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TL;DR: Live stream Spain's basketball games at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Paris 2024 is now well underway, and there's plenty to keep track of. If you're a basketball lover, you won't want to miss any of the matches. Spain is just one of the many teams competing, and to help you keep on top of games, we've made a list of all of their games to watch.

So, if you want to watch Spain's basketball games at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading because we have all the information you need.

When is Spain playing basketball at Paris 2024?

Spain will be competing in several basketball matches at Paris 2024:

Men's Basketball

• Australia vs. Spain in Group A - 5:00 a.m. ET on July. 27

• Spain vs. Greece in Group A - 5:00 a.m. ET on July. 30

• Canada vs. Spain in Group A - 11:00 a.m. ET on August. 2
  

Women's Basketball

• Spain vs. China in Group A - 7:00 a.m. ET on July. 28

• Puerto Rico vs. Spain in Group A - 5:00 a.m. ET on July. 31

• Serbia vs. Spain in Group A - 7:30 a.m. ET on August. 3

How to watch Spain play basketball at Paris 2024 for free

You can watch Spain play basketball at Paris 2024 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

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

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream Spain at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream select Paris 2024 events, including Spain's basketball games, before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 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 the basketball at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Serbia's basketball games at Paris 2024 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Paris 2024 is well underway, and there's, plenty to keep track of. For basketball fans, there are a number of fantastic teams competing, and a long list of great matches to tune in to. One of the many teams competing is Serbia, and to help you keep on top of games, we've made a list of all of their games to watch.

If you want to watch Serbia's basketball games at Paris 2024 for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading because we have all the information you need.

When is Serbia playing basketball at Paris 2024?

Serbia will be competing in several basketball matches at Paris 2024:

Men's Basketball

• Serbia vs. United States in Group C - 11:15 a.m. ET on July. 28

• Puerto Rico vs. Serbia in Group C - 11:15 a.m. ET on July. 31

• Serbia vs. South Sedan in Group C - 3:00 p.m. ET on August. 3

Women's Basketball

• Serbia vs. Puerto Rico in Group A - 3:00 p.m. ET on July. 28

• China vs. Serbia in Group A - 7:30 a.m. ET on July. 31

• Serbia vs. Spain in Group A - 7:30 a.m. ET on August. 3

How to watch Serbia play basketball at Paris 2024 for free

You can watch Serbia play basketball at Paris 2024 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

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

Unblock BBC iPlayer for free by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

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

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Live stream Serbia at Paris 2024 from anywhere in the world

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

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can unblock BBC iPlayer without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it gives you time to stream select Paris 2024 events before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 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 the basketball at Paris 2024 for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Store up to 1TB of files for life with Koofr's cloud storage plan for only $119.97 with promo code KOOFR through July 28.

Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) $159.99 at The Mashable Shop
$810.00 Save $650.01 Get Deal

Whether it's for your personal activity or your work-related documents, managing and securing your data is more important than ever. Instead of dealing with recurring payments for cloud storage, why not opt for a one-time solution?

Through July 28, Koofr lets you save on a lifetime subscription to 1TB of cloud storage at just $119.97 when you enter coupon code KOOFR at checkout, providing a reliable and cost-effective way to store your files.

1TB of storage can accommodate approximately 250,000 12MP photos, 500 hours of HD video, or 6.5 million document pages. Koofr goes beyond basic storage with its advanced file management features. The Koofr Duplicate Finder helps you locate and eliminate duplicate files, optimizing your storage space. Plus, Koofr integrates seamlessly with external cloud accounts like Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, and OneDrive, so you can access all your files from one centralized platform.

Privacy-conscious users may appreciate that Koofr does not track user activities. With Koofr, you'll have greater control and flexibility in organizing your files without the worry of ongoing costs or data breaches.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to secure this lifetime deal on 1TB of Koofr cloud storage for only $119.97 with promo code KOOFR, ending at 11:59 p.m. PT on July 28.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get the iSpyPen Pro for $149.97 (reg. $198) through July 28 and record up to 24 hours of lectures to aid you in your study sessions.

Opens in a new window Credit: iSpyPens iSpyPen PRO 2021 Model (128GB) + Adapter & Battery $149.97 at The Mashable Shop
$198.00 Save $48.03 24 hours of storage Get Deal

As a student, staying on top of your schoolwork is crucial, and the iSpyPen Pro is here to help. This innovative camera pen records up to 24 hours of audio and video, making it ideal for capturing every detail of your classes (with permission, of course!). With 128GB of storage, you’ll have plenty of space for all your recordings, ensuring you never miss anything important.

Through July 28, you can get the iSpyPen Pro on sale for 24% off, marked down from $198 to $149.97.

The iSpyPen Pro features a sleek black design that looks just like a regular pen, allowing you to bring it everywhere with you. It records in 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution and high-quality audio, capturing clear sound even in large lecture halls. The pen also includes a USB adapter for easy file transfers and a long-lasting battery to support extended sessions.

Using the iSpyPen Pro is simple. A single button press starts and stops recording, and you can quickly transfer your recordings to your computer with the included adapter.

Take your study sessions to the next level. Capture every word, review at your leisure, and never miss a lecture again.

If you're ready to take on the new school year with a handy study tool at your disposal, check out the iSpyPen Pro on sale for $149.97 until July 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

SAVE 46%: Through July 28 only, you can grab the Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle Pro 4K and the Blade K Drone for $159.97 — that's the total price, not the price per drone — and snap stunning photos and videos.

Opens in a new window Credit: Onetify Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO 4K with Blade K Drone Bundle $159.97 at the Mashable Shop
$299.99 Save $140.02 Get Deal

Want to capture views from above? You don't have to spend a fortune to start flying a quality drone. This high-performance bundle is designed to deliver stunning 4K video and photos from the sky, making it perfect for both hobbyists, drone beginners, and aspiring photographers on a budget. 

With this bundle, you can get two 4K drones for the price of one. Until July 28, this drone bundle is discounted 46% to just $159.97 (reg. $299.99). This is one of the best 4k drone deals we've seen in a long time, and it's ending soon. For beginners worried about crash landing, this two for one deal takes some of the pressure off.

The Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle Pro drone boasts a 4K camera that offers crystal-clear resolution, capturing every detail with precision. Its GPS positioning system ensures stable and smooth flight, while intelligent flight modes like follow-me, orbit, and waypoint navigation allow you to take complex shots with ease. The drone's long flight range of up to 300 meters lets you explore and document your surroundings from new heights.

The bundle also includes the Blade K Drone, which adds versatility to your aerial adventures. This compact and agile drone is perfect for getting fast-paced action shots and navigating through tight spaces. It features easy-to-use controls and a stable flight system, making it a good choice for beginners and experienced pilots alike.

Both drones come with powerful batteries that provide extended flight time, ensuring you have plenty of opportunities to capture the perfect shot. Additionally, the bundle includes extra propellers and a carrying case, so you can easily take your drones on the go.

Priced at $159.97 until July 28, this bundle of the Ninja Dragon Phantom Eagle PRO 4K and Blade K Drone offers incredible value for anyone looking to explore the world of drone photography and videography.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Through July 28, you can get a lifetime license to the 2019 Microsoft Office suite on sale for only $24.97.

With what seems like an endless list of monthly subscription charges on your credit card, you could use a break. Students and professionals alike can benefit from productivity software they don't have to pay for more than once. If you have a Windows computer, you can take advantage of this lifetime deal on a Microsoft Office 2019 suite, which is discounted to just $24.97 until July 28.

Here's what's in the 2019 suite: 

• Word

• Excel

• PowerPoint

• Outlook

• OneNote

• Publisher

• Access

It may not be the newest version, but all the tools you know and love are included, plus some exciting features like enhanced inking in all Office programs, new analysis functions in Excel, new presentation components in PowerPoint, and updated features in Outlook to manage emails and contacts.

This one-time purchase deal is available with updates included, as well as free customer support for life. Once you make your purchase, you'll receive a redemption code via email, which you'll need to redeem within 30 days to access your MS Office suite — which is instantly yours forever once you do.

Until July 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT, score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office 2019 for only $24.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows $24.97 at The Mashable Shop
$299.00 Save $274.03 Get Deal

TL;DR: Hurry and grab this grade-A refurbished MacBook Air while this price lasts through July 28.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, having a reliable laptop is essential for staying connected, productive, and entertained. Whether you're a student attending virtual classes, a professional working remotely, or a creative hobbyist designing and editing new projects, the right laptop could make all the difference.

If you're looking for a high-quality device without the hefty price tag (plus a nod to the environment by preventing e-waste!), this near-mint refurbished 13.3-inch MacBook Air could be the choice for you. With a discount ending July 28, it's on sale for only $299.97 (reg. $599).

