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The Hera spacecraft is flying to the site of a pulverized asteroid.

But on the way there, the probe looked back home, capturing views of isolated Earth and the moon floating in space. Some of Hera's instruments — designed to survey the impact site of NASA's successful asteroid-deflection test — snapped the images below.

"Farewell, Earth!" the European Space Agency posted online. "Last week, after we successfully launched our Hera mission, its instruments were switched on for the first time and the asteroid deck was pointed back towards our planet. This allowed Hera to capture the first images of Earth and the Moon from a distance of more than one million km!"

SEE ALSO: We could nuke an incoming asteroid. Scientists just proved it.

The first view below, taken by Hera's Asteroid Framing Camera, shows Earth's dominant white clouds over the sunlit Pacific Ocean, seen from 1.6 million kilometers, or nearly 1 million miles, away. The moon is located some 239,000 miles beyond, and you can see some dark lunar maria — expansive dark plains of dried lava — on the surface.

Earth (bottom left) and the moon (center) viewed from about 1 million miles away. Credit: ESA

The second and third images were captured by the Hera spacecraft's Thermal Infrared Imager — which will evaluate physical properties on the asteroid's surface (such as roughness and particle size) — and the HyperScout H instrument — which views light wavelengths invisible to the human eye to detect the asteroid’s mineral makeup.

Earth (center) and the moon (upper right) as viewed by Hera's Thermal Infrared Imager. Credit: ESA / JAXA Earth (bottom left) and the moon (upper right) as viewed by Hera's HyperScout H instrument. Credit: ESA

Hera will rendezvous with the impacted asteroid, Dimorphos, in December 2026. The aim of the mission is to fully grasp how NASA's DART mission (short for Double Asteroid Redirection Test), which proved humanity can alter the path of a potentially menacing asteroid, affected the 525-foot-wide (160-meter) asteroid Dimorphos.

"Now that NASA’s DART mission has impacted the moonlet, Hera will turn the grand-scale experiment into a well-understood and repeatable planetary defense technique," the European Space Agency explained.

Large asteroids rarely impact Earth, but when they do, regional to local devastation can ensue.

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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Opens in a new window Credit: Oak Academy The 2024 Cloud Computing Course Bundle (CompTIA and AWS) $29.99
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TL;DR: Grab the MEZZO+ Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones for $49.99 (reg. $69.95) and experience music, calls, and podcasts without the discomfort of earbuds.

It's not surprising that we've all been guilty of cramming earbuds into our ears, only to feel uncomfortable after a short while. If you're not so pleased with in-ear living, the MEZZO+ Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones are a true game-changer for your listening experience.

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Bone conduction is the same technology used in hearing aids for decades. It allows sound to bypass the eardrums and go straight to the inner ear, making it a more comfortable option for long-term listening. For those concerned about long-term ear health, this method is effective and much less intrusive than traditional headphones.

Its open-ear design means you'll know what's happening around you, whether it’s for safety reasons while jogging on a busy street or simply to chat with a friend during a hike. Plus, with its IPX6 water resistance, you can break a sweat or even get caught in the rain without worrying about damaging your headphones.

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Opens in a new window Credit: Conduction Labs MEZZO+ Bluetooth Bone Conduction Headphones $49.99
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TL;DR: For a limited time, the CASA HUB 360 8-in-1 aluminum foldable USB-C Hub Stand is just $99.99 (reg. $129).

Self-care is a trend that almost everyone can get behind. But it doesn't just mean making time to exercise or prepare healthy meals. It also includes making changes in your lifestyle to elevate your well-being.

The thoughtfully designed stand is a simple way to make your workday better. It's on sale for just $99.99 (reg. $129). This sleek, versatile hub stand is more than just a tool—it’s a way to improve your comfort, productivity, and efficiency whether you’re working, writing, cooking, or enjoying some hard-earned entertainment.

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The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.

But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.

And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.

Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 15 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Tuesday, October 15, 2024:

AcrossDollars and cents

• The answer is Cash.

Retired NFL star receiver Shannon

• The answer is Sharpe.

German striker Timo

• The answer is Werner.

Have in mind

• The answer is Intend.

Hip hop supergroup collaboration between Kid Cudi and Jacques Bermon Webster II

• The answer is Scotts.

Mailed

• The answer is Sent.

DownEgg container

• The answer is Carton.

"Arrested Development" star Will

• The answer is Arnett.

Money used

• The answer is Spent.

Grazing groups

• The answer is Herds.

Cheese with holes

• The answer is Swiss.

As a consequence

• The answer is Hence.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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.

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

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Copper coin.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 15 Hurdle Word 1 answer

PENNY

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Kitchen garb.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 15 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

APRON

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Highly skilled.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 15 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ADEPT

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An adhesive or coating material.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 15 Hurdle Word 4 answer

RESIN

Final Hurdle hint

Vacations can help you do this.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

RELAX

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Tuesday, October 15, 2024:

AcrossShrimp ___ (garlicky entree)

• The answer is Scampi.

"Wow, so fancy!"

• The answer is OoLaLa.

Disney's take on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale "The Snow Queen"

• The answer is Frozen.

Paid for a poker hand

• The answer is Anted.

DownCommon place to find a lost TV remote

• The answer is Sofa.

With 4-Down, farm attraction in autumn months

• The answer is Corn.

Tons and tons

• The answer is Alot.

See 2-Down

• The answer is Maze.

Begged

• The answer is Pled.

McKellen who played Gandalf

• The answer is Ian.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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.

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

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

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

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.

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.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 15 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 15 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Beast mode!

These words are found in a zoo.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words used to describe animals.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is CreatureFeature.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 15

• Horn

• Hair

• CreatureFeature

• Wing

• Tail

• Feather

• Scale

• Shell

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 15 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 15

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

TL;DR: Live stream Scotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League for free on YouTube. Access this free stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Scotland have found things tough in the latest edition of the UEFA Nations League, and things aren't going to get any easier when Portugal come to town. Can the Scots deliver a performance they can be proud of in front of their passionate home support, or will Ronaldo's side come out on top again?

If you want to watch Scotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading for all the information you need.

When is Scotland vs. Portugal?

Scotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on Oct. 15. This fixture takes place at Hampden Park.

How to watch Scotland vs. Portugal for free

Scotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League is available to live stream for free on YouTube.

If this free live stream is not available in your location, you can use a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, allowing you to access free live streams from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Scotland vs. Portugal 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 a location with free access to Scotland vs. Portugal

4. Visit YouTube

5. Stream Scotland vs. Portugal for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most offer generous deals like free trials or money-back guarantees. Take advantage of these offers to watch Scotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League, and it won't cost you anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you plenty of time to stream select UEFA Nations League fixtures before recovering your upfront investment.

What is the best VPN for sport?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport from anywhere in the world, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries

• 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 for an overall saving of 49%. This plan also includes three extra months of usage for no additional cost, a year of free unlimited cloud backup, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Stream Scotland vs. Portugal in the UEFA Nations League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Spain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League for free on RTVE. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The UEFA Nations League continues to match up some the best international sides in Europe, which is great news for fans mkissing out on domestic football. The next matchups sees Spain take on Serbia. Can the young stars of Spain continue to impress?

If you want to watch Spain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Spain vs. Serbia?

Spain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League kicks off at 7:45 p.m. BST on Oct. 15. This fixture takes place at the Estadio El Arcángel.

How to watch Spain vs. Serbia for free

Spain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League is available to live stream for free on RTVE.

RTVE is geo-restricted to Spain, 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 Spain, meaning you can access free live streams on RTVE from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Spain vs. Serbia 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 Spain

4. Visit RTVE

5. Live stream Spain vs. Serbia for free 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Spain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select UEFA Nations League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTVE?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on RTVE, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Spain

• 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 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.

