ResidentialBusiness

More accurate translations seem to be making their way to Google Translate, as first spotted by 9to5Google. While Lifehacker has not been able to confirm this independently, the publication says some of its iOS devices now show an option to pick an "Advanced" translation model in the Google Translate app. The new model shows up as an option in a model picker at the top of the page, similar to the Gemini app, and advertises "High accuracy for complex translations." Engadget was also able to get the model picker to appear, where the Advanced model said it "specializes in accuracy using Gemini." Those wishing to use the old translation tools can instead continue to use the "Fast" model. Alongside the introduction of an AI-learning tool competing with Duolingo back in August, the new model further cements Google Translate as an AI-powered app, with the idea being that incorporating the LLM will allow for translations of longer, more context-sensitive work. Advanced translations, limited language supportFor now, , the Advanced translation model does come with a few limitations. First, it only supports text translation, so no holding your phone out to a native speaker and recording what they say. Second, it only supports "select languages." While 9to5Google does not clarify which languages the Advanced Model works with, Engadget's report says that it currently only works between English and French, or English and Spanish. The publication also tested an excerpt from a French play with the new model, saying that while the Fast model gave a more literal word-for-word translation, the Advanced model was more accurate, taking into account the passage's nuance and better translating an idiom that the old tools missed. While the Advanced model is a more explicit AI addition, it is not the first time the Google Translate app has used AI to translate text. In August, Google said it had already started using "Gemini models in Translate," and the company has been experimenting with its implementation since 2016, saying that AI translation "reduced translation errors by an average of 60%." Still, it marks more choice for those with access to it, and a greater commitment to bring new AI tools to the app. The update is still rolling outUnfortunately, it seems like it'll take some time to roll out fully, as I currently don't see it on any of my devices. I've contacted Google for an update on when the Advanced model is likely to reach all users. View the full article

A reader writes: Our local business group/Chamber of Commerce had a luncheon today to hand out awards to the business community. My business was nominated and picked for an award. As I only have four employees, I closed the business for the afternoon and had them join me for the lunch and award ceremony. As the luncheon was finishing up, I left the room to go get my picture taken with the other award winners and then left. I had let my employees know they could leave at anytime and would see them tomorrow. Shortly after I got back to my office, I received a text from a fellow friend/business owner, saying I had better check out the Chamber’s Facebook page. When I looked, to my horror there were multiple comments and pictures about a lady who had almost physically cornered our mayor and a state representative and was getting very vocal in her questions and her opinions to them about some political hot topics. It was “Teena,” who works for me! I am beyond embarrassed. Luckily, she wasn’t wearing one of our company’s logo shirts, so just looking at the pictures you may not know who she works for, but I am sure word got around to who her employer is and I am worried her actions will hurt my business’ reputation in the community. I am not so naïve that I don’t realize some political talk goes on at this event (I myself had talked to others about an unpopular decision the city council had made about closing a parking lot for redevelopment and how that would affect business owners near the lot), but I didn’t get into a loud argument with anybody. Is there anything I can or should do about this situation with her? Her actions were outside the office but were at a company event that she was getting paid to attend. Any suggestions for “damage control” if I get questioned about my employee’s actions or I lose an account(s) over what she did? I’m all for people asking questions of their elected representatives, and there are certainly things happening that warrant being impassioned about those topics — but the time to get into it with legislators is not when you are being paid to attend an event on behalf of your employer. I suspect that distinction was completely lost on Teena, and it’s reasonable to have a conversation with her to explain it. Sample wording: “You’re of course welcome to advocate for your political views and to lobby our legislators on any issues you’re concerned with, but when you are attending an event as part of your job, you are there as a representative of our business, and your actions reflect on us. You can bow out of attending those events in the future if you don’t want to be constrained in that way, but you cannot accost legislators at events you’re attending for work or in situations where you will be perceived as representing the company.” As for damage control if it comes up with others, it depends on exactly what she was saying and how poorly it reflects on your company. If it was something wildly offensive to your average person, you have a different problem than if it was more mundane. For the latter you could simply say, “She misunderstood that she was attending as an employee, not a private citizen, and it won’t happen again.” The post my employee chewed out local officials at a business event appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Apple has reportedly selected Google to power the next generation of Siri through a partnership neither company plans to publicly acknowledge. The post Report: Apple To Lean On Google Gemini For Siri Overhaul appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

The security of a popular wifi router brand is under scrutiny from multiple federal agencies, and devices could be pulled from shelves in the United States in the future. According to reporting from the Washington Post, the US Department of Commerce has proposed a ban on routers from TP-Link Systems, a move that has now received support from Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and Defense. What is the issue with TP-Link?The proposal reportedly stems from security concerns with routers sold by TP-Link Systems, which is in California but was spun off from the Chinese-based TP-Link Technologies. Commerce officials have warned that the devices handle sensitive data and may be subject to influence by the Chinese government. For example, there is concern that TP-Link is required to provide information to Chinese intelligence agencies and central government, which could in turn force software updates that compromise user data. (It is important to note that U.S.-based TP-Link Systems disputes this and says that only U.S. engineers can push patches to devices owned by U.S. customers.) The interagency review of TP-Link actually began during the Biden administration—and this isn't the first action the federal government has taken against tech companies that have foreign ties. In June 2024, the Commerce Department banned sales of antivirus software from Russia's Kaspersky Lab to U.S. consumers. Is my TP-Link router affected?Again, the proposal under consideration could ban future sales of TP-Link Systems routers to U.S. users. Existing devices from TP-Link have been targeted by threat actors and been subject to zero-day vulnerabilities, including a flaw that allowed full takeover. Of course, most internet-connected devices are vulnerable to hackers, and while some security experts express caution when it comes to TP-Link, there isn't unilateral support for tossing your router ASAP. Instead, you should continue to follow security best practices to protect your home network, such as changing default login credentials, enabling protective features like a firewall and encryption, and keeping your device's firmware up to date. If you do need to purchase a new router—if you stop renting from your internet service provider, for example—you might consider a different brand. Some estimates suggest that TP-Link's home routers make up as much as half of the market in the U.S. (though others put the numbers much lower). Many of those devices are sold or leased through ISPs. View the full article

