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If you were lucky enough to have a good dad growing up, imagine if they were suddenly taken away for reasons you don't quite understand. Would you wonder why he was no longer around to sing you songs or talk with you? Would you be angry at his absence? That's the starting point for Angela Patton and Natalie Rae's moving documentary Daughters, which premiered at Sundance earlier this year and is now available to stream on Netflix. 

The movie follows four girls — Aubrey, who excitedly recites her multiplication tables; Santana, who helps her mom take care of her younger siblings; Ja'Ana, who struggles to remember what her father looked like before he went to prison; Raziah, who wishes she could tell her dad about her day — and their incarcerated fathers as they prepare for the rare chance to hold and hug one another during a father-daughter dance. 

As the documentary explains, the availability of in-person visits have sharply declined in prisons across the country, meaning years could pass between opportunities for children to hold their parent's hand or sit in their lap. The result that this has on the daughters in the film is profound. As the filmmakers check back in a year and then three years after the dance, missing out on time spent with a parent due to incarceration has lasting consequences on the girls' behavior and their well-being. It's heartbreaking to see the pieces of childhood lost as collateral damage. 

What is Daughters about? Credit: Netflix

The first voice in Daughters belongs to Patton, founder of the Girls for a Change nonprofit, which aims to empower young Black girls. Their Date with Dad event, which reunites daughters with their incarcerated fathers for one day, is a signature program of the organization. “They already know what they need… The wisdom lives inside of them,” Patton says of the girls. She explains that the idea for the event came from girls she worked with; it was the suggestion of bringing a dance to their dads that led to the program's creation in Richmond, VA, before expanding to Washington, D.C. 

In preparation for the big event, the fathers enroll in a 10-week coaching class that will try to prepare them through the emotions of that day, examine their own family history, and rededicate themselves to being there for their daughters. The men's conversations are just as emotionally wrenching as the interviews with their daughters, revealing generations of pain and their intentions to do better for their kids. But the powerhouse moments really belong to Aubrey, Santana, Ja'Ana, and Raziah, who are unafraid to be honest about their hurt and confusion over their situation. Reuniting with their fathers is such a joyful but bittersweet moment; the men are in various stages of their sentences, and it may be years or even decades before they will have the chance to freely hug their daughters once again. 

Daughters celebrates and centers Black girlhood.  Credit: Netflix

Between the tearful moments (and there are a lot of them), the filmmakers sprinkle beautiful interstitial scenes of girls playing with each other, riding their bikes, running their fingers through blades of grass or splashing in a river. There are also plenty of poignant close-ups of a smaller hand grasping onto their parent's hand, showing that even as they grow older, they still rely on that sense of touch and the security, warmth, and love that comes with it. These scenes are typically used as background visuals behind a voice-over or contemplative beats by singer and cellist Kelsey Lu, but they beautifully illustrate what's at stake here, and what organizers, communities, and families are fighting for — offering these girls an ongoing connection with their fathers and the chance to enjoy moments of a carefree childhood as much as possible. 

Cinematographer Michael Cambio Fernandez plays with different formats, using both digital and film to give Daughters the feeling of a family album. Grainy handheld footage, artistic black-and-white scenes, and starkly somber interview footage all meld together to give viewers a sense of every side of the story — including that of the hesitant mothers. We see the excitement of the girls' faces as they get ready for their big dance, the glee on the men's faces as they help each other tie their ties and get dressed up for their daughters. For a fleeting moment, there is hope and joy in everyone's faces, happy cries of “Daddy!” and “I love my dad!” fill the room. 

Daughters is easily one of the best documentaries you'll see all year. It's enlightening, it's moving, and it's stunning to watch. Patton and Rae focus on the experience of four little girls to illustrate such a specific loss that's often overlooked in conversations about the criminal justice system. The documentary leaves you with more to think about, some tears to dry, and perhaps the feeling you should call your dad to tell him you love him. 

How to watch: Daughters is now streaming on Netflix. 

The first batch of M4 MacBooks are reportedly on the horizon, according to some juicy gossip from Bloomberg's respected Apple leaker Mark Gurman.

We already saw a glimpse of the M4 chip's capabilities when Apple debuted it on the iPad Pro. Interestingly, this is the first time that Apple has ever rolled out an M-series chip on an iPad before a Mac.