Live stream Spain vs. Serbia in the UEFA Nations League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch 2024 F1 live streams for free on ORF, ServusTV, RTBF, or RTL ZWEE. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Do you love watching incredibly talented drivers in unbelievably fast cars? Of course you do.

F1 brings together the best of the best to battle it out on the track. Sure, Max Verstappen has dominated the field in recent years, but the tide is turning. McLaren and Mercedes have finally found some pace, which means more entertaining racing.

If you are interested in watching F1 for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

2024 F1 calendar

The 2024 F1 season features 24 races held all over the world between March and December:

1. Bahrain GP (Sakhir) — March 2

2. Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah) — March 9

3. Australian GP (Melbourne) — March 24

4. Japan GP (Suzuka) — April 7

5. China GP (Shanghai) — April 21

6. Miami GP (Miami) — May 5

7. Emilia Romagna GP (Imola) — May 19

8. Monaco GP (Monaco) — May 26

9. Canada GP (Montreal) — June 9

10. Spain GP (Barcelona) — June 23

11. Austria GP (Spielberg) — June 30

12. United Kingdom GP (Silverstone) — July 7

13. Hungary GP (Budapest) — July 21

14. Belgium GP (Spa) — July 28

15. Netherlands GP (Zandvoort) — Aug. 25

16. Italy GP (Monza) — Sept. 1

17. Azerbaijan GP (Baku) — Sept. 15

18. Singapore GP (Singapore) — Sept. 22

19. USA GP (Austin) — Oct. 20

20. Mexico GP (Mexico City) — Oct. 27

21. Brazil GP (Sao Paulo) — Nov. 3

22. Las Vegas GP (Las Vegas) — Nov. 23

23. Qatar GP (Lusail) — Dec. 1

24. Abu Dhabi GP (Yas Marina) — Dec. 8

It's important to note that these dates are only for race days. China, Miami, Austria, USA, Brazil, and Qatar will each host a sprint weekend this season.

How to watch F1 for free

The good news is that it is possible to stream F1 for free in 2024. The following platforms are offering free coverage of this season:

• Austria — ORF or ServusTV (12 races each)

• Belgium — RTBF (every race)

• Luxembourg — RTL ZWEE (every race)

These free streaming platforms are geo-restricted, meaning you'll be blocked if you attempt to connect from outside the country of origin. Fortunately, you can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access these streaming services to watch F1 for free from anywhere in the world.

Unblock these free streaming services by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 Austria, Belgium, or Luxembourg

4. Connect to ORF, ServusTV, RTBF, or RTL ZWEE

5. Watch F1 races from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select races for free.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for F1?

There are a number of streaming-friendly VPNs out there, but ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming F1 for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to five simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 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 30-day money-back guarantee. By using the guarantee, you can watch F1 races for free. This is sneaky, but it works because ExpressVPN returns your investment without hassle.

Watch the 2024 F1 season for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch the 2024 United States Grand Prix for free on ORF, ServusTV, or RTBF. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Can Max Verstappen turn things around and stretch his lead at the top of the F1 standings, or will Lando Norris continue to close the gap? There are so many questions waiting to be answered at the Circuit of The Americas this weekend, and you can find out the answers without spending anything.

If you're interested in watching the 2024 United States Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2024 United States Grand Prix?

The 2024 United States Grand Prix takes place over 56 laps of the 5,513-kilometre Circuit of The Americas in Austin. The full schedule can be found here:

• Practice 1 — 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 18

• Sprint Qualifying — 5:30 to 6:14 p.m. ET on Oct. 18

• Sprint — 2 to 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 19

• Qualifying — 6 to 7 p.m. ET on Oct. 19

• Race — 3 p.m. ET on Oct. 20

The good news is that it's possible to stream the 2024 United States Grand Prix without spending anything.

