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At this point, Punch the monkey no longer belongs to the zoo. He belongs to the internet.

The 7-month-old macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo first went viral for clinging to a stuffed animal after being abandoned by his mother. (She was just stressed out!) People projected onto him immediately — his loneliness, his resilience, his need for comfort. They rooted for him as if he were the Chosen One in a modern fantasy novel.

SEE ALSO: The internet is worried about Punch the monkey. The zoo says he's OK.

And like any good main character, people want updates. Lots of them. So we're here to provide them to you. For example, just look at this recent clip of Punch jumping into his enclosure:

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Concern for Punch reached such a fever pitch that even joking criticism of him hasn't gone over well. When comedian Jon Stewart mentioned Punch during a recent taping of The Daily Show, audience members booed at the mere suggestion of anything negative happening to the baby monkey. The moment was brief, but telling.

Despite his name, people don't want the little monkey to be a punchline. They want him to be safe. They want him to be happy. Mostly, they want him to be OK.

So, what is Punch doing now?

According to the most recent updates from visitors to the Ichikawa City Zoo, Punch is continuing to slowly integrate with the other macaques.

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He still carries his stuffed animal — his emotional support orangutan from IKEA and the object that made him famous — but he's also spending more time exploring his enclosure and interacting with other monkeys. He's even found himself a bit of a bodyguard within the enclosure.

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According to a Feb. 23 update from one of his keepers, Punch has been having a lot more fun with the other baby monkeys in the enclosure.

"From what I could see, there were no scenes of him being scolded, and he was observed playing with the other baby monkeys," the keeper wrote on the zoo's official X account. "During mealtime, he came down from the keeper’s foot on his own and started eating by himself. He continues to do well."

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That last detail is especially significant. For the first five months of his life, Punch was hand-raised by zoo staff, forming a close bond with the keepers who fed and cared for him. During meals, he often clung to them for comfort instead of eating alongside the other monkeys. Now, he's starting to let go.

Choosing to eat on his own may seem like a small step. But for Punch, it's a sign of something much bigger: independence. A growing confidence. Proof that he's slowly learning how to be a monkey among other monkeys.

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There are other small but meaningful signs of progress, too. In recent videos shared by zoogoers, Punch can be seen learning to groom by observing a larger monkey carefully picking through another's fur and mimicking the social behavior that helps macaques bond with one another.

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In another clip, Punch wobbles forward on two legs, a stick in hand. The posture is tentative, almost childlike. And it's really adorable.

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He's also learned to open doors — a fantastic new skill.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. How can you help Punch?

The outpouring of concern for Punch has been so intense that people have begun asking how they can help or donate directly to Ichikawa City Zoo.

In a recent post on its official social media accounts, the zoo said it has received "a large number of inquiries" about sending money or goods to support Punch and the zoo. Details about an official donation system will be announced soon, the zoo said.

But officials also issued a clear warning: any fundraising efforts not announced through the zoo's official channels are not authorized.

SEE ALSO: Punch the monkey's emotional support plushie is from IKEA. Buy it before it sells out.

"Apart from the announcements made here, the various support activities for our zoo or Punch that are currently being called for in different forms are not officially endorsed,” the zoo wrote. “Please be aware that we cannot take responsibility for any troubles that may arise."

Punch's story has become so global that the zoo says it's now receiving a surge of phone calls from overseas. Staff noted they're unable to respond to inquiries in languages other than Japanese, a sign of just how far concern for the tiny macaque and his Oran Mama plushie has spread.

So, TL;DR — Don't harass the zoo. Punch is doing OK. You can all exhale now.

SAVE UP TO 30%: Through Feb. 26, Southwest promo code ONBOARD saves you up to 30% on select base fares for Southwest flights to the continental U.S. and inter-island HI between April 7 and May 20.

