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The mountains of the ocean teem with otherworldly life.

A deep sea expedition along an expansive underwater ridge, focused on the area around Rapa Nui (Easter Island), spotted some 160 species never found before in this remote marine realm, including 60 species scientists think are completely new to science. A major goal of this mission — across the Salas y Gómez Ridge in the Pacific Ocean — is to identify places that should be protected from exploitation and the coming wave of deep sea mining.

The expedition visited 10 seamounts along the 2,900-kilometer-long (1,800-mile) range, though the greater range includes over 100 undersea mountains. Earlier this year, another Pacific Ocean seamount expedition off of Chile found perhaps 100 new species, too.

"The astonishing habitats and animal communities that we have unveiled during these two expeditions constitute a dramatic example of how little we know about this remote area," Javier Sellanes, a professor in the Universidad Católica del Norte Department of Marine Biology in Chile who worked on the expedition, said in a statement.

SEE ALSO: A dominant shark lurks in the deep, dark ocean. Meet the sixgill.

Scientists captured the following imagery by lowering a deep sea robot, the ROV SuBastian, off of the Schmidt Ocean Institute's hi-tech exploration vessel RV Falkor (too).

A long "galaxy siphonophore," which is actually a colony of many organisms, spotted on a dive between 800 and 1,200 meters (2,625 to 3,940 feet) down. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute A moai on Rapa Nui (Easter Island), with the exploration vessel RV Falkor (too) in the background. Credit: Misha Vallejo Prut / Schmidt Ocean Institute An octopus perched on a seamount along the Salas y Gómez Ridge. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute A hydroid living on the northern flank of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute A squat lobster amid Chrysogorgia coral along the flank of an uninhabited island in the Salas y Gómez Ridge. Credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute

Ocean research organizations are now vigilantly documenting and mapping the deep sea. Scientists want to shine a light — literally and figuratively — on what's down there.

"We always discover stuff when we go out into the deep sea. You're always finding things that you haven't seen before," Derek Sowers, an expedition lead for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Ocean Exploration mission, told Mashable.

The implications of knowing are incalculable, particularly as deep sea mineral prospectors prepare to run tank-like industrial equipment across parts of the seafloor. For example, research expeditions have found that ocean life carries great potential for novel medicines. "Systematic searches for new drugs have shown that marine invertebrates produce more antibiotic, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory substances than any group of terrestrial organisms," notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

From the total eclipse to a Civil War interview, host Josh Burstein takes us on a comedic journey through the week's top stories.

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The best advice I got for witnessing the amazing solar eclipse
Spotify will let you use AI to create personalized playlists

What good is wearing a seven foot suit of armor if you're not at least going to throw a few shapes in it?

That was clearly the thinking of Fallout stuntman Adam Shippey, who according to series star Ella Purnell spent most of his time on set wearing in the outfit worn by Maximus (Aaron Moten) and the Brotherhood of Steel in Prime Video's new game adaptation.

The clip Purnell shares is only brief, but it does show Shippey busting out a solid floss on set. Solid work.

All episodes of Fallout premiere Apr. 10 at 9 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for April 11 SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for April 11

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, April 11, 2024:

Across"Beat it!"

• The answer is scat.

Sacred

• The answer is holy.

How anchovies are typically preserved

• The answer is inoil.

Pasta that's totally tubular

• The answer is penne.

Beat it!

• The answer is egg.

DownSend via FedEx

The answer is ship.

"Cup or ___?" (ice cream shop question)

• The answer is cone.

All by yourself

• The answer is alone.

Arranging in a knot

• The answer is tying.

One of 14 on a "roly-poly" bug

• The answer is leg.

Taking a screenshot on iPad has been a core feature since the first generation of Apple’s popular tablet, and for good reason. 

Whether you want to share a Twitter thread, save a receipt, or capture a moment of a video (for the memes), screenshots are an invaluable part of how we communicate today. Plus, it’s easy to do, and there’s more than one way to go about it.

SEE ALSO: iPad Pro 2024: 5 new features coming to the rumored new Apple tablet If your iPad has a home button

For the majority of iPads, the most common method for taking a screenshot is to press the home button and the top button at the same time. 

Total Time

• Less than 1 minute.

What You Need

• iPad

Step 1: Press the button on the top right corner of the iPad and the home button simultaneously.

If done successfully, you’ll see a white flash over the entire screen, and your iPad will save your screenshot to the photo library.

Credit: Apple

If you’re having trouble, you may get better results if you press the home button slightly before the top button, then quickly release both.

If your iPad doesn't have a home button

On iPads without home buttons, the process is similar. The only difference is that instead of the home button, you’ll press one of the volume buttons instead.

Total Time

• Less than 1 minute.

What You Need

• iPad

Step 1: Press the button on the top right corner of the iPad and the volume button simultaneously.

Credit: Apple If you don’t want to bother with button combinations

If pressing multiple buttons at once seems a little awkward, simply use one of the handiest Accessibility features on any mobile Apple device: AssistiveTouch. First you'll have to set up AssistiveTouch.

Total Time

• Less than 1 minute.

What You Need

• iPad

Step 1: Open Settings.

Step 2: Navigate to General.

Step 3: Click Accessibility.

Step 4: Tap Touch.

Step 5: Click AssistiveTouch.

Step 6: Tap the button at the top of the screen to turn it on.

After doing so, you’ll see a small virtual button appear onscreen that persists across all open apps. You can also use Siri and say “turn on AssistiveTouch” to get the same result.

Here's how to take a screenshot using AssistiveTouch.

Total Time

• Less than 1 minute.

What You Need

• iPad

Step 1: Tap the AssistiveTouch button at the top of the screen.

Step 2: Navigate to Device.

Step 3: Click More.

Step 4: Tap Screenshot.

You’ll see the same flash of the screen as if you’d done it the old-fashioned way, and your fresh screenshot will be waiting for you in your photo library.

More tutorials:

How to delete individual photos from a carousel on Instagram

How to change your camera tools setting on Instagram

How to use voice effects on Instagram Reels

How to disable Instagram embeds (and why you should)

How to post a photo to multiple Instagram accounts at the same time

How to clear your Instagram search history

How to post Live Photos on Instagram

How to delete individual photos from a carousel on Instagram

How to turn your social profiles into hubs for charity

How to create an "Add yours" story on Instagram

How to hide photos on Instagram without deleting them

How to see your 'Least Interacted With' on Instagram

With Donald Trump in the news this week for his shifting stances on abortion, The Late Show host Stephen Colbert took aim at the former president's recent video statements on Truth Social.

"In that video Trump was trying to stake out what he thought was a moderate position. He had previously floated the idea of a federal 15-week abortion ban, but he softened his position to this," says Colbert, before playing a clip of Trump outlining a proposal to let states determine their laws on abortion. "Then the next day, the Arizona Supreme Court campaign clown car into cuckoo-land." Colbert is referring to the reinstatement of an 1864 abortion ban in the State which makes abortion punishable by prison time.

"Trump apparently also has no clue how abortion works," the late night show host adds, playing a clip of Trump talking about Democrats supporting abortion "up to and even beyond the ninth month."

"It's true, way beyond, it's true," says Colbert, breaking out his trademark Trump impression. "I know a lady, she was nine months pregnant, went to the hospital, the doctor yelled 'push', then she comes out and – get this – wasn't pregnant anymore."

In the wake of Prime Video's highly anticipated Fallout series, fans new and old may be looking into diving back into the Wasteland to revisit the games that started it all.

The show itself, created by Westworld's Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan, has come out to generally good reviews, with Belen Edwards' Mashable review saying it "takes some time to click" but "gets really fun."

The same can be said about the Fallout games, developed over the years by Interplay Productions, Black Isle Studios, Obsidian Entertainment, and Bethesda Softworks. Each title offers a unique perspective on survival, society, and the choices that shape a world reborn from nuclear ashes. From the desolate plains of the original Fallout to the neon lights of New Vegas, here's a look at the best Fallout games that have left an indelible mark on gaming history and how they stack up in today's post-apocalyptic landscape.

SEE ALSO: 'Fallout' review: Video game adaptation is a wild nuclear Western

As you'll see below there are some notable exclusions to this list, mainly Fallout 76. While its current state is much better than its initial release, Fallout 76 represents a bold departure from the traditional single-player framework that has defined the Fallout series. Launched in Nov. 2018 by Bethesda Game Studios, the game forayed into an online multiplayer experience, aiming to blend the series' rich storytelling and world-building with the dynamics of an MMO (massively multiplayer online game).

However, upon release, the game faced criticism for numerous bugs, stability issues, and a perceived lack of content, which contrasted sharply with the deeply immersive single-player experiences found in its predecessors like Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas. These issues and early disparagement of its subscription models and in-game monetization practices led to a rocky start. Therefore, its exclusion from this list is less a condemnation of its current state and more a reflection of its deviation from the core aspects that many fans and critics consider when defining the quintessence of the Fallout series.

While the quality of these games compared to each other is subjective, we've ranked the games in the series from "must play" to "you need to play this before you die." And if you're curious about some other off-the-beaten-path Fallout spinoffs, it may be worth checking out Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel or Fallout Shelter if you like a nice mobile game.

The best Fallout games, ranked5. Fallout 4 What if I told you another settlement needs your help? Credit: Bethesda Game Studios / Bethesda Softworks

Released in 2015, Fallout 4 is considered the Black Sheep of the Bethesda Softworks line of Fallout games. Offering significant graphical updates and gameplay mechanics, such as base building and a voiced protagonist, Fallout 4 takes players to a post-apocalyptic Boston, 10 years after the events of Fallout 3. While praised for its visuals and exploration, some fans feel it simplifies certain RPG elements the series is known for — instead favoring action and streamlined dialogue.

Nonetheless, its expansive world, crafting system, and the addition of settlements add layers to the franchise's formula, making it a divisive yet essential entry in the series.

How to play: Fallout 4 is now available to buy from Amazon or through Xbox, PlayStation, or Steam.

