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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 April 25's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Debut a friend.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no letters that appear twice.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter I.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to Wordle #1041 is...

INTRO.

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.

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

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 April 25's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

What is Connections?

The NYT's latest daily word game has become a social media hit. The Times credits associate puzzle editor Wyna Liu with helping to create the new word game and bringing it to the publications' Games section. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

Tweet may have been deleted

Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer. If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

Tweet may have been deleted

Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media.

Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Science stuff

• Green: The Middle

• Blue: Things in Microsoft Excel

• Purple: Languages that aren't spoken

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

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

• Yellow: Lab Equipment

• Green: Nexus

• Blue: Spreadsheet Terms

• Purple: ___Language

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 Connections #319 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Lab Equipment: BREAKER, DROPPER, GOGGLES, MICROSCOPE

• Nexus: CENTER, HEART, HUB, NUCLEUS

• Spreadsheet Terms: CELL, FORMULA, SHEET, SORT

• ___Launguage: BODY, LOVE, ROMANCE, SIGN

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

Is this not the Connections game you were looking for? Here are the hints and answers to yesterday's Connections.

Sometimes it feels like everything is getting a little bit worse every day. This latest Windows 11 update is a good example of that.

In the patch notes for Windows 11 update KB5036980, Microsoft noted that the start menu in Windows 11 will now display recommended apps from the Windows app store. In other words, they put ads in the start menu.

"The Recommended section of the Start menu will show some Microsoft Store apps. These apps come from a small set of curated developers," the patch notes said. "This will help you to discover some of the great apps that are available."

SEE ALSO: Windows 10 will start pushing users to use Microsoft accounts. How to turn it off. How to turn off recommended apps in the Windows 11 start menu

In case you're wondering, yes, you can turn this off. Here's how:

1. Go to Settings

2. Click on Personalization

3. Click on Start

4. Find the toggle that says "Show recommendations for tips, app promotions, and more"

5. Turn the toggle off

It's good that Microsoft gives you the option to straight up disable those ads. Take advantage of it while you can.

Mashable reporter Ty Cole sits down with Idris Elba to discuss his role in the upcoming Knuckles TV mini series and what die hard Sonic fans can expect to learn about him. Knuckles premieres April 26, 2024 on Paramount +.

Ryan Gosling sang in Barbie. He sang at the Oscars. He even sang about Barbie on Saturday Night Live. Now, the Academy Award nominee continues his singing streak with a promotional video for The Fall Guy, a film in which he plays a stuntman.

SEE ALSO: 'The Fall Guy' review: Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt make movie magic

In the clip, The Fall Guy director David Leitch tasks Ryan Gosling with driving around and picking up his stuntmen. "It's like Carpool Karaoke... without the music," Leitch tells Gosling.

But not even that will stop Gosling from singing along to Journey's "Any Way You Want It" with his stunt team. First, he picks up Logan Holladay, who roars onscreen on a motorcycle and proceeds to take over driving duty. Then, the two (literally) run into Ben Jenkin. He takes the hit like a champ and joins the fun with some enthusiastic vocals. Rounding out the crew is Troy Brown, who straight-up jumps off a building to get down to Gosling. Why not just use an elevator? "I'm claustrophobic," Brown explains.

With its celebration of stunts and Gosling in full Gleek mode, the clip is a fun preview for what to expect from The Fall Guy, which Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko called a "gonzo gift to cinema."

The Fall Guy hits theaters May 3.

Between the Muppets, Sesame Street, and fantasy films like The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth, there's a good chance Jim Henson played a key part in your childhood. Want to know more about the man behind the puppets? Check out the first trailer for the upcoming Disney+ documentary Jim Henson Idea Man, which dives deep into Henson's storied life and career.

Directed by Ron Howard, Jim Henson Idea Man uses Henson's archival, never-before-seen home videos and sketches to create an in-depth portrait of the beloved puppeteer. The documentary's trailer features behind-the-scenes footage from his best-known work, as well as interviews with Frank Oz, Jennifer Connelly, Rita Moreno, and Henson's children. Oh, and it's all set to Kermit the Frog's "Rainbow Connection," so you may want to have some tissues handy.

Jim Henson Idea Man premieres May 31 on Disney+.

SAVE $70: As of April 24, get the Blueair Air Purifier for $159.99 at Amazon. That's a discount of 30%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Blueair Air Purifier $159.99 at Amazon
$229.99 Save $70.00 Get Deal

Whether you have severe allergies or you sniffle here and there due to pet dander, dealing with not-so-fresh air in your home can be a nightmare. A runny nose can lead to head congestion and general discomfort along with clogged sinuses, and that's a recipe for disaster during the warmer months. Get ahead of those headaches by introducing an air purifier into your home.

As of April 24, you can get the Blueair Air Purifier for just $159.99 at Amazon. That's $70 off its normal price of $229.99 and a 30% discount.

SEE ALSO: Shop the Brooklinen 10th Anniversary Sale and give your home a cozy spring refresh

This air purifier is part of the Blueair Pure Max series and is perfect for a medium-to-large–size room, as it can clean up to 929 square feet in just 30 minutes. With its proprietary HEPASilent cleaning tech, it claims to perform up to 83% faster with 50% less noise than competitors at just 23-50 dB. It can remove up to 99.97% of airborne particles with its carbon filter, including those that cause viruses, as well as smoke, pet dander, mold, dust, and pollen.

