Feed aggregator

This Juneteenth, there are numerous options for you to choose from for your banking needs, but did you know that you could bank Black?

"The number one reason it's important for Black banks to be in existence is because the majority of them do work in what the United States designates as low to moderate income census tracts," says the executive director of the consultancy group National Black Bank Foundation, Rod Chavez. 

SEE ALSO: 4 things you need to know about Juneteenth, the federal holiday

There are 23 Black-owned and run banks and savings institutions as of March 2024 according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the primary federal regulator of state-chartered banks that do not join the federal reserve. To qualify for designation as a Black-owned institution by the FDIC, a minimum of 51 percent of voting stock has to be owned by people or entities that identify as Black, or the majority of people on the board of directors have to identify as Black.

"If we make the assumption that Black owned banks are more likely to provide credit on reasonable terms to Black clients than white-owned banks, then their absence is really important in the context of a situation in which black people are confronted with discrimination in credit markets," says professor of economics at Duke University William Darity.

Be sure to do your own thorough research if you’re thinking about switching to or joining a Black-owned bank so you can make the most informed decision for your banking needs. 

Some prominent examples of Black-owned banks in the U.S.

Here are nine of the oldest Black-owned banks in the country. You can find the full list here.

1. Citizens Savings B&T Company, a bank established in Nashville in 1904 with a goal of providing "assistance to low- to moderate-income and minority groups to enable them to realize their economic dreams."

2. Mechanics & Farmers Bank, a bank established in Durham, NC. in 1908 with a mission to "enhance the wealth and well being" of the communities they serve.

3. Citizens Trust Bank, a bank established in Atlanta, 1921 with a mission to "promote community economic growth and stability."

4. Carver State Bank,a bank established in Savannah, GA, in 1927 whose mission is to provide "the building blocks for financial freedom" to "improve the lives of low-income individuals and residents of distressed communities."

5. Industrial Bank, a bank established in Washington D.C. in. 1934 with a mission to "impact economic development" in communities they serve.

6. First Security Bank & Trust Co, a bank established in Oklahoma City in 1951 with a mission to "create innovative and flexible banking products providing financial capital to small businesses."

7. First Independence Bank, a bank established in Detroit in1970 with a mission to "be a beacon for capital accumulation for individuals and business entities by delivering financial services with an affinity for under-served and minority communities."

8. Liberty Bank & Trust Co, a bank founded in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1972 with a "focus on service, integrity and a sincere interest in community and business development."

9. Commonwealth National Bank, a bank founded in 1976 in the Toulminville section of Mobile, Alabama, whose founders' mission is to serve their own "neighbors, friends, and community members."

Note: Mashable is not a financial advisor and this is list is not a recommendation.

TL;DR: As of June 18, you can get lifetime access to Curiosity Stream documentaries for only £141.62 — no coupon needed.

Instead of spending the summer scrolling through the same old collection of documentaries on Netflix and ITV, it might be time to try a platform that actually specialises in educational content. Curiosity Stream is the streaming app that's home to a huge selection of high-quality documentaries and docu-series on a wide variety of topics. A lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream is only £141.62 (reg. £314.75) through June 26.

Watch documentaries for life

If you love documentaries, you don’t have to settle for the precious few modern ones on Netflix or other streaming services. Instead, you can enjoy the wider selection of high-quality documentaries on Curiosity Stream.

Fascinated by true crime? Craving a deep dive into the deep ocean? Or do you want to take a look at some of the most interesting stories from history? Curiosity Stream has an enormous catalog of educational content, and it's even won an Emmy.

Plus, the user interface is easy to navigate, with tools to filter content by topic or collection, or you can even search for your favourite narrator. They have some well-known names like Sir David Attenborough and celebrity narrators like Morgan Freeman. 

New content is being added all the time, so a lifetime subscription doesn't mean a lifetime to watch the same old stuff. It means you'll always have access to a growing library of fascinating shows and movies to watch on multiple devices, both on or offline. 

Save on a lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream

Don't miss your chance to get lifetime access to incredible educational content you or your family can enjoy. 

