Top 50 news websites in the US: Trump and wildfires spur traffic increases – Press Gazette

Top 50 news websites in the US: Trump and wildfires spur traffic increases – Press Gazette

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.
Press Gazette’s monthly ranking of the top 50 news websites in the US, using Similarweb data.
By Press Gazette
The Los Angeles Times more than doubled its web traffic month-on-month in January as its home city battled historic wildfires.
The California newspaper, which has seen traffic dip in recent months, recorded 42.3 million visitors last month, up 118% compared with December 2024 according to Similarweb. That figure also represented a 44.9% increase against January 2024.
As a result the site jumped from 50th place on last month’s table to 30th in January. The paper has reportedly suffered subscription cancellations in recent months after proprietor Patrick Soon-Shiong intervened to block its editorial board from endorsing Kamala Harris in the US presidential election.
January also produced significant traffic gains for US political and hard news sites amid the start of Donald Trump’s second administration, with the ten fastest-growing sites on the top 50 including Axios (31.4 million, up 44% month-on-month), CBS News (102.9 million, up 39%) and Politico (38.5 million, up 30%).
Overall only nine websites posted month-on-month traffic declines in January.
Among the ten most-visited news sites in the US almost every publisher posted traffic gains in January, with the UK-based BBC in particular (125.8 million visits, up 13%) re-entering the top-ten. CNN (399.1 million, up 12%) and USA Today (158.6 million, up 10.4%) increased their visits by double-digit percentage points, while the New York Post (127.9 million, down 10%) the only top-ten site to lose traffic.
Athlon Sports (46.9 million) was again the fastest-growing publication on the top 50 year-on-year, nearly quadrupling visits, and was followed by India Times (27.7 million, up 100%) — one of several Indian news sites that has risen quickly up the global top 50 chart but first appeared on the US top 50 in December.
The Associated Press (116.2 million, up 25%), Substack (73.1 million, up 22.5%) and the BBC (125.8 million, up 13.1%) were also among the fastest growers compared with January 2024.
The BBC saw the fastest growth among the ten most-visited news sites in the US, followed by People magazine (158.6 million, up 14%) and the most-visited publication overall, The New York Times (494.4 million, up 12.2%). Fox News (278.4 million, down 3.7%), aggregator MSN (214.3 million, down 8.2%) and the New York Post (127.9 million, down 8.7%) lost traffic, meanwhile.
A third of the top 50 lost traffic year-over-year, with the largest decline seen at the US version of the UK’s un-paywalled Sun tabloid (23 million, down 63.8% year-over-year). The US Sun has been affected by Google’s algorithm changes and reduced the size of its newsroom in September to target fewer key content areas.
Business Insider (56.8 million) and Huffpost (43.7 million) each received 25% less traffic this January than January last year.
Among the nine websites to lose traffic month-on-month, five saw decreases of 2.1% or lower. Four saw double-digit percentage point falls, however: the New York Post, Buzzfeed (52.5 million, down 10.2%), Athlon Sports (down 13.4%) and SF Gate (21.5 million, also down 13.4%).
Since November 2023 Similarweb has excluded the figures for edition.cnn.com in its report to Press Gazette since they are counted under the main domain. Visits to edition.cnn.com however make up a very small share of all visits to the CNN domain in the US.
Similarweb generates its traffic data by applying machine learning and modelling to the statistically representative datasets that the company collects. Datasets are based on direct measurement (i.e. websites and apps that choose to share first-party analytics with Similarweb); contributory networks that aggregate device data; partnerships and public data extraction from websites and apps. The sites in the list are based on Similarweb’s classification of news and media publishers, although Press Gazette refines the list to exclude some sites with a less journalistic focus.
Continue reading for previous months’ coverage of the top 50 websites for news in the US:
The New York Times extended its lead over CNN has the most popular news website in the US according to Press Gazette’s latest top-50 ranking.
Among the 50 most-visited news sites in the country only 11 grew their visits month-on-month in December. Some 32 sites grew their total number of website visits year on year, according to Similarweb.
The biggest traffic pullback in the top ten was at USA Today (143.6 million, down 29.4%), followed by CNN (356.6 million, down 22.5%) and Fox News (253.6 million, down 17%). Half of the top ten sites saw double-digit percentage decreases. CNN began charging its most regular readers for website access in October 2024.
November was a big month traffic-wise for many US news websites helped by the 5 November presidential election.
In the broader top 50 both climate news site The Cooldown (25.4 million, up 123.1% month-on-month) and sports news site Athlon Sports (54.1 million, up 38.7%) saw significant growth compared with November. Buzzfeed (58.5 million, up 12.3%), the Daily Mail (108.6 million, up 6.3%) and local publishing network Patch (25.7 million, up 16.3%) also grew.
In terms of annual growth Athlon Sports and The Cooldown again topped the charts, with both seeing greater than 300% year-on-year growth.
They were followed by India Times (24.5 million, up 78.1%), the Associated Press (93 million, up 54.9%) and publishing platform Substack (59.7 million, up 46.6%).
Among the top ten most-visited sites specifically, all but two sites saw some year-on-year growth. Business publisher Forbes (115.4 million, up 41.5%) saw the fastest rise, followed by People magazine (144.6 million, up 14.2%), The New York Times (up 8.9%) and the New York Post (142.1 million, up 8.1%).
The biggest fallers compared with December 2023 among the whole top 50 were UK tabloid The Sun (23 million, down 55%), The Los Angeles Times (19.4 million, down 33.2%) and Huffpost (43.6 million, down 21%).
Traditional hard news and politics sites saw the largest web traffic growth in November amid the 2024 US presidential election.
Three in five of the top 50 most-visited news sites in the US saw traffic grow compared with October — although there were some notable exceptions.
The Los Angeles Times (23.7 million visits) and Washington Post (102.4 million) saw the sixth and eighth largest drops, falling by 7.9% and 6.6% respectively compared with October.
The two publishers experienced similar controversies going into the election after their proprietors each blocked their editorial boards from endorsing Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, reportedly resulting in subscription cancellations.
The biggest month-on-month traffic surges came at NBC (136 million visits, up 45.9%), the Associated Press (144.7 million, up 45.7%) and The Daily Wire (25.5 million, up 40.9%).
Major political publishers like Axios (31.5 million, up 35.3%) and Politico (50.2 million, up 27.6%) also fared well, alongside right-leaning publishers Fox News (305.6 million, up 18.4%), Newsmax (36.2 million, up 20.1%) and Breitbart (39.6 million, up 17.5%).
[Read more: Top publishers saw less traffic on day of 2024 US election versus 2020]
Most of the ten most-visited news sites in the US benefitted from the November surge, with The New York Times (528.6 million, up 11% month-on-month), USA Today (203.5 million, up 9.8%) and CNN (460 million, up 8.2%) all notching notable gains.
People.com, the website of People magazine, saw the largest fall among the top ten, losing 10% of its audience compared with October. Yahoo Finance (149.8 million, down 2.3%), the New York Post (142.4 million, down 1.8%) and aggregator MSN (234.6 million, down 1.4%) saw modest drops.
November also delivered The New York Times back to the top of the top 50 chart, ahead of CNN.
Year-on-year the fastest-growing top ten news site was the AP, which saw 162.5% more visits in November 2024 than it did in the same month in 2023. NBC News, similarly, grew its traffic 112.5% compared with last year, while USA Today managed growth of 65.5%.
All of the ten most-visited news sites in the US in November received more visits than they did a year earlier. The smallest grower, Yahoo Finance, still managed year-on-year growth of 5.2%.
For another month the fastest year-on-year grower on the top 50 was athlonsports.com (39 million visits, up 305.7%), followed by the AP and The Daily Dot (25.1 million, up 147.3%).
Overall only seven of the top 50 recorded year-on-year traffic declines in November: Yahoo News (82.8 million visits, down 16.8%), the LA Times (down 13.9%), financial publisher Bloomberg (23.5 million, down 10.5%), the Daily Mail (102.2 million, down 7%), Huffpost (50.9 million, down 5.2%), CNBC (90.9 million, down 2.2%) and The Sun (26.6 million, down 1.1%).
Among the ten most-visited news sites in the US only three sites had a busier December than November: Yahoo Finance (155.9 million visits in December, up 4.1%), aggregator Google News (119.6 million, up 3.2%) and celebrity and human interest magazine People (144.6 million, up 2.1%).
Most of the top newsbrands in the US saw web traffic growth in October following two months of declines.
All but one of the ten most-visited news sites in the US, and almost four in five of the top 50, grew their visits compared with September.
Thirty websites in the top 50 also saw their visits grow year-on-year in October, as well as eight of the top ten.
