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TL;DR: Outfit your PC with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for just $54.97 (reg. $219.99) through March 30. 

There's a reason the Microsoft Office apps have had such amazing staying power — they really work. The same tools you used as a kid growing up in the '90s on that bulky desktop are still helping you tackle work tasks on your laptop at the office. 

If you've been without the fleet of helpful apps, you've probably already run into numerous scenarios where you needed them. Give your PC the gift of these eight go-to's with a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows for just $54.97 — that's 75% off the usual $219.99 price tag. 

Fall in love with the Microsoft Office apps all over again

Lifetime access to Microsoft Word for less than $7? Microsoft Office Professional makes that a possibility, including favorites like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Newer apps like Access, Teams, OneNote, and Publisher round out this deal. 

Don't be deceived by the year 2021 in its name; this older Microsoft Office Professional version still has all the tools you need — and at a lower price. It offers a more budget-friendly way to enjoy these apps, offering them at a low one-time price instead of Microsoft 365's monthly subscription costs. And a 2021 version offers three more apps than the most recent 2024 license. 

Microsoft Office Professional 2021 also offers familiar interfaces. There are no AI integrations like in later versions, so there's no extra tech knowledge required. And once you install the apps, you can easily work offline from anywhere, making this a great option for travelers. 

Make sure your computer's operating system is updated to Windows 10 or 11 prior to purchase. Once you buy, you'll receive an instant delivery and download, so you can get started working with these apps right away.

Let this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows make life a little easier, now at less than $7 an app with this $54.97 deal running through March 30. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $54.97 at the Mashable Shop
$219.99 Save $165.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Scan anything, anywhere, with this lifetime subscription to iScanner, now $24.99 (reg. $199) with code SCAN through March 30.

Raise your hand if you've had to drive to your parent's house to borrow their printer. If most of us don't have the space for clunky printers, chances are we also don't keep a scanner at home. That's what iScanner is for: transforming your iPhone or iPad into a handy scanning machine. 

Right now, a lifetime subscription to this convenient way to scan is just $24.99 wide code SCAN, saving you $175 if you act fast and purchase before March 30. 

This multi-tasking app saves you serious desk space

Even if you're one of the few with a physical scanner still in your presence, you can now clear some counter space thanks to iScanner. And while you're at it, you can throw away that dusty old filing cabinet, too. 

iScanner is the number one US-based scanning and document management tool, letting you knock items off your to-do list from anywhere. Need to save a receipt for taxes? Do you have a contract you need to digitize? You can scan any document using just the phone on your iOS device. 

Students, entrepreneurs, educators, and stay-at-home moms alike will all find endless uses for a scanner in your pocket. The AI-powered tools ensure your documents' borders are detected and automatically adjusted while also straightening scan pages and ditching curves and skews. 

Thanks to AI, you can also use iScanner to help you solve complicated math problems. Or put its OCR technology to the test and let it help you decipher text in up to 20 languages.

Once things are scanned, the app becomes a full PDF editor and file manager. Edit your scans, including signing them, adding text, or auto-filling them with custom templates. Then, use the file manager's folder via drag and drop to keep them safe and organized. 

Scanning something confidential? You can also protect files and folders by locking them with a PIN. 

Secure iScanner for life with code SCAN, bringing the price down to $24.99 through March 30.

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Opens in a new window Credit: iScanner iScanner App: Lifetime Subscription $24.99
$199.99 Save $175 Get Deal

TL;DR: Lock in a lifetime subscription to FolderFort's 2TB of Cloud Storage Pro Plan for just $109.97 with code SECURE2TB now through March 30.

Did you know you can secure cloud storage without hefty monthly fees? Though the most popular cloud storage services require expensive subscription fees, FolderFort lets you secure ample storage for a low, one-time price. 

Keep your files safe forever with a lifetime subscription to FolderFort 2TB Cloud Storage Pro Plan. It's available now for only $109.97 (reg. $499.99) with code SECURE2TB through March 30. 

Check out all that FolderFort has to offer

Whether you're still dragging around clunky external hard drives or paying Dropbox or Apple a small fortune month after month, there's a better way to safeguard your important data. You can pay once and enjoy 2TB of storage for life with FolderFort. 

The learning curve won't be steep with FolderFort. The interface is super user-friendly, and it offers cross-platform accessibility so those with PCs, Macs, or smartphones can easily log in and share files.  

Though it can be hard to grasp how much data 2TB holds, think of it as approximately 400,000 5MB photos or millions of text documents. That means you hopefully won't be running out of space anytime soon, and this investment is truly enough to secure memories for a lifetime. 

Have a baby? Adopt another dog? If you ever need more space, that's not an issue. You can upgrade at anytime and enjoy increased storage instantly. 

Besides saving you money, FolderFort also offers reliability. Unlike the big guys, their guaranteed 99.99% uptime means you won't be waiting to access files when your cloud storage platform goes down. Speedy upload speeds save you time, while BackBlaze encryption keeps all your data safe. 

Keep 2TB of your precious data safe and tucked away with a lifetime subscription to FolderFort 2TB Cloud Storage Pro Plan, now just $109.97 with code SECURE2TB through March 30. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: FolderFort FolderFort 2TB Cloud Storage Pro Plan: Lifetime Subscription $109.97
$499.99 Save $390.02 Get Deal

TL;DR: Enjoy peace of mind knowing your files are safe with this lifetime subscription to 2TB of FileJump Cloud Storage, now just $89 (reg. $467).

