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Not all apps are safe. It's why I always recommend downloading apps from official app stores, like the iOS App Store and Google Play Store, rather than a random website: Apple and Google both have policies to scan for malware and stop them before reaching app stores. But neither company is perfect, and apps infected with malware end up on official app marketplaces more often that we'd like to think. These apps usually pop up on the Play Store more than the App Store given that Apple is extremely strict, but that doesn't mean the App Store is impervious to malware—it definitely happens, and we've covered it before. In fact, researchers just found a batch of apps containing malicious programs on both Apple's and Google's platforms. And it's the first time this specific type of the malware was found on the iOS App Store. What is SparkCat?Researchers at Kaspersky discovered apps on both Google's Play Store and Apple's App Store that contained malicious frameworks, specifically designed to steal crypto wallet recovery phrases—a series of words used to access cryptocurrency in digital wallets. Researchers call this malware "SparkCat," and they believe it has been circulating since March 2024. If you downloaded one of these apps on either iOS or Android, the app would likely ask permission to access your photo library, then the malicious framework would launch an optical character recognition (OCR) plug-in to scan and identify text in your images. If the program found text that matched certain keywords, it would then send those images to a remote server. The idea here is to scan your library looking for screenshots that reveal the recovery phrases in your crypto wallet and send them back to the thieves who could then use those phrases to break in and steal from accounts. One of the first apps to arouse suspicious of Kaspersky researchers was a Chinese food delivery app called ComeCome. It's still available on both iOS and Android, and is the first known app infected with OCR malware to appear on Apple's App Store, according to Kaspersky. A negative review all the way from 2023 suggests the app has been using malware to steal information, but it's not clear the app has been using this specific OCR tactic the whole time. Kaspersky discovered other apps with a similar malicious framework as well. It's important to note researchers can't say whether the malware was placed in these apps by a malicious actor or the app developers embedded it themselves. That said, it appears some apps were designed to attract users without offering legitimate services in return—such as multiple AI messaging services from the same developer. Specifically, that's WeTink and AnyGPT, which are both still live at the time of writing. Where to go from hereFirst of all, if you have any of these affected apps installed on your iPhone or Android, delete them now. Even if the developers didn't add the malicious framework intentionally (which can happen if a third-party hijacks the app), they aren't safe to keep on your device. After that, take a moment to clean out your iPhone or Android's images folder. If you have images containing recovery phrases for your crypto wallet, be sure to delete those, but also consider deleting images that contain any sensitive information in the first place. Other malware strains may take advantage of this OCR tactic to look for social security numbers or bank account information, for example, so it's best to eliminate that risk altogether. Finally, exercise caution when downloading new apps, even when doing so through official app stores. Be sure to review all aspects of an app's page before installing it, including the reviews, description, and screenshots. If anything seems off, it's probably best to avoid downloading it. And avoid generic AI apps like the plague. Developers know there's a high demand for AI apps, which means malicious users can slyly add malware to apps in the hope that an AI fan downloads their latest scheme. Don't fall for it. View the full article

Google’s new ads rules demote confusing landing pages and reward those aligned with user intent. The post Google Ads Update: Misleading Landing Pages Now Demoted appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Republican party divided amid uproar over US president’s plan to take over the enclaveView the full article

Learn how to set up GA4 in five steps. And three different methods for installing it on your website. View the full article

Portfolio enhancements and diversifications cushion the impact of the L.A. wildfires from RMBS losses. View the full article

Mortgage companies under scrutiny could see a reprieve, while the status of functions like behind-the-scenes guidance inquiries is uncertain, experts say. View the full article

Google Ads introduced new form tracking in Tag Manager that enables codeless event creation for lead form submissions. Advertisers can now set up conversion tracking via a user-friendly interface, eliminating complex manual coding. Key features: Codeless event detection. Flexible form submission tracking. Multiple URL matching options. Why we care. This update dramatically reduces the technical complexity of setting up conversion tracking. By offering a wizard-style interface with codeless event detection, Google Ads eliminates hours of manual coding, making form tracking faster and more accessible for marketers with limited technical skills. First seen. This update was first seen by advertising professional Dennis Quaid when he posted the new update on X (formerly Twitter): Bottom line. This update streamlines advertiser workflows, reducing technical barriers to conversion tracking. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. Just sharing this tweet from Washington Post reporter Jeff Stein for federal government workers about Elon Musk’s “deferred resignation” offer. (Don’t take it! It’s still a trap.) Also, if you remember the letter-writer who worked at Twitter when Elon Musk took over, that same person has sent in this note: I just wanted to thank you for posting about what federal workers who are currently under attack can do. The former Twitter employees I know have all spent the past couple of weeks reliving the Twitter takeover from 2 years ago but on a much more widespread and terrible scale. I want to say this is all beyond belief but .. we saw this happen and how it played out, and now I’m just left feeling so angry that we couldn’t have stopped this somehow. I don’t know what I could have done differently or better, but I feel the burden of watching this happen the first time around and not being able to stop it. Seeing the news about how Elon locked government workers out of their systems, how they’re moving beds into OPM’s headquarters … It feels like the Twilight Zone. I would not at all be surprised if he held a public auction in the next couple weeks to sell off real estate, office equipment … all the way down to artwork on the walls and plants on employee desks. I’m still thinking about how I can help push back on and resist what we’re seeing happen all around us, and I wanted to say that if you ever do another post on this issue, please let the federal workers know that a whole bunch of former Twitter employees know what they’re going through, and we support them, and we’re so so sorry they’re experiencing this. View the full article

