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Best deals on winter essentials: Best hand warmer deal Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer $14.99 (save $15) Get Deal Best space heater deal Lasko 1500W Ceramic Tower Space Heater (751320) $54.99 (save $25) Get Deal Best heated blanket Bedsure Heated Blanket $45.48 (save 23.51) Get Deal

To say this week has been "harsh" feels like an understatement. We currently have 76 million people under freeze alerts, wind chills dropping to -14 in the Midwest, and yes, even the Hudson River is starting to freeze over. To make matters worse, there’s another storm tracking for the East Coast this weekend.

SEE ALSO: Winter storm snowfall levels: See online how many inches have fallen nationwide

With temperatures staying dangerously low and power outages still affecting thousands, staying warm (and safe!) should be your top priority. If you need to prep your home (or yourself) for the next few days, Amazon has marked down a lot of the essentials. From space heaters to thermal gear, here are a few deals that can help you stay safe on a budget.

Best hand warmer deal Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer $14.99 at Amazon
$29.99 Save $15.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

Hand warmers are an underrated accessory that are usually pretty cheap and super effective. Take the Orastone Rechargeable Hand Warmer, for example. Not only does it have more than 6K reviews on Amazon (with a 4.6-star rating), but our Tech Editor, Timothy Beck Werth, swears by them. He’s been buying these little gadgets for years and vouches for their durability and longevity (you’ll probably get two years out of one). Plus, they’re rechargeable and come with a built-in flashlight. What more could you ask for?

More hand warmer deals

• HotHands Hand Warmer Value Pack —$7.47 $9.99 (save $2.52)

• Lerat Rechargeable Hand Warmers (2-Pack) —$9.99 $11.99 (save $2)

• KILeap Rechargeable Hand Warmers (2-Pack) —$29.98 $35.99 (save $6.01)

Best space heater deal Lasko 1500W Oscillation Electric Ceramic Tower Space Heater with Remote $54.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $25.00   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

If your thermostat just isn’t cutting it, a space heater can help break the chill. The Lasko 1500W Ceramic Tower Space Heater (751320) is a pretty good buy for anyone looking for a tower model. It’s ideal for keeping your bedroom or a medium-sized living room toasty and features an adjustable thermostat (with remote) and oscillation for even heat distribution. It also has a built-in carry handle, so you can move it from room to room without much hassle.

More space heater deals

• BLACK+DECKER 1500W Portable Space Heater — $21.99 $31.33 (save $9.64)

• Dreo 1500W Portable Space Heater — $37.99 $39.99 (save $2)

• Dr Infrared Heater 1500W Portable Space Heater — $87.70 $129.99 (save $42.29)

Best heated blanket deal Bedsure Heated Throw Soft Flannel Electric Blanket with 4 Time Settings & 6 Heat Settings (50x60 inches, Grey) $45.48 at Amazon
$68.99 Save $23.51   Get Deal at Amazon Why we like it

There’s nothing cozier than a heated blanket, and right now Amazon has tons of ‘em on sale. If you’re not sure which one to pick, we recommend the Bedsure Heated Blanket. It’s 34% off right now and has more than 13K reviews (and a 4.3-star rating). This particular model is available in a variety of colors and sizes and offers six heating levels and four time settings. There’s a three-hour auto-shutoff for safety (just in case you fall asleep with it on, or accidentally leave it on the couch or elsewhere unattended). It’s undergone 74 safety checks at Bedsure’s Intertek-recognized lab, and it’s machine washable, so you don’t have to do anything special to keep it clean.

More heated blanket deals

• Beautyrest Heated Throw Blanket — $38.22 $44.99 (save $6.77)

• Sunbeam Royal Ultra Fleece Heated Electric Blanket — $49.41 $59.99 (save $10.58)

• Serta Luxuriously Soft Plush Electric Blanket — $62.05 $68.99 (save $8.94)

SAVE $10: As of Jan. 28, get the Soundcore Sport X20 earbuds for $69.99 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $79.99. That's a discount of 13%.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Soundcore Sport X20 $69.99 at Amazon
$79.99 Save $10   Get Deal

If you're looking for a new pair of earbuds to take with you to the gym, not just any will do. You've got to make sure you have waterproof features so you won't ruin them with sweat as well as a fit that keeps them on and in your ears. We've got the perfect pair that ticks both boxes, and they're on sale right now, too.

As of Jan. 28, get the Soundcore Sport X20 earbuds for $69.99 at Amazon, down from their usual price of $79.99. That's a discount of 13%.

SEE ALSO: Travel smarter with these earbuds that translate over 50 languages in real time

These workout earbuds are great for heading to the gym, going on a run, or just playing some sports here and there. They stay put thanks to their adjustable ear hooks, which you can rotate and extend to find the best fit. They have noise-cancellation features as well, so you can block out the world while exercising and keep listening to your favorite songs.

And because you sometimes need to spend longer hours working on your fitness, these earbuds boast a great battery life with over 12 hours on a single charge. You can even get 48 out of them with the included charging case, and about 7 to 28 with noise cancellation, with and without said case.

Since these earbuds are up for grabs for under $70, it's a good time to go ahead and snag them while they're available. Don't miss out and secure yours.

SAVE UP TO $60: Refurbished first-generation Nintendo Switches are on sale at various retailers as of Jan. 28, with prices starting from just $169.99. Choose from the standard Switch, the OLED model, or the Switch Lite.

Shop deals on refurbished Nintendo Switch consoles: Nintendo Switch (Geek Squad Certified Refurbished) $249.99 (save $50) Get Deal Nintendo Switch – OLED Model (Geek Squad Certified Refurbished) $289.99 (save $60) Get Deal Nintendo Switch Lite (Refurbished) $169.99 (save $30) Get Deal

It's a predicament that many of us are facing lately: A new free update for Animal Crossing: New Horizons beckons, but a $450 Nintendo Switch 2 just isn't in the cards.

Before you give up on your dreams of island life, allow me to present an alternative. As of late January, refurbished Switches are on sale for up to $60 off the price of a new system, with options starting at only $169.99. Tom Nook would never be so generous.

At Best Buy, you can take your pick from the standard first-generation Switch (was $299.99, now $249.99) or the prettier OLED model with more storage and a better kickstand (was $349.99, now $289.99). As "Geek Squad Refurbished" units, they're used but fixed up to work like new. They come with 90-day parts and labor warranties.

The Nintendo Switch Lite is ideal for on-the-go gamers. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

If you'd prefer the portable Switch Lite, head to the My Nintendo Store instead. It's on sale there in refurbished condition for $169.99 (was $199.99) in Yellow, Coral, Gray, and Blue. It has a one-year warranty.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025: the hot console's first year evaluated

The newer Switch 2 is a far better machine than all of its predecessors, to be sure, though you might not be someone who cares deeply about having a bigger screen or 4K video output. For most people, the most important thing is that you can play most of the same games on older Switches. The Switch 2 doesn't have too many notable exclusives at present (just Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, which are pricier than past Switch titles), so your game FOMO should be minimal for the foreseeable future. If you do decide to upgrade down the road, you can trade in your older Switch for some credit and grab cheap upgrade packs for any titles you want to keep playing.

As a final note, I'll mention that discounted refurbished Switches typically sell out fast; it's rare to see all of these in stock. If you're thinking about adding one to your cart, don't dawdle.

A new investigation claims that the Apple and Google app stores hosted dozens of so-called "nudify" AI apps, despite such apps violating the companies' rules.

The Tech Transparency Project (TTP), a research initiative of the nonprofit watchdog Campaign for Accountability, found dozens of apps in both stores that digitally remove clothes, rendering the subjects naked or nearly naked. It found 55 such apps in the Google Play Store and 47 in the Apple App Store.

Wrote TTP:

"The apps identified by TTP have been collectively downloaded more than 705 million times worldwide and generated $117 million in revenue, according to AppMagic, an app analytics firm. Because Google and Apple take a cut of that revenue, they are directly profiting from the activity of these apps."

Both tech giants have responded to the TTP report. Apple told CNBC it had removed 28 apps identified in the TTP report, while Google told the outlet it had "suspended several apps" while noting its investigation was ongoing.

However, the TTP concludes that both App Stores need to do more to stop non-consensual deepfakes.

SEE ALSO: Explicit deepfakes are traumatic. How to deal with the pain.

"TTP’s findings show that Google and Apple have failed to keep pace with the spread of AI deepfake apps that can 'nudify' people without their permission," the report states. "Both companies say they are dedicated to the safety and security of users, but they host a collection of apps that can turn an innocuous photo of a woman into an abusive, sexualized image."

The report from TTP comes on the heels of the controversy surrounding Elon Musk and xAI's Grok, which is under investigation in several countries for creating sexualized, nonconsensual images. A Mashable investigation found that Grok lacks basic safety guardrails to prevent deepfakes. In addition, researchers say Grok has created more than 3 million sexualized images — including more than 20,000 that appeared to depict children — over an 11-day period between Dec. 29 and Jan. 8.

With the dawn of the AI age, sexual deepfakes will continue to be a major issue for tech companies moving forward.

UPDATE: Jan. 28, 2026, 12:43 p.m. EST This story was updated to correct the name of the The Tech Transparency Project and to provide the correct link to the organization.

Shrinking is back, and Season 3 is already packing just as much of an emotional punch as its predecessors.

In a moving hour-long episode that builds to Paul (Harrison Ford) marrying Julie (Wendie Malick), there's one scene right at the end that hits harder than any of the others. So what happens, and what exactly does it mean?

SEE ALSO: 'Shrinking' Season 3 review: My heart can't take it What happens at the end of Shrinking Season 3, episode 1?

The final scene of the episode links back to one of its first scenes, when Paul attends a neurology clinic and meets a fellow patient with Parkinson's, Gerry (a cameo from Michael J. Fox). Paul is experiencing tremors in his left hand, and he has a conversation with Gerry — whose Parkinson's is more advanced — about the various ways the disease is affecting them.

"How's the brain?" asks Gerry at one point. "Any hallucinations?"

"No. Thank God," responds Paul.

"They're the worst. Bad enough your body goes, but then you start seeng shit. It's scary. I didn't even know that was a thing with Parkinson's."

Later, at the very end of the episode, Paul comes in from his wedding to get a glass of water in the kitchen. He turns from the sink and finds Gerry sitting in a chair, tucking into some cake. But moments later, when Julie joins him, it's clear that Gerry isn't really there.

"Oh," says Paul, as he realises what's happening. "You don't see him, do you?"

The scene is a sign that Paul's Parkinson's has continued to progress. He's now experiencing the same hallucinations that Gerry spoke to him about earlier on in the episode.

Is Paul hallucinating throughout the episode?

Some people with Parkinson's may experience hallucinations, sometimes as a side effect of medication or as a symptom of an additional condition. So, is this what's happening with Paul?

The first time Paul meets Gerry, it's pretty clear that he isn't a hallucination. When Paul is called by the doctor, the first thing she says is "Gerry, I'll grab you in a minute," indicating that she can see him too.

It's only at the end of the episode that there's any indication Paul is seeing and hearing something other characters cannot. This is what makes it such a painful moment — like Paul's trembling hand, it's yet another sign that the disease is impacting more and more parts of him.

Shrinking Season 3 is now streaming on Apple TV with new episodes Wednesdays.

SAVE $500.01: As of Jan. 28, get the Oupes Guardian 6000 power station for $1,698.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,199. That's a discount of 23% and the lowest price we've seen.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Oupes Guardian 6000 power station $1,698.99 at Amazon
$2,199 Save $500.01   Get Deal

Much of the country was just buffeted by sleet and ice with a powerful snowstorm, and for many, it also meant power outages, some for extended periods of time. If you happen to find yourself without electricity often, a portable power station is your best bet. There's one at Amazon right now that you'd do well to have in a similar emergency, and it's on sale for a great price.

As of Jan. 28, get the Oupes Guardian 6000 power station for $1,698.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $2,199. That's $500.01 off and a discount of 23%. It's also the lowest price we've seen.

SEE ALSO: The Anker Solix C1000 power station is on sale for $429 at Amazon — save over $300

This absolute unit of a power station is everything you need in an emergency. It has a 4608 Wh LiFePO4 battery with 6000W of output (boosted to 7200W) and 120V/240V dual voltage, which is expandable to 41kWh. In short, if you have an emergency that finds you without electricity, it'll be your best friend. It can power everything from small electronics like laptops to fridges and larger items to get you out of an emergency and functioning again.

With 11 output ports, including five AC outlets, it has plenty of space to handle multiple devices at once. Plus, when you deplete the battery, you can charge it from empty to full in just under 90 minutes. That means you won't be left sitting around and waiting for it to charge you back up again.

If you're ready to stop waiting out power outages, this might be a good investment for you. Just be sure to get it while it's available at this low price.

VPNs could be banned for children in the UK if a new law is approved by the government.

On January 21, the UK House of Lords voted to allow an amendment to the government's Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill which would ban VPN usage for children.

Effectively, it would require VPN users to go through age assurance — the way that the UK's Online Safety Act requires such assurance to view material deemed "harmful to children," from pornography to content about eating disorders.

SEE ALSO: Pornhub will soon be blocked for UK users — unless they take one step

"Within 12 months of the day on which this Act is passed the Secretary of State must, for the purpose of furthering the protection and wellbeing of children, make regulations which prohibit the provision to UK children of a Relevant VPN Service," the amendment states.

In the six months since the Online Safety Act went into effect, VPN use has more than doubled in the UK, as it's a loophole for submitting personal data to view certain content. Now, the UK government seeks to close the loophole and deem VPNs unsuitable for minors, as well.

When Mashable spoke to free speech and internet experts in 2025 about age verification, they warned of "second-order censorship," which comes after primary regulation. In this case, the primary regulation is the Online Safety Act, and people are finding workarounds. Second-order censorship would involve restricting VPNs.

It's a similar story in the United States, where a proposed bill in Michigan seeks to ban both porn and VPNs.

The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill is still proposed legislation, thus hasn't been passed nor is it going into effect yet. MPs will now consider changes to the Bill as part of a process known as ping-pong: the to and fro of amendments to Bills between the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

The vote came days before Pornhub announced new restrictions coming in the UK: Any adult who hasn't verified their age on the site before Feb. 2 will no longer be able to access it. Representatives from Pornhub's parent company, Aylo, cited VPN use as one reason why the Online Safety Act is failing. Aylo instead advocates for device-level filters as a more comprehensive way to keep minors off porn sites.

SAVE $90: The DJI Mic Mini is on sale at Amazon for $79, down from the list price of $169. That's a 53% discount that matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Mic Mini $79 at Amazon
$169 Save $90   Get Deal

Watch any YouTube video or TikTok clip and you'll likely spot it — the DJI Mic Mini. The tiny microphone seems to be attached to every content creator lately, and there's good reason. DJI knows how to make tech that simply works great for creators. If you've been eyeing getting the DJI Mic Mini for your own content creation setup, check out this deal.

As of Jan. 28, the DJI Mic Mini is on sale for $79 at Amazon, marked down from the standard price of $169. That shaves $90 off the normal price thanks to a 53% discount. This sale price matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon.

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This bundle has it all. You'll get one DJI Mic Mini receiver, two transmitters, a charging case, a mobile phone adapter, charging cable, four windscreens, two magnetic clips, and a carrying case. Did we mention all of this comes in at under $80? It feels almost too good to be true.

Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard reviewed the DJI Mic Mini and found that it lives up to its viral hype. She wrote, "I'm convinced it's one of the best upgrades for content creators." She tested it out in less-than-ideal recording situations like on a busy street with windy weather and found its sound to be impressive. "With and without the noise-cancelling feature, the mic picked up my voice while barely picking up the sound of wind — birds and car engines were lost in many cases," Allard wrote in the review.

With the charging case, you'll be in line for 48 hours of battery life and the includes USB-C phone adapter is a benefit. It's especially great if your content setup already includes a DJI camera like the Osmo Pocket 3.

While it's sitting at an all-time low price of $79, upgrade your creator setup to the DJI Mic Mini. It comes with all the accessories you'd want for getting a pro recording system for on-the-go creating.

SAVE $270: The DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station is on sale at Amazon for $429 with the on-page coupon, down from the list price of $699. That's a 39% discount.

Opens in a new window Credit: DJI DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station $429 at Amazon
$699 Save $270   Get Deal

Winter is one of the least convenient times to lose power. Not that there's a good time to experience a power cut, but winter feels especially brutal. Instead of sitting in the cold with zero lights and a dead phone, enlist the help of a portable power station to keep your gadgets charged up. Lucky for us, there's an on-page coupon that's worth taking advantage of before it expires.

