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X reacts to President Biden dropping out of 2024 presidential race

Mashable - Sun, 07/21/2024 - 14:43

Joe Biden, the 46th President of the United States, will not make a bid for a second term.

The President had been facing pressure to step down after a rough performance at last month's first Presidential debate called his fitness for office into question. The President has since contracted COVID-19, leading to graver concerns about his health as rumors swirled that Vice President Kamala Harris may be better equipped for the job.

The President announced the news on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram today, resulting in an onslaught of reactions ranging from disappointment to relief.

Reading the news with my pals Ben and Jerry like... Tweet may have been deleted Kamala, your time is now. Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted It is truly coconut tree and Brat summer 🥥💚 Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Why did Dr. Biden respond like this...?? Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Just heard the news... you up? Tweet may have been deleted

This is a developing story and will be updated as more news and reactions come out.

'Twisters' matches 'Oppenheimer' opening weekend success with $80.5 million

Mashable - Sun, 07/21/2024 - 13:31

Twisters” has twirled its way to a huge opening weekend, smashing expectations by bringing in $80.5 million. For context, Oppenheimer brought in $80.5 million when it opened on the same weekend in 2023.

The stellar performance of the film, a sequel to the 1996 disaster epic “Twister," may be due to the fact that it appears to be genuinely well-liked by audiences; as of publishing, the film has a 92 percent audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, while a review of the movie by the The Atlantic begged readers to "Please See Twisters in Theaters," Mashable's own Kristy Puchko was less than impressed with the flick, calling it "a wobbly ride that leaves disappointment in its wake."

Tweet may have been deleted

The surprise success of "Twisters," which was only projected to generate up to $55 million on opening weekend, was also likely buoyed by the appeal of its rising stars Glen Powell and Daisy Edgar-Jones. The duo have powered through impressive press tour to promote the movie, including going head-to-head in a Hot Ones match up.

The $80.5 million opening of "Twisters" is the third-biggest opening weekend of the year behind “Inside Out 2” ($154 million) and “Dune: Part Two” ($82 million).

Bethesda becomes first Microsoft game studio to unionize

Mashable - Sun, 07/21/2024 - 10:22

Bethesda Game Studios employees announced on Friday that they have unionized under the Communications Workers of America (CWA), marking a significant milestone as the first Microsoft-owned game studio to do so.

SEE ALSO: Microsoft has its first union

Known for popular games like Starfield, Elder Scrolls, and Fallout, Bethesda now leads a growing movement in the gaming sector towards better working conditions and stronger collective representation. A total of 241 staff members in Maryland and Texas, including artists, engineers, programmers, and designers have come together under the CWA.

"It is clear that every worker can benefit from bringing democracy into the workplace and securing a protected voice on the job," said Senior System Designer Mandi Parker in a press release. "We’re thrilled to get down to brass tacks and win a fair contract, proving that our unity is a source of real power to positively shape our working conditions, our lives, and the company as a whole."

The unionization at Bethesda is part of a broader trend in the video game sector. Earlier this year, ZeniMax Studios, Bethesda's parent company, saw its quality assurance workers form the largest union in the industry at the time, with 300 members. This was soon surpassed by 600 quality assurance workers at Activision, another Microsoft-owned company, who also joined the CWA.

Microsoft has officially recognized the union, integrating Bethesda's Maryland office employees into CWA Locals 2108 and those in Texas into CWA Locals 6215. The studio will join other CWA members at SEGA of America and Tender Claws.

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 21

Mashable - Sun, 07/21/2024 - 09:05

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 July 21 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 21

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Sunday, July 21, 2024:

AcrossSpace between two teeth
  • The answer is Gap.

Rural waterway … which sounds like a haunted house noise?
  • The answer is Creek.

Wind-___ (carried by the wind)
  • The answer is Borne.

Golf lesson topic
  • The answer is Swing.

French word before a maiden name
  • The answer is Nee.