Whether you serve as your family's personal photographer and have a phone filled with memories or you're a small business needing to store and share your important files, deciding where and how to secure your data is an important decision.

If you're looking for a cloud storage option that doesn't break the bank, check out FileJump's offer. You can secure 2TB of cloud storage for a lifetime for just $89 if you act fast. 

Secure 2TB of data safely for life for under $100

Don't be deceived by this low price tag. FileJump is a premium cloud storage solution that lets you save files in all formats — from images and videos to MS Excel files. This makes it a versatile option for use at both home and work. 

Uploading is a breeze thanks to their drag-and-drop user interface. Just drop them directly into your FileJump dashboard. Once they're in the cloud, rest easy knowing 256-bit AES end-to-end encryption protects your data's safety.

Built-in preview support for photos, videos, spreadsheets, and more makes later access easier. And whether you're sharing with family members or work colleagues, the process is equally easy. Share your files or folders via links or have them create free accounts for easy access.

This lifetime subscription is only available to new users and includes 2TB of storage, unlimited downloads, and 15GB per file upload. You'll also get access to customer support and PWA Mobile and Desktop apps.

Secure 2TB of cloud storage with this lifetime subscription to FileJump, now 80% off the usual price and just $89 for a limited time. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: FileJump FileJump 2TB Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription $89
$467 Save $378 Get Deal

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 the latest 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 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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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 Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Measuring a Quarterback's success

• Green: March Madness-related

• Blue: Alternative baseball

• Purple: Science & sports

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: Stats for a QB

• Green: First words of NCAA tournament rounds

• Blue: Baseball "leagues"

• Purple: Periodic table meets sports

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 #174 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Stats for a QB - ATTEMPTS, RATING, TOUCHDOWNS, YARDS

• First words of NCAA tournament rounds - ELITE, FINAL, FIRST, SWEET

• Baseball "leagues" - CACTUS, GRAPEFRUIT, INTERNATIONAL, PACIFIC COAST

• Periodic table meets sports - GOLD MEDAL, LEAD RUNNER, MERCURY, SILVER SLUGGER

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.

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: Live stream Liverpool vs. Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 Carabao Cup final brings together Liverpool and Newcastle United in what looks like an absolutely electric contest. Liverpool are flying high on all fronts this season, but Newcastle United possess the talent to upset the odds in this final. Can Eddie Howe lead Newcastle United to their first trophy since 1955?

If you want to watch Liverpool vs. Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Liverpool vs. Newcastle United?

Liverpool vs. Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final starts at 4:30 p.m. GMT on March 16. This fixture takes place at Wembley Stadium.

How to watch Liverpool vs. Newcastle United for free

Liverpool vs. Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

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

Access a free live stream of Liverpool vs. Newcastle United by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Live stream Liverpool vs. Newcastle United 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 Liverpool vs. Newcastle United without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream this game before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ITVX?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Stream Liverpool vs. Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Need a reliable PDF app? Mashable readers can get a lifetime license to PDF Converter Pro for only £18.56 (reg. £79.41) when they use the discount code SAVE20 through 30 March.

Opens in a new window Credit: Acethinker PDF Converter Pro: Lifetime License £18.56 at the Mashable Shop
£79.41 Save £60.85 Use discount code 'SAVE20' Get Deal

PDFs are common. Good PDF apps are not. Sure, Adobe has Acrobat, but Adobe apps aren't exactly cheap. 

Whether you’re a student juggling multiple assignments or a business professional needing to convert files for reports, if you need a low-cost PDF app, check out PDF Converter Pro. This all-in-one PDF app lets you convert PDF documents into various formats or edit PDFs, and you can get it for life for just £18.56 (reg. £79.41) — but not for much longer. 

To get this newly discounted price, use the code SAVE20 when you purchase a lifetime license through the Mashable Shop.

What can PDF Converter Pro do?

Tired of convoluted app menus? PDF Converter Pro gives you a simple, user-friendly interface where you can convert or alter PDFs. You can change PDFs into editable Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files, enabling seamless editing and sharing without losing the original layout or content. That means images, text, and hyperlinks are preserved, so you don’t have to worry about losing important details during the conversion process.

PDF Converter Pro’s built-in OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology is a game-changer, allowing you to extract text from image-based PDF documents. If you have any ancient, faded master copies lying around, you can finally scan them to make a new version that you can actually edit. Students, that means you can also scan your readings and turn them into searchable documents. 

This all-in-one PDF app even lets you edit existing PDFs with tools for merging and splitting, extracting images, and compressing files to reduce their size without sacrificing quality.

On sale but not for much longer

30 March at 11:59 p.m. PT is the deadline to get a lifetime license to PDF Converter Pro for just £18.56 (reg. £79.41). Be sure to use the code SAVE20 during checkout.

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

TL;DR: You can get an Internxt 10TB cloud storage lifetime subscription for £216.56 (reg. £270.71) when you use the code STORAGE20 at checkout through 30 March. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Internxt Internxt Cloud Storage Lifetime Subscription: 10TB Plan £216.56
£270.71 Save £54.15 Use code 'STORAGE20' Get Deal

Worried about an economic recession? Even if you're not, you’re probably looking for ways to save as much money as possible. Many people are canceling subscriptions, and the first one to go could be Dropbox or Google Drive. Instead, store your files with this lifetime cloud storage deal.

You’ll no longer be chained to annoying monthly payments — just pay once and be set for life. Mashable readers can get 10TB of storage with Internxt for £216.56 by using the code STORAGE20 at checkout. And if you don’t need that much space, 2TB and 5TB plans are also available on sale.

