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Apple has successfully blocked its opponents in India, Tinder-owner Match and a group of startups, from accessing its commercially sensitive information which was part of antitrust findings against the U.S. firm, a confidential order shows. An investigation by the Competition Commission of India (CCI) last year found Apple exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores on its iOS operating system to the detriment of app developers, users and other payment processors. Apple has denied wrongdoing and said it is a small player in India where phones using Google’s operating system are dominant. The investigation process has concluded but CCI’s senior members are yet to review the findings and pass a final ruling, which could force Apple to pay fines and even change its practices if the company is confirmed to have indulged in wrongdoing. Apple’s opposing parties in the case — Match and startup group Alliance of Digital India Foundation (ADIF) — asked the CCI to allow access to certain confidential information which include developer payouts and details of total billings, but were redacted when investigation reports were shared with parties. Match argued Apple had been “claiming excessive and unwarranted redactions in its submissions” across the world “to hinder effective scrutiny of its practices”, but the CCI did not agree and ruled in favour of Apple, according to a 13-page confidential order issued on March 3 and seen by Reuters. The order noted Apple’s comments, saying “the very fact that Match is involved in similar antitrust proceedings” with the company elsewhere will cause Apple harm if its commercially sensitive information is provided to Match. “The Commission notes that disclosure of such redacted information at this stage to ADIF and Match is neither necessary nor expedient … and disclosure of the same could potentially cause harm to the interests of Apple and other third parties,” the CCI noted. The CCI, Apple, Match and ADIF did not respond to Reuters queries. The Indian case was first filed by a little-known, non-profit group called “Together We Fight Society” which argued Apple’s in-app fee of up to 30% hurts competition by raising costs for app developers and customers. Apple’s iOS powered about 4% of 712 million smartphones in India as of 2024 end, with the rest using Google’s Android, according to Counterpoint Research. Apple’s smartphone base in the country has grown five times in the last five years. Apple can still oppose findings of the CCI investigation and watchdog’s senior members are expected to issue a final ruling in coming weeks. In 2022, the CCI imposed a $113 million fine on Google and said it must allow the use of third-party billing and stop forcing developers to use its in-app payment system that charges commission of 15%-30%. Google has denied wrongdoing. —Aditya Kalra, Reuters View the full article

Ex-Barclays boss is challenging regulator’s verdict that he downplayed his connection to late paedophileView the full article

