WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russia's two largest banks to open in annexed regions of Ukraine by July

Russia's two largest banks expect to open branches and offices in July in the regions of Ukraine that Moscow claimed to have annexed in 2022, the heads of Sberbank and VTB said on Tuesday.

Russian President Vladimir Putin moved to annex Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions in September 2022, following what Ukraine said were sham referendums. The move was condemned by many countries as illegal.

Russian forces only partly control the four regions.

State-owned Promsvyazbank, which has focused on state employees and the defence sector since it was bailed out by the central bank in 2017, has already been opening branches in the four regions, as Russia aims to provide civilians and soldiers with cheap credit and banking services.

"Within one and a half months our first 16 branches should open there," Sberbank CEO German Gref said in Russia's upper house of parliament on Tuesday. "So we will be present throughout the whole country's territory."

No. 2 lender VTB will open two offices in Luhansk in July and plans to start servicing clients in Donetsk and the port city of Mariupol in the Donetsk region by the end of the year, CEO Andrei Kostin said on Tuesday.

VTB's branches there will serve retail clients and small and medium-sized businesses.

 

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Present-day territorial realities must be recognized to start dialogue on Ukraine - Moscow

Russia is open for negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict settlement, but they can be initiated only after the present-day territorial realities are recognized, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin told TASS on Wednesday.

“Russia is open to holding a dialogue on Ukraine based on the consideration of our interests,” he said in an interview with TASS. “Our position regarding a comprehensive, sustainable and just settlement of the crisis remains unaltered.”

“In order for this to happen, first of all, its original causes must be addressed and modern geopolitical and territorial realities must be recognized,” he continued. “The West must stop pumping up the Ukrainian military with weapons and the Kiev regime must put an end to its military activities.”

The diplomat added that endless supplies of Western weapons to Ukraine “only drag out the conflict and lead to an increase in civilian casualties.”

According to him, Moscow is taking a notice of the growing risks of “weapons spreading around the world and ending up at the hands of terrorists and criminal groups.”

“Unfortunately, there is still a bunch of people in Europe and the United States, who pursue the goal of inflicting a ‘strategic defeat’ on Russia and are ready to blindly sacrifice the interests of their countries and peoples, pushing them to the edge of the abyss,” Galuzin added.

 

Reuters/Tass

They say recruiting is a lot like dating. Online profiles act as piles of resumes that reduce humans to a comparatively tiny number of choice words they've strung together to entice you to consider them. All are hopelessly vying for your attention, if not approval. 

Meanwhile, once they do just that, many won't even be interested in what you have to offer, according to daters everywhere and SHRM. 

For some, your "competitive salary" isn't competitive enough. Others won't find your benefits package to be, well, beneficial enough. And then there are those who are simply using your interest as a bargaining chip to show their current engagements that they need to step it up, as they have other options.

Blue chip companies are the celebrities in the employment world. No matter how widely known their flaws may be, they hold mass appeal. And with their widespread interest, and the larger-than-average applicant pool that floods their inbox, they're in a unique position to be far more picky than the average employer. With that, they also need to be more savvy than average to find the proverbial needle in the Everest-size haystack. 

No easy feat. Or at least so I thought until a source at Apple HR shared a simple, yet brilliantly effective strategy--one that I will never hire anyone again without first using: 

Ask candidates how they got their previous roles. 

Much as getting to know a date boils down to asking good questions, the same holds true for interviews. Apple has a history of bizarre interview questions that secretly serve a larger purpose, and my inside source at Apple HR tells me that the purpose of this question is to find out whether or not former colleagues brought them on to work with them at their new employers. And the reason is twofold. 

1. They know whether the candidate knows their stuff 

Finding candidates who have the skills and knowledge to perform a job well can prove to be quite the mission. After all, there are the smooth talkers whose expertise lies within saying what they can do, not in the actual doing of it. Then, on the other end of the spectrum, there are those who are better at doing what they do than talking about what they do. 

Add the fact that the more advanced the position, the more difficult it becomes. 

In fact, according to a former Apple interviewer, around 75 percent of candidates can't answer Apple's most basic questions. However, asking staff for recommendations on candidates they have previously worked with has changed the hiring game. 

