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Everything seems to be getting more expensive these days, and video games are no exception. Case in point: Microsoft, just jacked up the recommended prices on its video game products. Xbox consoles and games alike are seeing cost increases—all of which go into effect today, May 1. You can find the full list of price changes on Microsoft's official pricing update blog post. But for those of us in the United States, here are the new prices we can expect to pay for Xbox products going forward, in addition to the original prices provided by IGN when available: Xbox consolesXbox Series S 512: $379.99 (originally $299.99) Xbox Series S 1TB: $429.99 (originally $349.99) Xbox Series X Digital: $549.99 (originally $449.99) Xbox Series X: $599.99 (originally $499.99) Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition: $729.99 (originally $599.99) Xbox controllers and headsetsXbox Wireless Controller — Limited Edition: $89.99 (originally $79.99) Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Core): $149.99 (originally $139.99) Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 (Full): $199.99 (originally $179.99) Xbox Wireless Controller (Core): $64.99 Xbox Wireless Controller (Color): $69.99 Xbox Wireless Controller — Special Edition: $79.99 Xbox Stereo Headset: $64.99 Which Xbox games are now more expensive?Microsoft hasn't said yet, though no existing games will cost more than they currently do. The company noted that they will raise the cost of some new first-party games to $79.99 this holiday season. That puts the price in line with the Switch 2's most premiere titles, like Mario Kart World. It seems $80 is the new standard in AAA video game pricing. Note that Xbox Game Pass pricing is not changing at this time. Why is Microsoft raising prices?According to the company, these MSRP hikes are due to "market conditions and the rising cost of development." To those of us following the news, however, it seems a likely culprit is the The President administration and its widespread tariffs imposed on trading partners across the globe. Microsoft doesn't directly blame tariffs, so we can't say for sure, but these import duties are certainly impacting "market conditions" in a major way. Microsoft isn't alone in raising prices, even among video game manufacturers. Sony increased the MSRPs of PS5 consoles in markets around the world—though notably omitted the U.S. from that list. Nintendo also raised prices on Switch 2 accessories, though opted to keep the console's original $449.99 price tag intact. View the full article