The first Apple device to receive an M4 chip is the iPad Pro Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

We're not sure why Apple injected this chip into its most premium tablet before integrating it into a MacBook Pro. (Perhaps Apple wanted to give us a teaser of what's to come). But based on the mind-blowing battery life runtime we got for the iPad Pro, as well as the impressive performance numbers, the M4 MacBook Pro models are likely going to make Windows PCs squirm.

That being said, let's take a look at all the leaks and rumors we've been hearing about M4 MacBooks. Plus, we'll also take a sneak peek at leaks and rumors of other upcoming Macs.

M4 MacBook Pro release date

According to an April report from Gurman, the next MacBook Pro will drop some time in later this year. He didn't supply an exact date, but the MacBook Pro is expected to come before the M4 MacBook Air, which is poised to drop in the spring months of 2025.

The current-gen entry-level MacBook Pro Credit: Apple

This matches a rumor from Ross Young, another respected analyst. According to Young, who posted a leak on his subscriber-only feed on X (formerly Twitter), Apple fans can expect an M4 MacBook Pro release "later this year," he said.

Based on what Apple has done historically, this means that Apple will likely hold a Mac event on October or November to unveil the new M4 MacBook Pro. However, as BGR noted, the best guesstimate is October.

According to Gurman, the entry-level M4 14-inch MacBook Pro will be released first, followed by the new 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the more powerful M4 Pro and M4 Max chips (likely end of 2024 or early 2025).

M4 MacBook Pro models

Similar to the M3 MacBooks that dropped last year during the October "Scary Fast" event, we're expecting the following M4 MacBook models this year:

• 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 (cheapest)

• 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro

• 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Max

• 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro

• 16-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Max (priciest)

According to Apple, compared to the M2 CPU, the M4 processor is 50% faster. The Cupertino-based tech giant also claims that rendering performance has a four-fold performance jump.

M4 MacBook Pro design

We haven't seen any design rumors regarding the M4 MacBook Pro, but it likely won't get a significant overhaul. As MacRumors said, behind the scenes, Apple is planning a MacBook launch with a new OLED display. However, this isn't expected until 2026.

What about the MacBook Air?

Apple is working on new M4 MacBook Air models, according to Gurman, but they won't be released this year.

The current-generation MacBook Air Credit: Kimberly Gedeon / Mashable

New 13.6-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Air models will likely drop some time next spring.

What about the M4 iMac?

According to Gurman, a new M4 24-inch iMac, similar to the M4 MacBook Pro, is slated to launch in late 2024.

The current-generation iMac Credit: Apple

We don't know any other details.

What about the M4 Mac mini?

We know quite a few details about the M4 Mac mini. According to Gurman, it will launch in two configurations: M4 and M4 Pro. Plus, it's due to drop some time at the end of 2024 or early 2025.

The Mac mini won't necessarily look different, but it will be significantly smaller. The Mac mini, by the way, hasn't had a design change since 2010. (As 9to5Mac pointed out, it lost its DVD drive and changed the I/O options, but it always remained a 7.7-inch aluminum slab.) It's expected to be the tiniest desktop computer that Apple has ever made.

The chassis is reportedly the size of an Apple TV. While the new M4 Mac mini is expected to have a smaller footprint overall, it will be slightly taller than the current-generation Mac mini.

What about the M4 Mac Studio?

Yes, according to Gurman, the M4 Mac Studio is also getting a refresh, but not until some time in the middle of 2025.

What about the M4 Mac Pro?

The aforementioned April Bloomberg report claims that the next Mac Pro, packed with an M4 Ultra chip, will drop during the "second half of 2025."

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It's good to know that our planetary defense systems work.

The European Space Agency revealed that on July 6 the automated systems that sleuth the skies for potentially hazardous objects like asteroids sent out a warning.

"The object, estimated at around 50 m [164 feet] in diameter, was spotted hurtling towards Earth on a path that would take it uncomfortably close to the moon and our planet," ESA wrote. "But thankfully, this was no asteroid."

