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From launching a war on disinformation to being a trailblazer for equal cancer treatment options and giving new freedom to those living with a disability, Australia has said "thanks" to this year's most remarkable mature citizens. or signup to continue reading Standing tall among state winners of the in November, were their Senior counterparts including celebrity scientist , former AFL health physician Dr Peter Brukner and women's cancer specialist Associate Professor Penelope Blomfield. The latter spoke with ACM's following her Tasmanian award and admitted she wasn't very good at retirement. The 65-year-old has dedicated her life to improving the quality and longevity of life for women affected by gynaecological cancers and has remained a beacon of the advancement of medical research. "I made sure that whether a woman was in the public system or in the private system, they got prompt access and best care irrespective of what system they were in," she said. Read more about . Inspired by the efforts of a disadvantaged friend, Peter and Marilyn Ralston and vision impaired and founded Canberra's first chapter of the Achilles Running Club. Together, they have helped pair volunteer guides with people with disability so they can enjoy the health benefits of running and walking. Read more about the . Michael Foley, 84, has dedicated most of his life to giving back by donating his time to better other peoples , community and helping seniors in his community. He was named NT's Senior Australian of the Year, as a "proud example of the value seniors bring to our society",said Mark Fraser, National Australia Day Council CEO. Read more about . Charles Jackson OAM has used his multiple languages, skills and educational opportunities to bridge cultural divides and improve the lives of others and has been honoured with the SA Senior Australian of the Year award. Among the roles he's held are a services coordinator, cultural awareness teacher, marriage celebrant and NDIS officer. He was the first in Australia to become a JP in 1978. He is a knowledge holder for Flinders Ranges Nation and is working towards getting Wilpena Pound on the World Heritage List. Mr Jackson's new business, Urndu, helps the Aboriginal community through offering culturally appropriate training and giving support and resources for people with disabilities or age-related impairments. "The way that we live, the way that we walk, the way that we talk and, and how we communicate... that's where respect comes from," he said. Popular scientist, author and media personality Dr Karl Kruszelnicki has been named NSW Senior Australian of the Year for his ongoing efforts to educate the public about science. "At the moment I have five full time jobs and I'm about to start a sixth," he said. He works for the University of Sydney and the ABC, is a highly sought after corporate and public speaker, has a new TV show in development and is currently working on another book. As for that soon to be added sixth job, it could be an absolute game changer. Trying to counteract the spread of disinformation has long been a key goal for Dr Karl. It was a baby's death from whooping cough due to vaccine disinformation that convinced him to walk away from a job in paediatric medicine to pursue a career in the media as a science educator. Fed up with constantly seeing disinformation shared on his social media feeds, he is putting together a team to develop an AI chatbot in a bid to change minds. Dr Karl will work with AI experts and psychologists to develop the technology. Read more about . Out of a factory workshop in Perth, more than 61,000 custom-built wheelchairs have been gifted to children in 81 developing countries and remote Australian First Nation communities thanks to Christian Brother Thomas Oliver (Olly) Pickett. The 84-year-old co-founded along with the Rotary Club of Scarborough in 1996 and is this year's WA Senior Australian of the Year. "The wheelchairs mean the little kids can get off the ground, go to the village school to get an education and they can grow up and get a job and then contribute to their communities," said Olly. Read more about . Once on the verge of "obese", Peter Brukner wants to use his newfound accolade - VIC Senior Australian of the Year - to tell everyone to eat better. As a sports medicine physician for AFL clubs and team manager of the Sydney Olympics, somehow the kilos slowly crept on due to following (like many Australians, he said) the wrong nutrition advice. "We've been told for 30 or 40 years now to stop eating fat and I think that was probably the wrong emphasis," Dr Brukner said. "Ever since we've started doing that, we've just got fatter and sicker... Now, people are increasingly understanding that it wasn't necessarily fat that was a problem, [it] was more sugar and processed foods." Read more about . has spent most of her adulthood working to improve the lives and experiences of others especially families in crisis and those who face homelessness. Last year, at the age of 90 the long-time social worker proved learning is for life when she received her PhD after completing her thesis on the generational impacts of homelessness. This year at 91, she has been named the Australian Senior of the Year for Queensland. Dr Herbert stopped working in social work at 81 - a time when most people are well into retirement, so she could concentrate on writing her thesis. At her PhD graduation from the University of Queensland' s she was an inspiration for all the other graduates. Read more about The state and territory award recipients will join together for the national awards to be presented in Canberra on the eve of Australia Day, January 25, 2025. ACM, publisher of this masthead, is official media partner of the . DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement AdvertisementThe O.N. Jonas Foundation announces this year’s Arts-in-Education grant recipients. The foundation oversees two major grant entities: the Seretean Foundation grants for elementary schools and the Lorberbaum Foundation grants for middle and high schools. Teachers in Dalton, Murray County and Whitfield County schools may apply for grants to expand and enhance arts instruction in visual arts, music, theater or dance. Students at Westwood, Valley Point and Chatsworth elementary schools will benefit from this year’s Seretean grants. Megan Walker’s Westwood students will create silhouettes of children at play. Under the direction of Kaylee Fissel, additional barred instruments will be incorporated into Valley Point students’ music education. Sheri Carr’s Chatsworth students will create arts and crafts for a Celebration of Cultural Diversity. The Seretean grants began in 2011. Due to their success in enhancing arts learning in area elementary schools, in 2021 the Lorberbaum Foundation established grants for middle and high school arts. Students at Dalton High School, Northwest Whitfield High School and Murray County High School will benefit from this year’s Lorberbaum grants. The addition of a classroom music technology studio will provide Rodney Gipson’s students at Dalton High with hands-on experience and practical knowledge to prepare them for a career in music production. Josh Ruben’s students at Northwest Whitfield High will produce masque theatre — they will construct masks, research storytelling traditions, write scripts and perform short plays. An additional trailer at Murray County High will provide increased storage capacity for Holly Kinsey’s band students, allowing prop and technology inventory to increase. Submitted by the O.N. Jonas Foundation.Hut 8 Mining stock hits 52-week high at $28.48 amid crypto surge

Lawyers, loyalists and Wall Street executives: a look at who's on Trump's tariff teamLuka Doncic returns to Dallas Mavericks' lineup after missing two games with left heel contusionNew 'welcoming' community hub Sefton Council has 'huge ambitions' for

By Kimberly Palmer, NerdWallet The investing information provided on this page is for educational purposes only. NerdWallet, Inc. does not offer advisory or brokerage services, nor does it recommend or advise investors to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments. The start of a new year can bring a surge of motivation around setting new goals, including financial resolutions. One way to help those goals become reality, financial experts say, is to make them as specific as possible. Then, track your progress, while allowing flexibility for unexpected challenges. “It’s easier to track progress when we know where we are going,” says Sylvie Scowcroft, a certified financial planner and founder of The Financial Grove in Cambridge, Massachusetts. That’s why she encourages her clients to set clearly defined goals, often related to paying off a specific debt, saving a certain amount per month or improving their credit score. Here are more tips from financial experts about crafting 2025 financial goals : Trying to accomplish too much can feel overwhelming. Instead, pick your priorities, says Cathleen Tobin, CFP and owner of Moonbridge Financial Design in Rhinebeck, New York. She suggests focusing on those big, often emotionally-driven goals to find motivation. “It’s more compelling than just a number,” she says. For example, do you want to make sure you’re on track for retirement or save money for a house? “Start there.” Scowcroft says she sees clients get tripped up by selecting overly broad goals, such as “get better with money.” Instead, she encourages people to select specific action items, such as “sign up for a budgeting tool and set aside time each month to learn where my money is going.” That level of specificity provides direction so you know what steps to take next, she adds. For example, if your top priority is to become debt-free, then your specific goal might be to pay off an extra $200 of your debt balance each month. Tobin says labeling savings accounts so they correspond with goals can also help. An emergency fund could be named something like “Peace of mind in 2025,” so you remember why you’re saving every time you make a transfer. “It’s more motivating than just ‘emergency fund,’” Tobin says. Measuring your progress as the year unfolds is also a critical component of successful goal setting, Tobin says. She compares it to weight loss. If you want to lose 20 pounds by June, then you need to lose about a pound a week for the first six months of the year. Similarly, she says it helps to break savings goals into microsteps that specify what you need to do each week. Schedule a weekly or monthly check-in with yourself to make sure you are meeting those smaller goals along the way. You might want to review your debt payoff progress or check your credit score , for example. “Being able to break it down into steps that can be done each week or twice a month really helps,” Tobin says. If your goal is to save more money , then setting up an automatic transfer each month can help turn that goal into reality, as long as you know you have the money in your checking account to spare. “It reduces the mental load,” says Mike Hunsberger, CFP and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning in St. Charles, Missouri, where he primarily supports veterans and current members of the military. He recommends starting small to ease into the change. “I wouldn’t jump to double what you’re currently saving,” he says. For example, when it comes to saving in a retirement account, if you’re starting with a 3% contribution, you might want to bump it up to 4%, then slowly increase it from there. “My number one piece of advice is to start small, but make sure you scale over time,” Hunsberger adds. “Because it’s gradual, you probably won’t notice it impacting your lifestyle.” “Stay flexible,” Scowcroft says. “Part of it is just being kind to yourself and not being too rigid.” When unexpected challenges come up, such as a big unplanned expense, you might have to pause making progress on your goal and reset. You might even need to change your goal. Scowcroft says that doesn’t mean you “failed,” just that life changed your plans. Dwelling on any negativity won’t help your forward progress. Sharing your goals with a friend can also make it easier to reach them, Scowcroft says. “It really helps to have an accountability buddy,” she says. She suggests putting a regular “money date” with your friend on the calendar so you can ask each other how you’re doing, brainstorm any challenges or even budget together side-by-side . “It’s a fun excuse to meet up with a friend.” More From NerdWallet Cage-Free Egg Supply Takes Outsized Hit As Bird Flu Surges 4 Ways to Hit Your Family Savings Goals in 2025 What Trended in Personal Finance in 2024? Kimberly Palmer writes for NerdWallet. Email: kpalmer@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @kimberlypalmer. The article The Secret to Making Successful Financial New Year’s Resolutions originally appeared on NerdWallet . 