From "The Bear and the Maiden Fair" to "The Rains of Castamere," the world of Westeros is no stranger to catchy, in-universe songs. In its third episode, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms gets in on the musical action itself, incorporating two songs into its storyline, including one sung by Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell). SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Targaryen family tree: How everyone connects At first glance, the song is a bawdy, jokey number, one that consistently builds up to curse words only to substitute them with words that sound alike. (Think "ass" and "grass," or "whore" and "horses.") It also doubles as a Westerosi history lesson about a key recent event: the Battle of the Redgrass Field, which is the conclusion of the Blackfyre Rebellion. Let's break it down, starting with the song's lyrics:Prince Baelor was the firstborn. Prince Maekar sprang out last.Daemon was the bastard, so they kicked his bastard —Grass is green in summer, green grass I adore.But grass is red all over when you kill a rebel —Horses die in battle, this battle was the front,Blackfyre's not a trueborn, he came from the wrong —Country was in peril, the anvil was a rock,The hammer smashed the bastard with his giant veiny Host of Dornish spearmen.To understand the meaning of the song, you first have to understand the Blackfyre Rebellion. That rebellion has roots in the relationship between the Seven Kingdoms' current ruler, King Daeron II Targaryen, and his late father, King Aegon IV Targaryen.Aegon IV and Daeron II had a rough relationship, especially when it came to the subject of Dorne. By Aegon IV's reign, Dorne had yet to become a part of the Seven Kingdoms. However, the Seven Kingdoms and Dorne still shared a peaceful relationship, with Daeron II even marrying Dornish Princess Myriah Martell. However, that wasn't enough for Aegon IV, who planned to attack Dorne unprovoked, despite Daeron II's protests. Because of Daeron II's opposition, Aegon IV often threatened that he would make one of his many bastards his new heir. He also spread rumors that Daeron II was a bastard, opting for maximum messiness. SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' doesn't have an elaborate title sequence. Here's why. Aegon IV never did name a new heir, but on his deathbed, he chose chaos and legitimized all of his bastards. One of them, Daemon Waters, took the name of Daemon Blackfyre, after the sword of Aegon the Conqueror. Daemon had actually received the sword from his father after winning a tournament at age 12, stoking the idea that he was Aegon IV's rightful heir instead of Daeron II.Two camps emerged during the first years of Daeron II's reign: those who supported him, and those who supported Daemon Blackfyre's claim to the Iron Throne. Strikes against Daeron included his alliance with and supposed deference to Dorne, which he managed to bring into the Seven Kingdoms without any bloodshed, as well as Aegon IV's rumors about his legitimacy.In 196 AC (after Aegon's conquest), official rebellion broke out as Daemon tried to take the Iron Throne for himself. The resulting conflict, lasting less than a year, was a bloody affair that culminated in the Battle of Redgrass Field. Redgrass Field isn't the actual name of a place in Westeros: The field just became known by that name due to all of the blood spilled during battle.These are the events summarized in Egg's song, which calls out Daemon's parentage ("Daemon was the bastard") and Redgrass Field ("grass is red all over when you kill a rebel"). The song also highlights the hammer and the anvil, a tactic used by Daeron II's sons, Prince Baelor (Bertie Carvel) and Prince Maekar (Sam Spruell). Baelor and a host of Dornish spearmen slammed into Daemon's forces and smashed them up against Maekar and his men's shield wall. That makes Baelor the hammer and Maekar the anvil. (And it made Daemon and his supporters very, very dead.)A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has already hinted at the Battle of Redgrass field, when Dunk mentions how Ser Arlan of Pennytree (Danny Webb) fought in it in episode 2. Egg's song simply provides further context.Egg's song may also canonically exist in George R.R. Martin's Dunk and Egg novellas. In The Sworn Sword, the second of the novellas, Dunk speaks to Ser Eustace Osgrey, whose sons died in the Battle of Redgrass Field. He says that "the singers can go on about their hammer and their anvil," but also reveals that there's a lot that's missing from the actual songs.What's missing is a story for another season, but you can imagine the singers Eustace is talking about performing the same number Egg does. It's a fun case of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms extrapolating from a minor detail in a later book.The song is also an intriguing look at how historical events would be memorialized for Westeros's smallfolk, who are A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' primary focus. Given a likely lack of literacy and education access, the smallfolk wouldn't remember Redgrass Field through lessons or history tomes. Instead, these tales would be passed down through song.New episodes of A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms air Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

Well, the cat's out of the bag. Or, should we say, the Egg's out of the... chicken? Whatever idiom you go with, one thing is clear: A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has revealed Egg's (Dexter Sol Ansell) true identity.Up until episode 3, Egg has been the sassy yet worldly squire to hedge knight Ser Duncan "Dunk" the Tall (Peter Claffey). But he isn't a member of the Westerosi smallfolk. Instead, he's none other than Aegon Targaryen, son of Maekar Targaryen (Sam Spruell), and grandson of King Daeron II Targaryen. SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Targaryen family tree: How everyone connects The reveal comes at the end of episode 3, when Dunk attacks Prince Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett) as retribution for harming Dornish puppeteer Tanselle (Tanzyn Crawford). As Aerion prepares to stomp all of Duncan's teeth out, Egg storms in and demands the guards — whom he addresses by name — not to injure Dunk any further. "If they do, they'll answer to my father," he says.Aerion isn't outraged by Egg's intrusion the way he would have been had another member of the smallfolk interfered with his torture of Dunk. Instead, he's annoyed and addresses Egg informally, wondering what happened to his hair."I cut it off, brother," Egg replies. "I didn't want to look like you."The exchange confirms Egg's Targaryen nature, but there have been plenty of other hints at his true identity. Whether you already knew the truth as a book reader, called it as a new audience member, or you were totally caught off guard and want to catch any clues you might have missed, we've got you covered. Here are the five biggest clues from A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms that Egg is really Aegon.The Targaryen sigil coin at the pubIn A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' first episode, Dunk crosses paths with a drunk man at a pub who pays with a coin that bears the Targaryen sigil of the three-headed dragon. Moments later, he runs into Egg. SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' episode 1: The coin in the inn could be a hidden clue The coin suggests a Targaryen presence at the pub, and it also gives us a hint at the drunk man's identity. Up until the Egg/Aegon reveal, the chatter around Aegon has been that he was meant to attend the tournament with his brother Daeron, but the two never showed up. Now we know where one brother is, but where is Daeron? It's likely that he's the very man Dunk encountered in the pub, as Daeron's heavy drinking has earned him the nickname Daeron the Drunken.Egg's shaved headAs we learn in House of the Dragon, Targaryen and Velaryon bastards like Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) shave their heads to avoid drawing attention to their Valyrian blood. Egg's freshly bald head hinted from the start that he was trying something similar. Unlike Alyn, though, Egg is trueborn. Still, he seems reluctant to associate with his family, and who would blame him when he's got a tyrant like Aerion for a brother? Speaking of... SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' episode 3: What does Egg's song mean? Egg's panicked reaction to Aerion at the tourneyEgg has an intense reaction to Aerion's joust against Ser Humfrey Hardyng (Ross Anderson) in episode 3, yelling at Humfrey to "kill him." Screaming for the death of a Targaryen would be considered treasonous — just look at what Aerion does to Tanselle's dragon-killing puppet show! — so a member of the smallfolk likely wouldn't engage in that conduct. But a Targaryen prince who wouldn't face consequences certainly would. Plus, Egg's vehement reaction to Aerion suggests a deeper personal tie, hinting at their tense brotherly history. SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' doesn't have an elaborate title sequence. Here's why. Egg's fortune that he will become kingIn episode 3, Dunk and Egg cross paths with a fortune teller. She tells Dunk he'll find great fortune and riches, and she tells Egg that he'll be king... oh, and that he'll die a painful death to the joy of many. Of course, Dunk thinks it's a load of rubbish and laughs good-naturedly at the fortune teller's work. But the words are terrifying to Egg because, as a Targaryen, it's likely that he could one day become king. That fact adds a new layer to his frightened reaction, because those words may very well be his actual future.Egg calling Dunk "My Lord"When a disguised Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) becomes Tywin Lannister's (Charles Dance) cupbearer in Game of Thrones Season 2, he teaches her a valuable lesson: She addresses him as "my lord," when in reality, a lowborn girl would refer to him "m'lord." The too-proper language betrays her noble origins. The same goes for Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, who refers to Dunk as "my lord." That's not all, though. Egg's entire way of speaking is incredibly formal, and it's riddled with knowledge that few people in Westeros would expect a young peasant to have. Case in point: His knowledge of the inner workings of tourneys, which he displays in episode 3. If Arya had made any of these slip-ups during her time disguised as Arry, she would definitely have been caught and killed. But unlike Egg, she was on the run during wartime, and her father had just been executed as a traitor. Egg, by comparison, is disguising himself during a period of peace. There's certainly a dangerous element to his actions, but he's also got more leeway to have a little fun with it.A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

If there's one thing the Game of Thrones universe loves, it's a good prophecy.While A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is refreshingly different from its more serious cousin House of the Dragon, episode 3 showed us that mystical future predictions still have a place in the world of Dunk (Peter Claffey) and Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell).So what was the prophecy, and what might it tell us? We've unpacked it all below. SEE ALSO: 'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms' Targaryen family tree: How everyone connects What is the prophecy in episode 3?Wandering through the tent village in Ashdown together, Dunk and Egg are suddenly interrupted by a woman wearing a cloak."Say your fortune?" she calls out, and Dunk gives her a coin and says, "Oh yeah, go on then." We've copied the resulting exchange below, in full:Stranger: "You shall know great success and be richer than a Lannister."Dunk: "Thank you. Do the boy now."Stranger: "You shall be king...and die in a hot fire, and worms shall feed upon your ashes. And all who know you shall rejoice in your dying."Egg: "What?"Dunk [laughing]: "Thank you, that's very good."While Dunk finds the woman's brutal prediction highly amusing, poor Egg looks troubled. Could what she says be more than just a cheap trick designed to earn some coin?What does the prophecy mean?The first thing to note is that prophecies aren't a new concept in the Game of Thrones universe. In House of the Dragon, Helaena (Phia Saban) makes a number of different prophecies, some of which have already been proven to be correct. In short, there are characters in Westeros that do have the ability to see into the future, so we can't immediately discount what the stranger says as nonsense.Don’t miss out on our latest stories: Add Mashable as a trusted news source in Google.As we find out at the end of episode 3, Egg is also much more than just stable boy — he's actually a Targaryen and the nephew of Prince Baelor (Bertie Carvel), who is next in line for the Iron Throne. Yes, Egg is quite a long way down the line of succession himself, but him becoming king is not completely out of the realm of possibility.So, could the stranger have been telling Dunk and Egg the truth? Is the young Targaryen somehow destined for the throne, while Dunk will end up rich, presumably through his association with Egg? Only time will tell.A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is now streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes Sundays at 10 p.m. ET.

Welcome to your guide to Pips, the latest game in the New York Times catalogue.Released in August 2025, the Pips puts a unique spin on dominoes, creating a fun single-player experience that could become your next daily gaming habit.Currently, if you're stuck, the game only offers to reveal the entire puzzle, forcing you to move onto the next difficulty level and start over. However, we have you covered! Below are piecemeal answers that will serve as hints so that you can find your way through each difficulty level.How to play PipsIf you've ever played dominoes, you'll have a passing familiarity for how Pips is played. As we've shared in our previous hints stories for Pips, the tiles, like dominoes, are placed vertically or horizontally and connect with each other. The main difference between a traditional game of dominoes and Pips is the color-coded conditions you have to address. The touching tiles don't necessarily have to match. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 1, 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 February 2, 2026 Easy difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 2 PipsNumber (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-0, placed horizontally; 2-4, placed horizontally; 1-5, placed horizontally.Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 1-5, placed horizontally.Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed vertically.Number (0): Everything in this space must add up to 0. The answer is 2-0, placed horizontally.Medium difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 2 PipsEqual (2): Everything in this purple space must be equal to 2. The answer is 2-2, placed horizontally.Equal (1): Everything in this red space must be equal to 1. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 1-2, placed vertically.Equal (0): Everything in this orange space must be equal to 0. The answer is 1-0, placed vertically; 0-3, placed horizontally.Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 0-3, placed horizontally; 5-2, placed horizontally.Greater Than (8): Everything in this space must be greater than 8. The answer is 0-6, placed horizontally; 4-2, placed horizontally.Greater Than (0): Everything in this purple space must be greater than 0. The answer is 5-2, placed horizontally.Greater Than (0): Everything in this dark blue space must be greater than 0. The answer is 4-2, placed horizontally.Hard difficulty hints, answers for Feb. 2 PipsNumber (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 1-3, placed horizontally.Number (8): Everything in this space must add up to 8. The answer is 4-4, placed horizontally.Equal (3): Everything in this space must be equal to 3. The answer is 3-3, placed horizontally.Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 5-2, placed vertically; 2-1, placed vertically.Less Than (2): Everything in this light blue space must be less than 2. The answer is 2-1, placed vertically.Number (3): Everything in this space must add up to 3. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally.Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-4, placed horizontally; 5-0, placed horizontally.Less Than (2): Everything in this green space must be less than 2. The answer is 5-0, placed horizontally.Number (9): Everything in this space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-6, placed horizontally.Number (1): Everything in this space must add up to 1. The answer is 0-1, placed vertically.Less Than (2): Everything in this space must be less than 2. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically; 0-0, placed vertically; 0-1, placed vertically.Number (9): Everything in this orange space must add up to 9. The answer is 3-0, placed vertically.Number (9): Everything in this light blue space must add up to 9. The answer is 2-6, placed horizontally; 2-2, placed horizontally; 5-3, placed horizontally.Greater Than (4): Everything in this space must be greater than 4. The answer is 5-3, 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 know aquaticsports.As we've shared in previous hints stories, this is a version of the popular New York Times word game that seeks to test the knowledge of sports fans. Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier — so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections: Sports Edition?The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Each puzzle features 16 words and each grouping of words is split into four categories. These sets could comprise of anything from book titles, software, country names, etc. Even though multiple words will seem like they fit together, there's only one correct answer.If a player gets all four words in a set correct, those words are removed from the board. Guess wrong and it counts as a mistake — players get up to four mistakes until the game ends. This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. Players can also rearrange and shuffle the board to make spotting connections easier. Additionally, each group is color-coded with yellow being the easiest, followed by green, blue, and purple. Like Wordle, you can share the results with your friends on social media. SEE ALSO: Wordle-obsessed? These are the best word games to play IRL. Here's a hint for today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesWant a hint about the categories without being told the categories? Then give these a try:Yellow: Texas educationGreen: Missouri sportsBlue: Bowl gamePurple: Comes in fivesHere are today's Connections: Sports Edition categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:Yellow: Texas College TeamsGreen: St. Louis TeamsBlue: Can Be Followed By "Bowl"Purple: ____FiveLooking 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 #497 is...What is the answer to Connections: Sports Edition today?Texas College Teams - AGGIES, COUGARS, HORNED FROGS, LONGHORNSSt. Louis Teams - BILLIKENS, BLUES, CARDINALS, ST. LOUIS CITYCan Be Followed By "Bowl" - PRO, SENIOR, SHRINE, SUPER____Five - FAB, FIERCE, HIGH, STARTINGDon'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.

Just when you thought Industry was done putting Rishi Ramdani (Sagar Radia) through hell, the series keeps finding new ways to make him suffer. SEE ALSO: 'Industry' Season 4 review: HBO's criminally underrated drama thrills in most ambitious season yet Season 3 set the bar high with "White Mischief," a heart attack-inducing hour reminiscent of Uncut Gems. It went even further in its finale, when Rishi's debt collector Vinay (Asim Chaudhry) shot his wife Diana (Emily Barber) right in front of him. Season 4 has delved into the ruins of his life since then, hinting at a media circus between seasons that left Rishi as a suspect in Diana's murder. Unable to get a job, he's resorted to doing Harper Stern's (Myha'la) dirty work. He's also forbidden from seeing his young child, now living with Diana's family, for more than a few minutes at a time.Sounds like rock bottom, right? But somehow, Industry makes things even rockier for Rishi in Season 4, episode 4, titled "1000 Yoots, 1 Marilyn."The episode sees Rishi cozying up to FinDigest reporter and Harper ally Jim Dycker (Charlie Heaton). They wind up doing drugs together in a seedy apartment, and the night only spirals from there, ending with Jim dead, the police arriving, and a panicked Rishi leaping from the apartment balcony and shattering his legs. It's a shocking moment in a show full of them, not to mention a very involved stunt."It was the first time I got to be part of a stunt on that type of level," Radia told Mashable in a video interview. "There's a million things going through your head when you're dangling over a balcony like that." SEE ALSO: Kit Harington breaks down 'Industry's 'emotionally moving' ghost story The stunt involved wire work, and Radia remembered splitting the sequence into three sections: running up to the balcony, leaning over and getting his legs over the balcony, and then the jump itself.Makeup for the aftermath of the fall proved equally involved, with a prosthetics team creating Rishi's bloody, broken legs. It's one of Industry's goriest images yet, along with Diana's murder.Radia recalled lying on the ground around one o'clock in the morning, preparing to shoot the injury sequence. "I think we had probably 10, 15, 20 minutes to get that last bit done, and [the makeup and prosthetics team] were pouring all the blood on, and the camera is trying to position itself in the right place, and we were running out of time, as you always do in this industry, and we're just trying to get the shot," Radia said.The final effect is gruesome, injecting more horror into a scene that asks, "What could possibly be next for Rishi?"For Radia, Rishi's final scene in "1000 Yoots, 1 Marilyn" felt like a synthesis of the character he's been playing for four seasons."From a character perspective, it's Rishi doing what he's always done, which is just trying to run away from the problem, trying to get away from the situation that he's gotten himself in," Radia said.But now that Rishi can quite literally no longer run, he has to confront himself, creating a kind of catharsis for him."It's a really poignant moment in the story," Radia said. "He's been struggling with so much guilt and grief from what's happened at the end of Season 3 that it all catches up to him, and he doesn't quite know how to process the emotions that he's carrying. Actually, I think what you see at the end of that episode is a sense of relief. It's a sense of going, 'I think this is the right thing that's happening, albeit not in the greatest of circumstances... Everything that's happened up until this point leads to now, and it's the right thing.' For once, I think his moral compass is in the right direction, and he feels like, 'Yeah, this is what should be happening.'"New episodes of Industry Season 4 premiere Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

