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

The international ice hockey has been absolutely electric over the last couple of weeks, and now we're on the cusp of the final. Canada vs. Finland and USA vs. Slovakia are the two semi-final matchups. Are we heading towards a dramatic contest between USA and Canada in the final? It's probably the game that most neutral fans would like to see, but Finland and Slovakia will be doing everything they can to spoil the party.

Canada battled past Czechia to make this semi-final matchup. Finland secured a spot in this stage thanks to a 3-2 victory over Switzerland. We're expecting an intense battle as Canada and Finland come together at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

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

When is Canada vs. Finland?

Canada vs. Finland in men's ice hockey takes place at 10:40 a.m. ET on Feb. 20. This fixture takes place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

How to watch Canada vs. Finland for free

Canada vs. Finland in men's ice hockey 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. Finland in men's ice hockey 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. Finland 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 the ice hockey 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. Finland in men's ice hockey 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.

If you're a programmer, you probably use Git, and like me, you may find some commands a little too laborious. What you need is a quick way to comprehend, navigate, and inspect your Git history. GUIs excel in this regard, but if you're a devoted terminal user, then you likely prefer a TUI (terminal user interface). For Git, these are in short supply, but I have one today, which makes reading your history a breeze.

You probably own more smart home sensors than you think—you just don't call them that. Many of the devices in your home can act as state detectors that you can use to control your smart home. There's a lot you can do without needing to buy a single new sensor.

One of the best features of AirPods is that they charge continuously when placed in their case, as long as the case itself has power. You put the AirPods in the case and forget about them.

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 sports curling 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

There are so many incredible sports on offer right now that we wouldn't usually get the opportunity to watch. We're circling our calendar for the alpine skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, and luge. In fact, we're making time to watch it all.

The busy schedule started with curling. You know, that strategic sport where players gracefully slide granite stones towards a circular target. The battle on the ice is intense. In the men's event, Sweden are defending champions but Great Britain and Canada will be confident of taking gold. In the women's event, Great Britain will be looking to defend their crown against the likes of Canada, Sweden, Switzerland, and South Korea.

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

When is the 2026 winter sports curling?

Curling is scheduled for Feb. 4-22 and takes place in Cortina D’Ampezzo.

How to watch 2026 winter sports curling for free

International curling 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 curling from anywhere in the world.

Live stream the 2026 winter sports curling 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 curling 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 curling 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 curling 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.

Software development is usually dominated by a handful of commercial tools and the big, established open-source giants. These mainstream options are powerful, sure, but they often completely overshadow a ton of incredibly potent, lesser-known open-source tools that could seriously improve how you work.

If you're still saving Excel spreadsheets with a three-letter .xls extension, you're lugging around a digital anchor from the era of dial-up. Beyond being a 1990s relic, these legacy files are slow, prone to corruption, and—most dangerously—a preferred backdoor for modern malware. It's time to move to XLSX and never look back.

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.

For almost a year, I was jumping from one Linux distro to the next without ever settling on one for more than a week. Here’s how I stopped and found the right distro for me.

Ryobi is one of the most popular tool brands around, particularly with DIYers and homeowners, and for good reason. The brand offers over 300 tools and accessories at affordable prices. The lineup constantly improves, and if you're debating a Ryobi ONE+ tool vs One+ HP, here's what you need to know and why the "HP" model is more expensive.

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.

Does the thought of your parents facing an emergency when you’re not around keep you up at night? Are you worried they won’t be able to use their smartphone when they actually need it? These simple Android tweaks transformed how I care for my aging parents from afar.

As great as Linux can be if you're concerned about security, privacy, and customizability, there are a few things that could be improved. One of the best quality-of-life changes I've made has been switching to Flatpak to install most of my apps.

I've used Microsoft Excel since I was a kid because that's when they started teaching Microsoft Office in school to elementary students. I've been aware of the changes, but one that got away from me is arguably one of the best features Excel ever had.

"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.