IT General

The universe is rife with mystery.

Ambitious space missions, like the James Webb Space Telescope and Martian rovers, are helping scientists grasp what's out there: Could any of the rocky, Earth-sized planets in the TRAPPIST solar system host life? How did galaxies teeming with stars and planets, like our Milky Way, come to be? Did hellish Venus once harbor oceans?

Some of these cosmic questions may be answered in the coming years and decades; some will take longer.

Yet these same spacecraft also beam back patterns and images that we sometimes interpret as being familiar: perhaps a face in rock, or a colossal hand in a cosmic cloud. This tendency to see a distinctive image in a foreign (or one might say extraterrestrial) pattern is known as "pareidolia."

"Here at NASA, we often hear from people who think they see something familiar in an image from Mars, or another planet, or somewhere else in the cosmos. And it's true — they do see something familiar, but it's actually because they're experiencing pareidolia," the space agency explains.

SEE ALSO: Aliens haven't contacted us. Scientists found a compelling reason why.

What follows are some instances of skulls seeming to appear in space images. Of course, there really aren't colossal skulls zooming through the cosmos, or our solar system. Right?

The Perseus cluster A cluster of galaxies captured by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. Credit: Chandra X-ray Observatory ACIS Image

This haunting image was captured by NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, an instrument that detects X-ray emissions (as opposed to something like visible light emissions) from hot areas of the universe.

This skull-like pattern actually shows the core of a group of distant galaxies called the "Perseus cluster." You're essentially looking at the extremely hot gas in and around the supergiant galaxy, Perseus A. Directly at center, between two dark cavities, is a supermassive black hole, a region with such enormous gravity not even light can escape. The twin dark cavities are giant — "each large enough to contain a galaxy half the diameter of our Milky Way galaxy," NASA explains — and likely created by bursts of energized particles released from around the galactic black hole. ­

The "mouth" of the skull, seen at two o'clock from the image's center, is a smaller galaxy (with some 20 billion stars) that's falling into the more massive Perseus A (yes, galaxies tend to collide).

The skull asteroid (aka the "Halloween asteroid") Asteroid 2015 TB145, which looks similar to a skull, once passed within 302,000 miles of Earth. Credit: National Science Foundation / Arecibo Observatory

In the right light, asteroid 2015 TB145 looks awfully creepy.

What's more, astronomers discovered this space rock in October 2015 — and then it made its closest pass to Earth that Halloween.

Asteroid 2015 TB145, measuring some 2,050 to 2,300 feet wide, is awfully dark. It reflects almost no light, just around 5 percent of sunlight. "This means that it is very dark, only slightly more reflective than charcoal," Pablo Santos-Sanz, an astronomer from the Institute of Astrophysics of Andalusia, told the Spanish science publication SINC.

Like most asteroids, the "Halloween asteroid" is a relic from our early solar system. It formed some 4.6 billion years ago, but never developed into part of a larger planetary mass, the likes of which created our planets. NASA calls Asteroid 2015 TB145 a "dead comet," meaning it's shed much of the water ice and other "volatiles" around its rocky or metallic core.

It's a "near Earth asteroid," i.e., its orbit brings the rock somewhat close to Earth (but it isn't on track to hit our planet) from time to time. In 2088, for example, the asteroid will come within 20 lunar distances (a lunar distance is the length between Earth and the moon, or some 239,000 miles) from us. And in the right light, it might continue to intrigue, or creep out, the masses.

Skull Nebula The "Skull Nebula," formed from the outgassed layers of a dying star. Credit: ESO / VLT

Some 1,600 light-years away lies the "Skull Nebula."

Formally called NGC 246, it's a cosmic object called a planetary nebula, which forms when a medium-sized star like the sun grows old and sheds its outer layers of gas, often in a grandiose cosmic display. An extremely dense core (a white dwarf star) is left in the middle of the clouds.

The Skull Nebula is located in the constellation Cetus, which means "The Whale." "This ethereal remnant of a long dead star, nestled in the belly of The Whale, bears an uneasy resemblance to a skull floating through space," writes the European Southern Observatory (ESO), a collaborative science organization of European nations.

One-eyed space skull? A planetary nebula, created when a star around the mass of the sun sheds its outer layers near the end of its life. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / S.Carey

Like clouds in the sky, nebulae take many shapes. What do you see here?

"A grinning one-eyed skull? Actually a complex planetary nebula around a dying star," writes NASA.

This is planetary nebula NGC 5189, created when a star around the mass of the sun sheds its outer layers near the end of its life. Unlike our solar system, astronomers suspect this solar system contained two stars (a "binary system).

Face on Mars A natural feature on Mars that, from an image taken in 1976, looks similar to a face or skull. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech

The "face on Mars" is a famous example of pareidolia.

NASA's Viking spacecraft captured a feature on Mars with a face-like pattern in 1976. Yet, "The 'face' does not stand the test of time," writes NASA. Decades later, other spacecraft took higher resolution images of the face, showing that it's simply natural Martian topography.

On far left is an image taken by NASA's Viking spacecraft in 1976. The images at center and right were snapped by the Mars Global Surveyor in 1998. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / MSSS

Indeed, you can find instances of pareidolia all over the cosmos. It's not inherently a bad thing — it can be a valuable way to draw interest to a cosmic object.

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Though, sometimes, the resemblance can be a little too close for comfort.

This story has been updated.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for October 31's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for October 31 Where did Wordle come from?

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

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

What's the best Wordle starting word?

