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Manufacturing, retail and food sectors highlight coming shocks after duties on Canada, Mexico and China are imposed View the full article

Target and Best Buy, two of the country’s largest retail chains, warned their prices will increase after President Donald Trump’s 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada went into effect on Tuesday, sending the stock market plunging over 650 points and shock waves through the financial system. Adding fuel to the fire, Trump also said he would double tariffs on all Chinese imports from 10% to 20%. The move prompted Canada and China, two key trading partners, to swiftly retaliate with their own tariffs, igniting what many are calling a global trade war. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada would also put a 25% levy on U.S. goods, while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Mexico plans to announce similar measures this weekend. Canada, Mexico, and China together are responsible for over 40% of all imports by value to American consumers. The Trump administration went ahead with the tariffs, despite experts warning the measures would raise already skyrocketing prices. And American consumers aren’t happy: 74% believe tariffs will lead to higher prices, and 44% think tariffs will impact their finances negatively, according to a LendingTree study that analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data. Which companies and industries are likely to raise prices? Target CEO Brian Cornell said the tariffs could force the company to raise prices this week, because the chain imports much of its fruit and vegetables from Mexico during the winter, per CNN. “We’ll try to protect pricing, but the consumer will likely see price increases over the next couple of days,” Cornell said. The U.S. imports $46 billion of agricultural products from Mexico, according to USDA data, with fresh fruit, beer, and avocados topping the list. Meanwhile, Chipotle, which sources about half of its avocados from Mexico, told NBC News it intends to absorb the costs of the tariffs. Electronics makers are also getting caught in the crosshairs. On Tuesday’s earnings call, Best Buy’s CEO Corie Barry said prices were “highly likely” to increase due to the tariffs on China and Mexico, as vendors “will pass along some level of tariff costs to retailers, making price increases for American consumers.” Barry said this is because “the consumer electronic supply chain is highly global, technical and complex,” and its two top sources for those products are China (55%) and Mexico (20%). The news sent shares plunging, down more than 15% (NYSE: BBY) after the morning bell on Tuesday, despite strong fourth-quarter earnings that topped expectations. Another place where Americans could see prices increases is the U.S. automotive industry, which relies heavily on parts from abroad. One industry analyst, Daniel Roeska, said he expects to see “severe disruptions” in profits and supply chains. In fact, the tariffs could add as much as $12,000 to the price of a new car, according to a report from the Anderson Economic Group as reported by NBC News. The American Automotive Policy Council, which represents GM, Ford, and Stellantis, said that their vehicles and parts should be exempt from the tariffs based on negotiations during Trump’s first term. Despite that, shares of Ford (NYSE:F) and General Motors (NYSE:GM), which were already down on tariff fears, dropped more than 2% and 3% respectively on Tuesday. AutoZone CEO Philip Daniele also said in September the auto-parts company would “pass those tariff costs back to the consumer.” So did Columbia Sportswear CEO Timothy Boyle, who told The Washington Post last fall that the company will “just raise the prices. . . . It’s going to be very, very difficult to keep products affordable for Americans.” States most vulnerable to Trump’s tariffs Keeping those products affordable could be harder in some states, like Montana, New Mexico, and Vermont. The LendingTree study found those three states, which get at least two-thirds of their imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, are the most likely U.S. states to be affected by the tariff wars. View the full article

After the president announced tariffs would go into effect—sparking a trade war that sent the S&P 500 plummeting 1.8% on Monday—a new meme has begun taking hold on Bluesky: Trump Take Nest Egg. It’s being delivered in context-free drops, in response to tariff-centric news clips, and accompanied by screenshots of the stock market declining in real time. While the loaded phrase may leave some observers scratching their heads, it should be instantly recognizable to many folks who have spent too much time online lately—particularly on Bluesky, where the simple line, “Trump take egg,” has become the go-to meme for commenting on the president’s chaotic second term. The Tarzan-esque catchphrase began as a way to highlight Trump’s ownership of the recent egg shortage and subsequent price surge. Joe Biden’s critics spent much of the former president’s lone term blaming him for grocery store sticker shock; now, the shoe is firmly on the other foot (especially after the Trump administration made moves like accidentally firing the team responsible for curbing bird flu, which may have directly affected egg prices). Trump Take Nest Egg, the latest iteration of what may be 2025’s most infectious phrase, isn’t the first time it’s evolved. Though originally used as a caption for photos of depleted store shelves, and still frequently deployed that way, the cadence of the phrase quickly spread to other Trump-related topics. When the president sought to end New York City’s congestion pricing program recently, Blueskiers wrote “Trump cause traffic. As the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) seemingly fed whole segments of the federal government to the wood chipper, it was “Trump take job.” Some have used the phrase to comment on Trump’s broken promises around IVF treatment, which was highlighted in a viral Washington Post profile recently. And of course, many have used the phrase to comment on the abundance of recent plane crashes and near misses. Over the past month, “Trump take egg” has become a Swiss Army Knife of a meme that has reverberated widely online and off. It’s as if social media is putting all their Trump-related memes in one basket. “It’s been amazing to see the egg meme organically evolve like it has,” says Michael Tae Sweeney, the Daytime Emmy-winning TV and film editor who created it and has egged it on every step of the way. “Not just the many variations like ‘Trump take nest egg’ but also seeing examples of it out in the real world–people holding ‘Trump take egg’ signs at protests, or even slapping ‘Trump take egg’ stickers on empty supermarket egg cases.” The “nest egg” iteration, however, might be the purest and potentially most resonant distillation of the idea since it initially hatched. While Trump and Elon Musk have both previously admitted there could be temporary “pain” from the retaliatory tariffs, many of their already-pressed constituents are ill-equipped to weather it. Sweeney’s hope, though, is that those consumers will soon have more proactive defenders, armed with better messaging around Trump’s actions. “With a few notable exceptions like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and JB Pritzker, Democratic politicians have so far been unable or unwilling to lend their supporters effective language to express the pain and frustration we’re feeling with Trump’s incompetent and destructive economic policies,” he says. “That it’s fallen to random idiots like me to step in isn’t great.” Of course, no amount of posting on social media will make the president reconsider his least popular economic initiatives. But it’s not yet clear if Trump Take Nest Egg signifies the beginning of a bigger offline movement. Scrappy grassroots catchphrases have certainly morphed into nationwide rallying cries before. (“Let’s go, Brandon”, for instance, made its way to Congress.) As variations on “Trump take egg” burrow into national consciousness, and the anger behind them becomes more visible, it could wind up translating into more public protests. And that might be what it takes for Trump’s love of tariffs to crack. View the full article

The internet posts and side projects of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) worker Jordan Wick could give some clues for how Musk’s efficiency group might attempt to use AI to downsize and retool the government. During the last half of February, Wick, who has a DOGE email account associated with the Executive Office of the President and now is embedded in the General Services Administration (GSA), posted to his GitHub page the code for several tools that appeared to be related to DOGE’s work. The page was discovered by political reporter Roger Sollenberger at the end of last month. Wick posted the code for a tool that automatically downloads DMs from Twitter accounts. The code specifies Twitter accounts, which existed only until the social platform rebranded to “X” in October 2023, suggesting the possibility that the tool could be used to search through the digital past of government employees looking for disagreeable opinions or references. Another tool appeared to be designed for collecting sensitive data from government agency org charts. The tool contained fields for capturing the employee’s office, a 1-5 satisfaction rating, union status, and whether or not their position is statutorily mandated. Both the Twitter DM and org chart tools could be used to capture and structure data for use in an AI model. One source within the GSA believes the sensitive data collected by the tools could be used in a “potential AI federal employee evaluation/firing-bot.” Wick has now set his GitHub account to private. (DOGE didn’t immediately respond to Fast Company’s request for comment on Wick’s GitHub posts.) Wick’s tools appear to be designed for evaluating and firing more federal employees, but his professional background suggests a deep interest in modernizing government IT systems using AI. After graduating from MIT in 2020 and working at the self-driving car company Waymo, Wick cofounded (with ex-Palantir employee Anthony Jancso) Accelerate SF, which put on hackathons looking for ways to use large language models to improve local government services in San Francisco. In 2024, Accelerate SF renamed itself AccelerateX and began courting federal agency contracts with its own “modern OS for government.” A recruiting post on X said the company hopes to use AI to reduce expenditures, automate tedious work, and help interpret government policy language. AccelerateX claimed last May that it already had contracts with “two of the largest transportation agencies in America,” but a search for the company’s name in the federal procurement database came up empty. Those contracts could be with local or state governments. (AccelerateX did not respond to Fast Company’s request for comment.) One key challenge of using AI tools to streamline the government is that they must be deftly integrated into existing mission-critical systems—some of them old and brittle like the COBOL-coded mainframe systems used to process Social Security payments. Any interruption to those legacy systems could deprive millions of people of benefits they depend on to live. And there are many such systems active in the government. View the full article

Chancellor-to-be moves to relax debt brake in ‘sea change’ from country’s conservative approach to borrowingView the full article

