All posts tagged: buying

Trump’s immigration enforcers look into buying ad data. Industry insiders fear what comes next.

Trump’s immigration enforcers look into buying ad data. Industry insiders fear what comes next.

Published by Sam Flores

The trillion-dollar industry that amasses and shares troves of Americans’ information is confronting a new ethical quandary — the Trump administration’s interest in wielding this data to potentially further its sweeping immigration agenda. Immigration and Customs Enforcement published a request for information in January seeking input on how “commercial Big Data and Ad Tech providers can directly support investigations,” a request that came as the administration was pursuing efforts to expand the United States’ immigration enforcement capabilities. It appears to be the first time ICE has issued a public request on how to use this kind of data, which can include information on people’s purchases, web browsing or social media use. ICE’s request is raising alarms for people like Brian O’Kelley, who helped create the advertising technology industry decades ago. He fears the government wants to purchase the data to open a new front for President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, even though ICE has not said publicly what it plans to do with the information. “It’s very shocking to see it in black and white that the government …

Self-proclaimed ‘gambling guru’ pleads guilty to bribing players, buying inside information in two federal cases

Self-proclaimed ‘gambling guru’ pleads guilty to bribing players, buying inside information in two federal cases

Published by Sam Flores

A central figure in sweeping gambling schemes involving pro and college basketball pleaded guilty Thursday to several charges stemming from two separate criminal cases. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. Marves Fairley, 40, who has marketed himself on social media as a sports betting influencer, appeared before a federal judge in Brooklyn, New York, where he admitted obtaining nonpublic information to place fraudulent bets on NBA games in a case brought by prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York. Fairley, who describes himself as a gambling guru, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering in connection with the pro basketball betting case. In court, Fairley said he and several associates devised a scheme to obtain insider information from NBA players and coaches — information that could influence games’ outcomes — and used it to place lucrative bets. Fairley said he placed a number of bets himself and on behalf of at least …

Why Billionaires Are Buying Dinosaur Fossils as the Next Trophy Collectible

Why Billionaires Are Buying Dinosaur Fossils as the Next Trophy Collectible

Published by Jenni Sidey

For years, the trophy object of choice for the ultra-wealthy was relatively predictable: the Picasso, the Rothko, the rare Patek Philippe watch, maybe a Basquiat large enough to dominate the living room of a newly purchased penthouse, or, more recently, Air Jordans worn by the legend himself at a championship game. But lately, another kind of status symbol has been muscling its way into auction catalogs, gallery exhibitions, and billionaire wish lists: dinosaurs. This summer, Sotheby’s will offer “Gus,” a 67-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton estimated at $20 million to $30 million, the highest estimate ever placed on a dinosaur fossil. The specimen, excavated over several years in South Dakota, stretches roughly 38 feet long and stands more than 12 feet tall. Sotheby’s is billing it as one of the largest and most complete T. rex specimens ever discovered. Related Articles On its own, that might sound like another attention-grabbing auction headline in an art market that increasingly runs on spectacle. But “Gus” arrives on the crest of a much larger wave. Dinosaurs are no longer …

Why You Should Build a Steam Machine Instead of Buying One

Why You Should Build a Steam Machine Instead of Buying One

Published by skeptic

Building your own Steam Machine offers a unique opportunity to create a gaming system that balances performance, cost and personal preferences. In a recent explainer by Level1Techs, the process of designing a custom Steam Machine is broken down into practical steps, including repurposing older hardware and using Linux-based systems like Bedrock or Bazzite. For instance, pairing a mid-range CPU with a used GTX 1660 or RX 580 GPU can deliver smooth 1080p gaming at 60+ frames per second, even in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077. This approach not only helps manage costs but also provides flexibility in adapting to hardware availability and performance goals. Explore how to navigate key decisions, such as selecting compact cases for small form factor builds or optimizing thermal management in tight spaces. You’ll also gain insight into the benefits of Linux gaming, including Proton compatibility for running Windows-based games and the efficiency advantages it offers for older systems. Whether you’re upgrading an existing rig or starting from scratch, this guide equips you with actionable strategies to craft a gaming setup …

DHS is buying iris scanners to identify undocumented immigrants : NPR

DHS is buying iris scanners to identify undocumented immigrants : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

