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Amazon's Cyber Monday 2018 deals for every category — what's a good buy among thousands of sales

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Sonos One

Like most shopping holidays at Amazon, Cyber Monday is intense. There are thousands of deals spanning virtually every shopping category, and new discounts drop and expire every minute.

To make Cyber Week on Amazon less overwhelming and more impactful for you, we're logging the best deals below for easy reference: Amazon devices, robot vacuums, Instant Pots, HDTVs, and pretty much anything else you could need — and actually want — all in one scrollable place.

Below are the deals currently active to shop. We'll be updating this article as more deals become available. Bookmark this page and check back in if you want to be kept up-to-date.

If you have limited time, we've curated a list of the current 22 best Cyber Monday deals of 2018 you'll find on Amazon below. Otherwise, keep scrolling to see all the Cyber Monday deals that are going on now.

  1. Amazon device: Kindle Paperwhite and six months of Kindle Unlimited, $129.99 (originally $189.93) [You save $59.94]
  2. Amazon device: Amazon Echo (2nd Gen) $69 (originally $99.99)[You save $30.99]
  3. Amazon service: Kindle Unlimited, $0.99 for 3 months (originally $29.97) [You save $28.98]
  4. Media streamer: Roku Streaming Stick, $29.99 (originally $49.99) [You save $20]
  5. Smart security bundle: Ring Video Doorbell 2 + Free Echo Dot (3rd Gen), $139 (originally $248.99) [You save $109.99]
  6. Speaker: Harman Kardon Onyx Studio 3 Speaker, $154.95, (originally $449.99) [You save $295.04]
  7. Speaker: Sonos One Smart Speaker with Alexa, $174 (originally $199) [You save $25]
  8. TV: Sony 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV, $998 (originally $1,398) [You save $400]
  9. Curved TV: Samsung UN65NU8500 Curved 65" 4K UHD 8 Series Smart LED TV (2018), $1,097.99 (originally $1,799.99 ) [You save $702]
  10. Smart lights: Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 10W Equivalent LED Smart Light Bulb Starter Kit, $79.99 (originally $149.99) [You save $70]
  11. Gaming laptop: GIGABYTE Aero 15X v8-BK4 15" Ultra Slim Gaming Laptop, $1,899 (originally $2,299) [You save $400]
  12. Smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S9, $519.99 (originally $719.99) [You save $200]
  13. Headphones: Bose SoundSport Wireless Sport Headphones, $169 (originally $199) [You save $30]
  14. Headphones: Bose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II, $299 (originally $349) [You save $50]
  15. Smartwatch: Fitbit Versa Smartwatch, $149 (originally $199.95)[You save $50.95]
  16. Mattress: Rivet Queen Mattress, $399 (originally $499) [You save $100]
  17. Kitchen appliance: Instant Pot DUO60 6-Quart, $69.95 (originally $99.95) [You save $30]
  18. Kitchen appliance: ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide, $143 (originally $179) [You save $36]
  19. Robot vacuum: iRobot Roomba 960 Robot Vacuum with Wi-Fi, $449 (originally $699) [You save $250]
  20. Personal care: Oral-B Pro 5000 SmartSeries Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, $79.94 (originally $159.99) [You save $80.05]
  21. DNA test kit: AncestryDNA test, $59 (originally $99) [You save $40]
  22. Camera: PANASONIC LUMIX GX85 Camera with 12-32mm and 45-150mm Lens Bundle, $497.99 (originally $999.99) [You save $502]

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

To potentially save more on Cyber Monday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.

SEE ALSO: All of Insider Picks' holiday gift guides, in one place

DON'T MISS: The best credit card rewards, bonuses, and perks



Tablets





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Trump to square off with protesters in Mississippi as he returns to the campaign trail

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Donald Trump midterm rally Florida

  • President Donald Trump will hold a rally in Mississippi on Monday as he throws his full support behind the embattled Republican Senate candidate Cindy Hyde-Smith.
  • Hyde-Smith is deep into a runoff race for the state's Senate seat with her Democratic opponent, Mike Espy.
  • Hyde-Smith has been under heavy scrutiny for saying she would be in the “front row” if invited to a "public hanging."
  • The Mississippi Rising Coalition is organizing a protest on the beach opposite a venue where Trump is speaking, local media reports said.
  • The nonprofit urged activists in a Facebook event to bring their “banners, signs and voices” to the non-violent gathering.

President Donald Trump will be in Mississippi on Monday as he throws his full support behind the Republican Senate candidate Cindy Hyde-Smith.

The Mississippi Senate race went to a runoff after neither major candidate secured the requisite 50% of votes to become the junior senator back on November 6.

The race has descended into an unexpectedly close stand-up fight, after video emerged of Hyde-Smith saying she supporting talk of a "public hanging," in racially divided Mississippi where such language carries painful connotations. 

Photos of Hyde-Smith on Facebook posing at a museum in confederate clothing have also recently courted controversy. 

Trump last went on the stump for Hyde-Smith in August. 

Trump has taken just a short break from his long-winding campaign trail after the end of this month’s midterm elections. The duo will hold rallies in two locations in the state on Monday.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Mississippians are planning to hold their own protest event to counter the president's visit to the state on Monday ahead of the November 27 runoff election between Hyde-Smith and her Democratic opponent Mike Espy.

According to the Biloxi Sun Herald, the Mississippi Rising Coalition (MRC) is organizing The Battle of Biloxi, a protest to take place on a  beach opposite the venue where Trump is planning to speak. 

A nonprofit civil-rights group, the MRC, urged people in a Facebook post for the protest to bring “banners, signs and voices” to the non-violent event.

“We can not and will not let Hyde-Smith and Trump's racist rhetoric go unanswered directly by the people, and we must not allow Hyde-Smith to represent our state any longer,” the group posted on Facebook.

The two sides are squaring off after Hyde-Smith, a former Mississippi  agriculture secretary, declared at an event in Tupelo earlier this month that she would be in "the front row" at a "public hanging."

The comments have provoked fury and condemnation as well as raising the stakes for a Senate seat in a state, which has a grim history of racism.

More lynchings — public hangings of African-Americans — took place in Mississippi than in any other state in the US from the late 1880s until the 1960s.

Hyde-Smith subsequently apologized but quickly went on the attack, accusing the Democrat, former US Congressman Mike Espy, of making political hay out of her remarks.

“My comments were taken and twisted and used as a political weapon against me by my opponent,” she said.

Espy comes with his own portmanteau of problems, as agriculture secretary in the administration of Former president Bill Clinton,  Espy was made to step down following an investigation into his inappropriate acceptance of gifts.

If elected, Espy would become the first black senator from Mississippi since the reconstruction era that followed the American Civil War.

Around 37% of Mississippi’s population is African-American. 

Tweeting from his Mar-a-lago estate in Florida on Sunday where he spent Thanksgiving, Trump announced his intention to travel to the state for Tuesday's  "very important election." 

"She is an outstanding person who is strong on the Border, Crime, Military, our great Vets, Healthcare & the 2nd A(mendment).” He concluded: “Needed in D.C.”

Democrats have their sails up in the south following Doug Jones’s special election victory in neighbouring Alabama in 2017, but the state largely remains a red one and despite the furore Hyde-Smith is thought to hold the advantage.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Megyn Kelly in 2017: 'I regret a lot' of the controversial stuff I've said on live television

US reopens portion of Mexico border it shut down as groups of migrants clashed with authorities and reportedly stormed port of entry

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migrants border clash

  • Authorities clashed with groups that are believed to be from the Central American migrant caravan Sunday after a group estimated to be in the hundreds stormed a US port of entry. 
  • Migrants walked from a makeshift shelter in Tijuana, Mexico to head to San Ysidro, the largest port of entry on the southern US border to confront border authorities and make asylum claims. 
  • All crossings reopened shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday.
  • Mexico's interior ministry said in a statement that it would deport migrants from the 500-strong group that had "violently" tried to cross the US border.
  • The confrontation comes less than a day after President Donald Trump tweeted that the United States will no longer allow asylum-seekers to enter the country until their claims are approved by a judge. 

Authorities clashed with members of a migrant caravan after a group estimated to be in the hundreds stormed a US port of entry, according to video and photos posted to social media from journalists on the ground. 

The migrants left a makeshift shelter in Tijuana to head for San Ysidro, the largest port of entry on the southern US border. It has been reported nearly 5,000 migrantsfrom the Central American caravan were being held in the Mexican city. 

After police blocked a bridge, migrants crossed the Tijuana River on foot before approaching the port. 

A CBP spokesperson said officials had suspended northbound and southbound vehicle and pedestrian crossings for several hours. All  crossings reopened shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security did not return requests for comment. 

US Border Patrol launched tear gas toward the Mexican side of the border, which Associated Press correspondent Chris Sherman tweeted carried for hundreds of yards. 

tear gas migrants border

Ana Zuniga, a 23-year-old from Honduras was carrying her 3-year old daughter.

"We ran but when you run the smoke smothers you more," she told Sherman, who also tweeted that she saw US agents launching gas when migrants made a hole in a barrier's barbed wire. 

tear gas migrants border

MSNBC reported from the ground that the migrants had planned a demonstration after becoming fed up with the condition of the shelter, and walked approximately half a mile to confront authorities with in-person asylum requests. 

The footage also captured several military drones above the crowd, in addition to what were reportedly US helicopters. 

Mexico's interior ministry said in a statement that it would deport migrants from the 500-strong group that had "violently" tried to cross the US border.

It added that Mexican authorities responded to a protest at the crossing between Tijuana and San Diego but it would not be sending military forces there to contain the 7,417 migrants that had gathered at the border. 

The confrontation comes a day after President Donald Trump tweeted that the United States will no longer allow asylum-seekers to enter the country until their claims are approved by a judge. 

"Migrants at the Southern Border will not be allowed into the United States until their claims are individually approved in court," he tweeted, adding that "we only will allow those who come into our Country legally," though asylum-seekers often do legally enter the country at ports of entry before requesting asylum.

