easy-as-pie setup and a cheap price tag sounds great to you, then deck the halls with this pick.
An artificial Christmas tree like Best Choice Products' Snow Flocked one pretty much comes pre-decorated. With its fully integrated white lights and the addition of a faux snow overlay, all you need to add are some ornaments or bows to make it your own.
The tree comes in four heights ranging from four and a half feet to nine feet. Your tree will come in three sections that stack together with metal fixtures — no painstakingly installing individual branches. Like any artificial tree, you'll have to take some time to fluff branches for a full look. The all-metal stand provides a solid base.
The flocking does tend to shed, so keep a vacuum handy during setup and breakdown.
It also comes in an unlit version if you want to save some money or add your own lights.
If you want to expand your Christmas decor beyond the traditional, look no farther than this black and silver ombre tree from Treetopia.
A sturdy metal base supports the 6-foot-tall tree shape composed of high-quality PVC and tinsel needles. The shape is tall and thin, like a real-life Douglas fir, but no one will be under the impression that this tree once grew in the ground.
The fact that this tree doesn't strive to look "realistic" is actually one of its upsides. The shininess and sparkly color, combined with a perfectly cone-shaped silhouette, are the tree's top features.
Treetopia is a very highly praised and customer-friendly brand and its trees tend to be high-quality trees on the low end of the pricing scale.
You should have no trouble setting this one up yourself, but note that it may take a few days of fluffing and waiting for all the branches to lie perfectly symmetrically.
A miniature tabletop tree
Amazon
The little Goplus 2-Foot Tabletop Christmas Tree arrives with no set-up required — pop in three AA batteries and perch it wherever you need a bit of seasonal decor.
It's battery-powered, so there is no cord to plug into an outlet — you can place it anywhere (note: it's not meant for use outdoors). The base of the tree is weighted to keep it upright and wrapped in decorative red fabric, but some users said the base could be heavier. There are 35 soft-white LED bulbs and 71 branch tips you can hang ornaments on, though the tree looks fine even without decorations. — Steven John
Check out our other great Christmas decorating guides
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush had a Twitter feud with Room Rater, a profile that judges on-camera interiors, accusing it of being a "hyper partisan" gimmick.
Bush, who later said his comments were not serious, became the latest high-profile conservative to accuse Twitter and its users of leaning liberal.
President Donald Trump has joined a chorus of conservative voices raising concern about Twitter.
Former Florida governor Jeb Bush this week traded barbs with a semi-well-known Twitter handle that uses TV screenshots to rate pundits' room decor, a lighthearted scuffle that nonetheless placed Bush in company with a conservative outcry over partisan divisiveness on Twitter.
"Are you a room rater or a hyper partisan person that is the problem? We need less hyper partisanship on backgrounds at this time for our country," the former presidential hopeful wrote.
After his initial jab, Bush quieted down for a few days, leaving some to speculate whether he had been serious in his criticism. On Morning Joe, host Joe Scarborough said it was obvious Bush was joking. Scarborough said he knew Bush well enough to know he has a very dry sense of humor. Late in the week, after a few days of speculation, Bush said on Twitter, "It was a joke."
Bush may have been joking about Twitter's problems, but others aren't. Some conservatives have long accused the site of promoting liberal trends over conservative ones, a view that has accelerated since the presidential election. In the last two weeks, some prominent Republicans and conservatives have rallied their followers to leave Twitter in favor of Parler, a competitor that touts itself as a place for unrestrained free speech.
President Donald Trump also chimed in last week, seeking to put an end to Section 230 of the Communications Act, which allows Twitter, Facebook, and other social media companies to regulate content on their platforms as they see fit.
While Trump's complaint was with trending hashtags – including #DiaperDon – that he said were biased, Bush aimed his comments at a single account, Room Rater, which used the Twitter handle @ratemyskyperoom. It's a tongue-in-cheek account that's been commenting on the bookshelves, wall art, and lighting in TV pundits' home offices during the pandemic.
As TV news shifted from glossy studios to home offices – or worse – this year, Room Rater became an escape for many, racking up more than 350,000 followers. It's run by Jessie Bahrey and Claude Taylor, who this week told The Washington Post: "We have top 10s and strong 9s from people of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Most days, Room Rater will post a screenshot of a correspondent or other news guest, saying something like "Love solid wall colors. Nice art. Great frame. Add one more element." Then it'll add a rating, like "8/10" for Politico's Meridith McGraw.
