Technology

Comedy is tragedy plus time. There may be a day when critics look back on Ari Aster's COVID-19 comedy Eddington with kinder eyes. However, just five years after this virus threw the world into lockdown, we are still living in the brutal realities created not only by the pandemic that killed millions but also further polarized American politics to horrifying results. So, watching movie stars crack wise about face masks, conspiracy theories, and political rivalries? Right now, it's not funny. It's mostly irritating. 

Props to Aster for his continued fearlessness. The writer/director broke through with his daring debut feature Hereditary, then cemented his reputation as an American filmmaker to watch with its chilling follow-up Midsommar, which in turn helped launch Florence Pugh to stardom. Then, he threw his fans (and critics) for a loop with Beau Is Afraid, which starred Academy Award–winner Joaquin Phoenix in a prolonged anxiety attack of a movie that skewed genre and concluded with the epic revelation of a giant penis monster. 

For Eddington, Aster reteams with Phoenix, who once more plays an anti-hero gripped by his failings instead of his virtues. But this time, the punchline isn't one of mommy issues or social anxiety. Instead, the New Mexico-set Eddington pokes fun of both sides of the political divide. But far from being even-handed or even all that funny, the result is a movie that might be seen as a wild ride if it nailed the landing. Instead, it's a wonky head-scratcher that feels more smug than sharp. 

Joaquin Phoenix is a right-wing clown in Eddington.  Joaquin Phoenix plays Sheriff Joe Cross in "Eddington." Credit: A24

At a glance, Joe Cross (Phoenix) is a familiar American archetype, with his white hat, cowboy boots, and sheriff's badge. He's a lawman who fights against the injustices of a wild world that knows no decency. In Westerns, he'd be the good guy, except Aster steadily undercuts this American icon, both visually and contextually in this Western/thriller/comedy. For instance, Joe is introduced patrolling an area that's outside his jurisdiction on tribal ground, sparking a confrontation with the Native American police, who chastise Joe for trespassing and for breaking the mandate by not wearing a face mask (both tribal officers are masked). 

On one hand, Joe's sitting alone in a car. So, yeah, wearing a face mask is unnecessary, even absurd. But Joe will continue to push the masking issue, knowingly making his neighbors uncomfortable as he strides into a grocery store where everyone is masked and keeping a six-foot distance from each other. His frustration over what he sees as an attack on his freedom even sparks him to begin a haphazard campaign against the beloved Eddington mayor, Ted Garcia (Pedro Pascal). But the more Aster reveals about Joe, the more it's clear the mask is not about freedom, but about Joe asserting dominance wherever he can, so he can feel like a man. 

At home, Joe is emasculated by his vicious mother-in-law (Deirdre O'Connell) and barely acknowledged by his depressed wife, Louise (Emma Stone). At work, he cowers in the shadow of the admired sheriff who came before, who happens to have been his late father-in-law. Unable to live up to the ghost of the man who haunts him figuratively in his personal and professional life, Joe picks another target for his wrath: Ted Garcia.

Joe chooses Ted not only because the mayor is more well-liked than he, but also because Ted is Louise's ex. Joe burns with jealousy over their shared past, which he imagines as scandalous. All of this leads Joe down a path that feels vaguely Coen Bros.-esque in its rancid Americana and self-destruction. But whether he makes hasty campaign posters with embarrassing misspellings or dives into the violent fantasy of being an American action hero through bonkers and abrupt battle scenes, Joe is unquestionably a clown.

Though the protagonists of Hereditary, Midsommar, and Beau Is Afraid were deeply flawed, Aster also found room for us to relate to their heartache and anxieties. We were as scared as they were, or even more scared for them than they could be for themselves. Joe, however, is not richly developed or relatable. He's a vexing sketch of the anti-masker movement and all its toxic masculinity and privilege. Pushing this symbolism past its breaking point, Aster also wedges in subplots where Joe must deal with the online conspiracy theories about child exploitation and a flurry of Black Lives Matters protests organized by a local white girl (Amélie Hoeferle), who is often on the verge of tears. 

The criticism is uneven and shallow in Eddington.  Emma Stone and Deirdre O'Connell play daughter and mother in "Eddington." Credit: A24

In a Q&A for press following a screening of Eddington, Aster expressed his hope that the film would speak to both sides of the political divide. He further noted the final act — which features a prolonged shootout — could read totally differently depending on what side of the divide you're on. But frankly, he misreads his audience. The film is not that textured. The climax, chaotic and grisly, is shocking, but not awing. 