SEE ALSO: If a scary asteroid will actually strike Earth, here's how you'll know

As objects move through the sky against the background of stars, different observatories (like the NASA-funded Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) identify whether it's a new object, and if so, if it might pose a hazard to Earth. In this case, follow-up observations determined the detected object was ESA's Juice spacecraft, short for Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer. The probe, en route to the deeper solar system, is flying by Earth and the moon to exploit our gravity as it slingshots through space.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

It turns out the Juice spacecraft isn't nearly 50 meters across. Its solar panel wings measure 27 meters (88 feet) from tip to tip — which is still quite big for a deep space probe. But it appeared very bright, owing to its reflective solar panels, so ESA's automated system initially estimated the object was a larger rock reflecting more light.

Scanning the skies for potentially menacing objects is essential. It gives us time to prepare, and if necessary, evacuate a certain area. "You need to know what's coming, when it's coming, and how hard it's going to hit," Eric Christensen, the director of the near-Earth object-seeking Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona, previously told Mashable.

"You need to know what's coming, when it's coming, and how hard it's going to hit."

Some space rocks do inevitably veer into our neck of the solar system woods from time to time. But space agencies haven't spotted any threats. There "continues to be no known asteroid on course to collide with our planet for at least the next 100 years," ESA said.

The risks of an asteroid impact

Here are today's general risks from asteroids or comets both tiny and very large. Importantly, even relatively small rocks are still threatening, as the surprise 56-foot (17-meter) rock that exploded over Russia and blew out people's windows in 2013 proved.

• Every single day about 100 tons of dust and sand-sized particles fall through Earth's atmosphere and promptly burn up.

• Every year, on average, an "automobile-sized asteroid" plummets through our sky and explodes, explains NASA.

• Impacts by objects around 460 feet (140 meters wide) in diameter occur every 10,000 to 20,000 years.

• A "dinosaur-killing" impact from a rock perhaps a half-mile across or larger happens on 100-million-year timescales.

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The adage "you can never go home again" speaks to the indifference of time passing. Sure, you can go back to your hometown whenever, but the "you" and the "home" will never be the same again. This is the dilemma facing the trans protagonist in the indie drama Close to You, which is both fronted and produced by Elliot Page (Umbrella Academy). After years of personal struggle, Sam is finally in good standing with himself. But what will happen when this him goes back to a home — and family — who may not understand? 

Made after Page came out as trans in 2020, this touching and clearly personal film grapples with issues of trans acceptance and the definition of family — but not successfully. 

What's Close to You about?  Credit: Courtesy of Greenwich Entertainment

Canadian actor Elliot Page stars as Sam, a trans man who is traveling to his hometown of Cobourg, Canada, to visit his family for the first time since transitioning. Directed by Dominic Savage, Close to You begins with some simple visual storytelling by establishing Sam in his Toronto rental, where he comfortably walks around without a shirt, his scars from top surgery on casual display. While making breakfast, he's joined by his housemate, who offers support but suggests maybe Sam need not put himself under the microscope of his family just because it's his dad's birthday. 

SEE ALSO: 70 best LGBTQ films to stream right now

Despite his reluctance, Sam will go. Much of the drama will play out in his childhood home, between his parents, siblings, and their respective partners. However, woven throughout these family beats are bits of a romantic reunion between Sam and his high school bestie/crush Katherine (Hillary Baack). What begins as an enthusiastic conversation on a train spins into long walks and heavy-handed talks about what was and what could be. 

Close to You takes a big risk that doesn't pay off.  Credit: Courtesy of Greenwich Entertainment

Though Savage and Page are credited as screenwriters on the film, the production was made up largely of improvised dialogue — including a 53-minute take that is considerably cut down in the final edit. While a daring approach, it is the movie's biggest obstacle. A woeful lack of structure means one scene tumbles into another with little motivation. Sam's walks with Katherine feel so disjointed from the rest of the movie that I began to wonder if they were a flight of fantasy. Was Sam so under pressure by the tense family dynamics in the house that he imagined a safe space with the girl of his dreams smiling warmly at him? Or were the walks along the beach just a sincerely sentimental cliche? 

A strong narrative structure wouldn't be a problem if Close to You played as a slice-of-life drama. But there too the film feels thin, in part because the dialogue — again, much of it improvised — lacks specificity. There's a slog of naturalistic but uncompelling dialogue occurring between collections of characters that does little to distinguish them from each other. Sam has two sisters (Janet Porter and Alex Paxton-Beesley), and they're chiefly defined by the men they date. One has a friendly beau who is smiling and enthusiastic to meet Sam. The other sister boasts a sneering transphobe (David Reale) for a fiancé, the kind who insists he's just asking questions and trying to play by "the rules" while making everyone else uncomfortable. 