Projects are made up of tasks. Each of those tasks needs to be completed to meet certain quality standards. However, they also have to be done safely and, often, under specific conditions or regulatory requirements. A method statement is a document that ensures tasks check these boxes. We’ll explain what a method statement is, when it should be used and what should be included to help with writing one. To ensure that nothing is left out of this process, readers can also download a free method statement template to help them get started. What Is a Method Statement? A method statement is a document that outlines the step-by-step process for completing a specific task or activity in a project while ensuring safety, quality and compliance with regulations. It provides clear instructions on how work should be carried out, the equipment and materials required and the health and safety measures to be followed. Method statements are commonly used in construction, engineering, manufacturing and high-risk industries, where detailed planning and risk management are essential. They help workers understand their responsibilities, minimize hazards and ensure that work is performed consistently and efficiently. When project teams follow a well-structured method statement, they can reduce risks, improve efficiency and ensure compliance with industry standards. The method statement sets up the parameters, but project management software takes those instructions and puts them into practical use. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software with multiple project views so that the project manager and their teams have the right tools at hand to do their job as defined by the method statement. This includes scheduling tasks, resources and costs on robust Gantt charts that link all four types of task dependencies to avoid delays and cost overruns. Our Gantt chart also filters for the critical path to identify essential tasks. Then it sets a baseline to track planned against actual effort in real time. That gives project managers the tools they need to plan, manage and track work. Those plans are shared across the software, allowing various teams to choose the right feature to get their tasks done. They can use the visual workflow of a kanban board or task lists that prioritize and add tags and comments to better collaborate with others. Stakeholders can see progress by using our calendar view. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. /wp-content/uploads/2024/04/critical-path-light-mode-gantt-construction-CTA.pngProjectManager’s Gantt chart plans, executes and tracks what the method statement documents. Learn more When to Use a Method Statement A method statement should be used whenever a task or process requires detailed instructions to ensure consistency, safety and compliance. It is particularly useful in projects or operations where risks must be minimized, quality must be maintained and clear guidance is needed. Below are some key scenarios where method statements are essential. Business Process Improvement In business process improvement initiatives, method statements help document standardized procedures for optimizing workflows. They provide a structured approach to streamlining operations, reducing inefficiencies and ensuring that employees follow best practices when implementing new processes. Project Management Method statements play a critical role in project management, particularly in industries like construction, IT and engineering. They outline the exact steps for executing tasks, ensuring that project activities are completed safely, on time and according to specifications. This helps manage risks, improve coordination and maintain compliance with regulatory standards. Operations Management In day-to-day operations, method statements help businesses maintain consistency, quality and safety in routine tasks. Whether in manufacturing, logistics or facility management, these documents ensure that employees follow the correct procedures, reducing errors and improving overall efficiency. Using a method statement in these scenarios helps maintain control, accountability and compliance so that work is carried out effectively and safely. /wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Method-statement-template-featured-image.jpg Get your free Method Statement Template Use this free Method Statement Template for Word to manage your projects better. Download Word File What Should Be Included in a Method Statement? A method statement is a detailed document that outlines the correct way to perform a task while ensuring safety, efficiency and compliance. It serves as a guide for workers, project managers and safety officers, helping to minimize risks and maintain quality. Below are the key components that should be included. Project Details This section provides basic information about the project, including the project name, location, start date and key stakeholders involved. It sets the context for the method statement. Scope of Work The scope of work defines the task or process, including specific activities, deliverables and any limitations or exclusions. This ensures that all parties understand the extent of the work. Roles and Responsibilities Identifies key personnel involved in executing and overseeing the task. This includes project managers, supervisors, workers and safety officers to ensure accountability at every stage. Step-by-Step Procedure This is a detailed, sequential breakdown of how the task should be performed. It includes instructions on equipment use, materials required and technical processes to follow. Risk Assessment Outlines potential hazards associated with the task and the measures in place to mitigate these risks. This helps ensure a safe working environment. Resource Requirements This section lists the materials, tools, equipment and workforce needed to complete the task efficiently. This ensures proper planning and resource allocation. Safety Measures Safety measures detail the health and safety protocols workers must follow, such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe work practices and adherence to regulatory standards. Emergency Procedures In this section of a method statement, the steps to take in case of an accident, fire, equipment failure or other emergencies are outlined. It ensures that workers know how to respond to critical situations. Quality Control Parameters These parameters define the standards and criteria that must be met to ensure the task is completed to the required quality. It may include inspections, testing and approval processes. A well-prepared method statement helps ensure efficiency, safety and compliance in any project or operational task. Method Statement Template This free method statement template for Word allows organizations to define the tasks, resources, safety measures and other important details required to standardize workflows and operational procedures. /wp-content/uploads/2025/02/method-statement-template-600x626.png Method Statement Example To better understand how a method statement works, let’s review the process in a real-life scenario. In the below example, we’re imagining a building that needs a window installation, a process that requires safety procedures and adherence to building codes. Project Details The method statement begins with high-level information, such as location, date, etc. Process Name: Installation of Glass Window Panels Location: ABC Office Building, 456 Business Avenue Reference Number: WIN-002 Project Manager: Mark Johnson Date of Issue: February 14, 2025 Scope of Work This method statement outlines the process for installing glass window panels into the designated openings of the building. The work includes the safe handling, fitting and securing of window panels according to project specifications. Roles and Responsibilities Everyone involved in the window installation will be mentioned in the method statement, as will their roles in the procedure. Project Manager: Oversee the installation process and ensure all safety and quality standards are met. Site Supervisor: Supervise installation teams and ensure compliance with the method statement. Window Installer: Carry out the installation of glass panels to ensure they are fitted properly and securely. Safety Officer: Monitor safety practices, provide training and ensure workers use proper personal protective equipment (PPE). Quality Control Inspector: Inspect the installed panels for quality, alignment and proper sealing. Step-by-Step Procedure At this point, the process is outlined in detail to ensure that the work is being performed correctly, safely and to code requirements. 1. Preparation Verify the glass panel dimensions and ensure they match the required sizes for each window opening. Prepare the installation area, including cleaning the window frames and ensuring they are free of debris. 2. Handling and Transporting Glass Panels Use proper lifting equipment (e.g., suction cups, cranes) to lift and transport glass panels to the installation area. Ensure workers are trained in safe handling techniques to avoid injury or damage to glass panels. 3. Window Panel Installation Carefully position the glass panel within the window frame using a lifting team. Check the alignment of the panel to ensure it fits properly within the frame. Secure the glass panel using the appropriate fasteners and sealants. 4. Sealing and Finishing: Apply sealant around the edges of the window frame to prevent water and air infiltration. Ensure the panel is securely fastened and check for any gaps or misalignments. 5. Post-Installation Inspection: Inspect each window panel for proper installation, including the sealant application and verify the alignment and functionality of opening mechanisms (if applicable). Clean the glass surfaces to remove any smudges, fingerprints or installation debris. Risk Assessment One of the purposes of a method statement is to reduce risk. Therefore, this section identifies the risks associated with this procedure for those involved to be aware of them and, hopefully, avoid them. Risk of Falling Glass: Glass panels can fall and cause injury or damage. Mitigation: Use appropriate lifting equipment, team members and safety barriers to protect the area. Injury During Handling: Risk of cuts or crush injuries during glass handling. Mitigation: Ensure all workers wear gloves, safety goggles and other necessary PPE. Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards: The work area may have debris or wet conditions. Mitigation: Maintain a clean and dry work area, use proper footwear and install warning signs. Resource Requirements Every task requires human and nonhuman resources. This section of the method statement will list all the resources required to complete the task. Personnel: Four window installers, one site supervisor, one safety officer, one quality control inspector. Equipment: Cranes, suction cups, scaffolding, lifting straps, power tools, sealant applicators, PPE (gloves, goggles, hard hats). Materials: Glass panels, fasteners, sealants, cleaning materials. Safety Measures Because installing windows in a building can be dangerous, this part of the method statement details how the workers will execute the task to reduce the possibility of injury. Workers must wear PPE at all times, including gloves, hard hats, safety boots and eye protection. Glass handling equipment must be regularly inspected to ensure it’s in good working condition. Set up safety barriers around the installation area to prevent unauthorized access and protect workers below. Perform regular safety checks before beginning each stage of the installation process. Emergency Procedures If there’s an emergency, the method statement is prepared. This section lists those issues and how to mitigate or respond to them. Injury: Apply first aid and immediately call emergency medical services for serious injuries. Glass Breakage: If glass breaks during installation, clear the area immediately, wear proper gloves and dispose of broken glass safely. Fire: In case of fire, evacuate the area and activate the building’s fire suppression system. Falling Objects: If glass panels or equipment fall, stop work and inspect safety measures before resuming. Quality Control Parameters The method statement also ensures that the deliverable will meet quality standards. This section ensures that’s the case. Panel Alignment: Ensure the glass panels are aligned properly within the window frame, with equal spacing on all sides. Sealing: Verify that the sealant is applied evenly and completely to prevent water infiltration. Cleaning: Ensure that all glass panels are free from fingerprints, smudges or other installation marks. Functionality: Check that windows open and close smoothly (if applicable) and that hardware is properly installed. Related Project Management Templates There are other free templates beyond the free method statement template that can help with managing project management processes. We have over 100 free project management templates for Excel and Word that cover all aspects of managing a project across multiple industries. Download these to help deliver successful projects. Standard Operating Procedure Template A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a set of instructions that direct an organization or project team on how to do a task. This free standard operation procedure template for Word is simpler to the method statement template and can help deliver more successful projects. Process Map Template Use this free process map template for Excel to improve efficiency, reduce efforts and ensure consistency in operations. This will help organizations visualize workflows, identify inefficiencies and optimize processes to improve collaboration and decision-making. SIPOC Template SIPOC is an acronym for suppliers, inputs, processes, outputs and customers. Use this free SIPOC template for Excel to diagram business processes from start to finish. Doing this before implementation helps managers make better decisions and gives teams a better understanding of the process. How ProjectManager Helps Manage Projects From Start to Finish Templates are useful when exploring a process and how to ensure that it covers all the bases in terms of being done correctly and safely and meeting requirements and regulations. However, templates fall short when it comes time to plan, manage and track that work. That’s because templates are just static Excel documents that aren’t equipped to handle dynamic project management. For that, use project management software. ProjectManager is award-winning project and portfolio management software that helps plan projects and execute them across multiple project views but also manages resources and track progress, cost and performance in real time. Robust Resource Management Keeps Teams Productive Once the method statement is completed, resources are scheduled on the Gantt chart and teams are onboarded. During this process, our software allows project managers to set their team’s availability, including PTO, vacation, global holidays and skill sets to make assigning them tasks easier. Then toggle to the color-coded workload chart to get an overview of resource allocation and see who is overallocated or underutilized. From that chart, project managers can balance workloads to keep teams working at capacity while avoiding burnout. There’s even a team page to get a daily or weekly summary of the team’s activities. /wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Team-Light-2554x1372-1.png Real-time Project Management Dashboards and Reports To make sure the project is moving forward as planned, project managers can get a high-level view of the progress and performance on real-time project or portfolio dashboards. They take live data and display it on easy-to-read graphs and charts that show time, cost, workload and more. Customizable reports on project status, portfolio status, variance, timesheets, workload and more go deeper into the data or can be filtered for a more general view to share with stakeholders. Even our secure timesheets, which streamline payroll, help by tracking labor costs to keep the project within its budget. /wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Dashboard-light-mode.jpgRelated Content For those who want to read more about project management and how it helps to deliver successful projects, follow the links below. They lead to related topics that have recently been published to our blog. How to Write a Scope of Work Project Scope Statement: How to Write One With Examples What to Include In a Construction Daily Report Free Construction Daily Report Template for Excel ProjectManager is online project and portfolio management software that connects teams whether they’re in the office, out in the field or on the job site. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Join teams at Avis, Nestle and Siemens who use our software to deliver successful projects. Get started with ProjectManager today for free. The post How to Write a Method Statement: Example & Template Included appeared first on ProjectManager. View the full article