DownFully adult … which sounds like a haunted house noise?
  • The answer is Grown.

Lingerie and loungewear brand from American Eagle
  • The answer is Aerie.

Slender pasta tubes
  • The answer is Penne.

Network with an eye logo
  • The answer is CBS.

The beer is here
  • The answer is Keg.

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.

Corvette Bucked a Sports Cars Decline. Can It Thrive in an E.V. Era?

NYT Technology - Sun, 07/21/2024 - 05:01
The General Motors sports car, which enjoyed strong sales after a big design change, now has a hybrid version and may get a fully electric model that may turn off some gas-loving customers.

Instead of paying a piano teacher every week, get a lifetime of Skoove for a discount

Mashable - Sun, 07/21/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Until July 21, you can score permanent access to Skoove Premium piano lessons on sale for $119.99 with promo code SAVENOW.

Thinking of fulfilling a lifelong goal of learning to play the piano? Finding an instructor to teach you every week will quickly set you back hundreds, if not thousands — not to mention the coordination of both your schedules. Learning from YouTube could be hard when you don't have much direction, and it's non-committal, so you might not have the motivation to do it consistently.

But thankfully, there's a way to combine the personal approach from an in-person teacher and the flexibility of learning from videos: interactive piano lessons from Skoove Premium. You can get lifetime access on sale for $119.99 using coupon code SAVENOW.

Skoove uses artificial intelligence to identify and understand what you're playing so it can give real-time feedback. You'll get access to over 400 piano tutorials that are tailored to your preferences, with a variety of genres to choose from like popular music by The Beatles, Adele, and more, as well as classical music by Beethoven, Mozart, etc. And if you need additional help, Skoove music instructors are there to give one-on-one support to supplement your studies. 

Every month, new videos and songs are added so you'll never get bored. And lifetime access means you only have to pay once — but along with the cost comes the desire to get your money's worth.

If you're ready to tickle the ivories and learn to play the piano on your own schedule, consider Skoove.

Until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, score a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium piano lessons marked down 60% at the price of $119.99 with code SAVENOW.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $149.99 at The Mashable Shop
$299.99 Save $150.00 Get Deal

Get 5 super-sharp Damascus chef knives for only $75

Mashable - Sun, 07/21/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Elevate your kitchen with a set of five Damascus chef knives designed to be versatile, reliable tools in the kitchen. Get the Konig Kitchen Damascus 5-Piece Knife Set and Gift Box for $74.97 (reg. $249.99) until July 21. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Konig Kitchen Konig Kitchen Damascus 5-Piece Knife Set & Gift Box $74.97 at The Mashable Shop
$250.00 Save $175.03 Get Deal

Looking for a sharp gift? How about a set of knives a cut above the rest?

This Konig Kitchen Damascus 5-Piece Knife Set & Gift Box comes with five razor sharp knives: a 5-inch Santoku knife for precision slicing and dicing, a 7-inch Santoku knife for larger cuts of meat and vegetables, an 8-inch Chef knife for versatile slicing and chopping, a 7-inch Nakiri knife for vegetable preparation, and a 3.5-inch Paring knife for intricate tasks. You can get the whole set on sale for $74.97 (reg. $249) but only through July 21.

What makes these good knives?

The Damascus steel on these knives isn't just pretty; they're crafted to hold up to repeated use and help retain an edge longer. The 5Cr15MoV quality steel is a high-carbon blend that can take some punishment before eventually needing to be sharpened again (like all knives)

The blade isn't the only remarkable part of these knives. A comfortable grip means you might not leave the kitchen at the end of a long night with sore hands. Each of these knives has a beautiful rosewood handle with an ergonomic shape. It's a beautiful look that's comfortable to hold and resistant to moisture.

The set comes with an elegant wooden block for storage and display. That stunning box also makes for a beautiful gift wrap if you're looking for a fun and functional gift, whether it's for a recent grad or you have a sharp eye for housewarming presents. 

