Latest news with #TheLorax
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Taylor swift's wild comment to Travis exposed by lip reading expert
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce have sent fans wild after being spotted enjoying each other's company at an ice hockey game in Florida this week Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce enjoyed a day out together at Amerant Bank Arena to watch an ice hockey game this week - and a lip-reader has pointed out that their conversation may point to something exciting in their future. The couple were attending a game between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers and pictures from the event showed Travis in a red sweatshirt and cap, while Taylor wore a beige jacket with white heeled boots. A lip-reading expert, NJ Hickling, has claimed Travis could be seen telling Taylor: 'Yeah cos I'm big, they're quite good jackets. It'll be tailored, has a hat and everything.' Taylor is then seen to reply to her beau with: 'That's crazy' before sipping her drink. Travis then showed her something on his phone as Taylor said 'Oh wow' before Travis asked her 'do you want that?' to which she replied: 'You'd look like a movie star,' the lip reader claimed to MailOnline before the athlete said: 'That looks like the perfect one.' Fans were wondering if the comments made at the game could point to his future involvement in film projects. The NFL star already has a foot in the film industry, and is credited as a producer on the movie My Dead Friend Zoe, and an upcoming project simply labelled as the Untitled Jean-Michel Basquiat Documentary on IMDB. He told People that working as a producer on My Dead Friend Zoe was an "incredible experience'. Travis said he felt 'proud' to be part of the movie's team, adding: 'My hope is to continue working on meaningful projects like this — stories that entertain, inspire and make a real impact.' He is also credited as an actor on Loose Cannons, and played himself in the series Moonbase 8. Taylor has appeared in a slew of films and TV shows, including playing Audrey in The Lorax, Elaine in New Girl, Rosemary in The Giver, and Bombalurina in Cats. Last week, speculation over the couple's marital status began to rise after a wedding planner shared an Instagram story showing the behind-the-scenes details from the wedding of NFL player Cole Kmet. In one of the social media clips, fans spotted an envelope with calligraphy on the front addressing it to Taylor and Travis Kelce at table 13. Of course, this sent fans into meltdown, as 13 is known to be Taylor's favourite number. The couple have had a busy start to June, as they attended the wedding of Travis' cousin, Tanner Corum, who married Samantha Peck. Pictures from the day showed Taylor wearing a strapless blue floral dress with heels, while Travis wore a quarter-sleeved shirt and trousers. Earlier this year, Travis opened up about his relationship with the Shake It Off singer while appearing on The Stephen A Smith Show. He said that she was supportive of his sports career and was 'fully encouraging' him to 'enjoy playing this game'. He added: 'She loves coming to Arrowhead [Stadium] and coming to the games and cheering for me so I've got all the support in the world to keep chasing these dreams.' Travis continued on to say that he was happy to have 'that confidence and comfort off the field and all the support I could ever ask for in the stadium'.
Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Lululemon's new maxi dress goes viral — Why TikTok can't stop talking about its design and price
A recently launched multi-functional dress by Canadian athleisure brand Lululemon has sparked widespread online discourse, earning both praise and skepticism for its design, cost, and viral appeal. The Lululemon dress in question — a two-in-one maxi that functions as both a strapless dress and ankle-length skirt — has already sold out in nearly all sizes and colours, save for one extra-large option in Light Ivory. Social media platforms, especially TikTok, have been abuzz with reactions, polarising netizens between those hailing the dress as a wardrobe essential and others questioning the hype over what they see as a basic garment, as mentioned in a report by USA Today. A Dress That Doubles as a Skirt The Lululemon 2-in-1 Maxi Dress, priced at $148 (approximately ₹12,300), is marketed as a versatile wardrobe item that adapts between a maxi skirt and a strapless dress. This minimalistic piece is offered in solid hues and made from the company's signature athletic fabric. Available online through Lululemon's official website, the garment has already experienced a surge in demand, leading to near-total unavailability across sizes and shades. Despite its simple silhouette, the garment's dual function has drawn significant attention, becoming the latest fashion item to gain traction through influencer-led promotion, as per a report by USA Today. Live Events TikTok Weighs In: From Obsession to Opposition Content creator Chantalissa, whose video reviewing the dress garnered over 83,000 views as of June 3, praised the product for its elegance and wearability. 'I actually feel like a princess in it. It's so beautiful, so flowy. I'm obsessed,' she shared, highlighting how the piece quickly made it from viral feed to wardrobe must-have. However, not all users shared the same enthusiasm. Dasie, another popular TikTok user, expressed confusion over the frenzy. 'Is this just for the label?' she asked. 'You could walk into Walmart and get a cuter dress than that.' Her comment, though couched with disclaimers of 'no hate,' reflects the growing tension between brand loyalty and affordability. Is It a 'Thneed'? Internet Debates Versatility The dress has also found itself entangled in a pop culture debate. Online users began labelling it a "thneed" — a term coined from Dr. Seuss' The Lorax to describe a versatile, multifunctional item deemed essential. While the Lululemon dress is being lauded by some for its adaptability, critics argue it lacks the true transformative essence of a thneed. TikTok user Rachael, popularly known as "The Thneed Girl," refuted the categorization. 