Nothing seemed amiss as NASA's experimental X-59 supersonic jet touched down after its second test in the air, smoothly coasting onto the runway. But the sleek, needle-nosed airplane had completed only nine minutes in the air on Friday, March 20, before a cockpit warning light forced an early landing. That warning was separate from a caution light that occurred during an earlier takeoff attempt just before 10 a.m. P.T., said Cathy Bahm, project manager at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center.The brief flight left from Edwards Air Force Base in California at 10:54 a.m. P.T. marked only the second time the aircraft had flown. While the team originally planned for about an hour, leaders stressed that even short flights provide new data for moving the project forward. You can watch the landing in the video below. Bob Pearce, who heads NASA's aeronautics research, said the team made the right call to cut the flight short on Friday. The agency expects to find and fix issues at this stage of an X‑plane, an aircraft the U.S. builds to test new flight technologies and ideas."Sometimes it's easy to forget that building this kind of experimental aircraft means creating something that never existed before," Pearce said during a news conference. "As far as X-planes go, it's not unusual." SEE ALSO: Mars evidence shows ancient river likely larger and faster than thought The X-59 is part of a long-term effort to change how fast commercial airplanes fly over land. Traditional supersonic aircraft create a loud boom when they break the sound barrier, which is why the U.S. government bans routine supersonic passenger flights over populated areas. NASA and its contractor, Lockheed Martin, built the X-59 to fly faster than sound while producing only a "thump," with the goal of providing regulators and the industry with the evidence needed to reconsider the restrictions.At the kind of supersonic speeds NASA wants to target for the X-59 — around 925 mph — a nonstop flight from New York to L.A. could take less than three hours. Today's commercial airlines typically cruise at about 550 mph on that route, so passengers tend to spend about 5 to 6 hours crossing the country. View this post on Instagram A post shared by NASA Aeronautics (@nasaaero) A sonic boom occurs when a plane flies faster than the speed of sound, compressing pressure waves into a single shock wave that hits the ground like a sudden explosion of air. NASA designed the X‑59 so its shape spreads those pressure changes out along the aircraft, turning that single sharp shock into a series of smaller pulses.Residents below didn't hear the X-59's thump during either of the first two test flights — and they weren't supposed to. The plane never flew fast enough either time to make it. Both flights intentionally stayed at subsonic speeds. NASA is using these early tests to shake out systems and watch how the plane handles. During Friday's test, the aircraft was supposed to fly for roughly an hour, reaching a cruising speed of 230 mph at 12,000 feet before accelerating to 260 mph at 20,000 feet. The plane never exceeded 230 mph, officials said."I certainly hoped to have more to talk about than nine minutes of flight," said Less, who flew the X-59 for the first time on this mission. "Although I had not intended to have to land quite as urgently for my first landing, the plane performed beautifully." NASA test pilot Jim 'Clue' Less sits inside the cockpit of the experimental X-59 quiet supersonic jet at NASA's Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California. Credit: NASA / Jim Ross He described the aircraft as handling just like its simulators. Over hundreds of hours of test runs in the simulator, Less and other test pilots had practiced with the unconventional vision system that combines images from cameras into a high-definition display. But this was his first time flying without the traditional front window. The long nose shape that helps soften the sonic boom doesn't leave room for a standard cockpit windscreen. But in some cases, the system offers better visibility than the naked eye, he said. If a pilot is facing into the sun, for example, image processing can reduce glare and improve contrast. "It really felt comfortable," he said. "Even though I wasn't seeing out the front, I could see out the sides and match that up." More than 100 test flights are planned. NASA intends to gradually push toward higher, faster flights before testing those muffled booms over towns.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 22, 2026 The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces. SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 22, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 22 PipsNumber (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 5-5, placed vertically.Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally; 1-3, placed vertically.Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-3, placed vertically; 6-4, placed vertically.Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-4, placed vertically.Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 22 PipsLess Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 3-2, placed verticallyGreater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.Greater Than (4): Everything in this dark blue space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically.Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-1, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed vertically.Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 6-0, placed vertically; 0-2, placed horizontally.Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed horizontally.Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 22 PipsNumber (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed horizontally.Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-4, placed vertically.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 0-3, placed vertically.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 4-3, placed vertically.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally.Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally.Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 2-3, placed horizontally.Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 1-4, placed horizontally.Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically.Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally.Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people who like a word game.As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a 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. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 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. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:Yellow: EqualGreen: Spelled the same, front and backBlue: Basketball brosPurple: Types of zonesHere are today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:Yellow: All SquareGreen: PalindromesBlue: NBA Brothers, Past and PresentPurple: ____ZoneLooking 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 #545 is...What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?All Square - DEADLOCKED, EVEN, LEVEL, TIEDPalindromes - KAYAK, POP, RADAR, STATSNBA Brothers, Past and Present - ANTEKOUNMPO, BALL, CURRY, GASOL____Zone - 2-3, NEUTRAL, RED, STRIKEDon't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports 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 yesterday's Connections.

