Officials in Texas on Monday designated a Venezuelan gang called the Tren de Aragua as a “foreign terrorist group” and endorsed former President Donald Trump’s claim that many migrants crossing into the United States were released from prisons in Latin America.

The Tren de Aragua is an international criminal organization that operates in several Latin American countries and engages in extortion, homicide, drug trafficking and smuggling of people, authorities say.

Because of a political and economic crisis in Venezuela, many people from that country are allowed to enter the United States and apply for asylum.

But Texas’s top border official, Mike Banks, argued that Venezuela “has released prisoners with one condition: you leave Venezuela and don’t come back.”

He said the administration of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris is encouraging such people to come to the United States with what Banks called an open border policy.

Harris is running against Trump in November’s presidential election.

Immigration advocates present a very different picture, asserting that the Biden administration has harshly cracked down on the border with undue restrictions on people wishing to cross and seek asylum.

Appearing at the same news conference as Banks, Gov. Greg Abbott formally declared Tren de Aragua a “foreign terrorist organization.”

That allows the authorities to go after the gang under a beefed up anti-terrorism law and also allows for the creation of a task force assigned specifically to fight the group.

Trump said Friday that if he becomes president, he will order large-scale deportations of migrants, beginning in Ohio and Colorado. 

The vow came on the heels of his debate with Harris earlier in the week, when he made the debunked claim that migrants in Springfield, Ohio are eating residents’ pet dogs and cats.

Trump said Friday he’s going to send those migrants “back to Venezuela,” although most of the migrants in Springfield are Haitian.

Springfield has had to step up security due to threats being made as the viral, false claims about Haitian immigrants stealing and eating pets continue to circulate after being amplified by Trump and his running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance.  

Amazon is having another Prime Day-like sales event this October, and the dates have finally been announced so we can get our shopping lists ready. Like last year’s Prime Big Deal Days event, we expect plenty of great discounts across popular shopping categories such as tech, home and more. 

Read on to learn everything we know about Amazon’s fall Prime Day so far, like when it’s happening.

What are Prime Big Deal Days?

Prime Big Deal Days is like another Amazon Prime Day, but in the fall. (The regular Prime Day occurs mid-July every year.) Think of it as the unofficial start to the 2024 holiday shopping season, or Amazon’s early version of Black Friday.

Like Prime Day, Prime Big Deal Days lasts two days and features deals across a variety of the brand’s shopping categories, including fitness, home, tech and much more. Prime Big Deal Days is Amazon’s second biggest sales event of the year (the first is Prime Day, of course), so we expect the deals to be among the best the retail giant has to offer.

When is Prime Big Deal Days 2024?

Amazon has announced that Prime Big Deal Days 2024 will be held on October 8 and 9, 2024.

Do you need to be a Prime Member to shop during Prime Big Deal Days?

Yes. Like Prime Day, the best deals at the Prime Big Deal Days sales event will be exclusive to Amazon Prime members.

Don’t have Prime? We highly encourage you to try the service. In our opinion, Amazon Prime is worth it. Amazon Prime is popular for a reason — not only do you get fast free shipping (two-day, one-day or even same-day shipping, depending on the products ordered), but you also get access to Prime Video, where you’ll find a plethora of award-winning movies and TV shows, “Thursday Night Football,” discounts at Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh, free Kindle downloads and more.

If you’ve never tried Amazon Prime before, the retailer will likely offer you a 30-day free trial to test out the service (your trial offer may differ). And if you’re a college student or a shopper between the ages of 18 and 24, you can try out Prime for six months free, then afterward pay a discounted rate of $7.49 per month.

An Amazon Prime membership is $14.99 per month or $139 per year if you choose to pay annually (the monthly rate for that is about $11.50). But right now, Amazon is offering a special Prime deal: You can get three months of Prime for just $7.49.

What can you expect to be on sale during Prime Big Deal Days 2024?

If last year’s sale is any indication, you’ll find great deals on Christmas gifts and seasonal decor at Prime Big Deal Days 2024. Also expect to find deals on Halloween costumes, goods for your home, the hottest tech of 2024, viral faves and more. 

Best early Prime Big Deal Days deals to shop now 

Amazon Prime Big Deal Days isn’t here yet, but there are already some great deals to shop at Amazon now. Check them out below. 

JBL Tune Flex: 50% off

If you plan on taking calls while out and about, take the JBL Tune Flex buds with you. These sweat-proof and water-resistant headphones have everything you need for a smooth, hassle-free conversation when you leave the house.

These small but mighty buds use 12-millimeter drivers atop the same stick form factor as Apple AirPods, but they slide into your ears a bit more readily. They deliver loud, pumping bass and treble you can feel, as well as clear-sounding voices for calls and other types of media.