Want more housing market stories from Lance Lambert’s ResiClub in your inbox? Subscribe to the ResiClub newsletter. D.R. Horton, America’s largest homebuilder, is doubling down on mortgage rate buydowns to keep its sales volumes up amidst an affordability-strained housing market. On its October 28 earnings call, the builder said 73% of its homebuyers in fiscal Q4 2025 received a mortgage rate buydown—up slightly from 72% in the previous quarter. “As we anticipated on our last call, we did expect to lean in more heavily to the offering of 3.99% [mortgage rate buydown],” said Jessica Hansen, D.R. Horton’s senior vice president of investor relations. “That is something that we’ve been doing, and we saw the mortgage rate in our backlog come down. It’s actually below 5% today coming into this quarter.” For D.R. Horton’s buyers—many of whom are first-time homeowners—the monthly payment remains the decisive factor. “The most attractive monthly payment we can put them in is with a lower rate,” said CEO Paul Romanowski. “It’s a benefit to the homeowner over time in terms of paying down more of their principal.” The strategy has come at a cost: incentive spending—including mortgage rate buydowns. The company’s gross margin on home sales fell to 20% in Q4 2025, down from 23.6% in Q4 2024 and well below the 26.9% in Q4 2021. Indeed, increased incentive spending accounted for 61% of D.R. Horton’s recent margin compression in Q4, while higher litigation costs made up another 33%. The incentives appear to be working. Net new orders rose 5% year-over-year in Q4 to 20,078—up from 19,035 a year earlier—demonstrating D.R. Horton’s ability to maintain sales momentum despite affordability headwinds. However, its backlog continues to shrink as the builder intentionally slows housing starts to better align inventory levels and capitalize on easing construction costs. Regionally, D.R. Horton pointed to softness in parts of Florida, including Jacksonville and Southwest Florida, where excess inventory has weighed on absorption rates. The company also described Texas as “choppy” and California as “a bit of a struggle,” while noting signs of stability across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Even with new tariffs and immigration policy headlines, the company said material and labor costs remain under control—down 1% quarter-over-quarter and 1.5% year-over-year. Many giant homebuilders are crediting softer housing starts for helping offset policy-related cost pressures. ResiClub PRO members can read our full D.R. Horton analysis here. View the full article

AI is transforming legacy modernization efforts as Wells Fargo builds systems for agents to take on humanlike tasks and interact with one another. View the full article

Reforming the benefits system is vital to avoid ever-rising taxesView the full article

In an era where digital transformation is not just an option but a necessity, PayPal is making significant strides towards reshaping ecommerce through its collaboration with NVIDIA’s open AI models. This partnership aims to bolster the capabilities of PayPal’s services, making them even more beneficial for small businesses looking to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. PayPal has announced the integration of NVIDIA’s Nemotron open models into its commerce services. This initiative not only highlights the company’s commitment to innovative solutions but also underscores the growing importance of AI in the ecommerce landscape. For small business owners, understanding how these advancements play out can translate directly to improved business performance. The introduction of open AI models allows companies like PayPal to tailor AI systems specifically to their needs, providing a higher degree of control over how these systems are applied in real-world situations. With this enhanced flexibility, PayPal aims to deliver faster, more intelligent commerce experiences while ensuring the security and trust that have become synonymous with the brand. Small businesses are likely to notice the benefits right away. Early benchmarks from PayPal’s integration process show impressive results, including a 50% increase in operational speed and a five-fold acceleration in developer productivity. This improvement is made possible by two main factors: a streamlined, intuitive open architecture for development and the ability to directly fine-tune models. These advancements promise to undercut the traditionally lengthy and inefficient prompt engineering processes, allowing for quicker deployments of new features or tools. The development of agentic commerce services means that small business owners could enjoy more personalized and responsive ecommerce solutions. With enhanced decision-making capabilities powered by AI, businesses can manage inventories more efficiently, tailor marketing strategies, and provide improved customer support. This is significant for small enterprises competing against larger counterparts with extensive resources. As PayPal positions itself at the forefront of open commerce technologies, small businesses are also urged to consider the implications of such advancements. There remains a need to evaluate the underlying costs and technical support that open models demand. However, the strategic shift to control one’s AI stack—from model selection to deployment—promises a more democratic approach to implementing AI technologies, a factor that small enterprises might find particularly appealing. Quotes from PayPal reinforce the vision shared between the two technology giants. A spokesperson elaborated, “The future of commerce is intelligent, intuitive, and open,” acknowledging their ambition to support community-driven innovation. Such sentiments reflect an ethos that could resonate with small business owners ready to adopt innovative practices. While there’s a clear upside to embracing these open models, the integration process may also present potential challenges. Small businesses might face initial barriers such as the technical know-how required to implement these solutions effectively. The shift from proprietary models to open ones necessitates an adjustment period for owners who may not yet be familiar with AI technologies. Despite these hurdles, the benefits of improved speed and customizability can be significant. Moreover, the collaborative nature of open models invites contributions from the broader developer community, which could lead to enhanced resources and support networks for small businesses navigating this transformative landscape. In the rapidly evolving world of ecommerce, the developments at PayPal signal a promising direction for small business innovation. By adopting open models powered by AI, small enterprises stand to gain not only in operational efficiency but also in the ability to create a more engaging and responsive customer experience. The future beckons, and with it comes an opportunity to redefine the way commerce is conducted. For more information on this initiative, visit the original press release at PayPal’s newsroom: Building the Future of Commerce with Open Models. Image via Envanto This article, "PayPal Partners with NVIDIA to Transform Commerce with Open AI Models" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

