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Small business owners are entering 2025 with heightened confidence despite persistent economic uncertainty, according to Bluevine’s 2024 End-of-Year Business Owner Success Survey (BOSS) Report. The survey of 1,200 small business owners (SBOs) found that 79% expressed confidence in their business outlook, an increase from 73% in mid-2024. Expectations for profitability and revenue growth have also risen, reflecting resilience among small businesses. Despite optimism, SBOs continue to navigate inflation and rising costs. The report found that 64% of respondents identified inflation as a top concern, while 55% cited taxes and fees. Concerns over tariffs have more than doubled, increasing from 5% in mid-2024 to 13%. To mitigate these challenges, 41% of SBOs adjusted their 2025 spending plans, up from 35% last year. Payroll remains the largest expense, followed by materials, supplies, and rent. Material costs have become a growing concern for solo business owners, with 56% listing it as a top issue, compared to 43% in mid-2024. To counter rising costs, two-thirds of SBOs have raised prices on some or all of their products or services, an increase from 61% mid-year. Business owners continue to adjust their pricing strategies to maintain profitability in an inflationary environment. Access to capital remains essential for small businesses, with “growth and expansion” and “working capital” cited as the primary reasons for seeking funding. Three out of four SBOs prefer traditional bank loans, while demand for debt restructuring among solo business owners has increased significantly, jumping from 10% to 38%. “Despite the challenges small business owners are facing, the demand for capital and investment in growth is unwavering,” said Eyal Lifshitz, co-founder and CEO of Bluevine. “Even with inflation, rising costs and a rocky economy, these business owners are staying the course, investing in growth and looking at the long game. It’s clear that even in uncertain times, they’re committed to making things work and positioning themselves for success.” The survey was conducted by Bredin, an independent research firm specializing in SMB market trends. The study surveyed 1,200 small business owners nationwide between November 14 and 27, 2024. Respondents reported annual revenues between $100,000 and $5 million. This article, "Small Business Confidence Surges Despite Economic Challenges, Bluevine Survey Finds" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

The confabs are a sign that Republicans are getting serious about negotiating the contours of a tax deal, even as the House and Senate are pursuing separate strategies. View the full article

Study finds TikTok ads yield strong short-term ROI, outperforming other channels for immediate sales. The post TikTok Ads Achieve Highest Short-Term ROI, Says Dentsu Study appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. Most ordinary people know little about the calculus, statistics, linear algebra, logic, and programming languages required to design projects and products to leverage artificial intelligence. However, we are not exempt from using products and services that rely on AI. If we do not learn how to maximize these tools, our organizations—businesses, schools, and governments—will have less ability to generate income and a lower quality of life compared to those who do. What is most unsettling is the general lack of knowledge about logic, mathematics, and grammatical syntax that may affect AI’s creation and usage. Set theory Consider set theory in mathematics, introduced indirectly in elementary school. Basic concepts like classification, grouping, and counting objects, form its foundation. During middle school, students learn set definitions, notation, and representations (listing elements, Venn diagrams), set operations (union, intersection, difference, and complements), and relationships between sets (subsets, empty sets, disjointed sets, universal sets). By high school, students face set theory with greater complexity. Applications are presented in discrete mathematics, relationships between sets and probabilities, numerical sets and related algebraic operations, and advanced concepts to introduce mathematical logic. You might be wondering where this is going. Logical reasoning Set theory feeds into logic: the science and art of reasoning correctly. Logic studies the principles of valid thought, structuring rules and methods that help evaluate the consistency and validity of arguments, deductions, and propositions. Modern mathematics is built on set theory, itself a logical system. Logic provides the structure and principles underpinning mathematical reasoning. Concepts such as implication, equivalence, negation, and quantification are fundamental logical tools used in mathematics. Logical reasoning uses symbols and formulas to represent propositions and inferences. It is essential for solving mathematical problems. In mathematics, logic explores topics like set theory and computability theory. We’re circling back to the topic again. Logic helps children (and adults) break problems into smaller, more manageable parts and tackle them systematically. When solving a puzzle, logical reasoning helps them identify patterns, rules, or constraints. Chess, Sudoku, mazes, and building blocks simultaneously develop logical thinking and problem-solving skills. In math and science, solving problems logically is intrinsic to solving equations, understanding patterns, and conducting experiments. Grammar And what about grammar? Although the proposition might seem counterintuitive, grammatical syntax has a direct relationship with mathematics, particularly set theory and logic. In traditional grammar, syntax refers to the set of rules dictating how words and phrases are organized to form sentences. Grammatical classes (nouns, verbs, adjectives) combine according to rules, and sentences have hierarchical structures (clauses, phrases). Syntax rules determine whether a sentence is grammatically correct, and in linguistic analysis (parsing), understanding sentences involves breaking them into parts. Noam Chomsky’s generative grammar theory describes the implicit rules and principles underlying natural language structure. It demonstrates how sentences are generated from a finite set of rules to create infinite possible expressions in a language. Programming languages also have syntax—rules determining the correct structure of commands and expressions. Code elements (variables, functions, loops) combine using the specific rules of the language to form programs, which also have hierarchical structures (functions, blocks, modules). Like linguistic analysis, compilers and interpreters analyze code by breaking it into tokens (parts) and examining its structure. Algorithms and AI You might think this article was supposed to be about using artificial intelligence, not creating computational models. And you’re right. One important concept for using AI’s capabilities is the notion of intervals. Defining intervals enable users to separate, structure, search, and manipulate information in databases or directly within documents. This concept, widely used in set theory, is fundamental to logic, and connects logic to computer science, artificial intelligence, and dynamic systems. It also plays a critical role in syntax, particularly in structural analysis, grammatical hierarchy, and even natural language processing. Ultimately, mathematics, logic, and grammatical syntax are fundamental to structuring algorithms. It’s worth emphasizing the classical definition of an algorithm, originating in the 9th century: a finite set of well-defined, step-by-step instructions for completing a task or solving a problem. Develop natural algorithms The brain has specialized areas for numerical and logical processing (parietal lobe) and specific regions dedicated to grammar and syntax (Broca’s and Wernicke’s areas). These regions integrate their functions to create dynamic problem-solving strategies that mimic algorithmic thinking, unconsciously generating “natural algorithms” to tackle everyday challenges, such as planning a route or making decisions based on available data, evaluating options, and predicting outcomes. The correlation between mathematics, grammar, and the brain’s ability to create natural algorithms for solving daily problems reveals a shared reliance on structured logical thinking and generative creativity. This interconnectedness highlights the brain’s remarkable ability to abstract rules, recognize patterns, and develop natural algorithms to navigate the complexities of daily life. A logical proposition is that our young people must be well-versed in fundamental mathematics and written language proficiency for a single purpose: to train their cognitive engines to develop natural algorithms, and then artificial ones, which increasingly mimic the human brain. This way they can keep up with the times, which are being radically reshaped by humanity’s computational capabilities. For parents, a logical takeaway is the idea of increasing their children’s instructional time in this cognitive set. What skills are most important? Calibrating the educational curriculum and workload has been a persistent challenge for educators. The current technological revolution makes this challenge even more pronounced. What is the correct workload for each subject to keep young people in step with evolution? Will mathematics, logic, and grammar gain more importance than subjects like history, geography, or chemistry? A realistic perspective considers these skills as foundational as others, which are also taught in knowledge blocks—lessons, sections, chapters, numbered exercises, and, ultimately, structured intervals. Indeed, this structure is what students use globally, with tools like Google and now ChatGPT to support their studies (in best-case scenario). Value creation We are not looking for passive users if we aim for a better world. Technologies based on set theory, grammar, and logic were the foundation for social media and other revolutionary applications in recent years. Billions around the world improved their cultural awareness and their daily life, but we can’t exactly say that these applications created value for all of them. The common usability of AI, such as addressing everyday inquiries, solving household essentials, drafting texts, creating videos, or using preset tools in the workplace, will certainly deliver significant benefits to the general population, much like its predecessor technologies did. However, this time, technology should go further by driving value creation that is more equally distributed, enhancing economic output for people around the world. Rodrigo Magnago is the director of rere.eco. View the full article