An attractive home gift

Whether you're shopping for a friend or looking for the missing ingredient in your own kitchen, this set of knives is a great get if you want something as useful as it is pretty. 

Until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get the Konig Kitchen Damascus 5-Piece Knife Set and Gift Box for $74.97. No coupon needed. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Here's how to get an iPad for $150

Mashable - Sun, 07/21/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: If you want a reliable tablet for productivity or pleasure, get a grade "A" refurbished 6th gen iPad in near-mint condition for $149.97. Sale ends July 21. 

Tech prices are rough, especially if you just want a tablet that can do the basics. Instead of paying out the nose for an iPad you can use to browse, stream, and work on, see if you can sniff out a deal like this one. Instead of paying $249 for a near-mint condition refurbished iPad 6th Gen, you can get it for $149.97. It even comes with some accessories. 

Why is this iPad so cheap?

Refurbished devices don't always look used. In fact, this Grade "A" refurbished iPad is in near-mint condition. So if you do notice any cosmetic signs of wear, they're not visible from more than a foot away. The battery also lasts up to 10 hours on a full charge. 

Even though it's in near-mint condition, this iPad was still originally made in 2018, so it has a few years on it. The hardware specifications include 32GB of storage and 2GB of memory along with an 8MP iSight camera and a 1.2MP FaceTime camera for selfies. This iPad has a 2.3GHz Apple A10 Fusion chipset and supports Wi-Fi with dual-band capability and Bluetooth 4.2. Overall, it could run productivity apps like Google Workspace well, but if you want a tablet for gaming, this may not be an ideal match. 

A few cool accessories also come with your purchase. That includes a case, screen protector, stylus, and charger. The color of the stylus and case might vary, but they all still work the same. 

Time is running out

If you're on the hunt for a tablet you can use to work on the go or just catch up on your shows while you cook, this deal is a great opportunity that's not going to last much longer. 

You have until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get a grade "A" refurbished iPad 6th Gen plus accessories for $149.97. No coupon needed.

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple iPad 6th Gen 9.7” (2018) 32GB - Space Gray (Refurbished: Wi-Fi Only) + Accessories Bundle $149.97 at The Mashable Shop
$249.99 Save $100.02 Get Deal

Forget streaming subscription costs — watch documentaries for life with Curiosity Stream

Mashable - Sun, 07/21/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Wave goodbye to recurring fees with lifetime access to Curiosity Stream on sale for $159.97 (reg. $399) through July 21.

Opens in a new window Credit: Curiosity Stream Curiosity Stream Standard Plan: Lifetime Subscription $159.97 at The Mashable Shop
$399.99 Save $240.02 Get Deal

When every show you want to watch is available on a different streaming platform, you end up shelling out way more money than you want to. But if you're someone who's into documentaries, there's a place where all of them live — and the best part is, you only have to pay once to watch them all.

Curiosity Stream was built for docu-buffs who need a break from those pesky subscription costs and pay just once for a lifetime of science, history, art, and so much more. Act fast and grab this lifetime deal for just $159.97 (reg. $399) through July 21. 

Created by the founder of Discovery Communications, John Hendricks, this all-encompassing streaming service provides unlimited access to over 3,000 documentaries and nonfiction titles on a vast array of topics, including science, history, technology, and nature. With content from award-winning filmmakers and leading experts, Curiosity Stream is perfect for lifelong learners and those with a thirst for knowledge!

Enjoy high-definition (1920 x 1080 pixels) streaming with new content added regularly, ensuring you always have fresh material to explore. Curiosity Stream offers exclusive series and in-depth explorations that you won't find anywhere else.

The lifetime subscription guarantees uninterrupted access to this ever-growing library on multiple devices — smart TVs, iPhone, Apple TV, Android and Android TV, XBox One, and more — making it a valuable investment for curious minds of all ages. Delve into the wonders of the universe, uncover ancient civilizations, and stay up-to-date with the latest scientific breakthroughs, all from the comfort of your home.