Joe and his family offers plenty of opportunities to mock the right for their anti-masking attitudes, Pizzagate conspiracies, and general "fuck your feelings" MAGA attitude — though Aster tries to have it both ways by not using such explicit buzzwords. By contrast, Mayor Garcia is a gentle lampoon of liberal politicians. Where Joe is stern, speaking like he's spitting, Ted is determinedly soft-spoken, and listens to Katy Perry while entertaining. ("Firework," naturally.) In a promotional video for his campaign, Ted reenacts a tragic personal memory to win sympathy, then inexplicably plays piano in the middle of Eddington's dirt roads. It's a gentle ribbing of quirky political ads. But even as Aster mocks the virtue signaling of the left through a subplot about Ted's son (Matt Gomez Hidaka) using political patter to impress the aforementioned female protester, the barbs feel like a nudge instead of a punchline. 

Perhaps this is because both sides of the argument, as Aster presents them here, just aren't equally worth mocking. Maybe that's because the foibles of one side lead to cringe moments, while the other might lead to death and disaster. But for a runtime of two hours and 28 minutes, Aster doesn't uncover anything all that deep or surprising about this divide beyond how dangerous it can be. Neither side will learn much new about themselves or their perceived opponents by watching Eddington. It's hard to say if more time would make a difference.

While the cast is committed to Aster's vision of this New Mexico town, the depth is lacking. That a cop has a thirst for control, that a smiling politician has a dark side, that a depressed woman has a hidden heartache — none of this is a surprise. Yet Eddington treats each reveal with a ghoulish giddiness, as if they're all deeply transgressive. The result is a movie that feels passionate, but is ultimately shallow and messy.

Far from the thriller its trailers suggest, Eddington is a cynical dark comedy that mistakes empathy for weakness, offering plenty to react to but little to provoke thought.

 Eddington opens in theaters on July 18.

SAVE OVER $1,000: The 85-inch Hisense U8 Mini-LED 4K Smart TV is just $2,197.99 at Amazon — its lowest-ever price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Hisense Hisense 85-Inch Class U8 Mini-LED 4K UHD Google Smart TV $2,197.99 at Amazon
$3,498 Save $1,300.01 Get Deal

This latest price cut on a massive 4K TV is so big, you’d be forgiven for thinking Prime Day was still live.

As of July 18, the 85-inch Hisense U8 Mini-LED ULED 4K Google Smart TV (the 2025 model) is down to $2,197.99 at Amazon — that’s 37% off its original price of $3,498, and one of the best deals we’ve seen on a premium big-screen set this year. According to price tracker camelcamelcamel, that’s its lowest price yet. In terms of size and specs, this TV brings serious firepower. 

SEE ALSO: The best budget TVs for gaming, according to the experts

With Mini-LED Pro backlighting, up to 5,000 local dimming zones, and a blisteringly bright 5,000 nits peak, picture contrast and detail are dialled up to much higher levels compared to standard LED TVs — due to the much higher amount of LEDs at a smaller size. 

The near-cinematic quality is great for bingeing blockbusters like Superman or Jurassic World Rebirth on home release, or tuning into any late-night football matches. The QLED panel supports over a billion colors, while the Anti-Reflection Pro screen means nothing washes out your view, even in bright rooms.

Gamers shouldn’t feel left out either. With a native 165Hz refresh rate, VRR up to 288, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, this TV is ready for smooth, responsive play on current-gen console games like Death Stranding 2: On the Beach and Donkey Kong Bananza. There's even a built-in Game Bar to tweak your settings on the fly.

The sound is just as impressive: a 4.1.2-channel system with eight built-in speakers, including up-firing drivers, aims to bring Dolby Atmos audio to life without the need for a separate soundbar.

Google TV is baked in as well, so you can stream, search, and customise your content hub with ease — which is great if you’re a smart TV-streaming purist who doesn’t like to use consoles or dedicated Blu-ray players.

If you want an even bigger display than 85 inches, you can save nearly $500 on this massive 100-inch Hisense TV, also at Amazon.

The best tech deals right now, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)

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 Friday, July 18, 2025:

AcrossAppropriate word that can precede 7-/8-Across and 3-/10-Down

• The answer is Half.

Remy's brother in "Ratatouille"

• The answer is Emile.

