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10 time-saving Android automations you can set up right now

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Many people don’t know that they can automate certain tasks on their Android devices. 

These automations can save them time and streamline their workflows, and they only take a few taps to set up. 

It can take some trial and error to figure out which automations work for you, but the good news is that we have 10 of them you can try right now.

Note: We are using a Samsung Galaxy phone for this guide. Due to Android phones having different user interfaces, depending on the manufacturer, the steps might be slightly different on your device.

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android

An Android phone (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

1. How to schedule ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode on Android

If you have a well-defined work schedule, automating when Do Not Disturb (DND) mode turns on and off ensures uninterrupted focus during those times.

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Here’s how you can set it up:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Click Modes and Routines.
  • Tap Add Mode.
  • Give the mode a name, such as Turn on DND, and tap Done.
android automation 2

Steps to schedule “Do Not Disturb” mode (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Tap Turn on automatically.
  • Tap Time period.
  • In the Time section, set when you want the mode to be enabled and disabled, then tap Done.
  • Tap Done.
android automation 3

Steps to schedule “Do Not Disturb” mode (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Now you need to choose what the mode does. Follow the steps below:

  • In the Choose what this mode does section, tap Stay focused.
  • Tap Do not disturb.
  • Tap Done.
android automation 4

Steps to schedule “Do Not Disturb” mode (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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2. How to schedule text messages on Android 

You might need to send a message later, but you might not always remember to do so. Luckily, your Android allows you to schedule it to go out at a specific time in case you’re tied up.

Open the Messages app and compose your message as you normally would. Instead of sending the message, do this instead:

  • Tap and hold the Send button until the Schedule send menu appears.
  • Select one of the dates and times or enter a custom one.
android automation 5

Steps to schedule text messages for later (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • The message will be sent automatically at the scheduled time.

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3. How to automatically silence your Android phone at night

Setting up a bedtime mode on your phone ensures you can sleep through the night without interruptions from your Android phone. It simply silences notifications and minimizes distractions automatically.

To set it up, you will need to create a sleep routine. Follow the steps below:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Click Modes and Routines.
  • Tap Sleep.
  • Tap Turn on automatically.
android automation 6

Steps to silence your phone during bedtime (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Tap Sleep schedule.
  • Set your sleep schedule. You can also tweak other settings, such as Alarm sound and Snooze. Afterward, tap Save.
  • Tap Done.
android automation 7

Steps to silence your phone during bedtime (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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4. Enable Google Autofill to save time on Android

Enabling Google Autofill can save precious time by automatically filling in forms, passwords and payment details across apps and websites. Here’s how to enable it:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Click Google.
  • Select the All services tab and tap Autofill.
  • Toggle on Use Autofill with Google.

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android automation 8

Steps to autofill details with Google (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

5. Set up automatic battery-saver mode on Android

Setting your phone to automatically switch to power-saving mode when the battery gets low helps you conserve battery life, with no manual intervention required.

Let’s start by setting up the time period for when you want the phone to turn on power-saving mode. Follow these steps:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Click Modes and Routines.
  • Tap Add Mode.
  • Give the mode a name, such as “Turn on power saving.”
  • Tap Done.
  • Tap Turn on automatically.
  • Tap Time period.
  • In the Time section, set when you want the mode to be enabled and disabled.
  • Tap Done.

Now you need to set it to switch to power-saving mode at the set time. Follow these steps:

  • In the Choose what this mode does section, tap Other actions.
  • Tap Power saving.
  • In the prompt, tap the On radio button and then Done.
  • Tap Done.
android automation 9

Steps to toggle battery saver automatically (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

6. Restrict app usage during work hours on Android

Social media, games and other time-consuming apps can be a hindrance when you need to focus on work. This automation is a good one for automatically blocking them during work hours and unblocking them when you’re out of the office. To set it up, you must first set the period with the steps below:

  • Go to Settings.
  • Click Modes and Routines.
  • Tap Add Mode.
  • Give the mode a name, such as “Block Apps During Work.”
  • Tap Done.
  • Tap Turn on automatically.
  • Tap Time period.
  • In the Time section, set when you want the mode to be enabled and disabled.
  • Tap Done.