You can control the air purifier with its companion app which allows for real-time scheduling, air quality monitoring, and filter tracking. You'll receive alerts when it's time to swap out the filter so you won't accidentally let it marinate in the unit too long. It also has geofencing abilities that can automatically power the unit off and on depending on when you leave or arrive at your home.

If clean air is a consistent issue for you in your home, let this smart unit do all the work while you enjoy the benefits. Everyone deserves fresh air to breathe, after all.

President Joe Biden signed a bill into law on Wednesday that could, effectively, ban TikTok in the U.S. But that doesn't mean you'll be without the app right now or, really, anytime soon.

Like any bill, things are complicated. The bill Biden signed is primarily a foreign aid package that'll send $60 billion to Ukraine to fight Russia's invasion and some $26 billion to both Israel and relief in Gaza. However, tied to that bill was legislation that gave ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, up to one year to divest itself from the app in the U.S.

Basically, it's a demand to sell or be banned.

SEE ALSO: President Biden signs TikTok ban bill into law

So, what happens now? Well, in short, a legal fight. TikTok indicated Wednesday, pretty much right away, that it intended to battle the legislation in court.

"Make no mistake, this is a ban," TikTok CEO Shou Chew said in a video posted to the company's platform on Tuesday.

Chew promised a fight. And, to be clear, there won't be any real changes for TikTok users in the immediate term.

"Rest assured, we aren't going anywhere," Chew said in the TikTok. "We are confident and we will keep fighting for your rights in the courts. The facts and the Constitution are on our side, and we expect to prevail again."

The lawmakers against TikTok have argued that, since the app is owned by a Chinese company, it could be forced to hand over American users' data to the Chinese government. That would be worrisome, considering there are 170 million American users on the app. Other lawmakers in other countries have successfully made similar arguments to ban or restrict the app.

TikTok has flatly and routinely denied that it shares U.S. users' data with the Chinese government.

SEE ALSO: A TikTok ban would probably also take down CapCut, Lemon8, and more

TikTok has fended off bans in the courts before, notably in Montana last year.

"This unconstitutional law is a TikTok ban, and we will challenge it in court," TikTok said in a statement Wednesday after Biden signed the bill. "We believe the facts and the law are clearly on our side, and we will ultimately prevail. The fact is, we have invested billions of dollars to keep U.S. data safe and our platform free from outside influence and manipulation."

So what comes next?

Well, as The Verge noted, if TikTok gets a court to agree with the company or delay enforcement of the legislation, then the timeline for a ban would get extended. In other words, as taking something to court is wont to do, TikTok could drag things out.

And, of course, even if the legislation is upheld, ByteDance has, at minimum, nine months to decide if it will sell the app in the U.S. The timeline can be extended out to a year if the president feels there is progress on a deal.

The next year for TikTok in the U.S. will be rife with lawyers and laws and a PR push. Perhaps the biggest tool at the company's disposal is its massive user base. Remember when it sent a pop-up asking users to call lawmakers, then Congress was inundated with calls? You can expect more messaging from the company as it fights to stay in the U.S.

But as far as a regular user goes, the next year of TikTok might look like, well, the last year on TikTok. For now, things will remain as they were. You'll see videos of people dancing, cute dogs, good food, music, jokes, the whole nine.

But the fight for the long-term survival of the app will hang over it all.

SAVE 25%: The Square Reader (2nd gen) for contactless and chip transactions is just $44.43 at Amazon for Prime members, down from the usual price of $58.99. That's a savings of $14.56.

Opens in a new window Credit: Square Square Reader (2nd gen) for contactless and chip payment $44.43 at Amazon
$58.99 Save $14.56 Prime membership required Get Deal

Owning a small business comes with plenty of challenges, but a few hurdles are becoming easier thanks to tech advancements. If you're ready to start accepting chip and contactless payments, today's deal at Amazon could be a great addition to your business strategy.

As of April 24, the Square Reader (2nd gen) for chip and contactless transactions is just $44.43, down from the normal price of $58.99. That's a 25% discount or a savings of $14.56. To get this sale price, you'll need to be an Amazon Prime member, which costs $14.99 per month.

SEE ALSO: TikTok for Business: Everything you need to know

The quest to create the best customer experience is never-ending, but thanks to today's sale price at Amazon, you can make accepting payments faster and more convenient. The Square Reader can handle payments from chip cards or contactless payments like Google Pay or Apple Pay. Square says the chip reader takes about two seconds while the contactless payment method is even faster, saving both you and your customer precious time.

Square designed the 2nd gen Reader with a battery that'll last all day without needing a recharge, which means it can handle 20% more transactions compared to the 1st gen Reader. Worry less about battery life and sell more.

If your business could use an upgrade in how it handles transactions, snag the Square Reader (2nd gen) that's capable of accepting both chip and contactless payments. Your customers will appreciate the convenience and speed.

Microsoft released Phi-3 Mini, a new version of its lightweight AI model designed for specific tasks.

According to the research paper published earlier this week, Phi-3 Mini has 3.8 billion parameters which is significantly less than other models like OpenAI's GPT-4, making it small enough to be deployed on a smartphone. OpenAI hasn't shared how many parameters GPT-4 has but it's believed to have over one trillion parameters per Semafor.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT Plus can exploit zero-day security vulnerabilities — why this should concern you

Traditional AI models require massive amounts of computing power, which is very expensive and has a huge carbon footprint. Companies like Microsoft and Google have been working on smaller lightweight models that handle common tasks, which would make hosting their models more sustainable — in the operational sense — and more suitable for smartphones which is where the industry is heavily leaning. Samsung is going all in on generative AI with a collection of features for its Galaxy devices, Google is also adding generative AI features to its Pixel lineup, and even Apple is expected to make some big AI announcements for iOS 18.

Parameters relate to how models are able to tackle complexity, so the more parameters, the more capable a model is at handling vast and nuanced requests. But for everyday tasks that the average user would need from an AI model, such as translating, help drafting an email, or looking for local restaurants, a smaller lightweight model is presumed to be sufficient.

Phi-3 Mini scored similarly against Meta's open-source model Llama 3 and OpenAI's GPT-3.5 on common benchmarks with a few exceptions. It surpassed Llama 3 and scored just below GPT 3.5 in natural language understanding (MMLU) and commonsense reasoning (HellaSwag) and beat both models on arithmetic reasoning (GSM8K). As the paper notes, it scored lower on trivia and "factual knowledge" but researchers believe "such weakness can be resolved by augmentation with a search engine," meaning once the model is hooked up to the internet, that won't be such an issue.

Researchers trained Phi-3 Mini on a combination of "heavily filtered web data" that meets standards for high quality educational information, as well as synthetic data, which challenges the idea that scraping everything from the web is the best way to train a model. The model was also trained on... bedtime stories, according to DailyAI, which actually makes a ton of sense for understanding the way human brains work. The idea is to opt for quality over quantity with curated data so it can run on fewer parameters while still retaining its potency.

Phi-3 Mini is now available on HuggingFace, Azure, and Ollama.

Ever wondered what K-pop group member archetype suits you best? If so, you're in luck. Spotify's latest gimmick sorts users into different personas of a K-pop group.

SEE ALSO: Taylor Swift's brand is mightier than her pen

The feature borrows imagery from a more analog internet and uses your answers to questions like, "What's your favorite thing about K-Pop?" and "A perfect first date with your bias would be..." to define you as a Main Rapper, Main Vocal, Main Dancer, or Main Trainee. Each persona comes with a list of personality traits. Trainees are "curious" and "youthful" while Vocals are "powerful" and "warm."

While anyone can take the quiz and receive a K-pop persona, Spotify users get the additional bonus of a Fan Role as well. Fan Roles range from New Gen Stan of the Group to DJ of the Group. Your K-pop persona and Fan Role are delivered to you as brightly colored, shareable cards.

It's one of several in-app experiences launched by Spotify in recent years to engage different fandoms. For example, last year it told fans their most-streamed Taylor Swift eras.

To find out your K-pop persona go to K-pop persona on mobile, and if you're a Spotify user make sure you're logged into your account. Answer the five questions and your role will be revealed.

Amazon deals of the day at a glance: OUR TOP PICK Roborock S8 Pro Ultra robot vacuum and mop $999.99 at Amazon (save $600) Get Deal BEST MONITOR DEAL ASUS VG248QG 24-inch G-SYNC gaming monitor $149 at Amazon (save $40) Get Deal BEST STREAMING DEVICE DEAL Chromecast with Google TV (HD) $19.99 at Amazon (save $10) Get Deal BEST KITCHEN DEAL GE Profile Opal 2.0 countertop nugget ice maker with side tank $499 at Amazon (save $130) Get Deal

If another batch of Amazon deals is what you crave, then bon appétit. We've scoured the mega retailer's pages of listings and hand-picked a few of the best deals worth shopping on April 24 — including top brands like Roborock, ASUS, Google, and GE.

Here are the best Amazon deals of the day to get you past the weekly hump. And don't forget to check out our top picks from April 22 and April 23, as many of those are still live.

Our top pick Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Amazon deal of the day: Roborock S8 Pro Ultra robot vacuum and mop $999.99 at Amazon
$1,599.99 Save $600.00 Get Deal

Released last April, the Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is a very expensive, very high-tech robot vacuum and mop combo device. When former Mashable intern Stacia Datskovska tested it out, she found that the fancy functions like self-drying, self-washing, and customization by floor type were "hella cool," but overall it didn't live up to its extreme price tag of $1,599.99. Fortunately, though, it regularly goes on sale. Just last week, it dropped to $1,399.99, making it $200 more affordable. As of April 24, however, the S8 Pro Ultra is back down to its all-time low price of $999.99, making it a full $600 or 38% cheaper.