Missouri's postal abbreviation

• The answer is MO.

Light switch position

• The answer is On.

Done for laughs

• The answer is In fun.

Richard of "Pretty Woman"

• The answer is Gere.

DownPrefix that means 1-Across

• The answer is Half.

In the midst of

• The answer is Among.

Super Bowl that featured a 28-3 comeback win by the Patriots

• The answer is LI.

Baker's powder

• The answer is Flour

Dated feminine suffix

• The answer is Enne.

Iron, on the periodic table

• The answer is Fe.

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 the latest Mini Crossword.

SAVE $30: As of July 18, the Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) is on sale for $99 at Amazon. This deal saves you 23% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) $99 at Amazon
$129 Save $30 Get Deal

The Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) is back on sale at Amazon, this time for $30 off. As of July 18, it's now priced at $99 — an absolute steal. So why this version over other Apple Pencil models?

This Apple stylus is noticeably better in design than the previous iteration, especially for those who love to sketch, take notes, or use their iPad for lots of heavy editing. The stylus has a magnetic attachment, so it's nice and easy to both store and charge. Double-tap gestures let you switch tools effortlessly, and performance-wise, it’s incredibly responsive with near-zero lag.

SEE ALSO: The best Apple deals this week: Shop MacBook Air, AirPods, iPads, and more

Whether you’re drawing fine lines, shading, or jotting down fast notes, it feels almost the same as writing with a real pen or pencil. And unlike the 1st Gen, these smart features make the 2nd Gen much more seamless to use day to day.

The Apple Pencil (2nd Gen) is compatible with the following iPad models: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation); iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation); iPad Air (4th and 5th generation); and iPad mini (6th generation).

Get this deal from Amazon now.

The best deals this week, hand-picked by Mashable's team of experts

• Apple AirTag (4-Pack) — $79.98 (List Price $99.00)

• Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop — $849.00 (List Price $999.00)

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case — $169.00 (List Price $249.00)

• Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum With Removable and Liftable Mop — $699.99 (List Price $1399.98)

Late Show host Stephen Colbert made a shocking announcement on Thursday, revealing that the long-running talk show had been axed after more than 30 years on air. The news comes mere days after Colbert accused CBS' parent company Paramount of paying a "big fat bribe" to President Donald Trump.

"Next year will be our last season," said Colbert to his audience's dismay. "The network will be ending The Late Show in May."

SEE ALSO: Stephen Colbert takes aim at Trump/Paramount settlement as a 'big fat bribe'

The Late Show's first iteration premiered in 1993, with renowned host David Letterman behind the desk for 22 years. Colbert took the reins following Letterman's 2015 retirement and quickly made it his own, scoring multiple Emmy nominations in the decade since. The Late Show regularly tops the Nielsen ratings, outstripping competing talk shows, and it attracted over 2.4 million viewers across 41 episodes in Q2 alone this year. As such, few in his audience likely expected the popular show's untimely demise.

"It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of 'The Late Show' on CBS. I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away." - Stephen Colbert

Colbert's announcement of The Late Show's cancellation on Thursday sparked a loud round of booing, to which the host responded that he shares such sentiments. The unhappy news is apparently still fresh to him, with Colbert stating that he'd just found out the previous night.

"It's not just the end of our show, but it's the end of The Late Show on CBS," Colbert continued. "I'm not being replaced. This is all just going away."

Despite the sudden cancellation, Colbert still thanked CBS as well as his audience and the 200 people who work on the show.

"We get to do this show for each other every day all day, and I've had the pleasure and the responsibility of sharing what we do every day with you in front of this camera for the last 10 years," said Colbert. "And let me tell you, it is a fantastic job. I wish somebody else was getting it. And it's a job that I'm looking forward to doing with this usual gang of idiots for another 10 months."

CBS claims 'Late Show' cancellation unrelated to Colbert's criticism

CBS issued a statement on Thursday night following Colbert's announcement, in which it confirmed its decision to end The Late Show.

"This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night," wrote CBS executives. "It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content, or other matters happening at Paramount."

Said "other matters" appears to reference the recent lawsuit Trump filed against Paramount in October. In it, Trump alleged that Paramount had deceptively edited a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris to be favourable to her ahead of the November presidential election. Paramount agreed to pay Trump $16 million to settle the suit earlier this month, a decision that has been lambasted by First Amendment and press freedom advocates.