Now to restrict the apps:

  • In the Choose what this mode does section, tap Stay focused.
  • Tap Restrict app usage.
  • Select the apps you want restricted when the focus mode is on, then tap Done.
  • Tap Done.
android automation 10

Steps to restrict app usage (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

7. Automatically enable dark mode on Android at night

It’s always a good idea to enable dark mode during the evening hours. That way, you can reduce eye strain in low-light conditions. Here’s how you can do that:

  • Open Settings.
  • Click Display.
  • Tap Dark mode settings.
  • Tap Turn on as scheduled.
  • Tap Custom schedule.
  • Tap Set schedule – the ideal time would be between 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
  • Set the start and end times of the dark mode.
  • Tap Done in the prompt.

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android automation 11

Steps to enable dark mode automatically (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

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8. Turn Wi-Fi on or off automatically based on location on Android

This location-based Wi-Fi automation helps conserve battery life and enhance security by automatically connecting to trusted networks when you’re at specific locations, like at home or work. It will remain disconnected everywhere else. Here are the steps to do that:

  • Open Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi.
  • Tap the three-dot icon in the top-right corner.
  • Tap Intelligent Wi-Fi in the menu.
  • Toggle on Turn Wi-Fi on/off automatically.
android automation 12

Steps to turn on Wi-Fi based on location (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

9. Automatically back up photos and videos on Android

By automating your photo backups, you’ll never have to manually save or transfer photos again. They’ll automatically sync to the cloud whenever you take new pictures, giving you peace of mind that your memories are always protected.

While there are several apps you can use to do this, we will use Google Photos. Here are the steps:

  • In the Google Photos app, tap the profile picture icon in the top right corner.
  • Tap Photo settings.
  • Tap Backup.
  • Toggle on Back up photos and videos in your camera folder.

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android automation 13

Steps to automatically back up photos and videos (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

10. Enable auto-rotate for specific apps on Android

It’s understandable to disable auto-rotation to prevent the screen from unintentionally rotating when you move your device. However, you might want it to turn on again when, for example, watching a movie on Netflix or viewing a photo. To save yourself some frustration, it’s best to automate the process. First, let’s create the routine with the steps below:

  • Go to Settings > Modes and Routines.
  • Tap the Routines tab in the bottom menu.
  • Tap the plus icon in the top menu.

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android automation 14

Steps to enable auto-rotate when opening certain apps (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Tap Add what will trigger this routine under the IF section.
  • Scroll down to the Event section and tap App opened.
  • Select your media apps and then tap Done.

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android automation 15

Steps to enable auto-rotate when opening certain apps (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Tap Add what this routine will do in the Then section.
  • Tap All actions.
  • Scroll down to the Display section and tap Screen orientation.
  • In the pop-up, select Auto rotate and then tap Done.
android automation 16

Steps to enable auto-rotate when opening certain apps (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

  • Tap Save.
  • Give the routine a name and tap Done.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Automation isn’t just about convenience. It’s about creating habits that improve the way your Android phone works for you, especially in scenarios where it seems like it’s working against you (e.g., causing too many distractions). Your Android phone is smarter than you think. While many of these automations can work for you as is, don’t be afraid to tweak them to your particular scenario.

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What tedious task are you going to automate now that you know how to go about it? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

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Charlamagne says ‘nobody wants to hear’ from Jean-Pierre after Biden cover-up

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Radio host Charlamagne Tha God on Thursday said while he would gladly read former White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre’s new book, her credibility is dubious.

Former Biden White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday revealed she was registering as an independent and announced a forthcoming book about her time in the tumultuous administration. The longtime Democratic Party operative is urging Americans to step outside harsh party lines in her new book, “Independent: A Look Inside a Broken White House, Outside the Party Lines.”

“Until January 20, I was responsible for speaking on behalf of the President of the United States,” she said in a statement, according to The Associated Press. “At noon on that day, I became a private citizen who, like all Americans and many of our allies around the world, had to contend with what was to come next for our country. I determined that the danger we face as a country requires freeing ourselves of boxes. We need to be willing to exercise the ability to think creatively and plan strategically.”