Opens in a new window Credit: ASUS ASUS VG248QG 24-inch G-SYNC gaming monitor $149.00 at Amazon
$189.00 Save $40.00 Get Deal

There's no need to compromise performance for a low price tag when buying a beginner gaming monitor. You can get the best of both worlds with this deal on the ASUS VG248QG. As Mashable contributor Nicole Bonaccorso noted in her gaming monitor roundup, "You don’t need to spend a fortune on a monitor to have a great gaming experience." An upgraded version of the VG245H (which is featured as our top budget pick), the VG248QG has a better refresh rate, making the gaming experience even more seamless. However, like Bonaccorso noted, it is lacking in the resolution department, so "anyone working with high-end GPUs may be disappointed." As of April 24, it's on sale for just $149 — down from an already affordable $189. That's 21% in savings and matches its previous all-time low price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Google Chromecast with Google TV (HD) $19.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal

If you're sick of switching between apps when streaming, the Chromecast with Google TV can make your viewing experience more enjoyable. In his review, Mashable's Alex Perry called it "an affordable top-tier streaming device," noting that it "fixes some of the biggest problems with prior Chromecasts by adding a remote control and a new user interface." It's easy to set up; just plug it into an outlet and into the HDMI port on your TV, put batteries into the remote, and get the Google Home app. Voila — your movies, shows, and live TV are all in one place in up to 1080p HDR. As of April 24, it's on sale for only $19.99 at Amazon — that's just $2 shy of its all-time low price from Black Friday season 2022.

Opens in a new window Credit: GE GE Profile Opal 2.0 countertop nugget ice maker with side tank $499.00 at Amazon
$629.00 Save $130.00 Get Deal

Nugget ice just tastes better than your typical rock-hard ice cubes. That's why the GE Profile Opal 2.0 continues to be a bestseller. This machine sits atop your counter and pumps out 38 pounds of crunchable nugget ice every 24 hours. You can even use the built-in WiFi with the SmartHQ app to monitor how much ice you have on hand and schedule a fresh batch. It's regularly $629, but you can save $130 as of April 24 and snag it for $499. That's about $50 shy of its lowest price ever from Black Friday season and its lowest price so far this year.

None of these deals catching your eye? Check out Amazon's daily deals for even more savings.

SAVE $50: The Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds are just $49.99 at Amazon, marked down from the normal price of $99.99. That's a savings of $50.

Opens in a new window Credit: Anker Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds $49.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $50.00 Get Deal

Distractions are everywhere these days. You're in good company if you tend to find everyday noises to be overwhelming, whether it's a fellow commuter talking on the phone or the neighbor's dog barking well into the night. If you need a noise-canceling solution, today's sale on earbuds at Amazon could solve the problem.

As of April 24, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds are just $49.99 at Amazon, marked down from the usual price of $99.99. That's a savings of $50 or a 50% discount.

SEE ALSO: The 8 best earbuds on Amazon start at just $9

Even at this affordable price, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 earbuds don't skimp on features and performance. With up to 50 hours of battery life, these earbuds focus on noise cancellation. Anker says they're capable of reducing noise by up to 98%, which can be perfect if you're hoping to tune out unwanted sounds and tune into your own music, podcasts, or audiobooks.

PCMag (owned by Mashable's publisher Ziff Davis) reviewed the Space A40 earbuds, giving them an "excellent" rating, noting the quality noise cancellation for a low price. The lightweight design clocks in at just 4.9 grams, so, despite the impressive battery life, you won't feel like you're carrying around a hefty battery in your ears. The included five sizes of silicone ear tips should help you get the most comfortable and snug fit possible.

If you need a reliable and affordable pair of noise-canceling earbuds, the Anker Soundcore Space A40 could fit the bill. Thanks to today's sale price, you can grab them for an impressive 50% off.

Update: On Wednesday, President Joe Biden signed the bill that would ban TikTok in the U.S. if ByteDance fails to divest the app within a year.

Original story:

The U.S. TikTok ban has just passed the Senate, meaning it's just one presidential signature away from becoming law. Considering President Joe Biden has previously said he would sign the bill, it now seems practically guaranteed that the TikTok ban will actually go ahead.

Seventy-nine U.S. senators approved of the TikTok ban, eclipsing the 18 who voted against it. The bill had passed the House of Representatives on Saturday, bundled with aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. It was the second time a TikTok ban had passed the House in as many months, with the previous bill having stalled at the Senate.

SEE ALSO: Proposed U.S. TikTok ban could impact all Chinese apps Tweet may have been deleted

In addition to being bundled with foreign aid, the new bill made a few changes to the timeline for that ban's enforcement. Instead of having to sell TikTok within six months, Chinese parent company ByteDance will have nine months to divest from it. The President is also able to add one 90-day extension to that deadline, stretching it to a year.

If ByteDance does not sell the video sharing platform by then — and specifically to a company that the U.S. government does not believe is controlled by a "foreign adversary" — TikTok will be forced to exit the U.S. entirely. That means no more dance challenges, no more "get ready with me" story times, and no more industrial grade glycine from Donghua Jinlong.

TikTok likely to challenge U.S. ban in court Credit: Jakub Porzycki / NurPhoto via Getty Images

It's unlikely that TikTok will go without a fight. Responding to the earlier bill last month, CEO Shou Zi Chew hinted that the company may take legal action to defend itself against the ban. TikTok previously fended off a Montana ban in December, with a judge finding it unconstitutional on the grounds that it restricted free speech and imposed an extrajudicial punishment on the company.

"We will continue to do all we can, including exercising our legal rights, to protect this amazing platform we have built with you," Chew said last month.

SEE ALSO: TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew responds to proposed U.S. ban, hints at lawsuit

TikTok's intention to take the matter to court was further confirmed this week in an internal memo from Michael Beckerman, the company's public policy head in America. The Information reported that Beckerman issued the memo after the House of Representatives passed the ban on Saturday.