In 2023, the internet was ablaze with IKEA's Varmblixt lamp, aka the viral donut lamp. If you were among the crowd trekking to IKEA, attempting to find the donut lamp in stock, we've got some news for you — there's a new version of the lamp to covet. At CES 2026, IKEA unveiled a smart version of its viral donut lamp. Now you can enjoy the same shape lamp in a whole new array of colors.As the owner of an OG Varmblixt lamp, I've been waiting for the smart version to drop, and it's finally here. And I got to go hands-on with the new donut lamp to see what it's all about. Opens in a new window Credit: IKEA IKEA Varmblixt Smart Lamp $99.99 at Ikea   Shop Now About the IKEA Varmblixt lamp The OG Varmblixt lamp has the donut design, encased in a warm orange glass shade. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable The IKEA Varmblixt lamp first debuted in 2023, designed by Dutch artist Sabine Marcelis. Operating as either a table or wall lamp, the Varmblixt is crafted from orange glass, bringing gorgeous ambient glow to any room.Differences between the OG and smart Varmblixt lamp The new Varmblixt lamp has a glowing white light, compared to the warm orange of the original lamp. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable With the Varmblixt lamp getting the smart upgrade, it's a slight departure from the original. The Varmblixt still has the same donut shape and can still be installed as a table or wall lamp. However, unlike the OG, it's no longer orange. Instead, the updated smart Varmblixt has a matte white glass finish. The color instead comes from the inside with a color-changing bulb. The old Varmblixt has a simple on/off switch, while the new version has a remote to adjust the lamp's color and brightness. Plus, the smart Varmblixt is a Matter device, meaning it will connect to any smart home hub.How does the new Varmblixt lamp work?The new Varmblixt doesn't look as exciting from the outside with its white base. But once you turn on the lamp, you can adjust the color and brightness with the included remote.Using the Varmblixt required a bit more trial and error than I anticipated because, as I should have expected, IKEA's instructions were sparse. You don't need a smart home hub to operate the Varmblixt, although it will connect to yours if you have one. In classic IKEA fashion, the remote didn't come with explanation of its controls. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable If you don't have a smart hub (or even if you do), use the included remote to turn the lamp on or off, adjust the color, and adjust the brightness. IKEA doesn't provide instructions on which remote buttons do what. Luckily for you, I struggled through some trial-and-error, so you don't need to.The remote has two buttons, marked by a large dot and a small dot. To change the lamp's color, double-click the large or small button. The large button moves you forward through the color wheel, but you can move back if you skip over a color you like, using the small button. To dim the light, hold the small button; to increase the brightness, hold the large button.You can swap the Varmblixt basesA cool feature of all Varmblixt lamps is that the base and glass shades are swappable. So, potentially, I could move the smart base to my existing orange shade, a huge boon for smart home aficionados who want to turn on the Varmblixt with their smart home hub.How does the new Varmblixt look?While the OG Varmblixt lamp embraced the warm, orange tones, the new smart version is notably cooler. The matte white shade is quite stark and bright, so to warm it up, adjust the color toward orange or red hues. The full smart Varmblixt color range. Credit: IKEA The color palette of the Varmblixt is not as extensive as you'll find in other smart light bulbs that let you choose from millions of hues. The IKEA colors are preprogrammed and tend to be cooler pastel shades. It's a definite departure from the warmth of the original Varmblixt. Luckily, if you're not into the cool pastels, the OG orange lamp is available.Will I be swapping the new Varmblixt for the old? While I don't love the cool tone of the new Varmblixt lamp, I see its potential. Credit: Samantha Mangino / Mashable The new smart Varmblixt lamp is a fun progression in the lamp's lineup, but will I be swapping out my own? Probably not. We're not big into smart home in my house, so I don't get the benefit of its Matter connectivity. And while I like the new colors, I still prefer the OG's warm orange shade that adds an ambient glow to my house. While I could see myself incorporating the new smart Varmblixt elsewhere in my home, it's not going to take the OG's spotlight.Do I think the new light is worth it? Certainly. Especially for those excited about its smart home potential.

