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7 Best Clip Makers to Elevate Content Creation
In today’s digital environment, effective content creation is essential for engagement and impact. The right clip makers can greatly improve your video production process, offering tools that streamline editing, simplify workflows, and elevate overall quality. From AI-driven improvements in Wondershare Filmora to the advanced generative capabilities of Sora, these tools cater to various needs. Comprehending each option’s strengths can help you select the best fit for your projects, ensuring your content stands out. What features should you prioritize? Key Takeaways Descript offers unique text-based editing, making video modifications easy through script adjustments and AI-generated transcripts. Wondershare Filmora enhances video quality with AI features, providing a free plan and affordable subscription options. Invideo AI simplifies social media video creation with an extensive library of customizable templates and music options. Sora and Synthesia utilize generative AI for automatic video creation, offering professional avatars and multilingual support for diverse content. Capsule streamlines video production workflows with AI integration, ensuring branding consistency and facilitating collaborative projects. Descript: Best for Editing Video by Editing the Script Have you ever wished you could edit a video as easily as you edit a document? Descript makes this possible with its unique text-based editing feature, allowing you to modify your video by directly editing the script. This ai YouTube video editor automatically generates transcripts, enabling you to highlight and create shareable clips from specific moments effortlessly. Built-in templates for social media help you quickly export clips optimized for various platforms, saving you time. Moreover, Descript’s AI efficiently identifies engaging moments in your videos, so you can produce highlight reels with minimal effort. Its intuitive interface offers an easy learning curve, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced editors looking to streamline their video editing process. Wondershare Filmora: Best for Polishing Videos With AI Tools Wondershare Filmora stands out with its AI-powered editing features that greatly improve video quality. You can utilize tools like the smart cutout to easily remove unwanted elements from your footage and the audio denoise capability to enhance sound clarity. These features not just streamline the editing process but additionally guarantee your videos look and sound professional. AI-Powered Editing Features In the domain of video editing, AI-powered features can greatly improve the quality of your content and streamline the editing process. Wondershare Filmora stands out as an excellent ai clip maker, integrating advanced AI tools like audio denoise and automatic video adjustments. These features elevate your videos’ overall quality as well as reducing the time spent on manual editing tasks. Filmora likewise offers extensive learning resources, making it user-friendly for beginners enthusiastic to maximize these AI capabilities. You can start with a free plan to explore the platform, even if this version includes a watermark on exported videos. For those seeking a more professional finish, the Basic plan at $49.99 per year provides advanced features without watermarks, catering to serious content creators. Smart Cutout Tool The Smart Cutout tool in Wondershare Filmora offers a strong solution for content creators looking to improve their video projects. This AI-driven feature automatically detects and removes backgrounds, allowing you to isolate subjects with ease. It’s perfect for achieving polished, professional results without extensive manual editing. Feature Benefit AI Background Removal Automatically detects and removes backgrounds User-Friendly Effortless isolation of subjects in footage Format Compatibility Supports various video types and projects Learning Resources Extensive guidance for ideal tool usage With the Smart Cutout tool, you’ll boost your video editing capabilities and create visually striking content suitable for everything from social media clips to corporate presentations. Audio Denoise Capability How can you improve the audio quality of your videos without extensive editing knowledge? Wondershare Filmora’s audio denoise capability is your solution. This advanced tool effectively removes background noise, improving audio clarity, especially in noisy environments. With Filmora, you can easily adjust the level of noise reduction, ensuring that important elements like dialogue and music remain clear as you minimize unwanted sounds. Moreover, Filmora offers AI-powered audio enhancements, including automatic audio synchronization, which simplifies editing soundtracks and voiceovers. Its user-friendly interface allows even beginners to utilize the audio denoise feature with ease, making it accessible for everyone. Sora: Best for Generative AI With Advanced Tools Sora stands out as a premier tool for content creators who want to leverage generative AI for video production. This platform acts as an automatic clip generator, enabling you to create videos from simple prompts quickly and efficiently. With its unique storyboard capability, you can manage your narrative scene-by-scene, providing improved control over your video projects. Sora also allows the remixing of existing videos, giving you the flexibility to build on previous content and refine your work. Furthermore, you can upload images to Sora, which can be animated within your videos, broadening your visual storytelling options. As part of the ChatGPT Plus subscription, it offers 50 priority video generations at 720p quality for just $20/month, with a Pro plan for upgraded features. Capsule: Best for Simplifying Video Production Workflows When you’re looking to streamline your video production workflow, Capsule offers a solution that integrates AI technology to improve efficiency. This clipmaker website simplifies the creation and application of design systems, enabling you to produce high-quality videos without extensive technical skills. Capsule‘s intuitive interface allows for faster content turnaround, whereas its automated video formatting and customizable templates help maintain branding consistency. These features minimize manual editing efforts, greatly reducing the time spent on editing tasks. Additionally, Capsule supports collaborative projects, letting teams work together seamlessly on video creation. This capability is crucial for modern content production environments, enhancing overall productivity and ensuring that you can focus on what matters most—creating engaging content. Invideo AI: Best for Producing Social Media Videos Invideo AI stands out for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for you to create engaging social media videos without prior experience. With versatile video templates customized for various platforms, you can streamline your production process and improve your content’s appeal. This combination of accessibility and customization empowers you to produce professional-quality videos quickly and efficiently. User-Friendly Interface Creating social media videos can be a challenging task, especially for those new to content creation, but InVideo AI simplifies this process with its user-friendly interface. As a strong youtube clip maker, it allows you to focus on storytelling without getting overwhelmed by technicalities. Here’s what makes it user-friendly: Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Easily edit your videos with minimal effort, allowing for quick adjustments. Pre-Designed Templates: Access a library of templates that help maintain a consistent brand aesthetic across your projects. Multiple Formats and Aspect Ratios: Guarantee your videos are optimized for various social media platforms without extensive adjustments. Versatile Video Templates The versatility of video templates offered by InVideo AI greatly improves the content creation process, especially for social media videos. With over 5,000 customizable options, you can easily find templates customized to various platforms and content types. These versatile video templates support auto video editing, making it simple for you to improve your projects quickly. InVideo AI provides features like voiceovers, text overlays, and smooth shifts, perfect for creating engaging faceless videos and B-roll footage. Both beginners and experienced marketers can modify templates to fit their branding needs. Furthermore, the extensive music library and stock footage options raise the quality of your videos, allowing you to produce professional results without needing extra resources. Synthesia: Best for Using Digital Avatars In the domain of digital content creation, Synthesia stands out as an influential tool for those looking to utilize AI avatars in their videos. This platform offers several benefits that can improve your video production experience: High-Quality Digital Avatars: Create professional-looking videos without needing live actors. Multilingual Support: Easily generate video content in various languages, allowing you to reach a global audience. User-Friendly Interface: Quickly produce videos from text prompts, greatly reducing production time and effort. Synthesia is particularly effective for corporate training and marketing applications, helping businesses improve their communication strategies with visually appealing presentations. It’s likewise ideal for creators seeking privacy, as it enables the creation of faceless videos while delivering impactful messages. Vyond: Best for Creating Animated Characters From a Prompt With Vyond, you can transform simple text prompts into engaging animated characters, making it an ideal tool for content creators looking to add a dynamic visual element to their projects. As a youtube clip creator, you’ll appreciate Vyond’s customizable character templates, which represent various demographics and personalities. Its user-friendly interface allows you to create compelling animated videos without needing advanced animation skills. You can choose from different animation styles, including business-friendly, cartoonish, and whiteboard, catering to diverse audiences and purposes. Furthermore, Vyond’s collaborative features enable team members to work together seamlessly, boosting productivity and creativity in content creation. This versatility makes Vyond a top choice for anyone aiming to improve their animated content effectively. Frequently Asked Questions Which Video Editor Is Best for Content Creation? Choosing the best video editor for content creation depends on your specific needs. If you value text-based editing, Descript offers an intuitive approach. For polished production, Wondershare Filmora’s AI features improve quality. If you’re focused on engagement, OpusClip automatically generates clips from longer videos. Vizard.ai stands out at creating social media-friendly content, as Quso.ai streamlines editing with AI tools. Evaluate each option based on your editing style and audience engagement goals to find the right fit. What Is the Best Tool for Content Creation? The best tool for content creation depends on your specific needs. If you want efficient editing, tools like Descript streamline processes by allowing you to edit text directly. For quick clip generation, Quso.ai automatically identifies engaging segments. If you need to condense long videos, Revid.ai is ideal for multilingual content. Vizard.ai and OpusClip improve your workflow by transforming long videos into engaging clips, optimizing viewer engagement and reach across platforms. What Is the Best AI Video Generator for Content Creation? When considering the best AI video generator for content creation, Descript stands out with its text-based editing and automatic transcription features, allowing you to create clips effortlessly. OpusClip analyzes your video content to generate engaging short clips, boosting viewer engagement. For corporate training, Synthesia provides high-quality AI avatars. InVideo AI is perfect for social media with customized features, whereas Revid.ai thrives at summarizing longer videos into concise clips, accommodating multilingual needs. What Do Content Creators Use to Create Videos? To create videos, you often use a variety of tools customized to your needs. AI-powered platforms like Descript simplify editing with text-based features, whereas OpusClip automatically generates short clips from longer videos. For user-friendly interfaces, Vimeo and Canva are popular choices, offering templates for quick production. If you need advanced editing, Adobe Premiere Pro provides detailed customization. Social media tools like VEED.IO and Kapwing improve content creation with easy editing and collaboration options. Conclusion In conclusion, these seven clip makers offer diverse features customized to improve your content creation process. Whether you need advanced editing tools like Descript and Filmora, generative AI capabilities from Sora and Synthesia, or streamlined workflows with Capsule, each tool caters to specific needs. By leveraging these technologies, you can boost your video production, improve efficiency, and engage your audience effectively. Choose the one that aligns best with your goals to maximize your creative potential. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Best Clip Makers to Elevate Content Creation" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article
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7 Best Clip Makers to Elevate Content Creation
In today’s digital environment, effective content creation is essential for engagement and impact. The right clip makers can greatly improve your video production process, offering tools that streamline editing, simplify workflows, and elevate overall quality. From AI-driven improvements in Wondershare Filmora to the advanced generative capabilities of Sora, these tools cater to various needs. Comprehending each option’s strengths can help you select the best fit for your projects, ensuring your content stands out. What features should you prioritize? Key Takeaways Descript offers unique text-based editing, making video modifications easy through script adjustments and AI-generated transcripts. Wondershare Filmora enhances video quality with AI features, providing a free plan and affordable subscription options. Invideo AI simplifies social media video creation with an extensive library of customizable templates and music options. Sora and Synthesia utilize generative AI for automatic video creation, offering professional avatars and multilingual support for diverse content. Capsule streamlines video production workflows with AI integration, ensuring branding consistency and facilitating collaborative projects. Descript: Best for Editing Video by Editing the Script Have you ever wished you could edit a video as easily as you edit a document? Descript makes this possible with its unique text-based editing feature, allowing you to modify your video by directly editing the script. This ai YouTube video editor automatically generates transcripts, enabling you to highlight and create shareable clips from specific moments effortlessly. Built-in templates for social media help you quickly export clips optimized for various platforms, saving you time. Moreover, Descript’s AI efficiently identifies engaging moments in your videos, so you can produce highlight reels with minimal effort. Its intuitive interface offers an easy learning curve, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced editors looking to streamline their video editing process. Wondershare Filmora: Best for Polishing Videos With AI Tools Wondershare Filmora stands out with its AI-powered editing features that greatly improve video quality. You can utilize tools like the smart cutout to easily remove unwanted elements from your footage and the audio denoise capability to enhance sound clarity. These features not just streamline the editing process but additionally guarantee your videos look and sound professional. AI-Powered Editing Features In the domain of video editing, AI-powered features can greatly improve the quality of your content and streamline the editing process. Wondershare Filmora stands out as an excellent ai clip maker, integrating advanced AI tools like audio denoise and automatic video adjustments. These features elevate your videos’ overall quality as well as reducing the time spent on manual editing tasks. Filmora likewise offers extensive learning resources, making it user-friendly for beginners enthusiastic to maximize these AI capabilities. You can start with a free plan to explore the platform, even if this version includes a watermark on exported videos. For those seeking a more professional finish, the Basic plan at $49.99 per year provides advanced features without watermarks, catering to serious content creators. Smart Cutout Tool The Smart Cutout tool in Wondershare Filmora offers a strong solution for content creators looking to improve their video projects. This AI-driven feature automatically detects and removes backgrounds, allowing you to isolate subjects with ease. It’s perfect for achieving polished, professional results without extensive manual editing. Feature Benefit AI Background Removal Automatically detects and removes backgrounds User-Friendly Effortless isolation of subjects in footage Format Compatibility Supports various video types and projects Learning Resources Extensive guidance for ideal tool usage With the Smart Cutout tool, you’ll boost your video editing capabilities and create visually striking content suitable for everything from social media clips to corporate presentations. Audio Denoise Capability How can you improve the audio quality of your videos without extensive editing knowledge? Wondershare Filmora’s audio denoise capability is your solution. This advanced tool effectively removes background noise, improving audio clarity, especially in noisy environments. With Filmora, you can easily adjust the level of noise reduction, ensuring that important elements like dialogue and music remain clear as you minimize unwanted sounds. Moreover, Filmora offers AI-powered audio enhancements, including automatic audio synchronization, which simplifies editing soundtracks and voiceovers. Its user-friendly interface allows even beginners to utilize the audio denoise feature with ease, making it accessible for everyone. Sora: Best for Generative AI With Advanced Tools Sora stands out as a premier tool for content creators who want to leverage generative AI for video production. This platform acts as an automatic clip generator, enabling you to create videos from simple prompts quickly and efficiently. With its unique storyboard capability, you can manage your narrative scene-by-scene, providing improved control over your video projects. Sora also allows the remixing of existing videos, giving you the flexibility to build on previous content and refine your work. Furthermore, you can upload images to Sora, which can be animated within your videos, broadening your visual storytelling options. As part of the ChatGPT Plus subscription, it offers 50 priority video generations at 720p quality for just $20/month, with a Pro plan for upgraded features. Capsule: Best for Simplifying Video Production Workflows When you’re looking to streamline your video production workflow, Capsule offers a solution that integrates AI technology to improve efficiency. This clipmaker website simplifies the creation and application of design systems, enabling you to produce high-quality videos without extensive technical skills. Capsule‘s intuitive interface allows for faster content turnaround, whereas its automated video formatting and customizable templates help maintain branding consistency. These features minimize manual editing efforts, greatly reducing the time spent on editing tasks. Additionally, Capsule supports collaborative projects, letting teams work together seamlessly on video creation. This capability is crucial for modern content production environments, enhancing overall productivity and ensuring that you can focus on what matters most—creating engaging content. Invideo AI: Best for Producing Social Media Videos Invideo AI stands out for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for you to create engaging social media videos without prior experience. With versatile video templates customized for various platforms, you can streamline your production process and improve your content’s appeal. This combination of accessibility and customization empowers you to produce professional-quality videos quickly and efficiently. User-Friendly Interface Creating social media videos can be a challenging task, especially for those new to content creation, but InVideo AI simplifies this process with its user-friendly interface. As a strong youtube clip maker, it allows you to focus on storytelling without getting overwhelmed by technicalities. Here’s what makes it user-friendly: Intuitive Drag-and-Drop Functionality: Easily edit your videos with minimal effort, allowing for quick adjustments. Pre-Designed Templates: Access a library of templates that help maintain a consistent brand aesthetic across your projects. Multiple Formats and Aspect Ratios: Guarantee your videos are optimized for various social media platforms without extensive adjustments. Versatile Video Templates The versatility of video templates offered by InVideo AI greatly improves the content creation process, especially for social media videos. With over 5,000 customizable options, you can easily find templates customized to various platforms and content types. These versatile video templates support auto video editing, making it simple for you to improve your projects quickly. InVideo AI provides features like voiceovers, text overlays, and smooth shifts, perfect for creating engaging faceless videos and B-roll footage. Both beginners and experienced marketers can modify templates to fit their branding needs. Furthermore, the extensive music library and stock footage options raise the quality of your videos, allowing you to produce professional results without needing extra resources. Synthesia: Best for Using Digital Avatars In the domain of digital content creation, Synthesia stands out as an influential tool for those looking to utilize AI avatars in their videos. This platform offers several benefits that can improve your video production experience: High-Quality Digital Avatars: Create professional-looking videos without needing live actors. Multilingual Support: Easily generate video content in various languages, allowing you to reach a global audience. User-Friendly Interface: Quickly produce videos from text prompts, greatly reducing production time and effort. Synthesia is particularly effective for corporate training and marketing applications, helping businesses improve their communication strategies with visually appealing presentations. It’s likewise ideal for creators seeking privacy, as it enables the creation of faceless videos while delivering impactful messages. Vyond: Best for Creating Animated Characters From a Prompt With Vyond, you can transform simple text prompts into engaging animated characters, making it an ideal tool for content creators looking to add a dynamic visual element to their projects. As a youtube clip creator, you’ll appreciate Vyond’s customizable character templates, which represent various demographics and personalities. Its user-friendly interface allows you to create compelling animated videos without needing advanced animation skills. You can choose from different animation styles, including business-friendly, cartoonish, and whiteboard, catering to diverse audiences and purposes. Furthermore, Vyond’s collaborative features enable team members to work together seamlessly, boosting productivity and creativity in content creation. This versatility makes Vyond a top choice for anyone aiming to improve their animated content effectively. Frequently Asked Questions Which Video Editor Is Best for Content Creation? Choosing the best video editor for content creation depends on your specific needs. If you value text-based editing, Descript offers an intuitive approach. For polished production, Wondershare Filmora’s AI features improve quality. If you’re focused on engagement, OpusClip automatically generates clips from longer videos. Vizard.ai stands out at creating social media-friendly content, as Quso.ai streamlines editing with AI tools. Evaluate each option based on your editing style and audience engagement goals to find the right fit. What Is the Best Tool for Content Creation? The best tool for content creation depends on your specific needs. If you want efficient editing, tools like Descript streamline processes by allowing you to edit text directly. For quick clip generation, Quso.ai automatically identifies engaging segments. If you need to condense long videos, Revid.ai is ideal for multilingual content. Vizard.ai and OpusClip improve your workflow by transforming long videos into engaging clips, optimizing viewer engagement and reach across platforms. What Is the Best AI Video Generator for Content Creation? When considering the best AI video generator for content creation, Descript stands out with its text-based editing and automatic transcription features, allowing you to create clips effortlessly. OpusClip analyzes your video content to generate engaging short clips, boosting viewer engagement. For corporate training, Synthesia provides high-quality AI avatars. InVideo AI is perfect for social media with customized features, whereas Revid.ai thrives at summarizing longer videos into concise clips, accommodating multilingual needs. What Do Content Creators Use to Create Videos? To create videos, you often use a variety of tools customized to your needs. AI-powered platforms like Descript simplify editing with text-based features, whereas OpusClip automatically generates short clips from longer videos. For user-friendly interfaces, Vimeo and Canva are popular choices, offering templates for quick production. If you need advanced editing, Adobe Premiere Pro provides detailed customization. Social media tools like VEED.IO and Kapwing improve content creation with easy editing and collaboration options. Conclusion In conclusion, these seven clip makers offer diverse features customized to improve your content creation process. Whether you need advanced editing tools like Descript and Filmora, generative AI capabilities from Sora and Synthesia, or streamlined workflows with Capsule, each tool caters to specific needs. By leveraging these technologies, you can boost your video production, improve efficiency, and engage your audience effectively. Choose the one that aligns best with your goals to maximize your creative potential. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Best Clip Makers to Elevate Content Creation" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article
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The Beats Solo Buds Just Dropped to $39 at Walmart
We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication. The Beats Solo Buds are a popular choice in the wireless earbuds game, and right now they’re $39 (originally $69) at Walmart, which is even cheaper than Amazon’s lowest price ever of $49.95. A budget-friendly alternative to Apple’s other in-ear buds, they’re a top contender for those on a budget who still want high-quality sound. Beats Solo Buds $69.00 at Walmart Get Deal Get Deal $69.00 at Walmart Compared to the pricier Beats Studio Buds and Studio Buds +, they’re fairly no-frills, as CNET notes. They don’t come with a charging case, Active Noise Cancellation (only passive noise isolation), or other advanced features, but that’s to be expected at a fraction of the cost. Still, they deliver balanced sound with bright highs and deep bass, which is further enhanced when you play Dolby Atmos tracks. Battery life lasts up to 18 hours, and with fast charging via USB-C, five minutes of charging will give you around an hour of playback. Since the case doesn’t have an internal battery, it’s more compact, and pairing is seamless across both iOS and Android users. While the earbuds don’t have an official IPX rating, they are advertised as sweat and water-resistant, and come with four ear tip sizes for a more comfortable fit. Although the mic quality isn’t on par with the Studio Buds line, noise-learning algorithms and custom-designed mics work well for everyday calls. If you don’t need ANC and want compact earbuds at a low cost that still deliver great sound, the Beats Solo Buds are a solid choice for simple listening, especially at a $40 price point. However, if you plan to wear them for heavy sweat sessions or water spots, or if you commute in a very noisy environment, you may want to invest in the Beats Studio buds instead. Our Best Editor-Vetted Tech Deals Right Now Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds — $84.99 (List Price $129.00) Apple iPad 11" 128GB A16 WiFi Tablet (Blue, 2025) — $324.99 (List Price $349.00) Shark AV2501AE AI XL Hepa- Safe Self-Emptying Base Robot Vacuum — $294.99 (List Price $649.99) Apple Watch Series 10 — $279.00 (List Price $429.00) Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) — $69.99 (List Price $139.99) Sony WH-1000XM5 — $297.98 (List Price $399.99) Blink Outdoor 4 1080p Wireless Security Camera (5-Pack) — $159.99 (List Price $399.99) Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus 1080p Security Camera (White) — $99.99 (List Price $179.99) Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus — $24.99 (List Price $49.99) NEW Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $299.00 (List Price $429.00) Deals are selected by our commerce team View the full article
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The UK government is running out of credibility
A chaotic week has raised the risks around this month’s crucial BudgetView the full article
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Figure posts huge HELOC volume in strong earnings debut
The fintech had over $2 billion in home equity line of credit volume in the third quarter and reported growing production in its crypto and non-QM offerings. View the full article
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Trump calls for probes into Bill Clinton and JPMorgan over ties to Epstein
Investigations come as US president’s own links to the late child sex offender roil his supportersView the full article
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Mortgage fraud risk rises on growth of investor properties
With the increase in investor-owned properties, the risk of undisclosed real estate fraud, including occupancy misrepresentation, rose 9% in the third quarter. View the full article
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White House memo claims Alibaba is helping Chinese military target US
National security document outlines intelligence on tech support given to PLA ‘operations’View the full article
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Supergreens powder and supplements recalled nationwide after Salmonella outbreak sickens people in 7 states
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to powdered dietary supplements. According to the latest update from the agency, the outbreak has sickened almost a dozen people, with three hospitalized. The outbreak has also sparked multiple product recalls. Here’s what to know: What’s happened? On Wednesday, November 12, Brooklyn-based Food to Live voluntarily recalled its “Organic Moringa Leaf Powder” and “Organic Supergreens Powder Mix” products due to a risk of Salmonella contamination. These products were distributed through retail and wholesale channels nationwide. The FDA published a recall notice on Thursday, November 13. Both recalled products contain moringa leaf powder supplied by Vallon Farmdirect PVT LTD of Johdpur, India. The ingredient, which is sold in multiple dietary supplements, is linked to the Salmonella outbreak. Earlier in October and November, products containing the same ingredient were also recalled. Those products were branded as Member’s Mark and Africa Imports. To date, 11 illnesses across seven states have been reported in connection with products containing moringa leaf powder from the same lot. Which products are impacted by the recalls? The Food to Live product recall was initiated after the FDA notified the company that a specific supplier lot of organic moringa powder tested positive for Salmonella. The following products are included in the most recent recall: Organic Moringa Leaf Powder: Sold in 8-ounce, 1-pound, 2-pound, 4-pound, 8-pound, 16-pound, and 44-pound bags. Organic Supergreens Powder Mix: Sold in 8-ounce, 1-pound, 1.5-pound, 3-pound, 6-pound, and 12-pound bags. The recalled products were sold directly on the Food To Live website and were shipped to customers nationwide. The products were also sold on third-party e-commerce platforms, including: Amazon.com Walmart.com Target Etsy eBay Bulk quantities from the affected lot were sold to food manufacturers and other businesses. Other products containing moringa powder were recalled earlier. They were sold at various retailers, both in-store and online, have been likewise linked to the outbreak. The following products were recalled earlier: Africa Imports Organic Moringa Leaf Powder: Sold in a 1-kilogram box on the Africa Imports website after June 5, 2025. Member’s Mark Super Greens dietary supplement powder: All packages, regardless of lot codes or best buy/use by dates. The product was sold at Sam’s Club stores nationwide, in-store and online. All recalled products were manufactured using a single lot of recalled organic moringa leaf powder supplied by Vallon Farmdirect, a food producer based in Johdpur, India. What if I have one of these recalled products? Consumers who have purchased any of the above recalled products should dispose of them or return them to the place of purchase. Distributors and retailers that have received recalled moringa leaf powder manufactured by Vallon Farmdirect should not use, sell, or distribute any products or ingredients containing it, the FDA says. Where has the outbreak spread? The FDA is currently investigating this Salmonella outbreak. The FDA’s Moringa Leaf Powder Salmonella outbreak investigation page was last updated on November 13, 2025. A list of recalled product, product images, and other details about the investigation are available. The FDA has reported 11 illnesses, with three people hospitalized. Illnesses have been reported in the following states: Florida Kansas Michigan New York North Carolina South Carolina Virginia What symptoms should I look out for? Salmonella infection is a bacterial disease that affects the gastrointestinal tract. It’s commonly spread through contaminated food or water. According to the Mayo Clinic, most people develop diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps within 8 to 72 hours after exposure. Most healthy people recover within a few days to one week without needing specific treatment. Some people have no symptoms at all. If you think you have developed symptoms of Salmonella, contact a healthcare provider. View the full article
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The latest opioid settlement plan with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma could end the yearslong legal saga
Lawyers representing OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, branches of the Sackler family that own it, cities, states, counties, Native American tribes, people with addiction and others across the U.S. are expected to deliver a nearly unanimous message for a bankruptcy court judge Friday: Approve a plan to settle thousands of opioid-related lawsuits against the company. If U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Sean Lane abides, it will close a long chapter — and maybe the entire book — on a legal odyssey over efforts to hold the company to account for its role in an opioid crisis connected to 900,000 deaths in the U.S. since 1999, including deaths from heroin and illicit fentanyl. Closing arguments were expected Friday in the third day of a hearing over a bankruptcy plan for the company, which filed for protection six years ago as it faced lawsuits with claims that grew to trillions of dollars. The opposition is much quieter this time around The saga has been emotional and full of contentious arguments between the many groups that took Purdue to court, often exposing a possible mismatch between the quest for justice and the practical role of bankruptcy court. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a previous deal because it said it was improper for Sackler family members to receive immunity from lawsuits over opioids. In the new arrangement, entities who don’t opt into the settlement can sue them. Family members are collectively worth billions, but much of their assets are held in trusts in offshore accounts that would be hard to access through lawsuits. This time, the government groups involved have reached an even fuller consensus and there’s been mostly subdued opposition from individuals. Out of more than 54,000 personal injury victims who voted on whether the plan should be accepted. just 218 said no. A larger number of people who are part of that group didn’t vote. A handful of objectors spoke Thursday at the hearing, sometimes interrupting the judge. Some said that only the victims, not the states and other government entities, should receive the funds in the settlement. Others wanted the judge to find the members of the Sackler family criminally liable — something Lane said is beyond the scope of the bankruptcy court, but that the settlement doesn’t bar prosecutors from pursuing. A Florida woman whose husband struggled with addiction after being given OxyContin following an accident told the court that the deal isn’t enough. “The natural laws of karma suggest the Sacklers and Purdue Pharma should pay for what they have done,” Pamela Bartz Halaschak said via video. Deal would be among the biggest opioid settlements A flood of lawsuits filed by government entities against Purdue and other drugmakers, drug wholesalers and pharmacy chains began about a decade ago. Most of the major ones have already settled for a total of about $50 billion, with most of the money going to fight the opioid crisis. The Purdue deal would rank among the largest of them. Members of the Sackler family would be required to pay up to $7 billion and give up ownership of the company. None have been on its board or received payments since 2018. Unlike a similar hearing four years ago, none were called to testify in this week’s hearing. The company would get a name change and new overseers who would dedicate future profits to battling the opioid crisis. There are also some non-financial provisions. Certain members of the Sackler family would be required to give up involvement in companies that sell opioids in other countries. Family members would also be barred from having their names added to institutions in exchange for charitable contributions. The name has already been removed from museums and universities. And company documents, including many that would normally be subject to lawyer-client privilege, are to be made public. Some people hurt by Purdue’s opioids would receive some money Unlike the other major opioid settlements, individuals harmed by Purdue’s products would be in line for some money as part of the settlement. About $850 million would be set aside for them, with more than $100 million of that amount carved out to help children born dealing with opioid withdrawal. About 139,000 people have active claims for the money. Many of them, however, have not shown proof that they were prescribed Purdue’s opioids and will receive nothing. Lawyers expect that those who had prescriptions for at least six months would receive about $16,000 each and those who had them more briefly would get around $8,000. Legal fees would reduce what people actually receive. One woman who had a family member suffer from opioid addiction told the court by video Thursday that the settlement doesn’t help people with substance use disorder. “Tell me how you guys can sleep at night knowing people are going to get so little money they can’t do anything with it,” asked Laureen Ferrante of Staten Island, New York. Most of the money is to go to state and local governments to be used in their efforts to mitigate damage of the opioid epidemic. Overdose death numbers have been dropping in the past few years, a decline experts believe is partly due to the impact of settlement dollars. —Geoff Mulvihill, Associated Press View the full article
