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Newsflash: people in long-term monogamous relationships aren't the only ones who get to celebrate Valentine's Day.

On Feb. 14 this year, I'm here to tell you that relationships of all kind deserve to be celebrated: platonic, familial, self-love, romantic, polyamorous, sexual, whatever the hell you've got going on.

SEE ALSO: Not quite dating but not hooking up either? You're in a situationship.

We're living in the age of confusing labels and ill-defined dating stages. Are you my sneaky link? Is this a situationship? Are we still in the talking stage? Throw Valentine's Day into the mix, and you've got yourself a veritable headache. If you find yourself in this perplexing conundrum, you're far from alone. Sixty-eight percent of Gen Z and millennials say they are in or open to the talking stage, and 48 percent are engaging in sneaky links, according to research Deliveroo sent to Mashable.

"Valentine's Day can feel a bit awkward in the early stages because so many people are operating in undefined spaces," says sex and relationships expert Oloni, who partnered with Deliveroo for the research.

Valentine's is about all forms of love

Just because your relationship doesn't fit into society's couple-centric relationship structures doesn't mean you can't celebrate love in all its beautiful forms.

Lovehoney sex and relationship expert Annabelle Knight says, "Valentine's Day can seem like a lot if you are not in a 'traditional,' heteronormative, monogamous relationship, but actually at its essence it's a chance to enjoy the company of those around you in your life."

Knight rightfully points out that "much of the advertising and marketing around Valentine's Day is aimed at couples."

Given the number of young people who say they're in non-couple structures, marketing and advertising agencies might want to give their campaigns a bit of a rethink. But let's not forget that those messages we're absorbing are being defined by capitalism.

Polyamory educator Leanne Yau says, "Valentine's Day isn't just celebrated by monogamous couples, and doesn't just have to be about romantic love; it can be expanded to a celebration of love in general."

Unspoken expectations on Valentine's Day

The weight of our expectations around this day can set us up for disappointment before it's even begun. Don't fall into the trap of thinking "if he wanted to, he would" and measuring your partner's actions as a barometer of how invested they are. They might be trying to match your energy, or holding back because they don't want to come on too strong. If you haven't yet defined the connection, this occasion might expose a mismatch in what you're looking for.

"If one person experiences the connection as casual while the other experiences it as emerging commitment, Valentine's Day amplifies that gap," says relationship coach Lorin Krenn. "The discomfort has little to do with a particular date in the calendar. It stems from what we associate with it: the public celebration of love. In that sense, the day acts as a prompt for greater clarity about the nature and direction of the connection."

SEE ALSO: Pornhub's U.S. Valentine's Day map is extremely telling

"Used well, it can serve as a moment of honesty. What are we building, if anything? Are we aligned in how we see this? Clarity tends to reduce tension, while silence intensifies it," adds Krenn.

How to navigate situationships on Valentine's Day

Navigating fledgling relationships on Valentine's Day can be really tricky. Many of us grew up reading toxic dating advice in the 2000s that told us to play it so cool that our interest was barely perceptible (if at all). We were told not to ask for clarity, to avoid asking to define the relationship, to be aloof and cool, so you don't scare anyone off.

But relationships require vulnerability and trust in order to move forward. At some point, someone will need to ask, "What is this?" We all have to do the uncomfortable, scary thing of laying our cards (and hearts) out on the table at the risk of being told, "No, thanks."

When it comes to situationships, talking stages, and general early dating territory, it's true that we don't want to come on too strong. Lovebombing is real, and many of us are on high alert for red flags. Slow and steady wins the race. In those early stages, the fledgling romance can feel like a fragile, tender thing, so we tread lightly in an effort not to break it.

In those early days, the decision of whether to broach the topic of Valentine's Day is a personal one, and it really depends on how comfortable you are with bringing it up.

You could try having some fun with it and being playful, such as sending a message like “Happy Situationship Day." You could send them a meme they'd like. You could even suggest a low-key hang that day.

In those early stages, the fledgling romance can feel like a fragile, tender thing, so we tread lightly in an effort not to break it.

Oloni recommends "light, direct communication." For early-stage dating, you could say, “Are we doing anything for Valentine's or keeping it chilled?” which, she says, "keeps things low stakes while giving clarity. Assumptions create anxiety, but honesty keeps things steady."

If you want to acknowledge it, meeting for coffee or going for a nice walk would be appropriate for the nature of that relationship. Here's a message suggestion: "Any plans this weekend? Want to grab a coffee?" If you're keen to see where this goes and want to go the distance, I'd advise against gift-buying or suggesting lavish meals out.

It's also totally fine to just breeze right past it and pretend that Valentine's isn't a thing. And if your partner doesn't bring it up, I personally wouldn't see that as anything to be concerned about, especially if it's really early days.

"Situationships are not inherently lesser forms of intimacy," says Krenn. "Many adults are consciously exploring connection without traditional structures. Emotional depth, sexual chemistry, and companionship remain meaningful regardless of whether a relationship has a formal title."

Honour the non-romantic loves of your life

I've been single for 15 years, and each year I buy at least one card for a non-romantic love in my life. Last year on Valentine's Day, I went out for dinner with one of my oldest friends who was visiting from overseas. In a restaurant crowded with couples, we ate a candle-lit three-course dinner, sipped fizz, and enjoyed each other's company. The restaurant staff loved the fact that we were having a Galentine's dinner together. And why the hell shouldn't we? The year before, I went round to a guyfriend's house, and we had a Palentine's evening together, ate Nando's and watched Real Housewives Of New York. You can't get more perfect than that, tbh.

This year, I'm spending the weekend with my wonderful parents, with whom I have a really close bond. I've bought them a card and some heart-shaped chocolates. We're splitting an M&S dine-in meal deal (three courses for £25) three ways, even if it was intended for two (an oversight on retailers' parts in my opinion). But, really, Valentine's is just another day. One I'll likely spend crouching in a damp flower bed planting bulbs for summer.

Celebrate yourself this Valentine's Day

The longest relationship you'll have in life is the one you have with yourself. Self-love doesn't come easily, and we can have complicated, challenging relationships with ourselves, our minds, and our bodies. On Valentine's Day, why not celebrate how far you've come — even if you feel you've still got a bit more distance to travel.

I saw a post on Instagram today that read, "12-year-old you wouldn't believe how cool you are." We should remind ourselves constantly that we have grown into the kind of person we once dreamed of becoming.

It's not cringe or loserish to celebrate self-love on Feb. 14. You could turn it into a ritual that you intend to repeat every year — a candlelit bubble bath, a walk around your favourite museum or park, playing your favourite record from start to finish, grabbing coffee with your best friend, buying yourself that fancy pastry you've been eyeing up all week.

We know that Valentine's Day is heavily commercialised, so self-love doesn't have to involve buying things. Write a list of things you like or love about yourself. Call or voice note a friend you've been meaning to catch up with. 

Happy Valentine's Day from me to you.

TL;DR: Live stream USA vs. Denmark 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 schedule is delivering a huge number of fascinating matchups right now, including USA vs. Denmark.

USA secured a confident win in their opening game. Denmark fell to a 3-1 defeat against Germany. USA will be expected to triumph here, but anything can happen at this level. Every team possesses quality, so you never know.

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

When is USA vs. Denmark?

USA vs. Denmark in men's ice hockey takes place at 3:10 p.m. ET on Feb. 14. This fixture takes place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.

How to watch USA vs. Denmark for free

USA vs. Denmark 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 USA vs. Denmark 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 USA vs. Denmark 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 USA vs. Denmark in men's ice hockey for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Upgrade your PC with Microsoft Windows 11 Pro for just $12.97 — a limited-time deal that delivers a faster, safer, and more up-to-date Windows experience (reg. $199).

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $12.97
$199 Save $186.03   Get Deal

If your computer feels overdue for an upgrade, replacing it may not be necessary. A simple OS update can make a noticeable difference. Windows 11 Pro refreshes your system with improved speed, built-in productivity features, and enhanced security — and it’s currently available at the lowest price we’ve seen.

Give your dusty old PC a serious makeover with a Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license. It ushers in a whole new way to use your laptop. Enjoy a seamless interface and brand-new features to streamline your workflow, including a more powerful search experience, improved voice typing, snap layouts, and seamless redocking.

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If you’re paying a subscription for an AI model, you can cancel it with this upgrade. Windows 11 Pro puts Copilot right on your desktop, making it your personal AI-powered assistant.

Using your PC as your primary work computer? You’ll appreciate access to tools like Microsoft Teams, Azure HD, Windows Sandbox, and BitLocker device encryption. If you prefer to use your computer for gaming, you’ll love DirectX 12 Ultimate, which delivers incredible graphics that take your games to the next level.

No matter what you do on your computer, you can rest easy knowing Windows 11 Pro offers serious cybersecurity upgrades. You can secure your device with biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection.

Grab a Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for just $12.97 (reg. $199) until Mar. 22.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

What's the best laptop for battery life? It's a question I encounter often when doling out laptop recommendations, and understandably so: Battery life is one of the most crucial factors to consider when choosing a new computer. A machine that dies after only a few hours unplugged has limited portability, and it puts you at risk of data loss in the case of sudden shutdowns.

When testing the best laptops, Mashable reporters always perform a battery-rundown test. Some people might be shocked to learn that the best battery-life laptop I've reviewed isn't an Apple MacBook. (They're renowned for their all-day stamina.) But if you're familiar with the Qualcomm processors powering the newer Windows laptops, then my top pick should come as less of a surprise.

Which laptop lasts the longest? I'm a sucker for OLED displays. Credit: Haley Henschel

Out of all the models I've tested as Mashable's resident laptop expert, the 2025 HP OmniBook 5 14 with the Snapdragon X Plus chip is the clear battery life champ. It lasted an incredible 32 hours and 31 minutes before dying. To put it lightly, that's stupid good. None of the other models we've tested has lasted longer than 25 hours in our standard battery-life benchmark, a video rundown test.

That makes the OmniBook 5 14 an extreme outlier, and in the best-possible way. It's the clearest example so far of the overachieving abilities of the Snapdragon X series chips, Qualcomm's last-gen ARM-based processors for thin and light laptops. In our testing, x86-based Intel and AMD chips with comparable multitasking performance typically die hours before them.

I expect newer Qualcomm-powered laptops that launch in the coming months to have similarly stellar battery lives, but they'll probably — hopefully — have more competition.

Opens in a new window Credit: HP HP OmniBook 5 14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,269.99 at HP.com
  Shop Now Let's crunch some numbers

To find the laptops with the best battery life, we had to do a lot of testing.

In 2024 and 2025, we tested seven Windows laptops with Snapdragon X series chips, six with comparable Intel V-class Lunar Lake processors, and six with AMD's equivalent Ryzen AI 300 series chips. (All of them were ultraportables for consumers, not business users.) The Snapdragon models had a median battery life of 19 hours and 55 minutes, lasting no fewer than 16 hours. The Intel ones had a 14-hour, 16-minute median and a 10-hour minimum. Lastly, the AMD models had a 12-hour, 19-minute median and a baseline of about seven hours.

This not only means that Snapdragon computers are the best Windows laptops for battery life, but they're also the only ones that can keep pace with MacBooks. Apple's 2024 and 2025 models with M3, M4, M4 Pro, and M5 chips had a 19-hour, 56-minute average and a 16-hour, 32-minute minimum. I'll add one asterisk here, which is that the latest MacBooks are much faster than the Snapdragon-fueled Windows laptops you can currently buy. Their overall power efficiency is unmatched.

The HP OmniBook 5 14 is almost as thin and light as a MacBook Air. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Here's a closer look at our top 10 longest-lasting consumer laptops from recent years. Note what kinds of chips they have:

1. HP OmniBook 5 14 (Snapdragon X Plus) — 32 hours and 31 minutes

2. Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V) — 23 hours and 34 minutes

3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13.8-inch (Snapdragon X Elite) — 22 hours and 50 minutes

4. Asus Zenbook A14 (Snapdragon X Plus) — 21 hours and 47 minutes

5. Apple MacBook Pro, 14-inch (M5) — 21 hours and 17 minutes

6. Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 (AMD Ryzen AI 7 350) — 20 hours and 52 minutes

7. Apple MacBook Pro, 16-inch (M4 Pro) — 20 hours and 51 minutes

8. Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M4) — 19 hours and 56 minutes

9. Lenovo Yoga Slim 7x (Snapdragon X Elite) — 19 hours and 55 minutes

10. Apple MacBook Air, 15-inch (M3) — 19 hours and 4 minutes

It's still too early to tell if x86-based Windows laptops will be able to play catch-up in 2026, but I'm optimistic that we'll see more models eclipsing the 24-hour mark. Intel has rated its new Core Ultra Series 3 ("Panther Lake") chips at up to 27 hours of battery life, while AMD is claiming that its new Ryzen AI 400 series processors have "multi-day battery life."

I've only tested one next-gen laptop so far, the MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+, which is a hybrid business laptop with a high-end Core Ultra X7 358H chip. It made a great first impression with more than 24 hours of battery life and awesome multitasking performance, notching a Geekbench 6 multi-core score of 16,257. (It's only seven percent slower than the M5 MacBook Pro.) Previous-gen Windows laptops with Intel's H-class Arrow Lake chips for premium portable workstations were similarly strong performers, but they never lasted more than 14 hours per charge.

There's a reflective "HP" logo on the back of the OmniBook 5 14. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

For its part, Qualcomm is also running with a "multi-day battery life" line for its upcoming Snapdragon X2 series chips. That's in addition to the significant performance gains it's promising. According to a pair of company press releases, the new X2 Plus and X2 Elite will be 35 and 31 percent faster than their predecessors, respectively, while using up to 43 percent less power.

SEE ALSO: The 12 best Windows laptops for 2026

But the one to watch in particular will be the X2 Elite Extreme chip, Qualcomm's all-new, top-tier processor. (It'll make its first appearance in the Asus Zenbook A16, which is coming soon.) The company claims it offers up to 75 percent faster CPU performance than other laptops using the same amount of power, and it might actually live up to the hype. Early benchmarks suggest its multi-core performance blows past that of Intel's best Panther Lake chip, the Core Ultra X9 388H, as well as the Apple M5 chip.

If the X2 Elite Extreme chip can manage that and last several workdays before dying, it's going to be a game-changer.

What else I like about the HP OmniBook 5 14 The HP OmniBook 5 14 starts at just $779.99. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

Back to the OmniBook 5 14. Beyond its exceptional battery life, I think most users will find that it's an excellent value for the money. The review unit that HP sent me is an HP.com exclusive that costs $1,269.99 and includes 32GB of memory with a terabyte of SSD storage. (It's healthily future-proofed amid our ongoing RAM shortage.) If you can get by with less, other configurations were priced as low as $779.99 at Amazon and Best Buy, which is a really good deal.

The model I tried was decently peppy in multitasking scenarios, earning a multi-core score of 11,265 in our Geekbench 6 CPU benchmark. That puts it in the same range as x86 Windows laptops with Intel Core Ultra 7 256V and AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processors that cost anywhere form $950 to $1,750. Looking broader, it's only six percent slower than an M3 MacBook Pro and just five percent slower than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, our best Windows laptop for most people.

SEE ALSO: We've tested over 30 laptops in the past year. Here are the 13 best for 2026.

The OmniBook 5 14's Glacier Silver design is boring — if you see one plain gray laptop, you've seen 'em all — but it feels well-made for the most part. It has a durable plastic keyboard case and a matching aluminum exterior that doesn't cling to fingerprints too badly. It sports a pretty 14-inch OLED display with vivid colors and thin side bezels. Its snappy backlit keyboard has a super comfy island-style layout. Its speakers, mic, and 1080p webcam are all adequate.

If you're looking for a portable Windows laptop, this one cuts the mustard. It's lightweight at 2.84 pounds and sleek at 0.5 inches thin. It's just a touch bigger than a 13-inch MacBook Air.

What I don't like about the HP OmniBook 5 14 The HP OmniBook 5 14's keyboard is great, but its touchpad screams "cheap." Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

The OmniBook 5 14's touchpad is easily the worst thing about it. It has a pleasantly smooth, almost papery feel, but it makes an odd rattling sound every time I tap on it. It's almost like there's too much space between the surface of the touchpad and its internal mechanism. (A couple of customer reviews on Amazon and BestBuy.com mention the exact same thing, so I don't think my loaner is faulty.) Use a mouse with this one.

I also wish the OmniBook 5 14 display was a little brighter. It's only rated at 300 nits of brightness, so it's a bit difficult to see its picture in sunnier environments. (I always used it at max brightness, which drains the battery faster.) I'll also note that it has a basic 60Hz refresh rate, but that's a pretty common spec at this price point.

Look for an updated model later this year The HP OmniBook 5 14 is getting a CPU refresh for 2026. Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this past January, HP announced an updated version of the OmniBook 5 14 with a Snapdragon X2 Plus processor. The company hasn't confirmed its pricing or availability yet.

For now, various configurations of the current model are available for purchase at Amazon, Best Buy, and on HP's website. If you're looking for an affordable and portable mid-range laptop with a marathoner's stamina, I can vouch for it.

Shop the HP OmniBook 5 14: The model I tested HP OmniBook 5 14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,269.99 Shop Now Less memory HP OmniBook 5 14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $779.99 Shop Now Less memory and storage, no keyboard backlighting, but an added touchscreen HP OmniBook 5 14 (Snapdragon X Plus, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) $799.99 Shop Now

I’ll admit that, of all the dating shows I’ve watched over the years, none have hit me as personally as Pop the Balloon or Find Love. The wildly popular YouTube dating show, hosted by Arlette Amuli alongside her husband, BM (Bolia Matundu), has become a weekly ritual for my best friend and me, as we sit down to watch what I genuinely believe is one of the most miserable dating shows ever made.

That misery, of course, is part of the appeal. Across its roughly 90-episode run on YouTube so far, Pop the Balloon regularly pulls in around two million views per episode, catapulting Amuli’s channel from a modest vlog page with around 7,000 subscribers to more than 1.4 million in just over two years since the first episode aired on December 7, 2023.

SEE ALSO: Viral YouTube show ‘Pop the Balloon’ is becoming a dating app

For those that don't know, Pop the Balloon works like this: A group of contestants stands onstage holding balloons, while a single participant enters and introduces themselves. If anyone in the lineup is not interested, they pop their balloon, immediately eliminating themselves from consideration.

Clips of contestants walking in and having all the balloons pop before they even speak have routinely gone viral.

Pop the Balloon has found a massive audience, in part because Amuli’s version of the format is, unmistakably, a Black dating show. Across dozens of episodes and spinoffs like Pop the Balloon Congo and Pop the Balloon UK, which are uploaded to BM’s channel, white contestants are notably absent, though there are occasional mixed-race and Hispanic participants. That specificity is also part of why viewers believe the show’s Netflix adaptation failed to land with longtime fans, as a more diverse cast, a different host, and a generally flatter group of contestants stripped away much of what made the original compelling.

Truthfully, I find the whole thing painfully relatable to my own dating experience. Not the dates themselves, but the vetting process. The endless conversations, the mental calculus of who’s worth your time, and the quiet embarrassment that comes with being on a dating app and having to actually ask another human being out. I can’t help but imagine that, on some level, the contestants feel the same way, except they’re doing it on camera. At the end of the day, nobody wants to be made a fool.

That’s what got me thinking. I watch this show every week. I’ve seen every episode. But I started wondering if there was anything to actually learn from it.

And, surprisingly, the answer is yes.

Lesson 1: Embrace delusion

If there’s one real takeaway from watching the show, it’s this: remember that you are the prize. It doesn’t matter if you’re an entrepreneur without a business yet, or a deeply devout Christian who believes that even though you’re divorced, you’re still spiritually married in the eyes of God, and therefore any new relationship counts as cheating unless your ex is dead. At the end of the day, it’s your way or the highway.

If there’s one real takeaway from watching the show, it’s this: remember that you are the prize.

The last few weeks, I went deep into Pop the Balloon’s back catalog and came to an important realization. Whatever I originally thought this show was supposed to be — a genuine, on-camera experiment in finding love, something closer to early Love Is Blind — it has never actually been that. This show has always been goofy as hell.

And I mean that in the nicest way possible. No one on this show has a serious dealbreaker. You can be eliminated for being too tall, not tall enough, having the wrong star sign, wearing a bad outfit, wearing too good an outfit, or simply being light-skinned or dark-skinned, because yes, participants have been accused of colorism.

So what I’ve ultimately learned is to never compromise on the little things. I have two cats, so why would I date someone with a dog? I like being at the club, so why would I date someone whose idea of fun is a hike followed by Sunday brunch? I won’t date a blonde, and God forbid you’re my height and have crooked teeth. I’m 5'9, by the way, and I can’t afford braces. But I'm the prize, so you're not allowed to judge me.

Lesson 2: Waste time

On average, Pop the Balloon episodes run anywhere from 90 minutes to two full hours. On rare occasions, episodes even get split into two parts, usually for reasons far more foolish and wicked than I can responsibly unpack here. All of which is to say: these episodes are long. And you very quickly learn why. Everyone is a time waster.

Once you get past the initial visceral eliminations at the start of each contestant’s round, the midsection, especially when the guest is conventionally attractive, can be an absolute slog. The format goes something like this: a contestant walks out, gives a brief introduction, and then Amuli asks everyone who popped their balloon why they did it. Depending on how many balloons remain, the contestant will then pop one or two balloons based purely on appearance. Next, the remaining contestants explain why they didn’t pop theirs. Then questions are exchanged, either from the single person to the lineup or vice versa. Eventually, the final unpopped balloon comes forward, and Amuli asks if it’s a match. Rinse and repeat this process for three or four guests per episode.

That was a mouthful, right? See how I just wasted your time by making you read all of that. Now imagine sitting through it, only for one of the contestants to casually reveal at the very end that, despite the other saying they live in the area, they actually live across the country and don’t do long distance.

That’s where one of the show’s biggest problems comes in. As Pop the Balloon has grown in popularity, contestants now fly in from all over the United States. Early episodes focused on people local to the Phoenix metro area, but that quickly changed as more hopefuls wanted airtime, often to plug their business (and everyone has one, apparently) or kickstart a budding influencer career. Time and time again, the episode grinds toward its final pairing, only for one balloon to be popped after 30 or 40 minutes of meandering, first-date-level conversation, because neither person wants to deal with a long-distance relationship.

It’s hard to square that with the idea of "finding love," which, according to most dating experts, usually involves at least a little compromise. Especially when the distance in question is, say, Dallas to Phoenix, which is, at worst, a two-hour flight.

So the real lesson I’ve taken from this isn’t how to date better, but how to waste time with intention. Not because I’m busy or nervous, but because I’m bored. I will text for weeks without ever suggesting concrete plans. I will ask thoughtful questions, but I don’t actually care about the answers. I will let the conversation drift aimlessly because making a move would require admitting I’m only mildly interested at best. And then, right when expectations have quietly formed, I’ll embrace delusion. I’ll cite a sudden schedule conflict or a vague personal issue that means I don't have time to date, then disappear entirely.

Like on Pop the Balloon, I'm talking just to talk.

Lesson 3: Feign tradition

While Pop the Balloon or Find Love can be a fun watch in the same way Too Hot to Handle is, it’s important to remember that, weirdly enough, this is a deeply conservative dating show. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment when contestants became laser-focused on performing rigid, heteronormative gender roles, but it’s been that way for a while now. Somewhere around episode seven is when the first rumblings of contestants insisting on dating someone "with faith" started to surface.

By episode 90, that expectation has hardened into an unspoken rule: everyone is a man or woman of faith, and not being religious is seemingly an automatic elimination.

To be clear, neither I nor this publication is saying there’s anything wrong with being religious. But on Pop the Balloon specifically, the show seems to attract, or perhaps encourage, a clientele that is either sincerely or performatively Christian. It’s the biggest said-unsaid of the entire format. If you apply to be on the show, which I have and have not heard back from, it straight-up asks whether you’re religious. You don’t need to love God to exist, but apparently, you do need to love God to get a match. While there are other spinoffs, you will not find episodes for same-sex daters looking for love.

Pop the Balloon has somehow distilled the essence of every cursed "50/50 dating discourse" tweet ever posted, then cast contestants who are more than willing to embrace that delusion on camera. Much like the popular online discourse surrounding "trad wives" and the manosphere, men insist they want women who aspire to be housewives. Women say they want men who can provide that lifestyle. The men then recoil at women who openly want provision because it feels "materialistic," while the women side-eye men who hesitate at being providers because that signals insecurity. And the loop continues endlessly until your eyes glaze over.

It’s not about love. It’s about optics. And yet, despite all of that, I’ll probably keep watching, and I'll keep on dating.

The conversations spiral into the same hollow abstractions every time: what defines a "high-value man," how strong your relationship with God is, and what kind of "value" you can bring to a man's life. None of it is grounded in reality, but it is all vague enough to sound important, creating maximum confusion with minimal substance. Somewhere out there, I imagine there's a CIA agent celebrating another successful diversion, watching Black people once again get pulled into debates about nonsense like whether your mother or your wife sits in the front seat.

So the lesson I’ve taken from all of this is simple: feign tradition. Not because I believe in it deeply, but because it plays well. I now understand that the quickest way to sound serious, mature, and dateable is to sprinkle in just enough talk about “values,” “structure,” and being “God-led,” even if none of that meaningfully shapes how I actually live my life. Tradition, as Pop the Balloon presents it, isn’t about conviction so much as performance. It’s a costume you put on long enough to get through the conversation, to seem aligned with the person you're trying to date. Then I'll quietly play that role until the mask slips.

After weeks of basically unpaid field research, I'm left at how thoroughly unserious dating has become. It's awkward, performative, and everyone involved is performing sincerity while actively dodging it. Nobody wants to be the villain, nobody wants to commit, and everyone wants credit for "trying." It’s not about love. It’s about optics. And yet, despite all of that, I’ll probably keep watching, and I'll keep on dating. I may even try the new dating app the Pop the Balloon creators have released. My match is out there somewhere — maybe on the new dating app that Amuli and her husband have created.

Put on some flip-flops, leave your cellphone at home, and wander alone into a dangerous place the town weirdo definitely warned you about, because it's time to get scared!

Right now on HBO Max, the horror category is an embarrassment of terrifying riches with top-shelf selections available from every decade of horror history. You've got 2000s tank top horror next to 1980s slashers next to 1950s camp and more. It's rad.

There's so much great stuff to choose from, but we've somehow managed to narrow it down to these 18 horror movies. Honestly, you can't go wrong.

SEE ALSO: What to watch: Best scary movies 1. Night of the Living Dead If you ever see this face... RUN. Credit: Image Ten / Kobal / Shutterstock

Visionary of the zombie apocalypse George A. Romero tops this list with his most iconic film: Night of the Living Dead. This 1968 classic makes for a great watch — not only as a standard-setting staple of cinema, but also as a vehicle for terror that gets under your skin and festers there. Expertly executed from start to finish, this bleak tale of strangers versus an army of the undead needles at you in a way that's still tough to shake more than 50 years later.* — Alison Foreman, Entertainment Reporter

How to watch: Night of the Living Dead is now streaming on HBO Max.

2. Eraserhead

God, Henry is just so fucked. The directorial debut of walking-talking id David Lynch, Eraserhead follows the poor guy, played by Jack Nance, as he wanders through a surrealist blend of horror and humor, featuring an alien baby, sperm monsters, a lady with big ol' cheeks, and more bizarre characters. The plot has been interpreted as a representation of Lynch's own fear of being a parent, with Henry serving as a kind of placeholder for Lynch himself. It's fascinating, freaky, and really fun. — A.F.

How to watch: Eraserhead is now streaming on HBO Max.