Until Feb. 1, the DJI Power 1000 V2 portable power station is on sale for $429 at Amazon with the on-page coupon, marked down from the list price of $699. That's a 39% discount that takes $270 off the price.

Next time the power goes out, the DJI Power 1000 V2 will keep your online and charged up. So long as the network didn't go down, you can use the Power 1000 V2 to keep your WiFi router online, phone charged up, and coffee maker brewing. With a stable output of 2,600W, you can also keep the refrigerator cooling.

SEE ALSO: The DJI Mini 5 Pro Fly More Combo is down to its best-ever price at Amazon — save $500 right now

Come warmer weather, the Power 1000 V2 would like to come along on your camping trip. It'll prove it was worthy of an invitation when it keeps your phone charged, powers the projector for nightly movies, and keeps the camp lights on.

But the DJI Power 1000 V2 is also awesome for DJI drone owners and content creators. Like the viral DJI Mic Mini, the brand knows how to keep creators happy and the DJI Power 1000 V2 is capable of super-quick charging DJI drone batteries. Plus, it operates as quiet as 26 decibels which is essential if you'll be recording in the same room.

Before the coupon expires on Feb. 1, upgrade to the DJI Power 1000 V2 while it's on sale for $429 at Amazon. It'll come in handy for any content project, camping trip, and power outage.

E-commerce behemoth Amazon is making another round of layoffs, according to a blog post on the company's official website.

Amazon said the cuts will affect 16,000 corporate jobs. The company said it will give its employees 90 days to look for a new role internally within Amazon. Those who don't find a new role will receive severance pay and other temporary benefits.

The company's public statement, from Amazon’s Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology Beth Galetti, clarified that the company will "continue hiring and investing in strategic areas and functions that are critical to our future." 

While Amazon doesn't explicitly state what that means, the New York Times reports that the company intends to shift resources to artificial intelligence and the data centers that AI requires. As mentioned in their report, Amazon spent around $125 billion last year on data centers and related expenditures.

“Some of you might ask if this is the beginning of a new rhythm — where we announce broad reductions every few months. That’s not our plan,” reads a blog post written by Beth Galetti, Senior Vice President of People Experience and Technology at Amazon. Galetti also emphasized that the company was "working hard to support everyone whose role is impacted."

Last October, Amazon sources told Reuters that the company was planning its biggest round of layoffs ever and was set to cut 30,000 jobs. Days later, Amazon announced that it was laying off 14,000 employees, but it seems the 30,000 report was correct after all. With today's announcement, Amazon will have laid off 30,000 workers total, and Galetti's blog post adds some context to the situation.

"While many teams finalized their organizational changes in October, other teams did not complete that work until now."

While Amazon CEO Andy Jassy denied AI was responsible for the October layoffs, our colleagues at PC Mag note that Galetti provided employees with a different take at the time. (Disclosure: PC Mag and Mashable are both owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)

"This generation of AI is the most transformative technology we’ve seen since the internet, and...we need to be organized more leanly, with fewer layers and more ownership, to move as quickly as possible for our customers and business," Galetti said last year.

In addition to this latest round of layoffs, Amazon also announced just yesterday that it was closing all of its physical Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh store locations to focus on Whole Foods Market and grocery deliveries under the Whole Foods brand.

Amazon currently employs roughly 1.5 million people.

SAVE $250: Amazon has the Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) on sale for $549 as of Jan. 28. That's 31% off its regular retail price of $799, which is its biggest discount ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Watch Ultra 2 (GPS + Cellular, 49mm) $549 at Amazon
$799 Save $250   Get Deal

If your New Year's resolution involves more wilderness adventures (and you haven't broken it yet), you're going to need a rugged smartwatch that can handle the elements. We recommend the Apple Watch Ultra 2 over the newer Ultra 3 because their differences are minimal, and because the Ultra 2 is usually easy to find on sale for a much lower price.

As of late January, its price is lower than ever. Amazon currently has the Ultra 2 on sale for a record-low of just $549, which is $250 off its $799 MSRP and $50 better than its Black Friday discount.

The Apple Watch Ultra 2 in Black Titanium, as seen on the wrist of Mashable Senior Editor Stan Schroeder. Credit: Stan Schroeder / Mashable

Amazon's deal applies to most Natural Titanium variants with Alpine or Trail Loops in the small size. (It should fit wrists that are 130 to 160 millimeters in diameter.) If you'd prefer a Black Titanium case, a different band style, or a different size, head to Best Buy instead: More Ultra 2 variants were $200 off there at the time of writing.

The Ultra 2 features an ultra-bright, always-on OLED display, a customizable action button, an S9 SiP processor, a slew of health sensors, and up to 72 hours of battery life. It supports all of the latest "Liquid Glass" watchOS 26 features, including wrist flick gestures and the AI-powered Workout Buddy fitness assistant.

For reference, the Ultra 3's only notable upgrades over its predecessor are a larger display with wider viewing angles, six extra hours of battery life, and support for 5G cellular connectivity as well as emergency SOS via satellite. Those are some nice improvements, to be sure, but they're probably not worth the extra cash for most buyers. The Ultra 3 also retails for $799, and it's never been more than $120 off.

SAVE $80: As of Jan. 28, get the Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set for $99 at Amazon. That's down from its usual price of $179.

Opens in a new window Credit: Amazon Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set $99 at Amazon
$179 Save $80   Get Deal

If you're still puttering around the house waiting for a reason to finish all your home projects this far into 2026, this is your sign to bring them to an end: a shiny new tool. It's officially DIY season for you, because we've found a deal that'll help you finally finish up your to-do list. And you won't even have to spend that much money to do it.

As of Jan. 28, get the Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set for $99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $179. That's $80 off and a discount of 45%.