Key Takeaways Delivery as a Necessity: Offering delivery services has become essential for restaurant owners to meet changing consumer preferences and boost sales. Expanded Revenue Opportunities: Partnering with third-party delivery platforms can significantly increase customer reach, often leading to higher average order values compared to in-house dining. Focus on Quality and Convenience: Ensuring high food quality during transit and providing a seamless ordering experience are crucial for customer satisfaction and loyalty. Challenges in Logistics: Managing delivery logistics and balancing in-house dining with delivery orders can strain restaurant operations, especially during peak hours. Selecting the Right Platform: Choose a delivery service that aligns with your restaurant’s needs, considering commission rates and features that enhance visibility and efficiency. Best Practices for Success: Optimize your delivery menu for items that travel well, use technology to streamline ordering processes, and automate order management for better efficiency. In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is king, especially when it comes to dining. As a restaurant owner, you know that offering delivery services can significantly boost your sales and expand your customer base. With more people opting to enjoy their favorite meals from the comfort of their homes, tapping into the delivery market isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. But navigating the world of delivery services can feel overwhelming. From choosing the right delivery partner to optimizing your menu for takeout, there’s a lot to consider. In this article, you’ll discover the key factors that can elevate your restaurant’s delivery game, ensuring you meet customer expectations while maximizing your profits. Embrace the future of dining and watch your business thrive. Overview of Delivery Service for Restaurants Delivery services play a vital role in enhancing your restaurant’s reach and customer satisfaction. As you navigate the increasingly digital marketplace, understanding the components of an effective delivery service becomes essential for your small business. Adopting a delivery model not only meets customer demands but also strengthens your market position. As the trend of dining at home continues, incorporating delivery into your business plan aligns with changing consumer preferences. This shift opens up additional revenue streams and expands your customer base. To start, assess your current logistics and explore potential partnerships with established delivery platforms. An effective delivery service relies on quality packaging, timely delivery, and clear communication with customers. You might consider optimizing your menu for takeout to ensure that the most popular items translate well in a delivery setting. Additionally, integrating technology can enhance your delivery operations. Utilizing a well-designed website or e-commerce platform simplifies the order process, while social media marketing boosts your visibility. Engaging content marketing strategies can attract your target audience, encouraging them to choose your restaurant over others in the area. As you implement these changes, monitor key performance indicators to adjust your growth strategy. Regularly evaluate your delivery service’s efficiency against competitors to ensure your business remains adaptable and innovative. Benefits of Delivery Service for Restaurants Delivery services offer significant advantages for restaurants, particularly in maximizing revenue and enhancing customer convenience. Increased Revenue Potential Delivery services can dramatically boost your restaurant’s revenue. By partnering with third-party platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or GrubHub, you reach a broader audience. This expanded customer base includes potential diners who may not know about your restaurant, increasing your sales opportunities. Online orders often come with a higher average order value, typically 20% more than in-house dining. Customers frequently add extra items when ordering online, improving your profit margin. Moreover, delivery services enable sales during off-peak hours, allowing you to generate income even when your physical location experiences lower traffic. Enhanced Customer Convenience Customer convenience stands as a cornerstone of a successful delivery service. Many customers prefer dining at home, valuing the comfort it provides. By offering a seamless ordering experience through your website or partnering platforms, you increase your customer satisfaction and loyalty. Fast and efficient delivery options ensure that customers receive their meals promptly, meeting their expectations for quality and timing. Implementing a user-friendly interface on your website and utilizing social media for marketing can further enhance your visibility. Prioritizing customer service during the delivery process enhances repeat business, aligning with modern consumer preferences for convenience and quality. Challenges Faced by Restaurants in Delivery Restaurants encounter several challenges when integrating delivery services into their operations. These challenges affect efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profit margins. Managing Delivery Logistics Managing delivery logistics poses significant hurdles for restaurants, especially during peak hours. You’ll face difficulties balancing in-house dining and delivery orders. High volumes of requests can overwhelm your kitchen and staff, resulting in delays and reduced order accuracy. Establishing effective communication with delivery platforms can streamline operations. Furthermore, conducting market research on delivery demand trends might enhance your scheduling, minimizing pressure during busy times. Ensuring Food Quality During Transit Ensuring food quality during transit is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction. Factors such as temperature control and secure packaging play a significant role in food quality upon delivery. Implementing robust packaging strategies can prevent spillage and preserve presentation. You can also optimize the menu to include items that maintain quality during transport. Establishing quality control measures helps assure customers your food remains delicious from restaurant to doorstep, enhancing brand loyalty. Popular Delivery Service Platforms for Restaurants Delivery service platforms have become essential for small businesses in the restaurant industry. They allow you to reach a broader audience and enhance your customer acquisition efforts. Here’s a closer look at three major players in the market. Uber Eats Availability: Uber Eats serves over 6,000 cities globally, making it a top choice for expanding your restaurant’s reach. Commission and Fees: You face a commission of around 30% on the pre-tax value of each order when utilizing Uber Eats’ delivery drivers. This fee reduces to 15% if you employ your own delivery personnel. Be aware of varying service fees that depend on your specific restaurant and service area. Features: Uber Eats boasts a user-friendly app with searchable menus, clear delivery fees, and estimated delivery times. It also offers the option to order groceries and pharmacy items, broadening your potential market. Drawbacks: The significant fees, especially for deliveries using Uber Eats’ drivers, can challenge your profit margins, particularly for small businesses. DoorDash Availability: DoorDash operates in many regions across the United States and Canada, providing vast opportunities for growth. Commission and Fees: The standard commission charged is typically around 20-30%. They can vary based on location and delivery demand. Features: DoorDash features a user-friendly platform that includes promotions and marketing tools to boost restaurant visibility. It also provides DashPass for frequent users, enhancing customer loyalty. Drawbacks: Fees can accumulate quickly, reducing profitability. Additionally, managing delivery schedules during peak times may require additional staffing. Grubhub Availability: Grubhub is well-established in the U.S., allowing for easy access to a large customer base. Commission and Fees: Expect commissions ranging from 10-30% of the order total, depending on your agreement and delivery preferences. Flexible pricing plans may ease cash flow concerns. Features: Grubhub offers unique features like Grubhub+ for subscriptions that can increase repeat business. Its marketing tools help you target audiences effectively. Drawbacks: Similar to others, the commission structure can impact your profit margins, and the competition among restaurants can be fierce. Selecting the right delivery service platform involves assessing your restaurant’s specific needs, existing market conditions, and long-term business goals. Prioritize efficient communication and maintain high food quality during delivery to foster customer loyalty. Best Practices for Implementing Delivery Service Menu Optimization Create a delivery-specific menu that includes items that travel well and have high profit margins. This optimizes your kitchen operations and ensures food arrives fresh and in good condition. Remove time- and labor-intensive items from the delivery menu to maintain kitchen efficiency. Streamlining your menu can enhance production speed and customer satisfaction. Digitization and Automation Implement digital ordering options to simplify the process for customers and automate order tracking and logging. You can achieve this through online ordering systems integrated with your restaurant’s POS system. Use automation technology to receive, process, and manage orders efficiently, particularly from multiple food-ordering apps and websites. This ensures timely service and reduces the chance of errors during busy times. By following these best practices, you enhance service quality and streamline your delivery operations, ultimately benefiting your small business’s growth strategy and customer acquisition efforts. Conclusion Embracing delivery services is no longer optional for restaurant owners looking to thrive in today’s market. By prioritizing convenience and quality, you can meet customer demands while boosting your revenue. Choosing the right delivery partner and optimizing your menu are essential steps in this process. Implementing best practices will not only streamline your operations but also enhance customer satisfaction. Stay adaptable and keep an eye on industry trends to ensure your delivery service remains competitive. With the right strategies in place, you can turn delivery into a powerful tool for growth and success in your restaurant business. Frequently Asked Questions Why are delivery services important for restaurants? Delivery services are vital for restaurants as they meet the growing demand for convenience and cater to customers who prefer eating at home. They enable restaurants to reach a broader audience, increase sales during off-peak hours, and improve customer satisfaction by providing a seamless dining experience. What challenges do restaurants face with delivery services? Restaurants face several challenges, including managing logistics during peak hours, ensuring food quality during delivery, and communicating effectively with delivery platforms. These issues can lead to delays, inaccuracies, and impact profit margins if not managed properly. How can restaurants improve their delivery operations? Restaurants can enhance their delivery operations by optimizing their menus for takeout, partnering with established delivery platforms, and ensuring quality packaging. Additionally, they should focus on clear communication with customers and monitor performance metrics to adapt and improve service. Which delivery platforms are popular for restaurants? Popular delivery platforms include Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. Each platform has its features, commission structures, and availability, so restaurant owners should evaluate their specific needs and market conditions when choosing a delivery partner. What is a delivery-specific menu? A delivery-specific menu consists of items that travel well and have high profit margins. This strategy helps optimize kitchen operations and ensures customers receive fresh, high-quality food when ordering delivery. It may also involve removing time-consuming items from the menu to improve efficiency. How can technology assist in delivery services for restaurants? Technology can enhance delivery services by implementing digital ordering options, utilizing automation to manage orders from multiple platforms, and streamlining the customer experience. A well-designed website and social media marketing can also improve visibility and streamline the ordering process. What role does packaging play in food delivery? Quality packaging is critical for maintaining food temperature, ensuring safe transit, and preserving the overall food experience. Effective packaging solutions help restaurants deliver delicious meals while enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Tips for Boosting Your Delivery Service for Restaurants" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Delivery as a Necessity: Offering delivery services has become essential for restaurant owners to meet changing consumer preferences and boost sales. Expanded Revenue Opportunities: Partnering with third-party delivery platforms can significantly increase customer reach, often leading to higher average order values compared to in-house dining. Focus on Quality and Convenience: Ensuring high food quality during transit and providing a seamless ordering experience are crucial for customer satisfaction and loyalty. Challenges in Logistics: Managing delivery logistics and balancing in-house dining with delivery orders can strain restaurant operations, especially during peak hours. Selecting the Right Platform: Choose a delivery service that aligns with your restaurant’s needs, considering commission rates and features that enhance visibility and efficiency. Best Practices for Success: Optimize your delivery menu for items that travel well, use technology to streamline ordering processes, and automate order management for better efficiency. In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is king, especially when it comes to dining. As a restaurant owner, you know that offering delivery services can significantly boost your sales and expand your customer base. With more people opting to enjoy their favorite meals from the comfort of their homes, tapping into the delivery market isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity. But navigating the world of delivery services can feel overwhelming. From choosing the right delivery partner to optimizing your menu for takeout, there’s a lot to consider. In this article, you’ll discover the key factors that can elevate your restaurant’s delivery game, ensuring you meet customer expectations while maximizing your profits. Embrace the future of dining and watch your business thrive. Overview of Delivery Service for Restaurants Delivery services play a vital role in enhancing your restaurant’s reach and customer satisfaction. As you navigate the increasingly digital marketplace, understanding the components of an effective delivery service becomes essential for your small business. Adopting a delivery model not only meets customer demands but also strengthens your market position. As the trend of dining at home continues, incorporating delivery into your business plan aligns with changing consumer preferences. This shift opens up additional revenue streams and expands your customer base. To start, assess your current logistics and explore potential partnerships with established delivery platforms. An effective delivery service relies on quality packaging, timely delivery, and clear communication with customers. You might consider optimizing your menu for takeout to ensure that the most popular items translate well in a delivery setting. Additionally, integrating technology can enhance your delivery operations. Utilizing a well-designed website or e-commerce platform simplifies the order process, while social media marketing boosts your visibility. Engaging content marketing strategies can attract your target audience, encouraging them to choose your restaurant over others in the area. As you implement these changes, monitor key performance indicators to adjust your growth strategy. Regularly evaluate your delivery service’s efficiency against competitors to ensure your business remains adaptable and innovative. Benefits of Delivery Service for Restaurants Delivery services offer significant advantages for restaurants, particularly in maximizing revenue and enhancing customer convenience. Increased Revenue Potential Delivery services can dramatically boost your restaurant’s revenue. By partnering with third-party platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, or GrubHub, you reach a broader audience. This expanded customer base includes potential diners who may not know about your restaurant, increasing your sales opportunities. Online orders often come with a higher average order value, typically 20% more than in-house dining. Customers frequently add extra items when ordering online, improving your profit margin. Moreover, delivery services enable sales during off-peak hours, allowing you to generate income even when your physical location experiences lower traffic. Enhanced Customer Convenience Customer convenience stands as a cornerstone of a successful delivery service. Many customers prefer dining at home, valuing the comfort it provides. By offering a seamless ordering experience through your website or partnering platforms, you increase your customer satisfaction and loyalty. Fast and efficient delivery options ensure that customers receive their meals promptly, meeting their expectations for quality and timing. Implementing a user-friendly interface on your website and utilizing social media for marketing can further enhance your visibility. Prioritizing customer service during the delivery process enhances repeat business, aligning with modern consumer preferences for convenience and quality. Challenges Faced by Restaurants in Delivery Restaurants encounter several challenges when integrating delivery services into their operations. These challenges affect efficiency, customer satisfaction, and profit margins. Managing Delivery Logistics Managing delivery logistics poses significant hurdles for restaurants, especially during peak hours. You’ll face difficulties balancing in-house dining and delivery orders. High volumes of requests can overwhelm your kitchen and staff, resulting in delays and reduced order accuracy. Establishing effective communication with delivery platforms can streamline operations. Furthermore, conducting market research on delivery demand trends might enhance your scheduling, minimizing pressure during busy times. Ensuring Food Quality During Transit Ensuring food quality during transit is crucial for maintaining customer satisfaction. Factors such as temperature control and secure packaging play a significant role in food quality upon delivery. Implementing robust packaging strategies can prevent spillage and preserve presentation. You can also optimize the menu to include items that maintain quality during transport. Establishing quality control measures helps assure customers your food remains delicious from restaurant to doorstep, enhancing brand loyalty. Popular Delivery Service Platforms for Restaurants Delivery service platforms have become essential for small businesses in the restaurant industry. They allow you to reach a broader audience and enhance your customer acquisition efforts. Here’s a closer look at three major players in the market. Uber Eats Availability: Uber Eats serves over 6,000 cities globally, making it a top choice for expanding your restaurant’s reach. Commission and Fees: You face a commission of around 30% on the pre-tax value of each order when utilizing Uber Eats’ delivery drivers. This fee reduces to 15% if you employ your own delivery personnel. Be aware of varying service fees that depend on your specific restaurant and service area. Features: Uber Eats boasts a user-friendly app with searchable menus, clear delivery fees, and estimated delivery times. It also offers the option to order groceries and pharmacy items, broadening your potential market. Drawbacks: The significant fees, especially for deliveries using Uber Eats’ drivers, can challenge your profit margins, particularly for small businesses. DoorDash Availability: DoorDash operates in many regions across the United States and Canada, providing vast opportunities for growth. Commission and Fees: The standard commission charged is typically around 20-30%. They can vary based on location and delivery demand. Features: DoorDash features a user-friendly platform that includes promotions and marketing tools to boost restaurant visibility. It also provides DashPass for frequent users, enhancing customer loyalty. Drawbacks: Fees can accumulate quickly, reducing profitability. Additionally, managing delivery schedules during peak times may require additional staffing. Grubhub Availability: Grubhub is well-established in the U.S., allowing for easy access to a large customer base. Commission and Fees: Expect commissions ranging from 10-30% of the order total, depending on your agreement and delivery preferences. Flexible pricing plans may ease cash flow concerns. Features: Grubhub offers unique features like Grubhub+ for subscriptions that can increase repeat business. Its marketing tools help you target audiences effectively. Drawbacks: Similar to others, the commission structure can impact your profit margins, and the competition among restaurants can be fierce. Selecting the right delivery service platform involves assessing your restaurant’s specific needs, existing market conditions, and long-term business goals. Prioritize efficient communication and maintain high food quality during delivery to foster customer loyalty. Best Practices for Implementing Delivery Service Menu Optimization Create a delivery-specific menu that includes items that travel well and have high profit margins. This optimizes your kitchen operations and ensures food arrives fresh and in good condition. Remove time- and labor-intensive items from the delivery menu to maintain kitchen efficiency. Streamlining your menu can enhance production speed and customer satisfaction. Digitization and Automation Implement digital ordering options to simplify the process for customers and automate order tracking and logging. You can achieve this through online ordering systems integrated with your restaurant’s POS system. Use automation technology to receive, process, and manage orders efficiently, particularly from multiple food-ordering apps and websites. This ensures timely service and reduces the chance of errors during busy times. By following these best practices, you enhance service quality and streamline your delivery operations, ultimately benefiting your small business’s growth strategy and customer acquisition efforts. Conclusion Embracing delivery services is no longer optional for restaurant owners looking to thrive in today’s market. By prioritizing convenience and quality, you can meet customer demands while boosting your revenue. Choosing the right delivery partner and optimizing your menu are essential steps in this process. Implementing best practices will not only streamline your operations but also enhance customer satisfaction. Stay adaptable and keep an eye on industry trends to ensure your delivery service remains competitive. With the right strategies in place, you can turn delivery into a powerful tool for growth and success in your restaurant business. Frequently Asked Questions Why are delivery services important for restaurants? Delivery services are vital for restaurants as they meet the growing demand for convenience and cater to customers who prefer eating at home. They enable restaurants to reach a broader audience, increase sales during off-peak hours, and improve customer satisfaction by providing a seamless dining experience. What challenges do restaurants face with delivery services? Restaurants face several challenges, including managing logistics during peak hours, ensuring food quality during delivery, and communicating effectively with delivery platforms. These issues can lead to delays, inaccuracies, and impact profit margins if not managed properly. How can restaurants improve their delivery operations? Restaurants can enhance their delivery operations by optimizing their menus for takeout, partnering with established delivery platforms, and ensuring quality packaging. Additionally, they should focus on clear communication with customers and monitor performance metrics to adapt and improve service. Which delivery platforms are popular for restaurants? Popular delivery platforms include Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Grubhub. Each platform has its features, commission structures, and availability, so restaurant owners should evaluate their specific needs and market conditions when choosing a delivery partner. What is a delivery-specific menu? A delivery-specific menu consists of items that travel well and have high profit margins. This strategy helps optimize kitchen operations and ensures customers receive fresh, high-quality food when ordering delivery. It may also involve removing time-consuming items from the menu to improve efficiency. How can technology assist in delivery services for restaurants? Technology can enhance delivery services by implementing digital ordering options, utilizing automation to manage orders from multiple platforms, and streamlining the customer experience. A well-designed website and social media marketing can also improve visibility and streamline the ordering process. What role does packaging play in food delivery? Quality packaging is critical for maintaining food temperature, ensuring safe transit, and preserving the overall food experience. Effective packaging solutions help restaurants deliver delicious meals while enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty. Image Via Envato This article, "Essential Tips for Boosting Your Delivery Service for Restaurants" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Originally launched by Microsoft last July, Windows Recall was swiftly pulled in response to a barrage of security and privacy complaints. Now it's back, with some tweaks to make it more palatable for users—but there remain plenty of concerns about what happens when it's enabled. If you're new to the story, Recall is an AI-powered feature that acts like a memory for your computer. It regularly snaps and analyzes screenshots of whatever you're doing. It's handy if you want to get back to a document or message you vaguely remember from three weeks ago, while at the same time sounding several alarm bells in terms of having all your past Windows activity stored on your system. I tested an early version of Windows Recall at the end of last year, and found it to be genuinely useful at times—for those prepared to put up with the security and privacy problems. Back then it was still in a rather unfinished form, with some basic features missing, such as the option to filter snapshots by app. Recall lets you search through captured images. Credit: Microsoft To get Recall today, you need to have a Copilot+ PC, with all the necessary AI processing power: If you have a compatible computer with the latest version of Windows, you'll find the Recall app on the Start menu. It won't be enabled by default; making the feature opt-in is one of the changes Microsoft has made after the wave of criticism directed towards Recall when it was first unveiled. Microsoft has made other changes, too. The data stored by Recall is now more securely encrypted; Windows Hello authentication is required each and every time you want to access it; and sensitive information such as passwords, credit card numbers, and official IDs are filtered out—though it remains to be seen how effectively that works. Are the changes enough to win back trust for Windows Recall? It's certainly now much harder for someone else to get at the screenshots that Recall stores, but there remain questions about how well they're protected—not just on your own computer, but on the computers of anyone else you might be communicating with. Recall still has problemsSecurity researcher Kevin Beaumont has been digging into the latest version of Recall, and there are still some worrying problems here. The first is that someone else can access your PC and Recall using your computer PIN, if they can guess it or trick you into revealing it: While biometric authentication is required to set Recall up, you can fall back to using a PIN whenever you need to see or search through the screenshots. Now this isn't too different from someone hacking into your phone using your PIN, and you might be confident that no one else will even get hold of your set of digits. However, if they do, Recall gives these unauthorized visitors instant access to everything you've ever done on your PC since you set up the feature. Secondly, Beaumont found that the sensitive data filtering is hit and miss (something I noticed in my own testing too): You can't really rely on it to wipe out details of your credit cards or your medical histories. That's not a huge issue if you're the only one looking at this information, but that's difficult to guarantee. Recall can be accessed via facial recognition—or a simple PIN. Credit: Microsoft There's another problem here, highlighted by Ars Technica: If someone you know enables Recall, and is syncing photos and chats you've sent them to their computer, all that information then gets snapped and sorted on their PC (think Signal for Windows, for example). Your data is more likely to be exposed, and you've not even had any say in it. It seems as though insisting on biometric authentication every time Recall is accessed is an obvious fix Microsoft could apply here—making it much harder for someone else to get at your data, whether it's on your PC or the PC of someone you know. It still feels wrong that your emails, photos, or chats might be getting collected together in someone else's Recall library, though. More robust filtering tools would certainly help as well. Windows Recall already lets you exempt certain sites and apps from being screenshotted, but it's a rather clunky system, and better automatic censoring would be welcome. In the meantime, you not only need to decide if you're going to enable Recall, you need to check in with family and friends to see what they're doing as well. View the full article