Bush argued that Room Rater was "hyper partisan" in its ratings, essentially giving higher scores to those seen as being more liberal. The Tweet that set Bush off was about a CNN correspondent's room. It said: "Love the port wine posters. Sunflowers. Depth. Add pillow to left. 9/10."
To be sure, a least a few conservatives have gotten low ratings, like former Republican Congressman Charlie Dent, who landed at 3/10. Republican Senator Rand Paul received 0/10, while conservative columnist George F. Will had 1/10. "Awful. Is he under arrest?" said Room Rater.
But it seems liberals earned harsh ratings just as often. That included Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman, a Democrat, who received 1/10. Room Rater said Fetterman's room looked like a hostage situation.
Throughout the week, Twitter users prodded Bush about his stance on Room Rater. By Thursday, he had cooled down, saying: "It was a joke."
He added: "Yes I oppose hyper partisanship and yes I try not to take myself seriously. I am truly sorry I got you all riled up about something [as inconsequential] as the backgrounds of videos."
President Donald Trump on Sunday called the 2020 presidential election results "the greatest fraud in the history of our country from an electoral standpoint."
During a call-in interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo on "Sunday Morning Futures," Trump remained defiant in his insistence of mass voter fraud, despite there being no evidence backing up his claims.
President Donald Trump on Sunday called the 2020 presidential election results "the greatest fraud in the history of our country from an electoral standpoint."
During a call-in interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo on "Sunday Morning Futures," Trump remained defiant in his insistence that he won the election, despite President-elect Joe Biden's decisive 306-232 Electoral College victory.
Among his list of grievances, the president went on a tirade against the media, saying they did not want to investigate allegations of fraud with the election, despite extensive coverage of the many lawsuits that he's filed alleging voter irregularities and a lack of any verifiable evidence that would indicate mass voter fraud.
"The media doesn't want to cover it," he said. "You're actually very brave. The media doesn't want to talk about it. They know how fraudulent this is."
Trump then pivoted to discussing Hunter Biden, the son of the president-elect, who has long been the target of Trump and other conservatives who insisted that he was conducting secret business affairs with the Ukrainian government while the president-elect was still the vice president.
"It's no different than Hunter," Trump said. "They don't want to talk about Hunter."
While many conservatives have latched onto debunked allegations of corruption regarding the president-elect and Hunter Biden for years now, there has been no clear evidence of any sort of wrongdoing.
Trump again came back to his long-running bashing of the US media, tying it in with his widely debunked allegations of mass voter fraud in the presidential race.
"We don't have freedom of the press in this country," he said. "We have suppression by the press. They suppress. You can't have a scandal if nobody reports about it. This is the greatest fraud in the history of our country from an electoral standpoint. What's bigger from an electoral standpoint? What's bigger than this? This is the essence of our country. This is the whole ballgame, and they cheated."
While Trump and his allies continue to pursue litigation against the election results, Biden is filling out his Cabinet, having received transition funds from the federal government on November 23 after the General Services Administration "ascertained" the president-elect's win.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, said on told ABC Sunday that there "certainly is going to be an uptick" in coronavirus cases because of travel from the Thanksgiving holiday.
Photos and videos showed some airport terminals and gates with alarming crowds of people a total of over 3 million travelers between Friday and Sunday prior to the week of Thanksgiving.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's leading infectious disease expert, warned that there is going to be an 'uptick' because of the amount of travel the US has seen this Thanksgiving holiday.
"There almost certainly is going to be an uptick because of what's happened with the travel," Fauci told ABC on Sunday.
Even as the CDC recommended against travel, over 5 million travelers passed through the US airports between Monday to Saturday of this week, according to the Transportation Security Agency (TSA)'s checkpoint travel numbers. According to the TSA, the weekend prior to the week of Thanksgiving saw a total of over 3 million travelers between Friday, Nov 20 to Sunday, Nov 22. Photos and videos showed some airport terminals and gates with alarming crowds of people.
"Well, I mean the travel that has been done has been done," Fauci told ABC. "Right now, as people go back we want to urge them if they've been in situations outside of the family setting in which they really don't know the level of exposure, to be really careful when you either return from the place that you went or other people come back into your house."
As the pandemic fatigue looms over Americans who have become more likely to take risks from exhaustion over a long lost sense of normality and more people congregate indoors because of the cold weather, the US has entered a surge of Coronavirus that public health experts have warned could be the deadliest yet, Business Insider's Aria Bendix reported.
