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A reader writes: I supervise two employees, Charlie and Lucy, and share a third, Linus. Lucy has strong weeks and weaker weeks, overall fine, but needs regular reminders and is far from perfect. Charlie is new but a really solid employee. He has been having some personal issues that were affecting some of his reliability at work — coming in late and falling asleep. (He would stay late to compensate, and I have zero concerns with the quality of his work.) He and I have met about it a couple of times and we had discussed some possible aids and solutions. Overall, I believed it would be a fairly temporary issue, so I had given him some slack. HR was aware of it, and I had expressed to Lucy and Linus that I was aware of the issues and working with Charlie. (They had observed the issues, so I felt it was necessary to say something.) While I was on vacation, Lucy went to HR and expressed that she didn’t feel I was dealing with it, which led to HR pushing me to issue more formal discipline. Their perspective is then we would have a paper trail that we are addressing it. (HR didn’t tell me it was Lucy who complained, though I suspected it, but later Linus mentioned it to me and said that he didn’t feel it was necessary, since he was aware that I had been working on it.) Honestly, I’m annoyed. One, that Lucy did this while I was on vacation and didn’t bring it to me. Two, Lucy has had issues I have handled in the same way and I’ve not pushed the discipline, feeling like her overall performance was sufficient to give her leeway. For example, we have a real early start time, and she has been late her fair share early on. Should I be annoyed? Is it appropriate for me to speak with Lucy? Should I have been more formal earlier like HR wanted? It’s hard to say without more info. It’s possible that Lucy is right to think that you haven’t been doing enough — that the issues with Charlies are significant enough that they do need to be addressed more seriously, and it’s possible that the impact on her was worse while you were gone (or even that Charlie got worse while you weren’t there to see it). If the issues with Charlie affect Lucy directly — like if her workload goes up because he’s late, or if she needs him to handle something but he’s asleep (!) — she’s right to be aggravated. And if it’s been happening enough that her frustration is boiling over and you weren’t there to deal with it, she’s not wrong to have gone over your head to try to get it handled. On the other hand, if the issues with Charlie don’t affect Lucy’s work or the team’s effectiveness in general, then I’d be more inclined to think she overstepped. Ultimately it comes down to how much her work or the team’s work is being impacted, and potentially the specifics of what was going on with Charlie while you were out. Either way, though, you shouldn’t chastise her for going to HR — your team needs to be free to do that when they have a concern about how you’re managing them, and that means being okay with that occasionally happening even when you don’t think it was warranted. But you can certainly ask her about what happened while you were out, and it’s fair to point out to her that you’re giving Charlie the same sort of grace you’ve given her in the past. The post my employee complained about me to HR appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Unlocking the power of genetics to provide meaningful answers to patients when they matter most is at the crux of precision diagnostics. As technologies advance, costs fall, and evidence builds, genomic sequencing has great potential to transform the trajectory of patient care. It will do so by shortening the diagnostic odyssey. It will guide and speed up more personalized and effective treatment decisions. And it will improve patient outcomes more than ever before. For innovation to truly scale, it will require deep collaboration and seamless integration across the healthcare ecosystem. BUILD A STRONGER PARTNERSHIP ECOSYSTEM Making genomic sequencing a standard practice in patient care at scale is not something any organization can accomplish alone. It requires coordinated efforts from providers who identify the clinical need and offer it to patients, as well as health systems integrating testing into care pathways. It also depends on clinical societies broadening their guidelines to include these recommendations, payers expanding access through coverage decisions, and industry partners bringing innovative technologies to the table. These collaborations create the synergies necessary to advance genomics from a specialty tool to a standard-of-care approach. Working together, we can help ensure that patients across diverse populations benefit from advances in precision diagnostics. This partnership-driven approach also accelerates the translation of genomic findings into clinical action. When clinicians, lab partners, and digital health platforms work together, the pathway from sample collection to diagnosis becomes more streamlined. Patients ultimately see faster, more actionable results. In a rapidly evolving field like genomics, this type of collaboration is key. APPROACH CARE THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE MULTIOMIC LENS Genetic testing has traditionally involved assessing just the DNA for changes that might cause disease. More recently, a multiomic approach to care that involves looking at data from other “omics” has been pursued. These include transcriptomics, metabolomics, and methylomics. By layering these and other datasets, multiomics can provide a dynamic, functional view that can reveal disease mechanisms beyond a DNA test alone. Incorporating multiomic data can make all the difference in complex rare diseases and inherited conditions where a diagnosis is otherwise elusive. The powerful impact of a multiomic approach is best illustrated using a real-world case. Reed was just 18 months old when his parents, Kelly and Chris, began noticing differences in his development, including delays in speech and motor skills, as well as involuntary movements. What followed were years spent navigating waiting rooms, specialist appointments, and numerous tests that offered few clear answers, making it difficult to make informed decisions about his care. It was not until the family pursued whole genome sequencing (WGS), followed by RNA-seq, that they gained meaningful insight into a possible underlying contributor. WGS identified a variant in the FOXP4 gene, which is known to play a role in regulating other genes involved in brain development, speech, and motor coordination. To better understand the functional impact of this variant, RNA-seq was performed and demonstrated abnormal splicing associated with the FOXP4 variant, supporting its classification as likely pathogenic. While this finding did not explain all of Reed’s medical and developmental challenges, it provided important biological context and helped clarify one significant factor contributing to his clinical picture. The combination of WGS and RNA-seq marked a turning point for the family, enabling more informed discussions with clinicians and supporting a more precise, individualized approach to Reed’s ongoing care. INNOVATION STARTS BEHIND THE SCENES The true potential of precision diagnostics can’t be unlocked without meticulously designed workflows that support each sample from order to result. These behind-the-scenes capabilities are what allow innovation to scale responsibly, and what ensures that patients and providers receive accurate, timely, and clinically actionable answers. Flexible sample collection options give providers the ability to serve patients where they are, whether in clinics, hospitals, mobile settings, or at home. This flexibility reduces barriers to testing and helps broaden access for patients who may face logistical challenges. Automated processing and high-throughput systems ensure that every sample moves through the lab with consistent quality and efficiency. This allows organizations to handle increasing test volumes without compromising accuracy or turnaround time. This is an essential capability as more health systems adopt genomic testing at scale. Finally, seamless electronic health record integration ensures that results flow directly into clinical workflows, making it easier for providers to interpret genomic data and act on it quickly. When clinicians have access to clear, well-structured reports within their existing systems, genomic testing becomes a natural part of patient care. Together, these operational strengths form the backbone of a world-class customer experience that will make precision diagnostics truly scalable. Kengo Takishima is chairman and CEO of Baylor Genetics. View the full article

Statement comes after former cabinet minister arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public officeView the full article