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

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 30 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Giving off eerie vibes.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter W.

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

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

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

WEIRD.

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

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 30

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

Connections is the latest New York Times word game that's captured the public's attention. The game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for October 31's Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections?

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

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.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for October 30 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: Cute pet names for an SO

• Green: Eyelid actions

• Blue: Luxury car brands

• Purple: Types of hunts

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: Terms of Endearment

• Green: Things You Can Do With Your Eyelids

• Blue: Sports Cars

• Purple: ___Hunt

Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.

Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #508 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Terms of Endearment: DARLING, LOVE, PUMPKIN, TREASURE

• Things You Can Do With Your Eyelids: BAT, BLINK, FLUTTER, WINK

• Sports Cars: DIABLO, MUSTANG, SPIDER, VIPER

• ___Hunt: EGG, JOB, SCAVENGER, WITCH

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 30

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

The Daily Mini Crossword is one of the many popular daily word games available on Mashable. Powered by Arkadium, the mini crossword offers a speed round of puzzle fun with clues that are sure to challenge experienced crossword enthusiasts.

But there's no need to let the challenge get in the way of your enjoyment! If moments are turning to minutes after getting stuck on a clue, find the answers you need to progress right here.

And when you're done, check out the many other word games you can play on Mashable, including a full-size crossword.

Also, if you get stuck on any other daily word games, such as Wordle, Connections, or Strands — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 31 SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to Daily Mini Crossword for Thursday, October 31, 2024:

AcrossFlabby

• The answer is Soft.

Dragon's down

• The answer is Scale.

Artist's aid

• The answer is Easel.

Disney princess

• The answer is Ariel.

Dry run

• The answer is Test.

DownHalloween habit

• The answer is Scare.

Mirage subject

• The answer is Oasis.

Armada

• The answer is Fleet.

Show and ____

• The answer is Tell.

Airplane assignment

• The answer is Seat.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Similar to an onion.

SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 31 Hurdle Word 1 answer

CHIVE

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Emerged.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 31 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

AROSE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

More this than older things are.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 31 Hurdle Word 3 answer

NEWER

Hurdle Word 4 hint

YouTubers ask you to do this to subscribe.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for October 31 Hurdle Word 4 answer

CLICK

Final Hurdle hint

A font feature that some prefer over sans.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SERIF

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

As the leaves turn and the crisp autumn chill seeps into the air, one thing becomes crystal clear: It's Over the Garden Wall season.

That's true every year, but especially in 2024, which marks the 10th anniversary of Patrick McHale's beloved Cartoon Network miniseries. So whether you're new to the series or are a devoted re-watcher, consider this your reminder to tune in. Plus, on Nov. 3, you can celebrate further with the release of a brand-new stop-motion Over the Garden Wall special, courtesy of Aardman!

SEE ALSO: 'Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl' review: A delightful romp with an anti-AI streak

In 2015, Over the Garden Wall won the Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program, and for good reason. Throughout its 10 stunning episodes, the series captivates you with two brothers' odyssey through the strangely beautiful (and beautifully strange) land known as the Unknown. There, they discover curious communities, solve pressing mysteries, and ally themselves with the most unexpected of friends. The only thing they can't seem to find is their way home.

What makes Over the Garden Wall the ideal fall watch? Ain't that just the way. Credit: Cartoon Network

You can definitely enjoy Over the Garden Wall at any point in the year, but its palette of orange-hued trees, golden sunsets, and dark nights just hits harder in the fall. Plus, the show is the perfect combination of autumn's coziest and spookiest elements. Falling leaves, piping hot comfort food, and a whole slew of seasonal pumpkins appear alongside treacherous spirits, witches, and an encroaching entity known simply as the Beast (voiced by Samuel Ramey). When you're in the Unknown, you don't know if you're about to be comforted or creeped out — or some strange fusion of the two.

SEE ALSO: What to Watch: Best Scary Movies

Our entry points into the Unknown are teenager Wirt (voiced by Elijah Wood) and his younger stepbrother Greg (voiced by Collin Dean). They're lost in this new world and haven't a clue how to get out. Luckily for them, the denizens of the Unknown are happy to help. Well, most of them are, anyway. A mysterious Woodsman (voiced by Christopher Lloyd) provides Wirt and Greg with shelter, while a talking bluebird named Beatrice (voiced by Melanie Lynskey) offers to take them to a wise woman named Adelaide who could bring them home. Among the rest of the Unknown's charming ensemble are a town of pumpkin people, a schoolteacher dedicated to educating animals, and a pub full of character archetypes like the Tavern Keeper, the Tailor, and the Highwayman.

While these characters know exactly where they fit into the Unknown's ecosystem, Greg and Wirt are outliers. Greg, with his cheerful disposition, is endlessly excited about discovering more of the Unknown. He'll talk to anybody, try anything. He's got a teapot on his head, a pet rock that spouts Rock Facts, and pants full of candy — he's like walking childhood whimsy.

By contrast, Wirt is a bundle of teenage angst and fried nerves. He approaches every situation with a heaping amount of trepidation. Pair that with his annoyance with Greg, and you're looking at two main characters who are excellent foils for each other. Both Greg and Wirt's reactions to being somewhere as new and bizarre as the Unknown are valid — yet neither quite understands where the other is coming from. Their resulting journey brings them together in masterful yet surprising ways. In fact, the same could be said of the rest of Over the Garden Wall.

