TL;DR: Watch RC Lens vs. PSG in the 2026 Trophee des Champions for free on ITVX. Access this free live stream from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.Domestic seasons are fast approaching. This weekend showcases some of the final friendly fixtures before the new campaigns officially begin, but over in France, there's something more significant taking place: the Trophee des Champions.Cup winner RC Lens face off against Ligue 1 champions PSG in this showpiece event. We're expecting a fiery contest between the passionate rivals.If you're interested in watching the 2026 Nations Championship from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.When is RC Lens vs. PSG?RC Lens vs. PSG in the 2026 Trophee des Champions kicks off at 2:45 p.m. ET on Aug. 16. This fixture takes place at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.How to watch RC Lens vs. PSG for freeRC Lens vs. PSG in the 2026 Trophee des Champions is available to live stream for free on ITVX.ITVX is geo-restricted to the UK, but anyone can secure access 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 livestream RC Lens vs. PSG for free from anywhere in the world.Livestream RC Lens vs. PSG for free by following these simple steps:Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (we recommend ExpressVPN)Download the app to your device of choiceOpen up the app and connect to a server in the UKVisit ITVXWatch RC Lens vs. PSG 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 they do tend to offer generous money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch RC Lens vs. PSG without committing your cash. This is obviously not a long-term strategy, but it gives you enough time to stream this fixture 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 usually offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99.Live stream RC Lens vs. PSG for free with ExpressVPN.

The best HBO Max deals and bundles in August 2026: Best Disney+ Bundle Deal Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Best Hulu Bundle Deal Hulu and HBO Max Bundle Add HBO Max from $10.99/month Get Deal Best Student Deal HBO Max Student Save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads Get Deal Looking for some exciting new films or shows to watch this summer? HBO Max is the place to find them. With the latest season of House of the Dragon available to stream and major movies like Backrooms arriving on the platform soon, there are plenty of exciting things to watch.If these have caught your eye, the good news is that HBO Max has several bundles available at the moment worth checking out, including a popular bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. We've broken down that offer and other bundles below, so you can find the best option for you. With streaming prices on the rise, offers like these are a great way to save some cash while accessing your favorite services. SEE ALSO: Now streaming: How to watch 'The Drama' starring Zendaya and Robert Pattinson Alongside bundles, we've also broken down HBO Max's standard plans in case you're interested in its service on its own.Best Disney+ bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max Bundle $19.99/month with ads, $32.99/month ad-free Get Deal Why we like itThe HBO Max, Disney+, and Hulu bundle is a top-tier choice for those looking to have access to some of the biggest streaming services around. Starting at $19.99 per month, this bundle grants you access to Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max's streaming services for a much lower price than what you'd pay for them on their own. If you've already got Disney+ and Hulu subscriptions, this bundle is worth every cent. If you're interested, there are two plan options to choose from:Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (with ads) — $19.99 per month (save 42%)Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max Bundle (no ads) — $32.99 per month (save 41%)Best Hulu bundle deal Opens in a new window Credit: Hulu Hulu and HBO Max Bundle Add HBO Max to your Hulu base plan from $10.99 per month Get Deal Why we like itIf you're not interested in the Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max mega bundle, you can just get Hulu and HBO Max together if you already have a Hulu base plan, which starts at $11.99 per month. HBO Max Basic with Ads can be added onto your plan for $10.99 per month, or you can splash out on the HBO Max Standard plan for $18.49 per month. Hulu with HBO Max add-on — from $10.99 per monthBest student deal Opens in a new window Credit: HBO Max HBO Max Student Discount Students save 50% on HBO Max Basic With Ads Get Deal Why we like itIt's always nice when streaming services have a deal for students, and HBO Max's offer is definitely worth taking advantage of. Students who can verify their status with UNiDAYS are eligible to get the HBO Max Basic With Ads plan for just $5.49 per month. That's a 50% discount off its $10.99 monthly price. After verifying your status, you'll receive a unique code to redeem the discounted plan on HBO Max.HBO Max Student Discount — $5.49 per month (save 50%)HBO Max's monthly plansHBO Max offers several subscription plans. If you don't mind sitting through ads, HBO Max's Basic With Ads plan starts at $10.99 per month, or the annual plan is $109.99 per year. If you can't stand ads and don't mind spending a bit more, the Standard plan costs $18.49 per month or $184.99 per year. If you really want to go big on an HBO Max plan, you can spring for the fancy Premium plan, which costs $22.99 per month or $229.99 per year.Below, we've broken down what each plan includes, per HBO Max's website, so you can learn a bit more before you buy.Basic With Ads — $10.99 per month, $109.99 per yearStream on two devices at onceFull HD 1080p resolutionStandard (Ad-free) — $18.49 per month, $184.99 per yearStream on two devices at onceFull HD 1080p resolution30 downloads to watch on the goPremium (Ad-free) — $22.99 per month, $229.99 per yearStream on four devices at once4K Ultra HD video quality (as available)Dolby Atmos immersive audio (as available)100 downloads to watch on the goIf you're wondering where to start once you've set yourself up with an HBO Max subscription, we've got an excellent selection of recommendations to point you in the right direction. Looking for a great TV show to kickstart your next binge-watching session? Have a look through our roundup of the 20 best TV shows streaming on HBO Max. Or if you prefer movies, we narrowed down the 25 best movies on HBO Max to make your next movie night a spectacular one.

