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It's hard to escape AI these days. Apple just made Apple Intelligence opt out, and Google Workspace users are now seeing big, hard-to-dismiss Gemini buttons all over their apps. The world's biggest tech companies are doing their best to sell you on a generative AI future, but even when you can't turn AI off, there are steps you can take to fight back. Even outside of Workspace, Google is one of the most egregious AI pushers around. The company has tried to push its Gemini AI in almost all of its properties, even though it's shown inaccurate search results recommending everything from eating rocks to adding glue to pizza. Even if you have no interest in AI search results, you'll still be forced to see elements of Google's Gemini all over Gmail and its other web apps. If that gets your goat, no worries—you can use Hide Gemini, a Chrome extension that hides Google Gemini elements from various Google sites—to pretend you live in the good older days of 2020. Hide Gemini removes the Ask Gemini button from Gmail and uses CSS to hide other egregious Gemini elements across Google's various sites, even the dreaded AI Overview box. Once you install it, the extension starts taking effect immediately. With these types of extensions, there's sometimes a worry that they may negatively impact the functionality of your service. An extension that blocks one element could sometimes inadvertently stop you from accessing other essential features. Fortunately, there are no such side effects associated with Hide Gemini. Since it uses CSS blocking, it merely hides unwanted AI elements without affecting any other functionality. Note that this extension, just like AI, isn't magic. It only hides persistent AI elements (such as the aforementioned Ask Gemini button), but not temporary promotional ones. If you've never used Gemini, you may see a Try Gemini button, which this extension does not hide. The developer says this is to avoid causing compatibility issues. Similarly, it doesn't block the "Help me write" prompt that may appear in Google Docs while you're working on a document. These minor limitations seem reasonable to me, and I'm happy to recommend Hide Gemini. It makes Google products a lot less annoying to use, even if it doesn't block the AI itself so much as makes it invisible. View the full article

Companies have told chancellor that scaling back tax breaks on savings accounts could boost UK financial servicesView the full article

LVMH’s Arnault contrasts US ‘wind of optimism’ with ‘cold shower’ of FranceView the full article

After many years of partisan politics, increasingly divisive language, finger-pointing, and inflammatory speech have contributed to an environment of fear and uncertainty, affecting not just political dynamics but also the priorities and perceptions of young people. As a developmental psychologist who studies the intersection of media and adolescent mental health, and as a mother of two Gen Z kids, I have seen firsthand how external societal factors can profoundly shape young people’s emotional well-being. This was brought into sharp relief through the results of a recent survey my colleagues and I conducted with 1,644 young people across the U.S., ages 10 to 24. The study was not designed as a political poll but rather as a window into what truly matters to adolescents. We asked participants to rate the importance of 14 personal goals. These included classic teenage desires such as “being popular,” “having fun,” and “being kind.” None of these ranked as the top priority. Instead, the No. 1 answer was “to be safe.” What was once taken for granted The findings are both illuminating and heartbreaking. As a teenager, I did countless unsafe things. My peers and I didn’t dwell on harm; we chased fun and freedom. Whereas previous generations may have taken safety for granted, today’s youth are growing up in an era of compounded crises—school shootings, a worsening climate crisis, financial uncertainty, and the lingering trauma of a global pandemic. Even though our research did not pinpoint the specific causes of adolescent fears, the constant exposure to crises, amplified by social media, likely plays a significant role in fostering a pervasive sense of worry. Despite data showing that many aspects of life are safer now than in previous generations, young people just don’t feel it. Their perception of danger is further shaped by events like the recent fires that devastated Los Angeles, reinforcing a belief that danger, possibly caused by global crises like climate change, lurks everywhere. This shift in perspective has profound implications for the future of this generation and those to come. Especially vulnerable time Adolescence, like early childhood, is a pivotal period for brain development. Young people are particularly sensitive to their surroundings as their brains evaluate the environment to prepare them for independence. This developmental stage—when the capacity to regulate emotions and critically assess information is still maturing—makes them especially vulnerable to enduring impacts. Studies show that adolescents struggle to put threats into context. This makes them particularly vulnerable to fear-driven messaging prevalent in both traditional and social media, which is further amplified by political rhetoric and blame-shifting. This vulnerability has implications for their mental health, as prolonged exposure to fear and uncertainty has been linked to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and even physical health issues. So when the various media that Gen Z consumes are dominated by fear—be it through headlines, social media posts, political rhetoric, or even storylines in movies and TV—it could shape their worldview in ways that may reverberate for generations to come. Enduring generational impact Historical events have long been shown to shape the worldview of entire generations. For instance, the Great Depression primarily impacted the daily lives of the Silent Generation, those born between 1928 and 1945. Moreover, its long-term effects on financial attitudes and security concerns echoed into the baby boomer generation, influencing how those born between 1946 and 1964 approached money, stability, and risk throughout their lives. Similarly, today’s adolescents, growing up amid a series of compounded global crises, will likely carry the imprint of this period of heightened fear and uncertainty well into adulthood. This formative experience could shape their mental health, decision-making, and even their collective identity and values for decades to come. In addition, feelings of insecurity and instability can make people more responsive to fear-based messaging, which could potentially influence their political and social choices. In an era marked by the rise of authoritarian governments, this susceptibility could have far-reaching implications because fear often drives individuals to prioritize immediate safety over moral or ideological ideals. As such, these dynamics may profoundly shape how this generation engages with the world, the causes they champion, and the leaders they choose to follow. Room for optimism? Interestingly, “being kind” was rated No. 2 in our survey, irrespective of other demographics. While safety dominates their priorities, adolescents still value qualities that foster connection and community. This finding indicates a duality in their aspirations: While they feel a pervasive sense of danger, they also recognize the importance of interpersonal relationships and emotional well-being. Our findings are a call to look at the broader societal context shaping adolescent development. For instance, the rise in school-based safety drills, while intended to provide a sense of preparedness, may unintentionally reinforce feelings of insecurity. Similarly, the apocalyptic narrative around climate change may create a sense of powerlessness that could further compound their fears and leave them wanting to bury their heads in the sand. Understanding how these perceptions are formed and their implications for mental health, decision-making and behavior is essential for parents, storytellers, policymakers, and researchers. I believe we must also consider how societal systems contribute to the pervasive sense of uncertainty and fear among youth. Further research can help untangle the complex relationship between external stressors, media consumption, and youth well-being, shedding light on how to best support adolescents during this formative stage of life. Yalda T. Uhls is a founder and executive director of the Center for Scholars & Storytellers and an assistant adjunct professor in psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. View the full article

In a push to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the government, the Trump administration ordered federal employees at multiple agencies to remove gender pronouns from their email signatures by 5:00 p.m. ET on Friday, according to internal memos obtained by ABC News. Those agencies include, but are not limited to, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Transportation (DOT), Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and Department of Energy (DOE), according to ABC. The memos are said to reference two executive orders President Donald Trump signed on day one of his second term, seeking to gut DEI at government agencies and in its programs. “Pronouns and any other information not permitted in the policy must be removed from CDC/ATSDR employee signatures by 5 p.m. ET on Friday,” Jason Bonander, the CDC’s chief information officer reportedly wrote. “Staff are being asked to alter signature blocks . . . to follow the revised policy.” On Thursday, employees at the Department of Energy and Department of Transportation received similar orders, the latter while they were scrambling to respond to Wednesday’s deadly crash of an American Airlines jet, which collided with a Navy Black Hawk helicopter in D.C., plunging into the Potomac river near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and killing all 67 people aboard. (Trump has lashed out against FAA workers, falsely blaming the crash on DEI.) DOE employees were told the pronoun changes were required by the executive order which requires “[DEI] language in Federal discourse, communications and publications” be removed. These directives come a week after Trump ordered all federal DEI staff to be put on leave, calling diversity and inclusion programs “discrimination.” View the full article

OpenAI is officially rolling out its latest model, o3-mini, starting today, Friday, Jan. 31. The company shared the news in a blog post on its website, just over a month after officially announcing the model during its "12 Days of OpenAI." As with each refreshed generative AI model, o3-mini is an improvement over o1-mini—but not by as much as you might think. OpenAI says the two models perform the same in math, coding, and science, but o3-mini offers quicker answers to user queries—24% faster, in A/B testing. According to the company, testers comparing the models found o3-mini produces "more accurate and clear answers, with stronger reasoning abilities." And, with "medium reasoning effort," o3-mini matches o1 in certain reasoning and intelligence evaluations. Like o1-mini, o3-mini is a reasoning model, a type of AI model that "thinks" through answers before responding to them. o3-mini has three different reasoning "efforts" depending on the use case: low, medium, and high. In mathematics testing, for instance, o3-mini's medium and high effort reasoning out erforms o1-mini, while high effort even outperforms o1 (the more powerful version of o1-mini). All three efforts beat o1-mini in PhD-level science questions, but o1 outperforms them all. o3-mini replaces the o1-mini model for all users. OpenAI doesn't explicitly state why you can't use o1-mini going forward, but touts that o3-mini has higher rate limits and lower latency than the previous model. At launch, only ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users can access o3-mini. OpenAI says Enterprise users can access the model in a week. (In addition, Plus and Team users will see their daily rate limits jump from 50 messages on o1-mini to 150 messages.) That said, free users will be able to try o3-mini in a limited capacity, either by choosing the "Reasoning" option in the message composer, or regenerating a response. OpenAI says it's the first time free users have had access to a reasoning model in ChatGPT, which comes one day after Microsoft offered o1's reasoning to Copilot users for free. You can learn more about o3-mini in our post here. But as the model is only rolling out today, we won't know exactly how it performs until real-world testers start to use it. View the full article