Projects don’t really end when the last crew leaves the site. Deadlines, final inspections, retained payments and handover documents all converge in one intense stretch that can either protect your profit or create unnecessary risk. Getting construction closeout right keeps your project timeline intact and prevents costly disputes after turnover. What Is Construction Closeout? Construction closeout is the coordinated phase at the end of a construction project where the focus shifts from building to verification, acceptance and transition. During construction closeout, the team confirms scope completion, validates quality against contract documents, reconciles costs, resolves outstanding issues and prepares the owner for operational control. It aligns inspections, documentation, financial settlement and responsibility transfer into one controlled process that formally concludes the construction project closeout lifecycle. ProjectManager is an award-winning construction project management software that’s designed for planning, scheduling and tracking projects. It’s equipped with features such as Gantt charts, timesheets, workload management charts and real-time dashboards and reports. In addition, it offers unlimited cloud-based document storage, online collaboration tools and AI project management insights that help project managers ensure nothing falls through the cracks. Get started for free today. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/critical-path-light-mode-gantt-construction-CTA-1600x772.pngLearn more Construction Closeout Checklist As the project timeline approaches completion, construction closeout shifts focus from production to verification and documentation. The goal is simple: secure formal acceptance, release final payment and ensure the owner receives everything required to operate the facility. However, in order to achieve this simple goal, construction teams must complete a series of activities which are explained in great detail below. This construction closeout checklist includes the key tasks to complete for a successful construction project closeout phase. Punch List Completion: Complete all punch list items and verify corrective work meets contract documents and project specifications. Notice of Substantial Completion: Issue formal notice confirming the project has reached substantial completion in accordance with contract requirements. Final Inspections: Obtain final inspections and approvals from building officials, fire marshal and other authorities having jurisdiction. Certificate of Occupancy: Secure certificate of occupancy from the local authority before owner move-in or facility operations begin. Permit and Code Closeout: Confirm all building permits are closed and regulatory compliance documentation is finalized. As-Built Drawings: Submit accurate as-built drawings reflecting field changes, approved change orders and installed conditions. O&M Manuals: Deliver complete O&M manuals with manufacturer data, maintenance procedures and equipment warranties. Commissioning and Testing Reports: Finalize commissioning documentation and testing and balancing reports for mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. Owner Training Sessions: Conduct documented training for facility staff on installed systems, controls and maintenance procedures. Warranties and Guarantees: Compile and transfer all warranties and guarantees with clear start dates and coverage terms. Final Account Reconciliation: Reconcile the final account, including approved change orders, allowances and contingency adjustments. Change Order Reconciliation: Confirm all change orders are fully executed and incorporated into the final contract value. Final Application for Payment: Submit final application for payment and confirm contractual requirements for retainage release. Retainage Release Approval: Verify all contractual conditions are satisfied before authorizing release of retained funds. Final Lien Waivers: Collect signed lien waivers from subcontractors and suppliers to prevent post-completion claims. Claims and Dispute Resolution: Confirm all outstanding claims, back charges and disputes are resolved prior to financial closeout. Insurance and Bond Closeout: Update or terminate project-specific insurance certificates and performance bonds as required. Closeout Schedule Update: Update the final construction schedule to reflect actual completion dates and document timeline performance. Turnover Materials and Asset Records: Transfer spare parts, attic stock, keys, access credentials and equipment inventory records to the owner. Construction Closeout Package: Assemble and submit a complete, organized turnover set of all required closeout documentation for formal acceptance. /wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2026_construction_ebook_banner-ad.jpg What Is a Construction Closeout Package? By the time construction closeout reaches its final stage, all closeout documentation must be organized into a single, complete turnover bundle. A construction closeout package compiles the punch list confirmation, certificate of substantial completion, final inspection reports, as-built drawings, O&M manuals, warranties, lien waivers, commissioning records and final application for payment. It should also include change order logs, final cost summary and any required training documentation. A well-prepared construction closeout package ensures smooth owner acceptance, protects against future disputes and formally closes the construction project closure process. Now, let’s take a look at the documents that should be included in a construction closeout package in more depth. 10 Construction Closeout Documents Paperwork is what turns finished work into accepted work during construction closeout. Crews may be done installing systems, but without the right documentation, the project cannot transition to final payment or owner turnover. Each document supports contractual compliance, protects against claims and confirms that the construction closeout phase meets every scope, quality and financial requirement. 1. Punch List A construction punch list is a documented list of incomplete, defective or non-conforming work identified near the end of a construction project. Prepared during final inspection walkthroughs, it details corrective tasks that must be completed before substantial completion is confirmed and construction closeout can officially advance to final acceptance. /wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Punch-list-template-600x232.pngProjectManager’s free punch list template for Excel Without a properly managed punch list, construction closeout can stall indefinitely. Unresolved deficiencies delay final inspections, hold up the certificate of substantial completion and prevent release of retainage. Tracking punch list items clearly protects the project timeline, avoids disputes over scope completion and ensures the owner receives work that meets contract documents. 2. Construction closeout report A construction closeout report is a consolidated document that compiles all final project information at the end of construction. It typically includes summaries of change orders, final costs, testing and commissioning results, warranty documentation and confirmation that contractual obligations have been satisfied prior to formal project turnover. During construction closeout, this report acts as the administrative backbone of project completion. It gives owners and stakeholders a clear record of financial reconciliation, scope adjustments and compliance documentation. By centralizing final data, the construction closeout report reduces risk, supports audits and provides a defensible record if post-completion claims arise. 3. Certificate of substantial completion A certificate of substantial completion is a formal document issued by the architect or contract administrator confirming that a construction project is sufficiently complete for the owner to occupy or use the facility for its intended purpose, subject to completion of remaining punch list items. In the construction closeout process, this certificate marks a critical contractual milestone. It establishes the start of warranty periods, shifts responsibility for insurance and site control and often triggers partial release of retainage. Without it, construction closeout lacks the formal recognition required to move toward final payment and project handover. 4. As-built drawings As-built drawings are revised construction drawings that reflect the actual conditions of a completed project, incorporating field changes, approved change orders and deviations from the original design. They show exact locations of installed systems, dimensions and materials as constructed rather than as initially specified. Long after construction closeout is finished, owners rely on as-built drawings for maintenance, renovations and troubleshooting. During construction project closeout, submitting accurate record drawings proves scope completion and contract compliance. Incomplete or inaccurate as-builts delay final acceptance, create liability exposure and complicate facility management from day one of occupancy. 5. Operation and maintenance manuals Operation and maintenance manuals are compiled documents containing manufacturer instructions, maintenance procedures, product data, warranties and technical specifications for installed equipment and systems. These manuals provide detailed guidance on operating, servicing and preserving building components throughout their lifecycle after construction completion. /wp-content/uploads/2024/03/maintenance-schedule-screenshot-600x251.pngProjectManager’s free maintenance schedule template for Excel From a construction closeout standpoint, O&M manuals confirm that the owner can properly operate the facility. Missing documentation often holds up final payment and acceptance. Well-organized manuals reduce callbacks, protect warranties and support commissioning verification, making them a critical deliverable in any construction project closeout process. 6. Warranties and guarantees Warranties and guarantees are written assurances from contractors, subcontractors and manufacturers that specific materials, equipment and workmanship will perform as intended for a defined period. They outline coverage terms, duration, exclusions and remedies available if defects arise after project completion. Within construction closeout, collecting and organizing warranties establishes accountability beyond substantial completion. These documents define the warranty period start date and clarify responsibility for post-completion defects. Without properly executed warranties, construction closeout exposes owners to unnecessary risk and contractors to disputes over performance obligations. 7. Final inspection reports Final inspection reports are official records issued after authorities, architects or engineers review the completed work and verify compliance with building codes, contract documents and project specifications. These reports document deficiencies, approvals or conditions that must be satisfied before a construction project can proceed toward formal acceptance. /wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Inspection-report-screenshot-e1771956980224.pngProjectManager’s free inspection report template for Word At the construction closeout stage, final inspection reports confirm that regulatory and contractual requirements have been met. Without documented approval, the project cannot secure a certificate of occupancy or finalize substantial completion. These reports protect both owner and contractor by proving compliance and reducing exposure to post-completion liability. 8. Certificate of occupancy A certificate of occupancy is a formal document issued by a local building authority confirming that a completed structure complies with applicable codes and is safe for its intended use. It authorizes the owner to legally occupy or operate the building following construction. During construction closeout, the certificate of occupancy often represents the practical finish line. Even if physical work is complete, occupancy cannot occur without it. Delays in obtaining this certificate can disrupt revenue generation, tenant move-ins and project financing milestones tied to the construction project closeout process. 9. Final lien waivers Final lien waivers are signed legal documents from contractors, subcontractors and suppliers confirming they have received full payment and waive their right to file a mechanics lien against the property. These waivers provide written proof that all parties have been compensated for completed work. Within construction closeout, final lien waivers protect the owner from unexpected claims after final payment. Without them, unpaid subcontractors could pursue legal action even after turnover. Collecting executed waivers is essential before releasing retainage, ensuring the construction closeout process ends without lingering financial risk. 10. Final application for payment The final application for payment is the contractor’s formal request for the remaining contract balance, including release of retainage, submitted after all work and closeout requirements are satisfied. It reflects the reconciled contract sum, approved change orders and any final adjustments agreed upon by the parties. /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Payment-Tracker-Template-600x187.pngProjectManager’s free payment tracker template for Excel In the construction closeout phase, this application ties financial reconciliation to documented completion. It signals that scope, documentation and inspections are complete. Approval of the final application for payment formally concludes the construction project closeout process and establishes the financial closure of the project. ProjectManager Is Ideal for Managing Construction Projects ProjectManager is award-winning construction project management software built to support projects from preconstruction through closeout. It’s equipped with robust tools for creating construction schedules, allocating resources, tracking costs and comparing estimates against actual project performance. With unlimited cloud-based document storage and AI-driven project insights, teams can manage construction closeout documents and activities. Watch the video below to see how it works. Related Construction Project Management Content Our content library features over 100 construction blogs, templates, ebooks and other types of content to help construction project managers better understand the many moving parts that must be managed to deliver successful construction projects. Here are some of them. 48 Construction Documents (Templates Included) Construction Reporting: Types of Construction Reports What Are Construction Submittals and Why Are They So Important? Construction Document Management: A Quick Guide ProjectManager is online project management software with the tools you need for construction project management. Our features make planning, monitoring and reporting on your project more efficient and effective. Being online means our software is accessible everywhere and at any time. Plus, the data you get is more accurate because it’s updated immediately. Try ProjectManager for free today. The post Construction Closeout: Documents, Checklist and Tips appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