"Everyone is totally empathetic about the fatigue everyone is feeling," Fauci said on ABC. "But if we can hang in there a bit longer and do the fundamental things: wearing a mask uniformly, avoiding crowds in congregate settings, keeping physical distance, washing your hands. They seem simple in the enormity of the problem that we're facing but they do make a difference."
FILE: New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio speaks to the media during a press conference about COVID-19 in April.
Reuters
New York City Public Schools will begin the process of reopening to students for in-person instruction on December 7, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Sunday.
The city's pre-school programs, pre-kindergarten programs, and students through fifth grade will return to classrooms on December 7.
All District 75 schools, which teach students who have disabilities, will open to students on December 10, he said.
A date for middle and high school students to return to classrooms has not yet been determined, according to the mayor's office.
Schools went entirely remote on November 18 when the city's positivity rate passed 3%, the threshold for school closures in the city.
But according to the New York City Health Commissioner, the rolling average for the positivity rate as of Friday remained over 3%.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Sunday that New York City Public Schools will begin a return to in-person learning for some students on December 7, less than two weeks after schools went virtual due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in New York.
According to de Blasio, pre-school programs, pre-kindergarten students, and students in kindergarten through fifth grade will return to classrooms on December 7. On December 10, students in District 75, which educates students who have disabilities, will return to in-person classrooms.
Dates for middle and high school students return to classrooms were not announced Sunday.
The mayor said Sunday that weekly COVID-19 tests would be administered to students and parents would have to sign a consent form to allow their children to return to school buildings.
"Finally, as we reopen, wherever possible we will move to 5 day a week in-person learning," de Blasio said in a tweet. "We want our kids in the classroom for as much time as possible. Our families do, too. We'll work to make it happen."
Schools in New York City were closed for in-person instruction on November 18 when the COVID-19 positivity rate over a one-week period reached 3%, which is the policy set for school closures, according to the New York City Department of Education. Over the past week, the positivity rate in the state of New York was greater than 3%, according to data analyzed by Johns Hopkins University.
But the positivity rate in New York City was 2.6% in New York City over the past week, according to data from the New York State Department of Health. On November 18, when schools closed, the positivity rate in New York City was 2.5%, according to the state date.
New York City Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi, however, said Friday that the positivity rate in the city was greater than 3% over the past week. As The New York Times recently reported, the state and city health departments use different methods to determine the rate, sparking confusion about whether schools and other businesses that rely on the number should close.
—Commissioner Dave A. Chokshi, MD (@NYCHealthCommr) November 27, 2020
The mayor's office said Sunday there is no threshold required to determine whether schools should reopen and the city will instead focus on testing to monitor cases in the city, according to the New York Daily News.
The mayor's office did not immediately return Business Insider's request for comment.
President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference in the Brady Briefing Room of the White House on September 23, 2020, in Washington, DC.
MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
President Donald Trump suggested on Fox Business that several world leaders have supported his unsubstantiated claims of election fraud.
Neither Trump nor the White House offered any evidence of such conversations.
Numerous world leaders have congratulated and recognized Joe Biden as the president-elect, almost immediately after the race was called for him.
Even world leaders who have previously allied with Trump — including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson — have acknowledged Biden's victory.
President Donald Trump on Sunday suggested that world leaders are backing up his unsubstantiated claim of election fraud, despite several of them having already congratulated President-elect Joe Biden on the victory weeks ago.
"You have leaders of countries that call me and say, 'That's the most messed up election we've ever seen,'" he said, speaking to Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo.
Trump did not offer evidence to back up his claim that leaders called him and expressed their support. Additionally, the White House has not released any transcripts of such conversations.
Immediately after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the presidential race, several world leaders either made contact with or congratulated him on his victory. Among them was Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had previously tethered himself to Trump and has come to be regarded as one of his closest international allies.
"Congratulations Joe Biden and Kamala Harris," Netanyahu tweeted. "Joe, we've had a long & warm personal relationship for nearly 40 years, and I know you as a great friend of Israel. I look forward to working with both of you to further strengthen the special alliance between the US and Israel."
In the days after Biden's victory was announced, the heavyweight governments of Russia, North Korea, and China were notably silent on the results. That group narrowed after Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated Biden on November 25, over two weeks after the election was called.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has avoided publicly congratulating Biden. In an interview given just a few days ago, Putin called Biden a "candidate" despite clear election results indicating he's the winner.