TL;DR: ChatPlayground gives you access to 20+ AI models, and a lifetime subscription is only $54.97. Opens in a new window Credit: ChatPlayground AI ChatPlayground AI: Lifetime Subscription (Unlimited Plan) $54.97 $619 Save $564.03   Get Deal Anyone who has used AI knows that one model can be incredible at one type of task and then laughably awful at something that seems extremely similar. ChatGPT may be great at writing emails, but ask it to write anything longer, and you run into a wall. That’s why it’s so common to use multiple models, but paying for each one is expensive. If you want a smarter way to work, ChatPlayground is a new platform that gives you 20+ popular AI models, and a lifetime subscription is only $54.97 (reg. $619).Using ChatPlayground is really simple. Just enter a prompt, choose which models you want to send it to, and watch results come in. Seeing them lined up side by side makes it so much easier to compare the output from different models, and then you just pick the one that works for you. You can finally close all your other AI tabs and let your computer breathe. Mashable Deals Be the first to know! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Get editor selected deals texted right to your phone! Loading... Sign Me Up By signing up, you agree to receive recurring automated SMS marketing messages from Mashable Deals at the number provided. Msg and data rates may apply. Up to 2 messages/day. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for help. Consent is not a condition of purchase. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Thanks for signing up! It’s not all text. You can also generate images with top AI image models, work on code, and tune your prompts for sharper responses, all in the same interface. Upload a PDF or an image, and the models answer questions about that document directly, so research and reference work all stays in the same place.Your chat history stores records of past conversations, so you can always go back and check previous results. The Unlimited plan also includes priority access to new features and future models as they land, which is really important because even the most popular AI models are still in their infancy.Stop paying a separate bill for every AI model. Get lifetime access to ChatPlayground on sale for $54.97. Sale ends Aug. 16 at 11:59 p.m. PT.StackSocial prices subject to change.

Whether you're single and looking for some quick fun, online or offline, or in a relationship, trying to experiment with non-monogamy, the internet has no shortage of viable hookup and kink-friendly sites and apps for you to explore. By far the oldest and most popular of the bunch is AdultFriendFinder, with millions of registered users worldwide, but if you've exhausted its potential or just want to explore alternatives, there's a wide variety of sites out there catering to short-term fun, kink exploration, and polyamory.  Opens in a new window Credit: AFF AdultFriendFinder   Learn More Here are four of our favorite AFF alternatives in 2026:Ashley MadisonIn internet notoriety, Ashley Madison might even surpass AdultFriendFinder on the list of "naughty" sites, largely because it was founded in 2001 as a way for married people to be unfaithful. And they weren't subtle about it: the site's actual slogan at launch was "Life is short. Have an affair." However, in 2026, Ashley Madison underwent a rebrand, with less focus on adultery and more on non-monogamy, as reflected in the site's new slogan: "Where Desire Meets Discretion." The mechanics of the site will be familiar to anyone who has used a dating site, with some key differences. First, profiles are anonymous by default, with the option to upload hidden or blurred photos, only unlocked when you consent to give a chat partner a "Private Key." Second, the app has a Stealth Mode feature that hides the icon and mutes notifications, so another person using your phone won't accidentally stumble on the app.Another major similarity to AFF: Ashley Madison skews both male and older, with the 2015 data breach revealing that roughly 80 percent of the site's users are men, and the most active age group is 30-49. Of course, you don't actually have to be married or in a long-term relationship to use the site. And there's a strong incentive for women to sign up, since most of the site's features are unlocked for free for female accounts. FeeldIf you're looking to play the field, so to speak, and want a gender-inclusive, sex-positive app that gives equal consideration to monogamous and non-monogamous users, you'll love Feeld. The app was built from the ground up to cater to kinksters, alternative dating, and polyamory, with one of the standout features being linked profiles: if you're in an open relationship, both you and your partner can use the app together, from linked profiles, as you search for a third (or fourth!) to bring into your world. One of the app's main benefits is its culture. People are generally upfront about their wants and intentions, and there's a heavy focus on ethical non-monogamy and consent. An added bonus, if you happen to be a data nerd: Feeld regularly polls its own users and releases data about app behavior, so you can learn cool facts about other people using the app, such as just 42 percent of users self-report as being heterosexual, or 55 percent of users say that they discovered a new kink since using the app. Naughty CharmDespite being founded all the way back in 2000, Naughty Charm has largely flown under the radar, especially compared to the other names on this list, but don't sleep on it as a viable hookup alternative to AFF. Because it's part of the Together Networks site platform, including Flirt, UpForIt, and BeNaughty, it has a massive pool of potential matches to offer you, across both North America and Europe, and though signup is very easy, much like with AFF, you will need a paid membership to actually talk to people in a one-on-one setting.The physical layout of the site is also similar to AFF's, with a top ribbon hosting most of the useful features, but it's noticeably more modern and intuitive in design. And while the site is definitely hookup-focused, it doesn't allow nudity in public-facing spaces, nor do its profiles host dedicated spaces for you to list your kinks. If you're a kinkster looking for a compatible partner, there are better options, but if you want some short-term fun and like having a huge pool of potential partners to draw from, Naughty Charm is worth a visit.FriendFinder-XAlright, admittedly, this one is a bit of a cheat, since both AdultFriendFinder and FriendFinder-X are part of the same Friend Finder Networks umbrella of websites, but too many people overlook FriendFinder-X in favor of the more notorious big brother site. Creating an account isn't quite as fast as with AFF, but after five short steps, you're registered and ready to mingle. Layout-wise, the site is extremely similar to AdultFriendFinder, with user profiles populating the large middle section of the site and Community and Live tabs at the top ribbon, but one instant difference is the status symbols appended to every profile, including yours. Green, the default status, indicates that someone is online and ready to chat, and the site's culture very much promotes that level of spontaneity. However, the main downside is similar to AFF: you need a paid account to do almost anything dating-related on the site, from browsing profiles to privately messaging other users. If you want to keep things free, you're confined to the public areas, which include live chats, webcam broadcasts, and personal blogs, but there's plenty of fun here to keep you distracted for hours.

Many of the suspiciously inexpensive robot vacuums cut corners so close to the sun that they quickly shift from helpers around the house to agents of chaos. The more basic the tech under the hood, the more likely you are to come home to a vacuum stuck under the couch (rather than a fully swept home).Most cheap robot vacuums don't have the suction power or brush roll system necessary to pry crumbs or pet hair out of any carpet pile. That mediocrity extends to many robot vacuum and mop combo models, which don't "scrub" so much as feebly drag a damp cloth across the floor. At that point, it'd be less of a bother to get a decent stick vacuum and do it yourself.Long story short: Buying a robot vacuum just because it's cheap puts that glorious hands-off cleaning experience in jeopardy. But after testing countless robovacs at home over the past few years, we can personally confirm that not all cheap robot vacuums are crappy. Smart mapping and self-emptying docks are easy to find for just a few hundred dollars, and more premium features like small obstacle avoidance and automatic mop washing and drying are often available below $500. SEE ALSO: 'Why does my robot vacuum suck now?' Well, when's the last time you cleaned it? Recent changes to this guideAugust 2026: I removed the 3i G10+ due to relevancy and stock issues online. The Dreame D20 Pro Plus was added in its place as the best budget robot vacuum for pet hair.March 2026: I added the Eufy C28 as the best budget roller mop robot vacuum. (It's also the only "budget" roller mop robot vacuum out there right now.) I consider this a replacement for the Eufy X10 Pro Omni, which was the best budget self-washing and drying station for much of 2025.July 2025: I replaced the Roomba 205 DustCompactor with the 3i G10+. The G10+ has significantly stronger suction and better mapping than the Roomba, plus more advanced features like small obstacle and pet waste avoidance and a livestream pet camera.