The NYT Connections puzzle today is not too difficult to solve if you're a crime fanatic.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 February 2, 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: WhileGreen: Access grantedBlue: DetectivesPurple: PlantsHere are today's Connections categoriesNeed a little extra help? Today's connections fall into the following categories:Yellow: DurationGreen: Credentials for entryBlue: Modern crime series protagonistsPurple: Trees plus a letterLooking 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 #967 is...What is the answer to Connections todayDuration: INTERVAL, PERIOD, SPAN, STRETCHCredentials for entry: LANYARD, PASS, STAMP, WRISTBANDModern crime series protagonists: BOSCH, CROSS, REACHER, RYANTrees plus a letter: FAIR, MARPLE, POPULAR, PSALMDon't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints. SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 2, 2026 Are you also playing NYT Strands? Get all the Strands hints you need for today's puzzle.If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

Today's NYT Strands hints are easy if you're a birdwatcher.Strands, the New York Times' elevated word-search game, requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 2, 2026 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 2, 2026 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Formidable flockThe words are related to wildlife. Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explainedThese words describe winged animals. NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.NYT Strands spangram answer todayToday's spangram is Big BirdsNYT Strands word list for February 2PenguinOstrichPelicanBig BirdsCassowaryRheaCondorLooking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Today's Wordle answer should be easy to solve if you're a smoker. If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 2, 2026 Where did Wordle come from?Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once. Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.What's the best Wordle starting word?The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.What happened to the Wordle archive?The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers. Is Wordle getting harder?It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though. SEE ALSO: NYT Pips hints, answers for February 2, 2026 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:A tobacco stick.Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?There are no recurring letters.Today's Wordle is a 5-letter word that starts with...Today's Wordle starts with the letter C. 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...CIGARDon't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands. SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 2, 2026 Reporting by Chance Townsend, Caitlin Welsh, Sam Haysom, Amanda Yeo, Shannon Connellan, Cecily Mauran, Mike Pearl, and Adam Rosenberg contributed to this article.If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

TL;DR: Enjoy eight powerful apps for life for one low price with this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License, on sale now for $34.97 through Feb. 22. Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License $34.97 $219.99 Save $185.02   Get Deal Tired of finding a new go-to app, only to discover you’re going to have to pay for it month after month? Microsoft Office Professional 2021 lets you own not just one, but a suite of eight powerful apps, for life with this Windows license. And right now it’s on sale for just $34.97 — less than $5 an app — through Feb. 22.If you’ve got subscription fatigue, we hear you. That’s why sometimes it’s good to go back to basics, like Microsoft Office. This classic set of tools has been around for decades, and like other things from the ’90s it doesn’t come with monthly fees. This Windows license lets you own the apps outright, so you can work offline and save a fortune. 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! Curious what apps you’ll get? This license includes Word for all your document needs and Excel to help with your spreadsheets. You’ll have Outlook to keep up with correspondence, PowerPoint to create presentations, Teams to stay connected with others, and OneNote to upgrade the way you take notes. There’s also Access for managing large databases and Publisher to create professional documents.This 2021 edition includes apps that have been redesigned to streamline your work flow. A ribbon-based interface makes it easy to access features, tools, and customizations. Just make sure your PC is running Windows 10 or 11 for compatibility.Get this Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows Lifetime License for just $34.97 through Feb. 22.StackSocial prices subject to change.

Wordlers, your favorite game just changed the rules: As of Monday, February 2, previously-played words may be reused."Hey, Wordlers! We have some exciting news to share," the New York Times stated in its Gameplay newsletter on January 28, according to Tom's Guide. "Starting on Monday, we will begin adding previously run words back into play." SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 1, 2026 Rest assured, though, that answers may still be new words. "There are still many first-time answers to debut, but also more chances for Wordle in ones and those magical, serendipitous moments when Wordle overlaps with real life," the statement continued. "Happy solving!"Now that old words are back in play, there are many more options for game creators to choose from. This will likely change how Wordlers play, especially those who participate every day. But such is the case with this five-letter word: CHANGE.Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Wordle.

SNL hasn't hesitated to evoke Epstein, and last night's Weekend Update was no different. SEE ALSO: 'SNL' Cold Open features Pete Davidson as Border Czar Tom Homan Anchor Colin Jost mentioned Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz's comparison of ICE's presence in the state to the Nazi occupation described in Holocaust victim Anne Frank's diaries. "But remember, this administration has always ignored the stories told by young girls," Jost said as the photo switched to one of Epstein. The audience ooohed so hard that Jost himself had a visual reaction.Weekend Update was full of other political references this week, including the killing of Alex Pretti and the release of the Melania documentary.

Former SNL cast member Pete Davidson returned to 30 Rock last night as the White House's Border Czar, Tom Homan, whose name has been in the news a lot in recent weeks, considering the surge of ICE in Minnesota. SEE ALSO: Alexander Skarsgård's 'SNL' promo sees him helping the cast in 1 specific area In usual fashion, SNL tried to make light of the horrors we're seeing on our screens daily, this time referencing the shooting of American citizens, the arrest of journalist Don Lemon, and ICE's use of force. "I'm Tom Homan, okay?" Davidson's Homan said, trying not to break character. "I'm the 'separating families at the border' guy. I'm the 'on film taking a $50,000 bribe' guy, and y'all are making me look like the upstanding, reasonable adult in the room. That's crazy!"SNL also took the opportunity to take another jab at the Epstein files, saying that the White House's Minneapolis operation was meant to distract from that initial drop, while the latest Epstein files released Friday are, ironically, distracting from Minneapolis.

Adult content creator platform OnlyFans is in talks to sell nearly 60 percent of its business to Architect Capital, a San Francisco-based investment firm, the Wall Street Journal first reported.The deal would be valued at around $3.5 billion, putting OnlyFans' valuation at $5.5 billion, including debt. The platform brings in almost $1.6 billion in annual net revenue, according to a presentation seen by the Wall Street Journal. SEE ALSO: What it takes to make six figures a month on OnlyFans, according to Tiffany Wisconsin The presentation also apparently stated that Architect sees a way to build an infrastructure at OnlyFans to pay "under-banked" creators. For years, some adult creators have claimed to be financially discriminated against and debanked, or have had their accounts closed at financial institutions, due to their work being "high risk."The firm also believes that OnlyFans has an opportunity to go public in 2028, the Wall Street Journal reported.Tech firm Fenix International currently owns OnlyFans, with Leonid Radvinsky as the majority owner. In May 2025, the New York Post reported that Radvinsky wanted to sell OnlyFans but was having trouble finding buyers.The news comes days after the latest class action lawsuit was filed against OnlyFans. The complaint claims that OnlyFans "baits and switches" customers by offering all a creator's content after they pay a subscription, only to be met with upselling behind the paywall.