Google is rolling out one-on-one appointments with technical experts to help advertisers properly implement conversion tracking tags on their websites. Why we care. Accurate conversion tracking is essential for optimizing digital ad campaigns and understanding return on investment (ROI). Google offering appointments with experts to help advertisers implement Google tagging on their websites addresses a common pain point for advertisers who struggle with technical implementation of tracking tools, which can lead to unreliable performance data and wasted ad spend. What tagging does: ROI insights. Track valuable actions on your site to gauge ad effectiveness. Performance tracking. Analyze how ads perform across channels and devices. Unlock features. Enable advanced Google Ads tools like Smart Bidding. How it works. Appointments will last 30 to 60 minutes and involve a walkthrough of the tagging setup process. In the walkthrough, a Google Technical Support expert will guide both you and your developer in setting up tags to track campaign performance. The details: You’ll need to schedule the appointment for the specific Google Ads account where tagging will be implemented. Advertisers managing multiple accounts should use the customer ID for the individual account (not a Manager account). First seen. We were made aware of this new feature in Google Ads by Natasha Kaurra on her LinkedIn and share the information you see once you start the process: What’s next. Ensure you have your developer and account information ready for the appointment. View the full article

OpenAI released its newest reasoning model, called o3-mini, on Friday. OpenAI says the model delivers more intelligence than OpenAI’s first small reasoning model, o1-mini, while maintaining o1-mini’s low price and speed. The company says o3-mini excels in science, math, and coding problems. Developers can access o3-mini through an API, and can select between three levels of reasoning intensity. The lowest setting, for example, might be best for less difficult problems where speed of response is a factor. ChatGPT Plus, Team, and Pro users can access OpenAI o3-mini starting today, OpenAI says, while enterprise users will get access in a week. The announcement comes at the end of a week in which the Chinese company DeepSeek dominated headlines after releasing a pair of surprisingly powerful and cost-effective AI models called DeepSeek-V3 and DeepSeek-R1. The latter, a reasoning model, scored close to, and sometimes above, OpenAI’s o1 in a set of recognized benchmark tests. “We’re shifting the entire cost‑intelligence curve,” OpenAI researcher Noam Brown said of o3-mini on X. “Model intelligence will continue to go up, and the cost for the same intelligence will continue to go down.” He said o3-mini even outperforms the full-sized o1 model in a number of evaluations. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in December that the o3 series models demonstrate significantly higher levels of intelligence than the o1 models, including in computer coding and problem solving requiring advanced mathematics. The largest version of o3 also achieved the highest score yet of any AI system on a test called ARC-AGI, a logic and reasoning test designed to measure progress toward artificial general intelligence, meaning AI that’s as smart or smarter than humans at most tasks. The o3 model scored 87.5% on the test (humans can score around 85%). OpenAI originally announced o3, along with a smaller version called o3-mini, in December, but said it would complete its internal safety testing, and get feedback from a group of outside safety and security testors, before launching the models. OpenAI said it would release o3-mini this month, and gave no release timeframe for the larger o3 model. OpenAI chose not to expose the o1 models’ chain of thought, and the same holds true for o3-mini. Researchers have shown that generating chain-of-thought can sometimes confuse models and pull them off focus. DeepSeek-R1, however, is trained to show its chain of thought, and Google announced in December a new experimental model called Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking that also shows its “thinking.” Reasoning models represent a new chapter in developing generative AI models. From 2020-2023 AI labs won almost all of their performance increases by pre-training their models with more data and computing power. That “brute force” approach began to show diminishing returns in 2024, so the AI labs–OpenAI chief among them–began to teach models to do more reasoning (and use more computing power) at inference time just after the user has asked a question or posed a problem. The model might generate multiple streams of tokens at once, then choose which one leads to the best answers. Or it might follow a certain branch of logic then iteratively backtrack after hitting a dead end. The model generates a lot of tokens, which must all be stored in a “context window” while the problem is being solved. This requires a lot of memory and a lot of computing power. OpenAI’s first try at reasoning models with the o1 series wasn’t perfect. The largest o1 model is very expensive to run and its needs a long time to reach an answer. The o3 models are said to do more reasoning at inference time, but return answers faster using less computing power. View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. The final months of 2024 saw the release of two major cinematic works, each laser focused on design and architecture. While very different films (that is, one Oscar-nominated, one Razzie-nominated), each is monumental in its own right. First came Francis Ford Coppola's decades-in-the-making sci-fi drama Megalopolis, following a visionary architect, played by Adam Driver, who dreams of transforming the future city of New Rome into a utopian paradise with the help of a magical metal. Critics were not kind to Coppola's film, but a much warmer reception greeted Brady Corbet's The Brutalist, a more down-to-earth but no less epic period drama following a Hungarian-born Holocaust survivor (Adrien Brody) who emigrates to the United States and whose past as an accomplished architect gradually becomes clear. Documentaries aside, architects and architecture have served varied, but particular roles in film: The art of architecture, when spotlighted, is frequently used to metaphorically reflect what's happening between towering personalities. As an occupation, though, architecture is often treated as a bland signifier: architects are often solidly middle-class romantic interests, the specific career incidental. Though veering from scary to silly to epic, these 10 films all go a bit deeper. The Towering Inferno (1974) Surely a cautionary tale for budding young architects, The Towering Inferno reminds us that even Paul Newman makes mistakes (and just being hot doesn't necessarily make one a good architect). The actor plays Doug Roberts, designer of the world's walled building: San Francisco's (fictional, thank God) Glass Tower. The titular fire isn't entirely Duncan's fault—blame is doled out to various corner-cutting subcontractors—but it's still made clear that Roberts cared more about style and personal prestige than safety, the result being a horrific (also thrilling) disaster in which various '70s era celebrities are placed in fiery danger. You can buy The Towering Inferno from Prime Video. The Towering Inferno (1974) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Belly of an Architect (1987) An acclaimed, though lesser-known 1980s indie, Belly stars Brian Dennehy as the (fictional) architect Stourley Kracklite, following him as he travels from Chicago to Rome to arrange an exhibition on the (real-life) 18th-century French architect Étienne-Louis Boullée. In Rome, Kracklite's marriage and resolve begin to crumble against the backdrop of increasingly opulent classical architecture—particularly that of Boullée himself, whose work has been characterized as grand to the point of megalomaniacal (if not fascist). All of that impressive architecture is quite present onscreen, often used to signal that our lead is being dwarfed by the scale of the art around him. You can stream The Belly of an Architect on Prime Video. The Belly of an Architect (1987) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video High-Rise (2015) An adaptation of J.G. Ballard's same-titled dystopian novel, High-Rise stars Tom Hiddleston as Dr. Robert Laing, who is living in a London tower building where things have gone rather hideously wrong (they're eating the dogs, literally). We journey back a few months to meet the architect, played by Jeremy Irons, who's designed a (rather cool-looking) building that's the absolute tops in elegant modern living—at least for the wealthier residents who live on the upper floors. When class warfare inevitably breaks out between them and the less fortunate lower denizens, things grow increasingly grim, but the architect remains free, for a time, to blandly philosophize about the impact of his designs on society. After all, he doesn't have to live there. You can stream High-Rise on Max or rent it from Prime Video. High-Rise (2015) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Inception (2010) Inception captures what must be an architect's dream, before bringing things back down to earth in extremely commonplace ways. Elliott Page plays Ariadne, a graduate-level architecture student hired to design the architecture of a literal dream, with no budgetary nor design restrictions. The designs need to be believable on an intuitive level, with an idiosyncratic logic that a dreamer wouldn't question. Of course, capitalism rears its head even here: This isn't some grand plan for art unbridled by reality; it's all in service of an ultra-rich businessman with an eye towards stealing corporate secrets—a reminder that even our dreams are constrained by greed. You can stream Inception on Netflix or rent it from Prime Video. Inception (2010) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Fountainhead (1949) I'd rather eat my own head than read another magniloquent Ayn Rand doorstopper, but this adaptation of her landmark book, directed by King Vidor, is certainly focused on its lead character's profession—though using it to make a larger point about how anyone who caves in to popular tastes is a dirty communist or something. Gary Cooper stars as Howard Roark, faced with a full-blown newspaper campaign aimed at putting a stop to his individual spirit and idiosyncratic designs. The central love affair between Roark and icy cool Dany Taggert (Patricia Neal) provides a bit of melodramatic fun, and the cinematography is stunning. The central message about being true to your own muse is also on the button, even if the narrative pushes that idea to pretty wacky extremes (though without some of the novel's more odious overtones). You can stream The Fountainhead on The Criterion Channel. The Fountainhead (1949) at The Criterion Channel Learn More Learn More at The Criterion Channel Mon Oncle (1958) I've endeavored to stick to films that deal with architects, or at least with building design as a profession, but it's hard to avoid Jacques Tati when talking about the ways in which architecture impacts our lives. The second of the director's films in which he stars as the hopelessly awkward Monsieur Hulot (and his first in color), this one finds Hulot spending time with his nephew and family in their ultra-modern, relentlessly geometric house in a new Paris suburban development. Brilliantly, hilariously conceived, the Villa Arpel is a triumph of style over substance, with comfort and tradition giving way at every turn to capitalistic modernity. Chairs are nearly impossible to sit on, flagstones are positioned so that it's impossible to walk, and ostensibly convenient appliances are so loud, you can barely think. It's a satire buoyed by physical comedy, but astute as to the ways in which architecture and design can try to improve our lives and go terribly wrong in the process. You can stream Mon Oncle on Max or rent it from Prime Video. Mon Oncle (1958) at Max Learn More Learn More at Max Amityville: It's About Time (1992) From the sublimely ridiculous to the just plain ridiculous: A highlight (relatively) of a series that stretches to dozens of movies (don't feel bad if you've lost track of the Amityville oeuvre), It's About Time reminds us that urban planning and architectural design aren't just about blueprints and mathematics, they're also about vibes. If, for instance, you're hired to design a new neighborhood in Amityville, as is the case for architect Jacob Sterling (Stephen Macht), never use an old clock from the ruins of an infamous murder house as your inspiration. It will end badly for all parties. You can stream Amityville: It's About Time on Tubi, Freevee, and Prime Video. Amityville: It's About Time (1992) at Freevee Learn More Learn More at Freevee Jungle Fever (1991) Architecture isn't the defining feature of this 1991 Spike Lee joint, but it does speak to a dearth of Black American architects both in film and in real life. Harlem architect Flipper Purify (Wesley Snipes) has built an impressive career for himself, as well as a solid family life—at least until he starts an affair with a temp (Annabella Sciorra) assigned to him by an agency. Being an architect in a movie is often a shorthand way of suggesting middle-class, white-collar success, and is almost entirely restricted to white characters (think Sleepless in Seattle); despite the enormous contributions of Black structural designers to American design history, the percentage of white people in field remains somewhere in high 90s. In movies, that number is closer to 100%—honestly Flipper is the only non-white cinematic architect I came across while assembling this roundup. So whether or not you approve of his extramarital engagements, you can certainly give him credit as a trailblazer. You can rent Jungle Fever from Prime Video. Jungle Fever (1991) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video Columbus (2017) Indie filmaker Kogonada (After Yang, Pachinko) made his debut with this quiet relationship drama that makes stunning use of the structural design features of Columbus, Indiana—a surprising place, perhaps, to focus on architecture. John Cho stars as Jin Lee, returning to the title town to care for his estranged father, now in a coma in a local hospital. He meets library worker Casey (Haley Lu Richardson), and the two explore Columbus together, with the composition of the city serving as backdrop (and sometimes mirror) to their developing relationship, even as topics of conversation turn on her knowledge of local architecture and her desire to enter the field. It's a quiet, subtle film that's as close to pure cinema as we get in the 21st century. You can rent Columbus from Prime Video. Columbus (2017) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video The Black Cat (1934) A stunning expressionist masterpiece with grisly horror trappings, the architecture of The Black Cat serves the story as much as it embellishes it. Boris Karloff plays architect and former Austro-Hungarian army officer Hjalmar Poelzig, who has built an ultra-modern, Bauhaus-style house on the ruins of the fort that he'd betrayed to the Russians during World War II. Its modernity conceals a bevy of occult mysteries, however—it's a haunted house unlike any that had come before, and its stylish sterility comes to feel like a trap in and of itself. Director Edward G. Elmer had been a set designer in Germany before fleeing the rise of the Nazis, and it's hard not to see parallels between the movie and conditions in Germany at the end of the Weimar Republic, when a thin veneer of progress was built atop literal corpses. You can rent The Black Cat from Prime Video. The Black Cat (1934) at Prime Video Learn More Learn More at Prime Video View the full article

