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SAVE $30: The Petlibro Automatic Pet Feeder (5 liter) is on sale at Amazon for $69.99, marked down from the standard price of $99.99. That's a 30% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: Petlibro Petlibro Petlibro Automatic Pet Feeder (5 liter) $69.99 at Amazon
$99.99 Save $30   Get Deal

All pet owners know the cat or dog is arguably the most important member of the family. Taking care of their needs is a high priority. If you won't be home during feeding times, there's an easy way to keep pets fed, and it's on a great sale today at Amazon.

As of Feb. 19, the five-liter Petlibro Automatic Pet Feeder is on sale at Amazon for $69.99, marked down from the standard price of $99.99. That's a 30% discount.

The Petlibro Automatic Pet Feeder can hold five liters of food for your furry friend. Petlibro mentions that's about a weeks worth of food for dogs and up to 20 days of meals for cats. In Mashable's review of the best automatic pet feeders, the Petlibro earns the top spot as the best model for portion control.

From the Petlibro app, you'll be able to schedule up to 10 meals per day at designated times. And as an extra fun bonus, you can record a message that'll play to your pets at each feeding time. Adding to that feature, you can record up to 10 customized messages to play during different feeding times and set each at an appropriate volume. That'll be great for late-night cat meals when the kids are already asleep.

SEE ALSO: I ran the Dyson HushJet 24/7 for a week. It's so quiet that I forgot it was on, but I did notice fresher air.

The pet food sits in a stainless steel container that's designed to keep food fresh. Knowing some pets would love to sneak in an extra meal, Petlibro designed the automatic feeder with a twist locking lid.

When food is getting low, the Petlibro app will send an alert to your phone so you can top up supply before your pet misses a meal. You can also share the feeder in the app with up to five users, so several family members have access to the feeder. That's also a great feature to share with a pet sitter when you'll be on vacation.

While it's on sale for under $70, upgrade to the five-liter Petlibro Automatic Pet Feeder. It's perfect for keeping meals on scheudle without having to worry about if you'll be home on time.

TL;DR: Live stream Canada vs. USA in the women's ice hockey final for free on CBC Gem. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The women's ice hockey has been absolutely electric, and now the medals are up for grabs. Switzerland and Sweden face off for the bronze medal, followed by the showpiece event.

The final is the game neutrals wanted most — USA are taking on Canada for the gold medals. USA beat Canada 5-0 in the group stage, but Canada have bounced back from that disappointing performance. Can they produce a heroic effort to beat a USA team that has only conceded a single goal in the whole competition? It's a tough ask, but anything is possible at this late stage. Keep a close eye on top scorers Caroline Harvey and Daryl Watts.

If you want to watch Canada vs. USA in women's ice hockey for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Canada vs. USA?

Canada vs. USA in the women's ice hockey final takes place at 1:10 p.m. ET on Feb. 19. This fixture takes place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

How to watch Canada vs. USA for free

Canada vs. USA in the women's ice hockey final is available to live stream for free on CBC Gem.

CBC Gem is geo-restricted to Canada, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Canada, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 winter sports ice hockey from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Canada vs. USA in the women's ice hockey final 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 Canada

4. Visit CBC Gem

5. Watch Canada vs. USA for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 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 this final (plus the men's competition) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for CBC Gem?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Canada

• 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Canada vs. USA in the women's ice hockey final for free with ExpressVPN.

SAVE $150: As of Feb. 19, the Apple 13-inch M4 MacBook Air is on sale for $849 at Amazon. That's 15% or $150 off its list price of $999 and it's selling out fast.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $849 at Amazon
$999 Save $150   Get Deal

If you're still holding onto an old MacBook with an Intel processor, it's prime time to upgrade to the M4 MacBook Air. While it's an incredible value even at full price, the base model just got a $150 price drop. You'll have to grab it ASAP though, as it's selling out quickly.

As of Feb. 19, the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) is on sale at Amazon for only 849. That's 15% or $150 off its list price of $999. While that's not the best price we've ever seen on the laptop, it's undoubtedly an excellent deal.

The M4 MacBook Air is wildly powerful, notching a multi-core score of 14,992 in Geekbench 6's CPU test (our primary speed benchmark). That's less than two percent slower than the M4 Pro. It's no surprise that it topped Mashable's list of the best laptops in 2026. While the larger 15-inch model is our top pick for most people, the 13-inch version is our favorite budget option and our top recommendation for students.