After a brief scare yesterday, the USPS has lifted the world’s shortest shipping suspension, confirming that it will continue to deliver packages from China and Hong Kong to the U.S. The news follows a temporary halt on Chinese parcels following President Trump’s executive order that applies a 10% tariff to Chinese goods and lifting the de minimis exemption for shipments from China. The USPS says it’s currently working on a plan to implement these fees with the “least disruption to package delivery,” but that it will continue to accept impacted packages in the meantime. While other shipping services like UPS or FedEx have yet to announce their own responses to the President’s order, all will have to come up with some sort of plan. Still, it seems your grandparents overseas will still be able to send you care packages. But that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods yet. While packages will continue to flow, expect delays as shippers learn how to navigate new fees, as well for prices to jump. While a 10% tariff is fairly self-explanatory (goods from the tariffed country will be 10% more expensive to import), the loss of the de minimis exemption is a little harder to understand, and is likely to be a major thorn in the side of low-cost online Chinese marketplaces like Shein and Temu. Enacted in 1930, the de minimis exemption was intended as a way for the U.S. to save itself some hassle, by waving duties and fees on international shipments where the collected revenue would take more effort to charge than the government would get out of them. It typically applies to all packages worth less than $800, which has been a boon for online e-commerce. According to a 2023 U.S. Congressional committee report cited by Reuters, almost half of all de minimis exemptions to this point have been for Chinese packages, with 30% of daily de minimis shipments coming from Temu and Shein. With those protections going away, said stores would now be subject to customs on all goods, in addition to the 10% tariff, which could raise prices and shipping times. American stores that rely on Chinese warehouses, such as Amazon Haul, could also be impacted. It’s unclear at this point how much of that additional pain will be passed on to customers. Speaking to Reuters, the CEO of warehouse management software ShipHero, Aaron Rubin, said the fees are “probably about 5 points of margin difference, using de minimis or not, and e-commerce businesses usually have a 10% or 15% margin, so this is a very significant impact” Conversely, University of Delaware fashion and apparel studies professor Sheng Lu told the outlet that the new rules might only add a few cents to each product. However, despite sounding like a modest price hike, it could still greatly impact smaller Chinese businesses who don’t have the cost-absorbing resources Temu or Shein do. Note that the de minimis exemption as a whole is not gone—Trump’s new rules are currently only directed at China (originally, they would have also impacted Canada and Mexico, but the President’s recent deals with those countries have given them a 30-day stay on enforcement for now). With that in mind, it’s possible another country’s own version of Temu could dethrone the e-commerce giant, or that Chinese shippers could use an intermediary to slightly reduce their fees. View the full article

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday he is reconsidering rules that allowed air traffic control supervisors to reduce staffing at Washington’s Reagan National Airport before a fatal Army helicopter-plane collision that killed 67 people last week. Duffy, who also said he spoke to Trump adviser Elon Musk on Tuesday about airspace reform issues, questioned the military’s flying of helicopter flights near congested Reagan National Airport. “If we have generals who are flying in helicopters for convenience through this airspace, that’s not acceptable. Get a damn Suburban and drive—you don’t need to take a helicopter,” Duffy said in a speech in Washington. The Black Hawk helicopter was on a training mission and the pilot may have been wearing night vision goggles. “We also have to look at (military) missions that have flown the DC airspace,” Duffy said. “We’re going to hopefully find this out, but if they had night vision goggles on a mission like that at nine o’clock at night and not at 1 a.m. – it is unacceptable.” He noted the helicopter was flying at 300 feet (91.4 m) – above the maximum 200 feet for that route. “We have to take a real look at the safety around this airspace … We can fly training missions at a different time of night.” In the aftermath of the crash, the FAA has imposed significant restrictions on helicopter flights around Reagan National Airport until at least late February. Duffy noted that before the crash, two air traffic control positions were consolidated for helicopters and aircraft. “We’re going to pull that authority back to make sure that we have the right policies in place inside our towers to make sure when you fly you’re safe,” Duffy said. Duffy also plans to announce in the coming days steps to surge more air traffic control training and applicants. The FAA is about 3,000 controllers short of staffing levels and nearly all control towers have staffing issues. “It’s going to take us time to get more air traffic controllers,” Duffy said. Duffy noted the FAA is using antiquated technology to oversee flights. “We’re going to upgrade it and make sure that America has the most innovative, technologically advanced air system, air traffic control system that’s going to make it safer,” Duffy said. —David Shepardson, Reuters View the full article

Completed foreclosure auctions should be 8% lower this year, but if home value and unemployment expectations change, all bets are off, Auction.com said. View the full article

