Mashable

A Milky Way-surveying spacecraft found a planet 12 times more massive than Jupiter, along with a brown dwarf, each distantly orbiting stars smaller than the sun.

Scientists have dubbed the exoplanet, a world well outside our solar system, Gaia-4b. The brown dwarf, not quite a planet or a star, is Gaia-5b. Respectively, they are 244 and 134 light-years away. 

The European Space Agency's Gaia spacecraft, which has recently retired because it's running out of fuel, is responsible for the discoveries. Both enormous celestial objects were made official after confirmation from other instruments. Though Gaia concluded science observations on Jan. 15, these results are an intriguing tease to a vast data release from the mission anticipated next year. 

"This discovery is an exciting tip-of-the-iceberg for the exoplanet discoveries we can expect from Gaia in the future," said Matthew Standing, an ESA research fellow, in a statement. 

SEE ALSO: Scientists haven't found a rocky exoplanet with air. But now they have a plan.

The number of confirmed exoplanets has tipped 5,800, according to NASA, with thousands of additional candidates under review. The growing tally is a tiny sampling of planets in space. With hundreds of billions of galaxies, the universe probably teems with many trillions of stars.

Gaia-4b is considered a super-Jupiter planet, a relatively cold gas giant, orbiting its star over 570 Earth-days. That star is estimated to be 64 percent the mass of the sun. That makes Gaia-4b one of the most hulking planets known to circle a small star. 

The brown dwarf, sometimes referred to as a failed star because it lacks the scale to generate its own nuclear power, orbits its even smaller star — about 34 percent the sun's mass — in a slightly shorter Earth-year. Though it may not have been able to hack it as a star, this thing is no shrinking violet. It's about 21 times more massive than Jupiter. For the sake of comparison, Jupiter's mass is equal to about 318 Earths.

The findings were published in The Astrophysical Journal. 

The gravitational tugs of orbiting planets can cause host stars to wobble in an almost corkscrew-like pattern. Credit: ESA illustration

The exoplanet is Gaia's first independent success using the "wobble" technique, aka astrometry, according to the space agency. Since the mission launched in 2013, the spacecraft has used a pair of optical telescopes to scan the sky. Because of its precision in tracking the motion of stars, scientists believe its data will potentially lead to thousands of new discoveries. 

The gravitational tugs of orbiting planets can cause host stars to wobble in an almost corkscrew-like pattern, and planet hunters are adept at interpreting these jitters in the data. But confirmation from other telescopes is key for these candidates because there are other possible reasons for the motion, such as the influence of another nearby star. The WIYN 3.5-meter Telescope at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, provided crucial follow-up observations. 

"Massive planets around low-mass stars are known to be relatively rare," said Guðmundur Stefánsson, lead author of the paper, in a statement, "but when they occur, they cause a larger wobble, and therefore a stronger astrometric signature that is easier to detect."

When Elon Musk claims he wants to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) because it's a "viper's nest" and a "ball of worms" full of bad actors, you may be skeptical. (And you'd have good reason for doubt, given Musk's 70-plus falsehoods so blatant as to be noted on his own service, Twitter/X.) You may agree with lawmakers and legal experts that Musk's effort to shutter USAID is blatantly unconstitutional. You may be part of a growing majority of Americans (53% in the latest Quinnipac poll) who disapprove of the tech billionaire's role in government.

And yet, you'd also be in a majority if you fret about the size of the Federal budget deficit ($1.8 trillion every year and rising). Gallup polls ask about this every year, and the percentage of Americans who say they worry about the deficit "a great deal" has been above 50 since 2023. You would not be alone in thinking that Musk shuttering the agency responsible for foreign aid — though regrettable — would shave a huge amount off that deficit and allow America to better take care of itself.

But you would be wrong, on both counts.

"Americans overestimate how much of the Federal budget is spent on foreign aid," concluded a Chicago Council Survey that asked respondents to guess the percentage. The average guess was 8.5 percent, which in 2025 would be more than $620 billion. USAID's actual current budget: no more than $40 billion, or less than 1 percent. Musk, worth $414 billion at last count, could fund the agency out of his own pocket for more than a decade.

So why is Musk really targeting this tiny department in his quixotic quest to cut $2 trillion in Federal spending? What does USAID actually do? Is it all just charity, or is there good reason to believe that even from a clear-eyed, hard-nosed Silicon Valley perspective, USAID delivers a significant ROI (return on investment) for America in the long run? Should a futurist (which is what Musk claims he is) actually want to fund it more? (Spoiler: yes.)

SEE ALSO: USAID website shut down as Musk kills humanitarian aid agency What USAID does, exactly

Funny thing about that survey on international aid. Even as they opposed a mythical big government aid effort, solid bipartisan majorities of U.S. citizens supported spending on what USAID actually does.

In fact, 82 percent supported disaster relief in war-torn and weather-torn places around the world. (A pretty heartening statistic, unless you're one of the 18 percent who apparently lack empathy for their fellow humans.)

Some 80 percent wanted to provide food and medical assistance to the neediest people on Earth, and 76 percent want to help farmers in famine-hit countries be more productive.