4. Fallout

This is the game that started it all. Developed and published by Interplay Productions in 1997, this version of Fallout, unlike its later iterations, is a top-down isometric turn-based RPG. Set in 2161 in Southern California, the player "The Vault Dweller" is set on a quest in a nuclear wasteland to find a water chip to save their vault.

Fallout revitalized the RPG genre in the mid-'90s with its innovative setting and mechanics, moving away from traditional fantasy to a post-apocalyptic landscape. Although we take it for granted today, Fallout's open-world and player-focused narrative outcomes were pioneering. Considered the "first modern RPG" when it came out— setting the stage for games with morality systems and perks — its influence extends beyond the franchise itself.

How to play: Fallout is now available to buy through Xbox and Steam.

3. Fallout 2

Building on the original's foundation, Fallout 2 offers a broader world filled with intricate quests and enhanced game mechanics. Released a year after Fallout, this time being developed by Black Isle Studios takes place 80 years after the first. You play as the grandchild of the Vault Dweller seeking a device to help save your small village.

Known for its clever writing, dark humor, and improved player agency, this sequel deepens the lore of the Fallout universe. The game remains a benchmark for combining narrative depth with open-world freedom, though its adherence to classic CRPG elements makes it a nostalgic choice compared to its more modern successors.

How to play: Fallout 2 is now avaible to buy through Xbox and Steam.

2. Fallout 3 This is a very green-looking game. You've been warned. Credit: Bethesda Game Studios / Bethesda Softworks

Cited as one of the best games of its decade, Fallout 3 is the first game developed under Bethesda after it had bought the rights from Interplay in 2007. Released in 2008, Fallout 3 massively shifts from its turn-based roots to a more immersive 3D first-person action-adventure game. Set in the year 2277 around the Washington Metropolitan Area (the DMV), players are forced to explore the Capital Wasteland in search of their father after he disappears from their home in the Vault.

Renowned for its compelling main quest, the introduction of moral choices impacting the game world, and the freedom to explore a vast, radiated wasteland. The game's atmospheric setting, combined with its mix of survival and exploration, cemented it as a cornerstone of the franchise, showcasing Bethesda's vision of open-world storytelling.

How to play: Fallout 3 is now available to buy from Amazon or through Xbox and Steam.

1. Fallout: New Vegas Credit: Obsidian Entertainment / Bethesda Softworks

Fallout 3 is considered the best game of its year but it's New Vegas that's considered the best game in the franchise. New Vegas is a spin-off of Fallout 3 that was developed by Obsidian Entertainment — which was founded by former Black Isle employees — and released in 2010. While not directly related plot-wise to Fallout 3, New Vegas follows "The Courier" through their journey through the Mojave Desert to track down the man who shot them. This quest for revenge will pit the player character against a variety of factions vying for control of what remains of the West Coast.

New Vegas is especially loved as to some, it represents the blend of old-school Fallout and perfecting the new formula created by Fallout 3. Its distinctive blend of humor, narrative depth, and the addition to some critically acclaimed DLC expansions sets it apart as a pinnacle of role-playing freedom and storytelling in video games.

How to play: Fallout: New Vegas is now available to buy from Amazon or through Xbox and Steam.

All episodes of Fallout premiere April 10 at 9 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

The landscapes of the fantasy game Guild Wars 2 are dotted with luscious plants, many of which, like the blue flax flower, are inspired by their real-life counterparts. This crossover between video games and nature inspired Aleks Atanasovski and Hannah Young, creatives at advertising agency Wieden+Kennedy, to push the idea a step further and offer gamers an opportunity to grow their favourite game plants in reality, challenging the idea that gaming and nature rarely merge.

In theory, of course, everyone can just get a hold of seeds from plants featured in the game, and simply sow them in their garden — you could visit your local nursery for that. However, the idea behind SeedSaga's official collaboration with Guild Wars 2 is to use the popularity of the game to create a sense of a real-life seed planting quest beyond the screen.

SEE ALSO: Mashable's best games 2023: No, 'Baldur's Gate 3' isn't No. 1

"It's harnessing the gamer's love of getting merch from their favourite game, and having the opportunity to grow and nurture something like they would in the game, but being able to grow plants in the real world," Young tells Mashable.

In the spirit of the game, the SeedSaga packaging is branded in a way that transforms the seeds and planting instructions into a kind of treasure looted on a quest. It resembles an item you might find in your game inventory, emblazoned with an image of the plant taken from the game instead of a photo.

A SeedSaga-branded package containing flax flower seeds Credit: SeedSaga

In its first edition, SeedSaga offers seeds from three plants from Guild Wars 2: the blooming passiflora, flax flower, and a crimson sunflower, all native to the UK, where the project is currently limited to.

"Because games are inspired by real-life plants, [there is a huge] amount of plants in the game that are exactly the same as in nature," Atanasovski tells Mashable. "We made three bags, but we could have made one thousand."