Colbert has also been vocally critical of this settlement, labelling it a "big fat bribe" on Monday and stating that Paramount itself called the lawsuit "completely without merit." He further noted that Paramount has been trying to secure the Trump administration's approval of its proposed merger with Skydance Media — an effort that likely wouldn't be helped by an ongoing lawsuit with the president.

The Skydance-Paramount merger is yet to be approved by the FCC. However, on Wednesday, Trump appeared to support the merger and praised Skydance CEO David Ellison when speaking to reporters, the same day Colbert was informed of The Late Show's cancellation. The president then immediately began speaking about his lawsuit with Paramount.

Colbert has been a prominent critic of Trump for years, and on Monday acknowledged speculation that he may be pressured to lay off the president should Paramount's merger with Skydance go through. It now looks as though this won't be a concern any longer.

Of course, not everyone is buying CBS' explanation, particularly in light of Colbert's recent comments and The Late Show's steady success with viewers.

"CBS canceled Colbert’s show just THREE DAYS after Colbert called out CBS parent company Paramount for its $16M settlement with Trump – a deal that looks like bribery," Senator Elizabeth Warren posted to X. "America deserves to know if his show was canceled for political reasons."

"Just finished taping with Stephen Colbert who announced his show was cancelled," wrote Senator Adam Schiff. "If Paramount and CBS ended the Late Show for political reasons, the public deserves to know. And deserves better."

FREE BOOKS: The latest Stuff Your Kindle Day takes place on July 14-18. Something Strange, hosted by Indie Author Central, is offering science fiction and dystopia books for Kindle e-readers for free or $0.99.

Stuff Your Kindle Day is back with a bang for fans of science fiction and dystopia books. Something Strange, hosted by Indie Author Central, is offering books from these popular genres for free. And the books that you download are yours to keep forever.

This is your chance to give your library a serious boost without spending anything.

SEE ALSO: The best Kindles in 2025

Looking to make the most of the latest Stuff Your Kindle Day? We've lined up everything you need to know about this popular event.

When is Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Something Strange takes place from July 14-18. Unlike a lot of Stuff Your Kindle Days that take place over 24 hours, this event runs for five days. That gives you time to properly peruse the options and find exactly what you love to read.

Who can take part in Stuff Your Kindle Day?

Anyone can participate in Stuff Your Kindle Day. Kindle, Kobo, and Nook readers can download these books for free. You can even download these books on your preferred app and read them straight from your phone.

Which e-books are free?

Finding all of these free science fiction and dystopia books is straightforward thanks to the helpful hub page on Indie Author Central. Everything is nicely presented with filters so you can head directly to the books you actually want to download.

Is Stuff Your Kindle Day the same as Amazon Kindle Unlimited?

Everything you download on Stuff Your Kindle Day is yours to keep, and there's no limit on the number of books you can download. Stuff Your Kindle Day downloads don't count towards the 20 books that Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscribers can borrow at the same time, so don't hold back.

The best Stuff Your Kindle Day deal Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Kindle (16GB) + 3 Months of Kindle Unlimited $109.99 at Amazon
$145.96 Save $35.97 Get Deal Why we like it

These popular e-readers help you take your entire library on the go. With weeks of battery life and an anti-glare display, you can read anywhere and anytime with the Kindle. Prices start at $109.99, a great price for those on a budget, but if you want to save even more, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited absolutely free during Stuff Your Kindle Day.

Kindle Unlimited costs $11.99 per month and allows you to borrow up to 20 months at a time. For a limited time, you can get three months of Kindle Unlimited for free, saving you $35.97.

TL;DR: Skoove Premium Piano Lessons uses advanced AI to give you curated virtual piano lessons, and right now a lifetime subscription can be yours for just $149.99 (reg. $299). 

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $149.99
$299.99 Save $150 Get Deal

Whether you've dabbled in lessons as a kid or never sat on a piano bench, Skoove Premium Piano Lessons can help you master the keys from the comfort of home. All you'll need is a tablet, a keyboard, and this AI-powered app. 

Right now, you can save 50% on a lifetime subscription and keep honing your craft for life for just $149.99 (reg. $299). 

Learn piano on your lunch break

Skoove offers AI-powered piano lessons that let you tickle the ivories in your spare time. That means even people with the busiest schedules can pencil in time to pound the keys and elevate their skills, with Skoove providing curated feedback and useful resources as you learn. 