The 2025 laptop also features an improved 12MP FaceTime camera, as well as open-lid support for two external displays. That means you can still use its own screen when it's hooked up to monitors — not a necessity, but a nice-to-have feature.

If you don't need fancy specs for things like video editing or graphic design, the M4 Air is a stellar value even when it's not on sale. At $150 off, it's a total no-brainer upgrade. Just be sure to grab it before it goes out of stock.

SAVE $400: As of Feb. 19, the LG 27-inch Ultragear OLED gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for only $499.99. That's a 44% price drop from its usual $899.99 and matches its best price on record.

Opens in a new window Credit: LG LG 27-inch Ultragear OLED gaming monitor $499.99 at Amazon
$899.99 Save $400   Get Deal

LG's UltraGear gaming monitors are some of the most popular models on the market, but its full lineup is wide and varied. Falling on the higher end of the spectrum is the 27-inch OLED (27GS93QE), which typically retails for a steep $999.99. Its premium specs and premium price tag may seem out of reach on a normal day, but it just dropped more than 40% to its best price ever.

As of Feb. 19, you can upgrade to the LG 27-inch Ultragear OLED gaming monitor for only $499.99 thanks to this Amazon deal. That's $400 less than usual and its lowest price on record (matching its Black Friday price).

OLED panels have extremely high contrast, with true blacks and a wide color gamut, making them excellent choices for everything from gaming to streaming your favorite shows. Beyond that infinite contrast, the Ultragear OLED also packs a 240Hz refresh rate for fluid gameplay, FreeSync Premium Pro for steady frames, and a 0.03ms response time. That's a pretty solid spec list for gamers. Sure, they now make monitors with refresh rates as high as 1000Hz, but that's honestly overkill. Most people are unlikely to notice a huge difference beyond the 240Hz mark, as our friends at PCMag (also owned by Ziff Davis) pointed out. Other features include a virtually borderless height, tilt, and pivot adjustable screen, 2560 x 1440 resolution, and plenty of ports for your peripherals.

Premium features typically come with premium price tags, but this 44% off deal drops the LG Ultragear OLED into budget-friendly territory.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook, might launch an Apple Watch competitor this year.

According to a report by The Information, the smartwatch is code-named 'Malibu 2,' and will come with health-tracking tools, similar to the ones seen on other popular smartwatches, including Apple Watch. A Meta AI assistant will be built into the watch's software.

SEE ALSO: Meta patented LLM that would post for users after they die

The number two in the code name might refer to an earlier smartwatch project which was ultimately shelved. That watch was said to come with a built-in camera, but there's no word on whether the new watch will have that feature.

Details around the watch are scarce. However, it's not too far fetched of an idea, given that Meta already has a lineup of VR headsets and accompanying accessories, as well as the Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta smart glasses. The Meta smartwatch could, for example, be used for gesture-based control of the gadgets above.

Meta has been cutting costs on its virtual reality efforts, having recently laid off more than 1,000 employees who were working on the company's vision of the metaverse. Meta CEO Andrew Bosworth said at the time that the company would refocus its metaverse efforts on wearables, which might explain its renewed interest in smartwatches.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 winter sports figure skating for free on streaming platforms like 9Now, CBC Gem, and BBC iPlayer. Access these free streaming services from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

Has Heated Rivalry got you all worked up? Do not fear, because your figure skating fix is on the way.

We've already seen some incredible winter sports action over the last few days, but fans of the Canadian romance will only have eyes for the Forum di Milano as the best figure skaters take to the ice to battle it out. Expect the likes of Ilia Malinin, Madison Chock, Evan Bates, Kaori Sakamoto, and Alysa Liu to steal the spotlight.

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If you want to watch the 2026 winter sports figure skating for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is the 2026 winter sports figure skating?