Read more: 'All will stay in Mexico': Trump says the US will bar asylum-seekers from entering the country until judges approve their claims

Trump previously signed an executive order barring asylum for migrants who cross the border illegally, though US immigration law explicitly permits migrants to request asylum no matter how they entered the country. 

A federal judge blocked Trump's asylum ban earlier this week, arguing that Trump "may not rewrite the immigration laws to impose a condition that Congress has expressly forbidden."

The White House did not return a request for comment. 

Michelle Mark contributed reporting.

SEE ALSO: Thousands of migrants have been marching to the US border in 'caravans' for years — here's why this one is different

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Trump once won a lawsuit against the NFL — but the result was an embarrassment

Cyber Monday 2018: We found the 29 best deals and sales online, period

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Deals 2 4x3 copy 2

  • Cyber Monday 2018 is predicted to be the largest online shopping day of the year.
  • As a continuation of an entire weekend of post-Thanksgiving deals, it's your opportunity to save on products and services of all types — and you can do it right from your laptop and phone.
  • To potentially save more, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.
  • Check back here throughout the day to find all the best Cyber Monday deals to shop from Amazon, Best Buy, Macy's, Nordstrom, Target, Walmart, and more stores.

Cyber Monday finishes off a marathon weekend of shopping and is predicted to set a new record as the largest- and fastest-growing online shopping day of the year. While many people visited physical stores on Black Friday, Cyber Monday is undoubtedly made to take advantage of the sweet, sweet convenience of the Internet.

Stores have been running online sales all weekend long, but the discounts should still be significant and it's the perfect time to shop for Christmas gifts.

The deals you'll find today will be pretty similar to those from Black Friday, so if anything, consider it an extra day to save at all your favorite online retailers, from stores where you can buy everything from TVs and laptops to household supplies and clothes (Amazon, Walmart, Target) to niche specialty shops and startups.

On Black Friday, we saw big savings on the usual culprits — KitchenAid mixers, Fitbit fitness trackers, and the Instant Pot, all of which were snatched up by eager shoppers. You can expect many similar, if not better deals today. 

If you spent most of Black Friday recovering from your Thanksgiving dinner or putting off shopping in favor of family time, Cyber Monday is your day to shop. It's also a smart time to buy services you can only get online, like online classes, subscriptions, and memberships.

Exploring the endless depths of Cyber Monday deals is a fruitless endeavor that may just end with frustration, so we're going to do the work for you and highlight the ones to focus on. Make sure you've saved enough energy after Thanksgiving to shop these deals.

If you have limited time, we included a hand-picked list of the 29 best Black Friday deals of 2018 below. Otherwise, keep scrolling to see all the Black Friday deals and sales you can scoop up now. 

  1. Amazon device: Kindle Paperwhite and six months of Kindle Unlimited, $129.99 (originally $189.93) [You save $59.94], available at Amazon
  2. Amazon deviceAmazon Echo (2nd Gen) $69 (originally $99.99) [You save $30.99], available at Amazon
  3. Amazon serviceKindle Unlimited, $0.99 for 3 months (originally $29.97) [You save $28.98], available at Amazon  
  4. ComputerMicrosoft Surface Laptop 2, $999 (originally $1,299) [You save $300], available at Microsoft
  5. TabletSamsung Galaxy Tab E Lite 7" 8GB Tablet, $69.99 (originally $119) [You save $50], available at Walmart
  6. TVSony 65" X850FSeries 4K Ultra HD Smart TV, $999.99 (originally $1399.99) [You save $400], available at Best Buy 
  7. Curved TV: Samsung UN65NU8500 Curved 65" 4K UHD 8 Series Smart LED TV (2018), $1,097.99 (originally $1,799.99 ) [You save $702], available at Amazon
  8. Media streamerRoku Streaming Stick, $29.99 (originally $49.99) [You save $20], available at Amazon
  9. Smart lights: Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 10W Equivalent LED Smart Light Bulb Starter Kit, $79.99 (originally $149.99) [You save $70], available at Amazon
  10. Smart home deviceNest Learning Thermostat (3rd Gen), $179.99 (originally $249.99) [You save $70], available at Best Buy
  11. Smart security bundle: Ring Video Doorbell 2 + Free Echo Dot (3rd Gen), $139 (originally $248.99) [You save $109.99], available at Amazon
  12. SpeakerHarman Kardon Onyx Studio 3 Speaker, $154.95, (originally $449.99) [You save $295.04], available at Amazon
  13. Speaker: Sonos One Smart Speaker with Alexa, $174 (originally $199) [You save $25], available at Amazon and Sonos
  14. HeadphonesBose SoundSport Wireless Sport Headphones, $169 (originally $199) [You save $30], available at Amazon
  15. HeadphonesBose QuietComfort 35 Wireless Headphones II, $299 (originally $349) [You save $50], available at Amazon
  16. SmartwatchFitbit Versa Smartwatch, $149 (originally $199.95) [You save $50.95], available at Amazon
  17. MattressLeesa Mattress (Queen), $835 (originally $995) [You save $160 with exclusive code BUSINESS INSIDER], available at Leesa
  18. Mattress: Rivet Queen Mattress, $399 (originally $499) [You save $100], available at Amazon
  19. Sheets: 10% off orders of $250+, 15% off orders of $350+, and 20% off orders of $450+ from November 23 through November 26 at Brooklinen
  20. Towels: Parachute Classic Towel Set, $91.20 (originally $114) [You save $22.80], available at Parachute
  21. Robot vacuumiRobot Roomba 960 Robot Vacuum with Wi-Fi, $449 (originally $699) [You save $250], available at Amazon
  22. Kitchen applianceInstant Pot DUO80 8-Qt, $79.99 (originally $139.95) [You save $59.96], available at Amazon 
  23. Kitchen appliance: ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide, $143 (originally $179) [You save $36], available at Amazon
  24. Kitchen applianceKitchenAid Professional 5 Qt Mixer, $219.99 (originally $449.99) [You save $230], available at Target
  25. Cookware: Calphalon Elite Nonstick 8"& 10" Fry Pan Set, $49.95 (originally $275) [You save $225.05], available at Williams-Sonoma
  26. Personal careOral-B Pro 5000 SmartSeries Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush, $79.94 (originally $159.99) [You save $80.05], available at Amazon
  27. Personal care: Quip Electric Couple Set, $60 (originally $75) [You save $15 with code "GET20"], available at Quip
  28. DNA test kit: 23andMe DNA Test, $129 (originally $199) [You save $70], available at Amazon
  29. DNA test kit: AncestryDNA test, $59 (originally $99) [You save $40], available at Amazon

*Note: All prices are at the time of publication and are subject to change. 

Click to go to: Amazon device and service deals Laptop, tablet, and computer deals Printer deals Router deals TV deals Speaker and soundbar deals |Gaming console deals Gaming accessories deals Smart home device deals Smartphone deals Fitbit and smartwatch deals Headphones deals Car tech deals Camera deals Under-$100 tech deals Under-$50 tech deals Under-$25 tech deals Kitchen appliance deals |Kitchen tool deals Mattress deals Bed and bath deals Vacuum deals AC, air purifier, and fan deals Furniture and lighting deals Home improvement deals Beauty and skincare deals Fashion deals Pet deals Travel deals Outdoors deals Baby deals | Fitness and health deals

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

SEE ALSO: All of our holiday gift guides, in one place

DON'T MISS: 19 Amazon shopping hacks that will help you get the most out of the site — even if you don't have a Prime membership

Prime Day was just a few months ago, but Amazon has come swinging into Cyber Monday with discounts on many of its devices and services. Confused about the differences among all the Amazon products? Here's a complete guide.

The best overall deals

The best Amazon Prime service deals

The best Echo deals

The best Kindle deals

The best Fire TV deals

The best Fire tablet deals

The best Cloud Cam and Blink security camera deals



Whether you're a student excited to get a new laptop for college or someone who loves to stay entertained on the go, these computer, laptop, and tablet deals will have you covered.

The best laptop deals

  • Check back for the latest laptop deals as we find them.

The best tablet deals

  • Check back for the latest tablet deals as we find them.

The best desktop and all-in-one deals

  • Check back for the latest desktop and all-in-one deals as we find them.

The best gaming PC deals

  • Check back for the latest PC deals as we find them.

The best computer monitor deals

  • Check back for the latest computer monitor deals as we find them.


Devices like printers and hard drives might not be the most exciting tech to shop for, but they're necessary purchases nonetheless. The right devices can make the difference between extreme frustration and relaxed bliss as you browse, work, and play, so save on the best ones with these deals.

The best printer deals

  • Check back for the latest printer deals as we find them.

The best hard drive deals

  • Check back for the latest hard drive deals as we find them.

The best computer accessory deals

  • Check back for the latest computer accessory deals as we find them.


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'They knew I was a bit unhappy': 'The Walking Dead' star says he was frustrated and bored with his role on the show

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Warning: There are major spoilers ahead for "The Walking Dead" season nine, episode eight, "Evolution."

Tom Payne said he missed the call from AMC's "The Walking Dead" showrunner Angela Kang when she was about to tell him his character, Jesus, was getting killed off the show.

"I was texting with my girlfriend and I was like, 'Oh, Angela called me. Maybe it's 'the call.' Hah hah ha.' And then I called her and it was," Payne told INSIDER.

When a character is about to die on "The Walking Dead," the actor receives a call from the current showrunner letting them know their time on the AMC series is coming to an end. If you follow the show closely, Jesus' death was rumored for months. Still, it was a shock to many when Jesus was stabbed from behind on Sunday's mid-season finale since he's still a prominent character in the comics.

But Payne felt it was his time to go.

"I was kind of frustrated with what I had gotten to do on the show and I was kind of a bit bored with it," Payne said of his role as Jesus. "If I wasn't being given anything, I was kind of ready to go. And then when Angela called me, I was quite chill about it. I was like, 'Oh, OK. Great. Cool.'"

Payne had a request for the way his character went out on the show.

jesus twd 611

"Let's just make it really cool because he's a tough character," Payne said of what he asked for Jesus' departure on the show. "If he goes out then it has to be in a really tough way with a ton of people or it has to be a complete surprise, which is what it was."