As the sisters seem to exist chiefly to introduce opposing attitudes toward Sam, one might wonder why they are needed at all. Couldn't the sisters be in opposition, as opposed to the boyfriends? Doesn't it weaken the stakes to have a family outsider giving voice to the tiresome transphobic talking points? As it is, the collection of kin feels ill-defined, and some are outright unneeded. 

Further frustrating, Savage's staging of the introduction of the family is in a clumsy and darkly lit wide shot. So, it's difficult to make out from the jump who is who. Later, when one of this crew (Daniel Maslany) pours his heart out to the film's hero, it might have been a touching moment — if I had any idea who he was in relation to Sam! It's as if Savage is taking for granted that these abstractions of characters will be enough, perhaps relying on audiences to plug and play their own family into the roles, for better or worse. But with cinematography that gives little focus to anyone's close-ups save for Page, it's hard to see, much less connect with, the majority of the ensemble. 

Close to You offers drama that is earnest but not earned.  Credit: Courtesy of Greenwich Entertainment

Even Sam can be a vexing enigma. Vocally, he expresses how he wishes to be seen by his family as the whole of who he is, and not solely defined as trans. However, his trans identity is the most talked-about element of the character in Close to You. Aside from the swift intro, we don't see much of his life in Toronto. The ambiguous dialogue keeps talk of his romantic life and community there very vague. When asked about his work — even repeatedly — he only says that he likes it, never mentioning what it is or why he enjoys it. It's less than small talk. What he does is never revealed, nor are any other friends, and so goes another opportunity to get to know Sam beyond his trans identity and his family's fighting. 

Sam's romance with Katherine does bolster the character, as it shows a side of him where he doesn't need to be on guard or constantly explaining his right to exist. These scenes seem to aim for a Before Midnight vibe, but again, improvised dialogue keeps things vague — albeit sweet and sentimental. While Page and Baack do share a warm chemistry, it's not so white-hot that the third-act possibility of a romantic runaway relationship feels likely, perhaps especially amid so much naturalistic dialogue that suggests only grounded choices are on the table. 

The bits that work best in this film are those between Sam and his parents. In a kitchen scene, his mother (Wendy Crewson) — desperate to show her support — awkwardly offers him money in the middle of asking him to help with the cooking. There is specificity, with her welcoming him into her space and trying to reach out the way many parents do. Later, his father (Peter Outerbridge) reflects on when Sam left home, laying out the fears he faced in not being within reach of his child. Here again, details paint the picture of these people, their relationship, and the stakes Sam and his family face. 

For much of the film, Close to You keeps us at arm's length. Its experiment with improvisation might have had great intentions in terms of seeking authenticity. However, this method ultimately fails in constructing a successfully engaging narrative or fleshed-out characters. Sam's journey is carried chiefly by Page's performance, which is sharp-eyed and big-hearted. However, as Sam meanders from romantic rendezvous to stressful dining room debate and back again, it's difficult to connect to the flow of the film, especially with so much stagnant dialogue. Despite good intentions, Close to You has lofty aims but wobbly execution. 

Close to You opens in theaters Aug. 16.

UPDATE: Aug. 14, 2024, 2:14 p.m. EDT This review was first published on Sept. 16, 2023, out of the film's world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 16 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 16

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Friday, August 16, 2024:

AcrossSenegal's neighbor to the east

• The answer is Mali.

___ Allen White, star of TV's "The Bear"

• The answer is Jeremy.

Make a getaway

• The answer is escape.

What's longer in the morning and evening than it is at noon

• The answer is shadow.

Voices below altos

• The answer is tenors.

No longer in the Drafts folder

• The answer is sent.

DownInterlocks (with)

• The answer is meshes.

Esoteric

• The answer is arcane.

Give false hope to

• The answer is leadon.

Ship into the country

• The answer is import.

"Surely you ___!"

• The answer is jest.

Coniferous trees with red berries

• The answer is yews.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 16 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for August 16

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: This or that

These words make good pairs.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The answers are related to expressions.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Options.