International figure skating takes place from Feb. 6-19 at the Forum di Milano. Here's the full schedule of events:

• Team Event Ice Dance (Rhythm Dance) — 3:55 a.m. ET on Feb. 6

• Team Event Pair Skating (Short Program) — 5:35 a.m. ET on Feb. 6

• Team Event Women Single Skating (Short Program) — 7:35 a.m. ET on Feb. 6

• Team Event Men Single Skating (Short Program) — 1:45 p.m. ET on Feb. 7

• Team Event Ice Dance (Free Dance) — 4:05 p.m. ET on Feb. 7

• Team Event Pair Skating (Free Skating) — 1:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 8

• Team Event Women Single Skating (Free Skating) — 2:45 p.m. ET on Feb. 8

• Team Event Men Single Skating (Free Skating) — 3:55 p.m. ET on Feb. 8

• Ice Dance (Rhythm Dance) — 1:20 p.m. ET on Feb. 9

• Men Single Skating (Short Program) — 12:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 10

• Ice Dance (Free Dance) — 1:30 p.m. ET on Feb. 11

• Men Single Skating (Free Skating) — 1 p.m. ET on Feb. 13

• Pair Skating (Short Program) — 1:45 p.m. ET on Feb. 15

• Pair Skating (Free Skating) — 2 p.m. ET on Feb. 16

• Women Single Skating (Short Program) — 12:45 p.m. ET on Feb. 17

• Women Single Skating (Free Skating) — 1 p.m. ET on Feb. 19

You can follow international figure skating without spending anything.

How to watch 2026 winter sports figure skating for free

International figure skating is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

• Australia — 9Now

• Austria — ORF

• Canada — CBC Gem

• France — France TV

• Germany — ARD

• Ireland — RTÉ Player

• Italy — RAI

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 winter sports figure skating from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 winter sports figure skating 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 a location with free access

4. Watch the 2026 winter sports figure skating for free from anywhere in the world

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 the figure skating before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for live 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream the 2026 winter sports figure skating for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2026 Winter Olympics for free on 9Now, CBC Gem, BBC iPlayer, and a range of other streaming services. Access these free streaming sites from anywhere in the world with a VPN.

This is shaping up to be an absolutely huge year for sport. Sure, the World Cup is probably the biggest event on the calendar. But there are so many other massive moments to get excited about. And there's really no need to wait, because the action starts early in 2026.

The 2026 Winter Olympics is kicking things off in February with a host of top events including alpine skiing, ice hockey, bobsleigh, snowboarding, and so much more. You can stay warm and dry whilst the best of the best compete for medals in the cold. And better yet, you can follow all the action from Lombardy without spending anything.

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If you want to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

What is the Winter Olympics?

The Winter Olympics is a major international event held once every four years for sports practiced on snow and ice.

Eight sports and 16 disciplines will feature on the programme for the 2026 Winter Olympics: Biathlon, Bobsleigh (Skeleton, Bobsleigh), Curling, Ice Hockey, Luge, Skating (Figure Skating, Speed Skating, Short Track Speed Skating), Ski Mountaineering, and Skiing (Alpine Skiing, Cross-Country Skiing, Freestyle Skiing, Ski Jumping, Nordic Combined, Freestyle Skiing, Snowboard).

Norway leads the all-time medal record for the Winter Olympics.

Where is the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympics takes place at sites across Lombardy and Northeast Italy. This is the first Olympic Games to be officially co-hosted by two cities. Milan will host the opening ceremony and the ice events. Cortina and the Valtellina and Fiemme valleys will host everything else.

When is the 2026 Winter Olympics?

The 2026 Winter Olympics is the 25th edition of the famous event. This year's event will take place on Feb. 4-22.

How to watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free

The 2026 Winter Olympics is available to live stream for free on a number of services:

• Australia — 9Now

• Austria — ORF

• Canada — CBC Gem

• France — France TV

• Germany — ARD

• Ireland — RTÉ Player

• Italy — RAI

• Spain — RTVE

• UK — BBC iPlayer

These free live streams are geo-restricted, but anyone can bypass these restrictions with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in another location, meaning you can access free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics from anywhere in the world.

Access free live streams of the 2026 Winter Olympics 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 a location with free access

4. Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics for free from anywhere in the world

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 the 2026 Winter Olympics before recovering your investment.

Raya is often called the "celebrity dating app," but that description does a lot of heavy lifting. Marketed as a members-only platform for creatives, founders, and the ultra-connected, Raya positions itself as a Tinder/LinkedIn hybrid with a velvet rope. In reality — as I previously reported — it’s far less mysterious than its reputation suggests.

SEE ALSO: Raya isn't as exclusive as you think it is

Yes, celebrities have been spotted on it. Yes, there’s a vetting process. But from my experience, Raya is mostly a swipe-based dating app with better branding, stricter privacy rules, and a monthly fee.

Below is what you actually need to know.