There's a lot of talk online these days about hiding Copilot in Windows and tools that can remove it entirely. There's a reason for that: Some people are annoyed with AI and would prefer not to deal with it. Despite this trend, Microsoft recently launched Copilot for Mac, for some reason. While Windows users are looking to remove Microsoft's AI tool from their machines, Mac users are invited to actively install it on theirs. So, in the interest of fairness, I am going to take the exact opposite approach to hiding Copilot in Windows: setting up Copilot on your Mac. The thing is, unless you really love Copilot, you probably shouldn't use this app. Copilot for Mac is about what you'd expectCopilot for Mac is basically the web version of Copilot in a dedicated Mac window. You can sign into your Microsoft account and start talking with the virtual assistant right away. There are a few Mac-specific features here: The first is a system-wide keyboard shortcut, Option-Space, for quickly sending a message to Copilot in a little pop-up overlay. (You can change the keyboard shortcut if you want.) This is not unlike how ChatGPT's launcher works on its desktop app. Credit: Justin Pot There's also a menu bar icon you can click to bring up this same pop-up. The application respects your Mac's Appearance setting, meaning if you switch to Dark Mode so will Copilot. And that's honestly most of the Mac integration features offered. Unlike ChatGPT's Mac app, there's no screenshot button, which is a bit of a disappointment—that feature lets you ask ChatGPT about things currently on your screen. With Copilot, you'll have to take the screenshot and upload it yourself. If you don't care about this keyboard shortcut you could just as easily use the web version of Copilot and not notice the difference. You can use Copilot to do pretty much all of the usual stuff you associate with other large language model chatbots, like ChatGPT or Claude—everything from coding, to research, to cheating on homework. The free version of Copilot, notably, has access to current information from the web, meaning you can ask it about current events and sports. But there aren't a lot of Mac-specific reasons to install the app. For the sake of comparison, here is the Mac version (spouting widely-reported misinformation about the NHL trade deadline): Credit: Justin Pot And here's the Windows version (which seems to have decent taste in Game Boy Advance games): Credit: Justin Pot Yeah, they're the same. If you like Copilot on Windows, you'll like it on Mac. If you haven't tried Copilot, and are curious, maybe try the web version first. It's essentially the same, and won't take up any space on your hard drive. View the full article

For many new mothers, one of the most mysterious and elusive parts of breastfeeding is the latch. While some babies’ mouths manage to automatically make an airtight seal around their mother’s nipple, others can have difficulties, or physical impediments, that make achieving good suction and proper nursing almost impossible. One solution care providers have offered is the nipple shield, a cuplike perforated silicone device that fits on top of a mother’s nipple and areola and improves the way babies make their latch. It’s typically a short-term method for addressing issues ranging from tongue-ties to flat nipples to engorgement. The problem with nipple shields—and even for those nursing mothers and babies with a textbook latch—is that it can be hard for moms to know when milk is actually flowing. [Photo: Munchkin] Baby brand Munchkin is trying to eliminate some of that mystery with the Flow Nipple Shield +, a new baby nutrition device that works like a conventional nipple shield but which also has an innovative extended channel for the milk to flow through, offering mothers a visual confirmation that babies are successfully latched and effectively nursing. Steven B. Dunn, founder and CEO of WHY Brands, Munchkin’s parent company, says the device addresses some of the literal pain points of breastfeeding while aiming at a bigger target. “We describe our product as a nipple shield because it helps explain to mom what it is. We’re not selling a product to reduce pain, though it does reduce pain just like another nipple shield. We’re creating and designing a new category,” Dunn says. “This is a breastfeeding insight tool.” [Photo: Munchkin] The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusively breastfeeding newborns for the first six months of life, and supports continued breastfeeding for the first two years of life. But according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, only about 60% of babies in the U.S. are still breastfeeding at six months, and only about a quarter of babies are exclusively breastfed for the first six months. Part of the shortage is that many mothers think they aren’t able to breastfeed effectively. A 2013 study from Pediatrics found that a perception of insufficient milk supply was the leading reason mothers stopped breastfeeding, despite only 5% of mothers actually having those symptoms. That perception led to 60% of mothers stopping breastfeeding earlier than they wanted to. In the face of these numbers, Munchkin saw an opportunity to give mothers more information about what was actually happening during the breastfeeding process. The innovation of the Flow Nipple Shield + is a unique milk channel that brings milk on a looping path from the nipple to the baby’s mouth, jutting out from the latch zone so that a mother (or other observer) can easily see milk moving through. “This channel, the width, and dimensions of it, went through a lot of test and learn, test, and learn,” says Dunn. “It was probably the most difficult product to manufacture in Munchkin’s 30-year history.” The nipple shield’s design has been in development for almost a decade. Munchkin’s design and product teams worked with lactation consultants and engineers to fine-tune the form of the device, and to ensure the milk channel was long enough to provide visual confirmation without making it too hard for babies to get the milk all the way through. They also worked to reduce its overall size. “We purposely made the product as thin as possible with food grade silicone to maximize the skin-to-skin contact between mom and baby,” Dunn says. [Photo: Munchkin] During product development, Munchkin launched a 12-month clinical trial of the device, to gauge its effectiveness in encouraging more breastfeeding. Among the 301 participants in the trial, more than 93% were still breastfeeding at the six-month mark. “Our research shows that if moms get confident, especially in the first month of breastfeeding, they’re much more likely to continue,” Dunn says. Available in four sizes, the Flow Nipple Shield + retails for $40 and includes a special syringe for cleaning the surface and the milk channel. The device will be available in the U.S., Canada, France, and the United Kingdom. “It’s probably the largest global campaign we’ll ever do,” says Diana Barnes, chief brand officer at WHY. But the nature of the product has also posed a problem for its marketing. The best way to explain the product, Barnes says, is to show it being used during breastfeeding, which requires at least partial exposure of a breast. “Some vendors have chosen not to show our assets,” says Barnes. “I was actually quite disappointed.” That hasn’t stopped the company from pursuing ad placements around the world, including in Times Square. “Our goal is to normalize what is the most natural thing to women since the beginning of time,” Barnes says. The Flow Nipple Shield + is an attempt to make that natural process less mysterious and frustrating. “We do not want to be preachy. We don’t want to push. If mom’s goal is a day, if mom’s goal is a month, or six months, or a year, we want to do whatever we can do to provide insights,” Dunn says. “This just shows your milk is flowing, your milk is not flowing. It’s a green light or red light. And we think that information is so key for mom making her choices, whatever it’s going to be.” View the full article