Among the ten most-visited news sites in the US, Forbes (118.4 million visits) saw the greatest growth, increasing 42.7% compared with October 2023 and 4.7% compared with September 2024.
It was followed by USA Today (185.3 million, up 41.6% year-on-year) and the website of People magazine (157.4 million, up 32.3%), which were the only other top-ten sites to see double-digit growth compared with 2023.
CNN (425 million) remains the most-visited news site in the US despite an 11.8% year-on-year decrease in traffic — the only fall among the top ten besides Fox News (258.1 million), which lost 22.5% of its October 2023 traffic.
The broader traffic bounce back may reflect increased news interest in the run-up to the US election, which happened in the first week of November. The Fox web traffic decline contrasts with the network’s reported surge in TV viewership around the election.
Among the broader top 50 news sites in the US, sports news site athlonsports.com (34.7 million) continued its reign as the fastest-growing publisher, nearly quadrupling its web visits compared to October 2023.
It was followed by The Daily Dot (28.2 million, up 200.7%), Real Clear Politics (23.3 million, up 158%) and Newsweek (111.3 million, up 110.9%). British news site The Independent (34.8 million), which claimed in November to have become the biggest British-born news site in the US according to Comscore data, also notched 70.4% year-on-year growth.
Month-on-month, CNN’s traffic stayed largely flat, growing 0.3%. At the start of October the site deployed a new paywall, which does not appear to have immediately hurt its web visits.
Fox also lost approximately 1% of its US web visits in October compared with the month before. The fastest-growing top-ten site month-on-month was USA Today, followed by aggregator Google News (122.4 million, up 8.6%) and People.
Also possibly reflecting interest in the US presidential election, the fastest monthly growth among the top 50 was seen at Real Clear Politics, where visits were up nearly 40% compared with September. Newsweek (up 20.1%), The Atlantic (26.6 million, up 16.2% month-on-month), The Washington Post (109.7 million, up 8.7%) and Substack (53.9 million, up 7.9%) were similarly among the fastest growers.
Also possibly reflecting interest in the US presidential election, the fastest monthly growth among the top 50 was seen at Real Clear Politics, where visits were up nearly 40% compared with September. Newsweek (up 20.1%), The Atlantic (26.6 million, up 16.2% month-on-month), The Washington Post (109.7 million, up 8.7%) and Substack (53.9 million, up 7.9%) were similarly among the fastest growers.
On the other end of the scale the fastest year-on-year traffic losses were seen by the Los Angeles Times (25.8 million, down 30% on October 2023), the Daily Mail (104.1 million, down 22.8%) and Fox News.
Despite its robust politics offering, Axios (23.3 million) was the top 50 site with the largest monthly traffic fall, losing 17.4% of its visits compared with September. It was followed by The Independent (down 12.4% month-on-month) and Business Insider (64.3 million, down 11.8%).
Almost all the top 50 news sites in the US saw traffic fall in September, deepening a decline that began in August.
But for most publishers visits have nonetheless improved year-on-year, with three-fifths of the top 50 recording traffic increases of at least 10% compared with September 2023.
All of the ten most-visited news sites in the US saw traffic drop compared to August. The contraction was sharpest at Yahoo Finance (down 11.3% month-on-month to 144.4 million visits) and third-placed Fox News (down 11.2% to 260.2 million).
In August eight of the top ten publishers saw month-on-month decline, which marked a correction after an eventful July (in which the Paris Olympics kicked off, Joe Biden left the US presidential race and Donald Trump was shot).
Major news events in the US in September included Hurricane Helene hitting North Carolina, a second failed assassination attempt against Trump, and the first TV debate between him and Kamala Harris.
In September the shallowest traffic falls were recorded at The New York Times (down 1.9% to 355 million) and Forbes (down 2.1% to 113 million). Despite the drop September’s ranking reflects the first time Forbes has entered the US top ten after jumping three places to ninth. Google News (visits down 6.7% to 112.7 million), meanwhile, fell out of the top ten.
CNN, which was again the most visited site in the US, saw visits fall 4% to 424 million. The site has since rolled out its inaugural paywall, the effects from which will only become visible next month.
The Daily Mail (down 7.5% month-on-month to 113 million), which was the ninth most popular news site in the US in both July and August, dropped in September to tenth.
The only riser within the top ten, besides new entrant Forbes, was People, which was up one spot despite visits dropping 9.5% month-on-month to 147.2 million.
September saw the re-entry of The Atlantic into the top 50 (visits down 0.2% month-on-month but up 15.2% year-on-year to 22.9 million) after it dropped off in August. Far-right website Gateway Pundit, which entered the chart at 48th last month, has in turn fallen out of the top 50.
Athlon Sports (up 218.4% year-on-year to 35 million) was the fastest riser in the ranks of the top 50, jumping eight places to 33rd on the back of 18% month-on-month traffic growth, the second most growth of any publisher in the top 50.
The only site to see a larger rise in visits compared with August was CBS News, where traffic rose 20.7% to 92.5 million, translating to a five-place rise on the charts.
Another notable riser was local publisher SF Gate (up six places to 36th on the back of a 0.4% month-on-month traffic drop, to 29.3 million) and libertarian blog Zero Hedge (25.2 million), which rose five places to 40th despite a 7.7% traffic decline.
The UK’s The Independent, which has been on a US expansion campaign, saw some fruits from that bid in September: it was one of the four sites to see month-on-month traffic growth (rising 5.7% to 39.7 million) and notched year-on-year growth of 88.3%, the fourth highest overall.
Going the opposite direction, however, was the US outpost of fellow British publisher The Sun (22.2 million visits), which dropped 15 places to 50th on the back of 34.9% month-on-month and 65.1% year-on-year traffic declines. The Sun recently made steep cuts at its US operation.
After Athlon the fastest-growing site in the US year-on-year was The Daily Dot (up 174.2% year-on-year to 29.2 million), which entered the top 50 for the first time in August. They were followed by Newsweek, where visits rose 115.1% year-on-year to 92.6 million. Newsweek’s rapid rise up the charts has stalled in recent months: having been in the top ten in July it fell out last month and in September placed 14th.
All but two of the ten most-visited sites in the US in September saw year-on-year traffic growth. New top ten entrant Forbes was also the fastest-growing site in the group, seeing visits rise 48% compared with September 2023. It was followed by People magazine (up 37.8%), USA Today (up 29.6% to 166 million) and The New York Times.
The two top ten sites to see year-on-year traffic declines were Fox News (down 0.7%) and Mail Online, where visits dropped 7.2%.
Two-thirds of the top news sites in the US saw traffic shrink month-on-month in August following a bumper July.
But the picture is rosier over a longer timespan, with three-quarters of the top 50 publishers seeing year-on-year growth in visits in August.
The contraction is particularly pronounced among the top ten US news sites by traffic, where eight publishers saw visits drop compared to July.
In July every site in the top ten saw month-on-month traffic growth, likely driven by blockbuster news events including the first assassination attempt on Donald Trump and Joe Biden’s departure from the presidential race.
But in August People.com (162.6 million visits) and Yahoo Finance (162.8 million) were the only top ten sites to continue growing their traffic, by 3% and 2% respectively.
The biggest drop came at CNN, which saw visits fall 16% to 441.4 million. It nonetheless remained the most-visited news site in the US, a position it has held since Similarweb updated its data model in June and pushed the site ahead of The New York Times.
The New York Times maintained its position in second place, with 361.8 million visits, and Fox News was third on 293 million.
Yahoo Finance and People both shuffled up the board one spot to sixth and seventh place respectively, pushing the New York Post (150 million visits, down 7% year-on-year) down to eighth.
Mail Online remained steady at ninth place with 122.2 million visits while Google News (120.8 million) jumped three places to tenth despite losing 4% of traffic month-on-month, displacing Newsweek (115.7 million) from the top ten.
Further down the rankings The Daily Beast was the highest debuting publication, entering the top 50 at 39th place after seeing traffic rise 22% month-on-month to 30 million. The other new entrants in August were Dailydot.com (29.8 million, 40th place), NJ.com (26.6 million, 47th) and Newsbreak.com (25.7 million, 50th).
The four sites that dropped off the top 50 to make room for them were climate site The Cooldown, which had been enjoying a rapid traffic rise in recent months, local publishers Patch.com and KSL.com, and current affairs magazine The Atlantic.
The biggest riser already on the charts was progressive news site Raw Story, which climbed eight spots to 37th place on the back of a 24% month-on-month traffic increase to 33.2 million. It was followed by UK news site The Independent (up six places with 37.6 million) and the Los Angeles Times (up five places with 28.5 million).
Among all top 50 sites The Daily Dot grew fastest month-on-month, seeing traffic rise 25%.
Year-on-year, however, the fastest growth was at sports publisher Athlon Sports, which has been the case among the US top 50 every month since May. The site received 374% more visits in August 2024 than in August 2023, reaching 29.6 million. The next fastest growth was at Newsweek, where traffic rose 158%, and the Daily Dot (88%).
Among the top ten news sites by US traffic People magazine again saw the most year-on-year growth in August, having also been the fastest annual growers in April, May and June. July’s fastest year-on-year riser, USA Today, followed in second place in August.
All but two of the top 50 news websites in the US saw visits grow month-on-month amid an eventful July for political news.
All of the top-ten most-visited news sites in the US saw traffic growth when compared with June, according to figures from digital intelligence platform Similarweb. The biggest increases in traffic were at USA Today (34%), CNN (33%), Newsweek (21%), Fox News (20%) and The New York Times (15%).
These figures contrast against June, when none of the top ten saw month-on-month growth.
The figures for July are the first Press Gazette has published since Similarweb updated its data model. The company says the update has improved the accuracy of the data, particularly with regard to smaller websites.
The most notable result of the change appears to be that it has bounced CNN (525 million visits) ahead of The New York Times (385.7 million) to retake the top spot on the traffic ranking.
Fox News (336.7 million) retained its position in third place, ahead of MSN (263 million) which it overtook in May.
Under the new model People.com (158.3 million) drops from fifth place, which it occupied in May, to eighth, behind USA Today (188.1 million) in fifth, the New York Post in sixth (160.5 million) and Yahoo Finance in seventh (159.5 million). Mail Online (136.1 million) gains a place, rising to ninth, and Newsweek (133.3 million) leaps from 16th to tenth place.
The only sites to see visits decline month-on-month were the US website of the UK’s The Sun newspaper (37.1 million) and Athlon Sports (27.5 million), which both dropped 3%.
Year-on-year, however, Athlon (athlonsports.com) saw the greatest growth in the top 50, drawing in 697% more visits in July 2024 than in July 2023.
The second-fastest annual growth was at climate site The Cooldown (25.5 million, up 562%) and the third-fastest was at Newsweek (172%), which was also the fastest-growing site among the top ten domains.
All the top-ten sites by total visits grew year-on-year in July, seven of them by double-digit percentages.
Six of the top 50 saw year-on-year visit declines in July. The Sun was again the biggest faller, dropping 46% of its traffic. It was followed by Yahoo News (down 22%), Buzzfeed (down 17%), the Los Angeles Times (down 12%), and CNBC and SFGate, each of which declined 2%.
The largest gains month-on month were at political and hard news sites, again reflecting a historic July for news. ABC News (83.5 million visits) saw the most growth between June and July, increasing traffic 81%. MSNBC (29.2 million) increased visits by 66%, NBC News (128 million) by 62%, Axios (40 million) by 54% and The Atlantic (28.2 million) by 52%.
Newsweek was once again the fastest-growing news website in the US in June 2023, notching 15% month-on-month growth to 110.2 million visits.
In addition Newsweek saw visits rise 144% compared to June the prior year, but it did not see the most year-on-year growth among the top 50. The fastest year-on-year growth came at Athlon Sports, which attracted 28.5 million visits in June, up 484% from the prior year.
Climate news site The Cooldown saw the second most year-on-year growth, with visits rising 152% to 21.9 million.
Among the top ten sites by traffic no publisher saw month-on-month growth in June. The New York Post saw the biggest decline – dropping 11% of traffic month-on-month – followed by The New York Times, which dropped 10% to 336 million visits.
Celebrity-focused People.com saw the most year-on-year growth in the top ten, growing visits 37% to 142.1 million. It was followed by USA Today, which saw traffic rise 11% to 140.3 million.
Note: Figures from May 2024 and earlier were calculated using an old Similarweb data model that has since been updated.
Celebrity-focused newsbrand People.com was the fastest-growing news website in the US in May, according to Press Gazette’s latest ranking.
Visits to the popular magazine’s website were up 18% month-on-month to 165.3 million, according to data from digital intelligence platform Similarweb.
It was followed by two News Corp titles, foxnews.com (269.1 million visits) and nypost.com (160.8 million), which were both up 8% month-on-month.
CNN (419.2 million visits, up 3%) and the New York Times (503.4 million, up 3%) also saw growth, albeit more modest, compared to April.
While the New York Times remained the biggest newsbrand in the US by number of visits followed by CNN, a strong monthly performance from Fox News led it to overtake MSN (261.3 million visits) into third place, pushing MSN into fourth.
People meanwhile retook fifth place following its strong growth, with Yahoo Finance (154.4 million) falling into seventh.
Year-on-year, People was again fastest-growing with visits up 42%, while The New York Times (up 17%) and USA Today (125.7 million, up 16%) also saw strong growth – contrasting with USA Today’s sharp monthly slump (its visits were down 15% making it the biggest-falling site among the top ten compared to April).
Among the top 50, Newsweek, which has topped the list for growth in several of the past months, was only the third fastest growing site year-on-year despite another strong month.
Visits to the news magazine’s website were up 198% compared to May 2023 to 95.5 million but it was beaten by two specialist newsbrands.
Fastest-growing was long-standing sports publisher Athlon Sports, which entered our top 50 for the first time in 33rd place (35.9 million visits, up 962% year-on-year). Athlon is best known for publishing pre-season single-title sports annuals on professional and college sports, and was temporarily merged with Sports Illustrated in 2022. It was followed by financial news and advice site Moneywise (27.6 million visits, up 334% year-on-year).
The same two sites topped the table for monthly growth with visits to Athlon Sports up 126% and visits to Moneywise up 70% compared to April.
AP News (98.8 million, up 21%) and Variety (43.8 million, up 19%) also saw growth of over or close to a fifth.
The Daily Mail remained the best-ranked British newsbrand in the ranking climbing one place into tenth (117.8 million visits), while the BBC was in rank 11 (112.7 million).
Since November Similarweb has excluded the figures for edition.cnn.com in its report to Press Gazette since they are counted under the main domain. Visits to edition.cnn.com however make up a very small share of all visits to the CNN domain in the US.
Similarweb generates its traffic data by applying machine learning and modelling to the statistically representative datasets that the company collects. Datasets are based on direct measurement (i.e. websites and apps that choose to share first-party analytics with Similarweb); contributory networks that aggregate device data; partnerships and public data extraction from websites and apps. The sites in the list are based on Similarweb’s classification of news and media publishers, although Press Gazette refines the list to exclude some sites with a less news-based focus.
Newsweek continued a strong run of growth to retake its spot as the fastest-growing news website in the US in April, according to Press Gazette’s latest ranking.
Visits to the news magazine’s website were up 149% year-on-year to 90.5 million, according to data from digital intelligence platform Similarweb.
Newsweek was followed by Virginia-based national newsbrand Axios which like Newsweek more than doubled its traffic (31.9 million visits, up 107% year-on-year), new climate and sustainability news site The Cool Down (27.8 million visits, up 71% year-on-year) and Advance Local Michigan news site M Live (22.7 million, up 66%).
Month-on-month Newsweek did less well, seeing no change in audience compared to March. Instead fastest-growing was M Live (up 27% month-on-month), followed by CBS News (84 million, up 26%), Axios (up 21%), and technology specialist The Verge (up 17%).
The US Sun was also among the fastest-growing sites month-on-month, up 16% to 46.3 million, sharing joint fifth place with Forbes (108.3 million, also up 16% month-on-month).
Among the ten biggest sites by number of visits, celebrity newsbrand People was the fastest growing year-on-year for a second month (140.2 million visits, up 31%). It was followed by Gannett’s flagship newsbrand USA Today (148.1 million, up 25% compared to April 2023),
The remainder of the top ten either declined year-on-year or in the case of the New York Times (up 1%) and the New York Post (down 1%) registered virtually no change in traffic. Fox News saw the biggest slump at 14% with visits down to 249.9 million despite a busy news cycle in the US with national elections later this year.
Month-on-month New York Post (149.4 million, up 7%), USA Today (up 3%) and MSN (263.2 million, up 2%) were fastest-growing. Those that declined only saw small traffic drops with People (down 4% compared to March) and Washington Post (117 million, also down 4%) seeing the largest drops.
The New York Times remained the biggest newsbrand in the US by number of visits (487.6 million), followed by CNN (405.7 million), MSN, Fox News and Yahoo Finance (151 million) which retained its fifth position after knocking People off fifth spot last month.
The Daily Mail remained the best-ranked British newsbrand in the ranking (rank 11, 115.4 million visits), pulling further ahead of the BBC (rank 13, 106.1 million), which fell one place from twelfth in March.
Since November Similarweb has excluded the figures for edition.cnn.com in its report to Press Gazette since they are counted under the main domain. Visits to edition.cnn.com however make up a very small share of all visits to the CNN domain in the US.
Celebrity newsbrand People was the fastest-growing news website in the US in March according to Press Gazette’s latest ranking.
Visits to People.com were up 27% year-on-year to reach 145.7 million, according to data from digital intelligence platform Similarweb.
Along with USA Today (143.4 million visits, up 13% year-on-year) and New York Times (498.6 million, up 10%), it was one of three of the top ten websites by number of visits in March to see double-digit growth.
In contrast, top ten sites Fox News (248.5 million, down 19%), the New York Post (139.3 million, down 16%), MSN (258.5 million visits, down 13%), Google News (131.8 million, down 10%) and CNN (402.2 million, down 10%) saw double-digit slumps in visits compared to March 2023.
Month-on-month the picture was more positive for the ten biggest sites, with all but People (down 8%) seeing more visits in March than February. The New York Post (up 12%) saw the biggest monthly gain, followed by The New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post (122 million) and CNN, which each saw a 9% month-on-month boost in visits.
Among the wider top 50, The Cool Down, which entered our ranking last month for the first time in 42nd position, saw strong growth for another month, moving up from 42nd to 35th in the table. Visits to the climate-specialised newsbrand were up 25% month-on-month and 421% year-on-year (30.4 million visits).
The Cool Down was the fastest-growing site year-on-year among the whole top 50. It was followed by Newsweek (90.5 million visits, up 144% year-on-year).
A Newsweek spokesperson told Press Gazette last month that “the share of readers visiting us via our front door is setting records” and is its “best source of stable, growing audience independent of third-party algorithm changes” as many publishers experience Google and Facebook referral declines.
Month-on-month, both Newsweek (up 31% compared to February) and The Cool Down were beaten by publishing group Advance Local’s Alabama-focused site al.com (22.6 million visits, up 67% month-on-month). It was followed by independently run consumer-focused science news site sciencealert.com (24.4 million visits, up 66% month-on-month).
Long-running magazine The Atlantic also saw a strong March with 30 million visits, an increase of 26% month-on-month.
The New York Times remained the biggest newsbrand in the US by number of visits, followed by CNN, MSN, Fox News and Yahoo Finance (150.1 million visits) which knocked People out of fifth position.
The Daily Mail remained the best-ranked British newsbrand in the ranking (rank 11, 113 million visits), just ahead of the BBC (rank 12, 106.9 million).
Since November Similarweb has excluded the figures for edition.cnn.com in its report to Press Gazette since they are counted under the main domain. Visits to edition.cnn.com however make up a very small share of all visits to the CNN domain in the US.
Similarweb generates its traffic data by applying machine learning and modelling to the statistically representative datasets that the company collects. Datasets are based on direct measurement (i.e. websites and apps that choose to share first-party analytics with Similarweb); contributory networks that aggregate device data; partnerships and public data extraction from websites and apps. The sites in the list are based on Similarweb’s classification of news and media publishers, although Press Gazette refines the list to exclude some sites with a less news-based focus.
Newsweek was the fastest-growing news site in the US in February while climate news startup The Cooldown entered the list in 42nd position, according to Press Gazette’s latest ranking.
Visits to the site of news magazine Newsweek, which has expanded its rankings content and consumer guides in the past year, were up 130% year-on-year to 69.1 million, making it the fastest growing news site in the top 50, according to data from digital intelligence platform, Similarweb. (We excluded The Cool Down from the year-on-year analysis because the site only recently launched towards the end of 2022).
Newsweek was followed by Axios (25 million visits, up 88% year-on-year) and Politico (50.7 million, up 51%). UK newsbrand The Independent (25.7 million, up 44%) also made the top ten for growth, ranking 39th in the top 50. Last month The Independent also featured among the ten fastest-growing sites in the top 50, as it seeks to grow its US foothold.
Month-on-month the fastest-growing newsbrand was The Cool Down (24.3 million visits, up 52% compared to January). Ranked 42nd in this month’s top 50, the site was launched by founder and CEO of the sports media outlet Bleacher Report Dave Finocchio and Anna Robertson, an ABC and Yahoo News executive, and purports to be the “first mainstream climate brand” in the US.
It was followed for month-on-month growth in visits by progressive news website Rawstory (20.4 million, up 24%) and Newsweek (up 10% month-on-month).
None of the ten biggest news websites by number of visits grew month-on-month in February. People (158.7 million visits, down 2% month-on-month) and Yahoo Finance (147.2 million, down 3%) saw the smallest falls, while Fox News (242.5 million, down 10%) and Gannett’s flagship title USA Today (131.3 million, down 13%) saw the only double-digit declines.
Annually, the picture was more mixed for the ten biggest sites. People (up 30% year-on-year), USA Today (up 20%) and Yahoo Finance (up 14%) saw the biggest increases in visits compared to February 2023.
At the other end of the list however, Microsoft news aggregator MSN (247.4 million visits) and News Corp’s New York Post (124.9 million) saw the biggest year-on-year slumps at 17% each.
The New York Times (456.7 million visits) remained the biggest newsbrand in the US by number of visits, followed by CNN (372.8 million), MSN, Fox News and People.
The Daily Mail remained the best-ranked British newsbrand in the ranking (107.7 million visits) in tenth, one place ahead of the BBC (101 million).
Since November Similarweb has excluded the figures for edition.cnn.com in its report to Press Gazette since they are counted under the main domain. Visits to edition.cnn.com however make up a very small share of all visits to the CNN domain in the US.
The Independent was one of the fastest-growing news sites in the US in January, according to Press Gazette’s latest ranking.
Visits to the UK publisher’s site were up 29% month-on-month to 24.3 million, making it the second-fastest growing news site in the US, according to data from digital intelligence platform, Similarweb.
The Independent is one of several UK newsbrands along with The Sun, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, Express and the BBC that have recently put focus on expansion in the US.
The Independent’s chief executive Christian Broughton told Press Gazette last year that US expansion, along with e-commerce, Independent TV, reader revenues and AI, are the main drivers of growth for the publisher.
The Daily Mail remained the best-ranked British newsbrand in the ranking (119.8 million visits) although it dropped one place to eleventh from tenth in the past month.
Fastest-growing month-on-month in the top 50 was Advance Local-owned New Jersey news site nj.com (23.5 million visits, up 33% month-on-month) while third fastest-growing was Business Insider (74.4 million, up 21%).
Year-on-year, compared to January 2023, the fastest-growing site was Newsweek (62.7 million visits, up 94%), followed by Axios (28.8 million visits, up 60%) which in recent years has expanded into local news and its professional subscription service, Axios Pro.
The Independent also featured among the fastest-growing websites year-on-year coming in fifth place having seen visits up 40% compared to last January.
Among the ten biggest news websites by volume of visits, USA Today was the fastest-growing for a third month in a row.
Visits to the Gannett-owned site were up by 32% year-on-year to 151.4 million – echoing its year-on-year growth rate last month.
It was followed by People (161.4 million visits, up 16% year-on-year) and both were the only large sites to see year-on-year growth for the second month in a row.
People and USA Today also saw the biggest growth month-on-month among the top ten sites. Visits to People were up 11% compared to December while they were up 8% to USA Today.
In contrast to the annual figures, however, all of the ten biggest sites saw month-on-month growth of at least 3% in January.
The largest site in the US remained The New York Times (482.7 million visits), followed by CNN (398.8 million) and Fox News (270.2 million).
Since November Similarweb has excluded the figures for edition.cnn.com in its report to Press Gazette since they are counted under the main domain. Visits to edition.cnn.com however make up a very small share of all visits to the CNN domain in the US.
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our “Letters Page” blog

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Trump nominee for education secretary would come backed with detailed policy agenda – EdSource

Trump nominee for education secretary would come backed with detailed policy agenda – EdSource

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The new administration has big plans, any of which could have a major impact on California education. But could is the key word. So, we will stay on top of what’s happening and it will inform our coverage as it affects California. How are federal decisions affecting students, educators, and families here? Will school funding or instruction shift? How are California policymakers adjusting to the new landscape?
As we track these developments, we want to hear from you. What are you interested in reading about? What questions do you have? Your input will help inform our coverage.
President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of a close ally and the co-chair of his transition team indicates that education could be a major priority of his administration, even though it did not feature prominently in the 2024 presidential campaign.
Linda McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, is a leading financial backer Trump has been close to for decades. She is also chair of the board of the little known America First Policy Institute, sometimes referred to as a “shadow transition operation” or “White House in waiting.
The institute has issued a detailed education policy agenda that is likely to serve as a guide for McMahon, and the Trump administration in general, should she be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
For those reading the political tea leaves, it was notable that in nominating McMahon, Trump did not explicitly charge her with shutting down the U.S. Department of Education, and that the agenda of the America First Policy Institute does not call for it either. Instead, Trump called on her “to spearhead efforts to send education back to the states” an expansive and undefined charge, especially because by law education is already mostly a state and local function.
Regardless of the fate of the department, the contrast between President Joe Biden’s and Trump’s education agendas — and between McMahon and current Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona — could not be wider. 
Cardona is a lifelong educator, becoming secretary after a career as a teacher, principal, district administrator, and state commissioner of education. McMahon spent most of her career building the WWE, founded with her husband, Vince McMahon. 
Cardona’s net worth is estimated by Forbes magazine to be $1 million, most of it tied up in his principal residence, retirement savings, and a 529 college savings account for his children. By contrast, Forbes places McMahon and her husband’s net worth at $2.5 billion. 
The only thing they seem to have in common is that they are both from Connecticut. 
But even though McMahon has a slim resume regarding education, she is not entirely an education neophyte. She studied to become a French teacher in college. She has been a trustee of Sacred Heart College, a Catholic college in Fairfield, Connecticut, for years. She was appointed to the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2009, although she left after a year to run for the U.S. Senate in 2010 and again in 2012 — both times unsuccessfully.  
McMahon is more of a traditional conservative Republican than several of Trump’s other Cabinet nominees. In some ways, she is more similar to Betsy DeVos, another billionaire, who was Trump’s first secretary of education. But unlike DeVos, she has had experience in government, as head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term.   
In 2019, she left that post, not under a cloud or fleeing vitriol from Trump like many others in his administration, to head the America First PAC, which raised funds for Trump’s re-election bid in 2020. 
On the explosive issue of “school choice,” publicly, at least, she has mostly called for expanding charter schools, rather than taxpayer-funded vouchers. “I am an advocate for choice through charter schools,” she declared in her 2010 campaign for Senate. 
She also has some bipartisan instincts, even getting support from the Democratic senators she had previously run against, when they had to approve her nomination to head the Small Business Administration. Sen. Richard Blumenthal called her “a person of serious accomplishment and ability,” and Sen. Chris Murphy described her as a “talented and experienced businessperson.”
As SBA administrator, she drew high praise from some Democrats for increasing loans to women-owned businesses, and for making the agency more efficient, including from then-Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md., the ranking member of the Small Business and Entrepreneur Committee.
Another sign of her bipartisan inclinations came in a September commentary in The Hill newspaper, when she argued for a radical revision of the Pell Grant, the main form of federal student financial aid. 
While most Pell grants go to full-time students, McMahon argued that the grant should also be available to students enrolled in “high-quality, shorter-term, industry-aligned education programs that could lead to immediate employment in well-paying jobs.” 
To that end, she endorsed a bill known as the Workforce Pell Act, sponsored by lawmakers usually on far opposite sides of the political aisle — Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, D-Calif., Bobby Scott, D-Va. 
Arguably one of her key qualifications is that she and Trump have a positive relationship. Unlike many who served in his first administration and left reviled by their former boss, when she stepped down as SBA administrator, Trump praised her as a “superstar.” “Just so smooth,” he said. “She’s been one of our all-time favorites.”
But her most important credential may well be her role as chair of the board of the America First Policy Institute, which she helped start.
Its 150-person staff includes well-known Trump staffers like Kellyanne Conway and its executive director, Chad Wolf, the former secretary of homeland security. Pam Bondi, the head of the institute’s legal arm, was just nominated by Trump to be attorney general in place of Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his nomination.
Like Project 2025, the conservative blueprint issued by the Heritage Foundation, which Trump has disavowed and says he had no role in crafting, the America First Policy Institute has also drawn up a similar detailed policy framework, including one on education. Yet the institute has not done much to publicize its proposals, which Trump has reportedly appreciated.  
The institute draws a sharp contrast between its “America First” polices and what it calls “America Last” policies championed by Democrats.
“America Last” policies, it argues, “prioritize radical ideologies and failing public schools.” These include promoting “transgenderism” and “radical ideologies over core subjects,” while fighting “school choice expansion,” and parent notification policies regarding curriculum and gender identification. 
The institute calls for reinstating Trump’s 1776 Commission to promote “patriotic civic education” and removing critical race theory and diversity, equity and inclusion from what it alleges are requirements for federal grants.
And instead of supporting “leftist teachers unions” and teacher tenure, it advocates for “reduced union influence, and increasing flexibility in hiring and firing.”
For these and other reasons, it is to be expected that key education groups would oppose McMahon’s nomination. 
“Rather than working to strengthen public schools, expand learning opportunities for students, and support educators, McMahon’s only mission is to eliminate the Department of Education and take away taxpayer dollars from public schools,” said President Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, the largest teachers union in the U.S.
But for conservatives like Frederick Hess, director of education policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, McMahon is an unknown quantity when it comes to education, and he made a pitch for approaching her nomination with an open mind. “I’m looking forward to learning more about her views and approach to the role in the weeks to come,” he said. “I’d avoid gross assumptions based on biography. Those seeking reflexive celebration or condemnation should look elsewhere. “
Controversy has already surfaced about her nomination. Media reports point to an October lawsuit in Maryland alleging McMahon and her husband failed to stop a prominent WWE ringside announcer in the 1980s and 1990s from sexually abusing 12- and 13-year-olds known as “ring boys” who were hired to do errands in preparation for wrestling matches.
What is still an open question is whether Trump will move to eliminate the Department of Education, or how aggressively he will do so. His administration may decide that it is more important to keep the department intact for any number of reasons, including transforming its influential Office of Civil Rights into a weapon to impose his education agenda onto states or schools.
And it is possible that McMahon will continue to voice her praise for teachers, and for public schools, including charter schools. “We have a very good system of public and private schools,” she said in an interview a decade ago. “I’ve watched some masterful teachers who are innovative and who are reaching kids who are below grade level in many of the subjects.  To see how they get turned around is heartwarming and astounding.”
As a nonprofit newsroom, we rely on our readers to support our independent, equity-focused education journalism. Throughout this year, we plan to cover topics like reading and math standards for K-12 students, shifts in federal funding across all education levels and the ongoing crisis of how students pay for college. Will you chip in to support this coverage?
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It doesn’t really matter who you put “in charge” of something like education. State offices, school boards, federal offices, teachers unions — it just doesn’t matter. Most education happens in the home. Home cultures that support and prioritize academics turn out better students, and home cultures that don’t prioritize academics turn out poor students. That’s it. Read More
It doesn’t really matter who you put “in charge” of something like education. State offices, school boards, federal offices, teachers unions — it just doesn’t matter. Most education happens in the home. Home cultures that support and prioritize academics turn out better students, and home cultures that don’t prioritize academics turn out poor students. That’s it.
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The number one predictor of student academic success. Numerous research studies corroborate this claim. The home plays a factor but not to the extent that the teacher plays the primary role in student academic success. In fact, the teacher is the key! Mom and Dad should not be expected to teach calculus to junior! Read The Fog of Education!
I recall a poorly designed study that “proved” students who weren’t assigned homework performed as well as students who were assigned homework, except that the researchers did not control for parental intervention at home, i.e., when parents perceive that their child is not get a rigorous enough education at school, they make up for it at home with purchased workbooks, Kumon subscriptions and the like. The researchers did not realize that in the group of … Read More
I recall a poorly designed study that “proved” students who weren’t assigned homework performed as well as students who were assigned homework, except that the researchers did not control for parental intervention at home, i.e., when parents perceive that their child is not get a rigorous enough education at school, they make up for it at home with purchased workbooks, Kumon subscriptions and the like. The researchers did not realize that in the group of students who weren’t assigned regular homework, the parents were assigning it at home. Unfortunately, a lot of educational research is flawed in this manner. And everyone with kids in competitive academic environments knows that there is a whole underground culture of secret supplementing driven by parents, not teachers. Educational researchers who focus on disadvantaged groups and don’t have children themselves are ignorant of what is going on in the broader culture.
Tony Thurmond, Randi Weingarten and Linda McMahon could be replaced by pink flamingos and it wouldn’t make a difference in the education of a child whose parents are very focused on academic rigor. People who want their children to have an academic edge will always go outside the system to get extra resources for their children.
Trump makes a mockery of government while he destroys our democracy.
Cardona is responsible for the FAFSA disaster. I’ll be glad to see him go.
With more purposeful state leadership, future NAEP score releases could someday highlight better results for California’s students too.
The Richmond community has pleaded for more funds to rebuild the school for years. Not until a lawsuit was filed and asbestos was found last year did the school close.
Partnerships between districts and tribes help build trust to address remnants of traumatic boarding school history.
Many schools serving Native students have been working to build stronger connections with families, who often struggle with higher rates of illness and poverty.
Stay ahead of the latest developments on education in California and nationally from early childhood to college and beyond. Sign up for EdSource’s no-cost daily email.
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NC Senate looks to stop expanding health insurances mandates for millions, including state employees – WRAL News

NC Senate looks to stop expanding health insurances mandates for millions, including state employees – WRAL News

The North Carolina Senate, concerned about rising health care costs, plans to soon vote on a bill that would ban any further expansion of the list of procedures that health insurance must pay for.
The rules wouldn’t apply to many of those who get health insurance through their employers, if they work in the private sector for large companies. But the rules would apply to people on other insurance plans — including from the individual marketplace or some private group plans, as well as the 750,000 government workers, retirees and family members on the State Health Plan.

In total about half of everyone in North Carolina would be affected if the bill becomes law, state legislators said Tuesday.
North Carolina mandates 58 types of medical coverage that insurance must pay for — broad topics such as emergency room visits or mental health care, as well as more specific issues such as hearing tests for newborn babies.
Senate Bill 24 would require that the list of procedures can never grow larger than it is now. If any new procedures are going to be mandated in the future, they could only be added if something that’s currently required gets taken off the list.
It passed its final committee hurdle Tuesday morning and is planned to be voted on by the full Senate Wednesday, after which it would go to the state House of Representatives.
The proposal is backed by the leaders of the Senate Health Committee, including Sen. Jim Burgin, R-Harnett. He said the list of several dozen required procedures seems far too large.
“There’s 58 mandated coverages,” Burgin said. “You know, I tell people all the time, God only had to have 10 commandments.”
Other politicians think there should be more types of required coverage. For instance Sen. Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe, said her mother and grandmother had breast cancer. Since that makes her a high cancer risk, she gets MRIs to check. But her insurance won’t cover those cancer screenings, she said, so she pays for it herself.

Mayfield said she’s been working with advocates and might sponsor a bill this year to require coverage for breast cancer screenings. She expressed concern that, if Burgin’s bill passes, she would be forced to pick some other medical issue to eliminate coverage for.
“We would have to go through the list of existing mandates and pick some other group of people to say, ‘They no longer get that,’” Mayfield said. “So, for instance, hearing tests for babies. So in order to improve the health outcomes for one group of people, this bill mandates that we reduce the health outcomes for another group of people?”
Burgin said that’s correct, but that he would rather focus on the fact that if insurance companies have to cover more procedures, all they’ll do is keep hiking prices for insurance. The line has to be drawn somewhere, he said.
“If we don’t do something about insurance, nobody’s going to be able to afford it,” said Burgin, an insurance agent. “And we’ve got a crisis coming up with the State Health Plan right now that I’m really concerned about.”

The State Health Plan is run by the State Treasurer. Last week, new State Treasurer Brad Briner, a Republican, announced one of his first actions will be to raise premiums for the State Health Plan, using a sliding scale that will charge workers with higher salaries a higher premium.
For the previous eight years the Treasurer had been Dale Folwell, a former high-ranking Republican state lawmaker. He spent years trying to keep State Health Plan premiums frozen, instead asking the legislature to increase spending on the program to cover the higher costs that have come with an aging population and higher prescription drug costs.

But GOP legislative leaders repeatedly shot down Folwell’s requests, which would’ve run into the hundreds of millions.
Republican lawmakers have focused in recent years on cutting taxes, including a plan to fully eliminate corporate income taxes by 2030. On top of that, natural disasters such as Hurricane Helene have also led to unexpected pressures on the state budget. Burgin said Tuesday the government simply can’t afford to take on additional costs — including for the State Health Plan.
The best way to avoid paying for health expenses, Burgin added, is to ensure they never happen in the first place.
“With all the other budget constraints and things that we have going on, if we don’t deal with it on a cost side, we’re going to be dealing with it on the expense side,” he said.

While some Democratic senators expressed concerns about the proposal and its potential to pit people with different medical ailments against one another in future fights for coverage, Burgin said his plan is fiscally responsible. The U.S. has higher health care costs than any other nation, and he said he’s seen recent studies claiming North Carolina has the highest health care costs in the U.S.
Last year Forbes conducted a study of all 50 states that found North Carolina was the most expensive state for people who insure themselves and one other person through their employer’s benefits, the second-most expensive state for people who insure their entire family through an employer’s plan, and the fifth-most most expensive state for people to insure only themselves.

No other state was more expensive, on average, in that Forbes study. Other studies in previous years have reached similar findings about the high costs of health care specifically in North Carolina.
“We’re the most expensive place in the world for health insurance,” Burgin said. “This is unacceptable.”

Copyright 2025 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Lifelong learning: Staying relevant in the age of AI – The Daily Star

Lifelong learning: Staying relevant in the age of AI – The Daily Star

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The rise of AI isn’t a distant phenomenon confined to Silicon Valley boardrooms; it’s here, woven into the fabric of Bangladesh’s economy. Jobs once considered secure are evolving—or disappearing—while new roles, unimaginable a decade ago, are emerging at breakneck speed. In this shifting landscape, the question isn’t just how AI will change the job market, but how we, as individuals, will adapt. The answer lies in embracing a mindset that is as dynamic as the technology itself: lifelong learning. This is not just a buzzword; it’s the key to survival and success in a world where staying still means falling behind.
Artificial intelligence has become both a catalyst for progress and a source of disruption in the global job market. On one hand, it automates routine tasks, enhancing productivity and efficiency across industries. On the other, it threatens traditional roles, particularly those that rely heavily on repetitive tasks. A study by the International Monetary Fund predicts that AI will affect four in ten jobs globally, with advanced economies feeling the brunt of this transformation. However, AI is not merely a force of disruption; it also creates new opportunities. The World Economic Forum anticipates that while AI may displace certain roles, it will simultaneously generate around 97 million new jobs by 2025, especially in areas like data analysis, machine learning, and digital marketing.
In Bangladesh, the impact of AI is slowly becoming apparent. The ready-made garments (RMG) sector, which accounts for nearly 80% of the country’s export revenue, is experiencing a technological shift. AI-driven automation is enhancing efficiency in supply chain management, forecasting demand, and optimising inventory control. This transformation reduces costs and waste, allowing Bangladeshi manufacturers to remain competitive in the global market. Moreover, AI is impacting customer experiences through personalised fashion design and predictive analytics, catering to consumer preferences with unprecedented accuracy.
Yet, the flip side of this technological advancement is equally significant. The integration of AI threatens jobs, particularly among low-skilled workers who are vulnerable to automation. A study conducted by the Access to Information (a2i) Program in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) suggests that up to 60% of jobs in Bangladesh’s apparel sector could be automated by 2041. This potential displacement underscores the urgent need for workers to adapt through continuous learning and skill development.
In this context, lifelong learning emerges as not just a personal choice but an economic necessity. It is the process of continuously acquiring new knowledge and skills throughout one’s life to remain relevant in an ever-changing job market. Unlike traditional education, which often ends with a degree, lifelong learning is an ongoing commitment to personal and professional growth. It enables individuals to adapt to technological shifts, meet evolving job requirements, and seize new opportunities created by AI and other innovations.
The journey of lifelong learning begins with embracing continuous education. This doesn’t necessarily mean enrolling in formal degree programs, although that remains an option. Online platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy have democratised education, offering courses in AI, data science, and other emerging fields. These platforms provide flexible learning opportunities, allowing individuals to acquire new skills at their own pace, regardless of geographical location or financial constraints. In Bangladesh, initiatives like government-supported digital learning platforms are helping bridge the gap, bringing high-quality education to urban and rural learners alike.
Developing technical skills is critical in an AI-driven economy. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, an understanding of machine learning algorithms, and data analysis capabilities are highly sought after in the job market. Recognising this demand, educational institutions in Bangladesh are expanding their curricula to include courses on AI, robotics, and advanced data analytics. These programs aim to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in technology-centric roles, preparing them for careers that didn’t exist just a few years ago.
However, technical expertise alone isn’t enough. As machines become increasingly capable, the human qualities they can’t replicate—creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—are gaining prominence. These soft skills are essential for navigating complex work environments, fostering innovation, and leading diverse teams. They complement technical knowledge, enabling individuals to apply their skills effectively in real-world scenarios. For example, while an algorithm can analyse vast datasets, it takes human insight to interpret the results in meaningful ways and make strategic decisions based on that analysis.
The process of lifelong learning is further enriched by leveraging AI itself as a learning tool. AI-powered educational technologies can personalise learning experiences, adapting to the unique needs and preferences of each learner. These tools identify knowledge gaps, recommend tailored resources, and provide real-time feedback, making learning more efficient and engaging. In Bangladesh, the adoption of such technologies in schools and training centers is gradually transforming traditional education models, fostering a culture of continuous learning from an early age.
Networking also plays a vital role in lifelong learning. Engaging with professional communities, attending industry conferences, and participating in online forums provide valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange. In Bangladesh, the growing presence of tech hubs, co-working spaces, and professional associations creates vibrant ecosystems where individuals can collaborate, share insights, and stay informed about industry trends. These networks often serve as incubators for innovation and can lead to mentorship opportunities, partnerships, and career advancement.
Interdisciplinary knowledge is another cornerstone of lifelong learning. The convergence of AI with various sectors—such as healthcare, finance, agriculture, and education—has created new fields of study and career paths. For instance, understanding how AI can optimise agricultural practices in Bangladesh can lead to breakthroughs in food security and sustainability. Similarly, combining expertise in finance with knowledge of AI-driven analytics opens doors to roles in fintech, a rapidly growing industry in the country.
While the responsibility of lifelong learning largely falls on individuals, organisations and governments also play crucial roles in fostering a culture of continuous development. Companies must invest in employee training and development programs, recognising that a skilled workforce is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. This includes offering workshops, funding certifications, and creating learning-friendly environments that encourage curiosity and experimentation.
Government initiatives are equally important. Policies that promote education reform, support vocational training, and facilitate public-private partnerships can create an ecosystem where lifelong learning thrives. In Bangladesh, programs like the a2i initiative aim to leverage digital technologies to enhance education and workforce readiness, ensuring that the population is equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing job market.
Despite these efforts, several challenges persist. Access to quality education remains uneven, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure and resources are limited. Economic barriers also hinder many from pursuing further education, as financial constraints often force individuals to prioritise immediate income over long-term skill development. Moreover, there is a need to raise awareness about the importance of lifelong learning, as traditional mindsets may view education as a phase rather than a continuous process.
Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Expanding internet connectivity, providing financial support for education, and creating community learning centers can help bridge the gap. Public awareness campaigns highlighting success stories of individuals who have benefited from lifelong learning can inspire others to follow suit.
Lifelong learning is not just a strategy for individual career growth; it is a national imperative for economic resilience and social progress. In an age where the only constant is change, the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn will define the future—not just for individuals, but for the entire nation. The future belongs to those who are willing to adapt, and in the age of AI, that adaptation begins with a simple yet powerful commitment: to never stop learning.
The rise of AI isn’t a distant phenomenon confined to Silicon Valley boardrooms; it’s here, woven into the fabric of Bangladesh’s economy. Jobs once considered secure are evolving—or disappearing—while new roles, unimaginable a decade ago, are emerging at breakneck speed. In this shifting landscape, the question isn’t just how AI will change the job market, but how we, as individuals, will adapt. The answer lies in embracing a mindset that is as dynamic as the technology itself: lifelong learning. This is not just a buzzword; it’s the key to survival and success in a world where staying still means falling behind.
Artificial intelligence has become both a catalyst for progress and a source of disruption in the global job market. On one hand, it automates routine tasks, enhancing productivity and efficiency across industries. On the other, it threatens traditional roles, particularly those that rely heavily on repetitive tasks. A study by the International Monetary Fund predicts that AI will affect four in ten jobs globally, with advanced economies feeling the brunt of this transformation. However, AI is not merely a force of disruption; it also creates new opportunities. The World Economic Forum anticipates that while AI may displace certain roles, it will simultaneously generate around 97 million new jobs by 2025, especially in areas like data analysis, machine learning, and digital marketing.
In Bangladesh, the impact of AI is slowly becoming apparent. The ready-made garments (RMG) sector, which accounts for nearly 80% of the country’s export revenue, is experiencing a technological shift. AI-driven automation is enhancing efficiency in supply chain management, forecasting demand, and optimising inventory control. This transformation reduces costs and waste, allowing Bangladeshi manufacturers to remain competitive in the global market. Moreover, AI is impacting customer experiences through personalised fashion design and predictive analytics, catering to consumer preferences with unprecedented accuracy.
Yet, the flip side of this technological advancement is equally significant. The integration of AI threatens jobs, particularly among low-skilled workers who are vulnerable to automation. A study conducted by the Access to Information (a2i) Program in collaboration with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) suggests that up to 60% of jobs in Bangladesh’s apparel sector could be automated by 2041. This potential displacement underscores the urgent need for workers to adapt through continuous learning and skill development.
In this context, lifelong learning emerges as not just a personal choice but an economic necessity. It is the process of continuously acquiring new knowledge and skills throughout one’s life to remain relevant in an ever-changing job market. Unlike traditional education, which often ends with a degree, lifelong learning is an ongoing commitment to personal and professional growth. It enables individuals to adapt to technological shifts, meet evolving job requirements, and seize new opportunities created by AI and other innovations.
The journey of lifelong learning begins with embracing continuous education. This doesn’t necessarily mean enrolling in formal degree programs, although that remains an option. Online platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udemy have democratised education, offering courses in AI, data science, and other emerging fields. These platforms provide flexible learning opportunities, allowing individuals to acquire new skills at their own pace, regardless of geographical location or financial constraints. In Bangladesh, initiatives like government-supported digital learning platforms are helping bridge the gap, bringing high-quality education to urban and rural learners alike.
Developing technical skills is critical in an AI-driven economy. Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, an understanding of machine learning algorithms, and data analysis capabilities are highly sought after in the job market. Recognising this demand, educational institutions in Bangladesh are expanding their curricula to include courses on AI, robotics, and advanced data analytics. These programs aim to equip students with the skills needed to thrive in technology-centric roles, preparing them for careers that didn’t exist just a few years ago.
However, technical expertise alone isn’t enough. As machines become increasingly capable, the human qualities they can’t replicate—creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability—are gaining prominence. These soft skills are essential for navigating complex work environments, fostering innovation, and leading diverse teams. They complement technical knowledge, enabling individuals to apply their skills effectively in real-world scenarios. For example, while an algorithm can analyse vast datasets, it takes human insight to interpret the results in meaningful ways and make strategic decisions based on that analysis.
The process of lifelong learning is further enriched by leveraging AI itself as a learning tool. AI-powered educational technologies can personalise learning experiences, adapting to the unique needs and preferences of each learner. These tools identify knowledge gaps, recommend tailored resources, and provide real-time feedback, making learning more efficient and engaging. In Bangladesh, the adoption of such technologies in schools and training centers is gradually transforming traditional education models, fostering a culture of continuous learning from an early age.
Networking also plays a vital role in lifelong learning. Engaging with professional communities, attending industry conferences, and participating in online forums provide valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange. In Bangladesh, the growing presence of tech hubs, co-working spaces, and professional associations creates vibrant ecosystems where individuals can collaborate, share insights, and stay informed about industry trends. These networks often serve as incubators for innovation and can lead to mentorship opportunities, partnerships, and career advancement.
Interdisciplinary knowledge is another cornerstone of lifelong learning. The convergence of AI with various sectors—such as healthcare, finance, agriculture, and education—has created new fields of study and career paths. For instance, understanding how AI can optimise agricultural practices in Bangladesh can lead to breakthroughs in food security and sustainability. Similarly, combining expertise in finance with knowledge of AI-driven analytics opens doors to roles in fintech, a rapidly growing industry in the country.
While the responsibility of lifelong learning largely falls on individuals, organisations and governments also play crucial roles in fostering a culture of continuous development. Companies must invest in employee training and development programs, recognising that a skilled workforce is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. This includes offering workshops, funding certifications, and creating learning-friendly environments that encourage curiosity and experimentation.
Government initiatives are equally important. Policies that promote education reform, support vocational training, and facilitate public-private partnerships can create an ecosystem where lifelong learning thrives. In Bangladesh, programs like the a2i initiative aim to leverage digital technologies to enhance education and workforce readiness, ensuring that the population is equipped to meet the demands of a rapidly changing job market.
Despite these efforts, several challenges persist. Access to quality education remains uneven, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure and resources are limited. Economic barriers also hinder many from pursuing further education, as financial constraints often force individuals to prioritise immediate income over long-term skill development. Moreover, there is a need to raise awareness about the importance of lifelong learning, as traditional mindsets may view education as a phase rather than a continuous process.
Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach. Expanding internet connectivity, providing financial support for education, and creating community learning centers can help bridge the gap. Public awareness campaigns highlighting success stories of individuals who have benefited from lifelong learning can inspire others to follow suit.
Lifelong learning is not just a strategy for individual career growth; it is a national imperative for economic resilience and social progress. In an age where the only constant is change, the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn will define the future—not just for individuals, but for the entire nation. The future belongs to those who are willing to adapt, and in the age of AI, that adaptation begins with a simple yet powerful commitment: to never stop learning.
‘চলুন, বিভাজন আর ঘৃণা বাদ দিয়ে রাষ্ট্রকে সবার করে গড়ে তুলি।’