And a cool death he received. 

Jesus kills at least a dozen walkers that we see on screen before he gets taken out unexpectedly by a Whisperer.   

"I actually loved it," Payne said of how his death scene turned out. "He goes out in this creepy way that no one was expecting and in that moment, just after that fight, I think he's having fun with it, killing all those walkers. It's so simple for him with this sword. It's really easy and so then he's just walking towards the fence and is like, 'Oh, I'll just take this one out,' and [instead] it's, 'Oh no. Now, I'm dead.'"

"I was pretty happy with the whole thing," he added. "I just want to tell a good story and be part of a shocking moment on the show. I much rather be that than hang around at the Hilltop for another few years." 

Payne couldn't say enough about how much he was excited to just be off of the Hilltop and get to be in a sequence with others.

"For me, [it was] really fun to work with other actors on the show," Payne said of his final scenes in the cemetery. "After having been on the show for three years, I worked with a lot of people at the beginning, but then, and I love working with Lauren [Cohan], Xander [Berkeley], and Katelyn [Nacon], and Sonequa [Martin-Green], but that was it really. I was kind of stuck at the Hilltop. So, for me, it's just the opportunity to get to work with Josh [McDermitt] and Ross [Marquand] and Norman [Reedus]. That was really fun."

A mutual decision to leave the show

twd 803 lennie james tom payne

Payne received his phone call from Kang late in the summer, but discussions about his exit were discussed long before that. 

"It's something that we started talking about at the beginning of the year. There's a lot of factors that go into how we decide what character is being written out," showrunner Angela Kang told INSIDER. "This has been a year where we've written out a lot of different characters."

the walking dead rick carl

"We knew that to introduce the Whisperers storyline, there's a cost to encountering this group. It's a brutal, frightening group. They are unlike anything that our group has ever encountered before," Kang said. "There is a death in the comic book as a result and so we knew that there would have to be sort of this epic fight that led to it and we also knew that whoever ended up dying, their life is a life that should have mattered a great deal, whose death makes an impact."

whisperers walking dead 908

"Jesus was somebody who really carried a torch of togetherness and unity for our people at a time when they may be more split apart than they ever have been before," added Kang, noting what Jesus' life meant to others on the series. "This is something that definitely plays into the season as a whole. He's somebody who had a great impact on the people around him."

I asked Payne if it was his choice to leave the show because of his frustrations with his role. He insisted it was a decision between both him and the show.

"I think it was kind of a mutual thing. They knew that I was a bit unhappy and I had said, 'I don't care what happens. We just need to kill some more people. Just kill me,'" Payne said. "There are so many characters on the show that it's difficult for everyone to get their spot and I completely understand that. So I was like, well, let's just kill some more people. We're in the middle of the war with the Saviors and then Carl [Chandler Riggs] was really the only person, out of consequence, who died that season so I thought that was a bit weird."

walking dead siddiq carl

Concerns over backlash from fans

Anytime a really big character is killed off a show there's always a fear that there's going to be some sort of backlash from fans, especially if the character is gay. There are plenty of thinkpieces written about TV writers killing off strong gay characters on shows. Though Jesus is gone, the show still has four main characters on the show who are gay — Aaron, Tara and the newly-introduced Magna and Yumiko. 

"Part of the thing with this show is that characters die. The show deals with issues of life and death and the cycle of life and what it means to be human. Dead is in the title and we never take a death, we don't treat them lightly," said Kang. "These are people that we work with and that we like. Some groups are more vocal than others. Every character has a very strong fanbase."

Regardless, Kang knows Jesus' death will sting with readers of the comic book.

"Obviously, for comic-book readers who love the character of Jesus, this will be a big blow. But we've often deviated from the comic in deaths throughout history. Rick is still the lead of the comics and we had to write out Andrew Lincoln this year." Kang continued. "We have a very good record of diversity both on screen and behind the scenes. Our writers room is incredibly diverse. At this point, so many of our characters fall into some sort of a minority or underrepresented group that it's kind of hard to say that any particular group is off limits. What we want to do is just show that there is a variety of people just like there is in the world and we're proud of that representation on screen."

twd 611 jesus walking dead

Payne, who has gotten involved with the LGBT+ community since landing his role on the show, doesn't expect to see a lot of backlash over the fact that his character was killed off. However, he believes fans will be upset for a different reason.

"I think there will be backlash because he's such a popular character in the comic books and I don't think he quite got the storylines that people might have been expecting," said Payne. "I think there would probably be a bit more of a backlash about that to be honest. I think the way he goes and how it happens and what it does for the story is really strong."

Payne mentioned some of the major moments his character received in the comics that never made it to screen. In particular, he recalled a moment with Negan during the war with the Saviors.

"I didn't get... Jesus has the other fight with Negan," Payne referenced. "He catches a grenade and throws it back and has all this cool stuff. I was a bit put out, despondent, at the end of that season. I was like, 'Well, let's do something next year.'"

jesus grenade walking dead

Another moment Payne believes people will be vocal about is not seeing more of his character with Aaron. The two characters start a relationship in the comics after years of knowing each other. It's never made clear on season nine whether or not viewers were supposed to infer the two were a couple meeting behind Michonne's back. 

twd jesus aaron walking dead

"I know," Payne said of the uncertainty between the Aaron and Jesus dynamic. "Honestly, that's the one part of the story that I feel is slightly unfair on the audience. Because we have the season premiere this year, but that's like seven years ago at this point. And then, yeah, we had these two episodes now. I mean, they put in what they could. I think that was a nice little nod toward the comics and their potential relationship." 

For those hoping for a confirmation on the couple, both Payne and Kang agreed that the two were just really good friends. You'll have to stick to the comics for more of Jesus and Aaron.

Payne is keeping his long hair, for now

twd 802 jesus

Now that Payne is off of the show, what becomes of his long locks that he grew out for Jesus? If you're worried, Payne says they're staying, at least for now. 

"That's the thing," Payne said while laughing. "It's been two-and-half years now and there aren't that many male actors with long hair so I'm going to keep it because it might give me a bit of a leg up into certain roles. It would take a long time to grow back and I don't think I'm ever going to be able to do it again. I'll keep it for now."

Of course, that could always change.

"The beard, I can change around," added Payne about his long facial hair. "Having said that, if the right role comes along, I'll shave everything off but I think I'll keep it just to see what's around the corner."

twd 708 jesus tom payne

At the end of the day, Payne says he's happy to leave the show knowing his death meant set up the start of the next big story and he's excited to see what's next.

"They were really nice to me and gave me a really cool ending. I just realized the other day my character introduced the Saviors and has now introduced the Whisperers," Payne said of introducing two big groups of villains to the show. "So I have these two moments in the show, as much as I didn't get a huge amount to do in the middle apart from that fight with Lennie [James], which is awesome. I had a big impact, actually."

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'I would have been frustrated if we didn't get an answer': 'The Walking Dead' showrunner explains why a big reveal was made on Sunday's episode and teases what's ahead for next year

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There are spoilers ahead for "The Walking Dead" season nine, episode eight, "Evolution."

Sunday's mid-season finale of "The Walking Dead" finally introduced us to the true identity of the show's talking zombies. They aren't really evolving as Eugene suggested. Daryl revealed them to be a group of survivors who blend in with the undead by wearing their skin called the Whisperers.

Showrunner Angela Kang told INSIDER there was some debate on whether or not to make the Whisperer reveal until the show's return next year, but she pushed for it to happen sooner. 

"My preference for story is that if you kind of introduce a mystery, you don't drag it out too, too long. It just felt [right] for the rhythm of the show," Kang told INSIDER. 'For the comic-book readers, they know exactly who the Whisperers are from the beginning and I felt, for me, as just a fan and a viewer, I would have been frustrated if we didn't get an answer within the mid-season."

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"There was definitely some debate," Kang said about the decision to reveal the Whisperers on the mid-season finale. "This was a conversation with multiple people about, 'Do you hold the reveal until after the break?' And I was like, 'No, no, no. You introduce the mystery and then there's an answer to this little chapter of it and then we start the next little chapter when we open up the mid-season [premiere next year].' That felt cleaner to me."

It's one of many decisions Kang has helped make since becoming showrunner of "The Walking Dead" on season nine to help pick the pace back up on the AMC zombie series, which has slogged in ratings after Negan brutally killed two beloved characters on the season seven premiere. 

On the season nine premiere, Maggie (Lauren Cohan) quickly and efficiently killed off old Hilltop leader Gregory (Xander Berkeley) after he tried to have her killed. Typically, it's the sort of death that would take a few episodes to play out on the show. On the series' aftershow, "Talking Dead," Kang referred to Gregory's swift death as putting "the pedal to the metal" and getting it over with after building up his story for so long. 

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Similarly with the Whisperers reveal, there's a danger of making people believe the show may be jumping the shark after nine seasons if you make people sit too long on believing that there are talking zombies on the show. 

Kang said she didn't think of it in terms of jumping the shark or not. For her, it was about story.

"It's really like a story/rhythm preference on my side that seemed to work well for us as we were working on how it plays out," Kang said of the Whisperer storyline.

"I really felt like the actors were so game for kind of going in new directions with their characters. Sometimes people can be protective of wanting to do one thing and all of our people were like, 'Yes, bring on the challenges. Bring on the change.' Let's do new things. Their performances have been stellar," said Kang adding what she's been most proud of this season. "We basically had to do the equivalent of two pilots in the first half [of the season] alone. The first episode as well as the sixth episode."

Where do we go from here?

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Daryl, Michonne, Aaron, and more are currently surrounded by the Whisperers and Kang says it won't take long for us to see more of them, including their leaders.

"I'm excited for the audience getting to see more of the Whisperer story," said Kang of what's to come. "We have Samantha Morten and Ryan Hurst coming up as Alpha and Beta for the comic-book fans. These are just great, great actors who kind of folded in so seamlessly and are wonderful people to work with. I'm excited for people to see their work."