NetSuite is a powerful all-in-one solution for your organization, but does it have all the data you need? Your teams rely on tons of data to close high-priority projects, navigate obstacles to your organization’s growth, and ensure a consistent, high-quality experience for customers and clients. That’s why many teams trust NetSuite Connector to integrate this popular platform with a dozen data sources. Let’s explore this tool, see what it can do for you, and find out if it’s the solution you need. What is NetSuite Connector? NetSuite Connector is a built-in integration solution that allows NetSuite users to connect all systems involved in managing their ecommerce business. By centralizing data from these systems in NetSuite, merchants can standardize and improve the customer experience at all stages of fulfillment. Order information can be pulled from marketplaces like Shopify, customer information from CRM software like Salesforce, and shipping data from a third-party logistics partner. That makes NetSuite your central hub for running every aspect of your ecommerce business, whether you’re a solopreneur or an enterprise-sized organization with sales throughout the world. For most integrations supported by NetSuite Connector, setting up your integration is as simple as: Logging into NetSuite Connector. Clicking on the connector and account you want to integrate on the left menu. Go to Settings, then Credentials. Configure the account you want to connect. For example, if you were integrating Shopify, you would enter your shop’s name in the Shopify Shop Name field. Click Save Settings then Authorize Account. This ease of setup makes NetSuite Connector an attractive option for merchants looking to centralize their ecommerce data. But is it necessarily the best option? What are some drawbacks of NetSuite Connector? While NetSuite Connector is easy to set up and has the advantage of being native to your NetSuite environment, it does have some drawbacks. Limited customizability NetSuite Connector offers a basic integration option when compared to other providers. Without direct intervention from the support team, these integrations can’t be fully customized the way an iPaaS platform like Unito can. If your needs fall beyond the scope of NetSuite Connector’s basic functionality, you’ll struggle to get value out of its integrations. Limited integrations Because of its focus on ecommerce, NetSuite Connector is only really suited for organizations that sell products online directly to customers. Project managers, salespeople, and software developers won’t find the integrations they need here. But even ecommerce merchants may not find the integration they need. NetSuite Connector only supports: Shopify BigCommerce Adobe Commerce WooCommerce Amazon Seller Central Amazon Vendor Central eBay Walmart Salesforce ShipStation Amazon MCF Oracle Symphony POS That’s only a total of 12 integrations, fairly limited compared to other integration solutions. It only supports cloud-based systems While most ecommerce platforms are cloud-based, tools like Salesforce can be used on-premise for enhanced security and data governance. Since NetSuite Connector only supports cloud-based tools, you won’t be able to use its integrations with your on-premise installations. This alone can be a dealbreaker for some organizations. What are some other NetSuite integration options? NetSuite Connector is far from the only option available, whether you need to sync ecommerce tools or other systems your organization depends on day to day. Most of these options are also found in NetSuite, while another is hands-down your best option for building a true 2-way sync from NetSuite to dozens of other tools. Built-in NetSuite options If you don’t want to leave NetSuite to integrate your systems, here are your options: SuiteCloud Platform Integration: This platform allows your software developers and engineers to design, test, and deploy custom integrations for the tools you rely on most. Its main advantage is that it can support both cloud and on-premise tools. That being said, it can require some significant investment of technical resources depending on your needs. NetSuite Data Warehouse: If you’re looking for a solution that’ll centralize data from throughout your NetSuite apps, imported CSV files, and more, then this might be the solution for you. While it’s not quite the same thing as NetSuite Connector’s simpler integrations, it’s a powerful option for building your data integration infrastructure. SuiteApp.com: NetSuite’s marketplace for third-party apps has fifty apps specifically for integrating NetSuite with other tools. Examples of available integration include Jira, Bill, Outlook, and Square. Other automation and integration options If you think you need a third-party integration solution to connect NetSuite with other systems, you can look at the following: Zapier: This automation solution is easy to set up and troubleshoot, though it only supports basic one-way automations. These automations can be chained in succession to support more complex workflows, but this requires some degree of technical skill. HubSpot Data Sync: If HubSpot is a lynchpin for your workflows, then its built-in Data Sync functionality may be a strong option for integrating it with NetSuite. Note that this won’t support connections from NetSuite to other systems, however. Tray.io: This option is what’s known as an iPaaS (integration platform as a service), an all-in-one platform for integrating multiple tools. It supports hundreds of integrations, though these integrations aren’t as deep as those provided by other options. While these choices can all help you set up automations with varying degrees of difficulty, there’s only one platform that powers a true 2-way sync between NetSuite and other systems with robust customizability and a faster deployment than the competition. Unito: your best option for integrating NetSuite Unito is a robust and customizable 2-way sync solution for NetSuite and dozens of other tools, including Jira, ServiceNow, Smartsheet, and Asana. You don’t need to invest any technical resources into deploying Unito. Most Unito users don’t come from technical backgrounds, and their teams start seeing results in days instead of months. Unito flows build two-way relationships between NetSuite and other tools, allowing your work to flow seamlessly between tasks, deals, contacts, and more. Want to see what Unito flows can do for your teams? Meet with our team and find out. Book a demo View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. It's a good time to shop for portable projectors, with the Nebula Capsule 3 GTV projector down to its lowest price and now the more powerful Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air going for $419.99 (originally $599.99), also its lowest price, according to price-tracking tools. Both of these projectors are portable, but the Nebula Mars 3 Air is more suitable for outdoor use. Nebula Mars 3 Air GTV Projector Brightness: 400 lumens, Native Resolution: 1080p, Max Resolution: 3840 by 2160. $419.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $180.00 Get Deal Get Deal $419.99 at Amazon $599.99 Save $180.00 The Nebula Mars 3 Air came out last August to an "average" review from PCMag due to its auto-focus feature (keystone) being finicky and the image being darker when watching 1080p SDR input content. However, it's still a great portable projector for the right person. This projector has 1080p resolution and supports 4K HDR input, and like the Nebula Capsule 3, it has a built-in Google TV with the Netflix app, which not a lot of other portable projectors offer. Google TV is also my favorite smart TV OS for projectors since you can cast your smartphone using the Chromecast feature. Since you'll likely be using it outdoors, brightness is important because you can only control the light outdoors to a certain degree. The 400 ANSI lumens doubles the brightness of what the Nebula Capsule 3 offers. The screen size ranges from 30 inches up to 150 inches. If you plug it in with the AC power, you get a boost in brightness, which is always appreciated. Otherwise, you can expect a battery life of 2.5 hours in Eco mode and 1 hour at full power. This projector also doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and lasts 8 hours when just playing music. If you're looking for a portable projector that you can easily carry around the home or want to use it outdoors, consider the Nebula Mars 3 Air. At its current price, it's a good bang for your buck and better than the Nebula Capsule 3 if you plan to use it outdoors. View the full article

Metrics the influential government-related mortgage investor is adding appear to be in line with a broader move to examine the impact of serial loss mitigation. View the full article