'It's just going from being worn down at the hip to up at the chest. It's not transforming like a thneed really needs to do,' she said, offering a tongue-in-cheek literary critique. A Viral Trend or Another Branded Obsession? As fashion discourse continues to unfold on digital platforms, the Lululemon dress has become emblematic of wider debates: consumerism, brand-driven hype, and evolving definitions of value in modern wardrobes. While the company has yet to comment on restocking details, shoppers can sign up on the official website for alerts regarding new inventory. Whether this Lululemon dress remains a fleeting trend or earns its place as a staple in closets remains to be seen. For now, it is clear that the brand has successfully captured the internet's attention again. FAQs What is the Lululemon dress that's gone viral? It's a multi-functional, two-in-one maxi dress that can be worn as both a strapless dress and an ankle-length skirt. Made from athletic fabric, it's priced at $148 (approx. ₹12,300). Why is the Lululemon dress trending on TikTok? TikTok influencers, like Chantalissa, praised the dress's elegance and versatility. Her video received over 83,000 views, fueling the dress's popularity and prompting a surge in online demand.
The Star
26-05-2025
- Science
- The Star
Leaf it to tech: Are AI-powered apps giving plants a voice?
The idea of conversing with greenery has long captured the human imagination, from the giant talking trees popularised in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord Of The Rings to the whimsically poetic The Lorax from Dr Seuss. And with advances in technology, the possibility of that happening in real life might not be so far off. The artificial intelligence (AI) boom that kicked off near the end of 2022 gave rise to countless mobile apps purporting to act as gardening assistants capable of identifying the exact species of plants from just a photo and 'speaking' on their behalf. While not quite at the level of 'I speak for the trees' à la the fictional Lorax character, such apps can be quite handy in a pinch for novices who can't tell grass from unwanted weeds, with many having been installed millions of times with largely positive ratings on app stores. According to Prof Vinesh Thiruchelvam, chief innovation and enterprise officer at Asia Pacific University (APU), these apps typically use AI-based Computer Vision and Image Processing to identify plant types. Prof Vinesh points out that these apps struggle in recognising less common species, citing only a 60% accuracy when it comes to unique lettuce varieties, while at the same time also losing out on local context. — VINESH THIRUCHELVAM 'The AI imagery database is trained, and a Convolutional Neural Network is utilised for analysing images. It works by breaking the image into small pieces and looking for patterns. 'These patterns help it recognise things in the image, like edges or shapes of different plants,' he says, adding that apps then use this information to provide real-time basic care advice. Growing a green thumb From Dr Nallammai Singaram's perspective, such apps make it much easier for those just starting with their home garden. A senior lecturer at the School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences at Taylor's University, she finds that 'these apps have made plant care less intimidating'. 'If I were putting a plant in my house for the first time, I wouldn't know what sort of soil to use, how to pot my plant, or how to make a potting mix. 'I might not know these things, but these apps would give you that kind of guide,' Nallammai says, adding that in the case of a rose plant, for example, an app may suggest the ideal soil mix ratio and recommend planting it about six inches below the surface. Prof Alan Dorin from the Faculty of Information Technology at Monash University shares similar thoughts, noting these apps put a wealth of information at the fingertips of those first getting started, making gardening more accessible and removing the need for extensive prior knowledge. 'For interested and engaged people, this knowledge was previously accessible via traditional means – talking to friends and neighbours, the staff at the local plant nursery, or reading gardening books, magazines, watching TV or listening to gardening radio programmes. 'The immediacy of access to information related to a specific plant is what makes these apps a stand-out method for increasing engagement with gardens,' he says. Prof Dorin notes that these apps put a wealth of information at the fingertips of those first getting started, making gardening more accessible and removing the need for extensive prior knowledge. — ALAN DORIN Nallammai says this kind of guidance can boost beginners' confidence, help avoid common mistakes, and turn gardening into a more enjoyable and therapeutic experience. 'If you truly enjoy gardening, you naturally become curious and eager to learn more about your 'green babies', exploring every way to help your plants thrive. 'This curiosity, supported by apps and digital tools, can positively influence gardening habits,' she says. Back to earth However, Nallammai also stresses that while they are a good starting point, it is 'important to remember that apps alone cannot make you an expert; real learning also requires hands-on experience and personal observation'. 