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DOGE and Musks USAID shutdown probably violated the U.S. Constitution

Mashable - Wed, 03/19/2025 - 03:48

A U.S. federal judge has ruled that the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) shutdown of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) likely violated the Constitution "in multiple ways." While this doesn't mean USAID is back up and running, the order does put a temporary halt to DOGE head Elon Musk's plans to scrap the agency.

SEE ALSO: Elon Musk killing USAID would hurt America's future. Here's why.

In an 68-page opinion filed in the Maryland District Court on Tuesday, judge Theodore Chuang granted a preliminary injunction preventing DOGE from further dismantling USAID. A vital foreign aid organisation, USAID offered humanitarian assistance to other countries on behalf of the U.S. government, including disaster and poverty relief. Unfortunately, billionaire Musk apparently considered such spending wasteful, shutting down USAID, reportedly reducing a workforce of over 10,000 to 611, and abruptly cutting off billions in foreign aid shortly after President Donald Trump's inauguration.

The temporary injunction doesn't restore USAID to what it was prior to DOGE's intervention. However, it does mean that DOGE cannot fire any more USAID employees, end its contracts or grants, or shut down its offices and IT systems. The court further ordered DOGE to reinstate all current USAID employees' access to their email, payments, security, and other electronic systems, as well as restore deleted emails.

Why was DOGE shutting down USAID potentially unconstitutional? Credit: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

The case was brought by 26 USAID employees and contractors, some of whom the court noted had been stranded overseas without vital security software or funds for basic living expenses when DOGE shut down USAID's systems. In his ruling, Chuang agreed with the plaintiffs' assessment that Musk and DOGE violated the U.S. Constitution on more than one occasion, finding that their case was likely to succeed.

Specifically, the plaintiffs alleged that the Constitution's Appointments Clause was breached because Musk operated as an Officer of the United States without being appointed as such.  The defence refuted this, claiming that Musk was merely acting in an advisory capacity, and wasn't the one actually calling the shots. Chuang found this unconvincing.

"To deny [this claim] solely on the basis that, on paper, Musk has no formal legal authority relating to the decisions at issue, even if he is actually exercising significant authority on governmental matters, would open the door to an end-run about the Appointments Clause," wrote Chuang.

"Musk's public statements and posts on X, in which he has stated on multiple occasions that DOGE will take action, and such action occurred shortly thereafter, demonstrate that he has firm control over DOGE…. [T]he present record supports the conclusion that Musk, without having been duly appointed as an Officer of the United States, exercised significant authority reserved for an Officer…"

The plaintiffs further argued that Musk and DOGE breached the separation of powers because USAID is a federal agency that can only be created or abolished by Congress. As such, DOGE's shutdown of USAID allegedly exceeded the authority of the executive branch to encroach upon the legislative branch. Chuang also considered this argument strong.

"Congress has made clear through statute its express will that USAID be an independent agency, and that it not be abolished or substantially reorganized without congressional approval," said Chuang. "[Musk and DOGE's] present actions to dismantle USAID violate the Separation of Powers because they contravene congressional authority relating to the establishment of an agency."

Predictably, Musk quickly took to X to decry the ruling, questioning Chuang's integrity as well as sharing and agreeing with posts claiming a "judicial coup." He did not specifically address any of the legal and factual issues raised in the case. 

The White House has also alleged a political motivation for the judgement, confirming that it will appeal the decision. Appearing to employ a "no you" approach to the situation, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly bizarrely accused Chuang of breaching the separation of powers himself, claiming that "rogue judges are subverting the will of the American people in their attempts to stop President Trump from carrying out his agenda." Under U.S. law, the judiciary has the power to assess the constitutional validity of federal laws as well as the actions of the executive branch.