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) loans have become increasingly popular in recent years—originations grew tenfold between 2019 and 2021, for instance. Last year, roughly 20% of American consumers used one to make a purchase. Despite their increasing usage, BNPL loans are still not used to calculate credit scores—which may have effects for lenders, and could be costing some consumers with good credit habits some valuable points. FICO—the creator of the FICO Score which is used by 90% of U.S.-based lending institutions to make lending decisions—recently published an analysis in tandem with the BNPL company Affirm to get a sense of what the results would be if those loans were used to calculate FICO scores. The results? Mostly good for both consumers and lenders. The analysis looked at data from a 12-month period and compared the FICO scores of more than 500,000 people who used Affirm to open a BNPL loan against those who had not. FICO then simulated the inclusion of the BNPL data into its model and found that most people saw an increase or no change in their credit scores. “Affirm gave us data that would be the same data they would furnish to a credit bureau,” says Julie May, vice president and general manager of B2B scores at FICO. “With the simulated study, we would see positive benefits for approximately two-thirds of consumers, particularly for those with utilization of five or more BNPL loans,” she says. In all, incorporating BNPL loan data into credit scoring models would “benefit consumers, and the lenders who use the FICO score to make lending decisions,” she says. In all, the analysis found that using the BNPL data to generate a FICO score was “generally consistent with the opening of a new account,” with a slight (plus or minus 10 points) change in their score for 85% of the individuals analyzed. For those who have better credit habits—such as making on-time payments, and keeping their overall credit utilization low—the BNPL data helps increase scores to a degree. With the simulation complete, May says that FICO will be looking to roll out a new FICO scoring model in the future that will incorporate BNPL data, effectively the first model to do so. “We know what the actual solution would be; we’re in final discussions with stakeholders in terms of how that would roll out,” she says. There’s no hard date yet, but May adds that when it does ultimately happen, FICO is excited to “introduce the proprietary technique to the marketplace.” View the full article