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"This group, the Whisperers, is unlike anything we've encountered on the show and we're going to start to learn about their philosophy and the way that they handle things and it truly gave us the opportunity to delve into a group that was so different. I think it's been really interesting for us to kind of work on that and see the designs that go into it," Kang continued. "As well, we'll find out some more about what happened during that six-year passage of time with the mystery of the "X," [and] we may see the return of a familiar character. I'm excited for all of that. And we also, I'll tease, that we do something we've never done on the show before in the back-half of the season that I think fans will be into."

And what about Negan?

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Negan escaped from his prison on the mid-season finale and is on the run. Kang says it won't take long to see what Negan is up to now that he's free from his cell.

"We've obviously deviated a bit from the comics at this part of the story. When we open up in the first episode back in the new season, we will find out what it is that Negan is up to," said Kang of what Negan will be up to on the rest of the season. "I think Jeffrey [Dean Morgan], who is such a remarkable actor. He has just done incredible work the whole season, but it's really fun to watch him."

"He's certainly been sick of being stuck inside that cell, both Negan and Jeffrey," Kang added. "So it was fun to kind of have him out and about and I think there's a pretty cool story to be told there that I hope that fans will enjoy who have enjoyed Negan from the start or who are kind of just enjoying seeing his evolution in the character."

You can follow along with our "Walking Dead" coverage here.

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'The Walking Dead' showrunner says we'll learn more about the mystery 'X' on Michonne and Daryl's backs next year

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Warning: There are spoilers ahead for Sunday's episode of "The Walking Dead," season nine, episode eight, "Evolution."

Sunday's mid-season finale of "The Walking Dead" introduced the show's next creepy villains, bid farewell to a beloved character, and gave us a deeper look at the rift between Michonne, the Hilltop, and some of her family members.

A lot of it is rooted in those mystery "X" marks we've seen carved into the backs of both Michonne and Daryl.

michonne daryl x scars

"In doing a six-year time jump, there's got to be a lot that's happened to our characters during that time and it's just part of the story that factors into Michonne and Alexandria, the way that they've sort of isolated themselves and [have] become very wary about strangers," showrunner Angela Kang told INSIDER.

When Michonne first arrives at the Hilltop on Sunday's episode, she's treated completely different than we've ever seen on the show. The community is almost fearful and hostile of her as they scramble to get indoors and collect her group's weapons before they may enter. More strangely, Carol and Tara didn't exactly give her the warmest welcome. If you noticed, none of the women embraced when they saw each other.

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Something significant clearly happened between the communities after Rick's absence. And we get a few hints of that from the episode, particularly when Siddiq tells Michonne she should try and mend some fences. 

"I won’t, not the way they want me to," Michonne tells Siddiq of making amends. "I didn’t make the choices I made because I thought they’d be easy. At least they’re alive so they can hate me for it."

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"This is a story that we will reveal more about in the second half of the season, which starts airing in the new year," Kang said in regards to the mystery "X" on Michonne and Daryl's backs. "And it's just one of these things that's touching [on] important parts of backstories for characters. It's something that obviously Michonne and Daryl, they both experienced something. There's probably others that are affected in various ways, if not in the same ways."

No clearer was that then when Carol had a brief discussion with Michonne early on Sunday's episode. She tried inviting Michonne and Alexandria to come to the Hilltop for their upcoming fair and Michonne ultimately refused.

"I know what you went through and I get why this is hard for you, but we’ve all lost something," Carol told Michonne. "You and me, we’ve both lost children and we kept going, for each other. We’ve always been a family."

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"And we still are. But Kingdom is Kingdom. Hilltop is here and Alexandria is there and in between there’s a whole lot of broken world and we cannot pretend otherwise. We’ve got to take care of our own now. It’s just the way it is," Michonne decided.

Kang hints that when we eventually find out what happened to our group it may be pretty dark.

"It's one of these character, intrigue mysteries that we wanted to sort of show to the audience a little at a time," Kang added. "We start with the effects of everything that's happened in the past and then we'll learn what exactly did happen and how it is that they came to kind of take on the positions that they did and things they've been through together. It's a world of the apocalypse and a lot of hard and scary things happen to our people."

How do you think Michonne and Daryl received the mystery "X" marks on their backs?

You can follow along with our "Walking Dead" coverage here.

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'The Walking Dead' star says there was an extra scene of him cut on the show with a boyfriend

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Warning: There are spoilers ahead for season nine, episode eight of "The Walking Dead,""Evolution."

Fans said goodbye to a fan-favorite on Sunday's mid-season finale of "The Walking Dead" when Jesus, was surprisingly killed by the introduction of the show's next villains, the Whisperers.

It's a bummer for fans who were hoping to see Jesus, who's still alive in the comic, in a relationship with Aaron. So INSIDER was surprised to learn there was a scene that could have showed Jesus with a boyfriend on the AMC show earlier this season. It just wouldn't have been Aaron.

"There was a bit in the premiere episode where I spoke about a boyfriend actually at the Hilltop and I had a scene with a boyfriend at the Hilltop," Payne told INSIDER.

"But as is the way of the show, things get cut and storylines get swapped around and other things take precedence and the whole thing got cut out," he continued. "I think it's kind of sad because I've done a lot of work now with the LGBT+ community, and I know how much it matters to have representation on TV and I think it's kind of sad when any of that gets cut out."

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It would have been a nice full-circle moment to see.

Back on season seven, episode 14, Jesus opens up to Maggie telling her he always found it difficult to open up and get close to anyone whether it be friends, neighbors, or boyfriends. 

Maggie tells him he "should try it some time, even if it doesn't last." I guess Jesus took her advice, but fans would never have known. 

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Instead, many fans watching Sunday's episode probably left the show wondering if Jesus and Aaron were supposed to be a couple. It wasn't clear if that's what the show was hinting at and it's something Payne is very aware will most likely affect the fandom. 

"I know," Payne said of the uncertainty between the Aaron and Jesus dynamic. "Honestly, that's the one part of the story that I feel is slightly unfair on the audience. Because we have the season premiere this year, but that's like seven years ago at this point. And then, yeah, we had these two episodes now. I mean, they put in what they could. I think that was a nice little nod toward the comics and their potential relationship." 

jesus aaron walking dead comic 170

"I actually did another interview before this where the interviewer asked me if I thought — because everyone always asks me if they're going to get together — and he said, 'Well, maybe they did mess around a bit in the six years.' And, I was like, 'Oh, I see. Yeah. Maybe they did.' I wouldn't say that's an absolute no," Payne said of a Jesus/Aaron relationship. "But I don't think they had ever been a couple or anything. I think they just understand each other at this point. And they said that. They were having that discussion about being explorers and that's really what Jesus missed being stuck at the Hilltop and everything. But then he gets what he wants. He gets killed." 

Read more:Our full interview with Tom Payne about his departure from the show

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While Payne thinks there's room for fans to think Aaron and Jesus could have gotten together in the six years that passed on the show, showrunner Angela Kang has a more simplistic view on the Aaron and Jesus dynamic.

They're just two really good friends.

"We really didn't feel that we had built up that relationship to that point in our show," Kang told INSIDER when asked whether or not fans are supposed to interpret Aaron and Jesus as a couple. "What really excited us was the idea that Jesus and Aaron had built a real friendship with each other. Not all the relationships on the show are necessarily romantic. Some of our deepest relationships are completely platonic ones."

jesus aaron relationship 907siddiq michonne twd 908

With everyone coupling up lately it's tough to spot a relationship that's strictly platonic between members of the opposite sex, but a prime example that comes to mind is Siddiq and Michonne.

"Would that have developed into something more?" Kang added about whether or not Aaron and Jesus would have ever have become a couple on the show. "Maybe or maybe not. But they're two people who certainly shared a philosophy about the world and that really got a lot of strength and enjoyed spending time with each other despite the fact that Alexandria had kind of a hard line rule about the way that they should interact with other people or not."

twd jesus aaron walking dead

"It's certainly something that starts to affect Aaron's outlook on life after this event happens," she added, looking forward at what's to come on the show with Jesus' departure. "We really felt that it was interesting to show a great, great friendship between these two because we hadn't really seen them interact too much in the show up to this point."

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'The Walking Dead' just ended on a major shock and fans are devastated

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Warning: There are spoilers ahead for "The Walking Dead" season nine, episode eight, "Evolution."

Sunday's mid-season finale of "The Walking Dead" brought horror back to the show with the inroduction of the Whisperers, a group of survivors who wear the masks of the undead over their faces. 

Their arrival on the AMC zombie drama came with the unexpected loss of one of the show's bigger characters. 

This is your last chance to head back before we dive into major spoilers. 

aaron twd 908

During the show's final minutes, Aaron, Jesus, and Eugene scrambled through a cemetery in the night fog as they were chased down by a herd of walkers.

As Aaron and Eugene fled to safety, Jesus stayed back to fight off the rest of the undead. In an incredible fight sequence, Jesus slayed walker after walker. Just when it looked like he was in the clear, the final walker in his path sidestepped and drove a sword through Jesus' back.

jesus walking dead 901

It was a brutal moment that left fans gutted.

Many were upset that they wouldn't get to see Aaron and Jesus together on the show. (In the comics, they become a couple.)

"I was kind of frustrated with what I had gotten to do on the show and I was kind of a bit bored with it," Tom Payne told INSIDER of playing Jesus on the show. "If I wasn't being given anything, I was kind of ready to go. And then when [showrunner] Angela [Kang] called me, I was quite chill about it. I was like, 'Oh, OK. Great. Cool.'"

Read more:Our full interview with Tom Payne about his departure from "The Walking Dead"

"I was pretty happy with the whole thing," Payne said of the way he was killed off. "I just want to tell a good story and be part of a shocking moment on the show. I much rather be that than hang around at the Hilltop for another few years." 

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Payne acknowledged that some fans will be upset with his departure, but he thought it would be because his character didn't fulfill all of the storylines he had in the comics.

"I think there will be backlash because he's such a popular character in the comic books and I don't think he quite got the storylines that people might have been expecting," said Payne. "I think there would probably be a bit more of a backlash about that. I think the way he goes and what it does for the story is really strong."

jesus aaron relationship 907

Read more:Tom Payne says there was an extra scene of him cut on "TWD" with a boyfriend

"Obviously, for comic-book readers who love the character of Jesus, this will be a big blow," showrunner Angela Kang told INSIDER. "But we've often deviated from the comic in deaths throughout history. Rick is still the lead of the comics and we had to write out Andrew Lincoln this year. There's definitely a lot of things that are different."