3. Cronos

Guillermo del Toro's first film carries with it all the hallmarks of the Mexican auteur's career-to-come — gross monster mayhem with delightful creature design, religious and political settings and symbolism, the innocence of children as a contrast to all adult awfulness. This time around it's the story of an elderly antique dealer named Jesús (Federico Luppi, who also had roles in The Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth) and the 500-year-old golden scarab he finds tucked away inside the base of a statue. 

SEE ALSO: Yes, that was Guillermo del Toro in 'Barry'

Winding it up the scarab suddenly springs to life and injects the old man with a mysterious substance, and before you know it Jesús' youth is being restored to him… alongside a newfound taste for blood. When a tough guy named Angel (Ron Perlman) shows up to find the device, the film turns into a showdown between Jesús and Angel for eternal life. Not particularly subtle there, Guillermo! But Cronos is a blast anyway, and the perfect introduction to one of modern horror's reigning kings. — Jason Adams, Contributing Writer

How to watch: Cronos is now streaming on HBO Max.

4. The Blob "Intergalactic goo" sounds funny enough until you're screaming in your living room watching "The Blob." Credit: Allied / Kobal / Shutterstock

Mark my words, anyone who reduces director Irvin Yeaworth's iconic The Blob to "just a B-movie" hasn't actually seen it. An astounding feat of filmmaking for the time, that maintains a surprisingly watchable flow 63 years later, The Blob is a solid selection for anyone seeking that classic scary movie vibe. Stand by helplessly as intergalactic goo terrorizes the citizens of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Then, be genuinely impressed by how the '50s townspeople manage to corral the thing through smart, sensible sci-fi means. Nice job, humans! — A.F.

How to watch: The Blob is now streaming on HBO Max.

SEE ALSO: 31 best horror movies on Prime Video to keep you up at night 5. House

Reader, cue up House and avail yourself of one of the weirdest and most wonderful viewing experiences out there.

Sometimes listed as Hausu, director Nobuhiko Obayashi's surreal 1977 horror comedy is a whirlwind of spectacular and bizarre images unlike any other title on this, or frankly any, list. Running just under an hour and a half, it's a breezy jolt of strange beauty and intense dread that uses dreamlike images to tell the story of six girls as they're eaten by a house. Yeah, it's something. — A.F.

How to watch: House is now streaming on HBO Max.

6. Scanners "Scanners" has absolutely 0 chill Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

Get your mind blown by Scanners. (See what I did there? 'Cause it's about people's heads exploding?) In writer-director David Cronenberg's super goopy sci-fi nightmare, Earth must contend with a super-powered group of people capable of telepathy and psychokinesis — and the bad dudes who want to use that power for evil. It's no The Fly, The Dead Zone, or even Shivers. But it's the best body horror on Max right now. — A.F.

How to watch: Scanners is now streaming on HBO Max.

7. Carnival of Souls

The definition of slow burn, writer/director and lead ghoul Herk Harvey's 1962 classic horror film Carnival of Souls is basically all vibes — and it probably had to be, given the nothing budget he was working with. But he rode that empty wallet straight to heavenly cinematic gold, giving us a steady stream of unforgettable visuals shot in the eeriest black-and-white. If you can get yourself onto Carnival of Souls' wavelength, you will be rewarded with spooky nightmares for life. 

SEE ALSO: 31 essential, history-making horror movies to stream this spooky season

Candace Hilligoss plays Mary, a good girl who gets caught up in a road race that flies out of control in the film's opening scene. Recovering in its aftermath, Mary begins experiencing visions of an odd haunted theme park on the shores of the Great Salt Lake. Her isolating job as a church organist, along with constant harassment from an aggressive next door neighbor, only further dissociates her from those around her, until she can no longer tell what's real and what's not, with it all leading to one of the all-time great twist endings. Carnival of Souls is probably the closest thing we'll ever get to a Twilight Zone episode directed by Ingmar Bergman. — J.A.

How to watch: Carnival of Souls is now streaming on HBO Max.

8. Kwaidan

Just a couple of years after delivering his three-part WWII masterpiece The Human Condition, writer/director Masaki Kobayashi gathered together four old Japanese folk tales to make Kwaidan. This horror anthology takes us all the way to Hell, but it must've felt like a relief to make after the atrocities he put on-screen in those epic war films. Visually magnificent, there are enormous images in Kwaidan that will sear themselves into your brain forever after. But it mostly revels in the small betrayals that haunt its protagonists and their relationships forever after — the sorts of awful human conditions that echo across every culture. — J.A.

How to watch: Kwaidan is now streaming on HBO Max.

9. The Brood

With all-time greats like The Fly and The Dead Zone available, The Brood rarely makes horror fans' short lists for David Cronenberg recommendations. But if you're looking for a uniquely weird psychological thriller with an amazing gross-out finale, this 1979 romp just can't be beat.

Oliver Reed stars as Dr. Hal Raglan, a clinical psychologist experimenting with what he calls "psychoplasmics" — a process by which chemically induced physical ailments, designed to alleviate long-standing emotional trauma, are administered to vulnerable patients. But when Nola, a patient played by Samatha Eggar, is hospitalized by Raglan, her estranged husband Frank, played by Art Hindle, decides to investigate. — A.F.

How to watch: The Brood is now streaming on HBO Max.

10. The Lure

The Lure has been described as a lesbian mermaid horror musical, but somehow even that doesn't come close to capturing what this audacious Polish film is. Agnieszka Smoczyńska's debut feature is the darkest retelling of The Little Mermaid you could imagine, incorporating grisly violence and the sex work industry into that classic fairytale.* — Oliver Whitney, Freelance Contributor

How to watch: The Lure is now streaming on HBO Max.

11. The Witch Credit: Parts And Labor / Rt Features / Rooks Nest / Upi / Kobal / Shutterstock

Writer/director Robert Eggers's haunting folk horror flick follows an isolated family living in 1630 New England as paranoia and religious fervor brew after an infant goes missing. Rebellious teen Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy) bears the brunt of the blame from her Puritan parents, but her eerie twin siblings (is there any other kind?) and their friendship with a goat they've nicknamed Black Phillip lets the viewer know something far stranger is afoot.

"What really sets this movie apart from its horror peers [...] is its sheer beauty," wrote Yohana Desta in her review for Mashable. "Every scene is meticulously styled. The costumes have a quiet beauty. Every frame could be a painting, or a macabre Vogue editorial. The score (and scenes with lack thereof) is a perfect accompaniment, rattling and haunting."* — Sam Haysom, Deputy UK Editor

How to watch: The Witch is now streaming on HBO Max.

12. Sisters

It's probably pretty important to note upfront that his 1972 shocker Sisters is very much of its time, although you could say this about pretty much every movie that Brian De Palma has ever made (ahem, Dressed to Kill). Which is to say, don't go in expecting a modern read on mental health issues in this story about formerly conjoined twins turned fashion models who go on a murder spree. But as dated as some of its psychological concepts are, not to mention its emphasis on Hitchcock's Psycho, Sisters remains a magnificently crafted thriller that will have you jumping out of your seat more than once. And Margot Kidder's having a terrific  time with the soapiness of ping-ponging between good and evil twins. The movie that somehow made birthday cake terrifying! — J.A. 