The construction process is how projects in that field are broken into more manageable parts. Creating a building, bridge, warehouse or any structure is daunting when starting with nothing and having to create something complex. That’s where the building construction process comes in by working in stages that focus on specifics. These construction process steps make overwhelming projects possible. Let’s define those construction process stages and explain how to manage them. What Is the Construction Process? The construction process is the entire sequence of activities involved in creating a built structure, such as a building, bridge, road or infrastructure project. It encompasses all phases, from the initial concept and design to the completion and handover to the owner. The building construction process involves numerous stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers and regulatory authorities, each contributing their expertise to make sure the project is completed efficiently, safely and to the specified requirements. Defining the construction process stages is only the start. General contractors know that to manage those phases they require project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that construction managers prefer. Let’s see why. First, our software has robust Gantt charts that schedule tasks, resources and costs. But unlike other Gantt charts, we can link all four types of task dependencies to avoid delays and cost overruns so you can keep your profit margins. It’s easy to filter for the critical path and a baseline can be set to track progress in real time. These plans can be shared across different project views. Subcontractors can execute their work on powerful task lists that have unlimited storage to attach as many files and photos as needed, and they can add tags, show progress and much more. Or they can use kanban boards to visualize workflow. Stakeholders can stay updated on the calendar view for a monthly project view. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/critical-path-light-mode-gantt-construction-CTA.pngProjectManager has Gantt charts and other project views to plan and schedule projects. Learn more Steps in the Construction Process The construction process is typically divided into several key phases, each of which plays a critical role in delivering a functional and compliant structure. Let’s review each of these stages. 1. Pre-Construction Phase This phase includes the project initiation, which defines goals, budget and timeline. Architects and engineers design plans, while permits are pulled from government agencies and the project ensures it complies with regulations. There’s also a site analysis during this stage. Surveys are conducted, soil tested and environmental assessments are made. 2. Site Analysis and Preparation At this point, the construction crew is clearing the site of any vegetation, debris and existing structures. There is also excavation and grading to level the site and prepare it for the construction of the foundation. 3. Foundation Construction Now comes the digging of the footings, which is excavating areas for slabs on which the foundation will stand. This lays the groundwork to lay the foundation, which is done by pouring concrete or masonry for a solid base. 4. Structural Framing Once the foundation has been laid, it’s time to erect the framework for the structure. This entails building walls, floors and roofs using steel, wood or concrete. Supports are also installed by adding beams, columns and trusses for structural integrity. 5. Enclosure At this time, the construction crew is ready to add roofing. Roofing materials are installed to waterproof the structure. Exterior walls are also built. Crews add cladding, insulation and windows. 6. Systems Installation Subcontractors for these specific trades will then install the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, electricians will lay wiring, outlets and paneling, while plumbers set up pipes, fixtures and water systems. 7. Interior Work At this point in the construction process, drywall and insulation can be installed on the interior walls and ceilings. Flooring is also done, such as laying tiles, carpets and hardwood. Lastly, painting and finishes are applied, including trim work. 8. Post-Construction Once the build is done, the construction process is not yet complete. It has to go through a post-construction phase, which commonly includes activities such as inspections to ensure the project complies with all building codes and regulations. There’s also a punch list that identifies and fixes minor issues or incomplete tasks. A final cleanup will prepare the site for presentation or use and occupancy permits are secured for legal approval for the building to be used. Finally, there’s the handover. This is the transfer of the completed project to the owner or client, along with any relevant documentation, such as warranties, maintenance schedules and as-built drawings. How to Manage the Construction Process Managing the construction process is necessary to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget and to the required quality standards. Managing the construction process steps requires planning and executing several key components. They are explained as follows. Define the Scope of Work The scope of work (SOW) outlines the specific tasks, deliverables and objectives of the construction project. To define the scope of work, begin by identifying and detailing the project deliverables, outline exclusions and set milestones and deadlines. Be sure to collaborate with stakeholders. Forecast Resource Requirements Resource forecasting involves predicting the materials, equipment, labor and other resources needed for the project. In construction, the material takeoff (a detailed list that outlines the exact quantities and types of materials needed to construct a project) and a bill of quantities (a list of all materials and labor needed to complete the project) are essential. Estimate Costs and Make a Construction Budget Creating a construction budget involves estimating the total project cost, including all materials, labor, equipment and overhead. To do this, start by itemizing costs, using historical data to help with accuracy and considering contingencies. Don’t forget to factor in inflation and track ongoing costs. /wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Construction-budget-template.jpg Get your free Construction Budget Template Use this free Construction Budget Template for Excel to manage your projects better. Download Excel File Make a Construction Schedule A construction schedule outlines when each task or milestone is expected to be completed during the project. It is critical for tracking and delivering the project on time. To build a schedule, identify all tasks, determine task durations, establish dependencies and set milestones. Be sure to allocate buffer time and use a scheduling tool, such as Gantt charts, critical path method and construction project management software. Create a Risk Management Plan A risk management plan identifies potential risks that could negatively impact the project and outlines strategies to mitigate them. It begins by identifying risks, assessing the likelihood and impact of their occurrence and developing mitigation strategies. It’s also important to monitor risks and document them in a risk log. Establish Quality Assurance and Control Guidelines Quality assurance and control make sure that the construction project meets all design specifications and regulatory standards. First, define quality standards, then implement inspections and testing, defining the acceptance criteria. Be sure to train workers and use checklists to ensure quality standards are being met. Define a Change Management Process Changes to the scope, schedule or costs are inevitable, but managing those changes effectively is critical to the project’s success. Therefore, establish a formal process, assess the impact of changes and document all of them. Track how changes affect project progress and adjust schedules and budgets as necessary. Create Daily Construction Logs Daily construction logs are used to document the project’s progress on a day-by-day basis and track important activities. They also track weather conditions, document