The regulator has a projected fiscal year 2025 budget of $810 million, according to a nonpartisan analysis. View the full article

Chief warns country could be vulnerable to Chinese and Russian influence if it is forced to abandon operations there View the full article

Ever wonder how some of the stuff we use every day came to be? I think about it sometimes when I’m at the stove with my favorite sauté pan, with its perfect trifecta of size, weight and performance. Or when I’m struggling with the badly designed zippers on my otherwise-swanky new tote bag. Good design doesn’t just come out of thin air. From the idea to the finished product, it can be a long road. One mind might have cooked up the product idea, but there’s usually a slew of others who have a say in getting it to your store. At the beginning, every clever gadget and life-simplifying tool had an industrial designer who spent hours thinking about the components that make it so clever or life-simplifying. I talked to two of them, both winners of multiple design awards: Dan Harden of Whipsaw, a San Francisco-based firm that’s designed all kinds of products, from water filters and home saunas to the little tags you stick on things you don’t want to lose. And Scott Henderson, an industrial designer whose eponymous firm in Brooklyn, New York, designs products for brands you’ve probably got in the kitchen, nursery and bathroom. ‘Moby’ spout cover for babies and tots If you have toddlers, you may have a little blue rubber whale, a Moby, on your bathtub spout. Henderson designed it for Skip Hop in 2008. Moby, made of a rubbery latex-free material called TPE, fits over the spout to protect kiddos from bumping into or touching the warm spout while they’re in the bath. Its tail can function as a hook, and the tub’s water spout can be right where a whale’s blowhole would be. When Henderson is asked about his design favorites, Moby tops the list. “I think it was a first-of-its-kind product that combined problem-solving innovation with an intrinsic soul and an iconic personality,” he says. Pixar included a Moby-like spout cover, Drips the Whale, in “Toy Story Toons.” Working with boldface names in the kitchen Your OXO dustpan, T-Fal measuring spoons, Sunbeam Mixmaster and Chantal kettle also came from the imagination of Henderson and his team. If a product makes you smile, he says, it becomes easier to use. How do you get a blender or a spoon to make you smile? “One approach I like is to design the object around one big idea, instead of 10 small ones. When someone can easily understand the purpose and the way to use a tool, that’s a happy feeling,” he says. “The experience is as much sensed as it is seen. The product makes them feel smart, and when they feel smart, they smile.” A new kind of face shield for the pandemic During COVID’s disruption of the supply chain, many designers started 3-D printing personal protective equipment (PPE) for hospitals and essential workers. After brainstorming ideas with product development company ZVerse, Henderson and his crew had an idea: How about a face shield that attached at the neck instead of the top of the head — a boon for food service workers, dentists and others? The ZShield was born. It also became popular for public appearances by celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Brad Pitt and Michelle Obama. The shield was produced in North Carolina, instead of overseas. “We bypassed the supply chain backlog,” Henderson said. Creating something useful is ‘a sublime experience’ Henderson says the creative breakthrough for a new product idea is the most gratifying part. “It’s a dopamine explosion.” And when millions of people start buying it? Says Whipsaw’s Harden: “It’s awesome to see your design out in the real world succeeding and making people happy. It starts with a thought that makes your heart jump. Followed by a sketch, then a computer rendering, then a model. Seeing a concept come to life like that’s a sublime experience.” Harden’s design oeuvre includes the FreeSip, a collaborative product with water bottle maker Owala, part of Trove Brands. The product made TIME magazine’s Best Inventions list in 2023, as well as The New York Times’ list of best water bottles in 2024. Whipsaw also worked with fitness company Tonal on a smart home gym that has fans like Serena Williams and Lebron James. Instead of a bulky set of iron, the Tonal system is wall-mounted, with digital weights powered by electromagnets, and an interactive screen for virtual training lessons. Then there’s the Tile tracker, which attaches to things like wallets, phones, bikes, carry bags and sports gear. Whipsaw worked with Life360 on refining the design for easy attachment, and came up with fun colors to appeal to new tech adopters and families. “Design is incredibly fun to do, but there are challenges,” Harden says. “Keeping a vision alive for the duration of a project is hard, since there are many opportunities for it to get sidetracked by things like cost, product requirements and making sure the concept fits the brand. “People think a designer has the proverbial ‘big idea in the shower’ and snap, it’s done. It’s way more involved than that.” Rethinking the piano Also an accomplished artist and musician, Harden says his design “aha!” moment came while listening to classical music on a long flight. He got thinking about how instruments like the harp, violin and trumpet were beautiful to look at as well as listen to. “What each of those instruments looks like greatly elevates the listener’s musical experience.” But then there’s the piano. “It’s a big black box held up with three chunky legs, with a sound-reflecting lid that’s kind of a functional afterthought,” he said. Further, a pianist is watched in profile, so you miss much of the emotion on their face. So he started sketching out a sleek, smaller, front-facing piano that showed off its strings and mechanism to the audience within an evocative, wing-like silhouette. “By the time I landed several hours later, it was conceptually worked out, and that soon became the Ravenchord piano,” he says. There’s more where that came from If these designers could redesign anything next, what would it be? Henderson would love to make city water towers more attractive; the standard silo with legs doesn’t do anything for the look of the building it sits on, he says. He’s also bothered by the unsightly orange construction barriers that beleaguer cityscapes, and sees those as ripe for redesign. Harden thinks the common walking cane could use a rethink. “Or really any product that serves our aging population, I’d like to design,” he said. “Creativity is the most precious of human traits, and there’s no better life pursuit than to study, practice and actualize one’s creative expression.” —Kim Cook View the full article