How to watch: Sisters is now streaming on HBO Max.

13. I Saw the TV Glow Credit: A24

Writer/director Jane Schoenbrun's I Saw the TV Glow is such a mood, especially if you're someone who came of age in the late '90s/early aughts with any of the teen-centric television shows that aired on the WB. Starring Justice Smith and Brigette Lundy-Paine as Owen and Maddie, two outcasts who bond over their love of the Buffy-esque program The Pink Opaque, Schoenbrun, a trans filmmaker, is explicitly exploring the places where our obsessions fracture our identities, and vice versa — how we build ourselves in the image of fiction. 

SEE ALSO: 'I Saw the TV Glow' review: Queer horror has a new arthouse masterpiece

The movie casts an eerie spell with its bizarre overlapping realities that make the shifting dynamics of a Christopher Nolan movie seem pat and hollow. And there might be no more unsettling monster this year than the moon-faced Mr. Melancholy, whose discount-budget cheapness gives way to a true chasm of uncanniness. — J.A.

How to watch: I Saw the TV Glow is now streaming on HBO Max.

14. Evil Dead Rise Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

More than four decades after we first rendezvoused with Sam Raimi's demon troupe of Deadites, Evil Dead Rise proved there's still plenty of juice — not to mention a myriad of other less savory liquids — left in the franchise. And it did so by simply shifting location; who needs a creepy cabin in the woods when we've got a run-down apartment building isolated from the outside world by a power outage during a big storm? 

It also benefits from a big shift in character dynamics. Rather than a group of sexy young people (hubba hubba, Bruce Campbell) tearing each other to shreds after reading from the Book of the Dead, writer/director Lee Cronin gave us a single mom and her young kids all battling to save and/or swallow each other's souls. While the nasty, bloody business stays the same, it sure hits different when it's your possessed mommy (an outstandingly acrobatic Alyssa Sutherland) trying to carve you up like Christmas dinner. — J.A.

How to watch: Evil Dead Rise is now streaming on HBO Max.

15. Sinners Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Writer/director Ryan Coogler reimagined vampire lore as a way to explore what it means to be young, Black, and gifted in America.

Michael B. Jordan stars as the Smokestack Twins, Black gangsters turned juke joint proprietors whose opening night is crashed by a vicious white vampire (Jack O'Connell) thirsty for the blood of their magical bluesman, Sammie (Miles Caton in a jaw-dropping debut). The character-building in this 1932-set period piece is rich, developing emotional plotlines of love, loss, and injustice.

Critics praised the epic scope Coogler applied to his genre-fluid drama — which might be a horror musical. In my review of the film, I wrote, "Smoothly blending vampire horror into a unique tale of regret, resilience, and redemption, Coogler and Jordan have made a cinematic marvel that is terrifying, satisfying, and unforgettable."* — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Sinnners is now streaming on HBO Max.

16. Weapons

Like Jordan Peele before him, Zach Cregger took a hard turn from sketch comedy — as a member of Whitest Kids U' Know — to horror director with a jaw-dropping vision of terror. In 2022, he gave us the deeply twisted Barbarian. And this year, he gifted us the perfectly witchy icon in Weapons' Gladys (Amy Madigan).

In this deeply creepy tale of 17 children vanishing into the night, the focus leaps from one character to another, eerily unfolding the mystery at the heart of this missing persons case. A tormented teacher, a furious father, a bewildered principal, a cranky cop, and an unhoused goofball will collide in ways wild and unpredictable.* — K.P.

How to watch: Weapons is now streaming on HBO Max.

17. Bring Her Back

First, filmmaking duo Danny and Michael Philippou awed critics and horror fans with their haunted-hand hit Talk to Me. Next, they returned with this gnarly psycho-biddy horror offering starring two-time Academy Award nominee Sally Hawkins. This nail-biting film is so intense that it might well have you gagging, covering your eyes, or experiencing some hard-won catharsis. Probing further into grief, the Philippou brothers explore how the unmooring feeling of mourning can make the world around us feel unreal, hostile, and strange.

In Bring Her Back, Hawkins stars as a foster mom named Laura, who takes in orphans like Oliver (Jonah Wren Phillips), and siblings Piper (Sora Wong) and Andy (Billy Barratt). But despite Laura's chipper mumsy demeanor, 17-year-old Andy realizes something is off in her remote forest home. But can he stop the hell that's coming?* — K.P.

How to watch: Bring Her Back is now streaming on HBO Max.

18. The Substance

As the ferocious follow-up to her grisly and glorious directorial debut Revenge, French filmmaker Coralie Fargeat pulled no punches, delivering a thriller that's a gut-churning knockout.

Demi Moore stars as Elisabeth Sparkle, an actress whose star is fading as she ages, and heartless Hollywood execs (exemplified by a shellfish-chomping Dennis Quaid) hunger for young beauties and fresh blood. So when a miracle drug allows her to split her life with a perky younger model of herself (Drive-Away Dolls' Margaret Qualley), she leaps at the chance. But the brutal cost it takes is ugly.

A ghastly satire about the misogynistic beauty standards applied to women, The Substance shocked and awed critics and audiences alike with its giddily gruesome imagery. Speaking for those of us who loved The Substance, there's something undeniably exhilarating about a movie that's as proudly pink as Barbie but as unhinged as the gnarliest midnight movie.* — K.P.

How to watch: The Substance is now streaming on HBO Max.

Asterisks (*) indicate the entry comes from a previous Mashable list.

UPDATE: Feb. 12, 2026, 2:33 p.m. EST This story was first published on April 23, 2021. It has since been updated to reflect the current streaming options.

Opens in a new window Credit: Max Max   Get Deal

TL;DR: Live stream New Zealand vs. South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup group stage showcases many huge matchups, but New Zealand vs. South Africa has got to be one of the best. The winner of this evenly-matched contest will likely top Group D. Both teams are on course to progress to the Super 8 stage of the competition, but this could give fans a clue as to which team is a genuine contender this year.

If you want to watch New Zealand vs. South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is New Zealand vs. South Africa?

New Zealand vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 8:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 14. This game takes place at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

How to watch New Zealand vs. South Africa for free

New Zealand vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream New Zealand vs. South Africa in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup 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 a location with access

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup 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 every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, 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).

Watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

TL;DR: Live stream Ireland vs. Italy in the 2026 Six Nations for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The Six Nations has started with a bang.

France threatened to thump Ireland in the opening round. Ireland did manage to salvage some credibility, but it was a statement victory for Les Blues. Italy, meanwhile, secured a huge win over Scotland in their opening game. Now they visit the Aviva Stadium to face an Ireland side looking to bounce back. We're expecting an entertaining matchup between two attacking sides.

If you want to watch Ireland vs. Italy in the 2026 Six Nations for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Ireland vs. Italy?

Ireland vs. Italy in the 2026 Six Nations starts at 2:10 p.m. GMT on Feb. 14. This fixture takes place at the Aviva Stadium.

How to watch Ireland vs. Italy for free

Ireland vs. Italy in the 2026 Six Nations is available to live stream for free on ITVX.

ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, 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 the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Ireland vs. Italy from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

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

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

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

4. Visit ITVX

5. Live stream Ireland vs. Italy 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 most do offer free-trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch Ireland vs. Italy without committing with your cash. This isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream most of the 2026 Six Nations before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming services to watch the Winter Olympics, the T20 World Cup, and more from anywhere in the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming live sport is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for the 2026 Six Nations?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including the UK

• 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 Ireland vs. Italy in the 2026 Six Nations for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

A Greek letter.

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

OMEGA

Hurdle Word 2 hint

Struck.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 14, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

SMOTE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

True.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 14 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 14, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answer

VALID

Hurdle Word 4 hint

A deceptive movement.

Hurdle Word 4 answer

FEINT

Final Hurdle hint

A thin tree.

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

BIRCH

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

If your idea of a great Valentine's Day date is gazing at the Moon, then you're in luck; this is one of the last nights before the New Moon where enough of its surface is illuminated. There's not a whole lot to see, so you might want to plan for some romantic stargazing too...

What is today’s Moon phase?

As of Saturday, Feb. 14, the Moon phase is Waning Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 11% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.

The only way to spot anything tonight is with a pair of binoculars or a telescope, with these you'll be able to see the Grimaldi Basin, an impact basin on the far left of the Moon's surface. If you're in the Southern Hemisphere, it will be on the far right.

When is the next Full Moon?

The next Full Moon will be on March 3. The last Full Moon was on Feb. 1.

What are Moon phases?

According to NASA, the Moon takes around 29.5 days to complete one orbit around the Earth. Throughout that time, it goes through eight different phases of visibility. Even though we always see the same side of the Moon, the part that’s lit up changes as it moves along its orbit. The amount of sunlight reflecting off the surface is what makes the Moon look full, partly lit, or almost dark at different points. The eight phases are:

New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

TL;DR: Live stream England vs. Scotland in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free on ICC.TV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

The 2026 T20 World Cup group stage is really starting to take shape.

England have work to do in Group C after losing out to the West Indies. A win over Scotland will help in their bid to make the next stage of the competition. Scotland are 1-1 going into this game. They beat Italy but also fell to the West Indies. England are favorites to win this matchup, but they can't take anything for granted going into this crucial game.

If you want to watch England vs. Scotland in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is England vs. Scotland?

England vs. Scotland in the 2026 T20 World Cup starts at 4:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 14. This game takes place at Eden Gardens.

How to watch England vs. Scotland for free

England vs. Scotland in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup is available to live stream for free on ICC.TV.

This free live stream on ICC.TV is only available in select regions (see full list of territories here), but anyone can live stream the T20 Cricket World Cup for free with a VPN. These helpful tools can hide your IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in a location with free access. This simple process bypasses geo-restrictions so you can live stream on ICC.TV from anywhere in the world.

Live stream England vs. Scotland in the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup 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 a location with access

4. Visit ICC.TV

5. Watch the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup 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 every game from the 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup (plus the Winter Olympics) before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for ICC.TV?

ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ICC.TV, 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).

Watch the 2026 T20 World Cup for free with ExpressVPN.

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

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 14, 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: Surge

• Green: A bulge

• Blue: Iconic roles

• Purple: Fresh and cool

Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Uptick

• Green: Protuberance

• Blue: Tom Hanks roles

• Purple: Words before "Mint"

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 #979 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Uptick: HIKE, JUMP, RISE, SPIKE

• Protuberance: BUMP, HUMP, LUMP, MOUND

• Tom Hanks roles: GUMP, PHILLIPS, SULLY, WOODY

• Words before "Mint": BREATH, JUNIOR, PEPPER, SPEAR

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 14, 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 affectionate.

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 14, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 14, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: XOXOXO

The words are related to love.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words describe ways to show affection.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is Visual Aids.

NYT Strands word list for February 14

• Snuggle

• Embrace

• Cuddle

• Hugs and kisses

• Smack

• Peck

• Smooch

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.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love springtime

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. 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 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 14, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. 

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 14, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

To blossom.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

The letter O appears twice.

Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...

Today's Wordle starts with the letter B.

SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. The Wordle answer today is...

Get your last guesses in now, because it's your final chance to solve today's Wordle before we reveal the solution.

Drumroll please!

The solution to today's Wordle is...

BLOOM

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

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.

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 Wordle.

Blank buttons are the bane of the automotive industry. You know the ones that take up space on your center console but don’t actually do anything. They’re little more than a subtle reminder that you didn’t pay extra for a feature, which is just one more reason you might want to get rid of them.

TL;DR: Microsoft Office 2024 Home & Business delivers modern features, better performance, and familiar apps — all for a one-time $99.97 payment (reg. $249.99).

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Office 2024 includes the essentials most people actually use: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote. The difference is how much more modern everything feels.

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Performance has been noticeably improved, especially in Excel, where handling large spreadsheets and complex formulas is faster and more responsive. Word now includes Focus Mode and smarter writing assistance to help you stay productive without distractions, while PowerPoint makes it easier than ever to record polished presentations with voice, video, and captions.

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Add in a refreshed, unified design and improved security protections, and this version feels built for modern work—both online and offline.

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TL;DR: Pok Pok is a Montessori-inspired, ad-free kids app that offers calm, open-ended learning for ages 2–8 — and a $44.97 lifetime subscription makes it an easy, guilt-free screen time upgrade.

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For parents trying to strike a healthier balance with screen time, Pok Pok offers a refreshingly calm alternative. Designed for kids ages 2–8, this Montessori-inspired digital playroom focuses on open-ended exploration instead of flashy rewards, ads, or overstimulation. A lifetime subscription is available for $44.97 (reg. $250).

What makes Pok Pok different:

• Montessori-inspired learning: Encourages independence, curiosity, and hands-on discovery through self-paced play

• Ad-free and offline-friendly: No ads, no pop-ups, no internet required

• Low-stimulation design: Handcrafted art and gentle soundscapes keep kids engaged without sensory overload

• Open-ended play: No rules, scores, or levels — kids explore freely and learn through experimentation

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• Supports core skills: Builds foundations in STEM, numbers, problem-solving, cause and effect, and creativity

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If you’re looking for screen time that feels calmer, smarter, and genuinely beneficial, Pok Pok is an easy long-term choice.

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For the most part, horror urges you not to stay in creepy accommodation, not to run upstairs when you should be running out the front door, and certainly not to "investigate" any strange noises in the attic.

But some movies would also advise you on another thing entirely: Enjoy being single.

It's a real niche within the genre, but we've tracked down the horror movies that single people will probably get more out of than anyone else. Some are grim reminders of all the bad things about being in a relationship with someone selfish (looking at you, Sinister), while others (*cough*, It Follows) are basically arguments for a life of swearing off sex altogether.

SEE ALSO: The best horror movies of 2025, and where to watch them

Of course, being single means different things to different people. Not every single person out there is sexually active, or actively looking for a relationship. But whether you're simply happy on your own or perhaps fed up with the dating scene, there'll hopefully be something among the following creepy selections that's right up your dimly lit street...