safety incidents, log work hours, monitor progress against the schedule and communicate with stakeholders. Who Participates in the Construction Process? The building construction process involves a wide range of professionals and stakeholders, each contributing specialized knowledge and expertise to ensure the project is completed successfully. Here’s a brief overview of those key participants in the process of construction. Project owner or client: Individuals or organizations that finance and commission the construction project. They define the project’s objectives, budget, timeline and overall scope. Architects: They’re responsible for the project’s design, creating architectural plans and making sure the design meets both the functional needs of the client and regulatory standards. Engineers: Depending on the project, there can be one or all of these types of engineers. A civil engineer ensures the building is safe; civil engineers focus on planning, design and construction of infrastructure; and a site engineer manages the technical aspects of the construction project. Job site supervisor: Oversees the daily operations of a construction site, ensuring that work is completed on time, within budget and in compliance with safety regulations by managing the workforce, coordinating materials and monitoring progress. General contractor: An entity or individual responsible for overseeing the entire construction process, including hiring and managing subcontractors, coordinating work and delivering the project as contracted. Subcontractors: These are specialized contractors hired by the general contractor to complete specific tasks, such as electrical work, plumbing, HVAC, masonry, roofing, drywall, painting and landscaping. Construction workers: The people who perform the physical labor to build and maintain infrastructure, such as roads, buildings and power plants. Quality control inspector: These professionals are responsible for verifying that all construction work being done adheres to the project’s specifications, blueprints and quality standards by regularly inspecting materials, workmanship and the building process. Surveyors: Uses specialized equipment to precisely measure and mark the location of different property features to make sure that buildings and structures are built in the correct position and according to the design plans. /wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2025-construction-ebook-banner-ad.jpg How ProjectManager Helps Manage the Construction Process The building construction process is straightforward, but managing all those moving pieces to deliver the project to meet the client’s expectations and keep the general contractor’s profit margin intact is complicated. Construction project management software is designed to make that work more efficient and effective. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that helps manage one or multiple projects. Multiple project views allow general contractors to schedule on powerful Gantt charts, while teams execute on task lists and kanban boards, and stakeholders can stay updated on progress with the calendar view. Robust Resource Management and Cost Tracking Features When onboarding teams, managers can set their availability, including PTO, vacation and global holidays, as well as skill sets, which makes it easier to assign tasks. Then visit the color-coded workload chart to get an overview of resource allocation. If some are overallocated or underutilized, balance the team’s workload from that page to keep everyone working at capacity without threatening burnout. There’s also a team page that provides a summary of everyone’s activities, daily or weekly, which can be filtered to show priority, progress and more. Secure timesheets streamline payroll but also provide a window into labor costs to keep to budgets. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/timesheet-lightmode-good-version-lots-of-tasks.png Monitor the Construction Process With Real-Time Dashboards General contractors need to track more than just resources to deliver projects on time and within budget. For a high-level overview, they can toggle to the real-time project or portfolio management dashboard. There, colorful, easy-to-read graphs and charts display metrics like time, cost, workload and more. To get deeper into the data, managers can use customizable reports on status, portfolio, workload, timesheets, variance and more. Filter the reports for greater detail or summarize progress and share with stakeholders to keep them informed. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dashboard-light-mode.jpg Related Construction Project Management Content The construction process is part of the larger construction project management. For those who want to learn more about this larger subject, below are a handful of recently published articles on construction phases, documents, contracts and more. Construction Phases: Documentation, Templates & Steps Construction Documents (Templates Included) Types of Construction Contracts: Pros, Cons & Best Practices Key Construction Job Titles: Overview & Salary Why Use a Gantt Chart in Construction Project Management ProjectManager is online construction project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office or on the job site. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post The Construction Process Explained Step-by-Step appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. If you tend to get overwhelmed by the prospect of cleaning your house, here’s some good news: One of the best cleaning methods out there is designed for people like you. Called the 20/10 rule, it’s been around for a few years, but has really withstood the test of time because of its simplicity and how effective it is. What is the 20/10 method of cleaning?The 20/10 method comes from Rachel Hoffman’s 2017 book, Unf*ck Your Habitat: You’re Better Than Your Mess. The title is at once bracing and comforting, just what you need as motivation to clean your place and keep it clean. While the book goes into a lot of detail about all the methods you can use to do that, like taking progress pictures and tidying up spaces in a certain order, its first tip—the 20/10 method—is key here. At its most basic, the method calls for you to spend 20 minutes cleaning and 10 minutes chilling. That’s it, essentially. It’s similar to other productivity techniques, like the Pomodoro method, but gives you less work time and more break time than those do. For maximum efficiency, devote each 20-minute block to a certain surface or area, like a messy desk or a pile of laundry. Chunk by chunk, the task will get done. What makes 20/10 one of the best cleaning methodsThe importance of taking breaks in between bursts of hard work is well-documented. If you work too much, too hard, for too long, you’ll burn out and give up. When you’re using a work-and-rest technique to study or work, you have to think deeply during your “on” times; cleaning, on the other hand, can be slightly more mindless, which is a good thing. You don’t need 25 minutes, as the Pomodoro technique calls for, but you should devote 20. The breaks are super important, so don’t skimp on them. Try to use them to enjoy the space you just cleaned. If you cleaned a desk, sit at it for your 10 minutes, relishing the experience of using it while it’s tidy. If you folded all the laundry piled on a chair, you should sit in that chair, by God. Giving yourself a full 10 minutes to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor gives you immediate gratification and time to recharge before getting back at it. How to adapt this method to fit your needsIf you want to try out the 20/10 method, I recommend slotting it into your cleaning schedule for a week or two, but keep track of how it goes. Take notes on whether you feel rested enough after the 10 minutes of break time, or whether you find it hard to sink into a groove in just 20 minutes of effort. After all, these are just guidelines, not rules set in stone. Even the vaunted Pomodoro method has seen adaptations like "animedoro" crop up that make it work better for some people. Feel free to tinker with the 10/20 timing to suit your own needs, provided you are still prioritizing that all-important break. View the full article