Bluesky has steadily been replacing X (formerly Twitter) for me, but I've really missed the ability to bookmark posts for future reference. While X still has Twitter's old bookmarks feature, the only way to save a Bluesky post is to like it, since you can access a list of your liked posts on your profile page. That's not always convenient—what if you dislike something, but want to be able to find it again later, say if it's an article about bad but important news? That's where Kyst comes in. It's a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox that lets you save Bluesky posts in one click. Installing Kyst and signing in Credit: Pranay Parab I've previously written about Bluesky's app passwords feature, which allow you to authorize third-party apps to access your account without having to give them your real password. Kyst doesn't use app passwords, preferring OAuth (short for open authorization) for authentication instead. OAuth is how most social networks allow you to connect third-party apps. The app requests access to your Bluesky account, and when you authorize it, it still cannot see your username or password. In theory, this is a great move, as Bluesky plans to get rid of app passwords eventually. In practice, though, things are a little complicated. At time of writing, Bluesky doesn't yet allow you to view which apps you've authorized using OAuth, and that means you can't quickly revoke access to apps you don't want to use. This is expected to change over the coming months, as Bluesky rolls out OAuth more broadly. For the time being, if you want to stop using Kyst, you'll have to sign out of Bluesky and delete the browser extension. The developer told me in an email that they're also working on allowing people to delete their Kyst accounts in the future. Once you've installed Kyst on Chrome or Firefox and authorized the extension, you can start using it via the official Bluesky website. It adds a small bookmark button below each post and shows one button on the right side of the screen that displays or hides a sidebar. Using bookmarks on Bluesky Credit: Pranay Parab Once Kyst is set up, Bluesky posts on your browser will show a bookmark button next to the like button. Click once to bookmark the post and click again to undo. The Kyst button on the right side of the page opens up a sidebar to let you view your bookmarks. The extension is as simple as that, and it works fairly well. If you're away from your browser, you can also visit https://kyst.app/bookmarks to see and organize your bookmarked posts. For that organization, both the Kyst sidebar and Kyst's website allow you to add tags to your bookmarks, which makes it easy to categorize saved posts and find what you're looking for. The extension also lets you filter saved posts by date, type of post (regular posts vs threads), or by the media attached to the post. As a writer, I love using Kyst to save posts that give me story ideas, but there are a few rough edges. On both Chrome and Firefox, the extension has a bug that makes it show massive thumbnails for saved posts. On Firefox, I noticed the sidebar also wasn't displaying any posts, so I had to switch to the bookmarks page to see the posts I'd saved. View the full article

Amsterdam likely to be one location for ice cream division’s spin-off, with London and New York also under considerationView the full article

Close to 88% of all homeowners reported staying in the same home year-over-year compared to 85.1% reported a decade ago, per U.S. Census data. View the full article

I enjoy Super Bowl Sunday. I’m not much of a football fan, but my friend always hosts a lovely party with plentiful snacks, and I don’t have to do a thing. You see, hosting a dinner party is one thing—there’s a set meal, and you can plan out the timing—but a party based on hot snacks means lots of upkeep, and frequent refreshing. You need a lineup of snacks that are delicious, easy to prep, and quick to churn out, leaving you plenty of time to yell at the TV. This sounds like a job for the air fryer. Here’s a list of my favorite Air Fryday snacks fit for the big game. Cheese-stuffed biscuit ballsYou know what’s better than cheesy breadsticks? These cheese-stuffed biscuit balls. They’re made with canned biscuit dough, which makes the preparation straightforward. Pop a can of your favorite vacuum-sealed dough and wrap a biscuit's worth around a fat cube of mozzarella cheese. Throw the balls in the air fryer for a few minutes, and before serving, swipe with melted butter and a sprinkle of garlic salt. Seasoned pretzels Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Seasoned pretzels have won me over. They're crunchier than potato chips and these ranch seasoned ones are packed with flavor. While you can use the original oven method outlined in the recipe, you can do it faster in the air fryer. Just place them on the air fryer grate (it's okay if they overlap) and set the air fryer on the "bake" setting for 325°F. Bake them for seven to 15 minutes (depending on the size of the pretzels and type of air fryer), tossing them around halfway through the cooking time. Meatball shots Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann I created meatball shots specifically for football watching—because while I don't follow the sport, I do enjoy the weekly snacks. It turns out, everyone else loves them too. Using store-bought frozen meatballs ensures a stable vehicle for the cheesy center, and Boursin cheese is the perfect pre-seasoned mixture for the job. These are sure to go quick, so make a double batch. Easy mushroom chips Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann I was stunned at how well canned mushrooms handle air frying. They turn into crunchy, bubbly, umami slices with little more than a spritz of oil. These could not be simpler to make and they're completely vegan. Enjoy them on their own, as a companion to nuts or seasoned pretzels, or use them as a crunchy topping for dip. Air fryer s'mores Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann You don't need a campfire to enjoy s'mores; an air fryer does the trick just fine. While some folks might associate these sweet treats with the great outdoors, this speedy method makes a good argument for s'mores indoors. Just load up your air fryer with graham cracker halves and their trusted fillings. In about four minutes you'll have s'mores to feed a small crowd. Air fryer kielbasa Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann A large platter of fatty sausage with crispy edges is a special type of heaven. And when your team is losing by 12 points, well, you'll need something pleasant to distract you from your rage. Air fryer kielbasa is extremely simple and highly gratifying. The trick here is scoring the daylights out of the exterior—those shallow cuts become crispy and the air fryer ensures you can get more ready in case there's a half-time emergency. Devils on Horseback Credit: Claire Lower These bite-sized nibbles offer an enticing balance of sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy. All you need is fruit, cheese, and pork to wrap around them. Pitted dates make an excellent fruit pocket for stuffing with cheese, and a half slice of bacon or prosciutto makes for a great pork blanket. Follow the directions here. American-cheese crisps Talk about zero prep time: American cheese singles are already ready for your air fryer. While classic cheese frico is a crispy, lacy snack made from a hard cheese like parmesan, American cheese crisps are something altogether new. Simply lay a few floppy singles on the floor of your air fryer and witness their transformation to crunchy, cavernous puffs. Pile them into a bowl and watch them disappear. Air fryer pierogi Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann At this point there should be no doubt that meats do very well in the air fryer, but what about carbs? Lucky for us, they have a place in the basket as well. Pierogi are a great example. To make a crispy, fluffy batch of pierogi, start with a box or bag from the freezer section of your grocery store. Follow the directions in my recipe here for the simple method. Caramel pasta chips Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann If you're looking for a sweet, crunchy snack to round out your Game Day spread, try these irresistible caramel pasta chips. You can use any shape of pasta you have on hand (the weirder the better, in my opinion). Start by boiling the pasta, draining it and tossing the wet noodles with cinnamon and sugar. The air fryer will quickly evaporate the water in the pasta, leaving behind a light and flaky shell coated in caramel. A big bowl of these snackable pasta chips will be an instant hit. Shishito pepper poppers Jalapeño poppers are mildly spicy, but for a stuffed-pepper snack that keeps you guessing, try this recipe for shishito pepper poppers instead. Shishitos are long green peppers with a thinner fleshy wall than jalapeños, which allows them to soften a bit faster in the air fryer. Pair that with the knowledge that you’ll never know which one are mild and which are a pocket of spicy hellfire and you’ve got yourself a snack your guests won’t forget. Phyllo wrapped veggies Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann If you’re looking for a way to incorporate more veggies onto your roster, here’s an incredible air fryer option: phyllo dough wrapped veggie sticks. You can use any vegetable you have available in the fridge, like carrot sticks, whole scallions, bell peppers, or asparagus. Lightly buttered phyllo dough creates crisp, flaky layers around each vegetable. Click here for the full recipe. Mac and cheese bitesThis is the only suggested air fryer snack on this list that requires cold leftovers, but it’s so insanely good I think it’s worth making a batch of mac and cheese the day before. Once the mac and cheese is cold, slice it into sticks or squares and toss into the air fryer as-is, no breading required. The existing cheese and oils from the sauce will fry and crisp to form a crunchy frico cheese exterior with a soft pasta interior. Click here for the full recipe. Air fryer crunchy chickpeas Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann It’s nice to have a variety of snacks at the table. Here’s one that’s easy, low commitment, and impossible to stop munching on. Crunchy chickpeas are tossed with seasonings and a secret ingredient: cornstarch. The layer of starch creates a shattering crust on each garbanzo unlike anything you’ve had before. And they’re ready in a snap. Check out the recipe here. Leftovers egg rolls This snack is a lifesaver if you underprepared for your party. Keep a pack of egg roll wrappers around so you can roll up any leftovers you have hanging in your fridge. Yep. Any and all leftovers. Fill the egg roll wrapper with a slice of lasagna, baked beans and cheese, ham and pickles, or leftover potato salad. They crisp up in the air fryer like a dream. Read here for the details. Bacon-wrapped banana bitesSimilar to devils on horseback but even simpler are these bacon-wrapped banana bites. They’re an irresistible blend of sweet, earthy, and salty. Slice ripe bananas into one-inch segments and wrap them in strips of bacon. Pop them in the air fryer until crisp. Air fryer key lime pie Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann Just because it’s a snack party doesn’t mean we have to skip dessert. This air fryer key lime pie is a nice reminder that spring is just around the corner. Use a store-bought graham cracker crust—they’re about eight inches in diameter and the aluminum tin fits in most air fryers. With only a few ingredients, this recipe comes together quickly—but don’t forget to give the finished pie time in the fridge to cool. View the full article