This week, I'm taking a look at a brain-rot creator Cookie King, whose constant output of brain-rot videos is shaping the internal lives of millions of kids under 15. I'm also taking a look at what people think ChatGPT would be like if it were a person, introducing the clueless to Beabadoobee, and dunking on "millennial burger joints." Meet Cookie King, the brain behind the brain rotI think of brain-rot internet memes as springing fully formed from the collective unconscious of the internet like Athena sprang from the head of Zeus, but the culture vultures at KnowYourMeme tracked down the actual person who is probably most responsible for brain-rot. Demir Basceri, known as Cookie King to his millions of followers, has probably done more to create and define the brain-rot aesthetic than anyone else. Cookie pioneered ironically applying garish transitions, effects, and filters from video editing software Capcut on all-but-meaningless footage. He started off making "fan edits" of The Walking Dead like this one— —then matured into making videos like this: Then he started making videos that combine unrelated memes in ways that defy meaning. Check out this video: Here's Cookie King's explanation of it: "On Instagram, there was a new meme. It was about Chopped Chin and Property in Egypt, and people were doing battles between them. I was like, 'Wait, what if I just combined them together with the Johnnie Walker thing and the Friggin' Packet Yo?' I just thought, 'I'm gonna combine them all." Cookie King says he's been posting videos since he was seven, first on YouTube and then everywhere else, and the key to his brain-rot supremacy is his work ethic: Dude says he spent his senior year of high school spamming "20, 30, 40, 50 videos a day." Eventually, some of them caught on, like the currently popular memes Eye of Rah and making "99% accurate" copies of existing videos. He seems to not think at all about what he puts out—brain-rot is a pure expression of his internal life, and it resonates with his audience of millions of "raised in the digital world" followers. So what's going on with all this shit? In the 1920s, partly in response to the mechanized mass slaughter of World War I, avant-garde artists created Dadaism, a movement that aimed to replace meaning in Art with chaos and nonsense. The Dadaist movement didn't really catch on—it was elitist, self-conscious, and bogged down by a central contradiction: The Dadaist said they didn't care about meaning in art, but they sure liked publishing manifestos explaining what their work meant. Maybe brain-rot is actual Dadaism—chaos blotting out reason entirely. Unlike Dada art, there really is no discernible ideas or thoughts behind brain-rot: It's actually nonsense. Brain-rotters are just spamming 50 videos a day without trying to comment on the horrifying alienation of modernity or whatever, even if that's the message I'm taking from it. I don't think this is a good thing, but it's the thing that's happening. "How I imagine ChatGPT:" Young women personifying AISpeaking of the unspeakable horror of the modern world, young people, especially young women, have been asking and answering a fascinating question this week: If large language model artificial intelligence program ChatGPT was a person, what would they look like? The initial post came from TikToker @mymetaldiary. According to them, ChatGPT is a brown-haired, handsome young white dude wearing glasses, as you can see in this video: While many commenters replied with a variation of "nailed it," others reported their own head-canon visions of ChatGPT-as-a-person. These responses run the gamut from "an old lady like mother nature," to "a mafia boss," or "a golden retriever." I don't picture anything physical when I think of ChatGPT, but the AI's unfailing politeness and literally endless patience suggest a human personality. I think of ChatGPT as someone I regret having started a conversation with at a party. They seem like someone I don't know who is trying to get me to like them, and I can't figure out why. ChatGPT is a combination of boring and desperate, like someone searching for the most non-offensive thing to say at all time. It's someone I don't trust, even though I have no reason not to trust them. Famous people you've never heard of: Who is Beabadoobee?If you've been hearing people talking about (or reading people posting about) "Beabadoobee" lately, here's a look at the person behind the unique name: Beabadoobee is a 24-year-old singer/songwriter who was born in the Philippines. Her parents named her "Beatrice Kristi Ilejay Laus." At three, her family moved to London. When she was 17, she taught herself to play guitar, started writing songs, and began calling herself Beabadoobee. It was a joke at first, but it stuck. Her music might have been called "twee" a generation ago; it's wistful and soft and influenced by artists like Elliott Smith and Mazzy Star. It sounds like this: She released her first single in 2017, and has been growing in popularity since, helped along by many, many uses of her songs on TikTok videos. As of 2025, there are three full-length Beabadoobee albums and six EPs, all released on indie labels. In a nutshell: Beabadoobee is a cult-popular singer favored by young women who make their own clothing. What does SYBAU stand for?The acronym SYBAU isn't exactly new—it was first defined on urban dictionary in 2008—but it's growing in popularity in the comment section of TikTok and Instagram lately. It means "shut your bitch ass up." (Rude.) What does "snatched" mean?According to young-people slang, "snatched" means very attractive and/or flawlessly styled. Example: "That new dress has you looking snatched." (For more definitions of slang words, check out "'Mewing,' 'Sigma,' and Other Gen Z and Gen Alpha Slang You Might Need Help Decoding.") Viral video of the week: dunking on millennial burger jointsTim Marcin over at our sister site Mashable noticed a hilarious new trend on TikTok: Generations Z and A are mocking millennial burger joints, pointing out the cliches and tropes of a kind of restaurant you've probably eaten at dozens of times, especially if you've spent any time in a "medium-sized city just outside of a major metropolitan area," but never thought about. This week's viral video from Tiktoker @user2521208780374 lays it out: Here are some of the hallmarks of a millennial burger joint: Founded by "two friends with a dream" Burgers cost $19 Metal barstools Reclaimed wood table Truffle fries Menu written on a chalkboard Garlic aioli Brioche bun Special sauce described with mild swear like "kick ass" or "bitchin'" Local "craft" beers, always IPAs. Some millennial burger joints really strive to be different by serving food on something other than plates, usually slabs of wood, a phenomenon covered in detail on Reddit's "We Want Plates" board. View the full article

This post was written by Alison Green and published on Ask a Manager. I’m getting a flood of questions about resumes, so here are seven resume questions and answers. 1. Can my resume just list my last two jobs and leave the earlier ones off? The company I’m currently employed by is closing. It was sudden and, while not completely unexpected, it’s still a blow. I’m dusting off ye olde resume, but I’m torn on what to leave in and what to leave out. The issue is my age. I was at the employer before this one for 25 years, until they, too, closed. I was lucky with CurrentJob because the owner is my age, and the ageism that is rampant, (yes, yes it is) wasn’t an issue. Now, however, I’m thinking of only putting CurrentJob and OldJob (a total of 30 years work history) on my resume and leaving off earlier jobs that really don’t pertain to the type of work I’m looking for and won’t boot me out of the hiring process just by virtue of showing my age. Is this okay to do? I already tint my hair (something my mom told me to do after her experiences in job hunting after a certain age) and I just don’t want to be discounted because I’m not young. It is absolutely okay to only list the last two jobs. In general, you really only need your resume to go back 15 or so years. In your case, you’ll need it to go back further than that since you were at the previous job for so long, but you definitely don’t need to include anything before that. Keep in mind that a resume is a marketing document, not a comprehensive account of everything you’ve ever done. You’re allowed to pick and choose what to include based on what makes you the strongest candidate for the job you’re applying for. In many/most cases, jobs from 20+ years ago really won’t strengthen your candidacy and so it makes sense to leave them off. (Occasionally there’s an exception to this, like if an older job was extraordinarily impressive or it shows a long-running interest in a field that your more recent job history doesn’t show — but most of the time it makes sense to leave older jobs off.) Related: how far back should your resume go? 2. Can I combine two positions on my resume? Can I combine two positions on my resume? I did the same job on two different teams within the same organization for a year each; the first was a fixed-term contract for maternity cover, the second was a toxic team, where I started in March 2020 and I couldn’t stay longer for my own physical and mental health. Since leaving that team, I’ve been in my current (very similar) role in the same industry for four years. My current manager understood why I was leaving the old team when she hired me, as my old boss had a reputation in our industry. Now I’m looking for a similar role in a different sector, and I’m not sure how to best present my experience. I know that job-hopping is generally frowned upon, so would it be acceptable to lump the two previous roles together as “two years working as an X at Y” or should I keep them separate? I’ve not got much job history before this as I graduated in 2018. Since the jobs were both at the same organization, it doesn’t really raise job-hopping concerns; job-hopping is about moving from company to company, not moving around within a company. But regardless, you can list it this way: Groats Academy, July 2019 – November 2020 Oatmeal Stirrer, July 2019 – February 2020 Oatmeal Taster, February 2020 – November 2020 * achievement * achievement * achievement On the other hand, if your title was the same in both positions, then you can just list the title once, without separating it out like that. But if the two titles were different, you should list them both (so that the info your company verifies will match up with what you listed). 3. Can I combine two positions on my resume, part 2 I’m updating my resume and wondering if I need to separate duties for two roles that were similar — think payroll senior specialist and payroll manager. If I was in each role approximately the same amount of time, can I just combine the two as far as the accomplishment bullets? I am including both roles with their dates, so this isn’t to present things as if I was the manager the whole time. Also, as far as measurable accomplishments, will it look strange/bad if I have more as a specialist (I do) than I did as the manager? You can combine them the exact same way as shown in #2 above — where you list both titles and the dates you held them, but combine accomplishments for both. (Note this only makes sense to do when the roles are similar; you wouldn’t do it if the work of each was very different.) Your second question is moot if you’re combining them, but if they were separated out: it wouldn’t look bad if you had more accomplishments as a specialist than as a manager unless you a manager for much longer than you were a specialist. In that case, I might advise balancing them out a little more (meaning cutting some of the specialist accomplishments unless they’re all so impressive that none should be sacrificed). 4. Education section of a resume when you don’t have a degree I got my GED over 20 years ago, but due to a combination of money, undiagnosed ADHD, and chronic illness, I never completed even an associate’s degree, despite many attempts over the years. In the past, I just left education off my resume entirely, but I’m unsure how that would go nowadays, especially since I’ve been a paralegal for years at this point. How would you recommend handling it? (Many people, including some in the legal industry, don’t realize that anyone can be a paralegal and there is not a required certification, although there are many programs that do so. I was merely fortunate enough to be taken under the wing by an amazing attorney who worked her way through law school as a paralegal herself.) Just keep leaving the education section off your resume. If you don’t have anything to put there, it’s completely fine to just skip it. If you think the coursework you did complete would strengthen your resume, it’s fine to include something like “coursework in taco analysis at the University of Dinner,” but you don’t have to include it if you don’t think it adds anything. Related: should you list coursework on your resume? 5. When you attended college but didn’t graduate Due to struggles with mental health (to greatly simplify a complicated situation), I ended up withdrawing from my state university in 2018 after attending for four years. I did not receive a diploma, and I was more than a semester away from doing so. I did spend a couple years at community college after this, but again, did not receive any degree. When applying for my current job, I was still attending community college, and had my state university on my resume (dates attended listed, no mention of graduation). Now I’m more at peace with the thought that I may never go back to college, but I’m wondering how to address it on my resume. In an interview or cover letter, I know I could talk about how I’ve learned my own strengths and weaknesses, as well as knowledge and experience you can only achieve from higher education! But because I will be essentially stuck in the service industry for the foreseeable future, I don’t know if it matters to put university on a resume when I’m applying. It also feels a little icky because one might assume that because I attended for four years, I obtained my degree. So should I leave in my “education”? Should I drop the dates and just say “no degree acquired”? See the answer above! You don’t need to include it at all if you don’t think it strengths your candidacy, but it’s also fine to have an Education section that says something like: University of Dinner, 2014-2018 or University of Dinner, 2014-2018 (coursework only) or University of Dinner (coursework only) or University of Dinner, 2014-2018 Tacotown Community College, 2019-2020 You’re not implying you have a degree if you don’t specifically call out that you don’t, but it’s also fine to clarify like in the second and third examples above. It’s also fine to remove the years; in general, the further away you are from when you attended, the more you should just leave them off entirely. At some point the years aren’t not relevant anymore, and at some point you’re also getting closer to age discrimination considerations. You don’t have to include the years. 6. What dates to list for a job when I left for a month but then came back In December, I left Employer 1 to go to Employer 2, but due to restructuring was terminated from Employer 2 in January. Employer 1 never backfilled my role and I accepted their offer to basically pick up where I left off, beginning in February. As I started again at Employer 1 in February and did not work there at all in January, I don’t think it is accurate for my resume in future job searches to say “Employer 1 – Beginning date—current,” as that would imply there was no break in service and that I worked there in February. I don’t plan to include Employer 2 on my resume, given my short tenure and lack of real accomplishments while there. How should my future resumes account for the break in service at Employer 1 in February without getting unwieldy or confusing? Like this: Employer 1 June 2023 – December 2024, February 2025 – present 7. Listing a less skilled, less relevant current job on a resume I was laid off from my job over a year ago. While I’m still applying for jobs in my field, I was recently lucky enough to get set up with a long-term temp job … in an unskilled position with absolutely no relevance to my experience or industry (think experienced journalist turned grocery store cashier). How do I list this on my resume? I don’t want it to be the first thing recruiters see, but I obviously want to show that I’m taking initiative and paying my bills even if the job market is slow. One option is to divide your Experience section into Relevant Experience and Other Experience, and list the irrelevant stuff under the latter. But you also don’t need to include it at all if you don’t think it strengthens your candidacy for a particular job. View the full article