Elon Musk take note: that seems to be a ceiling of 24 percent in favor of the position that the richest country on Earth should let human beings starve, without even "teaching a man to fish."

USAID was first funded by an act of Congress in 1961, then brought into being by President John F. Kennedy. The Cold War was at its height. A key battleground for the U.S. and the Soviet Union was the opinion of the rest of the world, so a healthy aid budget made sense.

Even after the Cold War, though, USAID kept making sense. Congress officially confirmed it as a separate agency in 1998, and it has been re-authorized by legislation 5 times since 2016. Climate change is accelerating natural disasters. There are more epidemics, which USAID was actively working to prevent. Every time the U.S. can help out, it looks magnanimous; withdrawing aid funding, as we have seen in just the past few weeks, creates chaos in vulnerable regions and benefits dictators.

Cutting USAID is not the way

It's not like there isn't any efficiency to add or fat to trim in the federal government, Al Gore knows. Many on both sides of the political chasm found a moment of agreement with Musk on Nov. 24, 2024, when the X chief put giant defense contractor Lockheed Martin in his sights over the F-35 — an aircraft that has cost the government $10 trillion and counting, and as Musk said, is less suited to modern warfare than a drone swarm.

The Pentagon's bloated budget, which is on course to hit $1 trillion for the first time this year, would surely be the first natural target of any cost-cutting tech executive like Musk when taking over America Inc. Yes, security is important in any business. But in this case the Chief Security Officer's spending is out of control. It's more than the defense budgets of the next top 9 highest-spending countries (er, companies?) combined.

Still, Musk has to work within a party that is calling for a massive "generational increase" in military spending. Why rock the boat and risk his own standing? Same goes for those other giant government programs, Social Security and Medicare, for obvious reasons: Musk doesn't want to fight every senior in America.

So instead, it seems, DOGE has gone all "shock and awe" on the lowest-hanging fruit. Or, to be less charitable, Musk has adopted classic bully tactics: pick on the weakest kid in the schoolyard instead of that scary giant kid wearing fatigues.

Why USAID should matter to Musk

USAID is one of the smallest departments in government, one without a natural constituency inside the U.S. It's one that helps impoverished (and not to put too fine a point on it, mostly BIPOC) people around the world.

But even if you're running the country as a business, this is where you find the long-term ROI. If you're looking for a strong, safe, prosperous world for America to do business in, this agency provides (and could provide a lot more).

USAID is business development, marketing, and security spending all in one. In the long run, dollar for dollar, it could be one of the most effective ways America can spend money. The best historical evidence that helping other countries can supercharge U.S. growth? Two words: Marshall Plan.

Most of Europe was broken and impoverished after World War II. Economists with long-term vision noted what seems obvious to us: a prosperous Europe would be a far better market for buying all the luxury American goods coming online in the 1940s.

Geopolitical experts also noted the obvious; that a broken Europe might be easy pickings for the kind of Communist dictatorships then taking root worldwide. The Truman administration agreed, despite a lot of bickering in Congress.

Now the Marshall Plan was incredibly expensive; a total of $150 billion in today's dollars. In 1949 alone, the cash that secretary of state George Marshall sent to 16 European countries totaled about 12 percent of the federal budget. It was so contentious that the U.S. government had to commission a film explaining to the average American why a program that cost them $80, a lot of money in those days, was worth it.

These days we know why. Those 16 countries had restored their economies to prewar levels by 1950, and quickly became America's strongest trading partners and closest allies. The U.S. GDP jumped by 37% in the 1950s alone.

The only other time it has performed like that was in the 1990s, when the, ahem, World Wide Web kicked in and U.S. GDP doubled. Few industries outside of Silicon Valley, and few companies within it, ever see that kind of ROI in a decade.

Killing USAID by contrast is, as experts have noted, a gift to Russia and China.

It's a gift to Russia because the current largest line item the USAID budget goes to Ukraine, which has been as devastated by the Russian invasion as many of those European countries were by the Nazis in 1945.

And it's a gift to China, which has been doing its own supercharged version of the Marshall Plan since 2013: the Belt and Road initiative, which invests in more than 150 countries around the world.

SEE ALSO: DeepSeek just taught the AI industry 5 hard lessons

China gets it, and not just in terms of building better, cheaper AI.

The world is a marketplace for infrastructure and ideas. Provide the former, and spreading the latter becomes easier. Kill USAID just when America is losing the lead in AI, and you'd better hope the country has a positive image in the marketplace of countries regardless — and the news there isn't great.

If Musk does succeed in killing USAID, despite the constitutional obstacles, then this may be the main impact: it will complete a disastrous rebranding of the U.S. in the eyes of the world. America will be seen for what it is under Musk: a cruel, increasingly backwards, militaristic oligarchy. One that will happily spend a trillion dollars a year filling one fist with weapons, while offering in its open hand not a single penny.

TL;DR: Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Phoenix Suns head to Paycom Center to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a Western Conference matchup. The Suns are 25-24, which puts the team in 10th place. The Thunder are 39-9, which puts the team in first place.

The Suns have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back losses to the Portland Trail Blazers. The Thunder have won three of their last five games, and are coming off back-to-back wins over the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings.

When is Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder?

Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 5. This game takes place at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

This game will air on ESPN.

How to watch Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Suns vs. Thunder basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Suns vs. Thunder from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Phoenix Suns vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Golden State Warriors head to Delta Center to face the Utah Jazz in a Western Conference matchup. The Warriors are 25-24, which puts the team the 11th place. The Jazz are 11-37, which puts the team in 15th place.

The Warriors have won three of their last five games, and are coming off a win over the Orlando Magic. The Jazz have lost four of their last five games, and are coming off a loss to the Indiana Pacers.

When is Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz?

Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz in the NBA starts at 9 p.m. ET on Feb. 5. This game takes place at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

How to watch Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Warriors vs. Jazz basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Warriors vs. Jazz from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Golden State Warriors vs. Utah Jazz in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Chicago Bulls head to Target Center to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in a non-conference matchup. The Bulls are 21-29, which puts the team 10th place in the Eastern Conference. The Timberwolves are 27-23, which puts the team in seventh place in the Western Conference.

The Bulls have lost three of their last five games, and are coming off a loss to the Detroit Pistons. The Timberwolves have won three of their last five games, but are coming off back-to-back losses to the Sacramento Kings and Washington Wizards.

When is Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves?

Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA starts at 8 p.m. ET on Feb. 5. This game takes place at Target Center in Minneapolis.

How to watch Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Bulls vs. Timberwolves basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Bulls vs. Timberwolves from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Chicago Bulls vs. Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA with FuboTV, Sling TV, or YouTube TV.

The Miami Heat head to Wells Fargo Center to face the Philadelphia 76ers in an Eastern Conference matchup. The Heat are 24-23, which puts the team in sixth place. The Sixers are 19-29, which puts the team in 11th place.

The Heat have won three of their last five games, and are coming off a loss to the San Antonio Spurs. The Sixers have also won three of their last five games, but are coming off back-to-back losses to the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets.

When is Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers?

Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 5. This game takes place at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

How to watch Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers

You need to choose a streaming service to watch the NBA without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Heat vs. Sixers basketball game.

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: Fubo TV FuboTV Pro Plan Get Deal

FuboTV offers you more than 250 channels of live TV and the option to watch on 10 screens at once. You can try FuboTV with a seven-day free trial period. 

FuboTV’s sports channel offerings include ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, CBS, CBS Sports Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, FOX, FS1, FS2, Golf Network, Marquee Sports Network, Monumental Sports, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network. 

Most live sports: YouTube TV Opens in a new window Credit: YouTube TV YouTube TV $49.99/month for your first two months (save $46) Get Deal

YouTube TV's base plan is $49.99 per month for two months for new subscribers ($72.99 per month regularly). The base plan includes over 100 live TV channels, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports 1, and NBA TV.

Most affordable: Sling TV Opens in a new window Credit: Sling TV Sling Orange Plan Get Deal

Sling TV suggests the streamer's Orange Plan for the game, which costs $20 for the first month and $40 monthly after that.

Sling TV’s sports channels feature ABC, ACC Network, Big Ten Network, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNews, ESPNU, FOX, FS1, FS2, NBA TV, NBC, NFL Network, and SEC Network.

How to watch Heat vs. Sixers from anywhere in the world

If you're traveling outside of the U.S. during this game, you might need to use a VPN to unblock this live stream. VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server, meaning you can unblock live streams of the NBA from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers for free by following these simple steps:

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

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

4. Sign in to your favorite streaming app

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 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 live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

ExpressVPN is the best choice 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 secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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 includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Miami Heat vs. Philadelphia 76ers in the NBA with ExpressVPN.

Save $100: As of Feb. 5, the Dyson V15 corldess vacuum is on sale for $649.99 at Amazon. That's a saving of 13% on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dyson Dyson V15 $649.99 at Amazon
$749.99 Save $100.00 Get Deal

With Dyson, you know you're getting a great product. Whether it's a high-quality cleaning product or an incredible hair styling device, you know you're going to be impressed. So that makes the latest Dyson V15 discount even more exciting. I mean, just check out our review if you don't believe us.

As of Feb. 5, this vacuum has been reduced at Amazon to just $649.99, the cheapest it has been so far this year.

SEE ALSO: Our favorite dupe for the Dyson Supersonic hair dryer is on sale at Walmart

A high-tech model, the V15's standout feature is the laser dust detection system that illuminates dust on hard floors, so you won’t miss any dirty spots. This model also benefits from an LCD screen that gives real-time updates on dust it has picked up, battery life, and some handy maintenance alerts.

You can expect up to 60 minutes of run time before it needs to be charged. And if you have pets, you'll really love the hair screw tool. This one is great for sucking up pet hair, and the anti-tangle conical brush bar can remove stubborn hairs from pet beds, car seats, stairs, and more tricky spots.

This is a limited-time deal at Amazon, so don't miss out.

SAVE $400: As of Feb. 5, the roborock Q5 Pro+ is on sale for $299.99 at Amazon. That's a 57% saving on list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: roborock roborock Q5 Pro+ $299.99 at Amazon
$699.99 Save $400.00 Get Deal

If a robot vacuum is on your wishlist, you'll love this latest deal on the roborock Q5 Pro+. As of Feb. 5, you can grab a 57% discount on this impressive model. Previously priced at $699.99, it is now down to just $299.99.