Kang said it's normal to expect a bit of backlash, but is proud of the amount of diverse characters that are represented on the series.

"We have a very good record of diversity both on screen and behind the scenes. Our writers room is incredibly diverse," said Kang. "At this point, so many of our characters fall into some sort of a minority or underrepresented group that it's kind of hard to say that any particular group is off limits. What we want to do is just show that there is a variety of people just like there is in the world and we're proud of that representation on screen."

While Jesus is gone, there are still four openly gay characters on the show. There's Aaron, Tara, and newly-introduced couple Magna and Yumiko. 

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The series also recently introduced the character Connie, who is deaf. She is played by deaf actress Lauren Ridloff. 

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Jesus' death was teased throughout the episode as several characters at the Hilltop said they would consult Jesus when he returned to the community about Magna's new group and Henry's misbehavior. Someone else, probably Tara, will now have to step up as the Hilltop's new leader.

the walking dead hilltop 908

Were you surprised by Jesus' death or did you see it coming? Let me know what you thought and talk the episode with me on Twitter @KirstenAcuna.

You can follow along with our "Walking Dead" coverage here.

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8 details you may have missed on the mid-season finale of 'The Walking Dead'

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  • Warning: There are spoilers ahead for "The Walking Dead," season nine, episode five, "Evolution."
  • On Sunday's mid-season finale of the AMC show, we learned a bit more about the strained relationship between the communities, were introduced to the series' next big villains, and said goodbye to a fan-favorite.
  • There aren't too many direct callbacks to moments from the comics and show on this week's episode. So INSIDER caught up with showrunner Angela Kang and she told us some fun tidbits about Sunday's episode.
  • Keep reading to see what you may have overlooked on the season nine mid-season finale. 

Negan has a baseball toy sitting in his window sill.

It's an obvious nod to his beloved barbed-wired bat, Lucille, which was taken away from Negan after the Savior war was over.

He's seen in the cell tossing a ball with a baseball glove. It's a nice touch if you're familiar with the comics and know that Negan was a gym teacher and coach before the zombie apocalypse. 

The pig reminds us of when Negan visits Alexandria on season seven, episode four and knocks on the gate saying, "Little pig, little pig. Let me in!"



Everyone disappears when Michonne and the others show up at the Hilltop. Her group is treated differently.

Everyone looks at Michonne sort of teary-eyed. Their weapons are confiscated until they leave the Hilltop.

"It's something that obviously Michonne and Daryl, they both experienced something. There's probably others that are affected in various ways, if not in the same ways," showrunner Angela Kang told INSIDER. "It's one of these character, intrigue mysteries that we wanted to sort of show to the audience a little at a time."

"We start with the effects of everything that's happened in the past and then we'll learn what exactly did happen and how it is that they came to kind of take on the positions that they did and things they've been through together," she added.

You can read more on what Kang told us about the mystery "X" marks here.



Earl Sutton asks Henry if he wants to join him and Tammy for dinner.

The two lost their child, Kenneth, on the season premiere. Henry probably reminds Earl of his lost child.



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Taiwan voted to reject same-sex marriage in a surprise about-face that has changed the island both socially and politically

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Taiwan crowd gay referendum

  • Taiwan woke up on Sunday morning a very different island, following a series of political blows that dashed hopes of moving towards legalizing same-sex marriage.
  • Last year, Taiwan's highest court ruled that same-sex couples had the right to legally marry, and set a two-year deadline for legalization. The move seemingly set Taiwan on the path to becoming the first country in Asia to legalize marriage equality. 
  • But on Saturday, Taiwanese voters firmly rejected same-sex marriage in a series of referendums.
  • President Tsai Ing-wen also resigned as party leader of the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) after it suffered a major electoral defeat.

Following a series of referendums listed on the ballot for Saturday's island-wide city mayoral elections, Taiwanese residents voted to reject same-sex marriage. 

The vote on the contested island that China considers a breakaway province has also led to the resignation of President Tsai Ing-wen from the pro-Independence ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP,  民進黨 ), after her fierce rivals at the China-friendly Nationalist Party, or Kuomintang (KMT, 國民黨), won a number of key seats.

Residents backed a question which moved to define marriage as between a man and a woman, casting aside a May 2017 ruling in Taiwan's highest court that same-sex couples had the right to legally marry, and set a two-year deadline for legalization. 

The move seemingly set Taiwan on path to become the first country in Asia to legalize marriage equality. 

Tawian gay same sex marriage

But more than six million Taiwanese voters approved the series of conservative initiatives that opposed same-sex marriage equality, passing the threshold needed for a public vote.

"We are deeply saddened and disappointed by the referendum results," Jennifer Lu, chief co-coordinator of Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan told the Financial Times on Monday.

Voters also rejected the controversial proposal that Taiwan ought to compete at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games under the name Taiwan, rather than Chinese Taipei.

The scale of defeat was far greater than expected

tsai ing wen

The vote was just another headache in a terrible result for President Tsai, who has been attacked from both sides for her formerly strong positions on the issue.

The scale of defeat was far greater than expected, with Tsai's DPP losing seven cities and counties of the 13 they held, including its traditional strongholds of Kaohsiung and Yilan.

The final blow on a shocking night for the DPP and many of the liberals and progressives that carried them into power came with the news that Taiwan — considered to be one of Asia's most progressive societies — had overwhelmingly voted against the legalization of gay marriage under the civil code.

Taiwan hosts the region's largest annual gay pride parade, drawing visitors from around the world, but the referendum drew clear fault lines across Taiwan socially, with embittered language marking high-visibility campaigns and rallies supporting both sides of the debate.

In the lead-up to the weekend's election, Tsai began to distance herself from a former pledge to support marriage equality.

Since snatching office in 2016, Tsai has pursued a a stronger stance against an increasingly assertive Beijing.

China cheered with relief at the heavy losses endured by the DPP, claiming it showed people wanted peaceful relations and ultimately unification — with Beijing.

Over the weekend it was the China-friendly Kuomintang who snatched ground against the DPP, forcing Tsai to shoulder the blame of heavy losses and resign, effective immediately as head of the party. 

“Today, democracy taught us a lesson,” the president said in Taipei on Saturday night. 

Elections results were rife with allegations of Chinese interference. Tsai has repeatedly accused China of meddling in the elections by operating a Russia-style "fake news" campaign.

The standard bearer of Taiwan’s pro-independence movement, Tsai has about 12 months before elections in January 2020 to galvanize the support she has squandered if she doesn't want to become the island’s first ever one-term president.

SEE ALSO: China lauds voters after defeat of Taiwan's ruling party

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BlackRock is making changes at the top as the $6.4 trillion manager continues its pivot towards Asia-Pacific

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  • US global investment giant BlackRock has appointed Geraldine Buckingham as chair and head of BlackRock Asia Pacific, as the $6.4 trillion manager continues its Asia-Pacific pivot.
  • Buckingham, global head of corporate strategy at BlackRock, will succeed Ryan Stork from February 2019.
  • The shift comes as BlackRock continues to consider Asia-Pacific as one of its “most critical priorities”, according to chairman and CEO Larry Fink.

US global investment giant BlackRock has appointed Geraldine Buckingham as chair and head of BlackRock Asia Pacific, as the $6.4 trillion manager continues its Asia-Pacific pivot.

Buckingham formerly served as senior managing director and head of corporate strategy, and will now be placed at the center of BlackRock's Asia-Pacific push.

Buckingham replaces current APAC chair and senior managing director Ryan Stork who will now be the company's deputy global chief operating officer.

The move comes as BlackRock continues to consider the Asia-Pacificas "one of BlackRock's most critical priorities," chairman and chief executive Larry Fink said in a letter to shareholders.

BlackRock is in the process of massively augmenting its so-called investor-stewardship initiative, with Barbara Novick, a vice chairman who helped found BlackRock, leading a push that will double the team over the next three years.

In August, the investment giant closed out its Asia-Pacific Private Credit Opportunities Fund, which is keeping an eye on potentially opportunistic investing in distressed deals in appropriate APAC countries, including India, Indonesia, and Australia.

"We aim to have a truly local presence in Asia so we can respond to the unique needs, objectives, and cultures of our clients in each market," Fink said in his statement.

Such is the sway of a BlackRock on the move, Fink brought this year's annual DAVOS economic forum at the Swiss Alps to a grinding halt by sending a letter to global CEO's asking simply if their companies can "describe their strategy for long-term growth.”

Both appointments come into effect in February.

SEE ALSO: Everyone at Davos is talking about 'Larry's letter'

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NOW WATCH: A sleep expert explains what happens to your body and brain if you don't get enough sleep

Brooklinen's only sale of the year is going on through Cyber Monday — here's how to save up to 20% on sheets and bedding

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Brooklinen, $225

  • Brooklinen is having its biggest and only sale of the year right now.
  • Now through November 26 (Cyber Monday), the more you spend, the more you'll save — up to 20% off orders of $450 or more.
  • We ranked Brooklinen as the makers of the best luxury sheets, the best sateen sheets, and the best duvet cover on the internet. Find the startup's seven best-sellers below.
  • To potentially save more on Cyber Monday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.

Brooklinen is one of our favorite brands to cover — from its core and luxe bedsheets to its latest Brooklittles line for babies and toddlers. However, it's not known for holding sales. Prices are usually low enough to warrant what is essentially a year-round sale in itself.

But Black Friday and Cyber Monday are exceptions; Cyber Week is its biggest and only sale of the year.

This year, the popular startup is offering steep discounts. Now through November 26, you can take advantage of the following deals:

If you're looking for a new pair of sheets, or you've been waiting for an additional discount as an excuse to try out luxury bedding, this is probably the best time of the year to invest. And in terms of value per dollar, Brooklinen is a particularly great deal.