'For some, the apps spark long-term interest and lasting gardening habits and bring joy. For others, they are novelty tools that provide convenience at the beginning but don't replace the need to develop real gardening knowledge,' she says. Prof Vinesh agrees, saying that 'apps are a wonderful digital support tool. But at times, it does not consider local conditions like real-time weather, soil, or heat'. 'That's why they can't replace real hands-on gardening experience, especially for serious gardeners or farmers who have to deal with the volatile climate change issues or the growing new patterns of pest attacks.' Nallammai believes the takeaway shouldn't be to entirely avoid using these apps, but rather to not rely solely upon them. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star Apps still do have a place, from Nallammai's experience, having observed her students using these kinds of apps to quickly identify plant species and receive recommendations for improving the growth of the test plants they are working with in class. She says apps like PictureThis , PlantNet , and Seek By iNaturalist are reliable for plant identification, while Planta is helpful for watering schedules, and care reminders. Plantora , on the other hand, not only detects nutrient deficiencies and signs of plant disease but also provides possible solutions to address them. It is worth noting though that most of these apps require a paid subscription to unlock their full functionality. Meanwhile, Prof Dorin says he 'was recently working with a group of primary school children who had started using apps to identify plants in their school yard'. 'Their goal was to learn whether the plants provided good resources for native bees. Their excitement and interest were infectious, heart-warming to see. 'Likewise, I know some retirees who are using these AI tools on their daily walks in local parks and gardens to identify plants and flowers they encounter. The apps provide a virtual 'guide' that is easy to appreciate,' he says. Barking up the wrong tree However, like other AI tools, these apps aren't always entirely accurate, so it's important to be cautious when receiving suggestions. Prof Vinesh points out that these apps struggle in recognising less common species, citing only a 60% accuracy when it comes to unique lettuce varieties, while at the same time also losing out on local context. From Nallammai's testing, this appears to be true. She highlights that the datasets used to train these AI apps may come from different parts of the world, which means they may not be entirely relevant or accurate for local plant species and conditions. 'I tested a yellow-green philodendron with multiple apps: PictureThis identified it as a lemon lime philodendron, another app called it a giant philodendron, while in PlantIn , they already had an existing lemon lime philodendron with different features. 'Different apps have different capabilities. Some of the rarer species may not be included in their databases, so the app might not be able to detect them. That's one of the limitations,' she says. These differences may seem minor, but Nallammai says they can indicate what specific kind of care a plant needs. The artificial intelligence (AI) boom that kicked off near the end of 2022 gave rise to countless mobile apps purporting to act as gardening assistants capable of identifying the exact species of plants from just a photo and 'speaking' on their behalf. — Image by freepik 'The darker green ones can capture better sun and may need more sunlight, the lighter ones would prefer to be a little bit on the shadier side. 'The amount of water you put might differ. The thickness of the plant, leaf thickness will also change; therefore, if it is exposed to too much sun, it will get burnt, so maybe less sun. 'They're from the same species but different variations, which could be a random mutation, or from people intentionally breeding them,' she says. Nallammai believes the takeaway shouldn't be to entirely avoid using these apps, but rather to not rely solely upon them. She encourages budding gardeners to start reading up and building their knowledge while engaging with the gardening community, especially more experienced gardeners who can offer advice from their experience. Prof Dorin similarly says: 'If there's a shortcoming, it probably lies in people's over-reliance and over-confidence in the technology. 'The ability of an AI tool to make an informed recommendation will always be limited by the amount and quality of data it receives in training, and the data it is given when asked to analyse a specific situation. 'For example, it would be tricky for AI software to give reliable and specific care information regarding a plant it hasn't been exposed to before. 'But the AI may nevertheless mislead a human by confidently offering advice based on poor evidence,' he adds. Speaking for the trees While no one should expect their sunflowers to suddenly start calling them by name or demanding more water and sunlight, the way Nallammai sees it, plants are 'talking' in their own way, though, in a language that humans don't quite understand. This is the gap that projects like the Avanade Intelligent Garden in the United Kingdom aim to bridge, allowing people to learn about the individual needs of each tree through one-on-one interactions powered by smart sensors and AI technology. From smart sensors to AI apps, technology is giving green thumbs deeper insight into what their plants need to thrive. — Image by freepik According to Nallammai, similar sensors have been deployed at Taylor's Urban Farm to monitor soil electrical conductivity and pH levels (acidity and alkalinity), helping ensure that the hydroponic system delivers the right amount of water and nutrients for healthy plant growth. A hydroponic system is a method of growing plants without soil that delivers water, oxygen, and nutrients directly to the plants. She says such systems are available at significantly smaller scales for home gardening use for as low as RM50 for a system with basic monitoring capabilities via an app, and can rise to the RM500 range for more sophisticated options with more sensors and more detailed monitoring. For casual gardeners just starting out, simple apps paired with an online kit can provide basic monitoring and easy-to-follow guidance. An app that sends reminders for watering or fertilising would also be helpful for beginners in caring for their plants without overwhelming them. Meanwhile, those looking for a challenge and wanting to explore might want more comprehensive sensor and irrigation systems to cultivate rarer species or achieve greater yields and productivity. 