Think-tank’s findings show need to change financial incentives to help ill and disabled people return to employmentView the full article

Government-backed review says pace of change in top roles has ‘slowed’ among UK’s biggest companies View the full article

The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. The emergence of generative AI and digital transformation has redefined customer-company relationships, empowering consumers like never before. As argued in a previous article I wrote, today’s customer is no longer a mere segment or target consumer, but a brand seeking vendors to help create their unique identity. Companies must now redefine their value propositions to meet these evolving expectations. In recent years, we’ve seen digital platforms like NikeID and physical innovations like Coca-Cola Freestyle allow consumers to customize products within company-defined parameters. This trend towards bespoke experiences is expanding, with companies offering customers greater control in exchange for premium pricing and individualized experiences. Droz: A case study in radical co-creation During a recent visit to Switzerland, I witnessed a remarkable example of customer-company co-creation at Jaquet Droz, a luxury watchmaker established in 1738. Now part of the Swatch Group, this Maison has embarked on a radical journey embracing customer collaboration. Led by CEO Alain Delamuraz, Jaquet Droz launched the “JD 8.0: A Disruptive Legacy” strategy, focusing on creating unique pieces in partnership with customers. The company took the bold step of dismantling its retailer network to work directly with clients. Jaquet Droz built specialized collaboration studios where customers can discuss their desired pieces with artisans. These state-of-the-art facilities allow for real-time interaction and step-by-step follow-up throughout the production process, even down to selecting specific colors for the timepiece. This collaboration may last as long as a year to ensure that the customer’s exact vision is captured to the level of a shade of a color. While the customer is not an expert on watchmaking—this is what Jaquet Droz brings to the table—he is the ultimate expert on his preferences and wishes. For such a storied brand to be willing to collaborate so deeply with its customers and enable their dreams requires a great deal of humility and a clarity of the customer’s role in their existence. High-profile collaborations When Bon Jovi wanted to commemorate the band’s 40th anniversary, it was the unique co-creation collaboration with Jaquet Droz team that resulted in Tourbillon Skelet Red Gold—Bon Jovi. When a Canadian customer and a Rolling Stones fan wanted to ensure that his love for the music is alive every day, The Rolling Stones Automaton—Exile on Main Street was created especially for them. For a brand that started its journey in music by crafting special chirping bird clocks for European elite, crafting music-related timepieces was a natural continuation of its legacy. But their co-creation does not stop with music. From nature-related timepieces to top of the line Tourbillon complications , the company is fully dedicated to fulfilling its customers’ dreams. The courage to innovate Jaquet Droz’s decision to cease working with retailers and boutiques in favor of direct customer engagement was both courageous and risky. This move provided the freedom to focus entirely on individual client needs, setting a new standard in the luxury watch industry. While some may argue that this level of collaboration is a privilege reserved for the wealthy, the example set by Jaquet Droz is likely to inspire other companies to find ways to democratize the customer co-creation model. How can you start a co-creation process with your customers? Here are few steps to consider: Mindset first: Adapt to the fact that your customers are brand owners with district opinions, not just consumers of your end products. Curious listening: Redesign your discovery process to ask different questions and seek design guidance. Transform to a tool kit: Consider your expertise and skills as part of a toolbox available to craft solutions with your customers not for them. Design collaborative space: Like Jaquet Droz, create dedicated spaces that will foster collaboration and reciprocal dialogue. Joint journey management: Include your customer input throughout the creation journey. Adapt as needed based on feedback. One-of-a-kind creations: Focus on creating solutions that will reflect not just the customer needs, but their brand as well. Share credit: Ensure that your customer’s contribution to the creation is respected and expressed in the final product. Ongoing support: The sales are never over as you keep on updating the solution as technology evolves and the customer’s expectations shift. Charge accordingly: Co-creation does not mean you need to lose money. It should lead to a perfect solution at a premium price over the one-size-fits-all sold today. One-of-a-kind story: While your deep knowledge of the processes and production are evident, respect that your customers will know best what they desire and what story they want to craft for themselves. Those stories reflect their identity and therefore will always be one of a kind. Customer co-creation is here to stay. As more manufacturers explore bespoke offerings, Jaquet Droz’s commitment to collaboration—evidenced by their new studios and direct-to-consumer approach—establishes a path forward for the industry. The bold steps taken by this watchmaker demonstrate that sometimes, to move forward, companies must take risks and reimagine their entire business model. As this trend continues, we can expect to see more innovative approaches to customer collaboration across various industries, potentially making co-creation accessible to a broader audience. Lior Arussy is a global transformation expert and the author of Dare to Author! View the full article

The Fast Company Impact Council is a private membership community of influential leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual membership dues for access to peer learning and thought leadership opportunities, events and more. It’s no secret that corporate and individual giving plays an increasingly significant role in employee satisfaction, providing top talent with pride and a sense of purpose. As a result, many companies, including startups, are finding flexible ways to match funds, allowing people to donate in flexible ways that ignite them and their passion. In 2023, Americans gave over $557 billion to charities from individuals, foundations, and corporations. However, according to a 2023 study from Ipsos Global Trends, 72% of consumers are concerned that in the future, governments and public services won’t look after citizens, thereby widening the large gap nonprofits must step in to fill. Where to donate? When the need is vast, the priorities unclear, how do people, communities, and organizations decide where to donate? I wrote about values-based philanthropy and how it is foundational to ensure impact. From the donor who shows up consistently with $20, to the recognized philanthropist changing the game, like MacKenzie Scott and Melinda French Gates, values alignment is the first step in generating trust, an intrinsic component to philanthropy. It is also a way for companies to live their values and engage stakeholders, employees, and consumers. For example, over the years Google employees have participated in annual flu shot campaigns. Google asked employees to donate to UNICEF when they received a flu shot, supporting UNICEF in providing routine immunizations for children outside the United States. Google matched employee donations and the campaign raised over $800,000. The funds supported programs to immunize Syrian children in Iraq, Rohingya children in Bangladesh, and Brazilian children residing in the most remote areas of the Amazon. Google has also been a critical emergency giving partner of UNICEF. Employees have donated millions of dollars over the years through its workplace giving program to support UNICEF’s humanitarian response efforts globally. Flexible funding Flexible funds allow charitable organizations to more equitably allocate money where it is most needed. Yet, many partners like to have a say in where their money goes. We’ve had some partners split their support, with a percentage going to a specific emergency or program area while the rest supports flexible funding. Baxter International Foundation, for example, has supported UNICEF’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming since 2020, based on the shared values around access to clean, safe water for all children. Our trust-based partnership demonstrates that leveraging cross-sectoral expertise creates meaningful community health and impact as we work toward our goal of a more equitable world for children. The Foundation’s leadership was so inspired by our vision and impact, that it approved an additional grant to our Every Child Fund in 2023, for three years of flexible funding. Aligning philanthropic efforts with a company’s values and employee passions creates a sense of purpose, deep engagement, and retention. Innovation and competition are the fuel of the corporate sector and our partners proudly show that they are leaders in these areas. As the need for philanthropic support continues to grow, companies can embrace and live out their values in an era where employees increasingly seek purpose-driven work environments. Companies that integrate giving into their core values and operations will likely see the greatest returns—both in employee satisfaction and societal impact. Michele Walsh is executive vice president and chief philanthropy officer of UNICEF USA. View the full article