Tesla has flouted some of directors’ most sacred tenets, and shareholders who vote have mostly approvedView the full article

The Hollywood powerbroker has created a global events company to acquire the fair and publishing groupView the full article

The cost of a multistep skincare routine can quickly add up. But have you ever wondered what would happen if you simply stopped? This weekend, a TikTok creator went viral for discussing her controversial “Caveman Method,” which she claims is helping restore her skin barrier after years of picking at her skin. In a video that has since racked up nearly 10 million views, Tia Zakher announced she had cut out everything from her beauty routine—even water. “What you are seeing is dead skin that’s going to flake off eventually while healthy skin forms underneath,” she posted in response to questions about the texture on her face. In a separate video, she explains that the look of her skin is due to “retention hyperkeratosis,” in which the skin holds onto dead cells instead of shedding them immediately, as a result of “years of overpicking and removing texture manually.” While some accused the creator of rage-baiting—pretending not to wash her face, or creating the look with a clay mask and powder just for views (she has since reintroduced water back into her routine)—others were curious about the validity of the so-called Caveman Method. Rather than rely on TikTok diagnosis, Fast Company reached out to aesthetician and skin specialist Dr. Ellie Sateei for her expert opinion. “Washing your face at night isn’t just a beauty ritual—it’s a fundamental part of skin health,” Sateei explains. “Cleansing your face at night is essential, and not just for removing makeup, sunscreen, and pollution, but for allowing your skin to properly repair itself overnight.” While the Caveman Method suggests skipping this step to reduce irritation and reset the skin without interference from products such as retinol and moisturizer—which didn’t exist back in the Stone Age—it’s not backed by science. Sateei warns that it can lead to congestion, dullness, and breakouts, “much like going to bed without brushing your teeth affects your oral health,” she adds. While some claim that a back-to-basics approach helps the skin barrier, the buildup of oil, dirt, and environmental pollutants can actually end up damaging it further. Most people’s skin also doesn’t benefit from a 14-step beauty routine before bed, as some skin-fluencers might suggest. Instead, Sateei recommends a minimal but balanced routine. “Use gentle products that support the skin’s natural processes without overwhelming it,” she says. “It’s about respecting your skin’s needs, not neglecting them.” View the full article

The past 12 months have been rough for many retail chains. Major names like Big Lots and Joann filed for bankruptcy, resulting in the closures of hundreds of locations. In Joann’s case, those locations are gone for good, while some Big Lots locations have been reopened under new ownership. Unfortunately for another retailer—the fast fashion chain Forever 21—it seems like none of its more than 350 stores in the United States will get a last-minute reprieve. Instead, it now appears likely that all Forever 21 stores in the U.S. will suffer the same fate as Joann’s stores. Here’s what you need to know about the Forever 21 store closings. What’s happened? Earlier this year, a company called F21 OpCo, LLC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. While you may not have heard of F21 OpCo, LLC, you’ve surely heard of the retailer it operates: Forever 21. F21 OpCo is the licensee of the Forever 21 brand inside the United States (international stores are operated by other entities). As part of its bankruptcy, F21 OpCo announced it would close its Forever 21 locations in the United States unless a buyer could be found. In a memo from F21 OpCo, LLC’s chief financial officer, Brad Sell, posted on the company’s website, Sell said the reasons for the company’s bankruptcy were “rising costs and increased competition from abroad” that has made the company’s “current business model unsustainable.” In a March press release announcing the bankruptcy, F21 OpCo also stated that while it was beginning wind-down procedures for its stores, it would at the same time continue to try to find a buyer. “In the event of a successful sale, the Company may pivot away from a full wind down of operations to facilitate a going-concern transaction,” it said at the time. In other words, Forever 21 could live on if another entity bought F21 OpCo’s operations. But it has not announced a new buyer since then, nor has it responded to requests for comment. More than 350 Forever 21 store closings Throughout April, F21 OpCo held store closing sales at all of its 356 Forever 21 stores in the United States. According to court documents, those sales would “conclude no later than April 30, 2025,” which the documents refer to as the “sale termination date.” That means that as of today, May 1, all Forever 21 stores in the United States are likely to have closed, although individual stores did have the option to extend the sales and stay open for longer. Fast Company reached out to F21 OpCo and Forever 21 for clarity on whether any U.S locations would continue to operate beyond this week, but we did not hear back. The only thing that could have kept any of these stores from shuttering was if F21 OpCo found a buyer, but the company has made no public announcement that it has done so. List of Forever 21 store closings According to its store locator tool, F21 OpCo operated 356 Forever 21 stores across 43 states and Puerto Rico. The states that had the most Forever 21 stores were California, with 57 locations, Texas, with 32 locations, and Florida, with 23 locations. The number of locations in each state is listed below. You can click on a state’s name to be taken to F21 OpCo’s online store locator tool to see each of the individual stores in those states. Currently, the listing for individual stores does not list any of the locations as permanently closed (although recent user reviews on Google and elsewhere have indicated that many have shuttered). Unless F21 OpCo found a last-minute buyer, or unless certain individual stores agreed to extend their sales, it is likely the below locations are now shuttered for good or soon will be. Alabama (3) Arizona (8) Arkansas (2) California (57) Colorado (5) Connecticut (6) Delaware (2) Florida (23) Georgia (18) Idaho (1) Illinois (15) Indiana (6) Iowa (2) Kansas (2) Kentucky (3) Louisiana (6) Maryland (6) Massachusetts (11) Michigan (9) Minnesota (1) Mississippi (1) Missouri (5) Nebraska (1) Nevada (6) New Hampshire (3) New Jersey (15) New Mexico (3) New York (21) North Carolina (10) North Dakota (1) Ohio (9) Oklahoma (2) Oregon (5) Pennsylvania (17) Puerto Rico (5) Rhode Island (1) South Carolina (3) South Dakota (1) Tennessee (6) Texas (32) Utah (3) Virginia (9) Washington (9) Wisconsin (2) Is Forever 21 closing globally? No. It’s important to note that the Forever 21 brand is not going away entirely. The Forever 21 chain will continue to operate in other countries. That’s because Forever 21 is licensed by other operators in those countries and not by F21 OpCo, LLC. In the memo posted on the Forever 21 website, F21 OpCo’s Brad Sell noted that “Forever 21 stores outside of the U.S. will continue to operate business as usual.” But unfortunately for its U.S.-based fans, Forever 21 is yet another American retailer that has succumbed to changing consumer habits and a shifting economic landscape. View the full article

After months of tense negotiations, the U.S. and Ukraine signed a deal that is expected to give Washington access to the country’s critical minerals and other natural resources, an agreement Kyiv hopes will secure long-term support for its defense against Russia. According to Ukrainian officials, the version of the deal signed Wednesday is far more beneficial to Ukraine than previous versions, which they said reduced Kyiv to a junior partner and gave Washington unprecedented rights to the country’s resources. The agreement—which the Ukrainian parliament must ratify—would establish a reconstruction fund for Ukraine that Ukrainian officials hope will be a vehicle to ensure future American military assistance. A previous agreement was nearly signed before being derailed in a tense Oval Office meeting involving U.S. President Donald The President, U.S. Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “We have formed a version of the agreement that provides mutually beneficial conditions for both countries. This is an agreement in which the United States notes its commitment to promoting long-term peace in Ukraine and recognizes the contribution that Ukraine has made to global security by giving up its nuclear arsenal,” Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who signed the deal for Ukraine, said in a post on Facebook. The signing comes during what U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said would be a “very critical” week for U.S.-led efforts to end the war that appear to have stalled. Ukraine sees the deal as a way to ensure that its biggest and most consequential ally stays engaged and doesn’t freeze military support, which has been key in its 3-year-old fight against Russia’s full-scale invasion. “This agreement signals clearly to Russia that the The President administration is committed to a peace process centered on a free, sovereign, and prosperous Ukraine over the long term,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who signed for the U.S., said in a statement. Here is a look at the deal. What does the deal include? The deal covers minerals, including rare earth elements, but also other valuable resources, including oil and natural gas, according to the text released by Ukraine’s government. It does not include resources that are already a source of revenue for the Ukrainian state. In other words, any profits under the deal are dependent on the success of new investments. Ukrainian officials have also noted that it does not refer to any debt obligations for Kyiv, meaning profits from the fund will likely not go toward the paying the U.S. back for its previous support. Officials have also emphasized that the agreement ensures full ownership of the resources remains with Ukraine, and the state will determine what can be extracted and where. The text of the deal lists 55 minerals but says more can be agreed to. The President has repeatedly expressed interest in Ukraine’s rare earth elements, and some of them are included in the list, as are other critical minerals, such as titanium, lithium and uranium. What are rare earth elements? They are a group of 17 elements that are essential to many kinds of consumer technology, including cellphones, hard drives and electric and hybrid vehicles. China is the world’s largest producer of rare earth elements, and both the U.S and Europe have sought to reduce their dependence on Beijing, The President’s chief geopolitical adversary. They include elements such as lanthanum, cerium, and scandium, which are listed in the deal. How will the fund work? The agreement establishes a reconstruction investment fund, and both the U.S. and Ukraine will have an equal say in its management, according to Svyrydenko. The fund will be supported by the U.S. government through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation agency, which Ukraine hopes will attract investment and technology from American and European countries. Ukraine is expected to contribute 50% of all future profits from government-owned natural resources into the fund. The United States will also contribute in the form of direct funds and equipment, including badly needed air defense systems and other military aid. Contributions to the fund will be reinvested in projects related to mining, oil, and gas as well as infrastructure. No profits will not be taken from the fund for the first 10 years, Svyrydenko said. The President administration officials initially pushed for a deal in which Washington would receive $500 billion in profits from exploited minerals as compensation for its wartime support. But Zelenskyy rejected the offer, saying he would not sign off on an agreement “that will be paid off by 10 generations of Ukrainians.” What is the state of Ukraine’s minerals industry? Ukraine’s rare earth elements are largely untapped because of state policies regulating the industry, a lack of good information about deposits, and the war. The industry’s potential is unclear since geological data is thin because mineral reserves are scattered across Ukraine, and existing studies are considered largely inadequate, according to businessmen and analysts. In general, however, the outlook for Ukrainian natural resources is promising. The country’s reserves of titanium, a key component for the aerospace, medical, and automotive industries, are believed to be among Europe’s largest. Ukraine also holds some of Europe’s largest known reserves of lithium, which is required to produce batteries, ceramics and glass. In 2021, the Ukrainian mineral industry accounted for 6.1% of the country’s gross domestic product and 30% of exports. An estimated 40% of Ukraine’s metallic mineral resources are inaccessible because of Russian occupation, according to data from We Build Ukraine, a Kyiv-based think tank. Ukraine has argued that it’s in The President’s interest to develop the remainder before Russian advances capture more. —Samya Kullab, Associated Press View the full article