Charlamagne, who hasn’t been shy about criticizing either party, offered mixed praise for Jean-Pierre’s move during his radio show.

Charlamagne said he was interested in Karine Jean-Pierre’s book, but still questioned her credibility.

FOX NEWS WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENTS SHARE SHOCK OVER KARINE JEAN-PIERRE’S PARTY SWITCH

“I respect her being independent because I feel like if you Black in this country, you shouldn’t be loyal to any party,” he said on Thursday’s episode. “You should only be voting your interest. You should only be voting for politicians who are implementing legislation and policies for your communities and your people. And if you ask me, none of these parties have done enough for us to be screaming, ‘We Republican or Democrat,’ so independent is the way to go.”

Jean-Pierre’s reputation is still questionable in his eyes, however.

“When it comes to her in particular, I’m probably going to read the book, but nobody wants to hear from anyone who got up there and lied for the Biden administration,” he said.

He argued such proclamations from people like Jean-Pierre are too little, too late, even if he approves of her general points.

President Biden and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre

Karine Jean-Pierre’s sudden shift after defending Biden for years has baffled many commentators. ( Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images, left, AP Photo/Ben Curtis, right.)

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“It’s like a lot of these folks are having a come to Jesus moment way too late,” he said. “They should have been talking like this two or three years ago, and she had a very interesting quote in her press release. The quote was, ‘We need to be willing to exercise the ability to think creatively and plan strategically. We need to be clear-eyed and questioning rather than blindly loyal and obedient as we may have been in the past.’ And that right there is the problem with Democrat supporters, especially Black ones, just blindly loyal and obedient for no damn reason.”

When asked by a co-host about whether such loyalty is referring to Biden or to the presidency as an institution, Charlamagne argued it ultimately resulted in betraying the American people.

Charlamagne speaks on stage

Charlamagne has spoken multiple times about the Democratic Party’s cover-up of Biden’s purported decline. ((Photo by Derek White/Getty Images for iHeartMedia and The Black Effect Podcast Network))

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Fox News’ Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.

Underweight luggage rejected at airport as passenger shares unusual complaint

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A flight passenger shared frustrations about a surprising issue involving a checked bag — garnering plenty of comments from other users.   

Posting in the “r/delta” Reddit forum with the title, “My checked bag was rejected for being underweight,” the user wrote that large souvenirs from a trip would not fit in any of the person’s existing bags. 

So “I stuffed them into the secret duffel bag that I always bring for such contingencies and tried to check it,” the post said. 

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“Imagine my surprise when the agent said I couldn’t check my fluffy bag because it didn’t weigh enough,” read the post.

“Is this the bizarro luggage counter?” the user asked. 

A flight passenger (not pictured) shared frustrations on Reddit when an airline agent rejected a checked bag for being underweight. (iStock)

“The agent said I should go ahead and take it as a third carry-on, but I didn’t want to get hassled by the gate agent,’” continued the post.

The person did not want to be forced to check a backpack at the gate and ended up finding a few “heavy things” from the carry-on to add more weight. 

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“Has this happened to anyone else?” asked the Reddit user. “What do you think is the reasoning behind this?”

Users took to the comments section to discuss whether they’d ever heard of a checked bag rejected for being “underweight” and speculated about possible reasons for the rejection.

"Is this the bizarro luggage counter?" the Reddit user asked in a viral post. 

“Is this the bizarro luggage counter?” the Reddit user asked in a viral post.  (iStock)

“Might have been too lightweight and flexible to make it through the sorting machines and various belts to get from the bag check conveyor to the plane,” suggested one user.

Another Redditor wrote, “Could easily be blown from the belt or from the cart.”

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Said another person, “I would’ve just checked my carry-on and taken souvenirs with me.”

Another user said, “Gate agents lately are super strict … Trying to get three obvious bags past them would most likely not work.”

luggage at airport

Most airlines list the maximum weight of a checked bag on their websites, but they do not state whether there is a minimum weight limit. (iStock)

“You checking helium balloons?” joked one user. 

Another Redditor said, “Gate checking usually results in the bag getting damaged less. It’s the unknown airport bag mazes that cause trouble.”

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Most airlines list the maximum weight of a checked bag on their website, but they do not state whether there is a minimum weight limit.

Delta’s website lists its price for the first and second “standard checked bag under 50 lbs.”

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Bags on Frontier “must weigh 40 lbs or less,” according to that company’s website. 

Texas woman dies from brain-eating amoeba after using nasal irrigation device

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A woman in Texas has died after contracting a fatal brain amoeba from contaminated water.

The patient, 71, had used a nasal irrigation device filled with unboiled tap water from an RV’s water faucet, according to an alert from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The “previously healthy” woman was staying at a local campground at the time, the agency stated.

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Within four days of using the nasal rinse, the woman developed “severe neurologic symptoms,” including fever, headache and altered mental status. 

The patient was treated for a potential infection of primary amebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare, deadly brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, also known as the brain-eating amoeba.

The woman was treated for a potential infection of primary amebic meningoencephalitis, a rare, deadly brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, also known as the brain-eating amoeba. (iStock)

Despite treatment, the woman began having seizures and died eight days after symptoms began.

Testing of the patient’s cerebrospinal fluid confirmed she had contracted N. fowleri, according to the CDC.

“This case reinforces the potential for serious health risks associated with improper use of nasal irrigation devices, as well as the importance of maintaining RV water quality and ensuring that municipal water systems adhere to regulatory standards,” the health agency stated.

“Fewer than 10 people in the U.S. every year get infected — but unfortunately, most cases are fatal.”

Naegleria fowleri can also be a risk when swimming in fresh water. It is more prevalent during hotter months, as the amoeba grows best in high air and water temperatures.

Fox News Digital previously spoke with Tammy Lundstrom, chief medical officer and infectious disease specialist for Trinity Health in Michigan, about the risks of infection.

Nasal irrigation

The patient had used a nasal irrigation device (not pictured) filled with unboiled tap water from an RV’s water faucet. (iStock)

“The risk of brain-eating amoeba is very low,” she said. “Fewer than 10 people in the U.S. every year get infected — but unfortunately, most cases are fatal. There are only a handful of survivors of known cases.”

The death rate for Naegleria fowleri exceeds 97%, per the CDC.

Warning signs to recognize

The initial symptoms of PAM usually begin about five days after exposure, but they can be noticed sooner.

Early signs usually include headache, nausea, fever and/or vomiting, the CDC’s website states.

As the infection progresses, people may experience confusion, stiff neck, disorientation, hallucinations, seizures and coma.

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“People usually start to feel ill one to 12 days after water exposure,” Lundstrom said. “Early symptoms should prompt a medical evaluation, as they are also signs of bacterial meningitis.”

Death can occur anywhere between one and 18 days of infection, at an average of five days.

Prevention of infection

To prevent contracting the fatal infection, the CDC recommends using “distilled, sterile or boiled and cooled tap water for nasal irrigation,” as “improperly maintained” municipal water and RV water systems carry the risk of disease.

It is also best to avoid immersing your head in the water when swimming in summer, Lundstrom told Fox News Digital.

Naegleria fowleri

Testing of the patient’s cerebrospinal fluid confirmed she had contracted N. fowleri, according to the CDC. (iStock)

“Infection occurs when water harboring the amoeba goes up a person’s nose, usually during swimming,” she said. “It is not known why some people get infected and others, even swimming companions, do not.”

Drinking contaminated water does not present a risk, and the infection does not spread from one person to another, Lundstrom added.

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Because the amoeba is found in soil, the CDC also recommends avoiding stirring up the sediment at the bottom of lakes, ponds and rivers.

Treatment of brain-eating amoebas

When a patient has been diagnosed with a brain-eating amoeba, treatment usually includes a variety of antifungal medications, as well as antibiotics like rifampin and azithromycin, according to Lundstrom. 

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Miltefosine, a newer antifungal drug, has been shown to kill Nagleria fowleri in laboratory tests and was used to treat some surviving patients, the CDC states on its website.

“However, the effect of all of these drugs on actual infected people is unknown due to the high fatality rate,” Lundstrom noted.

Brain-eating amoeba

Naegleria fowleri can also be a risk when swimming in fresh water. It is more prevalent during hotter months, as the amoeba grows best in high air and water temperatures. (iStock)

Those who experience sudden headache, fever, stiff neck or vomiting — especially if they have recently been swimming in warm freshwater — should seek immediate medical attention, the CDC recommends.

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Despite the infection’s high fatality rate, Lundstrom emphasized the rarity of cases. 

“Millions of people enjoy swimming every summer, but only a few become infected,” she said.

AI reveals Dead Sea Scrolls may be older than researchers previously thought

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The Dead Sea Scrolls may be even older than researchers thought, according to a new study driven by an artificial intelligence (AI) model.

A group of researchers from the Netherlands, Italy and Denmark recently published their findings in the journal PLOS One on June 4.

The researchers said they developed an AI-based date-prediction model named Enoch, a nod to the biblical patriarch of the same name.

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Enoch “was trained as a machine learning-based date-prediction model applying Bayesian ridge regression on established handwriting-style descriptors,” according to the study. 

In order to date the scrolls, the model analyzed each one’s handwriting style. Researchers also integrated radiocarbon dating methods — and found that most of the scrolls were at least a generation older than previously thought.

Researchers believe that the Dead Sea Scrolls may be even older than was previously thought. (Getty Images)

Previous estimates placed the scrolls between 150 and 50 B.C., but the model found that many of the scrolls date to around 200 B.C.

“There are no compelling paleographic or historical reasons that preclude these older dates as reliable time markers.”

“Enoch’s style-based predictions are often older than traditionally assumed paleographic estimates, leading to a new chronology of the scrolls and the re-dating of ancient Jewish key texts that contribute to current debates on Jewish and Christian origins,” the paper states.

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The researchers also indicate that the new dates are “realistic.”

Close-up of fragile dead sea scrolls

The scrolls have attracted a great amount of interest from both scholars and the public at large since their discovery. (Getty Images)

“There are no compelling paleographic or historical reasons that preclude these older dates as reliable time markers,” the authors said.

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The scrolls, found in desert caves near the Dead Sea in the 1940s and 1950s, date between the third century B.C. to the first century A.D. 

Ancient dead sea scrolls laid out

The Dead Sea Scrolls are famous for shedding light on some previously unknown beliefs and practices of ancient Judaism. (Getty Images)

They offer a wealth of knowledge about ancient Judaism, with many religious texts during the Second Temple period that were previously unknown.

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Since their discovery, the scrolls have attracted a great amount of interest from both scholars and the public at large.

Dead Sea Scroll fragment

Most of the scrolls were found in desert caves near the Dead Sea in the 1940s and 1950s, though some were found recently. (Shai Halevi, Israel Antiquities Authority)

In 2021, Israeli researchers uncovered dozens of new Dead Sea Scroll fragments.

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In April, the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library showcased a special collection of eight ancient Jewish manuscripts as part of its exhibition on the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Reddit user refuses to loan car again after friend returns it damaged and dirty

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In a viral Reddit message, a woman reached out to others for advice and insight now that she’s no longer allowing her friend to “borrow my car” given the way the friend “returned it [the] last time” — and yet she’s taking heat for her stance from others.

Over 3,000 people reacted to date to the post, with nearly 1,000 comments posted so far about the dilemma.

“I have a decent used car that I worked hard to pay off,” wrote the 27-year-old woman. 

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“It’s nothing fancy, but it runs well and I take really good care of it — regular maintenance, I keep it clean, no smoking, no trash left inside, etc.,” the Reddit poster went on.

“I’ve always been a little protective of it because I rely on it every day for work.”

A woman who relies on her car to drive to work every day has refused to loan it out again to a friend who treated it poorly the first time.  (iStock)

She said that just a few months ago, a friend — “let’s call her Sarah,” she wrote — “asked to borrow it for a weekend trip because her car was in the shop. I hesitated but said yes because we’ve been friends for years and I wanted to help.”

The Reddit writer said her friend returned the car two days later with a host of problems.

There were “fast-food wrappers in the back seat,” plus “dirt all over the passenger floor.”

First of all, it had “less than a quarter tank of gas (I’d filled it before giving it to her),” wrote the woman.