'The moment the plant is stressed, it's telling you what it needs in its own language,' Nammallai says. 'A very simple example: when you go home today and see that your plant is wilted. You know your plant is crying out for water. 'So if I have an app that can sense the turgidity of the leaves, it can capture that information and tell you the leaves aren't turgid, meaning they're lacking moisture. That's the plant indirectly telling you it needs water,' she says. Nammallai adds that this is already happening today with the wide array of sensors that can detect compounds in the plants, growth regulators, proteins, light, and other elements. If the right sensors are in place, each one can provide a piece of the overall picture. Nallammai explains that by combining sensor data with visual observations and other morphological indicators, it becomes possible to link them together and begin forming a kind of language that translates plant signals into meaningful insights for growers. 'Using these chemicals in the plant, we can decipher what it is 'saying'. 'The plant might just turn around and tell you, 'you know what, I'm ready, I'm heading towards maturity, I'm going to bear fruits, just hang in there',' she says.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida state parks now legally protected from commercial development
May 23 (UPI) -- State parks in Florida are now protected from commercial construction after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the State Park Preservation Act into law Thursday. The act, which will take effect in July, prevents developers from constructing hotels, golf courses or other commercial enterprises in any of Florida's 175 state parks. Pinellas County Democratic Rep. Lindsay Cross, who also is an environmental scientist, posted to social media Friday that the act establishes "protections for all 175 state parks against commercial development," and also thanked "everyone who fought for this bill, and who stood up to preserve our home." Republican Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, Highland Beach, called the passage of the act a "bipartisan, bicameral legislative victory," on her X account Thursday, and then quoted "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss to close her post with "I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues." The new law came after a backlash caused by a purported plan proposed by the state in 2024 and allegedly leaked by the Florida Wildlife Federation to allow commercial development at nine different state parks. All future developments are not completely banned but will instead need to be conservation-minded, and support nature-friendly activities such as camping, hiking and kayaking. The Florida Wildlife Federation posted a note of appreciation to its website Thursday, with thanks given to the Florida Senate and House "for their unanimous support of this legislation every step of the way," and it called the law "a massive win for wildlife, outdoor spaces, and future generations who will get to experience Florida's natural wonders just as they should be: wild and natural."
UPI
23-05-2025
- Politics
- UPI
Florida state parks now legally protected from commercial development
Florida's new State Park Preservation Act will prevent developers from constructing hotels, golf courses or other commercial enterprises in any of Florida's 175 state parks. File Photo (2009) by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo May 23 (UPI) -- State parks in Florida are now protected from commercial construction after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the State Park Preservation Act into law Thursday. The act, which will take effect in July, prevents developers from constructing hotels, golf courses or other commercial enterprises in any of Florida's 175 state parks. Pinellas County Democratic Rep. Lindsay Cross, who also is an environmental scientist, posted to social media Friday that the act establishes "protections for all 175 state parks against commercial development," and also thanked "everyone who fought for this bill, and who stood up to preserve our home." Republican Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, Highland Beach, called the passage of the act a "bipartisan, bicameral legislative victory," on her X account Thursday, and then quoted "The Lorax" by Dr. Seuss to close her post with "I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues." The new law came after a backlash caused by a purported plan proposed by the state in 2024 and allegedly leaked by the Florida Wildlife Federation to allow commercial development at nine different state parks. All future developments are not completely banned but will instead need to be conservation-minded, and support nature-friendly activities such as camping, hiking and kayaking. The Florida Wildlife Federation posted a note of appreciation to its website Thursday, with thanks given to the Florida Senate and House "for their unanimous support of this legislation every step of the way," and it called the law "a massive win for wildlife, outdoor spaces, and future generations who will get to experience Florida's natural wonders just as they should be: wild and natural."