In terms of increasing your likes on Instagram, using humor in your captions can be an effective strategy. Funny captions not just capture attention, but they encourage engagement from your followers as well. Consider incorporating witty one-liners, clever food puns, or humorous observations about daily life. This approach can improve your posts and create a more relatable persona. To better understand how to craft these captions, let’s explore specific categories that can boost your Instagram game. Key Takeaways Use relatable humor that resonates with your audience to enhance engagement and encourage sharing. Incorporate witty one-liners or puns that evoke laughter and personality in your captions. Self-deprecating jokes can make selfies more engaging and relatable for followers. Capture everyday life quirks with humorous observations to connect with a broader audience. Highlight shared moments or inside jokes in group photos to strengthen connections and improve shareability. Funny Instagram Captions for Selfies Regarding posting selfies on Instagram, how can you make them stand out? Using funny Instagram captions can greatly increase engagement. Incorporating humorous picture quotes or witty selfie quotes not just adds charm but likewise encourages followers to interact. Self-deprecating jokes and relatable humor resonate with your audience, making your selfies more memorable. For instance, captions like “Confidence level: Selfie with no filter” empower others to embrace authenticity. Lighthearted observations can showcase your personality, allowing followers to connect with you on a personal level. Cute captions for selfies can likewise draw attention, ensuring your posts don’t get lost in the crowd. Clever Captions for Foodie Posts When sharing your culinary adventures on social media, clever captions can greatly improve your foodie posts. They not only boost engagement but also showcase your personality. Here are three effective strategies: Use Puns Related to Food: Puns like “I’m on a seafood diet. I see food, and I eat it,” can create a playful tone that resonates with your audience. Highlight Relatable Food Experiences: Captions such as “Fries before guys” encourage connection, prompting followers to share their sentiments. Incorporate Witty Sayings: Phrases like “Pizza is my love language” express your passion for food, inviting interaction. Humorous Observations for Everyday Life Humorous observations about daily life can provide a relatable lens through which you view common experiences. By using observational comedy techniques, you can highlight the absurdities and quirks that everyone encounters, making your captions both engaging and shareable. This approach not only entertains but additionally nurtures a sense of connection among followers who recognize themselves in your witty remarks. Daily Life Humor How often do you find yourself chuckling at the small absurdities of daily life? Daily life humor thrives on relatable situations that everyone faces, making it a perfect source for funny captions. Here are three examples of how you can weave humor into your posts: Tech Frustrations: “Stay strong, I whispered to my WiFi signal.” Mundane Tasks: “I’m on an expedition of self-improvement… but I’m taking the scenic route.” Relatable Routines: “Reality called. I hung up.” These snippets of witty commentary transform the absurdities of daily routines into humorous content. Observational Comedy Techniques Observational comedy techniques focus on identifying and exaggerating the quirks of everyday life, allowing audiences to relate to common experiences in a humorous way. This style relies heavily on relatable humor, drawing from shared experiences that many can connect with. Successful comedians, like Jerry Seinfeld, master the art of exaggeration, transforming ordinary moments into comedic gold. Timing and delivery are crucial; the punchline must land perfectly for maximum effect. Witty One-Liners for Group Photos When capturing group photos, witty one-liners serve as an effective way to encapsulate the spirit of camaraderie during adding a touch of humor. They make your moments more engaging and shareable. Here are three tips for crafting memorable captions: Incorporate inside jokes: Reference shared experiences to strengthen connections within your friend group. Use clever wordplay: Puns or witty twists can showcase your personality and encourage interaction. Keep it short and punchy: Simple, memorable phrases resonate better in the fast-paced world of social media. Captions for Celebrating Special Moments When celebrating special moments like anniversaries or birthdays, using humorous captions can add a unique touch to your posts. These captions not just highlight your joy but additionally invite engagement from friends and followers who can relate to your experiences. Captions That Celebrate Love Captions that celebrate love play a crucial role in enhancing social media posts by adding a layer of relatability and engagement for your audience. Using humorous elements can make your captions more memorable. Consider these strategies: Highlight shared quirks: Use funny captions for couples on Instagram to showcase your unique bond, like “We finish each other’s sandwiches.” Incorporate inside jokes: Witty picture quotes can deepen your connection. For instance, “You’re my favorite notification” reflects shared experiences. Add light-hearted humor: Silly picture quotes can make your posts relatable. A simple “Willing to risk cooties for you” brings a smile. Fun Anniversaries and Birthdays Celebrating anniversaries and birthdays often calls for captions that capture the essence of the occasion during adding a touch of humor. Using funny captions for funny pictures can improve engagement and create memorable posts. Consider incorporating witty quotes for Instagram bio, such as “Aging like fine wine, or maybe just like cheese?” This resonates with followers who appreciate humor about getting older. For anniversaries, humorous captions like “Cheers to another year of us being fabulous!” reinforce shared experiences and inside jokes. When posting funny pics with captions, aim for amusing pictures captions that highlight the quirky aspects of the relationship. These strategies can boost likes and comments, making your special moments even more shareable on social media. Cherished Memories With Friends Cherished memories with friends often come from moments that bring laughter and joy, making them ideal for social media captions. To improve your posts and encourage engagement through likes, consider these tips: Incorporate inside jokes: Sharing unique experiences can make your captions feel personal and relatable, strengthening your bond. Use playful captions for celebrating milestones: Highlight special moments, like birthdays or achievements, with humorous captions to elevate the joy of the occasion. Reflect on spontaneous friendships: Captions that capture the fun and spontaneity of your relationships, such as “Best friends don’t care if your house is clean; they care if you have snacks,” resonate well with followers. These strategies can evoke nostalgic moments and create lasting impressions on your audience. Funny Captions for Travel Adventures When you’re sharing your travel adventures on social media, incorporating humor into your captions can greatly boost engagement with your audience. Using funny captions for travel adventures amplifies relatability and can attract more likes. Witty phrases like “Jet lag is my cardio” and playful travel reflections such as “Catch flights, not feelings” resonate well with fellow wanderers. Highlighting travel quirks—like needing six months of vacation, twice a year—connects with others who share similar experiences. Clever wordplay or travel puns related to your destination can make your posts more memorable. Consider using catchy travel quotes to add a fun twist. By blending humor into travel captions, you create engaging travel posts that your followers will love. Light-hearted Captions for Friends Light-hearted captions for friends can greatly elevate the enjoyment of group photos, making them more relatable and engaging for your audience. Here are three effective strategies to improve your captions: Use relatable phrases like “Friends don’t let friends do stupid things… alone” to create a connection with your followers. Incorporate playful language such as “We’re a package deal” to emphasize your bond and encourage interaction. Add humor in captions, for example, “The best memories come from the worst ideas,” to evoke shared experiences and increase engagement. Frequently Asked Questions What Kind of Captions Get the Most Likes? To get the most likes on your posts, prioritize captions that resonate with your audience. Use humor, relatability, and brevity to improve engagement; captions under 100 characters typically perform better. Incorporating emojis can increase visual appeal and attract more likes. Moreover, question-based captions encourage interaction, prompting followers to comment. Captions that combine these elements tend to yield higher engagement, making it crucial to craft thoughtful and engaging messages for your audience. What Are Instagram Captions Funny? Instagram captions that are funny often include clever wordplay, relatable observations, and humor that resonates with your audience. They can encompass jokes, puns, or lighthearted commentary about everyday situations. Captions like “I’m on a seafood diet; I see food and eat it” exemplify this style. Such captions aim to entertain, promoting engagement and connection with followers. What’s a Catchy Caption for Instagram? A catchy caption for Instagram should be brief and engaging, ideally fitting within one or two sentences. It can incorporate humor, puns, or relatable statements to attract attention. Effective captions often include emojis for added visual interest and can pose questions or calls to action to encourage interaction. Tailoring the caption to match the photo’s mood boosts authenticity, making it more relatable and appealing to your audience, ultimately raising engagement with your post. Have Fun IG Captions? When you’re looking for fun Instagram captions, consider ones that are witty and relatable. Captions like “Stay strong, I whispered to my WiFi signal” or “I’m on an expedition of self-improvement… but I’m taking the scenic route” can add humor to your posts. Short phrases such as “Caught in 4K” or “Reality called, so I hung up” can likewise engage your audience effectively, encouraging them to interact with your content. Conclusion Incorporating humor into your Instagram captions is an effective strategy for increasing engagement and boosting likes. By using witty one-liners, clever food puns, and relatable observations, you can create a connection with your audience. Whether you’re sharing selfies, group photos, or travel adventures, a well-crafted humorous caption adds personality and invites interaction. Experiment with various styles to find what resonates best with your followers, ultimately improving your overall presence on the platform. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Funny Instagram Captions to Boost Your Likes" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Warner Bros. Discovery says it’s reviewing a new takeover offer from Paramount, but it continues to recommend a competing proposal from Netflix to its shareholders in the meantime. Warner disclosed Tuesday that it had received a revised offer from Paramount after a seven-day window to renew talks with the Skydance-owned company elapsed Monday. Paramount confirmed it had submitted this proposal, but neither provided further details on the bid. The company was widely expected to have raised its offer. A Warner Bros. Discovery buyout would reshape Hollywood and the wider media landscape — bringing HBO Max, cult-favorite titles like “Harry Potter” and, depending on who wins the Netflix v. Paramount tug-of-war, potentially even CNN under a new roof. Paramount wants to acquire Warner Bros. in its entirety — including networks like CNN and Discovery — and went straight to shareholders with an all-cash, $77.9 billion hostile offer just days after the Netflix deal was announced in December. Accounting for debt, that bid offered Warner stakeholders $30 per share, amounting to an enterprise value of around $108 billion. Paramount maintained on Tuesday that its tender offer remains on the table while Warner evaluates its latest proposal. Netflix only wants to buy Warner’s studio and streaming business for $72 billion in cash, or about $83 billion including debt. Warner’s board has repeatedly backed this deal — and on Tuesday maintained that its agreement with Netflix still stands. A press contact for Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Warner shareholders are set to vote on the Netflix proposal on March 20. If Warner’s board changes course and deems Paramount’s latest offer superior, Netflix would have a chance to match or revise its proposal, potentially setting the stage for a fresh bidding war. It could also choose to walk away. Paramount, Warner and Netflix have spent the last couple of months in a heated back and forth over who has a stronger deal. But many lawmakers and entertainment trade groups have sounded the alarm along the way, warning that either buyout of all or parts of Warner’s business would only further consolidate power in an industry already run by just a few major players. Critics say that could result in job losses, less diversity in filmmaking and potentially more headaches for consumers who are facing rising costs of streaming subscriptions as is. Combined, that raises tremendous antitrust concerns — and a Warner sale could come down to who gets the regulatory greenlight. The U.S. Department of Justice has already initiated reviews, and other countries are expected to do so. Both Paramount and Netflix have argued that their proposals are good for consumers and the wider industry. And the companies have taken aim at each other publicly with regulatory arguments. Paramount has pointed to Netflix’s much larger market value. And it’s argued that if the streaming giant acquires Warner, it would only give it more dominance in the subscription video on demand space. But Netflix is trying to convince regulators that it’s up against broader video libraries, particularly Google’s YouTube. Netflix has also said that since it doesn’t currently have the same studios and film distribution that Warner does, it would preserve and grow those operations — whereas a Warner-Paramount merger would combine two of Hollywood’s last five major studios, as well as theatrical channels and news networks. Politics could also come into play. President Donald The President previously made unprecedented suggestions about his involvement in seeing a deal through, before walking back those statements and maintaining that regulatory approval will be up to the Justice Department. The President has a close relationship with the billionaire Oracle founder Larry Ellison (the father of Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison) who is heavily backing Paramount’s bid to buy Warner. And the push to acquire Warner arrive just months after Skydance closed its own buyout of Paramount — in a contentious merger approved just weeks after the company agreed to pay the president $16 million to settle a lawsuit over editing at Paramount’s “60 Minutes” program on CBS. Under new ownership, CBS has seen significant editorial shifts, notably with the installation of Free Press founder Bari Weiss as editor-in-chief of CBS News. Critics say similar changes could happen at Warner’s CNN if Paramount’s bid is successful. But The President has continued to publicly lash out at Paramount over editorial decisions at CBS’ “60 Minutes.” The president also previously met with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who he called a “fantastic man.” —Wyatte Grantham-Philips, AP business writer View the full article