Only pay once for this lifetime subscription to Curiosity Stream, available until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. for $159.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

This $33 Button Remote is a Siri Remote alternative

Mashable - Sun, 07/21/2024 - 05:00

TL;DR: Replace your Siri Remote with a Button Remote for Apple TV and Apple TV 4K. Get this blast to the past for $33.97 (reg. $39) until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT. 

Apple is great at a lot of things, but the Apple TV Siri Remote might not be their crowning achievement. Whether you're tired of accidentally activating the touch controls or need a replacement remote after an unfortunate drop, try the Button Remote for Apple TV and Apple TV 4K instead. This remote brings a classic design to your modern smart amenities, and it's pretty cheap too. While it's on sale, you can get the Button Remote for Apple TV for $33.97 (reg. $39). 

Why get this instead of using the Siri remote?

The Button Remote is a replacement for the voice control design of the Siri remote. They both have many of the same functions, but now you don't have to talk to your TV to get it to work. This remote brings some of the comfort and familiarity of older remotes to your modern Apple TV. 

Setup is quick. The Button Remote is a hybrid Bluetooth and Infrared device that connects seamlessly. Make sure to check the button layout for guides on everything this little remote can do, but a few functions definitely stand out. There's an Infared without Bluetooth option for even less, at $23.

Media controls for volume and app switching are all in a central spot with the mute button at the center. Other functions are activated by holding different buttons down. That's how you open up the Apple TV control center. This remote also supports profile switching, sleep timers, and access to audio controls for AirPods and HomePod devices.

This remote is compatible with multiple Apple TV models and over 100 brands of TVs, soundbars, and receivers. The only thing you need to provide is two AAA batteries. 

Sale ends soon

Upgrade your Apple TV setup. 

You have until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get the Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K on sale for $33.97. No coupon needed. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: function101 Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K (Bluetooth + Infrared) Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K (Bluetooth + Infrared) Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K (Bluetooth + Infrared) Video Thumbnail Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K (Bluetooth + Infrared) Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K (Bluetooth + Infrared) Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K (Bluetooth + Infrared) Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K (Bluetooth + Infrared) Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K (Bluetooth + Infrared) Button Remote for Apple TV/Apple TV 4K (Bluetooth + Infrared) $33.97 at The Mashable Shop
$39.99 Save $6.02 Get Deal

Wait, say what? Get 20TB of cloud storage for life for just £62

Mashable - Sun, 07/21/2024 - 00:00

TL;DR: Through July 21, you can get 20TB of cloud storage for life with Prism Drive on sale for £61.92. That’s less than paying for nine months of Dropbox. You can also buy cloud storage plans starting at 2TB.

If you’ve ever had the gut-sinking feeling of losing your phone — or dropping it in the toilet — and feared that you just lost all of your precious photos and videos forever, you already know the importance of backing up your devices. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and right now it’s more affordable than ever with Prism Drive’s 20TB lifetime cloud storage plan on sale for £61.92 (reg. £1,156.88) through July 21. That’s an exclusive price that won't be available for long.

User-friendly storage at a wallet-friendly price

Prism Drive is a web-based app that takes any type of file from any of your devices. Easily transfer those sacred pet pics and selfies from your smartphone with easy mobile upload, back up school or work projects from your laptop with support for large files, and move anything else over with a simple drag-and-drop.

Everything you upload is protected with AES 256-bit and HTTPS encryption in both rest and transfer. You can also easily share any type of file — pictures, videos, graphics, audio, presentations, and more — with shareable links and previews to make sure you’re sending the correct one.

You won’t find a better lifetime offer anywhere else

This 20TB Prism Drive plan will likely cover your storage needs for life. It might be more than you need now, but as you and the world of technology grow, your storage needs will too. And, again, it’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to digital storage.