Cloud storage without fees

With Internxt, you may be paying more upfront, but your cloud storage plan will pay for itself in time, saving you money in the long run.

You also won’t have to worry about running out of storage space on your phone, computer, or tablet ever again with 10TB to go around. Here’s about how much that space can fit:

• 2 million photos

• 250 hours of 4K video

• 6.5 million documents

Another thing you won’t have to worry about is security. All of your Internxt files are end-to-end encrypted for your peace of mind.

In fact, imagine never worrying about buying more cloud storage ever again. That’s Internxt. Head to the Mashable Shop and use code STORAGE20 at checkout to get this affordable cloud storage plan for £216.56 (reg. £270.71) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Connections is the one of the most popular New York Times word games 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 today'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 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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

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 March 16 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: A set of things

• Green: The last letter isn't pronounced

• Blue: Films featuring notorious murderers

• Purple: Begins with star groups

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: Bunch

• Green: Ending with a silent "T"

• Blue: Serial killer movies:

• Purple: Starting with constellations

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 #644 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Bunch: CLUSTER, COLLECTION, CONSTELLATION, GROUP

• Ending with a silent "T": BALLET, DEBUT, RAPPORT, TAROT

• Serial Killer Movies: MONSTER, PSYCHO, SEVEN, ZODIAC

• Starting with constellations: DRACONIAN, HYDRANT, LEONARDO, LIBRARY

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 16

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

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.

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 today'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 March 16 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.

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 March 16, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A popular collectible.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter 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...

STAMP.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 16

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.

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 March 16 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 16 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Drive to survive

The words are related to racing.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are not about NASCAR.

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 FormulaOne.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for March 16

• Practice

• Sprint

• Qualifying

• Podium

• Pits

• Race

• FormulaOne

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.

AI search tools confidently spit out wrong answers at a high clip, a new study found.

Columbia Journalism Review (CJR) conducted a study in which it fed eight AI tools an excerpt of an article and asked the chatbots to identify the "corresponding article’s headline, original publisher, publication date, and URL." Collectively, the study noted that the chatbots "provided incorrect answers to more than 60 percent of queries."

SEE ALSO: How to identify AI-generated text

The mistakes varied. Sometimes, the search tool reportedly speculated or offered incorrect answers to questions it couldn't answer. Sometimes, it invented links or sources. Sometimes, it cited plagiarized versions of the real article.

Wrote CJR: "Most of the tools we tested presented inaccurate answers with alarming confidence, rarely using qualifying phrases such as 'it appears,' 'it’s possible,' 'might,' etc., or acknowledging knowledge gaps with statements like 'I couldn’t locate the exact article.'"

The full study is worth looking at, but it seems reasonable to be skeptical of AI search tools. The problem is that folks don't seem to be doing that. CJR noted that 25 percent of Americans said they use AI to search instead of traditional search engines.

Google, the search giant, is increasingly pushing AI on consumers. This month, it announced it would be expanding AI overviews and began testing AI-only search results.

The study from CJR is just another point of data showing the inaccuracy of AI. The tools have shown, time and again, that they'll confidently give wrong answers. And the tech giants are forcing AI into just about every product. So be careful what you believe out there.

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 Saturday, March 15, 2025:

AcrossHamburger meat, typically

• The answer is Beef.

Unit in photography ... or what a photograph might go in

• The answer is Frame.

Pens a letter to

• The answer is Writes.

Table manners?

• The answer is Waiters.

Famed short story writer behind "The Gift of the Magi"

• The answer is O Henry.

"Time is ___"

• The answer is Money.

Model in an anatomy classroom

• The answer is Body.

DownSpears who sang "Womanizer"

• The answer is Britney.

Restaurant

• The answer is Eatery.

Gritty material on a nail file

• The answer is Emery.

Admit the truth, with "up"

• The answer is Fess.

Someone added on Facebook

• The answer is Friend.

"Whoopee!"

• The answer is Wahoo.

Gestation station

• The answer is Womb.

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.

Google's officially retiring its Assistant tool, instead migrating users to its AI-powered Gemini.

In a blog post announcement, Google wrote: "Over the coming months, we’re upgrading more users on mobile devices from Google Assistant to Gemini; and later this year, the classic Google Assistant will no longer be accessible on most mobile devices or available for new downloads on mobile app stores."

9to5 Google reported that most people with newer phones and upgraded software will be moved to Gemini. Assistant will remain only on phones running Android 9 or earlier that don't have at least 2 GB of RAM.

SEE ALSO: Google is testing AI-only search results, expands AI Overviews

Google has recently made a concerted effort to get people to use Gemini. Last month, it pulled the tool from its search app, for instance, and redirected users to the standalone Gemini app. And it's not just phones that'll be migrating to Gemini.

Wrote Google in the blog post:

"Additionally, we’ll be upgrading tablets, cars and devices that connect to your phone, such as headphones and watches, to Gemini. We're also bringing a new experience, powered by Gemini, to home devices like speakers, displays and TVs. We look forward to sharing more details with you in the next few months. Until then, Google Assistant will continue to operate on these devices."

In short: So long Assistant, hello Gemini.

Identity theft in Australia is a serious issue. While the digital age has revolutionised the way we communicate, shop, and manage our finances, it has also introduced new vulnerabilities. Cybercriminals are constantly finding ways to exploit individuals, making identity theft more prevalent than ever.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, approximately 199,100 Australians aged 15 and over experienced identity theft during the 2022-23 financial year.