Project management is a unique field. It exists in many industries because a “project” applies to almost anything that achieves a goal or produces a deliverable. This can include anything from software development to construction. Nearly every industry has projects of varying lengths and complexities—prompting a diverse list of project manager titles. However, project managers are not a monolithic group. They have a wide variety of skills, which include technical know-how, business acumen and leadership skills. Additionally, within the field of project management, there’s a range of project manager titles and roles, which we will explain further. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/construction-gantt-resources-costs-150-CTA-BUTTON-1.jpgAnyone with a project management title can use ProjectManager’s Gantt chart. Learn more Different Types of Project Managers by Industry Across industries, if there’s a venture with a beginning, middle and end that results in a good or service, there’s a project manager who is overseeing its progress and making sure that it meets a set of budgetary and scheduling goals. There are roles of a project manager that are more structured and others that are not. These are some of the more common industries that have established project manager titles. Construction Project Manager: Requires management knowledge paired with an understanding of the design and construction process. Construction project managers also plan construction timelines, manage contractors and track materials. Architectural Project Manager: Like a construction project manager (and they often work closely with construction project managers) this PM coordinates with the design team, communicates with clients and ensures quality control. Insurance Claim Project Manager: Manages and oversees the restoration of a client’s property or belongings after an event, including demolition and construction if necessary. This role requires a lot of document management and adherence to protocol. Engineering Project Manager: Sees a product or device through its stages of research, development, design and manufacturing, from concept to finished product. Engineering project managers also coordinate with various parties to ensure satisfaction upon project completion, from stakeholders to suppliers to contractors. Software/IT Project Manager: Beyond the common project management skills, these managers typically have a background in software development, computer science, information technology, management of information systems and other related fields. Common IT project management responsibilities include managing sprints, tracking bugs, and planning hardware rollouts. Marketing Project Manager: Bridges the gap between marketing strategy and execution. This role helps define the scope and objectives in collaboration with marketing teams and stakeholders. Systems Project Manager: Oversees projects related to IT systems of varying complexity. In addition to defining the project scope, this role helps oversee the implementation of IT systems and coordinates with technical teams and vendors. Agile Project Manager: Also called a scrum master, this role guides agile teams in collaboration, adaptability and continuous improvement. They focus on interactive development to help teams work efficiently within agile frameworks. Electrical Project Manager: Plans, executes and completes electrical construction or engineering projects. They ensure projects are delivered safely and oversee the installation, testing and commissioning of electrical systems. /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Gantt-Chart-Template-Excel-image.png Get your free Gantt Chart Template Use this free Gantt Chart Template for Excel to manage your projects better. Download Excel File 5 Tiers of Project Manager Titles Many different project manager titles can exist in any industry. It can get a bit daunting. However, there is a hierarchy as people work their way up the professional ladder, which can be separated into five major categories. Project Coordinator: This entry-level position is administrative. Project coordinators generate and distribute reports to the project team, stakeholders and others, as well as function as general assistants to the management team. Project Scheduler: This position is usually employed for larger projects. Schedulers use scheduling software and other tools to input data and update files. It’s a technical job that requires a great deal of familiarity with computers, but little actual management. /wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Gantt-Chart-Screenshot-600x243.jpgGantt chart template Free download Assistant Project Manager: The title can be somewhat misleading in that the assistant project manager doesn’t always directly assist the project manager. However, they are assigned specific tasks to manage and meet regularly with the project manager to report on progress and issues. Project Manager: A project manager runs the project by themselves or leads a management team. They often delegate tasks to assistants, report to stakeholders, oversee budgets and schedules, and are responsible for bringing projects to successful conclusions. Senior Project Manager: In larger organizations, senior project managers are responsible for running multiple projects at the same time and determining which should take priority. Entry-Level and Senior Project Manager Titles Of course, there are many more job titles than those listed above, which can make posting a job listing and filling a position difficult. What does the title mean? Let’s look at some of the titles that are commonly used when searching for someone to join the project management team and discern what they mean. Entry-Level Positions Project Administrator: A project administrator is considered an entry-level position, working as support for a single project. They handle logistical, administrative and organizational tasks so project managers can focus on strategic planning and execution. Project Support Officer: Assists project manager, from administrative to more managerial tasks. They assist with project documentation, tracking, risk management and more. Project Planner: Develops, maintains and communicates project schedules and related plans to ensure a clear roadmap for project execution. They also help with resource planning, dependency mapping and critical path analysis. Project Controller: Mostly regulated to industries such as construction and engineering, helps with administration and other support duties. They identify schedule variances, develop budgets and track resource utilization. Document Controller: Responsible for controlling the numbering, filing, sorting and retrieval of electronic or hard copy produced by project teams. This role helps ensure documents are accessible to authorized personnel and manages revisions to ensure only the latest files are used. These positions are not so different than other supporting roles in project management and resumes or job listings can align closely to them. Then there are more managerial positions. Some of them have been already listed in the section on the tiers of project managers. Here are a few that didn’t fall into that category. Senior-Level Positions Project Leader: Just a different title for the project manager, with the same duties and responsibilities. Program Manager: Program managers are responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of programs. Program/Project Director: A senior position, a project director manages a project portfolio and often is the head of the department. Head of Program/Project: Manages entirety of project organization, a senior, C-level executive. Manager of Project Managers: A senior position, in larger organizations they might be referred to as VP of project management, responsible for overall direction and management of projects. Chief Project Officer: Leads group and provides organization, prioritization, resource supply, support and internal consulting. Project Portfolio Manager: Like a program manager, but oversees a larger collection of projects, programs, sub-portfolios and operations to achieve strategic objectives. Project Portfolio Office Executive: Develops and leads a strategically oriented project portfolio management office. Program Management Office (PMO) Executive: Leads the program management office, with the objective of greater value from the program. Certifications for Project Manager Titles To secure a formal project manager title and advance your career, it’s important to earn recognized project management certifications. Here are some widely recognized and respected certifications. Project Management Professional (PMP): Issued by the Project Management Institute (PMI), the PMP showcases expertise in leading and directing projects. In addition to significant project management experience, it requires passing a rigorous exam. Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM): Also issued by the PMI, this is an entry-level project manager title for those with less project management experience. It requires passing an exam, testing fundamental project management knowledge. PRINCE2 (PRoject IN Controlled Environments): AXELOS is the issuing body for this certification. It focuses on a process-based methodology for effective project management and is widely recognized in the UK and Europe, especially in the IT and government sectors. Learn more. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): The Scum Alliance is the issuing body for this certification. It demonstrates an understanding of scrum framework and the ability to facilitate scrum teams. It’s highly relevant in agile project environments and requires passing a training course and online exam. Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP): Issued by the PMI, this certification showcases knowledge of agile principles and practices across agile methodologies. It requires agile project experience and passing an exam. Project manager positions aren’t always so clear-cut. The lines between them are often fuzzy and many of the positions that organizations are looking to fill are more like a hybrid of two or more of the formal distinctions. The needs of your company and your clients will dictate how you parse the duties of project management and spread them over a team and organization. This overview of project manager titles should help you prioritize which project management positions you need to fill at your company. ProjectManager Has Features for Every Project Manager Title ProjectManager is online project management software that can manage a project from initiation to close and helps every kind of project manager fulfill their duties. Project managers, regardless of their field, plan and schedule projects. ProjectManager has online Gantt charts that facilitate this task. With our Gantt you can link dependencies, set milestones and assign work to team members—planning and scheduling has never been easier. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Gantt_Marketing_Wide_Zoom-175_WBS.jpg Project managers need to monitor the progress of the project, and ProjectManager has more than one way for them to get all the project data they need. Because the software is cloud-based, status updates are instantly reflected on the easy-to-read dashboard. These provide a high-level view of progress across six project metrics. /wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Dashboard_Construction_Wide_Zoom-150.jpg One-click reporting allows project managers to filter data for a deep dive or a more broad strokes picture. Teams might need to get in the weeds, but stakeholders will only want the big picture. Project managers can quickly filter the reports to show just the information they need when they need it. ProjectManager is online project management software that has useful tools regardless of where you land on the chain of project command. From planning to monitoring progress in real-time to making a report with merely a keystroke, ProjectManager has the features you need to work more effectively. Try it today by taking this free 30-day trial. The post Project Manager Titles: Entry-Level Titles, Senior Titles & More appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Is leadership something you’re born with or can it be taught? It’s an interesting question, but one that you shouldn’t spend too much time stressing over. Even if you are full of charisma and people naturally line up to follow you anywhere, you could always hone your leadership skills with leadership training. Or, if you’re like the rest of us, who aren’t natural-born leaders, but find themselves in a position of leadership, you’ll want to study the techniques that rally teams to success. Leadership isn’t rocket science, but like rocket science, it can be taught. There’s a wealth of leadership courses available, online and in the real world. Some are free and others are not. We’ve done the footwork for you. Below is a list of 15 leadership programs, seminars, online courses and degrees you can take to help yourself become the best leader you can be. 1. Chicago Booth Leadership Training The University of Chicago Booth School of Business developed one of the first experiential leadership programs for full-time students in 1989 and launched its Effective Leadership program in 2009, tailored for evening and weekend Booth MBA students. The program’s guiding principles are self-awareness and acting your way into thinking, as opposed to thinking your way into action. 2. Pryor Learning Solutions The Management and Leadership program at Pryor, which includes live and online learning options, offers a wide variety of management seminars that focus on leadership training, motivating yourself and your employees, budgeting skills and effective communications, such as how to effectively deliver criticism and discipline for employee growth. The lessons provide practical tips for transforming a workgroup into a cohesive and coordinated team. 3. Bell Leadership Institute Bell Leadership Institute has been helping organizations build leadership mastery since 1972 with programs focused on practical, take-home actions designed for your specific needs and culture. They offer keynote speeches, a Leader’s Roundtable, open-enrollment seminars, custom programs, annual meetings, executive retreats, licensed programs, assessment tools and coaching for individuals, businesses and organizations, as well as families and communities. /wp-content/uploads/2017/06/london-school-of-business.png 4. London Business School Executive Education Program The London Business School has an Executive Education program that is globally recognized and highly regarded. In addition to in-person programs in London and Dubai, they offer online and blended leadership training programs for more flexibility. They employ a faculty of experts throughout various business and leadership disciplines and teach practical applications that participants can apply to their work. 5. Harvard Leadership and Management Courses Leadership and Management Courses at Harvard University help maximize team productivity, drive breakthrough innovation and secure a competitive edge. Through hands-on exercises and discussion, management theories and leadership best practices, you’re taught to master complex challenges and capitalize on opportunities. Courses include building good judgment, building more effective teams, influence and persuasion in leadership, leadership coaching strategies, conflict resolution, strategic leadership and management skills for emerging leaders. 6. American Management Association: Leadership Training Courses The American Management Association’s Leadership Training Courses and Seminars offer courses in general leadership study, such as its “5 Day MBA Workshop,” as well as more specific courses in strategic leadership. Its mission is to shore up students’ capabilities in management, including communication and collaboration skills, critical thinking, finance and project management skills. They promise to provide the competitive tools you’ll need to differentiate yourself in a challenging marketplace. /wp-content/uploads/2017/06/korn-ferry-vector-logo-2022-600x333.png 7. Korn Ferry Leadership Development Program The Korn Ferry Leadership Development Program focuses its leadership training on both professional and leadership development. Participants will get personalized guidance for growth that combines tailored insights from professional development assessments and an AI-driven feedback tool. This is a well-known leadership training company that has a global reach, working with leaders in over 50 countries. /wp-content/uploads/2017/06/edx_logo_icon_248968.png 8. edX edX is an online learning platform that provides courses from organizations and universities around the globe. “Becoming a Resilient Leader” from the University of California, Berkeley is a leadership course that focuses on building resilience in leadership. Another example that edX offers is called “Leadership Communication for Maximum Impact: Storytelling and Presence” from the University of Washington. Beyond courses, edX has programs, certificates and forums to explore. /wp-content/uploads/2017/06/yale-school-of-management.png 9. Yale School of Management Executive Education The Yale School of Management Executive Education program includes a robust suite of programs aimed at developing leaders who have both a business background and those who have a strong sense of social responsibility. While this isn’t a free leadership training option, those who participate will leave with a global perspective on mission-driven leadership. /wp-content/uploads/2017/06/TED-Logo-600x375.png 10. TED Talks If you’re looking for a free and accessible place to access leadership training, TED Talks are a great place to start. These video talks provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration for leaders at all levels. They cover everything from vulnerability to the power of passion to how great leaders inspire action. There are even TEDx events that occur throughout the world to help inspire thought and foster dialogue. 11. Alison.com Leadership Classes Alison.com is an online company that offers free leadership skills in business. They’re geared to the entrepreneur and provide a course of study on the essential leadership skills an entrepreneur or business person will need. Among the skills taught are how to organize your business, select and manage your team, and how maintain proper professional behavior. Four different types of organizations and four stages of organizational growth are taught, as well as recruitment methods to build your team, helping you understand corporate responsibility and business ethics. While the courses are free, if you score well enough to earn certification, that documentation will come at a fee. 12. Coursera Leadership & Management Coursera is an online learning center, which collates courses from universities and educational institutions around the globe. These classes include video lectures, auto-graded and peer-reviewed assignments and community discussion forums. Courses are priced from $29-$99, usually run between four-to-six weeks, and when completed supply a certification. The leadership and management courses include leading people and teams, inspired leadership, organizational leadership, conflict management, inspirational leadership and culture-driven team building. /wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2022-PM-Logo-04-600x170.jpg 13. ProjectManager Leadership Blog ProjectManager is a project management software company and its website also acts as a training platform and hub of knowledge for the project management community. It publishes several training articles and a new leadership and project management training video every week. Subjects range from leadership development, project management, team building, productivity and even technical templates and guides for seasoned professionals. Best of all, the tutorials are all free. 14. SPARK Entrepreneurial Boot Camp Program SPARK Entrepreneurial Boot Camp Program teaches an efficient and proven method to validate business concepts. It has been designed specifically with entrepreneurs in mind to help them conceptualize and build a business model and find beta customers. They get hands-on assistance to test their ideas over the multi-week program, interacting with mentors and early stage investors. The boot camp takes place in Ann Arbor, Mich., and costs $1,500, so it’s not for everyone. But if you have the time and money for an intensive crash course in leadership, there’s much you can gain from it. 15. Mindtools.com Mindtools.com is a learning platform that was established in 1996. The site will prompt you to join, for a fee. It does offer many free lessons on skills and techniques to improve leadership abilities through ideas such as being an authentic leader, using emotional intelligence and knowing what the right leadership approach is for the situation. If you do join, there is more content, such as books and interviews with experts to further your leadership education. Leadership is about having the right tools to exercise that leadership and build highly functioning teams. ProjectManager is a cloud-based project management software that gives leaders real-time views of their projects and teams and does the busywork so you can focus on leading. Start a free 30-day trial today. The post 15 Leadership Training Options: Courses, Programs and Blogs appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