SEE ALSO: Finish your DIY projects with the DeWalt Mechanics Tool Set for its lowest price yet

The Dewalt 20V MAX Cordless Drill Driver Set has everything you need to tackle all those odd jobs around the house. It comes with the electric drill itself, as well as a battery, charger, and LED light to make sure you can see what you're doing, all for under $100.

The power drill, with a brushless motor, is compact enough at 7.6 inches front to back that it's easy to fit in plenty of smaller, tighter spaces. It has an ergonomic grip for better control, and it's perfect for most general-purpose drilling. It has a 2-speed transmission and a single-sleeve ratcheting chuck for your convenience, all with a longer runtime so you can get jobs done faster.

Whether you're looking for an easy way to get things done or you want to give a gift to new homeowners or DIY enthusiasts, this affordable package is a great buy, especially at this price point.

TL;DR: Live stream Liverpool vs. Qarabag in the Champions League for free on RTÉ Player. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Champions League group stage is coming to an end. Places in the knockout rounds are still up for grabs, with the final round of group-stage games set to decide which teams will progress to the last 16, which will make the playoff round, and which will miss out.

Liverpool are in a strong position to make the top eight and therefore avoid the playoffs. A win in their final group-stage fixture against Qarabag will guarantee their spot. Qarabag, meanwhile, are hoping to hang on to a playoff spot.

If you want to watch Liverpool vs. Qarabag in the Champions League from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Liverpool vs. Qarabag?

Liverpool vs. Qarabag in the Champions League kicks off at 8 p.m. GMT on Jan. 28. This fixture takes place at Anfield.

How to watch Liverpool vs. Qarabag for free

Liverpool vs. Qarabag is available to live stream for free on RTÉ Player.

RTÉ Player is geo-restricted to Ireland, 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 Ireland, meaning you can unblock RTÉ Player to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Liverpool vs. Qarabag 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 Ireland

4. Visit RTÉ Player

5. Watch Liverpool vs. Qarabag 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 Champions League without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Liverpool vs. Qarabag (plus more Champions League fixtures) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for RTÉ Player?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Ireland

• 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 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. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (with money-back guarantee).

Live stream Liverpool vs. Qarabag in the Champions League for free with ExpressVPN.

Dearest gentle reader, it's nearing time for another season of courting and conviviality in Netflix and Shondaland's Bridgerton.

We've spent the last three seasons relishing in the lustful long games of the Bridgerton family: the Duke of Hastings and Daphne, then Kate Sharma and Anthony, then Penelope Featherington and Colin — as well as a spinoff season on Queen Charlotte and her beloved King George. This time, based on the third novel in Julia Quinn's series, An Offer from a Gentleman, showrunner Jess Brownell shifts focus to another Bridgerton: the rakish Benedict (Luke Thompson).

SEE ALSO: 'Bridgerton' Season 4 trailer unveils Benedict’s masquerade mystery

But what happened again last season? Here's everything you need to remember from Season 3 of Bridgerton before you watch Season 4. Who married whom? What went down at that final ball? And what became of Lady Whistledown?

Penelope was unmasked as Lady Whistledown. Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Members of the Ton, this was the big one in Season 3: Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) was revealed as the formidable writer behind Lady Whistledown's influential Society Papers.

Pen was first found out by her best friend Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) in the Season 2 finale, which meant the pair spent most of Season 3 in a stand-off. Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) confronted his new wife Penelope (more on that below) at the printers, and that went as well as you'd expect, considering how much she's written about him and the Bridgertons. Plus, Cressida Cowper (Jessica Madsen) figured out who Lady Whistledown was by checking every printer in the Ton (smart!), then falsely claiming to be the writer and blackmailing Penelope (she failed and was sadly taken away by her mean Aunt Joanna).

Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Finally, it all came out at the Dankworth-Finch ball during the season finale. Bored in their marriages, Prudence (Bessie Carter) and Philippa (Harriet Cains) hosted a maximalist ball, paid for by their lucrative sister Penelope and attended by none other than Queen Charlotte (Golda Rosheuvel). Having spent the last three seasons j'accusing everyone of being Lady Whistledown, the Queen came face to face with her social rival.

In front of the ball, Penelope gave one hell of a speech about why she became Lady Whistledown as a means of finally being listened to and the result of being "captivated" by the members of the Ton. She asked the Queen permission to continue writing "responsibly" — it was a solid yes. Penelope finally introduced herself to her readers as Penelope Bridgerton in a new Whistledown column.

Plus, Pen got her mother, Lady Portia Featherington (Polly Walker), off the financial hook the whole thing with Jack Featherington and his fraudulent activities in Season 2, by convincing a prying crown solicitor the money they extorted was in fact her Lady Whistledown earnings.

Featured Video For You ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 has the internet upset for all the wrong reasons Penelope and Colin got married. Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton were married after three seasons of lusting from afar, but not before their best friendship moved into a carriage of pre-marital steam (Pitbull will never be the same).

The whole Whistledown discovery put a spanner into their very new marriage, as a betrayed Colin shut Pen out emotionally and physically — and served up a huge dollop of writer's envy over her being a published author. However, Colin eventually accepted Penelope and Lady Whistledown as "one voice," admitted his jealousy, and declared his love once more. In the final moments of Season 3, we see Pen and Colin have had a baby boy, and Philippa and Prudence have had daughters (meaning Pen and Colin's son is the new Lord Featherington).

Alice and Will Mondrich levelled up. Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

In Season 3, married couple Alice Mondrich (Emma Naomi) and Will Mondrich (Martins Imhangbe) found themselves in a prominent social position — and strangely sleeping in different bedrooms thanks to a dramatically prudish housekeeper. Alice's great-aunt died and left Will and Alice's eldest (but still very young) son Nicky an estate and a title: Baron of Kent. This all meant the Mondrichs' standing in society was wildly changed from Will's former life as a boxer and gentlemen's club owner — they're now seriously influential in the Ton.