AI start-up’s Dario Amodei was summoned to Washington after trying to limit the military use of its technologyView the full article

Google Ad Grants accounts can now optimize for real-world foot traffic. Advertisers using the nonprofit program are able to set “shop visits” as an account-level goal — a move that enables campaigns to optimize toward in-person visits. Driving the news. Previously, attempting to mark shop visits as a goal inside Ad Grants would trigger an error. That restriction appears to have been lifted, allowing eligible accounts to include store visit conversions in their primary goal configuration. The update means nonprofits and local organizations can now align bidding and optimization with physical visits — particularly impactful for visibility in Maps placements and location-driven search results. Why we care. For nonprofits, museums, places of worship, community centers, and other location-based organizations, digital engagement doesn’t always translate into mission impact. The ability to optimize for shop visits bridges that gap, tying ad performance directly to footfall. Between the lines. As Google continues emphasizing local intent and Maps-based discovery, bringing store visit optimization to Ad Grants expands how nonprofits compete for nearby audiences. It shifts the focus from just clicks and website traffic to measurable, offline action. What to do. Ad Grant advertisers should review their account-level goals and confirm shop visits are enabled where eligible. Optimizing toward foot traffic could materially improve local impact — especially for organizations reliant on in-person engagement. Spotted by: This update was spotted by Google Ads Expert Jason King who shared the update on LinkedIn. View the full article

Eight times the output. Same job. Same title. Not 80%. 800%. That’s a lot. And yet, most hiring systems and processes are almost perfectly designed to miss those people. This isn’t a talent shortage. We’ve normalized a measurement problem for so long that it barely registers as a problem anymore. Across industries, hiring has been optimized for efficiency and familiarity. We screen for credentials that look impressive, resumes that read cleanly, and career paths that resemble the ones we already trust. It feels rigorous. It feels fair. But it isn’t actually predictive of performance. In fact, the more polished a hiring process becomes, the more likely it is to filter for sameness—and against the very capabilities that drive outsized performance. Much of this starts with technology that was designed for process automation and then tried to evolve to deliver objectivity at scale. Keyword-based applicant tracking systems move fast, but speed comes at a cost. These systems reward precise phrasing and conventional formatting, not capability. A candidate who has done the work—but describes it differently—never makes it through. These systems weren’t built for filtering talent in—they were built to filter talent out. Manual review is often held up as the antidote, but it brings its own limitations. Humans are better at nuance, but we’re also deeply patterned. The 3-pound caloric monsters we carry around in our skulls are designed for pattern recognition and the path of least resistance. By genetics, we gravitate toward what looks familiar and overvalue signals that feel safe. And even when intentions are good, unstructured evaluation consistently misses qualified candidates—while remaining impossible to scale. And then, the elephant in the room: Teams are really stretched. Thoughtful, consistent, manual review is less and less feasible, leaving organizations stuck in an uncomfortable middle. Do we settle for technology that is efficient but blind, or humans who are thoughtful but inconsistent? Neither reliably captures what actually predicts performance. DISTANCE TRAVELED This isn’t a new problem. Two decades ago, medical schools ran into the same issue. Traditional admissions criteria—grades, test scores, pedigree—were effective at predicting who could pass exams. They were far less effective at predicting who would become exceptional physicians. The metrics were clean. The outcomes were not. So some institutions started asking different questions. Not just How did this person perform? but How far did they travel to get here? What obstacles did they face? What did they have to figure out without a playbook? This idea—often referred to as distance traveled—impacted who was admitted. And it changed outcomes for the better. Students selected under these frameworks didn’t just keep up—they set the bar. They demonstrated stronger judgment under pressure, greater adaptability in ambiguous situations, and deeper empathy with patients whose lives looked nothing like their own. Corporate hiring is now facing a similar time in history, a convergence of inflection points. In fast-moving business environments, the skills that matter most rarely show up neatly in job titles or degrees: learning quickly; thinking clearly when information is incomplete; staying resourceful when plans fall apart; persisting when there’s no obvious path forward. These aren’t “soft skills.” They’re critical performance and leadership skills and they’re largely invisible in traditional screening. And that’s bad. It’s bad for innovation, it’s bad for culture, it’s bad for the bottom line. The cost of getting this wrong shows up everywhere. Most employers will admit they’ve made at least one bad hire in the past year. The financial impact of that is relatively easy to calculate. The less visible damage—lost momentum, exhausted teams, opportunities that never materialize—is harder to measure, but no less real. What’s even harder to see or measure is the impact of the lost talent that never had a chance to contribute. The career changer who learned fast because they had to. The veteran who led teams under pressure but doesn’t speak corporate. The self-taught professional who mastered complex systems without a credential to legitimize it. These candidates have already demonstrated the capabilities companies say they want, but they don’t look as “shiny” on paper. CHANGE WHAT YOU MEASURE All is not lost. Some organizations are starting to respond—not by lowering standards, but by changing what they measure. Instead of defaulting to credentials and pedigree, they’re evaluating skills directly. They’re using assessment questions about real-world scenarios, samples, or actual work, and problem-solving exercises that reflect the actual demands of the role. The shift is delivering significant organizational impact. Research shows that when hiring is grounded in capability rather than convention, candidate pools widen. Quality improves. Competition for the same narrow band of “perfect” resumes eases. But the real advantage runs deeper than these metrics. CAN COMPANIES AFFORD NOT TO EVOLVE? Traditional hiring was built for a world where careers were linear and jobs changed slowly. In that world, past experience was a reasonable proxy for future performance. That world is gone! Today, the defining advantage isn’t what someone already knows—it’s how quickly they can learn what comes next. Medical schools recognized this years ago. They stopped over-indexing on metrics that predicted short-term success and started evaluating for the human capabilities that predict excellence over time. The corporate world needs to catch up. The question for CEOs and CHROs isn’t whether hiring should evolve. It’s whether organizations can afford not to evolve and to just leave enormous performance upside untouched. Because somewhere in your applicant pool is a candidate who figured things out the hard way or who learned faster because they had fewer options. Someone who developed exactly the capabilities your business needs next. Your systems may never notice them, but someone else’s will. Natasha Nuytten is CEO of CLARA. View the full article

Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase, is sounding the alarm bell, warning investors that he is starting to see some similarities between today’s financial landscape and the lead-up to the 2008 financial crisis, nearly 20 years ago. “Unfortunately, we did see this in ’05, ’06, ’07, almost the same thing,” Dimon said at the firm’s annual investor day in New York on Monday. “The rising tide lifting all boats, everyone was making a lot of money, people leveraging to the hilt. The sky was the limit.” “I don’t know how long it’s going to be great for everybody,” he explained. “I see a couple of people doing some dumb things . . . they are just doing some dumb things.” While Dimon didn’t specify which competitors he was calling out, he says he worries about banks taking on risky loans again, and the high price of assets. Those factors come at a time when technology companies are lavishly spending billions in an AI arms race, much of which they are borrowing, to see who can dominate artificial intelligence in the future. What happened during the 2008 financial crisis? In a nutshell: At that time, banks were issuing risky loans to borrowers, and when new homeowners couldn’t make their payments, the effects led to crash of the U.S. housing market. That crash, in turn, created a ripple effect through the global markets that threatened a global financial collapse. Major U.S. banks teetered on the brink of disaster—and notably, investment firm Lehman Brothers went bankrupt. The U.S. government made a decision to bail out some big banks, famously making the calculation they were “too big too fail,” spending some $700 billion to avoid a U.S. economic collapse. The fallout of all this eventually led to what is now known as the “Great Recession.” The Great Recession officially started in December 2007 and ended in June 2009, before a very slow economic recovery in the U.S, according to the Federal Reserve. Sparked by the 2008 financial crisis, it is considered the most severe economic downturn in U.S. history since the Great Depression. View the full article

Google’s unified video manager inside Merchant Center is no longer empty. After months of appearing in accounts without visible content, the Video Assets section is now automatically populating with sourced videos. Driving the news. The feature — first introduced at Google Marketing Live 2025 — was designed to centralize video content inside Google Merchant Center. It began rolling out in September, but many advertisers were seeing a blank interface with no assets displayed. That’s changed. Videos are now being pulled in automatically, including content from external sources like YouTube. Why we care, This confirms Google is moving ahead with its plan to make Merchant Center a central hub for commerce-ready creative, not just product feeds. With videos now auto-populating, brands may gain additional visibility across Shopping and Performance Max without extra upload work — but they’ll also need to ensure their YouTube and site videos are optimized for commerce. In short, video is becoming embedded in retail ad delivery, and advertisers who manage it proactively will have a competitive edge. Between the lines. By centralizing videos from websites, social platforms, and potentially AI-generated sources, Google is building Merchant Center into a more comprehensive creative hub — not just a product feed manager. That aligns with broader shifts toward video-first shopping experiences across Search, Shopping, and Performance Max campaigns. What to watch. It’s still unclear how performance reporting, optimization controls, and editing tools will evolve inside the Video Assets section. But the shift from empty placeholder to populated library shows the infrastructure is now active. First spotted. This update was first spotted by PPC News Feed founder Hana Kobzová. View the full article

Laurence de Cars quits in wake of theft that exposed poor security at Paris museumView the full article

Bowman's Basel III relief may ease MSR capital but won't bring banks back; risk weights and economics still favor nonbanks, according to the Chairman of Whalen Global Advisors 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. OLED TVs are not for everyone. They are dimmer than LEDs, can suffer from burn-in, and they are much more expensive. The upside comes in the contrast and colors, which are exponentially better, resulting in just about the best picture quality you can get with the current generation of TVs. If you're looking for an OLED that offers the best value for your money in 2026, consider the 55-inch Samsung S90F OLED. It's always been a great value option, but right now it's going for $1,097.99 ($500 off the list price of $1,597.99). This is the lowest price this TV has ever reached, according to price tracking tools. 55" Samsung OLED S90F 4K Smart TV (2025 Model) $1,097.99 at Amazon $1,597.99 Save $500.00 Get Deal Get Deal $1,097.99 at Amazon $1,597.99 Save $500.00 The S90F is the lowest-priced OLED TV from Samsung's 2025 lineup, and a step below the more premium S95F. For around half the price, the S90F cuts out some features that might not be essential for you anyway: It has lower brightness (though it's still pretty good—see below), no anti-reflective coating, and no connection box (that is, an external input/output hub with HDMI, power, and USB for reducing cable clutter). If you don't plan on putting this TV in a well-lit space or do most of your watching in the evening, and you don't care for the connection box, this model offers an incredible value for the money. For $1,097.99, you'll be getting an OLED with premium specs for a budget price. This TV has been one of the best-value OLEDs you can buy since its 2025 release. It offers a dynamic picture and excellent gaming brightness that you won't find in other TVs at this price point. According to CNET's review, the brightness in game mode is especially great when compared to its main competitor, the LG OLED C5, which is currently on sale for $1,046.99 (originally $1,156.99). If you want to watch a premium-quality picture on TV while getting the most for your money in 2026, the S90F is a your best option, especially for gamers who need a brightness boost for sessions during the day. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Active Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds — $157.90 (List Price $179.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $329.00 (List Price $349.00) Google Pixel 10a 128GB 6.3" Unlocked Smartphone + $100 Gift Card — $499.00 (List Price $599.00) Apple Watch Series 11 [GPS 46mm] Smartwatch with Jet Black Aluminum Case with Black Sport Band - M/L. Sleep Score, Fitness Tracker, Health Monitoring, Always-On Display, Water Resistant — $329.00 (List Price $429.00) Shark AI Ultra Matrix Clean Mapping Voice Control Robot Vacuum with XL Self-Empty Base — $299.99 (List Price $599.00) Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 128GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Gray) — $379.99 (List Price $499.99) Amazon Fire TV Soundbar — $99.99 (List Price $119.99) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article

Ford is recalling nearly 413,000 Explorer SUVs in the U.S. The recall comes after federal regulators warned that a faulty rear suspension component called a “toe link” could restrict a driver’s steering control. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recall report, the recall impacts 2017-2019 Explorer vehicles, with the company estimated around 1% of the selected models are affected. The notice also explained that the recall is an expansion of previous NHTSA recall, number 21V537. “The root cause has not been fully determined to date,” a Feb. 20 report explained. “Some reports indicate vehicles experienced a seized CABJ”, which “will result in a bending moment on the toe link potentially resulting in fracture.” The report also said that drivers with impacted vehicles may hear a “clunk noise, unusual handling, and/or a misaligned rear wheel” indicating the issue is present. Ford says, per the recall notice, that it has not been made aware of any injuries associated with the steering issue. However, as of Feb. 20, there have been two accidents potentially related to the issue. The notice said that Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) associated with the recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning Feb. 25. It also noted that dealers will correct the issue “free of charge” and explained that owners should wait until they receive notification letters, which are expected to be mailed on March 9. Concerned vehicle owners can contact Ford Customer Service at 1-866-436-7332 with the recall number 26S08. The recall is far from the first to hit Ford recently. The company also recently opened another recall over a High Voltage Battery issue. “Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Ford Escape and 2023-2026 Lincoln Corsair plug-in hybrid vehicles,” the Feb. 17 recall notice explained. “A manufacturing defect in one or more of the high voltage battery cells may result in an internal short circuit and battery failure.” It also noted that the remedy is “under development.” Likewise, in 2025, the recalls seemed constant for Ford, with the brand breaking records halfway through the year for the most recalls of any automaker in a full calendar year. The brand has also seen more recalls over the past decade than all other auto brands, with 458 recalls from 2015 through 2024. View the full article