For 30 years now, AdultFriendFinder has quietly positioned itself as the internet's premier adult dating site and a go-to destination for singles chasing casual flings and hookups. Their success hasn't been an accident. They've stayed on top of the game, and even survived the emergence of dating apps, by forging a unique identity to help them stand out in an incredibly crowded and competitive field. If you're looking to let your freak flag fly, AFF offers you the greatest variety of ways to do it — here are six features AdultFriendFinder has that you won't find on any other dating site. Opens in a new window Credit: AdultFriendFinder AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Naked contentOne of the first things you'll discover after creating an AFF account is that the site doesn't shy away from hosting nudity, nor is it hard to come by. In fact, it's extremely common for people's profile photos to contain genitalia or full-frontal nudity rather than the typical headshot you're likely to find on most other dating sites. The nudity isn't confined to photos, either. You can host videos on your profile, including explicit videos, and there are webcam feeds live at any given time that feature amateur and professional models in various states of undress. If you find yourself distracted by all of the nudity or just want to browse the site in public without getting arrested, you can turn on the adult content filter by navigating to your profile settings in the top right of the screen, scrolling down to Content Filter and then selecting either No Nudity, Some Nudity or Everything (the default setting, naturally).Live webcam feedsThere's certainly no shortage of webcam sites on the internet, but it's rare to find a dating site that hosts live webcam feeds, not only of professional models but also of regular men and women looking for connection. Navigate to the Live Action menu at the top of your AFF window and choose between either Member Webcams or Pro Models. Once you've made this choice, you'll be able to create even more specific search filters, including by gender (Men, Women or Trans), Nude or Non-Nude, and even by proximity to you. SEE ALSO: The Looksmaxxing Glossary: Every term you need to understand the internet's most unhinged subculture One thing to note, however: while free members can view webcam feeds (including more than one at a time), only Gold members and above can actually chat with models.Discussion forums, blogs, and group chatsUnlike traditional dating sites, which only seek to match people in one-on-one interactions, AdultFriendFinder encourages group dynamics, especially in their Community section. Here you'll find not only personal blog posts by AFF users commenting on their experience, sharing stories or posting queries, but also group discussion boards organized around literally hundreds of interesting topics. Many of these are sexual in nature (there's a polyamory group, for example, and a "women who like older men" group), but many are organized around interests and hobbies, including politics, tech, travel, movies and music. Best of all, you can participate in these communal discussions without having to subscribe to AFF's Gold membership, which helps to keep these places more lively than they would otherwise be if only paying members could access these spaces. Erotic storiesFun fact: erotic fiction now accounts for approximately 25 percent of all fiction sold in the United States, so it's hardly surprising that erotic writing ("literotica" for those in the know) would be a major draw. What is surprising, however, is how few online dating sites take advantage of it. AdultFriendFinder members who wish to read or write sexy stories, real or imagined, can navigate to the Community menu and select Stories, where they'll uncover a near-unlimited array of stories, novels, fan fiction and even erotic poetry.  SEE ALSO: The 10 best free dating apps to find your spring fling If you're feeling adventurous, you can explore the stories at random, but AFF also deploys a clever tagging system that allows you to search by topic, with popular options including First Time, Sci-Fi, TSTV (trans and transvestite), and Voyeur. Popular stories achieve higher ratings and greater on-site visibility, and popular authors can actually build a large following on the site, so whether you're eager to read more erotic fiction or aspire to write some, AFF has you covered. ContestsOne of the more fun aspects of AdultFriendFinder is that it genuinely seeks to cultivate a sense of community and actively encourages its users to spend more time on the site, especially in the public-facing sections. Their on-site contests are a fantastic example of this in action. About once a month, the site hosts a themed photo contest, asking members to submit photos and then allowing the rest of the site to vote on which submissions best reflect or embody the contest caption.  SEE ALSO: All your Tinder questions, answered The most recent photo contest theme was "Velvet Secrets: Valentine's Masquerade," while prior contests include "Naughty & Nice" for the holidays and "Midnight Mischief." Winners get a special badge they can display on their profile, as well as tons more profile visibility, so there's a strong incentive to participate. To enter, scroll to the Community menu and then find Contests at the very bottom of the options list. If there's an active contest and you are logged in to your account, you'll be given the option of participating.Kink-based profile searchEvery online dating site or app has a profile section, where you can fill out pertinent personal information such as your sexual orientation, level of education, and whatever hobbies, interests or special skills you have that might make you stand out from the crowd, but AdultFriendFinder takes things a step further by offering members the opportunity to list their kinks.If you navigate to your profile name in the top right of your AFF screen and then select Dating Profile and Edit Profile, you'll have the opportunity to add to your My Kinks section. Popular options here include BDSM, voyeurism and cross dressing, but the full list is far more extensive. SEE ALSO: How to use the internet to figure out what you’re into in bed Best of all, these kink lists aren't merely decorative. If you have a premium account, you can actually search out other members by their chosen kinks, allowing you to find the people in your area who like exhibitionism or have a foot fetish, for example. There's no shortage of online dating sites, and even no shortage of hookup-first sites, but when it comes to adult dating, AFF clearly separates itself from the competition with its wide array of kink-friendly features and accommodations. 