You’re also getting such an incredible value with this lifetime offer; at £61.92 for life, that’s less than paying for nine months of Dropbox. Not only are you getting Prism Drive for life, but you're also getting 10 times the comparable storage capacity.

Back up your files affordably with Prism Drive’s 20TB lifetime cloud storage plan at £61.92 (reg. £1,156.88) until July 21 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon is needed for this exclusive price — you just need to act quickly.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Prism Drive Prism Drive Secure Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (20TB) £61.92 at the Mashable Shop
£1,156.88 Save £1,094.96 Get Deal

Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 21

Mashable - Sat, 07/20/2024 - 22:00

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 July 21'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:

A tiny, almost imperceptible spot or particle.

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 S.

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...

SPECK.

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.

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NYT Strands hints, answers for July 21

Mashable - Sat, 07/20/2024 - 22:00

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: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 21 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 21

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: S-words? (a cutting-edge theme!)

The hint really gets to the point.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The clue refers to types of swords.

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 Blades.

NYT Strands word list for July 21
  • Claymore

  • Scimitar

  • Katana

  • Cutlass

  • Blades

  • Rapier

  • Machete

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.

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 21

Mashable - Sat, 07/20/2024 - 21:00

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 July 21'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: Political advocacy

  • Green: Physical condition

  • Blue: Things needed to build

  • Purple: Words found on a calculator

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: Ways to Support a Candidate

  • Green: Constitution

  • Blue: Carpentry Tools

  • Purple: Math Abbreviations

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 #406 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Ways to Support a Candidate: CAMPAIGN, CANVASS, ORGANIZE, STUMP

  • Constitution: COMPOSITION, FABRIC, MAKEUP, STRUCTURE

  • Carpentry Tools: CLAMP, FILE, LEVEL, SAW

  • Math Abbreviations: LOG, MAX, MOD, TAN

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.

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

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

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Twitch drops Donald Trump's ban

Mashable - Sat, 07/20/2024 - 13:03

Former President Donald Trump — once again officially the Republican candidate for president — is no longer banned from Twitch, the streaming platform.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's X adds pro-Trump icons for Trump hashtags

Trump was banned indefinitely back in 2021 after the Jan. 6 attempted insurrection at the Capitol. His ban was somewhat quietly lifted on Friday — as seemingly the entire online infrastructure melted down due to the CrowdStrike outages. The reason Trump's allowed back? Well, after this week's Republican National Convention, he's officially the presidential nominee and thus, Twitch reasoned, newsworthy enough to be brought back.

"We reinstated former President Trump’s Twitch channel," said a Twitch spokesperson, via The Verge. "We believe there is value in hearing from Presidential nominees directly, when possible. Trump is now the official Republican nominee for US president."

Trump could find himself in hot water with Twitch again, however, because he will be subject to the company's normal community guidelines. The former president has proven time and again that abiding by such guidelines proves to be a difficult task for him.

"We continue to enforce our Community Guidelines and take necessary enforcement action when we identify violations of our rules," the Twitch spokesperson said. "Twitch doesn’t have a 'public figure policy,' meaning all channels are equally subject to our guidelines, regardless of whether the channel belongs to a public figure."

You'd be forgiven if you thought Twitch had already made this move — many of the other social media sites have already allowed Trump to return. YouTube and Elon Musk's X dropped the bans and Meta recently removed heightened suspension penalties previously in place for Trump's Instagram and Facebook pages.

In short: Trump is fully back online.

X is developing a tool to block links in replies to cut down on spam

Mashable - Sat, 07/20/2024 - 10:36

X is developing a new tool that'll allow users to block links in replies, which could help cut down on spam.

SEE ALSO: X is flirting with dislike and downvote features (again)

Engadget noted that the new tool first surfaced online via a post from independent app researcher Nima Owji, who has discovered such unreleased features in the past.

Owji, simply enough, posted, "X is working on the ability to let you disable links in the replies of your posts!" Owji included a screenshot of what the potentially forthcoming tool looks like.