You may think you know where a certain plot is going, but the series often plays with your expectations: A sinister old woman may not be as evil as you'd think, or a beautiful ghost may be something else entirely. What you think you see is never the full picture.

Over the Garden Wall is a beautiful, nostalgic ride with dark undertones The Woodsman and his lantern. Credit: Screenshot: HBO Max

Even though Over the Garden Wall came out in 2014, it has a timeless quality to it. You know you're watching something produced in the 21st century, but it could just as easily fit into the landscape of mid-20th-century animation.

That timelessness is due in large part to the show's gorgeous animation, which evokes hand-drawn, hand-painted styles that we rarely see in modern animation. Visual inspirations range from vintage Halloween postcards to the work of animator Max Fleischer to the 1890s board game "Game of Frog Pond." The Unknown is a beautifully crafted world that you'll want to get lost in again and again, just so you can catch all the show's lovely visual details.

Adding to Over the Garden Wall's charm is its soundtrack, a collection of folksy, jazzy songs by McHale and The Blasting Company. "Potatoes and Molasses" is a delightful earworm, while "Over the Garden Wall," performed by the late Jack Jones, who voiced a frog in the show, has the feel of a classic love song.

The standout number is the show's title theme, "Into the Unknown," also sung by Jones. A lone piano accompanies him as he croons about the arrival of autumn and pretending dreams can come true. Like Over the Garden Wall, "Into the Unknown" is haunting yet beautiful. In listening to it, you've gained something special. But at the same time the song acknowledges a loss — of spring, of memories, of simpler times.

Much of Over the Garden Wall concerns itself with these kinds of loss. For both Greg and Wirt, this is a coming-of-age story, and therefore, involves a loss of innocence. For many of the characters they meet, this is a story about overcoming grief. The cause of much of that grief, as well as a large part of Greg and Wirt's emotional journey, is the Beast.

Antlered, wreathed in darkness, and sporting a deep, operatic voice, the Beast looms large over the woods of the Unknown. Encounters with him — and with several of the Unknown's spookier citizens — are genuinely frightening. From demonic dogs to hungry ghosts, Over the Garden Wall doesn't pull its punches with its scares. Nor does it shy away from any of the existential dread such explorations of loss can evoke. The series balances this darker, more mature content with lighthearted moments and musical bangers, ensuring that people of all ages and entertainment preferences will find something to love here.

Over the Garden Wall clocks in at ten 11-minute-long episodes, so you can binge it all the way through or spread it out and savor it. Whichever option you choose, you'll feel like you've stepped out of time and into some long-lost Halloween special.

I recommend bundling up in a blanket, grabbing a mug of tea or apple cider, and jumping right into the Unknown alongside Greg and Wirt. There's no better way to spend your fall. And that's a Rock Fact!

Over the Garden Wall is now streaming on Hulu.

UPDATE: Nov. 1, 2024, 5:00 a.m. EDT This article was originally published on Oct. 21, 2022. It has been republished and updated to include references to "Over the Garden Wall"s 10th anniversary and the upcoming short film spinoff.

TL;DR: Hurry and get lifetime access to Supermusic AI for $39.97 by November 3 and start creating professional-grade music in minutes.

Have you ever thought, I wish I could write a song about [x]? The introduction of artificial intelligence into our world may spark caution, but its ability to create music is pretty darn cool. Supermusic AI takes the complexity out of composing and puts the power of music creation right in your hands, with no training required. Get lifetime access to this AI songwriting tool for only $39.97 (reg. $319) if you act quickly and purchase by 11:59 p.m. PT on Nov. 3.

Whether you’re a hobbyist looking to experiment with different genres or a content creator in need of original tracks, Supermusic AI’s innovative “prompt-to-song” feature lets you craft unique songs in minutes. You choose the style, input your ideas, and watch as AI transforms them into studio-quality tracks.

It doesn’t matter if you’re into pop, jazz, electronic, or something more niche — this tool is designed to handle it all. Want to create a high-energy dance track or even a mellow, jazzy background for a video project? The AI behind Supermusic is powered by cutting-edge models, ensuring that the music generated isn’t just passable, it’s professional-grade. You can use it to produce tracks that sound like they’ve been crafted in a studio.

And while the AI does a lot of the heavy lifting, you’re still in the driver’s seat. With Supermusic AI, you’re not just pressing a button and hoping for the best. You have the ability to adjust tempo, tweak melodies, and fine-tune every aspect of the track. This ensures that every piece of music you create is tailored to your exact specifications.

Forget about monthly fees or expensive software — this one-time purchase gives you all the tools you need to keep making music for years to come.

Turn your musical ideas into a reality and secure your lifetime access to Supermusic AI today for just $39.97 through Nov. 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

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TL;DR: Give your files a forever home with a 2TB FileJump Lifetime Cloud Storage Subscription, now on sale for 80% off at just $89 (reg. $467). 

With everyone working, studying, and collaborating online, having secure, accessible cloud storage is no longer optional — it’s essential. But not all storage solutions offer the same level of reliability, ease, and cost savings. FileJump delivers on all three counts with its lifetime 2TB cloud storage plan, and it's only $89 (reg. $467) at the Mashable Shop. 

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Some cloud storage services have the space, but the UI is so frustrating that it's hardly worth it. FileJump’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to upload files directly from your computer or phone. Whether it’s high-resolution photos, videos, or large presentations, the platform can handle it all with a 15GB limit per file.

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When it comes to streaming options, the list goes on and on: Hulu, Netflix, Max, Disney+, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at their vast libraries of movies and television within each one!