1. It Follows Don't look behind you. Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

What's it about?

In a nutshell, it's about a supernatural entity that gets passed between people when they have sex. Once the entity starts following you, it won't stop pursuing until you're dead.

The only way to get rid of it? Have sex with someone else and pass the burden along.

Why single people might love it...

This one doesn't take too much explaining. The plot of It Follows is like a love letter to swearing off sex altogether, a very convincing 100-minute argument about the merits of steering well clear of any and all prospective partners.

After all, is a romantic encounter really worth a life of constantly being pursued by hollow-eyed strangers that nobody else but you can see? We think not.

How to watch: It Follows is available for rental or purchase on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Apple TV.

2. Get Out All is not what it seems in 'Get Out.' Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

What's it about?

Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) travels to meet the family of his white girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams), for the first time. At the start of the trip, his main concern is how they might react to him being Black. But as the story progresses, and things get stranger and stranger, he realises their racism is just one part of a much larger secret.

Why single people might love it...

Meeting a partner's family for the first time is always a stressful experience. Jordan Peele's directorial debut takes this fear and runs with it, imagining pretty much the most nightmarish scenario possible and placing poor old Chris right in the center of it.

The lesson? If you're going to go to a new partner's house, always have an escape plan.

How to watch: Get Out is streaming on HBO Max, and is available for rental or purchase on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Apple TV.

3. Ready or Not Worst. Wedding night. Ever. Credit: 20th Century Fox / Kobal / Shutterstock

What's it about?

After marrying her boyfriend, Alex (Mark O'Brien), Grace (Samara Weaving) is subjected to a bizarre post-wedding family tradition that sees her running for her life.

Why single people might love it...

Like Get Out, Ready or Not plays on a fear of the in-laws. What if, rather than just being a bit odd, your new in-laws were actually in league with a rather unpleasant evil entity? What if they forced you to take part in their nefarious traditions? And what if, when push came to shove, your new husband turned out to be an absolute wet flannel whose only steps towards protecting you were moaning a bit about the fact his whole family wanted you dead.

Luckily, in the case of Ready or Not, Grace is more than capable of taking care of herself.

How to watch: Ready or Not is available for rental or purchase on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Apple TV.

4. Sinister Ellison Oswalt: Struggling true crime writer, terrible husband. Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

What's it about?

As part of his research for a new true crime book, Ellison (Ethan Hawke) moves his family into a house where the previous residents were butchered.

But when Ellison finds a box of disturbing movies in the attic, he realises that the killings may be part of a much larger pattern.

Why single people might love it...

Ellison Oswalt may be a determined true crime writer, but he's an absolutely awful husband. Despite occasionally making the right noises about caring for his wife and kids, he's so obsessed with recapturing his rapidly dwindling fame that he a) doesn't tell his wife he's moved her into a literal MURDER HOUSE, and b) repeatedly ignores signs and warnings that whatever killed the previous residents may well be stalking him and his children as well.

Truly a reminder that marriage doesn't always end well.

How to watch: Sinister is available for rental or purchase on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Apple TV.

Featured Video For You 11 essential horror movies to stream this Halloween 5. The Shining Jack Torrance may be the worst horror movie husband of all time. Credit: Warner Bros / Hawk Films / Kobal / Shutterstock

What's it about?

In a particularly proto-Ellison Oswalt move, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) relocates his family to the abandoned Overlook Hotel to take on the job of caretaker for the winter. But as the sense of isolation sets in, and Jack's son Danny begins seeing things, Jack's grip on reality starts to slip.

Why single people might love it...

If you're going to be stuck in a large, echoey hotel over winter with absolutely no outside contact or hope of escape, you'd at least want to be with your family, right?

Wrong!

As murdery old Jack Torrance makes clear in Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's classic novel, sometimes the people closest to you are the ones that can hurt you the most — quite literally, in this sense, as becomes potently obvious when Jack gets his hands on a nearby axe.

Torrance's unpredictable and violent decline put him up there among the worst horror movie husbands of all time, making Sinister's Ellison practically look like a saint in comparison.

How to watch: The Shining is available for rental or purchase on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Apple TV.

6. Audition Maybe dating isn't such a great idea after all. Credit: Moviestore / Shutterstock

What's it about?

Widower Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) is encouraged by his son to try dating again, so he sets up a fake "audition" to meet a new wife. But the woman he ends up falling for, Asami Yamazaki (Eihi Shiina) has her own dark secret.

Why single people might love it...

When it comes to dating, there's always that small background fear that the person you're going to meet might be a little bit odd. Or maybe even more than just a little bit. Audition, which features one of the most terrifying female villains of all time, turns that fear up to roughly a million.

Finding a relationship? Who needs that. Delete those dating apps off your phone and be glad there's no Asami in your life.

How to watch: Audition is streaming on Kanopy, and is available for rental or purchase on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, and Apple TV.

7. The Loved Ones Waking up tied to a chair is never good, is it? Credit: Screen Australia / Kobal / Shutterstock

What's it about?

When Brent (Xavier Samuel) refuses to accompany his classmate Lola (Robin McLeavy) to prom, she decides to take matters into her own hands. By violently kidnapping him.

Why single people might love it...

Like Audition, Sean Byrne's dark thriller presents a fairly compelling argument against dating in general. If you're fed up with seeing photos of smiling couples and looking for some catharsis, Lola's deeply terrifying rampage will likely more than provide.

How to watch: The Loved Ones is available for rental or purchase on Prime Video, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.

UPDATE: Feb. 12, 2026, 4:32 p.m. This feature was first published on Oct. 20, 2020. It has been updated to reflect current streaming options.

SSD speeds are far from the only thing that matters. In fact, many will say that they're almost irrelevant, and buying an expensive SSD is a waste of money.

Waymo's fleet of robotaxis can drive passengers to various destinations without a human driver at the wheel. 

However, when it comes to closing the car door, Waymo's self-driving cars apparently still need help from humans. And humans who do gig work on DoorDash can now get paid to close Waymo car doors.

On Reddit earlier this week, a Redditor in the subreddit community for DoorDash workers called r/DoorDash_Dasher shared a screenshot of an offer they just received in the DoorDash app. The gig was paying $11.25 to drive to a Waymo vehicle nine minutes away and close the car's door.

Reddit

Google's parent company Alphabet, which owns Waymo, confirmed to CNBC that it was currently running a pilot program in Atlanta where the company pays DoorDash drivers to close doors that are left ajar on Waymo vehicles. According to the company, DoorDash drivers are notified when there is a Waymo car nearby that needs assistance closing the door so the vehicle can get back on the road.

Waymo says that in the future Waymo vehicles will have automatic closing doors, but did not provide a timeframe for when that will be rolled out.

For now, Atlanta-based gig workers can earn money by simply closing Waymo car doors that are left open by the previous rider. However, gig workers in L.A. who are looking to make the most money closing self-driving car doors should look at the roadside assistance app Honk. According to a previous Washington Post report, Honk workers who service Waymo vehicles there are paid up to $24, a whopping $12.75 more than DoorDash Dashers, to simply close a Waymo vehicle's door.