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Zoopla figures signal easing for tenants after prolonged squeeze on finances View the full article

Surge in grievances puts regulators under pressure ahead of crucial court case View the full article

China ‘more open’ to foreign business than the west, says executive vice-president Stella LiView the full article

After more than eight decades in operation, craft retailer Joann is going out of business, closing all 800 of its stores and laying off 19,000 employees. The news comes after the retailer’s restructuring plans failed and a liquidator opted to purchase its assets. Joann is far from the only retailer in its death throes these days. Recent data shows that the number of retail-store closures is expected to double during 2025, to roughly 15,000 from the 7,300 or so in 2024. Accordingly, Joann is in a similar boat to companies such as Red Lobster, Big Lots, and Party City, which have each announced plans to either completely close up shop or enact big restructuring in recent months. And a commonality between many of them? Private equity firms are playing a large role. Private equity has been in the spotlight in recent years as it relates to many large-scale business restructurings and closings. For instance, restaurant chains Red Lobster and TGI Fridays—both of which filed for bankruptcy last year—were backed by private equity firms. Critics say that private equity, often simply referred to as PE, tends to come in and strip a company for parts and eventually kill it off rather than trying to make an honest attempt at turning the business around and making it profitable. While poor stewardship on the part of private equity can certainly contribute to a company’s downfall, experts say what happened with Joann appears to be more nuanced. “Private equity doesn’t have a crystal ball” Joann’s situation is somewhat unusual as it relates to its current situation. Back when it was known as Jo-Ann Stores, the company was acquired by PE firm Leonard Green & Partners in 2011 for roughly $1.6 billion as part of a leveraged buyout, taking the company private. The deal effectively put Joann and its resources up as collateral, and after some rebranding and leadership changes, the retailer went public again in early 2021, during a stretch when it was getting a jolt from pandemic-era growth in crafting and other such at-home activities. But the past few years haven’t been so kind, and Joann again faltered. It found itself in the lurch with two bankruptcies over the past year as its leadership was unable to successfully capture the brief momentum it had experienced in 2020 and 2021. It’s hard to ignore that Joann is a specialty retail company with a huge geographic footprint, large-format stores, and thousands of employees: exactly the kind of retailer that has found it increasingly difficult to thrive in the decades since e-commerce companies like Amazon have entered the fray. So while Joann did have PE backing, prevailing market conditions may be the firm’s ultimate undoing, experts point out. “People forget the incredible role that market conditions play,” says Donna Hitscherich, a senior lecturer in discipline, finance, and economics and director of the Private Equity Program at Columbia Business School. She says PE firms know how to operate businesses and are “singularly focused” on turning a profit. “There’s little or no incentive for PE to come in and have a business fail, as in the case of Joann,” Hitscherich says. “That wasn’t their plan. Private equity doesn’t have a crystal ball.” Though Joann did receive a shot in the arm during the pandemic, when many people took up new hobbies and crowded into craft stores, the retailer has been trending downward for a while. If a private equity firm purchases a struggling retailer only to see that retailer go under, “they’re just giving away money,” Hitscherich says. Mixed incentives There are ways that PE firms do make money even if the company it purchased is circling the drain, however. “Because of the laws and regulations that surround the PE industry, firms are often incentivized to extract money rather than to try and make a company succeed or survive,” says Brendan Ballou, author of the book Plunder: Private Equity’s Plan to Pillage America, and former special counsel with the U.S. Department of Justice’s antitrust division. “The issue is that PE firms also take fees from businesses, like management fees or transaction fees,” he says. In effect, PE firms may develop a sort of parasitic relationship with their portfolio companies, extracting money through fees even if it’s to the long-term detriment of the targets they acquire. This sometimes happens as part of a leveraged buyout, which may put target companies at a disadvantage, as they effectively receive a lifeline but go further into debt in order to secure it. Add in the fees on top of that, and companies that were already struggling to make money may find those struggles compounded. “The investors in the PE firm certainly want the business to succeed, but that’s not necessarily the case for the firm,” Ballou says. As such, there are mixed incentives at play. While some PE firms may end up speeding up the death of a portfolio company, rather than helping to resurrect it, supporters of private equity maintain that it plays an important role in the economy. A report from EY, provided to Fast Company by the American Investment Council, a PE-focused advocacy organization, found that the PE sector directly employed 12 million people during 2022, and a vast majority (85%) of the companies that PE firms back are small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. So, while there is a role for private equity, there are also legitimate questions to be asked when a beloved company like Joann or Red Lobster hits the skids. For Ballou, it all comes back to the issue of crossed incentives: “Failure for Joann doesn’t necessarily mean failure for a PE firm.” View the full article