Meanwhile, Biden boasts a lengthy track record of political involvement with world leaders, having served in the Senate for more than three decades and as vice president from 2009 to 2017. Biden is therefore more familiar to world leaders than Trump was when he entered office.
Throughout his term, Trump has received low ratings from international observers. In January of this year, a Pew Research poll found that 64% of respondents across 32 countries "do not have confidence in Trump to do the right thing in world affairs."
More recently, Trump received low confidence ratings from respondents in 13 countries on his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
That lack of confidence appears to have permeated his relations with world leaders, who acknowledged Biden as the victor much earlier than Trump.
Even if you didn't snap up the items you wanted during Black Friday 2020, there is still plenty of time to get a good deal. Our readers enjoyed discounts from a variety of brands on Black Friday — and these deals are still hot leading up to Cyber Monday.
When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. Learn more.
Apple's MacBook Pro is on sale this Cyber Monday.
Crystal Cox/Business Insider
Best Buy, Microsoft, and many other retailers are offering compelling deals on laptops for Cyber Monday 2020.
Whether you're looking for a top-of-the-line touchscreen laptop or something more budget friendly, there are plenty of deals to be had on Cyber Monday 2020.
When shopping for a laptop, it's important to consider what you intend to use it for. If you're looking for a laptop primarily for entertainment and working from home, you might consider one with a larger 15-inch or 16-inch screen, for example. But if portability is a big priority, check out a more compact 13-inch model.
You'll also want to make sure you have enough processing power and memory to handle the tasks you need it for. Laptops with at least 8 GB of RAM are usually good enough for most people, but if you're a video editor, professional photographer, or software engineer, you may need more than that.
Here are the best Cyber Monday laptop deals we've seen so far.
Cyber Monday 2020 is almost here, but shopping looks very different this year. Instead of braving the crowds and long lines, it will probably be easier (and more importantly, safer) to shop from home. Luckily, you can still find steep discounts on tech products, smart home gadgets, and more from retail giants like Best Buy.
To help you get the best deals this holiday season, we've highlighted the biggest ones from Best Buy's early Cyber Monday sale below. For even more Best Buy discounts broken down by specific product categories, check out our full Best Buy Cyber Monday 2020 page.
We're also keeping tabs on Cyber Monday deals available online on Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more.
Best Buy early Cyber Monday 2020 deals
Video Doorbell 3 (medium, Preferred: Best Buy)Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (10.4-inch, 64GB) (medium, Preferred: Best Buy)Watch Series 5 (GPS + Cellular, 44mm) (medium, Preferred: Best Buy)700 Headphones (medium, Preferred: Best Buy)65-inch Q80T QLED TV (medium, Preferred: Best Buy)65-inch OLED 4K TV (medium, Preferred: Best Buy)32-inch Smart HDTV - Fire TV Edition (medium, Preferred: Best Buy)Roomba 675 Robot Vacuum (medium, Preferred: Best Buy)
Physical products aren't the only things you can save on during Cyber Monday this year. Hulu, one of the best streaming services for TV shows, movies, and live TV, is once again offering a can't-miss deal for new subscribers.
Hulu's Cyber Monday 2020 deal
Available now through 11:59 p.m. PT on November 30: New subscribers can sign up for the ad-supported Basic Hulu subscription for just $1.99 a month.
That brings the total cost to a little under $24 for the entire year (a $48 savings). After the promotion ends, your subscription reverts back to the normal cost of $5.99 a month.
There are a couple of restrictions to keep in mind:
Only new Hulu subscribers — meaning brand-new subscribers and past subscribers who ended their Hulu plans at least three months prior to the promotion — are eligible for the deal.
If you signed up for Hulu's $1.99 promotion that ran during Cyber Monday last year, you are not eligible for the new deal.
After the 12-month promotion ends, you'll pay $5.99 a month.
What's included in the Hulu deal?
If you qualify, you get access to all content on Hulu, which includes original programming like "The Handmaid's Tale," old and new TV favorites like "Grey's Anatomy" and "This Is Us," and movies spanning all genres. The timing of this deal is perfect — there are many entertaining Christmas movies you can start streaming immediately to get in the holiday spirit.
More Cyber Monday 2020 streaming deals:
If you're interested in streaming and entertainment promotions specifically, Sling TV, Peacock. Tidal, Spotify, and Amazon Music also have limited-time Cyber Monday sales this week.
We're covering all the best Cyber Monday and Cyber Monday deals from top retailers here:
