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This week, skincare brand Kiehl’s debuted a hairy new font, Starbucks continued to roll out its feel-good nostalgia marketing, and an iconic ’80s soda was revived for the year 2025. Here’s all the branding news we’re keeping up with. [Image: Kiehl’s] Kiehl’s gets in on the custom type craze The news: The skincare brand Kiehl’s just unveiled a new custom font made from an unexpected material: pubic hair. Big picture: The font comes as a response to the backlash that Kiehl’s received in August for an ad campaign for a new product line targeting ingrown pubic hairs. Those initial ads featured fully covered models with just a glimpse of hair peeking out from the sides of their underwear. But several stores censored or removed the campaign after public criticism. “We were taken aback,” Steven Waldberg, SVP of brand engagement and communications for Kiehl’s, told MediaPost. “It’s not like we were showing people’s genitalia or anything.” Now Kiehl’s is hitting back at the haters with a fuzzy custom font made entirely out of pubic hair. The new print ads, which have taken humans out of the equation altogether, feature sarcastic statements like, “Apologies, we won’t ever show pubic hair again,” and “Our photos of models with pubic hair were censored so we removed the models.” Why it matters: We’ve seen plenty of custom brand fonts lately—from the “Other Hand font” for Cheetos to Kellogg’s logo-centric font—but we have to hand it to Kiehl’s, this one might be the most outside-the-box yet. It’s not exactly a versatile typeface, but it’s nice to see Kiehl’s refusing to back down from a challenge. [Illustration: FC] Back-to-basics strategy at Starbucks The news: Starbucks is making a wide-sweeping effort to return to its branding roots, and it seems to be paying off. Big picture: Since CEO Brian Niccols joined the company last September, the brand has been slowly working to incorporate the “personal touches” that were once its signature, like handwritten names on to-go cups, a free milk station, and an overall focus on craft. The back-to-basics concept at Starbucks has been gradually appearing in a larger campaign this year, with several new ads highlighting the coffee-making process and out-of-home billboards featuring a handwritten look. In an interview with the podcast Rapid Response, Niccols said of the changes, “We’re in the customer service business, and anybody that’s been involved with that knows the details do matter. And the reason why the details really matter for Starbucks is, frankly, those details are our point of difference. It’s how we get to another level of connection.” Why it matters: The market seems to be responding positively to the changes so far, considering that Starbucks recently beat Wall Street’s fourth-quarter earnings expectations with $9.4 billion in revenue. The irony in all of this feel-good messaging is that Starbucks has recently taken the much-criticized step of barring noncustomers from using its restrooms, seating, and patio space. In a column for Fast Company, writer Rob Walker argued that the new code of conduct “is really just a de facto admission of what its brand is really about: The coffee giant is not really in the community space business at all. It’s a luxury brand, and it has been all along.” [Photo: Suja Life] Soda’s new lease on life The news: For the second time in two months, an iconic soda of the 1980s is getting a new lease on life with a revival designed to attract a new era of soda drinkers. Big picture: Slice soda, first launched in 1984 by PepsiCo, is set to return to shelves under the ownership of juice brand Suja Life. To tap into the wellness movement and functional beverage craze, today’s Slice will have low sugar, no high-fructose corn syrup, and plenty of gut-healthy prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics in a variety of flavors, including orange, lemon lime, classic cola, grapefruit spritz, grape, and strawberry. Why it matters: Slice’s return is part of a larger industry trend. Just last month, energy drink company Redcon1 announced it would be bringing back the infamous Jolt Cola from the ’80s with a new functional twist. However, as Fast Company noted at the time, the new branding is pretty lackluster. Slice, on the other hand, looks just as cool as it did back in 1984. Suja Life has clearly based its new look on the OG design (rather than the clunkier ’90s version), including a typeface that’s literally sliced at the bottom, fruity icons dotting each “i,” and a diagonal label. The design has also been updated for the 21st century with brighter can colors and a trendier secondary font. While Slice certainly looks pretty, its staying power is questionable at best. The brand has already been revived several times, including as a failed sparkling water in 2018, swiftly followed by a failed low-cal soda in 2021. It remains to be seen whether Slice’s new branding aesthetic will be enough to keep it afloat this go-round. [Photo: Kellanova] Snacking goes cold The news: Eggos and Rice Krispies Treats are getting a frosty glow-up. Big picture: The snack company Kellanova is partnering with Gold West Food Group to turn some of its most popular brands into ice cream treats. On the Eggo side, fans can expect pints of Buttery Maple, Chocolatey Chip, and Blueberry ice cream, as well as waffle sandwiches of those three flavors. For Rice Krispies fanatics, there will be a pint of “original flavor” ice cream (we can only assume this tastes like the treats themselves), as well as original, strawberry, and triple-chocolate ice cream sandwiches made with Rice Krispies Treats as the sandwich “bun.” Why it matters: Kellanova’s new dessert play comes after a major shake-up in the company’s ownership. Back in August, Kellanova—which also owns Kellogg’s (and its three subcompanies), Pop-Tarts, Pringles, and more—was acquired for a whopping $39.5 billion by Mars, owner of M&Ms. At the time, Andrew Clarke, global president of Mars Snacking, told Fast Company that expanding the company’s snacking portfolio would be a major priority post-acquisition—and it looks like that starts in the freezer aisle. View the full article

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Google Translate and other translation software can be valuable tools when a user needs to quickly translate a word or phrase from one language to another. It’s not always as accurate as human translators, however, and mismatched language pairs can result in some hilarious misunderstandings. Sometimes, this technical error is merely a humorous mistake for an individual user; however, at other times, a translator fails can result in a confusing situation in a commercial context. Language translation can often be complex, and even the most advanced translation devices can produce significant errors. READ MORE: 10 Best Language Translator Devices for Small Business Travelers Best Ever Translator Fails Machine translation isn’t perfect, and even Google makes mistakes. In some cases, these translator fails turned into such hilarious errors we’ve found ourselves grateful for Google Translate’s imperfections. That’s One Way to Keep People Out Somehow, we don’t think the original message was a warning of death in progress, but the resulting translation failure on this sign is certainly effective at preventing unwanted entry. Killing Two Birds with One Stone, Perhaps? Accurate translations are important in the business world. After all, should some unsuspecting customers take this translator fail too seriously, it could result in a dangerous situation. No Meal Is Complete Without Mountains of Rape It can be a tricky process to translate one language to another. Unfortunately, menu translation fails are all too common, leaving diners to wonder exactly what it is they are ordering, such as in the translator fail above. Who Wants to Watch ‘War Salvage Destroyer Future?’ Movie titles apparently are subject to becoming lost in translation. In this translator failure example, a traveler was left to ponder whether they should watch “War Salvage Destroyer Future” or “Was Godzilla.” That Pesky Goat Won’t Stop Raining Excessive translator fails often, leaving users confused about the intended meaning of the original text. In this example, it’s clear that there isn’t actually a goat in the budget, and even if there were, we seriously doubt he is raining badly! The Devil’s in That Wine! The introduction of Google Lens’ translation capabilities opens the door for all sorts of new translator fails. Want to read a label in a different language? No problem! No problem that is, until the tool creates a hilarious translator fail like this one! Just Ask Google Cannibal Sometimes, a translator’s failure can be downright creepy, leaving a user to wonder just who is behind the responses from Google Translate. In this example, one Twitter user shared their disturbing translation that promises to taste the young. Is Cow Dung a Delicacy? Menus are often the victim of a Google Translate fail. In this example, machine translation somehow determined that cow dung would be an appropriate ingredient for a dish made with shark and beef. We wonder if the users ever found the correct ingredients or if they become another victim of Google Translate fails. Funniest Google Translate Fails There are so many funny Google Translate fails that it can make it hard to ever trust Google Translate. Fortunately, many Google Translate fails are fairly harmless, and the only harm done is a few chuckles and maybe a roll of the eyes. And apparently, any language is subject to misinterpretation. Even in Canada Google Translate can make humorous mistakes translating from one English dialect to another. Thou Hast Some Strange Taste in Teas Google considers it perfectly acceptable to mix a bit of fireman into your matcha latte. This Google Translate failure also believes it can accurately translate Finnish words into Shakespearean English. Hast thou never tasted steamed fireman? Want a Little Cat In Your Dumpling? Why do so many Google Translate fail to want to insert cats into Asian menus? Somehow, we don’t think this curious diner was expecting a side of a feline with their shrimp entree. Was it a Google Translate fail or a mysterious dum sum ingredient? Don’t Ignore the Mermaids It’s easy to understand how someone learning a new language might make some of these mistakes, but we aren’t sure how Google Translate has so much trouble translating from Spanish to English. When translated, did this warning really advise to list to the mermaid… or could there be another word that means the same as “sirens.?? When You Have to Translate the Translation At times, translations are so inadequate that users of Google Translate are left puzzled about the intended meaning of a sentence. No matter which languages Google users are attempting to translate, language mistakes like this one are often amusing enough to prevent them from becoming a lasting frustration. At Least Google’s Heart Was in the Right Place In this example of a translator failure by Google Translate, the software recognized that it was translating a holiday greeting, but it miscalculated the date. Should we overlook this mistake by Google? After all, isn’t it the thought that matters across all languages? But Can We Fault Google Translate for Trying? In yet another hilarious example of a Google Translate failure, the AI decided to suggest translating a DNA sequence. We have to commend Google for attempting to decipher what was never intended to be a sentence, and we’re sure the user got a good laugh from the suggestion in this hilarious example. Who Knew the English Alphabet Was So Interesting? What occurs when you use the internet to translate the English alphabet from Chinese back to English? You receive more than just a handful of random words. Instead, Google interprets the characters as referring to grooming a goose. One must question the context that was applied to generate this translation. Season Your Meal with Child Poison In which language are the salt ingredients printed that Google Lens translates to indicate it’s poisoned with children? Sorry, Google, your technology still needs improvement, but thanks for the laugh in this instance of a translator failure! Image: Envato Elements This article, "You Won’t Believe Some of These Epic Translator Fails" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Google Translate and other translation software can be valuable tools when a user needs to quickly translate a word or phrase from one language to another. It’s not always as accurate as human translators, however, and mismatched language pairs can result in some hilarious misunderstandings. Sometimes, this technical error is merely a humorous mistake for an individual user; however, at other times, a translator fails can result in a confusing situation in a commercial context. Language translation can often be complex, and even the most advanced translation devices can produce significant errors. READ MORE: 10 Best Language Translator Devices for Small Business Travelers Best Ever Translator Fails Machine translation isn’t perfect, and even Google makes mistakes. In some cases, these translator fails turned into such hilarious errors we’ve found ourselves grateful for Google Translate’s imperfections. That’s One Way to Keep People Out Somehow, we don’t think the original message was a warning of death in progress, but the resulting translation failure on this sign is certainly effective at preventing unwanted entry. Killing Two Birds with One Stone, Perhaps? Accurate translations are important in the business world. After all, should some unsuspecting customers take this translator fail too seriously, it could result in a dangerous situation. No Meal Is Complete Without Mountains of Rape It can be a tricky process to translate one language to another. Unfortunately, menu translation fails are all too common, leaving diners to wonder exactly what it is they are ordering, such as in the translator fail above. Who Wants to Watch ‘War Salvage Destroyer Future?’ Movie titles apparently are subject to becoming lost in translation. In this translator failure example, a traveler was left to ponder whether they should watch “War Salvage Destroyer Future” or “Was Godzilla.” That Pesky Goat Won’t Stop Raining Excessive translator fails often, leaving users confused about the intended meaning of the original text. In this example, it’s clear that there isn’t actually a goat in the budget, and even if there were, we seriously doubt he is raining badly! The Devil’s in That Wine! The introduction of Google Lens’ translation capabilities opens the door for all sorts of new translator fails. Want to read a label in a different language? No problem! No problem that is, until the tool creates a hilarious translator fail like this one! Just Ask Google Cannibal Sometimes, a translator’s failure can be downright creepy, leaving a user to wonder just who is behind the responses from Google Translate. In this example, one Twitter user shared their disturbing translation that promises to taste the young. Is Cow Dung a Delicacy? Menus are often the victim of a Google Translate fail. In this example, machine translation somehow determined that cow dung would be an appropriate ingredient for a dish made with shark and beef. We wonder if the users ever found the correct ingredients or if they become another victim of Google Translate fails. Funniest Google Translate Fails There are so many funny Google Translate fails that it can make it hard to ever trust Google Translate. Fortunately, many Google Translate fails are fairly harmless, and the only harm done is a few chuckles and maybe a roll of the eyes. And apparently, any language is subject to misinterpretation. Even in Canada Google Translate can make humorous mistakes translating from one English dialect to another. Thou Hast Some Strange Taste in Teas Google considers it perfectly acceptable to mix a bit of fireman into your matcha latte. This Google Translate failure also believes it can accurately translate Finnish words into Shakespearean English. Hast thou never tasted steamed fireman? Want a Little Cat In Your Dumpling? Why do so many Google Translate fail to want to insert cats into Asian menus? Somehow, we don’t think this curious diner was expecting a side of a feline with their shrimp entree. Was it a Google Translate fail or a mysterious dum sum ingredient? Don’t Ignore the Mermaids It’s easy to understand how someone learning a new language might make some of these mistakes, but we aren’t sure how Google Translate has so much trouble translating from Spanish to English. When translated, did this warning really advise to list to the mermaid… or could there be another word that means the same as “sirens.?? When You Have to Translate the Translation At times, translations are so inadequate that users of Google Translate are left puzzled about the intended meaning of a sentence. No matter which languages Google users are attempting to translate, language mistakes like this one are often amusing enough to prevent them from becoming a lasting frustration. At Least Google’s Heart Was in the Right Place In this example of a translator failure by Google Translate, the software recognized that it was translating a holiday greeting, but it miscalculated the date. Should we overlook this mistake by Google? After all, isn’t it the thought that matters across all languages? But Can We Fault Google Translate for Trying? In yet another hilarious example of a Google Translate failure, the AI decided to suggest translating a DNA sequence. We have to commend Google for attempting to decipher what was never intended to be a sentence, and we’re sure the user got a good laugh from the suggestion in this hilarious example. Who Knew the English Alphabet Was So Interesting? What occurs when you use the internet to translate the English alphabet from Chinese back to English? You receive more than just a handful of random words. Instead, Google interprets the characters as referring to grooming a goose. One must question the context that was applied to generate this translation. Season Your Meal with Child Poison In which language are the salt ingredients printed that Google Lens translates to indicate it’s poisoned with children? Sorry, Google, your technology still needs improvement, but thanks for the laugh in this instance of a translator failure! Image: Envato Elements This article, "You Won’t Believe Some of These Epic Translator Fails" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

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Google has announced the general availability of Gemini 2.0 Flash, expanding access to its AI models through the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. The company is also launching an experimental version of Gemini 2.0 Pro, aimed at improving coding performance and handling complex prompts, and introducing Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite, its most cost-efficient model to date. Gemini 2.0 Flash Now Widely Available Initially introduced at Google I/O 2024, the Flash series has been positioned as a high-speed, low-latency model optimized for large-scale AI tasks. Gemini 2.0 Flash now features improved performance on key benchmarks, with image generation and text-to-speech capabilities set to roll out in the coming months. The model supports a 1 million token context window and multimodal reasoning, making it highly effective for processing vast amounts of information. Developers can now integrate 2.0 Flash into production applications via Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental Targets Advanced AI Use Cases Google has also introduced Gemini 2.0 Pro (Experimental), an AI model designed for coding performance and complex prompt handling. The model features a 2 million token context window, enabling it to analyze and understand large datasets comprehensively. It also integrates Google Search and code execution tools to enhance reasoning and knowledge retrieval. “Today, we’re releasing an experimental version of Gemini 2.0 Pro that responds to that feedback. It has the strongest coding performance and ability to handle complex prompts, with better understanding and reasoning of world knowledge, than any model we’ve released so far,” writes Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of Google DeepMind. Gemini 2.0 Pro is now available in Google AI Studio, Vertex AI, and for Gemini Advanced users via desktop and mobile. Introduction of Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite for Cost-Effective AI Solutions Google is also rolling out Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite, a public preview model that improves upon 1.5 Flash while maintaining the same speed and cost efficiency. It supports a 1 million token context window and multimodal input, allowing it to generate AI-driven content at scale. According to Google, Flash-Lite can generate captions for approximately 40,000 unique images for less than a dollar in Google AI Studio’s paid tier. The model is now available in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI for developers. Security and Responsible AI Development As AI capabilities expand, Google has emphasized safety measures for the Gemini 2.0 family. The company has implemented reinforcement learning techniques that allow Gemini to critique its responses, improving accuracy and its ability to handle sensitive prompts. Additionally, Google is deploying automated red teaming to identify security risks, including indirect prompt injection attacks, where malicious instructions are embedded in data that AI models might retrieve. Google plans to continue refining the Gemini 2.0 lineup, with additional multimodal capabilities set for release in the coming months. Developers and businesses can explore the models now in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, with more details available on the Google for Developers blog. This article, "Google Expands Availability of Gemini 2.0 AI Models" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Google has announced the general availability of Gemini 2.0 Flash, expanding access to its AI models through the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. The company is also launching an experimental version of Gemini 2.0 Pro, aimed at improving coding performance and handling complex prompts, and introducing Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite, its most cost-efficient model to date. Gemini 2.0 Flash Now Widely Available Initially introduced at Google I/O 2024, the Flash series has been positioned as a high-speed, low-latency model optimized for large-scale AI tasks. Gemini 2.0 Flash now features improved performance on key benchmarks, with image generation and text-to-speech capabilities set to roll out in the coming months. The model supports a 1 million token context window and multimodal reasoning, making it highly effective for processing vast amounts of information. Developers can now integrate 2.0 Flash into production applications via Google AI Studio and Vertex AI. Gemini 2.0 Pro Experimental Targets Advanced AI Use Cases Google has also introduced Gemini 2.0 Pro (Experimental), an AI model designed for coding performance and complex prompt handling. The model features a 2 million token context window, enabling it to analyze and understand large datasets comprehensively. It also integrates Google Search and code execution tools to enhance reasoning and knowledge retrieval. “Today, we’re releasing an experimental version of Gemini 2.0 Pro that responds to that feedback. It has the strongest coding performance and ability to handle complex prompts, with better understanding and reasoning of world knowledge, than any model we’ve released so far,” writes Koray Kavukcuoglu, CTO of Google DeepMind. Gemini 2.0 Pro is now available in Google AI Studio, Vertex AI, and for Gemini Advanced users via desktop and mobile. Introduction of Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite for Cost-Effective AI Solutions Google is also rolling out Gemini 2.0 Flash-Lite, a public preview model that improves upon 1.5 Flash while maintaining the same speed and cost efficiency. It supports a 1 million token context window and multimodal input, allowing it to generate AI-driven content at scale. According to Google, Flash-Lite can generate captions for approximately 40,000 unique images for less than a dollar in Google AI Studio’s paid tier. The model is now available in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI for developers. Security and Responsible AI Development As AI capabilities expand, Google has emphasized safety measures for the Gemini 2.0 family. The company has implemented reinforcement learning techniques that allow Gemini to critique its responses, improving accuracy and its ability to handle sensitive prompts. Additionally, Google is deploying automated red teaming to identify security risks, including indirect prompt injection attacks, where malicious instructions are embedded in data that AI models might retrieve. Google plans to continue refining the Gemini 2.0 lineup, with additional multimodal capabilities set for release in the coming months. Developers and businesses can explore the models now in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, with more details available on the Google for Developers blog. This article, "Google Expands Availability of Gemini 2.0 AI Models" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Leading a team has never been simple, but today’s challenges demand something extra. With deep divisions in America spilling over into our workplaces, simply carrying on “business as usual” won’t cut it. Employees are craving authenticity, transparency, and leaders who genuinely care. So, how can you step up, even when the path forward seems uncertain? Through conversations with leaders at Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups, we discovered three actions that can help you navigate this moment with courage and empathy. Cultivate trust through transparency & curiosity In an era marked by mass layoffs, arbitrary return-to-office mandates, and eroding faith in institutions, trust in leadership is waning. Our firm, The Courage Collective, held conversations with leaders that revealed two keys to restoring and sustaining trust: curiosity and transparency. Aisha Washington, global vice president and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer at HPE shared, “Leaders who approach conversations with curiosity rather than judgment uncover deeper insights. It’s about asking questions, being open to all perspectives, and using those insights to make informed decisions.” A recent Gallup poll found that leaders who strongly exhibited clear communication, showcased an inspirational vision for the future, and supported change were trusted by 95% of their employees. Cultivating trust during precarious times demands acknowledging uncertainty and being honest about not having all the answers. Carolyn Moore, former CHRO and current managing director at Momentum People, explained, “It’s about honesty and vulnerability—admitting we don’t know everything but creating trust by being open and realistic.” Leaders should be ready to ask the difficult questions: Who’s being left out of the conversation? How can I showcase that every employee’s feedback is valuable? Transparency without fear tactics fosters openness and empowers teams to navigate challenges together. Leaders who embrace open dialogue, share information honestly, and leverage insights to inform decisions create a strong foundation for trust. Generating an uplifting vision, rather than setting punitive standards, is the emerging core competency of successful leaders. Defining the organization’s direction (the vision), while allowing “the how” to emerge through team collaboration is essential. Let go of the (impossible) burden of having all the answers and lead through curiosity, transparency, and trust. Invest in opportunities for connection & community care If a return to office is necessary to foster a healthy work culture, leaders must communicate their intentions effectively. Positioning it as a faux productivity boost sends a message of mistrust. Employees will quickly poke holes in this rationale and absorb the implicit message, “if I can’t see you working, I don’t trust that you’re doing your best.” Marc Berger, EVP at DH, observed that “rigid [return to work] policies can lead to frustration and disengagement, particularly when there is a lack of intentionality with how the time is spent.” The truth is, leaders from a variety of work structures have found employees willing—and sometimes eager—to be in person if they’re given flexibility and purpose. Leaders should lean into a new normal by creating opportunities for meaningful connections. Below are a variety of tactics leaders are using to make in-person days feel more purposeful, connected, and collaborative. · Purpose-Driven Office Days: Leverage in-office days to foster collaboration with all-hands meetings or cross-team working opportunities · Meaningful All Company Retreats: Host at least and invest in one or two all-hands meetings annually with balanced agendas that blend structured discussions with team-building events. · Invest in the Experience: Allocate resources for well-organized, engaging events to encourage alignment and connection. · Encourage Feedback and Continuous Improvement: Gather employee input to refine future meetings and ensure they align with team needs. Prioritize the human experience through active listening & meaningful response In times of compounding crises, employees long to be seen, heard, nurtured, and encouraged. More than ever, employees are seeking workplaces where they can share feedback, experience deep listening, and see change enacted as a result. While many organizations have created systems to signal care about receiving feedback, failing to act on it often leaves employees feeling frustrated and micromanaged. Elaine Gibbons, chief impact officer at Panorama Global, shared, “One of the biggest gaps in organizations is a lack of true listening. Leaders must go beyond collecting employee feedback—they need to act on it consistently and authentically. When employees see their input driving real change, not only do they feel valued, their commitment to the organization strengthens.” Simply put, if you ask for feedback, ensure that there is follow-through and follow-up. When employees see leaders actively listening and enacting real change, it builds connection, motivation, and trust. For many organizations, employee morale is at an all-time low. The simple act of deep listening and connecting to employees on a human level can drive meaningful change, especially in challenging times. As workplace dynamics evolve, leaders have a unique opportunity to rise to the occasion and demonstrate effective, human-centered leadership. The future of leadership demands courage, empathy, and a steadfast commitment to growth. While some challenges may seem daunting, they also present an opportunity for leaders to create workplaces where people feel empowered to do and be their best. The world of work is evolving. The way you lead should, too. View the full article

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Doubts grow within government about value for money of new technology View the full article

Kendrick Lamar aims to infuse his Los Angeles hip-hop flavor into New Orleans while staying true to his storytelling roots during Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime performance. “Being in the now and being just locked-in to how I feel and the energy I have now, that’s the L.A. energy for me,” he said Thursday at a press conference hosted by Apple Music. “That’s something I wanted to carry over to New Orleans and for the world to see. This is me. This is Kendrick Lamar, 37 years old, and I still feel like I’m elevating, I’m still on a journey.” The rap megastar will take the Super Bowl stage fresh off a Grammy triumph, where he claimed two of the night’s biggest awards — song and record of the year — for his diss track “Not Like Us.” When asked what viewers can expect, Lamar answered: “Storytelling. I think I’ve always been very open about storytelling through all my catalog and my history of music. And I’ve always had a passion about bringing that on whatever stage I’m on.” Lamar will be bringing hip-hop back to the NFL’s championship game, where he performed as a guest artist with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Eminem in 2022. On Sunday, he becomes the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the halftime show. “It reminds me of the essence and the core response of rap and hip-hop and how far it can go,” he said. “It puts the culture at the forefront, where it needs to be and not minimized to just a catchy song or verse. This is a true art form, so to represent it on this type of stage is like everything that I’ve worked for and everything that I believe in as far as the culture.” SZA will join him but few other details about the performance were revealed, bowing to a tradition in which headliners keep their plans secret. Rihanna waited until her Super Bowl performance in 2023 to reveal she was pregnant with her second child. The Super Bowl will be held Sunday at the Caesars Superdome, with the two-defending champions Kansas City Chiefs facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles in a championship rematch. Who else is performing at the Super Bowl? The Super Bowl pregame will have some Louisiana flavor: Jon Batiste will hit the stage to sing the national anthem, while Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle are slated to perform “America the Beautiful.” Ledisi will perform “ Lift Every Voice and Sing ” as part of the pregame performances. The national anthem and “America the Beautiful” will be performed by actor Stephanie Nogueras in American sign language. Otis Jones IV will sign “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and the halftime show will be signed by Matt Maxey. The pregame performers are all Louisiana natives. —Jonathan Landrum Jr., AP entertainment writer View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. When someone experienced uses a rowing machine, it’s almost a thing of beauty—a continuous rhythm, their entire body continuously moving back and forth as the numbers on the screen rise higher and higher. So why, when you get on, does using it immediately feel impossible, and also your back hurts? You probably have the settings wrong, and chances are your technique sucks too. Let's fix both of those. There is a learning curve to the rowing machine (also called an erg), but you can master it—probably more quickly than you think. It’s also common to note the damper setting and assume it works the same way as the resistance setting on any other cardio machine, but that’s not exactly the case. Once you’ve fixed your technique and learned where to set the damper, and soon you’ll be sliding along rhythmically yourself. Concept2 RowErg Model D Indoor Rowing Machine - PM5 Monitor, Device Holder, Adjustable Air Resistance, Easy Storage with Black Sweat Towel $1,294.99 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $1,294.99 at Amazon The only "resistance" setting you need is #4On other cardio machines, you usually have a control that makes your workout harder, like the resistance knob on a bike, or the speed and incline controls on a treadmill. So you look at the rowing machine, see the damper that has settings from 1 to 10, and figure that you must want to crank this up to get a harder workout. If you think you're a tough guy, you'll set it to 10. But please don't. You’re best off setting it to number 4 (out of 10) and leaving it there, no matter the workout. That’s because the damper is not really a resistance setting, even though a lot of people mistake it for one. It makes more sense to think of it as being like the resistance of the water if you were in a real rowboat or rowing shell. You don’t get a harder workout by moving your boat to a lake made of, I don’t know, mercury. You stay on the water and you either row faster or push harder. At the highest settings, like 10, it’s hard to get the flywheel spinning, and the flywheel also slows down more before the next stroke. Rowing machine maker Concept2 compares rowing at a high damper setting (above 5 or so) to rowing a clunky rowboat: you need to push harder, and can’t easily get into a continuous rhythm. You can do it if you want a more strength-based workout, in the same way that runners can focus on strength by doing sprints up a steep hill. But it’s not the way you would expect to do most of your training. To drive the point home, Concept2 surveyed Olympic rowers on what settings they actually use. Rather than damper number, serious rowers tend to look up their “drag factor” (which you can find from the little screen on the rowing machine) and adjust the damper as needed to get the drag factor they want. But the settings they described typically correlate to a damper setting of around 3 to 5, so 4 is a safe bet. Push with your legs, then pull with your armsThe biggest technique mistake most of us make is to grab the handle and immediately yoink with our arms. After all, the point is to row it toward us, right? Not really. The first thing you need to do, after you’ve gotten the handle in your hands, is to push with your legs. This is the part of the movement where you need to apply the most force, and conveniently, your legs are home to your biggest muscles. You power into the stroke by treating this initial phase almost like a squat. Then you can get your upper body into it. Once your legs are mostly straight, lean back from the hips; only then should you pull with your arms. So the sequence goes: Push with the legs Lean back a little Pull with the arms If you’re used to doing cable rows or barbell rows in your strength training, that pulling motion is similar to the last step here. You can use your usual cues, but only after completing the first two steps. Once you’ve done all three parts of the stroke, you’ll be leaning back with legs straight and the handle at your chest. What now? Just reverse the movement: Allow your arms to straighten out Return your torso to its upright position Bend the legs and slide your butt back to the starting position. Just repeat to yourself: “Legs-back-arms, arms-back-legs.” Once you get that basic rhythm, you can look up videos on the finer points of technique, like these from Concept2. View the full article

US president tells lawmakers he wants to strike ‘carried interest’ rule used by leading financiers View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. I recommend a lot of organizational tools around here, from high-quality shelves to renter-friendly options. While having a bunch of designated storage space is crucial for maintaining the decluttering and organizational principles that keep a home in order, some of the products on the market are a little spendy. Sometimes, sure, you need to drop some significant cash on something that will really help you whip a space into shape, but most of the time, there are inexpensive options that get the job done just as well. Here are some of my favorite organizing staples, all of which cost me less than or around $25. Storage carts save money and spaceFirst up, I got a new storage cart this week. You might not think that something so small—it's just 15 inches deep and under five inches wide—would be useful, but it absolutely is. A few notes: It was outrageously easy to build. The pieces were simple, they all snapped into place in a logical way, and I didn't even need any tools. It took me about two and a half minutes to do. It came with six different hooks, which really expands the potential it has for storage beyond its three tiered shelves. Crucially, it also came with wheels, but unlike the ones I've seen on a lot of build-it-yourself furniture, these actually work. The little casters don't get tangled or messed up. They're not sticky. They just... roll. Best of all? I got it for $16.71 after watching its price fluctuate between $17 and $21 while it was sitting in my Amazon cart. I am in love. Credit: Lindsey Ellefson As I've admired this over the past few hours, I've been stuck on what I want to do with it. It might be small, but it has a lot of potential. I'm tempted to make a new cleaning cart, which requires a rolling contraption such as this, but I'm also tempted to slide it next to my toilet for extra bathroom storage. Then again, it could fit easily in my closet, too, where it could help me with all the accessory organizing I struggle with—shoes and bags could go on the shelves while scarves, necklaces, and belts drape from the hooks. At this price point and knowing how versatile and simple it is, I'm thinking I should buy three more right now and just do it all. Under-cabinet storage is key (and cheap)On second thought, I probably won't create a cleaning cart out of my wonderful, tiered organizer—but only because I have finally organized my cleaning supplies just how I like them (and for under $25, again). I have an under-cabinet storage unit similar to this, but this product actually is better because you get two for $21.99. 2 Pack Pull-Out Storage Organizers $21.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $21.99 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg I only got one before, but it was around $17. Even though I just have the one, it's made a world of difference in keeping my cleaning supplies organized, mostly because of the bottom shelf's ability to slide out, which means I don't have to dig through a bunch of carefully stacked items to reach what I need. Again, there are hooks on the side, which are perfect for rags, so everything stays together. Acrylic organizers for existing shelvesI've mentioned this before, but acrylic organizers have done wonders for organizing my shelving. You can get wooden ones, too, but acrylic tends to be cheaper. Look for anything with tiered, tiny steps built in, like this: Large Acrylic Display Risers $6.49 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $8.73 Save $2.24 Shop Now Shop Now $6.49 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $8.73 Save $2.24 I use little risers like this all over my apartment: They store my makeup, my perfume, and, in some cases, smaller knick-knacks like candles and little decorations. Beyond the fact that they're just ridiculously cheap, the tiers make them perfect for holding delicate objects, since I don't have to disrupt any of the items in front to get to what's in the back and they don't touch or rub on each other. I can see and reach what I have and everything stays safe. (If you're worried about knocking things over on these delicate little units, though, pick up some museum gel, which is a sticky substance you can place under items on flat surfaces to keep them in place.) Cube shelving for creating subdivisionsI am, I believe, in my 12th year as a cube-shelving enthusiast. I've evangelized about these before, but I really stand by it for a few reasons. First, the shelves being broken up into square compartments makes it very easy to organize your possessions by niche categories. With longer shelves or drawers, you may only have one to dedicate to "shirts," but shirts can refer to long-sleeved tops, t-shirts, going-out tops, camis, button-ups, sweaters, and a whole slew of other types. With cube storage, you can drill down on more refined categories, keeping everything in better order and making it easier to find what you need when you need it. Furinno Pasir 3-Tier No Tool Assembly Open Shelf Bookcase, White $25.92 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $29.99 Save $4.07 Shop Now Shop Now $25.92 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $29.99 Save $4.07 The second reason is that they're cheap—most of the time. Yes, you can find larger versions that retail up into the $80 or $90 range, but my apartment is stocked up with these three-cube types, which are usually around $25. (I know the one linked above is $25.92, so not under $25, but according to price-tracking tool CamelCamelCamel, it's been down to $17.99 before and that's close to the price I remember purchasing these at most often. It's a waiting game, that's all.) I have them in my closet behind my hanging garments, in my kitchen (doubling as extra work space, with their flat tops), in my bathroom, and in my living room. They're compact and buying them in smaller configurations makes them more versatile and adaptable, especially when you're living in a smaller space. Cube shelves forever! I remain obsessed with my storage lamp (though its price fluctuates)Finally, since buying a storage lamp during October Prime Day, I've been consistently impressed with how useful it is—but the price has gone up recently. I cannot tell you this is something you can get for below or around $25, though it pains me to admit it. The one I have was in the $33 range in the fall, but is now $51.09. Kind of despicable, if you ask me, but I'm lucky I got it when I did because I use one level to hold lotions and cozy items, another for my gaming stuff, and the top one as a display area to take pictures of things I want to sell online, since the lighting from up top illuminates my goods just right. Plus, it's just a damn useful lamp in its own right, with or without the storage shelves underneath. The good news is that competing brands and products are available in the lower range, for about $29. Again, it's not $25, but it's still close and if you're looking for classy storage that doubles as functional decor, this is what I recommend. View the full article

LexisNexis Legal & Professional has introduced an enhanced conversational search feature in its Nexis+ AI platform, aiming to accelerate research and business intelligence through generative AI-powered search capabilities. The update enables users to conduct conversation-based searches across a vast repository of licensed news and corporate data, including the industry’s largest collection of Gen AI-approved news datasets. Conversational Search and AI-Powered Research Launched in July 2024, Nexis+ AI is designed to assist researchers with AI-driven tools that streamline data discovery, document analysis, report synthesis, and news summarization. The newly introduced conversational search function generates multi-source responses with linked citations to enhance transparency. Alongside the AI-generated summaries, Nexis+ AI also provides traditional search results compiled from its licensed news sources. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology plays a critical role in refining search accuracy, ensuring responses are drawn from authoritative sources such as The Associated Press, McClatchy, and Gannett. Nexis+ AI employs automated relevance metrics, human review processes, and citation validation to reduce inaccuracies and improve the reliability of AI-generated insights. “Conversational search allows Nexis+ AI users to engage with our industry-leading corporate data and global news content in ways that were never possible before, rapidly delivering valuable, trustworthy business insights that lead to faster, more accurate business decisioning and increased market competitiveness,” said Dani McCormick, Vice President of Product, Nexis Solutions. Data Security and Privacy Safeguards LexisNexis emphasizes data security and compliance as a core aspect of Nexis+ AI’s functionality. The platform follows Privacy-by-Design principles, ensuring adherence to data protection regulations and preventing external access to stored conversations. Key privacy safeguards include: Secure encryption of all AI conversations, with automatic data purging after 90 days. No use of customer interactions to train foundational AI models, protecting proprietary business information. Compliance with RELX Responsible AI Principles, addressing ethical concerns and preventing algorithmic bias. Enterprise Adoption and Future Access Nexis+ AI is positioned as a business intelligence solution that enhances decision-making efficiency while ensuring transparency and reliability. Organizations seeking early access to updates and engagement opportunities can join the Nexis+ AI Insider Program at www.lexisnexis.com/insiderprogram. Image: LexisNexis This article, "LexisNexis Enhances Nexis+ AI with Conversational Search for Faster, Transparent Business Intelligence" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

LexisNexis Legal & Professional has introduced an enhanced conversational search feature in its Nexis+ AI platform, aiming to accelerate research and business intelligence through generative AI-powered search capabilities. The update enables users to conduct conversation-based searches across a vast repository of licensed news and corporate data, including the industry’s largest collection of Gen AI-approved news datasets. Conversational Search and AI-Powered Research Launched in July 2024, Nexis+ AI is designed to assist researchers with AI-driven tools that streamline data discovery, document analysis, report synthesis, and news summarization. The newly introduced conversational search function generates multi-source responses with linked citations to enhance transparency. Alongside the AI-generated summaries, Nexis+ AI also provides traditional search results compiled from its licensed news sources. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technology plays a critical role in refining search accuracy, ensuring responses are drawn from authoritative sources such as The Associated Press, McClatchy, and Gannett. Nexis+ AI employs automated relevance metrics, human review processes, and citation validation to reduce inaccuracies and improve the reliability of AI-generated insights. “Conversational search allows Nexis+ AI users to engage with our industry-leading corporate data and global news content in ways that were never possible before, rapidly delivering valuable, trustworthy business insights that lead to faster, more accurate business decisioning and increased market competitiveness,” said Dani McCormick, Vice President of Product, Nexis Solutions. Data Security and Privacy Safeguards LexisNexis emphasizes data security and compliance as a core aspect of Nexis+ AI’s functionality. The platform follows Privacy-by-Design principles, ensuring adherence to data protection regulations and preventing external access to stored conversations. Key privacy safeguards include: Secure encryption of all AI conversations, with automatic data purging after 90 days. No use of customer interactions to train foundational AI models, protecting proprietary business information. Compliance with RELX Responsible AI Principles, addressing ethical concerns and preventing algorithmic bias. Enterprise Adoption and Future Access Nexis+ AI is positioned as a business intelligence solution that enhances decision-making efficiency while ensuring transparency and reliability. Organizations seeking early access to updates and engagement opportunities can join the Nexis+ AI Insider Program at www.lexisnexis.com/insiderprogram. Image: LexisNexis This article, "LexisNexis Enhances Nexis+ AI with Conversational Search for Faster, Transparent Business Intelligence" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article