This laptop was given a grade "A" refurbished rating, meaning there are minimal to zero marks or blemishes, and is also certified to run as if it was new.

This MacBook Air model offers a blend of power and portability. Featuring an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, it can handle multitasking from editing documents to streaming videos. The 13.3-inch display provides crisp visuals, making it ideal for both work and leisure activities.

Lightweight and boasting long battery life, it's perfect for carrying around campus, the office, or on your travels. Experience the seamless performance and sleek design of a MacBook Air while supplies last.

Until July 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get this 13.3-inch 2017 silver refurbished MacBook Air on sale for $299.97.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 13.3" (2017), 1.8GHz i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Silver (Refurbished) $299.97 at The Mashable Shop
$599.00 Save $299.03 Get Deal

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 28 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for July 28

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: Daily delivery

All the names that are fit to print.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

The words are common names for newspapers.

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 Newspaper.

NYT Strands word list for July 28

• Journal

• Newspaper

• Tribune

• Chronicle

• Times

• Herald

• Globe

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.

TL;DR: Through July 28, get a Microsoft Visio 2021 lifetime license for Windows on sale for £15.51 (save 92%). Once you set this up on your device, your license will never expire.

While we all love the classic suite of Microsoft Office apps — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and their siblings — you might be missing out on other tools if you’ve never expanded your Microsoft repertoire. We’d like to introduce you to Visio, an app that helps you build diagrams and flowcharts more efficiently than the tools above. Through July 28, you can get a lifetime license for Windows on sale for £15.51 (reg. £194.20). 

The missing piece in your Microsoft toolkit

Microsoft Visio aims to help you visualise your ideas, processes, reporting structures, or anything else you want to bring to life. Start with premade templates, starter diagrams, or stencils made for flowcharts, org charts, floor plans, or brainstorming maps. Or, freestyle your own creations from scratch.

Then, browse more than 250,000 shapes to customise the look and feel of your projects. Visio is a lot more intuitive than trying to create similar flowcharts on tools like PowerPoint or Word.

Visio also lets you link diagrams to live internal and external data sources, helping you share insights with team members, draw additional insights, and stay organised. You can even upload an Excel, Exchange, or Microsoft Entra ID file and have Visio automatically generate an org chart. That’s just one advantage of expanding your Microsoft toolkit.

Another unique feature is being able to use your stylus or finger on touch-enabled devices to draw or annotate your projects. The possibilities of what you could create with Visio start right here, right now with this limited-time offer.

Secure your Microsoft Visio 2021 lifetime license for Windows while it’s on sale for £15.51 (reg. £194.20) until July 28 at 11:59 p.m. PT. No coupon is needed for this low price.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Retail King Microsoft Visio 2021 Professional for Windows £15.51 at the Mashable Shop
£194.20 Save £178.69 Get Deal

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 28'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 July 26 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Loose clothing.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no recurring letters.

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 is...

SMOCK.

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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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 28'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.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for July 26 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: Bookbinder

• Green: Catty prints

• Blue: Anxious

• Purple: Garden path words

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: Parts of a Book

• Green: Cat Coat Patterns

• Blue: Nervousness, in the Singular

• Purple: Starting with Vegetables

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 #413 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Parts of a Book: COVER, JACKET, PAGE, SPINE

• Cat Coat Patterns: CALICO, TABBY, TORTOISESHELL, TUXEDO

• Nervousness, in the Singular: BUTTERFLY, JITTER, NERVE, WILLY

• Starting with Vegetables: BEETHOVEN, CORNUCOPIA, KALEIDOSCOPE, PEACOCK

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.

Prime Day deals you can shop right now

• iRobot Roomba Essential Vac Q011 Robot Vacuum Cleaner — $169.99 (List Price $249.99)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 64GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet — $169.99 (List Price $219.99)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case — $199.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker With 6-Months Membership — $159.95

• Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band) — $299.00 (List Price $399.00)

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

Video game voice and motion capture performers have gone on strike for the second time in a decade.

After a year and a half of negotiations between SAG-AFTRA and major video game companies like Activision, Electronic Arts, and Take-Two Interactive, the portion of the union's membership that works on video games has initiated a work stoppage that went into effect on Friday morning. In a statement on its website, SAG-AFTRA said, with no uncertainty, that artificial intelligence protections are the "sticking point."