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Here’s why ‘Baby Driver’ actor Hudson Meek dead at 16 Pregnant woman stabbed multiple times by pizza deliverer disgruntled about tip, sheriff says1. Biodance's TikTok-beloved Bio-Collagen Real Deep Masks will give you an overnight refresh to help minimize the look of pores, firm skin, and boost elasticity. There are lots of folks in the reviews who swear that using it just once made a noticeable difference. Promising review : "Caught wind of this on TikTok and decided to give it a whirl. Honestly, it’s pretty solid! It really makes my skin look tight and shiny, like I just came out of a professional facial. It’s an overnight mask, so yeah, it does have to stay on for a while, which is a bit of a hassle, but the payoff? Totally worth it. My skin feels more elastic, and the pores look minimized, too. If you don’t mind the long wear time, this mask could be a game changer for your skincare routine!" — Nala Get a four-pack from Amazon for $12.90 . 2. Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener a quick, easy fix for concealing and brightening your under-eye dark circles because you don't wanna have to do a full face. But a bright-eyed look will go a long way! The color adaptive formula is designed so one of two shades will work on any skin tone. Check out a TikTok of the brightener in action. Promising review: "I don't like to wear a ton of makeup, so this is a game changer! I have hereditary under-eye bags. This goes on so easily and you only need a little dab and it makes a world of a difference! Brighter eyes, and doesn't sit in creases. AND it's cheap!! Can't get much better than that! This is a must-have! " — Cassie Get it from Amazon for $6 (available in two shades). 3. Plus, Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel while we're on the subject of under eyes. Reviewers swear that this works just as well as $$$ eye creams at minimizing puffiness and swelling thanks to caffeine and hyaluronic acid. Promising review: "I never write reviews, but this eye cream has made a difference on my under eyes! I’ve only been using it for a week and I would definitely recommend it. I’ve bought multiple eye creams (expensive brands) and never noticed a difference as fast as I’ve seen using this product." — Natalie "Saw this product on TikTok, and I had to try it, considering it was only $6. It did not disappoint! It helped reduce the puffiness and discoloration under my eyes within five minutes." — Emma Johnson Get it from Amazon for $5.99 . 4. A Silly Poopy's Hide & Seek game that, yes, is truly made for kids. But it'll also be a hit with a parent who grew up on Captain Underpants . And when your old bones get tired of playing, the game can completely take over because the Silly Poopy does the hiding! Check out a TikTok of the Silly Poopy in action. Promising review: "Let me tell you that if you want hours of endless fun of hide and go seek without having to hide yourself, this is a must-get! When it's hidden, it makes various toot noises and says stuff so the kids know if they are close. And when they find it and press the button to do and sing the Silly Poopy dance ... even you will dance and sing along!!! It doesn't need batteries, and come on, it's poop? Who doesn't think poop and toot noises are funny, and if they don't, they are lying to themselves. A must-have for fun with your kids without barely doing any work!! " — andrea kelli gorman Get it from Amazon for $12.99 . 5. Kahi Wrinkle Bounce Hydrating Multi-Balm , a TikTok-famous Korean beauty product to help you combine several products into one skincare step. Reviewers use it on their face, lips, eyes, and neck to help reduce fine lines and make you look all ~glowy~ thanks to ingredients salmon complex and collagen. Check out a TikTok of the wrinkle balm in action. Promising review: "Okay! So I was skeptical at first, but honestly this stick is life changing!! ! In a matter of minutes, my skin felt hydrated and plumped. After an hour, still hydrated. No greasy after feeling, very light, and you can feel your skin hydrated and absorbing. I love the fact that you can use it on your eyes, lips, and wrinkles!! Game changer for me, will def try the others!" — Kristy Get it from Amazon for $22.99 (available in six styles). 6. A Shark Tank -featured Click & Carry Grocery Bag Carrier that'll help you take way fewer trips from the car to the house. It allows you to hook on your bags (up to 80 pounds!) and *comfortably* rest the carrier on your shoulder. Click & Carry is a Shark Tank and QVC-featured small business that specializes in easy carry accessories. Promising review : "TikTok made me buy it. This is great when you have a few bags and a box — for example, if you balance the bags, you can throw it over your shoulder and walk inside and have two free hands to carry the box, which is great. Product seems well built, and is comfortable on your shoulder or hand because of the padding." — Hung Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in seven colors). 7. Self-heating soothing foot masks made with Epsom salts, lavender, and peppermint to help quiet your old dogs after a long day on your feet, running, or even milling about on cobblestone streets in not-so-supportive shoes on vacation. Check out a TikTok of the foot masks in action. BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says : "I'm a long-ish distance runner and these were certainly an interesting experience for my feet! You slide them on and after a few minutes feel a tingling, mildly burning (in a good way) sensation. It doesn't quite numb your feet, but it relaxes them. I kept them on for 30 minutes and then toweled my feet off, and the tingling sensation slowly faded over the next 30 minutes. After that my feet felt very refreshed and relaxed at a time of day when they're usually aching from all the miles I put in. The whole thing was a mess-free, easy process, and I will definitely keep them on hand for longer run days!" Promising review: "Very soothing. My husband and l used these on our European vacation, and they definitely felt good on our feet!" — KS2018 Get a set of three pairs from Amazon for $11.97 . 8. A bendy electric candle lighter can help reach into that deep jar without you struggling with a measly restaurant matchbook. Oh, and it's USB rechargeable. Promising reviews : "I absolutely love this product. Now I’m able to light candles where the candle wax has melted down and it’s hard to reach inside the jar. I also love the fact that you charge this with a USB cable and the charge lasts for a long time. It has indicator lights to let you know how much of a charge is remaining. I’ve only had to charge it once since I purchased it. Very durable and a great value for the price. I definitely recommend this. " — Cassandra S. " Another product I got from TikTok. It’s a necessity . No more struggling and almost burning yourself. Stays charged for days. A week at most if you use it frequently." — Nijada Get it from Amazon for $15.99 (available in seven colors and in packs of two). 9. Or perhaps a stair-climbing trolly dolly because I don't know about you, but the only time I hate living in a walkable city is when I have to grocery shop and then carry said groceries up my stairs. (Ugh, I think I need this.) Even if you have just a few stairs at your home, this'll come in handy for trips from your car to inside the house post-shopping trip. It can carry up to 150 pounds and the wheels LITERALLY climb stairs. (As you can see here.) Check out a TikTok of the dolly trolley in action. Promising review : "I was getting so tired of making several trips to my car to retrieve my groceries after each shopping trip. I saw this trolley on Amazon and decided to buy it. Best purchase ever. I now can bring all my groceries in with one trip to the ca r. I also love that its wheel design allows the trolley to climb my front steps, making it so easy for me. I have used it in the house to help me carry things upstairs, and the climbing feature makes it safe and easy." — m Robinson Get it from Amazon for $84.81+ (available in five styles). 10. Essence Volume Booster Lash Primer infused with moisturizing mango butter and acai oil in case your mascara just isn't mascara-ing for you lately and you've been googling lash extensions once again. No need! Just use this primer before your fave mascara at marvel at the budget-friendly but awe-inspiring results! Just apply it until you see a thin, white layer and then let it sit for 20–30 seconds before putting on mascara. Promising review: "Saw this primer recommended on TikTok and they were right. Let it dry before mascara application, and it does wonders. Adds volume! Stays all day." — JC Get it from Amazon for $4.99 (available in a three-pack). 11. A set of two rechargeable emergency LED bulbs can function like regular ole light bulbs and then when a big storm hits and your power goes out, they'll stay lit for 3–4 hours. Promising review: "These little guys are so bright!! Got these on a whim after seeing it on a TikTok. These are super bright and charge when the light is turned on. These are worth the price." — Reid524 Get a two-pack from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in two colors and a four-pack). 12. Londontown Illuminating Nail Concealer that'll give you a no-mani mani that you can quickly brush on before an event. Or just on the reg for next-to-no effort. Check it out on TikTok . Promising review: "I’m a girl who works outside and I don’t mean I have a cute little herb garden. I live in the woods and am constantly hauling limbs that have fallen and processing them into firewood. I’m using power tools. I’m legit IN the dirt, filthy by the end of the day, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but somehow, this polish lasted an entire WEEK of that abuse. I did use a base coat first, just FYI. But this stuff is AMAZING. It’s the perfect mani for gals who need a mani but don’t really want one, ya know? I can slap this on, work all day, scrub my manicured hands with a nail brush, and head out for cocktails, looking like I still live in LA. Great work, Londontown. 100 stars!!! " — Jessica Mayer Get it from Amazon for $19+ (available in five colors). 