Each year, Samsung takes what Google has made with the annual Android update—the Android Open Source Project (or AOSP) to be precise—and builds a fresh version of One UI, its bespoke mobile operating system complete with all the extra Samsung bells and whistles. This year, we're getting One UI 7, which is based on Android 15. One UI 7 comes preinstalled on the new Galaxy S25 phones, including the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, but the rest of us are still waiting for it to roll out at the time of writing. Here's everything new that's coming with the software update, and when you can expect it to make its way to your Galaxy handset. Best new features in One UI 7Perhaps the most significant new features in One UI 7 are the Now Bar and Now Brief. The Now Bar is Samsung's answer to Live Activities on iOS: It shows pertinent information, including sports scores, map directions, workout stats, media playback controls, and stopwatch timers right on the lockscreen. Then there's Now Brief, which gives you regularly updated summaries of information you need front and center as the day progresses. You might get alerts about upcoming meetings, for example, or the weather forecast for the rest of the day, or a summary of your stats from Samsung Health. The Now Bar is new in One UI 7. Credit: Lifehacker As you would expect, there's plenty of AI: The writing assist tools have been upgraded to make it more straightforward to rewrite, summarize, and compose text across any app, and using any Android keyboard. There are also AI-powered call transcriptions so you can get your spoken conversations on the phone written out for you as you talk, and enhanced AI search with natural queries in the Samsung Gallery app. A more minor change comes with tweaks to the adaptive charging options. With One UI 7, you can set a limit for charging, beyond the standard 80% and 100% options. if you want charging to stop at 85% or 90% instead, that's now possible if you dive into the battery settings. Sticking with device maintenance, One UI 7 follows Android 15 in making app archiving a system-level feature (previously it was inside the Play Store app). This means if you've got apps you don't use often, you can clear out most of the associated data to free up space, without doing a full reinstall—that saves you time if you need to get back to the app again (in terms of logging in and configuring it). One UI 7 will also recommend apps it thinks you should be archiving. There's more control over adaptive charging. Credit: Lifehacker One UI 7 also brings with it a pretty comprehensive visual overhaul. It looks cleaner and more modern than One UI 6, with icons, widgets, and menus that are a little more colorful and easier on the eye. The Quick Settings and notification panels have also been split up, so you need to swipe down from different sides of the screen to see them—though there is a setting to go back to the old combined panel if you prefer it. Finally, Samsung has also given the default Camera app a bit of a refresh, with a more intuitive approach to the interface that makes it easier to get to the pro-level photography tools (while also keeping them well hidden away if you never need them). Like the other visual changes, it makes the software feel fresher and easier to navigate. When is One UI 7 being released?Samsung has recently confirmed that One UI 7 will be rolling out to at least some older phones sometime in April, though it hasn't provided a full list of which devices will get it (perhaps because it's not sure). The Samsung Galaxy S24 range will certainly get the update, as the software has been available in beta for those phones since December. Since the launch of the beta program, it's been extended to cover the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Galaxy Z Flip 6, with support for the Galaxy S23, Galaxy A55, and Galaxy Tab S10 tablet series coming soon. However, as these devices are all joining the beta at different times, it's not clear whether or not they'll get the finished One UI 7 by April. The update could go back as far as the Galaxy S21. Credit: Samsung Broadly speaking, Samsung tends to offer four years of Android upgrades to its flagship and mid-range devices, so handsets as far back as the Samsung Galaxy S21 (from 2021) may well be eligible—but that's just an estimated guess, not an official confirmation, and it's difficult to say how long it may take for the software to fully roll out. There also remains some confusion over which handsets will get which One UI 7 features—again, it's not something Samsung has been very specific about. There has been speculation that features such as Now Brief may remain as Galaxy S25 exclusives, most likely to push sales of the newer devices. View the full article

Refinance activity was up 16% from the end of February while purchase applications rose mildly, on the strength of fading rates amid larger economic woes. View the full article

Featuring Stan Adams, Public Policy Specialist, Wikimedia Foundation; Nicole Ozer, Technology and Civil Liberties Director, ACLU of Northern California and Alissa Starzak, Deputy Chief Legal Officer and Global Head of Policy, Cloudflare. Moderated by Max Ufberg, Senior Editor, Fast Company. In an era of mass surveillance, mounting attacks to cybersecurity, the death of net neutrality, and geopolitics fragmenting the internet, it’s never been a more important time to fully understand what’s at stake regarding your digital rights and freedom. Join this panel of leaders at the forefront of securing a better and more open digital space for all. View the full article