It can be overwhelming. So Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, animation, and more. But maybe you don't know what you want beyond something new and entertaining. No worries. 

SEE ALSO: The best Netflix TV shows of 2024 (so far)

Mashable's Entertainment Team has scoured the streaming services to highlight the most buzzed-about releases of this week and ranked them from worst to best — or least to most watchable. Whether you want rocking concert films, heartwarming comedies, or juicy political thrillers, we've got you. 

7. The Manhattan Alien Abduction

Tales of alien abduction are often set in areas rural and remote, meaning there are few witnesses who might corroborate a self-proclaimed abductee's story. But, incredibly, in November of 1989, a Manhattan woman named Linda Napolitano claimed she'd been plucked right out of her apartment by a beam of light, which lifted her body into the sky and up to a spacecraft. Numerous witnesses shared accounts of seeing strange things that night, which inspired devoted UFOlogist Budd Hopkins to write the book Witnessed: The True Story of the Brooklyn Bridge UFO Abductions, focusing on Napolitano's abduction and her subsequent run-ins with otherworldly creatures. But was it all a hoax?

Two sides of this story face off in The Manhattan Alien Abduction. Directors Daniel Vernon and Vivienne Perry sit down with believers, including Napolitano and her son — now grown — who also claims to have had close encounters. They also give space to outspoken skeptic Carol Rainey, the late Hopkins' ex-wife who once worked closely with him as he interviewed alleged abductees. But as Rainey examined his tactics — which included hypnotism and some dubious deductions — she began to become skeptical of his evidence, and especially of the charismatic Napolitano. While life beyond Earth is all but certain, whether or not this supernatural story is true is still a matter of debate. With fresh interviews and never-before-seen footage, this three-part documentary invites audiences to play Mulder and Scully themselves. But be warned; this is not one of the better Netflix documentaries. Like too many of the streaming platform's doc series, it feels overlong, as if there was studio pressure to add filler. Ultimately, The Manhattan Alien Abduction is an easy binge-watch, but it's not a satisfying one. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: The Manhattan Alien Abduction is now streaming on Netflix.

6. Despicable Me 4

The Despicable Me franchise keeps chugging along. This time around, Gru (Steve Carell) must face off against supervillain Maxime Le Mal (voiced by Will Ferrell), who's busted out of prison and is hellbent on taking Gru down. The escape sends Gru and his family (including new baby, Gru Jr.) into witness protection program in a sleepy little town, but it's not long before the pressure of new identities and Gru Jr.'s hijinks get to Gru.

Despicable Me 4 is fine enough, with a rollicking heist set piece and a twist that sees the Minions getting superpowers. But after a while, the barrage of bits fades together, leaving you exhausted. Ultimately, Despicable Me 4 may be fun for the youngest of viewers to let off steam this weekend, but when it comes to 2024's animated offerings, you could certainly do better. After all, The Wild Robot and Inside Out 2 are out on digital and streaming. — B.E.

Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Will Ferrell, Joey King, Sofia Vergara, Stephen Colbert, Chloe Fineman, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan, Pierre Coffin, Dana Gaier, Madison Polan, and Chris Renaud

How to watch: Despicable Me 4 is now streaming on Peacock.

5. Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour

If you're wondering, "Watching GUTS tonight, it's a good idea right?" the answer is a resounding "Yes!" Olivia Rodrigo continues to cement her status as a pop superstar with her concert special — and fans are in for a treat. Rodrigo invites viewers to sing along, spill their guts, and quite literally scream about their feelings, all set to a soundtrack of her biggest ballads and bangers.

GUTS classics on display include "all-american bitch," "bad idea right?," "get him back!," and "vampire." And don't worry, there are a ton of SOUR songs in the mix, including "drivers license," the hit that catapulted Rodrigo into a household name status. Plus, get ready to dance your socks off when Chappell Roan cameos for a rousing rendition of "HOT TO GO!" — B.E.

Starring: Olivia Rodrigo

How to watch: Olivia Rodrigo: GUTS World Tour is now streaming on Netflix.

4. The Diplomat Season 2

One of Netflix's most addictive political dramas of 2023 is back for Season 2, and after that finale we're ready to dive into more diplomatic tension, secret workplace romances, and Keri Russell generally kickin' ass. Created by Debora Cahn (The West Wing, Homeland), this wildly popular series returns with Russell in the lead as Kate Wyler, the U.S. ambassador to the UK amid an international crisis. In the finale, the real villain was unmasked as a very influential caller from inside the house, and an explosion left some of the main characters' fates uncertain. Who survived the blast? And how will Kate figure out who's behind it, especially when she's distracted by the dishy UK foreign secretary, Austin Dennison (David Gyasi), and the arrival of U.S. Vice President Grace Penn (Allison Janney)?* — Shannon Connellan, UK Editor

Starring: Keri Russell, Allison Janney, Rory Kinnear, David Gyasi, Rufus Sewell, Ato Essandoh, Ali Ahn, Nana Mensah, Miguel Sandoval, Michael McKean, Celia Imrie, and T'Nia Miller

How to watch: The Diplomat Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: 'The Diplomat's Eidra and Stuart embody the practical puzzle of secret work romances 3. The Gutter

Seeking a side-splitting comedy that's perfect for a movie night with friends? We recommend audacious and hilarious new release The Gutter. This outrageous from directing brothers Isaiah Lester and Yassir Lester delivers a tale of lovable losers that's wacky, heart-warming, and will bowl you over with jaw-dropping jokes. Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse's Shameik Moore stars as a bowling prodigy whose drunken mentor (The Good Place's D'Arcy Carden) hopes to roll him to victory over a vicious long-standing champion (Susan Sarandon). But between handling the pressure of the game, dubious advertisers, and psychological warfare of fame, the path to success is anything but smooth.