Benedict had a steamy poly relationship. Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

A member of the Ton's outsider artist circles, Benedict has long dabbled with polyamory since Season 1, from his dalliance with artist Lord Granville's wife Lucy and Genevieve Delacroix, but he's spent much of Bridgerton suppressing his bisexuality. In Season 3, Benedict delved into a secret polyamorous relationship with widow Lady Tilley Arnold (Hannah New) and Paul Suarez (Lucas Aurelio). However, their bond became strained as Tilley fell hard for Benedict, who finds consensual non-monogamy preferable, so they parted ways.

SEE ALSO: 'Bridgerton' Season 3 characters, ranked by crush-worthiness

Unfortunately for Benedict, our Season 2 lovers Viscount Anthony (Jonathan Bailey) and Viscountess Kate (Simone Ashley) left for India in Season 3, meaning he's the main administrator for the Bridgerton family now — and the next on the marriage mart, if his mother has anything to say about it.

Mega-chillers Francesca and John got married, but then... Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

After a very quiet courtship, Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd) was married to John Stirling (Victor Alli) in the Bridgerton drawing room and prepared to leave for John's primary estate in the Scottish Highlands.

After reluctantly attempting to join the Ton's marriage mart, Eloise decided instead to see the world, asking to accompany Francesca and John to Scotland. Also suddenly joining them was John's cousin Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), whose introduction right at the end of the Season 3 finale caused Francesca to get seriously tongue-tied and flustered. Giiiiirl.

Lady Bridgerton and Lord Anderson crushed hard on each other. Credit: Liam Daniel / Netflix

Lady Agatha Danbury's (Adjoa Andoh) brother Lord Marcus Anderson (Daniel Francis) and her best friend Lady Violet Bridgerton (Ruth Gemmell) were eyeing each other up all season, but before anything untoward happened, Violet asked her friend's permission. Here, there was a throwback to a reveal from Queen Charlotte, that Lady Danbury had once had an affair with Violet's father, Lord Ledger, after his wife's death. (That's best friend + dad, so best friend + brother seems chill.)

In the Season 3 finale, Marcus asked Violet for a dance at the ball. Cute.

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 debuts on Netflix Jan. 29 and Part 2 on Feb. 26.

Round up the Diamond Dogs, because Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) is coming back to Richmond.

SEE ALSO: 20 'Ted Lasso' Easter eggs even the biggest fans miss

Apple TV's Emmy-winning sports comedy Ted Lasso returns for Season 4 this summer, three years after a Season 3 finale that the show treated like a series end. Now, though, Ted and the Greyhounds have some new adventures up their sleeves, ones sure to feature tons of folksy sayings, messages about mental health, and delicious shortbread.

From plot to cast to release date, here's everything we know about Ted Lasso Season 4.

What's Ted Lasso Season 4 about?

According to the official log line from Apple TV, "In season four, Ted returns to Richmond, taking on his biggest challenge yet: coaching a second division women’s football team. Throughout the course of the season, Ted and the team learn to leap before they look, taking chances they never thought they would."

Ted Lasso originally teased the idea of a Richmond women's football team back in the Season 3 finale, when Keeley (Juno Temple) floated it to Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham). Back then, it seemed like perfect spin-off material, given that Ted Lasso was presumably ending. However, now it's part of the main show in its own right.

Who is in Ted Lasso Season 4? Jeremy Swift, Hannah Waddingham, Juno Temple, and Jason Sudeikis in "Ted Lasso." Credit: Apple TV

In addition to Sudeikis, tons of familiar faces are returning for Ted Lasso Season 4. Waddingham and Temple reprise their roles as Rebecca and Keeley, and Emmy-winner Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, and Jeremy Swift are all back as Roy Kent, Coach Beard, and Leslie Higgins, respectively.

Ted Lasso Season 4 also brings new faces into the fold, likely playing some of the team members and personnel of the women's football team. These new additions include Tanya Reynolds, Jude Mack, Faye Marsey, Rex Hayes, Aisling Sharkey, Abbie Hern, and Grant Feely.

When is Ted Lasso Season 4 coming out?

Apple TV has confirmed that Ted Lasso will be coming out this summer, but has yet to reveal a specific release date.

Ted Lasso premieres summer of 2026 on Apple TV.

TikTok competitor UpScrolled has surged up Apple's App Store rankings after users began turning to the new platform en masse. According to social media sentiment, many are on the hunt for alternatives to TikTok after new U.S. owners were officially instated this week, with expected algorithm changes raising questions about what content American TikTok users will be shown.

UpScrolled unexpectedly climbed to the top 10 in Apple's U.S., UK, and Australian App Stores on Sunday, with and is now the second ranked free app in the former two — while TikTok isn't even breaking the top 25.

The App Store charts at the time of writing. Credit: Mashable screenshot / App Store

The app's influx of new users overwhelmed its servers over the weekend. "Crazy load on our servers. So exciting!" UpScrolled founder and CEO Issam Hijazi posted on the platform on Sunday. "Sorry about the errors and glitches, we are increasing our capacity to handle the load. We expect things to become more stable in the next 12-24 hours."

Credit: Mashable screenshot / UpScrolled

Launched in 2025 by Hijazi as an alternative to social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, UpScrolled allows users to share photos, videos, and text posts, and features a chronological feed for accounts you follow. There is also a discover feed, which UpScrolled says orders content by likes, comments, and reshares, "plus a touch of randomness to ensure every post still has a chance to be seen."