How to get on Raya

Getting on Raya starts with an application, not a download-and-go situation. You’ll submit basic info — name, age, location, job, and your Instagram handle — and then wait

Referrals from existing members can help is one of the strongest factors in getting into the app, though they’re not technically required. A strong Instagram presence doesn’t hurt either. Raya has historically leaned into the whole "creative, interesting, well-connected" brand, which in practice often translates to attractive people with either a decent following or friends already inside.

SEE ALSO: Just in time for V-Day — the best dating apps for serious relationships How much does Raya cost?

Raya costs $25 per month for a standard membership, which is the base cost to just be on the app. There’s also a $50 per month premium tier, which includes perks like unlimited likes and the ability to see who has liked you.

For a dating app, that’s steep — especially considering the experience feels pretty similar to other swipe-based platforms.

How long does Raya approval take?

Approval can take anywhere from 10 days to several years. I personally waited 10 days, but there are entire Reddit threads filled with people who’ve been waitlisted indefinitely.

Location plays a big role. You’re more likely to get in quickly in cities that aren't as popular in the app, based on what Ifeoma Ojukwu, Raya’s VP of global memberships, told the Wall Street Journal in August.

Does Raya have read receipts?

No. Raya does not have read receipts. It also has a strict no-screenshot policy, which is part of its whole "discretion" brand.

Who is eligible for Raya?

Technically, anyone can apply. From my experience, the app includes consultants, nurses, recruiters, aspiring actors, and even college students. (Also, finance bros, marketing execs, real estate agents...)

That said, you generally need to be attractive, have a strong Instagram presence, or secure referrals. Acceptance is also heavily location-dependent.

Do you have to pay for Raya?

Yes. Once approved, you must pay to use it.

Is Raya free?

No. Raya is not free. Even after getting accepted, you’ll need to subscribe to access matches and messaging.

How does Raya work once you’re inside?

Once you’re approved and pay the membership fee, Raya works a lot like other swipe-based dating apps, but with a more curated aesthetic. You create a profile using photos (often synced with Instagram) and choose a song that plays as people view your slideshow-style profile.

Every profile is linked to an Instagram account, which is part of Raya’s whole "real people only" vibe.

From there, it’s check if you want to match, "X" if you want to pass. If you like someone and they like you back, you can message them.

If you swipe right too liberally, you’ll run out of likes unless you’re paying for premium.

After you've scrolled through a certain number of profiles, you'll be hit with a message that reads as follows: "We're committed to fostering an intimate community. More member suggestions coming soon." If you don't want to wait a few hours for more profiles to swipe through, then you can pay to skip the wait. One Skip The Wait is $7.99, 3 cost $19.99, and 5 cost $29.99, according to the Apple App Store at the time of publication.

If you’re overly picky, the app may temporarily limit your swiping.

TL;DR: Live stream Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest in the Europa League for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Nottingham Forest would have fancied their chances of making the top eight spots in the Europa League group stage, but these elite club competitions don't always go to plan. In the end, they finished the group stage in 13th place, two points behind automatic qualification to the knockout rounds.

That means they need to face off against Fenerbahçe in the playoff round. That's a tough draw for both teams. Fenerbahçe ended the group stage two points behind Nottingham Forest, but they will be coming into this matchup believing that they can advance. Fenerbahçe are second in the Süper Lig this season, and will be led by the likes of Marco Asensio, Ederson, and N'Golo Kante. It's going to be a tough contest at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

If you want to watch Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest in the Europa League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest?

Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest in the Europa League kicks off at 5:45 p.m. GMT on Feb. 19. This fixture takes place at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium.

How to watch Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest for free

Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, 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 Austria, meaning you can unblock ServusTV to stream the Europa League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest 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 Austria

4. Visit ServusTV

5. Watch Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access free live streams of the Europa League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest (plus more Europa League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ServusTV?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• 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 10 simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan 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 $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Fenerbahçe vs. Nottingham Forest in the Europa League for free with ExpressVPN.

"I fell in love with him and he also claimed to feel the same way for me," said a victim of a romance scam, who requested anonymity. They met a man called "Bob" on Facebook, who claimed to be in South Africa working for the military.

After talking for some time, Bob said he wanted to visit the victim, who lives in the United States. Sure enough, he started asking for money: "He told me he had some trouble with his bank card not working in South Africa and couldn’t get funds to pay for his flight," anonymous said. "He asked if I could send the money to pay for his [flight] and other things."