They look great, feel even better, and can vastly improve your quality of sleep — which, in turn, improves quite a few other areas of your life. When six hours feels like eight, it's easier to operate in the way that you want in your day-to-day.

You can check out its full range of options here, but we're fans of the Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle for every day (with a duvet cover, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and four pillowcases for $228 if you're buying for a queen). Insider Picks editor Ellen Hoffman described them as one of the best purchases she's ever made.

In our comprehensive Buying Guides, we ranked Brooklinen sheets the #1 best luxurious sheets and the best sateen sheets you can buy. Its Down Comforter (queen, $349) is the best we found from a startup, and its Classic Duvet Cover (queen, $109) is another best-in-its-category on the internet. It also makes great, blanket-sized towels (Bath Sheets, two for $89). 

If you're looking for something that adds some warmth and softness for the designated "cozy" winter season, I can't recommend the Twill Hardcore Sheet Bundle (queen, $189) enough. It's made to feel like your favorite worn-in flannel, and the twill fabrication allows the yarns to move more freely, creating an overall more forgiving, softer experience. As I've mentioned in my review of them, they'll make you wake up and wish you were working from home every day.

When it comes to Brooklinen, our experience is that it's pretty difficult to go wrong.

Take advantage of Cyber Monday Brooklinen discounts here.

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

Below are some of Brooklinen's best sellers:

SEE ALSO: Allbirds has dropped a limited-edition sneaker for Cyber Monday

Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle

The queen-size Luxe Hardcore Sheet Bundle is $213 before a discount is applied

Available in 15 colors. 

  • Luxe Core Sheet Set (one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, two pillowcases)
  • Luxe Duvet Cover
  • Luxe Pillowcases (an extra pair)

Find a full review of the sheets here. We also ranked them the #1 best luxury sheets and the #1 best sateen sheets in the Insider Picks Buying Guides. 



Classic Hardcore Sheet Bundle

The queen-size Classic Hardcore Sheet Bundle is $129 before a discount is applied

Available in 15 colors.

  • Classic Core Sheet Set (one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, two pillowcases)
  • Classic Duvet Cover
  • Classic Pillowcases (an extra pair)


Super-Plush Complete Towel Set

The Super-Plush Complete Towel Set is $189 before a discount is applied

Available in four colors. 

  • Two "Bath Sheets"
  • Two bath towels
  • Two hand towels
  • Two washcloths
  • Bath mat

Find a full review here.



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The 10 best soundbar and home theater deals to be had on Cyber Monday 2018 — all of which are still going on tonight

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

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Cyber Monday is finally here, bringing with it hundreds of deals on all kinds of products. Many, however, will be looking to take advantage of the event for their home theater, and thankfully, there are a ton of great deals on things like soundbars, speakers, and other home theater components.

Whether you’re looking for a whole new surround sound speaker setup, or just an inexpensive soundbar to heighten the quality of your TV audio, here are the best soundbar and home theater Cyber Monday deals.

To potentially save more on Cyber Monday, you can visit Business Insider Coupons to find up-to-date promo codes for a range of online stores.

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

SEE ALSO: 7 Cyber Monday deals on headphones that are still going on — from Bose to Beats

DON'T MISS: 53 cool and useful Cyber Monday deals under $25 that make great stocking stuffers

Bose Soundbar 500 with Alexa

Bose Soundbar 500 with Alexa, $499 at Amazon (originally $549) [You save $50]

Bose is a loved manufacturer of headphones, but the company also makes some excellent smart speakers and home theater speakers too — like, for example, the Bose Soundbar 500, which boasts Alexa built right into it, and offers a powerful sound quality for your home theater.



Polk Command Soundbar

Polk Command Soundbar, $199 at Amazon (originally $299) [You save $100]

The Polk Command soundbar is a great way to integrate your TV and home theater with your smart home. Not only does the device offer an excellent listening experience, but it’s also Amazon Fire TV-compatible, and has Amazon Alexa built right into it. In other words, if you’re already plugged into the Amazon ecosystem, then the Polk Command soundbar is probably the way to go. Last but not least, the device comes with a wireless subwoofer.



Sonos Beam Compact Smart TV Soundbar

Sonos Beam Compact Smart TV Soundbar, $349 at Amazon (originally $399) [You save $50]

Sonos has been crowned the multi-room audio king, and for good reason. With other Sonos speakers, you can stream music to every room in your house, meaning you never have to stop listening. The Sonos Beam integrates into that ecosystem, while delivering excellent audio from your TV.

The speaker even has Amazon Alexa support built right into it, meaning that you can ask Alexa to control your smart devices without the need for an extra device.



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11 standout Cyber Monday deals on speakers — from the likes of Bose, Sonos, and JBL

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

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  • The web is full of indoor and outdoor audio deals this Cyber Monday, give your weary eyes a rest and let us do what we do best.
  • We've found tonight's best speaker deals for all within most budgets.
  • While they may be a little pickier than your average gift recipient, don't forget the audiophiles in your life this holiday season.

Scouring the web for deals on audio equipment can be a headache and a half, and then some if you don't quite know what you're after.

We spent the morning sifting and sorting through the seemingly endless list of Cyber Monday sales in all things sound, from wireless and Bluetooth to waterproof, dustproof, and all-around life-proof (and for those particular audiophiles who can manage to take good care of their stuff, we've got a couple of top-notch picks as well).

So, without further ado, rock on with your bad self and pick out a new set of speakers this Cyber Monday. You (and/or they, as the case may be) deserve it.

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

SEE ALSO: 24 Amazon Cyber Monday device deals that are live now — including the new Echo Show and Fire TV Stick 4K

A miniature powerhouse of a Bluetooth speaker

Bose SoundLink Micro Bluetooth Speaker, $69 at Amazon (originally $99 — you save $30)

Water-resistant down to one meter for 30 minutes (IPX7 water- and shock-proof), Bose' speakers are usually on the pricier side, but the SoundLink Micro is far more within reach than usual. The only downside is that apart from the USB charging port, there are no wired connection ports.



A waterproof, submersible, all-around disaster-proof speaker that fits into a cupholder

WOW-SOUND 17-9000 Bluetooth Floating Waterproof Speaker, $147.45 at Amazon (originally $208.77— you save 29%)

This is the be-all and end-all of outdoors speakers within most reasonable budgets. It floats, it fits into a cup holder (which means, like, in your cooler seat, in your console, in your pool toys, or pretty much anything with a cupholder). Plus, the 360 degrees of LED lighting comes in handy as one might imagine, and the company claims that it'll hold a charge for over 50 hours of playtime. Oh, and it sounds pretty darn good with a four-inch passive bass speaker and omnidirectional Hi-Fi sound. You get the idea. It's worth it.



A slim and sleek but loud subwoofer system

SONOS SUB Subwoofer System, $599 at Amazon (originally $699 — you save 14%)

If you're looking to fill a room with dense, deep sound, and get over 100,000 free radio stations along with it, look no further than the SONOS SUB Subwoofer System. Fair warning, though: It gets loud.



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Paul Manafort's plea agreement with the feds is in jeopardy as Mueller accuses him of lying to investigators

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Paul Manafort

  • Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman of Donald Trump, violated his plea agreement by lying to the FBI and the special counsel Robert Mueller's office "on a variety of subject matters," according to a court filing.
  • Mueller's office asserted that "the nature of the defendant’s crimes and lies, including those after signing the plea agreement," freed them of any obligation from the plea agreement.
  • Manafort's attorneys disputed the special counsel's characterization.
  • It was not immediately clear what Manafort had lied about. Mueller's office said it would provide further information in a later court filing.

Paul Manafort, the former campaign chairman of Donald Trump, violated his plea agreement by lying to the FBI and the special counsel Robert Mueller's office "on a variety of subject matters," according to a court filing on Monday.

The plea agreement, which Manafort signed two months ago, stipulated that he would be in violation of the agreement if he were to "engage in any criminal activity prior to sentencing" or failed to "fulfill completely 'each and every one' of his obligations."

Mueller's office asserted that "the nature of the defendant’s crimes and lies, including those after signing the plea agreement," freed them of any obligation from the plea agreement.

"A breach relieves the government of any obligations it has under the agreement ... but leaves intact all the obligations of the defendant as well as his guilty plea," the court filing said.

Manafort's attorneys disputed the special counsel's characterization and said their client "provided information to the government in an effort to live up to his cooperation obligations," the filing added.

It was not immediately clear what Manafort had lied about. Mueller's office said it will provide further information in a later filing, according to CNN.

In September, Manafort pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice and one count of conspiracy against the US.

Read more: Robert Mueller has reportedly begun drafting his final report in the Russia probe

But things between the special counsel and Manafort have reportedly been rocky for a while. Earlier this month, ABC News reported that talks between the two sides had broken down.

Since pleading guilty, Manafort had met with prosecutors nearly a dozen times, and though members of Mueller's team have been asking him about a wide range of topics, they're "not getting what they want," a source with knowledge of the discussions told ABC News.

A source with direct knowledge of the matter told INSIDER at the time that Manafort's plea deal with Mueller was still intact. But ABC News reported that the dispute between the two sides stemmed from suspicions that Manafort was not being entirely forthcoming about all the information he may know that's relevant to the Russia investigation.

Robert Mueller

Manafort is in a more precarious position than ever before

Trump's lawyers have also previously said that Manafort's legal team was keeping them informed of the former Trump campaign chairman's actions.

Renato Mariotti, a former federal prosecutor in Chicago, pointed out the "highly unusual" nature of such a claim.

"Typically flippers are completely on the government's team," he wrote. "Today's filing could mean that Manafort was trying to protect Trump, or he could be trying to shield another person or entity, or trying to hide wealth from prosecutors."

"It never ceases to amaze me how people can just dig themselves deeper in trouble," Jeffrey Cramer, a longtime former federal prosecutor who spent 12 years at the DOJ, told INSIDER in response to Monday's news.

Though prosecutors can vacate Manafort's plea agreement, they may not want to do that yet because it would result in another lengthy trial. But the problem is "that he's making himself a more difficult witness to use as he continues to lie," Cramer said.

Mariotti wrote that Manafort may now be in a more precarious position than he would have been if he didn't cooperate in the first place.