Another Amazon sale is upon us. The Big Spring Sale returns for its third year in a row in 2026 and runs from March 25-31. With new deals dropping all week long, shopping can get pretty overwhelming. We know all too well that it's easy to get caught up in the sales, indulge in some impulse purchasing, and experience a little buyer's remorse. No judgment.As with every major Amazon sale, deals started popping off ahead of the official event kickoff, and there are lots more to come. If you run into some questions or concerns during your shopping journey — from classic cases of buyer's remorse to damaged packages to Prime membership questions — it's good to know that you can actually speak to customer service. SEE ALSO: How to cancel your Amazon Prime membership Since contacting Amazon can be tricky at times, here are all the ways you can get in touch with customer service for a smoother online shopping experience before, during, and after the Big Spring Sale:Amazon customer service help pageThis is probably the most common and easiest way to look for answers to common queries, such as those about Amazon’s return policies or information about international shipping. The page contains a whole library of questions that users can get answers to, including how to track packages, cancel orders, or start a return. Your most recent purchases will pop up at the top of the page for easy navigation.To access Amazon’s Customer Service Help Page, go to the website landing page and click on "Customer Service" in the top left of the screen. Amazon customer service emailSometimes customer queries need to be worked through on a case-by-case basis, and the answers on the official website need to be more specific to offer any help to shoppers. In these cases, users can email cs-reply@amazon.com and explain their issues. Remember that contacting Amazon’s customer service via email might not be the best solution if you have an urgent question regarding your purchases, since customers are unlikely to get a prompt response.Amazon customer service phone numberNeed a quicker reply? Call Amazon at 1-888-280-4331. When customers call this number, a bot picks up the phone and eventually connects them to Amazon staff, depending on the type of query that needs to be answered. It’s important to note that customers should have a cell phone number connected to their Amazon account. Customers must enter verification codes that will be messaged to their linked contact information before using this service. In other words, things can get a bit tricky if you're sharing an account with someone else.Amazon online chat serviceReal-time chatting with Amazon representatives is the most convenient way to get all your questions answered. To use the live chat feature, return to the Customer Service help page and click on "Help with something else." When the list pops up underneath, choose "something else" once again. Another page opens with a list of more help options. Select "I need help with something else."Now you've officially entered the chat. Type "Talk to associate" in the chat box. Amazon's messaging assistant might prompt you to give more info on your issue, which you can, but if you'd rather get to a real person ASAP, you can select "I need more help" from the pre-written responses. From there, you can choose if you’d prefer to talk via chat or call. If you're looking for immediate help with a Prime Day purchase — be it due to buyer's remorse, a damaged package, an address change, etc. — this is your best bet to get your needs met.For simple questions, Amazon's AI chat feature (launched in 2024) called "Rufus" can help customers solve some problems and make more informed purchase decisions.Contact Amazon via social mediaIf your questions aren’t that urgent, you can contact Amazon Customer Service at @amazonhelp on X, @amazon on Instagram, and www.facebook.com/Amazon on Facebook.

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 hintParasite. SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerLEECHHurdle Word 2 hintA memorial. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 22, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerVIGILHurdle Word 3 hintTo fret. SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 22 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 22, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerPANICHurdle Word 4 hintCame to life.Hurdle Word 4 answerAWOKEFinal Hurdle hintThe source. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerCAUSEIf you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

After several nights of near darkness, the Moon is finally illuminated enough that keen sky gazers can start to spot some features on the surface again. Keep reading to find out what you may be able to see tonight.What is today’s Moon phase?As of Sunday, March 22, the Moon phase is Waxing Crescent. According to NASA's Daily Moon Guide, 14% of the Moon will be lit up tonight.Tonight marks the return of enough of the Moon's surface to see some exciting features. For example, without any visual aids NASA tells us you can spot the Mare Fecunditatis and the Mare Crisium. These are situated on the middle right of the moon, or middle left if you're in the Southern Hemisphere.With binoculars or a telescope, you'll see these and also the Edymion Crater, positioned at the top right, or bottom left. When is the next Full Moon?In North America, the next Full Moon is predicted to take place on April 1.What are Moon phases?NASA says the Moon takes about 29.5 days to orbit Earth, going through eight different phases. We always see the same side, but the Sun lights up different portions as it moves, which is why it can look full, half, or just a thin sliver. These changing shapes are called the lunar phases, and there are eight in total: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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you love lifting.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. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 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. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 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 March 22, 2026 Here's a hint for today's Connections categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:Yellow: To directGreen: To superviseBlue: Found in a gymPurple: A water sportHere are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:Yellow: OverseeGreen: Picture taken from a filmBlue: Components of a weightlifting setupPurple: ___ SurfLooking 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 #1015 is...What is the answer to Connections todayOversee: CHAIR, HEAD, LEAD, RUNPicture taken from a film: FRAME, IMAGE, SHOT. STILLComponents of a weightlifting setup: BAR, BENCH, RACK, WEIGHTS___ Surf: CHANNEL, COUCH, CROWD, KITEDon'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 March 22, 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 yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're simple. 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 March 22, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Trademarked no moreThe words are related to common items. Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe everyday objects.NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is diagonal.NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Generic Term.NYT Strands word list for March 22ZipperEscalatorThermosGeneric TermAspirinDumpsterLooking 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 yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you love to garnish your meals.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 March 22, 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 March 22, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:An herb.Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.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...BASILDon'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 yesterday's Wordle.

It's a big week to be a Minecraft fan. Merlin Entertainments and Mojang Studios announced Minecraft World, a £50 million ($66.7 million) themed land opening at Chessington World of Adventures outside London in 2027. It will be the first fully immersive Minecraft theme park experience ever built. Given that Minecraft is the best-selling video game of all time, it's a little surprising it took this long. SEE ALSO: 'Pokémon Pokopia' is 'Minecraft' for Pokémon, and fans will lose hundreds of hours to it The land will include a world-first Minecraft roller coaster, interactive attractions, block-built play areas, and themed dining and retail. According to the press release from Merlin, Minecraft World is one of its most ambitious theme park developments in recent years, built in close collaboration with Mojang to make sure everything feels authentically Minecraft. A selection of notable Minecraft creators are also involved in bringing the universe to life.Chessington is about 35 minutes from London Waterloo by direct train, if you're already mentally planning the trip.On the game side, Mojang used its Minecraft Live March 2026 presentation to announce two upcoming updates. The first, Tiny Takeover, drops March 24 and gives nearly every baby mob a visual and audio overhaul — new models, fresh sound effects, and individual "sound personalities" for farm animals. A new item called the Golden Dandelion lets players keep any mob in its baby form permanently.Later in 2026, Chaos Cubed introduces sulfur caves — toxic underground biomes with gas particles that inflict a noxious effect — plus a new mob called the sulfur cube, which absorbs surrounding materials and evolves its properties accordingly.