The release of DeepSeek’s new model has shaken assumptions about who has the upper hand in developing the technology View the full article

National holidays can be a fun and timely way to market a business. There are lots of February national days that may be relevant to various businesses. Here’s a look at some things on the calendar this month. Why should you market your business in February? It’s generally beneficial to market a small business all year. But here are some specific reasons to keep your efforts going during February: Pick up during a slow time: Many consumers are still recovering from the holidays and spending lots of time at home during February. They may need an extra push to patronize your business. Stand out among your competition: Since many businesses are slowing down this month, there may be less noise from your competitors. Use the opportunity to get your business in front of your target audience. Take advantage of gift-giving occasions: Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular February holidays. People often buy gifts for loved ones, so it’s perfect for businesses that sell flowers, chocolates, and more. Help customers with daily habits: After the new year, people are still getting into a daily rhythm. And many are adjusting the high expectations of their resolutions. So there may still be time to tie your products or services into their new routines. Tie your offerings into other national holidays: There are lots of other occasions throughout February that may be relevant to your business. Check the list below. Celebrate These February National Days If you want to promote your business on national days in February, here are some popular ones to consider. Feb. 1 – National Dark Chocolate Day Food bloggers, bakeries, and gift shops can all use this day to offer specials on products or recipes that include this popular ingredient. Feb. 2 – Groundhog Day Did the groundhog see his shadow? Many businesses create fun social media content surrounding this holiday. Feb. 3 – National Carrot Cake Day Restaurants and bakeries may offer free desserts or specials to celebrate this day. Feb 4. – National Israel Day National Israel Day celebrates the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Israeli people. It serves as an opportunity to honor Israel’s history, achievements, and the enduring ties between Israel and communities worldwide. Feb. 5 – World Nutella Day Celebrate Nutella by offering grocery store specials or posting unique recipes online. Feb. 6 – National Frozen Yogurt Day Frozen yogurt shops shine on this day thanks to sales and special events. Feb. 7 – National Send a Card to a Friend Day Gift shops and handmade stationery retailers can gain attention by promoting letter writing. Feb. 8 – Safer Internet Day IT service providers and professional organizations can share helpful tips on this holiday. Feb. 9 – National Pizza Day Pizza shops, grocery stores, and recipe bloggers can celebrate this popular food with fun online content and sales. Feb. 11 – National Inventors Day If you’ve invented a unique product, use this occasion to share your story or tips with other inventors. Feb. 12 – Super Bowl Sunday Much online content revolves around the big game, from snack recipes to events at local sports bars. Feb. 13 – Galentine’s Day This is a day to celebrate female friendships. So gift shops, restaurants, and event venues could create events or sales. Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day is likely the biggest gift-giving occasion in February. So, any business that sells gifts, including restaurants and date night spots, can include this date in marketing materials. Feb. 15 – Singles Awareness Day The day after Valentine’s Day celebrates singles. Some people may go on outings at restaurants or bars with single friends. Feb. 17 – National Caregivers Day Assisted living facilities and other businesses that serve seniors and their families can use this occasion to recognize caregivers. Feb. 18 – National Drink Wine Day Wine shops, restaurants, and bars can offer special promotions for wine lovers. Feb. 20 – Presidents Day Presidents Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. Many businesses give the day off and/or offer specials. Feb. 21 – Fat Tuesday Fat Tuesday is the last day that many people eat fatty, indulgent foods before the start of Lent. Restaurants and bakeries may offer specials. Feb. 22 – National Margarita Day Invite groups into your restaurant and offer specials on Margarita Day. Feb. 24 – National Tortilla Chip Day Tortilla Chip Day may be popular in Mexican restaurants and/or grocery stores. Feb. 28 – National Tooth Fairy Day Dentists and childcare businesses can create fun educational content around this holiday. National Weeks in February You Don’t Want to Miss Some February celebrations last a whole week. Here are some that may be relevant to certain businesses. Feb. 1 – 7 – National Patient Recognition Week Medical offices can post thank you messages or recognize specific patients this week. Feb. 6 – 10 – National Pride in Foodservice Week Engage employees and share stories online or through marketing materials to recruit more top talent. Feb. 6 – 12 – National Freelance Writers Appreciation Week Share messages of appreciation or provide perks to freelancers on your team. Feb. 6 – 12 – International Networking Week Business groups and offices can host networking events to encourage engagement and increase membership. Feb. 12 – 18 – National Secondhand Wardrobe Week Thrift stores, vintage resellers, and content creators can all share the benefits of shopping secondhand and offer fun events and specials. Feb. 14 – 21 – Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Education Week Memory care centers and assisted living communities may host workshops or share helpful tips online for families. Don’t Forget These February Monthly Holidays There are also monthly observances that last throughout February. Businesses may create ongoing promotions or campaigns to spread awareness and tie their content into these. Black History Month Black History Month celebrates the contributions and acknowledges Black Americans’ struggles. Many businesses share educational content online or host workshops. American Heart Month Doctor’s offices and health-related businesses can share heart-healthy recipes and healthy living tips throughout the month. National Cancer Prevention Month This is another opportunity for health-related businesses to share prevention tips. Children’s Dental Health Month Dentist offices can use this as a reminder to schedule appointments and share tips online. Responsible Pet Owner Month Pet care businesses can share tips with customers or offer specials on related products. National Hot Breakfast Month Restaurants can offer breakfast specials all month long. National Snack Food Month Recipe bloggers can share unique snack recipes monthly, or grocery stores may create fun snack displays. What is the month of February known for? February is part of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The most prominent holiday celebrated in the U.S. is Valentine’s Day. It’s also the shortest month of the year, with just 28 days (or 29 on leap years). What should a small business post on social media in February? Social media content is likely to vary depending on your industry and niche. But many businesses tie content into Valentine’s Day or winter. Some also post social justice-related content in recognition of Black History Month. How can you promote your business in February? You can promote your business in February by tying it into different national days, including Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day, and even National Margarita Day. See a complete list of February holidays above. DateHoliday Feb. 1National Dark Chocolate Day Feb. 2Groundhog Day Feb. 2National Girls and Women in Sports Day Feb. 2Optimist Day Feb. 2National Tater Tot Day Feb. 3Bubble Gum Day Feb. 3National Wear Red Day Feb. 4Ice Cream for Breakfast Day Feb. 4National Hemp Day Feb. 5World Nutella Day Feb. 6National Frozen Yogurt Day Feb. 7National Fettuccini Alfredo Day Feb. 7National Send a Card to a Friend Day Feb. 8Safer Internet Day Feb. 9National Pizza Day Feb. 9National Toothache Day Feb. 10National Home Warranty Day Feb. 11Global Movie Day Feb. 11National Inventor's Day Feb. 12National Pork Rind Day Feb. 12Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 13Galentine's Day Feb. 13National Football Hangover Day Feb. 13National Clean Out Your Computer Day Feb. 14Valentine's Day Feb. 15Single's Awareness Day Feb. 15National Gumdrop Day Feb. 16National Almond Day Feb. 17National Caregivers Day Feb. 17National Random Acts of Kindness Day Feb. 18National Drink Wine Day Feb. 18National Battery Day Feb. 19National Lash Day Feb. 20National Leadership Day Feb. 20National Comfy Day Feb. 20National Muffin Day Feb. 20National Love Your Pet Day Feb. 20President's Day Feb. 21Paczki Day Feb. 21Fat Tuesday Feb. 21National Pancake Day Feb. 21National Grain Free Day Feb. 22National Supermarket Employee Day Feb. 22National Margarita Day Feb. 22Ash Wednesday Feb. 23National Dog Biscuit Day Feb. 23National Toast Day Feb. 23National Chili Day Feb. 23National Tile Day Feb. 24National Tortilla Chip Day Feb. 24National Skip the Straw Day Feb. 25National Clam Chowder Day Feb. 26National Pistachio Day Feb. 27National Strawberry Day Feb. 27National Retro Day Feb. 28National Tooth Fairy Day Feb. 28World Spay Day Feb. 28National Floral Design Day YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Market Your Business With these National Days in January Image: Envato Elements This article, "Market Your Business With These National Days in February" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