Tweet may have been deleted

The feature looks simple enough. It'll just be a box to check to disable links in the replies. That could be helpful to stop the accounts that flood popular posts with spammy links, often to questionable products. Others post links intentionally trying to mislead you. So blocking replies with links could certainly prove helpful.

Christopher Stanley, senior director for security engineering at X, posted a reply about the feature, confirming that it was real and that his team built the tool.

Tweet may have been deleted

Soon enough you might be able to post a dumb joke without worrying about weird links in your replies. There's been a lot of recent bad change for X, formerly Twitter, but maybe this could be a helpful tool.

NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 20

Mashable - Sat, 07/20/2024 - 09:19

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 July 20 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 20

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, July 20, 2024:

AcrossReggae relative
  • The answer is Ska.

Repeat a mantra during meditation
  • The answer is Chant.

Perform better than
  • The answer is Out do.

Collaboration that yields more than the sum of its parts
  • The answer is Synenergy.

Exercise practiced in a steamy room
  • The answer is Hot yoga.

Had a nosh
  • The answer is Ate.

Feeling poorly
  • The answer is Ill.

Pre-___ (undergrad track)
  • The answer is Med.

Letter that's silent – and then not silent – in "Wednesday"
  • The answer is Dee.

DownPushed out of the way
  • The answer is Shunted.

Actress Sagal
  • The answer is Katey.

iOS alternative
  • The answer is Android.

Wile E., in the Looney Tunes cartoons
  • The answer is Coyote.

Flip on or off, as a switch
  • The answer is Toggle.

It's totally fake
  • The answer is Sham.

Ivy League school in Connecticut
  • The answer is Yale.

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JuJu Watkins on college classes, Pinterest, and finding space for herself

Mashable - Sat, 07/20/2024 - 06:00

At 19-years-old, JuJu Watkins is juggling a full court press of college coursework along with a high-profile basketball career that will likely see her go pro in just a few short years. But Watkins isn't breaking a sweat. In fact, she's eager to add another proverbial ball to the mix.

"I actually wanted to learn to play guitar and then I had season, and now I'm on to different things," she tells Mashable while in town for an event hosted by Meta AI. There she told the NYC crowd that she hopes aspiring athletes can use the tool to access resources like training plans. As for herself, "Maybe I can ask Meta AI where to start [with guitar]," she says, noting that her guitar does need a little love. "It's in my living room, but for now it's just decoration."

Read on for more about Watkins' favorite apps, ways to relax off the court, and her summer side quests.

SEE ALSO: Caitlin Clark's rookie WNBA salary sparks controversy. But there's more to the numbers. I watched some of your highlights last night. The clean "swish" of the ball going through the net over and over is like ASMR.

Yes! I feel the same way.

Do you listen to ASMR? Or is there a sound like that that calms you down?

I don't watch ASMR but I love stress balls. I use them when I study.

You're going to be a sophomore at USC. How is school?

School is great. I recently took a feminist theory class, which is like, crazy. I've actually taken two classes so far, learning about the different theories has been cool and so has learning about the history and how it all comes together. Right now I'm on track to be a communications major.

I noticed a few Bear Bricks in an Instagram photo you posted of your room. Are you a collector?

I was collecting them and then I was just like, "Why am I spending so much money on these?" So unless I see one that I really really can't live without, I won't buy it. But it was a hobby of mine for a couple months. I have a Michael Jackson, Joker, and a Basquiat. 

I think, honestly, that I go through phases when it comes to collecting — a lot of phases. And then I'll be like, why am I doing this? Sneakers I think will always be something I collect, though. I never seem to get tired of that. Right now I store them in shoeboxes, which I have to fix. I have to go to The Container Store and buy something more aesthetic, like the clear acrylic boxes.

I've seen you're doing a lot more on camera work, how has that been? Your Morgan and Morgan ad was actually iconic.