These virtual piano lessons only require a piano or keyboard and your tablet, so you don't need to buy anything else to get started. And this lifetime subscription lets you work at your own pace.

You'll get access to 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos, but don't think you'll just be sitting back and repeating after the video. Thanks to AI, you play and Skoove listens, recognizing your notes and offering real-time feedback so you can continuously improve. 

Learn what you love, thanks to Skoove's wide range of genres. Practice playing with tunes from Adele or John Legend, or go old school and work on some Bach or Beethoven. Monthly updates bring new song choices, so you never have to worry about running out of material. 

While learning from the AI is interactive, there's also backup if needed. If you ever get stumped, Skoove's music instructors are available for one-on-one support. 

Ready to join over one million people already mastering piano with Skoove?

Get a lifetime subscription to Skoove Premium Piano Lessons for just $149.99 (reg. $299) right here. 

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Live stream Samoa vs. Scotland for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

We know that everyone is counting down the days until the first Lions vs. Australia game, but there are some really interesting international fixtures taking place elsewhere. And for the players who didn't make the Lions tour, this is a chance for retribution.

Samoa vs. Scotland is the first game taking place this weekend, and it looks set to be explosive.

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

When is Samoa vs. Scotland?

Samoa vs. Scotland starts at 8:35 a.m. BST on July 18. This fixture takes place at Eden Park.

How to watch Samoa vs. Scotland for free

Samoa vs. Scotland is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can unblock free live streams on sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Samoa vs. Scotland for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Samoa vs. Scotland before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for BBC iPlayer?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 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. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Watch Samoa vs. Scotland for free from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Watch Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 for free on BBC iPlayer. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Spain are the favorites to win the Women's Euro 2025, but next they face a tricky matchup with the hosts. On paper, Spain should win this one comfortably and book a spot in the semi finals. But you can never count out the host nation.

If you want to watch Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Spain vs. Switzerland?

Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 kicks off at 8 p.m. BST on July 18. This fixture takes place at the Wankdorf Stadium.

How to watch Spain vs. Switzerland for free

Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 is available to live stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

BBC iPlayer is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another country, meaning you can unblock free live streams on sites like BBC iPlayer from anywhere in the world.

Unblock BBC iPlayer 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 the UK

4. Visit BBC iPlayer

5. Stream Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams without committing with your cash. This is obviously not a long-term solution, but it does give you time to watch Spain vs. Switzerland (plus the rest of the tournament) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for streaming sport?

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

• Servers in 105 countries

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is always secure

• Fast connection speeds

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 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. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Watch Spain vs. Switzerland in Women's Euro 2025 for free with ExpressVPN.

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

To encourage.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

CHEER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Showy.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for July 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

GAUDY

Hurdle Word 3 hint

Assertive.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for July 18 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for July 18, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

PUSHY

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A human.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for July 18 Hurdle Word 4 answer

WIGHT

Final Hurdle hint

Cruel.

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

HARSH

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

Here we are again. Another wave of price hikes on our subscriptions is landing. Yesterday, it was Google's Nest Aware subscriptions, which saw a pretty significant price jump. And if you thought that meant hikes were coming to streaming services, turns out you were right—and Peacock is getting the party started.

As Mashable's Tech Editor, I have way too many charging cables, power blocks, and USB-C blocks in my apartment. But there aren't many that I actually like to use. While most chargers are simply necessary evils, only one of these products has earned permanent status in my bedside AC outlet.

The Charger, from under-the-radar brand Counterpart, solves the biggest problem with most USB-C wall chargers — it features a retractable cable that snakes up inside the device when it's not in use. That means no annoying cable cluttering up your desk, countertops, or bedroom. It's one of those ingenious product innovations that makes you wonder, "Why aren't all chargers like this?"

Opens in a new window Credit: Counterpart The Charger, 35W USB-C Wall Charger $44 at Counterpart
Shop Now

You have to be pretty confident in your charger to name it The Charger. And I think it's worthy of the name. Because on top of its innovative design, this puck-shaped charger also looks attractive, which isn't something I can say about any other charging product I own. (And, again, there are so many).

This 35W USB-C charger features a retractable four-foot ribbon cable. When not in use, simply press a button on the front of the device, and the cable retracts like a tape measure. As you can see in my video review, it's immensely satisfying. And as a GaN charger, it offers more efficient charging than the average device. While you can find some chargers with retractable cables for cars, this is one of the only options for the home.