You no longer need to login or create an account to use ChatGPT Search from OpenAI. You can now just use ChatGPT without an account. The announcement. OpenAI announced this on X, saying: ChatGPT search is now available to everyone on http://chatgpt.com — no sign up required. ChatGPT search is now available to everyone on https://t.co/nYW5KO1aIg — no sign up required. pic.twitter.com/VElT7cxxjZ — OpenAI (@OpenAI) February 5, 2025 More details. OpenAI launched ChatGPT Search in October 2024 and then made it free for all users in mid-December. Now, you don’t even need an account to use ChatGPT Search. How it works. According to OpenAI: “The search model is a fine-tuned version of GPT-4o, post-trained using novel synthetic data generation techniques, including distilling outputs from OpenAI o1-preview. ChatGPT search leverages third-party search providers, as well as content provided directly by our partners, to provide the information users are looking for.” One of those third-party search providers is Microsoft Bing. Based on its ChatGPT search help document, OpenAI is sharing search query and location data with Microsoft. Why we care. Now that you no longer need an account to search the web with ChatGPT, it might pose more of a challenge for Google and other search engines. As we said before, referal traffic from ChatGPT continues to grow every month. ChatGPT search won’t dethrone Google’s search monopoly anytime soon. However, if ChatGPT search adoption accelerates, as it likely will now that it’s open to all ChatGPT users, it could soon find itself owning 1% of the search market share. Brands, businesses and creators better be ready for this shift. View the full article