TL;DR: Live stream Arsenal vs. Manchester City in the EFL Cup final for free on ITVX. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The EFL Cup doesn't have the history or the prestige of the FA Cup, but nobody is complaining when we get Arsenal and Manchester City battling it out for the trophy at Wembley Stadium. The top two in the Premier League are going head-to-head for the first significant title on offer this season — it's going to be a fascinating contest between two talented sides with managers who know all about each other. Could this be Arsenal's year to turn the tables on Man City?If you want to watch Arsenal vs. Manchester City in the EFL Cup final from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.When is Arsenal vs. Manchester City?Arsenal vs. Manchester City in the EFL Cup final kicks off at 4:30 p.m. GMT on March 22. This fixture takes place at Wembley Stadium.How to watch Arsenal vs. Manchester City for freeArsenal vs. Manchester City in the EFL Cup final 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 tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the UK, meaning you can unblock ITVX to stream the Champions League for free from anywhere in the world.Live stream Arsenal vs. Manchester City in the EFL Cup for free by following these simple steps:Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)Open up the app and connect to a server in the UKVisit ITVXWatch Arsenal vs. Manchester City 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 access free live streams of the EFL Cup without actually spending anything. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does give you enough time to stream Arsenal vs. Manchester City in the EFL Cup final before recovering your investment.What is the best VPN for ITVX?ExpressVPN is the best choice for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live sport on ITVX, for a number of reasons:Servers in 105 countries including the UKEasy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and moreStrict no-logging policy so your data is secureFast connection speeds free from throttlingUp to 10 simultaneous connections30-day money-back guaranteeA 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 Arsenal vs. Manchester City in the EFL Cup final for free with ExpressVPN.

A San Francisco jury ruled Friday that Elon Musk defrauded Twitter investors during his chaotic $44 billion acquisition of the platform in 2022 — and the damages could exceed $2.6 billion.As reported on by Courthouse News Service, the case centers on a series of tweets and public statements Musk made in May 2022, when he publicly cast doubt on the deal by claiming spam and bot accounts made up a significant portion of Twitter's user base. Investors argued he was manufacturing an excuse to either back out or renegotiate the deal on cheaper terms, tanking the stock in the process. The lead plaintiffs in the case sued Musk in October 2022. SEE ALSO: Elon Musk's X teases new dislike button on replies After deliberation, the jury unanimously found that Musk's May 13 and May 17 tweets were materially false or misleading. They did not, however, find him liable for a May 16 conference comment in which he claimed that 20% of Twitter users were spam accounts. The jury also rejected the plaintiffs' broader fraud scheme claims.Musk's legal team has already signaled they'll appeal, calling the verdict "a bump in the road."Plaintiff attorney Mark Molumphy told Courthouse News the verdict makes clear that wealth doesn't exempt anyone from accountability — a point that feels increasingly worth making these days.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 21, 2026 The conditions you have to meet are specific to the color-coded spaces. For example, if it provides a single number, every side of a tile in that space must add up to the number provided. It is possible – and common – for only half a tile to be within a color-coded space.Here are common examples you'll run into across the difficulty levels:Number: All the pips in this space must add up to the number.Equal: Every domino half in this space must be the same number of pips.Not Equal: Every domino half in this space must have a completely different number of pips.Less than: Every domino half in this space must add up to less than the number.Greater than: Every domino half in this space must add up to more than the number.If an area does not have any color coding, it means there are no conditions on the portions of dominoes within those spaces. SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 21, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for March 21 PipsEqual (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 3-1, placed vertically; 0-1, placed horizontally.Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-1, placed horizontally.Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally; 4-0, placed vertically.Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.Medium difficulty hints, answers for March 21 PipsGreater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically; 0-0, placed horizontally.Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-4, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically.Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically.Number (4): Everything in this space must add up to 4. The answer is 2-2, placed vertically.Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 1-2, placed vertically.Hard difficulty hints, answers for March 21 PipsNumber (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-2, placed horizontally.Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-3, placed horiontally.Number (5): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 1-1, placed vertically.Number (5): Everything in this orange space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.Number (5): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally.Number (5): Everything in this red space must add up to 5. The answer is 3-1, placed horizontally; 1-0, placed vertically.Number (5): Everything in this green space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-1, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically.Number (5): Everything in this red space must add up to 5. The answer is 2-5, placed vertically.Number (5): Everything in this dark blue space must add up to 5. The answer is 0-5, horizontally.Number (5): Everything in this green space must add up to 5. The answer is 5-1, placed horizontally.Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically.Number (5): Everything in this purple space must add up to 5. The answer is 4-1, placed vertically; 6-1, placed vertically.Greater Than (5): Everything in this space must be greater than 5. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Today's Connections: Sports Edition is for people knowledgeable about gymnastics.As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a 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. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 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. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. 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: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:Yellow: GymnasticsGreen: The ringBlue: Hybrid skill players in the NFLPurple: Spelled like an NHL teamHere are today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:Yellow: Gymnastics ApparatusesGreen: At the Boxing RingBlue: First Names of NFL Tight EndsPurple: Starts of NHL Team NamesLooking 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 #544 is...What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?Gymnastics Apparatuses - BARS, BEAM, FLOOR, VAULTAt the Boxing Ring - BELL, CORNER, ROPES, TURNBUCKLEFirst Names of NFL Tight Ends - BROCK, DALLAS, HUNTER, TRAVISStarts of NHL Team Names - FLY, ISLAND, OIL, RANGDon't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new sports 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 yesterday's Connections.