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant’s radiation levels have significantly dropped since the cataclysmic meltdown in Japan 14 years ago. Workers walk around in many areas wearing only surgical masks and regular clothes. It’s a different story for those who enter the reactor buildings, including the three damaged in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. They must use maximum protection—full facemasks with filters, multi-layered gloves and socks, shoe covers, hooded hazmat coveralls and a waterproof jacket, and a helmet. As workers remove melted fuel debris from the reactors in a monumental nuclear cleanup effort that could take more than a century, they are facing both huge amounts of psychological stress and dangerous levels of radiation. The Associated Press, which recently visited the plant for a tour and interviews, takes a closer look. Cleaning 880 tons of melted fuel debris A remote-controlled extendable robot with a tong had several mishaps including equipment failures before returning in November with a tiny piece of melted fuel from inside the damaged No. 2 reactor. That first successful test run is a crucial step in what will be a daunting, decades-long decommissioning that must deal with at least 880 tons of melted nuclear fuel that has mixed with broken parts of internal structures and other debris inside the three ruined reactors. Akira Ono, chief decommissioning officer at the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, which manages the plant, says even the tiny sample gives officials a lot of information about the melted fuel. More samples are needed, however, to make the work smoother when bigger efforts to remove the debris begin in the 2030s. A second sample-retrieval mission at the No. 2 reactor is expected in coming weeks. Operators hope to send the extendable robot farther into the reactor to take samples closer to the center, where overheated nuclear fuel fell from the core, utility spokesperson Masakatsu Takata said. He pointed out the target area as he stood inside the inner structure of the No. 5 reactor, which is one of two reactors that survived the tsunami. It has an identical design as No. 2. Hard to see, breathe or move Radiation levels are still dangerously high inside the No. 2 reactor building, where the melted fuel debris is behind a thick concrete containment wall. Earlier decontamination work reduced those radiation levels to a fraction of what they used to be. In late August, small groups took turns doing their work helping the robot in 15- to 30-minute shifts to minimize radiation exposure. They have a remotely controlled robot, but it has to be manually pushed in and out. “Working under high levels of radiation (during a short) time limit made us feel nervous and rushed,” said Yasunobu Yokokawa, a team leader for the mission. “It was a difficult assignment.” Full-face masks reduced visibility and made breathing difficult, an extra waterproof jacket made it sweaty and hard to move, and triple-layered gloves made their fingers clumsy, Yokokawa said. To eliminate unnecessary exposure, they taped around gloves and socks and carried a personal dosimeter to measure radiation. Workers also rehearsed the tasks they’d perform to minimize exposure. The mission stalled early on when workers noticed that a set of five 1.5-meter (5-foot) pipes meant to push the robot into the reactor’s primary containment vessel had been arranged in the wrong order. A camera on the robot also failed because of high radioactivity and had to be replaced. The workers’ highest individual radiation dose was more than the overall average but still far below anything approaching a 100-millisievert five-year dose limit. Even so, a growing number of workers are concerned about safety and radiation at the plant, said Ono, the decommissioning chief, citing an annual survey of about 5,5,00 workers. In 2023, two workers splashed with contaminated sludge at a water treatment facility were hospitalized, though they had no health problems. Making sure it’s safe Yokokawa and a plant colleague, Hiroshi Ide, helped in the 2011 emergency and are team leaders today. They say they want to make the job safer as workers face high radiation in parts of the plant. On the top floor of the No. 2 reactor, workers are setting up equipment to remove spent fuel units from the cooling pool. That’s set to begin within two to three years. At the No. 1 reactor, workers are putting up a giant roof to contain radioactive dust from decontamination work on the top floor ahead of the removal of spent fuel. To minimize exposure and increase efficiency, workers use a remote-controlled crane to attach pre-assembled parts, according to TEPCO. The No. 1 reactor and its surroundings are among the most contaminated parts of the plant. What’s next? Workers are also removing treated radioactive wastewater. They recently started dismantling the emptied water tanks to make room to build facilities needed for the research and storage of melted fuel debris. After a series of small missions by robots to gather samples, experts will determine a larger-scale method for removing melted fuel, first at the No. 3 reactor. Experts say the hard work and huge challenges of decommissioning the plant are just beginning. There are estimations that the work could take more than a century. The government and TEPCO have an initial completion target of 2051, but the retrieval of melted fuel debris is already three years behind, and many big issues remain undecided. Ide, whose home in Namie town, northwest of the plant, is in a no-go zone because of nuclear contamination, still has to put on a hazmat suit, even for brief visits home. “As a Fukushima citizen, I would like to make sure the decommissioning work is done properly so that people can return home without worries,” he said. This story has been corrected to remove erroneous reference to burns in the 2023 incident. —Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press View the full article

Managers’ favourite stocks tumble as market volatility surgesView the full article

An influx of copy-and-pasted Christian messages has recently taken over TikTok’s comment sections. Over the past several days, comments about Jesus Christ have surfaced among the top comments on a wide range of unrelated videos. There’s no obvious connection between the accounts posting them, but the pattern is hard to miss. “Jesus died on a cross for you. He defeated death, he defeated your sins. He did this for you, and he gave us the Holy Spirit. Spread the word,” reads one of the most frequently repeated comments. Others follow the same script: Jesus died for our sins, we’ve been given the Holy Spirit, and now it’s our job to evangelize. Some even admit to being copy-pasted, though the origin of the trend remains unclear. Anyone chronically online knows that TikTok’s comment section is part of the fun. But the sudden wave of Christian spam is wearing on some users. “I was just browsing TikTok in bed this morning before waking up and like you said it’s nearly EVERY video that has 10 or so of these comments,” one Reddit user wrote in the r/Christianity subreddit. “I have nothing against anyone who is religious or spiritual in any way but absolutely no one is trying to be preached at while they’re just browsing or walking down the street etc, idk what folks think this accomplishes.” Other Reddit users have attempted to solve the mystery by suggesting possible explanations. However, no one is certain if the religious messages come from bots, Christians, religious organizations or a combination. “Lotta money in the christian right’s been flooding endorsements and advertisers online, you use that money to artificially boost your followers, you appear at the top of youtube. ta daaaaa, you have created a zeitgeist,” one Reddit user theorised. “Bots, shills, paid comments, and bots and bots,” added another. As well as raising questions, the trend has sparked a number of satirical responses. An edited version of the comment, also appearing across viral TikTok videos, references NBA star LeBron James in the same comment format, instead of Jesus Christ. Regardless of where the trend started, religious content is booming across TikTok’s 1.9 billion global users. Videos featuring the app’s top five religious hashtags, including #Jesus, have amassed over 1.2 trillion views. Despite assumptions about waning faith, Gen Z is just as religious as older generations, according to Pew Research’s 2025 study—and on TikTok, the pulpit is louder than ever. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today, through the eyes of the Search Engine Roundtable and other search forums on the web. Google increased the negative keywords for PMax from 100 keywords to 10...View the full article

Optimized targeting is one default Google Ads feature that gets a ton of vitriol. Sure, it’s not the best choice for everyone. However, there are definite use cases for this automated targeting feature. Let’s explore: is optimized targeting your friend or foe in Google Ads? We’ll cover: What is optimized targeting in Google Ads? Which campaign types are compatible with optimized targeting? Which bid strategies are compatible with optimized targeting? Optimized targeting vs. Audience expansion Optimized targeting vs. Performance Max How to evaluate optimized targeting: is it working? Should you use optimized targeting? What is optimized targeting in Google Ads? The quick answer is this: optimized targeting turns your targeting into signals. The more detailed answer is this: Optimized targeting gives Google Ads permission to show your ads to whomever it thinks is most likely to convert, even if they don’t match your chosen audience or content targeting. While your targeting selections may be a starting point, Google takes those as “suggestions” and uses them as a starting point, but it’s free to roam outside those boundaries if it thinks it’ll find the right people for your business. Which campaign types are compatible with optimized targeting? Optimized targeting is turned on by default in Display campaigns and Demand Gen campaigns. In Display, optimized targeting will go beyond your content targeting (keywords, topics, placements) and/or audience targeting to find users who it thinks are likely to convert. In Demand Gen, optimized targeting will go beyond your audience targeting. Which bid strategies are compatible with optimized targeting? Because optimized targeting is focused on finding likely converters, it only works with conversion-focused smart bidding strategies. That means: Maximize Conversions. Maximize Conversion Value. Target CPA. Target ROAS. If you’re using a reach-focused or engagement-focused bid strategy, like Maximize clicks or Target CPV, then you may see a similar option called Audience expansion. Optimized targeting vs. Audience expansion Optimized targeting is no longer compatible with Video campaigns, since you can no longer run a conversion focused video campaign. Instead, you’ll find a feature called audience expansion. While it sounds similar to optimized targeting, it’s not the same thing. Audience expansion is all about reach. It lets Google show your ads to a broader audience, but it’s focused on views and engagement from that audience, not necessarily conversions. Optimized targeting vs. Performance Max If you’re familiar with Performance Max campaigns, you’ve already got a good grasp of optimized targeting. In Performance Max, you can provide audience signals and search themes, but ultimately, Google’s AI decides who to show your ads to. Optimized targeting works the same way. It’s how you can let Google’s AI find the most likely converters for your campaign. How to evaluate optimized targeting: is it working? If you want to see how your optimized targeting is performing vs your provided signals, head to Audiences, keywords and content > Audiences. You can compare the performance of your initial signals against what Google’s algorithm has found. For a broader view, check out Audience Insights under Insights and Reports > Insights. There, you’ll see which audiences were part of your original signals, which ones optimized targeting discovered, and how they compare. Should you use optimized targeting? For most Google Ads campaigns, you’re going to want to start with optimized targeting off. Make sure you turn it off during the campaign setup process, or go into your ad group settings to turn it off in an existing campaign. If your campaign is not achieving your conversion goals, it could be because: You aren’t reaching the right audience. Your ad creative is not enticing to your audience. Your landing page is not effectively guiding your audience to conversion. Your offer doesn’t match the audience’s wants or needs. Optimized targeting can help you test issue number 1, to see if perhaps you’re just not reaching the right audience with your ads. Turn it on, give it at least 2 weeks or 50 conversions (whichever comes first), and then decide whether it’s helping or hurting performance. In a nutshell, optimized targeting can help you get more conversions and/or get more efficient conversions. It’s not magic, though. In order to work effectively, you’ll still need the Google Ads fundamentals: accurate conversion tracking, standout creative, an excellent landing page, and a compelling offer. This article is part of our ongoing weekly Search Engine Land series, Everything you need to know about Google Ads in less than 3 minutes. Every Wednesday, Jyll highlights a different Google Ads feature, and what you need to know to get the best results from it – all in a quick 3-minute read. View the full article