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. Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.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 hintUnhealthy.Hurdle Word 1 answerTOXICHurdle Word 2 hintOpposite of micro. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerMACROHurdle Word 3 hintA noisy inhalation through the nose. SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 16, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 16, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerSNORTHurdle Word 4 hintTo accommodateHurdle Word 4 answerCATERFinal Hurdle hintA type of bear, known for its white fur. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerPOLARIf you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

After nights of almost complete darkness, the Moon is finally illuminated enough to be able to spot some lunar features on its surface. Keep reading to find out what you might be able to see.What is today’s Moon phase?As of Sunday, Aug. 16, NASA's Daily Moon Guide tracker tells us the Moon phase is in Waxing Crescent phase, with 15% of its surface visible. There's finally some features to spot again, both with and without visual aids. Without any, you can see the Mares Crisium and Fecunditatis. With binoculars or a telescope you'll also be able to see the Endymion Crater.When is the next Full Moon?The next Full Moon will take place on August 28.What are Moon phases?The Moon doesn't look the same from Earth every night. As it travels around our planet, it moves through a lunar cycle that takes roughly 29.5 days to complete, according to NASA. The changing positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon affect how much of the Moon's sunlit side we can see, creating the different phases. Over the course of the cycle, the Moon progresses from a narrow crescent to a half Moon and eventually a Full Moon, before starting the sequence over again.The eight phases are:New Moon - The Moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).First Quarter - Half of the Moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-Moon.Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.Full Moon - The whole face of the Moon is illuminated and fully visible.Waning Gibbous - The Moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-Moon, but now the left side is lit.Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 with 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 August 16, 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 August 16, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 16 PipsNumber (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally.Number (10): Everything in this space must add up to 10. The answer is 2-5, placed horizontally; 5-4, placed vertically.Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 5-4, placed vertically.Number (12): Everything in this space must add up to 12. The answer is 4-6, placed vertically; 6-0, placed horizontally.Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 16 PipsEqual (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed horizontally.Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally.Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 4-3, placed horizontally.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally; 4-3, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally.Equal (0): Everything in this space must be equal to 0. The answer is 0-2, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed horizontally; 3-0, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.Number (7): Everything in this space must add up to 7. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally; 0-4, placed horizontally.Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 16 PipsNumber (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 4-4, placed vertically.Less Than (5): Everything in this space must be less than 5. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically.Number (2): Everything in this space must add up to 2. The answer is 5-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally.Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed horizontally.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically.Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 2-6, placed vertically; 1-1, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed horizontally.Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically; 2-6, placed vertically.Equal (5): Everything in this space must be equal to 5. The answer is 5-5, placed vertically.Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 1-4, placed vertically.Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically.Less Than (4): Everything in this space must be less than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 0-5, placed vertically.Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 2-0, placed vertically; 0-4, placed horizontally.Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 0-4, placed horizontally.Greater Than (1): Everything in this space must be greater than 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, 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 will be easier if you've ever watched baseball.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. The sports 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 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 before 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: Atlantic CoastGreen: QBs out westBlue: Blue JaysPurple: Types of defendersHere are today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:Yellow: ACC Schools, AbbreviatedGreen: First Names of AFC West QBsBlue: Toronto Blue JaysPurple: Defensive___Looking for Wordle today? Here's the answer to today's Wordle.Ready for the answers? This is your last chance to turn back and solve today's puzzle before we reveal the solutions.Drumroll, please!The solution to today's Connections: Sports Edition #692 is...What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?ACC Schools, Abbreviated: BC, CAL, CUSE, PITTFirst Names of AFC West QBs: BO, FERNANDO, JUSTIN, PATRICKToronto Blue Jays: BIEBER, CEASE, GUERRERO, SPRINGERDefensive___: BACK, END, INDIFFERENCE, TACKLEDon'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.