It's your birthday? Happy birthday! And in the wise words of Parks and Rec: Treat yourself. But don't worry, that doesn't mean spending money. If you, like me, have spent hours online watching people's birthday freebie hauls, it's time to do one yourself.With birthday freebies, you could plan a day that gets you a free breakfast, lunch, and dinner. So, where does one get all these birthday freebies? We rounded up 50 places to collect all your free birthday rewards.And if you think these are too good to be true, your inclination might be to run. Most retailers and restaurants require you to sign up for their rewards programs to earn your birthday freebies, and some require a minimum annual spend. But with a little planning, you can guarantee yourself a birthday full of free stuff.Food and beverage birthday freebies At Cheesecake Factory, score a free slice of cheesecake on your birthday. Credit: Getty Images / WoodysPhotos Applebee's: Members of Club Applebee's enjoy a free dessert on their birthday. Not to mention, you get a free appetizer when you sign up for the club.Auntie Anne's: On your birthday, Auntie Anne's Rewards members enjoy a free pretzel. Keep in mind, you must make at least one purchase annually to qualify.AMC: AMC Stubs Insiders enjoy a free large popcorn during their birthday month. But for Premiere and A-List members, enjoy a free large popcorn and a large fountain drink during your birthday month.Baskin-Robbins: Baskin-Robbins Rewards members enjoy a free scoop on their birthday after their first qualified purchase.Benihana: For members of Benihana's Friends with Benefits rewards program (which also includes STK Steakhouse, Kona Grill, RA Sushi, Samurai, or Salt Water Social restaurants), enjoy a $50 birthday reward to use toward a birthday meal.Buca Di Beppo: Join Buca Di Beppo's eClub and get a free Colossal Brownie Sundae on your birthday.Burger King: With Burger King's Royal Perks program, enjoy double rewards during your birthday month and a free item on your birthday. You'll earn 20 points (or "Crowns" as BK calls them) for every $1 spent, which can be redeemed for even more free stuff.Buffalo Wild Wings: As a member of Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin' Rewards, enjoy a free six-piece wing on your birthday.Cava: For fans of Mediterranean cuisine, join Cava Rewards and get a freebie on your birthday. Members enjoy their choice of a free drink, pita chips, or dessert.Cheesecake Factory: Join Cheesecake Rewards, and on your birthday, get a free slice of cheesecake or a layered cake.Chili's: Sign up for My Chili's Rewards and enjoy a free molten lava cake on your birthday.Chipotle: We see free chips and guac in your future. At Chipotle, join the restaurant's reward program and enjoy a free birthday reward. Cinnabon: Cinnabon Rewards members enjoy a free 16-ounce cold brew on their birthday.Cold Stone Creamery: For Cold Stone Creamery Rewards members, receive a birthday coupon. The reward will be sent seven days before your birthday and is redeemable until seven days after your birthday.Crumbl Cookies: At Crumbl Cookies, Silver Tier and above rewards members enjoy a free single cookie voucher on their birthday.Dairy Queen: Members of the DQ Rewards get a coupon for a free treat on their birthday, but you must spend at least $1 in the 45 days prior to your birthday, so plan ahead.Denny's: Your birthday breakfast is covered at Denny's. Members of Denny's Rewards enjoy a free Value Slam on their birthday.Domino's: At Domino's, loyal customers of Domino's Rewards enjoy a free birthday gift. The gifts vary and may include a free medium pizza, free lava cakes, or a discount.Dunkin' Donuts: While Dunkin' doesn't give out free drinks or donuts on your birthday, they will give you extra points. Dunkin' Rewards members get 3x points on their birthday, which you can redeem later for free food and drinks.Edible Arrangements: If you love sending Edible Arrangements, then you'll be gifted back on your birthday. Members of its rewards program receive a free box of dipped fruit on their birthday.IHOP: For pancake lovers, sign up for IHOP's International Bank of Pancakes rewards and collect points to receive a free full stack of pancakes on your birthday.Jamba Juice: A sweet but nutritious birthday treat could come from Jamba Juice, as Jamba Rewards members receive a free birthday smoothie.Jersey Mike's: How about your birthday served Mike's Way? Join Jersey Mike's email club and get a free birthday sub — as long as you've purchased a regular sub within the past year.Jimmy John's: Join the Jimmy John's rewards program and enjoy a free sub on your birthday.Krispy Kreme: Donut lovers need to be in Krispy Kreme's rewards program, which gets you a free