And for $299.99, you're getting a great device. Equipped with a DuoRoller system, this vacuum picks up dirt, dust, and pet hair easily, whether it's on carpet or hard floors. It also boasts a powerful 5500 Pa HyperForce suction power, meaning it can pick up nearly all kinds of dirt.

SEE ALSO: For America's lonely seniors, robot pets are more than a novelty

The best thing of this robot vacuum is how low-maintenance it is — not only does it self-empty, but the dustbin has a 2.5-liter storage, so you'll only need to empty it around every seven weeks. The voice controls are also a big plus: Whether you use Alexa, Google Home, or Siri, it'll work for them all.

It even uses PreciSense LiDAR Navigation to map out paths in your home. The clever 3D mapping allows the vacuum to navigate its way around your home with no help, avoiding obstacles and convenient cleaning routes.

This deal is only available for a limited time, so don't miss out.

TL;DR: Live stream Pachuca vs. León in Liga MX for free on Tubi. Access this free streaming service from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

León have a perfect record in the Clausura stage of Liga MX. They've won four from four so far, but next they face unbeaten Pachuca. Both sides have made impressive starts to the campaign, but something has got to give in this hotly-anticipated encounter.

If you want to watch Pachuca vs. León in Liga MX for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Pachuca vs. León?

Pachuca vs. León in Liga MX kicks off at 9 p.m. ET on Feb. 5. This fixture takes place at the Estadio Hidalgo.

How to watch Pachuca vs. León for free

Pachuca vs. León in Liga MX is available to live stream for free on Tubi.

Tubi is offering coverage of select Liga MX fixtures for free in Mexico, but anyone can access these free live streams with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Mexico, meaning you can unblock free live streams of Liga MX from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Pachuca vs. León 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 Mexico

4. Visit Tubi

5. Live stream Pachuca vs. León for free

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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 Pachuca vs. León in Liga MX without actually spending anything. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream select Liga MX fixtures before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for Tubi?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Mexico

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• 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 Pachuca vs. León in Liga MX for free with ExpressVPN.

Technology is often viewed as a contributor to our culture's epidemic of loneliness and isolation, but one company is trying to prove the opposite. Ageless Innovation's meowing "cats," wagging "dogs," and chirping "birds" have lifted the spirits of many seniors, with numerous state-sponsored programs funding the interactive, animatronic pets for veterans and those in hospice care. Three Washington, D.C. wards recently began distributing the Joy for All Companion Pets to residents 60 and older.

Ted Fischer, CEO and co-founder of Ageless Innovation, tells Mashable that the comfort and contentment seniors receive from the robots is not just anecdotal.

"Multiple clinical studies from AARP, UnitedHealthcare, and other trusted sources have shown that the introduction of [robotic] companion pets helps to improve the quality of life for older adults as it relates to depression and social isolation," Fischer says. "In a study conducted in late 2024 on behalf of New York State Office for the Aging, 93 percent of [robotic] pet recipients reported increased feelings of joy and companionship as the result of receiving the pet."

The idea for furry 'bots that can respond to their owners with purrs, barks, songs, and heartbeats — and don't require walking, feeding, or emptying litter boxes — came a decade ago from employees at toy giant Hasbro. In 2018, the team behind the Joy for All line spun out from Hasbro to form Ageless Innovation, eventually distributing over 700,000 pets in 30 countries.

The two companies still collaborate closely, with Ageless Innovation holding the exclusive license for reimagining Hasbro's games for older adults. But it's the Joy for All pets, with there three different varieties of cats, two breeds of pups, and a Blue Bird and Cardinal to choose from, that have resonated the most with their target audience.

It isn't only the pet owners benefiting, Fischer says, but also younger relatives and home care nurses.

"Ultimately, caregivers are happier when their loved ones are happy," says Fischer.

SEE ALSO: Unlearning loneliness: How TikTok is rewriting the rules of connection

While many have been introduced to the pets via programs like the New York Office for Aging, they can be purchased by anyone at JoyforAll.com and on Amazon. Fischer notes that individual bonding with the pets is a personal matter, with some taking to them at first sight.

"We have seen that many recipients immediately take to their new pet, giving him or her a name and telling stories about a pet they loved in the past," Fischer says. "The simplicity of the technology allows for immediate bonding with most recipients."

How has it taken this long to have Will Forte as the male lead in a romantic comedy?

Yes, on its surface, Netflix's Kinda Pregnant is a raunchy comedy about female bonding. Amy Schumer, Jillian Bell, Brianne Howey, and Lizze Broadway co-star as moms-to-be building community as they get ready to give birth. There's just one problem. Lainy Newton (Schumer) is a single woman who's faking her pregnancy for wacky reasons all her own. And while faking it, she meets a real charmer in Will Forte's Zamboni-driver. (That's not an innuendo. He drives a Zamboni on an ice rink like he got the gig from a game of MASH.) 