Security Council resolution calling for ‘swift end’ to conflict deals further blow to western unityView the full article

Chegg, the publicly traded education technology company, has sued Google over its AI Overviews, claiming they have hurt its traffic and revenue. The company said that AI Overviews is “materially impacting our acquisitions, revenue, and employees.” What Chegg said. Chegg wrote: Second, we announced the filing of a complaint against Google LLC and Alphabet Inc. These two actions are connected, as we would not need to review strategic alternatives if Google hadn’t launched AI Overviews, or AIO, retaining traffic that historically had come to Chegg, materially impacting our acquisitions, revenue, and employees. Chegg has a superior product for education, as evident by our brand awareness, engagement, and retention. Unfortunately, traffic is being blocked from ever coming to Chegg because of Google’s AIO and their use of Chegg’s content to keep visitors on their own platform. We retained Goldman Sachs as the financial advisor in connection with our strategic review and Susman Godfrey with respect to our complaint against Google. More details. CNBC reports that “Chegg is worth less than $200 million, and in after-hours trading Monday, the stock was trading just above $1 per share.” Chegg has engaged Goldman Sachs to look at options to get acquired or other strategic options for the company. Chegg reported a $6.1 million net loss on $143.5 million in fourth-quarter revenue, a 24% decline year over year, according to a statement. Analysts polled by LSEG had expected $142.1 million in revenue. Management called for first-quarter revenue between $114 million and $116 million, but analysts had been targeting $138.1 million. The stock was down 18% in extended trading. The report goes on to say that Google forces companies like Chegg to “supply our proprietary content in order to be included in Google’s search function,” said Schultz, adding that the search company uses its monopoly power, “reaping the financial benefits of Chegg’s content without having to spend a dime.” Here is more from Chegg’s statement: While we made significant headway on our technology, product, and marketing programs, 2024 came with a series of challenges, including the rapid evolution of the content landscape, particularly the rise of Google AIO, which as I previously mentioned, has had a profound impact on Chegg’s traffic, revenue, and workforce. As already mentioned, we are filing a complaint against Google LLC and Alphabet Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, making three main arguments. First is reciprocal dealing, meaning that Google forces companies like Chegg to supply our proprietary content in order to be included in Google’s search function. Second is monopoly maintenance, or that Google unfairly exercises its monopoly power within search and other anti-competitive conduct to muscle out companies like Chegg. And third is unjust enrichment, meaning Google is reaping the financial benefits of Chegg’s content without having to spend a dime. As we allege in our complaint, Google AIO has transformed Google from a “search engine” into an “answer engine,” displaying AI-generated content sourced from third-party sites like Chegg. Google’s expansion of AIO forces traffic to remain on Google, eliminating the need to go to third-party content source sites. The impact on Chegg’s business is clear. Our non-subscriber traffic plummeted to negative 49% in January 2025, down significantly from the modest 8% decline we reported in Q2 2024. We believe this isn’t just about Chegg—it’s about students losing access to quality, step-by-step learning in favor of low-quality, unverified AI summaries. It’s about the digital publishing industry. It’s about the future of internet search. In summary, our complaint challenges Google’s unfair competition, which is unjust, harmful, and unsustainable. While these proceedings are just starting, we believe bringing this lawsuit is both necessary and well-founded. Why we care. Will Chegg win in a court against Google? Will Google have to rethink its AI Overviews and find better ways to send traffic to publishers and site owners? It is hard to imagine but this may be the first large lawsuit over Google’s new AI Overviews. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. I am always down to try a new social app (a face I have made so, so clear), especially when it involves sharing photos. And the trendy photo-sharing app of the the moment is Yope (available on iOS and Android). Launched in September 2024, it currently has 2.2 million monthly active users and 800,000 daily active users, many of whom are in the investor-coveted Gen Z demographic. I am not a part of Gen Z, but as of today, I am one of the millions of people who used the app this month. It's fun and all, but I'm not sure I'll make it into that 800,000+ cohort of daily users. Here's why, and what you need to know about Yope. So, what's Yope?The easiest way to describe Yope is to say it's kind of like a private Instagram crossed with a group chat. (I have never understood the appeal of having a private Instagram account, so I likewise don't see the appeal of posting to an app designed to hide your content from the majority of users, but that's me.) You can create and name groups, add friends to them, and then post your pictures to those groups. And that's basically it. The pics create a stream that anyone in the small group can look at, and you can choose to have them appear on your lock screen. It that sense, it reminds me of Locket, an app I tested out three years ago that also sent your photos to your friends' lock screens. The problem for me was a lack of friends to put into a group. I synced my contacts right away, but out of 1,500 people on my phone, exactly zero of them were already on the app, signaling that all the hype around this being big for Gen Z might be true—though I definitely have some Gen-Z cousins saved in my phone, and none of them had it either. To put the app through its paces, I had to send my referral link to a bunch of my friends and plead with them to download it, which they are sick of doing, given I am cajoling them into a new app every other week or so as it is. Only one, my lovely friend Danielle, agreed to it. This, at least, allowed me to create my first group. I named it "pals" and Dani and I spent some time uploading pictures to the stream. It was cool for a few minutes, but with just two people, it got old quickly. It honestly wasn't too different from how we used to use Snapchat, ages ago: Here's a picture of what I'm looking at. There's a picture of your face. OK, here's one of my face. You can respond to a photo without sending a photo, so the stream also functions as a basic chat. You can send real-time photos or pics from your camera roll, but that's about it. Is Yope worth downloading? Yope is easy to use, but this is basically all it does. Credit: Yope/Lindsey Ellefson I've read a lot of discourse over the past few years about how the pendulum is swinging away from a cultural desire to post for the masses, and back to a compulsion to post for and interact with more tight-knit groups. Instead of tweeting or posting to a public Instagram, a lot of people do seem to enjoy being in small, interest-specific Discord or Telegram channels, in a way reminiscent of an earlier internet era that required one to seek out chatrooms to find like-minded people. Personally, I am not one who desires a more curated online interactive experience, so I don't really Vibe with Yope. Even if a lot of my friends were using it, I'd prefer to see everything in a jumble than sift through curated group feeds. But maybe that sounds good to you. Yope positives:Account setup is easy The contact-syncing function is seamless (provided you have contacts who actually use the app) There aren't any filters, and there's minimal risk your photos will be seen by anyone you don't want to see them, unless your friends screenshot and share them (taking a screenshot does not trigger a notification to the group) The lock screen function works well and updates immediately There lack of features means it doesn't feel overwhelming; all you can do is post photos into your group stream It's free Yope negatives:It gets a little boring if you don't have a lot of people to share photos with It's yet another photo-sharing app to add to the list of ones you already have, each of which probably already includes the same group of friends you'd be sharing with on Yope The bottom line: NopeI personally won't keep using Yope, at least not the way I used the similar BeReal for a long stretch in the summer of 2022. That doesn't mean it won't continue to gain traction with users who actually want an app that mixes Instagram with a group chat. It seems to have enough momentum to drum up investor capital, which could result in increased visibility and attract more users. Someone you know might even be using it by next month, even if you're older than 27. View the full article