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. board of directors approved a proposal to roll back its 2024 merger policy, reinstating previous guidelines while charting a new policy toward bank combinations. View the full article

Google's John Mueller shares his thoughts on low-effort content that "looks good" The post Google On Low-Effort Content That Looks Good appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

Traders had been expecting cartel to postpone its plan to boost outputView the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Pixel 9 is the latest series of the Google Pixel phone lineup. They were released late last summer with the 9 Pro and Pro XL getting released as well. But if you're OK with an already good camera and prefer to save some money, the 128 GB unlocked Pixel 9 is just $599 (originally $799) after a $200 discount, the lowest price it has been since its release, according to price-tracking tools. You can get it in obsidian, peony, or porcelain. Brand: Google, OS: Android 14, RAM: 12 GB, Storage: 128 GB, Screen Size: 6.3 Inches. Google Pixel 9 (Obsidian) $599.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $799.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $799.00 Save $200.00 Brand: Google, OS: Android 14, RAM: 12 GB, Storage: 128 GB, Screen Size: 6.3 Inches. Google Pixel 9 (Peony) $599.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $799.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $799.00 Save $200.00 Brand: Google, OS: Android 14, RAM: 12 GB, Storage: 128 GB, Screen Size: 6.3 Inches. Google Pixel 9 (Porcelain) $599.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $799.00 Save $200.00 Get Deal Get Deal $599.00 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $799.00 Save $200.00 SEE 0 MORE As most Pixel fans are probably aware, the budget Pixel 9a is expected to release sometime this month, which probably explains the new discount of the Pixel 9. If the pattern continues, you'll likely see the Pixel 9a come out for $500 during the pre-order sale. Also, if the trend of a-series phones continues, the Pixel 9 might still be a better value than the 9a. The Pixel 9 comes with 12GB of RAM, starts with 128GB of memory storage, a maximum 120 HZ refresh rate, and the Android 14 operating system. Lifehacker's associate tech editor Michelle Ehrhardt deemed the more premium Pixel 9 Pro's hardware as the best Google has made so far, but its AI features still had hiccups. However, AI features will keep improving over time; the most important thing to get right is the hardware. The battery life can last almost 12 hours, according to PCMag's "excellent" review. The main camera has a 50MP shooter, a 48MP ultra-wide camera with a 123-degree field of view, same as the Pro models, but it has a single-zone laser detect autofocus (LDAF) sensor (the pro has multi-zone LDAF). If you have the Pixel 8, you might not notice a huge upgrade in this version. However, if you're upgrading from an older version or doing a switch from a non-Pixel phone, the 9 has a lot to offer. One of my favorite things about Pixel phones is the ongoing support for many years. My Pixel 6A still gets all of the updates and tons of AI features that make the phone feel fresh many years later, with the latest ones dropping last month. With the Pixel 9, you'll be getting a quality phone with software updates for a while (as long as seven years). View the full article

Serena Williams is joining the ownership group of the WNBA’s first Canadian franchise, the Toronto Tempo, the team announced Monday. She will partner with Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures for the Tempo, who will begin play in the 2026 season. “I am thrilled to announce my ownership role in the first Canadian WNBA team, the Toronto Tempo,” said Williams. “This moment is not just about basketball; it is about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes — I have always said that women’s sports are an incredible investment opportunity. I am excited to partner with Larry and all of Canada in creating this new WNBA franchise and legacy.” Williams, one of the greatest tennis players in history, will play an active role in future jersey designs. She made her professional tennis debut at age 14 at a tournament in Canada in 1995, and her last event was the 2022 U.S. Open. Williams won 23 Grand Slam singles titles — the most by a woman in the sport’s Open era — plus another 14 major trophies in women’s doubles alongside her older sister, Venus. “Serena is a champion,” said Tempo President Teresa Resch. “She’s the greatest athlete of all time, and her impact on this team and this country is going to be incredible. She’s set the bar for women in sport, business and the world — and her commitment to using that success to create opportunities for other women is inspiring — we’re thrilled to be marking the lead-up to International Women’s Day with this announcement.” Williams is the latest former pro athlete to join a WNBA ownership group. Magic Johnson, Tom Brady, Dwyane Wade and Renee Montgomery already are owners. This isn’t the first ownership venture for Williams. She has a stake in the Angel City FC women’s soccer team. She also holds minority stakes in the Miami Dolphins as well as TGL’s Los Angeles Golf Club, the virtual golf league headed by PGA stars Tiger Williams and Rory McIlroy. Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, donated millions of dollars to Virginia’s women’s basketball program last year. He graduated from the school. —Doug Feinberg, AP basketball writer View the full article

