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The largely direct-to-consumer lender will also offer reverse mortgage loans in the latest dealing between publicly traded industry players. View the full article

Cabinet dealers, interior designers and remodeling contractors in the U.S. hope new tariffs on imported kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities and upholstered wooden furniture that kicked in Tuesday will create more business for them and eventually boost domestic production of those products. But several small business owners in the home improvement industry say they expect some short-term pains from the import taxes: Clients with projects already on the books might balk at having to pay more for the budget-priced cabinets they selected. Potential customers may postpone kitchen and bathroom renovations until costs — and the economy — seem more stable. “I think the volatility around pricing is damaging to the remodeling industry,” said Allison Harlow, an interior designer in Michigan whose company, Curio Design Studio, creates and builds custom bathrooms and kitchens. “Most people will hear the headline of ‘Kitchen cabinets will go up 50%’ and might just opt out of even reaching out to our company.” Despite high mortgage rates having depressed sales of existing homes in recent years, a forecast of remodeling activity by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies predicts that homeowner spending on improvements and maintenance will remain steady into the middle of 2026. The President calls cheap imports a national security threat A proclamation that President Donald The President signed on Sept. 29 cited national security and foreign trade practices as grounds for imposing the tariffs on certain finished wood products and product components. Of them, imported vanities and kitchen cabinets incurred the steepest tax rates: 25% until the end of the year and 50% starting on New Year’s Day. Upholstered chairs, seats and sofas also are subject to a 25% worldwide tariff effective Tuesday, with the rate scheduled to increase to 30% on Jan. 1. In addition, the presidential proclamation put a 10% import tax on softwood timber and lumber, which comes from evergreen trees like pine and cedars. Softwoods often are used to make furniture and in wood frame construction. Canada is the source of about 85% of the softwood lumber the U.S. imports, or nearly one-quarter of the national supply, according to the National Association of Homebuilders. Some U.S. trading partners are receiving more favorable treatment when it comes to the furniture and cabinetry tariffs. The tax on U.K. exports was capped at 10%, while the rate for wood products from the European Union and Japan was capped at 15%. The American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance and other trade and advocacy groups lobbied for tariffs to help offset what they described as a flood of cheap cabinets from countries such as Vietnam, Malaysia, China and elsewhere in the decades since more U.S. furniture manufacturing moved offshore. U.S.-made products tend to cost more but often are of better quality. A higher bottom line for renovators on a budget John Lovallo, an analyst at UBS bank, estimates the tariffs on imported cabinets and vanities could add roughly $280 to the average cost of building a single-family home, not enough to sink a project that often carries an overall price tag more than 1,000 times larger than that. Some business owners say they plan to cover any tariff-related costs for now instead of raising customer prices. John Dean, founder of Dean Cabinetry in Connecticut, sells cabinets that run the gamut from lower-priced imports to custom models made in his shop. Imported products account for about a third of his sales, but Dean said he does not expect much fallout from the tariffs. Two of his vendors that he buys imported cabinets from, in China and Vietnam, said they would raise prices by 10% to recoup some of the duty costs. Dean said he would not charge customers more for now. Since a kitchen remodel is a big ticket item to begin with, and with the costs of building lumber and labor going up, raising cabinet prices might hurt demand, he said. “My personal perspective is most small- and medium-sized businesses are trying to absorb those costs,” he said. The wood product tariffs are likely to have a bigger effect on selection than on prices as importers scale back their orders to focus on bestsellers and products with the highest profit margins, according to Jason Miller, a supply chain management professor at Michigan State University. “It will make importers more selective in the varieties they bring in,” Miller said: “So I think the bigger impact is going to be on the product variety side: Consumers should expect less variety.” What cabinet companies are expecting Although the White House said the tariffs were intended to boost domestic production and protect U.S. businesses from predatory trade practices, some cabinet makers say that will be difficult because their supply chains are multinational. Linq Kitchen, a Los Angeles-area company that designs, builds and installs modern-style kitchen cabinets, uses plywood and melamine panels from Asia and Europe in its projects, co-founder Josh Qian said. A suitable domestic alternative does not exist, he said. “The kitchen cabinet industry is highly globalized, and even U.S.-based manufacturers depend on imported materials, hardware, and finishes,” Qian said. “These tariffs may sound protective, but in reality, they often raise costs across the entire supply chain.” At the same time, cabinet companies that don’t sell foreign products or rely on imported components look forward to capturing more business. One is ACO Denver Custom Cabinetry in Denver, Colorado, which enlists Amish, Mennonite, and New German Baptist shops in the Midwest to handcraft custom cabinets. Andrea Mulkey, the company’s president and co-founder, said her main concern is whether interest in American-made cabinets will grow too quickly. “It’s hard to predict how much new business might come our way as competitors are affected,” Mulkey said. “We simply couldn’t serve everyone if demand suddenly surged. The real challenge is similar to what we saw post-COVID, when everyone got busy at once, and access to raw materials became strained.” The Curio Design Studio has its custom cabinets made in Minnesota and Wisconsin, but Harlow worries about the tariffs costing her customers. “I think it will decrease consumer confidence and create a narrative that the work is going to get inherently more expensive,” Harlow said. “I think we will have to work harder to attract potential clients with messaging of how this blanket statement, ‘Kitchen cabinets will go up 50%,’ does not impact our particular business model.” —Mae Anderson, AP Business Writer View the full article