SEE ALSO: 'The Gutter' review: The right kind of stupid

In my review out of SXSW, I proclaimed The Gutter "absolutely hysterical," praising its proudly stupid silliness and comparing it to such comedy classics as Dumb and Dumber, Cabin Boy, and The Big Lebowski. (Some of my personal favorites!) Simply put, "The Lesters have strategically stuffed so many goofy gags and such cleverly cast comedic performers, that from the first frame to the last The Gutter is a winner." — K.P.

Starring: Shameik Moore, D'Arcy Carden, Paul Reiser, and Susan Sarandon

How to watch: The Gutter opens in theaters and on Video On Demand on Nov. 1.

2. Janet Planet

Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Annie Baker makes her directorial debut with the quietly affecting Janet Planet. The film examines the relationship between rising sixth grader Lacy (Zoe Ziegler) and her mother, the eponymous Janet (Julianne Nicholson), who are almost inseparable. Told in three acts, each named after a new friend or partner who arrives in Janet's life, Janet Planet positions Lacy as a mostly reserved observer trying to understand the intricacies of adulthood from afar.

SEE ALSO: 'Janet Planet' review: Annie Baker's mother-daughter story is a quiet marvel

The result is one of the most moving films of the year, and an impressive first directorial outing from Baker. As I wrote in my review, "Every line, every beat of Ziegler and Nicholson's performances — and yes, every silence — contributes to this thoroughly grounded, thoroughly in-the-moment portrait of Janet and Lacy's lives. This is a film that washes over you in a wave of quiet subtleties, marking a profoundly striking debut." — B.E.

Starring: Zoe Ziegler, Julianne Nicholson, Elias Koteas, Sophie Okonedo, and Will Patton

How to watch: Janet Planet hits Max Nov. 1.

1. Somebody Somewhere Season 3

Looking for a great comedy to get into? Look no further than Somebody Somewhere, which just kicked off its phenomenal third (and tragically final) season. An understated slice-of-life series that only gets better over time, Somebody Somewhere tells the story of Kansas native Sam (Bridget Everett), who's all but given up on herself in the wake of her sister's death. In Season 1, she finds new friends and a new community in Joel (Jeff Hiller) and Fred Rococo (drag legend Murray Hill). By Season 3, that community has blossomed — but Sam can't help but feel she's been left behind. Can she grow against all odds?

As I wrote in my review of Season 3, Somebody Somewhere is "a show that takes all of life's ups and downs in stride. In any other show, a big development like a successful business pitch, a disheartening trip to the doctor, or an encounter with a homophobic high school bully would cause a commotion and take up an entire episode. That's not a bad thing in itself, but Somebody Somewhere simply plays by a different set of rules, taking these developments and weaving them quietly into these characters' lives to inform their actions. It feels as true to life as TV can get, and it's an absolute gift we've gotten to experience it." — B.E.

Starring: Bridget Everett, Jeff Hiller, Mary Catherine Garrison, Tim Bagley, Murray Hill, Jennifer Mudge, Mercedes White, Meighan Gerachis, and Ólafur Darri Ólafsson

How to watch: Somebody Somewhere is now streaming on Max, with new episodes premiering Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.

(*) denotes a blurb has been lifted or modified from a prior TV preview.

TL;DR: Protect your privacy with a 5-year AdGuard VPN subscription for $34.97 (reg. $359.40). This VPN deal is only available at the Mashable Shop for a few more days.

Ever been frustrated by region-locked content when traveling? Or maybe you're more concerned about leaving your digital footprint all over the internet? With geo-restrictions tightening and privacy concerns growing, a solid VPN is no longer just a nice-to-have luxury; it’s a necessity. The good news is that doesn't mean you have another big expense to worry about. 

AdGuard VPN is a powerful privacy solution that combines security, speed, and convenience to protect your online activities. Whether you’re working remotely, streaming shows abroad, or simply browsing from home, AdGuard makes sure your data stays encrypted and your privacy intact, and it's only $34.97 for a 5-year subscription, at least, if you buy during this limited-time sale. You don't need a coupon code to save 90% on the usual $359.40 price; just make your purchase at the Mashable Shop before this sale ends.

A VPN for families

AdGuard VPN gives you access to more than 60 global locations, letting you bypass regional content blocks and enjoy unrestricted browsing from anywhere. Unlike other VPNs, AdGuard uses its own custom security protocol, offering faster, more reliable connections. Whether you’re downloading large files or streaming in HD, you won’t need to worry about slow speeds or interruptions.

Privacy-conscious users will appreciate AdGuard’s strict no-logging policy, ensuring that your internet activities remain private, with no personal data stored or shared. With this VPN deal, a single subscription lets you cover up to 10 devices at once with AdGuard VPN, making it a great fit for families or professionals who need protection across multiple devices. AdGuard also updates its software regularly, so you’re always ahead of new security threats.

The service is compatible with a range of platforms, including iOS, Android, and desktop browsers like Chrome. Whether you’re catching up on shows during your commute or working on public Wi-Fi, AdGuard offers uninterrupted protection. While it may not work optimally in China, its performance elsewhere makes it a standout choice.