In an era where digital transformation is not just an option but a necessity, PayPal is making significant strides towards reshaping ecommerce through its collaboration with NVIDIA’s open AI models. This partnership aims to bolster the capabilities of PayPal’s services, making them even more beneficial for small businesses looking to streamline operations and enhance customer experiences. PayPal has announced the integration of NVIDIA’s Nemotron open models into its commerce services. This initiative not only highlights the company’s commitment to innovative solutions but also underscores the growing importance of AI in the ecommerce landscape. For small business owners, understanding how these advancements play out can translate directly to improved business performance. The introduction of open AI models allows companies like PayPal to tailor AI systems specifically to their needs, providing a higher degree of control over how these systems are applied in real-world situations. With this enhanced flexibility, PayPal aims to deliver faster, more intelligent commerce experiences while ensuring the security and trust that have become synonymous with the brand. Small businesses are likely to notice the benefits right away. Early benchmarks from PayPal’s integration process show impressive results, including a 50% increase in operational speed and a five-fold acceleration in developer productivity. This improvement is made possible by two main factors: a streamlined, intuitive open architecture for development and the ability to directly fine-tune models. These advancements promise to undercut the traditionally lengthy and inefficient prompt engineering processes, allowing for quicker deployments of new features or tools. The development of agentic commerce services means that small business owners could enjoy more personalized and responsive ecommerce solutions. With enhanced decision-making capabilities powered by AI, businesses can manage inventories more efficiently, tailor marketing strategies, and provide improved customer support. This is significant for small enterprises competing against larger counterparts with extensive resources. As PayPal positions itself at the forefront of open commerce technologies, small businesses are also urged to consider the implications of such advancements. There remains a need to evaluate the underlying costs and technical support that open models demand. However, the strategic shift to control one’s AI stack—from model selection to deployment—promises a more democratic approach to implementing AI technologies, a factor that small enterprises might find particularly appealing. Quotes from PayPal reinforce the vision shared between the two technology giants. A spokesperson elaborated, “The future of commerce is intelligent, intuitive, and open,” acknowledging their ambition to support community-driven innovation. Such sentiments reflect an ethos that could resonate with small business owners ready to adopt innovative practices. While there’s a clear upside to embracing these open models, the integration process may also present potential challenges. Small businesses might face initial barriers such as the technical know-how required to implement these solutions effectively. The shift from proprietary models to open ones necessitates an adjustment period for owners who may not yet be familiar with AI technologies. Despite these hurdles, the benefits of improved speed and customizability can be significant. Moreover, the collaborative nature of open models invites contributions from the broader developer community, which could lead to enhanced resources and support networks for small businesses navigating this transformative landscape. In the rapidly evolving world of ecommerce, the developments at PayPal signal a promising direction for small business innovation. By adopting open models powered by AI, small enterprises stand to gain not only in operational efficiency but also in the ability to create a more engaging and responsive customer experience. The future beckons, and with it comes an opportunity to redefine the way commerce is conducted. For more information on this initiative, visit the original press release at PayPal’s newsroom: Building the Future of Commerce with Open Models. Image via Envanto This article, "PayPal Partners with NVIDIA to Transform Commerce with Open AI Models" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Public servants manage a geographically distributed group of people across dozens of public and private organizations daily. Cybersecurity officials work with state and federal counterparts, and homelessness coordinators work with public health departments and nonprofits. State veterans affairs departments sit at the intersection of educational and health benefits along with housing and job assistance. From my conversations with public servants across the country, it’s clear that most critical government functions cannot happen without collaboration. This makes it paramount to have a deep understanding of who does what across dozens of organizations for government to function effectively. ENTER THE CRM The dominant modern tool for tracking relationships and managing contacts is customer relationship management software, simply referred to as a CRM. While CRMs arose to help sales teams manage their networks, they’re widely used today as contact managers. And yet the focus on closing sales dominates CRM product design. One CRM company aims to help its users “attract more prospects, close more deals, and strengthen customer relationships.” Another says the goal of its CRM “is simple: Improve relationships to grow your business.” A third CRM aims to be “the sales assistant your team never had.” But government employees don’t sell. They need a network map of people to identify the individuals, organizations, and skill sets to achieve different purposes. These purposes depend on the initiative, like what policy they’re implementing, what guidance they’re finalizing, or what community initiative they’re managing. So public servants have two ill-fitting options for managing relationships. One approach is tracking contacts manually, constantly referring back to their inbox and past emails, or copy-pasting from lists in spreadsheets that quickly go out of date. The other option is to force CRMs—which are designed for sales—to serve as coordination tools, a mismatch between purpose and function. GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AREN’T TRACKING SALES FUNNELS The mismatch causes problems when CRMs are deployed for government initiatives. CRMs are built to support a linear sales process—a deal is won, lost, or in progress. So CRMs categorize prospects by their progression through the “sales funnel,” quantify sales rep performance, and generate insights about pipeline size and time to close deals. But government agencies don’t have a sales funnel. Their work hinges on knowing who’s who across public, private, and nonprofit organizations because their work is embedded in overlapping networks. Imagine a state employee named Jess. Jess spearheads an initiative to reduce homelessness, leads coordination efforts with the state’s public health agency, and is the point of contact for homeless shelters. By virtue of this work, Jess also participates in a working group of state, county, and local agencies addressing homelessness. She also serves on the board of an organization that convenes state agencies addressing homelessness in the same region. A typical CRM would try to locate Jess in a nonexistent sales funnel. A CRM built for government would capture Jess’s different roles across many groups and operations. And it would let its users leverage this information at the right time for the right action or communication. PUBLIC SERVANTS NEED ONGOING RELATIONSHIP CONTEXT The reality of overlapping networks in government operations leads to the second misalignment: data enrichment over time. In a CRM, data enrichment refers to the attributes that can be identified and recorded about a person or entity. For private companies, data enrichment isn’t thatvital—they want to move prospects through the sales funnel toward a deal. Their customer segments are generally well-defined, so they need to know basic information about prospects, like name, title, and organization. Depth of knowledge is secondary. And while some information may change, that hardly matters once the deal is closed, meaning data enrichment has diminishing returns over time in traditional CRMs. But for government agencies, ongoing data enrichment is a critical CRM capability. Public servants must activate geographically and organizationally distributed groups of people for countless initiatives occurring in parallel. The richer the context, the better. This is the difference between simply knowing that Jess participates in a working group and capturing every role she plays in all her different capacities—and having that information autonomously updated. The people and organizations public servants need to coordinate with are always changing, too. Government agencies’ network maps, organized in a CRM, are multi-layered, always in flux, and a mission critical resource. PUBLIC SERVANTS DESERVE PURPOSE-BUILT TECHNOLOGY The only way to effectively manage ever-changing groups of people and organizations and align them with government operations is to have a CRM that prioritizes data enrichment over time. Government, unlike sales, doesn’t have a defined end. A new class of government-centric CRMs should treat contacts as members of overlapping networks. They should capture attributes relevant to government work and update continuously, managing contact attributes as they change in real time, so public servants can spend their time collaborating with those contacts to do their job. This should be table stakes for a government CRM. Public servants also work as teams and need easier ways to operationalize their network, like with more reliable mass email sending. We are at an inflection point where governments across the country are being asked to do more with less. Technology should enable, not be an obstacle. CRMs, despite their centrality to government operations, remain an obstacle because they are not built for government work. So what are public servants to do? Their best, which means trying to make a tool work and fighting against it, because it wasn’t designed to address their needs and maximize their capabilities. In my conversations with public servants, a recurring theme is the need to track the people and organizations that matter to the mission. Our driving conviction at Civic Roundtable is that government employees deserve better. They deserve software designed, built, and deployed specifically for government operations. The CRM deserves a rethink in service of public servants. Madeleine Smith is cofounder and CEO of Civic Roundtable. View the full article

Deposition with Black Cube co-founder details how firm profits from placing stories and prompting regulatory investigationsView the full article

If you've signed up for an Amazon Prime subscription in the last few years, you may have some cash coming your way. Amazon recently settled a lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over deceptive enrollment and cancellation practices, including enrolling customers in Prime without their consent and making it difficult to cancel. The company is now set to pay out $1.5 billion in refunds to affected consumers. Here's who qualifies, and how to make sure you get your money. Am I eligible for an Amazon Prime refund? Refunds will be paid out to select Amazon Prime subscribers in the U.S. In order to qualify, you must also meet the following criteria: You signed up for your Prime account between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025. You signed up through a "challenged enrollment flow" (the universal Prime decision page, shipping selection page, single page checkout, or Prime Video enrollment flow) OR you tried cancel your Prime subscription between the dates listed above and were unsuccessful. You used no more than three Amazon Prime benefits in any 12-month period after enrolling. If you signed up for Amazon Prime before or after this time frame, or via another enrollment flow, you aren't covered by the settlement. How to get your Amazon Prime refundIn most cases, you won't need to take any action. If you are eligible, Amazon will automatically refund your Amazon Prime subscription fees by December 25, 2025—up to a maximum of $51. Some Amazon Prime customers who don't qualify for automatic refunds may still be able to claim some cash from the settlement. If you signed up through a challenged enrollment flow and used up to 10 Prime benefits in any 12-month period, you may receive a claims form from Amazon via email sometime in early 2026. You'll need to complete your claim within 180 days to get a refund. As Mashable notes, payouts could trickle down to other Amazon Prime customers if the full settlement isn't exhausted in the first two phases—though these refunds are likely to come later. View the full article

A reader writes: I run a small business that supplies a product to major companies. To keep the details anonymous, let’s say that we supply garments to a few mid-tier clothing retailers that you can buy in the mall. The problem is that one of my employees two levels down (he reports to someone who reports to me), Dave, behaves as though we’re making clothing for Gucci or Prada. This causes enormous production headaches. It means everything moves much more slowly through his department, because he is extremely conscientious about quality. That is admirable, but it results in things like being short with our subcontractors because they have not produced the products to his standard, even though they have produced them to industry standards. We’ve lost freelance designers because they’re being paid being asked to make Prada-level clothing for Old- Navy-type wages. He also causes many things to be done over or redoes them himself. This dramatically drives up the cost of what we produce. He should be producing 5,000 items a year in order to justify his salary but he only produces 3,000. This means we have gotten to a point where it actually costs us more to produce these products than we are being paid for them. Both his manager and I have attempted to tell him directly that he is overdoing things. This angers him and causes him to dig in his heels. We’ve said, “You don’t have to redo this work. It was fine the way the freelancers produced it. Just concentrate on the big issues like the overall cut of the fabric.” What he apparently hears is, “What you do doesn’t matter. You’re wrong to be concerned about quality.” His reaction is to stay up all night and work through the weekend to try and increase his numbers instead of just not doing everything twice. Dave’s heart is in the right place. This is tricky because it’s not like we’re asking him to do X and he refuses. We’re asking him to do X, and he does X twice and then adds Y and Z! How can I motivate Dave to take a step back and be more in alignment with the market tier we serve instead of driving up cost and increasing everyone’s aggravation by overdoing things? Or perhaps he is just a bad fit for this job? I answer this question over at Inc. today, where I’m revisiting letters that have been buried in the archives here from years ago (and sometimes updating/expanding my answers to them). You can read it here. The post my employee overdoes everything, and it’s costing too much money appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

Novo and Metsera deny Pfizer’s argumentsView the full article

The $500 million Los Angeles Dodgers’ thrilling World Series win over the Toronto Blue Jays attracted record international attention for Major League Baseball, affirmed LA’s status as the sport’s best team and drew more attention to baseball’s payroll disparity heading into what is likely to be contentious labor negotiations. Los Angeles’ 5-4, 11-inning win over Toronto in Game 7 on Saturday night capped a postseason with seven winner-take-all games, two more than any previous year. Shohei Ohtani is building a case as the sport’s best player ever with his unprecedented two-way performances, captivating audiences outside the U.S. unlike any previous player. “It just absolutely been the greatest benefit to the game that you can imagine throughout the year,” baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred. Toronto’s success this year sparked interest throughout Canada, which gave the Blue Jays nationwide support. Aaron Judge, Bobby Witt Jr., Paul Skenes and Cal Raleigh already have committed to play for the United States in next year’s World Baseball Classic, which is gaining increased interest with each addition. And MLB is negotiating to send big league players to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics during an extended All-Star break. “Players are interested in playing, whether it’s for the Team USA or any number of other teams around the world,” union head Tony Clark said. The Dodgers are already talking about a three-peat Minutes after the Dodgers became the first repeat champion since the 1998-2000 New York Yankees, Dodgers star Freddie Freeman said matching that pinstriped power was the next goal. “The Yankees are three-time back-to-back,” he said, “so we get to use that same narrative next year.” Those Yankees are among just four instances of teams winning three or more consecutive championships alongside five by the 1949-53 Yankees, four by the 1936-39 Yankees and three by the 1972-74 Oakland Athletics. Big market spending sparks talk of salary-cap proposal Dodgers manager Dave Roberts attracted attention after the National League Championship Series sweep of Milwaukee when he yelled to Los Angeles fans: “They said the Dodgers are ruining baseball. Let’s get four more wins and really ruin baseball!” Los Angeles entered the World Series having spent $509.5 million in major league payroll and projected luxury tax, plus another $6.5 million for pitcher Roki Sasaki’s minor league signing bonus. Including Sasaki’s bonus, the Dodgers spending for its two World Series title teams totaled at least $890 million. The New York Mets, who failed to reach the playoffs this year after getting knocked out in last year’s NLCS, have spent about $860 million in 2024 and ’25. In a sign of how much payroll disparity has increased, the Athletics spent less than $150 million over the same period. Manfred repeatedly has said owners haven’t settled on their labor proposals, but the players’ association is bracing to resist a push for a salary cap. Demand for a cap from owners is what led to a 7 1/2-month strike in 1994-95 and the first cancellation of the World Series in 90 years. The labor contract expires on Dec. 2, 2026, and bargaining is likely to start this winter or spring. More Japanese players likely headed to MLB Following the success of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, more Japanese players may sign with MLB teams. Munetaka Murakami, a third baseman and first baseman who turns 26 in February, is expected to be posted by the Yakult Swallows. He hit .273 with 22 homers and 47 RBIs this year, limited to 56 games by an oblique injury. A two-time Central League MVP, in 2022 he hit 56 homers to break Sadaharu Oh’s record for a Japanese-born player while becoming the youngest player to earn Japan’s Triple Crown. Kazuma Okamoto, a 29-year-old third baseman and first baseman. will be posted by the Yomiuri Giants. He has 248 homers in 11 Central League seasons, hitting 30 or more from 2018-23. Tatsuya Imai, a 27-year-old right-hander, could be posted by the Seibu Lions. He struck out 17 against Yokohama on June 17, breaking Daisuke Matsuzaka’s prior team record of 16 from 2004. Here come the robots Game 7 of the World Series was MLB’s last with human umpires making all ball/strike calls. Starting next season, the Automated Ball/Strike System will be installed in all big league ballparks and batters, catchers and pitchers will be able to appeal decisions to a high-tech system of cameras tracking each pitch and judging whether it crossed home plate within the strike zone. Each team has the ability to challenge two calls per game and a team retains its challenge if successful, similar to the regulations for video review, which has been in place for many calls since 2014. Teams that exhaust their challenges get one additional challenge in each extra inning AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb —Ronald Blum, AP Baseball Writer View the full article

Defamation case pits LVMH wine and spirits division against professed whistleblowerView the full article

Warning: Skipping ahead is costly. By Sandi Leyva The Accountant’s Accelerator Go PRO for members-only access to more Sandi Smith Leyva. View the full article

Warning: Skipping ahead is costly. By Sandi Leyva The Accountant’s Accelerator Go PRO for members-only access to more Sandi Smith Leyva. View the full article

First, set goals. By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article

First, set goals. By Domenick J. Esposito 8 Steps to Great Go PRO for members-only access to more Dom Esposito. View the full article

Project scheduling tools help teams plan, track and execute projects efficiently by organizing tasks, deadlines and resources in one platform. With the right project scheduling tools, businesses can visualize dependencies, manage workloads and meet deadlines without confusion or missed steps. In 2025, these tools have evolved to include AI-driven automation and real-time collaboration features that improve visibility and productivity across industries. What Are Project Scheduling Tools? Project scheduling tools are software applications that help teams plan, assign and track project activities. They streamline workflows by providing timelines, milestones and dependencies that clarify project progress. These tools enhance communication among stakeholders, reduce scheduling conflicts and ensure every task aligns with business goals. Whether managing simple timelines or complex multi-project portfolios, project scheduling tools keep everything organized and on track. What Features Make the Best Project Scheduling Tools? The best project scheduling tools combine flexibility, automation and detailed oversight to optimize team performance. Multiple project scheduling views: Allow teams to switch between Gantt charts, kanban boards, calendars and lists for flexible project visualization. Critical path analysis: Identifies the most important tasks that directly impact project timelines to keep schedules realistic and achievable. Task dependency management: Links related tasks so that one update automatically adjusts others, maintaining accurate timelines. Project milestone mapping: Tracks key deliverables and deadlines to ensure progress aligns with strategic goals. Task & workflow management tools: Help assign tasks, define priorities and streamline team collaboration for greater efficiency. Resource management tools: Monitor workload allocation to avoid bottlenecks and ensure resources are used effectively. Workload management tools: Provide visibility into team capacity so managers can balance workloads and prevent burnout. Multiple project scheduling: Supports simultaneous management of several projects, allowing teams to align schedules across departments or clients. 7 Best Project Scheduling Tools of 2025 The best project scheduling tools of 2025 combine user-friendly design with advanced automation and collaboration features. They enable project managers to coordinate complex workflows, track real-time progress and make data-driven adjustments to stay on target. From construction to IT and marketing, these tools improve how organizations plan, schedule and deliver projects efficiently. 1. ProjectManager/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/auth0-pm-logo-dark.png ProjectManager is the best project scheduling tool for 2025 because it allows teams to plan, schedule and manage projects all in one platform. It stands out with its flexible views, automated workflows and real-time collaboration tools that make scheduling simple and efficient. You can create detailed timelines, track progress and manage resources without switching between apps. It’s a complete solution for teams that need visibility and control from start to finish. Schedule With Gantt Charts ProjectManager’s online Gantt charts let users plan projects visually with task dependencies, milestones and progress tracking. Teams can drag and drop tasks to adjust schedules, assign owners and link all four types of task dependencies to avoid cost overruns. Users can filter quickly for the critical path and identify those tasks with zero slack. Set a baseline and the platform updates in real time so everyone always sees the latest timeline and track progress, spending and more. With AI Project Insights, users can get a summary and recommendations on next steps instantly. Whether managing a construction project or software release, these Gantt charts keep schedules accurate and easy to understand. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Ai-insights-lightmode-gantt-gpt5.png Track Your Resources Resource management is built directly into ProjectManager. The workload chart and team page make it simple to see who’s busy and who’s available so managers can balance assignments and prevent burnout. Managers can even update tasks without leaving the team page. Real-time visibility into resource allocation helps teams deliver work efficiently and stay within budget. It’s a reliable way to ensure the right people are working on the right tasks at the right time. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Streamline Payroll ProjectManager also simplifies payroll with its powerful time tracking and secure timesheet features. Teams can log hours directly in the platform, even in the field, with mobile apps for Android and iOS, making labor cost tracking effortless. Managers can approve timesheets and export data for payroll processing with a few clicks. This reduces errors, improves accuracy and keeps financial tracking in sync with project progress. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/timesheet-lightmode-good-version-lots-of-tasks.png With all these features, including version control to revert to past schedules if needed, unlimited file storage and global search to find documents fast and easy, plus AI summaries and suggestions that provide insight and direction, real-time dashboards and customizable reporting tools, ProjectManager is the sure choice for anyone scheduling in construction, manufacturing, professional services, IT and more. Click here to start a 30-day free trial. ProjectManager Pros & Key Features Powerful Gantt charts with task dependencies and milestones Real-time collaboration across teams and departments Workload charts for balancing team capacity Built-in timesheets for labor tracking and payroll integration AI-powered dashboards and reports for data-driven insights Customizable templates that accelerate project setup ProjectManager Cons & Limitations May require onboarding for users new to project scheduling tools Some advanced reporting features are available only in higher-tier plans ProjectManager Pricing Team: $14.00/user/month Business: $26.00/user/month Enterprise: contact sales for a custom quote ProjectManager Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.1/5 Highlighted User Reviews “ProjectManager works very well with both large and small-scale projects. Being able to use this with anything from a project involving only two members of staff, to hundreds, has been invaluable.” Peter W – from Capterra “We used to manage our projects, resources, and reporting in different systems. Enter ProjectManager. We have consolidated systems and work more efficiently.” Jeffrey M – from Capterra “Having the full scope of activities and who is responsible to do it, plus the time tracking is excellent.” Flavio M – from G2 “It has an excellent accounting system capable of calculating the time that a person has used to develop a task that was assigned to him, I like being able to collaborate with all my colleagues in the Finance sector through ProjectManager.” Jesus C – from G2 “The UI of the application is user-friendly, and it helps to identify what we are looking for with minimal effort.” Pavan H – from G2 2. Microsoft Project/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/int-logo-msproject.jpg Microsoft Project has long been a staple in project scheduling tools, offering Gantt charts, task dependency management and resource allocation features. Many teams relied on it for detailed project planning and progress tracking. Its integration with Microsoft 365 allowed seamless collaboration across familiar apps, making it suitable for large-scale projects that require structured scheduling and reporting. /wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Microsoft-Project-Gantt-chart-example.webp However, Microsoft Project is being retired and it has notable limitations. The software is desktop-centric, which makes real-time collaboration and remote updates cumbersome. Its interface can be complex for new users and automation features are limited compared to modern cloud-based alternatives. Teams often need additional tools to manage communication, dashboards and reporting, which adds complexity and cost. Verdict: Best Project Scheduling Tool for Microsoft Users Microsoft Project Pros & Key Features Comprehensive Gantt charts with task dependencies Resource allocation and management tools Integration with Microsoft 365 apps Advanced project planning and scheduling capabilities Customizable reporting features Microsoft Project Cons & Limitations Being retired, no long-term support or updates Complex desktop interface with steep learning curve Limited real-time collaboration features Requires additional tools for dashboards and automated reporting Microsoft Project Pricing Project Standard 2024: $679.99, one-time license purchase Project Professional 2024: $1,129.99, one-time license purchase Microsoft Project Reviews G2 review: 4/5 Capterra review: 4.4/5 Highlighted User Reviews “It’s a powerful tool for managing complex projects, offering detailed features like task scheduling, resource allocation, and progress tracking.” Mazhar A – from Capterra “The quality of MS Project output is often sufficient for the requirement of most projects.” Paul B – from Capterra “I love the automatically generated gantt charts and the timeline feature.” Eric B – from G2 “It is easy to set up a project plan using templates provided in MS Project.” Alex N – from G2 3. Smartsheet/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/smartsheet-logo.svg Smartsheet is a cloud-based project scheduling tool praised for its flexibility and ease of use. Teams benefit from spreadsheet-style interfaces combined with Gantt charts, dashboards and automated workflows. Its collaboration features allow multiple users to update tasks in real time, making it ideal for distributed teams and complex projects. Integration with other software and reporting tools also enhances project visibility and decision-making. /wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Smartsheet-Timeline-GA-1.png Despite its strengths, Smartsheet has drawbacks. The interface can feel overwhelming for new users due to its extensive features, and the cost can be high for smaller teams. Some advanced project scheduling features require manual setup and resource management isn’t as detailed as in dedicated project management software. Users may need additional apps to fully track labor costs and progress metrics. Verdict: Best Project Scheduling Tool for Spreadsheet Users Smartsheet Pros & Key Features Cloud-based with real-time collaboration Spreadsheet-style interface with Gantt charts Automated workflows and notifications Customizable dashboards and reporting tools Integrates with multiple third-party apps Smartsheet Cons & Limitations Steep learning curve for new users High cost for smaller teams Advanced resource management requires manual setup Additional apps needed for comprehensive labor tracking Smartsheet Pricing Pro: $9.00/user/month, billed annually Business: $19.00/user/month, billed annually Enterprise: contact sales for a custom quote Advanced Work Management: contact sales for a custom quote Smartsheet Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “Smartsheet is a great platform for data visualization and project management.” Pathan I – from Capterra “Good for tracking projects but takes some time to learn all of the features.” Marissa P – from Capterra “Automation can save hours of time by automatically sending emails and reminders to ensure we meet our deadlines.” Amy S – from G2 “Easily allows a shareable document that concurrent users can view and make live changes to.” Steven K – from G2 4. Asana/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/asana-logo.svg Asana is a cloud-based project scheduling tool that helps teams plan, organize and track work visually. With its task lists, timelines, kanban boards and calendar views, Asana enables project managers to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously. Its collaboration features, such as comments, notifications and file attachments, ensure teams stay aligned and deadlines are met. /wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Asana-gantt-chart.webp However, Asana has limitations that may impact larger or highly complex projects. It lacks detailed resource management and advanced workload tracking, making it less ideal for teams needing to monitor labor costs or resource allocation closely. Some features, like reporting and automation, require premium plans, and the interface can be confusing for new users when managing multiple projects. Verdict: Best Project Scheduling Tool for Small Projects Asana Pros & Key Features Cloud-based with real-time collaboration Task lists, kanban boards, timelines and calendar views Customizable project workflows and templates Notifications, comments and file attachments Integrates with popular productivity and communication apps Asana Cons & Limitations Limited resource management and workload tracking Advanced features require premium plans Interface can be confusing for large projects Not ideal for tracking labor costs or complex dependencies Asana Pricing Premium plan: $10.99/user/month, billed annually Business plan: $24.99/user/month, billed annually Asana Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “I can create tasks, set their dates, routines, collaborate with my teammates, see their tasks, private my tasks, and so much more.” Shivam K – from G2 “The dashboard view is the main benefit; it helped me organize the work into stages and gave me a clear picture of how far along the team was.” Carrie C – from G2 “I am mesmerised with Asana because it has done wonders to me. My clients appreciate my work and it all because of Asana.” Fujimory C. – from Capterra “Asana is so much easy to use and it is well equipped with fantastic tools that help me get tasks done.” Simeon O. – from Capterra 5. Monday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Monday_logo.png Monday.com is a visual project scheduling tool known for its customizable boards, colorful interface and ease of use. It supports multiple project scheduling views, including Gantt charts, calendars and kanban boards, allowing teams to manage workflows efficiently. Automation features streamline repetitive tasks and integrations with tools like Slack, Google Drive and Microsoft Teams enhance collaboration across departments. /wp-content/uploads/2023/10/monday.com-gantt-chart-2.webp Despite its flexibility, Monday.com can become expensive as teams scale and need access to advanced features. Its resource management and time tracking capabilities are basic compared to more robust project management software. Some users also report difficulty maintaining consistency across large projects, as customizations can create confusion without standardized templates or structures. Verdict: Best Project Scheduling Tool for Everyday Task Management Monday.com Pros & Key Features Highly visual and easy-to-use interface Multiple project scheduling views, including Gantt, kanban and calendar Strong automation tools for repetitive workflows Wide range of integrations with third-party tools Customizable dashboards for tracking progress Monday.com Cons & Limitations Becomes costly for larger teams or premium features Limited resource management and time tracking Customization can cause inconsistency across projects Reporting tools are less advanced than competitors ‘ Monday.com Pricing Pro: $7 per user/month (maximum of 10 users) Business: $25 per user/month (minimum of 3 users) Monday.com Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “I truly recommend using Monday.com to small to medium scale enterprises because of its ease of use.” Vikas G – from G2 “I really like the Monday.com work management interface.” Luiz Fernando J – from G2 “Monday.com did prove to be useful however there is a major learning curve though. I feel it could be redone to be more user friendly.” Kayla S. – from Capterra “Overall Monday.com is very simple to use and helps to manage business activities while tracking important sales targets and revenue.” Ceilidh L. – from Capterra 6. Trello/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/trello-600x123.png Trello is a simple and intuitive project scheduling tool that uses a kanban-style board to visualize tasks and workflows. Its drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to assign work, track progress and manage project timelines. Trello is ideal for small teams or individuals who want a lightweight way to organize tasks without a complex setup. Integrations with apps like Slack, Google Drive and Jira further enhance its functionality. /wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Trello-kanban-board.webp However, Trello’s simplicity can become a drawback for larger or more complex projects. It lacks native Gantt charts, resource management and advanced scheduling tools that are essential for detailed project planning. Teams often need paid upgrades or third-party integrations to access features like time tracking and reporting, which can make Trello less efficient for enterprise use. Verdict: Best Project Scheduling Tool for Kanban Boards Trello Pros & Key Features Simple and intuitive kanban board interface Easy drag-and-drop task management Seamless integrations with popular productivity apps Ideal for small teams or personal task tracking Highly customizable with Power-Ups and automation Trello Cons & Limitations Lacks native Gantt charts and timeline views No built-in resource management tools Limited reporting and analytics capabilities Relies heavily on paid add-ons for advanced features Trello Pricing Standard: $5/user/month, billed annually Premium: $10/user/month, billed annually Enterprise: $17.50/user/month, billed annually Trello Reviews G2 review: 4.4/5 Capterra review: 4.5/5 Highlighted User Reviews “It allows me to add collaborators, sort my boards, add due dates, notes for each item and assign labels (plus more). All in all, it’s a very useful tool for organization and communication on collaborative tasks with your team.” – Sarah E, from G2 “It’s simple and easy to use. The app does an excellent job of mimicking the real version, such as the scrum or kanban boards I use at work. It has enabled my team to connect from various locations and contribute without any issues.” – Ranmalee G. from G2 “The fact that the price is worth it, makes it great. It is also so easy to use and manage. I love it.” – Zoe S. from Capterra “Very easy to use to find competitor intel, product features, and helps with my productivity. Use it all the time.” – Jacob W. from Capterra 7. ProjectLibre /wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ProjectLibre-Cloud-Logo-final.png ProjectLibre is an open-source project scheduling tool often seen as a free alternative to Microsoft Project. It supports Gantt charts, task dependencies and critical path analysis, making it a solid option for users who need basic scheduling and planning features without paying for premium software. ProjectLibre is especially popular among educators, small teams and nonprofits looking for a low-cost project management solution. /wp-content/uploads/2024/10/ProjectLibre-Gantt1.png While ProjectLibre offers strong fundamentals, it lacks the polish, integrations and collaboration features found in cloud-based tools. Its desktop-only design limits real-time updates and teamwork, and its interface can feel outdated compared to modern project scheduling software. Users managing multiple projects or distributed teams may find its reporting and resource management features insufficient. Verdict: Best Open Source Project Scheduling Tool ProjectLibre Pros & Key Features Free and open-source project scheduling software Supports Gantt charts, task dependencies and critical path analysis Compatible with Microsoft Project files Ideal for small teams, educators and nonprofits Provides offline project management capabilities ProjectLibre Cons & Limitations Lacks cloud-based collaboration and real-time updates Outdated user interface and limited usability No integrations with modern business tools Limited resource and portfolio management features ProjectLibre Pricing Free downloadable software ProjectLibre Reviews G2 review: 4.2/5 Capterra review: 4.4/5 GetApp review: 4.4/5 Highlighted User Reviews “It’s open-source. It also provides Gantt charts, defining task dependencies, setting milestones and allocating resources.” Tisagh C – from G2 “I was looking for a cheap or free alternative to MS Project to plan and follow my projects.” Nicolas B – from Capterra “This software is free! Also, it is very stable and has been around enough to have good help online and it is easy to import and export.” Max P – from GetApp “As I have been using this almost everyday, the demand for changing schedules dates frequently can be a drag. But this product, ProjectLibre has been a very useful tool in getting things done in the office.” Ysmael R.– from Capterra Related: 9 Best Time Tracking Software for Consultants What Are the Main Benefits of Using Project Scheduling Tools? Project scheduling tools help teams plan, manage and deliver work efficiently. By visualizing timelines, assigning resources and tracking progress, these tools enhance communication and coordination, ensuring every task stays on schedule. They’re essential for reducing risks and keeping projects aligned with budgets and deadlines. Reduces Project Delays and Cost Overruns One of the most significant advantages of using project scheduling tools is their ability to prevent schedule slippage and budget inflation. By identifying task dependencies and potential bottlenecks, teams can plan resources strategically and avoid conflicts. This proactive approach reduces downtime, streamlines workflows and keeps project costs under control from start to finish. Facilitates Project Monitoring and Control Project scheduling tools give managers real-time visibility into project progress. Dashboards and automated reports help track key performance indicators, resource utilization and deadlines. This allows teams to detect issues early and make data-driven adjustments that keep projects on target. The result is improved accountability, transparency and overall project performance. Allows Project Teams to Adjust Project Schedules Project scheduling software enables teams to modify timelines dynamically when project conditions change. It supports schedule compression techniques such as fast tracking and crashing, helping reduce overall duration without compromising quality. Additionally, teams can make resource-based schedule adjustments by reallocating workloads, leveling resources or shifting task assignments. This flexibility ensures that deadlines remain achievable even when constraints arise. By providing real-time visibility into dependencies and resource availability, project scheduling tools empower managers to make informed adjustments quickly, maintaining both efficiency and project control. Related Project Scheduling Content Now that you know the best project scheduling tools, let’s take a deeper look at project scheduling. Below are links to more software reviews, techniques and much more. 15 Best Project Scheduling Templates for Excel Top 10 Project Scheduling Techniques (With Pros and Cons) How to make a CPM Schedule: CPM Scheduling Basics Resource Scheduling in Project Management What Is a Master Schedule in Project Management? Schedule Variance: What Is It & How Do I Calculate It? What Is Schedule Planning In Project Management? ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams, whether they’re in the office or out in the field. 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 7 Best Project Scheduling Tools: Pros, Cons & Real-User Reviews (2025) appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