It is dangerous to have confidence about what lies aheadView the full article

Fans are continuing to change the tune of how they consume music. It was recently reported that MTV was going to stop broadcasting five channels, including MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live in the United Kingdom, and that the channels would go dark the end of this year. (Its flagship channel, MTV HD, will continue to air reality series.) Local news outlets in Australia, Poland, France, and Brazil have also reported that MTV could shut down music channels in those respective countries as well—leaving some to wonder if the United States is next to shutter those channels. It’s no secret that MTV’s parent company, Paramount Global, has been going through a lot of changes and turbulence, especially after the FCC officially approved the $8.4 billion Paramount-Skydance merger. But even before the merger was finalized, MTV was already undergoing plenty of changes in recent years. In 2023, it was announced that MTV News, the news production arm of MTV in the United States, would shut down in 2023, with the corresponding website officially shuttering last summer. The initial move resulted in Paramount laying off 25% of its staff at the time. The latest decision to cease broadcasting music channels in the U.K. continues to highlight the global shift in how consumers today are discovering and consuming music videos, and other music-related content like news, on social media and platforms like TikTok and YouTube, rather than broadcast TV or traditional media outlets. The rise of MusicTok According to Vevo’s new Fandom = Cultural Currency report, 44% of fans search for related content on social media. Meanwhile, according to a MIDiA Research Consumer Survey from this year, the top music discovery method for 16-to-24-year-olds is TikTok, followed by YouTube, streaming, and social media. And a joint TikTok and Luminate report that came out earlier this year found that TikTok has been a “key driver” of music discovery, monetization, and chart success. The same research found that U.S. TikTok users are 74% more likely to discover and share new music on social and short-form video (SFV) platforms than the average user of these platforms. Popular chart-topping artists like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan have all gone viral on TikTok, and have utilized social media as a way to reach their fans. Meanwhile, TikTok has been leaning into its throne as a newly emerged platform for music discovery and consumption through marketing campaigns like “See Where Music Takes You,” which launched this summer. TikTok has also launched several new features over the past few years to help make discovering music easier for its users, including the Add to Music App feature, which was previously launched in partnership with major music streaming services like Amazon Music and Spotify. The feature allows users to save songs they find on the app to the music streaming platform of their choice. However, despite MTV closing down its music channels in other parts of the world—and fans wondering if the U.S. would be next—The Wall Street Journal recently reported that newly appointed Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison supposedly has plans up his sleeve to revive and reinvent MTV as a music channel in the U.S. If the news ends up being true, one has to wonder how successful those plans will be, given all the data and headlines pointing to music shifting away from cable TV—unless, of course, social media will play a part in promoting the channel. Paramount and MTV did not respond to a request for comment. View the full article

London properties worth £130mn frozen in action against group accused of large-scale online romance fraudView the full article

Google’s updated search ad labeling increases transparency and may influence user behavior. Learn what’s changing and how it could impact performance. The post Google Redesigns How Search Ads Are Labeled appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