Key Takeaways Algorithm Changes: Facebook’s algorithm favors personal connections over business content, significantly reducing organic reach for posts from brands and requiring higher engagement for visibility.Increased Competition: The surge in content shared on Facebook means that businesses must create standout, engaging posts to capture audience attention amidst saturation from ads and user-generated content.Shifts in User Behavior: Users are increasingly drawn to content from friends and family, emphasizing the importance of interactive campaigns and community engagement to maintain visibility.Enhanced Engagement Strategies: Incorporating interactive elements like polls, user-generated content, and visually appealing videos can boost engagement rates and foster deeper connections with followers.Content Optimization: Regularly analyzing performance metrics and optimizing posts with relevant hashtags will help improve visibility and engagement, aligning content with audience interests.Consider Paid Advertising: To counteract declining organic reach, integrating paid advertising and influencer partnerships can effectively expand your brand’s audience and enhance overall visibility. If you’ve noticed a drop in your Facebook post views, you’re not alone. Many users and businesses are grappling with this frustrating trend. As the platform evolves, changes in algorithms and user behavior can significantly impact how many people see your content. Understanding the reasons behind this decline is crucial for adapting your strategy and reclaiming your audience’s attention. Whether you’re a casual user or a brand looking to engage customers, recognizing these shifts can help you navigate the complexities of Facebook’s ever-changing landscape. Let’s explore the factors contributing to this decline and discover actionable steps to boost your post visibility. Overview of Facebook Post Views Facebook post views for small businesses have seen a notable decline recently. This decrease stems from algorithm changes and shifts in user behavior. Facebook’s algorithms now prioritize content that drives engagement, resulting in reduced organic reach for posts that lack interaction. For small businesses, tracking social media analytics becomes vital to understand these fluctuations and adjust strategies effectively. You might notice that posts with high engagement rates often perform better. Engaging content, such as video content and user-generated content, tends to attract more views. Implementing a strong social media strategy that includes community management and audience targeting can help enhance your brand’s visibility. Utilizing social media tools for scheduling and content sharing allows you to maintain consistency in your posting. Incorporating trending hashtags can also boost discoverability. While organic growth remains essential, consider integrating paid ads to expand your reach. Facebook marketing through ads can introduce your brand to new followers and increase brand awareness. Engaging storytelling and a defined brand voice are crucial for creating meaningful connections with your audience. You can optimize social media posts for better engagement by developing a content calendar that aligns with your marketing goals, ensuring that your messaging remains relevant. By staying informed about social media trends, you can adapt your approach to improve engagement and maximize your social media ROI. Reasons for Decline in Facebook Post Views Understanding the reasons behind the decline in Facebook post views is essential for small businesses navigating social media marketing. Key factors include algorithm changes, increased competition, and shifts in user behavior. Algorithm Changes Algorithm changes on Facebook significantly impact your post visibility. In 2018, Facebook modified its News Feed algorithm, prioritizing content from friends and family over business pages. This shift reduces your organic reach, making it harder for your posts to appear in user feeds. Moreover, Facebook now requires posts to be genuinely viewed by users to count as part of the reach metric. This adjustment lowers the perceived effectiveness of your content compared to previous years, making engagement rates critical for success. Increased Competition The rising volume of content on Facebook exacerbates the competition for visibility. With more businesses leveraging social media ads, the News Feed becomes a crowded space. Your posts must stand out among paid ads and user-generated content. Establishing a strong brand voice and implementing audience targeting strategies enhances your chances of engagement. To maximize visibility, consider using attention-grabbing visuals and impactful storytelling that resonates with your audience. User Behavior Shifts User behavior on Facebook has evolved, influencing how your posts perform. Many users engage more with content from family and friends rather than brand messages. This shift underscores the importance of community management and creating highly engaging social media campaigns. Using social media analytics tools can help you track trends and adapt your strategies accordingly. Focusing on content that encourages interaction, such as polls or questions, can enhance your engagement rates and foster stronger connections with your social media followers. Impact on Content Creators The decline in Facebook post views significantly affects content creators, particularly small businesses, by altering engagement dynamics and monetization strategies. Engagement Metrics Engagement metrics have changed drastically. With Facebook’s algorithm prioritizing posts from friends and family over business pages, you may notice a drop in your organic reach. Content that relied solely on follower counts no longer guarantees visibility. Implement more interactive elements, such as polls and questions, to boost your engagement rate. Focus on creating video content and utilizing Facebook groups to establish deeper connections with your audience. Monitoring your social media analytics helps in understanding what resonates with your followers and adapting your content strategy for better results. Monetization Challenges Monetization poses challenges in this new landscape. The decrease in organic reach means you’ll find it harder to generate revenue through traditional means. You might need to invest more in paid ads to maintain visibility among your target audience. Consider incorporating influencer marketing and user-generated content into your social media campaigns as cost-effective strategies for increasing brand awareness. Additionally, building a consistent brand voice and storytelling will resonate more with your followers, fostering community management and customer interaction. Align your content calendar with current social media trends, and track your progress to enhance your overall social media ROI. Strategies to Adapt to Declining Views You can implement targeted strategies to adapt to declining Facebook post views and enhance your small business’s social media presence effectively. Content Optimization Focus on creating visually appealing and engaging content. Use video content, as it currently garners higher engagement rates among users. Prioritize short-form videos and incorporate storytelling elements to convey your brand’s message. Optimize your social media posts with relevant hashtags to increase discoverability. Maintain brand consistency across platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter to reinforce your online presence. Regularly analyze your social media analytics to identify high-performing content types and adjust your content calendar accordingly. Audience Engagement Techniques Engage your audience through interactive elements. Use polls, surveys, or questions to encourage participation. Create Facebook groups where you can foster community management and customer interaction. Develop user-generated content campaigns to motivate your audience to share their experiences while using your products or services. Utilize social media ads to target specific audiences and increase brand awareness. Leverage influencer partnerships to tap into new user bases and expand your reach. Regularly monitor social media trends and adjust your strategies to resonate with your target demographic, ensuring your small business remains relevant in the competitive landscape. Conclusion Navigating the decline in Facebook post views can be challenging but it’s not insurmountable. By understanding the factors at play and adapting your strategies, you can reclaim your audience’s attention. Focus on creating engaging and visually appealing content that resonates with your followers. Utilize interactive elements and consider leveraging Facebook groups to foster community. Don’t hesitate to invest in targeted ads or influencer partnerships to broaden your reach. Regularly reviewing your analytics will keep you informed about what’s working and what needs adjustment. By staying proactive and innovative, you can enhance your social media presence and drive meaningful engagement. Frequently Asked Questions Why have Facebook post views declined recently? The decline in Facebook post views is mainly due to algorithm changes prioritizing content that generates engagement and interaction, along with increased competition from both ads and user-generated content. How do algorithm changes affect businesses on Facebook? Algorithm changes, particularly those favoring posts from friends and family, have significantly reduced the organic reach for business pages. This means businesses must adapt their strategies to capture audience attention. What can small businesses do to improve their Facebook engagement? Small businesses should focus on creating visually appealing, engaging content, such as videos and polls. Developing a content calendar, utilizing community management, and implementing targeted advertising can also enhance engagement. Are paid ads effective for increasing post visibility? Yes, paid ads can significantly boost post visibility. They enable businesses to reach a targeted audience and gain more engagement, making them an essential part of a comprehensive social media strategy. How important is social media analytics for businesses? Tracking social media analytics is crucial for businesses to understand their audience, adapt their strategies, and effectively navigate any fluctuations in post views and engagement. What role do interactive elements play in engagement? Interactive elements, like polls and questions, encourage audience participation and can greatly enhance engagement rates, making your posts more appealing to the Facebook algorithm. What type of content performs best on Facebook now? Content with high engagement, particularly videos and user-generated content, tends to perform better on Facebook due to current algorithm preferences that prioritize engagement over reach. How can storytelling benefit businesses on Facebook? Engaging storytelling helps brands connect with their audience on a deeper level, fostering loyalty and a sense of community, which is essential for improving engagement and visibility on social media. What should businesses consider when creating posts for Facebook? Businesses should ensure their posts are visually appealing, aligned with their brand voice, and include engaging elements. Regularly monitoring trends and adjusting content strategy is also vital for ongoing relevance. Image Via Envato This article, "Why Facebook Post Views Dropped: Understanding the Decline and How to Adapt" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Key Takeaways Algorithm Changes: Facebook’s algorithm favors personal connections over business content, significantly reducing organic reach for posts from brands and requiring higher engagement for visibility.Increased Competition: The surge in content shared on Facebook means that businesses must create standout, engaging posts to capture audience attention amidst saturation from ads and user-generated content.Shifts in User Behavior: Users are increasingly drawn to content from friends and family, emphasizing the importance of interactive campaigns and community engagement to maintain visibility.Enhanced Engagement Strategies: Incorporating interactive elements like polls, user-generated content, and visually appealing videos can boost engagement rates and foster deeper connections with followers.Content Optimization: Regularly analyzing performance metrics and optimizing posts with relevant hashtags will help improve visibility and engagement, aligning content with audience interests.Consider Paid Advertising: To counteract declining organic reach, integrating paid advertising and influencer partnerships can effectively expand your brand’s audience and enhance overall visibility. If you’ve noticed a drop in your Facebook post views, you’re not alone. Many users and businesses are grappling with this frustrating trend. As the platform evolves, changes in algorithms and user behavior can significantly impact how many people see your content. Understanding the reasons behind this decline is crucial for adapting your strategy and reclaiming your audience’s attention. Whether you’re a casual user or a brand looking to engage customers, recognizing these shifts can help you navigate the complexities of Facebook’s ever-changing landscape. Let’s explore the factors contributing to this decline and discover actionable steps to boost your post visibility. Overview of Facebook Post Views Facebook post views for small businesses have seen a notable decline recently. This decrease stems from algorithm changes and shifts in user behavior. Facebook’s algorithms now prioritize content that drives engagement, resulting in reduced organic reach for posts that lack interaction. For small businesses, tracking social media analytics becomes vital to understand these fluctuations and adjust strategies effectively. You might notice that posts with high engagement rates often perform better. Engaging content, such as video content and user-generated content, tends to attract more views. Implementing a strong social media strategy that includes community management and audience targeting can help enhance your brand’s visibility. Utilizing social media tools for scheduling and content sharing allows you to maintain consistency in your posting. Incorporating trending hashtags can also boost discoverability. While organic growth remains essential, consider integrating paid ads to expand your reach. Facebook marketing through ads can introduce your brand to new followers and increase brand awareness. Engaging storytelling and a defined brand voice are crucial for creating meaningful connections with your audience. You can optimize social media posts for better engagement by developing a content calendar that aligns with your marketing goals, ensuring that your messaging remains relevant. By staying informed about social media trends, you can adapt your approach to improve engagement and maximize your social media ROI. Reasons for Decline in Facebook Post Views Understanding the reasons behind the decline in Facebook post views is essential for small businesses navigating social media marketing. Key factors include algorithm changes, increased competition, and shifts in user behavior. Algorithm Changes Algorithm changes on Facebook significantly impact your post visibility. In 2018, Facebook modified its News Feed algorithm, prioritizing content from friends and family over business pages. This shift reduces your organic reach, making it harder for your posts to appear in user feeds. Moreover, Facebook now requires posts to be genuinely viewed by users to count as part of the reach metric. This adjustment lowers the perceived effectiveness of your content compared to previous years, making engagement rates critical for success. Increased Competition The rising volume of content on Facebook exacerbates the competition for visibility. With more businesses leveraging social media ads, the News Feed becomes a crowded space. Your posts must stand out among paid ads and user-generated content. Establishing a strong brand voice and implementing audience targeting strategies enhances your chances of engagement. To maximize visibility, consider using attention-grabbing visuals and impactful storytelling that resonates with your audience. User Behavior Shifts User behavior on Facebook has evolved, influencing how your posts perform. Many users engage more with content from family and friends rather than brand messages. This shift underscores the importance of community management and creating highly engaging social media campaigns. Using social media analytics tools can help you track trends and adapt your strategies accordingly. Focusing on content that encourages interaction, such as polls or questions, can enhance your engagement rates and foster stronger connections with your social media followers. Impact on Content Creators The decline in Facebook post views significantly affects content creators, particularly small businesses, by altering engagement dynamics and monetization strategies. Engagement Metrics Engagement metrics have changed drastically. With Facebook’s algorithm prioritizing posts from friends and family over business pages, you may notice a drop in your organic reach. Content that relied solely on follower counts no longer guarantees visibility. Implement more interactive elements, such as polls and questions, to boost your engagement rate. Focus on creating video content and utilizing Facebook groups to establish deeper connections with your audience. Monitoring your social media analytics helps in understanding what resonates with your followers and adapting your content strategy for better results. Monetization Challenges Monetization poses challenges in this new landscape. The decrease in organic reach means you’ll find it harder to generate revenue through traditional means. You might need to invest more in paid ads to maintain visibility among your target audience. Consider incorporating influencer marketing and user-generated content into your social media campaigns as cost-effective strategies for increasing brand awareness. Additionally, building a consistent brand voice and storytelling will resonate more with your followers, fostering community management and customer interaction. Align your content calendar with current social media trends, and track your progress to enhance your overall social media ROI. Strategies to Adapt to Declining Views You can implement targeted strategies to adapt to declining Facebook post views and enhance your small business’s social media presence effectively. Content Optimization Focus on creating visually appealing and engaging content. Use video content, as it currently garners higher engagement rates among users. Prioritize short-form videos and incorporate storytelling elements to convey your brand’s message. Optimize your social media posts with relevant hashtags to increase discoverability. Maintain brand consistency across platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter to reinforce your online presence. Regularly analyze your social media analytics to identify high-performing content types and adjust your content calendar accordingly. Audience Engagement Techniques Engage your audience through interactive elements. Use polls, surveys, or questions to encourage participation. Create Facebook groups where you can foster community management and customer interaction. Develop user-generated content campaigns to motivate your audience to share their experiences while using your products or services. Utilize social media ads to target specific audiences and increase brand awareness. Leverage influencer partnerships to tap into new user bases and expand your reach. Regularly monitor social media trends and adjust your strategies to resonate with your target demographic, ensuring your small business remains relevant in the competitive landscape. Conclusion Navigating the decline in Facebook post views can be challenging but it’s not insurmountable. By understanding the factors at play and adapting your strategies, you can reclaim your audience’s attention. Focus on creating engaging and visually appealing content that resonates with your followers. Utilize interactive elements and consider leveraging Facebook groups to foster community. Don’t hesitate to invest in targeted ads or influencer partnerships to broaden your reach. Regularly reviewing your analytics will keep you informed about what’s working and what needs adjustment. By staying proactive and innovative, you can enhance your social media presence and drive meaningful engagement. Frequently Asked Questions Why have Facebook post views declined recently? The decline in Facebook post views is mainly due to algorithm changes prioritizing content that generates engagement and interaction, along with increased competition from both ads and user-generated content. How do algorithm changes affect businesses on Facebook? Algorithm changes, particularly those favoring posts from friends and family, have significantly reduced the organic reach for business pages. This means businesses must adapt their strategies to capture audience attention. What can small businesses do to improve their Facebook engagement? Small businesses should focus on creating visually appealing, engaging content, such as videos and polls. Developing a content calendar, utilizing community management, and implementing targeted advertising can also enhance engagement. Are paid ads effective for increasing post visibility? Yes, paid ads can significantly boost post visibility. They enable businesses to reach a targeted audience and gain more engagement, making them an essential part of a comprehensive social media strategy. How important is social media analytics for businesses? Tracking social media analytics is crucial for businesses to understand their audience, adapt their strategies, and effectively navigate any fluctuations in post views and engagement. What role do interactive elements play in engagement? Interactive elements, like polls and questions, encourage audience participation and can greatly enhance engagement rates, making your posts more appealing to the Facebook algorithm. What type of content performs best on Facebook now? Content with high engagement, particularly videos and user-generated content, tends to perform better on Facebook due to current algorithm preferences that prioritize engagement over reach. How can storytelling benefit businesses on Facebook? Engaging storytelling helps brands connect with their audience on a deeper level, fostering loyalty and a sense of community, which is essential for improving engagement and visibility on social media. What should businesses consider when creating posts for Facebook? Businesses should ensure their posts are visually appealing, aligned with their brand voice, and include engaging elements. Regularly monitoring trends and adjusting content strategy is also vital for ongoing relevance. Image Via Envato This article, "Why Facebook Post Views Dropped: Understanding the Decline and How to Adapt" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Play borrows the same compact, round design as the brand’s more expensive models, like the Wonderboom 4, but dials back on a few key features to hit a lower price point. Currently at $36.99 on Woot—its lowest price yet according to price trackers and well below the $89.99 list price (and $59.49 on Amazon)—this deal runs for two days or until it sells out. Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Play $36.99 at Woot $89.99 Save $53.00 Get Deal Get Deal $36.99 at Woot $89.99 Save $53.00 Despite the low price, it holds onto the signature IP67 durability, meaning it can handle dust, splashes, and even short dips in water. And with over 14 hours of tested battery life, it’s built to last through full-day outings. Functionally, it’s stripped down. There’s no fancy stereo pairing, EQ presets, or assistant support. You get a single mono speaker, no companion app, and no mic. The control layout is intuitive, though, with top-mounted volume buttons that are easy to use even if you’ve got the strap looped around your hand. It charges via USB-C and powers down after 15 minutes of inactivity, which helps stretch that already generous battery life. Build-wise, the Wonderboom Play feels solid. The design is clearly meant for travel, and the elastic strap is thick enough to hook onto a backpack or belt loop without worry. Now, about the sound. If you're coming in expecting rich, room-filling 360-degree audio, this probably isn’t the speaker for you. The single-driver setup means sound is directional—stand too far off to the side, and you’ll notice the drop in clarity. It also doesn’t get very loud and reportedly starts to compress if you push the volume too high. That makes it less ideal for parties or big outdoor hangouts where multiple people are listening from different angles. If you just want something affordable and rugged for basic listening without fiddling with apps or customizations, this might be worth considering. Otherwise, if you care about full-room sound or volume punch, something like the JBL Flip 6 might make a good alternative. View the full article