National holidays can be a fun and timely way to market a business. There are lots of February national days that may be relevant to various businesses. Here’s a look at some things on the calendar this month. Why should you market your business in February? It’s generally beneficial to market a small business all year. But here are some specific reasons to keep your efforts going during February: Pick up during a slow time: Many consumers are still recovering from the holidays and spending lots of time at home during February. They may need an extra push to patronize your business. Stand out among your competition: Since many businesses are slowing down this month, there may be less noise from your competitors. Use the opportunity to get your business in front of your target audience. Take advantage of gift-giving occasions: Valentine’s Day is one of the most popular February holidays. People often buy gifts for loved ones, so it’s perfect for businesses that sell flowers, chocolates, and more. Help customers with daily habits: After the new year, people are still getting into a daily rhythm. And many are adjusting the high expectations of their resolutions. So there may still be time to tie your products or services into their new routines. Tie your offerings into other national holidays: There are lots of other occasions throughout February that may be relevant to your business. Check the list below. Celebrate These February National Days If you want to promote your business on national days in February, here are some popular ones to consider. Feb. 1 – National Dark Chocolate Day Food bloggers, bakeries, and gift shops can all use this day to offer specials on products or recipes that include this popular ingredient. Feb. 2 – Groundhog Day Did the groundhog see his shadow? Many businesses create fun social media content surrounding this holiday. Feb. 3 – National Carrot Cake Day Restaurants and bakeries may offer free desserts or specials to celebrate this day. Feb 4. – National Israel Day National Israel Day celebrates the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Israeli people. It serves as an opportunity to honor Israel’s history, achievements, and the enduring ties between Israel and communities worldwide. Feb. 5 – World Nutella Day Celebrate Nutella by offering grocery store specials or posting unique recipes online. Feb. 6 – National Frozen Yogurt Day Frozen yogurt shops shine on this day thanks to sales and special events. Feb. 7 – National Send a Card to a Friend Day Gift shops and handmade stationery retailers can gain attention by promoting letter writing. Feb. 8 – Safer Internet Day IT service providers and professional organizations can share helpful tips on this holiday. Feb. 9 – National Pizza Day Pizza shops, grocery stores, and recipe bloggers can celebrate this popular food with fun online content and sales. Feb. 11 – National Inventors Day If you’ve invented a unique product, use this occasion to share your story or tips with other inventors. Feb. 12 – Super Bowl Sunday Much online content revolves around the big game, from snack recipes to events at local sports bars. Feb. 13 – Galentine’s Day This is a day to celebrate female friendships. So gift shops, restaurants, and event venues could create events or sales. Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day is likely the biggest gift-giving occasion in February. So, any business that sells gifts, including restaurants and date night spots, can include this date in marketing materials. Feb. 15 – Singles Awareness Day The day after Valentine’s Day celebrates singles. Some people may go on outings at restaurants or bars with single friends. Feb. 17 – National Caregivers Day Assisted living facilities and other businesses that serve seniors and their families can use this occasion to recognize caregivers. Feb. 18 – National Drink Wine Day Wine shops, restaurants, and bars can offer special promotions for wine lovers. Feb. 20 – Presidents Day Presidents Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February to celebrate George Washington’s birthday. Many businesses give the day off and/or offer specials. Feb. 21 – Fat Tuesday Fat Tuesday is the last day that many people eat fatty, indulgent foods before the start of Lent. Restaurants and bakeries may offer specials. Feb. 22 – National Margarita Day Invite groups into your restaurant and offer specials on Margarita Day. Feb. 24 – National Tortilla Chip Day Tortilla Chip Day may be popular in Mexican restaurants and/or grocery stores. Feb. 28 – National Tooth Fairy Day Dentists and childcare businesses can create fun educational content around this holiday. National Weeks in February You Don’t Want to Miss Some February celebrations last a whole week. Here are some that may be relevant to certain businesses. Feb. 1 – 7 – National Patient Recognition Week Medical offices can post thank you messages or recognize specific patients this week. Feb. 6 – 10 – National Pride in Foodservice Week Engage employees and share stories online or through marketing materials to recruit more top talent. Feb. 6 – 12 – National Freelance Writers Appreciation Week Share messages of appreciation or provide perks to freelancers on your team. Feb. 6 – 12 – International Networking Week Business groups and offices can host networking events to encourage engagement and increase membership. Feb. 12 – 18 – National Secondhand Wardrobe Week Thrift stores, vintage resellers, and content creators can all share the benefits of shopping secondhand and offer fun events and specials. Feb. 14 – 21 – Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Education Week Memory care centers and assisted living communities may host workshops or share helpful tips online for families. Don’t Forget These February Monthly Holidays There are also monthly observances that last throughout February. Businesses may create ongoing promotions or campaigns to spread awareness and tie their content into these. Black History Month Black History Month celebrates the contributions and acknowledges Black Americans’ struggles. Many businesses share educational content online or host workshops. American Heart Month Doctor’s offices and health-related businesses can share heart-healthy recipes and healthy living tips throughout the month. National Cancer Prevention Month This is another opportunity for health-related businesses to share prevention tips. Children’s Dental Health Month Dentist offices can use this as a reminder to schedule appointments and share tips online. Responsible Pet Owner Month Pet care businesses can share tips with customers or offer specials on related products. National Hot Breakfast Month Restaurants can offer breakfast specials all month long. National Snack Food Month Recipe bloggers can share unique snack recipes monthly, or grocery stores may create fun snack displays. What is the month of February known for? February is part of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The most prominent holiday celebrated in the U.S. is Valentine’s Day. It’s also the shortest month of the year, with just 28 days (or 29 on leap years). What should a small business post on social media in February? Social media content is likely to vary depending on your industry and niche. But many businesses tie content into Valentine’s Day or winter. Some also post social justice-related content in recognition of Black History Month. How can you promote your business in February? You can promote your business in February by tying it into different national days, including Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day, and even National Margarita Day. See a complete list of February holidays above. DateHoliday Feb. 1National Dark Chocolate Day Feb. 2Groundhog Day Feb. 2National Girls and Women in Sports Day Feb. 2Optimist Day Feb. 2National Tater Tot Day Feb. 3Bubble Gum Day Feb. 3National Wear Red Day Feb. 4Ice Cream for Breakfast Day Feb. 4National Hemp Day Feb. 5World Nutella Day Feb. 6National Frozen Yogurt Day Feb. 7National Fettuccini Alfredo Day Feb. 7National Send a Card to a Friend Day Feb. 8Safer Internet Day Feb. 9National Pizza Day Feb. 9National Toothache Day Feb. 10National Home Warranty Day Feb. 11Global Movie Day Feb. 11National Inventor's Day Feb. 12National Pork Rind Day Feb. 12Super Bowl Sunday Feb. 13Galentine's Day Feb. 13National Football Hangover Day Feb. 13National Clean Out Your Computer Day Feb. 14Valentine's Day Feb. 15Single's Awareness Day Feb. 15National Gumdrop Day Feb. 16National Almond Day Feb. 17National Caregivers Day Feb. 17National Random Acts of Kindness Day Feb. 18National Drink Wine Day Feb. 18National Battery Day Feb. 19National Lash Day Feb. 20National Leadership Day Feb. 20National Comfy Day Feb. 20National Muffin Day Feb. 20National Love Your Pet Day Feb. 20President's Day Feb. 21Paczki Day Feb. 21Fat Tuesday Feb. 21National Pancake Day Feb. 21National Grain Free Day Feb. 22National Supermarket Employee Day Feb. 22National Margarita Day Feb. 22Ash Wednesday Feb. 23National Dog Biscuit Day Feb. 23National Toast Day Feb. 23National Chili Day Feb. 23National Tile Day Feb. 24National Tortilla Chip Day Feb. 24National Skip the Straw Day Feb. 25National Clam Chowder Day Feb. 26National Pistachio Day Feb. 27National Strawberry Day Feb. 27National Retro Day Feb. 28National Tooth Fairy Day Feb. 28World Spay Day Feb. 28National Floral Design Day YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Market Your Business With these National Days in January Image: Envato Elements This article, "Market Your Business With These National Days in February" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