This is because colleagues have a unique vantage point into the inner workings of their co-workers. As experts in their field, they can truly tell how knowledgeable and skilled others are in their field. And having worked with them, they have also witnessed how they actually work. 

For example, despite regarding myself as an informed homeowner, it wouldn't take much to fool me into believing that someone is a capable plumber. Yet, a plumber could tell whether or not another plumber seems to know what they're talking about, and a former co-worker would know whether or not they are actually good at their craft. 

Meanwhile, they might get the job done, but the workmanship might be sloppy to those who know what they're looking at, they might overlook an issue that will cost you more later, or perhaps they take far more time than the job should take -- while you're footing the bill for hourly labor. 

Of course, this is not only about how well our colleagues perform their jobs. It also reveals many of the soft skills and characteristics that you'll be hard-pressed to glean from a resume, an interview, or even a reference. 

2. They know the candidate's character

A resume and cover letter are simply a great way to get to know what a candidate wants you to know. But perhaps the most important parts are often the ones left off the resume. However, former colleagues are privy to things that no one would tell a potential employer.

For example, do they show up late every day and take two-hour lunch breaks, yet put in for overtime? Do they get their work done or do they distract others from doing their work? When they say they're open to new ideas, does that mean others' ideas, or just their own? Do they require excessive hand-holding to do a good job?

You get the point and I'm sure you have your own examples from experience with certain colleagues over the years. The point being, people often move to new employers and, in time, bring their favorite co-workers with them -- and there's a reason for that. 

Not only do we know who is good at their job after working with them, but we also know who is simply good to work with. People don't stay in jobs solely for the pay, the clout, or even the work itself. What makes or breaks someone's day-to-day life within a role -- or a relationship -- is often how they feel about the company we keep. 

What the hiring team at Apple recognizes is that having the skills to sufficiently perform a job is just a small piece of the puzzle when hiring the truly best candidates, because skills and knowledge are just a small piece of who someone is. Though character was traditionally revealed in time, savvy employers are using the interview process to gain more insightful information through questions and tests, such as Apple's three tests to separate candidates -- and with that, make better hiring decisions more easily.

 

Inc

 

The indefinite strike by labour unions in Nigeria might conclude soon following an agreement reached with the federal government on a new national minimum wage late Monday.

The agreement was finalised at a meeting in Abuja, convened by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume. National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, and the Minister of Labour, Nkiruka Onyejeocha also attended.

While the specific new minimum wage amount remains undecided, the federal government has committed to a figure higher than the current N60,000 offer.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) initiated the strike on Monday, demanding a new minimum wage and a review of the increased electricity price for some consumers.

The agreement was signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, TUC President Festus Osifo, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, and Minister of Labour Nkiruka Onyejeocha.

The document states, “The President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, is committed to a National Minimum Wage that is higher than N60,000.”

To expedite the process, the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage will meet daily over the next week to finalise an agreeable minimum wage that satisfies both the government and labour unions.

In response to the President's commitment, labour leaders will meet with their respective union executives and affiliated unions on Tuesday to seek approval to suspend the strike.

The unions previously noted that the current minimum wage expired on April 19, 2024, necessitating an urgent review. They also criticised the recent electricity tariff increase, arguing it places an unsustainable burden on businesses and workers.

The unions rejected the government's proposal of N60,000, significantly lower than their requested N495,000. They argued the offer was insufficient, given the financial hardships caused by government policies like the petrol subsidy removal, naira devaluation, and increased electricity tariffs.

The unions stated, “Government’s counter-offer mocks the excruciating hardship brought on workers by its insensitive and oppressive economic policies.” They emphasised their demand aligns with international standards and legal requirements.

The strike, which began Monday morning, disrupted operations at public places including airports, schools, and hospitals, and affected private businesses such as banks and electricity companies. The whole country has been in utter darkness as the national grid was switched off.

Nigeria’s foreign exchange reserves have fallen by $1.8bn in 10 weeks, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

As of May 29, 2024, the country’s FX reserves were $32.69bn, down from $34.44bn as of March 18. This decline signifies a drop from the $36.1bn recorded in May 2023.

The reserves have been declining steadily over the past few months, with a total decrease of $3.4bn since February 2024.

