Blinken Expresses Concern Over Establishment of Azerbaijani Checkpoint on Lachin Corridor

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a phone call with Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev, expressed concern over the establishment of an Azerbaijani checkpoint on the Lachin corridor, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said.

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Behold, 20 of the funniest YouTube videos ever

Reddit remains the internet's best dumping ground for some of the funniest content out there. While Reddit has produced some great original material, users on the site equally love to pay tribute to amazing content on other sites.

This happened when Redditor u/sporite went onto to the Ask Reddit subreddit to get a general idea of what videos — viral or not — always manage to make Reddit users laugh hysterically. The result was a thread that contained a buffet of the best YouTube videos that are absolutely hilarious.

SEE ALSO: YouTuber attacked by flying cheese fondue in spectacular viral video

Animals, Vines (RIP), and plenty of fails are just a few of the highlights of the entire 1000+ comment thread. While there were a ton of suggestions, we've selected the crème de la crème of the bunch.

So please, enjoy 20 of the funniest YouTube videos Reddit has deemed to be worthy of internet gold.

1. Nice, Ron

Ron really just finds a way to screw something up somehow, and the person filming the video makes sure he knows this.

Posted by u/coverack.

2. White Bear on Ice

During the filming for a White Bear Mitsubishi ad, a polar bear just can't seem to get his balance. The last fall is definitely the best one though.

Posted by u/Emmaleigh3341.

3. Guy Falls Asleep Playing EVE Online

Words cannot describe the noises that are coming from Tim when he fell asleep playing EVE Online with his friends. Give the video a watch and please explain how this can be considered "snoring."

Posted by u/Scunner132.

4. Dog Imitating a Siren

This video is both hilarious and precious. You need to absolutely check out how impeccable this doggo's impression of an emergency siren is.

Posted by u/asd090316.

5. Cat Jump Fail

This viral video tells such a compelling narrative whose complexity is further conveyed through the solid music choice that accompanies it. Give this video a watch to see this cat jump where no cat has jumped before.

Posted by u/PacSan300.

SEE ALSO: 10 viral videos that turned out to be fake

6. How is prangent formed

Yahoo! Answers was a beautiful dumping ground for the strangest questions, and the most ridiculous spelling mistakes. This amazing video tackles the topic of pregnancy, and the internet's inability to even spell the word.

Posted by u/HippoFalcon_.

7. Chris Pratt's Blooper Reel from Parks & Rec

What a gem. Chris Pratt on Parks & Rec is a gift that keeps on giving. And if you aren't convinced, then just take a look the series' blooper reels.

Unfortunately the original blooper video that Reddit users held in high regard has since been taken down. Fortunately, there's no shortage of Parks & Rec blooper compilations on YouTube.

Posted by u/PenguinWITTaSunburn.

8. Liam Neeson Doing Improv

Liam Neeson's stern and cold delivery of every line in this sketch is absolutely hilarious. He takes his role of a hypochondriac to a whole other level that will remain forever untouched by actors for years to come.

Posted by u/furrrsurre.

9. My Waffle Wedded Wife

This YouTube video is really sweet. When a bride and a groom are at the altar exchanging vows, the bride's husband-to-be accidentally says, "My waffl-y wedded wife," instead of "lawfully wedded wife." They crack up, the minister makes more jokes, and the entire audience also joins in on the laugh. Definitely a solid sign of a long and happy marriage.

Posted by u/IveGotAnElasticHeart.

10. You Wanna Play a Little Game?

I'm not going to spoil what happens in this video, but there's a reason why Reddit loves it. Jigsaw would be proud, maybe.

Posted by u/Stevepac9.

SEE ALSO: 20 best comedies streaming on Netflix right now

11. She's a Wolf in Mouse Clothing

Animals screaming seems to be a recurring theme in the videos that Reddit users seem to enjoy. These dubbed over mice screaming into the void is both hilarious and relatable.

Posted by u/Skyeborne.

12. Funniest Game Show Answers of All Time

Sometimes coming up with answers on the spot can be a little daunting, but this compilation video proves otherwise. Some of these just really GO for it you know? My favorite one is the person who is asked about a vegetable you marinate and he replies with "grapes." Iconic.

Posted by u/powerspyin1.

13. "A Child" Vine

RIP Vine, we hardly knew ye. This iconic five-second clip of someone clearly not getting the point is a staple among those on Reddit. It's dark humor at its finest.