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On an unassuming morning off the Norwegian coast, millions of small fish called capelin began to gather in the ocean. Soon enough, they amassed to 23 million individuals, forming a group over 6 miles long.

Nearby predators, Atlantic cod, took notice.

Over just a few hours, marine researchers, using a sonar imaging system, observed a colossal congregation of cod consume over 10 million capelin. It was the largest predation event ever documented in the ocean.

"It’s the first time seeing predator-prey interaction on a huge scale, and it’s a coherent battle of survival," Nicholas Makris, a professor of mechanical and ocean engineering at MIT and one of the study's authors, said in an MIT statement.

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

This research from the Barents Sea was published in the peer-reviewed science journal Nature Communications Biology. The observations are from February 2014, but new techniques have illuminated the predation event by allowing scientists to clearly differentiate the cod from the capelin.

To our species, the event appears extraordinary or violent. But nature is commonly ruthless. In the dark deep sea, home to sprawling groups of animals, such natural happenings certainly impact a certain population, but don't necessarily spell doom for the greater species, like the capelin. The 2014 fish gathering, called a shoal, makes up just 0.1 percent of capelin in this ocean region.

"In our work we are seeing that natural catastrophic predation events can change the local predator prey balance in a matter of hours," Makris explained. "That’s not an issue for a healthy population with many spatially distributed population centers or ecological hotspots."

Yet, crucially, as marine ecosystems are threatened and the oceans warm relentlessly, not all populations will always be able to absorb such momentous losses.

"It’s been shown time and again that, when a population is on the verge of collapse, you will have that one last shoal. And when that last big, dense group is gone, there’s a collapse," Makris noted. "So you’ve got to know what’s there before it’s gone, because the pressures are not in their favor."

"It’s a coherent battle of survival"

Marine researchers couldn't be underwater to observe such an expansive, rapidly evolving predation event. But they used an acoustic instrument attached to the bottom of their vessel to beam sound waves into the water below. These acoustic signals, which are commonly used in ocean exploration and mapping, bounce off objects like fish, revealing what's down there. This specific instrument, called the Ocean Acoustic Waveguide Remote Sensing (OAWRS) system, captured the imagery below.

Importantly, the acoustic signals pinging off each type of fish are distinct, allowing the marine researchers to see both the congregation and predation event.

"Fish have swim bladders that resonate like bells," Makris said. "Cod have large swim bladders that have a low resonance, like a Big Ben bell, whereas capelin have tiny swim bladders that resonate like the highest notes on a piano."

Here's what you're seeing below:

- Row (i): Both species are seen spread out and randomly moving about the Barents Sea.

- Row (ii): In the early morning, both species create miles-long dense shoals.

- Row (iii): On left (a) is the surviving prey capelin; on right is the "vast engulfing cod shoal," the researchers wrote.

The acoustic maps show quickly forming and evolving shoals of both capelin and Atlantic cod. Credit: Courtesy of the researchers / MIT Two capelin fish. A fish is about the size of an anchovy. Credit: Craig F. Walker / The Boston Globe via Getty Images

Scientists estimate that the larger cod rapidly consumed over half of this giant capelin shoal, numbered at 23 million. Why might the capelin have formed such a massive, conspicuous group? Biologists suggest it allows the migrating animals to save energy as they cruise on the motion created by millions of traveling fish.

And in doing so, they attracted some 2.5 million Atlantic cod — a species commonly eaten by humans.

Such happenings below the surface are often unseen to us, but with these modern expeditions, it's growing evermore clear that Earth's seas are profoundly biodiverse and active.

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Take advantage of this limited-time price drop on a lifetime license to the complete Microsoft Office Pro Plus 2021 suite on sale for $64.97 until Nov. 3 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, October 31, 2024:

AcrossHybrid equine animal with stripes

• The answer is Zorse.

"Fingers crossed!"

• The answer is IHope.

Record company

• The answer is Label.

Shoe that can be decorated with pieces called Jibbitz

• The answer is Croc.

Wearing many ___ (versatile at work)

• The answer is Hats.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 31 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for October 31 DownZippo, nada, nothin'

• The answer is Zilch.

Catherine of "Beetlejuice"

• The answer is Ohara.

Halloween costume with a cardboard box and aluminum foil

• The answer is Robot.

Tech product details

• The answer is Specs.

Sushi fish served cooked

• The answer is Eel.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Featured Video For You The Wordle Strategy used by the New York Times' Head of Games

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

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

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for October 31 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 31 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Trick or Treat!

These words are spooky fits.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words that refer to Halloween gear. 

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Costume.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for October 31

• Witch

• Mummy

• Pumpkin

• Pirate

• Costume

• Clown

• Ghost

• Princess

SEE ALSO: Hurdle hints and answers for October 31 SEE ALSO: Mini crossword answers for October 31

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

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

SXSW Sydney returned this month, bringing the tech, film, music, and games festival back to Australia for its second year. This time SXSW Sydney's video game showcase took place at the University of Technology, Sydney, where developers gathered to show off indie titles both from within Australia and abroad.

SEE ALSO: Crab MLMs, gay Dracula, and Pooh Bear body horror: 9 of the best upcoming games at SXSW Sydney

Times are undoubtedly tough in the video game industry, which has struggled through countless layoffs this year. Fortunately, there are still some developers continuing to work on exciting new games that the rest of us can look forward to playing soon.