Easing regulations on the GSEs will likely drive elevated activity in non-QM if or when it occurs, leaders at the real estate investment trust also said. View the full article

Like it or not, public speaking is a big part of any leader’s job description, and even heads of state are not immune. President Donald Trump will address a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening (March 4, 2025) for the first time since his second term began. It is technically not a State of the Union speech, but we’ll get into all that and how to watch it live below: A brief history of the State of the Union American presidents are constitutionally mandated to give updates to Congress about the state of the union. The exact number and timing of these progress reports are not specified. In recent history, presidents tend to tackle this duty in late January or early February. George Washington set the precedent of giving a speech to a joint session of Congress and his successor, John Adams, followed his example. Thomas Jefferson broke this tradition and gave his updates via a written report because he didn’t want to appear like a monarch. In 1913, Woodrow Wilson revived the in-person speech. In 1923, Calvin Coolidge brought the address to the radio. The first televised address was given by Harry Truman in 1947. Why isn’t tonight’s speech a state of the union? It’s a case of semantics. Because this is the first year of President Trump’s second term, this is officially considered a joint address, even though the speech will be similar to a State of the Union. House Speaker Mike Johnson invited Trump via a letter sent in late January. It is expected that next year will be his first official State of the Union. What will Trump talk about? Given Trump’s unpredictable nature, truly anything can happen. There are prominent issues that will most likely be covered, one of which involves a possible government shutdown. Federal funding is set to expire on March 14 with no clear plan in place to move forward. On February 27, Trump took to Truth Social and blamed former president Joe Biden for the lack of budget. Additionally, he endorsed a continuing resolution that would fund the government until September. Historically, presidents use their State of the Union or joint address speeches to ask Congress for support in carrying out their political agenda. President Trump does this less frequently than his predecessors. According to Hoffman and Howard, he never made more than 24 requests in his speeches, while the average is 31. Instead, Trump began his second term by issuing a record-breaking number of executive orders, some of which are already being challenged in court. Critics also believe that the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, may be unconstitutional, since Musk was not confirmed by the Senate. Meanwhile, Trump’s quest to cut government spending is also on shaky constitutional grounds, because Congress is supposed to control the purse strings. Other diplomatic issues, such as newly imposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada and Trump’s Oval Office disagreement with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine, might make the cut as well. How can I watch or stream Trump’s speech tonight? The stage is set for an intriguing night of political theater. The speech is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. ET, but most networks will have some sort of pre-show coverage. (C-SPAN’s coverage begins at 8 p.m. ET.) Those with an over-the-air antenna or traditional cable subscription, you can tune into the network of your choosing. For those who cut the cord, live-TV streaming services that carry TV networks as part of a bundle will have the speech. Those include: Fubo Sling YouTube TV Hulu + Live TV Free live-streaming services from the major TV networks are another easy way to watch the speech if you’re not paying for cable. Those include: NBC News Now ABC News Live CBS News Streaming Network Additionally, NPR will cover the speech on your local station and the NPR app. It will also be broadcasting on YouTube, as will PBS NewsHour, which is also embedded below. Immediately following Trump’s address, the Democrats will get their chance to weigh in. Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan will do the honors in English. Representative Adriano Espaillat of New York’s 13th congressional district will respond in Spanish. Representative Lateefah Simon of California’s 12th district, technically a Democrat, is also speaking for the Working Families Party. View the full article

More than a decade after Casey Anthony was accused of murdering her daughter in one of the country’s most notorious murder cases, this weekend she emerged on TikTok to reintroduce herself. “This is my first of probably many recordings on a series that I’m starting,” Anthony says in the three-minute-long video recorded from her car. “I am a legal advocate. I am a researcher. I’ve been in the legal field since 2011 and in this capacity, I feel that it’s necessary, if I’m going to continue to operate appropriately as a legal advocate, that I start to advocate for myself and also advocate for my daughter.” Anthony became a national figure when her 2-year-old daughter went missing in the summer of 2008. The child’s body was found in December of that same year in a wooded area behind the Orlando home of Anthony’s parents. Anthony was ultimately found not guilty of her daughter’s murder in 2011, despite significant pushback from the public. She was, however, convicted of lying to law enforcement. In the TikTok video Anthony introduces viewers to her daughter Caylee Anthony and her parents, George and Cindy Anthony. “This is not about them,” she says. “The whole point of this is for me to begin to reintroduce myself.” Comments have been switched off but the video currently has over 3.3 million views at the time of writing. Anthony also used the video to announce she’s launching a Substack newsletter, where she will “give a voice to people” and “give people tools and resources that they can utilize.” Anthony added that there will be an email address available for people to reach out to her on a limited basis regarding “legal matters.” “As a proponent for the LGBTQ community, for legal community, women’s rights, I feel that it’s important that I use this platform that was thrust upon me and now look at as a blessing, as opposed to the curse that it has been since 2008,” she says. In her first post on the blogging platform, Anthony wrote that “the presumption of innocence is a sacred right” adding, “that is not an opinion, it is a fact. We are plagued by a rush to judgment before someone even steps foot into a courtroom. Once a verdict is read, however long the process takes, the public must trust that the system worked the way it was intended.” Comments remain open on her Substack posts, and Anthony has proven willing to respond. Hitting back at one of the comments, she wrote, “Sadly, if you were to ever be put in a position where you would need a legal defense, you would want someone like me helping to represent you. Someone who knows what it’s like to be accused.” View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. I'm Lifehacker's resident marathon runner and senior finance writer. And now, I'm merging my two worlds. Running is often touted as one of the most accessible sports—just lace up and go, right? But as many runners discover, what starts as a "free" activity can quickly transform into a significant investment. Last week I broke down what it looks like to invest in proper running gear. And now, I'm turning my eye to the world of races. You might think you'll never get into races. I was like you, once: a casual runner who scoffed at the idea of paying money to run. Then you get coerced into running a 5k for charity or something. Then you feel the high of crossing the finish line. You realize how intoxicating it to push yourself to longer distances, to have strangers cheering your name, to simply set your sights on a goal and work toward it. Now, six marathons later (and so many smaller distances along the way), I understand how people budget races into both their finances and fitness. Of course, once you enter the world of racing, costs can add up quickly and vary dramatically depending on your approach to the sport. So let's take a look at the financial commitment involved in running organized races. The casual runnerFor those who participate in a handful of local races each year, running remains relatively affordable. As a minimalist runner who does sign up for a marathon a year (and some shorter races leading up to the main event), I fall in this category. Typical annual expenses: 3-5 local 5K/10K races: $25-50 each ($75-250 total) One half-marathon: $75-120 Basic running shoes: $80-120 (replaced annually) No-frills running clothes (see more here): $100-200 Optional race photos: $20-40 per event Total annual cost: $330-730 Casual runners can keep costs down by focusing on community races organized by local running clubs, which often have lower entry fees than commercial events. Early bird registration can also save 15-30% off standard entry fees. Many casual runners also use free training plans available online rather than paying for coaching. The dedicated road racerRunners who focus on performance and participate in multiple races throughout the year face a more substantial financial commitment. Keep in mind, a lot of these are upfront costs for investing in gear that will last years. For instance, you probably won't be buying a new smartwatch annually. Typical annual expenses: Races of varying distances: $100-1,000 One or two major marathons: $150-350 each Premium running shoes: $130-180 (two to three pairs annually) Technical running apparel: $300-500 GPS watch: $200-500 (amortized over two to three years) Race photos/videos: $100-200 Training plan or app subscription: $100-300 Total annual cost: $580-1,630 These runners often join running clubs ($40-150 annually) for the social aspects and training benefits. They might also invest in regular sports massages ($70-120 per session) or recovery tools like foam rollers, massage guns, and compression gear ($150-300). Brooks Women's Ghost 16 GTX $165.17 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg Shop Now Shop Now $165.17 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg The destination racerThose who combine their love of running with travel face the highest costs. Typical annual expenses: Two to three local races: $100-200 Two to three major destination races: $150-350 each Travel costs (flights, accommodations, food): $1,000-3,000+ per destination race Premium running gear (technical clothing, shoes, watches): $300-500 Race insurance: $50-100 per major race Total annual cost: $1,600-4,100+ The World Marathon Majors (Boston, New York, Chicago, London, Berlin, and Tokyo) are particularly expensive, with entry fees up to $350—not to mention extremely competitive qualification standards or lottery systems to sign up in the first place. International races may also require additional expenses like travel insurance and vaccinations. Garmin Forerunner 55 $163.26 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $199.99 Save $36.73 Shop Now Shop Now $163.26 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $199.99 Save $36.73 The trail/ultra runnerNow I'm speaking outside of personal experience, but I am manifesting a future in ultra distances for myself. Fun fact: "Ultra marathon" refers to any distance longer than a marathon. A 30-miler and an 100-miler would both be called ultras. Neat! Naturally, ultra runners and trail enthusiasts face unique cost considerations for specialized gear requirements and remote race locations. Typical annual expenses: Three to five trail races: $50-100 each One to two ultra marathons: $150-500 each Trail-specific shoes: $130-180 (2-3 pairs annually) Specialized gear (hydration vest, headlamp, trekking poles): $300-600 Weather-appropriate apparel: $400-800 Navigation tools: $100-300 Required safety equipment: $200-500 Total annual cost: $1,630-3,980 Ultra events often have higher entry fees due to their length and the support required from the organizers. Many require specific safety equipment like emergency blankets, whistles, and first aid supplies. Remote race locations can also increase travel costs significantly. CamelBak Hydrobak Hydration Pack $50.55 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $60.00 Save $9.45 Shop Now Shop Now $50.55 at Amazon /images/amazon-prime.svg $60.00 Save $9.45 Look out for hidden costsRegardless of runner type, several hidden costs can impact your budget: Race day parking: $10-30 per event Post-race celebration meals: $20-50 per event Physiotherapy or sports medicine appointments: $80-150 per session Cross-training (gym membership, yoga classes): $300-1,000 annually Nutritional supplements and race-day fuel: $100-500 annually Race cancellation or postponement fees Cost-saving strategiesLike I mentioned above, I'm a marathon runner who refuses to spend more than $1,000 a year on my hobby. Here's how I save on costs I can't avoid altogether: Volunteer at races: Many events offer free future entries to volunteers. Register early: Take advantage of early bird pricing. Seek out package deals: Some race series offer discounted entries when you sign up for multiple events. Shop end-of-season sales: Stock up on gear when prices drop. Consider virtual races: These typically have lower entry fees and no travel costs. While racing costs can add up, I still find the most valuable aspects of running—the endorphin rush, sense of achievement, and community connection—are more than worth it. When you consider the costs associated with your preferred style of running, you can make informed decisions about which races and experiences are worth the investment for you. View the full article