President Donald Trump said he would plow ahead with new tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting Tuesday, a broadside against the two biggest US trading partners that underscores his push to remake global trade. View the full article

A group representing U.S. airlines plans to urge federal aviation officials to permanently reduce helicopter traffic around Reagan National Airport outside Washington, D.C., following a January collision by an Army Black Hawk into an American Airlines regional jet that killed 67 people. Airlines for America, in written testimony prepared for a U.S. House of Representatives hearing on Tuesday, calls on the Federal Aviation Administration to permanently suspend some helicopter routes near the airport with limited exceptions for essential military or medical emergencies. The testimony, seen by Reuters, also calls for military aircraft to be required to use a key safety system known as ADS-B near large airports in which aircraft determine and broadcast their position using satellite navigation to avoid collisions. Airlines for America represents American, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Southwest Airlines and other airlines. The FAA has temporarily barred most helicopters near the airport – located in Arlington, Virginia, across the Potomac River from the U.S. capital – since the crash pending a preliminary report due out this month from the National Transportation Safety Board. The Black Hawk, carrying a crew of three, collided with the airliner, carrying 64 passengers and crew members, on the night of January 29, with the wreckage plunging into the river. There were no survivors. U.S. Senator Ted Cruz said the Army helicopter was operating with its ADS-B turned off, which is permitted by the FAA for military aircraft. Airlines for America wants the FAA to evaluate whether any helicopter routes that could conflict with airplane flights at Reagan could be moved farther away from commercial traffic. The group also urged an immediate FAA review of air traffic near large airports. “The FAA should conduct an immediate review of identified potential hot spots of conflicting air traffic operating near large airports,” the group said in the testimony, adding that the agency should be able to “to suspend or eliminate traffic routes if unnecessary risk exists.” The FAA declined to comment on the testimony but noted that it is conducting a review of helicopter routes near other airports. The FAA is due to review the existing restrictions once the NTSB preliminary report is issued. The FAA is allowing only presidential transport and emergency police or medical helicopters near the airport and banning civilian flights whenever President Donald Trump’s helicopter is flying nearby. These restrictions have significantly impacted flights. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in a February 5 speech in Washington called for ending non-essential military helicopter flights near the airport. “If we have generals who are flying in helicopters for convenience through this airspace, that’s not acceptable. Get a damn Suburban (vehicle) and drive – you don’t need to take a helicopter,” Duffy said. —David Shepardson, Reuters View the full article

Google’s Ads and Commerce product lead, Vidhya Srinivasan, today outlined how the company is reimagining advertising as “avenues for tailored exploration” in response to unpredictable consumer behavior. The big picture: Google is focusing on three key solutions to help advertisers break through: AI-powered shopping innovations. Google launched several new shopping features, including ads in Lens, AI-powered Google Shopping, 3D product spins, and virtual try-on experiences for clothing items. YouTube creator partnerships. The platform’s highly engaged audiences, particularly Gen Z, trust creator recommendations 98% more than those on other social platforms (according to Google figures). Google is developing more interactive ads with the aim of helping brands connect with relevant creators. Enhanced search experiences. AI-powered features like AI Overviews, Circle to Search, and Google Lens are expanding the types of questions people can ask. These new search capabilities has potential for increased commercial query volume. Why we care. As consumer behavior becomes increasingly fragmented across devices and platforms, Google is betting on AI to help advertisers create more personalized, relevant content that can break through the noise. With consumers rapidly switching between devices and platforms, these AI-powered solutions have the potential to help advertisers maintain visibility throughout the entire customer journey, from discovery to purchase, while leveraging trusted creator relationships that drive higher engagement, particularly among younger audiences. Although it is still key to ensure that adequate human intervention still remains as AI capabilities keep improving and evolving. By the numbers (according to Google internal research): People shop more than a billion times daily across Google Consumers used Google or YouTube in approximately two-thirds of purchases where they discovered something new YouTube viewers watch over 1 billion hours of content daily on TVs Google processes more than 5 trillion searches annually (416 billion searches per month) Between the lines. Srinivasan’s letter emphasizes that simply creating compelling content isn’t enough. Brands need to “show up everywhere people are, from discovery to decision” to capture attention in today’s fragmented media landscape. Bottom line. Srinivasan points to several AI-powered advertising innovations already launched, including ads in Lens, AI-powered shopping, 3D spins for ad images, and virtual try-on features for clothing, with promises of “much more to come.” Google is positioning itself as the solution to fragmented consumer attention by helping brands create more relevant content and appear at critical moments across the customer journey, from discovery to purchase decision. View the full article

The acquisition bucks recent trends that saw depository banks eliminate mortgage lending, but the 2025 market environment may be favorable for consolidation. View the full article