Then, there were “fast-food wrappers in the back seat,” plus “dirt all over the passenger floor.”

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Finally, as “the cherry on top,” there was “a mystery scratch on the back bumper that she swore ‘was already there’ (it wasn’t),” the woman wrote. 

She said that she “didn’t say much at the time because I hate confrontation, but I was honestly [upset]. Especially because I expected more out of someone I’m friends with.”

cars on highway in LA

“Flash forward to this week. She texts me asking if she can borrow my car again for a different trip,” wrote the woman in her viral post. (Getty Images)

The woman continued in her post, “Flash forward to this week. She texts me asking if she can borrow my car again for a different trip.”

So “I told her no, very politely,” wrote the Reddit poster, “and said I just wasn’t comfortable loaning it out anymore.”

The friend apparently became “upset” and began “saying things like, ‘Are you sure you can’t just help me out? That’s what friends do for each other’ — I feel like she’s guilt-tripping me,” the woman added. 

“I just wasn’t comfortable loaning it out anymore.”

The woman wrote that she’s now “getting messages from another mutual friend saying I’m being too uptight and that it wouldn’t kill me to help her out ‘just this once.’” 

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Added the woman, “I feel like I’m being guilt-tripped for setting a boundary after already being taken advantage of once.”

A traffic jam on the 405 freeway in LA California.

“It’s your car. It’s expensive and somewhat essential. You don’t need a reason not to lend it out.” (iStock)

She then asked others for their thoughts on whether she’s wrong for refusing to loan out her car once again to the same person. 

“Don’t back down,” wrote one person. “She’s not your friend, and she’s obviously already talking s— about you behind your back.”

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Another person said, “Here’s a novel thought. They have rental cars! I know, what a wacky idea.”

Another individual shared this thought, which many others agreed with: “It’s just common courtesy to return someone’s car clean, with a full tank, and in the same (if not better) condition as you got it.” 

A picture of two women arguing split with an iPhone showing the Reddit logo.

“Don’t back down,” wrote one person about the Reddit drama between two women. “She’s not your friend.” (iStock; Getty Images)

The person went on, “That’s the bare minimum as a thank-you for trusting someone with your car. She didn’t respect that the first time, so no, she shouldn’t borrow your car again.”

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And another person shared this bit of insight: “It’s your car. It’s expensive and somewhat essential. You don’t need a reason not to lend it out.”

Ozempic users report strange attraction to sweet perfumes as side effect

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While Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs have been shown to have myriad benefits, they can also present some unwelcome effects, primarily nausea, vomiting and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

Some are also reporting changes in their sense of smell — sometimes referred to as “Ozempic smell” — as one of the lesser-known side effects of GLP-1 medications.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that people taking these drugs could be suddenly drawn to sugary perfumes and scents, possibly even craving them.

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Some users on Reddit have reported unexpected cravings and appreciations for perfumes.

“I started semaglutide in April last year and have lost 80lbs and gained a newfound appreciation for fragrances,” wrote one user.

Dr. Marc Siege says that while he hasn’t observed this phenomenon in his own patients, the medications do alter digestion. (iStock)

Another user replied, “My scent obsession started when I started my shots…”

GLP-1 receptor agonists work by imitating the natural hormone GLP-1, which helps to regulate blood sugar and maintains a feeling of fullness. 

Originally created as an agent to treat diabetes, the class of medications has become a popular weight-loss solution.

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The regions that control people’s senses of taste and smell are also primary sources of this natural hormone, studies have shown.

Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health and Fox News senior medical analyst, says that while he hasn’t observed this phenomenon in his own patients, the medications do alter digestion.

Hands spraying perfume

The gourmand fragrance market has been rising in recent years, and is expected to exceed $35 billion in 2025, market research shows. (iStock)

“I have seen an increase in reflux and burping related to delayed gastric emptying with these drugs,” he told Fox News Digital.

“This can lead to an acidic or sour taste, which could theoretically affect smell as well.”

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The reported side effect aligns with another trend: Gourmand fragrances (sweet-smelling, sugary perfume scents like cake batter and caramel) are rising in popularity, as reported by Forbes.