With the snow storm that hit much of the eastern part of the U.S. this week, you might be wondering whether you get paid when your office is closed, if your employer can require you to work despite the storm, and other questions that arise when weather intersects with work. Can my employer require me to come into work even if the weather is making it hard for me to get there? Yes. Your employer can require you to come to work despite severe weather, although a decent employer will make allowances for employees who can’t reasonably make it in. If your employer is requiring to come in and you don’t believe you can safely travel, or if authorities are telling people in your community to stay inside and off the roads, you should push back and point out the safety hazards. Say something like, “The roads I’d need to travel on are not safe for driving right now, and I don’t think I can safely make it in. Authorities are telling people not to drive.” Can my employer can penalize me for not coming into work if transit is shut down or the government is telling people to stay off the roads? They shouldn’t, but in most states they can. Here’s one example, from North Carolina’s department of labor: “It does not matter if state officials have declared a state of emergency and are advising people to stay off of the roads. The decision to stay open or to close, for its employees to remain at work or leave early, or for its employees to report to work or not during adverse weather conditions, is entirely up to each individual employer to make on its own.” (If you are thinking that’s bananas, I agree.) I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a state where it’s illegal, though. If my company says we should use our own judgment about whether to come in during snow, does it look bad if I stay home? Reasonable employers don’t expect people to put themselves in harm’s way to get to work during serious storms (assuming that your job isn’t to provide life-saving services). If you judge the situation to be dangerous and/or if authorities are telling people to stay inside and off the roads, you should stay inside and off the roads. Those warnings are issued for a reason. If my employer shuts down the office for a snow day, do they still have to pay me? It depends on whether your job is classified as exempt or nonexempt. If you’re a nonexempt employee (someone who is required to be paid overtime when you work more than 40 hours in a given week) and your office closes because of the storm so you don’t work on those days, your employer is not required to pay you for those days. Some employers will pay you anyway, but the law doesn’t require it; it will depend on your employer’s policy. If you’re an exempt employee (salaried and not required to be paid overtime) and if you work any portion of the week, your employer must pay you your full salary for the week, even if your office closes because of the weather. If my employer shuts down for a snow day, can they make me use a vacation day for the time? Yes. It might seem unfair, especially if you would have gone into work if your office had been open, but your employer can indeed charge you a vacation day if they close for snow. That said, many employers choose to cover the day off for everyone rather than forcing people to use their vacation time. If I’m on scheduled leave when my company shut down for snow, do I still have to use up a vacation day for that time, even though my company was closed? This is up to your employer’s own policies. Some companies won’t require you to use the vacation time, but others will. If you’re unsure, the best thing to do is to simply ask your manager. Say something like, “I’m uncertain how my planned leave works with the snow day. Should I still count the day we closed as a vacation day?” What if I work from home? If you’re working a full day from home, that’s a work day, and you shouldn’t need to use a vacation day for it. If you’re working sporadically from home, between shoveling, drinking hot chocolate and lounging on your couch, it will depend on how much of the day you’re really working, and on your employer’s internal policy for this kind of thing. The post everything you need to know about snow days at work appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

The advice you get early in your career can disproportionately shape your future. I can recall two or three conversations from when I was a college kid who liked writing that melted away ambiguity and set my vague ambitions on a path into the fog like a compass. For the latest release by The Steve Jobs Archive, the group is making the advice of some of the most uniquely impactful people in the world available to everyone. Given that Jobs did not own many physical objects, the archive has served as more of a repository of ideas for the next generation to think different. Each year, the Archive takes on SJA Fellows. And each year, it gives these fellows a book of letters. The concept is modeled after one of Jobs’s favorite books, Letters to a Young Poet, a collection of letters that German poet Maria Rilke wrote to his aspiring mentee Franz Xaver Kappus. The Archive, meanwhile, taps its friends to pen similar inspirational notes—authored by a global network of marquee creatives. The Steve Jobs Archive has released its first two volumes of Letters to a Young Creator today on its website. Free to read and download to anyone who is curious, they contain advice from so many names you will know—including Tim Cook, Dieter Rams, Paola Antonelli, and Norman Foster. To mark the launch, we’re featuring the letter from Steve Jobs’s closest collaborator, Jony Ive. Through the beautiful, short note, Ive shares many of his dearest philosophies, and some of the ideological structure behind the duo’s unparalleled success. JONY IVE SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, USA SEPTEMBER 11, 2024 Hello! I thought it may be useful to reflect on my time working with Steve Jobs. His belief that our thinking, and ultimately our ideas, are of critical importance has helped inform my priorities and decision making. Since giving his eulogy I have not spoken publicly about our friendship, our adventures or our collaboration. I never read the flurry of cover stories, obituaries or the bizarre mischaracterizations that have slipped into folklore. We worked together for nearly 15 years. We had lunch together most days and spent our afternoons in the sanctuary of the design studio. Those were some of the happiest, most creative and joyful times of my life. I loved how he saw the world. The way he thought was profoundly beautiful. He was without doubt the most inquisitive human I have ever met. His insatiable curiosity was not limited or distracted by his knowledge or expertise, nor was it casual or passive. It was ferocious, energetic and restless. His curiosity was practiced with intention and rigor. Many of us have an innate predisposition to be curious. I believe that after a traditional education, or working in an environment with many people, curiosity is a decision requiring intent and discipline. In larger groups our conversations gravitate towards the tangible, the measurable. It is more comfortable, far easier and more socially acceptable talking about what is known. Being curious and exploring tentative ideas were far more important to Steve than being socially acceptable. Our curiosity begs that we learn. And for Steve, wanting to learn was far more important than wanting to be right. Our curiosity united us. It formed the basis of our joyful and productive collaboration. I think it also tempered our fear of doing something terrifyingly new. Steve was preoccupied with the nature and quality of his own thinking. He expected so much of himself and worked hard to think with a rare vitality, elegance and discipline. His rigor and tenacity set a dizzyingly high bar. When he could not think satisfactorily he would complain in the same way I would complain about my knees. As thoughts grew into ideas, however tentative, however fragile, he recognized that this was hallowed ground. He had such a deep understanding and reverence for the creative process. He understood creating should be afforded rare respect—not only when the ideas were good or the circumstances convenient. Ideas are fragile. If they were resolved, they would not be ideas, they would be products. It takes determined effort not to be consumed by the problems of a new idea. Problems are easy to articulate and understand, and they take the oxygen. Steve focused on the actual ideas, however partial and unlikely. I had thought that by now there would be reassuring comfort in the memory of my best friend and creative partner, and of his extraordinary vision. But of course not. More than ten years on, he manages to evade a simple place in my memory. My understanding of him refuses to remain cozy or still. It grows and evolves. Perhaps it is a comment on the daily roar of opinion and the ugly rush to judge, but now, above all else, I miss his singular and beautiful clarity. Beyond his ideas and vision, I miss his insight that brought order to chaos. It has nothing to do with his legendary ability to communicate but everything to do with his obsession with simplicity, truth and purity. Ultimately, I believe it speaks to the underlying motivation that drove him. He was not distracted by money or power, but driven to tangibly express his love and appreciation of our species. He truly believed that by making something useful, empowering and beautiful, we express our love for humanity. My sincere hope for you and for me is that we demonstrate our appreciation of our species by making something beautiful. Warmly, Jony Jony Ive Designer, LoveFrom Read more from Letters to a Young Creator here. Read more on the professor who shaped Jony Ive here. View the full article

As built-in AI pops up in more aspects of everyday life, laymen are counting on the experts to keep technology safe to use. But one Meta employee’s misadventure with AI has social media users fearful for the future of AI alignment. Summer Yue is the director of alignment at Meta Superintelligence Labs, the company’s AI research and development division. Her LinkedIn bio states that she’s “passionate about ensuring powerful AIs are aligned with human values and guided by a deep understanding of their risks.” If anyone would have a handle on keeping AI in check, it’s Yue—and yet, on February 22, she posted about losing control of AI on her own computer. In a post that’s since garnered nearly nine million views on X, Yue shared screenshots from her messages with AI agent OpenClaw. After using it to organize a small mock inbox, she tried getting OpenClaw to sort through her real email, but things went awry when the agent started deleting every message that was more than a week old. Yue wrote that she watched OpenClaw “speedrun deleting [her] inbox,” even as she sent it instructions, including: “Do not do that,” “Stop don’t do anything,” and “STOP OPENCLAW.” “I couldn’t stop it from my phone. I had to RUN to my Mac mini like I was defusing a bomb,” Yue added. After she’d stopped it from fully nuking her inbox, Yue asked OpenClaw if it remembered her instruction to not perform any actions without her approval. “Yes, I remember,” it replied. “And I violated it. You’re right to be upset.” Nothing humbles you like telling your OpenClaw “confirm before acting” and watching it speedrun deleting your inbox. I couldn’t stop it from my phone. I had to RUN to my Mac mini like I was defusing a bomb. pic.twitter.com/XAxyRwPJ5R — Summer Yue (@summeryue0) February 23, 2026 OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent, is controversial for the far-reaching permissions it requires to function as intended, including access to users’ email accounts, messaging platforms, and other private and potentially sensitive information. Combine that with Yue’s example of it explicitly ignoring her instructions, and some online observers are concerned the tool is a bridge too far in terms of AI’s power to override humans. Yue responded to questions in the replies to her post, including whether she was intentionally pushing the limits of OpenClaw, or if she simply made a mistake. “Rookie mistake tbh,” she replied. “Turns out alignment researchers aren’t immune to misalignment. Got overconfident because this workflow had been working on my toy inbox for weeks. Real inboxes hit different.” Yue’s mistake went viral, with X users marveling at the fact that someone as well-versed in AI as Yue could find herself scrambling to stop an AI agent. Some posters said the incident called Meta’s judgment on AI safety into question. Meanwhile, at least one poster considered the incident’s broader implications: “A matter of time till these people are begging the AI not to launch nuclear weapons,” the user quipped, “and then the last thing it says is ‘I’m sorry. You’re right to be upset.” this should terrify you. the Director of Safety and Alignment at meta gave clawdbot full-access to her computer. what is meta doing??? https://t.co/lAZFR9f1PB pic.twitter.com/XnMyMHSn5H — ben (@benhylak) February 23, 2026 Somewhat concerning that a person whose job is AI alignment is surprised when an AI doesn’t precisely follow verbal instructions https://t.co/VNl0oq3Ys4 — Brooks Otterlake (@i_zzzzzz) February 23, 2026 Concerning to see one of the people in charge of building "safe superintelligence" panicking as AI deletes all her emails. A matter of time till these people are begging the AI not to launch nuclear weapons and then the last thing it says is "I'm sorry. You're right to be upset." https://t.co/2235MH3K76 — Nathan J Robinson (@NathanJRobinson) February 23, 2026 Meta did not respond to Fast Company’s request for comment. View the full article