Election of Donald Trump and British tax changes are believed to be behind 40% rise in applicationsView the full article

French discuss proposal for Kremlin to lose securities if it breaches a future ceasefire View the full article

As climate change causes more frequent disasters, more mortgages are at risk of going underwater. How can banks limit their exposure? View the full article

The CIA is headed to the South By Southwest festival to share tips on finding innovative solutions to complex challenges. America’s preeminent spy agency will deliver a presentation Sunday on creative problem solving at the annual SXSW music festival and tech conference held in Austin, Texas, the CIA announced Monday. The typically tight-lipped agency said a CIA historian and one of the agency’s public affairs officers will deliver the talk, entitled “Mission Possible: The Spies’ Guide to Creative Problem Solving.” Sunday’s presentation from the CIA comes during the first weekend of the event, which brings together thousands of artists, technology experts, business leaders and entrepreneurs. The agency said its tips on creative problem solving are designed to be helpful to anyone, even if their particular challenges don’t include running covert surveillance, organizing clandestine meetups or sniffing out double agents. “Come learn how creative problem-solving has helped resolve complex challenges we’ve faced in protecting national security, and how you can apply creative thinking to your own seemingly impossible missions,” the agency wrote in a social media post promoting the talk. This month’s presentation comes at a tumultuous time for America’s intelligence community. The agency recently offered buyout offers to employees as part of President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk’s efforts to shrink and reshape the federal government. Trump has long criticized America’s intelligence agencies, and his CIA director, John Ratcliffe, has promised big changes, claiming the agency has strayed from its original focus on human-collected intelligence. Ratcliffe is a former congressman and one-time director of national intelligence. —David Klepper View the full article

The U.S. House and Senate have until March 14 to avoid a shutdown of the federal government. And at the moment, things are not looking good. Donald Trump is pushing Republicans to approve a massive bill that would extend tax breaks from his first term (which are set to expire later this year) to the tune of $4.5 trillion and dramatically cut spending across federal programs and services (by $2.5 trillion). House Speaker Mike Johnson managed to push through Trump’s legislative agenda at the last moment last Wednesday, but that 217-215 vote (which saw a single Republican and all Democrats opposed) could prove to be the easiest part of the process. The Senate has passed a scaled-back version of the budget bill, meaning a series of negotiations must take place to find common ground. Democrats can block the bill in the Senate with a filibuster, so they’ll be in on the negotiations. But with the clock ticking on when funds run out, Republican negotiators, divided by in-fighting, walked away from the talks this weekend. There is, of course, the chance that lawmakers will agree to a bipartisan continuing resolution, a spending measure that will keep the government operating. That seems increasingly unlikely, however, as Washington becomes more turbulent and Elon Musk and DOGE continue to push for mass layoffs. So what happens if the government shuts down for the first time since 2018-2019? Here’s what to expect, based on previous shutdowns—with the caveat that this administration’s first 41 days have been markedly different than under any previous president, including Trump’s first term. Will I still get my Social Security check if the government shuts down? Social Security checks are still delivered in the event of a shutdown. And Medicare services will stay in operation for at least a limited time. However, if you need a new card issued, you’ll have to wait until the shutdown is over and any backlog is cleared. Are my taxes still due in a government shutdown? While the Internal Revenue Service will be operating with a skeleton staff should the government shut down, it will continue to process tax returns, meaning you’ll have to file, no matter what. Will I get my tax refund if the government shuts down? In the 2018-2019 shutdown, 14,000 IRS employees opted not to show up for work without pay. Should the government shut down—and should that closure last for an extended period—that could have an impact on some refunds. The best idea is to monitor the “Where’s My Refund” tool on the IRS Website. Will a government shutdown impact mail delivery? The U.S. Postal Service is an independent agency. The shutdown will have no impact on it. There have been reports that Trump is considering taking control of the Postal Service, ending its independent status and making it a part of the Commerce Department. Should that happen, things become murkier, especially with the expected legal fight such a move would ignite. Can I visit national parks during a government shutdown? During the government shutdown in January 2018, most national parks remained open, though visitor centers and sometimes bathrooms were not available. Trash also piled up at many sites, with no one to clean it. During the 2013 shutdown, however, millions of visitors were turned away from parks, national monuments, and other sites. So, this one’s a toss-up. How will a government shutdown affect air travel? TSA officers and FAA air traffic controllers are deemed “essential” federal workers, so they continue to work (without pay) during a shutdown. In 2019, though, hundreds of TSA employees called out sick, which made for tremendously long lines at security stations (in some cases, as much as 90 minutes). Can I visit the Smithsonian during a government shutdown? While the Smithsonian has, in the past, discussed using “prior year funds” to stay open during part of a shutdown, odds are you’ll find locked doors in the event of a shutdown. Other popular attractions, including presidential libraries, will also likely be affected, as they’re overseen by the National Park Service. While animals in the National Zoo will be cared for, visitors won’t be allowed in to see them. Other federal museums, such as the National Archives, will also be closed. Will Veterans’ Services be impacted by a government shutdown? All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain open and operational in the event of a shutdown. Additionally, the VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits. Other services, such as education and job training, support for veteran owned businesses, and even assistance for homeless veterans may be unavailable. Will DOGE use a government shutdown to terminate more federal jobs? Elon Musk and DOGE haven’t commented publicly about any possible shutdown. But there are some fears that federal workers deemed “non-essential” in such a situation could find themselves more likely to be laid off at some point down the road. One of the biggest sticking points in current negotiations, though, is the spending and job cuts DOGE has imposed since Trump took office. Democrats are demanding guardrails in the budget bill, which will require the executive branch to carry out spending directed by Congress. “We are close on top-line spending. We need to know Republicans are willing to work with us to protect Congress’ power of the purse — and I welcome any and all ideas they may have on how we can work together to do just that,” Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., vice chair of the Appropriations Committee, told reporters last week. “That is the absolute bare minimum, and it is frankly not asking a whole lot. Republicans should not be so eager to let Elon Musk cut off cancer research or clean energy jobs in their districts. They should not follow Elon towards a shutdown.” View the full article