The campaign’s first run is limited not only when it comes to the variety of seeds it offers, but also in the amount of branded seed packets it will distribute. Gamers interested in planting were asked to submit an application to the SeedSaga team, explaining why they'd like to have the seeds. Atanasovski and Young are still trying to shortlist the applicants, but they found some recurring patterns in the participants’ answers. As Atanasovski explains, the responses are "sometimes based on a relationship with nature, but also how it reminds [the applicants of] something about their loved ones. A few answers were like, “This flower makes me think of my girlfriend.” Or “This flower makes me think when we met in the game."

Much in the spirit of gaming, SeedSaga launched on March 2, 2024 via an in-game "nature walk" on Twitch led by streamer Maddie Mead, a.k.a. littlebunny_x and wildlife TV presenter and activist Nadeem Perera, who is also the co-founder of Flock Together. The latter is a birdwatching community that aims to connect young people with nature, and make the outdoors accessible to all. For Perera, the separation between gaming and nature is arbitrary.

"At the moment, the gaming world and the outdoor world are almost mutually exclusive when we talk about them. And I really don't think it needs to be that way," he tells Mashable. "I'm outdoors all the time, but I also play video games. None of them stop me from doing the other. So I really want to tackle this narrative and redefine what it means to be a gamer, as well as what it means to be a ‘nature person.'"

Credit: Guild Wars 2

To Young, humanity's ability to appreciate and benefit from nature is evident even in the video game space.

"In the gaming community, talking about nature is something that's really thriving at the moment," she says. "There are so many things on Reddit and Twitter where people are talking not about the games, like missions, or the quests that they're doing, but it's like spotting the landscapes that they're looking at, and appreciating them just like they do if they are on a hike in the real world."

It’s a common misconception that video games serve solely as escapism. But much like in art, nature depicted in games is more a representation of our environment than a separation from it. And as such, it makes sense that witnessing the beauty of nature in the virtual space can make us more curious about the natural world outside video games. Young, at least, seems driven by that very notion. 

"The things people talk about on Reddit are so breathtaking," she says. "It's so similar to how you might be outside and take in a forest or something really amazing in nature. And I think it's not a matter of gamers having one or the other. We just wanted to remind them about the feeling and the surprise that they were getting in games, they had that with nature as well."

SeedSaga is part of W+K's inaugural project for the Agency for Nature initiative founded by Glimpse and Purpose Disruptors, and was partially created as a response to research showing that Britain ranks last for nature connectedness in Europe, while UK Citizens measured lowest for their feeling of "oneness with the natural world."

TL;DR: RelaxMyDog is a streaming service with color, audio, and content focused on helping dogs relax, and it's only $23.99 through April 16 with code ENJOY20. 

It's rough when you come home to find your dog has been anxious all day. You could try to find something on Netflix that they could relax and listen to while you're away, but asking a human streaming service to cater to doggy taste might be barking up the wrong tree. 

The alternative is to find a streaming service for dogs, with shows that are designed to be appealing to all kinds of canines. RelaxMyDog video streaming could do just that for your furry best friend, and it may cost less than most of your other streaming services. Through April 16, you can get a three-year subscription to RelaxMyDog video streaming for $23.99 (reg. $125), with code ENJOY20.

A streaming service for dogs

This service gives your dog (and you) access to a looping feed of content tailored to help pups who are anxious, bored, or hyperactive. Color and audio are both designed for dog viewers, so the shows may look dull to you, but they could be stunning to the dogs in the audience. 

This subscription gives you access to unlimited streaming on one desktop or mobile device for three years. RelaxMyDog works with a variety of platforms including iOS, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Roku, and Android devices. Or you can access it in your browser. 

Shows and music for anxious dogs

Playing fetch might wear your dog's body out, but this streaming service could help their mind relax. So the next time you have to go out, you could put on your dog's favorite show.

Until April 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT, get a three-year subscription to RelaxMyDog video streaming for $23.99 (reg.$125) with code ENJOY20. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Relax My Dog Relax My Dog Video Streaming: 3-Yr Subscription $23.99 at the Mashable Shop
$125.00 Save $101.01 with code ENJOY20 Get Deal

TL;DR: This Electrothermal Vibration Massage Shoulder Support Belt is a wearable massager to help relax the muscles in your shoulder, and, through April 16, you can get it for $47.99 with code ENJOY20. 

Shoulder pain isn't easy to deal with. Even a little soreness could make it hard to raise your arms to cook, play with your pets, exercise, or enjoy your hobbies. However, you may be able to help soothe the pain with a little bit of heat and pressure from a convenient device you can wear on your shoulder. 

The Electrothermal Vibration Massage Shoulder Support Belt could help provide pain relief for your shoulder through adjustable heat and vibration settings. Normally, this wearable massager would be $199, but you can get it for $47.99 through April 16 with code ENJOY20. 

Don't shoulder the pain alone

The shoulder support belt is designed with three adjustable modes for heating and vibration, so you can customize your experience until you find a blend that's just right for your pain. All settings are accessed using the control panel and LED display on the side of the belt. That's also where you can check battery life, although the belt should remind you once it gets down below 5% power.

Though it might be comfortable and even help temporarily alleviate the pain in your shoulder, this device doesn't treat the underlying cause or heal the shoulder itself. It could be a great fit if you have chronic shoulder pain and want a quick way to help soothe the pain, or athletes could pop it on after a tough workout. 