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult if you're familiar with musical theater.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 August 7, 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: MusicalGreen: InvolvedBlue: Family treePurple: Older humansWant more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.Here are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:Yellow: Musical PerformanceGreen: ParticipantBlue: Family Relationship ModifiersPurple: Descriptors for Our Human AncestorsLooking 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 #1162 is...What is the answer to Connections todayMusical Performance: CONCERT, GIG, SET, SHOWParticipant: ACTOR, AGENT, PARTY, PLAYERFamily Relationship Modifiers: GRAND, GREAT, HALF, STEPDescriptors for Our Human Ancestors: FROM NEADER, HANDY, UPRIGHT, WISE SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 13, 2026 Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet todayIf 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 Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you enjoy French cuisine. 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 August 16, 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 August 16, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:Savory gelatin.Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter A. 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...ASPICDon'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.Meet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet todayIf 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.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you know a bit of trivia.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 August 16, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Learn by doingThe words are related to receiving guidance.Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe being guided by a leader or mentor.NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is vertical.Want more tech and digital culture news delivered to your inbox daily or sent straight to your device? Sign up for Mashable's Top Stories newsletter or get Mashable push alerts today.NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Job Training.NYT Strands word list for August 16InternDiscipleApprentinceProtegeMenteeMeet The Mashable 101: Our list of the content creators shaping the internet todayLooking 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.

Content warning: suicide, self-harm.By no means a light watch but an important and timely one, Mission sees a young man struggling to feel connected to society, contemplating dying by suicide but giving himself one week to convince himself to stay alive.Written and directedy with disorientating flair by Scottish director Paul Wright (Arcadia), this BBC-produced film explores the personal and social reasons behind suicidal behaviour through the experience of Dylan (a phenomenal George MacKay). It's not a sensational, generalised depiction of mental health, but instead a splintered, chaotic endeavor to visually render one person's complex perspective.  SEE ALSO: 21 reasons to keep living when you feel suicidal MacKay, who starred in Wright's For Those in Peril back in 2013, gives a mercurial performance as a man vehemently trying to find meaning in a world he feels alienated from. Dylan yearns for the reality of his younger self, free of inhibition and full of wonder, and he scorns conformity. But where is the line between uninhibited whims and total anarchy? Dylan will test both his own and societal boundaries in a week-long crusade, which sees whimsy and transgression at either end of a slippery slope.Mission is as much a film about death as it is about life. Rosy McEwen as Claire in "Mission." Credit: BBC Dylan's "mission" is to live, in every sense of the word, through experiences he's never allowed himself to have. Feeling stuck in his waiter job and overwhelmingly lonely and rudderless, he struggles to find a sense of purpose. Here, MacKay imbues Dylan's physicality with monotonous, mechanical movements and blank stares, flicking lights on and off, and internalising his rage over incessant phone vibrations and drilling outside his apartment.Through voiceover, we gain insight into Dylan's inner turmoil as if we're reading his diary: "I don't know how to live in this world the way it is," he says, longing for a way to connect. He's buoyed by two people, his friend and co-worker Becky (Bridgerton's Emma Naomi), whom he clearly has feelings for, and his sister Claire (Scarpetta's Rosy McEwen), whose connection with Dylan has deep roots. Through sweet home video flashbacks (and adorable performances from youngsters Oliver Boyd and Matilda Thomson), Wright weaves Dylan and Claire's relationship as one of childhood magic, silliness, and creative expression. Their bond, though changed in adulthood, becomes the true heart of the film.Dylan's turning point occurs during a routine check-in interview with his boss, James (Emun Elliott), that sees Dylan move from parroting corporate speak to admitting his hatred for the job as "soul-destroying." From here, he quits, slowly obsessing over James, an initially amiable but eventually contemptible representation of everything Dylan hates. Retreating to an abandoned