NYT Strands word list for August 16

• Swim

• Sink

• Make

• Break

• Double

• Nothing

• Feast

• Famine

• Options

Looking for other daily online games? Find one you might like – or hints for another game you're already playing – on Mashable's Games page.

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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 August 16'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.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 16 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for August 16 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Preparing for impact.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

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 today's Wordle is...

BRACE.

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.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

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

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 August 16'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.

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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.

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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.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for August 15 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: Mid

• Green: US states

• Blue: Style of boots

• Purple: Things with ebb and flow

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: Meh

• Green: U.S. State Abbreviations

• Blue: Kinds of Boots

• Purple: Things That Go Up and Down

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 today's Connections #432 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Meh: AVERAGE, FAIR, OK, SO-SO

• U.S. State Abbreviations: HI, MA, OR, PA

• Kinds of Boots: ANKLE, COWBOY, GO-GO, THIGH-HIGH

• Things That Go Up and Down: ELEVATOR, SUN, TIDE, YO-YO

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.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Silicon Valley companies still worry that state lawmakers are jumping the gun on regulating a still-unproven technology.

A menacing asteroid, some six miles wide, triggered Earth's last mass extinction. Now, scientists have found where it originated.

Unlike most space rocks that impact our planet today, this behemoth object came from beyond the gas giant Jupiter. It was a "C-type asteroid" — which are the dark, carbon-rich leftovers of the outer solar system — and the impact scattered the fateful object's remains all over Earth, some 66 million years ago.

It was "a projectile originating at the outskirts of the solar system and sealing the fate of the dinosaurs," Mario Fischer-Gödde, who researches the origin of asteroids and planets at the University of Cologne in Germany, told Mashable.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

Fischer-Gödde led the new research, which was published in the peer-reviewed journal Science.

The asteroid left quite a mark. Today this impact zone is called the Chicxulub Crater, and is largely buried beneath the Yucatan Peninsula. The massive object struck in shallow water, blowing prodigious amounts of pulverized rock into the skies which drastically cooled the climate. A long, callous winter followed. Photosynthesis shut down. The food chain failed, and around 70 percent of Earth's species died. Though some dinosaurs survived.

A thin layer of sediment from this event, called the K-Pg boundary, is found around our planet. And one of the elements in it, ruthenium, is quite rare in Earth's crust, meaning that nearly 100 percent of the ruthenium in this widespread sediment sheet is from the infamous asteroid. Importantly, the researchers found the ruthenium isotopes (which are different types of ruthenium) in this telltale layer are similar to carbon-rich meteorites found all over Earth. What's more, the ruthenium samples didn't match the remnants of other major asteroid impacts, which came from objects formed in the inner solar system.

"We found that the composition of the asteroid that impacted at Chicxulub is the same as that of carbonaceous meteorites, which are fragments of carbonaceous (C-type) asteroids that originally formed beyond the orbit of Jupiter," Fischer-Gödde said.

Previous research suspected the culprit was a C-type asteroid, too, but didn't use ruthenium in the analyses. That's because making these ruthenium measurements is very difficult, and progressive technological advancements made the latest observations possible, Fischer-Gödde explained. Only three or so laboratories globally, including at the University of Cologne, can conduct this ultra-specialized research.

The C-type asteroid Mathilde as captured by the NEAR spacecraft on June 27, 1997. It's some 38 miles (61 kilometers) across. Credit: NASA / JPL / JHUAPL A depiction of an asteroid collision that likely lead to a mountain-sized rock heading towards Earth 66 million years ago. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

As the solar system formed, many C-type asteroids came to inhabit the outskirts of the main asteroid belt, a ring containing millions of rocky objects between Mars and Jupiter. It's here the six-mile-wide Chicxulub impactor was probably propelled towards Earth. This was likely triggered by a collision between two asteroids, Fischer-Gödde explained. Or exposure to sunlight, causing a region on the space rock to heat up and release energy, could have given the asteroid a nudge (an outcome called the "Yarkovsky effect").

Such a huge collision with Earth, however, is extremely rare. A "dinosaur-killing" impact from a rock perhaps a half-mile across or larger happens on 100-million-year timescales. Astronomers have already found over 90 percent of the "planet-killer" asteroids that at times pass near Earth's neighborhood. There's no known threat of collision from these giant rocks for the next century; and the likelihood of an impact in the next thousand years is exceedingly low. (Meanwhile, impacts by objects around 460 feet in diameter occur every 10,000 to 20,000 years — an event that would be regionally devastating.)