With new technology and the vast amount of personal information shared online, the damage caused by identity fraud can be extensive and devastating.

To effectively combat identity theft, it’s essential to understand how it occurs, its impact, and the proactive steps you can take to protect yourself.

What is identity theft?

Identity theft occurs when criminals steal personal information to commit fraud, whether by taking over existing accounts or opening new ones in your name.

The Australian Federal Police highlight several ways criminals can misuse stolen identities:

• Apply for a credit card in your name

• Open a bank or building society account

• Obtain loans or other financial services

• Run up debts

• Apply for government benefits

• Obtain a driver’s license or register a vehicle

• Apply for a job or passport

• Sign up for a mobile phone contract

Victims often suffer significant financial distress, as identity theft can lead to drained accounts, mounting debt, and damaged credit scores.

How does identity theft happen?

There are various ways cybercriminals obtain and misuse personal information. Some of the most common methods include:

Data Breaches
Hackers target businesses and institutions to access sensitive customer data. If your details are compromised in a breach, criminals may use them for fraudulent activities.

ATM Overlays
Skimming devices placed on ATMs can capture card details and PINs, which criminals then use to access bank accounts.

Malware & Viruses
Malicious software can infect computers and mobile devices, capturing login credentials, credit card details, and other sensitive information.

Mail Theft
Stolen mail containing bank statements, credit card offers, or personal documents can provide criminals with enough information to commit fraud.

Dumpster Diving
Discarded documents containing personal data can be retrieved and misused by identity thieves.

Change of Address Fraud
Fraudsters may redirect your mail to another location, gaining access to personal and financial information.

What are the impacts of identity theft?

The effects of identity theft can be severe, leading to financial, legal, and emotional distress.

Consider the case of Australian Sarah Luke, who fell victim to a data breach in 2022. The first signs of trouble emerged in December when cybercriminals took control of her PayPal account in a credential stuffing attack. Over two days, they used her account to buy and sell counterfeit Adidas and NBA merchandise worth over $1 million.

How can you protect yourself against identity theft?

To minimise your risk and help protect your identity in the digital age, follow these essential security practices:

• Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts. Use a password manager to generate and store complex passwords.

• Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Adding an extra layer of security helps prevent unauthorised access.

• Monitor Financial Statements: Regularly review bank and credit card statements for suspicious transactions.

• Secure Personal Documents: Shred sensitive documents before disposing of them, and store important paperwork securely.

• Beware of Phishing Scams: Avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information to unknown sources.

• Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi: Encrypt your internet connection to prevent data theft.

• Regularly Update Software: Keeping your devices and apps updated helps protect against vulnerabilities.

Can a comprehensive identity protection service help?

As an additional layer of protection, identity protection services such as Norton Identity Advisor Plus not only assist in recovering from identity theft but also help serve as a preventive measure.

Comprehensive identity protection, such as Norton Identity Advisor Plus, includes financial and social media monitoring to help monitor suspicious activity across your bank accounts and popular social media accounts, dark web monitoring to notify you if your personal information has been found on the dark web, as well as identity restoration support and identity theft insurance providing guidance and financial support in the case of identity theft.

Identity restoration support

If your identity is stolen, an identity restoration specialist will provide advice and support to help you resolve your identity theft issue by:

• Evaluating your claim of potential identity theft to provide relevant guidance

• Help guide you to resolve your identity theft issue with relevant parties, including merchants, credit card companies, financial institutions, collection agencies, government agencies or other parties and if needed make three-way mediation calls with you and relevant parties.

• Accessing over 7,000 verified merchant fraud processes worldwide, and a helping hand to get your identity theft case started

• Personal care from Restoration Specialists dedicated to your case from beginning to end, until it is resolved.

Having a dedicated identity restoration specialist can make the recovery process more manageable and help you prevent further damage.

Financial monitoring

Financial monitoring services can help you catch unknown transactions, which could be a sign of potential fraud. These services help track suspicious activity, flagging potential risks before they further escalate.

Cybercriminals frequently trade stolen credit card numbers, and data breaches often lead to millions of exposed records. Hackers use advanced tools to steal data, making financial monitoring a crucial line of defence against fraud.

Dark web monitoring

Dark web monitoring is a service that continuously searches underground online marketplaces, data dumps, and hacker forums where stolen information is traded. It notifies you if your personal information is found in these locations, giving you the chance to take preventive action.

Social media monitoring

Many individuals share personal information on social media, making them easy targets for identity theft. Social Media Monitoring service monitors your accounts across popular social media platforms, alerting you to suspicious activity, such as unauthorised logins or attempts to impersonate you.¹

Identity theft insurance

Identity theft protection services often include coverage for financial losses and legal fees related to identity theft. The aforementioned Norton Identity Advisor Plus provides Australians with:

• Up to $58K AUD in total identity-theft insurance coverage in your name:²

• Up to $25K AUD for legal expense reimbursement

• Up to $25K AUD in obligation to pay cover

• Up to $3K AUD for lost income

• Up to $5K AUD for miscellaneous expenses

Having a financial cushion can help mitigate the impact of identity fraud and ease the burden of recovery.

Take control of your digital identity

Identity theft is a growing threat in the digital age, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can help safeguard your identity. By staying vigilant, using robust security measures, and leveraging identity protection services, you can reduce your identity theft risk and navigate the digital world more confidently.