AI for project management is changing how teams plan and deliver projects. Instead of relying only on manual processes, project managers can now use AI project management to analyze data, predict risks and recommend next steps. This technology helps teams save time, improve accuracy and make better decisions during every stage of a project. As more organizations adopt AI project management tools, they gain an advantage in speed and efficiency. AI tools for project management make it easier to balance workloads, manage resources, and stay on top of deadlines. Whether you are running a small project or managing a complex portfolio, using AI for project management keeps everyone aligned and focused on the right priorities. What Is AI Project Management? AI project management uses artificial intelligence to support planning, execution and monitoring of projects. It analyzes project data, predicts risks and recommends actions that keep work on track. By reducing manual reporting and surfacing insights instantly, AI for project management helps teams save time and focus on critical tasks. This approach also improves decision-making by turning complex data into simple, actionable summaries. AI project management can spot potential delays, highlight overdue tasks and provide recommendations on where to focus attention next. It acts like a virtual assistant that works behind the scenes to keep projects moving efficiently. Modern project management software uses AI to automate reporting, flag risks and provide data-driven forecasts. It can scan schedules and resources to identify bottlenecks, summarize project health and even suggest adjustments. By integrating AI tools for project management into daily workflows, teams work faster and make decisions with better context and confidence. ProjectManager’s AI project insights is powered by ChatGPT’s latest technology and delivers instant executive summaries, risk analysis and in-depth recommendations with a single click. It analyzes project data multiple times, giving managers a clear, nuanced report on progress and potential issues. Combined with Gantt charts, dashboards and task lists, this makes our software one of the most complete AI project management tools for businesses that need real-time insights and proactive planning. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AI-Insights-CTA-Gantt-Lightmode-GPT5.pngLearn more Why Use AI for Project Management? AI for project management helps teams work smarter by automating repetitive tasks and delivering insights faster. Instead of spending hours building reports or manually checking progress, AI scans project data and highlights what matters most. This allows managers to focus on solving problems and making decisions that keep the project moving forward. It also improves accuracy by spotting risks and predicting delays before they happen. AI project management tools make it easier to balance workloads, allocate resources and keep teams aligned with project goals. By using AI for project management, organizations save time and reduce the chance of missed deadlines or budget overruns. Types of AI Project Management Tools AI for project management comes in many forms and each type serves a different purpose. Some tools create content while others analyze data or recommend next steps. Understanding the types of AI project management tools helps teams choose the right solution for their workflow and get the most out of this technology. Generative AI Project Management Tools Generative AI project management tools help teams create project content faster. They can draft project charters, meeting agendas, status updates and even task descriptions based on minimal input. This saves managers hours of writing and lets them focus on strategic decisions. Generative AI can also provide quick summaries of complex reports so stakeholders get the information they need without digging through data. For teams using AI for project management, these tools make documentation more efficient and ensure communication is clear and consistent. Related: 13 Free Stakeholder Management Templates for Excel & Word Predictive AI Project Management Tools Predictive AI project management tools analyze historical data and current project trends to forecast outcomes. They can estimate when tasks will be late, where budget overruns may occur and which risks are most likely to impact delivery. This allows managers to take action early before issues grow into major problems. Predictive AI tools for project management are especially valuable on large, complex projects where there are many variables to track. By using predictive AI, project managers can keep schedules realistic and manage resources with greater confidence. Prescriptive AI Project Management Tools Prescriptive AI project management tools go one step further by recommending actions, not just predicting issues. If a project is behind schedule, these tools might suggest reassigning tasks, adding resources or shifting deadlines. They turn raw data into actionable strategies that help teams recover quickly. For organizations adopting AI for project management, prescriptive tools are like having a digital advisor that not only spots problems but also tells you the best way to solve them. This makes them ideal for project managers who need to respond fast to changing conditions. Analytical & Insights AI Project Management Tools Analytical and insights AI project management tools focus on understanding performance and surfacing trends. They generate visual dashboards, performance summaries and deep-dive analytics that show exactly where a project stands. This level of insight enables both construction managers and project managers to make informed decisions supported by data. Using AI for project management in this way ensures stakeholders always have a clear picture of progress and can align on priorities without waiting for manual reports. Automated AI Assistants Automated AI assistants act as a project manager’s digital helper, running in the background to handle repetitive tasks. They can send reminders, update task statuses, notify teams of changes and compile regular progress updates. These AI project management tools reduce administrative workload and facilitate smooth communication. For busy managers, automated AI assistants make it easier to stay focused on high-value activities like risk management and stakeholder engagement while knowing that routine updates are handled automatically. Common AI Project Management Features AI for project management is powerful because it combines automation, analytics and real-time insights in one platform. These features help teams save time, improve accuracy and keep projects moving forward. Understanding the most common AI project management features helps organizations choose the right software for their needs and get the most value from their investment. Task & Workflow Automation Task and workflow automation is one of the biggest advantages of AI for project management. AI project management tools can automatically assign tasks based on team availability, update task statuses as work progresses and send reminders before deadlines. This reduces manual admin work and keeps everyone on track without constant oversight. Automation also ensures consistency across projects, making it easier to manage multiple workflows at once. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/automation-light-mode-manufacturing-actual-costs-actual-duration-600x294.pngLearn more Predictive Analytics Predictive analytics uses AI to forecast outcomes based on real-time project data. These tools can flag potential delays, budget overruns and missed milestones before they occur. By using predictive analytics in AI project management tools, teams gain early warning signals that allow them to take corrective action. This feature is ideal for complex projects where there are many dependencies and risks to manage. Resource Optimization Resource optimization ensures that people, equipment and budgets are allocated efficiently. AI for project management analyzes workloads and suggests ways to balance tasks across the team. It can highlight underused resources and flag when someone is overloaded so managers can redistribute work. This keeps productivity high and helps prevent burnout while avoiding costly over-allocation of resources. /wp-content/uploads/2024/05/workload-page-resource-management-lightmode-600x294.pngLearn more Natural Language Processing (NLP) Natural language processing allows AI project management tools to understand and respond to text-based inputs. This means users can ask questions, request reports or add updates in plain language instead of navigating complex menus. NLP makes AI for project management more accessible for teams who want quick answers without technical barriers and speeds up communication across the project team. Risk Monitoring Risk monitoring powered by AI helps managers stay ahead of potential issues. These tools scan schedules, budgets and performance data to identify risks that could delay delivery or increase costs. AI project management tools can rank risks by severity and likelihood, giving managers a clear view of where to focus attention. This leads to proactive problem-solving rather than last-minute firefighting. /wp-content/uploads/2024/01/risk-image-lightmode-600x331.pngLearn more Smart Insights Smart insights turn raw project data into actionable recommendations. Instead of just showing dashboards, AI for project management interprets information and tells teams what it means. This might include identifying tasks that need immediate attention or suggesting ways to accelerate progress. Smart insights save managers time by eliminating the need to dig through reports to find what matters most. Chatbots and Decision Support AI-powered chatbots and decision support tools act as a virtual assistant for project managers. They can answer questions, provide status updates and recommend next steps based on project data. These AI project management tools reduce the time spent searching for information and help managers make faster, better decisions that keep projects aligned with goals. Integration with Collaboration Tools Integration with collaboration tools ensures AI project management fits into existing workflows. These features allow teams to connect with chat platforms, document sharing systems and other software they already use. By centralizing data and communication, AI for project management improves visibility and keeps everyone working from the same information. This leads to fewer misunderstandings and smoother teamwork. /wp-content/uploads/2024/03/collaboration-600x341.pngLearn more Benefits of Using AI for Project Management AI for project management offers more than just automation. It gives teams the ability to see problems before they happen, make smarter decisions and work more efficiently. The benefits go beyond saving time and help organizations deliver higher-quality results on schedule and within budget. Improved Decision Making AI for project management improves decision-making by turning complex project data into clear, actionable insights. Instead of relying only on gut instinct, managers can see exactly where projects stand and what issues need attention. AI project management tools analyze schedules, budgets and team performance in real time, so decisions are based on facts. This leads to better prioritization and fewer surprises as projects progress. Related: Top 7 Decision-Making Templates: Free Excel & Word Downloads Enhanced Risk Management Managing risk is easier with AI project management tools. They automatically scan data for potential issues, rank risks by likelihood and impact and suggest mitigation steps. This proactive approach allows teams to take action early, avoiding delays and costly rework. AI for project management ensures nothing slips through the cracks, helping projects stay stable even when conditions change. Automated Reporting AI-powered reporting removes the burden of manually compiling updates. Project managers can generate status reports, progress summaries and stakeholder dashboards in seconds. AI project management tools pull data from across the project, so reports are accurate and always up to date. This saves hours of work and keeps everyone aligned without extra effort from the team. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Reports-Light-2554x1372-1-600x322.pngLearn more Scalability AI for project management scales easily as projects grow in size and complexity. Whether managing one project or an entire portfolio, AI tools for project management adjust to handle more data, tasks and resources. This allows organizations to expand operations without losing control or visibility. Teams stay efficient as workloads increase because AI handles much of the monitoring and analysis automatically. Disadvantages of Using AI for Project Management AI for project management brings many advantages, but it also comes with challenges that teams must consider. These drawbacks don’t mean AI should be avoided, but they highlight the importance of planning for proper implementation and oversight. Dependence on Data Quality AI for project management is only as good as the data it processes. Incomplete or outdated project information can lead to inaccurate insights or misleading recommendations. This creates a risk of poor decision-making if teams rely too heavily on flawed data. Successful use of AI project management tools requires disciplined data entry, regular updates and strong governance to keep information reliable. Reduced Human Oversight While automation saves time, it can also reduce human oversight. Teams may become too dependent on AI-generated suggestions and miss critical context that software cannot interpret. AI project management should complement—not replace—human judgment. Regular reviews and discussions help ensure decisions are still aligned with strategy and organizational goals. Data Privacy & Security AI project management tools often require access to sensitive company data, which raises concerns about privacy and security. Unauthorized access or data breaches could expose financial records, employee details or strategic plans. Organizations must implement strong security protocols, choose vendors with robust compliance measures and train staff on data handling to reduce risk. High Implementation Costs Adopting AI project management tools can involve significant upfront costs for software, integration and training. Smaller teams may struggle with the investment, especially if the ROI isn’t immediately clear. Careful planning and phased rollouts can help control expenses while demonstrating value over time, making AI adoption more practical for a wide range of organizations. ProjectManager Offers AI Project Management Tools ProjectManager has embedded powerful AI for project management features that go beyond manual tracking and status reports. With the introduction of AI project insights, users can now click a single AI button in any project to generate executive summaries, identify risks in real time and get tailored recommendations that help prevent problems before they escalate. Accuracy improves when project data is well maintained; clear task descriptions, actual dates and tracked hours all feed into the AI so the guidance is timely and relevant. These tools are included for Business and Enterprise plans at no extra cost, meaning teams get access to AI for project management without worrying about add-ons. Multiple Views and Resource Tracking ProjectManager supports multiple project views, including Gantt charts, list, board, calendar and risk, so construction managers and project managers alike can see work through the lens that suits them best. Combined with resource management features, the tools allow team leads to see who is overallocated, where delays may occur and how workload is distributed. AI tools highlight when tasks are falling behind, suggesting reassigning resources or adjusting timelines so the schedule stays realistic. It’s not just about seeing the plan, it’s about seeing ahead. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Automated Tracking, Security and Smart Recommendations Aside from visual tracking and resource views, our software has tools to monitor progress automatically — percent complete status updates, timesheet entries, board-column changes all feed into the AI engine. That lets teams generate reports and dashboards that reflect true status without manual consolidation. There’s also a strong privacy and security foundation: customer data remains private, the AI doesn’t train on your data for public models and rigorous compliance standards are in place. Additionally, the system provides clear usage limits, detailed guidance for input quality and practical advice on how to get the most value from AI project insights. These safeguards and smart recommendations make our software among the most reliable AI project management tools available. /wp-content/uploads/2025/10/AI-Insights-Darkmode-Dashboard-GPT5.png 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 AI Project Management: What Is It, How to Use It and Best Tools appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

