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TL;DR: Live stream Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
It's time for Week 6 Sunday football as the NFL 2024 season charges on. One of today's highlights is a clash between AFC West and NFC South as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the New Orleans Saints.
Both teams got off to good starts this season as both won their opening two games. It's been a bit patchier since as Tampa Bay (3-2) took a painful overtime loss against the Atlanta Falcons on their last outing and New Orleans (2-3) are on the back end of a three-week losing streak. The Saints have also lost starting quarterback Derek Carr to an oblique tear, which could mix things up.
If you want to see the game as-it-happens, the good news is you can stream the action no matter where you are around the globe. To find out how to watch Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading.
When is Buccaneers vs. Saints?Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 13. This fixture takes place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
How to watch Buccaneers vs. Saints for freeTampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ is based in New Zealand and geo-restricted for viewers in that country only. However, you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere around the world by signing up for a VPN. VPNs are brilliant online tools that can hide your real IP address (digital location) while also connecting you to a secure server based in New Zealand. This will allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and access TVNZ+ from anywhere around the globe.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand
Visit TVNZ+
Live stream Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not technically free to use, but top VPN services usually have incentive deals such as free trial periods or money-back guarantees. Sign up for these deals to access free live streams of the NFL, and it won't cost you anything in the long run. This is obviously a short term fix, but it will give you the time you need to watch Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints before you claim back any initial investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which means a saving of 49% from the usual list price. As part of this limited-time deal you'll also receive three bonus months of usage for free along with a whole year of unlimited data backup via the cloud and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The 2024 NFL season powers through into Week 6, which sees the Colts visit the Titans. Neither franchise has exactly dazzled in AFC South so far.
On paper, Indianapolis have the advantage as they have a slightly better record of 2-3 — versus the Titans at 1-3 — but the Colts are yet to win a game on the road this season. Could that give Tennessee the edge? Whatever happens, don't miss the action. And you won't have to — even if you're halfway around the globe — with the use of a VPN.
To find out how to watch Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans for free from anywhere in the world, keep reading.
When is Colts vs. Titans?Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans starts at 1 p.m. ET on Oct. 13. This fixture takes place at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee.
How to watch Colts vs. Titans for freeIndianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ is geo-blocked outside of New Zealand, but you'll be able access this free streaming platform no matter where you are by signing up for a VPN. A VPN can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server based in New Zealand, allowing you to bypass geo-restrictions to access TVNZ+ from anywhere around the world.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand
Visit TVNZ+
Live stream Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not technically free to use, but top VPN providers usually offer free trial periods or money-back guarantees. By signing up for these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without spending anything in the long run. This is obviously a quick fix, but it will give time to watch Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans before claiming back any initial investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which saves you an impressive 49% on list price. As part of this limited-time deal you'll also receive three bonus months for free, plus a whole year of unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Finland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
England's UEFA Nations League campaign continues as they travel to Finland, and the English will have something to prove. Fans had hoped for something more dynamic when Gareth Southgate stepped down from his successful but divisive run as manager, but caretaker manager Lee Carsley hasn't completely cracked the winning formula. England conceded their first ever loss to Greece on home turf last time out, which is a cause for concern.
On paper England are still favorites, with Finland yet to win a single game in the Nations League — including a loss to England at Wembley — but England have a historical knack for letting lower-ranked teams score upset wins against them. Will it happen again to the Three Lions in Helsinki?
If you want to watch Finland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Finland vs. England?Finland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League kicks off at 5 p.m. BST on Oct. 13. This fixture takes place at Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
How to watch Finland vs. England for freeFinland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League is available to live stream for free on ITVX.
ITVX is geo-restricted to viewers in the UK only, but you can stream it from anywhere around the world — and for free — with a VPN. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) while they also connect you to a secure server based in the UK. This will allow you to access free live streams on ITVX from anywhere around the globe.
Access a free live stream of Finland vs. England by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in the UK
Visit ITVX
Stream Finland vs. England for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not free to use, but most of the top VPN providers offer generous deals, such as free trials or money-back guarantees. Take advantage of these offers to watch Finland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League, and it won't cost you a penny. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it will give you plenty of time to stream select UEFA Nations League fixtures before you recover any upfront investment.
If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.
What is the best VPN for 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 for an impressive overall saving of 49%. This plan also includes three bonus months of usage at no additional cost, a whole year of free unlimited cloud backup, and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Stream Finland vs. England in the UEFA Nations League for free with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Live stream Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears for free on TVNZ+. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The NFL action rolls on for Week 6, with this particular game — Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears — taking place in London as part of the league's annual UK showcase.