Smart glasses aren't just the stuff of Hollywood anymore: You can buy a pair right now. Devices like Ray-Ban Metas come equipped with speakers, a microphone, embedded cameras, and connectivity to your smartphone—all in a package that largely looks like a normal pair of glasses. That's great for enthusiasts who want a hands-free smartphone experience when out and about, but not so great for anyone who dislikes the idea of invisible cameras everywhere. There are two sides to these privacy worries. One is the personal angle. Many of us don't want the people around us shoving their smartphone cameras in our faces when we're out in public, but at least then we'd know we're being recorded. These embedded cameras are tough to spot unless you know what you're looking for, which means there's a feeling of always being watched by anyone walking past wearing glasses. On the other hand, there's the larger privacy concern that comes with the territory of a huge company like Meta. Just last week, we learned the company plans to bring facial recognition tech to its Ray-Ban and Oakley smart glasses with a feature called "Name Tag," which would give the wearer insights into the people they encounter using Meta AI. Taken together, smart glasses pose an unprecedented privacy and security risk for those of us living our lives, when both our neighbors and law enforcement have the accessibility to spy on us without our knowledge. Of course, what can you do? If these glasses are legal, and they're relatively inconspicuous, how can you protect yourself from the average Ray-Ban Meta-wearing Joe? By the time you get close enough to tell whether or not they're wearing smart glasses, you're already in view of the camera. "Nearby Glasses" tells you when someone is wearing smart glasses in your areaEnter "Nearby Glasses," a new app that spills the beans on smart glasses wearers near your location. As reported by 404 Media, the app is made by developer Yves Jeanrenaud, and scans for smart glasses' "distinctive Bluetooth signatures" (also known as "advertising frames") to identify them in your immediate area. Jeanrenaud was able to use a directory of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) manufacturers to build a list of smart glasses the app can scan for, including devices from Meta, Luxottica Group S.p.A, and Snap. If the app spots one, it sends you a push notification. The app can't currently distinguish between smart glasses and mixed reality headsets, however. As such, you may get an alert saying there are smart glasses nearby, but because the app picked up the Bluetooth signals from a Meta Quest headset. That said, these are much easier to spot than smart glasses, and are far less likely to be worn inconspicuously in public spaces. Nearby Glasses is available for Android today, on both the Play Store as well as Github. Jeanrenaud says an iOS port "is in the making." View the full article