Posted by u/_Bereavement.

14. Hilarious Jack Russell Goes Crazy with Excitement

This doggo was so excited to compete in the Agility Test at Crufts 2017. He was speedy, but he didn't necessarily keep his eyes on the prize, or his owner for that matter.

Posted by u/doubleohnicole.

15. Hi, I'm Ed Asner

This video starts innocently enough with Ed Asner introducing himself, but then he takes a freaking knife out of nowhere? I need an explanation, but I'm also OK knowing Asner isn't here to mess around, I guess.

Posted by u/Starman926.

SEE ALSO: Woman's harp playing attracts a deer fan in this viral video

16. Sulfur Hexafluoride Blooper

Helium needs to move aside because sulfur hexafluoride is here to snatch the crown for the best gas-induced funny voice. This old blooper shows a man inhaling this gas which makes his voice incredibly deep. This rule apparently applies to burps as well considering this man lets out an inhuman belch that will shake you to your core.

Posted by u/greenagemutantninja.

17. Rammstein vs Cookie Monster

Cookie Monster apparently has an affinity for German industrial metal music. Watch this amazing collab between Rammstein and Cookie Monster that Reddit apparently hails as the world's most iconic duo.

Posted by u/DammitPantera.

18. Head Smashes Board

A motivational speech about believing in yourself takes an odd turn when this man tries to break a "bored" using just his head. This does not turn out the way he expected it to. Perhaps if he believed in himself a little harder, this viral video would have a different ending.

Posted by u/TagProNoah.

19. Look at this Graph

You'd be doing yourself a major disservice if you didn't listen to this amazing, uncut edition of "Photograph" by Nickelback.

Posted by u/PacSan300.

20. The Brakes

Who would've thought that Tina driving a car in Bob's Burgers would translate so well in real life? While in this particular case there's a massive ship, its pretty likely the captain was experiencing the same feelings of anxiety as Tina did in this amazing dubbed-over video.

Posted by u/silverhydra.

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Featured Video For You

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Doja Cat’s cow anthem is the perfect song to get you in the mooood

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SpaceX Launches Falcon Heavy Mission After Several Delays

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - SpaceX has launched its sixth Falcon Heavy mission, carrying ViaSat-3 Americas and other satellites, after several delays, the company informs.

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Paraguay’s Incumbent President Congratulates Pena on Winning Presidential Election

BUENOS AIRES (Sputnik) - Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez has congratulated Santiago Pena from the ruling conservative Colorado Party on winning in the presidential election.

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France to See Largest May Day Demonstrations in 30-40 Years

PARIS (Sputnik) - Demonstrations on May 1 will be the largest in France in 30-40 years, with people continuing to protest against the controversial pension reform, Laurent Berger, the general secretary of the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT), said on Sunday.

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Moscow Says Cutting Diplomatic Ties With Poland Will Hurt Russian Citizens Living There

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Moscow has the right to sever diplomatic relations with Poland following the seizure of the building of the school at the Russian embassy in Warsaw, but it will primarily hurt Russian citizens living and working in this country, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Sunday.

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US Banks Urged to Submit Final First Republic Bids by Sunday Amid Financial Fallout

Earlier reports indicated the troubled First Republic Bank would be coming under government seizure after the US firm saw its stock value nosedive amid its failed attempts to obtain investments. The downfall of the US institution came in the wake of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) collapse.

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Archaeologists Find 'Arabian Stonehenge' in Oman Desert

Researchers from the Czech Republic, US, Great Britain, Ukraine, Iran, Italy, Slovakia, Austria, France, and Oman participated in the ARDUQ (Archaeological landscape and environmental dynamics of Duqm and Nejd) expedition and made several prominent discoveries.

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'Wordle' today: Here's the answer, hints for April 30

You made it! It's Sunday, and you're just about ready to unwind with a game of Wordle. We're here as always to help guide the way with our expert Wordle advice and the solution.

If you prefer to just be told the answer, you can scroll to the end of this article for April 30's Wordle word to be revealed. But if you'd rather work through it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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 have even sprung 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.

Not the day you're after? Here's the Wordle answer for April 29.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that brings joy to your heart. But if what brings you joy is strategy, 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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

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.

Why are there two different Wordle answers some days?

Though usually Wordle will only accept one correct solution per day, occasionally it will rebel against the norm and deem two different answers acceptable. This is due to changes the New York Times made to Wordle after it acquired the puzzle game.