shack on the edge of a lake, Dylan ideates ending his life. However, he gives himself one week to find a "reason to go on." He begins a quest of total ecstasy, commanding himself to "do something," whatever euphoric act comes to mind. "Embrace the random. No longer be afraid. Connect to the forgotten parts of yourself," he declares in voiceover, setting out the rules of his manifesto. But there's a difference between singing karaoke in front of strangers and more harmful acts, as Dylan's increasingly extreme choices simmer with anarchy. George MacKay is fearless in Mission. George MacKay in "Mission." Credit: BBC Fresh off miraculous performances in Rose of Nevada and The End, MacKay truly leans into physicality with Mission. The actor builds a character so erratic, interior, and determined that it's hard to know whether we're barracking for Dylan or, frankly, fearful of him. Every turn sees him plunging into bacchanalian excess and self-harm, making unbridled decisions that could cause others or himself harm. So, while we're along for this life-affirming ride, we're almost becoming complicit in something malevolent, with no ability to change anything.  Seeking solace in childhood unpredictability, Dylan yearns for a time when "everything was possible," seeing random acts as a form of resistance. He sees his alienation from society as a license to disturb, to provoke. Going from the embodiment of mechanistic drudgery to a man of sheer glee, convulsing and writhing with animalistic expression and chaotic energy, MacKay pushes himself to the absolute limit.McEwen is superb as Dylan's sister Claire, whose practicality sees her struggling to understand her brother's pain and acting as his anchor in the mayhem. "Everyone's just trying to live their life," she says, unable to see how a simple sentence could be so complicated for Dylan. However, one particular scene between the two proves one of the most quietly powerful conversations I've seen on screen, with MacKay and McEwen showing pure talent.Mission relishes in punk cinematography, editing, and sound.In order to explore Dylan's frame of mind, Wright leans into the disorientated style of his documentary Arcadia, a celebrated work of juxtaposition and montage. With meticulous, energetic editing from Jennifer Mackie and Michael Aaglund, Mission splices Limbo and Bring Them Down cinematographer Nick Cooke's stunning shots with frenetically edited footage of current events, abstract visuals, home footage, and MacKay's voice-over. Roly Porter's hypnotic score is a constant companion to Dylan, with The Unheard composer finding poignancy and care in the protagonist's darkest moments. And as a sum of its parts, Mission becomes an intense, sobering experience, one that aims to get us inside Dylan's deepest thoughts.Ultimately, Mission pulls us under with Dylan, rattled and contorted into his high-stakes "experiment" without the ability to connect with him ourselves. Through MacKay's fearless performance, Wright's discombobulating style, and a timely theme, the film wrestles with existence and connection, balancing darkness and light, despair and hope. It's a haunting watch, but one with an all-important glimmer of hope.Mission was reviewed out of its premiere at Edinburgh International Film Festival. International release dates TBC.If you're feeling suicidal or experiencing a mental health crisis, please talk to somebody. You can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. You can reach the Trans Lifeline by calling 877-565-8860 or the Trevor Project at 866-488-7386. Text "START" to Crisis Text Line at 741-741. Contact the NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-NAMI, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. ET, or email info@nami.org. If you don't like the phone, consider using the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Chat. Here is a list of international resources.

Before there was Donald Duck or Goofy or even Mickey Mouse, there was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit.And now Oswald is finally getting his very own TV miniseries.At this year's D23 fan event, Disney announced that Oswald the Lucky Rabbit will star in a live-action animated three-part TV miniseries on Disney+.The "Oswald" miniseries is written, directed, and executive-produced by Jon Favreau. The cast includes an all-star comedy lineup, including Albert Brooks, Amy Sedaris, Kathryn Hahn, Steve Martin, Al Madrigal, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Mykal-Michelle Harris, and Ryder Allen. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. The road to his own Disney series was a long one for Oswald.Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was first created in 1927 by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks for Universal Pictures. Oswald starred in more than two dozen theatrical short films in the late 1920s, animated by Walt Disney Studios. However, in 1928, Universal took control of the Oswald character from Disney, prompting the latter to create a replacement known to audiences as Mickey Mouse.The rest is history. Mickey soon became more popular than Oswald, who faded into obscurity after a few final appearances in the 1950s.In 2006, Disney gained the rights to Oswald in a bizarre trade with NBCUniversal. Disney received the Oswald trademark and rights to the Disney-era animated films, and in exchange, NBCUniversal was able to have play-by-play announcer Al Michaels' services for NBC Sunday Night Football. Since then, Oswald has made cameo appearances in animated shows, Disney theme parks, and video games like Epic Mickey.Now, Oswald is finally set to receive his very own Disney miniseries, which will mix hand-drawn 2D animation with live-action.The miniseries comes to Disney+ in Feb. 2027.