Intuit has launched an innovative AI-powered construction edition of its Intuit Enterprise Suite, specifically designed for mid-market businesses in the $2 trillion construction industry. This new solution aims to tackle the unique complexities of construction management while streamlining workflows and enhancing cash flow. With features that integrate project management, financial oversight, and operational tasks, small business owners in the construction sector could find significant value in adopting this technology. Ashley Still, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Mid-Market at Intuit, stresses the need for focused technology in this industry. “Construction businesses are naturally complex, with dozens of projects to track and ensure their profitability… That’s why we’re investing heavily in industry solutions, starting with construction,” Still said. The construction edition of the Intuit Enterprise Suite aims to reduce data silos and automates crucial workflows, making it easier for operators to gain insights into their performance. The construction edition is not merely an adaptation of existing resources; it is purpose-built to address the intricacies of the construction industry. While nearly all industry leaders recognize the potential of technology to enhance productivity, the persistent issues of disconnected systems and manual processes have hindered innovation. In fact, a recent report indicates that 93% of construction leaders believe technology could help to significantly improve operations amidst rising costs. Key features of this new platform include a comprehensive Project Management Agent, which centralizes cash flow management and project tracking. This allows businesses to stay on top of budgets and progress seamlessly. The enhanced project budget features provide real-time AI-driven insights, simplifying cost control and protecting project margins. Additionally, companies can create tailored proposals using the integrated proposal document builder, which includes e-signature functionality for faster bid approvals. Real-world implications emerge as small business owners in construction begin to realize cost savings and enhanced operational efficiency through the platform’s automated processes. For instance, Chad Shaules, CEO of Cornerstone Development Company, emphasizes that understanding one’s business is crucial for making informed decisions: “If you don’t understand your business, you are flying blind.” His sentiment aligns with many small business owners who may struggle with the complexities of managing multiple projects simultaneously. While the potential benefits of Intuit’s construction edition are substantial, small business owners should remain aware of several challenges associated with implementing new technology. Transitioning from existing systems might require a learning curve for employees who are accustomed to manual processes or different software. Additionally, while the initial beta program is offered at no additional cost for some users, it may involve future expenses as new features roll out or as integrations with third-party apps become necessary. Intuit also announced several enhancements to the broader Intuit Enterprise Suite, including improved business intelligence tools, updated migration resources, and advanced workflow automation capabilities. These developments promise to unify business data, offering richer insights and supporting more informed decision-making. For small construction business owners, the new Intuit Enterprise Suite construction edition presents an opportunity to harness cutting-edge technology tailored to their specific needs. As Darla Hennessey, controller at Lallier Construction, highlighted, tools like the project profitability report can deliver valuable information about outstanding bills and project performance, ultimately contributing to better financial management. With the new construction edition currently in beta for Intuit Enterprise Suite customers and available as a paid add-on for QuickBooks Online Advanced users, it’s essential for small business owners to assess how these features align with their operational strategies. The ongoing push for technology in construction is a testament to the industry’s evolving landscape, and investing in robust solutions like Intuit’s could be a significant step toward greater efficiency and profitability. For more information on this announcement, visit the original press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Intuit Launches AI-Powered ERP Solution Tailored for Construction Industry" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Intuit has launched an innovative AI-powered construction edition of its Intuit Enterprise Suite, specifically designed for mid-market businesses in the $2 trillion construction industry. This new solution aims to tackle the unique complexities of construction management while streamlining workflows and enhancing cash flow. With features that integrate project management, financial oversight, and operational tasks, small business owners in the construction sector could find significant value in adopting this technology. Ashley Still, the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Mid-Market at Intuit, stresses the need for focused technology in this industry. “Construction businesses are naturally complex, with dozens of projects to track and ensure their profitability… That’s why we’re investing heavily in industry solutions, starting with construction,” Still said. The construction edition of the Intuit Enterprise Suite aims to reduce data silos and automates crucial workflows, making it easier for operators to gain insights into their performance. The construction edition is not merely an adaptation of existing resources; it is purpose-built to address the intricacies of the construction industry. While nearly all industry leaders recognize the potential of technology to enhance productivity, the persistent issues of disconnected systems and manual processes have hindered innovation. In fact, a recent report indicates that 93% of construction leaders believe technology could help to significantly improve operations amidst rising costs. Key features of this new platform include a comprehensive Project Management Agent, which centralizes cash flow management and project tracking. This allows businesses to stay on top of budgets and progress seamlessly. The enhanced project budget features provide real-time AI-driven insights, simplifying cost control and protecting project margins. Additionally, companies can create tailored proposals using the integrated proposal document builder, which includes e-signature functionality for faster bid approvals. Real-world implications emerge as small business owners in construction begin to realize cost savings and enhanced operational efficiency through the platform’s automated processes. For instance, Chad Shaules, CEO of Cornerstone Development Company, emphasizes that understanding one’s business is crucial for making informed decisions: “If you don’t understand your business, you are flying blind.” His sentiment aligns with many small business owners who may struggle with the complexities of managing multiple projects simultaneously. While the potential benefits of Intuit’s construction edition are substantial, small business owners should remain aware of several challenges associated with implementing new technology. Transitioning from existing systems might require a learning curve for employees who are accustomed to manual processes or different software. Additionally, while the initial beta program is offered at no additional cost for some users, it may involve future expenses as new features roll out or as integrations with third-party apps become necessary. Intuit also announced several enhancements to the broader Intuit Enterprise Suite, including improved business intelligence tools, updated migration resources, and advanced workflow automation capabilities. These developments promise to unify business data, offering richer insights and supporting more informed decision-making. For small construction business owners, the new Intuit Enterprise Suite construction edition presents an opportunity to harness cutting-edge technology tailored to their specific needs. As Darla Hennessey, controller at Lallier Construction, highlighted, tools like the project profitability report can deliver valuable information about outstanding bills and project performance, ultimately contributing to better financial management. With the new construction edition currently in beta for Intuit Enterprise Suite customers and available as a paid add-on for QuickBooks Online Advanced users, it’s essential for small business owners to assess how these features align with their operational strategies. The ongoing push for technology in construction is a testament to the industry’s evolving landscape, and investing in robust solutions like Intuit’s could be a significant step toward greater efficiency and profitability. For more information on this announcement, visit the original press release here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Intuit Launches AI-Powered ERP Solution Tailored for Construction Industry" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The Epstein Files are dominating nightly news broadcasts and newspaper front pages. But in the media ecosystem there’s another format that’s proving a massive draw to news consumers: a podcast run by a non-journalist and entirely generated by AI. The Epstein Files is an investigative documentary podcast that, at the time of writing, has published 97 episodes—new episodes get uploaded twice daily—and notched up more than 700,000 downloads in a matter of days. That puts it in the top 10 rankings of podcast series on Apple Podcasts, and in the top 30 on Spotify. But it’s created by Adam Levy, an entrepreneur with a background in building data products and content creation, who has no experience in journalism. Levy launched the Epstein Files podcast in early February after the trove of documents relating to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was released to the public. After 48 hours of hacking—working 14- to 16-hour days—Levy built an automated pipeline that ingests the raw files, extracts text from emails and images, cross-references sources, and produces scripted podcast episodes narrated entirely by AI-generated voices. “People just want no bullshit,” says Levy. “Strip the emotion, strip the bullshit, strip everything away—just tell me things for what they are and when you tell it to me, help me understand the facts.” The technical architecture behind the project stitches together multiple large language models—from Anthropic’s Claude to Google and OpenAI’s offerings—to connect names, places, themes, and timelines across the 3.5 million files that were released, with connections requiring a confidence score of veracity to be included in the podcast. Levy supplements the raw dump with material from the Internet Archive and Google Pinpoint, a tool that other investigators have used to index portions of the files, as well as other bottoms-up projects like Jmail, which turns the Epstein Files emails into a navigable inbox like any other. Using and citing those sources was vital, Levy says, to counteract fears of hallucinations. “Everybody’s quite skeptical of AI,” he says. “It was really important to reference all the sources that were used to basically construct the episode.” “Like Clawdbot or a lot of the current AI simulation exercises, it piques curiosity, then rapidly becomes tedious,” says Emily Bell, founding director of the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University, explaining why the podcast has had such popularity in its early days. “I thought the first episode was pretty listenable but also very obviously AI to anyone who has fed data or a script to NotebookLM.” Yet Bell found that the more episodes she listened to, the harder it was to sustain interest and engagement. “It provided a helpful forensic audit of data, but it’s not something I am going to sign up to and listen to—unless I am doing other work on the files,” she says. “For that, it’s pretty useful, and an interesting use of the tools.” Those tools are something Levy has thought about. “I’ve been able to out execute any other outlet that tried to document the episode,” he explains. “They just won’t be able to [produce episodes at such speed.” That has additional benefits—including being able to ride podcast app algorithms. “That also helps with discovery, and the people who like getting into rabbit holes, this gave them a really big hole to dive into.” Levy tells Fast Company he is already building a second series on an undisclosed subject, applying the same AI pipeline to a different story. Whether you appreciate the quality of the finished podcast or not, the fact that such an AI-heavy podcast could garner such a large audience is significant, and the consequences for journalists—particularly those covering complex, document-heavy stories—are hard to ignore. “I could easily be in the camp of: these tools are going to replace me, I’m screwed,” says Levy. “Or I can figure out how to embrace them and find a new pocket for myself. Maybe I’m no longer the voice. Maybe I just become the curator.” Not everyone is convinced that speed and sourcing are sufficient substitutes for editorial judgment. “Just because something like the Epstein Files can be produced doesn’t mean that this will work with most audiences,” says Nic Newman, a journalist and digital strategist who contributes to research at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford. He has conducted recent research suggesting publishers are likely to produce more audio content as a defense against AI. “The idea being that AI struggles with empathy and human connection compared with human hosts and it is harder to summarize things in audio in a way that feels authentic and intimate,” he says. As Bell’s experience shows, what was first seen as a novelty doesn’t necessarily translate into a regular audience. “If I didn’t already know a significant amount about the files, the investigations, the background—I would have found many of the episodes very hard to follow,” she says. “And boring.” However, people seem to be sticking around and rating it relatively highly: The podcast currently has a 4.4 rating on Apple Podcasts. “The goal was to just build something that I was personally curious about and I would enjoy listening to,” says Levy, “and maybe other people would reciprocate the same value.” View the full article

Stop scouring for talent that doesn’t exist. By Jody Padar The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article

Stop scouring for talent that doesn’t exist. By Jody Padar The Radical CPA Go PRO for members-only access to more Jody Padar. View the full article

Perhaps the best thing to happen to smartphones in the past five years was Apple's decision to start supporting RCS. Ever since, texting between iPhone and Android hasn't been a nightmare caused by SMS: Group chats function as they should, photos and videos can be sent in high quality, and you can even see when the other person is typing—though the messages are still green. While the experience is miles better than it used to be, it isn't perfect. There are still some key functions missing from RCS on iPhone. For instance, you can't unsend messages, reply to a thread, or edit iPhone messages. The latter can only happen on the Android side, while only iPhones can react with emojis right now. The biggest omission, however, is support for end-to-end encryption (E2EE). This is arguably the most important advantage RCS has over SMS. E2EE "scrambles" your messages, and only you and the recipient(s) have the "keys" to unscramble them. If a hacker were to remotely access your messages from an untrusted device, they wouldn't be able to read them: The only way to see these messages in plain text is to have access to the trusted device associated with them. If you have an Android device, and you text with other Android devices using Google Messages, you likely have this advantage. You may see a small lock icon next to your messages as you send them, indicating that texts are sent with E2EE. iPhones have this advantage when texting other iPhones, as iMessage is E2EE as well. But when you text from an iPhone to an Android, whether or not you're using RCS or SMS, those messages are not protected by encryption, which leaves you vulnerable to hacking. End-to-end encryption support for RCS is live in the iOS 26.4 betaThat's now changing. Apple is currently testing E2EE support for RCS on iPhone. Not only that, anyone can try it out right now—assuming you're fine taking on the risks of beta software. The change comes with the second beta for iOS 26.4, which Apple released on Monday. Apple's first beta for 26.4 added an initial layer of support, but only for iPhones texting each other with iMessage disabled. The second beta now supports E2EE for RCS communications with Android devices. As long as your Android friends are running the latest version of Google Messages, and you're running the second iOS 26.4 beta, you can rest easy knowing your messages are protected by end-to-end encryption. However, this doesn't mean that those of us waiting for the official iOS 26.4 release will enjoy the same. While beta features are always subject to change, Apple explicitly says in its release notes that, "This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26 releases." It seems the company is getting a jump on testing in anticipation of a future iOS 26.4.1, iOS 26.5, or maybe even an iOS 27 release. Don't install the iOS 26.4 beta without knowing the risksYou'll need to install the latest beta on your iPhone to give this encryption a try—but don't do that without thinking it through. Beta software is in testing, which means there may be bugs and other instabilities you aren't used to dealing with in iOS. If something goes wrong, and you need to uninstall the beta, you'll need to reset your iPhone entirely. Unless you have a full backup of iOS 26.3 on your computer, you could lose data. As such, I never recommend installing betas on your primary device. It's your choice, of course: Just understand the risks. If you do decide to try the beta, you'll also have access to other new features in iOS 26.4—namely, a new Apple Music experience with an AI playlist generator, fresh design, and the ability to add songs to multiple playlists at once. View the full article