The platform has stated it is developing more feeds which may use AI to recommend content based on your past behaviour. However, UpScrolled claims that such features will be "opt-in, fair, and transparent" in how they operate.

SEE ALSO: TikTok deal adds new U.S. owners. Here's what this means for users.

"We exist to put fairness back at the center of social media. Every voice deserves real reach and equal treatment. No shadowbans, no hidden throttling, no pay-to-play favoritism — ever," UpScrolled's mission statement reads. "We don't push agendas — political, commercial, or otherwise. Our rules are clear and applied evenly. Our ranking is explainable, our decisions accountable, and influence comes with responsibility."

So, why are users flocking to UpScrolled?

The interest in UpScrolled notably follows TikTok's announcement last Friday that its U.S. operations have been taken over by a new, majority American-owned joint venture. TikTok's new U.S. ownership has raised fears regarding censorship on the platform, which was compounded by an outage issue that swiftly followed the change of hands.

Notably, U.S. lawmakers previously accused TikTok of pushing pro-Palestinian content to users, citing this as one of their reasons for supporting the app's ban in the country. TikTok's new owners, TikTok USDS Joint Venture LLC, have stated they will retrain and update its recommendation algorithm, and take control of U.S. content moderation.

SEE ALSO: Meta's censorship of Palestine content is 'systemic,' Human Rights Watch finds

Some TikTok users have also expressed privacy concerns regarding relatively minor changes to TikTok's terms of service, which now state that the app may collect precise location data unless you opt out. Even so, many people moving to UpScrolled, who are posting about it online, have cited other platforms' alleged censorship of pro-Palestinian content as the reason, with some further claiming suppression of anti-ICE sentiments. TikTok itself has said it's investigating claims of the word "Epstein" disappearing in direct messages, but said it wasn't deliberately censoring the name of the convicted child sex offender.

I’m still on here too don’t worry. Just checking out a cool new app that promises not to censor pro Palestinian content. Excited to see how it shakes out!

— Taylor Lorenz (@taylorlorenz.bsky.social) 26 January 2026 at 04:44

UpScrolled founder Hijazi has expressed unequivocal support for Palestine, creating the app in late 2023 as a response to online discourse and "selective censorship" on social media platforms. Headquartered in Australia, the app was officially launched in mid-2025 and lists pro-Palestinian organisations such as Tech for Palestine and Watermelon Pictures among its partners. Hijazi himself is Palestinian-Jordanian-Australian, and has voiced concern about censorship of pro-Palestinian content by big tech companies.

"Larry Ellison, the owner of Oracle, is the biggest contributor to the Friends [of the Israeli Defence Force] charity," Hijazi said, speaking at ArabCon 2025 last September. "And that tells you something. If that person, who is friends with [Israeli prime minister] Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel in general is going to own 80 percent of TikTok moving on, and if Netanyahu himself is saying the importance of utilising TikTok and X to spread their narrative, that tells you a lot of things."

Oracle is one of TikTok's new owners in the U.S., holding a 15 percent share in the joint venture, while its executive vice president Kenneth Glueck sits on the board of directors. It is also responsible for storing and securing U.S. TikTok users' data.

As such, many TikTok users who support Palestine now consider UpScrolled to be an attractive alternative.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Upscrolled is really good if anyone’s wondering. And no fascist weirdo billionaire owner censoring/burying 90% of posts like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Tik Tok.

— Adam McKay (@ghostpanther.bsky.social) January 26, 2026 at 3:07 AM

Upscrolled just hit #2 on the App Store for social apps. Highly recommend grabbing your username at least. It’s made by a Palestinian guy and the reason it’s so popular is because TikTok is censoring Alex Pretti content. Good stuff :)

— mon mothma with rizz (@space-ghost.com) January 27, 2026 at 12:18 AM

Mo Hamz just lost his 39th Instagram account for speaking about Palestine. That's why he joined UpScrolled. That's why we exist. No shadowbans. No suppression. Your followers see what you post. Join Mo on UpScrolled. #UpScrolled #MoHamz

[image or embed]

— UpScrolled (@upscrolled.bsky.social) January 23, 2026 at 8:33 PM

The sudden surge of interest in UpScrolled is reminiscent of the X users' search for alternatives such as BlueSky after Elon Musk took control of the microblogging platform in late 2022. Thousands of users fled X in the following months, tanking the app's revenue as advertisers left as well. More recently, many TikTok users turned to Rednote, aka Xiaohongshu, when it looked as though a U.S. ban would be put in place.

Shrinking is back for Season 3, and the first episode has already made us feel all the feels.

But aside from the episode's poignant ending, there's also a surprise celebrity cameo that has people talking: Back to the Future star Michael J. Fox, who pops up in a memorable scene with Harrison Ford.

So who does Fox play, and why is it significant?

SEE ALSO: 'Shrinking' Season 3 review: My heart can't take it Who does Michael J. Fox play in Shrinking Season 3?

At the start of the episode, Paul (Harrison Ford) visits a neurology clinic to discuss the tremors he's experiencing in his left hand as a result of Parkinson's disease. While waiting for his appointment, he takes a seat in next to a man who asks him what he's in for.

"Parkinson's," responds Paul. "You?"

"Just a haircut," comes his reply.

The man, Gerry (Michael J. Fox), goes on to have a conversation with Paul about Parkinson's disease and the various symptoms that can come as it progresses, including changes to speech, postural instability, muscle stiffness, chronic pain, and hallucinations.

"Enough whining," says Gerry at the end of their chat, shortly before Paul is called in. "I'm still here, so f*** Parkinson's."

Paul repeats it back as he follows the doctor. "F*** Parkinson's."