The gourmand fragrance market has been rising in recent years, and is expected to exceed $35 billion in 2025, market research shows.

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Searches for “caramel perfume” in particular are expected to grow by 42% this year.

So far, no specific studies have determined what link, if any, GLP-1 medications have to proclivity for sugary perfumes.

Colorful Cupcakes with Candy Sprinkles

Users on Reddit report unexpected cravings and appreciations for perfumes. (iStock)

“This [effect] would be in a relatively small number of cases,” Siegel said, referring to patients who develop an olfactory sweet tooth.

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Further research is required to investigate the potential link between GLP-1 medications and changes in perception of the way people taste and smell, he noted.

How long should you hold a plank? TV hosts compete in on-air challenge

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How long can you hold a plank — and how does it stack up to others in your age group?

That’s the question that was posed on “Fox & Friends” Thursday morning, when co-hosts Brian Kilmeade and Lawrence Jones competed in a plank challenge.

A plank is an isometric move where the person holds a push-up position for a set period of time.

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Both held a low plank for well over a minute, exceeding the thresholds for their ages, although Kilmeade held his for a few seconds longer.

“Fox & Friends” co-hosts Brian Kilmeade and Lawrence Jones competed in a plank challenge on-air Thursday morning. (Fox News)

A fitness expert at Lifetime in New York City provided the below targets for how long you should be able to hold a plank by age.

  • 20s: 1 to 2 minutes
  • 30s: 1 to 2 minutes
  • 40s: 1 minute or longer
  • 50s: 30 to 60 seconds
  • 60s and above: 20 to 30 seconds

Benefits of holding planks

Planks are often touted as an abdominal exercise, serving as an alternative to traditional sit-ups and crunches, which can strain the back and neck.

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However, the isometric move benefits the body in many other ways beyond just sculpting a six-pack.

In addition to working the abdominals, planks also strengthen the muscles in the arms, legs, chest and back, according to Healthline.

Plank goals by age

A fitness expert at Lifetime in New York City provided targets for how long you should be able to hold a plank by age. (Fox News)

They can also help improve posture while sitting or standing and can boost flexibility by stretching the lower half of the body, the above source stated.

Different plank versions

While Kilmeade and Jones both held low planks, some may opt for a high plank, which is where the arms are straight and the person balances on the palms of the hands.

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For those who are still working up to holding a full plank, the move can be modified by dropping the knees to the floor.

Brian Kilmeade planking

In addition to working the abdominals, planks also strengthen the muscles in the arms, legs, chest and back. (Fox News)

There are also variations of the plank that target different parts of the body. 

Those include side planks, knee touches (touching alternating knees to the ground), hip dips and leg/arm extensions.

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If you’ve just started planking, experts recommend starting with 15 to 30 seconds and gradually increasing the duration, with two minutes generally regarded as a good maximum.

Israel faces possible early elections as Netanyahu coalition teeters

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Israel is facing a deepening political crisis that could soon bring down Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, as one of its key ultra-Orthodox partners threatens to leave the government and back an opposition-led motion to dissolve parliament next week.  In a dramatic escalation on Thursday, the Council of Torah Scholars today instructed the Agudat Yisrael party to submit its own bill to dissolve the Knesset. 

Recent Israeli opinion polls indicate that Netanyahu’s coalition would likely lose power if elections were held today.

The crisis centers on long-standing tensions over military conscription exemptions for ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) men. While most Israelis are required to serve – three years for men, two for women – Haredi men have long been granted exemptions, a policy increasingly seen as untenable amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

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Protesters in Tel Aviv after the bodies of six hostages were returned to Israel. Sept. 1, 2024. (Reuters/Florion Goga)

Haaretz political correspondent Amir Tibon said, “The real crisis shaking Netanyahu’s coalition isn’t just religion versus state – it’s the war in Gaza, and who will be forced to fight it. Discrimination against those who serve in the military is one of the few issues that unites a vast majority of Israelis – and they want it to end.”

According to IDF estimates, there are approximately 60,000 ultra-Orthodox men of conscription age.

“The crisis stems from the October 7 massacre,” said Amit Segal, political correspondent for Israel’s Channel 12. “Before the war, many Israelis already resented Haredi draft exemptions. Now, with the IDF short on soldiers, that anger has reached a boiling point.”