There's some positivity in the Jaguars camp after they secured their first win of the season last week, beating the Colts 37-34. But they're still only at 1-4, which means the Bears — who are on a two-week winning streak and 3-2 so far this season — stand a chance of breaking the Jaguars' optimism. Either way, the London atmosphere will make this a game that's not to be missed.
If you want to watch Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears for free from anywhere in the world, here's all the information you need.
When is Jaguars vs. Bears?Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears starts at 9.30 a.m. ET on Oct. 13. This fixture takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London.
How to watch Jaguars vs. Bears for freeJacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears is available to live stream for free on TVNZ+.
TVNZ+ is technically geo-restricted to New Zealand, but you can access this free streaming platform from anywhere around the globe 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 bypass geo-restrictions to access TVNZ+ no matter where you are.
Access free live streams of the NFL by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in New Zealand
Visit TVNZ+
Live stream Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears for free from anywhere in the world
The best VPNs for streaming are not actually free to use, but top VPNs do tend to offer free trial periods or money-back guarantee deals. By signing up for these deals, you can access free live streams of the NFL without spending anything in the long run. This is obviously a quick fix, but it gives you enough time to watch Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears before claiming back your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NFL?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream the NFL live, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including New Zealand
Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more
Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure
Fast connection speeds
Up to eight simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee
A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95, which will save you an impressive 49% on list price. With this limited-time deal you'll also get three bonus months at no extra cost, a whole year of unlimited cloud backup, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
TL;DR: Get 1TB of lifetime cloud storage with Koofr for just £91.80 when you use the promo code KOOFR40 at the Mashable Shop — no recurring fees, ever. Regularly priced at £619.79, this service is now 85% off through 27 October.
Opens in a new window Credit: Koofr Koofr Cloud Storage: Lifetime Subscription (1TB) £91.80 at the Mashable ShopIf you're sick of paying monthly for cloud storage and/or running out of space on your devices, it’s time to break the cycle. With Koofr’s lifetime subscription, you get 1TB of cloud storage for a one-time payment of £91.80 with coupon code KOOFR40 through 27 October, giving you all the space you need without the recurring fees.
This deal is useful for anyone tired of juggling multiple cloud accounts or worrying about running out of space. Whether you're storing photos, videos, or countless documents, 1TB gives you a lot of room to breathe — enough for around 250,000 12MP photos, 500 hours of HD video, or an impressive 6.5 million document pages.
But storage isn’t all Koofr has to offer. Their Duplicate Finder tool is a lifesaver for anyone who’s ever wasted time searching for that one file buried under duplicates. Koofr also plays nice with your existing cloud accounts, so you can connect Dropbox, Google Drive, Amazon, and OneDrive all in one place. No more hopping between platforms.
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For a one-time payment of £91.80 (reg. £619.97) with promo code KOOFR40, this deal on a lifetime subscription to 1TB of Koofr Cloud Storage is one you don’t want to miss. Save 85% when you sign up through the Mashable Shop through 27 October at 11:59 p.m. PT.
StackSocial prices subject to change.
TL;DR: Live stream Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA preseason for free on Ran.de. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.
The new NBA season is just around the corner, but first we've got a bunch of interesting preseason games to get through. There are always so many questions at the start of a new season, and preseason often provides some answers. Sure, the biggest stars are unlikely to play a major part in preseason games, but you can still spot talented rookies and useful rotation players.
The next preseason game sees the Miami Heat take on the New Orleans Pelicans. Both teams will be looking to improve on last season and progress further in the playoffs.
If you want to watch Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA preseason for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.
When is Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans?Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA preseason starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on Oct. 13. This game takes place at the Kaseya Center.
How to watch Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans for freeMiami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans is available to live stream for free on Ran.de.
Ran.de is geo-restricted to Germany, 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 Germany, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the NBA preseason from anywhere in the world.
Live stream Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans for free on Ran.de by following these simple steps:
Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)
Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)
Open up the app and connect to a server in Germany
Visit Ran.de
Watch Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans for free from anywhere in the world
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 gain access to free live streams of the NBA preseason without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans before recovering your investment.
What is the best VPN for the NBA?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport, for a number of reasons:
Servers in 105 countries including Germany
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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.
Live stream Miami Heat vs. New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA preseason for free with ExpressVPN.
Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.
If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for October 13's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 13 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once.
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Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.
What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.
What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.
Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 13 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 13 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Lying down.
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 P.
SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 13 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...
PRONE.
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.
If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.
Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.
Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 12's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 13 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 deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
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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 deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 13 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Antler not included
Green: Acme was here
Blue: Worn on legs
Purple: Jelly not included
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow - Made of Keratin
Green - Road Runner Cartoon Staples
Blue - Kinds of Pants
Purple - ___ Roll
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 #489 is...