Fortunately, should astronomers ever spot a large asteroid that threatens our humble world, NASA has successfully tested the first-ever endeavor to intentionally move an asteroid. It's a skill that needs significantly more refining, of course, but could prove useful in defending our civilization from future devastation.

NASA has never even needed to issue a warning about an incoming space rock, large or small. But if such an event ever transpires, you'll hear from the White House and many others — not just excitable tabloids.

"I want grandkids." The best I can do is this article.

There's a new trend on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which users are responding to their parents' hypothetical requests for grandchildren. It should come as no surprise that young people of child-rearing age aren't prioritizing having children. The cost of raising a child has increased significantly in recent years, including housing, education, and healthcare. Overpopulation and the environmental impact of bringing additional people into the world during a climate crisis are turning people who might be able to afford it away from having kids. And many countries are facing political and social unrest, leading many young people to delay or avoid having kids altogether.

SEE ALSO: 'Very demure' demonstrates TikTok's ability to shape modern language

Of course, there are good reasons people aren't having kids, too. There are changing social norms and societal expectations around marriage and family, and contraception is more accessible.

But the truth is that fewer people are having children. So what are we doing with all of that extra time? What are we telling our parents when they request a new generation? X has the answers.

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Let's say a server gives you food you repeatedly said you're deathly allergic to, and let's say you die. What if your spouse then tries to sue for wrongful death, but the lawyers for the company they're suing try to get the case thrown out because of the terms of service of a streaming service they (the spouse, not you) signed up for years earlier? 

This hypothetical sounds like a dark, dystopian joke, but it's also allegedly an actual chain of events. And the company involved is, well, who else — Disney.

Jeffrey Piccolo sued Walt Disney Parks and Resorts earlier this year after his wife, Kanokporn Tangsuan, died from an allergic reaction at a Disney World restaurant. Now, Piccolo is suing for damages of over $50,000 — though his lawyers reportedly expect the actual damages to be much higher if a jury decides the matter. In a filing, lawyers for Disney have taken the stance that the case should be thrown out entirely because the plaintiff agreed to an arbitration clause in signing up for Disney+.

SEE ALSO: Disney+ will actually crack down on password sharing next month

Tangsuan's tragic death occurred on Oct. 5, 2023, at Raglan Road Irish Pub, an Ireland-themed restaurant and entertainment experience at the Disney Springs shopping center in Orlando. The Associated Press reports that Tangsuan was allergic to nuts and dairy and reportedly informed the server of this "numerous times." Despite assurances that the food was dairy- and nut-free, Tangsuan experienced a horrific allergic reaction about 45 minutes after the meal, was hospitalized, and later died.

But the company's legal team now claims that when Piccolo signed up for a free trial of Disney+ back in 2019, he "agreed to arbitrate 'all disputes'" against the company — meaning all of them, no matter what they involve — and that he roped in his wife into the arbitration clause when he bought park tickets, so he can't sue on her behalf either.

If you have time, Disney's May 31 legal filing makes for a compelling read. It proceeds step by step through all the terms of service documents Piccolo must have signed, at exactly what point in time, and exactly what Disney feels the legal implications were each time. 

First, Disney's lawyers say, Piccolo allowed himself to be captured by this all-encompassing arbitration clause when he signed up for a Disney+ free trial in 2019 and created a Disney account. He then used that Disney account to buy his Disney World tickets in 2023, and Disney notes would have clicked a box agreeing to the My Disney Experience terms of use. Those terms of use say they are for "yourself and all persons (including minors) for whom you are purchasing or otherwise securing benefits." Ipso facto, via this complex chain of events, Disney feels it shouldn't have to be sued in actual court for the alleged wrongful death.

Disney's lawyers note that, according to the Times, "Further litigation would only generate needless expenses and waste judicial resources."

Needless to say, this concerns us all because there's a good chance most of us have also clicked our way into Disney's legal labyrinth at some point. 

Piccolo's lawyers call Disney's argument "fatally flawed" and "absurd." In their Aug. 2 response, as quoted by the Associated Press, they wrote, "The notion that terms agreed to by a consumer when creating a Disney+ free trial account would forever bar that consumer’s right to a jury trial in any dispute with any Disney affiliate or subsidiary is so outrageously unreasonable and unfair as to shock the judicial conscience."