They do offer noise cancellation with two microphones to help improve how much sound is blocked out, with an ambient mode to let important sounds in. There’s also the interesting “TalkThru” feature, which mutes everything in the background for you to take a call if you happen to need to jump on the phone.

They’re equipped with four microphones, too, so no one has to keep asking you what you said again and again. The “VoiceAware” feature even lets you choose how much of your voice you hear in the buds, a feature rarely seen even in higher-priced options.

With a promised 32 hours of battery life, you can chat the day away. Just charge the buds up for 10 minutes to get two more hours of playtime. 

These earbuds are currently just $50, reduced from $100. 

2024 Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 11-inch Android tablet: 19% off

This tablet offers an 11-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 128GB of internal storage and a quad speaker system. It’s able to handle multitasking with ease. It comes in a graphite or silver casing color. One of the things we love about Samsung tablets is that most have a microSD memory card slot built-in, so you can expand the storage capacity easily and whenever you choose.

This model offers a 7,040 mAh rechargeable battery, so it provides all-day battery life, as well as a quick-charge feature. It runs using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor and measures 10.12 by 6.64 by 0.27 inches.

The 2024 Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 11-inch Android tablet is currently $218, reduced from $270.

Bissell Little Green Machine upholstery cleaner: 19% off

The Bissell Little Green Machine was designed to tackle stains and small messes on all kinds of upholstery, ranging from car interiors to rugs. However, TikTokers have used it to clean larger surface areas, including upholstered bar stool chairs and couches. 

The upholstery cleaner comes with a sample size of the cleaning solution, a crevice tool that makes it easy to spray the solution in tight areas and a tool that helps you clean out the hose after each use. 

The Bissell Little Green Machine upholstery cleaner has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon. 

“I love this vacuum,” a reviewer says. “My apartment is fully carpeted and I have two dogs and about 50 plants and this machine has saved us time and money. I accidentally dropped wet dirt on the carpet and it saved it.” 

The Little Green Machine is currently $100, reduced from $124.

Beckham Hotel Collection bed pillows (set of 2): Save 30%

These bestselling pillows feature a soft 250-thread count cover and are filled with a fluffy down alternative for luxurious comfort. They’re available in queen and king sizes.

“I’ve never slept on something that feels so luxurious,” an Amazon customer says. “My neck pain is gone. I look forward to going to bed and don’t feel any back pain! It’s truly the best pillow ever.”

Be sure to apply the 30% off Amazon coupon before checkout to get the best price on these 4.3-star-rated pillows. 

Cosrx snail mucin hydrating serum: 40% off

This snail mucin serum is a CBS Essentials bestseller. Yes, it’s made with the help of real snails.

The serum is formulated with 96% snail secretion filtrate (aka snail mucin). Snail mucin offers a variety of skincare benefits, including reducing the appearance of fine lines, improving skin texture and restoring your skin barrier. 

This serum has over 50,000 reviews and Amazon shoppers rate it 4.6 stars. It’s a good option for people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivities as it is unscented.

This hydrating serum is designed to protect your skin from losing moisture. It’s currently $15, reduced from $25.

PicassoTiles 100-piece magnet building set: 20% off + an extra 20% off coupon

Looking for a fun activity to keep children entertained? Check out this unbeatable deal on PicassoTiles. These clear magnetic 3D blocks can be used to build all kinds of fun creations. 

“They are great for creative play with my toddler and I know we will be building and creating with them well into the future,” a reviewer says. “These tiles are such a great value for the money and are great quality.”

They are recommended for kids aged three and up. Right now, you can get a 100-piece set for $32, reduced from $60.

Looking for more Christmas gift ideas and deals at Amazon? Check out our coverage of the 2024 Amazon Toys We Love list, the retailer’s picks of the hottest Christmas gifts this year.

Levoit air purifier: $30 off coupon

This air purifier with a HEPA filter comes in handy for wildfire season or allergies. It works for large rooms up to 1,800 square feet. You can control it from your phone and it comes in two colors.

This air purifier has a washable pre-filter to help the three-stage filtration system last longer. Its light sensor detects the brightness of your room and adjusts its display according to the light.

The Levoit air purifier is currently $160 after coupon, reduced from $190.

Levoit top-fill humidifier: 28% off

When cold-weather sickness hits, a humidifier is a great help for soothing dry throats and congestion.

This humidifier, meant for large rooms, runs up to 25 hours on low. It operates quietly and you can adjust the direction in which its mist comes out. 

“The Classic 160 impresses with its quiet and efficient operation,” an Amazon reviewer says. “The ultrasonic technology ensures a whisper-quiet experience, allowing me to enjoy the benefits of added humidity without any distracting noise. It has made a noticeable difference in maintaining a comfortable atmosphere, especially during dry seasons or in heated indoor spaces.”