How to watch the 2024 United States Grand Prix for free

You can find free live streams of F1 on these platforms:

• Austria — ORF or ServusTV (12 races each)

• Belgium — RTBF (every race)

ORF, ServusTV, and RTBF are geo-restricted, but anyone from around the world can access these free streaming platforms with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in other countries, meaning you can access free live streams of F1 from anywhere in the world.

Unblock free streaming services by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 Austria or Belgium

4. Connect to ORF, ServusTV, or RTBF

5. Watch the 2024 United States Grand Prix 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 leading services do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without actually spending anything. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can stream the 2024 United States Grand Prix before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for F1?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming F1 for free, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria and Belgium

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming 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 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2024 United States Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 October 14's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 15 What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. 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.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 15 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Each of these need to be fast to win

• Green: Everything except professional

• Blue: Call them like you see them

• Purple: A collection of highs

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

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

• Yellow - Portion of a Race

• Green - Types of Wrestling

• Blue - Actions at the Line of Scrimmage

• Purple - High ____

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 Sports Edition #21 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Portions of a Race: LAP, LEG, SEGMENT, STAGE

• Types of Wrestling: ARM, FREESTYLE, GRECO-ROMAN, SUMO

• Actions at the Line of Scrimmage: AUDIBLE, HARD COUNT, MOTION, SHIFT

• High _____: FIVE, JUMP, KNEES, STICKING

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.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 14

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

TL;DR: Through 27 October, this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 (lifetime license) and Windows 11 Pro bundle is on sale for £22.96 (reg. £335.49). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional Suite 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License + Windows 11 Pro Bundle £22.96 at the Mashable Shop
£335.49 Save £312.53 Get Deal

Whether you’re a small business owner, professional, or student, this bundle has the tools you need to make the most of your PC. With this bundle of the Microsoft Office 2021 Professional Suite and Windows 11 Pro, you can upgrade your operating system and utilise software that can help you stay productive. Through 27 October, you can get both of these Microsoft tools for a one-time total of £22.96.

With lifetime access to a 2021 Microsoft Office device license, you can create an impressive PowerPoint presentation, update your CV in Word, and connect with co-workers in Teams. And for everything to run smoothly, you'll also need a powerful operating system like Windows 11 Pro, designed for the modern-day professional. The seamless interface (which includes Copilot, the new Windows AI tool) makes navigating and multitasking easy.

Upon purchase, immediately download and install the software, and you’ll be up and running in no time. Lifetime licenses are only valid on one PC at a time and are great for work or home. Meanwhile, Windows 11 Pro offers encrypted authentication and advanced antivirus defenses for advanced cybersecurity. The antivirus defenses help protect your data and work to keep your private information safe.

Once more: a Microsoft Office lifetime license and Windows 11 Pro bundle is available for only £22.96 (reg. £335.49) until 27 October at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Watch NHL live streams for free on Laola1 and Prime Video. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Ice hockey is a beautiful sport that combines the grace and elegance of ice skating with a level of physicality that you simply don't see in other sports. We love the merging of elements, and so do millions of fans from all around the world.

The problem for all of these fans is finding a way to watch the NHL without spending a fortune. Streaming live sport doesn't tend to come cheap, but there's always a way to watch your favourite sport for free.

If you are interested in watching the NHL for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

How to watch the NHL for free

The good news is that it is possible to stream the NHL for free. The following platforms are offering free coverage of the NHL:

• Austria — Laola1 (select NHL games for free)

• Canada — Prime Video (Monday Night Hockey for free with 30-day trial)

These free streaming services are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to secure servers in Austria and Canada, meaning you can access these live streams from anywhere in the world.

Stream the NHL for free by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a 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 Austria and Canada

4. Connect to Laola1 or Prime Video

5. Watch the NHL for free in the UK

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) £82.82 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees or free trials. By leveraging these offers, you can watch NHL live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select games for free.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the NHL?