13. A set of toss-and-chop salad tongs , or "salad scissors," that'll help break your $16-salad habit from that place down the street. This chopping tool (that costs less than two of those salads, btw) will bring a little bit of action to food-prep while helping convince yourself that your homemade salads are delish. Check out a TikTok of the salad scissors in action. Promising review : "These are sturdy and easy to clean. I use it for salads, veggies, and even to make chicken salad, as the food processor breaks the chicken down way too much. I looked for these when I saw them at a Pampered Chef party, but I didn't want to pay the price . These are sturdy, and lock closed when not in use. Would buy again." — Just Me Get it from Amazon for $21.99 . 14. A Book Nook for those of us who are always in the middle of a book and have to keep it SOMEWHERE. This handy lil' dock fits on your nightstand and will hold your spot, your glasses, a coffee mug, and even a phone. So really, the essentials. This is an ~Uncommon Goods original~ and you can see more on their TikTok ! Promising review : "When I saw this Book Nook, I was thrilled. I bought it for myself and it's perfect. Not only can you use the round spot for a cup of tea or coffee, I put my candle on there. If you don't wear glasses, your remote might fit perfectly in that spot. There is a little triangular nook for your phone. But the best thing is that you can save your spot in your book. My books are always tossed around and I can't find my bookmarks. I'm going to buy one of these for all the rooms where I read. This makes an excellent gift." — MJ Get it from Uncommon Goods for $50 . 15. A pack of clinical-strength SweatBlock wipes could come in handy for hyperhidrosis, nervous sweating, and hormonal sweating any time of the year. But if summer really makes all that rear its ugly head, it's worth a try. You can apply it to your pits for bed and it's made to work for up to seven days. Psst — you should definitely "patch test" this on a small area of skin before putting it on to ensure you don't have any reaction! Promising review: "So happy I saw this on TikTok! I was skeptical about the product because I am a very heavy sweater. There has been no deodorant that has helped this problem, but these Sweat Block wipes have literally been the best thing I've found that has made the quality of my life so much better!" — Amazon Customer Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $19.99 (each box lasts two months). 16. A portable handheld fan that's also a power bank *and* flashlight. So you'll be sure to find all sorts of uses for it. Check out a TikTok of the portable fan in action. Promising review: "This fan works so well, keeps me cool when I’m on the beach or sitting outside in the sun. The battery life is amazing but it takes a while to charge up." — Amanda Clerk Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in four colors). 17. Some sheet fasteners if that fitted sheet won't stay put on your mattress, and you end up in a sheet burrito. These are exactly how they sound, so no matter how much you toss and turn, your fitted sheet comes loose in the middle of the night. See them on TikTok here . Promising review: "I love these! Since I started using them my sheets haven’t popped off once and that used to be a several-times-a-night problem because I toss and turn when I sleep. Thank you, TikTok! " — Gabby Get a set of four from Amazon for $8.99 (available in three colors). 18. A slide-away storage bag will help you clean up your kids' mess SO much faster because you can toss it all onto this mat and then slide it into the attached bag. Now (hopefully) you won't step on a Lego brick at 3 a.m. on the way to the bathroom. Again. Watch one parent's demo on TikTok . Promising review: "I love everything about this item. This is my second one. We use one for Lego Duplos and the other I got for our massive Fisher-Price Little People collection. It's expensive but worth every penny! If you have to scoop small toys into a bin daily...do it. It works exactly as it says and makes cleanup of small items a breeze." — R. Stratton Get it from Amazon for $53.99 (available in four colors). 19. A "Magic Tap" automatic drink dispenser so kids can help themselves to some OJ without them trying to pull the whole container out of the fridge (which has def spelled disaster in the past). It's battery-operated and spillproof! Check out a TikTok of the drink dispenser in action. Promising review: "Super happy with this purchase. Our two little ones (5- and 3-years-old) can now easily fill their own drinks. We also purchased a dual cereal dispenser from Amazon, so now the kids can get their own breakfast cereal with milk!" — April M. Ramos Get it from Amazon for $17.49 (available in four colors and in multipacks). 20. A set of Snug Plugs if your hair dryer plug keeps falling out of the bathroom outlet and you're starting to wonder if you need to pay for an electrician to get involved. These little contraptions make a snug fit between outlets and plugs to keep 'em where you want. Snug Plugs is a small business that specializes in home improvement products. I had THIS very problem (as a renter) in the top socket in my sole bathroom outlet and one of these little things was a perfect, cheap fix! Promising review: "I saw Snug Plug on TikTok and immediately ordered them. I have outlets at home AND at work that I couldn't keep anything plugged into because they're so loose. Snug Plug quickly and easily solved that problem and now I can finally have a phone charger in my den. Yay! I highly recommend this product." — KSay Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $10.99 . 21. A fast-acting, refillable plug-in fly trap will cover up to 400 square feet of space to help lure in with a guiding light and ensnare those annoying little bugs that keep flying around you while you're cooking...and then when you're just trying to enjoy your home-cooked meal. It works on fruit flies, moths, gnats, and regular flies. Check out a TikTok of the plug-in fly trap in action. Promising review: "I can’t say enough wonderful things about these handy little bug catchers! They are simple to use, cheap to refill, and catch a ton of small bugs and flies. I have eight of them now, all around my house! It’s a little gross how many tiny flying insects are around...but it makes me feel a lot better now that I have these!" — Chris H. Get a two-pack from Amazon for $14.62 . 22. Eos' Shea Butter Vanilla Cashmere body lotion with an intoxicating scent and formula that'll soak in and keep you hydrated. Promising reviews: "Heaven sent for your skin; heavenly scent to enjoy. This feels absolutely amazing going on. Gets absorbed quickly for a lotion rich with oil. Doesn't leave a greasy feeling, as long as you give it a minute or two to fully absorb. The scent is, for me anyway, like aromatherapy. It smells like an iced sugar cookie, and is a great base layer for fragrance. Very relaxing. " — Dragonheart Jo "Better than TikTok said! OMRyan Gosling, this is an amazing lotion!!! Run, don’t walk, and buy this lotion! The name is vanilla cashmere and that is exactly what this is! Love love love!" — DeeDra Billings Get it from Amazon for $8.98 (available in various scents and in multipacks). 23. A set of legging organizing hangers where you can tell the differences between all your black leggings, like the number of pockets or waist height. It's hard to tell when they're folded up in a drawer! Each hanger holds 10 pairs of leggings. Check out a TikTok of the legging organizer hanger in action! Promising review: "Yes...I have too many clothes. I LOVE my leggings. These saved me soooo much room! Now I have much more space, AND I can see them all easier." — Larry Seymour Get a two-pack from Amazon for $12.47 (available in blue or gray and in packs of four, or individually). 24. A twist-front tube top as the perfect little top with a pair of high-waisted shorts for your tropical holiday vacation. Promising review: "I wore this on vacation, and it did not disappoint! It wasn’t pulling down or falling. I wasn’t constantly pulling it up. Literally perfect! Would buy in another color for sure!" — Jessica Lafollett "I saw so many videos of this on TikTok!! It did not disappoint. It’s super cute for this summer! It’s a must-have!!!!!! I’m wearing a large, and it has an amazing fit." — Tania Zabala Get it from Amazon for $18.99 (available in sizes XS–L and 17 colors). 25. Anua heartleaf pore-clearing cleansing oil will work for all skin types to prevent your pores from clogging while it goes to work to help get rid of blackheads, makeup, and sebum. There are MANY fans in the reviews, including some who say they can SEE the debris coming out of their faces. Oh! Anddd reviewers say they use this as a step in their double cleansing routine. What the heck is that, you may ask? Well, double cleansing is a method of cleansing your face twice — first with an oil-based cleanser, and then again with a water-based cleanser to help get all the gross stuff out of your pores. Promising review: "This is my first time ordering an oil-based cleanser and I’m so glad I purchased this one. I originally saw this product on TikTok and wanted to see what the hype was all about. After using the cleanser on my dry face for 2–3 minutes, I could see my white- and blackheads on my fingers. I was a little hesitant to try oil cleansing because I have acne-prone skin, however, my face has never looked better. After each use, my face is as soft as a baby's bottom and my scarring doesn’t look as deep! The cleanser has a light clean scent. Not super strong! I am currently pairing this cleanser with the Anua heartleaf soothing toner to achieve glass skin. #glassskinera" — Myshel Cagle Get it from Amazon for $17.69 . 26. Tape-in extensions can give you soooo much length for all kinds of fun styles...or just long and glamorous. You'll need 2–3 packs depending on thickness and you'll get 20 tapes in each. And check 'em out on TikTok ! BuzzFeed Shopping contributor Jordan Grigsby is a huge fan: "Okay, so, who's gonna tell me this isn't my hair? I am OBSESSED with these tape-in extensions. I *just* got them professionally installed for my birthday last week and they are simply perfection. So so versatile! I'm a clip-in girly but I got these and even though it's 98 degrees (no Nick Lachey) outside in Maryland, I could not wait for fall to put them in. These are so so freakin' beautiful, seamless, and it looks like it's growing out of my scalp. I do recommend that if you have curly hair, get the curly ones for summer! I have to take these out next week because the tape-ins are straight (I'm kicking myself for not getting the curly ones), my hair is naturally curly, I'm sweating bullets, and I wanna go to the pool without having curly hair and bone straight extensions after. So I sadly have to take 'em out early, but please believe when the temperatures drop in October, these are going right back in my head for all of fall and winter. I only want to use tape-ins from now on, clip-ins are lovely, but these?! Top tier. I used about two and a half packs for my thick hair which TOTALLY shocked me (I got four packs cuz I thought I'd need more). If you like extensions, I highly suggest trying these out!" Get a pack of 20 tape-in extensions from Irresistible Me for $119.90+ (originally $179; available in 14"–28" and in two base styles; also available in more colors and a 3a curly texture ). 