What is the answer to Connections todayMade of Keratin: Claw, Hoof, Horn, Nail
Road Runner Cartoon Staples: Anvil, Boulder, Coyote, TNT
Kinds of Pants: Capri, Cargo, Hammer, Stirrup
___ Roll: California, Drum, Egg, Honor
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 13If 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.
Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.
Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.
If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 13's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.
SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 13 What is Connections Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.
Tweet may have been deletedEach puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.
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Apple iPad 10.2" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (2021 Release) — $199.00 (List Price $329.00)
TP-Link Tapo C120 2K QHD Security Camera — $24.99 (List Price $39.99)
65" Hisense U6 Series 4K Mini-LED ULED Smart TV (2024 Model) — $597.99 (List Price $799.99)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds (Black) — $229.00 (List Price $299.00)
Geekom A8 Ryzen 9 2TB SSD 32GB RAM Mini Desktop — $721.00 (List Price $849.00)
Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Player With Remote (2023 Model) — $39.99 (List Price $59.99)
If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.
Tweet may have been deletedPlayers can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.
SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 13 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categoriesWant a hit about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:
Yellow: Change teams
Green: Dunk not included
Blue: One star field generals
Purple: Family athletes
Need a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:
Yellow - Trade
Green - Basketball Moves
Blue - NFL Rookie QBs
Purple - Famous Sporting Sisters
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 #20 is...
What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition todayYellow - Trade: Deal, Exchange, Move, Swap
Green - Basketball Moves: Cut, Drive, Jump, Pivot
Blue - NFL Rookie QBs: Daniels, Maye, Nix, Penix
Purple - Famous Sporting Sisters: Force, Lewis, Ogwumike, Williams
Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.
Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.
SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 13If 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.
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 MashableBy providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.
If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.
SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 13 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 13 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Time to get cozyThese words look great with pumpkin spice lattes.
Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedWarm autumn clothes and accessories.
NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.
NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Fallfashion.
Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 13Scarf
Cardigan
Flannel
Fallfashion
Sweater
Fleece
Vest
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.
This year's harsh string of layoffs continues with Boeing being the latest company to announce cuts to its workforce.
The airplane manufacturing company will lay off 10 percent of its workforce — roughly 17,000 jobs. Job cuts will include executives, middle management, and employees.
SEE ALSO: NASA thinks it found a moon light-years away spewing gasThe decision was announced to employees in a message from President and CEO Kelly Ortberg who took over just two months ago. He wrote that in order to restore the company "tough decisions" and "structural changes" needed to be made to "stay competitive." Ortberg also announced Boeing will delay the release of its new plane the 777X to 2026 and will stop building the 767 Freighter after fulfilling orders.
According to the Associated Press, Boeing has lost $25 billion since the start of 2019.
Perhaps coincidentally, the layoffs have happened as some 33,000 union machinists have gone on strike — bringing Boeing's airplane production of some of its best-selling planes to a halt. The company, however, continues to build 787s at a non-union plant. The strike is a huge hit to Boeing's earnings as it receives money for the planes when they are delivered to customers. The striking workers seek an increase in wages that matches the increase in cost of living.
Thus, Boeing's disatourous year continues. In January, it came under fire after Alaska Airlines had to ground 737 Max 9 planes after the door plug blew off midair. Then in July, Boeing pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to defraud the government after two crashes in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people. The company also lost millions of dollars due to the issues with Starliner — notably stranding two astronauts on the ISS until Feb. 2025.
Do the voices in the "in da clerb, we all fam" soundbite circulating on TikTok sound vaguely familiar? Do they perhaps bring you back to a time of bandage dresses and mustache prints before weed was legal in New York City? That's because they are the voices of Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer on their hit show Broad City.
SEE ALSO: Charli XCX's 'Brat and it's completely different but also still brat' is here and hype lives onBroad City's last episode may have aired in 2019, but if TikTok is any indication Jacobson and Glazer's absurdist, stoner humor still resonates. In the clip that now soundtracks over 70,000 videos, Abbi asks, "Do you know them?" and Ilana responds, "No, but in da clerb, we all fam." Abbi doesn't understand and Ilana repeats it before saying, "In da club, we are all family, are you racist?"
Everyone from Charli XCX and Troye Sivan to Sabrina Carpenter has lip-synched to the video, often with a caption detailing a misunderstanding or situation where "we all fam." For example, Charli XCX and Sivan's video reads, "re: the twinks in the crowd at Sweat" about their joint tour. Carpenter's said, "My 30-year-old fans trying to talk to my 12-year-old fans."
The sound wasn't uploaded to TikTok with the visual of Abbi and Ilana making its origin hard to pin down for many. But the scene has been beloved among Broad City fans. A YouTube video of it posted 8 years ago has over 80,000 views. The comments section is riddled with years-old messages like, "This still makes me laugh out loud" and "I think about this scene a lot."
