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Astronomers detected hundreds more new worlds beyond the solar system this year and worked to better understand what makes them tick. 

The number of confirmed exoplanets — planets that don't orbit the sun — is up to 5,788, according to NASA, with thousands of additional candidates under review. All these worlds exist in our galaxy, though scientists believe they detected one planet outside the Milky Way in 2021.

Keep in mind the growing tally is a tiny sampling of planets in space. With hundreds of billions of galaxies, the universe probably teems with many trillions of stars. And if most stars have at least one orbiting planet — well, don't let your heads explode with the math.

No two alien planets are alike, each harboring its own distinct chemistry and conditions. There are water worlds, planets with multiple sunsets, volcanic worlds, rogue worlds, and planets with clouds unlike anything found in Earth's skies.

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

With the powerful James Webb Space Telescope, getting to know these worlds is getting easier. The leading infrared space observatory spends about a quarter of its time studying exoplanets. By analyzing another planet's atmosphere, scientists can tell a great deal about a world, including whether it could be hospitable to life.

Webb will soon begin a massive study of rocky worlds outside the solar system, specifically to discover if exoplanets orbiting near small cool stars could have air. The campaign, first reported by Mashable, will take a closer look at a dozen nearby-ish planets over the next two years. 

Here are some highlights from the exoplanets studied over the past year.

A toxic stink-bomb of an exoplanet  Astronomers used the James Webb Space Telescope to peer into the atmosphere of an exoplanet 35 light-years away from Earth. Credit: NASA / Ames Research Center / Daniel Rutter illustration

Astronomers found a planet that probably reeks of burnt matches and rotten eggs, the odors associated with two gases identified in its atmosphere: sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. But no one's nose will likely ever get close to this world, 35 light-years away in the constellation Volans, to find out. The planet, L 98-59 d, likely has a molten or volcanic surface. 

Earth's atmosphere is filled with nitrogen, oxygen, and traces of water vapor. Venus has a thick atmosphere of carbon dioxide, and Mars has a thin atmosphere of carbon dioxide. Based on the terrestrial worlds humans are familiar with, no one expected to find a similar type of planet with so much sulfur. 

An exoplanet with a mysterious sibling Tweet may have been deleted

A "super-Earth," a world somewhat larger than our own, orbits a star about 137 light-years away from the sun. What has intrigued astronomers about it is that it resides in the habitable zone around its small reddish star. The zone, sometimes referred to as the Goldilocks zone, is the region around a host star thought to provide the right surface temperature for liquid water to exist on a planet. 

But perhaps even more exciting than this world, dubbed TOI-715 b, is its potential sibling: a smaller, more Earth-size planet. Scientists plan to study it as well.

A confirmed exoplanet at Barnard's star A confirmed exoplanet orbits Barnard's star every three days. Credit: ESO / M. Kornmesser illustration

Barnard's star, one of the closest stars to the sun, has been a target of exoplanet searches for over a century, with a storied past of false positives. 

Scientists have finally found a world orbiting the star and confirmed it with multiple follow-up observations. They estimate this planet, Barnard b, to be about 20 times closer to its star than Mercury is to the sun, with a surface temperature of about 250 degrees Fahrenheit. 

A tamer Venus-like exoplanet Scientists estimate the average surface temperature on Gliese 12 b could be about 107 degrees Fahrenheit. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / R. Hurt (Caltech-IPAC) illustration

Scientists say they've found the nearest temperate Earth-size world to date: Gliese 12 b, a so-called exo-Venus, meaning a rocky planet outside the solar system about the size of Venus. 

"Temperate" and "Venus" may seem contradictory to those who know about Earth's neighbor. It's a hot, toxic planet, with sulfuric acid rain and volcanoes. Unlike the real Venus, which is about 900 degrees Fahrenheit because of a runaway greenhouse effect, researchers think Gliese 12 b's surface could be an average of 107 degrees. 

A sauna-like exoplanet  Scientists say they've discovered and confirmed the first "steam world." Credit: NASA / ESA / Leah Hustak / Ralf Crawford illustration

A team of scientists are calling a new planet detection the first direct evidence of a "steam world" — that is, an exoplanet blanketed in wet heat. 

The planet, GJ 9827 d, is about 100 light-years away from the solar system in the constellation Pisces. It's about twice the size of Earth and has an atmosphere almost entirely composed of water vapor. Before now, such worlds were only theorized.