Firefox 138 is now publicly available worldwide, and this version brings full support for tab groups, profile management, a quick way to check the weather, and much more. These updates bring feature parity with other browsers and could prompt people to ditch Chrome and switch to Firefox. Here are all the new features in Firefox 138: Tab groups are now available more broadlyMozilla began the rollout of tab groups with Firefox 137, and the company says the feature is now available to almost all of its users across the world. Using tab groups, you can group similar tabs together to bring some semblance of organization to your open tabs. Creating a tab group is easy—just drag one tab over the other to group the two. You can give each tab group a name and a color to spot it faster among your sea of tabs, and you can add more tabs to the group by dragging and dropping. Firefox now has profile managementBrowser profiles allow you to separate your work and personal lives if you're using the same device for both purposes. Other browsers such as Safari and Chrome have profile management, and now Firefox has joined the club. This means you'll be able to set up multiple profiles, whether for different users or different use cases, to keep their bookmarks, tabs, and browsing history separate. This feature is currently being rolled out, so even after updating to Firefox 138, it may be a while before you get access to it. Check the weather right from the address barFirefox users in the US will soon be able to check the weather directly from the browser's address bar. Just type weather in the address bar and the temperature in your current location should show up among the suggestions. This feature is also currently in the process of being rolled out, but it should be available to all Firefox users in the US in the coming weeks. Other improvementsFirefox on macOS and Linux now lets you copy links to background tabs more easily. You can right-click any background tab and copy a link to it right from the context menu. On Windows 11, Mozilla says Firefox uses acrylic-style menus for popup windows in order to match the aesthetic of the operating system, so unfortunately, the feature does not work there. However, there is an unofficial extension you can try instead. The new version of Firefox also has several security fixes, so be sure to update as soon as possible to keep yourself secure while online. View the full article

America’s mid-air dismantling of the global system of trade represents a one-time chance to competeView the full article

Nigel Farage’s party is bolstered by disillusionment in the country rather than its policiesView the full article