Sean Duffy, the new transportation secretary, is facing his first major crisis just hours after his swearing-in. Duffy, who was confirmed by the Senate Tuesday, quickly emerged as a public face of the federal government’s response to the deadly plane crash at Reagan National Airport, the closest airport to Washington, D.C. An Army helicopter collided with an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members Wednesday night while the plane was landing, sending it careening into the frigid Potomac River. All onboard are feared dead in what is shaping up to be the deadliest U.S. air crash in decades. “Our new Secretary of Transportation, Sean Duffy — his second day on the job when that happened. That’s a rough one,” Trump said as they appeared together during a White House briefing Thursday. “Great gentleman. Just started. It’s not your fault,” he later said. Here are some things to know about Duffy: He was on scene at the airport and by Trump’s side at the White House Duffy appeared alongside Washington D.C.’s mayor and other local officials at airport briefings overnight and early Thursday, representing the administration. And he joined Trump in the White House briefing room Thursday, where the new president offered prayers to the victims and lamented the tragedy, but also made a series of politically charged accusations that he acknowledged were not based on fact. Duffy began his remarks by complimenting Trump, saying his “leadership has been remarkable during this crisis.” And he assured victims’ loved ones that he was committed to getting to the bottom of what happened as quickly as possible. While Duffy did not explicitly echo Trump’s claims that diversity hiring and lower standards were somehow to blame for the tragedy — it is still unclear exactly what happened to cause the crash – he also did not refute them. “When we deal with safety, we can only accept the best and the brightest in positions of safety that impact the lives of our loved ones, our family members,” Duffy said. “We are going to take responsibility at the Department of Transportation and the FAA, to make sure we have the reforms that have been dictated by President Trump in place to make sure that these mistakes do not happen again.” He’s a former reality TV star, lumberjack and congressman from Wisconsin A former Republican congressman from Wisconsin, Duffy’s résumé includes stints as a lumberjack athlete, reality TV star, prosecutor and Fox News host. He was featured on MTV’s “The Real World: Boston” in 1997 and met his his wife, “Fox & Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy, on the set of MTV’s “Road Rules: All Stars” in 1998. Duffy later worked as a special prosecutor and the district attorney of Ashland County in northern Wisconsin. He won election to Congress as part of the tea party wave in 2010. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who succeeded Duffy in Congress, said he first knew of Duffy when he was a lumberjack in the 1990s before either of them entered politics. “He’s got a big job ahead of him here,” Tiffany said. “It’s jumping right into the frying pan with a situation like this.” An underdog who served nine years When he first ran for Congress, Duffy was considered an underdog. But he attracted national attention with his campaign ads, which featured him dramatically chopping wood while donning a red flannel shirt. He told voters he came from a “long line of lumberjacks” and would bring his axe to Washington. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years. He was member of the Financial Services Committee and chair of the subcommittee on insurance and housing. Fox News defender After leaving Congress in 2019, citing the need to care for his growing family, Duffy became a contributor to Fox News and one of Trump’s most visible defenders on cable television. He served as co-host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business before being picked for the new administration. He was one of several Fox personalities that Trump chose to fill his Cabinet, including Pete Hegseth, the new defense secretary. A father to nine Duffy has nine children, the youngest of whom was born with a heart condition. In announcing his pick, Trump noted that “Sean knows how important it is for families to be able to travel safely, and with peace of mind.” Because of his large family, Duffy will have empathy with the relatives of crash victims, said Mark Graul, a longtime Republican operative in Wisconsin who has known Duffy for more than 25 years. “When you have the size of family he has, empathy is part of the process there,” Graul said. “He’s going to want to bring certainty to everyone who is hurting from this.” Graul said Duffy is an “incredibly decent person” and “very approachable,” which will aid him as he navigates this crash. “His family is the center of his universe and more than most politicians he cares a great deal about being successful,” Graul said. “He doesn’t want to just do things to get attention. He likes having success.” A sprawling agency The Transportation Department oversees the nation’s complex and aging transportation system, including its highways, railroads and airspace. It sets safety standards for trains, cars and trucks. The department regulates the airline industry through the Federal Aviation Administration, which has been grappling with a shortage of air traffic controllers. The agency also includes the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which regulates automakers and sets fuel economy standards for cars and trucks. In his statement announcing the pick, Trump had said Duffy would “prioritize Excellence, Competence, Competitiveness and Beauty when rebuilding America’s highways, tunnels, bridges and airports” and said he would “make our skies safe again by eliminating DEI for pilots and air traffic controllers.” DEI refers to “diversity, equity and inclusion” programs, which Trump has worked to bar through federal action since returning to office. In his first act after his swearing-in, Duffy rolled back fuel mileage standards put in place by the Biden administration. His confirmation hearing During his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Duffy had promised to scrutinize Boeing ’s safety issues and “restore global confidence” in the beleaguered company, as well as to hire more air traffic controllers amid a national shortage. (The plane involved in Wednesday night’s collision was a CRJ-700 manufactured by Canada-based Bombadier.) Duffy also said he would cut DEI programs at the agency and create federal rules for self-driving cars instead of leaving that to a patchwork of state regulations, a key priority of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who is running Trump’s government efficiency effort. Duffy assured lawmakers that he would not interfere in ongoing agency investigations into Musk’s electric car company over the safety of Tesla vehicles. He was approved by a bipartisan 77-22 vote. —Jill Colvin, Associated Press Associated Press writer Scott Bauer contributed to this report. View the full article

Prime Video's original content lineup in February has a little something for everyone, starting with a new comedy series executive produced by the late Normal Lear. Clean Slate (Feb. 6) stars George Wallace and Laverne Cox—who also created and produced the show—as a father-daughter duo working on reconciliation when Cox's character returns home to Alabama as a proud trans woman. Later in the month, Prime Video is premiering the third installment of Reacher (Feb. 20), the crime thriller starring Alan Ritchson as Jack Reacher, a former U.S. Army policeman and the titular character from Lee Child's book series. In season three, Reacher attempts to rescue a DEA informant from the criminal underworld. Also on tap in February is a new comedy special from George Lopez (Muy Católico, Feb. 18), docuseries 50,000 First Dates: A True Love Story (Feb. 11), and My Fault: London (Feb. 13), a YA film adapted from the 2023 Spanish film of the same name and based on the Mercedes Ron novel Culpa mía. Here are all the originals coming to Prime Video in February. What’s coming to Prime Video in February 2025Available February 3Calleja en el espacio (part 1) Available February 6Invincible Clean Slate Available February 7Newtopia Available February 1150,000 First Dates: A True Love Story Available February 13My Fault: London (2025) Broken Rage (2025) Available February 18George Lopez: Muy Católico Available February 20Reacher Available February 24Prime Video Boxing 11 Available February 27House of David Su Majestad View the full article

Has anyone checked in on Hawk Tuah girl? “When are we getting a new Talk Tuah episode? We’re starving for more Talk Tuah,” one X user posted yesterday. “Where is hawk tuah girl. Is she safe. Is she alright,” wrote another. Hailey Welch, better known as the “hawk tuah” girl, has been radio silent online since the end of 2024. That was when her cryptocurrency bombed, leaving her with a lawsuit and a lot of angry fans. Welch’s last post on Instagram, where she has 2.6 million followers, was five weeks ago, her last X post was December 20, and the last episode of the Talk Tuah Podcast aired December 3. Ironically enough, it was titled How To Avoid Getting Cancelled. Welch shot to viral fame when she was interviewed by TimmandDeeTV in Nashville, Tennessee, last year, and responded to one of their questions with the now iconic “hawk tuah” catchphrase. The 22-year-old then parlayed her 15 minutes of fame into a business empire, launching her own merchandise, a successful podcast, and a Gen Z targeted dating app called Pookie Tools. She was everywhere. Then she got involved with cryptocurrency. In early December, Welch announced she would be releasing her own cryptocurrency memecoin called $HAWK, telling Fortune that the effort wasn’t “just a cash grab”. $HAWK token was publicized heavily and quickly rose to a $490 million market cap when launched on December 4. It tanked just as quickly, and its value plunged $440 million in just 20 minutes. Due to how quickly the Hawk Tuah memecoin plummeted in value, some investors claimed Haliey Welch carried out a rug pull (wherein the creator will hype and pump a new token through social media and just when it reaches an all time high in value they’ll abandon the project, with all the investors’ funds). “This is one of the most miserable, horrible launches I’ve ever seen in my life. I’ve been tracing it on chain for a while. You guys generated over $1M in fees while y’all fans got rug-pulled,” said YouTube investigator CoffeeZilla. “This is the worst tokenomics I’ve ever seen and it is a scam.” Last month, Newsweek reported that investors have filed a lawsuit against the people behind the project. Welch’s last post addressing the controversy, posted December 20, said: “I take this situation extremely seriously and want to address my fans, the investors who have been affected and the broader community.” She continued, “I am fully co-operating with and am committed to assisting the legal team representing the individuals impacted, as well as to help uncover the truth, hold the responsible parties accountable and resolve this matter.” Underneath the post, one X user wrote, “Talk tuah lawyer.” View the full article