A first-of-its-kind project will use a swarm of small, independent submersibles to monitor, protect and provide data on offshore artificial reefs whose purpose is to attract new marine life in otherwise barren sections of sea, officials said Monday. The small, autonomous underwater vehicles, or AUVs, hailed as the “future of underwater surveillance” will be equipped with sensors and high-definition cameras to give scientists at the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute a clear picture on the effectiveness of their intricate artificial reefs designed and built using 3D printing. Made of an environmentally friendly cement mixture, the artificial reefs will be embedded with a docking station at which the AUVs can recharge and transmit collected data including video, said CMMI CEO Zakarias Siokouros. The advantage of the AUVs lies in their ability to loiter underwater for as long as a month at a time and provide a continuous flow of data while “protecting” the reefs by alerting scientists to any disturbance in protected waters from illegal fishing and encroaching boats. Scientists would, in turn, notify local authorities. A trial run of the project, dubbed EONIOS, is currently underway off Cyprus’ Ayia Napa marina. Scientists plan to place the artificial reefs in waters off Cyprus’ southern coastal town of Limassol at a depth of around 20 meters (66 feet) where sunlight can still reach the seabed. “The reefs attract everything from vegetation to large fish and for waters off Cyprus where there isn’t enough food for fish, we aim to create the appropriate environment to bring such fish there,” Siokouros told The Associated Press following a demonstration of the AUVs’ capabilities at the Ayia Napa Marina. EONIOS is a partnership between the CMMI, AUV makers Arkeocean of France, Cypriot tech company SignalGeneriX and French consultancy company Lanego. Siokouros said the partnership aims to market EONIOS to other countries who would want to build up their fish stocks using artificial reefs. A key selling point for the AUVs is that they can provide surveillance, 3D data collection and area protection at a significant discount compared to tethered submersibles, said Arkeocean official Tamara Brizard. “Our goal is to make a system under which six of our mini-drones can do the same work for the price of one conventional drone,” Brizard said. Arkeocean AUVs can currently pack a maximum 5 kilograms (11 pounds) of sensors and other gear and can operate to a depth of 300 meters (984 feet) although newer versions are being designed to reach 3,000 meters (9,842 feet). The AUVs receive commands through an attached acoustic antenna and can pinpoint their location. Battery-powered thrusters make the AUVs very stealthy and nearly undetectable, Brizard said, making them extremely useful for defense purposes such as surveillance in restricted waters. The AUVs can operate anywhere in the world thanks to an Iridium satellite antenna. The AUVs can also use undersea currents to roam, extending battery life. Another application is in the energy field where the submersibles can be used to detect seismic activity for offshore oil and gas exploration as well as finding suitable areas on which to build offshore wind and solar farms, said Brizard. —Menelaos Hadjicostis, Associated Press View the full article

Last week, Apple launched their developer beta for iOS 18.4. The update brings fresh changes to iOS, including Priority Notifications, a new Genmoji button, and additional supported languages. While it may be some time before iOS 18.4 is launched to all iPhone users, those curious to try out the new features can do so by installing the beta. However, doing so may cause some issues, so proceed with caution. How to install the iOS 18.4 developer betaIt's worth mentioning that there is some risk involved in installing a developer beta. The software can be unstable, as it is currently in testing and designed mainly for developers to make sure their apps are compatible with the latest iOS update. There are also likely bugs and glitches in this developer beta, which Apple is still working on fixing ahead of the public rollout. Those bugs can lead to data loss if you don't properly back up your device before installing the beta. If you have a idea of what you're doing and still want to try the new features, then go forth and have fun with the beta. However, it may not be a great idea to install the beta on your main iPhone. As mentioned, you should back up your iPhone before installing the iOS 18.4 beta on your iPhone. I recommend backing up with your Mac or PC using Finder or iTunes. While you can use iCloud to back up your iPhone, this can be tricky with betas: If your iPhone backs up to iCloud while running iOS 18.4, you won't be able to retrieve the data should you need to downgrade to the public iOS version. Backing up to your computer helps to ensure all your data from your iPhone stays intact. Next, you'll need to enroll your Apple ID in Apple's developer program. To do so, first head to the Apple Developer site, then select Enroll. Log in to your Apple ID, fill out your information, and agree to Apple's terms and conditions. While Apple has made it free to access developer betas, if you want to publish apps to the App Store, you'll still need to pay Apple's $99 yearly fee for full access to their developer program. Once you've backed up your iPhone and enrolled your Apple ID, you're ready to install the new developer beta. To install the beta, open Settings > General > Software Update. Below Automatic Updates, you should see an option for Beta Updates. Choose iOS 18.4 Developer Beta, then hit Back. Let iOS load for a moment, and you'll see an option to Download and Install the beta. View the full article

Hundreds of the most advanced, experienced, and passionate search marketers on the planet are heading to Boston this June 11-13 for the ultimate summer camp for search marketers: SMX Advanced is back in-person, and this is your chance to unlock actionable tactics, intimate networking, and the unmatched energy of a live event. Designed by advanced search marketers, for advanced search marketers, SMX Advanced delivers expert-level training you won’t find anywhere else. This is your chance to connect face-to-face with the sharpest minds in the industry, validate your ongoing initiatives and instincts, and geek out with your search community IRL. It’s summer camp for search marketers… and it won’t be the same without you. Your All Access pass packs the entire SMX Advanced experience you know, love… and missed: Hand-crafted programming: Attend sessions you won’t find anywhere else – hand-crafted by the powerhouses behind Search Engine Land, the industry publication of record. Advanced, actionable tactics: Dive deep into experts-only topics and discussions and return to the office ready to implement changes that drive measurable results. Exclusive networking: Reconnect with your search community face-to-face, and meet new hires, potential employers, and future BFFs. Premium amenities: Hot meals, free wifi, recharge lounges, and enough coffee to keep you buzzing for days. It’s all hosted at the stunning Westin Boston Seaport June 11-13. Don’t miss the ultimate reunion of the most seasoned members of the search marketing community. You deserve to be a part of this long-anticipated experience. Grab your All Access pass now and lock in Super Early Bird rates while you’re at it! events.searchengineland.com/smx-advanced-2025 View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. I wear my Apple Watch continuously, only removing to to charge it or when I'm showering. I wear it to sleep and to work out, under heavy sweatshirts, on the beach—basically anywhere and everywhere. As you can imagine, the device gets dirty. But as you might also imagine, I have no interest in cleaning my expensive smartwatch in a way that might damage it. Here are the two methods I use to clean my fitness tracker without harming it—plus some other things to keep in mind when cleaning yours. Before doing any kind of cleaning, remove your watch band to make it easier to access all of its crevices. It's also a good idea to power it off; even if it's waterproof, cleaning can result in unintended button presses. Smartwatch cleaning method #1: Soap and waterThough the device is high tech, the simplest cleaning method isn't at all: You can use water and a drop of mild soap to help scrub away any dirt or grime. If you're confident the device is waterproof, you can actually dunk it in a bowl full of warm water and a drop or two of dish or hand soap. If it's not, or you'd rather not risk it, you can also use a q-tip or soft cloth dipped in a soapy mixture. (I prefer the q-tip because it's easier to get in and around the buttons and the crevices where the band connects to the device.) Smart watch cleaning method #2: Isopropyl alcoholSoap and water works fine for me when it comes to general cleaning, but from time to time, I like to use 70% isopropyl alcohol to remove oils or more serious grime. Again, I use a fresh q-tip and focus my attention on the face of the watch as well as the sensor underneath. To the extent possible, I avoid scrubbing around holes or buttons with the wet end. Instead, I use the dry end to dislodge any dirt in those areas. Even if your watch is extremely dirty, use soap and water first. The alcohol should only be dabbed quickly on the exterior, then left to air dry. Those little alcohol pads can come in handy here. Before and after some soap and water followed by isopropyl alcohol. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson Different companies recommend different cleaning techniques I use the methods above to keep my Apple Watch clean, and they're pretty broadly applicable across other devices. However, some brands get more specific about what you should or shouldn't do to clean their watches. Google Pixel users, for instance, are advised by the company not to use anything but fresh water on a damp cloth to rub the Pixel down, while Withings and Samsung recommend the same. Why? As Samsung advises, "Do not use soap, cleaning agents, abrasive materials and compressed air when cleaning your Galaxy Watch and do not clean it with the external heat sources. Doing so may damage the Galaxy Watch. Skin irritation may be caused by soap, detergents hand sanitizers, or cleaning agents left on the Galaxy Watch." Considering the watch is waterproof, it seems the warning about skin irritation is more relevant, but as long as you rinse it well, it shouldn't be a problem. Spend some time reading the specific information related to your own device, but if it's really dirty, consider some tech cleaning wipes. The way I see it, you're not introducing any more soap and water than you would be if you, say, took a shower or washed your dishes while wearing the watch. Other things to keep in mind when cleaning a smart watchIf you have visible gunk in the tiny holes on your watch, gently (very gently!) try to dislodge it with a soft toothbrush or blow on it at an angle. If that doesn't work, wipe gently with a dry cloth. There really aren’t any holes big enough on an Apple Watch to cause problems, but if your device has some, be careful not to push the icky stuff further inside. Get in the habit of running a damp cloth over your watch after a sweaty workout or before you put it on the charger to stop it from getting quite so dirty before you next clean it. Allow it to dry before you power it back on, charge it, or wear it. You should also clean your watch band regularly, but how you do that will depend on what it’s made of. Most of mine are fabric, so they go in the washing machine, but rubber or silicone ones can be cleaned with soap and water or disinfectant. If it’s leather, wipe it with a dry cloth, then use a drop of gentle soap (like hand soap) on a damp cloth to rub any messy spots. Use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any soap residue and let the leather air dry, then hit it with some leather conditioner. View the full article