The Times has since added its own updated word list, so this should happen even less frequently than before. To avoid any confusion, it's a good idea to refresh your browser before getting stuck into a new puzzle.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

It can be both a place and a famous actor's surname.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

It does! It's a tricky one too, so watch out.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter P.

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

What's the answer to Wordle today?

We're finally about to reveal the answer to today's Wordle, so get your guesses in now!

Are you ready?

The solution to Wordle #680 is...

PLAZA.

Don't feel discouraged if you didn't get it this time. The beauty of Wordle is that there's always a new one to try the next day, and we'll be here again with more helpful clues and hints.

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Extreme Heat Wave Consuming Spain, Portugal Melts April Temp Records

In light of the current heat wave and rising wildfire concerns among Spanish authorities, Spain's government started its wildfire watch campaign on Friday - a month and a half earlier than usual.

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Two Civilians Killed in Ukrainian Strike in Russia's Bryansk Region - Governor

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A Ukrainian strike has killed at least two civilians and has completely destroyed one residential building, Russia's Bryansk Region Governor Alexander Bogomaz said.

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Nearly 1,900 People Evacuated From Sudan on UK Flights - Foreign Office

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The United Kingdom has ended its evacuation operation in Sudan, which has helped carry almost 1,900 people out of the conflict-torn African nation by air, the UK Foreign Office informs.

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Biden Reportedly Mulling Visit to New NATO Member Finland This Summer

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - President Joe Biden is considering visiting newly-admitted NATO member Finland this summer, US media reported citing three US officials familiar with the matter.

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First Republic Bank May Soon Become Third US Lender to Come Under Federal Control

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - San Francisco-based First Republic could be the third US lender to come under federal control since the country’s banking crisis erupted in March as its rescue by other banks wasn’t working, media reports said Friday.

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'Wordle' today: Here's the answer, hints for April 29

You made it! It's Saturday, and you're just about ready to Wordle your way through the weekend. We're here as always to help guide the way with our expert Wordle advice and the solution.

If you prefer to just be told the answer, you can scroll to the end of this article for April 29's Wordle word to be revealed. But if you'd rather work through it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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 have even sprung 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.

Not the day you're after? Here's the Wordle answer for April 28.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that brings joy to your heart. But if what brings you joy is strategy, 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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

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.

Why are there two different Wordle answers some days?

Though usually Wordle will only accept one correct solution per day, occasionally it will rebel against the norm and deem two different answers acceptable. This is due to changes the New York Times made to Wordle after it acquired the puzzle game.

The Times has since added its own updated word list, so this should happen even less frequently than before. To avoid any confusion, it's a good idea to refresh your browser before getting stuck into a new puzzle.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Take a walk through the woods, that might help.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

Nope, not today.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter C.

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

What's the answer to Wordle today?

We're finally about to reveal the answer to today's Wordle, so get your guesses in now!

Are you ready?

The solution to Wordle #679 is...

CEDAR.

Don't feel discouraged if you didn't get it this time. The beauty of Wordle is that there's always a new one to try the next day, and we'll be here again with more helpful clues and hints.

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Second Ring on Dwarf Planet Quaoar Challenges Fundamental Laws of Astrophysics

An international team of astronomers has made a groundbreaking discovery regarding Quaoar, a dwarf planet within the Kuiper belt that was first pinpointed by scientists in the early 2000s.

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Syrian Air Defense Repels Air Strikes From 'Hostile' Targets Over Homs

Syrian air defenses were activated early Saturday after air strikes were fired from an undisclosed group in Homs, state media has reported.

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Biden's Approval Rating Reaches New Lows Ahead of 2024 Election

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US President Joe Biden's approval rating has decreased further and reached a record low of 37%, a new Gallup poll revealed.

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'The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes' trailer makes child death matches retro

The official trailer has arrived for The Hunger Games prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, giving us a look at a new round of child death matches with retro theming.

Set 64 years before The Hunger Games, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes follows future Panem president and series antagonist Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth). Still only 18 years old, Snow is assigned to be a mentor during the 10th Hunger Games, tasked with guiding District 12 tribute Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) in the arena.

The film also stars Peter Dinklage, Viola Davis, and Euphoria's Hunter Schafer.

SEE ALSO: On TikTok, 'The Hunger Games' is a metaphor for our modern dystopia

Of course, Snow's task won't be as straightforward as simply helping to force a bunch of impoverished kids to fight to the death.