Marvel Studios debuted the first trailer for its Disney+ series VisionQuest at D23 in Anaheim, California, offering the clearest look yet at Paul Bettany's return as the sentient AI hero Vision. SEE ALSO: Marvel unveils X-Men cast: Adam Driver, Inde Navarrette, and more set for May 2028 film The trailer finds Vision living in hiding and grappling with an existential crisis after essentially being resurrected in WandaVision. As part of his search for answers, Vision converses with several other artificial intelligences drawn from his own programming, including FRIDAY (Orla Bradley), DUM-E (Henry Lewis), JARVIS (James D'Arcy), and Ultron (James Spader). Much of Ultron is shown in human form in the footage, and the other Tony Stark-created AIs appear less than thrilled to have him around. An understandable reaction, given that Ultron nearly wiped out humanity in Avengers: Age of Ultron.According to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, VisionQuest will serve as the final installment in what he's calling the "Wanda trilogy," following WandaVision and Agatha All Along. It's also expected to be Marvel's last live-action Disney+ series for the foreseeable future, part of a broader pullback from television that multiple outlets have reported in recent months. That shift already led to the cancellation of Wonder Man, which drew backlash from fans after the show was scrapped just months after being renewed for a second season.VisionQuest premieres on Disney+ on Oct. 14.

One of the few hit Pixar films without a sequel is finally getting one.At its D23 fan event in Anaheim, Disney unveiled that the company is currently working on a sequel to Coco, tentatively titled Coco 2. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Disney announced that the original Coco director, Lee Unkrich, will be returning to direct alongside co-director Adrian Molina. In addition, Benjamin Bratt will return to reprise the role of Ernesto de la Cruz, which means that Ernesto de la Cruz will be returning in the Coco sequel, too. In fact, it appears that Ernesto de la Cruz will play a major role in the upcoming film. SEE ALSO: Kingdom Hearts' first-ever anime TV series coming to Disney+ "To some, Miguel is a little menace who ruined a career and destroyed a legacy," Bratt said onstage at the event. "Ernesto de la Cruz is back for revenge, sending Miguel on an adventure back to the Land of the Dead. Proving fate has a sense of humor, Miguel must team up with a handsome superstar: me." This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Based on what Bratt had to say, it seems Coco 2 will take Miguel back to the land of the dead, where he'll have to join forces with Ernesto de la Cruz, the music superstar who was revealed as a fraud that killed Miguel's great-great-grandfather Hector in the first film.Speaking of Miguel, Disney provided a first look at the upcoming Coco 2, which seemingly will star Miguel as a teenager.Coco was a big success for the company when it was released in 2017. The film grossed more than $800 million worldwide and won two Academy Awards, one for best animated feature and another for best original song, "Remember Me."Disney CEO Bob Iger previously shared that a Coco sequel was in the works in March of last year.Coco 2 is currently scheduled to hit theaters in Nov. 2029.