A divided Supreme Court on Tuesday made it harder for environmental regulators to limit water pollution, ruling for San Francisco in a case about the discharge of raw sewage that sometimes occurs during heavy rains. By a 5-4 vote, the court’s conservative majority ruled that the Environmental Protection Agency overstepped its authority under the Clean Water Act with water pollution permits that contain vague requirements for maintaining water quality. The decision is the latest in which conservative justices have reined in pollution control efforts. Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the court that the EPA can set specific limits that tell cities and counties what can be discharged. But the agency lacks the authority “to include ‘end-result’ provisions,” Alito wrote, that make cities and counties responsible for maintaining the quality of the water, the Pacific Ocean in this case, into which wastewater is discharged. “When a permit contains such requirements, a permittee that punctiliously follows every specific requirement in its permit may nevertheless face crushing penalties if the quality of the water in its receiving waters falls below the applicable standards,” he wrote. One conservative justice, Amy Coney Barrett, joined the court’s three liberals in dissent. Limits on discharges sometimes still don’t insure water quality standards are met, Barrett wrote. “The concern that the technology-based effluent limitations may fall short is on display in this case,” Barrett wrote, adding that “discharges from components of San Francisco’s sewer system have allegedly led to serious breaches of the water quality standards, such as ‘discoloration, scum, and floating material, including toilet paper, in Mission Creek.’” The case produced an unusual alliance of the liberal northern California city, energy companies and business groups. The EPA has issued thousands of the permits, known as narrative permits, over several decades, former acting general counsel Kevin Minoli said. The narrative permits have operated almost as a backstop in case permits that quantify what can be discharged still result in unacceptable water quality, Minoli said. With the new restrictions imposed by the court, “the question is what comes in place of those limits,” Minoli said. Alito downplayed the impact of the decision, writing that the agency has “the tools needed” to insure water quality standards are met. —Mark Sherman, Associated Press View the full article

A new study examines how AI search tools vary in handling health, legal, and political topics. The post How Google, ChatGPT, & DeepSeek Handle YMYL Searches appeared first on Search Engine Journal. View the full article

The credit score simulator only uses the Classic FICO scorecards available at each of the repositories, not the most up-to-date version, FICO 10T. View the full article

America is trying to undo the very system of open trade that it createdView the full article

Capacity and resource planning are related but separate processes that you'll use as you assign work to your team. Here are the similarities and differences between them and when to use each, so you can make sure work is completed on time and on budget. The post Capacity Planning vs Resource Planning: Key Differences appeared first on The Digital Project Manager. View the full article