Opens in a new window Credit: Southwest Southwest sale: Up to 30% off base fares   Get Deal

A ray of hope for the northeast U.S. population who has really had enough of the snow, thank you: Through Feb. 26, Southwest plane tickets are up to 30% off for travel this spring break season. Of course, you don't have to be flying from (or flying to) the blizzard zone to take advantage of this Southwest sale — the deal applies to the whole continental U.S. and inter-island Hawaii. Use code ONBOARD to see flight discounts for travel between April 7 and May 20, 2026.

Yes, Southwest makes you pay for bags now. But you could end up saving enough on roundtrip tickets that it ends up covering the $35 each way you would have paid for luggage. Once you plug your destination in and enter code ONBOARD, you can use Southwest's Low Fare Calendar to get an overview of daily fares for a two-month window. The lowest fares will appear crossed out with the new discounted cost. In my own personal research (Philly to Orlando or Philly to Las Vegas), I'm seeing a ton of flights for $40 off each way on multiple days of the week.

iSO 26.4 beta 2 has launched for developers, and there's plenty to test out.

For those early adopters out there, we've already gotten a look at new features and other changes.

Here are a few things to keep an eye out for.

RCS encryption with Android devices

Apple has added encryption for RCS messaging between iPhone and Android devices, which is a big development for security-minded users.

Wrote Apple in its release notes:

"In this beta, RCS end-to-end encryption will become available for testing between Apple and Android devices. This feature is not shipping in this release and will be available to customers in future iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS 26 releases. End-to-end encryption is in beta and is not available for all devices or carriers. Conversations labeled as encrypted are encrypted end-to-end, so messages can’t be read while they’re sent between devices."

Reduce highlighting effects

As Apple-focused site 9to5Mac spotted, the new beta adds a feature where users can reduce the highlighting effect on the edges of buttons and sliders. This is an accessibility feature.

Home screen editing

The edit menu for the Home Screen — where you can add a widget, customize your wallpaper, and do other tasks — uses even more transparent Liquid Glass, MacRumors spotted.

How to try the new iOS 26.4 beta 2

If you're subscribed to the Apple Beta Software Program, then you can find the new beta in Settings > General > Software Updates. As per usual, you should back up your device before switching to a beta OS. You can also read the full release notes at the Apple Developer portal.

And don't forget that we're expecting big developments from Apple in the coming week. The company has an event scheduled for March 4, and we're expecting announcements related to iOS and new devices.

SAVE $16: As of Feb. 24, you can sign up for the Starz Prime Video add-on streaming subscription for just $2.99 per month for two months. Usually $10.99 per month, that saves you $16 total.

Opens in a new window Credit: Starz Starz (Prime Video add-on) $2.99/month for 2 months (save $8/month) Get Deal

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Starz is one of the most slept on streaming services. It may not be the first streamer you think of (or even the second), but it deserves a spot in your lineup. And the best part is it won't cost you an arm and a leg like other subscriptions.

As of Feb. 24, you can get a taste of what Starz has to offer by signing up for the Starz Prime Video add-on for just $2.99 per month for two months. It's usually a $10.99 per month subscription, so you'll save about $16 on two months of streaming. Of course, you'll have to be a Prime member or a Prime Video subscriber in order to get the add-on. Not yet a subscriber? You can get your first 30 days for free.

What can you watch on Starz? Well, it's the first stop Lionsgate theatrical releases make in the streaming circuit. That means it's where you'll be able to stream The Housemaid and Greenland 2: Migration in the coming months. Other recent additions include The Long Walk and The Strangers: Chapter 2. The streamer also has its own original series we think are worth a watch, like the female serial killer comedy Sweetpea and the TV adaptation of Lisa Taddeo's book Three Women.

Streaming deals are pretty hard to come by (unless it's a major shopping holiday), so the ability to score two months of streaming for less than $6 is pretty epic.