The next time Kingdom Hearts is on your television screen, you might not be playing it as a video game but watching it as an anime TV series.A slew of Disney-related movies and TV shows have been announced over the past 24 hours as part of D23, the company's annual fan event, which is currently taking place in Anaheim, California. Disney announced that an anime TV series based on the Kingdom Hearts video game franchise will debut soon on Disney+'s streaming platform and the Disney Channel. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Kingdom Hearts is a massively popular video game series by Square Enix, the gaming developer behind hit franchises such as Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest. The series follows a young boy named Sora as he goes on adventures alongside Donald Duck and Goofy. Numerous Disney characters have recurring roles and make appearances throughout the game series, including Mickey Mouse and various Disney Villains. SEE ALSO: Marvel unveils X-Men cast: Adam Driver, Inde Navarrette, and more set for May 2028 film According to Disney, the anime series "reimagines the iconic adventure with a brand-new story that will expand on the universe of Kingdom Hearts while celebrating the characters that have captured the hearts of millions of fans around the world."The show will be developed by Disney in partnership with video game creator Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix.“Kingdom Hearts has captivated gamers everywhere with its unique blend of adventure and imagination,” said President of Disney Kids & Family Ayo Davis. “There’s something really exciting about taking a world fans have spent years exploring through the games and bringing it to life in a completely new way. And with a creative team that is working closely with the legendary Tetsuya Nomura, our new series will be unmistakably Kingdom Hearts, while giving fans a whole new way to experience the world they love.”There was some Kingdom Hearts video game news at D23 as well, with the next installment in the series, Kingdom Hearts 4, receiving a "late 2027" release date. In an article posted on Disney's investor website right before the announcement, Disney unveiled that Kingdom Hearts is now a billion-dollar franchise.Disney has not yet announced a timeline for the Kingdom Hearts anime TV series.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.Released in August 2025, 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 on to 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 with 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 August 15, 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 August 15, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for August 15 PipsNumber (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-4, placed vertically; 0-6, placed vertically.Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 0-6, placed vertically; 6-6, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.Number (5): Everything in this space must add up to 5. The answer is 6-5, placed vertically.Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically.Medium difficulty hints, answers for August 15 PipsGreater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 4-6, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed vertically.Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally.Equal (2): Everything in this space must be equal to 2. The answer is 4-2, placed vertically; 6-2, placed vertically.Number (6): Everything in this space must add up to 6. The answer is 6-3, placed horizontally; 3-1, placed vertically.Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically.Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 6-1, placed vertically; 3-1, placed vertically; 0-2, placed vertically.Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.Hard difficulty hints, answers for August 15 PipsGreater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-0, placed vertically.Greater Than (0): Everything in this space must be greater than 0. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.Equal (1): Everything in this space must be equal to 1. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically; 1-1, placed vertically; 1-0, placed vertically.Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.Greater Than (16): Everything in this space must be greater than 16. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally; 6-5, placed vertically.Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 0-0, placed horizontally; 0-2, placed vertically.Less Than (3): Everything in this space must be less than 3. The answer is 0-2, placed vertically.Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 6-6, placed horizontally.Equal (6): Everything in this space must be equal to 6. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally; 2-5, placed vertically.Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.Greater Than (3): Everything in this space must be greater than 3. The answer is 6-4, placed horizontally.Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 6-2, placed vertically.Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 4-0, 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 will be easier if you've ever watched baseball.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. The sports 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 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 before 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: No chipsGreen: Working at the country clubBlue: Seen in KCPurple: Spelled like a W teamHere are today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:Yellow: Teams to Never Win a World SeriesGreen: Jobs at a Golf CourseBlue: Kansas City TeamsPurple: Anagrams of WNBA TeamsLooking 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 #691 is...What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?Teams to Never Win a World Series: BREWERS, MARINERS, PADRES, ROCKIESJobs at a Golf Course: CADDIE, GREENSKEEPER, STARTER, SUPERINTENDENTKansas City Teams: CHIEFS, CURRENT, ROYALS, SPORTING KCAnagrams of WNBA Teams: CASE, MADRE, RIFE, SWINGDon'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.

Marvel surprised the crowd at its D23 panel Friday night with new footage from Avengers: Doomsday, offering fans an exclusive look at the upcoming film.In the clip, Sue Storm of the Fantastic Four tells the assembled Avengers that Victor Von Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) wasn't always the villain they're facing now, hinting that the character's turn followed the loss of everything he held dear, presumably including his wife and child. The footage cuts between close-ups of the ensemble cast as the moment lands.The footage arrived just as Marvel unveiled the cast of its X-Men reboot, and the ensemble glimpsed in the Doomsday clip includes several of the franchise's Fox-era mutants, including Cyclops, Professor X, and Magneto.The footage also delivers a jolt of action, showing RDJ's Doom shrug off a direct hit from Thor before summoning what appears to be a full army of Sentinels — the towering, mutant-hunting robots known for their flight capabilities and energy-blast attacks. Bad news for the good guys.Avengers: Doomsday is set to hit theaters Dec. 18, 2026.