Songbirds & Snakes probably won't have a completely happy ending though, considering the Hunger Games are still being held over half a century later. It is a ballad, after all.

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes arrives in theatres Nov. 17.

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Pence Testifies to Jan 6 Federal Grand Jury, Reports Say

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Former Vice President Mike Pence testified to a federal grand jury investigating the events that took place on January 6, 2021, and the actions of former President Donald Trump and his associates, US media reported on Thursday.

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Scientists Discover Three Roman Military Camps in Arabian Desert

Recent traces of three ancient Roman fortified military camps were uncovered through remote sensing conducted by the School of Archaeology at Oxford University, as well as through satellite images.

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Manchin Claims He'll 'Win Any Race' as New Contenders Emerge for His West Virginia Seat

The West Virginia senator has become known for being a controversial figure, often angering his own party by refusing to vote for keystone Democratic bills during his time in the Senate chamber.

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'Nicest Guy Ever': Netizens Mourn Death of TV Icon Jerry Springer

News of the death of famous TV talk show host Jerry Springer at the age of 79 shocked his fans and fellow colleagues. Springer was a diverse and creative personality, serving as a lawyer, politician, daytime broadcaster and actor in different periods of his life.

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Pentagon Space Policy Chief: Satellite Systems Essential to 'US Way of War'

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Protection of the US space-based surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance (ISR) satellite forces deployed in geosynchronous orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth and the rapidly expanding constellations in low earth orbit (LEO) are necessary for the US' way of fighting wars to succeed, a US official said.

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Sudanese Army General Open to Talks With Rival Paramilitary Leader – South Sudan

DOHA (Sputnik) - Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah Burhan has agreed to speak with the rebel paramilitary commander, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the acting foreign minister of South Sudan said Wednesday.

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How to watch every Stanley Cup playoffs game online

Here are the best ways to watch:

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BEST OVERALL

Sling TV Orange (opens in a new tab) — $20/month for your first month $40/month (save $20)

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MOST AFFORDABLE

ESPN+ on Hulu (opens in a new tab) — $6.99/month $9.99/month (save $3/month)

---

BEST FOR STREAMING EVERY SINGLE GAME

YouTube TV (opens in a new tab) — 5-day free trial, then $62.99/month for three months $72.99/month (save $30)

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BEST FREE OPTION

CBC Sports (via ExpressVPN) (opens in a new tab) — $6.67/month $12.95/month (save $6.28/month)

Much to my dismay as a Capitals fan, the fight for the Stanley Cup is on. The first round of the 2023 NHL playoffs kicked off last week after a record-breaking season.

The Boston Bruins wowed everyone with a historic 135-point season (and obviously the Presidents' Trophy), breaking the record for most points and most wins in a single season. But that doesn't mean they're a shoo-in for the Stanley Cup. Hockey fans know that anything can happen in the NHL playoffs. Will the underdog Florida Panthers knock them out in the first round? Will the Las Vegas Golden Knights or Seattle Kraken secure their first-ever Cup? Everything is up for grabs.

If you want to witness the excitement (and frustration) of playoff hockey live, here's everything you need to know.

When are the playoffs?

The first round kicked off on April 17 with a matchup between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders. Teams generally play every other day, with games scheduled through May 1 if necessary. The dates for the second round, third round (conference finals), and Stanley Cup final will depend on how the first series pan out. The final will take place roughly between June 8 and June 18. You can check out the full schedule on the official NHL website.

How many teams are in Stanley Cup playoffs?

A total of 16 out of 32 NHL teams make it to the playoffs. That's eight teams per conference — the three top teams in each of the four divisions, plus two Wild Card teams in each conference.

How does the first round of the NHL playoffs work?

To kick things off, the first round of the playoffs features eight different seven-game series. The division winner with the most points in each conference plays the second Wild Card team in the first round. In other words, the team with the most points will face off against the team with the fewest points. The division winner with fewer points in each conference will play the top Wild Card team in the first round. Each series is a best-of-seven format, where the winner moves on to the second round, bracket-style.

Are the Stanley Cup playoffs on regular TV?

If you have cable or access to a cable login, you're in luck. Live games will air on TNT, TBS, ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC throughout the postseason. Each series is not strictly designated to one broadcaster — for example, games in a series could air on TBS, ABC, and ESPN within the same week. Check out the official playoffs schedule on NHL.com to find out which channel to tune into for specific games.