SAVE $326: As of Feb. 24, get the LG Ultragear 27-Inch QHD OLED Gaming Monitor for $473.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's a discount of 41%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon LG Ultragear 27-Inch QHD OLED Gaming Monitor $473.99 at Amazon
$799.99 Save $326   Get Deal

Ready to invest in a new gaming monitor? Now's the best time to do so, especially with a model like this LG Ultragear available at such a great price. You can get this high-refresh OLED display that'll get you good and ready for games like Resident Evil Requiem and beyond for a significant discount today.

As of Feb. 24, get the LG Ultragear 27-Inch QHD OLED Gaming Monitor for $473.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $799.99. That's $326 off and a discount of 41%.

SEE ALSO: Get a 57-inch 4K Samsung gaming monitor for its best-ever price at Amazon — includes a free copy of 'Resident Evil Requiem'

This monitor boasts a 2560x1440 QHD resolution OLED panel with a 16:9 aspect ratio. It also has deep levels of black shades as well as bright, eye-popping colors and crisp contrast to give anything you play a polished visual upgrade. It's great for handling just about any variety of game, or you can use it solely for desktop work.

It has a 250Hz refresh rate and an 0.03ms response time as well as support for NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. It also supports VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 for some additional graphical detail.

Put simply, you can use this laptop for a variety of different situations and still be satisfied, but if you're a huge gamer, you'll want to lock one in for the sheer performance you'll experience. Be sure to lock yours in ASAP while you still can.

SAVE $500: The Roborock Qrevo Curv S5X Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale at Amazon for $649.99, down from the usual price of $1,149.99. That's a 43% discount that matches the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Curv S5X Robot Vacuum and Mop $649.99 at Amazon
$1,149.99 Save $500   Get Deal

When robot vacuums first rolled into our homes, it was a semi-comical experience. The poor lil' robots often needed some help getting back to the cleaning task when they got stuck under the couch, lost in a closet, or took a fall down the stairs. Thankfully, we no longer have these worries and in addition to vacuuming, these robots can now mop our floors. If could use the help of a robot vacuum and mop, check out this Amazon deal.

As of Feb. 24, the Roborock Qrevo Curv S5X Robot Vacuum and Mop is on sale at Amazon for $649.99, down from the usual price of $1,149.99. That's a 43% discount that works out to a savings of $500. It also matches the lowest we've seen at Amazon.

The Roborock Qrevo Curv S5X brings 18,500Pa suction power to the cleaning party and the roller brush is designed to never tangle with hair. Both of these attributes combined makes is great for pet owners. Roborock also equipped this model with the brand's FlexiArm technology. No, this is not the Roborock model with an arm, but it uses a side brush and edge mopping system to make sure every corner of your home is spotless. It'll be able to tackle corners, go around legs on a chair, and get as close to baseboards as physically possible.

SEE ALSO: The Roborock Saros Z70 robot vacuum and mop has hit its best-ever price at Amazon — save $700

The charging and emptying dock is an all-in-one hub that gives the robot the power to mop with hot water up to 167 degrees with auto tank refilling. There's also the warm air drying when the vacuum comes back to the base after mopping with dirty mop pads.

With the Roborock app, you'll be able to set a cleaning schedule and make no-go zones for the vacuum so it'll avoid objects like the dog's water dish.

If you're no longer interested in a growing list of house chores, grab the Roborock Qrevo Curv S5X Robot Vacuum and Mop while it's on sale at Amazon for under $650. It'll be the perfect way to kickstart spring cleaning this year.

Where to find the Dreame X50 Ultra on sale Amazon Dreame X50 Ultra $899.98 at Amazon (save $800) Get Deal DREAME Dreame X50 Ultra 899.99 (save $800) Get Deal

The 2026 Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete has only been out for a few weeks, but that was long enough for Dreame to further drop the price on its flagship vacuum from last year. You can now get the 2025 Dreame X50 Ultra in black or white from Amazon or Dreame's website for $899.99. That's new record low compared to its debut price of $1,699.99 or its recent steady sale price of $1,049.99. Technically, you're saving $800 total over someone who bought it upon release last year.

Aside from the name being two words longer, the biggest difference between the Dreame X50 Ultra and Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete is suction power: The X50 Ultra has 20,000 Pa of suction power compared to the X60 Ultra Max Complete's 35,000 Pa (which is the strongest on the market right now). Still, 20,000 Pa is a highly impressive number that would be more than sufficient for pet hair pickup from one or two pets, even on carpet. Plus, the X50 Ultra's $899.99 sale price looks really affordable compared to the X60 Max Ultra Complete's $1,359 sale price.

SEE ALSO: Dreame X60 Max Ultra Complete first impressions: It's tied for the most powerful robot vacuum of 2026. OK, prove it.

To put it into perspective, the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Flow (another CES 2026 new release) has the same 20,000 Pa, but is sitting at its MSRP of $999.99. If you would prefer the dual rotating mopping pad design over the Curv 2 Flow's roller mop, opting for the X50 Ultra gets you the same suction power as a 2026 flagship for $100 less. The spinning mops of the X50 Ultra were great at scrubbing along wall edges and in corners during my testing at home in spring 2025.

Pet parents will also appreciate the X50 Ultra's built-in livestream camera, which you can use to check in on your pet when you're not home.

SAVE $53.04: As of Feb. 24, the Garmin vívoactive 6 smartwatch is on sale for $246.95 at Amazon. That's 18% off its list price and the lowest price we've seen since its launch.

Opens in a new window Credit: Garmin Garmin vívoactive 6 smartwatch $246.95 at Amazon
$299.99 Save $53.04   Get Deal

If you're in the market for a new smartwatch, I cannot recommend switching to a Garmin enough. The brand's smartwatch lineup offers something for everyone, but for the most well-rounded, entry-level model, I'd go with the vívoactive 6. Not only does it feature a brilliant display, impressive battery life, and bountiful health insights, but it's also down to its best price to date.

As of Feb. 24, the Garmin vívoactive 6 smartwatch is on sale for just $246.95 at Amazon in the slate black colorway. That's an 18% or $53.04 discount from its list price and the lowest price we've seen so far on the watch — even beating Black Friday.

Let's talk battery life. If you're an Apple Watch user, then you'll particularly be blown away by the vívoactive 6's ability to last up to 11 days on a single charge in smartwatch mode. If you track a ton of activities, that battery life obviously drops, but if you're simply building routines and monitoring your steps, body battery, sleep, and more, you'll get a ton of longevity out of it.

It's packed with over 80 indoor and activities, including daily suggested workouts, animated workouts, stretching, walking, running, swimming, activities for wheelchair users, and more. The broad range of options, paired with the depth of health and wellness insights, make it a great pick for someone who does (or wants to try) a lot of different things. You'll even get a glimpse into your energy levels each day, so you can plan workouts and rest times accordingly. Of course, like any good smartwatch, you'll also be able to receive emails, texts, and alerts when you pair the vívoactive 6 with your iPhone or Android smartphone.

At full price, the Garmin vívoactive 6 smartwatch is a decent value; with a $53 price drop, it's even better.

For more than two decades, the convicted sex offender developed a network at the tech giant, making him privy to succession discussions and other business.

Samsung's newest flagship may already be out in the wild.

A tech YouTuber known as Sahil Karoul posted a 15-minute unboxing and hands-on video with what appears to be a genuine Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra device. The video was posted on Monday, just a couple of days before the Galaxy S26 lineup's expected unveiling at Galaxy Unpacked on Wednesday afternoon. It should be noted that there is no definitive proof that the phone in the video is the real deal at this point, but it certainly looks believable.

Karoul claimed to have gotten the device ahead of its release date in a Dubai market. In an Instagram Reel, he shows himself paying cash for the device on the street outside a mobile store.