Featured Video For You Nia DaCosta and Jack O'Connell dive into '28 Years Later: The Bone Temple' What's the significance of Fox's cameo?

The cameo is particularly significant because Michael J. Fox himself has Parkinson's disease: He was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson's in 1991 at the age of 29, after noticing a tremor in his finger.

After making his diagnosis public in the late '90s, Fox launched a foundation to spread awareness and raise money for Parkinson's research. In 2025, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his advocacy.

Fox's cameo not only packs an emotional punch in Shrinking, but it also continues to spread awareness about the various symptoms that the disease entails.

Shrinking Season 3 is now streaming on Apple TV with new episodes Wednesdays.

Volkswagen has recalled more than 40,000 of its ID.4 electric SUVs for one of the worst reasons imaginable: risk of battery fire.

There are actually several separate recalls going on here, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but they're all very similar. First, 43,881 Volkswagen ID.4 vehicles, produced from Sept. 2, 2022 to Apr. 10, 2025, have been recalled. "In rare circumstances," the NHTSA says, "the high-voltage battery modules may experience a thermal propagation, possibly resulting in a vehicle fire."

SEE ALSO: Ex-Volkswagen execs convicted of fraud over Dieselgate scandal

The issue stems from shifted electrodes in the cars' batteries, which can cause a short circuit, resulting in a fire. To make matters worse, there are several similar but separate issues that could cause battery fire here, with some ID.4 cars being more at risk than others.

For owners with affected vehicles, Volkswagen will "conduct a battery health check inspection and install updated SDD software on vehicles within this campaign, and will replace potentially affected HV battery cell modules," for free.

An additional 670 VW ID.4 vehicles, model years 2023 and 2024, were recalled in January due to misaligned electrodes in the batteries, which can again cause vehicle fire. Plus, 311 vehicles were recalled in December last year over a similar issue.

This isn't just a theoretical problem; several vehicles actually caught fire because of it. For 1,299 Volkswagen ID.4 EVs manufactured between Nov. 3, 2022, and Sept. 22, 2024, Volkswagen recommends that owners park the cars outside instead of in a garage, and charge them only on AC slow chargers.

European owners of ID.4 vehicles will be happy to know that this issue only affects American-made ID.4s, whose batteries were produced by SK Battery America, in its U.S. plant in Georgia. The Volkswagen ID.4 cars that were manufactured in Europe do not exhibit the same issue.

TL;DR: The Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box has dropped to just $24.99 at Amazon. That's 29% off its usual $34.99 list price.

Opens in a new window Credit: Magic: The Gathering Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box $24.99 at Amazon
$34.99 Save $10.00 Get Deal

If you’re a Magic: The Gathering player who’s been curious about the Avatar The Last Airbender expansion, it’s never been cheaper to dive in. As of Jan. 28, the Magic: The Gathering Avatar The Last Airbender Beginner Box has fallen to a new all-time low price of $24.99, undercutting the previous record we reported on by $2. This is confirmed by price tracker camelcamelcamel.

This Beginner Box is designed specifically for new players, but it doesn’t skimp on content. Inside, you’ll find 100 Avatar-themed cards, including two guided 20-card tutorial decks that walk players through their very first match as Aang versus Zuko. Once you’ve got the basics down, the box also includes eight themed 20-card half-decks, which can be mixed and matched to create full 40-card decks focused on different bending styles and strategies.

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You’re also getting all the extras needed to actually play: two playboards, two Spindown life counters, learn-to-play guides, double-sided tokens, and a rules reference booklet. It’s essentially a board-game-style MTG experience that removes the usual learning curve.

With a strong 4.4-star rating on Amazon across thousands of recent purchases, this has already earned a reputation as a beginner favorite. Altogether, this is a great jumping-in point for those new to Magic: The Gathering, or veterans ready to see what the Avatar The Last Airbender expansion is all about. 

For more Magic: The Gathering cards at a good price, you can also grab booster packs from the MTG Final Fantasy expansion for $8.99 each. What’s more, you can still score over $50 off the Magic: The Gathering Bloomburrow Play Booster Box at Amazon. 

SAVE OVER $30: As of Jan. 28, the Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet and Bouquet of Roses is on sale for $83.99 at Amazon. This is $35.99 off its bundle list price of $119.98.

Opens in a new window Credit: Lego Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet and Bouquet of Roses $83.99 at Amazon
$119.98 Save $35.99   Get Deal

There have been some great deals popping up on various Lego Botanicals sets lately. Whether you're looking for something colorful for your home ahead of spring or shopping for Valentine's Day gifts, it's a good time to shop. As of Jan. 28, Amazon is offering an excellent Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet and Bouquet of Roses deal for those looking to double up.

The Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet and Bouquet of Roses sets you up with both sets for $83.99. This saves you $35.99 compared to buying each set at full price. Keep in mind it's listed as a limited-time deal. If it's jumped to the top of your Valentine's Day gift list, now is the time to grab it.

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Both are recommended for adults due to the complexity of their construction and come with plenty of pieces to keep you busy: 822 for the roses and 756 for the flower bouquet. The roses set features a dozen red roses in different stages of bloom, with four sprigs of baby’s breath mixed in. The flower bouquet offers a nice variety of roses, snapdragons, poppies, asters, daisies, and grasses.

This bundle is a nice way to grab two lovely Lego sets for cheaper than buying individually. Don't miss out on your chance to score the Lego Botanicals Flower Bouquet and Bouquet of Roses bundle for $83.99 at Amazon.

Lego has plenty more floral sets to check out right now. Have a look at our breakdown of the best new floral Lego sets to see what the company has recently released. And if you're curious to see more sets worth giving for Valentine's Day this year, our roundup of the best Lego sets for Valentine’s Day can help you out.