SEE ALSO: Match Group rolls out campaign to stop romance scams

The victim, like so many others, sent money to the grifter. Romance scams are a multimillion-dollar problem, and it appears to be only getting worse. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), people reportedly lost $547 million from romance scams in 2021, an 80 percent jump from the year prior. Then, in 2025, two senators urged the CEO of Match Group to act on romance scams, suggesting that the problem is only getting worse.

But what exactly are romance scams, and how can you avoid them?

What are romance scams?

Romance scams are also called confidence scams because they require the scammer to gain the victim's trust. They're a form of social manipulation where scammers often create fake profiles on dating or social media platforms to start talking to victims and get them emotionally attached, said trial lawyer and partner at The Clark Law Office, David Clark.

Scammers often target people who are vulnerable — say if they're elderly or recently divorced or widowed. However, "it's important to remember that these scams can happen to anyone, regardless of their level of financial knowledge," said Tommy Gallagher, a former investment banker and the founder of Top Mobile Banks, a site dedicated to digital banking.

Once they gain victims' trust, scammers will start asking for money. They'll come up with excuses like they have a medical emergency, or even that they want to visit the victim, just like Bob did. When the victim starts sending money, the scammer will demand more and more until they're financially drained, said Clark.

Unfortunately, that's what happened to the victim Mashable spoke to: "Every day, he [brought] up one issue or the other, demanding for more money that I ran out of money and went into debt," they said. "When he realized I had no money left, he stopped replying to my messages and stopped taking my calls." That's when it dawned on them that Bob was a scammer.

"It typically takes a significant loss of money before victims notice things to be wrong and resist."

"When it comes to matters of the heart, even the most rational of individuals can throw caution to the wind," said Gallagher.

People may fall for romance scams because grifters meet their emotional needs, commented licensed therapist and vice president of marketing at Divorce Answers, Lauren Cook-McKay. Scammers master what victims want to hear: promises of love, compliments, messages of empathy and compassion. 

"In fact, it typically takes a significant loss of money before victims notice things to be wrong and resist," Cook-McKay said. "This is because when our emotional needs are being met, we're willing to look past the negative in an attempt to preserve that source of emotional support."

There are multiple types of romance scams, according to Clark:

• Military scam, when the scammer pretends to be a member of the military — like Bob.

• Oil rig scam, when they pretend to work as an oil rigger. 

• Exchanging intimate media, when the scammer gets the victim to send nude photo or video to use them for blackmail.

"But no matter what type of romance scam it is," Clark said, "the scammer will always make excuses to avoid their victim, such as they're too far away and can't meet with the victim or avoid video calls."

How can I avoid romance scams?

Be cautious when meeting online, and be skeptical of anyone who asks for personal information or money too soon, said Gallagher. Never give money to someone you haven't met in person, and never share details like bank account numbers or your Social Security number. 

Some dating apps, like Tinder, have verification features where users can prove they are who they say they are. Tinder and other Match Group dating apps have even started rolling out features to help people sniff out scammers. In the UK, Match and OurTime partnered up for a similar campaign with the City of London Police and reporting center Action Fraud.

If you're using a service without verification or your match is unverified, you can do a reverse image search. Clark recommends doing this on Google or a site called Social Catfish. 

You can also stop talking to someone who refuses to meet in-person or on video; it's a major red flag. 

Ask questions pertaining to their identity, or ask for proof. If they say they're in the military, for example, ask to see their military ID card. "They can also ask the person what their MOS [military occupation specialty code] is. The MOS identifies the person's job title," Clark said. "They can also ask questions about the military culture, such as basic training or their favorite MRE [Meal, Ready-to-Eat] treat."

There's new evidence suggesting scammers are increasingly posing as loved ones, so be diligent about that as well. Contact the friend, romantic partner, or whoever else to see if they're being impersonated.

If you've already given a scammer money, contact your bank and credit card companies and let them know what happened, Gallagher said. You can report them to the dating site you met them on, and report them to the FTC as well.

Beyond researching your matches and calling out scammers, Cook-McKay said to "stop falling in love with being in love." Learn how to meet your own emotional needs and validate yourself, so you don't turn to others; seek out the help of a mental health professional if needed.

Most importantly, Gallagher said, don't be ashamed to reach out to friends and family for support. You're not alone. "By being aware of the dangers and taking the necessary precautions," he said, "we can all protect ourselves and our loved ones from the heartless actions of these scammers."