Help soothe your sore muscles

Whether you're sore from work, the gym, an old injury, or your pain is a total mystery, you might be able to find some relief with this wearable heat massager. 

Until April 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT, you can get the Electrothermal Vibration Massage Shoulder Support Belt for $47.99 (reg.$199) with code ENJOY20. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Mesay Electrothermal Vibration Massage Shoulder Support Belt $47.99 at the Mashable Shop
$199.99 Save $152.00 with code ENJOY20 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 16, the Digi Pen is a budget alternative to the Apple Pencil, and it's on sale for $31.99 with code ENJOY20. 

There are plenty of stylus options out there, but many like the Apple Pencil are expensive while others may not have the correct sensitivity for art, design, and other creative uses. Even handwriting could be difficult without a good fine tip. 

That's where the Digi Pen comes into play. This low-cost stylus has a 1.2mm fine tip and other user-friendly features like palm rejection, and through April 16 you can get one for $31.99 (reg. $99) with code ENJOY20. 

A low-cost Apple Pencil alternative

Write or draw with the Digi Pen's 1.2mm fine tip that's built to be durable and sensitive with pixel precision. Whether you're taking notes in a meeting or sketching a new project, this budget stylus could be a reliable tool that promises no lagging, skipping, or scratching. It's designed with palm rejection and a magnetic connection to help limit rolling, as well as a tilt function for drawing strokes of different thicknesses and depths just by tilting the pen. 

The Digi Pen has three power indicator lights on the side that tell you when it's time to recharge. That might be a while, though. Fully charged, it could run for up to 20 hours. 

Make sure to check that your iPad is compatible before you buy. This stylus works with a wide range of devices, but older iPads might not be supported. 

A stylish stylus for a low price

You don't have to have an Apple Pencil to do art on your tablet. 

You have until April 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT to get the Digi Pen on sale for $31.99 (reg. $99) with code ENJOY20. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Digi Digi Pen for iPad & Tablets $31.99 at the Mashable Shop
$99.95 Save $67.96 with code ENJOY20 Get Deal

TL;DR: Through April 16, let your toilet clean, freshen, and even light up itself with the Clean Bowl UV sanitizing light. This automatic toilet cleaner also has a proximity light and an air freshener, and it's $19.99 with code ENJOY20. 

If you're looking for an alternative to turning on the overhead lights for nighttime bathroom trips, there's a gadget that might solve that problem and a few more. 

A light in the darkness 

The Clean Bowl UV sanitizing light is a clip-on toilet accessory designed with three functions: an automatic UV light that helps sanitize your bowl, an automatic air freshener, and a proximity-activated light. And through April 16 you can get this device for $19.99 with code ENJOY20.

It automatically disperses air freshener

This family-safe toilet attachment is built to be easy to install and work automatically. It's designed to detect movement within 6.5 feet, and then automatically activate the sterilizing light. It even releases a scent that can help keep your restroom smelling fresh. A bonus effect of the sanitizing light is that it can also serve as a nightlight, and it allows you to customize the color to cast your bathroom in a pleasant glow.

April 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT is the deadline to get the Clean Bowl UV sanitizing light for $19.99 (reg. $39.99) with code ENJOY20. 

StackSocial prices subject to change. 

Opens in a new window Credit: Electronic Avenue Clean Bowl UV Sanitizing Light for Toilet $19.99 at the Mashable Shop
$39.95 Save $19.96 with code ENJOY20 Get Deal

On her first night playing Audrey in Off Broadway's Little Shop of Horrors, Jinkx Monsoon stopped traffic. "I've been rehearsing this for weeks now," she tells Mashable over Zoom, but "I still forget that there's moving set pieces and it's tight quarters backstage." The most challenging choreography, it turns out, happens behind the curtain. "If I'm not out of the way," the two-time RuPaul's Drag Race winner adds with a charming cackle, "I actually could cause huge traffic jams."

For Monsoon, cramped corridors compound the charm of performing Off Broadway. "It has just enough of that DIY, get-your-hands-dirty experience that you feel like, 'Yeah, I'm a real New Yawk actuh here,'" she laughs. This particular production of Little Shop of Horrors has seen more than half a dozen Audreys since it opened in 2019, from Constance Wu to Evan Rachel Wood. Monsoon is the first trans woman to take on the role, and she's doing it opposite another icon of the silver screen: High School Musical star Corbin Bleu.

A few days after her debut as Audrey, Monsoon sat down with Mashable to share the YouTube videos she's been watching during rehearsals and unpack her identity and ideals in the process.

1. "High School Musical: A Bad Lip Reading"

Jinkx Monsoon: I love Corbin Bleu. I was not expecting for him and me to be the same person offstage. We have such a parallel story about wanting to be performers pretty much our whole lives, but really wanting to do what we're doing right now. This is where we feel alive. It's a lot of fun because you don't feel like such a dork for caring so much. In theater, almost everyone's a huge dork. It's like being queer and finding your tribe.