27. A set of checkered cosmetic bags in case your current makeup bag is definitely a much darker color than it started, despite all the wiping off of bronzer you do on the reg. Promising review: "I bought these because of the famous TikTok video. All I have to say is that they are sooo cute. Great quality. And perfect size. 100% recommend." — angelina Get a set of two from Amazon for $5.99+ (available in 17 styles and combination). 28. A set of YogaToes Gems made to provide pain relief by *gently* separating your toes and distributing pressure from the balls of your feet. Check with your doctor before starting any new personal care regimen. Note: these should be worn barefoot, and not while wearing any shoes. You can start by wearing them 10–15 minutes a day and work your way up to an hour. Check out a TikTok of the Yoga Toes in action. Promising review: "I have an overlapping toe and a bunion that just started to form on one foot. I use the YogaToes daily for 15–30 minutes to help create space between the toes and relax the feet. I love how my feet feel when I take them off and start walking around. My feet feel stronger and more relaxed. I am a fitness instructor and also teach yoga. I use them before class for a few minutes. They help me feel more grounded as I move. " — Deirdre Sherman Get it from Amazon for $36.95 . 29. A belted portable cordless vibrating heating pad you can wear like a fanny pack when your menstrual cramps seem to be out for blood (lol) and curling up in a fetal position to watch TikToks all afternoon isn't an option. Check out a TikTok of the heating pad in action. Reviewers note you should definitely wear it *over* your clothes! Promising review : "Oh my god. This might be the best thing I have ever bought. It gets so incredibly warm. You do need to wear it over clothes to prevent burns but as someone who never finds any heat pack warm enough the lowest setting is exceptionally hot. As someone who has really bad menstrual cramps and chronic constipation this little belt does it all. The heat is so soothing and adjustable and heats up so fast . The vibration is my favorite part. It helps so much with trapped gas and bloating pains. It breaks up all the little bubbles and can even move things along if you’re having a hard time using the bathroom. The various patterns and heat combinations allow this to be truly customizable to however you feel at the time and it’s fantastic. Absolutely worth every cent." — Chloe Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in 11 colors). 30. Dandylion Clean Paws will instantly foam up for a paw-dicure sesh that's no mess, no rinse, and NO irritation. Just wipe off the foam with a dry towel and let your pup go back on his way to doing very important things, like standing on the couch and barking at every passerby. Check out a TikTok of the paw cleaner in action. Promising review: "Saw this product on TikTok so I had to try it. Love the soft bristles on top. My pup hates getting their paws cleaned and I’ve tried everything from wipes to paw cleaners. These were more comfortable for my pup while allowing for a good clean. I like that you can just use a towel to wipe off. Love that it's unscented and that you can remove the bristles ." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $18 . 31. Some safe-locking magnetic duvet clips in case your decision to invest in a duvet has turned out to be the BANE of your existence but you're not a quitter. You can simply secure this pin to a duvet (that can weigh up to 10 pound) to keep everything in place. Then when it's wash time, you just remove with the included magnetic key. Check out a TikTok of the duvet clips in action. Pinion Pins is a small business specializing in home improvement products. Promising review: "I was super worried about if I would have enough of the Pinions, and I totally do! My duvet is kinda thick and the Pinions pierced through with no problems! Plus with a little extra room if I had some extra layers. I REALLY like how you have to have the magnet tool to pull them apart . Absolutely no moving! Don’t walk, RUN TO BUY THIS. I also like how unnoticeable they are." — Abigayle Mishler Get an eight-pack from Amazon for $17.95 (also available in a pack of 16). 32. A sleek flat travel water bottle so you'll have to stop sacrificing other things to fit your round water bottle into your work tote. Or even your purse! Yeah ya gotta work for a living, but you shouldn't have to feel like you're toting your whole desk with you. Promising review : "TikTok made me buy this water bottle and I’ve never been more pleased with a purchase. It was delivered exactly as expected, even better. The size is perfect for inside a purse, book bag, or suitcase. I ordered the gray and it's so understated. Beyond satisfied with this TikTok purchase." — Christina Carson Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (available in six styles). 33. A set of ingenious double shower curtain hooks that I own and adore because they make throwing back my shower curtains in the morning easy-peasy — even before I've had my coffee or put in my contacts. Promising review : "I hate changing out the liner on my shower because it meant I had to remove the curtain too. Not any more! I saw this set of hooks in a TikTok review. Now, I can swap out the liner with ease. The hooks also slide on the curtain rod very easily, no tugging." — Christina Get a set of 12 from Amazon for $6.99 (available in 10 colors). 34. A glasses lens cleaner so you can stop using your (dirty, kinda-sweaty) shirt when you realize things are looking a bit smudgy. AND it comes in a carrying case to help protect it from everything else floating around in your bag or pocket. Promising review : "I saw this on TikTok and wanted to get it. I wear glasses every day and often don't realize how dirty they are until I see a reflection through them. I've used cloths before but they get weirdly oily and then leave smear marks. This does not. I love it so much and I don't lose it in my purse." — Clair F Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in more colors here ). 35. A Grosche moka pot , which is a stovetop espresso maker that's simple and a classic for a reason. If you're trying to convince yourself to make coffee at home, this is a solid investment once you learn how to use it correctly. You can do it! Check it out on TikTok ! The reviewer demonstrates how they use it on the stove for making espresso for their lattes. Promising review : "Greatest purchase in the last five years!!! I have always been a coffee drinker but I recently purchased a moka pot to make iced espressos during the summer. Quickly it became an everyday thing! I love this moka pot more than any other item in my kitchen other than my actual coffee pot brewer! I had bought a cheap one elsewhere and that lasted about three weeks before falling apart. I spent a little more money for a quality product and have never looked back! I recommend this particular moka pot as it was slightly more than the cheap ones but less than some of the bigger name brands. It has lasted me two and a half years now without ever giving me a problem. Definitely a customer for life." — A. Arvy Get it from Amazon for $28.72+ (available in 12 colors and five sizes). 36. A progress-tracking jump rope that'll do the counting for you as you zone out and daydream that you're in an '80s movie workout montage. It counts calories burned and the number of jumps after you plug in your weight. Promising review: "It should come as no surprise that I bought this thanks to a TikTok influencer, and honestly, I'm glad I did. I wanted a way to exercise that was both fun and did not include going into a gym, and a jump rope seemed the perfect solution. I will say jumping rope is not as easy as I remember as a child, but I'm excited to continue using this product and get better and better at it. Definitely worth the purchase." — Nicole O. Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (available in four colors). 37. A *super* profile, portable, ink-free Bluetooth printer you can easily take with you and then connect to your computer, phone, or tablet to print out stuff in a snap. Don't forget to grab the thermal paper and you'll be set! Check out a TikTok of the portable ink-free Bluetooth printer in action. Promising review : "This specific printer is lightweight but very sturdy. The app is super easy to use ; it's got a media library that has layouts and other clipart styles. The printer is also relatively quiet and I have not had any issues with loading the paper straight, you just have to be dedicated to inserting the paper. Do not be super gentle with the paper or it will print on the paper crooked. Customer support is awesome and the quality if nice and worth the price, in my opinion. The paper, as stated in other reviews, is costly however I think not paying for ink evens it out." — Kapizanami Get it from Amazon for $159.99+ (available in two styles and four colors). 38. An undetectable mouse jiggler in case your workplace has adapted some Draconian measures and are actually paying attention to if you leave your computer for five minutes to pee. Or, forbid, you go on a stroll to get a coffee! This keeps you "active" on Slack or Teams or whatever else may be keeping track while letting you live a human life. Promising review: "Like everyone else, I stumbled upon this product because of a TikTok I saw. Setup was extremely easy and I'm pleased to say that my Teams green light is on all the time now. Workers of the world, unite." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in eight styles). 39. A self-stirring mug if you'd rather die than take your coffee black, but hate how long it takes your creamer and sugar to actually blend. Check out a TikTok of the self-stirring mug in action. Promising review : "I'm a huge fan of coffee and I need it in daily life. Absolutely loving this new cup! Easy and quick to mix your coffee and milk, pretty handy! Cleaning the cup couldn't be easier with the self stirring function , just put a little dab of soap, fill the mug half way with water, turn it on and let it do its own thing." — Lina Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in five colors). 40. A SwitchBot Smart Switch Button Pusher you can program so the coffee machine cuts on each before you can zombie-walk to the kitchen. It also works with Alexa and Google Home! You won't need to "smart enable" other parts of your home. Plus, you'll be able to turn on your Keurig from the other room so it's ready for you when you get out of bed. Best way ever to wake up. Promising review: "This is exactly what I was looking for and had no idea it existed until I saw someone mention it on TikTok! Our front walkway gets pretty dark at night, and I was frustrated with trying to remember to turn on the light every evening and off every morning. I looked into those light sensors you can plug in, but our front porch light is under an awning with enough shade that it would have kept the light on 24/7. This little Switchbot solved the problem . I applied it to the indoor light switch and set the time on my phone. It has worked perfectly ever since." — Alecia McLochlin Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in two colors). 41. A magnetic microwave cover that'll stick around inside the appliance so your partner doesn't have to root around in drawers and call out to you asking where the microwave cover is before, ultimately, giving up on finding it and splattering pasta sauce all over the microwave anyway. Check out a TikTok of the microwave cover in action. Promising review: "If you live in a small space like I do, this will seriously change your life. No longer do I have to struggle to find somewhere to put my cover if I'm heating up a cup of coffee. Just attach it to the roof of your microwave. Hopefully, you have a flat surface; check before you buy. There is a slight learning curve as to where to put it or the force or lack thereof needed, but after a couple of times it's second nature. Love, love, love this product. I'm probably going to get some for Christmas presents next year, it's one of those items that you wouldn't necessarily buy for yourself but it will change your life ." — Rachel Get it from Amazon for $24.95 (also available in a two-pack). 