Some fans are frustrated with the dialogue being seen as TikTok slang. One X user wrote, "They're calling these Broad City lines 'Tiktok speak' in the quotes guys this is a nightmare. My culture is not a costume. Halloween is coming up, be conscious, listen and learn."
Tweet may have been deletedThe trend became further decontextualized when it morphed into a meme on X. Users are captioning a wide variety of photos of groups of people with, "in da clerb, we all fam." Films like Bottoms and Bodies, Bodies, Bodies have gotten the "in da clerb, we all fam" treatment as well as shows like Succession and The Sex Lives of College Girls. The phrase is also being used to caption symbols of fandom. One clever post references Chappell Roan's reading, "in the pink pony clerb, we all fam."
Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deletedSo, for now, "in da clerb, we all fam" is the turn of phrase du jour — until a new soundbite is pulled out of obscurity and forced into our cultural consciousness.
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 MashableOctober Prime Day: Here's the latest news on the deals
Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Saturday, October 12, 2024:
AcrossHad sore musclesThe answer is Ached.
The answer is Strudel.
The answer is Alabama.
The answer is Law.
The answer is Mot.
The answer is End Date.
The answer is Stammer.
The answer is Adzes.
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The answer is Atlanta.
The answer is Crawdad.
The answer is Hub.
The answer is Edamame.
The answer is Demotes.
The answer is Sales.
The answer is Later.
The answer is DMZ.
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 GamesAre 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.
Scientists have never actually seen a moon orbiting a planet other than the ones in this solar system. An exomoon, a companion to an exoplanet, likely would be too tiny and far away for telescopes to resolve.
But a new NASA study may have found a clue that one is orbiting a planet some 635 light-years from Earth. The inference comes from a vast sodium cloud spotted in space. Whatever is causing it produces about 220,000 pounds of sodium per second.
The research suggests a rocky moon circling exoplanet WASP-49 b, a Saturn-sized gas giant discovered in 2017, is the source. That could mean the distant world is accompanied by a moon like Jupiter's Io — a highly volcanic place, blasting out its own massive cloud of gasses 1,000 times wider than Jupiter.
"The evidence is very compelling that something other than the planet and star are producing this cloud," said Rosaly Lopes, a planetary geologist who co-authored the study, in a statement. "Detecting an exomoon would be quite extraordinary, and because of Io, we know that a volcanic exomoon is possible."
SEE ALSO: Webb telescope finds first clear evidence of a 'steam world' An exomoon could be the source of a bewildering sodium cloud found around an exoplanet. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech illustrationThis is not the first time astronomers have suspected an exomoon was lurking in their data. There have been exomoon candidates discovered in the past, though confirming their existence is much more difficult. Scientists such as Apurva Oza, once a postdoctoral researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, are interested in finding unconventional ways to detect them for what they could represent: Moons throughout the galaxy could also potentially offer habitable conditions for life, even if their host planets don't.
That's why Oza wanted to return to studying WASP-49 b to further investigate the source of its bewildering cloud. Researchers used a ground-based telescope to observe the silhouettes of the cloud and the exoplanet as they passed in front of the host star.
At one point, they noticed that the cloud was moving faster than WASP-49 b and away from Earth. If the cloud were coming from the exoplanet, they figured they would have seen it moving toward Earth. The observation led them to conclude that the cloud was coming from a separate source, according to the paper recently published in Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Exoplanet WASP-49 b could have an exomoon similar to Jupiter's Io, a highly volcanic world pumping gasses into space. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech illustration"We think this is a really critical piece of evidence," said Oza, a staff scientist at Caltech and the lead author, in a statement. "The cloud is moving in the opposite direction that physics tells us it should be going if it were part of the planet’s atmosphere."
The team's research provided other clues that an exomoon was making the cloud. Both the planet and the star are mostly made of the lightest elements, hydrogen and helium, with hardly any sodium. Seemingly neither has enough to be responsible for the cloud. Scientists also used the European Southern Observatory’s Very Large Telescope in Chile to see that the cloud hovers high above the exoplanet's atmosphere — just like the cloud Io envelops around Jupiter.
Next the team developed computer models to see if an exomoon could be the cloud's catalyst. Their simulations found that a moon with a snug eight-hour orbit around the planet could explain the cloud's motion — the way it seemed to sometimes drift in front of the planet and how it didn't appear to be tied to any particular region of the alien world.
Jupiter's moon Io, seen in multiple views above, is the most volcanically active world in our solar system. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / SwRI / MSSSScientists can't say anything definitive about the exomoon because it's just a candidate. But here's what astronomers know about Io, the third-largest Jovian moon out of 95. Io is the most volcanic world in the solar system. Astronomers believe hundreds of volcanoes spew fountains that reach dozens of miles high.