Individual refunds are up 6 percent. By Beth Bellor Go PRO for members-only access to more Beth Bellor. View the full article

Individual refunds are up 6 percent. By Beth Bellor Go PRO for members-only access to more Beth Bellor. View the full article

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is set to slash its workforce by more than half, eliminating over 1,300 positions as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to downsize the federal government. President Donald Trump has characterized the Department of Education as being influenced by “radical zealots and Marxists,” and Education Secretary Linda McMahon has publicly acknowledged that the recent workforce reductions at the department are part of a broader plan to dismantle the department entirely. McMahon claims that the recent workforce reduction aims to enhance efficiency and redirect resources. “Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” she said in a statement. Partisan divide Despite these assurances, the layoffs affect employees in roles crucial to ensuring compliance with federal education laws, handling student loan oversight, and supporting programs for low-income students and those with disabilities. Critics warn that reducing staff at this scale could significantly weaken the department’s ability to uphold equal access to education. A new nationally representative poll commissioned by New America, a nonpartisan think tank based in Washington, D.C., and conducted by Voss Research and Strategy found that most Americans oppose eliminating the Department of Education. The survey revealed that 55% of American adults are against the idea, while only 25% support it, and 17 % remain unsure. The poll also highlighted a stark partisan divide: 89% of Democrats oppose eliminating the department while 51%of Republicans support the move. Independents lean against the cuts as well, with 54% opposing the proposal. Uncertain future for education oversight The cuts at the Education Department are part of a broader effort that has impacted multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration, with employees reporting increased pressure to accept buyouts. The long-term impact of these cuts remains uncertain. While the administration argues that these reductions will create a leaner, more effective government, many question whether slashing the Education Department’s workforce will hinder its ability to serve students, schools, and borrowers. Surely not the path to greatness? View the full article

The center-right Demokraatit Party won the most votes in a surprising result in Greenland’s parliamentary elections, held in the shadow of U.S. President Donald Trump’s stated goal of taking control of the island one way or another. Both Demokraatit, or the Democrats, and the second-place finisher Naleraq, or Point of Orientation, favor Greenland’s independence from Denmark but differ on the pace of change. Demokraatit won nearly 30% of the vote, compared to just 9% in the election four years ago, Greenlandic Broadcasting Corporation KNR TV reported. Naleraq came in second with almost 25% of the vote. In the 2021 election, they received just under 12%, according to KNR TV. Demokraatit’s upset victory over parties that have governed the territory for years indicated many in Greenland care just as much about health care, education, cultural heritage and other social policies. “I think this is a historic result in Greenland’s political history,” Demokraatit party leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen said. Nielsen, 33, appeared to be surprised by his party’s gains, with photos showing him sporting a huge grin and applauding at the election party. The Danish Broadcasting Corporation DR reported that Nielsen said his party would reach out to all other parties to negotiate the future political course for Greenland. “We had not expected that the election would have this outcome,” Nielsen said, according to KNR TV. “We are very happy.” Nielsen also said that Greenland needs to stand together “in a time of great interest from outside,” KNR TV reported. Prime Minister Mute Bourup Egede had called the early vote in February, saying the country needed to be united during a “serious time” unlike anything Greenland has ever experienced. On Wednesday, after the results were known, Egede thanked voters in a Facebook post for turning out and said the parties were ready to turn to negotiations to form a government. His party, Inuit Ataqatigiit, or United Inuit, received 21% of the vote. This is a significant decline from the last election, when the party came in strongest with 36% of the vote, according to KNR TV. Inuit Ataqatigiit had been widely expected to win, followed by Siumut — two parties which had dominated Greenland’s politics in recent years. Siumut came in fourth with 14% of the vote. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen congratulated the Demokraatit party and said the future Greenlandic government would likely have to “deal with massive pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump,” according to DR. He added that “it’s not the case that you can just take part of the Danish Realm — the future of Greenland is based on what the Greenlandic people and government want,” DR reported. Trump has been outspoken about his desire to control Greenland, telling a joint session of Congress last week that he thought the U.S. was going to get it “one way or the other.” Greenland, a self-governing region of Denmark, straddles strategic air and sea routes in the North Atlantic and has rich deposits of the rare earth minerals needed to make everything from mobile phones to renewable energy technology. A break from Denmark wasn’t on the ballot, but it was on everyone’s mind. The island of 56,000 people has been on a path toward independence since at least 2009, and the 31 lawmakers elected will shape the island’s future as it debates whether the time has come to declare independence. Four of the five main parties in the race sought independence, but disagreed on when and how. Naleraq is the most aggressively pro-independence, while Demokraatit favors a more moderate pace of change. “What approach to independence will win the day will ultimately depend on if Demokraatit decides to form a coalition government, and if so, with which party,” said Dwayne Menezes, managing director of the Polar Research and Policy Initiative. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called the election “a joyful day and a celebration of democracy” in a statement released Wednesday. Frederiksen congratulated Demokraatit on the win and said the Danish government would await the results of coalition negotiations. —Danica Kirka, Associated Press 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. If you’re looking for an outdoor security camera that doesn’t need constant battery swaps or a monthly subscription, the Eufy SoloCam S40 might be worth considering—especially now that it's $99.99 (down from its usual $199). This battery-powered camera comes with a built-in solar panel, which, according to Eufy, only needs two hours of direct sunlight daily to stay charged. That’s the kind of low-maintenance setup we want, but as with all solar-powered devices, real-world performance depends on actual sunlight exposure, so if you live somewhere gloomy or have lots of shade, you might run into trouble. Setup is straightforward, with built-in wifi allowing it to connect directly to your router without requiring a base station (but that also means you’ll need a strong signal wherever you install it). Eufy Security SoloCam S40 $99.99 at Walmart $199.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal Get Deal $99.99 at Walmart $199.99 Save $100.00 Security features are solid. The 90dB siren can be activated remotely if an intruder is spotted, and the two-way audio lets you communicate with visitors—or warn off unwanted ones. AI-powered motion detection helps cut down false alerts by recognizing whether movement is from a person or something else, and custom activity zones allow you to filter notifications to specific areas. Unlike many competing security cameras, the SoloCam S40 doesn’t require a subscription to access past recordings. Instead, it comes with 8GB of built-in storage. However, HomeKit isn’t supported, which might be a dealbreaker if you’re deep into Apple’s ecosystem. On the plus side, Alexa and Google Assistant integration means you can view the live feed on a smart display or include the camera in automation routines. The IP67-rated build of the SoloCam S40 means it can handle rain and dust, while its 130-degree field of view provides decent coverage. When motion is detected, you’ll get instant alerts on your smartphone and access to a 2K video feed through the Eufy Security app. The app also lets you tweak motion settings and review recordings, among other controls. Day or night, footage is recorded in color, thanks to its 600-lumen floodlight, though this light can only be set to trigger on motion detection or be manually turned on via the app—it won’t stay on for general illumination (something to consider if you were hoping to use it as a permanent fixture for illuminating a driveway or entryway). View the full article