I love being able to go to the pharmacy for my own (or my kids’) flu shots. Pop in, get the shot, then go about my day. That process has now gotten even easier: Last year, the FDA approved the first flu vaccine that you can administer yourself, or that parents can administer to their children, and it's now available for at-home ordering. I just placed my order. And best of all: It’s a nasal spray, so no needles. How can you get the at-home flu vaccine? The nasal spray vaccine, called FluMist, still needs to be prescribed by a medical provider. But since nearly everyone aged two through 49 is eligible, FluMist’s maker (AstraZeneca) has a telehealth website that bundles the provider's approval with an order to an online pharmacy. The process takes about five minutes on average, they say, and I found that to be accurate. I've already had my flu shot this year, but my kids haven't gotten it yet. (I also know my daughter strongly prefers the nasal to the injection when possible.) The website allowed me to add multiple people to the same order, so I filled out the questionnaire for each child, giving their names, ages, allergies, and so on. The website then reached into some big data cloud out there and told me it already knew their insurance information (existentially frightening, yet convenient!) and presented me with my bill: an $8.99 fee, which included $2.50 for physician evaluation and $6.49 for shipping and processing. Insurance covers the cost of the vaccine itself. Who can use the at-home flu vaccine? The at-home vaccine is the same as regular FluMist, which is approved for ages two through 49. That means babies and older adults will still need to visit a provider for the regular, injectable flu vaccine. Children can get flu shots starting at the age of six months. FluMist uses a live, weakened virus. It can't give you the actual flu, but it can cause some respiratory symptoms in people with weakened immune systems. So it's not recommended for people who are pregnant, have certain medical conditions, or are immunocompromised or have close contact with an immunocompromised person. If that's you, talk to a provider about your best options. You may be advised to get the regular injectable type, which doesn't include any live virus. How do you give yourself the at-home flu vaccine? Mine hasn't arrived yet, but the instructions say that a package containing the vaccine will arrive at my door on the day I selected. It will be packed in an insulated container with cold packs, and should be put in the refrigerator upon arrival. There's also a tag I can scan to make sure the vaccine stayed at the proper temperature during the shipping process. Assuming that all goes well, you follow the instructions to spray the vaccine up your nose. (If you've gotten a FluMist at a pharmacy, it's the same idea.) Adults can administer it to themselves, and children will need an adult to do it for them. Instructions are, of course, provided. After you administer the vaccine, there is a prepaid envelope you can use to return the sprayers for disposal. View the full article