There are a number of streaming-friendly VPNs, but ExpressVPN is the best service for streaming NHL games for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria and Canada

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 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 30-day money-back guarantee. By using the guarantee, you can watch NHL games for free. This is sneaky, but it works because ExpressVPN returns your investment without hassle.

Watch the NHL 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 October 15's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 15 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. 

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

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 was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

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 October 15 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 15 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Tool for fruits.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one letter that appears twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 15 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...

CORER.

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

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 October 12's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 14 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.

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• TP-Link Tapo C120 2K QHD Security Camera — $24.99 (List Price $39.99)

• 65" Hisense U6 Series 4K Mini-LED ULED Smart TV (2024 Model) — $597.99 (List Price $799.99)

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• Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote (2023 Model) — $59.99

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 14 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: Football

• Green: Scrolling through TV

• Blue: Funny guys in makeup

• Purple: Definitions of D

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 - Football Positions

• Green - Cable Channels

• Blue - Fictional Clowns

• Purple - What "D" Might Stand For

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 #492 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Football Positions: Center, Guard, Quarterback, Safety

• Cable Channels: Discovery, History, Nickelodeon, Oxygen

• Fictional Clowns: Homey, Joker, Pennywise, Ronald

• What "D" Might Stand For: Defense, Democrat, Dimensional, Drive

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.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 14

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Watch out, teens and tweens: A majority of adults want cellphones out of the classroom, according to a new poll.

The recent Pew Research Center survey of 5,110 U.S. adults found that 68 percent backed a ban on middle and high school students using a cellphone in the classroom. Twenty-four percent of respondents opposed the idea while 8 percent were unsure.

When asked to identify why they supported a ban, participants said they thought students would develop better social skills and be less likely to cheat, as a result. They also think such a ban could reduce school bullying.

But they drew the line at a more restrictive approach. Only roughly a third of the respondents favored blocking phone access for the entire day, not just in the classroom, while more than half opposed it.

SEE ALSO: Why teens are telling strangers their secrets online

The survey findings may inform the ongoing struggle over the role of technology and internet-connected devices in the classroom.

Educators and their unions have long argued that phones and constant access to social media platforms distracts students, enables bullying, and burns teachers out. School districts have even sued technology companies, including Meta and TikTok, arguing that they don't sufficiently warn young users of the risks of using their platforms.

Adults surveyed by Pew who oppose any kind of ban overwhelmingly cite concern about parents being able to reach their child when needed. They also believe the rule would be too hard for teachers to enforce, and that cellphones can be a useful teaching tool.

Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone-Free Schools Movement, told Mashable in an email that the organization backs a day-long phone-free policy in order to offer students and teachers the "most benefits." Whitman said placing phones in a storage tool, like a phone locker or in baskets secured in the school office, can further reduce cyberbullying, social media conflict, and poor face-to-face engagement with peers.

Some school districts and state governments have already moved toward different types of bans. California recently passed legislation requiring school districts to develop a policy for restricting phone use at school by 2026. Florida banned phone use in the classroom this school year. Louisiana is poised to prohibit students from using and possessing a cellphone for the entire day, starting in the 2024-2025 school year.

The Pew survey did find more resistance to the idea of a ban from younger adults. Less than half of survey respondents under the age of 30 support restrictions on cellphones in the classroom, whereas more than three quarters of adults ages 30 to 49 favor them. That percentage rises to 80 percent among participants ages 50 and older.

Whitman said that students "deserve" phone-free schools so they can focus and engage with students and peers.

"This means loud lunch rooms and more students participating in afterschool activities, which creates community and greater sense of belonging," Whitman wrote in an email. "Don't we want this for all kids?"

UPDATE: Oct. 14, 2024, 2:33 p.m. EDT This story has been updated to include comment from Kim Whitman, co-founder of the Phone-Free Schools Movement.

Early in the digital era, she worked at Bell Labs on the intersection of art and technology, making films and at one point arriving at a novel theory about the “Mona Lisa.”