Elon Musk is in a lot of hot water with our Canadian neighbors to the north. A parliamentary petition with over 192,000 signatures and climbing is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to revoke Musk’s Canadian citizenship and passport for threatening Canada’s sovereignty by “engaging in activities that go against the national interest.” Author Qualia Reed launched the petition in Canada’s House of Commons, where it was sponsored by parliamentary member Charlie Angus over the weekend, as reported by the Canadian Press. Musk was born in South Africa, but obtained Canadian citizenship in 1989 through his mother (Maye Musk was born in Saskatchewan). The SpaceX CEO and current adviser to President Trump then went on to become a U.S. citizen in 2002. Like a growing number of Americans, many Canadians seem to have had enough of Musk’s alliance with Trump and his interference at the highest levels of American government. The two have angered Canadians by threatening to slap high tariffs on goods from our longtime trading partner and ally, along with Trump’s outrageous calls to make Canada our 51st state. The petition launched on February 20 remains open to signatures until June 20. It not only calls on Trudeau to “revoke Elon Musk’s dual citizenship status,” but also to “revoke his Canadian passport effective immediately.” The electronic petition has surpassed the 500 signatures necessary for presentation to the House of Commons to garner a formal government response. View the full article

Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit said last week hackers had stolen digital tokens worth around $1.5 billion, in what researchers called the biggest crypto heist of all time. Bybit CEO Ben Zhou said the crypto was taken from a “cold wallet” – a digital wallet usually stored offline and so supposedly more secure – that was used for ether tokens. Blockchain research firm Elliptic said the hack was more than double the last-biggest crypto heist and “is almost certainly the single largest known theft of any kind in all time.” The crypto industry has suffered a series of thefts, prompting questions about the security of customer funds, with hacking hauls totalling more than $2 billion in 2024 – the fourth straight year where proceeds have topped more than $1 billion. Here are some of the other major thefts to have plagued the industry since bitcoin was born in 2008. Poly network Hackers stole around $610 million in August 2021 from Poly Network, a platform that facilitates peer-to-peer token transactions. The hackers behind the heist later returned nearly all of the stolen funds. The hack underscored vulnerabilities in the burgeoning decentralised finance – DeFi – sector, where users lend, borrow and save in digital tokens, bypassing the traditional gatekeepers of finance such as banks and exchanges. Ronin Network Hackers stole cryptocurrency worth – at the time of the hack – around $540 million from a blockchain project linked to the popular online game Axie Infinity in March 2022. Ronin, a network that allows the transfer of crypto coins across different blockchains, said that hackers stole some 173,600 ether tokens and 25.5 million USD Coin tokens. Coincheck In January 2018, hackers stole cryptocurrency then worth around $530 million from Tokyo-based exchange Coincheck. The thieves attacked one of Coincheck’s “hot wallet” – a digital folder stored online – to drain the funds, drawing attention to security at exchanges. South Korea’s intelligence agency said at the time that a North Korean hacking group may have been behind the heist. Mt. Gox In one of the earliest and most-high profile crypto hacks, bitcoin worth close to $500 million dollars was stolen from the Mt.Gox exchange in Tokyo – then the world’s biggest – between 2011 and 2014. Mt.Gox, which once handled 80% of the world’s bitcoin trade, filed for bankruptcy in early 2014 after the hack was revealed, with some 24,000 customers losing access to their funds. Wormhole DeFi site Wormhole was hit by a $320 million heist last month, with the hackers making off with 120,000 digital tokens connected to the second-largest cryptocurrency, ether. The crypto arm of Chicago-based Jump Trading, which had the year before acquired the developer behind Wormhole, later replaced the funds “to make community members whole and support Wormhole now as it continues to develop.” —Tommy Reggiori Wilkes, Tom Wilson and Elizabeth Howcroft, Reuters View the full article

Dan Bongino, a former U.S. Secret Service agent who ran unsuccessfully for office and gained fame as a conservative pundit with TV shows and a popular podcast, has been chosen to serve as FBI deputy director. President Donald Trump announced the appointment Sunday night in a post on his Truth Social platform, praising Bongino as “a man of incredible love and passion for our Country.” He called the announcement “great news for Law Enforcement and American Justice.” The selection places two staunch Trump allies atop the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency at a time when Democrats have raised alarms that the Republican president could seek to use the FBI to target his adversaries. Bongino would serve under Kash Patel, a Trump loyalist who was sworn in as FBI director at the White House on Friday and who has signaled his intent to reshape the bureau, including by relocating hundreds of employees from its Washington headquarters and placing greater emphasis on the FBI’s traditional crime-fighting duties. The deputy director serves as the FBI’s second-in-command and is traditionally a career agent responsible for the bureau’s day-to-day law enforcement operations. The position does not require Senate confirmation. But Bongino, like Patel, has never served in the FBI, raising questions about their experience level when the U.S. is facing escalating national security threats. Natalie Bara, president of the FBI Agents Association, wrote in an internal newsletter to members sent Sunday before Bongino’s selection was announced that Patel had agreed during a January meeting with her that the FBI deputy director “should continue to be an on-board, active Special Agent as has been the case for 117 years for many compelling reasons, including operational expertise and experience, as well as the trust of our Special Agent population.” The two are inheriting an FBI gripped by turmoil as the Justice Department over the past month has forced out a group of senior bureau officials and made a highly unusual demand for the names of thousands of agents who participated in investigations related to the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. Bongino served on the presidential details for then-Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, before becoming a popular right-wing figure. He became one of the leading personalities in the Make America Great Again political movement to spread false information about the 2020 election, which Trump and allies have continued to maintain was marred by widespread fraud even though such claims have been widely rejected as false by judges and former Trump attorney general William Barr. For a few years following Rush Limbaugh’s death in 2021, he was chosen for a radio show on the same time slot of the famous commentator. Bongino worked for the New York Police Department for several years in the 1990s before joining the Secret Service. He began doing commentary on Fox News more than a decade ago, and had a Saturday night show with the network from 2021 to 2023. He is now a host of The Dan Bongino Show, one of the most popular podcasts, according to Spotify. Bongino ran for a U.S. Senate seat in Maryland in 2012 and for congressional seats in 2014 and 2016 in Maryland and Florida, after moving in 2015. He lost the three races. During an interview last fall, Bongino asked Trump to commit to forming a commission to reform the Secret Service, calling it a “failed” agency and criticizing it for the two assassination attempts last year. “That guy should have been nowhere near you,” Bongino said about the man who authorities say camped outside Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, before he was spotted with a rifle. During the same interview, Trump praised the Secret Service agent who saw the rifle’s barrel coming out of a bush. Patel and Bongino will succeed the two acting FBI leaders, Brian Driscoll and Rob Kissane, who have led the bureau since the departure in January of former Director Christopher Wray, who was appointed by Trump in 2017 and held the job for the next seven years before resigning at the end of the Biden administration to make way for his chosen successor. —Adriana Gomez Licon and Eric Tucker, Associated Press Associated Press writer Ali Swenson contributed to this report. View the full article