When High School Musical happened, I gotta say, I had a huge crush on him. Because I love guys with big hair. I just do. Meeting him in person, he is such a dreamboat. He is such a charming, delightful person. Both he and [co-star James Carpinello] treat me like a princess. Here I am at the beginning of my medical transition, playing a female-assigned, female-intended character. And I've got these two straight guys on either side of me, treating me like a fucking queen.

This video is something I've seen before, and that I had to go back to [while] working with Corbin. I freaking love the concept of bad lip reading. It's hilarious to me. My two favorites are the Twilight compilations and Beyoncé singing the national anthem.

I try not to bring up High School Musical because I figure that's [Corbin's] whole life. He and his wife are Drag Race fans. We had dinner the other night and did our compulsory gushing over each other. And that's how I learned that he and his wife and me and my buddies, we are all just gamer dorks who like cartoons. I play Overwatch constantly. I'm a PS5 fantasy RPG girl.

I started drag because I wanted to play roles like this... to play all the characters that I didn't get cast in… to get that fantasy fulfilled for myself. Now I get to play these characters. And I just didn't see it being a possibility in my lifetime, which is why I so fervently fight for the trans and queer community these days. I'm fighting for myself. I don't want to lose this… to lose the progress we've made. And I don't feel like we will. I have so much hope. But that doesn't mean I'm not filled with white-hot rage at almost all times.

I started drag because I wanted to play roles like this... to play all the characters that I didn't get cast in… to get that fantasy fulfilled for myself. Now I get to play these characters.

When I meet people at the stage door... young trans [people say that] seeing me on stage makes it feel more possible for them to one day be on that stage, playing the roles that they know that they are meant to play, not the roles that society told them to play because of what's between their legs. I think the most important thing [about being cast] is that it shows producers that this can work and not to be afraid of gender-blind casting. It's cool to see a show like Little Shop that is so beloved, so ingrained in Americana, be reinterpreted with Seymour as a mixed-race person and Audrey played by a trans performer. Until there's true equity of roles, we've got to be open-minded to seeing characters reinterpreted by many different people.

2. "Patti Labelle - Where My Background Singers?!"

I seriously watch this clip almost daily because it makes me feel so much better. I have been in those nightmare performances, where everything's going wrong. I really relate to her inability to let it go. I don't know if she's a Virgo, but if you told me she was a Virgo, I would not be surprised. I see a performer who loves performing, who loves doing what they do, and everything's going wrong. And she cannot accept it. She keeps trying to fix it in the moment. 

Mashable: Are you a Virgo?

I am. The big thing is having people you trust to delegate things to who are really good at their jobs. And I'm lucky that I'm surrounded by a great team. And I work with wonderful collaborators. What I love to do these days is be really clear about what my job is that day. Then my brain tunes out everything else, and I just let everyone else do their job. And if my job is to be a perfectionist, micromanaging control freak, I'll do that. But if my job is to be a pretty model that day, and I see something that's not happening the way I would do it, I try to let people just do their job. Because to micromanage is to tell a person you don't trust them. But I will, occasionally, when it is important enough to me, ask a person if they would like my opinion.

I say, "Would you like my input on this? Are you feeling really good about how it's going?" I know that sounds loaded but most people can hear it for what it's worth. What I like to say to other drag queens after they perform is — it's a joke, of course, I'm being a bitch — "Are you at a place where you could receive notes?"

Has anyone ever said "yes?"

Usually, they just say "fuck you." But that's why you do it. You gotta keep drag queens' [feet] on the ground.

3. "Auntie Mame (1958) Official Trailer"

[Auntie Mame] was a book and then the book became the movie Auntie Mame. Then someone had an idea to write the musical, [Mame]. I watched the original movie with my assistant. He is not that much younger than me, but we have an Auntie Mame / Patrick vibe, where it's very much like I kind of picked him up out of his life and started making him tour with me and showed him all the wonders the world has to offer, and I very much believe that if he ever has a kid that I'll get to spend summers with him [laughs].

There was a time when I thought I was gonna raise my own children. That thought is kind of waning these days. But I know I can be a great "Auntie Mame" to my niece, Chloe, and any other children my siblings have. I was pretty much raised by my Aunt Mimi, and I know that special relationship between aunt and uncle and their siblings' kids because you're a little bit removed. You're not the disciplinarian. You just get to be the person who fills them with knowledge and gives them gifts. And that's a really privileged position.

SEE ALSO: Remi Cruz on her Twice bias, Maangchi, and being Lana Del Rey's favorite vlogger

My niece is just so freakin' cool. Not an ounce of prejudice in that perfect being. I explained gender nonbinary pronouns to this kid at seven, and then they turned around and explained it to other people. Like, that's what kids kids are. I mean, I'm sure that sounds like grooming. But kids do not come pre-dispositioned to hate people. My niece meets everyone with the same open heart and the same open mind, and it is what gives me hope.

Isn't it messed up that you think some people might think about that as grooming? 