birthday donut.LongHorn Steakhouse: On your birthday, you deserve a steak dinner, and LongHorn thinks so, too. When you join LongHorn's eClub, you get a free dessert or special coupon on your birthday.McDonald's: Receive a free medium fry at McDonald's on your birthday by downloading the McDonald's app and joining My McDonald's Rewards.Olive Garden: When you sign up for Olive Garden's email list, you'll get a coupon for free dessert on your birthday. Unlimited breadsticks, salad, and free chocolate lasagna certainly sound like the perfect birthday meal.Panera Bread: Members of MyPanera rewards get a free treat on their birthday: a muffin, cookie, pastry, or bagel.Papa John's: For a sweet birthday treat, join Papa Rewards. You'll be treated to a free dessert on your birthday.P.F. Chang's: At P.F. Chang's, get a free appetizer or dessert as a member of the restaurant's rewards program. That means your birthday lettuce wraps could be totally free.Pinkberry: Froyo is making a comeback. Pinkcard members get a free small yogurt with toppings on their birthday.Pizza Hut: Sign up for Pizza Hut's reward program and get a reward of breadsticks or cinnamon sticks on your birthday. Just make sure your birthday is added to your profile.Red Lobster: Go for the cheddar bay biscuits and stay for the free birthday reward. Joining Red Lobster's rewards gets you a free birthday dessert.Red Robin: A burger could be on the house when you go to Red Robin on your birthday. To qualify, sign up for Red Robin Royalty and spend $10 prior to your birthday.Ruby Tuesday: Enjoy a free burger or Garden Bar entree at Ruby Tuesday on your birthday when you sign up for Ruby Rewards. Just sign up in the app or online.Sbarro: Pizza lovers get a free XL NY Slice at Sbarro on their birthday. To get the reward, you must have a Sbarro rewards account and have the Sbarro app downloaded.7-Eleven: You don't have to wait for free slushie day on 7/11. With 7Rewards, get a free small slushie on your birthday, too.Shake Shack: For a sweet birthday treat, add your birthday to your Shake Shack account and receive a free milkshake on the big day.Starbucks: As a member of Starbucks rewards, get a free drink or snack on your birthday.Subway: As a card-carrying member of the Sub Club, you'll enjoy a free cookie on your birthday, yum!Taco Bell: Join Taco Bell's rewards program and climb the tiers throughout the year to get a free birthday surprise. Earn 250 points and get to the restaurant's Hot Tier, and the birthday reward will be all yours.TGI Fridays: At TGI Fridays, not only will you get serenaded with a birthday song, but you'll also enjoy a free birthday dessert. To redeem, you must be a member of Fridays Rewards.Waffle House: Waffle lovers need to join Waffle House's Regulars Club. Joining gets you coupons and a sweet birthday treat.Wingstop: When you sign up for a Wingstop account, receive a free birthday reward to celebrate.Retail birthday freebies You can't miss going to Sephora during your birthday month. Credit: Getty Images / Erik McGregor Aerie and American Eagle: For a new birthday 'fit, join RealRewards by American Eagle and Aerie and receive a $5 birthday reward. Rewards are sent out seven days prior to your birthday. Bath & Body Works: Start a new year smelling right with Bath & Body Works. Create a rewards account and receive a free birthday surprise.CVS: If you have a CVS card, your ExtraCare membership will get you a $3 reward on your birthday. Just go to the CVS app to claim.DSW: Treat yourself to a new pair of shoes. As a member of DSW's VIP program, you'll receive a $5 gift certificate to use during your birthday month.Old Navy: Climb the ranks of Old Navy's rewards program, and you and a family member could enjoy a reward on your birthday. Core members receive a birthday bonus, while Premier members (who spend $350+ annually) get a birthday bonus to share with a family member. Meanwhile, Old Navy card members get a birthday bonus to share with three family members.Sephora: Sephora's birthday gifts are iconic. During your birthday month, Sephora Insiders receive a free gift to redeem in-store or online.Stanley: For the Stanley Cup enthusiasts, it's time to sign up for the Stanley Club, which gets you a free birthday gift.Target: What's better than a discount on things you already need? Target Circle members get a 5% discount on their birthday.Ulta: Ulta Rewards members also get some pampering on their bdays. Just sign-up with your email and put in your birthday, and you'll get a treat when the big day rolls around.Yankee Candle: For candle lovers, there's Yankee Candle's Fragrance Family rewards. When you sign up with your email and input your birthday into your profile, you'll receive a birthday gift.