“The apocalypse will start having vermouths and tapas,” a friend told me yesterday. Just a day before, the electricity shut down for all of Spain and Portugal, trapping thousands in subways, trains, and elevators for hours, forcing people to walk miles back to their homes, putting hospitals on backup power, and turning off traffic lights, phones, and credit card readers. It shut down everything. Officials are still calculating the economic costs, but it will be in the billions. As this was happening, I still saw the people drinking in bar terraces too, as I was walking up the street to pick up my son early from school. They were joking and making fun. Others were rushing around in a panic like me, some with their kids, some alone. Lines dozens of people long were waiting for buses that came and passed by, overloaded. After everything passed, many celebrated online how refreshing it was to be living without social media or phones. An analog world felt so nice to those who were ignorant about the ultimate consequences of a total blackout for hours or days. Nobody knew that, if this lasted for more than 24 hours, many people would start dying in hospitals and panic would ensue. In 48, we will be out of water or any food supply chains. And, in 72 hours without electricity, civilization as we knew it would be on the brink. “Without electricity, we go back to the Stone Age. Especially in high density urban centers,” Dr. Sangeetha Abdu Jyothi, assistant professor of computing in University of California, Irvine, told me in a conversation about a potential global blackout years ago. “I can’t even imagine what would happen in an event of this scale.” Luckily, that didn’t happen, but it felt like the beginning of the end to me. When the national blackout started at 12:23, on April 28, 2025, I was at home writing, as usual. I noticed that my internet was off at the same time as everyone else in the country. I shrugged. “The building power is down. Probably they are doing some work again outside,” I told myself. I took a break, had the last cup of coffee still warm in my french press. I noticed my phone’s data was off. An hour later, the internet didn’t come back and my cell connection still wasn’t working. Weird. I went outside and saw people rushing. Some were out of their offices, talking. The doorman didn’t know what was going on and mumbled something about the damn government. Thinking it was just my neighborhood, I decided to go to a café by my son’s school. That’s when I passed by the first traffic light. It, too, was off. At that point I suddenly got extremely worried. A police helicopter zoomed by at low altitude. “This is how the world ends,” I told myself. Where are all the zombies? I wasn’t expecting zombies. Okay, maybe for a split second (The Last of Us Season 2 is intense). A couple years ago, I wrote and directed a short documentary on how a major solar storm—something called a Carrington Event—could take down the entire civilization. The phenomenon made telegraph poles burn down back in 1859 but, today, when everything depends on electricity, experts told me that it would probably cripple our entire civilization. Not for 12 hours. Not for a day. But, for decades, according to the Pentagon and the National Academy of Sciences. John Kappenman, an American engineer with decades of experience in the North American electrical industry, painted a dire picture: “Yes, there would clearly be public health disasters, public service disasters, disasters in the food distribution chain, disasters in the pharmaceutical industry, collapse of hospitals and ERs, payment systems. . . . Everything will fall once you suffer an impact on the most important of all infrastructure, the power grid,” he said. I spoke with scientists from NASA. Everyone told me the same thing. And everyone insisted that we urgently needed to set up better early warning systems and reconfigure power networks throughout the world to make them more independent from each other. We needed to install surge suppression systems capable of absorbing the energy overload from such a solar event, and stockpile industrial transformers, which right now take about two years to make and deliver (most of them, from China, of course!). “It’s not a question about whether we are going to suffer one of these events or not. It’s a question about when it is going to happen,” Holly Gilbert—the former director of the heliophysical science division of the NASA Goddard research center who now heads the High Altitude Observatory of the National Center for Atmospheric Research of the United States—told me back then. A surreal experience So you have to excuse my contained panic when I started to assume the worst—even as, within minutes, the lack of transformers on fire proved I was just paranoid. I could still hear the ambulance, police, and firefighter sirens howling, and I saw the cars starting to pile up in long traffic jams. But drivers and pedestrian alike were incredibly polite and chill. My mind, still searching for a culprit, jumped from solar interference to the war in Ukraine and Putin. Could this be a cyberattack? I got to the café and asked the owner, Francesco, if he knew anything. “My father sent me a message from Italy. I got it in a brief moment of signal,” he said (I guessed and confirmed later that some people had connections that were coming and going because their cell provider had towers with backup power units). “He said that Spain, Portugal, and the south of Spain are down.” It had to be an attack. Well, that, or some monumental incompetence with the power lines. I decided to get my son from school right away. He was startled by the situation and he asked if the Russians could nuke Madrid. I told him no. I told myself yes. I knew a major cyberattack taking communications and power down would be the opening notes of a full war. I walked with him back home, easing his fears and making it all a game. We noticed hundreds of people walking alongside us. People out of their offices. People with kids. Many were carrying big water bottles and supermarket bags. “Don’t forget to fill your bath tubs,” I told a couple. They laughed nervously, thinking I was joking. I wasn’t. Others were carrying suitcases. “Are they leaving” I kept asking myself. Scenes from the documentary kept coming to my mind. “The first people start leaving the city hours after the hit,” the voice over was narrating in my head. I knew that fridges—at homes, restaurants, and supermarkets—were off. With no credit card readers—since there was no cell coverage for the most part—shops were shutting down. Some bars were open (it’s Spain!) but only cash payments were possible. TV and routers went off at homes. Some had solar panels and batteries, so they could still access the internet, while many were in their cars parked in the street listening to the radio, the only source of information. The government had no idea what was happening. The President only appeared to say that he didn’t know anything five hours after the shutdown. This would have been unthinkable in any other serious European country. The national power grid company said electricity may be on in six hours but, for most of Spain, it didn’t come after much later. As we were walking home, I noticed people searching for cell bars. Some of them were texting. I raised my phone trying to find a connection, like a diviner in search of water. My phone showed 5G and two bars. The internet worked for a few seconds and a torrent of messages poured in. Friends. Work. Family. Then I managed to call my brother for a few seconds. The 5G turned to 4G, then 3G then E. Then nothing. I got bits of info from other people and realized how everything I’d learned researching the documentary was becoming a reality. Hospitals were on emergency power. Surgeries got cancelled. I knew that, after 12 hours, we may start seeing generators running out of fuel. Without energy, people on respirators could start dying in the first 24 hours. People who needed dialysis or other electric devices to survive would die in a few days. Blood banks and some drugs would quickly start going bad, too. I learned that some buildings in Barcelona lost water pressure. Without electricity, their pumps couldn’t get water to the higher floors. I already had filled bath tubs and bottles with water. Just in case. After 24 hours, I knew things could get really bad. Logistics would stop. Major distribution centers would stop working. Cities would become rat traps. The water supply be cut off for most part in every city. The admirable civic attitude of the first hours would get replaced by desperation and panic. Supermarkets would be emptied. Elderly people in need of oxygen and care would be at risk. In 72 hours, the experts told me, civilization as we know it would just end. The weird feeling of seeing the world standing still My brain was racing but I put it all aside. I knew this was an extreme case. I learned that the rest of the world was fine. Europe was okay. We were okay. I went back out with my son because I didn’t have a cell signal at home. We went to the park. When we arrived, I saw all the families. At this time, nobody would be at the park on a typical weekday. But, without anything to do, there were parents and their kids, just hanging out, and commenting on what was going on. I overheard that all radios were sold out at Chinese bazaars and shops. No batteries either. And supermarkets were already out of water. But people seemed weirdly calm. It was almost picturesque. My son and I returned home after playing some soccer. We had dinner (luckily, we have a garden and a small grill, so I fired some wood and we had a feast of chorizos and blood sausage before they went bad in the fridge). We watched some Andor on my laptop. He brushed his teeth and went to bed using the light of my iPhone. It was just a little different than normal. He told me “I love you” and “goodnight.” And I went back to wait. It wasn’t until 11:30 p.m. when my neighborhood got the power back. It was a relief, but we still don’t entirely know what happened. We know that it wasn’t an extreme solar weather event, like some rumors from Portugal suggested. That would have fried everything electrical, worldwide. We also know that the European Union and the electrical companies said it wasn’t a cyberattack. The Spanish national power grid company said that 15 gigawatts coming from solar panels disappeared, a sign of what appears to be a terrible design of the power network and the lack of batteries that sustain Spain’s electric network, 71% of which comes from renewable energy. It seems that, for years, the current Spanish government has failed to architect its network to match the amount of solar and wind power we are producing. It’s a dreadful error that will now cost the country billions of dollars. But it was over. Alone in my room at night, brushing my teeth with my battery-powered toothbrush looking at the torrent of news and messages in my revived phone, I couldn’t think of anything else but how mundane everything seemed at that point and, at the same time, how close we all came from dodging the bullet that may one day end modern life as we know it. We got really lucky. Because nobody was ready for this. Not the companies, not the government, not the people—the latter of whom were so civil and nice and, luckily, so naive about how everything could have unfolded. I figured out that the world wouldn’t begin its final days with zombies invading out of nowhere. No, I thought, the zombies this evening are all of us still caught in a stupor. They are the thousands of people spending the night in frozen trains, waiting to be rescued by the military. The people sleeping in their homes after getting drunk with friends or alone. The wandering humans walking miles to their homes. Or this single dad having grilled chorizo with his kid, playing with him, putting him to sleep, and then impatiently waiting for lights and the internet to come back alive, staring blank at a bathtub full of water, planning how we could escape a city of seven million people and head to Cádiz in case things went truly wrong next time. View the full article

Chances are you’ve had a bad boss at some point in your career. Research shows that up to 65% of employees would take a new boss over a pay raise, and roughly half of people who quit their jobs cite their manager as the main reason for leaving. Bad bosses are not just annoyances; they’re productivity drains, engagement killers, and mental health hazards. They create toxic cultures, stifle growth, and often drive the best people out while promoting dysfunction. So why do we keep ending up with them? Companies have long tried to solve the “bad boss” problem. They spend billions on leadership development programs, executive coaching, and increasingly, AI-powered feedback tools promising to “upgrade” managers. These efforts are not entirely futile—some leaders do improve—but the overall return on investment remains disappointing. Gallup data still shows that the majority of managers are ill-equipped to lead. Why? Because leadership, like character, is hard to change—and even harder to scale. But maybe we’ve been asking the wrong question all along. Instead of trying to fix bad bosses after the fact, why don’t we focus on choosing better ones from the start? Just as we put considerable thought into selecting a romantic partner—considering compatibility, values, and long-term potential—we should approach choosing a boss with similar care. After all, your boss will profoundly influence your well-being, career trajectory, and daily experience. Mistakes can happen, but they are often avoidable if we learn to recognize the right signals. Here are three evidence-based principles for picking the closest thing to a “perfect” boss, or let’s just say a decent, good, beneficial boss . . . Forget charisma—embrace boring competence Charisma is the dating-app profile picture of leadership: seductive, memorable, and often misleading. It dazzles in job interviews, town halls, and all-hands meetings. But over time, the same charm can morph into attention-seeking, volatility, and narcissism. Many of the most inept and destructive bosses I’ve encountered (and studied) had an abundance of confidence and not nearly enough competence. They were high on style, low on substance—and their teams suffered for it. So how can you spot them? Watch for grandiosity (“I transformed the whole department”), name-dropping, and overconfidence in interviews. They often talk more about themselves than the team. They may even be entertaining—until you’re the one cleaning up the mess after their impulsive decisions. Now contrast this with the “boring but effective” boss. They’re calm, measured, and often underwhelming in first impressions. They may not blow you away in the interview, but they show deep knowledge of their domain. They talk about collective achievements, not personal triumphs. They ask questions, take notes, and actually listen. Competent bosses focus on execution, alignment, and people development—not just self-promotion. They might not get all the credit, but they usually deserve it. If charisma is what you want on day one, competence is what you’ll thank yourself for choosing on day 100. Find someone who will make you better The best bosses act more like coaches than commanders. They don’t just assign tasks—they challenge, stretch, and support their people. As leadership expert and scholar Herminia Ibarra put it, modern leadership is less about giving answers and more about “asking the right questions, enabling others to learn, and creating a space for people to grow.” If your prospective boss can’t describe how they develop their team, it’s a red flag. Here are a few questions you can ask in interviews or informal chats to gauge their orientation toward people development: “Can you tell me about someone on your team who’s grown significantly under your leadership?” “How do you help people identify and build on their strengths?” “What does success look like for someone in this role six months from now?” Great bosses will answer with specific stories, not generic platitudes. They’ll talk about feedback, mentorship, stretch assignments, and talent reviews. Mediocre ones will deflect or talk mainly about output and control. A boss who’s committed to your growth is worth their weight in stock options. Prioritize personality over raw talent We often assume that because someone is highly talented, they must be great to work for. But talent may have gotten them the job—not kept them good at it. Their personality, however, will determine your everyday experience. That’s why personality should matter more to you than their résumé. What traits should you look for? Empathy, emotional intelligence (EQ), integrity, curiosity, humility, and self-awareness. These are the foundations of psychological safety, trust, and good judgment—all of which drive high-performing teams. Fortunately, you can assess many of these in a conversation: Empathy: Do they ask about your interests, listen actively, and respond to your cues? Integrity: Do they credit others, admit mistakes, and avoid overpromising? Curiosity: Do they ask insightful questions, or pretend to already know everything? Humility: Do they share what they’re still learning or areas they’re working on? Self-awareness: Do they acknowledge past feedback or their leadership style, do they know how they are seen by others? A talented boss may impress you in a presentation. A great personality will make every meeting more human—and every tough moment more bearable. In the end, personality is the key to predicting your boss in the future: we are what we repeatedly do, and if you can work out what makes your boss tick, you will be better at dealing with them in the future, even if you have to make an effort to adjust. The perfect boss may not exist—but the right boss for you does. Choosing wisely can mean the difference between dreading Mondays and loving what you do. So don’t just focus on salary, benefits, or brand names. Consider the person who will shape your day-to-day experience and your long-term growth. Remember: charisma fades, competence compounds. Find a boss who builds others, not just their own reputation. And never underestimate the power of empathy, integrity, and humility—they’re not soft skills, they’re superpowers. After all, your boss may not be your spouse, but you’ll probably spend more waking hours with them than almost anyone else. Choose accordingly. A boss isn’t just a job title—it’s a lifestyle choice. Pick the wrong one, and you’ll spend your best years decoding passive-aggressive emails and starring in a workplace reality show where the villain wins every episode—and you’re the unpaid emotional labor. View the full article

Fall comes as The President’s tariffs knock consumer sentimentView the full article

Electricity experts point to dangers of grid instability when renewables dominate outputView the full article