Investing in a trusted identity protection service like Norton Identity Advisor Plus provides an extra layer of security and more peace of mind in an increasingly connected world.

¹ Social Media Monitoring is not available on all social media platforms and the features differ between platforms, for details go to: Norton.com/smm. Does not include monitoring of chats or direct messages. May not identify all cyberbullying, explicit or illegal content or hate speech.

² Terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations apply. See the Identity Theft Insurance Australia Policy Information Booklet found on https://www.nortonlifelock.com/au/en/legal/ for details. Coverage provided by AIG Australia Limited AFSL 381686 (AIG). NortonLifeLock Australia Pty Ltd (Norton) act as a group purchasing body in acquiring and arranging the insurance coverage under a group policy issued by AIG to Norton. Norton does not hold an Australian financial services licence. Please obtain your own financial product advice about our services and consider the policy information booklet to determine if the coverage is right for you.

TL;DR: Live stream New Zealand vs. Pakistan 1st T20 for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy has kept fans entertained over the last few weeks, but the international cricket doesn't end there. Pakistan are heading to New Zealand to compete in a series of T20 and ODI games. Can they give their fans something to cheer for after an incredibly disappointing showing in the ICC Champions Trophy?

If you want to watch New Zealand vs. Pakistan (1st T20) for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. Pakistan (1st T20)?

The 1st T20 between New Zealand and Pakistan takes place at 9:15 p.m. ET on March 15. This ODI takes place at Hagley Oval.

How to watch New Zealand vs. Pakistan for free

New Zealand vs. Pakistan (1st T20) is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.

TVNZ+ is geo-restricted to New Zealand, 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 New Zealand, meaning you can access a free live stream of New Zealand vs. Pakistan from anywhere in the world.

Live stream New Zealand vs. Pakistan 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 New Zealand

4. Visit TVNZ+

5. Stream New Zealand vs. Pakistan for free from anywhere in the world

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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 New Zealand vs. Pakistan (1st T20) without committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream this Test series before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for TVNZ+?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand

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Considering humans don't have a spacecraft capable of traveling to planets beyond the solar system, scientists have to get creative if they want to find clues of life existing light-years away. 

Now a group of scientists is proposing a new way for astronomers to look for signs of aliens using the James Webb Space Telescope, a collaboration of NASA and the European and Canadian space agencies: look for methyl halides. 

These gases — composed of carbon, hydrogen, and a halogen, like chlorine — are mostly made by bacteria, algae, fungi, and plants. The chemicals are particularly intriguing as a potential sign of life because they can be detected in infrared light, which is Webb's viewing specialty. 

Furthermore, scientists think the gases may show up in higher concentrations around worlds with hydrogen-thick atmospheres, a type of planet Webb scientists are hunting for. These worlds, thought to have seas, are called "Hycean," combining the words "hydrogen" and "ocean." They would be among a class of planets called sub-Neptunes: smaller than Neptune but larger than Earth. 

Their larger size is what makes them easier targets to observe than small rocky worlds like Earth. 

"One of the great benefits of looking for methyl halides is you could potentially find them in as few as 13 hours with James Webb. That is similar or lower, by a lot, to how much telescope time you’d need to find gases like oxygen or methane," said Michaela Leung, a planetary scientist at the University of California in Riverside, in a statement. "Less time with the telescope means it’s less expensive."

SEE ALSO: Scientists haven't found a rocky exoplanet with air. But now they have a plan. A Hycean world is thought to have a hydrogen-thick atmosphere over an ocean. Credit: Pablo Carlos Budassi illustration

The paper, published in Astrophysical Journal Letters, follows a controversial study in 2023, wherein another team used Webb to study the planet K2-18 b's atmosphere and found a tenuous, unconfirmed chemical signal for dimethyl sulfide gas. That molecule is produced by phytoplankton, or microalgae, in Earth's waters, and because it's believed the substance is only produced by living things, the previous team suggested it could be an indication of life.

The report created a lot of hubbub among habitable world experts. Skeptics criticized the weakness of the signal and other claims in the research, such as the belief that the planet is a water world with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere. The team was convinced it was a Hycean world because Webb detected other molecules, such as methane and carbon dioxide, and no signs of ammonia, consistent with predictions for these planets. 

A study on exoplanet K2-18 b, which orbits a cool dwarf star in its so-called "habitable zone," incited controversy in 2023. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / Joseph Olmsted illustration

But one thing the debate emphasized was the need for more research on what kinds of gases Webb could be well-suited to detect, as well as which ones are good bets for biological activity. Oxygen, for example, might be impossible to detect, due to current technological constraints. 

The new paper from the UC Riverside team posits Webb could detect one particular methyl halide, methyl chloride, on Hycean planets. The amount needed for detection is about 10 parts per million, which is similar to what is found in some areas on Earth. Computer simulations showed the telescope could detect it in as few as 14 observations.

Webb observes exoplanet atmospheres using a technique called transmission spectroscopy. Credit: NASA GSFC / CIL / Adriana Manrique Gutierrez illustration

Webb conducts atmosphere studies using a technique called transmission spectroscopy. When planets cross in front of their host stars, starlight is filtered through their air. Molecules within the atmosphere absorb certain light wavelengths, or colors, so by splitting the star’s light into its basic parts — a rainbow — astronomers can detect which light segments are missing to discern the molecular makeup of an atmosphere.

One thing to note about the theorized Hycean worlds: Although scientists are curious if microbes could exist on such planets, humans would not be able to breathe in that environment. Still, if astronomers began to find methyl halides in several exoplanets' atmospheres, it could mean microbial life isn't rare in the galaxy. 