This comedy from The Wrong Missy director Tyler Spindel is hit or miss when it comes to laughs, as the script by Schumer and Julie Paiva attempts to cruise on fart jokes and tired punchlines. However, Forte is utterly crush-worthy as the Mr. Right for Lainey, who's in the middle of getting it all wrong.

They'll meet-cute at a coffee shop, share an inside joke right away, reconnect in a kismet manner, then go on a date that feels adorably old-school. As in, going to an ice rink with a guy was romantic in adolescence and still is in middle age. But it's not so much the B-plotting of their romance that sells Forte as a romantic lead. It's the goofy wholesomeness he's brought to comedy for years. 

Charting the crush-worthiness of Will Forte

His time on Saturday Night Live led to a barrage of wacky characters, but none had us crushing. (Sorry, MacGruber!) Still, the sheer gameness of Forte's brand of comedy is enchanting. He'll chuck himself into a pratfall or throw on a silly voice or a costume made purely for buffoonery. While shooting his gone-too-soon comedy series The Last Man on Earth, he shaved half of his head and face, and still attended the Fox All-Star party, where the look earned headlines.

You could certainly argue that within its post-apocalyptic setting, The Last Man on Earth was a romantic comedy, as Tandy and his motley team of survivors fought for love and life in spite of all the end-of-civilization-ness. Another sci-fi spin on romance, Scott Pilgrim Takes Off, cast Forte in the voice-acting role of a spurned lover. His uniquely unhinged brand of panicked whining played well within both roles — as they have in MacGruber. He brought this hilarious whinging to his voice work on Bob's Burgers as the skeevy sea-plane pilot Upskirt Kurt and Rick and Morty as the vile villain Piss Master. And while he's popped up in comedies with a hint of romance, like Baby Mama and A Good Old Fashioned Orgy, it was always as a quirky side-character, never as the romantic hero. 

Was it not until The Great North that audiences could hear the winsome sweetness of this comedian? In this Bob's Burgers' adjacent animated sitcom, Forte voices Wolf Tobin, who loves nothing more than his wife Honeybee (Dulcé Sloan). This couple is crazy about each other, relishing every moment and opportunity to reference their favorite movies, from Shrek to Titanic. Far from the rom-com rogues who refuse to settle down, pitching their partners into a desperate search for a more emotionally available partner, Wolf is a blank calendar, ready to be filled with whatever his lover needs. (And she's equally game, following him down a kinky romp that involves a food-shaped vehicle.) Yet the bigger clue that it's damn time Forte gets a rom-com is his skill at building chemistry, no matter the obstacles. 

Will Forte tackles love scenes and sex scenes with appreciated humor. 

The boyish charms of Will Forte are not only a silliness, but an openness that makes him a stellar scene partner. In Kinda Pregnant, he and Schumer banter and hook up in a memorable love scene that involves a bit of accidental exhibitionism. But before the garage door opens (not an innuendo), Forte brings an endearing believability to Josh's acceptance of Lainey's terms.

They agree they want to have sex with each other. But she claims she's self-conscious about her baby body (when in reality she wants to bang him without revealing her belly is made of foam, not fetus). So, she lays down rules for him: No looking, no touching. As she attempts to sit on his face, there's a thrill at just how enthusiastically Josh consents to these unusual boundaries. He's so into her that it's intoxicating. It's like the Bridget Jones' Diary speech, but thanks to Forte having none of that British inclination to hold back, it's coming at the movie's half-way point instead of the climax. He is into her and isn't afraid to show it. (Even if showing it to the neighbors' wasn't part of his plan!)

Yet, there's a moment previous to Kinda Pregnant that also proves his ability to spark with a co-star. 

In "Will Forte and Seth Meyers Go Day Drinking and Share Their Thoughts on the Day," these SNL icons re-team for fun and drunken games. There are a lot of hilarious moments as these two old friends let us into their relationship as they strive to crack each other up — sometimes so much that they seem almost unaware of the at-home audience. But the bit that belongs in fan edits for Forte comes when he tries to get Meyers to "break" — meaning lose his calm exterior and laugh. 

Abruptly, Forte flings his face (and body) across the table between them, coming close to Meyer's nose. "You don't have to kiss me," he whispers, as the pair are a pog-width away from each other's mouths. Deeper into the bit, Forte is so close that their noses are not only touching, they are smooshed against each other. And while Meyers fights to maintain a neutral face, Forte looks him in his eyes and commends him on being a great dad, "I'm so proud of you." Rather than simply offering a silly voice or a bit, Forte goes for open-hearted emotion, then goes harder by continuing the praise through a kiss, talking even as their lips touch. At this Meyers gives way to giggles, and so do we. 

This same joyful openness is what Forte brings to Kinda Pregnant. So, when his Zamboni rolls up in a big romantic gesture, we smile big and broad, like Meyers after getting a chatty kiss from a prince of comedy. 

Kinda Pregnant is now streaming on Netflix.

Not everyone loves football, and that's OK. However, this Sunday, Super Bowl LIX game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles might be hard to avoid, even for those who aren’t into sports.

Still, non-sports fans might want to tune into the Big Game for another reason: the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar.

Let’s be honest: It’s a big year for the halftime show. Lamar is arguably one of the biggest stars of the past year, as his ongoing beef with Drake spawned a chart-topping diss track that recently won five Grammys. With all eyes on him, fans can’t help but wonder: Will he use the biggest stage of the year to perform his scathing diss tracks?

SEE ALSO: Will Kendrick Lamar diss Drake during the Super Bowl halftime show? Why and why not.

If you want to skip the football and only watch the halftime show, it's a tricky prospect, but we've laid out how and when to tune in for just Lamar's anticipated performance.

When to watch Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show

First, there is no guaranteed time to tune in for Lamar's performance. Football games are not a uniform length. The game-clock stops frequently, there are commercial timeouts, and lots of other factors that affect how long a game goes. But we can give you a decent estimate.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Fox. You can also livestream the game.

A typical Super Bowl broadcast lasts around 3 hours and 44 minutes. Typically speaking, that means halftime should begin about 90 minutes after kickoff. So you can expect Lamar to take the stage around 8 p.m. ET.

However, don't count on that completely. Again, football games don’t run on a strict schedule. Despite being structured around four 15-minute quarters, the actual game time varies. To be safe, you should plan on tuning in around 7:30 p.m. ET to ensure you don't miss the halftime show. That way, you can see how far along the game is and whether halftime is approaching.

So, to all the non-football folks out there, good luck avoiding the game and enjoying Lamar's performance.

The distant world WASP-121b is so hot that it hosts metallic clouds and rains gems.

Astronomers discovered the gas giant planet — dubbed a "hot Jupiter" — in 2016, but have continued to investigate this intriguing exoplanet, which is a world beyond our solar system.

Using a powerful telescope equipped with an instrument (called a spectrometer) that can detect the composition of far-off objects, researchers found WASP-121b contains an unusual amount of rocky material, indicating the massive planet formed quite close to its star. If a world has a higher proportion of rocky material (like iron and silicon) compared to ices, this means it formed in a zone of the developing solar system, called a "protoplanetary disk," where it was too hot for many ices to form.

But this observation contradicts what planetary scientists thought about how gaseous giants like WASP-121b spawned in their expansive, donut-shaped protoplanetary disk. The leading theory was these giant worlds were created in the outer part of these disks, where it's frigid, but there are copious amounts of gas available to amass onto a developing world.

"Our measurement means that perhaps this typical view needs to be reconsidered and our planet formation models revisited," Peter Smith, an astrophysicist at Arizona State University’s School Of Earth and Space Exploration and coauthor of the research, said in a statement. The research was recently published in The Astronomical Journal.

SEE ALSO: NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.

The graphic below shows how different materials solidify and vaporize based upon the proximity to their star. In the mid-region, beyond where everything vaporizes, rock materials solidify, but it's too hot for gases, like water vapor or CO2, to turn to ice.

A visualization of how rocky and icy materials form in a solar system's protoplanetary disk. Credit: NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / P. Marenfeld The Gemini South telescope, located atop Cerro Pachón in the Chilean Andes. Credit: International Gemini Observatory / NOIRLab / NSF / AURA / M. Paredes

The researchers used the powerful Gemini South telescope, located at 8,980 feet in the Chilean mountains, to peer into the atmosphere of distant WASP-121b, located some 880 light-years away in the Milky Way galaxy. Attached to the telescope was an instrument called the Immersion GRating INfrared Spectrometer, or IGRINS, which separates out the light observed from distant space objects, like a prism. The different light spectrums reveal the atmospheric composition of these distant worlds.

Peering into WASP-121b also revealed more about the intensity of this alien realm. "The climate of this planet is extreme, and nothing like that of Earth,” Smith explained.

"The climate of this planet is extreme, and nothing like that of Earth."

The planet is tidally locked to its star — like the moon is locked to Earth — meaning that one side of WASP-121b is incessantly seared by its star, while the other is dark and (relatively) cooler. On the dayside, elements like calcium are vaporized into the air. But on the nightside, these materials can condense and produce rain. The astronomers, for example, spotted "calcium rain" on WASP-121b.

There are no "hot Jupiters" like WASP-121b in our solar system. Nor are there any rocky super-Earth worlds. Yet exoplanet researchers have found both these planet types are common in our galaxy. Although there are some strange-sounding worlds out there, it may be that it's our cosmic neighborhood that's actually quite unusual. And not just that. Our solar system may host an extraordinarily rare galactic phenomena: an intelligent, communicating civilization.

TL;DR: Join Sam’s Club for a full year and enjoy wholesale pricing, exclusive discounts, and extra perks — now $25 with auto-renewal.

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TL;DR: The tax deadline is approaching — file your federal and state taxes with H&R Block Deluxe and State 2024 for $39.99. Maximize deductions and get expert-backed audit support.

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Tax season is officially here, and the deadline will be here before you know it. Instead of scrambling at the last minute, H&R Block Deluxe + State 2024 helps you file quickly, maximize deductions, and stay confident in your return.

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This software guides you through over 350 deductions and credits, making sure you don’t leave money on the table. You can also import W-2s, 1099s, and past returns from TurboTax and Quicken, so you can skip the tedious data entry. Have income from investments, stock options, home sales, or retirement? The software simplifies everything, ensuring accuracy without the headache.