US president says there is ‘no room’ for further negotiationView the full article

U.S. grocer Kroger said on Monday CEO Rodney McMullen has resigned after a board investigation found that his personal conduct was “inconsistent” with certain company policies. The conduct is not related to financial performance, operations or reporting, and it did not involve any Kroger associates, the company said. The surprise ouster of the 64-year-old executive comes after the company in December terminated a two-year effort to buy rival Albertsons in a $25 billion deal, an attempt McMullen had staunchly defended as a way to fight higher prices and better compete with Walmart and Costco. Meanwhile, Albertsons has sued Kroger for an alleged breach of contract that led to the demise of the deal. Kroger, when contacted, declined to provide more details on the exit of McMullen — who was its CEO for more than a decade and has been at the company since 1978 — and the nature of the conduct that led to his ouster. McMullen did not respond to a request via LinkedIn for comment. “McMullen stepping down certainly puts Kroger in a vulnerable position. The company is already dealing with the aftermath of its abandoned Albertsons merger, and a leadership change at this stage can complicate things,” said Riley Beam, managing attorney at Douglas R. Beam, a personal injury law firm based in Melbourne, Florida. “For investors, the risk is obvious — uncertainty.” The Cincinnati, Ohio-based company’s shares were down about 1.4% in early trading on Monday. The stock has more than tripled in value since McMullen took the helm in 2014. Following the failed merger plan in December, some United Food and Commercial Workers local unions urged Kroger’s board to replace McMullen after the company announced a $7.5 billion stock buyback plan. McMullen was trying to “distract attention from his multiple failures as CEO by announcing a massive one-time giveaway to shareholders,” the group had said. Kroger said on Monday the board was made aware of certain personal conduct by McMullen on February 21 and immediately retained an outside independent counsel to conduct an investigation, which was overseen by a special board committee. The board has appointed lead director Ronald Sargent as interim CEO. A long-time director at Kroger, Sargent was previously the CEO at office supplies chain Staples for more than a decade. He also serves on the board of Wells Fargo, where he is the chair of the human resources committee. Kroger said the board has formed a search committee and appointed a firm to conduct a search for its next CEO. The company said McMullen would not be eligible to receive a bonus for 2024. He received a total compensation of $15.71 million for fiscal year 2023, according to the company’s proxy statement. Kroger, scheduled to report its fourth-quarter results on Thursday, expects full-year adjusted earnings per share to be slightly above the high end of its forecast range. Several prominent CEOs have also been ousted for violating company policy, including McDonald’s CEO Steve Easterbrook in 2019 and Hewlett-Packard’s Co-CEO Mark Hurd in 2010. “If past is any guidance, there is usually no impact (on a company’s performance),” said Xu Jiang, associate professor at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. “The interim CEO will likely follow the previous CEO’s strategies so there is minimal disruption of Kroger’s business.” —Savyata Mishra and Aishwarya Venugopal, Reuters View the full article