This article was first published in 2023 and republished in 2026.

SAVE $20: As of Feb. 19, Amazon has dropped the Fire TV Stick 4K Max down to $39.99. This deal saves you $20 off its list price of $59.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max $39.99 at Amazon
$59.99 Save $20   Get Deal

Amazon’s Presidents’ Day sale was filled with great deals, including Amazon's own streaming devices such as the Fire TV Stick 4K Max. However, this deal isn’t going to last much longer, according to the countdown timer on the store page. So if you’ve been hoping for a 4K streaming upgrade, this is your last chance to save on this high-quality streaming device.

Through the rest of today, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max is on sale for $39.99. This is a $20 discount off its usual list price of $59.99. If you've been hoping to enjoy the latest and greatest shows and films on streaming services in crisp 4K quality, this is your chance to upgrade your streaming setup for less.

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No matter what shows or films have your attention right now, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max will make sure you catch every detail thanks to its support for 4K Ultra HD picture quality, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. Support for WiFi 6E helps provide smooth streaming quality as well, and it even supports Dolby Atmos audio to really help you feel immersed in what you're watching.

On top of that, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max also has 16GB of storage and the Fire TV Ambient Experience. The latter works a bit like Frame TVs by allowing you to show off art or photos when you're not watching something.

Again, this deal only lasts through the rest of today. Act fast to save on the Fire TV Stick 4K Max at Amazon.

TL;DR: The Samsung 27-inch Odyssey QD-OLED G5 gaming monitor is now down to just $349.99 at Amazon. That’s a massive $200 discount off its regular $549.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Samsung Samsung 27-inch Odyssey QD-OLED G5 Gaming Monitor (G50SF) $349.99 at Amazon
$549.99 Save $200 Get Deal

You don’t often see OLED gaming monitors drop into midrange pricing territory, which makes this latest Samsung deal especially tempting. As of Feb. 19, the 27-inch Odyssey OLED G5 (the G50SF model) has fallen to $349.99 at Amazon; that is its lowest price to date, as confirmed with price tracker camelcamelcamel.

Unlike traditional IPS or VA panels, this model uses QD-OLED technology to deliver deeper blacks and punchier colors (even more so than traditional OLED), helping games look more cinematic without sacrificing speed. The QHD (2560 x 1440) resolution keeps visuals sharp at a comfortable 27-inch size, while Pantone validation and HDR10 aim to bring accurate tones and brighter highlights across everything from competitive shooters to open-world adventures. 

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When it comes to PC gaming, the 180Hz refresh rate and an ultra-fast 0.03ms response time target motion to feel incredibly smooth — altogether becoming more immersive and gripping simultaneously. That’s whether you’re tracking targets in Arc Raiders or navigating fast-paced racing games, like the upcoming Forza Horizon 6. G-Sync compatibility and AMD FreeSync support are also onboard to help reduce tearing and stutter, while glare-free coating helps keep reflections at bay during longer sessions.

In the event you’re willing to spend more on an even larger QD-OLED display, the 49-inch ultrawide Samsung Odyssey gaming monitor is still on sale at Amazon. As for those from different brands, the 34-inch curved Alienware QD-OLED gaming monitor (AW3423DWF) is also $200 off.

TL;DR: A three-pack bundle of Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Boosters is down to $24.99 at Amazon, shaving $7 off its usual $31.99 price and saving you $1.70 per pack.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Booster 3-Pack Lot $24.97 at Amazon
$31.99 Save $7.02 Get Deal

If you’ve been eyeing the Magic: The Gathering’s Final Fantasy crossover set but didn’t want to commit to the larger bundle, this smaller three-pack deal is one of the cheapest ways to jump in right now. As of Feb. 19, MTG’s Final Fantasy three-pack Play Booster lot has dropped on Amazon to $24.97 — a $7.02 cut off its original $31.99 price and a noticeable discount compared to buying the packs individually.

If you’ve never brought any packs for yourself, this expansion blends characters, summons, and story beats from across the long-running Final Fantasy RPG gaming franchise into Magic’s card mechanics, making it a popular pick among both longtime MTG players and collectors who love chasing crossover cards. Play Boosters are built with Limited play in mind, but they’re just as appealing if you’re opening packs purely for the thrill of a big pull.