"That would reshape our understanding of life’s distribution and the processes that lead to the origins of life," Leung said. 

Andrew Patterson's sophomore feature The Rivals of Amziah King is a comedic modern Western that swerves headfirst into lurid revenge drama — all while featuring soulful musical interludes, centering on a story about stolen bees. It runs the emotional and tonal gamut akin to a South Indian blockbuster, with the requisite stylizations that make it feel enormous in scope. It's country maximalism, with a highly controlled visual approach that feels liberated, to the point of overcoming even the movie's most noticeable flaws.

It starts out incredibly strong, fumbles along the way, but recovers magnificently by throwing off the shackles of expectation (not to mention, of consistent morality). There are times when its tale of a kindly apiarist and mandolin strummer, Amziah King (Matthew McConaughey), verges on outsider art — given its whizbang unfurling and rosy view of disquieting character turns — which only makes it more meaningful when it maintains an unwavering focus on community.

In that vein, the film is equally about Amziah's foster daughter, a young Choctaw girl named Kateri (Angelina LookingGlass), who returns to their rural Oklahoma town after years away, and slowly begins to feel at home. After establishing a wistful, folksy emotional core told with the broadness of soap opera, The Rivals of Amziah King earns the right to fly off the rails, since it also earns its audience's trust enough to know they'll follow.

What is The Rivals of Amziah King about?

It's incredibly appropriate that such delicious junk food cinema opens in the dusty parking lot of a fried steak sandwich shack, where a group of musicians tunes up in preparation for the arrival of their ostensible leader. A cowboy boot hits the ground as the camera tilts up and reveals Amziah — bearded and bandanna'd, much like the film's director — joining his troupe to lead a delightful, impassioned bluegrass number.

The Rivals of Amziah King is as much about its rural setting as it is about its rollicking, Simpsons-esque plot, which builds with detailed absurdity. Soon after the movie's musical intro, Amziah — known to process and harvest honey — is sought out by the local sheriff to consult on the origins of several recovered barrels of the sugary substance.

The movie treats honey, its sale, and its manufacture with the same somberness and gravity as Breaking Bad does crystal meth. This approach becomes even more amusing when Amziah's attempts to discern the barrels' owner — with the help of some blue collar musicians looking for extra cash — results in a gory industrial accident, shot and edited with casual flair. This tips the movie over into a riotous slapstick comedy, whose premise becomes increasingly more difficult to explain to each character Amziah encounters.

As Amziah recovers from the evening's madness in a diner booth at dawn, one of the onlookers he runs into happens to be Kateri, a Native teen who once lived with him when he and his late wife fostered vulnerable youth, now working as a waitress. The realization puts the most loving smiles on both their faces. Much of the movie's first half follows Amziah not only reintroducing Kateri to the community but making her feel a part of it, regaling her with idiosyncratic stories through both speech and song.

The Rivals of Amziah King is a movie about community.

The film's musical numbers are all diegetic, and they all fit within the narrow confines of what Amziah and his band are capable of playing. However, The Rivals of Amziah King has all the energy and heightened reality of a traditional movie musical, whether or not it technically is one. You could make the argument either way, but its songs prove to be a meaningful dramatic venue for how much the reluctant Kateri does or does not feel connected to those around her, as Amziah playfully convinces her to join in the song and dance.

His rustic Southern storytelling borders on folkloric, especially how he ties bees and beekeeping into his nostalgic view of communal bonds. So, it follows that Kateri would find belonging in his employ. During this first hour, the movie's lack of overarching conflict is never a hurdle, given its good-natured allure. However, a sudden turn midway through leads to the disappearance of Amizah's entire bee colony, leaving Kateri as the center of both the narrative and a vigilante investigation into those responsible.

Up to that point, Amziah, and the film at large, have framed the bees not only as a metaphor for their town but an integral part of it as well, by approaching labor as an act of mutual good. Every element of the movie is geared towards ensuring its fabric feels collectivist and communal, even while its colorful individual characters stand out, from Owen Teague's eager fiddler, to Rob Morgan's lawyer-pianist, to Cole Sprouse's fast-food worker and tech sleuth. Perhaps the most lovable among the merry supporting cast is Amziah's buddy and beekeeping handyman played by Scott Shepherd, whose slurred speech is initially impenetrable to outsiders. But as the film goes on, both Kateria and the audience begin to understand him more clearly — as though we'd been welcomed into the community.

The Rivals of Amziah King is filled with the kind of sugary, "aww, shucks" goodness you could see McConaughey using to launch a heartland political career, but at the same time, there's nothing cynical about it. When the film eventually takes its midpoint turn, during which the bees disappear and Amziah is sidelined from the narrative, their absence is palpable. By this point, we understand intuitively how tight-knit the bonds of this small town are, from their potlucks to their gatherings to watch musical performances, and anything that hurts one of them ends up hurting them all.

This detour comes with a few downsides, including a visual language that doesn't immediately match the verve of its first half. However, the impact of those initial scenes continue to ripple and resonate, propelling The Rivals of Amziah King even during its less engaging moments.

The Rivals of Amziah King is an audio-visual treat.

Even when The Rivals of Amziah King shifts into dour territory, forcing Kateri to perform bafflingly malicious actions, the film's communal justifications remain at the back of our minds. This is in part because LookingGlass delivers such a sincere, wide-eyed performance even when turning to ostensible evil — that a turn this ludicrous works is a wonder! — but it's also owed to how unflinchingly the camera captures every physical and ethical dimension.