Over the past two weeks, a series of actions by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has seemed to validate the concerns of those who warned about having an outspoken vaccine skeptic in the nation’s leading health role. As the U.S. experiences its worst flu season in more than a decade, a multistate measles outbreak, and surging cases of avian flu in poultry, dairy cattle, and people, federal agencies under Kennedy’s command have put the brakes on key initiatives designed to protect us against these very problems. On February 20, the Centers for Disease Control confirmed the postponement of a scheduled Marsh 13 meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an expert panel that develops national vaccine recommendations. On February 27, the Food and Drug Administration confirmed that an upcoming meeting of an independent advisory panel that recommends which variant of the seasonal flu vaccine should be produced, was canceled. The same week, Bloomberg broke the news that HHS is reevaluating a $590 million contract with Moderna for the development of an mRNA vaccines for bird flu that was granted in the last days of the Biden administration. Fast Company spoke, on record and on background, with experts in industry, government, and public health about the potential impact of impact of these decisions now—and in the future. Will drug makers know what flu vaccine to make next year? Here’s the good news. “The flu vaccine strain selection is part of a global process led by the World Health Organization,” says Rick Bright, who served as director of Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), an agency within HHS, from 2016 to 2020. Bright explains that after the WHO’s annual meeting to determine the next year’s flu strain, the U.S. government holds a duplicate meeting to where they consistently endorse he same strain selection. “If the FDA were to come through a month after the WHO meeting and say, we would prefer to have a different strain, it would be a significant delay because the manufacturer would have to make a specific vaccine just for the United States,” says Bright. “That’s never happened and never will.” The WHO announced its northern hemisphere recommendations for the viral composition of influenza vaccines for the 2025–2026 flu season on February 28, which the WHO says were informed by input from the CDC. (President Trump has signed an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the WHO, but it won’t go into effect until January 2026.) “We have already begun production for the 2025-2026 flu season in the Northern Hemisphere and will be ready to support final strain selections in time for the season,” said a spokesperson for Sanofi, the largest seasonal flu vaccine manufacturer globally, via an emailed statement. Even without the meeting, there still seems to be some form of guidance coming from the U.S. government. HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon has stated that “the FDA will make public its recommendations to manufacturers in time for updated vaccines to be available for the 2025-2026 influenza season.” A spokesperson for GlaxoSmithKline, a major producer of flu vaccines, said via email: “We continue to work with the FDA on its flu strain recommendation for the U.S.” Will there be delays in other vaccines? The postponement of the February meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) set off alarms among health experts, prompting an open letter from the nonprofit Partnership to Fight Infectious Diseases. Signed by dozens of medical associations, advocacy groups, and leaders in medicine and public health, the letter calls for the meeting to be rescheduled “to ensure Americans receive the information needed to protect themselves against vaccine-preventable illnesses, confirming immunization’s importance in the mission to make America healthier.” The American Academy of Pediatrics joined the call for prompt rescheduling. “We’re alarmed that the meeting has been postponed, particularly in one of the worst flu seasons in years,” AAP president Susan J. Kressly, MD announced. “The AAP relies on this information when forming our own recommendations for child and adolescent vaccine schedules.” The meeting delay could also impact the ability of insurers to make coverage decisions about vaccines for the coming year, a process that often begins in the spring. A draft agenda for the meeting included votes on new meningococcal, chikungunya, flu, and RSV vaccines, and discussion of an FDA-approved influenza nasal spray. According to a statement on the ACIP website, the meeting was postponed “to accommodate public comment in advance of the meeting,” and “ACIP workgroups met as scheduled this month and will present at the upcoming ACIP meeting.” When that meeting will happen isn’t clear—a new meeting date has not been announced. (Politico has reported that Kennedy is considering removing members for alleged conflicts of interest.) It’s also worth noting that the ACIP meeting information page has no updated instructions or the required docket number for submitting a public comment. Drug makers are expressing confidence they can continue to deliver vaccines in time—at least for now. The 2025 Immunization Schedules approved by ACIP were adopted by the CDC last October. “It’s important to note that this does not affect current CDC recommendations for available vaccines,” a spokesperson for Pfizer said via email. “We will be prepared to address any future ACIP agenda items pertaining to Pfizer when the meeting is rescheduled.” What’s happening with bird flu vaccines? Variants of H5N1 highly pathogenic bird flu have moved from poultry to dairy cattle in 17 states. And there are now 70 confirmed cases in people. So far, the virus has not been transmitted from person to person. But if that happens, we’re going to want a vaccine right away. Will we have one at the ready? There are currently three licensed H5N1 vaccines—made by GSK, CSL Seqirus, and Sanofi. The GSK and Sanofi vaccines are made in eggs. The CSL vaccine is produced by growing viruses in cell culture. There is a stockpile of these vaccines, but none are currently available commercially, and “none of it is matched to the most recently circulating strains of the virus,” says Bright. “If a pandemic were to take off, they would need to refresh and update those vaccines and using the egg-based technology, it would take six to nine months to make that new strain to get it out on the street.” As we saw during COVID, mRNA-based vaccines can quickly target new virus variants, and are much faster to produce. With support from BARDA, Moderna has been developing an mRNA-based vaccine for avian flu for the past several years. That vaccine candidate is on the verge of entering pivotal phase 3 trials. So, it was a surprise when last week, Bloomberg reported that the government was reviewing a nearly $600 million contract with Moderna, signed in the last days of the Biden administration. The funding was intended to to help the company develop and test its H5N1 vaccine and vaccines for four other subtypes of pandemic-potential influenza. (Currently, there are no mRNA-based flu vaccines.) “Four years of the Biden administration’s failed oversight have made it necessary to review agreements for vaccine production,” Andrew Nixon, the HHS director of communications, told Stat, to explain the contract review. If the funding goes away, “I don’t see Moderna pursuing this,” says a source familiar with BARDA’s drug-development partnerships. “There’s no other purchaser for avian flu vaccine.” Jonathan Kagan, the scientific cofounder and president of Corner Therapeutics, a biotech developing mRNA-based immunotherapies for cancer, says, “if I were in the business of making an infectious disease vaccine, I would be sweating a lot more about what happens with Moderna. They are a bellwether, a canary in a coal mine.” (A spokesperson for Moderna had no comment on the contract review.) It’s worth noting that Pfizer is also developing an mRNA based avian flu vaccine, now in a Phase 1 study. Kagan and others are hopeful that if U.S. funding goes away, a well-funded international nonprofit—The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, Gavi, UNICEF, Wellcome Trust, or the Gates Foundation—might step in to maintain the momentum. And the review could be just a review. However, says Bright, “everything that this new administration’s done in the first month regarding H5N1 indicates they don’t take this threat seriously. They’ll be flat-faced when they see this virus take hold and start spreading human to human. Within weeks of a human-to-human transmission of H5N1, they will tuck their tails and run.” View the full article

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. Bowers & Wilkins is known to make high-end audio products like headphones and speakers. You might see their speakers on luxury cars or expensive monitors. The Pi6 earbuds are their "budget" earbuds, but are still expensive, normally going for $249. However, you can get them right now for $168.08, the lowest price they've ever been according to price-tracking tools. Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 Wireless Earbuds AptX Adaptive, 12mm Drivers, Bespoke Active Noise Cancelling, 3 Built-in Mics, 15-Min Quick Charging $249.00 at Amazon Get Deal Get Deal $249.00 at Amazon The Pi6 are a step down from the more premium Pi8 wireless earbuds, both of which came out in 2024. Despite this being the product where cuts were made to make it a "budget" option, the audio quality stayed premium. I've had these earbuds for almost a year and consider them one of the best sounding earbuds I own. You'll get support for SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Classic codecs, which explains the great audio. The soundstage is detailed, and it has Bowers & Wilkins' usual crisp sound signature. The fit is comfortable and light. Despite not having hooks, I felt like I could take them on a run without issues. However, the Pi6 aren't perfect. They lack Spatial Audio, a find-my-headphones feature, and the app can be buggy. Although I may sound picky, these are basic features other earbuds at this price point have. But at the discounted price of $168, I'm willing to look past those issues. The drivers are 12mm and provide a decent ANC. You can expect about eight hours of battery life and another 24 hours with the case. You'll get Bluetooth 5.4 and an IP54 rating for water resistance (you shouldn't submerge them underwater). The earbuds also have three microphones so people can hear you clearly. If you're looking for good quality audio with hi-res playback and good ANC and battery life, the Pi6 earbuds offer great value for your money at their current price. View the full article

Powerful storms were threatening communities across the country Tuesday with weather ranging from fire in the Southern High Plains to blizzards in the Midwest. Forecasts also predicted dust storms in the southwest, tornadoes in the South and blizzard conditions in the Central Plains, and were forcing forcing some changes to Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The city moved up and shortened the celebration’s two biggest parades. Police were also expected to help keep the parades moving to the finish before winds picked up, authorities said. The weather wasn’t stopping Shalaska Jones and her 2-year-old daughter from waving at passing Mardi Gras floats Tuesday and hoping to catch one of the coveted coconuts thrown to the crowd. “We was coming out rain, sleet or snow,” Jones said. The alarming forecast was one of the first big tests for the National Weather Service after hundreds of forecasters were fired last week as part of President Donald Trump’s moves to slash the size of the federal government. Former employees said the firing of meteorologists who make crucial local forecasts across the U.S. could put lives at risk. Country faces a number of weather threats Dust storms brought near-zero visibility to parts of New Mexico and west Texas on Monday, prompting the National Weather Service to issue Dust Storm Warnings. “Widespread blowing dust” was expected Tuesday, said the weather service office covering Midland and Odessa, Texas. The week’s strong weather system will bring “a threat of blizzard conditions, high winds, flash flooding, severe weather, dust storms, and critical to extreme fire weather conditions to the nation’s heartland,” according to a weather service update Monday. The Central Plains and Midwest were bracing for blizzard conditions later Tuesday that forecasters warned could “make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.” The Nebraska Department of Transportation warned that conditions could mean low visibility and whiteout conditions across the state and urged travelers to adjust their plans for Tuesday afternoon and into the night. On Tuesday, twisters, damaging winds and large hail were all possible as a strong storm system was set to move across the nation’s midsection into Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, the federal Storm Prediction Center warned. Tornado watches and warnings were issued Tuesday morning in Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas. Storms that swept through Texas and Oklahoma early Tuesday morning brought high winds and rain, overturning tractor-trailers and damaging roofs. Power outages were climbing Tuesday morning in the storm’s wake, with nearly 400,000 customers without power in Texas and another 25,000 knocked offline in Oklahoma, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide. The bullseye for a heightened risk of severe weather was an area stretching from east Texas to Alabama that’s home to more than 7 million people. Cities under threat included Baton Rouge and Shreveport in Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; and Mobile, Alabama. Region braces for severe weather during Mardi Gras New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick ordered parade-goers to not bring umbrellas, tents or “anything that could fly in the wind and cause mayhem.” Just outside New Orleans in neighboring Jefferson Parish, officials canceled planned Mardi Gras Day parades due to anticipated high winds and thunderstorms. “This is disappointing, but our top priority is ensuring the well-being of everyone in our community, and we must always prioritize safety above all else,” Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng said in a statement. Mardi Gras floats “could become unstable” and heavy winds could “blow down trees and power lines,” the National Weather Service warned, adding gusts of up to 60 mph (97 kph) were expected Tuesday afternoon. In Pointe Coupee Parish, near Louisiana’s capital city of Baton Rouge, the incoming weather forced drastic changes to one of the oldest Mardi Gras celebrations in the state. The parade there was scheduled to roll without any bands, marching teams or dance groups — a staple of Carnival Season parades. Officials also moved up the start time and urged residents to immediately remove all tents and trash afterward “due to the dangers they can present during weather.” Other cities with Mardi Gras parades watching forecasts Elsewhere, large crowds were expected Tuesday for Mardi Gras celebrations in Mobile, Alabama. Police said they were monitoring the forecast and would announce any celebration changes. Other cities hosting large events included Biloxi, Mississippi, where an annual parade was set for Tuesday afternoon. In downtown Pensacola in the Florida Panhandle, organizers were planning a Big Easy-style festival that included food trucks, dancing, live entertainment and a low country seafood boil. —Jeff Martin and Jack Brook, Associated Press Associated Press writers Sara Cline, Freida Frisaro, and Susan Montoya Bryan contributed to this report. 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