Privacy Display in action. Credit: Sahil Karoul/YouTube SEE ALSO: Get a 57-inch 4K Samsung gaming monitor for its best-ever price at Amazon — includes a free copy of 'Resident Evil Requiem'

In the videos, you can see the basic design of the phone, which is pretty similar to the Galaxy S25 Ultra, though with a slightly more prominent rear camera bump. The phone in the video comes with an S-Pen, as Ultra models typically do. Perhaps the biggest reveal here is the first real (we think) look at the new Privacy Display feature in action. It makes the phone's display less visible to anyone looking at it from a side angle. The Privacy Display feature can reportedly be turned on and off in the phone's settings and doesn't require a separate screen protector.

Aside from that, it's hard to tell what else is new about the S26 Ultra from a short video that mostly focuses on comparing the phone to other popular smartphones. Karoul does show off some sample photos taken with the device's camera near the end of the video, but as far as I can tell, there's no sign of the unified AI image editor Samsung is hyping up prior to Galaxy Unpacked tomorrow.

All of this will be moot in a little more than 24 hours. Be patient, folks.

SAVE $70: As of Feb. 24, get the Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set for $270 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $349. That's a discount of 20%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set $270 at Amazon
$349 Save $79   Get Deal

Looking for a good reason to jump in and tackle all your DIY projects at home? How about a shiny new tool kit? A new set of tools can be just the thing to give you the push you need to finish all those important things you've been saying you'd handle at home since, well, forever ago. And this sale at Amazon has everything you need to do it all and then some.

As of Feb. 24, get the Craftsman Mechanics Tool Set for $270 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $349. That's $70 off and a discount of 20%.

SEE ALSO: The DeWalt 5-Tool Combo Kit is over $150 off in the Amazon Presidents' Day sale

This massive 298-piece set comes with a wide selection of options for you to add to your tool collection. It's perfect for newbies just getting used to working on home projects as well as experts who need a hardy set of mechanical tools to rely on.

It includes 166 sockets, 23 wrenches, 29 additional accessories to support them, 3 ratchets, 33 specialty bits, and 44 hex keys to round the kit out. Plus, this assortment of ratchets, sockets, and wrenches as well as specialty bits come in a full polished chrome finish, with all the tools packed into plastic trays to help organize and store them.

You can't do much better than this kit if you need to round out your tool set, and it's a great option for beginners, too. Pick it up while it's still on sale.

SAVE $650: The 55-inch Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun QLED 4K outdoor TV is on sale at Amazon for $2,847.99, down from the list price of $3,497.99. That's a 19% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung 55-inch Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun QLED 4K TV $2,847.99 at Amazon
$3,497.99 Save $650   Get Deal

The outside temp might not be cooperating today, but in a few months we'll all be outside basking in the warmth of spring and summer. Although it feels far away, now is a great time to start making plans like booking flights, grabbing the campsite reservation, and making plans for how you'll make the most of summer. If you love to spend time outdoors, there's a unique deal in store today at Amazon.

As of Feb. 24, the 55-inch Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun QLED 4K outdoor TV is on sale for $2,847.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $3,497.99. That works out to a savings of $650 from a 19% discount.

If you don't want to wait until dark to watch a movie outside on the portable projector this summer, you can go with a TV that's designed to withstand heat, rain, and sun. Not many TV models have these qualities but Samsung, one of most trusted TV brands, makes The Terrace TV. Like the name suggests, The Terrace is capable of staying outdoors without getting damaged, and the display is capable of reaching a brightness you can see even on sunny afternoons. Today's deal applies to the 55-inch model that's happy to work in full or partially shaded outdoor areas.

SEE ALSO: The TCL 75-Inch Class QM6K Mini LED QLED TV is over $200 off at Amazon

Even in bright daylight, The Terrace Partial Sun is designed to display a bright and vivid 4K picture. The IP56 weatherproof rating will add protection from dust and water. Samsung also added an anti-reflection technology that'll help reduce glare.

As a bonus, Amazon is offering free deluxe delivery and unpacking service, which usually costs $29.99. This service comes with free delivery into the room of your choice, unboxing, and removal of packaging, so you won't need to battle with getting the box into the recycling bin.