A reader writes: I’m a happily married woman who works at a company that somewhat blurs the lines between work and friendship. While working at this company, I have learned that I’m a social butterfly. I enjoy socializing with colleagues after hours at trade shows, company events, and informal gatherings, especially when we have out-of-town colleagues visiting from another part of America or another part of the world. My husband is an introvert through and through, and we’ve had to learn how to navigate our opposite natures when it comes to my work’s social events. Basically, he only attends the events that are very important to me or events that only have a small group of people who he knows well, and I attend the rest solo. This works well for us. I can fill my social battery as I see fit, and he doesn’t feel forced to make small talk with people he’ll likely never see again. Sometimes, I want to catch up with colleagues of the opposite sex who I don’t see very often. My husband knows he has nothing to worry about, so he’s fine with me grabbing dinner or a drink after work with visiting colleagues. It’s usually a small group of mixed sex people, but occasionally it’s just me and maybe two other men (I’m in a male-dominated industry). My husband does not have a problem with this at all. However, I come from a very conservative religious family that definitely does not approve of opposite-sex colleagues socializing outside of the office. I think that’s a gross, outdated, and sexist mindset (partially thanks to reading your blog!), but I’m struggling to come up with a script for how to shut down any negative comments. No one has said anything to me directly yet, but I see the sidelong glances when I happen to mention attending a work event and my family discovers that my husband was not there with me. Aside from ignoring their glances, which has been my strategy so far, do you have any suggestions for what to say? I’m not great at quick thinking when I’m suddenly put on the spot, so I should probably have something in my back pocket to use just in case. And if you have a script for my husband to use, that would be helpful too. Even though he doesn’t mind my social activities, he’s at a loss for how to defend our choices to my family. If you’re willing to keep ignoring their sidelong glances, do! That’s a perfectly fine way to handle it. If they have something to say, make them say it before you bother to engage. Why borrow trouble, if you can ignore them! But I can also understand why those sidelong glances might really irritate you. They definitely would me. So if you’re looking for things to say, or if they say something that requires a response: * “Dealing with men one-on-one has been normal and expected everywhere I’ve ever worked. It’s not 1825.” * “Mike and I have a great marriage so it’s a non-issue. Would you not trust Bob around female colleagues? That must be really hard.” * “Mike and I trust each other. Is there something making you concerned about my marriage or my trustworthiness?” Obviously these last two are a bit more confrontational — but your relatives are the ones making that necessary by implying, essentially, that you’d cheat on your husband (or, I guess, that your male colleagues are waiting to prey on you). If they respond with something about how they trust you but the men you work with can’t be trusted: “I’ve never known anyone I work with to be less than professional and respectful. If you’ve had different experiences, I’m sorry to hear it.” Or just, “Matilda, please — we’re in public spaces and it’s 2025. This is part of being in the workforce.” And as for what your husband can say: “Jane and I trust each other. I’d worry if our marriage depended on line-of-sight supervision at all times. Why, does yours?” Okay, he doesn’t need to say “does yours?” But he should be thinking it! If these are all more aggressive than you want (and I realize they might be), another option is to just laugh and say, “It’s not an issue.” Because it’s not — and you and your husband are the ones who decide that, not anyone else. The post my religious family disapproves of my socializing with male colleagues appeared first on Ask a Manager. View the full article

America’s largest brick-and-mortar retailer is partnering with the country’s most prominent AI firm in the clearest signal yet that companies are hoping to boost their sales with artificial intelligence-assisted shopping tools. Today, Walmart and OpenAI announced a new partnership that will allow ChatGPT users to buy Walmart products directly from within the chatbot itself. Here’s what you need to know about the news, and how Walmart’s stock price is reacting. The Walmart-OpenAI deal explained Today, retail giant Walmart Inc. (NYSE: WMT) announced a major new deal with ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The deal will see the artificial intelligence firm’s chatbot gain the ability to make purchases through Walmart and Sam’s Club on a customer’s and member’s behalf. This AI shopping experience will be done through natural language interaction with ChatGPT. In other words, you tell ChatGPT what you want to buy from Walmart or Sam’s Club, and ChatGPT will add the item to your cart, and your preferred payment method will be charged—all without leaving the ChatGPT interface. This type of shopping, which is referred to as “agentic commerce” due to it being powered by a generative AI chatbot, utilizes OpenAI’s Instant Checkout and Agentic Commerce Protocol, which the company launched last month. “This marks the next step in agentic commerce, where ChatGPT doesn’t just help you find what to buy, it also helps you buy it,” OpenAI said when introducing Instant Checkout in September. Walmart’s adoption of OpenAI’s technology underscores how the largest retailers on the planet are betting that consumers will increasingly turn to AI chatbots to help fulfill their shopping needs. When can Walmart shoppers start using ChatGPT? Despite announcing the OpenAI deal today, Walmart did not give a date for when users could begin shopping through their normal ChatGPT conversations, only saying that the deal would allow this interaction “soon.” The company also wasn’t shy about making promises about how transformative agentic commerce will be—for shoppers and artificial intelligence itself. “At the center of this transformation are the everyday moments that define how people shop,” the company said. “This is agentic commerce in action: where AI shifts from reactive to proactive, from static to dynamic. It learns, plans, and predicts, helping customers anticipate their needs before they do.” The ushering in of the intention economy? While AI adherents and ChatGPT junkies may be excited about the possibilities of agentic commerce, the expanding role of the technology also risks speeding the arrival of the so-called “intention economy.” As University of Cambridge researchers have warned, our interactions with AI chatbots could be used to manipulate us into doing things we otherwise wouldn’t have intended to do. “In an intention economy,” the researchers wrote in a December 2024 paper titled Beware the Intention Economy: Collection and Commodification of Intent via Large Language Models, “an LLM could, at low cost, leverage a user’s cadence, politics, vocabulary, age, gender, preferences for sycophancy, and so on, in concert with brokered bids, to maximize the likelihood of achieving a given aim (e.g., to sell a film ticket).” Chatbots with aegentic commerce capabilities could conceivably use your innocuous conversations with them to steer you into buying products without you fully realizing this subtle manipulation. “You sound a bit down,” a chatbot might say, after you reveal to it that you’ve been unhappy with your work and social life. “A run can boost your endorphins, but just make sure you have appropriate running shoes because I know you’ve had knee problems before. There’s a great deal on the latest Nike’s in your size at your preferred retailer. Would you like me to order them for you?” Whether agentic commerce reaches this level of dystopia or not remains to be seen. However, if you are buying things through chatbots, it’s a good idea to be vigilant that your purchase decisions come from you and not the chatbot itself. WMT shares spike on news of ChatGPT shopping integration However AI hawks and critics might view Walmart’s partnership with OpenAI, investors appear to be cheering the news. Immediately after Walmart announced the deal, WMT shares spiked around 3% in premarket trading to above $105 per share. As of the time of this writing, WMT shares were up 2.98% in early Tuesday trading. Today’s OpenAI deal isn’t the first between the AI giant and Walmart. Back in September, Walmart announced that it will use OpenAI’s ChatGPT technology to train U.S. frontline and office-based workers beginning in 2026. View the full article