How can I watch the Stanley Cup playoffs without cable?

Fear not, cord cutters. You can certainly watch the playoffs without cable, but since the games are airing across multiple networks, it's not as cut and dry as you might think. You could sign up for ESPN+ (on its own, as an add-on to Hulu, or through the Disney bundles), but you'll only be able to watch the games that air on ESPN and ABC. Of course, you'll still get access to plenty of live games; you just might miss out on an essential game seven broadcasted only on TBS, for example.

• ESPN+ via Hulu add-on — $6.99/month $9.99/month (save $3/month)

• ESPN+ — $9.99/month

• Disney Bundle Trio Basic (Hulu with ads, Disney+ with ads, and ESPN+ with ads)— $12.99/month $25.97/month (save $12.98/month)

• Disney Bundle Trio Basic — free with Verizon 5G Get More or 5G Play More plans

• Disney Bundle Trio Premium (Disney+ no ads, Hulu no ads, and ESPN+ with ads) — $19.99/month $35.97/month (save $15.98/month)

For die-hard hockey fans who can't fathom missing a live game, your best bet is to subscribe to a live TV streaming service. Different from cable, live TV streamers rely on internet and offer you a live channel lineup without a monthly contract. You can cancel any time it no longer suits you — no strings attached. These services start at about $40 per month, which is by no means cheap, but still generally more affordable than a monthly cable bill. Plus, you get your money's worth with access to live and local channels spanning news, sports, and entertainment. It'll serve you long after a team is awarded the coveted Stanley Cup, should you choose to keep your subscription.

To watch games that air on TNT and TBS live, non-cable-subscribers will need a live TV streaming service like Hulu + Live TV or Sling TV. Neither of these channels has its own separate streaming service, so the only way to access their live content currently is through a cable login or a live TV streaming login. Fortunately, some of our top picks have free trials or introductory offers. Here are the best options.

Note: The only streamers that offer all five networks broadcasting the playoffs (ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, and ABC) are Hulu + Live TV and YouTube TV in select regions.

• Hulu + Live TV — $69.99/month

• YouTube TV — 5-day free trial, then $62.99/month $72.99/month for three months (save $30)

• DirecTV Stream Entertainment Package — $64.99/month for two years

• Sling TV Orange — $20/month $40/month for your first month (save $20), then $40/month

• fuboTV Pro — 7-day free trial, then $74.99/month

How can I watch NHL playoffs for free?

Two words: free trials. For most people, this is the best way to get access to NHL playoff games for free — although, you'll have to be extremely strategic. Once you've used up your free trials, there are also a few ways you can score a streaming subscription for a discount. If you're even a little bit computer savvy, you can also sign up for a VPN (more on that below) and watch select games via CBC Sports, based in Canada. Listen up, penny pinchers; here are your best options.

• Are you a Verizon customer? If you have a 5G Get More or 5G Play More plan, you can score the Disney Bundle Trio Basic — which includes ESPN+ — for free. You'll have to put up with some ads, but for zero dollars, it's hard to complain.

• YouTube TV currently offers a free 20-minute preview, then a free five-day trial. To unlock the trial, you'll have to enter your credit card information. After your five days are up (you can keep an eye on how much time you have left), you can either cancel or pay $62.99/month for your first three months — that's $30 in savings. YouTube TV's base plan includes access to ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, TNT, and ABC (in some regions).

• Another option is to unlock a free seven-day trial through fuboTV Pro, then cancel before you get charged $74.99 for the month. The only downside is that fuboTV only gives you access to ESPN and ESPN2.

• While there's no free trial, Sling TV Orange is offering your first month for half price at just $20/month. It's the cheapest live TV option by far, even at full price, and includes access to ESPN, ESPN2, TBS, and TNT.

• CBC Sports, based in Canada, is streaming select games for free online and via app. You'll need to connect to a Canadian server through a VPN to get access to CBC Sports, which will cost you.

Which VPN is best for streaming the Stanley Cup playoffs?

If you choose to tune into games for free online through CBC Sports, you'll still have to pay for a VPN. However, most VPNs are much more affordable per month than a streaming service. You can also utilize your VPN subscription to access US-based streaming if you're traveling abroad this playoffs season. Win-win. Here are the VPNs we recommend for streaming the NHL playoffs.

ExpressVPN: Save 49% on a 15-month plan

Our favorite full-featured VPN, ExpressVPN, is currently offering three months for free when you sign up for a year at just $6.67/month. It offers a massive network, including plenty of Canadian servers, a strong commitment to data protection, and a user-friendly app.