42. A magnetic water bottle sleeve pouch to loft your water bottle up and off the gym floor so no one (including YOU) trips over it. Even better news? It has a spot to hold your phone, cards, cash, keys, and other little stuff you need for your lifting sesh. Gym Mate is a small business that specializes in magnetic gym accessories for water bottles and technology. Check out a TikTok of the water bottle magnet attachment in action. Promising review : "Hands down one of the best purchases I’ve made on Amazon. I can fit my iPhone 13 Pro with the case in the pocket and have plenty of room for my AirPods. Magnets are super strong and hold everything perfectly!" — Nalani Get it from Amazon for $27.99 . 43. A rotating whisk blender can help you quickly beat eggs when making scrambled eggs for an army. BTW, I take mine low and slow. Check out a TikTok of the whisk in action. Promising review: "This is one of the coolest gizmos I’ve purchased! And it works like a charm, especially for scrambled eggs. I’ve always struggled with getting the egg white and yoke blended well together. This tool does the trick. I found it most effective with liquids. Any kind of sauce or salad dressing can be well blended with this tool, too." — Austin Get it from Amazon for $11.84+ (available in three sizes and in a two-pack). 44. A retractable window sunshade because, well, it's blazing hot outside and you don't need the reminder of your thighs on hot leather seats. You're already well aware. Check out a TikTok of the sunshade in action. Promising review: "Love that I don't have to dig one out from behind a seat or something. You just grab the tab and pull it over to connect to the cup on the driver's side. Reduces the amount of heat in my car and steering wheel, and surfaces are cool to the touch after a 90- to 100-degree day . Caution: When disconnecting, hang on to the tab and slowly put it back into the closed position. Otherwise, you will mess up the accordion folds." — millie snow Get it from Amazon for $26.45+ (available in two colors/sizes). 45. A mini claw machine for a little at-home fun that won't entail waiting for others to wrap it up with the claw machine at an arcade for you to get your turn. Just note that with kids, the small pieces can be a choking hazard! (IMO, one of the best parts about adulthood is buying yourself stuff you wanted as a kid.) Promising review: "Impulse buy after laughing hysterically at the video of this going around on TikTok. This thing is cute and fun and very entertaining! Be forewarned: The clear top dome part does not attach firmly." — Szibarita Get it from Amazon for $5.99 (available in 15 colors and pack sizes). 46. A K-Cup storage drawer to declutter your cabinets and help streamline your coffee situation. No more cardboard boxes of K-cup taking over a whole cabinet shelf. That's your Cheez-Its shelf! Each of these holds up to 36 standard-sized K-Cups. Promising reviews: "Works great! The Kuerig sits right on top of the storage drawers and makes for ease of use in the morning! I wonder how high I can stack them! It's great having so much variety every morning! " — Mirm Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in four colors). 47. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Moisturizing Face SPF 60 Serum , which reviewers ADORE as a priming moisturizer. Because sometimes, when you're doing a full face and your SPF isn't built into another product, even the BEST sunscreen users can forget it! Oh, and there's zero white cast! Check out a TikTok of the serum in action. Promising review: "I have been searching for a sunscreen like this for a long time. I really dislike putting anything heavy on my face and prefer a gel-like consistency. I am a big fan of the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hyaluronic Acid serum and the texture of this sunscreen feels pretty close to that. I have tried much more expensive 'serum' sunscreens and find this one my favorite and for a much better price point ." — JHoch Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (fragrance- and oxybenzone-free). 48. A reviewer-beloved veggie chopper can make onion tears and food prep mess a thing of the past! This way you won't waste so much time energy on *evenly* spiralizing or chopping, a fool's errand! (Jk, but this'll make it way easier.) A plus is that this baby can slice through a potato BUT remember how sharp that means it is and BE CAREFUL touching the blades! You'll get four different blades including a small dicer, large dicer, a spiral blade, and a ribbon blade. Check out a TikTok of the veggie chopper in action. Promising review: "Makes life so much easier. I can't imagine chopping onions or bell peppers by hand anymore, and it does so much more. We used to have a Prepworks chopper which was a similar idea, but you had to press so hard to chop, and it broke after not too long. This one requires very little effort to cut through the food and it has a generous container. " — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $19.99+ (available in five sizes and three colors). 49. A touchscreen mist cleaner that'll help clear that smudged ketchup that just so happened to appear on your car's screen one day?! You don't know how. Not one clue. (And the mister also serves as a microfiber cloth for even more efficient cleaning.) Promising review : "When you think you don’t need it. But TikTok thinks you do. I definitely am glad that this product was what I needed. Works on laptop, tablets, and phones! Love it! Highly recommend this product!" — Laura Schlutt Get it from Amazon for $7.99 . 50. A set of cowboy straw toppers will keep your water cup straw safe AND remind you of Glen Powell in Twisters. If you feel it, chase it! Check out a TikTok of the straw toppers in action. Promising review: "So SO CUUUTE! 10/10!! Good product and keeps my straw from getting bugs or germs on it! Plus, it’s really cute." — JennA Get a set of four from Amazon for $6.99 . 51. A set of plant-based, unscented insect repellent sprays you can slip into your pocket for any upcoming tailgates or days on the park when it doesn't feel like you're walking on the surface of the sun. They work for up to 14 hours and won't leave you feeling sticky. Check out a TikTok of the insect spray. Stay Away is a small business that specializes in pest-removing and repelling products. Promising review: "Deet doesn’t work for me, but this does! I’m the person who gets bitten while everyone else is fine. They follow me, and most repellent isn’t very helpful. This worked great! They came near but didn’t bite. The smell isn’t bad either! I didn’t mind it, and my sister has requested some also (she gets bitten even more than I do). I would have preferred a continuous spray nozzle, but I’m very impressed with how well it kept those dang mosquitoes away in Texas! I did sweat a little, and it didn’t change how well it worked ." — eve Get a four-pack from Amazon for $26.99 (also available in a bottle). 52. A bottle of Meltdown acne oil to handle its obvious use with finesse while seriously cutting down on redness and irritation that comes with acne. You can mix it in with moisturizer, as a spot treatment, or wear under makeup. AND it's cruelty free! Blume is a woman-owned, POC-owned small business based in Canada that specializes in cruelty-free, vegan, and environmentally-friendly products for skin, body, and period care. Check out a TikTok of the Meltdown Acne Oil in action. Promising review : "This stuff is AMAZING and MAGIC. I ordered more out of fear of running out. All acne and fade products have dried or broken out my skin further but this stuff clears my skin, makes it glow, and hydrates it. Beyond beyond obsessed. THANK U BLUME! xoxo" — Kaitlin A. Get it from Blume for $28+ (available in two sizes) or Amazon for $26.50 . 53. The Owala Freesip — you've DEFINITELY seen people singing its praises on TikTok thanks to its built-in straw, wide-mouth spout, and push-button lid to protect your precious H2O while you're out and about...or just parked on your couch trying to get your daily water intake. Some are even saying it could dethrone The Stanley Cup?! It's also designed to be easy to disassemble and clean, and the lid and straw are dishwasher safe! Oh, and the 24-ounce bottles are designed to be universally cup holder-friendly. Get a closer look at it on TikTok of the Owala Freesip ! Promising review : "Stanley who??? I absolutely LOVE this water bottle. Way better than other name-brand tumblers with a straw that sticks up! Love that the straw is covered, and the water bottle has a carry loop, making it easy to carry when your hands are full. So much easier to drink from and you have the option to drink from the straw or sip. This is truly leakproof and keeps drinks cold for hours! It's also durable. I have dropped it a few times and there wasn't even a scratch on the bottle. I will definitely be ordering more!" — BAJ Get the 32-ounce size from Amazon for $32.99 (also available in 16, 24, and 40-ounce sizes, and in 22 colors). 54. Or if you've already got a water bottle you pledge your allegiance to, a car cup holder expander that'll fit the likes of a Hydro Flask or Yeti mug. No more letting your bottle roll around on your passenger side seat because it won't fit with the factory cupholder. Check out a TikTok of the car cup holder expander in action . Promising review: "This thing is amazing, how did I survive before??!!?! My 32-oz metal water bottle had a cozy lil' seat next to me on the passenger side for years. But then my boyfriend came along and stole her seat, so my poor water bottle would roll around in the back seat and knock into stuff while I was driving. Me and her go way back dude, so I'm glad I found a way to keep my manz and my trusty (knock off) hydroflask. He was gonna have to go tbh, gotta hydrate! (kidding, he's great too). I have a 2005 VW Jetta with the wimpiest cup holders, and this fits great. Could fit so many sizes and depths though — if you're worried about fit, don't be. This thing is super adjustable. I've had absolutely no problems with it wiggling or anything so far, despite the shallowness of my original cup"holders". Just make sure to twist it to fit tightly and you'll be set until ready to take it back out." — Alice Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in two sizes and in black or gray). 55. And a retractable car charger so you won't have to wrestle with (or remember to bring) your at-home chargers while trying to *safely* get from point to point. It has a retractable iPhone and Type C charging cable, AND two more charging ports! Check out a TikTok of the car charger in action. Promising review: "Didn't realize I had so many cables in my car until I put this in . Now I just keep a few wrapped up in the glove box that fit older connections. Great that the cables retract out of the way . Only complaint could be that it is rather large, but it is to be expected with four connections. Little car voltage display is nice to have as well (everyone should have one of these, by the voltage amount it shows if your alternator is working)." — Jaxmoto Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (also available in a version that *ONLY* has two Apple retractable chargers !). 