The 4.4-star-rated Levoit top-fill humidifier has an auto shut-off feature for safety and is currently $29, reduced from $40.

iRobot Roomba Combo j5 robot vacuum and mop: Save 43%

This two-in-one robot packs all of the power of an iRobot Roomba vacuum and the iRobot Braava robot mop into one device. The Roomba Combo j5 robot vacuum can clean your carpets with a thorough four-stage system and iRobot’s dirt detection technology. Then swap out the bin for the mopping pad attachment and let it go to work on your hardwood and tile floors.

“This product is life-changing,” an Amazon reviewer says. “We searched long and hard for a robot vacuum before choosing this one. We have a golden retriever — he sheds a lot. This sucks up his hair with ease and goes back over extra hairy, dirty spots.

Get it now at Amazon for just $300, reduced from $530. 

Carolin Lehmann

Carolin Lehmann is an expert in health, fitness, furniture, apparel, gift guides and books for CBS Essentials. She’s always testing new products to recommend. Some of her current favorites include Stanley cups and Alo Yoga workout sets.

Women in the U.S. now constitute almost 6 in 10 college graduates and half the labor market, yet many continue to experience bias and other headwinds in the workplace, including a rate of sexual harassment that hasn’t improved in five years, according to a new study from consulting firm McKinsey and advocacy group Lean In.

The groups’ “Women in the Workplace” report, which is marking its 10th year of publication, finds that while women in Corporate America have made some gains, there has also been a remarkable lack of progress on a number of fronts, from rates of early career promotion that have continued to lag men’s to widespread sexual harassment.

The research provides a sober assessment of the challenges that remain after years of efforts by women’s advocates, corporations and the #MeToo movement to improve the workplace for women. At the same time, a recent push against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives threatens to derail the progress women have made climbing the ladder.

“I would call it a mixed scorecard for Corporate America,” Rachel Thomas, the co-founder and CEO of Lean In, told CBS MoneyWatch. “The fact that there has been a decline in commitment to gender and racial diversity has been concerning — we need [corporations] to lean into the momentum, and they are at risk of stepping back.”

Recently, major companies including Ford Motor, Lowe’s and John Deere have retreated from diversity in the face of conservative criticism. 

The new study found a growing gap between young men and young women when it comes to prioritizing gender and racial diversity, with only 4 in 10 men under 30 currently supporting these efforts, down from about half of young men in 2019. About 7 in 10 young women support prioritizing diversity, little changed from five years ago, the study found.

“There is a pushback in the zeitgeist about diversity equity and inclusion,” Thomas said. 

Sexual harassment remains widespread

The findings also show that sexual harassment remains commonplace in Corporate America, with about 40% of working women experiencing such treatment during their careers, ranging from sexist jokes to having obscene comments directed toward them, the study found. 

Women under 30 were just as likely to have experienced sexual harassment as women over 30, a finding that signals the issue hasn’t diminished in scale over the past several years, the study noted.

“We don’t see movement with young women in how frequently they describe experiences of sexual harassment in relation to their older peers,”  Alexis Krivkovich, senior partner at McKinsey, told CBS MoneyWatch. “It’s incredibly troubling.” 

Sexual harassment remains persistent despite the rise of the #MeTo movement in 2017, with a number of prominent women coming forward to disclose the abuse they had endured at work and demanding changes in the workplace. Still, only about half of women today express confidence that their employers would effectively deal with harassment if they reported it, little changed from 2018, the study noted.

“The fact that women are so concerned that if they reported it, it wouldn’t be effectively managed likely leads to a number of incidents not being accounted for,” Krivkovich said. 

“Women have stayed ambitious”

Despite these obstacles, women have made gains entering corporate leadership roles, Krivkovich said. For instance, women now make up 29% of C-suite roles, or top executive positions such as chief executive or chief financial officer, up from 17% in 2015, when the Women in the Workplace report debuted. 

“We know women have stayed ambitious over the last 10 years despite all the headwinds,” Thomas said.

But, Krivkovich added, “when we get under the hood, it’s clear those gains are really fragile.”

For one, women are still stumbling on the “broken rung,” or failing to get a promotion out of their entry-level jobs at the same rate as men, the study found. For every 100 men who were promoted to a manager role in 2024, 81 women were elevated — little changed from the 79 women who got a similar promotion in 2018, the study found. 

Young women are most at risk of suffering from ageism, with older managers biased against them because they are seen as lacking experience, while young men are often judged by a different yardstick, Thomas and Krivkovich said.

“We know from social science research that we promote men on potential and women on prior experience,” Thomas said.

While corporations must make changes to ensure that women are given the same opportunities as men, such as by implementing blind resume reviews where the applicants’ genders or identities are hidden from managers, women can also take some steps to help themselves, Thomas and Krivkovich said. 

“Don’t sit back and wait for things to unfold organically in terms of your sponsorship, your mentorship network, the presumption of your ambition and the opportunities that come your way,” Krivkovich said. “For all those things, you have to play a proactive role.”