“We’re not going to consent to a contract that allows companies to abuse A.I. to the detriment of our members," union president Fran Drescher said in the statement. "Enough is enough. When these companies get serious about offering an agreement our members can live — and work — with, we will be here, ready to negotiate."

SEE ALSO: Bethesda becomes first Microsoft game studio to unionize

In a statement to Polygon, a spokesperson for the gaming companies' side Audrey Cooling claimed the AI terms that SAG-AFTRA did not agree to are "among the strongest in the entertainment industry." According to Cooling, the two sides have agreed to 24 of 25 contract proposals, leaving AI as the final nail to be hammered down.

While the exact contract language that both sides have been trying to agree to for the last 18 months is not public, the issue is familiar to anyone who has followed AI and the arts in recent years. Put simply, voice actors and motion capture performers are worried that, without proper labor protections, video game companies could use their work to train AI models that could then replace their labor.

As the Washington Post also pointed out, the use of AI could negatively impact young performers who are trying to break into the industry. If the kinds of background, non-player character roles that usually go to those people were instead relegated to AI, it may be harder to break into the industry.

It's worth noting that SAG-AFTRA struck a side deal with an AI company earlier this year, so the union has not been inherently opposed to AI up to this point.

This is not the first time SAG-AFTRA's gaming workers have gone on strike. In 2016, voice actors started a work stoppage that lasted almost an entire year. That particular strike had more to do with "old" problems like bonuses, royalties, and worker safety than new, rapidly developing technology. In other words, it could theoretically be a while before these two sides come to an agreement.

Every August, the most entertaining spectacle in our solar system isn't in theaters or on a streaming service, but above all our heads at night: the cosmic pyrotechnics display that is the Perseid meteor shower. This year's entry in this long-running annual show coincides with the warmest nights and early mornings of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, which will be a good one. 

2024's display comes with impressive — possibly even blockbuster — viewing conditions. 

SEE ALSO: What does a meteorite taste like? Someone found out and bottled it. Exactly what are the Perseids?

The Perseid meteor shower is our planet's annual run-in with the trail of debris left behind by a comet called 109P/Swift-Tuttle, which, like us, is orbiting the sun, but on a different course that happens to intersect with ours. As the Earth orbits through this trail of tiny granules called meteoroids, they slam into our atmosphere at blistering speeds and ignite. The meteoroids become what we call meteors only for a moment, during their spectacular deaths. 

This all happens about 60 miles above your head during your meteor-gazing session. For reference, the moon is roughly 24,000 miles away, and Mirfak, the brightest star in the constellation Perseus, is 510 light-years away. The meteors are very close, in other words — so close that you can sometimes hear them. 

Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle, with its 16-mile-wide nucleus, is colossal — the largest object known to repeatedly pass by our planet, which it won't do again until 2126. Will this giant ever smash into Earth? Not in 2126, and possibly not ever. But there's a tiny chance it could — catastrophically — at some indeterminate point in the distant future. 

When to catch the Perseids at their peak in 2024

The show will crescendo, with 100 meteors per hour sometimes visible, in the pre-dawn hours of August 12.

For best results, stay up late the night of Sunday, August 11, and into the early hours of Monday, or look up when the sky is dark any time until the end of August. Viewing conditions depend on how dim the moon is, and in 2024 we're in luck: it will only be at 50 percent illumination at the peak. It's also set to dip below the horizon around midnight, meaning the wee hours of the morning will be essentially moonless for your meteor viewing pleasure. 

As always, the moon's precise schedule differs depending on where you are, so check your local listings.

It's worth noting that as one of the more drawn-out meteor displays, the Perseids linger for well over a month every year, meaning activity is visible from mid-July to late August. Peak activity is when you'll theoretically see the most meteors, assuming favorable moon and weather conditions, but any clear night during the shower's active period is a chance to see the Perseids. For instance, the new moon on August 4 will darken the skies, providing another possible opportunity for great off-peak viewing. 

How to spot the Perseids in 2024

The Perseids get their name from the fact that they appear to radiate from the constellation Perseus. This can be a little deceptive, however, because you don't have to worry about finding Perseus; meteors seem to streak across the whole sky during a shower. Pointing out Perseus during your viewing session will make you the hand-raising, A+ student of your stargazing party — but it probably won't help anyone see more meteors. 

For optimum viewing, get to a dark location away from city lights. Even suburban or exurban lights can pollute the precious darkness, so get to the deep wilderness if you can. Give your pupils about 30 minutes to widen, initiating your body's too-seldom-used night vision mode. Telescopes and binoculars are fun but unnecessary, or even counterproductive since they limit your peripheral vision. 