If you're thinking ahead about patio upgrades for this summer, a 55-inch Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun QLED 4K outdoor TV is a great idea. Since it works in bright daylight as resists damage from rain, you'll be in great shape for spring and summer outdoor entertainment.

SAVE $702: As of Feb. 24, the Samsung 55-inch S90F OLED 4K TV is on sale for just $1,097.99 at Amazon. That's 39% off its list price of $1,797.99 and its lowest price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 55-inch S90F OLED 4K TV $1,097.99 at Amazon
$1,799.99 Save $702   Get Deal

If you want the best picture quality you can get on a TV, you have to go with an OLED display. But as you can probably guess, these TVs tend to come with a steeper price tag — unless, of course, you find a great deal. That's where we come in.

Our sister site CNET called the Samsung S90F the best OLED TV for most people and as of Feb. 24, it's on sale for its best price ever. The thing is, Amazon's listing doesn't do it justice. It's actually even more on sale than Amazon is letting on. The 55-inch model was originally $1,799.99 (as seen on Samsung's website) and is down to just $1,097.99. So technically, you're saving $702 (not $500, as the listing shows). That's the lowest price on record.

Its OLED panel is stellar for watching movies with deep black levels and rich colors. And thanks to its AI processor, even lower-resolution shows and movies will look better with intelligent 4K upscaling. Gamers will also love that it offers support for 144Hz VRR, so there's minimal lag time and no screen tearing. CNET's Ty Pendlebury calls it "the holy grail for gamers."

The Samsung 55-inch S90F OLED 4K TV is an expensive pick at list price, but a price cut of over $700 makes it much more attainable. And if you prioritize picture quality over other features, this is the TV to buy.

TL;DR: Walmart has dropped the Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Mini Tin Display for $129.70. You need to be signed up to Walmart+ to shop this exclusive deal.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company Pokémon TCG: Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes Mini Tin Display Shop Now

Walmart is dropping exclusive Pokémon TCG collectibles for Pokémon Day 2026. These drops take place at 10 a.m. ET on Feb. 23-26. You need to be signed up to Walmart+ to shop these exclusive deals, so make sure your membership is active before the next deal goes live.

The week started off strongly with Ascended Heroes ETBs going for just $59.99 on Walmart. That's considerably cheaper than you could find over on TCGplayer, giving collectors reason to believe that what's to come will offer real value.

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On Feb. 24, Walmart has dropped the Ascended Heroes Mini Tin Display for just $129.70. A Walmart+ membership is required and you're limited to five orders per account. Stock will move fast now it's live, with a lot of shoppers reporting that they missed out on the first drop. It's always a battle to secure stock before bots and scalpers, but these drops seem particularly brutal.

In each Ascended Heroes Mini Tin, you’ll find two Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Ascended Heroes booster packs, one sticker sheet, and a Pokémon art card showing the art from this Mini Tin. With this display bundle, you get 10 units.

Act fast to score the best Pokémon Day deals on Walmart this week.

A new study from the Pew Research Center finds teens think chatbot-assisted cheating has become “a regular feature of student life.”

Jane Austen fans, set your sights to dining at Rosings ninefold, as Netflix's adaptation of Pride and Prejudice has a teaser.

In the 40-second video above, we get our first look at Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet and Jack Lowden as Mr Darcy, the Regency romance protagonists to rival them all. We spy Lizzie embracing the dawn (very Joe Wright version-coded), Darcy on horseback, Darcy seemingly at his grand home of Pemberley watching a carriage leave (very hand flex-coded), flashes of ballroom yearning, and some Gladiator-style hand shots. I wish to say something sensible about the latter, but I know not how.

But that's all we get. Has Netflix no consideration for my poor nerves?