"At the stage that the bill is signed, we will move to the courts for a legal challenge," Beckerman wrote. "We’ll continue to fight, as this legislation is a clear violation of the first amendment rights of the 170 million Americans on TikTok."

Mashable has reached out to TikTok for comment.

TikTok has 170 million U.S. users, a number that even includes President Biden, and employed almost 7000 people in the U.S. as of March last year. They're not the only ones whose livelihood may be impacted by a U.S. TikTok ban, though. A study commissioned by TikTok found that the app supported 224,000 jobs in 2023, and contributed $24.2 billion to the U.S. GDP.

A U.S. TikTok ban may have further implications for free speech Credit: Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images

U.S. politicians have attempted to justify the TikTok ban by claiming it is a security concern, accusing the Chinese government of spying on users and manipulating the algorithm to show content sympathetic to China. Though there's no evidence of this happening, fear of this hypothetical has fuelled much of the push for a TikTok ban.

Some senators have even blamed TikTok for the swell of support for Palestine among young people, believing the cause has been promoted by China with the intention of causing division in the U.S.

SEE ALSO: X / Twitter lets Israel-Gaza hate speech spread, new study finds — and these users are the culprits

"Let's look at where young people are getting their news," said Senator Pete Ricketts, criticising pro-Palestinian sentiments. "The Chinese Communist Party is doing this on purpose. They are pushing this racist agenda with the intention of undermining our democratic values. And if you look at what's happening at the Columbia University and other campuses across the country right now, they're winning."

Students at Columbia University, Yale, New York University, and others have been staging large protests in support of Palestine, calling for a permanent ceasefire, the end to military aid for Israel, and for these institutions to divest from companies that are profiting from the conflict in Gaza.

People on social media across the political spectrum have been less than thrilled with the news of the TikTok ban. Several have criticised it as an attack on free speech, noting that lawmakers have explicitly stated that their intention is to prevent the spread of content which is sympathetic to China or Palestine. Some have also expressed concern that a ban on TikTok could set a dangerous precedent which may enable bans on other social media platforms as well.

Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted Tweet may have been deleted

The TikTok ban will now be sent to President Biden to be signed into law. If you have any favourite videos that you like to rewatch, now would be the time to download them.

It's time for Brooklinen's 10th Anniversary Sale. Save 25% off sitewide on the brand's bedding and home goods. Here are our top picks from the sale:

Best Brooklinen 10th Anniversary Sale Deals Best comforter deal Brooklinen down comforter (Lightweight/Queen) $224.25 at Brooklinen (Save $74.75) Get Deal Best sheet deal Brooklinen Luxe Hardcore sheet bundle (Queen) $253.80 (Save $169.20 at Brooklinen) Get Deal Best towel deal Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish cotton towel Move-In Bundle $231.41 at Brooklinen (Save $131.59) Get Deal

Spring has officially sprung, and if you haven't already given your home a much-needed seasonal refresh, now's a great time to do so. Donate your old sheets, pillows, and towels and replace them with fresh linens — it's about time you swapped everything out, after all.

Bedding and other home goods can be pricey, especially if you want the best. That's why you should take a moment to shop the Brooklinen 10th Anniversary Sale. As of April 24, the brand is serving up a sitewide discount event with 25% off everything including sheets, pillows, towels, quilts, blankets, and all those other must-have home goods. Check out our picks below.

Best comforter deal Opens in a new window Credit: Brooklinen Brooklinen down comforter (Lightweight/Queen) $224.25 at Brooklinen
$299.00 Save $74.75 Get Deal Why we like it

This super-soft comforter is the perfect addition to snuggly sheets and super-stuffed pillows. With a 100% cotton sateen shell filled with incredibly fluffy down, you'll feel like you're wrapping yourself up in a cloud. Choose from three types of warmth to accommodate the type of sleeper you are and rest easy knowing the hypoallergenic fill won't rouse your allergies and it's treated with antimicrobials so it can stay a major player in your bedtime stories for months to come.

Best sheet deal Opens in a new window Credit: Brooklinen Brooklinen Luxe Hardcore sheet bundle (Queen) $253.80 at Brooklinen
$423.00 Save $169.20 Get Deal Why we like it

The best-selling Brooklinen Luxe Hardcore sheet bundle comes with everything you need to make your bed the place to be. It comes with a Core sheet set, a duvet cover, and additional pillowcases. With a 480-thread count, silky smooth weave, and luminous look, these sateen sheets are the perfect companions for warmth and comfort all year round, even if you're a hot sleeper.

Best towel deal Opens in a new window Credit: Brooklinen Brooklinen Super-Plush Turkish cotton towel Move-In Bundle $231.41 at Brooklinen
$363.00 Save $131.59 Get Deal Why we like it

Brooklinen's Super-Plush bath towels are crafted from 100% Turkish cotton. They're extra-thick and cozy, making them the perfect thing to wrap up in after a long, hot shower. This complete move-in set comes with everything you need to swap out your old towels with Brooklinen's double-thick options, including four bath towels, four hand towels, four washcloths, and one bath mat. It's a complete transformation you'll be glad you made.