Jupiter's gravity squeezes Io's core as the moon moves closer, then slackens as it moves farther away. This swelling and contracting causes Io's interior to heat up, triggering tidal volcanism.
Scientists will need to continue observing this cloud to confirm its behavior, so the team is likely a long way from knowing with certainty if they have proof of an exomoon. Still, the results are thrilling for Oza, who believes looking for gas clouds — perhaps an order of magnitude larger than their source — could be an indirect method of finding habitable moons in other star systems.
NASA's Europa Clipper spacecraft is in for a wild ride.
The launch of this mission to explore the ocean world Europa — a Jupiter moon that harbors an ocean perhaps twice the volume of all Earth's seas — was interrupted by the imposing Hurricane Milton, but its 1.8-billion-mile journey is imminent. The craft will make nearly 50 close flybys of Europa's cracked, icy shell, using a number of high-resolution cameras, a ground-penetrating radar, and even a device that will literally sample particles of Europa that have been ejected into space by tiny meteorites.
The mission will gather copious amounts of information, enough to discern whether or not Europa harbors conditions that could host life beneath its ice shell.
"It's perhaps one of the best places beyond Earth to look for life in our solar system," Cynthia Phillips, a NASA planetary geologist and project staff scientist for the space agency's Europa Clipper mission, told Mashable.
The repeated reconnaissance will require the craft to make perfectly timed loops around Jupiter as it intersects Europa's orbit, which NASA shows in the animation below.
SEE ALSO: Aliens haven't contacted us. Scientists found a compelling reason why.Here's what you're watching (a short ad plays first):
- Center orange dot: Jupiter
- Blue dot: Europa
- Gray, red, and yellow dots: Respectively Jupiter's other three large moons — Io, Ganymede, and Callisto
- Magenta: That's Europa Clipper "lopping in and out," NASA explained.
There's also a timestamp on the top right showing the mission's planned flight between April and July 2032.
"The relative intensity of Jupiter's radiation bands is illustrated in this diagram," NASA explains, with darker reds depicting more radiation. Both Europa and Europa Clipper's orbits are depicted in the graphic. Credit: NASAThis looping trajectory is also designed to limit the spacecraft's exposure to extreme radiation. "The charged particle environment at Europa's location is immense," Phillips said.
That's because Jupiter, a gas giant planet 317 times more massive than Earth, generates a massive magnetic field shooting out between 600,000 to 2 million miles (1 to 3 million kilometers) toward the sun. It's created by the planet's liquid metal core, which spins and creates electrical currents (moving electric charges make magnetic fields). Crucially, this magnetic field grabs and then accelerates particles from the relentless solar wind — a stream of rapidly traveling charged particles emitted by the sun — which creates potent radiation belts around Jupiter, as depicted above.
"You get out of there."(Decades ago, during the Voyager mission, NASA's engineers were worried about the craft passing by Jupiter. A person hypothetically riding aboard Voyager as it passed Jupiter would have gotten hit with a radiation dose 1,000 times the lethal level.)
Not all of Europa Clipper's electronics and software can be housed in a metal vault, so looping by the moon for relatively brief periods will limit impacts from charged particles, which can damage computer chips and electronics. During each orbit around Jupiter, the craft will spend under a day in an irradiated zone before swooping out. It won't return for between two to three weeks.
"You get out of there," Phillips said.
Tweet may have been deletedAfter journeying through the solar system, the craft is expected to reach Jupiter in 2030, and soon after begin its orbital dance through the Jovian system. If it appears habitable, NASA plans to return to Europa and land a robot on the icy crust. Such an endeavor would drill into the ice, looking to see if the moon is inhabited.
Everyone's favorite bio-exorcist made his triumphant return to the theater last month with Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. The sequel took the box office by storm, which comes as little surprise given that it's nearly four decades in the making. The film once again sees Tim Burton back in the director's chair and stars Michael Keaton as the titular character, alongside Winona Ryder's Lydia Deetz and Catherine O'Hara's Delia Deetz. Jenna Ortega, Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci, and Arthur Conti have also joined in the fun.
Though it just hit theaters in September, Warner Bros. did us all a solid and made the hit sequel available to watch at home. We're still unsure when it will make its streaming debut, but you can now purchase or rent the film on VOD as of Oct. 8. Here's everything you need to know about how to watch Beetlejuice 2 from the comfort of your couch.
What is Beetlejuice 2 about?After the unexpected death of patriarch Charles, the Beetlejuice sequel follows the Deetz family as they head back to Winter River. Lydia's (Ryder) rebellious teenage daughter Astrid (Ortega), who doesn't believe in ghosts, discovers the model of the town Adam Maitland made in the first film and haphazardly opens up the portal to the afterlife. Obviously, that's when we're reunited with Beetlejuice (Keaton) himself and all kinds of chaos ensues.