June 26 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the deadline to get a lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream for £141.62. No coupon needed. Please note that this offer is available to new users only at this time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Curiosity Stream Curiosity Stream Standard Plan: Lifetime Subscription £141.62 at the Mashable Shop
£314.75 Save £173.13 Get Deal

TL;DR: Watch Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Euro 2024 comes from the great footballing nation of Germany. And the host team face their next challenge in Group A, taking on Hungary. Germany will be confident and are looking to go all the way on home soil. Can the Hungarians spoil the party for the hosts?

Even though Euro 2024 is being held in Germany, you don't need to be there to watch the games. If you want to watch Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 for free from anywhere around the world, here are some helpful pointers.

When is Germany vs. Hungary?

Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 kicks off at 12 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. BST on June 19. This fixture takes place at the Stuttgart Arena in Stuttgart, Germany.

How to watch Germany vs. Hungary for free

Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 is being broadcast by the BBC, and will live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-blocked outside the UK, but you can use a VPN to watch this free streaming platform wherever you are. With a VPN you can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect to a secure server in the UK, so BBC iPlayer thinks you're in the UK and allows you to circumnavigate those annoying geo-restrictions.

Unblock BBC iPlayer by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free to use, but they tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees to sweeten the deal. You can sign up for long enough to watch every Euro 2024 fixture and then cancel your trial or claim your money back. This is sneaky, but it works.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 — that's an impressive discount of 49% — and includes an extra three months for free. The plan also gives you a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee, which means you're always getting value.

Stream Germany vs. Hungary in Euro 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Euro 2024 is well underway, with Croatia — one of the most impressive teams in European football — looking to start another successful campaign against underdogs Albania, who enter only their second European Championships.

Croatia reached the World Cup final in 2018 but they're yet to reach the same level of success at the Euros. Is 2024 the year that they go all the way? They've certainly got the quality in the squad to do it. But the Albanians could surprise the Croats. Anything can happen in tournament football and the group stages always have a few shocks in store.

The good news is that you don't have to be in Europe to watch Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 for free. Here's some useful information to help you access all the Euro 2024 fixtures for free.

When is Croatia vs. Albania?

Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 kicks off at 9 a.m. ET / 2 p.m. BST on June 19. This fixture takes place at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg, Germany.

How to watch Croatia vs. Albania for free

Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 is being broadcast by ITV. Free live streaming is available via ITVX.

ITVX is a free streaming platform for viewers in the UK, which means it's geo-restricted. But viewers outside of the UK can access ITVX by using a VPN. This hides your IP address (digital location) and connects you to a secure server based in the UK, allowing you to bypass the geo-restrictions to watch Euro 2024 games on ITVX — no matter where you are.

Unblock ITVX by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit ITVX

5. Stream Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

While the best VPNs for streaming aren't technically free, they do offer money-free solutions. VPN providers offer free-trial periods and money-back guarantees, both of which you can take advantage of to gain access to ITVX — all without spending a penny. This is not a long-term solution, but you might be encouraged to sign up permanently if you like the service. And if not, you'll be able to get free access for long enough to watch every Euro 2024 fixture without spending anything.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is currently available with a 49% discount — an attractive price of just $99.95, which includes an extra three months for free along with a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Croatia vs. Albania in Euro 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Nothing is decided in the first round of fixtures. The Euro 2024 group stages have plenty of surprises in store, with qualification still up for grabs for every team. Scotland and Switzerland are both looking to book a spot in the knockout rounds, and you can watch all the action from this tough matchup from anywhere in the world.

If you want to watch Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Scotland vs. Switzerland?

Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on June 19. This fixture takes place at the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne, Germany.

How to watch Scotland vs. Switzerland for free

Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 is being broadcast by the BBC, with free live streaming available on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Access BBC iPlayer to stream Euro 2024 by following these simple steps:

1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to provide free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By making the most of these offers, you can gain access to BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is not a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to stream every Euro 2024 fixture for free.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for streaming live sport on BBC iPlayer, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Scotland vs. Switzerland in Euro 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for June 19's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

He is a man of many words.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter T.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #1096 is...