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Anthropic reports AI-driven cyberattack linked to China
A team of researchers has uncovered what they say is the first reported use of artificial intelligence to direct a hacking campaign in a largely automated fashion. The AI company Anthropic said this week that it disrupted a cyber operation that its researchers linked to the Chinese government. The operation involved the use of an artificial intelligence system to direct the hacking campaigns, which researchers called a disturbing development that could greatly expand the reach of AI-equipped hackers. While concerns about the use of AI to drive cyber operations are not new, what is concerning about the new operation is the degree to which AI was able to automate some of the work, the researchers said. “While we predicted these capabilities would continue to evolve, what has stood out to us is how quickly they have done so at scale,” they wrote in their report. The operation was modest in scope and only targeted about 30 individuals who worked at tech companies, financial institutions, chemical companies, and government agencies. Anthropic noticed the operation in September and took steps to shut it down and notify the affected parties. The hackers only “succeeded in a small number of cases,” according to Anthropic, which noted that while AI systems are increasingly being used in a variety of settings for work and leisure, they can also be weaponized by hacking groups working for foreign adversaries. Anthropic, maker of the generative AI chatbot Claude, is one of many tech companies pitching AI “agents” that go beyond a chatbot’s capability to access computer tools and take actions on a person’s behalf. “Agents are valuable for everyday work and productivity — but in the wrong hands, they can substantially increase the viability of large-scale cyberattacks,” the researchers concluded. “These attacks are likely to only grow in their effectiveness.” A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington did not immediately return a message seeking comment on the report. Microsoft warned earlier this year that foreign adversaries were increasingly embracing AI to make their cyber campaigns more efficient and less labor-intensive. America’s adversaries, as well as criminal gangs and hacking companies, have exploited AI’s potential, using it to automate and improve cyberattacks, to spread inflammatory disinformation, and to penetrate sensitive systems. AI can translate poorly worded phishing emails into fluent English, for example, as well as generate digital clones of senior government officials. View the full article
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Trump tried to brand a Democratic shutdown. It didn’t work
President Donald The President has worked to blame Democrats for the government shutdown, but a majority of Americans are unconvinced that it’s Democrats’ fault. The President’s administration has used the levers of the state to communicate partisan messages during the shutdown, which ended November 13. Ultimately, however, messaging through government channels like web design, out-of-office email replies, and public service announcements weren’t enough. A 52% majority of Americans blame The President or Republican lawmakers for the shutdown, according to a poll this week from Stack Data Strategy, a London market research firm. That’s in line with an NBC News poll last month that found 52% blamed The President and Republican lawmakers. And a YouGov poll released last week found more voters rate how Democrats in Congress handled the shutdown slightly better than The President or Republicans in Congress. These are slim majorities, but they also show the limits of The President’s influence over public opinion when it comes to the shutdown. “Nobody wins in a shutdown,” Kenneth Cosgrove, a professor in the department of political science and legal studies at Suffolk University, tells Fast Company in an email. “The question is which party gets more of the blame? Traditionally it’s been Congress just because of the media and marketing advantages the executive branch has.” But The President himself hasn’t been fully engaged with ending the shutdown as his attention has been split between other efforts, including trips abroad to the Middle East and Asia, and overseeing his White House renovation project. The President “wasn’t very visible,” during the shutdown, Cosgrove says. “Plus, how many people look at government websites on a regular basis? Probably not that many.” Most people aren’t browsing the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website, where a bright red banner for the duration of the shutdown said “The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government.” And because major airports refused to air a video filmed with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blaming Democrats for the shutdown, many travelers didn’t see it even as they spent extra hours at the airport due to delays and cancellations. With any political messaging, there are two important questions: “How many people actually saw or heard the message, and what else were they seeing or hearing?” says Yana Krupnikov, a professor of communications and media at the University of Michigan. “The information environment around us is so full—yes, we have messages on websites and out-of-office emails, but we also have news coverage from various sources, and we have people on social media. People also talk to each other,” Krupnikov says. It’s also not as if Democrats come out of the shutdown unscathed. The deal to reopen the government came from a handful of Senate Democrats who crossed party lines. The resulting deal doesn’t include Affordable Care Act subsidies, meaning millions of Americans’ health insurance premiums are expected to go up. The deal to reopen the government is unpopular with many Democratic lawmakers, including Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Chris Murphy of Connecticut. Still, it turns out tearing down the East Wing draws more attention than a Department of Education OOO message ever could, and SNAP cuts and canceled flights resonate more deeply with the public than a White House website shutdown countdown clock blaming Democrats. In a busy news environment, it’s hard to break through, even for The President. View the full article
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Vine Is Back
Today, short-form videos dominate our free time (and our working time, at that)—but this wasn't always the case. Before the likes of TikTok and Instagram Reels, online video content was more long-form than not. It might have felt short by the standards of cable TV, but many of the videos on platforms like YouTube were regularly anywhere from two to 10 minutes, if not longer. The first platform to really popularize short-form content as we think of it now was Vine. These videos were short—a maximum of six seconds at a time, which should have spelled the platform's doom. Who would want to watch these tiny videos back to back for hours at a time? A lot of us, apparently. Vine compilations garner millions (if not tens of millions) of views on YouTube. While the Twitter-owned platform only lasted about five years, it established itself as a true cultural phenomenon. Quote the first half of a popular vine to a group of young millennials or Gen Zs, and, chances are, they'll finish the line. For years, us Vine fans have longed for someone to bring the app back. Sure, short-form video has never been more addicting, but it's just not the same. Videos on Vine had a much different feel than most of the content you see on TikTok. Maybe it was the limited runtime; maybe it was the stripped-down recording interface. But to me, Vine feels like early YouTube: homemade, indie, and fun. Divine is the new VineIt seems that experience might actually be making a comeback. A new app, Divine, is trying to recreate the magic of those six-second loops. Divine, built by former Twitter employee Evan Henshaw-Plath and funded by Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey, is meant to be a platform to share vines old and new. Of course, you can upload fresh six-second clips, but the app will also feature 150,000 to 200,000 "archived" vines from roughly 60,000 creators. You won't have to rely on those Vine compilations anymore—you can watch those classic clips directly on Divine. Those videos aren't scraped from YouTube compilations, either. According to TechCrunch, Vine's original library was stored by the organization "Archive Team" in a huge but largely inaccessible archive. Henshaw-Plath studied the library, extracting as much data as possible to build profiles for the original Vine accounts and display metrics like views and original comments. Though not all Vines were archived, including "millions of K-pop-focused videos," Henshaw-Plath believes "a good percentage" are available on Divine. Vine creators can choose to either take down their videos from Divine or take over their profiles on the app, so long as they prove their identities. Divine is also a decentralized social media platform running on the Nostr protocol. That means no one company owns it, which means your content is your content. When you post, your videos are tied to you via private keys, so you can always prove ownership. Plus, there are no user-specific algorithms. You have to choose what you want to watch, or jump into an algorithm created by the Divine community. My favorite part of this experiment, however? No AI. At a time when other social media platforms are inundated with hyperrealistic videos from generators like Sora, Divine has a strict no-AI policy. Divine uses tech from the Guardian Project to confirm whether a video was filmed on a smartphone. If the system detects a video is artificial, it gets taken down. It's enough to make this tech editor shed a (joyful) tear. How to join DivineAs you might expect, there's a lot of demand to try Divine at launch. At this time, the company says its beta test is full. However, you can sign up for the waitlist to be notified when more spots open up. You can also browse clips on the platform's web app right now, even without an account, but I've found it to be a bit glitchy. View the full article
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Zoom Expands Services for Small Businesses with Bonsai Integration