Take a sneak peek at the spooky sequel in the official trailer below:
Is the Beetlejuice sequel worth watching?Beetlejuice Beetlejuice hit theaters in early Sept. and continues to dominate the box office, surpassing Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets on Warner Bros.'s all-time box office list and becoming Burton's second-highest grossing film ever. Of course, the numbers only matter if the content can back them up. And according to reviews, it certainly does.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Beetlejuice 2 has a 77 percent critic rating and an 80 percent audience rating. As Mashable's own film editor, Kristy Puchko, wrote in her review, "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is pure Burton, passionate, untethered, and indulgent. Fans of the original movie will have plenty of reason to cheer, and even more to cackle."
Read our full review of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
How to watch Beetlejuice Beetlejuice at home Credit: Warner Bros.Thankfully, Warner Bros. didn't make us wait too long. Just a little over a month after the Beetlejuice sequel made its theatrical debut, it became available to watch at home via video-on-demand sites like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home (Vudu). You can either purchase the film for your digital collection or rent it for 30 days. If you'd rather stream the movie instead, scroll on to learn more.
As of Oct. 8, you can purchase and rent the film at the following retailers:
Prime Video — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
Apple TV — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
Fandango at Home (Vudu) — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
YouTube — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
Google Play — buy for $24.99, rent for $19.99
Note: Renting a film gives you 30 days to watch and just 48 hours to finish once you begin.
Is Beetlejuice 2 streaming?There's no official streaming date yet for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, but as a Warner Bros. film, we know it will eventually make its streaming debut on Max alongside the OG film from 1988.
If you want to be prepared for when the film does eventually land on the streamer, you can sign up for a Max subscription ahead of time. Plus, you can catch back up with the ghost with the most and watch the original movie while you wait. Subscriptions start at $9.99 per month, but there are some ways you can save money on your plan. Check out the best Max streaming deals below.
Best Max streaming deal for most people: Save 16% on Max with ads annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max (with ads) yearly subscription $99.99 per year (save 16%) Watch NowIf you don't mind a few ads here and there, Max subscriptions start at just $9.99 per month. You can wait and sign up for a single month of streaming once the Beetlejuice sequel is released, then cancel before you're charged for another. Or, you could stick around for the long haul and save some money. An annual plan with ads will run you $99.99 per year, which breaks down to just $8.33 per month. That's 16% in savings compared to the monthly plan. The only downside is that you have to splurge on a full year upfront.
Best Max deal with no ads: Save 16% on a Max Ad-Free annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max (No Ads) annual subscription $169.99 per year (save 16%) Watch NowIf ads are a deal breaker for you, there are two tiers to choose from: Max Ad-Free and Max Ultimate Ad-Free. The basic ad-free tier costs $16.99 per month, while the Max Ultimate tier costs $20.99 per month. We recommend choosing a yearly plan instead, however, as you'll save about 16%. It'll only cost you $169.99 per year (about $14.17 per month) for Max Ad-Free or $209.99 per year (about $17.50 per month) for Max Ultimate.
Note: Both tiers offer an ad-free viewing experience, but the Ultimate tier takes things a step further with 4K Ultra HD video quality and Dolby Atmos immersive audio.
Best Max deal for Cricket customers: Free Max with ads for customers on the $60/month unlimited plan Opens in a new window Credit: Cricket / Max Max (with ads) Free for Cricket customers on the $60/month plan Watch NowIf ever there was a reason to sign up for Cricket Wireless, here it is: Cricket customers on the $60 per month unlimited plan get Max with ads for free. That's a $99.99 per year value for zero dollars. If you're on the $60 per month plan, just head over to the Max app (or navigate to Max.com), choose Cricket as your provider, and enter your credentials to login. Then you're free to watch whatever you want, whenever you want — including Beetlejuice Beetlejuice once it's released. Check out the terms and conditions on Cricket's website to learn more. If you're wanting to watch the sequel for free, this is currently your only option.
Best Max deal for students: Save 50% on Max with ads monthly for one year Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max Student $4.99 per month for 12 months Get DealCollege students can score 50% off the ad-supported monthly subscription to Max for 12 months, dropping the price down to just $4.99 per month. You'll just have to verify your student status with UNiDAYS, which will give you a unique discount code, then head back over to Max and redeem your code to stream for half price.
Best bundle deal: Get Max, Disney+, and Hulu for up to 38% off Opens in a new window Credit: Disney / Hulu / Max Disney+, Hulu, and Max $16.99 per month (with ads), $29.99 per month (no ads) Get DealIt's not the cheapest option for watching Beetlejuice 2, but you can get the most bang for your buck in the long run with this new bundle deal — especially if you already subscribe to Hulu or Disney+. The latest bundle gives viewers access to Max, Hulu, and Disney+ with ads for only $16.99 (reg. $25.97) per month or ad-free for $29.99 (reg. $48.97) per month, which is up to 38% in savings.