More Brooklinen 10th Anniversary Sale deals

• Plush down pillow — $81.75 $109 at Brooklinen (save $27.25)

• Weighted comforter (Queen) — $261.75 $109 at Brooklinen (save $87.25)

• Lightweight cotton quilt (Queen) — $156.75 $109 at Brooklinen (save $52.25)

• Super-Plush robe — $84.15 $99 at Brooklinen (save $14.85)

• Tufted bath rug — $41.25 $55 at Brooklinen (save $13.75)

SAVE $1,100: As of April 24, the Razer Blade 14 gaming laptop is on sale for $1,499.99, or $1,100 off the original price of $2,599.99, at Best Buy. It's one of our favorite gaming laptops in general, but we specifically love it for its power, compact design, and impressive battery life.

Opens in a new window Credit: Razer Razer Blade 14 (AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,499.99 at Best Buy
$2,599.99 Save $1,100.00 Get Deal

If you're looking to get into PC gaming but don't have the time, money, or space to commit to building a tower and desk setup from scratch, we highly recommend that you consider buying a gaming laptop. They aren't as powerful as desktop PCs, but you can still run some pretty hefty games on them if you get the right one. Plus, they won't occupy a ton of real estate and you can take them on the go.

One of our favorite compact yet powerful gaming laptops is the Razer Blade 14, and it's currently on sale at Best Buy for a whopping $1,100 off the original price of $2,599.99. It's still not cheap at $1,499.99, but we'd absolutely call it a steal considering what you get for the money.

SEE ALSO: The best VR headsets of 2024: Only four models made the cut

The Razer Blade 14 is sort of like the MacBook Pro of gaming laptops. It's compact and sleek (most gaming laptops aren't), extremely powerful, and features a gorgeous display that'll give all of your games that extra "wow" factor. When we tested out the Blade 14 for review, we were extremely impressed with the laptop's battery life of about four hours during heavy gaming sessions. Now, that number may seem low at first glance, but when you put it into the context of gaming laptops, it's actually on the high end — many other gaming laptops clock in at around one or two hours of gameplay, so you pretty much always have to play with them plugged in. And when we weren't playing games, the Razer Blade 14 kept a charge for a little over 10 hours.

Yes, it's a pricey machine, but you really do get what you pay for here: An ultra-powerful, compact gaming rig with high-end specs. At this discount, it's worth every penny.

If nothing else, Sand Land is a testament to its legendary creator’s timeless charm.

Going into this video game adaptation of a 24-year-old manga by Dragon Ball creator Akira Toriyama, I wasn’t sure how to feel. Bandai Namco’s numerous adaptations of manga and anime (it’s published pretty much every recent Naruto and Dragon Ball and One Piece game) have mostly left me cold over the years. Put simply, they tend to be pretty average video games wrapped in the shell of something you already know and love — and that doesn’t always do it for me.

Normally, it’s not a big deal if a licensed game comes out and isn’t great, but Sand Land took on an extra burden when Toriyama tragically passed away at the beginning of March. In a sense, it feels like this game needs to be good. Even if his involvement may have mostly been in a supervisory role, Sand Land is one of the last things Toriyama worked on. 

Thankfully, Sand Land is, at the very least, not bad. Its basic open-world design benefits from a unique vehicular hook, a lighthearted story with a likable cast of characters, and the fact that it doesn’t overstay its welcome by too much. As a big time Toriyama fan, I’ll remember it as a solid way to spend 25 hours in a world devised by one of the best to ever do it, less than two months after he was taken from us.

SEE ALSO: 'Dragon's Dogma 2' will drag you into the mud — and you'll like it Sand Land plot Belz is a cool little dude and so are his friends. Credit: Bandai Namco/Steam

One of my favorite things about Sand Land as both a fan of video games and a fan of Toriyama’s work is how much its setting plays with familiar tropes while managing to stand on its own. 

What I mean by that is that Sand Land is a post-apocalyptic story like many other video games, but it doesn’t feel anywhere near as dreary or hopeless as contemporaries like The Last of Us.

Set 50 years after a vaguely described war reduced a fictional kingdom to, well, sand, Sand Land tells a story of hope, peaceful co-existence, and rebuilding. What starts as a straightforward story about finding a reliable water source for Sand Land’s remaining citizens eventually centers around things like redemption, the morality of war itself, what it means to be good and evil, and who ultimately gets to be good and evil. 

Mind you, Sand Land doesn’t go especially deep on any of those subjects, but that’s fine. Some of Dragon Ball Z’s most potent messages were mostly there to justify another 10 episodes of guys powering up and yelling at each other. In Sand Land, the contents of the cutscenes exist to get you to the next batch of bad guys to blow up with tank shells. 

Put another way, I appreciate that Sand Land at least gestures at being anti-war. At a time when I can’t open my phone without being confronted by horrifying images of children in mass graves, I found it mildly touching that Sand Land occasionally takes a second to say something as simple as “genocide is bad,” even if it’s in the same kid-friendly tone that Toriyama specialized in. 

Sand Land characters The vehicles are kind of characters, too. Credit: Bandai Namco/Steam

Of course, the people who populate Sand Land are what make it worth saving. It’s just that the person who does the saving is not quite who you’d expect.

Players step into the shoes of Beelzebub, the prince of demons and son of Lucifer. Yes, angels and demons are also running around doing angel and demon things in this world that humans destroyed. It’s a fun twist on the typical post-apocalyptic setting — and Beelzebub’s home village is full of goofy demon designs. I’m a big fan of the talking ferret who has a scythe, personally.