Prosecutors indicated in Monday’s filing that they will soon file a “detailed sentencing submission” that will lay out the nature of Manafort’s alleged “crimes and lies,” including those that occurred after he signed a plea deal. That means the judge overseeing his case will learn, in detail, of Manafort’s alleged efforts to mislead investigators.

“When sentencing a defendant, judges have very broad discretion to consider nearly everything,” Mariotti wrote. “You can expect the judge, who has already had some harsh words for Manafort when he violated his bond conditions, tot are this conduct into account at sentencing. It undercuts Manafort’s acceptance of responsibility and demonstrates his lack of respect for the law."

The former Trump campaign chairman is a significant figure of interest in Mueller's inquiry, which is examining Russia's interference in the 2016 election, whether the Trump campaign colluded with Moscow, and whether Trump sought to obstruct justice after he learned of the investigation's existence last year.

Andrew Weissmann, a prosecutor working for Mueller, told US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson when Manafort's plea deal was announced that Manafort would cooperate "in any and all matters as to which the government deems the cooperation relevant," including "testifying fully" and "completely" before a grand jury.

Monday's filing sends an important message to that effect, Cramer said: "Tell the truth or go to trial."

SEE ALSO: Mueller's report will be 'politically very devastating' for Trump, Alan Dershowitz predicts

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Megyn Kelly in 2017: 'I regret a lot' of the controversial stuff I've said on live television

Here's how the regtech landscape is evolving to address increasing compliance needs

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Growth Regtech Firms

This is a preview of a research report from Business Insider Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service. To learn more about Business Insider Intelligence, click here.

Regtech solutions seemed to offer the solution to financial institutions' (FIs) compliance woes when they first came to prominence around 24 months ago, gaining support from regulators and investors alike. 

However, many of the companies offering these solutions haven't scaled as might have been expected from the initial hype, and have failed to follow the trajectory of firms in other segments of fintech.

This unexpected inertia in the regtech industry is likely to resolve over the next 12-18 months as other factors come into play that shift FIs' approach to regtech solutions, and as the companies offering them evolve. External factors driving this change include regulatory support of regtech solutions, and consultancies offering more help to FIs wanting to sift through solutions. Startups offering regtech solutions will also play a part by partnering with each other, forming industry organizations, and taking advantage of new opportunities.

This report from Business Insider Intelligence, Business Insider's premium research service, provides a brief overview of the current global financial regulatory compliance landscape, and the regtech industry's position within it. It then details the major drivers that will shift the dial on FIs' adoption of regtech over the next 12-18 months, as well as those that will propel startups offering regtech solutions to new heights. Finally, it outlines what impact these drivers will have, and gives insight into what the global regtech industry will look like by 2020.

Here are some of the key takeaways:

  • Regulatory compliance is still a significant issue faced by global FIs. In 2018 alone, EU regulations MiFID II and PSD2 have come into effect, bringing with them huge handbooks and gigantic reporting requirements. 
  • Regtech startups boast solutions that can ease FIs' compliance burden — but they are struggling to scale. 
  • Some changes expected to drive greater adoption of these solutions in the next 12 to 18 months are: the ongoing evolution of startups' business models, increasing numbers of partnerships, regulators' promotion of regtech, changing attitudes to the segment among FIs, and consultancies helping to facilitate adoption.
  • FIs will actively be using solutions from regtech startups by 2020, and startups will be collaborating in an organized fashion with each other and with FIs. Global regulators will have adopted regtech themselves, while continuing to act as advocates for the industry.

In full, the report:

  • Reviews the major changes expected to hit the regtech segment in the next 12 to 18 months.
  • Examines the drivers behind these changes, and how the proliferation of regtech will improve compliance for FIs.
  • Provides our view on what the future of the regtech industry looks like through 2020.

     

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These 6 tech companies are the best bargains hiding in the tech selloff's wreckage heap (FB, GOOGL, BKNG, WIX, TTD, ROKU)

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Facebook presentation Mark Mahaney IGNITION 2016

  • The prices of many tech stocks have plunged in recent months.
  • Thanks to that sell-off, the shares of many companies are now trading at values that are out of whack with their real worth, RBC Capital Markets analyst Mark Mahaney argues in a new research note.
  • Mahaney scrutinized more than 30 stocks to come up with his six top picks.

Thanks to the recent sell-off in tech stocks, you can find some great deals in the bargain bin. 

That's the take of Mark Mahaney, one of the top analysts covering the internet sector. The selling was overdone, and the shares of many tech companies are now out-of-whack with their historical values and underlying business trends, RBC Capital Market's Mahaney argues in a research note issued Sunday afternoon. 

But some stocks are more disconnected from their real worth than others. In his report, Mahaney took a look across the more than 30 companies he covers to find the best bargains.

He looked at companies' valuations compared with their historical value or underlying trends; how their growth in the third quarter compared with their past rates; and whether they were expected to have any fundamental changes in their businesses that might spark faster growth. After passing the companies through those screens, he came up with a list of six — three with large valuations and three with small or medium-sized valuations — top picks. 

Here are Mahaney's internet sector best buys:

SEE ALSO: Silicon Valley has had a tough 3 months — here are the top tech executives who won and lost big

Facebook (FB)

Yes, the social-media giant has been facing a slew of scandals this year. And, yes, its growth has slowed and its costs have gone up as CEO Mark Zuckerberg has tried to refocus the company on combatting fake news and other problems. But the precipitous drop in the company's shares of late — Facebook's shares are off 37% since hitting their all time-high in July — have made them the biggest bargain on the block, Mahaney says.

The 22% drop in Facebook's shares just since the end of August has been among the steepest of all the large-cap internet stocks. Thanks to that decline, the ratio of the company's enterprise value to its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) is about 10. That's at the low end of the four-year range for that ratio, Mahaney notes in the report.

Meanwhile, as of the close of trading Friday, the company's stock was just 4% above its 52-week low.

That valuation seems way out of line with where Facebook is as a business in Mahaney's eyes. If anything, Facebook has become more dominant than ever this year, since it owns four of the top social-networking and messaging services and is grabbing an ever-larger share of online advertising.

Even though many tech companies have been beat up lately, Facebook still "stands out," says Mahaney, who has a $190 price target on the company's stock. Facebook's shares closed Monday at $136.38.



Alphabet (GOOGL)

Shares in the search giant haven't fallen as much as Facebook's — through Friday, they were down 16% since the end of August. But Alphabet still has a strong case to make for being severely undervalued, Mahaney says.

Alphabet's ratio of enterprise value to EBITDA is 10.6, according to his report. Like Facebook, that's near the bottom of its four-year range. And as of Friday, Alphabet was trading just 5% above its 52-week low.

But Alphabet has other things in its favor, according to Mahaney. For example, its revenue growth has shown remarkable consistency. For 35 straight quarters, the company's base revenue has grown by 20% or more on an annual basis.

Additionally, the company has huge potential growth drivers for the future. With video becoming increasingly important online, YouTube's business is poised for a big windfall, he says. And then there's Waymo, the company's self-driving car effort.

It has the "pole position against arguably the biggest product cycle in tech – autonomous vehicles," Mahaney says. His price target on Alphabet is $1,400; the company's stock closed Monday at $1,055.94.



Booking Holdings (BKNG)

Shares of Booking, formerly known as Priceline, were down only 10% from August 31 through Friday. That's significantly less than other big tech stocks.

But its shares look cheap by other measures, Mahaney says. Its ratio of enterprise value to EBITDA is 13.7, which is at the bottom of its four-year range, he noted. As of Friday, Booking's share price was only 4% above its 52-week range.

And the company could be poised for improving results. Its growth rate picked up in the third quarter and the company looks set to build on that in coming quarters, writes Mahaney.

Booking still only accounts for a small portion of the total global travel market. And it's investing in long-term opportunities, including the Chinese market, he says.

"The takeaway here is that online travel trends remain strong," says Mahaney, who has a price target of $2,425 on Booking's shares. The company's stock closed Monday at $1,802.44.



See the rest of the story at Business Insider

The top 10 phone deals of Cyber Monday 2018 from Apple, Samsung, Google, and more

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

It's not every day you see smartphones on sale, but Cyber Monday is chock full of great prices on excellent phones, including ones from Samsung, Apple, Google, Motorola, and Honor.

Below, we break down the specs for each smartphone that's on sale so you know which one to choose. We've actually tested nearly every phone on this list, so you can rest assured that these phones are worth your money.

1. OnePlus 6, $429 (originally $529) at OnePlus [You save $100]

oneplus 6

The OnePlus 6 is all the phone you really need. Its normal price is already impressively low for a phone with these kinds of high-end specs, and now that it's on sale, it's an absolute steal. The OnePlus 6 boasts a beautiful, 18:9, 6.28-inch, AMOLED screen with almost no bezels. It looks quite a bit like the iPhone XS from the front because it has the same small notch for the 16-megapixel selfie camera.

Inside, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip and 6 or 8 gigabytes of RAM power the phone. The phone's battery life is impressive, and OnePlus' Dash charge tech will give you a full charge in just 30 minutes. The dual lens camera on the back has two sensors — one 16-megapixel and one 20-megapixel — which take excellent pictures and produce the coveted blurred background effect in photos.  We think it's one of the very best smartphones you can buy.

2. Samsung Galaxy S9, $519.99 at Amazon (originally $719.99) [You save $200]

galaxy s9

The Galaxy S9 was Samsung's 2018 flagship phone, so it's a great buy even though it will soon be replaced by the S10 in the new year. Because it's on sale, you really can't go wrong. The 5.8-inch screen is absolutely gorgeous and it doesn't have a notch, so if those notches infuriate you, you'll like the S9's lovely screen. It's also waterproof.

Tech reviewer after tech reviewer has taken gorgeous photos with the S9 and S9 Plus cameras. The processor is speedy, it has solid battery life, and you can even expand the storage with a MicroSD card — what's not to love? We call it the best Samsung phone in our buying guide.