Google’s Gemini AI could eventually become an advertising platform, with CEO Sundar Pichai hinting at “native ad concepts” during the company’s earnings call. The big picture: Gemini currently offers a free tier and paid subscription options Pichai signaled potential future advertising integration The company plans $75 billion in capital expenditures this year to advance AI capabilities What they are saying. “We always want to lead with the user experience and we do have very good ideas for native ad concepts,” Pichai told investors. Why we care. Gemini represents a massive potential new ad platform with sophisticated targeting capabilities. Google’s $75 billion AI investment and hints of “native ad concepts” signal a strategic opportunity for early positioning in an emerging advertising ecosystem with billions of potential users. Between the lines. While ads won’t appear in Gemini this year, Google’s ad-driven business model suggests monetization is likely inevitable. The company has already introduced ads in AI Overviews, indicating a potential roadmap for Gemini. Bottom line. Google is treading carefully, prioritizing user experience while quietly exploring advertising opportunities in its AI offerings. View the full article

Mortgage and housing industry groups cheered the U.S. Senate vote, which found only two Democrats crossing over to support Scott Turner's nomination. View the full article

Austan Goolsbee warns it is ‘dangerous’ to ignore potential supply shocks triggered by trade warView the full article

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock (NASDAQ: AMD) fell 9% before the bell on Wednesday after the company fell short on sales for its data centers, despite reporting better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings. (The stock is down 7% as of midday Wednesday.) That’s because the chipmaker’s core business is selling data center chips for graphics processing units used to power AI. It’s currently going head-to-head with Nvidia for market share of the lucrative, high-powered AI chip market. Shares in Nvidia (NVDA), meanwhile, were up 4% in midday trading Wednesday after Google’s parent company, Alphabet, announced it will spend $75 billion in expected capital expenditures in 2025, a majority of which will go into building data centers and servers in an effort to help Google increase its AI capabilities. On Tuesday, AMD reported Q4 revenue that came in at $7.66 billion, beating estimates of $7.54 billion, and an adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $1.09. Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2025, the chipmaker forecast revenue coming in between $6.8 billion and $7.4 billion. On its earnings call with investors, CEO Lisa T. Su told investors the company sees “strong double-digit percentage revenue and EPS growth” for 2025, calling 2024 “a transformative year for AMD . . . [when we] successfully established our multibillion-dollar data center AI franchise, launched a broad set of leadership products, and gained significant server and PC market share.” Also on Wednesday, Truist Securities analyst William Stein reduced the company’s price target to $130 a share, down from $145. At the time of this writing, AMD stock was trading at $109.58, near its 52-week low. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Once mold starts taking over your bathroom, it’s not easy to get rid of. If the growth is alarming, paying to have it cleaned can cost hundreds of dollars, but it’s often worth it because getting rid of mold can be challenging (and exhausting). Your best move is to prevent mold from taking root in the first place, which usually involves reducing dampness and being vigilant with cleaning. A better approach might be to design a mold-free bathroom from the get-go. If you’re considering renovating your bathroom, you can choose materials and make design decisions that will make it a lot harder for mold to take up residence. Go groutlessMold loves grout because it’s porous and absorbs moisture—and its porous nature means mold can penetrate under its surface, which makes it even harder to clean. The more grout you have, the more potential breeding ground you have, so consider eliminating it: Wall panels. Acrylic wall panels are continuous sheets, meaning there are no grout lines to deal with. You can purchase panels that mimic the look of tile, but they come in a wide range of colors and designs, giving you a lot of design flexibility without the grout—or the potential for mold. Vinyl or laminate flooring. Kkip the grout on your floor by avoiding traditional tile and opting for vinyl planks or laminate. Similar to the wall panels, you can find vinyl flooring that resembles tile or stone so you can get the look you want. Shower pan. Instead of a tiled or stone shower floor, installing an acrylic shower pan eliminates all that grout and makes it a lot easier to clean and a lot harder for mold to take root. Go freestandingMold and mildew loves to colonize caulk, which can get so unsightly as a result that you wind up just tearing it out and re-caulking. Anything that sits flush with or attached to your walls in a damp area has to be caulked, so you can reduce the amount of caulk (and with it, the amount of mold) by choosing freestanding items, like a freestanding tub or vanity. Go metalIf you want storage in your shower for soaps, bottles, and everything else, a traditional tiled niche is an invitation to mold, especially if the pitch isn’t quite right and water ponds in there. Opting for a metal insert instead (like this stainless steel shower niche) eliminates that problem. Go resistantPainted walls and ceilings in bathrooms are prime targets for mold and mildew because moisture condenses on those surfaces. Steam rising from the shower often results in those tell-tale brown dots on the ceiling above, and over time, even walls outside the shower area can become stained with mold. Using antimicrobial primer and paint is one key to eliminating mold from your bathroom, and it’s one thing you can do even if you’re not ready to renovate. Cleaning the walls and ceiling thoroughly, sealing them with a mold-resistant primer and painting them with a mold-resistant paint can greatly reduce the chances you’ll be scrubbing mold out of your bathroom in the near future. VentilationFinally, when transforming your bathroom, don’t forget the less exciting but crucial aspect of mold resistance: ventilation. Make sure you determine the correct size of exhaust fan necessary for the space, and consider installing a model that has a humidity sensor. Also think about other ways to boost airflow in there, like adding a window (or a larger window) or a dedicated dehumidifier. View the full article