A well-funded AI lab with a deep bench of research talent is releasing a powerful new model that generates high-definition video for the film and advertising industries. The company, Moonvalley, on Wednesday launched its first model, named Marey—a nod to early cinema pioneer Étienne-Jules Marey—which could soon help Hollywood studios dramatically speed up production and cut costs. What sets Marey apart—and has caught the attention of risk-averse studios—is its training data. The model was trained exclusively on video content either owned or fairly licensed by Moonvalley, avoiding the copyright gray zones that make much generative content legally fraught. Moonvalley is rolling out Marey to a group of 20 trusted filmmakers, some of whom work for major, household-name studios (whose names haven’t been disclosed), according to cofounder and CEO Naeem Talukdar. The version being released is still early-stage, with regular updates and new features planned. The key differentiator, Talukdar says, is Marey’s native high-definition output—something that’s been notoriously difficult to achieve. “The challenge is that if you want to output in high definition, your inputs have to be in high definition, so you need to be able to train the model on HD footage,” he says. In other words: It demands lots of powerful servers. By contrast, Talukdar says, most other video generation models are trained on lower-quality 480p or 720p video—and even then, they often compress the data before encoding. That compromises the model’s understanding of fine-grained detail, leading to uncanny or distorted outputs (like misrendered fingers). Marey is designed to overcome that. It’s also operated differently. Unlike most consumer-facing video generators that start with text prompts, Marey is tailored for professional workflows. Filmmakers can input storyboards or keyframes; actors can film demo reels on their phones, which producers can then use to generate scenes showing the actor from different angles or performing new movements. The model can make subtle edits, like changing the direction of wind in a character’s hair, or adjusting production-quality scenes—filling in background details or background characters (commonly played by extras). Moonvalley is also running pilot programs with brands looking to train the model on their own imagery and style guidelines. That could allow companies to generate broadcast-quality commercials on demand. “We have a number of smaller boutique brands who suddenly are like, ‘Hey, I can go and make a Super Bowl commercial,’” Talukdar says. The startup raised a $70 million seed round last year, backed by Bessemer Venture Partners, Khosla Ventures, and General Catalyst. Vinod Khosla is described as an “unofficial” member of the board. Beyond the top-tier investors, Moonvalley has serious R&D chops. Cofounders Mateusz Malinowski and Mikołaj Bińkowski previously led video research at DeepMind and helped develop the model that later became Google’s Veo 2 video generator. The team includes six other DeepMind alumni, alongside talent from Meta, Microsoft, Google, TikTok, and Snap. While Talukdar acknowledges that AI tools like Marey could lower production costs, he insists it’s certainly not the beginning of the end for actors—or filmmakers. Budgets, he argues, aren’t likely to shrink; instead, creators will use the savings to pursue bigger, more ambitious ideas. “I think you’re going to see new jobs,” he says. “And more importantly, I think what this is really going to do is empower the creators more than anybody else.” View the full article

For several years now, pharmacies have faced economic challenges, from falling foot traffic to increased online competition. This has led many major pharmacy chains, including Walgreens, CVS, and Rite Aid, to shutter locations and reduce their footprint. As a matter of fact, over the past decade, the United States has lost nearly 30% of its drugstores. But falling foot traffic and increased online competition aren’t the only things leading to a swath of drug store closures across America. New research from the nonprofit American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) shows that in the past three months alone, the United States has seen another 326 pharmacies close. And the report argues that the reason for those closures comes down to Congress’s abandonment of pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform. What is a pharmacy benefit manager? The term “pharmacy benefit manager,” better known by its acronym PBM, was little known outside of industry circles until last year, despite PBMs being a major part of America’s privatized healthcare system. A PBM is an entity that acts as a middleman between insurance companies and drugmakers. There are three major PBMs in America, run by UnitedHealth Group, Cigna Group, and CVS Health Corporation. PBMs help negotiate drug rebates from manufacturers, which PBM companies argue helps lower the cost of drugs for consumers. But this is often disputed. As Fast Company previously reported, the Center for American Progress (CAP) has noted that because PBMs may retain a portion of the rebate they negotiate and also may receive more money from an insurer than the drug is worth, the involvement of PBMs in the American healthcare system may be actually leading to higher drug costs overall. Fast Company reached out to all three major PBMs for comment on AELP’s report. We’ll update this post if we hear back. Report says PBMs are harming pharmacies PBMs also have a negative impact on pharmacies themselves, according to AELP. The report says that since the three major PBMs control 80% of U.S. prescription drug claims, they are able “to demand untenably lower reimbursement rates from independent pharmacies in exchange for inclusion in their networks.” AELP says many pharmacies choose to accept the lower reimbursement rates “for fear of losing access to a large share of their customer base.” The untenable rates, the nonprofit continues, “are accelerating the pharmacy closure epidemic.” It supports its arguments by providing a list of 326 pharmacies across America that have closed since December 19, when lawmakers effectively abandoned plans for PBM reform. Between December 19, 2024, and February 28, 2025, at least 237 independent pharmacies and 89 chain pharmacies have shut their doors. And since January 1, 2024, when AELP began tracking closures, at least 3,179 pharmacies have closed for good. AELP says that the closures, which it attributes to PBM practices, don’t just impact the pharmacy store owners and workers but the local community as a whole. “As predicted, without Congressional intervention, the Big Three PBMs have continued to abuse their market power, squeezing at least 326 pharmacies—237 of them independent—out of business in fewer than 10 weeks and stranding their most vulnerable patients in pharmacy deserts without access to lifesaving care,” said Emma Freer, AELP’s senior policy analyst for healthcare. PBM reform abandoned The December 19, 2024, date that AELP is using as a starting point for tracking the latest pharmacy closures is a significant one. In 2024, PBMs started coming under increased scrutiny as drug costs in America continued to rise. This scrutiny had bipartisan support, with both Democratic and Republican lawmakers introducing legislation to rein in the unchecked operations of PBMs. But then, any bipartisan legislation that was being worked on fell through when, on December 19, “Congress abandoned bipartisan, bicameral PBM reforms as part of a stopgap spending bill,” AELP notes. In the lead-up to December 19, Elon Musk suddenly began tweeting his opposition to PBM reform. As AELP’s Freer notes, “Despite later admitting that he does not know what a pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) is, Elon Musk successfully tanked PBM reforms with nearly unanimous House support late last year.” The American Economic Liberties Project is releasing its report about the pharmacy closures in the wake of the abandonment of PBM reform to highlight just how needed such reform is for the survival of independent pharmacies and the ability for Americans to access the drugs they need at a price that is both fair and affordable. As Freer states, “it is critical that Congress stand up to these healthcare monopolist middlemen and pass structural PBM reforms that will save their constituents’ time, money, and lives.” View the full article