Joining Beelzbub in his journey are his fellow demon friend Thief and an elderly human sheriff with a mysterious past named Rao. It doesn’t take long before that trio is joined by a woman named Ann, who specializes in vehicle maintenance. (More on that later.)

What I like about Beelzebub is that, being a demon, he’s generally repelled by the idea of doing good things for other people. It’s what makes him a fun protagonist. Over the course of the game, there’s some relatively satisfying character development as you see Belz (as his friends call him) very slowly come to terms with the fact that helping people can be better than pulling pranks on them. 

Of course, he’s still doing good deeds for selfish reasons a lot of the time. His entire motivation for looking for a water source at the beginning of the game is that his dad will let him play more video games if he succeeds. Having said all that, though, Belz is never really a jerk to anyone. He thinks he’s supposed to be bad because that’s what demons do, but you can tell he’s not really about that life. 

Sand Land mechanics Prepare to spend a lot of time in and around tanks. Credit: Bandai Namco/Steam

Unfortunately, Sand Land is not likely to win any awards for its open-world game design. But there’s enough meat on the bone to make it far less of a bore than, say, Rise of the Ronin was.

The elevator pitch here is “action game with silly anime vehicles instead of weapons or abilities.” Once you’ve played an hour or two and unlock the garage feature, Sand Land invites players to go to town creating their own wacky vehicles to tackle its harsh world. At first, you can only make a tank, but the roster eventually balloons to include various types of hovercraft, motorcycles, bipedal jump-bots, and humanoid battle-mechs. 

To build a vehicle, you need frames and blueprints, which can be found randomly out in the world at shops or enemy encampments, or as quest rewards. Each vehicle is assembled out of parts, including primary and secondary weapons, engines, and suspensions. Naturally, every part has to be crafted out of materials you find in chests or on the corpses of enemies.

Don’t get it twisted: Sand Land has a lot of crafting in it. If you want to build the best, most fully upgraded and unstoppable vehicles, you’ll have to do some farming. If you just want to finish the story, you can mercifully skip that step and just roll with what the game gives you most of the time. This is for the best because Sand Land lacks some modern quality-of-life conveniences other farming-heavy games have, like pinning materials or even getting useful hints about where to find them. It’s often up to you to just remember where you last saw something, which can be bothersome.

The vehicular action is a good time, though. Whether you're engaging in tank battles across open fields, using a jump-bot to navigate a platforming challenge, streaking a hover-scooter across a body of water, or using a battle-bot to punch the living daylights out of other battle-bots, it’s all snappy and satisfying. A decent (but not overwhelming) variety of weapons and abilities helps add some much-needed depth, too.

This stuff stinks. Credit: Bandai Namco/Steam

I wish I could say the same for Sand Land’s on-foot sections. The game often tasks Belz with navigating through tight spaces and even fighting enemies on his own. Basic movement and platforming is responsive and forgiving, but Belz’s combat mechanics are probably Sand Land’s biggest weakness. He has some basic melee combos he can bust out to go along with a few marginally useful abilities (governed by a typical meter), but fighting enemies on foot is usually a chore at best.

The good news is you don’t have to do this very often — and many of these scenarios actually let you just pull a vehicle out and wail away on enemies in more fun ways. But if you were hoping for some good non-vehicular action, Sand Land is not the game for you.

Lastly, Sand Land has one of my favorite things any game can have: a little central hub town that grows as you play the game. The village of Spino starts off as a trash-filled dump and eventually grows into a beautiful little community, full of NPCs Belz and his crew recruited via side quests around the world. 

Aside from the aesthetic charms of Spino’s gradual development, doing all of these quests will open up new shops and other quests, so I would say they are definitely worth your time.

Sand Land graphics I mean, that's basically just Bulma's motorcycle from 'Dragon Ball.' Credit: Bandai Namco/Steam

Akira Toriyama’s art has translated well into 3D video games for a long time and Sand Land is no different. 

There isn’t much to say other than that this is often a gorgeous game to look at. For a post-apocalyptic world, Sand Land often has attractive vistas and more color than you’d expect. Characters have the kinds of big, expressive eyes you expect from Toriyama’s work — and the design work is top notch all around.

That goes for vehicles, too. Sand Land’s tanks and robots and cars all skew more towards silly than badass, and that’s for the best. Toriyama was always renowned for his vehicle designs and in this sense, Sand Land is a loving tribute to its creator. You, as the player, get to actually make the funny little cars and bikes now, and that’s a pretty good selling point for the game in general.

Sand Land soundtrack and audio

There isn’t a ton to say about Sand Land’s audio presentation, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. 

Music is moody and appropriate, if not especially memorable. You get some nice strumming acoustic guitar while exploring and some decent sneaking music when infiltrating enemy bases. It’s all fine, but I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to any of it outside of the game.

Voice acting, too, is adequate but not spectacular. It sounds like the English dub of an anime, for better and worse. You’ll either vibe with the shouty, intentional obnoxiousness of Belz or you won’t. I did, but I can’t promise that you will.

Sand Land challenge and difficulty

On its default difficulty setting, Sand Land is not particularly challenging. As long as you update your vehicles’ gear at regular intervals, you’ll be fine. The same goes for regularly stocking up on healing supplies at shops, as those are pretty cheap and money quickly stops being a problem midway through the game.