SEE ALSO: 11 Jane Austen movie and TV adaptations we ardently admire and love

Looks like we'll have to wait for the full trailer to see the rest of the cast, which includes Olivia Colman and Rufus Sewell as Mrs and Mr Bennet, Fiona Shaw as Lady Catherine de Bourg, Freya Mavor as Jane Bennet, Daryl McCormack as Mr. Bingley, Louis Partridge as Mr. Wickham, Jamie Demetriou as Mr. Collins, Rhea Norwood as Lydia Bennet, Siena Kelly as Caroline Bingley, and newcomers Hopey Parish and Hollie Avery as Mary and Kitty Bennet, respectively.

Written by Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love) and directed by Euros Lyn (Heartstopper), the upcoming series will have six episodes, the same number as the iconic 1995 BBC adaptation starring Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth, and a pond-soaked shirt.

You've still time to plan your feast of exemplary vegetables, as Pride and Prejudice hits Netflix in autumn 2026.

Whether or not their parents realize it, nearly two-thirds of American teens say they use artificial intelligence chatbots for activities including homework help, research, video creation, fun and entertainment, casual conversation, and emotional support or advice, according to a new study from the Pew Research Center.

The study's survey of 1,458 U.S. teens and their parents last fall also revealed that the young participants had considered the complex tradeoffs of using AI. Nearly a third of respondents said that AI will positively affect society over the next two decades while a quarter of them believed it would have a negative impact.

The optimistic survey participants believed AI would lead to gains in efficiency, productivity, and learning. Those with a less hopeful outlook noted the risks of over-reliance on AI, job and creativity loss, and the threat of not being able to discern what's real and what's AI-generated.

SEE ALSO: Open AI, Google, and Anthropic all offer AI tutors for students. Do they work?

"It will meet the needs of almost everything," said one anonymous male survey respondent. "Answers to the hardest questions. No need for research!”

A skeptical teen girl had a different take: "People will be afraid to be creative, or won’t see a need for it anymore. It makes people lazy and takes away jobs."

Overall, 36 percent of teens thought AI would benefit them personally whereas 15 percent expected the technology would have a negative influence on their lives. A third anticipated both positive and negative outcomes.

Colleen McClain, a senior researcher at the Pew Research Center, told Mashable that the findings contrast the center's past research on adults, who tend to be more pessimistic about the long-term implications of AI adoption.

"We see teens are, yes, kind of navigating this rapidly changing world," McClain said. "They're making up their minds about how they feel, but they have some predictions for society into the future."

The reality of how teens are using AI

Nikki Iyer, co-chair of the youth-led advocacy coalition Design It For Us, said she felt the report reflected what she sees in her day-to-day life as both an organizer and a third-year college student at the University of California, Berkeley.

She was unsurprised that 54 percent of the teens surveyed said they used AI for homework help.

"If you walk around the cafe, odds are you will see probably [that] percentage," consulting a chatbot for schoolwork, Iyer said.

Yet, only 1 in 10 surveyed said they completed all or most of their assignments with the technology's support.

The finding starkly highlights one of Iyer's personal concerns about youth AI use: Cognitive outsourcing and the possible decline in critical thinking as a result. She believes AI literacy is essential for avoiding the pitfalls of over-reliance on the technology for thinking tasks.

The survey also illustrated emerging differences between teens depending on their race, ethnicity, and income.

Black and Hispanic teens, for example, were more likely to use chatbots in general and for schoolwork compared to white teens. Additionally, 21 percent of Black teens said they turned to AI chatbots for emotional support or advice compared to about one in 10 Hispanic and white teens.

Income also appears to be associated with how often teens use AI for schoolwork. Twenty percent of teens living in households making less than $30,000 a year said an AI chatbot helped them do most or all of their homework. Only 7 percent of teens in higher-earning households reported the same behavior.

AI and youth exploitation

Iyer, 20, acknowledges that AI could benefit student learning, but she wants to ensure the balance of power tilts away from design choices that undermine young people's agency and attention span.

"I think the problem comes when we are serving AI, and we are being exploited by AI, and AI is using us to fulfill a mission of a corporation," she said.