Most of my adolescent free time was spent in the kitchen making Thai food with my mom. She was firm in the practice of using up every last bit of an ingredient. If there was any leftover coconut milk, it went in the fridge and we used it for random stuff (coffee, cereal, rice) until it was done within a day or two. It never went in the freezer because it would become a disgusting, curdled mess upon defrosting. I’ve previously addressed what a person should do with a leftover half-can of coconut milk before it spoils, but it turns out I’ve been thinking about the conundrum all wrong. My entire life, I believed freezing it was not an option. But it is. Yes, you can (and you should) freeze your leftover coconut milk. I wasn't wrong in thinking it looks like hell when it’s defrosted—gritty and broken, like cottage cheese gone wrong—but it’s not actually ruined. What my mom and I didn’t know at the time is that thawed coconut milk can be perfectly rejuvenated with a little heat. Those clumps and clusters are merely ice crystals and coagulated fat, and heat melts them both. I came across this important truth from one of my most trusted Thai food sources, Hot Thai Kitchen on Instagram. (In case you were wondering, when I shared this revelation with my mom, she acted like she’d known about it this whole time. Parents.) How to freeze coconut milkAny coconut milk that you don’t plan on using in the next five days or so can be frozen. First, I like to pour the contents of the can out into a freezer-friendly bag or container. (I put the bag in a measuring cup so I don't have to hold it open.) If you opt for a container, it might be worthwhile to separate the milk into smaller portion sizes for easier thawing. Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann If you’re using a freezer-safe zip top bag, squeeze out as much air as possible and seal the top. Lay it flat on a small metal baking sheet and put the whole thing in the freezer. Freezing it flat allows the milk to freeze faster, and it will be easier to break into portions later. Flat objects also stack more easily, so you can your optimize freezer space. How to thaw frozen coconut milkWhen you’re ready to use frozen coconut milk, remove it from the freezer and bend the icy plank to break it up into chunks while it’s still in the bag. Pour as much of the frozen coconut milk as you want into a pot or a microwave-safe measuring cup. Heat the milk over low heat, or on 15 to 30-second blasts in the microwave until it melts and it returns to its normal smooth and silky consistency. Alternatively, you can just drop the frozen chunks directly into the food you’re cooking. For example, if I’m putting together a curry dish, I can add the frozen pieces of milk just as I’d normally add liquid coconut milk. It’ll take an extra minute or two to warm up and incorporate, but then you can proceed as usual. I’ve used coconut milk after it’s been frozen for a few weeks and detected no texture problems or decline in the taste. According to Medical News Today, most milks (both dairy and non-dairy) can be frozen for up to three months. That should be plenty of time to make another batch of Thai curry spaghetti and meatballs. View the full article

Through 1stResponder+, Rate is offering a complimentary one-year accidental death insurance policy that covers the mortgage balance up to $650,000. View the full article

The ubiquitous food delivery app DoorDash will pay almost $17 million to settle claims that it unfairly used customer tips to subsidize the wages of its delivery workers in New York City, rather than letting drivers keep the tips on top of their guaranteed pay, Attorney General Letitia James said Monday. James said DoorDash used the wage model between May 2017 and September 2019. The company would guarantee workers a base payment for each delivery but was factoring tips into that equation, only paying workers for whatever the tips didn’t cover, according to the attorney general. DoorDash also did not make it clear to customers that their tips were being used to offset worker wages, said James, a Democrat. “This is just fundamentally unfair,” she said at a news conference in Manhattan. ”Customers had no reason to believe that these tips were being used by DoorDash to reduce its costs.” The company will pay $16.75 million in restitution that will be distributed to DoorDash workers who made deliveries between May 2017 and September 2019 in New York. Eligible workers will be contacted by a settlement administrator. In a statement, DoorDash said, “While we believe that our practices properly represented how Dashers were paid during this period, we are pleased to have resolved this years-old matter and look forward to continuing to offer a flexible way for millions of people to reach their financial goals.” The company said the old pay model is no longer in use. View the full article

Momentum against Maryland guidance that extends licensing requirements to securitization trusts is growing and some legislators want to scale it back. View the full article