Satellite-based disaster monitoring has been a slow and tedious process for decades. The process consists of capturing images, transmitting them back to Earth, and relying on human analysts to interpret the data. This often led to first responders receiving critical information, often too late to act effectively. But AI is now revolutionizing satellite operations in space, aiding real-time image processing and autonomous decision-making. NASA’s latest space venture focuses on AI-powered autonomous satellites that can operate without human oversight. In collaboration with Ireland-based satellite intelligence startup Ubotica, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has developed Dynamic Targeting, an AI-driven system that allows satellites to process image data onboard, potentially enhancing disaster response. Dynamic Targeting was recently tested in real-world scenarios, including the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles and the Valencia floods. The AI system was integrated in CogniSAT-6 satellite, a 6-unit cubesat developed by Ubotica and NASA JPL, and autonomously processed data onboard and transmitted insights to Earth within minutes. At the core of CogniSAT-6 lies Live Earth Intelligence (LEI)—Ubotica’s onboard processing platform that integrates AI agents into Earth observation satellites. Paired with SPACE:AI, an end-to-end vision processing framework, the architecture transforms conventional satellites into always-connected observers, enabling rapid decision-making. “With LEI, we can quickly deploy and run AI models from third parties directly in orbit. By leveraging Inter-Satellite Links (ISL), these insights reach the right people faster, ensuring critical information gets where it’s needed, exactly when it’s needed,” Fintan Buckley, CEO of Ubotica, told Fast Company. “We’re at an inflection point. Satellites will no longer just observe; they’ll analyse, interpret, and respond in real time.” Dynamic Targeting: The Future of AI-Powered Earth Observation CogniSAT-6’s Dynamic Targeting system can analyze lookahead images in as little as 50 seconds. Buckley added that if one satellite can’t capture the image due to cloud cover, the AI system alerts others to try on their next pass, removing the need for operators to retask satellites manually. In mixed constellations, the system can even switch to radar imaging (SAR) when clouds are an issue, ensuring data is still collected. “With Dynamic Targeting, the satellite first takes a quick, low-resolution ‘look-ahead’ image, and onboard AI analyzes it for cloud cover. If the target area is clear, the satellite locks on and captures a high-resolution image. If not, it discards the request, conserving bandwidth and storage,” explained Buckley. During the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, identifying smoke plumes through autonomous imaging allowed emergency teams to monitor the fire’s spread effectively. Likewise, during the Valencia floods, the AI swiftly estimated that 21% of the observed area near Valencia was flooded, and sent down accurate flood data immediately to Earth. “AI-powered satellites can analyze a scene and deliver insights to the ground within minutes, making Earth observation viable in situations where other imaging methods fall short,” said Buckley. “These satellites will soon be integrated with insights from other sources to create an accurate, up to date, view of the situation on the ground to support the responders to manage the situation.” The partnership between Ubotica and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) began in 2022, when they collaborated to test AI-driven image processing aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Under a $632,000 contract with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in California, Ubotica is currently preparing for the first live in-orbit test of Dynamic Targeting in early 2025 through CogniSAT-6. U.S. vs. China: The Geopolitical Race for Space Intelligence While NASA and Ubotica are pushing the boundaries of satellite technology, they face competition from China. The country has been aggressively deploying its own AI-powered Earth observation satellites, Tiantuo and Zhuhai. Operated by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and commercial partner Zhuhai Orbita, has already incorporated AI-driven image processing similar to NASA JPL’s initiatives. The geopolitical implications of this race are profound, as autonomous satellites can also provide strategic intelligence on environmental changes, maritime security, and even military movements. NASA JPL and Ubotica, however, are actively collaborating with defense agencies across the U.S. and Europe, to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness. Their AI-powered satellites are playing a crucial role in securing maritime assets such as underwater cables, offshore wind farms, and detecting suspicious vessel activity. “It is important to safeguard the vast network of underwater high-speed communication cables, as they often subject to accidental or deliberate damage,” Buckley added. “The key is to identify and warn off vessels before any damage occurs, and if an incident happens, track and hold the offending vessel accountable.” However, this leap in technology also raises critical questions about the reliability of AI decision-making in life-or-death situations. Can AI be Trusted Without Human Oversight? Traditionally, Earth observation has relied on human judgment to verify and interpret satellite data. AI-powered autonomous systems could misclassify minor weather shifts as emergencies or overlook critical events due to biased training data. Despite these concerns, Buckley claims that AI autonomy is inevitable. “Human oversight will eventually become obsolete,” Buckley told Fast Company. “But like almost every other disruptive technology, it will take much longer than anticipated for this to happen.” To mitigate AI errors, Ubotica’s Dynamic Targeting system integrates multiple safeguards through its Live Earth Intelligence (LEI) framework. “A built-in Neural Network Supervisor constantly monitors AI outputs, discarding insights that fall outside trained parameters. The system also cross-validates insights by incorporating data from multiple sources rather than relying solely on satellite imagery,” he explained. The system ensures continuous learning and improvement by actively selecting images to enhance future model performance. NASA’s bet on AI is a bold leap into uncharted territory that could redefine how we monitor our planet and respond to crises. As Buckley explained, AI’s role isn’t just about analyzing satellite imagery; it’s about coordinating real-time responses. “With Dynamic Targeting, we can command other satellites in a constellation to provide real-time updates as a fire develops. Could this capability extend to drones responding to wildfires? Absolutely.” View the full article

The British government on Wednesday called the Trump administration’s tariffs on global steel and aluminum imports “disappointing,” but said that it won’t impose retaliatory measures. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, however, did not rule out future tariffs on U.S. imports and said he would “continue to engage closely and productively with the U.S. to press the case for U.K. business interests.” “We will keep all options on the table and won’t hesitate to respond in the national interest,” Reynolds said. Treasury Minister James Murray echoed that, telling Times Radio: “We reserve our right to retaliate.” Britain is not part of the European Union, which Wednesday announced import taxes on American goods, ranging from steel and aluminum to bourbon, peanut butter, and jeans in response to Trump’s move. Center-left U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has worked to build strong ties with President Donald Trump, in hope of avoiding the tariffs levied on many other U.S. trading partners. After a meeting last month at the White House, Trump and Starmer said their governments would work on sealing a long-elusive U.S.-U.K. trade deal. Reynolds said the government remains “focused on a pragmatic approach and are rapidly negotiating a wider economic agreement with the U.S. to eliminate additional tariffs and to benefit U.K. businesses and our economy.” The tariffs are a new blow for Britain’s once-mighty steel industry, which has shrunk dramatically from its 1970s peak and now accounts for 0.1% of the economy. Thousands of jobs are due to be lost at the country’s biggest steelworks, at Port Talbot in Wales, as owner Tata Steel tries to make the unprofitable plant leaner and greener. Trade body UK Steel said that in 2024, Britain exported 180,000 metric tons (198,000 U.S. tons) of steel to the United States, about 7% of the U.K.’s total steel exports by volume and 9% by value. The aluminum industry says the U.S. market accounts for 10% of U.K. exports. —Jill Lawless, Associated Press View the full article