Deal will allow lenders to exit one of toughest merger-finance transactions in recent yearsView the full article

Danish company attempts to recover from botched US expansion and restore struggling share price View the full article

PM backs development of the Jackdaw and Rosebank projects, despite some Labour MPs’ concernsView the full article

The Walt Disney Company posted first-quarter earnings Wednesday that beat on the top and bottom lines, but it also revealed the start of predicted streaming subscriber losses at its Disney+ service. The service lost 700,000 subscribers over the final three months of 2024, which is the first quarter of Disney’s fiscal year 2025. The media and entertainment giant had warned during its fiscal fourth-quarter report in November that it expected a “modest decline” in core subscribers during the first quarter of 2025. Hulu picks up the streaming slack Total paid Disney+ subscriptions currently rest at 124.6 million, compared with 125.3 million at the end of the fiscal fourth quarter. ESPN+ also saw a loss of 700,000 subscribers, currently at 24.9 million, compared with 25.6 million at the end of last quarter. Though Disney saw losses at Disney+ and ESPN+, total Hulu subscriptions rose to 53.6 million, compared with 52 million at the end of the fiscal fourth quarter. The decrease in subscribers came as a result of an increase in prices that Disney announced in August of 2024. The price rose to $9.99 with ads and $15.99 with no ads, following its announcement of continuous playlists and growing offerings. “Disney’s earnings beat underscores the success of its cost-cutting initiatives and resilient performance in parks and studios, offsetting headwinds in streaming,” Jesse Cohen, a senior analyst at Investing.com, said in an emailed statement. “However, the surprising loss of Disney+ subscribers—the first decline since its 2019 launch—raises red flags about saturation in a crowded market and the trade-offs of its pricing strategy.” Disney’s stock was down around 1.5% Wednesday in afternoon trading. Theme parks hampered by extreme weather Disney’s domestic parks and experiences business saw a decline of 5% in operating income due to hurricanes and cruise pre-opening expenses. However, it did see operating income increase 28% for international parks. Although Disney lost subscribers for Disney+ and saw a decline in domestic park attendance, net income increased nearly 23% to $2.64 billion, compared to $2.15 billion during the same quarter last year. Revenue increased 4.8% to $24.69 billion, compared to $23.55 billion from last year. “Our results this quarter demonstrate Disney’s creative and financial strength as we advanced the strategic initiatives set in motion over the past two years,” said CEO Robert Iger in a statement. The company’s success was thanks in part to box office performance from its studios, which had the three top movies in 2024: Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Moana 2. Moana 2, released during Q1, grossed more than $1 billion, which was a driving factor behind the improvement in operating results. In its sports content segment, Disney saw a 13% operating income growth. The increase came as a result of college sports and one additional NFL game, as well as Disney’s exit from the Venu Sports, the planned sports-focused streaming service that Disney and other media giants discontinued earlier this year. The company also plans to launch its own direct-to-customer streaming app for ESPN this fall, company executives said on a conference call Wednesday. Disney’s streaming business may continue to face headwinds in a crowded marketplace, particularly among price-conscious viewers. “While profitability in streaming improved, the subscriber dip suggests price hikes or content gaps may be driving churn, particularly as rivals like Netflix and Amazon Prime retain momentum,” Cohen said. Disney told investors on Wednesday that it expects another decline in subscribers during the second quarter. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Eggs used to be one of the cheapest protein sources out there. Back when they cost $2 a dozen, the 84 grams of protein in a carton of extra-large eggs worked out to just 48 cents per 20 grams of protein. But we are having a major bird flu outbreak, and when the virus is found on a farm, often the entire flock needs to be slaughtered to prevent its spread. That's why eggs are in demand and egg prices are up now, and the USDA's Economic Research Service expects egg prices to rise 20% this year. (The CDC has more information here on the bird flu outbreak, but it's worth noting that the Trump administration has already interfered with the publication of bird flu research despite this crisis.) Public health aside, let's look at the grocery prices we're now facing. Eggs are no longer your cheapest bet, although fortunately the price of whey powder has come down since the last egg price spike in 2023. So I figured it’s time to recalculate the price we pay for a serving of protein, across a variety of grocery items. I'm including the classic meat, eggs, and protein powder, as well as a few underrated options like tofu and peanuts. MethodologyThe following calculations are not from an exhaustive national survey of prices. After failing to find a good source of up-to-date prices that could be fairly compared to each other on deadline, I instead used non-sale prices from chain grocery stores in Pittsburgh, checking Amazon and Walmart as well for a few items that weren’t available in store. I did most of my price lookups via Instacart. When there were multiple packages or brands available, I chose the cheapest reasonable-looking item, the thing I would most likely grab if I were shopping for myself on a budget. I didn't use bulk prices. If one store had a drastically cheaper price than the others in town, I skipped that one and picked a more typical price from among its competitors. Basically, I'm trying to be fair, using my judgment as to what prices are most representative of the market we're in. The prices in your location may be higher or lower than the specific ones I found, but I'm hoping the relative prices—which items are cheaper than others—will be similar in your area. You can calculate your own with this formula: (price per item) / (grams of protein in the whole package) = price per gram As we go through the list, note that I’ve calculated the price per 20 grams of protein. (Multiply the number you get above by 20.) That would be enough for a small snack, or you can double or triple it for a big protein-rich meal. For comparison, a chicken breast is about 40 grams of protein. The cheapest protein sources overallNothing on my list matches the cost-effectiveness of $2 or even $2.50/dozen eggs (RIP), but the following are all under $1 per 20 grams of protein: Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin on), 62 cents ($1.99/lb, 64 grams of protein) Skim milk, 65 cents ($4.29/gallon, 133 grams of protein) Black beans, dried, 66 cents ($3.29/lb, 100 grams of protein) Peanuts (!), 71 cents ($3.99/lb, without shells, 112 g) Whole milk, 81 cents ($4.99/gal, 123 g) String cheese, low-moisture mozzarella, 88 cents ($3.69 for a 12-pack, 84 g) FARAON Black Beans, 4 Pound $6.36 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Get Deal Get Deal $6.36 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Tuna didn't make my list this year, coming in at $1.29 for a can with 20 grams of protein. (It was slightly cheaper last time I made up a list like this.) Chicken breast and canned black beans are both honorable mentions at just over a dollar per 20 grams. The cheapest meats to get your proteinChicken is cheap enough that it made our overall cheapest list above. Chicken breast is expensive per pound, but you get a lot of protein for that money. Bone-in, skin-on chicken legs are, by contrast, dirt cheap—but that price includes bones, which are inedible, and plenty of fat in the meat and skin. Some of that fat may drain away, depending on how you prepare the chicken. Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin on), 62 cents ($1.99/lb, 64 grams of protein) Chicken breast, $1.01 ($6.99/lb, 139 g) When it comes to cuts of meat, you’ll be making a similar tradeoff. In terms of protein price, more expensive cuts of meat can still be cost-effective if they are lean. We’ll let you run your own numbers for your favorite steaks and such, but here are two common types of ground beef: 80/20 beef (20% fat), $1.58 ($5.99/lb, 76 g) 93/7 beef (7% fat), $1.46 ($6.99/lb, 96 g) At the moment, several other meats are coming in cheaper than ground beef, although meat prices vary a lot, and you may find something different. Here's what I found at my local stores: Pork tenderloin, $1.43 per 20 grams of protein ($5.99 per pound, with 84 grams of protein) Frozen tilapia, $1.22 per 20 grams of protein ($9.76 per pound, for 160 grams of protein). Note that fish prices vary, and that you can usually get better prices if you buy frozen—so this one might move up in the rankings if you can get a good deal in the frozen section. Ground turkey, $1.73 ($8.29 per pound, for 96 grams of protein). For comparison, here are two items that worked out to be more expensive than the others. One I expected, one not so much: Salmon, $2.10 for 20 grams of protein ($9.66/lb for 92 grams of protein—and that’s cheap for salmon!) Canned chicken, $2.17 for 20 grams of protein ($2.41 for a can that includes 18 grams of protein) Cheapest vegetarian protein optionsWhat about things that aren’t meat? Besides eggs, it’s good to know that dairy, beans, and tofu are also great protein sources. Peanuts and dried beans were the only plant-based items that cracked our under-$1 list above (alongside milk, for you lacto-ovo folks). Here are a few more non-meat items with their prices, many of them a better deal than the meats (mostly cheaper than beef but more expensive than chicken): Dried black beans, $0.66 for 20 grams of protein ($3.29/lb, 100 grams of protein) Canned black beans, $1.03 for 20 grams of protein ($1.29 per can with 25 grams of protein) Eggs, $1.12 for 20 grams of protein if you buy them at $4.69/dozen (extra large). Prices are volatile here, so calculate your own: large eggs have 6 grams of protein each, extra-large have 7 grams. Cheddar cheese, $1 per 20 grams of protein ($2.79 for an 8-ounce block of cheese with 56 grams of protein) Extra firm tofu, $1.16 per 20 grams of protein ($2.49/lb, 43 grams of protein) String cheese, low-moisture mozzarella, 88 cents ($3.69 for a 12-pack, 84 g) Whey protein powder, $1.10 per 20 grams of protein ($38.25 for a tub that contains 696 grams of protein) Egg whites in a carton, $1.41 per 20 grams of protein ($3.53 for a 16 ounce carton with 50 grams of protein) Greek yogurt, $1.50 per 20 grams of protein ($5.99 for a 32 ounce container that includes 80 grams of protein) Yogurt is another one of those items where the price varies a lot by brand and variety, so shopping around is especially important here. As with any price comparison, check the numbers at your local store. Prices vary across the country, and some items (like those eggs!) are changing from day to day. Sales, coupons, and frozen items can also help you find cheaper prices than these, so if you manage to beat what we found, we’re happy for you. View the full article