But I'm making this too complicated. Is it your first time stargazing in a while? Just do what they do in movies: lie back on a blanket, relax, and stare up at the dang sky. 

'Creature Commandos,' a monster-filled D.C. Comics animated series written by James Gunn, got a teaser trailer at SDCC.

'Like a Dragon' is making its way from your video game console to Prime Video in a new live-action TV series.

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 27 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer hints for July 27

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, July 27, 2024:

AcrossBreed of sled dog

• The answer is Husky.

Ante establishment?

• The answer is Casino.

Golden-brown drizzle on an ice cream sundae

• The answer is Caramel.

Guitarist's accessory

• The answer is Amp.

Tree that makes acorns

• The answer is Oak.

Shoot off again, as an email

• The answer is Resend.

Unmanned aircraft

• The answer is Drone.

Castle material that's not very sturdy

• The answer is Sand.

DownTalks persistently about

• The answer is Harps on.

Olympic women's gymnastics powerhouse

• The answer is USA.

Biles who represents 2-Down

• The answer is Simone.

Work with the hands, as dough

• The answer is Knead.

Egg's center

• The answer is Yolk.

Backup ___ (modern auto feature)

• The answer is Camera.

Birthday messages may be written on them

• The answer is Cards.

Fitting final Down answer

• The answer is End.

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.

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NASA has used a number of eyebrow-raising words to describe their new Martian find: "fascinating," "intriguing," "compelling," and "mind-bending."

The space agency's Perseverance rover recently drilled into a Mars rock, where the six-wheeled robot had detected organic molecules (aka the "building blocks of life" as we know it). The robot collected a sample, and inside scientists spotted a telltale composition that suggests the potential of ancient microbial life. "The rock exhibits chemical signatures and structures that could possibly have been formed by life billions of years ago when the area being explored by the rover contained running water," NASA said in a statement. But, crucially, much more research, over many years, is needed to confirm this possibility.

Indeed, regions on Mars once gushed with water, with roaring rivers and expansive lakes. These watery environs could have set the stage for primitive life to evolve.

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

In the image below, you can see the novel Martian structures NASA scientists observed in this rock. They're white splotches surrounded by black halos dubbed "leopard spots."

"These spots are a big surprise," David Flannery, an astrobiologist at the Queensland University of Technology and member of the Perseverance science team, said in a statement. "On Earth, these types of features in rocks are often associated with the fossilized record of microbes living in the subsurface."

That's quite an intriguing connection. These spots are formed by chemical reactions on Earth, which can release iron and phosphate (an important nutrient), and supply microbes with energy.

The "leopard spot" splotches found in a new Mars rock sample. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / ASU / MSSS

NASA planetary scientists are certainly excited.

"As a rock geek/scientist and as the Director of @NASAJPL — this is the kind of discovery you hope for — where mind-bending observations make your heart beat just a little faster," NASA's Laurie Leshin posted online.

"This is more than intriguing, it’s really exciting! We must bring that sample to Earth for analysis in our best labs!" Rosaly Lopes, a senior research scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, wrote.

But, of course, the space agency has also tempered expectations until more is known. Non-biological processes could have created the leopard splotches, such as mineral deposits from past flows of water. In the announcement, the agency included the helpful graphic below, showing the Confidence of Life Detection scale, or CoLD. With this detection, NASA is at number one.

Credit: NASA / Aaron Gronstal Tweet may have been deleted

And, crucially, to move up the scale, the sample (from a rock named Cheyava Falls) must be closely analyzed in labs on Earth, with far more instruments than the distant, car-sized rover can carry. This can prove if non-biological factors actually formed the structures, confirm the presence of past life, rule out other hypotheses, and beyond. NASA's Mars Sample Return mission, however, is in jeopardy. It would cost around $11 billion, a price the space agency can't afford. The agency now seeks a financially feasible plan for the complex endeavor, which would retrieve samples and rocket them back to Earth.

Until then, these compelling structures will largely remain just that.

"We have zapped that rock with lasers and X-rays and imaged it literally day and night from just about every angle imaginable," said Perseverance project scientist Ken Farley. "Scientifically, Perseverance has nothing more to give. To fully understand what really happened in that Martian river valley at Jezero Crater billions of years ago, we'd want to bring the Cheyava Falls sample back to Earth, so it can be studied with the powerful instruments available in laboratories."