A roiling half-lava exoplanet Astronomers discovered a third exoplanet in a solar system 73 light-years away. Credit: NASA / JPL-CALTECH illustration

Scientists found an exoplanet just a little larger than Earth, around a star much like the sun. But that's pretty much where the similarities end. The planet, HD 63433 d, is one-tenth Earth's age, exponentially hotter, and likely burbling molten lava on one side. A year on this world would fly by in just four Earth days.

This is considered the smallest and closest "young" exoplanet so far, at only 73 light-years away. Astronomers estimate it's about 400 million years old, which is ancient on a human timescale, but a mere whippersnapper compared to our 4.5 billion-year-old home planet.

An exoplanet that resembles an eyeball?  The James Webb Space Telescope has observed exoplanet LHS 1140 b, which could be an icy world akin to Jupiter's moon Europa, left, or it may have a bulls-eye ocean facing its star. Credit: B. Gougeon / Université de Montréal illustration

A new study revealed a small exoplanet could be an icy orb like Jupiter's moon Europa or have a liquid ocean about half the size of the Atlantic Ocean facing its star. If the latter were true, the water might even be a crisp 68 degrees Fahrenheit at the center.

The exoplanet, LHS 1140 b, is about 48 light-years away from Earth, in the constellation Cetus. Scientists believe it is probably rocky and could have other similarities to our planet.

A glowing terrestrial exoplanet A rocky planet covered in molten lava orbits close to its star. Credit: NASA / ESA / CSA / Dani Player (STScI) illustration

In a star system 66 light-years away, scientists spotted a world riddled with so many volcanoes, it would glow red-hot like campfire embers. A researcher even described the finding, HD 104067, as "Io on steroids," referring to the most volcanic world in our solar system, one of Jupiter's moons, Io. 

HD 104067's robust volcanic activity is caused by two other nearby exoplanets exerting strong gravitational forces and distorting its orbit into an egg shape. All that squeezing and tugging generates heat and inner geological activity. 

A very young exoplanet The young exoplanet IRAS 04125+2902 b passes in front of its star. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech / R. Hurt / K. Miller (Caltech/IPAC) illustration

This next exoplanet is a newborn baby. The huge planet, roughly 430 light-years away, is just 3 million years old. 

Usually such nascent worlds are surrounded by debris, making them nearly impossible to observe. But astronomers got a window of opportunity with IRAS 04125+2902 b (yup, that's its name). Something — perhaps a companion star's gravity or a cosmic collision — has caused the disk to warp, revealing the planet in its infancy. 

Right now the planet appears as wide as Jupiter but much lighter. Scientists think that means its atmosphere is inflated and will shrink down to a super-Earth or mini-Neptune as it matures.

A rocky exoplanet with an atmosphere? Super-Earth 55 Cancri e might have an atmosphere. Credit: NASA / JPL-Caltech illustration

When astronomers say they are on a quest to find a rocky planet with an atmosphere, they're not talking about mood lighting and soft jazz. They're looking for a world that resembles our own in a crucial way, and scientists say super-Earth 55 Cancri e might be the best bet: Temperature readings have revealed it's not as scorching hot as expected, perhaps because energy is being redistributed by an atmosphere.

NASA has called Earth's own atmosphere its security blanket. Without it, the type of life flourishing here wouldn't exist. It holds oxygen in the air, filters out ultraviolet radiation, and allows liquid water to pool on the surface.

This finding wouldn't mean 55 Cancri e, about 41 light-years away, is an exit plan for humans  — far from it. Its orbit is so tight around its star, the world is probably covered in lava, with one side in constant darkness. Still, proof of an exoplanet with an atmosphere orbiting a red dwarf star would bode well for the idea that others are out there. 

Want more of the best of 2024? Join Mashable as we look back at all the viral TikTok songs, internet slang, movies, memes, hyped up hardware, dating trends, social media apps, and more that have delighted and amazed us so far this year.

Wondering how to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: Best for affordability Sling TV Blue Plan $20 for the first month, then $40/month (save $20 ) Get Deal BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 1 month (Save $20) Get Deal

The No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs and the No. 2 Texas Longhorns will face off in the SEC Championship this week at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The match will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7, and is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.

Currently, Texas is poised to take the No. 2 seed in the College Football Playoffs. But, most likely, both teams will be part of the 12-team playoff format.

SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Georgia vs. Texas football kickoff time and network

The Georgia vs. Texas football game is scheduled for a 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT start on ABC on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Chris Fowler is expected to do the play-by-play, while Kirk Herbstreit will join him in the booth as the analyst. Both Laura Rutledge and Holly Rowe will do the sideline reporting.

The CFP committee will reveal the playoffs bracket on Sunday on ESPN. The show starts at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

Best streaming services for Georgia vs. Texas football game

You need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Georgia vs. Texas football game on ABC. 

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

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

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

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

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

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

Wondering how to watch college football this season? Here are your best options: Best for affordability Sling TV Blue Plan $20 for the first month, then $40/month (save $20 ) Get Deal BEST FOR SINGLE GAME FuboTV Pro plan 7-day free trial, then $59.99/month for 1 month (Save $20) Get Deal

The No. 16 Iowa State Cyclones and the No. 15 Arizona State Sun Devils will face off in the Big 12 Conference Championship this week at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The match will take place on Saturday, Dec. 7, and is scheduled to start at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

The two will battle it out despite a four-way tie atop the Big 12, leaving BYU and Colorado on the outside looking in.

The winner is pretty much guaranteed a spot in the College Football Playoffs, but the seeding is yet to be determined, and it's out of the hands of any Big 12 team to determine it. If Boise State wins on Friday in the Mountain West championship over UNLV, the winner of the Big 12 likely becomes the No. 12 seed in the newly implemented 12-team playoff format. But, if Boise State loses, the winner of the Big 12 should move into the No. 4 seed.

Arizona State has won five straight games to earn its spot in the championship, while Iowa State has won three straight games. But, it can't be overlooked that the Sun Devils took a major loss off the field last week when star wide receiver Jordyn Tyson left the game in the third quarter with a collarbone injury. Tyson has been ruled out indefinitely.

ESPN's analytics have Iowa State leading with a 55 percent chance to win the game, but the betting odds currently favor Arizona State by 2.5 points.

SEE ALSO: How to watch college football without cable Iowa State vs. Arizona State football kickoff time and network

The Iowa State vs. Arizona State football game is scheduled for a 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT start on ABC on Saturday, Dec. 7.

Joe Tessitore is expected to do the play-by-play, while Jesse Palmer will join him in the booth as the analyst and Katie George will do the sideline reporting.

The CFP committee will reveal the playoffs bracket on Sunday on ESPN. The show starts at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.

Best streaming services for Iowa State vs. Arizona State football game

You need to choose a streaming service to watch college football without cable or satellite TV. We've found some of the best streaming services to consider for the Iowa State vs. Arizona State football game on ABC. 

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

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

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

Best for single game: FuboTV Opens in a new window Credit: FuboTV FuboTV Pro plan Get Deal

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

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

This content originally appeared on Mashable for a US audience and has been adapted for the UK audience.

Dating is a competitive game, and you should do everything you can to give yourself a chance of success. Looking your best and smelling fresh is a good place to start, but nothing shortens your odds of success like signing up to a dating site.

The problem with this tactic is that there are just so many dating sites out there to consider, each with a different set of features that will suit some people better than others. It's difficult to know which site is best for you, and you could easily spend hours researching all of the sites on offer without a definitive answer.

We know that you don't have time for all of that, so we've set out to make things a little easier for you.

What are the benefits of using dating apps?

By subscribing to a dating site, you're shortening your odds of finding a connection. It's as simple as that.

Dating sites and apps let you get your information out there to a massive network of like-minded individuals, and provide the opportunity to test out a potential relationship on an app before actually meeting in real life.

SEE ALSO: Best hookup apps and dating sites to find casual sex with no strings attached

Subscribing to dating apps and sites is also a way less intimidating way of meeting someone compared to a face-to-face situation. If you find the idea of meeting people slightly terrifying, these apps can help you face your fears from the comfort of your own home.

Is online dating worth the hassle?

Sentiments aside, we have some hard data to back our reasoning for Why Online Dating Is Worthwhile™: Statista predicted that the online dating audience will grow to 53.3 million by 2025, compared to 44.2 million users in 2020. A study from Stanford released in 2019 asserted that online dating is officially the most common way for couples to meet, rounding out at nearly 40 percent of couples having first met online.

This pre-pandemic prediction came before the COVID-era dating app sign-ups surge. Though people are eager to get back to doing as many things IRL as possible now, dating apps are still a great place to find someone, whether you want a relationship or are just looking to get nasty.

And yes, though there are algorithms that dictate what profiles pop up on your screen, we firmly believe that the stars aligning still comes into play. After all, the person who signs up on the app and is looking for love at exactly the same time you are is up to fate and the universe, proving that online dating romance is very much alive and well.

Because it's not 2007 anymore, the need for mobile-friendly online dating isn't just a millennial thing — people over 40 don't have time to sit around at their home desktops, either. Dating sites that are older than most members of Gen Z (like Match and eharmony) have been forced to give serious attention to their smartphone counterparts if they don't want to be outgrown.

However, that statistical promise still requires patience and a game plan, the game plan is choosing the dating app with features that best fit your lifestyle — and the lifestyle of the type of person you're looking for. Are you looking for an app strictly for sex or an app more serious than Tinder but less serious than eharmony? Or maybe, you'd just really love to find an app where queer women aren't relentlessly sexualized by creeps and pestered by unicorn hunters.

Should you use free dating apps?

The good news is that there are a lot of free dating sites and apps out there, and the likes of Tinder and Hinge are good examples of free apps with massive networks of users.

The bad news is that a lot of free apps simply don't cut it. You get what you pay for with dating sites and apps, and for the best experience with the greatest possibility of finding exactly what you're looking for, you are going to have to cough up the cash.

You can still find something worth your time with a free app, but if you're looking for compatibility tests, chat rooms, videos, and a greater level of control, we recommend upgrading. Paid sites provide access to premium features that give you the best chance of finding something special.

What is the best dating site?

We're sorry to break it to you like this, but there isn't a single dating site that is better than the rest. Instead, there are a lot of sites and apps with similar features and packages, and the best option for you really comes down to your own set of preferences.

To make the decision process a whole lot easier for everyone, we have lined up a selection of the most popular sites in the dating game, including leading sites like Match, and Eharmony. All you need to do is pick a favourite from the bunch.

These are the best dating sites in 2024.

The online world can be a dangerous place, with hackers, viruses, and surveillance software lurking in every corner of the web. We're not trying to scare you, but have you ever considered just how much of your personal data is exposed to this sort of thing whilst you're browsing? If not, you probably should. You might be surprised by the results.

Your data is seriously valuable stuff these days, and everyone is looking to get their hands on it. Once you come to understand that the internet is insecure, it's perfectly normal to feel a little concerned about how much of your data is up for grabs. There's no need to panic though, because there is a simple and effective way that you can stay protected.

To stay safe online and keep all of your data and personal information secure, you really should consider investing in a VPN.

What is a VPN?

VPNs provide protection for your data and identity by creating a private network that hides your real IP address (digital location). All of your activity is untraceable and secure because everything passes through an encrypted tunnel. Nobody can see into the tunnel, and everything inside is protected against online threats. This means that hackers, governments, and your internet service provider will be unable to access any of your information.

Do you need a VPN?

Investing in a VPN is one of the best ways to ensure your safety and anonymity online. VPNs are vital tools in the fight against scammers and cybercriminals, but there's another reason you might consider these security services. And it has nothing to do with security.

SEE ALSO: The best VPNs for remaining anonymous online

VPNs can be used to unlock streaming services from around the world, including the likes of Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. How do they do this? It's actually a really simple process, and it can significantly boost your content options. All you need to do is open up your preferred VPN, connect to a server from another country in order to spoof your IP to another address, and then head to your preferred streaming site. This process tricks the site into thinking you are based in another country, meaning you can watch all that great content that is normally blocked.

VPNs are really useful for cybersecurity and streaming, which means they should be a worthwhile investment for just about everyone.

What should you know before subscribing to a VPN?

Selecting a VPN that is right for you is not easy, because there are a lot of options all offering similar packages. To make the decision a little simpler, we have highlighted a selection of the most important things to consider before making any sort of purchase:

• Connection speed — This is absolutely vital whether you're looking to use a VPN for online security or streaming. It's normal for a VPN to result in a drop in your connection speed, but you shouldn't accept anything significant.

• Encryption — We know that a lot of people will be using VPNs for streaming, but these services are primarily designed to provide cybersecurity, so encryption is important. The best VPNs will offer powerful protection for your data, meaning that everything is unreadable and untraceable.

• Number of connections — You should seek out a VPN that offers multiple simultaneous connections, so you can stay protected on all your devices at the same time. This is also beneficial for large families or households with multiple people likely to be online at the same time.

• Privacy policy — The best VPNs should be very clear about how they handle, store, and use your data. These practices should be laid out in a privacy policy, and if they aren't super clear, you should look elsewhere.

• Server network — The best VPNs provide access to thousands of servers located all around the world. This is useful as you should always be able to find a stable and speedy connection for streaming, shopping, or browsing.

There are plenty of other things that are worth considering, like bandwidth, apps for certain operating systems, and customer support, but these are probably the most important features to keep in mind.

Should you use free VPNs?

With free versions of popular VPNs and free trials of VPNs with full access to everything you get with a premium plan, why would you ever pay? As with most things in life, you get what you pay for with VPNs.

There tends to always be a catch with free versions, and it's normally in the form of limited data usage. If you're just an occasional user, these plans will work fine. But if you're going to be streaming or downloading, this isn't going to work. Free trials are a little bit different: they come with everything you get in a paid plan, but obviously they don't tend to last very long. Trials are great for testing out a service before committing, but this isn't a long-term solution.

To gain access to advanced security features without limitations on usage, you need to pay up. The best VPNs are generally the most expensive, but there are plenty of cheap plans out there, especially if you're willing to commit to a lengthy contract.

What is the best VPN?

There are a lot of VPNs out there, and we recommend taking some time to carefully access all your options. Once you have established exactly what you need, you can turn your attention to finding the best deals on all the top VPNs.

We have reached out to partners in order to line up a list of the best deals on the most popular providers, to help you save big. You can find all the best deals on the likes of ExpressVPN, NordVPN, PureVPN, and more.

These are the best VPN deals in 2024.

10% OFF TARGET GIFT CARDS: Until Dec. 8, Target Circle members can save 10% on Target gift cards. Sign up for Target Circle for free to take advantage of this offer.

Opens in a new window Credit: Target Target Circle Members: Get 10% Off Target Gift Cards Learn More

The holidays are coming up fast, and if you're still trying to track down some gift ideas before it's too late, Target is here to help alleviate some of the stress of shopping. If you're a Target Circle member (and if not, you can sign up here for free), you can save 10% on Target gift cards from Until Dec. 8.

This weekend-only event is a great opportunity to pick up gift cards for friends, family, or even pick up a little something for yourself. According to Target's website, gift cards can be purchased either in store or online and "the discount will be automatically applied to Target GiftCards at checkout for Target Circle members." You can also purchase up to $500 in Target gift cards through this offer, if you really want to stock up before the holidays.

SEE ALSO: The latest Apple AirPods 4 are at their lowest-ever price on Amazon

The beauty of an offer like this is the fact that Target Circle is completely free to join. Once you sign up, you can start taking advantage of the 10% off discount right away. And Target Circle, in general, is worth it if you're a frequent shopper there. Alongside offers like this, Target drops very nice deals for its Circle members fairly frequently that you can see on the 'Target Circle Deals' section of the website. This includes various BOGO offers and discounts on everything from clothing to tech to home supplies.

Again, this 10% off Target gift cards offer only lasts until Sunday, Dec. 8 for Target Circle members, so act fast to pick out your favorites or sign up here to join in the fun.

And if you still have more holiday shopping to do, there are actually a few Cyber Monday deals still floating around. While they won't stick around for long, it's worth having a look through our roundup of the best Cyber Monday deals still live to see if one of your favorites is still available.

TL;DR: Live stream Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA for free on Ran.de. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks is one of the most interesting NBA matchups this weekend. We know that the Raptors are not exactly lighting up the league this season, but it's going to be fascinating to see how they cope with the offensive talents of the Mavericks.

If you want to watch Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.

When is Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks?

Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 7. This game takes place at the Scotiabank Arena.

How to watch Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks for free

Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks is available to live stream for free on Ran.de in Germany.

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

Live stream Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks for free on Ran.de 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 Germany

4. Visit Ran.de

5. Watch Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading VPNs do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can gain access to free live streams of the NBA without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to live stream Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks before recovering your investment.

What is the best VPN for the NBA?

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

• Servers in 105 countries including Germany

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

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Fast connection speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream Toronto Raptors vs. Dallas Mavericks in the NBA for free with ExpressVPN.

Connections: Sports Edition is a new version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans.

Like the original Connections, 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 the latest 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 Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. 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.