TL;DR: You only have until midnight to score serious savings on a Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license — it’s on sale for $9.97 through tonight (Feb. 1) at 11:59 p.m. PT. Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Windows 11 Pro $9.97 $199 Save $189.03   Get Deal Don’t count your old PC out. You would be surprised how revitalizing a new operating system can be. This Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license totally refreshes your device, and right now you can get it for only $9.97. But you need to act fast, this deal only runs through tonight (Feb. 1) at 11:59 p.m. PT.It’s time to spoil your old PC with a brand new operating system, Windows 11 Pro. This OS was created for the modern professional, so it can help you get a serious productivity boost with all its new features. It doesn’t matter if you’re an entrepreneur, an artist, or a developer — these tools are ready to work for you. 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! From a seamless, easy-to-navigate interface to snap layouts, easy redocking, improved voice typing, and a more powerful search experience, Windows 11 Pro can save you time and make your workday a little easier.Your Windows 11 Pro license includes a Microsoft Office staple, Microsoft Teams, which can help you stay connected to family, friends, and coworkers. It also gives you access to Copilot, your very own AI-powered assistant. With Copilot on your desktop, you can get answers to your questions and even let it take actions like summarizing web pages, opening apps, or changing your settings.Windows 11 Pro also takes your cybersecurity more seriously, offering features like biometric logins, encrypted authentication, and enhanced antivirus protection so you can rest easier knowing your data stays private. It also includes Azure AD, Windows Sandbox, and BitLocker device encryption.Get this Microsoft Windows 11 Pro license for $9.97 through tonight (Feb. 1) at 11:59 p.m. PT.StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Get a laptop you can grow with, a 1TB Apple MacBook Pro, on sale now for just $439.99 (reg. $1,999), while supplies last. Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple Macbook Pro 2020 (Refurbished) $439.99 $1,999 Save $1,559.01   Get Deal Looking for a laptop that can keep up with your storage needs? With the amount of data we add every day, it’s no surprise that many of us rely on cloud storage or external hard drives to keep everything organized. This MacBook Pro not only offers the power and performance you expect from Apple’s most deluxe laptop, but it also comes with an impressive 1TB SSD.Right now, you can get this MacBook Pro for only $439.99 (reg. $1,999), while supplies last. 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! Tired of getting the dreaded storage is full notification? It might be time to get a device that can keep up with all your data. This MacBook Pro comes with 1TB of SSD storage, so you can keep your important files right on your computer.Aside from giving you plenty of space, this MacBook Pro also comes with some top-tier Apple features you’d expect — like a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor that runs at 2GHz and has turbo boost capabilities up to 3.8GHz. Its 13.3-inch screen has a 2560×1600 native resolution, vibrant colors, and Apple’s True Tone Technology, which helps reduce eye strain by adjusting to your lighting conditions.This model has the Apple Touch Bar, a great addition at the top of the keyboard that serves up quick shortcuts. It’s easy and comfortable to type on with the Apple Magic Keyboard, and the impressive 10-hour battery keeps you from constantly having to charge it.Curious how you’re saving over $1,500? This model comes with a grade A refurbished status, so it will arrive in near-mint condition, and you’ll enjoy a major discount.Get a 1TB Apple MacBook Pro for only $439.99 (reg. $1,999).StackSocial prices subject to change.

The best Peacock streaming deals to watch the Winter Olympics: Peacock Premium yearly subscription $109.99/year (save $21.89) Get Deal Peacock Premium for Students and Young Adults $5.99/month for 12 months (save $5/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium for First Responders and Medical Professionals $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Best for military personnel Peacock Premium for Active Military and Veterans $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium for Teachers $6.99/month (save $4/month) Get Deal Peacock Premium annual subscription Free for Instacart+ subscribers (save $109.99/year) Get Deal Peacock Premium Free for Walmart+ subscribers Get Deal The 2026 Winter Olympics are nearly here! This year marks the fourth time Italy has hosted the Winter Games (the last time was Turin in 2006). There will be plenty of fan-favorite sports and even an entirely new one joining the list — snow mountaineering. Here's hoping it sparks another viral moment like the 2024 Summer Olympics' newest sport.Things officially kick off with the Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium on Feb. 6 (though a few events will begin before that). If you don't want to miss a minute of the action, we've compiled all the essential details you need to know to watch live, including which streaming service you'll need and how to score a deal on it. Let's go, Team USA!How to watch the 2026 Olympics with or without cableNo cable? No problem. You'll be able to catch all the action with a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus subscription.A Peacock subscription gives you access to the full NBC broadcast of the Winter Olympics, including Opening and Closing Ceremonies, plus a livestream of every single sport, competition, and medal ceremony. You'll also get access to always-on Olympics channels, replays, highlights, documentaries, and nonstop commentary. Basically, Peacock is your one-stop shop for everything Olympics.If you're watching the Olympic Games in the U.S., keep in mind that Eastern time is six hours behind Milan and Cortina. Some broadcasts will be delayed until primetime, depending on the time zone. If you have cable, you'll be able to watch live competitions throughout the day, as well as enhanced showcase events at night on NBC. USA Network and CNBC will also air Olympics coverage. Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium $10.99 per month Get Deal A Peacock Premium subscription costs $10.99 per month with ads or $16.99 per month without. There are also a few ways to save some money on a subscription, so keep scrolling for the latest Peacock streaming deals.When and where are the 2026 Winter Olympics?The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy from Feb. 6 to 22.Here are some of the major dates to mark on your calendar:Feb. 6: Opening ceremonyFeb. 7: First gold medal eventsFeb. 8: Gold medal, women's Alpine skiing downhillFeb. 13: Gold medal, men's figure skatingFeb. 18: Gold medal, women's Alpine skiing slalomFeb. 19: Gold medal, women's figure skating. Gold medal game, women's ice hockey. First gold medals in ski mountaineering.Feb. 22: Gold medal game, men's ice hockey. Closing ceremony.Which sports are in the Winter Olympics?Nearly 3,000 athletes will be competing across 16 different sports in the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. Categories range from skiing and snowboarding to figure skating and hockey. Below is a full list — for more information on each individual sport, head over to the official Olympics website.Alpine SkiingBiathlonBobsleighCross-Country SkiingCurlingFigure SkatingFreestyle SkiingIce HockeyLugeNordic CombinedShort Track Speed SkatingSkeletonSki JumpingSki MountaineeringSnowboardSpeed SkatingThe best Peacock streaming dealsBest Peacock deal: Save 17% on an annual subscription Opens in a new window Credit: Peacock Peacock Premium annual subscription $109.99 per year or $169.99 per year (save 17%) Get Deal I've said it before and I'll say it again: the best Peacock deal on any given day is the annual subscription plan. It costs $109.99 (with ads) or $169.99 (ad-free) up front, as opposed to the $131.88 or $203.88 you'll pay if you choose a monthly plan. 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Finding unique Valentine's Day gifts for your boyfriend or your husband is no easy feat when most gift guides out there define "unique" with whiskey stones and beard oil. Doomscroll on Google no longer — we've curated a list of 30+ genuinely thoughtful Valentine's Day gift ideas that encapsulate how much he means to you. This diverse list has romantic gifts, fun gifts that'll speak to his interests, and practical gifts that'll make his life easier. The one overarching theme? All are gifts that prove you've been listening. Based on intel gathered across social media and our own personal lives, here are the best Valentine's Day gift ideas for men in 2026:

TL;DR: Live stream Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final for free on 9Now. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.The 2026 Australian Open has delivered a number of incredible games, but the semi-final stage of the men's draw went absolutely wild. Carlos Alcaraz overcame Alexander Zverev in an epic five-set match, followed by Novak Djokovic's astonishing five-set victory over defending champion Jannik Sinner.That has set up a mouth-watering final between the top seed and arguably the best player of all time. Alcaraz will be the favorite to lift the trophy, but Djokovic's semi-final triumph just goes to show that you can never count him out. Djokovic will be gunning for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam. Alcaraz will be aiming to become the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam. It's all set to be something special.If you want to watch Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final for free from anywhere in the world, we have all the information you need.How to watch Alcaraz vs. Djokovic for freeAlcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final is available to live stream for free on 9Now.9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These handy tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Australia, meaning you can unblock 9Now from anywhere in the world.Access free live streams of the 2026 Australian Open by following these simple steps:Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)Open up the app and connect to a server in AustraliaVisit 9NowWatch the 2026 Australian Open for free from anywhere in the world Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.99 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer deals such as free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these deals, you can live stream Alcaraz vs. Djokovic without actually spending anything. This isn't a long-term solution, but it gives you enough time to watch the Australian Open before recovering your investment.What is the best VPN for 9Now?ExpressVPN is the best service for bypassing geo-restrictions to stream live tennis on 9Now, for a number of reasons:Servers in 105 countries including AustraliaEasy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and moreStrict no-logging policy so your data is always secureFast connection speedsUp to 10 simultaneous connections30-day money-back guaranteeA two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $68.40 and includes an extra four months for free — 81% off for a limited time. This plan includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.99 (with money-back guarantee).Live stream Alcaraz vs. Djokovic in the 2026 Australian Open final for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine. There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle. If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered. SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hintTo play again. SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answerRERUNHurdle Word 2 hintShort. SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for February 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 2 AnswerSTOUT Hurdle Word 3 hintTiny. SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for February 1 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for February 1, 2026 Hurdle Word 3 answerSMALLHurdle Word 4 hintFlinched.Hurdle Word 4 answerSHIEDFinal Hurdle hintUnfortunately. SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answerSADLYIf you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.