Blitz is what you get when you combine Oscar–winning writer/director Steve McQueen (Shame, 12 Years A Slave), the works of Charles Dickens, and the third act of Atonement. And while each of these parts may sound promising by themselves, the final combination proves frustratingly uneven.
SEE ALSO: 42 movies you'll want to see this fallThere's no doubt that McQueen's World War II epic is among the most well-crafted films of the year, boasting some genuinely pulse-pounding sequences and lavish set pieces. But too often, this story of a mother and son weathering the Blitz in London falls into clichés that smother any elements setting it apart from other films portraying this era.
What's Blitz about? Credit: Apple TV+Blitz drops us into London in 1940, where air raid sirens sound nightly to warn citizens of incoming German bombers. A shortage of bomb shelters leaves throngs of Londoners stranded in the streets, calling for the government to open up the Underground stations. Amidst all this chaos, parents evacuate their children to the countryside in order to keep them safe.
One such parent is single mother Rita (Saoirse Ronan, The Outrun), who's held off as long as possible on sending her son George (newcomer Elliott Heffernan) away. When she finally relents, George is less than understanding. "I hate you," he tells her, before boarding the train out of London without a proper goodbye.
SEE ALSO: 'Disclaimer' review: Cate Blanchett and Alfonso Cuarón's thriller series will shatter youDevastated, Rita tries to go about life as usual (or as usual as life can be during wartime), working in a munitions factory and volunteering at a shelter. Little does she know that George jumped off his train to the country and is fighting his way back home to her.
Blitz toggles between Rita's day-to-day life and George's journey through London, with the occasional flashback to their family life or to Rita's time with George's Grenadian father Marcus (C.J. Beckford). These parallel stories play out in fragmented chapters, with neither mode of storytelling quite gelling with the other. Rita remains relatively static in London, allowing McQueen to hit on some standard WWII film tropes like a BBC broadcast to boost morale or a night out singing in the face of adversity.
George, on the other hand, experiences a true Dickensian odyssey. He'll cross paths with a number of characters ranging from kindly Nigerian night watchman Ife (Benjamin Clementine) to a group of street thieves led by the almost comically evil Albert (Stephen Graham) and Beryl (Kathy Burke), who force George to join up in what might be the film's most Oliver Twist-inspired section. But with so much going on in Rita and George's worlds, Blitz barely finds time to let its most interesting elements breathe.
Blitz's George shows WWII-era London through a perspective not often seen in film. Credit: Apple TV+Most of these elements come from our time with George, as we experience the Blitz from his childish perspective. The barrage of bombs obviously presents a mortal danger to him, but there are other obstacles for a nine-year-old around every corner that an adult may not bat an eye at. In one of the film's funniest scenes, for example, George does his best to take in a very complicated set of bus directions — a sweet detail that emphasizes just how very small he is in the scale of this conflict.
George's relationship to race also makes for one of Blitz's most poignant throughlines. Half-Grenadian, and the only Black child on the train out of London, George experiences racism from everyone, from his fellow evacuees to shopkeepers who shoo him away. These instances puncture the idea of British unity in the face of the Blitz, a reminder that the motivational wartime slogan to "keep calm and carry on" also extends to the carrying-on of ugly behaviors.
SEE ALSO: 'The Apprentice' review: Donald Trump biopic's secret weapon is Roy CohnYet George finds camaraderie in his journey as well, as Clementine's Ife gently prompts George to reconsider his ideas of Blackness. The two meet in the Empire Arcade, a covered walkway lined with racist caricatures of Black men and women. It's evident George buys into these depictions somewhat: He laughs at Ife's Yoruba name and tells him that he doesn't think of himself as Black. But the time Ife and George spend together clearly makes an impact on him, making for one of Blitz's most quietly affecting sections. Given how World War II films predominantly center white perspectives, George's journey of self-discovery is not only a moving examination of identity but a necessary addition to the genre.
Blitz is beautiful, but often relies on clichés. Credit: Apple TV+It's a shame, then, that George's story and the holes it punches in the mythology surrounding the Blitz are often overshadowed by clichés that uphold that very mythology. Among these are multiple rousing bomb shelter speeches. Even Ife gets in on the action, with a monologue about how racism and division within one shelter is no different than what the Germans want — an on-the-nose sentiment that somewhat undercuts the film's prior handling of the subject. But as McQueen leans into genre staples like these speeches, or Rita running after George's train as it departs, or a harrowing underground flooding sequence (hello, Atonement PTSD), perhaps that embrace of the Blitz mythology is the point. Even if that stoic Blitz spirit really did exist, was there room in it for those white UK citizens considered "other"?