Iyer believes it's critical for young people to help shape the future of AI through organizing, lobbying, and providing direct feedback to designers who create AI products. Design It For Us has previously backed AI safety, transparency, and accountability legislation in New York and California.

Notably, the Pew Research report didn't ask whether teens seek mental health advice from chatbots or use them for romantic role-play.

Parents of teens who consulted ChatGPT about their mental health and suicidal feelings prior to taking their own lives have sued OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, alleging that the product coached their child on how to die. OpenAI has denied the allegations in one of the cases.

Separately, the online safety platform Aura, which monitors teen users as part of its family or kids membership, recently published a report showing how tweens and teens engage in romantic role-play with chatbots.

Sexual and romantic conversations with chatbots peaked at age 13, amounting to 63 percent of their exchanges. Those messages often turned violent. But Aura also found that role-playing decreased significantly after age 15.

Earlier this year, Character.AI, a chatbot platform popular with teens, settled lawsuits filed by bereaved parents alleging that the company's chatbots contributed to their children's suicide deaths. In some cases, those chatbots exchanged sexually explicit messages with the teen users. Character.AI stopped permitting teens to engage in open-ended conversations with chatbots in late 2025.

The Pew Research study also suggests that parents are unaware of their children's AI use. Though two-thirds of teens reported using chatbots, their parents offered a much lower estimate of that figure, at 51 percent.

"We do find that some parents are relatively in the dark," McClain said.

Disclosure: Ziff Davis, Mashable’s parent company, in April 2025 filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, alleging it infringed Ziff Davis copyrights in training and operating its AI systems.

Generative AI is doing a lot of harm – environmental, privacy-related, potentially even affecting the brain activity of those who use it all too often. So the demise of a punctuation mark may seem to pale in comparison, but this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t matter. In this video, we explore whether ChatGPT is killing the em-dash, its centuries-old tradition in English writing, and what the future of the 'ChatGPT hyphen' could look like.

Haunted houses are out. Liminal spaces are in.

That's the case in A24's upcoming horror movie Backrooms, directed by Kane Parsons. Backrooms adapts Parsons' viral 2022 YouTube short films of the same name, which were in turn inspired by the internet urban legend of the Backrooms.

SEE ALSO: 'Scream' 7 trailer: Ghostface targets Sidney and her daughter

The term "the Backrooms" originated in 2019, when an anonymous 4chan user used it to describe an eerie photo of an empty HobbyTown. They said that if you leave, or "noclip" out of, reality, you'll arrive in the Backrooms, a nightmare of moist carpet smell and buzzing fluorescent lighting.

That description has since become a copypasta, and it's inspired the internet to create more Backrooms lore. Now, there are levels to the Backrooms, as well as strange entities that inhabit them.

Parsons' original short film brings this lore to life through harrowing found footage of endless hallways and rooms. Based on the feature-length Backrooms' teaser, it looks like the original film will continue to do just that.

The teaser descends through a variety of iterations of the same, unremarkable room. Each time it goes down a level, though, something feels off. A couch melts into the floor. Windows open onto wall. The door vanishes, then takes a weird shape. All the while, a voiceover reveals that this space "remembers" these rooms as it builds them.

"And the more it remembers something, the less it does," the teaser reveals. Consider us spooked.

Backrooms stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, and Lukita Maxwell.

Backrooms hits theaters May 29.

TL;DR: Live stream Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The second round of Super 8 fixtures from the 2026 T20 World Cup showcases some really interesting matchups, including Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand.

Neither side could register a win in their opening fixtures, but in fairness to New Zealand, they're match with Pakistan was abandoned due to rain. Sri Lanka were beaten by an impressive England. This all-important clash could decide whether or not these teams progress to the semi-final stage. A defeat for hosts Sri Lanka will guarantee their exit. It's win or bust at this point.

If you want to watch Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand?

Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 25. This game takes place at the R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium.

How to watch Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand for free

Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Sri Lanka vs. New Zealand in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location with access

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup for free from anywhere in the world

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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 without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, for a number of reasons:

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