The film has no qualms about how destructive Kateri becomes during her revenge mission. Her actions aren't violently over the top, but they exist in the shadows and have disturbing ripple effects; at one point, she even considers poisoning a dog to get what she wants. And yet, the camera retains its adoration for her. While this more serious, straightforward second half slows down for a breather, the heroic aesthetic language it uses to capture LookingGlass seldom deviates from how Patterson shoots McConaughey in initial scenes, framing Kateri as a worthy spiritual successor to Amziah.

There's a mythic quality to both lead characters, owed to both subtle push-ins, as well as overt visual swings like speed-ramping and slow-motion during musical scenes, as well as still snapshots during energetic frolic. Each visual detail stands out, from the texture of food to the stomping of boots around the table to create rhythm — even the arhythmic sound Amziah's wedding ring makes when he taps it on the table, drawing attention to a void in his life. The film is in a state of perpetual motion and constant transformation.

Together, all these moments make The Rivals of Amziah King feel like it's floating on air. All the while, it takes you with it, making you feel like you're being lifted out of your seat, thanks to the high of a riotously funny, expertly sappy musical melodrama that borrows from the mythical image-making of traditional Westerns, but creates something wholly new.

The Rivals of Amziah King was reviewed out of its world premiere at 2025 SXSW.

Consequences, they say, collect in low places.

A new NASA analysis, using data collected from different specialized satellites, reports that sea levels rose more than expected in 2024. But as any earth scientist will emphasize, the data in any particular year isn't nearly as important as the long-term trend. And the agency's analysis shows that global sea levels have gone up over 10 centimeters, or about four inches, since 1993 when satellites started measuring ocean height, and this rate is increasing. (Overall, sea levels have risen some eight to nine inches since 1880.)

“Every year is a little bit different, but what’s clear is that the ocean continues to rise, and the rate of rise is getting faster and faster," Josh Willis, who researches sea level rise at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: What will happen when the next supervolcano erupts, according to NASA

After reporting on sea level rise — which stokes increased flooding and storm damage while threatening coastal infrastructure from sewage plants to water supplies — over the past decade, the most common responses I receive on the topic (beyond the unprintable) are either essentially "that's barely any sea level rise" or "stop sensationalizing sea level rise." It's true that four inches of sea level rise over the last few decades may not be concerning or noticeable to some people. And just four inches itself, occurring in a temporal vacuum, doesn't spell a serious problem. The problem, however, is it's not stopping at four inches.

In a previous report authored by top researchers at a diversity of U.S. agencies — the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NASA, the Department of Defense, and beyond — scientists project sea levels will rise by some 10 inches to a foot along the U.S. coast over just the next three decades. And again, it won't stop there, either. The U.S. could see several feet of sea level rise by the century's end. (Different longer-range sea level rise scenarios are shown later in this story.)

The new NASA graphic below shows the picture captured by satellites since 1993. Importantly, the rate of sea level rise increase has doubled over this period. Satellites, like the Sentinel-6/Michael Freilich spacecraft, use radar altimeters to observe sea level rise by beaming radio waves from space to the surface, which reflect off the ocean and return to the satellite.

Sea level rise as measured by earth-observing satellites since 1993. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

There are two main contributors to sea level rise. The largest contributor, at some two-thirds, is melting ice. Globally, nearly all mountain glaciers are shrinking, and much glacial water ultimately enters the ocean. What's more, the colossal ice stores on Greenland and Antarctica are melting enormous amounts of water into the sea. (The Greenland Ice Sheet, about three times the size of Texas, lost some 200 gigatons annually between 2003 and 2019. A gigaton equals 1 billion metric tonnes.) The second is thermal expansion: As the seas absorb more heat, they expand.

In 2024, however, thermal expansion played a larger role, which is little surprise as 2024 was Earth's hottest year on record (the seas absorb over 90 percent of the heat humans trap on Earth). This boosted sea level rise a bit above current annual expectations, to nearly a quarter inch. (Rising surface temperatures are part of another clear trend: The last 10 consecutive years have been the warmest 10 on record, NASA says.)

In the coming years, however, Earth's melting ice sheets will play an outsized role in sea level rise. "The ice sheets are just getting warmed up," NASA's Willis previously told Mashable.

"The ice sheets are just getting warmed up."

There is uncertainty about how much sea levels will rise by the century's end because humanity has never seen such human-caused melting before. How much water, for example, will Antarctica's destabilized, Florida-sized Thwaites Glacier dump into the oceans in the coming years? "Thwaites is the one spot in Antarctica that has the potential to dump an enormous amount of water into the ocean over the next decades," Sridhar Anandakrishnan, a professor of glaciology at Penn State University who researches Thwaites, told Mashable in 2021.

Four inches since 1993 is really just the beginning as Earth continues to warm.

The following five long-term (2050-2150) sea level rise scenarios, compiled by U.S. agencies in the comprehensive report cited above, cover a wide range of possibilities. The "low" scenario — involving an extremely ambitious climate target — requires global nations to stabilize Earth's warming at around 1.6 degrees Celsius (2.8 degrees Fahrenheit) above 19th-century temperature levels by mid-century. Compared to sea levels in 2000, the "Intermediate" scenario for the U.S. below, which projects 1.3 feet of sea level rise by 2050 and several feet by 2100, is a world warmed by around 2 degrees C (3.6 degrees F) by mid-century.