Tweet may have been deleted

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's The Mini crossword answers for December 7 Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Taking a moment

• Green: Opposing effort

• Blue: Parks and fields

• Purple: It's all relative

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

• Yellow: Break in the action

• Green: Stop

• Blue: MLB stadiums

• Purple: ____ time

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 Sports Edition #75 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today

• Break in the action - INTERMISSION, PAUSE, SUSPENSION, TIMEOUT

• Stop - BLOCK, PREVENT, STUFF, THWART

• MLB stadiums - CHASE, ORACLE, TARGET, WRIGLEY

• ____ time: EXTRA, GARBAGE, STOPPAGE, WINNING

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.

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

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.

If you're reading this, you're looking for a little help playing Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game.

Strands 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 December 7 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for December 7 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Prepare to be eaten

These words are common cooking methods.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

Words are ways to prepare a certain type of food.

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 HotPotato.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for December 7

• Mashed

• Baked

• Scalloped

• Fried

• Roasted

• Fondant

• HotPotato

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.

Connections is the latest New York Times word game 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's The Mini crossword answers for December 9 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: To connect ideas or concepts mentally

• Green: Techniques used to draw fish near

• Blue: Pro basketball teams

• Purple: Phrases or terms beginning with "Long"

Featured Video For You Connections: How to play and how to win Here are today's Connections categories

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

• Yellow: Think of Together

• Green: Ways to Attract Fish

• Blue: WNBA Teams

• Purple: Long____

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 #545 is...

What is the answer to Connections today

• Think of Together: AFFILIATE, ASSOCIATE, EQUATE, RELATE

• Ways to Attract Fish: BAIT, CHUM, FLY, LURE

• WNBA Teams: LIBERTY, STORM, SUN, WINGS

• Long____: BOW, FELLOW, HORN, LEGS

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 December 9

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

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.

Oh hey there! If you're here, it must be time for Wordle. As always, we're serving up our daily hints and tips to help you figure out today's answer.

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 today: Hints and answers for December 7 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's The Mini crossword answers for December 7 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Describes a landscape with rises and falls.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There is one reoccurring letter.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter H.

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...

HILLY.

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.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for December 7

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.

Rachel Zegler and Jaeden Martell join Kyle Mooney to discuss their new film Y2K and reveal which old-school movies they would tattoo on their bodies.

Y2K is now in theaters.

TikTok's battle to stop its ban in the U.S. hit another roadblock.

On Friday, a federal appeals court panel unanimously upheld the Biden-era law that gave ByteDance, TikTok's Chinese parent company, nine months to either get a new owner or be banned in the U.S. The deadline is looming; unless the courts stop it, it will go into effect the day before President-elect Donald Trump takes the Oval Office.

A ban would require app stores like Apple and Google and internet hosting companies to stop distributing or updating the TikTok app or face penalties.

The company argued that the law violates First Amendment rights to free speech. The American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement to Reuters that it sets a "flawed and dangerous precedent."

"Banning TikTok blatantly violates the First Amendment rights of millions of Americans who use this app to express themselves and communicate with people around the world," Patrick Toomey, the deputy director of the ACLU's National Security Project, told Reuters.

But that argument didn't quite work in court.

SEE ALSO: As the 2025 TikTok ban deadline looms, here's what we know

"The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States," the court’s opinion, which was written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg, read, according to the Associated Press. "Here the Government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States."

TikTok is expected to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, but we don't yet know if the court will accept it. If the decision does make it all the way up the justice system, TikTok is confident the court will side with them.

"The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans' right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue," TikTok said in a statement to Reuters.

SEE ALSO: Here's how the TikTok ban will likely play out in the courts

This is just the latest in the constant battle over TikTok on the U.S. political playground that began in 2019, with a barrage of bills attempting to limit TikTok's reach. The fear, politicians argued, is that TikTok poses a national security threat because its parent company is based out of China and subject to Chinese intelligence laws which could, theoretically and hypothetically, force ByteDance to give its data with China.

TikTok has consistently denied this claim, but that hasn't stopped everything from national bans to state-wide bans. And the most recent move is affecting more than just TikTok itself: Meta shares, for instance, rose 2.4 percent after the court upheld the law on Friday.

Meta has released Llama 3.3 70B, a modified version of the company’s most powerful AI model that can be downloaded to run on your own hardware. Your PC probably isn’t ready for it, though.