In no particular order, here are some of the coolest indie games we checked out at SXSW Sydney 2024.

SEDAP! A Culinary Adventure

As a fan of food in video games, and Asian food in particular, I've been following SEDAP! A Culinary Adventure for a while. This "cooking-combat adventure" from Singapore's kopiforge features delicious Southeast Asian foods such as teh tarik, nasi lemak, ondeh ondeh, and even strays further north to include Taiwan's bubble tea.

SEDAP! has clear similarities to Overcooked, with cartoonish characters running around to prepare a variety of delectable dishes. However, rather than collect ingredients from allocated storage areas, SEDAP!'s chefs must gather them fresh from the source. This could mean plucking a pineapple, but it could also mean using your chef's knife to fight a chicken, adding the danger of combat to its culinary equation. 

You won't have to fight alone either, with SEDAP! supporting two-player co-op as well as solo play.

SEDAP! A Culinary Adventure is scheduled for release in March 2025.

Winter Burrow

Who amongst us has not wished to be a little mouse living in a tree hollow and knitting themselves jumpers out of grass? Pine Creek Games' Winter Burrow allows you to fulfil your Beatrix Potter dreams, albeit with a survival bent.

Billed as a cosy survival game, Winter Burrow positions you as a mouse restoring their childhood home after returning to discover it in ruins. You also have to search for your missing aunt, who was tasked with caring for it, as well as give the residents of your local community a helping hand.

The weather's pretty chilly though, so first you'll need to gather resources and repair your furniture, keep yourself fed, and knit yourself some warmer clothes to wear on your adventure. Winter Burrow's storybook-like illustrations give the game a distinct charm, and take the dark edge off dangers such as freezing to death.

Winter Burrow is scheduled for release in 2025.

Wabisabi Sushi Derby

Of all the games I tried at SXSW Sydney, Wabisabi Sushi Derby was the quickest to capture my heart. 

Developed by Japan's ITAMAE STUDIO, Wabisabi Sushi Derby has you play as a sushi chef creating cute little bites and entering them in races. These adorable morsels automatically run around a sushi train track, avoiding hungry customers and speeding up when you cheer for them, but will eventually lose freshness if they aren't eaten. You can even train your sushi to improve their stats, which is pretty satisfying. I would absolutely eat up a sushi raising sim.

Though the gameplay was relatively simple, Wabisabi Sushi Derby's cheerful sushi pixel art and fun concept easily held my attention — I could happily just sit and watch them run around a track for a while. I'm curious to see whether the full release will continue to keep player interest.

Wabisabi Sushi Derby is scheduled for release later this year.

Dungeon Inn

While your traditional business management sim will never get old, it's always interesting to see developers try something new. Developed by South Korean studio Cat Society, Dungeon Inn is unique in that rather than directly focusing on building and running an inn, players will spend most of their time arranging signage to direct the flow of guests.

You play as the commercially-minded proprietor of a new inn, strategically located near a popular dungeon. Said dungeon is a frequent destination for the members of two rival adventuring guilds, providing two streams of potential customers on either side of the inn. The catch is that you must serve both guilds without letting either find out that you're also playing the other side. 

While Dungeon Inn does allow you to build new facilities, the primary focus is on erecting temporary roadside installations. These can alert potential guests to your inn, sell them snacks to alter their speed of travel, or even stop them on the road, preventing opposing guilds from running into each other and catching on to your scheme.

Dungeon Inn is scheduled for early access release on Nov. 14, with the full launch expected in 2025.

Identifile

Identifile was one of the more creative games at SXSW Sydney's showcase, positioning you as an antivirus fighting off malicious intruders on a computer. Developed by Singapore's Gearbyte Games, Identifile utilises a procedural folder-based dungeon system on a replica PC desktop screen, with every file acting as a new room. Open a file, and you can find coins for upgrades, keys to open zipped subfolders, and, of course, malware.

Players' attacks depend on the cursor they choose at the beginning, with each option offering different stats. One may require you to repeatedly click on the evil pixellated representations of malware overtaking your screen, while another deals damage by circling them. Just remember to play in short bursts to prevent RSI.

I did initially have trouble figuring out why I was losing health, as the build I played didn't make clear that you are your cursor and must dodge attacks accordingly. It's likely Identifile will be making some tweaks to address this though, with the game still under development.

Identifile has not yet announced a release date.

Demonschool

Higher education is hard enough without dealing with gangsters, demons, and "big weirdos," but at least Demonschool gives you a squad to help you through it. From California-based Necrosoft Games, Demonschool is a turn-based tactical roleplaying game that draws inspiration from Italian giallo horror as well as Shin Megami Tensei (sans collectible monsters).

Described as having a "light horror narrative," Demonschool fortunately isn't too frightening — especially since you can punch demons in the face. Facing off against supernatural denizens who have no business being anywhere near a school, Demonschool has you plan your four party members' attacks on a battlefield grid, then hit a button to execute all of them simultaneously while you sit back and watch the carnage. 

You also need to plan your school schedule to build your characters' skills, and befriend people so you can take them on your demon-punching adventures, just like real life.

Demonschool is planned for release in early 2025.

TL;DR: Live stream Al Ittihad vs. Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League for free on 10Play. Access this free streaming site from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Saudi Pro League is a tough competition to win, especially when Al-Hilal won't stop winning. The rest of the league are trying to keep pace with the defending champions, and that challenge is being led by Karim Benzema's Al Ittihad.