Getting dressed for work in the morning can be complicated. Gone are the days of the office dress code. While most of us are happy that our bosses no longer dictate that we wear collared shirts, heels, or shift dresses to work, this means the burden of figuring out what is appropriate now lies squarely on our shoulders. As corporate culture has become increasingly more relaxed, with denim often replacing trousers, finding the right balance between formal and casual can be tricky. If you show up to work in a three-piece suit, you might look like you don’t understand your company’s values. But if you wear your favorite baggy jeans, you might come off as unserious. And looking out of place can have negative consequences on your career. Citizens of Humanity, a denim label, and Argent, a workwear brand, are deeply familiar with this sartorial confusion. Both brands regularly field questions about how to put together an outfit that will allow someone to look polished but also creative and unpretentious. “This is not a trivial issue,” says Sali Christeson, Argent’s founder and CEO. “Our goal is to make sure that women show up to work feeling confident, so they can do good work.” The brands have joined forces to create a Citizens of Humanity x Argent collection of garments called “Good Work” that epitomizes the modern work wardrobe. Thanks to Citizens of Humanity’s expertise, it is full of denim pieces that are elevated and elegant, telegraphing professionalism. But taken as a whole, the capsule is meant to be versatile, helping the wearer transition from formal moments to casual ones, since work today often requires moving between diverse environments. “With these pieces, we’re trying to give women a formula for getting dressed for the many different parts of their work life, which could mean going from a board meeting to a creative brainstorm in a single day,” says Amy Williams, Citizens of Humanity’s CEO. The pieces in this collection offer a useful blueprint for how to style denim for the office today. Consider The Cut and Color Jeans have become an office staple, but the key to finding the appropriate pair for a given occasion depends on the cut and rinse. If you’re anxious about appearing too casual, one good solution is to find jeans that are cut like traditional suiting trousers. For this collection, Citizens of Humanity developed a pair called the Beverly Trouser made from non-stretch denim that has an elegant drape and a wide leg silhouette. It comes in two shades—very dark blue and white—that also give them a more formal look, since they are reminiscent of traditional suiting. But there are moments when you might deliberately want to look more relaxed. In Williams’s case, this might be when she’s working with her designers or creative teams, who tend to dress more casually. So Citizens of Humanity has included the Ayla jeans in this collection. These are baggier than the Beverly, with a roomy leg that can be cuffed to give them more structure or left to pool a little to give them a more laid-back look. To give the outfit a more polished look, Williams says you might wear them with, say, a button-down shirt or a waistcoat. (The Good Work capsule includes a black one.) Consider Denim Dresses and Skirts One way to bring denim into office wear is to go beyond the jean altogether, and consider other kinds of garments. The Citizens of Humanity x Argent capsule includes the Farrow Denim Dress, which has a structured fit that accentuates the waist and buttons that go down the entire front. Another material, such as crepe, might make the outfit look more prim, but denim fabrication offers versatility. You could wear the dress with a blazer to the office, and wear it on its own for a more casual lunch or dinner. The Gwynn denim skirt is similarly versatile. It comes in a dark wash and reaches the calf, a length that is work appropriate. But it also has a stylish slit in the front, that also makes it easier to walk around in. The skirt can be easily dressed up or down. With a button-down, you could wear this to meet with a client; with a tank top, you could wear it on a casual Friday. What About Denim Jackets and Shirts? If you’ve been used to wearing blazers to the office, but find that they’re increasingly feeling too formal, a good swap could be a denim jacket. For the Citizens of Humanity x Argent collection, the two brands developed the Abra Work Jacket, a silhouette that is in vogue. It comes in a dark indigo rinse, which is reminiscent of a traditional navy blazer. But the denim material and the contrast stitching makes it undeniably inspired by heavy-duty workwear. The jacket front also has staggered patch pockets, which transform it into a statement piece. And if you feel like your traditional Oxford button-down shirt makes you look too dressy, you might consider replacing it with a denim shirt. The Harris shirt in this collection is oversize, with a high low hemline. Williams points out that there are many ways to wear this piece. You can layer it over a tank top. You can pair it with trousers. Or, if you want to stand out, you could wear it with jeans to create a full denim look. What if I want to be more dressy, but not too formal? The Citizens of Humanity x Argent capsule is designed to have an outfit for every occasion, including more formal ones. Here’s where Argent’s expertise comes in. For this collection, Argent reimagined one of its suits, comprised of its Chelsea blazer and Park trousers, in a denim blue linen. Both the material and the color give the suit a more breezy feel that allows you to blend seamlessly into relaxed or formal scenarios. Another way to dress up without looking overly starchy is to swap a blazer for a waistcoat. Argent designed a linen twill waistcoat in black that you can pair with matching black trousers or shorts. It comes with a matching blazer that can elevate the look, so you can wear the entire three-piece suit to a talk or a board meeting, then remove the blazer for date night. View the full article

Last week, President Donald The President sat for an interview with Time magazine to reflect on the first 100 days of his second term in the White House. The President, as he tends to do when discussing himself, let the superlatives fly. “I feel that we’ve had a very successful presidency in 100 days,” he said. “We’ve had people writing it was the best first month, and best second month, and really the best third month.” Although the fourth month has not yet concluded, I am confident I can guess how he’ll characterize it when the time comes. Normal people do not concur with his self-assessment, to put it gently. The President’s approval rating at the 100-day mark is the lowest of any newly elected president dating back to Dwight D. Eisenhower, who took office before the widespread availability of color television. More than half of voters say the country is headed “in the wrong direction,” which is generally not the sort of first impression that politicians aspire to make. Support for his trade war is hovering in the mid-30s, and that was before merchants began passing along the costs of tariffs to their baffled customers, who were suddenly getting hit with “import fees” that often cost more than the items in their carts. (Just in time for the shelves in big-box stores to start emptying out!) Even The President’s anti-immigrant agenda, traditionally a source of strength with his Republican base, is underwater these days: 53% of voters, including 61% of independents, disapprove of his handling of the issue, and almost half believe his deportations of undocumented people have “gone too far.” His penchant in recent weeks for illegally deporting U.S. citizens, too, including a toddler receiving cancer treatment, is unlikely to reverse this trend anytime soon. For any other president, numbers like these would be disastrous, and would prompt frantic hand-wringing about the continued viability of their policy agenda, to say nothing of their fitness to serve for 45 more months. But to date, the defining feature of The President’s second term has been his utter disinterest in what the polls, popular opinion, his advisers, fellow Republicans, and even the courts say about him. He seems to perceive his performance only through the distorted lens of a right-wing media ecosystem that amplifies voices that flatter him and filters out those that do not. The result is the most unabashedly venal presidency in recent memory—the beginning of a four-year victory lap during which The President intends to enjoy the perks of the office to the fullest extent, whatever the consequences for everybody else. No one would mistake The President as embodying the spirit of humble, selfless public service during his first term. But he has been even more cavalier about using the presidency to enrich himself this time around, and his hands-off approach to cryptocurrency in particular (on the campaign trail, he promised to make the U.S. the “crypto capital of the planet”) has been great for business. World Liberty Financial, a The President family-controlled crypto venture, has done a brisk trade since the inauguration, pulling in more than half a billion dollars in sales in recent months. He has dangled the promise of dinner at the White House to juice interest in the $2.7 billion market for his eponymous memecoin, most of which is controlled by members of his inner circle. And he remains the single largest shareholder in the The President Media & Technology Group, the share price of which jumped earlier this month after the company announced plans to expand into—you guessed it—crypto-adjacent financial services products in the near future. Not all of The President’s income streams are quite so sophisticated; you can still buy an ostensibly hand-signed The President Bible for $1,000, a price that does not include shipping. But his powers as president to manipulate markets and simultaneously dictate the government’s regulatory agenda (or lack thereof) makes this source of his wealth especially valuable. Bloomberg estimates the combined paper gains of The President’s crypto projects at close to $1 billion, which is a pretty nice return on an asset class that he was deriding as a “scam” as recently as 2021. In previous decades, a president splitting his time between making money, playing golf, and persecuting his political adversaries would read about his unpopularity in the newspaper every day, and hear about it on the news every night. Back in 2017, when The President routinely announced U.S. government policy while tweeting from the toilet, he was at least aware of which aspects of his agenda qualified as “controversial” with the public, because he could see real-time feedback from Democratic lawmakers and irate Krassenstein brothers alike. In 2025, however, there are no remaining institutions capable of checking The President’s apathy toward the plights of the people around him. The increasingly insular nature of conservative media—The President posts primarily on Truth Social, a platform built around his political movement, and occasionally on X, a cesspool of conspiracy theories curated by his wealthiest supporter—makes it rare for him to even encounter meaningful criticism, let alone digest and respond to it. Meanwhile, his administration is reshaping the White House press corps, elevating sympathetic reporters whose idea of a difficult question is asking The President whether Democratic politicians are merely wrong, or also treasonous. In his mind, legacy media outlets exist mostly to sue for billions of dollars anytime they have the temerity to report stories he doesn’t like. The upshot of all this is that The President effectively spends 24 hours a day in an information bubble of his own creation, surrounded by people who only tell him how great he is and what a great job he’s doing. He views skeptics of all types, from immigrants asserting their constitutional rights to corporate executives begging him not to sink the economy, as voices he can safely ignore, if not enemies whom he has an electoral mandate to humiliate and defeat. Those first-term hour-by-hour sparring matches with opponents are far less common now, in part because The President has the luxury of not knowing or caring what the haters are saying about him anymore. Perhaps the most unsettling lesson of The President’s first 100 days is that to the extent that he is willing to second-guess himself on anything, it is only when his financial interests are at stake. His decision in April to delay the planned implementation of most “reciprocal” tariffs is perhaps the most significant concession he’s made on his campaign promise to “tariff the hell” out of insufficiently cooperative trading partners. But he did so not because the reciprocal tariffs would constitute a self-inflicted financial disaster that could cost working families an average of $2,100 per year, according to the Yale Budget Lab, but because news of the tariffs triggered a sell-off in the bond market, which he described as “getting a little yippy.” In a remarkable coincidence, the value of The President’s investments in bonds could be close to half a billion dollars, according to The New York Times. The potential implosion of one’s own portfolio has a funny way of putting things in perspective. In his Time interview, The President downplayed his concerns about volatility in the bond market, his earlier admissions to the contrary notwithstanding, and said that he didn’t pause the tariffs “for that reason.” He then pivoted back to calling Joe Biden “the most incompetent president in history,” which is the same basic comms strategy my 4-year-old uses when I ask if her little brother is crying because she took his stuffed giraffe, and she responds by hiding it behind her back and asking me to read her a book. It is of course good that The President, at least for the time being, backed off a proposal that prompted JPMorgan to raise its projected odds of a global recession from 40% to 60%. But even though The President’s financial interests in this case happened to align with those of everyone looking nervously at their retirement accounts, what is best for normal people will rarely be best for an elderly television personality obsessed with holding down a spot on the fringes of the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Every decision The President makes during his remaining time in office will be about doing what is best for himself and his friends, because his only interest in public service is and has always been about how much he can profit from it. View the full article

Only 20% of the Top Producers in the National Mortgage News survey were under 40, while almost half were between 41 and 50, and 30% even older. View the full article