Zoom is stepping up to the plate for small business owners by acquiring Bonsai, a platform dedicated to streamlining operations for freelancers and solopreneurs. This move not only broadens Zoom’s suite of AI-first workplace tools but also aims to simplify the process of managing client interactions—from initial contact to final payment. In a press release, Zoom emphasized their excitement about integrating Bonsai’s functionalities into their existing services. This acquisition combines the strengths of Zoom’s collaborative tools—like Meetings, Webinars, Team Chat, and the Zoom AI Companion—with Bonsai’s project management, proposal generation, time tracking, and invoicing capabilities. Bonsai will maintain its identity as a standalone platform even after the acquisition, which is expected to finalize by the end of 2025. Zoom has made it clear that their long-term vision is to incorporate Bonsai’s tools directly into the Zoom ecosystem. This integration could transform how small businesses operate by offering multiple functionalities in one place, effectively reducing the administrative burden. Key Benefits for Small Business Owners: The merger brings several key advantages for small business owners: Holistic Management: With tools for client management, project tracking, invoicing, and communication housed under one umbrella, small businesses can handle all aspects of client relations efficiently. Improved Efficiency: By integrating the Bonsai platform’s functions with Zoom’s already robust meeting and collaboration tools, businesses can save time that would otherwise be spent switching between different applications. Seamless Payments: Handling invoicing and payments within the same platform is likely to streamline cash flow processes, making financial management far less cumbersome. User-Friendly Tools: Bonsai’s focus on simplicity aligns with the goals of many small business owners seeking easy-to-use solutions without the steep learning curves often associated with extensive software suites. Zoom’s Chief Product Officer offers insight into their vision: “We are excited to enhance our solution set… Together, Zoom and Bonsai will support small business owners and solopreneurs.” Real-World Implications: The acquisition comes at a pivotal time as small businesses increasingly seek integrated solutions to manage their operations more efficiently. For instance, marketing agencies managing multiple clients can use these united tools to streamline project timelines and keep communication transparent, ultimately leading to happier clients and increased referrals. However, there are potential challenges that small business owners should consider. The successful integration of Bonsai’s tools into Zoom’s platform will require effective execution. If poorly managed, it could lead to complications that small businesses might not have the bandwidth to tackle. Moreover, as the transaction is expected to close by 2025, small business owners may need to weigh whether to invest in Bonsai now or wait for Zoom’s tools to be fully integrated. Those who are already using Bonsai may have concerns about future updates and how well they will mesh with Zoom’s existing features. In summary, Zoom’s acquisition of Bonsai represents a significant step toward equipping small business owners with streamlined, efficient tools designed to facilitate growth and collaboration. The promise of an integrated workspace can ease everyday pressures, but business owners must remain vigilant about how these changes play out in real-time. For further details, you can read the full announcement here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Zoom Expands Services for Small Businesses with Bonsai Integration" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article
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Zoom Expands Services for Small Businesses with Bonsai Integration
Zoom is stepping up to the plate for small business owners by acquiring Bonsai, a platform dedicated to streamlining operations for freelancers and solopreneurs. This move not only broadens Zoom’s suite of AI-first workplace tools but also aims to simplify the process of managing client interactions—from initial contact to final payment. In a press release, Zoom emphasized their excitement about integrating Bonsai’s functionalities into their existing services. This acquisition combines the strengths of Zoom’s collaborative tools—like Meetings, Webinars, Team Chat, and the Zoom AI Companion—with Bonsai’s project management, proposal generation, time tracking, and invoicing capabilities. Bonsai will maintain its identity as a standalone platform even after the acquisition, which is expected to finalize by the end of 2025. Zoom has made it clear that their long-term vision is to incorporate Bonsai’s tools directly into the Zoom ecosystem. This integration could transform how small businesses operate by offering multiple functionalities in one place, effectively reducing the administrative burden. Key Benefits for Small Business Owners: The merger brings several key advantages for small business owners: Holistic Management: With tools for client management, project tracking, invoicing, and communication housed under one umbrella, small businesses can handle all aspects of client relations efficiently. Improved Efficiency: By integrating the Bonsai platform’s functions with Zoom’s already robust meeting and collaboration tools, businesses can save time that would otherwise be spent switching between different applications. Seamless Payments: Handling invoicing and payments within the same platform is likely to streamline cash flow processes, making financial management far less cumbersome. User-Friendly Tools: Bonsai’s focus on simplicity aligns with the goals of many small business owners seeking easy-to-use solutions without the steep learning curves often associated with extensive software suites. Zoom’s Chief Product Officer offers insight into their vision: “We are excited to enhance our solution set… Together, Zoom and Bonsai will support small business owners and solopreneurs.” Real-World Implications: The acquisition comes at a pivotal time as small businesses increasingly seek integrated solutions to manage their operations more efficiently. For instance, marketing agencies managing multiple clients can use these united tools to streamline project timelines and keep communication transparent, ultimately leading to happier clients and increased referrals. However, there are potential challenges that small business owners should consider. The successful integration of Bonsai’s tools into Zoom’s platform will require effective execution. If poorly managed, it could lead to complications that small businesses might not have the bandwidth to tackle. Moreover, as the transaction is expected to close by 2025, small business owners may need to weigh whether to invest in Bonsai now or wait for Zoom’s tools to be fully integrated. Those who are already using Bonsai may have concerns about future updates and how well they will mesh with Zoom’s existing features. In summary, Zoom’s acquisition of Bonsai represents a significant step toward equipping small business owners with streamlined, efficient tools designed to facilitate growth and collaboration. The promise of an integrated workspace can ease everyday pressures, but business owners must remain vigilant about how these changes play out in real-time. For further details, you can read the full announcement here. Image via Google Gemini This article, "Zoom Expands Services for Small Businesses with Bonsai Integration" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article
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Baseball United hosts first game in Dubai with its own rules
Emerging like a mirage in the desert outskirts of Dubai, a sight unfamiliar to those in the Middle East and Asia has risen up like a dream in the exact dimensions of the field at Yankee Stadium in New York. Now that it’s built, though, one question remains: Will the fans come? That’s the challenge for the inaugural season of Baseball United, a four-team, monthlong contest that will begin Friday at the new Barry Larkin Field, artificially turfed for the broiling sun of the United Arab Emirates and named for an investor who is a former Cincinnati Reds shortstop. The professional league seeks to draw on the sporting rivalry between India and Pakistan with two of its teams, as the Mumbai Cobras on Friday will face the Karachi Monarchs. Each team has Indian and Pakistani players seeking to break into the broadcast market saturated by soccer and cricket in this part of the world. And while having no big-name players from Major League Baseball, the league has created some of its own novel rules to speed up games and put more runs on the board — and potentially generate interest for U.S. fans as the regular season there has ended. “People here got to learn the rules anyway so we’re like if we get to start at a blank canvas then why don’t we introduce some new rules that we believe are going to excite them from the onset,” Baseball United CEO and co-owner Kash Shaikh told The Associated Press. The dune of dreams All the games in the season, which ends mid-December, will be played at Baseball United’s stadium out in the reaches of Dubai’s desert in an area known as Ud al-Bayda, some 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. The stadium sits alongside The Sevens Stadium, which hosts an annual rugby sevens tournament known for hard-partying fans drinking alcohol and wearing costumes. As journalists met Baseball United officials on Thursday, two fighter jets and a military cargo plane came in for landings at the nearby Al Minhad Air Base, flying over a landfill. The field seats some 3,000 fans and will host games mostly at night, though the weather is starting to cool in the Emirates as the season changes. But environmental concerns have been kept in mind — Baseball United decided to go for an artificial field to avoid the challenge of using more than 45 million liters (12 million gallons) of water a year to maintain a natural grass field, said John P. Miedreich, a co-founder and executive vice president at the league. “We had to airlift clay in from the United States, airlift clay from Pakistan” for the pitcher’s mound, he added. There will be four teams competing in the inaugural season. Joining the Cobras and the Monarchs will be the Arabia Wolves, Dubai’s team, and the Mideast Falcons of Abu Dhabi. There are changes to the traditional game in Baseball United, putting a different spin on the game similar to how the Twenty20 format drastically sped up traditional cricket. The baseball league has introduced a golden “moneyball,” which gives managers three chances in a game to use at bat to double the runs scored off a home run. Teams can call in “designated runners” three times during a game. And if a game is tied after nine innings, the teams face off in a home run derby to decide the winner. “It’s entertainment, and it’s exciting, and it’s helping get new fans and young fans more engaged in the game,” Shaikh said. America’s pastime has limited success Baseball in the Middle East has had mixed success, to put a positive spin on the ball. A group of American supporters launched the professional Israel Baseball League in 2007, comprised almost entirely of foreign players. However, it folded after just one season. Americans spread the game in prerevolution Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE over the decades, though it has been dwarfed by soccer. Saudi Arabia, through the Americans at its oil company Aramco, has sent teams to the Little League World Series in the past. But soccer remains a favorite in the Mideast, which hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Then there’s cricket, which remains a passion in both India and Pakistan. The International Cricket Council, the world’s governing body for the sport, has its headquarters in Dubai near the city’s cricket stadium. Organizers know they have their work cut out for them. At one point during a news conference Thursday they went over baseball basics — home runs, organ music and where center field sits. “The most important part is the experience for fans to come out, eat a hot dog, see mascots running around, to see what baseball traditions that we all grew up with back home in the U.S. — and start to fall in love with the game because we know that once they start to learn those, they will become big fans,” Shaikh said. —Jon Gambrell, Associated Press View the full article
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From cognitive decline to burnout: AI’s overlooked impact on workers