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TL;DR: You can get an Internxt 10TB cloud storage lifetime subscription for $244.99 (reg. $2,999) with code STORAGE30 at checkout for a limited time. 

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Are you doing a ‘low-buy year,’ like half the internet? Even if you're not, you’re probably looking for ways to save as much money as possible. Many people are canceling subscriptions, and the first one to go could be Dropbox or Google Drive. Instead, store your files with this lifetime cloud storage deal.

You’ll no longer be chained to $10+ monthly payments — just pay once and be set for life. Get 10TB of storage with Internxt for $244.99 with code STORAGE30 at checkout. That's 92% off. If you don’t need that much space, 2TB and 5TB plans are also available.

Cloud storage without fees

With Internxt, you may be paying more upfront, but your cloud storage plan will pay for itself in time, saving you money in the long run.

You also won’t have to worry about running out of storage space on your phone, computer, or tablet ever again with 10TB to go around. Here’s about how much that space can fit:

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Imagine never worrying about cloud storage again. That’s Internxt. Use code STORAGE30 at checkout to get this affordable cloud storage plan for $244.99 (reg. $2,999) for a limited time.

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TL;DR: For $49.99, you can get an AdGuard VPN 5-year subscription and a lifetime ad blocker — and you won’t find a better deal anywhere else (reg. $439.99).

The internet is a mess these days. It seems like we’re more and more restricted on what kinds of content (or apps) we can access; everyone’s after our data, and there are more ads than videos. Looking to restore some order? We have a double-dose remedy: AdGuard’s VPN and ad blocker bundle.

The VPN helps you bypass content restrictions while the ad blocker helps you dodge annoyances, and both tools get your privacy back. Get five years of the VPN and the ad blocker forever for $49.99 and save 88%.

AdGuard VPN — 5-year subscription 

A virtual private network (VPN) allows you to hide your online activity from trackers by rerouting it through private servers. Think of your regular browsing as sending a message on a postcard and using a VPN like sending it in a sealed envelope — it’s more private and secure.

These VPN servers also allow you to change your location to unlock geo-blocked content on your streaming services (or try to access banned apps and websites). AdGuard has servers in over 60 worldwide locations and allows you to connect to them on ten devices at once.

AdGuard ad blocker — lifetime subscription

Now, let’s talk about those pesky ads. AdGuard works as a mobile and desktop ad blocker, clearing banners, pop-ups, and video ads so you’ll no longer be interrupted when reading articles or streaming YouTube.

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An internet browser with built-in mindfulness and meditation tools? Sounds a little like buzzword fodder to me. However, I'm a tired, jaded journalist who'll try anything to feel more alive, so I tested the early access release, mindfulness-focused Opera Air and found its features straightforward and genuinely beneficial in the short period I played around with it.

Built by Norwegian browser maker Opera, Opera Air claims to be "the first browser built around the concept of mindfulness." Opera has released thematic versions of its own browsers in the past, including a gaming-focused browser with a “Panic Button,” and a crypto browser. The latest, Air, is designed as a browser that both functions like Chrome, Firefox, and Safari but also "helps its users manage stress, enhance their focus, and maintain emotional clarity throughout their day."

SEE ALSO: How to choose a meditation app that's right for you

Tech platforms, apps, and wearables aimed at boosting mindfulness have made companies and startups a mint for years, so it's understandable why eyebrows disappear into hairlines when a shiny new one comes along. However, the internet is a truly shitty place of late, a veritable tidal wave of misinformation and tech bros getting rich off unbridled abuse and harassment. We're all on it, day after day, so a browser pinging me to "Take a Break" on the regular doesn't seem like the worst thing in the world. So I tried it out.

Opera Air is instantly recognizable as a modern mindfulness offering

When you first install Opera Air, you'll meet the requisite verdant landscape of rolling hills and a lone hiker, overlaid with an inspirational Jon Kabat-Zinn quote: "You can't stop the waves, but you can learn to surf." Drenched in that overt earnestness, let's take a look around. You can choose a different wallpaper from mountaintop clouds, a meditation rock in a forest, or the company’s signature bubble overlaid on some naturescapes.

Mountains, check. Inspirational quote, check. Credit: Opera Air / Mashable screenshot

You can connect Opera Air with your Chrome or Firefox account, which will bring in all your bookmarks, or you can start fresh. On the homepage, Opera Air features default buttons for leading mindfulness apps including Headspace and Calm, professional creative database Behance, social publishing platforms Medium and Penzu, and mindfulness publisher Mindful.

Mashable asked Opera about whether these buttons were sponsored placements, and the company said they were not: "Currently, we do not have any partnerships or affiliations with other apps or sites. This is a selection of inspiring apps and websites that our users can find helpful. Of course they have full control to remove these sites if they don’t want them and wish to have a more minimalist experience."

Testing the "Take a Break" and "Boosts" features

Probably the most overt mindfulness plug-in here is the "Take a Break" button on the left hand menu. Pressing the icon that looks like three horizontal dashes will bring up a menu of options: breathing and neck exercises (3D-camera enabled or not), and guided meditations including a full body scan. You can actively seek the feature out or set your timer to enable break reminders for as regularly as you'd like (60 minutes seems to be a good ballpark number).