Exactly. And that's what fills me with rage the most is how much I now distrust myself, or distrust my own actions or how they will be perceived. I think it's a beautiful thing that my niece had no trouble understanding that some people don't identify with the binary. But I think about you printing that and someone thinking like, "Wow, you really brainwashed your niece at an early age." Whereas I feel like prejudice is the brainwashing. That's conditioning a child to hate someone before they've even met them. Any way you teach a child love and open-mindedness and open-heartedness… that can't be bad, right?

We're just at a time where, if you're queer, you're scared to be part of that. I'm candid for a reason. I want people to know that this is what's going through my brain. I want people to know that queer people are thinking this way. Because J.K. Rowling is out there saying that every trans person is a predator... politicians are continually lying to the public. And that is why queer people are now second guessing their own nature. That's the effect it has.

4. "Elizabeth Taylor feeling merry at the Golden Globe Awards"

I don't want to presume what was going on with Liz Taylor this night. You could put two and two together. It seems like she had a couple. I have zero judgment because I'm a recovering alcoholic myself. But to have captured this moment in time, where Liz Taylor almost ruined the end of the Golden Globes is just hilarious. She plays it off like such a queen, like such royalty. She makes a joke. She's charming and effervescent the whole time. And then she steals Dick Clark's final line.

I just relate to it. I've been on stage and realized I was too drunk to be on stage and tried my best to keep things charming and effervescent. I do not recommend it. But some people need a shot of liquid courage to get on stage. Again, I do not judge. I think when you're mixing alcohol and performance, you're walking a slippery tightrope.

With the darker things in life, when you can get to a place where you can laugh at it and poke fun at yourself about it, it's a better place to be because there is a lot of guilt and shame that comes with alcoholism. And I'm not saying don't learn from your mistakes but, when you can, laugh at it a little bit. I just can feel that clip. I remember living that.

5. Carol Burnett - The Family: "The Flashback" (Uncut) Your final video is from The Carol Burnett Show, and it's actually part of a playlist of skits between the same two characters.

I sent you the playlist because I recently watched this whole thing when I was recovering from my facial feminization surgery. I love the show Mama's Family, which is a spin off of The Carol Burnett Show. Betty White and Rue McClanahan were guest stars on Mama's Family right before they got offered Golden Girls. That's a fun little fact.

The Carol Burnett Show [was broadcast] in the '70s. There are moments that do not hold up, that don't age well. However, the women on the show are spectacular. Carol Burnett and Vicki Lawrence can do anything. Carol Burnett played the character of Eunice who is this dejected black sheep of her family and constantly plagued by her overcritical, grouchy mother played by Vicki Lawrence. The reason why I sat and binge-watched all these sketches is because I realized it was my family. If anyone wants to know what it was like growing up in my [biological] family, they need only watch Mama and Eunice.

In the same way that these sketches don't hold up, some parts of Auntie Mame don't either.

What sucks about Auntie Mame is that she's this character who is a good person and even she's not immune from casual racism. Being someone who loves Old Hollywood and who loves this "yesteryear" aesthetic, and [you're] constantly being like, "Oh, my god, I forgot about this part." But I don't think we should forget that. It's not making an excuse, it's saying, "This existed in our history."

SEE ALSO: Trans people are turning to VR as society fails them

We need to be able to look at the past and have history of the good and bad to learn from it. And that's why banning books [and] destroying culture is not good for culture. Cancel culture is bad for culture. I truly believe that we, as the community consuming entertainment, decide what we want to consume. But to try to erase its existence is like saying it never happened. And we need to remember it happened. We need to educate ourselves to make sure it doesn't happen [again]. Consciousness doesn't shift without this trial and error.

I'm really ready to talk about what's wrong with the world from where I see it. I'm really ready to get all fired up on these issues. But I hope that you hear how much hope I have. I see younger people seeing through the lies that we're told about our gender, about our race, about our limitations. I was really a product of this system until I started to see how corrupt it was. We've learned so much in the last five years that we can't go back. The young people of our generation are the ones who are going to say, "We are so done with this." We won't know until we're there. So all we can do is keep fighting until we have to plot a new course.

The official trailer for the American Speak No Evil remake is here, and it looks every bit as disturbing as the original Danish film. Good luck to anyone who's keen to sit through that ending again. I will be way over here, thinking happy thoughts.

Based on the 2022 horror of the same name, Speak No Evil follows two families who meet on vacation: American couple Ben (Scoot McNairy) and Louise (Mackenzie Davis) with their daughter Agnes (Alix West Lefler), and British couple Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) with their son Ant (Dan Hough). Quickly befriending each other, the latter invite the former to visit their country home for a weekend getaway.

Unfortunately, the guests soon discover that their hosts aren't as innocuous as they seemed, and that there may be a more sinister explanation to Ant's inability to speak than was previously divulged.

Speak No Evil arrives in theatres Sept. 13.

A great onboarding experience can keep new hires engaged and committed, and increase their preparedness for the job. But there’s such a thing as too much onboarding—overloading a new hire with so much information that they’re left feeling overwhelmed and dissatisfied. Here’s how to keep things manageable. Dose information slowly. Learning is a gradual process that […]

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TL;DR: Watch Liverpool vs. Atalanta in the Europa League for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Liverpool are fighting against Manchester City and Arsenal to win the Premier League, so a midweek knockout fixture against a strong Atalanta is probably not what they need right now. A rest would be better for their Premier League ambitions, but that's football. It's tough at the top, and if you want to win everything, you need to make use of your squad.