AI was supposed to make our lives easier: automating tedious tasks, streamlining communication, and freeing up time for creative thinking. But what if the very tool meant to increase efficiency is fueling cognitive decline and burnout instead? The Workflation Effect Since AI entered the workplace, managers expect teams to produce more work in less time. They see tasks completed in two hours instead of two weeks, without understanding the process behind it. Yet, AI still makes too many mistakes for high-quality output, forcing workers to adjust, edit, and review everything it produces—creating “workflation,” which adds more work to already overloaded plates. AI has accelerated expectations because managers know that teams using it can work faster, but quality work still requires time, focus, and expertise. “We are seeing that it can lead to a lot of churn and work slop—poor quality output, in particular when it’s being used by junior team members,” says Carey Bentley, CEO of Lifehack Method, a productivity coaching company. When team members lack the expertise to audit AI output, they take it at face value, which can lead to multimillion-dollar errors. The percentage of companies using AI in at least one business function is rising every year, and one of the most popular uses is in marketing. However, many brands flood social media with formulaic, off-putting content that prioritizes speed over emotional connection, sacrificing creativity and differentiation. The consequences of using AI without proper quality review aren’t just about brand reputation or lost deals—they also add stress while eroding workers’ creativity, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking. Cognitive Decline and Burnout with AI Research from MIT shows that relying on AI tools to think for us, rather than with us, leads to “cognitive offloading”—outsourcing mental effort in ways that gradually weaken memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking. The study found that participants using GPT-based tools showed measurable declines in these areas compared to control groups. Just as GPS impairs spatial memory, relying on AI for thinking may weaken our capacity for original thought, because the brain needs practice to maintain cognitive functions. When we layer that cognitive debt on top of the relentless pace that AI enables, we aren’t just doing more work; we’re doing it with diminished mental capacity. Workers are reviewing AI outputs without having the time to thoroughly evaluate the quality, making decisions without space for reflection, and producing content without engaging the creative processes that generate real insight. In the long term, the overwhelm leads to small mistakes, such as forgetting to add a document, not finishing an edit, or missing a deadline; these are the first signs of burnout. “It really starts small, and that’s why it gets missed so often,” explains Naomi Carmen, a business consultant specializing in leadership and company culture. These minor errors aren’t signs of laziness, distraction, or disengagement, and when managers respond with performance reviews instead of support, the cycle only accelerates. The Training Gap Most people using AI haven’t been adequately trained, confusing its confidence for truth. Neuroscientist David Eagleman refers to this as the “intelligence echo illusion”—the perception that AI is intelligent because it responds with apparent insight, when in reality it merely reflects stored human knowledge. Without understanding how AI works, leadership develops unrealistic expectations that cascade through organizations, requiring faster and higher-quality work that’s nearly impossible to sustain. “Expecting your team to use AI without proper training is like handing them a Ferrari and expecting them to win races right away,” Bentley explains. Carmen adds, “The input is going to directly affect the output.” Warning Signs AI Is Fueling Burnout According to a 2024 study by The Upwork Research Institute, 77% of employees believe their workload has increased since they started using AI. Key warning signs include: Errors and delays: mistakes slip through because workers rush to meet unrealistic deadlines. Not feeling time savings: employees work harder than ever despite using “time-saving” tools. Always-on culture: leadership sets expectations at AI-speed, resulting in an always-on culture that multiplies workload and stress. How to Use AI Without Burning People Out The solution isn’t abandoning AI, but implementing it thoughtfully. Here are four ways to do it: Proper training: hire experts to audit existing workflows and provide recommendations, then show team members how to produce high-quality output. Clear goals: connect AI use to specific KPIs instead of chasing trends. Companies should remain rooted in their core mission and values, rather than adopting every new AI tool. Treat AI as a low-level assistant: use it for research, initial drafts, and data organization, but keep creative problem-solving and critical thinking in the hands of humans. Support your team: life events, stress, and fatigue mean employees can’t deliver at a constant, AI-driven pace. Leadership should keep the human element at the center of decisions, recognizing that policies and expectations must account for the complexity of real lives, not just the output. Moving Forward with AI In an era defined by AI, sustainable performance comes from empathy, connection, and space for creativity. A healthy workplace—where employees can rest, express themselves, and even have fun—boosts engagement, problem-solving, innovation, and efficiency. AI can support this, but only when implemented thoughtfully, with the human element at its core. View the full article
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We’ve got to teach AI the right way. And there’s no time to waste
Americans have done a shoddy job of teaching reading and math to the majority of our students. Our scores, when compared to other nations—most with fewer resources—are plummeting. As a scientist, I try to stay solution oriented. To ensure that we bend the curve and change the future, we must first concede that we have failed our students. We’re at the dawn of a new educational era—the age of artificial intelligence. And there is no way we will get it right in this new era if we are still struggling with the previous one. As a congenital optimist, I am hopeful that when it comes to teaching AI—I mean this in its broadest sense, well beyond the practice of coding—that we will learn from our mistakes and get it right this time. My genetic positivity is reinforced by two recent developments that are important milestones in building a national consensus for assuring that we create generational AI skills and wisdom. The White House’s executive order The President’s executive order speaks directly to the existential need for our country to “cultivate the skills and understanding to use and create the next generation of AI technology.” Upon its issuance, I wrote a column commending its intention. But I also noted, speaking as president and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), a board member of the National Academies of Sciences, and a lifelong STEM advocate, that the EO was insufficient: We cannot teach AI without also teaching critical thinking, ethics, and wisdom. Since then, I was asked to participate in the White House Task Force on AI Education that is guiding the implementation of the EO, and is also establishing public-private partnerships with leading stakeholders in AI. COSI is part of this group and we have signed on to President The President’s pledge to invest in AI education. I recently attended a meeting of the White House Task Force on AI Education, where the inexorable link between national security, economic prosperity, and AI proficiency was the dominant theme. I would summarize it as: “We need to win—and we must be the global leader in AI capabilities to keep America on top.” Yes—but how? The state of Ohio creates a new state of tomorrow After the meeting, I returned to Ohio, which has joined the AI conversation in a big way. Ohio is the first state to require that every school district adopt formal policies to govern AI use in schools. To put it simply, the EO urges the must—that AI education needs to be a priority. The Ohio regulation, by contrast, insists on the how. It proceeds from the recognition that our schools will be teaching the technology of the future, and demands that the complex nuances of how be determined and agreed to. Chris Woolard, the chief integration officer at the Ohio Department of Education, described the challenge as creating new “guardrails” that include ground rules for privacy, data quality, ethical use, and academic honesty. And, importantly, “What are the critical thinking skills that are needed for students.” Beyond just governed, to taught I commend what Ohio has done. But there is a long way to go. To build foundational pedagogical techniques for the teaching of AI, with no baseline, no historical data, and no trials, is far from trivial. In fact, it is enormously complicated, as we have seen from our inability to effectively teach STEM. Ohio’s regulatory framework, which other states should follow, will involve the creation of new practices and metrics and will require vast sensitivity and nuance, given that every single aspect of education can be weaponized in our undeniably fraught world of culture wars. But we can learn from our mistakes. For example, so-called whole language—versus phonics—is ineffective for the 20% of children with dyslexia. We need to bring all children into the future, and to do that we need to assure that AI literacy becomes a core marker of educational success. Interestingly enough, AI can help with this Teaching AI is like developing AI. Sort of The rapid evolution of AI comes from the process of “training the model”; it is how the large language models (LLMs) learn and improve in an iterative and focused manner. But it is also a black box in many ways, which cannot be the case with how we teach AI in our schools. Only transparency and continual improvement will ensure that our K-12 students develop the skills necessary to succeed in a changing workforce. None of this will be easy. AI represents a profound turning point; the EO is broad and conceptual, while our Constitution assigns the responsibility of education to the states. But nothing can be more important, and I call upon educators everywhere to come together and work together. What makes their mission even more challenging is that AI is changing all the time, and with such speed. So those teaching it must also be capable of commensurate change. But educational standards tend to be fixed. It is hard enough to set them, let alone to build in agility and responsiveness. I look forward to working with educators, continuing to participate with the AI Task Force, to help develop standards and guardrails that are as responsive and dynamic as artificial intelligence itself. Indeed, the time is now. View the full article
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You can stash more in your 401(k) and IRA next year—here’s the new IRS limit
Every year, American taxpayers are eligible to put a certain amount of money into their retirement accounts, including 401(k)’s and IRAs. But each year, the upper allowable threshold for these accounts tends to rise. This is done in order for the limits to keep up with the rate of inflation. And now, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced its new limits for 2026. Here’s what you need to know. What is the IRS 2026 401(k) limit? According to a notice published by the IRS on November 13, the limit on individual contributions to various retirement accounts in 2026 is rising. If you have a 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plan, or the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan, you’ll now be able to contribute up to $24,500 for the 2026 year. This represents an increase of $1,000 from the $23,500 limit in place for the 2025 year. But the IRS has also announced new “catch-up” contribution limits for 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plans, and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan for 2026. The agency says that if you are 50 or older, your catch-up contribution limit will increase by $500 in 2026 to a total of $8,000. “Therefore, participants in most 401(k), 403(b), governmental 457 plans and the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan who are 50 and older generally can contribute up to $32,500 each year, starting in 2026,” the agency noted. Catch-up contribution limits for employees aged 60 to 63 will remain at $11,250, the same level they were in 2025. What is the IRS 2026 IRA limit? If you have an individual retirement account (IRA), the IRS has announced that the limit for that type of account is rising in 2026, too. In 2026, the new IRA contribution limit will be $7,500. That’s a rise of $500 over the 2025 limit. Additionally, the IRA catch‑up contribution limit for those aged 50 or over is also rising in 2026. In 2025, that limit was $1,000. But in 2026, that limit is rising by $100 to $1,100. In addition to the 401(k) and IRA contribution limits for 2026, the IRS announced additional changes for Roth IRAs, the Saver’s Credit, and SIMPLE retirement accounts for 2026. You can find details of all the changes in the IRS’s notice here. View the full article
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7 Must-Have Craft Shopping List Items