Yes, the $44 price tag may give you pause, but it's well worth it for a product that's attractive, functional, and comes with a two-year warranty. These chargers also make great gifts, especially if you're looking for stocking stuffers or under-$50 gift ideas.

The Charger comes in five different color options and can be purchased at the Counterpart online store.

Pornhub stopped operating in France last month in anticipation of the country's age-verification law going into effect. When the law was suspended weeks later, Pornhub restored itself in France. Now, Pornhub has blocked itself once again.

France's age-verification law requires porn sites to install a third-party system to check visitors' ages. This system must also be "double-blind," meaning the porn site doesn't know the visitor's age, and the verification system doesn't know which site they are accessing.

SEE ALSO: Do age-verification laws work? Not according to this study.

On June 16, the Administrative Court of Paris suspended the law, citing EU regulations. On July 15, the Council of State, the top French court, annulled the suspension. That same day, Aylo (which owns Pornhub and other adult sites like YouPorn and Redtube) released a statement that it will again stop operating in France.

"While important questions about the implementation of the law in France are still being considered, we maintain that French citizens deserve regulation that will prevent children from accessing adult content and that can be effectively enforced," Aylo states. "They also deserve that their privacy and sensitive data be protected. Again, we believe the current approach faces significant challenges in achieving these important goals."

The company goes on to state that verifying one's age every time one visits a site doesn't protect minors but instead endangers privacy through potential data breaches. It also said these laws put children at risk by driving them to websites that don't comply with the laws.

"To the French government and [France's communication regulator] Arcom we ask, how many minors have been protected in the six weeks since this law came into effect?" the statement says. "Provide the data on how this reduced access to age-inappropriate content."

These are the same concerns free speech advocates have expressed to Mashable: that age-verification sites won't work, are easily circumvented with VPNs, and have internet privacy and security concerns. In terms of the former, Proton VPN saw a 1,000 percent increase in sign-ups in France in the 30 minutes following the initial block.

Aylo advocates for device-level filters to prevent minors from accessing these websites.

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court deemed Texas's age-verification law constitutional, setting a precedent for similar laws. Pornhub has blocked itself in most states with such a law. The UK's own age-verification law goes into effect on July 25, and Pornhub will comply and operate within the region.

How do you unwind when you’ve had a rough day? Some people like to turn their brains off and watch YouTube videos until they get sleepy. Others turn to old episodes of comfort food television that never fail to make them feel better.

We love tiny PCs. But a lot of them are on the weaker side specwise, and that's understandable—there's not a lot of space inside to put high-end parts, and even if there was, thermals are also an issue. This one, however, doesn't seem to skimp on anything.

Did you know Apple's CarPlay will let you make anything — and I mean truly anything — the sound that plays when you start up your car? Well, TikTok found out, and now it's a quickly spreading trend.

It has almost become competitive at this point: How weird, funny, or esoteric can you make your start-up sound?

It's become a trend to start your car and begin filming as it slowly loads, then plays the sound. (The custom sound is played only when your phone connects to CarPlay, so that builds a natural bit of tension as the audience waits for the reveal.) Here are just a few we've spotted on TikTok.

This person used the race sound from Nintendo's Mario Kart.

This person gets greeted by Taylor Swift.

This driver gets a little motivation from the internet's new favorite character, Chit.

This person has a sound from the classic film Billy Madison.

This driver recycles an old meme sound.

It's a funny, silly trend that brings a little bit of whimsy each time you start up your car. I live in New York City and don't have a car, but if I did, I'd probably choose something from the Tim Robinson/I Think You Should Leave/Conner O'Malley extended universe.

Still, if you want to set up your own sound via CarPlay, we can show you how.

How to change your CarPlay start-up sound like the TikTok trend

Per usual, TikTok itself is very helpful for this trend. This post from @cronloya does a really good job of breaking it down step-by-step.

Here's another quick tutorial from @JimKirkVO on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

I was able to recreate the process, though I could not test it out in my non-existent car. But here's how you do it, in seven steps.

Total Time

• 5 min

What You Need

• iPhone

Step 1: Go to the Shortcuts app.

It should already be installed on your iPhone.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 2: Create a CarPlay automation.

Navigate to the "automation" tab at the bottom of the screen, click "new automation," then scroll down and select CarPlay.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone / Mashable

Step 3: Select "run immediately."

Then hit "next."