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Tanzania coffee market balloons to 620bn/- – Daily News

Tanzania coffee market balloons to 620bn/- – Daily News

TANZANIA: TANZANIA’S market share in Africa’s coffee industry has grown by an impressive 71 per cent over the past three years, highlighting the country’s increasing competitiveness and rising prominence in the sector.
The nation’s market share has doubled to 240 million US dollars (620.4bn/-) from 140 million US dollars (361.9bn/-) recorded three years ago.
This growth has been driven by a 55 per cent increase in coffee production, rising from 55,000 tonnes to 85,000 tonnes per year, alongside improved prices for farmers.

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Minister for Agriculture, Mr Hussein Bashe said yesterday that the surge attributed the remarkable progress to enhanced efforts in coffee farming and market strategies.
“We have made significant progress in this crop over the past three years. During this time, farmers’ prices have consistently improved and production has steadily increased,” he said yesterday through a voice note to the media, addressing the public on the upcoming G25 African Coffee Summit to be held in Dar es Salaam next week.
Africa’s total coffee market is valued at 2.5 billion US dollars, contributing to the global coffee trade, which is worth 500 billion US dollars.
The Minister stressed the importance of value addition in the coffee trade, saying that African nations often export raw coffee beans while importing processed coffee at significantly higher costs, which limits potential
revenue. “
For example, we sell raw coffee for an average of four dollars but import processed coffee for nearly 20 dollars” he said.
The minister said that this summit provides a crucial opportunity for African nations to rethink their approach to the coffee trade.
“This is a vital chance for African nations to conduct business among them, enhance the value of our crops and establish a market within the continent. By processing coffee locally, we can increase its value and retain more benefits within Africa,” he said.
The country is now well positioned to capitalise on its organic coffee, particularly the Arabica variety, which is used in various industries, including alcohol and perfume production.
An Economist-cum-Investment Banker, Dr Hildebrand Shayo, said if the country aligns its strategy with international standards, it could significantly expand its coffee marketing, tax base, create jobs and attract more youth into farming.
“Our coffee is organic and if the government complies with international standards, we will see increased output and a wider tax base,” Dr Shayo said told the ‘Daily News’ yesterday:
“With the right marketing strategy, especially for Arabica coffee, the country will reap more benefits and create wealth for farmers, particularly the youth.”
Worldwide, only 50 countries produce coffee, half of them from Africa. The world has 195 countries. In addition, coffee is the fourth most traded commodity after oil, gold and natural gas.
ALSO READ:Tanzania envisions significant growth in global coffee market
Thus, the 25 African coffee-producing countries are scheduled to attend Dar es Salaam’s G25 African Coffee Summit. The meeting will bring together heads of state, ministers, coffee authorities and other stakeholders.
Over 1,000 participants are expected to attend the event with this year’s theme “unlocking employment opportunities for Youth through the regeneration of the African Coffee Industry”
Moreover, the summit aims to develop strategies to transform Africa’s coffee sector, focusing on youth and women employment, public private funding, financial support for farmers, regional Centres of Excellence and harmonising African coffee standards to boost intra African coffee trade.
In Africa, Tanzania is one of the top five coffee producers. It typically ranks 4th or 5th, with Ethiopia, Uganda and Ivory Coast generally leading the list in terms of production.
Tanzania’s coffee is primarily produced in Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Ruvuma and Mbeya – mainly Arabica and Robusta varieties.
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