The top prize in landscape architecture has just been awarded to Mexican designer Mario Schjetnan, a multifaceted landscape architect whose work has transformed parks across Mexico City and vastly expanded social housing projects across his home coountry. Schjetnan and his firm, Grupo de Diseño Urbano (GDU), were announced winners of the 2025 Cornelia Hahn Oberlander International Landscape Architecture Prize, a biennial award from the Cultural Landscape Foundation recognizing the most influential and impactful practitioners in the field. Schjetnan and GDU have designed some of the most significant parks in Mexico, including Chapultepec Forest and Park, the second-largest city park in Latin America, known colloquially as Mexico’s “Central Park.” With a focus on equitable access to nature, the application of environmental knowledge, and the potential of postindustrial sites, GDU’s work has expanded the notion of what parks can do in Mexico. The Oberlander Prize jury’s citation calls Schjetnan “a strong voice for social engagement and environmental justice in tandem with the art of landscape architecture.” The Oberlander Prize includes a $100,000 award and two years of public engagement activities focused on the laureate’s work. Schjetnan is the third designer to win the prize. Landscape architect Julie Bargmann, whose D.I.R.T. Studio focuses on degraded sites, was the inaugural laureate in 2021. Chinese landscape architect Kongjian Yu, known for his work designing “sponge cities,” was honored in 2023. (Yu died in an airplane crash on September 23, 2025, in Brazil.) GDU’s best work Schjetnan cofounded GDU in 1977 after five years helping lead a vast worker housing program for the Mexican government that created more than 100,000 units of affordable housing across the country. GDU’s work built on that social focus, emphasizing access to natural areas and the use of natural systems to repair damaged spaces in and around urban areas. “The major question of my life is to improve liveability in the poorest sections of Mexico and Latin America, to provide social justice and urban equity, and also in the richest sections,” he said. Another of Schjetnan and GDU’s most notable projects is the 684-acre Xochimilco Ecological Park in Mexico City, a nature preserve and recreational space that’s part of a famed lagoon area recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Schjetnan’s U.S. projects include a waterfront park in Oakland, California; an interpretive landscape focused on immigrant workers located in Sonoma, California; and a linear park along a creek in San Antonio. GDU has also built projects across Latin America and the Middle East. In awarding Schjetnan the Oberlander Prize, the Cultural Landscape Foundation is celebrating an approach to landscape architecture that bleeds across design disciplines to create longer-lasting change in the lives of urban dwellers. “For more than 50 years, Mario Schjetnan’s unwavering commitment to the idea of a human right to have access to open space and the necessity for incorporating cultural values in his work have served as foundational requirements in shaping and managing an equitable built environment for all,” said Charles Birnbaum, president and CEO of the Cultural Landscape Foundation. View the full article

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday vetoed landmark legislation that would have restricted children’s access to AI chatbots. The bill would have banned companies from making AI chatbots available to anyone under 18 years old unless the businesses could ensure the technology couldn’t engage in sexual conversations or encourage self-harm. “While I strongly support the author’s goal of establishing necessary safeguards for the safe use of AI by minors, (the bill) imposes such broad restrictions on the use of conversational AI tools that it may unintentionally lead to a total ban on the use of these products by minors,” Newsom said. The veto came hours after he signed a law requiring platforms to remind users they are interacting with a chatbot and not a human. The notification would pop up every three hours for users who are minors. Companies will also have to maintain a protocol to prevent self-harm content and refer users to crisis service providers if they expressed suicidal ideation. Newsom, who has four children under 18, said California has a responsibility to protect kids and teens who are increasingly turning to AI chatbots for everything from help with homework to emotional support and personal advice. California is among several states that tried this year to address concerns surrounding chatbots used by kids for companionship. Safety concerns around the technology exploded following reports and lawsuits saying chatbots made by Meta, OpenAI and others engaged with young users in highly sexualized conversations and, in some cases, coached them to take their own lives. The two measures were among a slew of AI bills introduced by California lawmakers this year to rein in the homegrown industry that is rapidly evolving with little oversight. Tech companies and their coalitions, in response, spent at least $2.5 million in the first six months of the session lobbying against the measures, according to advocacy group Tech Oversight California. Tech companies and leaders in recent months also announced they are launching pro-AI super PACs to fight state and federal oversight. The youth AI chatbot ban would have applied to generative AI systems that simulate “humanlike relationship” with users by retaining their personal information and asking unprompted emotional questions. It would have allowed the state attorney general to seek a civil penalty of $25,000 per violation. James Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, said Newsom’s veto of the bill was “deeply disappointing.” “This legislation is desperately needed to protect children and teens from dangerous — and even deadly — AI companion chatbots,” he said. But the tech industry argued that the bill was so broad that it would stifle innovation and take away useful tools for children, such as AI tutoring systems and programs that could detect early signs of dyslexia. Steyer also said the notification law didn’t go far enough, saying it “provides minimal protections for children and families.” “This legislation was heavily watered down after major Big Tech industry pressure,” he said, calling it “basically a Nothing Burger.” But OpenAI praised Newsom’s signing of the law. “By setting clear guardrails, California is helping shape a more responsible approach to AI development and deployment across the country,” spokesperson Jamie Radice said. California Attorney General Rob Bonta in September told OpenAI he has “serious concerns” with its flagship chatbot, OpenAI, for children and teens. The Federal Trade Commission also launched an inquiry last month into several AI companies about the potential risks for children when they use chatbots as companions. Research by a watchdog group says chatbots have been shown to give kids dangerous advice about topics such as drugs, alcohol and eating disorders. The mother of a teenage boy in Florida who died by suicide after developing what she described as an emotionally and sexually abusive relationship with a chatbot has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Character.AI. And the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine recently sued OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, alleging that ChatGPT coached the California boy in planning and taking his own life earlier this year. OpenAI and Meta last month announced changes to how their chatbots respond to teenagers asking questions about suicide or showing signs of mental and emotional distress. Meta said it is now blocking its chatbots from talking with teens about self-harm, suicide, disordered eating and inappropriate romantic conversations, and instead directs them to expert resources. Meta already offers parental controls on teen accounts. OpenAI said it is rolling out new controls enabling parents to link their accounts to their teen’s account. EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. —Trân Nguyễn, Associated Press View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. There’s no shortage of wireless earbuds out there, but if you want noise cancellation, full iOS compatibility, and a fit that won’t budge during a workout, you should consider the Beats Fit Pro. Right now, you can buy them on sale for $99.99 at StackSocial (reg. $199.99). The sale includes all four color options—white, black, gray, and purple. They're “open box” models, meaning that they’ve likely been handled but not used, and they’ve been inspected to make sure they’re still in new condition. They’re rated IPX4 for water resistance, so sweat and light rain aren’t a problem, though the case itself isn’t protected and doesn’t support wireless charging. Battery life is around six hours with ANC on and another 18 to 23 hours from the case, depending on how you use them. Sound-wise, these lean hard into bass, which some folks will love and others might find a bit much. The low end hits especially well at high volumes without distortion, which makes them great for hip-hop, pop, or EDM, notes this PCMag review. The noise cancellation holds up pretty well for sounds like plane rumbles and low-frequency distractions, but don’t expect total silence in a noisy café (higher-pitched noises still leak through). There’s also a decent Transparency Mode that lets in just enough outside sound for you to cross the street or chat with someone without pulling out an earbud. Android users do have access to most core features through the Beats app, but some perks, such as automatic switching, hands-free Siri, and Spatial Audio, are still iOS-only. Getting all that for over half off isn't a bad deal at all. View the full article