3. Samsung Galaxy Note 9, $799.99 at Amazon (originally $999.99) [You save $200]

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Samsung's Galaxy Note 9 is bigger and arguably better than the Galaxy S9 we mentioned above. It comes with a massive 6.4-inch screen that is also mercifully notch-free. The cameras are excellent, and the S-Pen stylus is better than ever, so those of you who like to draw, take notes, and use the S-Pen for other important things will be very happy with this phone.

The Note 9 has a whopping 128GB of storage built in and you can expand it even further with a MircoSD card. Its processor is zippy and fast, it holds a charge much longer than most other flagship phones, and it can juice up wirelessly. The cameras are, needless to say, spectacular as well. 

4. LG V35 ThinQ Prime Exclusive Phone, $549.99 at Amazon (originally $899.99) [You save $350]

LG V35 thinq

Amazon's Prime Exclusive phones come with a "pre-installed selection of Amazon apps, including the Amazon Widget, Amazon Shopping, and Amazon Alexa." They also have ads here and there, but if you don't mind Amazon all over your phone, you can get a great deal with the LG V35 ThinQ. 

It has a 6-inch QHD+ OLED, 18:9 aspect ratio screen that looks bright and color-rich. There's no notch on this beauty, either. Inside you get a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip, 6 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage that you can expand to 2 TB with a MicroSD card. The dual 16-megapixel standard-angle and wide-angle rear cameras take excellent pictures, as does the 8-megapixel wide-angle selfie cam. The V35 ThinQ also has facial recognition and a fingerprint sensor for added security.

Given it's lower price tag this Cyber Monday, it's a very good deal.

5. Razer Phone, $369.99 at Microsoft (originally $699.99) [You save $330]

razer phone

Razer is known for its gaming tech, but it has also made a few phones, including the Razer Phone, which is currently on sale. It has a crisp 5.7-inch, 2,560 x 1,440 pixel resolution screen with no notch in sight, though it does have chunkier bezels than new flagship phones.

Inside, it's running on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip and has 64GB of storage inside that you can expand with a MicroSD card. The battery life is good and it's an effective phone, though perhaps not one of the best. Still, at this price, it's a good buy.

6. iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max at Verizon [You save $100-$300 with trade-in]

iphone xr iphone xs white

Although Apple never puts its phones on sale, carriers often have good deals on the latest and greatest phones from Apple.

Right now, you can get an iPhone XR, XS, or XS Max for $300 off when you add a new line on a device payment plan with a trade-in, or you can get $100 off when you upgrade and trade in your old phone at Verizon. It's not the best deal, but hey, it's a deal. On an iPhone. And not just any iPhone — the new ones! 

We highly recommend the iPhone XR, which costs a relatively reasonable $750, but still includes the most important new tech on any phone: the latest processor. We also love the iPhone XS and XS Max. They're higher end and thus they are great buys for tech addicts who want the absolute best, shutterbugs who love high-end camera tech, and people who want a larger (Max) or smaller phone (XS).

7. Google Pixel 2 XL, $549.84 at Best Buy and Verizon (originally $949.84) [You save $400] or Google Pixel 3 at Best Buy and Verizon [You save $200]

Google Pixel 2 XL

You can get the Google Pixel 3 for $200 off at Best Buy with Verizon, or you can get the Pixel XL 2 for $400 off. Both are great deals. The Pixel 2 XL may not be the newest model, but it is still an excellent phone — it was our top pick for the best Android phone before the Pixel 3 launched. The 6-inch Quad HD OLED screen looks great and it doesn't have a notch.

The processor is also zippy and fast, but the star of the show is the Pixel 2 XL's cameras. The main camera sports a 12.2-megapixel sensor and cannot be beat on auto-mode — especially in low-light. It remains one of the best cameras you can find on a smartphone.

We highly recommend picking one up — $400 off isn't a deal you see every day, and we doubt you'll find a Pixel for this good of a price any time soon.

8. Moto G6, $199.99 at Best Buy (originally $249.99) [You save $50]

moto g6

The Moto G6 is the best budget phone for most people with its low price, solid camera, and clean Android software. It's a great deal at Best Buy this Cyber Monday. Its 5.7-inch Full HD (1080p) screen is sharp and clear, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor is fast when paired with 3GB of RAM. The 32GB of storage is decent as is the option to expand it via a Micro SD card up to 256GB. The phone also has a fingerprint sensor and face unlock for security.

The G6 has an improved 12-megapixel and 5-megapixel dual-lens camera setup, which is quite good, and selfie-takers will be pleased with the 8-megapixel front-facing camera. The battery should last you a full day, and it charges up quickly with Motorola's TurboPower charging, which promises to give you six hours of use after 15 minutes of charging.

9. Honor View 10, $349 at Amazon (originally $499) [You save $150]

Honor View 10

The Honor View 10 is a solid mid-range phone with a very good price tag this Cyber Monday. It has a 5.99-inch screen with an 18:9 display ratio with no notch. It comes in very nice black and blue colorways and has the look of a high-end flagship phone.

The Kirin 970 chipset and 6GB of RAM make for a reasonably fast phone and the 128GB of storage is very high for a phone in this price range. The View 10 also has an excellent set of dual cameras on the back, including a 20-megapixel monochrome lens and a 16-megapixel RGB lens.

It's a good deal, but you can only use it with your SIM card if you have T-Mobile or AT&T in the US, as it's a GSM-only phone.

10. Honor 7X, $169 at Amazon (originally $199.99) [You save $30.99]

Honor 7X

The Honor 7X is made by the same company as the Honor View 10 we mentioned above. It, too, only works on GSM networks like T-Mobile and AT&T in the US. If you're on one of those networks, you're in luck, because this sale price is quite good.

The 7X has a 5.93-inch, 2,160 x 1,080 pixel resolution screen and no notch. The dual-lens 16-megapixel and 2-megapixel cameras on the back take decent photos that won't disappoint you. Inside, you get a Kirin chip, 3GB RAM, and 32 GB storage, which is expandable with a MicroSD card.

Although it's not a high-end phone, it is a good budget phone that's on sale for a reasonable price.

Looking for more deals? We've rounded up the best Cyber Monday deals on the internet.

cyber monday 4x3

The best deal roundups

The best individual deals

Join the conversation about this story »

Trump says he doesn't believe his own administration's report on the economic impact of climate change

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  • President Donald Trump responded on Monday to the bombshell climate assessment released by his administration on Friday, saying he doesn't believe the economic impact it's predicted to have on the US.
  • The report, which is the fourth National Climate Assessment to be released following a mandate from a law passed in 1990, was shared with the public on November 23 — the day after the Thanksgiving.
  • "No, no, I don't believe it," Trump said in response to a reporter. "And here's the other thing, you're going to have to have China and Japan and all of Asia and all these other countries — you know, it addresses our country," Trump said of the report.
  • "Annual losses in some economic sectors are projected to reach the hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century — more than the current gross domestic product (GDP) of many US states," according to the report.

President Donald Trump responded on Monday to the bombshell climate assessment released by his administration on Friday, saying he doesn't believe the economic impact it's predicted to have on the US.

"Mr. President, have you read the climate report yet?" a reporter asked Trump outside the White House.

"I've seen it, I've read some of it, and it's fine," Trump responded.

"They say the economic impact would be devastating," the reporter continued, referring to the projected economic loss of hundreds of billions of dollars caused by climate change.

"Yeah, I don't believe it," Trump replied.

Read more: The Trump administration released a dire new report on climate change that predicts hundreds of billions of dollars in economic losses

The predicted economic impact

The report, which is the fourth National Climate Assessment to be released following a mandate from a law passed in 1990, was shared with the public on November 23 — the day after the Thanksgiving holiday.

Per the report, the temperature in the US has already risen 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit since 1990, and it's predicted to go up another 2.5 degrees by 2050, and if the emission of greenhouse gasses continues at its current rate, the temperature could rise by as much as 11 degrees Fahrenheit by 2100, the report said.

And the assessment predicts that climate change will have a big impact on the economy.

"Annual losses in some economic sectors are projected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars by the end of the century — more than the current gross domestic product (GDP) of many US states," according to the report.

By 2090, deaths associated with climate change could cost $140 billion, and the report said that"almost two billion labor hours are projected to be lost annually by 2090 from the impacts of temperature extremes, costing an estimated $160 billion in lost wages."

The report also lays out how climate change will impact food production, ecosystems, human health, infrastructure, migration, clean water — and it explains how we can respond through adaptation and reducing carbon emissions.

"Earth’s climate is now changing faster than at any point in the history of modern civilization, primarily as a result of human activities," the report said. "The impacts of global climate change are already being felt in the United States and are projected to intensify in the future — but the severity of future impacts will depend largely on actions taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to adapt to the changes that will occur."

"That's very important to me."

In his conversation with reporters, Trump deflected by talking about other nations.

"No, no, I don't believe it," he said in response to a reporter following up on his initial denial. "And here's the other thing, you're going to have to have China and Japan and all of Asia and all these other countries — you know, it addresses our country," Trump said, referring to the report.

"Right now, we're at the cleanest we've ever been, and that's very important to me," he said. "But if we're clean, but every other place on Earth is dirty, that's not so good. So, I want clean air, I want clean water, very important."

However, the report said both clean air and clean water are at risk because of climate change.

"The quality and quantity of water available for use by people and ecosystems across the country are being affected by climate change, increasing risks and costs to agriculture, energy production, industry, recreation, and the environment," the report explains.

Clean air is also threatened by rising temperatures: "Changes in temperature and precipitation are increasing air quality and health risks from wildfire and ground-level ozone pollution."

Trump on climate change

Trump has wavered on the issue of climate change — at one point during the 2016 election he called it a "hoax."

Earlier this year, however, he said, "I don't think it's a hoax, I think there's probably a difference," but questioned whether it was caused by human activity. A scientific consensus (and this recent report) has concluded that the warming trend is human-caused.

In 2017, Trump pulled the US out of the Paris Climate agreement, a deal negotiated in 2015 between 195 countries that seeks to take measures to stop the world's temperature from rising 2 degrees Celsius.

SEE ALSO: 12 scary takeaways from the climate report the Trump administration dropped on Black Friday — and one reason for hope The findings are dire.

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