If you want to watch Liverpool vs. Atalanta for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Liverpool vs. Atalanta?

Liverpool vs. Atalanta kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on April 11. This fixture takes place at Anfield in Liverpool, England.

How to watch Liverpool vs. Atalanta for free

Austrian viewers can live stream select Europa League fixtures for free (with German commentary) through Austrian broadcaster ServusTV. This free schedule includes the fixture between Liverpool and Atalanta.

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

Unblock ServusTV 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 Austria

4. Visit ServusTV

5. Stream Liverpool vs. Atalanta in the Europa League for free

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can gain access to ServusTV without committing with your cash. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it gives you plenty of time to stream Liverpool vs. Atalanta before recovering your investment.

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

What is the best VPN for ServusTV?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for streaming sport on ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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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 generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch Liverpool vs. Atalanta for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: A wide range of online courses from Georgia Tech are available to take for free on edX.

edX hosts a wide range of free online courses from from the likes of Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. Those are some big names, but if you're looking for lessons on tech-focused topics like coding and AI, it's really all about Georgia Tech's offering.

You can find online courses from Georgia Tech on everything from Python computing to machine learning, and you don't have to pay anything to enroll. We have checked out everything on offer and lined up a standout selection of courses to get you started.

These are the best free online courses from Georgia Tech this month:

• AI for Teacher Assistance

• Assessment Design with AI

• Chatbots for Instruction

• Computing for Data Analysis

• Computing in Python I: Fundamentals and Procedural Programming

• Computing in Python II: Control Structures

• Computing in Python III: Data Structures

• Computing in Python IV: Objects & Algorithms

• Data Analytics for Business

• Data Structures and Algorithms I: ArrayLists, LinkedLists, Stacks and Queues

• Human-Computer Interaction I: Fundamentals and Design Principles

• Introduction to Analytics Modelling

• Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming with Java I: Foundations and Syntax Basics

• Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming with Java II: Object-Oriented Programming and Algorithms

• Linear Algebra I: Linear Equations

• Linear Algebra II: Matrix Algebra

• Probability and Statistics I: A Gentle Introduction to Probability

These free courses do not come with a certificate of completion, but that's the only catch. You can still learn at your own pace with unrestricted access to all the course materials, so what are you waiting for?

Find the best free online courses from Georgia Tech on edX.

Opens in a new window Credit: Georgia Tech Georgia Tech Online Courses Free at edX Get Deal

TL;DR: A lifetime subscription to iScanner is on sale for £25.29 with the code ENJOY20.

Working remotely requires a lot of flexibility. Sometimes that may mean turning your dinner table into a web conference station, and other times it might mean finding space-saving substitutes for essential office appliances. iScanner may not be able to retrofit your kitchen, but it does pack the functionality of a high-quality document scanner into your iOS device, and you can get a lifetime subscription for £25.29 with the code ENJOY20. 

Scan books, formal documentation, ID cards, and more with this smart scanner app. Need to search for a specific phrase on a lengthy printed document? Use this pocket OCR scanner to turn any scannable object into convenient, searchable, edit-friendly text. You can even clean up your scans before you start working with them. iScanner has tools to fix warped edges, skews, and annoying curves in your files.

Looking over a new contract? Use iScanner to sign on the dotted line. If you’re concerned about your privacy, you can also blur out sensitive information or lock your files behind a secure PIN. 

Scan multiple documents as PDF, JPG, and TEXT files and share them all from one app. You can also merge or split documents by page, which is very convenient if you just need someone to look over one small part of a larger document.

iScanner doesn’t just scan documents and cards. Point your iPhone at a written or typed-out math problem and see a solution in moments. No need to mess around with the order of operations and a calculator when it can be done automatically. Doing inventory? iScanner can count similar objects for you. If you’re ordering some new furniture for your home office, don’t forget to take some measurements before you buy. iScanner’s got you covered there too. Measure the area of a room without ever fussing over a measuring tape. 

You may not have room for a full-sized scanner, but you probably have desk space for your phone. Get a lifetime subscription to iScanner for just £25.29 with the code ENJOY20. 

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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 11'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:

Small wingless parasite found in hair.

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 L.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. What's the answer to Wordle today?

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 #1027 is...

LOUSE.

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 11'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: Infamous haircuts

• Green: How to measure

• Blue: Things that funnel under a home

• Purple: Food gurus

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: Haircuts, with "Cut"

• Green: Measuring Instruments

• Blue: Water and Gas Conduits

• Purple: Fast Food Mascots

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 #305 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Haircuts, with "Cut": BOWL, BUZZ, CREW, PIXIE

• Measuring Instruments: COMPASS, RULER, SCALE, WATCH

• Water and Gas Conduits: CHANNEL, LINE, MAIN, PIPE

• Fast Food Mascots: CLOWN, COLONEL, KING, MERMAID

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.