When you start crafting, having the right tools can considerably improve your results. Crucial items include versatile scissors for general use, precision craft knives for intricate designs, and rotary cutters for fabric. Furthermore, quality adhesives like Mod Podge and E6000 guarantee strong bonds. Investing in self-healing cutting mats protects your surfaces during providing accuracy. To create lively projects, you’ll need quality paint supplies, along with organization tools and cleaning supplies to maintain a tidy workspace. Let’s explore each category in detail. Key Takeaways Quality cutting tools like scissors, craft knives, and rotary cutters are essential for precise and efficient crafting tasks. A variety of versatile adhesives, including hot glue and Mod Podge, are crucial for bonding different materials in projects. Self-healing cutting mats and durable craft mats protect surfaces and assist with accurate measuring and cutting. High-quality paint supplies, such as acrylic and chalk paints, provide vibrant colors and finishes for creative projects. Essential cleaning supplies like wet wipes and paintbrush cleaner simplify clean-up and maintain a tidy workspace. Essential Cutting Tools When initiating any crafting project, having the right cutting tools at your disposal is vital for achieving precise results. Vital cutting tools include scissors, craft knives, rotary cutters, and paper trimmers, each customized for specific tasks. Craft knives provide the accuracy needed for delicate materials like paper or thin plastic, making them indispensable for intricate designs. Rotary cutters, similar to pizza cutters, excel in fabric projects, delivering quick and straight cuts on a cutting mat. For paper projects, paper trimmers are important; they guarantee clean, straight lines, resulting in polished outcomes. Furthermore, consider using a self-healing cutting mat to protect your surfaces and maintain cutting precision without permanent markings, enhancing your overall crafting experience. Versatile Adhesives Versatile adhesives play a crucial role in any crafting toolkit, as they cater to a wide range of materials and applications. When you’re craft shopping at your local craft supply store, consider these must-have versatile adhesives: Mod Podge: Ideal for decoupage and mixed media, serving as both glue and sealant. E6000: An industrial-strength adhesive perfect for bonding metal, wood, and fabric in heavy-duty projects. Hot glue guns: Cordless options like the Sure Bonder provide quick bonding for various materials, ideal for time-sensitive crafts. Craft glue: Suitable for lightweight materials like paper and fabrics, ensuring a clean, mess-free application. With these versatile adhesives, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any project that comes your way. Crafting Surfaces and Mats In terms of crafting, protecting your workspace is essential, and using the right surfaces and mats can make a significant difference. Craft mats not only safeguard your table from cuts and spills but additionally improve your accuracy and precision during projects, especially while using tools like craft knives. Furthermore, maintaining these surfaces is easy, allowing you to focus on your creativity without the worry of cleanup. Protect Your Workspace A well-protected workspace is crucial for any crafter, and investing in the right crafting surfaces and mats can make all the difference. Craft mats not only shield your table from adhesive spills and paint stains but also provide a solid, flat surface for accurate measuring. A self-healing cutting mat is particularly useful for preventing cuts and allowing for repeated use without permanent marks. Furthermore, continuous spray bottles maintain moisture levels when working with delicate materials. To improve your crafting experience, consider these must-have items from your local craft store or handicraft store: Self-healing cutting mat Durable craft mat Continuous spray bottle Protective table cover These items guarantee your workspace remains clean and functional, especially when searching for sewing supplies near me. Enhance Accuracy and Precision To improve accuracy and precision in your crafting projects, investing in high-quality crafting surfaces and mats is crucial. A self-healing craft mat protects your workspace while allowing repeated cutting without permanent marks. Most mats feature grid lines for accurate measuring and cutting, making them indispensable for precise tasks. Many additionally have a non-slip backing, guaranteeing stability during cutting, which improves safety and accuracy. Here’s a quick comparison of crafting surfaces: Feature Benefits Self-healing material Reduces wear on tools and mat Grid lines Aids in precise measuring Non-slip backing Prevents movement during cutting Durable construction Guarantees longevity of the mat Versatile use Suitable for various craft techniques Investing in a quality craft mat improves your overall crafting experience. Easy Maintenance and Cleaning Maintaining the quality of your crafting surfaces and mats is crucial for ensuring they remain effective over time. Regular cleaning keeps your craft mats free from paint and glue residue. Self-healing cutting mats are particularly beneficial as they allow repeated cuts without permanent marks, making them easier to maintain. Using a protective craft mat not just saves your work surface from damage but also simplifies easy clean-ups after your crafting sessions. For ideal care, consider these items: Mild soap and water for regular cleaning Continuous spray bottles to keep mats damp during projects Wet wipes for quick clean-ups A soft cloth for thorough drying Quality Paint Supplies Quality paint supplies play a crucial role in achieving vivid, long-lasting results for your crafting projects. When selecting quality paint supplies, consider acrylic paints from DecoArt, which offer a wide range of colors and excellent coverage. Chalk paint, particularly from brands like Waverly and Folk Art, is perfect for achieving a matte finish on furniture and home decor, providing versatility for upcycling. For applying paint, chip paint brushes in 1-inch and 2-inch sizes are invaluable, ensuring efficient coverage and precise application. Furthermore, using a palette for mixing colors allows you to create desired shades and tones, enhancing your final product. Remember, proper care, like cleaning brushes in water containers and storing paints correctly, will prolong the usability of your supplies. Fabric and Textiles Exploring fabric and textiles opens up a world of possibilities for your crafting projects. When you shop at a fabric and craft store or search for fabric stores near me within 5 mi, you’ll find a variety of materials suited to your needs. Whether you’re looking to buy fabric near me or searching online, consider these crucial items: Cotton for patchwork and general sewing Felt for fun, soft projects Burlap for rustic designs Ribbon for embellishing Don’t forget to check for sales at places like Hobby Lobby or online retailers like Amazon. Furthermore, repurposing old fabrics, such as t-shirts or sheets, promotes sustainability and adds uniqueness to your creations. Specialty textiles like raffia or twine can also improve your projects. Organization Tools An organized crafting space is vital for maximizing your creativity and efficiency during working on projects. Start with storage bins to keep your supplies neatly arranged and easily accessible, which helps maintain a tidy workspace and saves time. Implement labeling systems using clear labels on these bins to quickly identify materials, reducing frustration. Tool caddies are also important; they keep frequently used tools within arm’s reach, promoting an efficient crafting environment. Don’t overlook drawer organizers for small items like beads or buttons; they help separate supplies, making it easier to locate what you need. Cleaning Supplies To guarantee your crafting space remains clean and organized, having the right cleaning supplies on hand is vital. These items not just simplify your clean-up process but are also helpful in maintaining the quality of your tools and surfaces. Wet wipes: Ideal for quick clean-ups, they effortlessly tackle spills on surfaces. Baby wipes: Versatile and gentle, they clean hands, tools, and surfaces without harsh chemicals. Rubbing alcohol: Perfect for removing adhesive residue, ensuring your projects have a pristine finish. Paintbrush cleaner: Important for maintaining brush quality, it facilitates paint removal and protects bristles. Frequently Asked Questions What Does Every Crafter Need? Every crafter needs a versatile hot glue gun for quick-drying adhesion and a good pair of scissors, ideally two, for cutting paper and fabric. Quality adhesives like Mod Podge for decoupage and E6000 for stronger bonds are vital. A self-healing cutting mat protects your workspace as it allows safe material cutting. Moreover, a variety of paint supplies, including acrylics and different brush types, enables creative expression across numerous projects. What Are the Craft Items List? When considering craft items, you should focus on vital tools and materials. Key items include scissors for cutting, craft knives for precision, and a self-healing cutting mat for safety. You’ll need adhesives like hot glue and Mod Podge for bonding. Paint supplies, such as acrylics and brushes, allow for creativity. Don’t forget fabric options like felt and cotton, plus storage solutions like bins and labels to keep everything organized and accessible. What Does a Crafter Need? As a crafter, you need crucial tools for your projects. Scissors, craft knives, and a cutting mat guarantee precision and safety. Adhesives like Mod Podge and hot glue are essential for securing materials. A range of paint supplies, including acrylics and brushes, allows for creative expression. Furthermore, organization tools like storage bins and labels keep your supplies tidy, as seasonal embellishments like ribbons and stickers add unique touches to your crafts. What Are the Five Basic Crafts? The five basic crafts include knitting, painting, sewing, woodworking, and paper crafts. In knitting, you use yarn and needles to create fabric for garments. Painting allows you to express creativity using various mediums like acrylic or watercolor on surfaces. Sewing involves combining fabric and thread to make clothing or home decor. Woodworking focuses on shaping wood for functional items, whereas paper crafts utilize paper for artistic projects and decorations. Each craft requires specific techniques and materials. Conclusion To conclude, equipping yourself with necessary tools can greatly improve your crafting experience. Make sure to invest in versatile cutting tools, reliable adhesives, and quality paint supplies. Furthermore, prioritize crafting surfaces, organization tools, and cleaning supplies to maintain an efficient workspace. By assembling these must-have items, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle a variety of projects, ensuring both creativity and productivity. With the right tools at hand, you can focus on bringing your artistic visions to life. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Must-Have Craft Shopping List Items" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article
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7 Must-Have Craft Shopping List Items
When you start crafting, having the right tools can considerably improve your results. Crucial items include versatile scissors for general use, precision craft knives for intricate designs, and rotary cutters for fabric. Furthermore, quality adhesives like Mod Podge and E6000 guarantee strong bonds. Investing in self-healing cutting mats protects your surfaces during providing accuracy. To create lively projects, you’ll need quality paint supplies, along with organization tools and cleaning supplies to maintain a tidy workspace. Let’s explore each category in detail. Key Takeaways Quality cutting tools like scissors, craft knives, and rotary cutters are essential for precise and efficient crafting tasks. A variety of versatile adhesives, including hot glue and Mod Podge, are crucial for bonding different materials in projects. Self-healing cutting mats and durable craft mats protect surfaces and assist with accurate measuring and cutting. High-quality paint supplies, such as acrylic and chalk paints, provide vibrant colors and finishes for creative projects. Essential cleaning supplies like wet wipes and paintbrush cleaner simplify clean-up and maintain a tidy workspace. Essential Cutting Tools When initiating any crafting project, having the right cutting tools at your disposal is vital for achieving precise results. Vital cutting tools include scissors, craft knives, rotary cutters, and paper trimmers, each customized for specific tasks. Craft knives provide the accuracy needed for delicate materials like paper or thin plastic, making them indispensable for intricate designs. Rotary cutters, similar to pizza cutters, excel in fabric projects, delivering quick and straight cuts on a cutting mat. For paper projects, paper trimmers are important; they guarantee clean, straight lines, resulting in polished outcomes. Furthermore, consider using a self-healing cutting mat to protect your surfaces and maintain cutting precision without permanent markings, enhancing your overall crafting experience. Versatile Adhesives Versatile adhesives play a crucial role in any crafting toolkit, as they cater to a wide range of materials and applications. When you’re craft shopping at your local craft supply store, consider these must-have versatile adhesives: Mod Podge: Ideal for decoupage and mixed media, serving as both glue and sealant. E6000: An industrial-strength adhesive perfect for bonding metal, wood, and fabric in heavy-duty projects. Hot glue guns: Cordless options like the Sure Bonder provide quick bonding for various materials, ideal for time-sensitive crafts. Craft glue: Suitable for lightweight materials like paper and fabrics, ensuring a clean, mess-free application. With these versatile adhesives, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle any project that comes your way. Crafting Surfaces and Mats In terms of crafting, protecting your workspace is essential, and using the right surfaces and mats can make a significant difference. Craft mats not only safeguard your table from cuts and spills