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Each booster contains 14 cards, typically including a mix of commons, uncommons, and at least one rare or mythic rare, plus a guaranteed Traditional Foil. That balance makes smaller bundles like this a low-risk way to explore the set without diving into a full booster box.

You can still score the six-pack lot of Magic: The Gathering Final Fantasy Play Boosters for only $48.69. As for other expansions, preorders on MTG’s new Marvel Super Heroes Play Booster Box are now selling for only $189.99 at Amazon.

We feel like it's our civic duty to keep abreast of all the free food and drink giveaways from top retailers. Everyone likes getting something for nothing, but not everyone is aware of just how often these free giveaways go live.

We literally just made some noise about the fact that Dunkin' is giving away limited-edition iced coffee gloves on Feb. 20, but before we could sit down, another giveaway has dropped. So we'll do what we must for the greater good. You can thank us later.

SEE ALSO: How to get the free Lego set for late February: Spend $100 to get the absurdly cute Duck Family

From Feb. 17-28, you can get a free Chick-fil-A chicken biscuit (no purchase necessary). To qualify, simply download the Chick-fil-A app and redeem your free chicken biscuit during breakfast hours while supplies last. The reward will automatically appear under your “Rewards” tab of your app. It's that straightforward. There really is no catch.

The giveaway is included in Chick-fil-A's celebration of the brand's "80-year heritage of quality, service and care," per a press release. Chick-fil-A is also planning to launch retro-inspired packaging plus newly-released Frosted Sodas and Floats and Classic Cups.

SAVE $50: As of Feb. 19, the Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 headphones have dropped to $99.99 at Amazon. This 33% discount saves you $50 on their list price of $149.99.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 $99.99 at Amazon
$149.99 Save $50.00   Get Deal

Do you want new headphones, but don't want to spend a ton of cash on an expensive pair? The Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 headphones are a pair we consider to be the most well-rounded budget headphones. And they're even on sale right now at Amazon for under $100.

The Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 headphones are down to $99.99. This is a $50 discount off their usual price of $149.99, and it applies to all of the available colors as well. Choose between the white, black, or blue headphones at this price.

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From great sound quality to a solid noise cancelling system and a hefty battery life that can last up to 50 hours in noise cancelling mode, the Space Q45 headphoned are a great investment for long travel periods, a commute, or just hanging out at home. Our roundup of the best budget headphones — where they earned the spot of "most well-rounded budget headphones" — said of their sound quality that "Bass dominates the soundstage in a positive way. Headbangers will salivate over the Space Q45’s boomy and energetic low-end presence."

As for their noise cancellation, the roundup also notes that "Enabling noise cancellation slightly increases bass without compromising other frequencies, and the technology is capable of blocking out 80 percent of external sounds. Ambient listening mode is just as rewarding for keeping tabs on your surroundings."

Keep in mind that the Space Q45 headphones are currently listed as a limited-time deal. So if you're interested in picking them up, act fast to get them for under $100.

SAVE $150: The 27-inch Alienware 360Hz gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for $499.99, down from the list price of $649.99. That's a 23% discount and the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Alienware 27-inch Alienware 360Hz Gaming Monitor $499.99 at Amazon
$649.99 Save $150   Get Deal

Welcome to the lingering part of winter. The initial refreshing feel of cold weather and the excuse to stay inside is wearing off, and now we're ready for warmer temps and spring flowers. Unfortunately, that could still be a few weeks away. Instead of sinking into boredom, upgrade your gaming setup and make the last few weeks of winter an epic gaming experience. There's a great deal in store today at Amazon on a gaming monitor with impressive specs.

As of Feb. 19, the 27-inch Alienware 360Hz gaming monitor is on sale for $499.99 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $649.99. That ends up being a savings of $150 thanks to the 23% discount. It's also the lowest price we've ever seen at Amazon.

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When it comes to finding the right gaming monitor, size matters. If you don't have a massive desk or your desk is short on space, it's unlikely you have room for a giant curved monitor. Instead, focus on a model that's a moderate size but comes with impressive specs, like the 27-inch Alienware monitor that has a blazing 360Hz refresh rate.

If you gravitate toward games that require speedy movements and response time, the Alienware comes with specs to match your pace. In addition to the impressive refresh rate, there's the 0.03 GtG response time and the QHD resolution of 2560x1440. The monitor also features 111 pixels per inch. All in all, you'll be in line for a blur and lag-free gaming experience.