The "Take a Break" menu. Credit: Opera Air / Mashable screenshot

Opera told Mashable the company produced the exercises in-house and the sounds through an agency, all using licensed lo-fi music tracks and ambient sounds — you can change up the ambient sound if you prefer "vinyl record crackling" to "walking in mid shallow water" (I do). You can choose between voice guides (Emma or Alex, both voice actors) and Opera told Mashable they're available in English for now, with Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, and German planned to roll out soon.

These types of meditation are available on many mindfulness and meditation apps, some of which cost money and some which don’t, so this is nothing new. But it's free (for now, and remember the cardinal rule of apps and software: if it’s free, you're probably the product). Conveniently, however, it’s right there in your browser, so if you’re like me, doing a small meditation before heading into a video call meeting might be more likely for you than pulling out your phone. 

Featured Video For You Let's talk about meditation. For starters, what is it, actually?

I tried a seven-minute mindfulness meditation to “increase focus, ground the mind, and reduce stress." The meditation uses techniques like controlled breathing, identifying thoughts and emotions and letting them pass by without judgment, checking in with your posture, noticing the space around you, and other long-used hallmarks of the practice. And yeah, I felt focused afterward, and could potentially use this every day to make a real effort to make meditation a habit.

The "Boosts" are binaural beats. Credit: Opera Air / Mashable screenshot

The other mindfulness tool Open Air features is “Boosts," sitting above the “Take a Break” option in the left menu. It’s a menu of binaural beats, a long prevalent auditory technique that generates a unique frequency in the brain when you listen to two different frequencies at once — Opera told Mashable the platform uses pure sine waves and carrier frequencies of 120hz and 240hz to deliver a range of binaural beats between 1hz and 40hz. There are different frequency states, several of which help with focus and attention, some which are associated more with relaxation; Opera Air’s binaural beats offerings are titled Creativity Boost, Energized Focus, Deep Relaxation and more.

Other bits in Opera Air that aren't mindfulness-related

Like its standard Opera browsers, Opera Air also features the company’s ad blocker and Opera’s own free VPN, which you can switch on and off in the Settings. Here, you can also take control of your privacy and data settings.

On the sidebar, there’s also an inbuilt AI chatbot called Aria that’s been built using a combination of AI models GPT-4o, Gemini 1.5, and Imagen 3. Meta platforms WhatsApp and Messenger are also built into this menu, which feels weird to see underneath the mindfulness tools, but hey, this is a browser after all. Plus, you can switch these on or off in the Settings.

As I said, in 2025, with everything simmering online, an internet browser with an in-built mindfulness reminder seems like a pretty good idea. There's plenty of online spaces to get free meditation and mindfulness guidance right now, and this is one of them, one that's close at hand during your work day.

SAVE $200: As of Feb. 5, the Apple Studio Display is on sale for $1,999.99 at Amazon. That's a 13% saving on the list price.

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If your work setup needs a refresh and you're a MacBook user, you'll love this latest deal on the Apple Studio Display. As of Feb. 5, this impressive monitor is reduced by $200 at Amazon, now priced at $1,999.99. The Apple product has never been priced lower than this, and this is its first discount in 2025.

The screen boasts a 27-inch 5K Retina display with 600 nits of brightness, P3 wide color, and support for a billion colors — so everything looks really high quality and vibrant. It’s got a 12MP Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage, meaning your video calls stay focused on you, even if you move around.

SEE ALSO: Score $70 off the 10th Gen Apple iPad at Best Buy

The three-mic system is seriously impressive, ensuring your voice comes through loud and clear, and the six-speaker sound system with Spatial Audio delivers an immersive listening experience. Perfect for long calls or meetings, or watching movies and TV.

Connectivity-wise, you get one Thunderbolt 3 port and three USB-C ports, plus 96W of power delivery to keep your MacBook charged. And for added comfort, there’s an optional stand that lets you adjust both tilt and height.

This is a limited-time deal, so head to Amazon if you want to add the Apple Studio Display to your setup for less.

TL;DR: Unblock Redtube from anywhere in the world with a VPN. The best service for unblocking porn sites is ExpressVPN.

Online restrictions and blockades can be a pain. We totally understand that are usually good reasons for these rules, but sometimes, your access to your favorite sites will be restricted and it will feel unfair.

Fortunately, it is possible to bypass online restrictions with a quick and easy hack. And this method even works for unblocking porn sites.

If you're looking for the best way to unblock porn sites like Redtube for free from anywhere in the world, we have the information you need.

How to unblock Redtube for free

VPNs can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions to secure access to porn sites like Redtube from anywhere in the world. This might sound complicated, but you can unblock your favorite porn sites in just a few simple steps:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

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

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in a location that supports access to Redtube

4. Visit Redtube

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The best VPNs for unblocking porn sites are not free, but most do offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By taking advantage of these offers, you can unblock porn sites and then recover your investment at a later date. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it works well if you're traveling or temporarily away from home.

What is the best VPN for porn?

ExpressVPN is the top choice when it comes to unblocking porn sites like Redtube, 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

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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.

Unblock Redtube for free with ExpressVPN.