How to watch the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix online for free

Mashable - Wed, 03/19/2025 - 01:00

TL;DR: Watch the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Fans are expecting big things from the 2025 F1 season, and largely, they got what they wanted from the first race. Sure, Lando Norris winning wasn't a huge surprise, but we got competitive racing from an open field. And you get the feeling that there is a lot more to come. At least, that's what Lewis Hamilton will be hoping for.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix?

The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix takes place over 56 laps of the 5,451-kilometre Shanghai International Circuit. The full schedule can be found here:

  • Practice — 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST on March 21

  • Sprint Qualifying — 3:30 to 4:14 p.m. CST on March 21

  • Sprint — 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST on March 22

  • Qualifying — 3 to 4 p.m. CST on March 22

  • Race 3 p.m. CST on March 23

The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix without spending anything.

How to watch the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix for free

The 2025 Chinese Grand Prix is available to live stream for free on ServusTV. This free streaming service is offering coverage of the entire weekend.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can access free live streams of F1 from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

  1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

  4. Connect to ServusTV

  5. Watch the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix from anywhere in the world

Please be aware that Formula 1 take the view that the use of a VPN to watch content from another territory may be a breach of the relevant broadcasters’ terms of service and may constitute copyright infringement. It is your responsibility to ensure that your use of a VPN is legal and Mashable does not encourage any illegal use of a VPN.

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (2-Year Subscription + 4 Months Free) $139 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but leading services do tend to offer free trials or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can watch F1 live streams without actually spending anything. This is clearly not a long-term solution, but it does mean you can stream the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for streaming F1 live is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for F1?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for live streaming F1 for free, for a number of reasons:

  • Servers in 105 countries including Austria

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

  • Fast streaming speeds

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 61% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Watch the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix for free with ExpressVPN.

How to watch Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs online

Mashable - Wed, 03/19/2025 - 01:00

TL;DR: Live stream Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers on Sling TV.

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs face off a couple of times this week in the MLB Tokyo Series, which marks the start of the 2025 regular season. All eyes are on Shohei Ohtani and Rōki Sasaki, with fans eager to see both Japanese natives play in their home country.

Even though the games take place in Tokyo, you can easily watch them in the US. We've also got you covered on how to watch from anywhere else in the world.

When is Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers?

The second Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs game of the series takes place at 6:10 a.m. ET on March 19.

The two teams will face off at the Tokyo Dome. The game will air on FS1.

How to watch Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers

The second Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game of the MLB Tokyo Series can be streamed using Sling Blue and Sling Orange + Blue subscriptions on Sling TV.

Opens in a new window Credit: Sling Sling TV Sports Plan Shop Now

Sling TV offers its Orange & Blue package of 48 channels at $55 per month. Sign up to enjoy a first-month discounted rate of $27.50.

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

How to watch Cubs vs. Dodgers from anywhere in the world

If you're abroad for this fixture, you might need to use a VPN to unblock your favorite streaming service. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in the U.S., meaning you can unblock live streams of the MLB from anywhere in the world.

Live stream Cubs vs. Dodgers from anywhere in the world by following these simple steps:

  1. Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN)

  2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

  3. Open up the app and connect to a server in the U.S.

  4. Sign in to your favorite streaming service

  5. Watch Cubs vs. Dodgers from anywhere in the world

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

  • Servers in 105 countries including the U.S.

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

  • Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

  • Fast connection speeds free from throttling

  • Up to eight simultaneous connections

  • 30-day money-back guarantee

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

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

Unleash your inner plant geek and ID plants with this discount app

Mashable - Wed, 03/19/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Identify plants for life with Plantum — a plant identification AI app — now only £11.58 through 30 March. Just head to the Mashable Shop and use the code SAVE5 at checkout for unlimited access.

Opens in a new window Credit: Plantum - AI Plant Identifier Plantum - AI Plant Identifier Premium Plan: Lifetime Subscription (For iOS Only) £11.58
£46.40 Save £34.82 Use code 'SAVE5' Get Deal

Imagine walking through a garden or forest and being able to name every plant you see. With Plantum AI Plant Identifier’s premium lifetime subscription on sale for £11.58 (reg. £46.40), you’ll have access to a powerful plant identification tool that makes every nature walk an adventure. Just snap a picture, and Plantum will instantly tell you the species, care tips, and fun facts about your leafy find.