The San Francisco-based banking giant reported a 9% annual jump in quarterly profits. It also made official its appointment of CEO Charlie Scharf as chairman. View the full article

Google introduced two AI-powered features: AI summaries in Discover and a Sports feed in Search. Google Discover. Users will now see AI-generated previews of trending topics they follow. The summaries cite multiple publishers and can be expanded to view more details and linked articles. The feature is available in the U.S., South Korea, and India, after earlier testing in the U.S. this summer. A Google spokesperson seemed to confirm the Discover AI summaries “officially” launched in the U.S. in July. At that time, the Discover AI summaries appeared on iOS and Android for trending lifestyle topics (e.g., sports, entertainment). TechCrunch reported this, but there was no official announcement from Google. What’s new. In Search, a new What’s new button will soon appear when users look up teams or players on mobile. This feature opens a feed of trending updates and articles about the topic. This is rolling out in the U.S. over the coming weeks. Why we care. Discover has been a reliable traffic source for many publishers. Google says the new tools help people explore more of the web, not less, but publishers should watch whether this shift to AI-generated summaries reduces the need for users to click through to read stories. This could result in a similar negative impact on traffic as AI Overviews have had for many websites in Google Search. Dig deeper. Google traffic to news publishers is steady, but it isn’t traditional Search Google’s announcement. New AI-powered features help you connect with web content in Search and Discover. View the full article

Facebook is taking strides to enhance user engagement and connection through innovative updates to its Reels feature. These changes, aimed primarily at improving content discovery and interaction, carry significant implications for small business owners looking to harness the platform’s expansive reach. In a recent press release, Facebook detailed its upgraded recommendations engine, which promises to deliver more personalized content tailored to user interests. This shrewd upgrade addresses a crucial element of the Facebook experience—keeping users engaged with content they find appealing. As video consumption continues to rise, up by over 20% year-over-year in the U.S., it seems Facebook is determined to solidify its status as a video haven. With these enhancements, small businesses can expect a more favorable environment for leveraging video content to engage potential customers. The revamped recommendations engine now showcases fresher content, surfacing 50% more reels from creators who published that same day. This immediacy in content display not only benefits creators but also opens doors for businesses producing timely, relevant video content. Moreover, small business owners will find that Facebook’s updates facilitate easier interaction with customers and potential clients. The introduction of friend bubbles allows users to see which Reels and posts their friends have liked, fostering a community experience. When a business’s content resonates with their audience, it could lead to increased visibility as friends engage with and share that content. Small businesses should also take note of the new AI-powered suggested search feature, which enables users to dive deeper into topics of interest without leaving the reels player. This could be an opportunity for businesses to create niche content that aligns with user interests, boosting their discoverability on the platform. The update allows users to provide feedback, enhancing the personalization of their feeds. Users can now easily indicate if they dislike a reel by tapping “Not Interested,” which, in turn, fine-tunes the recommendations they receive. For businesses focusing on targeted marketing, this feature might present a challenge, as the algorithm directly responds to user preferences. Business owners need to adapt, ensuring their content remains engaging and relevant to capture the audience’s attention. Facebook’s enhancements to the Save feature also mean users can collect and revisit favorite reels and posts more conveniently. For small businesses, this could translate into increased customer retention as valued content is easily accessible. Crafting valuable, shareable content will be even more critical, driving users to save and return to business-related offerings. As Facebook continues to innovate, the drive towards a more personal and engaging user experience seems unrelenting. Businesses looking to utilize the new features must adapt their strategies to create content that not only fits into the evolving landscape but also resonates with their audience’s preferences. “Seeing likes from your friends has always been core to the Facebook experience, and we are continuing to build features that bring us back to our roots,” stated a representative regarding the importance of connection through social proof. This underscores the need for businesses to cultivate community and direct engagement with their customer base. As these changes unfold, small business owners should closely monitor user behavior and adapt their content strategies accordingly. The ability to enter private chats through friend bubbles allows users to discuss content in a more intimate setting, opening doors for businesses to foster deeper relationships with potential customers. Facebook’s ongoing evolution offers exciting possibilities for small businesses willing to embrace new tools and trends. By leveraging these latest features effectively, businesses can not only increase visibility but also foster genuine connections within the community. Explore the full details of the announcement on Facebook’s official blog here. Image via Facebook This article, "Facebook Enhances Video Experience with Smart Recommendations and Friend Interactions" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Facebook is taking strides to enhance user engagement and connection through innovative updates to its Reels feature. These changes, aimed primarily at improving content discovery and interaction, carry significant implications for small business owners looking to harness the platform’s expansive reach. In a recent press release, Facebook detailed its upgraded recommendations engine, which promises to deliver more personalized content tailored to user interests. This shrewd upgrade addresses a crucial element of the Facebook experience—keeping users engaged with content they find appealing. As video consumption continues to rise, up by over 20% year-over-year in the U.S., it seems Facebook is determined to solidify its status as a video haven. With these enhancements, small businesses can expect a more favorable environment for leveraging video content to engage potential customers. The revamped recommendations engine now showcases fresher content, surfacing 50% more reels from creators who published that same day. This immediacy in content display not only benefits creators but also opens doors for businesses producing timely, relevant video content. Moreover, small business owners will find that Facebook’s updates facilitate easier interaction with customers and potential clients. The introduction of friend bubbles allows users to see which Reels and posts their friends have liked, fostering a community experience. When a business’s content resonates with their audience, it could lead to increased visibility as friends engage with and share that content. Small businesses should also take note of the new AI-powered suggested search feature, which enables users to dive deeper into topics of interest without leaving the reels player. This could be an opportunity for businesses to create niche content that aligns with user interests, boosting their discoverability on the platform. The update allows users to provide feedback, enhancing the personalization of their feeds. Users can now easily indicate if they dislike a reel by tapping “Not Interested,” which, in turn, fine-tunes the recommendations they receive. For businesses focusing on targeted marketing, this feature might present a challenge, as the algorithm directly responds to user preferences. Business owners need to adapt, ensuring their content remains engaging and relevant to capture the audience’s attention. Facebook’s enhancements to the Save feature also mean users can collect and revisit favorite reels and posts more conveniently. For small businesses, this could translate into increased customer retention as valued content is easily accessible. Crafting valuable, shareable content will be even more critical, driving users to save and return to business-related offerings. As Facebook continues to innovate, the drive towards a more personal and engaging user experience seems unrelenting. Businesses looking to utilize the new features must adapt their strategies to create content that not only fits into the evolving landscape but also resonates with their audience’s preferences. “Seeing likes from your friends has always been core to the Facebook experience, and we are continuing to build features that bring us back to our roots,” stated a representative regarding the importance of connection through social proof. This underscores the need for businesses to cultivate community and direct engagement with their customer base. As these changes unfold, small business owners should closely monitor user behavior and adapt their content strategies accordingly. The ability to enter private chats through friend bubbles allows users to discuss content in a more intimate setting, opening doors for businesses to foster deeper relationships with potential customers. Facebook’s ongoing evolution offers exciting possibilities for small businesses willing to embrace new tools and trends. By leveraging these latest features effectively, businesses can not only increase visibility but also foster genuine connections within the community. Explore the full details of the announcement on Facebook’s official blog here. Image via Facebook This article, "Facebook Enhances Video Experience with Smart Recommendations and Friend Interactions" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Success of deal depends on president’s willingness to keep engaged and pressure warring parties, particularly NetanyahuView the full article