Experts believe that the decline in FX reserves is attributed to a combination of factors, including debt repayment, a significant decline in oil exports, a decrease in foreign investment, and a rise in imports.

Debt repayment recorded by the apex bank as of January 2024 was $560m, it reduced to $283.29m in February and then $276.16m in March 2024. Experts claim that the apex bank must have been servicing the foreign debts from the external reserves.

In May, the naira ended the month weaker, despite a surge in dollar supply amounting to $4.60 billion in the official foreign exchange market.

The FX market closed for the month on Friday with the naira losing 5.60per cent as the dollar was quoted at N1,485.99, weaker than N1,402.67 quoted at the beginning of the month, according to data from the FMDQ Securities Exchange Limited.

The foreign exchange market closed for May 2024, with the dollar selling for N1,470, weaker than N1,380 quoted at the beginning of the month.

The currency’s performance this week reflects a significant struggle to maintain its value amidst fluctuating forex turnover and investor sentiment.

Nigeria’s economy is heavily reliant on oil exports, which account for over 90 per cent of its foreign exchange earnings.

Financial experts noted that the decline in FX reserves had led to a weakening of the naira, Nigeria’s currency, which has been struggling against the US dollar.

The naira has lost over 50 per cent of its value against the dollar since the beginning of 2024, making it one of the worst-performing currencies in Africa.

 

Punch

In the wake of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) revoking Heritage Bank's operating license, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has announced measures to ensure depositors receive their funds.

The NDIC assured depositors they would be compensated up to N5 million using their Bank Verification Number (BVN) to identify alternate accounts within the banking system. Bashir Nuhu, the NDIC’s spokesperson, stated on Monday that depositors with alternate bank accounts will receive payments up to the insured amount of N5 million. The BVN system will facilitate a smooth and efficient transfer of funds, aiming to protect depositors and maintain confidence in the banking sector.

“We are fully prepared to step in and ensure that depositors are protected. Our immediate priority is to guarantee that depositors have access to their insured funds with minimal disruption,” the NDIC said.

For those with funds exceeding N5 million, payment will be made through liquidation dividends once the bank's assets are realised and debts are recovered. The NDIC also emphasized that depositors' funds are secure, and robust mechanisms are in place to manage the transition.

The NDIC will oversee the resolution of Heritage Bank, including verifying and paying insured deposits, and managing the bank’s assets and liabilities to maximize recovery and minimize losses to the financial system.

Depositors without alternate bank accounts will need to visit the nearest Heritage Bank branch with proof of account ownership, a verifiable identity card (driver’s license, permanent voter’s card, or National Identity Card), alternate account details, and BVN for verification and payment of the insured sum.

Alternatively, affected customers can file a claim online via the NDIC website, by downloading and filling out the claims form, and uploading the required documents. Creditors should visit the nearest Heritage Bank branch or use the online platform to file their claims. The payment process for creditors will commence after all depositors have been compensated. Debtors are advised to contact the NDIC’s Asset Management Department (AMD) to complete their loan repayments.

Earlier, PREMIUM TIMES reported that Heritage Bank customers faced difficulties accessing their funds despite the bank notifying customers of a "system refresh exercise" on May 13. Despite the bank's claims that the exercise had concluded, many customers remained stranded at various branches as of Monday.

Consequently, the CBN revoked Heritage Bank's license on Monday, appointing the NDIC as the bank's liquidator per Section 12 (2) of the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020. The CBN's decision aligns with its mandate to promote a stable financial system in Nigeria and follows a period of engagement with the bank aimed at improving its financial performance.

“The Board and Management of the bank have not been able to improve the bank’s financial performance, a situation which constitutes a threat to financial stability. This follows a period during which the CBN engaged with the bank and prescribed various supervisory steps intended to stem the decline. Regrettably, the bank has continued to suffer and has no reasonable prospects of recovery, thereby, making the revocation of the license the next necessary step,” the CBN stated.

Biden says Hamas is sufficiently depleted. Israel leaders disagree, casting doubts over cease-fire

At the start of its devastating offensive on the Gaza Strip, Israel set an ambitious goal: destroy Hamas. At the time, the Biden administration committed to the objective, giving Israel considerable stocks of weaponry and voicing its support.