As an agency owner, you need skills to write content that your clients and audiences will love. Luckily, you can learn how to do it with proper steps and helpful tools. Here, we’ll discuss how to plan, write, and optimize the content work for your clients. If you have your process down, you’ll easily create content that aligns with the client’s needs and brings in results. One of the tools we’ll use is the Yoast SEO plugin, which helps your content production. Table of contents Understanding what makes content valuable Strategic planning is the foundation Ideation and content planning Optimize your writing for readability Using Yoast SEO in your content process Inspiring through actionable content Wrapping up Understanding what makes content valuable Good content always has a goal — it could answer questions, solve problems, or offer critical information. If readers find your clients’ content valuable, they will likely feel listened to. They will understand that the advice and ideas are meant for them, which helps you build a bond with them. Writing valuable, high-quality content isn’t just for filling your client’s websites but a way to help and inspire them to improve their business. There are many options to get results from the content you produce for your clients. So, what are some of the more popular goals you can target with your client’s content? Building brand recognition: Share brand stories and values so people understand who your clients are. Teaching the audience: Create articles and videos showing how products and services work. Getting leads: Write content to get people to subscribe, download items, or contact your client. Driving traffic: If your client’s content is valuable, readers will likely click on their site. Increasing engagement: Make content to spark conversations and get feedback. Keep writing focused and clear, with your eyes on the ball. You should focus intently on your clients’ current issues, challenges, and opportunities. Take the time to write well-researched pieces, as these can empower your readers. Once you do this, they will likely see your clients as subject matter experts they can trust. Straightforward, high-quality content can inspire readers and bring much value to you as an agency. Strategic planning is the foundation Much of the writing process is about planning. Before you write for your clients, clearly define the goals for that content piece. Find out what questions your clients’ customers are struggling with and how your answers can help them. Research their target audience to understand their daily struggles. This way, you can make your content much more relevant to readers. It’s advisable to spend plenty of time doing keyword research. This process is very helpful, giving you many insights into your client’s audience and the words they use to find things. Ultimately, these findings will help you build content strategies for your clients. The next step is to create a content plan. First, make a simple calendar or a list of topics your client wants to cover. Your plan will guide them and help them keep track of their audience’s themes and recurring concerns. Don’t forget to use tools that integrate directly into their content. For instance, the Yoast SEO plugin has integrated keyword research features — among many other great features. It can highlight keywords and trends related to current topics, which will help your clients plan the current piece of content but could also inform the next. Ideation and content planning After researching, it’s time to start generating ideas for your client’s content. Don’t tie yourself up too much; brainstorm freely. Write down every topic that pops up and then organize these ideas to match the client’s needs. Mind mapping is a fantastic way to sort and visualize these ideas. Of course, you can always use a simple list or whatever works for you. Seeing these ideas together helps your client see the connection between them. Before starting to write, it’s a good idea to think about the structure of the content. Break down the article into introductions, main sections, and conclusions. This way, it’s easier to structure the content and keep the writing focused and readable. From there, write and edit the first draft — editing helps the content shine. Optimize your writing for readability Good writing is all about clarity. Use direct language and try to avoid passive voice. Vary your sentence length to keep the client’s articles engaging. Start with a bold statement or an inverted pyramid-style intro. In the rest of the article, use detailed explanations to build on and prove the main point. Read more: SEO copywriting: the ultimate guide Format your client’s text to improve readability. Always use headers to introduce new sections and short paragraphs to make it easier for readers to follow the ideas. The same goes for using lists and bullet points to break up walls of text. Make sure that every element of your client’s layout allows the reader to understand your writing quickly. During this phase, you also need to consider on-page SEO optimizations. Watch how you use your focus keywords and logically structure your client’s content. As you might know, Yoast SEO is a fantastic tool for this. It gives you feedback on sentences, passive voice use, and keyword use and distribution. As a result, this feedback helps publish high-quality content, especially under a tight deadline. Read more: What is high-quality content and how do you create it? Using Yoast SEO in your content process Yoast SEO is an SEO plugin/add-on for WordPress, Shopify, and WooCommerce. It’s designed with simplicity in mind while also offering a solid set of SEO features. It also lives within your post editor to give you feedback on your writing. For instance, it offers real-time suggestions on how you use keywords and the structure of your article. Thanks to this, you can focus on the writing part without sacrificing the SEO and technical aspects of making content your clients will love. Yoast SEO is an industry standard for agencies. It’s a helpful tool that guides users in writing engaging, valuable content for all clients. As it’s aimed at ease of use, the feedback is practical and insightful. Also, Yoast SEO Premium comes with AI-powered suggestions that make this process even easier. Using this SEO plugin in your agency helps you build a consistent content process to write, review, and optimize high-quality content. Inspiring through actionable content Help your readers out and show how little things can make a big difference. Don’t forget to give your clients the tools and processes needed to succeed. For instance, share your best practices and guidelines for writing content and creating the valuable material everyone seeks. Share stories of how your agency helped clients reach their content goals, as these insights help potential new clients choose you over the competition. Inspiration can come from many places, but it’s not always a given. When you get inspired, your client’s content can reach a whole new level. Content can also reach new heights when writing with a clear purpose and using tools that support your writing process. This way, you can turn a simple set of ideas into content your clients will love. Wrapping up Creating content your client loves depends on many things, especially having good plans, writing clearly, and regular improvements. As always, everything starts with research to build a solid plan. After that, start creating relevant content for your clients with clear writing and text structure. Finally, optimize your work with helpful tools like the Yoast SEO plugin, which gives relevant feedback and improvements. You should also treat it as a learning process and improve as you go. This way, your clients eventually have a solid foundation that gets more engagement and deeper connections with their audience. Try it out and see how it can change your client’s next project. Every article will strengthen your client relationship while showing your expertise and experience. The post How to write valuable content that your clients will love appeared first on Yoast. View the full article

In a positive sign for the economy, headline inflation slowed in February. But the reading alone likely is not enough to break the Federal Open Market Committee out of its wait-and-see mode. View the full article

Wix introduces new Automations to help businesses turn customer actions into revenue and stronger engagement The post New Wix Automations Makes It Easy To Grow Revenue And Engagement appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Microsoft's released its monthly Patch Tuesday update for March 2025 to fix 57 bugs across Windows, Office, Azure, and other Microsoft systems. Seven of the patches address zero-day vulnerabilities, six of which have been actively exploited. According to Bleeping Computer, this month's update fixes 23 elevation of privilege flaws, three security feature bypass flaws, 23 remote code execution flaws, four information disclosure flaws, one denial of service flaw, and three spoofing flaws. Microsoft also released patches to numerous vulnerabilities in Mariner and Microsoft Edge this month. Patch Tuesday fixes for MarchSeven of the flaws fixed were zero-day vulnerabilities, which allow bad actors to exploit systems before an official patch is released by developers. In this case, six of the seven zero-day vulnerabilities were actively exploited, while one was publicly exposed—so it's only a matter of time before actors exploit this seventh vulnerability, as well. Two of the six active exploits (CVE-2025-24985 and CVE-2025-24993) are remote code execution vulnerabilities, through which attackers trick users into mounting a malicious VHD file to run code remotely. One affects the Windows Fast FAT System Driver, while the other is a flaw in Windows NTFS. Two of the active exploits are information disclosure vulnerabilities, both in Windows NTFS. CVE-2025-24984 allows bad actors with physical access to a device to read memory and steal data when a malicious USB drive is inserted, while CVE-2025-24991 is exploited when a user mounts a malicious VHD file. Finally, there's CVE-2025-24983, a vulnerability in the Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem that allows local attackers to gain system privileges on a device, and CVE-2025-26633, a security feature bypass vulnerability in the Microsoft Management Console. Microsoft says most of the exploited zero-days flaws were disclosed anonymously, though CVE-2025-24983 was identified by ESET and CVE-2025-26633 by Trend Micro. The publicly disclosed zero-day—labeled CVE-2025-26630 and discovered by Unpatched.ai—allows remote code execution in Microsoft Office Access if the user opens a file sent via a phishing or social engineering attack. Microsoft also released patches for six other "critical" vulnerabilities affecting Microsoft Office, Remote Desktop Client, Windows Domain Name Service, Windows Remote Desktop Services, and Windows Subsystem for Linux Kernel. How to install Microsoft's latest security updatesMicrosoft releases its Patch Tuesday fixes on the second Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. PT and pushes notifications and security updates to users if needed. Windows and Microsoft security updates generally download and install automatically on your PC. To ensure your PC is updated, go to Start > Settings > Windows Update, and select Check for Windows updates. View the full article