Google processes more than 5 trillion searches per year. This is the first time Google has publicly shared such a figure since 2016, when the company confirmed it was handling “more than 2 trillion” queries annually. By the numbers. Google revealed the new figure in a blog post today, saying it is based on internal Google data: “We already see more than 5 trillion searches on Google annually.” Google added another tidbit in the same blog post: that “the volume of commercial queries has increased” since the launch of AI Overviews. However, Google didn’t share any data or a percentage to explain how much commercial queries have increased. Searches per second, minute, day and month. Now that we have an updated figure, we can also estimate how many Google searches there are pretty much down to the second. Here’s a breakdown based on this new Google data point: Searches per second: 158,548 Searches per minute: 9.5 million. Searches per hour: 571 million. Searches per day: 14 billion. Searches per month: 417 billion. Searches per year: More than 5 trillion. Google searches per year, over time. Curious about how the number of Google search queries has grown over time, at least based on what Google self-reported? Here’s a brief recap: 1999: 1 billion. This figure was based on 3 million searches per day, reported in August 1999 by John Battelle in his book, “The Search.” 2000: 14 billion. This figure was based on 18 million searches per day for the first half of 2000 and 60 million for the second half, as reported by Battelle. 2001–2003: 55 billion+. This figure was based on reports by Google for its Zeitgeist in 2001, 2002 and 2003. 2004–2008: 73 billion. This figure was based on Google saying it was doing 200 million searches per day in 2004. After that, it said only “billions” in Google Zeitgeist for 2005 and 2007. No updates were shared in 2006 or 2008. 2009: 365 billion+. A Google blog post, Google Instant, behind the scenes, said Google was doing more than 1 billion searches per day. No updates for 2010 or 2011) 2012–2015: 1.2 trillion. This figure is based on a 100-billion-per-month figure Google released during a special press briefing on search in 2012. Google repeated this figure in 2015, when expressing it as 3 billion searches per day. 2016-2024: 2 trillion+. Google confirmed to Search Engine Land that because it said it handles “trillions” of searches per year worldwide, the figure could be safely assumed to be 2 trillion or above. 2025: 5 trillion+. This figure is based on internal Google data and was reported in Google’s blog post, AI, personalization and the future of shopping. Why we care. Since 2016, we’ve known that Google processes “at least 2 trillion” searches per year. Now, nearly nine years later, we have a new official figure from Google for how many searches are conducted on Google annually: 5 trillion. View the full article

Cryptocurrency prices jumped after President Donald Trump’s surprise announcement he wants the U.S. government to purchase and hold a variety of digital assets in a strategic reserve fund, an announcement that highlights Trump’s growing attempts to use volatile cryptocurrency prices as a barometer of his public support. Trump said on social media Sunday that his administration is working toward creating a “Crypto Strategic Reserve” that will include lesser-known cryptocurrencies XRP, solana, and cardano. He later followed up with another post saying his planned reserve would also include bitcoin and ether, the two most popular cryptocurrencies. The announcement helped crypto prices rebound, at least temporarily, after recent sell-offs. Bitcoin was trading around $90,000 Monday morning after dipping below $80,000 last week. XRP, solana and cardano saw massive spikes in their prices after Trump’s announcement Sunday followed by a more gradual decline through Monday morning. On the campaign trail, Trump pledged support for a “strategic national bitcoin” stockpile, which would include bitcoin the U.S. government has previously seized in law enforcement actions. Sunday’s announcement was the first time he advocated for the government to hold other types of cryptocurrencies. The White House did not immediately provide additional details, including how much of each type of cryptocurrency Trump wanted the U.S. to hold, and how the government would acquire them, and whether he favored including other types of cryptocurrencies as well. Eric Trump, the president’s son, said the price increases validated the recent advice he’s made on social media to stock up on crypto assets. “Hopefully, I made someone’s life just a little bit better,” he posted on social media. The president has cast himself as hero to the crypto industry, which he said in his announcement had been the target of “years of corrupt attacks by the Biden administration.” The crypto industry felt unfairly targeted by the Biden administration and spent heavily to help Trump win election. The first several weeks of his administration have seen several moves to boost crypto, including ending or pausing high-profile enforcement actions by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Crypto prices soared after Trump’s victory last year, and when the price of bitcoin first crossed $100,000 in early December, Trump took credit and posted “YOU’RE WELCOME!!!” on social media. But prices have fallen since Trump’s inauguration and Trump has faced criticism, including from allies within the crypto industry, for helping launch a personal meme coin just before he took office that has since collapsed in value. The crash of meme coins linked to First Lady Melania Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei, along with a massive hack of a major cryptocurrency exchange that the FBI has said was done by North Korea, have also dimmed enthusiasm for crypto. “Why is crypto in the toilet if Trump is crypto king?” Dave Portnoy, an influencer and crypto enthusiast, said on social media last week. The inclusion of cryptocurrencies other than bitcoin is likely to face sustained pushback among some corners of the heavily divided cryptocurrency industry. Bitcoin is the oldest and by far most popular cryptocurrency, and accounts for more than half of the world’s global crypto market cap. Advocates for the government holding a crypto reserve said would help diversify government holdings and hedge against financial risks. Critics say the volatility of cryptocurrencies makes them a poor choice as a reserve asset. In addition to his announcement Sunday, Trump has also recently announced he will speak at and host industry leaders on Friday at a White House “Crypto Summit.” —Alan Suderman, Associated Press View the full article