How does eharmony’s matching algorithm compare to Match?It all comes down to how much time you have and how much effort you’re willing to put in.eharmony asks you to take a 20-minute Compatibility Quiz (it might take you less or more time depending on how much you think about your answers and how forthcoming you are). It feels a bit like a Rorschach test; there’s a section that asks you to look at pairs of abstract shapes and choose which one appeals more to your emotions. I’m not saying this is a good or a bad thing, but it’s definitely something to know before you download the app. Once you’re finished answering the questions, the app uses the data to assign you a compatibility score with other users. You'll then be able to peruse a "Discover List" of potential matches, but spoiler alert: you'll have to cough up some cash to move forward (I'll cover this in a bit). Match, on the other hand, is more straightforward. The initial questionnaire takes about five minutes, and then you can see who’s out there. It’s similar to Tinder in that you can “like” and mutually match or skip profiles. The algorithm also sends daily curated matches (Highlights) — potential matches the app thinks you’ll find compatible with, based on your stated preferences and in-app behavior. SEE ALSO: What we're getting wrong about dating, according to a Kinsey scientist What about the interface?The uglier an app interface is, the less likely I am to use it, regardless of its functionality. Fortunately, both of these legacy apps have gone through some serious modernization recently to compete with the swiping giants. But if I had to choose which platform has a more aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly interface, Match wins hands down.When I first tested eharmony, I struggled during onboarding. The interface makes some questions (like your gender preferences) look like you can only choose one thing, when in reality, multiple selections are possible. Also, eharmony’s dated hunter-green color scheme just doesn’t do it for me. But the biggest UI offense? Once you finally get through the quiz, you are dumped into a feed of aggressively blurred photos with a bright orange banner constantly nagging you to buy a subscription. It comes across as cluttered, restrictive, and pushy. SEE ALSO: My awkward first date with an AI companion Match, on the other hand, greets you with a warm and inviting purple-and-pink color palette. The app makes it clear which selections were single-choice versus multiple-choice. More importantly, the interface itself is far more open, and the app doesn't spam you with upgrade banners every time you click a button. It just feels like a much cleaner, more modern place to spend your time.How much do these platforms cost, and what features do their subscription tiers offer? OK, so the No. 1 question people ask about eharmony is “what does it cost?” and rightfully so because it’s expensive and the push for a paid subscription is predatory. That said, you’ll probably need to spring for a paid membership with Match to meet your forever person, but it’ll cost you a lot less, and your results will likely be more aligned with your expectations.Here’s what you’ll pay and what you get:eharmony eharmony’s free version is pretty much a joke — it’s basically a teaser for what could be, but maybe isn’t (if that makes sense). You literally cannot see unblurred photos or have unrestricted messaging without paying for a premium membership. Once they’ve convinced you to pay up, you have to choose a six, 12, or 24-month subscription. Prices fluctuate, but you’re usually looking at a minimum of $59.90 a month for a shorter six-month plan (or around $25.90 per month if you commit for two years). That’s kind of pricey if you ask me.If you do pay, eharmony's premium tiers (Light, Plus, and Unlimited) will give you the bare minimum: unlimited messaging, the ability to see unblurred photos, distance searches, and the ability to see who viewed your profile.But, wait, it gets worse: In June 2025, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) took eharmony to federal court for "misleading and deceptive conduct." Users complained they were trapped by hidden auto-renewals they didn't know they were agreeing to, and some were even chased by debt collectors for hundreds of dollars.Match Match is less predatory and more transparent in its pricing, and you can explore the app without being constantly badgered to upgrade. Match lets free members chat with their mutual matches and rate up to 50 profiles a day in their Recommended Stack. When you’re ready to upgrade, Match's premium tiers start at $44.99 for a one-month plan, though that price decreases if you commit to an annual subscription. Premium features include unlimited likes, unlimited rewinds, and the ability to rate an unlimited number of profiles on the "Discover" tab. The more you pay, the better the features. The highest tier will get you Priority Likes and automatic Boosts. You can also pay for a la carte add-ons, like "Private Mode" (which hides your profile from everyone except people you choose to contact) or one-off "Boosts" that bump your profile to the top six search results for 60 minutes.The best thing about Match's premium subscription? There's a three-day refund window. If you pay for the app, browse for a few days, and realize your local dating pool is a total dumpster fire, users have reported successfully asking for their money back within those first three days. With eharmony, you’re locked in.

AI is everywhere. But what is AI? We are hearing people tell us that AI is already smarter than humans in a lot of ways. But what does that mean? AI can be a great tool. It can be our virtual assistant, it can help us fill out emails and meal prep, or perform the mundane, day-to-day tasks that you don't want to do. New use cases for AI are being released every day.But doesn't it also mean that some people could be using AI to take shortcuts that we would want human intervention in, like, I don't know, nuclear war? Militaries are already looking into how AI is going to be used in the battlefield to predict not just troop movement, but drone strikes. Do we want literal human life and death on a wide scale being determined by a computer?Mashable's Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko tries to figure it out in our latest Mashable Rant. For more on The AI Doc, look for Mashable's recording of The AI Panel: Or What Being an Apocaloptimist Looks Like, which featured filmmaker Daniel Kwan, producer Ted Tremper, and co-producer Diane Becker, along with Mashable's own Kristy Puchko as moderator. And for your chance to see The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist early and at no charge, check out Mashable's advanced screenings in L.A. and New York.The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist opens in theaters on March 27. Look for more Mashable coverage out of SXSW.