The world is focused on America’s lead but Beijing has the means, motive and opportunity to pull aheadView the full article

Microsoft said Monday it will be shipping Nvidia‘s most advanced artificial intelligence chips to the United Arab Emirates as part of a deal approved by the U.S. Commerce Department. The Redmond, Washington software giant said licenses approved in September under “stringent” safeguards enable it to ship more than 60,000 Nvidia chips, including the California chipmaker’s advanced GB300 Grace Blackwell chips, for use in data centers in the Middle Eastern country. The agreement appeared to contradict President Donald The President’s remarks in a “60 Minutes” interview aired Sunday that such chips would not be exported outside the U.S. Asked by CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell if he will allow Nvidia to sell its most advanced chips to China, The President said he wouldn’t. “We will let them deal with Nvidia but not in terms of the most advanced,” The President said. “The most advanced, we will not let anybody have them other than the United States.” The UAE’s ability to access chips is tied to its pledge to invest $1.4 trillion in U.S. energy and AI-related projects, an outsized sum given its annual GDP is roughly $540 billion. The UAE ambassador to the U.S., Yousef Al Otaiba, said in a statement earlier this year that the arrangement was “setting a new ‘Gold Standard’ for securing AI models, chips, data and access.” Microsoft’s announcement Monday was part of the company’s planned $15.2 billion investment in technology in the UAE, which it says has some of the highest per-capita usage of AI. Microsoft had already accumulated in the UAE more than 21,000 of Nvidia’s graphics processor chips, known as GPUs, through licenses approved under then-President Joe Biden. “We’re using these GPUs to provide access to advanced AI models from OpenAI, Anthropic, open-source providers, and Microsoft itself,” said a company statement. View the full article

It’s been a tough few weeks for the consumer health company Kenvue, after President The President publicly spread unproven claims about Tylenol, one of its core subsidiary brands. Today, though, it seems like there might finally be some good news for Kenvue. This morning, Kimberly-Clark, the personal care corporation behind brands like Kleenex, Huggies, and Cottonelle, announced that it’s struck an agreement to acquire Kenvue (which, alongside Tylenol, also owns brands like Band-Aid, Zyrtec, and Listerine). The deal, which is expected to close in the second half of 2026, will proceed through a cash and stock transaction that’s set to value Kenvue at around $48.7 billion. Kenvue stock was up as much as 19% in premarket trading. As of this writing, Kenvue stock is up more than 17%, while Kimberly-Clark stock is down about 12%. The proposed acquisition news comes nearly a month after President The President spread a widely debunked claim that suggested a link between Tylenol use during pregnancy and autism, causing a temporary dip in Kenvue stock and posing a more serious reputational risk to the company. Now, it seems like investors are feeling hopeful about the company’s latest move. What to know about Kenvue ahead of Kimberly-Clark acquisition Kenvue shares have been on a bit of a roller coaster over the past several weeks. On the morning of September 22, shares of the company dropped around 7.5% as shareholders caught wind of President The President’s plans to publicly claim that Tylenol consumption could be linked to autism. Later that afternoon, The President did just that at a White House conference where he instructed pregnant women, around a dozen times, “Don’t take Tylenol.” The claim that Tylenol use is connected to autism has been widely debunked by experts and is not backed by medical science. In response to The President’s comments, Kenvue disputed any link between Tylenol and autism, and warned that if pregnant mothers don’t use the drug when in need, they could face a dangerous choice between suffering fevers or using riskier alternatives. The company’s stock jumped back up around 6% on September 23. The recent tumult surrounding Kenvue follows several years of stock price decline for the company, which first broke off from Johnson & Johnson back in 2023. Since then, Kenvue’s share prices have slumped by almost 35% from their initial public offering price. Year-over-year, the company’s stock is down almost 27%. In a press release published today, Mike Hsu, CEO of Kimberly-Clark, explained that acquiring Kenvue was part of a larger plan to “pivot our portfolio to higher-growth, higher-margin businesses.” Kirk Perry, Kenvue’s CEO, added, “Our combination with Kimberly-Clark unites two highly complementary portfolios filled with iconic, beloved brands and everyday essentials that people trust and count on throughout their lives.” If the acquisition proceeds as planned, it will create a personal care giant that encompasses 10 different billion-dollar brands under one corporate umbrella. View the full article

Move by FTSE’s biggest company gains support of 99% of shareholders who voted in blow to London marketView the full article