Zoho Corporation has announced the release of Notebook AI, an AI-powered note-taking assistant now available on iOS, Android, web browsers, and macOS. Users can activate a 15-day trial to explore the app’s features before purchasing, with pricing set at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for individual consumers. The company also plans to roll out Notebook AI to Notebook Business users within the next month at no additional cost to Business plan subscribers. Notebook AI integrates a suite of artificial intelligence tools designed to enhance note-taking, organization, and content creation. The app includes features such as content generation, translation, transcription, and shape recognition. It also offers grammar insights powered by BluePencil from Zoho Writer and voice-powered search through Zia Search. With the help of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and an interactive Q&A chatbot powered by Ask Zia, Notebook AI aims to simplify note management and improve productivity for users. Notebook AI offers a range of features to improve writing quality and efficiency. The AI-powered grammar tool refines text by correcting errors, eliminating redundancy, and ensuring inclusivity. The built-in Plagiarism Checker helps users maintain originality in their work. Additionally, Notebook AI suggests relevant tags to keep notes organized and searchable. The app also supports seamless translation, enabling users to convert notes into different languages effortlessly. “Notebook goes beyond note-taking, acting as a powerful translation tool that helps you translate your notes to any language,” Zoho stated. For users who rely on audio input, Notebook AI includes a transcription feature that converts recorded speech into readable text, making it easy to document meetings, lectures, and interviews. Its handwriting and shape recognition tools further enhance visual note-taking by refining handwritten text and perfecting drawn shapes. Notebook AI simplifies navigation with voice-activated search capabilities. Users can quickly locate notes without manually scrolling through entries, enhancing efficiency and accessibility. Currently available for individual consumers, Zoho plans to extend Notebook AI to business users in the coming month. With its broad array of AI-powered tools, Notebook AI is positioned to enhance productivity and organization for users looking to streamline their note-taking experience across multiple platforms. Images: Zoho This article, "Zoho Launches Notebook AI Across Multiple Platforms" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Zoho Corporation has announced the release of Notebook AI, an AI-powered note-taking assistant now available on iOS, Android, web browsers, and macOS. Users can activate a 15-day trial to explore the app’s features before purchasing, with pricing set at $4.99 per month or $49.99 per year for individual consumers. The company also plans to roll out Notebook AI to Notebook Business users within the next month at no additional cost to Business plan subscribers. Notebook AI integrates a suite of artificial intelligence tools designed to enhance note-taking, organization, and content creation. The app includes features such as content generation, translation, transcription, and shape recognition. It also offers grammar insights powered by BluePencil from Zoho Writer and voice-powered search through Zia Search. With the help of Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) and an interactive Q&A chatbot powered by Ask Zia, Notebook AI aims to simplify note management and improve productivity for users. Notebook AI offers a range of features to improve writing quality and efficiency. The AI-powered grammar tool refines text by correcting errors, eliminating redundancy, and ensuring inclusivity. The built-in Plagiarism Checker helps users maintain originality in their work. Additionally, Notebook AI suggests relevant tags to keep notes organized and searchable. The app also supports seamless translation, enabling users to convert notes into different languages effortlessly. “Notebook goes beyond note-taking, acting as a powerful translation tool that helps you translate your notes to any language,” Zoho stated. For users who rely on audio input, Notebook AI includes a transcription feature that converts recorded speech into readable text, making it easy to document meetings, lectures, and interviews. Its handwriting and shape recognition tools further enhance visual note-taking by refining handwritten text and perfecting drawn shapes. Notebook AI simplifies navigation with voice-activated search capabilities. Users can quickly locate notes without manually scrolling through entries, enhancing efficiency and accessibility. Currently available for individual consumers, Zoho plans to extend Notebook AI to business users in the coming month. With its broad array of AI-powered tools, Notebook AI is positioned to enhance productivity and organization for users looking to streamline their note-taking experience across multiple platforms. Images: Zoho This article, "Zoho Launches Notebook AI Across Multiple Platforms" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