Read our full review of ExpressVPN.

Opens in a new tab

Credit: ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN (1 year + 3 months) (opens in a new tab)

$6.67/month (save $6.28/month)

(opens in a new tab)

CyberGhost VPN: Save 84% on a 27-month plan

New to VPNs? We recommend CyberGhost VPN, a user-friendly and feature-heavy option with plenty of optimized streaming servers. It offers cheap fixed rates, as Mashable shopping reporter Haley Henschel noted, and over 450 dedicated servers in Canada alone. It's also the most affordable option on the list.

Read our full review of CyberGhost VPN.

Opens in a new tab

Credit: CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost VPN (2 years + 2 months) (opens in a new tab)

$2.19/month (save $10.80/month)

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Proton VPN: Save 50% on a 2-year Plus plan

As Mashable's Haley Henschel notes, Proton VPN is highly committed to consumer privacy, making it a top pick for security sticklers. There are over 40 physical servers in Canada if you choose the Plus plan, which should make streaming the Stanley Cup playoffs via CBC Sports pretty straightforward.

Read our full review of ProtonVPN.

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Proton VPN Plus (2 years) (opens in a new tab)

$4.99/month (save $5/month)

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NordVPN Standard: Save 75% on a 27-month Standard plan

NordVPN offers an unrivaled suite of security features, a Threat Protection feature, and over 4800 servers in three different Canadian cities. It's not the best choice if you're new to VPNs, but it's packed with features, is well-known, and currently on sale for just $3.29/month for 27 months.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

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NordVPN Standard (2 years + 3 months) (opens in a new tab)

$3.29/month (save $9.70/month)

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Hunter Biden's Legal Team Meets With DoJ Officials Amid Criminal Probe

In December 2020, weeks after his father was elected president of the United States and months after the contents of his infamous laptop were exposed to the public, Hunter Biden announced that the US Attorney’s Office in Delaware was investigating his “tax affairs.”

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Raging Feud: Disney Files Lawsuit Against DeSantis Over 'Government Retaliation'

The feud between the mega-corporation and the Republican governor began after Disney publicly objected to the Parental Rights in Education Act, also known as the "Don't Say Gay bill."

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Taliban Killed Key Daesh Member Responsible for 2021 Afghan Airport Bombing - US Official

On August 26, 2021, a suicide bomber set off an explosive device in a densely-packed crowd outside the Abbey Gate of the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan. The blast killed at least 170 Afghan civilians and 13 US service members.

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Video: Turkiye's Erdogan Cuts Off Live Interview Due to Stomach Flu

ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's interview with local broadcasters was abruptly interrupted on Tuesday night as the Turkish leader felt unwell during the live event due to stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis.

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Japan's First Private Lunar Mission Fails to Confirm Successful Landing

TOKYO (Sputnik) - Japanese private space company ispace said on Tuesday it could not confirm the landing of its pioneer lunar mission, as contact with the HAKUTO-R lander had been lost.

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JCPOA Revival & De-Dollarization: What Did Lavrov Say After UNSC Meeting?

The Russian foreign minister earlier chaired a UN Security Council meeting on all topics regarding the Middle East, including the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Moscow has repeatedly played a role in de-escalating regional tensions exacerbated by the US' foreign policy standings.

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Republicans release AI-generated attack ad on President Biden

President Joe Biden announced he was officially running for re-election on Tuesday. And Republicans had an attack ad ready for the occasion. The ad knocks Biden for his culpability in various domestic and foreign policy-related events, with startling visuals for each. 

One thing viewers should know: The images in the video are AI-generated.

SEE ALSO: ChatGPT rolls out important privacy options

The video from the Republican National Committee is titled "Beat Biden" and imagines a scenario in which Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris win reelection in 2024. The ad shows completely AI-generated images of Biden and Harris celebrating their election day victory.

It then depicts a number of imagined events with AI-created visuals ostensibly brought about by Biden's electoral victory, such as China invading Taiwan, hundreds of regional banks shutting down in the U.S., and the city of San Francisco being shut down due to crime.

Republicans aren't hiding that the video was assembled entirely from images created by AI platforms like Midjourney and DALL-E. "An AI-generated look into the country's possible future if Joe Biden is re-elected in 2024," the video description reads on the GOP's YouTube page. This is seemingly the first time a political ad has been created entirely with AI-generated imagery.