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 4: Create a "new blank automation" and navigate to "files."

You may need to hit the button for "add action" to find the files tab, depending on your iOS.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 5: Select "file," then click the blue "file" to pick your sound.

You need to select "file" within the "files" tab... then click the blue word "file" to actually pick the sound. A bit confusing, but you've got this.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone / Mashable

Step 6: Select your sound from within your files.

Once you see the file is uploaded, hit the "done" button. (For some reason, the only sound I could find on my phone was The Rock telling someone it doesn't matter what their name is.)

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Step 7: Click into the automation, search for "play sound," and select that automation.

You'll have to search for "play sound" to find it. Once you click that option, hit done and your custom sound is complete.

Credit: Screenshot: iPhone

Now, you'll need to download a sound file — an MP3, most likely — to do this trick. Luckily, Mashable has some tutorials on how to do just that. Typically speaking, you can also Google a popular sound and find a downloadable version.

So, with just a little bit of effort, you can add a pinch of whimsy to your daily commute.

The Trump administration has struck an agreement to hand over the personal data of 79 million Medicaid users, part of the President's effort to "crack down" on undocumented communities across the country.

In documents obtained exclusively by the Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) agreed to provide demographic and location data to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, including names, addresses, and ethnicities, in order to more efficiently track down undocumented individuals living in the U.S.

SEE ALSO: 988's crisis services for LGBTQ youth are now silent

"ICE will use the CMS data to allow ICE to receive identity and location information on aliens identified by ICE," the agreement reads. In response to the Associated Press, Health and Human Services assistant secretary, Tricia McLaughlin, said the two agencies "are exploring an initiative to ensure that illegal aliens are not receiving Medicaid benefits that are meant for law-abiding Americans."

Officials have contended that the Medicaid data will be used as a cost-cutting measure to reduce health care costs. But, according to data from the U.S. Commission on Sentencing, more than 90 percent of individuals who commit entitlement fraud are U.S. citizens, and undocumented individuals are only able to enroll in emergency health insurance coverage, not standard policies.

The move to collect information on undocumented individuals through government agencies, anticipated by activists and experts, is fast becoming the largest effort to consolidate Americans' personal data. According to the agreement, officials cannot download any personal data from CMS's databases indefinitely. Instead, officials will be able to access information from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until September 9.

In June, the administration attempted a mass data seizure of personal health information from citizens in states that allow undocumented residents to enroll in state-funded health care. State officials have since sued the administration for illegally exposing the personal information of residents, arguing that the move would have a "chilling" effect on those seeking medical attention and creating a culture of fear.

"By turning over some of our most sensitive healthcare data to ICE, Health and Human Services has fundamentally betrayed the trust of almost 80 million people. This jaw-dropping development proves that the Administration’s claim of using this information to prevent fraud is a Trojan horse that instead will primarily advance their goal of deporting millions of people," said Elizabeth Laird, director of equity in civic technology for the Center for Democracy and Technology.

"Over 90 percent of entitlement fraud is committed by U.S. citizens, underscoring the false pretense of sharing this information with ICE. The results of this decision will be devastating. It will sink trust in government even lower, force individuals to choose between life-saving care and turning over data to immigration authorities, and erode the quality and effectiveness of government services,” Laird said.

The Trump administration's One Big, Beautiful Bill, which Trump signed into law on July 4, includes a $1 trillion cut to Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) funding over the next 10 years — a move that will affect an estimated 11 million Americans and hundreds of rural hospitals. It strikes $186 billion from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding, which benefits 5 million adults and children. And it allocates another $108 billion to immigration enforcement initiatives, including continued construction of a southern border wall, new immigrant detention centers, and logistic operations in the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice.

Razer has just released its Pokémon Collection in the United States, Latin America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. This comes after the popular debut of this same line in Asia, complete with a mechanical gaming keyboard, gaming mouse, and mousepad.

Compact SUVs have become the go-to choice for drivers who want versatility, efficiency, and comfort in one practical package. But with so many options on the market, finding one that truly delivers strong value can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve rounded up the 10 compact SUVs that give you the most for your money in 2025.

Want to buy a new router and upgrade your home's Wi-Fi network without breaking the bank? Whether you missed out on Prime Day or have been waiting for something truly affordable, we found the perfect deal. The excellent TP-Link Archer AX21 (AX1800) router is 45% off on Amazon, making it only $55.