TERSE.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Reporting by Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

We're halfway through The Acolyte, and I'm calling it: The mysterious Sith Lord Mae (Amandla Stenberg) has been serving is none other than Qimir (Manny Jacinto).

A former smuggler turned disciple of the Sith, Qimir acts as a handler of sorts for Mae. If she needs a poison to kill Jedi Master Torbin (Dean-Charles Chapman), he'll whip one up. If she needs advice on where to find Jedi Master Kelnacca (Joonas Suotamo), he'll guide her through the jungles of Khofar. If she needs someone to complain to about her cryptic Master's missions, Qimir is all ears. (He's also perfectly happy to drink and take naps while Mae is out murdering Jedi.)

SEE ALSO: 'The Acolyte' review: Just what Star Wars needs

But Qimir's bumbling smuggler exterior — "Han Solo without the rizz," as Jacinto described him in an interview with Entertainment Tonight — has to be a front for something darker. Remember his chilling delivery of "You look exactly like her" when he first met Mae's identical twin, Osha (Stenberg)? Or how quickly he subdued Mae when she tried to fight him? There's clearly more to him than meets the eye.

Plus, since Mae's admitted she doesn't know who is really lurking beneath that smiling Sith helmet, there's a good chance it's someone we've already met. Maybe even someone Mae already knows... like her partner in crime? After all, what better way is there for a Sith to check in on their acolyte than by shadowing their missions and getting a sense of how they work?

The "Darth Qimir" speculation has been swirling among The Acolyte's fans for a while now. Perhaps the biggest piece of evidence in favor of this theory is the fact that Qimir flat out quotes the first line of the Sith Code, telling Osha, "Peace is a lie."

Qimir? Is that you? Credit: Lucasfilm Ltd.

But The Acolyte's fourth episode adds further fuel to the flames of Qimir's potential Sith-hood. As he and Mae track down Kelnacca, Mae has a change of heart about her whole mission. She traps Qimir and continues alone, leaving him hanging by his foot from a tree.

SEE ALSO: 'The Acolyte's twin reveal threw me for a loop — and I'm hungry for more

The episode ends with Mae, Osha, and the Jedi contingent — including Sol (Lee Jung-jae), Jecki (Dafne Keen), and Yord (Charlie Barnett) — converging on Kelnacca's house. But before they can all duke it out, darkness descends across the jungle. The Sith Lord has arrived, and the gang's all here to take this mysterious enemy on.

But guess who's not around? Qimir!

Sure, maybe he's still floundering in Mae's trap while his boss takes care of business. Or maybe he waited until Mae was gone to use some Force tricks to escape. Then, I imagine he changed into his sick Sith getup using whatever the Star Wars equivalent of Clark Kent's phone booth is. Once that's done, he's ready to take down some Jedi and teach his impudent acolyte a lesson.

The argument here really just boils down to: Have you ever seen Qimir and the Sith Lord together in the same room? And the answer, of course, is no. Because they're the same person! I'm (almost entirely) certain of it!

There is still the chance that Qimir is a red herring, and that I have fallen for it extremely hard. Maybe he's just an intense Sith fanboy. Maybe the Sith is someone entirely different: A new possibility is Mother Koril (Margarita Levieva), one of the Brendok witches whose body was conspicuously absent from the rest of the dead coven at the end of The Acolyte's third episode.

Yet I've written off a scrubby, disheveled guy as being the Big Bad once before, with Halbrand in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. And look how that turned out! So with The Acolyte, I'm trusting my instincts, and I'm ready to embrace Darth Qimir with open arms.

The Acolyte is now streaming on Disney+, with a new episode every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for June 19's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

Want a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:

• Yellow: All in agreement

• Green: Ask out

• Blue: Things in quantifiable amounts

• Purple: Spirituality

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:

• Yellow: Positions in Favor

• Green: Go Out With

• Blue: Multitude

• Purple: Things Read in Divination

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to Connections #374 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Positions in Favor: AYE, FOR, PRO, YEA

• Go Out With: COURT, DATE, SEE, WOO

• Multitude: DROVE, HOST, PACK, SEA

• Things Read in Divination: AURA, PALM, TAROT, TEA

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.