56. An Airstik reusable suction mount so you can easily set up for that horror first-date storytime the world needs to hear. Or, it's good for just FaceTiming with your BFF if you don't wanna broadcast it to everyone on TikTok. (Like me. I love those stories.) You can use a phone or tablet in this, in landscape or portrait orientation — so it's great if you like to watch videos while getting ready in front of a mirror too! Check out this TikTok of the Airstik reusable suction mount ! Promising review : "I was skeptical and didn't think it would stick more than once, but I was WRONG! I was VERY impressed at the suction power. The back doesn't feel super sticky to me but it sure sticks to all the mirrors I tried it on (and I re-stuck it over four times). It even holds my bulky heavy iPhone with an Otterbox with plenty of room. I'm super happy with this purchase! It's going to make filming content and getting ready in the mornings SO much easier! HIGHLY recommend." — AV716 Get it from Amazon for $10.88 (available in white or black). 57. A TikTok-famous travel-friendly backpack you can pack like a suitcase but will still count as the personal item you put under your seat. It even has a shoe compartment, an easy-access pocket for portable charging, and bonus points: it's got a trolley passthrough in the back so you can secure it on your carry-on! *Swoon* This one checks all the boxes: super roomy, has plenty of pockets (including one for shoes and a separate wet bag!), and has a strap that slides down over your luggage handle for easy transport. And reviewers say it meets even Spirit and JetBlue 's personal item rules and fits under airplane seats! Promising review: "One bag handled a week of travel! This bag is like magic! I fit four pairs of shorts, four shirts, underwear, socks, and a couple of workout outfits with sports bras, two pairs of sandals, four bathing suits, a coverup, a sun hat, toiletries, cosmetics, a laptop, a notebook, three device chargers (computer, phone, and Fitbit) and an electric toothbrush. Even when packed to the max, the weight is comfortably distributed so it doesn’t break your back. It fits under the seat perfectly, too. I bought it when it was 50% off, but I’d pay full price knowing how awesome this bag is for travel." — AlexanderK Get it from Amazon for $43.99+ (available in three sizes and 26 colors/ styles) 58. A set of replaceable Nespresso sticker lids if you've been hunting for a way to reuse pods instead of using a new one for every single cup of coffee. With these, simply refill a used pod with ground coffee and then stick on one of these "lids," and they're g2g in your machine. Check out a TikTok of the Nespresso lids in action. Psst — check this company's Amazon storefront for more reusable coffee machine option s for Keurigs and Vertuoline! Promising review: "These were a great purchase! They're easy to use and allow us to customize pods with our own flavors and be more budget friendly as well. As long as you trim the foil edge so it doesn't cover the bar code under the rim of the pod, they'll give you no trouble. I'll definitely purchase these again and again." — Mary D Get a pack of 100 from Amazon for $8.78 (also available in packs of 52 or 200). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday, in his first rally-like speech since the November election, threatened to retake control of the Panama Canal, pushed back on criticism of Elon Musk’s influence, and suggested he could soon meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump’s speech in Phoenix, at a Turning Point USA gathering of conservative activists celebrating his victory last month, largely echoed the rhetoric he used on the campaign trail — including lies about widespread fraud in the 2020 election — but were tempered with his satisfaction at having won. “We had no riots. We had no anything. It was a beautiful thing to watch,” Trump said, noting Democrats’ concession of the 2024 election. “They just said, ‘We lost.’ And we want to try bringing everybody together.” Trump did not address the chaotic past week in Washington, which saw him play a central role in scuttling a House short-term government funding deal with a last-minute declaration of his opposition — and a ferocious social media campaign led by Musk against it. Their opposition set off a scramble that led lawmakers to approve a different short-term measure , without the debt ceiling suspension Trump had demanded, to avert a government shutdown. Instead, Trump vowed to keep the promises he made on the campaign trail and to take action on his firsts day in office on, among other things, immigration, energy production and a series of culture war issues. Here are six key lines from Trump’s speech on Sunday: Panama Canal Trump said he would consider retaking control of the Panama Canal, which he referred to as a “vital national asset,” doubling down on social media posts he’d made on the topic Saturday. “Our Navy and commerce have been treated in a very unfair and injudicious way. The fees being charged by Panama are ridiculous, highly unfair, especially knowing the extraordinary generosity that has been bestowed to Panama — I say, very foolishly, by the United States,” Trump said. “This complete rip-off of our country will immediately stop.” It was a demonstration of how the United States’ approach to foreign policy could shift under Trump, who has shown a willingness to use bellicose rhetoric — even toward allies — to accomplish his goals. He’s threatened 25% tariffs, for example, on Canada and Mexico on day 1 of his administration. The Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, is a vital passage for American commerce that was built principally by the United States and opened in 1914. President Jimmy Carter signed a treaty that began the process of transferring control of the canal to Panama in 1977, and that transfer was finalized in 1999. “It was given to Panama and to the people of Panama, but it has provisions — you’ve got to treat us fairly. And they haven’t treated us fairly,” Trump said. “We will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to the United States of America in full, quickly and without question. I’m not going to stand for it. So to the officials of Panama, please be guided accordingly.” Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino stated in a video message Sunday afternoon that the Canal and its adjacent zone belong to Panama. “The sovereignty and independence of our country are not negotiable,” Mulino said in a statement posted on X , pointing to the 1977 treaty. “Panama respects other nations and demands respect. With the new government of the United States, I aspire to preserve and maintain a good and respectful relationship,” he added. “Security issues such as illegal migration, drug trafficking and organized crime should be a priority on our bilateral agenda, as they are a real threat that should concern us,” Mulino said. Putin meeting Trump suggested he could meet with Putin early in his presidency as he seeks to negotiate an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Trump said bringing the war to an end is “one of the things I want to do quickly,” and said Putin wants to meet with him “as soon as possible.” “So we have to wait for this. But we have to end that war,” Trump said. During Putin’s year-end media availability last week, he said he’s “ready” for potential talks with Trump. Musk’s influence Trump pushed back on Democrats’ characterization of Musk as acting as the de facto president, after Musk — who has spent much time with Trump at Mar-a-Lago since the president-elect’s victory — helped tank the bipartisan government funding bill last week. “No, he’s not taking the presidency. I like having smart people,” he said. “They’re on a new kick. ‘Russia, Russia, Russia,’ ‘Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine,’ all the different hoaxes. The new one is ‘President Trump has ceded the presidency to Elon Musk.’ No, no, that’s not happening.” Trump went on to praise Musk’s company, SpaceX, for making advancements in space travel and for its Starlink satellite technology, but again reiterated that Musk is “not going to be president.” “No, he’s not going to be president, that I can tell you,” he said. “And I’m safe, you know why? He can’t be — he wasn’t born in this country.” Renaming Denali Former President Barack Obama’s administration renamed the highest mountain peak in North America, Mount McKinley, to Denali to honor Alaska’s native population, which had used the name for centuries. Trump arrived at the topic after crediting President William McKinley with spurring the economic prosperity that allowed President Theodore Roosevelt’s administration to begin construction of the Panama Canal. Trump said McKinley should have his name restored because he was a “great president” who “deserves it.” “McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president. They took his name off Mount McKinley. That’s what they do to people,” Trump said. “President McKinley was the president that was responsible for creating a vast sum of money,” he said. “That’s one of the reasons that we’re going to bring back the name of Mount McKinley, because I think he deserves it.” Trump also said he would restore the names of military bases like North Carolina’s Fort Bragg, the former name of what’s now Fort Liberty. The name was changed in 2023 to strip the military base of its Confederate namesake. “Woke has to stop. Because along with everything else, it’s destroying our country. We’re going to stop woke,” Trump said. “Woke is bullsh*t.” Vaccine skepticism Trump defended his controversial pick for Health and Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — and seemed to suggest he would allow Kennedy to probe for links between vaccines and autism, despite no evidence supporting the connection that Kennedy has long claimed exists. Trump pointed to rises in diagnoses of autism, childhood cancer and chronic diseases, and said that “something’s wrong.” “Together, we’re going to make America healthy again,” Trump said. “Something bad is happening.” Kennedy’s long history of vaccine skepticism has been a source of focus for some Republican senators who are meeting with Trump’s Cabinet nominees ahead of confirmation hearings. Both Kennedy and Trump have in recent weeks sought to address those concerns — with Trump at a recent news conference describing himself as a “a big believer in the polio vaccine” and Kennedy saying he’s “all for” the vaccine. Still, at the same news conference, Trump similarly noted higher autism rates, and said he wants Kennedy to “come back with a report as to what he thinks. We’re going to find out a lot.” TikTok’s future Trump again expressed openness to allowing the social media app TikTok to continue operating in the United States, suggesting that the app may have helped reach some key voters. His comments come as the Supreme Court last week agreed to decide whether a controversial ban on the social media app violates the First Amendment. The high court agreed to expedite the case and hear arguments on January 10. Trump touted his popularity on the app and the gains he made with young voters in the 2024 election, saying he is “going to have to start thinking about TikTok.” “We did go on TikTok, and we had a great response. We had billions and billions of views,” he said. Trump said he was shown a chart highlighting the views his campaign had received there. “As I looked at it I said, ‘Maybe we gotta keep this sucker around for a little while,’” he said.