Nearly eight months into the war, however, cracks have emergedbetween the close allies over what defeating Hamas actually looks like. Last week, U.S. President Joe Biden said the militant group was no longer capable of launching an attack on Israel like the Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war and that it was time for the fighting to end. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right ministers disagree.

Where the U.S. seeks a quick end to the fighting,Israel’s leadership appears determined to push onward.

Here is how the leaders define the destruction of Hamas.

BIDEN: NO ABILITY TO POSE A THREAT

Biden on Friday said it was time to end the Israel-Hamas war, signaling that the objective of destroying Hamas had already been met because the militant group was “no longer capable” of carrying out a large-scale attack on Israel like the one on Oct. 7.

That day, Hamas militants astonished Israel with a large-scale assault, killing some 1,200 people and dragging about 250 hostages back to Gaza as rocket fire targeted Israeli cities and towns.

In the nearly eight months since then, Israel says its air and ground offensive has significantly depleted Hamas’ military capabilities. It claims to have killed 15,000 militants, half of Hamas’ fighting force, and wounded thousands of others. It also says it has destroyed a significant portion of Gaza’s labyrinthine tunnel network, command and control centers and rocket launchers.

Biden appeared Friday to believe this was enough to satisfy Israel’s objective. He urged Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement to release about 85 remaining hostages, along with the bodies of around 40 more, for an extended cease-fire.

NETANYAHU: ELIMINATE REMAINING MILITARY AND GOVERNING ABILITY

In response to Biden’s suggestion that Hamas was significantly depleted, Netanyahu said Israel would not agree to a permanent cease-fire until “the destruction of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities, the freeing of all hostages and ensuring that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”

The Israeli army says the eradication of Hamas is still incomplete, with battalions of militants remaining in the southernmost city of Rafah and fighting still raging in Gaza’s north. Hamas has continued to launch rockets into Israel, although with far lower intensity than in the first months of war. The extent of the group’s governance across the strip remains unclear, though no alternative has emerged.

Still, Netanyahu admits it may be impossible to fully stamp out the ideology of Hamas, which seized control of Gaza in 2007, a year after winning legislative elections against the rival Fatah party. Hamas has managed to survive despite a 16-year blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt, and four previous wars against Israel.

“Hamas has to be eliminated, not as an idea,” Netanyahu said in late March. “Nazism was not destroyed as an idea in World World II, but Nazis don’t govern Germany.”

ISRAEL’S FAR RIGHT: ERADICATE HAMAS AND RESETTLE GAZA

The far-right firebrands within Israel’s ultranationalist government have staunchly rejected Biden’s cease-fire proposal, saying Israel must continue its war in Gaza until the militant group is completely stamped out.

Israel’s minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have both threatened to leave Netanyahu’s government if he endorsed Biden’s proposal. That would cause the coalition to collapse.

Smotrich said Monday that agreeing to a cease-fire would amount to a humiliation of Israel and a surrender. Increased military pressure, he said, is “the only language understood in the Middle East.”

Ben-Gvir has called for the “voluntary” emigration of Palestinians from Gaza and for a return of Israeli settlements. Israel unilaterally pulled out of more than 20 Jewish settlements in Gaza in 2005, ending a 38-year presence.

Speaking at a resettlement conference in May, Ben-Gvir said that the only way to make sure “the problem won’t come back” was to “return to Gaza now.”

 

AP

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Italy to send second air defence system to Ukraine, foreign minister says

Italy will send a second SAMP/T air defence system to Ukraine, its foreign minister said in a radio interview on Monday, responding to Kyiv's pleas for greater help to fend off Russian missile attacks.

The system, also known as MAMBA, is a Franco-Italian battery that can track dozens of targets and intercept 10 at once. It is the only European-made system that can intercept ballistic missiles.

Rome and Paris jointly delivered a first system in 2023, but in recent months Ukraine has repeatedly called on partners to provide more help with air defence as it faces an increasing barrage of attacks on cities and energy infrastructure.

"It is known that we will send SAMP/T, which is an instrument of air defence, therefore of protection, that Ukraine itself asked us for," Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told state broadcaster Rai, confirming earlier media reports.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Italy has approved eight support packages to the government of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Tajani said the SAMP/T will be part of a ninth package under preparation, but did not give a time frame for delivery.