Five potential sea level rise scenarios for both the U.S. and the globe. Credit: NOAA 2022 Sea Level Rise Technical Report

Ultimately, the amount of sea level rise experienced by our descendants is up to the choices made by the most unpredictable part of the climate equation — us.

Matt Damon better watch his back, because Jon Bernthal has such electric bro-y chemistry with Ben Affleck in The Accountant 2 that the Matt-and-Ben days may be firmly behind us.

Astonishingly, this sequel to Gavin O'Connor's hit 2016 action film is rip-roaringly funny, thanks to this unexpected comedy duo. Sure, Affleck and Bernthal are both reprising their respective roles as autistic accountant Christian Wolff and his mercenary brother Braxton. But the first film kept them apart for much of its runtime. In The Accountant 2 (pronounced The Accountant Squared, according to O'Connor), Christian and Braxton are thrust together in a chaotic buddy-cop mission that makes for comical clashing along with cheer-worthy fight scenes. 

Props to O'Connor. The heralded helmer behind such popular sports dramas as Warrior and Miracle has made one of the most entertaining comedies 2025 is likely to deliver.

The Accountant 2 offers a killer new enemy, a vengeance mission, and line dancing. 

True to the first film, The Accountant 2 presents a confounding puzzle for Christian to solve. Eight years after the events of the first film, his friend from the Treasury Department, Raymond King (J.K. Simmons) winds up dead after meeting with a stoic assassin (a cool-as-ice Daniella Pineda). To achieve justice, Ray's protege Marybeth Medina (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) reaches out to the accountant for help, but her by-the-book ways instantly clash with his neurodivergent reasoning. Matters only get more explosive when Christian calls on his powder keg brother Braxton to join their squad. 

While Pineda's mysterious assassin is on a mission of her own, the brothers bicker and battle, wringing excitement out of every fight scene and laughs out of every jibe. As established in The Accountant, Christian has a very regimented way of living in his trusty Airstream RV, relying on his ever-on-call assistant Justine (Alison Wright) for research or advice on how to dress for a speed-dating event. Where Christian is the brains, trying to outwit everything, including online dating algorithms, Braxton is brawn, fueled by impulse. But both are lonely. So The Accountant 2 — on top of all its espionage rigamarole — is about their reconnecting. 

Fans of superhero movies might most relish when the former Batman and Punisher stars barrel into a high-stakes climax with many lives on the line. But anyone could be charmed by the sequence at a Los Angeles honky-tonk bar, where Braxton urges Christian to flirt back with a cute cowgirl.

Props to Affleck, who told the SXSW audience at the film's world premiere that he practiced line dancing for months to get it right. It's not just the dance moves that his intensely focused anti-hero masters, it's the expression on his face of discovery and bubbling excitement that Christian can break out of his protective shell. And just when you think this sequence can't get anymore enthralling, a fight breaks out that leads to a freeze-frame of a brawl-ready Braxton, evoking not only '80s action nostalgia but also screams of laughter from the SXSW audience. 

Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal are hilarious in The Accountant sequel. 

There are moments where The Accountant 2 feels unreal. I don't mean the movie's world feels false. I mean, it seems impossible that a studio sequel like this can exist.

On one hand, screenwriter Bill Dubuque smartly delivers on the expectations of a sequel to The Accountant, which he also penned. Essential is a fresh mystery for his unconventional sleuth to solve with a mix of brains and blood shed. Forgotten is the clumsy romance subplot with Anna Kendrick's law-abiding accountant, replaced by charmingly awkward bids to find a suitable romantic partner. Dubuque also leaned hard into the screen chemistry between Braxton and Christian, which only only became apparent in the first film's climax. And he did it with eccentric setups no one could have seen coming.

On paper, an action movie with Bernthal and Affleck should almost be guaranteed to be deeply serious, leaning into the brooding both mastered in their respective superhero projects. But we've been there, done that! What O'Connor and Dubuque tap into here is the comic brilliance of their famously intense leading men.

Affleck has gamely played a pompous clown in Matt Damon movies like The Last Duel, Air, and Good Will Hunting. But as Christian, he is solidly the straight man, vaguely bewildered by his brother's overwhelming emotions and flare for the dramatic. Yet Affleck weaves in self-satisfied smiles that give the audience a conspiratorial thrill as if we're all in on the same joke when Christian revels in his own cleverness. 

Less known for comedy, Bernthal has nonetheless becomes a fan favorite as the mercurial older brother in The Bear. As Braxton, he brings a kinetic little brother energy to his natural machismo, making a dynamic foil to Christian's reservedness. Their conflict is sparkily funny, whether they're bickering about being a dog person versus a cat person or the best course of action for an ambush.

Within that, O'Connor masterfully chisels a story of two brothers, long estranged, who teach each other how to open themselves up to a world that has frequently been a bully to them. Dubuque gives them a map of brotherly love and rivalry, providing challenges and treasure, like a daring rescue mission and a stray cat. But Affleck and Bernthal give it dimension with each shared glare, awkward back slap, and childish retort. 

That O'Connor delivered another terrifically tense thriller is no surprise. That he wove kidnapping, vengeance, action, and brotherly bonding into a wonderful feel-good movie is stunning. As was made clear at the SXSW premiere, where the audience roared with laughter and cheers throughout, The Accountant 2 is an undisputed crowdpleaser. You won't want to miss it. 

The Accountant 2 was reviewed out its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW film and television festival. The movie opens only in theaters on April 25.