Perfect for both plant newbies and green thumbs, Plantum uses AI to recognise thousands of plant species, offering detailed insights right on your phone. This app isn’t just for wild plants — it’s great for identifying houseplants, too. Whether you’re unsure about that new succulent or just curious about a flower you spotted, Plantum has the answers.

And with a lifetime subscription, you won’t need to worry about monthly fees or renewals. You get unlimited access to plant IDs, plant care guides, and a personal plant collection feature. Plus, with Plantum’s accurate care tips, you can keep your houseplants thriving without having to guess their needs.

This tool is a great gift for anyone who loves the outdoors (including yourself!), wants to learn more about the plants around them, or simply wants to take better care of their indoor garden. So, whether you’re on a hike, at the park, or just browsing your local nursery, Plantum makes plant identification fun and easy.

Until 30 March at 11:59 p.m., take advantage of this sale on a lifetime subscription to a Plantum AI Plant Identifier Premium Plan for £11.58 (reg. £46.40) — just use code SAVE5 at checkout.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Get flight deals to your inbox with a year of Dollar Flight Club Premium for £8

Mashable - Wed, 03/19/2025 - 00:00

TL;DR: Save on flights with a 1-year Dollar Flight Club Premium membership for £7.73 (reg. £53.37). Get personalised deal alerts and book your dream trips for less.

Opens in a new window Credit: Dollar Flight Club Dollar Flight Club Premium Plan: 1-Year Subscription £7.73
£53.37 Save £45.64 Get Deal

Picture this: You’re sipping a cocktail on a beach in Majorca, strolling the streets of Paris, or hiking through the mountains of Japan — and you paid way less than everyone else on the plane. That’s the magic of Dollar Flight Club.

This £7.73 annual subscription to the Dollar Flight Club Premium Plan does the hard work of finding cheap flights for you. Just set your departure airports, and you’ll get email alerts when prices drop on domestic and international flights.

Recent deals have included roundtrip flights to Hawaii for £125, Spain for £230, and France for £220. These aren’t just random discounts — they’re curated deals designed to help you travel more while spending less.

The Premium Plan lets you track deals from up to four departure airports, so you never miss out on an opportunity to jet off somewhere incredible. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or a bucket-list adventure, this membership makes it possible without blowing your budget.

Redeem your code within 30 days, start planning, and let the cheap flights roll in.

For just £7.73, you’ll get a full year of deal alerts from this Dollar Flight Club subscription, giving you more reasons to pack your bags.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 19

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 22:00

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

Like the original Connections, the game is all about finding the "common threads between words." And just like Wordle, Connections resets after midnight and each new set of words gets trickier and trickier—so we've served up some hints and tips to get you over the hurdle.

If you just want to be told today's puzzle, you can jump to the end of this article for the latest Connections solution. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable What is Connections Sports Edition?

The NYT's latest daily word game has launched in association with The Athletic, the New York Times property that provides the publication's sports coverage. Connections can be played on both web browsers and mobile devices and require players to group four words that share something in common.

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.

Here's a hint for today's Connections Sports Edition categories

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

  • Yellow: How good is the QB?

  • Green: Rounds of March Madness

  • Blue: Alternative baseball

  • Purple: Science-related

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

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

  • Yellow: Stats for a QB

  • Green: First words of NCAA tournament rounds

  • Blue: Baseball leagues

  • Purple: Periodic table meets sports

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 #177 is...

What is the answer to Connections Sports Edition today
  • Stats for a QB - ATTEMPTS, RATING, TOUCHDOWNS, YARDS

  • First words of NCAA tournament rounds - ELITE, FINAL, FIRST, SWEET

  • Baseball "leagues" - CACTUS, GRAPEFRUIT, INTERNATIONAL, PACIFIC COAST

  • Periodic table meets sports - GOLD MEDAL, LEAD RUNNER, MERCURY, SILVER SLUGGER

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Connections.

NYT Strands hints, answers for March 19

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 22:00

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

Strands requires the player to perform a twist on the classic word search. Words can be made from linked letters — up, down, left, right, or diagonal, but words can also change direction, resulting in quirky shapes and patterns. Every single letter in the grid will be part of an answer. There's always a theme linking every solution, along with the "spangram," a special, word or phrase that sums up that day's theme, and spans the entire grid horizontally or vertically.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable

By providing an opaque hint and not providing the word list, Strands creates a brain-teasing game that takes a little longer to play than its other games, like Wordle and Connections.

If you're feeling stuck or just don't have 10 or more minutes to figure out today's puzzle, we've got all the NYT Strands hints for today's puzzle you need to progress at your preferred pace.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 19 NYT Strands hint for today’s theme: Upright and grand

The words are parts of a whole.

Today’s NYT Strands theme plainly explained

These words are put together to form one instrument.

NYT Strands spangram hint: Is it vertical or horizontal?

Today's NYT Strands spangram is horizontal.

NYT Strands spangram answer today

Today's spangram is PianoParts.

Featured Video For You Strands 101: How to win NYT’s latest word game NYT Strands word list for March 19
  • Hammers

  • Frame

  • Strings

  • Cover

  • Pedals

  • Keyboard

  • PianoParts

Looking for other daily online games? Mashable's Games page has more hints, and if you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now!

Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to yesterday's Strands.

Hurdle hints and answers for March 19, 2025

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 22:00

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 hint

A long-necked flute.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

SITAR

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A military freshman.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 19, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

PLEBE

Hurdle Word 3 hint

To move slightly.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 19 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 19, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

BUDGE

Hurdle Word 4 hint

An uncool person.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for March 19 Hurdle Word 4 answer

DWEEB

Final Hurdle hint

A Spanish shawl.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

MANTA

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for March 19, 2025

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 22:00

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's The Mini crossword answers for March 19 Here's a hint for today's Connections categories

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

  • Yellow: To indicate

  • Green: Functions in Google Chrome

  • Blue: Street parts

  • Purple: The first word is the same

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

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

  • Yellow: Signify

  • Green: Web browser buttons

  • Blue: Parts of a road

  • Purple: À/A la ___

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 #645 is...

What is the answer to Connections today
  • Signify: CONVEY, EXPRESS, MEAN, SPELL

  • Web browser buttons: BACK, EXTENSIONS, FORWARD, REFRESH

  • Parts of a road: DIVIDER, LANE, MEDIAN, SHOULDER

  • À/A la: CARTE, KING, MODE, PLANCHA

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be new Connections for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 19

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.

Wordle today: Answer, hints for March 19, 2025

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 22:00

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

If you just want to be told today's word, you can jump to the bottom of this article for today's Wordle solution revealed. But if you'd rather solve it yourself, keep reading for some clues, tips, and strategies to assist you.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: NYT Connections today: Hints and answers for March 19 Where did Wordle come from?

Originally created by engineer Josh Wardle as a gift for his partner, Wordle rapidly spread to become an international phenomenon, with thousands of people around the globe playing every day. Alternate Wordle versions created by fans also sprang up, including battle royale Squabble, music identification game Heardle, and variations like Dordle and Quordle that make you guess multiple words at once

Wordle eventually became so popular that it was purchased by the New York Times, and TikTok creators even livestream themselves playing.

What's the best Wordle starting word?

The best Wordle starting word is the one that speaks to you. But if you prefer to be strategic in your approach, we have a few ideas to help you pick a word that might help you find the solution faster. One tip is to select a word that includes at least two different vowels, plus some common consonants like S, T, R, or N.

What happened to the Wordle archive?

The entire archive of past Wordle puzzles was originally available for anyone to enjoy whenever they felt like it, but it was later taken down, with the website's creator stating it was done at the request of the New York Times. However, the New York Times then rolled out its own Wordle Archive, available only to NYT Games subscribers.

Is Wordle getting harder?

It might feel like Wordle is getting harder, but it actually isn't any more difficult than when it first began. You can turn on Wordle's Hard Mode if you're after more of a challenge, though.

SEE ALSO: NYT's The Mini crossword answers for March 19, 2025 Here's a subtle hint for today's Wordle answer:

A glimmer.

Does today's Wordle answer have a double letter?

There are no reoccurring letters.

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

Today's Wordle starts with the letter S.

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...

SPARK.

Don't feel down if you didn't manage to guess it this time. There will be a new Wordle for you to stretch your brain with tomorrow, and we'll be back again to guide you with more helpful hints.

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

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for March 19

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.

Oracle’s Role in TikTok’s Future Gets Capitol Hill Scrutiny

NYT Technology - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 20:47
Top congressional staffers met with Oracle on Tuesday to talk about TikTok, which faces a ban in the United States unless it is sold to a non-Chinese owner by early April.

Stranded NASA astronauts touch down, plucked from ocean

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 19:35

The much-anticipated return of stranded NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station went off without a hitch.

Williams and Wilmore flew home from the ISS along with astronaut Nick Hague and cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, splashing down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida just before 6 p.m. ET today. The weather was crystal clear and the Atlantic Ocean described as "glass-like" by NASA's live feed on X.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Speed boats raced to the capsule after the splashdown of the Dragon capsule that carried SpaceX's Crew-9. NASA officials then climbed aboard the Dragon to check on the four astronauts as dolphins swam nearby (visible at the 1:33 mark on NASA's live feed). After a quick check, the capsule was hoisted onto a larger boat, the Megan, and then hosed down to wash off corrosive sea water.

The hatch was quickly opened and Commander Nick Hague was the first to be extracted from the Dragon, followed by Gorbunov, Williams, and Wilmore. Less than an hour after splashdown, all astronauts were extracted and loaded onto stretchers as their muscles needed time to adjust to Earth's gravity.

The return of SpaceX's Crew-9 was notable for many reasons, but the most significant was the fact that Williams and Wilmore were returning to Earth after their initial ISS trip of eight days turned into 286 days, or over nine months, thanks to their Boeing Starliner ship experiencing propulsion problems during their arrival last June.

NASA will provide the media with more updates on Williams, Wilmore, Hague and Gorbunov at a press conference scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

SEE ALSO: NASA dropped a new report. It's a wake-up call.

Trump Fires Democrats on Federal Trade Commission

NYT Technology - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 17:26
The decision to fire the two Democratic members of the traditionally independent regulatory body is likely to face a legal challenge.

The popular VPN Surfshark is currently 84% off

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 17:07

TL;DR: Get protection and speed with a three-year Surfshark VPN subscription for A$106 with code SURF20, an 84% savings as of today.

Opens in a new window Credit: Surfshark Surfshark VPN Starter Plan: 3-Yr Subscription AU$106
AU$679 Save AU$573 Use code 'SURF20' Get Deal

Whether you're a remote worker regularly using public WiFi networks, a gamer who stays connected 24/7, or just an average Netflix binger, your private data is vulnerable to trackers and hackers every time you sign online. How else would targeted ads match that bizarre product you and your friends were just talking about? It's all good, though. You can easily block those prying eyes and protect your data with a virtual private network (VPN).

If you haven't already armed yourself with a VPN or you're not happy with the one you have, today's your lucky day. This three-year subscription to Surfshark VPN is currently on sale for over 80% off and offers all you need to stay safe online, and then some. It's one of the highest-rated VPNs on the market, earning an impressive 4.5 out of 5 stars on TechGadgetCentral and TechRadar and 8 out of 10 on The VPN Lab.

Check it out:

Why do people seem to love it so much? Well, for one thing, it protects not only your data but everyone in your family's data, thanks to an unlimited number of connections — something most VPNs do not offer. You, your family, and your friends can all enjoy connecting to over 500 torrent-friendly servers with an unlimited amount of data, no matter where on Earth you are. Plus, you never have to sacrifice your surfing speed for your security. You can enjoy content faster than before with optimized online streaming and unlimited bandwidth.

Surfshark also uses military-grade AES-256-GCM encryption to keep you completely secure and a CleanWeb ad, tracker, and malware blocker to boost your browsing freedom. That means you'll never be creeped out by targeted ads while you browse, stream, work, or play ever again.

While it's usually A$679 for a three-year subscription, you can sign up here for just A$106 using code SURF20 through 31 March and save 84%.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

10+ self-emptying robot vacuums on sale ahead of Amazons spring sale

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 16:51
A peek at the best early Amazon spring sale deals on self-emptying robot vacuums Budget pick Shark AI Ultra AV2511AE $299.99 at Amazon (save $300) Get Deal Best self-emptying deal with self-washing and drying mopping padsa Roborock Qrevo Master $1,299.99 at Amazon (save $600) Get Deal

Unless you're really trying to save space on the floor, there's little reason to not opt for a self-emptying robot vacuum these days. Automated vacuuming likely means more frequent vacuuming, and more frequent vacuuming means faster dustbin filling. And at this point, that shouldn't be your problem.

Automatic dustbin emptying has become such a mainstream robot vacuum feature that a ton of self-emptying robot vacs are solidly in the sub-$500 range — and even more models join that club when there's a big sale event. The latest one happens to line up perfectly with spring cleaning season: Amazon's second Big Spring Sale is happening between March 25 and March 31. And Amazon is extremely well-versed in robot vacuum deals.

SEE ALSO: iRobot just completely overhauled its lineup with 8 new Roombas for 2025

With multiple new record-low prices already popping up in the week before the sale starts, your budget could wind up covering even more convenience-related features than you originally expected — further minimizing the amount of time you spend doing maintenance-related tasks for the vacuum. If you're set on a robot vacuum that mops, many self-empty docks in the list below also have water tanks and fans for self-washing and drying of the mopping pads after each use.

I'm tracking the best deals on self-emptying robot vacuum deals ahead of Amazon's sale below. Note: Deals with a 🔥 next to them have dropped to record-low prices.

Best self-emptying robot vacuum deal ahead of Amazon's Big Spring Sale Opens in a new window Credit: Roborock Roborock Qrevo Master $799.99 at Amazon
$1,399.99 Save $600 Get Deal Why we like it

When my favorite robot vacuum from 2024 drops to a new record-low price, of course that's the deal I'm going to recommend. But the deal looks even better when put in context with a 2025 Roborock that I'm testing right now. Compared to the 2025 Saros 10R, which goes for $1,599.99, you'd be getting a premium Roborock from 2024 with almost all of the same features for half the price.

The Qrevo Master obviously empties its own dustbin, but it extends that automated maintenance to automatic mopping pad washing and drying (plus automatic water tank refills) in that same dock. In my experience, this self-sustaining mopping pad situation makes me way more likely to actually use the robot mop — because otherwise, I end up forgoing a mopping cycle all together because I don't feel like washing the dirty pad by hand all the time.

The Qrevo Master also brings home premium features like flexible corner and edge mopping, automatic mop lifting when carpet is sensed, and a livestream pet camera. Its 10,000 Pa of suction power isn't as juicy as the 20,000 Pa on the pricey Saros 10R, but it's still more powerful than most other vacuums in this list.