Donald Trump could be about to escalate the trade war with China. A proposal, unveiled Friday, would slap fees on any Chinese-built vessels, as well as Chinese shipping companies, that enter U.S. ports. That could bring in millions of dollars to the government, but just like the 10% tariffs on Chinese goods Trump has imposed, that move would likely result in even higher prices for consumers (as well as possible retribution from China on U.S. imports). The fees are unprecedented and are meant to chip away at China’s dominance in the shipping space. In 2023, more than half the world’s commercial ships were built in China and many large U.S. retailers depend on the country for goods. Nothing has been finalized yet, but with consumers still trying to figure out how much tariffs will increase their day-to-day expenses, this adds another layer of financial concern. Here’s where things stand now. What is the Trump administration proposing? The Office of the United States Trade Representative is proposing fees of up to $1.5 million per port call for Chinese-made vessels. The fleets of most shipping companies typically contain Chinese-made ships, given that country’s widespread reach in the industry. Shipping companies with fleets that have 50% or more Chinese-built vessels would face fees of up to $1 million per U.S. port call. Operators with fleets comprised of 25% to 50% Chinese-built vessels would pay up to $750,000 per call. For operators with a fleet that has 25% or fewer Chinese-made ships, the fee would be $500,000 per call. Making stops at multiple ports, which many ships do, could result in multiple port fees. Virtually all international shipping companies would be somewhat affected. The largest would likely be Cosco, a Chinese company that’s the world’s biggest shipping company in terms of capacity. When would these fees go into effect? The proposal is currently in a public comment period through March 24. Once that has closed, the administration will decide whether to implement the new fees. Why is the Trump administration considering imposing port fees? The potential fees come following an investigation that began during the Biden administration, looking into whether China was involved in unfair practices in the logistics and shipbuilding industries. On January 17, the U.S. Trade Representative issued a finding that called China’s targeting of the sector “unreasonable,” adding “Beijing’s targeted dominance of these sectors undermines fair, market-oriented competition, increases economic security risks, and is the greatest barrier to revitalization of U.S. industries, as well as the communities that rely on them.” How much would this impact shipping costs? The increased cost for maritime shipping companies could be substantial. Lars Jensen, CEO of Demark-based Vespucci Maritime, which advises shipping companies, tells the Wall Street Journal that container ship costs will increase tenfold. That comes on top of the cost surges of the past several months. Last July, the cost to ship a 40-foot container of products from Shanghai to New York jumped as high as $10,000. Those have since eased back, with the Drewry World Container Index now putting the price at $5,126 for the week ending February 20 (which is still considerably higher than pre-pandemic rates). Why don’t companies use U.S.-built commercial ships? There really aren’t many commercial shipbuilders in the U.S. China is, by far, the market leader for that category (an area once dominated by Western nations). Ships that aren’t built in China, which accounts for 51% of the shipbuilding industry, generally come from South Korea (26%) or Japan (14%). Europe accounts for 5% of the total. The U.S. shipbuilders that are still around largely focus on making ships for the U.S. Navy and have struggled to find workers. How much will the port fees impact retail prices? The ultimate impact port fees will have on retail prices will depend on how this proposal unfolds. Port fees, however, are generally passed down from carriers to shippers (generally retail businesses), which ultimately pass along the cost to consumers. As far as which industries and products would be affected, it’s likely to be a wide swath. This would be essentially a tax on many imported goods, regardless of their point of origin. Manufacturing is likely to be heavily impacted, as are automakers and consumer electronic companies and, basically, any business that relies heavily on global supply chains. Retailers that sell items including apparel, shoes, toys, furniture, electronics, and household appliances are also likely to feel the impact of port fees. Grocery stores may, as well, since so many food products come from other countries. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. When you’re feeling awful because of a cold, you just want something to fix you—if not to cure you, at least to help you temporarily feel better. Unfortunately a lot of remedies are placebos, but some things in the drugstore work better than others. Before we talk about which medicines are best, here's an important note to consider: Cold medicines do not cure your cold, nor do they shorten its duration. If you're reading this because you want to know how to get rid of a cold fast, or what a doctor would prescribe you to get rid of a cold—sorry. Colds are caused by viruses, and there's no medication that will kill them off the way that antibiotics can kill off bacteria. The point of cold medicines is to help you be a little less miserable while you wait for your immune system to fight it off. Ignore brand names on cold medicinesThe companies that make cold medicines rely on our stuffy-headed memories. If you bought Sudafed (or Mucinex, or Dayquil) the last time you had a cold, they hope you'll buy the same thing this time, while makers of store brands are hoping you buy something the same color and figure it's good enough. But the brand name tells you next to nothing about what's actually inside the package. Each of the major cold medicine brands sells a variety of products with completely different ingredients. Sometimes, there are so many that the same brand will sell the same thing under two different names. My favorite example of this is the labyrinth of Mucinex products: Their Maximum Strength Fast-Max Severe Congestion and Cough has the same dosage and ingredients as their Maximum Strength Sinus-Max Pressure, Pain, & Cough. Meanwhile, Maximum Strength Sinus-Max Severe Congestion & Pain—which sounds like it should be very similar to the other Sinus-Max product—takes out a cough-related ingredient and swaps in some acetaminophen (that's Tylenol). You are never going to have much luck navigating the cough and cold aisle on brand names and symptoms alone. So where to go instead? Well, for quick relief of congestion, you'll need the good stuff they keep behind the counter. Pseudoephedrine (original Sudafed) is the good stuffIf you have a stuffy nose, pseudoephedrine is the real deal. In the old days, you could find it on the store shelves. Sudafed was one brand name. (Sudafed, pseudoephedrine, get it?) But pseudoephedrine can be converted into methamphetamine, so a 2006 law restricted its sale. It's still an over the counter medication, but you'll need to take the time to show your ID to the pharmacist if you want to buy some. Studies have shown pseudoephedrine to be effective at clearing nasal congestion. When you feel like your nose is “stuffed” with dried or gooey mucus, that’s not literally true. Blood vessels in the lining of your nose and sinuses swell up, and that’s what narrows the air passages. Pseudoephedrine makes those blood vessels constrict, reducing the swelling and opening your airways so you can breathe easier. (Pseudoephedrine also constricts blood vessels in other parts of the body, which is why it can increase blood pressure in some people, and why it is sometimes used off-label for priapism, also known as prolonged erections.) Anything with "PE" in the name isn't worth buyingPhenylephrine is the decongestant that replaced pseudoephedrine in over-the-counter products. Phenylephrine, the "PE" ingredient, has been known for years to be useless at treating cold symptoms when taken by mouth. This led two pharmacists to write a paper in 2022 entitled “Why Is Oral Phenylephrine on the Market After Compelling Evidence of Its Ineffectiveness as a Decongestant?”) Finally, as of November 2024, the FDA agreed that phenylephrine products will (eventually) be removed from store shelves. Phenylephrine is what’s in Sudafed PE. This is another case of brand names leading you astray—regular Sudafed is the good stuff, but Sudafed PE has the ineffective ingredient. Don’t be fooled—anything with a PE in the name won't work. Most cough medicines don't work, eitherBut that's not the only cold medicine that probably does little to nothing for your cold. The "active" ingredients in cough medicines are probably useless too. Dextromethorphan is considered a cough suppressant, though there's not much evidence to suggest it actually does its job. Nor does guaifenesin, an “expectorant” that’s intended to thin out mucus to make it easier to cough up. A Cochrane review concluded that there’s not enough evidence to say whether these or any other over-the-counter cough medicines actually work. By the way, children under 4 years of age should not use any of the cough or cold medicines we’ve mentioned so far, according to the FDA. Fortunately, home remedies like drinking fluids and getting their snot sucked out with a bulb syringe are safe, and tend to bring actual relief. Tylenol and ibuprofen can help with fevers and painThere is one more category of over-the-counter medicines that may actually help you feel better when you have a cold, although they’re probably not what you’re thinking of when you think of cold medicines. Acetaminophen (regular Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin or Advil) are known as pain relievers and fever reducers. They do work for these jobs, and they are considered safe to use even in young children. That said, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that you should always contact your pediatrician for a fever in a baby less than 3 months old, and not give medication unless directed, since fevers at that age can be life threatening and need to be evaluated in a healthcare setting. If you’re used to looking at brand names, please make sure you turn the package around and make sure it contains what you’re expecting on the ingredients list. Regular Tylenol is just acetaminophen, but the company also makes a Tylenol Cold and Flu that contains all three of the ingredients mentioned above that do not work for colds or coughs. Advil makes a similar product. These aren’t the ones you want. Another important note: Tylenol, or acetaminophen, is in a lot of cold medicines as part of a mixture of ingredients. It’s also potentially toxic if you take more than the recommended amount. If you’re combining medications, make sure you’re not double-dosing on this ingredient. The best cough syrup is honeySo you have a decongestant that works (pseudoephedrine), and something to bring your fever and headache under control (acetaminophen or ibuprofen). Is there anything we can do about that nasty cough? There is, but you’ll want to leave the pharmacy aisles and head over to the grocery shelves. Honey isn’t going to cure your cold, but it seems to soothe sore throats and relieve coughing, at least a little bit. Studies often show it works better than over-the-counter cough syrups. (Is this because honey is great or because cough syrups kind of suck? Possibly the latter, to be honest.) But don’t bother with honey-based cough syrups—yes, these are a thing—just grab some actual honey and mix it into some hot water or tea. That’s cheaper and easier. An important caveat on honey, by the way: honey is not considered safe to give to babies under 1 year old. There’s a small risk of botulism, and babies are particularly susceptible. Honey isn’t going to help that much, so it’s not worth the risk. Children's cold medicines are almost all scamsPretty much every “children’s” cold medicine is garbage. After all, the ones with decongestants and antihistamines aren’t considered safe for kids under 4. But since you’re in the medicine aisle anyway, “natural” brands are there to fill that gap with concoctions of vitamins, honey, and herbal supplements. These don’t really do anything, either, but somehow they cost like eight bucks a bottle. But it gets worse. In both the kids’ and adults’ sections, you’ll find homeopathic remedies, which are pretty much scams and should be illegal. Watch out for anything that says “homeopathic” or that has ingredients measured in “X” or “C” instead of a real unit like milligrams. These aren’t simply natural supplements, as the labels sometimes suggest, and homeopathy is not another word for home remedy. Homeopathic “drugs” are beneficiaries of a bizarre loophole in FDA and FTC policy that allows them to be marketed as drugs while claiming to work by magic. I wish I were making this up, but I’m not. Save your money. View the full article