SpaceX launched another of its mammoth Starship rockets on a test flight Monday, successfully making it halfway around the world while releasing mock satellites like last time. Starship — the biggest and most powerful rocket ever built — thundered into the evening sky from the southern tip of Texas. The booster peeled away and made a controlled entry into the Gulf of Mexico as planned, with the spacecraft skimming space before descending into the Indian Ocean. Nothing was recovered. “Hey, welcome back to Earth, Starship,” SpaceX’s Dan Huot announced as employees cheered. “What a day.” It was the 11th test flight for a full-scale Starship, which SpaceX founder and CEO Elon Musk intends to use to send people to Mars. NASA’s need is more immediate. The space agency cannot land astronauts on the moon by decade’s end without the 403-foot (123-meter) Starship, the reusable vehicle meant to get them from lunar orbit down to the surface and back up. Instead of remaining inside Launch Control as usual, Musk said that for the first time he was going outside to watch — “much more visceral.” The previous test flight in August — a success after a string of explosive failures — followed a similar path with similar goals. More maneuvering was built in this time, especially for the spacecraft. SpaceX conducted a series of tests during the spacecraft’s entry over the Indian Ocean as practice for future landings back at the launch site. Like before, Starship carried up eight mock satellites mimicking SpaceX’s Starlinks. The entire flight lasted just over an hour, originating from Starbase near the Mexican border. NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy praised Starship’s progress. “Another major step toward landing Americans on the moon’s south pole,” he said via X. SpaceX is modifying its Cape Canaveral launch sites to accommodate Starships, in addition to the much smaller Falcon rockets used to transport astronauts and supplies to the International Space Station for NASA. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. —Marcia Dunn, AP Aerospace Writer View the full article

Sébastien Lecornu hopes concession will suffice to secure left’s supportView the full article

RISE2040 challenges the accounting profession to stop reacting and start shaping its own future. The Disruptors With Liz Farr Go PRO for members-only access to more Liz Farr. View the full article

RISE2040 challenges the accounting profession to stop reacting and start shaping its own future. The Disruptors With Liz Farr Go PRO for members-only access to more Liz Farr. View the full article

Here is a recap of what happened in the search forums today...View the full article

The import taxes — initially set at 25% for cabinets, vanities and upholstered wooden furniture — officially took effect on Tuesday at 12:01 a.m. New York time. View the full article

Google Ads is testing a new “View-Through Conversion Optimization” feature in its Demand Gen campaigns. What’s new. This test was spotted last week. It adds a setting allowing advertisers to include view-through conversions (VTCs) in their bidding models. How it works. This applies to YouTube (Image + Video) traffic. More channels are “coming soon,” per the early beta. The feature could improve early-stage efficiency where clicks are scarce but influence is high. Why we care. View-through conversions reveal what happens when people see your ad, skip the click, but come back to buy. You can turn it on early to train algorithms faster, boost brand lift, and stretch your creative dollars. This is especially important on YouTube because conversions often trail views by days or weeks. Zoom out. The move underscores Google’s push to make Demand Gen more competitive with Meta’s Advantage+ and TikTok’s Smart Performance offerings, which both leverage impression-driven optimization signals. What’s next. Expect broader rollout and performance data as Google fine-tunes how view-through data interacts with its automated bidding systems. First seen. This update was first spotted by Thomas Eccel, Google Ads specialist at JvM IMPACT. View the full article