All this flashy AI usage seemingly sidesteps the need to criticize the actual policies of the Biden administration. The Republican critique is instead on events that exist entirely in party members' own imaginations.

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Twitter Received 16,000 Information Requests From Over 85 Governments at Start of 2022

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Twitter said on Tuesday that it received more than 16,000 government information requests for user data from over 85 countries in the first half of 2022 alone.

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Lavrov Admits It Would Be 'Good' If UN Relocated From New York Amid Visa Snag

UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that it would be "good" if the United Nations relocated its headquarters elsewhere from New York.

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First Republic Bank Lost $100 Billion in Deposits During First Quarter Banking Panic

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - First Republic Bank revealed it lost over $100 billion during the first quarter after bank failures spurred a domino-effect of withdrawals from regional lenders and profits fell over 33%.

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US Supreme Court to Hear Cases on Whether Officials Can Block Critics Online

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Supreme Court will weigh two cases regarding whether public officials in the United States can block critics online without violating the First Amendment of the US Constitution, the court said in an order list.

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Kremlin Spokesman Confirms His Eldest Son Took Part in Russia's Special Operation

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that his eldest son did take part in Russia's special operation, but no further details will be disclosed.

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Nearly 25,000 Twitter users pay to subscribe to Elon Musk's exclusive tweets

After this weekend's Twitter Blue drama, debacle, guerilla marketing campaign – whatever you want to call it – Elon Musk shifted gears on Monday to promote Twitter's other paid subscriptions feature called, well, Subscriptions.

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"Content creators may wish to enable subscriptions on this platform," tweeted Musk. "Just tap on Monetization in settings."

Subscriptions allows users to subscribe directly to a specific Twitter creator that has opted into the program. In turn, the creator can provide subscribers with exclusive tweets, subscriber-only Twitter Spaces, and other paywalled content.

Included in Musk's tweet, is a screenshot showing the sidebar navigation menu on Twitter's mobile app. Ostensibly, Musk included this to show interested users where they could sign up. But, there's another bit of information included in that screenshot: It shows just how many users are directly paying Elon Musk for his Subscriptions-only content.

Next to Musk's followers and following counts is another number: Subscriptions, which is actually a private metric only shown to the specific creator so they can see how many users have Subscribed to their paywalled content.

Musk's subscriber count shows at 24.7k, or somewhere between 24,700 and 24,799 paying subscribers. Twitter's owner charges $4 for subscriptions to his account, which puts the amount of money he's making from the Subscriptions feature at nearly $100,000 per month.

That's just under $1.2 million a year, which would be quite a successful outcome for the average content creator. Musk enabled Subscriptions on his account on April 15, so these subscribers all joined within the past 10 days.

But, Musk is quite obviously an anomaly as Twitter's owner and its most-followed user. It's unlikely that any other creator comes close to making anywhere near Musk does from Twitter's Subscriptions feature.

And, taking Musk's other metric into question, it's actually kind of low. Just around 0.018 percent of Musk's more than 136.4 million followers pay to subscribe to Musk's paywalled content.

The Subscriptions feature existed before Musk's acquisition of Twitter, under the name Super Follows. However, Musk wasn't such a fan of the branding and changed it to simply "Subscriptions" in the weeks after he took over last year. The feature has been available since then but it appears Twitter is now re-focusing its efforts on marketing Subscriptions. 

As Super Follows under the old Twitter, the feature failed to take off. But, Musk seems intent to move Twitter away from an advertiser-supported platform, so he continues to center his efforts on subscription models. 

We've yet to really see how Subscriptions under Musk could play out, but if it's anything like how Twitter Blue has gone, it's not looking good. But, maybe it'll end up being just as entertaining to watch play out.

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‘Monday Media Massacre’: Twitter Stunned as Lemon, Carlson Handed Pink Slips

Carlson’s Monday departure comes less than a week after Fox News chose to settle a defamation lawsuit with Dominion Voting Systems for a whopping $787.5 million. Lemon, meanwhile, was let go from CNN following a Variety article that claimed he had misogynistic and abusive tendencies towards company staffers.

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'Wordle' today: Here's the answer, hints for April 24

New day, new week, new Wordle! We're here as always to help guide the way with our expert Wordle advice and the solution.

If you prefer to just be told the answer, you can scroll to the end of this article for April 24's Wordle word to be revealed. But if you'd rather work through it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

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 have even sprung 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.