but additionally improve your accuracy and precision during projects, especially while using tools like craft knives. Furthermore, maintaining these surfaces is easy, allowing you to focus on your creativity without the worry of cleanup. Protect Your Workspace A well-protected workspace is crucial for any crafter, and investing in the right crafting surfaces and mats can make all the difference. Craft mats not only shield your table from adhesive spills and paint stains but also provide a solid, flat surface for accurate measuring. A self-healing cutting mat is particularly useful for preventing cuts and allowing for repeated use without permanent marks. Furthermore, continuous spray bottles maintain moisture levels when working with delicate materials. To improve your crafting experience, consider these must-have items from your local craft store or handicraft store: Self-healing cutting mat Durable craft mat Continuous spray bottle Protective table cover These items guarantee your workspace remains clean and functional, especially when searching for sewing supplies near me. Enhance Accuracy and Precision To improve accuracy and precision in your crafting projects, investing in high-quality crafting surfaces and mats is crucial. A self-healing craft mat protects your workspace while allowing repeated cutting without permanent marks. Most mats feature grid lines for accurate measuring and cutting, making them indispensable for precise tasks. Many additionally have a non-slip backing, guaranteeing stability during cutting, which improves safety and accuracy. Here’s a quick comparison of crafting surfaces: Feature Benefits Self-healing material Reduces wear on tools and mat Grid lines Aids in precise measuring Non-slip backing Prevents movement during cutting Durable construction Guarantees longevity of the mat Versatile use Suitable for various craft techniques Investing in a quality craft mat improves your overall crafting experience. Easy Maintenance and Cleaning Maintaining the quality of your crafting surfaces and mats is crucial for ensuring they remain effective over time. Regular cleaning keeps your craft mats free from paint and glue residue. Self-healing cutting mats are particularly beneficial as they allow repeated cuts without permanent marks, making them easier to maintain. Using a protective craft mat not just saves your work surface from damage but also simplifies easy clean-ups after your crafting sessions. For ideal care, consider these items: Mild soap and water for regular cleaning Continuous spray bottles to keep mats damp during projects Wet wipes for quick clean-ups A soft cloth for thorough drying Quality Paint Supplies Quality paint supplies play a crucial role in achieving vivid, long-lasting results for your crafting projects. When selecting quality paint supplies, consider acrylic paints from DecoArt, which offer a wide range of colors and excellent coverage. Chalk paint, particularly from brands like Waverly and Folk Art, is perfect for achieving a matte finish on furniture and home decor, providing versatility for upcycling. For applying paint, chip paint brushes in 1-inch and 2-inch sizes are invaluable, ensuring efficient coverage and precise application. Furthermore, using a palette for mixing colors allows you to create desired shades and tones, enhancing your final product. Remember, proper care, like cleaning brushes in water containers and storing paints correctly, will prolong the usability of your supplies. Fabric and Textiles Exploring fabric and textiles opens up a world of possibilities for your crafting projects. When you shop at a fabric and craft store or search for fabric stores near me within 5 mi, you’ll find a variety of materials suited to your needs. Whether you’re looking to buy fabric near me or searching online, consider these crucial items: Cotton for patchwork and general sewing Felt for fun, soft projects Burlap for rustic designs Ribbon for embellishing Don’t forget to check for sales at places like Hobby Lobby or online retailers like Amazon. Furthermore, repurposing old fabrics, such as t-shirts or sheets, promotes sustainability and adds uniqueness to your creations. Specialty textiles like raffia or twine can also improve your projects. Organization Tools An organized crafting space is vital for maximizing your creativity and efficiency during working on projects. Start with storage bins to keep your supplies neatly arranged and easily accessible, which helps maintain a tidy workspace and saves time. Implement labeling systems using clear labels on these bins to quickly identify materials, reducing frustration. Tool caddies are also important; they keep frequently used tools within arm’s reach, promoting an efficient crafting environment. Don’t overlook drawer organizers for small items like beads or buttons; they help separate supplies, making it easier to locate what you need. Cleaning Supplies To guarantee your crafting space remains clean and organized, having the right cleaning supplies on hand is vital. These items not just simplify your clean-up process but are also helpful in maintaining the quality of your tools and surfaces. Wet wipes: Ideal for quick clean-ups, they effortlessly tackle spills on surfaces. Baby wipes: Versatile and gentle, they clean hands, tools, and surfaces without harsh chemicals. Rubbing alcohol: Perfect for removing adhesive residue, ensuring your projects have a pristine finish. Paintbrush cleaner: Important for maintaining brush quality, it facilitates paint removal and protects bristles. Frequently Asked Questions What Does Every Crafter Need? Every crafter needs a versatile hot glue gun for quick-drying adhesion and a good pair of scissors, ideally two, for cutting paper and fabric. Quality adhesives like Mod Podge for decoupage and E6000 for stronger bonds are vital. A self-healing cutting mat protects your workspace as it allows safe material cutting. Moreover, a variety of paint supplies, including acrylics and different brush types, enables creative expression across numerous projects. What Are the Craft Items List? When considering craft items, you should focus on vital tools and materials. Key items include scissors for cutting, craft knives for precision, and a self-healing cutting mat for safety. You’ll need adhesives like hot glue and Mod Podge for bonding. Paint supplies, such as acrylics and brushes, allow for creativity. Don’t forget fabric options like felt and cotton, plus storage solutions like bins and labels to keep everything organized and accessible. What Does a Crafter Need? As a crafter, you need crucial tools for your projects. Scissors, craft knives, and a cutting mat guarantee precision and safety. Adhesives like Mod Podge and hot glue are essential for securing materials. A range of paint supplies, including acrylics and brushes, allows for creative expression. Furthermore, organization tools like storage bins and labels keep your supplies tidy, as seasonal embellishments like ribbons and stickers add unique touches to your crafts. What Are the Five Basic Crafts? The five basic crafts include knitting, painting, sewing, woodworking, and paper crafts. In knitting, you use yarn and needles to create fabric for garments. Painting allows you to express creativity using various mediums like acrylic or watercolor on surfaces. Sewing involves combining fabric and thread to make clothing or home decor. Woodworking focuses on shaping wood for functional items, whereas paper crafts utilize paper for artistic projects and decorations. Each craft requires specific techniques and materials. Conclusion To conclude, equipping yourself with necessary tools can greatly improve your crafting experience. Make sure to invest in versatile cutting tools, reliable adhesives, and quality paint supplies. Furthermore, prioritize crafting surfaces, organization tools, and cleaning supplies to maintain an efficient workspace. By assembling these must-have items, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle a variety of projects, ensuring both creativity and productivity. With the right tools at hand, you can focus on bringing your artistic visions to life. Image via Google Gemini This article, "7 Must-Have Craft Shopping List Items" was first published on Small Business Trends View the full article
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Political Fix: is Starmer’s leadership on the line?
Rumours of political rebellion, plus resignations at the BBCView the full article
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You Can Finally See Your Mac's Clipboard History in Spotlight
Amazingly, your Mac has only just gained the ability to show you a full list of what you've copied. macOS has always allowed you to copy and paste items, but if you copied multiple items back-to-back, there was no way to view the earliest items you added to your clipboard. Sure, third-party apps have filled this gap for many years now, but macOS itself didn't allow you to easily view multiple items stored in the clipboard, until now. With macOS 26 Tahoe, your Mac's Spotlight search has added support for clipboard history, which means that you can view pretty much everything you've copied in the past 30 days. Here's how to set up and use clipboard history on your Mac. How to enable clipboard history on your Mac Credit: Pranay Parab Clipboard history is disabled by default on macOS Tahoe, so you'll have to activate it first. To do this, click the Apple logo in the top-left corner of your Mac's display and select System Settings. Now, go to Spotlight and scroll to the bottom in the right pane. Enable Results from Clipboard, and then click the drop-down menu below it. This lets you choose how long you want to store your clipboard history for. Apple gives you three choices: 8 hours, 7 days, or 30 days. Once you've made your choice, you'll be ready to use clipboard history on your Mac. If you copy sensitive items to the clipboard very often, you should probably avoid enabling this feature. I know many people who somehow still store passwords, credit card information, and other banking details in WhatsApp chats or plain text files. The moment you copy sensitive data from unsecured locations, it gets added to your clipboard history, which is not ideal. The good news is that if you copy passwords from Apple Passwords or other password management apps, they don't appear in your Mac's clipboard history. Accessing and using clipboard history on your Mac Credit: Pranay Parab You can access your Mac's clipboard history by using macOS Tahoe's Spotlight Search. First, copy a few items to your clipboard. These can be text, photos, or other files. Use the Command-Space keyboard shortcut (or click the magnifying glass in your Mac's top-right corner) to open Spotlight, and press Command-4. This will open your Mac's clipboard history, where you'll be able to see all the files you've copied recently. To see older items, scroll down. Next to each item, you'll see a small copy button, which you can use to copy that item to your clipboard once again. This is useful if you've copied multiple items in a row, but forgot to paste the first few. You can also select any item in your clipboard history list and press the return key on your keyboard to paste that item in the app that's in the foreground. If you want to quickly clear your clipboard history, fire up Spotlight (Command-Space), followed by the clipboard history page (Command-4), and select the three-dots button on the right. Select Clear History here to erase your entire clipboard. Or you can simply wait—Apple will automatically erase everything in your clipboard after your preset time limit (between 8 hours and 30 days, depending on what you chose in System Settings). Third-party clipboard management apps are better Credit: Pranay Parab I'm aware that some people don't use Spotlight at all, in favor of better alternatives like Raycast or Alfred. Luckily, those apps come with built-in clipboard managers, too. Spotlight's implementation is good enough for basic use cases, but it needs a quicker way to access and paste from your clipboard history. While clipboard history in Spotlight is a nice upgrade, I still feel that if you're serious about clipboard management, third-party alternatives are the way to go. The best clipboard managers for Mac will allow you to sync your clipboard history across multiple devices, let you exclude certain apps from your clipboard history, filter clipboard items by type (links, text, images, etc.), copy multiple items and paste them sequentially (useful for filling repetitive forms), extract and copy text from images, and so much more. View the full article
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Trump’s $1bn BBC threat isn’t about the law — it’s political theatre
Opting for Florida’s courts as the battlefield, not the UK, is key to understanding the entire gambitView the full article
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Single fault at Thames Water works could imperil London’s supply
Coppermills plant, which serves up to 4mn people, underscores scale of the challenge for troubled utilityView the full article