There’s more to winning than just winning. The way someone handles their tremendous success, after all, can transform a winner back into a loser—something Adrien Brody proved last night with a rambling, rule-defiant acceptance speech that managed to snatch reputational defeat from the jaws of career victory. With many of his peers gathered under one roof, and the whole world watching, he put on a masterclass in how not to behave at work. Not only did Brody win his second best actor award last night—this one for The Brutalist, putting him in an elite class of multi-winners along with Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, and Marlon Brando—he also won a slot in the Guinness World Records for longest acceptance speech in Oscars history. While many winners always tend to flout the tight 45-second limit in their speeches, Brody brazenly exceeded it by five full minutes. For many viewers and social media users, it came across as a breathtaking display of entitlement, in an industry famously riddled with self-regard. Instead of a winner worth rooting for, he resembled the most annoying guy in a meeting. Brody has never had much luck with live moments. Back when he won his first Oscar in 2003, for his work in The Pianist, he pulled Halle Berry into a long and not-entirely-consensual open-mouth kiss on his way to the podium. (“I bet they didn’t tell you that was in the gift bag,” he brayed into the mic immediately afterward.) It was a bizarre move that would never fly today, and barely did back then (even though Berry returned the kiss on last night’s red carpet). Brody bungled another live moment just a few months later, going rogue while hosting SNL by donning fake dreads and a painful patois to introduce Jamaican dance hall star Sean Paul. (He has not hosted the show again since.) Last night’s acceptance speech was a chance for redemption. Brody could have changed the paradigm of his problematic past by finally getting a big, live, victory-lap moment just right. Needless to say, he blew it. This speech started out at a low point, even before it began. On his way to the podium, Brody visibly remembered that he was chewing gum, and that it might not be a good look to continue doing that during his speech. Rather than swallowing the gum or placing it in his tuxedo pocket, Brody instead turned around and tossed the wad to his partner, Georgina Chapman. It might have been a cute moment if viewed in a vacuum, but given all the privilege dripping from the speech that followed, it made Chapman seem like Brody’s personal gum valet. After arriving at the podium, Brody lamented, “They’re already counting me down,” as though the timer was a vindictive hall monitor out to get him, rather than the same, standard shot clock everyone else had been asked to abide by all night. Not a great start! He then proceeded to speak in a trembly, deliberate cadence, taking his leisurely time. “If I may just humbly begin,” he said, after already saying several other things, “by giving thanks for the tremendous outpouring of love that I’ve felt from this world.” What followed was by far the strongest portion of Brody’s speech. “Acting is a very fragile profession,” he continued with obvious emotion. Throughout the long, winding road of a career that spans four decades, Brody has always been considered a richly talented actor, even during years when his star seemed to be on the wane. In this part of his speech, Brody made it clear he’s aware his career never quite reached the heights his first Oscar suggested were within his grasp, and that a lot of actors have had similar trajectories. Indeed, some Hollywood careers unfurl in long, graceful arcs, while others are more like short, bumpy roller-coaster rides. Brody seemed legitimately grateful his career had finally rebalanced, and it was touching to behold. Whatever goodwill Brody earned in that moment abruptly evaporated, however, when he began to ramble—“Winning an award like this signifies a destination”—and then refused to cede the spotlight long after the producers piped in the wrap-it-up music. It wasn’t just that he cruised past the time limit, it was the arrogance he exuded while doing so. “Please, please, I’m wrapping up, I will wrap up,” he said while making the universal hand gesture for cut it out. “I’ve done this before,” he added. “It’s not my first rodeo.” In that moment, Brody became every annoying, entitled coworker whose narcissism compels him to demand preferential treatment. You know, the kind who sucks up valuable time in the dwindling moments of a meeting because their ideas are simply too brilliant to be saved? Earlier in the night, best supporting actor winner Kieran Culkin proved it’s possible to ward off the wrap-it-up music without looking like a jerk. About 90 seconds into the acceptance speech for his work in A Real Pain, Culkin politely asked to not be played off so he could tell a quick story about his wife, Jazz Charlton. He then went on to tell an irresistibly cute anecdote about the negotiations between him and Charlton over how many children they would have together. Not only was the story adorable, it provided continuity from previous Culkin award speeches. It was also just as brief as the star promised, at about a minute, as he made a respectful effort to rush through without bungling his words. (And without throwing any gum at his wife, to boot.) Brody, on the other hand, kept going for even longer after refusing to leave, and continued speaking in the same unhurried tone, attempting to imbue each word with special meaning. The stark contrast between the two performers proves it’s not difficult to be a graceful winner. It might even require more effort to misread a room full of peers so egregiously. For a moment there, Brody had crystallized the narrative that his unlikely second Oscar proves he’s been undervalued for decades. But once his off-putting self-importance kicked in, he instead revealed that those fallow years were fallow probably for good reason. View the full article