All shipments have so far been covered by official secrecy and the government has never made public the exact list of weapons it has sent to Ukraine.

A source close to the matter told Reuters earlier that Italy would likely ship to Ukraine a SAMP/T system which is currently deployed in Kuwait, but is soon due to return to Italy.

Corriere della Sera newspaper reported on Monday that the government could green light the new supplies after a summit of leaders of the Group of Seven major democracies, which Italy will host on June 13-15.

G7 foreign ministers pledged in April to provide more air defence help to Ukraine during a meeting Italy hosted on the island of Capri, saying they were committed to saving lives and safeguarding critical infrastructure.

 

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russia’s strikes pound Ukrainian army, equipment in 118 areas over day — top brass

Russian troops inflicted damage on Ukrainian army units and military hardware in 118 areas over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Monday.

«Operational/tactical aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groups of forces struck massed enemy manpower and military equipment in 118 areas," the ministry said in a statement.

Kiev loses 435 troops in Kupyansk area over past day

The Ukrainian army lost roughly 435 troops in battles with Russian forces in the Kupyansk area over the past day, the ministry reported.

Russia’s Battlegroup West units took better positions and inflicted damage on formations of the Ukrainian army’s 43rd mechanized and 112th territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Zagoruikovka in the Kharkov Region and Stelmakhovka in the Lugansk People’s Republic, the ministry specified.

«In areas near the settlements of Chervonaya Dibrova in the Lugansk People’s Republic and Grigorovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic, they repelled three counterattacks by enemy assault groups. During the last 24-hour period, the Ukrainian army lost as many as 435 personnel, two armored personnel carriers and four motor vehicles," the ministry said.

In counterbattery fire, Russian troops destroyed three 122 mm D-30 howitzers, a 122 mm 2S1 Gvozdika motorized artillery system, a US-made 105 mm M119 artillery gun and an electronic warfare station of the Ukrainian army, it specified.

Russian troops strike two Ukrainian army brigades in Zaporozhye area over day

Russian troops inflicted casualties on two Ukrainian army brigades in the Zaporozhye area over the past day, the ministry reported.

«Battlegroup Dnepr units inflicted damage on manpower and equipment of the Ukrainian army’s 65th mechanized and 15th National Guard brigades in areas near the settlements of Rabotino and Verbovoye in the Zaporozhye Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army’s losses in that direction over the past 24 hours amounted to 60 personnel, 3 motor vehicles, a US-made 155 mm M198 howitzer and a 152 mm D-20 howitzer, it specified.

Russian air defenses destroy 67 Ukrainian UAVs over past day

Russian air defense forces shot down 67 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a Neptune anti-ship missile, four Hammer smart bombs and 19 rockets of multiple launch rocket systems over the past day, the ministry reported.

«Air defense capabilities destroyed 67 unmanned aerial vehicles and shot down a Neptune anti-ship missile, four French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs, a surface-to-air missile of the US-made Patriot system and 19 US-made HIMARS rockets and Olkha rockets," the ministry said.

In all, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 609 Ukrainian warplanes, 274 helicopters, 25,081 unmanned aerial vehicles, 526 surface-to-air missile systems, 16,236 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,328 multiple rocket launchers, 10,057 field artillery guns and mortars and 22,237 special military motor vehicles since the start of the special military operation, the ministry reported.

 

Reuters/Tass

Both parties being the Government and Labour are not sincere and it is a wonder why the Labour Movement feels it is only the minimum wage that should concern them.

How do we explain that Labour not call for strike when Government had no qualms buying N150m SUV for each of its lawmakers, ‘dashed’ judiciary and legislators billions of naira when they didn't ask for it, got the Senate President to allocate humongous amount that ran into hundreds of billion naira into the budget for his constituency and the same Senate President was the one negotiating a palty N60,000 minimum wage for the workers. It is utterly bizarre.

The Labour leaders fared no better and not sincere with their “chop I chop” agitation. They are asking for such an unrealistic, ridiculous, unreasonable and  scandalous figure of N490,000 for the minimum wage, simply because the Executive and Legislators are living in affluence.