No matter how desperate you are to get some Taylor Swift tickets, do not buy them on social media sites. Even if the seller appears genuine, it's more than likely that you are about to lose your money and have no recourse.

Connections is a game from the New York Times that challenges you to find the association between words. It sounds easy, but it isn't—Connections categories can be almost anything, and they're usually quite specific. If you need a hand getting the answers, we've got you covered.

The AI era has been ushered in. People are using AI chatbots for almost any purpose, from cooking up recipes to coming up with gym routines and so much more. If you're out of the loop, when it comes to AI chatbot technology, the best chance to get up to speed is now.

Microsoft is making its Copilot+ AI features available to more Windows 11 computers. This change is being rolled out to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel with build 26120.2510, allowing more people to try out the new features and share their feedback.

While the payoff of traveling is pretty big, packing and planning for those adventures around the world can be tedious and stressful. If you're buying a gift for someone with an acute case of wanderlust, prioritize items that can make their travels easier and more relaxing. A Bluetooth tracker could offer some comfort if they lose their phone at the airport or leave it in an Uber. A special neck pillow could help facilitate some shuteye during a layover. Whatever the travel ailment you'd like to soothe for them, they'll appreciate one fewer item on their "to buy" list — mostly so they can get back to spontaneously booking another stay. Below, we've rounded up the best gifts for travelers who need smart, tech-savvy, and multi-functional gear that makes it easier to pursue their passions — or simply helps to consolidate to get that damn suitcase zippered. Bon voyage.

Tech founders and Silicon Valley VCs who supported — and threw their money behind — Donald Trump are being handsomely rewarded by the President-elect.

Shortly after winning the 2024 election, Trump appointed one of his biggest supporters, Elon Musk, to head up a new agency called the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

Now, Trump is rewarding another wealthy tech founder for their loyalty: investor and podcaster David Sacks.

"I am pleased to announce that David O. Sacks will be the 'White House A.I. & Crypto Czar,'" Trump announced in a post on his social media platform Truth Social. "In this important role, David will guide policy for the Administration in Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency, two areas critical to the future of American competitiveness."

According to Trump, Sacks' role will be to "safeguard Free Speech online" and "work on a legal framework" for the cryptocurrency industry. Trump also shared that Sacks would lead the Presidential Council of Advisors for Science and Technology.

Sacks will be involved in crucial policy aspects of both a burgeoning technology in AI and a crypto industry ripe with fraud but expecting favorable treatment after throwing its support behind Trump.

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"Congrats to czar @DavidSacks!" OpenAI's Sam Altman posted on X shortly after the announcement from Trump.

Who is David Sacks?

Regular users of Musk's X, formerly Twitter, may have seen Sacks pop-up on the platform from time to time. Sacks' opinions obsessing over Russia's war with Ukraine have previously gone viral. He has often been critiqued for his seemingly pro-Russia and anti-Ukraine positions as well as fearmongering over a potential World War III.

However, Sacks and Musk actually have history with each other — and a similar background. Like Musk, Sacks emigrated to the U.S. from South Africa. And in 1999, Sacks worked with Peter Thiel at PayPal, joining Musk as a member in the "PayPal Mafia," a group of early PayPal employees and founders who went on to find greater success founding their own tech startups.

David Sacks and Elon Musk in 2006. Credit: Christian Grattan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

In 2008, Sacks co-founded Yammer, a social media platform for enterprises. Microsoft acquired Yammer in 2012 for $1.2 billion. Microsoft would go on to integrate Yammer within its Microsoft 365 products.

Since then, Sacks has invested in a number of tech startups and companies. He founded a VC firm called Craft Ventures in 2017. In 2020, Sacks started the All-In podcast alongside Jason Calacanis, Chamath Palihapitiya, and David Friedberg. The podcast, where the four entrepreneurs discuss business and current events, has gained popularity in tech circles. Over time, the show has shown increasing support for right-wing politics, including hosting Trump for an interview in June and featuring Sacks broadcasting live from the Republican National Convention during the summer.

Sacks, specifically, has been increasingly making a name for himself in right-wing circles, opposing prominent progressive politicians and public servants over recent years. 

And while Sacks previously said that Trump's role in the Jan. 6 storming of the Capitol disqualified the former president from serving again, the VC quickly changed his tune and hosted a high-ticket fundraiser for Trump's campaign earlier this year.

For Sacks, it appears like the pro-Trump move has paid off — barring any future falling outs with the 47th President.