It's definitely crazy. I consider it like a side quest, honestly. I'm just doing things and getting better at it slowly. Sometimes I get a little nervous just because it's kind of out of my comfort zone.

For example, Morgan and Morgan were like "show personality [laughs], try to be quirky" or something. When they give you a specific emotion and you try to replicate it, that's always the awkward part. When I feel like, "I wouldn't do that," it's like, "Okay, I have to act." And acting is out of the box for me a little.

In March, basketball great Cheryl Miller asked if you'd found a "space for yourself" amidst all the pressure of your career and you said no. Has anything changed since then?

I've definitely gotten better, I think, just being in the offseason. During season, it could get a bit much. But then after season, you get to take a deep breath in and just chill. You grind and then you have vacation. I think that's just the circle of life. But I'm having fun. I went on my first vacation recently. I went to Mexico for a couple days and shopped. But I love LA, so that's just a vacation in itself.

You're from Watts and a USC girl. How do you feel about New York?

[Laughs] It's not my fave. You guys have got great food, which is something I can always appreciate. I don't know, it just might be a little too much going on. It's a little busy for me. I like calmness. And the weather I can't really get with. Honestly, though, I feel like I haven't really gotten a chance to truly explore so maybe if I explore more, I'll enjoy it.

View this post on Instagram Another Instagram post of your included the quote "Your idea of me is not my responsibility to live up to."

[Laughs] Everybody thinks that's so deep, I just found it on Pinterest and I liked it.

You're a Pinterest girly?

I am! I am a Pinterest girly. I use it to find inspo, tattoos, interior design for how I want to do my apartment.

I'm also on Instagram a lot more. Whenever I have cute pictures, I'll post them. But honestly, I'm not like an avid [poster], I just want to keep my fans engaged and try to show my personality a bit. I'm pretty chill about it.

I'm also on Snapchat. [My team is] getting me out of my shell a little bit with social media. She follows me everywhere [laughs, pointing at a team member] for content so that's how we do Snapchat.

And I love TikTok. Whenever I'm chilling, I'll just scroll. I usually find up and coming artists that way, like this one called Skaiwater. In terms of what I'm listening to right now, Kaytranada dropped an album that I was a fan of. I think I'm generally in an up tempo mood because it's summer.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

NASA rover finds place where 'exciting' events occurred on Mars

Mashable - Sat, 07/20/2024 - 05:30

Great floods once poured down a towering Martian mountain.

And NASA's dust-covered Curiosity rover has proof.

The car-sized NASA robot has spent much of 2024 exploring the Gediz Vallis channel, a dried-up waterway that travels down the three-mile-high Mount Sharp. Although Mars today is 1,000 times drier than the driest desert on Earth, the rover has spotted clues that long ago the Red Planet experienced momentous floods. It was a wet world.

"This was not a quiet period on Mars," Becky Williams, a scientist at the Planetary Science Institute who researches Mars using the rover's Mast Camera, said in a statement. "There was an exciting amount of activity here. We’re looking at multiple flows down the channel, including energetic floods and boulder-rich flows."

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

The images below show what Curiosity has recently found.

Below is a wide-view photo of a section of Gediz Vallis as it winds down Mount Sharp. You can see prominent buildups of rocks and boulders, such as those in the foreground on left. "This area was likely formed by large floods of water and debris that piled jumbles of rocks into mounds within the channel," NASA explained. Impressively, this debris pile-up extends some two miles down the mountain (though some of this was likely caused by landslides, too).

Mars' Gediz Vallis channel with large buildups of rocky debris. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

Curiosity also closely examined these water-tumbled rocks. A number of them contain telltale "halo" markings, as seen in the image below. "Finally, water soaked into all the material that settled here," the space agency explained. "Chemical reactions caused by the water bleached white 'halo' shapes into some of the rocks."