Not the day you're after? Here's the Wordle answer for April 23.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that brings joy to your heart. But if what brings you joy is strategy, 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 used to be available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it. Unfortunately, it has since been taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times.

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.

Why are there two different Wordle answers some days?

Though usually Wordle will only accept one correct solution per day, occasionally it will rebel against the norm and deem two different answers acceptable. This is due to changes the New York Times made to Wordle after it acquired the puzzle game.

The Times has since added its own updated word list, so this should happen even less frequently than before. To avoid any confusion, it's a good idea to refresh your browser before getting stuck into a new puzzle.

Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

Same again! (Extra hint: It's also a Pokemon.)

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

It does! And they're neighbors.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter D.

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

What's the answer to Wordle today?

We're finally about to reveal the answer to today's Wordle, so get your guesses in now!

Are you ready?

The solution to Wordle #674 is...

DITTO.

Don't feel discouraged if you didn't get it this time. The beauty of Wordle is that there's always a new one to try the next day, and we'll be here again with more helpful clues and hints.

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Majority of Americans Not Looking Forward to Potential Biden-Trump Rematch

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - There is a strong lack of enthusiasm among American voters about a potential rematch between US President Joe Biden and Former US President Donald Trump in the upcoming US presidential elections, The Hill reports citing a Yahoo News/YouGov poll.

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'Succession' Season 4, episode 5: Why did some people escape the 'kill list'?

So did the right Roys take over? Judging by Succession Season 4, episode 5, which sees a tense renegotiation of the deal Logan Roy (Brian Cox) initially struck with Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård) to sell Waystar Royco, the answer appears to be a firm no.

While interim CEOs Kendall (Jeremy Strong) and Roman (Kieran Culkin) are busy trying to do everything they can to sabotage their own deal in an attempt to cling onto power, Shiv (Sarah Snook) casually outmanoeuvres everybody to get exactly what she wants — and in doing so, she also seals the fate of a number of other characters who escape Matsson's "kill list".

But what exactly is the "kill list", and why do some people avoid it while others don't? Let's recap.

SEE ALSO: 'Succession' fans are arguing over whether Kendall's name was underlined or crossed out

What was the "kill list" in episode 5?

Whenever someone new takes over a business, there's always the potential for restructuring and redundancies. The looming Matsson deal in Succession is no exception, and it's clearly on the minds of the main characters in episode 5.

"I have it on good authority there's a kill list," says Greg (Nicholas Braun) to Tom (Matthew Macfadyen) at one point. "Like eight, nine names. It's evolving."

Later in the episode, after Matsson's made his final offer to acquire Waystar Royco including ATN, the list comes through — and almost everyone flying on the plane, including the likes of Hugo (Fisher Stevens), Karle (David Rasche) and Frank (Peter Friedman), is at risk. The only notable exceptions? Karolina (Dagmara Dominiczyk), Gerri (J. Smith-Cameron), and Tom. So why did those three survive, while the others didn't?

Matsson has plans for Waystar. Credit: HBO

Why did some people survive Matsson's "kill list"?

In a nutshell, they've all got one person to thank: Shiv.

It all goes back to the private conversation Shiv has with Matsson, where he asks for her advice on the deal and the very strange, very creepy situation he's got himself into with his former girlfriend and current Head of Comms (basically he's been sending her bricks of his own frozen blood as "a joke").

At one point Matsson asks what Waystar's Head of PR, Karolina, is like. Shiv's response? "Oh, she's good. Yeah, she's solid."

Later, after offering her advice on the whole blood situation, Shiv also tells Matsson, "Gerri would be good on this."

Given that Matsson clearly likes Shiv and takes her advice onboard (he ends up offering Kendall and Roman the "meaningful bump" in money she suggests to him, despite Roman's pretty understandable outburst at Matsson on the mountain), is it any coincidence that Karolina and Gerri, the two names Shiv speaks favourably of in their meeting, are ultimately excluded from the kill list?

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And then finally, there's Tom. You'd think he'd have been first on the chopping block, but it's clear from Shiv asking him to go to dinner with her at the end of the episode that she still wants him in her life. Matsson most likely keeps him because of something Shiv says to him that we don't see.

The whole episode, ultimately, is a lesson in how much power Shiv can wield — and why she'd clearly be a better fit for the CEO job than either of her brothers.

Succession is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes airing at 9 p.m. ET Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.

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