Al Ittihad have won seven games out of eight this season, and take on Al Ahli in the next fixture. If you want to watch Al Ittihad vs. Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Al Ittihad vs. Al Ahli?

Al Ittihad vs. Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on Oct. 31. This fixture takes place at the King Abdullah Sports City,.

How to watch Al Ittihad vs. Al Ahli for free

Al Ittihad vs. Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League is available to live stream for free on 10Play in Australia.

10Play is geo-restricted to Australia, so you might need to use a VPN to access this free streaming site if you're traveling abroad during this game. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock free live streams of the Saudi Pro League from anywhere in the world.

Access a free live stream of Al Ittihad vs. Al Ahli 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 Australia

4. Visit 10Play

5. Live stream Al Ittihad vs. Al Ahli for free from anywhere in the world

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The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Al Ittihad vs. Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Saudi Pro League fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for 10Play?

ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on 10Play, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Australia

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• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

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

Live stream Al Ittihad vs. Al Ahli in the Saudi Pro League for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Get lifetime access to the Calmind Premium Master Plan for £38.59 (reg. £230.80) and turn your smartphone into a relaxation hub.

Between work and personal responsibilities, finding time to relax and reset can be tough. But what if your phone could be your secret weapon for stress relief, deep relaxation, and mental clarity? Calmind was designed to be your gateway to improved mental well-being, helping you to unlock new levels of mindfulness and peace within yourself.

For just £38.59, you can access lifetime benefits to a unique app that transforms your phone into a tool for focus, meditation, and better sleep — all using light.

Calmind introduces the innovative Flickering Light Stimulation (FLS) technology, which uses your phone’s flashlight to create relaxing closed-eye visuals. This scientifically backed method syncs your brainwaves to help you relax, focus, and meditate more deeply. Whether you’re looking to unwind after a long day or boost your focus during work, Calmind makes it easy to enter a calm state via your phone’s light.

With over 500 sessions across eight FLS programs, Calmind offers a personalised approach to wellness. Whether you struggle with sleep, stress relief, or mental clarity, there’s a session for you to try. And the best part? You get lifetime access to these programs without any additional costs.

Calmind's Safeplace Journal allows you to capture moments of gratitude, positivity, and reflection to help you elevate your emotional well-being. Pair this with the calming breathing exercises for an all-in-one wellness boost whenever you need it.

Check it out for yourself and see if Calmind can help you find a little more peace.

A lifetime subscription to the Calmind Premium Master Plan is on sale for just £38.59 (reg. £230.80) for a limited time.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Opens in a new window Credit: Brainmedia Calmind Premium Master Plan: Lifetime Subscription £38.59 at the Mashable Shop
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Apple just revealed its new high-end processors, the M4 Pro and M4 Max, with "the worlds fastest CPU core" and many other improvements. They will ship first in the new MacBook Pro laptops.

The New York-Los Angeles rivalry may have existed before the Brooklyn Dodgers packed up and moved west in 1958, but that seismic shift certainly didn’t help. America’s two biggest cities are at it again, with baseball at the fore. The Big Apple and The City of Angels are currently going head-to-head in the World Series (with the Dodgers v. the Yankees, with game 5 tonight in New York; Dodgers lead 3-1), but they’ve also been duking it out for weeks online over stadiums, accessibility, and transit.

Los Angeles’s Metro, which operates the city’s bus and train lines, inadvertently stepped into it earlier this month when the agency tweeted an informational video on how to walk to Dodger Stadium. The stadium is disconnected from the city’s train lines and perched on a notoriously hard-to-navigate hill in the Echo Park neighborhood.

SEE ALSO: Social media feeds toxic fandoms. Is there a solution?

New Yorkers guffawed at the circuitous, 25-minute walk that includes traversing past impatient drivers and stepping over cracked, narrow sidewalks before finally reaching the Chinatown A Line station. Metro fended off some criticism by pointing out its Dodger Express service, a free bus shuttle from two different city spots. The buses are popular, yet far from efficient, often getting caught in traffic out of the stadium (the buses have dedicated lanes prior to the games).   

Tweet may have been deleted

While there is a proposal to build a gondola (yes, a gondola) from L.A.’s Union Station to Dodger Stadium, the lack of direct rail transit is a bugaboo for Los Angeles, which has managed to build 109 miles of rail in 34 years, connecting places like Hollywood, Inglewood, Santa Monica, and Downtown L.A. (Beverly Hills will even get a subway stop next year). While many Angelenos are making the arduous walk work, according to the New York Times, Yankees fans benefit from New York’s more robust system, only having to walk a few hundred feet from the 161 St./Yankee Stadium station in the Bronx that serves the D and 4 lines.

Tweet may have been deleted

On Monday, shots were fired at New York by Eric Spillman, a reporter at Los Angeles’s KTLA. 

Tweet may have been deleted

Of course, New York had to respond. It wasn’t from the MTA, but the NYC DOT, which oversees all public transit in the metropolis. And they brought AI into it!

Tweet may have been deleted

We can all agree that both cities have their pluses and minuses — and it sure feels nice to have Americans arguing about something that doesn’t involve politics. In the meantime, folks can cruise over to the Bronx for Wednesday night’s game at Yankee Stadium. If the Yanks win, the Series moves back to L.A., where fans can lace up their walking shoes and dream of that gondola. 

Mere months after making its debut, Boston Dynamics' next-generation electic Atlas robot is already hard at work. In a video released Wednesday, the company demonstrated Atlas autonomously picking and placing individual parts between a series of storage bins.