Maintaining a home is expensive, with many financial advisors recommending you set aside around 2% of its purchase price for upkeep each year. That cost is well worth it, as it prevents small problems from becoming bigger ones, and keeps your home in good shape so you can actually enjoy living there. It’s reasonable to assume that if you’re doing at least the bare minimum home maintenance tasks, you can rest easier. But even if you repair stuff as needed and do all the recommended annual checks and upkeep, you might still be damaging your house in a myriad of ways. That’s because many things homeowners without thinking about it can actually damage a house over the long term. Doing these 10 things occasionally likely isn't a big deal, but over time and with repetition, they can contribute to some major headaches. Using too many bath bombsIf you soothe the stress of home ownership with a nice hot bath spiced up by a fizzing, colorful bath bomb, you may be slowly ruining your home’s plumbing. Bath bombs typically contain stuff like citric acid, cream of tartar, Epsom salts, and baking soda, not to mention scented oils, glitter, or other decorations intended to give your bath a whimsical or romantic vibe. Over time, all that stuff can easily congeal in your pipes, or get caught on existing clogs, making them worse. A bath bomb once in a while won’t cause much trouble, but if you have a regular habit, you’re risking paying a plumber a lot of money sooner rather than later. Using chemical drain cleanersIf you have a clogged drain and you turn to a chemical drain cleaner to open it up, you’re probably not going to destroy your house in the process. But if you have frequent clogged drains that you use drain cleaner to clear, you’re not only putting a band-aid on a bigger problem (why are your drains always clogged?) you’re probably damaging your pipes. Most of the drain cleaners you buy in a store are either caustic or oxidizing, and both release heat as part of the process of turning clogged material into something more easily dissolved and cleared away. That heat can soften PVC pipes and warp metal pipes over time. If your drains are always clogged and slow, it’s probably better to call a plumber and implement some basic drain maintenance steps. Putting your appliances in the wrong spotJust about every appliance in your home, from the refrigerator to the television, generates heat as a byproduct. If you place an appliance or two near your home’s thermostat, this can have a real negative impact on two things: Your heating or cooling bills, and your HVAC’s lifespan. That’s because the heat from the appliance will fool the thermostat into thinking your home is hotter than it actually is, causing the air conditioning to run more in the summer and the heat to run less in the winter. With the former scenario, your HVAC system will suffer more wear and tear, leading to a shorter lifespan, more repair bills, and more frequent replacement costs. In the latter scenario, you’ll find yourself turning the heat up to compensate, leading to a similar situation. Painting over brickIf you’ve got exposed brick in the interior of your home that you’ve painted, congratulations: You may have just lit the fuse on an expensive home repair bomb. Brick is a porous material, and it needs to “breathe” properly. Paint can seal the brick, trapping moisture within, which can lead to deterioration of the brick, mold growth, peeling paint, and spalling. The problem is worse when it’s an exterior brick wall, but even a totally interior wall can be slowly destroyed if improperly painted. If you must paint that wall, prepare the surface carefully and use a paint designed for masonry work. Then keep an eye on it. Inspect it regularly for bubbling, peeling, and brick dust—all evidence that moisture is doing your walls dirty. Painting over rotSpeaking of paint, it’s important to note that it’s not magic. If you notice that wood in your home’s interior or exterior is suffering a bit of rot, cleaning it up and painting over it will absolutely not arrest the progression. It will, in fact, make things worse as the paint traps moisture, likely accelerating the process of rot that is eating your house alive—plus, that trapped moisture will cause the paint to bubble and peel soon enough anyway. Even if the rot you’ve discovered is minor, you have to figure out where the moisture is coming from and address that, then repair or replace the wood as needed before painting. Flushing wipes down the toiletIt’s a weird fact of late-stage capitalism that items clearly marked “flushable” on their packaging are often not flushable at all. Neither is a long list of stuff that seems like it should be flushable, like food (which can persist a long time in your pipes, forming cement-like clogs) or kitty litter, including the clumping kind. If you’ve been flushing “flushable” wipes down the toilet, you’re on a countdown to plumbing disaster. Using the wrong cleanersCleaning your house requires time, elbow grease, and the right cleaning products—which is more important than you think. Vinegar can be an effective cleaner, to the point where it’s suggested for just about any cleaning job. But vinegar is a weak acid, and as such it can damage surfaces like natural stone, television and monitor screens, hardwood flooring, and wood furniture. It can also do a lot of damage to washing machines and dishwashers if you toss it in to freshen things up, because the vinegar will weaken the rubber seals inside those appliances over time. Similarly, bleach is a powerful cleaning agent—but it's powerful it can actually corrode metal surfaces (like those on your kitchen appliances) and natural stone. If you’re cleaning your house with vinegar and bleach regularly, you’re basically slowly dissolving big parts of it over time. And if you’re using a steam cleaner on wood or laminate floors, you’re probably slowly ruining them, too. Unlike a spilled liquid, steam is pushed under pressure into the tiny seams in your floor, infiltrating the wood and making it swell-resulting in permanent and irreversible damage. Not sweeping enoughEven if you’re not steaming your floors, you might be ruining them by not doing something: Sweeping (or vacuuming) regularly. As in, daily. Even if the floors look superficially clean, dirt that’s invisible to you is busily destroying your floors. It gets pushed into the tiny cracks and seams, dulling the finish and discoloring the floor. And the tiny particles of dirt and debris act like sandpaper, and as you walk around you’re grinding that stuff into the floor, creating scratches. When you do sweep, notice how much stuff you’re cleaning off a floor that didn’t look dirty to the naked eye, and realize that you’re scraping that stuff along your floors all the time. Planting climbing vinesIf you think a vine enveloping your house is charming, think again: Creeping and climbing plants that grow up and over homes are eating those homes bit by bit. They trap moisture and open up cracks in your home’s exterior that allow that moisture to infiltrate, their weight can damage siding and other exterior cladding, they offer shelter to damaging insects and small animals—they can even tear stuff off your house, like gutters and downspouts. Misusing your garbage disposal Garbage disposals are garbage (if you ask me, anyway), but if you have one, you probably use it. And if you use it, you might be setting yourself up for a big repair bill in the future because people seem to believe that garbage disposals are magical bags of holding that simply make anything disappear. The list of stuff that will wind up clogging your pipes and/or septic system includes most fats, oils, and grease (including stuff like peanut butter or heavy cream), egg shells (or any kind of shell, actually), vegetable peels, and corn husks. The list is so long you might wonder what even is the point of a garbage disposal, anyway, and you would not be wrong. 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