A federal immigration agent uses facial recognition software to confirm an asylum seeker’s identity prior to an immigration hearing on July 30, 2025, in New York. In addition, DHS is expanding its use of iris scanners to help quickly identify undocumented immigrants. Olga Fedorova/AP hide caption toggle caption Olga Fedorova/AP The Department of Homeland Security is expanding its capacity to scan irises as part of its mass deportation efforts, a move that has raised concerns among privacy experts that the agency, flush with an influx of funding, is gathering biometric data from people it detains. The agency awarded a $25 million no-bid contract last week to BI2 Technologies, a company that specializes in iris scanning. The new contract is more than five times the amount of the company’s last DHS contract, awarded last fall. NPR reached out to BI2 multiple times regarding its work with ICE, but did not hear back. As part of its proposal to the company, DHS requested more than 1,500 iris scanners, as well as access to the company’s mobile app, …

Is Prince William’s school-run story an Amandaland moment? We’re not buying it for a minute

Is Prince William’s school-run story an Amandaland moment? We’re not buying it for a minute

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Prince William and Kate are often seen doing the morning drop-offs to ensure their children – Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, eight – have as normal a childhood as possible. But in what can only be described as a full-on Amandaland moment, our future king took to the airwaves, describing on Heart Radio’s breakfast show that his mornings are often total chaos on the way to deliver their kids to the £10,669 a term Lambrook School, near Ascot, with Prince Louis messing the car up with his sticky snacks. “Yes, there’s a lot of jam sandwiches taken in the car, usually. Louis is very kind. He’ll leave jam fingerprints throughout the car, which is really helpful,” William reported to the nation. “It depends if there is a guitar lesson going on in the morning, a music lesson… …

Shein Buying Everlane Actually Makes Perfect Sense

Shein Buying Everlane Actually Makes Perfect Sense

Published by skeptic

On Friday, the ultrafast-fashion giant Shein finalized its acquisition of Everlane, a US clothing retailer that made its name by promising “radical transparency” into how its clothes were made. Neither company disclosed the price of the deal, but Puck reported last weekend that it clocked in at $100 million. Founded in 2010, Everlane became synonymous with a certain strain of millennial consumerism that was supposed to be the exact opposite of Shein. It mainly sold elevated basics, and told a generation of anxious and high-minded shoppers that they could feel morally good about buying yet another pair of plain ballet flats or black high-waisted skinny jeans. Shein, by contrast, became notorious by flooding the internet with astonishingly cheap, trendy clothing produced at enormous scale. It has been criticized for years for alleged poor labor practices. Given how differently Shein and Everlane positioned themselves, many people online felt the acquisition fell somewhere between darkly ironic and outright dystopian. The fashion writer Derek Guy, better known online as the “menswear guy,” articulated the vibe in a post …

5 iPad accessories I’ll never regret buying (including a Apple Pencil alternative)

5 iPad accessories I’ll never regret buying (including a $35 Apple Pencil alternative)

Published by skeptic

While Apple Pencils are great options for various models of the iPad range, there are two big things to consider before buying one: cost and compatibility. Like most Apple gear, these stylus options are pricey, usually selling around $129, or sometimes a bit less during a sale.  In terms of compatibility, you’re really squeezed on your options. If you want features like wireless charging, you’re left with the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) or the Apple Pencil Pro, and even though the 2nd Gen model often hits discounts to make it more affordable, it’s not compatible with newer model iPads, like the latest iPad Pros. Also: Apple Pencil Pro vs. Apple Pencil 2: Which model you should buy for your iPad Here’s the good news. If you’re a no-fuss user or someone who won’t be taking advantage of the advanced features of Apple’s stylus options, ESR’s digital pencil may be perfect for you. I transitioned to using one when I upgraded from my older iPad Air and Apple Pencil 2, and noted I didn’t use the Apple …

For Some Reason, People Aren't Buying Trump's Excuse For Missing Jr.'s Wedding

For Some Reason, People Aren't Buying Trump's Excuse For Missing Jr.'s Wedding

Published by Sam Flores

Donald Trump Jr./Donald Trump Although President Donald Trump gave what he probably thought was a good excuse for ditching the upcoming wedding of his oldest son, Donald Trump Jr., his answer inspired a lot of internet scepticism. Trump Jr. is set to marry model-socialite Bettina Anderson this weekend in the Bahamas, but it doesn’t look like his dad will be in attendance based on what he told reporters on Thursday. Spoiler alert: If you’re looking for enthusiasm, you’ve come to the wrong place. “He’d like me to go, but it’s gonna be just a small, little, private affair, and I’m gonna try and make it,” Trump said. “I said, you know, this is not good timing for me. I have a thing called Iran and other things.” He added that if he does attend, “I get killed. If I don’t attend, I get killed. By the fake news, of course.” Q: Are you attending your son's wedding this weekend? TRUMP: Uhhhh. He'd like me to go. I'm gonna try and make it. I said, 'This is not …