Segal said Netanyahu’s coalition is currently eyeing Oct. 21, 2025, as a possible election date, but warned that if the ultra-Orthodox parties leave, early elections could become inevitable. “It’s unlikely the ultra-Orthodox parties will topple the government – they’re in their ideal coalition,” he stated. “But if they do leave, elections in October are likely.”

IDF forces in Rafah

IDF forces are seen operating in Rafah, a city in the Gaza Strip. (IDF Spokesman’s Office)

In March, Israel’s Supreme Court ruled that the draft exemptions were unconstitutional and ordered the government to resolve the issue. But Netanyahu’s coalition – which relies heavily on the 18 seats held by the ultra-Orthodox parties Shas and United Torah Judaism – remains split. The Haredi parties are demanding new legislation that would enshrine the exemptions in law. Without it, they threaten to quit.

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If those parties walk, Netanyahu’s coalition could collapse, Segal explained, “The prime minister has seven weeks until the Knesset enters a months-long recess and will fight to survive until then. But with a bill to dissolve the Knesset set to be presented next week, there’s no guarantee he’ll reach July 27 as prime minister.”

Israeli protest

Dozens of protesters stage a demonstration inside Jerusalem’s ultra-Orthodox Mea Shearim neighborhood, calling for the community to be drafted to the IDF. (Eyal Warshavsky/SOPA Images/Sipa USA/Sipa via AP Images)

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The bill, introduced by opposition party Yesh Atid, led by former Prime Minister Yair Lapid, is set for a vote on June 11. It needs 61 votes to pass – a number that could be reached if even a few coalition members defect.

Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has announced a political comeback with a new party, tentatively called “Bennett 2026.” Israeli media polls suggest Bennett would win 24 to 28 seats if elections were held today, overtaking Netanyahu’s Likud, which is projected to receive only 19 to 22 seats.

WWII veterans return to Normandy beaches for 81st D-Day anniversary

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Some World War II veterans have landed in France to mark the 81st anniversary of D-Day on Friday.

A group of about two dozen veterans who served in Europe and the Pacific traveled back to the once bloody beaches of Normandy, the Associated Press reported. 

The veterans, who are mostly centenarians, represent the dwindling number of those who were on the front lines defending freedom. 

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About 66,143 of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II were alive as of 2024, according to statistics from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The veterans in Normandy are reportedly treated like “rock stars” in the region, being handed notes and hearing many “thank yous.”

D-Day veteran Jake Larson (pictured) greets schoolchildren during a visit to the Normandy American Cemetery. (AP Photo/John Leicester)

Jack Stowe, a 98-year-old who served in the Navy, told AP he still receives “the sweetest letters” from kids he has met on previous trips.

“The French people here, they’re so good to us … they want to talk to us, they want to sit down and they want their kids around us,” he said.

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Stowe said he lied about his age, claiming to be 15 years old, in order to join the military following Pearl Harbor in 1941.

D-Day Veterans Return

The Best Defense Foundation brought 50 veterans to Normandy, France last year for D-Day and brought 23 this year. (AP Photo/John Leicester)

“People are not going to let it be forgotten, you know, Omaha, these beaches … These stories will go on and on and on,” said Stowe.

“We have the responsibility to honor these guys who gave us a chance to be alive.”

Jake Larson, 102, survived machine gunfire while storming Omaha beach on D-Day.

“We are the lucky ones … They had no family. We are their family. We have the responsibility to honor these guys who gave us a chance to be alive,” Larson told AP.

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Wally King, a 101-year-old who flew a P-47 Thunderbolt fighter, honored a pilot who flew the same plane alongside his granddaughter.

D-Day Veterans Return

Wally King (pictured) honors a pilot who flew the same plane as him alongside his granddaughter. (AP Photo/John Leicester)

“This will probably be the last Normandy return, when you see the condition of some of us old guys … I hope I’m wrong,” King told AP.

The Best Defense Foundation began organizing trips to Normandy in 2004.

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Last year, the nonprofit brought 50 veterans; this year, 23 were on the trip.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.Â