Levies will be implemented on February 1, White House saysView the full article

For small businesses, spring means one thing: tax season. That means there’s no better time than the present to start getting the necessary paperwork in order. Whether you’re a one-person show or a larger corporation, there are several key dates to be aware of. Not only will you avoid a last-minute rush, you’ll also avoid possible fees or penalties and ensure your business remains in compliance. Businesses with Employees If you had employees or hired independent contractors in 2024, you are required to provide them with the appropriate federal tax forms. For employees who earned wages in 2024, W2 forms must be distributed by Jan. 31, 2025. For independent contractors who earned at least $600 in 2024, you must file a federal 1099-NEC form with the IRS and provide the form to the worker by Jan. 31, 2025. Note that in years past, employers used the 1099-MISC form for both miscellaneous income and non-employee compensation, but it has since been replaced with form 1099-NEC. Small businesses with employees that were required to pay federal and state unemployment taxes during 2024 are also required to report these payments. IRS Form 940, Employer’s Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) Return, must be submitted by Jan. 31, 2025. However, employers that submitted taxes when due have until Feb. 10, 2025. S Corp Election If your business is an LLC or a C Corp, you may be eligible to elect S Corp status for federal income tax purposes. There are many benefits of S Corp status, including the avoidance of double taxation and self-employment taxes. If you’re interested in electing S Corp status, you must act fast. Existing companies with a tax year that began on Jan. 1 have until March 17 to file IRS Form 2553. Businesses that have a fiscal year other than the calendar year have two months and 15 days after the start of their fiscal year to submit the form. Tax Deadlines Staying on top of looming tax deadlines is a best practice for small business owners. Doing so helps you avoid fees and penalties and keeps your business in compliance. Following is a basic summary of due dates. Sole Proprietorship Taxes: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, with an optional extended deadline of Oct. 15, 2025. Partnership Taxes: The 15th day of the third month after the end of the tax year. For partnerships using Dec. 31 as their year-end, that date is March 17, 2025, with an optional extended deadline of Sept. 15, 2025. Limited partnerships must also list their profits and losses on IRS Form 1065 (U.S. Return of Partnership Income). Partnerships must also file Schedule K, which breaks income into different categories. Both general and limited partners must obtain Schedule K-1 from their partnerships for their own tax filings. LLC Taxes: By default, single-member LLCs are taxed as sole proprietorships, so their deadline is April 15, 2025. Multiple-member LLCs are taxed as partnerships, so their deadline is the 15th day of the third month after the end of their tax year. However, LLCs can elect to be taxed as a C Corp or an S Corp, in which case those deadlines apply (see below). C Corporation Taxes: C Corps that operate on a calendar year basis must file IRS Form 1120 by April 15, 2025, with an optional extended deadline of Oct. 15, 2025. C Corps that do not use a calendar year must file by the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of their fiscal year. S Corporation Taxes: LLCs and C Corps can elect to be taxed as S Corporations. Those using a calendar year have until March 17, 2025 to file IRS Form 1120-S with an optional extended deadline of Sept. 15, 2025. For S Corps not operating on a calendar year, the tax filing due date is the 15th day of the third month following the end of their fiscal year. What’s New for 2025 Following is a list of changes that will affect small businesses filing taxes for 2024: The standard mileage rate for business use of a vehicle is 67 cents for the 2024 tax year. The IRS has delayed the requirement that payment apps and online marketplaces issue 1099-K forms to taxpayers who receive over $600 in digital payments. That requirement will be phased in over the next several years. For 2024, third-party settlement organizations (TPSOs) must report transactions over $5,000. Previously, businesses were allowed to deduct 100 percent of meal expenses. Now, that allowance is only 50 percent. Some meals, such as those for events held for employees, customers, or the general public, are fully deductible. Entertainment expenses (such as concert or theater tickets) are no longer deductible. Pass-through business owners may deduct 20 percent of qualified business income for 2024 if their total income is not more than $191,950 (if filing single) or $383,900 (if filing jointly) before the QBI deduction, with some exceptions. The 2022 tax year was the last year where businesses could deduct 100 percent of qualified bonus depreciation for fixed assets. For tax year 2024, the maximum deduction for qualified bonus depreciation for fixed assets is 60 percent, with the deduction decreasing by 20 percent each year in the years to follow. The Section 179 depreciation limit for 2024 is $1,220,000 for federal purposes. States will have varying dollar limits for Section 179 depreciation. Please note vehicles have separate limits for both bonus depreciation and Section 179 depreciation. Small Businesses: Get Ready for Tax Season Now When you’re the owner of a small business, it’s never too soon to start getting ready for tax season. Familiarizing yourself with key dates and changes in tax law ahead of time can go a long way in ensuring tax season goes smoothly. Not only will this help you avoid 11th hour stress, it also ensures you avoid unnecessary fees and penalties. Image: Envato This article, "Small Businesses: Keep On Top of Important Tax Deadlines for 2025" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article

For small businesses, spring means one thing: tax season. That means there’s no better time than the present to start getting the necessary paperwork in order. Whether you’re a one-person show or a larger corporation, there are several key dates to be aware of. Not only will you avoid a last-minute rush, you’ll also avoid possible fees or penalties and ensure your business remains in compliance. Businesses with Employees If you had employees or hired independent contractors in 2024, you are required to provide them with the appropriate federal tax forms. For employees who earned wages in 2024, W2 forms must be distributed by Jan. 31, 2025. For independent contractors who earned at least $600 in 2024, you must file a federal 1099-NEC form with the IRS and provide the form to the worker by Jan. 31, 2025. Note that in years past, employers used the 1099-MISC form for both miscellaneous income and non-employee compensation, but it has since been replaced with form 1099-NEC. Small businesses with employees that were required to pay federal and state unemployment taxes during 2024 are also required to report these payments. IRS Form 940, Employer’s Annual Federal Unemployment Tax Act (FUTA) Return, must be submitted by Jan. 31, 2025. However, employers that submitted taxes when due have until Feb. 10, 2025. S Corp Election If your business is an LLC or a C Corp, you may be eligible to elect S Corp status for federal income tax purposes. There are many benefits of S Corp status, including the avoidance of double taxation and self-employment taxes. If you’re interested in electing S Corp status, you must act fast. Existing companies with a tax year that began on Jan. 1 have until March 17 to file IRS Form 2553. Businesses that have a fiscal year other than the calendar year have two months and 15 days after the start of their fiscal year to submit the form. Tax Deadlines Staying on top of looming tax deadlines is a best practice for small business owners. Doing so helps you avoid fees and penalties and keeps your business in compliance. Following is a basic summary of due dates. Sole Proprietorship Taxes: Tuesday, April 15, 2025, with an optional extended deadline of Oct. 15, 2025. Partnership Taxes: The 15th day of the third month after the end of the tax year. For partnerships using Dec. 31 as their year-end, that date is March 17, 2025, with an optional extended deadline of Sept. 15, 2025. Limited partnerships must also list their profits and losses on IRS Form 1065 (U.S. Return of Partnership Income). Partnerships must also file Schedule K, which breaks income into different categories. Both general and limited partners must obtain Schedule K-1 from their partnerships for their own tax filings. LLC Taxes: By default, single-member LLCs are taxed as sole proprietorships, so their deadline is April 15, 2025. Multiple-member LLCs are taxed as partnerships, so their deadline is the 15th day of the third month after the end of their tax year. However, LLCs can elect to be taxed as a C Corp or an S Corp, in which case those deadlines apply (see below). C Corporation Taxes: C Corps that operate on a calendar year basis must file IRS Form 1120 by April 15, 2025, with an optional extended deadline of Oct. 15, 2025. C Corps that do not use a calendar year must file by the 15th day of the fourth month following the end of their fiscal year. S Corporation Taxes: LLCs and C Corps can elect to be taxed as S Corporations. Those using a calendar year have until March 17, 2025 to file IRS Form 1120-S with an optional extended deadline of Sept. 15, 2025. For S Corps not operating on a calendar year, the tax filing due date is the 15th day of the third month following the end of their fiscal year. What’s New for 2025 Following is a list of changes that will affect small businesses filing taxes for 2024: The standard mileage rate for business use of a vehicle is 67 cents for the 2024 tax year. The IRS has delayed the requirement that payment apps and online marketplaces issue 1099-K forms to taxpayers who receive over $600 in digital payments. That requirement will be phased in over the next several years. For 2024, third-party settlement organizations (TPSOs) must report transactions over $5,000. Previously, businesses were allowed to deduct 100 percent of meal expenses. Now, that allowance is only 50 percent. Some meals, such as those for events held for employees, customers, or the general public, are fully deductible. Entertainment expenses (such as concert or theater tickets) are no longer deductible. Pass-through business owners may deduct 20 percent of qualified business income for 2024 if their total income is not more than $191,950 (if filing single) or $383,900 (if filing jointly) before the QBI deduction, with some exceptions. The 2022 tax year was the last year where businesses could deduct 100 percent of qualified bonus depreciation for fixed assets. For tax year 2024, the maximum deduction for qualified bonus depreciation for fixed assets is 60 percent, with the deduction decreasing by 20 percent each year in the years to follow. The Section 179 depreciation limit for 2024 is $1,220,000 for federal purposes. States will have varying dollar limits for Section 179 depreciation. Please note vehicles have separate limits for both bonus depreciation and Section 179 depreciation. Small Businesses: Get Ready for Tax Season Now When you’re the owner of a small business, it’s never too soon to start getting ready for tax season. Familiarizing yourself with key dates and changes in tax law ahead of time can go a long way in ensuring tax season goes smoothly. Not only will this help you avoid 11th hour stress, it also ensures you avoid unnecessary fees and penalties. Image: Envato This article, "Small Businesses: Keep On Top of Important Tax Deadlines for 2025" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article