As McQueen grapples with this question, he also brings the Blitz to stunning life with tried-and-true tricks frequently seen in WWII movies. The bombed streets of London blaze with orange flames, while German aircraft loom overhead in the pitch-black night. Long one-take shots make sure we duck and weave through the action alongside George, positioning us firmly in his point of view as he's overwhelmed with the chaos. Booming sound design featuring air raid sirens and the deep rumble of bombs evokes chills.
Yet among all that fairly familiar imagery are some distinctive sequences that make you wish McQueen had taken more risks with Blitz. The opening focuses on an out-of-control firehose thrashing around on a burning street, a promise of chaos to come. The blur of the oceans beneath the German planes melds into a field of black-and-white daisies. A standout long take guides us through a joyous night at a dance hall, only to cut to its bombed-out remains moments later. If Blitz's story sometimes falters, at least these moments are riveting to experience.
The same goes for many of Blitz's performances. Ronan imbues Rita with both magnificent warmth and deep worry for her son, and Heffernan shines in his breakout role, bringing a still thoughtfulness to even the most harrowing scenes. Graham and Burke are delightfully fun as thieving villains, and Clementine grounds his scenes with George in a firm, quiet kindness. However, some members of the ensemble feel unfortunately underused: Harris Dickinson (Babygirl) gets very little to do as pining fireman Jack, and Leigh Gill's (Joker: Folie à Deux) shelter marshall Mickey is instantly magnetic, yet mostly presented as an avatar of Blitz heroics.
The untapped potential of these cast members speaks to Blitz's largest problem: It feels like it's trying to be too many movies at once. The film crams so much into its two-hour runtime — from munitions factory tensions to precocious runaway children to the barest hints of romance — that by the time it reaches its sweet, yet slightly perfunctory-feeling ending, you'll feel as if you've dipped your toes in several beautifully rendered perspectives of the Blitz, yet fully inhabited very few.
Blitz was reviewed out of the New York Film Festival. It hits theaters Nov. 1, then premieres on Apple TV+ Nov. 22.
Mars' irradiated surface is a godforsaken place.
And yet there may be shallow pools of water near the Martian surface, a place 1,000 times drier than the driest desert on Earth. NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter — a satellite that's been orbiting Mars for nearly two decades — spotted white material lining dry gullies on Mars. The space agency, which recently released the image below, suspects it's dusty water ice that could heat up and form pools, similar to processes on our planet.
"Scientists believe dust particles within this ice act similarly to dust that falls onto glaciers on Earth, warming up in sunlight and causing subsurface pockets of meltwater to form," NASA explained.
"These pockets of water on our planet are often teeming with simple life, including algae, fungi, and cyanobacteria," the agency added. "Scientists believe similar shallow pools of water could exist on Mars, and may also be excellent places to search for life on the Red Planet today."
SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.Such glacial dust on Earthly glaciers creates phenomena called "cryoconite holes," which can cover glaciers by the hundreds or more. One is depicted in the second image below.
Although the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter wields a giant camera that can "see features as small as a kitchen table" from its orbit 155 to 196 miles above the surface in space, it can't detect any potential shallow pools. But the image clearly shows the white patches on the Mars gullies in an area called Terra Sirenum. (The blue seen at the gullies' bottom is coarse sand, a color not visible with the human eye but viewed here in infrared light wavelengths.)
The areas of white show pockets of dusty water ice on the edges of Martian gullies, NASA says. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / University of Arizona A cryoconite hole on the Isunnguata Sermia glacier in Greenland. Credit: Sean Gallup / Getty ImagesThere are many gullies on Mars today, but they're not created by any flowing water. Rather, planetary scientists suspect that carbon dioxide frost seasonally transitions from a solid to a gas (a process called sublimation), and provides "lubrication" for Martian soil and rocks to move downhill. Blocks of ice might even sled down the sides of Martian craters or other terrain.
Mars, which has lost most of its insulating atmosphere, can't support much liquid water on its surface anymore — but there could be bounties of water deep underground.
Planetary scientists recently used unprecedented data collected by the space agency's InSight lander, which recorded geologic activity on Mars for four years, to reveal that water may exist many miles down in the Martian crust. The research, which invites further investigation, may explain where bounties of the Red Planet's water went as the world dried up, and suggests that Mars may host hospitable environs for life.
"We identified the Martian equivalent of deep groundwater on Earth," Michael Manga, a planetary scientist at UC Berkeley who coauthored the new research, told Mashable.
For now, NASA's car-sized rovers explore the past remains of Martian lakes and rivers for past habitability and potential evidence of Martian life — if it ever existed, that is.
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