More self-emptying robot vacuums on saleRobot vacuums that mopRobot vacuums that don't mop

Headphones and speaker deals live ahead of Amazons Big Spring Sale: Save on Sony, Bose, Sonos, and more

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 16:19
Best headphone and speaker deals ahead of Amazon's spring sale Best headphone deal Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones $261.90 (Save $113.05) Get Deal Best earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds $219 (Save $80) Get Deal Best Bluetooth speaker deal JBL Charge 5 $119.95 (Save $60) Get Deal

It's confirmed: Amazon's Big Spring Sale is just around the corner, and we've already got our eyes on the best headphones deals ahead of the official kick-off on March 25.

Though the sale itself focuses on more seasonally-centric items like grilling equipment and gardening supplies, last year we saw plenty of headphones and speakers deals go live during the week-long event. While we don't expect as dramatic markdowns as Amazon tends to offer during Prime Day or Black Friday, most of this sale is open to all shoppers — not just Prime members — making it a decent time to double-check your shopping list, whether you're in the market for a new TV or some Tile trackers.

SEE ALSO: The best laptop deals ahead of the Amazon Big Spring Sale — it's all about MacBooks so far

So far, we've seen price drops from most major brands, including Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, JBL, and Apple. We'll be updating this list as the sale draws nearer — we keep a close eye on the headphones and speaker markets year-round, so we'll only include deals that are legitimately harder to find.

Best headphones dealsBest earbuds dealsBest Bluetooth speaker deals

GM is teaming with Nvidia to produce fleet of self-driving vehicles

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 15:58

At Nvidia’s annual GTC conference, CEO Jensen Huang announced during his keynote session that the company would be partnering with GM to supercharge the latter's autonomous vehicle and manufacturing operations with AI and cutting-edge chips.

GM will integrate Nvidia’s AI-powered computing systems into its next-gen vehicles, using the chipmaker’s Drive AGX platform — essentially an “AI brain” designed to boost advanced driver assistance features and autonomy, according to The Verge. But it’s not just about cars — Nvidia’s Omniverse 3D graphics platform will also help GM streamline its manufacturing processes with digital twins and virtual simulations.

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"AI not only optimizes manufacturing processes and accelerates virtual testing but also helps us build smarter vehicles while empowering our workforce to focus on craftsmanship," GM CEO Mary Barra said in a statement.

The partnership comes at a critical time for GM. The automaker has poured billions into autonomous tech with mixed results—most notably, the costly setbacks of its Cruise robotaxi division, which faced safety concerns and a major funding pullback. Now, instead of betting on a separate AV fleet, GM is shifting its focus to bringing self-driving capabilities to consumer vehicles.

For Nvidia, the deal marks another milestone in its growing push into the auto industry, which Huang sees as a trillion-dollar opportunity by 2028. With partnerships spanning Jaguar, Volvo, and Mercedes-Benz, the AI giant is making it clear: the future of driving runs on its chips.

Heres how MLB captured that viral Dansby Swanson play

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 15:11

Baseball social media lit up after a jaw-dropping first-inning grab by Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson during an international exhibition game against the Yomiuri Giants. But it wasn’t just the play — a routine yet athletic throw to first — that had fans talking. It was the surreal replay angle that followed.

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The broadcast showed an ultra-high-tech view of Swanson’s diving grab—so advanced that, for a moment, it seemed AI-generated. However, a Major League Baseball spokesperson offered a simpler explanation in an email to Mashable:

It’s a system called FreeViewpoint developed by Canon. It’s permanently installed in the Tokyo Dome with 160 cameras around the rim of the seating bowl. They essentially stitch video together to create these looks. It’s on the World Feed so every broadcaster will see these clips.

It's so good that fans are clamoring for more.