For crying out loud, for Government to pay even N100000 as minimum wage is an invitation for further devaluation of the Naira and spiraling inflation which going to be fast worse than being currently experienced.

Frugality must start at the top echelons of Government as it is wicked for our leaders to be living in opulence that is out of tune with the reality of the economy yet, expect the workers to feed from the pigsty.

We pray and hope uncommon sense prevails and Government reduces cost of governance, with the legislators doing away with their take home perks, especially newspapers and wardrobe allowances, thereby earning the credibility to sincerely negotiate a living wage with the Labour leaders.

The maxim is Verbum Sapienti Est.

** Aare Kola Oyefeso

An Employer of labour and owner of Nigeria's Pioneer Transformers Engineering Company.

Anyone with an iPhone or Android should turn their device on and off once a week, officials say - to protect them from hackers.

The idea is to thwart 'zero-click' hacks, which involve downloading spyware onto users' phones without them ever clicking a link.

The National Security Agency (NSA) endorses the rebooting method, which temporarily deletes the massive stores of information that continuously run in the background - such as on our apps or internet browser.

The NSA has also warned that users should be wary about connecting to public WiFi networks and are advised to update their phone's software and apps regularly.

An NSA document listed the many steps all iPhone and Android users should take to mitigate the risk of a cyberattack.

Restarting your phone is one of the lesser-known methods.

Unlike other forms of malware, zero-click attacks don't require any interaction from the victim. 

Hackers prey on a software vulnerability and gain access to devices, without having to dupe you into clicking a malicious link or downloading a malicious file.

If the system isn't turned off and on, a cybercriminal can manipulate opened URLs to run code that installs malicious files onto the devices.

By turning the phone off and back on, it forces the closure of all apps and logs out of all bank and social media accounts, therefore preventing the hackers from accessing sensitive information.

The reboot method also has the same effect on spear-phishing attacks - when an attacker sends targeted fraudulent emails to steal sensitive information like login credentials.

Nearly half of smartphone owners reported they rarely or never turned their cell phone off, according to a 2015 Pew Research study, while 82 percent said they never or rarely rebooted their phone.

The NSA document also informed users that its important to frequently update software and apps to ensure your device is secure. 

Over time, hackers find new ways to break into a system, but updating old software will remove any potential flaws or loopholes they might have used to access your data.

The NSA also recommended that people disable their Bluetooth when they aren't using it because it reduces the chance of people gaining unauthorized access to their devices.

The advice is not 100 percent effective, the NSA warned, but it should provide partial protection from certain malicious activity.

'Threats to mobile devices are more prevalent and increasing in scope and complexity,' the NSA warned, adding that some smartphone features 'provide convenience and capability but sacrifice security.' 

Users should also turn off their WiFi and delete unused networks that cybercriminals can use to target their phones.

When connecting to a WiFi network, it's important to watch out for SSID Confusion Attacks that trick users into connecting to their hotspot instead of the establishment's official WiFi using a similar network name.

A strong lock screen with a minimum six-digit PIN will add much-needed protection when combined with the feature that prompts the smartphone to wipe itself after 10 incorrect attempts.

It further warned that people should avoid opening email attachments or links from an unknown source which could install malicious software without the person's knowledge. 

'Falling for social engineering tactics, like responding to unsolicited emails requesting sensitive information, can result in account compromise and identity theft,' Oliver Page, the CEO of cybersecurity company Cybernut, told Forbes. 

'These phishing attempts often mimic legitimate entities, deceiving individuals into divulging confidential details.

'Trusting phone calls or messages without verification can lead to serious consequences, as scammers manipulate victims into disclosing sensitive information or taking actions that compromise their security.'

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) also heavily warned usersagainst dismantling any security settings that could give cybercriminals an opportunity to break into the phone.

'Tampering with your phone's factory settings, jailbreaking, or rooting your phone undermines the built-in security features offered by your wireless service and smartphone while making it more susceptible to an attack,' the FCC admonished.

According to Statista, 353 million people's data was compromised in the US last year including breaches, leaks and exposures.

But the last major zero-click exploit occurred in 2021, which targeted Apple's iMessage app and used a vulnerability related to the way the app processed images.