1 2 3 Chennai: The school education department on Saturday released the schedule for the half-yearly exams for Classes X and XII, which will take place from Dec 9 to 23. For Class XII students, exams will begin with Tamil on Dec 9, followed by English on Dec 10, and continue with other major subjects until Dec 23. Class X students will start with Tamil on Dec 10 and wrap up with Social Science on Dec 23. The exams will commence by 9.45am and end by 1pm, with 10 minutes allotted for reading the question paper. To support students in their preparation, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will provide study material and model question papers. School education director S Kannappan added that district education officers have been instructed to ensure schools do not conduct classes on holidays. "Our department's helpline often receives complaints about teachers using weekends and holidays for revisions," he said.The secret to making successful financial New Year’s resolutionsThe Cavaliers managed only 173 total yards, but chose not to play backup QB Tony Muskett, who had a credible relief effort in a loss to Notre Dame in the previous game.

Massive Best Buy Black Friday sale — here's the 35 deals I'm shopping this weekendTrump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don’t expect big revelations DALLAS (AP) — The nation is set to mark 61 years since President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade passed through downtown Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Even after over six decades, conspiracy theories about what happened that day still swirl and the desire to follow every thread of information hasn’t waned. President-elect Donald Trump made promises over the summer that if reelected he would declassify the remaining records. At this point, only a few thousand of millions of pages of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released. And those who have studied what's been released so far say that the public shouldn’t anticipate any earth-shattering revelations even if the remaining files are declassified. Bitcoin is at the doorstep of $100,000 as post-election rally rolls on NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, rising above $98,000 for the first time Thursday. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. NFL issues security alert to teams and the players' union following recent burglaries The NFL has issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted. Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets. Penn State wins trademark case over retailer's use of vintage logos, images PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Penn State has won a closely watched trademark fight over an online retailer’s use of its vintage logos and images. A Pennsylvania jury awarded Penn State $28,000 in damages earlier this week over products made and sold by the firms Vintage Brand and Sportswear Inc. Penn State accused them of selling “counterfeit” clothing and accessories. The defendants said their website makes clear they are not affiliated with Penn State. At least a dozen other schools have sued the defendants on similar grounds, but the Pennsylvania case was the first to go to trial. Has a waltz written by composer Frederic Chopin been discovered in an NYC museum? NEW YORK (AP) — A previously unknown musical work written by composer Frederic Chopin appears to have been found in a library in New York City. The Morgan Library & Museum says the untitled and unsigned piece is the first new manuscript of the Romantic era virtuoso to be discovered in nearly a century. Robinson McClellan, the museum’s curator, says he stumbled across the work in May while going through a collection brought to the Manhattan museum years earlier. He worked with outside experts to verify the document's authenticity. But there’s debate whether the waltz is an original Chopin work or merely one written in his hand. Volcano on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula erupts for the 7th time in a year GRINDAVIK, Iceland (AP) — A volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland is spewing lava from a fissure in its seventh eruption since December. Iceland's seismic monitors said the eruption started with little warning late Wednesday and created a long fissure but looked to be smaller than eruptions in August and May. Around 50 houses were evacuated after the Civil Protection agency issued the alert, along with guests at the famous Blue Lagoon resort, according to the national broadcaster. The repeated eruptions over the past year have caused damage to the town of Grindavík and forced people to relocate. Australian teen and British woman who drank tainted alcohol in Laos have died, bringing toll to 5 VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — An Australian teenager and a British woman have died after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos in what Australia’s prime minister said was every parent’s nightmare. Officials earlier said an American and two Danish tourists also had died following reports that multiple people had been sickened in town popular with backpackers. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng, Laos, for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalized in Thailand. Later Thursday, Britain said a British woman also died and the media in the U.K. identified her as 28-year-old Simone White. US ahead in AI innovation, easily surpassing China in Stanford's new ranking The U.S. leads the world in developing artificial intelligence technology, surpassing China in research and other important measures of AI innovation, according to a newly released Stanford University index. There’s no surefire way to rank global AI leadership but Stanford researchers have made an attempt by measuring the “vibrancy” of the AI industry across a variety of dimensions, from how much research and investment is happening to how responsibly the technology is being pursued to prevent harm. Following the U.S. and China were the United Kingdom, India and the United Arab Emirates. Pop star Ed Sheeran helps favorite soccer team sign player before getting on stage with Taylor Swift It turns out British pop star Ed Sheeran is also good at recruiting soccer players. Sheeran is a minority shareholder at English soccer team Ipswich Town and it needed his help over the summer to get a player to join the club. Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton tells a Soccerex industry event in Miami: “Ed jumped on a Zoom call with him at the training ground, just before he stepped on stage with Taylor Swift. Hopefully that was a key part in getting the player across the line.” Ashton didn’t disclose the player in question, saying only: “He’s certainly scoring a few goals.” Chris Stapleton wins 4 CMA Awards, but Morgan Wallen gets entertainer of the year It was mostly Chris Stapleton’s night at the Country Music Association Awards. Stapleton won four times and took the stage to perform three times Wednesday night at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. But an absent Morgan Wallen won the biggest award, entertainer of the year. Stapleton's wins included single of the year and song of the year for “White Horse,” and his eighth trophy as male vocalist of the year. Best female vocalist of the year went to Laney Johnson. An all-star ensemble including both Stapleton and Johnson performed in tribute to George Strait, who won the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

The University of Michigan is hosting an online workshop early next month designed to teach graduate students how to recognize racism “in everyday life.” The online “Recognizing Racism in Everyday Life” workshop will be held Jan. 10 and offered through Rackham Graduate School. Additional versions of the workshop will be provided at other times during the semester, the university’s website shows. Completion of the Jan. 10 workshop, which is free to students, fulfills the “anti-racism requirement” for the school’s diversity, equity and inclusion certificate program, according to a description of the event. The description also notes goals of the workshop include learning terms “associated with racism, anti-racism, power and oppression,” gaining the ability to identify bias in the media and in everyday life, and practicing responding to “microaggressions or incidents of bias.” Discussions will take place within the global and U.S. context, the description says. The University of Michigan did not respond to a request for additional information about the workshop. The workshop will be held roughly one month after the University of Michigan announced it will no longer require applicants for faculty jobs, promotions and tenure to submit statements on their commitment to diversity. That decision was made following a recommendation by a faculty group that reviewed materials on the subject and analyzed nearly 2,000 responses to a university employee survey. The university said in its announcement the survey revealed most respondents said they felt diversity statements pressure faculty members to “express specific positions on moral, political or social issues.” It noted a slight majority also disagreed with an idea that diversity statements “allow an institution to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by cultivating DEI in the faculty.” “Diversity, equity and inclusion are three of our core values at the university. Our collective efforts in this area have produced important strides in opening opportunities for all people,” Provost Laurie McCauley said of the decision. “As we pursue this challenging and complex work, we will continuously refine our approach.” Protesters demonstrated on the University of Michigan’s campus earlier this month amid concerns the university’s Board of Regents was considering pulling funding from its diversity, equity and inclusion program. The board ultimately did not vote on doing so.Germany's president said Tuesday that a deadly car-ramming attack on a Christmas market had cast a "dark shadow" over this year's celebrations but urged the nation not to be driven apart by extremists. In his traditional Christmas address, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier sought to issue a message of healing four days after the brutal attack in the eastern city of Magdeburg killed five people and left over 200 wounded. "A dark shadow hangs over this Christmas," said the head of state, pointing to the "pain, horror and bewilderment over what happened in Magdeburg just a few days before Christmas". He made a call for national unity as a debate about security and immigration is flaring again: "Hatred and violence must not have the final word. Let's not allow ourselves to be driven apart. Let's stand together." His words came a day after the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) held what it called a memorial rally for the victims in Magdeburg, where one speaker demanded that Germany "must close the borders". Nearby an anti-extremist initiative was held under the motto "Don't Give Hate a Chance". Steinmeier recognised that there was a "great deal of dissatisfaction about politics" in Germany but insisted that "our democracy is and remains strong". A Saudi doctor, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, 50, was arrested Friday at the scene of the attack in which a rented SUV ploughed at high speed through the crowd of revellers, bringing death and chaos to the festive event. His motive still remains unclear, days after Germany's deadliest attack in years. Abdulmohsen has in his many online posts voiced strongly anti-Islam views, anger at German authorities and support for far-right conspiracy narratives on the "Islamisation" of Europe. News outlet Der Spiegel reported he wrote on social media platform X in May that he expected to die "this year" and was seeking "justice" at any cost. Investigators found his will in the BMW that he used in the attack, the outlet said -- he stated that everything he owned was to go to the German Red Cross, and it contained no political messages. Die Welt daily, citing unnamed security sources, said that Abdulmohsen had been treated for a mental illness in the past, thought this was not immediately confirmed by authorities. - 'You are not alone' - The attack has fuelled an already bitter debate on migration and security in Germany, two months before national elections and with the far-right AfD party riding high in opinion polls. The government is facing mounting questions about possible errors and missed warnings about Abdulmohsen, who was arrested next to the battered BMW sports utility vehicle. Saudi Arabia said it had repeatedly warned Germany about its citizen, who came to Germany in 2006 and was granted refugee status 10 years later. A source close to the Saudi government told AFP that the kingdom had sought his extradition. Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government has pledged to fully investigate whether there were security lapses before the attack. The Saudi suspect has been remanded in custody in a top-security facility on five counts of murder and 205 of attempted murder, prosecutors said, but not so far on terrorism-related charges. German Christmas markets have been specially secured since a jihadist attacker rammed a truck through a Berlin Christmas market in 2016, killing 13 people. The Magdeburg event too had been shielded by barricades, but the attacker managed to exploit a five-metre gap when he steered the car into the site and then raced into the unsuspecting crowd. Steinmeier offered his condolences for relatives of those injured and killed "in such a terrible way" -- when the attack killed a nine-year-old boy and four women aged 45 to 75. "You are not alone in your pain," he told the hundreds of affected families. "The people throughout our country feel for you and mourn with you." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) 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Eduardo Camavinga injured in Real Madrid's match against LiverpoolNewly appointed Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and four other election commissioners will take oath at the Supreme Court today. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed will administer the swearing-in ceremony at the Judges' Lounge, Supreme Court Registrar General Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan told The Daily Star. President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed former secretary Nasir as the new CEC and four others as election commissioners under article 118 (1) of the constitution. The four new election commissioners are former additional secretary Md Anwarul Islam Sarker, former district and sessions judge Abdur Rahmanel Masud, former joint secretary Begum Tahmida Ahmad and Brig Gen (retd) Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah. The Election Commission (EC) had been vacant since September 5 when members of the previous commission, led by Kazi Habibul Awal, resigned. The EC had never been vacant for this long since it was founded in 1972. Awal and the other commissioners were about halfway through their five-year tenure. On October 29, the government formed a six-member search committee led by Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury of the Supreme Court's Appellate Division to come up with the names of two individuals for each EC membership. The interim government, formed after the ouster of the previous Awami League regime in August, has constituted six commissions to bring reforms to the election system and other fields. As political parties have for weeks been asking when the election will be held, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on November 17 said the government would issue a roadmap to the election as soon as decisions on electoral reforms were made.By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH, Associated Press For Makenzie Gilkison, spelling is such a struggle that a word like rhinoceros might come out as “rineanswsaurs” or sarcastic as “srkastik.” The 14-year-old from suburban Indianapolis can sound out words, but her dyslexia makes the process so draining that she often struggles with comprehension. “I just assumed I was stupid,” she recalled of her early grade school years. But assistive technology powered by artificial intelligence has helped her keep up with classmates. Last year, Makenzie was named to the National Junior Honor Society. She credits a customized AI-powered chatbot, a word prediction program and other tools that can read for her. “I would have just probably given up if I didn’t have them,” she said. Artificial intelligence holds the promise of helping countless other students with a range of visual, speech, language and hearing impairments to execute tasks that come easily to others. Schools everywhere have been wrestling with how and where to incorporate AI , but many are fast-tracking applications for students with disabilities. Getting the latest technology into the hands of students with disabilities is a priority for the U.S. Education Department, which has told schools they must consider whether students need tools like text-to-speech and alternative communication devices. New rules from the Department of Justice also will require schools and other government entities to make apps and online content accessible to those with disabilities. There is concern about how to ensure students using it — including those with disabilities — are still learning. Students can use artificial intelligence to summarize jumbled thoughts into an outline, summarize complicated passages, or even translate Shakespeare into common English. And computer-generated voices that can read passages for visually impaired and dyslexic students are becoming less robotic and more natural. “I’m seeing that a lot of students are kind of exploring on their own, almost feeling like they’ve found a cheat code in a video game,” said Alexis Reid, an educational therapist in the Boston area who works with students with learning disabilities. But in her view, it is far from cheating : “We’re meeting students where they are.” Ben Snyder, a 14-year-old freshman from Larchmont, New York, who was recently diagnosed with a learning disability, has been increasingly using AI to help with homework. “Sometimes in math, my teachers will explain a problem to me, but it just makes absolutely no sense,” he said. “So if I plug that problem into AI, it’ll give me multiple different ways of explaining how to do that.” He likes a program called Question AI. Earlier in the day, he asked the program to help him write an outline for a book report — a task he completed in 15 minutes that otherwise would have taken him an hour and a half because of his struggles with writing and organization. But he does think using AI to write the whole report crosses a line. “That’s just cheating,” Ben said. Schools have been trying to balance the technology’s benefits against the risk that it will do too much. If a special education plan sets reading growth as a goal, the student needs to improve that skill. AI can’t do it for them, said Mary Lawson, general counsel at the Council of the Great City Schools. But the technology can help level the playing field for students with disabilities, said Paul Sanft, director of a Minnesota-based center where families can try out different assistive technology tools and borrow devices. “There are definitely going to be people who use some of these tools in nefarious ways. That’s always going to happen,” Sanft said. “But I don’t think that’s the biggest concern with people with disabilities, who are just trying to do something that they couldn’t do before.” Another risk is that AI will track students into less rigorous courses of study. And, because it is so good at identifying patterns , AI might be able to figure out a student has a disability. Having that disclosed by AI and not the student or their family could create ethical dilemmas, said Luis Pérez, the disability and digital inclusion lead at CAST, formerly the Center for Applied Specialized Technology. Schools are using the technology to help students who struggle academically, even if they do not qualify for special education services. In Iowa, a new law requires students deemed not proficient — about a quarter of them — to get an individualized reading plan. As part of that effort, the state’s education department spent $3 million on an AI-driven personalized tutoring program. When students struggle, a digital avatar intervenes. More AI tools are coming soon. The U.S. National Science Foundation is funding AI research and development. One firm is developing tools to help children with speech and language difficulties. Called the National AI Institute for Exceptional Education, it is headquartered at the University of Buffalo, which did pioneering work on handwriting recognition that helped the U.S. Postal Service save hundreds of millions of dollars by automating processing. “We are able to solve the postal application with very high accuracy. When it comes to children’s handwriting, we fail very badly,” said Venu Govindaraju, the director of the institute. He sees it as an area that needs more work, along with speech-to-text technology, which isn’t as good at understanding children’s voices, particularly if there is a speech impediment. Sorting through the sheer number of programs developed by education technology companies can be a time-consuming challenge for schools. Richard Culatta, CEO of the International Society for Technology in Education, said the nonprofit launched an effort this fall to make it easier for districts to vet what they are buying and ensure it is accessible. Makenzie wishes some of the tools were easier to use. Sometimes a feature will inexplicably be turned off, and she will be without it for a week while the tech team investigates. The challenges can be so cumbersome that some students resist the technology entirely. But Makenzie’s mother, Nadine Gilkison, who works as a technology integration supervisor at Franklin Township Community School Corporation in Indiana, said she sees more promise than downside. In September, her district rolled out chatbots to help special education students in high school. She said teachers, who sometimes struggled to provide students the help they needed, became emotional when they heard about the program. Until now, students were reliant on someone to help them, unable to move ahead on their own. “Now we don’t need to wait anymore,” she said. The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.