At center, a Martian rock displaying a clear "halo" created by ancient interactions with water. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

Unlike Earth, Mars no longer harbors an insulating atmosphere. The Red Planet's hot metallic core deep below its surface cooled long ago, and without a heated interior to generate a protective magnetic field, the once water-rich world was exposed to a relentless flow of particles from the sun, called the solar wind. The solar wind progressively stripped Mars of its thick atmosphere, leaving it the frigid, callous, irradiated desert we see today.

The Curiosity rover, which landed on Mars in 2012, continues to scour Mars to determine if the planet could have ever harbored habitable conditions for microbial life. Meanwhile, NASA's Perseverance rover, which landed in 2020, is equipped with instruments that sleuth for hints of past life called "biosignatures" — elements, substances, or features providing evidence of ancient organisms. This could mean telltale chains of molecules or structures that were almost certainly produced by single-celled Martians.

Although it's clear that Mars once hosted bounties of water, robotic Martian explorers have spotted no evidence, so far, that this rocky world ever hosted life.

Billie Eilish, College Football 25, and 1,000 basketballs: YouTube videos to watch this week

Mashable - Sat, 07/20/2024 - 05:28

Wondering what everyone's watching on YouTube but don’t have the time to scroll to find out? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. 

We’ve pulled together some of the top trending videos of the last week that you should know about (so you can keep up in conversations with the cool kids). You're welcome.  

FOX Soccer: Spain vs. England highlights 


This 11-minute highlight reel from the Spain vs. England UEFA Euro 2024 Finals posted July 14 has more than 1.8 million views.

Mark Robber: 'My Puzzle Robot is 200x Faster Than a Human' 


Engineer and educator Mark Rober’s video – on creating a robot that can solve jigsaw puzzles by processing things differently than a human would – saw more than 11 million views in a week after being posted to his YouTube channel on July 13.

Captain America: Brave New World's official teaser from Marvel


More than 17 million people viewed the July 12 trailer for the new Captain America movie, which finally shows Sam Wilson, played by Anthony Mackie, picking up the mantle of the American hero, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans). Captain America: Brave New World is expected to hit theaters July 14, 2025. 

Dude Perfect: 'We Dropped 1,000 Basketballs from an Airplane'  


Flying is cool; so are stunts. But it’s not everyday you see someone doing stunts while flying. More than 5 million people watched the five-man stunt group try to land darts, make baskets and more, mid-flight with the help of the U.S. Air Force, after the video was posted July 13.

AMP Battle Bots


What do robots, competitions, and streamers Kai Cenat and Sketch all have in common? More than 2 million viewers who tuned in to watch them build and battle robots in this July 12 video. 

QJB's 'College Football 25 Road To Glory: Full Season Gameplay Walkthrough'


Sports and gaming YouTuber QJB’s College Football 25 video game stream saw more than 1.7 million views after being posted July 11. The hype is real, with many gearing up for the launch after years of not having a major college football video game. Fans may want to tune in to get some tips on how to score. 

RealLifeLore: 'What's Hidden Under the Ice of Antarctica?'


Unpack the question of what’s under the ice of the Antarctic, according to RealLifeLore's Joseph Pisenti, in under 40 minutes. This video has garnered more than 2 million views after being posted July 12.

The Drive: 'He secretly changed this freeway sign, helped millions of drivers'

This 10-minute video details how one man changed the lives of many in Los Angeles, using his artistic skills to change a sign, according to The Drive's YouTube channel. It's a lesson you might not have learned in school. More than 2 million people watched after it dropped July 12. 

Amelia Dimoldenberg and Billie Eilish's 'Chicken Shop Date'

You may never get the chance to go on a date with Billie Eilish but you can join the 4 million-plus people that watched her “date” with Youtuber Amelia Dimoldenberg. In one of the most-viewed videos of Dimoldenberg's Chicken Shop Date web series the two have what some might call an awkward conversation – and others would call comedic gold. Take a look and decide for yourself. 

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