Ross Intelisano, a lawyer unrelated to the case whose work involves arbitrations, told the New York Times that Disney's claim is "a big stretch." Defendants tend to prefer arbitration over the actual courts because arbitration is private and because arbitration panels "typically do not grant large sums of punitive damages," the Times notes.

According to the Associated Press, a court hearing on Disney's motion to dismiss in favor of arbitration is scheduled for Oct. 2.

Mashable has reached out to Disney for additional comments on this story and will update if we hear back.

SAVE $100: As of August 15, the Google Pixel Watch 2 is on sale for $249.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 29% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Google Pixel Watch 2 $249.99 at Amazon
$349.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

Google just debuted its new Pixel Watch 3 during this week's Made by Google event. It's fun to nab the latest and greatest tech, especially when it comes to iterative devices like phones and smartwatches. But if you don't want to keep up with the Joneses and shell out all kinds of cash for the newest Pixel Watch model, you don't have to. Now that the Pixel Watch 3 is up for preorder, that means the previous Pixel Watch 2 is available for a great price – in fact, it's now the lowest we've ever seen it sell for.

As of August 15, you can get the Google Pixel Watch 2 for just $249.99 at Amazon. That's $100 off its normal price of $349.99 and a discount of 29%, marking the lowest price we've seen on this watch. This is even cheaper than the previous deal we spotted at $269.99, so now's the time to buy if you've had your eye on a Pixel Watch.

This model comes with a swath of great features that include Fitbit-centric tracking as well as the same smartwatch features you'd expect. You can call, text, email and get news and weather updates right from your wrist. But you also get heart rate, temperature and stress tracking as well as fall detection and plenty of other useful health-centric options that make it a budget-friendly alternative to Samsung's offerings (or the Apple Watch).

Google boasts that the watch can get up to 24 hours of battery life, though you can juice it up again in just over an hour in a pinch. It's bright, with a crisp screen and sleek aesthetic, and best of all, it's more affordable than ever right now. Snatch it up before it's gone.

Elmo and Ms. Rachel teamed up for a song about going to school, and parents of toddlers couldn't be happier.

One thing about Mark Zuckerberg is that man wants to be a Roman emperor so badly.

The Meta CEO recently commissioned a giant sculpture of his wife, Priscilla Chan, saying in an Instagram caption that he's "bringing back the Roman tradition of making sculptures of your wife."

The statue, made by Daniel Arsham, presents Chan midstride in green with a flowing silver cloak. It is beautiful, but it is not a particularly Roman work of art. Romans definitely erected plenty of pietas, which did take off during the reign of Augustus (Zuckerberg's number one role model). But pietas at the time were often coins, not massive statues. And while pietas were shown as signs of devotion toward powerful women, they weren't always people's lovers, wives, or partners. Augustus didn't actually commission many statues of his wife, Livia Drusilla, that we know of. He commissioned statues about his family, his reign, his values, and other monuments, but there weren't statues of personal romantic relationships — at least, not ones he erected in public.

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But let's move beyond Zuckerberg's quixotic, if foolish, attempt to "bring back the Roman tradition of making sculptures of your wife" and ask the important question: Do people like it?

Chan commented, "The more of me, the better?" with a heart emoji, signaling that she probably likes it. And, much to my surprise, most of the internet seems to also like it.

"Look, I'm not a Zuckerberg fan for many reasons, but it is kind of hilarious that a set of billionaires are steadily twitter-poisoning themselves into heretofore unknown levels of Divorced Guy Syndrome, and meanwhile he's bopping along commissioning statues of his wife," Leah Greenberg, the co-executive director of Indivisible Team, posted on X.

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Another user posted, "No offense. I know we're not supposed to like Zuckerberg. But this is what a billionaire should do for his wife."

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For some reason, many people, including People, are calling this peak Wife Guy content. But the essence of Wife Guy is making things that are actually about and for your wife — and this is clearly about Zuckerberg himself. As Mashable editor and famous Wife Guy Tim Marcin put it, this is "Wife Guy stolen valor."

SEE ALSO: Mark Zuckerberg wants to be like Augustus Caesar. How close is he?