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200+ of the best Amazon deals live ahead of its Big Spring Sale, hand-picked by Mashables team of experts

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 14:59
The best early Amazon Big Spring Sale deals at a glance: Best Kindle deal Amazon Kindle Scribe Essentials Bundle $449.97 (save $60) Get Deal Best Apple deal Apple MacBook Air, 13-inch (M4, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) $949 (save $50 with on-page coupon) Get Deal Best TV deal TCL 65-inch Q65 QLED 4K TV $349.99 (save $100) Get Deal Best headphones/earbuds deal Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds $219 (save $70) Get Deal Best robot vacuum deal Roborock Qrevo Master $799.99 (save $600) Get Deal Best smart home deal TP-Link Tapo Smart Light Bulbs (2-pack) $14.98 (save $10.01) Get Deal Best kitchen deal Stanley Quencher H2.0 Tumbler (40 ounces) $33.75 (save $11.25) Get Deal Best outdoor deal Coleman Montana Camping Tent (8-person) $164.99 (save $105) Get Deal Best book deal "Sunrise on the Reaping" by Suzanne Collins $19.59 (save $8.49) Get Deal

Amazon is about to spring a bunch of seasonal deals on shoppers. The retail giant announced Tuesday that its second-ever Big Spring Sale will run from Tuesday, March 25, through Monday, March 31, ushering in discounts on "end-of-season winter items" and "springtime favorites" across more than 35 categories. Each day of the weeklong sale will feature "themed daily drops" on top of new limited-time offers.

The Big Spring Sale is Amazon's first major savings event of the year — and unlike its flagship summer Prime Day sale, the deals won't be exclusive to Prime members. Most of them, anyway: Amazon said Prime members will get access to a handful of special offers. They'll be identified with a "Prime Spring Deal" badge.

SEE ALSO: Amazon announces Big Spring Sale dates and deals: Everything you need to know

Need help sifting through the noise? Mashable's Shopping team is keeping track of the best deals available at Amazon ahead of the Big Spring Sale, and we'll continue to do so once the event is officially live. With eight years of experience covering Amazon's sales under our belts, we've developed a tried-and-true deal-hunting methodology to find hidden gems among the retailer's myriad listings. We cross-check prices with Amazon's competitors, track pricing trends, and vet products' value based on our hands-on testing, and we only recommend what's most worth buying. You can read more about our deals coverage here.

Below, we've got a running list of Amazon's best early Big Spring Sale deals on smart home devices, Apple gadgets, robot vacuums, outdoor gear, kitchen appliances, books, and much more. Check back daily to see what else we find.

Best Kindle dealsBest Apple dealsAirPodsApple Watches

Apple Watch Series 10

Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen)

iPads

iPad

iPad Air

iPad Pro

MacBooks

MacBook Air

MacBook Pro

MacsApple accessoriesBest TV deals43-inch to 50-inch TVs55-inch TVs65-inch TVs75-inch and 77-inch TVs85-inch TVs and upBest laptop deals

For deals on MacBooks, scroll back up to the "Apple deals" section.

Windows laptops

2-in-1 laptops

Gaming laptopsBest headphone and earbud dealsHeadphonesBest earbuds dealsBest unlocked phone deals Samsung Galaxy phonesGoogle Pixel phonesMotorola phonesBest vacuum dealsRobot vacuumsRobot vacuum mop combosBest home dealsAir purifiersBedding and mattressesHome security equipmentSmart bulbsSmart light switchesSmart plugsBest kitchen dealsAir fryers and countertop ovensBlenders and food processorsCoffee makersDrinkwareInstant PotsRice cookersStand mixersBest fitness tracker dealsBest beauty tech dealsBest outdoor dealsBest power tool dealsBest Lego dealsBest book dealsFictionNon-fictionBest Pokémon deals

Inspired by nature, this robot morphs to overcome almost any obstacle

Mashable - Tue, 03/18/2025 - 14:53

GOAT is a shape-shifting robot designed to move across almost any terrain by changing its form in real time. It can switch between a flat, rover-like mode for driving and a spherical mode for rolling, saving energy and adapting to different environments. Inspired by animals, GOAT’s flexible design allows it to navigate obstacles without complex sensors, relying instead on simple navigation and its ability to work with the environment. With potential applications in disaster response, environmental monitoring, and even space exploration, GOAT represents a new approach to robotic movement.

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