Tom Broughton, the founder of the British eyewear brand Cubitts that has recently landed in the U.S., wants to make you a set of glasses that you’ll be able to wear your entire life. “They could outlive you,” he says. That’s a radical notion these days. Over the past three decades, as fast fashion has become the norm, the price of eyewear has come down alongside the price of clothes and shoes. Brands like Zenni and Warby Parker market their glasses as a fashion statement that is so affordable, you can change them up whenever you want. You could wear a different pair every day of the week. Broughton finds this approach to eyewear problematic for many reasons. For one thing, 250 metric tons of eyewear ends up in landfills every year, by some estimates. This is an environmental catastrophe since most eyewear today is made of acetate, a kind of plastic that will not biodegrade and contribute to the microplastics crisis. But more broadly, as a lover of glasses (or spectacles, as he calls them) he believes glasses have a way of expressing your identity and shaping how you appear to the world, so there is something beautiful about having a pair that lasts your life. With Cubitts, Broughton is trying to bring this philosophy to life. The company has a more laborious handmade process than its competitors, to create a more durable pair of glasses, and each frame comes with a lifetime of servicing and repair. Now the company is doubling down on this approach by allowing customers to create custom lenses that are personalized to the shape of their face, ensuring that they are perfectly suited to a lifetime of wear. Customers can now get a fitting for custom lenses in store, and the company is also developing an app that will collect customer measurements digitally so they can create custom frames online. The app will be released in the next few months. A Spectacles Historian In his early teens, Broughton became obsessed with eyewear. More specifically, he fell in love with the rock star Morrissey’s glasses. In the 1980s, Morrissey, the lead singer of the iconic band The Smiths, wore large black frames that Broughton found irresistible. So Broughton got himself a pair of similar frames and wore them proudly to school, even when chunky frames weren’t yet popular. “I remember turning up to school in them when I was 14,” he says. “I felt like I was the coolest person ever, rightly or wrongly. Maybe people were laughing at me behind my back.” In his late teens and early twenties, Broughton became fascinated with the history of spectacles. He began collecting old pairs he found at antique shops, and learning as much as he could about them. This history made him long for the days when a pair of glasses was a valuable possession that people cherished throughout their life. For much of human history, there was no way to correct poor eyesight, so many people went through life with blurry vision, unable to fully take in the world around them. Then, over the course of the last two millennia, inventors discovered that they could use crystal, polished quarts, or glass globes to magnify text. In the 1200s, Europeans developed the first eyeglasses made of quartz, framed in wood that you could hold up to your face to see things more clearly. Throughout the Renaissance, scientists continued developing spectacles to correct vision, but it wasn’t until the 18th century that they developed a pair with arms that would rest over the ears, making them more stable and hands-free. But until very recently, corrective glasses were very expensive. Even a century ago, when they were widespread, most people only had a single pair they would wear over the course of a lifetime. “Their spectacles were a precious, life-changing tool,” Broughton says. “But their spectacles also became associated with them and how they presented themselves to the world.” This is no longer the case. Eyewear is now very inexpensive to produce. Companies realized they could make spectacles out of plastic, which is a very cheap material. And since the 1980s, most of the world’s eyewear has been mass-produced in China, where labor is inexpensive. Now you can now get a pair for as little as $30. And while Broughton thinks it is wonderful that corrective eyewear has been democratized, so that everybody who needs it can now get it, it’s possible that the industry has swung too far, transforming glasses into something that is disposable. “We’ve stopped seeing spectacles as the incredible invention that they are,” he says. Spectacles That Last a Lifetime Broughton hadn’t planned on becoming an entrepreneur. He studied behavioral economics and applied statistics, and eventually worked at Spotify. But in his spare time, he continued to pursue his passion for spectacles. He learned how to craft frames out of acetate and metal by hand, and began creating spectacles for his friends. “I would cycle around London with little measuring tools, knock on people’s doors and take their measurements,” he says. In 2012, while he was still at his day job, he launched Cubitts, creating custom lenses. The business quickly took off. Even though there are many competing eyewear brands on the market, people seemed to like Broughton’s approach that treated spectacles as something special. His customers took a long time to choose the perfect frames that they felt reflected who they were and how they wanted to appear to the world. Cubitts launched online and opened its first store in King’s Cross in London. The company also came to the United States, opening two stores in New York last year. The brand is known for its chunky, statement-making glasses, in the vein of the pair Morrissey wore, and they aren’t very expensive. The average Cubitts pair costs $200. Through its branding, the company emphasizes that even though the glasses are stylish, they’re not meant to be trendy. Throughout the store and the website, Cubitts makes it clear that the eyewear is meant to last a lifetime. The company makes each pair by hand using a lengthier process than its competitors, including using parts that are easier to replace if they break. For instance, it uses a premium hinge that connects the frame to the arm (that goes behind the ear) that makes it easier to fix. Cubitts has a policy of offering a lifetime of repairs, rehabs, and reglazing of their frames. When a prescription changes, they put in new lenses for free (many retailers offer this service, for a fee). But Broughton believes that creating eyewear that lasts a lifetime isn’t just about durability. It’s also about helping customers find a pair that they love and that fits them perfectly. Cubitts offers each pair of glasses in small, medium, and large sizes to fit faces of different sizes. But the company is now investing in technology to create custom frames that are perfectly suited to the customers’ face. The company has developed a system that allows customers to come into the store to take measurements of their face, identifying everything from the size of their nose to the shape of their face to the distance to how far back their ears are. (The company is also working on an app that will allow people to take these measurements at home, so they can create custom frames virtually. This is likely to roll out in the next year or so.) Then, when the customer pick a style of lenses they like, Cubitts will custom-make them to suit their facial proportion. He’s found that this has been particularly appealing to Black and asian customers who sometimes struggle to find eyewear that fits the dimensions of their face, since most eyewear is designed around caucasian features. But all customers, regardless of ethnicity, like being able to find a pair that can be designed to look perfectly suited to their faces, so they are aesthetically pleasing and also don’t pinch the nose or the ears. Ultimately, Broughton hopes that this technology makes customers love their spectacles even more, and want to hold on to them for longer. And even though Broughton himself has access to an endless supply of different frames, and is sometimes tasked with testing out different models, he generally sticks to a round frame he has become attached to. “I’ve become rather attached to my spectacles,” he says. “They’re part of me now.” View the full article

On the campaign trail, President Donald The President made multiple promises to lower energy prices and electricity bills for Americans, but 100 days into his second term, energy prices are up—and expected to keep increasing. Experts say The President’s energy policies—like inhibiting renewables, canceling federal energy assistance programs, and enacting widespread tariffs—are to blame. “Under my administration, we will be slashing energy and electricity prices by half within 12 months, at a maximum 18 months,” The President said in August. “Energy is going to bring us back. That means we’re going down and getting gasoline below $2 a gallon, bring down the price of everything from electricity rates to groceries,” he said in September. (Though at times he did hedge: “If it doesn’t work out,” he also said in August, “you’ll say, ‘oh well, I voted for him and he still got it down a lot.’”) At the 100-day mark, though, average gas and electricity prices are up, some Americans have already seen their energy bills increase, and there’s “potential for much more harm,” says Charles Harper, senior policy lead for the power sector at Evergreen Action. Average prices are up—and The President policies will raise them more The President recently claimed that gas prices dipped below $2 a gallon in some states, but that’s not true. The national average price of gas is currently $3.17 a gallon, 5 cents higher than a month ago—and tariffs are set to spike gas prices soon. U.S. refineries make gasoline from crude oil, which is produced here but also imported—predominantly from Canada and Mexico. The U.S. imports about 4 million barrels of Canadian oil per day. (We also import what’s called “finished motor gasoline” from other countries, primarily Canada.) Average electricity prices are also up, to $0.181 per kilowatt per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s a slight uptick from both January and February, and the highest price on record. Though The President ran on a platform of “energy dominance and unlocking American energy,” Harper notes, “he hypocritically has tried to kill some forms of energy that are the lowest cost.” Wind and solar are the cheapest forms of electricity to build, and also the fastest to deploy. Yet The President has taken aim at these energy sources, suspending funding for clean energy projects and issuing orders to stop projects already underway, including for an offshore wind farm that would power more than 500,000 New York homes. In a list of “energy resources” he says we need to increase, The President specifically excluded wind, solar, and battery power. The President cut low-income energy assistance In the first 100 days of The President’s second term, low-income Americans, in particular, have been hit with extra energy charges because of his actions. When The President paused funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, as part of his “Unleashing American Energy” executive order, that affected the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps more than 6 million low-income households across the country cover their energy bills. Without those funds, about 2,000 low-income households in Alabama saw an immediate $100 added to their utility bills, in just one example. By April, states were missing out on about $400 million in LIHEAP funding that had yet to be distributed by the federal government. The President and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have fired LIHEAP’s staff as they try to kill the program entirely. That’s expected to raise energy bills for millions of Americans, meaning low-income households will be less able to pay those bills, or less likely to adequately heat and cool their homes. Previous cuts to LIHEAP have seen these effects play out. In 2023, Congress cut $2 billion from LIHEAP’s budget, and utility debt increased by 8.4% over the next year; 22% of households also kept their homes at unsafe temperatures in 2024, compared to 19.8% the year prior. Tariffs will keep increasing gas and electricity costs The President’s tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada aren’t only affecting consumer goods; they’ll also raise energy prices. Just how much depends on where you live, but Midwest states are expected to be hit the hardest. The President enacted a 10% tariff on Canadian energy imports and 25% on Mexican energy imports, which could raise gas prices by as much as 50 cents per gallon for people in the Midwest, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. Canada and Mexico supply more than 71% of crude oil to U.S. refineries across the country (nearly 60% of all U.S. crude oil imports come from Canada alone). Canada has also threatened retaliatory tariffs, including a 25% surcharge on electricity sold to Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. Tariffs on steel and aluminum could also make new grid infrastructure and energy projects more expensive. The President’s push for fossil fuels may backfire Much of The President’s campaign promises and early term actions aim to increase fossil fuel production. But that won’t necessarily help energy prices or U.S. households’ energy bills—or even fossil fuel companies themselves. The President has said he wants to bring back retired coal plants, but those plants closed because they were no longer economically viable. Putting them back online would be an expensive undertaking that would also increase electricity prices once they’re up and running. The President has also looked to increase exports of liquified natural gas (LNG), and has approved licenses for new LNG projects. But increasing LNG exports actually increases domestic energy prices. Because that natural gas is being sold abroad, it makes it subject to global price fluctuations, and means exports aren’t addressing local demand. (When Russia invaded Ukraine, for example, European countries bought more LNG from the U.S., sending prices skyrocketing for Louisiana residents.) Thanks to rampant tax breaks, LNG projects can also cost local communities millions of dollars. The President’s actions have further increased uncertainty for fossil fuel companies. He has aimed to boost fossil fuel production by fast-tracking the approval process for new projects, and has said he wants oil prices to drop to $50 a barrel—but that price is considered too low to be profitable. Oil and gas companies aren’t clamoring to drill both because they don’t want to overproduce and flood the market, and because fears of a recession are causing uncertainty about the future. “This ‘Drill, baby, drill’ agenda his administration has been pushing is not bearing out in practice,” Harper says. “Many oil and gas companies benefit from a lower supply of energy and corresponding higher prices because they have higher profit margins on every barrel of oil that they sell, and they are really resistant to increasing production.” Oil and natural gas, including LNG exports, are both global markets “that are subject to the whims of other countries and global demands,” Harper adds. That means it’s impossible to isolate America from global price volatility. Clean energy could be a different story, because it’s generated domestically—but as previously noted, The President is hampering clean energy projects rather than pursuing them. All of these actions will only continue to raise energy prices for Americans, Harper says—and, he notes, they’re also all “self-inflicted wounds done by the new administration.” View the full article

The images of Panera Bread’s new Croissant Clutch could be straight out of a fashion magazine. Highlighted against a warm, glowing orange-and-brown background, the accessory looks out of place in its web store alongside the company’s Mac N’ Cheese Pillow and “Just Baked” onesie. The fast-casual chain’s newest handbag—what it calls “carb couture”—is an insulated clutch that’s reminiscent of a croissant in both shape and fabrication, with pleats to evoke the buttery breakfast food’s flaky layers. According to Panera, it’s also the best possible way to carry around its new menu item, a melted, crispy croissant toasted sandwich, without it getting, well, too melty. It does not say, however, whether the clutch is washable, which suggests a wipeable, insulated to-go box would actually be the better lunch box for a toasted sandwich. But neither fashion nor marketing were ever much about practicality. “We are always exploring new ways to connect with our guests, from craveable meals to playful expressions of our brand—including this unique fusion of food, function, and fashion,” said Mark Shambura, Panera Bread’s chief marketing officer. An attempted internet sensation redux With the Panera Bread Croissant Clutch, the company seems to be reattempting the success of the Panera BAGuette marketing campaign two years ago—which went viral on TikTok and sold out. Twice. But while the clutch bag became available to customers on April 30, there hasn’t been as much of an overwhelming response compared to Panera’s first take on haute couture. The 2023 BAGuette was also a clutch, although in a classic baguette shape with an embossed P in a repeat pattern. Some described the style as a dupe of Fendi’s iconic baguette bag, which could’ve been key to its viral success. Panera told Fast Company its BAGuette bag garnered close to 3.5 billion impressions overall. Some BAGuettes are still available on eBay, all marked well over the original price of $39.50 (prices range from about $70 to $225). The BAGuette’s virality drove many users to bemoan the limited stock. One Tiktok user talked about the bag in the context of Kylie Jenner merchandise drops. “I have truly never been so sad about missing a release of something,” she said. Panera announced the BAGuette after its baguette sandwiches proved popular among customers, which became a menu item in January 2023. Similarly, the new Croissant Toast Sandwiches, available in two varieties, are the inspiration behind the new clutch. “With this launch, our goal is to spark conversation and drive brand awareness by creating a bold cultural moment,” said Shambura. “Following the viral success of our BAGuette bag, which sold out—twice—we’re excited to see how fans embrace this next chapter of ‘carb couture.’” Panera is certainly not the first to try to capture that elusive viral cultural niche. TikTok marketing, spending aperitif “TikTok Made Me Buy It” continues to be a catch-all phrase for viral marketing content on social media, and a sentiment that played a role in the major success of the BAGuette. Viral content takes off quickly and drives consumer spending, encouraging brands to try to stay ahead of the cultural curve. Some brands have made being “unhinged” their entire marketing strategy. Others have invested in killing off—then reincarnating—their icons. Panera has chosen a different route altogether. It’s understandable why Panera Bread would want to recapture that internet magic. After all, what’s an investment in a run of $40 bags compared to billions of impressions? However, we have yet to see whether the success of the BAGuette will rub off on the Croissant Clutch. Customers eagerly ate up the BAGuette, but there’s one question remaining: Are there any crumbs left? View the full article