My one real criticism of the vehicle fights in Sand Land is that they don’t often take full advantage of the mechanics available to them. An early tutorial asks you to position your tank at an angle to shoot targets in the sky since tank cannons can’t aim straight up, but the game never really asks you to consider that again. You can also switch between up to five different vehicles on the fly, even during fights, but very few encounters actually incentivize this.

The nuances are there, so why not use them?

Sand Land performance

I can only speak to the PlayStation 5 version of Sand Land, but it runs nearly flawlessly at 60 frames per second. There are occasional, very small dips when a lot of smoke effects are on screen, but while these are visible to the naked eye, I never found them that distracting. As soon as the smoke clears a second or two later, things are back to normal.

Oh, and the load times are nearly instantaneous, too. It helps a lot when fast traveling back and forth between places.

Is Sand Land worth it? Do it for Spino. Credit: Bandai Namco/Steam

Based entirely on its merits as an open-world action game, Sand Land is merely decent. It plays fine, boasting a few enjoyable concepts that it occasionally fails to fully exploit. However, it lacks distinctiveness in design and mechanics. Its 25-hour-ish playtime is also fairly slight by modern genre standards, but considering you can play that much of Starfield while barely seeing the game and also being bored the entire time, I’m not so sure that’s a bad thing.

Whether Sand Land is for you depends on your affection for the original manga or Toriyama’s work in general. As a lifelong Dragon Ball fan who has never read Sand Land, I found the game to be a comforting little sojourn back into the mind of a man whose work shaped my childhood. 

Toriyama’s ability to draw funny little guys doing funny little things in funny little places was nearly unmatched, and the Sand Land game is a pretty good tribute to that.

If you were captivated by Toriyama's blend of charmingly juvenile humor, excessively theatrical fights, abundant yelling, ludicrous vehicle designs, or the underlying humanity woven throughout, chances are you'll find something to like in Sand Land.

SAVE $140: Best Buy Plus and Total members are eligible to snag the Dyson Airwrap Long Complete for $459.99 instead of the normal $599.99. That's a 23% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson Airwrap Long Complete $459.99 at Best Buy
$599.99 Save $140.00 Sale price extends to Best Buy Total or Plus members Get Deal

Hair care has come a long way from scorching hot tools and blazing hair dryers. We now have options that include lower-heat hair dryers and stylers which translate to less work and far less damage to our locks. If you've been eyeing a high-end hair styler that focuses on lower heat, you're in for a treat at Best Buy.

As of April 24, the Dyson Airwrap Complete Long is just $459.99 for Best Buy Plus and Total members, marked down from the usual price of $599.99. That's a savings of $140 or a 23% discount. An annual membership to Best Buy Plus costs $49.99 while Best Buy Total costs $179.99. The memberships come with perks like exclusive sales, free 2-day shipping, tech support, and more.

SEE ALSO: Snag the customizable Dyson Airwrap for $100 off through the end of April

The Dyson Airwrap styling tool has become a cult-favorite beauty tool even though, like many Dyson products, it comes with an eye-watering price tag. But thanks to today's deal, Best Buy Plus and Total members can take $140 off the multi-styler, which makes this deal $40 less expensive than the current deal at Dyson.

The Dyson Airwrap Long Complete bundle is designed for those with hair that's chest-length or longer. It boasts three heat and air speed settings for easy styling and fast drying time without heat damage. The airflow aims to reduce static in the hair, which could be ideal for anyone who deals with flyaways often. The deal also includes several accessories like the long barrel, smoothing brush, and round volumizing attachment, plus a convenient storage case.

If you're a My Best Buy Plus or Total member who's been considering the Dyson Airwrap, today's a great day to buy thanks to a price drop that saves you $140.

TL;DR: Watch NHL live streams for free on CBC Gem and Ran.de. Access these free streaming platforms from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

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

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

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

How to watch the NHL for free

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

• Canada — CBC Gem (select NHL games)

• Germany — Ran.de (select NHL games)

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

Unblock these free streaming services by following these simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Canada or Germany

4. Connect to CBC Gem or Ran.de

5. Watch the NHL for free from anywhere in the world

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

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

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

What is the best VPN for the NHL?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Canada and 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 protected

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for £82.82 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. By using the guarantee, you can watch NHL games for free. This is sneaky, but it works because ExpressVPN returns your investment without hassle.

Watch the NHL for free with ExpressVPN.

In 2012 journalist Joshuah Bearman, whose 2007 Wired article fuelled Ben Affleck's Argo, wrote another article about a fake movie used in an escape plan to smuggle someone out of a country. For Playboy, he wrote about Black Panther leader Huey P. Newton and his escape from the U.S. to Cuba with the help of Hollywood producer Bert Schneider.

And now, it's been made into an Apple TV+ series, with the first two episodes directed by Don Cheadle.

Moonlight star André Holland is out front as revolutionary and activist Newton, the founding leader of the Black Panther Party. The cast also includes Alessandro Nivola, Tiffany Boone, PJ Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Moses Ingram, Rebecca Dalton, Olli Haaskivi, Jordane Christie, and Glynn Turman.

How to watch: The Big Cigar premieres on May 17 with the first two episodes, with new episodes every Friday after that.