The attack was able to bypass Apple’s BlastDoor security feature that was designed to prevent such attacks. 

The tech giant filed a lawsuit against NSO Group, an Israeli cyber-intelligence firm primarily known for its proprietary spyware Pegasus, which is capable of zero-click exploits. 

Security researchers told Wired that the attack 'one of the most technically sophisticated exploits' they had ever seen.

 

Daily Mail

Content marketing. Are you doing it? If you are, does that content actually serve your growth and the goals of your business? 

Promotion has never been optional for entrepreneurs and the digital age continues to enhance the potency of content marketing in drawing eyeballs and closing sales. So if you said yes to either of those two questions, this article is for you.

One of the most common pieces of advice that people get when it comes to content revolves around "just going out and posting." 

While the old Gretsky adage is certainly true about missing all the shots you don't take, there has to be more specific and tailored advice for professionals and entrepreneurs looking to market themselves online.

Effective content has to have some sort of prima facie value that is wholly contained in the specific post itself. The key is serving people first - without them feeling like they're getting warmed up to a pitch or being sent down a funnel. 

With social media marketing, it's a long game, one that centers around building a reputation for adding value while asking little in return. So what does content that adds value to both you and your target audience look like?

Give Before You Ask

I spoke with Neel Dhingra on how professionals can be creating content that is a win-win for creators and audiences alike. Dhingra, a long-time loan officer in the mortgage and real estate industry, and now the founder and CEO of Forward Academy, helping professionals with their personal brands.

"Give before you ask," Dhingra advises. "Give valuable information that helps people." Usually, people put the customer on the left and a closed sale on the right. From first contact, so many entrepreneurs are asking people to start moving along that spectrum immediately.

But so many consumers, especially those from the younger generation, aren't keen on moving forward quickly. They have grown accustomed to a middle step in which they are able to gather informant information. 

They follow you, learn through your digital assets, and then gain the confidence to start asking more specific questions that lead to the results you want.

Instead of trying to focus on the bottom of the funnel, where people are rushing into transacting right now, this strategy allows you to reach people who may be six to twelve months away from buying your product or service.

It takes longer, yes. But this slow, methodical approach allows you to appeal to a wider audience, yielding higher results when they eventually warm to you.

Building Relationships Through Story

One of the difficult elements for people to navigate is coming up with creative ideas for captivating content. 

From a technical perspective alone, it seems like the framework for the most popular media is constantly changing. Optimizing and innovating on how specifically you are connecting through content is important. 

But while these details change as quickly as the latest Instagram update or the overnight rise of a new social media giant like TikTok, the essence of good content continues to surround relationship building. "To get all the benefits of social media," Dhingra says, "you have to create that connection with people."

What's a great way to foster this? By sharing your story. Opening up about the mission or why behind what you do is powerful stuff. 

People are attracted to somebody with a plight, especially when that mission ties into a problem that they can personally resonate with. "The personal aspect is what starts most of the conversations on social media," Dhingra says. 

Sharing the behind the scenes at work in addition to showing people a little into your personal life can have a big impact. It allows people to relate to you, which makes them feel comfortable to ask questions, enter conversations, and do business with you.

The goal is to connect your purpose and story with the needs and wants of the target audience. That, for someone who's ready to put out content of inherent value, is a formula for success.

Where To Post Content?

On the topic of where to post, Instagram's reels are still amongst the hottest mediums in town. Instagram is still lagging TikTok," he says. "Until they catch the user attention their competitor has, they're giving short-form content creators free reach."

Instagram is also particularly powerful for its integration of a direct message feature, essential for driving that relationship-building element mentioned earlier. Beyond this, long-form certainly is not dead. 

For those whose industry or subject matter warrant lengthier explanations, YouTube is still the place to be. Many of the entrepreneurs I speak to aren't using content marketing to its full potential. 

We live in a digital landscape that developed quickly and is now beginning to solidify its presence as a global mover of all things business. It's easy to look at that and leap to the conclusion that the ship has sailed to be effective content marketers of our personal and professional brand. 

But, with the right insight and good intentions for what you want your deliverables to give people, the sky's the limit for how you can network and grow through content marketing. 

 

Inc