Alienware added a stable and performance-driven stand to the 27-inch monitor so you'll be able to tilt, swivel, and adjust the display to fit your preferences.

While the 27-inch Alienware 360Hz gaming monitor is on sale at Amazon for a record-low price of $499.99, upgrade your winter gaming experience. And since summer now come with sweltering heat, it'll probably get plenty of use then, too.

In what's probably the saddest and cutest news story of the week, a baby monkey named Punch (Punch-kun), rejected by his mother at Japan's Ichikawa City Zoo, has won the internet's heart by clinging to a stuffed IKEA orangutan for emotional support. As Mashable's Crystal Bell writes, "In the wild, that would have meant certain death. At the zoo, where Punch was raised through hand-rearing, it meant something else: survival, and a substitute for the one thing zookeepers couldn't provide."

Stephen Colbert got the memo on the forlorn mini macaque, unpacking the story during Wednesday night's Late Show.

"After his mom abandoned him — she said she was going out for a pack of bananas, I'm sure she'll be back — Punch struggled to make friends with other monkeys in the exhibit, which is why they gave him the stuffed orangutan, and now he takes it everywhere," Colbert said, explaining that the specific stuffed animal is IKEA's DJUNGELSKOG.

"If you think Punch is sympathetic, wait till you see the official pictures of JUNGELSKOG. She looks like she's regretting all of her life choices," said Colbert, and...yeah. "Here's the thing. We looked it up, and the DJUNGELSKOG retails for only $19.99, and honestly, we can all use a little comfort right about now. So I bought one. You'll never leave me right, DJUNGELSKOG?"

Opens in a new window Credit: IKEA IKEA DJUNGELSKOG plush orangutan $19.99 at IKEA
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TL;DR: The Pokémon TCG’s Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is now selling for as low as $86.64 on TCGplayer — that puts it only 64 cents over market price and $8 cheaper than Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: The Pokémon Company The Pokémon TCG: Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box $86.64 at TCGplayer
  Get Deal

When it comes to solid Pokémon TCG deals on modern expansions like Phantasmal Flames, TCGplayer regularly offers decent value for money. As of Feb. 19, the Pokémon TCG’s Phantasmal Flames Elite Trainer Box is now selling for as now as $86.64 at TCGplayer — saving you $8.26 compared to Amazon’s best price of $94.90. 

Granted, Amazon’s new lowest price for the ETB is the result of an 11% price cut from $106.89, but it can’t be denied that TCGplayer is still the best deal. For transparency, all of these new and unopened ETBs — both through Amazon and TCGplayer — are being sold through third-party sellers on the platforms.

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Whichever online store you go with, you’ll still get the exact same Pokémon trading card game contents in your new and sealed Phantasmal Flames ETB. Along with nine Mega Evolution: Phantasmal Flames booster packs, you’ll get a full-art foil Charcadet promo card, 65 card sleeves, 40 Energy cards, a player’s guide, six damage-counter dice, one competition-legal coin, a plastic coin, a collector’s box with six organizational dividers, and a code for Pokémon Trading Card Game Live.

To save even more on packs from this expansion, you can still buy the Pokémon TCG: Phantasmal Flames eight-booster pack lot at $20 off on Amazon. With Pokémon Day fast approaching, you can still buy the TCG’s Pokémon Day 2026 Collection for under $40 at Amazon.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a good cook.

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

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

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

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

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Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.

If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake—players get up to four mistakes until the game ends.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 19, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Resurrection

• Green: Warm and cozy

• Blue: '70s film

• Purple: Chef terms

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Easter supplies

• Green: Fireplace accessories

• Blue: Elements of "Saturday Night Fever"

• Purple: Homophones of ways to cook something

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

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

Drumroll, please!

The solution to today's Connections #984 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Easter supplies: BASKET, DYE, EGGS, PEEPS

• Fireplace accessories: BELLOWS, POKER, SHOVEL, TONGS

• Elements of "Saturday Night Fever": DISCO, JOHN TRAVOLTA, PLATFORM SHOES, POLYESTER SUIT

• Homophones of ways to cook something: BOYLE, BRAYS, SEER, STU

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 19, 2026

Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.

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

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

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're an overthinker.

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

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

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

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

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 19, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 19, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Here's a thought

The words are related to thinking.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe Aha moments.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Eureka.

NYT Strands word list for February 19

• Idea

• Hypothesis

• Concept

• Eureka

• Postulate

• Theory

• Notion

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

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

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